Fr. Bautista, Apostle in the Desert

This is old news really, but worth sharing. Fr. Baustita, an apostle in the desert, had given RCIA to a Muslim woman...

Catholic Navy chaplain shares story of Iraqi conversion

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Holy card from He Gently Calls

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Message by Archbishop Philip Wilson

Christmas Message
ACBC President, Archbishop Philip Wilson
18 December 2008

One of the interesting aspects of the world economic crisis is how it seems to have surprised so many people, including the economic experts, in its size and scale. Day after day, pages of newsprint and hours of broadcast time are devoted to analysis of what went wrong and how it can be rectified. All of us, from the Chairman of the US Federal Reserve to the person on the street, are trying to make sense of it all.

One thing we do know about this crisis is that it affects us all in varying ways. As stocks crash, businesses and industries fail, governments seek to respond and individuals and families tighten the purse strings to prepare for what looks like a bumpy road ahead. Many people have watched the bottom fall out of their retirement nest-egg, others have had savings locked up by financial institutions and, even as interest rates fall, families are keeping a wary eye on their job security and their mortgage commitments. Read more here: http://www.fides.org/eng/documents/AUSTRALIA_Christmas_Message.doc

Fr. Peter-Michael of Shepherds of Souls

plants that grow on our beaches

Visit Fr. Peter-Michael Preble here on this priest's amazing blog, Shepherd of Souls.

Here were his words, "I interview Fr. Nicholas Apostola, Pastor of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts on the role of Mary in the Orthodox Church." So don't miss this!

We Pray for our Priests this Advent

picture by Easter A.

Pier at Mokapu in Honolulu

The prayer below was posted by Fr. Valencheck on his blog, Adam's Ale.

How important it is to pray for our priests, especially during the busiest seasons of our Church such as the Advent and Christmas! With fervent and joyful hearts, we pray...



“Father Bruno’s PRAYER FOR PRIESTS” 1925

O almighty and eternal God, look upon the face of Your Christ, and for love of Him who is the eternal High-priest, have pity on your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to You, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.

O Jesus, I pray You for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for You priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for Your lonely and desolate priests; for Your sick priests; for Your aged priests, for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory.

But above all I commend to You the priests dearest to me: the priest who baptized me; the priest who absolved me from my sins; the priest at whose Masses I assisted and who have me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion; the priest who taught and instructed me or helped me and encourage me; all the priest to whom I am indebted in any other way, particularly . . . O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen

To add: Please pray for Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP, PhD.

Check his December 5th post on his blog, Domine, Da Mihi Hanc Aquam

Advent Reflection of Fr. John Speekman

Check out Fr. John Speekman's homily and reflection for this first week of Advent. He clearly outlines for us the progression of God's desire and calling for us to be more attentive, vigilant and to be a participant in that calling.

Fr. John Speekman Homilies and Reflections for the First Week of Advent.

An Advent Message From Fr. Dan

If you subscribed to Catholic Greetings Free E-cards, which I had, you would have received the letter below sent by Fr. Dan. Here is their website and all e-cards are free.


In 1219, at the height of the Fifth Crusade, St. Francis of Assisi sailed across the Mediterranean. He arranged a meeting in Damietta, Egypt, with Sultan Malek al-Kamil, commander of the Muslim forces. St. Francis, being an excellent communicator, believed that by engaging the influential sultan in conversation about peace they might bring an end to the long conflict raging between the Europeans and the Muslims. Francis crossed the battle lines unarmed and met with the enemy general. Both men were deeply touched by that meeting.

In 1996, we founded AmericanCatholic.org to continue that tradition of dialogue in the spirit of Sts. Francis, Clare and Anthony. Thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to operate our Web sites and e-newsletters that so many find helpful in living a more fully human and Christian life. This year, OnceCatholic.org, a pastoral site for lapsed Catholics, cost us $4,793 to staff and maintain. “Ask a Franciscan,” a page dedicated to answering Catholics’ questions about their faith, will cost $5,761 in operating expenses in 2008.

But you’ve told us what you wanted. Here’s what one visitor said: “Thank you so much for the beautiful experience I felt reading this Web site. I appreciate the work you do to answer all our questions. God bless you.” Another wrote: “I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the gift of your Web site…. I just thought I had to write and express my gratitude to helping (keep) my faith on the right track.”

We really do rely on your input to help us do better!

This year, we’ve provided in-person reporting on Pope Benedict XVI’s U.S. visit, an online column from the Vatican by Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington during the special world Synod of Bishops on Scripture and special coverage on the Year of St. Paul. We provided new e-greetings, and many thousands of you have enjoyed sending them to one another. And, of course, one of our most popular pages is “Saint of the Day.”

