DIAKONIA - A Blog By Deacon Pat Kearns

The Flu Shot (Funny Video or Not?)

2009-11-11T19:46:00.001-08:00

Now That Is FUNNY!

2009-11-11T09:43:00.000-08:00

My Brother Kevin's Cancer Recovery (The Journey Continues)

2009-11-10T21:55:00.000-08:00

Well, would you look at that....Guinness, Lamb stew, soda bread.......I thought that guy was supposed to be sick?!

OK, well, the truth is that I really only could get down a few bites of the stew, and mostly the carrots at that. The soda bread, a little dry to begin with anyway, didn't have a chance. And salad?! That's for girls.... But I did get half the Guinness down (yes, I know, penalty to pay for leaving half a Guinness....) and it even tasted a little like Guinness. So I guess this is progress.

Read the rest of the Kevin's post, click here

What's Right with Christianity and Catholicism

2009-11-10T21:10:00.000-08:00

Stewardship and Faith Homily (32nd Sunday Ordinary Time)

2009-11-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 11-08-09

1 Kings 17: 10-16, Mark 12: 41-44

How many of us have some fear of the future? Have anxiety over money, or the lack of? Worry, Worry about life, being cared for? Or just frightened by life’s unknown?

Ask yourself this question: Do I truly believe that God will take care of me?

Take a moment and honestly think about this question: Do I truly believe that God will take care of me?

In the first reading today there was a widow who was about to prepare a final meal for her son and herself. After the meal, there was to be no more food and death by starvation was sure to follow. Then Elijah the prophet shows up and asks this widow to bring him some water and then to prepare him some food. The widow declared her current state in life, however, Elijah responded by stating “Do Not Be Afraid” and then instructed her to proceed with his request and reminded her of God’s promise that she would be taken care of. The widow complied with Elijah’s request and the widow and her son survived.

Lets imagine for a minute that you were the widow, you were penniless, had run out of options, had just about nothing left:

How would you respond to Elijah’s request?

What was Elijah really asking of the Widow when he asked her to give up her last bit of food?Isn’t this story really about Faith! Isn’t it really about trust, trust not in our own abilities, but trust in the Lord.

Imagine you are the Widow’s child. How do you feel when Elijah tells your mother to first make bread for him?

How do you feel after your mother makes bread and you still have plenty of flour and oil, not enough for a day, or a week, but for a whole year the Flour and Oil Jars never empty.

What about in our own lives? How do we handle “Stressful” situations? Do we truly believe that God will care for us. And when we endure, when we survive, do we attribute the success to God’s promise.

In the Gospel today the poor widow gave two small coins to the treasury, she gave her all. She gave all she had to live on. Jesus stated that this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury, for they had given from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her poverty, she had contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.

Lets ask ourselves “What kind of giver am I?”

I remember a story, a true story, that I recently heard from one of our parishioners about one of our parishioners. I was told about a man who was clearly homeless and sitting on the side of the road here in Redding. The parishioner walked by the homeless man and felt compelled to do something for him. He asked the homeless man “Could I buy you a hamburger?” The homeless man reached over and grabbed a paper bad, it contained numerous hamburgers that other people had given to him.

Not knowing what to say, the parishioner stated, “ Is there anything I can do for you?” The homeless man responded, “I just wish someone really cared.”

He didn’t want a handout, he wanted someone to talk to, someone to care about him.

The parishioner sat down with the man and they visited for over an hour on the sidewalk. They talked about life, happiness, sadness, Faith, hopes and dreams, family, and love. They established a relationship, a friendship. I am not sure who gained more from that encounter, but it clearly was special, holy, and life giving.

Probably the greatest gift that is often withheld is the gift of our time and attention.

I have met so many starving people, not starving for food or nourishment, but starving for attention, many among our own families and friends. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of a giver am I? Do I only give from my surplus, or do I give my all.

Lets think about the people in our own lives. What do I give to them? Is it from my surplus, or do I truly give my all to them. Do I hold back, if so Why? Is it out of fear, is it selfish, why?

I was once told to look at my ability to give through the concept of the three T’s (Time, Talent, and Treasure).

How much of my time do I give?

How much of my talent do I share?

What treasure do I possess that I am willing to give back to God?

For each of us, the determination of how and what to give will be as unique as we are. And thinking of a parish, not unlike a family, it really is something that is built and sustained through our stewardship, through our giving of our three T’s, Our Time, Our Talent, our Treasure, because without such giving, a parish cannot survive, nor even exist.

