My Seminary Life
When I went to seminary before,
My life has a meaning
A priest once told me,
' Your life here is God's calling.'
There I understood,
Being a priest was a vocation
A great sacrifice & service to God
Where no life to enjoy a vacation.
Indeed, I greatly admired
The hearts, souls and minds
Of those servants in God
As their own desires
have to be sacrificed.
For them to serve our Saviour Lord Jesus,
Life here on earth has its true values.
poem by Alon Calinao Dy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Life of a Roman Catholic Priest
A priest is nearest Christ;
A priest is Christ at times;
A priest is almost Christ;
A priest is most divine.
A priest is God’s shepherd;
A priest must tend to flock;
A priest must be like ‘rock’;
A priest should ne’er defrock.
A priest communes with God;
A priest draws hope from Lord;
A priest shows love of Christ;
A priest carries His Cross!
A priest is tempted too;
A priest has falls in life;
A priest falters also;
A priest has strength from Christ.
A priestly job is tough;
A priest’s life can turn rough;
A priest has strife enough,
But has to smile and laugh!
A priest helps harvest souls;
A priest has many roles;
A priest has but one goal –
To drink from Christ’s own bowl!
Pray that more priests should come;
May priests curb their freedom;
May priest usher Kingdom;
A life for Christ’s welcome.
Fondly dedicated to Rev. Fr. Xavier Claudius,
Beloved Parish priest, ‘Holy Family Church, Perundurai
Copyright by Dr John Celes 25-7-2010
poem by John Celes
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Freedom To Serve
Become God’s servant to be free, when you go through Calvary,
The only place on earth indeed, when as a servant you are freed;
Freed through the Blood of Christ, from the bondage of this life,
A Freedom only known to man, through God’s Redemptive Plan.
God bought us out of slavery, with precious Blood from Calvary,
Purchased from the market of sin; granting freedom deep within,
Freedom by us that wasn’t sought, which the Lord for us bought,
Offering His Son, our Lord Jesus, as payment made for all of us.
When we’re freed, we’re then sent, by our Lord, as God’s servant,
Here in service to the Son of God, on this earth that we now trod,
No longer slaves in bondage to sin, we delight in service for Him,
Now as we serve the King of kings, our new freedom in Him rings.
We’re now free to serve our Lord, as Christ’s Body, in one accord,
Now serving with the mind of Christ, for God gave us all New Life,
Eternal Life, which we don’t deserve, which is why we gladly serve,
By God’s Grace, with freedom, as God’s servants in His Kingdom.
All because God paid that price, when His Son became a sacrifice,
Christ, Who had no reason to die, served as a Lamb, for you and I,
To grant us real freedom my friend, that from The Lord has no end,
As we come to The Lord Jesus, to serve eternally in God’s Service.
(Copyright ©08/2010)
Surrender
Surrender to God’s awesome will, and watch His purpose be fulfilled.
God’s purpose in your life will be, a treasure for you through Eternity.
Surrender is never for the weak, but men who are humble and meek.
For when you surrender to The Lord, you don’t know what’s in store.
When you surrender you don’t lose, as you become one God can use.
Christ will use you in various ways, as The Lord fills out all your days.
A life of surrender is the only door, to properly serve The Living Lord.
Surrender is the required sacrifice, for a life pleasing to Jesus Christ.
Earthly desires throughout the day, simply hinder and get in the way.
But surrender my friend sets aside, earthly plans that would only die.
Christ exchanges all your desires, for a purpose that is much higher.
And a surrendered life for Jesus Christ, continues on into Eternal Life.
If you think you’ll lose out on life, remember what was done by Christ.
Christ put aside all that He was, to endure a cross for sinners like us.
Surrender will indeed alter your plans, as you follow The Son of Man.
But when you do surrender my friend, you join a plan that has no end.
True surrender comes with power, and guides you every day and hour.
And surrender isn’t surrender at all, but a fulfilled life in The Lord of all.
