This Feast of the HOLY MARTYRS...

Here is Mike Aqulina's interview with Kris and Bruce McGregor of our local and WONDERFUL KVSS. Scroll to ROMAN MARTYRS . It's great! I did send the link to my friend, G. so hopefully she'll listen to it, and learn something and perhaps have her mind illumined to the TRUTH, and mushy relativism and subjectivism will be washed away.

About that "praying to the Saints stuff"...

"When in his frailty, a man invokes the saints, he invokes Christ, and without fail he will reach Christ whenever he calls upon their names, for wherever they are, they are in Christ and Christ is in them, and their name in Christ's name and Christ's name in their name."

Guess who said that?

Find out here.

h/t TJ : )

Should we still "die for the faith?"

Will we now, Oh Christians, lie down our deaths to save our enemies?

As goes the Church, so goes the world. It is the only way we can overcome violence.

The most deceitful spirit of all the ages is the one who has tempted Christians to welcome martyrdom as a shocking method to remedy the ills of their society, a temptation to bathe their brothers in their own blood. Their offering is of course united with Christ, but I say to you there is a better way to honor Christ’s sacrifice. I would save an "enemy" and bow down to a statue claiming to be god to save the soul of my neighbor. Whose soul do I love more, my own or my brother? I will bow to an idol and not make him a murderer, and risk losing my own soul in the process. That is a selfless love. I would give to Ceaser what is Ceaser's although his image claims to be god, even though all the world belongs to God and not to Ceaser, but God shares his image and his divine power with Ceaser. We are free to bow, and free to not bow. Jesus knew this. I would give my life rather than save it. Not bowing down to an idol gives the idol as much power as bowing down. The crux is that if I give up my life knowing that Jesus will raise it, I give my life to save it after all. Did I risk losing my brother’s life in the process? That is a far greater tragedy.

The above is from a friend, a fairly recent convert to the Catholic Church. If any of you have a thought to share with her, I'd appreciate your input. I posted it on CHNI forums: "Martyrdom?" From the two replies there, I wasn't wrong in my thinking that her paradigm is that of zealous, youthful idealism, and doesn't in any way conform to reality or the Catholic Church's teachings. It's sad to consider that she's been so deluded by the "Angel of Light" the "Tempter"and her mindset is so deeply ingrained by the tyranny of relativistic thought. She's a very sweet and good person, a wife, and mother of 3. We met when we had RECON meetings once a month. She came regularly for a year. I had sent her a post by Mark Mallett, and she obviously didn't agree with his article and beliefs. I believe she's bought into the insidious lie, wrapped in pretty paper that panders to one's emotions, leaving reality and reason behind. I welcome your comments. Thanks.

The Pillar and Bulwark of the Truth..

Yeah, when did Samuel become his son? Mr. Obama? Hmm?...

The Church did not evolve FROM the bible, but the bible came FROM the CHURCH. Long before there was a New Testament to quote, there was ONE HOLY CATHOLIC AND APOSTOLIC CHURCH. Come back to the roots of your faith, come back Home and find the Fullness of Christ, TRUTH.

h/t MPS

The Hour has come...

So you saw Him, too?

And this I know...

I left what I didn't know to learn even more of what someone else didn't know, so I could help others learn more of the less that I had come to know. Follow me?

I called a dear friend when we returned to the Catholic Church and told her about our decision and this is what she said: "Well, that's okay. You know the truth now, so you'll be fine there. I could probably go back to the Methodist church, too, now that I know the truth."

So let me put this together: Now that I "knew the "truth," it was ok to go back to the "church" I'd left for 26 years? The church I'd thought was out of touch and stodgy and "WRONG" was now ok for me to return to because I'd learned the entire "truth elsewhere?" That is one huge perplexing paradigm. I suppose she didn't know what to say, and out of love for me wanted to be cordial, though she was no doubt confused, maybe shocked about my decision and maybe slightly dismayed. We used to talk about how "off the rails" the CC went and now, being in a 'non-denom' was just the "best" of all places.

The "small ideas" and the "in the box" group think I'd been exposed to for nearly 3 decades had run amok for me. I was on a downward spiral again and I didn't like it. I was aware of the pattern and I was searching...as I had always been...for True North. I had read 3 books in one weekend written by Catholics and it was like a tidal wave of grace washed over me and then washed me up on the beach, the sparkling, dazzling beach of Truth.

Now I try my best to tell others of the wonder of it all, and it's now strangely, and to be honest, frustratingly silent on their end. It's like they don't want to, or can't reply to some of what I write, because it would force them to think, and maybe have to reconcile to the Truth they've been content to live without knowing (but thinking they know) in their cozy, comfy, customized "man-made" religion, which they think is now back to the way the "early church" believed. Yet they don't know ONE early Church father! They've never gone farther back than Luther. The "Catholic Church" to them went off the rails and they "don't wanna go there."

It's bizarre and so perilous this type of "independent thinking" that isn't really thinking at all. I'm only so grateful that my eyes were opened and by grace, I "saw" what I'd been blind to for so many years. They're good people, but now that I'm Catholic, they keep me at a very comfortable distance. I only wish they could see the wonder of the Catholic faith, the vast and deep expanse of richness, the gifts, the grace, the beauty of all 7 Sacraments. I pray for them and hope we'll one day enjoy each other's presence beholding our Lord, with our Blessed Mother, all the Saints in heaven.

The above is the comment I left at Mark Shea's blog.

I don't mean what I wrote o come across arrogantly. I'm not bashing my evangelical friends. They're living good lives, and some are more holy than I'll ever be. They love their Lord. But I can't say "I'm saved" and believe it...and not yet "strive" to be holy. That's where some of my friends and I differ now. I 'know' I have to 'work out my salvation with fear and trembling' and they somehow can "skate" their salvation. It matters not if one sins, as long as their sorry when they do, they won't ever "lose" their salvation, since they know they didn't "earn it." It's a very deceptive and dangerous way to "believe" and I for one was never too comfortable with that paradigm. I've not "arrived" by any stretch, but I know this...JESUS IS to BE FOUND IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE...like the last Joyful Mystery. IN THE TABERNACLE in Catholic parishes all over the world. Go find out for yourself. He's calling you Home. "Come, taste and see the goodness of the Lord!"

The 3 Books I read by the way, were:
"Born Fundamentalist, Born Again Catholic," by David Currie
"Rome Sweet Home" by Scott and Kimberly Hahn
"Surprised By Truth (Vol. 1)" by Patrick Madrid

Escape from Nihilism...