So what really is stewardship?

Stewardship is a way of living. It is a lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility. It is the acknowledging of God as the creator and the owner of all. Christian Stewards see themselves as the caretaker of all of God’s gifts.

Gratitude for these many gifts is expressed in our prayer, worship, offerings and action. Stewardship is a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning to God a portion of the many gifts (our time, talent, and treasure) that we have been given. Stewardship is about the holistic approach and discernment of the three T’s God has blessed us with.

So how can we live out stewardship? Here are a few examples:

By actively participating in one or more ministries in the parish.

By using our special skills and training in fixing things in the church and parish hall.

By inviting friends and neighbors and helping others join us at Mass each week.

By spending our time and talents in the family by training children in prayer life (spending daily 10 minutes in prayer and bible reading) and teaching them Christian behavior, prayers, and the basics of our faith.

Also, by actively participating in the liturgy by: paying attention, loudly reciting prayers, singing songs, and behaving reverently in church.

The list can go on and on, but I think you get the point.

Stewardship contains action, love, trust, and faith.

I’ll close with this short story from an African village that can teach us so much, especially when we contemplate the depth beyond the superficial message.

A missionary priest in Africa heard a knock on the door of his hut one afternoon. Opening the door, the priest found a native boy holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said “Father, you taught us what tithing is. So I have brought you my tithe.”

As the Priest gratefully took the fish, he asked the boy. “If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?”

At this, the boy with a beaming smile said, “Oh, they’re still back in the river. I’m going back to catch them now.”

Clearly the boy understood that all he had, all that had been and would be given to him, really came from and belonged to God.

Do we understand!

Great Spiritual Movie: Clare - Francis

2009-11-01T12:49:00.000-08:00

A major new epic feature film on the lives of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi shot on location in Italy.

This outstanding movie is unique among films on St. Francis because of the historical accuracy of the story and its authentic spirit of joy and piety Francis was known for, as well as the major role played by Clare who is given equal stature with Francis.

The two leads are played by very appealing performers, Mary Petruolo and Ettore Bassi, who give genuinely inspiring and beautifully moving performances of the daughter of a patrician family and the son of a rich merchant who leave all to follow Christ.

Francis renounces his inheritance of wealth to live the Gospel and serve the poor and outcasts.

Clare reads deep into his heart and decides to follow him, leaving her home and family to give herself as the bride of Christ.

Both found major religious orders and together they inspire many to follow their radical call to live the Gospel, and their impact has even reached across the centuries to change the world.

Becoming The Man God Created You To Be!

2009-11-01T12:36:00.000-08:00

Click here to hear this great interview

All Hallow's Eve Party (Our Lady Of Mercy Parish)

2009-11-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

As we were looking for costumes for the party, Sean said "hey Dad, can I wear your old navy clothes." They actually fit.... You look great Sean.

Our Family: Mackenzie a Fairy, Mom a Weird Jailbird, Dad a Coach, and Sean the Sailor.

Smile ladies...

Beautiful Mackenzie

Art the Engineer

Father Jonathan with the kids

Mark - great costume, and he had the accent down great as well.

AJ the fireman

It was so nice to have so many families come together and spend time visiting and playing in a safe environment.

The little girls were beautiful and they danced all night long.

Two of the young adults.

There was an activity going on in every classroom.

But my favorite room was the "Adult Room" where the beer was cold

and the fellowship was great.

There was plenty of food and CANDY!

The Karaoke room was a hit.

Father Uriel and the kids.

Some of the singers were really good.

It was so much fun!

The Guitar Hero Room

I couldn't believe how good some people are at this game.

Faster......

The little ones just loved all the excitement!

Superman!

Funny!

Smile

The guys hanging out in the Adult room.

Boy did the stories get larger and larger.....how big was that fish that got away?

Some new friendships made as well.

Basketball

Everyone wanted a turn.

STOP!!!!! Time for a retreat - Time to push the world away!

2009-10-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

It is so easy to become absorbed by business, distractions, obsessions, and interests.

But when the scale tilts too far in one direction there needs to be an effort to rebalanced.....

For me, it means stepping away from the business of externals and increasing quiet internal time.

See you in a week, hopefully rebalanced......

St. Louis De Montfort - The Story of Our Lady's Slave

2009-10-24T18:57:00.001-07:00

I just finished reading this remarkable book about the life of Saint Louis De Montfort. It not only carries the "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur," but inspires, teaches, and radiates wisdom. This truly is a book that will change a piece of you forever......

