“Pray For More Priest!”

Fr. Z gives us a reminder that we need more priest.

We need more vocations to the PRIESTHOOD.

Let’s be careful about prayers for vocations.

At times we should pray strictly for vocations to the priesthood. PRIESTHOOD!   Deacons are great, but they are not priests.   Religious women are great, but they are not priests.  Religious men are find, but that is its own vocation.  Married people are wonderful, but with a super small number of exceptions it is morally tedious to recount, they are not priests.

Often prayers for “vocations” are all lumped together, probably so as to avoid one of the great modern mortal sins: not being inclusive.

Fine.  Do that.  Pray for “vocations”.

But let us pray for PRIESTS…. priestly vocations… vocations to the PRIESTHOOD.

And another thing… this is the Year for Priests.  Yet I see this project and that effort for prayer for bishops, seemingly all the time.   Great!  Pray for bishops.  Bishops are priests too.    Bishops need constant prayers.  I too am constantly telling people, imploring people to pray for our bishops, upon whom so much depends.  I pray for a list of bishops after every Mass.   But can priests have their year?  Please?  We pray for bishops all the time.  It seems like every year is the year for bishops, right?  At every Mass we pray for bishops by name, for heaven’s sake!

Okay… I must get back to work.

Thus endeth the rant.

“O My God, give us priests; My God give us holy priests; My God, give us many holy priests!”

The Foundation of Physical

And Spiritual Death

I have often said that contraception is the foundation of all the attacks on life that we currently see happening all around us.  Contraception is the true foundation of the culture of death, and to tear down the culture of death’s infrastructure Catholics must wake up to the fact that contraception is INTRINSICALY EVIL (never permissible).  Our prayer should be that God will grant us courageous priest who will speak out about the foundation of the culture of death because the priest’s immortal soul and the souls of Catholics under his care depend on it. From contraception, to abortion, to partial-birth abortion, to infanticide, to Embryonic Stem Cell Research, to euthanasia we continue to march towards oblivion while a lot of the time there is little or no warning from the pulpit.  The proceeding article is taken from the National Catholic Register, and it underlies the fact that contraception is the foundation of the culture of death.   Jeff Gares

In 2009, in response to the Pope’s comments about condoms and AIDS in Africa, Knox said that the Pope is “hurting people in the name of Jesus.”  This past week, Knox was asked if he stood by this statement and he answered with an emphatic “I do.”

Knox’s statement is as ignorant as it is lacking in integrity.  Why, last year even the leftist Washington Post conceded “The pope may be right.”

In 2003, Norman Hearst and Sanny Chen of the University of California conducted a condom effectiveness study for the United Nations’ AIDS program and found no evidence of condoms working as a primary HIV-prevention measure in Africa.

So why would an adviser to President Obama’s on faith-based issues stand by such an offensive and unscientific remark?  Why accuse the Pope, and by extension the entire Church—an organization that unarguably helps more people than any other—of hurting people in the name of Jesus?

Believe it or not, this is really about abortion.  Knox and others recognize, wittingly or unwittingly, that the foundation of modern sexual liberation relies upon denying or removing any of the consequences of that sinful behavior, even to the point of killing. They also know that the contraceptive mentality underpins the entire culture of death.  The contraceptive and utilitarian view of life and of procreation is the “mitochondrial Eve” from which all the horrors of the culture of death are descended.  Abortion, ESCR, and euthanasia all call contraception “mother.”

That is why any acknowledgment, no matter how trivial, obvious, or scientific, that calls into question the magic consequence-erasing power of contraception must be attacked with all vigor.

The Catholic Church’s consistent and unbending opposition to the contraceptive culture makes it the perennial target of promoters of the culture of death.  This can also be seen in previous anti-Catholic comments by Knox on homosexuality and the Church in reference to a lesbian couple being denied communion.

“In this holy Lenten season, it is immoral and insulting to Jesus to use the body and blood of Christ the reconciler as a weapon to silence free speech and demean the love of a committed, legally married couple. The Human Rights Campaign grieves with the couple, Leah Vader and Lynne Huskinson, over this act of spiritual and emotional violence perpetrated against them.”

