Was the last 'witch' of Boston actually a Catholic martyr?



http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/was...c-martyr-27747/

"For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of man be in his day" - Lk 17:24


Fisheye view of the east ambulatory chapels of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC. In the apse, the Son of Man in glory.

Would the 'good' Reverend Mather have been able to willingly distinguish between being a Catholic and a witch? After all, even until today, many Americans still consider the Catholic Church a cult with roots in occultism and foul witchery, a'la Jack Chick et al ...

Our Lady of La Salette, weeping for the sins of Man; she weeps today for Paris. And she continues to pray for the conversion of all hearts by God's grace.
Window in the Lourdes Basilica.

"BTW: The nullity process is already compassionate and merciful in that a) the Church recognizes the right of every Catholic to challenge their marriage status and b) the process is just for both the petitioner and the respondent. Compassion, in the minds of some, is one-sided, that is, it should only work in favor of the petitioner. Now that's unmerciful."

-Richard Aleman

Amen!

The Thief in the Night

Where do you want to be when you die? What would you like your last words to be? Many saints and holy men died saying edifying words, Venerable Augustine Baker of the blessed sacrament died after singing the Salve Regina, Charlemegne is recounted as saying "Lord into Thy hands I commend my spirit." Perhaps you might want to die in the arms of your wife like St. Nicholas Von Flue, or like a penitent thief.


Would you want to die singing the song "Kiss the Devil"? A song that chorus actually says "I will love the devil and sing his song". In fact there is not any substance to it, it almost reads as a satanic parody of the Divine Praises. That was the song that apparently the band Eagles of Death metal started performing according to the Daily Mail when the gunmen showed up and starting their killing spree.


"For yourselves know perfectly, that the day of the Lord shall so come, as a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:2 . Consider what you listen to, consider what you do, consider where you go. Our time is very limited, let us redeem it, because the awful day of judgement awaits when we leave these frail bodies, and every idle word shall be judged. If you listen to such music, or go to such places repent. Pray for Paris, but forget not the need to make reparation to Christ, not just for those who take innocent life, but for those who mock Him, Hate him, and blaspheme Him. God have mercy on us.

The Syrian Refugee Crisis: Three Things You Can Do
Trent Horn
November 19, 2015

There is a lot of debate right now about how to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis. Iin September, when photos surfaced of Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian refugee who drowned off the coast of Turkey, there was an outpouring of support. Pope Francis even asked every parish, religious community, monastery, and sanctuary in Europe to take in one refugee family.

But the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, and the possibility that the terrorists operated under the guise of being Syrian refugees, have moved some Christians to say we should not allow Syrian refugees to enter the United States.

Are they right? Wrong? Right and wrong?

No easy answer just yet

The Catechism says we must promote the common good, which includes “alleviating the miseries of refugees dispersed throughout the world, and assisting migrants and their families" (CCC 1911). I think the United States could at least alleviate the suffering of a few hundred orphaned toddlers—children younger than age four comprise 17.3 percent of Syrian refugees.

On the other hand, the Catechism also says, “[T]he common good requires peace, that is, the stability and security of a just order. It presupposes that authority should ensure by morally acceptable means the security of society and its members” (CCC 1909).

Would admitting Syrian refugees jeopardize U.S. security? At this point, I do not believe there is a definitive answer. Believe me, I wish I had one, but I don’t want to give a simple answer based on “gut feeling.” The stakes are simply too high. As of right now I am leaning toward one side of the issue, but I won’t write about it until I can thoroughly explain and defend my position.

I may not know what our country should do when it comes to these refugees, but at least I know what I should do. If you like the steps I’ve taken myself, feel free to try it for yourself and to share it with others.

1. Don’t rely on Facebook’s French flag filter

This filter was designed to help people show solidarity with France after last week’s terrorist attacks. While I have no doubt people have used it with good intentions, and some French people seem to appreciate it, this gesture borders on slacktivism. The term refers to actions a person takes ostensibly to help a cause when in reality those actions only help the person feel better about himself. Slacktivism doesn't cause direct harm, but it can short-circuit one’s desire to do anything else for a cause he’s already “helped.”

A recent example of slacktivism is forwarding the Kony 2012 video on Facebook, which has not led to any action against the African warlord and child exploiter Joseph Kony. However, there is evidence that the ALS ice bucket challenge did raise significant sums and accomplished some good, even though many who partook in it could be considered slacktivists because they didn’t donate money to ALS research.

So, if you French-flag-filtered your Facebook photo (try saying that three times fast), it doesn’t mean you’re a slacktivist. Just don’t let it be the only thing you do in the wake of this tragedy and ongoing refugee crisis.

2. Do something

The antidote to apathy and slacktivism is empathy and activism. It’s doing something. There are a lot of ways you can help people who are suffering right now. For example, you can donate to Save the Children, UNICEF, or Catholic Relief Services. I’m not ashamed to ask you to give money rather than donate old household goods, because, as the website charitywatch.org says:



You just have to do it. Right now. Trust me, it will make you happier than almost anything else on which you could have spent that disposable income. Besides, as the letter of James says, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead” (2:15-17).

