The Girls Loves Those Angels

The girls LOVE angels. Any time we pray they want the Guardian Angel prayer. So they were pretty excited for the Arch Angels Feast Day, September 29th.

"Daddy, was Lucifer Catholic?" Questioned Rose my three year old.


St. Michael, St. Gaberial and St. Raphael pray for us.

Your Short Catholic Church Catechism

Generosity To The Poor

The catechism states that “God blesses those who come to the aid of the poor. He rebukes those who turn the poor away. Give to him who begs from you, do not reject him who would borrow from you. You have received without pay, give without pay. When the poor have the Good News preached to them, it is the sign of Christ’s presence.” Please be generous to the poor this week. God will bless you abundantly.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Father Mark,

Your Short Catholic Church Catechism

Archbishop Burke - Defender Of The Eucharist

Archbishop Burke stands firm in the faith and clearly teaches and defends it. He was our Bishop until we moved a quite a few months ago. Needless to say we love Archbishop Burke in our house.

Bishop Preaches Tough Communion Rule

Turn Away Abortion-Rights Backers, He Says

By Daniel Burke

St. Louis Archbishop Raymond Burke, a veteran of clashes between Catholic bishops and politicians, has attempted for years to enlist fellow bishops to deny Holy Communion to wayward politicians.

Now, the conservative cleric is invoking the church's highest punishment -- mortal sin -- to persuade the lay and ordained Catholics who distribute Communion at Mass to safeguard the sacrament.

Drawing on the works of the late Italian Jesuit scholar Felice Cappello, Burke says those ministers are "held, under pain of mortal sin, to deny the sacraments to the unworthy."

That argument could place Communion ministers on the frontlines of the "wafer wars" as the 2008 presidential race heats up, and as bishops debate a document on "faithful citizenship."

"It is clear that church discipline places an obligation on the minister of Holy Communion to refuse Holy Communion to persons known, by the public, to be in mortal sin," Burke writes in a new journal article.

Burke lays out his case like a legal brief in Periodica de re Canonica, a journal widely read in seminaries and published by Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, an elite school for Catholic clergy.

"No matter how often a bishop or priest repeats the teaching of the church regarding procured abortion, if he stands by and does nothing to discipline a Catholic who publicly supports legislation permitting the gravest of injustices, and, at the same time, presents himself to receive Holy Communion, then his teachings ring hollow," Burke writes.

A former top official in the Signatura, the Vatican's high court, and a noted expert in canon law, Burke previously has kicked off public debates over policing the Communion rail. While bishop of La Crosse, Wis., he ordered clergy to refuse to offer the sacrament to certain pro-abortion-rights politicians.

In 2004, Burke and a handful of other bishops said they would refuse Communion to presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. Burke also said Catholics who voted for pro-abortion-rights politicians, such as Kerry, should refrain from taking the sacrament until they confessed their "mortal sin."

In his new article, the archbishop explicitly criticizes his fellow bishops, the majority of whom voted in 2004 to leave the Communion decision up to individual bishops.

Burke retorts: "The question regarding the objective state of Catholic politicians who knowingly and willingly hold opinions contrary to natural moral law would hardly seem to change from place to place."

The Rev. Richard John Neuhaus, editor of the influential conservative Catholic journal First Things, called Burke's article "a scholarly tour de force."

"The (archbishop's) concern is not a political concern," Neuhaus said. "The article is about, how does the church preserve the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist?"

Blogger Commentary: That sums it up perfectly.

But the article is ambiguous in some areas, said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center in Washington.

Important Blogger Commentary: Georgetown University's Woodstock Theological Center. Woodstock . . . ? Theology . . . ? You are kidding me right.

If Burke is calling on Communion ministers to disobey their bishops and deny Communion to Catholic politicians, it would be "revolutionary" and "encourage anarchy," Reese said.

"Most bishops do not want ministers of Communion playing policeman at the Communion rail," he added. "This is a significant change in focus. Suddenly, you're going to have a few thousand decision makers in parishes across the country."

A spokeswoman for the Archdiocese of St. Louis said Burke was unavailable to comment on this article.

The Columbus Dispatch : Bishop preaches tough Communion rule


Well done Archbishop Burke!

Saint Bellarmine - God Using Fire In Our Pursuit Of Holiness

Are you serious about your Pursuit of Holiness. When truly desiring perfection with Christ, sometimes we can be surprised what tools God uses and how. Here is what Saint Robert Bellarmine had to say on suffering as it relates to our pursuit of holiness.

You have doubtless seen blacksmiths pour a little water on the fire when they wished to heat the iron more rapidly. The water does not put the fire out, as we might expect, but by what the philosophers call antiperistasis, makes it burn better than ever. The fire of charity with which you love God extends to many things besides Him, to wife, children, property, reputation and so its flame is not not very strong nor eager. What, then does the All-wise Artificer do, who fashioned the heavens and the earth? He pours the water of tribulation on the fire, taking away from you the things you love, but only that your charity may contract its forces and burn to Him, the Love of loves, more vehemently.

