Societal Collapse - Are You Ready

As I return to work after a month of vacation and disconnection from the world, I am abruptly thrust back into a reality that life isn’t as calm and peaceful as my vacation journey had been.

I immediately reconnect with the patients in the psychiatric hospital and their world of delusions, paranoia, misperceptions and fear, yet at times they see the world more clearly than most of us.

I am then barraged with information from the radio and Internet of the declining economy and approaching collapse of the America that I once knew.

I began to clearly see that the world around me is changing and changing rather quickly. Some of the people around me see the effects of the deterioration as they have their hours cut, benefits reduced, and wages decreased, while others are laid off. However for many that have not yet been affected, they continue to blindly ignore the signs and live in their perceived world of content and optimism.

However, the collapse of the society as we know it is not such a bad thing. Yes, you did hear me correctly. The collapse of our society is not only a good thing, but will in the end bring hundreds of thousands back into a sense of a true reality and will reunite them back with God.

Most of us have lived in a world and society of such wealth and gluttony that many in America have lost their connection with God. At least they have forgotten, or never understood that there really is a supreme being that is capable of controlling everything in life.

The world as we know it, at least for most of us reading this article is a world of such self-centerdness, greed, horror, and pride that it is a world that more closely resembles hell than heaven.

I have pondered what it would take to open the eyes of those around me to see just how “wrong” our culture is and how far we have strayed from the goodness of the earlier society. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing, save God’s direct intercession, would be a total collapse of our society and for individuals to experience true hardship.

And what I mean by true hardship is not one of mere pride as relying on food stamps or unemployment wages, but one where there really isn’t any food or water, nor shelter, and a lack of clothing.

Most people have never endured real hardship; they have never had a true inability to provide for their and their family’s basic needs. They had never been in a circumstance where there wasn’t anyone to turn to, no one who could help, but God himself.

It is so easy to forget as Christians that this world is not the end all. This world is only a stepping stone, a “boot camp,” a formation to prepare us for the eternal world. If we fail to grow, if we fail to be formed here, if we fail to grow in union with God and his ways… then we fail completely and have earned our way into hell.

Yes HELL!

We don’t hear that word often do we, HELL. And I blame the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons for their decades of neglect in regard to teaching the seriousness of our choices in life and the endless repercussions for those unrepentant choices.

I am aware that God’s mercy is great and that he wants all of us to repent and come to him… But let’s face it, very few have separated from their sinful ways and turned to God. So if they haven't done the 180 and turned toward God, who then are they walking toward? Lucifer!

I do not wish harm to anyone, especially my family and friends, I love them, yet so many are in great need of awakening. As I speak the truth, and God help me in doing so, I will either be disregarded as a nut, or stir anger for the “Feel Good – Its all Good” generation, but hopefully for some I will help open their eyes to what is about to occur in our nation.

Yes, we should begin to get our houses in order. We should begin to prepare with food and supplies, a survival plan, and develop a network of like-minded individuals for support. It is not deciding if this collapse will happen, but when, and we should be prepared. But most importantly, we are to prepare our minds and our souls for this journey. Beginning with our soul, start with weekly confession. If possible begin with daily communion and read the scriptures. A daily rosary will build the relationship with our holy mother who always intercedes and leads us to her son.

Money will eventually be of little value, friendships will be tested, and resources dwindled until what we are left with are our own God-gifted abilities and those of our friends, and ultimately what God chooses to provide for us. The outcome will ultimately be of God’s choosing.

The best weapon against societal collapse is the spiritual preparation and training that will empower individuals and families to endure and overcome adversity. It really will come to a battle between Good and Evil and the ultimate end will be judged more by your spiritual state in life than by worldly wealth, position, and status.

God’s ways are not our ways and we are about to be pruned and given the opportunity to make our eternal choice….. Are you ready?

Alone on an Island! Modern Day Sodom and Gomorrah

Have you ever been in a situation where you were surrounded by people who think differently than you do? 

It can be very uncomfortable. As they share their beliefs you have two options:

1. Say nothing and let them say what ever they want, or

2. Share your point of view.

But if you choose option two, and they care very little about contemplating your point of view, what is the point?

We are surrounded in life with these dichotomies, usually centered on morals, values, faith, politics, ethics, etc.

