Catholic Fire

I want to thank all who have been praying for us during this difficult time in our lives and I wanted to personally update you on our situation. My husband has been without a full-time job for nearly 5 months now and we have been without health insurance and benefits for three months. He has been looking for a position as a manufacturing engineer, a manufacturing manager, or a plant manager. We live in the Wichita, KS area and would like to stay here, but are willing to relocate so that he can find a good job with benefits. If you are hiring for these positions or know of anyone who is, please contact me at catholicfire@cox.net . He is in need of work at this time, as his former employer eliminated some positions in this area due to a reorganization of the company. Also, thanks to all for your prayers for healing from my recent accident. With treatments from my chiropractor, I am recovering and am walking and driving again, but am not totally back to normal. Housework is painful, but ...

Christ the Lord lives among us and we are his adopted people. Let us praise him and offer him our prayers:- Lord, listen to us and show your greatness. Lord, king and ruler of the nations, guide all peoples and all who exercise power that they may work together for the common good, according to your laws. You conquered our captivity and took it prisoner: restore to freedom our brethren who are captive in body or in soul. May our young grow up irreproachable in your sight and may they wholeheartedly follow you when you call. Make children follow your example and move steadily forward in wisdom and grace. Take up the dead into your eternal kingdom where we hope one day to rule at your side. For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For the Thoene Family Prayer Request . (Brock and Bodie ask for your prayers for Sarah and Luke Thoene and their soon-to-be-born baby girl. Sarah is in the hospital with pre-eclampsia. Baby Wilkie is 26 weeks along and much loved.) For safe travel for Ka...

Today is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits and so it is fitting that I share this with you. I have just discovered a new Jesuit website. John Brown, SJ, set up the Companions of Jesus website with videos about St. Ignatius and Ignatian spirituality. The Jesuit Review consists of high quality videos. The site also contains Ignatian Prayers and The Spiritual Exercises. Be sure to check it out! Related post: St. Ignatius of Loyola: Brief Biography, Favorite Quotes, Prayers, and Works

Via Thomas at American Papist. Video One Video Two Video Three

Source Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Today's Mass Readings Today in Catholic History: 432 - Election of Pope Sixtus III . 1009 - Pietro Boccapecora becomes Pope Sergius IV . 1367 - Blessed Blessed John Colombini (b. ca. 1300), Founder of the Congregation of Jesuati, died. 1556 - St. Ignatius of Loyola , founder of the Jesuit order, died (b. 24 December 1491, Loyola, near Azpeitia, Northern Spain). 1968 - The National Council of Catholic Bishops issued a statement on birth control in support of Pope Paul VI's encyclical, Humanae Vitae , of the previous week. The statement reiterated the pope's condemnation of artificial methods of birth control in spite of the sentiment of several priests and laymen who publicly disagreed with the pope's position. Birthdays: 1702 - Jean Denis Attiret , French Jesuit missionary and painter (d. 1768) 1912 - Irv Kupcinet , American newspaper columnist (d. 2003) 1916 - Bill Todman , American game show producer (d. 1979) ( Beat ...

Bella, the heart-warming independent film that took the 2006 Toronto Film Festival by storm, winning the prestigious "People's Choice Award," is in final negotiations with a major U.S. distributor. Barring any last minute glitches in the signing of the papers, the film is scheduled to be released in theaters across the country on Oct. 26. Many pro-life and pro-family groups across the country and internationally have embraced the film for its unapologetic celebration of life and the beauty of family and for its honest look at the difficult issue of what to do about an unplanned pregnancy. Learn more from Christina and Leticia on the details of this film. Visit the Web site for Bella. Source Related Posts: Bella, the Movie Two Award-Winning Abortion Films - Updated

St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, was born in 1491 in the Basque Country of Northern Spain to parents of distinguished families in that area. He was the youngest of 13 children and was called was called Iñigo. At the age of 15, he served as a page in the court of a local nobleman and later embraced a military career and became a valiant soldier. Wounded in battle by a cannonball, which broke one leg and injured the other, he was taken prisoner by the French, who set his leg and eventually allowed him to go home to Loyola. He spent his time recuperating at the home of his brother. Confined to his sick bed , he was given pious books to read, which he grudgingly accepted. To his surprise, he enjoyed them and began to dream of becoming a "knight for Christ", pursuing the ideals of St. Francis and St. Dominic. He eventually promised to devote his life to being a knight for St. Peter if he recovered, which he did after nine months of convalescence. ...

