William Hemsworth's Blog, page 21

‘The devil is a seducer,’ pope says as he begins new series of talks

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The devil is sly and sneaky like a serpent and subtly entices people to sin, Pope Francis said at his weekly general audience Dec. 27. Beginning a new series of audience talks about vices and virtues, the pope said that evil grows “when one begins to fantasize about it, to nurse […]

‘The devil is a seducer,’ pope says as he begins new series of talks

Vatican to publish private homilies of Pope Benedict XVI

Catholic News Agency, Daniel Payne: The Vatican will publish the previously uncirculated “private” homilies of the late Pope Benedict XVI in the coming year, the Holy See has announced. The Vatican Publishing House said Dec. 23 that it intends to release … Continue reading → The post Vatican to publish private homilies of Pope Benedict XVI…

Vatican to publish private homilies of Pope Benedict XVI

Catholic Leaders Speak on Immigration

New York, NY – On Thursday, December 21, 2023, the Center for Migration Studies of New York hosted a webinar, “Catholic Leaders Speak on Immigration.” The webinar featured Catholic leaders speaking on the current immigration situation in the United States, and offering recommendations and perspectives based on the teaching and the work of the Church.

Speakers included:

His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New YorkMost Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop Emeritus of BrooklynKerry Robinson, President & CEO, Catholic Charities USAC. Mario Russell, Executive Director, Center for Migration Studies of New York

Watch the full webinar recording here:

With Christ’s Love, We Receive His Mercy

When it feels as if the sky is falling in and the end is near; when we are close to giving up, then, most of all, we must more ardently seek the love of Christ and cling to His mercy. If we understand in our hearts that unconditional love is difficult without God’s supernatural intervention,…

With Christ’s Love, We Receive His Mercy

Becoming More Compassionate Speaker Series

SKIPPACK, Penn., Dec. 13, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ — Anne DeSantis, MA Theology, Catholic Author/Speaker from the Greater Philadelphia area, has a new speaking series called “Becoming More Compassionate” based on her latest book: Love and Care for the Marginalized: 40 Meditations, Spiritual Outreach Reflections for Catholics.

The book offers reflections, prayers, and a daily call to action in order to grow closer to Christ and to recognize the marginalized in our own lives. Those people who feel cast aside and forgotten are much closer than we all realize. Anne’s book discusses how we can imitate Christ by making it a priority to care for those who do not have the love and support they deserve. This is a primary teaching of the Catholic Church which is often forgotten.

Anne is the Executive Director for the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith which makes pastoral outreach to families in crisis.

She has experienced first-hand those who are going through times of adversity and crisis through her ministry. She is a wife to her husband Angelo for 34 years, and the mother of two adult daughters. As a hobby, Anne is a 55+ commercial model/actress since 2015, and she has appeared in over 100 ads/TV commercials over the years.

Anne is currently available for speaking engagements through the Catholic Speakers Organizations on the topic of “Becoming More Compassionate.”

Is it possible to learn to become more caring and compassionate toward others? Anne would love to come to your parish or diocese/archdiocese for a speaking event.

To learn more about booking a speaking engagement with Anne DeSantis, visit her website at AnneDeSantis.com and go to the “Anne’s Speaking Events” page.

Anne would also love the opportunity to appear on podcasts and to be interviewed for news articles Reach out to her at her email address, annedesantis2022@gmail.com.

Church Militant loses control of finances in emergency Dec. 26 hearing

Voris: “Somehow, things have gotten out of control” By Damien Fisher At the end of Tuesday’s emergency court hearing held the day after Christmas, United States District Court Judge Joseph LaPlante had pointed parting words for Michael Voris and Mike Sherry. “Mr. Voris, Mr. Sherry, I look forward to your retention of counsel,” LaPlante said.…

Church Militant loses control of finances in emergency Dec. 26 hearing

Pope Francis: After 2,000 years the persecution of Christians continues

The pope drew upon the example of St. Stephen, whose martyrdom is recounted in St. Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. Venerated as the protomartyr, or first martyr, St. Stephen was a deacon in the early Church who was killed in Jerusalem around 34 A.D.  The pope observed that the saint was “a man of good…

