Saints Joachim & Anne July 26th

 

Today is the memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne. St. Anne was the spouse of St. Joachim and was chosen by God to be the mother of Mary, His own blessed Mother on earth. They were both of the royal house of David, and their lives were wholly occupied in prayer and good works. One thing only was wanting to their union—they were childless, and this was held as a bitter misfortune and disgrace among the Jews.

But, one day when Joachim went to the temple to offer a sacrifice to God, the priests refused his offering. Joachim was hurt because his sacrifice was not accepted, but he remembered Abraham and Sarah did not have their son Isaac until they were old. Therefore, Joachim decided to go into the desert to fast and pray for forty days. And while he was in the desert, Anne also began to pray that God would help them to have a child.

While in the desert, an angel appeared to Joachim and told him that he and his wife would give birth to a girl, and that she would be blessed by God. About the same time, the angel also appeared to Anne also telling her that she and her husband would conceive a child. When Joachim returned home, he met his wife at the "Golden Gate" of Jerusalem and both shared with each other their happy news.

We can see how the couple persevered in prayer and how they believed God would answer them and give them a child. How blessed they were to have a child, and their child was no ordinary one.

When the came together, and their child, the Virgin Mary, was conceived in Anne’s womb, Mary was conceived without original sin.

Even though Anne was an aged woman, Mary was born. With the birth of Mary, elderly Anne began a new life: she watched daughter’s every movement with reverent tenderness and felt herself sanctified by the presence of her Immaculate child.

But Anne vowed her daughter to God-- and to God Anne gave her back. Therefore, when Mary was three years old, Anne and Joachim led Her up the Temple steps, they saw her pass by herself into the inner sanctuary. At this moment, Mary consecrated Herself to God, as a perpetual virgin. It’s believed while She lived and worked in the temple an angel fed Our Lady.

Blessed Catherine Emmerich had a vision of Mary serving in the temple. She said, “I saw the Blessed Virgin in the Temple, ever progressing in learning, prayer, and work. Sometimes I saw Her in the women’s dwelling with the other young girls, sometimes alone in Her little room. She worked, wove, and knitted narrow strips of stuff on long rods for the service of the Temple. She washed the cloths and cleansed the pots and pans. I often saw Her in prayer and meditation.”

When her daughter entered the Temple, Anne was left childless in her lone old age and deprived of her purest earthly joy just when she needed it most. But, she humbly adored the Divine Will and began again to watch and pray.

St. Anne is glorious among the Saints, not only as the mother of Mary, but because she gave Mary back to God. We can learn from her to reverence a divine vocation as the highest privilege, and to sacrifice every natural tie, however holy, at the call of God.

From the very early Church, there has been devotion to the parents of the Virgin Mary, and many have had prayers answered through their intercession, most especially prayers to conceive a child. But, Joachim and Anne have answered many other prayers.

St. Charles of Sezze, was an Italian Franciscan saint, who lived in the 1600’s. Once during a plague, he carried in procession an image of St. Anne through the city causing the plague to immediately subside.

Today, let us ask the grandparents of Jesus, Joachim and Anne to help us grow in our love of the Virgin Mary and let us pray for all living and deceased grandparents.

And let us praise saints Joachim and Anne for bringing into the world, their daughter, who was conceived without original sin. Let us praise and thank Joachim and Anne for giving the world the Perpetual Virgin. Let us praise and thank Joachim and Anne, for giving us their child, who will be the Mother of God and our Mother. May their glory be raised forever in heaven because their grandchild, is the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, the Lord.

17th Sunday - ACTS Prayer & Rosary

 

The scripture readings for this Sunday teach us about prayer. In the first reading, Abraham asks God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah from His wrath due to the wickedness of the people of the cities. They had given themselves over to sodomy, which was abhorrent to God. Abraham bargains with God asking the Lord to spare the city if there 50 innocent people to 45 to 40 to 20 and finally to 10 asking that God will not destroy the cities.

In the Gospel, Our Lord gave the disciples the Our Father, so as to teach His disciples how to pray and then Jesus taught them to persistent in prayer, by giving the parable of the friend who comes at midnight for some food, until the food is finally given to the one who needs it. Jesus tells them they must ask in order to receive what they want in prayer. He said, “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open.”

St. Alphonsus Ligouri give us a method of prayer with the acronym A C T S. A is to begin prayer by Adoring God. C is to Confess our sins to God. T is to give Thanks to God and S is means Supplication, where our prayer, will supply for the needs of others.

If we would use that method, we would pray something like this. O God, I adore You. I worship You. In my mind’s eye, I believe You are standing before me. I place myself in your presence.

We would then Confess our sins to God in prayer and specifically mention them and then ask God for help in overcoming our sins. Then we make an Act of Contrition. Lord, I am sorry for my sins.

We then thank God especially for our faith, our family, our home, food, job, life, freedom, receiving Holy Communion. We thank God for our good health, for His creation and all He does for us in our life.

We then pray in supplication for the needs of others and our own needs. We pray for our family members, the people we work with, we pray for the pope, cardinals, bishops and priests, our president, the leaders of our government, for the unborn, for the sick, the dying, those who have fallen away from the Church, for those who suffer from addictions, for our family members and friends who have died.

Then when we are finished praying the ACTS method of prayer, we pray with the heart. By praying with the heart we tell God how we feel and what is on our mind. We tell Him if we are happy, or sad or angry and we talk to Him about the circumstances of our life and then after we have done this, we listen.

