May 2012 Papal Intentions

May 2012

General Intention: The Family. That initiatives which defend and uphold the role of the family may be promoted within society. .

Missionary Intention: Mary, Guide of Missionaries. That Mary, Queen of the World and Star of Evangelization, may accompany all missionaries in proclaiming her Son Jesus. 

Bad Shepherds in Our Day?

BAD SHEPHERDS IN OUR DAY?

YES, BUT... ANYBODY

CONCERNED

ABOUT THE BAD SHEEP?

April 29 - Fourth Sunday of Easter

The well-known theme of the Good Shepherd dominates the Readings this Sunday though it is expressed in different ways.  St Peter also calls Jesus the "stone rejected by the builders " and in other places the Lord is called "the door." The idea is always the same: there is only ONE great individual capable of leading us aimless wanderers through the thorns and thickets of life to the flowing pastures and the restful waters of Paradise.

In the First Reading we have left the Upper Room some distance behind us and Peter is going, like a good Jew, to worship in the Temple when he is asked for an alms by a cripple and gives an alms no cripple could expect: a miraculous healing. As the crowd gathers in amazement. Peter takes the opportunity to remind them that they crucified their Best Friend (presumably some Pharisees were present and we can imagine their furious reaction) and that no other friend can match him. It is a brave and convinced statement but, clearly, the religious leaders cannot and will not let it pass unchallenged.

The Responsorial Psalm gives the same message:  you have sadly failed to understand the greatest Figure who ever walked the earth and, indeed, rejected him to the point of executing him. But no serious harm has been done: the Lord's kindness "endures forever."

The most intriguing lines in the Second Reading are " what we shall be has not yet been revealed ... but when it is revealed "we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." It has not been revealed because it cannot be revealed. When the Lord takes over a soul, the result often is that the body breaks down under the strain, sometimes because of excessive mortification in a wild attempt to return some of the Lord's love, but also because " it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." After death, this problem is solved and there we shall not only see the Lord but actually be him or be in him - we don't know how, but the prospect is entrancing.

The Gospel is very familiar and the comparison the Master made was equally familiar to his hearers: sheep were an important part of the area where he lived and worked and was brutally put to death. The shepherds led heroic lives: long hours in the summer heat and in constant danger from wolves who were a danger to them as much as to their flock. And in due course the Master was called on to die a death that no one in charge of a sheepfold ever experienced. Our times have a problem with bad shepherds - and that theme has been played and played out. But sometimes I ask . . . what about today's sheep? The Catholics living in divorce, in civil marriages or in no marriages at all? The shepherds are, as we know, trying to regroup and reform and it is probable that in 10 Or 15 years we will have a priesthood severely reduced in number but otherwise above suspicion. But how will the people be 10 or 15 years from now? Anybody concerned about them?

~April 2012 Concord

April 26 - April 30, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, April 30

EASTER WEEKDAY

ST. PIUS VI, Pope

Acts 11: 1-18

Jn 10: 1-10

True believers don’t listen to false shepherds and false prophets. On the contrary, they listen to Christ, to Peter, to the Pope (BM 596).

Fr. Tom: Perhaps we might more accurately say that they don’t begin by listening to the false prophets…but, true or not, if they continue to follow today’s media they will eventually begin to doubt…everything.  The Church has 20 million “exes” who once believed.  Let us pray for ourselves and for them, “living in darkness and the shadow of death.”

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Tecla Cutrini FSP (1960)—Fr. Ugo Antonucci IJP (1991)—Sr. M. Salvina Pipus FSP (2008)—Jesus Valdes (1987)—Emilio A. Mamaril (2009).

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Sunday, April 29

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Good Shepherd Sunday

Acts 4: 8-12

1 Jn 3: 1-2

Jn 10: 11-18

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

We badly need apostles to call sheep to the sheepfold of Jesus Christ (UPS IV 88).

Father Tom: True.  And we need also a beter-organized sheepfold!  Let us pray for the Pope and his troubled Church.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Carmelina Chillura FSP (1981)—Fr. Andrea Ferrero SSP (1985)—Bro Dante Colaretti SSP (1995)—Sr. Claudina Moccia FSP (2002)—Sr. Prassede Milan FSP (2000)—Sr. M. Agnese Gaibotti FSP (2002)—Giuseppe Ursini HFI (2006)—Sr. REdenta Commentucci FSP (2007)—Sr. Cecilia Cazzato FSP (2009)—Federico Lebani HFI (2010)

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Saturday, April 28

EASTER WEEKDAY

St. Peter Chanel, priest, martyr

St. Louis M. Grignion de Montfort, priest

Acts 9: 31-Jn 6: 60-69

Our inconstancy is great but we turn to Jesus time after time, lean on Him, mistrust ourselves and confide in Him (BM 165).

