A Love Letter To Michael Jackson - By My Brother Joe

"Why We Home School"

That's my sub head. This is my brother Joe writing a love letter to Michael Jackson. My sister found this while helping my Aunt and Uncle move. It was in his eighth grade folder. Why did my Aunt have it? Your guess is as good as mine. Notice that he got a 96%. That's an A.

Never in our family's emailing history has a letter generated so many comments. After one twelve hour period the initial email to six family members has reached the ends of the earth.

I will post reactions to the letter later on. Stay tuned. You can read it better by clicking the image.

Popes and Eucharistic Adoration

Sit down. Take a deep breath. Hit play. You can't be too busy to watch this.

Now, call in the kids and the wife. And do it all over again.

Will you share the blessings? How could you not? Email this link to your friends.

"Men Are Like Frogs." Saint Robert Bellarmine

Being a great orator, Saint Robert Bellarmine loved to make analogies. When I mean great, I truly believe that is an understatement. Thousands would listen to his sermons. Every sermon produced a true conversion to the Faith. Immoral people did an about face and rejected worldly pleasures so they could live a life of service to God.

Here is an excerpt from a St. Bellarmine's sermon calling men frogs.

You have doubtless seen, dear brethren, how little boys fish for frogs in some stagnant pool. They tie a bit of skin taken from a frog already captured and then throw it out as a bait for other frogs. Up rushes the best swimmer in the pool and seizes the skin with all its might, though quite incapable of either gnawing or swallowing it. On this, the fisherman immediately jerks in his line with the frog attached, drags the bait violently out of its mouth and tosses it back to the other expectant victims. And so he continues until he has enough dead frogs by him to satisfy his immediate needs.

Is not this an accurate picture of human gullibility? Men are so like frogs. They grab at things which they cannot use or keep, and that wily angler the devil knows how to capture multitudes of them with some single and sorry piece of bait such as a few acres of land or a wooden chair which we call a throne. Kings come and kings go, but the throne remains, having damned perhaps the majority of its occupants.

Latin As A Second Language

So our kids are young. You know we have three precious little ones five years old and younger. Look at the little ones' pictures HERE. BTW, did I tell you we are home schooling. We are so excited!

So, we want our kids to learn Latin. It is a beautiful language, romantic even, and will help them learn to grasp the English language so much better.

We prayfully choose St. Thomas Aquinas Academy for all of our homeschooling needs. Counseling with our Homeschooling Advisor, we have developed this plan of attack.

1. We will teach our children the Latin prayers. As I know this is obvious, but you have to start somewhere. They already know the traditional ones so we will just incorporate both. Just like the Church has formally been instructed to do. Hopefully they start implementing the Latin more.
   
2. We will slowly implement Latin into our family Rosary. Can you see us doing this in pulblic?
   
3. Latin Music - Talk about creating an appreciation for something beautiful.
4. Formal Teaching - We were advised to start around the fourth grade.
5. Purchase Lingua Angelica I - It's A Christian Latin Reading Course

What do think?

John Michael, you are waisting your time.
Wow, I wish we did that.
Good idea, but you're moving to slowly.
You're weird, where's the back button.
Have you really thought about trying out this idea.
I thought we were the only people doing this.

Leave a comment. How else will we know what you think. What will it hurt.?

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Aug 26th

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

My Dear People,

The Coming Of The Lord, Jesus

We hear rhetoric in the media about the "New World Order" created by man coming into being, even as we speak. It is everywhere. Our first reading from Isaiah points a very different picture from our current "world view". Isaiah tells us, "Thus says the LORD GOD... I come to gather the nations. I will set a sign among them. ...They shall proclaim my glory to the nations. ...They shall being ALL as an offering to the LORD, upon HIS holy mountain." God makes it very, very clear. HE ALONE WILL USHER IN HIS WORLD ORDER.

Jesus tells us that we know not the day nor the hour. All is reserved to Our Heavenly Father. Don't be fooled by all the BABEL, as did our ancestors in Genesis. Go and reread the Book of Genesis, especially Genesis 11. "The whole world spoke the same language. (computerized today). If now, while they are one people (New World Order), ...nothing will stop them from doing whatever they presume to do (abortion, euthanasia, cloning, sexual perversion...). Thus, the LORD scattered them from Babel, and stopped them from building their city." Same sin, different century. Watch God work His mighty deeds today, even as He did in the time of Babel. Draw close to the Lord. Know His Laws and His Precepts. Don't be fooled by a lost generation steeped in darkness and sin. Pray your Rosary daily for conversion of "poor sinners". Know that the Lord is God and, He is Lord ALONE!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,
Fr. Mark

May we learn to value all people for the unique gifts and qualities that God has bestowed upon them; Rather than for their material possessions and accomplishments.

