Prayer of Adoration

See, the golden dawn is glowing
While the paly shades are going,
Which have led us far and long,
In a labyrinth of wrong.

May it bring us peace serene;
May it cleanse, as it is clean;
Plain and clear our words be spoke,
And our thoughts without a cloak.

So the day's account shall stand,
Guileless tongue and holy land,
Steadfast eyes and unbeguiled,
Flesh as of a little child.

There is One who from above
Watches how the still hours move
Of our day of service done,
From the dawn to the setting sun.

To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three and One,
As of old, and as in heaven,
Now and here be glory given!

~ St. Prudentius
(The arrangement is Cardinal Newman's.)

All Saints Day

Prayers & Devotions

All Saints
Solemnity
November 1

Christ Glorified in the Court of Heaven
Fra Angelico - 1428-30, Tempera on wood - National Gallery, London

"The glorious company of the apostles praise Thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise Thee.
The white-robed army of martyrs praise Thee.
All Thy saints and elect with one voice do acknowledge Thee,
O Blessed Trinity, one God!"

-- Feast of All Saints (November 1), Antiphon at Lauds. from the Te Deum

Prayers Please

Please pray for my parish priest, Father Jim Sichko and his family today. His mother was admitted to the hospital yesterday and is gravely ill. In addition, his brother had a heart attack last weekend and will be undergoing quad bypass surgery today.

Almighty and merciful Father, by the power of your command, drive away from Marie Sichko all forms of sickness and disease. Restore strength to her body and joy to her spirit, so that in her renewed health, she may bless and serve you, now and forevermore.

I'm Back!

Wow! Has it really been over a year since I last posted to MCR? Much has happened in that time. I'm dusting off the keyboard, opening my Bible and Catechism and will be back to share with you my reflections and journey with Jesus.

Bishop Gainer Issues Conscience Letter

Today at Mass, Fr. Jim read from a letter penned by Most Reverend Ronald W. Gainer, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky. In it, he reminded all of us to form and follow our conscience when going to the polls on Tuesday.

Read it here.

What Is Aplogetics?

"In the beginning ... God." The first words of the Bible (Gen 1:1) affirm an essential teaching of the Christian faith: Before all else, God is. It's a reality that seems obvious to most Christians, yet many people doubt or deny it.

Challenges are often issued to other articles of the Christian faith as well, such as the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and to specifically Catholic beliefs, such as the unique authority of the pope. For this reason, Christians - and Catholic Christians in particular, often find themselves defending their beliefs in conversations with non-believers.

The Greek word for "defense" is apologia. Our English word "apology" is derived from it. In its classical definition, "apology" did not mean an admission of wrong, as the modern English word suggests. Rather, an apology was a defense or justification for a belief. For example, students of philosophy or of the classics are familiar with Plato's Apology: an account of Socrates' defense of his teaching.

In the present context, then, "apologetics" refers to the reasonable defense of the Christian faith. It is one aspect of what our Lord Jesus talked about when he urged us to love God with all our mind (Lk 10:27). Faith is not opposed to reason; in fact, reason, rightly understood, is a support to faith.

The foundations of Christian apologetics were laid by our Lord himself when he presented "many proofs" of his resurrection (Acts 1:3), including his appearance to skeptical, hard-nosed, "doubting" Thomas and the other apostles (Jn 20:24-29). The resulting apostolic proclamation of the gospel included eyewitnesses (legal or scientific) testimony as a central feature (Lk 1:1-4; Acts 2:32).

St. Paul likewise engaged in apologetics, trying to persuade both Jews and Greeks of the truth of Christianity. His reasoned style of evangelization is demonstrated in his sermon on the Areopagus, Mars Hill, in philosophy-dominated Athens (Acts 17:22-34) and in his determination to "become all things to all, to save at least some" (1 Cor 9:22). The apostle's approach to sharing and defending his faith should encourage Catholics today to follow his example.

- The NEW Catholic Answer Bible Librosario®

Feast of the Archangels: Raphael, Michael, and Gabriel

God our Father,
In a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men. May those who serve you constantly in heaven keep our lives safe from all harm on earth. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

From My Inbox: One Hail Mary and One Our Father Novena

One Hail Mary and One Our Father Novena

You were chosen to receive this novena. The moment you receive it, say:

Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus, Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

GOD WANTED ME TO TELL YOU ..
It shall be well with you this coming year.No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the year 2008/2009, all your agonies will be diverted and victory and property will be incoming in abundance. Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows and pain because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you JOY. He will never let you down. I knocked at heaven's door this morning. God asked me... 'My child! What can I do for you?'

And I said,'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this
message... '

This is a Novena from Mother Theresa that started in 1952.

It has never been broken. Within 48 hours send 20 copies (Or as many as you can - God knows if you don't have 20 people to send it to. It's the effort and intent that counts) to family and friends.

This is a powerful Novena. Couldn't hurt. Can only help.

Please do not break it...

Campaign Merchandise - The Curt Jester

Campaign Merchandise - The Curt Jester

He's at it again. So very funny.

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Obama campaign rolls out new ‘faith merchandise’ « - Blogs from CNN.com

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Obama campaign rolls out new ‘faith merchandise’ « - Blogs from CNN.com

“Check out the Believers for Barack, Pro-Family Pro-Obama, and Catholics for
Obama buttons, bumper stickers and signs….” says Obama Deputy Director of
Religious Affairs Paul Monteiro in an e-mail obtained by the Beliefnet Web site.

How can someone be "Pro-Family" when he supports the "Culture of Death" on so many points, most notably, abortion?

CatholicVote.com Video

New Post at PC

New post over at my other Catholic blog - Principally Catholic.