Fr. Tom: And also be patient It is more meritorious to continue asking in spite of a divine silence—St. Augustine talks about “stretching the soul” so as to be ready to accept more.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Vincenzo Mancardi SSP (1973)—SR. Margheria Boetti FSP (1979)—Fr. Luigi Ranieri SSP (1982)—Fr. Angelo Noto IJP (1988)—Fr. Sergio Costamagna SSP (1993)—Sr. Ester Innocenti FSP (2003)—Fr. Giovanni Turco SSP (2007)—Sr. M. Agape Saccone PD (2008)—Fr. Ennio Ori IJP (2009)—Amelia Aguirre IAM (2009)—Sr. Crisina Pieri FSP (2010)—Remedios D. Galinato (2006).

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Friday, April 27

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 9: 1-20

Jn 6: 52-59

2003 Bl. Alberione Beatification

If you set your eyes on St. Paul, ou will become great souls:  great hearts, great generosity, great understanding and great charity (FSP p. 545).

Father Tom: Undoubtedly, and perhaps the first step is to look over his Letters and pick out the paragraphs/pages you can easily relate to.  Later, you may get to study our Father in more detail.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Pancrazio Demaries SSP (1954)—Bro Salvatore Fabio SSP (1954)—Pietro Deplano HFI (1991)—Salvatore D’Aprile HFI (2005)—Sr. Angela Cavalli FSP (2009)—Luigi Cocci HFI (2011)

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Thursday, April 26

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 8: 26-40

Jn 6: 44-51

Faith puts the mind at the service of God (BM 419).

Father Tom: Faith is thus not a feeling , but an act of the will, putting total trust in God.  Not too easy!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Cleric Stefano Bernardi SSP (1931)—Fr. Francesco Santacaterina SSP (1941)—Fr. Vincenzo Testi SSP (1978)—Sr. M. Paola Morbini FSP (1983)—Emerenziana Costa FSP (1988)—Fr.  Ernesto Luchino SSP (1993)—Sr. M. Cleofe Piscietello PD (1996)—Sr. M. Santina Ferreyra PD (1997)—Bro Giulio Dell-Arciprete SSP (2002)—Fr. Francesco Mirti SSP (2006)—Sr. M. Loreta Gioacchini FSP (2007)—Carley Zoldan (1994)

I'm back!

I'm back and it's wonderful to be home. :o) The wedding was beautiful and I enjoyed it immensely.  Now I will get myself and you all caught up. :o)  Although, I'll post last Sunday's "It's Sunday" a little later.

God bless and have a wonderful day!

Off to a Wedding...

I'm off to an out of town wedding tomorrow morning and am taking a quick break from packing to let you know I may not be able to post for a few days since I'll be away from my computer.  I'll try, but I don't think I'll be able to between now and my departure time.  But I'll start posting again when I return.  :o)

God bless and have a wonderful weekend.

April 25, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, April 25

ST. MARK, EVANGELIST

1 Peter 5: 5-14

 Mk 16: 15-20

The devotion to the Divine Master is not a second-rate devotion, but involves our whole spiritual life: our studies, our apostolate and our external activity (VMC 587).

Fr. Tom: In fact, as I pointed out at our Divine Master celebration here last October, ours is the only title honoring the whole Jesus and describing His role in our lives. All other titles describe an aspect of him, eg, His Heart, His Face, His crucifixtion, His mercy, etc.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Maddalena Guido PD (1975)—Sr. M. Emma Paruzzo PD (2000)—Sr. M. Caterina Tosone  FSP (2005)—Sr. Agosina De Luca SGBP (2011)—Sally Osborne (2009).

April 24, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, April 24

EASTER WEEKDAY

St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest, martyr

Acts 7: 51-8:1

 Jn 6: 30-35

Union with the Eucharistic Jesus recalls and prepares eternal union with Him in Heaven (BM p. 436).

