Immaculata Publishing: Daily Martyrdom

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 12:26:13 GMT

They say Orthodoxy is hard to find, but it can't be any harder than finding that poiint inside your own soul when you can truly understand it and accept it when you find it. I mean orthodoxy, if it is real, and I do believe it is, is a state of mind and heart and it has to change your whole life, otherwise, how can it exist if it doesn't change you. I'm not talking about changing others, for I don't think that it can change others if it doesn't change yourself. When I say change I don't mean just actions, but something deeper and more lasting. Like the air you breathe, you know it is always there, but have you ever tried to do without it-it is absollutely impossible to live without it. It is the saem with orthodoxy. And it doesn't have to mean that everyone comes flocking to you for advice or that you radiate a certain aura, fo rthose things cannot make orthodoxy what it is, for some people have attained orthodoxy in their lives while not living among others, so they were not able to live thier lives in a social setting; on the other hand, others attained orthodoxy in teh middle of countless individuals, yet they didn't depend upon what others saw them as to attain othodoxy, since it was beyond the huma n judgements and opinions of others. Still, some attained orthodoxy , in a manner which couln't be recorded by individuals, by a certain gradeual ascent to what it became for them, while holdding portions of it at one time or another until it filled their mind and heart. But even then, it wasn't as if they had arrived, but remained in this state within themselves in order to be open to this orthodox state of mind and heart, like one who is still filling a bottle after it is full. The scriptures say, 'the just man shall live by faith,' which seems to put in simple terms what orthodoxy is meant ot be. The just man is a mystery unto himself. Still, it seems impossible that someone can copy orthodoxy, like oine architect can copy a form or an actor can mimic anothers actions. In other words, orthodoxy has to be an interior event for the person, Aristotle speaks about such a person in the Nichomachean Ethics, when he speaks of the virtuous person. No one can teach you virtue, but they themselves can give you an exmpale of what virtue is for themselves. On the other hand, it (orthodoxy) has to be something that someone can freely choose and that for everyone can accept once they come in contact with it; tha t they can recognize that it is genuine and right, even they choose not to have it in the same degree or deisre it in theg same way as that which they come in contact with. Ip CRL

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 15:36:39 GMT

Vatican News Update

Thursday, March 31, 2005

SUMMARY:

BIBLICAL COMMISSION AND RELATION BETWEEN BIBLE, MORALITY

VATICAN TO ISSUE NEW STAMPS AND EURO COINS IN APRIL

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

___________________________________________________________

BIBLICAL COMMISSION AND RELATION BETWEEN BIBLE, MORALITY

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2005 (VIS) - The Pontifical Biblical Commission will hold its annual plenary assembly from April 4 to 8 at the Domus Sanctae Marthae (St. Martha residence) in Vatican City under the presidency of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, according to a communique published today by the commission. Fr. Klemens Stock, S.J., secretary general, will lead the work sessions.

During the course of the meetings, participants will continue to study more deeply the theme of the relation between the Bible and morality. Each member of the commission has prepared a specific contribution which will serve as the basis for the assembly's discussions. COM-B/BIBLE:MORALITY/RATZINGER VIS 050331 (110)

VATICAN TO ISSUE NEW STAMPS AND EURO COINS IN APRIL

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2005 (VIS) - The "Resurrection of Christ" by Perugino, and 120,000 copies of a leaflet featuring the Risen Christ, the central part of the painting. The series of four stamps costs 3.02 Euro and the leaflet is 2.80 Euro.

Pietro Vannucci, known as Perugino, painted the altarpiece of the Resurrection of Christ during a period of only two months in 1499 as a decoration for a noble family's chapel in the Church of San Francesco al Prato in Perugia. It remained in its original position until 1797 when Napoleon moved it to Paris. In Congress of Viennaagreements.

The painting was exhibited in different locations in the new Vatican Picture Gallery, which was founded by Pope Pius VII in 1816. It remained there until 1964 when Pope Paul VI wanted it to adorn the back wall of the library of the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace. Since then, Perugino's "Resurrection of Christ" has served as the solemn and significant backdrop to many audiences of pontiffs, especially visiting heads of state or government and new ambassadors who present their Letters of Credence to the Holy Father, thereby becoming one of the best-known paintings in the extensive artistic patrimony of the Church.

