en Español

a. Receive absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
b. Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist
c. Pray for the intentions of the pope
d. Do works of charity and penance
e. Make a pilgrimage to Rome or the Holy Land and do the  prescribed spiritual works
f.  Make a pilgrimage to a diocesan approved shrine  (Bishop Dorsey has established the Cathedral of St. James, the Shrine
    of Mary, Queen of the Universe, and  the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine as the local places of pilgrimage.)
g. Visit the sick, the imprisoned or homebound
h. One can abstain for at least one whole day from  unnecessary consumption (e.g., from smoking or  alcohol, food, or of
    eating meat as  according to the general rules of the Church and the norms laid down by  the Bishop’s Conference) and
    donating a  proportionate sum of money to the poor
i.  Supporting by a significant contribution works of a  religious or social nature (especially for the benefit of  abandoned
    children, young people in trouble, the elderly in need, and foreigners in various countries seeking better living conditions).
j. Devoting a suitable portion of personal free time to activities benefiting the community, or other similar forms of personal
    sacrifice.

    Hopefully as we enter into this Jubilee Year we will share the joy that is ours in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                                                       Peace,
                                                                                                                                                       Fr. Chris

WHAT IS HOLY YEAR?
     In the Roman Catholic tradition, a Holy Year, or Jubilee, is a great religious event.  It is a year of forgiveness of sins and also the punishment due to sin.  It is a year of reconciliation between adversaries, of conversion and receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and consequently of solidarity, hope, justice, and a commitment to serve God with joy and in peace with our brothers and sisters.  A Jubilee Year is above all the year of Christ, who brings life and grace to humanity.
     The origin of the Christian Jubilee goes back to Bible times.  The Law of Moses prescribed a special year for the Jewish people: “You shall hallow the 50th year and proclaim liberty throughout the land, to all its inhabitants; it shall be a jubilee for you when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his family.  This 50th year is to be a jubilee year for you: you will not sow, you will not harvest the ungathered corn, you will not gather the untrimmed vine.  The jubilee is to be a holy thing to you, you will eat what comes from the fields.”  (The Book of Leviticus 25: 10-14)  The trumpet with which this particular year was announced was a goat’s horn, called Yobel in Hebrew, and the origin of the word jubilee.  The celebration of this year also included the restitution of land to the original owners, the remission of debts, the liberation of slaves and
the land was left fallow. In the new Testament, Jesus presents Himself as the One who brings the old Jubilee to completion, because He has come to “preach the year of the Lord’s favour” (Isaiah 61:1-2).
     It is interesting to note that in almost every country, time is counted as before and after Christ’s coming into the world, although today few people may realize the reasons for this calculation.  For Christians, the Jubilee of the year 2000 is especially important because it will be a celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ (apart from differences of exact chronological count.)  What is more, it will be the first Holy Year which marks the turn of a millennium, since the first Jubilee was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII in 1300.  For Christians then, the Jubilee of the Year 2000 should be a great prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for the gift of the Incarnation of His Son and the Redemption He brings.
     The Jubilee is called Holy Year, not only because it begins, is marked, and ends with solemn holy acts, but also because its purpose is to encourage holiness of life.  It was actually convoked to strengthen faith, encourage works of charity and brotherly communion within the Church and in society, and to call Christians to be more sincere and coherent in the faith in Christ, the only savior.
     A Jubilee can be “ordinary” if it falls after the set period of years, and “extraordinary” when it is proclaimed for some outstanding event.  There have been 25 “ordinary” Holy Years so far; the Year 2000 will be the 26th.  The custom of calling “extraordinary” Jubilees began in the 16th century, and they can vary in length from a few days to a year.  There have been two “extraordinary jubilees” in this century:
1933 – proclaimed by Pope Pius XI to mark the  1900th anniversary of Redemption, and 1983 – proclaimed by Pope John
Paul II to mark 1950 years since the Redemption carried out by Christ through His death and resurrection in the year 33.  In 1987, Pope John Paul II also proclaimed a Marian year.

