June ’10 A Catholic Magazine for Girls
Contents Page 3 - A Message from Anna Page 4 - Live WTL - Interview with Avery Page 6 - Horoscopes Page 7 - Ask Miss Faithful Page 8 - Little Audrey Santo Page 12 - Subscriber Spotlight Page 13 - Comics Page 14 - What type of friend are you? Page 16 - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Page 17 - Artwork Page 18 - Crossword Page 19 - Famous people of the New Testament Quiz Page 20 - Examination of Conscience Page 22 - Anointing of the Sick Page 23 - Answers
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Hello, and welcome to the June ’10 issue of Faithful! We’ve got a great issue here for you packed full of articles and fun things, including an interview with Avery from Live WTL ministries, Ask Miss Faithful and a couple of new sections! Please keep on sending in your articles, artwork or ideas for the magazine to: faithfulmagazine@gmail.com God bless, Anna
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Avery is the host of a great podcast for Catholic kids and teens on the web. I asked Avery a few questions to find our a little more about her and her ministry. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your faith? My name is Avery, I’m 14 years old, and I’m a cradle Catholic. I run a ministry for Catholic kids and teens called Live WTL. Within the ministry, I work on a website, a podcast, and a blog. I love my friends and family, and most important to me is Jesus Christ. I am very pro-life, and I believe that every day is a blessing from God (Psalm 118:24) and we should live it to the fullest to build up His Kingdom here on earth! Can you tell us what your podcast is about and who it is for? The podcast is made mostly for Catholic kids and teens, but anyone of any age can listen. On the show, we focus a lot on our Catholic faith. We talk about the personal relationships that we have with Jesus, prayer, and the Bible. Also, we have trivia and a segment where listeners can send in faith questions and we give answers. What made you decide to make the Live WTL Podcast? In the town I live in, Catholics are somewhat of a minority. I have lots of great friends who are of various different faiths, and this is one of the reasons that I began to study my faith more seriously. I wanted to know the answers to questions like "why do y'all worship Mary?", or "why does your Bible have more books? What kind of stuff did you add?!" when my friends asked them to me at the lunch table or while we were hanging out (or at one o'clock a.m. at a sleepover for that matter). It was important for me to have answers, but it was more important for me to know WHY these were the answers. That was where the faith part came in. It went from a knowing-a-lot-aboutGod kind of thing to a KNOWING-God kind of thing. Now of course, this wasn't an overnight kind of thing. It still isn't done. Spirituality is a life long journey. But these questions and others were one way that I really got to know my faith better. With this knowledge, I truly found passion in sharing my love of God and my love of His Church. In prayer, I asked him what he wanted me to do, and how he wanted me to build up his Kingdom. His answer? Share your faith. Reach out, show my love, show my mercy. So, I did. I started coming up with talks and stuff and that eventually just turned into the podcast.