This is how St. Catherine Laboure describes praying with the heart: "Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to him, Lord I am here. Tell me what you would have me to do. If he gives me some task, I am content and I thank him. If he gives me nothing, I still thank him since I do not deserve to receive anything more than that. And then, I tell God everything that is in my heart. I tell him about my pains and joys, and then I listen. If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speaks to you when you approach him plainly and simply. "

God is less likely to answer our prayer if we are in the state of mortal sin, which separates us from God. It is most important for our soul to be right with God. Though we may ask for many good things, what God asks of us is to keep our soul in the state of grace. He loves us and wants us to be forgiven of our sins. It’s like a child who grievously hurt his parent, and without apologizing asks the parent for candy. Will the parent give candy, if the child is not sorry?

Here are several true stories about answered prayers. Peter was born in Superior, Wisconsin in 1916. He grew up in a family of thirteen. At the age of eight he was blinded by a firework. The doctor said he would never see again. The family began to daily pray the Rosary to restore his eyesight. Little Peter made a promise to God, that if God would give him his sight back, he would become a priest. His sight gradually began to improve, which he credited the family, Rosary. He joined the Servites dedicated to the Seven Sorrows of Mary and was ordained to the priesthood in 1941 and was since known as Fr. Peter Rookey, who was known for his healing Masses and many reported being healed. The family persevered in daily praying the Rosary together and how wonderful for the child could see again later become a priest.

A family with 3 children wanted to move from their country home. The father was a hired hand for a cattle feedlot. They wanted to return to be closer to their family and raise their children in the town they grew up. While looking for a home, the parents were trying to find a house they could afford, but also large enough for their growing family. After visiting a house on 7th street, the 8 year old girl decided she wanted their family to move into that particular house, but they couldn’t afford it. The child daily prayed the Rosary asking the Virgin Mary for the family to buy the house. The owner suddenly decided to lower the price, resulting in the family purchasing the house, thanks to a young girl who persevered praying the Rosary, until her prayer was answered.

God loves when we come to Him as a child with confidence. He will answer our prayer whenever we pray for faith, hope and love. He is more likely to answer our prayer, if we ask with a humble heart, not demanding that He do something for us. We should always pray, that His will be done, and in the time and manner He wills it. God knows better than us, what is best for us.

If we persevere in prayer, our heart will be filled with joy because even at times we may not have our prayer immediately answered or the way we would like, we will then echo the response to the psalm said, “Lord on the day I called for help, you answered me. I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels, I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.”

Safe Haven - Bulletin- Purity Prayers

St. Michael Prayer - St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Guardian Angel Prayer - Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and tender Mother, I forever entrust and consecrate myself, my family, my purity, my country and the whole human race to your Immaculate Heart. Please accept my consecration, dearest Mother, and use me as you wish, to accomplish your designs upon the world. O Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth, rule over me, and teach me how to allow the Heart of Jesus to rule and triumph in me and around me, as it has ruled and triumphed in you. Amen.

Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I forever consecrate myself, my family, my purity, my country, and the whole human race to Your Most Sacred Heart. Take possession of my whole being; transform me into Yourself. Make my hands Your hands, my feet Your feet, my heart Your heart. Let me see with Your eyes, listen with Your ears, speak with Your lips, love with Your heart, understand with Your mind, serve with Your will, and be dedicated with my whole being. Make me Your other self. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, send me Your Holy Spirit to teach me to love You and to live through You, with You, in You and for You. Come, Holy Spirit, make my body Your temple. Come, and abide with me forever. Give me the deepest love for the Sacred Heart of Jesus in order to serve Him with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Take possession of all my faculties of body and soul. Regulate all my passions, feelings, and emotions. Take possession of my intellect, understanding and will; my memory and imagination. O Holy Spirit of Love, give me an abundance of Your efficacious graces. Give me the fullness of all the virtues; enrich my faith, strengthen my hope, increase my trust, and inflame my love. Give me the fullness of Your seven-fold gifts, fruits, and beatitudes. Most Holy Trinity, make my soul Your sanctuary. Amen.

Cleansing Prayer

Heavenly Father, in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray that the cleansing power of the precious blood of Your Son come upon us right now. Purify us and wash us clean with the blood of Jesus from the top of our heads down to the very soles of our feet. Let this blood penetrate the very marrow of our bones to cleanse us from any entanglement from whatever evil spirits we have come in contact with during the course of our intercession. Anoint us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and refresh our body, soul, and spirit, and may the sign of Your holy cross drive away all evil spirits from us. In the Name of the Father + and the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

Prayer for Deliverance

My Lord, you are all powerful, you are God, you are Father. We beg you through the intercession and help of the archangels Michael, Raphael and Gabriel, for the deliverance of our brothers and sisters who are enslaved by the evil one. All saints of Heaven, come to our aid. From anxiety, sadness and obsessions, we beg You. Free us, O Lord. From hatred, fornication, envy, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. From thoughts of jealousy, rage, and death, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. From every thought of suicide and abortion, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. From every form of sinful sexuality, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. From every division in our family, and every harmful friendship, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. From every sort of spell, malefice, witchcraft, and every form of the occult, we beg You, Free us, O Lord. Lord, You Who said, “I leave you peace, My peace I give you,” grant that, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, we may be liberated from every evil spell and enjoy your peace always. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Prayer for Purity

Jesus, Lover of chastity, Mary, Mother most pure, and Joseph, chaste guardian of the Virgin, to you I come at this hour, begging you to plead with God for me. I earnestly wish to be pure in thought, word and deed in imitation of your own holy purity. Obtain for me, then, a deep sense of modesty which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes, the windows of my soul, from anything that might dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christlike purity. And when the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus comes in my heart at Holy Communion, seal it forever against the suggestions of sinful pleasures. Heart of Jesus, Fount of all purity, have mercy on us.