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

"We Are A Rainbow People? ? ??"

The follow is the full article published by The California Catholic

The “truth of the rainbow” at USF

Jesuit university’s new director of University Ministry aims to help people “be better, whatever they are.”

A Jesuit priest who told the London Daily Mail this year that “being gay is not special” – “it’s simply another gift from God who created us as rainbow people,” has become the Jesuit University of San Francisco’s director of University Ministry. Fr. Donal Godfrey, who has been the ministry’s associate director, took over the directorship from Jesuit Fr. John Savard, who stepped down Aug. 1.

In a university news release, Godfrey praised Savard for “opening up University Ministry in many ways.” Godfrey said he himself wants to “respond to new challenges.” 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 wants to see more interfaith dialogue at USF, seeing his “aim as helping people to be better, whatever they are.” He wants to offer a wider variety of retreat options, with, perhaps, one-day, on-campus retreats focusing on spirituality and faith formation. He said he might expand into using technology, such as podcasts and internet gathering sites such as Facebook, to reach out to more students.

Godfrey is no stranger to San Francisco. In 1993 and again from 2000-2003, he served as a resident minister at the university and led the Pedro Arrupe Social Justice projects in poor neighborhoods in San Francisco and Tijuana. After serving as resident minister and adjunct faculty member at Loyola University, Chicago, he returned to the University of San Francisco in Fall 2005.

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. 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.”

Happy Birthday Son

Well here he is. That's my boy! Or as the girls say "boyeeeee."

He turns one year old today. It's hard to imagine how truly blessed we are.





Which picture do you like best?

Jehovah's Witnesses, The Pope and Lies... Results Reviewed

So we had our scheduled Trinity debate. Wow! Talk about getting your adrenaline pumping. Click HERE for the first article.


And the results are in. Remember, this was a two part series because the first time we agreed to a debate we immediately started and then scheduled one for Wednesday, August 22nd, The Feast of the Queenship of Mary.

• Round one goes to the JW's. I did my best, but he had his stuff memorized and knew exactly where he was heading. He use to walk the streets you know. Although I held my own, his preparation for attacking the Trinity had been practiced many times.
• Area of interest was the JW's quoting the Apostle John were Jesus declared that the Father was greater than the Son. Of course this is an excellent example of the virtue of humility. But he didn't take the bait. I could not produce a scriptural quote without research.
• Round two goes to me. He gave up. This is not uncommon with JW's. Ask anyone who defends the Faith against the JW's attack. You get on the black list. No More JW's Visits. This was a phone debate, so maybe I will be on the Do Not Call List.

The best part about round two? The charity. Thank you prayer warriors for this answered prayer. We debated about the Trinity for 2 hours without an attack or raised voice. We even stayed on topic.

Was the Holy Spirit active during the debate? Absolutely! Can you believe I forgot to research answers to God's humility. Oops. But never fear, I learned to give my short comings to God long ago and he takes those little crosses and resurrects them. Here's this part of the story:

"John Michael, how could Jesus be God when he says, 'because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."

This was in our first debate and he brought it back up. Ultimately, the JW's have little scriptual ammo so they rehash the same debate points. So now I remembered my oops. He was given the correct answer, but refused the answer.

Later on he brings up...

Phil.2
[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
[6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
[7] but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
[8] And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.
[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name,
[10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
[11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

He told me to read it aloud. Agreeing, I made him wait until I read the first four verses. Was I glad I did. The entire chapter talks about imitating God's Humility. Notice the first half, Jesus showed us a perfect humility example. Of course the JW's butchered this translation in their New World Bible.

... Sorry Got to go to work. I will finish this I promise. Bookmark and come back tomorrow for the rest of the story.

"Jehovah's Witnesses, The Pope and Lies..."

I knew my JW friend and I were headed into a debate when he asked me, "Are You Catholic?"

I replied and he informed me that he was a Catholic alter boy, choir member and was going to be a priest. To top it off he questioned me.

"Why would you want to be Catholic?"

