A Catholic's Life Archives

Celebrating Jesus - Gary Numan - My Jesus (extended version)

2011-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

My Jesus is like a voice in the dark
My Jesus is like a lonely warning
My Jesus is like a fear that haunts me
My Jesus is like a tortured memory

I'm Praying for my soul

My Jesus is a collector of pain
My Jesus says
"Pain will prove you love me"
My Jesus is like a shadow crawling
My Jesus says
"Their screams will guide you to me"

I'm Praying for your soul

More lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/my-jesus-lyrics-gary-numan.html

My Christmas Wish for You!

2010-12-22T15:33:00.000-08:00

The Devil at the Door

2009-09-16T03:31:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

When the devil and his minions are storming your door, the following prayer can give you strength.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Evelyn out.

Knowledge To Live By

2009-09-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

A new section for the true christian in all of us. You'll find them later on the sidebar.

Knowledge To Live By:

Catholics don't actively seek trouble.

Evelyn out.

Updated "A Catholic's Life" on the Catholic Web.com

2009-08-22T11:33:00.001-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

I updated and created new banner for "A Catholic's Life" on the Catholic Web.com

Evelyn out.

GivMusic: Bluetree - God of this City

2009-03-26T17:20:00.001-07:00

A Temporary Farewell

2009-01-18T07:12:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

I must now temporarily stop posting until my semester ends at USF. If you did not know it I am a creative write major and my classes are occupying my time with a great deal of reading and writing. However, I will still be keeps on with the current events.

See you in the spring.

Evelyn

F.AS.T Annual October Rally

2008-10-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

REMINDER! F.AS.T Annual Rally this Monday night (October 27, 2008)
Members check with your pastor for location, time, and car pooling.

Did you see Michelle?

2008-08-26T15:54:00.000-07:00

Did you see Michelle?

Evelyn --

I am so lucky to be married to the woman who delivered that speech last night.

Michelle was electrifying, inspiring, and absolutely magnificent. I get a lot of credit for the speech I gave at the 2004 convention -- but I think she may have me beat.

You have to see it to believe it.

And make sure to forward this email to your friends and family -- they'll want to see it, too.

http://my.barackobama.com/michelle

You really don't want to miss this.

And I'm not just saying that because she's my wife -- I truly believe it was the best speech of the campaign so far.

Barack

Deadline: Monday

2008-06-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a message from the camp for Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
--------------------

Dear Evelyn --

On Monday, everyone will be watching our fundraising totals to see if we can compete with the McCain campaign.

This month is the first test of our grassroots fundraising strategy since we declared our independence from the broken campaign finance system.

You can help build our organization and show that a movement of ordinary people giving only what they can afford is changing the way presidential campaigns are funded.

Now is the perfect time to step up and own a piece of this campaign. And if you make your first donation right now, you'll receive a special gift.

Make a donation of $15 or more by midnight on Monday, June 30th, and show off your support with an Obama logo car magnet:

https://donate.barackobama.com/logomagnet

Thanks to the support of people like you, this is the first presidential campaign in a generation to build an organization in all 50 states.

This campaign is committed to changing the political map and competing in every part of the country, not just in traditionally Democratic areas.

It's going to require unprecedented resources to take on John McCain in states like Virginia, Alaska, North Carolina, Montana, Georgia, North Dakota, Indiana, and Colorado.

And right now, we're opening offices and adding staff in these states and many more. That's why your contribution now is so crucial to our success in November.

Make a donation of $15 or more before Monday's financial reporting deadline. Not only will you help build our 50-state strategy, but you will be able to show your support with an Obama logo carmagnet that's not available anywhere else:

https://donate.barackobama.com/logomagnet

Thank you for everything you're doing,

Obama for America

Paid for by Obama for America

VIDEO: Barack speaks to staff

2008-06-25T20:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a message from the camp for Presidential hopeful Barack Obama.

--------------------

Dear Evelyn --

I want to share a very special video with you that shows a side of Barack Obama few outside the campaign have seen.

A few days after he became the presumptive Democratic nominee, Barack spoke to campaign staff and volunteers at our headquarters in Chicago.

He shared his personal thoughts about what we had accomplished and outlined the challenging road ahead.

We were all so moved by what Barack had to say that I knew we had to share it with all of you:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

In just a few minutes, Barack expressed what this campaign is all about. He reminded us of the challenges we face -- and that our fellow Americans are counting on our success.

That's a message that everyone who believes in this campaign should hear.

And now that we have declared our independence from a broken campaign finance system, what Barack said about building a national movement for change is more important than ever.

The consequences of allowing John McCain to continue George Bush's failed policies are too great -- we all need to take action now.

Watch this video and join more than 1.5 million donors who own a piece of this campaign by making your first donation. If you give right now, your gift will be matched by a previous donor, doubling your impact. You can even choose to exchange a note with a fellow supporter about Barack's speech and why you are supporting this campaign.

Watch this video and make a matching donation of $25 now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

The stakes in this election couldn't be higher. Help build this movement by supporting our campaign today.

Thanks for everything you do,

Steve

Steve Hildebrand
Deputy Campaign Manager
Obama for America

Paid for by Obama for America

The General's Health

2008-06-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,
with the latest on the health of Attorney General Bill McCollum.

__________________________________________________________
News Release:           June 10, 2008


                  Statement from the Attorney General's Office     


TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Attorney General's Office released the following
statement regarding a medical procedure Attorney General McCollum underwent
earlier today:

“Last week, Attorney General McCollum's physicians discovered a singular
partial arterial blockage during a routine screening. At his physicians'
advice, the Attorney General underwent additional tests earlier this week
to determine the best course of treatment.

“Today, the partial blockage was successfully remedied by the placement of
a stent, a small metal tube that is inserted permanently into an artery to
improve blood flow. Attorney General McCollum's physicians expect that he
will have made a full recovery within the next few days and will be able to
return to his normal activities soon.”

This statement may be attributed to the Attorney General's Press Secretary,
Sandi Copes.

-------------

Evelyn out.

Crime has . . .

2008-06-02T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with a little wisdom from the old but not so old. These saying of my are turning into a neat little collection.

Crime has . . .

Crime has no and every color. It has no economic level and the highest of
economical level; no age and every age; no sex yet every sex.


Know and be safe.



Evelyn out

2008 Election and The Catholic's Voice

2008-05-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

Much is being said about this 2008 election on the many of the polical websites. Whether the candidates are running for a chance to win the Republican, the Democratic or an Independents nomination for the presidency, the websites are filled with timely reports of what is happening with the candidates, their opinions, and the results after each primary race.We have read them. We have watched and and now we can hear what Catholics are saying.

Evelyn out.

Jesus Christ - A Poster Card

2008-05-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,
Evelyn Here,

Below is what I believe to be a truly beautiful attempt by the unknown artist to express the purity and spirituality of Jesus in this portrait. In doing so the artist revealed the purity of his/her own soul. Although this portrait entitled, "Jesus Christ", is on a poster card, it reflects the true spirit of Christian belief.

JesusChrist
Evelyn out.

Tags: Face of Jesus, Jesus, Christ, Jesus Christ, All Poster

Politico.com Breaking News

2008-05-20T15:42:00.000-07:00

Politico.com Breaking News:
    ---------------------------------------------------------

    Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) says he has a malignant brain tumor, AP 
reports.

    For more information...http://www.politico.com

Friar Jack's E-spirations: Catechism Quiz: The Mosaic of Our Lives

2008-05-18T01:15:00.000-07:00

Friar Jack's E-spirations: Catechism Quiz: The Mosaic of Our Lives


			May 14, 2008

Q U I C K S C A N

The mosaic of St. Francis
Each piece is a moment in our lives
The whole mosaic is an image of our lives

Friar Jack’s Inbox:

Readers reflect on Friar Jack’s musings

by Friar Jim Van Vurst, O.F.M.

My theological training in preparation for my ordination to the priesthood in 1961 took place at St. Leonard College just south of Dayton, Ohio. The building was brand new when we moved there, built because of the growing number of friar students. At the same time, the chapel was the last part of the seminary to be completed, and so we had a chance to watch workers lay the marble altars, do the terrazzo and put in the stained-glass windows.

The mosaic of St. Francis

One of the treats was to watch the workers who came from Italy install a gigantic mosaic on the outside wall of the chapel, greeting the people as they came in the main entrance for Mass and services. It was a massive piece of artwork depicting the hymn of St. Francis, the “Canticle of the Creatures” in which Francis praised God for all of creation, including Brother Sun and Sister Moon, Brother Fire and so much more.

