Catholic Quotes on the Eucharist & Mass

"You can call happy those who saw Him. But, come to the altar and you will see Him, you will touch Him, you will give to Him holy kisses, you will wash Him with your tears, you will carry Him within you like Mary Most Holy."

- St. John Chrysostom

"Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration." 

- Mother Teresa

"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven." 

- Pope Pius X

"When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now." 

- Mother Teresa of Calcutta


The Lord's Day, a gut check on how much you want to be with God

If you don't want to spend an hour with God on Sunday, then what makes you think you want to spend eternity with Him?  And if you don't want to spend eternity with Him, don't worry, you won't.
--Fr. Rodger Fleming

"The Blessed Eucharist is the perfect Sacrament of the Lord's Passion, since It contains Christ Himself and his Passion." 

- St. Thomas Aquinas

Unless we believe & see Jesus in the appearance of bread on the altar, we will not be able to see him in the distressing disguise of the poor. 

--Mother Teresa

"Receiving the Eucharist means adoring Him whom we receive. Only in this way do we become one with Him, and are given, as it were, a foretaste of the beauty of the heavenly liturgy. The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself." 

- Pope Benedict XVI - Sacramentum Caritatis 66

from an address to priests in Poland, May 25, 2006

"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." 

- St. Maximilian Kolbe

"Make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and the devil will be powerless against you." 

- St. John Bosco

"In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering." 

- Pope Benedict XVI - from his meeting with members of the Roman clergy

March 2, 2006

'Holy Communion is the most efficacious means of uniting the soul to God.'

--St. Paul of the Cross

"Of all devotions, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the one dearest to God and the one most helpful to us." 

- St. Alphonsus Liguori

 St. Thomas Aquinas (June 8) -- "The Blessed Sacrament is the perfect sacrament of the Lord's passion, since it contains Christ Himself and His Passion."

• St. Cyril of Jerusalem (June 15) -- "The bread and wine of the Eucharist before the invocation of the holy and adorable Trinity were simply bread and wine. But after the invocation the bread becomes the Body of Christ and the wine becomes the Blood of Christ."

• St. Paul (June 29) -- "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

• St. Alphonsus Liguori (July 13) -- "Christ is present on our altars ... to show us the love which He bears us, by being pleased to dwell night and day hidden in the midst of us."

• St. Teresa of Avila (July 20) -- "God the Father bestows on us indescribable blessings through the humanity of His Son."

• St. Peter Julian Eymard (July 27) -- "In all that He did from the Incarnation to the Cross, the end Jesus Christ had in mind was the gift of the Eucharist."

• St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower (Aug. 3) -- "The Eucharist on earth is both the anticipation and promise of communion with God in heaven."

• St. Augustine (Aug. 10 ) -- "The Holy Eucharist is our daily bread from heaven. Live as to deserve to receive it daily."

• Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Aug. 17) -- "If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist and to Jesus."

• St. Ambrose (Aug. 24) -- "This is the bread of everlasting life which supports the substance of our souls."

• St. Francis of Assisi (Aug. 31) -- "Just as he appeared to the apostles in the flesh, Christ is visible to us in the Sacred Bread and Wine."

• Blessed John Paul II (Sept. 7) -- "The first two sacraments (baptism and confirmation) and the most holy mystery of the Eucharist are linked with the vocation to the priesthood and episcopate by a bond o strong and deep that it constantly reveals new riches to our grateful hearts."

Christian quotes on Church and State

Benedict XVI. 4 June 2011

"...The participation of representatives from other Churches and Christian communities, as well as the Jewish and Muslim religions, helps remind us that religion is not a separate area marked off from society. Rather, it is a natural element within society, constantly recalling the vertical dimension: attentive listening to God as the condition for seeking the common good, for seeking justice and reconciliation in the truth. Religion places man in relation with God, the Creator and Father of all, and must therefore be a force for peace. Religions need always to be purified according to their true essence in order to correspond to their true mission".

Church and State:  an article written in the Catholic Encyclopedia, available at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14250c.htm

 

Christian quotes on Confession

"At the time of your examination beware of the devil that ties your tongue." 

