Please Pray for Us

I ask your prayers for my wife and unborn daughter. My wife is 30 weeks pregnant and her cervix is dilated 2 cms. We have 10 weeks to go before the baby reaches full term. We ask the Lord to allow the baby to stay in the womb to develop. We have our time frame of when we think she should come, but we also understand the Lord's divine providence and holy will. For He knew us while we were still in our mother's womb. He formed us in the palm of His hand. He has called each of us by name and he will complete the good work that He has already begun.  

St. Gerard, Patron Saint of Expecting Mothers, Pray for Us!

St. Justin Martyr on the Eucharist

"No one may share in the eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true, unless he is washed in the regenerating waters of baptism for the remission of his sins, and unless he lives in accordance with the principles given us by Christ. 

We do not consume the eucharistic bread and wine as if it were ordinary food and drink, for we have been taught that as Jesus Christ our Savior became a man of flesh and blood by the power of the Word of God, so also the food that our flesh and blood assimilates for its nourishment becomes the flesh and blood of the incarnate Jesus by the power of his own words contained in the prayer of thanksgiving.

The apostles, in their recollections, which are called gospels, handed down to us what Jesus commanded them to do. They tell us that he took bread, gave thanks and said: Do this in memory of me. This is my body. In the same way he took the cup, he gave thanks and said: This is my blood. The Lord gave this command to them alone. Ever since then we have constantly reminded one another of these things. The rich among us help the poor and we are always united. For all that we receive we praise the Creator of the universe through his Son Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit. 

On Sunday we have a common assembly of all our members, whether they live in the city or in the outlying districts. The recollections of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as there is time. When the reader has finished, the president of the assembly speaks to us; he urges everyone to imitate the examples of virtue we have heard in the readings. Then we all stand up together and pray. 

On the conclusion of our prayer, bread and wine and water are brought forward. The president offers prayers and gives thanks to the best of his ability, and the people give their assent by saying, "Amen." The eucharist is distributed, everyone present communicates, and the deacons take it to those who are absent. 

The wealthy, if they wish, may make a contribution, and they themselves decide the amount. The collection is placed in the custody of the president, who uses it to help the orphans and widows and all who for any reason are in distress, whether because they are sick, in prison, or away from home. In a word, he takes care of all who are in need. 

We hold our common assembly on Sunday because it is the first day of the week, the day on which God put darkness and chaos to flight and created the world, and because on that same day our savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For he was crucified on Friday and on Sunday he appeared to his apostles and disciples and taught them the things that we have passed on for your consideration." 

St. Justin Martyr  100AD - 165AD

First Apology in defense of the Christians

I love this quote from St. Justin. He clearly states that the bread and wine are not mere symbols and are not common. But that the two elements when consecrated by the priest, indeed transform into the sacred Body and Blood of Christ. This is ancient and modern Catholic theology. Also, St. Justin opens by stating that not just anyone can receive, but there are some criteria that's required of each communicant. He states only those who have received the Sacrament of Baptism can participate in the Eucharist. He also must believe in what the Catholic Church teaches. And lastly, he must be in a state of grace to partake of Christ. This is ancient as well as modern Catholic theology. Praise be to God.

This who scene St. Justin describes is quite different from the way our Protestant brothers and sisters administer Communion. In most Protestant denominations anyone can receive, even those not Baptized. Also, their bread and wine (most use juice...where's that in the Bible?) is looked at as mere symbols with only Christ present spiritually. Granted, we as Catholics too believe Christ is present spiritually and also recognize the symbology involved in the Sacred Elements. The difference is that the Church through the ages has always undisputedly believed it to be the transformed, literal Body and Blood of Christ. This has not changed, nor will it ever as it has in the Protestant denominations. This Eucharist was given to us for spiritual nourishment and sustainment as we pilgrims here on earth make our way to heaven. I've witnessed a few times their elements are swept up with a vacuum cleaner or tossed in the trash or poured down the sink. St. Justin, and indeed all the Saints, would have a heart attack if they witnessed such a scene. Although, given the situation of our separated Protestant brother and sisters, we as Catholics and Orthodox know that no transformation takes place and it's still mere bread and juice due to their lack of Apostolic Succession and Holy Orders. However, it still bothered me this occurred for the simple fact they were referring to it as Christ's Body and Blood (still symbolically), through they don't mean so literally. I notified the pastor this was happening and I have no doubt he took care of the issue. 

The Fathers of the Church, throughout our 2000 year history, speak in the same manner as St. Justin (100AD - 165AD) regarding the very real and actual presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. I love the continuity and stability of our one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. May God continue to protect his Holy Catholic Church and also continue to lead our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI as supreme head and leader of the Church on earth. Viva La Papa!  

Christos Anesti!...Alithos Anesti!

Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

I just came home from the Vigil Easter Mass, the Church says Saturday night is the "Vigils of all vigils".  It's clear why. At St. Michael's Parish, we had a large number of catechumens and candidates come into the Church tonight. It was a blessing to see the joy on their faces as they received the sacraments of initiation. Glory to God we as a church are growing. 

