Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Mark, Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Be Proud To Share Your Faith

The feast of Sts. Peter and Paul is a great remembrance of the Holy Apostles in the Jewish and Gentile community in the Early Church. From their preaching and teaching, Christianity was established in the western world. All the Apostles worked assiduously sharing the Good News with a world desperate to hear it. Jesus promised the Paraclete to assist them in this great work. Peter was given the commission by Christ to build His Church upon the ROCK. Together with the holy disciples, Peter and Paul went from city to city sharing Jesus Christ crucified.

Over 2000 years later, we still need to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. We may not travel the world doing so, but our local neighborhoods are fertile grounds for the mission. Unlike our Protestant brothers and sisters, who are used to going door to door sharing their faith, Catholics are much more timid. Look around your homes and neighborhoods. Invite fallen away friends and neighbors to Church. Better yet, call them and pick them up yourselves. Be a good neighbor and a good Catholic; be proud to share your faith in Jesus Christ.

May we free ourselves from the chains of endless material wants, by recognizing and being grateful for the tremendous gifts that God has already bestowed upon us.
Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,


Fr. Mark

St. Blaise, The Blessing of the throat

Bishop and martyr.

The ninth-century martyrologies of Europe in their lists, which are accompanied by historical notices, give on 15 February the name of St. Blaise, Bishop of Sebaste and martyr. The Greek synaxaria mention him under 11 February. In the oldest known recension of the so-called martyrology of St. Jerome the name of St. Blasius does not appear; it is only in the later, enlarged catalogues that he is mentioned. The historical notices concerning him in the above-mentioned martyrologies and synaxaria rest on the legendary Acts. All the statements agree that St. Blaise was Bishop of Sebaste in Armenia and most of the acounts place his martyrdom in the reign of Licinius (about 316). As these reports may rest on old traditions which are bound up with the veneration of the saint in the Church liturgy, they are not to be absolutely rejected.

It can perhaps be assumed that St. Blaise was a bishop and that he suffered martyrdom at the beginning of the fourth century. All the particulars concerning his life and martyrdom which are found in the Acts are purely legendary and have no claim to historical worth. There are besides various recensions of the text of the Acts. According to the legend Blaise was a physician at Sebaste before he was raised to the episcopal see. At the time of the persecution under Licinius he was taken prisoner at the command of the governor, Agricolaus. The hunters of the governor found him in the wilderness in a cave to which he had retired and while in prison he performed a wonderful cure of a boy who had a fishbone in his throat and who was in danger of choking to death. After suffering various forms of torture St. Blaise was beheaded; the Acts relate also the martyrdom of seven women.

The veneration of the Oriental saint was brought at an early date into Europe, as is shown by the recitals in the historical martyrologies of the ninth century, and the Latin recension of the legend of St. Blaise; so that Blaise became one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages. The actual reason for the unusual veneration has not yet been made clear. Most probably one ground was that according to the legend he was a physician and wonderful cures were ascribed to him; for this reason the faithful sought his help and intercession when ill. Numberless churches and altars were dedicated to him and many localities (Taranto, Ragusa, the Abbey of St. Blaise in the Black Forest, etc.) claimed to possess some of his relics. He was also one of the Fourteen Holy Martyrs.

In many places on the day of his feast the blessing of St. Blaise is given: two candles are consecrated, generally by a prayer, these are then held in a crossed position by a priest over the heads of the faithful or the people are touched on the throat with them. In other places oil is consecrated in which the wick of a small candle is dipped and the throats of those present are touched with the wick. At the same time the following blessing is given: "Per intercessionem S. Blasii liberet te Deus a malo gutteris et a quovis alio malo" (May God at the intercession of St. Blaise preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil). In some dioceses is added: "in nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus" and the priest makes the sign of the cross over the faithful. In the Latin Church his feast falls on 3 February, in the Oriental Churches on 11 February. He is represented holding two crossed candles in his hand (the Blessing of St. Blaise), or in a cave surrounded by wild beasts, as he was found by the hunters of the governor.

Taken from the Catholic Encyclopedia

St. Blaise,

pray for us!

Never Released Before!

Pictures of me at work! These are the first pictures I have posted of myself. And it will probably be the last.

I run this machine.

The before picture.

St. Peter and Paul, pray for us!

