March for Life 2011

Wow, there is so much to catch up on.   Blogging has been really slow the past couple of weeks because there has been so much going on around CCM that I just haven't been able to fit blogging in like I usually do.  Of course, the most notable event that has taken place over that time is the March for Life in Washington, D.C.  Twenty-one CCM students attended and the long drive was well worth the trip. Here's the low down on how it all went:
Saturday, January 22 (the actual date of the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade) we all met at the Newman Center by 5:30am for a 6am departure.  Thanks to the generosity of our community members we were able to rent vehicles for the trip and by the time we made it to the bridge crossing into Illinois many of the students were already asleep - although I hear one van was so eager to make it to D.C. that they were awake the whole drive.   Saturday was basically low-key; just driving and driving and driving some more 'til we made it to Virginia.  Leaving at 6am central time and arriving at 10pm eastern time, we pulled into the parking lot of St. Leo the Great Parish in Fairfax, VA to be greeted by the awesome pastor, Fr. Whitestone and the parish's amazing respect life coordinator Marisol.  We are so blessed for the gracious hospitality St. Leo's showed us!  Thank you all so much! 

The next morning we rose to attend the 7:30am Mass at St. Leo's followed by a quick breakfast before making our way to the metro where we headed to Arlington National Cemetery.  There we witnessed the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The engraving on the tomb I always find to be a profound statement especially when viewed during the March for Life weekend.  The reality that this person is 'known but to God' is a reminder that when a child in the womb is lost, those of us here who remain will not have the opportunity to get to know him or her - they are now known but to God.

After a somber morning of praying for all those put to rest at Arlington, we went to visit some museums followed by a tour at the Franciscan Monastery.  I find this to be one of the hidden gems of the D.C. area - there is so much going on in D.C. but when you step onto the grounds of the Monastery you find a peaceful place in the midst of all the busyness.  The Monastery is a beautiful place to pray and reflect on the reason for our trip.  You are reminded of the love and mercy of God in this sacred place.  On touring the crypt of the Monastery you are reminded of the passion and love of the martyrs including St. Benignus, St. Sebastian, and St. Cecilia.  Also in the crypt are the remains of St. Innocent, a small child who lived his life for Christ and went to be with him at such a young age, again a powerful reminder of our purpose in being in Washington.  Of course, the presence of the Blessed Mother was strongly felt as well as an example of her heroic humility in bearing the Lord.  St. Joseph, also, was referred to often as a strong and committed foster father of Jesus. To end the day, we arrived back at St. Leo's for a wonderful pizza dinner provided by our new friends.  The next day we were to have an early rising so off to sleep we went as soon as possible.

After rising at 4:30am we enjoyed a quick breakfast provided by the dear parishioners of St. Leo's.  Then we attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  I have to say that this is probably my favorite Basilica in the U.S.  It so so beautiful and has a lot of fond memories for me so I always enjoy being there.  The 7:30am Mass for Life was celebrated by Bishop William Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport, CT and the Basilica was full as usual.  Masses were being celebrated throughout the region all morning including a youth rally and Mass at the Verizon Center and the D.C. Armory.  Attending Mass was a special opportunity for us to pray for those lost to abortion and for those who are in pain as a result of an abortion.  It was the perfect way to help us prepare for the big event later in the day.  Following Mass we remained at the Basilica for a while before departing for the White House and ultimately the March for Life.

Upon arriving at our metro stop we walked to the White House to pray a decade of the Rosary for our president and all elected officials that they would enact laws that respect the dignity of all human life from conception to natural death.  We then made our way to the National Mall for the March for Life rally.  We were among the first to arrive but as we made our way closer to the stage we still weren't close enough to see the speakers although we could hear what they were saying. As the afternoon moved along more and more people began to crowd the Mall and soon it was time for the March to begin.  It probably took us half an hour or more just to make it to the street because the crowd was so large.  It probably took us an hour and a half to get from the Mall to the Supreme Court.  I've heard a crowd estimate of around 400,000.  There were many people there - priests, religious, lay people; Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.; young and not so young.  One thing that always stands out though is the fact that so many young people are in attendance every year.  These generations have been profoundly impacted by this issue - missing brothers, sisters and friends - and the numbers of those in attendance just keeps growing. 

The March for Life is always a bittersweet experience - bitter because we are there to mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters who have gone before us and because of the pain that so many men and women are now coping with as a result - we come to show that we're here to help them heal; sweet because we are thankful for the gift of life and can together witness to the fact that life is a precious gift. We ended the day with Vespers at the Dominican House of Studies which is always a treat.  We actually began the March near the Dominicans and were very blessed to be able to join them for prayer in the evening.

After a long weekend we packed up, bid farewell to our new friends at St. Leo's and headed back to Missouri.  We ran into some rain through Tennessee and just about when we were passing into Kentucky the snow started to fall - as we continued it began to be too much to continue driving safely so we had to stop for the night about two and half hours away from Cape Girardeau.  The snow was fun for the students to play around in before getting a good night's sleep.  The next day, once we made it out of the snow-covered area, the weather was great and we made it safely back to Cape in time for students to attend their afternoon classes. 

Praise be to God for a safe and fruitful trip!  We thank all our benefactors and St. Leo the Great Parish for making this trip possible.  I know the students made memories they will always remember and experienced a renewed passion for defending life and lending support to those who are in need of assistance as well as helping those who are in pain as the result of this issue heal.  Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, may God grant all hearts the grace of welcoming life into the world and protecting the dignity of every person from conception until natural death. 

