domenica 21 luglio 2013
Pope Francis: Without faith in Christ, church is just 'pitiful NGO'
Without faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, the church is nothing more than a "pitiful NGO," Pope Francis said in his first homily as pope.
"When one does not confess Christ," he said, "one confesses the worldliness of the devil."
The pope spoke at Mass March 14 in the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave that had elected him the previous day. Pope Francis concelebrated the Mass with the 114 other cardinal electors who had taken part in the conclave.
Following the cardinal electors in a procession, all of them wearing gold vestments to signify joy, the pope entered the chapel as a choir sang in Latin a verse from Mt 16:18, which begins "tu es petrus" (you are Peter).
In one of the first signs of change from the previous pontificate, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at a temporary altar that allowed him to face the rest of the congregation. In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI had celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel at an altar fixed to the wall under Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment.
The new pope also delivered his homily standing at a lectern, not seated, as his predecessor usually did.
Preaching for seven minutes in Italian without a written text or notes, Pope Francis spoke about three important kinds of movement that he said appeared in the Scripture readings at the Mass: walking, building and confessing.
"Our life is a path," he said. "When we stop, the thing doesn't go." He said Catholics must "walk always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness that God asks of Abraham in his promise."
"Build with living stones, anointed by the Holy Spirit," the pope said. "Confess Jesus. If we don't do that, we will be a pitiful NGO (non-governmental organization)."
He also compared building without faith to sand castles children construct on the beach, which are washed away by the next tide.
"To walk, build and confess without the cross means that we are not true disciples of the Lord," he said. "We must confess the one cross, and in that way we will be a true church.
"I would like that all of us, following these days of grace, have the courage — the very courage — to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the cross of the Lord," the pope said in conclusion; "to build the church in the blood of the Lord, which is spilled on the cross; and to confess the only glory, Christ crucified. And in that way the church will move ahead."
First day: Paying hotel billPope Francis began his first full day as pope with an early morning act of Marian devotion — and by paying the bill at the clergy hotel where he had stayed before entering the conclave that elected him.
The new pope left the Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8 a.m. March 14 for a five-minute drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before an icon of Mary and the child Jesus beloved by Romans, the "Salus Populi Romani" (Protectress of the Roman People).
Pope Francis knelt in prayer for a while, then sat praying for several minutes before leaving at the altar the bouquet of flowers he had been carrying, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
The pope was joined by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome, and by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica. U.S. Cardinal Bernard Law, retired archpriest of the basilica, also was present, Father Lombardi said.
The spokesman said the pope paused in front of the basilica's main altar, which is built over a reliquary containing, according to tradition, pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid as a baby.
Pope Francis, a Jesuit, then went to the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in 1538. Ignatius had wanted to celebrate his first Mass in Bethlehem, but could not travel there, so chose instead St. Mary Major with its relic of the manger, Father Lombardi said.
"This is a significant place for the Jesuits," he said.
The pope also stopped briefly at the tomb of St. Pius V, who was pope from 1566 to 1572.
Afterward, riding in an unmarked police car rather than in one of the papal sedans, Pope Francis went to the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a hotel and residence for clergy, which is where he was staying before the conclave began March 12.
Father Lombardi said Pope Francis went to collect the suitcase he had left there. On the way out of the building, he stopped to greet the people who work there and "he paid his bill as a good example" to the other clerics.
The spokesman also told reporters March 14 that Pope Francis was wearing the simple pectoral cross that he'd had as a bishop and archbishop in Argentina.
In addition, he confirmed that the Vatican would be referring to the pope as "Pope Francis" and not "Pope Francis I."
Father Lombardi also confirmed press reports that when Pope Francis was about 21 years old, he had undergone an operation to remove part of one of his lungs. In the 55 years since, he said, the new pope has enjoyed good and even robust health.
The new pope, like his recent predecessors, is a polyglot, the spokesman said. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French, German "and probably Portuguese," he said, adding that if Pope Francis doesn't speak Portuguese well now, he is likely to by July when he is scheduled to travel to Brazil for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate an evening Mass March 14 in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. Afterward, Father Lombardi said, he was to cut the seals on the papal apartments, allowing Vatican employees to begin the minor works foreseen before he moves in.
