tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70890816386042535642011-10-24T06:44:09.186-04:00~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.comBlogger3111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-1490479787297813552010-07-19T14:21:00.001-04:002010-07-19T14:21:16.351-04:00<p>Today's second reading in the Liturgy of the Hours is from St. Ignatius of Antioch, his letter to the Magnesians. This reading is a very important apologetic piece because it discusses the differences between priests and laypersons and between priests and the diocesan Bishop. Many fundamentalist Protestants will argue that this distinction was developed by Catholics in the 400s or even the Middle Ages. That's why this writing is so important. It dates as early as 70 A.D. and definitely no later than 120 A.D. Indeed our Catholic Faith is Christ's Body - the same today, yesterday, and forever.</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.4.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-149047978729781355?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-51878343216837463172010-07-09T09:10:00.001-04:002010-07-09T09:10:43.700-04:00<p>Because today is the feast day of the Chinese martyrs, this morning's homily focused on their giving of themselves and how that is tied to the Holy Spirit as seen in the readings. I was thinking during mass that most of us will never be fortunate enough to call ourselves martyrs for Christ. We will likely never die because of our faith or suffer as Our Lord did. <br /><br />However, as ordinary individuals we have the opportunity to offer up little sufferings in unity with Christ's suffering. As St. Terese of Liseaux and so many other saints have taught us, even the smallest inconvienences and pains can be offered to God. <br /><br />Also, we can martyr ourselves in another way, frequently mentioned in the New Testament. By "dying" to sin, we not only sacrifice something that brings us temporal pleasure, but also draw closer to God. In both these ways we can become "little martyrs". and indeed saints.</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5187834321683746317?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-67582980598739041092010-07-06T09:53:00.001-04:002010-07-06T09:53:31.534-04:00<a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/TDM1WcAFfDI/AAAAAAAABmw/O-umPcCpFs8/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg'><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/TDM1WcAFfDI/AAAAAAAABmw/O-umPcCpFs8/s400/%5BUNSET%5D.jpg' /></a><p>I just wanted to share a quick picture of our new parish. We think it is quite beautiful. I will try to get our good camera there soon and take some detail shots but this one is a quickie with my cell phone.</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6758298059873904109?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-38220483028175232412010-07-01T09:06:00.001-04:002010-07-01T09:06:23.699-04:00<p>Last night my wife and I watched the Polish movie Faustina about the life of the saint. My biggest complaints were that the movie had to roll many characters and events into one or oversimplify them, that the theological depth of her writing is largely missing, and that her relationship with her confessor Fr. Sopocko is very simplified. Overall, however, the movie does give a general introduction to St. Faustina's life and sufferings and I recommend it.</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3822048302817523241?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-62895832088918156102010-06-28T10:30:00.001-04:002010-06-28T10:30:07.494-04:00<p>As I was listening to the Gospel readings yesterday morning in mass, I was once again struck by how God speaks to us in each reading. If we open our ears and listen, we can all discern totally different important messages from the very same readings. Try reading them slowly below and see what God is saying to you personally:<br /><br />http://usccb.org/nab/062710.shtml</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6289583208891815610?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-66938873594498838782010-06-24T15:09:00.001-04:002010-06-24T15:09:46.297-04:00<p>So sorry that its been a while since my last post. We moved to a new city when I got a new job and I've just been swamped. Everyone in ny family is doing great down here. I wanted to share two devotions I've been doing since the move. First, riding the bus to work allows me now to do my morning and evening prayer consistently every day from the Liturgy of the Hours. I even started using IBreviary on my Android phone. Second, in the mornings when I get up, my wife got me "Mornings with Fulton Sheen" where I can read a meditation from his life, a scripture from Proverbs, and meditate for a few minutes on how it impacts my life. God continues to bless us!</p><div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.3.6</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6693887359449883878?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-43477749566183227252010-05-19T17:14:00.001-04:002010-05-19T17:15:22.120-04:00I have a confession. I got a Google Android phone and I'm addicted to it. I can do the Liturgy of the Hours on it, read daily prayers, about the Saint of the Day...and it's caused me to neglect blogging. I have so much to blog, and I plan to get back into it later, but I'm still around!<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4347774956618322725?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-82221062250679265542010-04-26T20:21:00.005-04:002010-04-26T20:28:04.784-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvYvbecxI/AAAAAAAABmk/2kojO8Hjiu0/s1600/DSC_0125+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"></a><div style="text-align: left;">So, I made it to Chicago. I wanted to share a couple pictures with you, first a couple of the Cathedral as a whole:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YueXBqD3I/AAAAAAAABmE/Xz1cyfM39G4/s1600/DSC_0133+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9Yud3TADWI/AAAAAAAABl8/LsSBk6YLOTY/s320/DSC_0120+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464606288455404898" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YueXBqD3I/AAAAAAAABmE/Xz1cyfM39G4/s320/DSC_0133+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464606296972595058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9Yud3TADWI/AAAAAAAABl8/LsSBk6YLOTY/s1600/DSC_0120+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9Yud3TADWI/AAAAAAAABl8/LsSBk6YLOTY/s1600/DSC_0120+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9Yud3TADWI/AAAAAAAABl8/LsSBk6YLOTY/s1600/DSC_0120+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Then, one of the Tabernacle of the Blessed Sacrament:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9Yu6_SZ3hI/AAAAAAAABmM/1V9N6XDvywg/s320/DSC_0117+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464606788816592402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Finally, a nice shot of a relic of St. Faustina (who we plan to name our first daughter after) and the IHS on the ceiling:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvYvbecxI/AAAAAAAABmk/2kojO8Hjiu0/s1600/DSC_0125+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvYvbecxI/AAAAAAAABmk/2kojO8Hjiu0/s320/DSC_0125+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464607299955749650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvYYHcafI/AAAAAAAABmc/VUz2QJ1k2eo/s1600/DSC_0124+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvYYHcafI/AAAAAAAABmc/VUz2QJ1k2eo/s320/DSC_0124+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464607293697714674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvX8Vsv7I/AAAAAAAABmU/rBY_UeMqbes/s1600/DSC_0119+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S9YvX8Vsv7I/AAAAAAAABmU/rBY_UeMqbes/s320/DSC_0119+%5BDesktop+Resolution%5D.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464607286241312690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8222106225067926554?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-57811370273490943432010-04-21T12:00:00.003-04:002010-04-21T12:02:06.805-04:00I ran across<a href="http://catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=36237"> this story</a> and couldn't stop from posting it. A man in India murdered a nun about 15 years ago and upon being visited by her biological sister (who is also a nun), he asked for forgiveness and began his conversion to Christianity. Remember to pray for all those in India, that the religious violence will stop.<div><br /></div><div>In other news, I'm about to board a plane to Chicago and hope to be visiting that Cathedral in a couple hours.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5781137027349094343?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-763200647801484482010-04-20T11:29:00.002-04:002010-04-20T12:47:24.951-04:00I'm hoping to go see the <a href="http://www.holynamecathedral.org/">Cathedral in Chicago</a> tomorrow. I've blocked out a tiny bit of time in the afternoon that I might just make it!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-76320064780148448?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-13098881205482795382010-04-19T19:59:00.001-04:002010-04-19T20:00:34.659-04:00Ok, I've been on a posting binge lately, but I just couldn't help sharing <a href="http://godfearin.blogspot.com/2010/04/video-every-catholic-music-leader-needs.html">this blog post and video</a> I saw about the difference between sacred and secular music, and what is approved and acceptable at mass. <div><br /></div><div>Disclaimer: No offense intended for Marty Haugen and David Haas lovers.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1309888120548279538?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-50685962131096016672010-04-19T19:38:00.002-04:002010-04-19T19:45:46.353-04:00I've blogged before about sacramentals, the Communion of Saints, and how I feel about them as a Catholic. I was just standing in my bedroom and looking at my <a href="http://coloradospringsrealestateconnection.com/files/2009/01/st-joseph-statue.jpg">statue of St. Joseph</a>. He, being my patron saint, raises my mind up to Heaven. When I see the statue standing there, sometimes I fondly refer to it as Joseph, such as when I shut my drawers and he starts to wobble on the dresser. I say "Joseph, you stay up there!". Now, of course, I know that little statue isn't St. Joseph, but it raises my mind up to Heaven, to God, and all the Saints surrounding his throne. I see it in the mornings and I remember to pray the prayer I always say to my patron saint (that I made up):<div><br /></div><div>"St. Joseph, I chose you as my patron saint. Please pray for me to live up to your example of a husband and a father." </div><div><br /></div><div>As a matter of fact, I've been praying that since before I even had a son! Then, I walk into my dining room, and I see the icon of <a href="http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/research/theology/ejournal/aejt_6/images/christ-the-teacher_i.jpg">Christ the Teacher</a> and I pray, "Lord, please teach me to lead my life in a way pleasing to you." Again, Christ isn't the icon, but it lifts my mind up to him. I know that all seems strange to many outside of Catholic/Orthodox Faith, but that's just the way it is, and I'm always glad to be walking around my house, seeing the icons and statues, and remember that I am not alone. I am surrounded by a glorious throng of Saints from all the ages.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus, I trust in you!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5068596213109601667?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-74236131616839918652010-04-19T14:33:00.002-04:002010-04-19T19:12:42.509-04:00I noticed the NY Times has moved to just bashing the Church and revealing their true motivations behind the slander they print. See the article: "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/18/opinion/18kristof.html?src=me">A Church Mary Can Love</a>"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7423613161683991865?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-82271825245633522102010-04-19T09:50:00.002-04:002010-04-19T09:54:32.269-04:00I saw over on <a href="http://acatholicview.blogspot.com/2010/04/penn-bishop-denies-promotional-support.html">A Catholic View</a> that our Bishop, Bishop Brandt of the Diocese of Greensburg has made a great move. He denied an order of religious sisters access to recruit through diocesan support and publications because of their blatant denial of Church teaching, specifically about abortion. He's been a great Bishop during the times I have personally met him, and seems to be doing a great job shepherding the flock. Say a little prayer for him, all Bishops, priests, and religious if you have a second.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8227182524563352210?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-47791245458298297542010-04-18T20:13:00.002-04:002010-04-18T20:26:31.713-04:00Recently I was in a discussion about how many religions pray at certain hours, similar to the way Catholics structure the Liturgy of the Hours (breviary, Divine Office, etc.) to pray at Morning, Mid Morning, Midday, Mid Afternoon, Evening, and Night prayer, not to mention the Office of Readings. Of course, those prayers are based around praying the Psalms, so that every 4 weeks we have basically prayed the entire book of Psalms. I had a Muslim, a Jew, and an Orthodox Christian tell me a little about their liturgical prayers based on the time of day, and I wanted to share them. It's something that I feel a lot (but not all, including some Lutherans and Anglicans I know) of Protestants really miss out on, and a major part of the majority of the world's religious practices. <div><br /></div><div>Jewish: I found a lot of similarities with what she told me about Jewish prayer and how the Catholics practice (after all, ours developed in the first century from theirs, that is why we see Peter going up on the rooftop in Acts to pray at a given hour). Her mention of the blessings and prayers for daily life are reminiscent of Catholicism too, including our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Book-Blessings-Conference-Confirmed-Apostolic/dp/0814618758">Book of Blessings</a> that covers almost everything I can think of in life. <a href="http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/blessings.htm">Here</a> is also a non-exhaustive list of a lot of Catholic blessings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, let's here is what she had to tell me:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Yeah, Jews still pray at 'set times' - not exactly SET by the clock, but by the general time of day - evening, morning, and early afternoon. Alone or with a group - there are some prayers only for reciting with a group, otherwise they are skipped.<br /><br />There are also prayers/blessings recited upon waking up, before and after eating, and before bed - and other occasions - but you are talking about the regular 'daily' prayers I think.<br /><br />BTW, we have a prayer/blessing for going to the bathroom. It's longish, but boils down to 'thank God, everything is working!'</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">our set/liturgical prayers are three times daily: after sundown but before midnight (ma'ariv), from dawn to midmorning (shacharit), and after noon but before sundown (mincha). There is a 'set liturgy' for each of those (although personal prayers can be added). These prayers are typically recited/davened while standing and facing Jerusalem.<br /><br />Typically, a person will say 'it is time to daven mincha' for instance. 'Daven' is an odd word, and not really translatable - it isn't 'recite' or 'pray' but means something like both, plus something like 'concentrate'. Usually a dictionary just says 'to recite Jewish prayers', though.<br /><br />Occasions for reciting blessings are - myriad. There's a blessing for waking up. A blessing for successfully going to the bathroom. A blessing for new clothes. A blessing for food. A blessing for wine. A blessing for seeing a beautiful view. A blessing for hearing of someone's death.<br /><br />And of course, one can pray - address God personally - at any time for any reason.<br /><br />A sage once said: our lives are our prayer. If you are living your life the way you 'should', then you are 'praying' - all the time.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Next, the Muslim answer, in her's, we again we see a lot of similarities (I couldn't help but thinking when reading about both of these about how the English word "Easter" which as far as I know only English speaking countries used, came from a word meaning "from the East" referencing Christ's resurrection and the direction of Jerusalem, and that most of our Churches have altars that face East.):</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Salah is the five daily prayers, which are required. When you see Muslims praying -- standing, bowing, prostrating in rows -- that's salah. Salah is liturgical -- there are set words, set movements, conditions which must be met, and set times. The times are determined by the position of the sun -- so depending on where you live and the time of year, the times for the five prayers change. The times are generally: sunrise, midday, afternoon, sunset, and night. Many Muslims still just look at the sun to determine when it's prayer time, but many use perpetual prayer calendars that show the exact times the prayers begin each day. There are websites where you can enter your zip code and it will give you the precise times. You're supposed to pray as close to the times as you can, but never before. So today, in my area, the prayer times are:<br /><br />5:42am<br />1:35pm<br />5:21pm<br />8:07pm<br />9:28pm<br /><br />Du'a are just personal communications with God, said at any time, under any conditions. We have tons of examples of du'a that the prophet said -- you can say those, or your own words, or a combination. We have du'a for nearly every thing you might do, such as waking up, getting dressed, eating, before salah, after salah, meeting people, leaving people, traveling, feeling scared or sick or angry, etc etc. The prophet's du'a show that he was in an almost constant stream of communication with his Creator.</span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Finally, the Eastern Orthodox individual weighed in, here is what he had to say (obviously we have the most in common with their prayer.):</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Yes, Orthodox Christians--especially those in monasteries--pray the hours. Pious Orthodox Christians probably pray at least twice a day---upon rising and retiring. Further, many wear prayer ropes around their wrists, which contain a certain number of knots which are used to pray the Jesus Prayer in repetition. ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.") Hence, the focus is on prayer without ceasing. </span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">Anyway, it's very interesting and I wanted to share. Keep praying for me to keep up with my prayers, haha!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4779124545829829754?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-8396691187182452262010-04-18T09:54:00.001-04:002010-04-18T09:54:50.985-04:00Im working on a post where I gather information about other faiths and how they &quot;pray the hours.&quot; Hopefully more to share soon!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-839669118718245226?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-39835389540485446002010-04-16T23:15:00.001-04:002010-04-16T23:15:33.268-04:00Testing 123. I decided to set up my blog with text messaging. Not sure how often I will use it but here it is nonetheless!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3983538954048544600?