Finals

I know I haven't posted anything on here for a while and I do apologize but I've been pretty busy. I'll be graduating in about two weeks and that means that I have a lot of studying to do and a couple papers that I have to write. Basically the same thing I've been doing the past two weeks but now it's really crunch time. If I have time I'll post a few things but right now I need to devote myself to school. Please keep me in your prayers, God bless.

Prayer Requests

Please feel free to add any of your own in the comments.

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, in thy mercies and loving-kindness thou regardest the humble prayers of all who call upon thee with their whole heart; incline thine ear and hear now our prayers, offered to thee in humility:

• For the continued health and safety of Pope Benedict XVI. Continue to guide him as he leads Your Church; strengthen him in these times of increased criticism and hostility.

• For Your Church and its leaders, that they have the courage to uphold the Truth and bear witness to your Son, Jesus Christ.
  

• For the souls in Purgatory

• For all unborn children

• For an end to the culture of death and a renewed respect for all life, from conception to natural death.

• For our President, Barack Obama, that he be open to, and guided by, truth and love.

Divine Mercy Novena

I know this is late but hopefully you all started praying the Divine Mercy Novena which started Good Friday and ends this Sunday (Divine Mercy Sunday). Here is a link from EWTN with the special prayers for each day.
On Good Friday my family was praying the novena and my five year old nephew/godson Caleb led the first decade. If you think about it, saying "For the sake of his sorrowful passion" is a bit of a tongue twister, so I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised with Caleb's rendition: "For the sake of a powerful assassin"!! That's gotta be one of the best lines I've ever heard...

Simon of Cyrene

And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus. (Luke 23:26)

As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. (Matthew 27:32)

And they compelled a passer-by, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross. (Mark 15:21)

Have you ever really contemplated the experience of St. Simon of Cyrene? Remember Christ's words: "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Simon not only took up his cross but the cross of Christ. Imagine that!! It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about what Simon must have been feeling. I posted the Ray Boltz song "Thank You" a little while ago and the only song that might compare with it in beauty and emotion is his song "Watch the Lamb." It is especially moving to watch during Holy Week. Enjoy.

Life is Beautiful

The other night I had the great pleasure of watching an excellent move - Life is Beautiful. Many of you have probably heard of this movie (I think am the only person who hadn't).

"An unforgettable fable that proves love, family and imagination conquer all."
Set in 1930s Italy, the movie centers around an unforgettable character named Guido who has a wonderful sense of humour and love of life. With the help of his humour and spontaneity Guido marries the love of his life and begins a family. Their beautiful life together is interrupted by the occupation of Italy by Nazi Germany. Guido and his wife and son are all taken to a work camp where he must use his sense of humour to occupy his son and keep his hopes alive.

If you have not seen this movie...go see it. A good friend of mine told me that this was John Paul II's favorite movie; if that isn't reason enough to see it then I don't know what is.

More on Notre Dame

Hopefully you've been following (and praying for) this whole mess about President Obama giving the commencement speech at Notre Dame. I believe that this is a pivotal moment for the Church in America. Think about it, America's preeminent Catholic school has not only invited the most pro-choice president in history but are also going to award him an honorary degree!
After reading an article about Cardinal George and his reaction to this problem, I happened to glance at the comments that readers left. Most of them were not from Catholics but I noticed a trend among them. They seemed to be shocked that a President that Catholics got elected is now being criticized by (apparently) those same Catholics for speaking at Notre Dame. It seems a little hypocritical to them. The problem is that Catholics elected Obama, not the Catholic Church. There are among every denomination, most certainly Catholicism included, people who carry the label of their church without adhering to all of its beliefs. Though it is sad, there are many Catholics who simply do not represent the teachings of the Church. Catholics who support abortion obviously do not reflect the Church's teaching. Again, the problem here is this confusion between the people and the Church itself.

Speaking of full membership in the Church, Pius XII, in his Encyclical on the Mystical Body, said it is the society of those who have been baptized, and who profess the faith of Christ, and who are governed by their bishops under the visible head, the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.

Yes, as Catholics we are members of Christ's Mystical Body, but we are directed by Christ, who is the head. The people do not make the rules, though we are required to follow them. In almost every argument I've had with Protestant friends their main problem with Catholicism is not with what the Church actually believes or teaches but with mistake its members have made.
This is why we have to recover our Catholic Identity. How can the world take us seriously when we are as divided as the 40,000 Protestant denominations?