On April 28, the Vatican's Euro coins marking the 27th year of the Pontificate of His Holiness John Paul II will go on sale. The BU series of 8 coins costs 23 Euro whereas the proof version, which also includes a medal of this pontificate, costs 125 Euro. SCV/STAMPS:COINS/... VIS 050331 (300)

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, MAR 31, 2005 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Youngstown, U.S.A., as bishop of Providence (area 3,143, population 1,063,200, Catholics 649,188, priests 407, permanent deacons 107, religious 895), U.S.A. He succeeds Bishop Robert E. Mulveewhose resignation from the pastoral care of the same diocese was accepted by the Holy Father, upon having reached the age limit. NER:RE/.../TOBIN:MULVEE VIS 050331 (70)

Thu, 31 Mar 2005 14:10:31 GMT

Vatican News Update

Thursday, March 31, 2005

SUMMARY:

BIBLICAL COMMISSION AND RELATION BETWEEN BIBLE, MORALITY

VATICAN TO ISSUE NEW STAMPS AND EURO COINS IN APRIL

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

___________________________________________________________

BIBLICAL COMMISSION AND RELATION BETWEEN BIBLE, MORALITY

VATICAN TO ISSUE NEW STAMPS AND EURO COINS IN APRIL

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 18:28:54 GMT

IMAGES OF ST. THERSE

Here at Immaculate Conception Parish in Union, Mo. we have in the Church a small statue of the Saint of Lisieux which stands above the confessional overlooking the body of the Church itself. Opposite the statue of St. Therese is the statue of the Infant Jesus of Prague, which is above the confessional on the other side of the Church.

Below is a group of photos of the St. of Lisieux. They are to remind us of the holiness of the life of St. Therese and it is for this purpose that they are presented here. The Catholic Church teaches that the relics and images of the Saints can unite us to those to whom they remind us of. In the same way. St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that the sacred image is a means to unite us to the saacred person it depicts as the robe of the King reminds us of the King

St. Therese and Celine

This is a picture of the two youngest sisters next to each other; Therese and Celine were the closest to one another. St. Therese was very instrumental in bringing Celine into religious life.

St. Therese at the Pillar in the Convent

St. Therese At Her Death

St. Therese said that she would ask Our Lord to continue so spend her eternity doing good works on earth. In the following days after her death many miracles were worked attested to her intercession.

St. Therese near a Cross

St. Therese to Sr. Marie of St. Joseph, Sept. 1896

"It will never be revealed to creatures on earth, but when the Lamb will open teh book of life, what a surprise for the heavenly court to hear proclaimed with the names of missionaries and martyrs those of poor little children who will have never performed dazzling actions...

St. Therese as Joan of Arc

A Picture of Young St. Therese from 1896

St. Therese at Fifteen

St. There at Twelve Years of Age

St. Therese in Her Religious Habit at Lisieux

St. Therese Washign Laundry With Religious Sisters

Basilica of St. Therese in Lisieux

May St. Therese consinue to pray for all of her spiritual children and guide them to the eternal dwelling with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. May she intercede for us with the Most Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Corpus Christi

Tue, 22 Mar 2005 14:31:01 GMT

THE PEOPLE GATHERED TOGETHER People gather together at Immaculate Conception to share their very faith with one another in the Eucharistic Lord. How can we put into words the presence of Divinity. 'This is My Body.' It IS HIS Body, adn we are His Body thru sharing in His. IP CRL

My God, My God why have you abandoned me?'

Mon, 21 Mar 2005 13:21:05 GMT

What is Sincerity? 'Learning to Love Thru in Our Daily Martyrdom' 'Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.' Deep in our hearts, the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit dwell in our hearts, yet the suffering of our lives for Christ means pouring it out daily. As much as we receive the daily bread, Who is Christ, so we are called to share it with others. This sharing is a cup of blessing containing both sorrow and joy; it is a sorrow because we are light for the world thru it, but it is at the same time a cup of joy for Christ has promised his victory thru it. The middle ground of our daily martyrdom comes at the expense of individual choices for Christ in the less than infinite possibilities that they can take. Here at the liturgy we share in in that communal martyrdom in the Church of Jesus Christ; tha tdaily martyrdom is entering into the 'do this in memory of me.' With Fr. Matthew Mitas and the faithful that gather together, reciting the prayers of the Church and listening to the Word of God we are renewed in this desire to 'lay down our lives for others,' for a friend,' who is Jesus Christ.' This morning we entered more deeply into Passion week. The words of the Gospel are clear about the element of betrayal in the Christian tradition; the element of light and darkness that each Christian has to face becomes very evident today in the liturgy. Though it is personified in one of the disciples it does not come keep us from understanding that the element of betrayal is always possible to every man: 'Jesus knew what was in their hearts.' It is only in following Jesus, the 'way, the truth, the life,' that we are freed from betrayal. 'Do you also want to go away, ' Jesus once said to his disciples. 'My God, My God why have you abandoned me.' These words are the one who has been betrayed not only by a friend but by everyone, excepting those few who stood by his Cross. Here at Immaculate Conception we join with one another is accompanying Jesus thru his passion; in preparation, this week we are meeting for Rosary after 7a.m. Mass and other devotionals. Immaculata News Correspondent CRL

