A Catholic's Perspective

St. Ann's Parish of Quincy, MA

2009-01-12T14:05:00.000-05:00

I can't say enough good things about the work Fr. Michael Drea has been doing with the parish of St. Ann's in Quincy, MA; especially with the young adults of the entire Quincy area. Theology on Tap is a program which he has brought to Quincy featuring speakers and a relaxed atmosphere at Bad Abbott's in Quincy Center. Last fall Kaitlin Keane of the Patriot Ledger filmed a Youtube video with Fr. Drea to discuss the value of Theology on Tap especially amongst the young adults of the Quincy, MA area.

My fiancee and I have been fans of Fr. Drea since we first met him as Deacon Mike at our hometown church. We left that parish because of college and recently moved back to the area and began attending St. Ann's in Quincy, MA and became reacquainted with Fr. Drea. Incidentally Fr. Drea we have chosen to say our Wedding Mass this winter and love his insight into the Lord.

Fr. Drea and Fr. Ronaghan (Pastor of St. Ann's) are doing truly great work keeping the church alive and full. Along with two retired priests who have come back to help in this time of need, Fr. Matachio(?) and Fr. Cutler they bring a new life to the Parish each day.

I am lucky to be part of this parish community and even though I live about thirty minutes away and pass at least five parishes on my way, St. Ann's is my home.

Pre-Cana and Vacation

2008-05-27T12:22:00.003-04:00

It certainly has been sometime since I last posted and I apologize. I have been having a few very busy weeks. Here is a slight recap.

May 17-18 was Pre-Cana. A very deep weekend where my fiancee and I spent getting closer than I thought was possible. We delved into every topic that should be discussed prior to marriage, and found we are truly ready for each other and to not only choose to love each other for all time but agree on so many other topics, including finances and how to raise children, which we are very much looking forward to. The folks at the Espousal Retreat Center in Waltham, MA were incredible and the other engaged couples we met were sweet and hopefully we made some lifelong friends.

Then it was off on a family vacation with her family to New Hampshire. I love spending time with them, I feel so welcome and truly a part of the family. Her brother just came back from overseas and we also included her aunt and uncle, which was great.

We spent a few days relaxing, reading, and canoe-ing on the lake there. The only downside for this urban boy was the bugs, but even they weren't so bad. We were able to spend a lot of quality time together and continue to delve into the Pre-cana subjects that we started. All in All a fabulous few weeks.

I should be getting back to more daily postings from here on out. Sorry again to my readers who have missed me. I missed you guys too.

Pre-Cana or Marriage Prep

2008-05-18T18:16:00.002-04:00

I have just finished the most spiritual retreat of my life, this weekend at the Espousal Center in Waltham, MA. My finance and I spent the weekend delving into our relationship through the marriage prep course and I am filled with such joy and closeness to my gal, I don't know what to do right now. I am also celebrating our first year anniversary tonight and loving life and loving God for giving me these blessings.

We met the greatest couples this weekend and were truly blessed to have great team couples to help and give marriage prep presentations all weekend. I can't imagine what it would have been like if we tried to enter into the sacrament of matrimony without this great course to help guide us deeper into a more committed relationship.

Thanks be to God

Preparing to Celebrate the Pentecost

2008-05-10T15:16:00.002-04:00

As we Catholics celebrate the greatness of Pentecost Sunday and we remember the glory that has come to us, we must be mindful of the demands that God has made. God the Father of all and through Jesus Christ the Son and by the Holy Spirit, we are...

You can complete that sentence in a million ways for all things are from God, whether it is free will or divine sacrifice, we are simply because God either directed or allowed it. We owe Him everything and therefor have a responsibility to that gift. We are responsible to pay Him back, not in monies and work, but in everything, for everything is of God.

This is not to say we must pay the church, though without our monies the church will find hardship, it is to say that every decision we make we must consider what the Lord God has given us. We must make every effort to thank Him for His gifts to us. We must remember the charge he has given us.

Jesus said whomever thirsts and drinks of Him, they will not thirst. This isn't to say we don't need water to, but if we believe and accept Jesus into our lives we will no longer be empty. We are God children and He will nourish us, not with food and drink but with the Holy Spirit. He will give us that which we need. God said to Moses that the Israelites would be a Holy Nation and Jesus opened the doors to all who accepted Him. We therefor are members of the Covenant of Moses and must obey God's commandments. We must also do as Jesus commanded.