"When one does not confess Christ," he said, "one confesses the worldliness of the devil."
The pope spoke at Mass March 14 in the Sistine Chapel, site of the conclave that had elected him the previous day. Pope Francis concelebrated the Mass with the 114 other cardinal electors who had taken part in the conclave.
Following the cardinal electors in a procession, all of them wearing gold vestments to signify joy, the pope entered the chapel as a choir sang in Latin a verse from Mt 16:18, which begins "tu es petrus" (you are Peter).
In one of the first signs of change from the previous pontificate, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at a temporary altar that allowed him to face the rest of the congregation. In recent years, Pope Benedict XVI had celebrated Mass in the Sistine Chapel at an altar fixed to the wall under Michelangelo's fresco of the Last Judgment.
The new pope also delivered his homily standing at a lectern, not seated, as his predecessor usually did.
Preaching for seven minutes in Italian without a written text or notes, Pope Francis spoke about three important kinds of movement that he said appeared in the Scripture readings at the Mass: walking, building and confessing.
"Our life is a path," he said. "When we stop, the thing doesn't go." He said Catholics must "walk always, in the presence of the Lord, in the light of the Lord, seeking to live with that blamelessness that God asks of Abraham in his promise."
"Build with living stones, anointed by the Holy Spirit," the pope said. "Confess Jesus. If we don't do that, we will be a pitiful NGO (non-governmental organization)."
He also compared building without faith to sand castles children construct on the beach, which are washed away by the next tide.
"To walk, build and confess without the cross means that we are not true disciples of the Lord," he said. "We must confess the one cross, and in that way we will be a true church.
"I would like that all of us, following these days of grace, have the courage — the very courage — to walk in the presence of the Lord, with the cross of the Lord," the pope said in conclusion; "to build the church in the blood of the Lord, which is spilled on the cross; and to confess the only glory, Christ crucified. And in that way the church will move ahead."
First day: Paying hotel billPope Francis began his first full day as pope with an early morning act of Marian devotion — and by paying the bill at the clergy hotel where he had stayed before entering the conclave that elected him.
The new pope left the Domus Sanctae Marthae at 8 a.m. March 14 for a five-minute drive to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, where he prayed before an icon of Mary and the child Jesus beloved by Romans, the "Salus Populi Romani" (Protectress of the Roman People).
Pope Francis knelt in prayer for a while, then sat praying for several minutes before leaving at the altar the bouquet of flowers he had been carrying, said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
The pope was joined by Cardinal Agostino Vallini, papal vicar for Rome, and by Cardinal Santos Abril Castello, archpriest of the basilica. U.S. Cardinal Bernard Law, retired archpriest of the basilica, also was present, Father Lombardi said.
The spokesman said the pope paused in front of the basilica's main altar, which is built over a reliquary containing, according to tradition, pieces of the manger where Jesus was laid as a baby.
Pope Francis, a Jesuit, then went to the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica of St. Mary Major, which is where St. Ignatius of Loyola celebrated his first Mass in 1538. Ignatius had wanted to celebrate his first Mass in Bethlehem, but could not travel there, so chose instead St. Mary Major with its relic of the manger, Father Lombardi said.
"This is a significant place for the Jesuits," he said.
The pope also stopped briefly at the tomb of St. Pius V, who was pope from 1566 to 1572.
Afterward, riding in an unmarked police car rather than in one of the papal sedans, Pope Francis went to the Domus Internationalis Paulus VI, a hotel and residence for clergy, which is where he was staying before the conclave began March 12.
Father Lombardi said Pope Francis went to collect the suitcase he had left there. On the way out of the building, he stopped to greet the people who work there and "he paid his bill as a good example" to the other clerics.
The spokesman also told reporters March 14 that Pope Francis was wearing the simple pectoral cross that he'd had as a bishop and archbishop in Argentina.
In addition, he confirmed that the Vatican would be referring to the pope as "Pope Francis" and not "Pope Francis I."
