24th JUNE 2009 : SOLEMNITY OF THE BIRTH OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST
"The Lord called me from birth, from my mother's womb He gave me my name."

The birth of John the Baptist is a great sign of God’s blessing. Thus, the day on which he began his mortal life, is held sacred and is designated as a Solemnity in our liturgical calendar. John was willed to announce the Lord's coming and was intimately involved in Christ's work of redemption. He is a strong figure in Christian Scriptures. Everything about him points to Jesus Christ. For us Christians, he is a wonderful role model in this aspect. We are invited to look at our own lives and see if they point to Jesus Christ ... More ...

24th June 2009: BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO BISHOP CAMILLO The Clergy, Religious and Faithful in Kuwait convey their prayerful good wishes to His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, on the occasion of his 65th birthday. We pray in a special way for our Bishop's pastoral ministry in Kuwait, especially during this holy "Year of the Priest", that, Our Lord may continue to bless him with good health and happiness always!

19 JUNE 2009 - 19 JUNE 2010 : YEAR OF THE PRIEST "Year of the Priest is a great opportunity for conversion," says Pope Benedict XVI, "May Christ be made ever more manifest in each one of us!" Pope Benedict XVI has declared a "Year of the Priest" which will open with a vespers service at the Vatican on June 19 - the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the day for the sanctification of priests. He will close the celebrations during a World Meeting of Priests in St. Peter's Square on June 19, 2010. This year also marks the 150th anniversary of the death of the 19th-century saint - John Vianney, who represents a "true example of a priest at the service of the flock of Christ," the pope said. St. John Marie Vianney is widely known to Catholics as the Cure (parish priest) of Ars who won over the hearts of his villagers in France by visiting with them, teaching them about God and reconciling people to the Lord in the confessional. During this jubilee year, the pope will proclaim him to be patron saint of all the world's priests. At present, he is considered the patron saint of parish priests. More Information ... (www.worldpriest.com) Papal Announcement / Resources (www.usccb.org) Year of the Priest offers priests a special opportunity for conversion Plenary Indulgence offered for the Year of the Priest ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS To Thee, O Jesus! I consecrate my heart; do Thou secure it within Thine. In Thy Heart I wish to take up my abode, and through the love of Thy Heart I wish to love. May I live in Thy Heart, unknown to the world, and known only to Thee. In Thy Heart, I shall find that consuming love, with which mine should be all on fire; in it I hope to find strength, light, and true consolation. If I am fainting, it will give me courage; if I am sad, it will give me joy; if I am disquieted and troubled, it will give me confidence. O Heart of Jesus! may my heart be an altar ever burning with the fire of Thy love; may my tongue be employed in making known Thy goodness; may my eyes be unceasingly fixed upon Thy wound; may my mind constantly meditate on Thy adorable perfections; may my memory for ever preserve the recollection of Thy mercies; may my whole being, O Jesus! express my love for Thy Sacred Heart; and may my heart be ever ready to make any sacrifice for Thee. O Heart of Mary! next to the Heart of Jesus, the most amiable, compassionate, and merciful of all hearts, present this my consecration, my love, and my resolutions to the Heart of Thy Son. Through Thee He will be moved to compassion for our miseries, and will deliver us from them; and thus, O Mother of Jesus! after being our protectress upon earth, Thou will be our Queen for ever in heaven. Amen. PRAYER FOR PRIESTS O Lord, may You find shelter and rest gently within the heart of Your priest... Make him, O Lord, a priest according to Your heart: meek, humble, zealous, so that all he does will be for Your honor and glory. Mold him into a man of prayer and labor, insensible to earthly things, and sensible only to Your love and to the graces of the Holy Spirit. Amen. PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS O God, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to bring eternal life to those who believe. I join Him in praying for laborers for Your harvest. May Your Holy Spirit inspire men and women to continue His mission through Your priesthood, diaconate, religious life and lay ministry. May this same Spirit make known Your Will for my life. Amen.