Prayer of Spouses for Each Other "Recently, our Hawaii Catholic moms' biggest concern has been keeping our marriages holy and strong. As you know, the family is always under attack by the devil. What better way to destroy a family but by starting on the foundation of the family, the husband and wife. I offer the following prayer for all who are suffering attacks on their marriage, especially one family in particular who was brought to my attention by Easter :" [more from Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii here.] I Was Robbed "I am a "Generation X" Catholic, raised and catechized in the tumultuous aftermath of Vatican II. I was a victim of "renewal" and experimentation gone awry, and so were my peers. With great regret and without exaggeration, I contend that the results have been catastrophic for my generation. It is my firm belief that the overwhelming majority of young Catholics don't have even an elemental understanding of their Faith. As a...

As a Eucharistic Minister of Holy Communion, I can relate to this humorous post written by Father Stephanos, O.S.B.

A $7.5 million Planned Parenthood abortion clinic that will open in September in Aurora, Ill., is taking the Chicago area by surprise, the Chicago Tribune reports. Neighbors thought they were seeing the completion of the "Gemini Health Center," just as the sign says. So did the painters, carpenters, electricians and other tradesmen who have been working on the project for the last eight months. Just last week, Aurora Councilman Chris Beykirch learned that Planned Parenthood was moving in. "Frankly, I'm surprised we were able to keep it a secret for so long," Steve Trombley, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area, told the Tribune. "We didn't want anything to interfere with the opening … and, at this point, I don't anticipate anything will stop that from happening." Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, said it's not possible to stop construction. "It's probably more a matter of damage contro...

Fr. Frank Pavone, the National Director of Priests for Life, has issued a strong warning to some "Christian" pastors who have tried to silence pro-life protesters. Here is his statement: "The Birmingham News carried a story... wherein some local pastors said that pro-life activists who held events on public sidewalks near their Churches 'did not have permission' to hold the events. "Excuse me, pastors, but they don't need your permission. "In America, the public sidewalks are a forum in which any citizen can communicate to any other citizen what is on his or her mind. The 'permission' has been granted by our Founding Fathers and it's called the First Amendment to the Constitution. . "This permission holds even when the public sidewalk happens to be in front of a Church. Every pastor in every denomination has a duty to understand this clearly and to respect the rights of every citizen to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly....

A Video message from Guadalupe can be viewed here. Via Fr. Frank Pavone, M.E.V. National Director, Priests For Life

Visual sunset of Holy Spirit with contrasting image of a bird in flight. Image Source Christ is filled with grace and the Holy Spirit. Let us proclaim his greatness and trustfully ask him:- Lord, give us your Spirit. Make our day happy, without disturbance, without sin, so that when we reach evening we can praise you joyfully with pure hearts. May your radiance shine on us through the day: guide the work of our hands. Watch over us: let us do good in peace and do what is right, with the strength you give us. Look kindly on all who have asked for our prayers and fill them with good things, both in body and in soul. For the special intentions of the Holy Father. For the Thoene Family Prayer Request . (Brock and Bodie ask for your prayers for Sarah and Luke Thoene and their soon-to-be-born baby girl. Sarah is in the hospital with pre-eclampsia. Baby Wilkie is 26 weeks along and much loved.) For safe travel for Karina and her family as they move. (They were involved in an accident ...

