認識天主教

作者：瑪大利納
(摘自：萬福月訊0905)

我國各大宗教之現況與比較
一.佛教：由印度傳入中國，由家族倫理推及社會倫理，講道理、講道德、說仁義、勸人為善、積財於天，強調個人解脫。據佛教自訴：『佛不是神。』任何人若依佛所教示的方法而努力，皆可成佛，所謂放下屠刀立地成佛。佛從未宣稱他自己有創造宇宙及獎懲人類善惡的能力。佛教更不否認另有神祇在掌管人類死後賞善罰惡的事。佛經玄虛，佛理未經中國式語譯，一般人難以領悟較不易深入研究探討。

二.道教：多神與迷信的人生，強調一些[『娘娘』、『仙姑』、『真人』等無法數計，缺乏實體性的中心信仰，只是講究清靜無為，教忠教孝，對人生看法不夠積極。道教本為我國唯一的固有宗教，宗源於黃帝，闡揚於老子，成教於張天師，世稱黃老之學。『遵天法祖，清靜無為自然順化而臻天人合一。』為其基本教義。所為黃地、老子、張天師等實際上都是歷史上的先賢仁者，而非造物真神。教派之多不勝沒舉，尤其目前台灣社會到處充斥宮、觀、神壇，各自獨立。更有自我斂財，怪力亂神者不計其數，對道教之清譽傷害不小。

三.回教：本為伊斯蘭教淵源中東阿拉伯地區，信奉唯一真主『阿拉』，為一世界性之宗教，認穆罕默德為真主之欽使；一生中原則上須去約櫃所在地朝聖一次。回教承認救世主耶穌為其真主阿拉之傳人，也承認耶穌死後是為真主直接提升天國，並在其信仰沿革上承認摩西得真主賜助，診就猶太民族出埃及度紅海到西奈。

四.天主教：是一個積極進入社會，鼓勵世人除了救自己靈魂之外，還要幫助別人救靈魂，進而使世人都趨向聖善，相互施愛的宗教。教義中宣示不但要幫助別人，同時也要寬恕你的仇人，施愛給你的仇人，為仇人祈禱，讓仇恨在人間消失，使每個人都得到天主的救恩，死後都能進入永生的天國，享受無盡地福樂。

天主教前身是猶太教，繼承了一種觀念和舊約聖經，偶有人認為天主教會是敬拜聖母瑪利亞的宗教，這實在是由於不明白天主教教義所產生的誤會。既然我們認為耶穌是救世者，是救贖我們的恩人，祂以很多聖言訓導我們向善，更是我們的好朋友，那我們對這樣一位亦師亦友的母親不特別尊敬嗎？更何況聖母瑪利亞給我們立了那麼多虔誠、順從、謙遜、慈祥的好榜樣呢？我們人在有困苦的時候往往都很自然的喊一聲『媽啊！』這含有依靠與祈求的意識，你想聖母坐在天主的旁邊能不特別垂顧我們的祈求嗎？能不特別照顧我們正當需要嗎？我們的一切祈禱若能經過聖母轉求不，是效率更高嗎？

天主教的羅馬教廷在羅馬聖城，享有國際承認的獨立主權，並與各國互換外交使節，教宗并受世界各國的尊重。

天主教與基督教
一.天主教：耶穌是天主聖父為救贖世人脫原罪而直接派遣來的聖子（天主第二位）在世三十年，最後被羅馬總督以當時十字架苦刑釘死，第三日以期天主德能自行復活，顯現給宗徒們，交代他們要藉聖神(天主第三位)助佑功能，到普天下去傳揚天主福音，繼續救贖世人的沉淪。門徒之長伯多祿承受遺命，在羅馬建立了天主的教會，他具有絕對的聖統性，一貫性，大公性，把天主福音傳播至世界各地，並不斷的了解各地區之習俗現狀，在不違背教義的原則下尋求改進，以配合人性之昇華。（例如：特准我們中國教會祭拜祖先）教會聖職人員（包括：教宗、主教、神父、修士、修女）均須自願終身守貞（不結婚）並做完全奉獻。
各種名稱之男女修會，均在一個教宗的管轄指導下，以各種不同方式服務宣揚天主福音。

