I just finished making my family’s new perpetual Advent calendar.  No more throw away calendars that start the countdown to Christmas on Dec 1st instead of the first Sunday of Advent.  No more calendars stuffed with cheap chocolate.  Now I can put what I want in the Advent calendar, and no, it won’t necessarily be chocolate every day-just some of the days.  Other days will have a slip of paper in them good for a cookie baking or decorating session with mom & dad, game night, popcorn & a Christmas movie night,  a reading of a Christmas story, taking a snowy walk, decorating the tree.  Just some fun, low to no cost stuff that we can do together as a family.

As far as the calendar itself, there are a few things I would like to tweak.  But those can wait for next year.  I want to put some type of permanent hanger on the back of the tray.  I also want to spray paint the tray a solid color, maybe gold or silver.  And I want to change the color of the writing on the O Antiphon days to gold, since those are the days that change weeks depending on the day of the week that Christmas falls on.  All in all, it will be a pretty nice calendar when it’s tweaked.  This year will be our trial run with it to see if : 1) it holds up to the weight of the candy and papers, 2) it needs the above mentioned tweaks-kids sometimes like things just the way they are, and 3) I can remember to have them open a tin each day.  That last one will be the toughest.

I’m also going to have to refresh my memory on the meaning of the O Antiphons and why they crop up in our Advent celebration.  This may take some research.  I wonder if the Vatican’s website has any info about them?

Four Catholic men and One Catholic woman were having coffee.

The first man tells his friends,

“My son is a priest, when he walks into a room, everyone calls him ‘Father’.”

The second man chirps,

“My son is a Bishop. When he walks into a room people call him ‘Your Grace’.”

The third man says,

“My son is a Cardinal. When he enters a room everyone says ‘Your Eminence’.”

The fourth man then says,

“My son is the Pope. When he walks into a room people call him ‘Your Holiness’.”

Since the lone Catholic woman was sipping her coffee in silence,

the four men give her a subtle, “Well….?”
She proudly replies,

“I have a daughter, slim, tall, 38D breasts, 24″ stomach and 34″ hips.

When she walks into a room, people say, “My God.”

I am not a theologian and I make mistakes from time to time.

Some times us Catholics are afraid of doing the right thing. We try to justify doing the wrong actions by saying things like, well this might have a better out come in the end. But the ends don’t justify the means. Let us all stand boldly for our Faith and do what’s right at all times. In good times and in bad.

A Favorite Quote

For if true friendship is exchanged between God and us, between human
beings and angels, between human beings and human beings, true friendship is love. Blessed Simon Fidati of Cascia
An Augustinian friar 1348

The Cana Happening

It is understandable that, in 2002, when Church Fathers added the five additional Luminous Mysteries to the Rosary they included the Cana Wedding Party.  This was an event of spiritual importance.  For me, it provokes many thoughts.

          First, I think it important to know that Mary and Jesus were invited as guests to this prominent social event in their town.  They accepted, and I bet Mary was one of the most liked persons there. Like Mary, my own mother was popular at parties merely because, forgetful of self, she was genuinely interested in others and made them feel they were of value. At a cocktail party, I usually couldn’t see her because she was surrounded by other guests.

 I am also certain that Jesus was having a good time taking part in the joyful event. When Mary wanted to get his attention, I picture him across the room, laughing at jokes with his friends.  What great company he must have been!

It is interesting that Mary noticed the wine had run out. At that moment, she could have called Jesus and said, “The party is winding down, so let’s go home.”

Although others must also have known of the wine problem, Mary was the one who acted out of compassion for the parents of the wedding pair and for their guests.  This thought sparks my daily reminder that I should be aware of the concerns of others.   

I am fascinated by what Mary did next. She merely made Jesus aware of the problem.  With faith, she knew he would know how to solve it. She didn’t tell him what to do and how to do it. With my weak faith, when I make a prayer request, I make known the goal with a suggested blueprint of how to get there.

