July 18th 2025_Catholic Standard

Jubilee Youth Convention

Caring for others, serving life is the ‘supreme law,’ pope says - p2

Israeli attack on Gaza’s only Catholic church kills 3, injures priest - p3

A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4

Sunday Scripture - p5

UK abortion figures ‘shocking and tragic’ - p6

Youths from Diocese to attend AEC Youth Leadership Conference in Jamaica - p7

CatholicCharismaticRenewal PrayerBreakfast- p7

Patriarchs’ message on Gaza visit: Gaza’s community will not be abandoned - p8

Children’s Page - p9

Study: Devotion to Mary has significant impact on discerning, sustaining vocations - p10

Jubilee Youth Convention - p11

Pope Leo’s favourite dish - p12

Fr. Bernard Darke’s refurbished memorial blessed on his 46th death anniversary - p15

Sunday, July 20th

08:00hrs – Mass at Sacred Heart, Main Street

Wednesday, July 23rd

09:00hrs – AEC Zoom Meeting

Sunday, July 27th Mass in Linden

Caring

for others, serving

is the ‘supreme law,’

The Jubilee Prayer

Father in heaven, may the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, and the flame of charity enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, reawaken in us the blessed hope for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos in the sure expectation of a new heaven and a new earth, when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, a yearning for the treasures of heaven. May that same grace spread the joy and peace of our Redeemer throughout the earth.

To you our God, eternally blessed, be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

Pope

Leo XIV delivers his first Angelus from Castel Gandolfo, Italy, July 13, 2025. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) – In the service of life, caring for others is “the supreme law” that comes before all of society’s rules, Pope Leo XIV said.

“Imitating the example of Jesus, the Savior of the world, we too are called to bring consolation and hope, above all to those who are experiencing discouragement and disappointment,” he said before reciting the Angelus with thousands of visitors gathered in the square in front of the papal summer villa of Castel Gandolfo July 13.

Pope Leo arrived at the small hilltop town south of Rome July 6 for a brief vacation until July 20. He celebrated Mass in the Church of St. Thomas of Villanova July 13, and then recited the noonday prayer from the steps in front of the papal villa under a sky that oscillated between dark rainy clouds and bright bursts of sun.

In his reflection before the prayer,

Pope Leo spoke about the human yearning for eternal life, that is, “for salvation, for an existence free from failure, evil and death.”

Eternal life is “not something to be gained by force, begged for or negotiated,” he said. It is something to be “inherited” by God alone, as parents do with their children.

“That is why Jesus tells us that, in order to receive God’s gift, we must do his will,” the pope said, which is to love “the Lord your God with all your heart” and “your neighbor as yourself.”

“In order to live eternally, we do not need to cheat death, but to serve life, by caring for others in this, our time together,” the pope said. “That is the supreme law that is prior to all society’s rules and gives them their meaning.”

“God’s will is the law of life that the Father himself was the first to follow,

life

pope says

by loving us unconditionally in his Son, Jesus,” Pope Leo said.

Jesus “shows us the meaning of authentic love for God and for others,” he said. “It is a love that is generous, not possessive; a love that forgives without question; a love that reaches out and never abandons others.”

“In Christ, God made himself a neighbor to each and every man and woman. That is why each of us can and should become a neighbor to all whom we meet,” he said.

By opening one’s heart to God’s will, he said, “we will become artisans of peace every day of our lives.”

After greeting the many groups present in the square, including members of the pastoral community of Blessed Augustine of Tarano from the Colegio S. Augustin in Chiclayo, Peru, the pope shook hands with a number of special guests who were by the wooden barricades between the villa’s entrance and the square.

It was the first Angelus address at the summer villa by Pope Leo, who returned to the tradition of taking a summer break at the villa in Castel Gandolfo.

Pope Francis, instead, had spent his summers residing at the Vatican and had led just one Angelus from the papal villa July 14, 2013.

Rather than giving his address from the villa’s balcony, like his predecessors, Pope Francis had addressed the crowd at street level from the open front door of the villa. Pope Leo did the same.

“Dear brothers and sisters, I am pleased to be with you here in Castel Gandolfo,” Pope Leo said to great applause and cheers. He greeted those present and thanked “all of you for your warm welcome.”❖

JERUSALEM (OSV News) Three people were confirmed dead and nine were injured, including a parish pastor, following what initial reports say was a mid-morning Israeli tank attack on the Holy Family Parish Church in Gaza on July 17.

In a July 17 telegram, Pope Leo XIV said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life and injury caused by the military attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza,” and assured Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish priest, and the whole parish community of his “spiritual closeness.” He prayed for those who died and “for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.”

“His Holiness renews his call for an immediate ceasefire, and he expresses his profound hope for dialogue, reconciliation and enduring peace in the region,” the telegram said.

‘

Deepest Condemnation’ of Attack From Latin Patriarchate

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem confirmed the injuries and damage to the church in a brief morning statement. “The Holy Family Church in Gaza has been struck by a raid this morning,” the first July 17 statement said.

In a later statement, the patriarchate expressed its “deepest condemnation” of the attack, saying it was a “flagrant violation of human dignity and a blatant violation of the sanctity of life and the sanctity of religious sites, which are supposed to provide a safe haven in times of war.”

The statement emphasized that the bombing had destroyed large parts of the complex, forcing those with special medical needs to evacuate the area, some without the respirators they need to survive, endangering their lives.

“At this critical moment, the Patriarchate affirms that churches are spiritual and humanitarian beacons, serving

everyone without discrimination,” the statement said. “It also calls on the international community and United Nations agencies to provide urgent protection for religious institutions and humanitarian centers in the Gaza Strip and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, which criminalizes the targeting of civilians and places of worship.”