二.基督教：距今四百多年前，德籍馬丁路德（天主教神父）因個人意識認同與教會有所差異（聖經的、聖事的、捐獻的、守貞的）以及當時有部分神職人員在地方教會弄權，故而他宣佈脫離天主教會，自己創立所為基督教。自此基督教牧師可以結婚，並竄改部分聖經，以符合他們自創教派的意識語說法，也就由於他的背叛自我獨立（成立基督教路德會）而後個人意識及利害與其相左者，則又起而效尤，個別獨立為基督教知其它會派，迄今全世界基督教各會派已超過三百七十多個，都是各自獨立的，甚至有的自命為『真耶穌教會』這意思就顯示了別人都是假的，實在有失厚道。

三.聖公會：是英國國，教介乎天主教與基督教之間，他的成立是由於英國國王亨利八世在位時，要想離婚，再娶他的弟媳，形成亂倫婚姻，未獲教會核准，他就以其行政權力自行把英國地天主教會脫離教廷，成立聖公會接受英國王室的控制，現在正與羅馬教廷接觸修好中。

復活第三主日 - 乙年

主 題：你們就是這些事的證人
讀經一：宗3：13~15,17~19 你們殺害了「生命之源」
讀經二：若一2：1~5 耶穌基督為大眾作辯護
福 音：路24：35~48 復活的耶穌引導門徒認識自己

反 省：「平安」兩字，對我有特別意義？

復活第二主日

主 題：願你們平安
讀經一：宗4：32~35初期教會信友同心合意的共融生活
讀經二：若一5：1~6依靠天主必戰勝世界
福 音：若20：19~31不要作無信的人

反 省：在我困難中跌倒，上主有扶助過我？祂給我的救援？

2009年最有意義的復活節 - A very different Easter Day

為響應教宗元旦文告「幫助貧困的人」的指示，本堂於今年三月初開始策劃「守齋助鄰」活動，將四月守齋所省下的錢及教友的愛心捐款，成立本堂的「守齋助鄰」專戶，以本堂區範圍內的低收入戶做為幫助的對象。經過一個月的策劃，動用本堂傳協會與婦女會的力量，並請區公所提供名單，將所募籌的款項購買白米與食用油，於復活節當天對外發放。

本次活動為鼓勵堂區附近鄰里與本堂的互動，採用由區公所發通告、受助人到堂領取的方式，讓外教人有機會進到聖堂。本堂教友更熱心準備自助餐，除一方面慶祝本堂神父到堂服務2週年、慶祝2009年復活節外，更邀請前來領取愛心物資的受助戶一同享用教友精心準備的美食。全體教友、到堂領取愛心物資的受助戶、本堂神父與修女，在出自內心對基督的愛轉成對週遭里鄰的關懷行動中，渡過了一個不一樣的復活節。除此之外，高雄教區提供特定低收入戶「我日用糧」物資發放的溢注，讓今年萬福天主堂的復活節成為最有意意的復活節，在此謹代表傳協會謝謝各位教友的慷慨解囊。

To carry out His Holinesspope Benedict XVI's Message "FIGHTING POVERTY TO BUILD PEACE", a specific donation fund was established at Wanfu Catholic Church to raise donation for purchasing rice as well as cooking oil. Event of "Save to Help" was held on Easter Day not only to celebrate Easter, to celebrate Father Lau's 2nd-year service at Wanfu, but also to give away rice and cooking oil to the poors to illustrate our cares.

We will continue raising money for this specific donation fund so that God's love can continuously pass on through our hands to others. Your donation are welcome; even a small bill will help. Please reach out and help someone.

