BIG C CATHOLICS

Fr. Charles Irvin Senior Priest Diocese of Lansing ( Click here for today’s readings ) Pope Francis caused a bit of a stir when in a homily he suggested that everyone, even atheists, could be saved. This excited newspaper reporters all over the world to declare that according to the Pope everyone will be saved. Actually the news reporters got it wrong. Cooler heads realized that the Pope was simply stating what is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church . It is God’s desire that all men and women of good faith be saved. To that end His Son, Jesus Christ, suffered and died to redeem us, to bring us back to God our Father. Everyone has been, by Christ’s death and resurrection, redeemed. But that doesn’t mean that everyone will be saved. There is a huge distinction between being redeemed and being saved. In His Son, Jesus Christ, God has redeemed all of the children of Adam and Eve. He has breached the chasm between us and released us from the power of death. The word “rede

St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine The prayers of Saint Monica, together with God's grace, turned her wayward son, Saint Augustine, from sinner to saint. St. Monica, model of motherhood, your patience and fervent prayers won for the Church a brilliant mind who himself won many souls. The following prayer for loved ones who have left the Faith invokes St. Monica's help and intercession. Dear Saint Monica, exemplary mother of Saint Augustine. You were once the mournful mother of a prodigal son. Through your constant intercession and God’s grace, he became a great saint. Intercede for families, especially parents, that they lead their children to God. Inspired by your example, we pray that our loved ones that have gone astray may be soon welcomed home to the Church founded by Christ, to live and love in imitation of Him. Amen.

Fr. Charles Irvin Senior Priest Diocese of Lansing ( Click here for today’s readings ) Of the four Gospel accounts written by Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, St. Luke’s has been characterized by some scripture scholars as the most beautiful of them all. St. Luke’s Gospel contains accounts of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, for instance. Mary, the mother of Jesus has a special place in his Gospel. Moreover, St. Luke has a special regard for women, for the hurting, the outcasts, and those who were seen to be at the bottom of the social heap in those days. The tender and compassionate heart of Jesus is prominent in St. Luke’s accounts of His life. Given that context it’s startling to hear the words in today’s Gospel account taken from St. Luke. Whatever happened to the Christmas message about peace on earth and good will toward all men and women? How do we understand the words of the Prince of Peace that we just heard in today’s Gospel? There are those who think of

(Note: This year, Saint Maximilian Kolbe's feast day, August 14th, 2016, is superseded by the Sunday Liturgy.) Saint Maximilian Kolbe is perhaps best known for offering himself in place of another prisoner consigned to die at the Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz. Father Kolbe was arrested in Poland in February, 1941, and sent to Auschwitz three months later. There, he eventually laid down his life for fellow prisoner, Franciszek Gajowniczek. He died on August 14, 1941, at age 47. Throughout a life of heroic virtue, St. Maximilian Kolbe extolled the incomparable divine gift that is Christ, truly present, in the Most Holy Eucharist. If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion. *** God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar. ***  You come to me and unite Yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. Your Blood now runs in mine, Your Soul, Incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and suppo

August 13th, is the Optional Memorial of Saints Pontian and Hippolytus. Though once stanch adversaries, they received the crown of martyrdom hours apart as friends and brothers in Christ. Both were victims of Christian persecution under the Emperor Maximinus, who decreed that leaders of the Church be arrested and banished to the labor mines of Sardinia, a brutal existence regarded as a death sentence. Pope Pontian reigned over the Church from 230-235. His pontificate is noted for the condemnation of Origen by a Roman synod. Hippolytus was an eloquent preacher and a brilliant theologian. Saint Jerome praised him as a man of extraordinary intelligence. His greatest gift to the Church is composing the second Eucharistic prayer . Yet, Hippolytus opposed Pope Pontian in laying claim to the papacy. Despite causing a schism and defying the Church for eighteen years as the first antipope, Hippolytus eventually reconciled with Rome. He has the unique distinction as the only antipope to be ca

August 12, 2016 Saint John Vianney dedicated his priesthood to rooting out and defeating sin. He preached of God's mercy and dispensed it in the confessional. He longed for the conversion of all souls to Christ. May we turn our hearts to God with joy, knowing that He loves us completely and desires only what is good for us. Novena Prayer, Day Nine: St. John Vianney, you never let an opportunity to enlighten people and save souls pass you by. Through your efforts, many people have experienced moral and spiritual renewal. Pray that God grant me the same zeal to make His love known to all my neighbors, so that all of us may learn to despise all forms of sin. Let all my actions reveal an awakened love of God by through my interactions with my fellow men. Believing in the power of your kind intercession, I humbly ask you to pray for me and the special intention I am hoping God will grant me through this novena. (here mention your special intention) St. John Vianney, Pr

Saint Jane Frances de Chantal was a prolific writer of letters concerning the spiritual formation and well-being of her correspondents. Men and women from every walk of life sought out her wisdom and insight. In this letter to her fellow Visitation sisters, Mother Chantal dispenses with motherly tenderness advice to her 'daughters' on successfully living out their vocations. Letter of Mother Chantal to the Sisters of the Monastery of the Visitation (Annecy, France) 16th February 1615 Excuse me, I beg of you, my dearest and very good Sisters, if I do not answer you each one separately, which indeed the kindness you have shown me deserves that I should do, and my affection for you would desire: but neither head nor leisure permit it, and besides, God be thanked for it, I see no necessity to write to any one in particular. Persevere in your good desires and every day become more faithful to the observance of your holy Rules and love them better. This alone, believe me, sh