2nd Sunday of Advent - Signs Preceding 2nd Coming

 

In the Gospel today, John the Baptist goes around “proclaiming a baptism of repentance.” He is the “Voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight His paths.”

What does John the Baptist have to do with preparing for Christmas? During Advent, the Church wants us to focus on the First Coming of Jesus (Christmas) and the Second Coming of Jesus and prepare for these by repenting of our sins (going to Confession).

Jesus wants people to think He will come on the clouds of heaven in their own lifetime so we are vigilant and ready for His Coming. St. Paul and some of the early Christians thought Jesus was going to come in their time. But some Christians even quit their work because they thought it was imminent, but St. Paul told them to go back to work. (1 Thess. 4:11-12)

In 4^th century St. Ephrem explains why Jesus wants us to think He coming is soon. He said,“(Jesus) described the signs of His coming…. Therefore, He used these words to increase respect for the signs of His coming, so that from that day forward all generations and ages might think He would come again in their own day.”

With regard to signs, in last week’s Gospel Jesus gave some signs that will precede His Second Coming. Our Lord said, “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die in fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.”

According to the Catholic Encyclopedia 9 signs will precede the General Judgment. Not the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The signs in the sun, moon, roaring of the seas, earthquakes, famines, wars and stars falling, etc. is one sign.

2^nd sign according St. Matthew, “And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come" (Matthew 24:14).

The 3rd sign is the Great Apostasy spoken about by St. Paul in Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Apostasy means many Christians will no longer believe and will give up their faith.

The 4th sign -In Matthew 24:30, “And then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven; and then will all tribes of the earth mourn and then they will see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of heaven with great power and majesty.” Jesus told St. Faustina, “There will be a great darkness over the whole earth. Then a great sign of the cross will appear in the sky. From the openings from where the hands and feet of the savior were nailed will come forth great lights..”

The 5th sign- The Reign of the Antichrist will last 3 ½ years. (Rev. 11:2) He will claim to be the messiah. Jews will accept him as such. He will claim to be God, work false miracles, persecute Christians, make Jerusalem the capital of the world, abolish the Mass, set up idols of himself to be adored. No one will be able to buy or sell anything unless they have the mark of the beast on their hand or forehead. (Rev. 13:16-17)

The 6th sign according to the book of Revelation Enoch and Elijah will come down from heaven and perform miracles and battle the Antichrist. (Revelation 11)

The 7th sign is the entire conversion of the Jewish people. St. Paul in his letter to the Romans said, "And so all Israel should be saved.…” (11:25-26)

The 8th sign is the Universal Conflagration. St. Peter said, the entire earth will be “burned by fire.” (2 Peter 3:10-13; 1).

The 9th sign is the trumpet of the resurrection. An angel will blow a trumpet announcing the resurrection of the Dead, then the final judgment. “Then all will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.(Matthew 24:30)

Another sign not mentioned in the Catholic Encyclopedia, but located in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #677, “The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, . . . only by God’s victory over the final unleashing of evil, . . . God’s triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world.” The Catholic Church will appear to die in imitation of Jesus, who died on the Cross. But the gates of hell shall not prevail. These nine signs and the sign of the Church’s passover Catholics should believe will happen.

There are two additional events: the illumination of conscience and the three days of darkness, some saints speak about, but they are private revelation, and we are not required to believe.

St. Edmond Campion said, "I pronounce a great day... the Terrible Judge, should reveal all men's consciences and try every man of each kind of religion. This is the day of change." Blessed Anna Maria Taigi said, "A great purification will come upon the world, preceded by an "Illumination of conscience" in which everyone will see themselves as God sees them." If this happens we don’t want to have very many sins on our soul because it will be horrifying to see the consequences of our sins towards God, others and our own soul.

About the three days of darkness, Blessed Anna Maria Taigi said, “There shall come over the whole earth an intense darkness lasting three days and three nights. It will be impossible to use any man-made lighting during this darkness, except blessed candles. All the enemies of the Church, whether known or unknown, will perish over the whole earth during the universal darkness... The air will be infected by demons who will appear under all sorts of hideous forms.”

Jesus also spoke to St. Padre Pio saying, “Keep your windows well covered. Do not look out. Do not go outside the house. Provide for yourself so sufficient food. The powers of nature shall be moved and a rain of fire shall make people tremble with fear. Have courage! I am in the midst of you!” Storms, bad weather, thunderbolts and earthquakes will cover the earth for two days. Those who hope in me and believe in my words have nothing to fear because I will not forsake them nor those who spread my message. No harm will come to those who are in the state of grace and who seek my Mother’s protection.”