- - - -

"Well, what do you think of Fr. De Montfort?" asked the Bishop eagerly. "Is he preaching heresy? Is he a tool of the Devil, as some people say? Or a mad-man, as others think?"

The city was in an uproar over Fr. Louis De Montfort, and Bishop de Champflour had sent 3 wise priests to investigate. "I'm especially interested in learning about the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary;" he had told them.

Yes, huge crowds of people were coming to Fr. De Montfort's mission services, and hundreds of souls had been converted. No one left his confessional unconsoled. But some people had their doubts about what Fr. De Montfort was preaching.

What was all this talk of becoming a saint easily and quickly through the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary-by a holy "slavery" to Jesus in Mary?

Now the 3 priests were back, and the Bishop awaited their report. What would they tell him about this unusual missionary priest?

This book tells what the priests had found out. It also tells about the trouble stirred up for Fr. De Montfort by the Calvinists, by the Jansenists, and even by some Catholics who did not understand what True Devotion to Mary was all about.

In short, here is the remarkable story of the priest who went about helping others become saints by show-ing them how to be "slaves" for Jesus through Mary. For Ages 10 to 100

- - - - -

For any DJM's (Disciples of Jesus and Mary)

this book you will find particularly inspiring and enlightening due to it's spirituality

being so in line with yours - It should be a "Must read" for DJM's.

Make this powerful consecration to the Holy Family.

2009-10-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

Make this powerful consecration to the Holy Family.

My Mom's Anniversary - Entrance into Heaven!

2009-10-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

It was on this day 2 years ago that My mother completed her journey here on earth and entered heaven.

As she took her last breath, such peace came over here, her last words were that of the person whom she prayed to so often, so called out MARY, MARY, MARY, and for anyone present, with out a doubt, Mary came to her side, to comfort, to reassure, and to take over as we handed her off. He six son's at her side had no power beyond this world, so we handed her over to Mary who carried her away.

For anyone who ever met her, who knew her, who had been graced to spend even a few hours with her, knew that she was a saint. We experienced something so very holy that day, it is and was beyond words.

She touched our lives with her being......

Below is the Eulogy from the funeral (My thoughts have not changed, only deepened)

Eulogy - Funeral Mass
Elizabeth Clare Kearns

There is so many things that could be said about our mother, but I thought I would take just a few moments to highlight some of her special qualities.

The first thing she would want to remind us is that although you might be feeling a little sad, she would remind you that today is actually a celebration of life, not death.

If you had the opportunity to know my mother, you would of probably of known that she had a life that included a lot of struggle;

Never knowing her Father, since he died while she was still in her mother’s womb; Losing her first child, Cathy, after only 1 day of life; A life of serious mental health struggles; Raising 6 "not so perfect" sons, not an easy task; and Struggling with Parkinson’s disease.

However, she never complained. She kept a positive attitude and was always more concerned for others and their struggles.

Mom was a advocate and a friend to the needy. After my Father died, mom’s passion became running what was called "the sandwich shop" at her church in Marysville. Each day the homeless would make their way to the church to get their sandwich for the day. They all knew mom and mom knew them by name, and she even knew what type of sandwich each person liked, whether it was bologna, or peanut butter and jelly.

Mom had the ability to see good in everyone and everything. For the longest time, I thought Mom was always making excuses for everyone, however, as the years went on, I realized that she actually didn’t see their faults, but rather only their good.

Last but not least, Mom was our primary teacher of the faith. She never preached to us, but always lead by example. We watched her live the Gospels each day and always maintained a child-like trust in our Lord. She wouldn’t cease to amaze me with her humble wisdom.

Mom only lived in Redding for a few years. She moved here when she needed to live in an assisted living setting. Again, trying to see the positive, she decided that the reason she was in the facility must be to help the older residents feel better about themselves, visiting with them and sharing the faith.

It became so common to have someone walk to up me stating that mom had really touched their lives so deeply. It amazed me that even though Mom really didn’t leave the assisted living facility often, almost weekly someone at church would come up to me and ask about my mom, or state that they visited her last week and that they were going back to see her again because she made them feel so good.

She truly loved people and they loved her.

Mom kept giving even until the end. Mom eventually moved into my brothers home, Dan and Lori’s home. And all of our families were able to spend so much time with her. We feel so blessed that we were able to help her, with what we describe as, "walking her home."

