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Church - More Than Just a Building.

CHURCH – More Than Just a Building

An exciting Novel written

By Deacon Pat Kearns.

Deacon Pat Kearns is an ordained Roman Catholic Deacon and has incorporated the beauty of the faith, along with fictitious characters in this exciting Novel creating an experience that will capture your senses and draws you into the spectacular worlds of Bentley Morgan, Father Frances Garcia, Lane Neil, Father Juan Nantez, and Forrest, not to mention so many others.

Bentley Morgan – A man who has experienced great tragedy and finds himself immersed in pain and disillusionment. Following a vision to find meaning and purpose in his life he travels a wild and eventful journey to Guatemala.

Father Frances Garcia – A humble parish priest desperately struggling to maintain the traditions of the faith, serving his parishioners, and battling against the evils of the modern culture. He enjoys Snow Boarding, Kayaking and takes us along on his adventures with twists and turns around every corner.

Lane Neil, RN – A pagan woman with a past, experiences job burnout and then begins a journey that flips her life upside-down. She stumbles across a Trappist Monastery and this encounter changes her life forever.

Father Juan Nantez – A Canon Lawyer with solidly traditional roots and who has been assigned to the most liberal and progressive diocese in the United States. He finds himself battling against a powerful opposition with sensational trials, unexpected encounters, and even a few miracles.

Forrest – A handsome and peculiar 16-year-old boy with a brilliant mind and the ability to change the world. He leads us on adventures that are not only thrilling, but also painful and glorious while attempting to fill a deep void within him.

You will quickly find yourself immersed in the lives of these characters; experiencing their pain, their struggles, their triumphs, and evening laughing and crying with these new found friends.

To be Released: EASTER 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4276-5123-5

(I will also have copies available for purchase on my blogs for a discounted price)

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The Spiritual Battle For The White House

Click Here for more info and to order the book

I Met Jeffrey Daly yesterday at a book signing..... He gave me his book and I can't put it down. It is well worth reading with great insights and a wonderful history lesson showing God's hand upon, and the faith of our founding fathers.

Jeffrey Daly is a Christian attorney, and since 1999, pastor at Jesus Christ Fellowship church in Lake County, California. He earlier attended church from time to time but had no experience of the reality and power of the Holy Spirit until he had an epiphany one night in 1991.  As a New Ager at that time he was preparing to argue the next day with a visiting Christian. To prepare, Jeff started to read the Gospel of St. John. One verse then changed his life, John 7: 18: “He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.” He immediately saw how he and others in the New Age were “speaking for themselves” making themselves their own “god.”  He prayed to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He became a new creation in Christ with a whole different perspective on life. In 1999 he felt a call on his life to be a pastor while continuing his work as an attorney, and he has been blessed with a wonderful church family, basing its fellowship on the model of the first believers in Jerusalem, described in the Book of Acts.

A New Catholic Website - Check it out!

Click here to see their website

Catholic Chapter House originated in Ontario, Canada with a reach that expands beyond all borders to meet and inspire Catholic Christians around the world.

The founders of the company felt a stirring in their hearts with God calling them to serve Him and their fellow believers by providing tools needed to live out our lives faithfully and fully by finding Jesus Christ and the teachings of His Church on earth.

The Church defines faith as, “the theological virtue by which we believe in God and believe all that He has said and revealed to us, and that Holy Church proposes for our belief, because He is truth itself. By faith man freely commits his entire self to God. For this reason the believer seeks to know and do God’s will. The righteous shall live by faith. Living faith works through charity.” (CCC 1814, Emphasis added).

Simply believing in God is only a part of the equation for having faith. To believe in God we must know who He is and what He proposes for us. To fully embrace the second half of the virtue of faith we need to learn God’s will, which is found in the teachings of the Catholic Church. From that we can obtain, by the Grace of the Holy Spirit, the virtue of faith in order for us to live more fully. This is what we at Catholic Chapter House hope to achieve personally and for all of our fellow human beings.

Faith proceeds understanding “fides quaerens intellectum”. We encourage all people who are seeking faith to ask God and He will ensure your prayer is answered (Luke 11:9-10). To live in faith is to live in the power of the resurrection.

We hope to inspire you to gain a deeper understanding of the faith and to be re-energized, to go out and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to others and the world.

Great message in a Movie!

I just watched "Marley and Me" with my wife. 

I don't know what Hollywood expected to portray in this movie.... 