04/18/2009本堂高雄市區朝聖規劃

各位主內的兄弟姐妹：

本堂將於04/18/2009展開福傳150高雄教區朝聖的最後一次團體朝聖，截至目前為止共有21位教友報名，最後的報名日期將是04/16，請還未報名的教友趕緊向劉月瑞姐妹報名。圖中所示為本次朝聖的路線規劃，請大家踴躍參加。

Catholic Churches in the Netherlands (Part.3) ~ E.E.Jansen

Dear Readers!!

After we visit Oldenzaal we went back to the north part of the Netherlands it is a journey from nearly 175 Km In the morning we take the route via Germany and the way back we drive over Dutch roads.
During Christ Mass we visit the church in Delfzijl. We went to the night Mass. As usual the church was being full of people. We were lucky that we were able to go in our own place. We have one Father and he have to serve three places. From Delfzijl out both places stay 15 and 17 km away. You can understand that the father had a busy Evening Night. It was Christ mass eve rather could. Temperature stays just above zero. No snow on the roads.
The Father is new in our parish. The previous father became very ill and has to stop.
The Father before the father who became ill was many years father in our church more than 25 years. And he was born in Yes you knows it or not? Well I will tell you In Ootmarsum.
My wife knows the Father and his family very well. When my wife left the primary school, she likes to become a nurse at that time she was too young for the nursery school that she visit first the school of domestic science During that period the girls who visit that school had to work one day per week in a private home. My wife came in the house of the parents of our Father. Not knowing that many years later we would live in the same place with the name Delfzijl. And that he would baptize our both sons. Now back to the church I told you that in Delfzijl most of the people are protestant and only 2% is catholic. Delfzijl is a very old place and harbor. The first time that people are spoken about Delfzijl was around 1650-1675. The first Catholic Church was built around 1800. Around 1900 the population were growing very fast due too that the harbor became lager and more important. A lot of sailing vessel discharge her cargo in our port fertilizer from chili, tobacco from the United States and timber from Sweden, Finland and Norway were imported.
Export products were Bricks, Peat, cartons, paper and machinery. Years’ later we also export salt, livestock. The church became too small and the Bishop of Groningen gives permission to bought land from the city of Delfzijl and built a new Church including the presbytery. In 1915 the new church were ready and became the name (Sint Jozef Kerk in Dutch) In English SAINT JOSEPH CHURCH. Mr. Wu knows now were his name come from. The Old church was sold to a Protestants religion. When the church was ready many people ask them self why the Catholic Church has such a big garden and presbytery. At that time nobody would know that nearly 95 years later is was good that the church had so much ground that they were able to sell a part of the garden to the city council who mentioned that the town hall became too small and need urgently an extension. To sell a couple of square meters for a very high price was the rescue of the Saint Joseph church.
When the church were opens up it was a beautiful church. Not with a lot of luxury but it has everything like 3 big bells in the bell tower and a beautiful organ. Other presbytery became jealous that a place as Delfzijl had such a big church. And has everything in it like in the capital city Groningen where the Bishop has his residence. Till 1970 the church were proper maintained and a lot of volunteers spent really days and days week in week out month in month out to kept the church in a good condition. From around 1985 it goes backwards with the Church les people came in to the church and a lot of people leaving Delfzijl due that their became less work and for the young people there was not much future so they moved away. She same things happened in surrounded places, like Appingedam and more of those places. Another problem arise that we getting les priest who were leaving from the seminar. Fathers and bishops became more and more work actual they became too much work.
I remember that our father from Ootmarsum making working days from 16 hours. And never one day off there was any reliever. In 2003 and 2004 some Catholic churches were closed down due to the condition of the church and lack of money not sufficient members and or Priest and Fathers.
The church of Delfzijl had still a positive account that became even much better by selling the land. On Christmas eve the father told us that in the beginning 0f 2009 the Church getting a big restore the hole roof will be renewed windows will be repaired all electricity wire will be renewed the organ can send To Germany for repairing .The bells will be repaired
They hope to finish in 15 month after they starts with it. I promise you that during my holidays I will take some pictures from the restore and will put them in your magazine so you can follow the works I hope that you are interested in it
In my next article I will inform you how we celebrate Eastern in the Netherlands.
For now I wish everybody a good time good health.
May God BLESS YOU’RE ALL.