The parishioners confirmed dead by the Latin Patriarchate were Saad Salameh, 60, Fumayya Ayyad, 84, and Najwa Abu Daoud, a woman in her 70s. Salameh was the janitor of the parish and was in the yard at the time of explosions, a July 17 Caritas press release said. Ayyad was sitting inside a Caritas psychological support tent when the blast sent shrapnel to the area and fatally injured her. Abu Daoud was sitting in the same tent as Ayyad, the patriarchate’s CEO Sami El-Yousef confirmed to OSV News.

IDF Investigating and ‘Aware of Reports’

In a July 17 statement posted on X, Israel Defense Forces said it is “aware of reports regarding damage caused to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and casualties at the scene. The circumstances of the incident are under review.”

“The IDF makes every feasible effort to mitigate harm to civilians and civilian structures, including religious sites, and regrets any damage caused to them,” the IDF said.

Despite sustaining a light leg injury, parish priest Father Romanelli was shown placing his hand on the forehead of an injured man being carried out on a stretcher in a video broadcast by the Al-Arabiya TV station as he was accompanied by two men one of whom was holding a bandage to the side of his face.

Shrapnel and Debris Across Parish Yard

Father Romanelli was also transferred to the Al-Ahli Arab hospital for treatment, according to Reuters, but left after receiving care.

Photos show part of the church’s roof next to the cross blown away by the tank fire with burned marks down the wall, and windows shattered.

“The explosion occurred near the cross on the church roof, scattering shrapnel and debris across the yard,” said Caritas Jerusalem in a statement, adding that the church was “struck by a shell.

”

The two elderly women had been sitting inside the Caritas psychosocial support tent when they were injured, the statement said. Three young people standing at the entrance of the church were also seriously injured, according to the statement.

Pastor’s Warnings Saved Lives

The statement said Father Romanelli had been urging people to stay inside their rooms over the past week as the fighting in the area intensified.

“If Father Gabriel hadn’t warned us to stay indoors, we could have lost 50 to 60 people today. It would have been a massacre,” the statement quoted one of “our Caritas colleagues.”

“Yesterday, the threat became especially severe due to the presence of Israeli tanks near the church compound and continuous strikes in close proximity,” said the statement.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the Israeli strike and said it was “unacceptable.”

“With the Holy Father, the Catholic bishops of the United States are deeply saddened to learn about the deaths and injuries at Holy Family Church in Gaza caused by a military strike,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, presi-

dent of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and head of the U.S. Archdiocese for the Military Services.

He said the bishops joined their prayers with the pope for Father Romanelli, for his parishioners and especially for the families of those killed and injured.

“With the Holy Father, we also continue to pray and advocate for dialogue and an immediate ceasefire.”

The Christian community of the Holy Family Parish now numbers around 600, the Latin patriarchate said in a statement.

Prior to the July 17 attack, the parish priest of this Gaza Strip’s small Christian community admitted in a recent Vatican News interview that his flock was already exhausted by war and a severe lack of food.

Late Pope Francis’ Frequent Calls to Gaza Pastor

For many months before he died April 21, Pope Francis would call Father Romanelli nearly every night to ask the priest about the well-being of the Holy Family Parish community, those sheltering at the church’s compound and the overall situation in Gaza. The calls, which Father Romanelli described as “blessed,” provided comfort and support for the parish community.

“The Latin Patriarchate strongly condemns this tragedy and this targeting of innocent civilians and of a sacred place,” church leaders of the Holy Land wrote in a July 17 statement released in the afternoon local time. “However, this tragedy is not greater or more terrible than the many others that have befallen Gaza. Many other innocent civilians have also been harmed, displaced and killed. Death, suffering and destruction are everywhere.”

“The time has come for leaders to raise their voices and to do all what is necessary in order to stop this tragedy which is humanly and morally, unjustified,” the patriarchate said.❖

A Christian Perspective on Social Issues

By GHK Lall

Be deep, be real, be about what is spoken, written (Part 2)

There is awareness of what splits and devastates the secular world. But there is also the calling of the spiritual, that deeper awareness. The spiritual should heavily influence what is represented by Catholics in the secular realm. The spiritual guides in other ways, too. Because Jesus did, the Church has reserved a special place for the poor and weak. Who needs a hand more than them? The hurting and the hopeless qualify. So, too, the lost and lonely, those wounded souls in search of succor. By way of explanation, I say secular because I am hesitant to use that one word political; then that other one: elections. Though of vital importance, there are more important matters for Catholics, as such come from their teachings.

Along the lines of what was offered last week, a considerable time was spent on talking about the poor from the pews and pulpit. It is about how much we much care for them, are concerned about their condition. Their plight is our pain; we would be in the best company, because it was Jesus himself who felt their hopelessness deeply. We must go beyond the words. Create the space, find the time, summon the interest to search for them, hear their cries, feel their anxieties. It is not easy to live with the sense that one exists at the distant edges of the world inhabited, is of no account, and keeps sinking in the fight to stay afloat. Despite the best of honest efforts. Many have convinced themselves that walking the straight and honest path is one best traveled by fools. There are no rewards for principles, no prospering from struggling to stick with a clean, spiritual ethos.

To really appreciate such a state of mind, one had to have lived in those forlorn trenches. Desperation is a standing condition of the poor. How to get from point A to point B, which can be as simple, or as heavy, as the next meal, the next pills that are due soon, the next bill to be paid. Preaching about this is a commendable start. But that cannot be the limit of the Christian virtue vested. In the business world that is called capital, and it’s scarce. In the Christian world, virtue must be abundant in thinking, owning, and practicing. Proclaim and produce. Preach and then practice. The world of the poor doesn’t stay at a standstill. It moves, no matter how minutely. The more Catholics reach and share, the more the world of the poor at heart is impacted positively.

