St. Francis De Sales

Today the Church honors St. Francis De Sales, a French born aristocrat who decided against his fathers wishes for the 'glory' of secular life and pursued religious life. St. Francis is most noted for his trials and tribulations in his attempts to bring the swiss protestant reformists back to the Church. After months of having the door slammed on him, he resorted to writing 'tracts' or articles defending the Catholic position on many a topic, which is recorded in the book Catholic Controversy. A remarkable work that is bold and forthright. St. Francis, in examining the common stance of the reformists, questions their ability to even call themselves christian in light of their refusal to accept Christ's true presence in the Eucharist.

How much is a teacher like St. Francis needed in the Church today! With many Catholics falling away from the Church with poor excuses for leaving, blaming the sex-abuse scandal and other political reasons. Priests and Bishops are men and men make mistakes! They should never be a reason to leave Christ! "Though the gates of hell shall prevail, my Church will never fall" says Christ. We are the body of Christ.

Catholic Quest Announces New Event "Is This The Face of Jesus?"

Catholic Quest announces a new event scheduled for March and April entitled "Is This The Face of Jesus?" The talk, given at local parishes, will be given by Al Righini, who has rigorously studied the Shroud of Turin. The presentation begins with a general discussion of crucifixion, a brief known history, a detailed description of the cloth, results of the 1978 testing and most important, the circumstantial evidence which he claims shows us emphatically that the Shroud of Turin is indeed the authentic burial cloth of Jesus.

Details can be found here

Mystical Body

Mystical body, veiled as bread and wine, reveal yourself to my heart. I gaze upon you lifted high by Holy hands. The mystery before me is overwhelming and though I cannot comprehend, I believe with all that I am. Come into my heart, mystical body, and enter therein. Dwell within me and drive out all that is not of you.

Pax Domini

Blessed Andre Bessette

Blessed Andre gave credit to St. Joseph every time a miracle was worked because of his intercession. Perhaps this is why he is still a Blessed and not a Saint. The little doorman of Notre Dame College dreamed of an Oratory built in honor of St. Joseph and worked towards that dream never seeing its fulfillment.

I have been to the Oratory and to Notre Dame. Blessed Andre's work came to its fruition and many can come and view the spectacular landscape of Montreal from the top of the Oratory. The most interesting part of the Oratory is in the cellar where Blessed Andre's tomb is. Such an amazing devotion he had to St. Joseph, whom we know so little about. I'd imagine that St. Joseph is reflected in the humility of Blessed Andre.

Blessed Andre, pray for us!

This Week's Readings

In the rite of Christian initiation, we have Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Listening to this week's readings we've been hearing about John the Baptist's mission to baptize those willing to convert and prepare themselves for the coming messiah. Eight days after Christ was born to Mary and Joseph, they brought him to the temple in Jerusalem, which wasn't far from Bethlehem and presented him for circumcision, the Jewish rite of initiation which comes from the days of Moses. Baptism washes us in the grace of God cleansing our soul of the stain of original sin and brings us into the spiritual life. Administered by a Priest, Deacon, or even a lay person in times of imminent danger, baptism gives us our first meeting with the Holy Spirit.

Christ, baptized in the Jordan by John did not receive baptism out of necessity, but so that the prophecies may be fulfilled and that other's would follow his example. Just as Mary, born without sin, didn't need to purify herself before approaching the temple, but did anyway. John's mission was different than Christ's as mentioned in today's Gospel. John saw himself as "not fit to loose the thongs on his sandals." He told his followers "I baptize with water, but he will come who will baptize with the spirit and fire." Although Christ never baptized the way John did his actions in the upper room at the last supper give us a clue as to what John was foretelling. Culminating in the action of the Holy Spirit resting on the Apostles' heads as tongue's of fire at Pentecost, Christ, being the third person of the Holy Trinity, gave the disciples that 'paraclete', the Holy Spirit, who empowered the Apostles with his gifts of fortitude, wisdom, counsel, understanding, piety, knowledge, and fear of the Lord.

St. Paul remind's tells the Jewish converts to be 'uncircumcised.' That God regarded the empty rituals of the Jews as vile and repulsive to him for they had no love of God even though they practiced what he asked of them. Christ is the new covenant that fulfills all of the previous covenantal claims on man and brings man closer to God through the new covenant. Instituting the Eucharist, Baptism, and Confirmation as the new rites of initiation. We recall what Jesus told Nicodemus, who couldn't understand Christ's analogy "Unless a man be born again..." then he couldn't be saved or live eternally with the Father, therefore requiring baptism in the spirit as preparation for everlasting life.

Let us empty ourselves of all that we are and let Christ reveal himself to us this Christmas season. Let us recall our baptism. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen us and assure us of the salvation we long for. Sing Alleluia!

St. John Neumann

Although serving as a priest in America, St. John Neumann was a Bohemian first (just like our current Pope), and studied in the seminaries in Prague, but the Bishop there halted the ordination of priests because there were too many. Neumann wrote to the Catholic Bishops in New York and became a priest there in a church that had no steeple or floor! He was able to speak multiple languages which allowed him to hear confessions in the native tongue of the confessor.

Let us pray to St. John Neumann for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Today the Church recongnizes the life and work of Elizabeth Ann Seton founder of the Sisters of Charity, the first American religious society. We find in Elizabeth great joy in the beginning of her life and marriage. A protestant (Anglican) at first being converted in Pisa, Italy after the untimely death of her husband.

As a homeschooling family, as many other homeschooling families in our group, the Seton homeschooling program, and the teachings and discipline of that program, have been a source of great encouragement and hope for us. It is with great respect and honor that we pay tribute to this remarkable woman today.

Christmas Reflections

Christmas has come and gone again, although me and my family continue celebrating through the Epiphany. We had contemplated on celebrating Christmas solo this year - without family. In the past, some conversations turned sour and our kids were exposed to things we didn't want them to be exposed to. We figured a more focused, somber observation of the 'true' meaning of Christmas somewhere apart from everyone else would be a true reversal of things past.

But this Christmas came off without a hitch. Perhaps our prayers were answered! No matter what anyone said or did, I had the true spirit of joy in my heart that only Christmas can bring. Nothing happened that would have set me off and nothing took away from the holiday. It was truly enjoyable! Praise be Jesus!