As Catholics we are used to great feast days, many in honor of Apostles or great events in the church, celebrations honoring Mary, etc. Today the church celebrated the Feast of the Dedication of Saint John Lateran Basilica. What does this mean?
First, St. John Lateran Basilica is considered the mother church of all Christianity. Built for another purpose, it was gifted to the Church in the 4th century and erected as a church in 324 by Emperor Constantine. Despite what many people believe, it is St. John Lateran Basilica that is the official church of the diocese of Rome. When the Pope functions as Bishop of Rome, this is his cathedral parish.
This feast day dates back to the 12th century. Originally a local feast day, it was extended to the church universal as a sign of devotion to and unity with the Chair of Peter.
An interesting side note is that St. John Lateran Basilica is outside the borders of Vatican City and is part of Rome. By special agreement, it enjoys Vatican City status so it can in fact retain it's posture as the cathedral church.
Catholics should celebrate this feast with joy both because St. John Lateran points to our universal (catholic) mission and because it serves as our reminder that we are indeed true and living temples of God!
Happy Feast Day!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Weird things are happening here...
In keeping with my two halves of the year routine, with October-March my favorite, this October-November has been weird. First of all, our normally dry October was mega wet and we had more hot and humid days than we did in September. Yes, we did have some nice weather too, but we had to take the good with the bad.
Now we enter November and it started off just great. Then late last week came talk of a hurricane that might drift generally our way. Now tonight, parts of the area where I live are under a hurricane watch. This as we are getting ready for Thanksgiving? Of course the new forecasts are favorable for us; less so for our neighbors to the east. Yet in this post Katrina New Orleans area, any storm in the gulf is enough to tweek the nerves. And our news media has responded with it's usual hysteria. They are breaking into football games and programs to tell us that there is a nice breeze in Grand Isle and the flag on top the dome is flapping. Gee weez. I'm very glad we won't have any tough hit, but just give us the facts. In any case; I hope we fare well and our neighbors in Alabama, Florida do well too.
And if the above is not weird enough, what about the New Orleans Saints! This has been very exciting for us, especially those of us that remember the horrible Saints of old. But like the sign today in the Dome said: this ain't your grandma's Saints anymore. The Saints, in case you've been hiding under a rock, are 8-0 and playing exciting football. They have scored over 300 points in just 8 games; wow! This kind of gives the entire area a sense of pride and excitement that maybe this is THE year. I encourage all my friends to dismiss silly talk. Let's enjoy the Saints one game at a time.
Ministry will be exciting this week. I return to the prison, meet with some couples and spend some time with my local Knights of Columbus. For the church, we have a stellar week ahead of special feasts and memorials. Tommorrow is the Feast of the Dedication of the Saint John Lateran Basilica. I may post more on this tommorrow. Tuesday is the memorial of Pope Leo the Great, Wednesday the memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Thursday the memorial of St. Josaphat and Friday we remember Mother Cabrini, a local favorite in New Orleans.
Oh yea, I'm off Wednesday. Remarkably, my employer does have a heart for our Veterans. In light of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afganistan and last week's events at Ft. Hood, we should really remember our veterans, pray for them and honor their memory. I will go to Mass that day and pray for our veterans and our brave men and women in uniform.
Yes, weird things are happening. Let's get past this Ida storm thing, move forward and celebrate these great days of November.
Now we enter November and it started off just great. Then late last week came talk of a hurricane that might drift generally our way. Now tonight, parts of the area where I live are under a hurricane watch. This as we are getting ready for Thanksgiving? Of course the new forecasts are favorable for us; less so for our neighbors to the east. Yet in this post Katrina New Orleans area, any storm in the gulf is enough to tweek the nerves. And our news media has responded with it's usual hysteria. They are breaking into football games and programs to tell us that there is a nice breeze in Grand Isle and the flag on top the dome is flapping. Gee weez. I'm very glad we won't have any tough hit, but just give us the facts. In any case; I hope we fare well and our neighbors in Alabama, Florida do well too.
And if the above is not weird enough, what about the New Orleans Saints! This has been very exciting for us, especially those of us that remember the horrible Saints of old. But like the sign today in the Dome said: this ain't your grandma's Saints anymore. The Saints, in case you've been hiding under a rock, are 8-0 and playing exciting football. They have scored over 300 points in just 8 games; wow! This kind of gives the entire area a sense of pride and excitement that maybe this is THE year. I encourage all my friends to dismiss silly talk. Let's enjoy the Saints one game at a time.
