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2 February 2014, World Day for Consecrated Life, St Patrick’s Cathedral Armagh, Homily by Archbishop Eamon Martin

world-day-for-consecrated-lifeIf you visit the Cathedral or St Malachy’s at a quiet time during the week, you’re sure to find some elderly woman or man kneeling and quietly praying their rosary, or lighting a candle at the shrine for some special intention or other. That’s what I imagine old Simeon and Anna must have been like. They were in the Temple praising God when Mary and Joseph came to present the child Jesus to The Lord.

Old Simeon took the child in his arms and prayed that beautiful Canticle which every priest and consecrated person says at night before going to sleep: at last…  “At last all powerful Master you give leave to your servant to go in peace according to your promise; for my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared for all the peoples: a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32).

It was those words, “a light to enlighten the Gentiles” which inspired the custom of blessing candles on today’s feast of the Presentation, or Candlemas Day as it is sometimes called. My mother is a great believer in blessed candles. There’s nearly always one lit at home for some special intention or other.

Seventeen years ago, Pope John Paul II designated the feast of the Presentation of The Lord, as World Day of Prayer for women and men in consecrated life. He did so because they are especially called to reflect the light of Jesus Christ to all peoples. It’s almost as if they are like ‘blessed candles’ or at least a ‘blessed presence’ among us. Their calling is to reflect the light of Christ in lives of poverty, chastity and obedience. Today’s celebration is our way of showing the sisters, brothers and priest religious of our archdiocese that they are highly esteemed by us, and that we appreciate their witness among us. Today is also a day when they can renew their commitment and rekindle the fervour which first inspired them to offer themselves to the Lord.

When I first came to the archdiocese last year I remember being struck by the variety of religious congregations here. There are currently 23 different congregations of consecrated persons living and witnessing in 50 different communities across the archdiocese. Some of these congregations have been in the archdiocese for hundreds of years; others are relatively recent arrivals.

It is important for us to realise that consecrated persons are not here simply to “do” things, they are not merely functionaries. They are here to “be” the light of Christ among us, to be witnesses, and thereby to call and challenge us to live more perfectly our own baptismal calling. The best way to bring others closer to Jesus is to be a witness. Nearly forty years ago Pope Paul VI put it very powerfully when he said: “modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi 41).

The way in which people of consecrated life witness among us is through their ‘charism’ – the particular gift or identity that they bring to the church. In many cases their charism first shone out in the life of their holy founder or foundress- like the way Mother Teresa, who founded the Missionaries of Charity, witnessed to ‘wholehearted and free service of the poorest of the poor’, or Venerable Mother Catherine McCauley, the Irish nun who in 1831 founded the very first House of Mercy to provide education and care for homeless women and children.  And there are so many more charisms of consecrated life here in Ireland: in education, healthcare, missionary work, preaching, hospitality, contemplative prayer and many more.

As we gather for this World Day for Consecrated Life, let us praise God and thank him for the great gift of consecrated life, which enriches and gladdens the Christian community. We should never forget that consecrated life is first and foremost God’s gift to the Church. It is God who takes the initiative by looking on young men and women with great love, touching their hearts and attracting them to give their lives completely to Him. Because the consecrated life is God’s gift, I encourage you to pray that more girls and boys in Ireland will consider this way of life. The Church here is on the threshold of renewal and new life. But it will be impossible for us to carry the light of Christ to the next generations without the witness, charisms and example of religious women and men. It may well be that we need new charisms to do that, but if we pray, I am confident the Holy Spirit will lead us.

Just before Christmas Pope Francis called on leaders of religious congregations  to ‘ Wake up the world! Be witnesses of a different way of doing things, of acting, of living!’ Similarly here in Ireland we need new consecrated persons, prophets who will wake us up and call us to fresh and powerful ways of living the Christian life in the modern world.  I am delighted that Pope Francis has declared next year, 2015, as a year for consecrated life in the universal church. This will be a great opportunity for us in Ireland not only to acknowledge and thank God again for the richness of consecrated life in this country past and present, but also to consider what are the particular charisms that are needed at this time in this country. Perhaps next year we might consider inviting new religious congregations that are thriving in the young churches around the world to come and shine the light of Christ in our renewal!

