In Layman's Terms: A blog of interest

Recently, I was invited to be a contributor to a blog that you will find very educational, interesting, and well done by four Catholic gentlemen for the sole purpose of putting our Catholic faith in layman’s terms. Micah, Nicholas, Adam, Sean are well educated, seasoned in service to the Roman Catholic Church. Two are DRE’s, another is a college prepatory schoolteacher, and the other is an amateur apologist and Catholic bookworm, like me. Adam, is also the owner and Webmaster of www.catecheticsonline.com along with pursuing an MA in Theology at present. Nicholas, a recent newlywed, has his own blog, www.phatcatholic.blogspot.com and is the “Premier Answerer” of all things Catholic for WikiAnswers. So, what I am saying is that I am very intimidated in the company of these guys, but willing to do my best as a master catechist, three-year Catholic blogger, book reviewer, and bookworm in general.

So, please visit ‘In Layman’s Terms’ and see what you can glean, leave us a comment or two and let us know how we are touching those that are reading our posts.

God has blessed us with abundant faith and the desire for knowledge and sharing that knowledge and it is the hope from these four gentlemen and a lady that we can bless you, too.

Rosary for Life by the Priests for Life

The Rosary

Isn't this prayer the most versatile of all? Through the years of praying this beautiful prayer, I have learned not only how to pray it, but how to interpret it and make it my own prayer to my Heavenly mother. Fr. Frank Pavone has put together the Rosary for Life and I wanted to share this with you.

The Joyous

The Annunciation
Mary is troubled by the angel's greeting, yet rejoices to do God's will. Let us pray that those who are troubled by their pregnancy may have the grace to trust in God's will.

The Visitation
John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb. We pray that people may realize that abortion is not about children who "might" come into the world, but is about children who are already in the world, living and growing in the womb, and are scheduled to be killed.

The Nativity
God Himself was born as a child. The greatness of a person does not depend on size, for the newborn King is very small. Let us pray for an end to prejudice against the tiny babies threatened by abortion.

The Presentation
The Child is presented in the Temple because the Child belongs to God. Children are not the property of their parents, nor of the government.
They - and we - belong to God Himself.

The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
The boy Jesus was filled with wisdom, because He is God. Let us pray that all people may see the wisdom of His teachings about the dignity of life, and may understand that this teaching is not an opinion, but the truth.

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The Luminous

Christ is Baptized in the Jordan
When Jesus is baptized, the Father's voice is heard: "This is my beloved Son." All are called to become adopted sons and daughters of God through baptism. We pray that children in the womb may be protected, so that they may be born and welcomed into the Christian community by baptism.

Christ is made known at the Wedding of Cana
Jesus revealed His glory by the miracle at Cana. The new couple was blessed not only with wine, but with faith in Christ. Let us pray for strong marriages, rooted in the Lord, and open to the gift of new life.

Christ proclaims the Kingdom and Calls All to Conversion
"Repent and believe the Good News." Let us pray that these first words of Jesus' public ministry may be heard by all who have committed abortion. May they know that the Lord calls them to conversion, and may they experience life-giving repentance.

The Transfiguration
Christ is transformed on the mountain, and the disciples see His glory. May the eyes of all people be transformed, that they may see each and every human life as a reflection of the glory of God Himself.

Jesus gives us the Eucharist
"This is My Body, given up for you." The Eucharist teaches us how to live and how to love. Let us pray that parents who sacrifice the babies for the sake of themselves may learn instead to put themselves aside for the sake of their babies.

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Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden
Let us pray for mothers and fathers who are in agony because they are tempted to abort a child. May they be given the good news that there are alternatives, and may they make use of the help that is available.

The Scourging
As Christ's flesh was torn by the instruments of those who scourged Him, so the bodies of babies in the womb are torn by the instruments of the abortionists. Let us pray that abortionists may repent of these acts of child-killing.

