Keep
your eyes open!...
June 30, 2010
(Mat 16:16-18) Simon
Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.
And Jesus answering said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona:
because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who
is in heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this
rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
HEADLINE: Pope Benedict XVI to 're-evangelise' West
The Pope yesterday announced he is to create a new Vatican office to fight secularisation and "re-evangelise" the West.
This was a tacit acknowledgment that his attempts to reinvigorate
Christianity in Europe have not succeeded and need a new boost.
He said parts of the world were still missionary territory, where the
Catholic Church was relatively unknown. But in other parts of the
world, such as Europe, Christianity had existed for centuries yet "the
process of secularisation has produced a serious crisis of the sense of
the Christian faith and role of the church".
The new pontifical council, he said, would "promote a renewed
evangelisation" in countries where the church has long existed "but
which are living a progressive secularisation of society and a sort of
'eclipse of the sense of God'."
ON THE MASS
Archbishop Chaput: Liturgical renewal should create martyrs' love for the Mass
Catholics to see bit of old in new Mass
Are You Ready for a "High Tech" Liturgy?
VIA Frank Rega: Comportment at Holy Mass and Afterwards- A Letter from St. Padre Pio to Annita Rodote Pietrelcina, July 25, 1915
Beloved daughter of Jesus, May Jesus and our Mother always smile on
your soul, obtaining for it, from Her most holy Son, all the heavenly
charisms!
I am writing to you for two reasons: to answer some more questions from
your last letter, and to wish you a very happy names-day in the most
sweet Jesus, full of all the most special heavenly graces. Oh! If Jesus
granted my prayers for you or, better still, if only my prayers were
worthy of being granted by Jesus! However, I increase them a
hundredfold for your consolation and salvation, begging Jesus to grant
them, not for me but through the heart of his paternal goodness and
infinite mercy. In order to avoid irreverence and imperfections in the
house of God, in church - which the divine Master calls the house of
prayer - I exhort you in the Lord to practice the following.
Enter the church in silence and with great respect, considering
yourself unworthy to appear before the Lord's Majesty. Amongst other
pious considerations, remember that our soul is the temple of God and,
as such, we must keep it pure and spotless before God and his angels.
Let us blush for having given access to the devil and his snares many
times (with his enticements to the world, his pomp, his calling to the
flesh) by not being able to keep our hearts pure and our bodies chaste;
for having allowed our enemies to insinuate themselves into our hearts,
thus desecrating the temple of God which we became through holy Baptism.
Then take holy water and make the sign of the cross carefully and slowly.
As soon as you are before God in the Blessed Sacrament, devoutly
genuflect. Once you have found your place, kneel down and render the
tribute of your presence and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament. Confide all your needs to him along with those of others.
Speak to him with filial abandonment, give free rein to your heart and
give him complete freedom to work in you as he thinks best.
When assisting at Holy Mass and the sacred functions, be very composed
when standing up, kneeling down, and sitting, and carry out every
religious act with the greatest devotion. Be modest in your glances;
don't turn your head here and there to see who enters and leaves. Don't
laugh, out of reverence for this holy place and also out of respect for
those who are near you. Try not to speak to anybody, except when
charity or strict necessity requests this.
If you pray with others, say the words of the prayer distinctly, observe the pauses well and never hurry.
In short, behave in such a way that all present are edified by it and,
through you, are urged to glorify and love the heavenly Father.
On leaving the church, you should be recollected and calm. Firstly take
your leave of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; ask his forgiveness for
the shortcomings committed in his divine presence and do not leave him
without asking for and having received his paternal blessing.
Once you are outside the church, be as every follower of the Nazarene
should be. Above all, be extremely modest in everything, as this is the
virtue which, more than any other, reveals the affections of the heart.
Nothing represents an object more faithfully or clearly than a mirror.
In the same way, nothing more widely represents the good or bad
qualities of a soul than the greater or lesser regulation of the
exterior, as when one appears more or less modest. You must be modest
in speech, modest in laughter, modest in your bearing, modest in
walking. All this must be practiced, not out of vanity in order to
display one's self, nor out of hypocrisy in order to appear to be good
to the eyes of others, but rather, for the internal virtue of modesty,
which regulates the external workings of the body.
Therefore, be humble of heart, circumspect in words, prudent in your
resolutions. Always be sparing in your speech, assiduous in good
reading, attentive in your work, modest in your conversation. Don't be
disgusting to anybody but be benevolent towards all and respectful
towards your elders. May any sinister glance be far from you, may no
daring word escape your lips, may you never carry out any immodest or
somewhat free action; never a rather free action or a petulant tone of
voice.
