In this e-weekly:
- Catholic All Year (Catholic Website of the Week)
- Eucharistic Miracles! (Diocesan News and BEYOND)
- A Prayer Before A Crucifix (under Praying Hands)
- Catholic All Year (Catholic Website of the Week)
- Eucharistic Miracles! (Diocesan News and BEYOND)
- A Prayer Before A Crucifix (under Praying Hands)
A crucifix in the background of the rafters of a church
Catholic Good News
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
The Crucifix - The Core Christian Image
What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" "Why?
What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" (Matthew 27:22-23)
Receiving the Gospel, Serving God and Neighbor
The Crucifix - The Core Christian Image
What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked. They all answered, "Crucify him!" "Why?
What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!" (Matthew 27:22-23)
Dear friends in Christ Jesus,
The crucifix, that is, a cross with the body of our Lord upon it is the core Christian image. Some Christians say that Christ should not be portrayed upon the cross, since He is risen from the dead. Yet, for us who as St. Paul says, "make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col. 1:13)," the crucifix urges us on because it is the love of Christ (II Cor. 5:14) made visible.
The cross itself only has meaning and value because Jesus Christ, God made man, hung upon it. Crucifixion, a horrible means of execution and an ignominious death, has been transformed to be a means of life-giving love because sin and death died upon it. Jesus went forward to rise from the dead and to raise all who believe in Him.
But the further power of the crucifix is that it gives hope to us who suffer. It shows that good can be brought out of evil, especially the evil that strikes us or strikes those we love. It shows that suffering has value when it is united to God who suffered. Indeed, Christianity is the only religion that believes that God became human and that He suffered and died for humanity!
So if you do not have a crucifix in your house, get one! Indeed, every room should have one. And if you have a crucifix in your house, office, classroom, church, or elsewhere, look often upon it to be reminded of the love that God has for YOU and indeed all the world AND what you too can do through and for Jesus!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
P.S.S. At the end of e-weekly is the Sunday Readings with commentary and reflection questions.
The crucifix, that is, a cross with the body of our Lord upon it is the core Christian image. Some Christians say that Christ should not be portrayed upon the cross, since He is risen from the dead. Yet, for us who as St. Paul says, "make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ (Col. 1:13)," the crucifix urges us on because it is the love of Christ (II Cor. 5:14) made visible.
The cross itself only has meaning and value because Jesus Christ, God made man, hung upon it. Crucifixion, a horrible means of execution and an ignominious death, has been transformed to be a means of life-giving love because sin and death died upon it. Jesus went forward to rise from the dead and to raise all who believe in Him.
But the further power of the crucifix is that it gives hope to us who suffer. It shows that good can be brought out of evil, especially the evil that strikes us or strikes those we love. It shows that suffering has value when it is united to God who suffered. Indeed, Christianity is the only religion that believes that God became human and that He suffered and died for humanity!
So if you do not have a crucifix in your house, get one! Indeed, every room should have one. And if you have a crucifix in your house, office, classroom, church, or elsewhere, look often upon it to be reminded of the love that God has for YOU and indeed all the world AND what you too can do through and for Jesus!
Peace and prayers in Jesus through Mary, loved by Saint Joseph,
Father Robert
P.S. This coming Sunday is Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. The readings can be found at: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm
P.S.S. At the end of e-weekly is the Sunday Readings with commentary and reflection questions.
CHAPTER TWO: The Tradition of Prayer
557. What is the importance of Tradition in regard to prayer? (Catechism of the Catholic Church-CCC 2650-2651)
a) it helps us make sure prayer is from God and not something we ourselves make up
b) it directs us to God and not ourselves or false gods
c) it helps teach us how to pray
d) all of the above
AT THE WELLSPRINGS OF PRAYER
558. What are the sources of Christian prayer?(CCC 2652-2662)
a) Holy Bible
b) Mass and the Sacraments
c) theological virtues and everyday situations
d) all of the above
THE WAY OF PRAYER
559. In the Church are there different ways of praying?(CCC 2663)
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
d) Yes and No
560. What is the way of our prayer? (CCC 2664, 2680-2681)
a) Christ because prayer is directed to God our Father
b) only through Mary and the Saints
c) the authority of our own name
d) creation and the world
557. What is the importance of Tradition in regard to prayer? (Catechism of the Catholic Church-CCC 2650-2651)
a) it helps us make sure prayer is from God and not something we ourselves make up
b) it directs us to God and not ourselves or false gods
c) it helps teach us how to pray
d) all of the above
AT THE WELLSPRINGS OF PRAYER
558. What are the sources of Christian prayer?(CCC 2652-2662)
a) Holy Bible
b) Mass and the Sacraments
c) theological virtues and everyday situations
d) all of the above
THE WAY OF PRAYER
559. In the Church are there different ways of praying?(CCC 2663)
a) Yes
b) No
c) Maybe
d) Yes and No
560. What is the way of our prayer? (CCC 2664, 2680-2681)
a) Christ because prayer is directed to God our Father
b) only through Mary and the Saints
c) the authority of our own name
d) creation and the world
Catholic Term
crucifix
(Latin cruc, crux "cross" + figere "to fasten, to affix" = "to fasten to a cross"; crucifīgere "to crucify")
- an image of a cross with the body of Jesus upon it
[It is usually made of wood. Due reverence is always given to it. It is sometimes carried as a procession cross leading a line of clergy. Depicting the dead or suffering Christ, the crucifix did not come into general use until after the Reformation. The earlier ones represented Our Lord as the High Priest crowned, robed, and alive. Some men and women religious wear the crucifix as part of their habit. A crucifix is attached to the Rosary beads, and many liturgical blessings are to be given with it. A blessed crucifix is a sacramental and is commonly displayed in Catholic hospitals, homes, and institutions.]
