Catholic Fire

Credit: CNA, EWTN By Jean M. Heimann I was both saddened and joyful when I learned of the death of Mother Angelica on Easter Sunday, March 27. What a beautiful bride of the Lord! She offered her entire self to Him – body, mind, spirit, and soul. Now, I pray that she is rejoicing in ecstasy with Him for all eternity. Although I did not know Mother Angelica personally, I felt that we were the best of friends. She had that effect on people, not only with me, but with people all over the world. She was a down-to-earth, commonsense type of person who always spoke the truth. She was witty, feisty, funny, and sometimes a little over the top. She was herself and did not put on any airs and I think that is why we loved her. She was warm, empathetic, and very human. I first heard about Mother Angelica in the ‘80s, shortly after I returned to the Church following a fifteen year absence. I heard that there was a cloistered nun who was appearing on TV who was really shaking things up in...

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the "war to end all wars." November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during the war in order to ensure a lasting peace. In 1938 Congress voted Armistice Day as a legal holiday, but World War II began the following year. Armistice Day was still observed after the end of the Second World War. In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill renaming the national holiday to Veterans' Day. Today, we remember those who have served for our country in the armed forces in our prayers. Thank you, veterans, for serving our country and protecting our freedoms! I am especially thankful to those in my own family who have served in the Armed Forces -- my dad, my brother, and my sister. My...

June 9, 2015 marks the 75th anniversary of Fr. Emil Joseph Kapaun's ordination as a Catholic Priest. The ordination took place in 75 years ago in St. John's Chapel located on the Newman University campus. In this video you will see images and footage of the beautiful St. John's Chapel, as well as a mural of Father Emil Kapaun by artist Wendy Lewis.

Fr. Robert Barron provides a wonderful tribute to Cardinal Francis George, who died on April 17, 2015. At the age of 78, he was a man of enormous accomplishment and influence. Through his determination, pastoral devotion, deep intelligence, and kindness of heart, he mediated the Holy Spirit. The entire Church owes him a debt of gratitude for reminding us who we are and what our mission is. Related:   Remembering Cardinal George: Chicago’s Archbishop celebrates 50 years of priestly ordination Photo source

On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day in the eleventh month of the year 1918, an armistice was signed, ending the "war to end all wars." November 11 was set aside as Armistice Day in the United States to remember the sacrifices that men and women made during the war in order to ensure a lasting peace. In 1938 Congress voted Armistice Day as a legal holiday, but World War II began the following year. Armistice Day was still observed after the end of the Second World War. In 1953 townspeople in Emporia, Kansas called the holiday Veterans' Day in gratitude to the veterans in their town. Soon after, Congress passed a bill renaming the national holiday to Veterans' Day. Today, we remember those who have served for our country in the armed forces in our prayers.  Thank you for  your service! A Prayer for Our Veterans We ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces. We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in...

My earliest memory of my dad is when I was about 4 years old. I remember wanting to retrieve an item on the top of our living room fireplace and standing on the seat of my backless child-sized chair to do so. As I grabbed the item, I fell off the chair, with my underarm sliding into one of the two steel rungs that would have held up the linoleum back on the chair. The blood was pouring out as I cried out in pain and my parents ran over to inspect me. Somehow my dad made the bleeding stop and soon afterwards he repaired the back of the chair. I forgot all about my injury when he fixed my chair so that it was good as new. I knew that I had nothing to fear from that chair anymore and that I had something to sit in that was like new. New anything was rare in our home – dad worked as an ironworker after he returned from World War II and work for him in the winter was rare. As a sergeant in the war with the Fifth Army, dad had been stationed in France and North Africa. He had earned a ...

Annette Funicello, "the first crush for a generation of boys, the perfect playmate for a generation of girls" has died at the age of 70 . May she rest in peace. Image Source.