5 How did you come up with the name 'Live WTL'? WTL stands for Way, Truth, and Life (from John 14:6). Live represents the theme of the show, living out and sharing our love for God and our faith as witnesses to him. We want to live for Jesus, the WAY, TRUTH, and LIFE! Can you tell us some topics that might be coming up in future shows? I’m about to start a bunch of stuff with the Bible and praying scripture for teens. I’m going to give overviews of all the books of the Bible and some tips of what to do when reading the Bible and praying. But really, we let the listeners determine a lot of that. People send in questions, and then we just kind of talk about it to answer them from a Catholic perspective. What do you like to do in your free time? I’m definitely a people person. I’m always wanting to spend time just hanging out or doing something with my friends. Also, I do sports, dance and enjoy playing the piano. Is there some encouragement or advice you can give to the readers of the magazine? Know that God loves you, no matter what. You’re never alone, and God will always be with you. Sometimes when we’re going through a tough time, we can feel like God is leaving us. He’s not. Just trust Him always and know that he will always forgive you love you, be with you, and care for you, no matter what the circumstance is. If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would say to them? St. Francis Xavier Cabrini. She’s my Confirmation saint and role model. I don’t actually know what I would say to her, but I know we’d find something to talk about. If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you take with you? This is a tough one! Well, to start off, the Bible. I guess that one is pretty much a given. And I’d probably bring my iPod too, because I love music and that would help with the boredom on the island. But the third thing? I don’t know…. maybe like a pocket knife or something? That would at least be practical. Thank you so much to Avery for answering my questions! To find out more about this ministry and/or download this podcast visit:
http://www.livewtl.com/
6 Horoscopes I know a lot of people who read horoscopes and also mess around doing thing like palm-reading. When I challenge them and try to tell them they shouldn’t read horoscopes they tend to say something along the lines of, “What’s the problem? It’s only a bit of fun, I don’t really believe in it anyway”. Then I think, why bother doing something you don’t believe in? We should rely on God in our lives, so if we are looking to fortunetellers and horoscopes, really we are saying that somebody’s readings of the alignment of stars or the lines on our hand are more important and have more power than the path that God has chosen for us. When we consult such things as horoscopes we are trying to gain power over the future, a power which only God has. The Bible warns against such things as horoscopes and palm-reading in Deuteronomy Chapter 18 Verse 10: "No one shall be found among you who practices divination or soothsaying (fortune telling)”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says: (2116) “All forms of divination are to be rejected… Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history and in the last analysis, other human beings. They contradict the honour, respect and loving fear that we owe to God alone.”
7 Ask Miss Faithful Hi! My name is Paige and I am also fifteen years old. I just have a few questions. I am a catholic but sometimes I question my faith and the beliefs of the catholic church. For example, I don't believe that abortion is wrong because I believe it is the women's right to choose. You never know the situation behind the pregnancy. Also, I don't believe that women can't be priests. I am wondering if this is a bad thing? Is God mad at me for thinking these things? Thanks! Paige Dear Paige, Firstly, I would just like to reassure you that God is never mad at you. He loves you and even if you do, say or think bad things he still loves you. Now questioning your faith is not a bad thing, but it is important to find someone who is strong in their Catholic faith you can talk to and find the answers to your questions, or perhaps if this is impossible then I would suggest looking for some strong Catholic websites to find out more information about your faith, for example: www.lifeteen.com or www.catholic.org. There are certain things in the Catholic Church that should be believed and these are dogmas and doctrines. Dogmas are doctrines, which we believe have been declared to the Church by God, and can never be contradicted. Doctrines are just teachings of the Church, which can be changed over time. We must follow and be obedient to the doctrines, even if we personally do not believe in all that they teach because they are set out for our own well being and protection. If we refuse to follow the doctrines, then we are separating ourselves from the Church. The Church teaches what it does, because it knows that many things can cause us, and others, harm. The teachings essentially come from God, who wants to protect us and look after us in every way he can. Remember, God loves you always. M!s Fai"ful
8 Little audrey santo Audrey Marie Santo (December 19, 1983 - April 14, 2007), often referred to as Little Audrey by pilgrims to her home, was a young woman from Worcester, Massachusetts, United States, through whom miracles are said to have happened. On August 9, 1987, when Audrey was three years old. She was playing in the driveway with Stephen, her brother. It was on this day that Audrey fell into the family swimming pool. Audrey recovered but was rushed to the hospital where she was overmedicated. The doctor prescribed too much phenobarbital, and Audrey lapsed into a coma. Audrey was in a coma for about three weeks. The hospital’s physical therapist broke Audrey’s legs and dislocated her shoulder. Then the doctor insisted on insertion of a tracheotomy tube. She remained in ICU with 24-hour nursing care. She was out of the coma in three weeks. She remained in a state called Akinetic Mutism — non-speaking and limited movement. The "professionals" insisted that Audrey be placed in an institution. Audrey’s mother Linda, felt that she would receive better care being home with her family. So in November four months following the accident, Audrey was brought home. Right from the beginning in the hospital hundreds of people came to pray for Audrey. Old friends, relatives and even strangers. Catholics and people from other faiths came, sent prayers, cards and gifts to Audrey. The hospital was so inundated with people, media and phone calls they eventually put Audrey in a private room in the PICU. For some reason God wanted Audrey to be known right from the beginning. St. Paul tells us in scripture God sends us signs and wonders to get our attention. So is this what God has done with Audrey?
