Catholic Fire

"You must never turn back for anything at all. You must not break away from holy prayer for any reason except obedience or charity. For often during the time scheduled for prayer the devil comes with all sorts of struggles and annoyances - even more than when you are not at prayer. He does this to make you weary of holy prayer. Often he will say, 'This sort of prayer is worthless to you. You should not think about or pay attention to anything except vocal prayer.' He makes it seem this way so that you will become weary and confused, and abandon the exercise of prayer. But prayer is a weapon with which you can defend yourself against every enemy. If you hold it with love's hand and the arm of free choice, this weapon, with the light of most holy faith, will be your defense" ~ St. Catherine of Siena, The Dialogue , 65 "Every soul should know that even though God does not answer its prayer immediately, he will not on that account fail to answer it at the oppor...

"Pray always without becoming weary." ~ Luke 18:1 "If you get into the habit of praying unceasingly, of loving your neighbor and of weeping in prayer for the whole world then your soul will be drawn towards prayer, tears and love. And if you form the habit of almsgiving, of being obedient, of being open in confession towards your spiritual father, then you will always act in the same manner and so you will come to peace." ~Saint Silouan (1866-1938), Orthodox monk, Writings When both my younger sister and my mom were suffering with cancer at the same time several years ago, I couldn't understand why God would allow this to happen to my family. Mary, a hardworking single mom with two school age children was living in Florida and mom and dad were in Texas, while the rest of us were in IL. Mary was in her thirties and mom was in her early 60's. I was single and busily involved in my career, working my usual 60 - 70 hours per week. I wanted to stop what I was...

The way to plan the family is Natural Family Planning, not contraception. In destroying the power of giving life, through contraception, a husband or wife is doing something to self. This turns the attention to self and so destroys the gift of love in him or her. In loving, the husband and wife must turn the attention to each other. Once that living love is destroyed by contraception, abortion follows very easily." ~ Blessed Mother Teresa (in front of Bill and Hillary Clinton) "I also know that there are great problems in the world - that many spouses do not love each other enough to practice natural family planning. We cannot solve all the problems in the world, but let us never bring in the worst problem of all, and that is to destroy love. And this is what happens when we tell people to practice contraception and abortion." ~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta "I am supposing, then, although you are not lying [with your wife] for the sake of procreating offspring...

This Oct. 26 will see the crucial opening weekend of a new movie, Bella. The film is being celebrated as a triumph for Latino filmmakers, and for independent filmmakers. Catholics have another reason to celebrate — and support it. This movie gives us hope that Catholics can reclaim territory we used to own, but have too often ceded: The arts. Communicating about God through art has always been a Catholic specialty. MORE

autumn scene Memorial of Sts. Isaac Jogues and John de Brebeuf, priests and martyrs and companions, martyrs Today's Mass Readings On This Day in Catholic History: 1187 - Pope Urban III died. 2003 - Mother Teresa is beatified by Pope John Paul II . Birthdays: 1748 - Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson , American wife of Thomas Jefferson, (d. 1782) 1862 - Auguste Lumière , French inventor (d. 1954) 1945 - John Lithgow , American actor, (Back to the Future, The World According to Garp, Terms of Endearment) 1960 - Jennifer Holiday , American singer and actress 1965 - Ty Pennington , American television carpenter 1976 - Michael Young , baseball player

Eight French Jesuit missionaries came to North America in the 17th century, amidst the hardships of sickness and extreme poverty, to bring the Word of God to the native Indians. They endured many horrific tortures and death in order to accomplish what they had set out to do. In 1625, St. John de Brebuf, at age 32, entered into the Huron tribe in the harsh frontier of Canada. John had tuberculosis, but the climate so agreed with him that the Hurons, surprised at his endurance, called him Echon, which meant load bearer. John was tortured and martyred in 1649. The Indians, hoping to gain the incredible strength he had, drank his blood. St. Isaac Jogues was sent to Canada in 1636, where he worked among the Mowhawks. He was taken captive by the Iroquois in 1642 and imprisoned for thirteen months, where he was kept as a slave and beaten by the women of the tribe. While in captivity, Father Jogues secretly taught and baptized the other captives and slaves of the tribe. His greatest sorrow wa...