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-54818911066251413312010-04-16T19:22:00.002-04:002010-04-16T19:27:33.627-04:00<div>You might note that recently my blog posts have been more conversational and less informational. I think that's because I am trying to go through a stage of spiritual growth, and I need input and thoughts about how to better grow as a faithful Catholic Christian. It also allows me to blog when I might otherwise pass on blogging for the day, and I believe this blog benefits me immensely and hopefully others. Anyhow, here are some of my daily thoughts:</div><div><br /></div>One thing I have never been very good at is giving thanks at the right time. I always try to give God thanksgiving at the appropriate times, and of course by making the sign of the cross and asking for God's blessing at meal times. However, I've noticed that sometimes when things go really well for me, it takes me an hour or two to let it sink it before I say a prayer of thanksgiving. I'm on top of asking for help, guidance, etc. But the thanksgiving part is always delayed. We all need to remember that all good things come from God the Father through Christ and the Holy Spirit. Giving thanks for these things is important, and I'd love if anyone has anything to share about how they remind themselves to constantly give thanks for everything. At the very least, we should always remember to say a quick Act of Thanksgiving after mass for His Body and Blood.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">From the depths of my heart<br />I thank You, Dear Lord, <br />For Your infinite kindness in coming to me.<br />How <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=5257" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(253, 27, 20); text-decoration: none; ">good</a> You are to me!<br />With Your most holy Mother and all the angels,<br />I praise Your mercy and generosity toward me,<br />A poor sinner.<br />I thank You for noourishing my soul<br />With Your Sacred Body and Precious Blood.<br />I <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=12332" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(253, 27, 20); text-decoration: none; ">will</a> try to show my gratitude to You<br />In the Sacrament of Your love,<br />By <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8604" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5; color: rgb(253, 27, 20); text-decoration: none; ">obedience</a> to Your holy commandemnts,<br />By fidelity to my duties,<br />By kindness to my neighbour <br />And by an earnest endeavour <br />To become more like You in my daily conduct. </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5481891106625141331?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-66240020814159616932010-04-15T18:14:00.002-04:002010-04-15T18:17:40.605-04:00One thing that bothers me recently is that I have noticed many churches locking their doors during non-mass hours (even the Cathedral in the diocese we live in, but not the diocese we worship in, only unlocks the doors during mass times). That bothers me because people don't have access to the Blessed Sacrament - to be able to sit and pray in the Church. Why they do this, I am not sure. Perhaps they think people are going to steal things or it isn't safe if they can't lock it up. Whatever it is, I would really like parishes to find ways to leave things open for prayer more often. Luckily, one parish in the city we live in right next to my work allows constant access to the Church for private devotion and prayer. I wonder if anyone else has thoughts or experiences with this, or could explain the issue to me a little more?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6624002081415961693?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-23471276980955558272010-04-14T21:07:00.002-04:002010-04-14T21:12:45.543-04:00In recent times, we've been seeing a storm of anti-Catholicism in the media, a storm of "liberal" priests spewing hate propaganda against the Holy Father and the Church, and "parishioners" protesting every thing from gay marriage to abortion teaching. I believe a lot of this comes from the liberal cultural movement of the 60s and 70s (that unfortunately invaded the Church during that time period). Shouldn't we expect them to make one last big hurrah, a giant hurricane before the storm? After all, by all signs these individuals are largely on the way out, and the Church is making a move towards its tradition (as it always does) and reforming the practice of allowing them to pervade our worship so much. Since they know this, they seem to believe making one last big stand might win the battle for them. Let's hope they come to a realization and repentance before they decide to fight the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Little_Bighorn">Battle of the Little Bighorn</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2347127698095555827?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-226832733956785742010-04-14T17:15:00.002-04:002010-04-14T17:20:48.898-04:00Seen those billboards around your neighborhood with the Blessed Virgin on them, a link to <a href="http://www.mej.com">www.mej.com</a>, and the quote "This is my time"? Being curious about this, and knowing it had something to do with the unauthenticated and non Church-approved apparitions at Medjugorje, I checked out the web site. Looks like they are trying to push people to personally investigate the apparitions and also running tours to the area. I know little about this personally, and I expect I will be waiting till the Church makes an official declaration on it before I make up my mind, but does anyone else know more about this group specifically? It is interesting that they are putting up billboards all over the country. Is it legitimate belief or a money-making scheme? Could the billboards bring people closer to Christ, the sacraments and the Church or could they be misleading and cause people to shy away? Interesting, to say the least.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-22683273395678574?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-42234747606992937882010-04-13T10:29:00.002-04:002010-04-13T10:34:47.314-04:00<div>For the last several years, I have been praying for an individual who I love with my whole heart. Every mass, Eucharistic adoration, and many of my personal prayers and liturgy of the hours have been dedicated to them. Because I knew of their love for God, I wanted nothing more than for them to embrace the Catholic Church. I lost touch with this individual several months ago (perhaps even a year ago by now). Just yesterday I found out that last week they were confirmed into the Church after attending a year of RCIA. That might be what I have prayed for more than anything else since I have been Catholic. The only summary I can think of is:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">Give thanks to the Lord. For His Mercy Endures Forever.</span></i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4223474760699293788?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-80801186556081975262010-04-04T21:21:00.002-04:002010-04-04T21:26:30.555-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S7k8JbUhgAI/AAAAAAAABl0/QAc85PyIW3A/s1600/DSC_0035+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S7k8JbUhgAI/AAAAAAAABl0/QAc85PyIW3A/s320/DSC_0035+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456458556186394626" /></a><br />Happy Easter everyone!!!!! I had to share a picture of my beautiful wife and Xavier in their Easter outfits. Other than that, we had a beautiful Easter mass at our parish this morning. Father Aaron (a Benedictine monk who fills in for our regular priest on occasion) had a wonderful homily reminding us of the constancy of the risen Savior and his Body - the Church - even when individuals are fallible. It really gave some perspective to how <a href="http://catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=36033">Satan has tried to disparage the Church using scandals from decades ago and libeling the Holy Father Pope Benedict and lead them away from Easter.</a> As always, Christ triumphantly rises for this Easter Season and Satan is again defeated. Remember that despite humans being fallible, the Church is and always will be the same. Gloria in Excelsis Deo!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8080118655608197526?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-26157624459114133112010-04-01T13:45:00.001-04:002010-04-01T13:45:55.475-04:00I was bored this afternoon, and after trying to think of something to do with the fresh veggies in my fridge, this is what I came up with. [Note: Photos are slightly blurry due to the steam coming off the soup.]<br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Spinach, Zucchini, and Mushroom Soup</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Serves 1</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S7TbMspm3yI/AAAAAAAABTA/F_noT_DBr9M/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S7TbMspm3yI/AAAAAAAABTA/F_noT_DBr9M/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455226059843100450" border="0" /></a><br /></div> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients:</span><br />4 Button Mushrooms, Sliced Thin<br />1/4 Zucchini, Sliced Thin<br />1 Handful of Spinach<br />1 Green Onion (1/2 Sliced Thin, the root half, keep intact)<br />1 tsp. Butter<br />1 Chicken Bouillon Cube<br />1 Cup of Water<br /><br />Saute Spinach, Zucchini, and Mushrooms in a teaspoon of butter until tender.<br />Add Bouillon and Water to pan.<br />Bring to slow simmer for 5 minutes (add salt and pepper to taste).<br />Garnish with root half of green onion intact.<br /><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~<br /></div><br />Obviously, it's easy to make this for more than one person (just multiply the ingredients!) but I was only cooking for myself this afternoon.<br /><br />The flavor was really quite good - a little spicy from the black pepper. I think if I make it again, I'd add just a touch of fresh lemon to the broth, to try to brighten up the flavor just a tad (and maybe use a thin slice of lemon as an additional garnish).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S7TbM3M7jLI/AAAAAAAABTI/W8IWeQDFaBM/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S7TbM3M7jLI/AAAAAAAABTI/W8IWeQDFaBM/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455226062675610802" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2615762445911413311?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-51436554262865647972010-03-30T19:11:00.002-04:002010-03-30T19:13:47.529-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S7KFiWeQJxI/AAAAAAAABlo/gwyaZOMnUas/s1600/DSC_0114+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 215px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S7KFiWeQJxI/AAAAAAAABlo/gwyaZOMnUas/s320/DSC_0114+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454568923893606162" border="0" /></a><br />I have a small devotion to "Our Lady of Perpetual Help" and was shocked to find a mother of pearl version in Chinatown in Honolulu. Any idea why they have such a devotion to her? It was also hanging up in a predominately Korean parish there. Very interesting nonetheless and I wanted to share a photo!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5143655426286564797?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-44371948628605951642010-03-26T20:58:00.008-04:002010-03-26T21:18:17.718-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></u></span></div>Well, just because we are abstaining from meats on Fridays doesn't mean that Catholics can't have "Good Eats". Tonight I got a chance to cook, and wanted to share how I edited <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pizza-pot-pies-recipe/index.html">Giada's Pizza Pot Pie</a> to be meatless - and it only cost about 10 dollars to feed both of us (and it was absolutely delicious). I hope to share some more meatless dishes in the future, because we generally try to abstain from meat during all Fridays of the year, and I think I"m going to try to start cooking on Fridays as well.<div><br /></div><div>First, you make the tomato sauce, for this simply leave the pancetta out of the recipe:'</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61ZSdf-05I/AAAAAAAABkw/v1NLhxY__wc/s320/DSC_0572.JPG" /></div><div><br /></div><div>Next, start preparing your ingredients by chopping up all the goodies she suggests in her recipe. Just replace the chicken with zucchini (trust me, the zucchini takes in the flavor of the sauce, and ends up being perfecto!):</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61Z-wR3jDI/AAAAAAAABlA/xp8gaXWY0h4/s1600/DSC_0575+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61Z-ldJkgI/AAAAAAAABk4/SYJJCpG0ONw/s1600/DSC_0574+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61Z-ldJkgI/AAAAAAAABk4/SYJJCpG0ONw/s320/DSC_0574+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453113655556674050" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61Z-wR3jDI/AAAAAAAABlA/xp8gaXWY0h4/s320/DSC_0575+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453113658462145586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Add all the ingredients together after a proper simmer:</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61aVH7WbcI/AAAAAAAABlI/1cHBxMj9caY/s1600/DSC_0579.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61aVH7WbcI/AAAAAAAABlI/1cHBxMj9caY/s320/DSC_0579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453114042767273410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61Z-wR3jDI/AAAAAAAABlA/xp8gaXWY0h4/s1600/DSC_0575+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"></a></div><div>Cover with pizza dough and add cheese to the top (Romano instead of parmigiana for me!) Don't forget to cut a slit in the top:</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61asn8wckI/AAAAAAAABlQ/9iEbs0GAj5Y/s320/DSC_0581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453114446500098626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Then, just cook, eat and enjoy! Hope everyone's Holy Week goes well.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61bDOitJSI/AAAAAAAABlY/HgtK0zAXfL4/s1600/DSC_0585+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61bDOitJSI/AAAAAAAABlY/HgtK0zAXfL4/s320/DSC_0585+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453114834816935202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61asn8wckI/AAAAAAAABlQ/9iEbs0GAj5Y/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61aVH7WbcI/AAAAAAAABlI/1cHBxMj9caY/s1600/DSC_0579.JPG"></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S61bDayXrpI/AAAAAAAABlg/bAU8tJDpylY/s320/DSC_0586+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453114838103862930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4437194862860595164?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-65265561623375514052010-03-25T17:26:00.002-04:002010-03-25T17:29:06.842-04:00<div>It's been a while! My lent is coming along, not as good as I would like (I need to remember not to ever go to Hawaii during Lent again!), but I'm still around. I hope to catch up on some of your blogs soon. </div><div><br /></div>Thanks to Erik, I can post <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/do-the-right-thing/201003/six-important-points-you-dont-hear-about-regarding-clergy-sexual-abus">this story</a> about things you don't hear about priests in this "sex scandal" stuff. I don't believe it is all the media, but a lot of the things being printed in newspapers and magazines is bordering on hardcore bigotry.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6526556162337551405?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-16313913277871398382010-03-06T21:19:00.003-05:002010-03-06T21:23:51.518-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S5MNQZQbp_I/AAAAAAAABCg/f2fJyGnrzJo/s1600-h/DSC_0104+%5B1024x768%5D.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/S5MNQZQbp_I/AAAAAAAABCg/f2fJyGnrzJo/s320/DSC_0104+%5B1024x768%5D.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445710949729937394" /></a>Often, when I hear about the shortage of Priest's, I think about how I want to foster the various vocations available to my son (and hopefully soon, children). <br /><br /><div>I get the impression that, back when times were "harder", families were more prone to encourage their children to go into the Priesthood, or join a convent due to the financial security. I think it is important, that we continue to foster those vocations (other than marriage) within our children, and let them know that marriage is not the only sacrament that comes after Confirmation.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would really like to hear everyone else's thoughts and ideas about this...it really is an intriguing topic for me.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1631391327787139838?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-42378961613892477162010-02-27T20:35:00.002-05:002010-02-27T20:44:55.023-05:00One of the great things about being Catholic is all the devotions that we have. We have the rosary, chaplet of Divine Mercy, devotion to saints, novenas, devotion to the Blessed Mother, etc. etc. etc. We have so many prayers and opportunities, not to mention daily mass, holy days of obligation, confession, penance services, Bible studies, faith formation classes, hundreds of thousands of books by Catholic authors, etc. etc. etc. <div><br /></div><div>Thinking about this, I think I sometimes overwhelm myself. There have been very spiritually high times in my life where I have been able to do the Liturgy of the Hours, the Rosary, and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy each and every day. Unfortunately, many times when I forget to do one, I wouldn't do any of them for a certain day, or when you start to let things go like that you can even get off schedule and fall into spiritual lethargy. </div><div><br /></div><div>During this lent (By the way, how are your Lenten resolutions going?), I have made it a point to say the Morning and Evening prayers (and many times Night prayer) from the Liturgy of the Hours/Divine Office/Breviary. It's been wonderful. I've decided that instead of trying to tackle too much or get myself quickly into a commitment I can't keep, that I am going to commit myself even after Lent to continue praying these main offices DAILY. That will be my devotion - devotion to the prayer of the Church Universal and praying the Psalms daily. That isn't to say that I am never going to pray the rosary (we actually do that every day after daily mass when I am able to attend) or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or prayers to my patron saints, or novenas, or anything else. Just that I am going to focus and work hard on this devotion, and maybe add more after I have mastered the ability to pray all 7 offices each day. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I am discerning a possible future calling to the Diaconate, I really need to get used to the potential future obligation to pray them anyway. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hope your lent is going well. My wife and I are headed to Hawaii for a work trip for me and a vacation for her soon. Maybe I'll have some time to blog there.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4237896161389247716?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-24097852113223223052010-02-22T11:20:00.001-05:002010-02-22T11:22:12.059-05:00Thought I would share this <a href="http://brewright.blogspot.com/2006/11/divorce-rates-by-religious-affiliation.html">interesting post</a> about divorce rates among religious groups. Note that practicing Catholics are all the way on the bottom. I'm proud of us! Thanks to Marcus for passing it on.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2409785211322322305?