What Would St. Thomas More Do?

This really touches home for me. Believe it or not, my heart is with the Democratic Party. But, alas, the party took that heart and pierced it like the are doing to so many unborn babies. I realized I didn't leave the Democratic Party, they left me. So now I am in looking for pro-life Democratics like my Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. Except on the local level it is very hard to find one. The following is the story of St. Thomas More and his struggles in similar chalenges we face today.

'By the age of fifty-five, as a lawyer, officer of the realm, husband, father, popular citizen, speaker, and writer, he had achieved as much fame, wealth, professional success, and genuine affection as any person could desire.'

'Nevertheless, for what most called a foolish scruple of conscience, he threw all that away and died three years later -- alone -- in broken health. His closest political colleagues abandoned him; he was condemned as a traitor, beheaded, and his head placed on a spike on a bridge.'

These days, faithful Catholics
lose elections; in Thomas More's
day, they lost their lives.

Thomas More knew that.
He knew that the lustful Henry VIII
might kill him for his fidelity to the Church.

. . . which is why More constantly asked,
'How much evil can I tolerate?
Where must I take my stand?'

Those were dangerous questions
in a dangerous time, yet as a politician
--- a Catholic politician ---
fear never caused Thomas More to waver:

'In a storm,' he said,
'you don't abandon ship
just because you
can't control the wind.'

Today, winds of a fierce new anti-Catholicism buffet us. Just two days ago, the most powerful political party in America declared the following:

'The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.'

That's you and me they oppose
. . . and any Catholic politician who agrees
with the Church that abortion is murder.

*
When that threatening clause was debated,
did a new Thomas More risk his life by rising to denounce it?

Did even one major Catholic Democrat
risk the displeasure of his party
by staying faithful to the Church?

*
Far from it!

Indeed, the Party's nominee for Vice-President
(a position equivalent in power to Thomas More's)
is a Mass-going Catholic whose support for so-called 'abortion rights' was just declared 'seriously wrong' by the Archbishop of Denver, Charles Chaput.

So wrong, says the Archbishop, that
'I presume his integrity will lead him
to refrain from presenting himself
for Communion.'

Henry VIII was also once
a Mass-going Catholic . . .

. . . a politician with faith so strong he wrote A Defense of the Seven Sacraments, one of the most successful works of Catholic apologetics that had yet been produced.

Indeed, Pope Leo X personally bestowed on Henry the title, Defender of the Faith, never guessing that a short decade later, Henry would be the mortal enemy of the Faith he had just so ably defended.

*
Our fathers' generation also saw
Catholic politicians repudiate
the Faith they once held dear.

Before World War II, in the pews, pubs, and union halls of America's cities, millions of poor European immigrants and their children pledged allegiance to the Church of Rome and the party of FDR: the blue-collar, pro-family, pro-life Democratic Party that strongly identified itself with Catholic social teachings.

Born in among these people was Catholic author David Carlin, who grew up in working-class Rhode Island in that time when Catholic Faith and the Democratic Party seemed almost synonymous.

For four decades Carlin faithfully served the party he loved --- twelve years as a state senator and once as the Democratic candidate for Congress.

Then the betrayal!

As Thomas More watched helplessly as Henry abandoned his wife and took up with enemies of the Church, so David Carlin watched helplessly as his Party's leaders abandoned their blue-collar, pro-life, and religious constituencies and took up with NOW, Hollywood and the abortion lobby.

*
You know, Thomas More was a Catholic,
not a partisan. With the ax that would kill him hovering near, his last words saluted the very politician who had condemned him to death: 'I die the King's good servant, but God's first.'

Like Thomas More, David Carlin
is a Catholic, not a partisan
--- a 21st Century Catholic who yearns
to be his Party's good servant,
but God's first.

Which is why three years ago, his anguish drove him to determine which principles and policies you and I as Catholics are bound in conscience to support, and which we cannot abide if we choose to remain Catholic.

Armed with that knowledge, and proceeding with the patience and clear-sightedness of a lifelong Catholic knowing that he may soon be called to account by God, Carlin then evaluated the many policies of his Party that trouble him (policies that some would now have the Republican Party embrace, too). The result is Can a Catholic Be a Democrat?, the most lucid, informative, even-handed Catholic evaluation of the Democratic Party available today.

With great sorrow, Carlin concludes that, on issues concerned with human life, sex, faith, morality, suffering --- and the public policies that stem from them --- his once beloved Democratic Party has become, like Henry VIII, the enemy of the Catholic Faith.

As did St. Thomas More before him,
Carlin then asks,

'As a believing Catholic,
how much can I tolerate?'
'Where must I take my stand?'

*
What about you?

As politicians in both Parties embrace ever more positions that attack central teachings of our Church, can you stay silent . . . or even vote for them? And if you do, will you, at the end of the day, be able to face God and say, 'I die my Party's good servant, but God's first'?

'In a storm,' Thomas More said, 'don't abandon ship just because you can't control the wind.' You and I can't control the anti-Catholic winds blowing through the major political parties today, but, with David Carlin's help, we can learn what, as Catholics, we can do --- nay, must do --- if, as did St. Thomas More, we are to stay engaged in politics and faithful to God and His Church.

*
Can a Catholic Be a Democrat? will:

Clarify your understanding of the issues in this election, and help you see just what is (and is not) at stake; Show you which political positions you as a Catholic can live with, and which require you, like Thomas More, finally to take a stand; Help you explain even non-negotiable Catholic positions to your friends, relatives, and fellow party members; Equip you to make your own party less hostile to your Catholic Faith; And, as you vote in November, ensure that the choices you make there will leave you able finally to say, 'I was my Party's good servant, but God's first.'

May St. Thomas More pray for us,
and for all Catholic politicians!

John Barger
Publisher

God Answered The Prayer!

Do you remember a week or so ago? My brother, James, was in a motorcycle accident while coming home from a Prison Ministry meeting. He missed a curve. It was ugly.

A quick recap of injuries:

• Broken back in four places
  

• Broken ribs

• Broken sternum

• Broke both shoulder blades
  

• Problems with his groin and ankle

• Broken collar bone

James came home in 5 days, it would have been less if the doctors would have communicated better.

He has no internal injuries or nerve damage. Can you believe it?! He went on the prison ministry retreat this weekend and gave his conversion story. He didn't even miss his son's football game.

God is so good! Praise the Lord!


Thank you and may God bless you all.

The Key To Knowing God's Will Is?

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

The Key To Knowing God's Will

Doing the Father's will is the theme of the Gospel today. How do we know what God's will is for us? How did Jesus know what the Father's will was for Him? Jesus prayed. He prayed often. He prayed from the heart. In obedience to the will of God the Father, Jesus, His only Son, always spoke in His Father's Name. Today's Gospel from Matthew, focuses doing what God's asks of us. Being one in mind and heart in union with God, is a key to fulfilling His Divine Will. Our vocation is a life response to the Will of God.

