Easter Sunday readings comment

Easter Sunday

(acts 10:34a.37-43,colossians 3:1-4, john20:1-9)

To See or Seek Love in the Dark

 

Introduction:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Risen Christ, I wish you all 'the Feast of Fresh Flowers' which is the meaning of 'Easter'. It is also a time of Fresh Honey in South Sudan as we all know. So I wish you all 'the Feast of Fresh Honey'. Yes, 'This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad' (Ps 118:24). We celebrate it with pride and jubilation for this season of faith, that is, 'I am the Resurrection and Life; whoever believes in me will live even though he dies' (Jn 11: 25,26). Yes dear friends in Risen Christ, we have been living in Palm Sunday or in Good Friday from 2013. We know that Christ Lord Jesus will raise us all up on the last day, but it is also true in a sense, that we have already risen with Christ. By virtue of the Holy Spirit, Christian life is already a participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. (CCC#1002,#1003) So we strongly believe and experience in our life that Jesus is Lord, He is Risen (Rom 10:9). So let us taste the Fresh Honey, which is Jesus Himself.
Message:
It is good to begin with a story which is appropriate here to begin, which I read in a book. The ancient story is told of a rabbi who gathered all his students together very early in the morning while it was still dark. He told them to pay attention because he had a very important question to ask them. The question was this: how could they tell when night had ended and the day was on its way back.
One student answered: 'could it be when you see an animal and can tell whether it is a sheep or a dog?'
"No" answered the rabbi.
Another student said: 'Could it be when you look at a tree in the distance and can tell whether it is a fig tree or a peach tree?'
"No" answered the rabbi.
After a few more guesses the students demanded: 'Well, then, what is it?'
The rabbi answered, "it is when you look on the face of any woman or man and see that she is your sister and he is your brother. Because if you cannot do this then no matter what time it is, it is still night."
John says, on the first day of the week, very EARLY in the morning, while it was still dark… the word used for early is 'proi' whish was the technical word for the last of the four watches into which the night was divided, that which ran from 3.00 am to 6.00 am. So it was still dark when Mary Magdala came. She could not stay back or away, because the love that she had for Jesus.
We know that we are all living in the dark time of the country (Power crisis, Tribal war, economical crisis, killing of innocents, woman is given as a salary to the soldier, etc). What do we see or seek in this darkness? We need to see god's love that is Jesus himself. This is the only a way to see the love in darkness.  The darkest empty tomb and the empty cross is the fulfillment of god's love for us. And if it is true our suffering in the south Sudan also may seem to be empty tomb or cross but the service and ministry of ours may be in the darkness of the time of the country but is the fulfillment of gods love. What St. Paul say in the 2nd reading that in baptism the Christian dies and raises again as the water covers him or her we are covered with many hardships, difficulties, pain disappointment, ect. All these things are like water that covers us but when we emerge from the water it is like resurrected to new life and that is what that we really seek in the dark. Yes let us be the people who are, giving above getting, serving above ruling, forgiving above avenging if we do this in this country then we see in the  dark the love that Mary Magdalene saw, john believed and peter proclaimed amen.
Prayer
"It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me"(Galatians 2:20)
Let us pray that the living presence of the resurrected lord gives us lasting peace and celestial joy amidst the boredom, suffering, pain and tension of our day to day life. Lord helps us to see even in the dark the resurrected messiah in all the brothers and sisters amen.
For the personal reflection
Where we really need to be resurrected (from sin, love, faith, discouragement etc.….. )
What is it that the resurrection of Jesus to you, to me and to the country 
Whom to you want to be to experience Jesus? Mary Magdalene, John, Peter.

 

fr. Alexander MMI

 

Wish you all a happy Easter

Holy Thursday

Dear friends. The Peace of the Lord be with you!