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-34164525738044279392010-02-13T18:52:00.002-05:002010-02-13T18:55:43.682-05:00I went to confession again today (I try to go as regularly as possible, and as the Church suggests, we should at least try to go once a month even if we are confessing venial sins.) It amazes me that no matter how many times you go and no matter how many times you confess things (even the same things!) and even if the priest knows who you are, you always hear the words "I absolve you from your sins". How beautiful those words are, to hear them spoken - to actually hear Christ speaking to you through the priest and forgiving you of your wrongdoing. Each and every time. <div><br /></div><div>I think I should end with the quote from John's letter "If we say we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us". Go to confession if you haven't in a while!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3416452573804427939?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-69596722512405576292010-02-04T20:21:00.001-05:002010-02-04T20:23:51.496-05:00Sometimes people ask about the Church's rather strong view on the protection of life including people who are in a so-called "vegetative" state. It is interesting that, at least in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/04/vegetative.state/index.html?hpt=Sbin">this one case</a>, scientists have found that a person thought to be in this state can listen and communicate even though they are not functioning. Hopefully this will lead others to start thinking about the sanctity of all life.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6959672251240557629?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-84563714326757703222010-02-01T16:44:00.002-05:002010-02-01T16:52:40.913-05:00Recently I have found a lot of news articles "beating a dead horse." For a simple example, let's take the Stimulus program our government has implemented several times in the last few years under both Presidents Bush and Obama. We poured money into our banking system and to pave roads, and guess what, the economy still stinks. So, the news and the government has decided, we "might need another stimulus package". Sounds like insanity (doing the same thing over and over again with the same results). <div><br /></div><div>Likewise, I read a recent article about an increase in teenage pregnancies. Of course, we in the United States have been increasing "Sex education" and birth control (handing out condoms or making "the pill" more accessible to teenage girls), not to mention abortion. The solution? Hand out more birth control and teach more "sex education", even to younger ages. </div><div><br /></div><div>I've also had conversations with Catholics and Orthodox recently about their problems in marriage, how immoral tactics such as these (and others) are the correct way to proceed in their marriage to keep it from failing. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then, I stumbled upon <a href="http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=35331">an article</a> on Catholic Online that sums up a lot of my opinion. Come on people, let's move towards more modesty and purity, less immorality to solve our problems in society. It's a function of our society moving more and more towards self-indulgence and satisfaction and another time where people are failing to remember the ideas of self-sacrifice and the value of suffering. </div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8456371432675770322?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-57622672231587563302010-01-28T17:31:00.001-05:002010-01-28T17:32:19.814-05:00I just wanted to share<a href="http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2009/06/375"> this well thought out and highly critical article</a>, which I think speaks a lot to the position we need to take.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5762267223158756330?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-26016494666421986772010-01-22T16:39:00.002-05:002010-01-22T16:58:46.789-05:00Say a prayer for an end to abortion everywhere today! Our parish is having 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration and I'm about to head out for the evening to go to it. More on this later I hope!<div><br /></div><div>One more note, I read this on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/22/abortion.rally/index.html">CNN</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; "><i>"A fetus is not a life, sorry," </i><a href="http://topics.cnn.com/topics/national_organization_for_women/" class="cnnInlineTopic" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-weight: inherit; font-size: 14px; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 66, 118); outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; outline-color: initial; "><i>NOW</i></a><i> President Terry O'Neill told CNN. "And no, nobody's religious conviction justifies taking women's ability to shape their own futures away from them."</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Well, as my professors would say in graduate school, we need a citation on that first sentence (about what a Fetus is or is not) and secondly, note the language shift to make it look like we are trying to "take away women's ability to shape their own futures" rather than trying to protect the future of children.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">In another language twist, CNN continues to call us "Anti-Abortion" protesters, refusing to use the term pro-life. More prayers tonight!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2601649466642198677?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-15537276959748370802010-01-21T19:52:00.002-05:002010-01-21T20:03:34.607-05:00So I was asked by an anabaptist what was wrong with "Being like the Early Christians" - so I wanted to take up this question as a blog post.<div><br /></div><div>First, obviously we would disagree about what an early Christian was like. Most Protestants who want to "be like the Early Christians" would deny that they believed the bread and wine became the actual body and blood of Christ. Actually, all evidence we have and all the writings of the early Christians indicate that they did, along with the New Testament record and Christ's own words. They would also reject that the Church followed a liturgical worship schedule, which it historically obviously did. So, when you wanted to "be like the early Christians", you would actually be a Catholic - obviously not what they think an early Christian was. Also, with their belief in "sola scriptura" they would have a hard time understanding how the New Testament wasn't laid in stone until 400 A.D. how the early Christians would base almost everything they did off sacred Tradition (there I said the "T" word!)</div><div><br /></div><div>But, perhaps even more importantly, if we were to "become like the Early Christians" we would have to forsake the Church as it is today. Christ created a living body to be his Church; His Body. An organic body doesn't simply stay in a static state, unable to adapt and grow, but instead it becomes a much stronger, more well defined, larger entity growing daily and becoming more aware of truths of faith and morals. This organic, dynamic body is what the Catholic Church is, and to forsake 2000 years of growth would be ludicrous to say the least. Here, if someone was more interested, they might pursue more about the Catholic Church and <a href="http://socrates58.blogspot.com/2006/08/introduction-to-development-of.html">doctrinal development</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think Christ put it best when he referred to the Church (or Kingdom) as a mustard seed:</div><div><br /></div><div>Mark 4:30-32 (RSV)</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">"And he said "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade"</span></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1553727695974837080?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-31037060864729398062010-01-19T21:58:00.002-05:002010-01-19T22:00:46.557-05:00Well, as most of you know by now, Brown won! Let's pray for him that he make wise decisions when in office, especially regarding the most innocent of human beings, the unborn. Let's also pray that we get real health care reform that helps the most defenseless people (the unborn, children, the elderly and the poor) and doesn't tear down life. <div><br /></div><div>Finally, pray for him on issues where he might not agree with the Church, whatever those might be.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3103706086472939806?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-66434216757383131492010-01-19T17:19:00.002-05:002010-01-19T17:21:37.043-05:00<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; white-space: pre;">Tonight at around 8 o clock the polls close in Massachussetts. If you read this before then, say a quick prayer about the election. One of the candidates has already proven herself to be an anti-Catholic bigot with her remarks about how Catholics shouldn't be doctors or nurses in emergency rooms, not to mention being all around obnoxious in general with her attitude towards this election. This could also be a big impact on whether abortion funding gets cut out of the health care bill. We'll see!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6643421675738313149?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-15665032247112080452010-01-14T19:37:00.003-05:002010-01-14T19:39:54.551-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S0-5USAqH1I/AAAAAAAABiQ/b34PrrpAiR8/s1600-h/DSC_0097+%5B800x600%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/S0-5USAqH1I/AAAAAAAABiQ/b34PrrpAiR8/s320/DSC_0097+%5B800x600%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426759834087858002" border="0" /></a><br />I wanted to make this my first blog post and show off my new outfit from EWTN!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1566503224711208045?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-41222133119015958582010-01-04T23:12:00.002-05:002010-01-04T23:16:02.686-05:00Just wanted to share a bit. Perhaps it is more common than I thought, but did anyone else notice how the readings from Sunday prophesied the Magi coming to Christ? I guess I just never came across these passages, except the last couple years when I've been Catholic but had not gotten to take them in.<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong>Reading I</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/isaiah/isaiah60.htm">Is 60:1-6</a><br /> Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,<br />the glory of the Lord shines upon you.<br />See, darkness covers the earth,<br />and thick clouds cover the peoples;<br />but upon you the LORD shines,<br />and over you appears his glory.<br />Nations shall walk by your light,<br />and kings by your shining radiance.<br />Raise your eyes and look about;<br />they all gather and come to you:<br />your sons come from afar,<br />and your daughters in the arms of their nurses. </p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Then you shall be radiant at what you see,<br /> your heart shall throb and overflow,<br /> for the riches of the sea shall be emptied out before you,<br /> the wealth of nations shall be brought to you.<br /> Caravans of camels shall fill you,<br /> dromedaries from Midian and Ephah;<br /> all from Sheba shall come<br /> bearing gold and frankincense,<br /> and proclaiming the praises of the LORD.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong>Responsorial Psalm</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm72.htm">Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13.</a><br /> (cf. 11) <strong> Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.</strong><br /> O God, with your judgment endow the king,<br /> and with your justice, the king’s son;<br /> He shall govern your people with justice<br /> and your afflicted ones with judgment.<br /> <strong>Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.</strong><br /> Justice shall flower in his days,<br /> and profound peace, till the moon be no more.<br /> May he rule from sea to sea,<br /> and from the River to the ends of the earth.<br /> <strong>Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.</strong><br /> The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;<br /> the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.<br /> All kings shall pay him homage,<br /> all nations shall serve him.<br /> <strong> Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.</strong><br /> For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,<br /> and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.<br /> He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;<br /> the lives of the poor he shall save.<br /> <strong>Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.</strong><br /></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong> Reading II</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/ephesians/ephesians3.htm">Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6</a><br /> Brothers and sisters:<br /> You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace<br /> that was given to me for your benefit,<br /> namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.<br /> It was not made known to people in other generations<br /> as it has now been revealed<br /> to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:<br /> that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body,<br /> and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.<br /></p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><strong>Gospel</strong><br /> <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/matthew/matthew2.htm">Mt 2:1-12</a><br /> When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,<br /> in the days of King Herod,<br /> behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,<br /> “Where is the newborn king of the Jews?<br /> We saw his star at its rising<br /> and have come to do him homage.”<br /> When King Herod heard this,<br /> he was greatly troubled,<br /> and all Jerusalem with him.<br /> Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people,<br /> He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.<br /> They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea,<br /> for thus it has been written through the prophet:<br /> <em>And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,</em><br /> <em>are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;</em><br /> <em>since from you shall come a ruler,</em><br /> <em>who is to shepherd my people Israel.</em>”<br /> Then Herod called the magi secretly<br /> and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.<br /> He sent them to Bethlehem and said,<br /> “Go and search diligently for the child.<br /> When you have found him, bring me word,<br /> that I too may go and do him homage.”<br /> After their audience with the king they set out.<br /> And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them,<br /> until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.<br /> They were overjoyed at seeing the star,<br /> and on entering the house<br /> they saw the child with Mary his mother.<br /> They prostrated themselves and did him homage.<br /> Then they opened their treasures<br /> and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.<br /> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, </p><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> they departed for their country by another way. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4122213311901595858?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-66082165723230908542010-01-01T18:20:00.002-05:002010-01-01T18:24:03.877-05:00I did not know this prior to today, but January 22nd is a special day set aside by the Church to perform penance for violations against human dignity caused by abortion in our world today. I think it's a good if, as a small New Year's resolution, we all promise to perform some special act of penance (abstinence from meat, the rosary, get up early, fast, etc.) Just wanted to share, but maybe everyone else already knew about this!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In all the dioceses of the United States of America, January 22 (or January 23, when January 22 falls on a Sunday) shall be observed as a particular day of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion, and of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life. The Mass "For Peace and Justice" (no. 22 of the "Masses for Various Needs") should be celebrated with violet vestments as an appropriate liturgical observance for this day.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">General Instruction of the Roman Missal, no. 373</span></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6608216572323090854?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-29158734956512702802009-12-29T13:17:00.001-05:002009-12-29T13:20:20.984-05:00<a href="http://www.preces-latinae.org/preces.html">This site</a> include a great number of Latin prayers and their English translations. I'm happy to see some of these that we don't use often in our daily lives. Take a look and hopefully they will enrich your life as well. Thanks to <a href="http://catholicnotebook.blogspot.com/">Soutenus</a> for sharing these!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2915873495651270280?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-42424012933062531052009-12-23T20:24:00.002-05:002009-12-23T20:26:49.568-05:00A lot of discussion has gone into what an indulgence really is. Of course, it is NOT buying a chicken bone said to be that of St. Peter (which may or may not have been a serious abuse in the Catholic Church in the middle ages.) Instead, it is the remittance of temporal punishment for sin, and it comes in two forms - plenary and partial. Take a look at <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/what.htm">this from EWTN.</a> It might be the best discussion of such I have ever seen. It also is definitely not easy, because who can honestly say their heart is <span style="font-weight:bold;">completely</span> removed from all attachment or desire for sin?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4242401293306253105?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-90457500883079938542009-12-23T19:51:00.002-05:002009-12-23T19:52:52.588-05:00In the spirit of ecumenicism, as we draw advent to a close, read this <a href="http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=34956">great story</a> about a Protestant minister and member of Congress willing to stand up for moral values. It strengthens my feeling that all Christians need more than ever to unify under Christ.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-9045750088307993854?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-18722481699632987022009-12-14T17:42:00.001-05:002009-12-14T17:44:22.032-05:00Recently, my wife was taking photographs for a journal of a child who lives down the street from us. She was still pregnant at the time, and the girl asked her how many children she would like to have. Jokingly, she said "oh, about seven or eight". Her mother jumped into the conversation to say "Don't you care about the world's population?"<br /><br />This attitude has been developing for some time in our world. The fight against the unborn is following the same trend, as contraception and abortion are not being seen as a way to control climate change and make the world "a better place". We have probably all heard of the monstrous abuses conducted in China in the name of population control, but as Catholic online reports, <a href="http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=35024">it seems to be spreading</a>. It's time for us as Catholics to stand up to this kind of nonsense. <br /><br />Sometimes Catholics will say that they don't need to hear about abortion because it isn't applicable to their lives, so it should be kept out of homilies. They ignore the fact that all of us, even if we aren't having abortions personally, have a responsibility to use our money, time, writing,prayer, and other resources to fight against abortion, contraception, and population control.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1872248169963298702?