In short let your whole exterior be a vivid image of the composure of your soul.
Always keep the modesty of the divine Master before your eyes, as an
example; this Master who, according to the words of the Apostle to the
Corinthians, placing the modesty of Jesus Christ on an equal footing
with meekness, which was his one particular virtue and almost his
characteristic: "Now I Paul myself beseech you, by the mildness and
modesty of Christ" [Douay-Rheims, 2 Cor. 10:1], and according to such a
perfect model reform all your external operations, which should be
faithful reflections revealing the affections of your interior.
Never forget this divine model, Annita. Try to see a certain lovable
majesty in his presence, a certain pleasant authority in his manner of
speaking, a certain pleasant dignity in walking, in contemplating,
speaking, conversing; a certain sweet serenity of face. Imagine that
extremely composed and sweet expression with which he drew the crowds,
making them leave cities and castles, leading them to the mountains,
the forests, to the solitude and deserted beaches of the sea, totally
forgetting food, drink and their domestic duties.
Thus let us try to imitate, as far as we possibly can, such modest and
dignified actions. And let us do our utmost to be, as far as possible,
similar to him on this earth, in order that we might be more perfect
and more similar to him for the whole of eternity in the heavenly
Jerusalem.
I end here as I am unable to continue, recommending that you never
forget me before Jesus, especially during these days of extreme
affliction for me. I expect the same charity from the excellent
Francesca to whom you will have the kindness to give, in my name,
assurances of my extreme interest in seeing her grow always more in
divine love. I hope she will do me the charity of making a novena of
Communions for my intentions.
Don't worry if you are unable to answer my letter for the moment. I know everything so don't worry.
I take my leave of you in the holy kiss of the Lord. I am always your servant.
Fra Pio, Capuchin
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
61. No one, I think, would doubt that the demons
and passions leave the soul either for a time or entirely; but few know
the reasons why they go away from us.
June 29, 2010
(Eph
4:11-12) And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some
evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: For the perfecting of
the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ:
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Bud Cope: When
I read your write-up, asking for prayers for the people of Louisiana, I
thought it would be well to send you our appeal for prayers and needs
of the St. Dismas Prison Ministry in LA. . We are scheduled to go back
to the Women's state prison (LCIW) for the 3rd time during September
10-11-12, 2010. We were very successful with our Catholic retreat at
the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail this past year. We are probing a
Metanoia for a jail in the Cajan Country for the future.
Notice the following write-up in the "Catholic Register":
Excerpt from ‘In Prison and You Visited Me’
BY EDDIE O’NEILL
His name is St. Dismas, but he is better known as the Good Thief. His
cry of repentance while hanging next to Jesus at Calvary guaranteed him
eternity in paradise. This patron saint of prisoners and reformed
thieves gives hope to inmates across America through St. Dismas Holy
Name Society Prison Ministry.
“The prisoners are really touched by St. Dismas,” says ministry founder
Harry “Bud” Cope. “They identify with him.” Cope has been leading
Catholic retreats for inmates — from hardened convicts in
maximum-security facilities to young “prodigals” in juvenile detention
centers — for more than 30 years.
The 80-year-old from the Epiphany of our Lord Church, Monessen, Pa.,
told the Register he was first inspired to take action after making a
Cursillo retreat in 1970. After asking God how he could live out his
newfound Christian fervor, Cope felt the Lord leading him to answer the
invitation of a neighbor who was working at a nearby prison.
Cope, a former wholesale grocer, became a volunteer at the State
Correctional Institute in Greensburg in 1974. At that time, he was
allowed to take inmates outside the prison walls for weekend retreats.
That lasted for about five years before the state of Pennsylvania
rescinded the privilege.
While leading a prison retreat, Cope himself experienced a deep
conversion: God showed him his own sinfulness and the Lord’s power. “It
was there,” Cope recalls, “that I knew God was calling me.” Retreats
inside prisons became his “life’s calling.” In 2008, Cope and his
prison-ministry group conducted 11 retreats at 11 different prisons
across the nation. Prisoners sign up for a four-day retreat that runs
Thursday through Sunday. Local volunteers help Cope and his co-leaders
run the retreats. Called metanoia retreats (the word is Greek for
change of heart), these weekends are packed with inspirational talks,
small-group sharing, prayer, Mass and confession.