Check out this video to get an idea of the March for Life crowd:

Pope Benedict's General Audience Address - January 19

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, all the Lord’s followers are asked to implore the gift of full communion. This year’s theme – “They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42) – invites us to reflect on four pillars of unity found in the life of the early Church. The first is fidelity to the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed by the Apostles. The second is fraternal communion, a contemporary expression of which is seen in the growing ecumenical friendship among Christians. The third is the breaking of the bread; although the inability of separated Christians to share the same Eucharistic table is a reminder that we are still far from the unity which Christ wills for his disciples, it is also an incentive to greater efforts to remove every obstacle to that unity. Finally, prayer itself helps us realize that we are children of the one heavenly Father, called to forgiveness and reconciliation. During this Week, let us pray that all Christians will grow in fidelity to the Gospel, in fraternal unity and in missionary zeal, in order to draw all men and women into the saving unity of Christ’s Church.

Patrons of World Youth Day 2011

Eucharistic Congress in St. Louis June 24-26

A New Year, A New Semester...

Today is the start of the spring semester at Southeast Missouri State University where our humble ministry is located.  We have a LOT planned for this semester at CCM, so I hope all you students are ready for four months of awesome prayer, learning, service and fellowship!  Here's a preview of what you can look forward to as we kick off the new semester:

Mass, Adoration, Confession - communing with Jesus - whoo!
Trips:  March for Life, FOCUS Conference, Spring Break Mission Trip, day trips, Church Teaches Forum 2011 (in the summer)
Continued Theology of the Body Study
Bible Study
St. Therese Women's Group
St. Augustine Men's Group
Guest Speakers:  Fr. Oscar Lukefahr on Feb. 8th; Martha Nolan of Crossroads on Feb 7th; Dr. Michael Wulfers and Joyce Gibbar on April 5th, Fr. Harold Fisher on Feb. 24th, etc.
Thursday Night Truth
Retreats:  Busy Person's Retreat Feb. 20-24; Women's Retreat April 1-3; Men's Retreat April 29-May 1
Catholicism 101
Various service, social, evangelization and spiritual life events planned by the Newman Council throughout the semester

As you can see CCM will be a very busy place from now through May 14!  Be sure to join in!

American Priest Continues on the Road to Sainthood

Fr. Nelson Baker of the Diocese of Buffalo, NY who died in 1936 has been declared "Venerable" by Pope Benedict the same day Pope John Paul II's beatification was announced. 

EWTN News Reports the following:

Pope Benedict officially recognized the heroic virtues of 20th century American priest Fr. Nelson Baker, which moves the beloved champion for the poor further along in the process towards sainthood.

Fr. Baker – who was born in Buffalo, New York in 1842 – lived to be 95 years old and is heralded for building what's been called a “city of charity” in Lackawana, New York. By the time of his death in 1936, his initiatives for the poor included a minor basilica, an infant home, a home for unwed mothers, a boys' orphanage, a hospital, a nurses' home, and an elementary and high school.

Continue reading here.

Statue Worship? I think not...

What is the Anglican Ordinariate?

Some of you may have heard about the Anglican Ordinariate that Pope Benedict has established.  Some of you are also probably confused about it and what it means.  Marcel has a good explanation here so check it out if you're interested. 

What is an auxiliary and titular bishop?

In previous posts we've mentioned the ordination of Bishop Edward Rice.  Bishop Rice's titles are Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis and Titular Bishop of Sufes.  What does this mean?
An auxiliary bishop is a bishop without canonical jurisdiction as mentioned here - this basically means that he is not the ordinary of a diocese.  An auxiliary bishop provides assistance to the ordinary bishop, who in this case is Archbishop Robert Carlson.  So, as stated on the Archdiocesan website, Auxiliary Bishop Rice "assists Archbishop Carlson in his many responsibilities for the Archdiocese, and represents the Archbishop in overseeing the parishes and several Archdiocesan agencies and ministries". 
A titular bishop is a bishop who basically is the bishop of a suppressed diocese only in title, hence the word "titular".  Catholic Encyclopedia defines it as follows: "Titular bishops are those who have been appointed by the Holy See to a see or diocese which, in former times, had been canonically established and possessed cathedral church, clergy and laity, but at present, on account of pagan occupation and government, has neither clergy nor people. It is essential that the titular diocese did once exist, and did cease to exist through death or defection of clergy and faithful, or pagan settlement and government."  The Catholic Encyclopedia also states, "According to the present ecclesiastical discipline no bishop can be consecrated without title to a certain and distinct diocese which he governs either actually or potentially. Actual government requires residence, potential does not."

Vote for Life!

Thomas Peters has some info and action items regarding pro-life bills being brought up in the House - this is all quite timely with the March for Life coming up in a little over a week.  HR 217, the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act, would deny federal funding to Planned Parenthood.  And HR 51111 tackles the problems with the health care law regarding funding for abortion facilities.  Go here to learn more and find out how you can contact your representative to encourage them to get on board and protect all human life. 

Bishop Rice Ordained Yesterday

 

Photo by Lisa Johnston

Yesterday was a day of much celebration as six CCM students, myself and Fr. Patrick travelled to St. Louis for the Ordination Mass for Bishop Edward Rice.  It was a beautiful Mass and the Archdiocese is very blessed with the addition of Bishop Rice to the episcopate.  The Cathedral Basilica was packed and there were many bishops, priests, seminarians and religious in attendance as well - which is always a great sight to see! 