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-44179621060073083512009-12-13T16:37:00.003-05:002009-12-13T16:40:44.086-05:00Fr. Andrew spoke in his homily this morning about grey areas and the Church. Sometimes when we think about what constitutes a sin or how to live our lives, or what is a mortal sin, we see grey areas. We wonder "how far can I go with this without it being sin?" Fr. Andrew correctly pointed out in his homily this morning that God - through his Word, but even more so through the Church has been specific as to what is right and wrong - so if we are talking about sexual issues (contraception, homosexuality, sex before marriage, etc.), life issues (abortion, euthanasia, etc.), or even the 10 commandments, the Church clearly defines right and wrong. Grey areas are things that we manufacture, many times in order to avoid responsibility for doing right when it seems burdensome or the cross seems too heavy. <br /><br />I thought it was a very good homily. Now if only we could figure out one spelling for grey (gray) in English...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4417962106007308351?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-75466558820320638972009-12-08T23:55:00.002-05:002009-12-08T23:58:07.246-05:00Catholic Online <a href="http://www.catholic.org/politics/story.php?id=34994">reports</a> that Barbara Boxer (obviously as nutty if not more so than Nancy Pelosi, but at least not Catholic) has compared abortion to Viagra. Well, Barbara, I will gladly give up my insurance discount for Viagra if you will give up insurance paying for abortion. I promise.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7546655882032063897?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-798687305276236072009-12-06T20:14:00.006-05:002009-12-06T21:16:56.672-05:00I hope everyone's Advent is going well! I had a few (well, technically two) thoughts and reflections today during our monthly Parish Catechesis.<br /><br />Advent, is a time of waiting for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ - not only in the sense of commemoration of His physical birth on Earth in Bethlehem, but also symbolically of his Second Coming. Thus, it is a time of anxiety, of restlessness, of awaiting hope to come.<br /><br />I feel that the Advent Wreath does a very good job of personifying this in the candles we light each week. Slowly the darkness peels away, until the crescendo builds to Christmas Day, when our Lord and Savior was born.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/SxxjCXJqgWI/AAAAAAAAAyU/crdXHUd8FmI/s1600-h/0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/SxxjCXJqgWI/AAAAAAAAAyU/crdXHUd8FmI/s320/0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309744417931618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi-CYsMUI/AAAAAAAAAyM/yX3-ipsr_S4/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi-CYsMUI/AAAAAAAAAyM/yX3-ipsr_S4/s320/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309670124335426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi-OZ5TzI/AAAAAAAAAyE/22dfW6sIFg8/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi-OZ5TzI/AAAAAAAAAyE/22dfW6sIFg8/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309673350614834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9zS78eI/AAAAAAAAAx8/Ak6zHJB4vCs/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9zS78eI/AAAAAAAAAx8/Ak6zHJB4vCs/s320/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309666073670114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9pX9QfI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aSObidjs6aM/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9pX9QfI/AAAAAAAAAx0/aSObidjs6aM/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309663410373106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9RGGY1I/AAAAAAAAAxs/m3TAmfAYG90/s1600-h/5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 186px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_xIx8EX8m9d4/Sxxi9RGGY1I/AAAAAAAAAxs/m3TAmfAYG90/s320/5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412309656893023058" border="0" /></a><br />My second thought was regarding the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today, we were read the Nativity Story, and told to attempt to personify ourselves as something present (I chose the perspective of the straw in the barn - but that's irrelevant). Our priest was remarking how all mothers could identify with Mary as a mother. This got me thinking about the anxiety our Blessed Mother must have felt throughout her pregnancy! I began to reflect on my own anxiety when preparing for my first baby - all of the shopping, decorating, and doctor appointments. However, I did not have to even consider, or try to understand, that I would be giving birth to the Savior of the World! How brave Mary was, and how much strength she must have embodied. Can you imagine if you were told that the child in your womb was destined to be the President of the United States? Now consider the task and responsibility of Mary the Mother of God!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Oh Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us.<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-79868730527623607?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-29540370426144254952009-11-17T18:56:00.003-05:002009-11-17T19:01:55.324-05:00Sorry I'm so slow about this, but here go my notes on Hebrews Chapter 3:<div><br /></div><div>vs 1 - <i>We need to see the word "confession" here as something somewhat deeper as Catholics...it incorporates all that we believe. Christ is the high priest of it all. "Confession" here reminds me of "profession" such as we do of the Creed at every mass. </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>vs 7-11 - <i>these verses are extremely important (quoted from the Psalms) to Catholics. Every priest, deacon, and religious sister and brother in the world says these words every single day in the invitatory of the Liturgy of the Hours. That is how important they are to us. We can never lose faith and harden our hearts. We have a responsibility to the world to show forth the true light of Faith even in the face of adversity and in the world we live in where our Faith is ridiculed and persecuted.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>vs 12+ <i>- </i><i>The author reflects here on the Psalm and its meaning to us as Christians. As we "share in Christ" through the Eucharist, his precious body and blood is given to us every mass and make us one with him - we become his Body through that Eucharist. With the graces we receive from that sacrament, how much more must we as Catholics not all into the hardening of hearts and unbelief we see in the story of the Jewish people following Moses. </i></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2954037042614425495?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-45259816499643329572009-11-07T23:06:00.003-05:002009-11-07T23:10:13.119-05:00Well, I don't want to exaggerate the extent of how we were involved, but all three major TV news sources (CNN, FOX, and MSNBC) reported that the Catholic Church was a heavy hand in negotiating with the House of Representatives including speaker Nancy Pelosi on the Health Care bill. It ended up that thanks to their efforts (again according to the news, we had a major impact) and to Democrats who were moral enough to stand up against abortion funding in the health care bill, we passed an amendment to limit funding to very specific cases (rape, incest, life of mother). Although I still can't support a bill that allows any abortions at all, at least the Church was active enough to bring this issue to the forefront and win a minor victory. Continue to pray for a total end to abortion and give thanks to the Lord for his mercy endures forever.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4525981649964332957?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-24940148977271981112009-11-03T19:19:00.003-05:002009-11-03T19:30:10.732-05:00Continuing my thoughts on the Book of Hebrews from a Catholic perspective:<br /><br />Chapter 2:<br /><br />vs 1-4: <span style="font-style: italic;">Here we see a lot of focus on "what we have heard" - the oral tradition of the Early Church. Note the progression, Christ taught the Apostles (those who witnessed him) and they founded the "Apostolic Tradition", the oral tradition that by the time Hebrews is written the entire Church understands as the teaching of God. </span><br /><br />vs 8: <span style="font-style: italic;">I can't help but notice this verse in light of the coming "Solemnity of Christ the King" towards the end of November, the last Sunday of Ordinary time. At the end of the Church calendar, we have celebrated the entire spiritual history of God's people, and how could we end in a more fitting manner than recognizing Christ as King, he whom the Father has "subjected all things and put them under his feet". This is especially important as we recognize Advent season coming up where we look not only for the coming of Christ's birth in the Church calendar, but also of his real second coming at the end of time.<br /><br /></span>vs 10,18: <span style="font-style: italic;">These two verses are some of those in the New Testament that reveal the Catholic idea of suffering and how we are perfected through that suffering. Not just Christ suffers for us, but as we suffer (except of course in punishment for wrongdoing), we share in the suffering of Christ in some deep and mysterious way.<br /><br /></span>vs. 14-15:<span style="font-style: italic;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">I like to use these verses to reflect on the "mystery of faith" that we proclaim as a parish during each mass. Specifically, one of these four responses is "Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life, Lord Jesus come in Glory". Very similar to the message in the latter part of vs. 14 and vs 15<br /><br /></span></span>vs 17: <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Christ is "Our High Priest". This makes me think quite a bit about our priesthood as individuals, but also those called to separate themselves from the world and become our pastors, bishops, and other clergy. Thinking about how we all serve and offer sacrifice in some way as priests (again with that distinction between what clergy do and what the laity do, but remembering that we are all priests and that is because we all offer sacrifice at mass of the Body and Blood of Christ to God the Father) but that Christ is our High Priest, at our head and obviously strongly involved in offering his own body and blood to the Father.</span><br /></span><br /><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2494014897727198111?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-25953699452005465622009-10-28T15:38:00.001-04:002009-10-28T15:39:32.272-04:00I've been extremely busy lately. Let's see - work has taken me out of town for 3 of the last 4 weekends, the baby is growing at a tremendous rate, we just celebrated the 100th anniversary of our parish with the Bishop presiding over the mass! Shew....I need to get back on track in studying the book of Hebrews here. I really didn't forget about it.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2595369945200546562?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-803777616341479042009-09-16T17:35:00.004-04:002009-09-16T17:48:04.938-04:00Hebrews Chapter 1 seems to be a great defense of the deity of Christ. Obviously, the writer here contrasts Christ with the Angles and shows his superiority over them. - Vs 13 "<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;">But to what angel has he ever said, Sit at my right hand, till I make your enemies a stool for your feet</span></i>". The writer also defends Christ's position as God by talking about how Christ was around since the beginning and through whom all things are created (vs. 2) and that he will be there till the end of time reigning in power with God the Father. And, finally, the writer acknowledges Christ as the Word of God (vs 1).<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This is a great Chapter to show people who say "Christ is never called God in the Bible" - although you might want to start with his own statements where he calls himself God. They are usually the agnostic crowd who want to make the "Jesus was a good man" argument.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br />This reminds me of a few Catholic practices and prayers that I want to share with you, because I believe they fit so well with the theme of Hebrews 1:</div><div><br /></div><div>1) The Glory Be - one of the most common prayers we as Catholics say, during the Liturgy of the Hours and the Rosary as well as in our day to day life. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>Glory Be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the Beginning, Is Now, and will be forever, Amen. </i>This prayer also reflects the eternal nature of God - </span>and the Trinity of which Christ is a part, making him true God.</div><div><br /></div><div>2) Words from the Creed - </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>"through him all things were made"</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>"eternally begotten of the Father"</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>"the only Son of God"</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>"God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God"</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>"He is seated at the right hand of the Fahter" </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div>3) Our reverance for the Gospel. Anyone who is not Catholic ever notice that we process the book of the Gospels in with the Priest? We do that out of reverance for Christ being the Word of God, especially through the Gospels. We also many times use incense around the Gospel book, bow to it before it is read, the Priest will kiss it after proclaiming the Gospel, and kiss the spot the Gospel book will sit before it is sat on the altar. All these are loving signs of our respect for Christ as the Word of God. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that chapter was pretty brief, but it did point to a lot of Catholic practices I wanted to mention. I hope to keep going strong on this.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-80377761634147904?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-89530748995198128462009-09-16T11:34:00.002-04:002009-09-16T11:36:10.105-04:00I've been <a href="http://georgiagirl5.blogspot.com/2009/09/various-kinds-of-sins.html">inspired</a> to re-read the Book of Hebrews and blog some about my thoughts on it within the framework of the Church's teaching. I plan to begin reading tonight, but I'm not sure if I am going to do section by section, chapter by chapter, or just a single post on the entire book. We'll see, but I am looking forward to hearing some comments.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8953074899519812846?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-21930173584559686522009-09-15T23:47:00.001-04:002009-09-15T23:49:05.063-04:00Say a little prayer for me. Nothing major going on, but I do need to refocus on some spiritual things after last week - which was one of the most spiritual of my life leading into last weekend. Pray that I can retain that focus. Also, I'm almost finished with a book called "Maria of Guadalupe" which I hope to share a review of soon.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2193017358455968652?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-30117948170761559632009-09-10T00:23:00.002-04:002009-09-10T00:30:01.250-04:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px; "><p class="para" style="font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; line-height: 22px; ">One of the things that struck me after becoming Catholic, since I believed I was part of the one true Church of Christ, was that Catholics actually had diversity among their ranks. There is a Catholic Church (even some underground) in every country in the world, and we are filled with tons of minorities. Worshipping next to Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, and Blacks was a very moving experience to me. Yesterday's Saint, Peter Claver, is very moving in this regard, especially how he followed slaves to their plantations in order to convince their masters to treat them fairly. The follwoing is from <a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=94"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">Catholic Online</span></a>:</p><p class="para" style="font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; line-height: 22px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="para" style="font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; line-height: 22px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">St. Peter Claver was born at Verdu, Catalonia, Spain, in 1580, of impoverished </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8984" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">parents</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> descended from ancient and distinguished families. He studied at the Jesuit </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=3130" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">college</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> of Barcelona, entered the Jesuit novitiate at </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=11311" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Tarragona</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> in 1602 and took his final </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=12157" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">vows</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> on August 8th, 1604. While studying </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9313" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">philosophy</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> at Majorca, the young religious was influenced by </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=256" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">St. Alphonsus</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> Rodriguez to go to the Indies and save "millions of perishing souls."</span></i></p><p class="para" style="font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; line-height: 22px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">In 1610, he landed at </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=2593" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Cartagena</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> (modern Colombia), the principle slave market of the New World, where a thousand </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10887" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">slaves</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> were landed every month. After his ordination in 1616, he dedicated himself by special vow to the service of the Negro slaves-a work that was to last for thirty-three years. He labored unceasingly for the </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10395" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">salvation</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> of the African</span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10887" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">slaves</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> and the abolition of the Negro slave trade, and the love he lavished on them was something that transcended the natural order.