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Michie · Mar 1, 2023

Refugees, finding warm welcome, reflect on Christian charity upon the first anniversary of war.

As Russia continues to wage war on Ukraine, the solidarity of Catholics both abroad and in the U.S. offers a tangible model for loving one’s neighbor.

Parishioners in dioceses across the United States have heeded the call of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) to support refugees. MRS particularly recommends the forming of “Welcome Circles,” which are small communities of individuals that come together — often in the context of a parish — to support Ukrainian families, who, through the Uniting for Ukraine sponsorship, are able to come to the United States for two years on humanitarian parole.

Continued below.

‘Welcome the Stranger’ From Ukraine: How US Catholic Dioceses Have Answered Christ’s Call

Refugees, finding warm welcome, reflect on Christian charity upon the first anniversary of war.

www.ncregister.com

FutureAndAHope · Mar 1, 2023

praying

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

In the book, Pope Francis also addresses corruption at the Vatican, abuses committed by members of the Church, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, among other topics.

A new Spanish-language book whose English title is The Shepherd: Francis’ Challenges, Reasons, and Reflections on His Pontificate, written by Argentine journalist Sergio Rubín and his Italian colleague Francesca Ambrogetti contains Pope Francis’ answers to questions he is frequently asked.

The book reviews the almost 10 years of Francis’ pontificate based on conversations that Rubín, a journalist from the Grupo Clarín media group and Ambrogetti, a member of the ANSA agency, had with the pontiff.

The two co-authored The Jesuit, the first biographical book on Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, published prior to his election to the papacy.

The new book includes answers the Holy Father has given on the situation in Argentina as well as comments that tie him to Peronism (support for the party or policies of Juan Perón, a former president of Argentina) and criticize him for alleged closeness to politicians, trade unionists, and the so-called piqueteros (picketers).

Continued below.

Argentina: New Book Gives Pope Francis’ Responses to Issues He’s Most Often Asked About

In the book, Pope Francis also addresses corruption at the Vatican, abuses committed by members of the Church, the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, among other topics.

www.ncregister.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

The bookstore is receiving pro bono legal services from ADF for the lawsuit.

A Catholic bookstore in Jacksonville, Florida, is suing the city to block a law it says could force the business to use a person’s preferred pronouns when they do not reflect the person’s biological sex, claiming the law violates its constitutional rights.

The suit, filed by the Queen of Angels Catholic Bookstore in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division, takes issue with the city’s Human Rights Ordinance.

The city’s anti-discrimination law was expanded in 2020 to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The bookstore filed the lawsuit because similar laws have been interpreted in such a way elsewhere in the country.

The lawsuit argues that the law forces them to recognize transgender pronouns, including so-called “neopronouns” that do not reflect either the male or female gender, and prevents them from formalizing an official pronoun policy that is consistent with a Catholic understanding of sex and gender.

Continued below.

Catholic Bookstore Sues Jacksonville Over Law it Says is a Trans Pronoun Mandate

The bookstore is receiving pro bono legal services from ADF for the lawsuit.

www.ncregister.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

Only a few hours after Bassel Habkouk, a young Lebanese Catholic and father of two, arrived for a visit in Turkey on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the country and nearby Syria.

Habkouk found himself trapped underneath the rubble of fallen buildings for 52 hours as a result of the devastating earthquake, which killed more than 50,000 people and injured many more with tens of thousands still missing and hundreds of thousands homeless, according to the Associated Press.

Miraculously, Habkouk survived, and he recently shared with ACI MENA, CNA’s Arabic-language news partner, details of his ordeal and the role the Virgin Mary played in it.

Continued below.

Survivor of Turkey Earthquake: ‘God Protected Me and the Virgin Mary Did Not Leave Me’

Only a few hours after Bassel Habkouk, a young Lebanese Catholic and father of two, arrived for a visit in Turkey on Feb. 6, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck...

www.ncregister.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

COMMENTARY: In forcing the hand of local bishops, Pope Francis has even undermined his own repeated calls for collegial and synodal administration.

A dispute about dispensations developed into a diktat from the dicastery that has put dioceses in a difficult dilemma.

Liturgical discipline is delicate. The request to Pope Francis, from the Dicastery for Divine Worship (DDW), to tighten the screws on the implementation of Traditionis Custodes — granted by the Holy Father on Feb. 20 — means that Rome has decided that it is a priority to get the “extraordinary form” or Tridentine Mass out of parish churches.