Image Source Related Post: True Love

Alice von Hildebrand, the wife of the late Dietrich von Hildebrand, one of the finest Catholic philosophers of the past century, writing in the pages of Crisis magazine on true love: When in love, we experience a deep, profound joy—a joy that is both ardent and calm, like a burning bush; but this ardor is not destructive, and is marked by deep recollection. It springs from the very center of our being. How different from the loud excitement of those who experience violent emotions that do not come from their depths and, like a straw fire, shine brightly for a short while but are soon extinguished. The heart is not only on fire, but this fire has a melting effect. We feel as if a goodness that does not come from within has taken hold of us. Dietrich von Hildebrand speaks of “fluid goodness” of a loving heart. True love makes the lover more beautiful; he irradiates joy. If this is not the case, we can raise doubts as to whether he is truly in love. One says in French: “Un saint triste ...

Here's the film and here's what Joe Kovacs at WorldNetDaily has to say about it: A new comedy spoof on the Ten Commandments portrays Jesus Christ deflowering a virgin librarian, and is raising some eyebrows in the Christian community. "The Ten," rated R for pervasive strong, crude sexual content, language and some drug material, stars Jessica Alba, Winona Ryder, Gretchen Mol and Liev Schreiber among others. The movie which opens Friday features ten separate stories, each inspired by one of the Ten Commandments from the Holy Bible. "If you've ever stopped yourself from murdering someone, then you yourself have been following the Ten Commandments without even knowing it," clowns director David Wain on the film's website. [More] This is more than a just a little offensive to me - it's totally outrageous. What are your thoughts? You can go here to participate in the poll.

The Demonic Abortion Industry The following is an excerpt from my upcoming book on exorcism. One chapter of the book is entitled, “Pro-Life and Exorcism” and is devoted to reflecting on the evil of abortion from a spiritual perspective. As a caution for those who may not be accustomed to the language of spiritual warfare, I would mention that the view of abortion contained in the passage below is derived primarily from Jesus’ presentation of the devil as “a murderer from the beginning” (Jn 8:44) and from scriptural passages that identify other demons who collaborate with Satan in his attempt to destroy the very life of God’s children. Make sure to pray as you read this passage. ............................................................................................. In what sense is abortion demonic? The spiritual dimension of this grisly “business” is its systematizing of ritual blood sacrifice to the god of child murder, Moloch, who we know of from the severe condemnations of hi...

Monday's Flower Source Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chrysologus, bishop and doctor Today's Mass Readings My Favorite Quotes of St. Peter Chrysologus ("The Man of Golden Speech"), Doctor of the Church Today in Catholic History: 579 - Pope Benedict I died. 1540 - Thomas Abel , English priest (martyred). History Highlight of the Day: 1956 " In God We Trust " became the official motto of the United States by an act of Congress signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Birthdays: 1511 - Giorgio Vasari , Italian painter and architect (d. 1574) 1818 - Emily Brontë , English novelist (d. 1848) 1863 - Henry Ford , American industrialist (d. 1947) 1890 - Casey Stengel , American baseball manager (d. 1975) 1916 - Dick Wilson , American actor ("Mr. Whipple": "Please, don't squeeze the Charmin!") 1926 - Christine McGuire , American singer ( The McGuire Sisters ) 1933 - Edward Byrnes , American actor, "Kookie" Kookson III on the TV de...

"He is The Bread sown in the virgin, leavened in the Flesh, molded in His Passion, baked in the furnace of the Sepulchre, placed in the Churches, and set upon the Altars, which daily supplies Heavenly Food to the faithful." "Today Christ works the first of his signs from heaven by turning water into wine. But water [mixed with wine] has still to be changed into the sacrament of his blood, so that Christ may offer spiritual drink from the chalice of his body, to fulfill the psalmist's prophecy: How excellent is my chalice, warming my spirit." ~ St. Peter Chrysologus, Doctor of the Church, 406 - 450

"God's Gift" Cream of the Crop Photo Christ the Lord is our day and our sunlight, shining on all men and never setting. Let us praise him, saying: - O Lord, you are our life and our salvation! Creator of the stars, we offer you in gratitude the first-fruits of this day, and we commemorate your resurrection. May your Spirit guide us today to do what is pleasing to you: may your Wisdom lead us always. Let us join together with joy at Mass this Sunday, at the table of your word and your Body and Blood. Our souls give you thanks for your immeasurable kindness. Update: Thanks be to God, for this answer to prayer. For the renewal of the Church: that it will be a place where all may experience the holiness of God, forgiveness of sins, and deliverance from evil. That the hungry of the world will be given daily bread, generous care, and friendship. That the Lord will protect and preserve those who walk amid distress. That God's kingdom will come to those who suffer oppression...

