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Saint Louis Catholic Community
7270 SW 120th Street • Pinecrest, FL 33156 • Church/School: 305-238-7562 • FAX: 305-238-6844
www.stlcatholic.org
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[email protected]
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[email protected]
PASTORAL STAFF
Pastor
Rev. Fr. Paul Vuturo
Parochial Vicars
Rev. Fr. Biju Vells
Rev. Fr. Fredy Yara
Vicar Emeritus (Retired)
Rev. Fr. Michael Kish
Administrator of the Mission of
St. Augusitine of Hippo
Rev. Fr. Pedro Toledo
Deacons
Rev. Mr. Vincent McInerney
Rev. Dr. James Dugard
Rev. Mr. John Peremenis
Rev. Mr. John Green
Rev. Mr. Thomas Hanlon
Rev. Mr. Alex Lam
Rev. Mr. Bob Yglesias
Rev. Mr. Jeff Reyes
Rev. Mr. George Labelle
Rev. Mr. José Villena
School Principal
Mr. Edward Garcia
Director of Religious Education
Mrs. Jeannie Modroño
Director of Youth Ministry
Mr. Mark Witkowski
Director of Music
Mr. Juan Salazar
Coordinator of Ministries & Music
Ms. Cecelia Columbro
HOLY EUCHARIST (MASS)
PASTORAL HISPANA
Sunday:(English)
5:30 PM (Sat. Vigil)
7:00, 9:30, 11:00 AM
12:30, 5:30 PM
(Español)
8:15 AM, 7:15 PM
* Special Lenten Weekday Schedule*
6:30 AM Monday - Friday English
8:30 AM Monday - Saturday English
7:00 PM Mon, Tues, Fri. – English
7:00 PM Miércoles, Jueves – Español
Misa en Español
Los domingos - 8:15 AM, 7:15 PM
Los miercoles - 7:00 PM
Bautismos - En Español el último
domingo del mes. Favor de llamar a la
oficina con DOS meses de anticipación.
Hora Santa -Tercer jueves de cada
mes en la Capilla a las 7:30 PM.
RECONCILIATION
(Confessions)
Saturday:3:30 - 4:30 PM
7:30 - 8:30 PM
Anytime by appointment
Baptisms
MATRIMONY
Please contact the parish office at least
six months prior to the proposed date.
VIKTORIA GARCIA
of Carlos & Daniela Garcia
BAPTISMS (Infants - 5 yrs. old)
daughter
In English the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Sunday
when there is a 5th Sunday. Please call
the Office TWO months in advance.
Remember the Departed
PARISH OFFICE HOURS
Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Andrés Hidalgo
Norman Hinton
James Houck
Aloma Ahkin
Lisa de Angelis
Carole Howard
Pablo Arevalo
Nereida de Arrocha Aida Jackson
Mary Arnold
Mary Frances Degen Irene Johnson
Isabel Avila
Luis DeVarona
Matthew Joseph
Alejandro Baldelomar Sal DiFede
Jim Kern
Marcio Baltodano
Alba Diaz
Oliver & Mary Ann Kerr
Nora Bendheim
Xioriliz Diaz
Gerry Knowlan
Verónica Bermúdez Lorraine Ditzel
Robert Kopp
Jeannette Bernard
Iris Echevarria
Pat Krupczak
Ruben Berumen
Vincent Evans
Joseph Kuethe
Maria Eugenia Bolaños Gene Fleming
Helen Labime
Giana Brendeke
Eddie Fung
Esperanza Lara
Bertina Garcia
Joyce Bryan
Gene LaNeve
Jerry Byrne
Bill Gerrard
Anne Lintner
Joanne Calfo
Mary Glynn
Evelyn López
Margaret Caruso
Daisy Guerrero
Manolito López
Keith Chin
Dorothy Haiduven
Isabel Luperón
Robert Hall
Sandra Chung
Adelaida Maldonado
Jim & Erika Connell Manuel Haramboure Dan Millott
Alyse Hernández
Michael Connor
Adelina Muzaurieta
Cici Culverhouse
Salvador Hernández Harrison Margulies
Pray for the Sick
Matrimonio - Favor de llamar a la
Oficina con SEIS meses de anticipación.
