V2Catholic.comDr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
A
voice for the poor
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I .
jdwomi@gmail.com +852 67095674
Imitating
Pope Francis
Tues Nov 22
Yesterday my fellow O.M.I. Fr Jun and I spent more than 6 hours
at Lo Wu women's prison. ..... the sort of day one could write a book about if
one had any energy left at the end of the day!
Meanwhile at the High Court yesterday morning two women from Kenya each received 3 month's reduction of sentence for their participation in my anti-drug campaign.
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Hosea
1-3: God said to Hosea "Marry a prostitute
and have children by her,
for my people have abandoned me and become unfaithful". The Lord's people are like his wife,
but they have abandoned him. Hosea's wife was unfaithful to him and left him.
But the Lord told Hosea to take her back. This was to show how God welcomes people back,
even though they have been unfaithful to him.
Lord,
please help us to be faithful to you
My
recording of this reading
Psalms
140-143: Lord, save me from
people who do evil,
you who do justice for the needy. I have no way out of
this situation.
And no one wants to help me. Lord, I beg you tonight
to make haste and give me an answer,
for my spirit fails within me. In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Lord, please help people who
are in big trouble
Listen
Acts
28.1-10: We were on the island of Malta. The local
people were really kind to us. They made us welcome. They lit a huge fire
because the weather was cold and rain was falling. Paul collected a bundle of sticks and was
putting them on the fire, when a snake bit his hand and held
on. The locals
expected him to die. But he just shook the snake into the fire. He was ok.
The local Roman governor kindly gave us
hospitality for three days. The governor's father was very sick in bed
with fever and dysentery. He was healed when Paul prayed for him with the
laying on of hands.
Word of the healing got around fast, and soon everyone on the island who
was sick, came and got healed
Jesus, please bless the people of Malta
Listen
Luke
23.50-56: Joseph from the town of Arimathaea was a
member of the religious leaders' council. He was a good and just man, and
had not agreed to the killing of Jesus. Late Friday afternoon, he went to Governor
Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He took it down from the cross,
wrapped it in a burial cloth, and put it in a rock tomb that had not yet
been used. The women from Galilee who had come to
Jerusalem with Jesus went with Joseph to the tomb. Then they left to
prepare burial spices and ointments. They planned to put these on Jesus'
body after the Saturday Sabbath day of rest
Jesus in the tomb, please give eternal life to
all the dead
Listen
Reflection: St Paul's Bay in Malta
-------------
Wear
mask & Cross!
------------------------------
To go with today's Gospel:
Pontius Pilate to Joseph of Arimathaea: "Why do you, a wealthy man, want to
give your own tomb to a criminal?"
Joseph to Pilate: "It's only for the weekend" !
-------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent, N America
Jesus,
today, Tuesday,
please bless the people of
South
Asia
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 22nd
of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Zhejiang
And praying for one of
the world's poorest countries
each day of the month:
On this 22nd of the month, Jesus please
bless the people of Senegal
And praying for one
Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday,
please pacify Boko
Haram
----------------------------
----------------------------
Mon Nov 21
Yesterday morning after 8.30am Chinese Mass at Yau Ma Tei parish and 11am English Mass at the Dr Jesus Centre for domestic workers ... and lunch with the domestic workers ... I had a long meeting later in the afternoon in preparation for my overseas trip starting Dec 12 ... to try to stop drug mules coming to HK
------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel
14: In Babylon there was a temple with an idol
named Bel
to which lots of food and drink were offered each day. 70 priests and their families used to
eat the food each night,
having entered the temple by a secret door. The king believed Bel ate the food.
Daniel told him that an idol cannot eat anything. The 70 priests called for Daniel to be
executed
if he could not prove the idol was not eating the food. Daniel got his servants to spread ashes over
the temple floor.
Next morning he showed the king the footprints in the ashes. The king had the 70 priests and their families
executed.
The king had Bel destroyed.
Lord, please help people turn
away from lifeless idols and serve you, the Creator of the world
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
139: O Lord, you search me and you know me.
