tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599838984612739842024-03-12T21:37:29.964-05:00Tom O.F.S."All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
Edmund BurkeTom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.comBlogger720125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-12062660134793530072017-10-05T02:44:00.000-05:002017-10-05T02:45:02.871-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-54730166989767399302016-04-18T12:56:00.000-05:002016-04-18T12:56:53.653-05:00Amoris Laetitia<br />
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Over the last several days I have been reading Pope Francis’
Apostolic Exhoratation “The Joy of Love” (AMORIS LAETITIA). What a wonderful
document on the family. Whether you are Catholic or not, I must highly
recommend it to everyone. It is rather long, it took me seven reading sessions
to get through it, but your time is well spent. With the subject of the family,
marriage, children, anything shorter would not do it justice. I would
especially recommend it to young people contemplating marriage, newly married,
and all married people as well. It is also very important to those who are
divorced. I consider this document a gift to us from the Holy Spirit through
the thoughts of Pope Francis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is the link: <a href="https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html">https://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20160319_amoris-laetitia.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Althought there is nothing like reading the document itself,
here is a link that provides a summary: <a href="http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/08/pope_francis_apostolic_exhortation_on_the_joy_of_love/1221178">http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/04/08/pope_francis_apostolic_exhortation_on_the_joy_of_love/1221178</a></div>
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<o:p></o:p>Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-56224580403321812422016-03-26T03:16:00.000-05:002016-03-26T03:16:04.258-05:00Black-out Day<br />
Yesterday, Good Friday, for me was black-out day. Fasting, no television, Internet, Facebook, texting, emails or phone. How refreshing to spend the day without all the noise. I chose the day to pray and mediate on what our Savior did for us, and how I can become a better version of myself as God intended me to be.<br />
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Tomorrow, Easter, I will rejoice. I will be jumping up and down in joy. He is Risen! His suffering and death brought to you and me redemption and salvation. Alleluia! There is no greater love...<br />
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<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-66890715023768951292015-12-28T06:36:00.000-06:002015-12-28T06:36:51.730-06:00Feast of the Holy Innocents<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dETwcN2Drrw/VoEseddygTI/AAAAAAAA-5c/p60ZpS5NUmY/s1600/Massacre%2Bof%2Bthe%2BInnocents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dETwcN2Drrw/VoEseddygTI/AAAAAAAA-5c/p60ZpS5NUmY/s320/Massacre%2Bof%2Bthe%2BInnocents.jpg" width="320" /></a>Today is the feast of the Holy Innocents. You remember, the biblical account of infanticide by Herod the Great, the Roman-appointed King of the Jews. According to the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18), Herod ordered the execution of all young male children in the vicinity of Bethlehem, so as to avoid the loss of his throne to a newborn King of the Jews whose birth had been announced to him by the Magi.<br />
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In our time, "In a culture too often unfriendly to children, the victims of Bethlehem have become an emblem of all discarded children, cast away nameless on the streets, in crack houses, in pornographic film studios, and, a recent focus, in the disposal bins of abortion centers, because they got in the way of someone's pleasure, or ambition. They are our tragedy, but the adults who demean them, exploit them, abandon them are the Enemy's triumph in the war of evil versus good, death versus life."<br />
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We are all too unafflicted and unconcerned by this tragedy and crisis in our culture. My parish has over 4,000 families, yet we cannot get more than two or three at our monthly Respect Life meetings.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[Quote from "waiting in Joyful Hope" Liturgical Press, 2015]</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-71839282018988879552015-12-27T13:05:00.001-06:002015-12-27T13:05:46.533-06:00Feast of the Holy Family<br />
Today's first reading at Mass for the Feast honoring the Holy Family caught my attention. I thought I would share it. It is from Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14:<br />
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God sets a father in honor over his children;<br />
a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons.<br />
Whoever honors his father atones for sins,<br />
and preserves himself from them.<br />
When he prays, he is heard;<br />
he stores up riches who reveres his mother.<br />
Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children,<br />
and, when he prays, is heard.<br />
Whoever reveres his father will live a long life;<br />
he who obeys his father brings comfort to his mother.<br />
My son, take care of your father when he is old;<br />
grieve him not as long as he lives.<br />
Even if his mind fail, be considerate of him;<br />
revile him not all the days of his life;<br />
kindness to a father will not be forgotten,<br />
firmly planted against the debt of your sins<br />
—a house raised in justice to you.<br />
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Always, always, honor and respect your parents. Before you know it they will be gone. My dad died when I was 10. I still remember him with fondness and love.Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-48232981160780056402015-12-08T03:53:00.000-06:002015-12-08T03:53:12.730-06:00The Year of Mercy Begins Today<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPBlyVW03Yg/VmaoQwbDShI/AAAAAAAA8E0/8p45I2zLCWc/s1600/Year%2Bof%2BMercy%2BLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iPBlyVW03Yg/VmaoQwbDShI/AAAAAAAA8E0/8p45I2zLCWc/s320/Year%2Bof%2BMercy%2BLogo.jpg" width="191" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">"The Lord Jesus shows us the steps of the pilgrimage to attain our goal: “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (Lk 6:37-38). The Lord asks us above all not to judge and not to condemn. If any</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px;">one wishes to avoid God’s judgement, he should not make himself the judge of his brother or sister. Human beings, whenever they judge, look no farther than the surface, whereas the Father looks into the very depths of the soul. How much harm words do when they are motivated by feelings of jealousy and envy! To speak ill of others puts them in a bad light, undermines their reputation and leaves them prey to the whims of gossip. To refrain from judgement and condemnation means, in a positive sense, to know how to accept the good in every person and to spare him any suffering that might be caused by our partial judgment, our presumption to know everything about him. But this is still not sufficient to express mercy. Jesus asks us also to forgive and to give. To be instruments of mercy because it was we who first received mercy from God. To be generous with others, knowing that God showers his goodness upon us with immense generosity."<br />--Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, Paragraph 17</span>Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-47192921310069545442015-12-05T05:52:00.000-06:002015-12-05T05:52:17.779-06:00There is Enough for Everyone<br />
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<i>On this mountain the Lord of hosts will prepare for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice
wines</i>. –Isaiah 25:6<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>There is Enough for Everyone<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>Reflection</b>.
