Behold the Man

Okay guys, get your VCRs ready (or get ready to get up REAL early). There's a new mini-series that will start this week, Saturday mornings at 5:00am, on EWTN. The series is called 'Behold the Man'.

Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers will discuss what it means to be a Catholic man in today's society by exploring how contemporary culture speaks to men about truth, faith and the meaning of life.

Special "thanks" to Mary Ann, from the Women of Prayer, for passing this info on to us! I just love how the Spirit moves in our parish! God Bless St. Martin's and all you faithful people!

Death: Mediation by St. Francis de Sales

Here is a very interesting clip (six minutes long) on a topic that St. Francis de Sales wrote about in his "Introduction to the Devout Life". Click here to watch the movie (Window's Media Player - about 19MB in size).

St. Martin of Tours Men's Lenten Renewal Program

Hosted by the Men of Emmaus

March 4

Fathers. Protectors. Leaders. Husbands. Prayerful people. Catholic men grapple with these roles. We often feel uncomfortable in them. Each Saturday morning in Lent, from March 4 to April 8, we invite you to hear six dynamic speakers who will address issues that drive to the hearts of men struggling to live lives of faith, fatherhood, and Christian manhood. Speakers for the 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. talks include:

Kevin Brock, Principal Deputy Director, National Counterterrorism Center, FBI

Men And Their Duty To Protect: Understand It. Live It.

“Harmless” entertainment that debases sexuality corrodes human relationships and weakens moral fiber. Agent Brock shares a frank discussion about increasing hostility toward women and children over the past 20 years – in areas not necessarily illegal but as perilous. He’ll challenge us to open our eyes and comfortably step into roles as protectors. A career FBI agent, Kevin Brock was appointed principal deputy director of the National Counterterrorism Center in 2005. He joined the Bureau in 1983.

March 11

Msgr. Mark Brennan, Pastor, St. Martin of Tours

How Can We Be Men of Prayer?

How can I, as a man, “go deeper” in prayer when it is my nature to think efficiently, and prayer doesn’t always seem so efficient? Or, on the flip side, how can I get to the point where I don’t feel hypocritical getting down on my knees? I’m not holy. How can I see this as my call and not feel hypocritical as I nag my wife, yell at my kids, and barely make Mass? How do I then speak with God?

March 18

Deacon Greg Shaffer, St. Francis of Assisi, Derwood, Md.

The Eucharist Is C.O.O.L.

Ultimately, there is one thing we all seek: Happiness. Each day we make choices to get us there. Some find happiness, some don’t. Deacon Shaffer suggests choosing the Eucharist for life, love, and true happiness. How can we make the Eucharist c.o.o.l., or the center of our lives? A seminarian of the Washington Archdiocese, Deacon Shaffer is one of the original men to witness at St. Martin’s Men of Emmaus group. He is serving a pastoral year at St. Francis until May 2006, when he will be ordained to the priesthood.

March 25

Fr. Javier Santabella, Associate Pastor, St. Martin of Tours

My God: His & Hers?

How do you keep your marriage holy, happy, and tracking along the same path to salvation while you and your wife tred different spiritual paths? Many of us are evolving more slowly than our wives – how do you keep on your path, help your wife, or vice versa, and still stay united as a couple?

April 1

Fr. John Clark, Associate Pastor, St. Martin of Tours

Forgiveness: It’s Not A Dirty Word

Christ said to forgive seven times 70. That meant our enemies, our children, our wives, ourselves. Fr. Clark speaks on how to best move forward in Lent, how to leave the past behind, and how to start anew.

April 8

Art Bennett, Director, The Alpha Omega Clinic

Fathers: How Can Your Kids Lead Happy Lives?