Kind regards Evert.

Catholic Churches in the Netherlands (Part.2) ~ E.E.Jansen

Dear reader !! Happy Eastern

From Ootmarsum we drive to Oldenzaal it is a distance from 13 km and we pass a several small village. We past even so a several Maria chapels they are place at the side of the road. Mostly establish by ridge farmer or other ridge industrial owner. Today the visibility is good so from a long distance we are able to see the spire of the church who we will visit next. We people who are growing up in this area call him ( De ole grieze - My dialect) Translate THE OLD GREY ONE. Oldenzaal is a small city population around 45000 people. It was many years a very important city due to his textile industry. Now a day the big factory’s are closed down and other industries came in place. You can still see the influence of the ridge owners of those textile industry beautiful land houses some are more looking at small castle’s and beautiful gardens.
In Oldenzaal 96 % off the population is Catholic. There are 5 catholic Churches. The Plechelmus basilica is situated in the center of the city. And the Church is surrounded by the town hall and 1 Catholic school a former Nunnery what is now made as a rest home for Nuns Priest and Fathers and don’t forget some small restaurants. In The Netherlands around every Church you will find a bar or coffee house.
Many years ago we had strong winters no heating in the Church so if people came out the church they were really cold and were happy that close by was a coffee house or restaurant where they were able to go in to become warm again before they go home. Some people had to walk more than 7 KM. The ridge people came by calash (a car who were towed by one or more horses) and some came on with a bicycle.
Oldenzaal was one of the first places in this area who had a Grammar school owned by the church and the teachers are priest. Order from Carmelite. The Grammar school is still exist and famous. In previous years most of the students went from her to a seminary to study for priest. Some of them became many years later Bishop.
Now back to the church. The church was built around 1500 from a special stone that you find only In Germany In the place BENTHEIM, The stone is named to this place
BENTHEIMER STONE.

It was built as a protestant church Half way 1500 it became a catholic church. In 1575 there was a religion war going on and the Catholic religions were forbidden. The catholic people came to gather in secret places in the forest and continue their religion. In 1625 the church became back under Catholic ownership. Now a day the Plechhelmus basilica is one of the most famous in the north and east Part of The Netherlands. Inside you can find a lot of historical things with a very high value .The windows are from stained glass with beautiful portrayals.
The altar is really beautiful with on both side big candles.
Also the font is made from hand carved wood.
Below the altar you are able to find a fault.
In the Bell tower you find a total from 7 bells from small to really big bells. If the bells are working it brings a enormous sound who last over many kilometers. And for every occasion like Wedding Funeral High miss eastern miss they have a different sound.
My grandparents were living in this places and I came already as a very small boy in this church My grantfather were protestant my grandmother were Catholic They never went to the church on Sunday. But when my grandfather takes me out for a walk we went many times to the church when we were inside I got view cents from my grandfather to burn a candle. When you put the money in the money box an angel above you were bow her head for you.
Later when I get knowledge to my wife we went always to this church.
Miss Chou take some nice pictures of this church and I hope that she will put them on to my story so you will getting a small impression were I’M writing from. And that you get an Idea of the Catholic Church in the Netherlands.
In part.3 I will inform you about the church in my place where we living now.
I wish everybody a great time with reading the church magazine. May everybody live in good health and happiness and I hope that we will see each other in a couple of month.

~to be continued ~

GLOD BLESS YOUR ALL. / your friend ~ Evert.