Could the Second Coming of Jesus be near? Is the Antichrist about to come in the world? Will people be forbidden to buy or sell anything without getting the mark of the beast? Will there soon be a world wide persecution, earthquakes, tidal waves, famines and war? What about the illumination of conscience and the three days of darkness? Will all this happen in our life time?

With regard to the Second Coming of Jesus, St. Ephrem said, “(Jesus) described the signs of His coming…. Therefore, He used these words to increase respect for the signs of His coming, so that from that day forward all generations and ages might think He would come again in their own day.” But he also said, “When the Lord commanded us to be vigilant, He meant vigilance in both parts of man: in the body, against the tendency to sleep; in the soul, against lethargy and timidity. As Scripture says, “Wake up, you just and I have risen, and am still with you; and again, Do not lose heart.”

Jesus wants us to believe these things will happen in our life time, therefore we are to be vigilant and not lose heart. Even if these events occur in our lifetime, we should not be afraid, except for our sins on our soul.

By adoring Jesus every week during your Holy Hour, by confessing your sins monthly, by staying in the state of grace, by daily praying the Rosary and daily reading the Bible, you are being vigilant. You will not lose heart, because your faith and your love of Jesus gives you hope. Jesus is with us so we have nothing to fear.

John the Baptist is a reminder to repent before Christmas and before His Second Coming. And this way, we will be ready for both. In the meantime, we have confidence in God’s mercy and we trust Jesus, our loving God. As St. Padre Pio said, “If we are in the state of grace and seek Mary’s Motherly protection, no harm will come to us.”

Urgent - Pray & Fast Friday for the Unborn

 

Pray & Fast Friday, Dec. 3rd for the Supreme Court- The day they share with each other their vote on Dobbs on how it will affect Roe vs Wade.

 

 

Grave Sin for Priests & Bishops to Prevent Sacraments

 

Cardinal Mueller COVID-Related Sacrament Restrictions ‘Grave Sin’

Roe vs Wade (Abortion) Has Got to Go!

Abortion Videos Below

Pray for the Supreme Court & Our Country

 

 

The Horror of Abortion

Warning Graphic! Lord Have Mercy on the USA!

 Click on this Link: 2nd Trimester Abortion

Click on this Link: Dilation & Suction Abortion

 Hope After Abortion - Project Rachel 

1-888-456-HOPE (4673)

If God can forgive Bernard Nathanson, an abortionist who did 75,000 abortions and Abby Johnson, Director of Planned Parenthood, who had two abortions, He can forgive anyone has had an abortion. Trust in the infinite Mercy of Jesus. Abortion Clinic Worker who wants out? AbortionWorker.com see Video.

 

Pray the Chaplet of Tears: Chaplet Video

Rosary of Seven Sorrows: Seven Sorrows Rosary Video

Chaplet of Divine Mercy: Chaplet of Divine Mercy Video

Pray Litany of the Saints: Litany of the Saints

  

  

 

Nov. 30th - St. Andrew

 

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew!

St. Andrew was born in Bethsaida in Galilee. When Jesus began His public ministry, Andrew was living with his brother, Peter at Capharnaum, which was an important town on the western shore of the Lake of Genezareth, where the two earned their living as fisherman. They were business partners with the brothers James and John, who would also become followers of Jesus. Before they met Jesus, Andrew and John were disciples of John the Baptist. It was Andrew, who first discovered Jesus and then went to tell his brother Peter, “We have found the Messiah”.

Peter and his brother Andrew must have thought they were having an ordinary day, as they were casting their net into the sea. But on this particular day, Jesus called out to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately, they left their boat, and followed the Lord, and so became disciples and fishers of men.

Later they would learn to “catch men” by preaching about Jesus and His teachings.

St. Paul said, “How can anyone believe in Him if they had not heard about Jesus”. “How can anyone hear without someone to preach?” Therefore, Peter and Andrew went about preaching everywhere, so they could get as many as possible to believe in Jesus, because they knew no one could hear about Him and come to know about Him, unless someone preached about Him.

St. Andrew went about preaching Jesus in the countries of Turkey, Greece and Russia. Andrew was captured in the city of Patras in western Greece. He was imprisoned, and then severely scourged and then was bound to an X shaped cross and from the cross, he preached for two days. Just before his death by Crucifixion, he was enveloped in a great light from heaven, and when the light faded, he gave up his spirit and died. Because he brought the faith to Russia he is venerated as their patron saint.