Hence the dilemma for diocesan bishops.

In most dioceses, the number who frequent the older form of the Mass is very small, even tiny. In the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, which has one of the largest traditional Mass presences, Bishop Michael Burbidge estimated that 2.5% of Mass-goers attended the usus antiquior, or older form, of the Mass. In almost every other American diocese it would be a small fraction of that 2.5%, likely less than half of 1%.

Continued below.

Liturgical Dilemma for Diocesan Bishops

COMMENTARY: In forcing the hand of local bishops, Pope Francis has even undermined his own repeated calls for collegial and synodal administration.

www.ncregister.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

I see the so-called Equal Rights Amendment is back in the Senate again, and of course the USCCB is once more warning against it. Or perhaps I should not say “of course”, because we have learned the hard way that we can take almost nothing for granted as Catholics. But in this the USCCB has been right, recognizing the tremendous harm of politically guaranteeing civil “rights” that violate the natural law either explicitly or in their likely mode of practice. And to this concern we must add another: The modern tendency toward bureaucratic totalitarianism in the absence of virtue.

The ERA’s manipulation of thought and culture

If the reader is wondering about all this loose talk in philosophy about a ground of being, a shortcut may be found in St. Paul’s speech in Athens.

www.catholicculture.org

eleos1954 · Mar 1, 2023

Swissmon87 said:
Hello fellow sisters and brothers,

I need your help, because i think im attacked from the enemy... Since years i struggle with my existence... Many many times i wished to simply be non existent... Or i wished, God never created me For many years i was very depressed. Its weird, because i actually came to the conclusion, that its the best thing to be in Gods presence forever and enjoy his peace, joy, beauty and so on... And being with God is surely even better, than non existence.... If i would be non existent, i wouldnt suffer, or be in pain and so on. But i wouldnt experience any joy or pleasure either ...its just so exhausting.... Again and again, im torn between those 2 options (if i could choose between non existence, or being in Gods presence) Maybe i need some anti depressants again. Didnt take them in 6 years. None of my Christian friends understands what i mean my wife neither. Maybe it sounds weird, but thats how i feel.
Its really strange... And i really think, that the enemy wants to destroy me or lies to me about Gods goodness ... Maybe, someone can relate to my experience. Thanks for your replies

Each of us are unique .... there will never be anyone exactly like you (or me) .... each of us are precious in His eyes.

We all struggle .... and are told we will struggle .... satan is constantly/relentlessly attacking (and deceiving) the children of God .... however God is always with us to help us endure these struggles and to help us overcome sin. We do trust in Him no matter what .... no matter what perils we may face or how difficult it may be.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Yes .... we are in constant struggle .... yet never give up.

Grafted In · Mar 1, 2023

Michael Collum said:
Pair with someone going in the same direction, or take up residence in the attic.

My house has a low pitch roof leaving little room to crawl, so in my case, I had to make it the basement.

littleangelone · Mar 1, 2023

welcome

Halbhh · Mar 1, 2023

The Liturgist said:
Here is a video featuring a Coptic Orthodox priest offering some very important criticism of CCM (which a few years ago according to my friend @dzheremi there was an attempt to introduce CCM into the Coptic church to replace their beautiful ancient hymns and chant known as tasbeha; the hymns and chants used in the Coptic church are in many cases 1,500 years old or older, for example, the Trisagion “Hagios O Theos” and the hymn O Monogenes sung on Good Friday in the Coptic tradition.

Some of my favorite music is gregorian chants, so I thought I'd listen to “Hagios O Theos”, and the first one I found was very enjoyable to hear, but without lyrics. I want to read the lyrics (of course), as the words are so central, key to any Christian music. (it's all about the words). Do you have a translation?

Heaven will be so full of people, from every nation, and we can only wonder at all the amazing music/singing that will be there.

biblelesson · Mar 1, 2023

I see this is an older thread but the subject is interesting. We are all of one body, The Church, and when one Christian suffers we all suffer. I notice that when I say “we” or “us” in my prayers I suddenly feel not so heavy in heart during rough times.

musicalpilgrim · Mar 1, 2023

perhaps reduce the medication, the tablets may be the source of your problems... just a thought.
I pray for your healing in Jesus name.

th1bill · Mar 1, 2023

Does anyone here play Kalimba? It is an African Thumb Piano and can be played, even if you're all thumbs. At YouTube you will find some of my work. At https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kalimba+tutorial you'll find instruction videos.