CCM students with Bishop Finn of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

 Of course, all of the Missouri bishops were in attendance including our own Bishop James Johnston and our Bishop Emeritus John Leibrecht.  Raymond Cardinal Burke was there and we're always thrilled to see him.  Archbishop Carlson was the principal consecrator along with Bishop John Gaydos of Jefferson City and Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville. 

Following the Mass, Bishop Rice quoted Pope John Paul II speaking of the role of the bishop in carrying the cross and embracing and offering up his sufferings.  He then said:


Two CCM students were able to
greet Bishop Rice at the reception
following Mass.

 "When I read that quote I paused, and then I panicked. It was not what I wanted to read; dying to self, suffering, taking up the Cross. And yet, at the same time, a conviction came over me – God is faithful, He will not abandon me – He has poured out the fullness of His Spirit upon me, so do not be afraid.  The ring I now wear signifies that I am wedded to the Church. The Gospel elevated over my head signifies my commitment to preaching and teaching the Good News. The crosier bespeaks my commitment to the flock, the miter, my pursuit of holiness. Scripture tells us that the Shepherd carries the lost sheep on his shoulders. The Shepherd leads the flock to green pastures. The Shepherd gathers and protects the sheep from danger.The Shepherd is willing to "lay down his life for the sheep." As I look out at all of you, I realize that is the type of bishop you deserve. And so, with God's grace, the strength of the Holy Spirit, and with your prayers, that is the type of Bishop I will strive to be." 
Read his full statement here at the Archdiocesan website.

Congratulations, Bishop Rice.  CCM is so happy for you and we know you will fulfill your new role as bishop with great love and humility!  We are praying for you!

Bl. JPII the Great! Yippee!

According to Vatican Radio, Pope John Paul II will be beatified on May 1, 2011!  Pope Benedict signed the decree today.  Oh, boy, I need to start looking up plane tickets to Rome!

The process of beatification and canonization:

What To Do This Summer

Some students are already thinking about what their summers are going to be like - maybe some will work, some will takes classes, some will veg out, but why not spend your summer doing something for someone else?  When I was in college I spent two summers doing pro-life work and they were totally the best summers of my life giving me memories that I will never forget, developing friendships that I will always have, making a gift of self to those in need and growing in relationship with God intensely.  Pray about it, and if you can, consider giving your summer to Christ and his people.  Here is just a sample of some ways that you could do that:

Crossroads:


Counselor at Camp Wojtyla:


Catholic Urban Project:


These are just a small sample of ways that you can give of yourself this summer.  I'll probably post some other opportunities as the weeks roll on.

Preach it, Archbishop Dolan!

Archbishop Dolan has posted his speech from the 4th Annual Respect Life Week in Yonkers, NY on his  blog and I have to say that I love listening to, or reading as it were, his speeches because you can just feel his passion and conviction for the topic.  When I read the following it made me think of the upcoming March for Life which CCM will be attending:

"...we unite as Americans this afternoon eager to restore this premier civil right [the right to life]; we come together as friends and neighbors sincere in our love and respect for struggling moms and their unborn babies, so eager to assist them; we gather as no one’s enemy, with no threats, simply believing the truth will set us free, that this great nation will recover its birthright as a guardian, not a taker, of innocent life;
we assemble in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, that towering woman promising a welcome, a new life, to those threatened, conscious that those who are most threatened today are babies in the womb;
and we unite recalling the words of Mother Teresa, at the White House, before a president and guests who blushed at her remark that, 'the greatest poverty of all is for a nation to take the life of an innocent unborn baby so we could live as we want.'"

Brief Review of Beatification and Canonization

With the news about Pope John Paul II's possible beatification occurring this year many may be wondering about the process of being beatified and canonized.   Here is a brief overview of the process from our Bishop:

Pope Benedict's General Audience Address - January 12

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Our catechesis today deals with Saint Catherine of Genoa, a fifteenth-century saint best known for her vision of purgatory. Married at an early age, some ten years later Catherine had a powerful experience of conversion; Jesus, carrying his cross, appeared to her, revealing both her own sinfulness and God’s immense love. A woman of great humility, she combined constant prayer and mystical union with a life of charitable service to those in need, above all in her work as the director of the largest hospital in Genoa. Catherine’s writings on purgatory contain no specific revelations, but convey her understanding of purgatory as an interior fire purifying the soul in preparation for full communion with God. Conscious of God’s infinite love and justice, the soul is pained by its inadequate response, even as the divine love purifies it from the remnants of sin. To describe this purifying power of God’s love, Catherine uses the image of a golden chain which draws the soul to abandon itself to the divine will. By her life and teaching, Saint Catherine of Genoa reminds us of the importance of prayer for the faithful departed, and invites us to devote ourselves more fully to prayer and to works of practical charity.

Successor of the Apostles

Never Too Early to Start Planning for a Great Event!

CCM will once again be attending the Church Teaches Forum 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky July 15-16th.  If you are interested in attending with us please contact Kristen.  Here is some info on the weekend:
The theme is "Restoring the Sacred Liturgy, the Summit of the Church's Life".  Speakers are as follows:
Francis Cardinal Arinze: The Centrality of the Sacred Liturgy in the Evangelizing Mission of the Church
Raymond Cardinal Burke:  Reform of the Reform
Bishop Daniel Thomas: Christ and His Church: The Mystery of This Dialogue in the Roman Missal
Fr. Roger Arnsparger:  Restoring the Sacred Liturgy: Building a Culture of Holiness and Salvation
Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and Fr. Edmund McCaffrey will also be present. 
For those wishing to attend on your own, you may contact the apostolate hosting the forum, Eternal Life, at 1-800-842-2871.

