tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47943031239261682662024-03-13T08:01:03.180-05:00Southern Fried Catholicism BlogPeace be with y'all! Faith and life from a distinctly Southern perspective.ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comBlogger1099125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-65156619224242175522015-02-17T10:28:00.003-06:002015-02-17T10:28:55.389-06:00CCM's Big Fat Lenten Post 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As all of you know, Lent begins tomorrow on Ash Wednesday. Let's tackle some of the common questions folks have about Lent and Ash Wednesday:</div>
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<b>What is Lent?</b></div>
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Lent is a time when all throughout the Church prepare to celebrate Easter through penance, prayer, fasting and alms-giving. Traditionally, the season of Lent lasts forty days (not counting the Sundays of Lent), from Ash Wednesday until the Easter Vigil (the night before Easter Sunday). The word Lent is from an Anglo-Saxon word <i>lencten</i>, which means "spring." Observance of Lent can be traced to the earliest days of the Church, when Christians willingly joined catechumens (those seeking baptism) in a period of intense preparatory prayer and fasting in the weeks before their baptisms, which were performed during the Easter Vigil, in the pre-dawn hours of Easter Sunday.</div>
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<b>What is the point of Lent? Is it biblical?</b></div>
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The point of Lent is that it is a time of prayerful reflection and conversion (turning away from sin and back to God). In imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who spent forty days fasting and praying in the wilderness before beginning His public ministry (see the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke), we spend the forty days before our annual celebration of the Lord's Resurrection (i.e. Easter) in fasting, prayer and sacrifice. The number 40 is important in the Bible because it symbolizes preparation and renewal. For example, Noah spent forty days and forty nights in the ark (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Genesis 7.4" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%207.4" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Genesis 7:4</a>, <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Genesis 7.12" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%207.12" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">12</a>, <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Genesis 7.17" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%207.17" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">17</a>; <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Genesis 8.6" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Genesis%208.6" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">8:6</a>) and Moses spent forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai when receiving the Law from God (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Exodus 24.18" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Exodus%2024.18" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Exodus 24:18</a>; <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Deuteronomy 10.10" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Deuteronomy%2010.10" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Deuteronomy 10:10</a>). </div>
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<b>Do I have to "give something up" during Lent?</b></div>
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It seems that everybody - even those who know the least about Catholic Christianity - knows that Catholics traditionally give something up during Lent. In fact, it becomes a ridiculously common question for Catholics to ask one another "what did <i>you</i> give up?" during this season. Truth is, you are not required to give up something for Lent. What you <i>are</i> required to do, is to do penitential acts - making temporary sacrifices in an effort to draw closer to God. For many people, they may willingly give up something that they enjoy as a penance during Lent. This is certainly a good practice. For others, however, they may choose to do penance by setting their alarm extra early to get up and pray every morning, or by setting aside extra money each week for the poor or the Church. If you haven't decided what to do on this front, might I suggest that you pray and ask God what penance(s) He would have you do during Lent?</div>
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<b>What about meatless Fridays?</b></div>
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You have a lot of leeway on your personal disciplines during Lent, but Fridays, however, are a different story. Whether you realize it or not, every Friday of the year is supposed to be a day of penance for Catholics, so Lent isn't all that different. Yep - that's not just a "pre-Vatican II" thing - current church discipline actually requires that on <i>every</i> Friday of the year, according to canon law and in recognition of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, you should either refrain from eating meat or do some other penance (such as praying the Stations of the Cross, saying extra prayers, or some other offering). On the Fridays of Lent, however, you don't have a choice: you are obliged to refrain from eating meat. The cool thing about this is that this is a communal discipline: in other words, while abstaining from meat on Fridays may or may not be difficult sacrifice for you, personally, the cool part is that we're joining the worldwide Church in a very ancient Catholic discipline.</div>
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<b>Why do we eat fish on Fridays?</b></div>
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You certainly don't <i>have</i> to eat fish on Fridays. You could simply go vegetarian each Friday. But the point is refraining from eating meat. Eating fish is allowed on Fridays because, due to longstanding tradition, fish is not considered meat. The fish is an ancient Christian symbol and eating fish (and other seafood) on Fridays has long been allowed. Of course, if eating seafood is actually a treat for you (and you know who you are!), you might strongly consider skipping proteins altogether on Lenten Fridays. After all, the point of a discipline like this is <i>penance</i> not decadence. </div>
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<b>What are "days of fast and abstinence"?</b></div>
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During the Lenten season, we are encouraged to <b>fast</b>, <b>pray</b> and <b>give alms</b> (money to the poor), seeking to amend our Christian lives - the three traditional disciplines of Lent. But on two days in particular, the Church requires that we all fast and avoid meat. They are: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. On these days, Catholics should fast (eating only one small meal, if needed). If they do eat a small meal, it should be meatless.</div>
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<b>Are the Sundays in Lent part of Lent?</b></div>
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Many people ask if they can "cheat" on the Sundays of Lent? In other words, they want to know if they have to practice penance on the Sundays of Lent. Well, technically, Sundays are always a celebration of Jesus' Resurrection - sort of "mini-Easters," if you will - so Sunday is never officially a day of penance. In fact, on the Church's calendar, the Sundays during Lent are called the Sundays <i>in</i> Lent instead of the Sundays <i>of</i> Lent. So, it is really up to you. Lent is a season geared towards doing penance and turning towards the Lord. If you feel that you are "cheating" on your penance, then you shouldn't do it. Follow your conscience.</div>
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Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It is called this because we are marked with ashes as a sign of mourning for our sins and repentance. (Where did such an idea come from? See <a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Daniel 9.3" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Daniel%209.3" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Daniel 9:3</a> where the author proclaims "I turned to the Lord God, pleading in earnest prayer, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.") On Ash Wednesday, Catholics are expected to <a href="http://www.focus.org/blog/posts/an-illustrated-guide-to.html" target="_blank">fast and to abstain from eating meat</a>.</div>
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<b>Is Ash Wednesday a holy day of obligation?</b></div>
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No. Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, which means that Catholics are not required to attend Mass on that day. But they are strongly urged to attend Mass, if possible. At the very least, you should try to attend a prayer service and receive ashes. </div>
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<b>Ash Wednesday Schedule 2015:</b></div>
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<li><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px;"><b>7:00am Mass at St. John's (with imposition of ashes)</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px;"><b>12:10pm Ecumenical Ash Wednesday Service at Paris-Yates Chapel (with imposition of ashes)</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px;"><b>5:00pm Imposition of ashes at St. John's </b></span></li>
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As mentioned above, Ash Wednesday is "a day of fast and abstinence", which means that adult Catholics should fast for the day, although eating one small, meatless meal is acceptable if needed to maintain strength.</div>
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<b>LENTEN TIPS AND RESOURCES</b></div>
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Three important tips for a holy Lent:</div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b>Pray fervently</b> for the Holy Spirit to show you the areas of your spiritual life that need to be amended and ask for God's help in establishing your spiritual practices for Lent. Make every effort to grow in your daily prayer life this Lent and make a commitment to go to Confession at least once during Lent.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b>Fast and abstain joyfully</b> and without complaint. Remember that no one likes a complainer, and you may not realize it but you can bear important witness to your friends and family members by simply and humbly doing what is asked of us in ways of penance, fasting and abstinence.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><b>Give to others</b> in ways that are above and beyond your norm. Make sure to focus on ways of giving of your time and/or resources during this Lenten season that will remind you of your constant call to selflessness and generosity throughout every season. </li>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><a href="http://www.focus.org/lentsanity/" target="_blank">Lentsanity App from FOCUS</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><a href="http://www.lentreflections.com/" target="_blank">Fr. Robert Barron's Lent Reflections (daily videos</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/lent/lent-calendar.cfm" target="_blank">Lenten calendar from the US Catholic bishops</a></span></span></div>
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(<i>The suggestions below are based on those of the <a href="http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Aggie Catholic blog</a> at Texas A&M</i>)</div>
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<b>Lenten Suggestions:</b></div>
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<b>Increased Prayer:</b></div>
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- Wake up 20 minutes early and start the day in prayer.</div>
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- Daily Mass 1-2 times a week.</div>
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- Spend an hour in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament each week.</div>
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- Go to Confession.</div>
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- Read Scripture daily.</div>
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- Start a Lenten Bible study group with your friends.</div>
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- Start to pray a daily <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/images/rosary.pdf" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Rosary</a>.</div>
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- Pray the <a href="http://divineoffice.org/" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Liturgy of the Hours</a>.</div>
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- Pray the <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;">Chaplet of Divine Mercy</a> each day.</div>
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- Pray the Stations of the Cross on Fridays.</div>
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- Pray for your enemies.</div>
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- Watch The Passion of the Christ and then meditate on Christ's sacrifice.</div>
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- Read about the life of a saint.</div>
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- Get involved with the parish if you haven't already.</div>
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- Memorize Scripture verses.</div>