The mosaic was composed of more than 250,000 small pieces of mosaic tile, with no single piece being identical in color, shape or size to any other piece. The artwork measured about 15 feet wide and 35 feet high. It was a wonderful gift of the many Secular Franciscan (Third Order) fraternities of our province.

Many times I gazed at that piece of artwork both as a student and, later on, when I was stationed at St. Leonard Center from 1991 to 2002 as chaplain and pastoral care director. As I looked at this colorful and detailed mosaic, it occurred to me that, in many ways, a mosaic like this was a very good image of what our lives look like as we journey on earth.

Each piece is a moment in our lives

If you think about it, for all the years we are on earth, our lives are still made up of moments and small actions. Each one of them contribute in some way to the whole picture or mosaic of our lives, as through the years we place piece after piece of colored stone next to one another. Every piece is a little different in color, shape or size. No one piece is the whole mosaic. It takes hundreds of thousands of moments to describe our whole lives. Yet, each small distinct piece does play a role in what our whole lives ultimately look like.

Looking up at the figure of St. Francis in that mosaic, there are pieces that are golden, some that are black, blue, brown, silver and so many more colors and various shades of color. It seemed to me that we know ourselves well enough—our weaknesses, frailties and, yes, our sins—that if pure gold is the color of perfection, no human mosaic will be pure gold. Truth be told, our lives are more like all the colors of the spectrum. Yes, there are those moments of great, wonderful acts of faith, charity, love and care for others. There are the colors that are drab and dark and pieces that are roughly shaped and discolored. And yet, there are two things that always struck me as truly wonderful. It is the mixture of color and hues, shapes and sizes that actually make our personal mosaics interesting beyond words. It is the dark mosaic pieces that cause the bright ones to be highlighted. The dark ones stand out next to bright ones.

The whole mosaic is an image of our lives

But isn’t that really what our lives are like? God made us in his own image and likeness—talk about beautiful pieces of mosaic! However, we are wounded, hence the dark and drab pieces. But when combined with all the various colors and shapes and sizes, the final picture is truly one of beauty. You ask, how can our sins contribute to the beauty of this mosaic of our lives? Simply because they are what remind us of the love and mercy of God that we have all experienced in our lives. The beautiful reds and blues and golds are those moments of God’s love, moments when we prayed, loved others and served them, sacrificed for family and loved ones, forgave those who may have injured us, chose God and sought his will. Each became another piece of mosaic placed in our life’s journey.

There is something else we can hardly see, but it is essential. When the workers were installing the mosaic of St. Francis on the front outside wall, it would not hang by itself. It was placed against a bed of powerful mortar, which held it all together against rains, snow and sleet. What’s the mortar? What else but the unseen grace of God that holds us together and supports us through our lives.

Perhaps we could title our own mosaic the “Canticle of Our Journey in Christ.” One last point: It is only when we see God face-to-face as we enter eternity that we will see our whole life as one piece. It will indeed be a “thing of beauty” far beyond our wildest imagination

Readers respond to Friar Jack’s musings on “ Philippine Diary: The Old Franciscan Church in Santa Ana.”

Dear Friar Jack: Thanks so much for all your e-mails. I’m especially writing about Our Lady of the Abandoned. It is a beautiful article and prayer. I will keep the prayer to say for all the abandoned and especially for the mentally ill. Mental illness is a widespread and serious family problem. I will offer this prayer as often as I can. Many thanks and God bless. Nella

Dear Nella: I thank you for your note and for the others who responded this month. You are all in my prayers. Friar Jack

Send your feedback to friarjack@americancatholic.org.


Friar Jack's E-spirations Catholic Greetings Premiere Saint of the Day Catholic Sampler For Parish Ministries Tell Me More Your E-mail Address:

A Message From Friar Jack Welcome! I hope you’ll enjoy all of the news about what’s happening at AmericanCatholic.org, as well as my “musings.” By the way, I am a real Franciscan friar, as is my coworker, Friar Jim. You can find out more about us here.
Prayers From Franciscan Hearts Contemporary Reflections From Women and Men Book by Paula Pearce, S.F.O. Foreword by Murray Bodo, O.F.M. As Franciscans celebrate the 800th anniversary of their founding, this collection of prayers and reflections from Franciscans in several countries will be a valued addition to your trove of prayer resources. Learn more here.
Faith Formation Update A free monthly e-newsletter for catechetical leaders. The focus is parish catechesis beyond textbooks and classrooms. Click here to find May’s issue.
Song of the Sparrow New Poems and Meditations Book by Murray Bodo, O.F.M. Father Murray highlights the spiritual path for those new to it and those who, like him, are always rediscovering it. His musings, meditations and messages are a font of inspiration for those seeking new ways to pray. Learn more here.
Catholic Greetings Beautiful, free Catholic e-greetings for graduations, summer vacations and many other occasions. Click here for details.
101 Inspirational Stories of the Priesthood Book by Sister Patricia Proctor, O.S.C. Each story in this collection offers a window into the special relationship that each person has with the ordained priesthood, the ministry that makes present Jesus himself through the sacraments. Learn more here.
Free Samples—ONLINE! Sample book chapters, audio clips and video clips before purchasing items from St. Anthony Messenger Press. Click here to find the latest from your favorite authors.
Deeper Conversion Extraordinary Grace for Ordinary Times Book by Sister Ann Shields, S.G.L. This book will help readers examine their lives in the light of the Bible so they can harvest the Word and apply it to daily circumstances. A Servant Book. Learn more here.

If you want to know more, try our St. Anthony search engines.

St. Anthony, Help Me Find...
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family of e-newsletters:

Attorney General Consumer Alert

2008-05-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

An Attorney General Consumer Alert has been issued.




McCollum Issues Consumer Advisory on Wireless Safety 

 Advisory follows warning from Federal Bureau of Investigation about 
wireless internet safety 

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today issued a 
consumer advisory cautioning Florida consumers about potential risks 
associated with unsecured wireless internet connections. The advisory, 
originally issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), warns 
consumers about hackers, viruses and other potential issues caused by 
using unsecured wireless connections to the internet.

"As technology evolves so do the methods of hackers and other 
individuals who can steal your personal information or disable your 
computer," said Attorney General McCollum. "Florida’s computer users 
should be careful not to trade convenience of access for compromised 
information."

According to the FBI, there are 68,000 Wi-Fi "hot spots" in the U.S., 
most commonly located at airports, coffee shops, hotels, bookstores, 
schools, and other heavily trafficked locations. Wi-Fi is the common 
name for high-frequency wireless technology; hot spots are locations 
with networks which consumers can use to connect their computers to 
the internet without a physical network connection. 

While many of these hot spots have secure networks, some do not and 
those unsecured networks can pose substantial risks to computer 
users. Personal information, passwords, bank account numbers and 
other sensitive information can be compromised over these unsecured 
networks. Viruses and worms can also be transmitted much easier over 
an unsecured network than through secured networks.

The FBI warns that a common method used by hackers is a bogus but 
legitimate-looking Wi-Fi network with a strong signal strategically 
set up in a known hot spot for consumers to use. The hacker then 
waits for nearby laptops to connect and can mine the computer for 
valuable data, record keystrokes, unload viruses or engage in other 
maliciousactivities.

Attorney General McCollum offered the following tips to consumers 
to protect themselves from becoming vulnerable to attacks over an 
unsecured network:

-   Consumers should make sure their laptop security is up to 
date, with current versions of the operating system, web browser, 
firewalls, and antivirus and anti-spyware software.
-   Never conduct financial transactions or use applications 
like e-mail and instant messaging on an unsecured network.
-   Computer users should change the default setting on the 
laptops so they have to manually select the Wi-Fi network to which 
they’re connecting. 
-   Disable computers’ Wi-Fi capabilities when not in use.

More information is available at the FBI’s website, 
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/protect_online.htm.

Thank you.

Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival

2008-02-16T12:34:00.000-08:00

Cajun Zydeco Crawfish Festival :

First Sunday of Advent

2008-01-12T18:35:00.000-08:00

hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

the next four entries are form a series that I call my annual Advent Series for 2007, which were originally posted on my new A Catholic's Life homepage. For reason of space on this site, I have omitted the second reading in one or two of the entries and the biography of the artist. I hope you enjoy viewing these entries as I have in putting then together.

-----------

Reading 1

Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amoz,

saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.

In days to come,

the mountain of the LORD’s house

shall be established as the highest mountain

and raised above the hills.

All nations shall stream toward it;

many peoples shall come and say:

“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,

to the house of the God of Jacob,

that he may instruct us in his ways,

and we may walk in his paths.”