My thoughts. (And please tell me if I sinning so I can go to confession.) GAME ON. It's about time the good Lord gave me a good debate.

We agreed to debate on the Trinity, which was his picking. I see why because JW 's are drilled to answer questions dealing with the "false Trinity doctrine." It's not in the bible you know.

So what are your thoughts, as we continue this Wednesday mourning on the Feast of the Queenship of Mary.

Here are three important topics.

1. When we left we he said I need to research this history tidbit. During the First Council of Nicaea, Constantine got into a fight with some bishops over the Trinity. He threw a fit and declared himself the first pope, Pope Pontiface Maximus, and defined the Trinity doctrine.
2. John 1:1 and the bad revision of my bible. He uses the New World Bible.
3. Quotes in scripture about the Father being greater than Jesus.

Wow! Thank the Lord I was sitting when he said the first line. What a lie.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily - Aug 19th

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

My Dear People,

The Era of Peace

God has not come to spread peace, but division. It doesn't seem possible for Jesus to be a source of separation, but He is by His very nature. There are no "fences" in Heaven to sit upon. Everyone in Heaven is "for the Lord". Now the situation is different in Hell, however. Hell is constant torment and division. So when Jesus came to set the Earth on fire, it was with the fire of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings peace, justice, goodness and patience.

Jesus came to establish the "era of peace" that we have yet to see on Earth (as it is in Heaven now). We long for an "era of Peace" St. John describes in the Book of Revelation. On the seventh day God rested. We have yet to enter into the "seventh day". On that day the Lamb and the lion will lay down together in PEACE. Until that time, we shall hunger for the Lord, and for His Peace! Pray daily for that peace on your rosaries, so that all mankind may know God's Mercy and Love.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we as families, recognize the importance of giving and strive to find more ways that we can share our blessings with others.

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

Saint Robert Bellarmine - The Love of Money, Charity And The Pursuit Of Holliness

St. Robert Bellarmine spent his entire life on the Pursuit of Holiness and here he related how the love of money uproots charity and spoils your Pursuit of Holiness. It is some hard hitting stuff, by God's Little Warrior, but hey he lived his advice and his advice is true.

"The love of money is the root of all evils, says the Apostle, but the root of all good is charity, and these two can never remain together. Wherefore, unless a man becomes truly and perfectly poor in spirit, so that, whether his possessions be small or great, his heart is not in them and he is always ready to give something to those in need. . . he cannot obtain the Kingdom of God . . ."


"Charity commands that we love our neighbor as we love ourselves, and that what we should wish to be done to ourselves, we do to him. Now who is there who being much in need would not wish the rich to give him something out of their superabundance?...On this point I beseech the reader to consult St. Basil in his Sermon to the Rich. There he will see and be terrified at the danger which men run who forget that they will have to render to God an account of their riches . . . If we shall have to give an account of every idle word we speak, much more shall we of the money we mis-spend."

You Have heard Of Lay Down Your Life, But Lay Down Your Riches? ? ?

"Let us hear the Apostle St. John, and from him learn how extensive is the duty of charity. His words are: 'In this we have known the charity of God, because He has laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brother." Christ laid down His life for His servants, and can it, be a great thing if we lay down our lives for our brothers? The Apostle does not say that we may if we choose lay down our lives for them, but that it is our duty and that we ought to do so. . . And if we ought to give our very lives , how much more are we bound to give of our riches?"

That is some great stuff wouldn't you agree? How are you doing on your charity and the love of money?

Learn more, Saint Bellarmine Controversies and Secrets, click here.
Learn the little secrets in your Pursuit of Holiness, go here.

"Young Robert Bellarmine Was Dying..."

"Cheer up, where there's life there's hope." St. Robert Bellarmine wrote this to a discouraged lad. He should know. Little Robert Bellarmine was virtually bed ridden for 3 to 4 years of his young life. He overcame that little blessing, but things were different as a Florence college student.

Robert Bellarmine was dying. What disease was it? We don't know. But he wasn't going to finish college alive.

He missed most of his classes and had to teach himself the subject material. His severe fatigue, constant migraines, high temperatures and only God know what else couldn't stop his thirst for knowledge. Of course it helps to be a genius. Robert Bellarmine could memorize an hour long Latin sermon by reading it once.

His disease didn't stop his desire to imitate Christ by performing corporal works of mercy. During college breaks he would visit prisoners and sick patients at the hospital scrubbing floors, cooking, burying the dead and praying with the dying.