While Knox ostensibly and offensively comments on a different topic, lesbianism and communion, the reason remains the same . What this quote shows is that Knox’s anti-Catholicism is as strategic as it is deep-seated.  Unfortunately, President Obama hired Knox for a reason and continues to stand behind him no matter how many anti-Catholic statements he makes. President Obama supports Knox because he understands the same thing that Knox does, that the entire culture of death is built on the foundation of contraception and One doesn’t undermine the foundation when One lives in the penthouse.

Is Our Catholic Bishops Catholic?

You Wouldn’t Know It
From The People They Hire!

Thanks for PewSitter with an excellent article revealing the outright disgusting and scandalous actions of the USCCB’s Socials Justice Committee.

God grant us courageous Bishops willing to stand up to the USCCB liberal undercurrent.

Washington, DC – February 4, 2010 – Already embroiled in an abortion scandal, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops will host a line-up of progressive leaders – including prominent pro-abortion activists – to their “Catholic Social Gathering” in Washington, D.C., Feb. 7-10.
The announced USCCB “gathering” conference comes on the heels of revelations the USCCB has long standing ties to the radically pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage group Center for Community Change. New evidence continues to emerge that the CCC is only a small part of a larger collaboration with organizations that promote abortion and homosexual rights agendas.

Presenting at the Social Gathering will be:

-Fr. Thomas Reese, who was forced to resign as editor of America Magazine by the Vatican for his refusal to stop publishing articles which question church orthodoxy on issues like contraception, human embryonic stem-cell research, same-sex marriage, homosexual priests, mandatory clerical celibacy, and whether Catholic politicians who support abortion rights should be given communion

-Diana Hayes, professor of systematic theology at Georgetown University and noted speaker for Call to Action, the “Catholic” dissident group. Hayes is a homosexuality activist who wrote a book espousing liberation theology, calls for women’s ordination and promotes same-sex “marriage.”

- Page six of the official “Catholic Social Gathering” program gives a schedule for the Catholic Labor Network Gathering. USCCB exec John Carr is scheduled to join Paul Booth on a panel discussion. Paul Booth and his wife Heather Booth (another prominent pro-abortion activist with ties to the National Organization for Women, who helped organize a group called “JANE” in 1965 which helped young women obtain illegal abortions) founded the Midwest Academy a training institute for progressive activists.

-Paul Booth and his wife have served as host committee members for the National Organization for Women’s Intrepid Awards Gala.

-Currently Paul Booth is executive assistant to the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The AFSCME endorsed the pro-abortion March for Freedom of Choice, held in Washington, D.C. in 2004.

These speakers were invited by the USCCB.

“Looking at this speaker lineup, one wonders if  USCCB staff is thinking clearly about Catholic Social Teaching. Why are those who represent openly anti-life and pro-homosexualist organizations treated as experts in the field of peace and justice by Catholics who should know better?” asked Michael Hichborn, American Life League’s lead researcher into the USCCB.

Fidelity to the Gospel
Frees You With The Truth

London, England (CNN) — A furor has erupted in Britain over comments by the pope seen as critical of a new law the Roman Catholic church fears will force it to accept homosexuals into its ranks.

In remarks to 35 British and Welsh Catholic bishops during a visit to the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to challenge what he said were attempts to restrict religious freedoms.

“Your country is well known for its firm commitment to equality of opportunity for all members of society,” the pope said, according to the Vatican Information Service.

“Yet, the effect of some of the legislation designed to achieve this goal has been to impose unjust limitations on the freedom of religious communities to act in accordance with their beliefs.”

The Catholic News Service said pope’s comments were a direct assault on a new Equality Bill under debate in the British Parliament that the Catholic clergy say will expose them to prosecution if they reject priesthood candidates on the basis of sexual orientation.

The upper House of Lords has amended the legislation to exempt priests or ministers, but both the Roman Catholic Church and Church of England say it still affects other clerical staff and have called for a return to the status quo.

Pope Benedict, who is due to visit the UK this year, urged the bishops to uphold religious principles and press their case with “national debate through respectful dialogue with other elements in society,” CNS reported.