- St. Robert Bellarmine

Strong stuff. Are you ready for the Refiner's fire as a form of prayer?

How Nice Was This?

We took the family to the park today. It rained yesterday, so the air was nice and cool on this Autumn day. After swinging the kids for a few minutes I hear this high pitch.

"Anne Marie. Anne Marie." It was our neighbor with her5 year old grandson that she babysits.

They saw us going to the park and thankfully decided to join us. Our neighbor looked at us with a blue book in her hand and wanted to pray the Rosary with us.

Now, how cool is that?

I thought the blue book was the Pieta, but it was a Scripitual Rosary book. She caught us off guard. We had no Rosary on hand. We usually pray at the park when we go together, but we both have sore throats and didn't think we could handle saying a Rosary together.

There we were, beautiful weather, great location, great friends and praying the Rosary while we let the park baby sit our kids.

Thank God for good neighbors.

JMJ

On The Lighter Side

My wife's side hurt she laughed so much at the answer.

Why Men Shouldn't Write Advice Columns.

Walter's Problem Page

Dear Walter:

I hope you can help me here. The other day I set off for work leaving my husband in the house watching the TV as usual. I hadn't gone more than a few hundred yards down the road when my engine conked out and the car shuddered to a halt. I walked back home to get my husband's help.

When I got home I couldn't believe my eyes. He was parading in front of the wardrobe mirror dressed in my underwear and high-heel shoes, and he was wearing my make up.

I am 32, my husband is 34 and we have been married for twelve years. When I confronted him, he tried to make out that he had dressed in my lingerie because he couldn't find his own underwear. But when I asked him about the make up, he broke down and admitted that he'd been wearing my clothes for six months. I told him to stop or I would leave him.

He was let go from his job six months ago and he says he has been feeling increasingly depressed and worthless. I love him very much, but ever since I gave him the ultimatum he has become increasingly distant. I don't feel I can get through to him anymore. Can you please help?

Sincerely,
Norma

Dear Norma:

A car stalling after being driven a short distance can be caused by a variety of faults with the engine. Start by checking that there is no debris in the fuel line. If it is clear, check the jubilee clips holding the vacuum pipes onto the inlet manifold. If none of these approaches solves the problem, it could be that the fuel pump itself is faulty, causing low delivery pressure to the carburetor float chamber. I hope this helps.

Walter

St. Padre Pio - Powerful With Children

"I See Pio!"

Anne Marie, age 5, is my oldest. Ever since she was two she has had a very strong devotion to St. Pio. I know you might ask how does a two year old have a devotion to a saint. Well, that's a good question, because I have little to do with this particular devotion.

As an infant, Anne Marie lost hearing in her left ear, causing speech development delays. So when she would use full tangible sentences our ears would perk up. We were at a Church fund raiser with our friends Gloria, Anne Marie's God Mother, and Mary Kay, John Paul's God Mother, when she repeatedly said:


"I see Pio!"

"Where?" We asked and she pointed behind her head.

I think we reacted rationally. We thankfully acknowledged it. And in faith we believed her. Most of all we didn't do some frantic happy dance yelling "Look at my child, she is a mystic!"

"I see Pio!" This was sporadically repeated maybe three more times. It stopped somewhere around the age of three. It took some thought, but we finally discovered a mysterious connection. It was Gloria, her God Mother. With one exception, her proclamation happened in the car while going to or coming from seeing Gloria at some event.

Now, Gloria does have a healthy devotion to Saint Pio. So here is the interesting part. Gloria, a late religious vocation, will soon be a cloistered, habit-wearing Nun with the Poor Clares. For those who don't know it, St. Pio is a Capuchin priest; which, like the Poor Claires is a branch of the Fransician Order.

So let's fast forward to Saturday morning,
the day before the Feast of St. Pio.

Rose and Anne Marie, out of the blue, grab some paper and start coloring. OK, nothing out of the ordinary there. It's when they finished coloring that the unexpected occurred. They both drew pictures of St. Michael and his Church. I was shocked. We didn't teach them this. How did they even know St. Michael had a Church named after him? They mentioned St. Michael quite a bit during the day. I was a happy daddy.

The next day was St. Pio's feast day, and we were doing our bed time prayers. When it hit me. St. Michael was preparing the way for St. Pio. That makes perfect sense. It is a pious and documented belief that Saint Pio saw Our Lady, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Michael and his guardian angel daily. In fact, while growing up, he thought this was a common experience.