- St. Josemaria Escriva

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects."

--James, 16

"If the window is dirty, the light cannot come in. If your morals are bad, faith and grace can't fall upon you."

--Archbishop Fulton Sheen

"Your soul stinks. You put all that stuff under your arm. Forget it. The angels can smell you a mile away."

--Mother Angelica (from EWTN)

"Jesus gave the authority to priests to confess sins. You don't like it? Take it up with Him. Nobody just made this stuff up because it's fun. Priests have to confess to other priests too, you know."

--Christopher Majella Paul

"For much of my life I floundered under the excuse of "nobody's perfect," the liberating and over-used phrase that affords guys like me the freedom to pile up sins in a careless and unchecked way. Ironically, being perfect is precisely what we are called to be!"

-- Tarek Saab, Gut Check

"Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future."

--Oscar Wilde

"Those who have lost their purity are like a piece of cloth stained with oil; you may wash it and dry it, and the stain always appears again; so it requires a miracle to cleanse the impure soul."

--Saint Jean-marie Baptiste de Vianney, the Cure of Ars

"Confession heals, confession justifies, confession grants pardon of sin. All hope consists in confession. In confession there is a chance for mercy. Believe it firmly. Do not doubt, do not hesitate, never despair of the mercy of God. Hope and have confidence in confession."

--St. Isidore of Seville

"The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works."

--St. Augustine

"Many who confess their venial sins out of custom and concern for order but without thought of amendment remain burdened with them for their whole life and thus lose many spiritual benefits and advantages."

--St. Francis de Sales

Christian quotes on Love and Charity

"Love is a mutual self-giving which ends in self-recovery." 

- Archbishop Fulton Sheen

Hatred stirs up disputes but love covers all offenses.

--Proverbs 10:12

Above all, let your love for one another be intense because love covers a multitude of sins.

--1 Peter, 4:8

The bread in your box belongs to the hungry; the cloak in your closet belongs to the naked; the shoes you do not wear belong to the barefoot; the money in your vaults belongs to the destitute.

--Saint Basil

"So the divine love is sacrificial love. Love does not mean to have and to own and to possess. It means to be had and to be owned and to be possessed. It is not a circle circumscribed by self, it is arms outstretched to embrace all humanity within its grasp."" 

- Archbishop Fulton Sheen

"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love." 

- Mother Teresa

"The person who does not decide to love forever will find it very difficult to really love for even one day." 

- Pope John Paul II

"Anyone who truly loves God travels securely." 

- St. Teresa of Avila

"If you have been voting for politicians who promise to give you goodies at someone else's expense, then you have no right to complain when they take your money and give it to someone else, including themselves."

--Thomas Sowell

"No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ." 

- St. Leo the Great

"Love to be real, it must costÀúit must hurtÀúit must empty us of self." 

- Mother Teresa

"It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters." 

- Mother Teresa

"Have a great compassion for people. To be able to have a heart full of compassion, we need to pray. Especially be kind, be loving to the poor. We think we do so much for the poor, but it is they who make us rich. We are in debt to them. Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance." 

- Mother Teresa

"Charity unites us to God. There is nothing mean in charity, nothing arrogant. Charity knows no schism, does not rebel, does all things in concord. In charity all the elect of God have been made perfect." 

- St. Clement I

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if that drop was not there, I think the ocean would be less by that missing drop. We don't have to think in numbers. We can only love one person at a time - serve one person at a time." 

- Mother Teresa

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." 

- Mother Teresa

"Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not tell you so. Love demands a personal commitment to the will of God." 

- Pope John Paul II

"There is no place for selfishness˜and no place for fear! Do not be afraid, then, when love makes demands. Do not be afraid when love requires sacrifice." 

- Pope John Paul II

"At the end of life, we shall be judged by love." 

- San Juan de la Cruz

"The woman is at the heart of the home. Let us pray that we women realize the reason for our existence: to love and be loved and through this love become instruments of peace in the world." 