Note that nuance just introduced. The poor at heart. There are the poor in material goods, and theirs is a daily struggle. When a child is left without,

that is the worst thing for a mother, a father. The poor in spirit may be rich in assets, but there is the drain of despairing over the way that the world is, how the world of Guyana is heavy and troubled. As in the situation of the materially poor, those who are limping from the darkness that clouds the world, their world, a heart that is expansive is one that finds an opening to make the hurting feel included. Somebody cares. Somebody paused for a moment to share. A ray of hope, contribute a little boost for flagging spirits. Giving up is not an option. Man can be given up on; but that lifeline given through Jesus to the Father must never be let loose. Whatever the circumstances, there isn’t the luxury of allowing that lifeline to slip from the grasp. However slippery, however tentative, God is the only lifeline. This must be the message of the believing, caring, committed Catholic. This must be his or her scripture, and then living it. We don’t pass people. We find a way to partner with them. We do not look the other way, walk another way, we look the way of the weak of spirit, and we walk with them. There is that grand old song from way back yonder: ‘You’ll never walk alone.’ Having walked that road, I know so.

Jesus. The wars can rage, verbal and secular, and louder in the usual 5 cycle. The peace of Jesus must grow stronger in each of us. In me! And that should be the unuttered oath taken before man and God.

SOUTHERN CLUSTER’S PILGRIMAGE TO PARAMARIBO, SURINAME

Thursday October 2nd to Monday October 6th 2025

Registration is now open to other Parishes in the Diocese

Through the storms of life, there is God. Through the storms of the day, there is some Good Samaritan, who has found his way to the door, who didn’t look away, or hurry away. In the tumults of the times today, I want to be that Samaritan. Moving, drawing close, changing course and stopping, lending a hand, and giving a shoulder. On which to cry. On which to rest. On which to find peace. The peace of

Registration forms are available from Father Carl Philadelphia at St. Pius X Church, West La Penitence (620-7555), and the Bishop’s Office on Brickdam.

Please submit the completed registration form along with the registration fee of $5,000 by Monday July 28th.❖

Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments.

Help our priests to be strong in their vocation.

Set their souls on fire with love for your people.

Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom.

Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel.

Allow them to experience joy in their ministry.

Help them to become instruments of your divine grace.

We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen

Lord, do not pass your servant by.

The Lord appeared to Abraham at the Oak of Mamre while he was sitting by the entrance of the tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up, and there he saw three men standing near him. As soon as he saw them he ran from the entrance of the tent to meet them and bowed to the ground. ‘My lord,’ he said ‘I beg you, if I find favour with you kindly do not pass your servant by. A little water shall be brought; you shall wash your feet and lie down under the tree. Let me fetch a little bread and you shall refresh yourselves before going further. That is why you have come in your servant’s direction.’ They replied ‘Do as you say.’ Abraham hastened to the tent to find Sarah. ‘Hurry’ he said ‘knead three bushels of flour and make loaves.’ Then running to the cattle Abraham took a fine and tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. Then taking cream, milk and the calf he had prepared, he laid all before them, and they ate while he remained standing near them under the tree.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus and His Apostles are on their way to Jerusalem for Passover. In other words

Where is your wife Sarah?’ they asked him. ‘She is in the tent’ he replied. Then his guest said, ‘I shall visit you again next year without fail, and your wife will then have a son.’

Responsorial Psalm:

Psalm 14:2-5

Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.

I. Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain? He who walks without fault; he who acts with justice and speaks the truth from his heart; he who does not slander with his tongue. Resp. 2. He who does no wrong to his brother, who casts no slur on his neighbour, who holds the godless in disdain, but honours those who fear the Lord. Response 3. He who keeps his pledge, come what may; who takes no interest on a loan and accepts no bribes against the innocent. Such a man will stand firm for ever. Response

SECOND READING: Colossians 1: 24-28

A mystery hidden for generations has now been revealed to his saints.

t makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church. I became the servant of the Church when God made me responsible for delivering God’s message to you, the message which was a mystery hidden for generations and centuries and has now been revealed to his saints. It was God’s purpose to reveal it to them and to show all the rich glory of this mystery to pagans. The mystery is Christ among you, your hope of glory: this is the Christ we proclaim, this is the wisdom in which we thoroughly train everyone and instruct everyone, to make them all perfect in Christ.

Gospel Acclamation Acts 16: 14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Open our heart, O Lord, to accept the words of your Son. Alleluia!

or Lk 8: 15. 16

He is journeying to His Crucifixion and Resurrection. It is important for us to keep that in mind. He stops in Bethany to visit Martha and Mary. Bethany is only two miles from Jerusalem, so there is a strong sense of foreboding if we keep that in mind.

However, the focus of this reading is on many other issues and items usually. Nevertheless, as is always the case in Holy Scripture, there is a

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed are those who with a noble and generous heart have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance. Alleluia!

GOSPEL: Luke 10: 38-42

Martha welcomed him into her house. Mary has chosen the better part.

Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’ ❖

stewardship message for us here. We could cite hospitality as both Martha and Mary in their own ways welcome Jesus and make Him at ease. The first and main message for us is that the Lord was welcomed into their home. Each of us is a potential home for Jesus. Do we welcome Him? Or are we too busy with our own pursuits, our own distractions, to find a time each day to welcome the Lord into our

homes, our very being? There are so many people who cannot seem to find time for the Lord. They are so busy that Jesus never even gets into their houses. Rather than debate whether Martha or Mary do the right thing, we should first make sure that our Saviour is welcomed into our hearts each and every day.❖

[www.catholicsteward.com/blog/ ]

Gospel Reflection

One of the most basic beliefs of our Catholic faith is that God’s presence surrounds us in the events, people and things of our lives. Yet these are the things we take so much for granted. It could be that in the worries and concerns we associate with daily living we sometimes miss moments of God’s reaching out to us. Martha was so concerned with her role as hostess to the visitors that she lost the opportunity to be present to the Lord. And many times we too lose the opportunity to be aware of God’s presence to us. This can be a difficult thing to do in today’s world considering the many distractions we have to face up to daily. But life should never be such a burden and a distraction that we forget to spend time with our God. The challenge today is taking the time to recognise all that is unimportant in our lives when everything seems essential and then finding the courage to step away from them. And when we do this we will be able to recognise God’s breaking into our lives and so be able to respond willingly and wholeheartedly.

