For Immediate Release
May 6, 2011
Contact: Charlie McKinney
Phone: (603) 880-8308, ext. 21
Mobile: (603) 913-5939
Email: cmckinney@ThomasMoreCollege.edu
Thomas More College to Host Workshop for
Catholics Engaged in the New Media
(Merrimack, New Hampshire)— Throughout his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI has called on the faithful to utilize the new media to serve the Church and spread the Gospel. Technological advances continue to open new means of communication, and it is often difficult for those engaged in the world of digital communications to stay ahead of the curve.
In response to the Holy Father’s call, the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts announced today that it is hosting an intensive three-day retreat entitled “Christ & The New Media” for those seeking to spread the perennial truths of the Catholic Church through the new media. The Program will be held from August 4 thru 7.
Led by leaders in online journalism, blogging, and digital communications, this program will assist priests and laymen in employing the latest generation of images, videos, animated features, blogs and websites so they can open up broad new vistas for dialogue, evangelization, and catechesis.
Funded by a grant from the Koch Foundation of Gainesville, Florida, the Workshop will be beneficial to both beginners and seasoned professionals as they are taught how to craft their message more effectively, respond productively to those with whom they disagree, fully leverage social networking sites, and more effectively integrate the latest in audio, visual, and text. Moreover, participants will develop life-long friendships with others who are seeking to defend and promote the teachings of the Catholic Church in our age.
The Program will feature lectures and panel discussions by Alejandro Bermudez, editor of the Catholic News Agency; Phil Lawler, Editor of CatholicCulture.org; Tony Assaf, Editor of the Arabic Edition of Zenit News; and John and Ashley Noronha, of H2oNews.org.
“Pope Benedict XVI has called on the faithful, especially priests, to utilize the new media to serve the Church and spread the Gospel,” said Thomas More College President William Fahey. “By bringing together a team of professional leaders in this new and developing field, Thomas More College is advancing a valid and effective instrument for authentic evangelization and communion.”
The new media offers a new and deeper means of communicating the perennial truths of the Catholic Church, especially to young people. More than 350 million people read at least one blog every day, and more than 60% of those readers are between the ages of 18 and 44. In fact, according to one recent study, 77% of active Internet users regularly read blogs, and as many are active in social networking sites.
“There exists a tremendous—and largely untapped—opportunity to spread the Gospel through the world of digital communications,” added Fahey. “By attending the Christ & the New Media Program, priests and laymen alike will be better able to employ the latest technology to advance the Church’s mission of evangelization and catechesis.
More information and a schedule for the Christ & The New Media workshop can be found at http://www.thomasmorecollege.edu/summerprogram.
The Thomas More College of Liberal Arts provides a four-year undergraduate education which develops young people intellectually, ethically, and spiritually in the Catholic tradition and in faithfulness to the Magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church. Thomas More College introduces its students to the central questions of Western Civilization—and to the Church’s response. It teaches students how to reason, engage in academic discourse, and to write. Students from Thomas More College are shaped into becoming faithful leaders who will be able to pursue the individual vocations which God has given each of them.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
2011 May Crowning - Photos
A big mahalo to the Legion of Mary at Sacred Heart Church, for another beautiful May Crowning. It started with a solo Marian hymn by our very talented parochial vicar. We then had a procession with candles, flowers, banner and the crowns Two very special members of our parish community crowned our Lady. We prayed the Rosary in English, Korean, and Chuukese. We sang beautiful Marian Hymns and it ended with our consecrating ourselves to Mary. What a wonderful way to honor our blessed Mother during the month dedicated to her and for Mother's Day.
Both our priests were present. |
Processing out of the Church |
Procession with the Legion of Mary banner leading the way. |
Processing back into the Church |
Getting our Lady ready for her Crowning |
The Crown and Haku Lei |
Fr. Jovy placing the crown on our Lady's head |
Our Beautiful Mother |
Our Lady and the Blessed Sacrament Behind her |
Our Lady Surrounded by the many flowers presented to her |
Our Pastor Father Gordy |
Handmade Icon of Our Lady with inlaid crystals |
First Saturday Devotion: Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
He followed the noble fragrance until he came to the beautiful rose...For the Son of the Most High saw this lovely, tender, fragrant rose blooming among the thorns of the sinful world and the sweet fragrance of her earnest desire wafted up to him unceasingly. He was caught by her eager love and so enraptured that he leapt from his father's lap down to this rose among thorns and was so sorely pierced that his hands and feet bled.Picture source
- Our Lady Mary's Rose Garden, c. 1430
Ave Maria, rose without thorns,
you were born to comfort me.