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- Read a book on Catholic spirituality.</div>
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<b>Increased Almsgiving:</b></div>
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- When you fast from a meal, give the money you would have spent to the poor.</div>
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- Use a coin box during Lent to collect your loose change each day and give it to the poor.</div>
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- Volunteer with a local food bank, <a href="http://www.pregnancyoxford.com/contact.html" target="_blank">Save-a-Life</a>, or <a href="http://www.mtamoxford.org/About_Us.html" target="_blank">More Than a Meal</a>.</div>
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- Spend more time with your parents.</div>
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- Visit residents of a retirement community (such as <a href="http://www.brookdale.com/communities/emeritus-oxford/" target="_blank">Emeritus</a>, or the <a href="http://www.vab.ms.gov/oxfordveteranshome/" target="_blank">State Veterans Home</a>).</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Start tithing each week (i.e. giving 10% of your weekly income to the Church and/or to a charity).</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Make a financial pledge to a worthy, charitable cause.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Forgive an old grudge.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Invite someone to attend Mass with you.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Share your faith with someone.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Give someone a Catholic tract, CD or DVD.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Exercise patience and love.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Speak in a pleasant tone to everyone.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Look for extra ways to help others.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Go out of your way to talk to someone who is shy or difficult.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Offer to watch a mother's child(ren).</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Drive with love and care.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Write a letter to a relative you haven't seen in a while.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<b>Increased fasting:</b></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>The following are good things we can fast from and have back at a later time.</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Try to eat only bread and water on Fridays.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from TV.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from snacking or candy.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from the radio and/or iPod in your car; make driving time prayer time.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, etc.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from caffeine and/or alcohol.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Do not use seasoning on your food.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<i>The following are things we can fast from and continue to give up:</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from alcohol (especially if you drink too much or are under 21).</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from speeding.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from sarcasm or gossip.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from pornography.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from being lazy or lying.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from not studying or working too hard.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from complaining.</div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
- Fast from some other bad and/or unhealthy habit.</div>
</blockquote>
ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-87834296489887333132015-02-17T00:55:00.000-06:002015-02-17T00:55:05.664-06:00"Eat, drink, and be merry... for tomorrow we fast"<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNkJI5-nOjQ/UxXcmfnPQ0I/AAAAAAAAFu4/Bvppaa7zq-c/s1600/mardi_gras07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WNkJI5-nOjQ/UxXcmfnPQ0I/AAAAAAAAFu4/Bvppaa7zq-c/s1600/mardi_gras07.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Mardi Gras (literally "Fat Tuesday" in French) has grown in popularity over the past few decades. While many almost exclusively associate this day of parades and often-raucous celebrations with the city of New Orleans, Mardi Gras actually first appeared in the older French port city of Mobile in present-day Alabama. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Most folks don't realize the connection between Mardi Gras and the Catholic liturgical calendar but the whole reason for Mardi Gras is as the "last hurrah" before the penance and pious discipline of Ash Wednesday and Lent. This is why all revelry and partying will shut down abruptly at midnight tonight when armies of street-sweepers and mounted police will clear the streets in the Crescent City.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjYIWpyx0WE/UxXdDvGv46I/AAAAAAAAFvA/JgxcHWsZFrA/s1600/mardigrasfollow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="434" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HjYIWpyx0WE/UxXdDvGv46I/AAAAAAAAFvA/JgxcHWsZFrA/s1600/mardigrasfollow.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Mardi Gras is a little easier to understand in the context of the Catholic calendar when you think of it as being the final day of that interlude between the Christmas/Epiphany Season and the start of Lent. This short period of time which we Catholics currently (perhaps confusingly) call "Ordinary Time," is one of two periods on the Church calendar that uses this name (the other period stretches from the day after Trinity Sunday until the start of Advent).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Until the introduction of our current calendar in 1970, however, this weeks which fall during this current period of Ordinary Time were counted as the "Sundays after Epiphany." And i</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">n many heavily Catholic cultures (think parts of western Europe, Latin America , the Carribean, and the Gulf Coastal regions of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, from Mobile to New Orleans), the period of time between Epiphany and today was also known as Carnival Season. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">The word "carnival" is derived from the Latin <i>carne vale</i>, meaning "farewell to the flesh." It was a period of time, in an age before freezers and reliable food preservation methods, when people consumed all of the meat, dairy products and other rich foods and drinks that they would not be enjoying during the Lenten fast. And where there is a feast, there is usually a party--thus the revelry and parading that has become a cultural hallmark in places like Venice, Rio de Janeiro, the Caribbean and the Gulf Coast of the U.S. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">But, lest we forget, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday. So, how are you spending your Fat Tuesday? This is, after all, the day that we are to prepare for the great fast of Lent. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1qdNepKOSI/UxXdMHPZNWI/AAAAAAAAFvI/9QUgJPAHdeI/s1600/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #888888; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g1qdNepKOSI/UxXdMHPZNWI/AAAAAAAAFvI/9QUgJPAHdeI/s1600/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">In centuries past, this was done very practically by emptying the storehouse of perishable food items with a great feast. Today, however, we can certainly have a good (and holy!) time, but we can also spend a little more time contemplating how God is calling us to empty out the things which are cluttering our paths along our spiritual walk with Him. We can "fatten up", spiritually, before the great fast. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Today, pause for a moment and ask yourself: </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">"What is blocking my way to God?" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">"What surplus habits can I throw off to lighten my spiritual load and to make me better prepared to live out the Gospel?" </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">"In what ways can I rid my spiritual life of the bad habits that are threatening to spoil and taint the good spiritual food the Lord has provided for me?"</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><b>Today</b> is the day to take stock of your spiritual life, to reflect on the ways that you can walk closer with your Lord. To quote St. Paul, "Behold, <i>now</i> is a very acceptable time; behold <i>now</i> is the day of salvation." (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="2 Corinthians 6.2" data-version="nasb95" href="http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/2%20Corinthians%206.2" style="color: #888888; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:2</a>)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;"></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px;">Feast on God's goodness today and enjoy your many blessings. Eat, drink and be merry.... for tomorrow we fast. Above all, pray and seek the guidance of the One you are turning towards.</span>ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-3999043907609485792015-02-03T11:03:00.000-06:002015-02-03T11:03:08.169-06:00St. Blaise and the Blessing of the Throats<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 14.7839994430542px; margin: 0px;">
Today, many Catholics carry on a very old (and very cool) tradition: the blessing of the throats. Today is the Feast Day of St. Blaise and for centuries, on this day, Catholics have had a custom of blessing throats, asking for God to preserve our throats from illness. </div>
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<b>How does the "blessing of the throats" work? </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OsX8zrRTOY/Tyv7zJ_y8jI/AAAAAAAAECY/gaaa5zx0tLc/s1600/candles+for+blessing+of+throats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #888888; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2OsX8zrRTOY/Tyv7zJ_y8jI/AAAAAAAAECY/gaaa5zx0tLc/s200/candles+for+blessing+of+throats.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.5600004196167px; text-align: center;">Candles to be used during the blessing.</td></tr>
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Well, here's how it goes down: During the blessing of the throats (which usually takes place either before or after the daily Mass), the priest holds two candles tied together with a red ribbon in the form of a cross at the throat of the person seeking a blessing and prays aloud: <i>"Through the intersession of St. Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."</i><br /><i><br /></i><br />Beyond that - as with any prayer - the mechanics and the effectiveness are matters of faith, and are up to God alone. </div>
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<b><br /></b><br /><b>Who was St. Blaise and how did blessing throats become associated with his feast day?</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zs9vvm2ZMk/Tyv8Aia7alI/AAAAAAAAECg/68GkFw2mmys/s1600/st-blaise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #888888; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zs9vvm2ZMk/Tyv8Aia7alI/AAAAAAAAECg/68GkFw2mmys/s320/st-blaise.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.5600004196167px; text-align: center;">Statue of St. Blaise.</td></tr>
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Tradition records that St. Blaise was a physician who became the bishop of a city called Sabastea in what is now Turkey in the latter part of the third century. He died as a martyr for the faith in AD 316 and from soon after his death, he was hailed and venerated as a saint. </div>
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Few details are known about St. Blaise. According to tradition, he lived a life of prayer and fasting in a cave just outside of Sabastea. It is said that he healed injured animals and that the sincerity of his faith served as a great inspiration for all who knew him.<br /><br />One very old story about this holy bishop was that, through his intercession, God miraculously healed a young boy who had a fish bone stuck in his throat. For this reason, the prayers of St. Blaise have long been invoked for those threatened by or suffering from injuries and illnesses of the throat.<br /><br /><b>Remember: Catholic traditions such as the blessing of the throats are venerable and are a wonderful part of our faith. But they aren't acts of superstition. We should approach this and all "cool Catholic traditions" as an important part of our Catholic patrimony (something that we have inherited and must pass on) that draws us prayerfully closer to our Lord and to his Church.</b></div>
ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-21014653256259744942014-12-02T20:45:00.001-06:002014-12-02T20:45:15.911-06:00Tis the Season!! (of Advent)<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERtSpxzo6KU/VH55KlnsVRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LMeYNUzRiwI/s1600/Advent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ERtSpxzo6KU/VH55KlnsVRI/AAAAAAAAAFc/LMeYNUzRiwI/s1600/Advent.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
My family spent the Thanksgiving holidays in the Virgin
Islands, on the remote island of St. John.