St. Pio had a great devotion to St. Michael. Why? Because as a priest Satan would physically attack the Padre in his private quarters to the point of physical harm. St. Pio even wondered if Satan was going to kill him, the attacks were so vicious. St. Pio would endure the beatings until he could take it no more. Then he would call upon the name of Jesus. Our Savior would send St. Michael to banish Satan.

"I see Pio!"

I find it intriguing three little words have so many connections. What little connections has God sent you?


St. Pio, pray for us.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fifth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 25th Sunday

My Dear People,

Be Generous To Others,
As I Am Generous To YOU!

Accountability for all of our gifts is the theme of our Gospel today. God's Mercy is infinite. God's justice is real. Together they cause us to grow in spiritual life. As we come to the finish line of the liturgical year, we read many parables dealing with accountability.

We are called to be "trustworthy stewards", caretakers of God's gifts. All that we are, and all that has been given, comes from the providential hand of the Lord. Just as God showers His goodness upon all of us, so too must we shower His Love upon others. This is all He asks of us. Be generous to others, as I am generous to YOU! Random acts of kindness are the easiest habit we can foster in the sharing of God's divine Mercy and Love. Be generous this week. Shower others in God's divine love.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 25th Sunday

Don't Miss Out Get The Rest Of The Catholic Sunday Homily!

Saint Robert Bellarmine Picture

This Cardinal Robert Bellarmine Picture is usually cropped out showing only his face. I like the full Saint Robert Bellarmine Image best.




P.S. This was a very common way to do portraits of prominent men, like Cardinal Bellarmine in the 1500 - 1600's.

St. Robert Bellarmine's Blog has the largest collection of the great Cardinal Bellarmine Pictures here.

Jesuits Companions- Take A Bow

Joseph Fromm, is a Companion to the Jesuits (Jesus) and does the order a great service with his blog Good Jesuit Bad Jesuit. The blog's name alone is worth the visit.

http://goodjesuitbadjesuit.blogspot.com/

This is my first blog recommendation. I do not hand them out freely. Enjoy!

BTW I have no idea how he gets all of his Jesuit info.

Everything I Know I Learned From A Horse!

I grew up on the farm, but to be honest I would say city kids rode horses at picnics more than I did.  That doesn't go well with my headline.  My good fried Judy emailed this to me.  You could say she was my spiritual director during a crucial part of my formation.

Horses - An Example Of Catholic Evangelization . . .

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.

From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you  stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing... for looking into  the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.  His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him.

This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a  bell.  Looking around for the source of the sound, you  will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field and attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.


As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, always trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse  with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening,  it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect ....or because we have problems or challenges in our lives. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those whom God  places in our lives .....and other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....

Good friends are like that... you may not always see them, but you know they are always there. So please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

And remember...

....be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.


Wasn't that a good story.  A horse showing us Catholic Evangelization the simple way.

St. Gennaro Blood Liquefies! - Do Your Kids Know This?

"HomeSchooling Moms & Dads, Parents, Grandparents . . . Discover The Hidden 'Secret' To Unleash Your Child's Love Of The Church..."

For the last 1000 years St. Gennaro dried bloods liquefies and yet 95% of Catholics either don't know or don't care. What can I say other than Grrrrr? So what's the hidden "secret." Here it is.

The Church is really cool! Spend time on this mystical aspect of the Church. It is to easy to focus on the Grrrr moments. The mystical side of the Church is an untouched jewel wanting to be discovered.

Watch this video! I will even save you time. Watch the first 2 minutes to get a background, then go to 4:20 to actually see the miracle.

St. Gennaro Dried Blood Liquefies!

Did you know ? ? ?

"Children Loving The Mystical Lives
Of The Saints & The Church
Will Not Stumble Into The
Snares Of The 'New Age Movement'. . ."

Why? Because we have the real deal. Based on the Truth. No lies.

Let me explain. If you taught your kids to use Miracle Whip and how they can consume it for free, would they in their right mind pay to get generic salad dressing? There is no comparison with taste or price. Is there? And thats exactly what we have.

Sit down and show this to your kids.

Do your kids know that this miracle is not exclusive to St. Gennaro? Look up Saint Philomena!

Flying Saints? Look up St. Joseph Cupertino!

Miracles? Look our own St. Robert Bellarmine.

Want to walk on water? How about St. Peter or St. Anthony.

How about un-decayed bodies? Take your pick. St. Bernadette, St. John Newman, St. John Vianney, St. Clair etc...

Want to know the future? Again take your pick. St. Pio, St. Catherine of Siena, St. Theresa

Be not afraid all of you homeschooling moms and dads, parents, grandparents and etc. Go forth and teach your children to love miracles, to love the unbelievable, to love the saints. Your efforts will not be in vain.

