Fellow Blogger Family Funny

Therese left me this comment in response to one of our family funny post. It was so good I decided to post it.

We have two clowns in our family. Amelia and Christopher are our clowns.

I remember one time Amelia was watching the bear in the big blue house. Do you have that there?

At the start of the program the bear always leans forward and smells the camera. He says something like mmmmmmmm. Whats that smell? Is it banana's? Did you just eat a banana because you smell like you did.

Amelia says in reply to this

Oh I am sorry, I just blew off. I just about collapsed with laughter. :::grin:::

Sleeping When The Wind Blows - Part 2

Blogger Note: This was such a good comment to the "Sleeping When The Wind Blows" post that I thought I would publish it. Enjoy!

When storm comes to those whose house is build upon a rock it will stand firm. Those that are built upon the sand surely will be washed out by the waters. Yes! It is important to be grounded in the word of God. No matter what direction the wind blows or how hard the storm is, a man grounded in the word of God stands tall with unwavering faith.

It is important to teach the word of God to the little ones. Let them live and savor the word of God now while they are young and they will grow knowing and living it.

By Easter A - A Tribute to Our Priests

BTW - What does the A stand for?

Legionaries Of Christ Founder Dies

Blogger Note: I love the Legionaries. It will be interesting to see how the accusations against Father Maciel pan out.

What are your thoughts?

• Guilty, Innocent, Saint, Cult? ? ?

Legionary of Christ Founder Dies at 87

ROME, JAN. 31, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Father Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ and the Catholic lay Regnum Christi movement, died Wednesday at age 87.

A communiqué from the Legionaries of Christ reported that Father Maciel died in the United States and that he had "communicated to Father Álvaro Corcuera, general director of the congregation, his desire that the funeral be celebrated in a climate of prayer, in a simple and private way."

"The Legionaries of Christ and the members of the Regnum Christi movement announce with sorrow the loss of their dear father founder who was the instrument of God in beginning this work at the service of the Church and society," the note added.

Father Maciel suffered various health conditions, aggravated by his advanced age.

"He leaves as a legacy the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and the apostolic movement Regnum Christi, present in nearly 40 countries," the communiqué stated. "In his 87 years of life, Father Maciel dedicated his energy to completing the mission that God entrusted him of contributing to the evangelizing mission of the Church, so that more men and women of all social conditions would know, live and spread the love of Jesus Christ and the good news of the Gospel."

"The Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi movement ask prayers for the eternal rest of his soul and earnestly appreciate all the condolences and signs of appreciation and affection," the note concluded.

Marcial Maciel was born in Cotija de la Paz, Mexico, in 1920. During his childhood, Mexico suffered the religious persecution of the 1920s. Maciel left for the seminary at age 15, studying under his great uncle, Bishop Rafael Guízar of Veracruz, who was running a clandestine seminary in Mexico City. Bishop Guízar was canonized Oct. 15, 2006.

At age 20, before his priestly ordination, Maciel founded the Legion of Christ, establishing a minor seminary where 13 adolescents began studies for the priesthood.

Maciel was ordained four years later, in 1944.

In the 1960s, Father Maciel began the group Regnum Christi, made up of laypeople (including lay consecrated men and women) and diocesan priests.

In the 1970s, Pope Paul VI entrusted the Territorial Prelature of Chetumal in southern Mexico to the Legionaries of Christ. The prelature, renamed in 1996 to Cancun-Chetumal, is populated by a large number of Mayans, and includes popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

The Holy See approved the constitution of the Legion of Christ in 1983 and the statutes of Regnum Christ in 2004.

In 2005, Father Maciel stepped down as superior-general of the Legionaries of Christ, after having been elected for another term by the General Chapter. The congregation elected as his successor Father Álvaro Corcuera Martínez del Río.

In May 2006, after accusations against Father Maciel, which he repeatedly denied, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "taking into account both the advanced age of Father Maciel as well as his poor health [invited] him to a reserved life of prayer and penance, renouncing all public ministry."

The Vatican note at that time recognized "the distinguished apostolate of the Legionaries of Christ and of Regnum Christi," saying they were "acknowledged with gratitude."

