Thursday, August 28, 2014

"Get behind me, Satan!"


This Sunday's Gospel, August 31, 2014 (22A), from Matthew presents us with the first prediction of Jesus' passion. It serves as a corrective to an understanding of Jesus' messiahship as solely one of glory and triumph. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

From "Rock" to Scandalon

Last week we heard in our Gospel reading about Peter’s spontaneous profession of faith, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” This was followed by Christ’s great mandate to Peter and his successors, “Upon this rock I will build my Church.” And yet here we are with the immediately following text where Jesus calls Peter a stumbling block and says, “Get behind me Satan” What has happened?

Fr. James Gilhooley points up a forgotten Christian truth. We enter here the strange world of denial. We are being reminded that each time the Nazarene savored a win, He immediately realizes that He would soon be given a bill for that victory. It is quite clear, Fr. John Foley, S. J. explains, that Jesus’ emotional state has changed. Our Lord is obviously dreading the suffering and death he tells them He will soon have to face. Second, the good father adds, Jesus had been gradually schooling the disciples about who he really is. Not just a great teacher or magnetic preacher or good friend, but the complete revelation of divine love.

Discerning God's will

Peter gives voice to the bewilderment and dismay of the other apostles to Jesus' announcement of imminent suffering and death. "This cannot be, Lord! " Such a reaction, Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB highlights, portrays Peter's and our own inability to understand the mystery of God at work in Jesus, and in our lives. Peter and the others are confronted with the harsh reality of God's designs, completely unacceptable from the standpoint of human logic. What Matthew is telling us, explains Fr. Alex McAllister SDS, is that we have to tread very carefully so as not to become the very opposite of what we are meant to represent.

University student Rachel Dratnol notes that God has a plan for us, as He had a plan for His Son—plans that are sometimes incredible. Jesus chose God’s plan to die for us and our sins so that we might join Him in heaven. Authentic faith, according to Father Cusick, enables us to desire above all to see ourselves honestly, in the way that God sees us, to repent of our sins and then to live according to our need for God.

Following Jesus

No sooner does Jesus make it clear that the cross is the center of His life then He says to His disciples that, if they wish to follow Him, they, too, must embrace the cross. Fr. John J. Ludvik notes how the disciples had to decide all over again: “Is this really what you want? Are you willing to pay the price of discipleship?”

Fr. Orlando Sapuay. M.S. says this was meant not just for those first apostles, many of whom would indeed die for their faith. It is meant for any of us who would call ourselves His disciples. Our real cross involves not what we know in advance, but the unexpected. Fr. Phil Bloom tells us that only by embracing the cross can we enter the joy Jesus has prepared for us. But we must also avoid a false understanding of the meaning of the cross. Demetrius R. Dumm, O.S.B. says it does not mean that suffering is good in itself but rather that the suffering that comes from loving is ultimately victorious and thus leads to a happiness that goes far beyond our wildest dreams.

Our following of Christ will inevitably lead to the Cross. And, as Fr. Ron Rolheiser reminds us, it is how we regard the Cross that will determine our response to it. We will then face the moment of truth; which we hope, with God’s help, will be the moment of our salvation.

The Youth and the Church


The Catholic Church—at least in the West—is passing through a dark period, largely of its own making. But has the Catholic Church lost the future? Rev. Robert Barron says the mainstream media wants you to think so. But any of those who experienced World Youth Day first hand would say, “Don’t you believe it.

And anyone interested in the question of how to minister to young Catholics might want to set aside – just for a few minutes – all the expert advice you've bought and paid for over the years. Instead, Amy Welborn explains, they should watch and listen to what Pope Benedict said at World Youth Day three years ago during his time with these millions of young people. No charge for his wonderful must-read 5-point guide to youth ministry.

What is Hell and How Do I Get There?


The people at "From Aquinas and More" came up with this great piece. They say Hell is a logical necessity that arises from the choices you make on earth. You can choose to follow God or you can choose to reject God. In other words, you can take the trail to Hell with both eyes open. They offer a guide that will help you find the path to those pearly gates of Hell. Once inside, they added, you can make it your own adventure. And to offset the previous piece on getting into Hell, Taylor Marshall offers some great spiritual advice from a doctor of the Catholic Church. It's the five paths to repentance. It succinct and easily applicable. Please take a minute and read what St John Chrysostom has to say about it.

