Pope Francis offers prayer, condolences after Colombia plane crash by Elise Harris

Pope Francis offers prayer, condolences after Colombia plane crash

by Elise Harris

After a plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of 71 people, including the majority of Brazil’s up and coming Brazil's Chapecoense soccer team, Pope Francis has offered his prayer and solidarity for the victims and their families.

“Deeply distressed to learn of the sad news of the serious plane accident which has caused many victims,” Pope Francis “raises his prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased,” a Nov. 30 telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin read. 

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Vatican foundation exploring pros, cons of new technologies By Elise Harris

Vatican foundation exploring pros, cons of new technologies

By Elise Harris

Alongside the various technological advances booming throughout the world, the digital age has also brought with it questions as to exactly what effect these new technologies are having on the global market, particularly when it comes to jobs.

Pope Francis himself has brought up both the benefits as well as the concerns of technology on several occasions, including in his 2015 environmental encyclical, Laudato si'.

Weighing these pros and cons is one of tasks he has given particularly to the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation, which will discuss the issue in a series of conferences to be held throughout the coming year. Continue Reading

We have to pray for both the living and the dead, Pope Francis says by Elise Harris

We have to pray for both the living and the dead, Pope Francis says

by Elise Harris

In his last set of catechesis on mercy, Pope Francis focused on the works of praying for the living and the dead, as well as burying the dead, insisting that since we are all part of one family in Christ, we must remember to pray constantly for one another.

When we say “I believe in the communion of Saints” while reciting the Nicene Creed, “it’s a mystery that expresses the beauty of the mercy that Jesus revealed to us...all, living and dead, we are in communion.”

This communion is “like a union: united in the community of the many who have received baptism,” he said, noting that since all of us by virtue of our same baptism “are the same family, united,” we must “pray for each other.”

Pope Francis spoke to pilgrims gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall for his general audience, concluding his catechesis on mercy. He began the series last fall as a lead-in to the Jubilee of Mercy, which closed Nov. 20. Continue Reading

Pope Francis meets Martin Scorsese, director of 'Silence,' at Vatican by Elise Harris

Pope Francis meets Martin Scorsese, director of 'Silence,' at Vatican

by Elise Harris

On Wednesday, Pope Francis added world famous director Martin Scorsese to the list of Hollywood stars he has welcomed for a private meeting in the Vatican, following an official Rome preview of Scorsese’s new film “Silence.”

Based on a Japanese historical fiction novel recounting Christian persecution in Japan during the 17th century, “Silence” will hit theaters in December and recounts the story of two Jesuit priests who travel to Japan in the midst of the violence to search for the missing mentor, played by Liam Neeson.

According to a Nov. 30 communique from the Vatican, Scorsese, his wife and their two children were present for the meeting with Pope Francis, alongside the film’s producer and his wife. Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano, Prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, accompanied the group.

Described in the communique as “very cordial,” the meeting lasted about 15 minutes. The Pope told his guests that he had read the 1966 novel “Silence,” written by Japanese author Shusaku Endo and which served as the inspiration for Scorsese’s new movie. Continue Reading

Here's what Pope Francis is doing for Christmas By Elise Harris

Here's what Pope Francis is doing for Christmas

By Elise Harris

While signs of bustling pilgrims who came for the Jubilee of Mercy are mostly gone, new signs of Christmas are springing up around St. Peter’s Basilica, including the construction of the large Nativity scene in the middle of the square, and the placement of a Christmas tree alongside it.

On Nov. 24, a massive 82-foot tree from the Dolomites arrived in St. Peter’s Square next to the large Nativity scene currently being built, which was donated to the Vatican by the Archdiocese of Malta and designed by local artists. Continue Reading

Pope mourns death of Fr Kolvenbach, former head of Jesuits By Elise Harris

Pope mourns death of Fr Kolvenbach, former head of Jesuits

By Elise Harris

After the death of Jesuit Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, former head of the order, over the weekend, Pope Francis has sent a letter to the Society praising the priest’s fidelity and offering prayers for the repose of his soul.

“Learning of the news of the holy death of Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach S.J., former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, I wish to express to you and to the entire Jesuit family my most sincere condolences,” the Pope said in a Nov. 28 letter.

Addressed to the current head of the Society, Fr. Arturo Sosa, the letter recalled the “integral fidelity” with which Fr. Kolvenbach served Christ and the Gospel, as well as his “generous commitment to exercising his ministry for the good of the Church.”

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What do we mean when we say Mary was “ever virgin”?