I want to greet and wishing you happy feast for all the priests for the gift we have received from God the Father for the  priesthood and its ministry. Today, Holy Thursday, we renew this important commitment and love for the People of God. Let's continue to pray and be in communion with the People of South Sudan who are still in the long Good Friday of its brief history……but Hope is always our compass of life…..the Peace of the Lord will come…..

I wish you a blessed Holy Week and Happy Easter to all sisters, brothers and fathers……

Pamoja

Fr. Daniele and the Comboni Province of South Sudan

And all the RSASS executive

 

"Don't be afraid! I know that you are looking for Jesus, the crucified.

He is not here! He is risen!"   Mt 28, 5-6

Registration Form RSASS Workshop

Brothers and Sisters;

 

below you'll find the registration form for our Annual RSASS Workshop; you can copy and paste and then email to the indicated address

 

RSASS ANNUAL CONFERENCE April 27-30, 2016

“CARING FOR OUR HOME: REFLECTIONS ON ‘LAUDATO SI’ ‘ AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON RELIGIOUS

LIFE AND MINISTRY IN SOUTH SUDAN”.

REGISTRATION FORM

Name of Participant: ____________________________________________________________

Name of Congregation: __________________________________________________________

Nationality: ___________________________________________________________________

Place of ministry: _______________________________________________________________

Phone Number: ______________________ E-mail address: ____________________________

Accommodation in the hotel: _____YES, I need accommodation. ____NO, I do not.

Name of Congregational representative who will vote in the RSASS Executive Election:

________________________________________________________

Please note: - Arrival in Juba is on Tuesday April 26^th.

Transportation:

Participants coming from locations outside of Juba, are asked to make their own arrangements and bookings. Please retain receipts so that you may receive a refund. Only if you are not able to make your own booking and require assistance, please indicate the following information:

From ___________________________ to Juba to ___________________________

Date of departure:___________________ Date of return: _______________________

Nationality: ______________________ Passport Number: ______________________

Full Name in Passport: _________________________________________________

Please submit your REGISTRATION FORM by April 10th to help us make the necessary preparations by sending it by email (or by phone if email is not possible) to:

Fr Mario Debattista ofm

Email: mjdofm@gmail.com Phone: 0954 987 447

Caring for our home

"CARING FOR OUR HOME: REFLECTIONS ON 'LAUDATO SI' ' AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON RELIGIOUS LIFE AND MINISTRY IN SOUTH SUDAN"

Juba, Wed 27 – Sat 30 April 2016

Dates:

26 April, Tuesday: Arrival

27-29 April: Conference and Workshop

30 April: RSASS Annual Assembly (Everybody is invited to participate to the RSASS Ass.)

01 May, Sunday: Departure

(some may need to stay till Monday morning because the airport is likely to be closed on week-ends)

Venue: OASIS CAMP JUBA HOTEL (port area: at the Konyo-konyo round-about near mosque, turn left towards port; before reaching the port, turn left and go one extra block; its small entrance is to your right)

Expected Participants: approx. total: 76 (1 or 2 participant each congregation from outside Juba) (free number for participants from Juba for self-accommodation in their community houses)

Provisional Theme: "CARING FOR OUR HOME: REFLECTIONS ON 'LAUDATO SI' ' AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON RELIGIOUS LIFE AND MINISTRY IN SOUTH SUDAN".

Speakers: Fr. Peter Knox (Principal of Hekima College, Nairobi) and Sr. Rosemary Oduol of Wau, Tim Galvin / John Skinnader as possible reactors.