It was during one of these visits that he shared his story with a sick patient. Brother Finali relates the story he over heard.

"One day Robert Bellarmine came into a room of a sick man. Robert Bellarmine had told the patient he had begun to seriously doubt whether he would be able to go on with working or fulfilling his duties because of the disease he was suffering. But hope did not die in Bellarmine's heart that God would take away this obstacle to the better service of His Divine Majesty. And so he prayed. 'Dear Lord, I do not want to die now because I want to work for You.'

Robert Bellarmine's prayer was immediately answered.

Rom.5

[3] More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
[4] and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
[5] and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

God had a purpose for this suffering little servant. St. Bellarmine was full of Hope because of the graces he received while suffering.

Let us persevere in our suffering so your hearts can be filled the Hope, who is Jesus.

Purgatory - Are Your Loved Ones Still Suffering?

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest source of comfort for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. Here is a Catholic "Did You Know" provided by Father Mark, your source of the Sunday Catholic Homily Minute.

Mass Intentions... It has always been the practice of the Roman Catholic Church to pray for the dead. This tradition actually can be traced back to the Book of Maccabees in the Old Testament. Having suffered a great defeat in a battle of war, the Jewish soldiers gathered mementos from the dead, and prayed for their souls.

After the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, early Christians buried their loved ones and prayed for their on going purification. Sometimes we presume that ALL people go right to Heaven. The saints tell us otherwise. Most go to Purgatory for ongoing purification. Having Holy Masses said for the dead is a wonderful holy tradition of the Church. It shortens their time spent in Purgatory. Renew that wonderful tradition of our Faith. Have masses said for your beloved ones.

"Some souls would suffer in Purgatory
until the Day of Judgment if they were
not relieved by the prayers of the Church."
St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church

A Little Child's Catholic Prayer - Part 3

More artwork from my nieces. I can't believe how well they can spell, can you?


Feel free to email this to your friends and family.

Click HERE for more Child Prayers / Catholic Prayers

St. Faustina Messages On The Blessed Virgin Mary's Assumption

I absolutely love St. Faustina. I devoured Her Diary at the beginning of my re-conversion to the Faith. I took notes, highlighted, re-read and just soaked it up. I couldn't get enough. Her direct contact with Jesus wowed me to say the least. The following comes from Fr. Donald H. Calloway, M.I.C., S.T.L. a great priest who reminded us of St. Faustina's love of the Virgin Mary. Here is what St. Faustina wrote on the Virgin Mary's Assumption.


August 15, 1934

On the day of the Assumption of the Mother of God, I did not assist at Holy Mass. The woman doctor did not allow me; but I prayed fervently in my cell. After a short time, I saw the Mother of God, unspeakably beautiful. She said to me, My daughter, what I demand from you is prayer, prayer, and once again prayer, for the world and especially for your country. For nine days receive Holy Communion in atonement and unite yourself closely to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. During these nine days you will stand before God as an offering; always and everywhere, at all times and places, day or night, whenever you wake up, pray in the spirit. In spirit, once can always remain in prayer.

August 15, 1935

The day of the renewal of vows. At the beginning of Holy Mass, I saw Jesus in the usual way. He blessed us and then entered the tabernacle. Then I saw the Mother of God in a white garment and blue mantle, with Her head uncovered. She approached me from the altar, touched me with Her hands and covered me with Her mantle, saying, Offer these vows for Poland. Pray for her. This was on August fifteen.

August 15, 1936

During a Mass celebrated by Father Andrasz, a moment before the Elevation, God’s presence pervaded my soul, which was drawn to the altar. Then I saw the Mother of God with the Infant Jesus. The Infant Jesus was holding onto the hand of Our Lady. A moment later, the Infant Jesus ran with joy to the center of the altar, and the Mother of God said to me, See with what assurance I entrust Jesus into his hands. In the same way, you are to entrust your soul and be like a child to him. After these words, my soul was filled with unusual trust.

The Mother of God was clothed in a white dress, strangely white, transparent; on Her shoulders She had a transparent blue; that is, a blue-like mantle; with uncovered head [and] flowing hair, She was exquisite, and inconceivably beautiful. She was looking at Father with great tenderness, but after a moment, He broke up this beautiful Child, and living blood flowed forth. Father bent forward and received the true and living Jesus into himself. Had he eaten Him? I do not know how this took place. Jesus, Jesus, I cannot keep up with You, for in an instant, You become incomprehensible to me.