For it’s not my will that will be done, but it is the will of God’s Only Son.
So surrender today to Jesus Christ, and you friend inherit Eternal Life.
St. Peter Julian Eymard, ‘The Apostle of the Eucharist’
Founder, Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti (SSS)
And Third Order of Mary (Feb 4,1811- Aug 1,1868)
The saint exhorted:
‘Go set the world afire,
For love of Eucharist!
Adore the Lord Jesus
In the Blessed Sacrament.’
‘Glorify God always;
Let Eucharist reign world;
Go often to Jesus,
Alive in Eucharist.’
‘The Holy Eucharist
Is the fountain of life;
Receive the Lord Jesus,
Often into your heart! ’
The cross appeared before mind’s eyes,
And beckoned him to follow it;
‘Give up all worldly, carnal ties, ’
Said Jesus Christ. ‘Follow, grace-lit! ’
The call was loud and clarion;
The Lord had plans for Julian;
There was never much confusion;
God gave him divine fore-vision!
The teenager from country France
Was born when dawned art, music, dance;
His poor physique and poverty,
Delayed life in Seminary.
He tried again when twenty-three,
And was ordained a priest at last;
For the Grenoble Diocese;
His service done became too vast.
Eymard believed in confession,
Repentance and reparation;
This was the soul’s preparation,
For a life of Lord’s adoration.
The spirit grows stronger in Christ,
With frequent communion athirst;
The Marist years made him good priest;
His love of Jesus never ceased.
He practiced vows of chastity,
Obedience and poverty;
His Eucharistic piety,
Engulfed the French Church freely.
Despite his poor physical health,
He grew in Lord Jesus Christ’s wealth.
His love of Christ seized upon him;
He gifted his whole self to Him!
‘The Apostle of the Eucharist’
Spread devotion to Jesus Christ;
To him, Jesus was always first –
That was why he became a priest.
‘O Sacrament, most Holy!
O Sacrament divine;
All praise and thanks-giving,
Be every moment, Thine! ’
Copyright by Dr John Celes 13-10-10
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Ordinary Worship
Ordinary people in this life, are used for God through Jesus Christ,
To help other men come to see, what He has done for you and me.
First worship begins in our hearts; it’s where all true worship starts,
And true worship, you will find, is with all your heart, soul and mind.
We seek God in an ordinary way, and to The Lord we humbly pray,
We worship God in Spirit and Truth, with no need of a sign or proof,
Knowing that He’s a God of Love, we lift our heart to heaven above.
Not confined by just one steeple, we worship as a universal people.
Ordinary people from every nation, become as one in His Salvation,
Saved by One Extraordinary God, to serve Him wherever men trod.
We direct our worship to God above, expressing to Him all our love,
And thankfulness for His only Son, God’s gift unmatched by anyone.
Our worship is mediated by Christ, who died to give all men new life,
A life of service we devote to Him, who died as a sacrifice for our sin.
Worship is performed in The Spirit, and a blessing to all who hear it,
As believers we gather corporately, to praise The King of all Eternity.
With hearts bowing in submission, to The Lord’s Great Commission,
Filled with reverence and in awe, of Christ, The King and Lord of all,
Prepared for service and ministry, for The Lord and God of Eternity,
Are ordinary people saved by Christ, to be an extraordinary sacrifice.
(Copyright ©07/2006)
The Need To Be Shaken
a novice
somewhere in Tamontaka
one day
was asked to take leave and
advised to live his life
outside the silent walls of
the old seminary
he is sad of course
for in his whole life
all he wants is to become
a priest
i ask him the reason
why
he was junked, (a word
too cruel for him
to hear)
he was told
by his superior
'Manny, you need to
be shaken! '
i know what it means.
He didn't
but just the same
i left the place where he wanted to stay
all his life
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Real Meaning Of Life
The real meaning of present life, begins at The Cross of Christ,
The cross on Mount Calvary, where Christ died for you and me,
Anywhere you travel on this sod, the Cross points men to God,
With a meaning far much higher, than any human earthly desire.
