V2Catholic.com 
A voice for the poor 
by HK prison chaplain 胡頌恆神父
Fr John Wotherspoon O.M.I.
Dr Jesus Centre 187 Temple St Jordan
jdwomi@gmail.com      +852 67095674
       
Imitating Pope Francis  

My other sites/links    

Merry Christmas! I wish all dear readers the peace of Christmas right through 2025!

Thurs Dec 25

 

 Each Christmas Day my thoughts go back to happy gatherings in Zhaoqing

 

Everyone most welcome to join MercyHK's Christmas Singing outside our canteen at 187 Temple Street, Jordan, from 2.30 to 5pm today. Bishop Joseph Ha will be coming please God, as he did last year.
Yesterday there were Christmas gatherings at centre for homeless people at 192 Shanghai Street, for drug addicts at our centre at 557 Nathan Road, and at the Dr Jesus Centre for women who work on Temple Street.

 

  This report by South Africa's Daily Maverick mentions my anti-drug campaign work

 

Over the past week during breakfast  I have watched this most revealing and shameful documentary: How one drug trafficking family built Shanghai and controlled China's opium trade

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

77. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, canonized in 2016, has become a universal icon of charity lived to the fullest extent in favor of the most destitute, those discarded by society. Foundress of the Missionaries of Charity, she dedicated her life to the dying abandoned on the streets of India. She gathered the rejected, washed their wounds and accompanied them to the moment of death with the tenderness of prayer. Her love for the poorest of the poor meant that she did not only take care of their material needs, but also proclaimed the good news of the Gospel to them: “We are wanting to proclaim the good news to the poor that God loves them, that we love them, that they are somebody to us, that they too have been created by the same loving hand of God, to love and to be loved. Our poor people are great people, are very lovable people, they do not need our pity and sympathy, they need our understanding love. They need our respect; they need that we treat them with dignity.” [67] All this came from a deep spirituality that saw service to the poorest as the fruit of prayer and love, the source of true peace, as Pope John Paul II reminded the pilgrims who came to Rome for her beatification: “Where did Mother Teresa find the strength to place herself completely at the service of others? She found it in prayer and in the silent contemplation of Jesus Christ, his Holy Face, his Sacred Heart. She herself said as much: ‘The fruit of silence is prayer; the fruit of prayer is faith; the fruit of faith is love; the fruit of love is service.’ It was prayer that filled her heart with Christ’s own peace and enabled her to radiate that peace to others.” [68] Teresa did not consider herself a philanthropist or an activist, but a bride of Christ crucified, serving with total love her suffering brothers and sisters.

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 25 

 

Psalm 97: The Lord is king, let earth rejoice, the many coastlands be glad. Cloud and darkness are his robes. His throne is justice and goodness. The skies proclaim his goodness. All peoples see his glory. Let those who serve idols be ashamed. Let all creation worship the Creator. Light shines forth for good people and joy for the upright of heart. Rejoice in the Lord, all good people. Give glory to his holy name.
Lord, you indeed are God of the universe 
Recording

 

Titus 3:1-7: Remind everyone to be obedient to government officials; to be ready to do good at every opportunity; not to go slandering other people or picking quarrels; to be courteous and polite to everyone. There was a time when we too were ignorant; when we lived in wickedness and ill-will, hating each other and hateful ourselves. But then the kindness and love of God our Saviour were revealed, and God saved us because of his compassion. God saved us by the cleansing water of rebirth, and by renewing us with the Holy Spirit whom he has poured over us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. So we are justified by his grace, and look forward to eternal life. 
Jesus, Saviour of the world, you are our Saviour
Recording

 

Luke 2.15-20: After the angels went away, the shepherds said to one another "Let's go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about". So they quickly went and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. People who heard the shepherds talk about the angels were amazed. As for Mary, she treasured every moment of what had happened and pondered the whole event in her heart. The shepherds went back to their fields glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen
Jesus we adore you, Jesus we adore you, Jesus we adore you, Christ the Lord
Recording

Reflection on the above readings:

There's something in our DNA that draws us to the Baby Jesus, like metal to a magnet. That Baby makes us fall to our knees in loving adoration 