The answer is you, says Mr. Bennett. Studies reinforce the Catholic view that parents – fathers especially – are vital to their kid’s development. Without getting clinical, Mr. Bennett makes suggestions on how men can become more involved in their children’s lives, and have a lasting effect. Art Bennett, M.A., has been director of the Alpha Omega Clinic in Arlington, Bethesda, and Crownsville, for three years. A marriage and family therapist, he writes for the National Catholic Register and hosts the popular Washington, D.C.-based Catholic radio show, Healthy Minds, Healthy Souls. Alpha Omega Clinic integrates mental health and parenting principles with Catholic wisdom.

V

WHERE: St. Martin’s Church basement

WHEN: From 7:30-9 a.m., March 4 through April 8

FOOD: Donuts and coffee will be served

Ω There is no charge for this program. Ω

The talks end by 9 a.m. so anyone who would like to go to Mass upstairs can do so.

While we need to work at our own pace to improve our lives, as men seeking to grow closer to God together, we can accomplish even more. We are in the struggle together. If we celebrate the Eucharist as men seeking Christ, change could happen exponentially … within our hearts, with each other, within the lives of our families, and within our parish family. A small Lenten sacrifice could be the gift that rewards you more than you’d imagine. Please consider extending your morning of reflection with attendance at Holy Mass.

Don't Break The Elastic!!

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday.

Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.
And, there on television, she said it was "exciting." Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow."

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights."

"I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life."

"I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life."
"I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance."

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back."

"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision."

"I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one." "I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

"I've learned that I still have a lot to learn."

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Please send this to five phenomenal women today.

If you do, something good will happen: You will boost another woman's self-esteem.
If you don't...the elastic will break and your underpants will fall down around your ankles! ;-)

Believe me, I didn't take any chances on MY elastic breaking....I sent it to a lot of special women I care for.

Help Prevent Partial Birth Abortion

On January 31, two federal appeals courts declared the
Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act unconstitutional, saying
the measure is vague and lacks an exception for cases
in which a woman's health is at stake!

Not surprisingly, the first ruling came from the 9th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. Hours
later, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan
issued a similar decision, upholding an abortionist's
right to perform a late-term partial-birth abortion.

Although signed into law in 2003, the Partial Birth
Abortion Ban Act has yet to be enforced because of
legal challenges in numerous states--meaning thousands
more pre-born babies continue to be murdered through
this procedure.

What is happening to the Partial Birth Abortion Ban
Act is nothing short of criminal. Radical pro-
abortionists are appealing to activist judges,
who are simply legislating from the bench and
ignoring the overwhelming public opinion in favor
of stopping this horrifying and barbaric abortion
procedure!

This issue isn't going to be solved until it reaches
the U.S. Supreme Court. Here at the Center, we are
already preparing for that showdown... and we need
your help to strengthen our grassroots voice.

Please take immediate action by forwarding this
message to your friends and family, urging them
to become advocates of the unborn by adding their
names to our "Stop Partial-Birth Abortion" petition:

http://www.cfra.info/43/petition.asp

Over the next 30 days we want to rally an additional
50,000 citizen signers who are demanding an end to the
gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure. We want to
be prepared to mobilize and impact the courts and our
leaders when the time is right.

Many pro-life citizens thought partial-birth abortion was
a thing of the past. Sadly, because of activist courts
and radical abortionists, it is not.

That is why, once again, it is up to the grassroots voice
of America to take a stand and demand action.

Thank you for your fast action, and may God bless you!

Dr. Gary Cass
Executive Director
Center for Reclaiming America for Christ

P.S. Adding an additional 50,000 petitions would push us
past the 150,000 mark. This is a great starting number,
but I'm counting on you to make it happen.

Together we must end partial birth abortion in our land.
As you can see, that isn't going to happen unless the
grassroots voice of America stands up and champions the
rights of the unborn!

