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| INVOKING THE GIFT OF UNITY AMONG CHRISTIANS | |
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VATICAN CITY, 18 JAN 2012 (VIS) - The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which begins today, was the theme of Benedict XVI's general audience celebrated this morning in the Paul VI Hall. The Holy Father explained how this initiative has been held annually for more than a century and brings together Christians from Churches and ecclesial communities, who "invoke that extraordinary gift for which the Lord Jesus prayed during the Last Supper: ... 'That they may all be one'". The Week of Prayer - established in 1908 by Paul Wattson, founder of an Anglican religious community who later entered the Catholic Church - "is one of the most effective annual expressions ... of the impetus which Vatican Council II gave to the search for full union among all Christ's disciples", said the Pope. "This spiritual event, which unites Christians from all traditions, increases our awareness of the fact that the unity we strive for cannot result merely from our own efforts; rather, it is a gift we receive and must constantly invoke from on high". The texts for this year's Week of Prayer have been prepared by a group of representatives from the Catholic Church, and from the Polish Ecumenical Council which proposed the theme of "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ". The history of Poland - marked by defeats and victories, by the struggle to end oppression and achieve freedom - led the ecumenical group to reflect more deeply upon what it means to "win" and to "lose". (Flash of Vatican Information) |
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| Datum: 18-01-2012 16:31:00 | |
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| Parts of PASTORAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH | |
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"The beginning of "the Year of Faith" coincides with the anniversaries of two great events which have marked the life of the Church in our days: the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, ... and the twentieth of the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church". > Recommendations at the diocesan level - It is hoped that each particular Church will celebrate the opening and the solemn conclusion of the Year of Faith. - Organising a study day in each diocese on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, particularly for priests, consecrated persons and catechists. - Each bishop could devote a pastoral letter to the topic of faith, keeping in mind the specific pastoral circumstances of his faithful, reminding them of the importance of Vatican Council II and of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. - Organising catechetical events, especially for young people and those seeking the meaning of life, helping them to discover the beauty of ecclesial faith. - Reviewing the reception of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in the life and mission of dioceses, particularly in the realm of catechesis. - Focusing the continuing education of the clergy on the documents of Vatican Council II and on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. - Organising penitential celebrations in which all can ask for God's forgiveness, especially for sins against faith. - Renewing creative dialogue between faith and reason in the academic and artistic communities, through symposia, meetings and days of study, especially at Catholic universities. - Promoting encounters with non-believers who sincerely search for the ultimate meaning and definitive truth of their lives and of the world, taking as an example the dialogues of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture. - Paying greater attention to Catholic schools, which are a perfect place to offer students a living witness to the Lord and to nurture their faith, using such instruments as the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and "Youcat". Recommendations for parishes, communities, associations and movements - All of the faithful are invited to read closely and meditate upon Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter, "Porta fidei". - Intensifying the celebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist, in which the faith of the Church is proclaimed, celebrated and strengthened. All of the faithful are invited to participate in the Eucharist actively, fruitfully and with awareness. - Priests should devote greater attention to the study of the documents of Vatican Council II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, apply this to their pastoral care and offer cycles of homilies on the faith or on certain specific aspects. - Catechists should hold more firmly to the doctrinal richness of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and guide groups of faithful towards a deeper common understanding thereof. - Parishes can help to distribute the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and other resources appropriate for families - the primary setting for the transmission of the faith - for example, during the blessing of homes, the Baptism of adults, Confirmation and Marriage. - Promoting missions and other popular programmes in parishes and in the workplace, to help the faithful rediscover the gift of baptismal faith and the task of giving witness. - Members of Institutes of Consecrated Life and of Societies of Apostolic Life are asked to work towards the new evangelisation, each according to their proper charism. - Contemplative communities should pray specifically for the renewal of the faith among the People of God, and for a new impulse for its transmission to the young. - Associations and Ecclesial Movements are invited to promote specific initiatives, through the contribution of their proper charism. - All of the faithful should try to communicate their own experience of faith and charity to their brothers and sisters of other religions, believers and non-believers. In this way, it is hoped that the entire Christian people will begin a kind of mission towards those with whom they live and work. " > |
