Pray for Fr. Cutie and our Priests

Please pray for Fr. Cutie that he will truly follow the commands of God. Let us pray for all our priests that they may always be guided by the Holy Spirit as they perform the ministerial tasks God entrusted to them. May they be shrouded not by earthly desires and pleasures, but by God's immense love and joy - for God alone suffices. May they be so infused with a great desire to always seek ways to demonstrate love and faithfulness to God. Amen.

Newly Ordained Priests

taken at our family adoration

Good news from Evann's blog, Homeschool Goodies, for this post:

Four seminarians in the Archdiocese of St. Louis were ordained into the priesthood on May 23. Please keep them in your prayers:

Rev. Mr. Mark Chrismer
Rev. Mr. John Mayo
Rev. Mr. Eric Olsen
Rev. Mr. David Skillman

Blessed Damien of Moloka'i

Shortly before his death in 1889



I've come across a very interesting story about a woman who lived almost all her life as a domestic housekeeper for the Priests of the Sacred Hearts. Check it out. I've taken an interest in including the link in lieu of the much anticipated canonization of Blesssed Damien of Moloka'i, of the Priests of the Sacred Hearts. Check out the interesting photographs relating to the life of the island's soon-to-be declared saint.

It is not only a privilege but a joy to support my own diocese, the Diocese of Honolulu, for all its efforts in making sure that the event goes well. As far as I know, there will be hundreds of islanders who will go to Rome to attend the special occasion slated on October 11, 2009.

May the journey of those going to witness the canonization of Blessed Damien solidy their faith and exude an invitation for the rest of us the desire to become saints ourselves.

Fr. Norman Weslin Arrested

I have been battling flus and coughs and colds that I have not been actively blogging once again. My daughter, CT, asked me to check out Esther's blog to view this video. I was crying the whole time; it was inevitable. Somehow I didn't see this coming so soon, but it is here; and this is NOW. Persecutions. I can only surmise that there will be more to come. Christ never said that those who follow him will not be persecuted.

Remember the word I spoke to you, "No slave is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours (NAB John 15:20).

In fact, all who want to live religiously in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (NAB 2 Timothy 3:12).

We stand tall and fight. Because Christ is life and he chose us to defend life!

Priestly Celibacy

My beloved cathedral, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace

taken on Mother's Day, May 10

Priestly celibacy from Esther's blog, A Catholic Mom in Hawaii

Let us not condemn our priests. Offer them to God, instead,

and offer many prayers for them.

Into your hands, Lord,

we commend their spirits to you.

The Joy of Being a Priest

The joy of being a priest at The Catholic News

(my thanks to Sr. Margaret Kerry, fsp, for this info.)

Most High Priest, Jesus Christ,

may your joy ever abide in our priests

as they perform all the functions

you have ordained for them.

May the love of Mary

emcompass them with

warmth and gentleness and temperance.

May all they do and say

bring out the joy of your resurrection.

Amen.

Fr. Daren's Vocation Story

The Reverend Father, Daren J. Zehnle,

is Parochial Vicar of St. Anthony of Padua Parish

in Effingham, Illinois.

We know that vocations, callings to the service of the Church, do not simply arise within vacuums or in the silence of individual hearts alone. Vocations very often arise within families and within parishes. Future priests do not simply drop out of heaven; they arise from within the people of God. - Fr. Daren

Read Fr. Daren's inspiring vocation story right here.

Fr. Daren is a good friend of mine, and Esther's of A Catholic Mom in Hawaii. He has become a frequent visiting priest here in Hawaii, which I'm positive is, for him, a place of restful and joyful connection with God. When on the island of Oahu, he says Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace. I can't say that he has acquired the spirit of ohana (family) and the spirit of aloha (love). I believe he's always got them within him.

Here are some pictures I took when Fr. Daren was here

sometime in February this year.

An interview with Fr. Daren