Bill and I were in dire need of a good comedy so we went to watch Hairspray tonight. What a relaxing time we had! This movie was sheer Fun! A musical comedy adapted from a Broadway play of the same name, Hairspray is about a happy - go-lucky, plump teenager, Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) from 1962 Baltimore who loves to dance. Her dream is to be selected to dance on "The Corny Collins Show" (a TV dance program which seems to be a combination of The Mickey Mouse Club and The Dick Clark Show.) Tracy's parents, Edna (John Travolta dressed as a woman and acting as a woman throughout), who takes in laundry, is initially resistant to Tracy's auditioning for the show, but her dad, Wilbur (Christopher Walken), a novelty shop owner, is more encouraging and tells her to go for it. When Tracy auditions, she is strongly rejected by Velma Van Tousle (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Producer of the show and a former beauty queen, who is determined to keep her daughter, Amber (Brittany Sno...

Source What we are waiting for is what he promised: the new heavens and new earth, the place where righteousness will be at home. So then, my friends, while you are waiting, do your best to live lives without spot or stain so that he will find you at peace. Think of our Lord’s patience as your opportunity to be saved. ~2 Peter 3:13 - 15

Your Superpower Should Be Invisibility You are stealth, complex, and creative. You never face problems head on. Instead, you rely on your craftiness to get your way. A mystery to others, you thrive on being a little misunderstood. You happily work behind the scenes... because there's nothing better than a sneak attack! Why you would be a good superhero: You're so sly, no one would notice... not even your best friends Your biggest problem as a superhero: Missing out on all of the glory that visible superheroes get What Should Your Superpower Be?

Blogger Reflection Award: this award should make an individual reflect upon five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and who have provided a Godly example. In other words, five dear bloggers whom, when you reflect upon them, you are filled with a sense of pride and joy. . .of knowing them and being blessed by them. Leticia has nominated me for this award and I am honored and thankful. A talented writer and a mom who is raising three beautiful daughters, one of whom has Down Syndrome, she is an inspiration to me. While I have difficulty keeping up with one blog, she writes two - Cause of Our Joy and causa nostrae laetitiae and does a great job on both. She's a special lady who is a strong advocate for the disabled and the unborn. I enjoy reading both of her blogs and staying in touch with her - she has some great ideas. Here's her nomination of me for the Blogger Reflection Award: 1. Jean M. Heimann at Catholic Fire . Jean not ...

Seminarian Matthew at A Catholic Life has updated his Respect Life Boycott List with new information on companies that support Planned Parenthood. Please write to the companies on the list and ask them to stop funding Planned Parenthood. If they refuse, please boycott the company and inform them of the reason for your boycott. Thanks, Matthew, for sharing your list. People are always asking me about this, so it's nice to have this list available for handy reference.

I watched the official trailer on this movie and have heard some good things about it - mostly that it is very funny and enjoyable to watch; however, there are a couple of things I'm concerned about. First, I don't really care for the fact that John Travolta is dressed as a woman and plays the part of the main character's mother. I know that in Shakespeare's time, male actors played the female roles, but that was mainly due to the fact that they didn't have women actresses back then (In medieval times, it was considered disgraceful for the woman to go on stage.), but nowadays it seems somewhat distasteful and disgraceful for a man to appear in women's clothing. Second, this film is rated PG and contains some crass expressions, innuendo, mild sexual banter and irreverence, and brief teen smoking, which makes it less than ideal to view. USCCB reports that it is best for older adolescents, but I would have to see it for myself before making recommendations on the a...