Father Lombardi also confirmed press reports that when Pope Francis was about 21 years old, he had undergone an operation to remove part of one of his lungs. In the 55 years since, he said, the new pope has enjoyed good and even robust health.
The new pope, like his recent predecessors, is a polyglot, the spokesman said. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, French, German "and probably Portuguese," he said, adding that if Pope Francis doesn't speak Portuguese well now, he is likely to by July when he is scheduled to travel to Brazil for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Pope Francis was scheduled to celebrate an evening Mass March 14 in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel with the cardinals who elected him. Afterward, Father Lombardi said, he was to cut the seals on the papal apartments, allowing Vatican employees to begin the minor works foreseen before he moves in.
American Martyrs wins CYO girls volleyball title
American Martyrs School of Manhattan Beach claimed its sixth consecutive CYO girls volleyball title in November with a victory over St. Paul the Apostle of Westwood in the final played at St. Mary's Academy, Inglewood.
The match was hotly contested by both teams who had met earlier in the season during tournament play. St. Paul the Apostle, the second seed and champion of the WAC Conference, came in confident and optimistic to challenge the top-seeded Mustangs, South Bay champs.
The quality of play from both teams was exceptional and the girls battled throughout. In the end American Martyrs proved to have more firepower and took the match in straight sets to win the championship. The energy and excitement from the fans and players was high as the teams battled hard.
The third place match pitted third-seeded St. Lawrence Martyr (Redondo Beach) against fouth-seeded Assumption (Pasadena). St. Lawrence Martyr took the first set and Assumption the second. In the exciting third and deciding set, the teams exchanged the lead several times before Assumption made a strong push and held off St. Lawrence Martyr for the win, 16-14.
“All of these teams displayed impressive play and sportsmanship, as all the girls possessed great skills,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “Congratulations to all the teams and coaches for advancing to the final four and competing throughout the playoffs.”
The match was hotly contested by both teams who had met earlier in the season during tournament play. St. Paul the Apostle, the second seed and champion of the WAC Conference, came in confident and optimistic to challenge the top-seeded Mustangs, South Bay champs.
The quality of play from both teams was exceptional and the girls battled throughout. In the end American Martyrs proved to have more firepower and took the match in straight sets to win the championship. The energy and excitement from the fans and players was high as the teams battled hard.
The third place match pitted third-seeded St. Lawrence Martyr (Redondo Beach) against fouth-seeded Assumption (Pasadena). St. Lawrence Martyr took the first set and Assumption the second. In the exciting third and deciding set, the teams exchanged the lead several times before Assumption made a strong push and held off St. Lawrence Martyr for the win, 16-14.
“All of these teams displayed impressive play and sportsmanship, as all the girls possessed great skills,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “Congratulations to all the teams and coaches for advancing to the final four and competing throughout the playoffs.”
Beatitudes captures CYO flag football crown
In a rematch of the 2011 final, Beatitudes of Our Lord School of La Mirada outlasted Holy Family of South Pasadena to win the 2012 CYO flag football championship held Nov. 18 at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks.
The title game was also the rubber match of the 2012 season, pitting the top two seeds, number one Beatitudes and number two Holy Family. The talented teams split their previous two meetings this year in tournament play.
Each team was confident heading into the game, and traded touchdowns early on with Holy Family missing their extra point. Beatitudes had a breakaway run toward the end of the first half and was able to score prior to time expiring, taking a 14-6 lead at half.
The second half saw more of the same, with both sides scoring again. Beatitudes made a key stop on Holy Family inside the red zone and then recorded a safety to put the game out of reach, 22-12. Holy Family never quit, continued to press and scored late in the game, making the final score 22-18.
“The game featured excellent play and sportsmanship on both sides between these heated rivals,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “It is safe to assume the two teams will continue to do battle in seasons to come.”
In the third place game, Holy Trinity of San Pedro took on St. Jerome of Westchester, both of whom came in as conference champions. Third-seeded Holy Trinity played a consistent and steady game, keeping in check St. Jerome's athleticism and inspired play, and in the end Holy Trinity prevailed, 19-14.