But it represented in many ways, aspects of our own life (we could relate) the joys and sorrows of raising children, chnaging our plans along the way, never losing faith in each other, and had a great message of Pro-Marriage and Pro-Life!

Golden Drops - The Wisdom of Father Ignatius by Victor S E Moubarak

Here is another book by one of my favorite authors. 

And guess what? 

He is giving it to us for FREE 

(Click here to down load)

Here is what Victor has to say to all of you:

I have prayed and thought hard about it and I have decided to offer it FREE in E Book format to whoever wants it. You can download it by visiting my Website.

"GOLDEN DROPS" is a compilation of stories about Father Ignatius, a character from my first book "VISIONS".

Each story tells a tale in the life of Fr Ignatius, and none of the stories are taken from "VISIONS". They are all new.

Please feel free to copy the image above on your Blogs and to tell your readers about this FREE offer.

Once you have "GOLDEN DROPS" you are also free to email it to your family and friends or copy it onto CD.

It is yours to do as you wish.

All I ask is that you pray for me.

God bless you dear readers, and thank you so much for your kindness and support.

Victor S E Moubarak

He also wrote:

I hope you have the opportunity to read his books, 

he is a talented and gifted writer and his books contain a spiritual richness that nourishes the soul.

Signs of Life by Scott Hahn

I just ordered a new book and can't wait to read it.

In Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots, Dr. Scott Hahn guides readers through the Catholic Church's rites, customs, and traditional prayers. From the Rosary to the use of Holy Water -- from infant Baptism to praying with icons -- Dr. Hahn helps you to discover the deep biblical and historical roots of each practice. Each chapter covers a single topic, beginning with the basic facts from Church teaching and tradition, and then proceeds to answer common objections to and misconceptions about the practice. Each chapter concludes with advice for everyday application. 

Here is a taste of what will be in the book.

The Shroud Codex - A Book I Can't Put Down!

I was recently given a Heads-up about a great Novel being released in April on 2010. I just received it in the mail and can't set it down....... Here is a little about the book:

Pope John-Paul Peter I has a serious headache. Fr. Paul Bartholomew, a parish priest in New York City, has just resumed his duties after spending three years recovering from a near-fatal accident. Since his return, Bartholomew claims to talk to Jesus directly and has quickly gained a reputation for being able to heal people in the confessional. He has also started to look very much like the image of the man in the famous Shroud of Turin. While celebrating mass one day, Bartholomew begins screaming in agony and blood starts pouring from his wrists, until he collapses on the church floor in front of the altar. Those in the pews immediately start taking photos and videos which quickly spread via the internet. The Pontiff is concerned both for the health of this priest as well as for the health of the Church. He directs the Archbishop of New York to bring in Dr. Stephen Castle, a well-known surgeon and psychiatrist, to take the case. Perhaps most importantly, Castle is an atheist, someone certain not to look for a religious explanation.

In "The Shroud Codex," New York Times bestselling author Jerome Corsi, Ph.D. has woven an incredible tale of science and faith. This is a "DaVinci Code" for believers. It is important to note that this is a novel, but it is based heavily on solid research. Corsi does provide his sources at the end of the book for those who wish to study further. The book features many photographs of the Shroud of Turin taken in 1978 by Barrie Schwortz who edits the [...] website.

Dr. Castle plays the devil's advocate in this book, the scientific mind always searching for the logical explanation. As Fr. Bartholomew continues to suffer injuries consistent with the man on the Shroud, a team of experts struggles to make sense of it all. Not only are they attempting to discover what is causing the wounds, they are also attempting to understand all the evidence surrounding the Shroud. Is it actually the burial cloth of Jesus Christ or a brilliant medieval forgery? Does it, as Fr. Bartholomew maintains, hold a great secret for humanity? Will the whole experience cause Dr. Castle to question his atheistic beliefs?

"The Shroud Codex" has the potential to raise many questions and will no doubt encourage debate about the famous Shroud and what it means. The publication of this book coincides with the first public display of The Shroud of Turin in 12 years. For anyone interested in the Shroud, the mystery of the Resurrection, or simply looking for a good scientific mystery, "The Shroud Codex" is the must-read novel of 2010.