EXPLANATION OF THE JUBILEE LOGO 2000
    The logo for the Jubilee Year 2000 proclaims Jesus Christ as the Lord of yesterday, today, and forever.  The 5 doves closely circle one another so that their wings resemble the petals of a flower.  The circular form represented by the doves underline the Spirit of Solidarity which animates the Great Jubilee Year.  The vivacity and harmony of the colors of the doves remind us that joy and peace are an integral part of this great celebration.
      The light which issues from the center of the logo stands for Christ, the light of the world, symbolizing salvation.  A cross in colors matching the doves forms the backdrop along with a ring representing the universe.
 
 
 
 

JUBILEE PLEDGE
Catholics in the U.S. are being invited to prepare for the new millennium by recommitting themselves to answer Jesus’ call to “love your neighbor as yourself.”  The Jubilee Pledge for charity, justice and peace answers Pope John Paul II’s observation about how to prepare for the new millennium: “Indeed, it must be said that a commitment to justice and peace…is a necessary condition for the preparation and celebration of the Jubilee.”

The pledge is being distributed by a coalition of justice groups, including the U.S. Catholic Conference, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Catholic Relief Services.  Those who answer the call to work for peace and justice in the new millennium pledge themselves to:

-    Pray regularly for justice and peace.
-    Learn more about Catholic social teaching.
-    Reach across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity,  gender, etc.
-    Live justly in all areas of life.
-    Serve, through time and talent, persons who are poor  and vulnerable.
-    Give more generously to persons in need, wherever they are.
-    Advocate public policies that promote justice, peace,  and human dignity.
-    Encourage others to also work for justice and peace.

 ¤  BLESSING OF A JUBILEE DOOR AT HOME
Gathering before the Jubilee door, the father or mother prays:
Sign of the Cross -- In the name of the Father…
Reading -- John 10: 7-10; Luke 4: 18-19; or Lev. 25: 8-12
Blessing  --
 Blessed are you, O Lord our God,
 For You guide our footsteps.
You bless our coming in and our going out,
From birth to death, You hold us in your care.

Bless this door, O Lord,
Which we consecrate to this time of preparation.
Each day we pass this place,
Draw us more deeply into Your presence
and the wonders of Your love for us.

You are the door to the Kingdom of God,
The sheep gate to life eternal,
O portal of eternal peace, our new and living way,
Loose our sins and open for us the door of salvation.

O God, protect our going out and our coming in;
Let us share the hospitality of this home with all who visit us.
May the poor find rest within these walls
And all who hunger find refreshment in our home.

Lead us home through You, to You, and with You,
one God, forever and ever.  Amen.

Jubilee Seal – Placing of the Jubilee logo on the door or door frame.
Hymn – All may sing the hymn to Jesus Christ our Sovereign King or some
other appropriate song.

Reprinted with permission of NCCB

PRAYER TO BECOME JUBILEE PEOPLE
Father of all, we thank You for the gift of Jubilee.
As we stand at the dawn of the new millennium, teach us the wisdom
of Sabbath rest for the earth and for ourselves.
Teach us the wisdom of the forgiveness of debts for those who cannot
pay, and for those who refuse to release anger and resentment.
Teach us the wisdom of Jubilee justice to remind us that all we have
belongs to You, and to ensure that everyone has enough.

Teach us the wisdom of Jubilee liberation, that we might free those who
are oppressed and languish in captivity.
Strengthen our families, our parishes, our church, and our nation, that
we might truly become Jubilee people.  Amen.
>From a prayer distributed by Pax Christi, USA.

SIX SAINTS FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Elizabeth Ann Seton (1774-1821) - Feast 1/04
The first American-born saint (in New York City), she married and she bore five children.  After the death of her
husband, she became a Roman Catholic and began to serve the poor in the Baltimore area, especially in the field of
education.  A well-educated woman, she trained teachers, wrote textbooks, and translated spiritual writings from
French.  She founded the Sisters of Charity and is considered a founder of Catholic parochial school education in the
United States.  At her canonization in 1975, Pope Paul VI praised her for her contributions as wife, mother, widow and
consecrated religious.
* Gifts for the third millennium: Elizabeth Ann’s witness to an authentic American spirituality in a land where temporal
prosperity threatens to extinguish it.

