Blessed Emilian Kowcz

I understand that you are trying to get me released. But I beg you not to do this. Yesterday they killed fifty people. If I am not here, who will help them to get through these sufferings? They would go on their way to eternity with all their sins and in the depths of unbelief, which would take them to hell. But now they go to death with their heads held aloft, leaving all their sins behind them. And so they pass over to the eternal city.

-- Blessed Emilian Kowcz from the last letter to his family

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Many people today are disoriented and lost in search of genuine fellowship. Often their lives are either too superficial or shattered by brokenness. Their work often is dehumanizing. They long for an experience of genuine encounter with others, for true fellowship. Well, is this not precisely the vocation of a parish? Are we not called to be a warm, brotherly family together? Are we not people united together in the household of God through our common life? Your parish is not mainly a structure, a geographical area or a building. The parish is first and foremost a community of the faithful. This is the task of a parish today: to be a community, to rediscover its identity as a community. You are not a Christian all by yourself. To be a Christian means to believe and to live one’s faith together with others. For we are all members of the body of Christ…. For fellowship to grow, the priest’s role is not enough, even though he plays an essential role. The commitment of all parishioners is needed. Each of their contributions is vital. 

-- Blessed Pope John Paul II from "Draw Near to God"

ALERT: REQUEST FOR PRAYERS FOR A MIRACULOUS CURE: Joseph – 2 years old | Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?

ALERT: REQUEST FOR PRAYERS FOR A MIRACULOUS CURE: Joseph – 2 years old | Fr. Z's Blog – What Does The Prayer Really Say?

"Today Joe was sleeping while his Dad was crying along beside him. He awoke, he is 2 and a half, and asked his Dad why he was crying? ‘Don’t you see the two angels standing next to the bed. They are bewdiful’ He said."


Please click the lnik above to read about this child with Category 4 cancer, and say a prayer to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta for his cure.

Saint Quote of the Day Poll!

On the right hand sidebar I have posted a new poll (just for fun) that I am going to leave up until January 6, 2011. Vote for the saint who's quotations you enjoy reading the most. If you don't have a favorite, you can still vote for "I like them all". 

You can also vote for your patron saint. If you choose to vote for your patron saint, please use the comments on the polling site and enter the saints name in the comments section. You can also use the comments section to mention a particular saint whom you admire or have a devotion to.

Remember, this will be up for one week, and then I will post the results here in a new post.

Saint Quote : Blessed Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago

We need Catholics who are alert to the present moment…modern Catholics who know how to nourish themselves in the past but whose eyes are fixed on the future. 

-- Blessed Carlos Manuel Cecilio Rodriguez Santiago (Puerto Rico's first Blessed)

Saint Quote : Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka

 

 

I have lived for Christ; I want to die for Christ.

-- Blessed Maria Restituta Kafka her last words before being guillotined by the Nazi's