May she rest in peace. LIVERPOOL, England (CNS) -- The Catholic bishops of England and Wales offered prayers for the soul of Margaret Thatcher, the former British prime minister who died at age 87 following a stroke. Baroness Thatcher, who led Britain from 1979 to 1990, died "peacefully" the morning of April 8, according to her family. Soon after news of her death was made public, Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster, president of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, issued a short statement. "It was with sadness that we heard the news of the death of Baroness Thatcher, who served this country for many years both as a member of Parliament and as prime minster," said Archbishop Nichols. "We pray for the repose of her soul and for the intentions of her family and all those who now mourn for her," he added. Later that day, the Vatican released a telegram that Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's secretary of state, ...

This wonderful story comes from Brandon Voight at Ignitum Today : As an Evangelical Christian in 2008, “God’s Rottweiler” worried me. From what I heard, he was a cold and stodgy disciplinarian with a hyper-traditionalist streak, more likely to crack a whip than save a soul. But then I became Catholic. I devoured his books and studied his speeches, and I discovered a much different man. He was humble, spiritual, and wise—more Gandalf than Stalin. In the five years since becoming Catholic, Pope Benedict has taught me several lessons. But three stick out in particular: the priority of encountering Christ, the proper interpretation of the Bible, and the astounding power of the new media. First, when you study Pope Benedict’s work you’ll quickly notice his evangelical bend. He incessantly reminds us that Christianity is not about a philosophy, a set of doctrines, or a moral list of do’s and don’ts: it’s about a relationship with Christ. Those other things certainly matter but they ...

Today, is the fourth anniversary of the passing of our beloved Pope John II the Great. When I visited Vatican City in February 2006, I prayed at the grave of Pope John Paul II. What will always remain with me is the vision of the many roses and written prayer requests covering his grave. Kneeling before the grave of this great saint, a group of us prayed for his intercession for those intentions closest to our hearts. There was such a sense of great reverence and awe that will remain with me always. Today I pray his intercession in my many prayer requests. Although he has not yet been officially canonized by the Church, there is no doubt in my mind that he soon will be. Here is my pictorial post on the first anniversary of his death POPE JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: MY FAVORITE MEMORIES and my favorite John Paul II quotes on the second anniversary of his death from my post In Memory of Pope John Paul II . Here are a few posts in the blogosphere honoring tribute to him today: American Papist: ...

Poem: "These Heroes All" by Kelly Kirkpatrick Standing guard o'ver Heaven's bounds, to duty called by God, Harkening when the trumpets sound Saint Michael's call aloud, Is a holy, brave brigade of men and women bold, Though their earthly life they've paid, o'er none has death a hold. Heroes all, in virtue steeped, immune to evil's touch, They now with angels vigil keep and still watch over us. Partnered with Almighty God, alive for evermore, Members of His Honor Squad and free on wings to soar. Each fell in bloody battle hard that we might e'er live free, Sacrificed on razored shards of cruel destiny. Let not the banner they held proud, their caskets now which grace, Lie in tatters as a shroud: forgotten, soiled, disgraced. Raise it high and in their names join those who carry on, Those still battling Satan's flames, their numbers few but strong. Keep alive their legacy as they would wish it done, Their sacrifice to keep us free uniting us...

Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the death of our beloved Pope John Paul II. I look forward to his canonization, which seems to be getting closer with the miracles that have been reported lately. Bill and I spent yesterday evening watching our favorite film of his life – Pope John Paul II -- starring John Voight and Carl Elwes. Jon Voight was so convincing in the role of John Paul II that I nearly crossed myself each time he gave his papal blessing. While I never met Pope John Paul II in person, I believe that his life had a profound impact on my spirituality as well as my return to the Catholic Church in 1987, following a 15 year absence. Can you imagine what the world would be like without him? His life touched the lives of so many and drew thousands to the faith and to holy vocations. I want to share with you my post from last year, POPE JOHN PAUL THE GREAT: MY FAVORITE MEMORIES , which contains many photos and some words from Cardinal Ratzinger, Pope Benedict XVI. (I have had the...