Book Recommendation: Will Many Be Saved

This book was recommended to me. Though I have not read it yet, I did run across an article about it in Our Sunday Visitor Catholic Newspaper. I think it is an important topic for our times.
It starts:

Author explains urgency of New Evangelization Book explores Vatican II teaching about salvation and how it relates to evangelization efforts today.

By Mary DeTurris Poust - OSV Newsweekly, 11/25/2012
Knowing who will or will not get into heaven is a tricky subject for most people of faith, but author Ralph Martin tackles it head on in his new book, “Will Many Be Saved? What Vatican II Actually Teaches and Its Implications for the New Evangelization” ($24, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.). Martin recently spoke to Our Sunday Visitor via email from Rome, where he was serving as a theological expert during the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelization.
Our Sunday Visitor: Why did you feel this book was necessary at this time?
Ralph Martin: I’ve been concerned for a long time that a presumption that virtually everyone is saved has taken hold in the minds of many Catholics. This obviously undermines motivation for evangelization, not to mention holiness and obedience to the Word of God. The teaching of Vatican II has been very much misunderstood on this point, and the book tries to clearly and decisively set the record straight. It is, indeed, possible under certain conditions for those who have never heard the Gospel to be saved, but as the Constitution on the Church from Vatican II says in Section 16, “very often” these conditions are not met and peoples’ salvations are at risk unless they hear the Gospel and respond.
OSV: We hear the term “New Evangelization” a lot in the Church today, and yet I think many Catholics are still unsure of what that means. Can you explain “New Evangelization” to the person in the pew?
Martin: First of all let’s define evangelization. I think the best definition I know is that given by Blessed John Paul II in his encyclical “Mission of the Redeemer” (Redemptoris Missio):
“The proclamation of the Word of God has Christian conversion (in original) as its aim: a complete and sincere adherence to Christ and his Gospel through faith ... Conversion means accepting, by a personal decision, the saving sovereignty of Christ and becoming his disciple” (No. 46).
Evangelization in its broad sense can refer to everything that the Church does, but the core definition has to do with conversion — helping people come to faith in Christ and surrender their lives to him.
The best definition of “New Evangelization” is again given by Blessed John Paul II in his encyclical. He makes a threefold distinction. Primary evangelization is directed toward those who have never heard the Gospel before. Pastoral care is directed toward those living in some relationship with Christ. “New Evangelization or re-evangelization” is directed toward those from traditionally Christian cultures or backgrounds “where entire groups of the baptized have lost a living sense of the faith, or even no longer consider themselves members of the Church, and live a life far removed from Christ and his Gospel” (No. 33).
The New Evangelization is new in whom it is addressed to, those who may have been baptized or practiced their faith at one time, but now are no longer living a relationship of friendship with Christ. It is also new in terms of who does it: us! And it is new in the cultural situation in which it is conducted — a de-Christianized culture where respect for God and his ways are no longer honored, but rather mocked and attacked.
This doesn’t mean we all need to be preachers. Evangelization can be a very simple sharing of our faith with someone who asks a question; or passing on a book on the spiritual life to someone who would benefit from reading it; or inviting someone who would benefit by hearing more about the faith to a parish mission talk, etc.
Read the rest here.

Thanksgiving Reflection 2012

Thanksgiving Reflection 2012

Alright, let’s face facts. We, looks like the minority, are not happy with the recent elections, at least some of us. More than that, we have a gut feeling things will now get even worse. There are many concerns that we can to little about: violence in the streets, job security, the falling economy and the rising debt, secularization of society, cafeteria and non-practicing Catholics, social engineering, rampant pornography, neck deep in taxes, decline of morals and values, lost kids. I could go on. Have I set the mood?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday, not a religious one. Oh really? It might not be on the church calendar, and other than turkey’s, pilgrims, atheists, and the self-absorbed, many of us, most of us, spend some time in thanking God for everything we have; many tell of their blessings over dinner, some get down on their knees, some go to church. It might be a good idea to make a list–kind of a reverse examination of conscious, recount you blessings, not sins. So yes, I would conclude this is a religious holiday.