August 15, 1937

During meditation, God’s presence pervaded me keenly, and I was aware of the Virgin Mary’s joy at the moment of Her Assumption. Towards the end of the ceremony carried out in honor of the Mother of God, I saw the Virgin Mary, and She said to me, Oh, how very pleased I am with the homage of your love! And at that moment She covered all the sisters of our Congregation with Her mantle. With Her right hand, She clasped Mother General Michael to herself, and with Her left hand She did so to me, while all the sisters were at Her feet, covered with Her mantle.
Then the Mother of God said, Everyone who perseveres zealously till death in My Congregation will be spared the fire of purgatory, and I desire that each one distinguish herself by the following virtues: humility and meekness; chastity and love of God and neighbor; compassion and mercy.

After these words, the whole Congregation disappeared from my sight, and I remained alone with the Most Holy Mother who instructed me about the will of God and how to apply it to my life, submitting completely to His most holy decrees. It is impossible for one to please God without obeying His holy will. My daughter, I strongly recommend that you faithfully fulfill all God’s wishes, for that is most pleasing to His holy eyes. I very much desire that you distinguish yourself in this faithfulness in accomplishing God’s will. Put the will of God before all sacrifices and holocausts. While the heavenly Mother was talking to me, a deep understanding of this will of God was entering my soul.

Meditation for the Virgin Mary's Assumption from the Marian Vocation Director

Assumption Greetings from the Marians
Wishing you a happy and blessed Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Marians of the Immaculate Conception
http://www.marian.org
http://www.thedivinemercy.org
Or call: (800) 462-7426.

A Little Child's Catholic Prayer - Part 2

This is unsolicited artwork from my nieces, eight year old twin girls. They took the crayons and recreated some classic Catholic Prayers, a little Child's Catholic Prayer is what I will call them.

Feel free to email this to your friends and family.

Click HERE for more Child Prayers / Catholic Prayers

A Little Child's Catholic Prayer

My twin nieces framed their own traditional Catholic Prayer this past weekend. Yep, their very own Child's Prayer. The special occasion was their visit to our new classroom this past weekend. This is our first year for homeschooling and we are really excited about it. Unsolicited the girls, age 8, took the crayons and recreated some classic Catholic Prayers, a little Child's Catholic Prayer is what I will call them.

Click HERE for more Child Prayers / Catholic Prayers

Feel free to email this to your friends and family.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Aug 12th

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily

My Dear People,

The Virgin Mary, The Fastest Road To Jesus

The feast of the Assumption of Our Lady on August 15th came about as the result of many centuries of belief about Mary being taken, body and soul, into Heaven "before" any corruption could take place in her body. During the 1950's, this belief became a teaching of the universal Church. From the moment of conception until her entry into Paradise, Mary Our Mother in Heaven, was free from any sin or corruption. How awesome it is to know that OUR MOM was given such a great grace from God the Father.

How much love the Father has for His "little chosen one". Mary, conceived without corruption, became the perfect vessel to surround Jesus with perfect LOVE. This is why Our Lady can teach us so completely how to love Her Son, Jesus Christ. She is the fastest avenue to Jesus. What great grace we receive every time we honor Mary. She can help to love us into eternity. If you know of anyone who has wandered for away from Jesus, entrust them to Mary. She will clean them up, and embrace them with her maternal heart. Place all of your "lost ones" in Mary's Holy Mantle and watch them melt away into her most merciful and motherly heart.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute

May we invest more time and talent in building up a treasure in Heaven.

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

Mother Teresa, The Rosary and The Eucharist

This is an excellent video featuring Mother Teresa and her deep reflections concerning Jesus' Real Presence in the most Holy Eucharist and in the poor.

You need to watch it all, to get the full effect.


Here is the link.

Saint Robert Bellarmine - Home Town Catholic Tidbits

Montepulciano, Italy, Saint Robert Bellarmine's home town, has a really cool Catholic tidbit. During the 16th century this little hill town was a Vocation hot spot. Although secular history would most note the town's strategic location, prime for quarreling factions competing for this prize fort.

Because of the constant battles over Montepulciano, located two hours north of Rome, the villagers were known to be very simple and not into worldly material goods. The exact characteristics needed to have a fertile Catholic vocation breeding ground. This little town of 4000 produced more vocations in 100 years than some metropolises do in a life time. Here is the list.