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

And praying for one part of the Mainland each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Ningxia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 25th of the month,  Jesus please bless the people of Lesotho

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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Wed Dec 24 

 Christmas Eve! - O come let us adore him! 

 brilliant!   
The Christmas Scale (921k views)

It's hard to believe that the greatest message the world will ever hear is contained in one simple scale

  Beautiful Indonesian Christmas video: Yesus Putra Maria

 

Yesterday morning I was given one of the happiest Christmas presents a prison chaplain can receive: Hearing a High Court judge say "I have a mind to grant bail to ...."  ... someone from China who had been in prison for 9 months after being tricked to bring fake US$100 dollar notes to HK ....now on bail. Thank you Jesus!

Last night at our newly renovated 18/F centre in Nathan Road, I attended a special Christmas gathering for the Nepal drug addicts who usually have their weekly gathering at the Dr Jesus Centre in Temple Street. A lovely evening. And the 18/F is really beautiful ...with the 19/F now wholly used for office areas for MercyHK staff.  

 

 US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: JESUS, PLEASE GIVE PEACE TO YOUR HOMELAND!

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

76. Christian holiness often flourishes in the most forgotten and wounded places of humanity. The poorest of the poor — those who lack not only material goods but also a voice and the recognition of their dignity — have a special place in God’s heart. They are the beloved of the Gospel, the heirs to the Kingdom (cf. Lk 6:20). It is in them that Christ continues to suffer and rise again. It is in them that the Church rediscovers her call to show her most authentic self.

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The Book Blog:   4 readings + recordings 
Comments welcome here      Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. midnight Mass readings 

Isaiah 9: The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light. On those who live in a land of deep shadow, a light has shone. For the yoke that was weighing on them, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken and removed. For there is a child born for us, a son given to us, and dominion is laid on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonder-Counselor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince-of-Peace. 
Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank you for the peace and hope and joy of your friendship
Recording of this reading

Titus 2: God's grace has made salvation available for the whole human race. We must give up everything that does not lead to God. We must delete our worldly ambitions. We must be self-restrained and live good lives here in this present world, while we wait in hope for the blessings that will come with the Coming of the glory of our God and savior Christ Jesus. He sacrificed himself for us in order to set us free from wickedness, and to purify us so that we would have no ambition except to do good.
Jesus, please help me give up everything that does not lead to you
Recording

 

 

 

Reflection: No matter where we are, no matter what's happening in our lives, even if we are in a time of sadness (e.g. after a death in the family), even if in prison .... Christmas gives us hope and peace .... because Christmas is all about the birth of the Source of hope and peace: Jesus

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 Elderly man in Phoenix calls his doctor son in New York ... your mother and I are getting a divorce. Divorce?! After 53 years?  What are you talking about?  53 years is about 50 years too long.  We really don't even like each other any more.  Dad!  I can't believe this. Hold on .... I'm gonna call my sister & I'll get back to you. (calls attorney sister in Chicago)  Sis! You're not going to believe this!  Dad just called to tell me that he and mom are getting a divorce!  What?!  That's crazy!  I'll call them, then we better get down there just as soon as we can.  (sister calls Dad back in Phoenix)   Dad?  This is just crazy, and besides I'm a lawyer. Don't do anything until I get there - until my brother & I get there.  We're coming in on the next possible flights. Elderly man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife and says, "Well, dear, the kids are finally going to come home for Christmas ... and they're paying their own way!" 

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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, Wednesday, please bless the people of East Asia

And praying for people in one part of China each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Inner Mongolia

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 24th of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Djibouti

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Wednesday, please pacify Al-Shabaab 

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Tues Dec 23

2 days to Christmas.

O Immanuel, you are our king and our judge, the One whom the peoples await and our Saviour.
O come and save us, Lord our God! 

One of my favourite videos
Bob Welsh: My Christmas Eve (3.7m views!) 