What I am finding out is that there are very few Californians who are actually in search of the truth, they actually just want you to accept as truth what they believe it to be. And believe it or not, most of them just assume that you believe exactly the same as they do, not even considering that you might have an opposing view.

And when they finally come face to face with the realization that you believe differently than they do, they are immediately taken back, appalled, and either try to force their ideas upon you, or react in a passive aggressive manner and act in a manner to somehow belittle you, dishonor you, or semi-humiliate you. The internet and gossip are their most honored weapons.

They wont admit to their destructive actions, usually internally rationalizing their response, but the truth is they had a reaction that innately was evil...... and why? Simply due to the fact that you don't agree with their point of view.

Living in California I often find myself feeling as if I am living on an island. I am surrounded by people who think much differently than I do, inside the ranks of the church, and on the outside in the secular world as well.

Are my views in life always correct, No, how can they be. 

But are all my views incorrect, No! 

What is correct?

You have probably heard the words "tolerance" over the past decade. Tolerance is a unique concept in this world today. It has come to mean for so many, "If you disagree with what I am saying, you should be tolerant and try to understand where I am coming from, even if it is contrary to your core values." It has also come to mean by the same people, "But if you disagree with me, then you are a moron, a radical, and even called divisive, and at times prejudiced." 

Why - Because I feel differently than you do. Why should I be disrespected for my beliefs, when you demand my courtesy and tolerance. My beliefs are not that unusual, they are consistent with millions of people across the globe, they just are not consistent with  many in California.

This unbalanced scenario has become so prolific in California that the perpetrators don't even realize what they are doing. Note:  I am being generous!

Do I take my family and run away from this battle ground. The perpetrators would probably say (and Have) that as Christians we are to take the message to the sinners, not to just surround ourselves with like minded people. But what is the point when the evildoers care very little about the truth, only caring what they perceive to be true. So what really is the point. They would rather keep you surrounded and continue to beat you down in hopes of converting you..... remember  in their eyes, you are just an unenlightened moron.

Yet what about even the 1 or 2 other people in your care, those that need your nourishment, those like-minded others, can you just pack-up and abandon them?

Yet again, if you yourself are not nourished how can you continue to live? How can you endure week after week of so many saying that you are wrong, that their way is the right way, that you must be ignorant for not thinking like them..... how long can one endure without living in the truth, the truth that we know in our hearts and soul to be true and real?

I often feel that I am in a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.... and I assume that those around me feel the same as those who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah at the time. I am sure they perceive their life and actions to be warranted and just....

Yet what did God do?

He wiped then all out.

Did He ask Abraham to stay and try to convert them....

No.

He wanted and allowed him to escape.

The world around us is crumbling.......especially in California......  

I pray that God speaks loudly to those who are truly listening, searching, and open to his spirit. Am I to escape.... or am I to continue to fight for what I believe to be true, holy, and just?

Beaten Down.... Yet Strengthened!

Do you even have those days, 

or even those weeks when you feel that people and situations are just pounding you down?

That the devil is pursuing you relentlessly, no matter what you do, he continues to attack you.

That even some of your friends, or acquaintances, begin to act in evil ways against you. 

It sure can take its toll on you, and can even begin to instill doubt at times.

We had a good friend of ours tell us the other day that when one is acting in such a way that Goodness, Truth, and Love is being produced, that it is just then that the devil will fight his strongest against you. He is the cunningest of them all and will use any means to stop the good fruit from being produced.

This friend of ours also reminded us of our public acceptance during ordination of our commitment to not only serve Christ's people, but to lay down our lives and carry His cross. When one lives a good life, a comfortable life, a joyful life, it is easy to forget the commitment to suffering that one has made, especially when the harm comes on so suddenly.

Then I remember the Psalm (36):

Sin directs the heart of the wicked; their eyes are closed to the fear of God.

For they live with the delusion: their guilt will not be known and hated.

Empty and false are the words of their mouth; they have ceased to be wise and do good.

In their beds they hatch plots; they set out on a wicked way; they do not reject evil.

LORD, your love reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds.

Your justice is like the highest mountains; your judgments, like the mighty deep; all living creatures you sustain, LORD.

How precious is your love, O God! We take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

We feast on the rich food of your house; from your delightful stream you give us drink.

For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.