"Sleeping When The Wind Blows"

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farmhand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook thelittle man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

MORAL: When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. We, as believers in Christ, secure ourselves against the storms of life by grounding ourselves in the Word of God. Wedon't need to understand, we just need to hold His hand to have peace in the
midst of the storms. I hope you sleep well! Enjoy the day! May God Bless
You and Yours

-- Author Unknown

Generational Blessings

“If your sons keep my covenant,
and the decrees which I shall teach them,
Their sons, too, forever
shall sit upon your throne.”

Do your kids know their faith? That's my thought for the day.

"Stop! Don't Answer That Question..."

"Saint Robert Bellarmine Reveals
Hidden Secrets For
Catholic Evangelization."

Read With Caution, The Answer May Surprise You.

Do you answer every question posed to you concerning the Faith? Did you ever stop to think that you are making a mistake by doing so?

Read further as St. Robert Bellarmine gives timeless advice for effective Catholic Evangelization.

In our intercourse with men we are likely to encounter three
kinds of religious disputants. Questions prompted by idle
curiosity are better left unanswered. Thus, when the Apostles
asked when the kingdom was to be restored, and when St. Peter,
pointing to John, demanded "What of him?" the Saviour deigned
them no reply. But if the question be a useful one propounded
with good intent, we must be ever ready to give a reason for
the faith that is in us. When the Apostles desired to know the
meaning of a parable, or why they had failed to exorcise the
demoniac boy, and when St. Peter asked to be instructed as to
how often transgressors should be forgiven, the Saviour
graciously acceded to their request.

More often, though, our questioners' intention is evil, to
embarrass and put us to shame, and then it is well to answer
ambiguously or to answer question with question. Thus Christ,
when asked if it were lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, replied
indeed; but He did not take the trouble to explain that as the
coin with Caesar's image and inscription should be given to
Caesar, so the soul made to God's image and likeness should be
given to God.

So, the next time someone questions you on the Faith, STOP! Don't answer. First, say a prayer asking for the coming of the Holy Spirit to guide you in your response.

Then trust the Lord will use your words and reactions according to His Holy Will. You will be amazed at how this little "secret" will change hearts.

Peace!

Your Catholic Sunday Homily - Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

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

My Dear People,

Jesus Hungers For Our Presence

The call of Peter and Andrew occurs in a very ordinary setting, the workplace of these two brothers. For sometime, Andrew had been following the movements of Jesus. Andrew listened to Jesus' teaching preaching. He was very much taken in by the holy words of Our Lord. So filled was Andrew, that he was eager to share the good news with his brother, Simon Peter. When Jesus seeks these brothers, He goes to their place of employment. They were fishermen. Today's Gospel tells us that they immediately abandoned their nets, and followed Jesus. Peter and Andrew walked away from everything that was "comfortable".

St. Mathew never indicates what happens to their wives and children. Surely, they met the immediate needs of their loved ones. But can you imagine the explanation they gave on behalf of their choice to follow Jesus unreservedly? Jesus call us as well, to become good disciples. He comes to us in very ordinary and earthly situations. Like Peter and Andrew, He hungers for our presence. During your prayer time this week, give your little "yes" to Jesus. Follow our Lord in everything you say and do.


Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark


Go Here To Get The Best of Father Marks Short Homilies

"The Dreaded Email"

We received an email from a dear Priest friend of ours. Here it is.

An Open Letter From A Dying Priest:

A Prayerful, Faithful, Orthodox Priest
Sends Message Concerning His Condition. . .

From Fr. Ed --

Here's an update on my health status.

A week ago Friday I met with my oncologist, Judy and some family members and prayerfully discerned to stop treatment. It wasn't very hard to make based on the options that I have. Anything aggressive is a long shot and some of it involves surgery with a high risk of infection with my weak body. Praying about the decision came through loud and clear to stop treatment.

I am at peace with that.

We even talked about hospice care at the appropriate time. Some tears were shed and it was nice to have family members there to share it together. Last week I visited my homeopathic doctor and he informed me that a body flooded with biliruben and a weakening liver can die in a matter of weeks but that it is a peaceful, pretty well painless way to die. That was a shock to hear that the illness could break the body totally down so rapidly.


All I can say is that for the past three and a half weeks my energy, appetite, general overall feeling has been constant--no regression and no progress. I would guess that without a miracle we’re talking about months rather than weeks. I began hospice care this week and that comes with some good benefits of paying for all of my prescriptions and reimburses me for ointments that help with the itching. I also get a massage each week.