The Crowning With Thorns
Jesus suffered the pain of thorns in His head, and did so silently. We pray for the mothers and fathers of aborted children. So many of them suffer deep grief and regret over a choice they can never reverse. So many suffer in silence, because others tell them it's no big deal.

The Carrying of the Cross
Jesus was not condemned by the power of wicked people. He was condemned because of the silence of good people. Silence always helps the oppressor, never the victim. Let us pray that we may never be silent about abortion, but rather will clearly speak up to save babies from death.

The Crucifixion
As we ponder the death of Christ, let us remember the many women who have died from so-called "safe, legal" abortions. Let us ask forgiveness and mercy for them. May their memory save other women from making this tragic mistake.

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Glorious Mysteries
The Resurrection
Christ is Risen! By his Resurrection, He has destroyed the power of death, and therefore the power of abortion. The outcome of the battle for Life has already been decided: Life is victorious! Let us pray that all prolifers will spread this victory to every segment of our society.

The Ascension
By ascending to the Father's throne, Christ takes our human nature, given to us in the womb, to the heights of heaven. He shows us that human beings are made to be raised to heaven, not thrown in the garbage. Let us pray that the world may learn this truth and reject abortion.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Advocate: He pleads our cause, for we cannot save ourselves. We pray that He will make us advocates for the babies, who cannot speak or write or vote or protest or even pray.

The Assumption
The Blessed Virgin Mary was taken body and soul into heaven because she is the Mother of God. Mother and child are united. The Assumption reminds us that they belong together. We pray that society will see that it cannot love women while killing their children, and cannot save children without helping their mothers. We pray that people will be touched by the pro-life question, "Why can't we love them both?"

The Coronation
Mary is the Queen of the Universe. The Church teaches that she is the greatest creature, second only to God Himself. The Church defends the dignity of women. We pray that people will understand that to be pro-life means to be pro-woman, and that to be pro-woman demands that we be pro-life.

For more information, contact Fr. Frank Pavone, International Director

Avon colors are on SALE!

It's Lent: Are you tending the garden?

It's Ash Wednesday, the first day of the Church's 40-days of inventory, reflection, and commitment, if you will, to Christ's passion and sacrifice. The path to redemption, the humiliation of the human God, the glorious climax of the divine man.

We can "put out into the deep" during this time and find that there is something we should be doing as fellow Catholics in our communities.

During Lent, something is happening that most garden-variety Catholics wouldn't even have on their radar-screen. A small budding seed that grew somewhere quietly is being fed, nurtured, and mentored right in their own backyard. As with most Catholics attending Mass on Sundays, they only see this garden's growth with the calling of the names during Lent, the special blessings and sending forth prior to communion. Maybe even then, it is just an added attraction that extends the Mass as does an occasional baptism. But, there is more to this and each and every Catholic sitting in the pews has a part in this process.

The RCIA program is not just for newcomers, it is meant for all Catholics. Like planting a garden, the selection of the seeds, their needs of sunlight, water, good soil are important for a successful harvest. Careful planning of what, when, and how to plant the seeds; even preserving the new seeds for the next season are considered. Preparation is key to this process and without help from family members, friends, it would be a lonely and even daunting job.

As with a spring garden, those in the RCIA programs in your parish are experiencing new growth, too. They are studying, being nurtured, taking classes, and they need our prayers. During Lent, they are coming to the end of their journey into the Catholic Church. The goal, in sight, is a celebration that takes preparation. How they got here, what brought them to this place and who will help them during and after they arrive is Catholic-based. The seed has come to the surface, desiring more sunlight, water, and fertile soil to continue to grow and blossom.

Get out your watering cans, put your garden gloves on, and see where you can be a part of this for someone. Yes, pray for them, smile at them, and speak to them encouraging words. Be a welcoming face in the new community that they so desire to be a part of.