You know my resting and my rising. You know exactly what's going on in my life,
all my ways are an open book to you. Before ever a word is on my tongue,
you know, O Lord, what I'm going to say. Your knowledge is beyond my understanding,
too high, beyond my reach. It was you who created my being,
knit me together in my mother's womb. I thank you for the wonder of my life,
for the wonders of all your creation.
Lord, thank you for the gift of
life. Please help me follow the path to eternal life
Listen
Acts
27.39-44: The next day they could see land: a bay with a beach. They tried to reach the beach, but the ship ran aground on a
reef and began to break up. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to
stop them from escaping, but Julius would not allow this.
Some people swam. Some used pieces of wreckage. All of them got to shore
safely
Jesus, help people in danger of
shipwreck today
Listen
Luke
23.44-49: At about midday, there was an eclipse of the
sun.
The whole land was in darkness until about 3pm. The veil of the Temple was torn right down the
middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice "Father,
into your hands I entrust my life". Then he died.
When the Roman army leader saw what had happened,
he said "This was a great and good man". The people who had been present went home
asking God for mercy. Jesus' friends
stood at a distance and saw all that had happened
Jesus,
thank you for dying on the cross for
the salvation of the world
Listen
Reflection: T H A N K Y O U J E S U S
-----------
-------------------------
Microsoft Translator (free download from Play Store) is so good
that maybe I don't need to learn much more Spanish?!
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Frid: South America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Monday,
please bless the people of Europe
& Russia
And
praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On
this 21st of
the month, Jesus please bless the people of Yunnan
And
praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 21st
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Afghanistan
And praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Monday,
please pacify I.S.
-----------------------
----------------------
Sun Nov 20Feast of Christ the King
At yesterday's prayer meeting for cancer patients at the Dr Jesus
Centre in Jordan there were four priests: Two Columbans Fr Tommy and Fr Dan, and
two Oblates Fr Rey (Philippines) and myself. A most encouraging
experience.
On Dec 12 I am due to start an overseas trip to 8 countries ....due back HK Feb 8 please God. Aim of trip is to visit families of people in prison in HK ... and to do publicity to stop people bringing drugs to HK....much like previous trips ... reports about which are at the bottom of this menu. Dec 12 is quickly approaching ....the next 3 weeks are going to be rather busy!
------------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
c.f. readings for Christ the King
2
Samuel 4-5: After
Ishbaal, son of Saul, was murdered, David became king of Israel as well as
king of Judah. David
was 30 years old when he became king. He reigned over Judah for 7 years. Then he
reigned over all Israel and Judah for 33 years. David continued to fight against
the Philistines. God
blessed David in all his campaigns.
Dear God, may all of Israel be blessed with peace
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
122: I rejoiced when I heard them
say "Let us go to God's house." And now our feet are standing within
your gates, O Jerusalem. For the peace of Jerusalem pray "Peace
be to your homes." For love of the house of the Lord I will ask for
your good.
Lord, may your peace be in our hearts and homes
Listen
Colossians
1.15-20: Christ
is the image of the unseen God. In him were created all things. All
things were created through him and for him. Before anything was created, he
existed. He holds all things in unity. The Church is his body. He is its head.
God wants all things to be reconciled through him who brought peace by his death
on the Cross
Jesus, God the Son become man, may our world find reconciliation and peace in
you
Listen
Luke
23.39-43: One of the
criminals hanging on a cross mockingly said to Jesus "Are you not the
Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the
first one and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man
has done nothing wrong". "Jesus",
he said, "remember me when you come into your kingdom". Jesus
replied "I promise you, this day you will be with me in Paradise"
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom
Listen
Reflection on the above readings: Beautiful song with words from today's Gospel: Jesus, Remember Me
Video
commentary on today's readings - in Italian, Chinese, English, and
Spanish
(+
Cantonese audio)
-------------------------------
Hour
of Love HK radio program 8.30
pm HK time tonight
- with items about HK prison inmates
-------------------------------
i.e. no sleeping here!