Father Tom Hayes in the Diocese of San Francisco, Calif., seconds the
importance of Catholic retreats for Catholic inmates. He serves as the
spiritual director for the national office of the Holy Name Society,
under whose auspices the St. Dismas Prison Ministry operates.
“When you offer an authentic presentation of the Gospel, there is a
positive result,” says Father Hayes, who will celebrate his 50th year
as a Dominican this year.
He notes that, frequently, in prison ministry the depth of Catholic
spirituality and teaching depends on the dedication of the prison
chaplain. In many cases, he says, the chaplain in charge can be someone
who misunderstands or misrepresents the Catholic Church.
When a St. Dismas retreat is offered, he adds, Catholic prisoners know what they are getting.
“This is a work that is bringing the love of Jesus to the people,” says
Father Hayes. “The weekends are energetic and have an evangelizing
effect on everyone involved.”
Beyond Sunday
Cope explains that a successful metanoia weekend is one during which
hearts really do change. He calls the process “self-evangelization.”
“When these men come on these retreats, they are more often than not at
the bottom of the pit in terms of their lives,” he says. “It’s there
that they start to turn to God.” The St. Dismas website confirms the
power of these spiritual exercises. Numerous testimonies from prisoners
attest to the retreats’ life-changing power.
From the moment the metanoia (retreat) started and especially after the
first weekend, something dramatic had taken place in my heart,” writes
Kevin, a 33-year-old prisoner who attended a metanoia retreat several
years ago at the Lawtey State Correctional Institution in Lawtey, FL..
“It seemed my burdens and negativity had greatly subsided. My belief
and faith in the Catholic way of life has been fully restored.:
Sometimes prison employees are affected as much as inmates. Cope says
that, regardless of the workers’ personal response, nearly all welcome
the positive changes in the prison environment that the retreats
invariably bring.
Cope is adamant that a good retreat must go beyond the time he and his
team are there. St. Dismas Holy Name Society outreach groups are often
established to assist the retreatants with their ongoing spiritual
growth.
“After the retreat, we have a very good follow-up and ongoing
spiritual-growth program,” Cope says. “We find that you can’t set their
hearts on fire and then just say, ‘See you next year.’” With close to
four decades of bringing the word of God to inmates near and far, Cope
has no plans of slowing down. He is always on the search for a new
prison where Christ’s love and mercy can become a reality, just as it
did for St. Dismas on that Friday at Calvary.
* With your help, we will probe new prisons, letting the Holy Spirit open the doors
* Pray for our uniquely Catholic prison movement, as all expenses are
paid for by donations – and we are growing faster than contributions
* We are part of the National Holy Name Society, and under the umbrella
of the American Catholic Bishops, any donations to our non-profit
qualify for a tax deduction
Harry “Bud” Cope, Chair of Saint Dismas Holy Name Society Prison Ministry (724)684-4990
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
60. All who ask and do not obtain their requests
from God, are denied for one of the following reasons: because they ask
at the wrong time, or because they ask unworthily and vaingloriously, or
because if they received they would become conceited, or finally because
they would become negligent after obtaining their request.
June 18, 2010
THE TRIB TIMES WILL
RETURN IN TWO WEEKS, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(Mat 9:37-38) Then
he saith to his disciples, The harvest indeed is great, but the
labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he
send forth labourers into his harvest.
CATHOLIC SENTINEL: Courage ultimately comes from complete trust in God by Bishop Robert Vasa
STUDIOBRIEN.COM: Evangelization Through Media
FROM THE MAILBAG
REFLECTION by Father Ted– June 16, 2010:
My dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for allowing me to
take part in the Meeting for Priests in Rome last week – in preparation
for the ending of the Year for the Priest.
Thank You for allowing me to join over 10,000 priests for this meeting
- held in two of Your great Basilicas in Rome, namely Saint John
Lateran and Saint Paul Outside the Wall.
Thank You for allowing us to join our Holy Father on Thursday night for the Vigil Service at the Vatican Plaza.
Thank You for allowing us to concelebrate Holy Mass with the Holy
Father on Friday, June 11th, the Solemnity of Your Most Sacred Heart.
You have reminded us not only of Your tremendous love for us, but also
of the incredible dignity that You have given to us who share in Your
Holy Priesthood; as well as the awesome responsibility that we have
received to sanctify Your Holy People.
You have revealed to us the incredible love that You, Your Father, and Your Holy Spirit have for us.
As You have so often reminded me – we are not only made in Your image,
after Your likeness, but we have been chosen to share in Your Divine
life – not only here on earth but also in heaven.
We have been called to be holy, all of us.