St Teresa once asked: “What would become of the world if there were no religious?’ (Autobiography, ch. 32, n. 11). Closer to home we might ask: ‘What would become of Ireland without the witness of consecrated women and men in the life of our church? Let us pray and work to ensure that our church will always be enriched by their presence.

Finally I would like to say a word to the religious who are here with us this morning. On behalf of Cardinal Brady and the people and priests of the archdiocese I want to thank you again for your witness to Christ who is the light of the world. I thank you for your prayers, and for the support and help that you are giving to so many people. I invite you to celebrate and thank God today for the great things which the Lord has accomplished through you. Consider again today the source of your vocation, the life and charism of your holy founder. Take stock of your own life, confirm the commitment of your own consecration. At 77 years of age Pope Francis has shown us that age is no barrier when it comes to powerful witnessing to Christ.

May you be like blessed candles among us! Be light and comfort to everyone you meet. Like lighted candles, burn with the love of Christ. Spend yourselves for him, spreading the Gospel of his love everywhere. Through your witness may the eyes of many men and women of our time be able to see the salvation which God has prepared for all the nations, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of God’s people Israel.

Ends

Click here to see some photos from the Mass.

Venerable Mother Angeline Teresa

Archbishop Eamon recently presided at a special Mass in honour of the Venerable Mother Angeline Teresa.  The Mass took place on Sunday, 19 January 2014 in the Parish of Clonoe.  Mother Angeline, a native of Brocagh, was born on 21 January 1893.  Below are some photos that were taken on the day.

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Catholic Schools Week Mass St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh 22 January 2014

Schools from all over the Archdiocese gathered with Cardinal Brady and Archbishop Eamon to celebrate the great work and living of the Gospel that characterizes our Catholic school communities. Next week is designated as Catholic Schools’ Week , a time of celebration and reflection about the importance of Catholic education.  Many schools helped in the Liturgy of the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Eamon and the atmosphere set by the beautiful music and singing touched so many of those present. The five key words summing up the lived qualities that are a hallmark of Catholic schools formed part of the entrance procession.  Welcome, Word, Wisdom, Worship & Witness.  A beautiful telling and miming of the Gospel story “The call of Simon Peter and the miraculous catch of fish”  laid a wonderful foundation to Archbishop Eamon’s homily stressing each of our call to be disciples leading others to Jesus in our world today. The prayers of the Faithful and Offertory procession were all a development of the themes and students took an enthusiastic part in these. Irish dancers led the gifts to the Altar and after Holy Communion  all pledged to work afresh at all that makes our schools centres of faith and learning.

Armagh Pledge for Catholic Schools Week

Assembly in Armagh

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Institution of The Ministry of Acolyte

On Sunday 26th January, five of the students for the permanent diaconate received the Ministry of Acolyte.  The Mass was lead by Cardinal Brady in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh.  We pray for the five men that have stepped forward in this ministry of service and as they journey towards the permanent diaconate.  They are:

Philip Carder, Holy Redeemer, Dundalk
Paul Casey, Haggardstown and Blackrock
Dermot Clarke, Tallanstown
Kevin Duffy, Clonoe
Malachy McElmeel, Armagh

We ask God to bless these man as they continue forward in service in our diocese.

“In performing your ministry bear in mind that, as you share the one bread with your brothers and sisters, so you form one body with them. Show a sincere love for Christ’s Mystical Body, God’s holy people, and especially for the weak and the sick. Be obedient to the commandment which the Lord gave to his apostles at the Last Supper: “Love one another as I also have loved you.”

(Taken from the Rite of Institution of Acolyte)

Click here to see some of the photos from the Mass.

Catholicism Faith Series in Magherafelt Parish

“The Church has proclaimed the good, the true and the beautiful for two millennia. I don’t know of a project that has shown that in a more dazzling way than CATHOLICISM.”

(Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York)

An Invitation from Magherafelt Parish Pastoral Council

The CATHOLICISM Faith Formation Programme on DVD brings the beauty, goodness and truth of the Church to life so that you can better understand and share your faith.

With creator and host Fr. Robert Barron, you will learn what Catholics believe and why while being immersed in the art, architecture, literature, beliefs and practices of the Catholic tradition –

all in stunning, cinematic high definition on the big screen.

Join us from Wednesday 5th February at 8pm in Holy Family Primary School Hall, Magherafelt.