Would you consider sending $50, $75 or $100? Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps us pay the costs of sending this e-newsletter.

Use our secure online donation form or you can mail a donation to Evangelization Fund, St. Anthony Messenger, 28 W. Liberty Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you can phone in a credit-card donation to our Evangelization Fund at (513) 241-5615 or, in the U.S., at 800-488-0488.

We wish you all the blessings of the Advent season as we prepare for the coming of the Lord in our midst.

Peace and good,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.Publisher,
St. Anthony Messenger Press and Franciscan Communications

Happy Thanksgiving to All Our Priests

picture by Easter A.


This blog is giving praise and thanks to God for our priests who serve our Church tirelessly. Many God keep them ever refreshed and rejuvenated in their vocation. May God bless you with an abundance of blessings!


Why Only One Leper Returned Thanks

Why did only one cleansed leper return to thank Jesus? The following are nine suggested reasons why the nine did not return:

One waited to see if the cure was real.
One waited to see if it would last.
One said he would see Jesus later.
One decided that he had never had leprosy.
One said he would have gotten well anyway.
One gave the glory to the priests.
One said, "O, well, Jesus didn't really do anything."
One said, "Any rabbi could have done it."
One said, "I was already much improved."

- C.L. Brown


Happy Thanksgiving to all our priests!

HLI Special Report from Fr. Thomas Euteneuer

Read about the booming vocation to the priestly vocation in Togo and Benin in Africa.

More than half of the priests ordained on August 15 of this year received HLI pro-life training.

Abortion is still illegal in Chad, but the "Culture of Death is working overtime." Your donation sent to HLI will help to "push back abortion" there and to produce materials to send to Chad to support their chastity and educational programs.



Human Life International
Special Report, November 2008

From:
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
HLI President


Thank you for supporting HLI!

Annoucing Fr. Daren's New Endeavor

Posted by Fr. Daren on his blog Servant and Steward:

I'm on iTunes!
I am happy to announce that you can now subscribe to my podcast through iTunes. In a day or so you should be able to search iTunes for my podcast.

Way to go, Fr. Daren!

Mahalo to Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for giving me this new award.

This award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his/her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary and personal values every day.

The rules to follow are :

1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person that has granted the award and his or her blog link.

2) Pass the award to other 15 blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgment. Remember to contact each of them to let them know they have been chosen for this award. (Sorry, but I may not have the time to do this).


I give this to all the blogs on my sidebar.

I love all of them. :-)

Please Pray for our Deceased Priests

Hello dear friends in the blogosphere,
Please say a prayer for our 3 priests who recently passed away:

Father Paul McLeod - Fr. Paul of Wailua died Oct. 20, 2008, at his home at the age of 68. Born April 3, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio, he retired from the priesthood and was a Spiritual Care Coordinator at Kaua‘i Hospice.
Source: TheGardenIsland. Com

Fr. Joseph Hendriks - Father Joseph died on November 3. He was born in Overpelt, Belgium on April 14, 1922 and was baptized on the 15th of April, 1922 at St. Martinus Church, Overpelt, Belgium. he entered the Congregation in 1941 and made his first profession at Tremelo, on September 15, 1942. Three years later he made his perpetual profession at Zandhoven, Belgium on November 11, 1945. On March 13, 1948, he was ordained a religious priest at Zandhoven.
-By Fr. Chris Keahi, SS.CC., Provincial Superior

Fr. Francis Schellemans, SS.CC. - passed on November 5, 86 years old, with Father Provincial at his bedside singing "Salve Regina" after completing his prayers for him.

Father recently celebrated his 59th anniversary and spent half of those years (28) as a Chaplain and contract priest with the United States Army, His tour of duty took him to Okinawa, Viet Nam, Germany, Korea, and Texas. His pastoral duties in Hawaii were at Holy Rosary, Paia; Cathedral of Our Lady Peace, Honolulu; Our Lady of Lourdes, Honokaa, Hawaii; Holy Trinity Church, Kuliouou, St. Augustine, Waikiki, St. Michael, Waialua and Our Lady of Sorrows, Wahiawa. Father retired from active service in 2001. He was assigned to the retirement community in Kaneohe and then to St. Patrick Monastery, Kaimuki.
Source: Catholic Hawaii

My thanks to Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii.

Da Mihi Animas

Check out Padre Steve's blog, Da Mihi Animas...

Update: Check out his newest post on Pope Benedict's efforts to protect marriage and family life.



The Gift Of Worship from Catholic Media House on Vimeo.

A picture of life

Seminarians

This picture is found on Cardinal Sean's blog.


