Updates!

Hello Everyone!

As you've noticed, the background has changed again! The color remains white for it is still the Easter season, but a couple hints of red (they're actually flowers) foreshadow the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The second update is on the Links page. I finally added the promised links to Mary information, and re-arranged everything on the page to alphabetical order by topic.

Thanks! Have a blessed Memorial Day!

Our Faithful Advocate

Recently, I received the sacrament of Confirmation. The night was absolutely incredible! I had prayed that the Holy Spirit would truly come within me, and that I would not close myself off- but be open to the graces the third person of the Trinity would bring with Him when He came to abide more fully in my body and soul. And I was not disappointed. God blessed me with a wonderful sense of peace, and I could feel the Holy Ghost slowly and gently taking over my mind as He pushed fears, doubts, and sins away to make room for Him.
But, I am posting today not only to praise the Lord for what He did for me- but also to encourage all of you in what the Spirit is doing for all of us every day. As Pentecost approaches, the Mass readings start to prepare us for the Spirit's promised arrival. Fr. Robert Barron, a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago who publishes his homilies online, along with many other helpful resources, gave a beautiful explanation of today's first and second reading. He talked about how the "Holy Spirit's gifts are given to us for a mission." The Holy Spirit comes upon all of us at Confirmation, giving us the necessary tools to carry out whatever we were put on Earth to do. He left everyone with two questions to ponder: "What gift has the Spirit given you?" and "What is this Advocate prompting you to do?" Whatever it is God is calling you to, whether it is missionary work, a religious order, married life, political service, or something else, call upon the third person of the Trinity- the embodied Love between the Father and Son- and He will supply the needed graces to complete the task.

I highly suggest all of you listen to Fr. Barron's talk at: The Spirit of Power and of Truth. I also suggest looking around the rest of Fr. Barron's site (http://www.wordonfire.org/Home.aspx) because he is doing truly amazing work for the Church and to help all of those striving to live holier lives in Christ.

May the Holy Spirit ignite our hearts and guide our actions!

Picture courtesy of http://www.olsj.net/holy_spirit_index.htm.

Mary and Protestants

The Virgin Mary is a constant topic for problematic discussion between Protestants and Catholics. I myself have been involved in several of these conversations lately.  Normally, I am familiar with all of the points argued, and I am able to explain the truth to them without too much strife. But the other day, the person I was speaking with implied that Catholics are hypocrites by insisting, "I know you say you don't worship Mary, but actions speak louder than words..." Maybe I shouldn't have been surprised by this, but I hadn't expected this from the person I was speaking with; she is a nice person for whom I have much respect.

Now, this is not the first time a Protestant has tried to explain to me, a Catholic, what Catholics believe. In their confusion, some of our Protestant brothers and sisters have developed the misconception that they understand the Catholic faith better than devout Catholics do. Unfortunately, this is no fault of their own. Too many Catholics are ignorant about what the Church teaches, and therefore are not capable of holding an intelligent debate with a Bible-smart Protestant. But, I must remind you all of some very important facts. The Catholics have been here for 2000 years! The Catholics put together and preserved the Bible many Protestants cling to as their sole source of religious authority (though Protestant Bibles are missing a few books...).  Mary, through the power of the Holy Spirit, held the Savior of the World in her perfect womb- for a sinful body could not hold the Redeemer. It was Mary who prompted Jesus to perform his first miracle, it was Mary who raised Jesus in holiness, it was Mary who said "yes" despite the suffering she would have to endure, it was Mary who stayed by Jesus throughout all of his ministry, it was Mary who remained below the cross with John, it was Mary who Jesus entrusted his followers to at the foot of the cross, it was Mary who Jesus loved and protected. It was MARY, acting through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit within her, and according to God the Father's will.

Why diminish the honor and glory of such a pure and beautiful woman? Why insult the Mother of God by disrespecting her and showing her less respect than God Himself did? Why not love Mary, Jesus did! Why not cherish Mary, the apostles did! Why not uphold Mary, God did! Why, God made Mary the Queen of Heaven and assumed her into Heaven body and soul! Why not strive to imitate her humility, kindness, charity, obedience, love, patience, and virtue? Yes, we have great affection for Mary- and look to her with the loving eyes that children turn upon their parents. And if there is a poor soul whose parents are no longer with them, Mary is standing with her arms open wide for them to come to her. But no, this is NOT worship! 