Workshop Facilitator: Fr. Manny Ginete CM,

Proposed Schedule:

26 April, Tuesday: arrival in the hotel for those staying there

27 April, Wednesday: DAY 1

9:00 Opening Eucharist and Welcome

9:45 Preliminaries

10:15 Break

10:45 Session I: First Talk – Fr. Peter Knox

11:30 Small-group discussion

13:00 Lunch, rest

14:30 Reaction: Sr. Rosemary Oduol

14:45 Reports from small groups

16:00 Break

16:30 Reflections from speaker, followed by open forum

17:30 End of the day

19:00 Supper

28 April, Thursday: DAY 2

8:30 Eucharist

9:15 Recap of Day 1, Preliminaries

9:30 Session 2: Second Talk: Fr. Peter Knox

10:15 Break

10:45 Small-group discussion

12:00 Reports from small groups; group photo

13:00 Lunch, rest

14:30 Reaction: Tim Galvin / John Skinnader

14:45 Reflections from speaker, followed by open forum

16:00 Break

16:30 Workshop 1: by dioceses

17:30 End of the day

19:00 Supper

29 April, Friday, DAY 3

8:30 Morning Prayer

8:45 Recap of Day 2, Preliminaries

9:00 Workshop 2

10:15 Break

10:45 Workshop 2, continuation

11:30 Reports from small workshop groups

12:15 Presentation of Lines of Action for RSASS

13:00 Lunch, rest

15:00 Visit to Kit Center; Mass there

18:00 Return, Supper

30 April, Saturday, DAY 4 – RSASS ASSEMBLY AND ELECTIONS

8:30 Sung Morning Prayers

9:00 Preliminaries

9:15 Reports

10:15 Break

10:45 Reports, continuation

13:00 Lunch, rest

14:30 Elections

16:30 Break

17:00 Closing EUCHARIST

18:00 Supper, Socials

01 May, Sunday: departure

Sub-Committees:

• Registration/Communication: Fr. Mario with help from Sr. Anne

• Flight Bookings: each one is responsible; for exceptions, see Sr. Annette

• Accommodation, Food, Conference Room: Sr. Amala and team

• Transportation to and from Venue: Fr. Marcelin MMI and team

• Liaison with Hotel and Reservation: Fr. Manny

• Program and Schedule: Fr. Manny

• Secretariat and Minutes: Fr. Federico

• Finance: Br. Bill Firman

• Liturgy: Sr. Georgina SHS and team

• Ice-Breaker and Socials: Salesians / DMI young Sisters

• Banners: Sr. Amala (short version of theme in the banner)

• Name-tags: c/o Solidarity

New web link

Dear Brothers  and Sisters;

please note that on the right hand side of this page I have added a link to a web site which could be of general interest; you can have a look: Catholic Culture (click on the name and you will be directed to the page)

Have a wonderful day and solemnity of St. Joseph

Abuna Loro

Palm Sunday - Comment to the readings

Palm Sunday

Is 50: 4-7; Phil 2: 6-11; Luke 22: 14- 23: 56

Today we celebrate both Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday. It is on Palm Sunday that we enter into Holy Week, enter along with Jesus to Jerusalem, walking along with him to share in his suffering, death and resurrection. We gloriously enter into Jerusalem waving palm leaves but pathetically going to meditate on His passionate suffering for the redemption of Humanity, the redemption of each and every one of us from the clutches of evil. We are going to remember and relive the great self sacrifice of Jesus on the table and on the cross. We are going to share in His Passion, Death and Resurrection by active participation in these Holy Week liturgies. In doing so, we are allowing Jesus to forgive us our sins, heal the wounds in us caused by our sins and the sins of others and transform us more completely into the image and likeness of God. This Mysterious Sunday which has Joy and Suffering together invites us to ponder about Who really Jesus is, What He has done to us and Who we really are and ought to be?

Who Jesus is and who we really are?

Jesus, the King of Peace, the Ark of the Covenant

In those days Kings used to ride a donkey in times of Peace. Jesus entered the Holy City as a king of peace, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah.  The gospel specifically mentions that the colt Jesus selected for the procession was one that   had not been ridden before, reminding us of a stipulation given in I Samuel: 6:7 concerning the animal that was to carry the Ark of the Covenant. We, the religious who take the part of Jesus, who continue His mission, who give His value to others, who really give Him to others must and should be promoters of peace here in this soil of chaos and confusion. We should really be the hope of the people, who would save these people from their misery by laying our lives for the promotion of peace.

Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb

During the feast of the "Pass Over," the lamb which has to sacrificed by the High Priest should be taken to the Temple in a procession four days before the main feast day.  On Palm Sunday, Jesus, the true Paschal Lamb, was also taken to the Temple in a large procession. The Lamb that offered Himself on the cross as a sin offering to God, to wash our sins and heal our wounds, must make us to deny ourselves fully and to offer ourselves at the service of offering forgiveness and reconciliation. We need to bring people together to reconcile with one another and to receive the mercy of the Lord on the Cross.

Jesus, the Bread of Life (Lk 22: 14-20)

The unconditional love of the Father was unveiled in the incarnation of Jesus. The same love was proved by Jesus by His self offering at the table by giving His own Body and Blood for us as everlasting food. It is the Love meal that we share at every Eucharistic celebration. It is a pure sacrifice of a divine person that we offer every day. It is the true bread of life that we eat every day. Does he make any change in us, to break and offer ourselves fully for others leaving our selfish motives behind?

Jesus, the True Leader

Jesus not only preached but showed his disciples who is the true leader by being their servant. He insisted his apostles to be servant leader in order to be highest in the kingdom. He did not receive any service, neither from people nor from his disciples. But we, who are his followers, seek positions, powers and service wherever we go. We lack in serving people, rather we always want to be served and to be kept little higher than others.

Jesus, the Gentle Warning Friend

Jesus foretold his disciples about their flight, betrayal and denial in a gentle and loving way. He gave them opportunity to turn back from their ways. Even when they failed Jesus looked them gently (Lk 22: 61) and asked them to strengthen their brothers who are undergoing the same crisis. There is a vast gap between the correction Jesus did and what we are doing now. Our correction is harsh and burdening rather than gentle and compassionate. Instead of showing the merciful face of Jesus, we often show the revengeful, angry face of God.

Jesus, the Man of Prayer

In His temptation and suffering, Jesus always prayed to his Father and asked his disciples to pray in order to avoid temptation and trials. He always insisted his disciples to pray earnestly to keep away or chase evil. He always discerned the will of the Father through prayer. We many times lack in prayer or we lack in bringing people to pray. We failed to insist people to pray in the times of suffering and difficulties.

Jesus, who relied on God

Though Jesus was God, he emptied himself and relied always on the protective care of the Father. He always willed that the will of the Father to be done and he offered His breath to God the Father. But many times we believe in the things and money that we have, authority that we hold and the strength and security that we have. We have never insisted people to erase the trust that they have in guns and men. We have not strongly preached them to submit themselves to God always.

Jesus, a Non-Violent Messiah

The arrest of Jesus clearly shows the non-violent attitude of Jesus. He teaches us to have the weapon of love and forgiveness. But we rather prefer to have sword and gun, anger and revenge, hatred and betrayal. We see, everywhere blood and hunger but no where the attitude of acceptance and patience is found. We never insist this on people; rather we support their understanding and way of life.

Jesus, the Suffering Servant

Today’s gospel clearly emphasizes the agony he underwent, the betrayal he suffered, the denial he received, the scorching he accepted, the mocking he heard, the thorns that wounded, the nails that pierced and mainly the condemnation he received from the people whom he loved. Yet he was a gentle Lamb for the slaughter, underwent all pain and offered himself on the cross for us. But we are not able to bear some criticism, some accusation and some disapproval from the people in our ministry places. We are not ready to suffer with the suffering humanity and comfort them.

Jesus, the True Consoler

Though his pain was unimaginable, his suffering was so horrible; Jesus considered the sorrow of the women who were crying for him. He foresaw the pain that they are going to suffer because of their children and for their children and He comforted them. He felt the suffering of His mother beyond his suffering and offered His beloved disciple her son. We are also called to go beyond ourselves, our pain and suffering to see the pain of others and to console them. Many times we are struck with our own problems and difficulties and we never see the pain of others who are hungry, poor, sick, homeless, lonely and displaced.