People close to Senator Sam Brownback say the Kansas Republican will drop out of the 2008 presidential campaign Friday. The long shot conservative contender had trouble raising money to compete in the race. He's expected to announce his withdrawal in Topeka. Brownback raised about $800,000 in the third quarter of this year, his lowest quarterly amount since entering race. He has brought in more than $4 million overall and is eligible for $2 million in federal matching funds. Brownback -- who is in his second term -- had said in his first Senate campaign he would serve no more than two terms in Senate. He's widely expected to seek the Kansas governor's office in 2010. Source My Comments: This doesn't surprise me. Although I agree with Brownback on many of the issues, there were influential people here in Kansas, his home state, who weren't behind him in his presidential campaign . As can be expected, the left-wing Wichita Eagle consistently wrote disparaging article...

One of the most common questions I receive is, "What happens to aborted babies? Do they go to heaven? Should we pray for them?" Pope John Paul II, in The Gospel of Life, speaks directly to those who have had abortions, and tells them, "To the same Father and to his mercy you can with sure hope entrust your child" (n. 99). The child, in other words, continues to live, and the mother continues to care for that child by "entrusting" him or her to the Father. God takes care of the children he has created, including those who have been killed. Therefore, we entrust these children to Him "with sure hope." This "hope" means that we acknowledge that God wants everyone to be saved. He saves different people in different ways. The ordinary way of salvation is through the sacrament of Baptism, which gives us the new life that is necessary for reaching heaven. If a person, however, is prevented, through no fault of their own, from receiving the sac...

God the Father of all light has called us to true faith through the Good News of his Son. Let us pray to him for his holy people:-Lord, remember your Church. Father, you led your Son, the great shepherd of your flock, out of the realm of the dead: may we be his witnesses, to the very ends of the earth. Father, you sent your Son into the world to bring the Good News to the poor: may the Gospel be preached to every created thing. Father, you sent your Son to sow the seed of the word: as we sow the Word with great labor, so may we reap its fruits with joy. Father, you sent your Son to reconcile the world to you with his blood: grant that we may all work together for reconciliation. Father, you have seated your Son at your right hand in heaven: receive the dead into your blessed kingdom. Thanksgiving : S., the 13 year old we have been praying for, went to Heaven at 10 pm Monday night and is no longer suffering. For Angie, the young woman we have been praying for, is recovering well from a ...

My Favorite Season Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist Today's Mass Readings On This Day in Catholic History: 1210 - Pope Innocent III excommunicates German leader Otto IV Birthdays: 1405 - Pope Pius II (d. 1464) 1634 - Luca Giordano , Italian artist (d. 1705) 1913 - Robert Gilruth , American aviation and space pioneer (d. 2000) 1939 - Mike Ditka , American football player, coach, and commentator 1951 - Pam Dawber , American actress, ( Mork & Mindy ) 1961 - Erin Moran American actress, ( Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days ) 1970 - Doug Mirabelli , American baseball player 1975 - Alex Cora , Puerto Rican baseball player

St Luke Painting the Virgin Mary 1602 Oil on panel, 270 x 217 cm Koninklijk Museum voor Schone Kunsten, Antwerp It is believed that St. Luke was born a Greek and a gentile. A physician at Antioch, and a painter, St. Luke became a convert of Saint Paul and afterwards his fellow-laborer. Luke was the writer of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles and has been identified with St. Paul's "Luke, the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). Saint Luke shared the shipwreck and perils of Saint Paul's voyage to Rome, and was with him in his last days. He later died a martyr's death in Achaia. As a physician, Luke's gospel emphasizes forgiveness and the merciful love of Jesus, which heals his children and welcomes all into his arms -- especially the sinner, the outcast, the gentile. Luke shows us the compassion of Jesus. It is only in Luke that we hear the story of the Prodigal Son welcomed back by the joyful father. Luke also has a special connection with the women ...

Planned Parenthood facing 107 criminal charges From WorldNetDaily.com: A 107-count criminal complaint has been filed against a Planned Parenthood operation in Kansas, alleging its operators not only failed to diagnose required conditions for late-term abortions but also performed illegal abortions and provided false information about them. "Yippie," said Cheryl Sullenger, a spokeswoman for the nearby Wichita-based Operation Rescue. "This is what we've been saying all along, that they've been breaking the law." The complaint was filed by Johnson County District Attorney Phill Kline, who said in a prepared statement that he would not be commenting on the case against the Olathe business. But the statement noted that the counts against Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri were reviewed by Johnson County District Judge James Vano, who found probable cause on each count. MORE Via Operation Rescue: According to the Johnson Count...

