MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE JOHN PAUL II
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE WORLD DAY OF PEACE (abridged)
1 JANUARY 2005
DO NOT BE OVERCOME BY EVIL
BUT OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
At the beginning of the New Year, I once again address the
leaders of nations and all men and women of good will, who recognize
the need to build peace in the world. For the theme of this 2005
World Day of Peace I have chosen Saint Paul's words in the Letter to
the Romans: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with
good" (12:21). Evil is never defeated by evil; once that road is
taken, rather than defeating evil, one will instead be defeated by
evil.
Peace is a good to be promoted with good: it is a good for individuals, for families, for nations and for all humanity; yet it is one which needs to be maintained and fostered by decisions and actions inspired by good. We can appreciate the profound truth of another saying of Saint Paul: "Repay no one evil for evil" (Rom. 12:17). The one way out of the vicious circle of requiting evil for evil is to accept the Apostle's words: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21).
From the beginning, humanity has known the tragedy of evil and has struggled to grasp its roots and to explain its causes. Evil is not some impersonal, deterministic force at work in the world. It is the result of human freedom. Freedom, which distinguishes human beings from every other creature on earth, is ever present at the heart of the drama of evil. Evil always has a name and a face: the name and face of those men and women who freely choose it.
At its deepest level, evil is a tragic rejection of the demands of love. Moral good, on the other hand, is born of love, shows itself as love and is directed towards love. All this is particularly evident to Christians, who know that their membership in the one mystical Body of Christ sets them in a particular relationship not only with the Lord but also with their brothers and sisters.
If we look to the present state of the world, we cannot help but note the disturbing spread of various social and political manifestations of evil: from social disorders to anarchy and war, from injustice to acts of violence and killing. To attain the good of peace there must be a clear and conscious acknowledgment that violence is an unacceptable evil and that it never solves problems. "Violence is a lie, for it goes against the truth of our faith, the truth of our humanity. Violence destroys what it claims to defend: the dignity, the life, the freedom of human beings". What is needed is a great effort to form consciences and to educate the younger generation to goodness by upholding that integral and fraternal humanism which the Church proclaims and promotes. This is the foundation for a social, economic and political order respectful of the dignity, freedom and fundamental rights of each person.
Fostering peace by overcoming evil with good requires careful reflection on the common good and on its social and political implications. When the common good is promoted at every level, peace is promoted. Can an individual find complete fulfillment without taking account of his social nature, that is, his being "with" and "for" others? The common good closely concerns him. It closely concerns every expression of his social nature: the family, groups, associations, cities, regions, states, the community of peoples and nations. Each person, in some way, is called to work for the common good, constantly looking out for the good of others as if it were his own. This responsibility belongs in a particular way to political authorities at every level, since they are called to create that sum of social conditions which permit and foster in human beings the integral development of their person.
Faced with the many tragic situations present in the world, Christians confess with humble trust that God alone can enable individuals and peoples to overcome evil and achieve good. By his death and resurrection, Christ has redeemed us and ransomed us "with a price" (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23), gaining salvation for all. With his help, everyone can defeat evil with good.
No man or woman of good will can renounce the struggle to overcome evil with good. This fight can be fought effectively only with the weapons of love. When good overcomes evil, love prevails and where love prevails, there peace prevails. This is the teaching of the Gospel, restated by the Second Vatican Council: "the fundamental law of human perfection, and consequently of the transformation of the world, is the new commandment of love".
During this year dedicated to the Eucharist, may the sons and daughters of the Church find in the supreme sacrament of love the wellspring of all communion: communion with Jesus the Redeemer and, in him, with every human being. By Christ's death and resurrection, made sacramentally present in each Eucharistic celebration, we are saved from evil and enabled to do good. Through the new life which Christ has bestowed on us, we can recognize one another as brothers and sisters, despite every difference of language, nationality and culture. In a word, by sharing in the one bread and the one cup, we come to realize that we are "God's family" and that together we can make our own effective contribution to building a world based on the values of justice, freedom and peace.
From the Vatican, December 2004.