Before Going to Sleep- (Sprinkle your room with Holy Water. Sleep with a Rosary under your pillow and pray it at night).

Safe Haven Bulletin - Strengthening Purity

Boys and men are not the only ones who can struggle with pornography and impure actions, so can girls and adult women. Those who view pornography and commit acts of impurity, think no one knows. But God sees and God wants to help. “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

The Virgin Mary told Saint Jacinta Marto, one of the three children who had visions of the Virgin Mary, “More souls go to Hell because of sins of the flesh than for any other reason.” She also warned, “Certain fashions will be introduced that will offend Our Lord very much.” And she issued a direct warning to women, saying: “Woe to women lacking in modesty.” And also: “Let men avoid greed, lies, envy, blasphemy, impurity.”

Our Lady of Good Success, an approved apparition at Quito, Ecuador said, “In those times the atmosphere will be saturated with the spirit of impurity which, like a filthy sea, will engulf the streets and public places with incredible license…” “Innocence will scarcely be found in children, or modesty in women.” “There shall be scarcely any virgin souls in the world. The delicate flower of virginity will seek refuge in the cloisters…” “Without virginity, fire from heaven will be needed to purify these lands…” “Sects, having permeated all social classes, will find ways of introducing themselves into the very heart of homes to corrupt the innocence of children.”

Many parents fail to watch over their children, who at a very young age begin to view pornography on tablets, phones and computers and then become addicted while in high school or even younger. Oh, the responsibility of parents! For the love of God parents, please pay attention to your children and what they are watching. If you care for their physical well being, how much more important to care for the spiritual well being. If you want them to succeed in academics and sports, how more should you want them to succeed in their love of God and the practice of virtue? “One study found that 90% of children ages 8 to 16 have viewed pornography online.” (Covenant Eyes) TALK to your children about it.

To regain purity can take a long time, but some saints, like Augustine, by a single act of grace received it immediately and maintained it the rest of their life.

Alessandro Serenelli, a 19-year-old man, made advances toward eleven year old Saint Maria Gorretti and then stabbed her 14 times. She forgave him before she died. Some biographers stated he read a great deal of pornography. He was arrested, put into prison and remained unrepentant for 8 years, until one night he had a dream in which he saw Maria, in a field of flowers, holding out white lilies to him. After his release from prison, he eventually became a Capuchin Franciscan. Lilies represent purity.

Why do some statues of St. Joseph depict him holding a staff in his hand with a lily blossoming out of it? There is a tradition that when it came time for the Blessed Virgin Mary, at the age of 14 to be married, there were several suitors seeking Her hand. Each had their own staff and at the request of the priest, wrote their name on their staff. During the prayer service offered by the priest, Joseph’s staff immediately burst into bloom with fragrant white lilies, indicating he was the one chosen by God. St. Joseph is known for his purity. "The just man shall blossom like the lily" is applied to St. Joseph in the liturgy for his feast day, March 19, St. Joseph, Spouse of Mary. Praying to St. Joseph, the most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, will greatly give strength to overcome impure temptations. The book Consecration to St. Joseph by Fr. Don Calloway has helped many men to become pure.

For those who would like to break the habit of pornography and/or impurity, here are some helpful suggestions:

1. Confess your sins once a week. Don’t wait until you commit a mortal sin to go to Confession, rather confess lustful thoughts, temptations to do actions of impurity (the thought occurs to do an impure action, and the mind begins to embrace the thought is when the temptation becomes a sin). If one turns away from the temptation and doesn’t fall, it is important to confess the venial sins of lust, and desire to to do an impure action, etc… Come to confession immediately after a fall. Don’t wait. The longer you wait, the more you will be tempted to not go to Confession and maybe tempted to do another impure action. Confession first and foremost washes away the sin, but Confession also gives the penitent graces to over come sins. So the more frequently one confesses, the less one will commit mortal sin. If you commit a mortal sin, don’t receive Commumion, unless you first go to Confession. Saint Padre Pio suggested that everyone go to Confession weekly. Confession helps us to overcome sin, to grow in virtue and to be more sorry for having committed sins. Despite frequent falls, keep coming to Confession, manly take up your Cross and persevere. Don’t give up. If you fall, don’t lose heart. Jesus understands how difficult it is for you to pull out of a long habit. Over time, and with His help and grace, Jesus will slowly free you. It took time to develop the habit and it will take time to give up the habit. You can be free and you will someday be free. Trust Jesus. It takes work and you can do it!

2. Trust Jesus! The devil will first try to convince you to do an impure action, then he will make you feel shameful after you have committed it. He will try to get you to lose hope and by shame will try to keep you from trusting Jesus and try to prevent you from going to Confession.

3. Attend daily Mass and receive Holy Communion as often as possible. Receive Jesus in the Eucharist only in the state of grace. Pray a weekly Holy Hour or daily Holy Hour if you are able. Come and spend time in the church praying before Jesus in the tabernacle.

4. Wear a Crucifix, Scapular, Miraculous Medal and St. Benedict Medal. Have them blessed by a priest.

5. Every night before retiring, pray three Hail Marys in honor of Mary’s purity and ask Mary for the gift of purity. St. Alphonsus Ligouri said those who keep this devotion will always become pure.