It isn't an easy life if you don't believe, but if you have the knowledge of Christ, whom is the truth personified, then it is easy. It is your soul at stake for none enter the Kingdom but through the intercession of Jesus Christ. And Jesus gave the power to decide to His Apostles on earth. It is through His Church that we are shown the way to the Father and through the Church that we are allowed to have our sins forgiven. Jesus gave this power to certain men whom have been allowed to pass on this gift through the Holy See. We are able to be joined to the Holy Spirit through the Sacraments and should dutifully obey the law of God.

I look forward to celebrating the Mass of Pentecost Sunday and remembering the early church and its great sacrifices as well as the great gifts of the Holy Spirit that God sent through Jesus to earth.

Another Theology on Tap

2008-05-08T21:15:00.002-04:00

I spent last night learning the basics of advancing parish stewardship at Theology on Tap in Quincy, MA. The speaker, gave a rousing speech about the fundementals of stewardship. She explained the difference between parish stewardship and what can be best expressed as tighthing. The Catholic view on stewardship goes more to being responsible with your decisions because everything we receive is a gift from God.

I like listening to her speak, I wish she had been more explicit with her answers to some of the questions but in all it was a good night.

The final speaker in the session of Theology on Tap at Bad Abbott's in Quincy, MA is going to be speaking on the feminism of the Catholic Church as started and nurtured by Pope John Paul II. I will write more details later but I am certainly looking forward to this night.

Jesus is the light and the way

2008-05-05T18:21:00.002-04:00

Why do we so often wait to the last minute to understand. And therefor once we truly comprehend we are done and what was once is gone. The apostles ran into this idea, just as they not only believed but absolutely knew Jesus to be the Son of God, He left them physically. Just when they truly understood it was over. All that time that they could have asked Him questions was lost because of doubt and non-comprehension.

This is too often the case. We come to understand only at the end. I think it is therefor important for us to began seeking with more open minds. When one comes and tells us the way, we should be open to it. We defeat ourselves when we close our minds and our hearts to God. God wants us to understand how to do things, even if we can't. He wants us to be trying to find the way, that is why He gave us Jesus, who is the Light and the Way.

When you are presented with a moment of doubt, or question what is before you. Say a prayer and ask to be shown the Way. God will answer you, for He wants you to know the Way to Him. If you are presented with a choice that you are uncomfortable with, ask for help deciding.

This isn't the only way to the Lord, but Jesus is the only way to God. Remember Him and Remember the Way.

Medicine is Good

2008-05-03T16:56:00.003-04:00

To have been one of the men and women whom Jesus walked among would have been so exulting. I wish on a daily basis that I could have been amongst them at the beginning of our great church. But I remember with clarity that I also know Jesus, for if you look you too will also see and know Him. He is in the grass and the birds, He is in the poor and the righteous, He is in all who have come to Him.

I am so blessed to not only have Christ in my life, but to also know Him. I have been able to see so many things in my days, things that can easily be explained, through other ways, but to know that it is God working is a most blessed thing.

I am somewhat concerned though, for the faithful who are being led astray. Those who are asking more of the Lord than they should. Those who expect the Risen Lord to come to their bed in person and heal them, or right some wrong.

I think of the couple on trial for letting their child die, instead of trusting in the Lord. Why is it that we people can't believe that God has given us doctors to care for our sick. That medical science is a miracle from Jesus. Instead some of us, say we will trust in the Lord and wait for Him to come heal us.

I think of the old joke.

There was a man sitting on his porch when the radio said that the flood was coming. So the man sat on his porch and said "I will trust the Lord will save me, for I am a good man."

Then a man came by in a truck and said "the water is rising, get in and I will take you to safety." But the man just sat on his porch and said "I will trust the Lord will save me, for I am a good man."

Then the water proceeded to rise and the man went to his roof. Sometime later a man in a boat came by and said "Get in the boat and I will take you to safety." But the man refused and said "I will trust the Lord will save me, for I am a good man."

Needless to say the man drowned. As he arrived in heaven he said "Lord why did you abandon me?" and Jesus came to him and said "What do you mean I sent a radio message, a truck and a guy in a boat."