Ministry will be exciting this week. I return to the prison, meet with some couples and spend some time with my local Knights of Columbus. For the church, we have a stellar week ahead of special feasts and memorials. Tommorrow is the Feast of the Dedication of the Saint John Lateran Basilica. I may post more on this tommorrow. Tuesday is the memorial of Pope Leo the Great, Wednesday the memorial of St. Martin of Tours, Thursday the memorial of St. Josaphat and Friday we remember Mother Cabrini, a local favorite in New Orleans.
Oh yea, I'm off Wednesday. Remarkably, my employer does have a heart for our Veterans. In light of the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afganistan and last week's events at Ft. Hood, we should really remember our veterans, pray for them and honor their memory. I will go to Mass that day and pray for our veterans and our brave men and women in uniform.
Yes, weird things are happening. Let's get past this Ida storm thing, move forward and celebrate these great days of November.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
A Pro-Life Victory
Normally a Saturday night in the fall would find me in front of the TV watching a great college football game. Tonight, I've watched C-Span. And within the past hour, the ammendment known as the Stupak ammnedment passed. This is a huge pro-life victory. Basically, this ammendment keeps current law in effect meaning no additional federal coverage in the new health care bills for abortion. The ammendment also protects providers with conscience clauses.
The ammendment actually is named Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Ammendment and had the overwhelming support of the USCCB and pro-life Catholics across this nation. It passed 240-194 with every Republican voting yes and 64 Democrats voting yes. Those Democrat votes helped make this happen. Unfortunately, 1 Republican voted present; a cop-out and 194 Democrats voted no. I'm afraid there will be many Catholic Democrats in that number.
I'm sure health care with a public option will pass. Many provisions in the health care bill are worthy of support from a Catholic social justice standpoint. But the most important news tonight is that this Pro-life ammendment passed.
As people of faith and goodwill, we must remain vigilant, pray hard and remember that abortion is still the law of the land. We must work to change that but more importantly, change hearts so no one would ever want to kill a beautiful child; a gift from God!
The ammendment actually is named Stupak-Ellsworth-Pitts-Kaptur-Dahlkemper-Lipinski-Smith Ammendment and had the overwhelming support of the USCCB and pro-life Catholics across this nation. It passed 240-194 with every Republican voting yes and 64 Democrats voting yes. Those Democrat votes helped make this happen. Unfortunately, 1 Republican voted present; a cop-out and 194 Democrats voted no. I'm afraid there will be many Catholic Democrats in that number.
I'm sure health care with a public option will pass. Many provisions in the health care bill are worthy of support from a Catholic social justice standpoint. But the most important news tonight is that this Pro-life ammendment passed.
As people of faith and goodwill, we must remain vigilant, pray hard and remember that abortion is still the law of the land. We must work to change that but more importantly, change hearts so no one would ever want to kill a beautiful child; a gift from God!
Homily for 32nd Sunday November 8, 2009
A little boy goes to Mass with his mom and carefully observes as she placed a dollar bill in the collection basket. Leaving Mass, the little boy overhears his mom complaining about the homily and the singing. With the honesty of a child, he interrupts his mom: what did you expect for a buck!
By observing and overhearing the mom in this story, the little boy learns a valuable lesson: many times we expect much but give less!
As people of faith, what do we expect from God? What do we expect from the Church? And, more importantly, what are we willing to give?
In today’s Gospel reading St. Mark continues to teach about the cost of discipleship. This has been a constant theme throughout his Gospel. Notice that just like the little boy observed the words and actions of his mom, Jesus observes carefully the actions of the scribes and the actions of the poor widow. When Jesus contrasts the behavior of the self-important scribes with that of the poor widow he states that she gave more than those who are rich. Without counting the cost, this widow gave her all. This is what disciples are called to do; give their all.
Jesus also teaches about the difference of self worth and importance with humility. Notice how the wealthy and self-important are calling attention to themselves. Not only does the poor widow give her all, she does so with simply humility calling no attention to herself.
Let’s compare the widow in our Gospel reading today to the widow in our 1st reading from the 1st Book of Kings. Concerned about having enough to feed herself and her son, a stranger asks to be fed. Hesitant at first, she trusts, and prepares something for the stranger to eat. And we learn that she was rewarded with food that fed her family for a year. This story depicts the promise of God who will return many times over the generosity of those who give without counting the cost.
These two widows who place their trust in God, who give from their poverty and act with total humility, teach us more about being a disciple than all the so called important people in these same readings. Remember, the widow gave her two small coins. Some have speculated that these coins are less than even the value of a penny we use today. Yet we continue to say her generosity was superior.
We too are asked to give from our poverty; to be generous. What are we called to give that perhaps we hold back? Can we give more time to someone who needs us to listen to them? Can we befriend someone we know has little or no friends? Can we help a family with chores or tasks that may be struggling with illness or unemployment? Can we drop a few more dollars into the poor box? Can we donate more food to our own parish food drive for Thanksgiving or donate time and canned goods to the Covington Food Bank? Can we swing a hammer or sling a paintbrush at a Habitat home?