For most of us, life is taken up by duties and responsibilities that keep us occupied from day to day. Nearly everything we have to do seems urgent but much of it is probably not necessary. How to decide on what is necessary will help us to get our priorities right. So many of us go through life with our priorities wrong because we cannot tell what is important and what is not. We can identify with Martha because we go through the same hectic pace. But Jesus tells us that Mary chose the better part. It means that if from time to time we spend some quality time with God we would be able to live quieter and richer lives and be less driven by anxiety and worry. And then our spiritual lives and all our relationships will benefit. We must take the time to reflect on what we see as the priorities in our lives and where God stands among them. When God is way up on the list our lives should become more meaningful.❖

[

Nearly one in three conceptions in England and

than

annual March for Life Sept. 2, 2023. (OSV News photo/ courtesy ADF UK)

LIVERPOOL (OSV News) Nearly one in three conceptions in England and Wales end in abortion, newest government figures have revealed. Statistics on annual conceptions released July 9 by the Office for National Statistics showed that in 2022, 29.69% of all conceptions in England and Wales ended in abortion, up from 26.54% a year earlier.

The figures represent a huge increase in abortion within a decade, since in 2012 abortion ended 20.84% of conceptions a fifth of all pregnancies.

The revelations were met with sadness by Catholic leaders in England.

Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, the city with one of the highest rate of abortion in the U.K., noted in a July 11 statement posted on the website of the bishops’ conference of England and Wales, that the figures revealed in some parts of the country claim “nearly half” of all conceptions ended in abortion.

He said: “We need rapidly to reestablish a culture of life in which the unborn child is properly protected in legislation.”

Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth described the figures as “shocking and tragic.”

“Abortion cannot but deeply damage any mother who chooses to terminate her child,” the bishop said in a July 11 message texted to OSV News.

“With state-assisted suicide and euthanasia, a menacing culture of death is now growing under the surface that will inexorably depreciate the dignity and value afforded to the weakest members of society,” he said.

A ‘national tragedy’

David Alton of Liverpool, a Catholic member of the House of Lords,

Britain’s higher political chamber, said:

“Abortion always ends a child’s life. That should never be reduced to just a question of convenience or choice.

“Those who said it would only ever be used in very rare circumstances have been silent as 10 million British babies have been aborted now one in three and have now given a green light to abortions up to full term,” he said in a July 11 email to OSV News.

Alton referred to the decision by members of the British Parliament who had voted overwhelmingly in favor of decriminalizing abortion up to birth June 17 a bill that headed to the House of Lords for further debate.

“This national tragedy has trampled on the foundational human right the right to life,” Alton continued. “It has ended lives which would have enriched our society; disfigured countless relationships; and distorted the country’s population balance and demographics.

“And this tragedy continues to play out without any serious public policy scrutiny and with those who question it being driven to the margins and ostracised as debate is suppressed and free speech closed down,” he added.

The Office for National Statistics’ figures show there were 834,260 conceptions for women resident in England and Wales in 2022, and 247,703 of these conceptions led to abortion.

The abortion rate was lowest among women aged 30-34, but still sharply increased from 13% of conceptions ending in abortion in 2012 to 20.53% in 2022 in that age range.

Abortions among those outside marriage or civil partnership increased from 29.4% in 2012 to 36% in 2022, and within marriage or civil partner-

ship increased from 7.6% in 2012 to 11.1%.

The percentage of abortions was highest in Liverpool (40.3%), Brighton and Hove (40.3%) and Lambeth, a district in London (38.4%).

Catherine Robinson of the Right to Life charity said in a July 11 press release that the rise in abortions represented “a national tragedy.”

The Labour Party MP who introduced the amendment to decriminalize abortion, Tonia Antoniazzi, a Catholic, said she introduced the bill so women who performed late-term abortions at home with abortifacient pills would no longer be sent to jail.

Twelve other Catholic MPs voted for decriminalizing abortion up until birth following the June parliamentary debate.

A call to prayer

Father Patrick Pullicino, a former neurologist at hospitals in London and Kent who now serves as a priest in Malta, said that English Catholics must pray regularly before the Blessed Sacrament if they wish for the abortion rate to drop.

In a July 11 email sent to OSV News, he said: “There appears to be a correlation between abortion rates and perpetual Eucharistic Adoration,” adding that “Our Lord longs for our presence before him in adoration and will respond in a very powerful way to even small amounts of deep faith repeated regularly, as it gives him the personal love that he craves from us.”

Father Pullicino added: “Those Catholics who show their faith in the Eucharist by committing to just one regular hour slot a week in their local adoration chapel is for Our Lord sufficient to respond in a powerful way.” ❖

AEC Youth Leadership Conference Journeying with the Word of God

David Smith

Jael Laud

Joshua Van-Sluytman

Graziella Abraham

Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ.

This important regional gathering, which is being held under the inspiring Jubilee Year theme Pilgrims of Hope, Discipling the Now of God!”, will be more than just an event, it is to be a transformational moment for the future of youth ministry across the Caribbean.

Rooted in faith, hope, and mission, the Conference seeks to form not only young leaders but leaders who will form others, clergy and laity committed to renewing the life of the Church in their local communities.

As we send forth our representatives, we ask for your continued prayers for them and for all participants. May this experience deepen their faith, ignite their passion for service, and equip

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN

Step 1: Look at today’s Readings prayerfully.

1st Reading: Abraham entertains three men not knowing that God was in his midst. He is rewarded by the wonderful news that his wife will give birth to a son.

tion of young Catholics with

2nd Reading: Paul reminds the Christians at Corinth that his work of spreading the Gospel has meant much labour and hardship for him.

