Catholic Fire

Dear Readers, I will be taking a vacation from blogging. As much as I enjoy it, both my mind and body need a rest. Also, I need to work on a book that I had started writing before I moved a little over a year ago. We'll see how that goes and, hopefully, I will be able to return again soon. Thanks for your understanding. God bless you and keep you in His loving care! Jean

I have decided to place this blog under the protection of St. Michael, the Archangel. Prayer to St. Michael St. Michael the Archangel defend us in the battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into Hell Satan, and all evil spirits who prowl about the world , seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.

Today I am praying to Jesus through Mary for the following intentions: For the Holy Father's special intentions and for his peace and protection. For an end to all those who experience discrimination - the poor, the sick, and the unborn. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For this prayer request from Amy. For a special intention. For a special intention for Bill. For all previous prayer intentions listed here. Thank you for praying with me for these special intentions. God bless you!

Today's saint of the day is St. Edmund the Martyr. Jay Anderson has a wonderful detailed post on St. Edmund. This day in history: 1947 - Britain's Princess Elizabeth married Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh in Westminster Abbey. 1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis ended. The Soviet Union removed its missiles and bombers from Cuba and the U.S. ended its blockade of the island. 1962 - Mickey Mantle was named the American League Most Valuable Player for the third time. 1986 - Dr. Halfdan Maher, the director of the World Health Organization, announced the first coordinated global effort to fight the disease AIDS. 2001 - The U.S. Justice Department headquarters building was renamed the Robert F. Kennedy building by President George W. Bush. The event was held on what would have been Kennedy's 76th birthday. Spiritual Quote of the Day: " Either we must speak as we dress, or dress as we speak. Why do we profess one thing and display another? The tongue talks of chastity,

Your Favorite Sub-Zero Heroes are Back CENTURY CITY , Calif. – The pack is back for more pre-hysterics when Ice Age: The Meltdown , the $634 million worldwide smash hit sequel to the family favorite Ice Age , heats up the fourth quarter with the coolest DVD event of the year! Thawing out on DVD on November 21, 2006 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE), the box office behemoth will arrive with bonus materials of mammoth proportions, featuring something special for every member of the herd. The hilarious pre-historical adventure delighted viewers of all ages, reuniting the beloved characters from the original film – voiced by Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), John Leguizamo ( Moulin Rouge ) and Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”) – and teaming them with an uproarious new group of friends, voiced by Academy Award®-nominee Queen Latifah (Chicago ), Seann William Scott ( The Dukes Of Hazzard ) and Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”). The DVD is loaded with super-cool bonus features

Andrea Bocelli - Besame Mucho

Today I am praying to Jesus through the intercession of Mother Mary for the following intentions: For the Holy Church of God that she may serve all God's children, guiding them to the home that awaits them in eternal life. For the salvation of the world. For the protection and safety of the Holy Father. In thanksgiving for the many children who have been saved theough the work of the pro-life movement. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For peace in the world and for the protection and safety of our soldiers. For T., who was involved in a deer hunting accident and broke his back. He is in serious condition. For a special intention for Bill. For W., who has had insomnia. For all previous prayer intentions. Thank you for praying with me for these special intentions. Please email me at catholicfire@cox.net if you have a special need and I will be happy to pray for you.

Praise the Lord! Suzy reports that Harry is remission . Thanks to all who prayed with me for this special intention. Suzy shares, "I'm forever grateful to our Lord and all the friends who shared our prayer intention." Moneybags is back from the seminary and had a super time.

Today is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - the last Sunday in Ordinary Time. Next week is the Feast of Christ the King. Advent begins the following Sunday. On this day... In Church History St. Hilarus was consecrated Pope in 461. In U.S. History In 1863 - United States President Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address as he dedicated a national cemetery at the site of the Civil War battlefield in Pennsylvania. In 1969 - Apollo 12 astronauts Charles Conrad and Alan Bean made man's second landing on the moon. In 2001 - U.S. President George W. Bush signed the most comprehensive air security bill in U.S. history. Today is the birthday of ... Kathleen Quinlan 1954 Meg Ryan 1961 Jodie Foster 1962 Scripture Quote of the Day: " What a man sows, he reaps. If he sows in the field of self-indulgence he will get a harvest of corruption out of it; if he sows in the field of the Spirit he will get from it a harvest of eternal life." ~ Galatians 6:7 - 8

