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JOY TO ALL MEN AND PEACE TO MANKIND
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Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar by EuropeAxess Media Ltd. as a not-for-profit project. For Advertisers: This magazine is hand-delivered to homes, churches, hospitals and many businesses around Gibraltar every month. To discuss your advertising requirements, or promote your church group or charity, call Tel: 200 79335 email: angela@europeaxess. com Editorial is selected by EuropeAxess Media in liaison with the Catholic Diocese of Gibraltar.
Upon this Rock magazine is published monthly by EuropeAxess Media, Gibraltar. Editor: Fr. Stuart Chipolina: editor@uponthisrock.eu
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Cover Photo: SkyDiveSpain.com One member of the World Youth Day Sponsored SkyDive Team, Sean Ballester, in free fall from 15,000 feet up, with an instructor. Upon this Rock magazine is entirely supported by advertising and donations. It is run in liaison with the
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Fr. Stuart’s Foreword: “Dear Friends...”
Are you surprised to see the disciples of Jesus arguing about who is the greatest among them?
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on’t we do the same thing? The appetite for glory and greatness seems to be inbred in us.
Who doesn’t cherish the ambition to be “somebody” whom others admire rather than a “nobody”? Even the psalms speak about the glory God has destined for us. “You have made them a little lower than God, and crowned them with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:5). Jesus made a dramatic gesture by placing a child next to himself to show his disciples who really is the greatest in the kingdom of God. What can a little child possibly teach us about greatness? Children in the ancient world had no rights, position, or privileges of their own. They were socially at the “bottom of the rung” and at the service of their parents, much like the household staff and domestic servants. What is the significance of Jesus’ gesture? Jesus elevated a little child in the presence of his disciples by placing the child in a privileged position of honour at his right side. It is customary, even today, to seat the guest of honour at the right side of the host. Who is the greatest in God’s kingdom? The one who is humble and lowly of heart – who instead of asserting their rights willingly empty themselves of pride and self-seeking glory by taking the lowly position of a servant or child. Jesus, himself, is our model. He came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Paul the Apostles states that Jesus “emptied himself and took the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). Jesus lowered himself (he whose place is at the right hand of God the Father) and took on our lowly nature that he might raise us up and clothe us in his
divine nature. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). If we want to be filled with God’s life and power, then we need to empty ourselves of everything which stands in the way – pride, envy, self-seeking glory, vanity, and possessiveness.
God wants empty vessels so he can fill them with his own glory, power, and love (2 Corinthians 4:7).
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Reporting from The Secular Franciscan Order European Congress
Launch into the deep ‘Duc en altum’ (Luke 5:4)
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or the past eight hundred years, the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS), founded by St. Francis of Assisi, has been an expression of the Franciscan charism in the world. The Franciscan Youth (YouFra) (members aged 16-30 years old) is part of the OFS. Like the OFS they are also called: “To live the Gospel of Jesus Christ by following the example of St. Francis, who made Christ the centre and inspiration of his life with God.” (OFS Rule Ar.4)
All Secular Franciscans, from 111 countries of the world, including 34 in Europe, with more than 400.000 members and 50.000 members of YouFra in more than 60 countries, including 15 in Europe, are called to a growing awareness of their identity and their mission both in the Church and in the world: to stand, with their secular identity, as living witnesses. Every three years the Order holds a General Chapter, with representatives from the five continents. The last one was held in Brazil last year from 22nd to 29th October. The theme was “Evangelized to Evangelize”. The 1st European Congress of the Secular Franciscan Order and Franciscan Youth was held from 9th to 15th July, 2012, in Lisieux, France. YouFra has had five European Congresses, however this was the first time that the OFS and YouFra met, together with their Assistants. The theme chosen for this first Congress was “OFS and Franciscan Youth in Europe: “Launch into the Deep”, “Duc in Altum”! (Luke 5.4). Present at the Congress were 12 members of the Presidency
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(CIOFS). The Minister General of the OFS, Encarnacion del Pozo said that this Congress offered the opportunity of getting to know each other and of understanding the different
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realities of the OFS and YouFra that exist within the various countries in Europe. Why Lisieux? One reason was that the Franciscan Youth of Europe hoped to draw from
the evangelical dynamism of Saint Therese and discover the similarities between the doctrine of the youngest Doctor of the Church and the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.
