Mother's Day on Mary's Mountian

Following Mass today, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes honored Our Blessed Mother by placing a beautiful crown of flowers on the front corner statue of her. Fr. Jack then distributed rosaries to the children, joking that if they had failed to get a present for their mom's they could just pass a rosary on as a gift.

The element that I found most beautiful was when Father had the kids kneel down as he rounded the altar, fluidly entered the tabernacle and placed Christ present in the Eucharist into the monstrance.

The way that I see it, the Blessed Mother could not have been made any happier than to see everyone worshipping her Son. The children stayed kneeling with the rest of the congregation the whole time as Father processed through the chapel, taking special care so as to take Christ directly to the infirmed in wheelchairs.

Pentecost

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.

Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. (Acts 2:1-3)

Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.

For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call."

He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day. (Acts 2:38-41)

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.

To one is given through the Spirit the expression of wisdom; to another the expression of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit; to another mighty deeds; to another prophecy; to another discernment of spirits; to another varieties of tongues; to another interpretation of tongues.

But one and the same Spirit produces all of these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

Seeing the Unseen

The homily for today's noon Mass touched upon the idea of seeing the beauty in what popular culture would say is the opposite of beautiful. Blessed Damien found the beauty of Christ within the lepers of Molokai. Although the leprosy had purchased portions of the very countenance of each, it could not procure the essence of the individual; the disease was incapable of taking the spark of the divine that is the gift given to humanity by our Heavenly Father.

A missionary priest from Belgium, Blessed Damien tirelessly cared for the for the outcasts of Molokai for 16 years. He ministered to them, quite literally, body and soul. This saintly man did as the needs of the people dictated; whether the need be cleaning and dressing wounds, building housing and laying water pipelines, or saying Masses and burying the dead, he did as the situation required. For most of his time on the island, he was without assistants. His love for the unlovable, for God's people, was deep and complete. Blessed Damien himself died of leprosy which he contracted on Molokai.

As Fr. Jack noted, "Clearly, the gospel of life turns life upside down at times."

Novena, Day Nine

Ninth Day of the Novena to Honor the Holy Spirit

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen

The links below will take you to the novena on EWTN's site:

Ninth Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz

There is someone new on my non-existent, yet very real, list of favorite Bishops. The Most Reverend Fabian W. Bruskewitz of the Lincoln Diocese entered my prayers as of last Friday. His Excellency was on The World Over that evening to discuss the controversy over the distribution of communion to politicians who publicly/politically oppose the Church's teachings on abortion.

In a straightforward unapologetic manner Bishop Bruskewitz stated that there is no way that individuals such as Rudy Guilani, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry or Nancy Pelosi should be given communion. He didn't say that there were steps toward denial of the most blessed sacrament, nor that it is an individual home diocese issue. Playing the blame game post unworthy reception of the Eucharist doesn't seem possible when it comes to Bruskewitz. Furthermore, this Bishop stated that he feels that, when it comes to public figures who so egregiously publicly commit mortal sins, if they do turn away from such sin they should publicly let it be known that they are have placed themselves in line with Church teaching. He directly, and relevantly, quoted the then Cardinal Ratzinger's 2004 letter to the Bishops on this issue without feeling it necessary to manipulate the words.

Pretty bold stuff. Especially when you look at the back pedalling of some Church officials.

A quick check of the internet proves that Bishop Bruskewitz is more than a man of words. He has previously excommunicated individuals gravely in conflict with the Church. Which, in reality, their actions/stands excommunicated them, but he cared enough for the faithful to make the public declaration.

I thank God for the fine Prince of the Church Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz.

Governor Sebelius in Danger of Excommunication

Kansas Archbishop Urges Pro-Abortion Gov. Sebelius to Skip Communion

A leading Catholic official in Kansas says the state's pro-abortion governor, Kathleen Sebelius, needs to refrain from receiving communion until she changes her position supporting abortion. Sebelius recently came under fire from pro-life advocates for vetoing a bill that would limit abortions. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, and a strong pro-life advocate himself, criticized the veto as well and called on Sebelius to take the "necessary steps for amendment of her life." In a column published in Friday in the diocesan Catholic newspaper The Leaven, Naumann said he wrote Sebelius in August and urged the potential Democratic vice-presidential running mate to refrain from communion. Following the letter, he learned she had taken the sacrament and he wrote to her again asking her to respect his request and "not require from me any additional pastoral actions." "I hope that my request of the governor, not to present herself for Holy Communion, will provoke her to reconsider the serious spiritual and moral consequences of her past and present actions," the Archbishop wrote. He indicated he has met with Sebelius many times since he's been the Archbishop to urge her to back down from her pro-abortion position. Full story at LifeNews.com.

Novena, Day Eight

Eighth day of the Novena Honoring the Holy Spirit

Bend the stubborn heart and will, melt the frozen warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!

The Link below will take you to day three on EWTN's site:
Eighth Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit

Novena, Day Seven

Seventh day of the Novena Honoring the Holy Spirit

Heal our wounds--our strength renews; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Link below will take you to day three on EWTN's site:
Seventh Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Wonderful Mother's Day Gift

Do you need a Mother's Day gift idea?