All of us are called to proclaim the Gospel. Our actions are the strongest proclamation of the Gospel. Who would believe us, if we failed to put into action, what we preached?

The Blessed Virgin Mary was the perfect follower of Jesus, and by Her prayers many have come and will follow Her Divine Son.

On this feast of St. Andrew, let us implore his prayers and with the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, others will come to know, to believe, to love, and to follow Her Divine Son.

Ivermectin Approved by National Institute of Health

 

 Ivermectin Now Approved by the National Institute of Health

 https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/tables/table-2e/

 As soon as you have any Covid symptoms immediately get a prescription from your doctor and tell him or her that it is now approved for the use of Covid.

 Covid Presentation and Discussion

 

 

1st Monday of Advent

 

In the Gospel today, Jesus helps us to see how the centurion is a witness to faith. Despite the fact that the centurion is a gentile and not a Jew, he believes the Lord needs to only say the word and his servant shall be healed.
Back then it was known by everyone gentiles were not permitted to enter the houses of Jews nor could they enter into the temple otherwise their home or the temple would be defiled by a pagan. The centurion’s words, “Lord I am not worthy that thou should enter under my roof”, shows the centurion’s respect for Jewish beliefs, but also his humility in his belief that Jesus is someone of great importance and can do whatever He pleases. He only needs to say the word and it will be done.

And so that is why the Church desires Catholics to say the words of the centurion before receiving Holy Communion. For truly as sinners we are defiled by our sins (and cannot even receive Jesus in Holy Communion if we have committed a mortal sin, unless we first go to Confession). Yet the Lord God comes under the roof of our mouth and into the home of our heart, though unworthy we may be for even having venial sins on their soul. Our faith is like that of the centurion, we believe that the Lord can and will heal our soul paralyzed by sin, but also heal others who are unable to come to Mass and receive Holy Communion.

Who is it you want the Lord to heal of their physical or spiritual ailment today? Offer your Communion for them, though Jesus may not physically go there, at His word, they can be healed.

1st Sunday of Advent - Roaring of the Seas

 

Today begins Advent a time for preparation for Christmas, but also a time in preparation for Our Lord’s Second Coming.

The second coming Jesus will come glory and majesty on the clouds of heaven for all to see. He will be escorted by an army of angels, and come as judge - the Lord our Justice.

In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about what will happen prior to His judgment. He said, “there will be signs in the sun, moon and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves”.

In other places in scripture, Jesus also mentions earthquakes, wars, famines and stars falling from the sky?

Are all of these literal events or not?

Scott Hahn in his St. Ignatius New Testament Bible commentary states the words: the sun being darkened, the moon not shedding it light etc.. are not to be taken as literal events, but rather events causing great shock in the world.

However, what are we to think about 1917 when the sun a zig zaged and then appeared to fall from the sky at Fatima? Or the comet that struck Jupiter in July 0f 1994. Or people who saw the sun dance in Medjugorje? And what about the tidal wave in Asia in 2004 that killed over a hundred thousand people or hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005? Or the earthquake that killed 10,000 in Iran in 2003? Are these signs that Jesus is coming to judge the world soon? And what about future prophecies?

Are these events indicating the Second Coming is near and in our life time?

Some saints take the words of Jesus as literal. For example, St. Patrick said 7 years before the day of judgment Ireland will be destroyed in the sea, because he said the people of Ireland will never be under the dominion of the Antichrist.

And Our Lady told Sister Sasagawa in 1973, at Akita Japan, “Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead.”

A small booklet called the Antichrist written by a priest who taught in the seminary in France in the late 1800’s is at odds with Scott Hahn. He describes these events prior to the second coming as both literal and symbolic. With regard to symbolism, he said, The earth represents the kingdom of Satan. The sun represents the Catholic Church the vehicle of God’s supernatural light. The moon symbolizes lawful civil government, which has as its light a reflection of the sun (the Church). Stars represent bishops of the Church. The fallen stars represent the apostasy of bishops. A diminution of the sun and moon would mean the Church would lose Her influence over the mankind. The government would become agents of the Antichrist and therefore not reflect the truth.” pg. 39 Antichrist. Fr. P. Huchede

Has not the Church lost her influence over mankind? For example, the body of US bishops failed to confront Catholic government leaders, who receive Holy Communion sacrilegiously due to their public support of abortion, embryonic stem research and same sex unions?

And throughout the world, is not apostasy (the loss of faith) spreading everywhere especially in Germany? Is not the moon, representing the civil government no longer reflecting the sun (the teachings of the Church), when government leaders are unwilling to live by and proclaim their faith publicly.