Whyayeman · Mar 1, 2023

Darren Court said:
If they are "picketing the Robert Centre" then the police have the powers to make an arrest, file charges and actually win a prosecution!
.
If not, they're doing nothing wrong!

Yes, that is what I thought too. The thing is, they appear to be back. As Station Road is in the PSPO designated area - and that is where I understand they have returned - there will be some consequence.

It strikes me that the group will be expecting consequences, even courting them.

Diamond7 · Mar 1, 2023

Tuur said:
That raised the question: When does Ohio require vaccinations for measles?

They are required to be vaccinated before they can enter school. The school has a nurse who has to make sure everyone is vaccinated. If not then they get sent home. Unless you have a note from your doctor to exempt you. My wife had an issue at work, so she got a note from a doctor to exempt her.

bling · Mar 1, 2023

Mark Quayle said:
Mark Quayle said:
You said, "Sinful man can selfishly desire to have some kind of livable life and humble himself enough to accept that life"

Let's just stop right here and quit trying to plow the stump. You CAN'T be humble enough to do anything producing even the smallest motion toward salvation. WE DO NOT HAVE THE INTEGRITY, THE PURITY OF HEART, and so many other things that the Holy Spirit has without end.

I don't doubt you are aware that your construction of that sentence above is of your own reasoning —a necessary bridge between 'inability' and 'free will decision to accept Christ'.

Notice even in the verse you quote, the self-exalted will be humbled —not of their own choice. But you have not shown HOW it is possible for one to humble themselves. I don't doubt it is possible to choose to humble oneself, but the ones who are enmity with God, I don't see how it is possible for them to humble themselves.

I don't follow what you are saying in your sentence: "I did not say the sinner makes a “free will decision to accept Christ”, that comes after receiving forgiveness, Godly type Love and eternal life (regeneration)." Is there a punctuation problem there? I don't understand. Are you saying, "I did not say the sinner makes a "free will decision to accept Christ.", or are you saying you did not say it, if it comes after receiving forgiveness, etc.? Because I'm pretty sure you did say that the sinner makes a free will decision to accept Christ, and have been saying it all along. Your construction, involving selfish humility, is how you seem to think it is done.

The situation people have got themselves into, will humble them, when brought to light. For humans just realizing where your at is humbling, you can humble yourself by washing the feet of those in a lower position than you are. Others can bring what you have done to light and thus make you feel humble. All I am trying to point out is anyone can feel humble, without having the indwelling Holy Spirit making them humble, but it also might not happen until judgement.

The unforgiven unbelieving sinner cannot make the righteous choice to “follow Christ”, prior to being regenerated. He can make the “choice” to follow Christ after he has been showered with unbelievable wonderful gifts which include eternal life, indwelling Holy Spirit, Godly type Love and being forgiven. Prior to regeneration the sinner can only be willing and trusting to humbly accept God’s gifts as pure undeserved charity for really selfish reasons.

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

The integrity of much of Alfred Kinsey's work has long since been called into question.

Reader advisory: Graphic description of child sexual abuse.

(LifeSiteNews) — This headline is decades late, but better late than never: “Indiana lawmakers back defunding Kinsey sex institute.” On February 22, the Indiana House voted 53-54 to bar Indiana University, home of the Kinsey Institute, from using any state government money for its sexual research. The Associated Press ludicrously claimed that this vote came as a result of “a far-right legislator” who “unleashed disputed allegations of child exploitation by its founder and famed mid-20th century researcher Alfred Kinsey.

Indeed, Democratic lawmaker Matt Pierce stated that these allegations were “based on old unproven allegations of conspiracies that did not exist” and calling them “warmed-over internet memes that keep coming back,” insisting that the Kinsey Institute’s noble mission was to “better understand human sexuality, including how to treat and prevent sexual predators and pedophiles.” The Associated Press chalked up GOP opposition to funding for the Kinsey Institute because they “blame [it] for contributing to liberalized sexual morals, including more acceptance of homosexuality and inappropriate contentography.”