If you're not sure whether you have already signed this
petition, simply sign it again. You will only be counted once:

http://www.cfra.info/43/petition.asp

+ + Read more about this issue:

http://www.reclaimamerica.org/pages/campaigns/pba/pbahm.aspx

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, established by
Dr. D. James Kennedy, is an outreach of Coral Ridge Ministries
to inform the American public and motivate Christians to
defend and implement the biblical principles on which our
country was founded. The Center, led by Executive Director
Dr. Gary Cass, provides non-partisan, non-denominational
information, training, and support to all those interested
in impacting the culture and renewing the vision set forth
by our Founding Fathers.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Questions? cfra@coralridge.org

Going to Christ for healing

Continuing the theme from my homily this past Sunday, "Going to Christ for healing", here are some other scenes from the Gospel in which Christ performs healings. These are basically my notes from a discussion with students from George Washington University last year (I was assigned there on weekends); many of them found it very helpful to discuss. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments.
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Firstly, the blind man at Jericho (Mk 10:46-52). "What do you want me to do for you?" is what Christ asks the man. Why? Jesus knows he wants to see. Like us, he wants the man to state his specific request to show that he believes Jesus can heal him of it. Jesus says the same thing to you and me: 'What do you want me to do for you?'

Secondly, the paralytic man (Mk 2:1-12). The absolute urgency of this man's friends to bring him to Jesus- they remove the roof and lower him down to the Lord! Do we have the same urgency to be healed by Christ? Or, have we resigned ourselves to being paralyzed by certain sins? We might think 'even the Lord can't heal this wound, or get rid of this sin'.

Thirdly, the woman with the hemorrhage (Lk 8:43-48). This woman had suffered for 12 years from hemorrhaging, and "no one had been able to cure her". Then, she simply touches Christ's garment and she is healed "at that moment". The absolute primacy of the healing power of Jesus Christ! He alone can heal us in ways that no one or thing can.

So, what are our wounds? Do they go back 12 years (or more)? Sins, habits, vices? Problems with family or friends? Hatred? Anger? Rejection? Loneliness? Fear? Tragedy? Illness? Ultimately, all wounds are the result of sin, either our own sins or those of others.

How have we tried to heal them? Through other sins? Alcohol or drugs? Through psychology (which can be healing if rooted in Christ)? As more than one psychologist has admitted, 'we don't have the tools that priests do'.

How can Christ heal our wounds? Primarily through His priests in the sacraments (especially Confession, Anointing, and the Eucharist), spiritual direction, and healing ministries; through worship, His Word, prayer, community, friends, family, service, and humor (don't forget: He gave us all our senses of humor).

Christ's healings from the Gospel (and in our lives) are signs of the coming of the Kingdom. Through them, He announces a more radical healing: victory over sin and death through His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. And, just as in the sacraments, He brings about extraordinary grace through ordinary matter (spittle, e.g.).

When Jesus heals someone internally (forgives sins, e.g.), it is a greater miracle than walking on water or feeding the 5,000. In other words, He can perform a miracle in you or me by healing our internal wounds that would be greater than any external miracle He performed 2000 years ago.

Chain letters

Have you ever received a nice prayerful email with something added at the end like:

Now, send this to 11 people within the next 5 minutes. And remember to Send this back. I count as 1...you'll see why. Suggestion: copy and paste rather than forward

Ever wonder what the Catholic Church's stance on this is? I know I did.

According to Catholic apologist Fr. Vincent Serpa O.P., such statements are superstitious and we should have nothing to do with it.

Here is the link to Q&A.

NBC has now cancelled their anti-Christian episode

Looks like our prayers and emails have been answered. NBC has decided to cancel their "Cruci-fixings" episode of Will & Grace. Click here for the official details.

Breaking Free - 12 Steps to Sexual Purity for Men

Deus Caritas Est (On Christian Love - God is Love) [Encyclical] by Pope Benedict XVI, January 25, 2006

Click here to read the first encyclical of Pope Benedict XVI.

NBC to mock the Crucifixion of Christ

Click here to view the article & commentary (this came from the Catholic Answers forum). The forum entry also provides links for sending emails to the NBC president protesting this episode among other possible ways to respond.

...just fyi. Peace all.