Catholicism – It’s YOUR story! 

 


Witness the most significant story ever told…

For the first time, in breath-taking, high definition cinematography, the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith is illustrated in a rich, multimedia experience.

The ten-part DVD series is filmed in stunning, high-definition cinematography in over 50 locations in 15 countries.  Throughout the journey, Father Barron explains what Catholics believe and why — and illustrates the richness of the Church’s global culture, the incomparable beauty of its art and architecture, and the depths of the Faith. Be illuminated by the global culture that claims more than one billion of the earth’s people.

From the sacred lands of Israel to the beating heart of Uganda, from the glorious shrines of Italy, France, and Spain, to the streets of Mexico, Calcutta, New York City and Lough Derg, the mystery of Catholicism is revealed.

In the recent parish survey, you asked us to provide more formation in our Catholic faith. So we invite you to join us on this epic journey around the world and deep into the faith across 10 weeks beginning Wednesday 5th February at 8pm in the Holy Family Primary School Hall, Magherafelt. You don’t need to go to all 10 weeks – you can come and go as you please. Each week in the bulletin we’ll tell you what the next episode is about. Check out the website for more details and some trailers.

Catholicism – ten episodes, ten hours, one faith.

Catholicism – it’s YOUR story!

 

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Episode Guide

I: AMAZED AND AFRAID: THE REVELATION OF GOD BECOME MAN

II: HAPPY ARE WE: THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
III: THAN WHICH NOTHING GREATER CAN BE THOUGHT – THE INEFFABLE MYSTERY OF GOD

IV: OUR TAINTED NATURE’S SOLITARY BOAST: MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD
V: TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH: PETER, PAUL AND THE MISSIONARY ADVENTURE
VI: A BODY BOTH SUFFERING AND GLORIOUS: THE MYSTICAL UNION OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH
VII: WORD MADE FLESH, TRUE BREAD OF HEAVEN: THE MYSTERY OF THE LITURGY AND THE EUCHARIST
VIII: A VAST COMPANY OF WITNESSES: THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
IX: THE FIRE OF HIS LOVE: PRAYER AND THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT
X:  WORLD WITHOUT END: THE LAST THINGS

 


 

 

Catholicism JPEG

 

 

Eucharistic Adoration

Aposolate for Eucharistic Adoration

Archdiocese of Armagh Committee:

Chairperson: Mr. Tommy Burns: 0(0353)87 769 3477   email: [email protected]

Spiritual Director: Rev. Francis Coll: 3 Hanover Square, Coagh.  028 8673 7212

Confirmation 2014

Click the following link to view the 2014 Confirmation dates for the Archdiocese of Armagh.

Confirmation2014

Homily by Archbishop Eamon Martin at Funeral Mass for Fr Terence Kelly RIP in St Colmcille’s Church Knockaconey, 8 January 2014

It is a fitting co-incidence that this beautiful story from the Gospel of Mark about the multiplication of the loaves and the feeding of the 5000 is read on the day of Fr Terence Kelly’s funeral – could there be any more appropriate Gospel for the Requiem Mass of a priest?

The story brings out the compassion of Jesus the High Priest, the Good Shepherd. Jesus responds to the hunger of his people – not just to the physical hunger which they were naturally experiencing at the end of a long day, but also to their spiritual hunger. They were searching for something and Jesus took pity on them because ‘they were like sheep without a shepherd’.

Jesus turned to his disciples for help. He said – ‘you give them something to eat yourselves’ – and they replied: Lord, what have we got to feed such a large crowd? And then the miracle happened. As soon as the disciples began to minister and distribute the little they had among the people, Jesus multiplied the effects of their contribution over and over again so that everyone got as much as they wanted. And there were basketfuls left over!

I have often reflected on that Gospel story as a kind of paradigm for priesthood – because priesthood is essentially a call to act in the community in the name and person of Jesus who is the Head and Shepherd of the Church. God’s people are still hungry – in many ways they remain like sheep without a shepherd, but God continues to have pity on them and he calls priests to walk among his people, to minister to them, to feed them. We priests may not think we have much to contribute – at times we might cry out: Lord, where are we going to get enough to feed all these people? But the miracle continues: God multiplies our flimsy efforts with his transforming grace – so that through us, especially through the Eucharist, the central moment of our day, God nourishes his hungry people.

