Showing posts with label conversion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conversion. Show all posts
Monday, July 5, 2010
Catholic News for July 5, 2010 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI MONDAY EDITION
Conversion Story of a Stripper - Michael Browne, Spirit Daily
The Ancient Christians of Ethiopia - Elizabeth Scalia, First Things
Morocco Continues Purging Their Christians - Robert Spencer, Jihad Watch
Monday, December 7, 2009
Catholic News for December 7, 2009 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI MONDAY EDITION
Breaking News:
Tell Senate to Pass Hatch-Nelson Amendment - Jack Smith, The Catholic Key Blog
Morning Update:
Why the Sign of Our Lady Reigns over Europe - Angelo Stagnaro, The Cthlc Herald
What would Catholic-Orthodox Reunion Look Like? - Eric Sammons, The Dvn Lf
Benedict's Headache with Populist Catholicism - John L. Allen, All Things Cthlc
Comparing God and Allah - Genevieve S. Kineke, Catholic Exchange
"The New Jesuit Review" - Christopher Blosser, The American Catholic
USCCB Theologian Smacks Down Dissident Theologian - John L. Allen, ATC
Advent and Anti-Christ, Part II - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic
Rest in Peace, Latin American Liberation Theology - New Catholic, Rorate Caeli
Vision of Blessed Virgin & Conversion from Islam - Abu Daoud, Islam & Christianity
Translations and Fisks - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic
Advent and Christmas Music:
O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic
Notable Analysis and News:
Advent and Anti-Christ, Part I - Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic
James Carroll Takes a Swing at the Church - Joe Hargrave, The American Cthlc
Woman Religious: No Transparency Necessary - John Henry, The American Cthlc
Secular News and Analysis:
Chile No Longer a 3rd World Country, Welcome Aboard! - IDB Editorials
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Catholic News-Tuesday, December 30, 2008 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI TUESDAY EDITION
Evening Update
I'll Take Her On A Test Drive - Ryan Harkins, American Catholic
A Failed Generation - Craig Ladwig, Veritas Rex
Contraception and Conversion - David Mills, Inside Catholic
Rosary Resurgence - Tom McFeely, National Catholic Register
New York Times Loves Religion - Patrick Archbold, Creative Minority Report
Public Schools Change Young Evangelicals' Values - Phyllis Schlafly, Human Events
Pro-Life A.G. Denied Communion Over Abortion Bill - Gerard McManus, Herald Sun
New Orlean's St. Patrick's Church - Jeffrey Tucker, New Liturgical Movement
Condom Nation - Editorial, Investor's Business Daily
Bonus Analysis, Opinion, and News:
Polygamist Sue To Redefine "Couple" - Matthew Archbold, Creative Minority Report
Thoughts On Israel's War With Hamas - Christopher Blosser, American Catholic
Born At Just 23 Weeks, The Baby Who Defied Abortion Laws - London Daily Mail
Pontifical Mass & Conference In Hong Kong - Shawn Tribe, New Liturgical Mvmnt
Papa Bene Slaps Down Fr. Richard McBrien - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS?
Lila Rose Chosen As 2008 Person Of The Year - Operation Rescue
Ave Maria Mutual Funds Responds to New York Times’ Criticism - Business Wire
Why Socialized Medicine Doesn't Work - Lynsey Haywood, The Sun (U.K.)