JMJ

Official Catholic Prayer for the Intercession of Pope John Paul

PRAYER FOR ASKING GRACES THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD THE POPE JOHN PAUL II

O Blessed Trinity
We thank You for having graced the Church
with Pope John Paul II
and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care,
the glory of the cross of Christ,
and the splendor of the Holy Spirit,
to shine through him.
Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy
and in the maternal intercession of Mary,
he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd,
and has shown us that holiness
is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life
and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will,
the graces we implore,
hoping that he will soon be numbered
among your saints.

Amen.

---

With ecclesiastical approval

CARDINAL CAMILLO RUINI
the Holy Father’s Vicar General
for the Diocese of Rome

A Prayer To St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church

A Litany to Saint Robert Bellarmine;
An Efficacious Catholic Prayer

By
John Michael

www.SaintRobertBellarmine.Blogspot.com

Lord, have mercy	Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy	Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy	Lord, have mercy.
God the Father of heaven	Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the world	Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit	Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God	Have mercy on us
Holy Mary	Pray for us.
Holy Mother of God	Pray for us.
Mother and Queen of the Society of Jesus	Pray for us.
Our Lady of the Way	Pray for us.
St. Joseph	Pray for us.
St. John the Baptist	Pray for us.
Sts. Peter and Paul	Pray for us.
St. Ignatius Loyola	Pray for us.
St. Aloysius Gonzaga	Pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier	Pray for us.
St. Edmund Campion	Pray for us.
St. Francis Borgia	Pray for us.
St. Claude de la Colombiere	Pray for us.
St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church	Pray for us.
Spiritual Father of St. Aloysius Gonzaga	Pray for us.
Spiritual Son of St. Ignatius Loyola	Pray for us.
Spiritual Son of St. Francis of Assisi	Pray for us.
St. Bellarmine, Defender of Holy Mother Church	Pray for us.
Defender of the Holy Pontiff	Pray for us.
Defender of the Teachings of the Church	Pray for us.
Defender of the Society of Jesus	Pray for us.
Defender of Catholic Education	Pray for us.
Defender of the poor and sick	Pray for us.
St. Bellarmine, Soldier against heretics	Pray for us.
Soldier against heretical Kings	Pray for us.
Soldier against spreading false doctrine	Pray for us.
Soldier against wayward professors	Pray for us.
Soldier against impure acts	Pray for us.
Soldier for Holy Mother Church	Pray for us.
Soldier for the Bishops & Cardinals	Pray for us.
Soldier for the Society of Jesus	Pray for us.
Soldier for Children of God	Pray for us.
Soldier for the poor and sick	Pray for us.
St. Bellarmine, Teacher of Martyrs & Saints	Pray for us.
Teacher of Priest & Religious	Pray for us.
Teacher of the Society of Jesus	Pray for us.
Teacher of the Laity	Pray for us.
Teacher of the Children of God	Pray for us.
St. Bellarmine, Model for the Society of Jesus	Pray for us.
Model for Cardinals & Bishops	Pray for us.
Model for Priest & Religious	Pray for us.
Model for Professors	Pray for us.
Model for Apologetics	Pray for us.
Model for Public Speakers	Pray for us.
Model for Theologians	Pray for us.
Model for Writers	Pray for us.
Model for Spiritual Directors	Pray for us.
Model for the Children of God	Pray for us.
St. Bellarmine, Lover of the Triune God	Pray for us.
Lover of Mother Mary	Pray for us.
Lover of Holy Mother Church	Pray for us.
Lover of the Teachings of the Church	Pray for us.
Lover of Obedience	Pray for us.
Lover of Charity	Pray for us.
Lover of Purity	Pray for us.
Lover of Prayer	Pray for us.
Lover of Poverty	Pray for us.
Lover of Meekness	Pray for us.
Lover of Chasity	Pray for us.
Lover of Patience	Pray for us.
Lover of Humility	Pray for us.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,	Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,	Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,	Have mercy on us.
Let us pray,
O God, who, for the greater glory of your most Holy Mother Church, has raised to the altar a great defender and soldier for the Church. Grant that through the intercession of thy great servant Saint Robert Bellarmine that we may imitate his virtues in order to be happily crowned with him in heaven. Through our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

A Litany to Saint Robert Bellarmine; An Efficacious Catholic Prayer

By
John Michael

Discover Saint Robert Bellarmine Unplugged At
http://saintrobertbellarmine.blogspot.com/search/label/St.%20Robert%20Bellarmine

Waiting for Ecclesiastic approval

Please feel free to copy with credits intact.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fourth Sunday

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - 24th Sunday

My Dear People,

Your Call To Repentance

Living a good Christian life is no accident. We are called to repentance each and everyday of our lives. God rejoices more over on repentant sinner, more than 99 righteous men who don't desire God's Mercy. In another place in the Gospel, Jesus tells us that we cannot serve TWO masters. Either we will hate one, and love the other; or despise one, and cherish the other.

