BIG C CATHOLICS

Thought of the Day Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers. -- Mother Teresa

To those who have served/are serving this nation in uniform we are in your debt. To everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice or been wounded in preserving our freedom, we offer our heartfelt prayers and gratitude. This Memorial Day, thank a veteran.

Saint Longinus (pictured) is the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus in the side with a lance. He is the centurion present at the Crucifixion, who testified, "In truth this man was the son of God." Longinus converted to Christianity after the Crucifixion and became a martyr.

Robert Colquhoun A child is a blessing to parents. A new baby girl or boy is a new soul that did not exist before. Parents co-operate with the creative power of God in procreation. This comes with a profound responsibility in bringing up children. As secular society has lost the reverence for the wellsprings of human life, Christians are called to be salt for the earth in having respect for the transmission of life and love. What do parents want for their children? Most parents want their children to be happy, well educated, well informed and well brought up. The majority of Catholics want their children to have a strong mature faith, the courage and ability to make good life choices, faithfulness to Church teaching and to live in a state of grace. Most parents want their children to be living a Sacramental life, going to Mass, having a good prayer life and doing works of charity in support of the vulnerable. How do parents prepare their children for heaven? We need to be able to teach

Thought of the Day Believe me, the writing of pious books, the composing of the sublimest poetry; all that does not equal the smallest act of self-denial -- St Therese of Lisieux

Fr. Rene Butler Imagine you are one of the disciples gathered in the upper room, Acts 1:14 – “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” You hear something like a mighty wind. You see something like tongues of fire. You feel something happening within you and in the whole group. You do something: you start to speak in ways you have never spoken before. This is a pivotal event in the life of the disciples. The death and resurrection of Jesus were pivotal for their faith. Pentecost is pivotal for their life. Nothing will ever be the same again. We have all had experiences we will never forget. Whether they are positive or negative, they are pivotal. They are more than memories to us. In the creed we say: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life.” This is more than remembering. “The Lord formed man from the earth and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a livi

Pentecost is one of the most important feasts in the liturgical calender, celebrated on the 49th day (7 weeks) after Easter Sunday - or the 50th day inclusively. Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday. Historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot or the day, fifty days after the Exodus, on which God gave the Ten Command-ments at Mount Sinai. Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Book of Acts. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as "the Church's birthday". The story is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, ( Acts 2:1 – 4 ) "On the day of Pentecost all the Lord’s followers were together in one place. Suddenly there was a noise from heaven like the sound of a mighty wind! It filled the house where they were meeting. Then they saw what looked like fiery tongues moving in all directions, and a tongue came and settled on ea

Thought of the Day God does not require of us extraordinary things. -- St. John Vianney 

Fr. Frank Pavone The letter to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus Christ made the sacrifice of Himself upon the cross “through the eternal spirit”. This makes sense, because the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and the Son, a love that is then poured out on us. It is in the Holy Spirit that we too have the power to love, which consists in giving ourselves away for the good of the other. “There is no greater love than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends”. Such is to be our response to the unborn. We sacrifice our time, efforts, possessions, positions, and reputations, in order to save their lives. By filling us with this love, Holy Spirit unites the human family, whereas abortion divides it.

A new Gallup poll released Friday showed that slightly more Americans call themselves pro-life than pro-choice, continuing a trend of a more pro-life sentiment among Americans that began last year. According to the poll, which surveyed 1,029 adults May 3 - 6, 47% of Americans are pro-life, while 45% are pro-choice. Excellent, especially because the numbers represent an increase in the number of young people who identify themselves as "pro-life". So, this is good news but (there always seems to be a "but") ... Despite the increase in pro-life sentiment, the poll found that the number of Americans who view abortion as morally wrong actually dropped. In 2009, 56% of Americans found abortion as morally wrong, while in 2010, 50% found it morally wrong. The one-year 6% swing is suspect as is the apparent differentiation of the meaning of the word "pro-life" from the belief that abortion is immoral. In other words, there seems to be an inherent contradiction in t

WHAT IS PENTECOST? Pentecost is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHAT HAPPENED ON PENTECOST? Ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven, the twelve apostles, Jesus' mother and family, and many other of His disciples gathered together in Jerusalem for the Jewish harvest festival that was celebrated on the fiftieth day of Passover. While they were indoors praying, a sound like that of a rushing wind filled the house and tongues of fire descended and rested over each of their heads. This was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on human flesh promised by God through the prophet Joel ( Joel 2:28-29 ). The disciples were suddenly empowered to proclaim the gospel of the risen Christ. They went out into the streets of Jerusalem and began preaching to the crowds gathe

Thought of the Day All men and women are entrusted with the task of creating their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece. --  St. John Paul II