Look at these lovely faces! It is a picture of life, joy and wonderful expectation. It is a picture of hope and faith and love for Christ the Most High Priest. Today, as we use our pen to exercise our right to defend life, I praise and glorify God because these seminarians are here with us, living and breathing the very breath of God. I praise God for their parents because they chose Life over death! I praise God because this means that in the future we will have more priests!


We give praise and honor to our God who is the God of life!

Happy 14th Year Anniversary to the Priesthood!

Fr. Marino Angostura

Associate Pastor, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

Congratulations Fr. Marino on your

14th Year Anniversary to the Priesthood!

May your days of service in the church

be filled with graces and blessings

of love, joy and peace

especially in the midst of trials

you have to bear

for the praise of glory

of Christ who is High Priest.

Amen.

I Love your Blog Award

Thank you, dear Evann,

for this award.

I present this to all the blogs

on my sidebar.

May you all continue to blog

for the sake of the Gospel.

May you be strengthened day by day

as you perform the tasks

entrusted to you by

our loving God.

Amen!

October 26, Priesthood Sunday USA

picture found at Priesthood Sunday

Priesthood Sunday USA

October 26, 2008

Check out the site. There are so many info you can find there.

Read about some of America's other outstanding priests.

Thanks to Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for this info!

Let us pray for all priests. I especially pray

for all the blogger priests on the sidebar of this blog.

God bless you all abundantly!

8 Questions for Fr. John Soltis

St. Philomena Church

I am ecstatic about featuring Fr. John here on my blog! He is a terrific priest who puts humor in his homily, so you can be sure to leave the vicinity of the church with a sense of joy. What is his secret? Simple. He takes the time to prepare his homilies. :-)

Thank you, Fr. John!






8 Questions for Father John Soltis


Maryknoll Father John Francis Soltis, 74, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and has one sister. He attended Maryknoll College and Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll) in Maryknoll, N.Y., on June 9, 1962. Father Soltis served as a missionary in Korea for 30 years and worked in development in the United States for eight. He arrived in Hawaii in June 2001 and has worked at St. Pius X Parish in Manoa and at St. Joseph Parish in Hilo. Father Soltis is currently in residence at St. Philomena Parish in Salt Lake. He is now the only Maryknoll priest in Hawaii.
1. Who do you consider to be a hero in your life?

It would be Father Vincent Capodanno, a Maryknoll Missioner assigned to Taiwan. He joined the Chaplain Corps, became a Navy chaplain for the Marines, and was assigned to Vietnam. He was a priest dedicated to the fighting Marines. While administrating to the wounded in the battlefield, Father Capodanno himself was killed after covering one young man’s body with his own, his body riddled with 27 bullets. I admire him for his dedication and service to others.

2. Do you have any hobbies?

I have worked with stained glass for several years. I have also done Korean calligraphy which I studied while in Korea and I am learning and enjoying Oriental art. I also enjoy reading novels and am a moviegoer.

More here from the Hawaii Catholic Herald

One of the Fruits of our Labor

Dear friends,

I am praising God! The Spiritual Mother's Apostolate here in the Diocese of Hawai'i is in full swing. Each priest and each seminarian in our diocese has a Spritual Mother. It is such a delight to work with Esther! Her love for God and our dear Mother and her passion to support our clergy are an inspiration.

I am delighted to let you know that Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii and I both received some wonderful messages from our priests here in our diocese. I found out from Fr. Peter Miti at the Divine Mercy Conference that it was our own bishop, Bishop Larry Silva, who asked the priests to send us both thank you notes and greetings. Here is one from Fr. Russell. Please include him in your prayers. Thank you, dear friends!

Dear Easter and Esther,

Thanks so much for your kind prayers for the priests who work in the diocese and the seminarians. You are a blessing to us. I am recovering from eye surgery and need a few extra prayers for a few weeks while it heals. When was pastor at St. Agnes in SF, a man on drugs hit me on the left eye while I was on the church steps. So, it has taken about 10 years to be ready for this surgery. It is healing slowly but well!

If you ever need a speaker for your organization, please count on me. I would be available after November 1 giving time for my eye to heal properly and well.

Again, thank you, and blessings.

Fr. Russell J. Roide, S.J.

Announcing Missa Cantata

pic found at Thrown Back

I thought many of you would be delighted to know that Fr. Rob Johansen will be the celebrant of the Missa Cantata in his parish. Below is his announcement found on his blog, Thrown Back, a splendid blog that's been running for 6 years now. Congratulations, Fr. Johansen. Your blog is a joy to visit!

Extraordinary Form Coming to St. Stanislaus!