6. The quicker one turns away from the temptation, the easier it is to overcome it. When a lustful thought first enters the mind, or as soon as the idea begins to tempt one to look at pornography or to do an impure action, immediately turn your mind on something pleasurable, but non-sinful (such as ice-cream or chocolate cake), and simultaneously pray audibly, an Our Father or Hail Mary. You will see the thought immediately vanish, because most likely it was an evil spirit tempting you.

7. Regularly avoid eating sweets and drinking pop. Stay away from foods and drinks labeled “sugar free”, but actually have alcohol sugars in them. For some men, chocolate can cause impure thoughts.

8. Deny yourself instant gratifications. When a thought for pop or candy first come to mind, don’t have them. Eating snacks can cause the will to be weakened and so one can’t turn away from sin as easy as one who mortifies his or her desires. When thirsty, make yourself wait a few minutes before drinking water, or when it is hot, wait to turn on the air conditioner. Make yourself wait for things. These small non-sinful self-denials can be very helpful in not following through with sinful gratifications.

9. Fast on bread and water (or however you are able fast) twice a week. By fasting regularly, it is much easier to overcome sinful temptations. Our Lord said, “...this kind can only come out through prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)

10. The primary motivation for growing in purity is love. First, we love Jesus so much, we want to avoid hurting Him. By meditating on His scourging at the pillar, we can see how we participated in it. Second, we are to love our neighbor, by seeking what is best for those who have allowed their bodies to be used in an impure way. We should view girls who have allowed themselves to be photographed immodestly as sisters in Christ. We refuse to look at their bodies for our own pleasure, and will pray and fast for them regularly, because we truly love them and want them to be in heaven someday.

11. Consecrate yourself and your purity to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and consecrate yourself to St. Joseph, Mary’s most chaste spouse. Develop a tender love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Virgin Most Pure.

12. Avoid occasions of sin. Get rid of television. Avoid movies and YouTube videos with improper content. Install image blockers on your phone and computer. Use Covenant Eyes for the protection of yourself and your children. https://www.covenanteyes.com or www.catholicinrecovery.com

13. When an addiction has developed, evil spirits can use our emotions to convince us to sin. But, we can pray deliverance prayers and cleansing prayers to protect us. Daily pray the St. Michael prayer and the Guardian Angel Prayer. These prayers as well as the Our Father and Hail Mary should especially be prayed when we are tempted. Daily pray a deliverance prayer and Cleansing Prayer. See below.

14. Daily pray the Holy Rosary as many as you are able in one day, perhaps 3 or 4 rosaries. Several men including Gabriel Castillo and Fr. Don Calloway say that those who pray 3 or 4 Rosaries a day will become free of pornography and impure actions. The frequent praying of the Rosary, especially the sorrowful mysteries, will lead to greater holiness and leave behind sin and impurity. The Rosary is THE weapon against evil and temptation. Mary will enter the battle for us and crush the head of the serpent.

15. Accountability Partner. “For some it is helpful to ask a friend to help you to be accountable. In Proverbs 27:17 we read “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”  I believe this refers to the value of support and accountability. In my work I with men struggling with pornography, I usually recommend they find accountability partners. This is needed to help achieve and maintain healthy sobriety. Many ask me who can be a suitable accountability partner.” Dr. Peter Kleponis

16th Sunday - Safe Haven Sunday

 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus explains the importance of being with Him, compared to doing things for Him. Jesus told Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

The better part was to be with Jesus. This reminds us of Eucharistic Adoration, where we are with Jesus and gaze upon Him in the Sacred Host and listen to Him.

People gaze upon things and listen to others through Phones, computers, I-pads, videos, movies, television. We listen or watch podcasts and hours of videos.

Some are spiritually good like, The Bible in a Year or the Catechism in a Year with Fr. Mike Schmitz. There is EWTN, the Catholic cable television network, that can be watched live on the Internet. In Kansas, we have Divine Mercy radio, with many Catholic programs. Back in April, Divine Mercy Radio out of Hays and Salina asked me to do a live podcast on my book “The Miracles of the Rosary and the Rosary of Miracles.” At first I told them, no. But after prayer, I decided, I needed to go out of my comfort zone, to promote the Rosary. I was live on the radio and they later re-aired the program at 101.7 FM. The podcast can be found on YouTube.

There are spiritually good things to learn about our faith, but there are things that can harm our soul and our faith.

In March of every year, the diocese asks priests to preach on Safe Haven Sunday. Its a weekend where the priest preaches on helping parents to make their home a safe haven from technology evils. I dropped the ball. So this weekend, I am going to speak about it. Last year, we gave away booklets and information to read and suggested parents talk to their children about the topic of pornography.

In the bulletin there are practical ways to help those who suffer from pornography. It can develop into an addiction, and be very difficult to stop.

The Church has many ways to help, but we need to be aggressive and truly want to stop the habit. How bad is this problem? The organization Covenant Eyes helps parents protect and monitor their children, said, “One study found that 90% of children ages 8 to 16 have viewed pornography online.” This shows the great need for parents to help their children avoid seriously sinful images that can affect their innocence and disturb their consciences. The phone, the internet, television, movies are all portals that can seriously harm children and cause them to sin.

We want our children to succeed in life. We watch over and help them with their school activities, academics, sports, art, music. We form our children to be good upright adults, who will provide for their own livelihood, future family and contribute to the common good of society. We help them to attend college or a vo-tech school or learn a specific trade or work. These are all very important, but their spiritual life is most important. Only Jesus can save us and bring us to heaven. Attending Mass, going Confession regularly, PSR, reading the Bible, praying the Rosary, fasting weekly, making Holy Hours before Jesus in Adoration are ways God can help us. Parents teach their children how to make good decisions for themselves and teach them how to pray, and teach them about the faith and morality. Children need to learn about developing a personal relationship with Jesus, by daily praying to Him, seeking His help and turning to Him for mercy and forgiveness. Jesus helps us to love others and do good things for others.

