Author: ANTONINO

MARY JANE WILSON – The English nurse and Sister – honoured in Funchal Source: http://en.calameo.com/read/00108238394a118236bf

Sister Mary Jane Wilson, also known as Maria of Saint Francis, was an English woman who was born in India on 3rd of October 1840, and who died in Madeira, aged 76, on the 18th October 1916. She was declared Venerable on 9th October 2013 by Pope Francis. When she was 40 years old, she moved to Madeira to nurse an English woman. She settled in Funchal and lived the rest of her life in Madeira. In 1884 she co-founded, together with Amélia Amaro de Sá, the religious order of the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victory (Irmãs Franciscanas de Nossa Senhora das Vitórias). In 1907 she nursed patients throughout a smallpox epidemic on the island, and was awarded the honour of “Tower and Sword” (Torre e Espada). She dedicated her life to caring for children, founding an orphanage (Orfandade de Santa Isabel), and caring for the sick. The revolution of October 1910 forced her to leave Madeira, but she returned a year later. There is a small museum in Funchal dedicated to her life and work; two sculptures of her: one by Largo Severiano Ferraz (by the roundabout in front of the Red Cross), and another in the municipal gardens in Santa Cruz; and a book on her life («The invincible Victorian, the life of Mary Jane Wilson» by Terry Dunphy) published by the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Victories.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A Drunkard Attending Mass

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
1.
It was the feast of the patroness of the parish dedicated to Our Lady of Piety (that means mercy, compassion). It was one of those big festivals that congregate the entire parish and attract many pilgrims from other locations of Madeira Island.
I had been invited to preach the sermon of the solemn vigil. The Church was packed with people, the Pastor of the Parish was seated at the presiding chair and I was in the pulpit giving my sermon about Our Lady of Piety (Mercy). There were speakers outside broadcasting my sermon to the entire Parish.
It was the moment when I was sharing about the meaning of piety, mercy and compassion. I was saying that mothers have their favourite children. The favourite son or daughter of a mother is the one who is suffering the most. Also the most disturbing thing is that sometimes he or she is the one who most embarrasses the family; sometimes he is a drug addict, a drunkard and even a criminal. Sometimes he is the one for whom the mother most cries, prays and loses her sleep over. He or she is the one nobody likes. Sometimes he is, or she has, been in jail and the newspapers and TV have condemned the entire family because, when their names are written or broadcast in the news, everybody recognizes his or her family name. He or she is the «black sheep» of the family. He or she is the lost sheep (Luke 15). Nobody likes him or her. But he or she is the mother’s favourite. This was the message I was trying to convey.
In this moment I saw a man walking towards the altar. He was very inebriated, stopped right in front of the Pastor and started yelling at him about his rights to be in that church because he had been baptized and made his First Communion there. His voice was very loud and he could hardly keep standing. He was really full of alcohol. Because it was impossible to compete with him, I had to stop my sermon.
And now? What to do? Call the police? But would arresting this man match my sermon about mercy and compassion? Actually my decision was easy: I just left the pulpit and in front of the entire congregation I hugged him and spent a few moments with him in my arms. Then I helped him to walk and helped him to sit in a comfortable chair. A few moments later he was sleeping.
Then I returned to the pulpit and said: « If this was rehearsed it would not have worked better ». Then I also felt like saying «This was what I wanted to say. Amen». Unfortunately, I kept going with my words, but I think they ruined my action.
2.
Last Sunday when I was coming to say the English Mass I stopped by a bar-coffee shop for a cup of coffee. It was 9:00 AM. Leaned against the counter there was a man holding a beer and visibly inebriated. I started talking with him. I could see that he was in pain. I told him: «You look sad. Are you OK? ». He was very polite and confirmed that he WAS really sad. I didn’t make any reference to the beer he was holding in his hand. In words I expressed my compassion for his pain, but I was in a hurry to say Mass. I left him with his beer, his loneliness and his pain. I felt like the priest of the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). I was a «good» priest on my way to worship God and do «good» things. I had no time for people who are already drunk at 9 o’clock in the morning. I really felt bad about my action.
I felt a big temptation, but I think I was too much of a coward to «fall» in it. My temptation was to invite him to enter my car, invite him to take the first pew of this chapel, and be ready for any unpredictable event. But then I thought « How will my worshipping community made up of tourists and residents react? » Yes! How would you react? Worship that is not transformed into service, with a special preference for the last, the least and the lost, is good for nothing.
God loves you and so do I,

Scripture Readings 23rd October 2016, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Sir/Eccle’us 35:12-14,16-19 Ps 32(33) 2 Tim 4:6-8,16-18 Lk 18:9-14

Sirach was a Jerusalem sage writing about 180 BC. His wise maxims are much used by the Church. God does not approve “the gifts of the godless, nor for their many sacrifices does he forgive their sins”. God is just, “he hears the cry of the oppressed”. God’s justice will be seen, he will wreak “vengeance upon the proud”.
Paul tells Timothy to expect a time to come “when people will not tolerate sound doctrine” “and will stop listening to the truth”. In every age Christians have experienced this happening, and church structures set up by Paul to “preserve the truth” have naturally tended to be conservative. Paul is facing death alone. But God has not deserted him, and even enabled him to speak out at his trial, sending the gospel message to yet more Gentiles, even at this late hour.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus continues his teachings on prayer. After last week’s parable about the persistent widow comes this strong condemnation of insincere prayer. We should not imagine that the Pharisee was bad: he is a good man, conscientiously observing his religion. Yet Jesus says the tax collector went home justified “rather than” the Pharisee. Not “more than”! Why? Because the tax collector was humble enough to admit his need of God and of his mercy.