Advent is a time to identify our hungers and go to the right place to have them
satisfied.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I suggest that the right place is the Word of God and the
Table of the Eucharist. Few of us are physically hungary but we have many
spiritual hungers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Prayer</b>. St
Joseph, we pray that our hungers may be satisfied by the Living Word and the
Bread of Life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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--from Day by Day with St. Joseph, Catholic Book Publishing<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-43668953997763888762015-12-04T20:31:00.000-06:002015-12-04T20:31:24.012-06:00Year of Mercy<br />
Tuesday, December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception begins the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy as called for by Pope Francis. Jubilees date back to Old Testament times. But in our era they occur every 25 years. The last one was in the year 2000 celebrating the millennium. The Year of Mercy is called Extraordinary because it falls outside the 25 year cycle. Jubilees are times of renewal, graces and forgiveness.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vJSv_nENpQ/VmJMQtc9uBI/AAAAAAAA7nQ/q-_MVQNxVaA/s1600/Year%2Bof%2BMercy%2BLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vJSv_nENpQ/VmJMQtc9uBI/AAAAAAAA7nQ/q-_MVQNxVaA/s320/Year%2Bof%2BMercy%2BLogo.jpg" width="191" /></a>Pope Francis tells us that Jesus is the personification, the face, of the Father’s mercy. The Year of Mercy has several aspects. First, it reminds us of God the Father’s great mercy toward us. We can easily understand this by seeing the mercy, forgiveness, love and concern a parent has for their child. Mercy is readily and freely given. In acknowledging this mercy we should find joy, serenity and peace. In realizing God’s mercy toward us we become witnesses of our faith and express it with greater enthusiasm and conviction. We become living signs of the Father’s love for us.<br />
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Our response reveals the second aspect. In following Jesus, in living the Gospel life, the essence of being a Christian is having mercy toward others. Our mercy toward others is seen in our forgiveness. We are told to forgive seventy times seven times. Our mercy is also seen in our charity and in the corporal works of mercy. We sense the need to be patient, kind and compassionate to others including those who are separated from us. We become Good Samaritans.<br />
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A Jubilee year also is a time of forgiveness. Every Jubilee is a time of special reconciliation, but the Year of Mercy encourages us and the church to make special efforts of reconciliation with the Father through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, with ourselves – sometimes the hardest one to forgive, and with our family and neighbor.<br />
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One prominent feature of the Year of Mercy is the opening of the Holy Door, so rich in itself with symbolism. This will be done not only at the Vatican but also in every diocese. Holy Name Cathedral as well will have a holy door opened.<br />
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The Jubilee calls for pilgrimage. Many will go to Rome, many to their diocesan cathedrals.<br />
I hope you will take time and meditate on and embrace this opportunity for yourself and others to take advantage of this Year of Mercy.<br />
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-1534930982473897212015-10-13T21:05:00.000-05:002015-10-13T21:05:31.308-05:00Aquinas 101<br />
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With deference to our Franciscan brother St. Bonaventure, I’ve
been studying St. Thomas Aquinas’ thought, philosophy and theology for about a
year now. I’ve finished reading the first of his five <o:p></o:p></div>
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volume Summa Theologiae.<br />
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The Summa is difficult, but most of the difficulties lie in
the volume of his works and in his terms. I say this because I just finished <i>Aquinas 101</i> by Rev. Francis Selman, and
I must say this is a terrific book to read if you have an interest in St.
Thomas or what to know the basis of a lot of Catholic philosophy and theology.