Christian Service Commission Reminders for Cancer Screening Opportunities Prepared by Corinna Wojcik, M.D. on behalf of the Mary Queen of Heaven Health Committee "In Him we live and move and have our being." -Acts 17:28. Cancer can be a devastating disease that often cannot be predicted or avoided by the actions in our own lives. I struggle to understand why illness can occur and will never find answers while on this earth. As life can be born, so, too, can many types of cancers---cells whose growth has gone awry. This month, I was asked to summarize the screening tests that do exist and are recommended to catch cancer early. This is crucial since there are many successful treatments. It is difficult to summarize the many details involved so an annual physical with your doctor is the best place to start. If you have any special risk factors, your personal screening may begin at an earlier age. First, there are four major preventable causes of cancer and other diseases in the United States. These are tobacco use, lack of physical activity, obesity, and poor nutrition. The following guidelines for just a few types of cancers are summarized below. This is not as complete as can be discussed with your doctor or found on the website, www.cancer.org. Also, this website is helpful for patients and their families already affected by cancer. Breast Cancer: Clinical breast exams should be done every three years for women 20-39 years old and annually after age 40. A doctor may want to do more frequent exams based on risk factors. Annual mammograms should begin at age 40. However, a patient with a family history of breast cancer should discuss earlier screening with their physician. Cervical Cancer: Cervical cancer screening should begin at age 21 or three years after onset of sexual activity. It is important to remember that anyone sexually active should see their doctor to discuss their individual risks. The slide-type pap smears should be done annually and the liquid-based form should be done every two years. After age 30, if a patient has 3 normal pap smears in a row, a doctor may extend the period to every 2-3 years. The patient still should continue to see their doctor for an annual exam. After age 70, a patient may want to discuss their risks and if they should continue pap tests. Also, patients whom have had a hysterectomy with removal of the cervix only need a pap smear if they had cancer as the reason for the hysterectomy. Colon and Rectal Cancer: Patients without risk factors should begin screening tests for this type of cancer at age 50. There are 5 options for screening: -Fecal tests for hidden blood or "fecal immunochemical tests" annually. -Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. -Annual fecal testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. (more thorough than either alone) -Double contrast barium enema every 5 years. -Colonoscopy every 10 years. Prostate Cancer: Prostate blood tests in conjunction with a digital rectal exam should be offered by and discussed by your doctor annually after age 50, or at age 45 for men with certain risk factors, including African Americans. A doctor may decide it is less important in advanced age so discuss this test with your doctor. These are by no means a complete list of recommendations. It is important to see a doctor regularly to assess for other cancers on exam, as well. Perhaps, fear is a reason to put off some of these tests, but they really do save lives. We may also want to consider our family as we work to maintain our health. Finally, we may want to remember: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own?" -1 Corinthians 6:19 "Gather Books" You may have noticed that our "Gather Books" are becoming tattered looking and many of them have been lost. A new edition is now available. The cost for each hardcover book, engraved with our parish name, is $15. Replacing our books would be quite an expense to the parish, so we thought perhaps our parishioners would like to donate a book. Every book donated will have a donor bookplate with the words, "Gift of" and your family name. These books are an important part of our liturgies. We hope to provide four "Gather Books" for each pew. There are forms available in the church vestibule.. Please return the form with your check made out to Mary Queen of Heaven. Thank you for your generous contributions to our thriving parish. Record of Contributions If you would like to receive a record of your 2004 financial contributions, please call the parish office at 279- 5700. Any 2004 contributions must be received no later than January 16th with the check dated no later than December 31, 2004. Please mark your contribution envelope clearly as "Christmas" or "2004." These donations can then be included in our 2004 records. Thank you for your help. Parish News Christian Service Commission Religious Education Classes resume at the normal times on Wednesday, January 5. Religious Education News On behalf of the entire RE staff, we extend wishes for a 2005 filled with peace and joy. As always please be very careful in the parking lot. Winter weather makes dropping off and picking up children a real challenge. Remember our children are precious. Let's all strive to insure their safety. Mark Your Calendars: Sunday, January 15: Family Mass at 10:15 a.m. in Church. Our first communicants will take part in a ritual of commitment. Saturday, January 22: Market Day in the Social Hall from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. 