Helping Catholic Parish Ministers unlock their ministry and defeat burnout forever. ❤️🔥
Obama Invited to Say Mass at Notre Dame
I'm excited to see that the University of Notre Dame is finally being a little more inclusive and less judgmental and intolerant.
Imitate Christ: Love Requires Us to Take Blows [Guest Post]
What does Jesus' scourging, an old married Rabbi, and dragons have to do with relationships and marriage?
This week I had the great privilege of writing for Arleen Spenceley's series "Relationship Tips". Go give it a gander and be sure to check out some of Arleen's writings too, they are well worth your time.
"The only sword heavy enough to slay the dragon is the same sword Jesus used to defeat the soldiers that scourged him - total selfless love. Just as selfless love led Jesus to the pillar he was scourged on to defeat sin, and the cross on which he trampled death. In this sign, you too shall conquer.
Learn from Christ. The fallen imperfections of your lover are the saving scourges of your marriage. Only by enduring them with charity, humility, and patience will you win your bride, and at the same time yourself, from the clutches of the enemy. Defeat your lover’s dragons, so you can present him/her “without spot or wrinkle…that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27)"
You can find the full article here.
God bless your holy marriages and relationships! +JMJ
"Year of Faith" - 5 Things You Should Know
Faith is the fundamental act of Christian existence. Pope Benedict XVI (Christianity and the Crisis of Cultures, Pg. 77)
Fifty years ago on October 11th a seismic shift occurred in Rome, sending shock waves throughout the worldwide Church that have been magnified up to this very day.
This Year Just Got a Whole Lot Faithy-er
On this fiftieth anniversary of Vatican II and the twentieth anniversary of the writing of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Pope has inaugurated a "Year of Faith", calling the faithful to focus on knowing, living, and sharing their faith better for the next year.
Here are 5 things you need to know about the Year of Faith:
1. What is the Year of Faith?
- Starts October 11, 2012 and ends November 23, 2013
- A "summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world" (Porta Fidei #6).
- A call to know our faith, live our faith, and share our faith
Several times in the recent history of the Church Popes have challenged the faithful to dive deeper by announcing a year long focus on a specific aspect of the faith. I did some research and found these past "Years of"...
2009-2010 Year of Priests and St. John Vianny 2008-2009 Year of St. Paul 2004-2005 Year of the Eucharist 1983-1984 Holy Year of Redemption 1967-1968 First Year of Faith Announced by Pope Paul VI
Pope Benedict XVI announced this Year of Faith in an Apostolic Letter titled "Porta Fedei" (Door of Faith) in which he explains "The Year of Faith ... is a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the one Saviour of the world."
"If today the Church proposes a new Year of Faith and a new evangelization," Pope Benedict explained in a homily at the Opening Mass for the Year of Faith "it is not to honor an anniversary, but because there is more need of it, even more than there was fifty years ago! And the reply to be given to this need is the one desired by the Popes, by the Council Fathers, and contained in its documents."
2. Resources for the Year of Faith
- Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter "Door of Faith" announcing and explaining the Year of Faith
- Pope's homily he gave today at the Opening Mass for the Year of Faith
- Year of Faith Website!!!
- USCCB's Resources for the Year of Faith
- Even More Resources!!!
- Want to learn your faith? Read the Catechism in a year!
3. Official Prayer for the Year of Faith
What could be better for the Year of Faith than a prayer that encapsulates our faith, a prayer of faith said around the world, and established in the fourth century? None other than that oldie-but-goodie: The Nicene Creed.
That's right folks, the Nicene Creed is the official prayer for the Year of Faith. Pray it often, learn it, memorize it, share it, write it on your stuff, spray paint it, love it - many martyrs shed their blood to ensure that this creed of faith would be passed on to you.
It is by believing with the heart that you are justified, and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved. May the year of faith lead all believers to learn by heart the creed and to say it every day as a prayer, so that the breathing agrees with the faith. --From the Pastoral Aid for the Year of Faith
4. Plenary Indulgence for the Year of Faith
Everyone loves indulgences. Get rid of some temporal punishment for your sins, or offer it up for someone else (I could use it!). Here are the requirements as explained from the Year of Faith website.
During the Year of Faith, which will last from 11 October 2012 to 24 November 2013, Plenary Indulgence for the temporal punishment of sins, imparted by the mercy of God and applicable also to the souls of deceased faithful, may be obtained by all faithful who, truly penitent, take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff.
(A) Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy Missions, or at least three lessons on the Acts of the Council or the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location.