Selman presents St. Thomas in a very clear and easily understandable way. I
feel greatly rewarded for having read it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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More so, I am impressed by the height of Thomas’ knowledge
and his love for God which is clear in every paragraph he writes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So impressed am I with this book, I’m considering facilitating
a book discussion group in my parish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-77506528422341549872015-10-05T16:50:00.000-05:002015-10-05T16:50:01.401-05:00The Art of Manliness<br />
I’ve been reading “The Art of Manliness,” http://www.artofmanliness.com/, blog, on and off, for some time now. He had a lot of good articles for men. The only thing is that he never mentions faith. In my opinion, faith makes a man fully a man. Nevertheless, below are the 100 skills every man should know. I won’t say how many I know. Let’s just say a good majority.<br />
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Here is the link to read more about it: <a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/09/28/100-skills-every-man-should-know/">http://www.artofmanliness.com/2015/09/28/100-skills-every-man-should-know/</a><br />
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1. Tie a Necktie<br />
2. Build a Campfire<br />
3. Hang a Picture<br />
4. Shine Your Shoes<br />
5. Treat a Snakebite<br />
6. Read a Book<br />
7. Survive a Bear Attack<br />
8. Wet Shave<br />
9. Parallel Park<br />
10. Paddle a Canoe<br />
11. Negotiate/Haggle<br />
12. Fix a Leaky Faucet<br />
13. Treat a Burn<br />
14. Tell a Joke<br />
15. Predict the Weather<br />
16. Do a Deadlift Properly<br />
17. Recite a Poem from Memory<br />
18. Grill with Charcoal<br />
19. Perform CPR<br />
20. Throw a Spiral<br />
21. Sew a Button<br />
22. Split Firewood<br />
23. Find Potable Water<br />
24. Change a Flat Tire<br />
25. Break down a Door<br />
26. Take the Perfect Photo<br />
27. Sharpen a Knife<br />
28. Change a Diaper<br />
29. Give a Speech<br />
30. Navigate With Map and Compass<br />
31. Unclog a Toilet<br />
32. Buy a Suit<br />
33. Swim the Front Stroke<br />
34. Shake Hands<br />
35. Treat Frostbite<br />
36. Iron Your Clothes<br />
37. Practice Situational Awareness<br />
38. Do a Proper Pull-Up<br />
39. Build a Shelter<br />
40. Grow Your Own Food<br />
41. Cook Eggs<br />
42. Make Small Talk<br />
43. Identify Poisonous & Edible Plants<br />
44. Do a Front Dive<br />
45. Shuffle Cards<br />
46. Hunt<br />
47. Properly Pour Beer<br />
48. Perform the Fireman’s Carry<br />
49. Open a Bottle without an Opener<br />
50. Cast a Fishing Line<br />
51. Speak a Foreign Language<br />
52. Drive in Snow<br />
53. Perform the Heimlich Maneuver<br />
54. Ask a Woman on a Date<br />
55. Always Know North<br />
56. Fell a Tree<br />
57. Hitch/Back-Up a Trailer<br />
58. Play Poker<br />
59. Write in Cursive<br />
60. Throw a Knockout Punch<br />
61. Make Pancakes from Scratch<br />
62. Skipper a Boat<br />
63. Dress for the Occasion<br />
64. Shoot a Bow and Arrow<br />
65. Drive Stick Shift<br />
66. Do a Proper Push-Up<br />
67. Pick a Lock<br />
68. Mix Two Classic Cocktails<br />
69. Field Dress Game<br />
70. Play One Song on the Guitar<br />
71. Use a Chainsaw Safely<br />
72. Do a Squat Properly<br />
73. Cook a Steak<br />
74. Entertain Yourself (Without a Smartphone)<br />
75. Change Your Car’s Oil<br />
76. Whistle with Your Fingers<br />
77. Shovel Snow<br />
78. Carve a Turkey<br />
79. Tie a Bowline<br />
80. Ride a Horse<br />
81. Give a Good Massage<br />
82. Get a Car Unstuck<br />
83. Break a Rack of Pool Balls<br />
84. Make a Logical Argument<br />
85. Cook Bacon<br />
86. Write a Letter<br />
87. Shoot a Gun<br />
88. Make a Toast<br />
89. Jump Start a Car<br />
90. Know How to Dance<br />
91. Brew the Perfect Cup of Coffee<br />
92. Tie a Tourniquet<br />
93. Know Two Cool Uncle Tricks<br />
94. Fillet a Fish<br />
95. Calm a Crying Baby<br />
96. Ride a Motorcycle<br />
97. Hammer a Nail Correctly<br />
98. Cook a Signature Dish<br />
99. Make Fire without Matches<br />
100. Tell a StoryTom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-52573737754064892552015-10-05T16:46:00.000-05:002015-10-05T16:46:32.275-05:00Come to Me<br />
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11-28<br />
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<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-5603856002531219762015-10-05T16:43:00.000-05:002015-10-05T16:43:16.696-05:00Never Sacrifice These Three Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-42707182381010385782015-10-05T16:42:00.000-05:002015-10-05T16:42:02.469-05:00Victims of the Umpqua ShootingVictims of the Umpqua shooting:<br />
<br />
Lucero Alcaraz, 19, of Roseburg, whose sister posted on Facebook that she won scholarships to cover her college costs;<br />
<br />
Quinn Glen Cooper, 18, of Roseburg, whose family said he loved dancing and voice acting;<br />
<br />
Kim Saltmarsh Dietz, 59, an outdoors lover who was taking classes at the same time as her daughter;<br />
<br />
Lucas Eibel, 18, of Roseburg, who was studying chemistry and loved volunteering with animals;<br />
<br />
Jason Johnson, 33, whose mother told NBC News that he successfully battled drug abuse and was in his first week of college;<br />
<br />
Lawrence Levine, 67, of Glide, an assistant professor of English at the college;<br />
<br />
Sarena Dawn Moore, 44, of Myrtle Creek;<br />
<br />
Treven Taylor Anspach, 20, of Sutherlin; and<br />
<br />
Rebecka Ann Carnes, 18, of Myrtle Creek.<br />
<br />
"These Christians were killed because of their faith in Oregon this week. I can help but wonder what I would say in that situation. A gunman asking whether or not students are Christian, and killing the ones that say yes. I’m humbled by the courage and conviction of those who did not deny Christ in that moment. God help me to live for You with the same boldness of these students who died for You."Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-7974453182153951722015-08-19T11:19:00.000-05:002015-08-19T11:19:27.211-05:00Sunday Sermons<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're
spiritually alive, you're going to love this!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're
spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you're
spiritually curious, there is still hope! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained
that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. “I've gone for 30 years
now,” he wrote, “and in
that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of
me, I can't remember a single one of them so, I think I'm wasting my time and
the priests, Ministers or rabbis are wasting theirs by giving sermons at
all."<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column.