For from Zion shall go forth instruction,

and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

He shall judge between the nations,

and impose terms on many peoples.

They shall beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks;

one nation shall not raise the sword against another,

nor shall they train for war again.

O house of Jacob, come,

let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,

“We will go up to the house of the LORD.”

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city

with compact unity.

To it the tribes go up,

the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

In it are set upjudgment seats,

seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

May those who love you prosper!

May peace be within your walls,

prosperity in your buildings.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Because of my brothers and friends

I will say, “Peace be within you!”

Because of the house of the LORD, our God,

I will pray for your good.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading II

Romans 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters:

You know the time;

it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.

For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed;

the night is advanced, the day is at hand.

Let us then throw off the works of darkness

and put on the armor of light;

let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day,

not in orgies and drunkenness,

not in promiscuity and lust,

not in rivalry and jealousy.

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Gospel

Matthew 24:37-44

Jesus said to his disciples:

“As it was in the days of Noah,

so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

In those days before the flood,

they were eating and drinking,

marrying and giving in marriage,

up to the day that Noah entered the ark.

They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.

So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.

Two men will be out in the field;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Two women will be grinding at the mill;

one will be taken, and one will be left.

Therefore, stay awake!

For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.

Be sure of this: if the master of the house

had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,

he would have stayed awake

and not let his house be broken into.

So too, you also must be prepared,

for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

New American Bible

First Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 41

December 2, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

They Shall Beat Their Swords Into Plowshares by Unknown Artist

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

02.02.07

Second Sunday of Advent

2008-01-12T18:25:00.000-08:00

READING

Isaiah 11:1-10

On that day, a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,

and from his roots a bud shall blossom.

The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:

a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

a spirit of counsel and of strength,

a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,

and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.

Not by appearance shall he judge,

nor by hearsay shall he decide,

but he shall judge the poor with justice,

and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.

He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,

and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

Justice shall be the band around his waist,

and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.

Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;

the calf and the young lion shall browse together,

with a little child to guide them.

The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,

together their young shall rest;

the lion shall eat hay like the ox.

The baby shall play by the cobra’s den,

and the child lay his hand on the adder’s lair.

There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;

for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,

as water covers the sea.

On that day, the root of Jesse,

set up as a signal for the nations,

the Gentiles shall seek out,

for his dwelling shall be glorious.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17

R. (cf. 7) Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,

and with your justice, the king’s son;

he shall govern your people with justice

and your afflicted ones with judgment.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

Justice shall flower in his days,

and profound peace, till the moon be no more.

May he rule from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,

and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.

He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;

the lives of the poor he shall save.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

May his name be blessed forever;

as long as the sun his name shall remain.

In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;

all the nations shall proclaim his happiness.

R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.

GOSPEL

Matthew 3:1-12

John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea

and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said:

A voice of one crying out in the desert,

Prepare the way of the Lord,

make straight his paths.

John wore clothing made of camel’s hair

and had a leather belt around his waist.

His food was locusts and wild honey.

At that time Jerusalem, all Judea,

and the whole region around the Jordan

were going out to him

and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River

as they acknowledged their sins.

When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees

coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers!

Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?

Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.

And do not presume to say to yourselves,

‘We have Abraham as our father.’

For I tell you,

God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.

Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit

will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,

but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.

I am not worthy to carry his sandals.

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

His winnowing fan is in his hand.

He will clear his threshing floor

and gather his wheat into his barn,

but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

New American Bible

Second Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 42

December 09, 2007

St. John the Baptist with the Pharisees by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

12.07.07

Third Sunday of Advent

2008-01-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

READING 1

Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10

The desert and the parched land will exult;

the steppe will rejoice and bloom.

They will bloom with abundant flowers,

and rejoice with joyful song.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the LORD,

the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the hands that are feeble,

make firm the knees that are weak,

say to those whose hearts are frightened:

Be strong, fear not!

Here is your God,

he comes with vindication;

with divine recompense

he comes to save you.

Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,

the ears of the deaf be cleared;

then will the lame leap like a stag,

then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return

and enter Zion singing,

crowned with everlasting joy;

they will meet with joy and gladness,

sorrow and mourning will flee.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Psalm 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (cf. Is 35:4) Lord, come and save us.

The LORD God keeps faith forever,

secures justice for the oppressed,

gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets captives free.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The LORD gives sight to the blind;

the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.

The LORD loves the just;

the LORD protects strangers.

R. Lord, come and save us.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,

but the way of the wicked he thwarts.

The LORD shall reign forever;

your God, O Zion, through all generations.

R. Lord, come and save us.

READING II

James 5:7-10

Be patient, brothers and sisters,

until the coming of the Lord.

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,

being patient with it

until it receives the early and the late rains.

You too must be patient.

Make your hearts firm,

because the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Do not complain, brothers and sisters, about one another,

that you may not be judged.

Behold, the Judge is standing before the gates.

Take as an example of hardship and patience, brothers and sisters,

the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

GOSPEL

Matthew 11:2-11

When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,

he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,

“Are you the one who is to come,

or should we look for another?”

Jesus said to them in reply,

“Go and tell John what you hear and see:

the blind regain their sight,

the lame walk,

lepers are cleansed,

the deaf hear,

the dead are raised,

and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.

And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me.”

As they were going off,

Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,

“What did you go out to the desert to see?

A reed swayed by the wind?

Then what did you go out to see?

Someone dressed in fine clothing?

Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces.

Then why did you go out? To see a prophet?

Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

This is the one about whom it is written:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you;

he will prepare your way before you.

Amen, I say to you,

among those born of women

there has been none greater than John the Baptist;

yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

New American Bible

Second Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 43

December 16, 2007

John the Baptist in Prison – 2007 by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain, A modern rendition of Giusto De' Menabuoi 1376 Fresco.

12.12.07

Fourth Sunday of Advent

2008-01-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

Reading

Isaiah 7:10-14

The LORD spoke to Ahaz, saying:

Ask for a sign from the LORD, your God;

let it be deep as the netherworld, or high as the sky!

But Ahaz answered,

“I will not ask! I will not tempt the LORD!”

Then Isaiah said:

Listen, O house of David!

Is it not enough for you to weary people,

must you also weary my God?

Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:

the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,

and shall name him Emmanuel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R. (7c and 10b) Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

The LORD’s are the earth and its fullness;

the world and those who dwell in it.

For he founded it upon the seas

and established it upon the rivers.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

Who can ascend the mountain of the LORD?

or who may stand in his holy place?

One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean,

who desires not what is vain.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory.

He shall receive a blessing from the LORD,

a reward from God his savior.

Such is the race that seeks for him,

that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.

R. Let the Lord enter; he is king of glory

Gospel

Matthew 1:18-24

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.

When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,

but before they lived together,

she was found with child through theHoly Spirit.

Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,

yet unwilling to expose her to shame,

decided to divorce her quietly.

Such was his intention when, behold,

the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,

“Joseph, son of David,

do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.

For it is through the Holy Spirit

that this child has been conceived in her.

She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,

because he will save his people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,

and they shall name him Emmanuel,

which means “God is with us.”

When Joseph awoke,

he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him

and took his wife into his home.

New American Bible

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Psalm: Sunday 44

December 23, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

• Joseph's Dream, by Philippe De Champaigne, 1642-43

Enhancements by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

12.22.07

Winter Jam Tour Spectacular 2008!

2007-12-16T03:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here

Check out the promo video about the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular.

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Winter Jam 2008 Tour Spectacular Promo Video

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual musical tour, announced its 35 city itinerary for 2008, featuring one of its most prestigious artist line-ups ever. As of this month, all four of NewSong’s guests are currently in the top 40 national sales as reported by Neilson’s SoundScan. The 2008 line-up showcases musical styles ranging from worship to rock to pop featuring multi Platinum selling MercyMe, sibling rock trio BarlowGirl, seasoned rockers Skillet, American Idol’s Mandisa.

The 10-week tour launches January 10, 2008 in Johnson City, TN, and will conclude at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN on March 16th hitting 19 states along the way. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong will host the high-energy event for the 13th consecutive year, which will feature special guest speaker Tony Nolan and the Xtreme sports Real Encounter BMX/Skate Team.

The Premier Group’s Roy Morgan, co-producer of the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular with Celerity Entertainment, comments, “Each year we’ve been pressed to outdo the previous tour, and we could not be more pleased with this amazing collection of today’s top Christian artists. We’re thrilled that all five of 2008’s ‘lights-down’ artists have had significant mainstream radio and media exposure, helping Winter Jam reach its goals of impacting the world through local church ministries.”