I'm saying that on the scale of balance of going home soon or remaining here to continue ministry for a while, all of the facts tip the scale on the side of going home sooner rather than later. On the other side is the power of prayer which cannot be measured. I continue to ask Luminosa Bavosi to intercede for me and I feel her presence a lot.

As I say, I am at peace. Each day I have my bags packed for going home (heaven) and my brief case packed for doing the ministry of the day. I can’t think of anything more to put in the bag to go home. My brief case has about two appointments a day and a big reminder that . . .

LIVING IN THE PRESENT MOMENT AND
EMBRACING JESUS FORSAKEN
IS THE GREATEST MINISTRY THAT I CAN DO.

Thanks for your unity and prayers, and love. I lean on them a lot.


Fr. Ed


P.S. Thanks for your prayers of intercession with Our Lady of Guadalupe and the praying of the Psalms.



A SaintRobertBellarmine.BlogSpot.com Note: Our hearts sank when we received this email today. This priest had a huge impact in our lives. Can you do me a simple favor?

• Will you email this to your fellow prayer warriors?
• Share a comment, I will pass it on.
  

Thank you and my God bless you all!

Update: See Here.

Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit: Courage: A Jesuit's Perspective on Abortion

Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit: Courage: A Jesuit's Perspective on Abortion

Last Spring, I asked several medical students in a seminar whether they rejected Catholic teachings regarding reproduction and artificial contraception. Several raised their hands. I prompted them to articulate the position and to give their critique of it. Conversation languished for some while. None in that group of graduating physicians had an answer, yet these well-educated role models were willing to publicly disagree with an argument they could not explain.

Blogger Note: This can make Pro-lifers go crazy. I just keep reminding myself. "The battle belongs to the Lord."

"The battle belongs to the Lord."

Keep in mind, that is what David said after he slew Goliath.

St. Robert Bellarmine - Quote on Praying

"Prayer - One of the Greatest Duties of Life"
St. Robert Bellarmine

Brethren, though fasting and prayer go hand in hand, still of the two, prayer is the more important, for while fasting ceases on festivals, prayer becomes more insistent.


And of the two forms of prayer, oral and mental,
the latter is the higher, for by reason of our inconstancy,
oral prayer is always in danger of degenerating into
lip service, whereby men vainly seek to honor God
while their hearts are far from Him. The brief, but
fierce and noisy, thunder-storm is more destructive
than productive, but the silent, steady, gentle downpour
renews the face of the earth.


Nothing is more insisted on in Scripture
than the necessity of prayer: "Let nothing hinder
you from praying always" is the constant cry of the
Holy Spirit. "You that are mindful of the Lord,"
says Isaias, "hold not your peace, nor give Him
silence." "seven times a day I praised the Lord,"
says the man after God's own heart. Christ's frequent
retreats to solitude, and His long vigils on the
mountain side could have had no other object than
to emphasize this truth. "Watch and pray," He
says, and by diverse parables He showed that we
ought to pray always and not to faint, and St. Paul
insists again and again that we should "continue in
supplications and prayers night and day." A prayerful
spirit, in fact, is an essential characteristic of
Christianity, for, says the prophet: "By all the nations
shall My house be called a house of prayer."


Nor will it do to say that for the virtuous to work is
to pray, and that thus they are ever fulfilling this
precept. The parables of the troublesome widow
and the importunate friend at the baker's door show
that real prayer is meant. The true sense, therefore,
is that we must recognize prayer as one of the
greatest duties of life, consecrate to it every day
some time with which lesser concerns should never
be allowed to interfere, and resume it at all times
whenever possible.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily

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

My Dear People,

How Are You Doing With That Resolution
About Reading More Sacred Scripture?

Isaiah speaks about God's precious love for Israel. It is through Israel that God chose to reveal His glory. All the tribes will be one in God someday. The Father will raise them up, and make them a light to the nations. If we look at the Israel today, one might ask..."How can this be?" With all of the hatred, violence and fighting presently escalating in the middle East, where is the PEACE God speaks about in the Old Testament?