We hiked, snorkeled, sailed, basked in the 90 degree weather – pretty
much explored the entire plot of land, and I was sure that a Catholic Church
did not exist. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After dinner one night, we finally spotted it. A quaint church snuggled between a winding
road and a restaurant. We attended
Saturday night Mass and were blessed enough to have the bishop of the Virgin
Islands in attendance. Suddenly I was
reminded about the universality of the Catholic Church – one of the most
beautiful things we have to offer. No
matter where I travel, I can find depend on the Lord to bring me the same
readings, the same Tradition, the same Eucharist as that of St. John’s here in
Oxford, even if I have to squint to see the church.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Culturally, the church was very different. The congregation totaled 30 (and that’s a
gracious amount), but it sounded as if it totaled 400 (which I’m sure the
beating of bongos helped this cause).
The bishop delivered an impressive homily on Advent and how we should
prepare. Even if I caught myself
focusing more on the catchy accent characteristic of the islands, I still
managed to deduct his three main points.
In order to have a spiritually successful Advent, we must:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Go to
Confession<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What better way to enter into the holy season than with a
clean soul? In the bishop’s words, “Pretend your soul is the inn that Mary,
Jesus, and Joseph tried to stay in, but the rooms were completely full. All of the rooms in your soul are taken up by
sloth, envy, pride, and lust, and there is no room for the Holy Family. Tell the devil to get the heck out because
Jesus needs a room.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Forgive<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If there is any grudge you are holding or any hurt you are
feeling because of someone else, try to let it go. The bishop elaborated on the phrase “to
forgive and forget,” saying that it is sometimes very difficult to forget the
hurt someone has caused, but we can begin by forgiving.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal;">
</span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Be
open to a renewal of love<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With friends, spouses, significant others, and parents –
love them regardless of faults, failings, and annoying idiosyncrasies. Only Christ has the ability to truly love
unconditionally, but even we (in all of our sin) can come pretty close. Plus no one likes a Scrooge during the
Holidays.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Advent!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-7672241448878661362014-11-21T07:40:00.003-06:002014-11-21T07:40:45.039-06:00VERITAS Retreat review and Statewide Retreat preview<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keLplOynGyI/VG9AHdR2RyI/AAAAAAAAGIU/6lR05fEdvQ4/s1600/IMG_2302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keLplOynGyI/VG9AHdR2RyI/AAAAAAAAGIU/6lR05fEdvQ4/s1600/IMG_2302.JPG" height="640" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sunset at VERITAS Retreat (taken by Anna Grace Salem)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The VERITAS Retreat was great last Saturday! We had a great group and an awesome location. A very special thanks to the Hintons for having us at their Lafayette County farm for the day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the name implies, every VERITAS Retreat deals with Truth, or rather <i>the</i> Truth: Christ, and our relationship with him. We had an awesome day of retreat and we all felt rejuvenated (spiritually) after spending a productive day in prayer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our next retreat opportunity will be the Statewide College Retreat, Feb. 20-22, 2015 at Camp Bratton-Green (near Canton, MS). You're not going to want to miss this weekend of spiritual renewal with other college students from around the state. One of our retreat presenters this year will be none other than Bishop Joseph Kopacz. It's going to be a great weekend!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can sign up for the Statewide College Retreat today! <a href="http://southernfriedcatholicism.com/retreats" target="_blank">Click here for more details and to register online</a>.</span>ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-31668332771027196812014-10-31T10:24:00.007-05:002014-10-31T10:24:58.837-05:00The Holy Origins of Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In case you didn’t realize it, today is Halloween. Which means it's time once again for our annual Halloween post here on the SFC Blog!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here in the Deep South, the evangelical form of Christianity has a strong cultural sway. Because of this, there are mixed emotions about Halloween among many believing Southerners – even among some Catholics. Yes, it’s a night set apart for children to dress up in costumes and innocently go door-to-door asking for candy – no harm in that, right? But then there are the persistent (and often convincing) stories, often perpetuated by well-meaning Christians, which link any celebration (or even recognition) of Halloween to an alignment with evil and even satanic activity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, fear not my fellow Papists! Despite the chain email your aunt has forwarded you 10 times about devil-worshiping witches basking in the October 31 moonlight, Halloween is not evil in and of itself and its roots are neither pagan nor satanic. In fact, the origins of this holiday are not pagan or devilish; they’re downright <i>holy</i>, nay, even <i>saintly</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes. Seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hallow = Holy<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let’s start with the name. Essentially, the name “Halloween” is a Scottish contraction of the words “Hallows’ Evening,” which was the old-fashioned English name for the night of October 31, the "eve" of "All Hallows' Day." Over time (specifically from the mid-1500s to the mid-1700s), the name evolved into the name we now call it: Halloween. The etymology of the name looks something like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All Hallows’ Evening</b> --> <b>Hallow Even </b>--> <b>Halloweven</b> --> <b>Hallowe’en</b> --> <b>Halloween</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember, "hallow" means holy. As in the Lord’s Prayer, when we pray: “…hallowed be Thy name.” We’re really praising God in that line, saying, “…holy is Your name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there is absolutely nothing evil about the name “Halloween.” Period.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For all the saints…”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halloween is intimately connected to the day that follows it: November 1 – All Saints’ Day. It is the “evening” before the day on which the Church commemorates all of those Christians who have already entered into heaven: the saints (or, in the older language, the “hallows”).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long ago, the Church began marking the “heavenly birthdays” of those who were martyred for the Faith – recording the date of their martyrdom on the official calendar of the Church and commemorating that day each year. This commemoration would include a special Mass in thanksgiving to God for the martyr’s Christian witness and it asked for the saint’s intercessory prayers before God’s heavenly throne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, the persecutions of the Church became so intense and the number of the martyrs so prolific, that it became obvious that there would not be enough days in the year to celebrate every martyr individually. It was also realized that there were countless martyrs whose names, for one reason or another, were unable to be recorded and were known to God alone. Therefore, local churches began to set apart a day on their calendar to honor all of the Christians martyrs - those well-known as well as those known but to God alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Christian East, these commemorations can be traced back to at least the fourth century. By that time, we know that the Church in the city of Edessa (in present-day Turkey) had already set aside one day in the year to honor <i>all</i> of the Christian martyrs. That date was May 13. In the year 359, St. Ephrem composed a hymn honoring “All Martyrs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the city of Antioch (also in present-day Turkey) around the same time, the Church there also kept an annual memorial of all holy martyrs on the first Sunday after Pentecost each year. We still have sermons that St. John Chrysostom preached for some of these commemorations in that city.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the Christian West, the feast day honoring “All Holy Martyrs” was introduced in the year 609. That year, the Roman Emperor Phocas gave the Pantheon (one of Rome’s oldest and most important pagan temples) to Pope Boniface IV. On May 13 of that same year, Pope Boniface rededicated the Pantheon as a church honoring “St. Maria ad Martyres,” or “Holy Mary and All the Martyrs.” That day – May 13 – was then added to the Roman Church calendar, marking the dedication of the church of “All Martyrs.”<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Martyrs to All Saints<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the year 732, Pope St. Gregory III held a synod of all the clergy in Rome. That synod issued a decree that established – within the Church of Rome – a new commemoration of “all the apostles, martyrs, confessors, and all the just and perfect servants of God whose bodies rest throughout the whole world.” The pope established an oratory (i.e. prayer chapel) within the old Basilica of St. Peter, dedicated to All Saints on November 1. A fragment of a marble slab, which quotes the original decree of the synod, commissioned by Pope Gregory III himself, is still visible in the grottoes beneath St. Peter’s Basilica.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, for a while, the Roman Church calendar included both a feast day for All Martyrs (May 13) as well as for All Saints (November 1). The May 13<sup> </sup>feast (of All Martyrs) was, in practice, much more popular, though – drawing many pilgrims to the city during the second week in May. But, in reality, the two feast days overlapped in theological emphasis.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hordes of pilgrims that flooded Rome each May to celebrate the dedication of the Pantheon (All Martyrs) became an unmanageable burden to the city and there often was not enough food to feed the tens of thousands of pilgrims. In response, during the ninth century, Pope Gregory IV made the very practical decision to remove the emphasis traditionally placed on the dedication feast of the church of All Martyrs, and transferred the solemnity to the Feast of All Saints on November 1.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why was November 1 seen to be a preferable time to accommodate vast crowds of pilgrims? It falls just after the fall harvest, a time when pilgrims could be fed much more easily than in the spring.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All Saints spreads across Europe: Sorry - still no satanic influence<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Feast of All Saints on November 1 began to spread throughout the Western Church. St. Bede (d. 735), the first historian of the Church in England, recorded that the Church there was already marking November 1 as “Hallowmas” (i.e. All Saints’ Day) in the early 700s. At the request of Pope Gregory IV, Emperor Louis the Pious (d. 840), introduced the November 1 Feast of All Saints in the Church within his territories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, the November 1 feast day for All Saints was being celebrated throughout the Western Church by the ninth century. And, to reiterate, the day was focused solely on commemorating those holy souls (i.e. saints) who are now in God’s presence in heaven. Nuttin’ evil atall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trick-or-Treaing? More Catholic than you realize!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The practice of going door-to-door, begging for treats dates back to the Middle Ages in the British Isles. It began as a practice called “souling.” On all Saints’ Day, pious families would bake small, round cakes, usually made with ginger or nutmeg and topped with a cross.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Modern example of "soul cakes"</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These “soul cakes” were given out to “soulers” – usually children and the poor – who went from house to house to get them. For each soul cake they received, the soulers would promise to pray for a soul in purgatory. Thus, the origin of trick-or-treating revolved around praying for the souls of the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, the practice of souling and of praying for the souls of deceased family members and friends led to the establishment of a brand new feast day on the Church calendar: “All Souls’ Day” on November 2. This became the day set apart to remember and pray for the souls of all the faithful departed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, the origins of Halloween – the evening before All Saints Day - are anything but devilish. Remember that there is an important difference of feasts over the next couple of days. All Saints’ Day is for us to ask for the prayers of those already in heaven. All Souls’ Day is for us to pray for the souls of our friends and family members who have died, so that they may be welcomed into heaven. </span><br />
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ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-39621301088862602662014-10-31T07:38:00.001-05:002014-10-31T07:44:40.031-05:00Hearing and Listening<div class="MsoNormal">
“Everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to
wrath… Put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the world that has
been planted in you… Be doers of the word and not hearers only.” James 2:19-23<o:p></o:p></div>
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Growing up, my mom used to scold me saying, “I know you hear
me, but are you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">listening?</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Confident in my knowledge that there is not a
difference in those two words, I would tell her, “Yes Mother, loud and clear!”