Dr. J. Budziszewski was on TJH last night. We're watching it now. I can relate in a way, how much more "logic" has played a part in my life since our return to the CC, which makes total sense, and is reasonable and logical and orderly. God left a Church that is in "order" not chaotic. Yes, there's dissent, as always, among the sinners in the Church, but there's complete order, TRUTH is order, not chaos. Logic and truth will prevail and when we're seeking the Truth, the Holy Spirit will lead us to Him, right there IN the tabernacle of the CC and the Church's teachings on faith and morals which are STABLE and TRUE, for the Church, the Bride and the Groom are ONE. TJ, this might be a good one for Jon. I see now how our boys, both baptized in the Catholic Church, are now coming to see the Truth for WHO (not what) truth is. That most poweful grace given at baptism DOES and WILL bring those prodigals home, just like it did us. The Holy Spirit moving in our hearts, shedding the "Love of God in our hearts, is where the grace is always working. We need to pray for the hearts of our loved ones to become softened to receive even one small drop of that grace, and then TRUST that they will find THE WAY of CHRIST, and the path to where HE is, like the 5th Joyful Mystery, "Finding Jesus in the Temple" ...I was praying those mysteries yesterday, and when I came to that one, it dawned on me that that is the one that's "exploded" and burst with radiant splendor in my heart and has illumined my mind. I HAVE FOUND JESUS....not just as "my personal Lord and Savior" but THERE, THE TRUE PRESENCE in that golden, or silver, or otherwise decorative box, the Tabernacle. The Presence of Jesus as I'd never before known!

Jesus Christ Established a Visible Church On Earth

Excerpt:

The early Church was structured in a hierarchical manner as it is today. We see in Acts, chapter 15 how the apostles and the elders came together under the leadership of St. Peter to decide the question of what was required of Gentiles. We also see how St. Peter was regarded as the head of the Church when St. Paul, "Went up to Jerusalem to confer with Kephas [Peter] and remained with him fifteen days." (Galatians 1:18) There is no Scriptural evidence of independent local churches.

More by Fritz Tuttle

Can one separate Jesus from the Church?...

Which Church is the one Jesus built? If the Holy Spirit was sent to guide us to the "Fullness of Truth" as Jesus told His disciples, how is it that there are so many 'churches' where the Holy Spirit seems to be 'guiding' the "faithful remnant" of believers? So many different bodies, communities and all teaching and preaching contradictory doctrines and beliefs? How is one to know "where" the Fullness of Truth is really located? Shouldn't "church" be more than a "ethereal" "spiritual" body? It is mystical, of course, but shouldn't the church Jesus built still be visible, and physical entity also? Just as we are made up of a body and a soul, so His Church has a "body" and a "soul." His Church has a tangible visible "head" His Vicar, the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI at present.

There is only One Church where Jesus is substantially present in the tabernacle. Not that He can't be found elsewhere, for He can and is found in other faith communities. However, no other faith communities have the Eucharist, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity! The Eucharist is indeed, the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ and not a symbol. Was His Body on the Cross real flesh and blood or merely a symbol? Did the Jews EAT THE PASCHAL LAMB at Passover, or a 'tofu symbol?' Did he not give his disciples His flesh to eat and His blood to drink? Does that occur anywhere else but in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church? There's only one Church that claims to be the Church Jesus established, sadly still split East and West, but that rift is healing. However, the Church Jesus built upon Peter is not the little store-front "Christian Center" or 'house church" down the street that was just 'planted' a year ago or a week ago with a "man/woman and her bible. How could it be? That little store front church or house church or mega church down the street more than likely don't preach 'baptism' or even believe in baptism as a Sacrament if it holds to any 'sacramental' teaching whatsoever.

That brings up a real problem for a sincere and honest seeker of Truth, especially here in America, where ANYONE can "start" a "church." But is that how the Holy Spirit leads one into the Truth? It can be part of the journey HOME (to the CC) as it was for me, for my husband, but we'd years before LEFT His Church, in search of one more "with the times" and with "better music" and "better sermons." To me, now, that sounds more "personal"and puts the single individual person "in charge" and NOT the Holy Spirit. Not that it isn't a 'real experience' but believe me, I've been where all of that becomes based more on 'emotions' than on Christ. On how I "feel" here or there, than anything else. When it changes pastors, changes music ministries, changes anything that doesn't "sit well" with my soul, then I'm "free as a bird" to fly away to another little "cage" where I'm once again "in charge" and "feel comfortable." THAT is NOT the HOLY SPIRIT leading! That was only "susie" leading. Jesus never left me, but He was surely busy getting my attention to come back to HIM in HIS CHURCH!

It took 26 years for my ears and eyes to be opened. This isn't to cast dispersions on other fine and God fearing men and women and friends in other faith communities. But I was hungry for TRUTH and KNEW there was more, and lo and behold, it was not farther away from the Catholic Church but a bee line straight back to HER! Something 4.5 years ago happend that I NEVER thought would happen: the Holy Spirit led me (us) back to the CHURCH. The One HE ESTABLISHED. Back THERE of all places?? That 'man-made' religion full of dead rituals, the stodgy old Church out of step with the times? Yes. For GOD NEVER CHANGES. He is the same, yesterday, today and forever and so is HIS CHURCH! Customs and practices can change, but NEVER THE TRUTH AND NEVER DOGMA!

Lois Day: "All that I needed to believe as a Christian could be found in the Bible; it was my sole authority in matters of belief, and I found it to be totally reliable. I read the Bible many times during those years and became very familiar with large portions of it. I loved the Bible, because it was in the Bible that God's will could be discovered, the answer to every one of life's questions. Scripture nourished my Christian life, helped me to grow spiritually, and drew me closer to Christ. And ultimately it was Scripture that convinced me of the truth of Catholicism."

The Church Jesus built.

I've never heard of this movie, but I know I want to see it!



h/t TJ

more...how cool is this?? FOR YOU, TJ.

Oh Yeah...PHIL CAN STILL

play that GEETAR!!!!!!!!!

I'm so happy to have come across...

THIS BLOG!

To Jesus Through Mary!...

This is an e-mail I sent this morning to a few friends after reading the latest message from Our Lady of the Finger Lakes ...

Dearest friends,

Will we hear and do As She Asks?
We must obey our Blessed Mother.
We must be Mary's handmaids,
Her servants, her attentive and vigilant students
In her blessed, holy school
Or we won't survive in these perilous days.
We must draw close to her Sorrowful and Immaculate heart
Our Teacher, our Guide, our Wisdom
We must honor her Seven Sorrows and ponder them deeply
Until they become "ours" and we intimately possess them
Because too few do, and Our Lord desires most of all, that we meditate
On the seven sorrows of His dear mother...our "Momma, Most Holy"
For we most honor Him, and as I've come to learn, we even console Him,
When we contemplate the passion and meditate the seven sorrows of Mary...

Our life, our sweetness and our hope.