A queen of high birth,
help me that I shall not be lost.
- From an early Latin Marian Psalter, 13th Century
Picture source
Hail Mary, branch of Jesse,
from you came the noble one,
Jesus, your child, whose sweet name
took away from us all our sins.
Latin Marian Psalter, late 13th or early 14th Century
Picture source
I greet you, Mary, my Lady.
Accept this little rose chaplet
that I have recited for you today.
- Marian Psalter, 14th Century
Picture source
Hail, Jesse's King;
angel's praise, joy, delight;
royal child of kingly descent,
God's daughter, Christ's wet nurse.
- Marian Psalter, beginning of the 14th Century
Picture source
Help us, because of the glances
that he often cast at you,
as a child toward its mother.
Whatever you wish, he does for your sake.
Help us, Lady, on account of the fear
that evil Herod caused you
through the children
that he struck, thus frightening you.
Help us, because of the undefiled
flight to Egypt/ the suckling,
God's nursing at your breasts,
which surely pleased you.
- Marian Psalter
Picture source
Help us, on account of the noble reception
with palms, as Christ neared
Jerusalem, the place he yearned for,
as he foretold that he would.
- Marian Psalter
Picture source
Help us, Lady on account of the agony
that Christ suffered on death's journey,
when Pilate washed his hands,
that we find a just end.
- Marian Psalter
Source of Psalter stanzas: Stories of the Rose: The Making of the rosary in the Middle Ages by Anne Winston-Allen.
Friday, May 06, 2011
The Holy Rosary Prayers in Hawaiian
Our Lady of Fatima statue at a Public Rosary Event |
Someone from Real Men Pray the Rosary requested the Rosary prayers in Samoan. Well, that gave me the idea to post the Holy Rosary prayers in the beautiful Hawaiian language. Mahalo for the idea! BTW, the link provided below has some prayers in Samoan, etc. Unfortunately, neither the Fatima Prayer nor the Luminous Mysteries have been yet translated into Hawaiian. NOTE: I do not speak Hawaiian so I cannot vouch for the correct translation.
+ Ma ka Inoa o ka Makua / Kähea / + The Sign of the Cross / + Signum Crucis
Ma ka Inoa o ka Makua, a o ke Keiki, a me ka 'Uhane Hemolele.
"The Holy Trinity" by Luca Rossetti da Orta |
Ke Kumu Mana‘o‘i‘o / The Apostles' Creed / Credo
Ke Kumu Mana‘o‘i‘o
Ke mana‘o‘i‘o nei au i ke Akua ka
Makua Mana loa, näna i hana ka lani
ame ka honua, a iä Iesü Kristo, käna
Keiki hiwahiwa ko käkou Haku;
Ua ho ‘ohäpai ‘ia ‘o Maria kona
makuahine ke keikamahine
pu‘upa‘a e ka ‘Uhane Hemolele a
hänau ‘ia mai ‘O ia; ua hö‘eha‘eha ‘
ia ‘O ia e Pontio Pilato;
Kaulia ‘ia ma ke ke‘a a make, iho ‘O
ia i ka lua pö; i ke kolu o ka lä, ala
hou mai ka make mai;
Pi‘i ‘O ia i ka lani a ke noho nei la
ma ka lima ‘äkau o ke Akua ka
Makua Mana loa, mai laila mai ‘O
ia e hele mai ai e ho‘okolokolo i ka
po‘e ola ame ka po’e make.
Ke mana‘o‘i‘o nei au i ka ‘Uhane
Hemolele, ka ‘Ekalesia la‘a o Iesü
Kristo, ka launa pü ‘ana o ka po‘e pono;
ka huikala ‘ia o ka hewa, ke
alahou ‘ana o ke kino, ame ke Ola mau loa.
Amene.
Picture source
E ko makou Makua / Our Father / Pater Noster
E ko makou Makua i lako o ka lani,
E hoanoia kou inoa
E hiki mai kou aupuni;
E malamaia kou makemake ma ka honua nei,
E like me ia i malamaia ma ka lani la.