In another words, one source says we are to take these events as literal and symbolic and another source says we should take these events as only literal. The Church does not have a definitive statement one way or the other, so we can believe which ever we want. As symbolic only or both symbolic and literal.

But what matters is Our Lord wants us to be prepared when He will come on the clouds of heaven because no one knows the day nor the hour. Jesus said what we are to do, He said, “Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man?” “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.”

Even worse then fire falling from the sky or earthquakes, tidal waves, famines and war, is the state of our soul, if we are not prepared to die. We don’t want to have a mortal sin on our soul when we die or when Jesus comes to judge the living and the dead.

It would be horrible to hear of thousands of people dying by natural calamities, but not be afraid of what kills the body only what can kill the soul. We should be afraid of the state of our soul when we die or when at the Second Coming of Jesus.

Its natural to be afraid to die or afraid of pain that comes with dying, and especially the anguish of leaving loved ones behind. Most people would be afraid. But we are called to a supernatural way of viewing death.

The saints show us the way. The young girl, St. Agnes, was a Christian condemned to death for merely being Christian. When she was about to die, she guided the executioner’s hand to help him to cut her head off, which caused him to tremble at her faith in Jesus.

When St. Lawrence was being burned to death on a grid iron, he joked to the killers they could turn him over on the other side.

St Perpetua was ready and willing to be thrown to the wild beasts even though she was nursing her son, because she valued being with Jesus more than her child, her family and her life. The saints knew by their martyrdom, they had a straight shot to heaven and God is more important than everything else.

How many good deeds have we done for the poor? Have we given our time, talent and treasure for others? Have we read the bible to learn about who God is and what He has done for us? How often have we gone to confession? Do we pray the Rosary everyday? How many times did we receive Jesus in Holy Communion? How often do we pray? Did we pray for those who depend upon our prayers? Have we forgiven every one who has hurt us?

Many of you do very well with regard to prayer as you come to adore Jesus during your weekly Holy Hour. You pray the Rosary, read scripture and pray to Jesus for others.

But during Advent we reflect upon how we could do things even better such as not just going to confession twice a year, but rather monthly. Not to just pray the Rosary once a week, but to pray it daily. To use our time, talent and gifts for others especially our family and community and also the Church.

In a nutshell, we should do everything we can-- to be holy and to live a life of virtue and love? Even though we all fall short, God is merciful. Let us keep our heart and mind on heaven and not worry or be afraid of the signs preceding the 2^nd Coming. What do we have to fear if we have Jesus in this life and long to be with Him forever in heaven?

As St. Paul said, “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His holy ones. Amen.”

Nov. 27th - Miraculous Medal

 

Today is the feast day of the Miraculous Medal. It was the second apparition of Mary to St. Catherine Laboure when she gave her the miraculous medal. It was Saturday November 27, 1830, the eve of the First Sunday of Advent, St Catherine saw our Lady with an aureole around her, on which was written in golden letters “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.” Our Lady’s command was: “Have a medal struck on this model. Those who wear the medal around their neck will receive great graces; my graces will be very abundant for all those who trust in me.”

Sr Catherine with the help of her Spiritual director got the medal produced and it was originally called the "Medal of the Immaculate Conception". Since there was a plague in France at the time and there was many cures through the medal the people of France just called it the "Miraculous Medal".

On the front of the medal we see Mary standing with her heel crushing the head of the serpent, Satan who is on top of the world. Mary is showing us that she is the immaculate "New Eve" who was never conquered by Satan to sin. During the apparition Catherine could see rays coming from Mary's hands down onto the world. These are the graces that Mary obtains for us from her Divine Son Jesus to help us conquer Satan and his temptations for us to sin. This helps us to know that Mary is the "Mediatrix of all Graces".

Catherine saw gaps in the rays coming from Mary's hands and she asked Mary the reason for that and Mary told her the missing rays were to symbolize the graces she could get for people but they do not ask her to get them. Around the border of the medal during the apparition Sr Catherine saw the prayer "O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee" which again shows that Mary is the sinless New Eve.

Around the border of the back of the medal we see 12 stars which symbolize the Church which Jesus founded on the 12 Apostles. It also represents Mary’s Queenship as we see in the book of Revelation in which Mary is crowned with 12 stars.

The center of the medal we see a Cross on top of an Altar with a large M underneath. The Cross reminds us of Our Lord’s suffering and death which brought about our redemption. The "M" beneath the Cross symbolizes Mary our Mother who stood and suffered at the foot of the Cross at Calvary as her Divine Son suffered for our sins. It symbolizes Mary’s co-redemption and this large "M" beneath the Cross also symbolizes Mary’s spiritual motherhood.