Gospel: Two sisters show their love for Jesus in different ways when he visits them. The Gospel contrasts Martha’s activity with Mary’s quiet attention to Jesus.

Step 2: ApplyingthevaluesoftheReadings toyourdailylife.

1.Abraham is unaware that God was visiting him in the form of three men. He willingly welcomes them and offers them hospitality. Are you prepared to welcome and offer hospitality to God when God visits you in whatever form God chooses?

2.Paul says that he is happy to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. How do you see Christians suffering today for the sake of the Gospel?

3.Jesus cautions about worrying and fretting about many things when only one thing is needed. What would you say is that one thing in the life of a disciple?

4.In his response to Martha, do you think Jesus is saying that it is better to listen to him than to serve him? Or do you think that both are demanded from every Christian?

Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s Wordinyourlifeoffaith

When Jesus came to visit Mary and Martha they were happy to offer him their hospitality. But while Martha got busy in the physical preparations, Mary quietly sat by him and listened to his words. We too have the opportunity to spend quality time with Jesus and listen to his words when we participate in the Mass. We must make the most of the moment.

Step 4: Somethingtothink&prayabout 1.With whom do you identify, Martha or Mary or with both? What do you feel is the message of the Gospel for you today? How do you intend to respond to that message? Do you think the response will be difficult? ❖

[From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]

community will not be abandoned or forgotten

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III visit Holy Family Parish in Gaza City July 18, 2025. They offered support, closeness and prayers following the July 17 Israeli military strike on the parish compound, which killed three people and wounded 10, including parish pastor Father Gabriel Romanelli. (OSV News photo/courtesy Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem)

JERUSALEM (OSV News) Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered the Gaza Strip together with Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, offering his support, closeness and prayers following the July 17 Israeli military strike on the Holy Family Parish compound in Gaza City, which killed three people and wounded 10, including the parish pastor.

The joint visit is an expression of the united pastoral care of the churches of the Holy Land and their deep concern for the Gaza community, the patriarchate said in a press release.

During their stay, the delegation offered “condolences and solidarity” as they met with members of the local Christian community.

Cardinal Pizzaballa and Patriarch Theophilos assessed the damage to the church’s roof and comforted parishioners. They were escorted by Father Gabriel Romanelli, the parish’s pastor who was wounded lightly in the leg during what initial reports said was a tank attack on the church.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarch was visiting Gaza for the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israeli communities, launching the Israel-Hamas war.

Both patriarchs also visited St. Porphyrios Greek Orthodox Church in Gaza City, with an emotional welcome from Greek Orthodox Archbishop Alexios of

Tiberias. Three Orthodox Christians killed in the Holy Family strike were buried at St. Porphyrios July 17.

Pope Leo XIV called Cardinal Pizzaballa as he was traveling to Gaza to “express his closeness, care, prayer, support and desire to do everything possible to achieve not only a ceasefire but also an end to this tragedy.”

“Pope Leo repeatedly stated that it is time to stop this slaughter, that what has happened is unjustifiable, and that we must ensure there are no more victims,” said the patriarch, speaking to Vatican News.

Cardinal Pizzaballa thanked the pope for “his solidarity and the prayers he had already assured us of,” while expressing the gratitude of Gaza’s entire Catholic community, Vatican News reported.

Following the July 17 attack, which drew international condemnation, the Latin Patriarchate was able to coordinate with humanitarian partners a delivery of “essential assistance not only to the Christian Community but also to as many families as possible,” according to the patriarchate’s news release.

“Hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment” have been delivered, according to the release. In addition, the patriarchate coordinated the evacuation of individuals injured in the attack to medical facilities outside Gaza, where they can receive necessary care.

Calling the attack “heinous” and an “affront to human dignity,” the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Israel said in a July 18 statement they joined together in “profound solidarity” with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“In unyielding unity, we strongly denounce this crime. Houses of worship are sacred spaces that should be kept safe. They are also protected under international law. Targeting a church that houses approximately 600 refugees, including children with special needs, is a violation of these laws. It is also an affront to human dignity, a trampling upon the sanctity of human life, and the desecration of a holy site,” they said in the statement.

They called on world leaders and United Nations agencies to work toward an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, to protect all religious and humanitarian sites, and to provide food and humanitarian aid to Gaza residents.

“Our prayers and support remain steadfast, calling for justice, peace, and the cessation of the suffering that has descended upon the people of Gaza,” they said.

“We pray for the safety of the delegation and the suspension of military activities during the visit,” the patriarchate said in the release. “The Latin Patriarchate remains steadfast in its commitment to the Christian community and the entire population of Gaza. They will not be forgotten, nor will they be abandoned.”

The parishioners confirmed dead by the Latin Patriarchate were Saad Salameh, 60, Fumayya Ayyad, 84, and Najwa Abu Daoud, a woman in her 70s. Salameh was the parish’s janitor and was in the yard at the time of explosions, said a July 17 press release from Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Church’s international humanitarian arm. Ayyad was sitting inside a Caritas psychological support tent when the blast sent shrapnel to the area and fatally injured her. Abu Daoud was sitting in the same tent as Ayyad, the patriarchate’s CEO Sami El-Yousef confirmed to OSV News.

Despite the damage to the church, the church bell rang out in the evening, as seen in a Facebook post from Gaza assistant priest Father Yusuf Asad. Father Romanelli offered Mass July 17 and morning prayers July 18 inside the damaged church to pray for the souls of those killed in the attack and the healing of those injured.

Of the 250 hostages taken by Hamas from Southern Israel at the outbreak of the conflict in October 2023, 50 remain in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. Efforts to broker a deal for their release and the reaching of a ceasefire are continuing with the international mediation of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, though substantial hurdles remain.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry confirmed July 16 that 58,600 people have been killed since October 2023, with scores of Palestinian civilians killed daily, including at points of humanitarian aid distribution.❖

Dear Girls and Boys,

How many of you have a cell phone? Many of you do, and you know that making phone calls isn't the only thing we do with our smart phones. We send messages, emails, take pictures, play games, use social media, listen to music, look at videos and look up things on the Internet name a few!

