Happy Easter! And Why Catholicism Excels at this Day Like No Other #Catholic #tcot #sgp

It's been one year today since I was able to return fully to the Church. I remember how I anticipated the day when I was able to partake of receiving the Eucharist, never realizing that our heavenly Father was preparing my mind, heart, and spirit. It was a powerful day when I was able to finally walk up to the Communion rail, kneel, and receive our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It was quite a journey for me, considering that when I left the Catholic Church as a young woman, I never imagined wanting to return. Everything is still fresh to me, as though I'm seeing things clearly after being asleep for a long time. I keep getting surprised over and over again.

During the years I was away from the Catholic Church and attending non-denominational churches, I attended Easter services and yes, felt somewhat joyful, but it was a subdued joy. Sort of like the feeling you had as a kid when you discovered your Christmas present early and then had to fake the joy of opening that gift on Christmas morning. You knew what you were getting, so the excitement was slightly muffled as a result.

But Catholicism does the whole Easter season right. It's glorious! When I first experienced the Lenten season in 2008, I was still a little in shock that I was back in the Church. In 2009, I was more consumed with receiving the Eucharist. But this year, I was able to take in all the various stages and absorb the beautiful truth of each one.

Lent is a time where the Church enters a somber period. The extra prayers, the fasting, the removal of the "Gloria," the lack of elaborate music - all are intended to get us to a place of deep reflection of what our Lord and Savior was about to do for the entire world. It is a serious time and everything the Catholic Church does emphasizes that seriousness.

Passion Week at my parish, Holy Family, started with all of the statues being covered with purple cloth. No flowers were around the altar. It started off the week on a very somber note. Tenebrae was especially powerful. The sanctuary was lit by a triangle of candles and they were extinguished one by one as portions of Scripture were read, focusing on the prophecies regarding the Messiah suffering and the sacrifice of Christ. The service ended with a loud clapping of wooden rods, people stomped their feet on the floor and slammed the hymnals shut loudly. It symbolized the thunder and lightening when Christ died on the Cross and how nature responded with an uproar.

The lone candle shined brightly as we pondered Jesus Christ as the light of the world and to reassure us resurrection was coming. The sanctuary lights came on halfway as we silently walked out of the service into the night. It was a magnificent way to symbolically remind us of the grief that our Lord's disciples and Mary went through as they realized their beloved Lord and Son was dead.

And now, today.

Today I hope the sun is shining for you, because even if it's not, it hopefully is shining in your heart. Today is the day the Lord made, and He is risen! Now after weeks of abstaining, praying, attending special services to remind me of what this season is all about - now is the day to celebrate! And I feel such a joy in my heart - a true joy that hasn't been muffled by anything else because within the Catholic Church, each week has been a preparation for this day!

Although technically I "knew" what I was getting today, the traditions and rituals of the Church really have made me feel that this knowledge is brand new all over again.

Happy Easter to you! May you rejoice in your Lord and Savior, knowing that death has been overcome and He has risen! Embrace Him in spirit, for it will not be long until we embrace Him in fullness, with eternal life as our reward. Amen and amen!

Happy Friday! Good News from California - Praying in the Name of Jesus

I caught this story as I was scanning the Catholic news and thought, "Bravo, California!" It's not too often we have good news from them, but this piece is pretty awesome.

LODI, Calif., Oct. 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Lodi City Council voted 5-0 last night to allow pastors to speak the previously forbidden words "in Jesus name" at the end of public prayers.

The victory vote came after months of lobbying, petitioning, protesting, and pro-Jesus rallies, both in Lodi and nationwide, organized by The Pray In Jesus Name Project.

An atheist group from Wisconsin has threatened a lawsuit if the city allows Jesus prayers, but the Mayor and four other councilors found their back-bone, and handed the atheists a resounding defeat.

Victory for Jesus Prayers - Lodi, CA Votes 5-0 To Defeat Atheist Complainers

Good for the Mayor and those councilors! I liked what Chaplain Klingenschmitt said. "Don't cave-in to empty threats of lawsuits by atheist complainers. Christian voters will rally to support you, and Jesus is not an illegal word!"

Some of you may remember what happened to Chaplain Klingenschmitt when he was a Navy chaplain. He was fired in 2005 from the Navy for refusing to omit Jesus' name in prayers. I remember reading this story and being stunned. It was like firing a plumber for using a wrench on the job. Prayer is certainly part of a chaplain's duty and I couldn't believe anyone - let alone our military - would prevent him from performing his duty. But it happened.

This decision must be especially heartening to him after all the grief he endured four years ago. And it is always heartening to me to see atheists served a big "so there." Their whining wore thin on me in a nanosecond. Can't they find something better to do with their time? Evidently not.

However, this time, score one for the Christians!

Congratulations, Dad & Janie!