Uncle Nino

An elderly Italian peasant, Uncle Nino (Pierrino Mascarino) comes to America for the first time to spend some time with his nephew, Robert Micelli (Joan of Arcadia’s Joe Mantegna), and his family. With his violin, a suitcase full of homemade wine, and a photo of his hero, Abraham Lincoln, in tow, Nino expects to be embraced by the country of his dreams. What he discovers instead is a place of take-out food, manicured lawns, teen smoking, processed vegetables, and a barely communicative family---each disconnected from the others, caught up in lives of multi-tasking.

While Robert works round-the-clock to ensure a much-deserved promotion, Marie (Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Anne Archer) fills her time working, organizing the household, and growing increasingly lonelier. Fourteen-year-old Bobby (Trevor Morgan) devotes more time to his garage band and petty acts of neighbourhood vandalism than his schoolwork, and twelve-year-old Gina (Gina Mantegna, making her film debut) spends most of her time at her friend’s house.

Though barely conversant in English, Uncle Nino slowly begins to connect with Gina through her love of dogs and Bobby through his passion for music. It isn’t until Uncle Nino and the kids tear up the entire front yard and plant an elaborate garden, however, that Robert confronts the uncle he hasn’t seen in thirty years. Finally learning the true reason for his uncle’s visit, Robert reflects on his life and reconsiders the things that are truly important to him.

A work of deep sentiment that avoids sentimentality, Uncle Nino is a film about the lost art of living. A fable-like story grounded in realism, Uncle Nino is a feel-good, Capra-esque tale, whose magical lead character teaches others how to slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures: good food and drink, music, and most important, La Famiglia!

7 Secretes of the Eucharist

This is a small book, a quick read, that truly has inspired words within it. It has given me a greater understanding of What the Eucharist is, it is much more than I ever realized. It will change your view for life on the Mass and the Eucharist. - Deacon Pat Kearns

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Pope John Paul II referred to the Holy Eucharist as "the greatest treasure of the Church," and yet even many devoted Catholics have a very limited understanding of this powerful sacrament. This book will change all that. The reader will come away with a completely new awareness that the Eucharist is not just about receiving Communion; it's about transforming your daily life.

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Deeply based on the Scriptures, the writings of the Saints and the teachings of our two most recent Popes, this profound and remarkably readable book will introduce you to some of the "hidden" truths of the Eucharist - truths that have always been embraced by theologians, saints and mystics, but have rarely been passed on to the average person in a meaningful way.

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In The Seven Secrets of the Eucharist, these truths are finally made accessible to all, as author Vinny Flynn shows how each reception of Holy Communion can be a life-changing experience.
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No matter how much or how little you already know about the Eucharist, the "secrets" revealed here will bring you to a new, personal "Emmaus" experience, again and again.

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Perfect for personal devotion, catechesis, study groups, book clubs, and theological studies, The Seven Secrets of the Eucharist will rekindle the "Eucharistic amazement" called for by Pope John Paul II.

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The Old Man and the Sea.

I just finished watching a great movie called "The Old Man and the Sea."

This movie is about a struggle between an old man and the nature. The old Cuban fisherman Santiago has been set out to sea four 85 days and returned home empty handed. So conspicuously unlucky is he that the parents of his young devoted apprentice and friend, Manolin, have forced the boy to leave the old man in order to fish in a more prosperous boat. Nevertheless, the boy continues to care for the old man upon his return each night. He helps the old man tote his gear to his ramshackle hut, secures food for him, and discusses the latest developments in American baseball, especially the trials of the old man's hero, Joe DiMaggio. Santiago is confident that his unproductive streak will soon come to an end, and he resolves to sail out farther than usual the following day.

And then something remarkable happens, but I won't give away the story.

What I enjoyed the most about this story was hearing the thoughts of Santiago as he battles opposition after opposition.

There was a similarity with that of a Christian attempting to live in a sinful world, and the battles that we are presented with, obstacles that we must embrace, and the virtue and character of a humble and just man.

This is a great movie!

The Movie was based on Hemingway's famous book.

The 13th Day - A Great Spiritual Movie!

October 13th 1917, Fatima, Portugal.

FACT: Over 70,000 witnesses watched the sun spinning in the sky before plummeting towards the earth, in an extraordinary prophesised event, which became known as ‘The Miracle of the Sun’.

In a world torn apart by persecution, war and oppression, 3 children were chosen to offer a message of hope to the world.

Based on the memoirs of the oldest Seer, Lucia Santos, and many thousands of independent eye-witness accounts, The 13th Day dramatizes the TRUE story of three young shepherds who experienced six interactive apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, which culminated into the final prophesized Miracle.