Jesus, the Highest Form of Forgiveness

Though many times we are not able to forgive our community members and our fellow brethren in mission due to various reasons whether it is small or big, He could forgive people who tortured him, mocked him and crucified him like a scoundrel and worst criminal, saying, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing’. In his worst and highest form of punishment, he showed the highest form of forgiveness. But we lack this kind of mercy and compassion even in small matters, rather we develop grudge against people and take revenge in men and matters.

Jesus offered himself for us but we still hesitate to offer ourselves fully to him and for the people. We behave many times as the people who were found in the gospel. We often forget that we are the donkeys carrying Christ, unfortunately we always boast that we are Christ. We betray our own companions for our sake, name, fame and power; we deny the good works of our fellow companions and their goodness; we long to have position and authority; we find happiness in men and matters rather than in God in Prayer; we rely on our own ability and talents and in weapons rather than in God’s unconditional love; we try to lose any number of lives for our sake rather than loosing ourselves for the sake of others; we enjoy in the suffering of others rather we never want to share in the sufferings of others like Simeon who carried the cross along with Jesus; we heap up hatred towards others to the point of destroying them like the people who said, ‘crucify him’; we never feel sorry for our mistakes like the good thief rather we find always fault with others and finally we never have the heart to forgive others. Hence this Holy Week invites us to journey along with Jesus to become like him and to die to our sins to resurrect to the new way of life where we care our brothers while they are living. One flower in life is worth all the wreaths in the world in death; one word of love and praise and thanks in life is worth all the panegyrics in the world when life is gone. Let us suffer with Christ in order to part take in the sufferings of others. Let us rise with Christ in order to resurrect the lives of others. May this Holy Week make us Holy and Living Sacrifices to God.

 

fr. Valan Ashok MMI

V Sunday of Lent - year C

5th Sunday of Lent
By Fr. A.Valan MMI
Mary Queen of the Apostles Parish, Gurei

Today's liturgy of the word of God is stressing on the mercy and love of God towards the sinners. The incident in the Gospel is specific to the Gospel of John (8:1-11); It has lots of insights and message for us in the modern world.
The Gospel reading opens with the scene that Jesus goes to the temple to pray and teach, thus Jesus shows that he draws his energy through prayers. He imparts the same with all the people without any discrimination, because he and his message is for all the people of good will, who sincerely seek God in their lives. At this moment the Pharisees bring the woman caught in adultery there. They ask Jesus to trap him; in either way Jesus would be in trouble; that is, if he says, she should be stoned to death, he has no mercy or love for the sinners, then what is the use of teaching that God is merciful, loving and forgiving? In case he lets the woman go free, he can be accused of going against the Law of Moses, which is very sacred for them. At times we are also trapped by others, and how do we respond such situations? No worry, we have Jesus who shows us the way to over come. The act of Jesus is so amazing,  Jesus bends down to write something on the floor with his finger; no mention about what he wrote; some say, that he wrote the sins of those Pharisees standing there; or may be he was angry and wanted to control, because
a) The woman is caught 'in the very act' of adultery; that means, that man also would have been around there; but they bring only the woman, why not the man? They let him go free, and want to punish only her, why so? The sixth commandment is common for both men and women; because of their women-oppressive attitude, they accuse only the woman
b) Jesus is angry with their legalistic attitude. "Law for the sake of Law" – no concern for humanity; law must be rooted in love, not in blind arrogance;
Finally Jesus utters his words of wisdom saying "Let anyone among you without sin stone her first"  - a great shock for them; for a) Jesus escaped any accusation; and
b) He has turned it against on them now; the ball is in their court now
This statement has become very popular even among the non-Christians; this challenges the very condemning attitude of ours. Jesus is very clear, only God can judge others; humans don't have the right and capacity to do that.
"They leave one-by-one" – They all came in a group, in a big crowd to condemn her, but while going, they go one-by-one, Why they don't now leave in a group? It has a special message, its to say, Condemning attitude comes with the group, but realization very often has to come individually, personally, its  Mob psychology - no time, no patience, no mood to 'think' or reason out, when they are in crowd 'they did not condemn' – for, now they got the self-realization that they too are in the same boat of having to receive forgiveness; they also have committed a lot of sins, if not this particular crime, many more other crimes, may be much more serious one. Therefore, self-realization in fact opens up our eyes, we see things differently, our ignorance is removed; we are ready to tolerate, accept and forgive others.
Jesus makes the sinner free by saying 'Neither do I condemn you"
So Jesus did not come to condemn, but to make them realize that the need for God in their lives, so that they live properly. For Jesus, sinner comes before the sins, but we see only the sin first, and then the sinner; and that is why, often it is not possible for us to forgive others. Sin robs of your social status; they have dragged the woman here just like an animal; she has lost her human dignity in their eyes because of the sins, it is the sin that takes the peace of mind. Above all, sin deprives you of God's forgiving love and mercy; it takes away the grace and presence of God from your soul and heart; it makes you lose the image and likeness of God with which you have been lovingly created by God.

