Sunday, July 19, 2015

Weird News

Thief tries to make things easy for police
Los Angeles  ----------------------------------- Authorities in Los Angeles are looking for a burglar who accidentally made a selfie with his victim's iPhone.
                                                                      Police say the thief entered a home in the Venice area through an unlocked door Saturday and grabbed the phone, but he accidentally activated a video app.
                                                                      The crook briefly recorded himself standing in the living room before he took off with the device.
                                                                      A woman and two 15-year-old girls sleeping in the house weren't hurt.
                                                                      The owner of the phone remotely accessed the video, and police have released it.
                                                                      Authorities say they don't know the crook's name, but they know what he looks like.
                                                                      They're hoping somebody else can put a name to the face.


He'roos  the day it snowed
Sydney ---------------------------------------- Kangaroos are a common sight for Australian vineyard owner Bill Shrapnel.  But a winter storm this week was the first time he'd seen a'roo in the snow.
                                                                    Shrapnel guesses about 30 of the "timid" and "watchful" creatures live on his 77-acre vineyard in the town of Orange, about 160 miles west of Sydney.
                                                                    But before he peeked out his back window, he had never seen one of the kangaroos in the snow.
                                                                    "They just turned up and started to feed.  The younger ones boxed with one another as if it was just another day."
                                                                    A surprised Shrapnel snapped a photo, which his daughter shared on social media.
                                                                    Shrapnel, 62, and his wife Jan moved to Orange earlier this year from Sydney, which hasn't snow since 1836.
                                                                     While the couple had prepared for their first winter, he says, "Having it snow three times in a week is not what we expected."

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Question & Answer

                                  Is it possible to accidentally commit a mortal sin?

                                  No.  For a sin to be considered mortal, three conditions must be met:  "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent" (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), #1857).
                                 Grave matter means that it must directly conflict with the Ten Commandments.  While all forms of sin are bad, the severity of the misdeeds committed, as well as how strongly they harm ourselves and others, decide whether the sin is mortal or not.
                                 If the offense being committed is indeed grave, the perpretrator must be fully aware that the actions involved are sinful.  Finally, knowing that the action is grave, the person must willingly choose to commit the sin of his or her own free will.  These last two conditions make it impossible to sin by accident.
                                 By using this knowledge, we can avoid actions that separate us from God.

Feasts & Celebrations

June 12
Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The image of Jesus with his heart exposed in unquenchable flame is a reminder of his intense and eternal love for us.

June 13
Immaculate Heart of Mary.
In response to a request by Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Pius XII consecrated the world to Mary's gentle and devout Immaculate Heart in 1942, and initiated this feast in 1945.

June 21
St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1591).
St. Aloysius prayed vigorously and fasted from age 7.  Upon joining the Society of Jesus, he was ordered to cut back in order to study and spend time with the other students.  He died while nursing the sick.

June 24
Nativity of St. John the Baptist.
The only saint whose birth and death we observe, St. John was Jesus cousin.  He baptized and prepared the people for Jesus' coming.  He even baptized Jesus and was later executed for denouncing Herod's marriage to his sister-in-law.

From Scripture

                                 Mark 5:21 - 43,
                                 Faith in action.
                                
                                 As the leader of the local synagogue, Jairus was probably pressured by the Pharisees to avoid or reject Jesus.  It was a courageous act for him to publicly approach Jesus, bow before him, and beg for a cure for his daughter.  Jairus' faith in Jesus was that strong.
                                 On the way to Jairus' home, Jesus was delayed by a woman with a serious hemorrhage.  According to Jewish law, her constant bleeding would have excluded her from most social contact.  She thought Jesus wouldn't want to touch her and secretly grabbed his cloak believing that any contact would cure her.  In fact, she was cured, but Jesus told her that it was her faith that provided the cure.  We should never allow fear of our unworthiness to keep us from God.
                                 By the time Jesus finished with the woman, Jairus was told of his daughter's death.  Jesus simply said, "Do not be afraid; just have faith" (Mark 5:36), and Jairus' great faith was rewarded.  No matter how desperate your situation may appear, trust Jesus to help.  Even death is under his control.