04 MAY 2009 : NOTIFICATION FROM THE BISHOP'S OFFICE Vicariate of Kuwait Pastoral Council The Faithful in Kuwait are informed that the first Vicariate of Kuwait Pastoral Council (KPC) has been established. It is an advisory body which will collaborate in the pastoral work of the Vicariate, with the Bishop and the clergy. Whenever necessary, parishioners are requested to communicate their suggestions through a KPC member. A list of the members has been provided (refer to the link below). For your convenience, you may contact the KPC member easily reachable by you. VICARIATE OF KUWAIT PASTORAL COUNCIL (Notice & List of Members)

Hearty Congratulations & Prayerful Good Wishes to Our Beloved Jubilarians On Their Ruby and Golden Sacerdotal Anniversaries H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait 40th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination 30th March 1969 - 2009 H.G. Archbishop M. El-Hachem Apostolic Nuncio in Kuwait 50th Anniversary of Priestly Ordination 28th March 1959 - 2009 Archbishop El-Hachem, Bishop Camillo Ballin, Bishop Paul Hinder and the Clergy of the Vicariate Apostolic of Kuwait Concelebrated Mass on 15th April 2009 to mark the two Jubilee celebrations [ Please click here for a larger picture ] H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin's Welcome Address at the Concelebrated Mass on 15th April 2009 at the Holy Family Cathedral Your Grace, Your Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder, Rev. Fathers, Rev. Sisters and my dear People, This evening, together with Bishop Paul, Vicar Apostolic of Arabia, I am very happy to introduce and welcome all of you to this Eucharistic celebration which takes us back to an event in the life of our Apostolic Nuncio, his Priestly Ordination on 28th March, 1959. His presence among us today makes us aware of the need to share his joy and feeling of fulfillment as a good shepherd who has crossed the semi-century in his Priesthood. His Grace was born on 8th September 1934, a day very dear to all Marian devotees, in ‘Aqoura, Lebanon. His early education was in his native place and he had most of his higher studies outside his country mainly in France. He was ordained priest of the Maronite Church in 1959. With a deep knowledge coupled with pastoral zeal made him a full time laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Msgr. El-Hachem’s humble and simple approach made him worthy of greater responsibilities. For 29 years he served the Vatican Secretariat of State and remained close to the Pope who is the Pastor of the Catholic Church and a sign of visible unity in the universal Church. He was the Director of the Arabic section of the Press Office during the Second Vatican Council. He had a remarkable history of service back in his home diocese. Msgr. El-Hachem’s involvement in the diplomatic mission of Vatican made him an international figure. It is with this experience in the diplomatic field, that he was appointed as Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait and to other countries in the Gulf by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, in 2005. Dear friends, this is only a short summary of events through which God had done marvelous things in the life of His Grace for his Holy Church. The diplomatic personnel of Vatican is not only a civil representative but also a spiritual animator and a promoter of unity and universality. I am sure His Grace maintains these spiritual values as the true Ambassador of Pope. His mission as Nuncio to this part of Gulf has become more relevant at a time when His Holiness is faced with so much misunderstanding and unwarranted disputes. His message of peace and tolerance will be carried and conveyed by His Grace to the countries and cultures to which he represents His Holiness. Catholic Priesthood is a divine institution which demands a call and a response. No doubt, all through these fifty years, His Grace was blessed with the gift of commitment to God and to His Church. He always co-operated with God’s plan which made his Priesthood more functional and fruitful in the Church. He loves the Church and labors for Her tirelessly. Perhaps this may be one of the reasons for his sound health and spiritual energy at the moment. Now we are around His Grace in this cenacle of love and at this pinnacle of fulfillment Your Grace, His Excellency Bishop Paul and myself together with our people are gathered here, united to taste the fruit of your labors during the last fifty years and to appreciate the values of priesthood which you upheld in your life. We cannot pass over these years of service without pause for a moment. We implore God’s abundant blessings and pray for you and your personal intentions. On behalf of all present here, I whole heartedly welcome Your Grace to this Eucharistic Assembly and exhort all present to enrich this celebration with your active participation. God bless you all. Bishop Camillo Ballin, mccj Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait

29 JUNE 2008 - 29 JUNE 2009 : PAULINE YEAR IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH The Pauline Year: Ecumenism and Unity ... The Holy Father has proclaimed a year especially dedicated to St. Paul, to mark the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the Apostle. The jubilee year will run from 29 June 2008 to 29 June 2009. Pope Benedict XVI explained that this year must have an important ecumenical dimension. "The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians," the Pope said. An overview of the Year of St. Paul, as proclaimed by Pope Benedict XVI Web-site dedicated to the Pauline Year URBIS ET ORBIS - DECREE: Plenary Indulgence for Bi-millennium of St. Paul Pope Benedict XVI : "Pauline Year to Be Characterized by Ecumenism"