SSPX Denies Reunion With The Church

SSPX Refuses To Obey

The schismatic traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) has reacted to a Vatican ultimatum by challenging the conditions Rome set for its return to the Catholic fold. By sending this in a letter, SSPX leader Bishop Bernard Fellay partly fulfilled one condition of the ultimatum, i.e. answering by the end of this month. But he did not fulfill the more important other half of that requirement, i.e. that he respond positively. In fact, he told the Vatican that other conditions — to accept papal authority and not criticise the pope — were too vague to be accepted, according to SSPX spokesman Rev. Alain Lorans. As Lorans put it: “You can say he’s not responding, despite answering it.”

This is a clever way of ducking deadline pressure, but it doesn’t answer the real issues. It looked like the Vatican had the SSPX in a corner when the ultimatum of June 4 became known early this week. By wording the five conditions so vaguely that contentious issues such as the new Mass and the Second Vatican Council reforms went unmentioned, Pope Benedict and Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos — the Vatican official dealing with traditionalists — may have thought they might win over the schismatics. Benedict had already taken the first step towards a possible accord last year by liberalising the use of the old Latin Mass that the SSPX has championed as its visible trademark. The ultimatum made a further conciliatory gesture by keeping the explicit requirements to a minimum.

Pope Benedict, 13 March 2007/Osservatore RomanoBut Benedict has his red lines too. Compare the current five conditions to the much more explicit five conditions that SSPX founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre accepted in May 1988 (with the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger) but renounced the following month. The new list of conditions strips away the explicit demands of the 1988 document, but they basically remain implicit — a fact that Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed this week.

Fellay clearly saw that and spoke out bluntly against the ultimatum a week ago at an SSPX seminary in Winona, Minnesota. The eye-catching quote in that sermon was “They just say ’shut up’ … We are not going … to shut up.” He also offered a longer and quite vivid image of two icebergs. The tip of one iceberg is the old Latin Mass and its underwater part stands for Church tradition. The other has the new Mass at its visible tip and the underwater part is a symbol, he said, “of Vatican II and of these modern ideas, what they call the spirit of the Council, which has come in with all these reforms which have almost kicked down the Church.” Referring to the restoration of the old Mass, he said:

“What happens with this motu proprio is as if they would have taken this tip of the iceberg. When we see this, we have the impression, OK, they take the tip, so they take everything which is below. That’s not exactly what they did. They tried to take the tip and to plant it on the other iceberg, the iceberg of the new thing. And so we have two tips and they say it’s only one tip. But if you try to go and see and look under the water, what is below, you will see that they maintain that the only thing you can have below is the new thing.”

So it’s back to a rock and a hard place. Will either side blink? Fellay says he has plenty of time and the ultimatum showed Vatican’s in a hurry. He told Swiss radio RTSI (in Italian, from 17:44) “Maybe it’s wrong to say so directly that I reject, that I totally reject (the ultimatum), that is not true. Rather, I see in this ultimatum a very vague and confused thing … we have relations with Rome that develop at a certain pace, which is really slow … there may now be a chillier period, but frankly, for me, it’s not finished.”

The Vatican conditions may be the best the SSPX can ever get and Fellay has replied positively to one-half of one condition out of a total of five. That’s just enough for him to get semantic and say that maybe it’s wrong to say he totally rejected the ultimatum. Well, he certainly didn’t accept it, or even come anywhere near accepting it. Is he just buying time waiting for the Vatican to blink?

It looks like the Vatican’s turn to reply. What’s next?

Posted by: Tom Heneghan

Little Known Secrets For Catholic Prayers For The Sick

Catholic Prayers For The Sick

"Discover the Three Secrets for Catholic Prayers and Attitudes for those Suffering Sickness. . . "

The secret for Catholic Prayers for the sick is one most often think of your last end and prepare yourselves while healthy for a happy death. These are the blessed souls who will be prepared for sickness, whether a temporary one, or that sent by God as preparation for your last passage here on earth.

Your First Secret for Catholic Prayers for the Sick

The first care should be to repair any neglect in arranging your temporal and spiritual affairs. Your family matters should already be arranged so Satan can no longer harass your mind. You should, too, send for your confessor, and reconcile yourself to God speedily, with a good examination of conscience that you may be the better prepared for any event.

Your Second Secret for Catholic Prayers for the Sick

Receive your sickness as coming from the hands of God, with a perfect resignation to His Holy Will and as a just punishment for your sins. Frequently offer yourself up to Him, and beg that He will grant you patience, sanctify your sufferings and that He will accept your sufferings in union with Jesus Christ crucified, in reparation for your sins and the sins of the whole world.

