Catholics Come Home

Our Life as a Movie .... Could you really stand to watch such a movie?

What is your testimony?

Why I am so proud to be a Catholic..... come Join the Family.

Our diocese has almost 1 million Catholics, but only 136,000 attend weekly Mass. Where are the other 850,000 Catholics?

In our parish alone, we have 1700 registered families, around 4000 individuals, but our last mass count showed that only an average of 950 attend mass. Where are the other 3,000?

The truth is that many are not attending church at all, and some are even attending fundamentalist churches.

Through the wisdom of our bishop, there is something exceptional that is about to occur throughout our diocese. Something with such power, that it is going to bring strayed and fallen away Catholics back to our church by the thousands.

The Diocese of Sacramento has committed to begin airing thousands of prime-time TV commercials in English and Spanish on networks and cable TV stations inviting Catholics to return to the Catholic Church.

The advertising campaign called “Catholics Come Home” will take place during Advent and includes 3 different commercials that will air more than 2,900 times in the Chico-Redding media markets.

Did you know that the average American watches 5 hours of TV per day? And with the number of ads planned, airing from December 18th through January 31st the AVERAGE person in the Redding area will see these ads 54 times.

Last year, a diocese similar in size to ours, the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, which has 1.1 million Catholics, tested these Ads for 3 weeks during Lent, and they experienced 92,000 Catholics returning to The Church.

Yes, you heard me correctly, 92,000 fallen away Catholics returned.

The studies show that from this campaign, 90% of those returning to the church “just show up,” no calls, no questions, they are just back at church sitting in the pews.

So what is your part in all of this?

I can think of 2 ways that you can help.

FIRST: Be aware that these commercials are going to hit the public, are going to hit the fallen away Catholics when they don’t expect it. I ask that you pray God speaks to their hearts and that they follow God’s invitation to return home.

SECOND: Be aware that 100’s of fallen away Catholics will be returning to our parish. Look out for them, be aware of just how welcoming, inviting, and loving we can be to them.

I am so excited about this opportunity for evangelizing so many of our separated brothers and sisters and our inviting their return back to the church.

Let us never forget, that we have been directed by Jesus to evangelize the world by spreading the good news, the message of repentance, forgiveness, hope, and everlasting life.

I thank you for your prayers, your help, and the love you are going to show to these ever so special individuals and families.

Let us pray for them…

Dear Lord, may our hearts and minds be nourished by your sustaining love,
may our words and actions be guided by your ever present grace,
That all who seek to know you; encounter you here,
That all who seek to serve you; be welcomed to the vineyard
That all who seek to love you; know that they are loved.
That all who seek to return to their Catholic faith may be welcomed and received.
Amen.

The perfect gift for your "30 Something" Priest!

I don't know about you, but I love seeing clergy (priests) wearing their collars. I didn't realize that in some other cultures, many priests often don't wear their roman collars "all the time."

A few years ago we received a young Filipino priest who just loved secular clothes. He would wear his roman collar during regular business hours, but then would change into nice secular clothes.

This behavior seemed very odd to me at first, especially since I had become very good friends with a different young priest a few years prior, and all he would wear was his roman collar, unless we were lifting weights or kayaking. I liked the idea that there was no doubt to anyone around him, nor himself, that he was a priest.

I liked the image, the message that it portrayed, I guess similar to a nun in a habit.... it speaks of God and God's presence.

Well anyway, the t-shirt shown above would be a great gift for that priest who likes to change into regular clothes after business hours........ Think he would notice the creative symbolism?

What does the Devil really sound Like, and how does he think? Check this out!

From the award-winning audio drama team that brought you Radio Theatre’s Amazing Grace and The Chronicles of Narnia.

In his enduringly popular masterpiece The Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis re-imagines Hell as a gruesome bureaucracy.

With spiritual insight and wry wit, Lewis suggests that demons, laboring in a vast enterprise, have horribly recognizable human attributes: competition, greed, and totalitarian punishment.

Avoiding their own painful torture as well as a desire to dominate are what drive demons to torment their “patients.”