Underneath the large M there are two hearts burning with Love for mankind. On the left is the Sacred and Divine Heart of Jesus which is on fire with so much Love for mankind that he died on the Cross for all of us. His Heart is crowned with thorns by our sins but also by the pain He suffers because so many of us do not really believe that He loves us even though He suffered so much to prove that to us.

The Heart of Mary is also on fire with love for us because She became our Mother, when She became the Mother of Jesus. Her heart is pierced with the tremendous Sword of suffering and Sorrow of Calvary which was predicted to her by Saint Simeon when Jesus was presented as a child in the Temple. Mary loves us so much because Jesus Loves us so much.

Today, may we repeat the words of the miraculous medal often, seeking Mary’s intercession, “O Mary, Conceived without sin, pray for us, who have recourse to thee.”

34th Friday - Fig Tree

 

In the Gospel today, Jesus spoke of the fig tree, which was very common in the area in which the people lived at that time. He said, “When buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near, in the same way you see these things happening know that the Kingdom of God is near.” Our Lord uses this parable to explain that it should be easy to see the kingdom of God and natural to see it as well. If everyone can see a fig tree blossom, then everyone can see the kingdom of God among them and so come to realize the Kingdom of God is near.

The fruit of what Jesus was doing was proof that the Kingdom of God was very near. The healing of the sick, the expelling of demons, miracles, and His forgiving of sins, all were signs that the Kingdom of God was blossoming among them. But most importantly, they could come to understand that the Kingdom of God was very near, because He Himself was present among them.

Today, what are the signs that the Kingdom of God is among us? What is blossoming for all to see? Perhaps, we can point to the fact that we have continuous Eucharistic adoration is a sign that the Kingdom of God is near and among us. Our Lord’s true presence in the Eucharist is the ultimate sign that the Kingdom of God is near and among us.

People, who devote themselves to praying one hour before Our Lord’s true presence in the Eucharist, attest to this fact. Adorers are a sign that the Kingdom of God is near as they come to adore Jesus in the Eucharist, they bow down before the King and pray for their own needs, the needs of their family and friends, the needs of the parish, and the needs of the whole world. And people who come to know we are praying before Jesus in the Eucharist will see for themselves that the Kingdom of God is near. We become the blossoming fruit.

As we come to receive to Holy Communion, may all discover the Kingdom of God is among us, and is very near to us in the Eucharist, because God Himself is with us!

First Thanksgiving - St. Augustine Florida

      HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I’m so happy this is the first Thanksgiving I ever had with (Indians) Red Skins. Today, Americans gather with their families to thank God for all He has done for us. The first American Thanksgiving was not at Plymouth Rock in 1621 as we were taught in school. Rather, the first Thanksgiving was on September 8, 1565 at St. Augustine, Florida the oldest city of our present day United States, when the landing of Captain General Pedro Menendez and his fleet of soldiers and colonists.

In an official ceremony Don Pedro Menendez came ashore amid the sounding of trumpets, artillery salutes and the firing of cannons to claim the land for King Philip II and Spain. One of the priests on the boat, Fr. Francisco Lopez, who had gone ashore the previous day, advanced to meet Don Pedro, chanting the Te Deum carrying a cross which Menendez and those with him reverently kissed. Then the 500 soldiers, 200 sailors and 100 families and artisans, along with the Timucuan Indians from a nearby village, gathered at a makeshift altar, and a Mass in honor of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary was offered. The Mass was followed by a feast shared by the Spanish and the Timucuan Indians. The Timucuans brought wild turkey, deer meat, oysters and giant clams, as well as maize, beans, squash, nuts and fruits. The Spaniards contribution was a stew made with pork, garbanzo beans and onions, along with biscuits, olive oil and red wine.

For Catholic Spaniards the Mass was the most important way of thanking God for arriving safely. The word “Eucharist” means thanksgiving. Whenever we come to Mass we thank God for the gift of being able to receive Jesus in Holy Communion and attend Holy Mass.

This year we should especially thank God for Eucharistic Adoration and the many faithful adorers who come to be with Jesus.

There are so many things we should be thankful for. We can thank the good Lord for all the gifts in our life and talents and the gift to be able to help others and love others. Not only should we thank God for the gift of the sun, moon, stars and all of His creation, we should thank Him for the gift of our life, the gift of our family. The gift of our jobs, home, food, clothing, our health and providing for all our needs. We should be thankful for the gift of being able to live in a free country and thankful for those who serve in the military and those who died for our country and all our country’s resources.