Abducted from their homes, thrown into prison and interrogated under the threat of death in the government’s attempt to silence them, the children remained true to their story.

The lady, who later revealed herself to be the Blessed Mary, gave a SECRET to the children told in three parts, from a harrowing vision of hell, to prophetic warnings of future events including the advent and timing of the Second World War, the spread of communism, and the assassination of the Pope.

All three Seers have since died. Two of them have been beatified.

Stylistically beautiful and technically innovative, writer-directors Ian & Dominic Higgins use state-of-the-art digital effects to create stunning images of the visions and the final miracle that have never before been fully realized on screen.

Shot on location in Portugal and in the UK, 13th Day Films worked with a cast of over 250 to re-create the scenes of the 70,000 strong crowds, and 3 Portuguese children play the iconic roles of the Seers.

Witness the greatest miracle of the 20th Century, and experience the incredible, emotionally-charged and often harrowing world of three young children whose choice to remain loyal to their beliefs, even in the face of death, would inspire thousands.

Watch the Trailer

I just can't put this book down ("Visions" by Victor Moubarak)

Three children see an Apparition of Jesus and the news soon spreads throughout town. People react to it differently - some negatively. The children's parents are subjected to malicious gossip and vicious attacks. Their Parish priest has a crisis of faith. The Church wants the story to just go away; whilst the children insist it is true. Especially when Jesus appears again . and again.

Imagine this happened to you. How would you have reacted in the circumstances?

This traditional story in a modern setting challenges its readers to undergo a reality check and re-affirm their Christian beliefs.

A must read for every Christian, Vic Moubarak, the author of "Visions" lives in England. His simple style of writing, dotted with humour as appropriate, is both refreshing and enjoyable whilst dispensing good common sense advice. His Christian message is relevant to today's troubled world.

*** Finished the book yesterday. What an exceptional book. It is hard to find books that incorporate our catholic faith without bashing it. A Great Novel that includes our Catholic Faith!

Faith Like Potatoes

Based on the novel Faith Like Potatoes, this inspiring film tells the story of Angus Buchan, a South African farmer who suffers a series of seemingly insurmountable losses, but through an unlikely friendship with his Zulu farmhand and divine interventions, discovers the key to healing himself and learning to accept others lies in his unwavering belief in the power of faith.

This is not a Catholic movie... And if it were, there would be significantly more depth, but the movie does have a strong Christian message and is worth viewing....

Be aware that the movie starts off a little slow, a little dry, and the acting is questionable at first, but hang tight, it becomes well worth the wait.

Click on this header to see the trailer!

Great Spiritual Movie: Clare - Francis

A major new epic feature film on the lives of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi shot on location in Italy.

This outstanding movie is unique among films on St. Francis because of the historical accuracy of the story and its authentic spirit of joy and piety Francis was known for, as well as the major role played by Clare who is given equal stature with Francis.

The two leads are played by very appealing performers, Mary Petruolo and Ettore Bassi, who give genuinely inspiring and beautifully moving performances of the daughter of a patrician family and the son of a rich merchant who leave all to follow Christ.

Francis renounces his inheritance of wealth to live the Gospel and serve the poor and outcasts.

Clare reads deep into his heart and decides to follow him, leaving her home and family to give herself as the bride of Christ.

Both found major religious orders and together they inspire many to follow their radical call to live the Gospel, and their impact has even reached across the centuries to change the world.

St. Louis De Montfort - The Story of Our Lady's Slave

I just finished reading this remarkable book about the life of Saint Louis De Montfort. It not only carries the "Nihil Obstat" and "Imprimatur," but inspires, teaches, and radiates wisdom. This truly is a book that will change a piece of you forever......

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"Well, what do you think of Fr. De Montfort?" asked the Bishop eagerly. "Is he preaching heresy? Is he a tool of the Devil, as some people say? Or a mad-man, as others think?"

The city was in an uproar over Fr. Louis De Montfort, and Bishop de Champflour had sent 3 wise priests to investigate. "I'm especially interested in learning about the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary;" he had told them.

Yes, huge crowds of people were coming to Fr. De Montfort's mission services, and hundreds of souls had been converted. No one left his confessional unconsoled. But some people had their doubts about what Fr. De Montfort was preaching.

What was all this talk of becoming a saint easily and quickly through the True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary-by a holy "slavery" to Jesus in Mary?