Today I am praying for the following requests and invite all my readers to join me. The Father who loves us gives us good gifts beyond our imagining. Let us turn to him in confidence and pray: Father, hear your children's plea! For all those who are diminished by deprivation and violence: free them to live to the full we pray. For all those who gifts remain undeveloped through lack of education or encouragement: grant them the opportunity to thrive and grow, we pray. For all those who have died: bring them to the fullness of everlasting life in Christ. For peace, comfort, and healing my friend Theresa's mother, who suffered a heart attack and a stroke, and last night underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clots from both legs. (She has Parkinson’s and dementia.) For comfort and peace for Theresa and her family. For healing for Christine's aunt who has a brain tumor . For healing for Julie D.'s father , who has an appointment with a new doctor today. For Donna Mari...

Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur has written a very interesting and succinct post for Catholic Exchange entitled Making Time for Prayer . While you're over there, be sure and check out CE on Time: A Guide to Personal Productivity . The primary focus of this blog is to help readers make the most of the time God has given them. It offers some useful suggestions on organization, household chores and work-life balance. Here are some examples of some of the posts there include: 1. 5 Ways to Be Better at Self Promotion: Brazen Careerist 2. The Case for (not) Being Nice at Work: MSN 3. If You Believe in Building Good Talent, Encourage Someone Today: All Things Workplace Go here to see more.

Sunrise over Eldorado Lake Source Friday of the Sixteenth Week of Ordinary Time Saints of the Day: Saints Natalia, Aurelius, Liliosa, Felix, and George, Martyrs Mass Readings On This Day in Catholic History: 1417 Avignon Pope Benedict XIII (1328–1423) was deposed as pope by the Council of Constance . 1549 - Jesuit priest St. Francis Xavier's ship reached Japan. Birthdays: 1824 - Alexandre Dumas, fils , French author, playwright (d. 1895) 1870 - Hilaire Belloc , English writer (d. 1953) 1882 - Geoffrey de Havilland , British aircraft designer (d. 1965) 1905 - Leo Durocher , American baseball player and manager (d. 1991) 1922 - Norman Milton Lear, American television writer and producer ( All in the Family , Sanford and Son , One Day at a Time , Good Times , Maude ) 1931 - Jerry Van Dyke , American actor 1948 - Peggy Fleming , American figure skater 1949 - Maureen McGovern , American singer 1975 - Alex Rodriguez , American baseball player 1990 - Cheyenne Kimball ,...

"We not only take care of the earth, but we must respect the other, other human beings...only in absolute respect of other (humans)...can we make progress." ~ Pope Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY, JUL 26, 2007 (VIS) - Benedict XVI's Message for the 23rd World Youth Day, due to be held in Sydney, Australia from July 15 to 20, 2008, has as its theme: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts of the Apostles 1, 8). For full English text go here. For official World Youth Day website, click here.

Today I am praying for the following requests and invite all my readers to join me. Heavenly Father, we lift up our prayers to you and pray in accordance with your holy will. For the Holy Father's special intentions. Update: For my friend Theresa's mother, who suffered a heart attack and a stroke, and last night underwent emergency surgery to remove blood clots from both legs. She has Parkinson’s and dementia. For N---who is scheduled for an abortion tomorrow morning, that her sister who is pressuring her will have a change of heart . For Seminarian Matthew's special intention. ( See updates here.) For Donna Marie's special intention . For Paul's conversion. For Esther's prayer request. For Julie D.'s parents. For C. who is struggling with a problem pregnancy. For L., a woman who will be undergoing brain surgery to try to stop further brain damage caused by tumors; the surgery is planned in the beginning of August. For all those suffering from cancer ( es...

Memorial of Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of Mary My Personal Insights here. Today's Mass Readings. Today in Catholic History: 1309 - Henry VII is recognized King of the Romans by Pope Clement V . 1030 - Stanislaus of Szczepanów St. Stanislaw was born. (d. 1079 ) Birthdays: 1791 - Franz Xaver Wolfgang Mozart , composer (d. 1844) 1856 - George Bernard Shaw , Irish writer, Nobel Prize Laureate(d. 1950) 1894 - Aldous Huxley , English-born author (d. 1963) 1895 - Gracie Allen , American actress and comedian (d. 1964) 1909 - Vivian Vance , American actress (d. 1979) 1922 - Jason Robards , American actor (d. 2000) 1928 - Stanley Kubrick , American film director (d. 1999) 1939 - Bob Lilly , American football player 1964 - Sandra Bullock , American actress 1977 - Rebecca St. James , Australian-born singer Image: The Prayer of St. Joachim and St. Anne Peter Brandl, 1716

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all." ~Dale Carnegie Via Sister Patricia .