The Cross, purposed in this life, for man's Savior, Jesus Christ,
For the earthly life of Christ Jesus, not for Him, but for all of us,
His purpose came with a price, which was to be God's sacrifice,
As The Lord God purposed for Him, to be The Lamb for our sin.
Christ's example is for all men, in this world, God did condemn,
After sin had entered the earth, then The Lord put down a curse;
With a plan God had initiated, in a place where Christ was hated,
Crying for Him to be crucified; for them and All, Christ had died.
The Lord had left Heaven's majesty, to die for sinners at Calvary,
Surrendering His life for sinful man, all part of God's eternal plan,
Where Christ became sin for us, so we could gain righteousness,
This that through Jesus Christ, fallen man could attain eternal life.
For believers now on this earth, our present life has eternal worth,
Now with that promise of paradise, we are to be a living sacrifice,
Surrendering to God, all our life, to be witnesses for Jesus Christ,
So others, by the Cross of Calvary, may also secure life eternally.
He Is Alive!
Though they called me Doubting Thomas,
I know Lord Jesus lives!
I know Lord Jesus died for us
And, through Him, God forgives!
The Lamb of God was sacrificed,
God's utmost love to show...
I tell you, Jesus is the Christ,
For this truth you must know...
While some were there when Jesus died,
As witnesses on Earth,
In Heaven, Christ is glorified,
God's angels know His worth...
They magnify His Holy Name
With praises evermore,
For life will never be the same
For Mankind, to be sure...
In truth, He is alive! Amen!
God's Holy King and Priest,
Returning soon, we know not when,
Like lightning, west-to-east!
His miracles are with us here
To help to save the Jews,
So hearts and minds are crystal clear,
Believing God's Good News!
What wondrous grace, love undeserved,
No pardon could we buy,
Yet from His Tomb, Christ was unearthed,
With power from on high!
What greater proof of love than this?
Forgiveness here and now...
Eternal Life! Eternal bliss!
No wonder angels bow!
The Gentiles, too, are grafted in,
United in God's Tree,
Such that God pardons every sin
Because of Calvary!
The sinless Saviour paid the price
That none on Earth could pay,
His Blood should make us all think twice,
For all have gone astray...
He is alive! Amen! Sweet Lord!
The prophecies outlined
What never should have been ignored,
If wisdom we would find...
Messiah! Thank You! Yes, indeed!
Your courage means so much...
Life offered in the Blood You bleed,
Love in Your healing touch...
From age-to-age, Christ's truths bring hope,
To both the young and old,
To strengthen us, to help us cope,
As sheep within His fold...
For we are His and not our own,
He makes us all complete...
Good Shepherd, lead us to God's Throne,
His wondrous Mercy Seat...
Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2012.
poem by Denis Martindale
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The Furnace To The Flood
From the fiery furnace of life, we’re delivered by Jesus Christ.
When those fiery flames appear, our Lord God is always near,
There to lift us above that flame, all in the Power of His Name,
Protecting all of us from each fire, is our Lord’s heart’s desire.
As The Lord so desires to purify, in life’s fires, both you and I,
From a life of unrighteousness, fires allow iniquities to surface,
As we’re cleansed of old dross, In Christ’s power of The Cross,
To live for God and Jesus Christ, in our life as a living sacrifice.
When overwhelmed by a flood, we’re reminded of God’s Blood,
The Lord’s power at Calvary, continues in the life of you and me,
From the flood’s billowing waves, God reaches down and saves,
Saving us from the floods of life, is The Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
It is The Lord’s sustaining power, through any flood, any shower,
When the rains of life begin to pour, our Lord helps us to endure,
Holding us above the water’s flow, Christ desires to help us grow,
Through His Spirit dwelling inside, He’s with us in the highest tide.
Fires and floods, when they come, wherever in life, they are from,
Are used by God in this life, to conform believers to Jesus Christ,
Within the fire and the flood, we are molded by our Lord and God,
Being refined in the Image of Christ, to display The Lord in our life.