E haawi mai ia makou i keia la, i ai na makou no keia la.
E kala mai hoi ia makou, i ka makou lawehala ana,
Me makou e kala nei i ka poe i lawehala i ka makou.
Mai hookuu oe ia makou i ka hoowalewale ia mai
E hoopakele no na e ia makou i ka ino;
no ka mea, nou ke aupuni
a me ka mana, a me ka hoonaniia, a mau loa, aku,
Amene.
Picture source
Aloha oe, e Maria / Hail Mary / Ave Maria
Aloha oe, e Maria, ua piha oe i ka maikai;
ua noho pu ka Haku me oe; noho pu ka Haku me oe;
pomaikai oe iwaena o na wahine a pau pomaikai
Iesu ka Hua o kou opu.
Maria Saneta, Makuahine o ke Akua, e pule aku
oe i ka Haku no makou no ka poe kina nui i keia manaawa,
a i ko makou manawa e make ai. Amene.
E Ho`onani`ia ai Ka Makua / Glory Be to the Father / Gloria Patri (Dialect 1)
E ho`onani`ia ai ka Makua, a me ke Keiki, a me ka Uhane Hemolele.
E like me i ho`onani`ia ai i kīnohi, a i kēia manawa, a i nā manawa a pau,
a i nā kenekulia o nā kenekulia (`a i `ole: no nā kau a kau). `Āmene.
Picture source
Hail, Holy Queen / Salve Regina (Dialect 1)
Aloha `oe, e ke Ali`iwahine,
o ka Makuahine `oe o ke aloha
Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy
Aloha `oe, e ke Ali`iwahine,
o ka Makuahine `oe o ke aloha,
e ko mākou ola ka `olu`olu a me ka
mana`olana, aloha `oe.
I ko mākou noho malihini `ana,
ke kāhea aku nei mākou iā `oe,
`o mākou nā keiki a Eva.
Ke kani`uhū aku nei mākou iā `oe,
me ka uē a me ke kanikau `ana i loko o kēia owāwa o nā waimaka.
Inā no ho`i, e ko mākou uao,
e hāliu mai `oe iā mākou i kēlā mau maka aloha ou.
A pau ko mākou noho malihini `ana, e hō`ike mai `oe iā Iesū,
ka hua pōmaika`i o kou `ōpū, e Mālia, e ka
Pu`upa`a aloha, lokomaika`i a me ka `olu`olu. `Āmene.
Miterio Kū i ka `Oli`oli / The Joyful Mysteries
1) Ka `Enekerea`ia `ana -The Annunciation
2) Ka `Ike `ana The Visitation
3) Ka Hānau `ana o Iesū -The Nativity
4) Ka Lawe`ia ana i ka Luakini -The Presentation
5) Ka Loa`a hou `ana mai `o Iesū -The Finding in the Temple
Miterio Kū i ka `Eha / The Sorrowful Mysteries
1) Ko Iesū ho`opuni`ia ana i ka `Eha Make -The Agony in the Garden
2) Ka Hahau`ia `ana i ke Kaula -The Scourging at the Pillar
3) Ka Ho`olei`ia `ana i ka lei Kākalaioa - The Crowning of Thorns
4) Ka `Auamo `ana i ke Kea - The Way of the Cross
5) Ka Mākia`ia `ana i ke Kea - he Crucifixion
Picture source
Miterio Kū i ka Lanakila / The Glorious Mysteries
1) Ke Ola hou `ana mai Iesū - The Resurrection
2) Ka Pi`i `ana -The Ascension
3) Ka Iho `ana o ka Uhane Hemolele -The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4) Ka Lawe`ia `ana o ka Pu`upa`a Hemolele -The Assumption
5) Ka Ho`olei`ia `ana o Mālia ma ka Lani -The Coronation of Mary
Hawaiian Rosary Prayer Source
International Prayer source
First Friday Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Intimate, Family and Social Reign
Sacred Heart of Jesus statue on Kalaupapa, Molokai |
The following is from Holy Hour by The Rev. Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.,CC. Book Four. This is perfect for those families who have enthroned the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their homes. For those of you who still not have enthroned Him, consider doing that very soon.