We have been given the ability to become holy - through Your Holy Church.
You have given to us the Way and the Means to become holy ourselves and to help others to become holy as well.
This is our vocation. This is our calling. This is the purpose why You have created each one of us.
Lord Jesus, help us each day to realize what a gift each day is – to know You, to love You, and to serve You.
Jesus, help us each day to make time to be with You.
Jesus, help us each day to recognize all the helps and graces that You provide for us.
Jesus, help us each day to take advantage of all these helps and all
these graces that You offer to us to love You and to love our brothers
and sisters by serving them.
Through the intercession of Your Mother, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary,
and through the intercession of all the saints in heaven, may we
sanctify Your World and assist all of mankind to live under the banner
of Your Infinite Love.
May Your Will be done by each one of us, now and forever.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
59. We should not be distressed if, in asking the
Lord for something, we remain for a time unheard. It would have pleased
the Lord if all men in a single moment had become dispassionate; however,
His foreknowledge told Him that this would not be for their good.
June 17, 2010
(Mat 24:12-13) And
because iniquity hath abounded, the charity of many shall grow cold.
But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved.
HEADLINE: Pope on European crisis: save human 'capital'
Pope Benedict XVI told European banking and development officials
Saturday to keep families' needs paramount as they devise solutions to
the continent's financial crises.
Economy and finance "are no more than tools, means" to safeguard human "capital, the only capital worth saving," Benedict said.
Benedict told representatives of the European Council's Development
Bank during a Vatican audience that their task was to make the "human
person, and even more particularly, families and those in great need,
the center and the aim" of economic policies.
He urged experts to draw on what he called Europe's tradition of "generous fraternity" in coming up with rescue plans.
Benedict named no country, but efforts to help bail out Greece from its
financial disaster exposed tensions in Europe over how much countries
should help a fellow European Union nation.
Many European nations are grappling with dwindling revenues and budget
shortfalls amid the euro's plunge against the dollar and other
currencies, a stubborn recession and chronic unemployment. Generous
social welfare plans like early pensions and heavily subsidized health
care are at risk as their costs are being scrutinized.
RELATED
Europe's Economy 'Returning to 1930s'
9 Reasons Why Spain Is A Dead Economy Walking
New Financial Crisis May Be Brewing, Analysts Warn
EXCERPT EDITORIAL: Anybody got $130 trillion lying around?
As much as I want to be optimistic, I have to believe that one thing is
certain in all this: It will not end well. Indeed, it cannot. One way
or another, whether by choice or by force, government is inevitably
going on a massive crash diet very soon. A lot of promises have long
since been broken and can no longer be redeemed. Only the form and
severity of the reaction remains to be seen…
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
55. When our good and all-gracious Lord and Master
sees people too lazy in their exercises, He lays their flesh low with sickness,
an asceticism with less toil; and sometimes it also cleanses the soul from
evil thoughts or passions.
June 16, 2010
(Rev 12:12) Therefore,
rejoice, O heavens, and you that dwell therein. Woe to the earth and to
the sea, because the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath,
knowing that he hath but a short time.
PHOTOS: Lightning strikes Jesus statue
EXCERPT LIFESITENEWS.COM: Pro-Life Exorcist: "Never in All of History Have We Seen Evil Promoted So Effectively"
In the newly released book, Fr. Euteneuer warns: “Never in all of
history have we seen evil promoted so effectively and the true good so
roundly mocked and rejected as in this age of extreme technological
prowess.” He explains, “the difference between the modern world and
past generations is that Satan has a greater ability to use groups and
institutions for increasing his wicked reach into human life and
society.”
Far from hidden, suggests the exorcist, “Nowadays, objective evil is
displayed out in the open air with impunity, celebrated in the public
forum and strategized in plush board rooms.”
Fr. Euteneuer presents the case that “the devil's spiritual warfare on
our flocks will intensify as the years proceed and that all Christians,
but especially priests, will have no choice but to engage more deeply
in the spiritual battle for souls.”
CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC DAILY: "The coming anti-Catholic storm"
An “anti-Catholic storm” is looming in the United States because of the
Church’s stance against “postmodern ideologies” and because well-funded
Catholic supporters of President Obama provide cover for Catholic
politicians who dissent from Church teaching, says Catholic analyst
Deal Hudson.
Hudson, who has served as an advisor to Republican leaders on Catholic
issues, wrote at InsideCatholic.com that a “relentless barrage” of
reporting in the mainstream media is intended to force changes demanded
by dissenting Catholic groups.