Catholics are called to live three lifestyles; the single state, married life; and priesthood or religious life. This is why it is so essential that a lot of prayer and discernment must go into choosing our vocation. When we enter into the covenantal stage of our vocation, we receive all of the help and grace that we need to complete it. PRAY for the discernment and grace to know and live God's will.

May we support the work in God's vineyard with their time, talent and treasure.

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

Father John Corapi - "Catholics Don't Know Their Faith"

"You Can't Vote For A Pro-Abortion Candidate," Fr. John Corapi

In speaking with faithful Catholics all over the world for the past twenty years there is a consensus among them that the average Catholic doesn’t know much about their faith. Likewise there is an overwhelming consensus that if we did, the world would be a very different place. In the United States of America we have over sixty million Catholics. If these Catholic citizens knew their faith and then voted and lived their faith, this country would be incalculably better off. In turn, so would the entire world.

In the past few months leading up to what may prove to be the most crucial presidential election in this country’s history, it is outright frightening how many Catholics think they can vote for a pro-abortion candidate. As many of our good bishops have pointed out, under the current circumstances this is not possible. Abortion is the overridingly most important moral issue of our times, all others being important, but rendered irrelevant if the preeminent right—the right to life—is destroyed.

Voting For Pro-Choice Candidates Is Evil In Itself

As Bishop Robert Vasa of Baker, Oregon recently pointed out, clarifying the teaching of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in their excellent pastoral letter “Faithful Citizenship,” a candidate or office holder is disqualified from receiving the vote of a Catholic in good conscience if they hold a pro-abortion position. In other words pro- choice candidates under the current set of circumstances are disqualified because of their pro-death political positions. We cannot vote for them. As the Bishops of Kansas recently asserted in their excellent voter’s guide, “Catholics would ‘commit moral evil’ by voting for a candidate who supports abortion and other intrinsically evil things. Voting is a moral act, and voting for pro-choice candidates is evil in itself. One becomes a collaborator in evil by so doing. No amount of rationalization can escape this logical and moral conclusion.

There was some confusion over this based on a statement made some time ago by Pope Benedict, who was speaking in general terms, saying that for a “proportionate reason” it would be possible to vote for such candidates. However, in the concrete situation we face, with a candidate who is pro-life, this would not be possible. No amount of “other reasons” would excuse voting for a pro-choice candidate. The Church clearly teaches that life begins at conception. As Pope John Paul II stated many times, “abortion is murder.” Following logically from this, if a single abortion is murder, then 48,000,000 (the approximate number of abortions in this country since Roe v. Wade) of them is genocide. What would be the “proportionate reason” supporting such an outrage? There is none.

Lack of understanding of what the Catholic Church teaches is grossly harmful to the individual Catholic and to society in general. It is for this reason that I have always tried to promote and teach the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It is a sure norm for teaching the faith, as Pope John Paul II asserted in promulgating the Catechism. “Guarding the Deposit of Faith is the mission which the Lord entrusted to His Church,” are the first words of the Apostolic Constitution “Fidei Depositum.” These are the words the Holy Father used to introduce us to the Catechism.

For this reason we are making my series “The Teaching of Jesus Christ” more and more available through television, radio, and the lowest prices ever offered for DVD and CD versions. Ignorance of the Faith can prove fatal—for individuals and for nations. Learning our faith is the best investment we can make. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the very best way to do this.

May God bless you, each one, and may God bless America in this time of national crisis,

Father John Corapi

More Fr. John Corapi

• Fr. Corapi's Spiritual Advice

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

The Secret Story of Padre Pio’s Stigmata

Volume Reveals Report of Vatican Investigator

By Mirko Testa

ROME, SEPT. 22, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A volume detailing the report of a Vatican investigator into Padre Pio gives new information on the wounds of the Passion that the friar suffered.

Padre Pio da Pietrelcina received the stigmata from the crucified Christ, who in an apparition invited the Capuchin friar to unite himself to his passion so as to participate in the salvation of others, particularly consecrated persons: This is what we can know with certainty thanks to the recent opening—at the request of Benedict XVI —of the archives of the former Holy Office up to 1939, which contain information on revelations to Padre Pio that were not previously published.

These revelations have been released in a book titled "Padre Pio Sotto Inchiesta: l’‘Autobiografia Segreta’" ("Padre Pio Under Investigation: The ‘Secret Autobiography’"). The volume is prefaced by Vittorio Messori and edited by Father Franceso Castelli, historian for the beatification cause of Pope John Paul II and professor of modern and contemporary history of the Church at the Romano Guardini Institute for Religious Sciences in Taranto, Italy.

Until the publication of this book, many assumed that Padre Pio—whether for reasons of modesty or because he thought himself unworthy of the charisms he had received—had never disclosed to anyone what happened on the day he received the stigmata.

The only known reference to these events was in a letter Padre Pio sent to his spiritual director, Father Benedetto da San Marco in Lamis, in which he speaks of the appearance of a "mysterious person" but does not offer any details.

The new book, which contains the first complete version of the report penned by Bishop Raffaele Rossi of Volterra, (later cardinal), apostolic visitor sent by the Holy See to secretly investigate Padre Pio, clarifies that on the occasion of the reception of the stigmata the saint had a conversation with the crucified Christ.

The book also contains a number of statements that Padre Pio made under oath, which provide an interpretive key to Bishop Rossi’s report.

Asked to swear on the Gospel, Padre Pio for the first time revealed the identity of the one from whom he received the wounds.

It was June 15, 1921, and in answer to a question posed by Bishop Rossi, Padre Pio said:

"On Sept. 20, 1918, I was in the choir of the church after celebrating Mass, making the thanksgiving when I was suddenly overtaken by powerful trembling and then there came calm and I saw Our Lord in his crucified form.

"He was lamenting the ingratitude of men, especially those consecrated to him and favored by him."

"Then," Padre Pio continued, "his suffering was apparent as was his desire to join souls to his Passion. He invited me to let his pains enter into me and to meditate on them and at the same time concern myself with the salvation of others. Following this, I felt full of compassion for the Lord’s pains and I asked him what I could do.

"I heard this voice: ‘I will unite you with my Passion.’ And after this the vision disappeared, I came back to myself, my reason returned and I saw these signs here from which blood flowed. Before this I did not have these."

Padre Pio then said that the stigmata were not the result of a personal request of his own but came from an invitation of the Lord, who, lamenting the ingratitude of men, and consecrated persons in particular, conferred on Padre Pio a mission as the culmination of an interior mystical journey of preparation.