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| Datum: 07-01-2012 16:05:00 | |
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| Christmas Message from the President | |
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Once again Christmas is upon us with all of the attendant hustle and bustle. While material preparations for Christmas are necessary we should not lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas. We celebrate the birth of the One who came to save the world. That same world is now experiencing extraordinary financial and social change. People are rightly concerned for themselves and their families. But, we must put our trust in Jesus who told us not to be afraid. Peace, joy and love are the three “ingredients” of Christmas. Let us embrace all three together with time, time given to our families, neighbors and friends. Let us also remember the family of Unum Omnes. Let us pray for one another and pray for the success of the various projects which we involve ourselves in throughout the world. . I wish to each of you and your families a Blessed, Loving and Peaceful Christmas. Niall M. Kennedy KCSG President. |
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| Datum: 17-12-2011 14:15:00 | |
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| A MESSAGE OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL ASSISTENT OF UNUM OMNES | |
| Dear brothers! The secret of Christmas is change! Often we pass our wayside shrines and crosses terribly impassively. Most of them stand safe on foundations so that we cannot come too close. Mary with the Infant Jesus is also displayed ever and anon. We go through the time of Advent – it isn’t a quiet time, instead there is hurry, restlessness and stress… Christmas is close to come. shouldn’t it come close to us? An allegory of what can happen to Christmas, if everything stays the same like it has always been. If the form gets more important than the content, if the rite – if there is any - gets more important than the occurrence that wants to revitalise itself every year anew. Also we become terribly impassive, maybe sad, maybe disappointed, because Christmas has become a museum of kind childhood memories. Will our children have such memories once? Besides, I think that many people feel: Christmas has got something; there is still something more about it. It is hard to find the words for it. Many want to be taken into the sentiment of Holy Night; they want to experience something different from the daily life. Something should happen: It’s getting Christmas, if Christmas does something to us. We don’t want to stay the persons we have been before. We wish for another reality that maybe isn’t so obvious, but real nevertheless. The secret of Christmas is change. God himself can change. And if God can change so radically – from a mighty God to God inside a child, as He is shown in our nativity sets, weak and powerless – then it is also possible to change for us humans. Then we also could be changed. We should be aware that we have to be witnesses of this change to give God the possibility of arriving anew in our communities, dioceses and home countries. For this we have to change; keeping together, working together, praying together. Our God has become human, child, and we re His children. God becomes a child; therefore, you can also become a child, man. Let’s offer testimony and advice about it through our Christian life. I want to wish you this anew with hope and confidence. God wants to be with us, let’s be with HIM anew, and then it will be a blessed Christmas for all of us and also a happy New Year 2012. Kindest regards, Msgr. Willibald Steiner, ecclesiastical Assistent |
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| Datum: 26-11-2011 14:12:00 | |
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| Leadership Training in Kenya | |
| The CMAK - Catholic Mens`Association in Kenya - is one of the strongest mens`movement in UNUM OMNES. It requests a leadership- training in all levels of the movement. Georg Kopetzky was invited again to make seminars in 4 different archdioceses during this November. The themes were: 1.Basic questions of lay- apostolate 2.Social management 3.Project management 4.Fund raising 5.Responsibility for environments About 250 men attended these seminars. |
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| Datum: 26-11-2011 13:50:00 | |
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| VOLUNTEER WORK: A REASON FOR CONFIDENCE IN A TIME OF CRISIS | |
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VATICAN CITY, 11 NOV 2011 (VIS) - This morning in the Vatican, the Pope received bishops with pastoral responsibility for charitable work and representatives of European charity organisations. They are currently participating in a meeting promoted by the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum" in the context of the European Year of Volunteering. "At the present time, marked as it is by crisis and uncertainty", the Pope began, speaking English, "your commitment is a reason for confidence, since it shows that goodness exists and that it is growing in our midst. ... For Christians, volunteer work is not merely an expression of good will. It is based on a personal experience of Christ", Whose "grace helps us to discover within ourselves a human desire for solidarity and a fundamental vocation to love. ... We also become visible instruments of His love in a world that still profoundly yearns for that love amid the poverty, loneliness, marginalisation and ignorance that we see all around us. "Of course", he added, "Catholic volunteer work cannot respond to all these needs, but that does not discourage us. ... The little that we manage to do to relieve human needs can be seen as a good seed that will grow and bear much fruit; it is a sign of Christ's presence and love. ... This is the nature of the witness which you, in all humility and conviction, offer to civil society. While it is the duty of public authority to acknowledge and to appreciate this contribution without distorting it, your role as Christians is to take an active part in the life of society, seeking to make it ever more humane, ever more marked by authentic freedom, justice and solidarity". |