Dominican Sisters Continue to Encourage Vocations to Religious Life

The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist have another discernment retreat coming up February 12-13th.  Contact Sr. Joseph Andrew at their website if you're interested in finding out how you can attend.

Bishops of Missouri Ask Governor to Stop Scheduled Execution

The Bishops in Missouri have urged Gov. Nixon to stop the scheduled execution of Rick Clay who was convicted of capital murder in 1994.  According to this press release from the Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, questions remain about Clay's guilt or innocence.  The press release states: "The bishops and other religious leaders of the state have joined in the effort to stop the execution of Mr. Clay by submitting a clemency application to Gov. Nixon, asking him to halt the execution and call for an independent review of the case to ensure that all the facts are made known."

The Bishops ask the following:

Action Requested

1.Contact Governor Nixon's office immediately at 573-751-3222 or at constitservices@mo.gov and urge him to stop the execution set for Jan. 12 and convene a board of inquiry to re-examine the case.

2.Call the Board of Probation and Parole at 573-751-8488. They will be making a recommendation to Gov. Nixon on the case.

The Message
Please spare the life of Rick Clay and do not execute him. The jury in his murder trial did not receive evidence that could have cleared him of this crime. The state of Missouri should take a second look before they execute a man who may be innocent. A board of inquiry should be established to re-examine Rick Clay's case.


Here is what the Catechism of the Catholic Church has to say about capital punishment (my emphasis in bold):

CCC 2267: Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity with the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm—without definitively taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself—the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically non-existent".


Quotes from Pope John Paul II in Evangelium Vitae regarding capital punishment:

"Modern society in fact has the means of effectively suppressing crime by rendering criminals harmless without definitively denying them the chance to reform."

"Public authority must redress the violation of personal and social rights by imposing on the offender an adequate punishment for the crime, as a condition for the offender to regain the exercise of his or her freedom. In this way authority also fulfils the purpose of defending public order and ensuring people's safety, while at the same time offering the offender an incentive and help to change his or her behaviour and be rehabilitated.

It is clear that, for these purposes to be achieved, the nature and extent of the punishment must be carefully evaluated and decided upon, and ought not go to the extreme of executing the offender except in cases of absolute necessity: in other words, when it would not be possible otherwise to defend society. Today however, as a result of steady improvements in the organization of the penal system, such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent."

**UPDATE**  As of Monday, January 10th, Gov. Nixon has commuted Clay's sentence.  Clay will not be executed, but rather has been given a sentence of life without parole.

An Exciting Week in St. Louis!

 According to the website for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Raymond Cardinal Burke will be celebrating a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis this Sunday at 2 p.m. followed by a reception at Rosati-Cain across the street.  If you're in St. Louis this would be a great opportunity to give thanks to God for this holy man who has dedicated himself so faithfully to serving the Church.

Secondly, of course, as mentioned in a previous post, Bishop-elect Rice's episcopal consecration will be taking place January 13th at 2 p.m. also at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and we are planning on attending.  If you would like to attend with CCM please email me here.  If you're unable to attend you can watch the Mass online here.

Short Video Contests

The Ruth Institute is hosting a video contest about the theme "Is life-long love possible?"  The winner will receive a prize of $2000 with runners-up receiving $1500 and $1000.  To find out more click here.

Goodness Reigns is hosting a video contest about the Catholic faith with the grand prize being four trips to World Youth Day or a production prize package.  Act fast on this one though because entries are due by Monday!  Click here for more info.

Abby Johnson Shares Her Story in New Book: unPlanned

If you haven't yet heard Abby Johnson's amazing story, here is the perfect opportunity for you to get to know her.  unPlanned is the book chronicling Abby's journey from working as a director at a Texas Planned Parenthood clinic to having a conversion and quitting her position at Planned Parenthood to speaking all over the country about her courageous decision to become pro-life.  When Abby was working at Planned Parenthood she was asked to assist in an abortion.  During the abortion an ultrasound was used and Abby watched as the little baby in the womb fought against the item that was being used to take the child's life.  That was the straw that broke the camel's back and Abby realized that she couldn't participate in the culture of death any longer.

Abby will be having a live webcast to give a preview of her new book on Monday, January 10th and if you would like to be a part of it you can sign up here.  Limited space is available and I hear over 4,000 people have already signed up, so act fast!  Learn more about Abby's heroic story by visiting her website. 
Also, hear her tell her story in these videos:

40 Days for Life- Abby Johnson story from David on Vimeo.

Veni Si Amas! - Come If You Love!

Attention all young women! Mark your calendars to join the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St.George at their Veni Si Amas Retreat February 11-13th.  The Sisters are awesome!  To sign up for the Veni Si Amas Retreat contact the sisters at http://www.altonfranciscans.org/.

Pope Benedict's General Audience Address - January 5th

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In this first Audience of the New Year, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, I offer my prayerful best wishes to you and your families. The Church’s celebration of these days of Christmas is not only a remembrance of things past, but a joyful experience of Christ’s enduring presence in our lives and in our world. In Jesus, the Word Incarnate, our salvation is accomplished in the flesh. Jesus’ humbling of himself, beginning with his conception in the womb of the Virgin Mary, will find its fullest expression in the paschal mystery of his death and resurrection. Our appreciation of the deep bond uniting the Incarnation and the Redemption naturally draws us from the contemplation of the Child Jesus in the Crib to the adoration of his real presence in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The liturgical celebrations of this holy season, from Christmas through the Epiphany to the Baptism of the Lord, challenge us to be completely transformed by the Son of God who became man so that we might attain our ultimate human fulfilment by sharing in his glorious divine life.