Much to the delight of the editor, it went on for weeks until someone wrote
this clincher:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
'I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked
some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do
know this...They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my
work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead
today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be
spiritually dead today!”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
When you are DOWN to nothing....God is UP to something!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the
impossible!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank God for our
physical AND our spiritual nourishment! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
IF YOU CANNOT SEE
GOD IN ALL, YOU CANNOT SEE GOD AT ALL!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-23776819795930091842015-07-01T13:20:00.001-05:002015-07-01T13:20:30.303-05:00USCCB president calls Supreme Court ruling on marriage 'tragic error'<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">USCCB
president calls Supreme Court ruling on marriage 'tragic error'</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>USCCB president calls Supreme Court ruling on marriage
'tragic error'</b><br />
<br />
By <a href="http://www.catholicnews.com/index.html" target="new">Catholic
News Service</a><br />
<br />
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The president of the U.S. bishops' conference called the
Supreme Court's June 26 marriage ruling "a tragic error" and he urged
Catholics to move forward with faith "in the unchanging truth about
marriage being between one man and one woman."<br />
<br />
"Regardless of what a narrow majority of the Supreme Court may declare at
this moment in history, the nature of the human person and marriage remains
unchanged and unchangeable," said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of
Louisville, Kentucky.<br />
<br />
"It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that
two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage," he said.<br />
<br />
In a 5-4 decision, the court said states must license same-sex marriage. In the
second part of the ruling, the court affirmed that every state must recognize
marriages performed in other states, a question that will become moot as the
first part of the opinion is enacted.<br />
<br />
"Just as Roe v. Wade did not settle the question of abortion over 40 years
ago," when it legalized abortion in the U.S. virtually on demand,
Obergefell v. Hodges "does not settle the question of marriage
today," Archbishop Kurtz said.<br />
<br />
"Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and as a result, both will
eventually fail," he added.<br />
<br />
The court had several marriage cases to consider and bundled them under the
title of the Ohio case, Obergefell v. Hodges. That case arose after the October
2013 death of John Arthur of Cincinnati. He and his longtime partner,
Obergefell, had married earlier that year in Maryland. When the local Ohio
registrar agreed to list Obergefell as the surviving spouse on Arthur's death
certificate -- which is key to a range of survivor's benefits -- the state
attorney general challenged the status because Ohio law bars same-sex
marriages.<br />
<br />
The other cases included: Tanco v. Haslam, the Tennessee case, and Bourke v.
Beshear, the Kentucky case, which similarly challenge those states' refusal to
recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, and DeBoer v.
Snyder, the Michigan adoption case.<br />
<br />
"The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is
inscribed in our bodies as male and female," Archbishop Kurtz said in his
statement. "The protection of this meaning is a critical dimension of the
'integral ecology' that Pope Francis has called us to promote.<br />
<br />
"Mandating marriage redefinition across the country is a tragic error that
harms the common good and most vulnerable among us, especially children. The
law has a duty to support every child's basic right to be raised, where possible,
by his or her married mother and father in a stable home.<o:p></o:p></div>
Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-4755588229598371752015-07-01T13:16:00.000-05:002015-07-01T13:16:36.137-05:00Statement from Bishop Tobin – The Supreme Court and “Same-Sex Marriage”<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Statement from Bishop Tobin – The Supreme Court and
“Same-Sex Marriage”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
A thousand courts may rule
otherwise, but the very notion of “same-sex marriage” is morally wrong and a
blatant rejection of God’s plan for the human family. As Pope Francis taught
while serving as Archbishop in Argentina: “Same-sex marriage is not simply a
political struggle, but it is an attempt to destroy God’s plan. It is a move of
the ‘father of lies’ who seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Despite the current trends of our
society, or perhaps because of them, the Church must redouble its commitment to
proclaim and defend authentic concepts of marriage and family as we have
received them from God. We will always do so, however, in a respectful,
charitable and constructive manner.<o:p></o:p></div>
Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-14833369357958611832015-07-01T09:37:00.000-05:002015-07-01T09:37:09.015-05:00Rediscover JesusNew book from Matthew Kelly. Go <a href="http://ow.ly/P2mMR">here</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUmG3A7kqiQ/VZP67Yf-yVI/AAAAAAAAYzc/lvWynjM5OCQ/s1600/rediscoverjesus_book_cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MUmG3A7kqiQ/VZP67Yf-yVI/AAAAAAAAYzc/lvWynjM5OCQ/s320/rediscoverjesus_book_cover.png" width="237" /></a></div>
.Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-57850618739743417932015-07-01T09:18:00.000-05:002015-07-01T09:18:18.061-05:00"I will willingly wear the orange jumpsuit"<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truth spoken again. A wonderful missive, words from a courageous and strong Archbishop...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June 30, 2015<br />
<br />
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For a long time now, I have felt that we have entered a
post-Christian era in the history of western <br />
<br />
Here in the United States, we are apparently a European “wannabe.” We have been
slowly disavowing ourselves of any connection to religion and separating
ourselves from any symbols which may be offensive, though they have been in
existence for decades.<br />
<br />
Part of it can be attributed to the tyranny of the minority -- one person is
offended by a statue or a picture reflecting some religious symbolism and off
we go to an activist court for social reconstruction -- the sensitivity of the
one is imposed on the many.<br />
<br />
Oh! But we have separation of Church and state, they say (actually only by
judicial edict). There was no separation of Church and state when the parochial
schools were educating the masses because government lacked the capacity to do
so. There was no separation when the religious hospitals were providing care in
areas the government could not or would not. Nor when religious charities
were providing for the homeless long before state welfare organizations were
instituted.<br />
<br />
Separation seems to be a concept of when we need you it’s “okay, please
participate” and when we don’t “get out of our political way because we don’t
need to be tainted by your religious zeal.” Religion is treated like the
intellectually challenged adult that, in less enlightened times, would be kept
separate from the family for fear of embarrassment and from the social elite
who might think less of them.<br />
<br />
As Catholics, we have weathered the governmental and societal bashing that has
taken place for 2,000 years. We survived the Roman Empire, the monarchies, the
“isms,” of Nazism, communism and self-proclaimed “rationalists.” And we will
survive the rejection of our own society and its continued attempt to muffle
our voice and isolate us from the decision-making table. We will pay a price.
But, we will not do so without preaching and teaching the truth.<br />
<br />
The recent decision of the Supreme Court legalizing same sex marriage is sad,
because it once again takes upon itself the redefinition of the word. This time
it’s “marriage.” The definitions of words seem to not matter to the court. The
simple truth is that marriage is between a man and a woman. Why? Because from
the dawn of civilization men and women were joined together to perpetuate our
species. Marriage constitutes a family where individuals are raised, given an
identity and form the basic building block of our society.<br />
<br />
In our brave new world, we can generate human beings in a test tube -- no one
need know who the father is. A surrogate can be used, as would an incubator, in
order to fulfill the desire for a child by two males. The terms mother and
father are now subject to redefinition. Perhaps it will take a village to raise
the children, especially if they will not have identifiable role models. But,
we have permitted same sex individuals to claim marriage as a right at the cost
of family deconstruction and role model redefinition.<br />
<br />
I haven’t even broached the subject that God ordained marriage. From the
beginning he created them, males and females were told to go forth and
multiply. The Church has established marriage as a sacrament and it is evident
in its teachings how essential the understanding of marriage between a man and
a woman is to the faith.<br />
<br />
I know that you have often heard the term “cafeteria” Catholic. This is a
Catholic that picks and chooses what is convenient in the teachings and ignores
the rest. The Supreme Court decision was made by a court composed of six
Catholics, with the majority opinion rendered by Catholic judge, Justice
Anthony Kennedy (supported by another Catholic, Justice Sonia Sotomayor).
Perhaps, he remembered another Kennedy claiming that he would not be guided by
the pope or the teachings of the Church once he is elected president. The four
dissenters were Catholic with an excellent dissenting opinion rendered by
Justice Antonin Scalia (concurring Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Thomas and
Justice Alito).<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4dAdN7hSCM/VZP1vbvx_FI/AAAAAAAAYzM/XMG1f8EwOOE/s1600/Most%2BReverend%2BJerome%2BE.%2BListecki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L4dAdN7hSCM/VZP1vbvx_FI/AAAAAAAAYzM/XMG1f8EwOOE/s1600/Most%2BReverend%2BJerome%2BE.%2BListecki.jpg" /></a></div>
civilization. There is almost an
embarrassment about being a Christian and a denial of the roots that
Christianity has provided in the development of our society. In the European
society, the Euro community refused to acknowledge the historical significance
of Christianity in the development of European society. The pope made an
impassioned plea for that recognition, but it fell on deaf ears. Now we have a
European community that is clinging to its roots, as it is slowly being
destroyed by its own hubris.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was not the first time that a terrible decision was
influenced or rendered by a Catholic on the Supreme Court. Chief Justice
Tawney in the Dred Scott decision actually inferred that a slave, a man, a
human being, was just a piece of chattel and must be returned to the owner.