9 We believe that signs and wonders are manifesting with Audrey, around her and about her. Audrey seems to manifest unexplainable (medically) marks on her body that resemble the wounds of Christ. St. Paul also tells us that we must offer up our suffering to continue for Christ’s redemptive suffering. We also know Jesus Christ is the ultimate Victim. Suffering is not useless when offered up. We believe that Audrey does this. Suffering united to Christ takes on meaning. The religious images that exude oil and blood are unexplainable to us. We believe because of the good fruits these unexplained happenings are of God. The Bishop’s commission has stated clearly they have found no trickery. The healings that take place here are not completely investigated by the Bishop’s Commission but they are open to a full study in order to validate any claims. Prayer works therefore anytime Jesus tells us "there are more than two gathered in My name . . ." The greatest healing power God has left us in His Son, Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist. We must receive Him everyday and visit Him often. If we don’t do this the fault lies with us. Audrey brings us to the Eucharist. There are five consecrated hosts that have exhibited human blood, this does not mean these five hosts are better than any other consecrated host. This simply means that God in His goodness has given us a profound and awesome gift. Again signs and wonders to get our attention. Audrey is also clearly telling us God doesn’t make junk! That life is valuable at any level. We live in an epidemic of unmercy. So therefore Audrey is a sign of hope and mercy. We believe even though Audrey does not walk or talk that she is valuable and God chose her as He often chooses the seemingly inadequate, unproductive but mostly the pure and innocent to convey His message. In a world of infanticide, homicide and genocide God wants us to choose the right side. We place our confidence in faith, therefore believing this is to prove there is life in the Eucharist and the value of life in us. Having resigned herself to God’s will prior to the age of seven (the age of reason), it is unlikely that Audrey has ever sinned. Father Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, a Massachusetts based Melkite Catholic priest whose ministry centers around peace and justice, believes that the little girl is redemptively connected with the sins of nuclear destruction.
10 Significant dates in Audrey’s life often echo monumental historic events as well. August 9th, 11:03 a.m., the first recorded medical entry on the day of the drowning accident, is also the exact date and time of the bombing of Nagasaki some forty-two years earlier. The date of Audrey’s initial release from the hospital, November 14th, is the anniversary of the bombing of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, in 1921. Father Renê Laurentin, a world-renowned theologian, concluded a four year personal investigation into the life of Audrey Santo. The esteemed Catholic scholar expects to report his favorable findings to the council. He visited Little Audrey in July 1993 and was deeply moved by being in her presence and stated "This is Holy Ground." Little Audrey is a soul truly blessed and chosen by God. It is imperative that Audrey’s role, regardless of its magnitude, be kept in perspective. She is an instrument, an extraordinary one to be sure, but an instrument nevertheless. Audrey was fed by a "g-tube" but she did consume one thing, and one thing alone by mouth: the Eucharist. Each day, Audrey received her precious Jesus in the greatest miracle of all. Although we must not elevate Audrey that we lose sight of Jesus, neither should we discount or ignore His gift of Audrey to us. Let us go to this little thornless rose and ask for her assistance that like her, we too may truly become one with Christ. "But if we are children, we are heirs as well: heirs of God, heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with Him so as to be glorified with Him." As difficult as life for this family sounds, their home is so peaceful and full of love. When you meet Linda you would not think she had a care in the world. Many have written to little Audrey and their letters were read in Audrey’s room and placed before the Tabernacle. Bishop Daniel Reilly of Worcester, Massachusetts set up a commission of psychologists, doctors and theologians to study the events at Little Audrey’s. We also remain obedient to the Pope and the Magesterium of the Church in all matters of faith and doctrine. We would like to add, we were profoundly affected by Bishop Reilly’s visit and blessings.