By inviting Jesus to perform a miracle that would keep the wine flowing, Mary was doing much more than saving a social event. She was catapulting Jesus into his ministry — of removing his Man mask to expose his Divine Nature. From that moment on, he would be acknowledged not merely as a village carpenter but a miracle worker with divine power.

As joyful Catholics, we should always enjoy the Cana Happening.  Like Mary, let us be aware of the needs of others.  And let us invite Jesus to work within us in demonstrating our concern and love for others.  

Admired saying

In other words, given what’s actually on offer in today’s religious market place, Catholicism often seems a balanced, moderate, and sophisticated option. For the record, this is how most people on the planet right now actually see the Catholic Church, in light of what else they see around them. That realization ought to have consequences not only for our missionary and pastoral strategies, but also for our own attitudes about the church.

          John Allen in National Catholic Reports (www.catholicreport.org) 

Hurrah for Bishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe for criticizing his fellow bishops who objected to President Obama’s commencement address at Notre Dame last May. He also said that withholding Holy Communion from pro-abortion politicians is a hysterical reaction.

 I have long been an admirer of this outstanding Church leader, who’s motto is “Be happily and uncomplicatedly Catholics!”

 Haiku time

(Submitted by Eric Thompson, Cleveland, OH) 

Like a weaning babe

In my Mother Mary’s lap

I bask in her love.

(send me yours: joyfulcatholic@comcast.net 

Recommended reading

 www.zenit.com (daily news from the Vatican)

In the November 16 issue of America, Maryann Cusimano Love has her splendid article, “A Surge in Clarity”, about our losing war in Afghanistan.

Quiz

(The first to send the right answers to joyfulcatholic@comcast.net will receive a gift copy of Light Reading for Good and Wayward Catholics) 

1.     What were the names of the two future disciples whom Jesus found casting their nets into the sea, and he told them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men”?

2.     Who was the saint, born in Assisi in 1193, who established an order of women devoted to the poor?

3.     The Vatican Library originated in which time?

(a)  13^th Century

(b)  15^th Century

(c)   17^th  Century

Chuckle Time

Parishioner: Father Smyth, I will better enjoy your homilies because I am wearing a new expensive hearing device, and I can hear like a teenager.

Father Smyth: Your new hearing aid — what kind is it?Parishioner (looking at his wrist): It’s two-thirty. 

My favorite priest

(Submit your favorite priest to joyfulcatholic@comcast.net)      

Special Intentions List

As you pray with a broad brush, please include these loved ones, who have been submitted by our readers. You, too, are invited to send me names of your special persons who are in need of prayer. My address is joyfulcatholic@comcast.net. They will be on the list for 60 days. At the end of that time, if prayers are still needed, you merely have to renew the name.

Juanita Caldwell, David Abbey, Amie Ellis, Linwood “Skip” Williams, Gerry Paradiso, Nick DeCarlo, Tom Medved, Bob Haines, Eileen Grotsky, 

Rebecca Matthews, Roseanne Somlock, Nicholas Gallagher, Tom Lewis, 

Susan McGahee, Violeta Zepeda, Rev. Joseph Healy, John Aylor,

Rev. Joseph Marini, Enrique Portillo, Sharon McPike, Joe Berger, Tom Ryan.

Jesus no literal Son of God; OT does not support it
http://forum09.faithfreedom.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4701&p=81965#p81965

Hi friends

I submit more from the OT to establish my view point that Jesus was not literally son of god:

Psalms 81:
1 A psalm for Asaph. God hath stood in the congregation of gods: and being in the midst of them he judgeth gods. 2 How long will you judge unjustly: and accept the persons of the wicked? 3 Judge for the needy and fatherless: do justice to the humble and the poor. 4 Rescue the poor; and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner. 5 They have not known nor understood: they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth shall be moved.
6 I have said: You are gods and all of you the sons of the most High. 7 But you like men shall die: and shall fall like one of the princes. 8 Arise, O God, judge thou the earth: for thou shalt inherit among all the nations.

http://www.drbo.org/chapter/21081.htm

So, the according to the usage of the Bible; the Clergy and the Priests are also the Son of God; nothing special for Jesus.
I think that our Atheists Agnostics would support our principled stance; out of their free will.