This decision was the seed of Civil War and the decision of the court to define
a man as property. And Justice Brennan, the only Catholic on the high court,
influenced the Court in the Roe v Wade decision, voting with the majority. This
decision denied any rights to the child in the womb which has led to the
destruction of more than 50 million lives since 1973 (read “The Brethren:
Inside the Supreme Court” by Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong).<br />
<br />
We will not be assuaged from what the Church teaches and I believe it calls for
even greater courage in the face of this rejection of truth. Ever the social
critic, Cardinal Francis George may be right when he said that he will die in
his bed, his successor will die in jail and the one who follows his successor
will die a martyr in the public square. He envisioned the social upheaval in
our society as a mounting persecution of the Church. <b>I will willingly wear the orange jumpsuit</b> [my emphasis], if it means standing up
for the truth and the Catholic faith.<br />
<br />
I guess one doesn’t have to worry whether or not any Catholic judge or Catholic
elected official would be compelled to follow the teachings of his or her
faith. Unfortunately for some, it’s just a window dressing that can change with
the seasons (political pressure, popular opinions and the polls). That’s a sad
commentary on the effect of faith because so much truth and goodness (dignity
of the human being) is found in the richness of a faith that mandates us to
LOVE ONE ANOTHER.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<em><b>Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki</b></em><br />
Archbishop of Milwaukee <o:p></o:p></div>
Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-45275673792864081562015-06-23T15:51:00.000-05:002015-06-23T15:51:41.501-05:00Laudato Si' - Some Comments<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, five days after its release, I’ve finished my initial
reading of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPHbSR7uVzY/VYnGNSXsZmI/AAAAAAAAXiA/Y1zcONiTqj0/s1600/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPHbSR7uVzY/VYnGNSXsZmI/AAAAAAAAXiA/Y1zcONiTqj0/s320/Pope%2BFrancis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Si’. I’ve made a whole lot of
highlights, it is just that chock-filled with good ‘stuff.’ And of course I
will study it more in days to come. I am extremely impressed with it. It
addresses a wide range of topics; well it addresses all of Creation.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mostly, it provides me with hope, but there are a number of
disconcerting realities. I ask myself what can Pope Francis, the Catholic
Church, or all of our Christian brothers and sisters do about all these things?
They seem so monumental. But Pope Francis, more than anyone else, has had the
opportunity and courage to address these issues clearly. This encyclical is the
seed to change the hearts and minds to continue and expand how we look at
creation and care for it. That is why we need to read it and know what is in
it; so we can pass it on to others, and to inform ourselves as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When society is made aware of an abuse or a wrong it can
provide pressure so that it may be addressed and corrected. There are so many
examples of this. The one that comes to mind first are the foam containers
McDonald’s and the other fast-food chains used to use for their products. This
is no more. Public pressure forced them to change. So it is our job to make
others aware and educate them, and ourselves as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I ask myself well, gee, what can I do about that huge mass
of garbage the size of some states that are floating in the Pacific ocean?
Perhaps nothing. It is so far removed from us, it is in international waters.
But we can write our legislators and ask them to explore means that it can be
addressed. But an even more effective thing to do, is the next time you are on
a boat, or along the shore of a body of water, don’t toss that rubbish in it.
And there are so many other things we can do, if we only think about it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
An important point of the encyclical, as Pope Francis turned
to Saint Francis, is to consider all of <o:p></o:p></div>
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Creation as our brother and sister. To
show them the respect they deserve and to care for them. We can do this in so
many ways.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t want to make this very long, I just want to plant
some food for thought.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Below is one of the two prayers that closes the encyclical.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
A Christian prayer
in union with creation<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.7pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Father, we praise you with all your creatures. They came
forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence
and your tender love. Praise be to you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .15pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 77.0pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .15pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.85pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.5pt; margin-top: 0in;">
you became part of this earth, and you gazed upon this world
with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .65pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Holy Spirit, by your light<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.85pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 15.3pt; margin-top: 0in;">
you guide this world towards the Father’s love and
accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in our hearts and
you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .65pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Triune Lord, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.85pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 55.35pt; margin-top: 0in;">
wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to
contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us
the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 7.45pt;">
God of love, show us our place
in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for
not one of them is forgotten in your sight. Enlighten those who possess power
and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the
common good, advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.5pt;">
The poor and the earth are
crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .65pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
help us to protect all life,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 79.0pt;">
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .65pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 2.55pt; margin-top: 0in;">
Praise be to you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Amen.<o:p></o:p></div>
Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-20040617392598567762015-06-18T05:03:00.000-05:002015-06-18T05:03:51.047-05:00Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"Keeping the spirit of the Gospel means that Catholic institutions are to bear witness in love to the full truth about the human person by providing social, charitable, and educational services in a manner that fully reflects the God-given dignity of the human person." - Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, on the "Freedom to Bear Witness"<br />