The Heart of Jesus wishes this scene to be a living reality in each of our homes...He knocks insistently on our doors. During this Holy Hour He wishes to enter as King...He asks to remain as Friend...He wishes to rule over our families with an intimate, profound, living reign...He asks our solemn promises; let us give it to Him loyally and sincerely.
Jesus: Behold your meek King comes to you. He brings you peace and He offers you the divine friendship of His Heart. But you can not serve two masters at the same time; you cannot unite Jesus and the world in the one same love...Which will prevail in your family? Who will be the King of Love?
Souls: Heart of Jesus, Thou only shalt be our King!
Jesus: And who is your choice as intimate friend?
Souls: Thou alone, O Jesus, the Friend of Bethany!
Jesus: From now on, may I enjoin My divine Law upon you, and reign as Master in your home? ...Will you hail Me as your King?
Souls: Heart of Jesus, Thou only shalt be our King!
Jesus: And who will be the intimate friend in the secret sorrows of your family?
Souls: Thou alone, O Jesus, the Friend of Bethany!
Jesus: Henceforward, then, your persons and goods belong to Me...I may do with them as I will...But whom do you admit has the right to dispose of all events, sad and joyful, happy and unhappy, in your lives? Who will decide the path your family is to follow?
Souls: Heart of Jesus, Thou only shalt be our King!
Jesus: When in My wisdom I impose struggles and sufferings on you, w ho will be your Confidant, your Consoler?
Souls: Thou alone, O Jesus, the friend of Bethany!
Jesus: If I command as King, My authority must reach over all the actions of your daily life.Will you accept that I deign with wisdom and love the ordinary routine of every day?
Souls: Heart of Jesus, Thou only shalt be our King!
Jesus: But I wish so much to have you always give Me My part and...the best part, even int the smallest details of your family life. In the monotony of the daily task, who will always be your great friend?
Souls: Thou alone, O Jesus, the friend of Bethany!
Jesus: Then invite Me to be always the Master and Counselor in important decisions...in the hours of cruel crises, when creatures abandon you to your sorrows...Shall I , as absolute King, rule from this moment, as I rule in Heaven, over this blessed corner of the earth, your home, which has become Mine?...
Souls: Heart of Jesus,Thou only shalt be our King!
Jesus: And at the hour of forced departures and painful separations, in the hour when death on the wings of illness or from an unforeseen misfortune draws near you...Who will be at that supreme moment the intimate, inseparable, the first and last Friend of your home?
Souls: Thou alone, O Jesus, the Friend of Bethany!
{Never let a great joy, a cruel sorrow, a grave decision, any anniversary whatever in the home pass without renewing in the family, the Enthronement of the Sacred Heart, the Royal Friend of Bethany.}
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Good Articles on Scrupulosity
Did you know that a few of our saints suffered from scruples? One was St. Alphonsus Liguori, founder of the Redemptorists and the other was St. Therese of Lisieux.
Not too long ago I became concerned that I may have a tendency for being too scrupulous. The conflict arose because the books I read during my spiritual reading (e.g. books by St. Francis de Sales, ) strongly suggest regular weekly confessions. The saintly authors warns the reader to be careful not to offend God in even the slightest ways. Even venial sins are encouraged to be confessed because if we are not vigilant, they can lead to more serious sins. We know that it is the mortal sins that must be confessed as soon as possible. The venial sins are forgiven at Mass. Yet, some of our dear priests feel going to confession regularly is not necessary and in fact, may be a sign of scrupulosity.
That is why a spiritual director or regular confessor is important...even vital to our spiritual growth.
I went online to see if I could find answers to a particular concern. I did find a few articles which I found very helpful and insightful. I am sharing them here just in case anyone could benefit from them.
1. Catholic Culture: Scrupulosity and How to Overcome it
2. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia - Definition of Scruple
3. Catholic Spiritual Direction: What if I Have Nothing to Confess, Should I still go to Confession?
4. Catholic Spiritual Direction: Scrupulosity which includes links to the following:
- Understanding and Overcoming Scrupulosity – Part I
- Understanding and Overcoming Scrupulosity – Part II
- 10 Commandments of Scrupulosity
- Is it a sin to have bad thoughts? How do I deal with bad thoughts? How can I be sure to avoid the unforgivable sin?