</span></i></p><p class="para" style="font: normal normal normal 11pt/normal Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; margin-left: 5px; line-height: 22px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">Boarding the slave ships as they entered the harbor, he would hurry to the revolting inferno of the hold, and offer whatever poor refreshments he could afford; he would care for the sick and dying, and instruct the </span></i><a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=10887" style="text-decoration: none; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">slaves</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;"> through Negro catechists before administering the Sacraments. Through his efforts three hundred thousand souls entered the Church. Furthermore, he did not lose sight of his converts when they left the ships, but followed them to the plantations to which they were sent, encouraged them to live as Christians, and prevailed on their masters to treat them humanely. He died in 1654.</span></i></p></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3011794817076155963?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-42729147963165999742009-09-06T21:52:00.005-04:002009-09-06T22:43:42.637-04:00Just kidding by the title, but he is now a certified Catholic after today's baptism! I wanted to share a couple pictures and two letters from the Godfather and Godmother:<br /><br />From the Godmother<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Dear Xavier,<br /><br />Welcome to the family of the Catholic Church, a family that will give you the love, support, and courage you need on your earthy journey to Heaven. As your Godmother, I'm here to help you and your parents in any ay as part of that journey. Remember to stay strong in your faith and always diligent in your prayers to lead you on the path to Heaven. Know that you are in my prayers.<br /><br />God bless,<br /><br />B<br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">From the Godfather:</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Dear Xavier Thomas,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">My dear Godson, it's such a pleasure tha tyou are finally here!! I was thrilled ten months ago to hear of your expected arrival, as I am thrilled on the eve of your baptism. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I wish for you a life filled with a great faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. Please know that you will be in my daily thoughts and prayers and know that if there is any way I can help you, get in touch whenever. </span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Always honor your parents and your Lord and our Lady and you will enjoy a life of fulfillment! With prayers, I remain yours ever, with much , much love.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">C</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So those two were indeed beautiful. Here are some pictures now (you might have to click on some of them to get them to show up full size without cutting some of the picture off, depending on your resolution):<br /><br />Dad and Son:<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRl5I2gAjI/AAAAAAAABVQ/OP-qr7uEZJ0/s512/DSC_0005%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 343px; height: 512px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRl5I2gAjI/AAAAAAAABVQ/OP-qr7uEZJ0/s512/DSC_0005%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mom and Son:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRl5VOF2xI/AAAAAAAABVU/tVkBekPC8ok/s720/DSC_0008%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRl5VOF2xI/AAAAAAAABVU/tVkBekPC8ok/s720/DSC_0008%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Godparents (click to enlarge):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmWrU54JI/AAAAAAAABWQ/7EwikWzbuow/s720/DSC_0075%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmWrU54JI/AAAAAAAABWQ/7EwikWzbuow/s720/DSC_0075%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>Fr. Andrew begins the actual Baptism:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmFFGu2DI/AAAAAAAABVw/J3QqW3n0ZGs/s720/DSC_0037%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmFFGu2DI/AAAAAAAABVw/J3QqW3n0ZGs/s720/DSC_0037%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>A closeup shot:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmO_27s6I/AAAAAAAABWE/ydkLmqwW2Pc/s720/DSC_0042%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmO_27s6I/AAAAAAAABWE/ydkLmqwW2Pc/s720/DSC_0042%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Can't tell who is happier me or Father Andrew (click to enlarge)!<br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmPIyuiXI/AAAAAAAABWI/tJDVOtZWKyQ/s720/DSC_0071%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmPIyuiXI/AAAAAAAABWI/tJDVOtZWKyQ/s720/DSC_0071%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />All of us with the Lord Jesus present in the tabernacle behind us (click to enlarge)!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmWg2aCWI/AAAAAAAABWM/XvHJlcBtg4E/s720/DSC_0073%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 482px;" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SqRmWg2aCWI/AAAAAAAABWM/XvHJlcBtg4E/s720/DSC_0073%20%5BDesktop%20Resolution%5D.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a>The best part?! He STILL smells like incense from the oil of baptism! It's awesome.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">An Addition from Seraphina: </span><br />I posted some <a href="http://sarahbias.blogspot.com/2009/09/baptism-day.html">additional notes and pictures over on my personal blog!</a><br /><br />Also, today's Gospel matched beautifully. If I may share:<a name="gospel"></a><br /><blockquote>Mark 7:31-37<br /><br />Again Jesus left the district of Tyre<br />and went by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee,<br />into the district of the Decapolis.<br />And people brought to him a deaf man who had a speech impediment<br />and begged him to lay his hand on him.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">He took him off by himself away from the crowd. </span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">He put his finger into the man’s ears</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> and, spitting, touched his tongue;</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> then he looked up to heaven and groaned, and said to him,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> “</span><em style="font-weight: bold;">Ephphatha</em><span style="font-weight: bold;">!”— that is, “Be opened!” —</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> And immediately the man’s ears were opened,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> his speech impediment was removed,</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;"> and he spoke plainly. </span><br />He ordered them not to tell anyone.<br />But the more he ordered them not to,<br />the more they proclaimed it.<br />They were exceedingly astonished and they said,<br />“He has done all things well.<br />He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” </blockquote>The bold emphasis (which I added), is one of the parts of a Catholic Baptism, called <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/baptism2.html">the Ephphatha</a>.<br /><blockquote>The priest takes a little spittle and touches the ears and nostrils of the candidate with it. For health reasons, the use of spittle may be omitted. This rite comes from Mark 7:33-35, when Jesus healed the deaf-mute:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Priest:</span> Ephpheta, that is to say, Be opened, for an odour of sweetness. Be thou, devil, begone; for the judgement of God shall draw near.</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4272914796316599974?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-15796466375546818242009-09-05T22:04:00.003-04:002009-09-05T22:08:50.327-04:00I have been reading The Sacramental Way, which are selections from papers given at the first six National Liturgical Weeks, from 1940 to 1945. So far, I have cherry picked two sections (on Baptism and The Family) and found them to be most wonderful. However, as my husband well knows, I am very bad about picking up books and never finishing them.<br /><br />Thus, I am going to blog about each section - a summary if you will of morsels I find particularly interesting and/or helpful (and I hope you all will feel the same).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Also, tomorrow is our son's Baptism...we are so <span style="font-weight: bold;">excited</span>!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1579646637554681824?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-40693838148551069722009-09-05T16:30:00.002-04:002009-09-05T16:32:08.908-04:00I wanted to share <a href="http://www.faithfulmagazine.webs.com/">this magazine</a> I kind of stumbled across. A brilliant and faithful young woman in the U.K. has created a magazine for young Catholic girls. It's really an amazing thing (she accepts submissions from other young women.) If you have a young daughter, relative, or friend who is Catholic and looking for something to help her in her faith, I highly recommend this online magazine!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4069383814855106972?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-63392965196132951632009-09-03T23:20:00.004-04:002009-09-03T23:36:33.478-04:00Lately I have been talking about relics and the incorruptables quite a bit. The other day I was listening to the<a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;ct=res&amp;cd=1&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.saintcast.org%2F&amp;ei=moegSvyILs6wmAengI3vDQ&amp;usg=AFQjCNF_LHoWd4zV1aQrzmRiBnCWF5o2xg&amp;sig2=9jQJgcTRGpDZbS_Aj1lqXQ"> SaintCast<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></a>which had a great treatment of the incorruptables. He mentioned a book called "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Incorruptibles-Incorruption-Bodies-Various-Catholic/dp/0895550660/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;s=books&amp;qid=1252034650&amp;sr=8-1">The Incorruptables</a>" (is there an echo in here?) by Joan Carroll Cruz. I remembered that at the local used bookstore that I had seen that book and rushed up there to buy it! On a side note, I think I keep their religion section profitable.<br /><br />I wanted to share a bit about St. Cecilia (a beautiful name that we might name a daughter some day), who was the first incorruptable, and I am borrowing heavily and citing her book.<br /><br />St. Cecilia was one of the early martyrs of the Church. She died in 177 A.D (maybe even early enough to get in Foxe's Book of Martyr's - before the "evil Roman Catholic Church" took over and there were no saints until 1500 A.D.) Anyhow, she was a wealthy Roman who converted to Christianity. The emperor ordered her death because she would not sacrifice to the Roman Gods and they had to do it in private since a public death of a noble person would cause quite a stir. So, they sealed her up in her sauna room in her house and tried to gas her to death in a way. This didn't work, and she lived through it, so they sent in an Axe-man to chop off her head. He saw how beautiful and young she was and lost his gusto, so he tried to chop three times, and ended up not killing her...she slowly bled to death over the next few days in prayer and he ran as quickly as possible out of the house.<br /><br />Of course, all this seems like such a legendary story, one that many would say was rediculous. Then, about 822 A.D., Pope Pascal I had a vision where the saint led him to her body. He moved it and had it placed in a Church. In 1599, her coffin was discovered during the remodeling of the Church. They opened it up, and there was St. Cecilia, preserved without any evidence of decomposition and EXACTLY how this 'legend' describes her death - with the axe marks and all. It was VERY heavily documented and several medical experts examined the body and wrote about it. You can read all about it in the book. So, (and despite the fact that many relics were taken of her blood soaked clothe and fragments of bone that were shattered onto her clothing by the axeman), they put her back in the tomb where it still is today, but beforehand they got a famous sculptor Stfano Maderno to come and sculpt her body. How beautiful she was!<br /><br />The most amazing thing: St. Cecilia died in a position with one finger outstretched on her left hand and three on the right hand. Any clue? She was praying about the unity of God in the Trinity! (click on the picture for the full view)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.zhengjian.org/news_images/2004-9-21-pic-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 1000px; height: 431px;" src="http://www.zhengjian.org/news_images/2004-9-21-pic-2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6339296519613295163?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-58656798986253217922009-09-03T15:04:00.002-04:002009-09-03T15:08:07.589-04:00Laurence posted over at That the Bones You have Crushed May Thrill a <a href="http://thatthebonesyouhavecrushedmaythrill.blogspot.com/2009/09/cherie-blair-in-public-opposition-to.html">post</a> that I thought went with the thoughts about feminism and children that were started by my wife in the last post. He is talking about opposition to Church teaching on contraception by Tony Blair's wife. <br /><br />I especially enjoyed this paragraph:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><blockquote style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Cherie. Take as an example of 'progress' the Blessed Mother of God, the Virgin Mary. After all, like all 'devout' Catholics you pray to her at Mass every Sunday. If Motherhood was good enough for the Blessed Virgin Mary, who accepted graciously the honour of being the Mother of God, when asked by the Archangel Gabriel, then why is the vocation to Motherhood now being presented by you, as something that undermines a woman's career. Believe me, lady, if the Blessed Virgin had responded to the question posed by the Archangel Gabriel by saying, "Oh blast. This has come at a really bad time! You see, I really had my heart set on being a lawyer and earning a fat pile of cash out of litigation and surrounding myself with houses and the odd yacht. Could you come back in 10 years time after I've done my law training? I am the handmaid of the Lord but the Lord will understand my personal ambitions, won't he?"...then you would not have been given the great Grace of being a Catholic, and neither would I."</span></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5865679898625321792?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-46440823234601492212009-09-03T00:52:00.002-04:002009-09-03T01:11:15.780-04:00Being that I am a techie new mother, I read a lot of parenting blogs. I found it to be of particular note that when <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/4553566">this story</a> of Michelle Duggar expecting her 19th baby, the interesting backlash in the comments of individuals who felt it was necessary for her to be limited in how many children she could have (for whatever reason). Here are some examples:<br /><blockquote>really pop? congratulations to the growing family? i think it's criminal having this many children w/ global population where it is ~ who thinks these kids are going to have access to their parents with 19 of them? plus really... this is the only fulfilling thing this woman can do w/ her life? to just keep reproducing? how about nurturing the ones you have already?!?<br /><br />I still say this woman is addicted to being pregnant and the attention it gets her and the breastfeeding. I just can't imagine living in a family where the only path in life you're expected to take as a female is to constantly screw and pop out babies.<br /><br />And there goes the planet earth... there's absolutely no need to give birth to this many kids. <br /><br /></blockquote>I was really pleased to see them later run <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/4587198">this article</a> (Does a Woman's Right to Choose Apply to Michelle Duggar?) which opens a valid point to a lot of liberal feminists.<br /><br />I really don't understand why feminists work against themselves. They say that their bodies are their own, to do what they want, and yet, when women do this, but not in light of their agenda, they get mad and throw stones.<br /><br />Back when I was pregnant, I had to deal with a woman who attacked me joking about having a large family even. Here's an excerpt from <a href="http://sarahbias.blogspot.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-impending-parenting.html">my original post</a>.<br /><blockquote>Related, but not directly, is a true story that occurred last (last) Thursday. I was doing a photo shoot with a ten year old girl and her parents. The girl, who was curious about my pregnancy, proceeded to ask me genuine questions such as "When are you going to have the baby?" and "Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?". She then asked (innocently enough) "How many children do you want to have?". I responded with "Oh, I don't know. Maybe two or three...who knows, maybe eight?" with the "maybe eight" bit in a quite joking tone of voice. Her mother then gave me quite the discriminating glare and responded with "<span style="font-weight: bold;">Have you not considered the world's population?</span>".<br /><br />I don't think all the peculiar glares in the world could have infuriated me any more. To begin with, this is a person who doesn't know me from a stranger down the street (perhaps that's why it was so easy to be such a rude individual to me?). Additionally, what kind of point is she trying to make? That we should regulate how many children people are allowed to have like the Republic of China? Force abortions on individuals for the "good of the nation"? To top it all off, what kind of example is she setting for her daughter?</blockquote>By the way, don't even get me started on the sustainability issue of having a lot of children...if the United States didn't consume to the point of gluttony, it would fix our problems. Population control isn't the answer - it's living a more reasonable life that doesn't consist of disposable, instantaneous, culture.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4644082323460149221?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Sarahnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-55769444254827138132009-09-01T18:34:00.001-04:002009-09-01T18:36:08.114-04:00Check out this anti-Catholic propaganda - especially the name of the website:<br /><a href="http://romancatholicjourney.blogpot.com/Documents/Bible_Prophecy/Catholic_church_by_scripture.htm"><br />http://romancatholicjourney.blogpot.com/Documents/Bible_Prophecy/Catholic_church_by_scripture.htm</a><br /><br />I got a good kick out of that.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5576944425482713813?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-78398737207193673932009-08-30T21:17:00.003-04:002009-08-30T21:23:13.636-04:00As usual, someone (Internet Monk - whose name I find a little odd considering his sola scriptura leanings) with absolutely no clue about why Catholics or Orthodox have a communion of Saints (and obviously no real desire to find out as he would rather bash them with his own misconceptions and misunderstanding of the role of Sacred Scripture) writes a <a href="http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/i-know-this-doesnt-happen-but">blog article</a> about why we shouldn't pray to Mary and belittling a little girl (or at least the theology she comes from) for not having a complete understanding of her religion. His answer, that praying to Mary wasn't in scripture, which was pretty awful, considering that Orthodox do not believe in "Sola Scriptura" for good reason and that Mary was alive during the writing of almost the entire New Testament with perhaps a couple exceptions, shouldn't be so surprising to him that it didn't work. I also guess he's never read Revelation how the saints bring the prayers up to God...but what can you do? At the very least you would think he might know why we have all the books of the Bible rather than leaving out the ones Luther cut from the Bible....<br /><br />Sigh...<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7839873720719367393?