This is what Lent is all about, yes get rid of the candy for 40 days, stop snacking for a few weeks, pray the rosary and stations of the Cross, most definitely! But, remember the newcomers, remember them spiritually, physically, and be a support for them during your Lenten journey this year. This is a level far deeper than giving up candy.

Celebrating our 17th Wedding Anniversary!

Blessed is the word for my marriage and my knight-in-shining armour.

Blessed is the word for our children who have this man for their daddy.

Blessed is the word for my life since meeting him.

Blessed is the laughter he brings to me EVERY day!

Blessed is my family for his presence in their lives.

Blessed is his parents for having such a good and devoted son at their side.

Blessed is his siblings for his leadership and example, even as he is the youngest.

Blessed is the word for those who work with this gentle man.

Blessed is the world for this kind and patient man of honor.

Blessed is the prayer of thanksgiving I pray each and every night of my life.

Thank you Sweet Jesus for this gift, I don't deserve, but I care for daily.

Thank you dear sweet knight, spouse, friend, and father

I love you so very very much!!

The Homily

What a treasure the homily can be, Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis in 2007:

The homily

46. Given the importance of the word of God, the quality of homilies needs to be improved. The homily is "part of the liturgical action" (139), and is meant to foster a deeper understanding of the word of God, so that it can bear fruit in the lives of the faithful. Hence ordained ministers must "prepare the homily carefully, based on an adequate knowledge of Sacred Scripture" (140). Generic and abstract homilies should be avoided. In particular, I ask these ministers to preach in such a way that the homily closely relates the proclamation of the word of God to the sacramental celebration (141) and the life of the community, so that the word of God truly becomes the Church's vital nourishment and support (142). The catechetical and paraenetic aim of the homily should not be forgotten. During the course of the liturgical year it is appropriate to offer the faithful, prudently and on the basis of the three-year lectionary, "thematic" homilies treating the great themes of the Christian faith, on the basis of what has been authoritatively proposed by the Magisterium in the four "pillars" of the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the recent Compendium, namely: the profession of faith, the celebration of the Christian mystery, life in Christ and Christian prayer (143).

Therefore, it is the chance to speak to the congregation about the Word of God, it's meaning and the relationship it still so very much has in modern day lives. We have not outgrown the Word of God, Christ's teachings, nor have we outgrown apostolic leadership.

For me, the homily holds something special and desparate at the same time. Years ago, I prayed for a husband who was stronger spiritually to come into my life, what God sent me was a man who has a heart of gold, a brilliant mind, and a belief system that was put to sleep years before I came into the picture. He had questions, however, and I found that I needed to have the answers. Fast-film forward and today, after years of study and asking my own questions, I am a Master Catechist teaching our children and answering the questions my knight-in-shining armour may have.

One of the questions he had lately was during a severe winter storm last weekend, which quickly turned to an icey nightmare over night. As we were watching the news tickertape slowly announcing the closings for Sunday morning services, we all particularily got a kick out of one, "The Church of the Open Door...closed". Hahahah!!! we all roared. But then my knight asked, "Will Fr. cancel Mass tomorrow?" Not a second later, our eldest daughter replied, "No, Dad, Mass is never cancelled, Priests by their vocation must celebrate Mass everyday. If no one shows up, Fr. will still be at Church saying Mass." I smiled. The next day was not the first time in the many years that we have been married, that my non-Catholic knight escorted our daughters and I to Mass on treacherous weather days. I have often wondered if he does this without question or complaint to make sure we get there safely or because he is curious to see if I am the only crazy Catholic heck-bent to get to Mass come rain, sleet, or snowstorm.

Back to the homily, with each year that I am blessed to be the wife of this scientist boy (as he deemed himself once to cheer me up)I have seen him listening more intently to the homily with our daughters...they are listening, maybe searching for an unanswered question. The homilies can be such treasure-troves of Christ's love and direction for us. They can be filled with 'nuggets' as a friend of mine calls them.