The last time I was in an airport, I noticed almost everyone had their heads down gazing upon and listening to their phones. Perhaps they were communicating with friends and family, others playing video games, still others watching videos, checking out Facebook, tic tok, Instagram, and all the many social platforms.

When we gaze upon and listen to sites that can harm our soul, we are allowing the devil to influence us. Parents may be shocked to hear how easy it is for children to watch pornography, to play occult games that can cause demons to attack the child, the family and the home by viewing these things. They can watch satanic videos, play witchcraft, do Ouija board, tarot cards, all online. I met a young man who became possessed by playing tarot cards. Occult games can cause depression, transgender confusion, attractions to persons of the same gender, temptations to steal, cause anger, hatred, jealousy, isolation, and so many things that can negatively affect their spiritual life and mental health.

Men, YOU are the protectors of the family. You need to man-up and make sure your children are protected. There is hope with websites like Covenant Eyes and there are parental control apps. There is a website where you can use GPS to track your children anywhere in the world. It’s called www.FindMyKids.org. The information on how to block 65 + inappropriate and dangerous websites is in the bulletin.

https://findmykids.org/blog/en/list-of-websites-to-block

In the bulletin is a list of ways to overcome pornography habits and addiction. I encourage parents and especially fathers to discuss this with their sons. You can make copies and give to your friends for those who struggle with these sins.

It takes time to develop a habit and it takes time to get out of it. It takes perseverance and patience. The Lord understands you are trying your best, but keep falling. Don’t lose hope, rather immediately turn to Jesus. Don’t give up. Keep trusting in His mercy. Run to Jesus in Confession as a child would run to a parent when injured, to receive healing and consolation.

Here are some tips: Download the Covenant Eyes app., Fast every week to control your pleasures. We should not allow the body to have what it wants, when it wants it. Before he became a priest, Fr. Don Calloway had a pornography addiction. He said if you pray 3 Rosaries a day, the Virgin Mary will help anyone pull out of the addiction. St. Anthony of Padua said to pray 3 Hail Marys a day in honor of Our Lady’s purity and asking Her for the gift of purity and One will become more pure if you do. St. Padre Pio said everyone should confess once a week. Confession not only forgives sins, it also gives graces to prevent sin. If anyone falls into mortal sin, immediately go to Confession before receiving Holy Communion. In the bulletin, there are specific daily prayers you can pray in the bulletin. You can seek out an accountability partner, someone you know and trust, who can ask to watch over you. As soon as a temptation occurs immediately turn your mind on something else and pray the Hail Mary or Our Father audibly for your spouse or your family. Bless your home regularly, especially if someone in your home has viewed pornography and played occult games. Demons can stay in locations where sinful activities occur. Regularly bless rooms with Holy Water, display wall crucifixes and sacred images for protection.

Parents, there are adult predators, pretending to be a teen, and try convince them to do sinful things through phones. They blackmail them and threaten to tell others. I will send out an email about what happened in Eldorado, but something similar has happened within our own area.

https://www.kwch.com/2025/07/17/he-died-terrified-el-dorado-teens-death-connected-sextortion-scheme-mother-says

It is wrong to gaze upon images of people through technology for false self-satisfaction and view others, not as loving and caring people, but rather objects of pleasure. Technology without personal relationships causes isolation and loneliness. Viewing pornography is false love. It’s fake love. Its the devil’s tool to break up marriages, to cause one to commit mortal sin, to become selfish. To break apart families. Jesus said, “...I say to you that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)

But, with the help of Jesus and the means His Church has given us, we can pull out of sin. We should have relationships with real people in our life. How beautiful to see each person, who we know, and love, and talk to, walk with, hold hands, care for, and sacrifice our lives.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) If we have a pure heart, we will see God in each other, and view people with real feelings and in personal manner, created in God’s image and likeness. It takes manly courage to turn away from sin and to be faithful to one’s spouse, and faithful to God.

Finally, I would to encourage all families to daily pray the Rosary together, and bring your children to Eucharistic Adoration regularly. There they will be like Mary, and sit in silence at the feet of Jesus, gazing upon God who is the source of all love for His love is infinite and endures forever. For by doing so, you will have chosen the better part.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel - July 16th

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

The Carmelites claim their religious order began at the time of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, as a group of men dedicated to living ascetical life were expecting the promised virgin, the Mother of the Messiah, on top of Mount Carmel in Palestine.

The first Carmelite monastery was located on the site where Elijah slayed the false prophets of Baal. He called down fire on the altar from heaven, asking God to show there is only one God and that Baal was a false god. The fire not only consumed the sacrifice which had been dosed with water, but it also consumed the stone altar.

Its believed that when Jesus, Mary and Joseph were returning from being exiled in Egypt due to Herod’s attempt to kill the Child Jesus, the Holy Family stopped by Mount Carmel where the ascetic monks were praying for the future Mother of the Messiah, and it is there, they not only saw the Mother of the Messiah, but also the Child Jesus, the Messiah Himself.

Simon Stock was born in England in 1165 and left his home at the age of 12 to become a hermit. He passed twenty years in penance and prayer and learned from Our Lady that he was to join an Order. He joined the Carmelite Order and then eventually became the prior-general of the order. In the 1200’s, many of the brothers in the community at that time had become lax and were in danger of losing their souls. In addition to this-- the order was persecuted. Some were accusing the brothers of not being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, but rather were dedicated to Mary of Egypt, which was not true.