Our Lady has asked of me to build her a small shrine to honor and contemplate her Seven Sorrows. As most of you know, I've had a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows since I heard/read about her, and saw that breathtaking image of her on that 8x10 tile, nearly 4 years ago. I long to draw nearer to her precious, immaculate heart and contemplate her sorrows, her passion. I've been reading over many weeks The Glories of Mary - the writings on her Seven Sorrows have greatly influenced me! St. Ligouri's words have pierced and penetrated my own sin-stained heart profoundly! Having visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Sorrows in Missouri last month, a glorious and grand Shrine you all would be blessed to see and visit, it's been 'heavy on my heart' to do "SOMETHING." Something to give her, my Mother of Sorrows, to give to and share with her children.

This isn't a "susie thing." It's a "Mary thing." and includes from the "get go" 3 of her precious daughters, my beloved friends, Sarah, Paula, and Stephanie, - who blessed me so much with her ever-abundant, beaming, youthful zeal and excitement about doing this for Mary's "pierced heart!" Matt, you play a part in this, too, and you also, Teresa. This has given me the "calling" the "task" I've needed while going through a desert, a 'dark tunnel.' I've pressed on, held on, slogged on, knowing the LIGHT at the end of the tunnel would come. It has. I also know there will be more tunnels, but this is the 'holy push' that came to me at the appointed time. The gentle "nudge" and "tender tug" of my Mother, who's no doubt been praying for me. I've continued to reach for "her hand" especially Fridays, and now I've received this most sweet consolation. I just LOVE HER and delight in my new assignment. How wonderful is our Blessed Mother, as she gathers her children and does these things, little things, done for the greater, larger good of all. She prompts us, urges us and pleads for us, for the UNITY of all her children. This is a small gift that I pray will bring to her heart, GREAT joy.

Matt gave me a beautiful statue of our Mother of Sorrows three months ago, which I've absolutely loved seeing in our living room... but now it's evident as to why she has shown up in my life and came to be here. To be given away again! What has also come to me, just a few days ago, is that I'm to share her [statue] with others. She's to find a new "house" in which to dwell. At first, my selfishness chimed in with that loud, childish voice: "No!" "She's mine!" "I don't want to take my precious statue out there." "I love her!" "I want her!" "Matt gave her to me!" But, in the core of my own heart, I heard another voice, so tenderly, yet firmly, like a "Mother" would say: "Yes. I'm "yours" but I'm to be out there, Susie, where others can come and honor my Sorrows." "Share me with all of my children, young and old, where my sorrows will be honored." "Too few honor my sorrows, as my Jesus has said."

So, obviously I can't keep her to myself. And now, it's like I can hardly wait to have Rich build her house and take her to her "new home!" I will have to find a good water-proofing for her, but I hope I can transport her within a week, if not sooner. She's too great a treasure to keep here in our home. She must be visited by more of her children. Her Sorrows need to be meditated on by more souls here in Omaha.

How it began:

This overwhelming impression came to 2 weeks ago today at St. Robert Bellarmine after 8:30 Mass, while praying the rosary of Our Lady's Dolors, and reading The Glories of Mary, so I thank St. Alphonsos Ligouri, who is surely inspiring and leading me! (Along with St. Padre Pio and Fr. Kevin, no doubt!) Sarah and I drove out that Friday when I called her and said, "I have to find a tree!!" Only Sarah would laugh and say, "Okay" like she did! Bless you Sarah, for not thinking I was nuts! : )

I then expressed my heart's desire and she instantly thought of Pro Sanctity. I'd thought of it, but was leaning toward Mt. Michael or the new location of the Poor Clares monastery. But Pro Sanctity is a little closer and will be the perfect place, where semiarians can visit Our Lady in a special way as they're in formation at IPF, being taught more about Mary now than in previous years. Talking with Teresa (who welcomed with great joy the idea) I found the perfect little spot between two evergreens and a nice area for the path near the retreat center, a very short walk from the parking lot, yet the feel of being far away from the "world's cares."

Sarah, thank you for providing your divinely inspired suggestion of Pro Sanctity and to ask Teresa. Paula, thank you for offering your skills to provide meditative stones for a "Seven Sorrows" path, where we will incorporate the 5 Holy Wounds of Jesus, (thank you Stephanie for that divinely inspired suggestion, too!) I was almost giddy with joy when we talked about it that Saturday at Bagel Bin. : )

I will do 'as she asks' and share her with my brothers and sisters, young and old. This will be a very small, humble little shrine. Rich will make a little "house" for her, hopefull this weekend, and I will 'tend her garden' every Friday. I, no "we" invite you to come pray there, too. I do believe it will be powerful for those who will come and pray her Dolors there. To make a special "pilgrimage" out from the city, asking for her help, and drawing strength from her Sorrowful heart to get through the darkness that's going to be getting only darker. As dark as the darkness will be, The Light is brighter than the darkness is dark! With our hearts beating in unison with the sorrowful and immaculate heart of Mary, WE WILL PREVAIL and enjoy the Victory that is ours IN CHRIST...through Mary!

susie

Year of the Priesthood...

I cannot agree with Father Corapi more on his letter below! I am one, who as a convert to Catholicism, finds the priesthood most precious, and most sacred and most dear! From being in various 'churches' and fellowships where the lack of any "apostolic succession and authority" did NOT exist, it's a treasured gift to me, now!

The diocesan priests in each parish all over the world work so very hard to bring the Good News to us, and most especially JESUS, in the EUCHARIST. This morning at Mass I prayed for my friend, Fr. Gerard and ALL priests, as they need so much protection, and so many graces to live out their vocation. Dear reader, please remember your priest every day in prayer. Pray a Memorare for him. And remind him of this, if he doesn't have a most deep and profound devotion to Mary, his Mother...he will NOT survive what has begun and what is coming! It's CRUCIAL. We all need our LIFE our SWEETNES and our HOPE to remain vigilant and persevere in these perilous times as Satan is allowed to prowl the earth in this, his "LAST DAY." His days are numbered, the battle and the war have been WON by OUR KING! But if we don't cling to Mary Our Queen, we will not survive what's ahead. TO JESUS THROUGH MARY...for ETERNITY! What better day to start this Year of the Priest than on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus! ~ Oh, Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on us, and most especially your priest sons as they daily give us You as our Paschal Lamb and nourishment for our journey toward Heaven!

susie

Jubilee Year for Priests Announced by the Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI announced that the universal Church will celebrate a Jubilee Year of the Priest, beginning June 19th, 2009, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and celebrating the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Cure D’Ars.