Pope Francis: After 2,000 years the persecution of Christians continues

Nativity of the Lord

Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, having taken human flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary, and being made man, was born of her for the redemption of mankind, at Bethlehem of Judea. Joseph and Mary had come up to Bethlehem to be enrolled, and, unable to find shelter elsewhere, they took refuge […]

Nativity of the Lord

St. Joseph Is An Example Men Can Follow…Updated

But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”- Matthew 1:20-21 NRSV

In my opinion, Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story. Very little is said about him, but he was a righteous man.

We can learn much from this great saint.

Joseph, Mary, And Betrothal

Luke’s Gospel tells us that Mary was “betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph” (1:27). This arrangement was a little different than engagements of today. According to the rabbinical writings, there were two stages in a Hebrew marriage. The first, known as the betrothal period, was as legally binding as marriage.

If at any time during this phase of marriage either person violated their vows, a formal divorce was required to nullify the marriage. Mary and Joseph were legally married, and during the approximate twelve-month period of their betrothal, they had no physical relationship (neither did they afterward) and lived in separate houses. The second stage was the wedding ceremony, which lasted for seven days.

Statue of St. Joseph and the Child JesusHe Wanted To Do God’s Will

It was in the first stage of their betrothal that Mary became pregnant with the Son of God. Joseph could have divorced her because of this.  When Mary was pregnant he at first resolved to divorce her in a quiet manner.  This may sound harsh, but the law of the time called for much worse.

It called for stoning, but by intending to go the other route he was showing a great love for his Bride. His heart must have been broken, but he didn’t want to make a spectacle out of Mary. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:20).

Joseph knew that he would be thought of as the husband of the woman who had broken her vow. And indeed Mary went through life with that reputation. The Pharisees once said to Jesus, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God” (John 8:41). In other words, “You were conceived out of wedlock, Jesus.”  Joseph was willing to endure all of that. He loved Mary. He obeyed God. And both of them agreed to God’s plan.

St. Joseph was a good earthly example, and he continues to be a good example for us.  Though he does not say one word in scripture we can learn much from his life.  How to love, work, and how to sacrifice.  Remember this as we head into the Advent and Christmas.

Saint Quotes

It is true that the other saints enjoy great power in heaven, but they ask as servants, and do not command as masters. Saint Joseph, to whose authority Jesus was subject on earth, obtains what he desires from his kingly foster Son in heaven.-St. Thomas Aquinas

Go to Joseph with extreme confidence, because I do not remember having asked anything from St. Joseph, without having obtained it readily.-St. Padre Pio

To give life to someone is the greatest of all gifts. To save a life is the next. Who gave life to Jesus? It was Mary. Who saved his life? It was Joseph. Ask St. Paul who persecuted him. Saint Peter who denied him. Ask all the saints who put him to death. But if we ask, “Who saved his life?” Be silent, patriarchs, be silent, prophets, be silent, apostles, confessors and martyrs. Let St. Joseph speak, for this honor is his alone; he alone is the savior of his Savior.-Blessed William Chaminade

Interviews About St. Joseph

A few months ago I interviewed Steve Ray about St. Joseph.

I also interviewed Fr. Boniface Hicks about his book about St. Joseph.

I was recently a guest on Fr. Edward Looney‘s podcast to discuss St. Joseph.

Voris faces possible criminal charges; Uninsured Church Militant looks at liquidation

By Damien Fisher Michael Voris, the disgraced founder of Church Militant, is broke, unemployed, and now facing a possible criminal investigation. Voris appeared via video at a hearing in the United States District Court in Concord, New Hampshire on Friday as Judge Joseph LaPlante asked why attorney Richard Lehmann is quitting the defamation case brought […]

Voris faces possible criminal charges; Uninsured Church Militant looks at liquidation