Reminder From Fr. Robert Fox: Thanksgiving is not the Beginning of the Christmas Season

THANKSGIVING is a great family feast and time to thank God for His many blessings. But it is NOT the beginning of the liturgical Christmas season. In fact the Christmas season for the Church and all devout Catholics does not begin until Christmas Eve. THEN IT CONTINUES THROUGH EPIPHANY, Jan. 6, 2008 this year, unto the Baptism of Christ; then back into Ordinary time for a few weeks - until Lent. Advent ( begins evening of Dec. 1 this year ) and is the time to prepare during 4 weeks for the CHRISTMAS SEASON, the birth of Jesus Christ; the Incarnation. A SPIRITUALLY AWESOME TIME. Let us celebrate THE GREAT CHRISTIAN FEASTS AND SEASONS WITH THE CHURCH in our domestic churches, our families. Follow the Church; not the commercial world and consumerism. Prepare for Christ’s birthday during Advent, day by day FOR 4 WEEKS.

Advent: Not Thanksgiving - Real Christmas Season

Homily for Today's Gospel

Fr. Martin Fox has an excellent homily for us.

National Adoption Day

The Susan B. Anthony List reminded me that today is National Adoption Day.

To all you families who were blessed to be able to adopt a child, this day is for you...and for us!

I know that St. Joseph is considered Jesus foster father and I never understood that. I like to think of him as Jesus' adoptive father.

Making a Good Confession

Reflection on Judging Others

Raulito of Disciple of the Dumb Ox has a very good post on Matthew 7:1-6. Many times judging others is on the top of my list of sins to confess. One very wise priest would often remind me "Judge not, lest ye be judged".

It also reminds me of a seen in the movie Witness the one where Harrison Ford is protecting a young Amish boy who witnessed a killing. The young boy tells his grandfather that the killer was a bad man. The grandfather chides him and says something to the effect "You can see what is inside his heart"? That has always stuck with me. Of course, it would help if I remembered it before I judged someone.

Sister Lucia's Vision of Hell

Shared by Sue

In her Memoirs, Sister Lucy describes the vision of hell that Our Lady showed the children at Fatima:

"She opened Her hands once more, as She had done the two previous months. The rays [of light] appeared to penetrate the earth, and we saw, as it were, a vast sea of fire. Plunged in this fire, we saw the demons and the souls [of the damned]. The latter were like transparent burning embers, all blackened or burnished bronze, having human forms. They were floating about in that conflagration, now raised into the air by the flames which issued from within themselves, together with great clouds of smoke. Now they fell back on every side like sparks in huge fires, without weight or equilibrium, amid shrieks and groans of pain and despair, which horrified us and made us tremble with fright (it must have been this sight which caused me to cry out, as people say they heard me).

The demons were distinguished [from the souls of the damned] by their terrifying and repellent likeness to frightful and unknown animals, black and transparent like burning coals. That vision only lasted for a moment, thanks to our good Heavenly Mother, Who at the first apparition had promised to take us to Heaven. Without that, I think that we would have died of terror and fear."

Litany of the Departed

Shared by Sue

Source: Holy Souls

For the spirits who have fled
From the earth which once they trod;
For the loved and faithful dead,
We beseech the living God!
Oh! receive and love them!
By the grave where Thou Overt lying,
By the anguish of Thy dying,
Spread Thy wings above them;
Grant Thy pardon unto them,
Dona cis requiem!

Long they suffered here below,
Outward fightings, inward fears;
Ate the cheerless bread of woe,
Drank the bitter wine of tears:
Now receive and love them!
By Thy holy Saints departures,
By the witness of Thy martyrs,
Spread Thy wings above them.
On the souls in gloom who sit,
Lux eterna luceat!

Lord, remember that they wept,
When Thy children would divide;
Lord, remember that they slept
On the bosom of Thy Bride;
And receive and love them!
By the tears Thou couldst not smother;
By the love of Thy dear Mother,
Spread Thy wings above them.
To their souls, in bliss with Thee,
Dona pacem, Domini!

Grant our prayers, and bid them pray,
O thou Flower of Jesse's stem;
Lend a gracious ear when they
Plead for us, as we for them.
Deus Angelorum,
Dona cis requiem,
Et beatitudinem.
Cordibus eorum
Jesu, qui salutam das
Micat lumen animas!

Our Children - Living Sacrifices

Shared by Sue

A famous commercial asks, "Do you know where your children are tonight?" "Sure," you may say, "they're right in the other room watching television." With that assurance, you settle down to a good night's sleep. But, should it be left at that? Are Christian parents falling into Satan's trap of the false assurance that as long as their kids are at home they're okay, when this may sometimes be far from the truth?

The Word says, "Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire..." (Deuteronomy 18:10). One could extrapolate from that: don't sacrifice your children to demons ... wherever they are. You wouldn't leave your kids in your living room drinking a quart of vodka, but what are they drinking into their souls through your TV...with what spirits are they "communing"?

What is behind all the brutal violence, sexuality and greed so prevalent in the most popular programming? The Apostle Paul warned: "...the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's table and the table of demons..." (1 Corinthians 10:20-21).

Of course, there are worthwhile Christ-centered programs on television and also on DVD. But, if viewing isn't monitored and selective, what are your children watching? Someday your children's lives will bear the fruit of what they are absorbing now. Consider whose cup they are drinking from daily. Re-evaluate tonight your responsibilities as parents when it comes to your children's television habits, so you can all have sweet dreams.

Let's Pray Together…

Heavenly Father, thank you for the children you have entrusted to me. Keep me from allowing them to be sacrificed to demon spirits through television or other worldly sources. Grant me wisdom and courage to monitor their viewing so they might grow up strong, committed and bringing glory to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Author Unknown

My Lord and My God - Finished Version

It is now easier to read.
Thanks to Joey who spent the whole day helping me with my first attempt.

Blessing of Those Not in Full Communion With the Church

I read somewhere that those not in full communion with the Catholic Church should not go up during Communion to receive a blessing instead. Problem is I don't remember where I read it.

Here in Hawaii is common for people, especially little kids who haven't received their First Holy Communion, proceed up the aisle with their arms crossed over their chests. This being a sign to the priest or EMHC that they are to receive a blessing instead.

Does anyone know the exact citation?