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| Datum: 11-11-2011 19:29:00 | |
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| UNUM OMNES Executive Committee Meeting in LVIV, Ukraine | |
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The Executive meeting of F.I.H.C. UNUM OMNES took place in Lviv, Ukraine from 15.- 22.October 2011 hosted by the St. Volodymyr Fonds, Lviv, a member of UNUM OMNES. The meeting was held in the Recollection- Recreation Center of the Lviv Archdiocese of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Lviv- Bryukhovytchi. Representatives from the following countries attended: Austria, Belarus, Ceska Republika, Croatia, Ethiopia, France, Ireland, Korea, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, Ukraine. Members attended a Solemn High Mass of the Orthodoxe Rite in the St. Georg Cathedral, Lviv, on Sunday 16th, October. After the mass was an invitation for lunch in the Metropolitan Palace and a city- trip in Lviv. The executive meeting was formally opened by Unum Omnes president, Niall M. Kennedy. During the meeting delegates heard a very detailed and interesting lecture on " The Ukraine in the contempory world between traditional values and modern challenges" by Prof. Myroslav Marynovych of Greek Catholic University in Lviv. P. Andriy Mykhaleyko spoke on " Religion situation in the modern Ukraine - Historical contractions and ecumenical perspektives". The other day Mrs. Dzvinka Sovyak spoke on " Family in Ukraine- problems and challenges" and the help of the church. There were presentations of different groups and a visit of the Family Center of the St. Volodymyr Fonds in Lviv. A new and important project of Unum Omnes is a seminar on " Catholic Social Teaching for Christian Politicians". We started it in Argentina and in Austria and it should be done by all our members. Our friends in Lviv were wonderful hosts. Many thanks! |
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| Datum: 30-10-2011 01:26:00 | |
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| EUROPEAN ACADEMY 2011 | |
| There was the 17th European Academy of UNUM OMNES in Germany from 18th to 22nd September 2011. The theme was FORMATION AND DEMOCRATY. We had more than 50 participants from 12 Eurpean countries. Language- groups worked in projects and continue this work at home. |
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| Datum: 27-09-2011 13:42:00 | |
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| Summer Academy of the Catholic Mens´ movement in Austria | |
| There was the 25th, Summer Academy in July. The theme was "taboos" in the personal life,in the society, in the church....... More than 100 men and women came from different dioceses in Austra. You can read more:http://www.kmb.or.at/i_projekte.htm |
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| Datum: 24-07-2011 17:46:00 | |
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| Fotos from office- meeting in Rome | |
| Datum: 14-06-2011 14:10:00 | |
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| UNUM OMNES DAY AND UNUM OMNES PRAYER | |
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UNUM OMNES To all member organisations To all associate organisations To honorary members Rome, February 17th, 2011 Dear friends of Unum Omnes! Just to remind you of two important decisions which were taken at the Executive Committee Meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, held from 25th September to 2nd October 2010: Unum Omnes Day and Prayer for Men: It was decided to nominate the Feast of St. Joseph (19 March) as “Unum Omnes Day”. This had been agreed at the 2009 General Assembly but no date had been decided. All members of Unum Omnes are asked to promulgate the day in all affiliated countries. Each country should chose some method of celebration such as arranging a special Mass, or something else, on that day. The second major decision taken at the meeting was the adoption of a Prayer for Men which all are encouraged to pray. This is a reminder for all members and friends of Unum Omnes to arrange some celebration on 19th March, Unum Omnes Day. It can be a special Mass or you can just ask your members to say the Prayer for Men. Yours sincerely Danijel Delonga ICCM Secretary General UNUM OMNES PRAYER FOR MEN Lord Jesus Christ, son of the living God, The father sent you to men of all generations so that we may answer His call to be holy men of the Church. Merciful Lord, be our strength as we take up our crosses each day to follow you. Inspire us to action in your Church so that our lives may become a living Gospel bringing joy and hope to the world. Be present in our marriages and let the example of Mary and Joseph guide us in fulfilling our marital and parental responsibilities. Encourage those who have consecrated themselves to Your Kingdom and strengthen their resolve to remain faithful to their vocations. Bless all our actions this day that they may bring honor and glory to God our Father. Amen. |
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| Datum: 29-04-2011 21:38:00 | |
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| Report of UO Bureau meeting, Rome, 23 - 25 March 2011. | |