New Jersey Rules Against Church Group in Gay 'Rights' Case - Geoff Mulvihill, AP
Notable Analysis, Opinion, and News:
Russian Professor Predicts Breakup of U.S. in 2010 - DarwinCatholic, Amrcn Cthlc
Is There a Natural Right to Same-Sex Marriage? - Fr. Juan Valez, MercatorNet
Journalists Just Don’t Get It - Tom McFeely, National Catholic Register
Overcoming Secularism - Fr. Alfonso Aguilar, National Catholic Register
Secular Analysis, Opinion, and News:
A Caliphate “from the Red Sea to the Caspian”? - Kathy Shaidle, FrontPageMag
Obama Fiddles While Gaza Burns - Robert Dreyfuss, The Nation
Liberals Call An End To Current Dutch Notion Of Tolerance - John Vinocur, IHT
(Biretta Tips: PewSitter.com, ProLifeBlogs.com, Real Clear Religion, Holy Innocents, and Lucianne)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Catholic News-Thursday, December 18, 2008 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI THURSDAY EDITION
Early Morning Update
Why Conception? - Michael Baruzinni, Inside Catholic
The Death of A Good Death - Patrick Archbold, Creative Minority Report
Britain's No Sharia Campaign - Deborah Weiss, American Thinker
Catholic Church Keeps Vigil In Las Vegas - Jay Jones, Los Angeles Times
Why Shouldn't Christians Convert Muslims? - Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke
Official: Excommunication of Fr. Bourgeois Will ‘Certainly Take Place,’ - CNA
Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: The Catholic Report
CF Wednesday Afternoon Edition
Ceremonial Variations: The Mandatum in the Ambrosian Rite - Shawn Tribe, NLM
The Festival of Lessons & Carols at King's College - Deal W. Hudson, Inside Blog
Advent in Music. 7 Antiphons, All Worth Discovering - Sandro Magister, Chiesa
At Houston Surgeon’s Home, an Ode to His Wife & to God - Kate Murphy, NY Times
Christmas in Britain - Joanna Bogle, Inside Catholic
Latest Real Jesus Destroys Christianity—Again! - Mark Shea, Catholic Exchange
Science and Religion - Michael Novak, First Things
Obama’s All-Abortion Transition - Tom McFeely, National Catholic Register
Christmas Symbols Deserve More Than Atheist Insults - Michael Medved, Townhall
SSPX Wedding, Not Valid Nor Licit? - Fr. John Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS?
Bonus Video: Planned Parenthood Indiana - Oops! - Donald R. McClarey, Am Cath
Bonus Commentary:
Thoughts On Sex and Marriage – Steven Greydanus, Jimmy Akin's Blog
News Wire:
Priest Recalls His Six Years With Padre Pio - Staff, Derry Journal
Orissa Archbishop Fears Unsafe Christmas - Indian Catholic
Vatican Envoy Warns U.N. Against Inventing 'New' Human Rights - Vatican Press
Religious Families Raise the Best Children - Mapping America
Secular Commentary:
A Better Way to Counter Judicial Activism - Karl Spence, American Thinker
More Are Moving Out of California Than In - David Pierson, Los Angeles Times
Official Resigns Over 'Joe the Plumber' Affair - Catherine Candisky, Clmbs Dsptch
(Biretta Tips: American Catholic, PewSitter.com, Real Clear Religion, & Lucianne; Inspiration: RealClearPolitics)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Catholic News-Whitsunday 2008 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION
Pentecost and Mother's Day - David Bennet, Per Christum
The History of Mother's Day in the U.S. - Zoe Romanowsky, TIB
Conversion From Judaism to Catholicism - Mr. Frangelico, S&BoPD
Living Like a Refugee (Church Shopping) - Rich Leonardi, 10 Reasons
What Traditional Anglicans Wrote to Rome - Patrick Archbold, CMR
Building a Civilization - Fr. Demets, Rorate Cæli
Praying the Hours, Unceasingly - Dc. Greg Kandra, Deacon's Bench
The Idol of Age - Genevieve S. Kineke, Inside Catholic
Literary Giants, Literary Catholics - Jeff Miller, The Curt Jester
Bonus Commentary:
Not Until the Spirit Came - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons
Schism over Shari'a in Church of England - David Rusin, Am Thnkr
Religious Commentary:
Misunderstanding Islamic Antisemitism - Andrew Bostom, Am Thnkr
Secular Commentary:
Anti-Socialist Backlash in Latin America - Andres Oppenheimer, MB
Friday, May 9, 2008
Catholic News-Friday, Mary 9, 2008 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION
Gerald Augustinus whY? - Patrick Archbold, Creative Minority Report
So. Baptist Deals With Wife's Conversion - Michael Spencer, BHT
Anglicans Hesitant on Path to Rome - Damian Thompson, Hly Smk
Pentecost on Mount Athos - Sandro Magister, Chiesa
Obama Catholics Blame Cons for Abortion - Jay Anderson, Pr Eccls
Abp: No Communion for Kansas Governor - Rocco Palmo, Whispers
Is India the Next China on Religious Freedom? - John Allen, ATC
Not Your Standard First Communion - Todd Flowerday, Inside Cthlc
Pro-Abort Politicians Take Communion - Julia Duin, Wshngtn Tms
Bonus Commentary:
To See Liberal "Tolerance" In Action - Jay Anderson, Pro Ecclesia
Minister: Stop Having So Many Children! - Matthew Archbold, CMR
Bonus News:
New Vatican Site for Documents in Latin! - Fr. J. Zuhlsdorf, WDTPRS
Mosque for Church Bid in Faith Barter - Cinar Kiper, Trksh Dly Nws
(Biretta Tips: National Catholic Register, The Inside Blog, PewSitter, & Lucianne)
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
More Catholic News-Wednesday (4-2-2008 AD)
CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION
Consecration of the New Cathedral in Houston - Tito, Custos Fidei
Pope John Paul II - Jennifer, Per Christum
In These Dark Times - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons
US Papal Visit Puts Spotlight on Catholic Sites - Beth Harpaz, AP
Obama's Abortion Extremism - Michael Gerson, Washington Post
McDonald's to Push Homosexual Agenda - Tim Troutman, Fearing
Mixed Reviews on Latin Mass in California - California Cthlc Daily
Myth 2: Faith More Harm Than Good - Fr. Williams, Nat'l Cth Rgstr
Conversion: A One-Way Street? - Cal Thomas, Townhall
Cardinal Castrillon: Latin Mass Already Bearing Fruit - CathNews
Pope to Clarify Prayer After Jews Cut Ties - Isabelle Duerme, AHN
Wilberforce Descendant Condemns Abortion - WorldNetDaily
Secular News Item of the Afternoon:
The Disgrace of Liberalism
By J.R. Dunn of American Thinker
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Wednesday Morning, April 2, click here.
For Easter Tuesday, March 25, click here.
For Easter Monday, March 24, click here.
(Biretta Tip: National Catholic Register)
Monday, March 24, 2008
Catholic News-Easter Monday 2008 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION
Allam Converts to Christianity, Why? - A Simple Sinner, Pr Chrstm
Pope Proclaims that Baroque is Back - Anna Arco, Catholic Herald
Scouting the Next Pro-Life Battlefield - Deborah Sturm, Inside Cth
LA Archdiocese Promoting Heterox Synod - California Cthlc Daily
How Religion Became a Wedge Issue - R.R. Reno, First Things
Stats show Traditional Families Rebounding - Ed Thomas, ONN
From Muslim (Allam) to Catholic - Damian Thompson, Holy Smoke
Muslim (Allam) Turned Catholic's Letter to Editor - Rorate Cæli
Tibetan Catholics Curtail Easter Activities - Robert J. Saiget, AFP
Pope Baptizes Top Italian Muslim on Easter - John Allen, NC Rprtr
Those Sophisticated Europeans - Sidney Raphael, Amrcn Thinker
Pope's Easter Sermon: Orthodoxy Triumphant - Fr. Z, WDTPRS
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Good Friday, March 21, click here.
For Maundy Thursday, March 20, click here.
For Spy Wednesday Afternoon, March 19, click here.
(Biretta Tips: Catholic Report & PewSitter)
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Catholic News-Tuesday, February 26, 2008 AD
CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION
Retorts to Feuerherd's 'Bps Be Damned' - Jay Anderson, Pr Eccls
The Kimberly Hahn Interview - Edward Pentin, Natl Cthlc Register
The Death of the Grownup - Sally Thomas, First Things
First They Came For Homeschoolers... - Rod Dreher, Crunchy Con
Piety? Who Needs Piety? - Anthony Esolen, Inside Catholic
Wake-Up Time - Rocco Palmo, Whispers In The Loggia
No "Reform of the Reform" in Sight - New Catholic, Rorate Cæli
Pornography The Marriage Wrecker - Fr. John Flynn, Zenit
Christian Lectionary the Source of the Koran? - Tito, Custos Fidei
Death of Womans Fetus Ruled Homicide - Thaddeus Baklinski, LSN
Why Pro-Life Presidents Matter - Joe Carter, Evangelical Outpost
Secret Plan To Avoid Anglican Schism - Jonathan Petre, Telegraph
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Monday, February 25, click here .
