Calendar

Leader's School
Thur June 6, 7:00pm
St. Benedict's, BA
RE classroom #8

Ultreya-Tulsa
Fri June 7, 7:00pm
St. Mary's, Tulsa

Ultreya-BA
Fri June 21, 7:00pm
St. Benedict's, BA

Leader's School
Thur July 11, 7:00pm
St. Benedict's, BA
RE classroom #8

Ultreya-Tulsa
Fri July 5, 7:00pm
St. Mary's, Tulsa

Ultreya-BA
Fri July 19, 7:00pm
St. Benedict's, BA

Men's Weekend #30
Sept 26-29, 2002
St. John's, McAlester

Women's Weekend #30
Oct 10-13, 2002
St. John's, McAlester

John Paul II Horrified at ´Inhuman Terrorist Attacks´ in U.S.

Sends Telegram of Condolence to President Bush

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 11, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II said he was horrified at the "inhuman terrorist attacks" in the United States today and offered prayers for the victims and all Americans in "this dark and tragic moment."

The Pope, who followed the news from the papal summer residence southeast of Rome, rushed a telegram to U.S. President George W. Bush within hours of the first attacks.

"Shocked by the unspeakable horror of today's inhuman terrorist attacks against innocent people in different parts of the United States," the Holy Father's telegram said, "I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment."

"Commending the victims to almighty God´s eternal mercy, I implore his strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors," the Pope stated. "I beg God to sustain you and the American people in this hour of suffering and trial."

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, said that when the Holy Father heard the news of the attacks, he immediately went to pray "to beg from the Lord the end of such fratricidal violence."

Pope Cries Out After America´s Apocalyptic Day

A Uniquely Sorrowful General Audience

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 12, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II presided over a general audience today like no other in his 22-year pontificate: an event heavy with sorrow, few words, and long moments of silence.

He dedicated the meeting to prayer for the dead and wounded in Tuesday´s terrorist attacks on New York and Washington.

"Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible attack on the dignity of man," he said in a shocked voice to the 15,000 pilgrims gathered at St. Peter´s Square.

The Holy Father requested those present not to applaud during the audience. He was visibly disturbed.

"How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty?" the Pope asked.

"The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people," the Pope said.

"But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail," he stressed. "Christ´s word is the only one that give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit."

He continued, "Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it."

John Paul II´s confidence was turned into an emotional prayer. From St. Peter´s Square, all those present joined in a special Prayer of the Faithful for the victims of the attack, the wounded, their families and world leaders.

All those present joined the Pope in praying "for those who are weeping and in sorrow over the violent loss of relatives and friends, so that in this hour of suffering they will not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by sorrow, despair and vengeance, but continue to have faith in the victory of good over evil, of life over death, and be committed to the construction of a better world."

The papal audience ended with the sorrowful notes of the "De Profundis" and with another, emotional prayer by the Pope in memory of the victims.

"Almighty and merciful God, you cannot be understood by the one who sows hatred, you cannot be accepted by the one who loves violence; look upon our painful human condition, tried by cruel acts of terror and death; comfort your children and open our hearts to hope, so that our time can know days of serenity and peace."

General Audience: "Evil and Death Do Not Have the Final Say"

John Paul II Dedicates Message to Tragedy in U.S.

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 12, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II dedicated today´s general audience to lament Tuesday´s terrorist attacks on the United States. The general audience ended with a special Prayer of the Faithful (listed separately in today´s dispatch).

Here is a translation of John Paul II´s address at the general audience.

* * *

I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.

Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.

With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested. In a special way I reach out to the families of the dead and the injured, and assure them of my spiritual closeness. I entrust to the mercy of the Most High the helpless victims of this tragedy, for whom I offered Mass this morning, invoking upon them eternal rest. May God give courage to the survivors; may he sustain the rescue-workers and the many volunteers who are presently making an enormous effort to cope with such an immense emergency. I ask you, dear brothers and sisters, to join me in prayer for them.

Let us beg the Lord that the spiral of hatred and violence will not prevail.

May the Blessed Virgin, Mother of Mercy, fill the hearts of all with wise thoughts and peaceful intentions.

[Original text: Italian; translation by ZENIT]

The Pope then continued in English:

Today, my heartfelt sympathy is with the American people, subjected yesterday to inhuman terrorist attacks which have taken the lives of thousands of innocent human beings and caused unspeakable sorrow in the hearts of all men and women of good will. Yesterday was indeed a dark day in our history, an appalling offence against peace, a terrible assault against human dignity.

I invite you all to join me in commending the victims of this shocking tragedy to Almighty God´s eternal love. Let us implore his comfort upon the injured, the families involved, all who are doing their utmost to rescue survivors and help those affected.

I ask God to grant the American people the strength and courage they need at this time of sorrow and trial.