Common theme

Father Castelli, the book’s editor, noted that the theme of the ingratitude of men and especially those favored by God is not something new in the Capuchin friar’s private revelations.

He told ZENIT: "What is decisive is that Padre Pio made no request for the stigmata. This helps us to understand the freedom and the humility of the Capuchin who is clearly completely uninterested in making a show of the wounds.

"Padre Pio’s humility also manifests itself in his reaction to seeing the signs of the Passion traced in his flesh once he had come back to himself. In fact, in the conversation with the bishop, once the mystical scene has finished, it is not elaborated on further."

From the conversation with Padre Pio, from the letters, from the witnesses questioned by Bishop Rossi and finally from his own report, it is plain that the friar was unhappy about the signs of the Passion, that he tried to hide them and that he was uneasy in showing them at the request of the apostolic visitor, the editor explained.

A 6th wound?

The book conveys Bishop Rossi’s conclusions about the stigmata, of which there had only been partial information, and so provides new information, especially about the form of the wound in the side and a rumored sixth wound on the friar’s back.

In his report the apostolic visitor says that there was no festering in Padre Pio’s wounds, they did not close and did not heal. The remained inexplicably open and bloody, despite the fact that the friar had tried to stop the bleeding by treating them with iodine.

"Bishop Rossi’s description of the wound in the side," Father Castelli told ZENIT, "is decisively different from those before and after him. He did not see it as an upside down or slanted cross, but as having a ‘triangular form’ and so therefore with definite edges."

Contrary to what certain doctors have said, Bishop Rossi concluded that the wounds did not appear to be externally inflicted.

"This speaks in favor of the authenticity of the stigmata," Father Castelli explained, "because carbolic acid—which according to some was what Padre Pio might have used to cause the wounds—after it has been applied, consumes the tissue and inflames the surrounding area. It is impossible to think that for 60 years Padre Pio could have caused himself these wounds of the same definite shape.

"Further, the wounds emitted the intense odor of violets rather than the fetid stench that degenerative processes, tissue necrosis or infections usually cause."

According to the report, Padre Pio said that apart from the stigmata in his hands, feet and side, there were no other wounds, and therefore no wound on his back as Jesus might have had from carrying the cross. Some have suggested that Padre Pio might have had this wound.

Father Castelli maintains that it is not possible to speculate beyond the information gathered in Bishop Rossi’s 1921 investigation and attribute to Padre Pio any other sign of the Passion.

Hat tip to Father Z

God Is Not Fair! He Is Just!

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

My Dear People,

God is not fair. God is just.

The Kingdom parables are Christ's teachings on the completion of His Father's plan of salvation. Today's Gospel from Matthew, focuses on Our Lord's great generosity. His Mercy and Compassion knows no boundaries. We are beneficiaries of that Divine Love. It is a signature characteristic of the Kingdom. God is not fair. God is just. His Justice is not our justice. God is free to be merciful and loving as He sees fit. No human being can tell God how to love or how to forgive.

The most merciful act of the Father was the love given to us through His only Son upon the Holy Cross. In Jesus Christ we see the perfect love of the Father. It is almost too hard for our mind to grasp. He loved us so much that He gave us His only begotten dying upon the Cross. What a great Father we have in Heaven. Give praise and thanks for our Heavenly Father for the great love He has given us in Jesus!

May we be faithful and generous stewards, joyfully accepting Our Lord's invitation to come and work in His vineyard.

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

St. Bellarmine Feast Day

Learn more about the great Cardinal Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino click here to get over 40 post about about our beloved St. Bellarmine.

They range from quotes, bios and short stories.

Don't forget your free book written by St. Bellarmine! Just sign up on the right hand side to get one the greatest books every written about the passion of Christ.

Here are some of my favorite St. Bellarmine post.

• "St. Robert Bellarmine Caused Great Division..."

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

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

• "Young Robert Bellarmine Was Dying..."

• "Men Are Like Frogs." Saint Robert Bellarmine

• A Litany To St. Robert Bellarmine, Doctor of the Church

• St. Robert Bellarmine - The Call To The Priesthood

St. Robert Bellarmine, pray for us.

Saint Robert Bellarmine Patron Saint of Catechumens

This comes from a fellow blogger phatcatholic. He did an entire thesis on the history of the catechism. As you may know Cardinal Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino was the king of the catechism. If you did not know, then keep reading to find out why St. Robert Bellarmine is the patron Saint of Catechumens.

In his encyclical Etsi minime, Pope Benedict XIV addressed this problem by proposing the catechism of Robert Bellarmine as the standard for teaching Christian doctrine (Kevane xxxi). Benedict says of it, “There is nothing more effective or opportune for guarding in advance against the errors which can creep into the situation of such a variety of Catechisms for children” (qtd. in Kevane xxxii). He also stated that if a local catechism must be used, care should be taken that nothing be added to it that contradicts Catholic truth, and that these truths are presented in a clear and comprehensive yet concise manner (xxxii).

In 1869, with the convening of the First Vatican Council, the Church again took up the problem articulated by Pope Benedict XIV. Besides the publication of two Dogmatic Constitutions (Dei Filius and Pastor aeternus), which themselves did much to solidify the Church’s teaching on Divine Revelation and the Infallibility of the Pope, steps were taken to compose a uniform catechism for use throughout the entire Church (xxxiv-xxxv). That the Church, after so many years, would still be concerned with a uniform presentation of the faith is a testament to her constant zeal and concern for the Deposit entrusted to her. She is always desirous to pass it on with the utmost fidelity and to nurture within the hearts of men a true and lasting increase in understanding and conversion to Christ.

The schema presented to the Council Fathers on January 14, 1870 expressed the intent of the Council:

All the members of the Church of Christ diffused throughout the whole world should be of one heart and one soul; hence they must likewise be unified in their lips and their language. It must be recognized, however, that a variety in approach and method of teaching the rudiments of the faith to the faithful is no slight obstacle to this unity. Hence, with the approval of this Council, We shall take care to produce a Small Catechism by Our authority, which all are to use. Thus, the variety of small Catechisms will be removed for the future. (qtd. in Kevane xxxv)

Again, the catechism of St. Robert Bellarmine was held as the standard to be emulated, and after some weeks of discussion, the project for a Small Catechism was brought to a formal vote and overwhelmingly approved by the bishops. Unfortunately, the outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War forced the Council to suspend its work before the disciplinary decree for the Small Catechism could be officially promulgated (xxxvi). “Thus the pastors and the faithful continued after Vatican I with the Roman Catechism together with the several national and regional Catechisms for children as the ongoing teaching aids for handing on the elements and rudiments of the deposit of faith” (xxxvii).

Learn more about the great Cardinal Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino

The Crucifix, A Powerful Form of Deliverance!

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

My Dear People,

The Crucifix, A Powerful Form of Deliverance!