Fr. Tom: This seems to assume that our union will not be a simple reception of the Host, but a constant remembrance of that event all the time afterward and a constant preparation for the next time we receive the Lord.  The way to do this is to cultivate frequent invocations even if we are very taken up with our daily work.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro. Paolo Yamano SSP (1982)—Sr. M. Fiorella Portale PD (1990)—Fr. Pio Bertino SSP (1994)—Sr. Paula M. Somoes FSP (1999)—Sr. Modesta Cane FSP (2006).

Test of Fire: Election 2012 (Official HD Version - Catholic)

I hope you enjoy this YouTube Video, put out by Catholics Called to Witness.  I think it's an important one.  Below is the description posted on YouTube.

Will you vote the values that will stand the test of fire? Some things are more important than high gas prices or a faltering economy. They are life, marriage and freedom. This November, Catholics must stand up and protect their sacred rights and duties.


God bless...

April 23, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, April 23

EASTER WEEKDAY

St. George, martyr

St. Adalbert, Bishop, martyr

Acts 6: 8-15

Jn 6: 22-29

Men will not lack bread for the body if they will also look for nourishment of the soul (BM).

Fr. Tom: This was written a long time ago when times were much better than they are today.  However the problem today is not only that  bread for the body is scarce, but rather that nobody is even concerned about nourishment for the spirit.  Let us pray for both kinds of “starving” people.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Renato Mencarini HFI (1988)—Bro Giovanni Moretto SSP (1999)—Sr. M. Alessandra Tavella PD (2002)—Fr. Carmine Caputo SSP (2002)—Sr. M. Gabriella Bartolotta FSP (2007)—Sr. Maria Luisa Benigni FSP (2009)—Ann Teterycz (1995).

Joyful Resurrection...

JOYFUL RESURRECTION. . .BUT NOW TELL THE WORLD ABOUT IT- WE CAN RELAX LATER!

April 22 - Third Sunday of Easter

This time the story of the Resurrection develops further. Last Sunday we had the astonishing and heartening description of the Master's first appearance to the frightened and dispirited disciples. They had run away from him in the Garden and - in spite of the fact that "the doors were locked" - were doubtless cowering in the apartment they occupied, expecting every minute that fatal knock telling them that a Roman soldier was
outside waiting to drag them off to prison and death. Instead they experienced the most wonderful surprise of their lives!

Today we find a considerable development of the story. In the First Reading in fact the disciples have not just left their safe haven but, under the massive power of the Holy Spirit received on the first Pentecost, have gone out to "share the word," led by the previously shaky Peter who calls all he can find to conversion - return to the Lord, change your ways, repent and reform. Conversion! What a joyful experience! Even speaking in general when we learn something new and our whole life is illuminated by hope and confidence.

The beautiful  Psalm 4  is the perfect Responsorial for the occasion.   Every line of it speaks to our hearts.  Except, for me, (and perhaps also for you) the last one.   The only time I fall peacefully asleep - or would like to - is when I have to get up. Oh, well . . .

St. John in the Second Reading is rather blunt. "Those who say they know the Lord but do not keep his Commandments are liars (!) " - strong language. We have made the same point many times ourselves, describing our wills as the important element in our relationship with the Master, not our feelings.  He ends with an important observation: " Whoever keeps his word, the love of God is truly perfected in him." This works both ways: the love of God begins the process, encouraging us to live well and, as we live well, He encourages us even more!

In the Gospel we are back again in the Upper Room but this time there is a new element: the two dispirited disciples on their way to Emmaus have had an amazing conversation with a Stranger whom they eventually recognize . . . but then he disappears. Rushing back with this very hot news, they find that their comrades have had an even closer encounter with the Risen Lord . . . and then he appears among them again in all his joy, happiness and glory! But not entirely. The joy that Christ promises us is later, "when the toil of the long day is o'er," For now, duty calls. We are to be "witnesses" to the Risen Jesus, believing in him totally, serving him personally to the best of our ability and - in our special case - promoting him (i.e. the Institute), prudently, politely but constantly. It's a difficult and challenging command but never let us think that we can remain in the Upper Room breathlessly chatting with the Master. That's not his style and it should not be ours either.

~April 2012 Concord

April 22, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, April 22

THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 3: 13-15, 17-19

1 Jn 2: 1-5

Lk 24: 35-48

The priest-apostle’s soul is filled with Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life and he feels the need to give what he has received (SP 1947).

Fr. Tom: What was true in ’47 is true today except that the priest needs more of our prayers to support him in his ministry and – very important—to defend him against the many new dangers in modern life.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Myriam Cerina FSP (1978)—Cesira Lovato IAM (1992)—Fr. Arturo Bonanos SSP (1999)—Sr. M. Cristina Foligno FSP (2011)—Paul Krantz (1990).