For Friday Afternoon-Feb. 22, click here.
For Friday Morning-Feb. 22, click here.
(Biretta Tips: Kevin Knight of New Advent & LifeSiteNews)
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Catholic News-Thursday, January 17, 2008 AD
CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION
Restoring Our Right To Say It's Wrong - First Things
Catholic Identity In America - Jeff Miller, The Curt Jester
Students Flock To Pope After Speech Protests - J. Connolly, LfSt
Catholic Bp Joins In The “Seating” Of Bishopess - Cal Cath Dly
Leo Not Luther - Rich Leonardi, Ten Reasons
Pastor Of 3rd Largest Methodist Church Converts - Per Christum
Homophobia - Jeff Miller, The Curt Jester
Clinton & Obama Vie For Abortion Vote - Tom McFeely, NC Rgstr
George Washington’s Conversion To Catholicism? - Per Christum
Carnegie Hall Stoops Low - Catholic League
Mike Huckabee's Bigots - Tito, Custos Fidei
Bishop John Chanche Re-interred - Adam Koob, Natchez Dmcrt
Secular News Item of the Day:
US Middle School Textbook: 'Jihad' Means Doing Good Works
By Bob Unruh of WorldNetDaily
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Wednesday, January 16, click here.
For Tuesday, January 15, click here.
For Saturday, January 12, click here.
(Biretta Tip: National Catholic Register)
Monday, December 10, 2007
Catholic News-Monday, December 10, 2007 AD
CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION
Metropolitan Kirill Praises Papal Talks - Associated Press
Our Faith, Your Healing - Fr. Philip Powell, Domine
Anne's Conversion Story - Anne, Kid Sister
Papist Pic Of The Day - Thomas Peters, American Papist
'Golden Compass' Misses The Mark - Catholic League
Death Threats Can't Stop Me To Convert - Ruth Gledhill, Times
Best & Worst US Dioceses - Brad Watkins, Rmn Cath Vocations
Why Atheists Are So Angry - Dinesh D'Souza, Townhall
Blocked Vatican Envoy - Robert Novak, Townhall
500 Yr Trend To Hit Catholic Church - Terry Mattingly, CE
Mexican Civil War Martyrs - Brad Watkins, Rmn Cath Vocations
Holy Huckabee! - Newsweek
Shameless Blog Plug of the Day:
Roman Catholic Vocations
by Fr. Brad Watkins
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Sunday, December 9, click here.
For Saturday, December 8, click here.
For Friday, December 7, click here.
(Biretta Tips: Catholic Report, Lucianne, & RealClearPolitics)
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Catholic News-Sunday, December 9, 2007 AD
CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION
Pope: Convert Away From Materialism - Catholic News Agency
Southern Baptist To Catholic Convert - Chris, Cath Converts
Early Martyrs Sacrificial Themes - Alan Phipps, Ad Altare Dei
War On X-Mas Survival Guide - John Brennan, Boston Herald
Planned Parenthood: The Fewer, The Merrier - Jeff Miller, CJ
Muslim Apostates Threatened Over Christianity - Telegraph
Golden Compass Box Office Bomb - Jean Heimann, Cath Fire
US Episcopals Loses 1st Diocese - Thomas Lifson, AmThnkr
I Ain't Waitin' On Santa Claus... - Fr. Philip Powell, Domine
Romney On Faith In US - Fr. Richard Neuhaus, 1st Things
Republican Nomination Up For Grabs - Salena Zito, Townhall
Giuliani Administration: A Look Ahead - Paul, Regular Guy
Shameless Blog Plug of the Day:
A Catholic Notebook
by Soutenus
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Saturday, December 8, click here.
