Here’s what you need to know this morning of January 25, 2016, Day 4 of the International Eucharistic Congress 2016.

Papal legate visits dancing Cebu prisoners, asks them to pray for him

Papal Legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo, SDB, visited the famous dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Despite the drizzle, the inmates showed their world-famous dance routines, including one on the official IEC hymn, “Christ in us, our hope of glory.”

“Your prayers are very powerful because God is very near you. So pray for all of us. Pray for a more peaceful Philippines. Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, but it is about learning to dance in the rain.” Papal legate Charles Maung Cardinal Bo, SDB.

IEC 2016 Cardinal Bo CPDRC

ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. Inmate Dante Duran pays his respects to Papal Legate Yangon Archbishop Charles Cardinal Bo during his visit at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, the facility that houses the world-famous dancing inmates. (Photo by TV 5 journalist Ryan Sorote)

 

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Brace for monstrous traffic on Thursday

Organizers advised those who have flights on Thursday to leave four hours before their scheduled flight to avoid the expected traffic jams due to the 51st IEC activities.

On Thursday, half of the Mandaue-Mactan Bridge going to Lapu-Lapu will be closed for the Pilgrim walk from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Thursday night, the roads near the churches that are part of the Visita Iglesia will also be closed. The churches for the Visita Iglesia are Asilo dela Milagrosa, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Redemptorist Church, Sto. Rosario Church, Sacred Heart Church, Cathedral and Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino.

READ:
– Sun.Star Cebu: ‘Avoid going to IEC venues’
– Cebu Daily News: Brace for traffic
– The Freeman: Cebu City Transportation Office: Non-IEC vehicles will be rerouted

Bishop Barron: Reach out to the faithful online

A bishop from the United States urged the clergy attending the 51st IEC to reach out to their flock using modern means like social media. But, he cautioned, in introducing Christ to the world, one needs to “prepare with all seriousness” and read a lot of teachings and books.

“What an extraordinary tool you are given with the new media. If we don’t use that, I think we are missing an extraordinary technology.”
– Bishop Robert Barron, Los Angeles auxiliary bishop

Barron said many Catholics in the US and Western Europe no longer show interest in hearing mass, which he described as a “spiritual disaster.” In his own diocese, he said, more than 70 percent of are no longer attending masses.

“What’s sad today is the attitude towards the Eucharist, that so many in the Catholic world have become blasè about it.
– Bishop Barron

Barron, however, praised Filipino Catholics in the US for reviving the Christian faith. In many US parishes, it’s the Filipino communities that keep them alive.

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Other IEC 2016 News:

» Sun.Star Cebu: Palma hopes IEC leads to renewed appreciation of Eucharist

» WATCH: Palma on ANC Headstart

» Sun.Star Cebu: Hong Kong Bishop officiates in revived Latin Mass

» Sun.Star Cebu: 4,000-capacity Devotee City only has four occupants

» The Freeman: SPED teacher draws inspiration from PWDs in interpreting IEC song

» Cebu Daily News: Lack of funds fail to deter Mambaling Parish from hosting IEC delegates

» Cebu Daily News: Rains fail to dampen mood in IEC

» Cebu Daily News: Prayer sanctuary opens in Archbishop’s Palace

» CBCP News: IEC Speaker: Be the face of Mary, let all people know about Jesus Christ

» CBCP News: Eucharist is not a task, but a mission

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