Matthew Martin
William Martinez
Jane McKeon
Luis Magallanes
Vivian Malave
Wendy McLendon
Reinaldo Meléndez
Angela Mitchell
Isabella Morales
Francisco Morejon
Leonardo Moreno
James Morris
Michael Mulsford
Luis Munilla
Dana Munsey
Patricia Murphy
Rodney Oziemski
Alexandra Pegues
Jim Petee
Javier Piñeda
David Pritchard
Shawn Rice
Bryce Richardson
Remberto Rodríguez
Carlos Diaz
Beatriz Garcia
Jose Antonio Maestre
Ligia Lugo
Whitney Martin
Rolando Rodríguez
Clara Romero
Graciela Rosas
Josephine Sánchez
Jesse Santera
Jimmy Sarandis
John Shubeck
Al Schwitalla
Eleanor Simons
Colin Smith Pita
Ernest Steinhilber,III
Isah Marie Tomas
Roberto Torricella, Sr.
Aurora Van de Water
Pedro Verastegui
Ivanna Vidal
Concepción Villaborres
Aisha Wade
Chris Warren
Elizabeth Woods
Patty Young
Nick Zwatney
Giancarlo Zamora
Please remember to
contact the Parish Office
when it is appropriate to
remove a name from this
list or they will be removed
after two months. To provide the Eucharist
at home for ill parish
members or family,
call Pedro Valentin at
305-251-7335 or the
parish office at
305-238-7562.
Si estas enfermo o
impedido de asistir a la
Misa y deseas recibir la
Comunión en tu casa,
puedes comunicarte con
Adriana Morales,
305-969-0960.
Ministry to
The Sick
L
ent draws us into the mystery of our dying and rising with Christ, the fundamental experience of
Christian faith. Plan ahead to take advantage of the special programs that will be offer throughout this holy
season.
Daily Mass Schedule/ Misa Diaria:
6:30 AM
8:30 AM
7:00 PM
7:00 PM
English
English
Monday, Tuesday, Friday– English
miércoles, jueves– Español
Stations of the Cross/ Via Crucis:
Lenten Parish Mission/
Misión Parroquial de Cuaresma:
Español: 2, 3, 4 de marzo
con Padre John Yara
English: March 23, 24, 25
with Fr. Jets Medina
Español, miércoles, 7:30 PM
English, Friday, 7:30 PM
Plan your own spiritual Lenten journey to Easter.
Reconciliation Weekend
Palm Sunday weekend, March 28 and 29,
called this year Reconciliation Weekend,
priests will be available for confession in the Church
for several hours:
Friday, March 28: 7:00 PM – 9 :00 PM
Saturday, March 29: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Please note: after the Palm Sunday weekend we will NOT
have scheduled confessions during Holy Week. There will
be NO scheduled confessions on Holy Saturday, the day
before Easter.
Fin de Semana de Reconciliación
El fin de semana del Domingo de Palmas,
28 y 29 de marzo, el Fin de Semana de
Reconciliación, habrá sacerdotes disponibles por
varias horas en la Iglesia.
Viernes, 28 de marzo: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sábado, 29 de marzo: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Favor de anotar: que después del fin de semana del
domingo de Palmas NO tendremos confesiones durante
la Semana Santa. Como tampoco habrá confesiones el
Sábado Santo, o sea el sábado antes del Domingo de
Pascua.
Don’t Forget
Please use your envelopes or write your envelope number on your check to
ensure proper crediting of your donation. Please notify our parish office of any
changes to your phone number, e-mail address or physical address.
To set up online donations please e-mail us at [email protected] or call
305-238-7562 X7019 and speak to Cecelia.
One Church One Family
4
Spring Fling Fashion Show Fun!
Columbiette Fashion Show Auction
Boutique and Luncheon
You are invited to attend to the Columbiette Fashion Show, Boutique and Luncheon
on March 21, 2015 in the Family Center
Boutique opens 10:00 AM
Luncheon 11:00 AM
Tickets $25.00
Boutique...Bargains Galore... Jewelry, clothes, accessories
Silent Auction
Ticket Sales please call:
Betty Crane
Carol Corradini
305-582-7514 305-253-8613
Peggy Santella
305-519-5985
Camillus Casserole
Project
Turkey Chili
due for drop off
Wednesday, March 4th
in the circular driveway from
7 AM - 9 AM & 5 PM - 6:30 PM
Someone from the ministry will be there to accept
your FROZEN casserole, marked with the name of the
casserole on the lid, and your name as well.