• 32 Bishops
  
• 12 Cardinals
• 1 Pope, Saint Bellarmine's Uncle Pope Marcellus II
  
• 2 Canonized Catholic Saints

Can you imagine how many priest came out of Montepulciano?

Do you know where the current vocation breeding grounds are? Leave your comments here.

Want More Little Known Secrets and Controversies
About St. Robert Bellarmine? Click HERE!

Can Giuliani Be Trusted?

Why would a person be afraid to discuss his personal beliefs? Do you think a faithful, obedient Catholic could actually be in office. I don't.

"My religious affiliation, my religious practices and the degree to which I am a good or not so good Catholic, I prefer to leave to the priests,'' Giuliani said. ``That would be a much better way to discuss it. That's a personal discussion and they have a much better sense of how good a Catholic I am or how bad a Catholic I am.''

Giuliani is alone among the major Republican candidates in favoring abortion rights, a practice that the Catholic Church opposes. Some church officials have suggested that candidates who favor abortion rights should be denied the sacrament of communion.

On a personal level, Giuliani has been married three times, with one annulment and one divorce. Catholics who are divorced and have remarried are not permitted to receive communion.

If you can't trust Giuliani in large matters, like abortion, then how can you trust him in small?

"Saint Robert Bellarmine Secret To His Pursuit of Holiness..."

The following is a direct quote from Cardinal Robert Bellarmine responding to a question on why he was such a good Archbishop in Capua.

This quote reveals one of Cardinal Bellarmine's "secrets" to his pursuit of holiness.

In reply to a friend who asked him, some
years afterwards, by what means he made him
self so good an Archbishop during his residence
of three years in Capua, he gives this account :
"As when one looks into a mirror, I set my 
mind to consider intently the life and conduct of 
the most admired Bishops that had been in the 
Church before me; endeavouring, by God's help,
to throw off all that was imperfect in myself,
and assume a new exterior, resembling theirs as
nearly as possible, that so I might adapt my
actions thereunto. Therefore read constantly
the histories of those Bishops, perusing in order
the volumes of Surius; and I read, especially,
the lives of the holy Popes Ambrose, Martin,
Augustine, Germanus, Anselm of Canterbury,
Antonine of Florence, Lawrence and others. But 
I derived the greatest advantage from the narratives 
of those most holy Prelates who went before me in 
Capua, Ansbertus and Andoenus ; for both of them 
perfectly sustained the name and office of Pastor,
nourishing the souls of their subjects with the
constant preaching of the word of God, their
bodies with liberal charities, and themselves with
the wholesome food of prayer."

Here is the exact scripture quote where
St. Robert Bellarmine based this practice of
imitating the lives of the saints.

1Cor.11 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.


Want More Little Known Secrets and Controversies
About St. Robert Bellarmine? Click HERE!

Your Sunday Catholic Homily Minute - Aug 5th

From the Desk of Father Mark,

My Dear People,

Jesus Established The Catholic Church

"Ex Cathedra" (translates - from the chair) is the term used to describe the official teaching authority of the Holy Father, or the local ordinary (bishop). When Pope Benedict speaks on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, he is careful to pronounce the Teachings of Jesus Christ and of Sacred Scripture. Recently, the Pope clarified the Teachings of Jesus and the Holy Apostles when he accurately described the temporal connection of the present Roman Catholic Church to the present 21st century Church.

No other Christian denomination can truthfully and historically trace their temporal connection back 2000 years plus, without a deviation or break away. Simply put, the Roman Catholic Church has remained the same in its connection to Christ from the time of the Holy Apostles. The media loves to twist and turn the truth to suit its need to "sell hype". Truth is not the main purpose, nor ever was the purpose for the mass media. Therefore, the recent criticism of the Holy Father's comment about the true nature of the Roman Catholic Church by the media, is simply to "sell the news", truth or no truth. We must be discerning Catholics, especially when it comes to the media. We cannot be mindless when it comes to the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Church. Know Jesus and know Truth. No Jesus and no truth!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark , Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

May we remember that the many possessions we strive to acquire are worthless in the eyes of the Lord.

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

"Don't Join The Church, Go To AA . . ."

"The Nun" told my co-worker this today.

So this 24 year old male tells me out of the blue, "I started reading the Bible today." This caught me totally off guard because he gave NO indication of a desire for anything holy or religious.

