Prayer Request for Two Priests

From the leader of our Rosary Calendar. Father Duffy is a priest here in Hawaii and also a good friend of the Catholic homeschoolers.

Dear Rosary Calendar Members,

Two of Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Calendar priest are in need of prayers.

Fr. Duffy who is 99 years old and has been a great supporter of First Saturday devotion. He was removed from his apartment and placed in a nursing facility and now is in the hospital with pneumonia. It appears he is going down daily. Please pray for Our Lady & St. Joseph to be with him during this time.

Fr. Svoboda, who is in his 90's and has been a great Rosary Calendar supporter. He also has been removed from his surroundings and is in a nursing facility...

We pray for our priest. These are very tough times for them. God please give them the grace of courage and perseverance during these times.

They have been strong defenders of our Catholic Faith and loyal servants to Mother Church. For us they have been part of our family.

Thank you,
mary ann

Prayer for a Person Disliked

I will try to post prayers that we may need during this season of Lent.

Lord Jesus Christ,
you told us to love our neighbor.
I know that this does not mean that I must like everyone,
but simply that I must wish everyone well
and extend my help to all who need it.
I dislike N.
No matter what I try,
I cannot seem to get along with that person.
The only thing I can do is to ask
that you shower your blessings on him/her.

Let me recall that for our sake
you put up with the infinite weaknesses and imperfections
of the whole world.
Help me then not to be so antagonistic to that person,
but to try to bear with him/her
for your sake.
Amen.

- New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book,
Catholic Book Publishing Company

Photos from Stations of the Cross

Since my family and I are participating in 40 Days for Life Honolulu, we attend the Stations of the Cross led by Episcopal priest Fr. Bill in front of Planned Parenthood. However, since yesterday was First Friday, we needed to attend Mass and Nocturnal Adoration. We therefore attended the Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral.

It is beautifully done there with with the words of what could have been said by people present at the time Jesus carried His cross, scriptural passages and music.

On Silent Obedience

627 Yours should be a silent obedience. That tongue!

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

Giving Christians a Bad Name in Hawaii

From the Honolulu Star Bulletin - Born Again Christians in Ruckus

A mainland group of born-again Christians shouted a message of hellfire for homosexuals and others for five hours yesterday as University of Hawaii students shouted back.

The group called it "preaching," but their finger-pointing, name-calling and condemnation angered even Christians at the open-air Campus Center steps on the UH-Manoa campus.

"They started making personal attacks on people's culture," said Ann Clarke, 18. One of the "preachers" told a Korean student that he is going to hell for his Buddhist beliefs and told Hawaiians they are going to hell because they worship false gods and believe in witchcraft, she said.

Whoa! I am shocked! How dare this group come to the Aloha state and openly condemn students like that! They even have to audacity to call themselves Christians!

I've not heard of the BEMA ministries so I googled them.

I found the following on their About Us page:

We love people, and want to encourage everyone, everywhere to consider their heart and standing before God. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27 "As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

This life can be very deceptive, in that one can think it goes on forever and ever. We try to bring the reality of life back into focus, and encourage all to consider where they will spend eternity: Heaven or Hell!

It is very disturbing that a mainland group like this would dare to come all the way to Hawaii, speak as Christians and judge the University of Hawaii students to be "Sodomites", "whores", "sinners" as well as condemning some to Hell . If Jesus was their in the midst, guess who he would be strongly rebuking... and you can bet it wouldn't be the students.

Message to the BEMA group, if you truly want to save souls, start by setting a good example and praying for them.

The people in Hawaii are fighting very hard to protect traditional marriage in Hawaii as same-sex marriage via a civil unions's bill lurks nearby. We don't need outsiders coming here to undo all our efforts by sullying our reputations as Christians or as conservatives.

On Charity

440 When you have finished your work, do your brother's, helping him, for Christ's sake, so tactfully and so naturally that no one — not even he — will realise that you are doing more than what in justice you ought.

This, indeed, is virtue befitting a son of God!

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

Mothers

Thanks to my dear friend Laura for sending this:

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when a little
voice says, 'Because I love you best.'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade....
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows,
and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

The Theology of Kneeling

This was written by our Holy Father Benedict XVI in 2002 when he was then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger:

There are groups, of no small influence, who are trying to talk us out of kneeling. "It doesn't suit our culture", they say (which culture?) "It's not right for a grown man to do this -- he should face God on his feet". Or again: "It's not appropriate for redeemed man -- he has been set free by Christ and doesn't need to kneel any more".

As a woman, I feel that a man is never more manlier than when he is on his knees before our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

Adoremus - The Theology of Kneeling

Thanks to Lleander for sharing it.

On Carrying Out God's Will

771 God exalts those who carry out his will in the very things in which he humbled them.

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

New Site Added to the Side Bar - Catholic Priest

Mahalo to my friend Ed for sharing this terrific website for the Diocese of Providence Office of Vocations. Parents: Be sure to check out their resources for us.

This is another site that deserves your time in visiting.