Fr Terence Kelly was a faithful priest. He was actually one of eight young men from the Archdiocese of Armagh who went to study at Maynooth back in 1952. He served in seven parishes of the Archdiocese. After temporary placements at Dundalk, Ardee and Clonfeacle,  he became Curate in Loup for a couple of years before spending 22 years as curate in Dungannon parish.  Fr Terry’s first appointment as Parish Priest was in Tandragee at the end of the eighties, and then in 1994 he moved to Ballinderry where he ministered for 14 years as PP until his retirement in August 2008. Even after that he was happy to help out over in Ardboe- Moortown with his lifelong friend and classmate, Fr Vin Darragh. It was only a short while ago, he said to the sacristan after Mass in Ardboe – you know I don’t think I’ll be able to manage to say public Mass again: as the Book of Ecclesiastes puts it: ‘There’s time to be born, and a time to die’.

Almost 55 years of ministry!  I haven’t even got half that under my belt!  I can only stand back in admiration at Fr Terry’s dedication and express great gratitude to God from the people, priests and bishops of the Archdiocese for his tremendous generosity.

Fr Terry was ordained in 1959 before the start of the Second Vatican Council, and no doubt his early years as a priest must have been quite strange and challenging as so much changed in what he would have been used to as a seminarian. But somehow I get the sense that Fr Terry was a straightforward, faithful and committed priest with a sound foundation of prayer and practice set down in his family home and school in ‘The Grange’.

Over those 55 years he ministered through the darkest and most harrowing days of the troubles; he suffered generally from poor health and for medical reasons was unable to drive since October 1978; and he lived through very troublesome and shameful times for the Church. But he had three characteristics which I believe ‘anchored’ his priesthood in its solid foundations.

The first anchor for Fr Terry’s priesthood was his love for the Eucharist. His daily Mass provided him with sustenance and nourishment which in turn enabled him to feed the spiritual needs of his people. His love for the Eucharist was evident when celebrated his Golden Jubilee Mass back in 2009 and when he was presented with a beautiful chalice to mark the occasion, he chose to give it to this Church of St Colmcille in Knockaconey, the parish where he had made his first Holy Communion nearly seventy years previously. We are using that chalice for the celebration of his funeral Mass today. For Fr Terry, the Eucharist was a call to mission. You might think being unable to drive would be a handicap or an excuse even, but Fr Terry turned it into a pastoral advantage – he was always out walking, meeting people and through the kindness and support of many friends and parishioners giving him lifts everywhere, he was able to remain completely faithful to his priestly duties, including sick calls to the hospital and home visitation. That was how he earned the trust and confidence of his people – and even though I believe he could be quite sharp at times – underneath he was a deeply pastoral man with great compassion for his people.

The second anchor for Fr Terry’s priesthood was his devotion to Mary, the Mother of God. Perhaps it was his own indifferent health that naturally drew him to Mary, who stood at the foot of the Cross, but he loved going to Lourdes. He was a faithful pilgrim with the Archdiocese over many years. He became a good friend and pastor to the Lourdes helpers and he enjoyed mingling with the pilgrims down at the grotto. I’m told though that in his latter years he preferred to ‘hold court’ in the foyer of the hotel and watch all the goings on around him.

I think the third anchor for Fr Terry’s priesthood was his own dear family and their support for him. He was born near here in ‘The Grange’ on 30 August 1934 – and, in a way, he never left it. He loved to come home on a Sunday even after his parents and brothers Brian and James died, he developed a great affection for Patsy and his nieces and nephews – as they did for him. Fr Terry would go for walks and tell them stories and listen to them as they grew up. In return for his kindness and affection, his family were a great support to him as he became more dependant in recent years –as of course was Mary O’Neill, his faithful housekeeper. Fr Terry was also a caring mentor to many young priests who worked with him. His friends and family will miss him, with his stories and chat. He enjoyed a simple life with his family, friends, dogs and favourite TV programmes. I believe he was a great man for Sport – it’s not that common that someone could enjoy a great football game and still be a fan of the cricket. Although a faithful Armagh supporter – he cried tears of joy when Armagh beat Kerry – he had no problem following and encouraging his parish clubs – on one occasion he demanded premium seats at Croke Park as the Parish Priest of Ballinderry!