“For a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
(I Peter 1:6-7)

Your Third Secret for Catholic Prayers for the Sick

The third secret is simply prayer. Pray the Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, prayerfully read scripture or some other Catholic prayers for healing. Have some friend read to you such prayers while they visit.

Place a crucifix or a figure of Christ crucified, always before your eyes, in order to meditate upon His Passion and Death.

Place yourself under the mantle of the Blessed Virgin Mary and turn to her with great confidence, begging her to obtain for you the graces you most need like patience, love of the cross, a desire of suffering to atone for sin and to partake in the Passion of Jesus Christ.

Finally, enter into a spirit of contrition and remorse for your sins and endeavor to gain merit by offering all the pains and trials which the sickness brings.


Take these little gems to heart and implement them now for the good of your soul and take courage and share these little known Catholic Prayers for the Sick.

• Here is a Catholic Healing Prayer by 7th Century Irish Monk

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

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Twelth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Don't Forget Your Guardian Angel

An unbeliever might become overly anxious over world events at they are unfolding today. Upcoming elections, gas prices, food costs soaring; when will it all end. A believer knows that God has His hand in everything. Our Gospel reading tells us today, that even the number of hairs on top of our heads are known by Our Lord. Like a loving parent, God always watches over us. For this reason, He has given us each an angel for our guidance and protection. These Holy Guardians never leave our sides. Hovering over each of us, like a hen over her chicks, our angels interceding and praying for our well being.

We are never alone. Thanks be to God! How many times today, have you thanked God, Our Father in Heaven, for your Holy Guardian Angel? Call Him by name daily. Include your angels in all of your daily activities. Ask them to help you grow in "HOLINESS". It is their primary mission, to make us HOLY! They desire nothing more, than to see us in Heaven with them, praising God for all eternity. Don't leave home, without your Guardians praying at your side.

May we always thank God for the protection afforded us by our Guardian Angels...Always trust in their holy presence among us!

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

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Satan Hates The Role Father

All across the country, we celebrate Father's Day. Wanting to recognize the importance of our dads within the family unit is a great grace. When so many demonic attacks are coming against the making of "holy families" in God's eyes, our pagan culture continues to demean the Heavenly role of the Father. From the sanctuary to the living room, Satan will not rest until he has undermined the God appointed role of the FATHER. It is an indirect attack on the first person of the Holy Trinity. Beginning with Abraham, God has taught us the true nature of "fatherhood".

As Fathers, our primary reason for being is to reflect the divine love of God our Heavenly Father in what we say and do. This transformational love then forms and nurtures the role of our mothers. Mothers in turn image God to their offspring. Parents primary goal in life is to nurture their children, and to teach them the Way of Life...Jesus Christ. All life begins and ends in Jesus Christ. He is the Alpha and the Omega. We become Fathers, when we live the merciful love of Jesus in our own lives. This is the sacred love that transforms our marriages and our children. Holy Marriages in turn, transforms the "domus ecclesiae" (the family at home), and the big family of the church. Holy married love is what begets holy and sanctified priests.

Priests, then in turn, sanctify the many family units into seedbeds of faith. What a great plan God has for us, as Holy Fathers. And it is never too late to begin. Give eternal praise to God our Heavenly Father this day. Pray that all fathers become like our Father in Heaven. Pray in turn for holy marriages and holy families. This then, is the beginning of the sanctification of our Church here on Earth. Pray fathers, like your eternity depended upon it.

May we learn to give, without counting the cost, by holding our many blessings in an open hand, not a clenched fist.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

Is God Not Answering Your Prayers?

Who Else Wants To Know

Why Prayers Go Unanswered?

Read this as St. Robert Bellarmine reveals why some prayers go unanswered! In his book on the reflections on the Psalms St. Bellarmine shows the debt of his spiritual life and intellectual ability and gives you the hidden gem as to why some prayers go unanswered.

For brevity sake, you are only getting his reflection on the word dwells. It's remarkable how he can get so much insight from a single word.

Ps.91

[1] He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty,

"The next word dwells, means a great deal. It is a little word, but full of power and energy. Notice that what is said in not 'he who trusts' or he who confides,' but he who dwells.' This is to bring home to us that we are not to fly to the Divine protection as men do to a tree or a doorway when it rains, but rather as little boys are wont to rush to their fathers' arms when anything frightens them. We see them playing with their companions in the streets, but no sooner does the least thing go wrong, than they are off home as fast as their small legs will carry them. It never occurs to them to doubt the security of home. They know that they have mother and father there who would gladly give their hearts' blood to protect them.