 

Letter from a 30 year old South American woman who sadly entered the world of drug trafficking to try to get money for her family ...with a vivid description of her ordeal in swallowing and then expelling pellets of cocaine ....with her warning to others to say "No" if in a similar situation:
Sweet invitation from a bitter destiny *** Doce convite de um amargo destino

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: Israel's relentless expansion of settlements in occupied territory *** Journalists targeted for telling the truth

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

75. The Church’s tradition of working for and with migrants continues, and today this service is expressed in initiatives such as refugee reception centers, border missions and the efforts of Caritas Internationalis and other institutions. Contemporary teaching clearly reaffirms this commitment. Pope Francis has recalled that the Church’s mission to migrants and refugees is even broader, insisting that “our response to the challenges posed by contemporary migration can be summed up in four verbs: welcome, protect, promote and integrate. Yet these verbs do not apply only to migrants and refugees. They describe the Church’s mission to all those living in the existential peripheries, who need to be welcomed, protected, promoted and integrated.” [65] He also said: “Every human being is a child of God! He or she bears the image of Christ! We ourselves need to see, and then to enable others to see, that migrants and refugees do not only represent a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved. They are an occasion that Providence gives us to help build a more just society, a more perfect democracy, a more united country, a more fraternal world and a more open and evangelical Christian community.” [66] The Church, like a mother, accompanies those who are walking. Where the world sees threats, she sees children; where walls are built, she builds bridges. She knows that her proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community.

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 23

 

Luke 1.63- 66: The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, "His name is John." And they were all astonished. At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God. All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea. All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. "What will this child turn out to be?" they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him. 
Lord, may I treasure your message in my heart
Recording 

Reflection: Today's readings are all about the Christmas Baby's cousin, John the Baptist, born 6 months before the first Christmas. His job was to prepare the way for Jesus. Which is also the job of every Christian - to prepare a way for Jesus, to help other people know and love the Baby born at Christmas. 

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  New Zealand signs

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Guangxi

And praying for one of the world's poorest countries each day of the month:
On this 23rd of the month, Jesus please bless the people of Togo

And praying for one Islam-related intention each day of the week:
Jesus, today, Tuesday, please pacify Boko Haram

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Mon Dec 22
3 days to Christmas

Jesus born at Christmas, please give hope and peace to our troubled world, especially the Holy Land!

 

Last night a large group of Filipino domestic workers sang Christmas carols for nearly two hours at the front of MercyHK's canteen in Temple Street. Photos to come. God bless all the singers ... and musicians.

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza: Israel murders 6 Palestinians, including a baby, sheltering in school

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

74. In the nineteenth century, when millions of Europeans emigrated in search of better living conditions, two great saints distinguished themselves in the pastoral care of migrants: Saint John Baptist Scalabrini and Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. Scalabrini, Bishop of Piacenza, founded the Missionaries of Saint Charles to accompany migrants to their destinations, offering them spiritual, legal and material assistance. He saw migrants as recipients of a new evangelization, warning of the risks of exploitation and loss of faith in a foreign land. Responding generously to the charism that the Lord had given him, “Scalabrini looked forward to a world and a Church without barriers, where no one was a foreigner.” [62] Saint Frances Cabrini, born in Italy and a naturalized American, was the first citizen of the United States of America to be canonized. To fulfill her mission of assisting migrants, she crossed the Atlantic several times. “Armed with remarkable boldness, she started schools, hospitals and orphanages from nothing for the masses of the poor who ventured into the new world in search of work. Not knowing the language and lacking the wherewithal to find a respectable place in American society, they were often victims of the unscrupulous. Her motherly heart, which allowed her no rest, reached out to them everywhere: in hovels, prisons and mines.” [63] In the Holy Year of 1950, Pope Pius XII proclaimed her Patroness of All Migrants. [64]

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 22

 

1 Samuel 2: Hannah praised God for giving her a child: "My heart rejoices in the Lord. The Lord, our fortress, is holy. Don't speak proudly, for the Lord knows what's in our hearts. The Lord breaks the power of the strong. He gives strength and victory to the weak. He blesses the barren woman. The Lord raises the poor from the dust, and gives them a seat of honor with princes. The Lord guards the steps of good people, but scatters bad people in their pride." The Lord blessed Hannah and she gave birth to three more sons and two daughters. Her son Samuel grew up in the temple. The temple priest at that time was Eli. But Eli's sons were bad men. They stole the people's offerings to the Lord.
Dear God, please bless good people like Hannah, and please help bad people like Eli's sons to stop being bad
 Listen