corpus
- a Latin word meaning "body"
crucifix
(Latin cruc, crux "cross" + figere "to fasten, to affix" = "to fasten to a cross"; crucifīgere "to crucify")
- an image of a cross with the body of Jesus upon it
[It is usually made of wood. Due reverence is always given to it. It is sometimes carried as a procession cross leading a line of clergy. Depicting the dead or suffering Christ, the crucifix did not come into general use until after the Reformation. The earlier ones represented Our Lord as the High Priest crowned, robed, and alive. Some men and women religious wear the crucifix as part of their habit. A crucifix is attached to the Rosary beads, and many liturgical blessings are to be given with it. A blessed crucifix is a sacramental and is commonly displayed in Catholic hospitals, homes, and institutions.]
corpus
- a Latin word meaning "body"
"Helpful Hints of Life"
Free or Low-Cost Books to Jump-Start Catholic Friends and FamilyBy Dr. Jeff Mirus The Dynamic Catholic Institute was founded by writer Matthew Kelly to do its part in the rejuvenation of Catholicism in the English-speaking world. Ten years ago Kelly published his book Rediscovering Catholicism, and it is the mission of the Institute to place a copy of this book in the hands of every Catholic in the United States. Recently the Institute sent me four copies so I could see about letting CatholicCulture.org users know about it.
I've reviewed the book. It is a basic presentation of the value, riches and beauty of Catholicism-all about why taking the Faith seriously should matter. After introducing the life-changing nature of Christ's mission and that of His Church, the book focuses in particular on Kelly's "Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality": Reconciliation, Contemplation, The Mass, the Bible, Fasting, Spiritual Reading and the Rosary. Rediscovering Catholicism is not for those who are already deeply committed and deeply knowledgeable; it is a deliberately breezy treatment designed primarily to get the lukewarm or indifferent excited about being Catholic, or perhaps those who, while not exactly lukewarm, are engaged in only a sort of secularized social Catholicism because they have been badly formed.
The book is available in single copies for the cost of shipping and handling ($5.95), and at $2.00 per copy for bulk distribution (with free shipping): Rediscovering Catholicism. It is well worth considering, but be warned: Though it is an easy read, it is over 300 pages long, so you have to ask yourself whether your intended recipients will actually read it.
For those with shorter attention spans, Catholic Answers' Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, developed originally for distribution at World Youth Days, is a 32-page booklet which provides a more succinct and classically-apologetical introduction to Catholicism. It's available for $1.00 plus shipping, or in bulk for as little as 50 cents. Either text could be just the thing to jump-start the nascent Catholics you hold dear.
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/
"The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.
Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven." -St. Rose of Lima
Catechism of the Catholic Church #618
Free or Low-Cost Books to Jump-Start Catholic Friends and FamilyBy Dr. Jeff Mirus The Dynamic Catholic Institute was founded by writer Matthew Kelly to do its part in the rejuvenation of Catholicism in the English-speaking world. Ten years ago Kelly published his book Rediscovering Catholicism, and it is the mission of the Institute to place a copy of this book in the hands of every Catholic in the United States. Recently the Institute sent me four copies so I could see about letting CatholicCulture.org users know about it.
I've reviewed the book. It is a basic presentation of the value, riches and beauty of Catholicism-all about why taking the Faith seriously should matter. After introducing the life-changing nature of Christ's mission and that of His Church, the book focuses in particular on Kelly's "Seven Pillars of Catholic Spirituality": Reconciliation, Contemplation, The Mass, the Bible, Fasting, Spiritual Reading and the Rosary. Rediscovering Catholicism is not for those who are already deeply committed and deeply knowledgeable; it is a deliberately breezy treatment designed primarily to get the lukewarm or indifferent excited about being Catholic, or perhaps those who, while not exactly lukewarm, are engaged in only a sort of secularized social Catholicism because they have been badly formed.