NewSong’s Eddie Carswell reflects, “We give God the glory for growing this simple multi-artist event into a major national evangelistic outreach. Admission is only $10 at the door, and we won’t turn anyone away who can’t afford to pay. Last year more than 37,000 people made decisions for Christ during the Tour and we’re anticipating a phenomenal response in 2008 as well.”

Vince Wilcox, president of Celerity Entertainment, affirmed that Holt International, the world’s leader in child adoption and relocation services, will once again be a sponsor of Winter Jam 2008, along with the Wayne E. Bailey Produce Company. HearItFirst.com is back as a sponsor and will be giving out free download cards to the first 500 in line each night. Dave Ramsey's "Generation Change" student finance curriculum is also a new sponsor this year. Wilcox also announced a landmark partnership for 2008: “The Word Label Group Pre-Jam Party featuring pureNRG and Group 1 Crew.” Co-sponsored by media giants Fox Faith and Word Label Group, this event begins forty minutes before the official start of the show and will feature acclaimed pop trio Group 1 Crew and “tween” sensations pureNRG. For more information, please visit www.jamtour.com.

MercyMe’s lead singer Bart Millard anticipates a tremendous response, “MercyMe has a new record releasing on November 20, so hitting the road on Winter Jam early in ‘08 will be great. We look forward to playing our new songs, which is always fun for us, and of course the old favorites too for the Winter Jam crowds.”

Winter Jam 2008 follows the highly successful 2007 tour, which landed in Pollstar’s Top 10 Winter Tours surpassing artists like Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. WJ '07 averaged over 8,000 people each night with select shows having more than 10,000 in attendance. The 2007 Tour had total turnout of more than 275,000.

Excited to reach the masses during Winter Jam 2008, BarlowGirl shares, “We are so excited about the ministry that will take place during the tour. Getting to be a part of this tour is such an honor for us girls. We have heard from so my of our friends that have been a part in the past saying that the crowds are truly awesome.”

Also thrilled to be a part of the Winter Jam tour, Skillet lead singer John Cooper remarks, “We’ve heard great things about Winter Jam and are really excited to be a part of it this coming year. Skillet loves to rock, and look forward to having a blast with audiences throughout the country on this tour.”

----------

Evelyn out

Digital Art by Ted Larson and Mass Readings of the Recent Past

2007-12-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

If I have not already done so, I want to introduce you to one of the best digital artist of religious artwork on the web today. He is Ted Larson artist and creator of Digital Art by Ted Larson. You will find Ted's work by either clicking the pervious link, whichwill take you directly to his site, or by clicking this link Bridging Faith Through Art , which will take you to his art that is displayed on my site. All of his work is unframed, but he has given me premission to enhance it.

Daniel 6:21-22 The Lions Den by Ted Larson

In addition, the entries below are a collection of old Mass Readings moved from the new "A Catholic's Life" web site. The new entries on the new site began with the "First Sunday in Advent", and is now archived there. This week's entries is the "Second Week of Advent. Each of these the entries for these Holy of holy Sundays will be found on the new site until this Christmas season is done.

Evelyn out.

The Solemnity of Christ the King

2007-12-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

The Solemnity of Christ the King

Reading 1

2 Samuel 5:1-3

In those days, all the tribes of Israel came to David in Hebron and said:

"Here we are, your bone and your flesh.

In days past, when Saul was our king,

it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back.

And the LORD said to you,

'You shall shepherd my people Israel

and shall be commander of Israel.'"

When all the elders of Israel came to David in Hebron,

King David made an agreement with them there before the LORD,

and they anointed him king of Israel.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5

R. (cf. 1) Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

I rejoiced because they said to me,

"We will go up to the house of the LORD."

And now we have set foot

within your gates, O Jerusalem.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Jerusalem, built as a city

with compact unity.

To it the tribes go up,

the tribes of the LORD.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

According to the decree for Israel,

to give thanks to the name of the LORD.

In it are set up judgment seats,

seats for the house of David.

R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Reading II

Colossians 1:12-20

Brothers and sisters:

Let us give thanks to the Father,

who has made you fit to share

in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

He delivered us from the power of darkness

and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God,

the firstborn of all creation.

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth,

the visible and the invisible,

whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;

all things were created through him and for him.

He is before all things,

and in him all things hold together.

He is the head of the body, the church.

He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,

that in all things he himself might be preeminent.

For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell,

and through him to reconcile all things for him,

making peace by the blood of his cross

through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

Gospel

Luke 23:35-43

The rulers sneered at Jesus and said,

"He saved others, let him save himself

if he is the chosen one, the Christ of God."

Even the soldiers jeered at him.

As they approached to offer him wine they called out,

"If you are King of the Jews, save yourself."

Above him there was an inscription that read,

"This is the King of the Jews."

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,

"Are you not the Christ?

Save yourself and us."

The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,

"Have you no fear of God,

for you are subject to the same condemnation?

And indeed, we have been condemned justly,

for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,

but this man has done nothing criminal."

Then he said,

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

He replied to him,

"Amen, I say to you,

today you will be with me in Paradise."

New American Bible

Thirtieth-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 40

November 18, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

Jesus Mocked by the Soldiers, 1864-1865 by Edouard Manet
King David by Juan Correa de Vivar

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

11.24.07

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:58:00.000-08:00

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Malachi 3:19-20a

Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,

when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble,

and the day that is coming will set them on fire,

leaving them neither root nor branch,

says the LORD of hosts.

But for you who fear my name, there will arise

the sun of justice with its healing rays.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9

R. (cf. 9) The Lord comes to rule the earthwith justice.

Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,

with the harp and melodious song.

With trumpets and the sound of the horn

sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Let the sea and what fills it resound,

the world and those who dwell in it;

let the rivers clap their hands,

the mountains shout with them for joy.

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Before the LORD, for he comes,

for he comes to rule the earth,

He will rule the world with justice

and the peoples with equity.

R. The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice.

Reading II

2 Thessalonians 3:7-12

Brothers and sisters:

You know how one must imitate us.

For we did not act in a disorderly way among you,

nor did we eat food received free from anyone.

On the contrary, in toil and drudgery, night and day

we worked, so as not to burden any of you.

Not that we do not have the right.

Rather, we wanted to present ourselves as a model for you,

so that you might imitate us.

In fact, when we were with you,

we instructed you that if anyone was unwilling to work,

neither should that one eat.

We hear that some are conductingthemselves among you in a

disorderly way,

by not keeping busy but minding the business of others.

Such people we instruct and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly

and to eat their own food.

Gospel

Luke 21:5-19

While some people were speaking about

how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings,

Jesus said, "All that you see here--

the days will come when there will not be left

a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down."

Then they asked him,

"Teacher, when will this happen?

And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?"

He answered,

"See that you not be deceived,

for many will come in my name, saying,

'I am he,’ and 'The time has come.’

Do not follow them!

When you hear of wars and insurrections,

do not be terrified; for such things must happen first,

but it will not immediately be the end."

Then he said to them,

"Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues

from place to place;

and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

"Before all this happens, however,

they will seize and persecute you,

they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons,

and they will have you led before kings and governors

because of my name.

It will lead to your giving testimony.

Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand,

for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking

that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.

You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends,

and they will put some of you to death.

You will be hated by all because of my name,

but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.

By your perseverance you will secure your lives."

New American Bible

Thirtieth-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 40

November 18, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

The Destruction of The Temple circa 1830-40, Artist: Samuel Colman1
If Any Would Not Work, Neither Should He Eat, Artist: Charles Joseph Staniland

1Samuel Colman (b Sept 1780; d London, 21 Jan 1845). - A little known Bristol millenarian painter until the 1960s when a number of his works were recognized and correctly attributed by comparing them with one or two signed canvases. First recorded in Somerset in 1813 when he married a Yeovil woman, Colman lived in Bristol between 1816 and 1838, working as a portrait painter and drawing-master. His work developed under the influence of Edward Bird and younger members of the Bristol School, particularly Francis Danby. In addition to The Destruction of the Temple the following a list of other good work by Samuel Colman, The Coming of the Messiah and the Destruction of Babylon,St James's Fair, Bristol and David Dancing Before the Ark of the Covenant.

2Charles Joseph Staniland (British, 1838-1916) - The painter and illustrator C.J. Staniland was born at Kingston-upon-Hull. He did his studies at the Birmingham School of Art, Heatherley’s, South Kensington, and the RA School of Art. Staniland is famous for his Marine illustrations. Staniland was much admired by Vincent van Gogh in his English years. Other works Emigrant Ship (1913), "Liverpool to Canada, Emigrants in 1884" , 1884, At the Back of the Church, 1876, The Dutch envoys offering the crown of Poland to Henry III of France, and Pluck.