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is an annual reminder to all of the Catholic faithful that the Crucifix is a powerful form of exorcism and deliverance. The devil realizes that his time is short. Death did not overcome Jesus Christ, because the Father resurrected Him from the dead. When we gaze upon the Holy Cross, we see victory. The devil sees defeat. Many Catholics used to place a blessed cross in every room. This is a powerful form of deliverance from evil. Now, seldom do you find ANY blessed objects in a Catholic home.

Sacramentals are not magic. Our souls must be in a state of grace in order to benefit from them. When we combine Sunday Mass, frequent confession, and sacramentals to our weekly regiment, the devil then knows we mean business. Our life come from Our Lord. He desires to keep us safe from the enemy. Assist Our Lord in keeping our souls and our home safe form all harm and evil. Pray, pray, pray! Go to weekly mass and monthly confession. Show the enemy that your house and hearts belong to the Lord!

May we give generously of our time, talent and treasure, in everlasting love and gratitude for the total sacrifice Jesus gave for us on the CROSS.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Scripture Demand Bishops To Correct "Former Catholic Politians"

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Scripture Demand Bishops To Correct
"Former Catholic Politians"

Scandal has become a common place event in our world today. Whether former Catholic politicians who have abandoned Christ and His teachings, or the absolute horror of abortion in our country, the number increases. Jesus addresses the cure for scandal within the Catholic community. We are responsible for each other's salvation. It is a fact.

When a brother creates scandal through sin, we are to confront him alone. If that fails, we are to bring another faith friend. Next, witnesses are to enter the picture. Finally, it is to be brought to the attention of the Church. All this is done, not to humiliate an individual, but to SAVE his very soul. When our Catholic bishops publicly correct Catholic government and civil leaders, it is their moral duty to do so. Christ calls for it. We must pray for our bishops daily. They need to be strong and courageous in these times. We all must be the LIGHT OF CHRIST, for a world immersed in great darkness.

May we be good stewards, managing well all that God has left in our care.

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

His Back Is Broken!

I humbly beseech your prayers.

My brother, James, was in a motorcycle accident last night coming home from a Prison Ministry meeting. He missed a turn. His friend riding his bike behind him said,

"It's not the turn you would want to miss, it's pretty nasty. But God was with him it could have been much worse."

Results:

• Broken back in two places - Praise the Lord, he can still move his arms and legs!

• Broken ribs

• Small punctured lung

• Excruciating pain

• His is awake and alert.

Your prayers are a tremendous help.

Thank you and may God bless you all.

911, Abortion & Weak Leadership - Father John Corapi

"Poor and Weak Leadership is Punishment for Sin!" Fr. Corapi SOLT

From the desk of Father John Corapi

Today the world remembers the day of infamy that has come to be called 911. On September 11, 2001 the unthinkable happened—We were attacked by a hostile force deep within our own country. We were all shocked, many people were surprised, angry, saddened, or had their faith shaken.

Political correctness and genuine civility restrain us seven years later from saying much of what many of us think. We must love our country in season and out of season, convenient or inconvenient, whether the rest of the world does or not. That, however, does not mean we can’t correct ourselves, better ourselves. “Know thyself,” the Philosopher says.

Seven years later I admit that I am weary of the arguments at both extremes. At times the far left seems to truly despise the hand that feeds it. America bashing in some quarters has taken on the respectability of a rite of passage, if not a religion. You might expect it from some of the western European nations we have repeatedly bailed out of the hell visited on them by the Hitlers, Stalins, and other assorted thugs and mass murderers. It is shocking, however, when immigrants that have gone from relative rags to riches (most of us) hate themselves so venomously (We are the country after all).

On the other hand, there are those on the far right that seem to have a blind patriotism that discounts the evils this poor nation “under God” has subjugated itself to. We are in an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions, not just because of dependence on foreign oil, the housing crash, etc., but because of the crass negligence of the leaders we have voted into office—in both parties. Poor and weak leadership is punishment for sin. In an indirect way, so are all of the other evils that beset creation. An increasing number of countries hate us for various reasons. Terrorism has intruded itself into our daily life. We worry constantly about a host of evils. Why?

Do you suppose that a nation and the people that have democratically elected the leaders of that nation can be pleasing to God if they were guilty of the outrageous crime of genocide? If a nation legally and systematically had murdered 48,000,000 unwanted women over 60 years of age, would that nation be favored, blessed, and protected by God? Alright, change it to men under 30 years of age. Human beings are human beings.

We have under the specious pretext of law—the law of the highest Court in the land—murdered 48,000,000 innocent human beings through abortion in this country since that dark day Satan donned judicial robes and issued his decision in Roe v. Wade. The nation, and most of the world, is “bewitched” into thinking that this is somehow acceptable because a court of morally blind, if not insane, men said so. Hitler said many things, as did Stalin, and every other individual or institution living apart from God and His unalterable law. They are all gone. The immutable will of God and His truth still stand and always will.

As we recall the hell of 911 and pray for the victims, their families, and the nation in general, remember that God is not a fool, nor is He a disinterested party in the affairs of men. God knows every human being He created from all eternity by name. He loves each one as if they were His only child. How shall one nation under God answer God when He calls for an accounting for these beloved souls? Will we be protected from our enemies, from a never-ending cascade of natural disasters, from financial ruin?

"Love the good and fight evil tirelessly"

May the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life, enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills to love the good and fight evil tirelessly; to defend the most innocent and helpless of our brothers and sisters—the unborn. The hour is late, darkness is falling, a day of reckoning is fast upon us. Now is the time to attack the evils of the day, abortion being the preeminent evil, for if the right to life is undermined, eroded, and ultimately destroyed, no other rights are relevant or meaningful.

God Bless You,

Father John Corapi, SOLT

Blogger Note: 911 Baby picture and her abortion testimony here.

Father John Corapi "Happy Birthday Mother"

Did You Remember The
Blessed Virgin Mary's Birthday?

From the desk of Father John Corapi

The universal Church celebrates September 8th in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday. This is an excellent opportunity for each one of us to do something to show our love and appreciation for the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. From all eternity, God in his infinite wisdom decreed that Mary would be the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was with Jesus at all of the important moments throughout his life from the Incarnation, to his death on the cross. Before our Savior died He gave his Mother to each one of us in giving her to his beloved disciple, St. John.

Let Us Give Thanks?

This September 8th let’s thank God our Father for his beloved Daughter; thank Jesus for his Mother, full of grace; and thank the Holy Spirit for his immaculate Spouse, our Mother Mary. Offer a Rosary in thanksgiving to God for the gift of his own Mother as our Mother. Tell your Mother you love her, and most of all follow her example of holiness, humility, and perfect fidelity to Jesus and his teaching.