But people who seek refuge from rain under a tree, have a good look round first, and it is only when no better shelter offers that they run willy-nilly to the tree.

Why is it that some men implore the Divine assistance without receiving it and seem to put their trust in God without being protected by Him?

The reason is that they do not really dwell in the aid of the Most High, nor take shelter under the Providence of God as in their Father's house.


They rather make sporadic dashes to it in time of trouble, as they do to a tree when there is a sudden shower. It is therefore very necessary for us, dear brethren, to get into the way of always and instinctively turning to God. We must try by constant exercise of holy confidence to build for ourselves a house where we may abide safely when the dark hours come. And we must carry our trusty house about with us wherever we go, just as we see the snails do. They wander here and there and everywhere and yet they are always at home."

And that my brethren is why God does not answer some prayers!

Learn more little about our beloved Saint:

• St. Robert Bellarmine - The Yoke Of Jesus
• St. Robert Bellarmine Quote: The Role Of Mary
• More Saint Robert Bellarmine "How Suffering Results In Greater Charity"
• "Are You A True Rosary Lover?"
• The Visitation of Mary - St. Bellarmines Deeply Contemplates the Mary's Visit to Elizabeth
  

Happy Father's Day Dads!

They Disconnected His Spinal Column From His Brain!

God Bless Little Dakota

• Dakota, A 4 Year Old, Has A Brain Tumor On The Stem - Original Post

• Signs of Saintly Intercession With Unbelievable Dakota Quote Full of Courage and Understanding

The doctors gave little Dakota very little chance to make it through the surgery. You can understand why. It was 10 hours long and they removed his spinal column from his brain. I didn't even think that was possible. All of these to remove a 3 inch tumor attached to his spinal cord.

He was full of hope reassuring his mom with lines like, "Mommy do not cry because someone had come to visit me in my dreams. He told me that he's taking me to heaven to be with God and the Angels."

Thank You, God Answered Your Prayers

Little Dakota beat the odds and wowed the doctors. God is good! They removed 80% of the tumor, a number they didn't think possible. He is now in intensive care, talking and wanting to play. The family is overwhelmed with gratitude for your prayers.

I too thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So praise the Lord, now and for ever, for His Mercy endures forever for those who love him.


Vernable Father Felix De Andreis, pray for us. And thank you for your prayers!

Father John Corapi Thanks You

Father Corapi Latest News

Here is the letter from Father Corapi thanking you for your prayers.

I want to take a moment to thank all of our friends and supporters for over 3,000 get well cards, birthday cards, and ordination anniversary cards that I received in the past few weeks. I do not take this for granted. I am very grateful to each of you for your prayers and for your kindness.

I am not sure if you know how valuable your little acts of kindness, generosity, and support mean to your priests. For me, they are a reminder that I was ordained for you. My day to day ministry does not involve contact with the People of God personally, but as many of you have told me, “I feel like I know you. You have been in my home so many times through television, radio, the internet, or CDs and DVDs, etc.” Indeed, technology is a gift from God, and it helps us to be united in so many ways. One day I was marveling at the great charisms God had given to some of His saints. St. Pio was able to bilocate, being in two places at once. I asked the Holy Spirit if it would be good for someone a lot less than a saint, like me, to have such a gift. The answer was immediate and hit me like a lightning bolt, “You are speaking to large numbers of people every minute of every hour of every day in so many diverse parts of the world through all of the means of social communication.” It’s not a miracle above nature, but it is a miracle when you think about it. Our Father takes care of us in so many ways.

This weekend we celebrate Fathers’ Day. First of all let’s be thankful to our heavenly Father for all He does for us. Let’s thank our priests, who are spiritual fathers too. “No priests, no Eucharist.” I’m so thankful for priests. Then, let’s make sure we commend our natural fathers, living or deceased, to our heavenly Father.

I’ll pray for each of you on this Fathers’ Day, for in some mysterious way God our Father has related us spiritually. A father transmits life to his children. I’ll try to be faithful to that mission of the transmission of spiritual life. Pray for me, please, that I might always do this.

God bless you,

Fr. John Corapi

• Father John Corapi has a parathyroid tumor! The first confirmation concerning his tumor.

• Original Father John Corapi post concerning his tumor here: The email by Fr. Corapi asking for prayers.

• One the lighter side: Father Corapi Top 10 One liners!

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Don't Take A Vacation From God!