From An Empty Tomb
Because the tomb is empty, Jesus Christ can fill your heart,
With God’s Spirit deep inside, and new life from Him above.
When this life comes to be, from your life God won’t depart,
And as The Lord you do abide, God fills you with His Love.
Christ’s death is a picture for, a true believer, like you and I,
As we die to our old life of sin, it becomes buried far away.
We’re seated now with The Lord, in the Heavens up on High,
In our heart Christ lives within, and in our life is here to stay,
From the grave He did rise, claiming over death His victory,
Now He reigns on His throne, as He rules over all the earth.
Opening up hearts and eyes, pointing men towards eternity,
Calling sinners to be His own, refining us through new birth.
Now for all Christ Jesus lives, seated on the throne of God,
With all the power as before, He came to give to us his life.
New Life to all He now gives, as we live on this earthly sod.
A life you live forevermore, when you come to Jesus Christ,
All of this from an empty tomb, provided by a Savior’s love,
Christ who died for sinners lost, becoming for us a sacrifice.
And for you there’s still room, in God’s mansion high above,
If you’d only come to the cross, God’s only way to Paradise.
Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity
Is India Still Secular?
A nun was gang-raped in public;
A priest was beaten black and blue!
Half-naked, both were paraded;
While police-men stood near-by mute!
They burnt houses of Christians!
They torched the churches and killed some;
They reconverted quite a few;
‘Christians have no place in own land! ’
This was how Kandhamal returned
the love and charity of both;
They suffered for the sake of Christ!
Shame on a nation with such crimes!
Religions have sense of values;
But fanatics don’t have any;
Are not the Christians Indians too;
Why blame them for a Hindu’s death?
‘A little pencil in God’s hand’, -
in words of Mother Teresa –
are missionary sisters who serve
serve the poorest poor for Christ’s sake!
They see Christ in the poor they meet;
Like pencils they serve till worn out;
In white sarees with blue-border,
Their Foundress was Mother Teresa;
They offer smiles to distressed souls;
They caress people abandoned;
They console hearts filled with chaos;
The unwanted are made happy.
But Jesus touches any heart!
He turned Saul to Apostle Paul!
God’s-calling, no one can refuse;
All souls surrender to His love.
The ways of God are strange and queer!
God chooses anyone He wants;
He will not neglect souls that pray;
God’s rod is weapon powerful-most!
The country where Teresa slogged,
And won the Noble Prize for Peace
Has sadly ignored her sisters,
Who suffer ignominy much.
No one knows what one will become!
Religion is a transient thing –
The outer garb for every soul,
That must be pure to Heaven reach.
Why crush the flowers meant for God?
No man can win against God’s power;
Why ruin lives who serve the Lord?
God’s curse and wrath awaits such souls!
A priest or nun has made a vow –
His body, mind belongs to God;
He lives his life just for God’s sake;
His soul will surely reach heaven.
To be a Christian is God’s will!
A Christian is proud to be one;
He’ll give his life for Jesus’ sake;
His love for God, no one can steal!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 09-30-2008
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I trained to be a priest - started to. I went to seminary school when I was 11. I wanted to be a priest, but when they told me I could never have sex, not even on my birthday, I changed my mind.
quote by Johnny Vegas
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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On Becoming a Priest…
Tomorrow may not come at all;
Listen today to Jesus’ call;
Now is the time to truly act;
This is the truth of life and fact.
The man of poverty can shine,
More than the moon or sun so fine;
Humble yourself and make accord
For life, with Almighty God, Lord.
Stands before him, the Holy Cross;
God shows that Jesus Christ is boss;
The Monstrance is Christ’s earthly home;
The penitent is most welcome.
Only the soul pure can commune,
And walk or run to divine tune;
The Eucharist is prime in life,
No matter any kind of strife.
The body, blood of Jesus Christ
Is food for any holy priest;
Nothing can deter when God calls,
For Jesus lifts you up from falls!