Another reason was the celebration of the memorial of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, parents of Saint Therese, celebrated on the day of their wedding anniversary, July
12; and a third reason was to remember that Zelie, the mother of St. Therese, was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. Lisieux therefore was ideal for this common project, to reveal
the grace of belonging to the OFS and YouFra, and to arouse a new missionary zeal in all of us. Present at the Congress were the National Fraternities of 25
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Reporting from The Secular Franciscan Order European Congress
Photos anti-clockwise: Taken in the garden of St. Therese’s house, Christine Frendo ofs, Encarnacion del Poszo ofs, Minister General Fr. Martin Bitzer ofm Conv. from Argentina. Above: Working group with delegates from Croatia, Slovenia, Spain, Malta, Germany, Norway, Denmark, and Gibraltar. Left: Christine and Xavier Frendo fly the flag.
countries. The Opening Mass of the Congress was presided by Br. Ivan Matić, OFM, Assistant General OFS-YouFra, in the Cathedral of Lisieux, where in 1887 Saint Therese discovered her mission. We lived many beautiful liturgical moments. Some of the Eucharistic Celebrations were presided by the Privincial Minsters and also by the Bishops of Lisieux, of Coutances and Avranches. The Congress gave us the opportunity of encouraging one another as Secular Franciscans coming from different backgrounds, but facing the same issues and challenges in Europe. The presentation, through video link, of Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, on the challenges for the Church in Europe was welcomed in a special way and with great joy. Be converted! Believe in the Gospel. The Cardinal brought us back to the essential elements of our faith. After his words, there was a vibrant dialogue with participants at the Congress. We were delighted to pray, sing, share and laugh together and were particularly impressed by the enthusiasm and joy of the Eastern European countries
like Croatia, Bosnia etc. Their YouFra Fraternities can have up to 300 members!! “Francis, juggler of God” a play, on the life of St. Francis made him present to us!! In 1984, when he saw this same performance, Pope John Paul II commented: “With poor means you have expressed very well the essential core of the mystery of St Francis …poverty…. This way of presenting, …St. Francis’ person, has a purpose: pray and make others pray… It’s an evangelization. A very specific and extraordinary one…. I thank you to have, among others, evangelized the Pope tonight!” On other evenings different countries shared their national dances, music, prayer and singing and above all Franciscan joy. The themes that were touched upon and studied in-depth during the Congress were on family, formation, active presence in social life, YouFra, and spiritual and pastoral assistance, etc. All these issues were shared in working groups. The aim, to seek together and find concrete and coherent actions in line with the invitation of Benedict XVI to live the Year of Faith and be open to the new
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evangelization. This First OFS-YouFra Congress has provided an opportunity for all participants to consider again the invitation of the OFS Rule to move ‘from Gospel to life and from life to the Gospel’. We want to accept these challenges! Our Rule and Constitutions call us “to undertake courageous initiatives, concrete and consistent with our faith.” (cf. Rule15) “Today we Christians face many challenges. Jesus is calling us to respond as the first disciples did and commit our lives to sharing the Good News… Jesus is with us today just as He was with the disciples on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus stands on our coastline and faces the sea with us. He
knows us and He loves us. Just as He asked His first disciples to “put out into deep water” Jesus asks us to trust that He will be with us in our deep water. He assures us if we let down our nets with faith, our nets will be miraculously filled with good news to share with others. This is the same good news – the same Gospel – that inspired St. Francis, St. Clare, St. Therese of the Child Jesus, Therese’s parents and continues to inspire us.”(A. Fruk YOUFRA INT. Coodinator) Therefore the challenge is to work to reconstruct Europe and in the words of St Francis “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words”
The Divine Mercy Fraternity Secular Franciscan Order Gibraltar
“T
he present Rule... adapts the Secular Franciscan Order to the needs and expectations of the Holy Church in the conditions of changing times.” (OFS Rule Art. 3.) It is our expression of the love of Jesus finding flesh in daily life.