JPII Beatification?

Well, it's been slow-blogging the last couple of weeks with Christmas and New Year's celebrations in full swing, but now that things are winding down blogging should be back to a regular schedule.  What better way to get back to our usual blogging schedule in the new year than with some good news about our beloved JPII!?  According to news reports and several other blogs, the beatification of Servant of God Pope John Paul II the Great could take place later this year.  You may remember a few years ago when a French nun reported a miracle contributed to the intercession of JPII when she was healed from Parkinson's disease.  This report has been under investigation and has been approved by both theologians and medical experts.  It should soon go to the desk of Pope Benedict for recoginition and, pending approval, we may see a beatification this year. Read more from CNA.
Ioannes Paulus II, ora pro nobis!

**UPDATE** The Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the miracle and the paperwork is headed to Pope Benedict's desk!  I'll, of course, post about this when he signs it and announces a beatification date!

Top 12 CCM Moments of 2010

Well, here we are on New Year's Eve and the Eve of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and I can't help but reflect on all the crazy and wonderful happenings at CCM over the past year.  Some of the events seem so long ago and some of them feel like they just happened this morning, but nevertheless, 2010 has come and is now saying goodbye, so let's take a look at the Top 12 CCM Moments of 2010 (hey, why limit ourselves to a Top 10?):

1. The Human Experience Comes to SEMO - CCM, along with Student Government and RHA, brought Grassroots Film's latest release to our area for the first showing of the movie in Missouri.  We were thrilled with the turnout:  600-700 people came to the SEMO campus to see this uplifting story and many came to both showings to see it twice!  It was a great way to end the Spring 2010 semester and we hope to have many other events like this one in the future.  If you want to purchase the DVD of the Human Experience click here.

2.  CCM Appears on EWTN's Life on the Rock:  In July, Fr. Patrick and I, along with three CCM students, travelled to Irondale, Alabama to tape an episode of Life on the Rock which aired in August.  It was an honor for our little ministry to be featured on this hour long international television show.  Thanks to everyone who tuned in and expressed their support following the airing. We pray this opportunity continues to bear fruit.  If you would like to watch the show click here.

3.  Spring Break Mission Trip to Chicago:  Fr. Patrick, myself and 11 students traversed up to the windy city for about a week to serve the poor and assist Fr. Bob Lombardo, CFR renovate an old convent as they work on renovating the property of Our Lady of the Angels.  It was a trip filled with much, much laughter, little sleep, lots of painting, lots of praying, many graces and great hope.  Spending time with Fr. Bob, Kate, Eric, Alecia and Dorothy was fabulous.  It was a great experience and we continue to pray for Fr. Bob and his ministry.

4.  First CCM March for Life Trip:  The 14 hour long drive to D.C. was worth it to take five students to witness to the dignity of all human life at the 2010 March for Life.  While CCM students may have joined up with other groups to attend the March in the past, I think this was the first time CCM has organized a trip on our own to attend - and this year we are following up with a group of 23 students planning to attend the 2011 CCM March for Life Trip! 

5.  Awakening 2010:  This year we had 39 students participate in our annual Awakening Retreat!  The students who planned the retreat prayed and worked hard for months for a successful retreat!  It was an exciting weekend filled with growth in students' relationships with Christ and each other. The theme was "He is Mighty to Save - Eph. 6: 10" and the theme really came through as students experienced the saving power of God through the weekend.

6.  Studies and regular events: We've definitely been keeping students busy learning about the Catholic faith in these regular events.  Our two Theology of the Body studies saw over 25 students learning about the Church's teachings on the human person; Catholicism 101 covered a range of topics from saints to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; TNT was very well-attended giving students an opportunity to pray together and discuss their relationship with God; the fall semester saw the advent of the St. Augustine Men's Group which has proven to be quite successful; and we have five individuals currently going through our RCIA class.  Wow, God is good. 

7.  Guest Speakers:  We really enjoy inviting guest speakers to share the faith with our students and this year we had the blessing of welcoming Fr. Brian Fischer of the Office of Youth Ministry in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Sr. Maria Pio and Sr. Mary Catherine of the Franciscan Sisters of Penance of the Sorrowful Mother located in Toronto, Ohio to CCM.  Fr. Brian was here in the spring semester and presented a great meditation on Jesus.  The TOR Sisters were here in the fall and gave a fabulous talk on discernment leading into a Spirit-filled Holy Hour in the Chapel.  We're so grateful for the gift of each of our guests!

8.  Fall Semester Opening Events:  This semester we were ecstatic to see such a great turnout at our opening events - our Karoke & BBQ night saw around 70 students in attendance and we ran out of BBQ!  The Coffeehouse saw similar numbers and we had a lot of fun listening to the talent of our students and even Fr. Patrick and Fr. William took the stage at the end.  And, of course, we had, as always, an incredible night of Adoration/Praise & Worship in the Chapel.  It's a wonderful blessing to see so many students gather to worship Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. 

9.  CCM Gives Back:  Our students work hard to heed the call of the Lord to love God and neighbor and this year saw several events where students gave back in service to the community.  The fall brought the beginning of a weekly trip to a nursing home to pray the Rosary and visit with alzheimer's patients.  Many students visited Mr. Anderson regularly before his passing this year as well - requiem in pace.  Students spent an evening raking a community member's yard in September and again another yard in December.  Service events ranging from writing letters to prisoners to assisting the elderly are common occurrences at CCM.

