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Year: 2011

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Call for submissions: Art For Forests Of My Country

The International Project “Art for Peace” – 14th edition will be judging submissions from children and youth ages 4 through 16 on the subject: Art For Forests Of My Country. Judging takes place in November 2011.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, forests represent 31% of terrestrial coverage, serving as a shelter for 300 million people and also directly ensuring the survival of 1.6 billion humans and 80% of the planet’s biodiversity.

The predatory exploitation and disrespect of the natural life cycle of forests leads to the extinction of many species of wild fauna and flora and trigger serious consequences to human life because they are a source of drinking water and food.

Deforestation and forest degradation are responsible for 20% of greenhouse gases emitted, causing the worsening of climate change. This rate is higher than all global transport emissions.

In order to aware the entire world population about the vital importance of their forests, the United Nations declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests.

Teachers are asked to work with their students on a project supporting the preservation of forests and their importance in ensuring life on the planet. Students should express themselves through art and messages about conservation of their country’s forests. An educational component focused on environmental preservation, social responsibility, and peace should be part of the project.

The work may be sponsored and submitted by children and youth in a school, community organization, on behalf of a company (the children of employees), an academy, library, or individually. All works must be received by October 21, 2011.

Suggested topics that might be addressed include:

  • Forests are a source of life, drinking water and food;
  • The flora and fauna of the forests of your country;
  • The large trees that cover the forests in your country;
  • Destroyed forests causing loss of biodiversity, extinction of flora and fauna and the loss of water resources;
  • The watersheds of forests. rivers, lakes, waterfalls, and caves;
  • Forest people and their traditions. Their work in protecting natural resources for their survival;
  • Essential raw materials found in the forests for the pharmaceutical industry;
  • The worsening of climate change caused by forest degradation;
  • Destruction of forests for cattle pasture. This is a major cause of greenhouse gases.
  • Actions to prevent construction in areas where deforestation can cause erosion in the soil, leading to tragedies; or
  • Every nation, through government and non-governmental organizations, must ensure that forests are managed for their country in a sustainable way for present and future generations.

Please see the attached rules in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Christian Witness, PNCC, , , ,

To fast and abstain on appointed days

Ash Wednesday and Good Friday have been set forth as days of strict fasting. Days of abstinence (not eating meat) are Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent. The pious tradition of abstinence on Fridays outside of Eastertide is also observed, but not mandatory. In situations where health considerations make such observance impossible, ecclesiastical dispensation should be secured.

The rule of fasting is a fairly simple one and therefore bears the full authority of the Church. Our Lord announced to his followers that he expected them to fast. “But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.” (Mark 2:20)

Jesus even issued instructions on how Christians were to comfort themselves when they fast, promising them God’s reward. “When you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is in hidden. And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.” (Matthew 6:17-18) Our Lord Himself fasted, forty days and forty nights, and later warned that some spiritual evils are overcome only “through prayer and through fasting.” (Mark 9:29)

Striving to follow Christ, St. Paul himself engaged in “frequent fastings.” (2 Corinthians 11:27). Paul urged Christians to prove themselves to be ministers of God in “fasts“. (2 Corinthians 6:5) When we fast or abstain, then, we do so in obedience to the Lord’s own command. We imitate His example and join in the company of all the blessed Saints, who tried to follow Him, and whose lives were adomed by this means of grace and intercession.

Today, when we fast and abstain in obedience to the Church’s law on prescribed days we join ourselves to fellow Catholics throughout the world in a mighty supplication to God. — From “To Grow in Catholic Faith in the Polish National Catholic Church” by Ś.P. Most Rev. Francis Rowinski, D.D. fourth Prime Bishop of the PNCC

Christian Witness, PNCC,

A prayer for Passion Sunday from Luciano Bruno

Fratelli e sorelle, chiediamo al Padre di accogliere le nostre preghiere, e soprattutto chiediamogli di educare e rendere sempre più piena e radicale la nostra fede, affinché possiamo vivere da cristiani, uomini e donne redenti dal Cristo.

Preghiamo dicendo: Ascoltaci Signore.

  • Perché la Chiesa non si stanchi di annunciare al mondo il valore unico ed insostituibile di ogni persona agli occhi di Dio, preghiamo.
  • Per gli operatori sanitari, perché nella fede si impegnino a promuovere e a difendere la vita, preghiamo.
  • Per gli anziani e per coloro che sono provati dalla malattia, perché sappiano vivere le loro sofferenze come partecipazione alla croce di Cristo, preghiamo.
  • Perché lo Spirito infonda in coloro che sono nel lutto per la perdita di una persona cara la consolazione di Dio e la speranza della vita eterna, preghiamo.
  • Per noi che partecipiamo a questa Eucaristia domenicale, perché i fratelli che incontreremo sulle strade del mondo percepiscano la nostra fede nella salvezza e nella vita eterna, preghiamo.

From Rev. Luciano Bruno to the PNCC in Italia Facebook page.

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