There is a disposition all too common among American Catholics: church isn’t a place for thinking. “Why should I take a class in Catholicism and read a lot of books? I believe in God. I pray. I go to church.” Randall Smith gathers that if you have a Ph.D. in law, economics, or science, but have nothing more than a third-grader's understanding of your faith, which do you suppose is going to dominate your life? He says a faith that isn’t growing is a faith in the process of dying.

So what do you say to those who challenge you like this, “How can you be a Catholic? That church is just a bunch of hypocrites and pedophiles.” Judith Costello says tell them what is profoundly true and awe-inspiring - our Church perseveres. We don’t go to church because we are people who never sin. Instead, we come before the only One deserving of worship to beg His forgiveness. We go to church for guidance from His words and through His sacraments.

Which brings us to Russell Shaw's two simple steps any lay person should be doing for new evangelization. The first is to be exemplary in living out the faith with courage and conviction — not just on Sunday but every day of the week. The second is to study the faith to be able to explain it intelligently and defend it when it’s attacked. While Msgr. Charles Pope on the other hand offers a meditation on the majesty of Mystery. He says mystery in the Christian understanding is not something to get to the bottom of. Rather, mysteries are something to appreciate, something to reverence, something to humbly accept as real. So, don’t just try and solve mysteries, he advises, live them!

Who You Are or What You Are?

Which of the two is more important to you? That's the challenge posed by Paul Dion, STL this week. He opens by offering his observation that nature doesn't present perfect symmetry as beauty. We're all about the same on the outside. It's on the inside that we differ. It's from the inside out that we define ourselves. It's in "winning and losing," it's in how we suffer and how we survive from what we have suffered that we define ourselves. And then he follows up with more comments about life and some of the lessons that God teaches us through it. He says winning isn't all it's cracked up to be. And that's just for starters. Check out this two-fer this week.

Finally as the summer season peaks, we bring you back a n articles about Bishop Paul D. Etienne of the Diocese of Cheyenne who discusses the Importance of Leisure. He reminds us that we are to remember always our relationship with God is at the heart of our wholeness as human beings. If all we do is “work,” even if that work is for God, we can easily lose our way.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. A blessed and happy new week to all.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: What do you think is the Worst Sin?
FEATURED BLOG: Pope Benedict's Guide to Youth Ministry
PASTORAL HISPANA: La cruz es la insignia del cristiano

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Thursday, August 21, 2014

"Upon this rock I will build my church."


This Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014 (21A), we consider a Gospel text that is crucial to the Church’s understanding of itself. The words of Jesus addressed to Peter, “You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church." Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

"But who do you say that I am?"

This Sunday's gospel story places Jesus in Caesarea Philippi and the disciples are just back from their mission of preaching. Jesus asks them who the people think he is. He is measuring the faith-status in the regions around him. The disciples laugh boyishly, and give the answers they have heard, and obviously they regard such guesses as absurd.

All of us at some stage must come to ourn own Caesarea Philippi. Just as he challenged the disciples, to each of us who are baptized Jesus leans over and whispers, "But YOU...who do YOU say I am?" Fr. James Gilhooley tells us that it is the one question that will never go away. Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. explains that the question asked of Peter is an invitation to receive the on-going self-revelation of God through a personal experience of the person of Jesus. Where are the Caesarea Philippi places in our lives where we have been challenged to identify Christ for whom he really is for me, for the Church and for the world?

On previous Sundays we saw Jesus many curing people. In each case He tells them, “Your faith has saved you.” This Sunday’s Gospel explains that it is in fact their faith that has saved them. The cures are love being given and love being received. Fr. John Foley, S. J. affrims that the name of that openness to God’s love on the part of the people is “faith.”

“To loose and to bind”

The phrase, “to loose and to bind” was a common Jewish phrase in Jesus’ day. The rabbis of the day had that power to “loose and bind.” To “loose and to bind” was to allow and forbid, to declare something allowed and to declare something forbidden.