Even nice people gossip

                                  "Guess what I heard?"  While this invitation to share may seem like innocent fun, it can precede the harmful habit of gossip.  The Church has different names for this sin, including calumny and detraction.

Gossip comes in different forms.  Every person has the right to a good name and reputation.  Calumny occurs when another's reputation is damaged through lies, while detraction is someone revealing the hidden faults of another without an objectively good reason.

Gossiping doesn't just hurt the victim.  Pope Francis recently said "........At the beginning, (Gossip) seems to be something enjoyable and fun, like a piece of candy.  But at the end, it fills the heart with bitterness and also poisons us."  Spreading negativity about others drags us down as well as those about whom we snipe.

Fight the Good Fight.  While the damage gossip causes can't be undone, we can curb the habit by asking one simple question before we speak:  "What will I accomplish by sharing this information?"  If the answer is "no good," don't.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

                                  Why do we adore God?

                                  "Adoration exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us."  (Catechism Church (CCC), #2628).  Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI said; "It is only by adoring and loving God above all things that human beings can totally fulfill themselves."  Adoration of God makes sense because of who he is. 
                                  When we adore God, we acknowledge that we owe our existence to him.  He is the purpose of our existence and joining him in Heaven for eternity is our ultimate goal.

Drive out demons and heal, too

                                  Jesus demonstrated his power through signs to prove the truth of his words.  He also said that certain signs will accompany his true followers (Mark 16:17-18).  As members of the Church, we, too, can:

Drive out demons:  Jesus called Satan, "the father of lies" (John 8:44).  Satan spreads deceit and despair throughout the world.  The truth of the Gospel overpowers Satan's lies.  Whenever we bear witness to the Gospel, we help to drive out demonic forces.

Speak new languages:  The Gospel truth never changes but making sure it is heard may mean changing methods to suit the time, culture, and place.  Sometimes this entails learning new vocabulary or ways of communicating, such as social media, to reach more people with God's message of love and hope.

Pick up serpents.  Nothing is more poisonous to our relationship with God than yielding to temptation.  Temptation, depicted by a serpent, was Satan's weapon against our first parents.  When we use the Church's tools, including the Gospel and the Sacraments, we can safely handle the poisonous serpent of temptation.

Heal the ill.  Physical illness can be devastating, but so is the great spiritual sickness, ignorance of God.  We don't all have the gift of physical healing but when we proclaim the Gospel, we can bring healing to those who don't know God.

One Minute Meditations

St. Thomas More
Called a "man for all seasons," Thomas was a scholar, lawyer, gentleman, father, and chancellor of England.  He was grounded in classics and religion before entering Oxford to study law.  King Henry VIII appointed him Lord Chancellor but Thomas resigned three years later when Henry defied the pope.
Thomas then spent the rest of his life defending the Catholic Church.  In 1534, Thomas' refusal to recognize the king as the Head of the Church of England cost him his life.

Holy sinners
It is said that as St. Francis of Assisi lay dying, he claimed to be the greatest of sinners.  The holier we become, the more aware we are of our sinfulness.

""Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things"  (Philippians 4:8).

Taking A Potato And Rubbing It On Your Grill Is A Tip Everyone Should Know - NewsLinQ

I've NEVER Seen Popcorn Made This Way — But The Results? I'm Doing This EVERY Time!

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Question & Answer

                                  Why do Catholic churches display crucifixes?

                                  Many Christian churches display simple crosses or other peaceful symbols of their faith.  Non-Catholics wonder why we choose instead the crucifix, which can be a disturbing image.
                                  The crucifix is not just part of our Catholic identity.  The Catholic Church requires that a crucifix be visible during the celebration of Mass to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the altar of the Cross, which is made present for us each time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist.  It is a powerful representation of the body and blood Jesus shed for us.
                                  To Catholics, the crucifix is a symbol of the ultimate act of love.  A cross recalls the Resurrection and Jesus' triumph over death.  That is important to us, too.  But to fully understand our own redemption, we need to be reminded of what Jesus had to endure, namely his Passion and death, before the Resurrection.  We are also reminded that God gave his only Son for our salvation.  The Crucifix is a full image of our redemption.