Happy birthday Mother

Happy birthday Mother, from all of your children still trying to fight the good fight and run the race to the finish line. We love you and ask you to intercede for each one of us with Jesus your Son. Keep us safe in the enclosed garden of your Immaculate Heart. Protect us from the wiles of the Devil. Lead us safely home to Heaven, to be with you, the most holy Trinity, and all of the angels and saints. Pray for us sinners, dear Mother, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Father John Corapi SOLT

Speaker Pelosi To Meet With Her Bishop

Speaker Nancy Pelosi has accepted the invitation for a confidential chat with Archbishop George Niederauer, AP reports. The archbishop had said that he wanted to have such a conversation because of Pelosi's outspoken public advocacy for unrestricted legal abortion.

Pelosi said in a letter to Archbishop George Niederauer that she'd "welcome the opportunity for our personal conversation and to go beyond our earlier most cordial exchange about immigration and needs of the poor to Church teaching on other significant matters."

Attributed to Catholic Culture


Here is the background taken from here

The uproar continues over the recent statements of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who defended her pro-abortion stance or, to be more nuanced, her “pro-choice” stance supporting a woman’s “right” to choose between having a child or an abortion.


In her statement, she made it clear she was speaking “as an ardent, practicing Catholic” about “an issue that I have studied for a long time.” After saying that “the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition” of when life begins, she cites Saint Augustine to buttress her thesis and concludes that abortion is a decision “that a woman has to make with her doctor and her God.” For, she explains, “God has given us, each of us, a free will and a responsibility to answer for our actions.” She proposes contraception as a solution to diminish the number of abortions. ^[1]

May God anoint the meeting and give the good Archbishop Niederauer courage.

Father Corapi, "The Dignity of Human Labor"

Father John Corapi

"Using Labor To Overcome Depression & Anxiety"

My Dear Brethen,

As we celebrate the secular holiday of “Labor Day” it’s helpful to reflect on the dignity of human labor. The Church holds work, “labor,” in great esteem. Those who work for a living exercise an essential element of human existence and in so doing support their families, contribute to society in their own unique way, and show forth the dignity of both the labor and the laborer.

I have seen so many examples in the course of my life of how working can truly make a person feel good about themselves. I would go so far as to say that if we don’t work in some productive manner it is more difficult to feel good about ourselves. Even those who are challenged in some way through physical or emotional injuries or disabilities must engage in some form of activity that can benefit others if they are to fully experience their own human dignity. One of the greatest ways to overcome emotional challenges such as depression and anxiety is to work in earnest at some productive enterprise. Feed the hungry, house the homeless, visit the sick, give encouragement to the suffering. In so doing you will begin to feel better, having concentrated on something other than your own problems.

Prayer Is The Greatest Form of Labor

Taking away a human being’s incentive to work is one of the most destructive things we can do to a man or woman. It is essential that all individuals that are able to function productively should do so. Children should be shown very early in life the joys and fulfillment of hard work and the benefits it can bring. The elderly should be encouraged to do something productive as well, whether actual labor or labor related to a hobby or craft. Work keeps the mind, the body, and the soul engaged, remembering that prayer is the highest and most productive work of all.

May God bless all of the labor and all the laborers in a most abundant way.

Fr. John Corapi

More Fr. John Corapi

• Fr. Corapi's Spiritual Advice

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

• Do you have Father Corapi's Free Conversion Story?

• All articles involving Fr. Corapi's

Politicians Beware, Wolves In Sheep Clothing! Your Catholic Sunday Homily

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Catholic Politicians Beware,
Wolves In Sheep Clothing!

Jeremiah was faithful to his call as a prophet. Even though he was very young, God blessed him tremendously. In our reading today from the Old Testament, Jeremiah is in the pit of darkness and despair. Crying out from his heart, he pleads with the Lord to spare him the suffering of being a witness and prophet. Jeremiah says, "all day long I am the object of mocking and laughter." But like any holy and devoted lover of God, he cannot deny his Lord and God. Oh, but for such witnesses today.

It is common place for so called Catholic politicians to deny the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Church publicly, in order to win the esteem and approval of men. Such men are mentioned specifically in the Gospel, Jesus tells us that if we deny Him in public, He will deny knowing us before the Lord. Apostates abound today. They come like wolves in sheep's clothing. Jesus warns us not to be misled by them, especially in the voting booth. Ask for the truth of Jesus Christ to come alive in your heart and soul. Do not follow the ways of the many public apostates today. Know your Catholic faith, and be proud to profess it in Christ Jesus our Lord!

May we each have the strength and courage to put Jesus first in our lives, above worldly ways and materials gains.

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

Bible Stumper Game

TEST YOUR BIBLE SKILLS

Can you find the names of 25 books of the Bible in this paragraph? This is a most remarkable puzzle. Someone found it in the seat pocket on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping himself occupied for hours. One man from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Roy Clark studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Victs mentioned it in her column once. One woman judges the job to be so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help calm her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot… that’s a fact. Some people will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized.

The truth is, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or scholar to see some of them at the worst. Something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have. Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation may help, books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. And punctuation or spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete. Remember, there are 25 books of the Bible lurking somewhere in this paragraph!


Blogger Note: Share this with a friend. We found 24 and are too sleepy to crack the code.

Why Do Prayers Go Unaswered?

So God Is Not Answering Your Prayers?

ST. AUGUSTINE says there are three kinds of people who pray and are not heard and three ways in which they pray.

First, those who pray in a bad state of mind — that is, a state of mortal sin.

There is nothing which turns God from man so much as sin. Man, after being regenerated by baptism, should always have his soul in a state of purity, instead of which he very often has it in a state of sin, thus compelling Almighty God to leave him and go far from him. Therefore, when we pray we should always be in a state of grace.

Secondly, those who pray in an unfit manner — with a heart full of distractions and a mind overwhelmed with the turmoils and affairs of this wicked world.

They may be on their knees — they may be in the temple of the Almighty, but their heart is not there. When this is the case they cannot be heard, neither can God grant them their prayers.

Lastly, those who ask for things which they should not — like things of the world or those which would be injurious to us.

God, Who is all love, has created man for everlasting glory, therefore, how is it possible that He could grant us a petition which would only conduce to our own confusion and injury?

Here is what St. Robert Bellarmine Reveals About Unanswered Prayer

Feel Free To Email This To Friend

Sacrilege, Justice & Mercy; A Old Story About 3 Soldiers

SACRILEGE AND ITS RETRIBUTION

WE have many instances in the history of the Church of the signal way in which God has punished acts of sacrilege and blasphemy, not only when directed immediately against Himself, but also those that have been perpetrated against His Saints and Angels, and above all against His Blessed Mother.

