BIG C CATHOLICS

From August 7 to August 15, Priests for Life invites believers to pray the Novena in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Lord Jesus Christ, You have conquered the power of death And opened for humanity The hope of eternal life in body and soul. You granted your Mother A share in heavenly glory, And did not allow decay to touch her body. As we prepare for the Feast of the Assumption, Grant us new confidence in the victory of life over death, And renewed reverence for the human body. As we honor Mary, Assumed into Heaven, May we proclaim the hope of Your Gospel: That you want every human life seated on your throne. May that hope strengthen us to protect every life here on earth. You live and reign forever and ever. Amen.

Fr. René J. Butler, M.S. Director, La Salette Shrine Enfield, NH ( Click here for today’s readings )  Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! This passage from Qoheleth (or Ecclesiastes) makes me think of the song made famous by Peggy Lee (pictured), “Is That All There is?” The lyrics express constant disappointment in life: Is that all there is to a fire?... to a circus?... to love? In that case, “let’s keep dancing, bring out the booze and have a ball.” But there is a big difference between Qoheleth and the song. The latter is purely pessimistic, the former is not. In fact, in Qoheleth we read many beautiful and comforting passages: “I recognized that there is nothing better than to be glad and to do well during life.” “For every man, moreover, to eat and drink and enjoy the fruit of all his labor is a gift of God.” “It is well for a man to eat and drink and enjoy all the fruits of his labor under the sun during the limited days of the life which Go

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

Prayer to Saint Joseph for a Difficult Problem O Glorious St. Joseph, thou who hast power to render possible even things which are considered impossible, come to our aid in our present trouble and distress. Take this important and difficult affair under thy particular protection, that it may end happily. (MENTION YOUR REQUEST) O dear St. Joseph, all our confidence is in thee. Let it not be said that we would invoke thee in vain; and since thou art so powerful with Jesus and Mary, show that thy goodness equals thy power. Amen. St. Joseph, friend of the Sacred Heart, pray for us.

I want to alert you to a great radio program available online called "Christ is the Answer" by Father John Ricarrdo on Ave Maria Radio . "Christ Is the Answer" provides instruction on the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other topics critical to those seeking answers to life’s greatest questions. The show airs from 11-12 M-F and at other times during the week. [Update: this program now airs: Monday - Friday 11:00-11:30 am EST & 2:00-3:00 pm EST.] "All Christ is the Answer" programs are available for free download or podcast in Ave Maria Radio's  Audio Archive . If you would still like to order a copy of any "Christ is the Answer" program with Fr. John Riccardo, please go to the Program Copies page for more information.