11 Audrey was received by God on April 14, 2007. Audrey's wake and funeral took place at St. Paul's Cathedral. Rev. John Foley (Audrey's pastor and president of the Foundation for the Cause for Canonization of Audrey Santo) was the homilist at Audrey's wake. Bishop Robert McManus (our local ordinary) and Bishop Daniel Reilly (bishop emeritus) were present at the funeral Mass. Also in attendance Rev. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, Melkite Catholic priest (Christian Nonviolence Ministry) delivered the homily. Several priests and deacons and hundreds of people attended both events. In September 2007, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, postulator from the Congregation of the Causes of Saints visited with the Santo family for four days. He met with Bishop Robert McManus to begin the Cause for Audrey by making her a Servant of God which begins the process. We ask for your support, spiritually and financially to accomplish this. We desperately need a pro-life saint in these times. Audrey is the light in the darkness to be that saint. Please pray for the family, postulator, foundation, friends and benefactors. We pray for all of you and thank you for your contuinued support.
Taken from the Little Audrey Santo foundation website:
http://www.littleaudreysanto.org
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Subscriber Spotlight In each issue I am going to focus on one subscriber/reader of the magazine with a short bio about them. If you would like to be next issue’s subscriber in the spotlight please email me at faithfulmagazine@gmail.com with a short bio and, if you would like, a picture or two.
Josey Hi! My name is Josey, I am 13 and LOVE Anna's magazine. I was born and still live in Colorado (U.S). I am currently home schooled and really like it. I enjoy hiking in the mountains, taking pictures of nature and writing poems about nature, I have even had a poem published. My older brother (24) is studying to be a missionary priest in Spain. I have two younger brothers (9 and 11) and one younger sister (6).
13 Comics
Comics from: http://www.treesofthefield.ca
14 What type of friend are you? Friends play a big part in our lives. Take this quiz to find out what kind of friend you are. Make a note of each answer, whether it's a, b, c or d, then add them up and check your answers on the next page. 1. I think friendship is all about... a) Lots of laughs and having fun. b) Having someone to confide in. c) Sticking together through the good and the bad. d) Offering support, love and time. 2. At the moment I have... a) Lots of friends, but no one who I would consider a best friend. b) A couple of really close friends, and I have a best friend in that group. c) A small group of really close friends. d) A couple of people you consider best friends and a wider group of friends you hang out with from time to time. 3. You hear that your friend has split up with her boyfriend... a) You tell the next 6 people you see. b) So what! There are plenty more fish in the sea. c) You are miserable with her, offering a listening ear and some advice. d) You go round to her house with some chocolate and see how best to help. 4. You go shopping with a friend. You both want the same shoes. What do you do? a) Argh! Now it is tense and there could be an argument. This just got dull! You walk away. b) You think that you should have the shoes and you’re going to make her feel guilty so that you can have your own way. c) What’s the problem? Why can’t we both have them? d) You let your friend get them. You’re sure you’ll find something just as nice somewhere else. 5. Your friend is not allowed to come out with you at the weekend... a) You sympathise, but lots of other friends are going out, so you’ll go with them. b) It’s OK. Your other friend is allowed to come out, so all is well. c) If your friend is not allowed, you won’t go either. d) You change your plans, go round to your friend’s and stay in as well. 6. Your friend borrows your favourite handbag and damages it... a) It’s only a handbag! It is not worth worrying about. b) You feel really upset and expect your friend to make it up to you. c) You feel gutted, but try not to let your friend know. Perhaps you won’t lend her stuff in future. d) You feel sad, but it’s only a handbag. A friendship is worth a lot more.
15 Mostly a) You are lots of fun to be around and can be the life and soul of the party. You enjoy time with a big group of friends. You’re fairly laid back and try not to fall out with people - nothing is going to spoil your fun! Advice from the Bible: “A person who has many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) Be careful not to miss out on close friendships by trying to have too many friends. Quality friendship needs work, but it can be fantastic!