Every Sunday, every day, every time Mass is celebrated is one more chance to answer someone's question, someone's yearning for more knowledge, someone's need for consolation, vindication, or condemnation. It is the one time that the priest has an opportunity to touch someone maybe off the street who came in to get warm, he has a captive audience.

Sometimes it's the last chance, a one time missed. The homily is a treasure, it can do so much for just one person, or many. A treasure-trove of love and guidance.

Catholic Fire: Harry Knox: An Anti-Catholic Bigot who needs to resign now

Catholic Fire: Harry Knox: An Anti-Catholic Bigot who needs to resign now

Please read over Jean's discoveries and sign the petition.

Thank you!

Catholic Company Book Review: Spirit and Life

It was time to choose another book to review for The Catholic Company. Checking out the many selections, I came across Dr. Hahn’s book “Spirit & Life, Essays on Interpreting the Bible in Ordinary Time.” This prolific writer of top selling books has inspired me, gave me a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church through his conversion story in, ‘Rome Sweet Home’ removed my fear of reading Revelation in his book, “The Lamb’s Supper” and made me laugh at times watching his Salvation History videos made many years ago.

The thing about Dr. Scott Hahn, is that he is so darn smart! He has studied scripture for his entire adult life, from college as an aspiring future preacher through his conversion to the Catholic Church during his Presbyterian ministry to his present work as both professorship of Scripture and theology at Franciscan U. and founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (www.salvationhistory.com). He knows the Bible forwards, backwards and in many interpretations, I’m sure. Dr. Hahn’s presence in my life through his works, I don’t even want to think of where I would be if a dear friend loaned me his videos, revealed to me the true beauty of the Catholic Church, her truth, love, and perfect stance in our world.

Well, onto the book review, “Spirit & Life…” is a short paperback of 156 pages, divided into 2 parts, Spirit and Life. In Spirit, (Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in the light of the same Spirit by whom it was written” – Dei Verbum, no. 12.) Dr. Hahn, discusses the Word as a Symphony, “Beethoven’s Fifth and ninth will shake us to our souls if we let them”, but Word of God, His Church will “shake you like no symphony ever has.” Through the Word, the signs and symbols of our faith, the Eucharist the Catholic Church is a symphony of beauty and truth bring us all closer to our God and His love and care.

Dr. Hahn discusses the “Hermeneutic of Faith” (I had to look up hermeneutic: an interpretation of text or religion.) to understand where this chapter was going. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Now Benedict XVI) was quoted all over this chapter with Dei Verbum. About the resurrection, he quotes the pope, the resurrection is “God’s defense of Jesus against the official interpretation of the Old Testament as given by the competent Jewish authorities.” In the Scripture’s Liturgical Sense, Dr. Hahn shows how study of the canon and covenant has illuminated both the cultic content and context of the Bible, showing the relationship clearer of the formal and material unity of Scripture and liturgy, the later existing for liturgy and in large part is about liturgy.

The second part, Life is rich with Dr. Hahn’s discussion on the Cathedral, the etiology of the bishop/priest roles from the original father of the family domestic to the father of the church. He talks about Matthew, the Gospel of fulfillment, the signs of the times, A Biblical Approach to “Pentecostal” Phenomena, Christ in Majesty, Scary Jesus and “My Words are Spirit and Life”: Teachings from the Scriptural and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus.

Finally, Dr. Hahn's interpretation of the Bible in Ordinary time is a treasure of his knowledge. He has traveled to so many places, seen so many beautiful things that are Catholic, his love of the Catholic Church is abundant. Recently, my daughter and I traveled with our parish to Washington, DC for the annual January March for Life. We celebrated Mass with our bishops and thousands of fellow Catholics in the Basilica Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I was simply mesmerized by the mosaic behind the Altar in the upper Church, "Christ in Majesty". Dr. Hahn's take on this amazing mosaic is beautiful.

It was a pleasure reading these essays, I am never disappointed with Dr. Hahn's work.