Catholic Priest

On Punishing Oneself

202 You are going to punish yourself voluntarily for your weakness and lack of generosity? Very good: but let it be a reasonable penance, imposed as it were, on an enemy who is at the same time your brother?

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

TV Interview with Hawaii's Father Peter Miti - Fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa

On January 21st, I posted A Priest's Journey From Zambia to Hawaii

One of the topics mentioned in that article I shared was Fr. Peter's working to help those afflicted with HIV/AIDS on the continent of Africa.

In his continued work for this important cause in helping the people of his native land, Father's story will be featured on local access station Olelo. The following is what Father Peter shared with me:

...I just wanted to let you know that I will be featured on OLELO TELEVISION, CHANNEL 54, ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2009 @ 6pm.

I will be featured for 30 minutes with a fellow Zambian by the name Sody Munsaka, who is in a doctoral program at UH, specializing in HIV/AIDS research. We will be discussing the global epidemic of the HIV/AIDS situation especially its great impact on the continent of Africa; how it has affected families across the board, including my own, and also my personal experiences in working with people suffering from this disease.

If you would like to post this on you blog, that will be perfect because it is also a very educative interview to many who might not be aware of this pandemic...

Fr. Peter.

If you are a reader here in Hawaii, please share this info with your friends. More importantly, please keep Father Peter, those involved in finding a cure for the AIDS virus and those suffering from this terrible disease, in your prayers.

My own parish is very involved with helping a Maryknoll sister in Musoma, Tanzania through our AIDS ministry. The AIDS ministry has provided support for Sister Marion and her work with the orphans since 2000.

If we all do our small part, we will wipe AIDS off the face of the earth.

A Little Lenten Humor Break - Scary Bedtime Prayer

A big mahalo to the Ironic Catholic for introducing me to this blog.

Crazy Christian Clips- Scary Bedtime Prayer

Warning About The End of the World Warning

Have any of you received a phone call warning to prepare yourselves for a coming catastrophe?

My mom did. She received it from a follower of one Mary Jane Even. My mom was told to cash in all her retirement monies and savings, to buy canned food and water, etc.

My mom then read me a letter she had received a few years ago from this same woman, warning to ready when my mom received the warning. This letter ended with the words which I will paraphrase for you: John Paul II is alive and living in Poland. Beware of the anti-pope. It was the last part of the warning that made my mom doubt the authenticity of the message and bring it to my attention.

Apparently, many people have been frightened and worried because of this recent warning. To them I repeat the comforting words of Pope John Paul II ..."Be Not Afraid" and of St. Padre Pio..."Pray, Hope and Don't Worry"....

James Mary Evans has two posts regarding Ms. Even's prophecies and dire warnings:

Warning on the Warning: Prophecies of Mary Jan Even at St. Patrick of the Forest Catholic Cave Junction, Oregon
and
May heaven help us all: Warning on “The Great Warning” II: May Heaven Help us All: Warning on the "The Great Warning" which I suggest you read.

Only God knows when the world will end and it goes without saying that we should be prepared....spiritually that is, for when He calls us home.

On Examination of Conscience

235 Examination of conscience: a daily task. Book-keeping is never neglected by anyone in business.

And is there any business worth more than the business of eternal life?

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

New Site Added to the Side Bar - Fathers for Good

I found this site through one of my Facebook friends Brian.

Fathers for Good

The following is from the About Us Page:

About Us

A FATHER IS … A Protector … Involved … A Loving Husband … AND SO MUCH MORE.

Welcome to Fathers for Good, an initiative for men by the Knights of Columbus.

Whether you are a seasoned dad, a new dad, a dad to be, or a single guy wanting to know more about fatherhood, this Web site is for you.

There is a role only a father can fill and gifts only a father can give. In a culture that often does not favor fatherhood or masculine virtue, we wish to highlight the unique contributions of men, husbands and fathers. The world would be lacking without them.

We also welcome wives who want to support their husbands in becoming the best fathers they can be.

I can't wait to share this site with my husband!

New Site - Parent's Duty - Our Children's Vocations

It is funny but whenever my family and I stop to chat with a priest, sister or even another Catholic, they inevitably ask my son "have you thought about becoming a priest". It happened again yesterday when we were visiting with two priests. One of them is so sure my son has a calling, he has always referred to him as "Pope Joey".

Whether or not my son actually has a calling is really up to God. However, most of my regular readers know that I pray daily for that intention and his father and I try to nurture a vocation to the priesthood.



Parents Duty - Vocations Guide for Catholic Parents

I am therefore very happy to find this new website. It is geared for parents like me whose child may have a calling and what we as parents can do to help them.

H/T to Catholic Cultural

On Abandonment to the Will of God

766 Abandonment to the will of God is the secret of happiness on earth. Say, then: meus cibus est, ut faciam voluntatem ejus, my food is to do his will.

Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá

On Conquering Oneself

191 Conquer yourself each day from the very first moment, getting up on the dot, at a fixed time, without yielding a single minute to laziness.

If, with God's help, you conquer yourself, you will be well ahead for the rest of the day.

It's so discouraging to find oneself beaten at the first skirmish!

The Works of St. Josemaría Escrivá