April 21, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, April 21

EASTER WEEKDAY

St. Anselm, Bishop and Docgtor

Acts 6: 1-7

Jn 6: 16-21

God counts on me because He wants me to work with Him to extend His Kingdom by word and action (BM 270).

Fr. Tom: But—as I continue to insist-- not by word and action only! Words…are sounds.  They can perhaps impress but not change those who hear them. Actions… are actions!  They can give signals, e.g. a threat, or a helping hand, etc. understandable at the physical level.  But we are talking about spiritual change, something else again.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Cleric Saverio Vanzo SSP (1935)—Fr. Michele Vitale IJP (1996)—Lina Crema HFI (2010).

Religious Liberty Homily

This is very important.  Mary, protectoress of the Americas, intercede for us.  Jesus Divine Master, protect and keep us.  Amen

WIDGET for Pope's anniversary

2012-04-19 Vatican Radio
As of today, 19 April 2012, seventh anniversary of the Election of the Holy Father Benedict XVI, a new www.vatican.va WIDGET will be available to users of the Internet. By using this interface it will be possible, automatically and dynamically, to transfer some of the most important content contained in the institutional website www.vatican.va to another user's website.
Pontifical Magisterium is thus enriched with another means of communication, making the content of the institutional website more widely known, and using all the opportunities technology offers in order to spread the word of the Holy Father.
In particular, using the new widget it will be possible to export all the principal novelties, the Sunday Angelus, Audiences and the Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office. The "Focus" area of the homepage www.vatican.va contains the mail address at which users may request the code to insert on the own homepage of their own websites in order to visualise the "vatican.va widget".

WIDGET for Pope's anniversary

April 20, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, April 20

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 5: 34-42

Jn 6: 1-15

Jesus was the Way because He gave examples of every virtue even some that were unknown in His time (VMC 578)

Fr. Tom: We can also give examples not very well know in our time: restraint in our use of the media, regularity in religious practices, fidelity to our commitments, and others.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Attilio Scipioni IJP (19878)—Francesco Melotto HFI (1991)—Sr. M. Dina Baglia FSP (1992)—Fr. Salvatore Strazzuso IJP – Sr. M. Vincenzina Fea {D (1998)—Sr. M. Dlisabetta (Elisabetta?) Roagna FSP (2000)—Bro Maurizio Frola (2001)—Fr Walter Pasolini IJP (2004)—Sr. M. Rosalia Tonin FSP (2005)—Bro Timothy Tirkey SSP (2009)—Sr. M. Pacis Cuadra FSP (2011)—Tecla Boado (2005) .

April 19, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, April 19

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 5: 27-33

Jn 3: 31-36

Jesus is not our Master just because He spoke  He is equally our Master because of His exemplary life which confirmed His teaching and because He gives us the grace, the strength, to believe in His word and imitate His behavior (577)

Fr. Tom: Which of the Master’s qualities do I moist need?  Are my words not always as His would be—too frequent or not frequent enough?  Do I behave as He did—often with courage and faith?  Is my life generally lived close to Him?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Immacolata Di Marco FSP (1968)—Rosetta Sebastiani HFI (1993)—Fr. Ettore Cerato SSP (1995)—Fr. Sergo Lino IJP (2000)—Giseppe Patruno HFI (2002)—Sr. Santina De Santis FSP (2003)—Sr. M. del Sacro Cuore Carrara PD (2004)—Maria Manfredini IAM (2005)—Vincenza Giampietro HFI (2009) .

April 18, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, April 18

 EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 5: 17-26

Jn 3: 16-21

You are the Way—guide me.

You are the Truth—enlighten me.

You are the Life. 

Fr. Tom: Say this little prayer every time you thik of it.  And be certain that the Risen Divine Master will hear it—after all, it is He who reminds you to pray!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Benigna Angelino FSP (1979)—Anastasia Porcus IAM (1990)—Fr. Rafael Castaneda SSP (1998)—RamonaGRace Herron Cadenhead (1968).

April 17, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, April 17

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 4: 32-37

Jn 3: 7-15

Relations among us must be founded on fraternal love, but even more than in a natural family – “One heart and one soul” (UPS IV 218).