Catholic Bishops

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 16:44:03 GMT

Sunday, Passion Sunday Live from Immaculate Conception Parish Union, Mo. 'Jesus Enters Jerusalem' The Church Must Follow The Church was packed again this Sunday morning at 9a.m. mass; the Holy Week choir sang joyful yet extolling songs to the Lord of Glory as it commemorated his entry into Jerusalem 2000 years ago. Assisted by Deacon Jerry Becker, Fr. Matthew Mitas ascended the altar to give his Christian witness to the Lord of Glory. Assisted by faithful servers and the faithful of the Union area, the faithful followed closely the passion narrative as it was recounted step by step. 'Are you not one of them.' 'I do not know the man!' Peter said. Can we think of a more mournful occasion as we ascend with Our Lord to the altar of His Cross on this Passion Sunday. The Church the worldover sits solemnly at his side waiting for his sacrificial death, which brings us life. Yet, how many of us or which 'one' of us could not say in some way say: 'I do not know the man!' Surely we are all called to repentance as we enter into this most Holy of weeks. We wish , with all of our hearts, to say, what we wanted with a pure and undivided heart, yet it is impossible without grace on our side. We hear Jesus say, 'Do not be afraid, it is I.' Catholics in America have a great responsiblity to choose to live for Christ in the Market Place of our lives. What a great good when brothers dwell together in harmony. Here at Immaculate Conception Parish we are fortunate since Fr. Matthew Mitas is a faithful Priest in the Archdiocese of St. Louis under Archbishop Raymond Burke. Together with the other clergy we form a bond of unity and strength among members with the entire Church. When Our Holy Father came here he presented to the faithful here a rich image of daily martyrdom by his own witness n his pontificate, tacitly giving all of us a source of fidelity to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and in his faithful Church. We are not alone, we are accompanied with those who have gone before us. Let us keep faithful vigil with Our Lord. IP correspondent and reporter 'Religious View in the Church in St. Louis' CRL

Daily Martyrdom

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 16:05:28 GMT

Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 150 p 186 CHAPTER CL THAT THIS SAME ASSISTANCE IS CALLED GRACE; AND WHAT IS MEANT BY SANCTIFYING GRACE SEEING that what is given to a man apart from his merits, is said to be given to him gratis: and since the divine assistance given to man anticipates all human merit, as we have said;[integral]1 it follows that this assistance is bestowed on man gratuitously, and therefore is fittingly known by the name of grace. Hence the Apostle says (Rom. xi. 6): And if by grace, it is not now by works: otherwise grace is no more grace. There is also another reason for which the aforesaid assistance of God has received the name of grace. For one man is said to be pleasing (gratus) to another, because he is beloved by him, wherefore he who is beloved of another, is said to be in his grace. Now it is essential to love that the lover be a well-wisher and a well-doer to the one whom he loves. And indeed the good of every creature is the object of God's will and operation: since the creature's very being and its every perfection come from God willing and operating, as we have proved above:[integral]2 wherefore it is said (Wisd. xi. 25): Thou lovest all things that are, and hatest none of the things which thou hast made. But a special kind of divine love offers itself to our consideration; it is that which is bestowed on those whom he assists to obtain a good which surpasses the order of their nature, namely the perfect enjoyment, not of any created good, but of his very self. Accordingly this assistance is fittingly named grace: not only because it is given gratis, as we have shown; but also because by this assistance man, by a special favour, is rendered pleasing (gratus) to God. Hence the Apostle says (Eph. i. 5, 6): Who hath predestinated us unto the adoption of children . . . according to the purpose of His will: unto the praise of glory in which He hath graced us in His beloved Son. Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 155 p 205 Hence it is said (Philip. i. 6): He who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus: and (1 Pet. v. 10): The God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory . . . after you have suffered a little, will Himself perfect you, and confirm you, and establish you. Summa Contra Gentiles Bk 3b Ch 155 p 205 Moreover we find in Holy Writ many prayers by which perseverance is besought of God, for instance in Ps. xvi. 5, Perfect thou my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps be not moved; and 2 Thess. ii. 15, 16, God our Father . . . exhort your hearts, and confirm you in every good work and word. The same petition is made in the Lord's prayer, especially when we say, Thy kingdom come: for God's kingdom will not come to us, except we persevere in good. Now, it would be absurd to ask of God that whereof He is not the giver. Therefore man's perseverance is from God.