- Mother Teresa

'You ask me for some short prayer by which to testify your love for God. I know of and consider nothing more efficacious than this same love, for when one loves, everything speaks of love, even our most absorbing occupations can be a proof of our love. Love then -- as St. Augustine says -- and do what you will.'

--St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

"By your work you show what you love and what you know." 

- St. Bruno

Christian quotes on Anger

'Only the person who becomes irate without reason, sins. Whoever becomes irate for a just reason is not guilty. Because, if ire were lacking, the science of God would not progress, judgments would not be sound, and crimes would not be repressed.'

--St. Thomas Aquinas

"Watch out for your anger to grow into resentment and hatred!"

--Christopher Majella Paul

"Hatred stirs up disputes but love covers all offenses."

--Proverbs 10:12

"Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger and do not give the devil a chance to work on you."

--Ephesians 4:26-27

"It is because anger and impatience are the very pith and sap of pride thalt they please the devil so much...There is no sin nor wrong that gives a man such a foretaste of hell in this life as anger and impatience."

--Saint Catherine of Siena

"Impatience is the beginning and occasion of every sin."

--Saint Catherine of Siena

"Impatience shows more clearly than any other sin that the soul is deprived of God."

--Saint Catherine of Siena

"There is no ideal situation. You can't get rid of your cross."

--Mother Angelica

"God's law in the Old Testament is clear and unambiguous: You shall not kill. Jesus is even more demanding: Every one who is angry is liable to judgment. Sins against the Fifth Commandment are easy to commit. Any time we think, speak or act out of anger or hatred or jealousy or revenge, we abuse God's commandment that we respect His most precious gift, the gift of life — especially human life."

--Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

The world needs anger. The world often continues to allow evil because it isn't angry enough.

--Bede Jarrett 

How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it. 

--Marcus Aurelius 

Christopher West to speak at ICD (Immaculate Conception in Dardenne Prairie, MO)on April 11 @ 7:00

Christopher West at ICD on April 11 @ 7:00

St. Joseph Radio announced that Christopher West will be speaking at ICD on April 11 @ 7:00 p.m.  In the words of Christopher "This talk is not only for married people.  If you have a body, this talk is for you."   Please forward this on to all of your friends.   

Divine Mercy Novena

Divine Mercy Novena 2012

Starting on Good Friday, I am joining more than 10,000 Catholics to pray a Divine Mercy Novena!

I'm trying to help this online prayer community (PrayMoreNovenas.com) to get 20,000 people praying this novena for God's Mercy. We all need Mercy, right?

You can sign up for handy email reminders to get the the novena prayers here: http://www.praymorenovenas.com/divine-mercy-novena

After you sign up, maybe you can help spread the word as well. God's Mercy is abundant and overflowing, let's share it!

Comments about Greeks protesting and looting in anger about government spending cuts. Greeks Pessimistic in Anti-Austerity Protests - NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/13/world/europe/greeks-pessimistic-in-anti-austerity-protests.html?_r=1&hp&emc=na

This is what happens when we fail to teach our children some basics Laws of economics. The Greeks are destroying the very places that can save them and employ them! What a bunch of thug loser low lifes! The country is broke and has to cut subsidies and they go crazy, looting businesses, the very source of ANY money to begin with! Then they want to literally kill the members of parliament for doing what they had to do. And they had to do it only because of the dumb liars in parliament who, for the last thirty years, continued the lie that they could give the people everything they needed, without having any money to pay for it! I think this parliament finally deserves recognition for doing what has to be done.

Why don't people learn from all the failed attempts at socialism? It won't work because it can't work. Saint Therese, a doctor of the Church, taught us that without love any task is meaningless.

There is no love in socialism.

One can call a family a small socialist group and it works ONLY because of love. Love is tender and tough, but always seeks the good, the betterment of every individual. Saint Paul taught us how to love our brothers, including a requirement that able men work and not get handouts for nothing. Governments shouldn't be trying to alter God's plan for men. Putting free-loading men outside of the community was a very effective means of removing the sin they were trapped in. Spiritual therapy and tough love are synonymous and socialist governments remove the therapy, the very tool that God taught us to use. Socialism prevents men from becoming all that God wants them to be.