Even through the last days of her life here on earth, she never complained, she kept thanking us, she didn't want to be a burden. Even when she couldn’t speak any longer, she would just smile the biggest smiles toward heaven and give us reassuring looks of love and peace.

She filled our lives with so much love and joy, it is beyond what I can describe.

I want to thank Dan, and especially his wife Lori for creating such a peaceful place for Mom in your home. Her room was beautiful and Holy, covered with "everything that was mom," and they always had beautiful music placing in the back round. She was smothered with hugs, kisses and love. Even when the hospice nurses came to the home, they stated that everything was perfect....and how mom was so full of peace.

There is so much more that can be said about Mom, she was such a special and wonderful person, but I will stop here.

Again, I want to thank everyone for all of their recent support, their prayers, and for being a part of this celebration today. I also want to Thank my Mom’s sister, Carina, and her son Jeff, who traveled so quickly from North Dakota to be here today.

After the conclusion of the service, Please join us in the parish hall next door for lunch that has been prepared for all of us by the Martha’s. It would also be a great time to share your stories of Mom.

Thank You.

Are You a "E5 Man"? ...... Are you Man Enough?

2009-10-23T13:24:00.000-07:00

HUSBANDS FASTING FOR THEIR WIVES

The e5 Man fasts for his bride to imitate Jesus as described by Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians, chapter 5 (for which e5 is named).

Fasting is eating only bread and water.

Jesus made a bodily sacrifice on the cross for His Bride the Church to present her to God the Father "without spot or wrinkle." (Eph 5:27)

By fasting for our earthly bride and joining our sufferings to Christ's we intercede for grace for our brides. At the same time our act of bodily love in union with Christ accelerates our own conversion.

By making this sacrifice for the women in our lives we live out the essence of the gospel through a very particular act of self denial. To lay down one's body out of love for another is the central message of the gospel.

NOT ONLY FOR MARRIED MEN

Membership is not limited to married men. For single men, their fast may be dedicated to their future bride. For widowers or those unlikely to get married, the beneficiary of their fasts may be for a deceased wife, a daughter, a sister, or a granddaughter, or any other women in great need. For the consecrated celibate man the benefit of their fast can be for the benefit of the community they serve or for consecrated celibate women.

REQUIREMENTS

Except for medical reasons, the minimum requirements to be an e5 Man are that you:

1. Be a baptized Christian man.
2. Register with e5. Register as an e5 Man. Click here.
3. Fast on plain bread and water at least one day a month for your bride for her spiritual growth and healing - preferably on the first Wednesday of the month.

ADDITIONAL INTENTIONS OF THE E5 MAN

The intentions of the e5 also include:

1. All the other e5 Men's brides or primary intention.
2. For all the e5 Women registered with us.
3. For all women sinned against by men.
4. For the petitions sent to us by women for women.
5. And in general for all women.

Many e5 Men choose to fast more than once a month and often choose other beneficiaries for those days such as sisters, mothers, or friends. This is called "Special Forces" (See below for more information)

E5 SPECIAL FORCES

The e5 Special Forces Man fasts more than the one day a month minimum required. The man who belongs to the e5 Special Forces can add fasts specifically for his bride, but also can fast for other women that are in great need.

Any additional e5 fast during the month makes an e5 Man a participant with the other e5 Special Forces. Traditionally e5 Special Forces Men fast every Wednesday throughout the year. Some e5 Special Forces Men fast more than the one day a week as well.

There is no signing up besides the original e5 registration, and the amount of extra fast days throughout the month is up to each e5 Man.

As a fellow e5 Man, he joins his intentions to all the e5 Men's intentions for that month. The only restriction for the fast to be an e5 Special Forces fast is that it is for a woman or women or a woman's intentions..

Some ideas for an e5 Special Forces fast are:

*Past girlfriends - especially for healing from the harm we may have caused

*Many e5 Men offer up one day of fasting for each past girlfriend. Sisters, Mothers, Daughters, Nieces, Aunts.

*Women friends

*Co-Workers

*For women who are considering or have participated in abortion and for the whole abortion issue to be resolved

*For women considering or involved with fornication, adultery, sterilization or contraception.

*For abused women

*For women whose husband has or is committing adultery

*Women in pornography

*Wives of men who use pornography

*Consecrated celibate women

*Women or girls with eating disorders

*Women or girls abused by men

*Friend's wives

*Friend's girlfriends

*All the women we meet that day

*The e5 Women that have signed up

*For the finding of a holy husband for our daughters, friends, and relatives

*For the intentions of Mary, the Mother of Jesus

*The Church - The Bride of Christ

Are You Man Enough to be an E5 Man!