Jesus identifies Simon Peter as the Rock upon which his church will be built so that Peter's binding and loosing on earth simultaneously binds and looses in heaven. Peter and his successors, the Vicars of Christ on earth, have alone been given the authority that so many claim for themselves today. The Church with its visible structure of authority through Christ's power, explains Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B., is an extension of Christ as the sacrament of His presence in history.

Fr. John J. Ludvik explains that in the kingdom of God there are two keys: the key of forgiveness and the key of withholding forgiveness. Those keys are not the same but both are important to use. Similarly, Fr. Phil Bloom adds that we need two keys for salvation: the golden key of God's forgiveness won by Christ and the silver key of repentance which includes sorrow for sin, confession, satisfaction and absolution.

Keys were given to Peter. Jesus gave him these keys. Fr Joseph Pellegrino points out that the Church opens the gates of eternity to all people of good will. We are the Church. We are the Body of the Christ. We are Catholic.

Peter the Rock

Matthew is the only evangelist to use the word "church" (Greek ekklesia) here in Verse 17. In fact, Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB tells us, the word is used twice in Sunday's Gospel text. Jesus' church means the community that he will gather and that, like a building, will have Peter as its solid foundation. So yes, the Papacy is quintessentially Catholic, but that’s because it is thoroughly biblical. We should be proud of the Papacy and recognize that it is one of Christ’s great gifts to the Church.

But also we should also not be surprised that there are some difficulties on this great pilgrimage of faith that the People of God is engaged in. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio isolates one of the most difficult things to swallow about Catholic teaching: the dogma of papal infallibility. Jesus, in making Simon “Peter,” made sure that the jaws of death wouldn’t in fact prevail over the Church. And despite 2000 years of persecution from without and enemies from within, they haven’t.

From St. Peter to today, the man we reverently call the "Holy Father" humbly wears the mantle that Christ himself has placed on his shoulders, as our teacher in matters of faith and morals. His power is not based on wealth or weapons because, according to Fr. Alex McAllister SDS, the authority that they wield is not of the worldly kind. Jesus Christ and His Church, and the man who is his representative on earth, are not what we make of them. Father Cusick says they are and always will be precisely what Christ has taught in today's Gospel: the irrevocable, unchangeable creation of God and essential for the man or woman who claims the title "Christian."

So we are proud of the Papacy, glad to be Catholic, and inspired to be faithful to Christ and His Church.

Marriage, Family, Faith and Immigrants

For fatherhood in America, Colleen Carroll Campbell says these are the best of times and the worst of times. Today’s fathers are more active in their children’s daily lives to a degree not seen in nearly half a century. But alongside this rising level of involvement among live-in fathers is a rise in absent fathers. Matthew Warner adds the warning that kids today are not getting taught a very important lesson in life. At least not many of the kids here in the United States. Their school teachers, youth ministers, pastors, coaches and, most especially, their parents are dropping the ball on this one. Find out what she means.

It's an imperfect world filled with imperfect parent, imperfect familes, imperfect people. Simcha Fisher emhasizes to us however that despite this, marriage isn't really just for perfect people. She is quick to point out that she does know many happily married, perfectly matched couples who have been married for decades—but who were kind of a mess when they first said Yes.

And it's a changing world, populated by immigrants. America, from its beginnings, has been a nation of faith and a nation of immigrants. Its laws and institutions depend not on where her people came from, explains Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, but, on what they are willing to sacrifice to keep the experiment alive.

Prayer, Angels & Finding God


In "Praying as a Christian," Fr. Scott Hurd suggests that when we pray, we need to present ourselves as part of the answer. In the words of St. Augustine, “Pray as if everything depends on God, and act as if everything depends on you.” While Jennifer Fulwiller reports that she has received a lot of feedback in response to her post called Finding God in 5 Steps. But a reader reminds her that she's missing a step, one that is perhaps the most important: First, you must be willing to lose lose it all. And Finally, Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university, answers this question: During the celebration of the Mass, where, who or what is the center of focus? Is it the altar or the tabernacle or the celebrant?

Let's talk about angels. They really exist. Not just in our minds, or our myths, or our symbols, or our culture. They are as real as your dog, or your sister, or electricity. Dr. Peter Kreeft explains the twelve most important things to know about angels.