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) – Feast 4/29
A twin and the 24th of 25 children, Catherine entered the lay Third Order of St. Dominic. After a time of giving herself to
contemplation, she came to realize that she must also actively serve others.  She carried on extensive correspondence with all kinds of people, from popes and kings to humble workers and even prostitutes.  Her theological writings, rooted in deep pastoral experience and common sense, earned her the title of Doctor of the Church.  She is one of only three women to be so honored (the others are Teresa of Avila and Thérese of Lisieux).
* Gifts for the third millennium: Catherine’s skills of conciliation among groups.

Pope John XXIII (1881-1963) – Date of death 6/03
While not formally canonized, the holiness of “good Pope John” is universally recognized.  Of poor peasant background, he became a professor of Church history before assuming diverse tasks of Vatican diplomacy.  Known for his human warmth and humor and a heart that embraced all peoples, his concern for social justice and for peace on earth came to expression in his encyclicals.
 * Gifts for the third millennium: John’s confidence in the Spirit, evidenced by his calling the Second Vatican Council.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997) – Date of death 9/05
Born in Albania, she joined a religious order and served in India. While acting as principal of a Catholic high school in
Calcutta, she was moved by the presence of the sick and dying on the city streets.  In 1948 she received permission to
leave her post and begin a ministry among the sick, a ministry that led to her founding a new order, the Missionaries of
Charity.  She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.  While not formally canonized, at her death in 1997 the world
knew it had lost a saint.
* Gifts for the third millennium: Teresa’s special love and care for “the poorest of the poor.”

Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) – Feast 10/04
Raised in a merchant family, Francis, as a youth, aspired to wealth and military fame.  After turning his life over to God,
the “little poor man” went through the world full of joy and the love of Jesus.  He strove in all things to be an instrument
of God’s peace.  He did this because he saw in every human being as well as in all of creation, not an enemy, but a
brother and sister in Christ.  St. Francs was named the patron of ecology in 1979 by Pope John Paul II.
* Gifts for the third millennium: Francis’ love and respect for all of creation, as well as his example as peacemaker.

Martin de Porres (1579-1639) – Feast 11/03
Martin was born in Lima, Peru, of a Spanish knight and a black former slave woman.  He joined the Dominicans as a
lay brother and showed great love for the poor.  He mixed a deep life of prayer with service in the kitchen and laundry
– as well as with giving alms at the front door.  Though Martin’s dark complexion linked him with a minority class, his
own care reached out to all human beings regardless of race or social status.  He often cared for slaves brought in
from Africa.
 * Gifts for the third millennium: Martin’s example of universal love. He is the patron saint of interracial justice and
harmony.  He inspires the Church to open the ranks of sainthood to a wider ethnic diversity.

GUIDING QUESTIONS FOR JUBILEE

To help you enter fully into the spirit of the Jubilee Year, the following questions may serve as a guide for reflection and action:

 In what ways is the Spirit of the Lord “upon” me?
 Of what do I wish to become free?
 What debts does Jubilee prompt me to forgive?
 In my life, what is it now time to give back?
 How do I plan to celebrate Jubilee 2000?

Maria Harris is the author of Jubilee Time (Bantam Books, 1995) and  Proclaim Jubilee! (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1996) and 11 other books.

F.R.E.E.

The theme for adult education on January 9 will be:

The Gospel of Mark.

This session will be held in the main assembly area beginning at 2:45 pm.

THE NEW MILLENNIUM: WHAT DOES IT MEAN SPIRITUALLY?