Check out the e5 Men web site - Click here

If you want to be even more RADICAL - check this out

Pope Benedict XVI Welcomes Home the Anglican Church

2009-10-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

In the midst of the darkness of the hour the Catholic Church has done what she has done for over two millennia, shine the light of the Truth to offer the way to salvation for all the Nations. The Church is not some optional organizational “extra” we fashioned, she is the Body of Christ, the new world, the seed of the Kingdom to come, the place where all men and women can find their fulfillment and the only path to authentic peace. The prayer of the Son of God “May They Be One” (John 17) still echoes and heaven itself is responding.

Today’s historic news is the sign of the coming plan of that loving God who “…so loved the world that He sent His Only Son”. (John 3:16) In an absolutely stunning announcement on the morning of October 20, 2009, the Holy See has, by Apostolic Constitution, provided the canonical vehicle for Anglican Christians to be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Throughout the evening expectations rose throughout the world along with the fervent prayers of millions who have longed to see this day. Many Catholics have watched in prayer with hopeful, heartfelt longing for their Christian brethren in the Anglican Communion. Many Anglican Christians have suffered from the ravages of their community from within brought about by moves away from Christian orthodoxy and orthopraxy.

Now, there is a way to the safe harbor of the Catholic Church.

This morning the Vatican offered a lifeline into the Ark of Peter for Anglican Christians who wish to avail themselves of the invitation. Expectations had been that, in response to the formal petition of the “Traditional Anglican Communion” for a vehicle for corporate entry into full communion, the Holy See would offer a juridic structure under Canon Law similar to the “personal prelature” which is the global organizing vehicle for the ecclesial movement Opus Dei.

In essence it provides a “floating” global Diocese wherein the prelature has its own Bishops and its own priests while welcomed alongside of the existing Dioceses of the Catholic Church.

However, the announcement from Rome is much farther reaching and, for Vatican watchers, nothing short of spectacular in its implications for Anglican Christians seeking a place in the Church captained by the successor of Peter. Pope Benedict XVI has offered to establish “Personal Ordinariates”, the structure offered for those in the military, within which to care for Anglicans, lay and clergy, while enabling them to maintain the liturgical and spiritual unique distinctives of their tradition.

That is correct, the Roman Catholic Church by way of an “Apostolic Constitution” will provide the process which will allow for Anglican Christians to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the faith said this concerning the Apostolic Constitution in a statement just released: “In this Apostolic Constitution the Holy Father has introduced a canonical structure that provides for such corporate reunion by establishing Personal Ordinariates which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of the distinctive Anglican spiritual and liturgical patrimony”.

That spiritual patrimony will include enabling married men called after marriage to serve as priests. Following the ancient Christian tradition they are allowed to do so now in the Eastern Christian Churches, both Orthodox and Catholic.

However, again following the practice of the ancient Christian tradition, the Bishops of these Ordinariates will be chosen from among the ranks of the celibate clergy.

The prayers of millions have been answered and Christian history was made on October 20, 2009. Pope Benedict XVI has fashioned, after much serious theological and pastoral work, a way home for many of our Anglican brethren.

This canonical vehicle will allow for a form of corporate entry into full communion which could conceivably enable not only the “Traditional Anglican Communion” a path over the troubled Tiber but also provide for other groups of Anglicans including parishes, religious communities and even entire Dioceses.

So monumental is this announcement that a nearly simultaneous Press Conference was also held in London including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster. They issued this joint statement:

"Today’s announcement of the Apostolic Constitution is a response by Pope Benedict XVI to a number of requests over the past few years to the Holy See from groups of Anglicans who wish to enter into full visible communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and are willing to declare that they share a common Catholic faith and accept the Petrine ministry as willed by Christ for his Church." Pope Benedict XVI has approved, within the Apostolic Constitution, a canonical structure that provides for Personal Ordinariates, which will allow former Anglicans to enter full communion with the Catholic Church while preserving elements of distinctive Anglican spiritual patrimony."

The announcement of this Apostolic Constitution brings to an end a period of uncertainty for such groups who have nurtured hopes of new ways of embracing unity with the Catholic Church. It will now be up to those who have made requests to the Holy See to respond to the Apostolic Constitution.