Locally we have the Divine Mercy Fraternity. Soon a group of young adults will be attending one of the ‘Come and See’ events, which take place once a month round about the third Sunday of the continued page 15
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Diocesan Youth News - World Youth Day Preparations
They stretched out their arms and jumped... ...so Emmaus Prayer group may take part in World Youth Day
O
n the 15th of September just over 9 months after it’s conception, the idea of a sponsored Sky Dive to raise funds to take a group of young adults to World Youth Day in Rio next year became a reality.
Around 70 - 80 friends, relatives and supporters of Mgr Charlie Azzopardi, Louis Lombard, Sean Ballester and Stephen Soussi gathered at a small airfield South West of Seville where the highly professional outfit, Skydive Spain have their base.
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Many photos were taken during the day, of the Mayor wishing them well and a special blessing from the Bishop at Mass before we left Gibraltar, of the young men getting suited up in the hanger. There are photos of the riggers, silently focussing on packing parachutes prior to the jump, in a serious, almost prayer-like atmosphere, and there are lots of photos of the nervous friends and relations. But the space in the next few pages has been dedicated to the reaction of the young men, when they reached the ground, and safety.
God - Like a tandem skydive Louis Lombard writes: Sometimes we realise that God takes us to the edge of a cliff and wants us to jump in our lives. And yes jumping is scary but we trust that God wont let us fall to our death but instead that he will give us a new life we have never experienced before. Sometimes jumping requires leaving our comfort zone and sacrificing things, but in the midst of all fear and doubt we know that God’s faithfulness is all we need.
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So as we are in the open doorway of the plane, waiting, feeling the cold gust of wind in our faces, seeing the clouds below without a window in between, the thousands of feet below us, and everything inside of us screaming how insane, dumb, and crazy this is, we get this little sense of peace. We know that not only will the Lord catch us, but He is going to be strapped onto our backs jumping with us. In fact, He’s the one with the parachute just like the instructor.
Even if we forgot everything that we were told to do along the way and we do everything wrong, His grace for us can’t stop the chute from opening. And so we jump! We’re freefalling and it’s crazy! But after a couple short seconds, we realize that even though we’re freefalling, it’s not scary anymore. It’s exhilarating! It’s freeing! Our screaming has turned to uncontrollable laughter and enjoyment in the freedom we feel in falling, knowing that everything is going to be fine. And then, after a short time, He pulls the chute. And we stop falling so fast; now we’re just joyously floating down. And we look around at the beautiful view and the magnitude of his creation, and are just overwhelmed with goodness at what just happened and what is happening. Just for fun, He soars us around a little; because he’s in control, and He can steer us too. As soon as we touch the ground, we can’t help but think, “I can’t wait to do that again! I’m ready this second to go back up and jump again!” We realize that the scariest part was the few minutes leading up to it. The jump itself was awesome (after the first couple seconds in which we’re still realizing what we actually did). It
was the buildup, the hype, the thoughts that almost made us turn back. But, we did it. And we have no regrets. When God takes you to the edge, the questions and doubt will come. But if God clearly takes you up and opens the door to the plane, will you jump? Will I jump? I dare us to, because I’m pretty sure once we land, we’ll have no regrets and want to do it all over again. To me skydiving wasn’t scary. I was attached to an instructor
Rhnk LZm^eebm^ <Z[e^ MO Ikhob]^k Ngbm *+; PZm^k`Zk]^gl !$,.)" +)).*.21 `b[lZm9`b[kZemZk'`b
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Diocesan Youth News - World Youth Day Preparations who has made over 8,000 successful jumps. I might have been blindly trusting the instructor but I figured that he didn’t want to die. Since he was attached to me I trusted that he would do anything in his power to make sure that we landed safely on the ground. I wish I felt that same confidence with God. I have never seen God. When I make jumps of faith I can’t physically feel God attached to my back. To take a leap of faith is much scarier then jumping out of a plane for a
Louis
tandem skydive. God doesn’t give you a parachute. He doesn’t talk you through each step of the process. He doesn’t always guarantee that if you jump that you’ll land safely on the ground. In my experience it takes more faith to trust in God then it does to trust in a tandem skydiving instructor. It takes more faith but it’s worth it. There are lots of times where I am feeling led to jump, but I just don’t know if I should. That’s where faith comes from.