After much prayer, study, and preparation, I am pleased to announce that:


In Joyful Accord With the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum
of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI,

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church will offer a

Sung Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite
(Missa Cantata)

Sunday, October 26, 2008
(Feast of Christ the King)
1:00 PM

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church
1871 136th Avenue
Dorr, Michigan


I will be the celebrant.

Music will be provided by the Schola of the Chair of St. Peter

St. Stanislaus' altar in its restored state
More awesome pics here

Urgent Prayers Needed for Fr. Tony

I am asking everyone to please pray for one of our good priests here in the Diocese of Honolulu. His name is Fr. Tony Bobis, one of our "loaned" priests from the Philippines. He suffered a massive heart attack and is in critical condition.

You would think that I am talking about one of our older priests, but not really. Fr. Tony is very young, only in his late thirties. He often said Mass at one of our parishes, St. Philomena, where my children and I went for daily Mass when we lived in that area. He always had a way of encouraging my children to live a holy life. Please, pray for him.

Thank you for your prayers!

Biography of Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer

As we remember, pray and fight for the unborn, let us pray for our priests who fight with us. Let us especially pray for Thomas J. Euteneuer of Human Life International and Fr. Frank of Priests for Life.



Biography of Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer
President, Human Life International
April 2008

Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer ( EYE-ten-our) became president of Human Life International in December of 2000. Human Life International is the world’s largest pro-life organization with affiliate offices and associates in eighty countries around the world. In seven years of service to this unique mission Fr. Euteneuer has traveled more than 900,000 miles as a pro-life missionary and visited fifty-five countries.

Fr. Euteneuer was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1962, the fourth of seven children born to Joseph and Marian Euteneuer. He has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana as well as a Licentiate degree in Biblical Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. He is fluent in Spanish.

continuation

A Prayer for Priests

A prayer for priests...
source CNA.


Prayer to implore the grace to safeguard chastity

Lord Jesus Christ, spouse of my soul, delight of my heart and my soul, I fall on my knees before you, praying and fervently beseeching you to allow me to persevere and grow in the true faith each day. O sweet Jesus, grant that I may reject all impiety and that I may be a stranger to the carnal desires and earthly concupiscence which fight against my soul. Through your help, may I preserve my chastity unstained.

O most holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, Virgin of virgins and most beloved Mother, purify my heart and soul each day, and obtain for me a holy fear of the Lord and a particular distrust of my own strength.

St. Joseph, guardian of the virginity of Mary, keep my soul from all sin.

All of you holy Virgins who unceasingly follow the divine Lamb, be solicitous to me a sinner, that I may avoid sin in thoughts, words, actions or omissions, and that I may never be far from the most chaste heart of Jesus. Amen.

An encounter...

I thought I'd share with you that among those present at the 12 noon Mass at the Cathedral yesterday were 2 young men. They were seated together and seemed to be totally engrossed in listening to the readings for the day. What a wonderful, wonderful site to behold! With invitation to the priesthood in mind, of course, it became my goal to speak with them after Mass.


I said 'hello' to them as they were on their way out of the church. We found ourselves talking, just chatting, laughing, and soon, exchanging experiences of our journey, and very soon, sharing scripture passages that brought us to the present. I wanted to get a feel of who they were before popping up the question "Have you thought of becoming a priest?" When that was blurted out, one of them shared that someone did ask him if he wanted to become a priest. He trodded into that path by joining a group of brothers. Turns out it was there he discovered that it wasn't meant to be for him. But it was alright.


Our conversation and our connection were one of joy. These 2 young men were very happy that I welcomed them and that I took the time to get to know them. What a good reminder that was for me! Welcoming people IN the church could also mean welcoming them INTO the church! And most of all, it was a great reminder to never stop inviting young men to consider priesthood! :-)

God be praised!!!!

Help St. Mark Roman Catholic Church

St. Mark Roman Catholic Church

St. Mark Roman Catholic Church is located in Madison County,

one of the fastest-growing counties in Kentucky.

Our church is also a member of the Diocese of Lexington.

Read more about them...

Here was the email Fr. John Sichko sent me to post here on my blog:

I would love for you to do some things about what I am doing here in my poor parish of Richmond, Ky.

I am sending you some press releases.

We believe that even though we are hugely in debt...by giving to others...in turn ...we will receive a thousand fold.

Father Jim Sichko
http://www.saintmarkcatholicchurch.net/

ST. MARK ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PRESENTS
“AN ENCORE PERFORMANCE: AN EVENING AMONG FRIENDS
FEATURING DOLLY PARTON”


SPECIAL SHOW TO BE HELD AT BROCK AUDITORIUM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 – 8:00 P.M.

