Actor Eduardo Verástegui visits prisoners to talk about second chances

Mexican movie star Eduardo Verástegui on Wednesday visited Gatesville Prison in Gatesville, Texas to tell prisoners how acting in the movie Bella inspired him to change his way of life and gave him a second chance.

The visit is part of a new program called Jose’s Second Chance, based on the lead character of Jose in the movie Bella. The character was given a second chance after a tragic accident resulted in his imprisonment.

“During my preparation for this role, I realized I was not the man that I had been raised to be and that I wanted to be,” Verástegui said before the visit.

The movie star explained that playing the role of Jose convinced him he could change his ways and “lead a life that I could be proud of” in both his public and private life.

“I've dedicated my acting career to only portraying men that are heroes--not like Batman or Superman--but real heroes,” he continued. “Men who are hard- working, men of faith, men who are faithful to their wives … men like my father, and to stop perpetuating stereotypes often associated with Latino actors.

“The next act of our lives has not been written. We can write those chapters by the decisions we make and I want to share this truth with those I will meet today," the famous Mexican actor said.

Verástegui appeared at the prison at the invitation of Christian prison ministry Discipleship Unlimited.

Jose’s Second Chance is a program launched by the Human Rights, Education and Relief Organization (HERO) in partnership with Manto de Guadalupe, a Los Angeles-based non-profit.

HERO founder Jason Jones, who also was a producer for Bella, joined Verástegui at the prison, where Bella was shown prior to their visit.

“We are grateful for the impact that Bella has made on people,” Jones commented in a press release before going to the prison. He claimed that the movie has saved many lives.

“We are excited to share it in this new setting where it can be a real instrument of healing,” he continued.

“At the core of all that HERO does is a recognition and respect for the intrinsic dignity of every human person. Sadly, that simple truth is often forgotten when it comes to those imprisoned--by the public and the inmates themselves.”

Jones said he and Verástegui hope their effort will help inspire inmates to “valiantly lay claim to their second chance.”
by CNA

The First Great Translator

Saint Jerome, one of the four great Latin Doctors of the Church (the other three being St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory the Great), was the pre-eminent scholar and translator of Sacred Scripture in the history of the Church. He was the translator of the Vulgate version of the Bible.

St. Jerome was born in Dalmatia around 340-342 AD. Having grown up a wealthy pagan, Jerome visited Rome at about 20 and was converted and baptized. He went to study theology in the famous schools of Trier, and later set out to the Syrian desert in order to live as a hermit. He was ordained a priest in Antioch and at the age of 40 he went to Constantinople, where he met and befriended St. Gregory of Nazianzus (one of the four great Greek Doctors of the Church).

He became the secretary of Pope Damasus, who commissioned the Vulgate from him, which took him 30 years to write. His harsh temperament and his biting criticisms of his intellectual opponents made him many enemies in the Church and in Rome and he was forced to leave the city.

St. Jerome once said, "I interpret as I should, following the command of Christ: 'Search the Scriptures,' and 'Seek and you shall find.' For if, as Paul says, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, and if the man who does not know Scripture does not know the power and wisdom of God, then ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."

Jerome went to Bethlehem, established a monastery, and lived the rest of his years in study, prayer, and ascetcism. Jerome died at Bethlehem, September 30th, 420. He is the patron of Bible scholars

About sports

Millions of us watched the Olympics, awed by the artistry of sheer physical excellence. The stirring theme song is silent now, and we’re back to our ordinary routines of work, school, and whatever. For an increasing number of our kids, however, the “whatever” is less and less likely to involve sports. By age 13, 70% of kids have dropped out of organized sports—and, often, out of physical activity altogether.

The media and celebrities, including Michelle Obama, are all over the issue of childhood obesity; encouraging kids to play sports is certainly one way to keep our kids healthy. We live in a sedentary, information-oriented world. Gone are the days when a child’s day naturally involved physical work or even vigorous outdoor play in the neighborhood. Today’s kids are more likely to be working their thumbs on cell phones or Play Station than working out, unless mom and dad shuttle them to sports practices.

by M. Hasson

Connecting Medical Volunteers & Mission Organizations

Medicalmissions.org connects medical volunteers and job seekers with mission organizations sponsoring medical missions. Our goal is to match motivated healthcare professionals with health-related volunteer opportunities and medical mission trips. Mission organizations and agencies can post long or short term medical volunteer opportunities, as well as medical mission work that spans the globe. Our services are 100% free for both medical volunteers and mission organizations.