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This last week I was in Philadelphia for business so on Thursday night a number of us searched out the supposed “King” of the Philly Cheese Steak sandwich ~ Geno’s Steaks. In Philly last week there was a Police Officer was killed in the line of duty and Geno’s was running a fundraiser for the officer’s family. Every Philly Steak sold in a 24 hour period was going to the officer’s family. When we got there the line was around the block and it was still around the block when we got through it an hour later. I would estimate they were selling cheese steak sandwiches non-stop at the rate of about 1 every 10 seconds or approximately $40 a minute. All going to the fallen officers family.

It was obvious that Geno’s was a big supporter of fallen police officers, fire fighter, and military soldiers from the pictures on the walls. But what was also obvious is that Geno was of this world, and I would be concerned with bringing little kids to this sandwich shop. There were lots of pictures all around the shop, not unlike other destination eating establishments, with Geno and/or his son pictured with a celebrities and models who had visited the restaurant. Unfortunately some photographs were less than tasteful. I can’t imaging sitting down at a table with a child at a place where there are naked women pictured on some of the tables and you can’t really tell until you sit down.

There other thing I found concerning is that some of the cooks had shirts that were honoring a police officer who was killed in the line of duty back in 1981. The shirt said the name of the guy who had killed the officer and suggested that the murder shouldn’t be in prison but that he should be "6 feet closer to Hell".

There was an uneasiness that went through me when I read that t-shirt. How could someone want to wear a shirt like that? Is it a macho thing? Is it cool to want a murder in hell? I wish no one to be in hell and I know that God wishes no one to be in hell either.  The only being that wishes anyone to be in hell is Satan. In thinking about that T-Shirt as I am still uneasy about it. It’s somewhat like seeing a homeless person on the street and feeling like there is nothing you can do to help the situation. All I can do is pray. I pray for the fallen officer, for the man who murdered him, for the guy wearing that T-Shirt, and for our society.

Dear Lord almighty help us to see that you love us all. You gave us your only Son, Jesus, for our salvation. May we love and forgive one another as you teach us in the Lord’s Prayer. May you have mercy on us all so that we may all join you in Heaven for all eternity. Amen

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PS. The CheeseSteak wasn’t that great.

Continue reading Philly CheeseSteaks

I’ve been on the road this week, hence why there haven’t been many posts. I have a few stored up to write up.

I found this news story in my inbox when I got back today. I think this little dog can serve as an example to all of us. Click Here

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Continue reading More Faith Please

The following is from T.

I witnessed the sacrament of anointing the sick this morning after our 8:15 mass. What a glorious thing the Lord has given us in the sacraments, especially this one.

I found out about the ritual before mass started. It also came with the news that an acquaintance and spouse of a scouting friend has been going through chemo for breast cancer. As I was listening to mass the thought kept coming to me. How would I treat this mass if this was the very last mass I would ever be able to attend? It is quite the contemplation. Every day we know the sun comes up. Life goes on, but what if mine didn’t. All the usual participants at morning mass would keep coming. New faces would join in as is always the case, but I wouldn’t be there. Consequently, the mass took on a whole new appreciation today. The readings were more relevant, they were the last ones I would hear. The homily was especially good. Was it because I was paying better attention or was there just an extra spark in the air today. There definitely was when it came to greeting your neighbor. It was like seeing friends and knowing you were going away, what a wonder a handshake is, especially when you add “and Peace be with You”. Then came the Eucharist. I caught myself thinking about the, what if it really was my last mass and how the next time I saw the Lord it would be in the flesh. That was a little scary because I know I am not ready for that. Not that I don’t want to see the Lord, but I would hope I am in a better place with my relationship with the Lord before that time comes. Anyway, it was a delightful experience. As we were singing the closing song I had the thought “Wow, what if this isn’t my last mass but someone else who is here”. I looked around at all the faces, of people I know, and those I don’t. I thought shame on me that I don’t know all these people. What can I do to make their day better? Why am I thinking this stuff and what is it that the Lord wants me to do? I’m still contemplating as I have all day, but I thought maybe it was just to put down the thoughts that were going through my head so others may experience the mass as their last one also. It is probably a good idea if we treat every mass that way. Even a better idea if we go every day. Why waste an opportunity?

After mass about 14 or 15 stayed behind to attend the anointing. It is such a blessing that the Lord gave us priests and commanded them to lay their hands on us to help us. I know we all pray about getting healthy when we are sick. We never want to be sick, much less deal with something that could potentially be terminal. Today, we were together, praying for a friend. Watching as she received a wonderful sacrament. As badly as I feel for her having to deal with her infirmity, it was as if everything was exactly the way the Lord wanted it to be. Ask and you shall receive. We know not what plans the Lord has for us, but this morning I felt the Holy Spirit through everyone there. Praise God…and a glorious way to start the day.