If you have any questions call
June England 305-235-7257 Cell 786-493-0881
OR Cecilia Prahl 305-253-6505
Go
to
http://stlcatholic.org/parish-ministries/
camillus-casserole-project/ to download the recipe.
NOTE++ This is the first of TWO casseroles due
THIS MONTH MARCH, second one due March 31,
2015 before spring break begins. No casserole due
in April.
One Church One Family
5
Confirmation Adult Classes... Confirmación de Adultos
For adults wishing to be
confirmed in the Catholic faith,
we will be holding prerequisite
classes on April 1st, April 8th
, April 15th and April 22th.
From 7 to 8:30 PM. These
classes are for adults who have
been baptized and received First
Communion. Confirmation will
be Saturday, April 25th here at
St Louis.
Please contact Deacon George Labelle at 305-6063727 or [email protected] to sign up or for
more information.
Life in the Spirit Seminar
Para los adultos que deseen
celebrar el Sacramento de
la Confirmación, estaremos
facilitando
la
formación
sacramental inmediata los
días 26 de Marzo, 2 de
Abril, 9 de Abril, 16 y 23 de
Abril. Esta formación es para
adultos bautizados y que han
celebrado el sacramento da la
Eucaristía. La confirmación se celebrará el día sábado,
25 de Abril a las aquí en St Louis. Para registrarse
u obtener información favor comunicarse con Ana
Stanham 786-423-4701- [email protected].
Legion of Mary
Greetings to all Auxiliary Members
Acies Ceremony 2015
will be held at
St. James Catholic Church
13155 NW 7 Avenue
North Miami, Florida 33168
305-681-7428
Come experience New Life in the
power of the Holy Spirit
Open to All 9th - 12th Graders
March 20-22
Saturday, March 21st
10:00 AM Rosary followed by Holy Mass
Social in Parish Center
immediately after Mass.
For more information or
for a ride please call:
Cost: $30
For more information,
contact Natalie Bauta at 305-987-9800
[email protected]
Mariela Ravelo
at 305-670-3405.
One Church One Family
6
Want to know more about Estate and Financial
Planning?
Attend FREE Planned Giving
Workshops offered by the Planned Giving
Advisory Council / Planned Giving Teams to
the Archdiocese of Miami at various locations
throughout the Archdiocese of Miami in 2015!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
10:00 A.M.
St. David Catholic Church
3900 South University Drive, Parish Hall
Davie, FL 33328
Our first Workshop, Estate Planning 101 – What
is Estate Planning and Why Is It Important?,
will be offered in the month of March at these
locations:
Saturday, March 28, 2015
10:00 A.M.
St. Louis Catholic Church
7270 SW 120th Street
Miami, FL 33156
Saturday, March 21, 2015
10:00 A.M.
Assumption Catholic Church
2001 South Ocean Blvd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33062
Young Adult Group
Do you have a heart for intercessory prayer? St. Louis
Prayer Chain Ministry always welcomes new members.
If you are in need of prayer or wish to join our ministry,
please call Miriam Columbro at 786-430-0302 or
e-mail: [email protected].
Our prayer chain list can be found on our website
www.stlcatholic.org under Parish Ministries.
NOTE: We will appreciate a call letting us know the
progress of those you call for, so we could keep them
in prayer or release them from our list. Thank you.
Are you a young adult? Do you have questions about
the faith? What is the Mass? What are sacraments?
What is the Eucharist? Come learn more about your
faith with other young adults.
Year of Faith: The Spirituality
of Second Vatican Council
We have restarted the young adult group for ages 1828. We will discuss topics about how to grow in our
faith and have social outings. We meet in Hospitality
C at 7:00 PM every Friday.
If you have any questions please contact Stacy Lopez:
(305) 498-7465 or [email protected]
One Church One Family
7
Blessing a
Marriage in the Church­
For different reasons s­ ometimes a ­Catholic may not
have been married in the ­Catholic Church, but in
some other ­religious or civil ­ceremony. We have a
program for people to ­“convalidate” their wedding
in the Church, also called “blessing” the ­marriage in
the Church.
Sometimes a previous ­marriage might have been
­involved, we can help with the ­annulment process.