And yes, can we give more freely, more completely when we pass the basket here at Mass. Do we pay attention to what we give? Do we catch ourselves reducing our first collection contribution when we find out a second collection is coming our way? Remember the widow from our Gospel. She was depositing her two coins in the temple treasury. She made no assumption about where the money goes or no objections about how much she had for herself.
These widows are in many ways an example of Jesus. Without counting the cost, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. He obediently accepted death, even on a cross. He gave his all. He held nothing back. And of course, we know the rest of the story. God provides, God repays and God blesses generosity.
So as we have been enriched by His Word and will soon be fed at His Eucharistic table, let’s ask ourselves: am I generous? Do I give from my surplus or from my poverty? Can I give all? Am I a disciple? Or am I simple willing to get the most from a buck?
By observing and overhearing the mom in this story, the little boy learns a valuable lesson: many times we expect much but give less!
As people of faith, what do we expect from God? What do we expect from the Church? And, more importantly, what are we willing to give?
In today’s Gospel reading St. Mark continues to teach about the cost of discipleship. This has been a constant theme throughout his Gospel. Notice that just like the little boy observed the words and actions of his mom, Jesus observes carefully the actions of the scribes and the actions of the poor widow. When Jesus contrasts the behavior of the self-important scribes with that of the poor widow he states that she gave more than those who are rich. Without counting the cost, this widow gave her all. This is what disciples are called to do; give their all.
Jesus also teaches about the difference of self worth and importance with humility. Notice how the wealthy and self-important are calling attention to themselves. Not only does the poor widow give her all, she does so with simply humility calling no attention to herself.
Let’s compare the widow in our Gospel reading today to the widow in our 1st reading from the 1st Book of Kings. Concerned about having enough to feed herself and her son, a stranger asks to be fed. Hesitant at first, she trusts, and prepares something for the stranger to eat. And we learn that she was rewarded with food that fed her family for a year. This story depicts the promise of God who will return many times over the generosity of those who give without counting the cost.
These two widows who place their trust in God, who give from their poverty and act with total humility, teach us more about being a disciple than all the so called important people in these same readings. Remember, the widow gave her two small coins. Some have speculated that these coins are less than even the value of a penny we use today. Yet we continue to say her generosity was superior.
We too are asked to give from our poverty; to be generous. What are we called to give that perhaps we hold back? Can we give more time to someone who needs us to listen to them? Can we befriend someone we know has little or no friends? Can we help a family with chores or tasks that may be struggling with illness or unemployment? Can we drop a few more dollars into the poor box? Can we donate more food to our own parish food drive for Thanksgiving or donate time and canned goods to the Covington Food Bank? Can we swing a hammer or sling a paintbrush at a Habitat home?
And yes, can we give more freely, more completely when we pass the basket here at Mass. Do we pay attention to what we give? Do we catch ourselves reducing our first collection contribution when we find out a second collection is coming our way? Remember the widow from our Gospel. She was depositing her two coins in the temple treasury. She made no assumption about where the money goes or no objections about how much she had for herself.
These widows are in many ways an example of Jesus. Without counting the cost, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. He obediently accepted death, even on a cross. He gave his all. He held nothing back. And of course, we know the rest of the story. God provides, God repays and God blesses generosity.
So as we have been enriched by His Word and will soon be fed at His Eucharistic table, let’s ask ourselves: am I generous? Do I give from my surplus or from my poverty? Can I give all? Am I a disciple? Or am I simple willing to get the most from a buck?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Blessed Seelos update
Last May I posted a blog about a solid cure of Mary Ellen Heibel attributed to Blessed Fr. Francis Xavier Seelos. Last night our most prominent local TV news outlet ran a feature story on her cure. Because the saintly priest lived his final years in New Orleans and the already approved cure that led to his beatification is that of a local woman, Angela Boudreaux, interest in Seelos here remains strong. The story is listed below. Note that not long after this story was filmed, Mary Ellen died of pneumonia. Remarkably, tests run on her body confirmed that she died without any trace of the cancer she was cured from through Seelos' intercession.
Cancer patient's prayers answered
by Angela Hill / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS – Many might believe Mary Ellen Heibel's whole life had been a medical miracle.
At 21 she had her gallbladder removed. At 47 a kidney transplant. In her 60s, she almost died when her colon exploded and she got sepsis and went into a coma.
Yet with each medical catastrophe she survived, and she says got closer to God.
"I came to the conclusion that if I am going to die, I’m going to die by myself, and I better do something about my religion and praying,” Heibel said.