Image Source "All other joys are surpassed by that light unspeakable, by which God himself shines upon the saints." ~ Blessed John Ingram

Let us pray to the God of our salvation: Give peace, O Lord. You forgave the guilt of your people: Make all one in the love of Christ. You spoke the final Word of salvation in the incarnation: make all holy by the dying and rising of Christ. You revealed your faithfulness through the longed-for Messiah: make us servants of your justice and peace for all who wait for you. For Donna Marie's special intention. For Paul's conversion. For Esther's prayer request. For Matthew's special intention. For Julie D.'s parents. For C. who is struggling with a problem pregnancy. For L., a woman who will be undergoing brain surgery to try to stop further brain damage caused by tumors; the surgery is planned in the beginning of August. For all those suffering from cancer ( especially Diane (who has been fighting it for almost 3 years now), Fr. L., Dave, Gloria, Robert, Harry and Vic, their caregivers, friends, and family. For the fruitfulness of Bill's job search. For all thos...

Most people in the world are unloved. Some do not make themselves lovable because of their selfishness; others do not have enough Christian spirit to love those who do not love them. The result is that the world is full of lonely hearts. Here we speak of love not in the romantic or carnal sense, but in the higher sense of generosity, forgiveness, kindness, and sacrifice. Perhaps it would help to know some of the psychological effects of not loving others in a really noble and unselfish way. The first effect of not receiving love ... is cynicism and even hostility. Never a good word can be said for anyone. Because one is unloved one tries to make everyone else unlovable... And the effect of want of love is the martyrdom complex, which is a morbid way to get pity and sympathy when real love is gone. Feigning sickness is one of the tricks. Because good health does not win the affections of others, one pretends to be wounded in the firm hope that someone else will bind the wounds. The ...

Valladolid, Jul 25, 2007 / 10:20 am ( CNA ).- Archbishop Braulio Rodriguez Plaza of Valladolid (Spain) said this week the Pope’s intention behind allowing greater use of the Missal of 1962 is not to turn the clock back, as many have said, but rather to foster “unity among Catholics, especially during the celebration [of the Mass] and to reconcile the Church with her liturgical past prior to Vatican II.” “Even though the media has repeated it so many times, the Pope has not decided that we are going to return to celebrating the Mass in Latin. To say such a thing is not only ignorant, it’s also thoughtless. It has always been permitted to celebrate the Mass in Latin, even after Vatican II, and the books of the liturgical reform were written in Latin and later translated into the different languages,” Archbishop Rodriguez explained. He stressed that the Pope is not discrediting Vatican II with the Motu Propio or acquiescing to the Lefebvrists, as he knows the differences with them “are n...

This week's Catholic Carnival, hosted by Jay of Living Catholicism is up. Check it out here .

Feast of St. James, apostle To learn more about St. James, go here. Today's Mass Readings On This Day in Catholic History: 325 The First Council of Nicea closed. The first ecumenical council, convened by Constantine, it rejected the Arian denial of the full divinity of Christ. 1471 St. Thomas à Kempis , medieval monk, died (b. 1380, Kempen near Cologne and Düsseldorf). 1593 France's King Henry IV converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism. 1968 Pope Paul VI published his encyclical Humanae Vitae , which condemned artificial birth control methods. Birthdays: 1848 - Arthur Balfour , 33rd Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (d. 1930) 1894 - Walter Brennan , American actor (The Real McCoys) (d. 1974) 1923 - Estelle Getty , American actress (Sophia in The Golden Girls) 1926 - Whitey Lockman , American baseball player 1942 - Bruce Woodley , Australian singer, guitarist and songwriter ( The Seekers - "Red Rubber Ball") 1954 - Walter Payton , American football pla...