Fr. Tom: If this is a “felt” love , so much the better, but feelings come and go. What must remain is the will to wish each other well, be concerned about the health and progress of others and most of all, pray for them constantly.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Emilio Battaglia SSP (1963)—Bro Isidoro Selvo SSP (1987)—Sr. Rosetta Zanchetta FSP (1994)—Srm. M. Bernardina Giaccardo PD (1997)—Sr. M. Vincenzina Bonvissuto FSP (1999)—Sr. Enrica Vivian PD (2005)—Fr. Valerio Misori IJP  (2010)—Bertilla Ballardin HFI (2011).

April 16, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, April 16

EASTER WEEKDAY

Acts 4: 23-31

Jn 3: 1-8

”By Baptism, the sinner in Adam dies and the new man, Jesus Christ, is acquired (BM 417).

Fr. Tom: That begins the “renewing”. It doesn’t end till death—or even after death unless we try hard to become “new” people.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Ignatius Rossi (1934)—Sr. Caterina Carbone FSP (1970)—Fr. Paolo Marcellino SSP (1978)—Sr. M. Vincenzinia Vassallo PD (1981)—Fr. Ottavio Cascelli IJP (1981)  Msgr. Giuseppe Franciolini IJP (1989)—Fr. Pietro Borrano SsP (1993)—Sr. Caterina Di Francesco FSP (1994)—Sr. M. Rosa Tili FSP (2000)—Sr. Anne Mattapallil FSP (2002)—Anna Natkus (1961)—Maria Esperanza Gartierrez (2000).

The Second Sunday of Easter 2012

It's Sunday
April 15 - Second Sunday of Easter

The First Reading in each of the three year Cycles speaks to us of the wonderful atmosphere which prevailed in the Christian communities after the Resurrection. They were the fruit of the powerful action of the Spirit and they were built up and fortified by the preaching of the Apostles. All over the infant Church
there was a sense that the clouds over Calvary had definitely rolled away showing plenty of blue sky. It would not continue like that - few human projects do, even this one which was more divine than human - but here we have in miniature what the Church today might be if the Lord's directions were followed. In
particular we see unity highlighted this Sunday - "the community of believers was of one heart and one mind." It was a great moment and we must try to reproduce it in among ourselves in the Institute.

Psalm 118 is the perfect Responsorial - " I was hard pressed and falling, but the Lord helped me . . . his mercy endures forever." That's says it all for the early Christians and for today's Christians. But unfortunately there are too many who feel no need of the Lord's mercy and that is the tragedy of our twenty-first century.

The Second Reading is, for once, not from St. Paul but from the Beloved Disciple - John - and, as we might expect, his theme is the love of God and love of neighbor. And how do we show this love? Sweet words? Charming manners? Kind actions? Well, yes, also those. But the word is "also." John puts the reality clearly: "... we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments." It's possible to be good to others but not good to God . . . and, therefore, not good to ourselves either, not really good. Let's have the right priorities!

Most Sundays the Gospel is different in each of the three-year cycles. But on the Second Sunday of Easter we have the same one in each of the three years. That is because we have here a reference to two types of faith: 1) the faith founded on fact, on personal experience, on visible reality, and 2) the faith founded on belief even when the reality is not present to us. Thomas believed because he had little choice. That is not the normal situation. Christians today - and in every age - must believe by virtue of the divine assistance. And no age has been more challenging than our own: too many Church ministers deluding our confidence in them; too many tv and radio shows chipping away relentlessly at the very foundations of our Catholic lives,
too much suffering, leading us to doubt the goodness of God. Not for nothing do we say in the Opening Prayer: " Increase the grace you have bestowed." Yes, increase and multiply it before too many more Catholics follow the millions who have lost the faith, the greatest gift God could have given them.


~April 2012 Concord

April 15, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, April 15

SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

Acts 4: 32-35

Jn 5: 1-6

Jn 20: 19-31

”My Lord and my God!” said Thomas as he met Jesus in the Upper Room.  It is an expression of conviction and faith (APD 89-90).

Fr. Tom: Much in our lives that passes for faith is in reality knowledge.  We say we believe in the Mass but we don’t go as often as we might so in reality we know about the Mass.  We say we believe in the Institute but we do nothing to promote it, so we know things about it.  Check yourself today on other aspects of your Institute life.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Imelde Ontivero PD (1978)—Fr. Settimio Sirito SSP (1992)—Bro Carmelo Miatto SSP (2002)—Sr. Bridgit Maliakel FSP (2004).