The greatest gift of life from God
Is returned back to Jesus Lord;
The world or devils can’t stop you
From love of God, that you thus do.
The grace of God strengthens your soul,
And brazens you up for new role;
And if your calling is so true,
God gives you every kind of cue.
Ascertaining your love for Him,
While crave for world turns very dim,
The oracle is very clear;
The road to heaven brings no fear.
One needs to do much sacrifice,
And give up every kind of vice;
For anyone can turn a saint,
When grace of God becomes soul’s paint!
The Lord will surely help you out
From obstacles, without a doubt;
For, priesthood is the clarion call
For man to enter God’s own hall.
Ordination is Sacrament
Most Holy, and most paramount;
God’s love encompasses the soul;
Service to God becomes prime goal.
The road to heaven becomes straight;
Eternity with God is fate;
Bringing more souls to God is prime;
God shows the way in His own time!
Love priesthood, man for God beckons,
And Jesus Christ Himself reckons;
Rewards in Heaven you await,
However narrow be its gate!
Copyright by Dr John Celes 10-12-10
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Awake!
God said, 'serve',
But I chose to run.
God said, 'stop! ',
But I was having too much fun.
Then God said, 'come! ',
And willingly, I came.
Soon after that,
My life began to change -
God said 'give',
But I said 'get'
God said 'live',
But my path lead to death.
God said 'Listen! '
'And My laws, do abide.',
But I didn't hear Him,
For my heart was too full of pride.
But then I heard a story,
Of how Jesus died for me.
I learned that He served,
He listened,
And gave up all,
So we could have life,
And have it more abundantly.
I discovered that God had a calling
Upon my life,
And that He,
Had plans to prosper me,
And not to harm me -
Plans to give me a hope, and a future.
I found out that all have sinned,
And fallen short
Of the glory of God.
That meant I, too
Was a sinner,
And my soul was hell bent!
If I wanted to be in Heaven
With God when I died,
I needed to believe -
That Jesus is God in the Flesh,
He is the Messiah,
He is God's Son,
The perfect and spotless one,
The Way, the Truth, the life -
The atonement and sacrifice
To save my soul.
I needed to relize
That for forgiveness of my sin,
Jesus had to be crucified,
Hung on a tree, and left to die.
I Must confess with my mouth
That Jesus is Lord,
And that He died,
That He was Buried,
And on the third day,
Jesus rose and conquered the grave!
So, What could I do? ,
But repent
And ask Jesus to be
Lord of my life.
I knew I must surrender all,
So with reckless abandon,
I did.
I know I must answer the call,
To let all
People know
Of Jesus' sacrifice,
Which is the purchase of their soul
Back from sin and spiritual death.
There is is a reward in heaven,
For what is given up now,
To surrender your life to Jesus.
Take up your cross daily,
And follow Him,
For he is Saviour of our soul!
And what ever be left
Here to rot and mold,
Will be replaced anew.
T'will be your reward in Heaven,
Manifested tenfold!
But when you meet Jesus in Heaven,
T'will be brighter than the sun!
He will look you in the eye
To tell you,
'My servant, well done! '
poem by Macy Dvirnak
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Stewards of Christ
True stewards for Jesus Christ, must become for God a sacrifice,
Offered up as a living sacrifice, to Jesus who paid sin’s full price,
When as an atonement, God sent Him, to the Cross for all our sin,
And true stewardship, for The Lord, begins in a heart transformed.
This begins with real recognition, by the believer of all of their sin,
Using God’s Word as their Guide, to expose sins we tend to hide,
And those sins, that we recognize, in our hearts, we must despise,
And to God so faithful and just, when we confess, He forgives us.
Repentance also plays a part, when we make changes in our heart,
To turn our life away from sin, applying those changes from within,
Turning us, from wrong to right, moving from the darkness to light,
A choice to make our walk in life, most acceptable to Jesus Christ.