(B) Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration, or at least remain for a congruous period of time in prayer and pious meditation, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary and, depending on the circumstances, to the Holy Apostles and patron saints.
(C) Each time that, on the days designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith, ... in any sacred place, they participate in a solemn celebration of the Eucharist or the Liturgy of the Hours, adding thereto the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form.
(D) On any day they chose, during the Year of Faith, if they make a pious visit to the baptistery, or other place in which they received the Sacrament of Baptism, and there renew their baptismal promises in any legitimate form.
... faithful who, due to illness or other legitimate cause, are unable to leave their place of adobe, may still obtain Plenary Indulgence "if, united in spirit and thought with other faithful, and especially at the times when the words of the Supreme Pontiff and diocesan bishops are transmitted by television or radio, they recite ... the Our Father, the Profession of Faith in any legitimate form, and other prayers that concord with the objectives of the Year of Faith, offering up the suffering and discomfort of their lives".
5. Year of Faith Website
The Church went all edgy and created a website for the Year of Faith.
It's got it all: the Catechism, the Compendium to the Catechism, the official hymn for the Year of Faith, a Mass for the Year of Faith, a collection of homilies by the Pope on Church Fathers, Apostles and medieval theologians, news for the Year of Faith, a worldwide calendar of events, a publication on the New Evangelization, how to obtain a plenary indulgence for the Year of Faith, and lots more.
So Get Out There and Grow In Faith!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/NtoeRHsmNHY]
His Fingers Chewed, Cut, and Burned Off
Feast of St. Isaac Jogues and Companions
October 19th is the Feast day of St. Isaac Jogues and his companions. St. Isaac was a French Jesuit missionary to the Huron Indians in Canada who died a martyr in 1646 and helped thousands of Indians to convert to the faith in his lifetime.
He ministered to the Huron Indians from 1636 to 1642, when he was captured by the Iroquois Indians. St. Isaac and other Frenchman were imprisoned and tortured, St. Isaac had several of his fingers bitten off, burned, or severed. Even though he was severely mistreated, he urged the others held captive with him to forgive their captors and to offer their sufferings up to God for them.
St. Isaac was rescued and returned to France in 1643, where he was given a special dispensation to celebrate Mass with so few fingers. The following year he willingly went back to minister to the very Indians who tortured him.
After two years ministering to his persecutors, he was captured by the Mohawk Indians who killed him with a tomahawk.
St. Isaac and his companions, "The North American Martyrs," are honored as Saints, missionaries, and examples of total loving sacrifice, even for your enemies.
Letter from a Willing Martyr
Here is a heart wrenching excerpt of one of St. Isaac Jogues' letters to a Priest friend before St. Isaac made his last journey where he was captured and martyred.
. . . <The Iroquois have come to make some presents to our governor>, ransom some prisoners he held, and treat of peace with him in the name of the whole country. It has been concluded, to the great joy of France. It will last as long as pleases the Almighty.
To maintain, and see what can be done for the instruction of these tribes, it is here deemed expedient to send them some father. I have reason to think I shall be sent, since I have some knowledge of the language and country. You see what need I have of the powerful aid of prayers while amidst these savages. I will have to remain among them, almost without liberty to pray, without Mass, without Sacraments, and be responsible for every accident among the Iroquois, French, Algonquins, and others. But what shall I say? My hope is in God, who needs not us to accomplish his designs. We must endeavor to be faithful to Him and not spoil His work by our shortcomings....
My heart tells me that if I have the happiness of being employed in this mission, <Ibo et non redibo> (I shall go and shall not return); but I shall be happy if our Lord will complete the sacrifice where He has begun it, and make the little blood I have shed in that land the earnest of what I would give from every vein of my body and my heart.
In a word, this people is "a bloody spouse" to me (Exodus iv, 25). May our good Master, who has purchased them in His blood, open to them the door of His Gospel, as well as to the four allied nations near them.
Adieu, dear Father. Pray Him to unite me inseparably to Him.
Isaac Jogues, S.J.
Jesus, our Brother, you won the heart of St. Isaac Jogues and helped him grow as a caring, courageous person. He dedicated his life to sharing his love for you by carrying the Good News about your love for all people to others.
Remembering the spirit of St. Isaac Jogues, may we all grow in caring and courage. Help each of us, Jesus, to be strong and gentle messengers of your love. Amen.
St. Isaac Jogues and Companions, Pray for us!
God and Dice
This is not how you use dice.
You roll dice.
