John Quinn Short Bio - St. Bellarmine Blogger

Finally, A New Little Book
by St. Robert Bellarmine
Revealing His True Love Our Lady
and Her Weapon, the Rosary.

Announcing a New Book By St. Robert Bellarmine taken from a meditation about the Our Lady's Weapon, the Rosary.

With This Weapon!
The Hidden Secrets of the Rosary
by St. Robert Bellarmine

About the editor, John Quinn;

John Quinn is a happy father with his hands full raising and home schooling four children all being under the age of six. (Thank God for a wonderful wife.) Wanting to encourage devotion to their family patron, St. Aloysius Gonzaga, he found that St. Aloysius did not write anything. However; St. Aloysius’s, spiritual director and biographer, St. Robert Bellarmine wrote more books than the average person reads in a life time.

Virtually all of his books are out of print, written in Latin or can’t be found. This Doctor of the Church is a hidden gem needing to be exposed. So, in thanksgiving for all graces received through St. Aloysius’s intercession, he started a blog named "St. Robert Bellarmine: Controversies & Secrets. . .".

The purpose of the blog is three fold.

1. To spread devotion to St. Robert Bellarmine. Click here for over forty articles posted about Saint Robert Bellarmine
2. To challenge all Catholics to live a life of holiness.
3. To encourage love and obedience to the Holy Catholic Church.
   

The blog’s success has been very humbling. Having articles featured in great sites like LifeSiteNews, SpiritDaily, New Advent, Creative Minority Report, Good Jesuit; Bad Jesuit, Catholic Dads Blog, Some Have Hats, PewSitter, Catholic Report, etc…

To get a free copy of the short book you must sign up for the free e-book located at the top right of this sight. Clearly labeled "Get Your Free Rosary E-book!"

Fr. Corapi Calls Us To Arms

Fr. Corapi Calls for Novena:

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta urged us to understand: “But I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing, direct murder by the mother herself.”

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception. This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.


May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience.


Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.


God Bless You



Fr. John Corapi

HR - Mary’s Anawim

CA Prop 8 Defends The Sanctity Of Marriage

Please pray for CA as they are in a huge battle to defend the sanctity of Marriage. This will have a rolling affect to other states.

When will Catholics stand up?

They Kicked Me Out Of Seminary School

Learning about the troubles honest seminarians went through really takes one by surprise. There is much more deception within the priesthood than we really like admit. This election is really a sign on how deep that deception is. Of course there are many priest not living in lies, but fear.

Dear God, grant a new fire of courageous truth to flood your priest and seminarians.
Amen.

Read this story of one person's struggles in Seminary School.

"My own experience of Seminary mirrors what I am sure others went through. Managing to finish the Minor Seminary, I interviewed for the Major Seminary, but encountered many obstacles that my brother seminarians who were of a particular liturgical bend did not have. When asking about learning Latin, I eventually had to learn what little I could on my own. Even there were priests who were trained in Latin, and taught it before, you could not loose a Latin word from their lips. Learning Latin, and certainly trying to learn of our patrimony in the form of the Traditional Mass was verboten. Our vocations director at the time was a good man for the most part, but would not but in a good word for you if some one on the screening committee determined that one was not “keeping up with the Church in the Modern age.”

I would have like to have learned if I could further discern my vocation through the process, but any hope of at least having the opportunity to do so was squashed by the screening committee, not by voting and saying I was unfit, but by reports of “immaturity,and perhaps unable to work with women.” That report went to the Vocations Director, and despite his knowing me and my family for several years beforehand, he did not challenge it. And I was not recommend to continue on to the Major Seminary.

I pray that my children have a vocation to the religious life and thank the Lord that now we can look at Traditional orders through such venues as the Internet. My vocation was killed, I pray that perhaps my children will look to orders such as the Royal Heart of Jesus, the Institute of Christ the King, or the FSSP."

Comment by Un Mexicano Tradicional

This is a comment made on Father Z blog. My reactions to this post is A Battle for the Seminarians Soul.

Family Funny

So we are eating sugary baked pears after supper. John Paul (2) still prefers his hands as eating utensils. The dessert was a big hit and little John Paul finished with very sticky hands. Giving him a wet rag I said,

"John Paul, wash your hands."

He obeyed quickly, but not thoroughly.

"John Paul, wash the back of your hands."

A little confused, he takes his hands and the rag behind his back to finish washing them.



______________

Want more family funnies?

What are your family funny moments?

Life is The Foundation

Without Life We Build Our House On The Sand.



Stand up America!

Vote in accord with the authentic teachings of the Church.

Overcoming The Capital Sins

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, on the Capital Sins

Method.

With regard to the Seven Capital Sins, after Additional Direction, the preparatory prayer should be made in the way prescribed, but with the modification that the object is the sins to be avoided, whereas before, it was the Commandments to be observed. In like manner the method prescribed, the regulation of the time, and the colloquy observed.


Note.