For Friday, December 7, click here.
For Thursday, December 6, click here.
(Biretta Tips: National Catholic Register & Lucianne)
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Catholic News-Wednesday, December 5, 2007 AD
CVSTOS FIDEI MORNING EDITION
On Christian Hope - Archbishop Charles Chaput, First Things
Iraqi Conversion Story - Joe Burns, Catholic News Agency
Pope's US Visit In April Website - Thomas Peters, Amrcn Ppst
Sterility & Fruitfulness - Mark Shea, Natl Catholic Register
The "C" Word - Soutenus, A Catholic Notebook
Henry Hyde 1924-2007 - Sheila Liaugminas, NC Register
Am Psych Asscn To Ban Gay Therapy? - Hilary White, LS
Porn Use Increases Aggressive Sex Acts - John Connolly, LfSt
Atheism Led To 'Greatest Form Of Cruelty' - Peter Beita, CP
Fox Entertainment Buys Beliefnet - GetReligion.org
New Lie Cinema - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester
Get Advent Wreath For Your Blog - Jeff Miller, Curt Jester
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Tuesday Evening-Dec 4, click here.
For Tuesday Morning-Dec 4, click here.
For Monday, December 3, click here.
(Biretta Tip: National Catholic Register)
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
More Catholic News-Tuesday (12-4-2007 AD)
CVSTOS FIDEI EVENING EDITION
LA Times Review Of 'Bella' Movie - Quintero, L.A. Catholic
Golden Compass Controversy Update - Thomas Peters, AmP
The New Catholic Manliness - Todd Aglialoro, RC Vocations
Connection Of Abortion & Substance Abuse - Hilary White, LS
Return Of Tonsure, Wimple & Soutane - Brad Watkins, RCV
LA Ex-Priest Get's 10-Year Sentence - Quintero, L.A. Catholic
Kansas To Probe Planned Parenthood - Cheryl Wetzstein, WT
Moral Relativism On ABCs 'The View' - Scott Whitlock, NB
Hannah Storm A Catholic? - Ken Shepherd, NewsBusters
Orthodox: Abolish Russian Catholic Dioceses - AsiaNews
Anglican Schism Is Next - Vancouver Sun
Evangelical Turned Catholic Conversion - Les, Postcards
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For Tuesday Morning-Dec 4, click here.
For Monday, December 3, click here.
For Sunday, December 2, click here.
(Biretta Tips: Catholic Converts, PewSitter.com, & Lucianne)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Catholic News-Thursday, July 19, 2007 A.D.
CVSTOS FIDEI AFTERNOON EDITION
Vatican Welcomes New China Bishop - BBC News
Dissenting Wolves & Their Dissenting Sheep - Fr. Powell, Domine
Curfews Used Against Homeschoolers - Cal Catholic Daily
Putting Predators & Profits Before Patients - Christina, Confessions
First Openly Muslim Priest - D. Gartenstein-Ross, First Things
Planned Parenthood Doesn't Report Rape - D. Eden, Dawn Patrol
Intolerance of Ex-Gays In Maryland - P. Smith, LifeSite
Gay Activists Try To Stop Lesbian Gang Attack TV Report - CL
Christian Groups Growing In Europe - Catholic News Agency
From Jew To Catholic - Lawn Griffiths, East Valley Tribune
The Pope & "Bad" Bishops - Fr. R. Johansen, Catholic Answers
Last Three Catholic News Postings:
For July 17 click here.
For July 15 click here.
For July 14 click here.
(Hat Tips: National Catholic Register, Catholic Report, The Curt Jester, & LifeSite)
Friday, May 4, 2007
About Bill Cork
Well if you all don't know by now our own Director of Young Adult & Campus Ministry has finished his last day yesterday and is at his new job. Oh, and he has converted to 7th Day Adventist strain of Christianity. So it has been quite an interesting turn of events (I only came online five minutes ago so I was surprised to see a surge of interest in 'Bill Cork' in my blog).