Order out of confusion Fr. Rene Butler Remember learning about mixed metaphors, where two or more incompatible images are used to describe one thing? Years ago I saw a cartoon from the New Yorker magazine, where an executive speaking to his staff says, “Gentlemen, I smell a rat. I can feel it in the air. And I will nip it in the bud!” We seem to have a similar confusion about the Holy Spirit, presented in the New Testament as a dove, wind, fire, and called “Paraclete,” which in turn is translated sometimes as Comforter and sometimes as Advocate. The hymn “Veni Sancte Spiritus” calls on the Spirit to “melt the frozen, warm the chill,” just after describing the Spirit as “Grateful coolness in the heat.” But all this isn’t so strange as it might at first appear. The key lies in John 3:8 , “The wind blows where it wills… but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” (See 1 Corinthians 12 , Galatians 5:22-23 for just a few examples.) The Spirit is “spontaneous,” unp

Dale O'Leary In the earlier parts of this series, we reviewed the examination made of the Sexual Revolution by the book Love and Responsibility. This work of the future John Paul II revealed that this sexual freedom was fundamentally anti-person. Catholic sexual morality, based on the truth about the human person, is by contrast the path to true love. In the sexual licentiousness, persons are inevitably reduced to objects to be used to maximize the pleasure of others. This creates a ‘Sinful love’ in which the will puts emotion before the person, allowing it to annul all the objective laws and principles which must govern the unification of two persons. We also examined the structure of a utilitarian relationship, its inevitable damage and the reaction of those who feel used. In this summarizing article, we’ll examine the flawed logic of the sexual revolution, its unintended consequences and the reaction it engendered. Calculating the Consequences The Sexual Revolutionaries initiall

Thought of the Day If we have any natural defect, either in mind or body, let us not grieve and feel sorry for ourselves. Who can tell whether, if we had been given a larger share of ability or stronger health, or greater wealth, we would have possessed them to the destruction of our soul! -- St. Alphonsus Liguori

This is the first in what will be a series of posts on how to go to confession. What is the Sacrament of Penance? Penance (Confession, Reconciliation) is the sacrament in which the priest, in God’s name, forgives one’s sins committed after Baptism and reconciles one with God and the Church. The priest has the authority to forgive sins (absolution) because Christ said to His Apostles, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained” (John 20:22-23). That power has been passed on to their successors, the bishops and priests. When Should I go to Confession? A Catholic who has committed a mortal sin should go to confession as soon as possible, assuming he/she has contrition for any serious sins committed. It is a precept of the Church (ccc 2042) that “You shall confess your sins at least once a year.” However, if is highly recommended to go monthly to confession, even if one has committed only venial sins. T

Thought of the Day The Lord measures our perfection neither by the multitude nor the magnitude of our deeds, but by the manner in which we perform them. -- St. John of the Cross

Thought of the Day You ask me a method of attaining perfection. I know of love - and only love. Love can do all things -- St Therese of Lisieux

This is the trailor for the new movie "Bloodmoney" Wonder how many theaters will show it...

Thought of the Day It is impossible for a person who prays regularly to remain in serious sin; because the two are incompatible, one or the other will have to be given up. -- St. Teresa of Avila

Father Michael J. Woolley Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense, my reward with me. Jesus, who this past Thursday Ascended into Heaven, is coming soon back to us. On Pentecost Sunday He will come into the hearts of the disciples in the Upper Room, bringing them “His reward”, the Holy Spirit, with Him. (St. Paul, incidentally, calls the Holy Spirit the “down payment” of that reward given to all who follow Jesus in this life. On judgment day, Jesus will “pay in full” each person according to his or her deeds.) This time between Ascension Thursday and Pentecost Sunday is kind of a mini-Advent for the Church, it is a time of waiting for God to come to us in a more powerful way. On Ascension Thursday Jesus told the disciples Go and make disciples of all nations . . . .but first, wait. Wait in the Upper Room and pray for the coming of my Holy Spirit. And this “mini-Advent” period of waiting for the coming of God the Holy Spirit into the world was much shorter and

Bodily Suffering in Sickness Pope John Paul spoke to a gathering of sick people outside the Monastery of Jasna Gora, the famous Marian Shrine in Poland. This is what he told them: My pilgrimage to Poland cannot go without a word to the sick, who are so close to my heart. I know, my dear friends, how in your letters to me you often write that you are offering for my intentions the heavy cross of your illness and suffering, that you are offering it for my mission as Pope. May the Lord reward you. Every time I recite the morning, midday, and evening Angelus, I feel, dear fellow-countrymen, your special closeness to me. I unite myself spiritually with all of you. In a particular way I renew the spiritual unity that binds me to every person who is suffering , to everyone who is sick, to everyone confined to a hospital bed, to every invalid tied to a wheel-chair, to every person who in one way or another is meeting his cross. Dear brothers and sisters, every contact with you, no matter