Well, today is a special day. My father has remarried a lovely Catholic woman and most likely they're both trying to keep dry in the humidity of Southern Florida. Both are a widower and widow respectively and found love through CatholicMatch.com. There are many changes ahead for both of them, but it is proof that one is never too old for love. My father is 72 years old.

May God grant both of you many days filled with loving Him first, and each other second. Congratulations!

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos: The Goal Was to Heal a Schism

I really respect Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos. He brings a dignified wisdom to whatever topic he addresses. Regarding the lifting of the excommunications from the four Lefebvrist bishops, he says this:

"...the Holy Father completely rejects what was done in Germany to the Jewish people. He does not accept any offense aimed at the Jewish people. All we have for them is love. We never forget that Jesus was a Jew, Mary was a Jew and the Apostles were Jews."

Asked if he took into consideration bishop Williamson's theories about the Holocaust into account before bringing the decree to the attention of the Holy Father, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos responded:

"I have always had truth as a norm. The Holy Father knows this. We are moving forward, trying to rebuild the unity of the Church, and put an end completely to this schism."

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It seems the Catholic church can't win with some folks on this issue. On one hand, you have critics accusing the Church as being inflexible and intolerant. Then when Rome extends a hand of forgiveness toward someone and seeks reconciliation, she's called "soft" and in this case, just downright insensitive.

I'm glad Pope Benedict XVI did what he did. Peace and unity should be the ultimate goal for all of us, in whatever sphere of influence we move. For Pope Benedict XVI, he took a courageous step toward bringing unity to the Church. He needs support and prayers.

I think this is especially wonderful given that we are about to enter the most holy season in the Liturgical year - Lent.

Knights of Columbus Launching 'Fathers For Good'

At the moment, I'm knee-deep in packing boxes. I am listening live to the special Knights of Columbus Mass for their 'Fathers For Good' launch. The music is just glorious. Simply stunning...

If you're reading and can get to an EWTN broadcast either TV or radio, it is well-worth it.

God bless the Knights of Columbus!

Blessed By a New Priest: How Cool Is That?

I have to share my excitement here because really, I don't have many fellow Catholics in my life who would relate. I have my father, who lives in another city two hours away, but at least I can talk to him about Catholicism. And I'm starting to make some new friends at my parish, but other than that, this blog is it.

Soooo....I can't help but share what happened yesterday.

My parish has several weekly Extraordinary Form Masses and the one I attend regularly is Wednesday mornings at 9:00 AM. The priest of this parish, Fr. L, also teaches a weekly Bible study on Tuesday nights. This past Tuesday, I was able to finally attend the study, which was really good. (It was the tail-end of a series on grace and salvation.) During the study, Fr. L happened to mention he would need to take one call on his cell phone from a newly ordained priest who was coming in for a visit. Fr. L mentioned that this new priest considered our parish his "second home."

So during the class, he received the call. He asked if the priest would be "willing to take the 9 AM Mass" because it would help prevent Fr. L from binating. (Saying two Masses in one day) I thought, "Hmmm. We may have another priest tomorrow morning..."

So as Mass started yesterday morning, I realized we did indeed have another priest. His voice was deep and clear as he recited the Latin prayers and said with obvious devotion. After the celebration, he announced to us that if we wanted to receive a blessing from him, to approach the communion rail. Almost every single person came up. I knelt at the end, right in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

I want to mention that yesterday's weather was very turbulent! We had heavy thunderstorms off and on all day. In fact, I was tempted yesterday morning not to attend Mass but now I'm so glad I did!

The priest came out after changing from his vestments and started to bless everyone. It wasn't until he came nearer to my area that I realized he was praying in Latin! I also noticed he was carrying a stack of holy cards. Finally, he came to me and laid hands upon my head and prayed for me. After I made the sign of the cross, he softly said, "You may kiss my hands if you'd like" and held out his hands. I quickly kissed them and looked up at him with a big smile while saying, "Thank you, Father." (Note: Kissing the hands of a priest is an old custom. It is meant to venerate the hands of the one who offers up the consecrated host. It is an expression of faith and love for Jesus, whom the priest represents.) I noticed how young he looked and was very blessed to see such a young man answer the call to this precious vocation. He then gave me a holy card.

When I got into the car, I took a closer look at the card. I was elated to realize that he was Fr. Jonathan Romanoski, one of the four priests who had just been ordained by Cardinal Hoyos into the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter this past Friday, May 30, in Lincoln, Nebraska! (FSSP) How cool is that?!! Here he is with an arrow pointing him out:













I'm including a scanned image of the card. I was so excited and sent up another prayer for this precious priest, that God would direct him in all ways and fill him to overflowing with His love.




I just thought it was the coolest thing to have a priest who was newly ordained to not only celebrate a Latin Low Mass, but to be blessed by him. Please keep Fr. Romanoski and his fellow priests, Fr. Jared McCambridge, Fr. Dennis Gordon, Fr. Justin Nolan, all of the FSSP, in your prayers. They are embarking upon a very exciting journey and one I pray will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God!