The book is available in single copies for the cost of shipping and handling ($5.95), and at $2.00 per copy for bulk distribution (with free shipping): Rediscovering Catholicism. It is well worth considering, but be warned: Though it is an easy read, it is over 300 pages long, so you have to ask yourself whether your intended recipients will actually read it.
For those with shorter attention spans, Catholic Answers' Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth, developed originally for distribution at World Youth Days, is a 32-page booklet which provides a more succinct and classically-apologetical introduction to Catholicism. It's available for $1.00 plus shipping, or in bulk for as little as 50 cents. Either text could be just the thing to jump-start the nascent Catholics you hold dear.
https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/
"The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.
Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven." -St. Rose of Lima
Catechism of the Catholic Church #618
Catholic All Year: www.catholicallyear.com/
Catholic All Year writes, "Hi! I’m Kendra. I’m a Catholic wife and mother of many, from little to teenaged. I also dabble in teaching, reading, writing, cooking, baking,
sewing, crafting, party planning, graphic design, home remodeling, and watching Netflix streaming...." Kendra shares all things Catholic in amazing ways that reach out to so many. Be sure to stop by!
Catholic All Year writes, "Hi! I’m Kendra. I’m a Catholic wife and mother of many, from little to teenaged. I also dabble in teaching, reading, writing, cooking, baking,
sewing, crafting, party planning, graphic design, home remodeling, and watching Netflix streaming...." Kendra shares all things Catholic in amazing ways that reach out to so many. Be sure to stop by!
Best Parish Practices
PRAY AND FAST FOR YOUR PARISH AND THE CHURCH
“After Jesus and the disciples had gone back home and were alone, they asked him, "Why couldn't we force out that demon? He replied ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’"
-Mark 9:28-29
BENEFITS?
Praying is doing something! And fasting is the greatest spiritual weapon you can bring to bear on spiritual evils and to assist right and good things in the physical order.
These are our top two weapons employed in spiritual warfare. At a time when many evils are being uncovered in our beloved Church, we can turn to these tried and true methods of interceding for the victims of abuse and for the Church as a whole. Suggestions on ways to pray and fast are below.
*Note: When fasting we give up a good, and are taught to offer the discomfort up for the intention we are praying for. To “offer something up” means that we are making a choice to not let our discomfort be wasted. Christ suffered to redeem us, and when He did, He changed the nature of suffering to make it possible for all human suffering to be united with His own in order to play a part in the redemption of the human race. How do we offer our challenges for a certain intention? We tell God, "I offer this up to You for….. or, Lord, please use this for….(the victims of abuse, the universal Church, etc.)”
HOW?
Ways To Pray Ways To Fast
-Pray a Daily Rosary, even just once decade. -Give up dessert
-Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet -Give up your morning coffee
-Go to Adoration -Eat only bread and water for the day
-Attend a Daily Mass -Fast from Social Media for a day or a week
-Pray the Morning Offering -Fast from television
-Pray the Saint Michael Prayer -Fast from any creature comfort that you enjoy
(http://www.catholicallyear.com/2018/08/sexual-abuse-sackcloth-and-ashes.html
) #sackclothandashes
“After Jesus and the disciples had gone back home and were alone, they asked him, "Why couldn't we force out that demon? He replied ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’"
-Mark 9:28-29
BENEFITS?
Praying is doing something! And fasting is the greatest spiritual weapon you can bring to bear on spiritual evils and to assist right and good things in the physical order.
These are our top two weapons employed in spiritual warfare. At a time when many evils are being uncovered in our beloved Church, we can turn to these tried and true methods of interceding for the victims of abuse and for the Church as a whole. Suggestions on ways to pray and fast are below.
*Note: When fasting we give up a good, and are taught to offer the discomfort up for the intention we are praying for. To “offer something up” means that we are making a choice to not let our discomfort be wasted. Christ suffered to redeem us, and when He did, He changed the nature of suffering to make it possible for all human suffering to be united with His own in order to play a part in the redemption of the human race. How do we offer our challenges for a certain intention? We tell God, "I offer this up to You for….. or, Lord, please use this for….(the victims of abuse, the universal Church, etc.)”
HOW?
Ways To Pray Ways To Fast
-Pray a Daily Rosary, even just once decade. -Give up dessert
-Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet -Give up your morning coffee
-Go to Adoration -Eat only bread and water for the day
-Attend a Daily Mass -Fast from Social Media for a day or a week
-Pray the Morning Offering -Fast from television
-Pray the Saint Michael Prayer -Fast from any creature comfort that you enjoy
(http://www.catholicallyear.com/2018/08/sexual-abuse-sackcloth-and-ashes.html
) #sackclothandashes
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