What God says, God does. Nothing is IMPOSSIBLE for Almighty God. When the nations turn away from sin, and reach out for the Lord, it is then that God will make manifest His Divine Plan. What would have to happen to make all nations cry out unto the Lord? The hints again come from the Old Testament.

If you have never read through the Bible, now would be an excellent time to begin. With the New Year still fresh, make a resolution to add the reading of daily scripture to your agenda. Come to know the goodness of the Lord through His Holy Word.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark

Official GC 35 Jesuit Prayer

Official Prayer for the

Success of the GC 35

The Society of Jesus is preparing for GC 35 whose objective is to deal with long lasting and important matters which affect the whole body of the Society (cf. Const. 680), especially the election of a new Superior General. Thus we wish to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ:

GC 35 Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you desire that the Society that bears your name may gather together in your Spirit and may fulfill your will in all its decisions (cf. Acts 15, 28). Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary Mother of God, St. Ignatius and all the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus, we bring you our prayers:

■ That the upcoming General Congregation may be a time of listening to your Spirit,
we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That we Jesuits may be renewed in our fidelity to the Holy Father, your Vicar on
earth, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That you renew in us the strength to make you known among those who have not yet heard of you, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That we may be guided by a true love for the poor and the little ones and the desire to work for justice and peace among peoples, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That we might have the heart of the good Shepherd who seeks and finds the lost, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That we may be guided by your wisdom to promote dialogue between our faith and
the cultures of today and between peoples of different religions, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That we may give witness in words and in action to the Gospel of the Lord and learn how to help the persons around us in their search for God, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

■ That you will bless all our friends and benefactors, we pray:

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray:

Lord, in your providence you guided Saint Ignatius to found the Society of Jesus. Enrich it, we pray, with gifts of heart, mind and spirit. Make us all one with you in holiness and love, that we may discern your will and carry it out with constancy and faith. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Praised be Jesus Christ - forever. Amen.

The GC35 Official Jesuit Prayer

More GC35 Prayers Here

From the Desk of Father Mark,

My Dear People,

Jesus, Obedient To His Baptismal Call

If Jesus is the second person of the Most Holy Trinity, why did He receive Baptism? He had no original sin, or an "sin" for that matter. Why did John the Baptist, His cousin, baptize Him in the Jordan River? We know why John performed the "water baptism". John did so out of "obedience" to Our Lord's request. Why then did Jesus receive Baptism? Jesus did so for the same reason John did so, Jesus remained "obedient" to everything His Father requested Him to accomplish. Jesus even said YES to His own death upon the Holy Cross.

With the Baptism of Jesus, we enter into another deep mystery of our Catholic Faith. One thing we do know for sure, and that is, Jesus was "obedient" in all things. If this was the case for Jesus Christ; then we too must follow in obedience to God Our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the prefect pattern for our own "holiness". Take seriously your baptismal vows which we renew this very day. Call upon Jesus to assist you in remaining "obedient" to Our Heavenly Father in all things.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark


What else does Father Mark have with his Catholic Homily Minute?

Jesuits - Repay The Lord!

Hey Jesuits, lets repay the Lord by keeping your vows of obedience.

Responsorial Psalm
116:12-13, 14-17, 18-19

12 How can I repay the LORD for all the good done for me?

13 I will raise the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

14 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Too costly in the eyes of the LORD is the death of his faithful.

16 LORD, I am your servant, your servant, the child of your maidservant; you have loosed my bonds.

17 I will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD.

18 I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

19 In the courts of the house of the LORD, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!

The Rosary Logo

Catholic Healing Prayer

Catholic Prayers for Healing

Based on the prayer of a 7th Century Irish Monk

“Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe, and Author of its laws, You can bring the dead back to life, and heal those who are sick. We pray for our sick brothers and sisters, that they may feel Your Hand upon them, renewing their bodies and refreshing their souls. Show to them the affection in which You hold all Your creatures, and grant them an early recovery.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

From the book HEALING PRAYERS, Aquinas Press

Blogger note: Do you really think the Monk finished the prayer "In Jesus' Name, Amen." I think it was added later?


Related Links for Healing Prayers for Catholics

• Here is St. Robert Bellarmine's Catholic Healing Prayer of hidden ills.

• Discover the Three Secrets for Catholic Healing Prayers for the Sick

• Why do Prayers Go Unanswered?, by St. Augustine

• St. Bellarmine on Why Prayers Go Unanswered?

