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May 05, 1999

THE TIME OF THE CHURCH, II

"Matches are not won by spectators in the stands , but by players on the field." (Letter of German bishops on the occasion of the 1994 elections.) The time of the Church is a time that has completely definite tasks and obligations. Those tasks pertain to each Christian individually and to the Church as a community of believers. Whoever evades these tasks supports directly or indirectly the decline of the Gospel in himself, in his closest surroundings and in the world. The mission of the Church in apostolic time was oriented toward the world because that small community was filled with the promised Spirit which the Lord sent. The orientation toward the world flowed from the strength of the Spirit with which the community was imbued.

Our Lady by her coming and her messages of conversion, fasting, prayer, and peace directs us to be hearers and doers of the Word. She directs us accordingly to our own heart which has to be engrafted into the person of Jesus so that we, being filled with Christ, become bearers of the Gospel.

F. Ivan Landeka

N E W S

NUMBER OF COMMUNIONS AND CONCELEBRANTS

During April in the shrine of the Queen of Peace 90.000 Holy Communions were distributed and there were 1568 concelebrations at Holy Masses by priests from home and abroad.

We shall also enumerate some of the countries from which pilgrims came to visit Medjugorje during the month of April: Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, France, England, Hungary, Belgium, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Denmark, Korea, Panama, Mexico, Canada, USA and, of course, Croatia.

AGAIN ON THE SAFE CONDITIONS IN MEDJUGORJE

Although for the vast majority of our friends the safe conditions in Medjugorje and the entire region in which our place is located are well known, it happens that a number of those who would make pilgrimage to the shrine of the Queen of Peace look for additional information about the safety of conditions.

Once more we will announce them all: the conditions of safety in Medjugorje remain completely unchanged. The war events in Kosovo are in a different state and are in no way connected with our territory. All airports in the Republic of Croatia and the airport in Mostar are operating regularly.

Accordingly, Medjugorje, a place of prayer and of peace, is completely safe for all those who come to it.

AID FOR THE EXILES FROM KOSOVO

Just as many of our known and unknown friends throughout the world responded and helped us when we were attacked with the destructions of war in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina, so also are now involved in helping the exiles of Kosovo. We invite all our friends at home and in the world at large, within the limits of their capabilities, to include themselves in the sending and collection of aid: food, medicines, clothing, shoes, hygienic necessities, and money. For all information about the sending of aid we request our friends to refer to the Association "Medjugorje-Mir" Split, fax 385-21-342-258 or telephone: 385-21-361-354, e-mail: medjugorje-split@st.tel.hr

BISHOP FROM PANAMA IN MEDJUGORJE

Last week Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeo Delgado from Panama visited the shrine of the

Queen of Peace. The Archbishop of the city Pea Blanca traveled to Medjugorje with a group of pilgrims from that distant land.

In the next number of our Press Bulletin we will present a part of the conversation with Archbishop Jose Dimas Cedeo Delgado.

SEMINAR FOR YOUNG GIRLS

From April 23 - 25 the venerable Franciscan Sisters conducted a seminar for young girls at the "Domus Pacis" house of prayer in Medjugorje. Fifty young girls took part and the seminar was conducted by Sister Leopoldina Kovacevic and Sister Petra Bagaric.

Published by: INFORMATIVNI CENTAR MIR - Svetiste Kraljice mira (Information Center MIR - Shrine of the Queen of Peace), 88266 Medjugorje, BiH, fax number: +387-88-651-444.
Director: fra Miljenko Stojic.
You can receive the latest issue of the Press Bulletin at any time on your own fax machine in the tone mode by dialing the
Robofax in our Information Center at +387 88 65 15 55.
E-mail: medjugorje-mir@medjugorje.hr; Internet: http://www.medjugorje.hr
Published every other Wednesday.

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Last Modified 05/05/99