The title game was also the rubber match of the 2012 season, pitting the top two seeds, number one Beatitudes and number two Holy Family. The talented teams split their previous two meetings this year in tournament play.
Each team was confident heading into the game, and traded touchdowns early on with Holy Family missing their extra point. Beatitudes had a breakaway run toward the end of the first half and was able to score prior to time expiring, taking a 14-6 lead at half.
The second half saw more of the same, with both sides scoring again. Beatitudes made a key stop on Holy Family inside the red zone and then recorded a safety to put the game out of reach, 22-12. Holy Family never quit, continued to press and scored late in the game, making the final score 22-18.
“The game featured excellent play and sportsmanship on both sides between these heated rivals,” said Jim McGoldrick, program director for CYO Athletics. “It is safe to assume the two teams will continue to do battle in seasons to come.”
In the third place game, Holy Trinity of San Pedro took on St. Jerome of Westchester, both of whom came in as conference champions. Third-seeded Holy Trinity played a consistent and steady game, keeping in check St. Jerome's athleticism and inspired play, and in the end Holy Trinity prevailed, 19-14.
Serra wins CIF State Division II football title
Junípero Serra High School of Gardena won its second state title in four years Dec. 15 by defeating Oakdale High School 42-15 rout.
In winning the CIF State Division II Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson (a short drive from the Serra campus), the Cavaliers were led by Marques Rodgers and Adoree Jackson, who each scored three touchdowns. Rodgers’ scores came on consecutive runs from scrimmage in the first quarter (27, 57 and 1 yard), while Jackson tallied on a 50- and 27-yard receptions from Jalen Greene and a 78-yard run on a fake punt.
Coached by Scott Altenberg, Serra — which captured the 2009 Division III state title — finished 14-2. The previous week, the Cavaliers defeated Huntington Beach Edison High School 27-10 to win the CIF South Regional.
Serra earlier won the CIF Western Division title, edging Chaminade Preparatory of West Hills, 30-28, in the championship game. Mission League champ Chaminade — which during the regular season defeated Serra — reached the finals with a 45-7 win over Cathedral of Los Angeles. St. Francis also made the playoffs.
Other results included:
—Mid-Valley Division: Monrovia defeated Alpha League champion Paraclete of Lancaster, 23-7 in the championship game.
—Pac-5 Division: Mater Dei of Santa Ana defeated Marmonte League champion St. Bonaventure of Ventura in the semifinals, 21-0. Then lost in the title game to eventual state champion Long Beach Poly, 35-17. Playoff teams also included Serra League champion Bishop Alemany, Trinity League champ St. John Bosco, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Bishop Amat and Santa Margarita.
—Northeast Division: Santa Fe League champion Salesian of Boyle Heights and runnerup St. Monica of Santa Monica both reached the semifinals before losing. St. Monica lost, 42-14, to eventual titlist Rio Hondo Prep, while Salesian was beaten by Mission Prep, 54-26. Bellarmine-Jefferson also made the playoffs.
—Northwest Division: Bishop Garcia Diego of Santa Barbara, Tri-Valley League champion, lost in the semifinals, 28-14, to North Torrance. Del Rey League winner La Salle, Bishop Montgomery and Mary Star of the Sea also made the playoffs.
—Northern Division: Pac 7 League winner St. Joseph (Santa Maria) lost in the opening round.
In winning the CIF State Division II Bowl at the Home Depot Center in Carson (a short drive from the Serra campus), the Cavaliers were led by Marques Rodgers and Adoree Jackson, who each scored three touchdowns. Rodgers’ scores came on consecutive runs from scrimmage in the first quarter (27, 57 and 1 yard), while Jackson tallied on a 50- and 27-yard receptions from Jalen Greene and a 78-yard run on a fake punt.
Coached by Scott Altenberg, Serra — which captured the 2009 Division III state title — finished 14-2. The previous week, the Cavaliers defeated Huntington Beach Edison High School 27-10 to win the CIF South Regional.