10.  Fundraisers:  Boy, does CCM know how to put the 'fun' in fundraiser!  In the spring we held our annual Wine & Live Music fundraiser and this event proves to be a night of fun and laughter every year!  Two new fundraisers appeared in the fall with a Trivia Night in August and our 1st Annual Living Hope 5K Run/Walk in October which saw participation of over 60 people!  And we can't forget our annual Joy of Christmas concert in December.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all our supporters and benefactors!

11.  Day Trips & Conferences:  CCM took students to hear such speakers as Christopher West, Fr. John Corapi and Tony Melendez in the spring and fall.  Students also attended conferences such as the FOCUS Conference in January and the Church Teaches Forum in July where we were pleased to see Archbishop (now Cardinal) Raymond Burke.

12. Family Weekend:  Our annual Family Weekend Mass on the Terraces and Luncheon again saw a large crowd of over 400 students, families and community members.  We were so happy to see such a large group of students become involved in music ministry for this weekend as well. 

There were many great moments, events and activities at CCM this year.  Another highlight of the year is the addition of a much-needed sound system in our Chapel (just installed last week) which will help us to enter into prayer more deeply as we will be able to hear the Scriptures better.  These are all just some of the many highlights.  Do you have a CCM memory from 2010 that you would like to share?  Tell us about it in the comments!

Happy New Year to you all and we are excited to see what the Lord has in store for 2011!

"Verbum caro factum est" - 'The Word became flesh"

(Photo Credit: L'Osservatore Romano/HO/epa/Corbis)

Pope Benedict's Urbi et Orbi (To the City and to the World)
Message on Christmas Day (my emphasis in bold; my comments in blue):

“Verbum caro factum est” – “The Word became flesh” (Jn 1:14).


Dear brothers and sisters listening to me here in Rome and throughout the world, I joyfully proclaim the message of Christmas: God became man; he came to dwell among us. God is not distant: he is “Emmanuel”, God-with-us. He is no stranger: he has a face, the face of Jesus. (What a simple yet profoundly needed message - God is not a stanger, He is not far away - sorry Bette Midler, God is not watching us from a distance - He is intimately close to each of us - may we not push him away)

This message is ever new, ever surprising, for it surpasses even our most daring hope (Wow - that God has become man - how can we ever really wrap our minds around that - what a daring hope). First of all, because it is not merely a proclamation: it is an event, a happening, which credible witnesses saw, heard and touched in the person of Jesus of Nazareth! (Christmas is a reality - God has really become man!)Being in his presence, observing his works and hearing his words, they recognized in Jesus the Messiah; and seeing him risen, after his crucifixion, they were certain that he was true man and true God, the only-begotten Son come from the Father, full of grace and truth (cf. Jn 1:14).

“The Word became flesh”. Before this revelation we once more wonder: how can this be? The Word and the flesh are mutually opposed realities; how can the eternal and almighty Word become a frail and mortal man? There is only one answer: Love. Those who love desire to share with the beloved, they want to be one with the beloved, and Sacred Scripture shows us the great love story of God for his people which culminated in Jesus Christ. (Don't let the phrase 'God loves you' become an empty memory of something you heard in Sunday school growing up - God loves you! - What a beautiful mystery!)

God in fact does not change: he is faithful to himself. He who created the world is the same one who called Abraham and revealed his name to Moses: “I am who I am … the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob … a God merciful and gracious, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (cf. Ex 3:14-15; 34:6). God does not change; he is Love, ever and always. In himself he is communion, unity in Trinity, and all his words and works are directed to communion (This is what we are called to "God himself is an eternal exchange of love... and he has destined us to share in that exchange" - CCC 221). The Incarnation is the culmination of creation. When Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, was formed in the womb of Mary by the will of the Father and the working of the Holy Spirit, creation reached its high point (God revealed himself "in the fullness of time"). The ordering principle of the universe, the Logos, began to exist in the world, in a certain time and space.

“The Word became flesh”. The light of this truth is revealed to those who receive it in faith, for it is a mystery of love. Only those who are open to love are enveloped in the light of Christmas. So it was on that night in Bethlehem, and so it is today. The Incarnation of the Son of God is an event which occurred within history, while at the same time transcending history. In the night of the world a new light was kindled, one which lets itself be seen by the simple eyes of faith, by the meek and humble hearts of those who await the Saviour. If the truth were a mere mathematical formula, in some sense it would impose itself by its own power. But if Truth is Love, it calls for faith, for the “yes” of our hearts.

And what do our hearts, in effect, seek, if not a Truth which is also Love? Children seek it with their questions, so disarming and stimulating; young people seek it in their eagerness to discover the deepest meaning of their life; adults seek it in order to guide and sustain their commitments in the family and the workplace; the elderly seek it in order to grant completion to their earthly existence (He is what every human heart longs for).

“The Word became flesh”. The proclamation of Christmas is also a light for all peoples, for the collective journey of humanity. “Emmanuel”, God-with-us, has come as King of justice and peace. We know that his Kingdom is not of this world, and yet it is more important than all the kingdoms of this world. It is like the leaven of humanity: were it lacking, the energy to work for true development would flag: the impulse to work together for the common good, in the disinterested service of our neighbour, in the peaceful struggle for justice. Belief in the God who desired to share in our history constantly encourages us in our own commitment to that history, for all its contradictions. It is a source of hope for everyone whose dignity is offended and violated, since the one born in Bethlehem came to set every man and woman free from the source of all enslavement (What is the source of all enslavement?  Sin.).