and then ask myself ten minutes later, “Wait what did she say?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like this same situation can be
applied to my relationship with God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes,
I read His Word in the Gospels and at Mass, and yes, I absolutely trust His
Word. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But am I listening to all of what
is being said to the point where I apply it, or am I only hearing what I want
to hear?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I go so far to ask my Bible
life questions and then allow it to fall open to a certain page and search for
the answer as if it’s a Magic 8 Ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Bible, will I ever get a puppy?” I asked. Bible replied, “Stretch out
your hand to make frogs overrun the land of Egypt.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’ll take that as a no.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We know what the Bible says, we understand right from wrong,
and we hear the readings at Mass, but are we actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">listening?</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James tells us to
be “quick to hear,” meaning to soak up what the Lord is telling us, from the
simplicity of “I have called you by name” (Is. 43) to the controversy of “Wives
be subordinate to their husbands as to the Lord” (Eph. 5).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>James tells us to be “doers” of the Word, not
just “hearers.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If all we do is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hear </i>the Word, action will not
follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much like when I heard my mom
telling me to do something, but I never did it because it went in one ear and
out of the other. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Instead, if we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">listen </i>to
the Word - and I mean listen to the point of note taking (you will get funny
looks at Mass for having a note book but it’s your salvation, not that of the
lookers) – we become <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">doers</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">listen
</i>to the Word, it will become part of us, so imbedded in our nature that we
cannot help but act upon, so inflamed in our hearts that we cannot help but set
the world on fire, so moving in our souls that we cannot help but move someone
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-56495183686130639792014-10-28T11:27:00.004-05:002014-10-28T11:40:30.441-05:00Restoring Hope: The inspiration behind St. Jude's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671" target="_blank"><img alt=" Click here to help St. Jude's today!" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DDqzbHHLxe0/VE_DqY8BzKI/AAAAAAAAGHw/hnAdpCh0VDY/s1600/patient_group_2_hi_res.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amos Kairouz was a man struggling to build a successful career to support his growing family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of nine children of Maronite Catholic immigrants from Lebanon, Kairouz grew up in Ohio. By 1940, Kairouz and his wife, Rose Marie, were expecting their first child. He was finding only moderate success in show business and he knew that he needed help. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tapping into his Catholic faith, he remembered a stagehand in Detroit who told him that his wife had made a miraculous recovery from cancer. The stagehand had credited the intercessory prayers of St. Jude for his wife’s healing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kairouz knew that St. Jude had the reputation for being the patron saint of hopeless causes and he truly felt that his situation was hopeless. He began to ask for the saint’s intercession, too, praying for guidance and strength that he might find financial success in order to support his growing family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During one of his visits to the statue of St. Jude in a Detroit church, he asked for the saint to give him a sign to let him know whether or not he was on the right path with his career. He placed $7 in the church’s offering box and thought, “I need at least 10 times this.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The very next day, seemingly out of the blue, Kairouz was offered a gig in a toothbrush commercial. The pay was $75. He saw this event as a sign from God that he was, indeed, on the right path. He knew that St. Jude interceded for him and he made a promise to God that he would “do something big” in St. Jude’s name if was able to find more success. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the months after that, Kairous’ show business career began to take off. He adopted the stage name “Danny Thomas,” but he never wavered in his commitment to squeaky-clean entertainment nor in his commitment to honoring the saint whose intercession he credited for his success. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjGJW8X4YXc/VE_DAbxZovI/AAAAAAAAGHo/6t3i_Wnd_lw/s1600/34204-482348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TjGJW8X4YXc/VE_DAbxZovI/AAAAAAAAGHo/6t3i_Wnd_lw/s1600/34204-482348.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Danny Thomas, Entertainer and Founder </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of St. Jude's Children Research Hospital</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His first “something big” was regular financial contributions to the National Shrine of St. Jude in Chicago. But he dreamed of doing something even bigger, something that would draw the world’s attention to those whose situation seemed “hopeless.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 1960, Thomas’ dream became reality when he founded the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Since its founding, the mission of the hospital has been “to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric diseases.” No child is ever denied treatment at St. Jude’s for their family’s inability to pay for care. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Due to a promise made by a struggling comedian, countless children have been loved and treated by the doctors and staff at St. Jude’s. The medical research at St. Jude’s has yielded amazing results, too: the survival rate from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (the most common type of childhood cancer) has risen from 4 percent in 1962 (when the hospital opened) to 94 percent today. During this same time, the survival rates for all childhood cancers has risen from an average of 20 percent to an average of 80 percent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The lesson here is that so much good can be done from commitment to a promise and from devotion to God. St. Jude is truly the patron of hopeless causes because, through his intercession, God seems always ready to restore hope, deepen faith, and heal souls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671" target="_blank"><b>If you have just a few dollars to spare, please make a donation to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital today. It's quick, easy, and hope-restoring.</b></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://shop.stjude.org/GiftCatalog/donation.do?cID=14262&pID=24671" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ww8G4fzcnUY/VE_Dw2lBJyI/AAAAAAAAGH4/Mtxt6sjZWtA/s1600/14764848.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-71062144488840595782014-10-17T11:13:00.000-05:002014-10-17T11:13:21.986-05:00Letters from a Martyr: St. Ignatius of Antioch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uINhRDTBDiA/VEE81WTqO6I/AAAAAAAAGHQ/Mh951XzviJ0/s1600/Ignatius_of_Antioch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uINhRDTBDiA/VEE81WTqO6I/AAAAAAAAGHQ/Mh951XzviJ0/s1600/Ignatius_of_Antioch.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He was on his way to meet a grisly end and the hands (er, the paws) of hungry lions. There was no mystery about how or when death would come. It would come in an arena filled with blood-lusting hordes gathered to witness the macabre spectacle of Roman execution. It would come through the jaws and claws of wild animals. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the situation in which the bishop of Antioch found himself. He was on a journey to his own demise and was well aware of the fate that awaited him. But yet, the letters that he wrote during the arduous trip betray a seemingly joyful acceptance of his situation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This man’s name was Ignatius. He converted to Christianity at a young age and, as a young man, he had been a disciple of the Apostles Peter, Paul and John during their respective stays in his hometown of Antioch. During those formative years, he learned about Jesus and the faith he taught from the lips and examples of those who knew him best (Peter and John) and from the one to whom the Resurrected Lord made a mystical, life-changing appearance (Paul). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eventually, Ignatius was ordained as the third bishop of the Church in Antioch (succeeding the Apostle Peter, who had moved on to Rome, and St. Evodius, who seems to have died from natural causes). He served as the chief pastor of the Christians in Antioch from around the year 67 AD until he was arrested during a persecution of Christians under the Emperor Trajan. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After his arrest around the year 107 AD, the elderly Ignatius, then, was taken from Antioch to Rome, a journey of nearly 1,500 miles. At nearly every stop along the way, leaders of the local churches greeted him. With the help of a secretary, he wrote letters to various local churches and at least one to a fellow bishop during his journey. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven of these letters have been preserved and, although two millennia have elapsed since they were penned, they’re still shining with Ignatius’ unshakeable faith and irrepressible joy of a first-century bishop who witnessed the dawn of the Church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can read the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch today. They are every bit as inspiring to modern eyes as they must have been to their original recipient so many centuries ago. You can find them online, here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0104.htm" target="_blank">To the Church at Ephesus</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0105.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the Church at Magnesia</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0106.htm" target="_blank">To the Church at Tralles</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0107.htm" target="_blank">To the Church at Rome</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0108.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the Church at Philadelphia</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0109.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To the Church at Smyrna</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0110.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ignatius' letters are rife with hope, love, and an unshakeable focus on Christ. In the fourth century, another towering figure in Church history, St. John Chrysostom, preached about the martyr Ignatius. He said that Ignatius was a “soul which despised all things present, glowed with Divine love, and valued things unseen before the things which are seen.” </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We, today, could benefit from Chrysostom’s advice to soak in the wisdom preserved in the letters of St. Ignatius of Antioch. “Not only today, therefore, but every day let us go forth to him, plucking spiritual fruits from him.” Today marks the feast day of St. Ignatius of Antioch.</span><br />
