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Sr. Simona Brambilla, M.C. (Vatican News file photo)

Pope Francis appoints Sr. Simona Brambilla, an Italian-born religious sister from the Consolata Missionaries, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, along with Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime as Pro-Prefect.

By Vatican News

Sister Simona Brambilla, who will turn 60 on March 27, previously served as the Superior General of the Consolata Missionaries.

Pope Francis appointed her on Monday, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

She has served as Secretary of the same Dicastery since October 7, 2023, and becomes the first woman to be appointed Prefect of a Dicastery of the Holy See.

Pope Francis also chose Cardinal Ángel Fernández Artime, 65, whom he created Cardinal in the Consistory on September 30, 2023, as Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery.

Sister Simona Brambilla has a background that includes missionary experience in Mozambique. She was a professional nurse before joining the Consolata Missionary Sisters Institute, which she led from 2011 to 2023.

On July 8, 2019, the Pope for the first time appointed seven women as members of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Later, Sister Brambilla was first chosen as Secretary of the Dicastery and now as Prefect.

Since the beginning of Pope Francis’s pontificate, the presence of women in the Vatican has increased. According to overall data covering both the Holy See and Vatican City State from 2013 to 2023, the percentage of women has risen from 19.2% to 23.4%.

A pathway outlined by the Apostolic Constitution Praedicate Evangelium of 2022, the Pope has made it possible for laypeople, including women, to lead a Dicastery and become Prefect, a role previously reserved for Cardinals and Archbishops.

In Vatican City State, Pope Francis has appointed two women to leadership positions during his pontificate. In 2016, he named Barbara Jatta as Director of the Vatican Museums, which has traditionally been led by laypeople. In 2022, he named Sister Raffaella Petrini as Secretary General of the Governorate, a role usually held by a bishop.

There are also several female Undersecretaries, such as Gabriella Gambino and Lina Ghisoni at the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, while Sister Carmen Ros Nortes of the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation serves as Undersecretary at the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Emilce Cuda is Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America; Nataša Govekar heads the theological-pastoral department of the Dicastery for Communication (our parent organization); Cristiane Murray is Deputy Director of the Holy See Press Office; and Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchof is Deputy Coordinator of the Council for the Economy. The General Secretariat of the Synod also has a female Undersecretary, French-born Sister Nathalie Becquart.

On December 13, 2024, the Pope appointed Sister Simona Brambilla and María Lía Zervino, former president of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), as members of the 16th Ordinary Council of the General Secretariat. María Lía Zervino had already been appointed as a member of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2022.

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Run by priest, canteen at Old Goa hopes to raise money for school in remote Mollem (TOI-GOA)

December 31, 2024 admin Leave a comment

Run by priest, canteen at Old Goa hopes to raise money for school in remote Mollem (TOI-GOA)

Marcus Mergulho/TNN-Panaji: Father Felix Lobo is busy manning the counter of the St Joseph Vaz canteen at Old Goa, making note of the orders he has to deliver and the cash that’s left in the drawer.

Located on the grounds of the St Cajetan Church, just across the Se Cathedral where the relics of Saint Francis Xavier have been kept for public veneration, the canteen serves a variety of delicious Goan dishes, with the ‘Oxtail soup’ listed as a speciality. With whatever money he can make at the end of the 45-day Exposition, the diocesan priest wants to help the poor in Goa’s remote areas and invest in building a school in Mollem dedicated to St Joseph Vaz, a Goan celebrated as one of the greatest missionaries in South Asian history.

“Right now, we have very few students (at the St Joseph Vaz Kindergarten) since we are running from a private house whose construction was abandoned,” Lobo told TOI. “It’s for nursery and pre-primary students, and I will continue to run the school, no matter the difficulties.”

In 2000, when Lobo was posted at the St. Joseph Church in Usgao, where he eventually served as the parish priest for 17 years, he started a kindergarten, largely catering to migrant and underprivileged communities. The kindergarten was upgraded to a high school after then chief minister Manohar Parrikar gave the green signal.

“We took care of everything (for the needy) and charged very little to those who could afford to pay. For about a thousand rupees (a month), we provided free uniforms, books, stationery and even transport. 80% of our students were migrants,” said Lobo, now in charge of diocesan properties in Mollem, Collem, Usgao, Valpoi, and Kale.

Lobo has made it his mission to provide a helping hand to the needy. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Lobo mobilised funds to purchase 30 cellphones for students from economically-weak families, so that they could attend online classes.

He has also helped poor families in remote areas, building houses, providing electric sewing machines to families who later made scapulars, and generating employment with the production of communion wafers.

“The scope for social work has widened. I want people to be happy. I will not keep any money in the bank because there’s always someone in need. When I do something, I don’t look at the money. I just look at the need,” said Lobo.

It was during the last Exposition in 2014 that Lobo was invited to cater to the visiting pilgrims by Fr Alfred Vaz, then convener of the Exposition committee. He had a dedicated order list of catering to approximately 600 pilgrims, providing three meals a day at Rs 125.