Mostly b) You enjoy having 1 or 2 close friends that you know you can trust. You appreciate being able to tell your friends the things that are important to you. Advice from the Bible: “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Proverbs 17:17) Being a good friend is as important as having good friends. Make sure that you consider your friends’ needs as well as your own.
Mostly c) You are someone who takes friendship very seriously. You are a loyal and trustworthy person who sticks by your friends through thick and thin. Advice from the Bible: Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (Proverbs 17:9) Being able to forgive and receive forgiveness is important in friendship. Try to forgive your friends when they hurt you. One day, you’ll need them to forgive you!
Mostly d) You are the sort of friend that every girls needs! You show love and concern, putting others first. You are very considerate and thoughtful. Advice from the Bible: "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses" (Proverbs 27:6) Giving compliments to friends can be easy, but being a good friend sometimes means telling the truth, even when you know it might upset them. Don’t worry! They’ll thank you in the long run.
From yfaith.co.uk
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Saint Space St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, also known as Mother Cabrini, was the first American citizen to be canonised by the Roman Catholic Church. She was born in 1850 and was the youngest of thirteen children. She was brought up on a farm in Lombardy, in Italy. When she was a child she dreamed of being a missionary to China. She sailed paper boats down a stream, pretending they were boats taking missionaries to China. She also gave up eating sweet or candy because she thought that when she was in China she probably wouldn’t be able to have any. When she was older, she tried to join two different convents, but was not accepted because of her poor health. For a while she taught in a school, then a priest asked her to help out in a small orphanage. In 1877 Mother Cabrini took religious vows and added Xavier to her name in honor of the Jesuit priest, Francis Xavier. The orphanage where she was teaching and working had to close and she was asked to start a new community of religious sisters dedicated to teaching. She founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart almost immediately and it quickly began to grow.
Mother Cabrini had always wanted to go to China, but it seemed that God was calling her to go to America instead. Pope Leo XIII told her to “Go West, not East” and the matter was settled. She sailed to the United States and became an American citizen. She helped a lot of Italian immigrants and was a real mother and friend to them. At the beginning however, Mother Cabrini and her sisters faced many difficulties, but they did not let them stop them. They set up many schools, hospitals and children’s homes in different states. By the time she died in 1917 her order had grown to almost a thousand sisters in total. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
Got a saint you’d like me to focus on? Email me: faithfulmagazine@gmail.com
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Artwork It has been suggested to me that I do an Artwork section, so this is it! This section will be a place for all your artwork to be displayed. Each issue I will post a new theme and all you have to do is send your artwork or photos to: faithfulmagazine@gmail.com. Be creative, use whatever medium you like, paint, pencils, the computer, or even your camera. Don’t worry if you don’t think it fits the theme perfectly, if it’s good it may get published anyway!
The first theme is: Summertime Some ideas to get you started: Think about: - What you like to do in the summer - What you are going to do this summera - Summer weather - Food or drink you have in summer
Please send in all submissions for inclusion in the next issue by 25th August 2010.