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ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-30121502825334456182014-10-15T23:17:00.000-05:002014-10-16T07:35:47.166-05:00Church Doctrine Remains the Same<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33U8ZoXbj7w/VD9CFwk-8sI/AAAAAAAAAEM/chafcgGCH1k/s1600/blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-33U8ZoXbj7w/VD9CFwk-8sI/AAAAAAAAAEM/chafcgGCH1k/s1600/blog.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Much controversy
has surfaced about the recent release of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatio
post disceptationem, </i>translated to “report after debate.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This month, the Synod of Bishops met to
discuss topics related to family and evangelization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key word here is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">discuss</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">The Synod of
Bishops is a permanent institution of the Catholic Church, formed after Vatican
II in order to continue the discussion and communion present at the Vatican
Council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pope can call for the Synod
at any time he sees it necessary to consult the world’s bishops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most recent meeting resulted in the
document <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatio post disceptationem, </i>which
gave rise to news and web articles titled “Vatican signals relaxed stance on
gays, birth control, and divorce” and “Will the Catholic Church change its
stand on marriage and divorce?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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When <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatio </i>was
released, the jaws dropped of liberals and conservatives alike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The public had reactions that “rivaled the
rollout of Obamacare,” describes editor-in-chief of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Catholic Thing</i>, Robert Royal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much of the public sector along with the media misunderstood this
document as a reversal of Church doctrines on gay marriage, divorce, and birth
control.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is far from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This document is not a set of conclusions, a change of age-old teachings,
or a solution to current issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead, it is a modern discussion of debates the Catholic Church faces
everyday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pope Francis, in his conciliatory
manner, is approaching the subject of homosexuality “with a spirit of embrace,
of mercy, and not with sin,” according to TIME magazine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tone is revolutionary and his writing is
ambiguous, but the Synod has confirmed “the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">relatio
</i>presented on Monday was wrongly seen as a set of conclusions, when it is in
fact a work in progress merely intended to guide further discussion,” says
South African Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The document reaffirms “at several points that marriage is between a man
and a woman. Substance on that point is not changing (TIME).”<o:p></o:p></div>
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The document begins to discuss current questions of controversy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pope Francis believes homosexuals “need to be
welcomed and accompanied with patience and delicacy,” with their “gifts and
qualities to offer to the Christian community.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> A</span>ccording to National Catholic Reporter, even the pope admits that the document needs some clarification.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pope Francis is not reversing teaching or rewriting Church
doctrine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he is sticking to a
theme he has held is entire papacy: to love one another.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more reading, check out these links: <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://time.com/3502522/pope-francis-vatican-catholic-church-homosexuality/">http://time.com/3502522/pope-francis-vatican-catholic-church-homosexuality/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-73086877487866370142014-10-02T16:09:00.000-05:002014-10-02T16:12:32.887-05:00Therese Who?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5wC_22rZbc/VC2_l6CbBRI/AAAAAAAAAD0/IOsiuG40nHw/s1600/froth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o5wC_22rZbc/VC2_l6CbBRI/AAAAAAAAAD0/IOsiuG40nHw/s1600/froth.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I think of a female saint I generalize that she 1)
started a religious order, 2) lived a long life of evangelical holiness which
3) converted everyone around her to a devoted life of Catholicism, and 4) had a
real-life, visible halo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Isn’t there a saying about assuming too quickly?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>St. Therese of
Lisieux, whose feast day is celebrated October 1, was different from the
saintly construct I fabricated in my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She never started a religious order and never went on a mission
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t have the pope on speed
dial (or whatever they used back then), and her name was barely known around
her Carmelite convent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet she lived a
life overflowing with <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">love and humility</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Therese joined the Carmelites at 15 years old and began to
wonder how she would spread love in this cloistered environment…. What were you
doing at 15? Hiding your MySpace? Me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therese writes, “Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show
love?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She began to make small
sacrifices of spreading flower petals where she walked and smiling at sisters
she did not like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her vocation “was to
love,” and she carried her vocation out with anonymous humility.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Therese was not the evangelical with a microphone standing
in the Wal-Mart parking lot, she didn’t write blogs that led people to the
light, and she didn’t even mean to write a book. She was simple, humble, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">anonymous</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a world of Facebook and Instagram and the
desire to post a picture of my coffee because the froth looks like a dinosaur,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> being</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">anonymous is tough. </b>We want the credit we deserve and the fame we
desire… and the “likes” on our pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therese encourages us to think otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she died at 24, no one around the
convent really mentioned her name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her
inspiring minimalism whispers to us that we are here to love, not necessarily <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">to be </i>loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants us “to love until we die of love.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let us take on each day with the simplicity and humility of
Therese, <span style="color: #131313; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“missing no
single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look,
there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for
love.”</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-65267409292859808352014-09-22T12:58:00.001-05:002014-09-22T13:08:42.982-05:00Cooperating with Grace: "Take your earnings and go!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJQw-xWjlRc/VCBjP3d-g8I/AAAAAAAAGG0/ShGERXs8UFo/s1600/Vineyard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JJQw-xWjlRc/VCBjP3d-g8I/AAAAAAAAGG0/ShGERXs8UFo/s1600/Vineyard2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Jesus Christ is extraordinarily generous. Not only does he give us life, hope and redemption, he offers us, too, the gift of everlasting life. He even allows as, as "co-workers in the vineyard," to cooperate in the economy of salvation.<br />
<br />
Work gives us dignity. And Christ invites us to participate in the greatest work of all: the building up of his kingdom here on earth. We do this by contributing to the "work of salvation;" by living above and beyond the vices of worldly selfishness, greed and envy. And by being satisfied with our "wages."<br />
<br />
There are many who grumble against God, "the generous landowner." They lose sight of the fact that they have been blessed beyond measure. Their vision, instead, is clouded by a longing for human accolades and earthly glory.<br />
<br />
They whine because others are more successful. They envy the good fortune of neighbors. They are blessed beyond measure, but still are not satisfied.<br />
<br />
Remember, though, that God's blessings never satisfy selfish desires. Our egos (the center of our selfish desires) are gluttons for human recognition and worldly goods... but they are starved by God's grace.<br />
<br />
To be a disciple of Christ is lifelong lesson in humility and selflessness.<br />
<br />
Our Lord is infinitely wealthy in life-giving grace and his treasury is as open to us as it is abundant. Whenever we are tempted to be envious because he is so generous with others, we have to take stock, re-assess and recognize that the blessings we have been given are just.<br />
<br />
Rejoice in your blessings! Cooperate with God's good grace! "Take your earnings and go" and never lose sight of the fact that, on God's payroll, "the last will be first, and the first, last."ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-89137153225864792412014-09-19T14:20:00.000-05:002014-09-19T15:50:56.948-05:00Proverbs 16:9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is easy as students to get caught up in the every day
things life in college brings us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
openly admit to allowing the daily duties of class, work, and socializing to
define me. I routinely make a “to-do” list and gain too much satisfaction from
crossing things out one by one. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
students we come across trials that seem mountainous, but in reality they will
eventually plateau into oblivion if we only give it time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Your problems, like mine, are probably not as big of a deal
as you make them seem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Proverbs 16:9
says, “In his mind a man plans his course, but the Lord directs his
steps.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think of the “course” you
have planned in your head and you have convinced yourself that if you do not
follow the steps you have also planned in your head that success is
unattainable. Yet maybe the Lord is encouraging a different path. Two roads may arrive at the same place, but
perhaps he wants you to take the one you were timid about taking: the sorority
you didn’t think you would join, the major you didn’t think you would change,
the friend you didn’t think you would mesh with, the life path you never
considered. <br />
<br />
You see, there is a bigger
painting and we all have the issue of focusing on the individual brush
strokes. You may not notice it now, but
the Lord has the brush strokes taken care of; He has the materials, the paint,
the people you need.<br />
<br />
The course you have planned in your head is certainly your
concern, but your individual steps are His.