Because the situation seemed dire, Simon Stock fell at the feet of Mary on July 16^th of 1251 and said, “Most holy Virgin! Beauty of Carmel Virgin Flower forever in bloom! Bright Ornament of Heaven! Thou Virgin-Mother of a Man-God! Mother of holy love! Mother of mercy and meekness! Star of the sea! O Mary, show us thou art our Mother! O Virgin most holy, give me a sign of thy predilection for thine Order of Carmel which will astonish our adversaries, and confound our detractors!”

It was at this moment, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Simon Stock and gave him the scapular, which was a long woolen cloth that covers the front and back of the habit. She told him, “Whomsoever wears this scapular will not suffer eternal fire”. The men in the community began to wear the scapular, which renewed their devotion and helped them to once again become more fervent religious. Laymen and women also began to wear the scapular, but because it was so long, it was problematic to wear during work. The scapular became smaller as it is worn today, so that everyone may easily wear the scapular.

About 50 years after the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Simon Stock, she appeared to Pope John XXII and promised “She would assist and console the children of Carmel detained in Purgatory and also speedily release them on the first Saturday after death”, which would become known as the Sabbatine privilege.
Interestingly, the last apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes was on July 16^th and Mary appeared to the children of Fatima at the last apparition as Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Sister Lucia said, “Our Lady appeared holding the scapular in Her hands because She wants everyone to wear it.”

Today, if we don’t wear the Scapular, may we once again put it on trusting the Blessed Virgin Mary will help us to get to heaven and protect us from the evil one. The scapular is the best fire insurance you can have, because those who wear it will not suffer eternal fire.

15th Sunday Year C - Good Samaritan

In the Gospel parable today, a man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, who was robbed, attacked and left half dead. None of his fellow Jews stopped to help him. Because it seemed like nobody cared about him, he could be tempted to lose confidence in humanity. It’s a horrible feeling, to feel unloved and no one is willing to help you.

However, a non-Jew, a Samaritan, helped the victim by taking him on his mule to an inn. He was moved by compassion and poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them. He not only brought healing to his wounds, but even more importantly the Good Samaritan poured love on the injured man’s emotional wound and that love would be just as important and even more for healing than the bandages, oil and wine.

The Samaritans were people who lived in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaria was located between Galilee in the north and Judea in the south. The Samaritans were a racially mixed society with Jewish and pagan ancestry. Because of their imperfect adherence to Judaism and their partly pagan ancestry, the Samaritans were despised by ordinary Jews. Rather than contaminate themselves by passing through Samaritan territory, Jews traveling from Judea to Galilee or vice versa would cross over the river Jordan, bypass Samaria by going through Transjordan, and cross over the river again as they neared their destination.

The Samaritans harbored a deep dislike toward the Jews. When Jesus used this parable, He wanted to point out the failure of Jews to help fellow Jews. Our Lord also wanted to show the Jews, that non-Jews, Samaritans, could do something very loving and compassionate, while at the same time showing Jews, they are failing to love others as they ought. Jesus wanted to change the Jewish attitude toward Samaritans and to discontinue passing through a different region to avoid them.

The Lord Jesus wanted everyone to treat their neighbor, as they would want to be treated (Jews and non-Jews including Samaritans), who they despised and avoided.

This parable is given to all people in every day and time to show us we are to love God with all our heart, all our being, all our strength and all our mind, and love our neighbor as oneself.

When the scholar asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”, Jesus gave the parable to include those from a different culture, race and faith, so as to consider everyone as neighbor. When we fail to love our neighbor, we are really failing to love God as we ought.

Today, when we use the phrase, "Good Samaritan", we refer to a stranger who selflessly helps others. When someone we don’t even know shows an act of love, it inspires us to love others too.

When I was living in Alabama, there was an elderly lady, who daily attended Mass at the monastery of nuns. Unfortunately, the woman was racist. On occasion she made negative comments about black people.

One day, she was in a car accident and became unconscious due to her hitting her head on the windshield. When she woke up, there was an African American who helped her out of her car and because she was a small woman, he held her in his arms and was rocking her, telling her, “Everything is going to be alright.” She said the next thing she knew, she was in an ambulance. Before departing for the hospital, she told the EMTs, she wanted to thank that black man for being so kind to her. But the ambulance crew said there was no one there. But the woman insisted that there was. She later called the man her angel. After her experience, she was no longer racist.

When I was in high school, I was working at our farm and accidentally tore a gash on my arm from a barbwire fence and it was bleeding much. As I was walking back to the farm, along the highway, I was holding pressure on the injury to prevent it from bleeding, a semi truck drove by and the driver saw that I was injured. The man pulled off the road and came up to me and asked if he could take me to the hospital, but I refused. After the man left, I realized how kind it was that he stopped to help.

I’m sure some of you experienced a good Samaritan when a stranger changed their flat tire or you were the good Samaritan and helped someone change their tire.

I was in Walmart a few years ago, looking at eyeglasses in their optometry department. I noticed a woman came to pick up her eyeglasses and she barely had enough money to pay for them. A stranger walked up to her and said, “Sweetheart, let me pay for your eyeglasses.” The kind gentlemen wrote out a check for $300 paying for the woman’s glasses. In tears the woman profusely thanked him.

My friends, don’t be afraid to help a stranger in need. The best medicine of all is love. If we don’t love those who need help, they remain wounded and hurt. Good Samaritans give the medicine of love that heals broken and battered hearts.