By John-Henry Westen BENTONVILLE, AR, November 15, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A graphic sex-ed manual promoting lesbianism to teenage girls has been dropped by Wal-Mart only days after LifeSiteNews.com published a story exposing Wal-Mart's sale of the controversial book. Produced by St. Stephens' Community House in Toronto, the book is titled "The Little Black Book for Girlz: A Book on Healthy Sexuality". Parents were outraged when they learned of the book which gives detailed instruction for teens to engage in lesbian sex acts. [ More] Praise the Lord! I have been praying about this one. I'm also praying that Wal*Mart will get their act together before they are forced to file bankruptcy. They are losing lots of Christian customers as well as employees these days.

Father Corapi defending the unborn

Santo Padre Benedetto XVI

Wichita, KS -- Fox News host Bill O’Reilly has published another article asking publicly, “Who will save the babies?” His question is in regards to late- term abortionist George R. Tiller, who is currently under investigation by the Kansas Attorney General’s office for the crimes of concealment of child rape and illegal late-term abortions. O'Reilly has made a number of public statements in recent weeks concerning the intolerable situation created by Tiller's late-term abortion business. Because of his arrogant promotion of unfettered abortion on demand for any reason at any gestational age, Tiller has earned Wichita the dubious title of “Abortion Capital of the World.” Operation Rescue is asking the Christian Community to answer Mr. O'Reilly's question with the same answer the Prophet Isaiah gave God when He asked who would speak on His behalf: “Here am I. Send me.” Please come to Wichita on January 19- 22 and join with Operation Rescue for Wichita ’07 – A Cry For Just

Via Jeff Miller and The Ironic Catholic.

VATICAN CITY, NOV 17, 2006 (VIS) - Yesterday afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released the following communique: "In the Apostolic Palace this morning, November 16, the Holy Father presided at one of the regular meetings of the heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, for a moment of shared reflection. "The participants in the meeting had at their disposal detailed information concerning requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy presented during recent years, and concerning the possibility of readmission to the exercise of the ministry of priests who currently meet the conditions established by the Church. "The value of the choice of priestly celibacy in accordance with Catholic tradition was reaffirmed, and the need for solid human and Christian formation was underlined, both for seminaries and for ordained priests." My Comment: There are certainly no surprises here. If the decision were any different, I would be shocked. What is a little surpr

Humor Break: The Marx Brothers - Duck Soup

Sexually explicit 'how-to' manual sold as 'stuff youth need to know' It's called "The Little Black Book for Girlz: A Book on Healthy Sexuality " and it is produced by St. Stephens' Community House in Toronto, an organization that has fled its Christian foundation. Wal*Mart is already in deep doo doo without having this kind of publicity - both the left and right are boycotting Wal*Mart these days. They seem to be digging their own grave. It's appalling to me to see just how low their morals have become. Add to this the news from Lifesite yesterday Wal-Mart Hits Teens with Gay Porn How-To Manual and you can see Wal*Mart sinking in its own quicksand. Previous Posts: fed-up wal-mart worker quits over pro-'gay' agenda cwa: wal-mart joins with homosexual activists -- listen to this! why did wal-mart go 'gay'? catholic league president's open letter to bob casey

"...There is no true prayer without the presence of the Spirit within us. The Spirit is "like the soul of our soul, the most secret part of our being, whence a prayer incessantly rises towards God." ~ Pope Benedict XVI, Wednesday Audience, November 15, 2006

You can find my post on St. Elizabeth of Hungary here. Reflection: This young and delicate princess made herself the servant and nurse of the poor. Let her example teach us to disregard the opinions of the world and to overcome our natural hesitation, in order to serve Christ in the person of His poor. Source For a detailed description and overview of St. Elizabeth of Hungary's life go here.

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop." The Midland The Northeast Philadelphia The South The West Boston North Central What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes Via Barb at SFO Mom . This is very accurate. Check it out for yourself.

The reviews on The Nativity are out - even before the Holy Father has had a chance to see it! I'm eager to hear his opinion on it. Check out Lamland's excellent review here . Dr Baehr, the founder and Publisher of Movieguide® and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission, shares his opinion at Movie Guide. Some great photos and a trailer are available here. The Daily Blogster offers a review from a Christian, non-Catholic viewpoint which is interesting. Catholic Online offers more information here. This is a movie I don't want to miss!

