This week: A love letter from Fred. A new version of Mary of Nazareth. Jackie Francois on the “ache of singlehood.” Father Barron’s new video on the Real Presence. The Knights of Columbus’ “Big Mountain Jesus.” You have a new friend request…   Shocking prayers from Iowa Democrats.

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This is the story of a love affair. Fred Stobaugh lost Lorraine, his wife of almost 73 years, only 1 month earlier. Lacking musical and technical skills, he entered an on-line video song contest by writing and sending lyrics in a manila envelope to the record company.

(Oh Sweet Lorraine is now available in the Google Play and iTunes stores.)

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A new version of Mary of Nazareth is coming on September 8th from Ignatius Press. It is a re-edit of a previously released, much longer movie. The original had mixed reviews, but reviewers of the Ignatius version are enthusiastic. Fr. Donald Calloway writes:

A few weeks ago, they asked me to review it and I was so in awe of what I viewed that this is what I wrote for them: “The most stunning portrayal of the Virgin Mary on film. It will make you want to love her more than ever. An absolute masterpiece!” Yes, my friends, we finally have a movie that gets Mary totally right! Trust me, I am super duper hard to please when it comes to any portrayal of Mary in film, but this one nailed it entirely!

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Jackie Francois (a recent newly wed) is an effective evangelist to young folks. I have featured aspect her video on the Eucharist previously. This video from 3 years ago is another excellent video she calls the “Ache of Singlehood”:

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Speaking of the Eucharist, a new video was published on Monday: “Fr. Barron comments on The Sacrament of the Eucharist as Real Presence.” It’s very good.

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The Knights of Columbus have installed and maintained a WWII memorial statue of Jesus on land they leased for almost 60 years. Well funded atheists seeking to have it removed were defeated in federal district court in a sensible and fair ruling. They are now appealing to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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I love the intersection of creativity and faith shown on church signs. The really good ones reach out and make people think. Here is one I saw on Father Junjun Amaya’s blog:

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Iowa Democrats pray for unfettered legal rights to kill children in the womb. The sound is poor in this video, but I can make out their disordered prayers to a “lord.” I assume that would be the lord of darkness and death, not the Lord God Almighty who created and sustains the innocent and defenseless lives they wish to literally crush. I realize in their dark and twisted faith, contrary to God and nature alike, abortion is a cherished sacrament called herein the “blessing of choice.” May the true God of all creation have mercy on them for their blasphemous intentions and lead them out of darkness by His light.

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: Father John Hollowell’s homily on “who am I to judge.” Father Barron explains why communion is much more than a meal. Scott Hahn discusses the biblical basis for the assumption of Our Lady. A new video production from Outside da Box. A priest vocation video from the Archdiocese of Washington. Two priests are robbed outside a church at gunpoint. How a penny can feel like a million dollars.

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The word “judging” has some complicated connotations. We ARE called to fraternal correction in charity (see my piece Always be nice!). That necessarily involves “judging” objectively sinful ACTS. We can NOT judge the state of a person’s soul and it is NOT our job to do so, thank God!

Father John Hollowell tackles this topic in light of the media’s shallow and context-free quote of Pope Francis. To the liberal media (redundant), “who am I to judge” means we are to be “tolerant” and “accepting” of generally all personal sin. Naturally, they think that Pope Francis meant something that he certainly did not (or at least they want you to think that).

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There are some, Catholics and non-Catholics, who look at communion as little more than a community dinner where you are supposed to “remember” Christ. True enough, but that is only a crumb of understanding the Eucharist. As a meal, it is part of a series in salvation history beginning with the forbidden fruit, to the Passover and on to the Last Supper. It is not only an act of communion, but importantly the supreme sacrifice of all time and the real presence of our Lord — literally His body, blood, soul and divinity.