The style and unique dark humor of The Screwtape Letters are retained in this full-cast dramatization, as is the original setting of London during World War II. The story is carried by the senior demon Screwtape played magnificently by award-winning actor Andy Serkis (“Gollum” in Lord of the Rings) as he shares correspondence to his apprentice demon Wormwood.

All 31 letters lead into dramatic scenes, set in either Hell or the real world with humans—aka “the patient,” as the demons say—along with his circle of friends and family.

This Radio Theatre release also stars Geoffrey Palmer (Tomorrow Never Dies), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sweeney Todd), Eileen Page (The Secret Garden), and other world-class actors.

Includes 10 new songs inspired by the classic book, four behind-the-scenes video documentary featurettes, and a 5.1 surround sound mix. Four CDs, approx. 4 hours total.

Check this out.... it will send chills down your spine!

Do You Realize Just How Special You Are?

So many people have such a dislike of themselves.

They compare themselves to others and feel inferior.

The problem with comparing, is that one usually finds themselves comparing themselves against the unique gifts of others, their talents, wishing they could be as talented, as pretty, as attractive, as strong, as funny, as intelligent, as athletic, etc.

The only person we truly know, completely know, good qualities, faults, and fears is ourself.

When we begin to compare ourselves against others, we begin to compare our entire being, the good, the bad, and the ugly, against our limited perception of the other person.

Not a fair fight one might say.

We can only see in the other person what they are willing to show of themselves, what about those hidden issues? Not a fair comparisons.

And what makes this issue of comparing ever worse, one might find themselves comparing themselves against the best qualities of numerous different people all at once.

What.... comparing one person against the best qualities of 10 different people..... Not Fair!

As my North Dakota Cousins might say "Ya Bet Ya!"

If you find yourself beginning to compare yourself to others, run away from such a thought and run fast... it can only bring despair, depression, and sadness...all of which is grounded in a false sense of reality and even more important, a false sense of truth!

God has created all of us so very uniquely, and created us for a particular purpose in life. Never compare yourself or your accomplishments to others, that was not God's plan for you.

God has a particular purpose for you unique to anyone else's plan or purpose. It has nothing to do with anyone else's abilities or accomplishments, it is about you and God.

I often think of Mother Teresa.

To just look at her, she might be considered, well lets keep this real, she is down right Not Attractive.

But, how many people would describe her as simply beautiful.

I would.

She radiated beauty.

Do you think she compared her looks against others.

I doubt it.

She was more concerned about living her life as God was directing her, uniquely her, and was trying to be the instrument that God created her to be.

Forget about everyone else, and be the person, the unique person that God has created you to be.

You will find such freedom is such thinking, you will not only feel wonderful, you will radiate a pureness, a uniqueness, a charism that is independently you.

Beautifully you!

Can you see the inner beauty when it is unleashed and not held up to,

not compared to, anything, but just enjoyed as a gift from God.

You have such gifts also, develop them, use them,

Be the unique creature that God created you to be!

HMMMMMMMM

I feeling like some meat today!

On our cross - country pilgrimage this past summer we made sure we ate the specialty food in every state we visited (22 states) and for the first time I realized that Bar-B-Q means something different depending to what state we were in!

A Surprise Package Delivery

We received a package in the mail today.

We opened the package and what did we find, a handmade beautiful Crucifix with a note.

The note was from Perry Gee.

He stated that their mission church, Saint Michael's in Shasta Lake City just celebrated their 50th anniversary in September and in the preparation for the celebration a complete remodel of the church was completed.

During the remodel they needed to dispose of the old altar and the original Communion / Altar Rail.

Upon the dismantling of the altar rail, he noticed that under the yellow dated paint, there was beautiful mahogany wood.

He envisioned making crosses and crucifixes from the old railing.

And then the project began to take form.

Hours and hours went into this project.

He decided that every family in the church should have a crucifix as a memento of the 50th anniversary.

He had a difficult time finding the Jesus Corpus to place on the cross. Then, he found an olive wood supplier in Jerusalem, who was able to obtain pewter figurines from Italy.