I love Jesus and Mary as mentioned in Quran.

Thanks

Jesus was not Son of God: Usage of Old Testament
http://forum09.faithfreedom.org/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4701&p=81467#p81467

Hi friends

The Christians say that Jesus was told in Torah and the Gospels as son of god hence he was son of God, literally.
.
This is wrong and is against the usage of Torah and the Gospel as in them these words have not been used for Jesus exclusively but these words have been used hundreds of time for other men also and the Christians don’t admit hem as son of god. Jesus was mentioned a s son of god so it has been mentioned for others

Examples:

Exodus 4:22.
And thou shalt say to him: Thus saith the Lord: Israel is my son, my firstborn. Israel is my son, my firstborn.
Psalms 88:21-26
21 I have found David my servant: with my holy oil I have anointed him. 22 For my hand shall help him: and my arm shall strengthen him. 23 The enemy shall have no advantage over him: nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him. 24 And I will cut down his enemies before his face; and them that hate him I will put to flight. 25 And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
26 And I will set his hand in the sea; and his right hand in the rivers. 27 He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: my God, and the support of my salvation. 28 And I will make him my firstborn, high above the kings of the earth.
So, in the usage of Bible all righteous and loved – ones of God have been mentioned as son of god; nothing special for Jesus.

I love Jesus and Mary as mentioned in Quran.

Thanks

I am an Ahmadi peaceful Muslim

St. Martin de Porres

Here’s one historic black figure that does not usually turn up among the biographies at February celebrations of Black History Month. However, he features prominently in Black Catholic History month, so the previous post reminded me of a good intention I had at the start of November to do a write-up on St. Martin de Porres.

November 3 is the feast day (memorial) for St. Martin de Porres, who was born in Lima, Peru on December 9, 1579. He died November 3, 1639, hence that date for his feast day. He was a Dominican lay brother (tertiary or cooperator brother) who was beatified in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI and canonized on May 6, 1962, by Pope John XXIII.

Being of Spanish and African descent, this mixed race saint should have much appeal to black people in the United States at this time in America’s history. The father of St. Martin de Porres was a Spanish gentleman (soldier) and his mother a black freed-woman from Panama who had been a slave of a Spaniard in South America.  From AmericanCatholic.org we get this titbit:

“Father unknown” is the cold legal phrase sometimes used on baptismal records. “Half-breed” or “war souvenir” is the cruel name inflicted by those of “pure” blood. Like many others, Martin might have grown to be a bitter man, but he did not. It was said that even as a child he gave his heart and his goods to the poor and despised.

He was the illegitimate son of a freed woman of Panama, probably black … and a Spanish grandee of Lima, Peru. Martin inherited the features and dark complexion of his mother. That irked his father, who finally acknowledged his son after eight years. After the birth of a sister, the father abandoned the family. Martin was reared in poverty, locked into a low level of Lima’s society.

When he was 12, his mother apprenticed him to a barber-surgeon. He learned how to cut hair and also how to draw blood (a standard medical treatment then), care for wounds and prepare and administer medicines.

After a few years in this medical apostolate, Martin applied to the Dominicans to be a “lay helper,” not feeling himself worthy to be a religious brother. After nine years, the example of his prayer and penance, charity and humility led the community to request him to make full religious profession. Many of his nights were spent in prayer and penitential practices; his days were filled with nursing the sick and caring for the poor. It was particularly impressive that he treated all people regardless of their colour, race or status. (Click here to read more).