If He takes you down a different path, then relax and enjoy the
adventure. Keep things in perspective.
And take lots of pictures along the way.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-72171190025118236962014-09-17T15:47:00.002-05:002014-09-17T15:51:27.531-05:00Why Confession?: Understanding the Heart of the Sacrament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXIDDJ4Oi5E/VBnyLo1XBaI/AAAAAAAAGGg/Ny-fDj7Xc4U/s1600/Bartolome%2BEsteban%2BMurillo-257688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JXIDDJ4Oi5E/VBnyLo1XBaI/AAAAAAAAGGg/Ny-fDj7Xc4U/s1600/Bartolome%2BEsteban%2BMurillo-257688.jpg" height="470" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sacrament of Reconciliation (i.e. Confession) is sometimes a stumbling block to our non-Catholic friends. A detailed explanation of the sacrament is not always necessary, though, if we come to understand what is at the heart of Reconciliation: humility, forgiveness and the redemptive love of our heavenly Father. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The words of St. Paul to the Romans ring true: we have “all sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Due to Original Sin and our own actions (and inactions), our human condition is poor and imperfect (at best) or wicked and corrupt (at worst). In any case, we find that we have betrayed the goodness of God and our relationship with him has been injured. Thankfully, though, we aren’t without hope.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ came to earth to teach us that we “must be born from above … born of water and Spirit (see John 3:3, 5). Jesus enlightened the world and he sacrificed himself to become the Way that we can become reconciled to the Father. Christ preached not only spiritual rebirth but conversion of heart and, ultimately, redemption.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week at Good Cheer, we discovered (or rediscovered) who Jesus is (the Savior) and why he came to earth (“so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life”). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight at Good Cheer, we’ll examine the parable of the prodigal son—one of the most beautiful stories found in the Gospels. The story is very familiar to some but, if we are willing to look a little deeper, we might also find it challenging. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It also sheds light on the Sacrament of Reconciliation because it reveals the Father’s heart who, despite our actions, always loves and is always patiently waiting to take us back. We’ll also hear the testimony of Kelly McCormick, the goalkeeper for the Ole Miss Rebels soccer team who is not only a dedicated student-athlete but also a devoted disciple of Christ.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See y’all tonight at 8!</span><br />
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ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-49735242932155444652014-09-16T16:05:00.002-05:002014-09-16T16:06:25.011-05:00Women's Small Group book study returns tonight!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kKC5VBn01s/VBilk1kjs5I/AAAAAAAAGGI/Mt2csXW3vZ0/s1600/5161vOSrCGL-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8kKC5VBn01s/VBilk1kjs5I/AAAAAAAAGGI/Mt2csXW3vZ0/s1600/5161vOSrCGL-1.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoYplccIsE4/VBilk6qwdeI/AAAAAAAAGGM/TiI3t6MJAOs/s1600/51zjgrF9mDL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoYplccIsE4/VBilk6qwdeI/AAAAAAAAGGM/TiI3t6MJAOs/s1600/51zjgrF9mDL.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Attention ladies: </b>Going crazy with Rush week?? Come take a breather from the chaos with the Women's Small Group book study tonight! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cecilia, Amy, and Taylor will walk everyone through the first chapter, "How I Fell Out of my Minivan and Found Myself," and have some great discussion questions. Books will also be distributed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Come and join us tonight at 8:15pm (just after Adoration) in the St. John's Community Room! All college-aged women are welcome!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-46760470623645056532014-09-12T12:51:00.003-05:002014-09-12T13:08:31.599-05:00Go Greek! ... or dont!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYkqR574U8/VBMycj8FzEI/AAAAAAAAGF4/U-ic6hPLJ4U/s1600/IMG_3985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2JYkqR574U8/VBMycj8FzEI/AAAAAAAAGF4/U-ic6hPLJ4U/s1600/IMG_3985.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the face of all the hoopla and excitement that surrounds the run-up to Greek recruitment, we would recommend letting a little bit of common sense prevail: calm down. Whether you have decided for or against participating in rush, you will be fine and will do well during your time at Ole Miss. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our campus is considered by many to be “heavily Greek,” because about one third of Ole Miss undergrads are members of a fraternity or a sorority. But, of course, this means that two thirds of undergrads are not in a fraternity or sorority. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are plenty of ways to be meet people, socialize, serve and lead on campus. In the grand scheme of things, and despite how things might feel at the moment, whether you participate in Greek life or not is ultimately not all that important. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whatever decision you make about Greek life, recognize that God has placed you where you are to be a leader in faith to those around you and to be an example of Christ-like love to those who see you. Greek or not, remember that you’re the only “you,” with all the gifts and talents you’ve been loaned by God for <i>your</i> role in building up his kingdom, whether within the confines of the fraternity or sorority house or in any corner of campus. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are our tips on how to make the most of your decision about Greek life:</span><br />
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<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Faith first:</b> Remember that you’re a Catholic, first and foremost, before any manmade label. Greek or not, Regular Mass attendance, daily prayer, and being active with CCM are the tried and true methods to finding the most important type of success during your college career: spiritual success. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be confident in your decision.</b> Remember that God has a very specific plan for you and your life and, if you prayerfully seek his guidance, you’ll land exactly where you’re meant to be. Seek and follow his will above all else. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be respectful of other peoples’ feelings</b> in what you do and say before, during, and after rush. Don’t succumb to the temptation of bashing those who made a different decision than you did about Greek life. Emulating Christ means to be Christ-like in all of your actions – and conversations. Strive to be “all things to all people … for the sake of the Gospel.” (see 1 Corinthians 9:22-23)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Make a concerted effort to get involved</b> in other ways on campus. To have success in your first year in college, it’s vital that you plug in and get involved on campus in diverse ways, so whether or not you "go Greek," find and join any campus organizations that meet your interests and goals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be aware</b> that you might face some special challenges if one of your close friends or roommates makes a different decision than you do about Greek life. They’ll have new demands on their time and you might have to patiently endure stories from them about new people and events that you don’t have the same connection to. See this as an opportunity for your friendship to grow and be open to making adjustments to the changing dynamics that can occur between friends during and after rush and "above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)</span></li>
</ol>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After rush week, every one of you will still be the same, uniquely-created, purpose-driven individual that you were before. You’ll still be loved and wonderful and the nervous excitement of rush will be nothing more than past life event. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point is (and you have to trust me on this, as someone speaking from personal experience), at this moment, everyone seems to be talking about rush and Greek life, but soon the newness will pass and the excitement will fade. In a short time from now, you’ll all look back at this time with a chuckle about how much unnecessary fuss and drama was involved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Those who join a fraternity or sorority will still mingle and be friends with those who decide against joining. There will be no great cosmic shift in the social balance of your freshman class and life will return to normal. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust me. </span><br />
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ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-40487226932100569602014-09-10T07:42:00.003-05:002014-09-10T07:42:34.794-05:00"Born again?" Examining the Catholic Response<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you've ever been asked whether you're a a "born-again Christian," you might have felt a little nervous and weren't exactly sure how to reply. This is totally understandable since this term ("born-again") is usually used by and associated with evangelical Protestant groups. It's just not a phrase that we Catholics use very often.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But actually, being "born again" is at the heart of the Gospel and is central to our Catholic beliefs. The term comes from the third chapter of John where Jesus has a conversation with a religious scholar named Nicodemus where Jesus tells Nicodemus: "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." (John 3:3). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week at Good Cheer, we explored the root of the brokenness in our world - the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. Their disobedience to God's loving commands resulted in a self-chosen separation from God and an exclusion from God's kingdom that lasted for generations upon generations and, in many ways, haunts humanity to this day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight at <a href="http://southernfriedcatholicism.com/good-cheer" target="_blank">Good Cheer</a>, we'll examine this pivotal question: "Who is Jesus and why did he come?" The answers inform who we are as believers and help to explain how and why we, as Catholic Christians, "must be born from above ... born of water and Spirit." (see John 3:3, 5) We'll find out the Catholic response to the famous question "Have you been born again?" and we'll hear the testimony of one of Oxford and Ole Miss's most widely-known and beloved residents: Dr. Sparky Reardon, the recently-retired Dean of Students at Ole Miss who's a native of the Mississippi Delta and a great story-teller. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See y'all at 8 tonight!</span><br />