May the light of Christmas shine forth anew in the Land where Jesus was born, and inspire Israelis and Palestinians to strive for a just and peaceful coexistence. May the comforting message of the coming of Emmanuel ease the pain and bring consolation amid their trials to the beloved Christian communities in Iraq and throughout the Middle East; may it bring them comfort and hope for the future and bring the leaders of nations to show them effective solidarity. May it also be so for those in Haiti who still suffer in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and the recent cholera epidemic. May the same hold true not only for those in Colombia and Venezuela, but also in Guatemala and Costa Rica, who recently suffered natural disasters.

May the birth of the Saviour open horizons of lasting peace and authentic progress for the peoples of Somalia, Darfur and Côte d’Ivoire; may it promote political and social stability in Madagascar; may it bring security and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and in Pakistan; may it encourage dialogue between Nicaragua and Costa Rica; and may it advance reconciliation on the Korean peninsula.

May the birth of the Saviour strengthen the spirit of faith, patience and courage of the faithful of the Church in mainland China, that they may not lose heart through the limitations imposed on their freedom of religion and conscience but, persevering in fidelity to Christ and his Church, may keep alive the flame of hope. May the love of “God-with-us” grant perseverance to all those Christian communities enduring discrimination and persecution, and inspire political and religious leaders to be committed to full respect for the religious freedom of all.

Dear brothers and sisters, “the Word became flesh”; he came to dwell among us; he is Emmanuel, the God who became close to us. Together let us contemplate this great mystery of love; let our hearts be filled with the light which shines in the stable of Bethlehem! To everyone, a Merry Christmas!

(Wow, that was good.)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas - believe it or not, it is still liturgically correct to say this even though as I type this the date is December 29th.  As Catholics, we celebrate the birth of our Lord for eight days called the Octave of Christmas (December 25th - January 1st (which is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God)).  The season of Christmas lasts through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th.  Hey, we don't mess around - we have a lot to be thankful for so we celebrate for a while!  I mean, c'mon!  God has become man!  Why celebrate that for only one day!?  This is a big deal!  The people in darkness have seen a great light!  Besides Easter, this is the greatest feast of the Church's calendar - let us celebrate in praise and thanksgiving!  This is the time to celebrate the coming of the long-awaited Messiah!  If you were living in Biblical times and the people had been waiting for centuries for the coming of the Messiah, then he comes and you found out about it would you just celebrate for one day then move on with your life?  I think not. Isn't it interesting though that every year people start preparing for Christmas after Labor Day and then when Christmas Day comes they start packing up their decor and putting away the fine china the next morning?  What a commentary on the state of our culture.  It's like we spend all night getting ready for the morning and then when morning comes we go to bed.

In continuing celebration of the Octave of Christmas I present you with the following:

Fr. Robert Barron commenting on the Genealogy of Jesus:

Bishop Sheen on 'What's My Line?'

This was a television game show that was on in the '50s and '60s.  The show would have a panel and a moderator and a guest.  The panel would have to guess the occupation of the guest through 'yes' and 'no' questions.  At the end of the show a celebrity was brought on as the guest, the panel would be blindfolded and they had to guess who it was.  In this episode, Bishop Fulton Sheen was the celebrity guest.  Bishop Sheen had a weekly television show in which he would talk about and explain our Catholic faith.  He even won an Emmy for his show!  I love listening to his old shows and reading books written by him.  He was absolutely amazing.  You can easily see that people thought very highly of him in this video.  Note the great applause when he appears and the statement "Well, that is the most solid round of applause I've heard in a long time."  Also, the great respect shown to him by Mr. Daly and all the panelists, especially when the final panelist kisses his ring at the end which is a gesture of respect for his office as bishop who is a successor of the Apostles.  By the way, the celebrities would often have to disguise their voices because their distinct voices could have given them away - I think it's hilarious that Bishop Sheen chose to answer the questions in French to disguise his voice!  His concern for the poor also shines through when he requests that the prize given to him at the end of the show be sent to the leper colonies.

The Lord Is My Inspiration

"...man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself." - Gaudium et Spes 24: 3

O Antiphons

Today is the beginning of the O Antiphons.  These are the antiphons that begin and end the Magnificat in Vespers during the final days of Advent.  Fr Z. has more detailed info on the O Antiphons here.
They are beautiful verses invoking titles of Christ.  In Latin the titles are Sapientia (Wisdom), Adonai (Lord), Radix Jesse (Root of Jesse), Clavis David (Key of David), Oriens (Dawn), Rex Gentium (King of the nations).

Here are the Antiphons from the Breviary:
Dec. 17th:  O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.  Come and show your people the way to salvation.

Dec. 18th:  O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain:  come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.

Dec. 19th:  O Flower of Jesse's stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you.  Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.

Dec. 20th:  O Key of David, O royal power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of heaven:  come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.

Dec. 21st:  O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:  come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.

Dec. 22nd:  O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. 

Dec. 23rd:  O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.

Here is a resource with scriptural citations of each of the titles and the Latin text of the antiphons followed by a good English translation - and you can hear the Latin antiphon chanted (which is awesome!) by clicking on the speaker icon.

After reading the O Antiphons, you see the significance of a familiar hymn:


Come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.

Chorus: Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!

O come, Thou Wisdom, from on high,
and order all things far and nigh;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.

O come, o come, Thou Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times did give the law,
in cloud, and majesty, and awe.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
from ev'ry foe deliver them
that trust Thy mighty power to save,
and give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heav'nly home,
make safe the way that leads on high,
that we no more have cause to sigh.

O come, Thou Dayspring from on high,
and cheer us by thy drawing nigh;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night
and death's dark shadow put to flight.