Scriptural references: Leviticus 25:1-17, Deuteronomy 15:1-11, Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:16-22

     The word jubilee comes from the Hebrew jobel, meaning ram’s horn.  The Jews of the Old Testament used a ram’s horn to call people together, usually for an important announcement or a special event.  Jubilee came to mean celebration.
     The concept of a Jubilee Year every fifty years to celebrate God’s faithfulness to His people is found in the first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch. There were many laws concerning the observance of the Jubilee Year, and also the Sabbatical
Year, observed every seven years.  (See references above.)  However, Christians did not incorporate any of these laws into their own tradition until 1300 A.D. when Pope Boniface opened the Holy Doors to St. Peter’s Basilica, inviting all to enter into the mystery of Christ.  The doors are now opened every fifty years, and Pope John Paul II will open them at the beginning of
the new millennium.
     Pope John Paul II has done more than any other Pope to call our attention to the Jewish laws concerning the Jubilee and Sabbatical years and to apply them to the Christian “journey.” He speaks not only to Catholics, but to all Christians, Jews, Moslems, and people of all faiths or no faith – in fact, to the whole world.  As he says, “We are all children of God.”
     Recognizing the wisdom of God in these laws, the Holy Father addresses their universal themes, applying them to the Church, and also to each individual.  He calls the year 2000 the year of the “Great Jubilee” since it is, first of all, a  commemoration of the birth of Jesus.  It is also an observance of the Jubilee Year, and he has looked forward to this
celebration since he was elected Pope.  Almost his first words after being elected Pope were: “I will be Pope in the year
2000.”  The themes he has emphasized are these:

 Thanksgiving – Every Jewish celebration included praise and thanks to God, from whom their blessings came.  We are called to thank God also in the Jubilee Year – for Jesus, for our Catholic faith, and for the influence Christianity has had on the
whole world.

Returning Home – The Jews were commanded to return to their homeland for a “family reunion” with all their kin every fifty years, when the Jubilee Year came around.  That would mean once in a lifetime, if you lived long enough.  We are being called to keep in touch with family to remember our roots, and to stay in good relationship with all the members.  The
Pope goes further and relates this to the Family of God. “Life is a journey,” he has said.  “We come from the Father, and we return to the Father.”  If the journey has been hard, or we get lost along the way, it is time to return to the Father, and to know He will be waiting with open arms to welcome us home.

 Freedom – All slaves owned by Jews were to be set free in the Jubilee Year.  Any land purchased since the previous Jubilee Year was to be returned to the original owner.  All land was believed to be owned by God.  They could make use of it for crops, but they did not own it.  “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.”  - Psalm 24:1. Many people in the world
today are oppressed, and live in fear and poverty.  Many are imprisoned unjustly.  We have an obligation to work for the freedom of all people.  Jesus came to set the captives free.

 Rest and Renewal – Even as the Jews were directed to allow their land to lie fallow for one year so that the soil might rest and renew itself, so we are also called to rest from all our labors and our busy-ness, to spend time with our God in prayer, and
allow Him to renew us spiritually.

 Forgiveness – In the Jubilee Year, the Jews were required to forgive all debts owed to them.  We are being called to let go of anger and resentment, to forgive from our hearts any who have injured us in any way, so that we may move forward in harmony
and peace.

 Reconciliation – The Jews were to reconcile with God and with each other, and we are being called to do the same.  Ecumenism is part of this.  As a Church, we are called to dialogue with other Christian churches, and attempt to heal the wounds that have come from misunderstandings and ignorance.

 Justice – As we read the Old Testament, we see that the Jews always made some provision for the poor, the widows and orphans, the homeless and slaves.  Their laws were attempts to even things up for the less fortunate.  Only God is
perfectly just, and we cannot hope to bring about perfect justice, but we must continue to work toward it, insofar as we are able. Daily, we are challenged to live out justice in our lives, morally and socially, nationally and globally. Peace in the world is not possible without justice.  Jesus gives us the concept of justice. When we follow Him, we are working toward justice.

    These are some of the themes the Holy Father would like us to think about and try to put into practice in the year of the Great Jubilee.  If everyone would take them seriously, wouldn’t it be a wonderful world?

