Who I am and why catholic is lower case

        Hello, my name is unimportant. I have been raised in the Roman Catholic church for almost as long as I can remember. My mom has always been RC, and so I was placed in a private Catholic school during grade school. Upon reaching the 7th grade, I was uprooted and placed in a significantly larger public school. To make sure my siblings and I didn't lose our faith, my mother made a great effort to keep us involved in church activities. These of course included P.R.E. on Sundays, youth group activities on Wednesday nights, and even the occasional retreat to the local Four-H center. I was for the most part a stereotypical teenager and could usually think of about 14 other places I would rather be than these "church events". With that said, I always seemed to be glad that I had attended the event when it was over. Through high school I continued to attend these events, sometimes even on my own accord (once I could drive). To a spectator I was a prime candidate for becoming the next good catholic in the family.

       Soon after I graduated in May of 2009, my mother and I had a bit of a falling out. Neither of us acted as  we should have, and long story short I went to live with my good friend and father. Not much changed because of my new living arrangements. I was still going to church on Sundays. Didn't that  constitute being a good Catholic? I began college and soon began dating more and visiting other churches. I never received their communion, so I was still a good Catholic, right? It was then that I began seeing all the upsides of a more liberal faith. At one point I even began believing I was more protestant than Catholic. Eventually, God and church took a back seat and I drove my life towards what I thought I wanted. This continued until everything came to a screeching halt in the summer following the Spring 2012.

       I had become loosely affiliated with The Wesley Foundation, which is the Methodist Campus Youth Ministry, through a friend I had dated. When the summer began to get closer, and it came to light that I would be working in the same town I attended school in, she encouraged me to ask about the ministry housing that was available through the Wesley. To my great surprise my summer stay would be free so long as I cut the grass and did any necessary chores. Little did I know that I would be joined by the exact person HE wanted as my roommate. D.J. and I were going to share a room that was about 12 feet by 10 feet all summer long. D.J. is a long haired, brother of three, non-denominational, skateboarding, drum banging, metal head, who will never be described in front of me as anything less than a Christian.

        D.J. and I hit it off immediately. We seemed to have an infinite number of common experiences. We had brothers, corporal punishing parents, love for music, and earthly struggles all in common. The one and only difference it seemed we had was that D.J. was ON FIRE! He was facing all of his earthly battles with the bible in the one hand as his sword and wearing the breastplate of righteousness in all that he did. I saw it and knew that I wanted the happiness and peace that seemed to radiate from D.J.

        It happened, just as I should have expected. I was kneeling after Communion during the farewell mass of that summer's charismatic conference. I had asked for that which D.J. had, and here in a room, filled mostly with old people, I heard that voice from within. To say I heard anything, is misleading. Rather, I was filled with a knowing of what was required of me. This knowing told me that this time had to be different. I could not just be sorry for my transgressions until I left and then continue on driving my life where I wanted it to go.  And in light of what I saw in my roommate, I agreed to the terms set out before me. I have yet to look back! That is Not to say I haven't stumbled, but now I leap back to my feet rather than wallowing in my shame. I have overcome my earthly battles for the most part and continue to become a better Christian.
       
        Because I came to know D.J., I am the Catholic I am today. I had Religion class, mass twice a week, P.R.E., retreats, and a ton of adult Catholics to help guide me to this spot. But not one of those things or people will ever see the credit list. Because of D.J. a non-dom I embraced my own faith with vigor. Though my mother and my home church I have connected with other young Catholics who have helped be develop my own beautiful faith. Thank you SP. I now have become an important part of a pilgrimage to see the Vicar of Christ at WYD. And D.J. is the reason I am going. Not just because of what he has done for me, but because I know that if I let The Shepherd use me, I can be the light that D.J. was for this lost sheep.

        If I had been waiting on a member of the Catholic church to come and find me and be my light, I might still be waiting. Thank God, I believe in One Holy catholic and apostolic church, for it was a member of this one body comprised of all true Christians that saved me from living a life of mediocrity. It was God who brought D.J. into my life and it was HIS light I saw shining in him. I pray that one day I may be the light for another lost sheep in this world.

WYD: Watching Arkansas Youth Discern

Brian Cundall, Diocese of Little Rock

This week, I had 3 seminarians with me. One, Brian Cundall, a recent graduate of Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock, is slated to study at UD at Holy Trinity Seminary this next semester. Brian had gone to Catholic School all his life. The idea about being a priest was always before him. But he didn't really consider it until Junior Year of high school, when Patrick Friend (current seminarian), Brian's chemistry teacher started talking about it. Something started stirring in his heart. Unknowingly, Patrick said one day "I think you have a vocation." But he put it on the back burner. 

He was captain of Catholic's football team, and had other priorities. After Christmas this past year, Brian went to the Diocese of Little Rock's "Come and See" retreat. However, he came away certain that he was called to marriage! He started looking for signs to confirm this decision. But they were ambiguous. As soon as he was set on marriage, he'd receive a sign that he was supposed to be a priest. And then the next day he'd receive signs that he was supposed to marry. 

After months of oscillation, he finally said enough with the signs. A few seminarians came by Catholic High and talked to the students about just saying yes to God's will. This day, Brian was changed forever. He stopped trying to figure out what God wanted for his life. He stopped seeking that booming voice from the heavens proclaiming which vocation was his. He resolved to simply ask God for whatever His will was for Brian that day. "Lord, let your will be done today, not mine. I prayed that every morning to start off the day." Still scared at the fact that God was tugging at his heart, Brian openly waited for God. And God answered. Msgr. Friend providentially asked him for a meeting to discuss the priesthood. God always takes the initiative. "It is not you who have chosen me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16). From that meeting onward, everything fell into place. A quick visit to Holy Trinity in Dallas, which felt like home already, and paperwork, and a signing day ceremony, and we have a new seminarian. And a month later here Brian is today. 


To hear what God's saying to us, we have to change the conversation to what God wants to talk about. He doesn't like to talk about long-term plans. He is totally interested in TODAY. And only today. This is the only day that is present to us. To hear God speaking to us, we have to give him a topic that he loves to talk about. So instead of asking him "God, what do you want my life to be like in 10 years?" or "Should I marry", ask him "God, who should I bless today? God, tell me today about how you love to forgive, or bless, or heal. God, where do you want me today?" And he will surely respond. Days and months with this attitude, you will find yourself doing God's will and he will make everything else fall into place.

Less than 50 days to go...

Well, folks, here we are, less than 50 days from World Youth Day. We leave July 17th. We have all our passports and visas, and most of our payments in. We have done our final fundraiser, and now all that is left is paying for our Mission week in São Paolo and tying up loose ends. We have applied for a Challenge grant through Catholic Extension and look forward to hearing soon how well we did for that. We should finish with all the visa/airline/international work with Catholic Pilgrim Office this week. I have to clear my "good standing" for the Diocese of São Paolo and Rio this week, and we should be set for everything. Stay tuned for more experiences and preparation from our group! Here's a great video for motivation...

Sister Mary Clare's Love of the Pope and Understanding of Obedience Solidified at WYD 1993

Sister Mary Clare Bezner is a sister of the Olivetan Benedictine’s of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Her openness and perseverance to be a bride of Christ began at World Youth Day in Denver in 1993. 

She was a senior in high school, and she finally had to put the question to herself: “Do I want to be Catholic for me or just for my parents?” As she was searching for the answer, she hears that there’s going to be this big youth gathering out in Colorado. And unknowingly this decision to go would help her answer not only this big question of her faith, but would also decide everything else for her life.

“I felt during my time at World Youth Day, I fell in love with the Catholic Church. I Believed!” Although she had been baptized years ago, she personally chose to be Catholic through this experience.  “My sense of the magisterium after that changed. I saw Pope John Paul II and I know the Holy Spirit was present in his personage. I knew that the pope really spoke for Christ. And I know now that God does that. He gives specific graces to people for a reason.”

Sister Mary Clare decided once and for all that she was an “all-in” Catholic. Although her calling to religious life was still inchoate, she became a disciple, open to whatever Jesus wanted for her. 

At the time, she was still scared of nuns and wasn’t thinking of becoming one at all, “So I can’t say that I came back knocking on the convent’s door! But because of WYD I was much more open and solidified in my faith, so that I didn't leave when tempted and knew God was working through my Church. When I finally decided I was really called to religious life I remembered my experience well and it gave me the courage to move forward.”

Her World Youth Day experience engrained in her the truth that God does give specific graces to people, especially those in authority in the Church. “Obedience. I understand the virtue of obedience because of World Youth Day. I know for certain that God gives those specific graces to those in authority. Seeing Pope John Paul II allows me today to remember that my own superior, that our own bishop has the grace to be a bishop. My ability to be obedient is so much greater.”

To those going to World Youth Day, Sister Mary Clare explains: “The Holy Father is going to talk to you. Personally. There’s a bond that forms between the youth and the pope. I remember the crowds in Mile High Stadium shouting in English “JPII, We love you!” and Blessed Pope John Paul II answering back, ‘JPII, he loves you, too.’ It was like Jesus saying: ‘I love you.’ ” The experience for Sister Mary Clare is a very profound one, where she saw God bursting with love in His Church. She gained a true knowledge of the love of God, of the love of the Holy Father, the unity and love of the Catholic Church for the pope.  Your prayers and support for our World Youth Day trip to Rio will have a similar effect on twelve Arkansans who have now finished their fundraising and are now in the process of applying for visas to Brazil. Imagine twelve youth on fire, deeply in love with the pope and with the Church, setting others aflame with divine love right here in Arkansas. Several of them are possibly seeking entry into a convent. All are asking God for guidance as young Catholics. They want to become disciples and to make more here in Arkansas and wherever they are sent.

Habemus Papam Francescum!

The Pope's first Urbi et Orbi 


Brothers and sisters, good evening!
You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop. It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one... but here we are... I thank you for your welcome. The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop. Thank you! And first of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI. Let us pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may keep him.
[Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... ]
And now, we take up this journey: Bishop and People. This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches. A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us. Let us always pray for one another. Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity. It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar, here present, will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city.
And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop. Let us make, in silence, this prayer: your prayer over me.
[...]
Now I will give the Blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will. [Blessing]
Brothers and sisters, I leave you now. Thank you for your welcome. Pray for me and until we meet again. We will see each other soon. Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome. Good night and sleep well!

(From vatican.va. Translated from the Italian)

Habemus Papam!!!

Let's see who we will see in Rio!!!!! Any minute now, the new pope will come out onto the loggia to greet the city of Rome and the whole world!!!

Pope Benedict's Final Angelus

Our prayers are with you, Holy Father!!!



The Piazza San Pietro was full of loving pilgrims wishing to give Pope Benedict XVI a final salute and farewell before he takes time off. The Angelus is the prayer based upon the angel Gabriel's "Annunciation" to Mary about the birth of Jesus. From Preces-Latinae:

The Angelus is recited at three particular times during the day; 6 am, 12 noon, and 6 pm. Traditionally it is recited kneeling while a bell is rung. During the Easter Season, the Angelus is replaced by the Regina Caeli, a practice first instituted in 1743.The origins of the Angelus undoubtedly lie with an 11th century custom of reciting three Hail Mary's during the evening bell. Pope Gregory IX (d 1241) ordered a bell to be rung in the evening to remind people to pray for the Crusades. In 1269 St. Bonaventure urged the faithful to adopt the custom of the Franciscans of saying three Hail Mary's as the evening bell was rung. Pope John XXII indulgenced this practice in 1318 and then again in 1327. The custom of reciting it in the morning apparently grew from the monastic custom of saying three Hail Mary's while a bell rang at Prime. The noon time custom apparently arose from the noon time commemoration of the Passion on Fridays. Pope Callistus III (1455-1458) commended the practice as a prayer for protection against the Turkish invasions of his time. By the sixteenth century the form of the prayer was standardized and it has been highly popular since the 17th century. Popes such as Benedict XIV, Leo XIII, Pius XI, and Pius XII have recommended it. More recently, Pope Paul VI wrote about it in Marialis Cultus and Pope John Paul II holds a weekly noon time Angelus address at St. Peter's Square. A partial indulgence is granted to those who devoutly recite it according to the time of the year.  It would be good to memorize it if you were ever to go to Rome or to be with the pope when he prayed it: In the Angelus, the first part of the Hail Mary is said by the leader, while the others respond with the second part. The Hail Mary can be found in English and Latin on the "Prayers of the Rosary" page. English V. The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. R. And she conceived by the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary... V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord. R. Be it done unto me according to your word. Hail Mary...  V. And the Word was made flesh. R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary...  V. Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His passion and cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. Latine V. Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mariae. R. Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto. Ave Maria...  V. Ecce ancilla Domini. R. Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Ave Maria...  V. Et Verbum caro factum est. R. Et habitavit in nobis. Ave Maria...  V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi. Oremus. Gratiam tuam, quaesumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde; ut, qui, angelo nuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per passionem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen. Electronic text copyright (c) 1996 EWTN. All rights reserved.  The end is added for blessings from bishops or from the pope:V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum. / R. Ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum V. Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini. / R. Qui fecit caelum et terram. V. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, + Pater, + et Filius, + et Spiritus Sanctus. / R. Amen  ----------------------------------------------- V. The Lord be with you. / R. And also with you. V. Blessed be the name of the Lord. / R. Both now and forever. V. Our help is in the name of the Lord. / R. Who made heaven and earth. V. May almighty God bless you, + the Father, + and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit. Read more:http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/EpiscopalBlessing .htm#ixzz2M0Hac3g4