3. Pray

We don’t have to choose between performing corporal works of mercy and praying for those in need. We can do both. We can take part in the good works “God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10) and also pray “for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2). Here is a good prayer from the USCCB you can use and share with others:



Source: http://www.catholic.com/blog/trent-horn/th...ings-you-can-do


This post has been edited by khool: Nov 20 2015, 03:21 PM

Very very nice!

The Solemnity Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Lectionary: 161

Reading 1 (Dn 7:13-14)
As the visions during the night continued, I saw
one like a Son of man coming,
on the clouds of heaven;
when he reached the Ancient One
and was presented before him,
the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;
all peoples, nations, and languages serve him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.

Responsorial Psalm (Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5)
R. (1a) The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
The LORD is king, in splendor robed;
robed is the LORD and girt about with strength.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
And he has made the world firm,
not to be moved.
Your throne stands firm from of old;
from everlasting you are, O LORD.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.
Your decrees are worthy of trust indeed;
holiness befits your house,
O LORD, for length of days.
R. The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.

Reading 2 (Rv 1:5-8)
Jesus Christ is the faithful witness,
the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father,
to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
Behold, he is coming amid the clouds,
and every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will lament him.
Yes. Amen.
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

Acclamation before the Gospel - Alleluia
Mk 11:9, 10
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel (Jn 18:33b-37)
Pilate said to Jesus,
"Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered, "Do you say this on your own
or have others told you about me?"
Pilate answered, "I am not a Jew, am I?
Your own nation and the chief priests handed you over to me.
What have you done?"
Jesus answered, "My kingdom does not belong to this world.
If my kingdom did belong to this world,
my attendants would be fighting
to keep me from being handed over to the Jews.
But as it is, my kingdom is not here."
So Pilate said to him, "Then you are a king?"
Jesus answered, "You say I am a king.
For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."

For those who feel downtrodden and discouraged at one point in time or another ...

God speaks thru’ us

I remember one University student, probably the only Christian in the class, who was ridiculed by the professor because of her creed. Many parents would advise their children to keep quiet and finish their studies. But this particular student stood for her faith, and the professor never disturbed her again. One needs to know his/her faith, one needs to practice his/her faith, not to be fanatical but to promote with love. Today we remember St Catherine who in the midst of severe persecutions stood for her faith.

Gospel Reading for 25 November 2015 (Lk 21:12-19)
Source: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112515.cfm



Jesus said to the crowd:
“They will seize and persecute you,
they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,
and they will have you led before kings and governors
because of my name.
It will lead to your giving testimony.
Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,
for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking
that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.
You will even be handed over by parents,
brothers, relatives, and friends,
and they will put some of you to death.
You will be hated by all because of my name,
but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.
By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”

A reflection from Father Phillips Muthu: https://www.facebook.com/phillips.muthu?fref=ts

A Blessed week ahead to all!


This post has been edited by khool: Nov 25 2015, 12:08 PM

First Sunday of Advent, 29 November 2015



This coming Sunday! Peace!

ON ADVENT (1): WHAT IS ADVENT?
Time of Preparation, of Hope and of Interior Joy



This coming Sunday marks the beginning of a new liturgical year when the Catholic Church celebrates the 1st Sunday of ADVENT.

BUT WHAT IS THE ADVENT SEASON ALL ABOUT?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin term “adventus” which indicates the “coming”, “arrival” and “presence” of someone especially important.

For us Christians, the season of Advent is a time of EXPECTATION, a time of HOPE, a time of PREPARATION for the ARRIVAL of OUR SAVIOR. “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing in the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming (Cf Rev 22:17) (Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 524).” The season of Advent consists of 4 weeks of PREPARATION for:

• the commemoration of the 1ST COMING OF OUR SAVIOR AND LORD JESUS CHRIST more than 2000 years ago with His Birth in Bethlehem which we celebrate on CHRISTMAS DAY;
• His 2nd COMING which will occur at the end of the world when Jesus will come in Glory to judge the living and the dead (FINAL JUDGMENT) and His Kingdom will have no end.

Nevertheless, let us not forget that while preparing ourselves for the anniversary of the 1st coming of Our Savior and for His 2nd coming, GOD IS PRESENT AMONG US HERE AND NOW and we must take advantage of this marvelous time to RENEW OUR DESIRE, OUR NOSTALGIA, OUR REAL LONGING FOR CHRIST (cfr. St. Josemaría, “Forge”, n. 548).”

ADVENT AS PRESENCE: GOD IS WITH US, HERE AND NOW
As Pope Benedict XVI said in a beautiful homily (which I suggest for your personal meditation): “The essential meaning of the word adventus was: GOD IS HERE, HE HAS NOT WITHDRAWN FROM THE WORLD, HE HAS NOT DESERTED US. EVEN IF WE CANNOT SEE AND TOUCH HIM AS WE CAN TANGIBLE REALITIES, HE IS HERE AND COMES TO VISIT US IN MANY WAYS. (Homily, Nov. 28, 2009).”