So that example isn't exactly from the scripture, but I believe it should be examined closely. Why are we so arrogant to believe that God needs us to tell Him how to save us? He will save us, if it is His will, not because it is ours. He will save us in ways we understand not. If God didn't want medicine to be saving people, He has the power to stop it. It is simple a delusion to believe that something that can help so many is a bad thing. Medicine is our friend and shouldn't replace prayer but neither should prayer replace medicine. It is our duty to make sure we use every gift the God has given us. It is a great thing that God has given some men the power to heal. He did it before in other ways, so we shouldn't be surprised.

I think about the Gospel reading today from John. When Jesus is talking to Phillip and ask has He been with them so long that they don't know Him.

Well God does things that we don't understand and that is alright by me. I have faith in the Lord and know He will put the right things in my path to be able to do His will. I only have to be strong enough to choose His will over my own.

A New Awakening

2008-05-02T13:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was the day we remember the ascension of the Lord. It is a magnificent day for us Catholics. Jesus who was with us, went back to the Father. Jesus only left us in physical form, for he remains with us always. It is the most important fact in our faith. We are never alone, even when we are at our lowest points, Jesus remains in us.

It has been a few days since I have been able to write, and thankfully I have a new joy to be writing about. I am more fully aware of the Lord in my own life, then perhaps I ever was before. I have been able to spend the last few weeks in prayer, with my family and with Jesus in my life. I have been able to see the miracles at work in this world, even through the pain that so many feel.

Many people in our country are in hard times, many are doubting the word of God. This has been something that has been truly troubling me lately. There is so much pain. But, after our Holy Father came with his message of hope and words of wisdom, I have been left with such an excitement that I didn't know what to do or say. I have such a shear joy.

We who are faithful and obedient to the word of the Lord God, have such a mission in front of us that it could make lesser men fall. But we Catholics have the Lord Jesus Christ to give us strength and through Him all is possible. We will not fail in our mission. We will succeed for God is with us.

What is the mission. Well, simply put to bring the Word of the Lord to all, you seek it. Now it is not our mission to start going door to door. It is our mission to be open to the truth and reveal it to all those you seek. Paul said to be ready with an answer to any who ask. I say the same to all of us. Be ready, for the Lord will place people around us faithful that need to be shown our example. We will need to live as best we can and be ready with the answer.

Remember the joy you felt the first time you knew God. Remember how much strength that gave you in your daily lives. Don't be selfish with that joy, but share it. Go about your daily lives. Living good christian lives. But if your example makes someone question why or how you can find so much joy. Be ready to tell them, that through Jesus Christ you have found your peace and your way.

I am sorry to those of you who were reading this blog daily, I have been not posting. I also thank you Puff. I needed your comment today, to help me put down the work I was doing to write something that truly matters. Not that I matter, but the Word of God and how we feel about that Truth matter.

Officially moved site

2008-04-29T12:16:00.003-04:00

If you have come to this site in the last couple of days you would have noticed the posting that said I have a new address, yet you wouldn't have been able to enjoy said address. Well if you are on the site now, you will notice we have officially moved. I would like to thank the people at google and godaddy.com you have been so helpful.

We are now acatholicsperspective.com and loving it.

Updates and New Address

2008-04-25T19:39:00.003-04:00

Well kiddos, I have spent the majority of my day trying to set up a unique domain name for this site. I have finally done it, I think atleast we will see in the next few hours. It is going to be acatholicsperspective.com, dropping the .blogspot from the title. If you have a link to the original it will still work, but the new title will also work.

I have had an exciting week. I have been able to spend some great quality time with the family and am really starting to enjoy life. I am very engaged at this point and the finacee and I have been spending a great deal of time, wedidng planning. We are trying to only deal with the more superficial things, flowers, invitations and such. We are signed up for Pre-Cana and I am looking forward to it. I think it really will help us prepare for married life.

Well anyways, I am going to be going on my way. SO hopefully more of you will be able to see this site, once the blogspot address is dropped.

Thank You Pope Benedict XVI

2008-04-22T14:08:00.002-04:00

I have spent the last few days catching up on Pope Benedict XVI's visit to America. I have been going over everything the Holy Father has said and done in the trip. I am truly in awe of this great man.

I don't fully understand everything that I can do to follow the Pope's example, but I do certainly feel the hope that the Holy Father was trying to return to us American Catholics. I also feel the need to follow his wisdom and example.

Not the longest post today, hopefully I will get more ideas and write more later.

