Good Parenting Advice?

A mother of a very active child came to me after the stations of the cross.

"How do you keep your kids so well be behaved? I can't even keep my one behaved."

Reflecting back to when our two children were bad enough that we got nasty letters in the mail and a conference with our Pastor telling us that people where complaining. I smiled, thinking her kid was much more well behaved than mine. So I told her.

"Have a few more kids and wait 3 to 4 years."

Let me know was this good advise? What do you think?

Faith Raised Lazarus From The Dead

My Dear People,

So, Be Strong in Your Faith!

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is a precursor to the Resurrection of Our Lord. Being raised from the dead is a reality not known by man. Once dead, always dead. Only the Apostles were able to raise the dead after Jesus's Ascension. We know that Lazarus died again after the Resurrection. He experienced physical death twice. So why this event before the Crucifixion of Jesus? We find the answer in the dialogue between Martha and Jesus.

The faith of Martha is the real focus of the Gospel. "Lord, had you been here Lazarus would never have died", says Martha to Jesus. Jesus then tells her that he will rise, in the Resurrection of the Just. Jesus then says that HE IS the Resurrection and the Life. He asks if Martha believes this. She says Yes! Once Jesus received Martha's faith, He then proceeds to raise her brother from the tomb. We see here, as we did in the woman at the well, that Jesus hungers for our faith in Him. It is essential for us to give our faith to Jesus. This is what Lent is all about for us. Strengthen by Lenten graces, we grow in our faith and surrender it back to Our Lord. So, be strong in your faith.

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

Notre Dame Scandal Petition

In case you have not heard, Notre Dame University is breaking away with the Spirit of Vatican II and disobeying the bishops at the USCCB. They are openly slapping every pro-life Christian in the face by inviting one of histories most supportive abortion activist to speak at their graduation ceremony.

President Barack Obama.

Here is how you can help. Sign the petition with the Cardinal Newman Society.

Don't be afraid. Go here Notre Dame Scandal to defend Our Lady and the Church.



Or do it directly.

Contact Fr. Jenkins: Call him at 574.631.5000, fax him at 574.631.2770, write a personal email president@nd.edu, or mail your letter to 317 Main Building, Notre Dame, IN 46556

Did You Elect Death or Light?

My Dear People,

Which Do You Prefer?

Why are so many people in the dark? John's Gospel tells us that it is because people prefer evil works over good works. When Jesus came into the world, He entered as the LIGHT of the world. People chose works of darkness over deeds of light. Therefore, they plunged further into darkness to avoid the light. On the verge of another great depression, many walk about the world as if nothing is wrong.

Who would have thought that even ten years ago people would become so indifferent to homosexuality, abortion, cloning, and other deeds of darkness...and to elect an administration that daily promotes DEATH over LIFE? Just as Moses came down off the mountain to deliver God's JUSTICE, so too will we experience the same in our lifetime. God will not allow such deeds to continue. Prepare to walk again in God's light. Go to confession, pray the Rosary daily, come under the Holy Mantle of Our Lady. The time is at hand. Behold, Our Lord stands at the DOOR!

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

Body of Former Seminarian Found

After three months the body is found. The original story is here. John Paul is the one in the middle. May God bless them.

KSDK -- The body of a Chesterfield man who disappeared while on his way home from college has been found south of Columbia, Missouri.

Corporal Lou Amighetti of the Missouri State Water Patrol said 21-year-old John Paul Forget's body was found by a railroad worker in the Missouri River in Sandy Hook in Moniteau County.

Forget went missing on December 16 when he reportedly fell from the I-70 bridge in Boone County. Forget was a passenger in a car that spun out and slid into the bridge. After exiting the vehicle, he jumped from the bridge to get out of the way of an on-coming tractor-trailer. There were extensive, yet unsuccessful search efforts.

Forget was a student at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

Friends and family paid their respects to Forget in a memorial service December 27 at Saint Alban Roe in Wildwood.
KSDK

It's Not The 10 Suggestions

My Dear People,

Jesus Waits For You in the Confessional

The Ten Commandments were never meant to be the "10 suggestions". They are not optional. God the Father intended for us to remain in the "safe zone" while walking in His Presence. As long as we obey Him, we never run the risk of moving too far from His Divine Will. God loves us. He longs for us. God constantly protects us. Like good and holy parents, God longs for us to return back home to be with Him for all eternity.

Lent is a great time to seriously examine our consciences. A good and holy Confession cleans the soul and heals the heart. Please do not let this Lent pass without making your Easter duty. Jesus waits for you in the Confessional.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

God Is Good, A New Job

What can I say but thank you for your prayers.

God has heard your cry and answered your prayer for my employment. What a blessing. I am so moved and humbled. It is a career change for me. I will be a community case worker, going house to house serving the needs of the adult mentally handicapped. Although I have no direct experience, they thought my life experiences put me over the top. I think they also liked the idea of getting a man in there, where so few men are willing to go.

There are two additional huge changes for our family.

1. We must move. It will only be 40 minutes away, but we did move here two years ago to simplify our life and be closer to family. Leaving family and our little rural Church will be real hard for us. The love and support they have shown our family will never be forgotten. Moving back home will go down as one of the best moves God granted for us.
   
2. We will be labeled as Latin lovers. The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter FSSP recently set up a Chapel in Quincy, IL and named it St. Rose of Lima. Beautiful Church, take a look at the pictures. We will be full-time members of the traditional Latin Mass. We can't tell you how excited we are! Anne Marie will get to receive her first Holy Communion there. What a blessing.

So thank you!

And may God, who is rich in Mercy, bless you and your family.

The Transfiguration

My Dear People,

The Transfiguration is a central event that precedes the death of Jesus on Calvary. The scandal of the Holy Cross would have been too much for the Holy Apostles had not they received the grace to see Our Lord "transfigured". It was a sneak preview of Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension.

"His clothes became dazzling white, such as no bleacher could bleach them." God the Father went on to repeat His message that He gave at Jesus' Baptism... "This is my beloved Son, Listen to Him!"

Jesus was completing His three year mission. What was begun in the Jordan River was completed at the Transfiguration. Jesus forbade the Holy Apostles to discuss the event until after the Resurrection. At that time, they did not understand "what to rise from dead" meant. They then treasured this event in their hearts.

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

Our Lady of Guadalupe On You Tube

HT to Fr. Steve Leake

How Will Satan Attack You?

My Dear People,

Want to Know How Satan Will Attack You This Lent?

Why would Jesus be tempted by Satan? What would be the point? Jesus is God. Our Lord chose to be tempted for our sake. Just as He took on our sin when He was crucified, so too He was tempted for us in the desert. He was among wild beasts. he was tempted, and withstood temptation. All three temptations He endured, are the same temptations the devil attacks us with during Lent.

Grace is what sustains us. Jesus knows what we need even before we ask. He is our ultimate source of grace. When we call upon the Holy Name of the Lord, He hears and answers us. This Lent, deepen your prayer. Pray often. Come to know the One who created you, loves you, and sustains you. Come to the Adoration Chapel often during Lent. Jesus waits for you in the Tabernacle.

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