We should thank God for the gift of our faith, the gift of our baptism, the gift of confirmation, the gift of all the times God forgave us in Confession and all the Holy Masses we attended Communions received. For some the sacrament of marriage, for priests we thank God for the gift of holy priesthood.

We should even thank God for the gift of pain, suffering, disease and illnesses which are really gifts in disguise. God permits pain and suffering to purify our soul. It atones for our sins and the sins of others (reducing our purgatory time), draws us closer to God and can be used to bring about the conversion of sinners. We praise the Lord in the midst of our storms because He is with us through them. We thank the Lord because our help comes from the Lord, who wipes away our tears and gives us peace, no matter the circumstances of life. If we thank God for hardships, difficulties, pains and sufferings we enter into the mystery of the Holy Mass which is an offering up of the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father, in which we are eternally grateful --because through the suffering and death of Jesus, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life and we thank Jesus for coming to dwell within us in Holy Communion, where our heart is united to His.

And let us thank someone, rarely thanked, the Virgin Mary, who constantly intercedes for us before the throne of Her Son. Her magnificat is a prayer of thanksgiving for all God has done for Her and for us, through Her. Every generation calls Her blessed because every generation receives blessings through Her. Thank You, O Blessed Mother, for every grace and gift we have received through your hands, you are the Mediatrix of All Graces and please thank God for everything He has given us and will give us in the future especially the gift of eternal life. Amen.

 

Nov. 24th - St. Andrew Dung Lac & Companion Martyrs

 

Today, we celebrate the memorial of the martyrs, Andrew Dung-Lac, priest, and companions. In the beginning of the sixteenth century the first sowing of the Gospel of Christ began among the Vietnamese people. The seed of the Gospel grew through the blood of martyrs and the spiritual joy of the newly baptized faithful. During the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th centuries, particularly during the reign of the Emperor Minh-Mang from 1820 to 1840, many Christians received the martyr’s crown.

These included, bishops, priests, men and women religious and members of the laity. All suffered torments of various kinds for their Christian faith and fidelity to the Cross of Christ and bore witness to Christ’s Church and the true religion established by Christ.

Some of the martyrs were decapitated, others hanged, others burned, or whipped to death, and others died during their imprisonment. In 1988, Pope John Paul II declared 117 Vietnamese martyrs-- as saints.

While in prison, St. Paul, one of the martyr companions of St. Andrew, wrote a letter. In his letter he writes: “The prison here is a true image of everlasting hell: to cruel tortures of every kind—shackles, iron chains, manacles—are added hatred, vengeance, calumnies, obscene speech, quarrels, evil acts, swearing, curses, as well as anguish and grief.

But, the God who once freed the three children from the fiery furnace is with me always; He has delivered me from these tribulations and made them sweet, for His mercy is forever. In the midst of these torments, which usually terrify others, I am, by the grace of God, full of joy and gladness, because I am not alone—Christ is with me.

Our Master bears the whole weight of the Cross, leaving me only the tiniest, last bit. He is not a mere on looker in my struggle, but a contestant, and the victor, and champion in the whole battle. Therefore, upon His head is placed the crown of victory, and His members also share in His glory.

I write these things to you in order that your faith and mine may be united. In the midst of this storm I cast my anchor toward the throne of God, the anchor that is the lively hope in my heart.”

Today, let us unite our prayers to those of St. Andrew Luc and companions, that no matter what happens in our daily struggles, whether there may be sufferings, trials, temptations and tribulations, we, like St. Andrew, will be filled with joy and gladness, knowing that we are not alone, because truly Our Lord carries our crosses leading us to His victory.

St. Faustina- Divine Mercy & the Second Coming

        Click: Second Coming Presentation 

Divine Mercy, St. Faustina, the Antichrist, Signs Preceding the Second Coming, Illumination of Conscience, Three Days of Darkness--- with Saints, Blesseds, Scripture & the "Catechism of the Catholic Church"

           Click: Sins Often Committed Rarely Confessed

   

                 

(Note: Alleged Apparitions at Garabandal and Medjugorje are not approved nor condemned by the Church and one may believe them at this time.)

                                   Medjugorje and the Vatican

 (Note: Saints, Blesseds and Apparitions are Private Revelation. We are not required to believe them. When someone is made blessed or made a saint their writings are examined by the Church and what is said does not contradict our faith. But writings may or may not be literal or true. For example some saints may say the opposite of another saint, but what each saint is saying does not contradict what we believe.)

