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| Father Steven Scheier and Mother Angelica |
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| Father John A. Hardon, S.J. |
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| Hawaiian Snow on top of Mauna Kea |
"...For 2011, resolve to be here now, and to serve yourself, but do it in this most excellent way: by cultivating silence and overcoming time within one of the classic disciplines of daily prayer—where the pulse of the psalms calms the breath, the pockets of silence center the spirit, and the liturgical calendar frees us from the shackles of time...."
The bigger scandal in the Catholic Church is the way pop culture has drawn us into a climate of gossip and ruined reputations. Is it time to stem that tide?
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| Father John F. Harvey OSFS |
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| "Come over to see the Real Gift of CHRISTmas" |
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| "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" |
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| "For God so loved the world..." |
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| Credit and the City's disclaimer |
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| Happy Birthday Baby Jesus! |
Rachel weeping for her children. (Matthew 2:18)
What a hard life Rachel had! Both she and her sister, Leah, were married to Jacob, and while Leah gave Jacob many sons, Rachel just couldn’t get pregnant. One day, in her distress, Rachel cried out to Jacob: “Give me children or I shall die!” (Genesis 30:1). Jacob, too, was frustrated because he knew that only God could give life. But God answered Rachel’s prayer. She named her first child Joseph, which means, “May the Lord add another son” (30:24). God heard that prayer as well and gave her another child years later. However, it was a complicated labor, and Rachel ended up dying in childbirth. Before she passed, however, she named the baby Benoni, which means “Son of my sorrow.” But Jacob—who loved Rachel deeply—called him Benjamin, “Son of my right hand” (35:18).
For centuries, Rachel’s tomb was honored by the people of Israel. Her sad story touched them, and they held a special place for her in their hearts. In fact, when the prophet Jeremiah saw the Babylonian soldiers marching the children of Israel—descendants of Rachel—into exile, he said it was like he was feeling Rachel’s anguish all over again (Jeremiah 31:15).
In today’s Gospel, King Herod’s order to kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem reminds Matthew of Jeremiah’s prophecy. In the death of these helpless, innocent children, Matthew sees Rachel weeping over her children once more. He sees mothers grieving their horrible loss.
Rachel continues to weep today, this time over the millions of children who are victims of abortions. Who could not be moved by this assault on innocent lives? But even as we mourn with Rachel, we must have hope. We must believe that God will have the final word and that it will be a word of triumph. We need to pray for an end to abortion. We need to work for an end to abortion. But we also need to remember God’s words to Jeremiah: “Wipe the tears from your eyes… . There is hope for your future… . Your sons will return” (Jeremiah 31:16,17). God will turn this horrible situation around. He is the Lord of Life and he will have the victory!
“Father, teach us how to build a culture of life on the earth. May every child be loved and welcomed into life!”
Far into the night, at the coldest time of the year, in a chilly grotto, more suitable for a flock of beasts than for humans, the promised Messiah – Jesus – the savior of mankind, comes into the world in the fullness of time.
There are none who clamor around him: only an ox and an ass lending their warmth to the newborn infant; with a humble woman, and a poor and tired man, in adoration beside him.
Nothing can be heard except the sobs and whimpers of the infant God. And by means of his crying and weeping he offers to the Divine justice the first ransom for our redemption.
He had been expected for forty centuries; with longing sighs the ancient Fathers had implored his arrival. The sacred scriptures clearly prophesy the time and the place of his birth, and yet the world is silent and no one seems aware of the great event. Only some shepherds, who had been busy watching over their sheep in the meadows, come to visit him. Heavenly visitors had alerted them to the wondrous event, inviting them to approach his cave.
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| Stained Glass of the Nativity, SHC, Honolulu |
“The child that was born in Bethlehem did indeed bring liberation, but not only for the people of that time and place-- he was to be the Saviour of all people throughout the world and throughout history,” the Pope said. “And it was not a political liberation that he brought, achieved through military means: rather, Christ destroyed death for ever and restored life by means of his shameful death on the Cross.”
After the batteries have long expired on other gifts, these intangible gifts will long endure. They were recommended by Canaan Mantermach and Carl J. Pfeifer through the Department of Religious Education of the National Catholic Education Association.
Time. It shows them how much you mean to them.
Love. Nothing is more important than love.
Sense of justice. This includes fidelity to relationships and responsibilities.
Laughter and joy. Happiness nurtures. Morality is a byproduct of growing up with laughter and joy.
Celebration. Find something special to do each month as well as mark special occasions.
Spirituality. Show the importance of prayer and Sunday worship.
Forgiveness and healing. Never let children go to sleep without being forgiven for a wrong, or healing a hurt.
Truth. Help them to be truthful and honest. Insist on this.
Respect. Respect the property of others. Give the example.
Books. Urge children to read, and read aloud with them.