And as we close this week's issue, let's talk about money. J.D. Roth explains that one of the best ways to improve your personal economy is to increase your income. Yes, frugality is an important part of personal finance; cutting costs will help your dollars last longer. But there’s only so much you can trim from your budget. Eventually you’ll have to look for other ways to make ends meet. He tells us in "How to Boost Your Income."

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. A blessed and happy new week to all.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: How does the Pope influence your personal life?
FEATURED BLOG: World Youth Day and Religious Freedom
PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus nos revela su identidad

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

"O woman, great is your faith!"



In this Sunday’s Gospel (20A) for August 17, 2014, Jesus heals the daughter of the Canaanite woman because her faith was so great.  He also rebuked the disciples because their faith was too little. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

These readings fare among the most difficult passages in the Bible. St. Paul seems to be talking in circles when he talks to the Romans. In the Gospel, Jesus appears to be cold, even callous to the woman crying out for help. We need to spend some time trying to understand these readings so we can profit from the Church's message to us today.

Who is in and who is out

In our liturgy for Sunday we consider the tension in the early Church between the Jews, the Chosen People, and the Gentiles. Fr. James Gilhooley notes that this story perhaps contain the toughest language used by Jesus in the Gospels. He tells the woman His mission is to the Jews. It cannot be shared with dogs - which is how Jews regarded Canaanites.

Arguments about who is in and who is out are just as relevant today as they were back then. Our Burning Question this week captures the flavor of the story for those of us in today's Church: Do you think non-Catholics go to heaven?

Fr. Alex McAllister SDS reminds us that we Catholics risk falling into a similar trap as the Jews of Jesus' day. We know that we possess the fullness of the truth of the Gospel in the doctrines and traditions of the Church. In this we are greatly privileged; but that does not mean that it is any easier for an individual Catholic to gain entry to the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus Christ will not exclude anyone from God's love and mercy. But, Fr. Joseph Pellegrino warns, those who think they have a right to focus their infantile insecurities into hatred of others have themselves excluded Christ from their own lives.

Deep vs. Superficial Faith

The story of this nameless pagan woman would forever be told by Christians as an example of persistence. We see a woman determined not to let her one chance of healing for her daughter pass her by. Motivated by love, she would not let Jesus ignore her or tell her, “No.” Her persistence pays off as she secures the word from Jesus that her daughter would indeed be healed.

Fr. John J. Ludvik says the lesson we learn is that whatever is of enduring value is not achieved without a struggle. Whether it is our personal struggle for holiness or our communal pursuit of justice, we will face justice, we will face setbacks. But, Fr. John Foley, S. J. explains, Christ’s Holy Spirit will always smile within you and me when we ask for what we need. We should let nothing stand in the way of His grace - not our own origins, not our status in life, not our sins, and maybe not even our rejection by others. It will take a determined commitment to our ideals for them to be realized and the humility to understand that much will be left undone in our lifetime and passed on to another generation of believers.

Many people think faith is belief that. Belief that God exists, or that Jesus is the Messiah. This woman certainly has this kind of belief. Yet, Marcellino D'Ambrosio explains, faith is more than belief that. It is belief in. To believe in someone is to trust him, to entrust something of value to him, even to entrust ones very self to him. Here, the woman is entrusting the destiny of her daughter to the man who stands before her. Fr. Phil Bloom says the Canaanite woman demonstrates the difference between profound and superficial faith. The difference can be seen today in a Catholic's approach to marital fecundity. It is similar between someone who calls himself "Catholic" and the one who is living and breathing his faith.

Caring for People

Jesus was poised to rest, but His delight was to care for people God had sent to Him no matter what he was doing. Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. notes Jesus' clear affirmation of the woman's faith and an announcement that her daughter suffering from severe demonic oppression would be fine.

Fr. Ron Rolheiser we might all take a lesson in catholicity and good pastoral theology from this incident in the gospel. Who knows what will happen to us when we open ourselves up to God and allow his Word to work within us? Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB tells us that we will meet strangers and outsiders who interrupt our lives, stop us in our tracks, and force us to ask deeper questions. And we may end up, like Jesus, praising the still greater faith in strangers and outsiders.

