NIGERIANS TO PAY £3,000 CASH BOND HENCEFORTH TO ENTER THE UNITED KINGDOM.

Visitors from Nigeria and other “high risk” countries in Asia and Africa will be forced to pay a £3,000 cash bond before they can enter United Kingdom.

From November, a pilot scheme will target visitors India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and Ghana who will have to pay the UK government a form of cash guarantee or deposit to deter immigration abuse. They will forfeit the £3,000 if they overstay in Britain and fail to return to their home countries by the time their visa has expired.

The controversial move by the UK home secretary, Theresa May, to introduce the Australian-style system reflects her determination to show that the Conservatives are serious about cutting immigration in the UK.

Ms May said: “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands, while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain.”

She added: “In the long run we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.”

The Home Office is targeting countries which have high volumes of visitor visa applications and what it deems to be relatively high levels of fraud and abuse.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/06/23/

POPE FRANCIS' FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE

Usually, when someone begins a new job, the first 100 days in office are a time of transition. A time to define one's personality and work style. In the case of Pope Francis, the world didn't have to wait too long to get to know his style.  In just a few months, his open attitude has revitalized the Church. Here are a few key parts that so far, have defined his style. Here are a few key points that so far, have defined his first days in office.

CLOSENESS
A professor asked me, 'Why don't you go and live in the Apostolic Palace?' I replied: Because I have a psychiatric condition'! That's just my personality.

Pope Francis tries to be close to all the pilgrims who flock to Rome. During Mass and audiences, he spends a great deal of time with them, greeting them and blessing them. He says he doesn't want to live in the Papal apartments, so he can live among the people, with the Curia. Without a doubt his public audiences in St. Peter's Square are always packed.

FREEDOM
When I Confess someone... Well, right now I can't do that, because I can't go out to administer Confession...You can't really go out.  This is another problem.

The Pope loves to improvise. He loves to joke around and greet those who comes his way. Staying at Santa Marta allows him to schedule informal visits. He even jokes about sneaking out of the Vatican to administer Confession. 

CHURCH

And when we find apostles who want to build a rich Church and a Church without the gratuitousness of praise, the Church becomes old, the Church becomes an NGO, the Church becomes lifeless.

One of the new customs introduced by Pope Francis is his Mass at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Every morning, the Pope gives a brief homily. He explains the day's Gospel and his catechesis sends a clear message about how the Pope thinks the Church should act and how Christians should behave. 

CONTINUITY
Thank you for the humbleness you've shown during your Pontificate. You are a  great example of kindness.

The Pope's speeches have been described as very powerful. The words he uses and his message are very direct. Despite his unique style, his Magisterium follows that of his predecessors. He often cites Benedict XVI, John Paul II and Paul VI. 

OUTSKIRTS

This can be dangerous. We close ourselves inside our parishes, with our friends, our associations, with the ones who share our own ideas... but you know what happens? When the Church is closed it weakens, it weakens. 

One of the most striking aspects Pope Francis showed during the start of his pontificate is his inclination for those in need. He shows a deep interest for the sick, the poor, children and the disadvantaged. He asks all Christians to actively engage in helping all those who live at the 'outskirts of society.'

REFORMS
I would love to have a poor Church. A Church for the poor! 

Before his election, cardinal Bergoglio often underlined the need for a more simplified Curia, that could assist dioceses around the world. It's an issue that was discussed among Cardinals before the Conclave. As Pope, he decided to appoint a commission of eight cardinals to reform the Curia and the way it governs the Church.  The commission will have its first official meeting in October. It will advise the Pope about how reforms can be put into practice, precisely to put in effect a new more effective model.  

The first 100 days of his pontificate have been intense. They have been a reflection of the impulse and strength he wants to govern the Church with. 

http://www.romereports.com 

ST. JOSEPH’S NAME ENTERS THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS, COURTESY OF POPE FRANCIS

In the first decree of a liturgical nature of this pontificate, Pope Francis has decided that name of St. Joseph should be added to the Eucharistic Prayers II, II and IV, as they appear in the third typical edition of the Roman Missal, after the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Below please find the text of the decree issued Wednesday by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments: 

DECREE
Exercising his paternal care over Jesus, Saint Joseph of Nazareth, set over the Lord’s family, marvelously fulfilled the office he received by grace. Adhering firmly to the mystery of God’s design of salvation in its very beginnings, he stands as an exemplary model of the kindness and humility that the Christian faith raises to a great destiny, and demonstrates the ordinary and simple virtues necessary for men to be good and genuine followers of Christ. Through these virtues, this Just man, caring most lovingly for the Mother of God and happily dedicating himself to the upbringing of Jesus Christ, was placed as guardian over God the Father’s most precious treasures. Therefore he has been the subject of assiduous devotion on the part of the People of God throughout the centuries, as the support of that mystical body, which is the Church.