Now the 3 priests were back, and the Bishop awaited their report. What would they tell him about this unusual missionary priest?

This book tells what the priests had found out. It also tells about the trouble stirred up for Fr. De Montfort by the Calvinists, by the Jansenists, and even by some Catholics who did not understand what True Devotion to Mary was all about.

In short, here is the remarkable story of the priest who went about helping others become saints by show-ing them how to be "slaves" for Jesus through Mary. For Ages 10 to 100

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For any DJM's (Disciples of Jesus and Mary)

this book you will find particularly inspiring and enlightening due to it's spirituality

being so in line with yours - It should be a "Must read" for DJM's.

Great book about Saint Dominic

The incredible story for children 10 and up of the man who received the Rosary from Our Lady, defeated the Albigensian Heresy, raised the dead, triumphed over the devil, founded the Dominican Order and worked countless miracles. 156pp. PB.

While on our summer pilgrimage my cousin from North Dakota told me about these incredible books, spiritual books that changed his life. He humbly stated that these are actually children's books, but they are written so well, and are so very inspirational, that he felt they taught he more about the catholic saints than any other book he had ever read. My cousin is not ignorant, he is well educated, he has a master's degree and knows his faith very well.

I though I would give the book he gave me a try. He was right! I am now on my 4th and am loving each an every one of them.

Click Here to see other books by the same writer. "Mary Fabyan Windeatt"

The Only Necessary Thing - Henri Nouwen

I was given this book from Father Vincent Juan for my birthday last month

and have found it to be one of the best spiritual books I have ever read.

The short reflections are so rich with wisdom and spiritual truth,

that I carry the newly aquired thought all day.

Thank you Father for the gift that will last my lifetime.

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Throughout the forty some books that Henri Nouwen wrote and the hundreds of talks that he gave, the subject of "Prayer" runs through them all and unites them.

For him a life of faith is a life of prayer.

He remained faithful to the commitment to pray daily through the times of abundance and during the dark periods in the spiritual desert.

Drawn from many decades of his life, the compilation of Henri's thoughts, feelings, and the struggle with prayer, reveal the core of the man and his belief that

"prayer is the only necessary thing."

This volume is organized thematically. The topics include:

What is Prayer?,

Solitude,

Listening,

Hindrances,

and Forgiveness.

The book concludes with a collection of thirty-five prayers written by Nouwen,

several of which have never been published before.

The 13th Day Movie (A Must See)

In a world torn apart by persecution, war and oppression, three children were chosen to offer a message of hope to the world. Based on the memoirs of Sister Lucia Santos and independent eye-witness accounts, The 13th Day dramatizes the true story of three shepherd children who experienced six apparitions with a “Lady from Heaven” between May and October 1917, which culminated into the final prophesied Miracle.

The lady, who later revealed herself to be the Blessed Virgin Mary, gave a secret to the children told in three parts, from a harrowing vision of hell, to prophetic warnings of future events including the advent and timing of the Second World War, the spread of communism, and the assassination of the Pope.

Stylistically beautiful and technically innovative, writer-directors Ian and Dominic Higgins use state-of- the-art digital effects to create stunning images of the visions and the final miracle that have never before been fully realized on screen. This film was shot on location in Portugal and in England.

A Great Book about Catholic Spirituality

Abandonment to Divine Providence reminds the reader that God is in charge of every moment of our lives.

Nothing happens to us without the permission of a God Who loves us and Who can and will order all things to our good.

De Caussade shows the reader that God has ordered our lives specifically to our good. What is happening is not random but rather the result of a loving plan. We do not have to understand what is happening, but we have only to believe that God is in charge. Trust in the Lord is a measure of our love for Him.

Sanctity consists in doing always the Will of God. We know that we are doing God's Will when we fulfill our daily duties and when we accept with trustful surrender whatever comes our way. De Caussade calls this "the duty of the present moment." Surrender does not mean passively accepting injustice or evil but rather seeking God's Will in dealing with it. Only in surrender to the Will of God will we find peace.

St. Therese of Liseaux was profoundly influenced by de Caussade's spirituality. Her "little way" of self-abandonment, moment by moment, is a practical treatise on how to put de Caussade's advice into action.

The book is short but the influence it can have on one's spiritual life will be life long. You will never view life the same, after completing this book. The message of Abandonment to Divine Providence will stay with one for a lifetime.