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

11.16.07

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:55:00.000-08:00

Thirty-Second Sunday In Ordinary Time

First Reading

2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14

It happened that seven brothers with their mother were arrested

and tortured with whips and scourges by the king,

to force them to eat pork in violation of God's law.

One of the brothers, speaking for the others, said:

"What do you expect to achieve by questioning us?

We are ready to die rather than transgress the laws of our ancestors."

At the point of death he said:

"You accursed fiend, you are depriving us of this present life,

but the King of the world will raise us up to live again forever.

It is forhis laws that we are dying."

After him the third suffered their cruel sport.

He put out his tongue at once when told to do so,

and bravely held out his hands, as he spoke these noble words:

"It was from Heaven that I received these;

for the sake of his laws I disdain them;

from him I hope to receive them again."

Even the king and his attendants marveled at the young man's courage,

because he regarded his sufferings as nothing.

After he had died,

they tortured and maltreated the fourth brother in the same way.

When he was near death, he said,

"It is my choice to die at the hands of men

with the hope God gives of being raised up by him;

but for you, there will be no resurrection to life."

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15

R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Hear, O LORD, a just suit;

attend to my outcry;

hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

My steps have been steadfast in your paths,

my feet have not faltered.

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my word.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Keep me as the apple of your eye,

<P class='MsoNormalstyle="MARGIN:' align=center center? TEXT-ALIGN: 0pt; 0in>hide me in the shadow of your wings.

But I in justice shall behold your face;

on waking I shall be content in your presence.

R. Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.

Second Reading

2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5

Brothers and sisters:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father,

who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement

and good hope through his grace,

encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed

and word.

Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us,

so that the word of the Lord may speed forward and be glorified,

as it did among you,

and that we may be delivered from perverse and wicked people,

for not all have faith.

But the Lord is faithful;

he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.

We are confident of you in the Lord that what we instruct you,

you are doing and will continue to do.

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God

and to the endurance of Christ.

Gospel

Luke 20:27-38 or 20:27, 34-38

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,

came forward and put this question to Jesus, saying,

"Teacher, Moses wrote for us,

If someone's brother dies leaving a wife but no child,

his brother must take the wife

and raise up descendants for his brother.

Now there were seven brothers;

the first married a woman but died childless.

Then the second and the third married her,

and likewise all the seven died childless.

Finally the woman also died.

Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be?

For all seven had been married to her."

Jesus said to them,

"The children of this age marry and remarry;

but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age

and to the resurrection of the dead

neither marry nor are given in marriage.

They can no longer die,

for they are like angels;

and they are the children of God

because they are the ones who will rise.

That the dead will rise

even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,

when he called out 'Lord, '

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;

and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,

for to him all are alive."

Some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,

came forward.

Jesus said to them,

"The children of this age marry and remarry;

but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age

and to the resurrection of the dead

neither marry nor are given in marriage.

They can no longer die,

for they are like angels;

and they are the children of God

because they are the ones who will rise.

That the dead will rise

even Moses made known in the passage about the bush,

when he called out 'Lord, '

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;

and he is not God of the dead, but of the living,

for to him all are alive."

New American Bible

Thirtieth-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 40

November 11, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

Jesus' Teaching of the Sadducees, Artist Unknown

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

11.10.07

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1

Wisdom 11:22-12:2

Before the LORD the whole universe is as a grain from a balance

or a drop of morning dew come down upon the earth.

But you have mercy on all, because you can do all things;

and you overlook people's sins that they may repent.

For you love all things that are

and loathe nothing that you have made;

for what you hated, you would not have fashioned.

And how could a thing remain, unless you willed it;

or be preserved, had it not been called forth by you?

But you spare all things, because they are yours,

O LORD and lover of souls,

for your imperishable spirit is in all things!

Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little,

warn them and remind them of the sins they are committing,

that they may abandon their wickedness and believe in you, O LORD!

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13, 14

R. (cf. 1) I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

I will extol you, O my God and King,

and I will bless your name forever and ever.

Every day will I bless you,

and I will praise your name forever and ever.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

TheLORD is gracious and merciful,

slow to anger and of great kindness.

The LORD is good to all

and compassionate toward all his works.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,

and let your faithful ones bless you.

Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom

and speak of your might.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

The LORD is faithful in all his words

and holy in all his works.

The LORD lifts up all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Reading II

2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2

Brothers and sisters:

We always pray for you,

that our God may make you worthy of his calling

and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose

and every effort of faith,

that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you,

and you in him,

in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

We ask you, brothers and sisters,

with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

and our assembling with him,

not to be shaken out of your minds suddenly, or to be alarmed

either by a "spirit," or by an oral statement,

or by a letter allegedly from us

to the effect that the day of the Lord is at hand.

Gospel

Lk 19:1-10

At that time, Jesus came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town.

Now a man there named Zacchaeus,

who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man,

was seeking to see who Jesus was;

but he could not see him because of the crowd,

for he was short in stature.

So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus,

who was about to pass that way.

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said,

"Zacchaeus, come down quickly,

for today I must stay at your house."

And he came down quickly and received him with joy.

When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying,

"He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner."

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord,

"Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor,

and if I have extorted anything from anyone

I shall repay it four times over."

And Jesus said to him,

"Today salvation has come to this house

because this man too is a descendant of Abraham.

For the Son of Man has come to seek

and to save what was lost."

New American Bible

Thirtieth-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 40

November 04, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

Zacchaeus Views Jesus From A Sycamore Tree, Artist Unknown

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

11.03.07

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,

who knows no favorites.

Though not unduly partial toward the weak,

yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.

The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,

nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.

The one who serves God willingly is heard;

his petition reaches the heavens.

The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;

it does not rest till it reaches its goal,

nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,

judges justly and affirms the right,

and the Lord will not delay.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Let my soul glory in the LORD;

the lowly will hear me and be glad.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD confronts the evildoers,

to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,

and from all their distress he rescues them.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;

and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.

The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;

no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Reading II

2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved:

I am already being poured out like a libation,

and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have competed well; I have finished the race;

I have kept the faith.

From now onthe crown of righteousness awaits me,

which the Lord, the just judge,

will award to me on that day, and not only to me,

but to all who have longed for his appearance.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,

but everyone deserted me.

May it not be held against them!

But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,

so that through me the proclamation might be completed

and all the Gentiles might hear it.

And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.

The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat

and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.

To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable

to those who were convinced of their own righteousness

and despised everyone else.

"Two people went up to the temple area to pray;

one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,

'O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --

greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.

I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’

But the tax collector stood off at a distance

and would not even raise his eyes to heaven

but beat his breast and prayed,

'O God, be merciful to mea sinner.'

I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;

for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,

and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

New American Bible

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 39

October 28, 2007

Featured Artwork and Artist of the Week

The Parable Of The Pharisee And The Tax Collector, 1864 Relief Print by Sir John Everett Millais

John Everett Millais was born in Southampton in the year 1829, Considered a child prodigy, he came to London in 1838 where he was sent to Sass's Art School, and there won a silver medal at the Society of Arts at the age of nine. In 1840 he was admitted to the Royal Academy Schools as their youngest ever student, winning a silver medal in 1843 for drawing from the antique, and a gold medal in 1847 for his painting The Tribe of Benjamin Seizing the Daughters of Shiloh. His first Pre-Raphaelite painting was Isabella (1848-9, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool), which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849. His entry for the following year, Christ in the House of His Parents ('The Carpenter's Shop') (1849-50, Tate Gallery N03584), was received unfavorably. Nevertheless, Millais was made an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1853, and a full member in 1863. In 1885 he was created a baronet and in 1896 was elected Presidentof the Royal Academy, but died shortly thereafter in London. He is buried in St Paul's Cathedral.

Enhancement by Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

10.28.07

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

READING 1

EXODUS 17:8-13

In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel.

Moses, therefore, said to Joshua,

"Pick out certain men,

and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle.

I will be standing on top of the hill

with the staff of God in my hand."

So Joshua did as Moses told him:

he engaged Amalek in battle

after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur.

As long as Moses kept his hands raised up,

Israel had the better of the fight,

but when he let his hands rest,

Amalek had the better of the fight.

Moses’hands, however, grew tired;

so they put a rock in place for him to sit on.

Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands,

one on one side and one on the other,

so that his hands remained steady till sunset.

And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people

with the edge of the sword.

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8

R. (cf. 2) Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;

whence shall help come to me?