Do you have indoor plumbing, HDTV, cable/satellite TV, central air/heating, a cell phone, a car, personal computer, and home? Who will be sitting around the Thanksgiving table– family, friends? O.K., I concede, some of us will be alone, but that can be a personal choice as well. Health? Yes, as we get older that becomes an issue. Many times it is a blessing. It tells us something is wrong that needs attention. Perhaps there is a new baby or grandchild. Perhaps someone did you a kindness, gave or loaned money at a critical time.

What I am getting at is the concept of more and less. I learned a long time ago there will be someone who has more and someone who has less. Some are richer, some are poorer. Some have more health, some less. The sun shines on everyone and it rains on everyone.

Did you make that list? Have you thanked God for all those things?

Gratitude. I saw a picture yesterday of an old woman embracing and kissing a World War II solder sitting in a Jeep when Rome was freed. I can’t think of a better visualization of gratitude. We can’t hug God but we can visit Him in church or before the Blessed Sacrament, we can simply talk to Him.

Right around the corner is another holiday, one that is more or less forgotten. Nativity scenes are banned, Christmas greetings are frowned upon by many business and they will also be open that day. You can’t find religious Christmas card in the store–sorry, I meant holiday cards. Amidst the shopping, wrapping, and decorating, how many remember the reason for the season?

Now that is something to be thankful for! Because, through Jesus’ nativity, abandonment, humiliation, torture, death and resurrection, we have been given salvation. All we need to do is lead a good life, avoid sin. Love God and your neighbor. Wow!

So, those people around the Thanksgiving Day table–be sure to give them a huge hug and take a moment to thank God for sending His Son to us. Let’s display some gratitude!

Regarding the Recent Elections...

I made a note during the recent presidential debates and noted the questions from the women and young males were; what will you do for me? Not what will you do for the nation. Candy Crowley was totally biased.

Musings

Oct. 22 is the Feast of Blessed JPII. Let’s make a prayer to him and ask his help to encourage our youth to become more involved with their faith, for he had a strong connection with the youth while he was with us.

“Without God, man ultimately chooses selfishness over solidarity and love, material things over values, having over being.” Pope Benedict XVI, at the Marian shrine of Loreto. How very true.

From Our Sunday Visitor: “Praise for Noble Prize – The awarding of this year’s Nobel Prize in medicine to John B. Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka, two pioneers of adult stem-cell research, has been praised by Catholics. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community said the award should encourage institutions to switch funding from embryonic stem-cell research to adult stem-cell research.” Yes, let’s leave the little ones alone, they need not give up their lives to harvest their stem-cells for research.

Movie recommendation: October Baby. Loved it. A baby having survived an abortion attempt is adopted. As a teenager, when she learns the truth and that she is adopted she searches for her natural mother. I won’t say anything else about it. Hope you will watch it. Good story, well done.

Book recommendation: Rediscovering Catholicism by Matthew Kelly. I thought it was great. So much so I bought several copies to hand out to friends. I still have a few left. Let me know if you would like one. My parish, St. Stephens passed our CDs on the same subject awhile back which led me to get the book. You can learn more at DynamicCatholic.com.

Year of Faith: Have you thought about doing anything for the Year of Faith? We are affected by the secular society and godlessness all around us, don’t think we are not. Have you sat down and thought about you faith and your relationship with the Lord? I would like to make one suggestion here. For a little while put aside the black and white printed words and the memorized prayers and have a little conversation with Jesus, not as Lord, but as friend. Tell Him what is on your mind, what is troubling you. Perhaps, take a little walk doing this, see Jesus walking next to you and just talk to him. No, people won’t think you’re crazy talking to yourself – they can’t tell the difference anyway with so many people talking on the phone using blue tooth or ear phones. Even better, sit for some time, face to face, with Jesus before the Blessed Sacrament.