Pierce, apparently, has not bothered to read Kinsey’s own works, Sexuality in the Human Male and Sexuality in the Human Female, which were published in 1948 and 1953. Kinsey’s work “revealed” that between 30-45% of men had affairs, 85% of men had had sex prior to marriage, that a staggering 70% of men had slept with prostitutes, and that between 10 and 37% of men had engaged in homosexual behavior. Much less talked about were his other disturbing “findings”—an in-depth study on the “sexual behavior” of children, as well as claims that nearly 10% of men had performed sex acts with animals (as well as 3.6% of women), and that this number rose to between 40-50% based on proximity to farms.

Continued below.

Better late than never: Indiana lawmakers vote to defund Kinsey sex institute - LifeSite

The integrity of much of Alfred Kinsey's work has long since been called into question.

www.lifesitenews.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

The word sacrament is as much talked about as it is misunderstood. What do I mean by that? The sacraments lie at the heart of our Catholic faith, most especially the Eucharist. But do we spend enough time trying to comprehend these sacred mysteries and the limitless ways they can shape our lives?

The Council of Trent taught in the 16th century that “a sacrament is a visible sign of an invisible grace.” So what are the invisible graces that are lavished upon us by God in the sacraments for our good? The National Eucharistic Revival invites us to consider this question in light of the Eucharist. How can we come to better realize the Eucharist’s fruits and allow them to transform us and the world?

Pope Benedict XVI called the Eucharist the “sacrament par excellence” because it contains “the whole mystery of our salvation.” The Eucharist makes the Church, a phrase coined by the French Jesuit theologian Henri DeLubac, which is to say that in the Eucharist we are continually built up as Christ’s body, which is why Vatican II called the Church “the sacrament of salvation.”

Continued below.

A Eucharistic Word: 'Sacrament'

The sacraments lie at the heart of our Catholic faith, most especially the Eucharist. But do we spend enough time trying to comprehend these sacred mysteries and the limitless ways they can shape our lives?

www.oursundayvisitor.com

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

NFL star Harrison Butker and the attraction of the Tridentine Mass

OSV chaplain Msgr. Owen F. Campion writes about the story of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and his devout Catholic faith. It has been well-covered in the media that Butker is an altar server at his parish, which uses the Tridentine rite of the Mass. Msgr. Campion writes: “Why do...

www.oursundayvisitor.com

Chesster · Mar 1, 2023

Apparently these are the courses that are taught in seminary:

"How to be a heretic 101"

"Pride: The new humility"

"Causing scandal 21st century style"

and the ever popular

"Leading your flock astray step by step"

Michie · Mar 1, 2023

Contrary to the legend of King Arthur’s mythical blade, this sword really existed and symbolizes the humility of a knight who renounced power to embrace a hermit life and became a saint.

The story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, a classic of Celtic literature and mythology, has captivated generations of people across all faiths for its glorious dimension. Much less known is the story of St. Galgano Guidotti, a knight-turned-hermit, which is often associated with the legend of Excalibur but which is based on proven historical facts. And it is no less worthy of a cloak-and-dagger novel.

Born around 1148 in Chiusdino, Tuscany, Galgano Guidotti had a faith path comparable to that of a St. Francis of Assisi or a St. Charles de Foucauld, leading a rather disorderly and dissolute life into early adulthood. According to the acts of his canonization process and the oldest biographies, it was around the age of 30, after the death of his father, that the impetuous knight had an apparition of St. Michael the Archangel in a dream, which instilled in him a profound desire to radically change his life.

Continued below.

‘Catholic Excalibur’: The True Story Behind St. Galgano’s Sword

Contrary to the legend of King Arthur’s mythical blade, this sword really existed and symbolizes the humility of a knight who renounced power to embrace a hermit life and became a saint.

www.ncregister.com

durangodawood · Mar 1, 2023

RDKirk said:
Sooner or later, they're going after "To Kill a Mockingbird."

They say the Roald to hell is paved with good intentions.

chilehed · Mar 1, 2023

Sounds like how I felt before I gave up drugs. Eventually the pain of going on became great enough that I became willing to stop even though I still desperately wanted to keep doing it. How much pain that took was entirely up to me, and God was eager to give me the strength I needed to follow through.

It became easier when I stopped focusing on not doing drugs and started focusing on positive spiritual goals (kind of like how when skiing in trees you hit the trees if you don't focus on the spaces in between them). One specific thing I do when I experience lustful thoughts is to immediately pray the Our Father, the Glory Be, and then a bunch of Hail Marys until it passes, focusing my attention on the Passion of our Lord. I also do everything I can to avoid being within eyeshot of this weeks object of my lust. And I make it an act of the will to do these things whether I want to do them or not, because of course when I'm experiencing lustful thoughts I'm not inclined to stop. That's the nature of concupiscence.