Holy Week has been really special to me this year. Something I've come to discover and love is how the Church takes us through Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection in the realist way outside from actually having been there 2000 years ago. From Holy Thursday when Christ instituted the Eucharistic Sacrifice and the Holy Priesthood in the Upper Room, on through the Passion and Sacrifice of Christ on Good Friday.  Good Friday is the only day in the liturgical calendar there is no Eucharistic Sacrifice. No Eucharistic prayer. The altar is stripped bare, no candles are lit and the church is dark. The crucifix hanging over the altar in every Catholic church becomes a vivid image of the reality that occurred many years ago outside Jerusalem. We proclaim Christ crucified! We venerate the Cross and we leave the church in an attitude of solemnity and gratitude. Then, of course the reason for our joy is the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday as he defeated death. It has never been clearer and more real to me than when I've become part of the Catholic Church. I've been able to witness all of this firsthand in the liturgical life of Christ's true Church. When the joy of Sunday arrives, we see for ourselves that Christ is not in the tomb, death can not hold him. The Eucharistic Sacrifice resumes, the altar is covered, the candles lit, and the Lord comes once again to us as Bread and Wine.  

Indeed, Christos Anesti! Alithos Anesti!

University of Notre Dame and Obama

One can imagine the angst I felt when I heard the following news. It appears that the University of Notre Dame, the "Mecca" of Catholic academics, is planning on having Pres. Obama speak at this years commencement ceremony. And to make matters worse, the University will be giving Mr. Obama an honorary Doctorate of Law degree. Tis a sad sad day fer an Irishmen. 

For those who are not quite sure why this is a problematic issue: Mr. Obama is staunchly pro-abortion, so therefore, he is in favor of allowing the murder of the most innocent members of our society.  And the Bishops of the Church have made it very clear that Catholic Institutions are to not 1. have those who are for the killing of the innocent unborn speak at public functions because any gesture in having them do so would be an "acceptance of their actions" and 2. to receive any honorary degrees for the same reason pro-abortionists are to not speak at Catholic Universities/Colleges. 

Hopefully the President of Notre Dame listens to those beckoning and pleading him to not following through with both of these actions. 

Catholic News Agency has an article:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15443

Church Fathers and "Sola Scriptura"

Supposing that the Apostles had left us nothing in writing, should we not still follow the rule of doctrine which they delivered to those to whom they entrusted the churches? This rule many barbarous nations follow, who, being without ink or parchment, have the word of salvation written by the Spirit in their hearts, and guard diligently the tradition which has been delivered."  --St Irenaeus, Adv. Heres. 1.iii.c.4

"Hence it is plain that the Apostles did not deliver to us everything by their epistles, but many things without writing. These are equally to be believed. Wherefore let us believe the tradition of the Church. It is tradition. Seek no further."--St John Chrysostom, (commenting on 2 Thess. 2:14)  Hom. iv.in 2 Thess.

Hmm, Scripture Alone as the sole rule and teacher of the Christian Faith? Not according to these Fathers. 

The Great Lent Has Begun

Yesterday started the beginning of Lent. Let us prepare ourselves for the glory of Christ's Passion, Death, and Resurrection in the celebration of Easter with fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. 

The Mass is 110% Biblical

Greeting: 

Priest: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19)

People: Amen (1 Chr 16:36)

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Cor13:13)

People: And also with you.

Penitential Rite: 

All: I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault. (Jas. 5:16) In my thoughts and in my words, (Rom. 12:16) In what I have done and what I have failed to do; (Jas 3:6) and I ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the angel and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. (1 Thess 5:25)

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. (1 John 1:9)

People: Amen (1 Chr 16:36)

All: Lord have mercy. (Tb 8:4) Christ have mercy. (1 Tim 1:2) Lord have mercy.

Gloria:

All: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. (Luke 2:14)
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, (Rev 19:6)
we worship you, (Rev. 22:9) we give you thanks, (Eph. 5:20)
we praise you for your glory. (Rev 7:12)
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,(2 John 3) 
Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us; (John 1:29) 
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. (Rom 8:34)
For you alone are the Holy One, (Luke4:34) 
You alone are Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ. (Luke 1:32) 
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. (John 14:26)

[The Liturgy of the Word consists of four readings from Scripture: the first is typically from the Old Testament, the second a psalm, followed by a reading from one of the epistles. Finally, the Gospel is proclaimed during which the people stand out of respect for the Word. The chosen readings change daily.]