“When so many of the population claim to be Christian, how could anyone dispute the Gospel’s right to be heard?” he said.

“Fidelity to the Gospel in no way restricts the freedom of others — on the contrary, it serves their freedom by offering them the truth,” he said.

Britain’s conservative Daily Telegraph newspaper described the comments, which come ahead of a general election that could unseat the ruling Labour Party, as a “strongly worded intervention in British politics.”

Gavin D’Costa, a professor in Catholic Theology at the UK’s University of Bristol said the pope was more likely to be airing the concerns of his bishops than wading in with direct criticism of British political policy.

“He is speaking about a theme, about how the state and religion relate and whether the state has a right to interfere with the running of religious groups,” he told CNN.

The Passionists Need You To Help With Haiti Earthquake

Fr. Rick Frechette, CP American physician and Passionist priest, has been serving in Haiti for the last 22 years. Most recently he has been overseeing the 120 bed children’s hospital, St. Damien’s, located in Port-Au-Prince. The hospital provides long-term care to critically ill children and provides outpatient service to over 30,000 children and adults each year.

According to Fr. Rick, the hospital has been severely damaged by Tuesday’s earthquake. Parts of the hospital and the chapel have collapsed entirely, in addition to much of the wall surrounding the property.

Fr. Rick was in the U.S. attending to his dying mother at the time of the earthquake but is already on his way back to Haiti. Even prior to the earthquake, Fr. Rick has stated that he has never seen any place as devastated as Haiti with its heartbreaking poverty and desperate living conditions. This latest event compounds what is already a severely distressed city and country, with children being the most vulnerable to the effects of this cataclysmic occurrence.
Please send a donation today to help Fr. Rick in his vital ministry to Haiti’s children.

Fr. Rick Frechette with Pope John Paul

Having lived in Haiti for many years, Fr. Rick will be able to assess where the need is greatest and use your contribution to its maximum potential. With ongoing waves of injured and orphaned children needing immediate attention, 100% of your donation will go to Fr. Rick and his ministry to the neediest of children.
Surely we are witnessing the Passion of Christ unfolding in Haiti. As a Passionist, I hope that together we can help to shoulder this cross.

Please click here to make your online donation. Select “Haitian Relief” from the drop-down menu.

Most importantly, please keep Fr. Rick, his colleagues and staff, and most of all the children of Haiti in your thoughts and prayers. Any amount contributed to this relief effort, I am confident, will bless you a hundredfold in return.
Yours in Christ Crucified,

Father James, CP
P.S. Find our Passionist fan page on Facebook and follow Fr. Rick’s story.

Before You Forget, Donate Now!

What are your thoughts?   Please leave a comment.

To Man of Mary!

Most would think that it is not possible for a priest of Satan to become a saint in the Catholic Church.  However, as you will see, it is not only possible, but we have an example in the person of Blessed Bartolo Longo.

Bartolo was born in Latiano Italy, and he was raised in a devout Catholic home and was considered a pious child. However, this all changed when he went off to the University of Naples.  There Bartolo studied philosophy under a fallen away Catholic priest, and thus Bartolo’s entire world view changed dramatically.  Bartolo also started to hang with the wrong kinds of people, he became emirshed in the occult, and eventually became a priest of Satan.  It was said that at Bartolo’s ordination into the satanic priesthood that evil spirits could be heard shrieking and cursing.

Following his entrance into the satanic priesthood Bartolo’s physical and mental health declined, and Bartolo fell into a very deep depression.  After awhile, Bartolo began to think that something was truly wrong with him so he set out to visit his friend Vincenzo Pepe, who was a devout Catholic.  After meeting with  Vincenzo Pepe, Bartolo decided to quit satanism and he returned to the Church.   However, Bartolo fretted that because he was a former priest of Satan that God would not forgive him of his sins, and that he was predestined for hell.  However, one day Bartolo heard that one of Our Lady’s promises about her Rosary was that those who will promote and propagate this devotion will not suffer the fires of hell. So from that moment on, Bartolo promoted the rosary far and wide, and he took the Lay Dominican name of Brother Rosary.

Bartolo became a great Marian apostle. His prayer and spirituality was based on the most holy Rosary which is why John Paul II mentioned Bartolo several times in his Apostolic Letter on the Rosary.