Reactions at the drop zone: Sean: (On landing) ‘I would go up again in a minute, you did not feel like you were falling, it felt just like floating, it is hard to describe it. It’s like that quote
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Faith is believing that God is who He says He is and then putting that belief into action. It’s scary to jump when you can’t see the instructor. It’s scary to jump when you can’t hear the instructor whispering what to do in your ear. It’s
scary to jump in faith, but it’s worth it!
Steven Sean
in Beginner’s Theology about God, ‘If you don’t know God, you cannot describe Him, if you do know God, there is no need to” Louis: “I dont know when there was time to think
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of all that, for me it went so quickly, ask me later what I thought” (Louis later wrote the testimony above, drawing together the thoughts of all the jumpers). Steven: “Incredible, incredible...”
Father
Fr. Charlie’s reaction on landing:
“I said I would jump for £15,000, but believe me, this is worth £50,000!”
In fact it was announced on the day of the Skydive that £19,000 has been raised so far towards the £30,000 goal. On hearing Sean speak Father Charlie added, “I would like to go again to have more time to contemplate.” Many thanks to SkydiveSpain.com for their friendly but professional assistance resulting in a wonderful, safe, experience. Also for the use of the aerial photographs on these pages and the front cover.
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Dr. Monique Risso with the la
The Salt of th NAPRO TECHNOLOGY UPDATE: Salt Lake City was the setting for this years 9th Annual Scientific Assembly of the International Institute of Restorative Reproductive Medicine (IIRRM www.iirrm.org/) and the 31st Annual Meeting for the American Academy of FertilityCare Professionals (www.aafcp.org/).
T
PHOTO LEFT: Dr Cote de Bejarano and Dr Bejarano and their beautiful children representing the group â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;One More Soulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pause for a photo with Dr. Monique Risso at the conference in Salt Lake City.
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hese meetings are an excellent opportunity for Health Professionals to share and learn the most upto-date information on treatments for NaPro Technology. The most recent studies are presented and the studies in progress are also explained. Not only is this a time to learn and update our knowledge, but it is also a great opportunity to network
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with other professionals from all over the world and share experiences. We always look forward to these enriching encounters. The International Institute for Restorative Reproductive Medicine supports, conducts, and disseminates research and clinical surveillance in all areas of Restorative Reproductive Medicine. Restorative Reproductive Medicine consists of medical evalua-
atest on Fertility Care
e Earth tion, techniques and interventions that seek to cooperate with or restore the normal physiology and anatomy of the human reproductive system. NaPro Technology Physicians from Canada, Ireland and the UK started the IIRRM in November 2000. Restorative Reproductive Medicine does not employ methods that are inherently suppressive, circumvented or destructive. This approach respects the integrity of the human organism, supports the right of women and men to have access to restorative reproductive health care and values the patients’ right to understand and cooperatively manage their own fertility, with appropriate medical assistance. Many topics were covered; of interest was the effect of diet and food hypersensitivity on fertility, this is certainly a very important factor and one that we are beginning to appreciate and learn more about. It is fascinating how much the food we eat influences our health. Dr Maria Wolfs an Endocrinologist, from Canada, explained ovarian hormone replacement excellently. We learnt about a possible new finding in infertility, from Poland, which is being researched and all the most recent studies were briefly pre-
sented. We certainly had a very complete and informative day. Later that evening the American Academy of FertiityCare Professionals (AAFCP) Annual Meeting started with an interesting presentation on Procreation, Family Relations, and the Disintegration of a Child-Centred Society. The AAFCP was founded in 1981 to foster, advance and promote the Creighton Model FertilityCare System (CrMS) through service, education, leadership, and research. The Academy certifies FertilityCare Practitioners and Medical Consultants who have been trained in NaPro Technology, accredits CrMS Educational Programmes and approves CrMS Service Programmes. This supports excellence in FertilityCare serv-