What Does GC35 Need Most?

This article is coming soon. This is taking longer than I thought. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Stay tuned!

God bless the Jesuits!

Attention Jesuit Lovers

Get a free spiritual classic written by Saint Robert Bellarmine for as long as the GC35 is in session. Just sign up to the right, it's quick and simple.


Plus, I personally guarantee that you will not get spammed for doing so. That wouldn't be the Christian to do, would it?

You better hurry! The GC35 could end today or tomorrow. We just don't know.

Don't be afraid! Get your free book today . . .

Archbishop Burke Defending The Faith

Priest takes last stand against archbishop
By Tim O'Neil
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
03/06/2008
Fr. Marek Bozek
March 2, 2008--Fr. Marek Bozek
(David Carson/P-D)

The Rev. Marek Bozek, pastor of St. Stanislaus Kostka church, refused Wednesday to appear before Archbishop Raymond Burke for a formal process that is likely to lead to his dismissal from the active priesthood.

"I will not subject myself to any more of this humiliating process," Bozek said in a news conference at the Polish-heritage church, just northwest of downtown.

Bozek was to meet Burke at the chancery office next to the St. Louis Cathedral Basilica on Lindell Boulevard. After Bozek made his intention clear, Burke said he had begun "the process for the dismissal of (Bozek) from the clerical state."

The troubles began in early 2004, when lay leaders of St. Stanislaus refused Burke's instruction to conform to the same legal and financial structure as all other parishes in the St. Louis Archdiocese. The parish had managed itself in a special arrangement dating to the 19th century. After Burke removed priests from the parish, the Polish-born Bozek left his assignment in Springfield, Mo., without permission in December 2005 to become St. Stanislaus' pastor.


Burke quickly declared that Bozek had excommunicated himself by committing "schism" from his superiors. Soon afterward, the archbishop declared the St. Stanislaus board members to be excommunicated and stripped the parish of its standing as a Roman Catholic parish.

Bozek stayed on, celebrating Mass and administering sacraments. In November, he was among celebrants at a ceremony at which two women were ordained by a group called Catholic WomenPriests. On Feb. 3, he said he would give Communion to anyone, including people who weren't Catholics.

"Some laws are unjust and abusive and need to be changed and need to be broken to bring about reform within the institution," he said, comparing his actions to those of suffragettes and civil-rights marchers. "We do not violate any church dogma."

Bozek said his complaints were only with "church discipline and tradition." Burke strongly disagreed.

"For him to make this distinction between dogma and discipline is a bit disingenuous," Burke said in an interview at the chancery. "He is knowingly and deliberately celebrating sacraments that he knows aren't valid. He has led people to believe he can forgive their sins, and he cannot. He is messing with very serious matters, and that's what makes this so sad."

Bozek said he had communicated with other bishops, none of whom he would identify, who might be willing to accept him and St. Stanislaus within their authority. "In the Catholic theology, there is no such thing as an independent priest," Bozek said.

He said his contacts were with "valid Catholic bishops" and expressed confidence that he could associate with one of them.

But Burke said Bozek's first problem was with Bishop John J. Leibrecht, of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau diocese, who never released him from his assignment at St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield.

"Given Father Bozek's canonical situation, (Liebrecht) isn't going to release him, and no bishop who is part of the Roman Catholic church is going to take him until he is reconciled with the church," Burke said. "It's just false for (Bozek) to say he's going to do this."

Standing next to William Bialczak, St. Stanislaus parish board chairman, Bozek said he would continue serving the parish.

"We believe the archbishop is realizing that he is losing this battle and the people of St. Louis are standing strongly behind St. Stanislaus," Bozek said. "He is giving us free publicity, and we will continue on without his approval."

Roger Krasnicki, a St. Stanislaus member who urged Bozek to come lead the parish three years ago but is now pressing for his removal, said he wasn't surprised that Bozek would refuse a meeting with Burke. He said he believed that Bozek wanted to split the church to gain followers who have a grudge against the Catholic faith.

"I think it's disgraceful," Krasnicki said. "I think he has shown his absolute rejection of Roman Catholicism and his desire to set up his own church."