GOD doesn't take the summer off from us. Neither should we be lax in our prayer during the summer. With gas prices projected to top $5.00 plus by the 4th of July, many of us will be staying closer to home for vacation. Even if you are planning to go quite a distance, check ahead to make sure that a Catholic Mass is in your Sunday plans. Forgetting to do so in advance is not a reason, but an excuse. God does not vacation from us. We owe Him all that we have and are. Nothing comes to BE except through Him. So INCLUDE God in your summer plans.

Praise and glorify Him each and every day of your life. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. Pray, Pray, Pray and rest and relax during the months ahead. Cover yourselves and your family in prayer. Don't forget to bring along your Rosary and pray together as a family.

May all members of our parish family, strive to use our many gifts, talents and blessings in ways that are found pleasing to God.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

A Prayer For The Unemployed

Prayer For Those Needing Employment

Most Sweet Jesus,
most gracious and most loving God
we call upon your name.
Grant we beseech thee, our brother and friend,
to grant employment to those who seek them.
Have mercy upon them, O Most Sweet Jesus,
for there is no one to turn to but you.
You have the power and grace
to grant what we need
that we may walk this earth with dignity
and the knowledge that we are truly loved.
We, as one body, ask you
to provide employment to the unemployed
and to grant our other petitions
according to your will. Amen.

Mama Mary, pray for us!
St. Joseph, pray for us!
All angels and saints, pray for us!


Thank you Easter A. for giving us the Unemployment Prayer!

Helping Monks & Saving Money On Your Print Cartridges!

Who else wants to save money on those outrageous prices on print cartridges and help out some Benedictine Monks in the process?

Have you ever heard of Laser Monks? It is an intriguing story surrounded by a prayer request by the monks. Here is how the "Laser Monks" got started.

All I wanted was a little bit of black dust for one of our monastery printers. In my search for a toner cartridge, I was suddenly struck with how incredibly expensive this black dust and a few squirts of ink were. "There must be a better way," I said to myself.And so began my foray into the world of imaging supplies. What I discovered was a revelation. Simply stated, the mark-up on ink supplies is sinfully high, reaching in some instances into the 1,000-2,000 % levels. I also discovered that there were many companies that manufactured either new compatible cartridges or remanufactured cartridges at a fraction of the cost of the big name brands. My thoughts starting racing. Imagine the money we could save schools, churches, and other organizations if we could negotiate some deals with the manufacturers directly and cut out the middlemen. And that is how LaserMonks.com was born.

Fr. Bernard McCoy, O. Cist.
Steward of Temporal Affairs, Cistercian Abbey
CEO, LaserMonks

LaserMonks started around 2003 and have exploded since then. Why wouldn't they when you save 30 - 60% on ink cartridges.


LaserMonks.com Home Page
Discover their full story here.

Do you use them? Will you? What have you heard? Let us know.

Little Dakota Has Brain Cancer - Update

Little 4 year old Dakota Needs Your Prayers - Here is the first post.

Strangely, the doctor who was to do the operation was on call and unable to perform the operation today. Does that make sense? A brain doctor on call the night before a scheduled 9 hour surgery.

So, they sent little Dakota home. They are hoping to do the operation next week. As it turns out this is part of an answered prayer as they were having a hard time telling him. Finally, they did tell little Dakota he is very seriously sick and could easily die. This is his answer to his mom.

"Mommy do not cry because someone had come to visit me in my dreams. He told me that he's taking me to heaven to be with God and the Angels."

Dakota also told his mommy that he is tired of being sick all of the time.

Signs of Saintly Intercession

Out of the blue, Paul Hargadon, requested the prayers of Venerable Felix de Andreis and that same week my Bishop wrote an article in the Diocesan paper about Venerable de Andreis and my home parish. Even though Father de Andreis is originally from and buried in my old diocese, I never even heard of the him before Paul gave us the beautiful prayer.

Then last night during prayers for Dakota, little John Paul (almost two year old) says with perfect clarity "Pio" three times. He has never said Pio in his life! So, Saint Pio, pray for little Dakota.

God is good and much good will come from this. It will be interesting to witness how God chooses to heal his people. Will little Dakota be healed, be a healer or both? One thing is for certain, God will move in very a distinct manner. How and who will be healed will be revealed as the story progresses. Praise be the Lord.

Thank you and may God bless you.

Let us pray.

God our Father, we lift up this precious little boy in prayer to You. You love the little children so much that Your Son took a child in His arms and gave us a model of how we are to live: with the humility, simplicity, and innocence of a child. Jesus said that we are to come to You as children, and ask much of You. Lord God, command that Dakota's guardian angel be at his bedside as his protector; send the guardian angels of Dakota's parents and grandparents to shield them from despair, as it is one of the chief weapons of Satan. Strengthen this boy's family in their faith.