Now cell phones are not bad, but if we are not careful they can keep us from paying attention to some very important things that are going on around us. For example, have you ever seen someone talking on the phone while driving? Of course you have! That isn't very safe, is it?

Being distracted isn't anything new and phones aren't the only cause. In Jesus' day, they didn't even have phones, but that didn't keep them from being distracted. Our Gospel reading today tells a story about a woman who became distracted when Jesus was a guest in her home. Jesus was in the village of Bethany where his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus lived. Jesus went to their home to visit and Martha invited him in and began to prepare dinner. Her sister Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to the words he had to say. The Bible says that Martha was distracted by all the preparation that had to be made. She became upset with her sister and went to Jesus and said, "Lord, don you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," Jesus said, "you are worried and upset about many things. But there is one thing that is the most important and Mary has discovered it." Martha was doing her best to make Jesus feel welcome in her home, but Mary had discovered something more important. What was that thing that Mary had discovered? It was sitting at the feet of Jesus and receiving his words into her heart. It is important for us to be careful that we don't get so busy "doing things for Jesus" that we forget to listen to his words and take them into our heart. That is the most important thing!

Heavenly Father, we love you and want to serve you, but most of all, we want to take the words of Jesus into our heart and apply them to our life. In Jesus' name we pray Amen. ❖

impact on discerning, sustaining vocations

(OSV News ) - Devotion to Mary is a significant factor in discerning and sustaining the call to priestly and religious life, according to a new study.

“As a religious, Mary has played a big role in our religious life, and I am just excited to see the report as a kind of confirmation that Mary indeed is our model,” said Sister Thu T. Do, a Sister of the Lovers of the Holy Cross and a research associate at the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at Georgetown University.

On July 16, CARA made public a report titled “Impact of Mary, Mother of the Church, on Ecclesial Vocations,” which Sister Thu and fellow CARA researcher Jonathon L. Wiggins prepared in response to a request from the Diocese of Saginaw, Michigan.

Spearheading that request was the diocese’s theologian and permanent diaconate formation coordinator, Daniel Osborn. He told OSV News the “main genesis” for the project was Pope Francis’ November 2023 call to members of the International Theological Commission for greater study on the Marian dimension of the church.

“On a personal level,” he added, “I owe my own ecclesial vocation as a lay theologian to the Blessed Mother’s intercession.” So the study, Osborn explained, was also “a way to honor

and thank her personally for how she intervened in my own life,” which saw him return to his childhood Catholic faith after a period of drifting away.

The survey, conducted between March and May through mailed paper forms and emailed questionnaires, represented responses from 1,091 respondents, a mix of U.S. Catholic bishops, diocesan priests, permanent deacons, deacon directors, and major superiors of men and women religious.

Among those six groups polled, an average of 59 percent said Marian devotion had either a “meaningful” or “great” impact on their discernment of a vocation to serve Jesus Christ and the church. Of the groups, religious priests (71 percent) were most likely to cite Marian devotion, while deacon directors (49 percent) were the least likely.

Most respondents (92 percent) said they had first learned of Marian devotion as children, with family (79 percent) the primary means of introduction, followed by parishes (44 percent) and Catholic schools (44 percent).

The rosary topped the list of common Marian devotional practices during one’s discernment of a vocation, with 71 percent reporting private recitation and 52 percent saying they prayed the rosary with others. Praying before images of Mary whether icons, statues or paintings was cited by 40 percent of the respondents.

Among the participants, the home (80 percent) was the prime location for such devotion during their vocational discernment, followed by the parish (77 percent).

Survey respondents also said that they “often” or “always” wear the Miraculous Medal (32 percent), associated with Mary’s 19th-century appearances to St. Catherine Labouré; the Brown Scapular (29 percent); or another Marian medal (18 percent)

Pilgrimages to Marian apparition sites ahead of coming to their vocation in the church were also noted by 44 percent of all respondents, with Guadalupe (29 percent) and Lourdes (28 percent) as the most popular sites visited.

A majority of survey participants (74 percent) said devotion to Mary has either “strengthened” or “very much strengthened” the living out of their respective vocations. Bishops (89 percent) were most likely to highlight Mary’s role in this regard.

Marian devotion also enhances respondents’ current devotion to the Eucharist, with a total of 80 percent saying that Mary has had either a “meaningful” or “great” impact.

The survey’s open-ended question on the Marian dogma or doctrine that has been most significant in sustaining respondents’ vocations elicited 31 specific examples, with the Immaculate Conception, the Mother of God or Theotokos, the Assumption and perpetual virginity of Mary most commonly cited.

Another open-ended question on the most meaningful Marian titles yielded a high response rate, with 84 percent of participants listing a combined 128 distinct Marian titles. Most popular was “Mary, Mother of God,” followed by “Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” “Mary, Mother of the Church,” “Undoer of Knots,” “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” “Our Lady/Mother of Sorrows,”“Theotokos”(“God-bearer”), “Queen of Peace,” “Our Lady of Good Counsel,” and “Immaculate Heart.”

Ranking first among Marian authors noted by survey participants was the French priest St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, followed by St. John Paul II, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, Father Michael E. Gaitley, a

Dear Editor,

The meaning of the first Sin needs to be pondered deeply. It is not of supreme importance that man sinned and becomes corrupted. He sins and becomes corrupt.

member of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception, and St. Alphonsus Liguori.

Among the report’s other findings:

-St. John Paul II was named as the saint who had most inspired respondents’ Marian devotion, followed by St. Louis de Montfort, St. Joseph, St. Bernadette of Lourdes, St. Alphonsus Liguori, St. Dominic, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

-The Gospels of Luke and John were the most popular sources of Marianrelated Scriptures.