We as Catholics firmly believe that Mary is “ever virgin.”  The Catechism asserts, “The deepening of faith in the virginal motherhood led the Church to confess Mary’s real and perpetual virginity even in the act of giving birth to the Son of God made man” (#499).  Given this teaching, the perpetual virginity of Mary has traditionally been defended and examined in three parts:  Mary’s conception of Christ (virginitas ante partum); her giving birth to Christ (virginitas in partu); and her remaining a virgin after the birth of Christ (virginitas post partum).  This formulation was used by many of the early Church Fathers–  St. Augustine, St. Peter Chrysologus, Pope St. Leo the Great, St. Gregory Nazianzus, and St. Gregory Nyssa.  For example, the Catechism quotes St. Augustine’s elaboration:  Mary “remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to Him, a virgin in carrying Him, a virgin in nursing Him at her breast, always a virgin” (#510).Continue Reading

Mary: Ever Virgin

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Most Protestants claim that Mary bore children other than Jesus. To support their claim, these Protestants refer to the biblical passages which mention the "brethren of the Lord." As explained in the Catholic Answers tract Brethren of the Lord, neither the Gospel accounts nor the early Christians attest to the notion that Mary bore other children besides Jesus. The faithful knew, through the witness of Scripture and Tradition, that Jesus was Mary’s only child and that she remained a lifelong virgin. 

An important historical document which supports the teaching of Mary’s perpetual virginity is the Protoevangelium of James, which was written probably less than sixty years after the conclusion of Mary’s earthly life (around A.D. 120), when memories of her life were still vivid in the minds of many. Continue Reading

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary

The Perpetual Virginity of Mary by Dr. Robert Schihl Fathers of the Church Church Fathers from at least the fourth century spoke of Mary as having remained a virgin throughout her life: Athanasius (Alexandria, 293-373); Epiphanius (Palestine, 315?-403); Jerome (Stridon, present day Yugoslavia, 345?-419); Augustine (Numidia, now Algeria, 354-430); Cyril (Alexandria, 376-444); and others. Continue Reading

1st Sunday of Advent Year A By Tobe Eze

1st Sunday of Advent Year A

FIRST READING

Isaiah 2:1—5

SECOND READING

Romans 13:11—14

GOSPEL

Matthew 24:37—44

THEME: IT WILL BE A SURPRISE TO US.

Advent as we all know is the preparation of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The three readings are telling us about the coming of the Son of Man. The first reading tells us “In days to come, the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills”. The days of the Son of Man will glorify God. Coming of the Son of Man is no more coming in flesh but coming into our hearts, into our Spirits. When a recognized personnel wants to visit us, we prepare in a very big way. We try to please the person through what we prepare for the person. Let in the same way or even more than that prepare for the day of the Son of Man. Last Sunday we were shouting in the top of our voices proclaiming Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Continue Reading

PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

PSYCHOSEXUAL DEVELOPMENT

In Freudian psychology, psychosexual development is a central element of the psychoanalytic sexual drive theory, that human beings, from birth, possess an instinctual libido (sexual energy) that develops in five stages. Each stage – the oral, the anal, the phallic, the latent, and the genital – is characterized by the erogenous zone that is the source of the libidinal drive. Sigmund Freud proposed that if the child experienced sexual frustration in relation to any psychosexual developmental stage, he or she would experience anxiety that would persist into adulthood as a neurosis, a functional mental disorder.

Contents

 •1 Background

•2 Freudian psychosexual development ◦2.1 Oral stage

◦2.2 Anal stage

◦2.3 Phallic stage

◦2.4 Latency stage

◦2.5 Genital stage

•3 Criticisms ◦3.1 Scientific

◦3.2 Feminist

◦3.3 Anthropologic

•4 Medical sexological model

•5 See also

•6 References

Background

The neurologist Sigmund Freud, c. 1921.