Last Easter when speaking to the priests in Rome, Pope Francis said a priest should be like a shepherd amongst his flock, getting to know ‘the smell of his sheep’. Well, I think that characterised Fr Terry’s priestly ministry, in among his people, getting to know them by name, knowing their joys, their struggles, and feeding their spiritual hunger for God – all the time in a hardworking, no-nonsense, unassuming way.

St Paul says to Timothy in today’s second reading: ‘I have fought the good fight to the end; I have run the good race. All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me’. These are words which I trust that Fr Terry could use as he appears before the Good Shepherd to give an account of his life and his ministry as a priest. And I hope and pray that God the merciful judge shall call him forward and say ‘Well done good and faithful servant, come and inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world’.

Months Mind Mass for Very Rev. Terence Kelly PE.  Will take place in St. Colmcille’s Church, Knockaconey on Thursday 6 February 2014 at 7.30pm.

Homily for World Day of Peace by Cardinal Seán Brady in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh

– Effective policies are needed to secure for people, who are equal in dignity and rights, access to health, education and what they need to realise their potential and develop fully as a person.
– May the paternity of God and the maternity of Mary, make the world so aware of its fraternity as to make war, at some stage in the future, unthinkable.

The shepherds went back to work but they went back with joy in their hearts. They were singing praises to God for all they had seen and heard. They had seen that their Saviour was born – Christ the Lord. They had heard the angel singing: ‘Glory to God in the Highest Heaven and peace on earth to those with whom He is pleased’

But I am sure that they may have wondered how the peace on earth was going to be achieved. Life was sometimes rough for them and anything but peaceful. They did not yet know that the New Born Saviour would, one day, say to his learners: ‘You have only one Father, who is God, and you are all brothers and sisters”. Jesus went much further and matched His fwords with deed. He gave Himself up to death for love of the Father.

We are all called to see ourselves as brothers and sisters in Him in as much as we are all children of the same Father. In His person, we are reconciled with God and with one another as brothers and sisters.

Jesus Christ is peace. His death on The Cross brings an end to the separation between peoples. Jesus broke down the wall of separation which divided people. He broke down the hostility between them. All who accept the life of Christ see God as the Father of all.

In Christ the other person is welcomed and loved as a son or daughter of God, regardless of their race, or the colour of their skin, or their religion. In Christ the other person is accepted and welcomed as a brother and sister, not as a stranger, much less as a rival or even an enemy.

In the Family of God we are all sons and daughters of the same Father. All are loved by God. All enjoy the same dignity. All have been saved by the blood of Christ, who died on The Cross and rose for all. All of us have been given Mary to be our mother, by Christ, as He hung, dying on The Crossh. That is why none of us can remain indifferent when we hear and see, on our TV screens, the massacres that are taking place in Syria or Sudan; Iraq or Democratic Republic of Congo. None of us can remain indifferent when the Philippines are devastated by storms.

None of us can remain indifferent when talks, aimed at resolving the issues of flags, parades and the past break down. Our brothers and sisters are involved. We are grateful for the work of the negotiators. We owe it to them, and to ourselves, to consider carefully their proposals and work to secure a lasting solution. It is because they appreciate the value of peace, that so much hard work has been done.

In his first Message for the World Day of Peace – Pope Francis reminds us of these things when he describes fraternity as the foundation and pathway to peace. He describes fraternity as a lively awareness of the fact that we are all related. We are, therefore, expected to see one another and to treat one another as brothers and sisters. This lively awareness is generally first learned in the family – which is meant to spread its love to the world around it.

Pope Francis reminds us that there is a longing for fraternity in the heart of each one of us. This longing has been placed there by God our Father. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles that prevent us from fully responding to that longing. Pope Francis speaks of the jealousy that provoked Cain to kill his brother Abel – simply because Abel was different and his offering was preferred by God to that of Cain. Earlier this week on the radio I heard a man explain why his house was wrecked over Christmas. “It was due to jealousy” he said.

Pope Francis asks the question: ‘Will the men and women of the world even manage, by their power alone, to overcome indifference, egoism and hatred. Will they ever manage to accept the legitimate differences, typical of brothers and sisters?’