Marriage, Teens & Prayer


We go on to another one of the hottest social issues today - Marriage. Steven Crowder defies the norm and declares that marriage is really a beautiful thing. He says when it comes to marriage, we’ve all been lied to. Far from the miserable, broke, sexless life that it’s made out to be, the life of today’s married man is more fulfilling than any lonely, self-pleasing, single guy could hope for. While Jennifer Fulwiler responds to the environmental left's assertion that Catholicism is bad for the planet because it encourages people to have too many kids. As a religion, they say the Church's carbon footprint is too big. People are worth the resources they use, she asserts.

Fr.  Robert Barron laments the fact our wider society tells teen-agers that they can behave in any way they like and still be “good people,” but the consciences of these young people are telling a different story. Deep down, they know that selfish and irresponsible behavior is turning them into selfish and irresponsible people—and their souls are crying out.

Msgr. Charles Pope reminds us to pray for them, as well as all those other folks we presonally pray for. We may despair at times that our prayers are making any difference. But we shouldn’t give up. As a priest, he has received people who have been away from God for years - even decades - who are now requesting confession and a return to the Church. It's the same encouragement we get from New York's Archbishop Timothy Dolan. He says what the regular visit to the dietician does for our physical health, a regular visit to the sacrament of penance does for our spiritual well-being. The sacrament reminds us that the life of discipleship is a lifelong journey, with valleys and peaks.

Finally, here's a prayer that Bishop Chris Coyne "mined" on the Internet and then tweaked to make a bit more Catholic. For the many among us who are severely affected by the pressing economic times we collectively face as a nation, here is his "Prayer in Time of Economic Trouble."

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. A blessed and happy new week to all.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Can non-Catholics go to heaven?
FEATURED BLOG: Modesty Helps Women Be Friends
PASTORAL HISPANA: Un corazon misionero edifica la Iglesia

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Friday, August 8, 2014

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"


In Sunday's Gospel passage for August 10, 2014, while his disciples depart in a boat, Jesus goes up on a mountain by himself to pray. When a storm arises during the night, Jesus comes toward the boat walking on the water. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study sessions with family, friends and church groups.

Where is God?

Life as an Apostle of Jesus was certainly very eventful even dangerous. One minute John the Baptist is executed, right after that they are feeding the five thousand and before much longer Jesus hustles them into the boat and they find themselves alone out on the lake in a very rough sea.

Jesus was not with them. It's the same feeling we have experienced many times when we're drowning in our own problems. Where is God? Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB tells us to never forget this fact: We are on the waters with Jesus. He is in the boat with us, during the night and during the storms. The Lord does not abandon those who come seeking his mercy and his forgiveness. He walks upon the waters. He calms the storm.

The truth is that we find God not so much in great events but in stillness and silence. Fr. Alex McAllister SDS says every Christian must find room in his or her life for silence. But as Fr. Ron Rolheiser points out, not everyone gets so quick and clear an answer in prayer. And this is because sometimes, Fr. Joseph Pellegrino tells us, we look for the Lord with pre-conceived notions of how He should appear. Perhaps the problem is that we are deciding how God should be present instead of opening ourselves to however He is manifesting Himself.

The simple message of Sunday's Readings is that God is present for each of us. He speaks to each of us. We just need to do a better job listening to Him.

"O you of little faith, why did you doubt"


The Lord invites us to see his glory in a powerful way, but we hesitate and balk before this invitation. Our Saviour told us an astounding seventeen times in the Gospels not to be afraid. This Sunday, however, Fr. James Gilhooley tells us to notice that Jesus was not advising us. He is commanding us.

Fr. Campion P. Gavaler, O.S.B. reminds us that as Christians we are not meant to be helpless victims when storms threaten to destroy us. The disciples, led by Peter, faltered because their faith was weak. As He walked across the wild waters, Jesus spoke the spine-chilling line, "Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid." Father Cusick singles out the mystery of this story. Our faith is a gift from God, but at the same time, our faith is a cooperation with God. We freely choose to believe. And we can also choose to doubt and fall into fear as did Peter.

“Faith is only real where there is obedience.”


Fr. Orlando Sapuay, M.S. says that realization must hurt a little. That is a little demanding of God, don’t you think?  Surely there is a way we can have faith in God and not have to obey him all the time. Can we not simply believe and that be good enough for God?

