Tuesday, June 20, 2006
What is the Chicago Tribune thinking???

 
The Chicago Tribune has published a shocking article on our faith in France.

Here is part of it:
In France and in almost every other European country, Christianity appears to be in a free fall. Although up to 88 percent of the French identify themselves as Roman Catholic, only about 5 percent go to church on most Sundays; 60 percent say they "never" or "practically never" go.

But Islam is a thriving force. The 12 million to 15 million Muslims who live in Europe make up less than 5 percent of the total population, but the vitality of their faith has led some experts to predict that Islam will become the continent's dominant faith.

...

"Mass is boring," said Odon Vallet, a religion professor at the Sorbonne. "The ceremony isn't very beautiful; the music is bad; the sermon is uninteresting. Mass is for people who have nothing else to do on a Sunday--no sports, no hobbies, no shopping, no entertainment."

I guess Mr. Vallet has not been to a Mass in a long time because when I go I witness bread and wine become Jesus Christ. I watch the greatest of all miracles and commemorate the Sacrifice on the Cross. I take part in a event were souls are released from purgatory and graces pour forth like rays of light from the sun. I go there to receive the King of Heaven and earth. Mr. Vallet has no idea at all what he is talking about.

My priest gives excellent homilies usually. The music can also be so invigorating at some parishes like St. John Cantius in Chicago. And Paris is home to the beautiful St. Nicholas Parish.

I think it horrible that France, which was nearly destroyed in World War II, has forgotten that without God they would not be here today. It is horrible that people of there do not appreciate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
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MyCatholic.com Fundraiser


Update: Last I checked, they are at $143 of a goal of $2,000. They do such great services. Please consider donating anything to help them.

If you don't use it, I highly recommend you use MyCatholic.com. It is a customizable Catholic homepage that allows users include news RSS feeds and feeds from numerous blogs including this very own blog. By adding the feeds, you can view the most recent titles from your favorite blogs and click on them to read. You also can add Mass Readings, a Saint for the Day section, local weather, one-minute meditations, and much more information.

Right now, MyCatholic is having their semi-annual fundraiser from June 14-23. The site goes well out of its way to offer numerous services to its users. Please support them as they hope to reach their modest $2,000 goal.

Image Source: Used with Permission
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Corpus Christi in Rome (2006)

Last Thursday most of the world celebrated Corpus Christi, and Pope Benedict XVI led a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Rome following an open air Mass at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Here are pictures from that solemn procession and the Mass.


(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)


(AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito)
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Words of Inspiration: June 20, 2006

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen:

“Jesus fed bread to the multitudes in the desert. Having fed the hungry masses, they ‘sought to make Him king’ (John 6: 15). It is ever in the human heart, when it loses its love of the spiritual, to worship those who promise full stomachs or economic power. They wished to make Jesus king in opposition to all the kings of the earth; instead of surrendering themselves to Him and His sublime doctrine about sin and redemption, they willed to have Him submit to them. They did not want to be drawn up to Him, but to draw Him down to them. However sincere and enthusiastic they were, they were, nevertheless, bent on pulling Divinity down to the level of the human.”

My children, we can never prepare ourselves too much for Holy Communion (St. Padre Pio).

"This Sacrament being a mystery of faith, we must believe firmly that Jesus Christ is really present in the Holy Eucharist, and that He is living and glorious there as in heaven" (St. John Vianney).

Image Source: The Tridentine Mass: A Picture Essay
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Monday, June 19, 2006
Video on Eucharistic Processions

Grassroots Films, the same company that created Fishers of Men, has another new video - this one on Eucharistic processions.

Image Source: Believed to be in the Public Domain
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Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba in an Auto Accident

Please pray for Auxiliary Bishop Richard Sklba of the Milwaukee Roman Catholic Archdiocese. He was in a car accident yesterday shortly after 1 PM. Retired Deacon John Wargin, 68, was driving and later died at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac. Please pray for his soul.
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Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help: Day Two

This is the second day of the Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help. This Novena is prayed for leading up to the feast on June 27.

Here is a novena prayer from a booklet of mine called Novena:

See at your feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help, a poor sinner who has recourse to you and confides in you.

O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me! You are called the refuge and the hope of sinners; be my refuge and my hope. Help me, for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth your hand to a poor, fallen creature. I recommend myself to you, and I want to devote myself to your service forever. I bless and thank almighty God, who is his mercy has given me this confidence in you, which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation.

(Mention your request)

Mary, help me. Mother of Perpetual Help, never allow me to lose my God.

(Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times each)
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A Meditation from St. Teresa of Avila

"Christ has no body now but yours No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world, Christ has no body now on earth but yours" St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)
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Sunday, June 18, 2006
Novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help

This Novena starts today and is prayed for the next nine days leading up to the feast on June 27.

Here is a novena prayer from a booklet of mine called Novena:

See at your feet, O Mother of Perpetual Help, a poor sinner who has recourse to you and confides in you.

O Mother of Mercy, have pity on me! You are called the refuge and the hope of sinners; be my refuge and my hope. Help me, for the love of Jesus Christ; stretch forth your hand to a poor, fallen creature. I recommend myself to you, and I want to devote myself to your service forever. I bless and thank almighty God, who is his mercy has given me this confidence in you, which I hold to be a pledge of my eternal salvation.

Mention your request

Mary, help me. Mother of Perpetual Help, never allow me to lose my God.

(Recite the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be three times each)
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Louisiana Abortion Trigger Ban Becomes Law

Trigger Laws: An Overview

There are now 7 states with such trigger laws in effect that will ban abortion-on-demand as soon as Roe v. Wade is overturned. They are Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, and Utah.

Louisiana Trigger Law:

Louisiana Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco has signed a bill into law in June 2006 that will criminalize abortion AFTER Roe v. Wade is overturned. This new law is known as a trigger law in that it will only take effect after Roe v. Wade is already overturned by the Supreme Court. The law would ban abortions in all cases except to save the life of the mother. South Dakota passed a similiar law in March 2006 except it was to become law immediately; it was not a trigger ban. That law is currently hanging in the balance and awaiting a vote by South Dakota citizens this fall. We need to pray for it's success.

Photo: (Lee Celano/Reuters)
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