Napoleon Attacks Spain

The following example, which happened in the time of the first Napoleon, is one in which the retributive justice of God was in a special way manifested. It was at the commencement of that disastrous expedition against Spain, which Napoleon undertook for the purpose of setting a member of his own family on the throne.

Three Soldiers Committed Sacrilege

Three French conscripts on their way to join the Emperor's army happened one day to be passing a small country Church in the South of France. Over the door of this Church was an image of the Blessed Mother of God. Such was the depth of irreligion in the hearts of these Napoleon's soldiers, that one of these three proposed they should each have a shot at the holy image. Another of them who was less wicked than the other two, shrinking from such a sacrilegious proposal, tried to dissuade them from their purpose. They, however, only laughed at him for his scruples.

They Shot Our Mother

The first soldier raising his musket, fired, and the ball struck the forehead of the image. The second following his example also fired ; and the ball struck the breast. The third not wishing to fire, but being overcome by human respect and the continued bantering of his comrades, fired with an unsteady hand and turning aside his head as he did so; and his ball struck the image below the knee.

As they continued their journey they expressed their misgivings about their impious exploit. These three men went through the whole of that campaign without a wound: and they were making the best of their way back to France with other stragglers, and were within three days march of their own country, the Guerilla bands hanging in their rear picking off all they could.

Justice Is Mine Says The Lord

That evening, as they were seated around their bivouac fire, a ball whizzed through the air — no one saw from whence it came, and struck the soldier, who had fired first at our Lady's Image in the forehead and killed him on the spot. This caused the other two soldiers to exchange silent but significant looks. That evening, a ball from an invisible hand struck the soldier who had fired second at the Image on his breast and pierced his heart. On the third day, just before arriving at the frontier, a stray ball struck the third soldier who had fired unwillingly at the Image on his leg.

It Was Only A Flesh Wound?

The surgeon on dressing it, pronounced it only a slight flesh wound; but three days after on removing the bandage expecting to find it well-nigh healed, to his surprise found it a terrible wound full of worms. The wounded man reached his own home, and lived for some years after, but the wound in his leg could never be healed ; it was always a frightful running sore which bred worms. Skillful surgeons tried in vain to heal it, and the sufferer visited the different famous mineral springs in France to try to obtain a cure, but equally in vain.

Mercy Prevails

The good Mother of Mercy, however, had pity on him and he became converted, and henceforth lived a Christian life; but be went down to his grave with this mark of God's just, though to him, merciful vengeance for the blasphemous act perpetrated against the Image of His ever Blessed Mother.


Blogger Note: Remember Professor Meyers, "Our Lord Has Been Desecrated!"? Let's pray for God's Mercy.

Sacraments! Gods Generous Life & Grace

From the Desk of Father Mark, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Sacraments! Gods Generous Life & Grace

Summer is quickly drawing to a close. Time seems to going by more quickly these days. Our Gospel reminds us that God's time is on our side. We share sacred time with God everytime we encounter Him in one of the seven sacraments. A SACRAMENT is a sign instituted by Christ to give us His Divine Life and Grace. How generous God is to us. There are "7" sacraments, all mitigate sin and strengthen our Faith.

Holy Eucharist is the sacrament that we all encounter most frequently. Jesus comes to us in His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity each Eucharist. Frequent confession prepares us to receive Him worthily. We have the confirmation in Matthew's Gospel today. Peter received the KEYS to the Kingdom, that unlock the grace for us. "Whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven them..." The Catholic Church is the only Apostolic Church who still practices this belief. If it has been since Christmas or Easter since you have gone to Holy Confession, take some time to do so soon. Jesus waits for us in His Confessional.

May we joyfully return to Our Lord a fair and grateful portion of the many gifts God has given to us.

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

St. Rose of Lima

Writings of St. Rose of Lima

The Beauty of Suffering and Divine Grace:

Our Lord and Savior lifted up his voice and said with incomparable majesty: “Let all men know that grace comes after tribulation. Let them know that without the burden of afflictions it is impossible to reach the height of grace. Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived. This is the only true stairway to paradise, and without the cross they can find no road to climb to heaven”.


When I heard these words, a strong force came upon me and seemed to place me in the middle of a street, so that I might say in a loud voice to people of every age, sex and status: “Hear, O people; hear, O nations. I am warning you about the commandment of Christ by using words that came from his own lips: We cannot obtain grace unless we suffer afflictions.


We must heap trouble upon trouble to attain a deep participation in the divine nature, the glory of the sons of God and perfect happiness of soul”.


That same force strongly urged me to proclaim the beauty of divine grace. It pressed me so that my breath came slow and forced me to sweat and pant. I felt as if my soul could no longer be kept in the prison of the body, but that it had burst its chains and was free and alone and was going very swiftly through the whole world saying:


“If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace, how beautiful, how noble, how precious. How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! Without doubt they would devote all their care and concern to winning for themselves pains and afflictions. All men throughout the world would seek trouble, infirmities and torments, instead of good fortune, in order to attain the unfathomable treasure of grace. This is the reward and the final gain of patience. No one would complain about his cross or about troubles that may happen to him, if he would come to know the scales on which they are weighed when they are distributed to men”.

St. Rose of Lima, pray for us.

4 Things The Modesty Priest Did Right

Shocking Bulletin Post Warns Women About The Dangers of Dressing Immodestly

Imagine the surprise! You're reading the Church bulletin, hoping for donuts after Mass, when you see Fr. John Lyons's weekly address to his parish.

Dear Parishioners,

At this time we most especially need to remind girls and women to not wear immodest low-cut dresses or blouses. Women and girls should be careful that their dress is not revealing at all, even when they bend over or kneel down. Maybe some women do not know that revealing clothing is a source of temptation for most men. If you doubt this, ask a man. If a woman knows that such is the case, and still she would wear such clothing, then she would be committing the sin of scandal.

The full immodesty post is a must read to get the full context. "Immodest Dress; A Priest Cries For Modesty!" This is unheard of in today's age of political correctness. Yet, what breath of fresh air. Upon reviewing Father's immodesty reprimand you see four absolutely must haves when one is called to admonish a sinner.

4 Things Fr. Lyons Did Right To Combat Immodesty

1. He Publicly Took The Light To The Darkness.

   "At this time we most especially need to remind girls and women to not wear immodest low-cut dresses or blouses." When a coach sees a team makes a grave mistake, does he overlook it? Does he pretend the grave mistake is not there? Does he say, "Well, they don't know it is a mistake, so lets focus on something else." No, he doesn't.
   
   This next statement cannot be emphasized enough; a sin in the darkness will always stay in the darkness until light is shed upon it. Until the immodesty issue is publicly addressed this sin of immodesty will thrive in the darkness devouring poor little souls.
   