In games with dice, the dice and chance are the masters of the outcome. We become willingly dependent upon them to tell us the fate of our turn with a roll. In a way, this is part of the fun of games of chance.
Where is this kind of dependence on God in our own lives?
How often are you letting God determine the outcome? In your [insert project/endeavor/road trip/dating life/career/family/troubles/etc here] how much room are you giving the Holy Spirit to inspire and move? How much room are you giving God to create and guide?
How often do you say “God, I’m trusting you to work this out.” Or “God, this is less planned out than I want it to be, but I have faith in your Divine Providence.”
We have a natural desire to control every particular aspect of our lives. We have 100 television channels so we can control what we watch. We have access on itunes or youtube to virtually every recorded song there is. We control who we see on Facebook and Twitter, and who we don’t. We can control the temperature in our house, what we want on our burger, and what colors are shoes are.
But if we try to control every little detail, what’s left for God to control?
The interesting thing about dice is that if you want to use them properly, you have to let go of them. You have to drop the dice. You could map out every possible outcome and draft the perfect strategy and try to use math to gain an advantage. But you eventually have to drop the dice and see what comes up.
Dice are stupid. Neither chance nor dice care about you. But God cares about you.
Radical dependence on God is not dice rolling. There is a person involved (three to be exact) and He is giving you the numbers — not always the ones you want but exactly the ones you need. In fact, He often gives you numbers you never would have thought of. Let’s start depending, DEPENDING, on God’s grace. Depending on God means risking failure.
Depending does not mean just thanking God in retrospect if your plans work out. Don’t be a prophet who only talks about the past. That’s safe. Don’t be an Apostle who never speaks “Rise!” to the cripple. That’s safe. Don’t be David and never whip a stone toward the giant. That’s safe. Don’t be a Catholic who never leaves room for God’s providence to map out the journey.
Drop the dice.
+JMJ
(Originally published at IgnitumToday)
Lumen Christi Award
I was recently honored with the Lumen Christi Award by fellow blogger and friend Nate who writes over at MyHopeBox. I know personally that he is a man of great faith and possesses a passion for Jesus and that shines through in his ministry and his writing. Seriously, go check out his blog and subscribe.
Favorite Saint:
Currently it would have to be St Francis Xavier. He was close friends with St. Ignatius of Loyola and a missionary to India and Japan. To get a feel for his zeal for souls and deep love for the Lord, I highly recommend the book Set All Afire by Louis de Wahl. He desired so ardently to be shot like an arrow into the dark of India and mission territories, but his active life was coupled with an intense union with Jesus through an unrelenting prayer life.
Favorite Part of the Mass:
Receiving Jesus Christ and then returning to my seat to sit in dumbfounded contemplation of the extraordinary miracle that just took place. The Infinite allowed Himself to be consumed by the finite. Love allowed Himself to rest in a broken man. The great Jesus allowed Himself to be caressed by one of his weakest disciples. Sometimes I think this simple but profound act is so intimate and close to my heart that Holy Communion should take place behind a veil.
Favorite Part of Being a Catholic:
The Eucharist, but since I mentioned that in my last answer, I'm going to go with prayer. Prayer is my life's foundation. Without a prayer life that really is a romantic relationship with God, I would be infinitely less of the man, father, husband, friend, youth minister, son, and Christian that I am today. There is such a sweet condescension in prayer on God's part that flatters me every time I raise my eyes to heaven. Living with and in Him is always an adventure.
Passing It On:
I would like to nominate Kevin and Casey over at TheCatholicLandMovement.org. They write a lot about the restoration of Catholic culture, distributism, strong families, and a movement of Catholic families back to living off the land. It is a blog worth checking out, and worthy of the Lumen Christi Award.
Ryan-ism: What is Catholic Social Teaching?
[youtube=http://youtu.be/Kce_BZvjfX4] This morning this video caught my eye on Facebook, and it does a great job of very simply explaining in five minutes the core of Catholic social teaching.
This video is produced by SolidarityWithSalisbury.com and comes with a downloadable one-page summary of the video. I haven't had time to read many of the articles, but the about page of the website says it is dedicated to "collecting, distilling and communicating the truth of Catholic Social teaching as it applies to the business world", which is an exciting endeavor.
**You might also be interested in Fr. Robert Barron's comments on Paul Ryan and Catholic social teaching, found here and here.
+JMJ
Deacon Ralph Poyo [Video Interview]
In honor of Support a Catholic Speaker Month 2012, I had the pleasure of sitting down (virtually) with national Catholic speaker Deacon Ralph Poyo to talk about his speaking ministry, New Evangelization Ministries, and his distant Shire relations. This happens to be my first video interview and it was a ton of fun.
**Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom and comment to enter the Catholic Book Giveaway to help spread the word about Deacon Ralph's speaking ministry!**
Organized by Brandon Vogt, Support a Catholic Speaker month is designed to help raise awareness and support for Catholic speakers. Over 11,000 people cast more than 82,000 votes to come up with the a list of the top 100 Catholic speakers. Bloggers were then invited to interview and/or write about one of the speakers.
Deacon Ralph Poyo is one of these top 100 Catholic speakers, and for good reason. A national catholic speaker and founder of New Evangelization Ministries, Deacon Ralph has 30+ years of ministry experience in almost every imaginable capacity - youth minister, youth conference speaker, Deacon/Priest conference speaker, retreat leader, chastity speaker, author of discipleship resource "Pick Up your cross and follow me", and more recently, as a parish consultant.
"His thirty plus years of experience in Youth Ministry has helped Dcn. Ralph develop a preaching/teaching style that is capable of captivating youth and penetrating adults with the truth of the Gospel."
The first thing you will notice about Deacon Ralph is how entertaining he is to hear speak. He's telling jokes, in wheel barrels, hopping down into the audience, or locking himself in chains. But once he's won you over, he does not fail to deliver a passionate and convicting presentation of the truth of Jesus Christ. During the interview Deacon Ralph explains "when my girls hear me speak, they say 'Dad you're angry!' But I just tell them that I am angry at the lies of the devil."
Deacon Ralph desires deeply to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in all he does and to be used by God to win souls for Christ. This passionate man's ministry is truly a gift to the Church.
Watch the Video Interview Below:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOaqzzFj2bE]
Topics Discussed:
1:32 - Deacon Ralph's background 3:42 - How youth ministry helped develop his speaking ministry 5:23 - What fuels your passion? 6:41 - What is New Evangelization Ministries? 11:51 - What is the biggest barrier stopping American Catholics from being "all in"? 13:30 - Are you related to anyone from the Shire?
Stay in Touch with Deacon Ralph:
DeaconRalphPoyo.com NewEvangelizationMinistries.org Twitter: @HobbitDeacon
Here are a few examples of Deacon Ralph in action...
(This first one is the talk referenced by me during the interview. One of my all time favorites.) [vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/2755101 w=400&h=300]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1nq9hJ92E?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jzCTrnpjz4?rel=0&w=560&h=315]
Catholic Book Giveaway to Support Deacon Ralph!
I really believe Deacon Ralph is a top notch Catholic speaker, and in honor of Support a Catholic Speaker Month I want to do all I can to spread the word about Deacon Ralph and his speaking ministry, as well as build support for him.
So...I'm starting a Book Giveaway!
Tweet this article, share it on Facebook, or say a prayer for Deacon Ralph. Then leave a comment saying which one you did. You'll be entered for a chance for me to send one of you a hardback copy of Crossing The Threshold of Hope by Pope John Paul II, free of charge. Contest ends Oct. 1st, when I'll pick and announce one random winner and send them the book free of charge.
About the Book:
The writings of Pope John Paul II in Crossing the Threshold of Hope were originally intended to be broadcasted as a live television interview with an Italian journalist. When John Paul II had to cancel the interview at the last minute, he still wanted to answer Messori’s questions. The Pope sent written answers to the journalist with permission to publish them as he saw fit, writing on the outside cover the title suggestion "Crossing the Threshold of Hope."
Questions and topics covered in the book include: “How does the Pope Pray?” “Does God Really Exist?” “If God Exists, Why is He Hiding?” “Why Is There So Much Evil in the World?” “Why So Many Religions?” “Buddha?” “Muhammad?” “Judaism?” “What Is the New Evangelization?” “Is There Really Hope in the Young?” “The Reaction of the World,” “Does Eternal Life Exist?” “Human Rights,” “The Mother of God,” and “Be Not Afraid.”
So make sure you comment below for your chance to win the book, and show some support for Deacon Ralph while you are at it!
+JMJ
Love Like the Movies
[youtube=http://youtu.be/KABO3F9IfEw] Why do we love movie romances so much, and why do we desire for the love stories in movies to happen to us? Really, why do all of us want to be in love like the movies?
I was blessed to have the opportunity to write a guest post for Ignitum Today.
Check out the full article here: http://www.ignitumtoday.com/2012/09/25/love-like-the-movies/
Be a Saint!
+JMJ