Grease Monkey

I am not mechanically inclined. However, with the current state of the economy and a 12 year old Caravan, I have tried to become more so. My son has inherited my mechanical ability.
However, this past weekend, the brake pads on our "clunker" needed to be replaced. My 12 year old son wanted to help. I knew if I did the job by myself, it'd take me 3 hours. With his help, I figured another two.

To my admiration, and with very little supervision, my son jacked the van up and removed the front wheels while I worked on the brake pads. He fetched tools and was attentive. He even jacked it up a third time two hours later when we discovered one of the pads was grinding horribly.

I know we aren't supposed to work on Sundays, but that time I spent with my self-proclaimed "grease monkey" was the best I have had all summer.

God Bless.

cross posted at Catholic Dads

"In the Business of Making Saints"

I have a new job. Actually, it's the same job but in a different place. To be more specifically vague, I have a new employer, at a different school, with similar respopnsibilities but a different focus.

Last week, school started at the Catholic school where I am the new assistant principal. It has been the best three first days of school since I started teaching. There were a number of reasons why, I think.

1. The staff was energized and well-prepared to go back to school.We went to Mass on Wednesday (first day of school) and Friday (The Feast of the Assumption)
2. I have a new focus on why I am an administrator.

Obviously I am there to help "run the school." But let's face it, a good school is run by the teachers and front office staff. I am kicking myself for not starting our in the Catholic school system. I'd have fewer grey hairs if I had.

But I think the real reason I, and the staff and the parents are there (or here on Earth for that matter) is to make these children saints.

In his homily on Friday, Father Joe reminded the children of that fact. God wants us, anyone involved with children, to be "in the business of making saints." How simple and concise. But, how do we do that?

Set The Example

Unless we are trying to become saints ourselves, how can we ask our children to do so?

• Do you know your faith?
• Have you read the Catechism of the Catholic Church and understand it?
• Do you break open the Word of God every day?
• Do you pray by yourself AND with your family?

If you answered anything but YES to any of the above, you are not trying to become a saint.

Teach Them

Parents are the primary teachers of their children. A solid Catholic education is essential in making a saint. They can receive that from a Catholic school or CCD classes. But in addition, it MUST be taught at home. What should be taught?

The FOUR "R's":

• Reading - We all know how important this is! Read with them, especially Scipture.
• WRiting - Have them write letters instead of email or instant messaging once in awhile. Patience is a virtue.
• ARithmatic - There are different ways of teaching Math, just like there are different ways of learning Math. Understand how your children learn and are being taught.
• Religion - What can you teach them about their faith? Educate yourself. Attend Adult Catechesis classes. Read the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Know your faith.

We are all in the business of making saints.

What an AWSOME job.

Cross-posted at Principally Catholic

SPQN - Daily Breakfast

It is very exciting to be on the Daily Breakfast with Fr. Roderick talking about Evening Among Friends with Dolly! For any visitors to this site, please leave me a comment or check back soon as I will be updating with alot of information!

God Bless!

Happy Birthday America

Peter and John Running to Jesus' Tomb

So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.

John 20:3

Emily's First Holy Communion

On Sunday, May 11, 2008 - Mother's Day - Emily had her First Holy Communion. She was joined by four of her classmates and 20 other children from the parish. When they knelt for the first time in the Mass, Emily didn't remover her foot quick enough and the other six kids in the pews knelt on her big toe. This was something I was completely unaware of until she and our priest, Father Sichko, brought it up at the reception afterwards.

Traditionally, Emily received a Bible from her parents, a rosary from Grandma and Papa, and a cross necklace from Grandma and Grandpa.

Much thanks to Sister Mary Thomas, her 2nd grade teacher, C. Cornette and B. Reister for organizing the event.

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. John 6:35

Coming Up

Hopefully, once we got this moving thing under control and school finally lets out, I'll be able to post some more -

Coming up in....

Parties and Pictures:
Alec's 12th birthday party
Nicholas 12th birthday party
Bob's birtday
St. Mark Derby Day
Emily, Rebecca and Kathy at the Legends Game

Norton's News, Notes 'n' Nonsense:
Updates on the new house
Updates on my job hunt
Kids riding their bikes
Jim and Diane visit
St. Mark Middle School Play

My Catholic Reflections:
Emily's First Holy Communion
Gifts of the Holy Spirit Series
Fruits of the Holy Spirit Series
Favorite Catholic Podcasts and Videocasts

Principal's Pokes and Ponderings:
Family Fun Night II: Aloha Style
Reflection on my tenure at Madison County Alternative and Day Treatment Programs

BINGO and Steak-n-Shake

What a night a BINGO last night! With only 48 people there, the big pots went down, but the odds went up. Gail didn't join us, but we sat with Larry and Rebecca. Larry won $100 on the first game, "Six Pack". I won $100 on the second game, "T", and split $250 three ways on the "UK" game for $85. I also won $25 on a Pretty Pearl pull-tab. So, we walked in with $60; $15 to the sitter, $20 for the regular game cards (we didn't make it on time for the early birds) which left us with $25 to spend. I bought $4 in food, leaving $21 which I spent on pull-tabs. Kathy kept all but $30 of the winnings, which I also spent on pull-tabs. Kathy spent an additional $20 from the winnings on "Hitter" pull-tabs in a big mix up from which we hoped we were going to benefit. We didn't, but Larry did, winning an additional $75.

So, after all that the bottom line is we walked out with $160 - netting $100. Not bad, and alot of fun!

We all went to Steak-n-Shake (13 of us counting the kids) for munchies and shakes. It took over an hour to get our shakes and by then the food was either eaten, or cold. The poor waitress didn't know which shakes were which and forgot who ordered what. I finally went to the manager and complained after an hour. We got our shakes for free and only paid for our munchies! Nicholas had a second dinner!

We all got to bed too late and too full.