Revelations of clerical sexual abuse in Europe have provided “Catholic
bashers” the opportunity to attack Church teachings about abortion and
same-sex “marriage,” he added. A call to arrest Pope Benedict XVI in
the United Kingdom should have been regarded as “a crank call” but has
led to speculation about whether the papal trip to Britain should be
canceled.
While Iraqi Christians are being expelled from their homelands, this
only receives “occasional mention” in the New York Times, whose
reporters “dig through Vatican documents” hoping to link the Pope with
clerical sexual abuse, Hudson wrote.
“The use of courts and commissions to harass and threaten Catholics and
other Christians has already been auditioned in Canada,” noted Hudson.
“And the expansion of hate-speech laws signed by President Barack Obama
last October sets the stage for similar tussles here when a minister,
priest, or voluble layperson too heatedly denounces homosexual sex.”
While the Church is not the only institution insisting on universal
moral standards, it is the largest and therefore stands in the way of
“postmodern ideologies achieving complete dominance in the West,” he
said. Those who hold the “postmodern” belief that all truth is power
“don't hesitate to use the power of the media, government, and the
courts to attack any institution thwarting their influence.” According
to Hudson, political donors have combined resources with labor unions,
which once had a “vital” relationship with the Church, to support “faux
Catholic groups that provide cover for politicians who don’t vote
Catholic.” He suggested that it is these groups’ fault that the
majority of candidates who oppose abortion and same-sex marriage are
Republican.
“The coming anti-Catholic storm will be linked, sadly, to the
reelection campaign of President Barack Obama,” he predicted. Though
the president is out of favor at the moment, his supporters will
“quickly recover” enthusiasm in the face of a Republican opponent.
“There will be a furious and well-funded effort by Catholic Obama
supporters to keep Obama in office,” Hudson wrote. “By 2010, the storm
will be felt throughout the Church, and those who blithely claim that
the Church and politics are not connected will be as helpless as a
fallen leaf caught in a tornado.”
BLOG: Catholics Push Hyundai To Cancel Commercial
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
54. Sickness is sometimes for the cleansing of
sins, and sometime to humble our mind.
June 11, 2010
THE TRIB TIMES WILL
RETURN NEXT
WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(John 19:33-34) But
after they were come to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear
opened his side: and immediately there came out blood and water.
COMMENTARY: Loving Jesus In The Night
VIA MANILA: Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
While we honor the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of
every month of the year, today (Friday) we celebrate the Solemnity of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On this feast, we focus our attention on
Jesus truly present in the Holy Eucharist and reflect on God's
unconditional love and boundless mercy as symbolized by his heart.
The devotion to the Sacred Heart is closely linked to the Holy
Sacrifice of the Mass. When the Church instituted this celebration in
1856, it placed it on the Friday following the Solemnity of the Body
and Blood of Christ.
The institution for the Feast of the Sacred Heart was a result of the
appearances of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque in 1675. In these
appearances, Our Lord gave Margaret 12 promises that He would give
special graces, such as establishing peace in their families and
consoling them in their moments of troubles, to anyone devoted to His
Sacred Heart. According to St. Margaret Mary, Our Lord requested three
things from the people: Frequent reception of Holy Communion, receiving
Holy Communion especially on the first Friday of each month, and
observing a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
In our country, the devotion to the Sacred Heart has become one of the
most popular devotions of Catholics. First Friday masses are offered
not only in churches but also in workplaces.
In many parishes, Holy Hour observances and vigils are being held.
There are countless organizations in the Philippines whose main task is
to propagate the devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
These practices are laudable. But more importantly, our devotion to the
Sacred Heart of Jesus must lead us to practice charity – a charity that
comes of Jesus Christ who loved us first. "The Love of Christ urges us"
(2 Cor 5:14), Saint Paul tells us. If we are loved by Jesus, then we
must also show that same love to others, especially to those who are in
most need of that love.
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ,
may our hearts be like this. May our hearts also be inflamed with a
burning desire to reach out to the lost and give healing to the broken
hearted. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
BLOG: The Need for Eucharistic Adoration
LINK: Heart to Heart: An Apostolic Mission for the Renewal of the Devotion to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
FISH EATERS: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
53. When we see one of our athletes in Christ in
bodily suffering and infirmity, let us not maliciously seek to learn the
explanation of his illness, but rather with simple and genuine love, let
us try to heal him as though he were part of our own body, and as a fellow
warrior wounded in the fray.
