Friday, August 18, 2006

Help Needed: Spiritual Adoption

I am asking you for help, and I would like you to pass this along to everyone you can think of who would be willing to pray for our priests.

How any times do we see our priests leading their congregations astray? How many times do we complain to each other about it? Does complaining about it help the priest in any way (I mean talking about his problems to others - not asking him directly what is going on or offering help). How many times do we actually pray for our poor priests? When we DO pray, do we ask God to change the priest or make him go away so that life would be easier for us? Or do we humbly throw ourselves at His feet asking for forgiveness for the times we have felt superior to these servants that God has chosen for us? We cannot live without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the Mass cannot exist without our priests.

I am spiritually adopting a priest of my acquaintance, and intend to pray and sacrifce for him for the rest of my life. I will not go into specific details, but I will say that he desperately needs prayers. I am asking that you join me in sacrificing and praying for this man of God for as long as you feel called to do so. I also encourage you to adopt your own pastor or priest friends, because, you know, they can always use our prayers!

Tithing

Whenever we run into financial difficulties, we are faced with the temptation to cut back or keep our tithe. After all, we are helping a family in need, right?

But this seems to leave God's Providence out of the picture. If we say we trust in God, but keep back part of what is His to begin with, are we not lying (and stealing)?

I am renewing my dedication to giving my tithe faithfully every month. Please pray for me!

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Letter to the Pope

No, I am not going to post an open letter to the Holy Father here. But I was wondering what YOU would write to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI if you had the opportunity. What would you tell him of your prayers, works, joys & sufferings? Would you ask him for anything? What concerns for your famiy, parish, job, diocese or country would you express to him?