RICHMOND, KY – As a result of the success of “An Evening Among Friends,” an exceptional series of fundraising events held by St. Mark Catholic Church, it was announced that an Encore Performance will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008, in Richmond’s Brock Auditorium. The special guest will be Dolly Parton, Grammy Award-winning country music singer/songwriter, composer, author, actress and philanthropist.

Tickets for this Encore Performance are available now at http://www.saintmarkcatholicchurch.net/, Ticketmaster outlets and Ticketmaster.com. As with the incredible response to previous events, tickets are expected to sell out quickly.

Ms. Parton remains the most successful female country artist in history, having 25 number-one singles (a record for a female country artist) and 41 top-10 country albums. Known for her distinctive mountain soprano, Ms. Parton was a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree for her lifetime contribution to American culture and the performing arts.

“We’re thrilled to have Dolly Parton for this Encore Performance,” Reverend James W. Sichko said. “As with our previous events, this one will provide an opportunity for expanded fellowship with a community of people from all walks of life, faith and education.” Proceeds from this event will benefit St. Mark Catholic Church, Breast Cancer Awareness and the St. Anne Home for Mentally Challenged Women.

“An Evening with Friends” grew out of concept that St. Mark, as Church is called to improve the quality of life and to give back what it has received. The mission of St. Mark Church is to foster gospel values through Christian education and to promote the dignity of the person, family and community through worship, service and fellowship.

For more information, please contact

Rev. James W. Sichko, at (859) 623-2989.

Happy Birthday, Most Beautiful Mother!

From Steve Ray's blog

Dearest Mother Mary,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

We offer to your loving hands
all our priests today

May you be blessed by
their prayers and Holy Mass said...

May you be honored
by the love they have for your Son Jesus...

God be praised for you, dearest Mother Mary!

Pray for Fraciscan monks brutally attacked

Turin, Aug 29, 2008 / 11:46 am (CNA).- On Wednesday hooded attackers assaulted Franciscan monks at a monastery in the Alps foothills near Turin, leaving one priest severely injured and the three other victims hospitalized. The Archbishop of Turin, Cardinal Severino Poletto, called the attack “beyond comprehension” and only explicable if the attackers had been “either drugged or possessed, or both.”

More here.


Father Sergio Baldin, the Franciscan friar who is fighting for his life after being savagely attacked at a monastery in the foothills of the Alps near Turin, had recently enraged a local criminal gang by helping an Albanian prostitute to escape its clutches, church sources said today.

More here.

Fr. JC Maximilian and his posts

...In commenting about today’s Gospel passage, St. Augustine wonderfully summarizes the life of the Christian, “If you love God you will have power to walk upon the waters, and all the world’s swell and turmoil will remain beneath your feet. But if you love the world it will surely engulf you, for it always devours its lovers, never sustains them. . . . if, in a word, you begin to sink, say: Lord, I am drowning, save me!” (St. Augustine, Sermon 76).

Taken from Fr. JC Maximilian. Check out Fr. JC's wonderful posts!

Take you, Fr. JC!

Fr. V and his posts

Fr. V in his new vestment, a gift from

fellow bloggers who got together and had this made for him.

What a thoughtful and loving gesture!

Fr. V is wearing it today, Feast of our Lady of the Assumption.

Check out his blog.

Fr. V, you are looking good!

God be praised!

A friend of mine is undergoing a major surgery in September. When I visited Fr. V's blog, I was pleased to see he posted something on anointing of the sick. Without any hesitation, I sent the link to her. She emailed me back to thank me and I found out that she is a Benedictine Oblate and that she is in fact receiving the Sacrament of the Sick before her sugery. Oh, but now I know the link to send to anyone who needs it. :-)

Thanks Fr. V for your posts!

Fr. Preston

Fr. Preston Patrick Passos

Picture from the Hawaii Catholic Herald




One Sunday, I visited St. Augustine Church in Waikiki for a project I am working on. To my surprise, that day, there were so many ladies dressed in Hawaiian muumuu, and many churchgoers had leis in their hands. I found out from a friend whom I hadn't seen in years that Fr. Preston was going to say Mass for the first time in Hawaii that day. Surely, it was one of joy, full of emotions, especially for Fr. Preston himself. He had tears in his eyes as he was giving to his mother a pall he had been keeping and saving.

I had a chance to speak with Fr. Preston's mother, Debbie. She is one down-to-earth lady who is thankful for her mother-in-law for taking little Preston to church often. I am pretty sure that she, too, had a lot to do with his being a priest. I made sure to say that to her. :-)

Read the article in the Hawaii Catholic Herald by Patrick Downes.