Not too long ago I became concerned that I may have a tendency for being too scrupulous. The conflict arose because the books I read during my spiritual reading (e.g. books by St. Francis de Sales, ) strongly suggest regular weekly confessions. The saintly authors warns the reader to be careful not to offend God in even the slightest ways. Even venial sins are encouraged to be confessed because if we are not vigilant, they can lead to more serious sins. We know that it is the mortal sins that must be confessed as soon as possible. The venial sins are forgiven at Mass. Yet, some of our dear priests feel going to confession regularly is not necessary and in fact, may be a sign of scrupulosity.
That is why a spiritual director or regular confessor is important...even vital to our spiritual growth.
I went online to see if I could find answers to a particular concern. I did find a few articles which I found very helpful and insightful. I am sharing them here just in case anyone could benefit from them.
1. Catholic Culture: Scrupulosity and How to Overcome it
...Such people are convinced that because of the presence of evil in their life, God must be displeased with them. As a result, any sin — any manifestation of weakness or imperfection, often the most minute and insignificant — becomes their primary preoccupation, and an intimate relationship with the Lord is impossible.
This type of affliction is often called a "tender conscience," but a more accurate description of people who suffer in this way is that they are scrupulous...
2. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia - Definition of Scruple
3. Catholic Spiritual Direction: What if I Have Nothing to Confess, Should I still go to Confession?
...The sacramental grace of confession is primarily the forgiveness of sins, but it is also, secondarily, the spiritual strengthening of the soul. This is why it is called a sacrament of healing. It heals (reconciles) our relationships with God and with the Church, which have been wounded or broken by personal sin, and at the same time strengthens those relationships. When we break a bone, the body will repair it with an extra dose of calcium, so that the bone is actually stronger at the break point after the healing than it was before the injury. Something similar happens with confession. God pours out his strengthening grace in a special way on the aspects of our spiritual organism, so to speak, that we present to him in confession.
Now you can understand why the devil works so hard to keep us away from frequent, regular confession. If our relationship with God has been ruptured (by mortal sin), he doesn’t want it reconciled. But even if it has just been wounded (venial sin), he doesn’t want it strengthened.
This sacrament, however, proffers even more benefits to the soul than the sacramental graces of forgiveness and strengthening. Making a good confession requires the arduous task of self-reflection. Ongoing self-examination is, all spiritual writers agree, a basic ingredient in spiritual progress. We have to discover, with God’s help, how miserable and needy we really are, spiritually speaking, in order to open ourselves confidently and eagerly to God’s action. Going to confession is also like doing a major spiritual workout. Through the process of self-examination, repentance, confession, and penance, we exercise every major spiritual-muscle group: the theological virtues (faith, hope, love for God), humility (it’s not exactly self-inflating to kneel down and systematically expose our faults and failings), justice, prudence, fortitude (it takes courage to step into a confessional), and self-denial. This sacrament is like a gymnasium of Christian virtue. Frequent and regular workouts therein will do wonders for our spiritual health...
4. Catholic Spiritual Direction: Scrupulosity which includes links to the following:
- Understanding and Overcoming Scrupulosity – Part I
- Understanding and Overcoming Scrupulosity – Part II
- 10 Commandments of Scrupulosity
- Is it a sin to have bad thoughts? How do I deal with bad thoughts? How can I be sure to avoid the unforgivable sin?
Month of May: The Humility of Mary and Praying the Memorare for Vocations
Virgin and Child with Infant St. John the Baptist by Sandro Botticelli |
Picture source
It is indeed a beautiful custom blessed by Holy Mother Church which inspires us as humble children during the month of May to honor our Lady in every possible way. There are processions, May crownings, decorations of her shrines and statues with lovely flowers, the earnest recitation of her rosary and litany, sermons on Mary, a renewal of love and dedication to her...
In our Lady Immaculate all virtues flourish in a degree equal to her fullness of grace. Once special virtue, however, which she herself indicated as the magnet which attracted the attention of almighty God toward her was her humility. Because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid..." All of us--of whatever walk in life--may well reflect during these blessed and holy days of May on the beautiful virtue of humility which graced the soul of Mary...