If we don't teach all of our youth, they will end up like these Greek losers. Let us pray and fast for them to mature into men for God.

Great article on Tolerance. "What is Tolerance?" by TFP Student Action

http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/homosexuality/what-is-tolerance.html?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SAE0114&utm_campaign=MainNewsletter

Pope Benedict prayer & quote on the Eucharist, sacrifices

Let us ask the Lord that, after due preparation also with the Sacrament of Penance, our participation in the Eucharist, which is indispensable for Christian life, may always remain the apex of all our prayers", the Pope concluded. "Let us ask that, profoundly united in His offering to the Father, we too can transform our crosses into a free and responsible sacrifice of love, for God and for our fellows". 11 Jan 2012

Pope Benedict XVI, Blessed John Paul II, and Vatican II on Ecumenism

Ecumenism, as defined by Vatican Council II and Blessed John Paul II, is "the responsibility of the entire Church and of all the baptised, who must augment the partial communion that already exists among Christians until achieving full communion in truth and charity. Praying for unity ... must then be an integral part of the prayer life of all Christians, in all times and places, especially when people from different traditions come together to work for victory in Christ over sin, evil, injustice and the violation of human dignity".

Benedict XVI also pointed out that "lack of unity among Christians hinders the effective announcement of the Gospel and endangers our credibility", but noted that, "as far as the fundamental truths of the faith are concerned, there is far more that unites us than divides us. ... This is a great challenge for the new evangelisation, which will be more fruitful if all Christians together announce the truth of the Gospel and Jesus Christ, and give a joint response to the spiritual thirst of our times". 1-18-2012

St. Louis “Gateway to Life” half/full Marathon (21 Oct)! | LIFE Runners, a pro-life fundraiser

http://run.lifegroup413.org/st-louis-gateway-to-life-halffull-marathon/

Fr. Fleming scheduled to speak at the SAINT LOUIS MARIAN CONFERENCE - 2012

http://marianconferences-catholicevents-midwest.com/speakers.html

Justices Recognize ‘Ministerial Exception’ to Job Bias Laws - NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/12/us/supreme-court-recognizes-religious-exception-to-job-discrimination-laws.html?nl=afternoonupdate&emc=aua2

Great news for all religious institutions! Finally, some common sense in America.

Pope Benedict XVI quote on God's restless Heart--our hearts are restless and so is God's for us

"Our heart is restless for God and remains so, even if every effort is made today, by means of most effective anaesthetising methods, to deliver people from this unrest. But not only are we restless for God: God's heart is restless for us. God is waiting for us. He is looking for us. He knows no rest either, until He finds us. ... That is why He set out on the path towards us, to Bethlehem, to Calvary, from Jerusalem to Galilee and on to the very ends of the earth. God ... looks out for people willing to 'catch' His unrest, His passion for us, people who carry within them the searching of their own hearts. ... This was the task of the Apostles: to receive God's unrest for man and then to bring God Himself to man. And this is your task as successors of the Apostles".
--Pope Benedict XVI, in a homily on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan 6, 2012

BBC News - Bangladeshi woman's husband 'chopped off her fingers'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16239784

Please pray for all women who are abused everywhere! This is an outrage! Pray for men to man up and defend their wives, to protect them, not mutilate them!

Another Christian Martyred in Pakistan - By Nina Shea - The Corner - National Review Online

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/284856/another-christian-martyred-pakistan-nina-shea

Leading exorcist laments apathy to Medjugorje apparitions | MEDJUGORJE TODAY

http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/3036/top-exorcist-laments-apathy-to-medjugorje/

Pope Benedict XVI on volunteer work and charity

Pope Benedict XVI:

"For Christians, volunteer work is not merely an expression of good will. It is based on a personal experience of Christ", Whose "grace helps us to discover within ourselves a human desire for solidarity and a fundamental vocation to love. ... We also become visible instruments of His love in a world that still profoundly yearns for that love amid the poverty, loneliness, marginalisation and ignorance that we see all around us.

