This story is being carried by The Free Copts (link) and Neferteeti (link).
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Prayers for the soul of a wonderful girl, A short life with great meaning
You know, we often miss that there is beauty in the world. That there are people who give and give. I was reading this story and it touched my heart:
EAST WINDSOR -- Mary Rose Gabriel saved every dollar she ever received as a birthday or Christmas gift and, when she was 16 years old and had saved $7,000, decided that others needed it more than she did.
"She said, 'I'm not doing anything with it, I might as well give it to the church,'" her sister Sarah Gabriel recalled yesterday at her family's home in the township's Twin Rivers section.
Mary Gabriel, 18, gave everything she could during her life, which was cut short Sunday night when her car hit a utility pole on Old Trenton Road.
Her mother Suzan Gabriel said officials at St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in East Brunswick were surprised by the teen's generosity.
"They couldn't believe it," Suzan Gabriel said.
From the biggest sacrifice to the smallest gesture, Mary Gabriel always thought of how she could help others, her mother and sister said.
She had dropped off Mark Ibrahim, whom she called her "soon-to-be fiance," at his house in Hamilton at 11:30 p.m. Sunday and was driving home when her car spun off the road and struck the pole, family members and police said. She was ejected from the car and died by the time police arrived.
West Windsor police said there was no indication, other than skid marks, of what led her car to split a utility pole in half.
She lived a life grounded in her faith, giving away some of her favorite clothes to the needy and visiting inmates in prison, her mother said.
"She would do anything just to make other people happy," Suzan Gabriel said.
A small example happened on Thursday, when Mary, Sarah and two cousins went to the Thanksgiving parade in New York City. Mary asked the other three, who were cold and wet from the rain, if she could get them soup, Sarah said. All three said no. A few minutes later, "she came back with four soups," said Sarah, who is 17.
Mary Gabriel was a student at Mercer County Community College, having graduated from Hightstown High School in three years. She planned on transferring to Rutgers University and wanted to be a nurse practitioner
"She would talk a lot about the future," Sarah said. "She said how she wanted to be a strict parent."
Mary wanted to live in West Windsor one day, because she thought it would be a good place to raise children. Suzan Gabriel said her daughter and Ibrahim were planning to become engaged next summer.
Mary Gabriel was also interested in her Coptic background. She was preparing to go with her family next summer to Egypt for the first time in 10 years.
Her 19th birthday would have been Friday.
Source
We all get a life. The time of that life is known only to the Lord. Some in eighty years do not manage to be the loving example of this young girl.
Look at what Christ says:
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'
And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:34-40
For Mary Rose Gabriel who, as the article says:
A small example happened on Thursday, when Mary, Sarah and two cousins went to the Thanksgiving parade in New York City. Mary asked the other three, who were cold and wet from the rain, if she could get them soup, Sarah said. All three said no. A few minutes later, "she came back with four soups,"
And:
She lived a life grounded in her faith, giving away some of her favorite clothes to the needy and visiting inmates in prison.
And:
Mary Rose Gabriel saved every dollar she ever received as a birthday or Christmas gift and, when she was 16 years old and had saved $7,000, decided that others needed it more than she did.
"She said, 'I'm not doing anything with it, I might as well give it to the church"
Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.
May she rest in the arms of her Lord. And may we see that in a world so often comsumed in pain and strife that there are examples of love and beauty in the simple acts of loving each other as our Lord told us to.
EAST WINDSOR -- Mary Rose Gabriel saved every dollar she ever received as a birthday or Christmas gift and, when she was 16 years old and had saved $7,000, decided that others needed it more than she did.
"She said, 'I'm not doing anything with it, I might as well give it to the church,'" her sister Sarah Gabriel recalled yesterday at her family's home in the township's Twin Rivers section.
Mary Gabriel, 18, gave everything she could during her life, which was cut short Sunday night when her car hit a utility pole on Old Trenton Road.
Her mother Suzan Gabriel said officials at St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in East Brunswick were surprised by the teen's generosity.
"They couldn't believe it," Suzan Gabriel said.