He has made over 400 crucifixes from the holy altar rail, every parishioner family has received one.

What a service of love this has been and now through a surprise gift, a kind and generous heart, we have a piece of the story, a piece of the history, and are truly humbled to be even thought of by a good man from a neighboring mission church up the mountain.

- - - - -

If you are wondering how I was able to post the pictures from the surprise gift, I put on my Sherlock Holmes detective hat and downloaded them from his (Perry's) facebook......cleaver huh!

Thank You Perry

and May God Bless you!

33rd Sunday Ordinary Time - Intercessions

That the Church may be a faithful steward of the gift of grace entrusted to her, in order to gather all people into the kingdom of God, We pray to the Lord...

That the Spiritual Leaders of the Church may reflect the love and compassion of Christ and draw their people ever closer to Him, We pray to the Lord...

In gratitude for the many priests who have served the diocese and those who continue in the ministry, may God continue to grant them the grace to be instruments of God’s love and presence, We pray to the Lord...

We pray for the victims of warfare, abuse, neglect, and abortion. That God will continually draw them into his light and instill His power of healing, hope, faith, and peace, We pray to the Lord...

We pray for all those who suffer from despair, especially young people, that God may give them courage to build for the future, We pray to the Lord...

We pray for this community of faith, that we may learn to respond to the signs of the times with wisdom and grace, We pray to the Lord...

Angry or Laugh - How should I respond?

It was a beautiful day outside so I thought I would take the opportunity to enjoy God's creation.

I borrowed my Son's motorcycle and decided to head up the mountain toward Mount Lassen.

I grabbed the camera so I could take a few pictures and planned on blogging the trip.

As I was riding through the beautiful trees, across green valleys, over flowing streams, I stopped often to take pictures.

I was a little worried that the camera might fall out of my jacket pocket so I kept a close eye on it, checking it often.

And then all of the sudden, the camera was gone.

I had only checked on it, felt it in my pocket 1 minute earlier. It must of just fallen out of my pocket.

I told myself, not to worry, it is a tough sports camera, waterproof, and shock proof, I was sure that it could withstand the impact.

So, I turned around and back tracked the 1 mile that it must of fallen out.

There it was on the side of the road, a little banged up, but look functional. However, the side compartment was open. I looked in it and the battery and SD memory card was gone. It couldn't of just fallen out, I search the entire area, then it hit me....... It was stolen!

Within the few minutes that it took me to notice that the camera was missing and to turn around, someone must have seen it on the road, stopped, and stole the battery and memory card.

I just stood there on the side of the road with that empty feeling that you get in your stomach when something bad happens.

I couldn't believe it!

I began to think thoughts like "I can't believe this world that I am living in, the total disregard for honesty, virtue....... the evil."

Then by God's grace I remember something...... On that memory card, I forgot to erase one of my recent homilies that was video taped from Mass.

I then laughed!

The thief who took my memory card, will probably put the card into his computer, and curiosity will lead him to look at the pictures, and then will lead him to click on the video, and what will he see and hear....... My homily!

Just imagine what his thoughts will be, as he or she recognises me from the pictures on the card, now dressed in my alb and stole, and preaching about the evils of the world and God's desire for repentance!

If they are not Catholic, don't know what a deacon is, upon seeing me in clerical clothes, will surly think thay had stolen from a priest!

Do you think there just might be a little guilt and shame?

God works in mysterious ways.

I trust and believe that everything that happens in life can be used to bring people back to Him.

I choose to laugh and to let the anger leave just as quick as it arrived......

I trust in you God!

Communion on the Tongue

The following Sunday at Mass Father Ignatius was determined to make a stand. He approached the lectern confidently and said:“As many of you know by now we had an incident here at last Sunday’s Mass.

Two youngsters came up front for Communion and instead of placing the Host in their mouth when I put it in their hands, they ran away. In their hurry to escape one of them dropped the Host on the floor. The other Host was also retrieved by Father Donald who had followed the youth out in the park.

"What happened here last Sunday is a sacrilege."