Focus on Jesus means focus on our eternal life. We are called to live in both worlds, earth and heaven. Our sin makes us focus on our need for Jesus. Our sights must always be set on heaven. Our joy must be Christ's joy. The passion of our life must also be that of Christ Jesus, otherwise we will lose our way back home. Prayer and fasting are the quickest ways to remain focused on our need for repentance. Ask for the grace to truly repent of your sins. The more you ask for MERCY, the more you shall receive. God will reward you with this special grace, and more.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Twenty-Fourth Sunday

Living as Christian Stewards, May we overcome excessive materialism and find more joy in sharing than in having and acquiring.


Don't Miss Out Get The Rest Of The Catholic Sunday Homily!

"The Nuns Are Coming Out Of The Cage!" - The Traditional Latin Mass

Did you watch it? The Traditional Latin High Mass on EWTN. It was absolutely beautiful. Both of the girls were really intrigued by it. It was so funny to see the little ones exclaim, "Mommy, the Nuns are coming out of the cage!" She always joyfully comments on the Nuns in the cage during EWTN's Benediction. "Mommy, the Nuns are in the cage! Isn't that silly!"

The Little Ones' Love Of The Traditional Latin Mass

The line that might top that was when they saw Mother Angelica during the TLM. Three times they shrieked, "Mommy, Mommy, I see Mother Angelica!!! It's Mother Angelica"

We have been to a couple of Latin Masses and have really enjoyed the sense of the Sacred. I believe that's what intrigues the girls. (Unfortunately, we do not live near a place where the Traditional Latin Mass is offered yet.) We have done many spiritual activities as a family, but nothing compares to sense of the Sacred found in the Traditional Latin Mass. Do you agree?



Go here to hear EWTN's Traditional Latin Mass Homily.

A Miraculous Catholic Picture? You Decide . . .

So I was at Our Lady of Sorrows Pilgrimage Church in Starkenburg, MO taking pictures. No big deal you know. Then my wife showed me something really remarkable. I took two pictures within seconds of each other and within a few feet and got two totally different pictures. I want you to note that I did nothing to change the camera, except maybe zoom in or out. Here take a look.

Here is pic #1



Now compare it with number two.



Well, what do you think? I think it is breathtaking.

Pilgrimage To Our Lady Of Sorrows - Starkenburg, MO

In a town of about 10 people, plus or minus a hundred, lies three beautiful Catholic Churches. Two are pilgrimage Churches. Twice a year, Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Martin Church, has a pilgrimage that is well worth the effort. Here are some pictures.







Many home schooling families take field trips here. Did I say how peaceful the place is?

The Boy's Top Ten Words

It's a list. My top ten words from my boy. He is one year and three weeks old. The word explosion started on his birthday. What amazes me is how they are in context. I keep saying to myself, "where does he get this?"

So, with no further ado, my boy's top ten words...

1. Milk - He doesn't say milk, but he finally used the baby sign. We love baby signs. We started with the oldest because she is deaf in her left ear and could lose the rest of her hearing in the future. It is a great learning tool.
2. Down - He loves to be held, so this is seldom used.
3. Hold you - He would say this more, but has found his own baby sign works better. He crawls up to and head buts your leg. Don't worry it doesn't hurt.
4. Sister - The wife and I were praying outside on the porch swing while the girls were playing. He leans over and yells "sister!"
5. I want some - Common, very common.
6. Hot plate - My mouth dropped when I put a hot pan on the dining room table and those words came out of his mouth. Where does he get this?
7. Nancy - This is his aunt. What's neat about this is that he saw her picture on the screen saver. Mommy heard "Nancy" turned around and sure enough it was Nancy.
8. Momma - Whether he is talking about Momma Mary or Mom, these words are beautiful.
9. Jesus - He said this for the first time on his Birthday. This is when he really started to talk.
10. God - He said this during the consecration at the at the 9-11 Mass. What shocked us was he was not "taught" this. During the elevation we tell the kids, "look, there's Jesus." Never once did we say God.

There it is. What words are your kids, nieces, nephews, grandchildren saying that surprise you?

The 911 Truth

Call it 911 Truth, 911 Conspiracy, 911 Find the Facts. There is without a doubt something hidden with the 911 tragedy. So do you want the 911 Truth? Let me tell you . . .

I have the 911 TRUTH!

And the truth is. It should not have happened. I will take the blame. I am trying to make amends. So what is it? We as a nation forgot how to pray. How many Catholic families actually pray together? When we pray as a family God grants us immense protection for the evil one. This 911 incident could have been avoided. How many times and in how many apparitions does Our Lady tell us to pray so war, famines, holocaust etc... will be avoided. We are without doubt a stiff neck people. God help us.