Bluebells in my garden
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Across 3 where the consecrated hosts are kept
Answers on Page 23
4 the suffering and death of Jesus 5 a popular devotion to Mary 9 Greek words meaning; "Lord have mercy" (2 words) 11 cup used at Mass to hold wine 12 40 days beginning with Ash Wednesday 13 another name for the Holy Spirit
Down 1 Jesus' last meal with his disciples (2 words) 2 Jesus' resurrection 6 a messenger of God 7 blessed water (2 words) 8 a follower of Christ 10 part of the physical remains of a saint or items that have touched the body of a saint
19 Famous people of the New Testament Quiz 1. Who climbed a tree in order to see Jesus? A) Zechariah B) Zacchaeus C) Matthew D) Mark 2. Which of his disciples did Jesus change the name of to ‘Peter’? A) Simon B) James C) John D) Judas 3. Who was Jesus’ cousin? A) Judas B) Joseph C) Peter D) John 4. Who was the prisoner released instead of Jesus? A) Barnabus B) Pilate C) Barabbas D) Bartholomew 5. Who was raised from the dead by Jesus? A) Lazarus B) Peter C) John D) Luke 6. What were the names of the two sisters who lived in Bethany? A) Mary and Ruth B) Martha and Elizabeth C) Elizabeth and Mary D) Mary and Martha Answers on Page 23
20 Examination of Conscience To help prepare yourself for reconciliation and to help you be honest with yourself, ask yourself these questions based on the ten commandments before you go to confession. First Commandment: I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me. Do I truly love God above all else? Do I worship or give great importance to status, money, popularity or consumerism? Do I turn to God in thankful prayer, or do I only pray when I want something? Do I ignore or avoid old friends or change my values in order to fit in with the ‘in’ crowd? Do I put my trust in superstitions or good luck charms, rather than God alone? Second Commandment: You shall not take the name of the Lord in vain. Do I show disrespect for God’s name by using it carelessly or in anger? Do I use bad language? Do I hesitate to mention God's name in appropriate situations, in conversations with friends and family members? Third Commandment: Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day. Do I go to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days? Do I pay attention during services? Do I make Sunday a day of prayer and rest? Fourth Commandment: Honor your Father and your Mother. Do I obey my parents? Do I help bring peace and happiness to my family? Do I thank my parents for what they do for me? Do I offer to help around the house? Do I value my family as much as my friends? Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill. Have I injured another person through carelessness or fighting? Do I keep my patience or do I lose my temper? Do I hold grudges and try to get even with others? Have I endangered my life with use of alcohol or drugs?
21 Sixth Commandment: You shall not commit adultery. Do I treat my body and other people's bodies with respect? Do I look at television shows, movies, or pictures that are morally bad? Do I understand and appreciate the gift of our sexuality as a means of expressing our love [and God's love] in the Sacrament of Marriage? Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal. Have I taken something that belonged to someone else? Have I ‘forgotten’ to return something I borrowed? Have I cheated on tests or homework? Eighth Commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. Have I been honest and truthful or have I lied? Do you gossip or pass on rumors that might hurt other people? Can I be trusted with a secret? Ninth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife. Have I been jealous of friends that someone else has? Am I envious of others? Do I resent their popularity or success? Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet your neighbour’s goods. Have I been jealous of the things my friends have? Do I put my parents under pressure to buy me things my friends have? Do I appreciate my own good qualities or am I always comparing myself to others? Am I thankful for what God has given me?
See the March ’10 issue for more on the Sacrament of Reconciliation!
22 Anointing of the Sick The Anointing of the Sick is one of the seven sacraments. It was previously called ‘Extreme Unction’ and/or ‘Last Rites’. However, the name was changed to show that it can be used at any time when someone is seriously ill, not just when a person is dying or in extreme circumstances. Anointing of the Sick used to be mostly just administered to the dying, for the forgiveness of sins and to provide spiritual strength and health. It’s use has now been expanded to include those who are gravely ill or about to undergo an operation. Anointing of the sick has a secondary effect of helping a person recover their health. In his Gospel Mark refers to this sacrament when he tells us about when Jesus sent the disciples out to preach and "they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them" (Mark 6:13) James 5:14-15 links physical healing to the forgiveness of sins: “Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.” The rite of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick consists of the priest laying hands on the sick, anointing him with blessed oil, and praying "Through this holy anointing may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit. May the Lord who frees you from sin save you and raise you up."
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Answers Crossword Across: 3. TABERNACLE 4. PASSION 5. ROSARY 9. KYRIEELEISON 11. CHALICE 12. LENT 13. PARACLETE
Famous people of the New Testament Quiz 1. B 2. A 3. D 4. C 5. A 6. C
Down: 1. LASTSUPPER 2. EASTER 6. ANGEL 7. HOLYWATER 8. DISCIPLE 10. RELIC