June 10, 2010
(Rev 8:8-9) And
the second angel sounded the trumpet: and, as it were, a great
mountain, burning with fire, was cast into the sea. And the third part
of the sea became blood. And the third part of those creatures died
which had life in the sea: and the third part of the ships was
destroyed.
HEADLINE: Catholic Charities USA Reports Major Assistance Being Provided in Gulf Coast Areas"
As the Gulf oil spill continues unabated, Catholic Charities agencies
along the Gulf Coast are serving thousands of people and families who
have felt the effects of the economic impact almost overnight.
Food, household supplies and clothing have been the primary needs to
date, but increasingly Catholic Charities' disaster response and case
management services are focusing on employment assistance, anger and
stress management, and crisis counseling. "Livelihoods and ways
of life have been halted just like that, with very little recourse for
other options to generate any income to pay the bills and put food on
the table," said Rev. Larry Snyder, President of Catholic
Charities USA. "While homes and other personal property have not
been destroyed by rising waters or raging fires, nonetheless the
economic toll is equally immediate and devastating."
Catholic Charities initial assessment of the situation indicates
long-term impact with growing need for case management services.
Success in stopping the oil spill will not result in an immediate
economic turn-around. While much initial response has been
centered with Catholic Charities of New Orleans and the $1 million
grant it received from BP, other Catholic Charities agencies along the
coast in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida are either
already serving many in need or prepared with plans to serve
populations that may be impacted in coming days or weeks.
"As we all know all too well, this part of our country has been rising
out of earlier disaster," added Fr. Snyder. "We must meet
this present disaster head-on and quickly address the need so that we
avert any prolonged impact across the region."
MORE: How to Help the Victims of the Oil Spill
EXCERPT: Thousands of south Louisianians praying in face of massive Gulf oil spill
"You hate to beat a dead horse,"
said the Rev. John Arnone, who pastors two Catholic parishes in St.
Bernard, one of them with a substantial number of hard-hit fishing
families. "You've got to mention it, even though it's on everybody's
mind. You don't want to wear them down, but we have to be mindful that
we are here to support one another. That's why I keep doing it."
FROM THE MAILBAG
VIA Dr. Stephen Rhinehart: I have been in email contact with Dr Samantha Joye (gulfblog.uga.edu) who is measuring properties of underwater plumes.
What BP/EPA/Government have done
with the dispersant used in underwater plumes is to make an underwater
emulsion that is impossible to stop with oil boom. as 70% is
underwater. Need absorbent and weighted cloth to pickup
underwater component in fighting oil spill. These people have
spread this mess everywhere with dispersant and it is intentional.
We have already lost the battle for
the Eastern GOM and National Command Center is setting up office in
downtown Miami (Brickell St) with already 50 employees to track the
incoming oil. I think that Key West will be inundated with oil in
next 120 days and it will destro the reefs and beaches and move into
Atlantic Loop Current.
Matt Simmons is now quoted as
saying there is already a "lake of oil one hundred miles long beneath
the GOM whichis 400 feet deep" ?! I have no idea where the
reality lies at this point - wild. Trying to obtain as much real
truth as I can but whatever has happened is "biblical in scope" at this
point. Seems like Sen Nelson finally woke up to the impending
disaster.
Thanks for sending emials - send to
everybody you know in Broward/Miami we need to go to pointwise defense
of all canals/intercoastal in Broward/Dade even if it maens the home
owners buy the boom. However, the boom needs to have weighted
cloth to pickup underwater emulsion.
My brother-in-law in Pensacola
already says the emulsion is in Perdido Key meaning its heading for
Intercoastal next. Government no help in stopping anything.
RELATED: Mary Landry Sees Game Changer as Oil Awaits Atlantic Hurricanes
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
52. The present generation is seriously corrupt
and all full of pride and hypocrisy. In bodily labours, it perhaps reaches
the level of our ancient Fathers, but it is not graced with their gifts,
though I think nature never had such need of spiritual gifts as now. And
we have received our due. For God is manifested not in labours, but in
simplicity and humilty. And if the power of the Lord is made perfect in
weakness, the Lord will certainly not reject a humble worker.
June 9, 2010
(1Co
1:20-24) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer
of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For,
seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God,
it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that
believe. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after
wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a
stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the
wisdom of God.
POPE BENEDICT XVI ON THE CROSS
In his homily during the votive
Mass for the Holy Cross, the Holy Father affirmed that the Cross "is
something far greater and more mysterious than it at first appears. It
is indeed an instrument of torture, suffering and defeat, but at the
same time it expresses the complete transformation, the definitive
reversal of these evils: that is what makes it the most eloquent symbol
of hope that the world has ever seen.