More on the Singing Priests

3 Priests Come Together to Sing

Meet The Priests
The Priests are:

Father Eugene O'Hagan of the Parish of Ballyclare and Ballygowan: Church of The Sacred Heart and Church of The Holy Family. Diocese of Down and Connor

Father Martin O'Hagan of the Parish of Cushendun: Church of St. Patrick (Craigagh), Church of St. Mary, The Star of the Sea (Culraney). Diocese of Down and Connor.

Father David Delargy of the Parish of Hannahstown: Church of St. Joseph and Church of St. Peter, the Rock , Diocese of Down and Connor.

It was at St. MacNissi's College near Carnlough in Co Antrim where Father Eugene O'Hagan, Father Martin O'Hagan and Father David Delargy met for the first time...

God be praised for these priests! Check them out here.

WYD Hawaii attended by 3 Seminarians

David Soares

David Soares, at the Honolulu Airport.

He's from St. Joseph's Hilo and

takes college classes

at Mt. Angel Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

EJ Resinto

EJ also goes to Mount Angel Seminary in Oregon

and started studies there on January 6, 2008

Not shown is Jason Nunez,

from Our Lady of Peace Cathedral,

entering second year of college seminary at Mt. Angel also.

WYD Hawaii sure was complete with the presence

of these 3 seminarians. They assisted in the activities

and helped even in the cleaning up.

God be praised for them!

I have had the pleasure of taking

David to the airport since his ride

to the airport was cancelled.

On our way there, I got to know him better,

which was really nice.

Funny, on Friday and Saturday, every chance

I got, I would look at him, but never in a

million years would I have guessed where I saw him.

Finally, when it was announced that we had 3 seminarians there,

that's when it hit me.

Why, I have seen him before,

RIGHT HERE,

in this blog!

Hahahaha...

Oh yeah! now I can say I met David in person. :-)

Pray for Fr. Gee

Fr. Gee and a group from Los Yareyes
From his post in December, 2007



The Missions: San Francisco and San Jose. Here was Fr. Gee's post on June 14:


God is good: i've been transferred to Christendom College. it's more than i deserve, but that's nothing new.

my official report date is aug 4th, but i'm leaving bánica on july 18th and heading straight out to the school to make sure the transition is smooth. so, the last ever blog on this site will be july 17th and then she'll close down for good.

thanks for all who were praying for a great assignment, God heard your prayers and then told the bishop...



He did make his final post on the 17th of July. Please send prayers to our sweet heavenly priest, the Most High Prince himself, Jesus, that Fr. Gee will be blessed with wisdom, strength and joy that he needs to tackle all that God has planned for him in Christendom College. I thank you all!

6 Effective Habits of Vocational Recruiting

6 Effective Habits of Vocational Recruiting Newspaper Cites the Eucharist and Dads Among Key Secrets

NORTH HAVEN, Connecticut, FEB. 6, 2006 (Zenit.org). - Dioceses reporting successful rates of vocational recruitment have something in common, says the National Catholic Register.

In a summary of reporter Tim Drake's article "Vocations Surge" in a recent issue, the Register compiled a list of "six habits of highly effective dioceses.

"The first habit was putting the Eucharist at the center of vocational work.

In an editorial the newspaper explained: "Eucharistic adoration is especially effective because it draws sharp attention to the great gift that makes the priesthood so extraordinary and so needed -- we have the priesthood to thank for God's real presence in the Blessed Sacrament."

And the dynamic of silent Eucharistic adoration inevitably leads to the question, 'What do you want me to do, Lord?'

"Read complete article here: http://www.knightsoftheholyeucharist.com/



Thanks to my friend, Melissa, for this info.

Pope Benedict's Aproves Sainthood of Blessed Damien

Blessed Damien

picture found in the Hawaii Catholic Herald

From the Hawaii Catholic Herald:
Pope Benedict XVI approves sainthood for Blessed Damien
Miracle shows Hawaii still close to his heart (read story)
Much to do while waiting for a date (read story)
Cause concluded, the postulator dies (read story)

A Wonderful Surprise Meeting Fr. Daren Again

flowers for Fr. Daren and the delegates

from Sringfield, Illinois

I had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Daren Zehnle of Servant and Steward last year through Esther of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. Fr. Daren came just in time for the big Fr. Damien celebration we had which took place at our capitol and immediately followed by a well attended Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. I must say his vacation was FANTASTIC (his posts were enough proof) :-).

I had the chance to go to Stephen's in Pali (diocesan main office and residence of Bishop Larry Silva) the day before and met just by chance some of the delegates from Springfield, Illinois who were here for a short visit before going to Australia for World Youth Day. Funny, I startled one of them for as I was walking out of the bathroom, she was walking towards the main door and not expecting anyone there since it was a Saturday. I had a nice chat with them afterwards.