2 SEPT 2008 : RELEASE OF BISHOP CAMILLO'S PASTORAL LETTER
One Body in Christ: 2nd Pastoral Letter of
His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ

H.L. Bishop Camillo's Second Pastoral Letter which was released on the third anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination is based on the Parts of the Holy Mass with a more detailed explanation of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The title of the Letter has been taken from 1 Cor 10:17. St. Paul says: "And as there is one loaf, so we, although there are many of us, are one single body, for we all share in the one loaf." In the introduction, reference to the Passover is used to illumine the meaning of Christ’s redeeming sacrifice. Jesus, an observant Jew, died at Passover. His Last Supper — where he gave us the Eucharist as a way to remember and receive him — was a Passover meal (Luke 22:7-38). A Christian Passover highlights the fact that Jesus’ death and resurrection is a new exodus. What does that mean for us? How can we live out this reality more fully? ... The Letter concludes with notes and indications on how to use the letter. Pastoral Letter: ONE BODY IN CHRIST ASK THE BISHOP: Send your questions / comments to H.L. Bishop Camillo.

21st SEPT 2007 : RELEASE OF BISHOP CAMILLO'S PASTORAL LETTER
Eucharistic Amazement: Pastoral Letter of His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCJ

H.L. Bishop Camillo's Pastoral Letter of this year is on the Eucharist. The title of the Letter has been taken from the Papal Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, in which thrice Pope John Paul II described the Eucharist as "amazement". The First Part of the Pastoral Letter explains in as simple terms as possible: the Biblical Roots of the Eucharistic Celebration, The Eucharist as a Sacrament of Unity, The Altar as Symbol of Christ and Music in the Liturgy. The Second Part of the Pastoral Letter closely examines the Liturgy of the Word. Each section of the Letter concludes with thought-provoking questions for a deeper understanding. Pastoral Letter: EUCHARISTIC AMAZEMENT ASK THE BISHOP: Send your questions / comments to H.L. Bishop Camillo.

11 FEB 2008 : ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE VICARIATE OF KUWAIT
Neo-Catechumenal Way: New Life in Christ!

What is the Neo-Catechumenal Way? Is it a group? a private association? a religious institute? The Neo-Catechumenal Way is a way of conversion, a Christian initiation within the Catholic Church, dedicated to adult faith formation. The Neo-Catechumenal Community was initiated in Kuwait on December 1, 2006, by H.L. Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI, with the help of Catechists Rev. Fr. Ermenio, Filippo, Margherita and Salem from Italy. The Neo-Catechumenal Community in Kuwait

	S T.   D A N I E L   C O M B O N I   O F   T H E   H E A R T   O F   J E S U S
	"Prayer is the surest and infallible means to succeed in doing the works of God, even when they are at their most difficult and challenging " Random Quote by St. Daniel Comboni. Who was this great Apostle to Central Africa? NO GREATER LOVE: 9-Day Missionary Novena Read inspiring stories from the Comboni missions

	M A R R I A G E   P R E P A R A T I O N   C O U R S E - K U W A I T :
	" A Wedding is a day .... .... a Marriage is a lifetime! "   MPC - Marriage Preparation Course - is a programme for couples preparing for marriage. It assists marrying couples to discern if they are prepared to be married; and provides them with information and instruction to enhance their readiness to have a healthy marriage and a Christ-centered relationship.   Note: The MP Course Registration Form is available at the Cathedral Resource Centre. Please fill it and submit it there, before the deadline. Thank you for your cooperation.   MP Course Schedule for 2009 - is available here.   Church Requirements & Documents needed for a Church marriage   Beginning Your Marriage: Pointers for the newly engaged / married   Cana is Forever: Advice for Before & After Marriage   What the Church Teaches about Birth Control   It takes 'THREE' to get married ...

	B E A T I F I C A T I O N   &   C A N O N I S A T I O N   C A U S E :
	LET US PRAY: O Blessed Trinity, we thank You for having gifted the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of Your Fatherly care, the glory of the Cross of Christ, and the splendour of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with You. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your Will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among Your saints. Amen.   Official web-site for the Beatification Cause of Pope John Paul II www.vicariatusurbis.org/Beatificazione (with links in English)