Serra earlier won the CIF Western Division title, edging Chaminade Preparatory of West Hills, 30-28, in the championship game. Mission League champ Chaminade — which during the regular season defeated Serra — reached the finals with a 45-7 win over Cathedral of Los Angeles. St. Francis also made the playoffs.
Other results included:
—Mid-Valley Division: Monrovia defeated Alpha League champion Paraclete of Lancaster, 23-7 in the championship game.
—Pac-5 Division: Mater Dei of Santa Ana defeated Marmonte League champion St. Bonaventure of Ventura in the semifinals, 21-0. Then lost in the title game to eventual state champion Long Beach Poly, 35-17. Playoff teams also included Serra League champion Bishop Alemany, Trinity League champ St. John Bosco, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Bishop Amat and Santa Margarita.
—Northeast Division: Santa Fe League champion Salesian of Boyle Heights and runnerup St. Monica of Santa Monica both reached the semifinals before losing. St. Monica lost, 42-14, to eventual titlist Rio Hondo Prep, while Salesian was beaten by Mission Prep, 54-26. Bellarmine-Jefferson also made the playoffs.
—Northwest Division: Bishop Garcia Diego of Santa Barbara, Tri-Valley League champion, lost in the semifinals, 28-14, to North Torrance. Del Rey League winner La Salle, Bishop Montgomery and Mary Star of the Sea also made the playoffs.
—Northern Division: Pac 7 League winner St. Joseph (Santa Maria) lost in the opening round.
Coliseum hosts FIYA flag football finals
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum — home to two Olympics, two Super Bowls, the World Series, and countless other high-profile events — on Dec. 1 hosted a new event: the Foundation for Interscholastic Youth Athletics (FIYA) flag football championships.
In its second year, FIYA provides interscholastic sports leagues for public, private and charter middle schools throughout Los Angeles. This fall, FIYA, whose mission statement is “Strengthening Schools Through Sports” — offered leagues for 18 volleyball and 15 flag football teams.
But it was four Catholic schools who qualified for FIYA Championship Saturday at the Coliseum, a morning that began with rain but turned sunny just long enough for a fun-filled day of football.
The title game saw Our Lady Help of Christians of Los Angeles take on St. Jerome of Westchester. OLHC’s Crusaders got off to a strong start, but St. Jerome’s Spartans did not go quietly, rallying in the second half before the Crusaders’ speed and size proved too much, giving OLHC the championship.
In a tight third place game, St. Anastasia’s Panthers of Westchester took a six-point lead over Holy Trinity’s Chargers of San Pedro, but Holy Trinity scored in the second half to go ahead by one point. The Panthers responded with a long march down the field, only to see the Chargers’ goal line defense hold on fourth down inside the 10 in the final minute.
Despite the loss, St. Anastasia’s Mike Fissinger summed up the day’s events well, telling his teammates in the huddle, “This is a day we will never forget,” a sentiment that could be echoed by all present for this special occasion.
In its second year, FIYA provides interscholastic sports leagues for public, private and charter middle schools throughout Los Angeles. This fall, FIYA, whose mission statement is “Strengthening Schools Through Sports” — offered leagues for 18 volleyball and 15 flag football teams.
But it was four Catholic schools who qualified for FIYA Championship Saturday at the Coliseum, a morning that began with rain but turned sunny just long enough for a fun-filled day of football.
The title game saw Our Lady Help of Christians of Los Angeles take on St. Jerome of Westchester. OLHC’s Crusaders got off to a strong start, but St. Jerome’s Spartans did not go quietly, rallying in the second half before the Crusaders’ speed and size proved too much, giving OLHC the championship.
In a tight third place game, St. Anastasia’s Panthers of Westchester took a six-point lead over Holy Trinity’s Chargers of San Pedro, but Holy Trinity scored in the second half to go ahead by one point. The Panthers responded with a long march down the field, only to see the Chargers’ goal line defense hold on fourth down inside the 10 in the final minute.
Despite the loss, St. Anastasia’s Mike Fissinger summed up the day’s events well, telling his teammates in the huddle, “This is a day we will never forget,” a sentiment that could be echoed by all present for this special occasion.
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