St. Joseph the Worker
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Prayers to St. Joseph the Worker Feast Day -- May 1st Let us praise Christ the Lord, as we celebrate the memory of Saint Joseph. In Praise of Saint Joseph Joseph, patron saint of workers, blending skill with charity, silent carpenter, we praise you! Joining work with honesty, you taught Christ with joy to labor, sharing his nobility. Joseph, close to Christ and Mary, lived with them in poverty, shared with them their home and labor, worked with noble dignity. May we seek God’s will as you did, leader of his family! Joseph, inspiration for workers, man of faith and charity, make us honest, humble, faithful, strong with Christ’s true liberty, Make our labor and our leisure fruitful to eternity! Novena Prayer Good Saint Joseph, ever watchful guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ, keep us free from the blight of error and corruption, and be our ally in the conflict with the powers of darkness. As of old you rescued the child Jesus from the plots of Herod, ...
St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) Doctor of the Church Favorite Quote: When the soul has arrived at the attainment of the general light... she should not remain contented, because, as long as you are pilgrims in this life, you are capable of growth, and he who does not go forward, by that very fact, is turning back... For if the souls truly have light, she will wish to arrive at perfection.
Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA) (H.R. 748) Abortion notice passes US House; Receives Praise from Pro-life Official The U.S. House of Representatives today gave strong approval to legislation requiring parental notification for interstate abortions on minors, after which the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) called on the Democratic Caucus in the U.S. Senate to stop obstructing parental notification legislation. The House passed the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act (CIANA, H.R. 748) by a bipartisan margin of 270-157. The bill is sponsored by Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fl.).In the Senate, a parental notification bill (S. 8/S. 403), sponsored by Sen. John Ensign (R-Nv.), has 38 sponsors (37 of them Republicans). This bill has been listed among the "top ten" priorities by the Senate Republican leadership, but the Senate Democratic Leadership has erected procedural obstacles that have prevented its early consideration. "It is out...
St. Louis Marie de Montfort Today is the feast day of one of my favorite saints -- St. Louis Marie de Montfort. He lived in the same area of France that my ancestors did and had a beautiful devotion to Our Mother. LITANY OF SAINT LOUIS DE MONTFORT (for private use) Lord, have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ hear us. Christ graciously hear us. God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Hail Mary, pray for us. Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, pray for us. Ardent disciple of Jesus Christ the Incarnate Wisdom, pray for us. Eloquent preacher of the Cross, pray for us. Singer of the praises of the Sacred Heart, pray for us. Loving slave of Jesus in Mary, pray for us. Faithful son of the handmaid of the Lord, pray for us. Apostle of the Most Holy Rosary, pray for us. Preacher of the Mother of the Redeemer, pray for us. ...
Abortion Clinic Workers Refuse To Help Mother Screaming to Save Live Child ORLANDO, FL - Angele, a single mother in her thirties with two children, thought that abortion was the answer to her circumstances. At almost 23 weeks gestation, she entered the EPOC Clinic in Orlando, Florida. Little did she realize that the next day she would give birth to a live, perfectly healthy boy whom she named Rowan. Cradling Rowan's moving body, her screams for help were ignored by abortion clinic workers while her son took his last breath. [ continued]
Pope Benedict XVI Reveals His Feelings About the Papal Election Pope John Paul II was so well-liked partly because of his genuineness and his humanness. Pope Benedict XVI also displays his vulnerability as a human being, revealing his feelings about being elected as the new Shepherd of the Church. This man has won my heart already.
BENEDICT XVI-- A Pope of the Holy Eucharist Following is a partial text of the first message of Pope Benedict XVI which he delivered in Latin at the end of his first Mass as Pope with the members of the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. "In a very significant way, my pontificate starts as the Church is living the special year dedicated to the Eucharist. How can I not see in this providential coincidence an element that must mark the ministry to which I have been called? The Eucharist, the heart of Christian life and the source of the evangelizing mission of the Church, cannot but be the permanent center and the source of the petrine service entrusted to me." "The Eucharist makes the Risen Christ constantly present, Christ Who continues to give Himself to us, calling us to participate in the banquet of His Body and His Blood. From this full communion with Him comes every other element of the life of the Church, in the first place the communion among the faithful...
Praise the Lord! We have a Pope! This morning about 11:30 a.m. CST, our new Holy Father was introduced to the world. As the name "Joseph Ratzinger" was announced, the jubilant crowd cheered wildly, waving flags from every country around the world, manifesting the universality of Catholicism. Cardinal Ratzinger is now Pope Benedict XVI -- the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church. In a simple speech, our new Shepherd, presented an important message to his flock. "Dear brothers and sisters, after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals have elected me a simple, humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord," he said after being introduced by Chilean Cardinal Jorge Arturo Medina Estivez. "The fact that the Lord can work and act even with insufficient means consoles me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers," the new pope said. " I entrust myself to your prayers." The crowd responded by chanting "Benedict! Benedict!" Let us pray for Po...