Anyways, I'm sure this was done with great thought and care and last I spoke with Bill he seemed quite himself. I'm sure he is at peace for now with his decision. We should all give Bill his space for readjustment. The least we can all do is respect his decision and remain his friend as we would with Christ. God works in mysterious ways and we should all trust in Him for the destiny of any one individual. At the same time we should continue in our faith journey as a witness His glory. To pray for Bill and his family as they go through this interesting time of change.
I'm happy for Bill. Of course I will be happier still once he returns to His Church with his family in tow! We all need to trust in the Lord our God. No matter the trials and tribulations that are encircling us, even if the Catholic Church itself is under siege. We must trust in Him for His everlasting redemption.
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it." --Gospel of St. Matthew 16:18Again, we should all pray for Bill and his family, he certainly has my prayers today. For my previous posting about Bill Cork click here.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tommy, an Atheist's Journey to God
I really do enjoy reading conversion stories. Here is one story of a former atheist who through a lecture class given by Father John Powell at Loyola University in Chicago found God. The story has been researched and verified by TruthorFiction.com.
Here is his story...
John Powell a professor at Loyola University in Chicago writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy:
Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the first day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.
It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn’t what’s on your head but what’s in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.
I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange ... very strange. Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father-God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.
When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a slightly cynical tone: "Do you think I’ll ever find God?"
I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. "No!" I said very emphatically.
"Oh," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing.
"I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out: "Tommy! I don’t think you’ll ever find him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!" He shrugged a little and left my class and my life.
I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line: "He will find you!" At least I thought it was clever. Later I heard that Tommy had graduated and I was duly grateful.
Then a sad report, I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted, and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. "Tommy, I’ve thought about you so often. I hear you are sick!" I blurted out.
"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It’s a matter of weeks."
"Can you talk about it, Tom?"
"Sure, what would you like to know?"
"What’s it like to be only twenty-four and dying?"
"Well, it could be worse."
"Like what?"
"Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real ‘biggies’ in life.
"I began to look through my mental file cabinet under "S" where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification God sends back into my life to educate me.)
But what I really came to see you about," Tom said, " is something you said to me on the last day of class." (He remembered!) He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, ‘No!’ which surprised me. Then you said, ‘But he will find you.’ I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My "clever" line. He thought about that a lot!) But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, then I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.
But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit.
Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn’t really care ... about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. "I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: ‘The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.’ "So I began with the hardest one: my Dad. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him."
"Dad". . .
"Yes, what?" he asked without lowering the newspaper.
"Dad, I would like to talk with you."
"Well, talk."
"I mean. .. It’s really important."
The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"
"Dad, I love you. I just wanted you to know that." Tom smiled at me and said with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him: "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me.
And we talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me. "It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing: that I had waited so long. Here I was just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to.
"Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn’t come to me when I pleaded with him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, ‘C’mon, jump through.’ ‘C’mon, I’ll give you three days .. .three weeks.’ Apparently God does things in his own way and at his own hour. "But the important thing is that he was there. He found me.
You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for him."
"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.’ Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn’t be half as effective as if you were to tell them."
"Oooh . . . I was ready for you, but I don’t know if I’m ready for your class."
"Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call." In a few days Tommy called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it.
He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed.
He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.
Before he died, we talked one last time. "I’m not going to make it to your class," he said.
"I know, Tom."
"Will you tell them for me? Will you . . . tell the whole world for me?"
"I will, Tom. I’ll tell them. I’ll do my best."
So, to all of you who have been kind enough to hear this simple statement about love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven: "I told them, Tommy . ... ...as best I could."
(Major Hat Tip to Dr. Philip Blosser at Musings of a Pertinacious Papist)
To read the original story at Musings of a Pertinacious Papist click here.
To confirm the veracity of this story click here.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Catholic News for Sunday, April 22, 2007 A.D.
I'm trying something new here. I come a cross roughly a dozen news stories a day that I want to blog about but just don't have the time, so here are the news stories themselves without commentary. No, this will not be replacing my own posts, I'll still be doing that. This is part of the changes here at Custos Fidei, but not the main change - yet! Here's Sundays top news stories concerning Christianity in the world.