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia,
Pacific
Fri: South America
Sat: Cent., N America
Jesus,
today, Sunday,
please bless the people of
Africa
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 20th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Sichuan
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 20th of the month, Jesus
please bless the people of Sudan
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Sunday,
please bless all Muslims in my country
-----------------------
----------------------
Sat Nov 19
SCMP
online report of Operation Santa Claus gathering at RTHK studio two nights ago
... which Voice for Prisoners Chairman John Budge and I attended. (FB
video here). Can you see John
and me in these photos?! 01 02
---------------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from
Simple Bible
Daniel
13: A beautiful woman named Susanna
was condemned to death on a false charge of immorality. God stirred Daniel's heart to help
Susanna.
Daniel confronted Susanna's two accusers, two elderly Jewish men. Daniel had the two men separated.
He then asked them individually where the alleged crime took place. One of them said "under a mastic
tree."
The other said "under an oak tree." The people then realized the men were lying.
The people praised God for giving such wisdom to Daniel. Susanna was freed.
The two men were executed, as required by the Law.
Lord, please help people who
have been falsely accused of crimes
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
138: I thank you, Lord, with all my heart.
You have heard the words of my mouth. With the angels I will bless you.
I will adore you in your holy temple. I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which are far above what we can understand. On the day I called you answered.
You increased the strength of my soul. All earth's kings shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the Lord's ways:
"How great is the glory of the Lord!" Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes. Your love, O Lord, is eternal.
Do not abandon us whom you have made.
Lord, when we remember how much
you love us and help us, every day of the year is a Thanksgiving Day
Listen
Acts
27.21-37: Paul then spoke to everyone: Don't despair.
There will be no loss of life. Last night an angel of God said to me:
"Do not be afraid, Paul. You are destined to go to Rome. Therefore
God grants you the safety of all who are sailing with you". On the 14th day,
Paul took some bread, gave
thanks to God in front of them all, broke it and gave it to everyone
to eat. This gave them courage. There were 276 of them on the ship
Jesus, thank you for the courage that
Communion gives us
Listen
Luke
23.39-43: One of the criminals hanging on a cross mockingly
said to Jesus
"Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us as well". But the other criminal rebuked the first one
and said "We are paying the penalty for our crimes. But this man has
done nothing wrong". "Jesus", he said, "remember me
when you come into your kingdom". Jesus replied "I promise you, this day
you will be with me in Paradise"
Jesus, remember me when you come into your
kingdom
Listen
Reflection: Beautiful song with words from today's (and tomorrow's!) Gospel: Jesus, Remember Me
------------
---------------------------
The two kittens at MercyHK's 191 social centre are
growing rapidly .... and today it was confirmed that they are gentlemen not
ladies!
------------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: South
America
Sat: Cent. & N
America
Jesus,
today, Saturday,
please bless the people of Central
& North America
And
praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shanxi
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 19th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Haiti
And
praying for one Islam-related intention
each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Saturday,
please pacify the
Taliban
------------------------
------------------------
Fri Nov 18
Representing
our NGO Voice for Prisoners,
last night John Budge (Chairman) and I attended the annual fundraising activity
of Operation Santa Claus, arranged by RTHK
and the SCMP. A video of last night's
program is here.
Guests last night included the Chief Secretary, Consulate staff from many
countries, donors and beneficiaries. God bless OSC!
-------------------
The
Book Blog:
4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Daniel 8-12: Daniel received many visions from God,
usually after a special time of prayer and fasting. Daniel was given glimpses of the future,
the rise and fall of nations. He also was given to understand what happens
after this life:
"The dead will rise from the
grave,
some to everlasting life,
some to everlasting shame. Those who have instructed others in virtue,
will shine like stars for all eternity."
Lord, please help everyone get
to Heaven
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
136: O give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his great love is without end. It was his wisdom which made the skies,
for his great love is without end. It was he who made the sun, moon and stars,
for his great love is without end. It was he who rescued and protected his people
Israel,
for his great love is without end. He gives food to all living things,
for his great love is without end. To the God of heaven give thanks,
for his great love is without end.