By Jane Baker, using notes from a talk on The Tradition of Jubilee in
Scripture by Fr. Robert D’Aversa, T.O.R.
edom – All slaves own
 
 

 Nuestra sociedad esta agitada con el "problema" del ano dos mil. Este problema es realmente temor a dos cosas. Un temor es que todo aquello que contenga uno de los componentes de computadoras los cuales mantienen la fecha no funcionaran apropiadamente cuando el almanaque llegue al uno de Enero, del no dos mil. Hay un temor general de que las plantas electricas se pararan, los aviones no funcionaran, los bancos no trabajaran etc.
 El segundo temor es el temor del milenio. Algunos creen que al cambiar la epoca señalara el final del tiempo y que Cristo pronto vendra. Muchos de nosotros tememos de enfrentarnos a Dios porque estamos concientes de nuestros pecados. Sabemos que aunque tratamos de corregirnos y vivir vidas sagradas frecuentemente nos quedamos cortos. Asi que, tememos lo que pueda ocurrir el proximo año.  Para nosotros como Catolicos, celebramos una epoca de alegria. El año dos mil señala que Cristo vino a la tierra dos milenios atras. Hemos tenido la oportunidad por dos mil años de bendiciones y gracias. E1 Santo Padre escribio una carta apostolica señalando nuestra razon para estar alegres, llamada Tertio Millennio Adveniente (La
Llegada del Tercer Milenio). Sabemos que todo lo creado es bendecido por Dios. La encarnacion de Dios es una
señal irrevocable para nosotros de que buena es la vida humana.
 Que mas gran satisfaccion puede haher de que la Eternidad halla entrado en esta era? Algunas religiones han pensado que la reencarnacion es la respuesta. Esto es rechazado en la Cristiandad. En la Cristiandad cualquier era o cualquier tiempo tiene una importancia fundamental. Por ejemplo, la bendicion de la Vela de la Pascua Florida nos recuerda esto. Cuando rastreamos el nuevo año en la vela nos acordamos de que Cristo es el principio y el fin y la satisfaccion de toda la historia. Todo domingo conmemora el dia de la resurreccion del Señor. El año liturgico penetra el calendario solar con el misterio de la salvacion.
 Asi que, en este año que viene que debemos hacer? La Iglesia escucha a las escrituras. En el año del Jubileo iba a haber reconciliacion entre las partes que estan peleando, condonar las deudas, y la restitucion de la libertad a los esclavos.
 El Papa ha tomado el liderato en la busqueda de acuerdos ecumenicos. Recientemente la Iglesia firmo una declaracion con la Iglesia Luterana sobre el significado de la salvacion. Los viajes del Papa buscando unidad entre los Cristianos y con otras creencias es una forma de implementar esta vision. E1 Santo Padre espera que pueda haber paz y reconciliacion en Israel. Escribe el, "Que el Jubileo sirva para adelantar el dialogo mutuo hasta el dia cuando todos unidos-Judios, Cristianos y Musulmanes- podamos intercambiar el saludo de paz en Jerusalem". Hay necesidad de que los fieles apliquen las enseñanzas del Vaticano Segundo completamente. Se necesita un nuevo evangelismo para propagar las Buenas Noticias. Es importante
arrepentirse por los pecados del ultimo milenio, especialmente los pecados en contra de la union de la Iglesia Cristiana,
arrepentimiento por el uso de la violencia en la busqueda de la verdad, (Las Crusadas, La Inquisicion etc.) y por
permitir que continue la injusticia por dictadores que excluyen a tantos de las mas necesidades humanas basicas.
 Los peregrinajes han sido siempre una parte significativa en la vida de los fieles, asumiendo diferentes formas
de cultura en epocas diferentes. Un peregrinaje evoca el viaje personal del creyente en las huellas del Redentor: es
un ejercicio de sacrificio practico, de arrepentimiento por las debilidades humanas,de la vigilancia constante sobre las
debilidades de uno, de la preparacion para un cambio de opinion. Atraves de vigilias, ayunos y oracion el peregrino
progresa por el sendero de la perfeccion Cristiana, luchando por obtener con el apoyo de la gracia de Dios,"el estado
del hombre perfecto, a la medida de la madurez completa de Cristo"(Ef 4:13)
 Se concederan indulgencias durante este Año Sagrado para conversiones verdaderas. Para evitar algunos de los abusos del pasado cuando se concedian indulgencias, se han establecidos las siguientes guias: Pueden ser individual o para almas en el purgatorio. Solamente se concedera una indulgencia plenaria (general)por dia. Algunas de las actividades llevadas a cabo durante el Año de Jubileo son:
 a)  Recibir absolucion en el Sacramento de Reconciliacion
 b)  Asistar a Misa y recibir la Eucaristia
 c)  Orar por las intenciones del Papa
 d)  Hacer trabajo de caridad y penitencia
 e)  Hacer un peregrinaje a Roma a la Tierra Santa y hacer los trabajos espirituales prescritos
 f)   Hacer una peregrinacion a un Santuario aprobado por l  diocesis (El Obispo Dorsey ha estabIecido:- la   Catedral de~St.
      James, el Santuario de Mary Queen of the Universe y el Santuario de Our Lady of La Leche en St. Agustine como los
      sitios locales para la peregrinacion).
 g)  Visitar los enfermos, los prisioneros o los que no pueden salir de sus casas.
 h)  Uno se puede abstener por lo menos un dia de consumir lo que no se necesita (ejemplo) fumar, alchol, alimentos o no
      comer carne segun acordado por las reglas generales de la Iglesia y por las normas dadas por la Conferencia de Obispos)
      y donar una suma proporcional a los pobres.
 i)   Apoyar con contribuciones significativas los trabajos de naturaleza religiosa y social  (especificamente para el beneficio de
      los ninos abandonados, jovenes con problemas, los ancianos necesitados y extranjeros en varies paises en busqueda de
      mejores condiciones de vida).
 j)   Dedicar una porcion adecuada del tiempo libre a actividades de beneficio a la comunidad u otras formas  similares de
       sacrificio personal.