Sean Patrick Cardinal O'Malley

2008-04-18T14:45:00.000-04:00

There are no words worthy of describing my gratitude to our Holy Father, and his wisdom and guiding hands in helping to heal our Church through the guiding Holy Spirit and through Christ Jesus. His words of Hope and actions of healing are truly helping to heal the wounds of our Church.

I read an accounting of the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Sean O'Malley and several victims of Priest Abuse on Boston.com today. I have deeply moved by the sincerity of the Holy Father's words and actions since arriving in America, not once shying away from the hurt the Crisis in our church has caused. He has done many things that truly show why he is the leader of our Church and why with his help we will heal.

I can't begin to imagine the horrors of that sort of Physical, Sexual and Spiritual Abuse can cause on one so young. I can only know how I felt towards Priests as an altar boy and how much I trusted them. I can only think of what I would have done and what pain I would have known had I been one of the victims.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley, who organized this meeting with the pontiff, due to the inability of the Holy Father to extend his trip to include Boston, is our Shepherd in the Archdiocese of Boston. He has done many great things to help heal the wounds caused by so many years of pain. Cardinal O'Malley has met with several hundreds of victims of the abuse. The Cardinal has also given hope to those of us, who though weren't directly victimized, lost faith in the Archdiocese and were sent walking through our personal deserts to find our way. Cardinal O'Malley has become a beacon of Hope in the Archdiocese.

The Cardinal had these words to say after the meeting with the Pope. "I think the Holy Father has been horrified at the thought of priests abusing their ministry and harming these children, and he said he came to the US with sorrow in his heart over this, and has been praying for all of those who have suffered this abuse," O'Malley said later in an interview. "In the morning, in his homily, he said the American church must be about pastoral care and solicitude for those who have been abused, and I think that by this meeting he was giving us an example."

I love the Holy Father and thank Christ Jesus for giving us Pope Benedict XVI as our leader, but I disagree with the Cardinal. I feel personally as one who has lived through these hard times, that Sean Cardinal O'Malley has given us the example that we should look towards. I believe it was Cardinal O'Malley example that the Holy Father saw and was moved by. Cardinal O'Malley has been helping us heal for years now and I am grateful for every moment he has spent in the Archdiocese of Boston.

I am glad Cardinal O'Malley has a great leader to find help from and that our Pope has come to help heal with the hope of Christ.

I leave us with the eight Beatitudes as spoken by Christ Jesus, written in the text of St. Matthew-

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall posses the land.
Blessed are they who mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Fr. Timothy Gallagher, Theology on Tap

2008-04-17T16:13:00.001-04:00

When I walked into Bad Abbot's in Quincy, MA for Theology on Tap last night, I entered a familiar place. Theology on Tap has become a great outlet for me personally in clarifying my faith amongst like persons, with an ability to hear a varied messages and intellectual discourse on a multitude of Catholic topics. I was yet again impressed by the incredible speaker that the Theology on Tap council had brought for us to hear. Fr Timothy Gallagher, OMV, is an expert on St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules for Discernment and how their insights are invaluable for our spiritual growth today.

I do have to say, walking into Theology on Tap last night, I was a newbie in the realm of St. Ignatius of Loyola and his Rules for the Discernment of Spirit. I will admit, I knew two things about St. Ignatius. One he was a Saint. Two he had a unique name. So needless to say just about everything Fr. Gallagher said last night was enlightening.

Fr. Gallagher, who is an expert with many literary works on the subject, is a highly requested international speaker and leader of retreats on the subject that we were blessed to hear. And those of us attending Theology on Tap in Quincy, were able to do so for free. He began his discussion on the background of St. Ignatius and spoke from St. Ignatius' Autobiography. Fr. read a passage on how St. Ignatius was enlighten by God and the moment when he put his, what could at best be called, dotty past behind him and started a pilgrimage for Jesus and began his saintly life. The passage describes how St. Ignatius was bed-ridden, due to a broken leg, and was reading about Jesus and the Saints.

St. Ignatius was essentially the first real Catholic Scholar and came to God not through singular way. His transformation wasn't only spiritual, but intellectual as well. St. Ignatius' Rules for Discernment essential is an intellectual practice of dividing ones feelings from one mind. It allows us to understand ourselves better and in doing, understand what God wants for and from each of us.

It is a topic that was just broached during an hour and half lecture and would take years to truly understand, but as a Catholic and man who believes in God, I find myself wishing to start the journey.

For more information on Fr. Timothy Gallagher and to order his books, please go here.