 

  "Of course", he added, "Catholic volunteer work cannot respond to all these needs, but that does not discourage us. ... The little that we manage to do to relieve human needs can be seen as a good seed that will grow and bear much fruit; it is a sign of Christ's presence and love. ... This is the nature of the witness which you, in all humility and conviction, offer to civil society. While it is the duty of public authority to acknowledge and to appreciate this contribution without distorting it, your role as Christians is to take an active part in the life of society, seeking to make it ever more humane, ever more marked by authentic freedom, justice and solidarity".

 

  Benedict XVI went on: "Our meeting today takes place on the liturgical memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Often portrayed sharing his mantle with a poor man, Martin became a model of charity throughout Europe and indeed the whole world. Nowadays, volunteer work as a service of charity has become a universally recognised element of our modern culture. Nonetheless, its origins can still be seen in the particularly Christian concern for safeguarding, without discrimination, the dignity of the human person created in the image and likeness of God. If these spiritual roots are denied or obscured and the criteria of our collaboration become purely utilitarian, what is most distinctive about the service you provide risks being lost, to the detriment of society as a whole".

Do you know your State's Preamble?

 

Do you know your State's Preamble?

Be sure to read the message in red at the very bottom! 

Alabama 1901, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution...

Alaska 1956, Preamble -- We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land...

Arizona 1911, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... 

Arkansas 1874, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Arkansas , grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble -- We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom... 

Colorado 1876, Preamble -- We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe... 

Connecticut 1818, Preamble --  The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the goodProvidence of God in permitting them to enjoy... 

Delaware 1897, Preamble -- Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences... 

Florida 1885, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution... 

Georgia 1777, Preamble -- We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution... 

Hawaii 1959, Preamble -- We, the people of Hawaii , Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution... 

Idaho 1889, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings... 

Illinois 1870, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors... 

Indiana 1851, Preamble -- We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government... 

Iowa 1857, Preamble  -- We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution... 

Kansas 1859, Preamble -- We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution... 

Kentucky 1891, Preamble -- We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties... 

Louisiana 1921, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy...

Maine 1820,  Preamble -- We, the People of  Maine, acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the  Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity, And imploring His aid and direction... 

Maryland 1776, Preamble -- We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty... 

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble -- We, the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction... 

Michigan 1908, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution... 

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings: 

Mississippi 1890, Preamble -- We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work... 

Missouri 1845, Preamble -- We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness, Establish this Constitution... 

Montana 1889, Preamble  --  We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble  -- We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom . Establish this Constitution. 

Nevada 1864, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution... 

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V -- Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience... 

New Jersey 1844, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors... 

New Mexico 1911, Preamble -- We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty... 

New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings... 

North Carolina 1868, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those... 

North Dakota 1889, Preamble -- We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain... 

Ohio 1852, Preamble -- We, the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common... 

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble -- Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this.... 

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2 --  All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences... 

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble -- We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble --  We, the People of the State of Rhode Island, grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.... 

South Carolina , 1778, Preamble -- We, the people of he State of South Carolina, grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution. 

South Dakota 1889, Preamble -- We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .. 

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI..III. -- That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience... 

Texas 1845, Preamble -- We, Utah 1896, Preamble -- Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution... 

Vermont 1777, Preamble -- Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man... 

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI -- Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other... 

Washington 1889, Preamble -- We, the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution... 

West Virginia 1872, Preamble -- Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble -- We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.... 

Wyoming 1890, Preamble -- We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong! If you found this to be 'Food for thought' send to as many as you think will be enlightened as I hope you were. 

(Please note that at no time is anyone told that they MUST worship God.) 
Let us bring God back into America !

GOD BLESS AMERICA !