After 45 days of work, he ended up making a profit of Rs 18 lakh, good enough to clear a loan of Rs 15 lakh that he had taken to procure two buses for school students in Usgao. The remaining Rs 3 lakh was spent on purchasing stationery for the students.

This time around, Lobo is not expecting similar profits, not even remotely close.

“We had orders for 600 pilgrims in 2014, now it’s only about 150-200 (at the pilgrims’ village). The canteen is also located at a place which is not easily seen, so people miss (noticing) this canteen and the delicious food that we serve. I haven’t got as many visitors here as I would have liked, but there’s still some hope (till the end of the Exposition on Jan 5),” said Lobo, who plans to serve customers a special Christmas and New Year buffet.

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World’s youngest cardinal is just 44 years old – CNA 2024

December 11, 2024 admin Leave a comment

World’s youngest cardinal is just 44 years old – CNA By Walter Sánchez Silva – ACI Prensa Staff, Dec 10, 2024

Cardinal Mykola Bychok is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic prelate. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Among the new crop of cardinals created by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, Cardinal Mykola Bychok, CSSR, stands out. He is the bishop of the Eparchy of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne for Ukrainian Catholics in Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania, and at age 44, he has become the youngest cardinal in the world.

The website of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Australia explains that the new cardinal belongs to an Eastern-rite church, so for the Dec. 7 occasion he wore “a purple robe according to the old Kyivan tradition” that was “adorned with embroidered images of Sts. Peter and Paul.”

“On his head he wore a black koukoul [or koukoulion] in accordance with the Ukrainian monastic tradition, styled after the 17th-century Brest Union and trimmed with a thin red border.” Bychok also wore on his chest a medallion with an image of the Virgin Mary.

During the ceremony, Pope Francis placed a red skullcap and biretta on the heads of all the other cardinals whereas on Bychok he placed the koukoulion.

The 1596 Union of Brest (or Brześć) united Orthodox Christians in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the Holy See, leading to what is now the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

Eastern rites and the Ukrainian rite

The website of Ukrainian Catholics in Australia explains that “the Ukrainian Catholic Church (UCC) is an Eastern Catholic Church in full communion with the Apostolic See.”

“With more than 5.5 million faithful, it is the largest of all 23 Eastern Churches in the global Catholic community, second in number after the Latin (Roman Catholic) Church. The UCC is headed by the major archbishop of Kyiv and Halych, His Beatitude Sviatoslav [Shevchuk],” the site notes.

This church has “its own rite, which originates in the Constantinopolitan tradition, and preserves its liturgical, theological, spiritual, and disciplinary heritage in the cultural and historical circumstances of its people.”

The majority of Catholics in the Western world belong to the Latin rite.

‘Ukraine is in my heart’

“We have a special title in the Church, but we must remember who we are: human beings, dependent on God,” said the new cardinal following Saturday’s consistory, according to Vatican News.

After saying that he has not forgotten his native country, now ravaged by war, the 44-year-old cardinal said: “I am a bishop in Australia, a cardinal of the universal Church, but Ukraine is in my heart,” and he asked for prayers for Ukrainians.

Bychok was born on Feb. 13, 1980, in Ternopil, Ukraine. He was ordained a priest in 2005.

In 2020, he was appointed bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Sts. Peter and Paul in Melbourne. On June 7, 2020, the feast of Pentecost according to the Julian calendar, he was consecrated bishop in St. George’s Cathedral in Lviv, Ukraine.

His episcopal motto is Пресвятая Богородице, спаси нас (“Holy Mother of God, save us”). St. Sophia on Via Boccea was designated yesterday as his titular church as a cardinal.

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Who is George Jacob Koovakad, the first Indian Catholic priest to be appointed as Cardinal? – Indian Express

December 8, 2024 admin Leave a comment

Who is George Jacob Koovakad, the first Indian Catholic priest to be appointed as Cardinal? – Indian Express

George Jacob Koovakad, Archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans, Turkey, Coordinator of Apostolic Journeys, receives from Pope Francis, the cardinals’ hat and ring as he is made cardinal during a solemn mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.Associated Press

The 51 year-old Monsignor – senior member of the clergy in the Catholic Church – was among the 21 priests from around the world inducted into the College of Cardinalsa on Saturday December 07, 2024 at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

In a historic moment, Pope Francis elevated Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad to the rank of Cardinal, making him the first Catholic priest from India to be directly appointed to the rank.

The 51 year-old Monsignor – senior member of the clergy in the Catholic Church – who joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006, was among the 21 priests from around the world inducted into the College of Cardinalsa on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

Father Antony Vadakkekara, spokesperson of the Church said: “It is a great honor for the Syro-Malabar Church as one of its sons is elevated as cardinal directly, which is first in India.” Until now, only archbishops had been appointed cardinals in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the moment, calling it a matter of “great joy and pride for India.” He said, “His Eminence George Cardinal Koovakad has devoted his life in service of humanity as an ardent follower of Lord Jesus Christ. My best wishes for his future endeavours.”