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“The Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness will take place from June 21 to July 4, 2015, a time when our liturgical calendar celebrates a series of great martyrs who remained faithful in the face of persecution by political power—St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, and the First Martyrs of the Church of Rome. The theme of this year's Fortnight will focus on the "freedom to bear witness" to the truth of the Gospel.”<br />
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I have been reporting on the Fortnight for Freedom initiate every year since it started. Anyone with their eyes open would see the many instances that our religious liberties are being curtailed. It continues and is getting worse. That is why I ask you to give this initiative your attention too, to pray daily between June 21 to July 4th, to read up on the subject, and to not be afraid to stand up for your faith even in conversations with friends and relatives. I am reminded of Matthew Kelly’s theme “Be Bold, Be Catholic.” Defend our Church when it is attacked. “From life to the Gospel, from Gospel to life,” is not merely a Franciscan theme, it is a way of life. The Gospel is radical, it is not passive and quiet, it is countercultural, especially in the secular society in which we live.<br />
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Freedom to bear witness means to evangelize our message, to bring to others the Good News, of Jesus’ love and great mercy for everyone. And it means to bear witness in our daily conversations with others.<br />
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So please say the prayer below every day and find a little time to become more knowledgeable. The USCCB has some great resources (link below), and a quick Web search will provide more. <a href="http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/">http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/fortnight-for-freedom/</a><br />
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“Be not afraid.”<br />
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Tom<br />
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<b>Prayer for the Protection of Religious Liberty</b><br />
O God our Creator,<br />
from your provident hand we have received<br />
our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.<br />
You have called us as your people and given us<br />
the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God,<br />
and your Son, Jesus Christ.<br />
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,<br />
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,<br />
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel<br />
to every corner of society.<br />
<br />
We ask you to bless us<br />
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.<br />
Give us the strength of mind and heart<br />
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;<br />
give us courage in making our voices heard<br />
on behalf of the rights of your Church<br />
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.<br />
<br />
Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,<br />
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters<br />
gathered in your Church<br />
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,<br />
so that, with every trial withstood<br />
and every danger overcome—<br />
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,<br />
and all who come after us—<br />
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,<br />
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."<br />
<br />
We ask this through Christ our Lord.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-49301612301032180542015-06-10T12:32:00.001-05:002015-06-10T12:32:32.825-05:00Pope Francis' upcoming Encyclical<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOwRr2givOc/VXh0Wa4exJI/AAAAAAAATnM/a8QYhWAoRos/s1600/Creation.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aOwRr2givOc/VXh0Wa4exJI/AAAAAAAATnM/a8QYhWAoRos/s320/Creation.png" width="320" /></a><br />
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As Franciscans we should be happy to look forward to the upcoming encyclical of Pope Francis entitled “Laudato Sii” which translates to “Praised be.” These words should ring as they come from St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures.<br />
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I am not an environmentalist-wacko, but I am concerned for creation. I am dismayed by the huge floating garbage pools in our oceans. Yet, I am aware of the admitted lies about global-warming made by many scientists/environmentalists to obtain more funding.<br />
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The encyclical should cause us to reflect on our own life style and explore ways we can have less impact on Creation.<br />
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I ran across this article on the encyclical by CatholicVote. Though the text of the encyclical will not be translated until June 18th, I think this is a good guess on what it will contain. I will mail the encyclical as soon as I get my hands on it. And it is a must read for all of us.<br />
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<a href="http://As%20Franciscans%20we%20should%20be%20happy%20to%20look%20forward%20to%20the%20upcoming%20encyclical%20of%20Pope%20Francis%20entitled%20%E2%80%9CLaudato%20Sii%E2%80%9D%20which%20translates%20to%20%E2%80%9CPraised%20be.%E2%80%9D%20These%20words%20should%20ring%20as%20they%20come%20from%20St.%20Francis%E2%80%99%20Canticle%20of%20the%20Creatures.%20%20I%20am%20not%20an%20environmentalist-wacko,%20but%20I%20am%20concerned%20for%20creation.%20I%20am%20dismayed%20by%20the%20huge%20floating%20garbage%20pools%20in%20our%20oceans.%20Yet,%20I%20am%20aware%20of%20the%20admitted%20lies%20about%20global-warming%20made%20by%20many%20scientists/environmentalists%20to%20obtain%20more%20funding.%20%20The%20encyclical%20should%20cause%20us%20to%20reflect%20on%20our%20own%20life%20style%20and%20explore%20ways%20we%20can%20have%20less%20impact%20on%20Creation.%20%20I%20ran%20across%20this%20article%20on%20the%20encyclical%20by%20CatholicVote.%20Though%20the%20text%20of%20the%20encyclical%20will%20not%20be%20translated%20until%20June%2018th,%20I%20think%20this%20is%20a%20good%20guess%20on%20what%20it%20will%20contain.%20I%20will%20mail%20the%20encyclical%20as%20soon%20as%20I%20get%20my%20hands%20on%20it.%20And%20it%20is%20a%20must%20read%20for%20all%20of%20us.">Go here.</a><br />
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-27260283578019793842015-06-10T05:54:00.000-05:002015-06-10T05:54:21.763-05:00Cardinal Wuerl - Pastoral Letter on Catholic Identity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now and then I run across a gem. This is one. Cardinal Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington released a pastoral letter on Catholic identity. Though it is intended for the people of his diocese, it is of extreme value to all of us. I have not read the entire document yet, but it sounds great. Here is a link to the document in pdf. You can save it, or print it:<br />
<a href="http://www.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Being-Catholic-Today-Pastoral-Letter.pdf">http://www.adw.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Being-Catholic-Today-Pastoral-Letter.pdf</a><br />
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To whet your appetite:<br />
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“Recent years have now seen various efforts by federal and local governments to obstruct or limit our ability as Catholics to live out our Gospel mandate.”<br />
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“Where we have crossed a very significant fault line is the latest campaign to denigrate as ‘bigoted’ or ‘mean-spirited’ those who do not embrace the new social order.”<br />