I think Father Corapi came up with the answer. It's a "Spiritual 911 call to arms" in order to combat Satan and all of his evil spirits head to head. This Spiritual 911 is definitely worth adapting into our lives.

With great trust pray:

9 Memorares. “Remember, o most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, or sought Thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, o Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee do I come. Before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.”

1 Rosary. Pray 5 decades of the Rosary (Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious, or
Luminous Mysteries. The choice is yours).

Try to meditate well on the Mysteries, bringing them into your own life. Pray the prayers of the Our Father and Hail Mary with great love and trust. The prayer of the Rosary is the prayer of
the Gospel. That is why it is so powerful. When we pray the Rosary, we are praying the Gospel. The Gospel or “Good News” is Jesus Christ: Infinite Power!

1 Chaplet of Divine Mercy. This is an age especially in need of God’s mercy. Jesus gave this prayerful devotion, dedicated to His Infinite mercy, to Saint Faustina. Once again, pray with trust, even if it hurts. Just do it!

It is not a feeling. It is a decision. An act of the will. The prayers “Eternal Father, I offer you the body and blood, soul and divinity, of your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world;” and “For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have mercy on us, and on the whole world,” are filled with power. The ending prayer “Holy God, holy mighty One, holy immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world” call down Gods grace and mercy on us and all of our brothers and sisters.

So, you have a direct line to God. Call to heaven with the Spiritual “911” whenyou need to send a distress call for heavenly help. It will take less than an hour in most cases. If you don’t have that much time,make the solemn intention to do it as soon as possible. God loves you and will help you. He may not remove the problem, but he’ll always give you the strength and means to triumph over it.

9 Memorares
1 Rosary
1 Chaplet of Divine Mercy

May God bless you and keep you safe in his merciful love!

Father John Corapi, SOLT - The 911 Truth and The Spiritual 911


FatherCorapi.com

The Angelic Voice of Luciano Pavarotti Praying The Ave Maria

How beautiful. The best song of all time song by one of the most gifted singers of all time.

Magnifico! Bravo!

Eternal Rest Grant Onto Pavarotti O' Lord and Eternal Rest Grant Onto Him.

Amen

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Sept 9th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute


My Dear People,

Take Up Your Cross

To take up our "cross" daily, is the command of Jesus in the Gospel today. Jesus never identifies what the "cross" is for each of us. The answer lies in the Genesis account of Adam and Eve. While in a perfect state of harmony with God, our first parents chose to follow their own personal choices, as opposed to remaining within God's "divine will". This departure from Almighty God is called original sin. Everyone, with the exception of Our Lady, suffers from the effects of original sin. We are given grace and discernment to understand how we are personally connected to the original sin.

Most of us look outside of ourselves to identify our cross. The cross truly comes from within us. Our cross is not our sorry spouse, our terrible job, our disrespectful children, our miserable neighbors; rather our cross is our "disconnection" from Almighty God. We inherit most of our crosses. Sometimes they are physical. Sometimes they are spiritual. And sometimes they are a combination of all the above. To point fingers outside of ourselves blaming others for our crosses, cheats us out of conversion time and grace. You know whatever "homework" God's gives us here on Earth to do is left "undone", their remains spiritual summer school time awaiting us in purgatory. Pay now or pay dearly later. SO, stop blaming others for your "crosses". Look within, and God will show you where they exist inside of you and I. Then, He will give you the grace to endure them all.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark - Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute


May we learn to give generously, expecting nothing in return.


Don't Miss Out Get The Rest Of The Catholic Sunday Homily!

Your Free Father Corapi Blessing

Good Stuff.

This is a beautiful blessing that Father Corapi recorded at his web site.

FatherCorapi.com

It will take 30 seconds to receive an eternal reward. What a trade off.

God Bless Father Corapi

Cleanse Me From My Hidden Ills - Saint Robert Bellarmine

A Catholic Prayer For Healing of Hidden Ills - Saint Robert Bellarmine

All good, holy, wise, and powerful physician, cleanse me from my hidden ills! How many are there that I do not recall? May your grace with which to search my reins and heart be with me. Show me the evil desires and evil works that you see but I do not. Look down kindly and open a fountain of waters so that while there is time they may be washed away and blotted out by your grace.

Amen.

• Discover the Three Secrets for Catholic Healing Prayers for the Sick
• Here is a Catholic Healing Prayer by 7th Century Irish Monk

Happy Greet Your Neighbor Week!

A Catholic Prayer For A Charitable Heart

Well, well, well. We were greeted at our door by a neighbor this morning carrying a dozen roses. I didn't even know her. Being fairly new to the neighborhood I was glad she wasn't selling something for her church.

"Hi! I am Mrs. Church. I live down the street. Would you like a rose in honor of 'Greet Your Neighbor Week?'"