In order to understand better the faults committed that come under the Seven Capital Sins, let the contrary virtues be considered. See also, the better to avoid these sins, one should resolve to endeavor by devout exercises to acquire and retain the seven virtues contrary to them

How many are my inequities and sins? Make me know my crimes and offences.
Job xiii, 23

Pride conquered by humility.

For your power, O Lord, is not in a multitude, nor is your pleasure in the strength of horses, nor from the beginning have the proud been acceptable to you: but the prayer of the humble and meek have always pleased you. Judith ix, 16

For thou lightest my lamp, O Lord: O my God, enlighten my darkness Psalm xvii. 29

O God of the Heavens, creator of the waters, and lord of the whole creation, hear me a poor wretch, making supplications to you, and presuming of your mercy. Judith ix, 17


Greed conquered by generosity

A covetous man shall not be satisfied with money: and he that loves riches shall reap no fruit from them: so this also is vanity. Eccles v, 9

Show, O Lord, thy ways to me, teach me thy paths. Direct me in thy truth, and teach me; for thou art God, my Savior; and on thee have I waited all the day long. Psalms xxiv. 4, 5

Now this I say: He who soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly: And he who soweth in blessings. Every one as he has determined in his heart, not with sadness, or of necessity: or God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians ix, 6, 7


Envy conquered by love

For God created man incorruptible and to the image of his own likeness he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death came into this world: and they who follow him are of his side. Wisdom ii, 23 – 25

Send forth thy light and thy truth, they have conducted me, and brought me unto the holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.Psalms xlii. 3

For God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son; that who so ever believes in him, may not parish, but have life everlasting. John iii, 16


Anger conquered by kindness

Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger…

Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamor, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice.Ephesians iv,26, 31

Consider, and hear me, O Lord my God. Enlighten my eyes, that I never sleep in death: Lest at any time my enemy say: I have prevailed against him. Psalm xii. 29

And be kind to one another; merciful, forgiving of one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ. Ephesians iv, 32


Lust conquered by self - control

Let us walk honestly in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and impurities, not in contention and envy: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh in its concupiscence’s.Romans xiii. 13, 14

Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee… Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. Psalms cxlii 8, 10

For you have done manfully, and your heart has been strengthened, because you have loved chastity…: Therefore also the hand of the Lord hath strengthened you, and therefore you shall be blessed for ever. Judith xv, 11


Gluttony conquered by temperance

Are you set at a great table? Be not first to open your mouth upon it. Say not: There are many things which are upon it…. Stretch not out your hand first, lest being disgraced with envy, you be put into confusion. Be not hasty at a feast… Use as a frugal man the things that are set before you: lest if thou eat too much, you will be hated. Leave off first, for manners sake and exceed not, lest you offend. And if you are seated among many, reach not your hand out first of all: and be not the first to ask for drink. Ecclus xxxi, 12, 13, 16, 17, 19-21

And Jesus standing, commanded him to be brought unto him. And when he was come near, he asked him, Saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. Luke xviii 40, 41

The meadows are open and the green herbs have appeared, and the hay is gathered out of the mountains. Lambs are from your clothing: and kids for the price of the field.

Let the milk of the goats be enough for your food, and for the necessities of your house, and for maintence for your handmaids. Proverbs xxvii 25, 26, 27


Sloth conquered by zeal

I passed by the field of the slothful man, and by the vineyard of the foolish man: and behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face there of, and the stone wall was broken down. Which when I had seen, I laid it up in my heart, and by example, I received instruction. You will sleep a little, said I, you will slumber a little, said I, you will fold your hands to rest: and poverty shall over come to your as a runner, and beggary as an armed man. Proverbs xxiv. 30-34

May God have mercy on us, and bless us: may he cause the light of his countance to shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. That we may know thy ways upon earth; thy salvation in all nations. Psalm lxxvi 2, 3

But I most gladly will spend and be spent myself for your souls; although loving you more, I be loved less.2 Corinthians xii, 15

The 6 Sins against the Holy Ghost

1. Presumption
2. Despair
3. Resisting the known truth
4. Envy of another’s spiritual good
5. Obstinacy in sin
6. Final impenitence
   

The 9 Ways We Participate in Others’ Sins

1. By counsel
2. By command
3. By consents
4. By provocation
5. By praise or flattery
6. By concealment
7. By partaking
8. By silence
9. By defense of the ill done
   

3 Conditions for Mortal Sin

• Grave matter
  

• Full knowledge
  

• Deliberate consent

HT to Joseph, Good Jesuit, Bad Jesuit

Without God's Mercy, We Would All Be Toast!

My Dear People,

Without God's Mercy, We Would All Be Toast!

What do we truly OWE Our Lord? This is a question that Jesus answers in the Gospel today. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's...give to God what is God's." Jesus made it very clear. We have both temporal and spiritual responsibilities. By God's permissive will, He has given temporal authority to our civil leaders. It is a Divine gift. As God's representatives, these civil authorities, have limited authority over us. Hence, when taxes are levied (federal, state and social security), we must pay them. We owe this to Caesar.