Planned Parenthood has infuriated Christians all over the nation by selling "holiday cards" (they're not Christmas cards, of course) with their offensive and blashphemous slogan "choice on earth". This year Judie Brown, President of American Life League, is proposing something new. She is asking people to send "religious" Christmas cards to Cecile Richards, the president of the nation's largest abortion chain. "As head of this destructive organization, she sincerely needs to hear Christ's message of love", Judie explained. Send the cards to: Cecile Richards Planned Parenthood Federation of America 434 West 33rd Street New York, N.Y. 10001 I concur with Mrs. Brown's comment: "If you send any messages, please be charitable." I also recommend that we add Cecile Brown to our prayers for conversion.

Check out the details on the new Pope calendar at American Papist.

'Birthcontrol is Harmful Revisited" presents the launch of a "Birth Control is Harmful" or "Contraception is harmful" billboard project in 2007. Check out the posting by Reuben at Pro-life Blogs. Julie D. posts on the 2006 Weblogs awards. Let's all go there and nominate our favorite Catholic blogs. Along with Happy Catholic , I am recommending The Dawn Patrol for nomination, but there are so many great Catholic blogs out there, it's really difficult to choose just one, so nominate as many as possible. There are a wide variety of categories from which to choose. Speaking of The Dawn Patrol, she has a post up entitled "Chastity will get you everywhere" with her schedule of appearances for book signing and promotions of The Thrill of the Chaste: Finding Fulfillment While Keeping Your Clothes On . Despite the latest rumors circulating throughout the blogosphere and in the secular media to the contrary, Suzanne explains why " The Ch

Today I am praying to Jesus through Mary for the following intentions: For Theocoid's father. For a special intention for my husband. For the Holy Father's safety and special intentions. For the apostolates of the Brothers of St. John. For Dom's special requests. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For all previous intentions listed here. Thanks for praying with me for these special intentions. If you have a prayer need, please contact me at catholicfire@cox.net and I will be happy to pray for you. God bless you!

See my post on St. Gertrude the Great here. Here is her prayer Dictated by Our Lord, to release 1000 souls from purgatory each time it is said. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son Jesus Christ, in union with the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home, and within my family. Spirit Daily has a great post today on turning to St. Gertrude in this month of souls entitled "DURING MONTH OF SOULS, A SAINT TO RECALL IS MYSTIC KNOWN AS 'GERTRUDE THE GREAT'".

The election news could not have appeared grimmer in the immediate aftermath. South Dakota's abortion ban went down. Parental notification lost in California and Oregon. Missourians approved the embryonic stem cell initiative. Kansans condoned child rape and illegal late-term abortions by ousting Attorney General Phill Kline. Add to that the loss of the GOP Senate majority, which means for starters no more conservative judges, and the loss of the GOP House majority, which means for starters a promised bill within the first 100 hours of the new session to federally fund embryonic stem cell research, and, well ... But as I reviewed and processed, I became angry. [More] My Comments: You're right on the money, as usual, Jill. Thanks for making my day. God bless you!

CATHOLIC LEAGUE POLL: SHOULD ORTHODOX JEWS BE ALLOWED TO EAT HAM SANDWICHES? SHOULD MUSLIM WOMEN BE ALLOWED TO WEAR MINI SKIRTS? Catholic League president Bill Donohue explained why he is launching this poll today: “On the ABC website for ‘Good Morning America,’ a poll is being taken that asks, ‘Should Catholic Priests Be Allowed to Marry?’ This is a great idea—Catholics very much want to hear from non-Catholics what they think about the Catholic Church’s internal strictures. In fact, the idea is so good that it ought to be extended to Jews and Muslims. So in the spirit of inclusion, the Catholic League is asking two questions: a) Should Orthodox Jews Be Allowed to Eat Ham Sandwiches? and b) Should Muslim Women Be Allowed to Wear Mini Skirts? “The ABC poll on Catholics offers three possible responses: Yes. It is unfair to prevent them from experiencing one of life’s joys: companionship. No. The vows are founded in religious doctrine and tradition and should not be changed.

This week's Catholic Carnival is now up and there is quite an assortment of posts. Check it out at Sarah's Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering. Image Via Esther.