From the biggest sacrifice to the smallest gesture, Mary Gabriel always thought of how she could help others, her mother and sister said.
She had dropped off Mark Ibrahim, whom she called her "soon-to-be fiance," at his house in Hamilton at 11:30 p.m. Sunday and was driving home when her car spun off the road and struck the pole, family members and police said. She was ejected from the car and died by the time police arrived.
West Windsor police said there was no indication, other than skid marks, of what led her car to split a utility pole in half.
She lived a life grounded in her faith, giving away some of her favorite clothes to the needy and visiting inmates in prison, her mother said.
"She would do anything just to make other people happy," Suzan Gabriel said.
A small example happened on Thursday, when Mary, Sarah and two cousins went to the Thanksgiving parade in New York City. Mary asked the other three, who were cold and wet from the rain, if she could get them soup, Sarah said. All three said no. A few minutes later, "she came back with four soups," said Sarah, who is 17.
Mary Gabriel was a student at Mercer County Community College, having graduated from Hightstown High School in three years. She planned on transferring to Rutgers University and wanted to be a nurse practitioner
"She would talk a lot about the future," Sarah said. "She said how she wanted to be a strict parent."
Mary wanted to live in West Windsor one day, because she thought it would be a good place to raise children. Suzan Gabriel said her daughter and Ibrahim were planning to become engaged next summer.
Mary Gabriel was also interested in her Coptic background. She was preparing to go with her family next summer to Egypt for the first time in 10 years.
Her 19th birthday would have been Friday.
Source
We all get a life. The time of that life is known only to the Lord. Some in eighty years do not manage to be the loving example of this young girl.
Look at what Christ says:
Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world;
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?'
And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:34-40
For Mary Rose Gabriel who, as the article says:
A small example happened on Thursday, when Mary, Sarah and two cousins went to the Thanksgiving parade in New York City. Mary asked the other three, who were cold and wet from the rain, if she could get them soup, Sarah said. All three said no. A few minutes later, "she came back with four soups,"
And:
She lived a life grounded in her faith, giving away some of her favorite clothes to the needy and visiting inmates in prison.
And:
Mary Rose Gabriel saved every dollar she ever received as a birthday or Christmas gift and, when she was 16 years old and had saved $7,000, decided that others needed it more than she did.
"She said, 'I'm not doing anything with it, I might as well give it to the church"
Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.
May she rest in the arms of her Lord. And may we see that in a world so often comsumed in pain and strife that there are examples of love and beauty in the simple acts of loving each other as our Lord told us to.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
The Pope's Visit to Turkey
Here is the schedule for the Pope's visit to Turkey. I'll be taking a look at this through the week.
Prayers for the Holy Father during his visit.
Vatican City, Nov. 13, 2006 (CNA) - The Holy See has published the official schedule for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey, which will take place November 28 to December 1 and will include meetings with various political leaders and representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches as well as with leaders of Islam and Judaism.
Tuesday, November 28
The Pope will arrive in Ankara at 1pm. The day’s activities will include a visit to Atatürk Mausoleum, the welcome ceremony, a visit to the President of Turkey followed by meetings with the deputy prime minister, the president for religious affairs, Ali Bardakoglu, and the Diplomatic Corps. Bardakoglu, who was one of the harshest critics of the Pope’s lecture in Ratisbona last September, has since said that the visit would be “a positive step toward developing dialogue between Islam and Christianity.”
Wednesday, November 29
the Pope will celebrate Mass at Ephesus, where tradition says the Virgin Mary resided. Later, in Istanbul, he will go to pray at the patriarchal Church of St. Gorge followed by a private meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I.
Thursday November 30
The Feast of St. Andrew, the Pope will participate in a “Divine Liturgy” with Bartholomew I at the patriarchal Church of St. George, after which they will sign a joint declaration. Later he will make a visit to the once great Cathedral of Hagia Sophia (which is now a museum) and to the Apostolic Armenian Cathedral, where he will meet with Patriarch Mesrob II. Afterwards he will meet with the Grand Rabbi of Turkey and then have dinner with the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Turkey.