Who is Monsignor Koovakad?

George Jacob Koovakad, belonging to the Syro-Malabar Archdiocese of Changanacherry, was born in 1973 in Thiruvananthapuram. He was ordained as a priest in 2004. He subsequently pursued advanced training for diplomatic service at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy and has served in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.

At the School of Canon Law, he obtained his Doctorate in June 2006, with a thesis on The Obligation of Poverty for Secular Clerics in the Codes of Canon Law and he had previously earned a Baccalaureate in 2002) and a Licentiate in 2004. He also served as an assistant vicar in a parish before moving to the Vatican.

After finishing the preparatory program at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 2006.

His early assignments included working at the nunciature – Embassey of the Holy See – in Algeria, followed by roles as secretary of the nunciature in South Korea from 2009 to 2012 and in Iran from 2012 to 2014. He then served as a counselor at the nunciatures in Costa Rica from 2014 to 2018 and in Venezuela from 2018 to 2020, according to Holy See’s Acta Apostolicae Sedis.

In 2014, he was honored with the title of Chaplain of His Holiness, and in 2019, he was named Prelate of Honor of His Holiness.

According to the Holy See, in July 2020 he joined the staff of the Secretariat of State and since 2021 Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad is a member of the Vatican’s diplomatic corps and is tasked with organising papal trips.

Pope Francis appointed Koovakad as the titular archbishop of Nisibis of the Chaldeans in October and he received his episcopal consecration last month, at Changanassery Cathedral from Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil.

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5 new family-friendly Christmas movies to watch this year (2024) – NCRonline

December 6, 2024 admin Leave a comment

5 new family-friendly Christmas movies to watch this year (2024) – NCRonline

By Princess Jones – November 30, 2024

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is a delightful adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s now-classic Christmas book, in theaters now. (Lions Gate Entertainment)

As you dust off your holiday boxes and pull out beloved ornaments and twinkling lights this weekend, odds are good that you already have a list of nostalgic holiday movies as long as the tinsel in your hand. But alongside your treasured classics this season, there are some new gems worth adding to your Christmas movie rotation for a fresh sprinkle of holiday cheer.

From indie gems, to box office movie stars, to Hallmark favorites, these new films offer a delightful range of unique stories that are perfect for the season. Whether you’re in the mood for heartwarming romance, festive family fun or a good laugh, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

“Red One” (PG-13) brings together blockbuster icons Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans in an action-packed comedy. Directed by Jake Kasdan, Johnson plays commander of E.L.F. (Enforcement, Logistics and Fortification, and also “Extremely Large and Formidable”), who teams up with Evans to rescue none other than Santa Claus himself — who has been kidnapped! Expect plenty of hilarious banter, epic fight scenes and even a talking bear. You can catch this silly holiday adventure in theaters now.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” (PG) is a delightful adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s now-classic Christmas book. When the Herdman siblings — known for lying, stealing and bullying — somehow land the lead roles in the local church’s Christmas pageant, the townspeople are less than thrilled. Directed by Dallas Jenkins, best known for his work on “The Chosen,” the film offers a fresh take on the Christmas story and delivers a touching reminder that no one is beyond God’s grace. Fun for all ages, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is now playing in a movie theater near you.

“To Have and To Holiday” (G) is the kind of whimsical Christmas romance that Hallmark is known for. Newly engaged Celeste and Jason find their journey to the altar taking an unexpected twist when Pastor Mark, the couple’s officiant — and also Celeste’s father — puts the pair through a challenging pre-wedding “boot camp” of Christmas-themed tasks.

Starring Madeleine Arthur, Robert Bazzocchi and Eric Close, this charming movie is sure to captivate couples and Christmas enthusiasts alike. This film is now playing on the Hallmark Channel and streaming on Peacock.

“Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point” (PG-13) is a heartwarming dramedy centered around a family preparing for what could be their final Christmas in their ancestral home. Determined to make this holiday one to remember, the adults’ heartfelt efforts are interspersed with the antics of the teenagers stirring up a bit of trouble along the way. Directed by Tyler Taormina, the film showcases a talented cast of rising stars including Michael Cera (“Barbie”), Francesca Scorsese (“We Are Who We Are”), Gregg Turkington (“Ant-Man”), Elsie Fisher (‘Eighth Grade”) and Sawyer Spielberg (“Masters of the Air”). Available for streaming on AMC+ on Dec. 6, this film promises a mix of nostalgia, humor and heart.

“Three Wiser Men and a Boy” (G) is the sequel to Hallmark’s 2022 hit film, “Three Wise Men and a Baby,” finding the Brenner brothers returning for another unforgettable Christmas, set five years after the first. Luke is determined to make his son’s stage dreams happen, and needs his brothers’ help to pull off a school holiday musical when the director quits. Starring Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker and Margaret Colin, this movie is sure to elicit giggles from young and old. Now playing on the Hallmark Channel and streaming on Peacock.