Feasts & Celebrations

                                 In May we celebrate mothers and the mother of all, the Blessed Virgin Mary.  We can honor her by praying the Rosary and observing her feast days.

May 14
Ascension of the Lord.
This Holy Day of Obligation marks the completion of Jesus' mission of salvation and his triumphant  entry into Heaven by his own power.  Note: In some dioceses, observance has been moved to the following Sunday.

May 21
St. Christopher Magallanes (1937).
Fr. Christopher Magallanes was part of the Catholic Action Movement in Mexico, resisting the anti-Catholic Mexican government.  Despite great persecution, he established a seminary at Totatiche.  Eventually, he was arrested, tortured, and martyred.

May 25
Pope St. Gregory VII (1085).
During dark days for the Church, Pope Gregory worked to eliminate simony (the buying and selling of sacred offices), unlawful marriages of the clergy, and lay investiture (kings and nobles appointing Church officials).  St. Gregory fought attacks on the authority of the Church.  For this he suffered and died in exile.

From Scripture

                                 Matthew 28:16-20;
                                 Jesus gives disciples their charge

                                 When Jesus appeared to the Eleven on the mountain top in Galilee, it was so the crowd with them could witness his Resurrection and get instructions for next steps.  Now that they had been taught and witnessed Jesus' glory, he wanted them to teach others how to live as God's children.
                                 As his followers today, that's our mission, too.
                                 Jesus gave his listeners three commands :  Go, make disciples of all nations, and baptize them.  Baptism signifies a renewed relationship with the Father, as revealed through the Son, to be filled with the Holy Spirit --- in other words, the Holy Trinity.
                                 The Trinity is a mystery most of us will never understand it to believe it.  And we make the Sign of the Cross and say the words Jesus said, "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  We are also reminded that the Cross of Jesus is the only means by which we can follow Christ into the eternal life of the Trinity.

Where is God when you need him?

                                  God can be found one hundred times every day if we look for him.  "So it was you all along.  Everyone I ever loved, it was you.  Everything decent or fine that ever happened to me, everything that made me reach out and try to be better, it was you"  C.S. Lewis.
                                  When you need encouragement, God sends you a kind glance or a friendly word.  Look for his face in the person who gives it.
                                 God surrounds us with beauty to help us think of him and remind us of his love for us.  Don't miss the chance to appreciate a lovely garden or a mighty tree.
                                 When you are anxious or lonely, God comes to you in the sympathetic friend who listens, or the stranger who smiles at you.
                                 When we are on colleague to make us feel comfortable at work or a neighbor to help us feel more at home.
                                 Where is God when you need him?  He is everywhere you are.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

                                  Why do we believe Scripture is Sacred?

                                  The Church calls Sacred Scripture "sacred" because it is divinely inspired by God, and credits him as its author.  "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness"  (2 Timothy 3:16).
                                  The Scriptures describe how God revealed himself to man along with his saving plan.  Every event and every prophecy recorded in the Old Testament points to and is fulfilled in the New Testament in the person of Jesus.

Whom do you want to please?

                                 It is human nature to want the good opinion of other people.  Toddlers and children seek parents' approval as a measure of their growth.  Teens want approval from peers, coaches, teachers, colleges.  As adults, though, it's important to shake off the habit of trying to please or impress others when God's opinion is what matters in the end.  "Am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God?  Or am I trying to please men?"  (Galatians 1:10).

Whose standard is it anyway?
Others tend to judge you from their own perspectives, their own interests, and through their own filters.  People see only your actions.   God sees, your heart. 

Don't defend yourself.
Make consistently good choices and you won't have to defend or explain.  Regularly read Scripture to remember how to please God.  Follow the Commandments and the Beatitudes.  If people legitmately criticize you, gratefully receive their feedback.  Reject the backbiters.