Do you want mom to know that you appreciate her sacrifices?

Let her know just how much you get her.

This movie is sure to bring tears to her eyes - and she'll be glad of it!

Just got done watching Bella. I am absolutely amazed that this movie didn't receive a wide release. Great cinematography. Evenly paced. No wasted dialogue, yet not ambiguous. There is an actual storyline -- yet it isn't what a guy would call a "Chick Flick." The cast - Eduardo Verástegui, Tammy Blanchard and Manny Perez - did an outstanding job. A great movie.

Your mom is going to love it.

Novena, Sixth Day

Sixth day of the Novena Honoring the Holy Spirit

If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn'd to ill.

The Link below will take you to the novena on EWTN's site:
Sixth Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Morning Retreat and Anniversary Mass

I was asked to share the notice below:

The Word and the Woman
A Morning Retreat
with
Fr. Phillip Chavez, SOLT
And Celebration of Fr. Phillip’s
15th Anniversary to the Priesthood.

Fr. Phillip will be offering valuable insights on
Christ's relationship to women; and how
this is the Paradigm in which men are to treat all women.

National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes, Emmitsburg, Maryland
Friday, May 30, 2008 9:00 AM –1:00 PM
(A free-will offering will be taken)

Schedule
9:00 Arrival
9:30 Conference #1
(Glass Chapel)
10:15 Reflection Time
(Stroll the grounds, pray the rosary, visit the grotto etc…)
10:55 Conference #2
11:40 Break
12:00 Anniversary Mass in Glass Chapel
1:00 Optional Lunch at Carriage House Inn

The celebration will continue with lunch at The Carriage House Inn in Emmitsburg
(just minutes from the Grotto)
If you would like to join Fr. Phillip and friends for lunch, please RSVP below by May 23rd.

For retreat information please call:
Peggy Pritchard 717-757-1773 or Pegpritch@aol.com

Fr. Phillip F. Chavez is a priest of the Society of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity. Holding graduate degrees in Theology, Philosophy, and Marriage & Family Studies, Fr. Chavez culminated his studies with a doctorate in Moral Theology from Rome. Basing his work on sound theological and human principles, he calls men to mentor younger men, to honor their commitments to family & community, and to more actively embrace their Catholic faith.
Fr. Chavez has studied, spoken, and consulted extensively about male spirituality. He is working to establish a men’s institute (http://www.frphillipchavez.org/) wherein he addresses the key issues of men and their concerns in all states of life.

This is me again. On a personal note, I have attended Masses said by this priest. He is a fantastic homilist and to watch the reverence with which he cleans the sacred vessels is enough to make you weep. Peace. ~~~mary

Novena, Fifth Day

Fifth Day of the Novena in Honor of the Holy Spirit

Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!

This link will take you to the Novena on EWTN's site:

Fifth Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Novena, Fourth Day

Fourth day of the Novena Honoring the Holy SpiritThou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

Here is a link to the Novena on EWTN's Site:
Fourth Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Apparitions Officially Recognized

At a televised Mass broadcast throughout France, Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco Leandri announced yesterday that he has officially recognized that the Virgin Mary appeared to a young sheperdess named Benoite Rencurel from 1664 until her death at the end of 1718. His approval comes as at the conclusion of an investigation by a panel which included two theologians and a judge. On the site of the apparitions is the Notre-Dame-du-Laus Catholic Church which was built in response to the Blessed Mother asking early on, after appearing every day for four months to the girl, that a church and home for priests be built. Although prior to this the site had not been an official shrine of the Church, roughly 120,000 people visit it annually. The shrine even has a website in French on the net.

This makes me think of the two big reasons people have against the Medjugorje apparitions - that the apparitions have supposedly been going on for such a long time and that the Bishop of the area does not support it as a pilgrimage site. I wonder if 300 or so years from now the prelate of Medjugorje will declare the seers and the apparitions valid. Then again, I wonder about lots of stuff. I'm even wondering about the reporting of this announcement by Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco Leandri - not one of the Catholic news groups is reporting this story. Should I believe that the Church is really fully behind this?

*

*

***** I just checked the Catholic News Agencies - about twelve hours since I originally posted this - and have found that they are now reporting on this story.

I'm now wondering why none of the stories run anywhere have mentioned what the Church is saying about the fact that Blessed Benoite Rencurel not only reported visitations by the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also Jesus Christ. I'm assuming that all things related to her having celestial communications have been approved, yet...

Running and Exchanging Pleasantries (?)

The first year of the Running of the Bulls the people of Pamplona probably thought it was an event that wouldn't catch on. There probably weren't that many people even running the first year. Well, Palm Beach, just had the first placenta attached running of the newborn and I'm thinking that it just won't catch on. Sincerely hoping that it won't catch on. There were only two participants, one runner. Seems unlikely to become an annual event.

I'm serious. Click that link. Come back, but click the link.

Pretty sad, all the way around.


Okay, are you back?


Bet you think I want to talk about that girl.

I could. Not going to, but could.