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The members of the Unum Omnes Board met 22nd March in Domus Pacis. President of UO Niall Kennedy, vice president Eddie Prah, ecclesiastical assistant Msgr. Willibald Steiner, treasurer Gilbert Pataille and Secretary general Danijel Delonga were present while vice president Franz- Josef Schwack and secretary Chiara Cetorelli were excused. The members of the Board were discussing about conclusions of Executive Comittee Meeting in Ethiopia in September last year, the first one organized by this Board. The impressions were good, and experience is useful for organizing next meeting on 15 - 22 October in Lviv, Ukraine. The main theme in Ukraine will be “Family in modern society”, and yet to see the names of the lectures from Ukraine. Considering that there will be a significant number of German speaking people, the Board discussed the possibility of having official simultaneous translation. But for now, the costs of this kind of service are significantly high, so the decision was that the best way is to stay with English as official and only language. The Board decided that the General assembly in 2012th will be held in Rome. One of the main points of discussion was the membership of UO, and the Board decided to check out the communications with appointed people of those countries who are not participating regularly to the meetings. According to the updating of the members country contacts the task is to prepare a promotional leaflet of UO with new addresses. In trying to reduce the costs, the Board discussed about publishing the usual Newsletter, which now is printed and sent twice a year. The decision adopted is to go only for Christmas in printed version. For second one it will be used only web version. In that way more importance will be given to the web site and it will need some refreshments. For first is to put on a new menu for UO Day and prayer in way to be downloadable for printing cards. The Board is asking all members to send proposals of how to celebrate UO Day.r> On Thursday 25th in the afternoon in the office of UO there was a meeting with president of WUCWO (World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations) Maria Giovanna Ruggieri. The main reason was to know each other organizations, to share the experiences and to see in what fields they can cooperate. Ms Ruggieri explained that WUCWO is treating problems of migrations, especially the position of women, and the problem of exploiting women. |
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| Datum: 29-04-2011 20:11:00 | |
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| MEN IN FAMILIES- A MESSAGE OF OUR PRESIDENT | |
| Gentlemen, At the bottom of this email you will find a link to a report recently published by the Division of Social Policy and Development of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs called "Men in Families and Family Policy in a Changing World": This should be of interest and significance to all memers of Unum Omnes!! Niall M. Kennedy KCSG President - Unum Omnes http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/family/docs/men-in-families.pdf |
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| Datum: 04-03-2011 11:39:00 | |
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| URGENT NEED TO EDUCATE LAITY IN CHURCH SOCIAL DOCTRINE | |
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VATICAN CITY, 4 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The Pope has sent a Message to Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, to mark that body's plenary assembly which is currently benign held in Rome. The assembly is focusing on how the Encyclical "Caritas in veritate" has been received in various communities. "Only with charity, supported by hope and illuminated by the light of faith and reason, is it possible to achieve the goals of the integral liberation of man and universal justice", the Holy Father writes. Referring to the "fundamental problems affecting the destiny of peoples and of world institutions, as well as of the human family", which are examined in "Caritas in veritate", Benedict XVI points out that social and national inequalities "have by no means disappeared. ... Co-ordination among States - which is often inadequate because, rather than aiming to achieve solidarity, it aims only at a balance of power - leaves the field open to renewed inequalities, to the danger of the predominance of economic and financial groups which dictate - and intend to continue to do so - the political agenda at the expense of the universal common good". The Holy Father stresses the urgent need "for commitment to educating Catholic laity in Church social doctrine". Lay Catholics "must undertake to promote the correct ordering of social life, while respecting the legitimate autonomy of worldly institutions". "A profound understanding of the social doctrine of the Church is of fundamental importance, in harmony with all her theological heritage and strongly rooted in affirming the transcendent dignity of man, in defending human life from conception to natural death and in religious freedom. ... It is necessary to prepare lay people capable of dedicating themselves to the common good, especially in complex environments such as the world of politics". The Pope concludes his Message by expressing the hope that the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace may continue "to prepare fresh 'aggiornamenti' of Church social doctrine". In order to globalise this doctrine, he writes, "it may be appropriate to create centres and institutions for its study, dissemination and implementation throughout the world". "In collaboration with others, seek more effective ways to transmit the contents of social doctrine, not only in the traditional itineraries of Christian formation and education of all kinds and at all levels, but also in the great centres where world thought is forged - such as the organs of the lay press, universities and economic and social study centres - which in recent times have come into being in every corner of the earth". |
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| Datum: 04-11-2010 15:55:00 | |
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