Originally this painting was in Pearlington, Mississippi. The home where it was located was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina; however, the painting was saved.  During the summer of 2005, before the hurricane in August,  it was moved to Natchez, Mississippi. 

More on Hurricane Katrina this site on Katrina Page.

Amazing Grace, click here.

Ave Verum Corpus videos, click here.

Following the lead of Pope John Paul II to use the internet for our faith, we offer this website as a spiritual oasis, serving as a center for Catholic spirituality,  prayer, meditation and information,  for all people of God, to enrich their relationship with the Lord  and their understanding of the Catholic faith. 

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
 for thou alone, O LORD,
makest me dwell in safety.
 Psalm 4:8.

 

An American Soldier Comes Home
(Click to watch video)

All –

We live in Henry County, Georgia. Our county is named for Patrick Henry, one of our founding fathers and a one of our nation’s greatest patriots. The citizens of this county understand the patriot’s heart.

Last week Nelle, a neighbor and I were discussing how we are always amazed at the patriotism, valor and honor our servicemen demonstrate every day and how proud we are of their service.

A couple days later we heard that we recently lost one of our own in Afghanistan. SSG Beale.

He served proudly while his family and our communities prayed for his safety waiting nervously for his return. Last week he came home a hero. An American patriot. An inspiration and a solemn testament to the great sacrifices some must make each generation for the next.

When we heard of SSG Beale’s return, the citizens of our county rose up, stood on their feet and gathered at every street corner along the nearly 20 mile course from Falcon Field in Peachtree City in Fayette County to McDonough in Henry County.

Our neighborhood gathered at the corner with our flags waving and our hearts pounding as much with pride as sorrow as we ushered the procession down Jonesboro Road.

There were no community organizers. We didn’t need them. We instinctively know what to do. It’s a small thing to gather a few flags and a few friends together and stand in honor of a hero. A patriot. A neighbor.

Our communities are a wonderful blend of ethnic, religious and political orientations. On that day there were no whites or blacks, no Jews or Gentiles, Christians or Muslims, Democrats or Republicans, Liberals or Conservatives. We were all Americans. We understand the patriot’s heart. It beats in our chests.

The link below is a video shot from one of the patrol cars in the procession. This video will never win an award. But it’s a powerful testament to a community of citizen patriots, a tribute to our home town hero and the family who loaned him to our country as a down payment for the freedoms so many don’t appreciate.

Tears welled up in my eyes as SSG Beale’s procession passed – and again each time I watch this video.

Most of the people standing along the procession’s course probably didn’t know SSG Beale. But we knew his heart. We stand proudly in support of his family and raise them in our prayers.

You have a voice – the voice of a patriot. Stand proud and speak clearly. You are an American. You are not alone.

Mike


Sources: tribute video made by Rep. Steve Davis.   Letter from Mike - unknown.

* * *

Click here for PDF download of
"When Does Life Begin."
Please print and distribute, especially to youth.
(Source)

 

The Catholic Mass Website
(DVD, Audio Commentary CD, Music CD and Book Available)

Thy Kingdom Come

 

THE PRIESTS


 

 WEBSITE:  http://www.thepriests.com/

 The Priests have released their first Concert DVD,
 “The Priests in Concert at Armagh Cathedral.”
Father Eugene O’Hagan said called the night of the performance
“one of the most moving (nights) of my life.”

* * *
 

Cause for Beatification and
Canonization of John Paul II

* * *
 

Prayer of Consecration

"There are times when our own perplexities and suffering, or those of ones we love are so painful to carry that we find ourselves wordless before God. Such poverty can be a great blessing as it reveals to us our need for him, but it is also a moment of invitation to surrender. At such times a prayer of consecration is probably the most suitable prayer we can say or formulate, simply handing everything over to God and Mary with trust. Or in situations of impending natural disaster, those involved in war or other life threatening situations, pray for them, pray for yourself in this prayer this morning." Poor Clare Colettines

 

 

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve,
to thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us;
and after this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

 

click above link to Catholic Answers

by James Akin

Becoming a Catholic is one of the most profound and joyous experiences of life. Some are blessed enough to receive this great gift while they are still infants, and over the course of time they grow into a recognition of the enormous grace that has been bestowed upon them, of the dignity and wonder of their identity as Catholics. Others come into the Catholic fold while they are older children or adults. In these cases it is necessary for people to have a grasp of the joyful process by which one becomes a Catholic. . . . (continued - click here to EWTN)

* * *

How to join the Catholic Church?  Go to  Why Catholic? 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

* * *

"Certainly, every convert is a gift to the Church and represents a serious responsibility for her … especially in the case of adults, such converts bring with them a kind of new energy, an enthusiasm for the faith, and a desire to see the Gospel lived out in the Church. They would be greatly disappointed if, having entered the ecclesial community, they were to find a life lacking fervor and without signs of renewal!  We cannot preach conversion unless we ourselves are converted anew every day."
(Redemptoris Missio, 47 Pope John Paul II)