Click here to get today’s liturgical readings from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

[A Sermon on the readings follows.] (2 Tim 4:1-2)

Profession of Faith: [the Nicene (or Apostles) Creed] 

All: 

We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, (Gen14:19) of all that is seen and unseen. (Col1:16)
We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, (Luke 1:35) eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten not made, one in being with the Father. (Heb 1:3) Through him all things were made. (John 1:2-3) For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: (John 3:13) by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary,(Matt 1:18) and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, (John 19:16) he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures.(1 Cor 15:3-4) He ascended into heaven(Luke 24:51) and is seated at the right hand of the Father. (Col 3:1) He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim 4:1) and his kingdom will have no end. (Luke 1:33)
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, (Acts 2:17) who proceeds from the Father and the Son. (John 14:16) With the Father and Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. (1 Peter 1:10-11)
We believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic Church. (Rom 12:5) We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:38) We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. (Rom 6:5) Amen

Liturgy of the Eucharist: 

[The gifts are brought to the altar. These include the bread and wine and the offering collected from the people.] (Malachi 3:10)

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. (Eccl. 3:13)It will become for us the bread of life. (John 6:35)

People: Blessed be God forever. (Ps 68:36)

Priest: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. (Luke 22:17-18)

People: Blessed be God forever. (Ps 68:36)

Priest: Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. (Heb. 12:28)

People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our sake and the good of all his Church. (Ps 50:23)

Eucharistic Prayers: 

Priest: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them up to the Lord. (Lam3:41)

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord Our God. (Col 3:17)

People: It is right to give him thanks and praise. (Col 1:3)

Preface acclamation: 

All: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. (Is 6:3) Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.(Mark 11:9-10)

Eucharistic prayer: 

[There are four of these, based on ancient prayers of the Church. Eucharistic Prayer Two follows as an example:] 

Priest: Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness. (2 Macc. 14:36)Let your spirit come upon these gifts (bread and water and wine) to make them holy, so that they may become the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Before he was given up to death, (Phil 2:8) a death he freely accepted,(John 10:17-18) he took bread and gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take this all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you. When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this is memory of me. (Mark 14:22-25) Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

All: Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus, come in glory. (Heb 2:14-15)

Priest: In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. (John 6:51)We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor.10:17) Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love together with our Pope and our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again: bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence. (2 Macc 12:45-46) Have mercy on us all; make us worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with the apostles and with all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages. May we praise you in union with them, and give you glory though your Son, Jesus Christ. (2 Thes 1:4-5) Through him, with him, in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

All: Amen. (Rom 11:36)

Communion Rite: 

The Lord’s Prayer: 

All: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Matt 6:9-13)

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. (John 17:15)

All: For the kingdom the power and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles; I leave you peace, my peace I give to you. (John 14:27) Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always! (John 20:19)

People: And also with you!

[The priest then directs the people to exchange a sign, such as a handshake or a kiss, or a word of God’s peace to one another.]

Breaking of the Bread: 

All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace. (John 1:29)

Communion: 

Priest: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. (Rev. 19:9)

People: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed. (Matt 8:8)

[Communion is distributed to the faithful at the altar by the priest and lay ministers.]

Dismissal:

Priest: Blessed be the name of the Lord. Now and forever. (Dan 2:20) May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:51) Go in peace(Luke 7:50) to love and serve the Lord. (2 Chr 35:3)

[During the blessing the people make the Sign of the Cross, the traditional sign of the baptized and a public sign of their belief in the power of God.]

People: Thanks be to God. (2 Cor 9:15)

"See God in every situation"

I was sitting there on this Saturday mid-morning and all of a sudden these words came to me, "See God in every situation". Lately, I have been worried about my current job situation. I'm ecstatic to be working for a Catholic radio station. However, I'm just concerned whether I can make it financially working off commissions alone at this time. And not to mention news of the current global financial downturn is everywhere you look. I've never felt more useless than I do right now. Before, I had college and a job to occupy my time. I felt like I was "doing something" that would get me to "some where else". Now, since I'm finished with my bachelors and I was let go from my job, I sit at home watching my daughter. Now, to be clear, I find that to be very precious and I am grateful I get to spend this valuable time with her. I love taking care of her and watching her advance each day. I truly know this is more important than any professional job that I could ever take on. But I just cant help it to feel like it should be the other way around. It's my responsibility to be the "bread winner" for my family, especially since I'm finished with college. 

I'm eager to get started selling for the radio station. I think there is a lot of potential there and Toledo has an extremely large amount of Catholic organizations, businesses, schools, hospitals, parishes, etc. that make this endeavor promising. So with that, I'm on God's good humor and I stand patiently waiting for the station to be up and running. And I must remember to "see God in every situation".  

Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral - Toledo, OH

I visited my diocesan Cathedral today. It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!  I was in Toledo for a meeting with my new employer Annunciation Radio, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to visit the cathedral since I was in the area. 

While I was in prayer at the Cathedral, Bishop Leonard Blair came into the sanctuary from the Bishop's chapel with a group of priests. I did not have an opportunity to speak with him to ask for his blessing. He was busy speaking to three priests and then he went back. They continued on with a tour of the Cathedral which was given by an older gentleman who seemed like he had been working there for many years and was now in his retirement years. I over heard the guide say to the three visiting priests that a department of the Vatican has recognized Rosary Cathedral with the title of the most "amazingly beautiful cathedral" in the United States. I have a friend who I'm sure thinks the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Washington, D.C. is just as impressive.  Here are some pictures I took today of Rosary Cathedral:   

Demonology

Here's a really interesting and informative website:

http://www.religiousdemonology.com/