Came Sunday, I unexpectedly met the same people right outside of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. I had no idea they were going to my church! Good thing I didn't cantor that morning... could have been a disaster from nervousness ha ha ha... Then as I was standing and looking at this young priest, I started wondering who that might be and why he looks familiar to me. Well, of course, because I've met this young and vibrant priest before, and I featured him right here on my blog months ago. Fr. Daren! What a fantastic surprise!

Fr. Daren, I was at the choir loft singing during that Mass and I was praising God for such an occasion of meeting you again and the wonderful youth and parents with you. I look forward to having dinner with you and hopefully with Esther, too!

Visit Fr. Daren's post that mentions our encounter and his adventures here on our island.

Welcome back, Fr. Conrado!

Today is a special day for St. Philomena and Holy Family churches here in our diocese. Fr. Conrado celebrated his first Mass as the new parish priest for those two clustering parishes early this morning.

I recall the Mass he said at St. Philomena when I was there over 3 years ago. I was a visiting parishioner and promoting a book on the Eucharist that has my story. After Mass that day, he reached out his hand to give me some money in payment for the book. He was pleased to know that the books are given to priests for free. You see, God sent to me benefactors to cover the costs of the books intended for priests. Priests, being his representatives, I can only surmise, are very important to him.

God knows when to hug our priests. He knows when to take care of them, but you and I can be those hands extending God's love to the priestly image of Christ here on earth. God inspire us to welcome and love our priests!

Promoting Vocations in the Parish

By Fr. Andrew Ricci

What's on Micki's Computer Desk?

A picture of Fr. Sousa stands on Micki's computer desk and if you look closely, you will find that his picture has the crucifix on one side and Mary on the other side. Micki sees that picture everyday, so it reminds her to pray for Fr. Sousa daily. What a great idea!

And you know what else? Micki has this special way of hugging our priests. She sends her angel to give priests a hug. What an extraordinary woman she is! I think I might just do this myself, especially when I notice that a priest appears to be tired, sad and preoccupied.

Happy Father's Day to my Spiritual Son, Fr. Sousa

Fr. Edward Anthony Sousa, Jr

Name of Seminary where you graduated from: Immaculate Conception Seminary
Date of ordination: June 28, 2003
Parish assignment: St. Catherine of Sienna Parish, Rhode Island
Date of birth: May 8th, 1968

1. How did you feel when you were ordained? It was the most special day of my entire life. Overjoyed & overwhelmed about finally being ordained a priest.

2. What would you consider to be the most important task of a priest? To go out and mix with those who think that they do not need God, because they need God most of all. To offer them the forgiveness and love of God.

3. Who is the most influential person in your life? My parents & Patrick & Nancy Latta of Medjugorje.

4. What is your favorite scripture passage? Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence – 1Peter 15.

5. What do you do during your free time? Spend my time outdoors and gardening.

6. What is your favorite movie? Jesus of Nazareth .

7. How important is a parent's role in the life of a priest? Extremely important. A priest needs the support and prayers of his family to persevere.

8. What is your favorite music? Jazz.

9. What is your advice for parents on promoting religious vocation among the youth? Be open-minded and do not discourage them from the life if they feel called to it. Be good, holy examples of the Christian faith. Pray together as a family.

10. What makes you smile? Partaking in the fullness of God’s love and sharing it with others.


Below are the words of Fr. Sousa posted on his father's blog, In God's Company Too. It was these words that prompted me to consider adopting him as my spiritual son. I already have a spiritual son, a priest in my own diocese, but the words of Fr. Sousa drew me to the call of praying for him daily...

Have you ever considered adopting a Priest in prayer. Ask Mary to assign me to you. Love me like a brother in Christ. Pray for me daily. Become a saint so that I may become one. Pray that Mary be a tender Mother to me and find me good friends in Christ. Thank you for your prayers. May the Lord bless you and keep you and may his face shine upon you all the days of your life. May the Holy Spirit descend upon you and your family and all your loved ones.


Happy Father's Day, Fr. Sousa! God bless you abundantly!

Cards for our Priests for Father's Day or Any Day

The Serran in the Cleveland Diocese designed and had printed cards that could be sent to priests on Father's Day recognizing their work and thanking them for all they do for us. The priests that receive the cards will be remembered in a Mass once a month for a year.

Personally, these cards can be purchased for priests not just for Father's Day, but for any day one would wish to thank priests. Giving these cards to our priests is also a way of responding to the increasing plea of Pope Benedict XVI to support our priests. Beyond that, it is an expression of our love for Christ through his representatives that embraced the noble call to priesthood.

