Little Church, plenty of history. 150 years since the foundation stone of their first Church was laid on St Patrick’s Day in the year 1859, Catholics in York and those with connections to the historic town will gather over the weekend of March 14-15 to celebrate a solid tradition of faith. Vista 1-3
THE RECORD
“Be indefatigable in your purpose and with undaunted spirit resist iniquity and try to conquer evil with good, having before your eyes the reward of those who combat for Christ.” -Bishop Matthew Gibney 1874
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Little Sisters’ foundress, Molokai ‘Leper Priest’ join...
Modern day heroes
Blessed Jeanne Jugan, foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, is seen in this image provided by her order. Pope Benedict XVI announced that Blessed Jeanne will be canonised at the Vatican on October 11. PHOTO: CNS/ COURTESY OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
News of canonisation date delights Perth sisters. ■ By Anthony Barich
the canonisation of 10 people, including Blessed Damien, a Belgian-born member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Born in 1840, Blessed Damien spent the last 16 years of his life caring for patients with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy, on the island of Molokai. He died in 1889 and was beatified in 1995. Last July, Pope Benedict authorised
THE Little Sisters of the Poor at Glendalough are rejoicing at the news accounted on February 21 of the long-awaited canonisation of their foundress, Jeanne Jugan. The canonisation will take place on October 11 in Rome. The miracle attributed to her intercession was the cure of American anaethetist Dr Edward Gatz of Omaha, Nebraska, who was diagnosed with a cancerous lesion in the lower part of the esophagus in January 1989. He was given six to 13 months to live and his wife approached Fr Richard McGloin SJ to share with him her sorrow over her husband’s illness and to seek some spiritual support. The Jesuit encouraged Mrs Gatz to pray and gave her the Novena prayer to Blessed Jeanne Jugan whom he knec through the Little Sisters of the Poor since he had formerly been Chaplain to their home in Milwaukee and whom he held in veneration. Fr McGloin and Mrs Gatz prayed Novena prayers daily, and in March 1989 when further tests were performed there was no sign of the tumour. Dr Gatz is still alive and well today aged 71. Jeanne Jugan, born in Cancale, Brittany, in 1792, was a stalwart provider and protector of the dignity of the elderly in post-revolution France. The founding gesture was in 1839, when she welcomed the first elderly blind lady to her
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Little Sisters of the Poor in Glendalough gather to celebrate news that their congregation’s founder, Blessed Jeanne Jugan, will be canonised in Rome in October. Among the 10 who will be canonised is legendary priest Blessed Damien of Molokai, pictured with lepers below, who died in 1889. PHOTO: ANTHONY BARICH
Damien, 9 others, head for sainthood ■ By John Thavis
VATICAN CITY (CNS) - Blessed Damien de Veuster, a missionary priest who served patients with Hansen’s disease in Hawaii, will be canonised by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11 at the Vatican, the Vatican said. The pope presided over a February 21 consistory that gave final approval for
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