Be your own master.
Don't let an employer, a friend, or a relative gain too strong of a hold on you.  Make your own decisions and choices without pressure.  Otherwise you will find yourself suspending your better judgement in favor of theirs.

Stay who you are.
Don't try to appear better than those around you or to hide the real you.  God loves you just as you are.

One Minute Meditations

St. Joseph the Worker
Our primary responsibility is to fulfill our daily obligations.  Yet, St. Joseph demonstrated that work can lead to holiness if our efforts are for God. 
St. Joseph was not rich.  He and Mary made a modest Temple offering when Jesus was born.  As a carpenter he had to work hard to support his family.  Yet, he offered all he was to raise God's son and protect him from harm.  St. Joseph made everyday life holy.

Upward glance
Try spending part of each day alone with God.  Human conversation keeps you grounded on Earth.  Moments spent with God are moments glancing toward the Heaven that awaits.

"When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, 'Woman, behold, your son!'  Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!'  And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home"  (John 19:26-26).

Saturday, July 11, 2015

Question & Answer

                                  Is it better to say formula or spontaneous prayers?

                                 Prayer is raising our hearts and minds to God and any form of prayer is key to maintaining a strong relationship with God.
                                 Formula prayers are memorized prayers someone has written, while spontaneous prayers are vocalizations that come from the heart.  Both types of prayer have the same goals --- to praise God, ask for his help, to thank him, and reflect on his goodness.
                                 When young, Catholics are often taught formula prayers, such as the "Our Father", "Apostles Creed", and "Hail Mary", to help us learn about God and to develop the habit of speaking with him.  Then, as we grow in our faith, praying spontaneously from the heart becomes another, more personal option.  It is possible, and even fruitful, to combine both forms in our communication with God.
                                 For example, spontaneous prayer during Eucharistic Adoration is made richer by enjoying the silence and presence of God.  In turn, beginning Adoration with the Rosary --- a formula prayer --- can lay the groundwork for a higher level of spontaneous prayer.

Feasts & Celebrations

April 5
Easter Sunday --- The solemnity that marks Jesus' Resurrection.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation.

April 11
St. Stanislaus (1079) --- As Bishop of Krakow in 1072, St. Stanislaus attempted to reform the violent and depraved king of Poland, Boleslas II.  When his efforts failed, he excommunicated the king.  In retaliation, Boleslas murdered the saint as he said Mass.

April 12
Divine Mercy Sunday --- In 1931, Jesus appeared to St. Faustina and asked that the Sunday after Easter becomes the "Feast of Mercy."  Jesus promised that anyone who honors him as the King of Mercy and prays The Chaplet of Divine Mercy --- the prayer he gave to St. Faustina --- will receive special graces and great mercy.

April 21
St. Anselm (1109) --- A native of Italy, St. Anselm initially enjoyed a carefree life at court.  After his mother died, he became a monk in France and reluctantly became bishop of Canterbury, England.  He was exiled for rebuffing the king's interference in Church matters.

From Scripture

From Scripture: John 10:11 - 18,
The Good Shepherd
This Gospel describes the ideal for our relationship with Jesus.  In our society today, we are told that it's good to act for ourselves first, stand on our own, and do what is best for us as individuals.  Our allegiance to others is secondary.  The problem becomes, on whom can we rely for help when we encounter trouble?
In Jesus' day, a shepherd lived with his sheep, cared for them, and even put himself at risk to keep them safe.  He kept them in a flock for safety to protect them from predators.  Their shepherd was trusted and familiar, and the sheep recognized his voice and wouldn't follow another, unknown voice.  He was their Good Shepherd. 
Jesus is the Good Shepherd for all of humankind.  Jesus placed himself in the role of a shepherd and predicted that he would give his life for his sheep.  Although his sheepfold began in Israel, he hopes to have one flock made up of the whole world.  His flock is the Church he founded and all who follow his voice are his sheep.