For the complete article see:

Bridge Over Troubled Tiber: Holy See Welcomes Anglican Christians into Catholic Church -

By Deacon Keith Fournier 10/20/2009

My Ongoing Inner Struggle - Peacemaker vs. Voice of Truth

2009-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

I often find myself in a dilemma...... mostly in regard to my being a Deacon in the Catholic Church and my role.

I honestly desire to serve the Church and her people to the best of my ability and in a manner that God would want.

My dilemma is, or at least in the midst of where I find myself so often, unplanned, and definitely not premeditated, but in a situation where I must choose, to be a PEACEMAKER, or firmly stand for what I believe to be TRUTH!

My personality is one that desires peace and comfort, I usually avoid conflict almost at all cost. I am a middle child, 3 older brothers, 2 younger, I fall right into the psychological profile of a peacemaker.

But, I often find that so many people around me just allow untruths to go unchecked. Untruths that have saturated our culture for so long that most people identify them as normal and acceptable, even though they are not only lies, but foster unhappiness, eat away at our souls, and are destructive in their own right. Do I speak up, or do remain silent? What is my role?

To challenge these issues often stirs up reactions, negative reactions, and at times anger.

But what is God asking of me...... To just go through life, spreading peace and love, going through the motions, backing down to people who have strong opinions, even if their opinions and ideas really have no merit, actually are counter Christian, just because they have a loud voice and threaten to make my life uncomfortable, threaten and actually do report me to authority figures with their slant of the truth. Do I remain silent while they form other's beliefs, often claiming to represent the Church's teachings? This will only perpetuate a catechises of error. This will only prolong an entity of Catholics who do not really understand even the basic tenants of the faith.

PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER

I hope God helps me with this dilemma. I would never want to act contrary to His wishes, nor do any damage to His church, rather just the opposite, I hope to be a good and faithful servant, but to also be a courageous voice of the truth in a world that is crying out for help!

I am a young deacon, newly ordained, have so much to learn, so far to grow.

Health Care "DMV" Style

2009-10-21T13:17:00.000-07:00

I know Health care is an issue for so many people, However, as a practicing Nurse for over 25 years, I have grave concerns over what I currently hear being discussed.

I do believe that our current system needs reform, But "Government Health Care"

You got to be kidding!

Reform - YES

Big Government Health Care - NO WAY

Looking for an alternative to Halloween?

2009-10-20T19:01:00.000-07:00

After discussing the secularization of Halloween with a few friends, we asked each other:

"So what do you want to do on October 31st?"

A "Family / Adult Fun Night Party" was envisioned.

One quick call to the Pastor, approval obtained,

Flyer's made, Face-booked, Blogged and there you have it.

I know what we and tons of Friends will be doing Saturday night October 31st!

Our Men's Group

2009-10-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

We had our gathering last evening for "The Men's Group." I asked the men to raise their hands if they had ever participated in a men's group before - many hands were raised.... and then a man stated "You mean a Spiritual men's group," I responded by saying yes... then all the hands fell.

Do men not attend spiritual Men's groups? I guess not, but why?

These men appeared to have a great time. We read 3 short Gospel readings, meditated on the readings for a few minutes, and then shared our personal reflections. Each man's sharing stimulated sharing from another. Here we were, 13 men, I assume various backgrounds (we never asked about occupations) sharing and discussing life's realities in a Christian context, in a manly forum.

The ages of this group ranged from twenties to seventies and everything in between.

It was the sharing of our perspectives, perspectives that also contain many life lessons, that resonated with such truth. There was wisdom, such wisdom being shared back and forth between men of faith. There was such humility being expressed in some of life's struggles, and advice kindly and gently expelled, not from an authoritarian stance, but from rather the result of wounds of failures, and eventual positive strides.

Men have so much to gain from the wisdom of other men, yet for so many, they do not have the access, nor the opportunity.

Without such a group, or honest male friendships, where do men obtain helpful feedback, spiritual guidance, Christian modeling of attitudes, behaviors, and character?

I am so thankful that we have this opportunity to meet every 3 weeks, a room full of catholic men, sharing our Christians lives, supporting each other, helping to see through the fog of temptations, trials, and vices, all the while journeying toward personal growth, growth in holiness.