                             

Nov. 23rd - Blessed Miguel Pro

“Vivo Christo Rey” “Long Live Christ the King”

Today, we celebrate the memorial of Blessed Miguel Pro, a priest martyr in Mexico, who valiantly proclaimed “Long Live Christ the King”, moments before he died.

He was one of eleven children and born in Guadalupe, Mexico. As a youth, he had a great sense of humor and was a practical joker. As a young man, he accidentally switched the letter of his girlfriend, with a letter to his mother. This providentially caused him to break up with his girlfriend, and resulted in him pursuing the priesthood. As a child, he would disguise himself as a priest, and went about preaching, which would later prove to be ironic.

Because he was forced to flee Mexico due to religious persecution, he was ordained as a Jesuit priest in Belgium in 1925. He returned a year later to minister to his native people. He had a great love for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and had great devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Despite his illness and the fierce persecution from the government, which forbid all worship, he continued to minister to the faithful with great courage and zeal.

He disguised himself as a layman, so he could administer the sacraments secretly. By wearing regular clothes, he was able to go about the city giving Holy Communion. He distributed Holy Communion to 1,300 people in a singe day. He said, “Preached on my brother’s bicycle, I go down these roads of God like a horse possessed by the devil, always in danger of death because the cabdrivers here in Mexico are extremely reckless.” Despite the danger of getting caught by the police, he continued to administer the sacraments and was arrested several times.

Jesus reminded His disciples of future persecutions to come, including the one in Mexico. Jesus said to His disciples, some will be put to death; others seized; and persecuted to be handed over; and put into prisons. Our Lord said, “I myself will give you wisdom in speaking, that all adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute”.

In 1927, after a bomb exploded, aimed at killing the president, Fr. Miguel was arrested but had nothing to do with it. He had no trial. And moments before he was shot, the Holy Spirit gave him wisdom to speak to his adversaries. A remarkable photograph was taken just before his death. With arms outstretched, his last words were, “Vivo Christo Rey”, “Long live Christ the King”.

Now, let us ask Mary, the Queen of Heaven, to help us receive Christ, the Eucharistic King, with great love and devotion, so that He may reign, as King of our Hearts!

"Catholic" Politicians Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, Larua Kelly, Dick Durbin, etc...

 

Nov. 22nd - St. Cecilia

St. Cecilia, the martyr and the patroness of music, whose memorial we celebrate, sings in heaven before Jesus, the Lamb of God.

A native of Rome, she made a vow of virginity as a child. Despite her vow of virginity, her parents forced her to marry a pagan nobleman named Valerian. After she told him of her vow of virginity, she was still able to maintain the vow while married. At her wedding, when the musicians played their instruments, she sang with all her heart to God, her divine spouse. She told her husband, that an angel is watching over her virginity, and that if he wanted to see the angel, he too should be baptized. Because of the deep love of Christ and her holy virtues, her husband and his brother became Christian. And once he was baptized, he saw the angel. From her childhood until her death, she bravely denied the worship of false gods. She helped the poor and did many deeds of mercy. Her husband and his brother were martyred, followed by St. Cecilia, a few days later. She was placed in hot steam for three days, but was miraculously not affected. The executioner struck her three times with the blade, but she did not die immediately. And do today, statues of the virgin martyr, show her lying down with a large gash on her throat. Although she died in the early 2^nd century, her body continues to be incorrupt and is located in a church in Rome. Her name is in the Roman Canon, which is Eucharistic prayer 1 of the Mass.

Just as St. Therese is patroness of the missions, although she was never a missionary, St. Cecilia, is the patroness of music, although she never played musical instruments. However, at the sound of musical instruments, the virgin, Cecilia, sang in her heart continually, as an outpouring of love to God, Her Divine Spouse.

Today, even though there are some of us who may never have played a musical instrument we can be just like St. Cecilia and do everything for the love of God and in this way, when we enter the gates of heaven, we will sing with the choir of angels forever.

 

Christ the King

 

This weekend is the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe. Jesus is king of heaven and earth. When we pray the Lord’s prayer, we pray that His kingdom come as it is in heaven. Jesus wants to rule over our hearts, our families, our lives, our parish, our nation and the whole world.

In this time of history, mankind is turning away for Jesus. Instead of allowing God to rule over us, mankind wants to rule over himself. We are created in the image and likeness of God. But today, man thinks we are created in the image and likeness of man. Man has chosen to be the center of the universe. Mankind turns to man or to the government or to science to solve all his problems and so what is happening man is glorifying himself.