The Host as you know is not just a wafer, or a biscuit. It is the Body of Christ. “And I allowed the Body of Christ to be desecrated by handing it out in peoples’ hands. For this grave sin of thoughtlessness I have begged Him for forgiveness. “I am personally responsible for what happened last Sunday to the Body of Christ and I know that I will be answerable to Him personally one day for my sin."

The priest paused for a while.

“I have decided that from today, Communion will no longer be given in the hand in this church. Not as long as I am here."

“From now on, I would like you please to come forward and genuflect side by side here by the Altar rail. I will then give Communion on the tongue as we used to do previously. I’ve discussed this with Father Donald and he agrees and he will be following the same practice too."

“I have also discussed this matter with the Bishop who said that although the decision is ours to make in this parish; he will not be advising other parishes to change their practice. If anyone has a problem with this change please have a word with me afterwards or with Father Donald.”

Father Ignatius stopped for few moments to let the message sink in, then continued: “I think you ought to know that we have identified one of the youngsters who ran away with the Host last Sunday."

“He is a Catholic boy who has in the past attended Mass here and was educated in our local Catholic school.”

The congregation gasped almost in unison. The priest waited for the noise to die down and then went on: “I also feel responsible for that fact in itself. The fact that one of our own children could carry out such a deed proves that we have failed him somehow. It is obvious that we failed to teach him, and possibly other children, the true meaning of the Eucharist. As your priest I am guilty of that grave omission. I fail to understand how a child who took First Communion in this very church and was educated by us, amongst our own, did not understand the reality of Communion."

“I have discussed this at some length with Mother Superior at St Joseph School and the Headmaster at St Andrew’s. Both will take action to remedy the situation. But most of all I would like to plead with you parents. You are the first point of contact with your children, and rightly so. You promised at their Baptism that you will bring them up in the Faith. Please remember this and use every opportunity to teach your young ones the reality that is Christ and His Divinity. Teach them by example. Teach them by words. Teach them by praying together daily as a family, and by reading passages from the Bible. Father Donald and I are here to help you if you wish. The Lord God has given you the gift of children. Your gift to Him is to bring them up in the Faith.”

This post was taken from Time for Reflections

The Flu Shot (Funny Video or Not?)

Now That Is FUNNY!

My Brother Kevin's Cancer Recovery (The Journey Continues)

Well, would you look at that....Guinness, Lamb stew, soda bread.......I thought that guy was supposed to be sick?!

OK, well, the truth is that I really only could get down a few bites of the stew, and mostly the carrots at that. The soda bread, a little dry to begin with anyway, didn't have a chance. And salad?! That's for girls.... But I did get half the Guinness down (yes, I know, penalty to pay for leaving half a Guinness....) and it even tasted a little like Guinness. So I guess this is progress.

Read the rest of the Kevin's post, click here

What's Right with Christianity and Catholicism

Stewardship and Faith Homily (32nd Sunday Ordinary Time)

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) 11-08-09

1 Kings 17: 10-16, Mark 12: 41-44

How many of us have some fear of the future? Have anxiety over money, or the lack of? Worry, Worry about life, being cared for? Or just frightened by life’s unknown?

Ask yourself this question: Do I truly believe that God will take care of me?

Take a moment and honestly think about this question: Do I truly believe that God will take care of me?

In the first reading today there was a widow who was about to prepare a final meal for her son and herself. After the meal, there was to be no more food and death by starvation was sure to follow. Then Elijah the prophet shows up and asks this widow to bring him some water and then to prepare him some food. The widow declared her current state in life, however, Elijah responded by stating “Do Not Be Afraid” and then instructed her to proceed with his request and reminded her of God’s promise that she would be taken care of. The widow complied with Elijah’s request and the widow and her son survived.

Lets imagine for a minute that you were the widow, you were penniless, had run out of options, had just about nothing left:

How would you respond to Elijah’s request?

What was Elijah really asking of the Widow when he asked her to give up her last bit of food?Isn’t this story really about Faith! Isn’t it really about trust, trust not in our own abilities, but trust in the Lord.

Imagine you are the Widow’s child. How do you feel when Elijah tells your mother to first make bread for him?