Next Meeting:

November 9, 2009 at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall, Room 3, 700 pm - 8:30 pm

- you are welcome to come -

The Church and Mission

2009-10-20T08:18:00.000-07:00

THE CHURCH AND MISSION
Pope Benedict XVI, Shepherd of Truth
Notable quotations from Pope Benedict XVI and official teachings of the Roman Catholic Church

"DEEPER AWARENESS"

I turn ... to you ... to encourage in each one of you a deeper awareness of Christ's missionary mandate to "make disciples of all peoples" (Mt 28:19) in the footsteps of St. Paul.

"THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL"

The goal of the Church's mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history towards God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential and fulfillment.

"A PRIMARY AND UNAVOIDABLE DUTY"

Proclamation of the Gospel must be for all of us, as it was for the Apostle Paul, a primary and unavoidable duty.

"TRANSFORM THE WORLD"

The Church wishes to transform the world through the proclamation of the Gospel of love, "that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working ... and in this way .... cause the light of God to enter into the world" (Deus Caritas Est, 39)

"RENEWED COMMITMENT"

The mission of the Church ... is to call all peoples to the salvation accomplished by God through His incarnate Son. It is therefore necessary to renew our commitment to proclaiming the Gospel, which is a leaven of freedom and progress, brotherhood, unity and peace.

"EVER MORE URGENT"

I would "confirm once more that the task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church" (Evangelii Nuntiandi, 14), a duty and a mission which the widespread and profound changes in present- day society render ever more urgent. At stake is the eternal salvation of persons, the goal and fulfillment of human history and the universe.

PRAY TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

I ... ask all Catholics to pray to the Holy Spirit for an increase in the Church's passion for her mission to spread the Kingdom of God and to support missionaries and Christian communities involved in mission, in the front line, often in situations of hostility and persecution.

A Married Man's "Rule of Life."

2009-10-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

I have always admired the spirituality of monks, especially the Trappists.

Their life is directed, or structured by their rule, Saint Benedict's Rule.

The spirit of St Benedict's Rule is summed up in the motto of the Benedictine Confederation: pax ("peace") and the traditional ora et labora ("pray and work").

The Rule of Saint Benedict has been used by Benedictines for fifteen centuries, and thus St. Benedict is sometimes regarded as the founder of Western monasticism.

His Rule is written as a guide for individual, autonomous communities; and to this day all Benedictine Houses.

But I am not a monk.

I am a man, a husband, a father, as well as other things,

but I want to live a holy life, a spiritual life.

However, the world that can be so beautiful and full of love, can also wash over a man with tremendous force, the force of temptations, sin, and distractions.

It is so easy to lose our focus, our spiritual compass can be affected by so much: sins of the flesh, sin of the world, sin of the devil....before you know it, you have lost your way, and you have ceased doing the things that nourished you.

I need a rule to follow, a rule for a married man.

Inspired by Saint Benedict I sat down to create my own rule, a rule made by me, for me, to be followed by me!

I asked the Holy Spirit to guide me with a life's rule that will help me travel this spiritual and earthly journey while:

1. having daily spiritual nourishment to reject sin.
2. Continuing to gain a greater understanding of the Trinity and of Mary
3. Maintaining my health and preventing sickness
4. utilizing the Sacraments and receiving the associated graces
5. Continuing to grow in virtue, especially Humility, Love (Charity), Hope, and Faith

Here is my Rule of Life (10 rules) to help keep my life focused, structured, and Christ-Cenetered.

Rule #1 - Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) - Morning and Evening

Rule #2 - Daily Mass Readings with reflection, especially of the Gospel message

Rule #3 - Daily Rosary

Rule #4 - Simple Diet - No between meal eating (Abstinence from meat on Fridays)

Rule #5 - Fasting 2 x week (Bread and Water)

Rule #6 - Adoration 1 hr / week

Rule #7 - Daily exercise

Rule #8 - Weekly Mass

Rule #9 - At least Weekly Service to the Poor / Widowed / Imprisoned / or Sick

Rule #10 - Monthly confession

Quick Path to Heaven

2009-10-19T08:40:00.000-07:00

A quick trip on the Bay (San Francisco)

2009-10-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Kevin was feeling a little better today and took the opportunity to "get out of the house."

We took a quick drive to the dock and hopped in Kevin's Boat.

After some maneuvers, we were out of the slip and pointed in the direction of the city.

Here are two of my brothers (Kevin - recovering from Cancer, and Tim)

In no time, Kevin revved up the two huge engines
and we were flying across the water towards San Francisco.

Even though this quick trip did expel a lot of Kevin's physical energy, still very weak from the Chemo and Radiation effects, being out on his boat, feeling the cool wind, experiencing the ocean, did a lot for his spirits.