What generosity. What a sincere gift. That is why the next part was strange.


She wanted to leave immediately. I tried to talk to her but she wasn't interested. It was as if she did her duty, now I must go. My wife didn't have time to pick up the little one from the high chair and get to the door.

So, a very charitable act left us feeling confused instead of welcomed. It made me think. A charitable act must have the act of the will and the heart in order to bear the top yields. Our neighbor bore fruit of lets say 30 bushels when she could have yields in the hundreds.

This Made Me Think

This is exactly how I parent. I could go further with illustrations, examples, scriptural support etc..., but I think you get the point.

Let us ask Our Lady to help us have a charitable heart.

What do you think? Do you have any examples? Post your comments below.

Would St. Bellarmine Recognize A Current Jesuit?

Ahh, the Jesuits. God has given us the good, the bad and the ugly. Do the current Jesuits know their history? That's a good question. Some we know do and others, well lets just stop there. But we can compare, can't we? Let us compare a current Jesuit and two friends of St. Bellarmine. The first is Jesuit Fr. Donal Godfrey, the current Director of University Ministry at the Jesuit University of San Francisco. The next two are friends of Professor Robert Bellarmine, Melchior Cano and Jesuit Professor John Maldonatus.

Fr. Godfrey has been quoted by the London Daily Mail as saying, “being gay is not special” – “it’s simply another gift from God who created us as rainbow people.” Godfrey finds it paradoxical “that it is precisely at a Jesuit Catholic university that we can find God’s image in people whose color, faith, culture, language, background, and sexual orientation is different from our own.” Godfrey wants the ministry “to help celebrate that we are Jesuit, Catholic, and a place that welcomes those of all faiths and none, all at the same time.”

"Godfrey has been a fixture at San Francisco’s Most Holy Redeemer, a parish deeply involved in homosexual activism, including participation in the city’s yearly Gay Pride parade." The mission of the San Francisco Pride Parade is to liberate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. "Last October, Godfrey presided at a prayer service (broadcast by the BBC on April 22) celebrating homosexuality. At the service, Godfrey said, 'most often our churches make it difficult to acknowledge, let alone celebrate, the truth of the rainbow. But in all of this I believe it is God who calls and loves all of us, whatever our sexual orientation.' ” This all directly comes from the California Catholic article "The 'Truth of the Rainbow' at USF".

So that is case number one, Jesuit Father Godfrey. I am curious to know what he thinks is "the truth of the rainbow."

Would The Founding Jesuit Fathers Support Father Godfrey?
Would Father Godfrey Support His Founding Jesuit Fathers?

So, here is the next person to compare, Melchior Cano. The following is his quote:

Would to God (he exclaimed) it had not been given me to experience, in this sixteenth century, the sophistry and stupid subtlety with which theology is debased by so many doctors in our universities. It was the devil's doing, and a thing I cannot speak of without tears. When Catholic theologians should have been armed to meet the invasion of heresies from Germany, they had nothing but silly bits of stick for weapons. And so they were laughed at, and deservedly laughed at... because it was not theology that they ran after, but the smoke of theology.

Now Jesuit Professor John Maldonatus while addressing fellow professors and theologians:

Most theologians have for a long time neglected Scripture, the Fathers, and the pure tradition of scholasticism. They concentrated their thoughts on Aristotle, and employed their hours and powers inventing and solving an infinity of complicated questions, in which the subtlety of their wits had scope to shine. This mania for hair-splitting got such a hold of them that the schools resounded with endless disputes, puerile cries, and hot arguments which, in time of serious war with the foe, proved rather a hindrance than a help to the triumph of the truth. If we should see a man who had been challenged to a duel with swords practising meantime most assiduously with a bow and arrow, what could we do but laugh at him? Now that is precisely what they do who confine their teaching to useless and superfluous questions which have no relation to the Holy Scriptures or the needs of the age.

When I see them thus squander such precious opportunities, I feel constrained to cry out to them: "What is it you are about, O slack and neglectful soldiers? The enemy is at your gates while you waste your time playing like children. Let your theology come forth from the cloud in which it has been wrapped until to-day. Scour off the rust which has grown on it through inaction, and let it abandon once and for all the pleasant, shady twilight of philosophy, and descend boldly into the arena...."

But does this mean, you may ask me, that we are to abandon scholastic disputation altogether? No, gentlemen; the true way, I think, is to be found in the union of Scripture with the methods of scholasticism, so that when any question arises we shall not run to Plato or Aristotle for its solution, but to the Prophets, the Apostles, Our Lord Himself and His Church, and Christian antiquity. Furthermore, in all our work we shall consult the needs of our time.

So what are your thoughts? In order to maintain charity, I shall allow you to draw your own conclusions.