Father Barron does a good job explaining this further:

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Scott Hahn discusses the assumption of Our Lady:

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This is My Church – a new video production from Outside da Box:

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This is a good priest vocation video from the Archdiocese of Washington:

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Father Lesly Jean and a 77 year old visiting priest were robbed outside St. Helen at gunpoint near Miami:

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Tania Luna tells of her childhood in the Ukraine, coming to America and her experiences:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: The victim of a federal judge’s order to keep a Mississippi abortuary open is removed by ambulance. A “pro-choice” mob enters a Cathedral during Mass to vandalize that sacred space and threaten parishioners. A sidewalk counselor convinces a father to save his child. The Nuns on the Bus have a new, enthusiastic supporter. Rosario Rodriguez discusses forgiveness and the lessons she learned. Two words: skateboarding friars.
Mormon missionaries demonstrate some effective evangelization.

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ABC News happily covered a federal judge’s order to keep a Mississippi abortuary open despite its deficiencies. They suggested the pro-lifers (which they called “anti-abortion rights protesters”) were not “loving”. So, everything must be going great now – right?

Exhibit “A” is this woman spirited out of the facility on a gurney then via ambulance in need of emergency medical care. She is hurt (in many ways) and her baby is dead. The happy abortion workers from the ABC video now scamper to hide the fruits of their labor:

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A large mob of abortion promoters entered the Catholic Cathedral in Santiago, Chile following a rally. As if to demonstrate the evil they represent, they interrupted Mass shouted slogans, made out in front of priests, tagged graffiti on statues and walls, and committed other destructive and threatening acts. (This reminds me of another loud, evil mob attacking and destroying the sacred recorded in Matthew 27:22-25, Mark 15:13-14, Luke 23:21-23 and John 19:15.)

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A father stands outside of an abortuary while his son or daughter is about to be “terminated” inside. A pro-lifer pleads with him to intervene and save his child. It worked! The pro-lifer may not have used the best approach, but he tried and the Holy Spirit did the rest.

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The dissident Nuns on the Bus (featured aspect on 60 minutes – twice) has received a unique and very special honor. They and their organization have been featured aspect in a glowing profile in the flagship publication of a US political party! You might assume that to be the Democratic party, for whom the sisters stomp continuously, but not them.

The sisters were featured aspect in People’s World from the Communist Party. Yup, the communists are following these sisters and very much like what they see. That is not a good thing. Dr. Paul Kengor reports the story at Catholic Exchange.

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Matthew posted this video from 2011 over at CMR. I remember it from a while ago and thought I had posted it in a QT, but apparently had not (I conclude after looking for it).

Rosario Rodriquez learned a hard lesson about forgiveness. Later, she would once again be challenged putting that lesson to the test.

I wrote about forgiveness in the burden of hate.

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Didacus and Gabriel loved skateboarding as teenagers, but gave that up when they accepted the call to religious life as Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. Now, in outreach, they are back to skateboarding:

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Speaking of informal, street sport outreach and evangelization, consider this stereotype rich scenario. Two white, Mormon missionaries (white shirts, ties, etc.) approach some young black men playing basketball. They ask to play, take a few poor practice shots and the game is on:

Mormon’s are not Christians, but this is good and effective evangelization.

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: The latest issue of New Evangelists Monthly is complete and ready for you. Alex Jones recalls his entry into the Catholic Church. The “cosmological argument” for the existence of God. Jim Gaffigan, a comedian and a Catholic. The latest Outside da Box video. When arguing is necessary. How they build the Tesla model “S”.

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Issue #8, August 2013, of New Evangelists Monthly is complete! Scores of faithful Catholic bloggers have contributed their very best pieces from July. This month brought these great topics: dating, first Friday, spiritual flaws, cape-less heroes, breaking chains, church and state, TOB, 50M names, lustful vice, at 14, Christmas time, sexual determination, a courtship, being the donkey, NT church, on memory, delusional, Austin, God’s will, Kingship, OCD, a journey, sharing truth, missionaries, on Francis, the Saint’s sister, Fr. Augustine Tolton, a book review, no doubt, anger, discipleship, families, mirrors, no substitute, fiat marriage, a retreat, prayer books, cohabitation, clay jar, womanhood, Fr. Amin Abbott RIP, the Samaritan, reversals, street preachers, modesty, making memories, shall receive, humble heart, entrusted, anorexia, the Mass, veiling, NFP, earning readers, idolatry, catechesis, Fr. Pfleger, a cartoon, gifts, never ready, no to iPad, infinite Goodness, curiosity, fertility, marriage, a monastery, schedule, homage, neighbor, Abba, Matchmaker, Immortal / Invisible, treasures, purpose and Brandon.