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) observed that during the predictable stages of early childhood development, the child's behavior is oriented towards certain parts of his or her body, e.g. the mouth during breast-feeding, the anus during toilet-training. He argued that adult neurosis (functional mental disorder) often is rooted in childhood sexuality, and consequently suggested that neurotic adult behaviors are manifestations of childhood sexual fantasy and desire. That is because human beings are born "polymorphously perverse", infants can derive sexual pleasure from any part of their bodies, and that socialization directs the instinctual libidinal drives into adult heterosexuality.[3] Given the predictable timeline of childhood behavior, he proposed "libido development" as a model of normal childhood sexual development, wherein the child progresses through five psychosexual stages – the oral; the anal; the phallic; the latent; and the genital – in which the source pleasure is in a different erogenous zone. Continue Reading

Solemnity of Christ the King Year C By Tobe Eze

Solemnity of Christ the King Year C

FIRST READING
2 Samuel 5:1—3

SECOND READING
Colossians 1:12—20

GOSPEL
Luke 23:35—43

THEME: CARING KING (IT IS NOT OUR FAULT THAT HE IS OUR KING)

Today we celebrate CHRIST as the universal KING. It did not end that he is the UNIVERSAL KING but also a CARING KING. In the first reading, the people of Israel went to David in humility, and anointed him their king. David ruled his people with caring heart and that was a typical example of how the son of David (Christ) has been ruling his own chosen generation. In the second reading, St. Paul tells us who the king of glory is. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven. He is like the pelican bird that uses its blood to feed its young. A STORY: There was a community that suffered death, they meet their Oracle who told them that the only way out is to sacrifice seven male heads. And they must be from that community. The community gathered for meeting to know those that will be sacrificed. Co

Hillary Clinton's Speech after Election

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C By Tobe Eze

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

FIRST READING
Malachi 3:19—20a

SECOND READING
2 Thessalonians 3:7—12

GOSPEL
Luke 21:5—19

THEME: HORRIBLE TO HOREB.

Today’s readings are telling us about the day that all are waiting for. The day of taking stocks is fast approaching, what will you give in return? Year of Mercy is on its close, what did you achieve? Did you experience the Mercy of God or condemnation? Any positive thing at all from it?

First reading tells us how it will look like when the day comes. And also God gives hope for all who fear him, “But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.” Are we fearing the Lord or the Lord fearing us? (Egwu Chukwu ọna atụ anyị ka ọ bụ Chukwu na atụzị anyị egwu?) Let us watch it. A man once died in a place. When the elders were meeting to see how the burial will be, the youth have already buried him. (Anyị eligo ya maka ikulite n' ọnwụ). “We have buried him should in case he rises from the death.” They concluded that even God is afraid of the man for his evil deeds. (Ọ bụkwa onye ụka anyị) He was our own Christian. What a shameful Christianity we practice these days. Will the son of man find faith in the world when he returns? St. Paul in the second reading is telling us about the need to work. (Aka aja aja n’ ebute ọnụ mmanụ mmanụ ọzọ Aka n’ aga n’ akụkụ ọkụ na agakwa n’ akụkụ ọnụ). It is only the hand that worked that should eat. Today, people are becoming lazier than ever existed. Anyone who do not have a white collar job makes him or herself man or woman of God. Continue Reading

UPDATE: I’m destroying my Green Card the day Trump is sworn in – Wole Soyinka Copied from Naij.com By Tobe Eze

UPDATE: I’m destroying my Green Card the day Trump is sworn in – Wole Soyinka

Omotayo Yusuf Yesterday 42280

– Professor Wole Soyinka expressed concern about Donald Trump’s presidency
– The Nobel Laureate said he would not destroy his Green Card yet
– He said the US support in the fight against terrorism may be withdrawn
Professor Wole Soyinka has said that he will not destroy his Green card yet even after Donald Trump has won the US election but will do so as he is sworn in.
The Nobel Laureate said on Wednesday, November 2 while giving a speech to students of Oxford University in England that he would destroy his Green card in the eventuality of a Trump presidency but that decision will have to wait. Continue Reading

National assembly orders arrest of MMM promoters Copied from Naij.com By Tobe Eze

National assembly orders arrest of MMM promoters

Akinyemi Akinrujomu Yesterday 249703 Continue Reading

Hillary Clinton speaks after losing election Copied from Naij.com By Tobe Eze

Hillary Clinton speaks after losing election

Omotayo Yusuf Yesterday 181363

Senator Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump in the US election help on Tuesday, November 8.

In what has been described as an upset, Trump won the electoral vote to defeat Clinton even though she won the popular vote.

In a speech she gave on Wednesday, November 9, Clinton reacted to her loss and spoke to Americans on how she felt about her loss.

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CRITICAL MOMENT OF LIFE AND OUR COUNTRY. By Tobe Eze

CRITICAL MOMENT OF LIFE AND OUR COUNTRY.

Please take your time to read and digest this counsel and candid advice might be what we did at this critical period of our nation building.  In view of the present economic situation around the world and Nigeria in particular, adequate cautions must be taking by us all.