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“The Church does not require others to believe or live by her teaching. But we do insist on the freedom to do so ourselves and to ensure that those who share in the ministry of our institutions also do so. We simply ask that the freedom of Catholics to be Catholic be respected.”<br />
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“The Church is not the result of like-minded people coming together and deciding to form an organization, nor are her moral teachings decided by popular vote or societal trends.”<br />
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“The Catholic Church is not a mad-made institution at all. Her origins are found in the will and actions of Christ.”<br />
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“To be a Catholic is to recognize the role of the Church as the very means created and given to us by Jesus so that his work, accomplished in his death and Resurrection, might be represented in our day and applied to us.”<br />
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Cardinal Wuerl laments the “limited and even contrived version of our faith that some people hold.”<br />
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“Catholic institutions should be distinguishable from secular ones.”<br />
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I encourage everyone to read this document. It is an easy read.<br />
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Blessings.<br />
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-31953481023414167422015-05-21T07:12:00.000-05:002015-05-21T07:12:09.877-05:00Memorial Day PrayerDEATH OF A SOLDIER<br />
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Almighty God,<br />
Our hearts are saddened by the loss of all those who have given their lives to sustain the freedom that we so richly enjoy. Bring your comforting Spirit to the families and friends of these courageous men and women.<br />
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Grant, 0 God, your peace and love to all of them, for you alone can fill their emptiness with hope. We entrust them to your care.<br />
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Help us to draw creatively upon the limitless resources that you've provided. May we be brave so that the enemy won't succeed in depriving us of our freedom.<br />
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Grant us wisdom to solve problems and enrich life. Fill us with compassion for those in need, inspire us to live by your word, cease oppression, help freedom prevail, and assure that dignity and honor reign. Then we shall know that the hero we honor today will not have died in vain.<br />
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We offer our prayer in your holy name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Chaplain Lt. Col. Mark E. Thompson </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Deputy/Senior Clinician </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">EAMCDMPC </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From Reveille for the Soul: Prayers for Military Life </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Compiled by Marge Fenelon </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">© 2010 Liguori Publications. All rights reserved. Liguori.org</span><br />
<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-49146031118109212532015-05-20T08:47:00.000-05:002015-05-20T08:47:23.159-05:00Protecting the Unborn<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Every politician should be as passionate for the protection of unborn babies as Congressman Sean Dully from Wisconsin. Please watch this short video.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/nationalrighttolife/videos/10155518258270147/">https://www.facebook.com/nationalrighttolife/videos/10155518258270147/</a></span><br />
<br />Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659983898461273984.post-15922060311789878352015-01-07T06:20:00.000-06:002015-01-07T06:20:19.812-06:00A Few Reflections on Worry<br />
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I’m a little late posting this – Deacon Ken, as usual, had a
good article in my parish bulletin a couple of weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A FEW REFLECTIONS ON WORRY ...<o:p></o:p></div>
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Another New Year is approaching and sometimes we look ahead
with optimism for what's to come, while others look at it with anxiety. Anxiety
pokes a hole in the bottom of the boat. If you don't plug the hole, your spirit
will sink. I have faced many problems and difficult situations in life, and
have never found one that improved with worry. Worry only multiplies negative
energy. Think about it for a moment. If you worry about something bad that
doesn't happen, you expend emotional energy needlessly. If you worry about
something bad that DOES happen, you expend emotional energy twice – on both
ends of the problem.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Why not just let things unfold – and conserve your emotional
energy until you actually have to deal with the bad situation? We cannot
control most of what we worry about. This is our feeble attempt to manage the
uncontrollable. If you can't do something about it, then the issue is not a
problem – it is a fact of life, no use fretting and stewing over something you
cannot control.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Worry is contagious. Verbalizing anxieties is like sneezing
in the car – you pass the virus on to everyone around you. Pretty soon,
everybody's negative. Before spewing negative thoughts ask yourself if these
are the kind of words you want to hear. If not, change the channel. You will
receive whatever you dish out to others. Like dandelions, it's best to nip
worries at the first rising so they do not germinate and spread. Where worries
multiply, joy decreases. It is impossible to be anxious-ridden and joyful at
the same time. One always expels the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There's a good reason why Jesus said, "Do not worry
about tomorrow." Every day has enough challenge without adding concerns
about things that haven't reached us yet. This doesn't mean we shouldn't plan
ahead. Thoughtful foresight increases the odds of a good outcome. The
difference between planning ahead and worrying is the negative emotional
energy. Are you stewing your way forward – or figuring it out positively?<o:p></o:p></div>
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So let's welcome the New Year with optimism and hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would like to add some thoughts of my own. Many of us tend
to put things off. Perhaps we think it will go away if we just ignore it.
Perhaps. But more than likely it is not going away. It needs to be addressed.
If not, it is going to stay in your mind and increase your worry and anxiety.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I do something that I call “one thing.” Usually early in the
morning I review what needs attention and I ask myself: What is the one thing I
can to today to address this problem or issue? Some issues are complex, you may
have to get advice from another, but usually it only takes some thought on your
part, perhaps some research, or getting some advice from a professional in that
area. The idea is not ignoring it, but do something positive in addressing it.
Perhaps that day there is nothing you can do, but you may be able to do it
tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Have a blessed new year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tom, O.F.S.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10184072944100175188noreply@blogger.com4