It is my personal experience of 25 years this month living inside of the Church in novitiates, seminaries, pontifical universities, parishes, and chancery offices that we are always in need of renewal and energizing in every vocation, more so than ever in the priesthood. The Holy Father knows this, as do a great many of us priests. So, beginning June 19, 2009 we’ll try to move toward this goal of strengthening and energizing the priesthood. This happens one priest at a time. Holiness is an individual work in process for all of us, the priest included.

The patron saint of parish priests, St. John Mary Vianney, should be used as a model in principle, remembering that every man or woman must be a person of their time. Nonetheless, there are principles and practices that transcend time and space. These we should know and exercise. The preeminence of prayer and the spiritual life must come first for the priest—or any practicing Catholic for that matter.

St. John Vianney prayed long hours before the Blessed Sacrament. That was the “secret” of his “success.” Jesus in the Eucharist must be the heart of the priest’s life, the Holy Spirit is the breath that breathes life into his ministry. A simple life, not unfamiliar with penance and sacrifice is also fundamental for apostolic fruitfulness.

Jesus, the High Priest, gave us all his own Mother to be our spiritual mother. Every priest that would bear fruit that endures must accept the gift of Mary the Mother of Priests as his own spiritual mother. This cannot be over emphasized. A failure to do it in these times results in almost certain failure for the Catholic priest.

Pray for your priests more than ever this Year of the Priest. In many cases there is poor morale, little camaraderie, isolation, and loneliness in the life of the priest. Encourage your priests and remember a little kindness and understanding goes a long way. Priests are human beings, like other human beings, with the same weaknesses and strengths. This year think about the life of priests and how you can contribute to their perseverance and holiness in a most noble vocation. Help your priest get to Heaven by your kindness and your prayers. You will never be sorry that you did.

God bless you,

Fr. John Corapi

To reach satisfaction in all,
Desire it's possession in nothing.
To come to the knowledge of all,
Desire the knowledge of nothing.
To arrive at being all,
Desire to be nothing.
To come to be what you are not,
You must go by the way in which you are not.

The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by Saint John of the Cross

Perseverence through faith!...

I ordered his book at Amazon, there are a few more. He died in 1954. God rest his priestly, blessed soul.

By the way, if you're having a "helluva day" take 2 minutes and let this little video put things into better perspective. I surely need to do it from time to time. Watching this again (it's been a long time) has reminded me of this one thing: it's "not about me"...it's about God and me... and persevering through whatever "hell" I'm facing, no matter how huge or how seemingly insignificant. Everything matters to God about us, but not everything is as IMPORTANT as we think it is, and it doesn't have to "throw us for a loop." If some situation is causing increased turmoil in my heart, making my mind swirl, making me upset and or nervous, it's a warning. Because whatever "hell" I'm in at the moment, probably hasn't come close to what this priest faced in China. (at least not yet) God rest his soul.

I'm not exactly "what martyrs are made of" by any stretch, but I hope at the very least cease to gripe LESS about petty stuff, a lot less, and offer up to God whatever suffering or hassle or annoyance that comes my way for the good of other troubled souls suffering much more than I. The computer freezing, a traffic jam, a long line at the grocery store, a fender bender, or a unexpected phone call/visit requiring a change in MY plans is not going to stop the world from going 'round. I remember when I was a kid and heard this line: "The world doesn't revolve around you." Guess what. It's doesn't! Someone needs to remind a few million baby boomers though!

Let's face it, we were all spoiled to some degree in our youth and if not when we were kids, then by the technology, instant gratification, consumer-driven materialistic society we've become. Not that prosperity is bad. It's not. I've never been employed and brought home a paycheck by someone who's not prosperous. (duh) But to make "stuff" and "money" one's ONLY goal is where we lose sight of the real beauty and the preciousness of LIFE. Before we know it, we're in a hearse on our way to Pleasant Grove Cemetary... without a flippin' dime and probably in last year's shoes!

To stop and notice a sparrow chirping, a robin hopping in the grass, or a cardinal calling his mate for a "date" in his resplendent red raiment may very well be the Holy Spirit telling me to SLOW DOWN, calm down, simmer down, sit down, lie down, and just be still. To breathe in HIS love and HIS peace. To be quiet for more than a few seconds and just simply "be" HIS child. I think the little sparrow in this video most surely was the Holy Spirit of God.

susie

Let it be...all is well, all is well and in the end, all is well

We KNEEL...we don't stand, sit, hold hands like a Coke commercial or do a jig at the consecration...GOT IT?

I'm finding all sorts of great things this morning on my Internet romp. This is EXCELLENT! Thanks to Hidden One where I found this video.



Here's a paraphrase of my comment on Hidden's blog:

Every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
I'd rather bend my knee and kneel at Mass now, in awe and reverence to receive my Lord than to wake up in Hell one day, bending my knee to Satan after having ranted and raved in the 'spirit of Vatican II" for a "new more ecumenical way" to worship at what so many of that mindset call the mere "communal meal." Kind of like all going to Golden Corral, or...Cracker Barrel for Sunday brunch?

We welcome this courageous man home...

while with sorrow,we say "goodbye" to Fr. Cutie, who's chosen to become Anglican (whatever that means.) One of these men is right, and following TRUE TRUTH and the other is wrong. I don't say that with arrogance, and I'm not 'pointing fingers' but with deepest sincerity, and real sorrow, as a Truth seeker myself. TRUTH is not subjective and relative, if truth were, it wouldn't be truth...that's the whole point.

But the tyranny of relativism has infected the Church and we've witnessed it countless times over the years and more recently in the news as the media slobbers over another 'story' they relish, Fr. Cutie's fall and exodus from the oppressive Roman Catholic Church to the more 'open minded' Anglican church. TRUTH is not what 'we make it' but is OBJECTIVE because Truth is a PERSON, not an "it" at all, and certainly not 'our own idea.'

One of these men is right, and is following Truth, the other is wrong and has followed his passions and his warped idea that it doesn't matter what 'church' you belong to, as long as you're doing what God says. He obviously believes he's doing what's 'right for him'... right? What???? Would Jesus ever say something like this to a priest He ordained through the successors of Peter: "Yeah, go adhead and go your own way (complete with Fleetwood Mac playing in the background) - I'll catch up to ya, bro. It's cool." No. And would it be so easy to 'do your own thing' with Mary in your presence through a statue, or an icon or other image? If he [Fr. Cutie] can assure us "he's doing what he must do" then far be it to declare there is objective truth. Let's all get the same "freedom" eh? God forbid!

I digress with some sarcasm due to my own pain at the recent, terrible scandal. I continue to pray for Fr. Cutie and all priests who struggle with temptations and human weakness. But right now, I smile reading this brave man's eloquently written blog about his journey HOME, his true unequivocal conversion to TRUTH (Authority) found in the ONE TRUE CHURCH!

