"I STARTED SCHOOL 77 YEARS AGO," POPE TELLS CHILDREN

Encourages Friendship; Reminds Them Jesus Is Greatest Friend

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 26, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI told a group of children this week that making friends is a wonderful thing, but that their first friend is Jesus.

The Pope said this in an audience Thursday with some 400 students, parents and teachers from a primary school of Castel Gandolfo, run by the religious sisters of the Maestre Pie Filippini.

He reflected with the students from the Paul VI Pontifical Primary School about his own beginnings at school.

"[I]t has been 77 years since I started going to school," the Holy Father remembered. "It was in a small town of 300 souls, a little bit of a 'backwater' [town] one would say. Nevertheless, we learned the essential."

He recounted how he and the other children learned to read and write, and he reflected, "I think that it is a great thing to be able to write and read, because this way we can know the thought of others, read newspapers, books; we can know what was written 2,000 years ago or a longer time ago."

"[A]bove all, there is something extraordinary," the Pontiff continued, "God wrote a book, that is, he spoke to us men and found people who wrote with the Word of God, so that, reading it, we can also read what God says to us."

It's very important, Benedict XVI told the children, to learn in school everything that is necessary for life, "and also to learn to know God, to know Jesus and thus to know how to live well."

"You make many friends in school and it is beautiful; in this way a great family is formed," he said. "But among the great friends, the first that we make, whom we know, must be Jesus, who is everyone’s friend and really gives us the path of life."

VINCENT DE PAUL SEEN AS A PAGE FROM THE GOSPEL

Spiritual Family Marks Anniversaries of Founders' Deaths

ROME, SEPT. 27, 2010: The saint celebrated in today's liturgy and his spiritual counterpart were "pages of the Gospel lived with intensity," according to the retired prefect of the Vatican's congregation for saints' causes.

This was the description used Friday by Cardinal José Saraiva Martins when he spoke of St. Vincent de Paul and his principal collaborator, St. Louise de Marillac.

The cardinal was opening a three-day conference in Rome, which closed the jubilee celebrations marking the 350th anniversary of the deaths of St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) and St. Louise de Marillac (1591-1660).

"They were two great teachers of charity because they were in the first place two great teachers of the spiritual life," the cardinal reflected.

He pointed out that "charisms are a gift of the Holy Spirit granted to the Christian community so that it will have the courage to evangelize, teach and heal, but above all to witness and love."

SCOTS LINE STREETS TO WELCOME POPE

Pontiff Completes 1st Day of UK Trip
EDINBURGH, Scotland: Benedict XVI landed at Edinburgh airport shortly before half past ten this morning amid a blustery and chill wind.

But the sun was also shining brightly and the Holy Father looked rested, at peace and happy as he came off the papal plane.

He was greeted by the Duke of Edinburgh, an unprecedented gesture signifying how much the Crown values this, the first state by a Pope. Also there to meet him were the primates of Scotland, England and Wales, Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien and Archbishop Vincent Nichols, and the government's coordinator of the visit, Lord Patten of Barnes.

Well-wishers lined the route of the Pope's motorcade as he was driven to Holyroodhouse Palace, the official Scottish Royal residence where the queen greeted him in the front courtyard.

Also present to meet the Holy Father were the archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom, Nick Clegg, the first minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, and the head of the Church of Scotland.

The grandeur of the occasion was not lost on the Pope. As the Scots Guards band played national anthem of Great Britain, he removed his zucchetto as a mark of respect. He then walked -- still smiling -- into the Palace with the queen where the two leaders and Prince Phillip had a private audience lasting around 20 minutes.

WORLD YOUTH DAY PARTICIPANTS URGED TO PREPARE IN PRAYER

Madrid Archdiocese Readies for Event

MADRID, Spain- Participants planning to attend the 2011 World Youth Day in Madrid are urged to begin preparing now in prayer, sacramental growth and witnessing to the faith.

This was part of the pastoral plan for the Madrid Archdiocese for this year, which will culminate in the youth day next year.

Ángel Matesanz, who is in charge of the youth day's pastoral preparation, pointed out that the objective of the plan is to "strengthen our adherence to Jesus Christ and our commitment to the proclamation of the Gospel."

Metasanz also pointed out the importance of prayer in a missionary ambit: "We must allow ourselves to be seduced by Jesus Christ and become his collaborators."

Gregorio Roldán, secretary general of the event organizing committee, as well as the director of the archdiocese's youth pastoral care, indicated that "this year the objectives of the pastoral plan have a greater projection because of the reception of young people from all over the world during World Youth Day."

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS: (14th Sept)

This feast is called in Greek Ὕψωσις τοῦ Τιμίου Σταυροῦ (literally, "Raising Aloft of the Precious Cross"). In Latin it is called Exaltatio Sanctae Crucis (literally, "Raising Aloft of the Holy Cross". (The word "Exaltatio" is sometimes translated as "Exaltation", at other times, as in the 1973 ICEL translation, as "Triumph".) In some parts of the Anglican Communion the feast is called Holy Cross Day, a name also used by Lutherans. The celebration is sometimes called Feast of the Glorious Cross. [1]

The True Cross is said to have been discovered in 326 by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine I, Helena of Constantinople, during a pilgrimage she made to Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was then built at the site of the discovery, by order of Helena and Constantine. The church was dedicated nine years later, with a portion [2] of the cross placed inside it. In 614, that portion of the cross was carried away from the church by the Persians, and remained missing until it was recaptured by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius in 628. Initially taken to Constantinople, the cross was returned to the church the following year.