耶穌復活主日

主 題：空墳
讀經一：宗10：34，37~43伯鐸為基督復活作證
讀經二：哥3：1~4該追求天上事
福 音：若20：1~9墳墓已空

反 省：我的生活是否能引領他人相信復活主的一個標記？

復活前夕 - 乙年

主 題：耶穌基督戰勝了死亡
讀經一：出14：15~15：1
讀經二：羅6：3~11信友藉洗禮與基督同死同生
福 音：谷16：1~8耶穌復活了

反 省：耶穌復活的事跡：能觸動我心？

Catholic Churches in the Netherlands ~ E.E.Jansen

Dear readers.

This time we going sightseeing to three different Catholic Churches in the Netherlands
The places are located in the North and East part of the Netherlands and well in the places: Ootmarsum, Oldenzaal, Delfzijl.
Mrs. Louisa (周治菁)visit all three places during her holidays and visit in each place one of the Catholic Churches.
We start in Ootmarsum a small village in the east part close to the German Border. Population around 15.000 people 95% of the people are Catholic. One Catholic Church in the center of the village on a round square around the square some pups is situated and also the presbytery is situated at that square. Close by you are able to find a old Nunnery.
This Nunnery was in use until 2005. A real estate developer bought it in 2005. The village is from historical value so the outside can’t be change in to any modern style. First they plan to build luxury apartment s in it. Later that plan was canceled. For the moment every plan is rejected by the town council and the historical monument organization that is a part of the Netherlands Government who has very strict rules about historical buildings. On the opposite side of the nunnery was an orphanage and were part of the nunnery .Also this does not longer exist. The last children left there in 1995. I know this all very well due to that my wife spent her childhood in this place in the orphanage. When we were engaged and the first 2 years that we were married twice a month we visit the orphanage and even I been inside the nunnery
That was a great privilege. After two years we moved from Oldenzaal to Delfzijl. And the visits became less frequently due to the distance. Now back to the church. The church was built around 1900.
When the church was finish is was every Saturday evening and Sunday and every morning during weekdays full with people the church playing an important role not only for the people from Ootmarsum but for other small village who are laying around Ootmarsum. There was a period that the church has 1 father 4 priests and 3 to 4 curates. At that time they there were no cars at that time and all home visits had to be done by walking and later by bicycle. It takes a long time to visit all families from time to time. During the 2nd world war the church were playing a great role. They hide in the church and even in the nunnery people who were escaped or on the move for the Germans.
Just before the 2nd world war ended The Germans held a rate and executed 10 men were of the father and the verger. This is a black page in the history from the church of Ootmarsum.
Also in the war the Church was attacked by gun fire from first the Germans and later from the Canadian and British soldiers who liberated the Netherlands from the Germans. The impact from the bullets and grenade shells are still visible in the walls from the Church. The surrender from the Germans was on the 5th of May 1945 the Father and the 9 others were executed on 24th of April 1945.
After the war the damage on to the church were repaired and a lot of stolen things came back the most value things were hide in the Nunnery and were saved. This was not happened in every church in the Netherlands. On the 5th day of May 1940 the Germans put the city of Rotterdam in fire to force the Dutch Government to surrender.
It takes more than 20 years to rebuild this church.
Now a day the church in Ootmarsum need a big restore from inside, the outside is be done but inside a lot of work have to be done. And as it is as every were now a days in every church there is no more money to do it. The benches are moved away and plastic chairs came back it looks not nice at all. They church try with all kinds of fancy fairs and selling candles’ to collect money to keep this church up to date. ~ to be continued ~

聖枝主日 - 乙年

主 題：卑微的耶穌上主的僕人
讀經一：依50：4~7上主的僕人
讀經二：斐2：6~11耶穌貶抑自己聽命至死
福 音：谷14：1~15：47耶穌受難史

反 省：如果我能在橄欖園與耶穌相聚五分鐘，我要對祂說什麼？