De Cura Animarum

h/t TJ

H/T Jay

He's sort of ...God?

H/T Dymphna's Well

Two brave heroes defending unborn babies...

UNBORN WORD OF THE DAY

Let's hear it for Timor!! Wake up America!

RIGHT TO LIFE WINS IN TIMOR!

Mary...Sweetest Mother in and beyond the world...

Reading about Our Lady in the cave, waiting for Jesus, makes me think what was it like? What was Mary's voice like? What was she telling those around her about her Son? Did she tell them stories about his childhood? How he would follow Joseph to the carpenter shop and how quickly he learned to master the tools and wood and rock to create useful implements for the townspeople? I hope one day to hear her voice. I know it's not very humble of me to desire her to appear to me, or speak to me as she has to many Saints through the ages. I'm not holy enough, I know, but my heart still longs for her touch/voice/smile/face/presence. Is it ok to ask for her to reveal herself to our physical eyes? Is it too "proud" to ask her and to desire it? I don't mean it to be. I just love her so much. I'm content to read about her and "hear" her in the books I read, like The Glories of Mary, but still.......

Any thoughts out there? Do any of you think about Mary like I do?

June 11...Our Lady of Mantara...

Virgin Mary waits for Jesus in a cave in Maghdouche near Sidon in the South of Lebanon now known as Our Lady Of Mantara (Awaiting)....more

and even more

PJ's take... he's brilliant...

about 10 minutes in, PJ begins his lecture. He's always made me laugh and his interview on Laura Ingraham yesterday was great plugging his new book, Driving Like Crazy which is on my 'to read' list.

For my friend, TJ...

Here's another link to 3 monasteries in Moldova. To my esteemed visitors and readers, please pray for TJ's son, Jon, as he embarks on another adventure on his "Golden path." After seeing these and reading about them, I'm ready to go to Moldova!

Re: the Saharna Monastery - According to legend, a monk once saw the face of the Virgin Mary on one of the local rocks. The footprints, which were also found here and are supposed to have been left by the Blessed Virgin, prove that this is really a holy place.

First founded in 1495 the Saharna Monastery was re-founded as The "Holy Trinity" Monastery of Saharna in 1777. Situated on the river Nistru about 110 km north of Chisinau, Saharna Monastery is considered to be one of the biggest centres for religious pilgrimages in Moldova.

A novel idea...

I started reading a novel last night. I've not read a novel for a LONG time! I've been into bios of Saints mostly, but this one intrigued me when I saw it on the parish library shelf, as I'm very INTO Carmel (reading its history, spirit and saints) and saw the title Father Elijah, with Elijah being the 'father' of Carmelite spirituality. It's by Michael D. O'Brien, copyright 1996...and what a page turner!! I kept reading and am going to delve in again soon. It is so good and so TIMELY! It's really amazing to read what was in his mind some 13 years or more ago, and the events and things shaking the world and the Church today!! If you want a good novel for your summer reading, this should be one you get!

Inventive guy...

A little creativity/levity for the day... This made me laugh.

St. Columba of Iona...memorial June 9

His life

As the Year of the Priest begins...

Is this [described in the message below] happening? YES! Is this occurring in your parish? Probably, as it is in most. I have a devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, but don't know very much about Our Lady of Akita. Reading this gave me pause, as I just visited Pro Sanctity Retreat Center in Elkhorn, asking permission to "build" a Shrine to Our Mother (Lady) of Sorrows! Teresa Monaghen was on the 'same page' and gave me her 'blessing' to do this, and said it will help priests to be able to come and pray, making a small "pilgrimage" to the Pro Sanctity Center and pray especially to their Mother. I told her, "Our priests must NOT NEGLECT their Mother. They HAVE to 'fly to her' and CLING to her for she is their (our) life, our sweetness and OUR HOPE! I was reading the Glories of Mary by St. Alphonsus Liguouri after Mass last Friday morning. On reading these words on the Chapter of Mary's dolors (sorrows) I was impressed "loudly" in my heart to FIND A TREE somewhere near Omaha, outside of the city, and make a Shrine to Our Lady of Sorrows! I felt compelled that very moment to call a friend about "finding a tree" and she suggested we go to Pro Sanctity to talk to Teresa and we did..and now it's "in the making!" We are planning on having a path incorporating the Holy Wounds of Christ, and the Seven Sorrows to contemplate and meditate upon. Another friend and her daughter are also going to help with this small Shrine.

I say this to encourage any of you, who like me, might have been going through a "desert" and feeling you aren't accomplishing all that God has for you to do; ASK. SEEK. KNOCK...and the door WILL BE OPENED! From reading a few words in a book, especially a book like the Glories of Mary, if you are "listening" to God speak, and also to Our Blessed Mother, things will happen!

There are two trees (evergreens) that are about 6 feet apart, near the retreat house and one can actually walk between them and find themselves under the canopy created by the long branches, which to me was like Mary's "mantle" and that is where we both "knew" it should be! So, with another friend or two, we're going to make a little Shrine to Our Lady's most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. That is the title most dear to her, because it is the one given her by Christ her Son! Will keep you posted on it's progress, but I am over-joyed at the prospect that has buoyed my spirit since last Friday! I've digressed but here is more that is on my heart:

IF priests neglect so great a HELP as found in her sorrowful and immaculate heart, then it is NO WONDER they find themselves gasping for breath, burning out, falling into temptation and even leaving the Church, breaking their VOWS! This is a scandal! This is so sad and such scandalous behavior we've recently seen by Fr. Cutie all over the media for two weeks. It's scandalized the Episcopal church, too, which is and has been in such turmoil and tumult with its own sins. To begin the Year of the Priest with this TV Scandal is the work of the Evil One to be sure. How many more souls will be lost because of this terrible episode in our Church? How many young men were looking up to Fr. C. and now what?

Dear Priest, let us, the laity know how to help you. Laity ASK your priest how you can help him. PRAY PRAY PRAY for your priests! And dear priest, please RUN AND FLY to MARY, your MOTHER! When trials and temptations assail you, please Do NOT ignore her. Do NOT neglect her. IF you do, it is at the peril of your very soul and the many souls you have in your flock and beyond. How Father Cutie thinks he can break his vows, marry and leave the Catholic Church to become an Episcopal priest is beyond me! I can't fathom the confused thinking that has made this "ok" in his mind.

Our Lady of Sorrows, our Mother of Sorrows has yet another sword piercing her heart by this heart-wrenching betrayal. I pray for Fr. C. I pray for Fr. Francis Mary (LOTR) who as far as I know never left the CC at least. I pray for our priests at our parish, and the seminarians at IPF, who will one day be shepherds. I hope soon they will have a little Shrine to Our Lady of Sorrows to visit, about 20 minutes west of Creighton, in Elkhorn, and I pray many will devote their entire lives to Mary, and NEVER turn away from her, for if they do, temptations will flood them, and without the 'motherly graces' she gives, only sin and apostacy remains and this breaks my heart...how much more does it break Our Lady's?