The date of the feast marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335. This was a two-day festival: although the actual consecration of the church was on September 13, the cross itself was brought outside the church on September 14 so that the clergy and faithful could pray before the True Cross, and all could come forward to venerate it.

POPE SENDS NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO RABBI

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 9, 2010 - Benedict XVI sent a message of congratulations and friendship to Riccardo Di Segni, chief rabbi of the Jewish community of Rome, on the occasion of the Jewish festivities celebrated this month.

The Jewish calendar marks Rosh Hashana 5771 (New Year) Sept. 9-10; Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Sept. 18; and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) Sept. 23-Sept. 29.

In his message, the Pontiff expressed to Di Segni and to all the Jewish community of Rome his "most cordial and sincere wishes," as well as his "hope that these celebrations will bring copious blessings from the Eternal and be a source of profound joy."

Benedict XVI added the hope that "the will grow in us to promote justice and peace, so needed by the world today."

The Holy Father said he remembered the visit he made to the Synagogue of Rome last Jan. 17 "with feelings of gratitude and affection."

The Pontiff ended by expressing that "God, in his goodness, may protect the whole community and grant us to grow, in Rome and in the world, in mutual friendship."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DEAR MOM...

Holy Father Remembers Mary on Her Birthday

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 8, 2010 - Benedict XVI is recalling that today marks the feast of the Virgin Mary's birth, celebrated nine months after the Dec. 8 celebration of her immaculate conception.

The Pope spoke of her feast day at the conclusion of the general audience in Paul VI Hall, during his traditional greeting to youth, the sick and newlyweds.

"Today we celebrate the liturgical memorial of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary," he said. "The Second Vatican Council says that Mary precedes us in the way of faith because she 'believed that what was spoken to her by the Lord would be fulfilled' (Luke 1:45)."

The Holy Father then drew on the example of Mary's faith for his threefold recommendation.

He said: "For you, young people, I ask the Holy Virgin the gift of an ever more mature faith; for you the sick, an ever stronger faith; and for you, dear newlyweds, an ever deeper faith."

HOREB FEST & TABORE FEST

HOREB FEST (Life Orientation Seminar)
FOR CATECHISM STUDENTS OF STD X

Oct. 17th: Pudukad Forane:
1. Marymatha I.C.S.E. School,
2. Mary Immaculate Church, Mannumpetta

Oct 24th: Lourdes Forane:
1. Nirmalamatha H.S.,
2. St. Sebastian Nellikkunnu,
3. Holy Family Chembukkavu

Oct 31st: Kandassankadavu Forane:
1. S.H. of Mary C.G.H.S. Kandassankadvu,
2.St. Antony's Church Enamakkal

Oct 31st: Mattom Forane:
1. Nithyasahayamatha Shrine Mattom

Nov. 17th: Basilica Forane:
1. Basilica Parish Hall, 2. St. Anne's Church

Nov 17th: Parappur Forane:
1. St. John's H.S. Parappur

Nov. 14th: Ollur Forane:
1. Holy Angels H.S.,
2. St. Raphaels H.S,
3. Angel Nagar Ollur,
4. St. Mathews Church Palakkal

Nov. 21st: Palayur Forane:
1. Christuraja C.G.H.S. Pavaratty,
2. L.F. College Guruvayur

Nov. 21st: Velur Forane:
CST Centre Velur

Nov 28th: Erumappetty Forane:
1. Sacred Heart Forane Church

Nov 28th: Chelakkara Forane:
L.F.C.G.H.S. Chelakkara

Dec 12th: Pazhuvil Forane:
St. Mary's Retreat Centre

Dec 12th: Puthur Forane:
Guardian Angels Church C.G.H.S. Puthur

Dec 12th: Kottekad Forane:
Assumption Forane Church

Dec 19th: Pattikkad Forane:
St. Francis Xavier's Forane Church

Dec 19th: Wadakkancherry Forane:
1. Clelia School,
2. St. Thomas H.S. Thiroor

.....................................................................................

TAORE FEST (Life Orientation Seminar)
FOR THE CATECHISM STUDENTS OF STD XII
AT DBCLC

1. Pudukkad: Oct 17th
2. Lourdes: Oct 24th
3. Ollur: Oct 31st
4. Basilica & Erumappetty: Nov 17th
5. Kandassankadvu & Mattom: Nov 14th
6. Palayur, Velur & Chelakkara: Nov 21st
7. Wadakkancherry, Parrappur & Pattikkad: Nov 28th
8. Kottekad, Pazhuvil & Puthur: Dec 12th

DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF MOTHER TERESA

TIJUANA, Mexico,: Ahead of the 13th anniversary of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta's death on Sunday, and following the recent celebration of the 100th anniversary of her birth (Aug. 26), Missionary of Charity Father Joseph Langford shared with ZENIT some excerpts of his book "Mother Teresa's Secret Fire" (Our Sunday Visitor).

Together with Mother Teresa, Father Langford is a co-founder of the priestly branch of the Missionaries of Charity.