Fr Gallagher at Theology on Tap

2008-04-16T15:28:00.003-04:00

Another Theology on Tap session at Bad Abbots in Qunicy, MA featuring Father Tim Gallagher, OMV. The discussion will be on Navigating the Soul through the Storms of the Spirit: Practical Counsels of St. Ignatius of Loyola

A Little about Fr. Gallagher

Fr. Tim is one of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, resident at St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine in Boston , and an expert on the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. Fr. Tim has published several books on Ignatian Spirituality, including one on the Discernment of Spirits—Ignatius’ s way of knowing his own soul to grow in the spiritual life. We are very fortunate to have Fr. Tim with us this week, as he is highly sought-after across the continent to offer seminars on this very topic. Fr. Tim will help us understand our own ups and downs in the spiritual life, and how to become attuned to the different influences on our spirits. He will be joining us between a trip to speak in Montreal , and another to Michigan . To learn more about Fr. Tim and his ministry, check out: FrTimothygallagher.org

The Date- Wednesday, April 16 2008
The Time- 7-8:30 PM
The Place- Bad Abbot's Pub, Quincy Center

Quincy Theology on Tap is hosted by St. Ann's Parish in Wollaston, which is part of Quincy, MA.
Masses are Weekly at the following times
Saturday 4PM Vigil Mass Sunday 7, 9, 11:30 AM with the Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9 AM Weekdays 9 AM Rosary 8:35 AM Weekdays

President Greets Holy Father

2008-04-16T11:55:00.002-04:00

Jesus' new Covenant with man was truly a remarkable thing. He cam to save, not to judge. He came to show us the way and open our eyes. He came as a man so that we might believe. He was here for us, for our sake and our salvation.

This the second day of Pope Benedict XVI trip to the United States, starts with the Pope saying Mass in the chapel of the nuncios and then visiting the American President. It is the Holy Father's birthday and truly a special day for Americans. This trip to the White House marks the first by a pontiff in 29 years.

I believe President Bush has truly shown diligent respect to the Holy Father, and though this Catholic doesn't always respect the President's decisions, I believe the show of respect yesterday was truly inspiring. President Bush had never met a foreigner at Andrews Air Force Base before. The President went with his wife, Laura and their daughter, Jenna to meet the Holy Father. Even though this is more a publicity stunt, it is truly significant. The Pope, whether or not you are Catholic, is a magnificent man, whom preaches Love and patience. The Holy Father is truly a man of God and our Shepherd.

I was thankful for the pontiff's words on the plane coming to America on the Sexual Abuse Crisis facing our shores and am deeply moved by his statement.

Again to stay up to date on these events and all the Popes trip to America watch CBS and go to CBSNews.com.

CBS stands above the rest

2008-04-15T15:48:00.002-04:00

In this day and age of 24 hour media that is so often focused on the worst that our society offers, it is great news for those of us who are looking for inspiration that CBS has decided to focus on the Holy Father's trip to the U.S.

We who seek the truth and also wish to be informed of the happenings in our American society can relish in the fact that News media such as CBS has decided that a Papal visit is indeed highly news worthy.

You can read their coverage schedule Here.

Remember the Holy Father

2008-04-15T12:10:00.001-04:00

On this Tuesday as the preparations set into actions, as the Holy Father travels to the Country of my Birth, I am watching and waiting. I am waiting for the message of Hope that our Holy Father brings. I am waiting for the New Evangelization that has been spoke of. I am waiting for Salvation and and guidance.

As I write this message, I am contemplating the daily readings. I am thinking on what I can possibly say on a day so historic and to be worth writing.

I think about the men in my country who do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, nor His Father, nor the Holy Spirit. I am thinking on what Christ said about those who saw and didn't believe. They had a chance and didn't accept the Son of Man.

I am thinking about the millions of people who have no knowledge of God. These poor people who haven't rejected the Lord, because they know Him not. It is these men we should pray for. These persons whom if only shown the way, would believe and be saved.

I hope that in the coming days, weeks, months and years, I will be able to reach even one of them, so that they may be saved and I may be able to do some true good in this world. I pray to Jesus that I might be able to reach some of these men and women and help.

Remember our Holy Father in your Prayers this week. Ask Jesus to aid him in his Journey to help and preach the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

CBS Coverage of Pope Benedict XVI

2008-04-15T11:52:00.002-04:00

CBS News Plans Comprehensive Coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the U.S., including Live Coverage of his White House arrival. and reports on the 'CBS Evening News With Katie Couric' and 'The Early Show' Throughout the Week.