The path that Easter built

                                 Easter is more than a happy ending to Jesus' travels on Earth.  In fact, it leads to a new life for anyone who follows Jesus. 
                                 Here are some ways to find the right path.
Use a map.
Our faith holds all the tools needed to find peace, personal well-being, and security.  The Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Mass point the way.
Travel light.
Avoiding materialism is the challenge of our time.  keeping only what we need reminds us of our dependence on God, gives us an appreciation for what we have, and helps us be more sensitive to others in need.
Follow a guide.
The journey can be easier when someone lights the way.  Perhaps a priest, deacon, or religious in your parish can become a spiritual mentor.  Or choose one of the saints to be a role model who can light the path.
Bring a friend.
Spiritual companions can help us maintain perspective, challenge us to grow, and make the trip more enjoyable.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

                                  Why do Catholics need faith?

                                  "Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1).  Christians know that Jesus is our Savior and our lives are in his hands.  We also know that by virtue of his suffering, death, and Resurrection, we have hope of sharing in his glory in Heaven.  He said so.
                                  It is through faith that all the other virtues flow.  Through faith we believe, "For with God, nothing will be impossible" (Luke 1:37).

The Year of Consecrated Life

Most of us are called to a vocation of marriage and family, but some are called to live with Christ in a different relationship.  For some of these chosen, this involves leaving aspects of the service of others in the Consecrated Life.

Caretakers of Christ's Church:
The role of a someone consecrated to God by vows of chasity, poverty and obedience is often as a caretaker of the soul.  Whether it is teaching in schools, providing aid to the sick and dying, caring for those in need, or living a life dedicated to manual labor and prayer, they bring Christ's charity to the world. 

Someone to pray for us:
For the consecrated religious, praying can be a full time job.  To better understand the needs of God's children and to learn the Father's will, they often separate themselves in some manner from wordly cares.  This way, they can freely represent us on the front lines of the battle for salvation.

Real role models:
"Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).  Those living the consecrated life try to live their baptismal promises more intensely and serve with open hearts and willing spirits.  When looking for role models, we can look to these men and women striving to live a holy life for God.

One Minute Meditations

St. Bernadette Soubirous
Bernadette was a good but simple teen from a poor family in the south of France.  The Blessed Virgin Mary chose to visit Bernadette eighteen times in a cave beside the Gave River (1858-59).  A miraculous spring with healing waters poured from the spot and Lourdes remains one of the most visited religious sites in the world.  Bernadette suffered terribly, but bravely, from learning difficulty, poor health, world scrutiny.  After becoming a nun, she died at the age of 35.

We are one Body
On the road to Damascus, Jesus told Saul that when he attacked Christians, he attacked Jesus.  "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" (Acts 26:15).  Our Lord cannot be separated from the members of his Body.  We stand united with all who suffer for Christ.
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."  John 6:54

'Bird' Brain Teaser

                                 How well do you know the Hollywood version of To Kill a Mockingbird,
which won three Oscars, including Best Actor for Gregory Peck?
                                 Take the quiz and find out.

1. Which of these lines of dialogue is NOT in the movie:
A) "I don't care what the reasons are:  I forbid you to fight."
B) "You come in here, boy, and bust up this chifforobe."
C) "Where's your spirit?  When you was slaves, you sang like birds."
D) "The defendant is not guilty --- but somebody in this courtroom is."
2. What fictional comic-book character cited Mockingbird as his favorite real-life movie?
A) Superman
B) Batman
C) Daredevil
D) Captain America
3. Mary Badham received an Oscar nomination for her role as Scout, but lost to what other young actress?
A) Tuesday Weld in Soldier in the Rain
B)  Patty Duke in The Miracle Worker
C) Hayley Mills in In Search of the Castaways
D) Sandra Dee in Imitation of Life
4. For his portrayal of Boo Radley, Robert Duvall.........
A) Spent two weeks without speaking a word
B) Dyed his hair blonde and avoided sunlight
C) Consulted with convicted serial killers
D) Didn't bathe for the duration of the filming
5. What moviemaker reportedly said that Mockingbird was "the kind of film I wish I could make"?
A) Ingmar Bergman
B) Robert Altman
C) George Lucas
D) Walt Disney



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers :  1. C   ; 2. A   ; 3. B   ; 4. B   ; 5. D
 

Broadway legend grabs phone from texter, laments future

25 Proverbs Hilariously Expressed Through The Eyes Of First Graders

Murder At Costco


 Murder At Costco

       




Tired of constantly being broke and stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary and then arranging to have her killed.
 