Lastly, I’m sure we have all decided by now who we are going to vote for. This election is so very important to us as Catholics. So first do vote. That is our responsibility as a citizens and now more so as Catholics. Try to find out who it is you are voting for. Do they reflect our morals and values?

Blessings to all!

Received this in today’s email and thought I would share it. Read, obviously, to the rhythm of T‘was the night before Christmas.

GREETINGS

T ‘was the night before elections

And all through the town,

Tempers were flaring

Emotions all up and down

I, in my bathrobe,

With a cat in my lap,

Had cut off the TV,

Tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden,

There arose such a noise,

I peered out my window,

Saw Obama and his boys.

They had come for my wallet,

They wanted my pay,

To give to others,

Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money,

And quick as a wink,

Jumped back on his bandwagon,

As I gagged in the stink.

He then rallied his henchmen,

Who were pulling his cart,

I could tell they were out

To tear my country apart!

'On Fannie, on Freddie,

On Biden and Ayers!

On Reid, On Pelosi',

He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause,

And as they flew out of sight,

I heard him laugh at the nation,

Who wouldn't stand up and fight!

So I leave you to think,

On this one final note,

IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM,

GET OUT AND VOTE!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR ONLY HOPE!

The Geezer Manifesto?

Received this in my email today. You should get a kick out of it regardless of your political party, well maybe not.

Some of us are Older than the "Baby Boomers” getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were.

We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God, and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true. But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

In school we studied English, history, math, and science, which enabled us to lead America into the technological age.

Most of us remember what outhouses were, and many of us with first-hand experience. We remember the days of telephone party lines, 25-cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes.

For those of you who don't know what an icebox is, today they are electric and referred to as refrigerators.

A few even remember when cars were started with a crank.
Yes, we lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and outdated by many. But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off.

We won World War II, fought in Korea and Viet Nam. We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so.

We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield. We didn’t fight for the Socialist States of America we fought for the "Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."

We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America, and America the Beautiful by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing.

We have lived what many of you have only read about in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us. We have loved this country, fought for it, and died for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our country and nobody is going to take it away from us.

That is an oath we plan to keep. There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.

It was the young people of this nation who elected Obama and the Democratic Congress. You fell for the "Hope and Change" which in reality was nothing but "Hype and Lies." You have tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don’t like it after all.

You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or "Climbing the Social Ladder" to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting.

Many of those who fell for the "Great Lie" in 2008 are now having buyer’s remorse. With all the education we gave you, you didn't have sense enough to see through the lies and instead drank the 'Cool-Aid.' Now you’re paying the price and complaining about it. No jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom. This is what you voted for and this is what you got. We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don’t worry youngsters, the Gray Haired Brigade is here, and in 2012 we are going to take back our nation.

We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we're going, and in 2012 we're going to the polls by the millions. This land does not belong to the man in the White House or to the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It belongs to "We the People" and "We the People" plan to reclaim our land and our freedom.

We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren. So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the old geezers of the "Gray-Haired Brigade."


Come on guys. Let’s get this circulating.
Gray-Haired Brigade Member
I am another Gray Haired Geezer signing on.

Life is too short for drama or petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Forgive now those who made you cry.
You might not get a second time. 

Biden was wrong on HHS mandate, says Archbishop Chaput | LifeSiteNews.com

Biden was wrong on HHS mandate, says Archbishop Chaput | LifeSiteNews.com

Gianna Jessen Abortion Survivor in Australia

A great speech given by Gianna Jessen, and abortion survivor in Australia. Very touching, very real. From 2008, still so very poignant.

Part 1


Part 2


God bless!

The Nurse, The Extremist, The Survivor

Perhaps one of the best pro-life ads ever.



H/T The American Spectator

Obama's "Catholic Plan"

This video goes back to 2009, but it is most relevant today especially in light of the upcoming elections.

YouTube has had 3.4 million hits for this video.