On October 13, the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima, 1973, Sr. Agnes heard the beautiful voice speaking from the statue once more:

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against other bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres, churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the devil will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord. The demon would be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer any pardon for them."

She continued, "As I told you, if people do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the Flood, such as one will never have seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by my Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary pray for the Pope, the bishops and the priests."

The statue wept for the last time on September 15, Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

When you swim through the cave, and...

break through the waves and find this portal to heaven....You are HOME, baby!!!

..."Till Depth Do Us Part...

Isn't that the most CATCHY of titles!??? I just now read that on our DVR of a NEWHART episode from the 80's! I smiled and had to chuckle as I got to thinking, "hmm,that's like evangelicalism and Catholicism! PLEASE though, don't misconstrue my attempt at "lifting" this for a humorous take on the two "isms." When I read it, and laughed, (out loud and with a certain amount of melacholy, as I miss watching Newhart since we "downsized" our DISH package) it made me think of scuba diving. It made me think of, "the closer one gets to the source, the clearer is the water, or other substance." When one dives into the Catholic Church from being an evangelical or fundamentalist, or pentecostal, or other 'brand' of Chrisitan, it's like diving into the Tiber, and stirring up the muddy waters, but if you keep on swimming, and go into the "cave" and come up in St. Peter's......WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY CLARITY, BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm laughing and smiling....I'm starting to laugh too much to type right now....I can't keep on. GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!! SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE, TJ!!!! SOMEBODY!!!!!!! Other converts know exactly what I mean here!!! I know you (they) do!!! It's NOT A SLAM on other Christians, or other faith persuasions at all,but THIS IS A JOURNEY, A DEEP WATER JOURNEY, but it's not DEEP, DARK and SCARY, (in reality) but it is really, when you get used to the breathing aparatus, it's the most clear, crystal clear, sublime diving/swim/snorkle experience you can have! It's so DEEP.....so VAST.....that it really is "DEPTH" like you've never known, but always searched for...and hoped for and longed for all your life! I would never swim in an ocean, or go surfing in the ocean as I hate not knowing what's in the daunting, frightening depths of the sea...the ocean is full of things, deadly things ready to eat you in one fell swoop...one clamp of their jaws, one bite and you're gone! Or one swipe of a tail and your stung to death from a sting ray, or jelly fish. HOWEVER, the dive and swim in the TiBeR is different from the scary depths of the ocean because, when you COME TO KNOW, TASTE AND SEE that this is THE CHURCH JESUS BUILT, you've really NOTHING to be afraid of!!!! NOTHING!!! Swim with the fishes takes on a WHOLE NEW MEANING! HA HA HA

COME ON, COME SEE!! COME TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD AND SO IS HIS CHURCH!!! DIVE, SNORKLE, SWIM, SURF, WADE....ANYTHING!! HE and OUR LADY will meet you where you're at on your journey. Swim through the cave of "unknowing" and come up inside of Saint Peters Basilica, come up into the light and safety of the HARBOR of THE ONE TRUE CHURCH and BREATHE the FRESH SEA AIR!!! Feel the splash of clear water on your face and upon your hungry, thirsty soul and DRINK IN TRUTH!! The FULLNESS and it will quench your thirst and leave you craving to learn more and more and more!! COME ON! It is SOOOO WORTH IT!!!!

YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!...

Why the heck did I, Susie Melkus, become a Catholic? Is that a question that some of my friends have asked of others, or of themselves or of God? Why would Rich and Susie leave a fine fellowship like Trinity, with great music and wonderful, powerful teaching...why would they even consider a return to the Catholic Church? What with all the variety of fine fellowships out there, and fine 'inter and non' denominationals sprouting up all over the city, would they go back to the Catholic Church of all places?

It's had to have "bugged" a few friends of mine, I mean, it's had to have. It surely would have bugged me, and probably made me curious enough to ask. Then again, maybe no one has asked or really cares about the "why.?" The thing is, no one has asked me that question, and I really rather wish they would or would have back then or even now. I guess it's because to them as it was to me, it "doesn't matter where you go, as long as you're being fed." Actually it DOES...what out there beats the Bread of Heaven? The Bread of Angels? The HOLY EUCHARIST? I raise my hand, waving it frantically like in grade school, when I KNEW the answer. Exhuberantly and with absolute certainty, she says, "NOTHING!"

I've not been able to express the deep gratitude to others that I have now, for the grace given to my husband and to me for the blessed "guidance to the Fullness of Truth" some 4.5 years ago. Since Mark writes so much more eloquent and clear than I, I'm going to copy and paste one of his posts here and include two or three other posts for further reading, should you so desire. Perhaps there's someone out there like I was, searching for True North...Truth, the fullness of Truth, the complete Truth, not "opinions" of men/women, even if they were great teachers, and expositors. There is a part of the Truth here and part of the Truth over there. There's "this church" and "that church" but where is HIS CHURCH? The ONE Jesus Himself built (as He himself said/says) in the scriptures?

I'm not trying to be 'divisive' or 'argumentative' so PLEASE don't misconstrue my meaning. I found Jesus and Jesus found me in a VERY PROFOUND way in 1974. Feb 1 to be exact...I "accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and into my heart in a deep and REAL experiential way, in the living room of very dear and wonderful friends, my "mentors" for a number of months prior, while I'd been searching and questioning religion/Jesus/the bible since the death of my friend, Eleanor, who was killed in a horrific car crash in Oct of 1973. I certainly WAS Born Again, no doubt. It was powerful! It was real! It was a "sure thing" as they say! It was great.

I found and made good and dear friends and the music! The music during worship was "rockin!" The JESUS PEOPLE movement could really set my 'heart aflame' and my feet a'dancin! The experiences of God's love, mercy, forgiveness set me on a miraculous, joyous, delightful, scary, tumultuous journey for almost 30 years...and still is, (only in the depth and vastness and SAFETY of the Catholic Church, where Tradition and all 7 Sacraments are found.) It's like my friend, Russ, says "I'd found Jesus, but "lost" His Church along the way." That's exactly what I did. I'd "found Jesus" but had NO CLUE about His Church!

I would never have said it, or even thought my journey would take me to the threshold of the Cathollic Church. NEVER! But then, one Friday, Rich came home, told me of his desire to return to the Catholic Church and I KNEW without a shadow of a doubt that he was SERIOUS and determined to go, even if he "left me behind." That got my attention and made me question deep inside myself, honestly asking, honestly seeking once again TRUE NORTH. THE TRUTH. JESUS. The FULLNESS of TRUTH could really be nowhere else by IN THE CHURCH HE BUILT ON PETER, THE ROCK and "prime minister" of His Kingdom on earth, when HE was to ascend to heaven and not be here 'physically' any longer.