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-39351246263501658972009-08-30T18:36:00.001-04:002009-08-30T18:38:26.151-04:00Maybe it's because we just went to St. Patricks in New York City, but probably just because it is awesome on its own, I wanted to share this video of ordination in the Archdiocese of New York. From <a href="http://happycatholic.blogspot.com/2009/08/may-god-who-has-begun-this-good-work-in.html">Happy Catholic.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3935124626350165897?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-18152025530872582462009-08-30T11:19:00.002-04:002009-08-30T11:31:49.481-04:00I thought since last night I was talking about Saints and their bodies that this morning I would share a little more about relics. Relics can be 1st, 2nd, or 3rd class. A first class relic is a piece of a Saint's body (or their body) or an instrument used in Christ's crucifixion (cross, lance, nail, etc.). A second class relic is a piece of something owned by the Saint (such as clothing) or an instrument in their passion. A 3rd class relic is when something is touched to a first or second class relic (you can make these by touching an object to the tomb of a Saint. A great website on where some really cool relics are is <a href="http://www.fisheaters.com/relics.html">here</a>. As for the Incorruptibles, there are two good websites that I found that go into great detail about the incorruption of so many saints and has images of a lot of their bodies (or in St. Cecilia's case, who was the first incorruptible, a sculptor made a wonderful replica of her body then they put it back in the tomb.) These sites can be seen <a href="http://www.upholdingtradition.com/library/gallery/incorrupt.htm">here</a> and <a href="http://www.marypages.com/IncorruptBodies.htm">here</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1815202553087258246?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-43511564064912005842009-08-29T23:23:00.005-04:002009-08-30T11:32:09.573-04:00My wife and I were just talking yesterday about how interesting it is that so many of the female Catholic Saints were so beautiful. My friend Squelly posted some pictures of Saint Bernadette, one of the "Incorruptables" (which include St. Francis Xavier!) whose bodies have never corrupted for one reason or another (I would say miraculous as would most, but the Vatican does not take an official stance on it). <a href="http://thedreamersday.blogspot.com/2009/08/memories-of-nevers.html"> Look how beautiful she is (and click on the picture to see a larger version)</a>. What a wonderful and awesome evidence to our Faith. (Also I do recognize that her face and hands are "wax molds" but that doesn't change what they are images of)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4351156406491200584?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-37655984064344814422009-08-29T00:40:00.002-04:002009-08-29T00:58:52.985-04:00Just a brief post, because I am thinking about it right now. I absolutely love our Priest, Father Andrew. He is brutally honest, sometime he says things that are kind of strange to most listeners, I believe, but that is part of his European background. However, I truly wish that everyone I talk to could hear his homilies every week, especially those I talk to who are not Catholic. He brings out such beautiful and wonderful points from the readings each week, and he is very honest about the Church, it's infallible teachings, and our relationship with the Protestant Church. I'm so thankful we found him.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3765598406434481442?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-42102508773330159182009-08-28T00:32:00.002-04:002009-08-28T00:35:31.308-04:00So, I don't feel like too much of a Dodo, per se, but I did feel that although I am now very comfortable with the Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) that there were a few rough edges that I needed to iron out. <a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/THE+DIVINE+OFFICE+FOR+DODOS/keywords=divine+office/page_no=1/edp_no=18064/shop.axd/ProductDetails">This book</a> is absolutely fantastic! The author does a wonderful job of explaining exactly how the office is prayed and irons out even the most minute of the confusing details. If you pray the office or are thinking about it, pick up her book and give it a read. It is almost like an easy to read instruction manual for the Liturgy of the Hours.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4210250877333015918?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-13238064774611545682009-08-23T20:12:00.002-04:002009-08-23T20:16:31.436-04:00First, the Lutheran (Evangelical) Church has decided to follow in the footsteps of the Anglican mother Church in allowing openly gay priests within their midsts (although I'm not even sure if the Anglican's have ever definitively allowed that or not). I'm praying for the more "orthodox" Lutherans (oxymoron?) that they might think about coming home to Rome. The Catholic Church is once again looking more and more like one of the only people holding out in a new cultural war (see birth control).<br /><br />Secondly, in today's gospel, we see those following Christ reject him because they could not understand his teaching on the Eucharist (John 6). They reject him and leave because these teachings are hard. I was thinking about this in terms of Protestants who can't accept that they must eat of his body and blood.....Father Andrew as usual stole thoughts out of my mind for his homily. Remember Peter's great words: <br /><br /><dl style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" compact="compact"><dt><span style="font-family:Arial, Geneva, Helvetica;font-size:85%;"><b>6:68</b></span></dt><dd><span style="font-family:Arial, Geneva, Helvetica;font-size:85%;">Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;</span></dd></dl><dl style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" compact="compact"><dt><span style="font-family:Arial, Geneva, Helvetica;font-size:85%;"><b>6:69</b></span></dt><dd><span style="font-family:Arial, Geneva, Helvetica;font-size:85%;">and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God."</span></dd></dl><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1323806477461154568?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-2560660960756812852009-08-22T19:25:00.002-04:002009-08-22T19:30:48.739-04:00As have been seen on a multitude of blogs across the United States, the conference of Bishops has released the <a href="http://www.usccb.org/romanmissal/examples.shtml">examples</a> of what will be changed for both the assembly and celebrant in the Roman Missal - including the responses. I, for one, am a big fan. The wording goes back to the more traditional, theological wording that was used in the 1960s (in fact, my friend brought over a missal from the 60s today and we were looking at how similar the language was.) It also removes some of the more "inclusive" language that muddies the distinction between priests and laity and some of the wordage that focuses on the people rather than the object of our worship, Christ. Bravo to the Bishops for a step in the right direction.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-256066096075681285?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-65017308634782151512009-08-18T21:47:00.002-04:002009-08-18T21:49:50.755-04:00A lot of people are beginning to talk about the upcoming "investigation" of the Vatican into female religious orders. Obviously, the Church is ready to step in and reign in some of the sisters that happen to be out in "left field" - especially considering how low womens' religious vocations are. Over at <a href="http://romans8v29.blogspot.com/2009/08/coming-up-empty.html">nunblog</a>, a nun wrote a very nice post that i think is worth a read if you are interested in the issue from a sister's perspective.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6501730863478215151?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-45989472509506741222009-08-17T00:14:00.000-04:002009-08-17T00:16:32.159-04:00I'm not sure how long this link will last, but we decided to get Xavier a <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ST-JOSEPH-Picture-Books-CATHOLIC-CHILDRENS-Box-24-1981_W0QQitemZ260460999940QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item3ca4af7504&amp;_trksid=p3286.c0.m14">birthday gift</a>. That's right, 25 out of 27 St. Joseph books for children! We are going to order the other two as soon as we find them...but they are very awesome. I asked earlier and continue to ask, if you have any suggestions on family meditations or childrens' resources, especially Catholic, please pass them on! Xavier and Mom continue to do WONDERFUL! Thanks be to God!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4598947250950674122?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-11414261494019677382009-08-15T21:43:00.003-04:002009-08-15T21:47:13.502-04:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SodlHbuol2I/AAAAAAAABT8/zzgmOgFGluU/s1600-h/Hi+There!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370372259039450978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9Jkzb5BPBQs/SodlHbuol2I/AAAAAAAABT8/zzgmOgFGluU/s320/Hi+There!.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Thanks again everyone for all the prayers! Baptism is set for September 6!<br /><br />Here's a quick picture, Mom and Baby are doing great. This is an early one right after the delivery.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/8NTuxfXpzpsDZMp6n2rhrQ?feat=directlink"></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1141426149401967738?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-72592522490187449802009-08-14T00:35:00.003-04:002009-08-14T00:38:12.001-04:00Praise be to God! Xavier is here with us now! Our first son was born at 11:30 on Thursday, August 13. <br /><br />I want to thank especially God but also the intercession of all the Saints. I probably could never remember everyone who I asked for prayers, but especially thankful to the prayers of<br /><br />Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin<br />St. Maximillian Kolbe<br />St. Francis Xavier<br />St. Faustina<br />St. Gerard<br />St. Joseph<br /><br />Also thanks to all of you who prayed for us! Say a prayer to God and to St. Maximillian (patron Saint of Pro-Life movement) about the pro-life movement and prayers that more children will be born and less killed in the womb.<br /><br />Pictures maybe soon (at least from the baptism!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7259252249018744980?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-80662389951030277512009-08-11T15:47:00.003-04:002009-08-11T17:37:59.121-04:00Well, we are getting very close to having our son. The doctor says it should be any minute now that we go into real labor (<a href="http://sarahbias.blogspot.com/2009/08/your-water-breaking-is-not-so-cut-and.html">already had a couple false hopes</a>). Since the Assumption of Mary is coming up on Saturday, I wanted to share a little note from the "Workbook for lectors and gospel readers" about the gospel for the vigil of that feast this year:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Luke 11:27-28</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed." He replied, "Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it."</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Commentary on Gospel from the workbook:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">"The two verses that compose the Gospel reading on the Vigil of the solemnity of the Assumption are found in the section of Luke that narrates the journey of Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem. Immediately prior to these verses, Jesus casts out a demon, speaks about Satan, and teaches about the effects of unclean spirits. In the midst of his teaching, an unidentified woman in the crowd interrupts Jesus, raising her voice to say "Blessed is the womb". Jesus's response is not necessarily meant as a rebuke or denial of her words. Instead his teaching is appropriately understood as completing the woman's words. As relates to Mary, the woman's statement praises and honors Mary for her role as his mother. Jesus's statement makes it clear that Mary is also blessed because she heard the word of God and responded obediently to it. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Because we all will not physically carry Jesus in the womb, Mary stands as a model of holiness for us; her hearing of the word stands in stark contrast to the evil disobedience of the demons and unclean spirits. Through her obedience she has shown she is with Jesus, not against him; she gathers others with Jesus to be one with God (verses 22-23), thus making her the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church.</span><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8066238995103027751?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-43437483360993145192009-08-05T16:44:00.002-04:002009-08-05T16:45:09.258-04:00<a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/08/05/nations-baby-boom.html">This</a> is one of the few stories I've seen in the media lately to be mostly positive about population growth and to have good news for some of the wealthier countries!<div><br /></div><div>Notice that the increasing population is to have "largely GOOD implications" for these countries.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4343748336099314519?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-9277171938839880572009-08-04T17:02:00.003-04:002009-08-04T17:09:31.732-04:00From last Sunday's readings:<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> <a name="reading1"><span class="subsubheader">Reading 1</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/exodus/exodus16.htm#v2">Ex 16:2-4, 12-15</a><br /><br />The whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.<br />The Israelites said to them,<br />“Would that we had died at the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt,<br />as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread!<br />But you had to lead us into this desert<br />to make the whole community die of famine!”</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Then the LORD said to Moses,<br />“I will now rain down bread from heaven for you.<br />Each day the people are to go out and gather their daily portion;<br />thus will I test them,<br />to see whether they follow my instructions or not.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites.<br />Tell them: In the evening twilight you shall eat flesh,<br />and in the morning you shall have your fill of bread,<br />so that you may know that I, the LORD, am your God.”</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">In the evening quail came up and covered the camp.<br />In the morning a dew lay all about the camp,<br />and when the dew evaporated, there on the surface of the desert<br />were fine flakes like hoarfrost on the ground.<br />On seeing it, the Israelites asked one another, “What is this?”<br />for they did not know what it was.<br />But Moses told them,<br />“This is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat.”</p><br /><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" name="psalm"><span class="subsubheader">Responsorial Psalm</span></a><br /> <a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/psalms/psalm78.htm#v3">Ps 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> R. (24b) </span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> The Lord gave them bread from heaven.</strong><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> What we have heard and know,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and what our fathers have declared to us,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> We will declare to the generation to come</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> the glorious deeds of the LORD and his strength</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and the wonders that he wrought.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> R. </span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The Lord gave them bread from heaven.</strong><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> He commanded the skies above</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and opened the doors of heaven;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> he rained manna upon them for food</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and gave them heavenly bread.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> R. </span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The Lord gave them bread from heaven.</strong><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> Man ate the bread of angels,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> food he sent them in abundance.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> And he brought them to his holy land,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> to the mountains his right hand had won.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> R. </span><strong style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">The Lord gave them bread from heaven.</strong><br /><br /><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" name="reading2"><span class="subsubheader">Reading II</span></a><br /> <a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/ephesians/ephesians4.htm#v17">Eph 4:17, 20-24</a> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Brothers and sisters:<br />I declare and testify in the Lord<br />that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do,<br />in the futility of their minds;<br />that is not how you learned Christ,<br />assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him,<br />as truth is in Jesus,<br />that you should put away the old self of your former way of life,<br />corrupted through deceitful desires,<br />and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,<br />and put on the new self,<br />created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth.</p><a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" name="gospel"><span class="subsubheader">Gospel</span></a><br /> <a style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/john/john6.htm#v24">Jn 6:24-35</a><br /> <br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> they themselves got into boats</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> And when they found him across the sea they said to him,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “Rabbi, when did you get here?” </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> Jesus answered them and said,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “Amen, amen, I say to you,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> you are looking for me not because you saw signs</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> but because you ate the loaves and were filled. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> Do not work for food that perishes</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> but for the food that endures for eternal life,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> which the Son of Man will give you. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> So they said to him,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> Jesus answered and said to them,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.” </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> So they said to him,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “What sign can you do, that we may see and believe in you? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> What can you do? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> Our ancestors ate manna in the desert, as it is written:</span><br /><em style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">He gave them bread from heaven to eat.