"It speaks to all who suffer - the
oppressed, the sick, the poor, the outcast, the victims of violence -
and it offers them hope that God can transform their suffering into
joy, their isolation into communion, their death into life. It offers
unlimited hope to our fallen world."
"That", he added, "is why the world
needs the Cross. The Cross is not just a private symbol of devotion, it
is not just a badge of membership of a certain group within society,
and in its deepest meaning it has nothing to do with the imposition of
a creed or a philosophy by force. It speaks of hope, it speaks of love,
it speaks of the victory of non-violence over oppression, it speaks of
God raising up the lowly, empowering the weak,conquering division, and
overcoming hatred with love.
"A world without the Cross would be
a world without hope, a world in which torture and brutality would go
unchecked, the weak would be exploited and greed would have the final
word. Man's inhumanity to man would be manifested in ever more horrific
ways, and there would be no end to the vicious cycle of violence. Only
the Cross puts an end to it".
The Holy Father went on: "While no
earthly power can save us from the consequences of our sins, and no
earthly power can defeat injustice at its source, nevertheless the
saving intervention of our loving God has transformed the reality of
sin and death into its opposite. That is what we celebrate when we
glory in the Cross of our Redeemer".
VIDEO: Pope calls for Christian unity in Cyprus
HEADLINE: Pope: Respect Mideast Christians' rights
"The Israeli occupation of
Palestinian Territories is creating difficulties in everyday life,
inhibiting freedom of movement, the economy and religious life --
access to the holy places is dependent on military permission, which is
granted to some and denied to others on security grounds," it said.
"Moreover, certain Christian fundamentalist theologies use sacred
Scripture to justify Israel's occupation of Palestine, making the
position of Christian Arabs an even more sensitive issue."
The document called for dialogue
among all faiths in the region and also highlighted the Christian
minority's difficulties with Islam.
"Oftentimes, relations between
Christians and Muslims are difficult, principally because Muslims make
no distinction between religion and politics, thereby relegating
Christians to the precarious position of being considered
non-citizens," the document said.
MORE: Pope calls for 'urgent, concerted effort' to resolve tensions in Middle East
RELATED: Afghans burn pope effigy over proselytizing claims
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
51. As an example of the fear of the Lord, let
us take the fear that we feel in the presence of rulers and wild beasts;
and as an example of desire for God, let carnal love serve as a model for
you. There is nothing against taking examples of the virtues from what
is contrary.
June 2, 2010
THE TRIB TIMES WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK, GOD WILLING (James 4:15).
(2Ti 1:12) and
therefore I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I
have believed, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that Day
what has been entrusted to me.
HEADLINE: Cyprus Trip a Political Minefield for the Pope
Pope Benedict XVI, often under fire for political missteps on foreign
trips, is heading into a potential diplomatic storm when he visits
Cyprus this week, a pilgrimage to a divided island that could anger
Turkey and the rest of the Muslim world.
Divisions between Greeks and ethnic Turks, splits in the Orthodox
Christian community, and concerns over damaged Christian and Muslim
houses of worship will be come under scrutiny during Benedict's
three-day trip starting Friday.
The Cyprus trip comes just days after the island's leaders — Greek
Cypriot President Dimitris Christofias and the newly elected president
of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots, Dervis Eroglu — resumed peace talks
after a two-month pause.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the rival leaders to
ensure that the reunification talks do not fall apart, warning that
time is working against them.
Cyprus police say that although they are aware of possible protests by
some religious groups against the pope's trip, there have been no
credible threats to his safety.
"We are continuing our planning regarding the pope's safety and all
necessary measures will be taken to ensure that not even the slightest
incident will take place," said police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos.
Some hardline Orthodox clerics, who view the pope as a heretic, say
Benedict should stay in Rome to avoid provoking the island's 800,000
Orthodox.
Benedict on Sunday said he was "making an apostolic journey to Cyprus,
to meet and pray with the Catholic and Orthodox faithful there."
VATICAN RADIO: Fr Lombardi Editorial : Why Cyprus?
“Many people wonder why the Pope is going to Cyprus to meet with the
Bishops of the Middle East and give them the working guidelines for the
next Synod, the great ecclesial meeting scheduled for next October. The
answer is quite simple. We only have to read the Acts of the Apostles,
the account of the first steps in proclaiming the Gospel to the world
after the Resurrection of Jesus.