And she did that as a parishioner at St Mary's Church in Annapolis, built in the 1850s and where a much-loved Redemptorist priest once served as pastor – Father Francis Seelos.
It would be to him that Heibel would pray during her biggest medical challenge.
“I couldn’t swallow my food. My food would get stuck halfway down. I would have to cough it up,” Heibel said.
It was esophageal cancer, and Heibel was almost immediately put in surgery while wearing a relic of Father Seelos around her neck.
“They take part of your stomach out and all of your esophagus out, and they take your stomach -- what’s left of it -- and pull it up out of your throat,” she said.
But the doctors at Walter Reed gave her hope.
“They told me I was cancer free. They told me all the lymph nodes were cancer free, and so I had no more cancer,” Heibel said.
That was January 2003. By the end of the year, things changed.
“I fainted and went back to Walter Reed, and they said get another CAT scan and see what's wrong,” Heibel said.
What they found was one lymph node near the aorta filled with cancer – cancer that would spread within months.
“It spread to my liver, my lungs – two tumors in both lungs, my back and my sternum.”
The doctors at Walter Reed said they could do no more.
“When the doctor told her he couldn’t do anything for her and to go home and die, she wouldn’t give up,” said Father Louis Olive.
Olive, a retired priest at St. Mary's, said Heibel began her own search for a cure, found a new doctor at Johns Hopkins and never stopped praying to Father Seelos.
“He said 'I can't save you, but I can keep you alive if you are willing to stay on this chemotherapy,” said Heibel.
She was willing, and for the next six months she went through tough chemo treatment and then asked her pastor's permission to start a novena to Seelos.
“He said fine, we'll start on Wednesday. That was the end of January, and by February 7th I had a CAT scan,” Heibel said.
Her doctor called and told her all of her tumors were gone.
“‘You are free of cancer.’ And he couldn’t believe it. He said it wasn’t what his chemo did. His chemo did not do that,” Heibel said.
Was it the prayers to Seelos, the novena started with friends, family and fellow parishioners?
“My reaction was, is this really happening? We had prayed so long to Father Seelos, and is this the real thing?” Olive said.
Seelos spent his life helping people most in need. He was beloved for his acceptance and respect for all people. When parishioners knew he was holding confession, they lined up around the church.
How fitting it is that when a statue is built to Seelos, that it isn’t of a man standing, but rather of a priest sitting, as if listening to a parishioner or a person in need.
That was the essence of this man who made an imprint where ever he went. He volunteered to come to New Orleans, knowing the need for priests to help those dying of yellow fever.
“There were people who were physically cured while he was alive through his prayers and through his blessings while he was living, and of course he tried to downplay it because he was an extremely humble man,” said Father Byron Miller. “The fact is it did happen and people gave testimony to that before they died.”
Miller is director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans at St. Mary's Assumption Church, where Seelos lived and died and where his remains are entombed. It’s where people from all over the world come to learn about him and to seek his help.
“There is something very inspiring about him in a day and age when we could use a little inspiration,” Miller said.
For Heibel there is no doubt that the prayers to Seelos healed her. It has been over four years, and every three months she is checked and declared free of cancer.
Now her story helps others. She gets calls from around the world.
“People are so desperate. They really need something, hope,” Heibel said.
Her hope is to one day come to New Orleans.
“I would love to go to the Seelos Center. I hear it is beautiful.”
Heibel will not be coming to the Seelos Center in New Orleans. One week after our interview she died of double pneumonia. There was no cancer in her body.
“We have lost a wonderful friend of the Redemptorist and a great advocate of Father Seelos,” Miller said. “She considered this a ministry to talk about him and his great, powerful powers.”
Prior to her death, Heibel and 10 others, including her doctor from Johns Hopkins, testfied before a tribunal, investigating what she calls her miracle. All of their testimonies are being transcribed and will be sent to the Vatican before Christmas.
The case for what many believe to be the second miracle of Seelos will continue to Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will ultimately decide if this gentle, loving priest should be canonized.
But for those like Mary Ellen Heibel who have been touched by this man, Francis Seelos is already a saint.
For more on the Seelos center in New Orleans and the cause for Fr. Seelos' canonization, visit www.seelos.org
Cancer patient's prayers answered
by Angela Hill / Eyewitness News
NEW ORLEANS – Many might believe Mary Ellen Heibel's whole life had been a medical miracle.
At 21 she had her gallbladder removed. At 47 a kidney transplant. In her 60s, she almost died when her colon exploded and she got sepsis and went into a coma.
Yet with each medical catastrophe she survived, and she says got closer to God.
"I came to the conclusion that if I am going to die, I’m going to die by myself, and I better do something about my religion and praying,” Heibel said.