Therese at Aussie Coffee Shop tagged me for the following meme: Name seven things you like about yourself. 1. I like that I am a Catholic - not a cafeteria Catholic - but the real thing. 2. I like that I am pro-life and can vote. 3. I like it that I am married to my dh Bill. 4. I like that I can help others through my various apostolates. 5. I like that God has chosen me to lead others to Him (in my weakness and littleness.) 6. I like it that I am able to enjoy the simple things in life and not get caught up in the trap of materialism that is so common in our society. 7. I like it that I accepted God's grace when I returned to the Church many years ago after a long absence. I will pass this meme onto three people: 1. Esther 2. Deb 3. Leticia

H/T Esther. Your Movie Buff Quotient: 64% You are a total movie buff. Classics, blockbusters, indie favorites... you've seen most of them. Your friends know to come to you whenever they need a few good DVD rental suggestions. Are You a Movie Buff?

Check out Sarah's new bundle of joy at Just Another Day of Catholic Pondering. It's a baby girl!

By Selwyn Duke Man has long asked how a loving God could allow evil to exist in the world. It's an age-old philosophical question that can cause those who want faith to doubt and those who want to doubt to mock faith. A Christian's answer to this question is "free will," a concept critics may regard as something reduced to a convenient cliché. The truth is, though, that this is a most fascinating subject to inquisitive minds. The two qualities that make us like God are intellect and free will, despite the fact that the former can seem as lacking as the latter is abused. Why intellect has prerequisite status is obvious, but why free will? If God is omnipotent, He can prevent the immeasurable pain and suffering we inflict on one another with the blink of an eternal eye. Why doesn't He do it? Perhaps this problem is what caused people such as Thomas Jefferson to embrace deism, the belief that God set the Universe in motion but then receded into the background,...

H/T to Northwestern Winds. What Kind of Reader Are You? Your Result: Dedicated Reader You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more. Literate Good Citizen Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm Book Snob Fad Reader Non-Reader What Kind of Reader Are You? Create Your Own Quiz

Only in God is my soul at rest; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from Him comes my hope. He only is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. Only in God is my soul at rest, my soul, for from Him comes my hope. He only is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. Trust in Him at all times, O my people! Pour out Your hearts before Him; God is our refuge! Thanksgiving: A prayer of thanksgiving for the beautiful and grace-filled retreat that the retreatants and team members experienced at the Rachel's Vineyard Retreat this past weekend. Intercessions: We pray for world peace beginning in our hearts and spreading to our homes, our workplaces, and our communities. For Bill, who has two job interviews today, that the Holy Spirit will guide Him in His words and actions, and that the Lord will open the doors to a new a job...

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, bishop and martyr Today's Mass Readings Saint of the Day On This Day in Catholic History: 1979 Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. 1980: Pope John Paul II welcomes Queen to the Vatican Birthdays: 1253 - Ivo of Kermartin , French saint (d. 1303) 1688 - Domenico Zipoli , Italian composer (d. 1726) 1711 - Jupiter Hammon , American writer 1886 - Spring Byington , American actress, ( December Bride , Larry Hagman 's mother on I Dream of Jeannie , Mother General on " The Flying Nun "), (d. 1971) 1900 - Jean Arthur , American actress, Arthur is best known as the heroine in three Frank Capra films: Mr. Deeds Goes to Town , You Can't Take It With You , and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington . ( (d. 1991) 1902 - Irene Ryan , American actress, "Granny" on the long running TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971), (d. 1973) 1912 Albino Luciani , Pope John Paul I (1912–1978), was bo...

Ignatius of Antioch was born in Syria and may have been a Roman citizen. Virtually nothing is known of his life until he was appointed Bishop of Antioch in 69. Ignatius of Antioch, surnamed Theophorus, meaning "God-Bearer" in Greek, was probably a convert and disciple of St. John the Evangelist. The Apostles Peter and Paul, who planted the faith in Antioch, left directions that Ignatius should succeed Evodius as bishop of that city. Ignatius served as bishop of Antioch for forty years, proving himself an exemplary pastor. On the journey to Rome he wrote seven different letters to seven different churches. In these he discussed Christ, the structure of the Church, and the Christian life. He was condemned to death by being thrown to wild animals and was martyred under the Emperor Trajan in Rome in 107. In Antioch, this day has been observed in his memory since the fourth century. He is the patron saint of: throat diseases, the Church in the eastern Mediterranean and the Chur...