</em><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">”</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> So Jesus said to them,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> “Amen, amen, I say to you,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> and gives life to the world.” </span><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">So they said to him,<br />“Sir, give us this bread always.”<br />Jesus said to them,<br />“I am the bread of life;<br />whoever comes to me will never hunger,<br />and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”</p><p style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >So in thinking about these readings, I was trying to piece them together in my head at Mass. It is interesting that when the people murmured in the Old Testament, God gave them bread from Heaven, Manna. Later, as people's sins piled up, God gave them another bread from Heaven, Christ, in order that they might be saved from their sins. Instead of treating us like we deserve in both cases, God turns around and gives us the most wonderful gift he can, in our case Christ really present in the Eucharist as the Bread of Life. So, St. Paul writes in the 2nd reading, we should really think about how to live and what we should be doing. Turn away from sin and do so no more, because of the great gift we received from God. Through his graces (largely imparted to us by the sacraments), we can overcome sin and be with him forever. </span><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-927717193883988057?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-10875330049193953892009-08-02T19:58:00.000-04:002009-08-02T20:00:17.186-04:00Check out <a href="http://godfearin.blogspot.com/2009/08/pagan-vs-christian-use-of-images-in.html">this post </a>over at Army of Martyrs where he takes a look at the difference between idol worship and Christians who use images as sacramentals. He breaks it down in a slightly different way than I've thought about it before.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1087533004919395389?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-70445818626154703452009-08-02T03:01:00.001-04:002009-08-02T03:01:40.726-04:00I have to share the response my friend had who is also a convert...I'll leave her anonymous until she approves:<br /><br />Oh brother. <img src="http://coctocatholic.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> They never get tired of trying to find the ONE reason you left to say, "Aha!! THAT's the real reason!" because, you know, it couldn't be for any sound doctrinal reasons. <img src="http://coctocatholic.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> <img src="http://coctocatholic.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /> <img src="http://coctocatholic.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_rolleyes.gif" alt=":roll:" title="Rolling Eyes" /><br /><br />It's interesting to me how she has to emphasize the fact that she had "genuine curiosity" about your blog, as if to convince you, and perhaps herself, that she wasn't really snooping or looking for something to point her finger at. And who knows, maybe she wasn't, but it's so odd how CoC people can't say something normal like, "Hey I was reading your blog and i saw xyz." They have to set it up with defensive claims about their sincerity or their genuine concern, etc. Blech! Of course, what makes it worse is I know so many times they really believe themselves, they don't know any other way but guilt and manipulation and so they think this is what is normal. They still know to start with defensive action, because you tend to think other people will think about you the way you think about them, and they are so used to thinking the worst about others that they put up a defense before you even say anything assuming you will be thinking the worst about them. *shudder* It's such a depressing and joyless way of looking at the world and people around them.<br /><br />Nice response!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7044581862615470345?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-24547011908495336912009-08-01T03:40:00.003-04:002009-08-01T03:45:28.222-04:00Wow....some people are a little stubborn (and I think some of you stubborn people are reading this blog right now). My wife recently joked in her blog that she was depressed as being simply a housewife in the "Church of Christ" denomination; especially because of their ill treatment and well-documented disdain for women and their role in society. So she gets and email saying (I read your blog and I am concerned you only left the CoC because of that and blah blah blah (insert random and poorly worded apologetics here).<br /><br />I must say, I don't question the intentions of the person who contacted her, but I do question the reasoning. I think we must have mentioned a million times the doctrinal and serious reasons why we left to a multitude of people, but yet they refuse to listen and actually hear why we left. It basically comes down to either 1) we were lazy, 2) We were mad at people, 3) we listened to someone's family, or 4) we had some sort of dark sin in our life that made us leave. I guess it is a defense mechanism.<br /><br />Open your ears people!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2454701190849533691?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-1769209973380863892009-07-24T11:17:00.002-04:002009-07-24T11:19:11.559-04:00I really enjoyed <a href="http://www.bustedhalo.com/features/catholics-and-the-culture-of-hate/">this article</a>.....and I think we should keep in mind that we should refrain from questioning other people's consciences and motives, while adamently disagreeing with what they are trying to do in public life.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-176920997338086389?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-61142478301127131922009-07-23T21:03:00.003-04:002009-07-23T21:07:22.967-04:00A lot of Catholics have been backing President Obama, including a new associate pastor who took up the position at the parish that we left a few months back. Here is his <a href="http://catholicissues.org/">blog.</a> <br /><br />I responded to his post by saying:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i>Unfortunately, you are missing a large part of the issue. While Cheney and Bush would not be my first choices to speak at Catholic Universities, and maybe they should not, that in no way makes it acceptable for Obama to speak at Notre Dame.<br /><br />Also, you are missing the point that the Church has taught consistently and often from many venues that while Capital Punishment and torture and just war theory are wrong, that Catholics are free to disagree, while Abortion and Euthanasia remain the highest priority. Your balancing act simply does not work.<br /><br />Excerpt from “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion - General Principles” L’espresso, June 2004 by Joseph Ratzinger:<br /><br />“. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.</i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><br /></i></span>Many of these people (not him specifically) have mentioned to me that it is great to have a black president and how much that will bring the country together. Where were these people, pray tell, when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Keyes">Alan Keyes</a> ran for President? Of course, a black Catholic, anti-abortion, third degree Knight of Columbus wasn't so heavily supported was he?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6114247830112713192?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-3392645599241202062009-07-23T20:14:00.003-04:002009-07-23T20:22:51.943-04:00Well since I still don't have all the pictures that I want on this computer to start really talking about neat things, I wanted to share my happiness at seeing so many people openly expressing their religion. On the streets of New York we saw nuns, priests, MANY orthodox Jews, Orthodox priests, and Muslim spiritual leaders. It was really cool to see so many expressing their religion openly and getting to meet a lot of open Catholics. I also got a chance to go to <a href="http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/">St. Patrick's Cathedral</a> for Sunday mass (and receive communion from the celebrant, Archbishop Dolan!), I invaded a Filipino Catholic Chapel right before they locked it up, saw the <a href="http://www.mostpreciousbloodchurch.net/">Church of the Precious Blood</a> (where people were praying in Vietnamese, which was really moving to me because it really expressed the Catholicity of the Catholic Church...be sure to check out photos under the link), and went to another small Church where mass was being celebrated and another priest standing in the back got to ask my wife about our baby! <br /><br />Also, we blew a lot of money in the Gift Shop for St. Patricks! Such awesome stuff and it also fed my addiction to Holy Cards. Hopefully pictures to come soon!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-339264559924120206?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-18725901253467029612009-07-22T22:38:00.002-04:002009-07-22T22:42:08.880-04:00Well, I have been absent from blogging for some time, and that is because my wife and I took a last minute trip to New York City before our baby is due (About 20 more days now!) and for our anniversary that was on the 21st. However, I had some really great spiritual experiences while I was there (including Sunday mass) that I would like to share with you guys over a series of blog posts. Some of them I hope to do tonight, but we'll see how tired I get. <br /><br />The first experience I really want to share though is that on the train to New York we had the wonderful experience of having a woman and her son in front of us reading the Bible and to the right of us was another traveling family one of whom was reading the Bible and the other was working through her daily prayer book! Wonderful indeed and uplifting to see such spirituality in public. Combine that with my wife and I doing the rosary and we indeed had a spiritual train car and that made me want to blog about one of the positive things I saw in humanity today!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1872590125346702961?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-28636773595165117552009-07-16T21:05:00.002-04:002009-07-16T21:09:40.069-04:00A sad state of what our culture has developed into was commentated on today by our nurse. My wife was at an OBGYN appointment (she was having a small procedure done today which was somewhat private and we both felt more comfortable without me there) and went in without me. The nurse said "Isn't your boyfriend coming back with you?" <br /><br />Of course, we have been married for 4 years and both have wedding rings on constantly, but that doesn't mean anything. It is more acceptable to insult a married woman and assume she is committing fornication and became pregnant than it is to assume that a pregnant woman is married - what does that say about the state and meaning of the sacrament of marriage in our society? <br /><br />Now, I must just put one little note here and state that I do not believe it is a good idea to make unmarried girls feel bad who are going through with their pregnancies. Quite the contrary, they need the most encouragement and hope and nothing negative at all said to them. Why couldn't the nurse just say "partner"? Or, does that fall into another level of demeaning the sacrament, since it has tonage of the gay "marriage" issue?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2863677359516511755?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-63050016230558259722009-07-16T21:01:00.002-04:002009-07-16T21:05:15.051-04:00In John 6 when the Jews abandoned Jesus, he turned to his disciples and said "Will you also leave me?" Peter turned to him and responded "Lord, to whom shall we go, You have the Words of Everlasting Life".<br /><br />This was always taught to me as a Protestant to mean that we had to listen to God's word in the New Testament and that through those we could enter Heaven. That is true, but it also avoids the immediate context of these words. What specific words did Jesus say that were the "words of everlasting life"? <br /><br />"Unless you eat my body and drink my blood you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven" <br /><br />"Amen Amen I say to you, Unless you eat my body and drink my blood you cannot enter into Heaven"<br /><br />I think it's pretty self explanatory.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6305001623055825972?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-31731306008237813242009-07-15T13:32:00.004-04:002009-07-15T21:38:12.791-04:00Mel over at "There's No Place Like Home" had an <a href="http://georgiagirl5.blogspot.com/2009/07/patristics-and-ecclesiology.html">interesting post</a> where she began exploring the term Church and what exactly the Church is. Catholics obviously have a simple answer to this (although maybe the meaning is much deeper than the simple statement of the marks of the Church) - that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. I found a great <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/faith/Teachings/churb2.htm">article</a> over on EWTN about these marks of the Church and wanted to share it, especially because Mel strikes on a lot of the same points in a roundabout way (Note how the author there ties in a discussion of the Eucharist with Unity!)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3173130600823781324?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-69261279173609538382009-07-10T10:11:00.002-04:002009-07-10T10:19:40.696-04:00As a prologue to this post, I might want to mention (or refresh this blog's memory, if I talked about this before) about my journey from taking Christ's body in my hand to receiving Him on the tongue. When I finished RCIA, the norm (at this specific parish) was to teach candidates and catechumens to receive the Lord in their hands and then to consume the host from there. I never had a problem with this (still don't have a problem with it because I am not a Bishop and must rely on their decisions) but soon I developed a problem that was either a deeper issue in my conscience or God trying to tell me something. Everytime I received the host, I felt like I had crumbs or residue left on my hand...it was so bad that I was tempted to lick my hand every time, and I just felt wrong about it. Thus, I started recieving on the tongue, and I must say that it does allow me to approach Christ with a lot more reverence than previously, even if it is just because my mind isn't focused on holding Christ, potentially dropping his Body and Blood, etc. <br /><br />Well, I've enjoyed reading about the debates about how the Eucharist should be received, and I must say that I come down on the side of taking it on the tongue, and perhaps even kneeling. Altar servers used to hold plates under the chin to make sure none of the precious Body was lost as well. I think this at least reminds us of the importance of the Eucharist and what we are doing. <br /><br />I bring all of this up because a fellow convert from the Church of Christ recently blogged about another unintended consequence of receiving in the hand. Check out <a href="http://blog.grigaitis.net/2009/07/stephen-harper-pockets-a-consecrated-host/">his post.</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-6926127917360953838?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-27624392726405439702009-07-09T21:10:00.000-04:002009-07-09T21:11:27.179-04:00I just wanted to share a little of the readings from the Didache about the Eucharist from yesterday's Office of Readings from the Liturgy of the Hours. It is very interesting to see how the first century Church viewed the Eucharist. Compare this to the Eucharistic prayers said today by the priests, and also notice the requirement to go to confession before receiving the Body and Blood:<br /><br /><div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="p">Celebrate the Eucharist as follows: Say over the cup: “we give you thanks, Father, for the holy vine of David, your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you be glory for ever.”</div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> Over the broken bread say: “we give you thanks, Father, for the life and the knowledge which you have revealed to us through Jesus your servant. To you be glory for ever. As this broken bread scattered on the mountains was gathered and became one, so too, may your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom. For glory and power are yours through Jesus Christ for ever.”</div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> Do not let anyone eat or drink of your eucharist except those who have been baptised in the name of the Lord. For the statement of the Lord applies here also: Do not give to dogs what is holy. </div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> When you finish the meal, offer thanks in this manner: “We thank you, holy Father, for your name which you enshrined in our hearts. We thank you for the knowledge and faith and immortality which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus. To you be glory for ever. Almighty ruler, you created all things for the sake of your name; you gave men food and drink to enjoy so that they might give you thanks. Now you have favoured us through Jesus your servant with spiritual food and drink as well as with eternal life. Above all we thank you because you are mighty. To you be glory for ever.</div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> “Remember, Lord, your Church and deliver her from all evil. Perfect her in your love; and, once she has been sanctified, gather her together from the four winds into the kingdom which you have prepared for her. For power and glory are yours for ever.</div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> “May grace come and this world pass away! Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come. If anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen.”</div> <div style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);" class="pi"> On the Lord’s day, when you have been gathered together, break bread and celebrate the Eucharist. But first confess your sins so that your offering may be pure. If anyone has a quarrel with his neighbour, that person should not join you until he has been reconciled. Your sacrifice must not be defiled. In this regard, the Lord has said: In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice. I am a great king, says the Lord, and my name is great among the nations.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2762439272640543970?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-86906548289380707372009-07-09T12:25:00.001-04:002009-07-09T12:27:00.293-04:00Ok... I am very skeptical about this, but I just saw the weirdest news story I have ever seen and want to share it, especially to see if anyone has a better explanation or can tell me it is just a basic forgery or something. Apparently, (supposedly) <a href="http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/connecticuts-5th-century-church.pdf">they found a Byzantine Church from the 5th Century AD in Connecticut</a>. Is this an April Fools joke? Via <a href="http://www.nicenetruth.com/home/">Nicene Truth</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-8690654828938070737?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-21645871763127526302009-07-08T09:36:00.004-04:002009-07-08T09:44:14.603-04:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b><table width="100%" id="Reading2"><tbody><tr><th align="left"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I wanted to share the Office of Readings from yesterday's Liturgy of the Hours. I thought it was so telling about our relationship to our brothers and sisters who are Fundamentalists and deny our baptism is valid or that we are truly Christians (Catholics that is). It reminds me so much of how I used to feel when I was Protestant and reminds me that no matter what I think we have to reach out in ecumenical dialogue at all times and love our brothers and sisters in Christ even when they err from Church teaching. To think that this was written 1700 years or so ago and in a time where fundamentalism didn't even exist is somewhat mind boggling. He also brings out some Church teaching that we should note is ancient - that there is only one baptism and that non-Catholics are still our Brothers and Sisters.