Prayer of the Faithful in Wake of Attacks on U.S.

That They Not Be "Dominated by Hatred and the Spirit of Retaliation"

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 12, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the Prayer of the Faithful offered by John Paul II today at the end of his general-audience address.

* * *

Brothers and Sisters,

In great dismay, before the horror of destructive violence, but strong in the faith that has always guided our Fathers, we turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, salvation of his people, and with the confidence of children, pray that He will come to our aid in these days of mourning and innocent suffering.

The Cantor: "Dominum deprecemur: Te rogamus, audi nos.

1. For the Church of East and West, and in particular for the Church that resides in the United States of America so that, though prostrate by loss and mourning, yet inspired by the Mother of the Lord, strong woman next to the cross of her Son, may nourish in hearts desires for reconciliation and peace, and commitment to the construction of the civilization of love.

2. For all those who bear the name of Christians, so that, in the sadness of human affairs, full of incomprehension and hatred, they will continue to be witnesses to the presence of God in history and the victory of Christ over death.

3. For the leaders of nations, so that they will not allow themselves to be dominated by hatred and the spirit of retaliation, and do everything possible to avoid that arms of destruction sow new hatred and more death, and make every effort to illuminate the darkness of human affairs with works of peace.

4. For those who are weeping and in sorrow over the violent loss of relatives and friends, so that in this hour of suffering they will not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by sorrow, despair and vengeance, but continue to have faith in the victory of good over evil, of life over death, and be committed to the construction of a better world.

5. For the wounded and suffering from the absurd terrorist acts, so that they will soon return to stability and health and, given the gift of life, nourish in their hearts desires of construction, collaboration and service for every form of life, free from rancor and feelings of vengeance, and become agents of justice and builders of peace.

6. For the brothers and sisters who met death in the folly of violence, that they find, in the peace of the Lord, sure joy and life everlasting, and that their death not be in vain but leaven for new times of brotherhood and collaboration among peoples.

The Holy Father:

O Lord Jesus, remember our deceased and suffering brothers before your Father. Remember us also, as we begin to pray with your words: Pater noster ...

The Holy Father:

O Almighty and merciful God, you cannot be understood by the one who sows discord, you cannot be accepted by the one who loves violence: look upon our painful human condition, tried by cruel acts of terror and death, comfort your children and open our hearts to hope, so that our time may again know days of serenity and peace. Through Christ our Lord.

R/ Amen

[Translation of Italian original by ZENIT]

Pope Hopes Attacks Spur a Fresh Era of Cooperation

Receives James Nicholson, New U.S. Ambassador to Vatican

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 13, 2001 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II hopes that the United States´ "immense tragedy" will stir the world´s conscience and pave the way for a "new era of international cooperation."

The Pope strongly expressed this desire this morning in the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, when he received James Nicholson, the new U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, who presented his letters of credence.

"I pray that this inhuman act will awaken in the hearts of the world´s peoples a firm resolve to reject the ways of violence, to combat everything that sows hatred and division within the human family, and to work for the dawn of a new era of international cooperation inspired in the highest ideals of solidarity, justice and peace," the Pontiff said.

The meeting, scheduled several weeks ago, came two days after the brutal attacks on New York and Washington. The Holy Father to express his "profound participation in the grief of the American people" and his "heartfelt prayers for the president and the civil authorities, for all involved in the rescue operations and in helping the survivors and, in a special way, for the victims and their families."

The new U.S. ambassador arrived in Castel Gandolfo accompanied by his wife, Suzanne, and one of his three children.

During the meeting, John Paul II said that the moral leadership of the United States in the world "depends on her fidelity to her founding principles."

"In facing the challenges of the future, America is called to cherish and live out the deepest values of her national heritage: solidarity and cooperation between peoples; respect for human rights; the justice that is the indispensable condition for authentic freedom and lasting peace."

The Holy Father emphasized the need for a common struggle against humanity´s traditional enemies: "poverty, disease, violence," and he highlighted the "urgent ethical issues raised by the division between those who benefit from the globalization of the world economy and those who are excluded from those benefits."

He called for the promotion of "new and creative responses on the part of the whole international community."

The "revolution of freedom" in the world, he said, must be completed by a "revolution of opportunity, which will enable all the members of the human family to enjoy a dignified existence and to share in the benefits of a truly global development."

The Holy Father mentioned, among the "many disturbing situations throughout the world, the tragic violence that continues to affect the Middle East, [...] which seriously jeopardizes the peace process begun in Madrid."

"Thanks also to the commitment of the United States, that process had given rise to hope in the hearts of all those who look to the Holy Land as a unique place of encounter and prayer between peoples," John Paul II said.

Lastly, the Holy Father encouraged the United States "to promote a realistic dialogue that will enable the parties involved to achieve security, justice and peace, in full respect for human rights and international law."