CBSNews.com and CBS Radio News to Carry Live Coverage of the Pope's Public Events, From Arrival to Departure.

CBS News will offer comprehensive coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United States from his arrival in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday (15), through his departure from New York City on Sunday (20). CBS News' coverage will include carrying the Pontiff's arrival at the White House on Wednesday (16) live, along with reports on the CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC (6:30-7:00 PM, ET/PT) and THE EARLY SHOW (7:00-9:00 AM, ET/PT). CBSNews.com and CBS Radio News will add to the coverage, providing live reports on public events during the Pope's trip.

National Correspondent Byron Pitts will travel with the Pope through the duration of his U.S. visit and will report for the CBS EVENING NEWS on the state of the Catholic Church, the Pope's role in U.S. politics, religious tolerance and any breaking news regarding the Pontiff's daily activities. Tonight, Correspondent Bob Orr will report on preparations by U.S. law enforcement and Secret Service to protect the Pope as he moves throughout the Northeast, often in large open venues.

Coverage on The Early Show will include live reports and live West Coast updates of many of the historic events taking place during the Pope's visit. On Tuesday (15), correspondent Jeff Glor will be live from Andrews Air Force Base awaiting the arrival of Pope Benedict. On Wednesday (16), co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez will be live at the White House to cover the Pope's arrival ceremony with President Bush live for the West coast. On Thursday (17), Rodriguez will co-anchor from Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., before the Pope celebrates Mass there later in the day. Glor and Rodriguez will continue to cover the Pope's arrival in New York City for The Early Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

CBSNews.com will provide live Webcast coverage of all public events during the Pope's visit and an online library of on-demand video clips from the trip and from Benedict's papacy as a whole. The site will also have a number of interactive elements, including a timeline of the Pope's itinerary in the U.S. and his life in pictures, his thoughts on major world issues and a timeline of milestones in his life, which can be viewed here: Pope Benedict in America

CBS Radio News will provide reports on the Papal trip, including those from National Correspondent Dan Raviv, White House Correspondent Peter Maer and Correspondents Cami McCormick and Steve Kathan. CBS News Radio plans to air live coverage and special reports of the major public events in the Pope's schedule.

Coverage of Pope Benedict's arrival began with a SUNDAY MORNING piece on April 13 by Martha Teichner exploring how many U.S. citizens know who he is and how everyone from children to adults are preparing for the Pontiff's arrival, which can be seen here: Who Is Benedict XVI?

God is Love

2008-04-14T13:04:00.000-04:00

Until Jesus Christ came I would be considered a gentile. Not that I am uncircumcised but that I would not have been accepted by the Jews. But as Jesus says in today's Gospel reading:

He is "the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”

This is a truly important Gospel reading for those of us Catholics who don't descend from the house of Abraham. We are only taken into the fold by the Grace of Lord Jesus Christ. He decided we were worthy. He placed our salvation at the same importance as the people of Israel. We are accepted by the Lord God, through the Son. We only need to believe and be true to God's Commands and the Jesus's Commands and we will be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

God didn't say the Jews weren't worthy, they were and are. He just decided that because of the great example that the Jews had given that all men could be worthy.

We Catholics owe so much to the Israelites, for if not by their steadfast belief in the Lord God, we might never have had the chance of knowing Jesus and being accepted by Him.

I feel too many Christians place blame on the Jews of Jesus's time for His murder. Jesus was the only one who was capable of allowing His death. He did so freely for us, and to lay blame upon men for His death is to take away the Glory of God. We should consider, even Judas was playing the role God set out for him. What choice did he truly have in any of it. I honestly believe Judas is in Heaven and is loved by God. The pains would have been excruciating for him to turn his back on the Lord, whom he loved. But what choice did he have when it was all by God's design.

Primacy of Peter and Papal Visit

2008-04-13T14:05:00.001-04:00

The issues discuss in the bible reading of this Mass of the Good Shepherd have greatly to do with trusting the Lord. Jesus is constantly speaking to us, but do we hear Him?

He is the Good Shepherd and it is our needs He is speaking to. Jesus knows all of us, our good and our bad, yet He still loves us entirely. He doesn't just love the good in us, He also loves that which makes us sin. He is the way and the Light. It is through Him all things are made whole again.