I encourage you to be a Good Samaritan, to be the stranger, and seek out those who need help, for by doing so, you are loving God with all our heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. May the Virgin Mary pray for us, and help us love God and our neighbor as She did most perfectly.

St. Benedict - July 11th

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Benedict, who is often invoked for protection against the devil. St. Benedict is the father of western monasticism. Born in Nursia in 480, he is the patron of Europe, because of his enormous contribution of establishing Christianity on the continent. It was a time in the Church, civil society, and Christian culture itself, were in great danger. Through his sanctity and accomplishments, he drew the barbarians from paganism toward a civilized and truly enhanced way of life.

When he was young, the corruption of the world caused him to live a hermit’s life of penance and prayer in a cave in the mountain Subiaco, near Rome, where St. Romanus instructed him in Christian asceticism. He lived in solitude striving for religious perfection, self-conquest, mortification, humility, prayer, silence, retirement, and detachment from the world. His reputation for sanctity gathered a large number of followers, for whom he erected monasteries in which they lived a community life under a prescribed rule. He founded the great Abbey on Mount Cassino, which became the center of religious life in Europe. The principles of the rule written by St. Benedict became the basis for religious life for all western religious orders after his time.

St. Benedict’s sister, St. Scholastica founded the cloistered Benedictine monasteries. The most famous Benedictine Sisters today are the sisters of Gower, Missouri where Sr. Wilhelmina, the incorrupt nun is located.

After he had built twelve monasteries at Subiaco, he removed to Monte Casino, where he founded an abbey in which he wrote his rule and lived until death. By prayer he did all things: wrought miracles, saw visions, and prophesied. A peasant, whose boy had just died, ran in anguish to St. Benedict, crying out, "Give me back my son!" The monks joined the poor man in his entreaties; but the Saint replied, "Such miracles are not for us to work, but for the blessed apostles. Why will you lay upon me a burden which my weakness cannot bear? " Moved at length by compassion he knelt down and, prostrating himself upon the body of the child, prayed earnestly. Then rising, he cried out, "Behold not, O Lord, my sins, but the faith of this man, who desireth the life of his son, and restore to the body that soul which Thou hast taken away." Hardly had he spoken when the child's body began to tremble, and taking it by the hand he restored it alive to its father. Six days before his death he ordered his grave to be opened, and fell ill of a fever. On the sixth day he requested to be borne into the chapel, and, having received the body and blood of Christ, with hands uplifted, and leaning on one of his disciples, he calmly expired in prayer on the 21st of March, 543.

We may be familiar with the St. Benedict metal, which is very powerful against the devil. On the medal, St. Benedict holds a cross in his hand. A broken chalice, and a crow are pictured behind him.

St. Benedict’s power over the devil can be understood by these two examples: A community of monks, whose abbot died, asked St. Benedict to accept the office as abbot, of their community. He first refused, but later conceded. However, after instituting a strict monastic discipline. But because they were lax, they wanted to kill him by poisoning his wine. He made the sign of the cross over a cup of poisoned wine, which immediately broke. St. Benedict replied, “God forgive you brothers. Why have you plotted this wicked thing against me? Did I not tell you beforehand my ways were not in accord with yours. Go and find an abbot to your taste…” With that he left and returned to Subiaco.

On another occasion a black bird began to fly around his face, and came so near to him that he could have grabbed it, if he wanted. When he made the sign of the cross, the bird flew away. Immediately he experienced severe lustful images, as he had never had before. He recognized it coming from the devil, and so immediately tossed himself in thorns, and was rescued from the temptation.

The St. Benedict medal and Benedict Crucifix are powerful weapons to protect us from evil spirits.

Yesterday, I had the joy blessing a parishioner’s home and two St. Benedict crucifixes (using the special prayer from the Benedictines given to diocesan priests using the exorcism prayer).

Everyone should have Benedict medals, crucifixes in their homes and they should also have their home blessed at least once a year.

Let us resolve to wear a St. Benedict’s medal, so that Our Divine Lord will protect us from the wickedness and snares of the devil. And may we also call upon the Blessed Virgin, who will crush the head of the serpent.

14th Week Wednesday - Joseph an Image of Jesus

Have you ever had something really bad happen to you and then later you discovered something very good would come out of it? That’s what happened in the first reading. Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery but later would become the governor over a large territory and because of that, the whole known world would come to him during a time of famine in order to have food to eat.

Joseph said, “I am your brother, whom you once sold into Egypt. But now do not be distressed, and do not reproach yourselves for having sold me here. It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you.”

God used the terrible event of betrayal by his own brothers and then having to live as a slave for years, before Joseph would finally see the day, when all that suffering bore fruit. Amazingly, he was not bitter towards his brothers but rather saw God’s hand in using his misfortune to save lives.

Joseph is an image of Jesus. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver and Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and Jesus was betrayed by one of His apostles. Joseph had a cloak of many colors Jesus had a seamless garment they divided among them. Joseph was sold into slavery, Jesus would save mankind from the slavery of sin. Joseph was thrown into a hole and its believed after Jesus was arrested, Our Lord was placed in an underground dungeon. Joseph would become responsible for saving lives during a famine and Jesus would be responsible for saving souls, for the spiritually famished. Pharaoh told everyone to come to Joseph for all their needs. God the Father wants all to come to Jesus for their needs. Joseph forgave his brothers, and Jesus forgave all of our sins.