'From now on…" – Jesus does not worry about the past; for some reasons or the other you have gone astray, God tolerates that, but what are we going to do now and in future. That is more important. If our realization and coming back to God is really strong and firm, we will not go back to our ways of sinfulness, like the conversion of St. Paul. So let us stop judging, accusing and condemning others rather let us practice the virtues of love, mercy and compassion and be worthy children of God to celebrate the upcoming great event Easter.

(Story: Though we know this story, yet it is worth repeating, Once upon a time a man was caught stealing and was brought before the king, who immediately gave orders that he be hanged. However, as he was being led the gallows, the man told the prison governor that he knew a wonderful secret, which was taught him by his father. He claimed using this secret he could plant the seed of a special orange tree and make it grow and bear fruit overnight. He said it would a pity if the secret died with him, and that he was willing to reveal it to the king. The governor was so impressed  that he halted the execution, and brought the man back before the king. There the man a dug hole in the ground, and taking an orange seed said, 'your majesty, the seed must be planted by a person who was never taken anything that did not belong to him. I being a thief can not do it.' Then turning to one of the king's officials he said, 'You would like to plant it'. But the official refused, saying. ' In my younger days I kept something  that did not belong to me.' Then the man turn  turned to king's treasurer  and said, 'Well then, may be you would like to plant it.' But the treasurer to refused, saying, 'Over the years  I have handled  a lot of money. Now and again I might have kept a little for myself.' And so it went on. Finally there was only the king left, Turning to him  the man said, 'Perhaps your majesty  would o the honor  of planting  the seed.' But the king said, 'I am ashamed  to say it, but once I kept a watch that belonged to my father.'
The thief said, 'All of you are great powerful people and want for nothing. Yet none of you can plant the seed, while I have stolen a little because I was starving, now I am going to be hanged.'
The king pardoned him, because the thief taught a best lesson of the life.)

Fr. Valan MMI

Fourth Sunday of Lent - Year C

Fourth Sunday of Lent – Year C

Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32

This Sunday's Gospel parable, as we know, has been known by various names: The Prodigal Son, the Merciful Father, the Two Sons. But perhaps we should also refer to it as the parable of the Elder Son, or at least, the parable of the Prodigal Son's Brother. Because according to Lk 15:1-3, it was on account of the complaining "elder brothers," namely the Scribes and Pharisees, that Jesus told the parable.