My help is from the LORD,

who made heaven and earth.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

May he not suffer your foot to slip;

may he slumber not who guards you:

indeed he neither slumbers nor sleeps,

the guardian of Israel.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD is your guardian; the LORD is your shade;

he is beside you at your right hand.

The sun shall not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

The LORD will guard you from all evil;

he will guard your life.

The LORD will guard your coming and your going,

both now and forever.

R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Gospel

Lk 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable

about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.

He said, "There was a judge in a certain town

who neither feared God nor respected any human being.

And a widow in that town used to come to him and say,

<SPANSTYLE="FONT-SIZE: 10pt?>For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought,

'While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being,

because this widow keeps bothering me

I shall deliver a just decision for her

lest she finally come and strike me.'"

The Lord said, "Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says.

Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones

who call out to him day and night?

Will he be slow to answer them?

I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily.

But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

New American Bible

Twenty-Ninth Sundayin Ordinary Time

October 21, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

The Victory of Joshua over the Amalekites by Nicolas C. Poussin, 1624-25
The Widow and Unjust Judge by John Everett Millais, 1864

Enhancement by Evelyn F.Altheimer-Fain

10.20.07

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-08T10:27:00.000-08:00

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

READING 1

2 KINGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times

at the word of Elisha, the man of God.

His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child,

and he was clean of his leprosy.

Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.

On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said,

"Now I know that there is no God in all the earth,

except in Israel.

Please accept a gift from your servant."

Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;"

and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused.

Naaman said: "If you will not accept,

please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,

for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice

to any other god except to the LORD."

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,

for he has done wondrous deeds;

his right hand has won victory for him,

his holy arm.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:

in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.

He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness

toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen

the salvation by our God.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:

break into song; sing praise.

<BSTYLE="MSO-BIDI-FONT-WEIGHT: normal?>R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Christ Heals the Ten Lepers

GOSPEL

LUKE 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem,

he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.

As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.

They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,

"Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"

And when he saw them, he said,

"Go show yourselves to the priests."

As they were going they were cleansed.

And one of them, realizing he had been healed,

returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;

and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

He was a Samaritan.

Jesus said in reply,

"Ten were cleansed, were they not?

Where are the other nine?

Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"

Then he said to him, "Stand up and go;

your faith has saved you."

New American Bible

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 37

October 14, 2007

Featured Artwork of the Week

<ULSTYLE="MARGIN-TOP: type="disc" 0in?>

The Leper Naaman Bathes in The Jordan River To Heal Himself

Christ Heals The Ten Lepers

Jesus and One of The Lepers

This week’s artist is unknown.

Enhancement By Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

10.13.07

2007-12-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

READING 1

HABAKKUK 1:2-3; 2:2-4

How long, O LORD? I cry for help

but you do not listen!

I cry out to you, "Violence!"

but you do not intervene.

Why do you let me see ruin;

why must I look at misery?

Destruction and violence are before me;

there is strife, and clamorous discord.

Then the LORD answered me and said:

Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets,

so that one can read it readily.

For the vision still has its time,

presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint;

if it delays, wait for it,

it will surely come, it will not be late.

The rash one has no integrity;

but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;

let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;

let us kneel before the LORD who made us.

For he is our God,

and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:

"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,

as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;

they tested me though they had seen my works."

R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

READING II

2 TIMONTHY 1:6-8, 13-14

Beloved:

I remind you, to stir into flame

the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.

For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice

but rather of power and love and self-control.

So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,

nor of me, a prisoner for his sake;

but bear your share of hardship for the gospel

with the strength that comes from God.

Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me,

in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit

that dwells within us.

GOSPEL

LUKE 17:5-10

The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."

The Lord replied,

"If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,

you would say to this mulberry tree,

'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

"Who among you would say to your servant

who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,

'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?

Would he not rather say to him,

'Prepare something for me to eat.

Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.

You may eat and drink when I am finished'?

Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?

So should it be with you.

When you have done all you have been commanded,

say, 'We are unprofitable servants;

we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

New American Bible

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 37

October 07, 2007

Featured Artist of the Week

Juan Correa de Vivar was a Spanish painter, and he was borne in Mascaraque in the year of 1510. Some say that his true date of birth was 1516. Being very well thought of by his peers, Vivar was linked to his master Juan de Borgoña and two well-known Toledo painters, Pedro de Cisneros and Francisco de Comontes by 1527. Vivar painting included altarpieces, which included biblical the paintings "King David', Pontius Pilate Washing His Hands", "The Prophet Jeremiah", and of course the painting above "The Prophet Habakkuk". Juan Correa de Vivar died in Toledo on April 6. 1

"Faith As A Mustard Seed", Christian Clipart. 2

1-2 Graphic Enhancements - Evelyn F. Altheimer-Fain

October 06, 2007.

Previous Mass Reading

2007-12-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READING 1

AMOS: 1A, 4-7

Thus says the LORD the God of hosts:

Woe to the complacent in Zion!

Lying upon beds of ivory,

stretched comfortably on their couches,

they eat lambs taken from the flock,

and calves from the stall!

Improvising to the music of the harp,

like David, they devise their own accompaniment.

They drink wine from bowls

and anoint themselves with the best oils;

yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph!

Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile,

and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

PSALM 6:7, 8-9, 9-10

R. (1b) Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

Blessed he who keeps faith forever,

secures justice for the oppressed,

gives food to the hungry.

The LORD sets captives free.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

The LORD gives sight to the blind.

The LORD raises up those who were bowed down;

the LORD loves the just.

The LORD protects strangers.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

The fatherless and the widow he sustains,

but the way of the wicked he thwarts.

The LORD shall reign forever;

your God, O Zion, through all generations. Alleluia.

R. Praise the Lord, my soul!

or:

R. Alleluia.

READING II

1 TIMOTHY 6:11-16

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness,

devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.

Compete well for the faith.

Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called

when you made the noble confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I charge you before God, who gives life to all things,

and before Christ Jesus,

who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate for the noble confession,

to keep the commandment without stain or reproach

until the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ

that the blessed and only ruler

will make manifest at the proper time,

the King of kings and Lord of lords,

who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light,

and whom no human being has seen or can see.

To him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

THE GOSPEL

LUKE 16:19-31

Jesus said to the Pharisees:

"There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen

and dined sumptuously each day.

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,

who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps

that fell from the rich man's table.

Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died,

he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham.

The rich man also died and was buried,

and from the netherworld, where he was in torment,

he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off

and Lazarus at his side.

And he cried out, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me.

Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,

for I am suffering torment in these flames.'

Abraham replied,

'My child, remember that you received

what was good during your lifetime

while Lazarus likewise received what was bad;

but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented.

Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established

to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go

from our side to yours or from your side to ours.’

He said, 'Then I beg you, father,

send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers,

so that he may warn them,

lest they too come to this place of torment.'

But Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets.

Let them listen to them.'

He said, 'Oh no, father Abraham,

but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'

Then Abraham said, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets,

neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.'"

New American Bible

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 30, 2007

Psalm: Sunday 36

Featured Artwork and Artist: Lazarus Dying and The Rich Man Torment In Hell

by Bernaert Van Orley

Bernaert van Orley was born in 1488. He was a Netherlandish painter who specialized in religious subjects and portraits. Among his contemporaries, Bernaert van Orley was called the "Raphael of the Netherlands" because of his interpretation of Italian Renaissance ideas and art forms. He was famous in Brussels and working as the court painter for Margaret of Austria, regent of the Netherlands in 1518 and her successor, Mary of Hungary beginning in 1532. Italian painters influenced Orley’s work, although there is no evidence to suggest that he spent any time in Italy. Orley’s Job altarpiece is considered his greatest achievement. He died in 1541.

Previously Posted Mass - Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-12-02T01:46:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

The following scripture reading is one of twelve from previous Masses, which I will be adding here one by one from the archives at the new site during this Advent and Christmas season for store as i do not like losing articles. For the latest Mass entry go the new A Catholic's Life site.

-------------

Reading 1

Amos 8:4-7

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy

and destroy the poor of the land!

“When will the new moon be over,” you ask,

“that we may sell our grain,

and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat?

We will diminish the ephah,

add to the shekel,

and fix our scales for cheating!

We will buy the lowly for silver,

and the poor for a pairof sandals;

even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!”

The LORD has sworn by the pride of Jacob:

Never will I forget a thing they have done!

Responsorial Psalm

Ps 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

R. (cf. 1a, 7b) Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Praise, you servants of the LORD,

praise the name of the LORD.

Blessed be the name of the LORD

both now and forever.

R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

or:

R. Alleluia.

High above all nations is the LORD;

above the heavens is his glory.

Who is like the LORD, our God, who is enthroned on high

and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?