Cyprus is mentioned at least six times. Barnabas comes from Cyprus, one
of the first to join the community of the apostles in Jerusalem. Cyprus
is the first stop – both troubled and fertile – on the first missionary
journey of Paul, Barnabas and the future evangelist Mark. Barnabas
returns to evangelize Cyprus when he is separated from Paul. Paul
passes back and forth along the coasts of Cyprus on his travels, even
on his final journey, which brings him to Malta and then to Rome.
Moreover, we only have to glance at the map to see that Cyprus is a
strategic crossroads, and therefore also a cultural and spiritual one,
in a region with a history that is closely connected to the Holy Land.
It lay on the route of Jewish and Christian pilgrims on their way to
and from Jerusalem, of travellers between East and West, between Asia
and Europe. While on the one hand it surprises us that John Paul II
never set foot there, it is no surprise that Benedict XVI has gladly
accepted the invitation to go there, as a visitor and a pilgrim, on a
journey that is an ideal continuation of his visit to Malta, travelling
along the Mediterranean towards the East. It is a journey that also
recalls last years fundamental voyage to the Holy Land itself.
Cyprus, therefore, invites us to look around, to pray and hope for an
announcement and service of the Gospel that is a source of dialogue, of
ecclesial communion, human growth and peace for all, in a region that
is dear to all believers, but which is still experiencing too much
suffering and division”.
RELATED HEADLINES
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Ancient sect hopes for boost from pope's visit
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
50. The mother of all the vices is pleasure and
guile. He who has them within him will not see the Lord; and abstinence
from the first will bring but little benefit without abstinence from the
second.
June 1, 2010
(John
16:13-15) But when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will teach you
all truth. For he shall not speak of himself: but what things soever he
shall hear, he shall speak. And the things that are to come, he shall
shew you. He shall glorify me: because he shall receive of mine and
shall shew it to you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine.
Therefore I said that he shall receive of me and shew it to you.
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO ONLINE: Sign of the cross is reminder of the Trinity dwelling in us, teaches Benedict XVI
FROM THE MAILBAG
REFLECTION by Father Ted: May
dearest Lord Jesus, today on this feast of the Most Holy Trinity You
remind me, and others, about Who You are and Who God is – namely Love.
In the past You have reminded us that God is not only Your “Abba”, that is “Daddy” but that He is also our “Abba – Daddy”.
Also in the past You have told us that You are The Image of the Father.
You did this especially when Philip asked You to show him the Father
and You replied to him that he who sees You sees the Father. You told
him in other words that You are the “spitting image” of the Father.
You have likewise indicated to us that the Holy Spirit is just like You and just like the Father.
Yes, You are three persons and yet one God – The God who is Love.
In the first reading of today’s Mass Your Holy Spirit inspired King
Solomon to write that You delight in us men. You delight in us; so too
does the Father and the Holy Spirit because You are one.
In the Book of Genesis You reminded us that You created us in Your image, after Your likeness.
You made us, as I have so frequently declared in my reflections, to
know You, to love You and to serve You on earth so that we can be with
You in Your home in heaven.
You who are The Holy Family have invited us to become members of Your Holy Family – to enjoy the delights of The Holy Family.
Today, especially at the two Masses You enabled me to offer this
morning You impelled me to tell others that on Holy Thursday night,
before You offered Yourself to the Father for us, on Good Friday
afternoon before You completed Your Perfect offering of Yourself, on
Easter Sunday night when You appeared to the ten apostles, and on
Ascension Thursday before You returned to the Father in heaven, You
gave and promised to us four special gifts – perfect gifts of love.
They were: Yourself in the Holy Eucharist - on Holy Thursday; Your
Mother – on Good Friday; the forgiveness of our sins through confession
– on Easter Sunday; and the Holy Spirit – on Ascension Thursday who
came on Pentecost Sunday.
Such incredible gifts of love You give to us so that we can live each
day in Your love by loving one another as You love each one of us.
Thank You Jesus for revealing to us who You are. Thank You Jesus for
giving to us such marvelous gifts of love. Thank You Jesus for allowing
us to share Your love, Your Life, You peace and Your joy with each
other.
May we do each day all that You ask of us dearest Jesus.
May we become more and more like You, like the Father, and like the Holy Spirit – holy.
Ladder
of Divine Ascent excerpt: Step 26- "On discernment of thoughts, passions,
and virtues"
49. All the contrary virtues are born of parents
contrary to these. But without enlarging on the subject, I will merely
say that for all the passions mentioned above, the remedy is humility.
Those who have obtained that virtue have overcome all.
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