The story of Cain and Abel shows that we are called to fraternity – to this awareness of being really brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, we all have the tragic capacity to betray this calling with our daily acts of selfishness. Acts of selfishness are at the root of so many wars – national – international – even domestic.

The basis of our fraternity – of our all being brothers and sisters, is found in God’s love – God is love – God is the Father of All. It is found in the concrete, personal love which God has for every man and woman, young and old, weak and strong, rich or poor. That love of God – once it is welcomed into our hearts – gives us the power to change our lives and relationships with others.

Pope Francis sees fraternity as a prerequisite for fighting poverty and putting an end to wars. Effective policies are needed to secure for people, who are equal in dignity and rights, access to health, education and what they need to realise their potential and develop fully as a person.
In addition to policies there is a need for people to choose to live a more modest lifestyle so that all may have the basics. Similarly, while international agencies and national laws are important, and greatly to be desired, they are not, in themselves, enough to protect us from the risk of armed conflict.

A conversion of heart is needed to see the other person as a brother or sister to care for and work together with. ‘To those who sow violence and death by force of arms’, Pope Francis makes this appeal, ‘In the person you see today simply as an enemy to be beaten, discover your brother or sister and hold beneath your heart.’

The Pope asks Mary, the Mother of Jesus to help us to understand and love every day the fraternity that springs up from the heart of her Son so as to bring peace to all on this, our beloved earth.

This the first day of the year concentrates on Mary and her maternity. It is already an announcement of peace. Every maternity reveals the desire and the presence of life. It shows the holiness of life. War is always aimed at killing. It is the destruction of life conceived. May the paternity of God and the maternity of Mary, make the world so aware of its fraternity as to make war, at some stage in the future, unthinkable.


Christmas 2013 message from Cardinal Seán Brady to the People of Ireland

“I invite all of you, but especially public representatives and all who believe in a more just and compassionate world,
to support the call of Pope Francis for an all-out concerted action to end world hunger by the year 2025″ – Cardinal Brady

The celebration of Christmas recalling, as it does, the coming into the world of the Son of God, His birth at Bethlehem and His first appearances to people, always brings fresh and joyful hope. These are my hopes this year.

My first hope is that all who come home for Christmas may really feel welcome and appreciate the love of relatives, families and friends, and find the Lord in their loved ones. As those who have come for Christmas from afar know well, the love we experience in our families is precious. For it is a reflection of the love which God has for each one of us – the same love which inspired the Father to send his beloved Son to be our Saviour on that first Christmas night.

I also hope that the great activities of preparing for, and celebrating, Christmas will not overshadow Christ and the many gifts that He wants to bring, especially the gifts of love, peace and pardon. A seventeenth century hymn puts it more poetically thus:

Daughter of Sion, rise
to greet thine infant king
Nor let thy stubborn heart despise
the pardon he doth bring.

My next hope is for those without company, without food and warmth at this season. May they be sustained by the concern of fellow human beings. Of course, I am thinking of people in need here at home but also of people in the Philippines, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

I am thinking also especially of the many people throughout the world who have no peace. Through the work of wise and compassionate negotiators, may they too experience the salvation brought by Christ.

My final hope is that all of us come to see that the Birth of Christ means little or nothing if He has not been born in our hearts. This means that the work of Christmas really begins when we console the broken-hearted, feed the hungry, welcome the strangers, release the prisoners and bring peace among people.

For that reason I invite all of you, but especially public representatives and all who believe in a more just and compassionate world, to support the call of Pope Francis for an all-out concerted action to end world hunger by the year 2025. The initiative is called: ‘One Human Family. Food for All’. For far too long we have allowed global hunger and local poverty to be seen as tolerable. The fact is this; we can solve the problem of hunger and poverty, if we decide to do so. Let us recall once more: the work of Christmas begins when we feed the hungry and may God speed that work in 2014.

The people, who made Christmas for me and mine, when I was a child, are long since dead but they are not dead in my heart or in my memory. However, the fact that they live on in my memory will not make them last forever. What will make them last forever is that they are alive in the heart of God. A Saviour has been born for us; he has saved us from everlasting death. Because of Christmas Day, we can all live forever.

Christmas is indeed a special day. May it be very special day for everyone of you this year and may the peace of Jesus triumph in your hearts every day in 2014.