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| Sacred Heart Church Honolulu last Christmas |
First, if you are not in the state of grace, don’t just go to Holy Communion anyway. That’s a sacrilege and a mortal sin. Those of you who are lax about Mass attendance need to remember that not going to Holy Mass on Sundays and other days of obligation, when you could go, is a mortal sin. Go to confession and then make your good Holy Communion. We all know the bit about making a perfect act of contrition… maybe you can do that and maybe you can’t. That’s up to you. But God cannot be fooled. If you know you shouldn’t receive then don’t...
166 years ago today, Francis Xavier Seelos was ordained a Priest. A Priest forever according to the law of Melchizedek. He is filled with joy and waiting for you to ask for a gift. Prayers can be found at Seelos Center
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| St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church |
50 Reasons to be Catholic
1. We are not emergent, we are eternal
2. We have Cardinal Zen
3. And Cardinal Sin
4. We are not liberal, we love our neighbour
5. We do not use the words ‘clown’ and ‘eucharist’ in the same sentence
6. We are not conservative, we look to God alone
7. Bells….bells….and more bells
8. We have a cloistered nun as the patron saint of missionaries (St Therese de Lisieux)
9. Announcements of our faith halt the conversation at dinner parties
10. The only religion responsible for the smallest nation state
11. We have confession – much cheaper than a psychologist
12. We have the Swiss Guards and their uniforms
13. Catholic morality gives politicians headaches
14. Ash Wednesday can’t be exploited by McDonalds or the greetings card industry
15. Our liturgy gives Freemasons indigestion
16. St Jerome is the patron saint of anger – hope for us all
17. Because when you have tacky statues etc you know you must be in the one true Church
18. We know what cherubim and seraphim are
19. Palestrina
20. St Lawrence (while being burnt to death – “turn me over; I’m done on this side”)
21. Incense smells better than cigar smoke
22. The litany of saints has the best names for your children
23. People do not tour Europe looking at great Protestant Cathedrals do they?
24. We love beauty, ritual and ceremony and are proud of it
25. The Latin Mass is the same the world over
26. Candles
27. If you become a saint parts of your body may become relics
28. We use phrases such as ‘supernatural existential’, ‘diochronicity’ and ‘the hermeneutic of continuity’
29. Mystery is more than a section in the local library
30. We have blessings and Masses to cope with plagues of frogs, illnesses, heresy etc etc
31. We say the black and do the red
32. We don’t call our priests ‘Jim’ or ‘Eric’
33. We have a St Bobo, St Bean and St Quadragesimus
34. Pope Benedict XVI
35. St Paul who said: ‘a little wine for thy stomach’s sake’
36. Orange is not a liturgical colour in the Catholic Church
37. No other denomination buries statues or prays in order to sell a house
38. Fish is good for you
39. We use a dead language and don’t give a damn!
40. No hand puppets, tambourines, clowns, guitars or dancing allowed in the liturgy
41. No crèches in Church, infants stay with us for Mass
42. If you are shy you can be a contemplative
43. We believe that a state of Grace is a condition of the soul, not part of the USA
44. Our religious orders pray during both the night and the day
45. With Our Lady and St Michael, no demons can touch us
46. Thuribles
47. Vestments that look as though they are intended for the worship of God, not as if they were the work of demented seamstresses high on drugs
48. A liturgy that does not patronise
49. The blessing of the throats (February 3nd)
50. Angels
Please join EWTN in celebrating the birth of the Christ Child! The word "Catholic" literally means "universal" and how better to spend this Christmas than being united in prayer with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and the entire universal Church. EWTN is proud to bring you LIVE beautiful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses from Rome and the Basilica of the National Shrine in Washington, D.C., as well as various other inspiring Christmas programs.
Did you know that you can receive the Christmas papal blessing, and the plenary indulgence attached to it, watching and listening live to Pope Benedict deliver his Urbi et Orbi message? Please share the following information with others and insert the announcement below in your parish bulletin.
SOLEMN MASS OF CHRISTMAS EVE WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI
LIVE - Fri 12/24 4 PM ET, ENCORE - Sat 12/25 8:00 AM ET, 12/25 6 PM ET
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates the Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lord as he presides over one of the most glorious liturgies of the year. Midnight Mass, live from St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
SOLEMN MASS OF CHRISTMAS EVEN FROM BNSIC
LIVE - Fri 12/24 10:30 PM ET
Live from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC, USA
URBI ET ORBI FROM ROME: POPE BENEDICT'S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
LIVE - 12/25 6:00 AM ET, ENCORE - 12/25 10:00 PM ET, 12/26 10:00 AM ET. 12/31 9:00PM ET
Pope Benedict XVI offers his Christmas Day blessing and message to the city of Rome and to the world. A Plenary indulgence is granted to those who receive the blessing in person or over the airwaves.