Replacement now comes into view, for us to walk a life brand new,
Replacing those old habits for, those that are pleasing to our Lord,
And as in Christ Jesus we abide, our life becomes more sanctified,
Set apart by Christ to do His will, as God’s plan, Christ does fulfill.
Now a renewing of heart and mind, needs to take place at this time,
As The Word of God dwells richly in, all of those who come to Him,
And as His Word begins to dwell, old sin in us The Spirit shall quell,
As He fills our heart and mind, transformation by God is intertwined.
That’s how The Lord God above, fills faithful believers with His love,
So while upon earth he may be, mindful of God’s purpose eternally,
In making one’s life suitable for, the stewardship of Christ our Lord,
As we faithfully serve Eternal God, as stewards on this earthly sod.
(Copyright ©01/2008)
Come Lord Jesus, Take Me Home
Originally written as a song, tune: Joan Baez, All my trials Lord, soon be over
This earthly life has got me down
When I get home, I’ll wear a crown
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
God has promised me in his word
Eternal life through my risen Lord
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
I’ve not yet seen it, but I’ve been told
Heaven’s streets are paved with gold
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
Holy Spirit leads I know he’s right
He comforts me both day and night
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
When life on earth has come and gone
I’ll live in heaven before his throne
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
Come, Lord Jesus, take me home
©: C R Clark - May 6,1982
poem by C.R. Clark
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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If it came to saving the life of one priest or sacrificing the life of an entire congregation, the church would save the life of the priest. Which is backwards, of course.
quote by Rob Walton
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Life is free
Life is free
Life is with the bird with the tree.
Enjoy the life
Life is cold and heat
Enjoy the life
Life is Joy and sorrow
Enjoy the life
There is honour and ignominy.
Life is free
Enjoy the life
Consider the earth
The stone and the gold
All alike.
Life is life
Nothing substitute life
Enjoy the life.
poem by Gajanan Mishra
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Freedom in His Kingdom
The Lord wants us to have freedom
That was His will from the beginning
Then for those who are not living free
Know that there is something wrong
Perhaps you are not where you belong
You need to search well for your freedom
You should live free in the Lord's kingdom
By His salvation we have been made free
Then being free we should be able to serve
And do our best service in God's kingdom
Even to lead those dying in sins to freedom
Take time out to see the signs of the times
It is urging on the end owing to many crimes
So let's do something that's right for the Divine
Like helping those souls dying in sins to freedom
Life in Christ is nice as He can set everyone free
And freedom needs to reign in God's kingdom
It's right to set free those who are bond by sin
Then we must do what we can to set them free
Even by saying this to them Jesus Christ is alive
Just get in service for Him and you'll do fine
With the Lord there's an everlasting freedom
Quit sinning and enjoy life in His kingdom.
All rights reserved
poem by Clarence Prince
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A Willing Sacrifice
They say they love God like me, and they want to live eternally,
Without the love I have for Him, as they continue their life of sin.
But the power of Calvary’s Cross, changes the hearts of the lost,
As men come to Jesus Christ, His Spirit changes wayward lives.
They say in God they believe, but life in Christ they don’t receive,
But men must believe in their heart, for life in Christ to truly start.
Most men will acknowledge God, and agree He exists with a nod,
But never truly embrace His Son, Who came to die for everyone.
Some want to believe religiously, without a change men can see,
Afraid more about what men say, than our Lord on Judgment Day.
But we can’t believe Saving Truth, without our life showing proof,
Within our hearts and in our lives, that we belong to Jesus Christ.
For He did more than die for men, on a cross He purchased them,
When He became God’s sacrifice, His Blood for all paid the price.
A price we could not pay for sin, that on a cross was paid by Him,
When God sent Christ to the cross, to save a world of sinners lost.
The debt that we could not afford, was paid in Grace by The Lord,
And so we die to a life of sin, and use our life to acknowledge Him.
Being truly loved by God’s Son, we profess His Name to everyone,
Willing to be God’s living sacrifice, and God’s Light for Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©01/2007)