"Our Lady of Humility" is one of the gracious titles of our Blessed Mother. She passed through this life unnoticed despite her vocation as the Mother of God and her virtues. Few indeed are the words which have been recorded as spoken by her, but they will live forever and be of profit to those who meditate upon them. Mary lived humility in the fullest sense of the world; she was ever aware of her dependence upon God and of His goodness to her. All that she had, she ever referred back to Him, the source of all good. Mary is the living example of one who responded to the invitation of our blessed Lord, "Learn of me for I am meek and humble of heart." (Mt. 11:29).
May we during this month of May be blessed by en ever increasing knowledge of Mary and especially of her humility. May the Memorare recited each day for vacations stir in the hearts of our young people the desire to give themselves wholeheartedly to God.
Pastoral Letter on the Humility of Mary by John J. Cardinal Carberry, 1962
Mary Queen and Mother: Marian Pastoral Reflections by John J. Cardinal Carberry.
Readers: Please join me during this month dedicated to our Lady in praying the Memorare daily for vocations as recommended by Cardinal Carberry above.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
May 4th: The death of St. Monica and the filial love of St. Augustine
St. Augustine and St. Monica by Ary Scheffer |
Picture source
“I will speak not of her gifts, but Yours in her; for she neither made herself nor educated herself.”
This is really good!! New Theological Movement's The Death of St. Monica and Filial Love of St. Augustine.
Mahalo to Father Daren.
Month of May: Mary and the Resurrection of Jesus
"Madonna Terra Nuova" by Raphael |
Picture source
After the bloody drama of the Cross, Mary withdrew in expectation of her Son's glorious resurrection. Whereas the small group of friends who had remained faithful to Christ doubted their Master's promise to rise from the dead, Mary preserved unaltered her tranquility of soul, for she was certain of the triumph...
Excerpt from Mary Hope of the World by Rev. James Alberione, S.T.D., St. Paul Editions
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Blessed John Paul II - Chinese Prayer Card
The following was shared with me by my friend Menna. Mahalo Menna! Unfortunately, I cannot read it. If someone can translate the words into English, it would be most appreciated.
May 3, Feast of Mary Queen of Poland
We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God; despise not these our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
My most holy Mother, I behold the graces that you have already obtained for me, and the ingratitude that I have shown toward you. The thankless soul is no longer worthy of blessings, but not even on this account will I lose confidence in your mercy. O my mighty advocate have pity on me and obtain, I beseech you, this favor for me if it be for the glory of your Divine Son and the good of my soul.
(Pause and name the favor sought)
Speak for me, Queen of Jasna Gora. Your Son will do whatsoever you shall ask of Him. I beg you, take me under your protection and this is enough for me, to be one of your ever faithful servants. Amen.
Thank you Mary Jane D.!
Feast of Sts. Philip and James: Words of Spiritual Advice from St. James
St. Philip the Apostle by Albrecht Dürer |
Picture source
St. James the Apostle by Albrecht Dürer |
Picture source
Saintly wisdom and spiritual guidance from the Letters of St. James:
Trials, Temptations and Perseverance:
...Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance...
...Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him...
...No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one...
Blessings Received:
...all good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change...
Importance of Obeying the Word:
...Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God. Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls. Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like...
Bridling our Tongue:
...If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
True Religion:
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Importance of Impartiality towards Everyone:
My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ...
...But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors...
Not Judging Others:
...For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment....
Importance of Works as well as Faith:
...What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead...
The Evil of the Untamed Tongue:
...In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing...
Humility and Wisdom:
...Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity...
Submission to God's Will and Resisting the devil:
...So submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you...
...Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.
Speaking Evil and Judging Our Brothers:
Do not speak evil of one another, brothers. Whoever speaks evil of a brother or judges his brother speaks evil of the law and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?...
Doing God's Will:
...Instead you should say, "If the Lord wills it, we shall live to do this or that..."
Sin:
...So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin...
Complaining and Judgment Against Our Brothers:
...Do not complain, brothers, about one another, that you may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates...
Not Swearing:
...But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath, but let your "Yes" mean "Yes" and your "No" mean "No," that you may not incur condemnation.
Praying:
Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone in good spirits? He should sing praise....
...and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful...
Scripture Source
Month of May: Lady of the Beatitudes
Sts. Peter and Paul, Honolulu during the Month of May |
Blest are you, O Virgin Mother of God,
Who surrendered your spirit entirely to the Lord;
You now reign with God forever.