Not quite, adds Fr. John J. Ludvik. Trust is crucial for our discipleship and stewardship. Those who trust God use the same approach with their time and their talent. They have faith that they will receive what they need, so they are not afraid to share. The youth on the other hand, explains Fr. Phil Bloom, are tasked with two things: Discernment - what is God's plan for my life? And Confession - asking His help to order one's life, to climb God's mountain.

Of course God is always thrilled when we say "yes." Dr. Lilles says this is because our "yes" makes space for God's power to be manifest. Such space affords the world a glimpse, a foretaste of the final consummation of all things in Him. Trust, therefore, is not a sheer act of the will, not simply a blind decision. Fr. John Foley, S. J. says Trust is a quiet re-emergence of God’s faithful love.

Evangelization and Witnessing for Christ

When we think of evangelization there is a danger that we think first of biggie-wow projects, committees, and Church-wide efforts. Surely these are needed. But Msgr. Charles Pope reminds us to not miss the little and daily ways in our personal lives that evangelization must first take place. Eric Sammons explores one such place where Evangelization can be challenging - the workplace. He explains how one can navigate the minefields of living out your Catholic faith on the job.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Denver offers more insight by saying this week that true reform of the Church requires deep faith and repentance from all members of the faith, including clergy, religious and laity alike. While Matthew Hennessey brings this faith story home with his story about  the night they learned about their unborn daughter’s Down syndrome diagnosis. He said it was such a powerful moment that he believes he became prolife right then and there.

Toddlers, Mass & Adoration

In case you haven’t noticed, the traditional practice of Eucharistic Adoration is making a comeback. But just what do you do when praying before the Blessed Sacrament? Marcellino D'Ambrosio points out what not to do. He says there are two extremes to avoid. And he explains both of them in detail.

Stacy Trasancos has always been conflicted about bringing unruly toddlers to Mass. But fellow parishioners always reassure her that children are welcome, necessary even. Now that she's watched their babies grow with the Sacraments, she understands why it is necessary to persevere even when you spend most of the time outside breaking a sweat pacing to avoid a meltdown, of both parent and child.

Cheryl Dickow tackles the collection basket. Sure, it is about money and tithing, but money is only the beginning. Cheryl says that collection basket is a chance to empty yourself so that your gifts may be joined to those of Christ’s at the altar and used for God’s kingdom. Make a point to put in your joy. Share your praise and awe of the mighty God we serve. And put in your sorrow, grief or despair, as well.

When Life Seems Out Of Control


Did you suffer a loss recently? A job? A relationship? Material things stolen from you? Bo Sanchez has a message for you today: Believe that every storm will end. And after the storm, a new morning begins. In a separate piece, he also points out that "Failure Isn’t God’s Rejection But God’s Redirection."

College student Anusia Dickow admits that she cannot handle the storms of life on her own. So like Peter in Gospel story, she calls out for the Lord to save her. This, explains Msgr. Frank Wissel, is what faith in God means - accepting our human limitations and trusting God to manage the rest.

While Fr. Christopher Jamison OSB points out the real secret of true happiness - a happy death! He says it is better to plan a happy death rather than trying to feel good all the time. Yet the phrase “a happy death” is for most people today a contradiction in terms. But for the Church, it is the most desirable conclusion to a good life.

MLB, Faith and Organized People

Jack McKeon’s baseball days begin in a pew. Three years ago at 8 on Tuesday morning, the Florida Marlins’ manager attended Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, less than 12 hours after his team beat the Mets on a 10th-inning grand slam. Such games are testament to his faith in the saint he prays to every game during the national anthem. His is " A Career Sustained by Unwavering Faith."

Renae Reinardy is a psychologist who specializes in hoarding disorders. She offers a must-read list: 10 habits of highly organized people. If you, like most of us, are hopeless packrats, then you need to check out this list.

If your parish website is not yet mobile-friendly, we can help. Click here for more information:   http://mobile.parishworld.net

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. A blessed and happy new week to all.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Better to be a lukewarm Catholic? Or an on-fire Protestant?
FEATURED BLOG: What to do at Adoration?
PASTORAL HISPANA: Dios es mas cercano de lo que nos imaginamos

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