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Pope Benedict XVI said in a letter this month that he looks forward to joining his friends in heaven. The 94-year-old retired pope sent a condolence message following the death of Cistercian priest Father Gerhard Winkler, and wrote, quote, “Now he has arrived in the next world, where I am sure many friends are already waiting for him. I hope that I can join them soon.”
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249327/i-hope-that-i-can-join-them-soon-benedict-xvi-sends-condolence-message-after-friend-s-death
The Vatican has launched a new prayer website and smartphone app to help Catholics pray for the success of the synod on synodality. At prayforthesynod.va, Catholics can find information in English, Spanish, and other languages about how to support the synod through prayer. During the two-year synod process, which Pope Francis launched earlier this month, Catholics around the world will be encouraged to submit feedback to their local dioceses.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249337/vatican-launches-prayer-website-to-accompany-synod-on-synodality
In the wake of last week’s stabbing of a Catholic lawmaker in England, a bishop has called for a greater recognition of last rites as an “emergency service.” Police reportedly turned away a priest who sought to administer the last rites to Sir David Amess, who was attacked and killed last Friday while meeting with constituents. Last Rites help to prepare Catholics for death by offering them the sacraments of reconciliation, the anointing of the sick, and Holy Communion.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249325/sir-david-amess-death-catholic-bishop-calls-for-last-rites-to-be-recognized-as-emergency-service
The gang responsible for the kidnapping of 17 Christian missionaries in Haiti is demanding a $17 million ransom for their safe release. Christian Aid Ministries, the group that sent the missionaries to Haiti, is requesting prayers for their safety. The Haitian gang responsible for the most recent kidnapping is the same criminal gang behind the kidnapping of Catholic priests and religious in April. All of those kidnapped in April were released within several weeks, and ransom was paid for just two of the kidnapped priests.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249332/christian-aid-group-requests-prayers-for-kidnapped-missionaries-in-haiti
The Italian archdiocese of Catania will have no new godfathers for the next three years. Archbishop Salvatore Gristina has said that he decided to temporarily suspend the naming of godparents and Confirmation sponsors because the tradition had become, quote, a “social custom in which the dimension of faith is hardly visible.” The role of a godparent is to help “the baptized person to lead a Christian life in keeping with baptism,” and the law does not stipulate that godparents are required for the sacrament.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/249338/godfather-ban-sicilian-catholic-diocese-suspends-naming-of-godparents-at-baptism-for-3-years
Today, the Church honors Saint Peter of Alcántara, a Spanish Franciscan friar who founded several convents and became known for his constant vigilance in prayer and meditation. He is the patron saint of night watchmen and guards.