April 14, 2012 With Blessed Father Ablerione and With Father Tom

Saturday, April 14

WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 4: 13-21

Mk 16: 9-15

All piety and interior formation is found substantially in the Risen Christ, Way, Truth and Life (575).

Fr. Tom: I think this means we should address Him on those lines: Jesus, Truth, show me WHAT, Jesus Way, show me HOW, and Jesus Life, give me the STRENGTH.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Seondina Caralleris PD (1984)—jMsgr. Luigi Carli IJP (1986)—Sr. M. Roberta Di Fulvio PD (1990)—Bro Dominick Cicconi SSP (1998)—Sr. M. Pacis Gerbino Promis FSP (2001)—Bro Giovanni Diaco SSP (2001)—Sr. Alessandrina Tartaglia FSP (2003)—Sr. Ernestina Mangiarotti FSP (2006)—Sr. Elvira Amicangioli SGBP (2009)—Candida Albano (19-7)—Adam Fr. Burnieika (1981)

April 13, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, April 13

WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 4: 1-12

Jn 21: 1-14

I am very clear about what I saw in that room…the Divine Master was walking up and down with one of us and He said: “Do not be afraid. I am with you. From here I wish to enlighten. Just remain humble and always be sorry for your sins.”  (VMC 54)

Fr. Tom: This is the Founder’s account of a vision he had when the future for his health looked bleak and he prepared to hand over the work to Canon Chiesa.  Strong in our faith in the Founder, we don’t need any visions, just his assurance that we are on the right road.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Clara Cantamessa PD (1976)—Sr. M. Cesira Nagata PD (1936)—Sr. Liliana Fava SGBP (1989)—Deniele Pennati,  Gabrielite (2007)—Valentino Dorazi HFI (2008)

April 12, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, April 12

WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 3: 11-26

Lk 24: 35-48

Faith in the risen Christ, the Incarnate Son of God!  Study Him in the Gospel.  Hope in the Risen Christ—what a price He paid for our salvation!  Love of the Risen Christ—He is the tree and we are His branches (VMC 370).

Fr. Tom: Christ is GOD!  Why on earth should He be bothered about us little pieces of earth?  The answer seems to lie in our souls which evidently are of surpassing beauty – if we work to keep them that way.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Cleric Severino Banfo SSP (1942)—Sr. M.  Ferdinanda Nova PD (1958)—Fr. Egidio Gnata SSP (1972)—Sr. Mariangela Simoni SGBP (1988)—Sr. M. Efrem Passarin PD (1992)—Fr. Guido Pettinati SSP (1994)—Pietro Giuletti HFI (2003)—Pietro Pischedda, Gabrielite (2008)—Fr. Mario Oppus IJP (2009)

April 11, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, April 11

WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 3: 1-10

Lk 24: 13-35

Sometimes we wander here and there seeking new spiritual systems and methods.  But the ONLY method is to live of Christ and to live like He lived.  What were His thoughts, His feelings, His sufferings?  How did He speak and act?  It’s all in the Gospel and in the Letters of St. Paul (VMC 569)

Fr. Tom: The Gospel and the Letters, yes, but accompanied by much prayer for light.  What these Gospel incidents say to me is not necessarily what they say to you.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Cleric Ortensio Petrucci SSP (1941)—Sr. Cesira Morano FSP (1985)—Sr. Rosa Mrcelli FSP (1987)- Bro Tito Fabela SSP (1994)—Sr. Saveria Onesi FSP (1996)—Peter J. Burrell (1979)

Monthly Papal Intention April 2012

April 2012

General Intention: Vocations. That many young people may hear the call of Christ and follow him in the priesthood and religious life.

Missionary Intention: Christ, Hope for Africans. That the risen Christ may be a sign of certain hope for the men and women of the African continent. 

April 10, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and Father Tom

Tuesday, April 10

WITHIN THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 2: 36-41

Jn 20: 11-18

Our life must be a continuous renewal, a continued conversion, a continued resurrection (BM 466-67).

Fr. Tom: Which means that our most important characteristic must be PERSISTENCE.  Anyone can give up—no problem.  To continue in spite of many failures is the sign of eventual success in eternity, even if on earth we never quite measure up. The Risen Lord also gives good grades for TRYING.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Bernardetta Amenta FSP (1987)—Sr. Carolina Lovato FSP (1999)—Sr. M. Danila Quirii FSP (2000)—Bro Angelo Callegaro SSP (2011)—Bill Davison, Mrs. Lumpee, Rose Neimeyer (no years)

April 9, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, April 9

WITH THE EASTER OCTAVE

Acts 2: 14, 22-33

Mt 28: 8-15

All our program is to meditate on the Risen Christ every day, to know him, imitate Him and love Him more intensely (VMC 568).