We create babies in a test tube. We think we are the master of life and so we choose to kill unwanted unborn babies. If we don’t want to live anymore, we choose euthanasia. If we don’t like if we are a man, we become a woman, or a woman thinks she can become a man through transgender surgery. Parents want to choose the gender of their unborn child using ethical means. We think we can define what marriage is-- but God is the author of marriage between a man and woman. Not between 2 men or between 2 women. All of this is mankind’s rejection of God and making man as though he was a god. That he can choose his own morality and choose his own sex or define marriage and choose his own children or reject his children for the sake of economics for career purposes. By doing all this we reject God as our Lord and ruler over our life. But we have to remember God is God and we are not.

A few years ago Halstead won the state basketball championship. I was the pastor of Sacred Heart in Halstead. As the season started, due to the persuasion of a Catholic mother, whose son was a player, and altar server, the whole team mostly non-Catholics, came to the church with their non-Catholic coach and we consecrated the team to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A year later, that same boy, whose mother persuaded the team to consecrate the team to the Heart of Jesus made the winning championship shot. But after the game he was missing. The family could not find where he went. Finally, he came home and his parents asked him where he had been. He said after the game he immediately went to church to thank Jesus in the tabernacle for their winning season and allowing him to make the winning basket at the game. He said Jesus deserves the credit. This is a remarkable illustration of how the team placed God first and the Lord rewarded them with winning the championship. What most people did not know is that at the beginning of the first year half of the players, mostly the star players quit, because they didn’t like their new coach. Everyone thought the team would never win any games. But the remaining boys trusted the Lord by handing the team over to Jesus and they were rewarded.

Here is another example. Let me ask you some questions. When you get covid, who do you go to first, your doctor. When you have a tooth ache, who do you go to first? A dentist. If you have martial problems, who do you go to first? A marriage counselor. When you need money who do you go to first? The banker.

But these are not the correct answers to all these questions. This is proof, mankind has rejected the need for God and does not allow the Lord to rule over us. Rather in all these cases we should go to God first, then we go to the doctor, the dentist, the banker, or the marriage counselor. All of these people are gifts from God: the doctor, the dentist, the banker, the marriage counselor, but God wants us to come to Him first. So who should we first go to--when we need anything? God!

If we are sick we should first ask God to heal us and then ask God to help the doctor to heal us.

When I did hospital ministry over the last four years, I would always ask patients to pray to God for healing. Some said they didn’t think they should pray to God to be healed because they thought it was selfish to pray for one self. But they didn’t have a problem going to a doctor and asking the doctor for help.

Since 1995 I have had lactose intolerance. My colon was damaged due to a reaction to an antibiotic eventually taken off the market. I went to many doctors, but to no avail. That is until 2 years ago, I decided to do what I told patients to do, to pray to God for healing. Not once in 25 yrs. did I ever ask God to heal my colon. But in Feb. of 2020, I prayed and God healed my colon. Now I can eat cheese or drink milk with no problem. Praise God! Thank you Jesus for healing me! Just think it took me 25 years to ask God to heal me. I had not allowed Him to be the Lord of my life and my health.

God wants to lavish His gifts on us and to use those gifts for His glory and honor and for the good of our neighbor. I encourage you to turn to God for everything and realize everything you have is a gift from God. And how will you use those gifts. Will you share them?

How can you and your family allow Jesus to be king of your family, home, life and health? Ask a priest to come to your house and bless it. Consecrate your family to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Pray together as a family everyday. It takes less than 5 min. Do it every day before going to bed. Put a Bible in a prominent place, perhaps near a statue of Mary with a Rosary on the table and that is where you will gather as a family to pray. Start by reading a short passage from the life of Jesus, then each person will say what they want to pray for, or what they are thankful for, then pray one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be. That’s all there is to it. But its powerful. As time goes on add a decade of the Rosary and then eventually do a daily Rosary together.

At the end of Mass everyone will receive a free New Testament bible. This is my gift to you. Our Lady wants us to daily read the bible, but we each need a bible to read. Everyone who can read should read a short bible story about Jesus every day. You will come to know Him better and you will love Him more.

Today allow Jesus to be the King and Lord of your life, your family, your heart, your health. Place God first and everything will be given to you. God will lavish His gifts upon you, so you can share your gifts with others.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, king of heaven and earth, I have failed to allow you to be king of my heart, my family and my life. But today, I hand everything over to you-- the championship game, money, health, my job, my marriage, my life. I want you to be the King and center of everything, help me to always first come to you no matter my needs and I ask Mary, the Queen of heaven and earth to grant me the grace to be faithful to you forever. Amen.