Continue your kindness toward your friends, your just defense of the honest heart.

Do not let the foot of the proud overtake me, nor the hand of the wicked disturb me.

There make the evildoers fall; thrust them down, never to rise.   .

I can be rezealant, can trust and have faith, and can even endure suffering for my God, knowing that it can be connected to His suffering, but to see those that I love suffer and be persecuted for our beliefs, for our faith, brings sorrow to my heart. . And why, just because some of those around us have allowed evil to dwell within them.... .

And then I remember that the forces of evil are much greater than just a particular face, or a particular person, it is a force that endlessly and tirelessly attempts to invade others and works its manipulative powers for the destruction of all that is good in life.... I know that Sometimes (evil) or unholiness attempts to work in me, in those around me, but if we are protected by the Sacraments, a clean heart, a virtuous life, united in prayer and relationship with God, then it has no alternative but to seek out others who are vulnerable, have rejected the grace through personal sin and pride, to be the catalyst for perpetuating evil. .

This is the unending war that will go on until the end of time. yet we are Strengthened by the understanding that in our weakness we are actually more powerful in this fight. Yes we fall at times, but that just feeds our humility, allows us the relinquish some our own desires when we see our faults and  consequences of self-centered living, yet it allows us to grow in closer union with God's desires, God's ways, and to persevere for His Kingdom. .

We will continue to fight the Good fight, not in attempts to be divisive, nor to create scandal. Our attempts will be to unite, to spread the GOOD news, salvation, repentance, love, forgiveness, and understanding. .

Yet it should never be neglected or misunderstood, that the forces of evil at at work all around us and attempting to bring discord, disunity, anger, resentment, jealousy, greed and pride amongst us all....

100 times More Abuse Cases in Public Schools than by Catholic Priests

There are 100 times more abuse cases each year by Public School Employees (Teachers) than by Catholic Priests, yet do you ever hear anything about it? 

Any abuse is wrong and should never be rationalized or condoned, but lets be real, this really isn't about "Abuse," it is about  an attack on being Catholic!

Never Give Up!

As Christians we can often feel overwhelmed by the task that we have at had. We live in a world that for the most part is Anti-Christian. Our government supports the killing of children, it tells us that it is often OK to lie, to steal, and to cheat, just don't get caught!

Yet..... We continue to try to live according to the precepts of Jesus' teachings. Yes, for some, they think we are crazy, they cannot understand our methods, our ways, our life.

As Jesus mentioned to Doubting Thomas, We are the generation who have not seen, but believe, and for that we are truly blessed. It is by the grace of God that we believe and continue to have faith.

We will never give up. I can only hope and pray that when my journey on this earth comes to an end, and I will come face to face with my Lord, he will say, "Welcome home Pat, you fought the good fight, you never gave up, you loved, you forgave, you trusted, welcome home my good and faithful servant."

I can only hope and pray! And yes, fight, each and everyday, fight for what is right, for what is true, for what is of God, and repel evil and everything associated with it!

Father Carl Subler (Army Priest) in Afghanistan

Father Subler in Afghanistan

Here is Father Subler, a Captain in the United States Army. He is stationed in Afghanistan, where he is definitely NOT just hanging back and watching the show. He travels by all sorts of military vehicles around most of that desolate country serving as Chaplain for our soldiers who are busy hunting for Osama and doing battle with the Taliban. What Father Carl must do virtually every day is FAR more adventurous than almost any of us back home ever experience in our entire lives.

Father with his Special Forces Friend Dustin

Father can be seen serving Mass to anyone whom he can reach in the field, riding in the Stryker vehicles that may be the most popular targets for the IEDs (improvised explosive devices) that continue to be one of the greatest dangers to our troops and Afghan civilians alike, rolling off his bed to lie on the floor during mortar attacks that must be much too close-by, and lovingly administering the Sacraments to dying young men.

Having Mass in the field, all facing the same direction.

Two Catholic soldiers under Father's care after 2 days of fighting the Taliban on the front lines.

A Chapel built by soldiers at one of the posts.

Father with an Afghan baby whose mother died.

An Afghan mother getting school supplies for her children.

Infantrymen before a patrol

Taking cover during a firefight

Dismounted patrol in the Arghandab

Locals waiting in line to see the doctor.

To See more of Father Subler's Photos click here