Fr. Tom: All our program?  Well, not exactly.  We must also DO something.  Meditation?  Yes, but what can I DO to please to the Master?  How can I tell people about what He has done for me?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Giuliana Sandri PD (1975)—Angelica Agudelo de Valencia HFI (1997)—Gualtiero Zuconi HFI (2003)—Fr. Biagio Giraudo SSP (2007)—Laurine Buada HFI (2010)—Sr. M. Margherita Medaglia FSP (2011)—Elizabeth Costello (1984)--

April 8, 2012 (Easter Sunday) With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

HE IS RISEN!! ALLELUIA!  HAPPY EASTER!!!

Sunday, April 8

THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD

Acts 10: 44a, 37-43

Col 3: 1-2

Jn 20: 1-9

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalen and women were given the task of telling the apostles about the Resurrection (BM 335).

Fr. Tom: And women today can be important and valid supporters of priestly ministry.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Chiara Bertero FSP (1984)—Sr. M. Cecilia Fassion PD (1992)—Otello Antoni HFI (1997)—Sr. Jolanda Faraglia FSP (1998)—Msgr Pietro Santoro IJP (1998)—Angelo Ferracuti HFI (1998)—Sr. M. Michelangela Chemello PD (1999)—Bro. Giovanni Schellino SSP (2001)—Bro Teresio Minelli SSP (2004)—Sr. M. Epifania Maraga FSP (2007)—Bro Mario Pezzato SSP (2007)—SR. Francesca Lanzafame FSP (2010).

Blessed Father Alberione's "Confiteor"

Fr. Alberione's "Confiteor"

" MASTER, let my ego be silent. I want you to speak on
the two precepts of charity, on the Beatitudes, in your
Sermon from the Mount. To these I submit all my will, my
entire heart!

I accept willingly all the evil that has been said, is being
said or will be said about me even after my death. I also
accept willingly all the false interpretations, the
accusations, the failures which humiliate me especially
with souls and in the apostolate. I accept all the
confusion, the penances, the spiritual pain resulting from
sins and defects, from the thousand attacks of my
passions, my weaknesses and my insufficiency.

*       That I may see with your eyes.

*       That I may speak with your tongue.

*       That I may hear only with your ears.

*       That I may like the tastes   that you enjoy.

*       That my hands may be your hands.

*       That my feet may march in step with you.

*       That I may pray with your prayers.

*       That I may treat people as you treat them.

*       That I celebrate Mass as you immolated yourself.

*       That I may be you and that you may be me, so much so
that  I disappear.

O Master, deign to use this tongue of mine to sing to God
for all eternity; use this heart to love Him; use this sinner
that I am, the most unfortunate, to exalt Him. " I am the
Good Shepherd.   I desire mercy."

O GOOD SAMARITAN, pour oil on my wounds, heal me,
give rne your life.

*                Let your unalterable patience by my patience

*                Let your crown of thorns win for me humility

*                          Let your scourging be my purity and
                  mortification

*                          Let your agony be the model for mine

*                          Let the wounds of your holy feet direct my
                  steps

*                          Let the foolishness of your Cross be true wisdom
                  for me

*                          Let your Resurrection gain a glorious resurrection
                  for me.

*               May I be crucified in everything with you as all
                  your will     is done in me

*                And may your merits be mine. May your virtues
                  be for me way, strength, mercy, eternal reward".

Ven.. James Alberione

April 7, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, April 7

HOLY SATURDAY—EASTER VIGIL

First Saturday of the month—Mary, Queen of Apostles

***Readings at the choice of the Celebrant***

Our program is to meditate every day on the Risen Savior, to know Him better, imitate Him better and love Him more intensely (VMC 568).

Fr. Tom: That’s the program…now, what about the practice?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Candida Lundedei PD (1946)--  Sr. M. Alberta Franchimi FSP (1982)—Sr. Clementina Mennzani FSP (1994)—Sr. M. Carmine Cabezas Campayo FSP (1999)—Sr. Rosina Stammena FSP (2003)—Sr. Chiara Guadagnini SGBP (2007)—Licia Semproni IAM (2011)—Fr. Bernanrd (1995).