Black Smoke, No Pope As I was watching Raymond Arroyo reporting live from the Vatican on the Papal Conclave this morning, a the crowd waiting the results of the election began yelling and I, too, became excited, awaiting the announcement of our next Holy Father. However, it turned out to be a false alarm and the smoke which initially appeared white was actually black . It's the Holy Spirit's way of telling us we need to persevere in prayer, so that He can enlighten the minds of the Cardinals and help them to know God's will in this matter.
Has Governor Blagojevich Crossed the Line? Here's what the Illinois Federation for Right to Life Has to Say. Illinois Federation for Right to Life Statement on Governor Blagojevich's Emergency Order Forcing Pharmacists to Dispense Abortifacients Governor Blagojevich on April 1st, issued an emergency order requiring pharmacists to dispense the abortifacient "morning-after pill" that violates their religious beliefs. This order violates a number of laws, including the Health Care Right of Conscience Act (which makes it unlawful for any public official to discriminate or punish any person who refuses to "participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience"), the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the Illinois Human Right Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The emergency rule is in effect for 150 days, after which time it is expected to be made permanent. The face-off between pharmacists and the gov...
Big Companies Quietly Pursue Research on Embryonic Stem Cells A number of large companies including Becton, Dickinson & Co., Invitrogen Corp., Johnson & Johnson, General Electric Co. and the U.S.-based research operations of Swiss drug giant Novartis AG are supporting immoral embryonic stem cell research, rather than adult stem cell research, which is not only a morally ethical way in treating the ill and disabled, but has been proven scientifically to be more highly effective. Children of God for Life shares two interesting alerts on this -- including a story from the Wall Street Journal, one G.E. shareholder's letter , and G.E.'s response , which is ludicrous. We need more letters to G.E. and other large corporations to gently persuade and encourage them to do that which is morally correct.
NEWS ALERT From Jill Stanek O'Reilly to discuss 14-year-old's abortion at Hope Clinic TONIGHT Tonight, Bill O'Reilly will discuss the abortion I wrote about a few weeks ago of the 14-year-old girl whose mother was dragged out of Hope Clinic by police as she was begging to see her daughter. Angela Michael, an RN and sidewalk counselor at Hope, witnessed and filmed the event and will be on with Bill. Angela is also a leader in the Operation Save America team.A news article on the incident by Joyce Morrison can also be accessed at Illinois Leader . Please pray for Angela and that the truth about the atrocity of abortion will continue to get out through The O'Reilly Factor tonight. ~ Jill Stanek
Granite City's Abortion Mill "HOPE" Clinic (Granite City, IL) Quincy/Adams County Right to Life Group is setting up a prayer vigil for April with the goal of shutting down the Granite City abortion mill. It is estimated that approximately 150 to 200 abortions per week take place there, many of them late term abortions. The mill is closed only on Sundays. Mondays is a "bag and tag" day when staff prepare fetal body parts for marketing purposes. On Saturdays 40-60 people pray at this mill, but very few are there Tuesday through Fridays. Please pray for the success of this effort and if possible come join others in prayer for one day during April. Here is a prayer, that you can you can say for the closing of that mill: Loving Father, I know that all life is in your image and I thank you for the life you have given to me. I join with others to thank you for the many children who have been saved from abortion! Merciful Father, we beg your forgiveness for the sheddin...
Novena For the Election of the Next Holy Father, Saturday, April 9–Sunday, April 17, 2005 By Mark Miravalle The Apostolic Constitution, Universi Dominici Gregis, calls the People of God to be in fervent prayer, in imitation of the disciples in the Upper Room and in union with Mary, for the upcoming conclave of cardinals who will gather to elect the next pontiff. In the nine days which follow the funeral of our beloved Pope John Paul II (Friday, April 8) and which precede the beginning of the conclave (Monday, April 18), let us follow these directives in unified prayer for the election of the next Vicar of Christ. Heavenly Father, We, the People of God, gathered in solidarity as did the disciples in the Upper Room, pray for the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the cardinals who will be in conclave for the election of the next Vicar of our Lord Jesus Christ. May the hearts of our cardinals be open to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, beyond any human judgment, to elect the candidate most p...
A MILLION PEOPLE VIEW POPE FROM MONDAY TO TUESDAY EVENING VATICAN CITY, APR 6, 2005 (VIS) - According to a communiqué released by the Italian Civil Protection Department, and by the local and police authorities of the city of Rome, from Monday evening to Tuesday evening, one million people passed through St Peter's Basilica to pay their homage to the mortal remains of John Paul II. At least 600,000 people are expected today. Every hour between 15,000 and 18,000 faithful file in front of the Holy Father's body. Source Today on Fox News , a young man stated that he stood in line for ten hours in order to view the Holy Father's body for ten seconds. Now that is true devotion. So many people from so many walks of life throughout the world loved our Holy Father and were drawn closer to the Lord through him. I am one of them. After a long absence from the Catholic faith, I returned in 1987, on fire for my faith due to the evangelization efforts and prayers of my fellow Catholic...