Blest are you who sorrowed upon earth from the conception
to the death of your Son, Jesus Christ;
Your Heart was pierced with a sword.
You are now consoled forever and are a consolation to us.
Blest are you, O Heavenly Mother Mary.
God regarded the humility of you His handmaid,
And now you inherit heaven and earth and all creation.
Blest are you, O Virgin Mother, who hungered and thirsted with
your Son to do the will of the Father.
Full of grace upon earth,
You now intercede for our holiness.
Blest are you, Mother of Mercy.
You received the highest mercy in being conceived Immaculate.
You now obtain for us Mercy from the Heart of your Son.
Blest are you, O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Who upon earth were single-hearted in believing and loving.
You now see god face to face and intercede to lead us to the same beatific vision.
Blest are you, Mother and Queen of Peace.
You pray for peace in the Church and in the world;
You are the highly favored Daughter of God the Father,
And care for your sons and daughters still upon earth.
Blest are you, O Mother of Jesus Christ, who were persecuted
for holiness' sake.
What was done to Jesus was done to you, and men still treat you this way.
The reign of God is yours.
- Prayerbook for Catholics by Father Robert J. Fox.
Monday, May 02, 2011
"Bring Flowers of the Fairest" and May Crowning Invitation
Mahalo to Lisa Graas for sharing this rare video.
BTW, there will be a May Crowning this Saturday (the day before Mother's day) at Sacred Heart Church. It begins at 10:00am. There will be a procession, the faithful will honor our lady with flowers, we will crown our lady and then we will pray the Rosary. This is one of the beautiful songs that is sung.
Please feel free to bring flowers or leis for our dear blessed Mother.
Franciscan Sisters giving diocese Blessed Marianne relic
...The Sisters of St. Francis are giving the relic to the diocese at the request of Bishop Larry Silva.
The relic is being transported in a carved and polished mahogany reliquary the size of a small shoebox rounded at both ends. In the cathedral, the reliquary will be placed in a case similar to the seven-foot-high koa and glass cabinet to the right of the sanctuary that houses a relic of St. Damien. Blessed Marianne’s relic will be placed to the left of the sanctuary opposite Damien’s...
The Hawaii Catholic Herald article can be read in its entirety here.
The Official Prayer for Blessed John Paul II's Intercession
Blessed Pope John Paul II |
Picture source
O Blessed Trinity,
We thank You for having graced the Church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your Fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him.
Trusting fully in Your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you.
Grant us, by his intercession, and according to Your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints.
Amen
With ecclesiastical approval CARDINAL CAMILLO RUINI
the Holy Father’s Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome
For graces received, contact:
Postulazione della Causa di Canonizzazione
del Beato Giovanni Paolo II
Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, 6/a - 00184 Roma
Foto Grzegorz Galazka
Thanks to Ed for sharing.
Source: Source
John Paul II Tribute – Beatification Edition
Bl. Pope John Paul II |
Picture source
From John-Paul of Pray More Novenas: Be sure to visit and leave your own comments on our beloved Bl. Pope John Paul II
John Paul II has been a hero of mine for years. In fact, in case you didn't notice, I was named after him!
Do you remember when JPII died?
There were chants in St. Peter's square. Do you remember what they said?
"Santo Subito! Santo Subito!"
The faithful were calling for the Church to make John Paul the Great a Canonized Saint. Well, the Church is very careful about these things, but today marks a huge step forward.
Will you please join me today in giving thanks for such a great Pope?
I've set up a tribute page to JPII, but this is a different kind of tribute.
I want you to make the tribute. I want you to post your comments. I want you to reminisce about JPII. I want you to show your love for our Holy Father in heaven.
Click here to pay your respects in the comment box!
Not sure what to say? Here 4 things you can share...
1. Prayers for his Canonization
2. Thanks for his Papacy
3. Your favorite memories from his Pontificate
4. Any other thoughts you have about John Paul II
Please join me in thanking God for the beatification of John Paul the Great right here, right now!
God bless you!
John-Paul Deddens - PrayMoreNovenas.com
P.S. I really want to hear your perspective on John Paul II. Say a prayer for the Pope and then pay your respects to JPII here.
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