Friday, December 1
the Pope will celebrate Mass in Holy Spirit Cathedral, and then, after a farewell ceremony, he will depart for Rome.
This will be third visit to Turkey by a Pope. Pope Paul VI visited in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979.
Prayers for the Holy Father during his visit.
Vatican City, Nov. 13, 2006 (CNA) - The Holy See has published the official schedule for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey, which will take place November 28 to December 1 and will include meetings with various political leaders and representatives of the Catholic and Orthodox Churches as well as with leaders of Islam and Judaism.
Tuesday, November 28
The Pope will arrive in Ankara at 1pm. The day’s activities will include a visit to Atatürk Mausoleum, the welcome ceremony, a visit to the President of Turkey followed by meetings with the deputy prime minister, the president for religious affairs, Ali Bardakoglu, and the Diplomatic Corps. Bardakoglu, who was one of the harshest critics of the Pope’s lecture in Ratisbona last September, has since said that the visit would be “a positive step toward developing dialogue between Islam and Christianity.”
Wednesday, November 29
the Pope will celebrate Mass at Ephesus, where tradition says the Virgin Mary resided. Later, in Istanbul, he will go to pray at the patriarchal Church of St. Gorge followed by a private meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I.
Thursday November 30
The Feast of St. Andrew, the Pope will participate in a “Divine Liturgy” with Bartholomew I at the patriarchal Church of St. George, after which they will sign a joint declaration. Later he will make a visit to the once great Cathedral of Hagia Sophia (which is now a museum) and to the Apostolic Armenian Cathedral, where he will meet with Patriarch Mesrob II. Afterwards he will meet with the Grand Rabbi of Turkey and then have dinner with the members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Turkey.
Friday, December 1
the Pope will celebrate Mass in Holy Spirit Cathedral, and then, after a farewell ceremony, he will depart for Rome.
This will be third visit to Turkey by a Pope. Pope Paul VI visited in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Argentina mother expresses forgiveness of son’s killer during court trial
Source
Article:
Buenos Aires, Nov. 15, 2006 (CNA) - The mother of a murdered Argentinean man surprised the country this week when she approached the man charged with the crime during his trial, gave him a rosary, hugged him, and invited him to open his heart to God.
The courtroom encounter occurred in the town of Esquel in southern Argentina. Ana Maria Suarez was present during the trial of Fabian Chavez, 25, who confessed to killing her son, Mariano Drew.
Before those present, Suarez said, “Only prayer each day soothes my grief. Yesterday when I went to the Church of St. Cajetan, I prayed to the Virgin Mary and I thought, my son is with God. But I also thought of you, so young that you are. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to give you this,” she said before handing him a rosary.
“Only God heals wounds. I forgive you. And if my son offended you I ask your forgiveness. I loved him and now I don’t want you to suffer. The fate that has befallen you grieves me because I work with young people. In this country there is much violence. And you have been a victim of that since you were born. It is love that also helps to heal wounds,” Suarez said, hugging the defendant, who broke down in tears.
Last September, Chavez, who was raised as an orphan and is an admitted alcoholic, beat 27 year-old Mariano Drew to death in the town of El Hoyo.
Article:
Buenos Aires, Nov. 15, 2006 (CNA) - The mother of a murdered Argentinean man surprised the country this week when she approached the man charged with the crime during his trial, gave him a rosary, hugged him, and invited him to open his heart to God.
The courtroom encounter occurred in the town of Esquel in southern Argentina. Ana Maria Suarez was present during the trial of Fabian Chavez, 25, who confessed to killing her son, Mariano Drew.
Before those present, Suarez said, “Only prayer each day soothes my grief. Yesterday when I went to the Church of St. Cajetan, I prayed to the Virgin Mary and I thought, my son is with God. But I also thought of you, so young that you are. I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to give you this,” she said before handing him a rosary.
“Only God heals wounds. I forgive you. And if my son offended you I ask your forgiveness. I loved him and now I don’t want you to suffer. The fate that has befallen you grieves me because I work with young people. In this country there is much violence. And you have been a victim of that since you were born. It is love that also helps to heal wounds,” Suarez said, hugging the defendant, who broke down in tears.