3 Saturday, January 29: Confirmation Retreat, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information on any of the above, please call Mary Ann Woods at the REO, 832-8962. Christian Education Commission Yoga Class at Mary Queen Yoga starts in January on Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. $4/Class for each person; $6/Class for a family Call Debbie Styka at 941-7224 if interested. All monies will be donated to the parish. Christian Worship Commission The Acts of the Apostles is Coming!! "You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know - this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power." Acts 2:22-24 Jesus lived and reigns according to prophecy and God's plan. Find out how the early church came to grips with this when Bible study groups study the Acts of the Apostles starting the week of April 3, 2005, after Easter. The Acts of the Apostles has been selected for the first ten-week session. The Adult Education and Spirituality Committee is coordinating the program and has selected the Little Rock Scripture Study program, the most widely used Catholic Bible study in the United States. Every participant will have a Bible commentary booklet and reflection guide for each session and small groups will meet weekly for prayer, discussion and a video component. Morning, afternoon, and evening Bible study groups will be formed at the parish. Our Bible study groups will be open to friends and neighbors. Sign- up will be in March 2005. In the meantime, facilitators and co-facilitators are needed. Facilitator training consists of four 2-hour sessions in February 2005. We are beginning to look for facilitators now. No special background is necessary. Facilitators are provided with training and leadership materials. If you are interested in becoming a facilitator, please contact Lynn Suwanski at 630-530- 2523 or the Parish office at 630-279-5700. Community News years. All are invited to attend, participate in discussion afterward, and enjoy some light refreshments. Call Carol Richart with any questions: 630-408-1187. Vocation Retreat for Women Friday Night to Sunday Noon January 7 to January 9, 2005 Do you think you might have a vocation to be a Sister? You are invited to a weekend retreat for single women to discern if God is calling you to Religious Life. Learn about religious Life with time to reflect and share with others who are searching. For future retreat dates contact us. Given by the Sisters of the Holy Cross at St. Mary's at Notre Dame, Indiana. Call (574-284-5653 or email at marysong1@aol.com for information and reservations. Opportunity for Pro-lifers! Thursday evening, January 13, at 7:30 p.m., The Pro-Life Committee of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 8404 Cass Avenue in Darien will host a presentation by Mr. Clarke Forsythe, Esq., of Americans United for Life, an organization whose mission is to change the law to protect human life, state by state. Mr. Forsythe has been with AUL for 19 years, serving as president for 8 years and vice president and general counsel for 6 years, overseeing AUL's nationwide litigation and legislation strategy. He has argued cases before federal and state courts and has testified before Congress and state legislatures. Currently, he directs the AUL Project in Law & Bioethics. The presentation will focus on the strategies most likely to be taken in the formation of pro-life public policy, both in the courts and legislatures, for the next four A Vocation View More valuable than material gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, is the invaluable gift of our lives. There is no greater gift than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Health Committee Just in time for those New Year resolutions! The Health Committee is sponsoring an evening on "Exercise For All Ages," on Tuesday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Barrett Hall. We will have a professional trainer as our guest speaker, along with representatives of our Health Committee. Get a program of exercise going for next year! Reserve the date and come one, come all! Year 2005 Men's Group Events Mark your calendars for the following: Sunday, February 6 Super Bowl Party in Barrett Hall Saturday, March 19 St. Patrick's Day Party in Barrett Hall Monday, April 4 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game in Barrett Hall Men's Group meets the 2nd Thursday of each month. "Gather Books" You may have noticed that our "Gather Books" are becoming tattered looking and many of them have been lost. A new edition is now available. The cost for each hardcover book, engraved with our parish name, is $15. Replacing our books would be quite an expense to the parish, so we thought perhaps our parishioners would like to donate a book. Every book donated will have a donor bookplate with the words, "Gift of" and your family name. These books are an important part of our liturgies. We hope to provide four "Gather Books" for each pew. There are forms available in the church vestibule.. Please return the form with your check made out to Mary Queen of Heaven. Thank you for your generous contributions to our thriving parish.