2. He Used Charity.

   In no way was Father condescending. He eased his is way into the reprimand, relating how similar his role as a Priest is to parenting. Father put us all on common ground. Did you know it is an act of mercy to correct the sinner? Think about it, to admonish a sinner is one of the most charitable things you can do for your neighbor. Did you know being "nice," when rooted in fear, can be a sin?
   

3. He Clearly Defined The Sin.

   Satan hates clear definitions. Don't believe it? Ask a pro-lifer or faithful politician if Satan uses vague words to his advantage. Fr. Lyons simply stated immodesty is anything "revealing at all, even when you bend over or kneel down." That is a clear, simple definition Satan can't tolerate.
   

   
   
4. He Clearly Defined The Why.

   "As Christians, we are not to be followers of society's standards, but the standards of Christ." Have you ever heard the line, similar to "Why are you being such a prude?" That's Satan's line and his worldly standard. God calls us to love and defend modesty and purity. Why? Because Purity is not a something, it is a somebody! God is Purity. To reject purity and accept immodesty is to reject Jesus and accept scandal. Remember, as a temple of the Holy Spirit, you are called to be "perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect."

So there it is. One Priest, took courage and formally told his flock to stop mocking our Eucharistic Lord with scandalous immodest dress. In a world longing for courage, Father John Lyons, Oblates of the Virgin Mary, put his foot down and called his faithful to holiness. May God bless Fr. Lyons, the Modesty Priest.

Related Post On Immodesty

• Immodestly Dressed Mother Comes Out Of The Closet To Reveal All!

Demons Are Real - Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Demons Are Real

Since the end of the Vatican Council ll, the office of exorcism was eliminated from the Ordination Rite of Priests. Before that time, all priests were able to deliver their flock from harmful demons. Now, a priest must go through the local bishop to find an exorcist. Most diocese do not have a resident exorcist. Pope Benedict has called for all diocese to have access to exorcists. This is for the protection of the priests and his people. All diocese are now scrambling to look for an "official exorcist".

In today's Gospel, Jesus was teaching His Holy Apostles that they would be delivering souls from the clutches of the devil. It was essential to have all of the Apostles aware of the reality of the devil. When Jesus encountered a mother who's daughter was possessed with the demons, He approached her with great compassion. The young girl was delivered form all evil at a distance, simply through intercession. It was the strength of her mother's faith that healed her daughter. Never underestimate the power of your prayer. Pray always!!

For all those who make great sacrifices to bring generous contributions to God's Altar.

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

Happy 474 Birthday Jesuits

On August 15, in 1534, St. Ignatius and his First Companions; Peter Faber, Francis Xavier, James Lainez, Alonso Salmerón, Nicolas Bobadilla, Simon Rodriquez, Claude Le Jay, Jean Codure, and Paschase Brouet with a desire to dwell in the Holy Land imitating the life of Christ, they first made vows of poverty and chastity in the lower chapel, of the Chapelle des Matrye (Chapel of St. Denis), Montmartre, Paris. Designated by St. Ignatius of Loyola as "The Company of Jesus" translated into Latin as "Societas Jesu", hence the name "The Society of Jesus".

The Jesuits are religious order of Catholic priests, brothers, scholastics and novices. Today, 474 years later, 20,000 men through out the world continue the work started by their founder St. Ignatius of Loyola, they are a member of a Society founded chiefly for this purpose: to strive especially for the defense and propagation of the faith and for the progress of souls in Christian life and doctrine, by means of public preaching, lectures, and any other ministration whatsoever of the word of God and further by means of the Spiritual Exercises, the education of children and unlettered persons in Christianity and the spiritual consolation of Christ's faithful through hearing confessions and administering the other sacraments.... (From the Formula of the Institute)

Recommended Jesuit Book

Ignatius of Loyola

Jesuit links of interest.
The Jesuit Portal
The Life of St. Ignatius
A History of the Society of Jesus
The Spiritual Exercises
Various Ignatian Prayers and Reflections

Post attributed to Joseph Fromm - Good Jesuit; Bad Jesuit

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - Your Perfect Mother

From the Desk of Father Mark, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Mary, Untouched By Corruption

Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, was assumed body and soul into Heaven upon Her death. Unlike her sinful children, whose bodies corrupt after death; She remained untouched by corruption. This is a mystical gift. It was bestowed upon Her by God the Father Himself. As the New Ark of the Covenant, She became the first "tabernacle" of the Word made Flesh. What a great gift we have in Our Lady.

When we honor Her Assumption into Heaven, we honor God the Father Himself. He is the giver of all that is good and holy. God points to Her as the incorrupt vessel of grace, the THEOTOKOS, our God bearer. What great LOVE the Father shows to us through our Mother in Heaven. Come honor the Father this Holy Day. Pray in thanksgiving for all the graces poured forth through the merciful and maternal heart of Mary, our Mother in Heaven. May God the Father always be praised!

May we always give thanks to God, Our Father, for Mary our Mother in Heaven...God be Praised!!

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

To Admonish A Sinner - A Spiritual Work of Mercy

Admonishing A Sinner;
The Forgotten Act of Mercy

Admonishing the sinner mean's the admonishing of one's neighbor by a private individual with the purpose of reforming him or, if possible, preventing his sinful indulgence. This is clearly distinguishable from an official disciplining, whose mouthpiece is a judge or other like superior, whose object is the punishment of one found to be guilty, and whose motive is not so directly the individual advantage of the offender as the furtherance of the common good. That there is, upon occasion and with due regard to circumstances, an obligation to administer fraternal correction there can be no doubt. This is a conclusion not only deducible from the natural law binding us to love and to assist one another, but also explicitly contained in positive precept such as the inculcation of Christ: "If thy brother shall offend against thee, go, and rebuke him between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou shalt gain thy brother" (Matthew 18:15). Given a sufficiently grave condition of spiritual distress calling for succour in this way, this commandment may exact fulfilment under pain of mortal sin. This is reckoned to be so only when

• The delinquency to be corrected or prevented is a grievous one
• There is no good reason to believe that the sinner will adequately provide for himself
• There is a well-founded expectation that the admonition will be heeded
• There is no one else just as well fitted for this work of Christian charity and likely to undertake it
• There is no special trouble or disadvantage accruing to the reformer as a result of his zeal.
  

Practically, however, individuals without any official capacity are seldom impeachable as having seriously transgressed the law in this matter because it is but rarely one finds the coalition of circumstances just enumerated.

Of course the reproof is to be administered privately, i.e. directly to the delinquent and not in the presence of others. This is plainly the method appointed by Christ in the words just cited and only as a remedy for obduracy is any other contemplated by Him. Still there are occasions upon which one might lawfully proceed in a different way. For instance

• When the offense is a public one
• When it makes for the prejudice of a third party or perhaps even the entire community
• When it can only be condignly dealt with by the authority of a superior paternally exercised
• When a public rebuke is necessary to preclude scandal: witness the withstanding of Peter by Paul mentioned in the Epistle to the Galatians (2:11-14);
• When the offender has already in advance relinquished whatever right he possessed to have his good name safeguarded, as is the custom in some religious bodies.
  