H/T Love Undefiled

Benedict XVI finished the second volume of his work "Jesus of Nazareth," which was given to the publishers a few days ago. A note of the Vatican press office explains that the book focuses on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The first volume of "Jesus of Nazareth" was published in April 2007, coinciding with the Pontiff's 80th birthday. The Vatican clarified that "the German original has been given at the same time to Manuel Herder, the German editor who is publishing the Complete Works of Joseph Ratzinger, and to Father Giuseppe Costa, director of the Libreria Editrice Vaticana. The latter is in charge of the concession of the rights of the author, it will publish the Italian edition and will give the text to other authors for the different translations into other languages, which will be done directly from the German original." "It is hoped that the publication of the book will take place contemporaneously in the most widespread languages

Our Lady, Mother of all men and women, I come before you as a son visiting his Mother, and I do so in company with a multitude of brothers and sisters. As the Successor of Peter, to whom was entrusted the mission of presiding in the service of charity in the Church of Christ and of confirming all in faith and in hope, I wish to present to your Immaculate Heart the joys and hopes as well as the problems and sufferings of each one of these sons and daughters of yours who are gathered in the Cova di Iria or who are praying with us from afar. Mother most gentle, you know each one by name, you know each one’s face and personal history, and you love them all with maternal benevolence that wells up from the very heart of Divine Love. I entrust and consecrate them all to you, Mary Most Holy, Mother of God and our Mother.

Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP A complete circle measures 360 degrees. A complete sentence contains a subject and a predicate. A complete meal is composed of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. To describe something as “complete” is to say that this something's unrealized potential has been fully realized—there is nothing left for it achieve, nothing remaining for it to do in order to be the best possible thing that it can be; it is perfect. So, a circle with only 180 degrees to measure is not a circle. A sentence without a predicate is not a sentence. But if we draw 180 degrees, we see the potential for a complete circle. If we write a word on paper, we can see the potential for a complete sentence. Our ability to recognize the potential for perfection in the imperfect is one way that we are able to fortify ourselves along the Way with Christ. Seeing that our imperfect hope, faith, and love can be made perfect in us, we receive these divine gifts—honing them, sharpening them—and we use

God, I am not sure if you really exist. Accept me with all my doubts and fears And show yourself to me in such a way that I can somehow move forward. Show yourself to me as love, Show yourself to me as forgiveness Show yourself to me as new life, As the promise of a new beginning. If there is anything I have done or not done Which prevents me from seeing you, May I have the strength to turn away from it, And find a wholenesss I have not known before. Jesus, although I do not know who you really are, I invite you to be the one who fills my inner emptiness, Who lightens my darkness, The one I can entrust myself to without reserve As I go forward on this journey of exploration. May I allow myself to be surprised by you, God of surprises, Surprised by a new reality of freedom, joy and peace. Help me in my weakness and doubt as I open my heart to you. Let me know your love for me. H/T Catholic Enquiry Office

Today is Mother's Day. This post is dedicated to my Mother and to mothers everywhere. Icons represent and make present spiritual realities beyond us. Motherhood is a special icon of God's love. I was home schooled by my Mom, loved, nurtured and cared for. To this day she makes sure my Father looks presentable. Her maternal care has sustained our family. Because of her it is easy to believe that God is loving. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!

The Catholic Church from the time of Christ onward has always concerned itself with the poor. Christ Himself was born poor, lived poor and died poor. His ministry seemed to single out the impoverished. Pope Gregory the Great invited indigents to dine at the papal table. But the question of social justice has proven to be a thornier issue in modern times. Mother Teresa’s efforts to support society’s outcasts were prodigious and uncontroversial, but even she was not without her critics. The likes of Dorothy Day, and more recently, liberation theologians who take a more activist approach to social justice questions have proven more controversial. The idea of building the “City of God” here on earth, while noble, is something only God can truly accomplish. Loosing site of this, and the humility it brings, has caused the downfall of many a social justice movement. We should not make gods out of men. We should not make idols out of causes – no matter how well intentioned they may be. Christ

Magnificat magazine is a monthly missal featuring the daily mass readings, night prayer and morning prayer, based on the Liturgy of the Hours, reflections, articles, and more. I find this to be a tremendous spiritual resource and scriptural aid. Magnificat is published twelve times a year, as well as two special editions for Christmas week and Holy week. Masterpieces of Christian art are featured on the cover and a fold out section at the end of each issue. Available in English and Spanish Magnificat is well worth the $44.95 subscription price.

Thought of the Day The essence of virtue consists in the doing what is good rather than what is difficult. -- St. Thomas Aquinas

According to a recent survey, Catholics comprise 25% of the American population. As things stand, the Supreme Court is currently home to six Catholics: Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, and Sonia Sotomayor. That means that six of the nine justices or 66% are Roman Catholics. Some people think that's too many.