And she did that as a parishioner at St Mary's Church in Annapolis, built in the 1850s and where a much-loved Redemptorist priest once served as pastor – Father Francis Seelos.
It would be to him that Heibel would pray during her biggest medical challenge.
“I couldn’t swallow my food. My food would get stuck halfway down. I would have to cough it up,” Heibel said.
It was esophageal cancer, and Heibel was almost immediately put in surgery while wearing a relic of Father Seelos around her neck.
“They take part of your stomach out and all of your esophagus out, and they take your stomach -- what’s left of it -- and pull it up out of your throat,” she said.
But the doctors at Walter Reed gave her hope.
“They told me I was cancer free. They told me all the lymph nodes were cancer free, and so I had no more cancer,” Heibel said.
That was January 2003. By the end of the year, things changed.
“I fainted and went back to Walter Reed, and they said get another CAT scan and see what's wrong,” Heibel said.
What they found was one lymph node near the aorta filled with cancer – cancer that would spread within months.
“It spread to my liver, my lungs – two tumors in both lungs, my back and my sternum.”
The doctors at Walter Reed said they could do no more.
“When the doctor told her he couldn’t do anything for her and to go home and die, she wouldn’t give up,” said Father Louis Olive.
Olive, a retired priest at St. Mary's, said Heibel began her own search for a cure, found a new doctor at Johns Hopkins and never stopped praying to Father Seelos.
“He said 'I can't save you, but I can keep you alive if you are willing to stay on this chemotherapy,” said Heibel.
She was willing, and for the next six months she went through tough chemo treatment and then asked her pastor's permission to start a novena to Seelos.
“He said fine, we'll start on Wednesday. That was the end of January, and by February 7th I had a CAT scan,” Heibel said.
Her doctor called and told her all of her tumors were gone.
“‘You are free of cancer.’ And he couldn’t believe it. He said it wasn’t what his chemo did. His chemo did not do that,” Heibel said.
Was it the prayers to Seelos, the novena started with friends, family and fellow parishioners?
“My reaction was, is this really happening? We had prayed so long to Father Seelos, and is this the real thing?” Olive said.
Seelos spent his life helping people most in need. He was beloved for his acceptance and respect for all people. When parishioners knew he was holding confession, they lined up around the church.
How fitting it is that when a statue is built to Seelos, that it isn’t of a man standing, but rather of a priest sitting, as if listening to a parishioner or a person in need.
That was the essence of this man who made an imprint where ever he went. He volunteered to come to New Orleans, knowing the need for priests to help those dying of yellow fever.
“There were people who were physically cured while he was alive through his prayers and through his blessings while he was living, and of course he tried to downplay it because he was an extremely humble man,” said Father Byron Miller. “The fact is it did happen and people gave testimony to that before they died.”
Miller is director of the Seelos Center in New Orleans at St. Mary's Assumption Church, where Seelos lived and died and where his remains are entombed. It’s where people from all over the world come to learn about him and to seek his help.
“There is something very inspiring about him in a day and age when we could use a little inspiration,” Miller said.
For Heibel there is no doubt that the prayers to Seelos healed her. It has been over four years, and every three months she is checked and declared free of cancer.
Now her story helps others. She gets calls from around the world.
“People are so desperate. They really need something, hope,” Heibel said.
Her hope is to one day come to New Orleans.
“I would love to go to the Seelos Center. I hear it is beautiful.”
Heibel will not be coming to the Seelos Center in New Orleans. One week after our interview she died of double pneumonia. There was no cancer in her body.
“We have lost a wonderful friend of the Redemptorist and a great advocate of Father Seelos,” Miller said. “She considered this a ministry to talk about him and his great, powerful powers.”
Prior to her death, Heibel and 10 others, including her doctor from Johns Hopkins, testfied before a tribunal, investigating what she calls her miracle. All of their testimonies are being transcribed and will be sent to the Vatican before Christmas.
The case for what many believe to be the second miracle of Seelos will continue to Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will ultimately decide if this gentle, loving priest should be canonized.
But for those like Mary Ellen Heibel who have been touched by this man, Francis Seelos is already a saint.
For more on the Seelos center in New Orleans and the cause for Fr. Seelos' canonization, visit www.seelos.org
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The original St. Michael prayer
Pope Leo XIII wrote an incredibly powerful and holy prayer of intercession to St. Michael. His intention was to protect the Church and mankind from Satan and his demons.
The First Prayer to St Michael (Long Version)
O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
V: Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.
V: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R: As we have hoped in Thee.
V: O Lord hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.
V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen.