You might also want to find out if there are any 12-step groups in your area that focus on sexual addiction such as SLAA or SLA. I joined NA because I got beaten down by dope, but I've found that the NA program is broad enough to deal with all of my addictions. That's because addiction isn't really about the thing I'm addicted to. And yes, today I'm no longer plagued by my addictions.

So the question you need to ask yourself is "how much of my arm do I have to feed into this woodchipper before I decide to accept the help God is offering me to pull it out?" Because what you're doing is exactly like putting your arm into a woodchipper because it feels good.

Tellyontellyon said:
Surely I am doomed. The Calvinists seem to be right, I'm not chosen... Or rather, I've been designated for hell. And there is absolutely nothing that can be done for me. God is too powerful for me and he has decided.

Calvinist theology is chock-full of lies from the pit of hell, and the demonic notion that God designates some people for Hell is among the worst of them. Satan designates people for damnation. God does not.

Mark Quayle · Mar 1, 2023

seeker2122 said:
I've been a Christian for as long as I can remember (born into a Christian household, went to church since I was a baby),
baptized as an infant, confirmed my baptism in my teens and officially accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior in my early teens.
I've been serving in church since my teens and now I'm in my 40s.

But I am honest with myself. I do not pretend that I am right with God or that I am a good Christian. If anything, I truly believe
I am a poor example of a real follower of Christ. I often have the longing and passion for ministry and want to know Jesus more
and his Word, but most of the time I find myself seeking things for my own life rather than thinking about sacrificing myself for others.

I have a love for my fellow church members, children, students, people I know etc. But I found myself not having much of a care or
interest in the lost, the poor, the suffering, the people in other countries who are in worse shape than me. I don't have a love or longing
to pray for them, to want to go to missions and sacrifice my life for that cause. I do however have a passion for my own church and my
own church events, members, and building relationships with them. I also focus heavily on my own life, wanting to be married, wanting
to experience deep intimacy with another person, have good friendships deeply rooted in Christ, and actively be involved in my church
ministry. But whenever I hear other people share their heart and passion for missions and poor people halfway around the world, I realize
how shallow my love is. It's not agape level yet. It's still stuck in eros, phileo, storge level. But these missionaries have a heart for people
they don't even know and I can see and hear in their voices how big their love is for complete strangers.

Honestly, for me, I don't want to spend any energy or time for strangers I don't know unless God brought them into my life, I am not fishing
or going out of my way wanting to find them and help them with love. I don't have much love for people of the world. I only care about my
immediate circle of friends, family, and I want to get married and experience the life of being a husband, a father, and having a family. It sounds
really selfish. It probably is. But at the same time, why do I have to feel so bad about it as if I am wishing for a sinful thing? So many people
in my church have found love, intimacy, romance, got married, matured, grew, had a family, have kids and being the good dad now and living
that life (difficult as it may be....still...isn't it worth it?). So this tells me that my level of love is not mature.

But I don't believe that everyone out there who is currently married can honestly tell me your life and your love for God was where it should have
been before you got married. Lots of people found someone even when they weren't Christians or near mature, perfect, wise, good Christians.
Why does it feel like it's wrong to approach wanting to find intimacy and be in a relationship or get married while I am still not a good or mature
Christian? Was there some kind of rule that says God only blesses you with a husband or wife once you have a perfect walking relationship with Jesus
and living out the perfect Christian life? I've seen people meet and get married before all that happened but after they got married, their maturity
level grew, their faith grew, and became better Christians after it.

One thing I keep seeing in reading your OP, and even in some of your responses. You seem to take someone else's word for what you should think. It is good to be teachable, and nothing wrong with aspiring to admirable things. Kind of reminds me of the difference between the worldview of an extrovert given to Evangelism vs the mindset of introvert Bible apologist.

But when you get married, it sounds to me like you will still find yourself 'unsure' and 'teachable', or, at least, wanting to be that, yet not finding what SHE will tell you to be useful —and it will get worse. She may come to resent you for not listening, and you may be resentful for her trying to lead you. I speak here from personal experience, but I am not you.

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John 16:33