The woman I was speaking to said actions speak louder than words. And they do. If you doubt that God is center of Catholic life, go to a Catholic Mass, witness the Consecration and all of the bent knees and bowed heads before the Presence of God in the Eucharist! After seeing that this miracle is the center of our most holy Mass, be consoled knowing that our Heavenly Father is still being put in His rightful place- above all the Saints and Angels. After witnessing such reverence reserved for Christ, present to us in a way more powerful then our Protestant brothers and sisters will ever acknowledge, I would be surprised if one could still think we exult anyone else.

I will put links to some great Apologetics websites under the "Links" tab for all of those who would like more information.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

Amen

Picture courtesty of http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/gallery/picmary.html.

Advanced Apology

Hello Everyone!

It's crunch time at school as Finals approach! I am going to try my best to post here semi-regularly, but I'm going to have to ask you to please be patient with me if I go a few days without posting.

Thank you very much! :)

God Bless!

A Short Lesson on Complaining

"The best way not to find the bed too cold is to go to bed colder than the bed is."

-St. Charles Borromeo

This Wednesday's quote is short and to the point. It address something I need to stop doing so frequently, that "something" being the act of complaining. I have a truly wonderful life. God has blessed me with very many things and has spared me from any huge suffering (so far). But, I still find something to whine about every day; some sort of inconvenience that bothers me so much I have to orally state my unhappiness with it.
Little things such as, "I'm starving!" (to which my dad and aunt would reply- "No you're not, children in Africa are starving,"), "I'm so busy, " "I'm too tired," or, "It's so cold!" I do it without thinking- until recently when my Bible teacher said she complained too much. Then I started paying attention to what I was saying, and found I am probably not very enjoyable to listen to, since I use complaints as a way to start conversation! This, of course, is not a good thing. After reading this quote, I was inspired by St. Charles's philosopy, which- to paraphrase is: "No matter how bad you may have it, there is always someone worse off than you." And another thing I've noticed, those who are less fortunate than I am never complain about their situation- they are busy living their lives joyfully, happy to be alive!

May St. Charles bless all of us as we strive to adopt their contentment!

And God bless all of you!

St. Charles Borromeo!

Picture courtesy of EWTN



The New Look!

Hello Everyone!

As you have probably noticed by now, the blog has received a make-over!!! This is mainly because my mom (and then my dad) said the former background was boring. But, after experimenting with different looks and talking to my mom about it, I've decided to change backgrounds in accordance with the liturgical calendar! Every time I change, I'll explain why I chose the particular image/ color.

This background is not white, but it shows the sunrise. I chose this background for Easter. Just like the start of a new day promises a fresh start at life, so does Christ's rising from the dead promise the possibility of new life with Him. And in Christ, we can place all of our hope- for He is even more faithful and dependable than the rising Sun...



Image courtesy of Brian Jekel

A Few of My Favorite Things...

As I finished reading yesterday, I went to mark my place in A Canticle for Leibowtiz with a bookmark. And as I did this, I started thinking about all of the wonderful, little, everyday things that make me fall in love with Catholicism even more! Here's a list of ten, seemingly insignificant things only Catholics could appreciate:

1. Prayer Cards for bookmarks (I'm currently using one of The Mother of Sorrows)
2. The Sign of the Cross upon hearing an emergency siren
3. Movies like The Agony and the Ectasy, I Confess, and The Thirteenth Day
4. Comforting images and statues of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints
5. Having a Saint in Heaven that specializes in anything you may need help with (such as a lost item: St. Anthony, safe travel: St. Christopher, healing after a miscarriage: St. Catherine of Sienna, etc.)
6. Medals and crucifixes
7. Church bells
8. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
9. Monks, nuns, friars, sisters, and priests
10. The biblical books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, Sirach, Wisdom, Baruch, Tobit, and Judith

Be happy you're Catholic! :)

God Bless!