Be prepared to let go of some things and spend only when absolutely necessary. If you have saved money, try not to touch it quickly.

Avoid capital projects until you are certain of replenishing your bank accounts.

Avoid social travels that bring no added income.

If attending a burial, wedding, naming ceremony, marriage anniversary will eat into your savings, avoid them. You would be called names, accept the name calling but understand that these same

People will call you worse names if you have to borrow from them to feed your family. Continue Reading

Catholic Doctrines in the Bible By Tobe Eze

*CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ARE IN THE BIBLE*

_Catholics are always intimidated into believing that we do things contrary to the Bible just because we are ignorant of what we do, the following will help you locate *WHERE* what we do in the Bible._

*1) PRAYING FOR THE DEAD*

2 Mac. 12:38-45

Wisdom 3:1

Tobit 4:17

*2) USE OF IMAGES AND SACRAMENTS _(these reminds us of what they stand for)_*

2 kings 3:20-21

Num. 21:8-9

Ex 25:17-22

Col 1:20, 2:14

John 12:32

Acts 19:11-12

*3) AUTHENTICITY OF CATHOLIC TRADITION AS A SOURCE OF REVEALED TRUTH*

2 Thes 2:15

2 cor 10:10-11

John 21:25

2 John 1:12

3 John 1:13

*4) THE SHIFT OF SUNDAY INSTEAD OF SATURDAY (SABBATH)*

Rev 1:10

Acts 20:7

1 cor 16:1-2

John 20:1-22

*5) THE POPE'S AUTHORITY AS THE SUCCESSOR OF ST. PETER*

John 21:15-17

Matt 16: 18-19

Acts 2:1-14

*6) THE REFERENCE OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS AS _'FATHER'_ WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE FATHER IN HEAVEN*

Gen 17:4

Jer 7:7

Num 12:14

Jn. 6:49

Mtt. 23:30

Lk. 1:73

*7) IS THE BIBLE IN SUPPORT OF THE HIERARCHY IN THE CHURCH? YES*

Eph 4:11-13

1 Tim 5:17-25

1 Tim 3:1-7, 8-13 Continue Reading

A Partial History and Idol Worshiping (Culture) of Agbamere People By Tobe Eze

NDỊNAYA.

NDỊNAYA……………………………………………….i

Mmalite…………………………………………………….1

1.1.          Ka obodo m bụ Agbamere si bido.

1.2.          Nlọta Agbamere.

1.3.          Ndi Agbamere Na Ihe Ha N’ Eme.

ISI NKE ABỤỌ………………………………………………………2

2.1. Ọtụtụ ihe eji mara Agbamere.

2.2. Emume ọzọ ndị Agbamere n’ eme bụ: ITI AKATAKPA.

2.3. Ọzọ bụ, emume maa.

2.4. Ekala

ISI NKE ATỌ………………………………………………..8

3.1. Oriri Ezemkpume

3.2. Oriri Ugwube

3.3. Ịgọ Okike

ISI NKE ANỌ………………………………………………………..10

4.1. Ihe ọzọ eji mara Agbamere

4.2. MMECHI.

EBE ỌRỤA SI…………………………………………….11

Malite Okwu.

N’ ime ihe odidea enwere ọtụtụ ihe dị gasi n’ ime ya. Nke mbụ bụ, KA OBODO M BỤ AGBAMERE siri bido. Nkea n’ akọwa etu Alụmọna bụ onye Ịgala si lọta n’ Eha-Alumona mụbawa wee mụta ụmụ ya atọ, bụ Eha, Agbamere na Ụmabọ, ndị mụtara ndị bụ zị ndị Eha-Alụmọna kịta. Otu n’ ime ụmụ atọ ndịa bụ Agbamere were laa, mụbawa nke ya wee mụta ụmụ atọ bụ Ọlụ, Owere-Ala na Okwe, ndị nke mụtara ndị Agbamere nile. Ha bụ ndị ewere dịka ndị nna Agbamere nile.

Agaba kwa n’ ihu ị ga ahụ kwa ọtụtụ ihe ndi Agbamere eme. Dịka etu ha siri gọọ mụọ ọfụma tupu ụka abịa. Ọtụtụ ihe eji mara Agbamere bụ ụdị mmeme mụọ ha n’ emechaa. Ya na ihe ọma na ihe ọjọọ ndị ọzọ eji mara ha. Etu ha si eti mụọnwụ na ọtụtụ ọrụ ndị ọzọ ha n’ arụgasị, na kwa ekwe ekwe ha. Continue Reading

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C By Tobe Eze

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

FIRST READING

2 Maccabees 7:1—2, 9—14

SECOND READING

2 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5

GOSPEL
Luke 20:27—38

THEME: LIFE AND LIFE.

