PRESENTATION OF OFFICIAL JUBILEE CALENDAR

VATICAN CITY, NOV 12, 1999 (VIS) - On Wednesday, November 17, at 12 noon in the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray and Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, respectively president and secretary of the Committee of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000, will present the official Jubilee calendar as well as the Holy Father's charity projects for the Holy Year.

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OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, NOV 12, 1999 (VIS) - The Holy Father elevated Bishop Alfons Nossol of Opole, Poland, to the dignity of archbishop.

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AUDIENCE

VATICAN CITY, NOV 12, 1999 (VIS) - This evening the Holy Father is scheduled to receive Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

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DEDICATION OF ALTAR IN SWISS GUARDS CHAPEL

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 1999 (VIS) - This morning, Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano dedicated the new altar of the chapel of the Pontifical Swiss Guard. The chapel has been recently restored and is dedicated to Sts. Martin and Sebastian.

Cardinal Sodano said that St. Martin, whose feast day falls today, "teaches us by example that which we have heard in the Gospel: we cannot approach God's altar without being reconciled with our brothers and sisters. Yes, the church is the place for meeting God but at the same time it is a house of fraternity."

Addressing the commander, the chaplain and the soldiers of the Swiss Guard, the cardinal said: "In this chapel, positioned precisely at the base of the Apostolic Palace, you bring to the Lord's altar, 'the joys and trials of each day', offering these things to God both for your own good and that of the His entire holy Church. I know you make this offering in keeping with the intentions of the Pope and I cannot but praise you for this."

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PAPAL TELEGRAM FOR FLOODS IN VIETNAM

VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent in Pope John Paul's name by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano to Archbishop Etienne Nguyen Nhu The of Hue, Vietnam, for the victims caused by the devastating floods in that country:

"Having learned of the dramatic floods which devastated the central provinces of Vietnam, the Holy Father expresses his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and his deep sympathy to all those who are affected by this catastrophe. He recommends the missing to the mercy of God and, in praising the work already done to come to the aid of families, he prays so that a generous solidarity will allow persons who have been dealt a blow in their affections or in their goods, especially children, to find the comfort and assistance which they need. With a full heart His Holiness sends his apostolic blessing to the population of the region so that the Lord will sustain them in their trials."

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