O come, Desire of the nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid every strife and quarrel cease
and fill the world with heaven's peace.
 
Hymn lyrics from fisheaters.

Fr. Robert Barron Comments on People Leaving the Church

As. Fr. Barron points out, the Church recognizes that there are certain aspects of truth in other faiths, however, the Church must point out that the fullness of truth subsists in the Catholic Church.  The Church is a divine institution founded by Jesus Christ.  It's doctrines are unchanging as the Church, the Bride of Christ, must remain faithful to her Bridegroom, Jesus.  The Church proposes the fullness of truth to us and it is for us to freely accept it so as to enjoy the fruits of grace the Lord wishes to joyfully bestow upon us through his Church.  The Church's teachings are not to impose on us or to make us mad, rather her teachings help us to become the best people we can be; to become the people God has created us to be. When we enter deeply into prayer, examine our hearts and study the teachings of the Church (not just what the Church teaches but also the why behind the what), we come to the realization that what the Church teaches is what our hearts truly long for which is authentic love, not a watered down and "I-will-determine-truth-for-myself" version of love.  If we wish to live an authentically Christian life which is to become like Jesus, we must heed his command, "Take up your cross and follow me."  Love demands sacrifice.  But also as Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."  The more we examine our hearts and learn what and why the Church teaches what she does, the more we realize the meaning of these words of our Lord.  It may be difficult at times, for example, to say no to contraceptives when we live in a culture that is constantly telling us that contraceptives are good, but to say no to contraceptives is to take the Lord's burden upon yourself and guess what, the Lord's burden is easy and light.  Why?  Because what the Lord offers me is what my heart truly longs for so when I receive what the Lord offers it is not a heavy burden rather it is light and easy and I carry it joyfully.  Saying no to contraceptives is actually saying a joyful yes to something much greater and fulfilling - saying yes to life and authentic love. If you are considering leaving the Catholic Church, I beg you for your own sake, take time to truly learn the Church's teachings and pray deeply; talk to someone who really knows what they're talking about regarding the Church.  There are so many resources available to you, many of which can be found on the sidebar of this blog. I guarantee you that if you learn the truth you will not want to leave because you will discover that all your heart has longed for is found in the Catholic Church.  Why?  Because the Church was divinely instituted by Jesus and if Jesus has given me this gift how could I ever reject it?

Yay, Sr. Miriam James!

Check out this article about Sr. Miriam James, SOLT who will be joining us for our women's retreat April 1-3.  We're so blessed and excited that she is coming!  What a great and inspiring story she has! Click here to read it.

Here is an excerpt: 

"With her parents no longer telling her what to do [when she went to college], Sharon stopped attending Mass, never went to confession, and was certainly not going to be found at any prayer meetings. Instead, worldly pursuits consumed her time. In addition to her scholarship, she had a boyfriend on the football team and a schedule full of parties. She was free to do as she pleased, which was supposed to bring her happiness.

Yet instead of being filled with happiness, she was empty. “After getting a taste of having everything the world says you should have to be happy, but finding my heart utterly empty, I began to deeply yearn for something more. The partying, boyfriends, school and sports didn’t fill me. When I was truly honest with myself, I had to admit that I was shattered within.”

It was the spring of her freshman year in college when she had this awakening. “I realized that when I died, God wasn’t going to ask me if my mom and dad went to church on Sunday. He would ask me, ‘What did you do with your life?’” This sobering thought led her on a slow journey back into the Church."

Continue reading here.

An "Advent Minute" from the Dominican Sisters

Click here for an "Advent Minute" from the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist.

Why Do We Use an Advent Wreath and Why the Colored Candles?

Need some prayers to help you through your finals?

Call on St. Joseph of Cupertino!  St. Joseph Cupertino is a patron saint of students and those travelling by air.  Why is St. Joseph Cupertino a patron saint of students?  Well, he was not so good at studies and only by the grace of God did he pass an examination by his bishop.  When he was studying for the diaconate and priesthood he was supposed to be able to expound on many passages in the Gospels, but he was only able to expound on one verse from the Gospel of St. Luke, "Blessed is the womb that bore you." Here is the recounting of the story from EWTN:

"...for the diaconate and the priesthood a special examination had to be passed, in presence of the bishop himself. As a matter of form, but with no hope of success, Joseph was sent up to meet his fate. The bishop opened the New Testament at haphazard; his eye fell upon the text "Beatus venter qui te portavit [Blessed is the womb that bore you]," and he asked Joseph to discourse upon it. To the surprise of everyone present Joseph began, and it seemed as if he would never end; he might have been a Master in Theology lost in a favorite theme. There could be no question about his being given the diaconate."

Why is St. Joseph Cupertino a patron saint of those travelling by air?  St. Joseph Cupertino was a mystic and very often had experiences of levitation.

St. Joseph Cupertino was incredibly humble.  One phrase that I love from EWTN's account of his life is this: "Joseph's absent-mindedness, from his childhood upwards, had not been only a natural weakness, it was due, in great part, to a wonderful gift of seeing God and the supernatural in everything about him, and he would become lost in the wonder of it all. "  St. Joseph Cupertino saw beauty in all of God's creation and would get so caught up in awe that he would go into ecstasy. He saw beauty in ordinary things.  If only we would all do the same - to be in utter awe at what we usually see as completely ordinary such as a bird flying by, a cloud lingering in the sky, a flower blooming or the face of a friend.

So as you students continue to take your final exams this week, don't forget to ask St. Joseph Cupertino to pray for you!  Study well and may the things you've studied be what is asked on the exam, just as in St. Joseph Cupertino's case!