We praise you, Lord, for your
great love is without end
Listen
Acts
27.9-20:
Navigation at that time of the year was
dangerous, since winter was starting. But the ship's captain set sail
hoping to reach Phoenix, a harbor in Crete. Suddenly a fierce storm began and the ship
could not be turned head-on to the wind. We had to let ourselves be driven
by the wind. The ship was badly damaged by the storm. On
the second day, the cargo was dumped overboard. For several days both sun stars were invisible
as the storm raged. We lost all
hope of surviving
Jesus, help sailors who are in danger
at sea today
Listen
Luke
23.33-38: When they reached the place called The Skull,
they crucified Jesus there, and the two criminals also, one on his right,
the other on his left. Above his head was placed a sign
"This is the King of the Jews". Jesus prayed "Father, forgive them. They
do not know what they are doing". The leaders made fun of him "He saved
others, let him save himself if he is the Christ of God". The soldiers mocked him too "If you are
the king of the Jews, save yourself".
Jesus, you forgave those who mocked you and
crucified you. I forgive anyone who has been unkind to me
Listen
Reflection: May we follow Jesus' example ...like Stephen ... like Maximilian Kolbe ....and forgive others at the moment when they are hurting us by speech or actions
----------------------
-------------------------
News recently mentioned legal case where a battery
company in China might be charged
by another country
-------------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun: Africa
Mon: Europe,
Russia
Tues: South
Asia
Wed: East
Asia
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid: S.
America
Sat: Cent, N. America
Jesus,
today, Friday,
please bless the people of South
America
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 18th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Shandong
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the
month:
On this 18th of the month, Jesus please bless the
people of Gambia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Friday,
please bless all Muslims
----------------------------
----------------------------
Thu Nov 17
Hello from the 4th and final day of the annual O.M.I. in-service program at St Paul's Retreat House in Sheung Shui. Normally after meetings in S. Shui finish at lunchtime I go to nearby Lo Wu women's prison for a visit, but not today because early this evening John Budge (Chairman) and I are due to represent Voice for Prisoners at the annual fund-raising function of Operation Santa at RTHK in Kowloon
The
Dark Side of HK (text here)
-------------------------
The Book Blog: 4 readings + recordings
Comments welcome here
Readings are from Simple
Bible
Daniel 4-6: Some of the king's officials were jealous of Daniel,
so they had him arrested on a false charge and condemned to death. One evening,
Daniel was put into a cave of lions.
The mouth of the cave was sealed with a great stone. In the cave Daniel prayed to God for help,
and God protected Daniel. The next morning the stone was removed.
Daniel walked out unharmed. The king then ordered Daniel's accusers to be put into the cave.
The lions immediately ate them.
Thank you, Lord, for protecting
Daniel.
Thank you, Lord, for so often protecting me
My
recording of this reading
Psalm
135: Praise the name of the Lord,
praise him, servants of the Lord. Praise the Lord for he is good.
Sing a psalm to his name for he is loving. I know the Lord is great. He does whatever he
wills
in heaven, on earth, in the seas. Pagan idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.
They have mouths but they cannot speak.
They have eyes but they cannot see. Sons of Israel, do not trust in useless idols.
Sons of Aaron, trust only in our Creator and
Lord.
Dear Lord, please help people
who worship idols to know and love you
Listen
Acts
27.1-8: For the journey to Rome, Paul and
some other prisoners were put in the custody of a soldier named Julius. After sailing for one day, we arrived
at the city of Sidon, where Julius kindly allowed Paul to meet with some
friends, Then we sailed past Cyprus and reached
the city of Myra in Lycia, where we changed to a ship bound for Italy, The wind was against us near Crete.
We struggled along the coast to a place called Fair Havens
Jesus, help prison guards to
be kind like Julius
Listen
Luke
23.26-34: As Jesus was being led to the place of
crucifixion, a man named Simon was coming into Jerusalem from
the country.
He was made to carry the cross behind Jesus. Large numbers of people followed him,
including women who mourned for him. Jesus said to them "Daughters of
Jerusalem, do not weep for me. Weep rather for yourselves and for your
children. For if this is how innocent people are treated, what will happen
to people who are guilty?" Two criminals were led out with Jesus to be
crucified with him
Jesus, please help me to carry my cross each
day
Listen
Reflection: Jesus often referred to himself as "the Son of Man" (Daniel)
---------
Wear a mask and a Cross
---------------
--------------------
Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day:
Sun:
Mon:
Tues:
Wed:
Thurs: S.E. Asia, Pacific
Frid:
Sat:
Cent,
Jesus,
today, Thursday,
please bless
the people of
And praying for one
part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 17th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of
And praying for one of the
world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 17th
of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ethiopia
And praying for one Islam-related
intention each day of the
week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda
----------------------------
Wed Nov 16
Hello from day 3 of the annual O.M.I. in-service
program at St Paul's Retreat House in Sheung Shui.
