Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Office of Morning Prayer from The Liturgy of the Hours:

Father of everlasting goodness, our origin and guide, be close to us and hear the prayers of all who praise you. Forgive our sins and restore us to life. Keep us safe in your love. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Collect for the Sixth Sunday after Trinity from The Book of Common Prayer:

O GOD, WHO HAST PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THEE SUCH GOOD THINGS AS PASS MAN'S UNDERSTANDING; POUR INTO OUR HEARTS SUCH LOVE TOWARD THEE, THAT WE, LOVING THEE ABOVE ALL THINGS, MAY OBTAIN THY PROMISES, WHICH EXCEED ALL THAT WE CAN DESIRE; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

Great Quote from Thomas Merton

Gina at Metanoia has posted a great quote from Thomas Merton about imitating Our Lord:

Wisdom of Merton
Posted by Gina
A Meditation:
Why should I want to be rich, when You were poor? Why should I desire to be famous and powerful? Why should I cherish in my heart a hope that devours me—the hope for perfect happiness in this life—when such hope, doomed to frustration, is nothing but despair? My hope is in what the eye has never seen. Therefore, let me not trust in visible rewards. My hope is in what the heart cannot feel. Therefore let me not trust in the feelings of my heart. My hope is in what the hand has never touched. Do not let me trust what I can grasp between my fingers. Death will loosen my grasp and my vain hope will be gone.
A Lesson:
We must devote ourselves with generosity and integrity to the real values: there is no time for falsity and compromise. But on the other hand we do not have to be greatly successful or even well known. It is enough for our integrity to be known to God. What we do that is pure in His sight will avail for the liberty, the enlightenment, and the salvation of His children everywhere.
Merton, Thomas; Kathleen Deignan; John Giuliani (2007-03-01). A Book of Hours (pp. 169-171). Sorin Books. Kindle Edition.

Bloggurgatory

A great post from Acts of Apostasy about the punishment which awaits Catholic Bloggers in the next life.

Saint Martha of Bethany

Today, July 29th, the Church honors Saint Martha of Bethany. From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Martha was a sister of Mary and Lazarus. When she received the Lord as a guest at Bethany, she looked after Him with devoted attention. She begged the Lord to raise her brother, Lazarus, from the dead.

PRAYER: FATHER, YOUR SON HONORED SAINT MARTHA BY COMING TO HER HOME AS A GUEST. BY HER PRAYERS MAY WE SERVE CHRIST IN OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND BE WELCOMED BY YOU INTO HEAVEN, OUR TRUE HOME. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Is This Blog Real?

An interesting and thought provoking post about what a blog is and what it means from the blog Accepting Abundance.

What To Do During Eucharistic Adoration

Great post from Catholic Lane.com on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Dorothy Day & Abortion

An interesting post from Kathleen Gilbert of Life Site News about Dorothy Day and abortion and contraception.

"Catholic" Hospital Has Abortionist on Staff

A Catholic Hospital in Colorado has a doctor on staff who also performs abortions for Planned Parenthood. When confronted, the doctor was quoted as saying, "I perform abortions because I'm a Christian." Incredible. You really can't make this stuff up. Read more from Creative Minority Report.

Atheists Sue To Remove Ground Zero Cross

A group of atheists has sued to prevent the display of the Ground Zero Cross at the new 9/11 museum. Read more at The Deacon's Bench.

The Monastery is the Original Counter-Culture

Great post from Carl McColman on contemplative prayer.

Saint Joachim and Saint Ann

Today, July 26th, the Church honors the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joachim and Saint Ann.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

From an ancient tradition, going back even to the second century, the parents of the Virgin Mary are known by the names of Joachim and Ann. Devotion to Saint Ann is found in the sixth century in the East, and by the tenth century it was widespread in the West. Saint Joachim was likewise honored, but at a more recent date.

PRAYER: GOD OF OUR FATHERS, YOU GAVE SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE PARENTS OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF YOUR INCARNATE SON. MAY THEIR PRAYERS HELP US TO ATTAIN THE SALVATION YOU HAVE PROMISED TO YOUR PEOPLE. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

U.S. Taxdollars Used to Refurbish Mosques

The U.S. State Department is spending millions of dollars to refurbish mosques overseas. Wonder how many churches and synagogues the U.S. is willing to refurbish?

Saint James the Greater, Apostle

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint James, son of Zebedee and brother of Saint John the apostle, was born at Bethsaida. He was present at most of the miracles performed by Christ and was put to death by Herod around the year 42. He is honored in Compostella in Spain where a famous church is dedicated in his honor.

PRAYER: ALMIGHTY FATHER, BY THE MARTYRDOM OF SAINT JAMES YOU BLESSED THE WORK OF THE EARLY CHURCH. MAY HIS PROFESSION OF FAITH GIVE US COURAGE AND HIS PRAYERS BRING US STRENGTH. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN.

FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER: GRANT, O MERCIFUL GOD, THAT, AS THINE HOLY APOSTLE SAINT JAMES, LEAVING HIS FATHER AND ALL THAT HE HAD, WITHOUT DELAY WAS OBEDIENT UNTO THE CALLING OF THY SON JESUS CHRIST, AND FOLLOWED HIM; SO WE, FORSAKING ALL WORDLY AND CARNAL AFFECTIONS, MAY BE EVERMORE READY TO FOLLOW THY HOLY COMMANDMENTS; THROUGH THE SAME JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

From the Liturgy of the Hours:

GOD OUR FATHER AND PROTECTOR, WITHOUT YOU NOTHING IS HOLY, NOTHING HAS VALUE. GUIDE US TO EVERLASTING LIFE BY HELPING US TO USE WISELY THE BLESSINGS YOU HAVE GIVEN TO THE WORLD. WE ASK THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Collect for the Fifth Sunday After Trinity From The Book of Common Prayer:

Grant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by thy governance, that thy Church may joyfully serve Thee in all godly quietness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Roman Plainchant

Interesting post about church music. Ever wonder what came before Gregorian Chant. It was Roman Plain Chant.

Saint Bridget of Sweden

Today, July 23, the Church honors Saint Bridget of Sweden.

From the Liturgy of the Hours: Saint Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303. She married and gave birth to eight children for whom she was a devoted mother. After her husband's death she continued to live in the world but devoted herself to the ascetic life as a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis. She then founded a religious order and, journeying to Rome for the sake of penance, became a model of great virtue for all. She also wrote many works in which she related her mystical experiences. Saint Bridget died at Rome in 1373.

PRAYER: LORD OUR GOD, YOU REVEALED THE SECRETS OF HEAVEN TO SAINT BRIDGET AS SHE MEDITATED ON THE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF YOUR SON. MAY YOUR PEOPLE REJOICE IN THE REVELATION OF YOUR GLORY. GRANT THIS THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SON, WHO LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Saint Mary Magdalene

Today, July 22, the Church celebrates the memorial of Saint Mary Magdalene.

From The Liturgy of the Hours: Mary Magdalene was one of Christ's disciples and was present when He died. Early on the morning of the resurrection, she was, according to Saint Mark's account (16:9), the first to see the risen Lord. By the twelfth century, particularly, devotion to Saint Mary Magdalene was widespread in the Western Church.

PRAYER: FATHER, YOUR SON FIRST ENTRUSTED TO MARY MAGDALENE THE JOYFUL NEWS OF HIS RESURRECTION. BY HER PRAYERS AND EXAMPLE MAY WE PROCLAIM CHRIST AS OUR LIVING LORD AND ONE DAY SEE HIM IN GLORY, FOR HE LIVES AND REIGNS WITH YOU AND THE HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, FOR EVER AND EVER. AMEN.

Actress Lynsey Baxter as Mary Magdalene in the movie The Gospel of John

Gay Rights Forecast: Expect Havoc

Good analysis from Louie Verrechio of Caltholic Lane.

New Bishop Named for Diocese of Savannah

The Pope has named Franciscan Father Gregory Hartmayer as the new Bishop of my diocese, the Diocese of Savannah, Georgia, to replace Bishop J. Kevin Boland who is retiring. Bishop-elect Hartmayer will be ordained in October.
Read the full story from EWTN news.

Saint Lawrence of Brindisi

Today, July 21, the Church honors Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Lawrence was born in 1559. He entered the Capuchin Friars, taught theology to his fellow religious, and was chosen to fill positions of leadership in his order. He became famous throughout Europe as an effective and forceful preacher. He wrote many works explaining the faith and died at Lisbon in 1619.

City Council in Arkansas Town Votes to Ban Free Speech!

Welcome to the New Order

If you are an observant Catholic you are no longer qualified to serve as Town Clerk in New York State since you face criminal prosecution if you act on your Christian moral beliefs and refuse to perfom same sex marriages. Read all about it here.

California Mandates Gay History for Grades K through 12

Great commentary from The Digital Hairshirt on the new California law mandating that Gay History must be taught in public schools.

Saint Bonaventure

Today, July 15th, the Church honors Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

From The Liturgy of the Hours:

Saint Bonaventure was born about the year 1218 at Banorea in Tuscany. He studied philosophy and theology at Paris and, having earned the title Master, he taught his fellow members of the Order of Friars Minor with great success. He was elected Minister General of the Order, a position he filled with prudence and wisdom. After being made Cardinal-Bishop of Albano, he died at the Council of Lyons in 1274. His writings did much to illuminate the study of both theology and philosophy.

The French Revolution and the Church

Today, July 14th, is Bastille Day. Great article about the French Revolution and the Church.

Atheists Sue to Stop Texas Governor from Attending Prayer Meeting

Read the full story from Yahoo News.

California Legislature Passes Law Requiring Schools to Teach "Gay History"

I suppose that any parent who doesn't want their child to learn "Gay History" will be prosecuted for hate speech. Read about it here.

Casey Anthony Just Got a Late Term Abortion

Rush Limbaugh pointed out that killing your two year old is not much different from getting an abortion, so what's the big deal?

SOLT Issues Statement on Corapi

I'm sure that everyone in the Universe that follows Church news has already seen this, but if not here it is: The statement of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity on the fitness of Father John Corapi.

The New Gulag

Good post from Catholic Culture.org on "The New Gulag."

Praise and Criticism of Hasidic Security Patrols in Brooklyn

An interesting article from the New York Daily News about Hasidic security patrols in some Brooklyn neighborhoods.

The Amazon.Com Tax

A good post from Red State.com explaining the controversy surrounding state's attempting to tax on line sales from Amazon.com.

Hindus Protest Muslim Prayers in Canadian Public School

A Hindu Advocacy group is protesting organized Muslim prayers conducted in a Toronto public school. Full story here.