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Thursday, February 7, 2002

VOLUNTARY WORK IS A TESTIMONY OF THE VALUE OF GRATITUDE


VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received participants in the 24th plenary assembly of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," who are considering the subject of voluntary work.

The Pope stressed that voluntary work offers society "a testimony of the value of gratitude, ... (which) opposes the individualism that is, unfortunately, so widespread in our societies, especially the richer ones. In the face of economic interests, that not infrequently seem to constitute the dominant category of social relationships, voluntary work seeks to highlight the centrality of man. It is the individual, by his or her nature, who deserves to be served and loved always, especially when thwarted by evil and suffering or when marginalized and scorned."

Believers, he went on, "involved in many fields of humanitarian activity, can become, for non-believers, a real stimulus to experience the profundity of the evangelical message. They demonstrate in a concrete way that man's Redeemer is present in the poor and suffering and wishes to be recognized and loved in each human being.

"In order for this testimony to be incisive, it is my hope that those who work in Catholic volunteer associations and institutions may take as models the many saints of charity who, with their lives, have traced a path of luminous evangelical heroism in the Church. May each individual concern themselves with personally meeting Christ, Who fills with love the hearts of those who wish to serve others."

The Holy Father concluded by thanking "Cor Unum" for the solicitude with which, "on many occasions, at times in painful and tragic contexts, it has acted to deliver the Pope's charity. In particular, I would like to recall the recent generous commitment in helping Afghan refugees and in other regions of the earth struck by war or natural disaster."

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Fr. Joseph Mitsuaki Takami P.S.S., professor of dogmatic theology and Holy Scripture at the major interdiocesan seminary of Fukuoka, as auxiliary of the archdiocese of Nagasaki (area 4,192, population 1,527,138, Catholics 69,025, priests 148, permanent deacons 1, religious 987), Japan. The bishop-elect was born in Nagasaki in 1946 and ordained a priest in 1972.

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AUDIENCES

VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2002 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in separate audiences four prelates from the Episcopal Conference of Argentina, on their "ad limina" visit:
- Bishop Roberto Rodriguez of Villa Maria.
- Bishop Pedro Luis Ronchino S.D.B., of Comodoro Rivadavia.
- Bishop Marcelo Angiolo Melani S.D.B., of Neuquen.
- Bishop Jose Pedro Pozzi of Alto Valle S.D.B., del Rio Negro.

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SERVE YOUR FELLOWS WITHOUT LIMIT OR RESERVE


VATICAN CITY, FEB 7, 2002 (VIS) - This morning, John Paul II received the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto who have been holding their General Chapter in Rome. The Pope recalled his joy in proclaiming the foundress of the order, Frances Rubatto, as blessed on October 10, 1993, and emphasized that her life had been sustained by two pillars: "ardent love for God, perceived as 'highest good,' and tireless service of her fellows, especially the most needy and abandoned."

"As her spiritual daughters, may you too know how to render yourselves poor in your individual lives and daily activities. ... In this way you will be the missionary sisters of the people, committed to announcing and witnessing the Gospel to all those you meet on your journey."
John Paul II highlighted the fact that "Mother Frances had an ardent and lively faith in Jesus of the Holy Sacrament and wished the Eucharist to be the heart of the religious family she founded;" and he invited the religious to "share the bread" of their lives in the various sectors of their service to others: from catechesis to school education; from assisting the sick to solidarity with the needy; from collaborating in parish pastoral care to the 'ad gentes' mission. ... In the face of modern-day challenges, revive the fundamental inspiration of Mother Frances, translating it for the new apostolic fields that open before you."

At the close of his address, the Holy Father recalled the members of the order who, in Alto Alegre, Brazil, on March 13 1901, "with the supreme sacrifice of their lives," bore witness "to faith in Christ and love for others." He affirmed that they had been animated by the same spirit that inspired Mother Frances to "serve our fellows without limit or reserve" thus opening "her heart and the life of the institute to the missionary dimension."

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