Jesus, our loving, merciful Savior, act as the Divine Physician and drive out the tumor that afflicts Dakota. Guide the doctors who will perform surgery on him to remove the tumor; we ask for a miracle for this boy. Astound those who are taking care of him, so that they may realize that You, God, are capable of all things.

Mother Mary, take care of Dakota as only you can. Carry him in your maternal arms through this time of trial, and act as his nurse. I ask through your intercession that God will send a miracle for him and his family, as he is an only son and grandchild.

St. Michael, Prince of the Heavenly Armies, send your legions of angels to keep the devil at bay and provide defenses for Dakota's parents and grandparents. Remind them that the Lord God, above all, fights with them and for them.

I pray all these things in the name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.

Thanks DonaNobis_Pacem for writing out the prayer.

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - The Visitation of Mary

From the Desk of Father Mark,

My Dear People,

The Visitation of Mary

The Feast of the Visitation the Blessed Virgin Mary is the second Joyful Mystery of the Most Holy Rosary. In it, we reflect on Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, traveling to visit her cousin St. Elizabeth. When we travel with Our Lady into the hill country, we acknowledge 0ur need to visit with our Lord. So blessed are we to have access to the Most Holy Eucharist 24-7. Even though we are small in stature, we can become large in spirit by frequent visits to Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Saviour.

What excuse do you have for not spending time visiting Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. Be like Mary, the Mother of God. Make haste into the hill country of your local adoration chapel. Come spend an hour with Our Saviour, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in the little humble chapel. Let Jesus fill you too with the Holy Spirit. Let your own soul proclaim the goodness of Our Lord.

May we act upon the words of Jesus, placing God first in our lives and devoting ourselves to living as faithful and generous followers of the Gospel.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark



Read More . . .

The Visitation of Mary The scripture readings and a short meditation.

Recently discovered meditations on the Visitation of Mary as revealed by St. Robert Bellarmine

The Visitation of Mary as Revealed by St. Robert Bellarmine

The Visitation of Mary

Notice the love St. Robert Bellarmine has for our Lady, as he contemplates deeply the mysteries of the second Joyful mystery. Do yourself a favor and take time to meditate on the questions St. Bellarmines ask concerning the Visitation of Mary.

While Mary, therefore, was engaged to Joseph, there came to her news of the wondrous apparition of the angel to Zachary in the Temple, and the miraculous conception whereby her cousin Elizabeth was to be the mother of the Lord's precursor, the Baptist. What must the Virgin's thoughts have been when hearing the Messiah was at hand, and her own family the instrument of His coming! Did she covet the honor every daughter of Israel coveted? No doubt in her humility she never deemed it possible. Anyhow, had she not consecrated herself to God? And dearer even than the honor of being His Mother was the happiness of being His virgin spouse. Six months had passed, and once again the angel of Zachary's vision, Gabriel, came and hailed the Virgin as the Mother of God. Mary's astonishment was not so much that such a message should be sent to a woman of Israel, but that she should be the one she, a lowly maid, not married yet, and bound by solemn vow never to be known of man.

How did her gentle heart flutter and her spirit glow with love and thankfulness when from the angel's lips she heard that virginity and motherhood are not things incompatible in her whose offspring is a God; that He who made the barren Elizabeth conceive, could of Mary's flesh and blood alone build Him a body for His indwelling. "Behold," she says, "the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word," and in that very instant the hopes of ages were fulfilled; the Word was made flesh and dwelt amongst us.

Brethren, Mary's first impulse was to be away from Nazareth, to open her overflowing heart to some sympathetic woman, and so with haste she sped to whisper her secret to her cousin Elizabeth. Supposing even that some vague doubts still haunted Mary's mind, they must have been utterly dispelled by Elizabeth's greeting of her as the Mother of her God, and the bound the Baptist gave at the approach of his unborn Saviour. There Mary spent three happy months, and then the sword began to pierce her gentle heart.

St. Robert Bellarmine, pray for us that we may dive into a deeper contemplation of the mysteries of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for June

Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for June

"That all Christians may cultivate a deep and personal friendship with Christ, in order to be able to communicate the strength of His love to every person they meet".

His mission intention is: "That the International Eucharistic Congress of Quebec in Canada may lead to an ever greater understanding that the Eucharist is the heart of the Church and the source of evangelisation."