Please call Fr. Paul for more information about both
­annulments and b
­ lessing m
­ arriages in the church:
305-238-7562.
Help others in need to help feed those in
need. We ask that families take advantage of the
BOGO (buy one get one) offers at the local
supermarkets, and donate the second item to
the St. Louis Food Pantry. They can be dropped
off in the bins located in the vestibule of the
church. We will then collect them and store them
for others that come to the parish office in need
of food. What a great way to help our neighbors
and set an example to those around us to do the
same!
We can also collect the perishable
items that are offered; all we ask for
those items is that arrangements
be made in advance by contacting
Bob Friedlander 786-554-3420.
Come join the St. Louis BOGO
ministry “Buy one give one.”
Only One Hour
Because St. Francis of Assisi spent many hours prostrated in Adoration of Jesus in
the Blessed Sacrament, he was given the grace to work tirelessly for justice and Peace. He
wrote “I beg you to show the greatest possible reverence and honor for the most Holy Body
and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ through whom all things whether in heaven of on earth
have been brought to peace and reconciliation with Almighty God.”
To sign up for an hour e-mail us at [email protected] or call 786-242-0481.
Solo Una Hora
Debido a las muchas horas que San Francisco de Asís paso postrado en Adoración de Jesús en el Santísimo
Sacramento, se le concedió la gracia para trabajar incansablemente por la justicia y la paz. El escribió: “Yo les pido
que muestren la mayor reverencia y honor posibles por el Santísimo Cuerpo y Sangre de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo,
por quien todas las cosas, tanto en la tierra como en el cielo, han sido llevadas a la paz y la reconciliación con Dios
Todo Poderoso.”
One Church One Family
Festival For The Poor 2015
Wow! Here we are in mid- January and our annual Festival for the Poor is “just
around the corner”. This year’s Festival is actually spread over 3 weekends so
everyone will have the opportunity to participate in all of the events!
We will have our main event with Rides, International Food Booths, Games, Silent Auction, Live
Auction, Raffles, Live Entertainment, Dinners and MORE!!!
As a stewardship parish we have the opportunity to make this the greatest Festival ever! We need
everyone’s participation and assistance- time, talent and treasure and preferably all of these! We will
start distributing raffle tickets in several weeks.
Prizes will be $2000, $1500, $1000, $750 and $500! Seller of the $2000 winning ticket will get
$100; a great incentive to sell, sell, sell those raffle tickets.
WE NEED SPONSORS FOR THE FESTIVAL!
Sponsorship applications are available at the table in the rotunda after each Mass as well as by
sending a request to [email protected] and our website. Sponsorships range from $150 to
$5,000 Platinum Sponsorship. We are seeking sponsorships for 40 booths ($150 each) and rides
($250 each) as well as Big Top Tent sponsorship ($2000). Recognition signage will be displayed
throughout the event as well as on the Sponsorship Board in the Church and the Event Stage. We
are seeking Corporate, Business and Individual sponsorships as well. Please ask your employer or
the head of a company or retail business you are familiar with to consider a sponsorship to assist us.
HELP THE SILENT AUCTION! WE NEED... donations for the silent auction. RE-
GIFTING Items given or bought that are new and you don’t use. Call Rosario Gonzalez at
305-968-0121 or drop off at Church office.
We will have guest MC’s, DJ’s, bands,
and lots of entertainment for all to enjoy.
5K Walk/Run
Saturday, February 28th
singers, magicians, dancers cheerleaders
Dinner Dance
Saturday, March 7th
7 AM registration and 8 AM start
7 PM in the Family Center
You may register at:
tinyurl.com/MZR005e
This catered event will have an Italian
theme.
March 13, 14th and 15th
There will again be Breakfast
Under the Big Top Sunday morning between 7- 11
a.m.
The Jail will be up and ready for “customers” to be incarcerated until their bail is met!
Our Arts and Crafts Section promises to
offer a great variety of beautiful jewelry and crafts.
Applications now being accepted for the Arts
and Crafts area of the Festival. Spaces are
limited; please contact ASAP.
We have new additions to our
Food Booths
International
as well. Definitely something for
everyone!!
The Bake
Sale will have tasty treats for all.
The most important thing to
remember is that 100% of the profits
of the Festival are given away to the
needy, sick and vulnerable in our
community. ALL donations, big or
small, are greatly appreciated.