Thanks again everyone for the prayers - I have been told by, no kidding, by hundreds of people who are praying daily for my brother and his recovery.
We could feel the graces surrounding us!

We have turned the corner, still difficult, but healing is visible and recovery IS an option. We are hoping for 1 more tough week and then the radiation effects should begin to start to slowly diminish. Hopefully a good night sleep can then be obtained. Then in a few weeks maybe swallowing can occur, eating then to follow..... and then -

- The sky is the limit!

Great book about Saint Dominic

2009-10-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

The incredible story for children 10 and up of the man who received the Rosary from Our Lady, defeated the Albigensian Heresy, raised the dead, triumphed over the devil, founded the Dominican Order and worked countless miracles. 156pp. PB.

While on our summer pilgrimage my cousin from North Dakota told me about these incredible books, spiritual books that changed his life. He humbly stated that these are actually children's books, but they are written so well, and are so very inspirational, that he felt they taught he more about the catholic saints than any other book he had ever read. My cousin is not ignorant, he is well educated, he has a master's degree and knows his faith very well.

I though I would give the book he gave me a try. He was right! I am now on my 4th and am loving each an every one of them.

Click Here to see other books by the same writer. "Mary Fabyan Windeatt"

The Greatest Gift You Can Give

2009-10-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

The greatest give you can give to another,

is to include them in your prayers.

History of Halloween

2009-10-14T13:23:00.000-07:00

Most of us do not know the historical background of the festival of Halloween and its customs.

The feast of Halloween began in pre-Christian times among the Celtic peoples of Britain, Ireland and Northern France.

These pagan peoples believed that physical life was born from death. Therefore, they celebrated the beginning of the “new year” in the fall, on the eve of October 31st and into the day of November 1st, when, as they believed the season of cold, darkness, decay and death began.

Instructed by their priests, the Druids, the people extinguished all hearth fires and lights and darkness prevailed. According to pagan Celtic tradition, the souls of the dead had entered into the world of darkness, decay and death and made total communion with Samhain, the Lord of death, who could be appeased and cajoled by burnt offerings to allow the souls of the dead to return home for a festal visit on this day.

The belief led to the ritual practice of wandering about in the dark dressed in costumes indicating witches, hobgoblins, fairies and demons. The living entered into fellowship and communion with the dead by this ritual act of imitation, through costume and the wandering about in the darkness.

They also believed that the souls of the dead bore the affliction of great hunger on this festal visit. This belief brought about the practice of begging as another ritual imitation of the activities of the souls of the dead on their festal visit. The implication was that that any souls of the dead and their imitators who are not appeased with “treats”, i.e. offerings, will provoke the wrath of Samhain, whose angels and servants could retaliate through a system of “tricks”, or curses.

In the Orthodox early Church, the Holy Fathers tried to counteract this pagan new year festival by establishing the feast of All Saints on that same day (in the East, this feast is celebrated on another day). The night before the feast (on “All Hallows Eve”), a vigil service was held and a morning celebration of the Eucharist. This custom created the term Halloween.

But the remaining pagan and therefore anti-Christian people reacted to the Church’s attempt to supplant their festival by increased fervor on this evening, so that the night before the Christian feast of All Saints became a night of sorcery, witchhcraft and other occult practices, many of which involved desecration and mockery of Christian practices and beliefs.

Costumes of skeletons, for example, developed as a mockery of the Church’s reverence for holy relics. Holy things were stolen and used in sacrilegious rituals. The practice of begging became a system of persecution of Christians who refused to take part in these festivities. And so the Church’s attempt to counteract this unholy festival failed.

This is just a brief explanation of the history and meaning of the festival of Halloween. It is clear that we, as Christians, cannot participate in this event at any level (even if we only label it as “fun”), and that our involvement in it is an idolatrous betrayal of our God and our Holy Faith.

For if we imitate the dead by dressing up or wandering about in the dark, or by begging with them, then we have willfully sought fellowship with the dead, whose Lord is not a Celtic Samhain, but satan, the evil one, who stands against God.

Further, if we submit to the dialogue of “trick or treat”, our offering does not go to innocent children, but rather to satan himself. Let us remember our ancestors, the Holy Christian Martyrs of the early Church, as well as our New Martyrs, who refused, despite painful penalties and horrendous persecution, to worship, venerate or pay obeisance in any way to idols who are angels of satan. The foundation of our Holy Church is built upon their very blood.