BALTIMORE, November 15 ( CNA ) - Lamenting an “impoverished cultural view” which sees sex as a merely recreational activity, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops released a document this week aimed at addressing questions of sex, marriage, and contraception. The Document titled, “Married Love and the Gift of Life,” acknowledges that, “God’s plan for married life and love is far richer and more fulfilling,” than the view offered by many today. In God’s plan, the bishops say, “sexuality is the source of a joy and pleasure that helps the spouses give themselves to each other completely and for their entire lives. ”In the Document, which was presented to the main body of bishops by Baltimore’s Cardinal William Keeler and the Committee for Pro-Life Activities, “the Church teaches that the sexual union of husband and wife is meant to express the full meaning of love, its power to bind a couple together and its openness to new life.” “Married love differs from any other love in the world.

Sorry I am a little late in getting my posts out today, but have been struggling today with chronic illness. ( This overnight winter weather isn't helping much- we're having 40 mph winds here and it's in the 30's.) However, I was able to make it today to Holy Mass and Eucharistic Adoration - the priorities in my life. Please know to those whom I have promised to pray that I have not forgotten you, but am lifting you up in prayer. I have some good news to share - my friend Paula had her eye cancer surgery today and it went very well. Her test results finally came back, showing that the cancer has not spread. Praise the Lord! Let's keep her in our prayers now for a speedy recovery. I am also happy to report that Bill had a safe trip which was successful. Thanks for joining me in prayer for this intention. God bless you all and to those of you who struggle with chronic pain like I do, let's keep offering it up for the rights of the unborn. Lord, we pray for an en

Operation Rescue’s Tiller protest has been expanded to January 19-22 Wichita, KS – Operation Rescue is calling pro-life supporters from around the nation to converge on Wichita, KS, the Abortion Capital of the World, for a four-day event on January 19-22, focusing on late-term abortionist George R. Tiller during the 34th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that decriminalized abortion in America. The event, which will be known as Wichita ’07 – A Cry For Justice, was prompted by Fox News host Bill O’Reilly , who has been highly critical of Tiller over the last week’s broadcasts of The O’Reilly Factor . “There should be thousands of people protesting outside Tiller’s abortion clinic in Wichita,” O’Reilly said. “We have received an outpouring of support for this event,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “We are very excited to be able to focus the attention of the nation on the most heinous abortionist in the country, as well as give people hope that, with the

Humor Break: I LOVE LUCY!

Today I am praying for the following intentions to Jesus thorugh Mother Mary: For the safety of the Holy Father for his upcoming trip to Turkey and for his special intentions. For wisdom for the U.S. Bishops as they reconvene in Baltimore today. For the speedy recovery of Dappled Things Assistant Editor Mike Carter who is currently **very** ill with pneumonia and even received the Anointing of the Sick over the weekend. For Don's special intentions. For blessings and special graces for Bill today as he continues working on an important business project and for safe travel. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For Karen's apostolate and for all her special intentions. For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. For all previous prayer intentions listed here. Lord, hear our prayer.

"Chastity, or cleanness of heart, holds a glorious and distinguished place among the virtues, because she alone enables man to see God; hence Truth Itself said: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." ~ St. Augustine

Catholic Exchange also offers us the following prayer to St. Sidonius: St. Sidonius, you were a gentleman of great wealth and prestige who could easily have fallen prey to pride and selfishness as so many do. Instead, you remained compassionate and generous to those in need. We thank you, St. Sidonius, for your contribution to the world. We ask for your prayers that we may be ever mindful of others in need as well as careful not to fall victim to selfishness, greed, and power. Amen.

"Conjugal love reveals its true nature and nobility when it is considered in its supreme origin, God who is love, "the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named." Marriage is not then, the effect of chance or the product of evolution of unconscious natural forces; it is the wise intuition of the Creator to realize in mankind His design of love." ~ Pope Paul VI, On The Regulation of Human Birth, July 25, 1968

"The whole Christian life is a life in which the further a person progresses, the more he has to depend directly on God... The more we progress, the less we are self-sufficient. The more we progress, the poorer we get so that the man who has progressed most, is totally poor - he has to depend directly on God. He's got nothing left in himself." ~Thomas Merton H/T to Sister Patricia.