R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

or:

R. Alleluia.

He raises up the lowly from the dust;

from the dunghill he lifts up the poor

to seat them with princes,

with the princes of his own people.

R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Reading Ii

1 Timothy 2:1-8

Beloved:

First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,

petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,

for kings and for all in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life

in all devotion and dignity.

This is good and pleasing to God our savior,

who wills everyone to be saved

and to come to knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God.

There is also one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus,

who gave himself as ransom for all.

This was the testimony at the proper time.

For this I was appointed preacher and apostle

— I am speaking the truth, I am not lying —,

teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray,

lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument.

Gospel

Luke 16:1-13 or 16:10-13

Jesus said to his disciples,

“A rich man had a steward

who was reported to him for squandering his property.

He summoned him and said,

‘What is this I hear about you?

Prepare a full account of your stewardship,

because you can no longer be my steward.’

The steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do,

now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?

I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg.

I know what I shall do so that,

when I am removed from the stewardship,

they may welcome me into their homes.’

He called in his master’s debtors one by one.

To the first he said,

‘How much do you owe my master?’

He replied, ‘One hundred measures of olive oil.’

He said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note.

Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.’

Then to another the steward said, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’

He replied, ‘One hundred kors of wheat.’

The steward said to him, ‘Here is your promissory note;

write one for eighty.’

And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

“For the children of this world

are more prudent in dealing with their own generation

than are the children of light.

I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth,

so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters

is also trustworthy in great ones;

and the person who is dishonest in very small matters

is also dishonest in great ones.

If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth,

who will trust you with true wealth?

If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another,

who will give you what is yours?

No servant can serve two masters.

He will either hate one and love the other,

or be devoted to one and despise the other.

You cannot serve both God and mammon.”

New American Bible

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 23, 2007

Psalm: Sunday 35

----------------

Evelyn out.

Just For The Laughs -Who Said Sheep Were Dumb?

2007-11-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

I was researching for an article when I came across this video on YouTube, and being the Catholic that I am, it made me laugh until my sides ached. Best viewed in mute mode.

So, just for fun, I present to you, "The Devil Sheep!"

I think a little bit of Freud got into the my psyche with this one becuase I think it is so ridiculously funny.

Evelyn out.

Vatican Prints Secrets of Knights Templar

2007-10-13T17:59:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with the story about the Vatican release of the Knights Templar trial transcripts of 1312, Vatican Prints Secrets of Knights Templar - AOL News. I also have a link to CNN lead story Knights Templar secrets revealed - CNN. After the story below you will find a couple of my comment from the AOL news site.

Vatican Prints Secrets of Knights Templar

By Philip Pullella,

Reuters

Posted: 2007-10-13 00:08:04

Filed Under: World News

VATICAN CITY (Oct. 12) - The Knights Templar, the medieval Christian military order accused of heresy and sexual misconduct, will soon be partly rehabilitated when the Vatican publishes trial documents it had closely guarded for 700 years.

Photo Gallery: Church Secret Revealed

Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters

The Vatican Secret Archives is publishing 799 copies of a document that was found in 2001 after being lost for centuries. Replicas cost $8,333, but you can click through the photos to get the scoop for free.

1 of 9

A reproduction of the minutes of trials against the Templars, "'Processus Contra Templarios -- Papal Inquiry into the Trial of the Templars"' is a massive work and much more than a book -- with a $8,333 price tag.

"This is a milestone because it is the first time that these documents are being released by the Vatican, which gives a stamp of authority to the entire project," said Professor Barbara Frale, a medievalist at the Vatican's Secret Archives.

"Nothing before this offered scholars original documents of the trials of the Templars," she told Reuters in a telephone interview ahead of the official presentation of the work on October 25.

The epic comes in a soft leather case that includes a large-format book including scholarly commentary, reproductions of original parchments in Latin, and -- to tantalize Templar buffs -- replicas of the wax seals used by 14th-century Inquisitors.

Reuters was given an advance preview of the work, of which only 799 numbered copies have been made.

One parchment measuring about half a meter wide by some two meters long is so detailed that it includes reproductions of stains and imperfections seen on the originals.

Pope Benedict will be given the first set of the work, published by the Vatican Secret Archives in collaboration with Italy's Scrinium cultural foundation, which acted as curator and will have exclusive world distribution rights.

The Templars, whose full name was "Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon," were founded in 1119 by knights sworn to protecting Christian pilgrims visiting the Holy Land after the Crusaders captured Jerusalem in 1099.

They amassed enormous wealth and helped finance wars of some European monarchs. Legends of their hidden treasures, secret rituals and power have figured over the years in films and bestsellers such as "The Da Vinci Code."

The Knights have also been portrayed as guardians of the legendary Holy Grail, the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper before his crucifixion.

The Vatican expects most copies of the work to be bought up by specialized libraries at top universities and by leading medieval scholars.

Burned at the Stake

The Templars went into decline after Muslims re-conquered the Holy Land at the end of the 13th century and were accused of heresy by King Philip IV of France, their foremost persecutor. Their alleged offences included denying Christ and secretly worshipping idols.

The most titillating part of the documents is the so-called Chinon Parchment, which contains phrases in which Pope Clement V absolves the Templars of charges of heresy, which had been the backbone of King Philip's attempts to eliminate them.

Templars were burned at the stake for heresy by King Philip's agents after they made confessions that most historians believe were given under duress.

The parchment, also known as the Chinon Chart, was "misplaced" in the Vatican archives until 2001, when Frale stumbled across it.

"The parchment was catalogued incorrectly at some point in history. At first I couldn't believe my eyes. I was incredulous," she said.

"This was the document that a lot of historians were looking for," the 37-year-old scholar said.

Philip was heavily indebted to the Templars, who had helped him finance his wars, and getting rid of them was a convenient way of cancelling his debts, some historians say.

Frale said Pope Clement was convinced that while the Templars had committed some grave sins, they were not heretics.

Spitting on the Cross

Their initiation ceremony is believed to have included spitting on the cross, but Frale said they justified this as a ritual of obedience in preparation for possible capture by Muslims. They were also said to have practiced sodomy.

"Simply put, the pope recognized that they were not heretics but guilty of many other minor crimes -- such as abuses, violence and sinful acts within the order," she said. "But that is not the same as heresy."

Despite his conviction that the Templars were not guilty of heresy, in 1312 Pope Clement ordered the Templars disbanded for what Frale called "the good of the Church" following his repeated clashes with the French king.

Frale depicted the trials against the Templars between 1307 and 1312 as a battle of political wills between Clement and Philip, and said the document means Clement's position has to be reappraised by historians.

"This will allow anyone to see what is actually in documents like these and deflate legends that are in vogue these days," she said.

Rosi Fontana, who has helped the Vatican coordinate the project, said: "The most incredible thing is that 700 years have passed and people are still fascinated by all of this."

"The precise reproduction of the parchments will allow scholars to study them, touch them, admire them as if they were dealing with the real thing," Fontana said.

"But even better, it means the originals will not deteriorate as fast as they would if they were constantly being viewed," she said.

Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2007-10-12 15:26:12

-----------

My own comments on that site;

----------------------------------------------------------

Astptevelyn 06:55:58 PM Oct 13 2007

Report This! This story is great news. I only wish that I could get my hands on a copy for historical and spiritual reasons. What a fantastic idea from the Vatican. Perhaps, someday we peons will be able to read a copy of those documents. However, one thing is certain. The release of these transcripts will spark a new set of films and books based on the life of the Knights Templar, the Inquisitors, the trial itself, the Church.

Peace be with you.

---------------------------

We all know that the the Knights Templar were murdered for the revenue they had amassed after some 300 years of loyal service to the Church. No amount gloss is going change that fact. However, I see this as a medieval scholar would, and this means, I see it as a prime opportunity to look at a bit rediscovered history that has had much speculation over the last 700 years with a brand new perspective and insight.

It will be a way of transversing the centuries and getting as close to the thoughts and feelings of the Knights Templar and their persecutors like never before. I, for one, would like to learn from those trasncripts and not condemn today's Church.

I believe the Vatican is doing a great thing.

Peace be with you.

-------------------------

Knights Templar secrets revealed

ROME, Italy (AP) -- The Vatican has published secret archive documents about the trial of the Knights Templar, including a long-lost parchment that shows that Pope Clement V initially absolved the medieval Christian order from accusations of heresy, officials said Friday.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica as seen through a spy hole in the Church of St. Mary in Aventino. The 300-page volume recently came out in a limited edition -- 799 copies -- each pricedat$8,377, said Scrinium publishing house, which prints documents from the Vatican's secret archives.