Burke called the running dispute "a profound disappointment. No bishop wants to be involved in such a thing." He said he would move forward against Bozek because "it is my responsibility to safeguard the unity of the Catholic Church and protect the souls of the faithful."

Burke said any action he took against Bozek would have to be affirmed by the Vatican.

Leah Thorsen of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

toneil@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8132

Article Here

Your Sunday Catholic Homily - Epiphany

From the Desk of Father Mark,

My Dear People,

The Epiphany

"We Three Kings of the Orient are traveling afar to see the Child..." This is the cry of our Church this weekend. We bring the Christmas season to a close long after the media has packed away all of the Christmas carols. The gentile Kings journey from foreign lands to behold the Messiah. Led by a "star", they arrived at the place where Jesus lay in the manger. Before Him they opened their gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold represents Jesus as King; Frankincense for His offering upon the Holy Cross; and Myrrh for His Royal Priesthood.

At our own Baptisms, we were also anointed, priest, prophet and king because of our "adoption" in Christ Jesus. This "epiphany" or manifestation of Christ's humanity and divinity, is a foretaste and promise of what we shall receive after our own purification. Like the Magi we journey through life by following the Star of David, Christ our Lord. We long to see Him face to face as did the Three Kings. Pray for a simple an undivided heart in the new year. Invite Jesus to walk with you as you journey on the path God has chosen for you. Cover yourself with the mantle of Our Lady, and walk in peace.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark

The General Congregation Of The Society Of Jesus

This is huge! Calling all prayer warriors. It's time to kick it in high gear. The Jesuits need our help.

What is it?

The election of the "Black Pope."

The Society gets a new Superior General with the retirement of Peter-Hans Kolvenbach. Can we say reform is needed? An overhaul?

Why? How about comments like this.

"Yes, we are in the vanguard of the Church," says Jose de Vera, head spokesman for the order. "It is not our job to just repeat the catechism, but to do research. Sometimes looking for real truth, you can step over the line."

Doesn't that say it all!

God has granted the Jesuits some of the greatest Saints of all time. Do you know what the Saints had in common? They never guessed where the Real Truth came from. The One, Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. Jesus is the Truth. And the Catholic Church, as the bride of Christ, is the pillar and foundation of the Truth Himself.

We know there are some heroic Jesuits. True defenders of the Pope. Ones who want to teach the catechism and don't think there is something better or lacking in what is revealed through the Church. That's who we want. One with courage.

Now It's Our Turn!

For centuries the Jesuits sacrificed everything by taking up the cross for us. The tide has turned. The Jesuits need our help. We, like the Jesuit founding fathers, must take action. The timing is crucial.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, lets answer the call.

• Grab your beads.
  

• Get on your knees.
  

• Pray and fast.
  

That is the answer.


May God grant the Jesuits a Superior General with the same ardent desires as St. Ignatius himself.

Teach us, good Lord,
to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not count the costs;
to fight and not to heed the wounds;
to toil and not to seek for rest;
to labor and not to ask for any reward,
except to know that we do your will;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
- St. Ignatius Loyola

Stay informed. Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit will have all of your General Congregation little known secrets and insights revealing the truth behind the scenes.

The Best Of Your Catholic Sunday Homily

You know Father Mark pulls no punches, yet he uses feathers as his instrument of torture. Does that make sense?

Let me try again why I love Father Mark. With charity and truth he explains the teachings of the Church and the bible without sugar coating it.

Here is his best example:

Roman Catholic Womenpriests Is A Lie - Here the good Father supports his own Archbishop Raymond Burke. This is as strong as I have seen him get.

Here are some more:

• Is Harry Potter Replacing Catholic Saints As Heroes? - How many priests would write this in their church bulletins?

• St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Eucharistic Prayer Warrior - Great stuff on prayer and the lives of the saints.

• Take Up Your Cross - Enough said. Have you seen this picture of the crucified Jesus?

• The Miracles Of The Rosary "Many miracles have been worked through the recitation of the Rosary."

• Lourdes - Healing Our Leperous Soul "Washed through the holy waters of Baptism, our leperous soul is made whole by Jesus Christ."
  

Is your priest this courageous? Let me know.

What do you think?

Go MIZZOU ! ! !

And That's All I Have Got To Say About That.

What teams are you rooting / rooted for? Go ahead and tell me. I won't bite.