-Marian art such as the Pieta, St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin’s tilma imprinted with the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and depictions of the Annunciation and Our Lady of Perpetual Help received “a high volume of mentions” among survey participants.

“Most respondents described Mary’s presence in their lives using terms such as companion, friend, guide, comforter, model, intercessor, mother, and vocation-inspirer,” said the report. “Many also spoke of experiencing her role through Marian devotional practices and through being consecrated to Mary.”

Mary “meets us everywhere,” Sister Thu told OSV News. “Even in the place or in the moment that we do not find anyone, Our Lady, Mary, is there.”

“Impact of Mary, Mother of the Church, on Ecclesial Vocations” can be downloaded from the website of the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate at cara.georgetown.edu ❖

Sin is not just an offence against man, but also an offence against our Creator and redeemer. None of us can claim to have not failed at times, not to have fallen short in faith, hope and love. Sin is harmful to man and at the same time transgression of God's law. The refusal to love others is a sin.

The commandment of love is beyond human forces. (please turn to page 12)

Diocese holds vibrant Jubilee Youth Convention

From Friday July 11th to Sunday 13th, approximately 210 young people from 23 parishes across the Diocese gathered at Marian Academy, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, for a vibrant youth convention under the theme: Living Our Faith in Hope, Joy, and Love. The event aimed to animate young people and help them explore how to understand and live their faith in today’s world.

The weekend began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ, and Fr. Juan Pablo, IVE. In his homily, Fr. Joel reminded participants that they were attending as pilgrims, not tourists. He emphasized that pilgrims are prepared for a demanding journey and open to being transformed along the way, led by hope to become beacons of service and faith.

Saturday morning opened with a lively praise and worship session led by youths from Hosororo, followed by an inspiring talk, Rooted in Joy, Thriving Through Trials, delivered by Msgr. Terrence Montrose. Later, Sr. Julie Matthews, RSM, and Fr. Carl Philadelphia shared reflections on Faith in

Action, exploring the social dimensions of Catholic faith and the responsibility to help others through concrete acts of charity.

This message came to life in the afternoon outreach activities, as youth pilgrims gave meals to the homeless and visited Catholic social apostolates including the St. Thomas More Men’s Home, St. John Bosco Orphanage, Mercy Resident Care, Mercy Hospital, and the New Nazareth Home of St. Vincent de Paul. Many participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with the elderly, especially during this Month of the Elderly.

On Saturday evening, a presentation was offered on the importance of Eucharistic Adoration and Confession. This was followed by time for both, with several priests available to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and accompany the youths in prayer. Many pilgrims described this as one of the most moving and spiritually enriching parts of the weekend. Testimonies of living hope were shared by Ron Chacon and Jyotishma Henry, whose personal stories inspired many listeners.

Despite the rain on Sunday morning, the pilgrims processed joyfully from

the Umana Yana to Marian Academy. They carried banners creatively depicting the convention theme and wore T-shirts specially printed for the occasion. Many of the banners featured beautiful hand-drawn artwork reflecting the spirit of hope and faith. A moving presentation on love was given by Mrs. Michella Abraham-Ali, who spoke about the different forms of love and the importance of using social media and our daily interactions in a loving, selfless way. Her message was reinforced during the closing Mass, where Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ, reflected on the natural law of love written on our hearts. Drawing on the story of the Good Samaritan, he encouraged everyone to show love to God and neighbor in concrete ways. He praised the vibrant participation of the youths, expressing his conviction that the future of the Church is in good hands.

Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB was present throughout the convention and addressed the pilgrims on Sunday afternoon. He urged them to live their faith boldly and was impressed by their enthusiasm and willingness to engage fully in all aspects of the event.

The final session focused on vocations.

Sr. Denise Lyttle, RSM, spoke about life as a Sister of Mercy, while Mr. and Mrs. Couchman shared about marriage as a vocation and the importance of commitment, balance, and faith. Fr. Joel also shared his vocation story, encouraging young people to take God’s call seriously and to pray for guidance in discerning their purpose. Several of our religious sisters and priests were present throughout the weekend and were able to interact with and answer questions from the youths.

The convention concluded on a joyful note with a concert that showcased the rich talent and creativity of the pilgrims. The organizing team expressed heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed in prayer, financial support, or service.

Members of the organizing committee were: Joshua Van-Sluytman, Angie Sukhai, Graziella Abraham, Justin Thompson, Indra Chacon, Abigail

Benjamin, Jael Laud, Angela AbrahamParks, and Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ. Testimonies from the Pilgrims

For me the convention was an amazing opportunity to meet persons from the different parishes across Guyana. It was nice to share and interact with others and share our faith, praise and worship together. I’ve learnt a lot from the various speeches that was presented. Overall it was an exciting and educational experience for me. Kamara Winter, Aishalton

Attending the Jubilee Youth Convention was truly uplifting. The mix of prayer, discussions, and activities filled me with hope, joy, and love. I felt deeply connected to my faith and to the other youths. The sessions inspired me to live my faith more boldly and reminded me that we are all called to grow together as one joyful family.

Ifil Moore, New Amsterdam

Attending the Jubilee Youth Convention in Georgetown was a lifechanging experience for me. I arrived feeling broken, hurt, and unworthy of God’s love. I had been struggling with alcohol, drinking daily without fully understanding why. It felt like I was addicted, and even though people asked what was wrong, I couldn’t explain it. Deep inside, a part of me kept crying out for help, help that only Jesus could give.

Then one fateful night, Brother Paul invited me to the youth convention. I accepted the invitation, knowing I needed a change. It wasn’t easy at first, but everything shifted after confession and adoration. I felt empty in the best way like a burden had been lifted. I felt love, peace, and overwhelming joy. During adoration, tears flowed as I encountered the deep, healing love of Jesus. I realized that He is true love, true joy, and true happiness. Earthly things may pass away, but Jesus is eternal.

