Dear Fellow Parish Bulletin Reps: February is dedicated to the Holy Family. The Holy Father’s Intentions for the month of February, 2019 – Human Trafficking: For a generous welcome to the victims of human trafficking, enforced prostitution, and violence. Fests for February: Presentation of the Lord (2/2), Agatha (2/5), Paul Miki and Companions (2/6), Jerome Emiliani, Josephine Bakhita (2/8), Our Lady of Lourdes (2/11), Cyril and Methodius, Valentine (2/14), Peter Damian (2/21), Chair of St Peter (2/22). “We can say that Padre Pio was a servant of mercy. He did so full time, practicing at times in exhaustion, the apostolate of listening (in the confessional).” Pope Francis on Padre Pio. ‘God loves man with an infinite love, and when he punishes, he does so with reverence, almost fearing to hurt.” St. Padre Pio.
Padre Pio had a spiritual closeness to the poor and suffering. There is no doubt that his share in Christ’s wounds fostered this. This is why he chose to be obedient to receiving his stigmata, which he bore in all humility. This is what enabled him to have a heart for those abandoned to the peripheries of sin, dedicating untold hours at their service in the confessional. In bearing the wounds of Christ, he lived as a model for all, especially priests who through the sacrament bring Christ’s love and mercy to those who need him the most.
Pope Francis will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates February 3-5, 2019 to participate in an international interfaith meeting, the Vatican announced on December 6, 2018. This visit, like the one to Egypt, shows the fundamental importance the Holy Father gives to inter-religious dialogue. The Abu Dhabi trip’s theme is “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace”, a line taken from a prayer by St. Francis of Assisi, with a focus on “how all people of goodwill can work for peace”, according to the Holy See Press Office. The official religion of the United Arab Emirates is Islam with a Sunni Muslim majority. About 12.6% of the total population is Christian, according to the Pew Research Center.According to St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Abu Dhabi, there are more than two million Catholics in the Arabian Peninsula with about 100 priests and 80 religious sisters.
May we respectfully request that you continue your active support of our monthly Padre Pio Prayer Group gatherings by inserting the following invitation in your parish bulletin, “Join our Padre Pio Prayer Group (PPPG-CK) each 2nd Saturday (2/9/19) monthly for the 8 AM Mass, Rosary, Discussion, Adoration @ Christ the King Church, 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, OH 43623. Invite everyone to pray the Rosary daily, as requested by Our Lady of the Rosary @ Fatima, and exemplified by St. Padre Pio. Access ‘www.pppg.org‘ for info. Contact Magdalena Skiles (419-356-4208) or email: ‘magdalena@magdalenaskiles.com‘.