Psalm Response: This poor man called; the Lord heard him.

Scripture Readings 16th October 2016, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Ex 17:8-13 Ps 120 2 Tim 3:14-4:2 Lk 18:1-8

In the Book of Exodus, soon after escaping from the Egyptians across the Red Sea, the Israelites’ frequently grumbled about God, who responded by giving them sweet water, quail and manna. Then they were challenged by the Amelekites living between Palestine and Sinai. Although they continued to quarrel and test the Lord, he showed yet again that he will always look after them. Moses needs a lot of human help to keep his arms up! But his persistence showed complete faith in God. The Psalm also reminds us that we can rely totally on God.
Paul also emphasises that Timothy must “be persistent” in proclaiming the word “whether it is convenient or inconvenient”. He describes the uses of inspired scripture: “for teaching, for refuting error, for guidance and for teaching people to be holy”. For Paul, writing before the Gospels were written, “scripture” meant what we now call the Old Testament. So we need to persist in trying to understand the Jewish Scriptures.
Just before Jesus enters Jerusalem Luke gives us two parables about prayer. Today we hear how the persistent widow eventually gets justice. Jesus assures us that God will “see justice done to his chosen who cry out to him day and night even when he delays to help them”.

Psalm Response: Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

(Ex 17:8-13 Ps 120 2 Tim 3:14-4:2 Lk 18:1-8)

Scripture Readings 9th October 2016,28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

2 Kgs 5:14-17 Ps 97 2 Tim 2:8-13 Lk 17:11-19

Naaman, a leper, commanded an Aramaen army which was victorious over Israel. A little Israeli girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife, said the prophet in Samaria could cure Naaman’s leprosy. Elisha told Naaman to bathe seven times in the Jordan. Initially Naaman refuses to do something so humble, but he is persuaded by his servant and he is cured. When Elisha refuses any reward, Naaman takes some soil back home so that he may continue to worship only the God of Israel.
Paul urges Timothy to pass on the gospel he has received, summed up in only 6 Greek words: Jesus, the Christ, anointed by God; descended from David, risen from the dead. Thus pointing to our bodily resurrection. In what sounds like a hymn from a very early baptismal liturgy we are told that “if we persevere we shall reign with him”. Not just be with Christ, but joining him in his work of caring for the renewed creation.
In Luke’s Gospel Jesus is coming closer to Jerusalem, and his death, while revealing more about his kingdom. Last week Jesus told his disciples to serve without expecting thanks. Now ten lepers are healed, like Naaman, through simple actions. Only the non-Jew returns to thank him.

Psalm Response: The Lord has shown his salvation to the nations.

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – Does Being Rich Mean Being Happy?

– Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade
Cecil John Rhodes was an enormously wealthy man. He was an English-born business, mining magnate, and politician in South Africa. He was the founder of the diamond company De Beers, which today markets 40% of the world´s rough diamonds and at one time marketed 90%. An ardent believer in colonialism and imperialism, he was the founder of the State of Rhodesia to perpetuate his name.
One day a newspaperman asked him: « You must be very happy. », Rhodes replied, « Happy! No! I spent my life amassing a fortune only to find out that I have spent half of it on doctors to keep me out of the grave, and the other half on lawyers to keep me out of jail. »
Does being rich mean being happy?

Scripture Readings 2nd October 2016, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Hab 1:2-3,2:2-4 Ps 94 2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14 Lk 17:5-10

Habbakuk appears to have prophesied while Judah was being threatened by Babylon, who destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. Habbakuk expresses the ever-present frustration of mankind that evil people always seem to triumph. Since God is good and just, why doesn’t He intervene to help those who worship Him? Instead of punishing his erring people by a nation even more wicked? God’s answer here is that “the upright man will live by his faithfulness”. So Habbakuk agrees to “quietly wait” for the invaders to be punished. The Psalm’s message is also not to lose faith in God.
In the first of four readings from Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he is urged to “bear the hardships” relying on God’s power, using and developing his skills to testify to the good news. You should “guard the rich truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us” ie the truth about Jesus, who “has abolished death”.
In Luke’s Gospel Jesus continues to teach, as he makes his way to Jerusalem. We must have confidence in God’s plan, and carry out fully the tasks God has given us. But we must not expect God to put this world to rights in our lifetime.

Psalm Response: O that today you would listen to his voice! “Harden not your hearts”.