<br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></span></span></span></th></tr><tr><th align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">From a discourse on the psalms by Saint Augustine, bishop</span></span></i></span></th></tr><tr><th colspan="2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Whether they like it or not, those who are outside the church are our brothers</span></span></i></span></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2"><div class="p" style="text-align: justify; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">We entreat you, brothers, as earnestly as we are able, to have charity, not only for one another, but also for those who are outside the Church. Of these some are still pagans, who have not yet made an act of faith in Christ. Others are separated, insofar as they are joined with us in professing faith in Christ, our head, but are yet divided from the unity of his body. My friends, we must grieve over these as over our brothers; and they will only cease to be so when they no longer say "</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">our Father".</span></span></b></i></span></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> The prophet refers to some men saying: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">When they say to you: You are not our brothers, you are to tell them: You are our brothers.</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Consider whom he intended by these words. Were they the pagans? Hardly; for nowhere either in Scripture or in our traditional manner of speaking do we find them called our brothers. Nor could it refer to the Jews, who do not believe in Christ. Read Saint Paul and you will see that when he speaks of “brothers,” without any qualification, he refers always to Christians. For example, he says: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Why do you judge your brother or why do you despise your brother?</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> And again: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You perform iniquity and common fraud, and this against your brothers.</span></span></b></i></span></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> Those then who tell us: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are not our brothers,</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> are saying that we are pagans. That is why they want to baptise us again, claiming that we do not have what they can give. Hence their error of denying that we are their brothers. Why then did the prophet tell us: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Say to them: You are our brothers?</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> It is because we acknowledge in them that which we do not repeat. By not recognising our baptism, they deny that we are their brothers; on the other hand, when we do not repeat their baptism but acknowledge it to be our own, we are saying to them: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are our brothers.</span></span></b></i></span></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> If they say, “Why do you seek us? What do you want of us?” we should reply: </span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">You are our brothers.</span></span></b></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> They may say, “Leave us alone. We have nothing to do with you.” But we have everything to do with you, for we are one in our belief in Christ; and so we should be in one body, under one head.</span></span></b></i></span></div><div class="pi" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> And so, dear brothers, we entreat you on their behalf, in the name of the very source of our love, by whose milk we are nourished, and whose bread is our strength, in the name of Christ our Lord and his gentle love. For it is time now for us to show them great love and abundant compassion by praying to God for them. May he one day give them a clear mind to repent and to realise that they have nothing now but the sickness of their hatred, and the stronger they think they are, the weaker they become. We entreat you then to pray for them, for they are weak, given to the wisdom of the flesh, to fleshly and carnal things, but yet they are our brothers. They celebrate the same sacraments as we, not indeed with us, but still the same. They respond with the same Amen, not with us, but still the same. And so pour out your hearts for them in prayer to God</span></span></b></i></span></div></td></tr><tr><th align="right"><br /></th></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-2164587176312752630?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-1855198371950584002009-07-07T12:57:00.002-04:002009-07-07T12:58:47.735-04:00Well, I've been blogging for over a year now. It's very interesting to look back and see the flow and shape this blog has taken on over the last 12 months. I've met a lot of wonderful people and am looking forward to meeting a lot more. Thank you everyone for visiting and I hope, since we are once again getting internet at home, that I will be able to post a lot more about my Catholic Journey in the upcoming month!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-185519837195058400?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-7247620357479145502009-06-29T13:02:00.000-04:002009-06-29T13:03:53.312-04:00Interestingly, the Pope has announced two cool discoveries about St. Paul over the last few days, and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/28/AR2009062801356.html">this on</a>e is especially neat on the Feast Day of Sts. Peter and Paul. Scientific testing has indicated that the relics we venerate as St. Paul's really seem to be his.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-724762035747914550?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-48981593039087926862009-06-24T12:37:00.002-04:002009-06-24T12:40:57.394-04:00As we know, most Protestants don't recognize the Sacraments (at least not as being Sacraments). However, the Church holds that Protestants have two legitimate sacraments - baptism and marriage. They are missing out on the other five. It struck me as I was thinking about gay marriage and the outcry that fundamentalists and other groups have put up in opposition that these groups are actually defending the sacrament as instituted by God. When you listen to their discussion of the issue, they are VERY close to understanding the sacramental nature of marriage - that God instituted it as something between man and woman, I just don't think they have come to an appreciation the access we get to God's grace through that sacrament. Anyway, here's hoping that maybe some dialogue could open up about this issue.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-4898159303908792686?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-71998438528702878802009-06-22T11:55:00.000-04:002009-06-22T12:03:25.869-04:00Yesterday Father Andrew got me thinking about the meaning of the gospel in our own lives. Here is the Gospel:<br /><br />Mark 4:<br /><br /><dl style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" compact="compact"><dt><a name="v35">35 </a></dt><dd> ^{<a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/mark/mark4.htm#foot8">8</a>} On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to the other side."</dd><dt><a name="v36"> 36 </a></dt><dd> Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.</dd><dt><a name="v37"> 37 </a></dt><dd> A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up.</dd><dt><a name="v38"> 38 </a></dt><dd> Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"</dd><dt><a name="v39"> 39 </a></dt><dd> He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" ^{<a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/mark/mark4.htm#foot9">9</a>} The wind ceased and there was great calm.</dd><dt><a name="v40"> 40 </a></dt><dd> Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?"</dd><dt><a name="v41"> 41 </a></dt><dd> ^{<a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/mark/mark4.htm#foot10">10</a>} They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"</dd></dl><br />I think the practical lesson that I took from this story is that we should never be distressed and afraid. Whenever terrible things happen in our life, we should turn to Christ and say, "Yes, I know you are here with me, I should not be afraid of anything." This is the mindframe that all the martyrs from the earliest Christians down to those being martyred in India and China today have had. Why be afriad of anything when Christ dwells with us?<br /><br />As Catholics this point comes home even harder because we know we have Christ with us present in the tabernacle in every Church in the world. We also know that every time we go to mass we have an opportunity to receive Christ into our bodies in a real way. Shouldn't that make us go out into the world and realize that nothing can truly harm us and that all setbacks are just temporary? If only our faith could grow to that level, evangelism, catechisis, and other important roles of the laity would be easy to perform.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-7199843852870287880?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-17491755510362873752009-06-17T16:09:00.003-04:002009-06-17T16:16:38.765-04:00I was recently listening to Open Line with Fr. Mitch Pacwa and he took a call from an Evangelical Christian about why Catholics refer to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin as the Ark of the New Covenant. Sparing you all the details about why (you can read that <a href="http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0510fea5.asp">here</a>), I wanted to note something very interesting he said. You can either take it as coincidence, or like most of us Catholics do, as a theological significance. <div><br /></div><div>In the Septuagint, the word when David "leaps for joy" as the Ark of the Covenant returns to Jerusalem is the same word as the Gospel writers chose to use for John the Baptist "leaping" in his mother's womb when Mary and the unborn Jesus come during the Visitation. </div><div><br /></div><div>I thought that was pretty neat.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-1749175551036287375?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-39420002974335718732009-06-15T12:36:00.002-04:002009-06-15T12:42:47.775-04:00During this Octave of Corpus Christi (The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), I wanted to share some words from Father Andrew's homily yesterday. He noted that we should make sure and take time to pray after Holy Communion knowing that we are as close to Christ as we will ever be when we take the Eucharist. He also reminded us to stop in front of Catholic Churches to say a prayer and remember that Christ always dwells in a real way in the tabernacle of every Church in the world. As he said, knowing that God really dwells in the tabernacle, we should be crawling into Church on our hands and knees.<br /><br />I wanted to share with everyone a prayer that I do after I receive Holy Communion every day. I think it's absolutely beautiful, especially when you consider that we have become united with Christ in a real way when we receive him the the Holy Eucharist:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Dear Lord, </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> help me to remove from my </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">mind</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> every thought</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> or opinion which You would not sanction,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> every feeling </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">form</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> my heart which You would not approve.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> Grant that I may spend the hours of the day</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> gladly working with You according to Your will.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> Help me just for today and be with me in it.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> In the long hours of work,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> that I may not grow weary or slack in serving You.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> In conversations,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> that they may not be to me occasions of uncharitableness.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> In the day's worries and disappointments,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> that I may be patient with myself and with those around me.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> In moments of fatigue and illness,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> that I may be mindful of others rather than of myself.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> In temptations, that I may be generous and loyal,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> so that when the day is over I may lay it at Your feet,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> with its successes which are all Yours,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> and its failures which are all my own,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> and feel that </span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">life</span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> is real and peaceful,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> and blessed when spent with You as the Guest of my soul.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"> Amen. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-3942000297433571873?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-8254009846564053582009-06-12T14:57:00.003-04:002009-06-12T15:08:00.457-04:00I wanted to share this biography of St. Gianna Beretta Molla from the Vatican's biography of her. Her story and how she became a Saint is in some ways a response to the conversation that Matt and I had in the comments earlier about abortion and the life of the Mother. I recently heard about her on a SaintCast and I had never heard about her before. Her story moves me greatly.<br /><br /><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">Gianna Beretta was born in Magenta (Milan) October 4, 1922. Already as a youth she willingly accepted the gift of faith and the clearly Christian education that she received from her excellent parents. As a result, she experienced life as a marvellous gift from God, had a strong faith in Providence and was convinced of the necessity and effectiveness of prayer.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">She diligently dedicated herself to studies during the years of her secondary and university education, while, at the same time, applying her faith through generous apostolic service among the youth of Catholic Action and charitable work among the elderly and needy as a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. After earning degrees in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Pavia in 1949, she opened a medical clinic in Mesero (near Magenta) in 1950. She specialized in Pediatrics at the University of Milan in 1952 and there after gave special attention to mothers, babies, the elderly and poor.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">While working in the field of medicine-which she considered a “mission” and practiced as such-she increased her generous service to Catholic Action, especially among the “very young” and, at the same time, expressed her joie de vivre and love of creation through skiing and mountaineering. Through her prayers and those of others, she reflected upon her vocation, which she also considered a gift from God. Having chosen the vocation of marriage, she embraced it with complete enthusiasm and wholly dedicated herself “to forming a truly Christian family”.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">She became engaged to Pietro Molla and was radiant with joy and happiness during the time of their engagement, for which she thanked and praised the Lord. They were married on September 24, 1955, in the Basilica of St. Martin in Magenta, and she became a happy wife. In November 1956, to her great joy, she became the mother of Pierluigi, in December 1957 of Mariolina; in July 1959 of Laura. With simplicity and equilibrium she harmonized the demands of mother, wife, doctor and her passion for life.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">In September 1961 towards the end of the second month of pregnancy, she was touched by suffering and the mystery of pain; she had developed a fibroma in her uterus. Before the required surgical operation, and conscious of the risk that her continued pregnancy brought, she pleaded with the surgeon to save the life of the child she was carrying, and entrusted herself to prayer and Providence. The life was saved, for which she thanked the Lord. She spent the seven months remaining until the birth of the child in incomparable strength of spirit and unrelenting dedication to her tasks as mother and doctor. She worried that the baby in her womb might be born in pain, and she asked God to prevent that.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">A few days before the child was due, although trusting as always in Providence, she was ready to give her life in order to save that of her child: “If you must decided between me and the child, do not hesitate: choose the child - I insist on it. Save him”. On the morning of April 21, 1962, Gianna Emanuela was born. Despite all efforts and treatments to save both of them, on the morning of April 28, amid unspeakable pain and after repeated exclamations of “Jesus, I love you. Jesus, I love you», the mother died. She was 39 years old. Her funeral was an occasion of profound grief, faith and prayer. The Servant of God lies in the cemetery of Mesero (4 km from Magenta).</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">“Conscious immolation», was the phrase used by Pope Paul VI to define the act of Blessed Gianna, remembering her at the Sunday Angelus of September 23, 1973, as: “A young mother from the diocese of Milan, who, to give life to her daughter, sacrificed her own, with conscious immolation”. The Holy Father in these words clearly refers to Christ on Calvary and in the Eucharist.</p> <p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left">Gianna was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 24, 1994, during the international Year of the Family.</p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left"><br /></p><p style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">St. Gianna, pray for us!</span><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-825400984656405358?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7089081638604253564.post-50244616699257312452009-06-11T15:38:00.002-04:002009-06-11T15:41:01.407-04:00It is interesting to me to see how over the course of my journey and my strengthening in the Catholic Faith that I talk less and less about my old experiences in the Protestant Church or even about what their beliefs are anymore. I think every day I feel more and more like I was a cradle Catholic.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/7089081638604253564-5024461669925731245?l=romancatholicjourney.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>~Joseph the Workerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07512362705041608396noreply@blogger.com1