 

 

Luke 1.46-56: Mary said "My soul praises the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior. Starting from today, all generations will call me blessed, for the Almighty has done great things for me". Mary stayed with Elizabeth about 3 months and then went home. Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives shared her joy. When the child was circumcised on the 8th day, he was given the name John
Jesus, please bless all women who are having a baby today
Listen

Reflection on the above readings: Christmas is a time for praise and adoration ... with Mary

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  As an English teacher I added a comma after "bull" in today's first reading to save the life of the mother. A trap for lectors: They slaughtered the bull, and the child's mother came to Eli.

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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 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, Monday, please pacify I.S.

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Dec 21

4th Sun of Advent
 4 days to Christmas

O Come, Divine Messiah, our troubled world urgently needs your peace

 

 (4 mins) Where's the line to see Jesus? (650,000 views)

 

Happy Winter Festival today! (my 2017 article)

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

72. For the Christian faith, the education of the poor is not a favor but a duty. Children have a right to knowledge as a fundamental requirement for the recognition of human dignity. Teaching them affirms their value, giving them the tools to transform their reality. Christian tradition considers knowledge a gift from God and a community responsibility. Christian education does not only form professionals, but also people open to goodness, beauty and truth. Catholic schools, therefore, when they are faithful to their name, are places of inclusion, integral formation and human development. By combining faith and culture, they sow the seeds of the future, honor the image of God and build a better society.

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  Volunteers protecting Palestinians from settlers

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The Book Blog: 
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

 c.f. readings for Advent 4

Isaiah 7: A foreign king and his army attacked  Jerusalem. The king of Judah and his people were full of fear. God told Isaiah to say to the king of Judah: "Keep calm, have no fear. You will not be defeated. The Lord himself gives you a sign of his protection: a maiden is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call God-with-us."
Lord, please help me understand how you are God-with-me every day
My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 24-26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth. 
God my savior, teach me your way of truth
Recording

Romans 1.1-7: From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News. This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took, was a descendant of David. This news is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, by his resurrection from the dead, proved he was the Son of God. From him I received my mission to preach the obedience of faith to non-Jewish nations. You are one of these nations. You belong to Jesus Christ. To you who are God's beloved friends in Rome, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give grace and peace
Jesus, Son of God,  may all nations know and love you
Recording

 

Matthew 1.18-24 (a): This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins."
Recording

 

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Hour of Love HK radio program 8.00 pm HK time tonight - with items about HK prison inmates

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  Christmas smile

Little boy in "Outback" Australia had never seen rain. 
There had been a drought for more than 5 years.
Then just before Christmas the clouds began to form.
On Christmas Eve water fell from the sky.
The little boy ran to the window to see what was happening.
He called out to his mother "Mum, what's that?"
His mother replied "That's rain, dear"  (.. reindeer ..) 

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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 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, Sunday, please bless all Muslims in my country

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Sat Dec 20
 5 days to Christmas. 

Key of David, who open the gates of the eternal kingdom, come to liberate from prison the captives who live in darkness!

Has had 7 million views!
 Say Merry Christmas

 

Fr Des O'Donnell O.M.I. Christmas reflection

 

Yesterday I was at Lai Chi Kok men's prison for about 8 hours. I tried to visit virtually every section of the prison, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I never cease to be amazed at how much prisoners appreciate and celebrate Christmas. But one strange moment yesterday: a man from the Sub-Continent said he was in prison some years ago ...and I went to the High Court and helped him get bail ... after which he stayed at a MercyHK shelter on Cheung Chau Island (long since closed). But I couldn't on the stop remember anything about him  ...so ... I guess it's official: my memory is fading!