Or, maybe, you think I'm going to talk about the need for children to feel they can talk to their parents about anything.

I could. Not going to, but could


Instead, I'm going to relay a conversation I had with a mom, I'll call her Sue, yesterday. The news story the link takes you to brought the conversation to mind. At the celebration of her niece's Confirmation and her nephew's First Communion, four of us were chatting next to the buffet table. The other two were the grandmothers of the kids, one being Sue's mom.

One of the two grandparents asked if Sue's sixteen year old son John had his eye on any girl yet.

- Oh, yes. He has a girlfriend he's serious about.

The obvious next question was whether they been dating long.

- It's been for a couple months.

Nodding in the direction of her nineteen year old daughter Nicole who was on the floor with her two year old daughter, she went on.

- Seeing the difficulties that one had and has, has taught him a thing or two. Really opened his eyes. Knows to think things out.

Not exactly knowing what to say but, being one who feels compelled to talk when there is awkward silence. I smiled and filled the air with my voice.

- That's good. Not only has the situation been a pro-life statement for your family, but one for purity. That's

Before I could say, "great," Sue sneered and told us of her children, thereby telling something of herself.

- Not my kids. There's no way with those two.

She started to move out of the room. The whole conversation, Sue's arms had been crossed. They stayed crossed even as she walked out of the room.

-I think it taught him to use some kind of protection.

Exit stage right.

As I said, I'm sure that says something about the kids and their mom, I'm just not really sure what it says though. I do know that it makes me uncomfortable. Uncomfortable to my very core. Maybe I'm not sure what it says because I don't want to.

God, please give us the wisdom to raise our children as you wish. Grant that we are true to this arduous vocation of parenthood.

When we weary, refresh us.

When we make mistakes, correct us.

When our feet stray from your path, right them.

Without you we can do nothing, for you're are indeed our loving Father who wants nothing but the best for us, your children. May we always rejoice in that truth and mirror it to our children.

Novena, Third Day

Third day of the Novena Honoring the Holy Spirit

Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Link below will take you to day three on EWTN's site:
Third Day
May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit

May Crowning

This being the first Sunday of May, there are sure to be many a May Crownings. I wasn't able to go to our parish's crowning - a wreath of flowers was placed on the statue of Our Lady in the front of the church - but am able to offer you pictures from last year's May Crowning at the Grotto in Emmitsburg:

Hail, Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen enthron'd above, O Maria

Hail Mother of Mercy and of love, O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim

Sing with us ye Seraphim

Heav'n and earth resound the hymn

Salve Salve Salve Regina

Our life our sweetness here below, O Maria

Our hope in sorrow and in woe, O Maria

Triumph all ye Cherubim

Sing with us ye Seraphim

Heav'n and earth resound the hymn

Salve Salve Salve Regina

We honour you for Christ, your Son, O Maria!

Who has for us redemption won, O Maria!

Triumph all ye Cherubim

Sing with us ye Seraphim

Heav'n and earth resound the hymn

Salve Salve Salve Regina

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Novena, Second Day

Second day of the Novena to the Holy Spirit. Come. Father of the poor. Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!

Link to the prayer for today on EWTN's site:
Second Day

May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Novena to Honor Holy Spirit

Novena to the Holy Spirit/

Novena of the Seven Gifts/

Novena Honoring the Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

Today is the first day of the oldest novena in Church history. One could easily say that a novena to the Holy Spirit was first prayed by the apostles when, as directed by Christ, they returned to Jerusalem to wait for the coming of the the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. By its very nature, a novena is prayed nine consecutive days; therefore, this novena is completed after saying the last prayer on the day before Pentecost Sunday.

The links below will take you to EWTN's set up of the prayers:

First Day
Second Day
Third Day
Fourth Day
Fifth Day
Sixth Day
Seventh Day
Eighth Day
Ninth Day


May we all be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Law of the Garbage Truck -- from Anne

I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so.....
Love the people who treat you right.
Pray for the ones who don't.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord

Did you know that today is a "Holy Day of Obligation"?

Dumm dumm da dummm.

Everytime I hear, say or think the phrase "Holy Day of Obligation," I mentally hear a foreboding, melodramatic, "Dumm dumm da dummm." Know what I mean?

Anyway, today is when we celebrate Christ Ascending to Heaven.

If you haven't been to Mass yet - make sure you get there tonight.

While you're there... How about saying a pray for me?

Thanks!

Joseph the Worker

Happy Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means "God is with us." When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. (Matthew 1:20-24)

The angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him." Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. (Matthew 2:13-14)

When Herod had died, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." He rose, took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go back there. And because he had been warned in a dream, he departed for the region of Galilee. He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a Nazorean." (Matthew 2:19-23)

Prayer to St. Joseph
St. Joseph, most loving and chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, humbly we ask you to pray for us, that we learn from your selfless example. May we come to accept without question what God puts before us so that we come to realize that our responsibilities are gifts from heaven. Help us to offer our labors for the exultation of our Heavenly Father so that we might further His kingdom on earth. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who lovingly called you daddy. Amen.