A 'friend of a friend' put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of 'Artie.' Artie explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $10,000.
 
 The Husband said he was willing to pay that amount but that he wouldn't have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife's insurance money. Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single dollar coin that rested inside.
Artie sighed, rolled his eyes and reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.
 
A few days later, Artie followed the man's wife to the local Costco Supermarket. There, he surprised her in the produce department and proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands. As the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath and slumped to the floor, the manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling to leave any living witnesses behind, ol' Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well.
 
However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras and observed by the shop's security guard, who immediately called the police. Artie was caught and arrested before he could even leave the premise.
 
Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband who was also quickly arrested.
The next day in the Newspaper, the headline declared...
(You're going to hate me for this....)
 
"ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 @ Costco"
Oh, quit groaning!

 
 
 
 



Avast logo
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
www.avast.com

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Feasts & Celebrations

March 9 --- St. Frances of Rome (1440).
Although she preferred a life of service, Frances' parents selected a nobleman as her husband.  She and a new sister-in-law formed a society of women to serve the poor.  Frances continued to honor her family and serve the poor.

March 17 --- St. Patrick (493).
Born in Scotland, St, Patrick was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave.  He escaped but later returned as bishop of Ireland and is credited for establishing the Church there.

March 23 --- St. Toribio de Mogrovejo (1606).
A brilliant scholar, he was working as a professor when chosen to lead the archdiocese of Lima in Peru.  He was ordained priest and bishop and worked to strengthen his diocese.

March 29 --- Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion.
The Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion because it recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem when he was greeted by crowds waving palms and cheering.  It marks the beginning of Holy Week.

From Scripture

                                 Mark 14:1-15, 47
                                 Make Jesus' Passion our own.

                                 It is important to recall the events of Jesus' Passion.  It is even more important to share in his suffering and great love during his Passion. 
                                 St. Paul said, "We hold this treasure in earthern vessels........... always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body" (Corinthians 4:7-10).  He means that everything that happens in our lives --- the good and the bad ---- can be part of our bond with Jesus.
                                Every day our frustrations, our fears, our loneliness, our temptations, can become ways in which we share in the suffering and death of Christ.
                                Likewise, our joys, our good health, our family, our friends, are all important ways to share in the joy of his Resurrection.  The point is to offer everything to Christ.
                                St. Alphonsus wrote, "We should consider not so much the sorrows Jesus suffered as the love with which he bore them."  Disciples of Jesus can have the same attitude toward suffering as he did and can share in his joy of Resurrection.

Question and Answer

                                 Are Christians required to be pacifists?

                                 Jesus told his disciples, "........offer no resistance to one who is evil.  When someone strikes you on (your) right cheek, turn the other one to him as well" (Matthew 5:39).  He wanted his disciples to strive for peace when confronted with violence because he knew that "all who takes the sword will perish by the sword" (Matthew 26:52).  We are never to use violence to solve problems.
                                That doesn't mean, however, that we are required to stand by while others attempt to deny either the individual citizen or particular governments fundamental rights, including that of self-defense.  War can be morally justified as a last resort but we should do everything possible to avoid war before it starts.
                                Certainly Christians must speak out against acts that provoke war.  Too, we are required to fight racial, ethnic and religious discrimination.  Better still, when we fight injustice, we actually work to promote peace.  That's the Christian way.  In fact, Jesus turned the violence of the Cross into the ultimate act of love.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Accept your gifts from the Holy Spirit

                                 To guide us in our spiritual growth, the Holy Spirit offers us gifts of sanctifying grace.  These gifts perfect basic virtues that will lead us to Heaven.  When properly used, we stay focused on God.

Wisdom : This gift helps us stay focused on God's will and his plan for us.