<br />ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-78696611275597748442014-09-09T12:19:00.004-05:002014-09-09T12:19:46.105-05:00St. Paul and ISIS: Can you imagine...?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXzHorZOIpY/VA816pWdSVI/AAAAAAAAGFU/ycJa8uvKG1U/s1600/isis_24-jun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kXzHorZOIpY/VA816pWdSVI/AAAAAAAAGFU/ycJa8uvKG1U/s1600/isis_24-jun.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A thought-provoking piece from blogger <a href="http://www.shaunmcafee.com/" target="_blank">Shaun McAfee</a>:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Imagine if the leader of ISIS converted to Christianity. That would be a long-shot, right? Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is a notorious leader of the savage group known as ISIS. He is the most wanted, feared and hated man in the world. In no right mind would anyone expect for this man to convert to Christianity. His group exists for one mission in mind: to establish a Third Caliphate and convert the world to Islam. There are no bystanders. Their basic ideology is unambiguously communicated in blood: convert or die.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Though we are shocked and in awe of the atrocities, we cannot forget one important thing: our first and best missionary, author of thirteen epistles and half of the New Testament, was a mass murderer and a person who held to the same ideology we are shocked by: convert or die.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">St. Paul was like the Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in so many ways. Baghdadi is extremely well educated, having multiple graduate degrees in Islamic Studies, law, and education. Paul too, was a preeminent student of law, having studied at the feet of the distinguished rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Not just a student, he was a master of the law as a Pharisee. He said he was a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” with more cause to brag about himself than any other (Philippians 3:5).</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At one point in time, Paul believed his cause on earth to kill Christians was God-given, a “zeal for persecution” as he says, he was happy to capture, try, condemn, jail and kill Christians at will (Philippians 3:6). So imbued with this zeal, the Bible says that his very breath was filled with murder (Acts 9:1).</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because his heart was truly after the heart of God, no matter what he thought that God wanted, he was able to be used by God. Then, without warning and without restraint he was thrown from his steed. A six foot fall from his horse to the hot desert sand, there was nobody more shocked, confused and compelled at the power of Jesus Christ than he was in that moment.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can use this as an example to be inspired to pray for the same thing: for the hearts and minds of those jihadis to change, to turn to the true God, and convert to Christ.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many have prayed for this. It has been a most difficult thing to pray because what we know has happened deserves justice. However, we must also remember that none of us deserves God’s grace. It’s not natural to us. It’s a free and gratuitous gift from God.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Doctors of the Church St. Therese of Lesieux and Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange O.P. remind us of this most poignant thing; that God’s grace for salvation is not given to everyone, but God gives each person enough grace to pray, which requires a change of heart. We can and should pray for this and see it as a cross we carry in obedience and cooperation with Christ’s grace.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It appears for now that this prayer is being answered in such a degree, that of the hundreds who have joined the jihadis, some are now wishing they had not joined at all, according to reports, and wishing to return home to their former residences. The main group of these are those from Britain. I’m hopeful that these reports are true and accurate.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If and when this happens I’d expect everyone to be skeptical. That’s how they treated St. Paul as well (Acts 9:21). This is reasonable but what we have to do is trust God with our prayers.</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No matter the probability of the event, we must pray for it to happen. Nothing is impossible for God; Nothing!</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...[W]e can never understand and know the hearts and actions of others to the degree that God does. Second, and this is really first, we will never and can never understand the mercy and peace of God.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above all, please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are facing persecution. And if you are able to provide financial assistance to them as well, please consider donating to the <a href="http://www.cnewa.org/donations.aspx?ID=1526&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1" target="_blank">Catholic Near East Welfare Association</a>. Christians in the Near East need all the help they can get.</span>ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-60755309564826785972014-09-04T14:12:00.002-05:002014-09-04T14:15:41.233-05:00Jesus' Concert<div class="MsoNormal">
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Starting this week’s article with a big shout out to Maison
Lowery for sharing this verse with me….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Zephaniah 3:17 says “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a
mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness and renew you in his
love, He will sing joyfully because of you as one sings at festivals.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s focus on a few main points and then somehow
miraculously tie this verse into the feast day of Gregory the Great (which was yesterday... yes I'm a day late).<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I spend time in Scripture, I read it as if it is
addressed to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Selfish? Maybe so.
Effective? Absolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take our
Zephaniah verse: “The Lord, my God, is always in my midst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is my mighty savior.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this line I realize that I never have to
worry about being the most important person in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, my presence is quite
irrelevant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If He is always in my midst,
then there is never a reason for anxiety. This idea is not only humbling but
also relieving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humbling because His omniscience
knocks my pride down a few levels by reminding me, “You will never know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relieving because His presence reminds me
that I am never expected to know <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">everything.
</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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“He will rejoice over me with gladness and renew me with his
love, He will sing joyfully because of me…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>WHAT?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">He </i>is singing because of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me???
</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dust of Jerusalem must have gotten
to Zephaniah’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I was
supposed to sing for the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
indeed, the Lord sings for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us. </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humility at its finest!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, although sinners, are so loved by our
Lord that he will always remain in our midst while singing to us joyfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who doesn’t want a personal concert by Jesus?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The entirety of the verse whispers to us, “Here I am,
hanging out beside you always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
singing for you because I have so much faith in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe in you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am here to cheer you on.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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No one grasped this verse better than Pope Gregory the Great,
who lived a life of monastic simplicity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He understood that the Lord’s presence surrounded him at all times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gregory emphasized the importance of a bishop
and the need for a righteous magisterium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without the ubiquitous presence of the Lord and a knowledgeable teaching
body, Gregory would have failed as a shepherd and his people would have failed
as sheep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His Gregorian chants were
practiced in monasteries, offering song as praise for the Lord while the Lord
simultaneously offers His song to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His largest blunder in the papacy, if a blunder at all, was emptying the
Vatican treasury by donating too largely to charities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was a simple man who yearned to help the
poor and lead the lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that the
Lord was cheering him on along the way, just as the Lord does for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May we live our lives with the simplicity of
Gregory the Great, listening to the song of the Lord the entire way.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-76923203158289682422014-09-03T17:01:00.002-05:002014-09-03T17:03:29.070-05:00Tonight's Good Cheer is BYOB (Bring Your Own Bible)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP81MpHS3Xs/VAePX7SfR7I/AAAAAAAAGE4/bXcZHZp0gb8/s1600/1235394_10151888602658824_449863514_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JP81MpHS3Xs/VAePX7SfR7I/AAAAAAAAGE4/bXcZHZp0gb8/s1600/1235394_10151888602658824_449863514_n.jpg" height="250" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yesterday marked the beginning of paid, metered parking around the Oxford Square. If you're headed to Good Cheer this evening (8pm, upstairs at Bouré), though, you need not worry about where to park. We've already thought of that!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://southernfriedcatholicism.com/parking-for-good-cheer" target="_blank">On our website</a>, you can find a nifty map which highlights the <i><b>free</b></i> parking areas around the Square!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tonight at Good Cheer, we'll dive into our Scripture study (entitled "The Crux"). We'll begin tonight by examining two parts of the book of Genesis -- passages that give us a keen insight into some of the most basic and important questions that humans have: <b>Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we here?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We'll also hear the testimony of tonight's special guest, Mary Kate Domino. Mary Kate is a fellow Rebel (<a href="http://olemissrebelettes.blogspot.com/2012/11/get-to-know-mary-kate.html" target="_blank">a Rebelette, actually</a>) who's originally from California. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We get started at 8 with a short welcome and intro, followed by a half hour or so of top-notch Catholic content. As always, yummy Bouré appetizers will be served, so bring your appetite, your Bible... and a friend!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-78444302738016160152014-09-02T11:44:00.002-05:002014-09-02T11:44:22.634-05:00This is Why Jesus Invented Flash<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/m5HE2lD1OaI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.supersport.com/football/argentina/news/140901/Maradona_steals_show_from_Pope_Francis">The story is here:</a><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
In his address to the participants, Francis said he hoped Monday night's
match at Rome's Olympic Stadium would help lead to "peaceful
co-existence among all people, excluding every discrimination based on
race, language or religion.<br />
"Discrimination is contempt," the pope said, adding that religions had a
large role to play in bringing peace to the world and that sport,
particularly soccer, could be a vehicle for peace.</blockquote>
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Once again, Pope Francis SAVES THE UNIVERSE! Babies are kissed! Feets are washed! Selfies are taken! And NO ONE GETS BIT during a soccer match! <br />