The only words which ever came out of his mouth were drugs, alcohol, fights, women, food....

I found out he was having a rough time with his ex-girlfriend and raising their DD.

With no prior religious experience or inclinations, he went out and bought a Bible on a "whim" (i.e. prompting of the Holy Spirit.) More importantly, he began to READ it!

Did I mention that he is not afraid to ask questions? I mean A MILLION of them. Within a week and a half he asked me, "Was Peter the first Pope?"

I said, "Ummmm, yeah???"

He said, "GOOD! I told "Sean" that Peter was the first Pope and I am going to be Catholic." Then he left before I could say anything. Not to worry, he came back and I invited him to mass.

He had a couple of miraculous experiences. These will be shared soon. Stay tuned!

Immediately after his first mass, he asked Father about joining the Church. Father was thrilled and gave him the DRE's contact information.

Today he had his first meeting with "The Nun"... (Yes I am praying for her. No, I don't know if she wears a habit. Any wagers? I will let you know when I find out.)

Was her advice to go to adoration? or to talk to a priest? or to have his daughter baptized? or to read about St. Augustine? or...?

No. Her advice was, "You need to go to AA. I don't think we can help you. Let me talk to Father." Excuse me, but I thought that the Catholic Church has the answer in the SACRAMENTS!

Any prayers you can offer are greatly appreciated!

Have you had an experience like this? Or do you know someone who has? Any advice is also greatly appreciated!

Thanks and God bless you!

John

"Saint Robert Bellarmine - Running Ulcer Miracle..."

The following is a story of
our beloved Saint Robert
Bellarmine, through the
Mercy of God, curing
a man with a running ulcer.

"There was in the College of Louvain, while Robert was residing there, one of the Society" (no very independent witness in the cause) "who had had, for many years, a running ulcer in his leg. Physicians and surgeons had tried all the succors of their art, but had not cured the wound.

The patient, therefore, anxious in mind, and seeing that human care was mastered by the pertinacity of the disease, began to consider within himself whether there was any man made after God's heart, by whose prayer a way to recovery might be opened to him. While he was thus meditating within himself, Bellarmine appeared to be an effectual and grateful offerer of prayer to God; and a hope sprang up within him that he might at once recover, if, after sacred confession, he could also be refreshed by him in the communion. His faith was not vain. The Rector consented.

He deposited the secret of his conscience in the ears of Robert, from his hand received the most holy Eucharist, and, behold, his leg was restored to soundness. The surgeon was astonished, when in two or three days he saw the wound covered with living and native skin, and the slightest trace of so long-disease did not remain upon the part."

Want More Little Known Secrets and Controversies
About St. Robert Bellarmine? Click HERE!

"Natural Family Planning - The Contraceptive Alternative...Part III"

The Contraceptive Alternative Skit Part II.

This video compares Natural Family Planning, The Contraceptive Alternative, to the contraceptive pill.

"Natural Family Planning - The Contraceptive Alternative...Part II"

The Contraceptive Alternative Skit Part II.

This You Tube video compares Natural Family Planning, The Contraceptive Alternative, to the contraceptive pill.

"Natural Family Planning - The Contraceptive Alternative..."

Here is a great skit by some seminarians mimicking the Mac and PC commercial.

They compare Natural Family Planning, The Contraceptive Alternative, to the contraceptive pill.

Great Stuff. Be sure to email to a friend below.

"The Demonic Abortion Industry . . ."

The following is an excerpt from Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer, President, Human Life International from his upcoming book.

Father Thomas is hard core. I love it.

"In what sense is abortion demonic?

The spiritual dimension of this grisly “business” is its systematizing of ritual blood sacrifice to the god of child murder, Moloch, who we know of from the severe condemnations of him in the Old Testament (Lev 18:21, 20:2-5, 1 Kings 11:5.33, 2 Kings 23:13 and Zephaniah 1:5). This demon of murder appears in many forms and cultures through history(Phoenician, Carthaginian, Canaanite, Celt, Indian, Aztec and others) but is always the same bloodthirsty beast that demands the killing of children as his form of worship. This demon is not content with a single act of murder here and there. His insatiable appetite for the death of innocents seeks public endorsement to justify his gruesome deeds, and he needs a systematic expression of it to increase his worship. . ."


Sincerely Yours in Christ,


Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,
President, Human Life International