Rides and Games
Our rides and games for this year
are bigger and better than ever. All
rides will open Friday afternoon and
remain open until 10 pm. Individual
ride tickets will be sold as well as
individual day ride bracelets or
a weekend bracelet allowing for
unlimited use of all rides Friday,
Saturday and Sunday. There will
be NO increase in the price of ride
bracelets and t-shirts from last
year’s prices.
For more information please contact:
Betty or Ken Quinn; Festival Chairs
305-281-3014, 305-766-3268
[email protected]
For Volunteer opportunities please call
our Volunteer Chair:
Ann McCormick- email her at
[email protected]
10
Stewardship Corner
Stewardship For Lent
You can turn your personal sufferings during the Penitential Season of Lent into a Gift to Others.
We offer Gifts in the Christmas season, Christmas a season for giving and Lent as a time for giving up. The
tree with gifts under it is a symbol for one season; a candy bar or a cup of coffee with a red cross “X” over it,
could be the symbol for the other season, Lent.
Nonetheless, the spirit of giving and giving up can merge and shed light on one another, when each is done
in a spirt of personal charity. Giving up something for Lent can and should be a form of self giving to God and
neighbor. You can give up something and at the same time offer a gift to someone in need.
GIVE TO CHARITY: If you are giving up sweets, coffee or some other favorite something, take an extra step
and donate some funds to charity that would have been the cost. Maybe a Parish special offering, or a local
Food Bank, or St. Vincent de Paul. Stewardship of our Treasure covers a multitude of areas, our Tithes and
sacrificial offerings can be utilized to help our Lenten sacrifice too.
GIVE YOUR TIME & TALENT: For some, money can be an easy gift and may even be a nice way to feel good.
But ask for a few hours of someone’s “Time” and the line will get shorter. Since “Time” is an effort to extract
something directly from a person. This Lent, maybe rather than just giving money to a charity, how about
giving some of your Time to your Parish Ministries? Can you drive well, then drive loads of things to a charity
perhaps. Bring snack meals or sandwiches to the homeless or downtrodden. Your Time and Talent are two
of the most Spiritual and important parts of your Stewardship. You become the Hands and Feet of Christ on
earth, doing HIS service.
GIVE EXAMPLE: You may not think about it this way, but your Faith is a conscious, and a vital example for
your family and friends. A Dad or Mom’s loss of Religious practice becomes the practice of their children. We
parents and friends need to bring our kids to Mass and pray with them, and show our Faith and our love of
Jesus and our Blessed Mother.
As we enter into the Lenten Season, pray over these suggestions. A new door may open, and what you gave
up for Lent may empower you and many more around you, to be better Servants and even better Stewards of
the Lord. Amen
(Adapted to Stewardship phraseology, from article written by Brian Caulfield, Columbia Mag.)
One Church One Family
Stay Connected With Us!
www.facebook.com/STLCatholic
twitter.com/STLCatholic1
stlcatholic.org/homilies-from-the-pastor/
stlcatholic.org/live-feed/
Mass Intentions, Saints and Readings for the Week
Intenciones de la Misa, Santos y Lecturas para la Semana
Sunday/domingo
Second Sunday of Lent
Mar. 1st
Gn 22: 1-2, 9, 10-12, 15-18; Rom 8: 31-34; Mk 9: 2-10
7:00 am
Mass for Life/Respect Life Ministry
8:15 am
+ Ana Maria Abrego-Arango/Giordani Family
+ Anna Spengeman/Loving Family
9:30 am
+ Paul & Pauline LaViolette/Loving Family
+ Marjorie G. Joyce/Cindie Banck