There are a couple lessons that we can learn from Blessed Bartolo’s life.  The first lesson is that no matter how far we have fallen, God will always forgive us and take us back if we are truly sorry.  Second, there is no limit to the power of the rosary.  There is no evil be it in our own lives, in our family, or in society at large that can not be defeated if we would just humble ourselves, and PRAY THE ROSARY!!

God bless!

Jeffrey David

There is still the Light of Christ

“In the night when all sound, all activity of men shall be silent, when the voices of all men and of all nations are still, may my soul, through its good works, shine out in you, O Jesus, light of the just. In that hour when darkness like a cloak shall be spread over all things, may your grace, O Lord, shine on us in place of the earthly sun. In that night which brings to an end the course of this world and all its activities, may our souls behold your wonders in that quiet which is more than silence. In that hour, refreshing the weary through the sleep that lies on all men, may our minds be inebriated with your delights, O delight of all the Saints! In that time of dark night, may a new sun arise for us. Then let us take wing in that hope which was laid up for us in your resurrection.”

~ Saint Ephrem the Syrian, deacon and hermi

Even in our present time of increasing darkness we should take care not to focus so much on it, because if we focus too much on the darkness we run the risk of being overcome by it.  Instead let us focus on the saving power of Christ.  The Light who Shines in the darkness.

Blogged by:  Jeffrey David

Lady of Fatima Church needs less programs, more prayer and penance!!

Today is the 92nd anniversary of the last appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the three shepherd children Lucia, Jacinta, and Francisco in Portugal in 1917. The visions occurred on the 13th day of each month from May to October, and by October huge crowds were gathering at the site of the visions and reporting visions and miraculous occurrences themselves.

What is the Message of Fatima?

The public message of Fatima recalls that of Lourdes. Through the children Mary urges prayer for sinners, recitation of the Rosary, and works of penance. On October 13 she said: “I have come to exhort the faithful to change their lives, to avoid grieving Our Lord by sin; to pray the Rosary.”

But Mary also confided several “secrets” to the children, some of which Lucy subsequently transmitted. Presumably there was prediction of another war in the near future and a request for special veneration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the spread of communism. The final secret was in-regards to the  general falling away from faith that would come upon the world in the not too distant future if men did not amend their lives. Obviously this secret has been playing out over the course of a generation or two.

The message of Fatima is a simple one. If we are to convert sinners and realize peace in our world, we must pray the rosary daily and do penance. As the angel of Portugal said, “In this way, and in no other way, you will obtain peace for yourselves, for your family, for your country, and for your world.

edited by:  Jeffrey David

Although the so called “Freedom of Choice Act” has not been mentioned much lately, I feel that it would be wise to use every spiritual means necessary to assist in the defeat of this evil law.  I would  like to propose the following list that all Catholics can do to try and defeat this evil law: 

1) I would encourage all Catholics to pray the rosary and do penance for the defeat of this law.

2) We should also pray for the enlightenment of our new president, who is a sign of great hope for many, but to quote Pope John Paul II, “a nation that kills its own children is truly a nation without hope.”

3) Lastly, I would strongly encourage all Catholics to pray for the grace to accept more faithfully, in humility and obedience, Our Lord’s teaching, through His Church in-regards to all life issues, including remaining open to life.  Thus, by doing so, we can truly begin to build a culture of life, in word and in deed.

Abortion, in general, and specifically, what is proposed in the Freedom of Choice Act is not a right or a freedom, it is an abuse of freedom, and a license to kill, which is never a right. The abuse of freedom always results in the loss of freedom. The unborn already have no right, to their fundamental right, which is life, if someone deems that the child should be killed.  If the Freedom of Choice Act passes, then it will be the death of Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, and a host of other liberties.

Ultimately our fight is not with the pro-abortion groups, or pro-abortion politicians, our fight is against the powers and principalities of this world.  While we want to save as many babies as possible, our greatest concern should be for the souls of those proponents of death who are so ensnared by the evil one. Let us pray the rosary for their conversions because we are our brothers keeper.

Blogged by:  Jeffrey David