 

List of Marian Apparitions of the 20th Century

http://campus.udayton.edu/mary/resources/aprtable.html

ZENIT - Marian Prayers Before the Blessed Sacrament; Praying the Rosary in proper purpose and perspective

http://www.zenit.org/article-33591?l=english

Best excerpt from this article:

It is sometimes forgotten that the rosary's vocal elements, such as the repetition of the Hail Mary, are above all geared toward helping the soul to enter into the contemplation of the mystery. The mysteries themselves are largely salient episodes in the Savior's life with a few also touching on Mary's role in the plan of salvation.

Therefore, genuinely praying the rosary in any circumstance should always bring us closer to Christ and will never give more importance to Mary than to him. If that were to happen, then it would mean that we have still to learn how to pray it as the Church, and indeed the Blessed Mother herself, desire it to be prayed.

How an AP reporter found religion « GetReligion

http://www.getreligion.org/2011/09/how-an-ap-reporter-found-religion/

Cardinal Bertone on Catholic Education vs secular education

  In his homily Cardinal Bertone highlighted the present-day validity of the new blessed's educational ideas, which remind us of the vital need for schools in which the religious dimension "can be revealed in all its positive potential for full human development. This aspect is also very important for our time", he said. "Too often it seems that people are afraid to leave space for the religious dimension of life, which is inherent to the human heart, and would like to hide it in the private world of the individual. Such an attitude greatly impoverishes educational activity".

Medjugorje Message Oct 2, 2011

October 02, 2011 Message to Mirjana

"Dear children; Also today my motherly heart calls you to prayer, to your personal relationship with God the Father, to the joy of prayer in Him. God the Father is not far away from you and He is not unknown to you. He revealed Himself to you through my Son and gave you Life that is my Son. Therefore, my children, do not give into temptations that want to separate you from God the Father. Pray! Do not attempt to have families and societies without Him. Pray! Pray that your hearts may be flooded with the goodness which comes only from my Son, Who is sincere goodness. Only hearts filled with goodness can comprehend and accept God the Father. I will continue to lead you. In a special way I implore you not to judge your shepherds. My children, are you forgetting that God the Father called them? Pray! Thank you."

Mirjana said: I have never said anything before, but are you aware, brothers and sisters, that the Mother of God was with us? Each of us should ask himself: "Are you worthy of this?" I am saying this because it is difficult for me to see Her (Our Lady) in pain, because each of us is seeking a miracle, but does not want to work a miracle in himself.

The model who gave up Chanel for a life of prayer | CatholicHerald.co.uk

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/features/2011/09/22/the-model-who-gave-up-chanel-for-a-life-of-prayer/

Where Were You on 9/11? I was in the town of Medjugorje - U.s. - Catholic Online

http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=42760

Novena to be prayed before the new Missal translation is implemented

http://old.usccb.org/romanmissal/AppC-Novena.pdf

Pray for Nine Fridays in a row, or nine days before the first Sunday in advent.

Supreme Court says “No” to Mexican Roe v. Wade, State Personhood Amendment Upheld

Supreme Court says "No" to Mexican Roe v. Wade, State Personhood Amendment Upheld

Mexico City, Mexico — The Supreme Court of Mexico ruled on Wednesday to uphold the state constitutional personhood amendment of Baja California. A similar decision in the San Luis Potosi case is expected. The Court's most recent appointee, Justice Jorge Mario Pardo Rebolledo, sided with three members of the Court to reject an Action for Unconstitutionality submitted against the measures. Pardo Rebolledo was appointed last February and had yet to rule in an abortion case. His vote ensures that the Court will not reach the supermajority necessary to overturn the amendment.

"Pardo Rebolledo, as well as Justices Salvador Aguirre, Margarita Luna, and Guillermo Ortiz have our gratitude," said Personhood USA Legal Analyst Gualberto Garcia Jones, J.D. "Thousands of Mexican girls and boys will, one day, be able to thank them personally for defending their very right to exist."

In total, eighteen states have passed measures enshrining into law full personhood protections for preborn children. The amendments were passed in reaction to the legalization of abortion in Mexico City in 2009. The state measures received the support of 88% of the members of state legislatures including members of every major political party such as PAN, PRI, and PRD.

