Thursday, August 27, 2009

Dedicated to our Priests

Ave Maria comes in many versions, my most favorite being the one composed by Schubert, which we sing in our choir. I love music, maybe not as passionately as I would have liked to, but I love it anyway. I love it for the reason that it brings me to a oneness with God. It also soothes my soul and gives me the fuel I need that I may move forward in all my journeys in a more joyful fashion.

This one brought tears to my eyes. I am not familiar with this version as it is entirely new to me. But just the same, I think it is beautiful. And I dedicate it to all our priests.

We pray to Mary to embrace our priests as they perform their ministerial functions.

Mary, how we praise God for you! How we thank God for you! Thank you for being the mother of all priests.







Thursday, August 20, 2009

Shifting to the Call, Dedicated to John




There is a teen by the name of John who is discerning the call to live as a priest. He is very young, and yet, in his heart, one will find maturity with a touch of childlike joy. A very good mix, I might say.

You will find John talking about his day. Yet simple it may be, he is able to connect it to God. As a result, one will find God working through him.

What touched me today was his courage in revealing to his class that he is discerning a call to the priesthood, a tough thing to do these days. He senses the teasing he might be getting from his classmates; but, nevertheless, he stood his ground. He chose to speak the truth about himself.

Do follow John, if you haven't. And, most of all, leave a note of love -- we call that aloha -- or perhaps, a note of encouragement. Our young ones, especially the teens who are in continuous search of their place in this world, need it.



I am proud of you, John. Know that you are not alone in this journey. You mom is 100% behind you, that's for sure -- and how wonderful that is! We are here, too, praying and rooting for you.

Here's a video you may have seen already. I have seen it countless times because it helps me to understand our priests, and perhaps, deep inside of me is a mother's longing that my sons too would have a calling such as yours.

Enjoy!

Fishers of Men

John maintains two blogs. One of them is called
Writings of a boy discerning God's call.





Monday, August 17, 2009

In Adoration

Red roses on the front left situated beside the altar
where the Monstrance sits was my inpiration



Adoration is a great way of praying for our priests. Any type of prayer will do, even a poem such as this...


In Adoration
By Easter A.

Wine-colored contours
In graceful stand
Elegant and poised
Yet soft and dainty

Bordered by flowerets
Looking like angels
Lime blades akin to guards
Held by vintage vase

All in pursuit
Of the Beloved’s gaze
In the quiet of a corner
While adoring

I sit in the same nook
To get a glimpse
Of the peaceful Bread
With its life beating in me

Red roses with entourage
Their beauty their prayer
And mine this poem
For Jesus in adoration
8/13/09
All rights reserved.


This poem is also found at Diocese of Honolulu, Spiritual Moms Apostolate.

Easter Almuena and Esther Gefroh formed the Spiritual Mothers Apostolate in our diocese in Febraury 2008. Approved by Bishop Larry Silva, we are a group of women devoted to praying for the priests and seminarians of our diocese.

For Catholic women belonging to our diocese and desiring to spiritually adopt a priest or seminarian, please contact Esther Gefroh at estherjoeysmom@gmail.com.




Friday, August 14, 2009

Happy 25th Anniversary, Fr. John!



Happy 25th Anniversary,
Fr. John Speekman!



I am honored to greet my favorite priest there in Down Under, Fr. John Speekman, who celebrates 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Monday, August 17.

I had the privilege of interviewing him before lent this year, which was done through email. His response was full of fond memories of his youth and how he was raised by very devout Catholic parents.

Read his profile below and then get to know him better through the interview right here.

I have to admit I'd read it more than once because it inspires me to raise my own children the way Catholic parents should raise God's precious ones entrusted to them.
Fr. John Speekman runs a blog called Homilies and Reflections from Australia. Do send him your greetings. Mahalo.

Here is his profile:

I was born in Holland and migrated to Australia with my family at age 5 - grew up in Victoria and attended Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools. After a BA and Secondary Teacher training at Melbourne University I taught for 12 years - completed 2 years National Service in the Army (PNG) and entered the Seminary in 1981 - was ordained priest on 17th August 1984 by bishop Eric D'Arcy and have served in the Diocese of Sale and the Archdiocese of Sydney.



Monday, August 10, 2009

Asian Priesthood Influence

Asian Priests, The New Irish?
June 14, 2006 8:44 AM

Watch:
Only On The Web: Byron Pitts and Rev. Mark Catalana, the vocational director of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose, explore the reasons why the number of Asian priests is rising.
Source: CBS News




Tuesday, August 4, 2009

A Tribute to St. John Mary Vianney



It is my hope that this Year for Priests will help all priests to appreciate the immense grace of their vocation, consecration and mission. During this Year may the whole Church pray and work more fervently for the sanctification of priests, an increase of priestly vocations, and a greater appreciation of the role of the priest in the life of the ecclesial community." Pope Benedict XVI

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s proclamation of a “Year for Priests” in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests worldwide.
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/letters/2009/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20090616_anno-sacerdotale_en.html

The Nature of the Priesthood by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 1990
www.vocations.com/benedictxvi/natureofpriesthood.html

Pope John Paul II’s 1986 letter to priests highlighting the “matchless example of the Cure of Ars” St. John Vianney
www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2CUR.HTM

Vatican Website for the Year for Priests
www.vatican.va/special/anno_sac/index_en.html


Archdiocese of Baltimore Vocations Page
www.becomeapriest.org/

YouTube Videos on St. Jean Baptiste Vianney–
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9-UL9cRQGg
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBiHz4x0Zn8

Information Regarding the Life of Saint John Vianney
www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintOfDay/default.asp?id=1097
www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/stjeanvianney.HTM
www.catholic-forum.com/saints/stj18011.htm
www.osv.com/Portals/0/images/pdf/P950_Sample.pdf
www.arsnet.org/index_en.php
www.ewtn.com/library/MARY/CURE.htm

Prayers
A Novena in honor of St. John Vianney
www.ewtn.com/devotionals/novena/Vianney.htm

Litany in Honor of St. John Vianney
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/prayers/view.cfm?id=1130