Let us pray for our priests that God grant them the grace to proclaim the fullness of the Truth. God knows the only way we are going to get good priests is through prayer. Wouldn't you agree?

Want to learn more little known secrets about St. Robert Bellarmine?

The New Evangalization Working At Notre Dame?

Yeah Notre Dame!!!

Notre Dame to offer Latin Mass in the fall

South Bend, Sep 4, 2007 / 10:36 am (CNA).- The University of Notre Dame has announced it will offer the Mass in its extraordinary form, that is in Latin, on campus as soon as the necessary requirements, outlined in Pope Benedict’s motu proprio July 7, are fulfilled.

The requirement specified in an announcement from the university’s campus ministry department is a celebrant who is familiar with Latin and the rubrics of the Roman Missal of Blessed John XXIII.

This Mass is tentatively scheduled for Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. in the chapel of Alumni Hall.

Celebrants for these liturgies will be appointed by the director of campus ministry or the rector of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, who each have jurisdiction over the celebration of some of the sacraments on campus.

The current form of the Mass, known as the ordinary for of the Roman Rite, will continue to be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart as well as in the residence halls.

This fall, campus ministry will provide a catechesis on the Eucharist. It will provide students with a deeper understanding of the Eucharist, the ordinary and extraordinary forms of the Mass, and the Pope’s motu proprio.

Here is the link.

A Child's Prayer And Discerning God's Will

Our little ones are at it again. Isn't it amazing how a little child's prayer or comments can give you the long desired answer to God's will in your life.

So our little boy just turned one. Well, what do you know, the girls start asking mom questions. "Mommy, when are you going to get another baby in your tummy? I want a girl. Can you have a girl Mommy?"

"We will see, you know having a baby is very hard on Mommy." This is very true. Mommy is a diabetic with a brain tumor. God bless her.

What's funny is the girls did the same thing with the last baby. Out of nowhere, they know it's time. God gives them the discernment. When discerning for God's will, we have learned to listen to the little ones closely. They don't even need to know you're discerning something. Nope, they just give you the insight to God's heart. And best of all it's free.

Short tangent: I remember discerning God's will with a good friend. It was a bright morning so we had the shades drawn. As soon as we finished the prayer our oldest, maybe one at the time, grabs the shades and tugs on them causing them to roll up. The dark room was instantly transformed because of the light. There is the answer, at the fingers of a little babe. It was God's will to move forward. He gave us His light. And it was a fruitful discernment. Anyway back to the story.

More Baby Confirmations

While shopping at the Cathedral Basilica, during a little pilgrimage to visit Our Lady of America, our middle child hands Mom a medal she wants her to buy. Can you guess who it is? It's St. Gerard Majella, the Mother's Saint. Whenever Mom gets pregnant she adds the St. Gerard's Medal to her scapular. Now, what are the chances of that happening? Then after hearing that cute story, I "coincidentally" find a holy card of St. Gerard Majella on the internet.

So, I guess the fun part now begins.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Sept 1st

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

My Dear People,

Praying For Humility

We all know someone, who loves to be the center of attention all the time. Whether real or imagined, they are the ones who suffer more than anyone else, have terrible illnesses all the time, can't wait to tell you about what is going on in their lives. Simply put, they are exhausting. If the spotlight moves onto someone else for a moment, they struggle to get back in the "limelight". You can never give them enough of your time.

Jesus addresses these folks in the Gospel today. He says that those who always need to be first, and the center of everyone's attention, need to pray for "humility". The grace of humility comes when we are at peace with ourselves, and truly know how much God loves us for who we are...not what we want others to believe about us. When Jesus is real for us, we do not need anyone else only HIM. Jesus goes on to tell us, that remaining humble and unassuming may not draw God's attention. In the end, Jesus says, all of the quiet good works, all the little sufferings offered up silently, will be repaid in the Resurrection of the "righteous". Be silent. Be still. Be in God's HOLY presence.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark,Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we learn to give generously, expecting nothing in return.

Don't Miss Out Get The Rest Of The Catholic Sunday Homily!

Our Lady Of America - St. Louis Old Cathedral

Can you imagine the holy conversation concerning Our Lady Of America?

"Behold my Son!" Proclaims St. Joseph.
"Behold My Mother! As I Crown her Our Lady Of America." Declares the Child Jesus.
"I am a humble handmaid of the Lord." Our Lady of America











These are pictures my wife took at the St. Louis Old Cathedral down by the Arch during one of her short pilgrimages. We have the picture as our screen saver. The kids love looking at it.

You have permission to copy the pictures for personal use. Please reference these site for public use at http://saintrobertbellarmine.blogspot.com/

The single page is here.

Want more insight to the Virgin Mary

Please email Our Lady Of America images to your friends by clicking the envelope below.