 

China's green transition is good news

 

  US-sponsored Israeli genocide in Gaza:  

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

71. Many female congregations were protagonists of this pedagogical revolution. Founded in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Ursulines, the Sisters of the Company of Mary Our Lady, the Maestre Pie and many others, stepped into the spaces where the state was absent. They created schools in small villages, suburbs and working-class neighborhoods. In particular, the education of girls became a priority. The religious sisters taught literacy, evangelized, took care of practical matters of daily life, elevated their spirits through the cultivation of the arts, and, above all, formed consciences. Their pedagogy was simple: closeness, patience and gentleness. They taught by the example of their lives before teaching with words. In times of widespread illiteracy and systemic exclusion, these consecrated women were beacons of hope. Their mission was to form hearts, teach people to think and promote dignity. By combining a life of piety and dedication to others, they fought abandonment with the tenderness of those who educate in the name of Christ.

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 20

Isaiah 7: A foreign king and his army attacked  Jerusalem. The king of Judah and his people were full of fear. God told Isaiah to say to the king of Judah: "Keep calm, have no fear. You will not be defeated. The Lord himself gives you a sign of his protection: a maiden is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call God-with-us."
Lord, please help me understand how you are God-with-me every day
My recording of this reading

 

Psalms 24-26: The Lord's is the earth and all its peoples. It is the Lord who is Creator of the universe. May all hearts open their doors to the Lord. Let him enter, the king of glory. Lord I hope in you all the day long. Forgive my sins and help me walk in your truth. 
God my savior, teach me your way of truth
Recording

Luke 1.26-38: In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary who was betrothed to a man named Joseph. The angel said to her "Mary, Rejoice! You have been greatly blessed by God. You are to conceive and have a son whom you must name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of God". Mary said to the angel, "How can this happen since I am a virgin?" The angel replied "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will specially bless you. Know this too: your cousin Elizabeth has, in her old age, conceived a son, and is now in her sixth  month". "I am the handmaid of the Lord", said Mary, "let what you have said, be done for me". And the angel left her. 
God the Son, thank you for becoming a baby in Mary's womb
Recording

 Reflection (Dec 19, 2018): Christmas means helping the needy, just as Jesus came down to help us in our neediness; trusting in God, as Mary did, even if we don't understand his plans; rising up, as Joseph did, to accomplish God's will, even if it means changing our own plans. It will really be Christmas if, like Joseph, we make room for silence; if, like Mary, we say "Here I am" to God; if, like Jesus, we are close to those who are alone; if, like the shepherds, we go out of our enclosures to be with Jesus.

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  Christmas smile: 
What do you call an old snowman? Water.

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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 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, Saturday, please pacify the Taliban

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Fri Dec 19

 6 days to Christmas.
Come Jesus, Flower of Jesse's stem, sign of God's love for all his people: save us without delay

Both of these are good!
THE DIGITAL STORY OF THE NATIVITY (13m views!) and A Facebook Christmas Story

 

During yesterday's usual Thursday lunch gathering for homeless people at the Dr Jesus Centre two separate donors came and handed in coupons and other items for the homeless group. God bless the two donors! 

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

70. In the nineteenth century, also in France, Saint Marcellin Champagnat founded the Institute of the Marist Brothers of the Schools. “He was sensitive to the spiritual and educational needs of his time, especially to religious ignorance and the situation of neglect experienced in a particular way by the young.” [59] He dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the mission of educating and evangelizing children and young people, especially those most in need, during a period when access to education continued to be the privilege of a few. In the same spirit, Saint John Bosco began the great work of the Salesians in Italy based on the three principles of the “preventive method” — reason, religion, and loving kindness. [60] Blessed Antonio Rosmini founded the Institute of Charity, in which “intellectual charity” was placed alongside “material charity,” with “spiritual-pastoral charity” at the top, as an indispensable dimension of any charitable action aimed at the good and integral development of the person. [61]

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. readings for Dec 19

Judges 12-13: Jephthah was judge in Israel for 6 years. For the following 25 years, Ibzan (7 years), Elon (10 years)  and Abdon  (8 years) were judges. After these judges, the Israelites again were unfaithful to the Lord and so they were oppressed by the Philistines for 40 years. It was then that the angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah's wife and said to her: "You are barren and have had no child. But you will soon conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, for he shall be dedicated to the Lord from his mother's womb. It is he who will rescue Israel from the Philistines". The woman gave birth to a son and called him Samson. The child grew and the Lord blessed him.
Dear Lord, please bless all barren women
Recording of this reading