PHOTO ABOVE: NaProTechnology Doctors (Dr Carpentier, Dr Hilgers, Dr Boyle, Dr Nolte and I’m afraid I cannot remember the Drs name at the back), they are standing in front of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Salt Lake City. ices, so that couples can receive competent personal instruction thereby obtaining optimal benefit from the CrMS and appropriate medical support from physicians who are competent in NaPro Technology. In the four days of the conference we covered many topics, amongst the highlights we learned about the Creighton Model Effectiveness, Intentions, Behaviours Assessment (CEIBA) Study, which is at the stage of assessing the information they have received. This was followed by a very concise and scientific explanation of when human life begins, this is an extremely important fact to be clear about, as contemporary issues have led to the definition of the start of human life to be
clouded and vague. I strongly recommend the white paper by Dr Maureen Condic; “When does human life begin?” http:// bdfund.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wi_whitepaper_life_print.pdf Victoria Hudson, author of the book “Bare Branches”, addressed the implications of femicide in a sociological study of Asia. Another topic covered was Breast Feeding and its wonderful benefits and we were reminded of the importance of promoting Breast
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Dr. Monique Risso with the latest on Fertility Care
Feeding and understanding its impact on fertility. Dr Patrick Yeung, an expert gynaecologist in Endometriosis, told us about the latest developments in treating and curing endometriosis, more information can be found on his website www.endome-
triosis-excision.com. And of course, there were opportunities for Questions and Answers with Dr Hilgers, these sessions are always looked forward too, and are a great opportunity for learning. NaPro Technology continues to move forward in leaps and bounds, it is extremely exciting to be a part of the team, as they
form ideas and look at areas to research. The benefits that this system offers women, not only in the treatment of so many conditions but in empowering us with the knowledge our bodies tell us, are so important. By charting the Biomarkers, women are able to detect abnormalities in their cycles a lot sooner and when seen by Doctors trained
in NaPro Technology, not only will the information from the chart be interpreted but also the prescription of appropriate treatments that are cooperative with the individuals cycle, are prescribed. If you are interested in learning more about NaPro Technology please contact me at
the Specialist Medical Clinic.
* further information on NaProTechnology and FertilityCare can be obtained from:
Dr Monique Risso MB ChB MRCGP mrissofertilityspice@hotmail. co.uk General Practitioner and NaPro Technology Physician Specialist Medical Clinic, Unit 7, 1st Floor, ICC Building, Casemates Square, Gibraltar Tel: +350 200 49999 www.ladyofeuropefertilitycare.com
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Reporting from The Secular Franciscan Order European Congress continued from page 6 month as part of the Fraternity Meeting. We have an Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on the first Monday of the month and other occasions for prayer. On the 2nd of October we will start a Tridium to St. Francis, preached by Fr. Derek Alvarez, which will end on the 4th of October, St. Francis’ feast day. Everybody is welcome! After this Tridium we will be having a get together to celebrate and we ask those present at the Mass to join us. From the 9th to 11th of November we will be having our Advent Retreat. This year some members of the National British Council of the Order will be giving us the retreat. They will be sharing with us their new programme, ‘God’s Extravagant Love’. (Franciscan Spirituality) By this time we will be busy preparing to set up the Crib in the Lobby of the Parliament and also on making different articles to sell at the Christmas Fair at the Convent where we set up a stall, to raise funds for charities. We try to man the Crib from the 8th of December to the 6th of January so that we can use
any opportunity to evangelize and make others aware of the true meaning of Christmas. The money that we raise goes to local Charities and the missions. In February we will be holding our Lenten Retreat and also organize the annual dinner “Wipe a Tear”, to raise funds for Gib Mission Africa. In June we will have our annual, Fraternity Holiday in Manilva. All those who can, come along, usually with their families. We try to have at least one celebration of the Eucharist there and have times for prayer in the morning and at night. Our grandchildren keep repeating; “when are we going to Manilva?” It is a very good occasion to catch up with many friends and share with them. In August we also hold a BBQ, again to raise funds for Fr. George Grima’s work. If you are interested in our Franciscan way of life, or would like to attend any of our meetings, Retreats or activities, please contact: Christine on 0035020070398 or email chrissfo@gibtelecom.net You are very welcome to ‘Come and See’!
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