(Hab 1:2-3,2:2-4 Ps 94 2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14 Lk 17:5-10)

TWO LOVE STORIES – Marriage advice from one special couple to another

Two special couples attended the English Mass here at the Chapel last Sunday. At the end of Mass both approached Fr. Bernardino for a special blessing.

The older couple, Arthur & Margaret, informed that they had been married for 57 years. The younger couple, Jacinta & Declan, for only one week! They had been married a week earlier in Ireland.

Declan, the younger husband said «We need to talk with them». And they did. The piece of advice that Arthur, the older husband, gave to the younger was very simple and according to him was the “secret” of their very successful marriage. It is very inspiring advice, and it also applies for every relationship and it is very simple. Here it is: «Forget everything you learned until now about Marriage. Just keep this piece:

“BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER”. »wedding_image

wedding_image1

FROM MY HEART TO YOUR HEART – A Prostitute becomes a Nun

Brought to you by Fr. Bernardino Andrade

Lise, an English army girl, falls on hard times and becomes a prostitute after the liberation of Paris in World War II. Within a short time, she becomes the leading Madame in one of Paris’ smartest brothels owned by a man named Patrice. But Patrice soon tires of Madame Lise as his mistress and she is humiliated. In trying to help a younger prostitute escape from the same fate she suffered, Lise shoots and kills Patrice. So she is sent to prison where she meets the French Dominican Sisters of Bethanie.
The French Dominican Sisters of Bethanie is a community dedicated to serving prostitutes, drug addicts and vagrants; some of the sisters were once themselves such unfortunates.
Lise becomes one of the Sisters of Bethanie. Sister Lise is a prototype of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son (Lk 15). God’s Grace is greater than our sins.
The story of the Good Shepherd, told by Jesus, is a «scandalous» story. In the Religious Community of Bethany there are former prostitutes, drug addicts and dirty homeless who became nuns, passionately in love with Jesus and His project. Only love, not cruel rules, are able to save and free people from their miseries and their sins and restore their dignity.

My friend Claudia Silva (Rosario Santos’ daughter) told me during supper at her mother’s house:
– « If you tell a homeless, a drug addict, a prostitute, a robber, a murderer, a sexual abuser: “You have dignity, you are beautiful, there is hope for you, heaven is waiting for you, you deserve to be happy and make other people happy, the world needs you because you are a human being and you have many talents, there’s a special place reserved in heaven for you, because God loves you without any conditions.”, he/she will not believe you; But if you treat him/her like an animal and say: “You are no more than a piece of garbage, hell is waiting for you, you deserve all the suffering you got because it is all your fault, all the world wants you to be dead, all the ‘good’ institutions are tired of you and would be happy to get rid of you.”, he/she will believe you. ».

« God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. » (John 3: 16).
« The biggest atheist is not the one who says he doesn’t believe in God. The biggest atheist is the one who doesn’t believe that God is able to change the heart of a person. » (L. Évely)

In the eyes of God there are no lost causes. «In the eyes of God there is not one irrecoverable human being.» (Pope Francis)

The Feast of Senhora da Piedade

img_0746
This week we are starting a new category in the blog section of our web site – “Religious Traditions of Madeira”. We will start with an article about the “Festa de Nossa Senhora de Piedade” which takes place on the third weekend of every September, which I took part in the for the first time this weekend (17th – 18th September).

On the Saturday of the feast, the fishing boats proceed in flotilla from the harbour in Caniçal to fetch the statue of Our Lady which resides in the Capela da Senhora da Piedade located on Monte Gordo. This chapel is found some kilometres away from the fishing village of Caniçal. The fishing boats are open to the public free of charge, and hordes of people clamber on to the boats in great spirits to take part in the festivities. The boats are decorated with palms and rosettes, with the lead boat, which is to carry the statue back, more highly decorated than the rest. My friends and I were lucky to get into one of the boats which was not quite so full as some of the others which had standing room only. I must say the excursion is not for the faint hearted!

After some time chugging around the harbour in Caniçal we proceeded on our way to the Quinta de Lourdes. It was a beautiful, sunny day and the sea was very calm. When we reached Quinta de Lourde, all the boats apart from the lead boat proceeded towards the São Lourenço point of the island and then anchored. Sandwiches and cool drinks were handed out free of charge. On some of the boats rope ladders were let down into the sea and people proceeded to dive in. On our boat one lad dived into the sea while the boat was still on the move and was hauled back in when he had finished! The whole event is marked by a happy go lucky attitude rather than strict attention to regulations, although the marine police were actively patrolling on speed boats, in case anyone got into difficulties.

With the statue of Our Lady safely on board we all then proceeded back to Caniçal. The whole excursion lasted about four hours. The statue is taken to the church in Caniçal where it resides overnight and is then taken on the next day back to the Chapel of Senhora de Piedade by sea once again.

This popular feast, and indeed the building of the chapel of Senhora de Piedade , is said to have its origens in a storm at sea when the fishermen at sea, who had been praying to our Lady, decided to build the chapel in thanks for their safe deliverance. According the the historian João Adriano Riberio (author ot the work “Excursions in Madeira (1891)) until the 19th century the procession took place by land and after which the marine procession became popular.

img_0745img_0711