When you look at the first Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, you can see the good works that Simon whom Christ named Peter, is doing. He, whom denied the Lord on the day of His execution, is the Rock that Jesus picked to lead us. He is the man whom Christ gave the keys to the kingdom, to bind us to Christ.

I think on the Primacy of Peter heavily this day. For in only a few days the Holy Father will arrive on these shores. He will be coming, not as a Rock star or as a Celebrity, but as the Shepherd of our Church. He is coming to help revitalize our spirits, Through the Holy Spirit. He is coming to give us a new Hope in the Old Truth that is Jesus.

I look forward to reading the speeches and watching the Masses. I look forward with an open heart to the words of the Holy Father. I don't think it will be easy to heal our Church in America, but I do know it will begin this week, with the Pope and the message of Christ, through whom all Good things happen.

Missing Masses

2008-04-12T18:40:00.002-04:00

I am getting married on December 27, 2008 to a wonderful Catholic woman I have known for over twelve years. I couldn't be happier. We have just figured out the readings for the Wedding Mass and are now in the process of deciding on the music.

That is where I start my story. We went to a Wedding Music Seminar at the Church where we attend mass and also where we are being married. There were quite a few couples there all getting married in the next year. The problem is, I have never seen a single one of them at the church prior to this day. I go to several Masses a week and usually at least two on the weekends. I would have figured I would have seen at least some of them before.

I don't want to say that this is a problem with these couples, but it does sadden me. To think that a person is ready to enter Holy Matrimony without a good solid religious background, seems a little foolish to me. I think that my religious life and that of my fiancee is the most important part of us as a couple. I think it is important to follow the teaching of the church and also that it is important to remain close to God. Not just on High Holy days, but on a daily basis.

God is a great forgiver but I think He asks more of us than we are sometimes willing to give. So much gets in the ways of our following the Lord. I hope you all are blessed by the Grace of God and walk through your days knowing He loves you.

The rules are Simple, but not always Easy

2008-04-11T16:43:00.000-04:00

Today's readings fill me with a saying, "You are what you eat." This is essentially what we are partaking, in a spiritual sense, when we accept the Eucharistic Lord through the Eucharist. We are taking the body and blood of Christ into our bodies in order to live through His grace.

This is such a simple act, but that doesn't mean that it is easy to accomplish. The shear simplicity of the religion Jesus ordered set up is mind boggling. All we have to do is follow a short list of instruction and we will live forever with God.

The list isn't easy to follow but if you think about it, it is a list that each and everyone of us would try to follow even if God didn't decree it.

Don't Lie, Steal or Murder. Be honorable and faithful. Don't lust. And pay homage to the Creator. These are all simple, but not easy things to do.

Why do I say simple, well it could be more complex, there could be a million parts to each, but God has made it simple for us.

Why do I say not easy, because even though some of them are easier that others, it is in our very nature to sin. God knows this, so He has set up ways for us to be forgiven. True repentance is all that is required. We need to know that we have sinned and ask for God to forgive that sin. Sometimes we sin without our express knowledge or perhaps we committed a sin, prior to knowing what we did was sin. These too can be forgiven.

God knows our nature, and has made it simple to repent.

But even though it is simple, that doesn't make it easy.

The Only Way to the Father...

2008-04-10T11:54:00.000-04:00

Jesus is the bread of life and all who know Him know God, for one can only know God through the Son. This is a unique idea that is altogether bothersome and altogether glorious.

At times to believe and not be able to know is a burdensome idea. We who seek the One God have been troubled throughout time to know Him. We are trying to comprehend that which is incomprehensible and therefor become frustrated. It is in each and every one of us a desire to the know the Lord God, but to do so is impossible without the intervention of the three in one.

Jesus Christ is Lord God and to know Jesus is to know God. Jesus has been given to us mortals as a means to understand the Father. Salvation reigns through the word and Jesus is the word.

In other words, consider God the father is a distant leader, whom country is grand. Then suppose you are a peasant living in a land that has nothing. If someone comes and tells you of this great land far away, you would have no means to truly understand the wonder of it. It all you have ever seen have been shacks, how could you understand a Skyscraper? But then one comes who has with him a picture book that explains the lands faraway not with words but with pictures. You are able to see the greatness of the land faraway and understand better what it is.

You still can't totally understand the scope of the land, but you understand better because of the Word made flesh. Jesus is our guide in the knowing of God, and the men of the Church whom help us to understand the book.