This monthly “meta-magazine” showcases faithful Catholicism from theology to family life and “everything in between.” Enjoy it now at NewEvangelists.org.

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Pentecostal’s, like those in many Christian communities, are seekers of truth. They are often hostile to Catholicism. Rev. Alex Jones, the charismatic/evangelical minister of Maranatha Christian Church in Detroit, recklessly failed to heed the advice of John Henry Newman (himself a convert, Cardinal and now Saint: “To be deep in history is to cease to be Protestant.“). Rev. Jones thought it would be good for his congregation to study the Church Fathers, which would no doubt strengthen and reinforce their Pentecostal beliefs. After 4 years of study, this is what happened:

Rev. Jones is now Rev. Mr. Alex Jones. I covered Deacon Jones story in an earlier QT (here), but this documentary outtake is newly available (thanks to Matthew Archbold for spotting it).

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Do you know someone who doesn’t believe in God? Perhaps someone demanding scientific proof? This video is the best presentation of the “cosmological argument” that I have seen:

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The Washington Post tries to understand Catholic comedian Jim Gaffigan in their recent piece. CBS also just ran this interview:

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Teenagers, excuses, sins and lapsed faith are in this latest Outside da Box video. More than that — there are Saints, miraculous medals and prayers too.

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By our baptisms and confirmations, we are all priests, prophets and kings. We are each called to evangelize and we do NOT do that by keeping to ourselves and being “tolerant” of lies leading our neighbors to damnation. I wrote about this a while back in Always be nice!.

Sometimes (although not always), it is necessary to charitably argue. Matt Fradd explains:

Preach the gospel at all times — if necessary, use words.

Something St. Francis of Assisi never said.

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The Tesla Model S is an award winning, but expensive ($70,000 to $110,000) all-electric car. This is how they are made:

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!

This week: If we could see inside other people’s hearts…   Josh and Bre on their wedding day. Confessions at World Youth Day. MSNBC’s Melissa Harris Perry says life begins whenever the parents say it does. Petition for post-birth abortions. The last abortion clinic in uber-liberal Green Bay closes. Baby responds to popcorn eating dog.

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If we could see inside other people’s hearts…
If we could stand in someone else’s shoes…
…hear what they hear
…see what they see
…feel what they feel
Would we treat them differently?

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Josh and Bre on their wedding day. Soon they would be husband and wife, but Josh can not see Bre quite yet. Ignoring the bustle all around them, there is something they must do first. Here is the beautiful story behind this picture.

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Confessions at World Youth Day…

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When does life begin? Some would say not a millisecond before the clump of cells passes to this side of the womb. Some would like an even softer definition than that, such as MSNBC host Melissa Harris Perry. When does life begin? When the parents say it does. OK, that clears it up! LifeNews.com has the story.

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If life begins when the parents say it does, then fourth trimester (i.e. post-birth) abortions should be legalized. Makes sense, just like the same liberal thinking in favor of repealing the Bill of Rights I covered previously.

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This seems unreal, unachievable. The last abortion clinic in uber-liberal Green Bay Wisconsin has been closed. Also unbelievable, the NBC coverage of it is actually fair. Pinch me!

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Dog: “I like popcorn.” Baby: “This is hilarious!”

Some random thoughts or bits of information are worthy of sharing but don’t warrant their own full post. This idea was started by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary to address this blogging need. So, some Fridays I too participate when I have accumulated 7 worthy items. Thank you Jen for hosting this project!