11:00 am
St. Louis Parish Families/Parish Priests
+ Carlton Proulx/Baron Family
12:30 pm
+ Javier Cardenal/Loving Family
+ Juan Clark/José Clark & Family
5:30 pm
+ Clarence Marquez/Loving Family
7:15 pm
+ Marina Delgado/Lidice Delgado
+ Sandrita Campos/Loving Family
Monday/lunes
Mar. 2nd
Dn 9: 4-10; Lk 6: 36-38
6:30 am
+ Carlos Garcia Perez/Juan Carlos Garcia
+ Guillermo Arango/Jorge Ravé
8:30 am
+ Luis Fonseca, Sr./Icaza Family
Sara Ravé - In Thanksgiving
7:00 pm
Alain & Sebastian Denis - Special Intention
Danabelle & Raymond Bourrain - Special Intention
Tuesday/martes
St. Katharine Drexel, virgin
Mar. 3rd
Is 1: 10, 16-20; Mt 23: 1-12
6:30 am
+ Souls in Purgatory
8:30 am
Special Intention
7:00 pm
+ Souls in Purgatory
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
+ Les Gay/Loving Wife
+ Ligia Lugo/Murillo Family
VIA CRUCIS
Thursday/jueves
Mar. 5th
Jer 17: 5-10; Lk 16: 19-31
6:30 am
+ Souls in Purgatory
8;30 am
Fr. Pedro Toledo/Catholic Bible Fellowship
7:00 pm
+ Manuel Maya/Loving Daughter
+ Filiberto Zaldivar/Estella Zaldivar
Friday/viernes
Mar. 6th
Gn 37: 3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Mt 21: 33-43, 45-46
6:30 am
+ Souls in Purgatory
8:30 am
In Thanksgiving
7:00 pm
+ Souls in Purgatory
7:30 pm
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Saturday/sábado
Sts, Perpetua & Felicity, martyrs
Mar.7th
Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20; Lk 15: 1-3,11-32
8:30 am
Erin & Aurora - Special Intentions
+ Morange Elizee/Loving Daughter
5:30 pm
+ Mercedes Mora/loving son
+ Eline Westoleck/Ron Rembisz
Sunday/domingo
Third Sunday of Lent
Mar.8th
Ex 20: 1-17; 1 Cor 1: 22-25; Jn 2: 36-25
7:00 am
+ Recently Deceased/Bereavement Ministry
8:15 am
+ Martin Pavon/Carrillo Family
9:30 am
+ Jorge Alcantara/Carrillo Family
Wednesday/miércoles St. Casimir
+ Ella Allonce/Martine Monpoint
Mar. 4th
Jer 18: 18-20; Mt 20: 17-28
11:00 am
St. Louis Parish Family/Parish Priests
6:30 am
+ Souls in Purgatory
+ Carlos Estrada/Loving Family
8:30 am
Special Intention
12:30 pm
Special Intention
5:30 pm
+ Souls in Purgatory
7:15 pm
+ Gustavo Adolfo Jaramillo/Rosy Villaronga
+ Arturo Cordova/Luisa Cordova
MASS
ALTAR SERVERS
LECTORS
VOCATION CHALICE*
5:30 pm
Bauta/Bendixen
Carlton/Bauta
Stephen Porter (786-837-4117)
7:00 am
DeLuca/Fortunato
Mowbray/Taylor Lourdes Manning (305-245-4423)
8:15 am
Steiner/Barroso
Alvarados
Zoraida Torres (305-562-8961)
9:30 am
DeRosimo/Martin
Tirado/Ball
Bob & Pat Desbiens (305-251-8988)
11:00 am
Lagos/Montero
Ceballos/Palczynski
Lauren Chue-Sang (305-233-9494)
12:30 pm
Fuentes/Leong
Icaza/McDonald
Milagros Marrou (305-234-2729)
5:30 pm
Dunn/Ortiz
Youth
Miriam Columbro (786-430-0302)
7:15 pm
Cárdenas/Baca
Idarraga/Rodriguez
Oriele Joya-Lobaton (786-488-4298)
Next Week’s Schedule
*These are the persons in charge of the scheduling of the Vocation Chalice for the respective Mass. Please call them.
Midnight Musings / Pensamientos de Media Noche
The Blood of Martyrs
La Sangre de los Martires
“The blood of the martyrs is the
seed of the church,” said Tertullian
(c. 160 – c. 225 AD), a prolific early
Christian author and commentator from
the age of Roman persecutions. Yet the
twentieth and the twenty-first centuries
have seen more martyrs than those
first ages of the Church. The following
represent only some examples.
The twentieth century witnessed many Christians giving
their lives for Christ. They include the martyrs of Mexico,
where the effect of the 1917 constitution was to make
illegal the Roman Catholic Church and other religious
denominations. Martyrs in Mexico included clergy and lay
persons; between 1926 and 1934 at least 40 priests were
killed.
The Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 produced martyrs
that number 13 bishops, 4,172 diocesan priests and
seminarians, 2,364 monks and friars and 283 nuns, for a
total of 6,832 clerical victims, as part of what is referred to
as Spain’s Red Terror. Those numbers do not include lay
persons who suffered for the faith.
Starting in the twentieth century, Communism in Russia,
the Soviet Union, China and North Korea caused great
suffering in the forced labor of concentration camps and
executions. These persecutions continue.
The Nazi regime tried to control the Church. Where that
failed, they wanted to destroy the Church. I remember
visiting the site of the “priests’ barracks” at the Dachau
extermination camp outside of Munich.
Most recently in the news we see the atrocities perpetrated
by ISIS. Last week 21 Coptic Christians were beheaded.
Reuters reported on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 (the day I
write these Musings) Islamic State militants abducted at least
150 people from Assyrian Christian villages in northeastern
Syria, including women and the elderly. These Churches
of the Egyptian Coptics and the Assyrians both date from
the first century AD. In the West we are more familiar with
the early Church spreading to Greece and Rome, but at the
same time in the first century AD Christianity was spreading
in the East.
These sufferings of these brothers and sisters in the faith
remind us how blessed we are to enjoy our religious
freedoms. Their witness also challenges us to recommit
ourselves to Christ, especially in this season of Lent. We
join in prayer for these contemporary martyrs that God will
give them courage and strength to remain faithful to the
Lord, and that their sufferings will soon come to an end.
“La sangre de los mártires es la semilla de la
Iglesia,” dijo Tertullian (c.160 - c. 225 AD), un prólifico
autor Cristiano y comentarista de la época de la persecusión
romana. Aún así en los siglos veinte y veintiuno han habido
más mártires que en los años de la Iglesia primitiva. A
continuación les presento algunos ejemplos.
El siglo veinte fue testigo del martirologío de
muchos cristianos dando su vida por Cristo. Incluyendo
los mártires de Méjico, cuando los efectos del cambio de la
Constitución de 1917 eran dar estatus de ilegal a la Iglesia
Católica Romana y a otras denominaciones religiosas.
Mártires en Méjico incluye clerigos y láicos; entre 1926 y
1934, más de 40 sacerdotes fueron muertos.
La Guerra Civil Española de 1936-1939 produjo
mártires a 13 obispos, 4,172 sacerdotes diocesanos y
seminaristas, 2,364 monjes y fráiles y 283 monjas, para un
total de 6,832 víctimas clericales, como parte de lo que se
conoce como El Terror Rojo de España. Estos números no
incluyen los láicos que sufriéron por su fe.
Comenzando el siglo veinte, la Rusia comunista,
la Unión Soviética, China y Corea del Norte causaron gran
sufrimiento en los Campos de Consentración y ejecuciones.
Esta persecusión aún continua.
El régimen Nazi trató de controlar la Iglesia.
Cuando no pudieron lograrlo entonces quisiéron destruirla.
Recuerdo cuando visité el lugar llamado “barracas de
sacerdotes” en el campo de exterminación de Dachau a las
afueras de Munich.
Recientemente en las noticias hemos visto las
atrocidades perpetuadas por EI. La semana pasada 21
cristianos fueron decapitados. La agencia de noticias
‘Reuters’ reportó el martes, 24 de febrero (día en que
escribo estos Pensamientos), militares del Estado Islámico
secuestraron unos150 cristianos de una Villa del noreste
de Siria, incluyendo mujeres y ancianos. Estas iglesias de
Cóptico egipcio y Asiria datan de los primeros siglos AD. En
el oeste estamos más familiarizados con la Iglesia primitiva
extendiendose a Grecia y Roma, pero al mismo tiempo en
el primer siglo AD el cristianismo se estaba extendiendo
hacia el Este.
El sufrimiento de estos hermanos y hermanas en
la fe nos recuerda cuan bendecidos estamos nosotros de
poder disfrutar nuestra libertad religiosa. Su testimonio
nos insta a recomprometernos con Cristo, especialmente
en esta temporada de Cuaresma. Unámosno en oración
por estos mártires contemporaneos para que Dios les de
ánimo y fortaleza para que continúen fieles al Señor, y para
que su sufriemiento llegue pronto a su fin.
Yours in Christ,
Suyos en Cristo,