Fr Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01458743059354438274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-86997197465181199942014-08-29T12:32:00.001-05:002014-08-29T12:32:10.674-05:00Helping CCM, "for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Cor 9:7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good folks at </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIQaWzCS9zI" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Our Lady of Wisdom Church and Catholic Student Center</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (the Ragin' Cajun Catholics at UL) posted this thought-provoking piece:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The summer is drawing to a close, which means </span><a href="http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">20 million students</a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> will be heading off to colleges and universities throughout the nation to begin a new school year.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Between purchasing textbooks, attending classes, and getting ready for the first football game of the season, Catholic students have a great opportunity to get involved in Catholic campus ministry.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, thanks to groups like <a href="http://www.focus.org/" target="_blank">FOCUS</a> and <a href="http://www.newmanconnection.com/" target="_blank">The Newman Connection</a> which are committed to promoting the New Evangelization on college campuses, Catholic campus ministry is thriving in the United States.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An effective and fruitful campus ministry can have a profound impact on the lives of large numbers of college students, but that impact depends a great deal on the generosity of financial benefactors.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you’ve never thought about the importance of Catholic campus ministry and the need to support it financially, here is a list of <b>Seven Reasons to Support Catholic College Campus Ministry:</b></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1. College campuses are mission territory.</b> We are all aware of the temptation and sin that are pervasive at universities today. Christianity and morality are often rejected. Catholic campus ministry provides a light in the darkness and gives students the chance to come to know and accept the love of Jesus and to be part of a vibrant Catholic community. We are often asked to support oversees missions, but let’s not forget that there is mission territory right in our own town.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. Students can’t fund it by themselves.</b> Between student loans and living expenses college students cannot provide the financial support to sustain a campus ministry, much less enable it to grow. College campus ministry depends on the generosity of benefactors and alumni in order to provide programming, retreats, outreach, pizza – and all of the other ministries that help to make an impact in the lives of college students.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. You can help to keep college students Catholic. </b>70-80 percent of Catholic students will abandon the practice of their faith once they leave college. Getting involved in Catholic campus ministry while they are in college is the best safeguard for preventing them from losing their faith, but more importantly for them growing in and sustaining their faith even after they leave college.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. You can help to create future Catholic leaders in parish and society.</b> Catholic campus ministry is not just about having a place to hang out and eat free pizza- it is about forming life long disciples of Jesus Christ. Catholic campus ministry forms future leaders that will hopefully go out and not only get involved in their own parishes but have a positive impact on society as they become leaders in their local community.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. It promotes vocations and faith-filled marriages.</b> Catholic campus ministry can be a powerful tool for helping young men and women discern vocations to the priesthood and religious life. So many priests and religious today attribute their vocation to their involvement in campus ministry when they were at college. For those who will enter into the Sacrament of Marriage, college campus ministry encourages Christ-centered relationships and often provides a great place for future spouses to meet.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>6. You love your alma mater.</b> Like most alumni, we are proud of our school’s successes both in academics and athletics. We proudly wear our school’s colors and are passionate about giving back to the institution that gave so much to us. Supporting the Catholic campus ministry at your alma mater is a great way to support the university because students who get involved in campus ministry have a much better chance at succeeding in their education.</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>7. You love the next generation of Catholics. </b> Supporting Catholic campus ministry tells this generation of Catholics that you love them. Knowledge of Jesus Christ and involvement in this Church is the greatest good we could want for someone else because it shows we care about their souls.</span><br />....<br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Catholic college campus ministry depends on your generosity for its continued success. For those who do support it, thank you so much and please tell others what a blessing it is for you to help change the lives and form the faith of the next generation of Catholics! And for everyone else, please consider helping to form the next generation of Catholic leaders in our nation!</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can read the entire article <a href="http://ourladyofwisdom.org/2014/08/25/seven-reasons-to-support-catholic-campus-ministry/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You, too, can help to shape the next generation of Catholic leaders! Please <a href="http://southernfriedcatholicism.com/giving-to-ccm" target="_blank">click here</a><span id="goog_742574136"></span><span id="goog_742574137"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> to find out how you can partner with Catholic Campus Ministry at Ole Miss to reach students for Christ on the mission field that is the campus of Ole Miss.</span><br />
<br />ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-80064448469988691642014-08-28T09:48:00.000-05:002014-08-28T09:49:20.140-05:0020 Scripture Verses to Inspire You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>In honor of <a href="http://catholicexchange.com/st-augustine" target="_blank">St. Augustine</a>, the great scholar of Scripture whose feast day we celebrate today, here are twenty Scripture verses that will encourage you as you live out Christ's calling on campus:</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. <b>Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.</b> Joshua 1:9</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. <b>Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.</b> Proverbs 3:5-6</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. <b>For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control.</b> 2 Timothy 1:7</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. <b>Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.</b> Psalm 25:4-5</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. <b>But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.</b> 1 Corinthians 15:57-58</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. <b>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.</b> Ephesians 2:10</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. <b>Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.</b> Psalm 1:1-2</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. <b>He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?</b> Micah 6:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. <b>We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.</b> Romans 8:28</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. <b>I can do all things in him who strengthens me.</b> Philippians 4:13</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">11. <b>Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be in dread of them: for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; he will not fail you or forsake you.</b> Deuteronomy 31:6</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12. <b>[B]ut he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</b> 2 Corinthians 12:9</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">13. <b>Your word is a lamp to my feet and light to my path.</b> Psalm 119:105</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">14. <b>And I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.</b> Philippians 1:6</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15. <b>The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as on a day of festival.</b> Zephaniah 3:17</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">16. <b>O Taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! </b>Psalm 34:8</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">17. <b>Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.</b> James 1:2-4</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">18. <b>For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.</b> John 3:16</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">19. <b>Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.</b> John 14:27</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">20. <b>Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.</b> Philippians 4:8</span><br />
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ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-32667619377628349482014-08-27T05:30:00.000-05:002014-08-27T05:30:01.894-05:00A new semester... at seminary<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You're not the only Catholic college students starting classes this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.conception.edu/college-home" target="_blank">Conception Seminary College</a> in Missouri posted these pictures yesterday, giving us a glimpse into what the first day of the semester was like for some of our future priests. You can see their original post on the blog of Conception Abbey <a href="http://listenmyson.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/first-day-of-classes/" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13305986016673872454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4794303123926168266.post-54910977901342236442014-08-26T22:59:00.000-05:002014-08-27T10:42:55.615-05:00Renewing the Mind<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">By Rachel Robertson</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Freshman or upperclassman, we all enter into this new year with the same ambitious, focused, yet totally unrealistic goals of conquering pre-med classes. We want to do all of this while disproving the necessity of sleep and winning the attention of the cute boy across from us in lab who has the precious dimples and tiny freckle on his chin; you’re thinking, “I totally know what frat he is in because of his T-shirt and he definitely has a date party coming up and he’s going to ask me right, RIGHT????” <br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-size: 14px; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; text-indent: 0px;">Was that too specific?</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Regardless, we plan to triumph this semester, leaving a path of glitter and confetti behind our every step while Beyonce’s “Run the World” blares in the background.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Yet in three weeks when the first round of tests start and I, devastated and realizing that dimple boy doesn’t even know my name, will be forced to prioritize what is actually important to me.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Romans 12:2 says, </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">“Do not conform yourself to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.”</strong><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">We all need to be reminded of this verse when the time comes to prioritize. We cannot be molded by this materialistic society, cloned into a dysfunctional member driven by success and power. We know that we must invest our energy only into what is good and pleasing and perfect, but what exactly is “good and pleasing and perfect?” </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">1 Thessalonians 5:21 tells us to </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">“test everything; retain what is good.”</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;"> I believe that this is one of the most encouraging things we can be told as college students: “test everything.” Meaning, “You are about to enter into a whirlwind of a new semester and you have no idea what is going to happen, but test the waters and renew your mind. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Discover the will of God. Discover what is good and pleasing and perfect, even if you have no clue what you’re doing.” Step back from the bustle of Oxford and find peace in your day to ask what His will may be. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">We cannot discover what is good and perfect and pleasing if we do not surrender to this journey of testing everything. This year you will not be testing anything alone; the Lord will be testing each journey with you and He will show you what good He wants you to retain. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">This journey must be a priority to each of us. Whether we talk to Him in the Grove, in Adoration, walking to class, or in front of the waffle maker, making time to discover His will is vital. In the swarm of new classes, the havoc of recruitment, and the frustration of parking, take time each day to renew your mind and seek His will, learn what is good and pleasing and perfect, and may we all retain it this year.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Happy first week!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2e2e2e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-indent: 0px;"><i>Rachel, a junior at the University of Mississippi, is from Mobile, Alabama</i></span></div>
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