As for the program, I think it was great, but it could benefit from even more spirituality like including the Rosary, more praise and worship, and fewer icebreakers. Just give the youth more of Jesus - Anonymous ❖

dish: cabrito chiclayano

(Aleteia) - Pope Leo XIV spent nearly four decades living in Peru before his election to the See of Peter in May 2025. Arriving in 1985 as an Augustinian missionary, he taught canon law, served remote rural parishes on horseback, and became Bishop of Chiclayo from 2015 to 2023. Known as a defender of human rights and a voice for the poor, he spoke out during the Fujimori era and supported refugees from Venezuela. His decade in Chiclayo led locals to adopt him as one of their own now calling him the “Pope of Chiclayo.” It was in Chiclayo’s bustling markets and simple eateries that he discovered a dish he’d come to favor: cabrito chiclayano.

As CNN’s Stefano Pozzebon reports, the Pope continued returning to this regional specialty until as recently as 2023 (that we know of).

What makes cabrito chiclayanospecial

Cabrito chiclayano is a hearty goat stew central to Lambayeque-region gastronomy. Young goat tender and milder than mature meat is marinated with garlic, cumin, local yellow pepper, and lime juice. It simmers slowly with onions, cilantro, and a splash of chicha de jora (a fermented corn beverage), until the meat practically falls off the bone. The dish is traditionally served with white rice, cancha (toasted corn), and sometimes yuca or sweet plantains. The result is a blend of savory, tangy, and subtly sweet flavors with a rich broth that speaks to both Indigenous and colonial culinary roots.

Peruvian gastronomy: A globalstandard

Peru’s food culture is a layered tapestry of history and innovation. Indigenous heritage appears in maize, potatoes, and peppers dating back millennia. The arrival of the Spanish introduced meats and spices; subsequent waves from African and Asian (notably Japanese and Chinese) immigrants enriched the culinary mosaic further.

Today’s chefs fuse these traditions, giving rise to celebrated dishes like ceviche, lomo saltado, and ají de gallina

Lima’s restaurants routinely rank among the world’s best, but excellence thrives beyond the capital. In the north, flavors echo local ecosystems coastal seafood, mountain tubers, and forest fruits celebrating regional identity. Many argue that the best Peruvian restaurants aren’t just in Lima, but in places like Chiclayo, where authenticity and freshness meet a living cultural heritage.

Cabrito chiclayano exemplifies Peruvian gastronomy at its most authentic: simple ingredients transformed by careful preparation and regional pride.

It isn’t haute cuisine but instead the soul of everyday dining just what drew the future pope back again and again. Whether enjoyed in a family-run eatery or shared among pilgrims visiting Peru’s many Baroque churches, cabrito chiclayano is a taste of community, faith, and history.❖

Letters · Letters · Letters

Self preservation and self-interest often remain our profoundest motives deeper than real love. Nonetheless, we must love our neighbours "as ourselves", that is with the same energy that we put into selfpreservation. Hence the law of love knows no limits. Since Jesus came, all human failure is failure in love, and this is the most serious failure of all.

It has become a task in which we are personally and morally involved, since to break it is to offend others and God. Hence the task is endless. But this also means that our weakness is taken into account. It is grave to fail but we can always try again. All we have to do is to continue to hunger and thirst after justice and love.

Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth. (1 Jn. 3:18)

Leon Jeetlall

blessed on the 46th anniversary of his death

Monday, July 14th marked the 46th death anniversary of Fr. Bernard Darke, SJ, who was killed on July 14th 1979, outside of St. Stanislaus College on Brickdam, Georgetown.

In a gesture of remembrance and gratitude, the cross marking the place of his death was recently refurbished through the kind efforts of the St. Stanislaus College Class of 1979.

The newly-refurbished cross was solemnly blessed by The Most Rev. Francis Alleyne, OSB, Bishop of

Saint of the Week

Georgetown, and Rev. Fr. Joel Thompson, SJ, in a moving moment of prayer and reflection.

Also present at the blessing were Dr. David Singh – Chairman of the St. Stanislaus College Board of Governors, Mr. Jonathan Yearwoodmember of the St. Stanislaus College Class of 1979, and Mr. Raymond Shaw - member of the St. Stanislaus College Class of 1979 as well as a member of the St. Stanislaus College Board of Governors.

Mr. Yearwood noted that last year, the St. Stanislaus College Class of

each other (having entered ‘Saints’ in 1974). They noticed that the memorial was in a state of disrepair, and, Fr. Darke having been their mathematics teacher, they undertook the task of renovating it.

Fr. Darke was murdered because he was mistaken for Fr. Andrew Morrison SJ, who was the Editor of the Catholic Standard at that time.

Fr. Morrison had incurred the wrath of the then-government because he was one of the persons at the forefront of the struggle for democracy and human rights in Guyana.

The memorial will be maintained by SSC Scout Troop 25.❖

July 22nd: St. Mary Magdalene

Except for the mother of Jesus, few women are more honoured in the Bible than Mary Magdalene. Yet she could well be the patron of the slandered, since there has been a persistent legend in the Church that she is the unnamed sinful woman who anointed the feet of Jesus in Luke 7:36-50. Most Scripture scholars today point out that there is no scriptural basis for confusing the two women. Mary Magdalene, that is, “of Magdala,” was the one from whom Christ cast out “seven demons” (Luke 8:2) an indication, at the worst, of extreme demonic possession or, possibly, severe illness. She is often depicted on Eastern Orthodox icons bearing a vessel of ointment, not because of the anointing by the "sinful woman", but because she was among those women who brought ointments to the tomb of Jesus. Mary Magdalene was one of the many “who were assisting them [Jesus and the Twelve] out of their means.” She was one of those who stood by the cross of Jesus with his mother. And, of all the “official” witnesses who might have been chosen for the first awareness of the Resurrection, she was the one to whom that privilege was given. She is known as the "Apostle to the Apostles."❖