That's what a GOOD SHEPHERD does, if and when he ever has to leave his flock. He WILL NOT leave his flock to "fend for themselves!" EVER! So, Peter was the "leader" the one in charge, the VICAR of CHRIST on earth and has been for 2000 years, through his appointed (via the Holy Spirit) by Christ the HEAD of the BODY. There's ONE BODY. ONE CHURCH. ONE FAITH. ONE BAPTISIM. And THAT is what I've come to learn, know, believe in my heart of hearts, by the truly AMAZING GRACE OF GOD. SO with that said, Heeere's Mark:



YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!

SCANDALS, shortcomings, and sinfulness.

When many people look at Catholics and the priesthood in particular (especially through the biased lens of the secular media), the Church seems to them anything but Christian.
True, the Church has incurred many sins over her two thousand year period through her members—times when her actions have been anything but a reflection of the Gospel of life and love. Because of this, many have been deeply wounded, betrayed, and emotionally, spiritually, and even physically damaged. We need to admit this, and not only admit it, but repent of it.
And this is what Pope John Paul II did in an extraordinary way as he traveled throughout several nations of the world asking particular groups and peoples forgiveness for the sorrows caused by the sins of the Church, past and present. This is also what many good and holy bishops have done to make reparation, in particular, for the sins of pedophile priests.
But there are also many people who’ve never heard the words "I’m sorry" from a priest, bishop, or layman who has wounded them. I understand very well the pain that can cause.

A WISE SURGEON

Yet, as I reflect on this, I cannot help but ask a question: If it is determined that a member of the human body, say the hand, is overcome with gangrene, does one cut off the whole arm? If a leg is wounded and beyond repair, does one also amputate the other leg? Or more accurately, if the pinky of a finger is cut, does one then destroy the rest of the body?
And yet, when one finds a priest here, or a bishop there, or a professing Catholic there who is "sick", why is the whole Church cast out? If there is leukemia (cancer) of the blood, the doctor treats the bone marrow. He does not cut out the patient’s heart!
I am not minimizing the illness. It is serious, and must be treated. In some cases, the sick member must be cut off! Jesus’s most stern warnings were reserved, not for sinners, but for those religious leaders and teachers who did not live what they preached!
Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. (Revelations 3:16)

A MATTER OF THE HEART

Indeed, when I speak of the Catholic Church as that one Church which Christ established; when I speak of her as the Fountainhead of Grace, the Sacrament of Salvation, or a Mother or a Nurse, I am speaking first and foremost of the Heart—the Sacred Heart of Jesus which beats at her very center. It is good. It is pure. It is holy. It will never betray, hurt, harm, or damage any soul. It is through this Heart that each of the members of the rest of the body live and find their sustenance and ability to function accordingly. And their healing.
Yes healing, because which one of us, especially those of us who reject Christ’s established Church, can say that we have never hurt another? Let us not be counted then with those hypocrites whom Christ will spit out!
For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? (Matthew 7:2-3)
Indeed, as the Apostles James tells us,
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. (James 2:10)
St. Thomas Aquinas explains it this way:
James is speaking of sin, not as regards the thing to which it turns and which causes the distinction of sins… but as regards that from which sin turns away… God is despised in every sin. —The Summa Theologica, Reply to Objection 1; Second and Revised Edition, 1920;
When anyone sins, he turns his back from God, regardless of the nature of the sin. How sanctimonious of us, then, to point our finger at someone faced away from God while our own back is also turned away.
The point is this: Jesus comes to us through the Church. This was His desire as He Himself commanded in the Gospels (Mark 16:15-16). And what does Jesus come for? To save sinners.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life… God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (John 3:16; Romans 5:8)
If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:10)
If we are sinners then—and we all are—then we should not cut ourselves off from God’s gift to us, which comes to us through the Church, because another member is also a sinner. For there are two ways to be cut off from Christ: one is by the Father Himself who prunes the dead branches which no longer produce fruit (John 15:2). And the other is our own refusal to be grafted on to Jesus the Vine in the first place, or worse, to choose to remove ourselves from Him.
He who has turned his back on the Church of Christ shall not come to the rewards of Christ… You cannot have God for your Father if you have not the Church for your mother. Our Lord warns us when He says: `he that is not with Me is against Me…’ —St. Cyprian (died A.D. 258); Unity of the Catholic Church.
For the Church is the mystical body of Christ—battered, bruised, bleeding, and pierced by the nails and thorns of sin. But it is still His body. And if we remain a part of it, patiently enduring the suffering and sorrow within it, forgiving others as Christ has forgiven us, we will also one day experience for all eternity its resurrection.

FURTHER READING:
http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=298

http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?cat=11

http://www.markmallett.com/blog/?p=400

Thanks for taking the time to read 'my little story' and Mark's post(s). Something's wrong with 33,000 to 40,000 different denominations in the world, and new off shoots starting up every week. A man or woman and her bible, starting up a "church" with their "own" interpretation of the Word of God, is NOT how Jesus our Good Shepherd left His flock. He took care to make sure His appointed shepherds would take care of His sheep. Some have done poorly in that regard. Some have been truly excellent in their vocation pastoring His sheep. I know this 'one thing'...I will never leave His Church, or look anywhere else, because there is NOWHERE else that is the ROCK, the SAFE HARBOR for my soul on this planet. Pray for me and I’ll pray for you…

Your fellow pilgrim on the road to heaven,

susie

Novena to Our Lady of Hope...

I'm not very good at keeping novenas, but this one is just beautiful, isnt' it?

A Vision Of The Lost...

By William Booth (1829-1912)

On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all . . . millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant - willfully ignorant in many cases - and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.
I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightening flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.
In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.
And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety. ...more

I gotta hand it to William Booth. He got it right! He converted to Methodism and the main emphasis in Methodism was 'holiness' (though these days, it's dubious if you could find a Methodist church actually preaching holiness any more). We could sure use more of that virtue manifest in our lives (and taught from the pulpit!) in this stormy, raging ocean of the culture of death and our consumer-driven materialistic, hedonistic society. For without God as the center of our lives, the vaccuum is replaced by everything under the sun. This vision of his is most powerful and that particular painting came to mind when reading this. I saw a painting similar to this in an antique store recently, but it was in color. I might have to go back there and purchase it, as it really ''spoke'' to me. If anyone knows who the artist is, or has seen others like this, please comment. Thanks.

Letter to Pammachius Against John of Jerusalem...