May the peace of the Lord be with you Marilyn.

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Continue reading Witness Wednesday

I’ve had a few weeks now to simmer down about the fact that while the Pope was here a number of Pro-Abortion self pronounced “catholic’s” received Holy Communion. Robert Novak wrote a piece on it in the Washington Post and much discussion has taken place in the Catholic blogosphere ever since. Eye witness accounts have it that Nancy Pelosi, Chris Dodd, Rudy Giuliani, John Kerry all received the Eucharist at the Papal Masses. On a positive note Ted Kennedy did the right thing by staying seated during communion.

Confused Sheep

In reading many of the comments from the Novak article it is obvious that your average Joe on the street does not understand the teaching of the Catholic Church on this issue or understand that the Eucharist is not some wafer of bread but the actual Body, Blood, Soul & Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ. How do I know this because God tells me so multiple times in the Holy Bible John 6:22-71, Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19 and the Church from the very beginning says this is true and is to be taken literally. In addition one can know it’s true by what St. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:27 “Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.” Defending abortion is considered to be sinful and grave matter and causes one to be unworthy of the reception of the Eucharist.

It also appears that many Catholics are confused on this issue as well. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (which is their correct name) chime in by saying they are told not to deny communion to anyone because they don’t know that person’s true heart. This is understandable and they are following instructions but at some point public support of abortion by the faithful cannot be tolerated within the Catholic Church. Pro-Abortion politicians must understand that their faith life and their public life do mix as they are only one person. Saying the two situations are separate issues is like a traveling salesman telling his wife its okay for him to be unfaithful to her on the road but at home he is faithful.

Our Bishops need to sack up and speak out in one accord on this issue, and put an end to the confusion, but every time they speak as a group they seem to cloud the situation. Cardinal Egan of New York has publically rebuked Giuliani about his reception of the Eucharist. Archbishop Burke has been quite clear about the teaching in his Diocese of St. Louis that Pro-Abortion politicians are to be denyed Holy Communion. But then you have someone like Cardinal McCarrick going soft on the situation. Denying the Eucharist isn’t about casting judgment that someone is unworthy to receive, it is about protecting the soul of the one coming forward for the Body & Blood of Christ which is in the care of the Bishop. For whom much is given much is expected.

Poor Analogy Time

As a teenager I wanted to drink alcohol and I thought “who is the government to tell me that I have to be 21 in order to drink. What does age have to do with whether or not I can drink?” Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. Sadly I let my pride lead the way in my decision to drink as a teenager verses trying to understand why the law was in place and why it was better to wait. I think pride leads the way when we choose to go forward for communion when we shouldn’t. Interestingly enought our pride doesn’t cause us to think we can run our gasoline car on a tank of 2% milk, which could be considered akin to receiving the Eucharist in an unworthy manner and maybe worse. But our pride does cloud our judgment in areas of our lives that we don’t fully grasp and the devil is there whispering in our ear that "its okay, you know best".

Not In Judgment

I do not stand in judgment of these politicians as it is not my job, and I too have received the Eucharist in an unworthy manner during my life. No one was there taking my picture and pointing it out publicly, but in hindsight I wish they had. So what can we do? There is one thing we can always do, and that is pray.

Let Us Pray

Lord Jesus open our eyes to your teachings. Send the Holy Spirit upon us to gain understanding and to remove our pride. Amen

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Continue reading Defend the Eucharist

Figured the website couldn’t exist without a list of Popes. They can now be found in under the Resource menu.
Continue reading Popes, Popes, & More Popes

Have you ever wondered what the letters at the end of priest or nuns name stood for?

Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J.
Fr. Frank Pavone, MEV (one I’m looking for)
Sr. Mary Martha , M.S.

I have been in the process of compiling a list from various internet sites. Its up to 14 pages so I thought I would publish it. Please let me know if there are any corrections or if anything I have listed is not of a Catholic nature. Also if you have additions please shoot me an email or leave a comment and I will update the list.

You can get to the list under the Resource Menu / Religious Designations or click here Religious Designations

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Continue reading Religious Designations

If your in the Kansas City area this month keep Saturday afternoon May 25th (the feast of Corpus Christi) open for the Eucharistic Family Rosary Crusade event at Kauffman Stadium. More info can be found at www.eucharisticfamilyrosary.com

The following gives a history on the Rosary Crusade

In October 1955, 25,000 people filed into Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium to pray the rosary and to listen to Father Patrick Peyton speak of the beauty of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her call to family prayer. Known as the “Rosary Priest,” Father Peyton traveled the globe urging people to offer prayers for world peace. Thirty years later, Father Peyton’s Rosary Rally in the Philippines drew more than two million people.  In the spirit of Father Peyton, join us on Sunday, May 25th, 2008. Lift your hearts and minds to God. Prayer is the timeless solution!

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Continue reading Rosary Crusade