April 6, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, April 6

GOOD FRIDAY, PASSION OF THE LORD

First Friday of the month—The Sacred Heart

Is 52: 13-53: 12

Heb 4: 14-16, 5:7-9:  23-26

Jn 18:  1-19: 42

***Fast and Abstinence***

Jesus has expiated for our sins of impurity, for our sins of cruelty and for our sins of injustice (BM p. 587).

Fr. Tom: Do we commit sins of cruelty?  Interesting aspect of our exam of conscience.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Francisca Saveria Anton PD (1967)--  Sr. Bernardina Spadaccini  FSP (1970)--  Fr. Francesco Zecchinati SSP (1994)—Sr. Stefanina Lonardoni FSP (2003)---- Sr. Teresa M. Musso FSP (2004)—Sr. M. Assunta Vadacherry FSP (2005)—Sr. M. Rossaura  Ravera PD (2005)—Anna Butani IAM (2005)—Juan B. Cereno (1989)

April 5, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Thursday, April 5

THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

First Thursday of the month—The Angel Guardians

Ex 12:  1-8, 11-14

1 Cor 11:  23-26

Jn 13:  1-5

What greater union can there be than the union of food and the person eating it? (VMC 837)

Father Tom: True, but food is often taken for granted—and so, most unfortunately, the Eucharist.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  Enrica Minnucci FSP (1990)—Fr. Antonio Cagioni IJP (1990)—Sr. M. Valeria Tortone PD (1994)—Sr. M. Bogumilla Jedrzycka PD (1994)—Sr. M. Gemma Negrello FSP (2000)—Sr. M. Concettina Lee (2005)—Maria Tomassini HFI (2006)—Assunta Superchi HFI (2007)—Sr. M. Vitalina Martina PD (2008)--

April 4, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, April 4

WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

First Wednesday of the month—St. Joseph

Is 50:  4-9

Mt 26:  14-25

1884: BIRTHDAY OF BL. ALBERIONE

Sin does not give us peace. Judas did not have it even when he held tight the purse containing the thirty pieces of silver (RSP 127).

Father Tom: True, but this statement assumes a fairly sensitive conscience which these days is not as common as it used to be.  Sin gives no peace in the sense that the sinner is aware of the legal consequences, but otherwise he or she may feel quite relaxed!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  M. Amabilis Barbero PD  (1962)—Matteo Ruiu HFI (2005)—Bill Davison—Mrs. Lumpee—Rose Neimeyer—Peter Galvan Asprec (no years given)

April 3, 2012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, April 3

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

First Tuesday of the month—The Souls in Purgatory

Is 49:  1-6

Jn 13:  31-38

Jesus has expiated for the pride of those who hate the truth, for the avarice of those who love money and possessions, for the cowardice of those who deny the Master (BM).

Father Tom: We can join in this sublime work by sincerely cultivating the opposite virtues:  humility, generosity and courage.  Especially courage in quietly, but incessantly seeing out likely candidates for Institute membership—or, better, couples.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  Giuseppina Favato PD (1933)—Sr. M. Annunziata Micca PD (1977)—Medina twins (1951)—Peter Candela Jr (1954)

April 2, 21012 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, April 2

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

First Monday of the month—St. Paul

Is 42:  1-7

Jn 12:  1-11

The predominant passion presents itself under aspects that are, at times, very attractive.  Judas is an example:  he presented himself under the guise of charity (RSP: 332)..

Father Tom: In fact, whenever we are just too enthusiastic about a project—even a saintly one—we are wise to draw back for a moment to examine our motives and especially to see if the project is in line with our commitment in the Institute.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr.  Marina Merz FSP (1963)—Fr. Salvatore Sallemi IJP (2006)—Sr. M. Andioletta Manduchi PD (2010)

April 1, 2011 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

    I found this image on the internet and will gladly give credit.

Sunday, April 1

PALM SUNDAY

First Sunday of the month—the Divine Master, Way, Truth and Life

Is 50:  4-7

Phil 2:  6-11

Mk 14:  1-15, 47

WORLD YOUTH DAY

MONTLY INTENTION

That all people striving to conserve a safe environment may see the creative Word in a worlds called to be god and beautiful.

Father Tom: While nobody can object to the sincere efforts for a better world and for more respect for God’s creation, we must never forget that the moral pollution of humanity is a matter of far more concern—and is much being done about that?

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Carlo Stella SSP (1973)—Bro Enrico Pantaleo SSP (1984)—Fr. Michele Leone IJP 2003)