An offering of $5.00 per card will go a long way. All proceeds will be used for all efforts to recruit candidates for the priesthood, deaconate and religious life. Way to go!

They are available at Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Road in Euclid. All requests for cards can be sent to J.W. Schaut, 3219 Somerset Drive, Shaker heights, Ohio 44122. They may be ordered on-line from Bill Bengele (another Serran) at wbengele@centurytel.net. All checks be made payable to: Serra District #85 Foundation.

Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine, 21281 Chardon Road in Euclid
where the cards for priests are sold

Congratulations Fr. Marvin Steffes C.PP.S on your 50th Anniversary!

The Very Reverend
Marvin James Steffes, C.PP.S.
Pastor, Provincial, and Principal
Fifty Years a Priest

Fr. Steffes, 50 years ago

Let us all congratulate Fr. Marvin Steffes C.PP.S who celebrates his 50th Anniversary today, June 1, at St. Edward Catholic Church.

The article below was written by Fr. Jeffrey Keys C.PP.S

Fr. Steffes served as Pastor of St. Edward Church from 1979 to 1990. He succeeded, Fr. Ricardo Chavez, a diocesan priest. Fr. Steffes was the first CPPS pastor here at St. Edward.

Fr. Steffes was ordained June 1, 1958. His first solemn High Mass was offered at St. Anthony Church in Detroit. After ordination he served in Detroit, MI and in Cincinnati, OH, as a parochial vicar. He taught at Carroll High School in Dayton, OH before doing graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. On finishing his studies Fr. Steffes came to California to serve as teacher at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa and in 1969 he became the principal.

In 1970 Fr. Steffes was elected to provincial leadership, serving as Councilor and as provincial Treasurer. In 1974 he was elected as Provincial Director. After leaving Provincial Leadership he served as a hospital chaplain for a year before coming to St. Edward in 1979.

After St. Edward he was administrator at St. Anthony in Manteca (1991), administrator at San Agustin Church in Scotts Valley and at St. Joseph in Spreckles (1994), and as Pastor at Christ Child Church in Los Gatos (1995). Currently he is retired and living at our Mission House in Berkeley with plans soon to relocate to our Retirement Center in Ohio.

Many long time parishioners have wonderful stories to tell about his time here. Sr. Mary Joseph Lyons, OP was principal of the school during some of his years here and remembers him as a “wonderful pastor.” She reports that he was good to work with, very cooperative and always consulted with her about the School. She liked his homilies, saying “he had a way with words, he got to the point and said it nicely.”

I served four years with Fr. Steffes here at St. Edward 1984-88. I remember particularly a homily he gave on Holy Thursday in 1988. The homily was my first real introduction to the scriptural image of the Lamb of God, and its centrality to our celebration of the Eucharist. Later that year when I told him that I would not be renewing my contract but instead enter the seminary Fr. Steffes wondered aloud how he could be upset and happy at the same time. One picture I treasure and which hangs on my wall is a photo of Fr, Steffes laying hands on my head during my ordination to the priesthood.

On this day we gather at St. Edwards for a special Mass at 10:00am to thank him for being such a good friend, teacher and Pastor, for his devotion to Jesus Christ and his faithfulness to the Mission of St. Gaspar del Bufalo. Happy Anniversary, Marvin. Ad Multos Annos.

Send your greetings to Fr. Steffes at easter4g@yahoo.com and I will forward them to Fr. Keyes. Thank you!

Hawaii will have a new deacon today!

I rejoice as I let you know that we will have a new deacon today, May 30.

Read more about this here.



Please pray for Jon Cabico as he prepares for the most important event in his life and in our diocese. Mahalo!

A Tribute to Priests Who Were Ones Unbelievers

Fr Boniface's Documentary
Athiest turned Catholic priest




Thank you to Melissa.

The Maronite Monks

I found this website of the Marionite Monks. I am glad to have found them for I have never heard of them before.

They are a Catholic community dedicated to a life of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration. Here is what the site says:

The Maronite Monks of Most Holy Trinity Monastery are a Catholic community of contemplative monks dedicated to a life of prayer and Eucharistic Adoration—a life of religious reparation and penance for souls—that is, for our brothers and sisters in the world, especially those in most need of our prayers. We are a cloistered, contemplative community in which there is an harmonious fusion of cenobitic and eremitical living. This life of adoration and penance overflows to others by making possible to all God’s People in the local community the opportunity for:

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Sharing in the Liturgy of Divine Office

Participating in the Divine Liturgy of the Mass

More here.