John Paul II Foundation Chapter in Sydney
On Saturday 14th April, 2018 we celebrated the monthly Mass of the JPII Sydney Chapter at Sacred Heart Church in Western Sydney. We always hold it on the second Saturday of the month.
As always, the group that came together was a small, but committed group of devoted Catholics who realize the importance of praying together for the main purpose of the John Paul II Foundation in Sydney. That is, to pray for an end to the Culture of Death, a phrase that the eponymous Saint himself coined and fought against so vigorously.
Our Parish Priest, Fr Carl Ashton, in inviting the parish to attend this Mass, wrote in our Parish bulletin: "The Foundation of John Paul II was set up by the Pope himself. It wishes us to understand the evil effects of the Culture of Death in the societies of the world with ours included. This term refers to the evil practices of abortion, unnatural marriage, euthanasia, drug-taking, corruption in politics and business, immoral practices, and all other things that simply ignore God's laws, that is, His commandments. The Foundation invites you to offer the time of a Mass once a month to pray against these evils among us."
On the day itself we were able to also have an hour of Adoration afterwards for the success of the Foundation and its intentions, and during Mass the prayers of the faithful did (and always does) include prayers for the JPII Foundation worldwide.
Sharing to the East side of JakartaBy the Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, on February 3, 2018, John Paul II Youth community, for the first time ever, held a social health service event at West Cakung Rusunawa ALBO, East Jakarta. The event aimed to increase health awareness of Children Learning Community’s kids and residents of Rusunawa West Cakung ALBO (simple government housing) and also to channel John Paul II Youth community’s eagerness to share for the less fortunate people. Children Learning Community is a community of volunteers who regularly provide additional education for underprivileged children in West Cakung and Ciawi area. This social event was divided into 2 main events, free medical treatment and health education. The free medical treatment took place from 9 am to 1 pm and was opened for all residents of Rusunawa West Cakung ALBO. Volunteers on duty came from various backgrounds, non-medical volunteers, medical students, doctors, and pharmacists. Total residents of Rusunawa West Cakung ALBO we served were more than 235 patients. We provided a preliminary examination (weight, height, Body Mass Index, temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure), doctor's consultation, glucose measurement, and free medication from the appropriate diagnosis. "Così Giovanni Paolo II fermò il vento della secolarizzazione"A 13 anni dalla morte, il ricordo personale del vaticanista polaccoWlodzimierz Redzioch Mentre le strade erano affollate di macchine al rientro dalla scampagnata fuori porta, nel tardo pomeriggio di Pasquetta un folto gruppo di fedeli si è radunato in piazza San Pietro, per recitare un rosario in memoria di Giovanni Paolo II. Proprio il 2 aprile scorso, infatti, era il 13esimo anniversario della morte di Papa Wojtyla. Quel gesto ha rievocato i momenti concitati immediatamente successivi all’annuncio della salita al cielo del Papa polacco. Spontaneamente tante persone si recarono in piazza San Pietro con il rosario tra le mani. Tra costoro c’era, sia il 2 aprile 2005 che quello del 2018, Wlodzimierz Redzioch, vaticanista dal 1980, per tanti anni dipendente vaticano e oggi corrispondente del settimanale cattolico polacco Niedziela. Molto legato a Karol Wojtyla, è autore del libro“Accanto a Giovanni Paolo II” (edizioni Ares), raccolta di interviste a illustri personalità che hanno conosciuto da vicino il pontefice polacco. |