The faithful in the Catholic Church have shown continuous devotion to Saint Joseph and have solemnly and constantly honored his memory as the most chaste spouse of the Mother of God and as the heavenly Patron of the universal Church. For this reason Blessed Pope John XXIII, in the days of the Most Holy Second Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, decreed that Saint Joseph’s name be added to the ancient Roman Canon. In response to petitions received from places throughout the world, the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI deemed them worthy of implementation and graciously approved them. The Supreme Pontiff Francis likewise has recently confirmed them. In this the Pontiffs had before their eyes the full communion of the Saints who, once pilgrims in this world, now lead us to Christ and unite us with him.

Accordingly, mature consideration having been given to all the matters mentioned here above, this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, by virtue of the faculties granted by the Supreme Pontiff Francis, is pleased to decree that the name of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary is henceforth to be added to Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV, as they appear in the third typical edition of the Roman Missal, after the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as follows: in Eucharistic Prayer II:

“ut cum beáta Dei Genetríce Vírgine María, beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, beátis Apóstolis”; in Eucharistic Prayer III: “cum beatíssima Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum beátis Apóstolis”; and in Eucharistic Prayer IV: “cum beáta Vírgine, Dei Genetríce, María, cum beáto Ioseph, eius Sponso, cum Apóstolis ”.

As regards the Latin text, these formulas are hereby declared typical. The Congregation itself will soon provide vernacular translations in the more widespread western languages; as for other languages, translations are to be prepared by the Bishops’ Conferences, according to the norm of law, to be confirmed by the Holy See through this Dicastery.

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.

From the offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1 May 2013, on the Memorial of Saint Joseph the Worker.

(Antonio Card. Cañizares Llovera)
Prefect
( X Arthur Roche )
Archbishop Secretary

The Congregation has provided English language translations for the additions to the Mass prayers. 

IN EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II: 
that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
with the blessed Apostles

IN EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III:

with the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs

IN EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IV:

with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
and with your Apostles

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/06/19/ 

TEENS, PEER PRESSURE AND SEX

One minute you’re playing kiss-chase in the playground and sex doesn't come into it. The next minute your friends are obsessed about when everyone will lose their virginity. You might be thinking about sex, but the reality of it can be confusing. It takes time to understand what sex is all about, and just because you want to know more doesn't mean that you have to rush into anything.

If you’re feeling pressured into having sex, you’re not alone. You might feel like the only virgin, but the average age that teenagers start having sex in the UK is 16. This is true for boys and girls so not everyone who says they've had sex is telling the truth. Good relationships start with friendship, and trust builds from there.

WHAT IS PEER PRESSURE?

Peer pressure is the pressure that your friends and the people you know, put on you to do something you don’t want to do (or don’t feel ready to do), such as have sex. There are different types of peer pressure:

• obvious peer pressure, such as: “Everyone’s doing it, so should you”
• underhand peer pressure, such as: “You’re a virgin, you wouldn't understand”
• controlling peer pressure, such as: “You would do it if you loved me”

GOOD REASONS TO WAIT UNTIL YOU’RE READY

The pressure that your friends put on you is worse than the pressure you put on yourself. Most of us have to deal with it at some point, but it’s difficult when friends brag about having sex and criticize you for being a virgin.

Not everything you hear is true. They could be exaggerating to make themselves look more experienced than you. Rushing into sex just to impress your friends or partner could leave you feeling like a fool because you didn't make your own decision.

It might help you to remember that:

• being in love or fancying someone doesn't mean that you have to have sex
• not having sex is not a sign that you’re immature
• saying no to sex is not bad for anyone’s health

It’s fine to say no or to say that you want to wait a while, even if you've had sex before.

MAKING YOUR OWN DECISION

Don’t do something you’re not ready to do just to please other people. You’re more likely to regret your first time if you do it under pressure. You’re also more likely to forget about contraception and condoms, which help to prevent pregnancy and protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia. [You should not see them as a safety measures to justify pre-marital sex any way].

Having sex won’t make your boyfriend or girlfriend like you more or stay with you. Your first time is important, so think carefully about it and take it slowly. Everyone (girls, boys) deserves to make their own decision in their own time. Sex can be great when both people like each other and feel ready. [The appropriate time is when you are married]. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

HOW TO STAND UP TO THE PRESSURE

Standing up to peer pressure means deciding whether to go along with everyone else or make your own decisions. Your friends might say things that put you under pressure. Here are some things you can say back to them to keep them quiet:

They say: “You haven’t had sex because no one fancies you.”
You say: “I haven’t had sex because I’m not afraid of saying no” or “I’m waiting for the right person”.

They say: “You’ll get dumped if you don’t do it soon.”
You say: “We like each other for more than just sex.”

They say: “ We've all done it loads of times.”
You say: “And Santa really climbs down the chimney every year.”

They say: “You must be gay.”
You say: “As if waiting for the right person means anything about my sexuality. Anybody can wait for the right person” or “So what if I am?”

They say: “You’ll get a reputation for being frigid.”
You say: “Waiting for the right person makes me smart, not frigid.”

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Sexandyoungpeople/Pages/Peerpressure.aspx