The First Prayer to St Michael (Long Version)
O glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, be our defense in the terrible warfare which we carry on against principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, spirits of evil. Come to the aid of man, whom God created immortal, made in His own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. Fight this day the battle of our Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in heaven. That cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with his angels. Behold this primeval enemy and slayer of men has taken courage. Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to seize upon, slay, and cast into eternal perdition, souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. That wicked dragon pours out. as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity. These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on Her most sacred possessions. In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck the sheep may be scattered. Arise then, O invincible Prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and give them the victory. They venerate thee as their protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude. Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations. Amen.
V: Behold the Cross of the Lord; be scattered ye hostile powers.
R: The Lion of the Tribe of Juda has conquered the root of David.
V: Let Thy mercies be upon us, O Lord.
R: As we have hoped in Thee.
V: O Lord hear my prayer.
R: And let my cry come unto Thee.
V: Let us pray. O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon Thy holy Name, and as suppliants, we implore Thy clemency, that by the intercession of Mary, ever Virgin, immaculate and our Mother, and of the glorious Archangel Saint Michael, Thou wouldst deign to help us against Satan and all other unclean spirits, who wander about the world for the injury of the human race and the ruin of our souls. Amen.
Pro Life in the news
Interesting pro-life story forwarded to me from a brother deacon:
Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Watching Abortion on Ultrasound
Monday, November 02, 2009
Joseph Abrams
The former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in southeast Texas says she had a "change of heart" after watching an abortion last month — and she quit her job and joined a pro-life group in praying outside the facility.
Abby Johnson, 29, used to escort women from their cars to the clinic in the eight years she volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas. But she says she knew it was time to leave after she watched a fetus "crumple" as it was vacuumed out of a patient's uterus in September.
'When I was working at Planned Parenthood I was extremely pro-choice," Johnson told FoxNews.com . But after seeing the internal workings of the procedure for the first time on an ultrasound monitor, "I would say there was a definite conversion in my heart ... a spiritual conversion."
Johnson said she became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and $695.
"Every meeting that we had was, 'We don't have enough money, we don't have enough money — we've got to keep these abortions coming,'" Johnson told FoxNews.com. "It's a very lucrative business and that's why they want to increase numbers."
A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood told FoxNews.com that it offers a range of services at it 850 health centers nationwide, providing pregnancy tests, vaccinations and women's health services , "including wellness exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, and STD testing and treatment."
"Planned Parenthood's focus is on prevention," wrote Diane Quest, the group's National Media Director. "Nationwide, more than 90% of the health care Planned Parenthood affiliates provide is preventive in nature," explaining that a "core component the organization's mission is to help women plan healthy pregnancies and prevent unintended pregnancies."
But Johnson said her bosses told her to change her "priorities" and focus on abortions, which she said made money for the office at a time when the recession has left them hurting.
"For them there's not a lot of money in education," she said. "There's as not as much money in family planning as there is abortion."
Without a doctor in residence, she said, her clinic offered abortions only two days a month, but the doctor could perform 30 to 40 procedures on each day he was there. Johnson estimated that each abortion could net the branch about $350, adding up to more than $10,000 a month.
"The majority of the money was going to the facility," she said.
Johnson said she never got any orders to increase profits in e-mails or letters, and had no way to prove her allegations about practices at the Bryan branch. She told FoxNews.com that pressure came in personal interactions with her regional manager from the larger Houston office.
But she said she got involved with the clinic "to help women and ... [do] the right thing," and the idea of raking in cash seemed to go against what she felt was the mission of the 93-year-old organization.
"Ideally my goal as the facility's director is that your abortion numbers don't increase," because "you're providing so much family planning and so much education that there is not a demand for abortion services.
"But that was not their goal," she said.
A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood refused to answer questions about Johnson's accusations, but released a statement noting that a district court had issued a temporary restraining order against the former branch director and against the Coalition for Life, an anti-abortion group with which Johnson is now affiliated.
"We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary," said spokeswoman Rochelle Tafolla.
It is unclear what made Planned Parenthood seek the restraining order. Johnson said she did not intend to release any sensitive information about her former patients at the clinic.
A hearing is set for Nov. 10 to determine whether a judge will order an injunction against Johnson and the Coalition for Life, which has led protests outside the clinic and joined her in a prayer vigil there last month.
Johnson hasn't found a job since she quit on Oct. 6, but she said she's enjoying the time off to be with her 3-year-old daughter.
"It's been great just to spend some time at home and get a break," she said.
Planned Parenthood Director Quits After Watching Abortion on Ultrasound
Monday, November 02, 2009
Joseph Abrams
The former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in southeast Texas says she had a "change of heart" after watching an abortion last month — and she quit her job and joined a pro-life group in praying outside the facility.