The obligation of admonishing the sinner , so far as private persons go, does not obtain, generally speaking, for the case of one who violates a law through invincible ignorance. The obvious reason is that there is then no immunity for it is their duty to instruct their subordinates. Every one, however, whether having an official competency or not, is bound to give the admonition when the sin, committed though it be from ignorance, is hurtful to the offender or a third party or is the occasion of scandal.

Admonishing the Sinner; J. Delaney from the Catholic Encyclopedia, edited by John Michael

Confessions From An Immodest Mother

Immodestly Dressed Mother Comes Out Of The Closet To Reveal All!

A Mother Is Shocked To Realize The Hidden Evils Attached To Immodesty! Read Her Amazing Story As She Charitably Relates The Struggles Of Overcoming Immodesty...

Dear John Michael,

I think you are right modesty is the lost virtue. But speaking as a woman who did not see this problem until a few years ago in regards to myself and my adolescent girls, I must tell you that women and girls simply do not see it most of the time.

Sometimes We Dress Immodesty Because Of Convenience

We wear what we are told looks good, what is comfortable, what is available on the racks and what our friends are wearing. From experience I know it helps to have "rules"...the neckline no lower than x; the hemline no higher than y; the straps no thinner than w (if straps are allowed at all, or if sleeves of three-quarter length only, or if cap sleeves are allowed, or short sleeves.....I tell you. People have many different criteria for what is modest.

Teaching What Is Immodest Is The Key

It seems silly, but the knowledge of such things is just not widely taught anymore. And when you start to figure things out (for me, it was my husband's insistence and most women will not listen to their husband on these matters in this feminist society) it was still a process and took some time to develop sensibilities, learning from loving, caring and not harsh, judgmental women, who wanted to help and knew that it could be a struggle.

Remember To Praise To The Lord

Please don't think women are doing this intentionally, at least most of the time. Forgive us for our bad judgement. When all else seems to fail, follow Archbishop Fulton Sheen and praise God for the beauty and dignity of women. We have been conditioned (and created too) to be pleasing to the eye, and we can be still beautiful when modest, actually we are the most beautiful then, of course. But the line gets fuzzy between modest and immodest dress sometimes, especially when we are in the learning stage.

Sincerely,
Anonymous

The Post That Started It All

• Immodest Dress, "A Priest Cries For Modesty!"

Here She Is, Gianna Clare!

God Is Good

Ps.127
[5] Happy is the man who has
his quiver full of them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Immodest Dress, "A Priest Cries For Modesty!"

Priest Known To Refuse
Holy Communion To Immodestly
Dressed Women

"When I showed the article to the Pastor, he told me to be more charitable. So, you are getting the friendly version." Father John Lyons, OMV

Parents are often obliged to correct their children over
and over again - about the same thing. They would
really prefer not to have to do it, but if they didn’t they
would be guilty of sinning by omission. Priests feel the
same way. One of the things that we often have to
correct people about is the use of immodest clothing.

Dressing Immodestly Is A Sin

At this time we most especially need to remind girls
and women to not wear immodest low-cut dresses or blouses.
Women and girls should be careful that their dress is
not revealing at all, even when they bend over or kneel
down. Maybe some women do not know that revealing
clothing is a source of temptation for most men. If you
doubt this, ask a man. If a woman knows that such is
the case, and still she would wear such clothing, then she
would be committing the sin of scandal.

Immodesty Is Wrong At All Ages

Unfortunately, even some older women of otherwise
upright character, even daily communicants, sometimes
wear such revealing clothing. Maybe they think that
they’re beyond the age of posing a temptation (and
maybe they are). However, they are giving bad
example to others - most notably their own daughters
and grandchildren. They, too, are committing scandal.
Those who see them will think: “She’s a good Catholic,
and she wears revealing clothing. It must be okay.”

Immodesty Does Not Fit God's Standards

Someone might argue that the wearing of revealing
clothing now meets with society's standards. It may
indeed meet with society's standards; however, we can
safely say that it does not meet with God’s. As
Christians, we are not to be followers of society's
standards, but the standards of Christ. We urge every
woman to examine her wardrobe (and that of her minor
children if she has any), and get rid of all clothing that
is immodest unless it can be adapted to be worn
modestly.

What Would Mary Do?

If a woman has doubts about the modest use of a
particular article of clothing, it may be helpful to ask
herself if our Blessed Mother would wear such clothing
if she lived in this day and age. Or, to ask herself if our
Blessed Mother would be pleased with her wearing the
article of clothing in question.

Let It Be Known

We suggest that you cut out this bulletin article, make
copies of it, and give it to women and girls who need to
hear this message. Even give or send the article
anonymously, if necessary. Those who desire to do
what is right will take the correction to heart and put it
into practice.

"Immodestly Dressing"

By Father John Lyons
Headlines by John Michael
St. Peter Chanel Church Bulletin, California

Related Post on Immodest Dress

• Confessions From An Immodest Mother

What are the four things Fr. Lyons did right when addressing the immodesty issue.

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Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Desk of Father Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

He Feeds Us Body & Soul

Satisfaction is often equated with being filled up. But today's Gospel addresses a different kind of satisfaction. When Jesus multiplied the "loaves and the fish", He did so to manifest the Power of God the Father in Him. All power, all glory, all satisfaction comes from the hand of the Father in Heaven. Jesus understood this, His Apostles did not. They had yet to come to know the "divinity" of our Lord. Even after the Transfiguration, the Apostles struggled with the mystery of the Divine Godhead. Those fed with the loaves and the fishes had been satiated in body.

Jesus longed to satisfy both body and soul. Since God created us both in the flesh, and in the spirit, He desires to feed both as well. Each day He gives us our "daily bread"; on our tables at home, and on the sacred altars in our Churches. Jesus continues to multiply Himself daily to feed us. We may not have been with the thousands when they witnessed the multiplication of the loaves and fish; but each day we can witness the miracle of Jesus making Himself manifest on all of the Catholic altars of the world. Jesus pours Himself out for us Body and Blood, soul and divinity daily...Thanks be to God!

May we learn to know the difference between what is necessary and what is not necessary in our life.

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

It's A Girl

We have a baby!

Introducing Gianna Clare
July 31st, feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola
9:01 A.M.

Ps.9:1 "I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will tell of all thy wonderful deeds."

7 pounds 12 ounces
19 inches long
Thick dark hair, already starting to curl
Momma & Baby are doing great.

Stay tuned for pictures.