ADVENT indicates “PRESENCE”. GOD IS WITH US AND COMES TO VISIT US IN MANY WAYS: He is truly, really and substantially present in the Holy Eucharist; He is present in us if our soul is in the state of grace; He listens and talks to us in our mental prayer; He awaits for us in our dealings with the people around us and in the midst of our ordinary daily activities. GOD IS PRESENT IN OUR MIDST but oftentimes goes unnoticed for those who do not seek Him. "UNDERSTAND THIS WELL: THERE IS SOMETHING HOLY, SOMETHING DIVINE, HIDDEN IN THE MOST ORDINARY SITUATIONS, AND IT IS UP TO EACH ONE OF YOU TO DISCOVER IT." (St. Josemaria, “Conversations”, n. 114)

ADVENT IS A TIME FOR PREPARATION, A TIME OF HOPE and -in a very special way- A TIME OF INTERIOR JOY because God made Himself present among men as a child.
Jesus “was the greatest madman of all times. What greater madness could there be than to give oneself as he did, and for such people? It would have been mad enough to have chosen to become a helpless Child. But even then, many wicked men might have been softened, and would not have dared to harm him. So this was not enough for him. He wanted to make himself even less, to give himself more lavishly. He made himself food, he became Bread. Divine Madman! How do men treat you? How do I treat you (St. Josemaría, “Forge”, n. 824)?”

Dear friends, LET US STRIVE TO BE MORE AWARE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN OUR SOUL IN GRACE, IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST AND IN OUR DAILY AFFAIRS. LET US NOT FORGET THAT LOVE SEEKS UNION WITH THE BELOVED.
“Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom (Opening Prayer, Mass of 1st Sunday of Advent).”

PHOTO SOURCE: hd-gbpics.de

Article Source: http://www.facebook.com/Catholicsstrivingf...?type=3&fref=nf

hey bros & sis.
there is a year of mercy camp happening in ST ANNE, BM.
i already sign up !!

i would like to jio you all also. hahah

got 5 really great speakers.
really hope we can see each other there



This post has been edited by mindslicer81: Nov 29 2015, 05:19 PM

Classic Fulton Sheen:

Regarding Violent Passages in Scripture

I think it is very helpful to interpret the Bible with the mind of the Church and by comparing other passages that help enlighten us about the meaning of more difficult passages. These verses, for example, show that God does not like violence: Eze. 33:11, 2 Pet. 3:9, Eze. 18:23, Lam. 3:33, Eze. 18:32, Wis. 1:13, Matt. 18:14

These verses tell us some of the things that God wants to teach us through the violent passages of the Bible: 1 Corinthians 10:5-11, Deuteronomy 9:4, Jeremiah 18:7-8, Leviticus 18:25-28

These verses show that it is not immoral for God to take someone’s life: Job 1:21, 1 Samuel 2:6, 2 Kings 5:7, Deuteronomy 32:39

And these verses show that the violence of the Old Testament doesn’t perfectly reflect the will of God: John 8:2-11, Jeremiah 31:28-33, Isaiah 9:5-6, Isaiah 42:1-4

One thing we can conclude from all this Scripture is that the penalties and wars in the Bible are there to teach us the consequences of sin. I don't think the Bible wants us to see violence and death as a good thing. I think it wants us to see violence and death as a terrible consequence of sin, and sometimes God makes this clear by inflicting a swift and/or violent death on sinners. Which is something only God can morally do, because only He has absolute rights over life and death.

The Church has occasionally spoken about the violent passages of Scripture in authoritative documents. An example is the document Verbum Domini by Pope Benedict XVI. It says:

Verbum Domini 42 - “[Some] passages in the Bible [contain] violence and immorality [and can] prove obscure and difficult. Here it must be remembered first and foremost that biblical revelation is deeply rooted in history. God’s plan is manifested progressively and it is accomplished slowly, in successive stages and despite human resistance. God chose a people and patiently worked to guide and educate them.”

Verbum Domini 42 - “Revelation is suited to the cultural and moral level of distant times and thus describes facts and customs, such as cheating and trickery, and acts of violence and massacre, without explicitly denouncing the immorality of such things. This can be explained by the historical context, yet it can cause the modern reader to be taken aback.”

Verbum Domini 42 - “[It] would be a mistake to neglect those passages of Scripture that strike us as problematic. Rather, we should be aware that the correct interpretation of these passages requires a degree of expertise, acquired through a training that interprets the texts in their historical-literary context and within the Christian perspective which has [the Gospel] as its ultimate hermeneutical key.”

See also the Catechism:

CCC 1964 - “under the...Old Covenant [there were] people who possessed the charity and grace of the Holy Spirit…[and] there exist [wicked] men under the New Covenant [who are] still distanced from the perfection of the New Law: the fear of punishment and certain temporal promises have been necessary, even under the New Covenant, to incite them to [virtue].”

CCC 1008 - “Death is a consequence of sin. The Church's Magisterium, as authentic interpreter of the affirmations of Scripture and Tradition, teaches that death entered the world on account of man's sin. ... Death was therefore contrary to the plans of God the Creator and entered the world as a consequence of sin.”