Abby Johnson, 29, used to escort women from their cars to the clinic in the eight years she volunteered and worked for Planned Parenthood in Bryan, Texas. But she says she knew it was time to leave after she watched a fetus "crumple" as it was vacuumed out of a patient's uterus in September.
'When I was working at Planned Parenthood I was extremely pro-choice," Johnson told FoxNews.com . But after seeing the internal workings of the procedure for the first time on an ultrasound monitor, "I would say there was a definite conversion in my heart ... a spiritual conversion."
Johnson said she became disillusioned with her job after her bosses pressured her for months to increase profits by performing more and more abortions, which cost patients between $505 and $695.
"Every meeting that we had was, 'We don't have enough money, we don't have enough money — we've got to keep these abortions coming,'" Johnson told FoxNews.com. "It's a very lucrative business and that's why they want to increase numbers."
A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood told FoxNews.com that it offers a range of services at it 850 health centers nationwide, providing pregnancy tests, vaccinations and women's health services , "including wellness exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, contraception, and STD testing and treatment."
"Planned Parenthood's focus is on prevention," wrote Diane Quest, the group's National Media Director. "Nationwide, more than 90% of the health care Planned Parenthood affiliates provide is preventive in nature," explaining that a "core component the organization's mission is to help women plan healthy pregnancies and prevent unintended pregnancies."
But Johnson said her bosses told her to change her "priorities" and focus on abortions, which she said made money for the office at a time when the recession has left them hurting.
"For them there's not a lot of money in education," she said. "There's as not as much money in family planning as there is abortion."
Without a doctor in residence, she said, her clinic offered abortions only two days a month, but the doctor could perform 30 to 40 procedures on each day he was there. Johnson estimated that each abortion could net the branch about $350, adding up to more than $10,000 a month.
"The majority of the money was going to the facility," she said.
Johnson said she never got any orders to increase profits in e-mails or letters, and had no way to prove her allegations about practices at the Bryan branch. She told FoxNews.com that pressure came in personal interactions with her regional manager from the larger Houston office.
But she said she got involved with the clinic "to help women and ... [do] the right thing," and the idea of raking in cash seemed to go against what she felt was the mission of the 93-year-old organization.
"Ideally my goal as the facility's director is that your abortion numbers don't increase," because "you're providing so much family planning and so much education that there is not a demand for abortion services.
"But that was not their goal," she said.
A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood refused to answer questions about Johnson's accusations, but released a statement noting that a district court had issued a temporary restraining order against the former branch director and against the Coalition for Life, an anti-abortion group with which Johnson is now affiliated.
"We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely necessary," said spokeswoman Rochelle Tafolla.
It is unclear what made Planned Parenthood seek the restraining order. Johnson said she did not intend to release any sensitive information about her former patients at the clinic.
A hearing is set for Nov. 10 to determine whether a judge will order an injunction against Johnson and the Coalition for Life, which has led protests outside the clinic and joined her in a prayer vigil there last month.
Johnson hasn't found a job since she quit on Oct. 6, but she said she's enjoying the time off to be with her 3-year-old daughter.
"It's been great just to spend some time at home and get a break," she said.
Monday, November 2, 2009
The NFL Saints; a Catholic connection.
If you stayed up late tonight you witnessed the New Orleans Saints beat Atlanta 35-27 to run their record to 7-0. Needless to say, the fans of the Saints and the entire community of New Orleans and the surrounding area are giddy. Of course, 7-0 guarantees you 7 wins; no more, no less. But this team has won big all year; has come back heroically against the Dolphins and hung tough tonight when Atlanta played very well. The Saints have scored points at will and have scored several defensive touchdowns. It's been great so far.
Many people outside this area may not know the connection of the name of the team and the Catholic tradition of New Orleans. The city of New Orleans was granted the license to have an NFL team in 1966 on November 1st. That's right; November 1st: All Saints Day!
The organization thought it would be great to name the team the Saints. Everyone thought we had a taylor made song: When the Saints Go Marching In!!! But someone decided perhaps we should check with the Catholic Church and make sure this would not be sacriligious. A call was placed to then Archbishop Philip Hannan who not only thought the idea was great but blessed the whole concept.
To be a Saints fan is a religious experience. They have given this city and the area a unique identity. In the early days it was no big deal. In these last few years, as the city's population hovers around 400,000 post Katrina, we are one of the smaller NFL markets. And our gridiron history is unique too. Over 40 years old, the Saints have only had 8 winning seasons . We had the historic 1987 team that went on a crazy winning streak and not til the 21st century did the Saints win a playoff game; remember "Hakim drops the ball." Then in 2006, we had the magical season of returning to New Orleans and the Dome after Katrina. And that team went all the way to the NFL championship.