Now it is possible to know Jesus without knowing the Church, but once you begin to understand what Jesus is saying to you, you know that he wishes for you to worship and glorify the Father in Church. He also tells you to do certain things to remember Him and His great works, which need a holy man to perform the blessings in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Why do we need the Catholic Church? Because Jesus told us to build it and worship at it. He told us the only way to God is through the Son and also how to please the Son. He told us to worship Him and remember Him through the Eucharist and that is what we Catholics do.

Tertullian, an African from Carthage

2008-04-09T16:39:00.003-04:00

I have been fortunate to spend some time today reading some of the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI speeches found at Papal Wednesday Address which is a great site for things relating to our Holy Father. I have been reading more and more in preparation of our Holy Father's visit to the United States next week.

The thoughts that Pope Benedict XVI describes about Tertullian as being a great writer for the Christian faith in the late second century are truly telling of the Holy Father's plethora of Christian knowledge and really have opened my eyes.

Pope Benedict XVI states "In our catechesis on the Fathers and teachers of the early Church, we now turn to Tertullian, an African from Carthage and the first great Christian author to write in Latin. A convert to Christianity, Tertullian became an eloquent apologist for the faith, not only defending it from its detractors but striving to present positively the Gospel message in dialogue with the pagan intellectual tradition. He emphasized the unity of God while affirming the divinity of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Tertullian’s terminology of three “persons” in one divine “substance” marked a significant advance in the development of the dogma of the Trinity. His works also bear witness to the emerging understanding of the dignity of Our Lady, the nature of the Church, the Petrine Primacy, and the sacraments. Tertullian grounds the Christian life in prayer and in hope based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Converted by the sufferings of the martyrs, whose blood he called the seed of the Church (cf. Ap., 50.13), Tertullian grew increasingly rigoristic, and eventually left the Church’s communion. Yet he remains an influential witness to the Church’s rule of faith and an important figure in the perennial dialogue between the Gospel and the world of culture."

This is a great passage on the man whom gave us so much, and even though he proved himself fallible, our Holy Father judges him not. It is a great lesson of humility that we can take. Even though Tertullian was a devote man and great writer, he still thought himself better than the Church of God and couldn't accept man's fallibility.

The Pope goes on to say "When you evaluate your thought in terms of your greatness, in the end it is this greatness that is lost. The essential characteristic of a great theologian is the humility to stay with the Church, to accept her and one’s own faults, because only God is all holy. We, on the other hand, are always in need of forgiveness."

I love reading our Holy Father's thoughts and will continue to go back to Papal Wednesday Address in order to grasp more of his wisdom.

Is Divine Mercy Enough

2008-04-08T14:32:00.000-04:00

What an extraordinary reading from the Acts of the Apostles today. We reconnect with St. Stephen as he is confronting the masses. He is simply speaking the truth as Lord Jesus Christ has shown it to him. And instead of embracing the truth these men run from it. They close their ears and hearts and then murder the messenger from speaking the message.

How often do we hear the truth and run from it? How often do we decide that even though we know the right way, we deviate and go our way instead. I am not comparing my sins or those of my fellow man to the sins committed against God's messenger, St. Stephen, I am merely saying we are not innocent of sin.

How many times have we closed our ears to the truth? Sometimes it is easier to walk the road of our society instead of standing against it and helping to change. We need to become the Change if we are to better ourselves or our culture.

It isn't about speaking to groups of people and telling them the wrong they are doing, it is about taking a hard look at our own lives and deciding to live more fully for the Lord. It is about committing oneself to the divine truth that is Jesus Christ and helping the people around you to see that truth for themselves. Not with speech, but with deeds and actions. We must live better lives.

It is easy to sit back and say we are righteous, but how many of us truly are. I know I sin everyday, that is why God have made it so easy to be forgiven, I simply need to ask and truly feel penitent and God will grant forgiveness. God knows it is inherent in our nature to commit sins, the work upon us is to limit that sin, not to get rid of it entirely.

I know not one person who has been on this human plane of existence that did not sin, Even Christ Jesus was somewhat fallible in the human state. God knew even this would happen. It is man's nature.

Perhaps it is upon us today to recommit ourselves to God's teachings as come through the Prophets and Jesus Christ. Perhaps we should consider what St. Stephen was willing to do, when we are confronted with our own failings. Perhaps we should consider what greatness God have truly given us and be thankful instead of looking for more.