Today I am praying to Jesus through Mother Mary for the following intentions: For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For Father H. Timothy Vakoc. For wisdom for the Bishops who are meeting in Baltimore today. For all priests that they may receive an outpouring of graces and blessings on their vocations. For world peace and the safety of our military. For Paula who will have eye surgery on Wednesday. For healing within our parish community following the death of a father and a son who were prominent leaders in the community. For an end to abortion and the closing of all abortion mills. For safe travel for Bill and a fruitful trip. For Amy P. for a healthy pregnancy and a safe delivery. For Ukok's health. For all previous intentions listed here. Lord, hear our prayer. If you have a special need, please email me at jeanmarie33@cox.net and I will be happy to pray for you.

No one chooses his or her sex, despite what Congress says, warns Spanish bishop Madrid, Nov. 13, 2006 ( CNA ) - Bishop Demetrio Fernandez of Tarazona said this week persons do not determine their own sex, despite what Congress says, because in the beginning, “God created man, male and female He created them. ”In a letter entitled, “God Loves Homosexuals Too,” the bishop responded to a new law approved by the Justice Committee of the Spanish Congress, which would allow people to change their names or their sex on their national identity cards, without having undergone a surgical procedure or legal process. Bishop Fernandez warned that the law “is against the truth of man” and is of no help to persons with homosexual tendencies. In addition, he said, “It sows confusion in the social environment in which we live.”The bishop noted that God “does not have contempt for any of his creatures” and He loves homosexuals “because they are persons, created by God for his glory.” “There are no firs

"I would ban religion completely, even though there are some wonderful things about it. Religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. It turns people into hateful lemmings and it is not really compassionate." ~ Elton John Source

"Don't fear the terrorists. They're mothers and fathers." ~ Rosie O'Donnell You can read the WorldNetDaily Story here. There is a great discussion about this over at Gerald's who has posted on The Wit and Wisdom of Rosie O'Donnell. Jack Lewis concludes that "Rosie O'Donnell is just plain nuts." My Comment: Does Rosie make these outrageous, provocative remarks to up the show's ratings or has she really lost it? She certainly sounds out of touch with reality to me.

St. Francis Xavier Cabrini was the first United States citizen to be canonized. Born in Lombardy, Italy in 1850, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in 1880 and established many hospitals, schools, and orphanages. In 1889, she set out for the United States and arrived in New York, where she and six other Sisters worked with the poor, especially with Italian immigrants. Over the next 28 years, she founded numerous schools, hospitals, and orphanages. Mother Cabrini died in Chicago on December 22, 1917 and was canonized on July 7, 1946. She is the patron saint of hospitals, immigrants, and orphans. Quote: "We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend upon material success . . . but on Jesus alone. " For more information, go here .

Dr. Ray Guarendi tells a joke about Jesus and Moses golfing. He then makes a point about the birth control pill and the Catholic teaching about contraception. H/T to Esther.

APOCALYPTO - Full Trailer I don't know much about this film, but I think that it is interesting that it is to be released on December 8th - the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and so close to the Feasts of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is about a civilization that self-destructs. Does it remind you just a little of the Aztecs who also offered their own in self - sacrifice before Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared and converted the pagans to Catholicism? Does it remind you just a little of our culture of death today with the way we are destroying our own through abortion and euthansia? I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Veterans Day Tribute God bless our veterans!

Today I am praying to Jesus through the intercession of our Holy Mother, Mary Immaculate, for the following intentions: 1. For our country and our world for peace, freedom, and a new respect for human life. 2. For our Holy Father and all our shepherds of the Church that they will be blessed with the courage, wisdom, and pereseverance that they need to carry out Christ's work on earth. 3. For those who have fallen away from the faith that the Lord will comfort them with peace and return them to His fold. 4. For the healing of all families touched by sin and division. 5. For all the special intentions of our friends and loved ones, for whom we have promised to pray. 6. For the deceased that they will experience peace for all eternity. 7. For continued healing within my community. 8. For the closing of all abortion mills throughout the world. 9. For a increase in vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. 10. For holy priests and leaders in the Church. 11. For all previous