The Feast of the Annunciation Today is the feast of the Annunciation . On this day, we celebrate the actual Incarnation of Our Savior the Word made flesh in the womb of His mother, Mary. Our Holy Father had such a beautiful devotion to Our Mother Mary. I can envision him rejoicing with her and Jesus for all eternity. Have a beautiful day!
Prayer for the Repose of the Soul of Pope John Paul II Prayer for Pope John Paul II Lord God, I thank you today for the life of Pope John Paul II, And for the grace you have given the Church and the world through his leadership. He proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord of all, He announced the Gospel of Life, He promoted peace and freedom. Now that you have called him home, Give him eternal rest and peace, and bring to him the promised salvation that he so faithfully proclaimed to every corner of the earth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen! Source
Divine Mercy Sunday Since 2000, the second Sunday of Easter has also been known as Divine Mercy Sunday. Here are some extracts from a sermon given by Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the canonisation of Sister Faustina Kowalska on 30 April 2000: Today my joy is truly great in presenting the life and witness of Sr Faustina Kowalska to the whole Church as a gift of God for our time. By divine Providence, the life of this humble daughter of Poland was completely linked with the history of the 20th century, the century we have just left behind. In fact, it was between the First and Second World Wars that Christ entrusted his message of mercy to her. Those who remember, who were witnesses and participants in the events of those years and the horrible sufferings they caused for millions of people, know well how necessary was the message of mercy. [continue]
Pope John Paul the Great Our beloved Holy Father passed on to his eternal reward this Divine Mercy weekend. We prayed for the Lord to show him mercy and for Mother Mary to wrap him in her mantle of love and peace around him, and our prayers were answered. Pope John Paul II, age 84, was taken from this world and entered into eternal life at 9:37 a.m. today, Saturday, April 2nd, the day honoring Our Holy Mother, to whom he had consecrated his life . He was known and loved by many due to his unconditional love for others and his great gift of evangelization. Following in Christ's footsteps, he spread the gospel message throughout the world, traveling more than any other Pope, in an apostolic act of love to reach out to the people. The best articles I have found on his life and on his papacy thus far include the following: The Pope: A Timeline , The Death of Pope John Paul II , Our Sunday Visitor's The Papacy of John Paul II , The Pontificate of Pope John Paul II , Holy Father...
Millions of Faithful Worldwide Pray for the Holy Father as He Draws Closer to Death Pope John Paul II was near death as dawn approached Saturday, his breathing shallow and his heart and kidneys failing. Millions of faithful around the world paid homage, many weeping as they knelt with bowed heads, others carrying candles in prayer. Let us continue to lift him up in prayer as he endures this final trial. Lord, thank You for the great gift Pope John Paul II . Hold him in Your arms and fill him with Your peace. Let him see the light of Your love as he prepares to join You for all eternity. Amen.
The Holy Father is Close to Death - Pope John Paul is in a "very grave" condition today and appears close to death after suffering heart failure and shock, according to Vatican reports. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls reports that the Holy Father has received the "Holy Viaticum" -- communion reserved for those near death -- and has decided himself not to go to hospital for treatment. Let us pray for our beloved John Paul II -- who has consecrated himself to Mother Mary. "Totus tous", Mother. Wrap him in the blanket of love that you wrapped Your Son, Jesus, in and fill his heart with your peace. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Friends Remember Schiavo Before Maelstrom Friends Remember Late Terri Schiavo Before She Became a National Obsession By JERRY SCHWARTZ The Associated Press Mar. 31, 2005 - President Bush spoke for "millions of Americans ... saddened by the death of Terri Schiavo," but only a few of them knew her as a woman not a cause or a political battleground, not a heartbreaking figure whose every facial tic was scrutinized for evidence of a conscious mind within. The Terri Schiavo her friends and family remember had a marvelous laugh. She loved animals. She hungered for romance, and found herself swept up in a grand love affair. And then, 15 years ago, it all stopped suddenly, tragically. She was 26, thrust into a strange and terribly public fate for one who was so shy and quiet. Her high school yearbook, from Archbishop Wood in Philadelphia's suburbs, lists only one activity library aide. The Rev. Chris Walsh, the school minister, said while several teachers remain from those days, ...
PRESIDENT BUSH'S WORDS ON TERRI SCHIAVO'S DEATH Today millions of Americans are saddened by the death of Terri Schiavo. Laura and I extend our condolences to Terri Schiavo's families. I appreciate the example of grace and dignity they have displayed at a difficult time. I urge all those who honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work to build a culture of life, where all Americans are welcomed and valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others. The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. In cases where there are serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in the favor of life. --George W. Bush