That people have generally looked at the younger son and at what he did or at how the father forgave and welcomed him, is however no surprise and understandable. For yes, there are times, perhaps all too many, when each of us like that younger son, has wondered away from God, away from living out our Christian life in whatever vocation we have chosen. At such times, we do need to be reminded that nothing we have done, no matter how awful in our own estimation or in that of others, need stop us from repenting and making our way back into the arms of God our Father. At such times, what we most need to remember is that the God who is waiting for us is indeed "slow to anger, rich in mercy and kindness," that He is the father in the parable who is not ashamed to run to his son, to embrace him tenderly, and give him even more to celebrate his return – even after he has already squandered so much of the father's wealth. Here, we are being told that truly, there is no limit to God's mercy for his children.

But, is it not perhaps precisely on this point where the problem arises for many of us – that there is no limit to God's mercy for the sinner. To realize this, we need to look at the elder son in the story – the good son who stayed home, who had always worked hard, who had never insulted his father by effectively wishing he were dead when he asked him for his share of the family inheritance. The elder son represents of course the Scribes and Pharisees who are complaining to Jesus about his good treatment of all the sinners and for mixing with them. But the elder son also represents most of us, perhaps most of the time. Because probably most of us, most of the time, are not committing great sins and turning our backs on God. If we were, we probably would not be reading this blog site, let alone trying to live our religious vocation as missionaries in South Sudan. We would likely be somewhere else trying to have as good a time as we could!

For the elder son, that his father seemed to have no limit to his mercy and kindness for his sinful younger son was in fact the problem. We see clearly that for him, how his father treated the young lad was simply not fair, it was not just – especially in relation to how he perceived he himself had been treated by the father. Rather, should not the younger son, who had wasted so much property, who had shamed his father and his family, and who had done nothing whatsoever to repair the damage, but had only come home because he was hungry – should he not be punished and made to pay for what he had done? Would not this be justice? Would this not be necessary to ensure that such a thing never happened again and that the right order of how people should be behave and be treated be kept?

Well, it seems that according to Jesus, the answer is "no." No, what is needed is not strict justice, but instead, the expression of God's infinite mercy and compassion. For the elder son and perhaps for everyone of us, especially when life seems to be unfair to us or to those who matter most to us, when strict justice is not applied as we would like, then the longest journey we need to take is from justice to mercy. And we start that journey when we can allow those beautiful words spoken by the Father to the eldest son be heard in our own hearts and conscience too: "My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours." These words remind us that what is true for our sinful brother and sister – even when it seems so unfair to us – is equally true for us as well. These words remind us that whether we run away or stay home, whether we break all the rules or manage to keep them all, our loving and merciful God is always with us and it is He, not us, who makes us to be his beloved children. And that, in the end, is all that matters.

fr. Mario de Battista OFM

Saturday 5th March programme

Dear brothers and sisters. Peace

 I have just sent you some days ago the invitation for the religious in Juba for the initiative of prayer 24 hours for the Lord. We decided in the last recollection day to join the divine mercy programme already scheduled for next Saturday 5^th March 2016. Below you find the programme of Saturday prayer where we can join in St. Joseph Parish (old or new church). Feel free to join at the time of your convenience or at the final mass at 3.30 pm and not 5pm as before announced. All are welcome to pray together with the Pope for the Universal Church and for South Sudan in this Year of Mercy.

The first Saturday of March

This to inform you that the recollection of Divine Mercy will be held on Saturday the 5^th of March at St. Joseph Parish the Mother Church. The following are the details of the program.

9.00 AM	Morning prayer
9:30-10:15	First section of Legion of Mary & apparitions by Mr William Ladu
10:30-11:30	"Mary, the mother of mercy" by Fr. Marco ofm
11:30-11,45	Break time
11,45-12	Praises Hymns
12:00-12:45	Exposition of the blessed Sacrament by fr Marco ofm
12:45-15:00	Adoration and Sacrament of confession
15,00-15:30	Divine Mercy Chaplet
15:30	Holy Mass by fr Marco ofm

Fr. Daniele  Moschetti