Thank you for your kind cooperation and, if I can ever be of assistance to you or your parish with regards to EWTN, please feel free to contact me. Have a blessed Advent and a merry Christmas!
Parish Bulletin Insertion Requested the Weekend of December 18-19
Did you know that you could gain a plenary indulgence attached to Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas Day blessing live over the television, radio, or internet? The Eternal Word Television Network is proud to bring you LIVE Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses from the Vatican and Washington, DC as well as various other inspiring special Christmas programming including Pope Benedict's Urbi Et Orbi - his Christmas Day blessing and message to the world. Visit www.ewtn.com for more information or to locate EWTN in your area.
Santa seemingly squints in the sun, throwing a Hawaiian thumb-and-pinky "hang loose" shaka sign, his white-fur-trimmed red shirt open wide to reveal a big tanned tummy. The statue of a tropical St. Nick sits next to a huge "Tutu Mele" – "Merry Granny," as Mrs. Claus is called – who has hiked up her skirt to catch a cool trade wind.
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| Sacred Heart Church, Honolulu Christmas Eve 2009 |
"...I also think something else is desperately needed, something that is often neglected when we think about what we can do to stop legalized abortion in this country. That would be reparation..."
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| Archbishop Fulton Sheen |
If the priest is a saint, his people will be holy.According to Adoro, this quote is by St. Jean M. Vianney. Thank you!
If the priest is holy, his people will be good.
If the priest is good, his people will be fair.
If the priest is fair, his people will be mediocre.
If the priest is mediocre, his people will be bad.
Pray for your priest.
He who honors a priest, honors Christ.
He who insults a priest, insults Christ.
- St. John Chrysostom
If I saw an angel and a priest,
I would bend my knee;
first to the priest, then to the angel.
- St. Francis of Assisi
"In giving us His Son, His only Word, He spoke everything to us at once in this sole Word -- and He has no more to say ... because what he spoke before to the prophets in parts, he has now spoken all at once by giving us the All Who is His Son."
"I wish I could persuade spiritual persons that the way of perfection does not consist in many devices, nor in much cogitation, but in denying themselves completely and yielding themselves to suffer everything for the love of Christ. And if there is failure in this exercise, all other methods of walking in the spiritual way are merely a beating about the bush, and profitless trifling, although a person should have very high contemplation and communication with God."
"O you souls who wish to go on with so much safety and consolation, if you knew how pleasing to God is suffering, and how much it helps in acquiring other good things, you would never seek consolation in anything; but you would rather look upon it as a great happiness to bear the Cross of the Lord."
"For this reason the apostle Paul said of Christ, "In him are hidden all the treasures of the wisdom and knowledge of God." The soul cannot enter into these treasures, nor attain them, unless it first crosses into and enters the thicket of suffering, enduring interior and exterior labors, and unless it first receives from God very many blessings in the intellect and in the senses, and has undergone long spiritual training.
The gate that gives entry into these riches of his wisdom is the cross; because it is a narrow gate, while many seek the joys that can be gained through it, it is given to few to desire to pass through it."
He was small in height and mind (being only three), yet he stood up to the terrorists and gave the world a message that it desperately needs. He showed us what it means to "Be not afraid" in the face of overwhelming evil. In contrast to the utter destruction of evil, he showed us the beauty and goodness of a child - and human life.The entire article can be found here.
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| Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe Legionaries of Christ, Thornwood, NY |
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| Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
By now everyone should be familiar with the story of Guadalupe--"The story of an Indian of simple faith, and of the Mother of God. The basilica which today is the Shrine of Our lady of Guadalupe is a part of the teeming metropolis that is Mexico City. But back of its great high altar is the tilma of Juan Diego, whose love and devotion toward Mary, the Mother of God, has given the world one of the greatest of her shrines."
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| Original Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe |
"...Swiftly news of the church to be built in the precinct of the Mother-goddess on Tepeyac was carried from village to village. The Indians' own church, requested through one of themselves! Volunteer laborers appeared, more than could be employed. In only thirteen days the simple chapel-like structure was completed. On the day after Christmas the sacred Image was brought to it in a great procession and installed about the altar; the church was blessed and the Mass celebrated...."
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| Bishop Juan de Zumárraga |
"I have had the news published-sent a messenger to Cuernavaca- an Indian to Fray Toribio-am preparing the festival and keeping with me a little longer your honor's trumpeters. How glorious it will be! The joy of all is indescribable. Tell my lady the Marquesa (Cortés'' wife) that eventually I want to dedicate my cathedral to the Immaculate Conception because it was during that feast (December 8-17 in the missal used in Mexico) that God and his Blessed Mother deigned to shower the land you won with this great favor. No more now."
The Bishop Elect, filled with joy.