On September 19th, 50 nonprofit organizations took out a full-page ad in the largest newspaper in Mexico, El Universal, expressing their concern and opposition to any actions which would overturn the personhood amendments. On September 22nd, three dozen state and federal legislators took out a similar ad in El Universal urging the Mexican Supreme Court to respect the democratic process. Personhood USA joined the organizations, legislators, and millions of Mexican citizens in support of the amendments.

The executive branch of Mexico also weighed in on the developments this week. President Felipe Calderon submitted to the Senate a withdrawal of reservation to the first paragraph of Article 4 of the American Convention on Human Rights. Mexico entered into the treaty in 1981, but interpreted the provision the same year so that it would not oblige the country to protect life from conception.

"Mexico has recognized human rights enshrined in international treaties such as the American Convention of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, among them the right to life, which is protected by our legislation, both federal and local," read Calderon's statement. "Mexico endorses a commitment to the right to life as protected by Mexican law."

First Lady Margarita Zavala wrote an editorial this week endorsing the personhood measures. "I am a woman and a lawyer who has fought for the rights of women, and I am convinced that the rights of women do not override other rights and therefore need not be the cause of invalidating the state reforms," she said.

"Today, the rule of law was victorious in Mexico. Unlike the United States, Mexican states are free from judicial tyranny and the people retain the right of self-determination," continued Garcia Jones. "The Mexican people recognize that every human being is a person, and that all persons are inherently possessed of the right to life. We commit to work towards the day when this truth is realized for all children in Mexico, the United States, and around the globe."

Personhood USA is a grassroots Christian organization founded to establish personhood efforts across America to create protection for every child by love and by law. Personhood USA is committed to assisting and supporting Personhood Legislation and Constitutional Amendments and building local pro-life organizations through raising awareness of the personhood of the pre-born.

Cardinal Explains Benedict XVI’s Three Laws for Evangelization

http://www.omearaferguson.com/in-house-news/cardinal-explains-benedict-xvis-three-laws-for-evangelization/

FOX News: Wholesome Country Singer Taylor Swift Proof Sex Isn't Only Way to Success

Wholesome Country Singer Taylor Swift Proof Sex Isn't Only Way to Success.

Sent via the FOX News iPhone App. Download the app here.

Bringing the Budget Numbers Down to Size - By Carrie Lukas - The Corner - National Review Online

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/277873/bringing-budget-numbers-down-size-carrie-lukas#

Archbishop Dolan to President Obama on marriage

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/marriage/promotion-and-defense-of-marriage/upload/dolan-to-obama-doma-letter-sept-20-2011.pdf

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Do I evangelize with joy? Am I a good and faithful servant in the vineyard or do I just get by, not working smart, not working to improve my soul

http://www.zenit.org/article-33483?l=english

This is an excellent homily that really makes me wonder how I evangelize. Do I have a joyful disposition all the time? Even a bad day or work problems shouldn't bring me down. Problems happen and they have to be taken care of but attitude and perspective of their importance is key. Every Christian should be joyful, even when suffering, but that seems really hard sometimes. Why should I let the devil convince me to be bitter? I have Jesus, or rather, Jesus has me. Praise God! I can laugh through the pain, and tomorrow is another opportunity to get it right.