At a noon Mass today held at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C., the United States renewed its consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary under the title of the Immaculate Conception, the patroness of our nation. The Papal Nuncio to the U.S., Archbishop Pietro Sambi celebrated the Mass and Father Andrew Apostoli gave the homily. I had the good fortune of viewing and participating in this historic event via EWTN. This consecration of the nation included the special mention of the immaculate and sorrowful heart of Mary, the mission of the World Apostolate of Fatima. A special medallion has been created in honor of this new addition to Our Lady's title. The inscription reads, "O Sorrowful and Immaculate Mary, be our advocate." In his homily, Fr. Andrew Apostoli quoted Pope John Paul, who after his attempted assassination on the feast of Our Lady of Fatima on May 13, 1981, examined all the Fatima documents, stated, "Fatima is mo

The Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Rosary Let us pray the rosary to end abortion.

As popular Fox News host Bill O’Reilly exposes the practice of late-term abortionist George R. Tiller, a leading pro-life organization is calling pro- lifers from across the nation to come to Wichita January 20-22, 2007, over the Roe v. Wade memorial weekend, to call national attention to Tiller’s horrific child-killing business. Tiller is notorious for his operation of an abortion mill that will destroy an unborn child up until the point of birth for a "mental health exception". The cost is $5000. In last night’s Talking Points Memo aired during The O’Reilly Factor, O’Reilly told viewers that the situation with Tiller was the worst case he’d seen in 30 years of journalism. “There should be thousands of people protesting outside Tiller’s abortion clinic in Wichita,” O’Reilly said. “We couldn’t agree more with Mr. O’Reilly,” said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. “That is why we are putting out the call for all men and women of conscience to come to Wichita on January

The Nativity Story movie to premier at the Vatican It will be the first film ever to be shown at the Vatican. The film, which is due to be released December 1, will be shown on Sunday, November 26 at the Vatican's Pope Paul VI Hall to an audience of appproximately 7,000 invited guests. Catholic Carnival # 92 is up at the ...and if not... . blog. Check it out here.

This is an oldie but goodie that I put together last year - classic humor that never grows old. Enjoy!

I wanted to wait until the elections were over before I posted this so it would get more exposure. As I mention at the top of my blog, I am an Oblate with the Community of St. John. An Oblate is a lay person who, after a period of formation, makes promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and assists the Community in many different ways, according to their individual gifts. They affiliate themselves with the Community to enrich their spiritual lives and to carry out the gospel message in the world. Oblates of St. John strive to live holy lives, in imitation of St. John, the Beloved Disciple. One of our monasteries is located in Princeville, IL. I would like to share an article and an inspiring slideshow about the Community with you. I suggest you begin with the October 29, 2006, Peoria Journal Star article as well as play the slideshow of the Community . The Community of St. John was founded in 1975 in Switzerland. Moneybags has also posted this on his Holy Vocations blog .

Today I am praying to Jesus through the intercession of Mother Mary for the following intentions: In reparation for the sins of those Catholics in the U.S. who committed a mortal sin by voting for pro-death candidates for political office. They have deeply offended the Sacred Heart of Jesus and I pray that they will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. * For the success of the nation-wide pro-life rally that is being organized in Wichita, KS, January 20 - 22, 2007. * I am praying for the repose of the souls of a father and his teenage son, from our parish, who were killed in a private plane crash and for healing within the community. Their deaths touched many lives, as they were leaders in the community. For Spiritual healing and conversion for M.B., M.S., H.B., and family. For an end to abortion and for a repect for human life from the moment of conception to natural death. For the passage of the ban on Partial - Birth abortion. M., the editor of her college newspaper, who is be

St. Leo was born in Rome of Italian nobility and was ordained Pope in 440. He was a true pastor and father of souls. He labored strenuously to safeguard the integrity of the faith and vigorously defended the unity of the Church. When Attilla marched on Rome, Leo went out to meet him and pleaded for leave. As Leo spoke, Attila saw the vision of a man in Priestly robes, carrying a bare sword, and threatening to kill the invader if he did not obey Pope Leo. As Leo had a great devotion to Saint Peter, it is generally believed the first Pope was the visionary opponent to the Huns. When Genseric invaded Rome, Leo's sanctity and eloquence saved the city again. He has then deservedly won the title "the Great." He died in 461. St. Leo wrote letters and homilies encouraging and teaching his flock, many of which survive today; it is for these writings that Leo was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1574. Quotes "Virtue is nothing without the trial of temptation, for there is