Understanding : Lets us grasp truths.  It means seeing with the heart, not just the mind.

Counsel : Also called "right judgement," counsel enables us to weigh all the alternatives to make the right choice.

Fortitude : The ability to remain firm against all pressures.  (Also called courage.)

Knowledge : A person with knowledge sees more than one dimension of an issue to determine the right path. 

Piety : Helps us think of ourselves as children of God and be eager to serve him.

Fear of the Lord : The wonder and awe God inspires encourages us to respect him and all his creations.

Accepting these gifts means identifying and using them : Just don't forget to call on the Holy Spirit for guidance when you do.

Why Do Catholics Do That?

                                 Why do Catholics call Jesus, "Lord"?

                                 The word "lord" refers to someone having power or authority.  When we call Jesus, "Lord", we acknowledge his power over sin and death as evidenced by his Crucifixion and Resurrection.  We dedicate ourselves to his service. 
                                  "The New Testament uses this full sense of the title 'Lord' both for the Father and ......... for Jesus, who is thereby recognized as God himself" (Catedhism of the Catholic Church, #446).  Therefore, Christians bend our knees to him as our Lord and no one else.

Follow the Holy Spirit to Heaven

                                 During Lent, Catholics everywhere sharpen their consciences to prepare for Easter.  As temples of the Holy Spirit, it is critical that we keep ourselves in mint condition.  Nevertheless, even the most diligent caretaker can miss something.  Fortunately, we have the Holy Spirit to assist with our Spring tune-up.

Give God full attention.
                                 Whether it's by meditating on the limitless nature of his love, or by making sacrefices like turning off music or TV to better hear the whispering of the Holy Spirit (1 Kings 19:12), occasional silence is essential to learn how the Holy Spirit wants to work in our lives.

Read love letters from the Lord.
                                  Since humans were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write the Bible, studying it is like having a conversation with the Lord.  What better way could there be to strengthen our relationship with him than by reading and meditating on his very words?

Open the floodgates of grace.
                                  Growth in our relationship with God comes through grace.  For example, we obtain grace by receiving him in the Eucharist at Mass, or obtaining guidance and forgineness from him in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.  The means by which we may receive grace are endless.  The Holy Spirit guides the Catholic Church, so it makes sense to make the Holy Spirit our guide, too.

One Minute Meditations

St. Agnes of Bohemia
Imagine refusing marriage proposals from not one but two kings and the Holy Roman Emperor.  For Agnes, daughter of Queen Constance and King Ottokar I, none but the King of Heaven could win her heart.  In 1236, after financing the construction of a Poor Clare monastery in Prague, she entered this monastery with seven other noblewomen.  Agnes became known for prayer, obedience and mortification.  She turned her fortune and embraced poverty and kindness.

Year of Consecrated Life
Pope Francis declared this the Year of Consecrated Life. 
Celebrate the Church's treasure of those in consecrated life.  (See www.usccb.org for details).

"Dear brothers and sisters, may (the) Lenten season find the whole Church ready to bear witness to all those who live in material, moral and spiritual destitution, the Gospel message of the merciful love of God our Father, who is ready to embrace everyone in Christ."
                                                                                                          Pope Francis

POP Quiz (Songs of Summer)

                                 Complete the song titles begun in the first list with the correct conclusion from the second list.

1. Sunshine___________                        A) Old Summertime
2. The Summer________                        B) Down the River
3.  You are____________                      C) of the Street
4. Keep on____________                       D) on My Shoulders
5. Cruising____________                       E) Summer Breeze
6. Carolina____________                       F) Wind
7. In the Good__________                     G) in the Morning
8. Soft_________________                    H) a Four-Leaf Clover
9. On the Sunny Side________                I) My Sunshine
10. I'm Looking Over________                 J) the Sunny Side




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Answers :  1.-D  ; 2. -F  ; 3. -I  ; 4. -J  ; 5. -B  ; 6. -G  ; 7. -A  ; 8. -E  ; 9. -C  ; 10. -H

This Man Receives A Nasty Letter From Environment Department And Writes Them A Hilarious Response...