Pray For The Eldest Daughter
by Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei (4-22)
More Girls Aborted Worldwide Than Boys
by Joseph Meaney, National Catholic Register (4-22)
Forced Sexual Vaccination of Children
by Carolyn Moynihan, Mercatornet (4-20)
Judge Ginsburg Unhinged After Partial Birth Ruling Ban
by Diogenes, Off the Record (4-20)
Kathy Shaidle Quits Our Sunday Visitor (OSV) After OSV Bans Her Green Article
by Kathy Shaidle, Relapsed Catholic (4-20)
Responsible Parenthood
by Peter Park (PJP), Recapturing Our Catholic Patrimony (4-18)
California Group Advocates Population Control
by Monisha Bansal, CNSNews (4-18)
Rotten Fruit of Sexual Revolution
by Emily Stimpson, Our Sunday Visitor (4-18)
Gay Militants Threaten Genoa Archbishop
by Gudrun Shultz, LifeSite (4-11)
Catholic Bashers Spared Imus Treatment
by Bill Donohue, Catholic League (4-11)
Nazarene Converts to Catholicism
by Shellie, Profound Gratitude (4-9)
HBO's Soft-Porn Miniseries 'Rome'; Cable Drama Shows Rome Before Christianity
by Gerard J. Russello, First Things (4-9)
A Pope Who Gets It
by Micah Halpern, FrontPageMag.com (4-9)
Episcopal's Leaving En Masse Due to TEC Embrace of Homosexuality, Priestesses, etc.
by Christopher S. Johnson, Midwest Conservative Journal (4-8)
Catholic Church Shopping
by Jennifer Graham, National Review Online (4-5)
When the West Fails to Procreate; Contraceptions 'Fruits'
by Ian Hunter, LifeSite (4-5)
Non-Catholic Ontario Politician Wants Pope John Paul II Holiday
by The Catholic Register via Catholic Online (3-29)
China's One Child Policy Turning Chinese Into Christians
by Samuel Gregg, Acton Institute (2-28)
Virginia Tech Post Mortem
Secular Media Fails to Recognize Evil in Virginia Tech Attack
by Peggy Noonan, WSJ Opinion Journal (4-20)
Where's Atheism After Virginia Tech Massacre
by Dinesh D'Souza, AOL News Bloggers (4-18)
No Surprise - VA Killer Was an anti-Catholic Bigot
by Fidei Defensor, Custos Fidei (4-17)
State Control of Your Lives Seen in Gun Control Advocates
by Diogenes, Off the Record (4-17)
The Emptiness In Secular Mourning
by Kathy Shaidle, Relapsed Catholic (4-17)
New Jersey Christian Terror Drill (sic)
School Criticized for Christian Terror Drill
by Lauren Green, Fox News (4-5)
School Stages Practice Hostage Drill - Portrays Killers As Fundamentalist Christians
by Vir Speluncae Catholicus, The Lair of the Catholic Cavemen (4-2)
Shameless Blog Plug of the Day: Catholic Report.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
6 Million Muslims Converts to Christianity
... in Africa each year. While barely a few Christians convert to Islam. In Iran each day 50 children convert to Christianity secretly in the official Islamic state of Iran. According to the New Oxford Review article.
Unlike the West where women are converting to Islam attracted to the traditional roles of women in Islam. Such as motherhood, conservative dress, and more emphasis on their nurturing nature. Of course if these same Western women would just look into Catholicism they would see these traditional virtues, but too many wayward priests and cowardly bishops have joined the zeitgeist of "I'm ok, you're ok, sing kumbaya" lets not make the-sign-of-the-cross before meals so as not to offend those lapse Catholics type of mentality.
The Muslim immigrants into Spain lose their Islamic faith but do not convert to Catholicism. They fall prey to hedonism and materialism. If only those priests and bishops would get off those soft-issues of environmentalism and talk about life, love, sin, and hell we would be able to transform these United States into a Catholic nation!
For the article click here.
(Hat Tip: New Oxford Review)
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