Last night I finished a new menu for today's blog, and I'm sure I saved it, but
just before I went to upload the new file my computer crashed and I lost the new
file. Life is all about Salvation!!! Not enough time and energy to re-do
the file.
God bless everyone!
-------------------
=====
Africa:
2020: My trip to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg
Jan 1, 2020: How cocaine trafficking is impacting West Africa
2017:
My trip to Southern Africa, Dubai (
The
Last Run)
2016:
My trip to Kenya, Uganda
2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi
----------------
Latin America:
2019-05-10: No More Mules Peru FB boost 199,000 views!
2019-01-20: Article in El Pais, Uruguay - 01 02
2018-09-18: No More Mules Facebook campaign - more than 300,000 people reached in Venezuela
2018: My trip to Latin America
----------------
South East Asia:
Aug 16, 2020: CNN - Indonesian women recruited to take drugs to Hong Kong
Oct 23, 2019: FM988 Breakfast program in Kuala Lumpur at which I was a guest
June 2019: My campaign featured in The Malaysia Drug Trade (6 written reports & documentary video)
2019-03-25: Eleven HK01 video and photo reports about Malaysian drug mules arrested in HK- here (one of the reports is about my anti-drug campaign).
Dec 2018 - My Jan 2019 trip to Malaysia
2018: My trip to Thailand and Cambodia
--------------------
Hong Kong:
July 2019: My warning to HK domestic helpers - published here in HK Filipino media
2018-09-22:
My
60 min video interview with Radio99,
in Cantonese, is here: 01 02
to help stop people going to prison
2018-07-29: SCMP- Beware drug lords luring domestic helpers, refugees into narcotics trade
2018-04-08: The Pearl Report on TVB - concerning HK's Long Term Sentencing Review Board and my anti-drug campaign
March 18, 2018: South China Morning Post report on my work
2017-09-27: SCMP Spirit of HK Awards (video starts after 20 secs)
2017-08-24: Cable TV video report on my anti-drug campaign and a Facebook report on the video report (click "translation" for English)
2017-05-17: SCMP - The prison chaplain who has stopped 150 drug mules reaching HK
2017-03-25: Oriental Daily report of case of South African woman given discount for help to my campaign *** May 14 updates: Oriental Daily, Sing Tao
Dec 1, 2016 - HK News: More women being recruited as drug mules
2016-10-13: HK01 report about campaign and about work for the poor
2016-09-11: Oriental Daily report about my campaign - and same day Editorial
2016-08-27: Oriental Daily article about court case and campaign
My
anti-drug campaign sites
(skillfully
managed by kind HK friends):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/
Facebook: Chinese no more mules page
http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm
----------------------
Photos
from my time in China 2001-20008
---------------------
---------------------
Gay marriage: Elephant in the room (by John W)
--------------------------------------------
Pope's surprise visit to drug treatment centre
Pope is practising what he preaches: "get out and mix with the poor"
HK
readers might like to join me in praying each day for one group of HK
prisoners:
Sun:
Lo Wu
Mon: C.I.C., Siu Lam, Tai
Lam
Tue: Stanley
Wed: Hei Ling Chau
Thu: Lantau
Fri: Lai Chi Kok
Sat: Hospitals, Pik Uk & other centres
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This website was launched in construction
mode in Hong Kong on November 20, 2011 - the Feast of Christ
the King.
The official launching
was
held on the Gold Coast, Australia, on January 20,
2012.
Map and Flag Counter began Feb 11, 2012. Previous visits 4,932.
Note: counter on this page + Map & Flag Counter record visits only to this
main/index page.
Visits to other pages and to Facebook page are not
recorded.
This site's 2017
statistics.
Thank you for checking this website each day. God bless all readers and bloggers!
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I. 胡
頌 恆 神 父
jdwomi@gmail.com
HK
mobile +852- 67095674
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ .