Mark P. Shea's Blog, page 1396

Called and Chosen

In which we discuss how a world that benefits from the Christian revelation mistakes its privileges for its native wisdom and presume to critique that revelation in its arrogance.

Prayer Request

A reader writes:

First let me wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy coming New Year. I hope the holiday season has been filled with happiness and contentment for both you and your family. I am writing you today unfortunately on a somber note, to make a prayer request of your readers. Two years ago, on December 12th 2008 my mother passed away at the age of 51, from breast cancer. This past May, my grandmother (mother's side) also passed away. Now I've heard from my cousin that my aunt (mother's sister), who has been suffering many years from MS, has also passed away this Monday. The last two years have been very hard on my family, and I'd really appreciate any prayers for the souls of the deceased, as well as for those of us who've been left to deal with this hole in our lives.

Father, grant eternal rest to each of these women, and grant your healing, peace, grace, strength, and consolation to all who love them. Mother Mary, pray for all involved in this sadness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen!

520 Followers!

My minions! Go and read this address by B16 and discover why I love the man so much!

That is all!

A Sanctuary in Time

In which we discuss a bit of how to make a Holy Hour and do Lectio Divina.

And now back to goofing off!

I hope you are goofing off too!

Fr. Phil Bloom is a great priest

Here's a piece on this wonderful man, profiling the good work he is doing for the people of Peru. It's an honor to know him!

SCIENCE!

Turns out delaying sex till marriage makes your relationship stronger.

In other news, water has been scientifically proven to be wet.

Prayer Requests

A reader writes:

I was hoping you and your readers could pray for one of my friends. His mother has become actively suicidal, and she is also the primary earner of the family because his father is not really in the picture. He is only 19, and it is largely falling upon him and his sister to take care of her even though she does not want help. He is currently unemployed and has been unable to find a job. This is a situation that only the Lord can fix, and this family really needs prayers for the healing of the mother, help to the son in finding a job, the strength necessary for the family to get through this, and their own salvation.

Father, hear our prayer for this family that the mother would find the help and healing she needs and her children will find help getting a job and finding the grace and strength necessary to get through this. Do not let them be lost but work saving wonders for them through Christ Jesus. Mother Mary, pray for them!

Another reader writes:

I realize that this is a somber request around such a festive time, but, if you could please have your readers pray for me: my fiancee just ended our relationship out of the blue.

Father, grant your healing and consolation to this man through Our Lord Jesus. Mother Mary, pray for him!

Sherry Weddell writes...

Could you interrupt the bachannal that is your life over the holidays and link to this for me. O most powerful Dark Lord.

It begins here with a post on the fact that the vast majority of human beings who have ever lived have never had the opportunity to be baptized. What does that mean? http://www.siena.org/December-2010/tw...

And continues here with a little "taste" of the fascinating stuff to come:

and here: on the spectacular success of Christian missions in the global south despite the predictions of "collapse" by 20th century western nay-sayers.

I'll be blogging on this the rest of 2010!

Check thou it out! Sherry's done her homework on this stuff.

Mike Flynn writes...

Our pastor here in Easton, Fr. Deogratias Rwegasira AJ, has just released his second CD: Lord We Adore You. He is the composer and sings some of the tenor and bass. He is accompanied by Alan and Nancy Bessette of Running Streams Studio. His first CD was a Divine Mercy Chaplet. The proceeds from sales of the CDs go to training seminarians in the Apostles of Jesus seminaries in Africa. These seminaries have a difficult situation: the must turn away hundreds of applicants every year for lack of funds to support them.

For more information, contact Fr. Deo at

Apostles of Jesus Music Ministries
132 South 5th St.
Easton PA 18042
(610) 252-7381

or visit www.runningstreams.com (except Fr. Deo's music is not up on the website yet.)

Fr. Deo is a wonderful priest. Do help if you can!