How do you feel after your mother makes bread and you still have plenty of flour and oil, not enough for a day, or a week, but for a whole year the Flour and Oil Jars never empty.

What about in our own lives? How do we handle “Stressful” situations? Do we truly believe that God will care for us. And when we endure, when we survive, do we attribute the success to God’s promise.

In the Gospel today the poor widow gave two small coins to the treasury, she gave her all. She gave all she had to live on. Jesus stated that this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury, for they had given from their surplus wealth, but she gave from her poverty, she had contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.

Lets ask ourselves “What kind of giver am I?”

I remember a story, a true story, that I recently heard from one of our parishioners about one of our parishioners. I was told about a man who was clearly homeless and sitting on the side of the road here in Redding. The parishioner walked by the homeless man and felt compelled to do something for him. He asked the homeless man “Could I buy you a hamburger?” The homeless man reached over and grabbed a paper bad, it contained numerous hamburgers that other people had given to him.

Not knowing what to say, the parishioner stated, “ Is there anything I can do for you?” The homeless man responded, “I just wish someone really cared.”

He didn’t want a handout, he wanted someone to talk to, someone to care about him.

The parishioner sat down with the man and they visited for over an hour on the sidewalk. They talked about life, happiness, sadness, Faith, hopes and dreams, family, and love. They established a relationship, a friendship. I am not sure who gained more from that encounter, but it clearly was special, holy, and life giving.

Probably the greatest gift that is often withheld is the gift of our time and attention.

I have met so many starving people, not starving for food or nourishment, but starving for attention, many among our own families and friends. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of a giver am I? Do I only give from my surplus, or do I give my all.

Lets think about the people in our own lives. What do I give to them? Is it from my surplus, or do I truly give my all to them. Do I hold back, if so Why? Is it out of fear, is it selfish, why?

I was once told to look at my ability to give through the concept of the three T’s (Time, Talent, and Treasure).

How much of my time do I give?

How much of my talent do I share?

What treasure do I possess that I am willing to give back to God?

For each of us, the determination of how and what to give will be as unique as we are. And thinking of a parish, not unlike a family, it really is something that is built and sustained through our stewardship, through our giving of our three T’s, Our Time, Our Talent, our Treasure, because without such giving, a parish cannot survive, nor even exist.

So what really is stewardship?

Stewardship is a way of living. It is a lifestyle, a life of total accountability and responsibility. It is the acknowledging of God as the creator and the owner of all. Christian Stewards see themselves as the caretaker of all of God’s gifts.

Gratitude for these many gifts is expressed in our prayer, worship, offerings and action. Stewardship is a way of thanking God for all our blessings by returning to God a portion of the many gifts (our time, talent, and treasure) that we have been given. Stewardship is about the holistic approach and discernment of the three T’s God has blessed us with.

So how can we live out stewardship? Here are a few examples:

By actively participating in one or more ministries in the parish.

By using our special skills and training in fixing things in the church and parish hall.

By inviting friends and neighbors and helping others join us at Mass each week.

By spending our time and talents in the family by training children in prayer life (spending daily 10 minutes in prayer and bible reading) and teaching them Christian behavior, prayers, and the basics of our faith.

Also, by actively participating in the liturgy by: paying attention, loudly reciting prayers, singing songs, and behaving reverently in church.

The list can go on and on, but I think you get the point.

Stewardship contains action, love, trust, and faith.

I’ll close with this short story from an African village that can teach us so much, especially when we contemplate the depth beyond the superficial message.

A missionary priest in Africa heard a knock on the door of his hut one afternoon. Opening the door, the priest found a native boy holding a large fish in his hands. The boy said “Father, you taught us what tithing is. So I have brought you my tithe.”

As the Priest gratefully took the fish, he asked the boy. “If this is your tithe, where are the other nine fish?”

At this, the boy with a beaming smile said, “Oh, they’re still back in the river. I’m going back to catch them now.”

Clearly the boy understood that all he had, all that had been and would be given to him, really came from and belonged to God.

Do we understand!