The Charismatic Gifts of the Holy Spirit

http://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/spira4.htm

Seven Days in Utopia - Video

http://www.sevendaysinutopia.com/video

Catholic Bishops Weigh Into Budget Debate

Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser. Weekly Briefing 15 September 2011 Catholic Bishops Weigh Into Budget Debate by Colin Mason As Congress struggles to balance our out-of-control federal budget, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has officially put its oar into the debate. In an open letter to congress, the USCCB (along with Catholic Relief Services), told federal budget-crunchers exactly what programs they thought should be sliced from the budget. And, (surprise surprise) they are the same programs that we at PRI recommend cutting. The letter was specifically addressed to the ponderously-titled Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs, which is essentially the group of lawmakers who decide how to spend our foreign aid dollars. In the letter, the USCCB gave a ringing endorsement to the Mexico City Policy, the Helms Amendment, and the Kemp-Kasten amendment, saying: As you consider appropriations language, we strongly support restoring the Mexico City Policy against funding groups that perform or promote abortion, and denying funding to the U.N. Population Fund which supports a program of coerced abortion and involuntary sterilization in China. It is also important to preserve the Helms Amendment, prohibiting U.S. funding for abortion, and the Kemp-Kasten provision, prohibiting support of organizations involved in programs of coercive abortion or involuntary sterilization. Why does the Catholic leadership recommend these policy adjustments so forthrightly? Aren't policy matters supposed to be prudential concerns, decided by the state and left alone by the Church? Yes and no. Obviously, the Catholic Bishops Conference has no legislative authority. But when it comes to issues like abortion, the Church has always taken an unequivocal stance against the practice and has strongly opposed spending public money on it. And as such, it is well within the Church's rights to make public recommendations based on these views. Which is exactly what they did, by unequivocally supporting legislation that restricts or prohibits the use of federal money to fund abortion. By doing this, the Church made it abundantly clear that, while it supports many of the activities that federal foreign aid dollars go toward, it will never, ever bend on the issue of abortion. That being said, the letter makes positive recommendations as well. According to the USCCB, when not being lavished on abortion and other destructive measures, American foreign aid funds are actually a very good thing. As such, the budget shouldn't simply be haphazardly sliced, but should be trimmed in such a way that its positive programs can continue to do their important work. "We welcome appropriate efforts to reduce our nation's deficit and debt," the letter says, "but we urge the Subcommittee to work with other members of Congress to be fiscally responsible in morally appropriate ways." And what, according to the Bishops, count as a "morally appropriate" way to control the budget? By prioritizing the dollars the way the Church has always requested they be prioritized: placing the poorest, the most vulnerable, and the weakest at the head of the line. The letter charges the Committee to "give priority to those who are poor and vulnerable at home and abroad" and to "cut with great care, eliminating only those expenses unrelated to basic human needs and development." This is a stinging blow in the face of all of those who claim that the Catholic Church is willing to cut an indiscriminate swathe through American aid services, so long as abortion is kept out of the picture. The very opposite is the case. The Church recognizes that its commitment to taking a stand against abortion comes with a very positive responsibility: a responsibility to provide real aid and succor to the poor and needy. This is why the Church supports many legitimate American aid projects. And this is why the Church supports policies like the Mexico City Policy and others that protect life from conception. We couldn't agree more. Stand with us, and the Catholic Bishops. Sign our petition to bring back the Mexico City policy. Share this article on Facebook. Share this article on Twitter. Colin Mason is the Director of Media Production at Population Research Institute.   Media Contact: Colin Mason (540) 622-5240, ext. 209 Contact PRI online (c) 2010 Population Research Institute. Permission to reprint granted. Redistribute widely. Credit required. PRI is a 501(c)(3) educational organization. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to PRI, please go to our Donations Page. All donations (of any size) are welcomed and appreciated. The pro-life Population Research Institute is dedicated to ending human rights abuses committed in the name of "family planning," and to ending counter-productive social and economic paradigms premised on the myth of "overpopulation." Find us at pop.org.

Father Capodanno: Beyond the Call of Duty

http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/politically-incorrect/hall-of-heroes/father-capodanno-beyond-the-call-of-duty.html?utm_source=sm&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SAE0081&utm_campaign=MainNewsletter

ZENIT - Are You Envious Because I Am Generous? A homily on the parable of the workers

http://www.zenit.org/article-33429?l=english

ZENIT - Pope Benedict XVI advice to Engaged Couples

http://www.zenit.org/article-33410?l=english

Cardinal Bauttista on Eucharist

The Eucharist "is an invitation to solidarity and commitment to the poor, the suffering, the little ones, the marginalized," the cardinal reflected. "It is light to recognize the face of Christ in the face of our brothers. To acknowledge Christ in the Holy Host, in fact, leads to being able to see him also in our brothers and it opens our hearts to go out to meet every poverty."

--Cardinal Bauttista, Sept. 18