The readings are pointing towards Life and Life. The life on earth and life after now. In the first reading, the seven sons and their mother were killed in this life to enjoy the other life, which we all are working towards to gain. There are still everlasting joyful life after and total damnation after this life. So which one are you preparing for? Martyrdom started with this family, they should be our models in faith. If we are asked to defend our faith these days like this family, can we do it? Or are we going to use one Igbo adage which says, Onye dị ndụ na efe Chineke to defend our life here and forget about life after this one? There were two lives for them and they made their choice. Choice of one life to the other. If we are to choose today, what type of life are we going to choose? Their choices glorified the Lord. Do choices we make daily glorify God or bring shame to him? In the second reading St. Paul encourages us to also make choices that take us to the other life which we are running race to get. Continue Reading

GIRLS: ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH AND WORLD? By Tobe Eze @ St. Anthony's Parish Umu-Alor

GIRLS: ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH AND WORLD?

INTRODUCTUON:

What is CYWO? It is Catholic Young Women Organization. This is the fourth arm in the Holy Roman Catholic Church. This particular arm makes the Church a full Church and it helps to make the different stages in life complete in the Church. The group came out from CMO and CWO; that is Catholic Men Organization and Catholic Women Organization. This is the fruit of wedding in the Church. For one to be qualified to join this group, you have to receive the sacrament of baptism. Either adult baptism or infant baptism and first Holy Communion. This particular organization has two group in them, which are the junior and senior groups. The senior in most cases pay more than the junior (that is on things about money). One continues to be a member till one weds. It helps to keep young women closer to the church. Continue Reading

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C By Tobe Eze

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

FIRST READING
Wisdom 11:22—12:2

SECOND READING
2 Thessalonians 1:11—2:2

GOSPEL
Luke 19:1—10

THEME: REPENTANCE AND EFFORT

Today’s readings are pointing towards chances God gives his children to repent and come back to him And to see our efforts in life. In the first reading, God gives teaches us how to live our lives. He shows example how we should treat our so called enemies. Through our sins we are automatically enemies of God but he still gives us chances to come back to him. HOW MANY TIMES DO WE GIVE OUR ENEMIES CHANCE TO COME BACK TO US? It continues to be, pay back is not sin. In Igbo, onye mere onye mere ya na obughi njo. In Christianity and Christ's teaching, paying back evil with evil is sin. In the gospel Zaccheaus who was dwarf both physical and spiritual made effort which in turn made him very tall spiritually. From Zaccheaus we should know that heaven helps those who help themselves. He made effort, what is expected of us now is our efforts. If God enters your house (your heart) salvation will not leave their again. Effort is too necessary in our lives. A STORY: Emperor Akbar was in the habit of putting riddles and puzzles to his courtiers. He often asked questions which were strange and witty. It took much wisdom to answer these questions.
Once he asked a very strange question. The courtiers were dumb folded by his question.
Akbar glanced at his courtiers. As he looked, one by one the heads began to hang low in search of an answer. It was at this moment that Birbal entered the courtyard. Birbal who knew the nature of the emperor quickly grasped the situation and asked, "May I know the question so that I can try for an answer". Continue Reading

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. By Tobe Eze

October 16, 2016

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

FIRST READING
Exodus 17:8—13

SECOND READING
2 Timothy 3:14—4:2

GOSPEL
Luke 18:1—8

The first reading teaches us to be persistent in prayer. Moses kept his hands up for the glory of his people. If we have a steadfast faith in our God, if we trust him with all our hearts he will give us victory as he gave the Israelites today. Always look for people who will give you positive support as Joshua and Hur did to Moses today. The second reading tells us that the word of God which is the scripture should be our reference point. It is inspired by God which means it is God and God cannot desive us. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us the parable of a Judge who do not fear anything including God, but he granted the wish of the widow who was disturbing him. Our heavenly father will give us what we ask of him if we keep to our faith in him. PUSH Pray Until Something Happens. A story = One day a local evangelist bragged during a crusade that his God was more able than all the other gods in the town and the powers of the universe that the villagers worshiped put together. Just then, rainstorm sounds started sounding overhead, threatening the progress of the crusade. The evangelist lifted up his voice and declared with confidence that if the rains fell, then he wasn't a man of God; he would stop preaching! Continue Reading