It was really for the sake of saving souls, God sent His Son ahead of us, but He had terrible sufferings to endure including His Passion that preceded His victory through His Resurrection.

Something terribly bad happened to Jesus, but it was for the sake of saving us from our sin. Joseph fed the people with food so they would not die. Jesus feeds us with His flesh, “The Bread from Heaven.”, so that those who eat His flesh and drink His blood we will live forever.

14th Sunday - Missionary Disciples

Our Lord sent out seventy-two ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place Our Lord intended to visit. Jesus said, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the Master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Most farmers just finished or about to finish the wheat harvest. Some farmers were reliant on custom cutters to cut their wheat and with all the rain, they went further north where it was dry and had to come back to finish the job. The laborers were few for a time, but in the end the Lord provided an abundant harvest and the workers completed their task.

It’s a lot of work to till the soil, plant seeds, much money and labor are spent and then farmers must rely on good weather. Rain to make it grow. Hail can damage crops. A drought can cause a poor harvest. Farmers have to trust in God’s divine providence, that He will provide all this is needed.

The image that Jesus uses of a harvest and workers remind us harvesters are missionaries sent out into the world to proclaim the truth. The missionary harvesters need to understand how to reap a harvest of those ripe and ready to hear the Gospel. When we think of spreading the Gospel, we think of priests, who preach and teach Jesus to others.

Priests are called by Jesus to be His close companions. They are called to give their life to Jesus, to offer themselves as a sacrifice for the people, and as shepherds guide and lead the flock. Priests are harvesters and after the Lord prepared their hearts through tilling their soul with trials, and pouring waters of grace to help them sprout into a disciple, they will then bear the fruit of virtue, so they too can scatter the seeds of faith to others. But, the priest can’t do it alone, everyone is a missionary disciple through baptism.

At baptism every Christian becomes a disciple of Jesus with the mission to make more disciples teaching all about Our Lord and what He commanded us. Jesus told His disciples, “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

Some missionaries go to foreign countries to tell others about Jesus, who never heard about Him, but have the opportunity to know and love Him. Missionaries are also in our own country, such as FOCUS missionaries who seek out young college students starving for truth and starving for love. FOCUS Missionaries learned how to gather the harvest with the love of Jesus Christ. They first win students for Jesus by meeting the students where they are and share the Good News of Christ to them. They help them develop a relationship with Jesus. They tell college students how God loves them and how their life can be filled with joy and peace if they turn their lives over to Christ.

They introduce them to the Mass, Confession, Bible study and Eucharistic Adoration, and help them put Jesus first and in the center of their daily life, so they too can eventually go out and make disciples. They also help non-Catholics to become Catholic.

The greatest number of people in the Little River area are un-churched (don’t go to church). Others have never belonged to a church. Many locally are starving for the truth. They hunger to have something more than worldly things, because they are hungering for Jesus, but don’t know it. However, every Catholic is a disciple and every Catholic is a missionary. Each one of us has the opportunity of first seeking out the un-churched, the unbaptized, those starving for love and those who do not know Jesus.

The way to evangelize our friends and neighbors is easy. First, just be their friends, then introduce Jesus to them, by telling them about your own personal relationship with Our Lord. Teach them to begin praying to Jesus and so have a relationship with Him, then help them to make Jesus the center of their lives.

What makes a good disciple? We turn to Mary, who always did God’s will in Her life. For us, it is also God’s will to avoid sin, which Mary did perfectly. It is God’s will for us to grow in holiness. Mary was the holiest human being. She was holier then all the angels and saints combined.

A disciple of Jesus first sits, listens and adores Our Lord, the teacher. Mary adored Jesus in Her womb. When He was born, Mary was the first to adore the face of Jesus. Mary was the first to pray to Jesus, listen to Him, which She did every day for the first 30 years of His life because She lived with Him. Mary knew Sacred Scripture and pondered it with Her Heart. She pondered every word and action of Jesus.

Therefore, for one to be a disciple of Jesus one must sit at His feet in Eucharistic Adoration. Bishop Fulton Sheen told priests and seminarians they should daily make a Holy Hour with Jesus. To be a disciple we adore the face of Jesus with eyes of faith in the Eucharist, receive in Holy Communion as often as possible.

A good disciple of Jesus ponders and meditates on Sacred Scripture reading the bible every day. One who is ignorant of Scripture is ignorant of Christ. A good disciple of Jesus will pray Hail Marys with their lips and meditate on the mysteries of the life of Jesus praying the Rosary often and so think about and ponder Jesus with Mary’s eyes and Heart.

But we can’t be perfect like Mary. We all fall short. The saints give us hope, because they were sinners and had faults. The apostles were jealous of each other and wanted to be better than the others. Peter denied Jesus three times. St. Jerome had angry outbursts all his life, but he did lots of penance. St. Augustine caroused with women and even fathered a child out of wedlock. St. Francis of Assisi was given into revelry before his conversion. St. Monica had a drinking problem when she was young. But all of saints used their weaknesses to help them grow in holiness and humility. The disciple will take up his cross daily striving for virtue.

Today, let us turn to missionary saints, especially St. Francis Xavier, who baptized 30,000. St. Junipero Serra baptized 6,000 Indians. St. Peter Claver baptized 300,000 in Columbia. St. Vincent Ferrer converted 20,000 Jews and thousands of Muslims. St. Patrick converted over 100,000 from false Irish religions. St. Francis de Sales converted thousands, who had fallen away from the faith.

And let us ask the Queen of all disciples, the Virgin Mary, the first and greatest Disciple to help us bring many to Jesus and so help them obtain heaven.