Psalm 71: In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Please hear me and help me. Be a rock where I can take refuge. Rescue me from people who want to hurt me. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope. In you I have trusted since I was young. From my mother's womb you have been my help. My hope has always been in you. Now that I am old, please do not forget me. Now that my strength fails, do not abandon me. Now that I am old and grey-headed, may I continue to trust in you and proclaim your help. To you I will sing with the harp. All day long my tongue will tell of your goodness to me. 
Lord, may all elderly people put their trust and hope in you
Recording 

Reflection on the above readings: The conceptions of Sampson and John the Baptist remind us that He who designed the womb can program pregnancies for special occasions .... preparing us for the conception of Jesus

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 Sign in Malaysian restaurant: Our coffee is so strong it will wake up your neighbours!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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 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, Friday, please bless all Muslims

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Thu Dec 18

6 days to Christmas  
O Come, Divine Messiah, our troubled world urgently needs your peace

 (4 mins) Where's the line to see Jesus? (138k views)

 

This morning I'm due to go to the High Court Registry to hand in a bail application for a prisoner I met recently ... hope they will out for Christmas!

 

  Pope Leo XIV - Dilexi Te

69. In the sixteenth century, Saint Joseph Calasanz, struck by the lack of education and training among the poor young people of Rome, established Europe’s first free public school in some rooms adjacent to the church of Santa Dorotea in Trastevere. This was the seed from which the Poor Clerics Regular of the Mother of God of the Pious Schools, known as the Piarists, would later emerge and develop, though not without difficulty. Their goal was that of transmitting to young people “not only secular knowledge but also the wisdom of the Gospel, teaching them to recognize, in their personal lives and in history, the loving action of God the Creator and Redeemer.” [57] In fact, we can consider this courageous priest as the “true founder of the modern Catholic school, aimed at the integral formation of people and open to all.” [58] Inspired by the same sensitivity, Saint John Baptist de La Salle, realizing the injustice caused by the exclusion of the children of workers and ordinary people from the educational system of France at that time, founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools in the seventeenth century, with the ideal of offering them free education, solid formation, and a fraternal environment. De La Salle saw the classroom as a place for human development, but also for conversion. In his colleges, prayer, method, discipline and sharing were combined. Each child was considered a unique gift from God, and the act of teaching was a service to the Kingdom of God.

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The Book Blog:
readings + recordings 
Readings are from Simple Bible

c.f. Readings for Dec 18 

 

 

Matthew 1.18-24 (a): This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins."
Recording

 

Reflection on the above readings: The Gospel says how Jesus will be Emmanuel, "God with us". From "God be with you" came "Godbwye" which became "Godbye" which became "Goodbye". Each time we say "bye bye" or  "bye" or "goodbye" to someone, let's remember the meaning "God be with you".

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 Yesterday I saw a toddler in a pram wearing a top piece of clothing which had the words "My first Christmas". But problem ....I reckon the toddler was around 3 years old!

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Please join me in praying for one part of the world each day, especially for the leaders of that area:

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, Thursday, please bless the people of South East Asia

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, Thursday, please pacify Al-Qaeda

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(Several trips since 2020 but not convenient to post reports)

   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)

April 4, 2016: BBC video report (3 mins) about East African drug mules going to HK ...and my anti-drug campaign

2016: My trip to Kenya, Uganda

2015: My trip to Tanzania, Malawi

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 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

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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

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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

July 16, 2017: Stay away - letter writing by South American inmates in HK is deterring drug trafficking, says prison chaplain

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My anti-drug campaign sites 
(skillfully managed by kind HK friends):

www.voiceforprisoners.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nomasmulas/

Facebook: Chinese no more mules page

http://hkdrugblog.org/name-and-shame/index.htm

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Photos from my time in China 2001-20008

Other photos 1957 to present

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Best of Smiles

Classics

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