By the same token, we also owe God as well. He has not limited, but "supreme" authority over us as our Creator. All that we have and are belongs to God Himself. That is why at the very end of our lives, we must file a complete "life report" to our God. Jesus reminds us of this throughout the Gospel. Of the four last things: death, judgment, Heaven and Hell, we experience two JUDGMENTS by Our Lord. First, we experience personal judgment. Secondly, we experience general judgment. Nothing get past Our Good Lord. He knows and sees all things. That is why it is so important to plead His Divine Mercy over us. Without God's Mercy, flowing from the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we would all be TOAST. No one could survive either judgment. So, live in God's truth and love. Plead His Mercy upon you every single day.. and trust in HIM!

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

St. Robert Bellarmine On The Spiritual Exercises

Want to know the keys to having a joy filled life? St. Bellarmine has the answer. Take a minute to listen, it is worth it.

Thanks Father Joseph Rutchik

Apostleship of Prayer

Purgatory - Part of God's Divine Mercy

My Dear People,

Purgatory - Part of God's Divine Mercy

We continue with the Kingdom parables this Sunday in our Gospel. Matthew presents us with the wedding feast motif. The Father has prepared a great banquet for his guests. In doing so, He expects us to be ready to celebrate with Him. He has dispatched his angels to gather the elect. All have been invited to the feast. But some have completely ignored the invitation. Some were to busy with everyday affairs. Others abused and murdered his servants. Afterwards God told His servants to out into the highways and byways to gather His guest. The only requirements God expects from us, is that we arrive properly disposed (properly dressed).

One such guest was not and cast into the darkness outside the banquet hall. There was much suffering and remorse. The suffering was not imposed by the Father, but was experienced by the son who had wasted his time with things not preparing his entrance into the Kingdom. This great Divine Mercy is called Purgatory. Our hearts, minds, and souls must be purified and cleansed of all darkness and sin before we can live in God's Holy Light. Even venial sin must be removed before entering into Heaven. That is why it is so essential to sacrifice and pray for the dead, especially in our own families. Without our prayers and offerings, they continue to wail and agonize in the fires of Purgatory. Next moth we celebrate All Souls Day. Pray daily and often for the repose of all souls who have died. It is a great act of Mercy!

May we as good stewards, learn to recognize the difference between what we need and what we want, trusting that God will always give us all that we need.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

The Battle For the Seminarians Soul

Once upon a time, good faithful seminarians were either expelled from seminaries or lived hiding their Orthodox beliefs. Fr. Mark, Your Catholic Sunday Homily, said many times while teaching.

"Mom, I don't know what these people are teaching me? I am sticking with the Catholic Church you taught me."

The other statement was.

"When I was ordained and took the vow of obedience, I had to disobey everything I was taught in seminary."

Do you have a hippie aged priest? Pray for them. I can only imagine how bad I would have turned out being authoritatively taught a false gospel. Here is what Father Z had to say about his seminary life.

"This is certainly the case in the USA as well. The seminary I was in the US was a hell-hole of heresy and sheer dopiness. But then the student body began to shift. The faculty simply couldn’t throw that many guys out, and word was getting back to bishops about how bad things were there. Slowly but surely the student body changed the seminary, and eventually the bishop made some changes as well, good ones. Now that seminary is for the most part sound. The aging hippies now openly lament the loss of their 60’s dreams and mutter gloomy warnings about how "conserrrrrvativvvve" the seminarians now are."

Scary stuff. But the tide is changing. Father Groeschel, EWTN Priest, said in a recent poll of people entering the religious life, 98% are looking for Orthodox orders.

Praise the Lord!

Let us renew our commitment to pray for our priest and religious.

May God have Mercy on us.

• Related UK article on the changing tide with our seminaries.

The Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary

Your Catholic Sunday Homily Minute - 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

My Dear People,

Pray the Rosary Daily!

October a traditional month dedicated to the Blessed Mother. On the seventh day of the month, we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. This day marks a Marian Miracle which protected the Church from being overtaken by Her enemy. Even though the great odds were against the papal supported army, the enemy was crushed, and the Church survived another great trial. This was due to Our Lady's intercession.

If you fallen out of the habit of praying your daily rosary, make a resolution to start October 1st. Ask Mary our Mother in Heaven, to crush the enemy in your own family. Together with St. Michael, they are an unbeatable team. It is the moral obligation of all Fathers to lead their spouses and children unto the Lord. SO ATTENTION ALL DADS AND GRANDPA'S.... you set the example for the whole family and pray the Most Holy Rosary with your spouses and children. In this time of chastisement in our country. ALL dad's need to lead their families into the way of God's PEACE. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

May we find joy in faithfully and generously giving our time, talent and treasure to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Entrusting you to the care of Our Lady,

Fr. Mark

• The Miracles Of The Rosary

• The Virgin Mary, The Fastest Road To Jesus

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

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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