By the way, doubt the Catholic connection. The 1987 winning team played in the same Superdome that Pope John Paul II celebrated services in during that year's football season.
So Catholics across the world should join all of us from the New Orleans area and do what we are called to do as Catholics; pray for the Saints. After all, the heavenly Saints are our heroes and the New Orleans Saints are playing heroically. I know you all want to be in that number, when the Saints go marching in.
Who Dat?
The Saints.
Many people outside this area may not know the connection of the name of the team and the Catholic tradition of New Orleans. The city of New Orleans was granted the license to have an NFL team in 1966 on November 1st. That's right; November 1st: All Saints Day!
The organization thought it would be great to name the team the Saints. Everyone thought we had a taylor made song: When the Saints Go Marching In!!! But someone decided perhaps we should check with the Catholic Church and make sure this would not be sacriligious. A call was placed to then Archbishop Philip Hannan who not only thought the idea was great but blessed the whole concept.
To be a Saints fan is a religious experience. They have given this city and the area a unique identity. In the early days it was no big deal. In these last few years, as the city's population hovers around 400,000 post Katrina, we are one of the smaller NFL markets. And our gridiron history is unique too. Over 40 years old, the Saints have only had 8 winning seasons . We had the historic 1987 team that went on a crazy winning streak and not til the 21st century did the Saints win a playoff game; remember "Hakim drops the ball." Then in 2006, we had the magical season of returning to New Orleans and the Dome after Katrina. And that team went all the way to the NFL championship.
By the way, doubt the Catholic connection. The 1987 winning team played in the same Superdome that Pope John Paul II celebrated services in during that year's football season.
So Catholics across the world should join all of us from the New Orleans area and do what we are called to do as Catholics; pray for the Saints. After all, the heavenly Saints are our heroes and the New Orleans Saints are playing heroically. I know you all want to be in that number, when the Saints go marching in.
Who Dat?
The Saints.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Is it really November already?
Already the first of my "good" months is history. As I explained last month, I choose to divide the year in half, October - March and April - September. And I choose to declare October - March as the better half. Just me. But where did October go? For us here in southeast Louisiana it was more warm than usual and a lot more on the wet side. Today has been glorious as is the forecast for the rest of the week.
October was a special month as I have already documented our visit to North Carolina and time spent with our son and his fiancee. And everyone around these parts also rejoiced in the stellar play of our New Orleans Saints. Let's pray for an equally happy November. The month ends with all the hype around Halloween giving way to a new month and the back to back feasts of All Saints, celebrated today and All Souls, tommorrow.
In the month ahead we will all have plenty to keep us busy. Football continues as I will be watching with much interest the Saints and the LSU Tigers. Man I could go for a big upset this coming weekend against Alabama and Nick Saban. We will celebrate Veterans Day, a holiday I believe does not get enough attention as we honor those who have kept us free. And we will enjoy Thanksgiving as we reflect on all we have to be thankful for!
This will also be a very busy month for ministry. And I look forward to all the opportunity God puts on my path. As a new Deacon, I will be somewhat reflective in the upcoming weeks as my 1 year anniversary of ordination draws near. This time last year me and my classmates were busy with plans, ordering vestments and preparing for our pre-ordination retreat. How quickly the time has past.
So let's enjoy all that November has in store. And at the beginning of the new month let's offer this month to God who blesses and protects us. May we be prepared to be generous with our time and talents in the upcoming holiday season, always mindful of those in need.
October was a special month as I have already documented our visit to North Carolina and time spent with our son and his fiancee. And everyone around these parts also rejoiced in the stellar play of our New Orleans Saints. Let's pray for an equally happy November. The month ends with all the hype around Halloween giving way to a new month and the back to back feasts of All Saints, celebrated today and All Souls, tommorrow.
In the month ahead we will all have plenty to keep us busy. Football continues as I will be watching with much interest the Saints and the LSU Tigers. Man I could go for a big upset this coming weekend against Alabama and Nick Saban. We will celebrate Veterans Day, a holiday I believe does not get enough attention as we honor those who have kept us free. And we will enjoy Thanksgiving as we reflect on all we have to be thankful for!
This will also be a very busy month for ministry. And I look forward to all the opportunity God puts on my path. As a new Deacon, I will be somewhat reflective in the upcoming weeks as my 1 year anniversary of ordination draws near. This time last year me and my classmates were busy with plans, ordering vestments and preparing for our pre-ordination retreat. How quickly the time has past.
So let's enjoy all that November has in store. And at the beginning of the new month let's offer this month to God who blesses and protects us. May we be prepared to be generous with our time and talents in the upcoming holiday season, always mindful of those in need.
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