Esperamos que al entrar a este Año de Jubileo podamos compartir nuestra alegria en Cristo Señor.

                                                                                                                                      Paz
                                                                                                                                              Padre Chris

Explicacion del logo del Jubileo 2000
     El logo del Año del Jubileo 2000, proclama a Jesucristo como el Señor de ayer, de hoy y de siempre.  Las 5 palomas se ynen en un circulo de manera que sus alas simulan los petalos de una flor. La forma circular representada por las palomas subrayan el Espiritu de Solidaridad que anima el Gran Año de Jubileo. La vividez y harmonia de las colores de las palomas nos recuerdan que la Paz y Alegria son una parte integral de esta Gran Celebracion.
     La luz que parte del centro del logo, simboliza a Cristo, la luz del mundo; simbolizando la salvacion.  Una cruz a colores la cual hace juego con las palomas forma un fondo junto con un aro representando el universo.

BENDICIÓN DE PUERTA JUBILEO EN LA CASA
Reunidos ante la Puerta Jubileo, Padre o Madre rezan:
Señal de la Cruz – En el nombre del Padre…
Lectura – Jn 10: 7-10; Luc 4: 18-19; o Lev. 25: 8-12
Bendición –
 Bendito eres tú, Oh Señor nuestro Dios,
 Porque tu guias nuestros pasos.
 Tu bendices nuestras entradas y salidas,
 Desde el nacimiento hasta la muerte,
 Nos acojes en tu cuidado.

 Bendice ésta puerta, Oh Señor,
 La cúal consagramos a este tiempo de preparación,
 Cada dia que pasemos éste lugar,
 Acércanos mas profundamente a tu presencia,
 Y las maravillas de tu amor para nosotros.

Tu eres la puerta del Reino de Dios,
 El cordero porton a la vida eterna,
 Oh portal de eterna paz, nuestro
 Camino y nueva vida, desata nuestros
 Pecados y abre para nosotros la
 Puerta de la salvación.

 Oh Dios, proteje nuestras salidas y entradas;
 Permitenos compartir la hospitalidad de éste
 Hogar con todos los que nos visitan.
 Que el pobre encuentre descanso entre estas paredes
 Y todo el que tenga hambre encuentre refresco en
 Nuestro hogar.

 Guianos a casa a través de ti, a ti y contigo,
Un solo Dios, por siempre y para siempre.  Amen.

Sello Jubileo – Poniendo el logo de Jubileo en la puerta o
En el marco de la puerta.
Himno – Todos pueden cantar el himno A Cristo Jesus nuestro
Soverano Rey o cualquier canción apropiada.

Recopiado con permiso de NCCB