Last September, Chavez, who was raised as an orphan and is an admitted alcoholic, beat 27 year-old Mariano Drew to death in the town of El Hoyo.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
A Prayer
I thought I'd share this:
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, Inflame my heart with love for You and for those around me.
Grant, O Lord, that every moment of this day, in all my dealings with others, I may keep in mind Your words, "...as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me."
Grant that I may rule all my dealings with others according to Your command: "...love one another, as I have loved you."
Grant that I may think of them as You think of them and of me.
Grant that I may feel toward them as You feel toward them and me. Grant that I may speak to them and of them as You would were You in my place. Grant that I may bear with them as You bear with me.
Grant that I may regard it a privilege "...not to be ministered unto, but to minister."
Grant that I may seek opportunities of doing good to them in a kindly way — seeing You, serving You, in them.
Place Your thoughts in my mind, Your love in my heart, Your words on my lips — that I may learn to love others as You love me.
Fr. John Harden SJ
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, Inflame my heart with love for You and for those around me.
Grant, O Lord, that every moment of this day, in all my dealings with others, I may keep in mind Your words, "...as long as you did it to one of these My least brethren, you did it to Me."
Grant that I may rule all my dealings with others according to Your command: "...love one another, as I have loved you."
Grant that I may think of them as You think of them and of me.
Grant that I may feel toward them as You feel toward them and me. Grant that I may speak to them and of them as You would were You in my place. Grant that I may bear with them as You bear with me.
Grant that I may regard it a privilege "...not to be ministered unto, but to minister."
Grant that I may seek opportunities of doing good to them in a kindly way — seeing You, serving You, in them.
Place Your thoughts in my mind, Your love in my heart, Your words on my lips — that I may learn to love others as You love me.
Fr. John Harden SJ
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
For All Saints, known and unknown
Today is all saints day. What is All Saints Day:
All Saints Day
During the year the Church celebrates one by one the feasts of the saints. Today she joins them all in one festival. In addition to those whose names she knows, she recalls in a magnificent vision all the others "of all nations and tribes standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, proclaiming Him who redeemed them in His Blood."
The feast of All Saints should inspire us with tremendous hope. Among the saints of heaven are some whom we have known. All lived on earth lives like our own. They were baptized, marked with the sign of faith, they were faithful to Christ's teaching and they have gone before us to the heavenly home whence they call on us to follow them. The Gospel of the Beatitudes, read today, while it shows their happiness, shows, too, the road that they followed; there is no other that will lead us whither they have gone.
"The Commemoration of All Saints" was first celebrated in the East. The feast is found in the West on different dates in the eighth century. The Roman Martyrology mentions that this date is a claim of fame for Gregory IV (827-844) and that he extended this observance to the whole of Christendom; it seems certain, however, that Gregory III (731-741) preceded him in this. At Rome, on the other hand, on May 13, there was the annual commemoration of the consecration of the basilica of St. Maria ad Martyres (or St. Mary and All Martyrs). This was the former Pantheon, the temple of Agrippa, dedicated to all the gods of paganism, to which Boniface IV had translated many relics from the catacombs. Gregory VII transferred the anniversary of this dedication to November 1.
Things to Do:
* Visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead during the Octave of All Saints' Day (November 1 through November 8) will gain a plenary indulgence that can be applied only to the souls in purgatory. On other days, this work only gains a partial indulgence.
* Spend a little time after Mass thanking God for all the unnamed saints, some of whom could be our own relatives;
* Have a special meal and if you have young children have them dress up like saints and play games;
* Pray the Litany of the Saints -- you could make it really special by chanting it ("he who sings prays twice") and you could read an explanation of this litany, which is considered the model of all other litanies.
* From the Catholic Culture library:
o The Church's Thanksgiving Day by Fr. Joseph Minihan,
o Ideas for Sanctifying All Saints' Day by Jennifer Gregory Miller,
o Halloween and All Saints Day by Fr. William Saunders.
Remember today all those who suffer for their faith around the world. Say a prayer for all saints: Those we know and those we do not.
May their examples lead us in courage and love.
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