There's a ton to read here, but in excerpts, it's doable. I personally find St. Jerome to be enchanting, charming and 'fun' to read. He holds nothing back and being PC was not his style. Sadly, they don't make 'em like this any more. Fr. Corapi said on EWTN a couple of weeks ago that he was born in the wrong 'era' referring to St. Jerome and the Saint's forthright speech. There should be more priests out there immitating the likes of St. Jerome, calling a spade a spade and evil what it is, evil. Let your speech be 'yes' or 'no' as anything more is from the evil one. Oh, how we could use this today!

Some homilies are so wishy washy, so much eloquence about the love of God, but never one word about hell being real, and the S word never is mentioned. (Sin) Being direct never should be done without great love, of course, but somehow, being direct these days is considered 'rude' and not "nice." Therefore homilies tend to be soft and fluffy and if there was an impact intended, it gets lost in the drivel of "nicey nice talk." Oh, for a thunderous voice, booming the reality of God, heaven, hell, sin, and how to avoid losing our souls! That being said, one doesn't have to become "mean" and authoritarian to utter Truth, but the obvious exteme the other direction is doing us NO GOOD!

Jesus, being God, was always kind, and spoke the Truth with great love, being Love. His speech, however, was never 'nice' to the point of never offending anyone. Pleasing everybody and tickling their ears with what they WANTED to hear, to keep them coming back and tithing was not what He did. When you try to do that, you lose and so do the ones needing to hear the TRUTH! God help us!

Dear priests, please be bold, please don't let the PCness of the world water down the Truth in your homily. Better to speak to a few than to watch many go off the path and lose their souls!

June, ...

the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus...

The Twelve Promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary for those devoted to His Sacred Heart:

1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.
2. I will establish peace in their families.
3. I will console them in all their troubles.
4. They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of their death.
5. I will pour abundant blessings on all their undertakings.
6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source of an infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Tepid souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.
9. I will bless the homes where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.
10. I will give to priests the power of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who propagate this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart, never to be effaced.
12. The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

Chilling, disturbing, and frightening...

This is what kids do in countries where DICTATORS rule. This is what's going on in North Korea now, as children sing songs of praise to the soon to be new dictator, Kim Jung Ill's son. Praise is due ONLY to God. This is the epitome of idolotry and brainwashing in OUR America! This is not "Obama's America" to "change it" and "rearrange it" the way he wants it... downright scary as HELL! America needs God! America needs to pray and America needs Fatima, not Obama.

WE HAVE AN ARCHBISHOP!...

Pope Appoints George Lucas Archbishop of Omaha!

No...not the Star Wars guy, you sillies.

CHILLING...

Hear Tiller talking to client

This is Hitlarian, and there's no other way to define it! This is not a about a 'woman's health' at all. Babies are NEVER the problem! However, murdering babies, for millions of dollars, is certainly a problem! Hardened hearts and seared consciences are the problem. A culture of death is the problem! SIN is the problem! We are all sinners. We are all guilty of innocent blood. But law abiding citizens who gather at abortion mills in this country to pray for the women and the babies is NOT THE PROBLEM!! This country is now seeing what a culture of death IS! A law made in 1973 to "legalize the murder of innocent LIFE, was a "heinous act" if there ever was one! The person who murdered Tiller was not "pro life," Murder is wrong always! The murderer of Tiller needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Vigilantism is never good.

That said, there is NEVER a need for abortion! PERIOD! That is a lie from the very pit of hell! And to hear Tiller on this audio is most disturbing. I pray for his soul, for the consolation of God for his family.

What do y'all think of this?...

Yesterday was the feast of Our Lady of Zeitoun, Egypt...

Zeitoun Web Gallery
"On April 2, 1968, the Virgin Mary began to appear, surrounded by a glowing light, above the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary in Zeitoun. She continued to appear for over 2 years and was seen by millions of people from all different religions"

the above is from Kathleen's article

h/t Kathleen

I will pray for Kathleen. I don't say that with any kind of superiority whatsoever. I'm here by the grace of God and only by His grace. It's obvious she has a deep love for Our Blessed Mother, from reading her article. However, there seems to be a bit of sarcasm toward the Catholic Church in her words. I read her bio and like all of us, sometimes curiosity can harm us, even if our intent is to simply "learn" about other religions or faiths. If we aren't grounded firmly in our faith, it can be dangerous. I'm not implying she's in imminent danger, but I do think there some dubious interests she's mentioned and I simply want to pray for her, for us all, to learn our Catholic faith, to live it and love it with all our heart, because there are 'wolves' out there and within who can easily mislead and lure us away from the One Faith, and then devour us through our own pride, for when we think we're in control and strong, we're most vulnerable. God bless you Kathleen. I pray our Blessed Mother hold you close to her immaculate heart and keep you safe from all dangerous lies. I pray she wraps you tightly in her mantle. Never forget to call upon her if you find yourself in temptation of possibly leaving the Church. I guess I find it curious that one can be a Catholic and also a Unity church member...?

Kathleen's bio:
Kate Perez is a former Army brat, computer programmer, karate teacher, alpaca farmer, and Catholic; she's also a current Tai Chi teacher, Quaker, Unity Church member, webmaster, and Floridian. She has an obsessive interest in religion and spirituality.

This is great...

Feasts of Our Lady every day of the month!

Icon of...

Our Lady of La Salett a meditation

In middle night with soft rain falling
and a gentle, cool breeze blowing through the
window filling the room with the fragrance of Springtime, earthy, floral and sweet
I reach for my rosary, the rope one, given me by a friend,
it's almost three o'clock
It's the hour of Mercy, Divine Mercy and I
know it's a powerful time to pray as
the knots pass quietly through my fingers
I pray for souls lost in sin, in need of forgiveness, to know mercy and receive grace
for those sick and dying at that hour and their
loved ones to find peace and consolation,
to be bathed in the abyss of God's mercy
for my own wretched soul, my sin-stained heart
to remain faithful, to persevere and never
to be separated from the two most merciful Hearts
of Our Lord and Our Lady
Divine Mercy, cover us, wash us, free us from the
grip of the enemy of our souls, from the evil traps and snares
from the attachment to sin and affection for things not
worthy of affection that is only due You, Good Jesus.
Divine Mercy free us to love, serve and please only
Jesus and Our Blessed Mother where with all the Saints
we will forever gaze into the Face of our Merciful Lord

Canada pilgrimage anyone?...

Our Lady of the Cape

I would love to go up to Canada and visit this shrine to Our Blessed Mother.
Anyone want to plan a pilgrimage for some time next year?

The name made me curious...I didn't know about this "tradtion"...

Our Lady of the Fright

Beautiful!

Our Lady of the Quarry