Hi folks!

I guess I forgot to mention that I won't be posting on this blog on Saturdays or Sundays. I simply have too much to do. Maybe sometimes when I have some free time I may make a short post, but don't expect it too often.


Today, I'd like to talk about what you should do if someone insults or ridicules you for being Catholic. You might be shocked when I say this, and be thinking "This doesn't happen anymore." Unfortunately, this is not the case. I have been told many times that it's a waste of time to be Catholic, and that there's no God anyway. Obviously, we know that this is incorrect. But, it is often hard to convince an atheist, or even a non-Catholic Christian, of this. Arguing with them will only reinforce their prejudice against Catholics. So, the best thing to do, is politely tell them they are wrong, if you want, but you do not even have to say anything. Sometimes, just stop them dead in their tracks by saying "Thank you for your opinion," and then walk away. This should avoid any "problems," but I obviously can't guarantee this. Some people just don't give up. In this situation, do your best to ignore it, you will only make them angrier and more resolute by arguing with them.


The above situations can be made even more difficult if this situation happens at your workplace or school. Though I pray you are never in such a situation, sadly, such religious prejudice is still present in many schools, even Catholic schools. It is a sad fact, but it is true. In this situation, simply try to be nice to them. Talk to them, change the subject, but whatever you do, don't talk about politics or religion. Try to talk about a movie you saw recently, or maybe what you do after school. They may eventually realize that you're not some "Jesus Freak" and figure out that you're simply just another regular person.



Thank you and God Bless,


John

Greetings to all!


I'm about to turn in for the night, so I'll keep today's post short, but sweet.

Last night I was at a meeting for high school age men discerning the call to the priesthood at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary. The group is called the St. John Gabriel Society, and they meet monthly during the academic year. It is always a pleasure to meet the wonderful seminarians there, and to talk with other young men that are close to my age who are discerning the call to the priesthood. Even for men like me, who are pretty sure that the priesthood is where they are called, the discernment process never really ends until ordination, or at least that's how I feel. So, since I'm in the "mood" so to speak, to talk about vocations, I'll make this post to all the high school men that are maybe thinking about the seminary.


First, if you are planning on going to the seminary "at some point" or maybe "when you're older" why wait? You've got nothing to lose by going to the seminary, and if you find out it isn't for you, you can always leave. The seminary doors lock from the outside, not the inside. They aren't going to send you to the seminary and the moment you walk in the door put a Roman collar on you and ordain you the next day. This is part of the reason that the seminary formation process takes 8 years. It's mainly so that the seminarians there can determine if the seminary is where they are called to be. So, in the words of Pope John Paul II "I say to you dear young people DO NOT BE AFRAID!!!" And, in the words of the Holy Father, Benedict XVI "Do not be afraid to make commitments in life!"



God Bless you All,


John

Good morning everyone!

I'd like to apologize for not posting yesterday. I simply ran out of time as I had a lot to do. With the end of the school year coming up, and Easter just having passed us by, we are all so busy with our lives that we think we don't have time for religion except on weekends when we go to Mass. However, once we think about it, we don't have time NOT to go to Mass. Allow me to explain. Our lives here on earth are very, very short. At least, they are short compared to our eternal life in Heaven. God doesn't expect much from us, all he asks is that we talk to him in prayer for just a little while each day, and attend Mass at least on the weekends. Obviously, he also asks us to lead a life as close to His life as possible, but He understands if we don't always do a great job. After all, He knows that we aren't perfect, and as such, He doesn't expect perfection out of us. So, today, take a few moments out of your busy day, maybe if it's even right before you go to bed, and ask God to come into your life in a special way, and strengthen your bond with Christ.



God Bless you All!


John

It might be a little early still for all you West coast folks, but I thought I'd make a morning post. I don't have much to write about, so I'll keep it short and sweet.

I'd like to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the safe rescue of Captain Phillips from Somali pirates. When his ship was hijacked, he ordered his crew to lock themselves in a cabin, and offered himself as a hostage to save his crew. This was a completely selfless act, and one which should be commended. Though he has been rescued, around 230 crew members still are on board the captured ship. Please continue to pray for their safe return to their families.


God Bless,

John

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter!

I have been reading an excellent book called "Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs"
(Sorry it isn't underlined, Blogger won't let me do that.)
This book has been absolutely fascinating in some ways, and depressing in others. It outlines how various feasts were celebrated in days of old, going as far back as the early Middle Ages. It is disappointing to see all the wonderful traditions that we have abandoned in our modern world. Our rules for fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are nothing compared to the very harsh rules of olden times. Becoming a Catholic suddenly seems easy compared to what someone a thousand years ago had to endure. Catechumens in the Middle Ages were not allowed to take a bath all through Lent until Holy Saturday! Yet, when we look at the rules and obligations applied to us by the Holy See, we sometimes look at the Vatican incredulously, thinking, "How can they do this to us?" But, really, the rules are rather lenient in today's society. These "rules" set upon us are designed to help us become more Christ-like, not to simply make us suffer. So, next time you are upset about fasting, or maybe abstaining from meat on a Friday when you just really craved that Big Mac, unite your suffering with the suffering that Our Lord endured for our salvation.



Have a wonderful and Blessed Easter!!!



John

Good afternoon (or evening)!


Today as I was out a walk in the beautiful Saint Louis weather, I got to meditating on God's calling in my life. I started to wonder if maybe I am not really deserving of such a high calling as the holy priesthood. Then I realized that God does not call those who are worthy of the priesthood. He makes those He calls worthy of such a calling.


I imagine you all are wondering how on earth this could apply to everyone's lives. But, it does. Perhaps you're discerning your own calling, be it to the priesthood, religious life, married life, or maybe even just a new job. Perhaps we consider ourselves unworthy of living a truly Catholic life. If you're thinking this, guess what. You're right! No one is worthy. But, that doesn't mean God doesn't want you to do whatever it is. If we always got what we were truly worthy of, Heaven would be a very empty place, because nobody would be there. So, my challenge for you all is to try something new this week. Maybe something a little out of your "comfort zone," something you wouldn't normally do.


Last weekend, I went on a retreat at Kenrick-Glennon Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri. It was not something I ordinarily would have done, but I felt that I needed to experience it. And, I came back from that weekend feeling more at peace with the world and my vocation than I ever had. I'm convinced the two nights I stayed at the seminary were the two most peaceful nights of my entire life. So, my point is, try something new, and God will probably reward you in amazing ways!



God Bless,

John

Since it is now morning in the USA, Canda and Mexico, let us offer a prayer for the morning:

Most Holy and Adorable Trinity, one God in three Persons, I firmly believe that You are here present; I adore You with the most profound humility; I praise You and give You thanks with all my heart for the favors You have bestowed on me. Your Goodness has brought me safely to the beginning of this day. Behold, O Lord, I offer You my whole being and in particular all my thoughts, words and actions, together with such crosses and contradictions as I may meet with in the course of this day. Give them, O Lord, Your blessing; may Your divine Love animate them and may they tend to the greater honor and glory of Your Sovereign Majesty. Amen.



Also, in your kindness, please pray for the victims of the earthquake in Italy, and for the soul of Father Jesse Euresti, a priest in the diocese of Austin, Texas, who was kidnapped and murdered earlier this week.




God Bless,

John