St. Martin de Porres, the patron saint of barbers, is often regarded as the first black canonized saint in the Western Hemisphere. He is also known also as St. Martin of Charity because of his work among the poor, and “the Saint of the broom” because of his devotion to work.  His tireless work on behalf of the poor of Peru was well noted with him establishing an orphanage and a children’s hospital. He even maintained a cats and dogs hospital at his sister’s house. He was a close friend of St. Rose of Lima, the first canonized saint of the Western Hemisphere, who is very popular in some Caribbean Islands. Like her, St. Martin de Porres maintained an austere lifestyle, which included fasting, abstaining from meat and a devotion to prayer that was notable even by the pious standards of the age.

From a homily at the Canonization of Saint Martin de Porres (taken from the Office of Readings from the Roman Breviary) Pope John XXIII had this to say:

This example of Martin’s life is ample evidence that we can strive for holiness and salvation as Christ Jesus has shown us: first by loving God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and second, by loving your neighbour as yourself.

He was tireless in his efforts to reform the criminal, and he would sit up with the sick to bring them comfort. For the poor he would provide food, clothing, and medicine. He did all he could to care for the poor farmhands, blacks and mulattoes who were looked down upon as slaves, the dregs of society in their time.

Prayer to St. Martin de Porres.

To you Saint Martin de  Porres we prayerfully lift up our hearts filled with serene confidence and devotion. Mindful of your unbounded and helpful charity to all levels of society and also of your meekness and humility of heart, we offer our petitions to you. Pour out upon our families the precious gifts of your solicitous and generous intercession; show to the people of every race and every colour the paths of unity and of justice; implore from our Father in heaven the coming of his kingdom, so that through mutual benevolence in God men may increase the fruits of grace and merit the rewards of eternal life. Amen. (Source: Click here)

Representation of Pope St. Miltiades

Some people lambaste Christianity as “a white man’s religion.” Worse yet, there have been Christians, Black and White, Protestant and even Catholic, who regard Catholicism as a “white church.” Amazingly enough, these myths and misconceptions remain entrenched in some people’s minds.

On July 24, 1990, the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus of the United States designated November as Black Catholic History Month to celebrate the long history and proud heritage of Black Catholics. Two commemorative dates fall within this month, Saint Augustine’s Birthday (November 13) and Saint Martin de Porres’ Feast Day (November 3). More importantly, November not only marks a time when we pray for all saints and souls in loving remembrance, but also a time to recall the saints and souls of Africa and the African Diaspora.

Some people forget that Christianity did not originate in Europe and even express surprise when they learn that Black Catholic History began in the Acts of the Apostles (8: 26-40) with the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch by Philip the Deacon. This text is important for several reasons. First, it chronicles the conversion of the first Black African in recorded Christian history. Second, the text suggests that the man was a wealthy, literate, and powerful emissary of the Nubian Queen and also a faithful, practicing Jew prior to his baptism. Clearly, he was not an ignorant heathen. Third, the Ethiopian Eunuch’s conversion predates the conversions of Saints Paul and Cornelius. Most significantly, many cite this conversion as the very moment when the church changed from a Hebrew and Hellenist community to the truly Universal and Catholic Church.

(Source: The above block quote was lifted wholesale off the website of the National Black Catholic Congress).

Never one to get giddy in the celebratory dance of having “the first black” this or that (much prefer to cheer the “first good” ones), I post this as a conversation point for a Caribbean reader. North Africa, where the three African popes to date are reported to have come  from, is now almost entirely Muslim. Many Caribbean and black youth, especially men, continue to be pushed into the arms of Islam, Rastafarianism and other dubious sects.

There are several reasons for this, which I hope to explore in the future.  For now, to this reader, I say ponder this. At present, the Catholic Church is vibrant in Africa but disoriented in Europe, where it is feebly attempting to regather. Was it Catholicism per se, or a strand of Europeanism that led to the Trans Atlantic slave trade, and to the chaos in the Western Church post Vatican II?