The order of knights, which ultimately disappeared as a result of the heresy scandal, recently captivated the imagination of readers of the best-seller "The Da Vinci Code," in which the author Dan Brown linked the Templars to the story of the Holy Grail.

The work reproduces the entire documentation on the papal hearings convened after King Philip IV of France arrested and tortured Templar leaders in 1307 under charges of heresy and immorality.

The military order of the Poor Knights of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon was founded in 1118 in Jerusalem to protect pilgrims in the Holy Land following the First Crusade.

Don't Miss

As their military might increased, the Templars also grew in wealth, acquiring property throughout Europe and running a primitive banking system. After the Templars left the Middle East with the collapse of the Crusader kingdoms, their power and secretive ways aroused the fear of European rulers and sparked accusations of corruption and blasphemy.

Historians believe that Philip owed debts to the Templars and seized on the accusations to arrest their leaders and extort confessions of heresy under torture as a way to seize the order's riches.

The publishing house said the new book includes the "Parchment of Chinon," a 1308 decision by Clement to save the Templars and their order. The document was misplaced for centuries in the archives and found again by researchers in 2001.

According to the Vatican archives Web site, the parchment shows that Clement absolved the Templar leaders of the heresy charge, though he did recognize they were guilty of immorality, and he planned to reform the order.

However, pressured by Philip, Clement later reversed his decision and suppressed the order in 1312.

Jacques de Molay, Grand Master of the Templars, was burned at the stake in 1314 along with his aides.

Surviving monks fled, with some absorbed by other orders, and over the centuries, some groups have claimed to have descended from the Templars.

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Evelyn out.

Regarding A Catholic's Life Archive Updates

2007-09-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Evelyn here,

This page will be updates as the older entries on the new "A Catholic's Life" site warrants a need for additional storage space. In the mean time checkout "A Catholic's Life" new home.

A Catholic's Life

Evelyn Out.

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-09-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

THE SECOND READING

PHILEMON 9-10, 12-17

I, Paul, an old man,

and now also a prisoner for Christ Jesus,

urge you on behalf of my child Onesimus,

whose father I have become in my imprisonment;

I am sending him, that is, my own heart, back to you.

I should have liked to retain him for myself,

so that he might serve me on your behalf

in my imprisonment for the gospel,

but I did not want to do anything without your consent,

so that the good you do might not be forced but voluntary.

Perhaps this is why he was away from you for a while,

that you might have him back forever,

no longer as a slave

but more than a slave, a brother,

beloved especially to me, but even more so to you,

as a man and in the Lord.

So if you regard me as a partner, welcome him as you would me.

GOSPEL

LUKE 14:25-33

Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,

and he turned and addressed them,

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,

wife and children, brothers and sisters,

and even his own life,

he cannot be my disciple.

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me

cannot be my disciple.

Which of you wishing to construct a tower

does not first sit down and calculate the cost

to see if there is enough for its completion?

Otherwise, after laying the foundation

and finding himself unable to finish the work

the onlookers should laugh at him and say,

‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’

Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down

and decide whether with ten thousand troops

he can successfully oppose another king

advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?

But if not, while he is still far away,

he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.

In the same way,

anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions

cannot be my disciple.”

New American Bible

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

September 9, 2007

Psalm: Sunday 33

The Entire Mass

Reading I: Wisdom 9:13-18b, Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13,

14-17, Reading II, Philemon 9-10, 12-17, and The Gospel: Luke 14:25-33

Quote:

"Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that

Fr. Kilian Byrne (EWTN: Divine Wisdom)

PAINTINGS:

St. Paul in Prison - Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn

(July 15, 1606 – October 4, 1669) a Dutch painter and etcher

The Exhortation of Christ to The Apostles: Artist - James Joseph Jacques Tissot (October 15, 1836 – August 8, 1902) French Painter

"A Catholic's Life" Has moved!

2007-09-15T22:36:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

"A Catholic's Life" homepage has official moved to the following on the Catholic Web network.

A Catholic's Life

For now, old site on AOL will remain 'as is' until further notice. There is a link to it on the new website, which is a larger site and offers me more room for creativity and building a base that strong and rich my faith. I hope you enjoy and look to it as doorway as the good as it is intended. This archive continue to function as before.

Evelyn out.

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-09-09T01:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

Below is the Gospel from last Sunday's Mass.

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GOSPEL
LUKE 14:1, 7-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him,
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

New American Bible

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 32

September 02, 2007

Evelyn out.

"A Catholic's Life" The Website and The Big Move

2007-09-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

I have been quite busy, but I have put some time into the new site for the "A Catholic's Life". It is coming around okay, and as many of you may know, I do a lot of my own background, logos and others graphic work that goes onto creating and maintaining a website or homepage. This means that deal of creative time is going into the creation of each part and parcel of this new site. Below is the official banner for the site.

It is much more impressive on its site. Last week I stated that the new site would have a new name. However, I have reconsidered and have decided to keep "A Catholic's Life" because it has been established and identifiable with me and this archive.

Until next time.

Evelyn out.

CareFest Tampabay Campaign

2007-09-02T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

Some lucky Clearwater, Pinellas County resident will be the recipient of their communities good well through the the volunteer the help of the CareFest Tampabay Campaign on Saturday, September 22, 2007.

To volunteer your serves and/or to enter a future project click the following link. CareFest Tampabay

Evelyn out.

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-09-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn Here,

Below is a portion of last Sunday mass. the portrait "The Narrow Gate to Heaven and the Wide Gate to Hell" is by artist Cornelis De Bie (1621 - 1654).

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A READING:

HEBREW 12:5-7, 11-13

Brothers and sisters,
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
“My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges.”
Endure your trials as “discipline”;
God treats you as sons.
For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

THE GOSPEL

LUKE 13:22-30

Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
“Lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them,
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
‘Lord, open the door for us.’
He will say to you in reply,
‘I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
Then he will say to you,
‘I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last.”

New American Bible
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Psalm: Sunday 31
August 26, 2007

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Evelyn out.

News - Changes Large and Small

2007-09-02T05:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

In the coming weeks there will be a gradual move of the "A Cathlolic's Life" homepage to its own website within the Catholic Web. It will also gain a new name. Although, "A Cathlolic's Life" homepage will move and see great changes, this archive page will remain to serve the same purpose as its does now yet under a new name as well.

The first and very noticable change is this update is the photo of me in the "All About Me" column. I hope you like this new version of me. This photo will replace all past images of me now on the web.

Thank you for your viewership.

Evelyn out.

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-08-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with the a portion of Mass readings for last Sunday.

----------

READING
JEREMIAH 38:4-6, 8-10

In those days, the princes said to the king:
“Jeremiah ought to be put to death;
he is demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city,
and all the people, by speaking such things to them;
he is not interested in the welfare of our people,
but in their ruin.”
King Zedekiah answered: “He is in your power”;
for the king could do nothing with them.
And so they took Jeremiah
and threw him into the cistern of Prince Malchiah,
which was in the quarters of the guard,
letting him down with ropes.
There was no water in the cistern, only mud,
and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

Ebed-melech, a court official,
went there from the palace and said to him:
“My lord king,
these men have been at fault
in all they have done to the prophet Jeremiah,
casting him into the cistern.
He will die of famine on the spot,
for there is no more food in the city.”
Then the king ordered Ebed-melech the Cushite
to take three men along with him,
and draw the prophet Jeremiah out of the cistern before
he should die.

GOSPEL
LUKE 12:49-53

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have cometo set the earth on fire,
and how I wish it were already blazing!
There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,
and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!
Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division.
From now on a household of five will be divided,
three against two and two against three;
a father will be divided against his son
and a son against his father,
a mother against her daughter
and a daughter against her mother,
a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

Painting: Jeremiah In Dungeon by Unknown Artist

New American Bible

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 30

August 19, 2007

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Evelyn out.

Nineteenth Sunday in Oridinary Time

2007-08-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

with the last week's gospel reading, the Nineteenth Sunday in Oridinary Time. I introduced a new artist from the past, Alexandre Bida.

------------

FEATURED ARTIST

Alexandre Bida (F. Alexandre Bida) was born in Toulouse, Frances in 1813 and was a painter of the Romantic period. He specialized in Orientalism and studied under Eugene Delacroix, but with an artist’s eye for precision and perfection, he soon developed his own style. During Bida’s youth, he traveled and worked in Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon, and Palestine. He became well known for his exhibition shows during the period between 1847 and 1861. He was also an illustrator of the Holy Bible. As a Bible illustrator, Bida’s “Les Saints Evangeles” was published in 1873. In it, the four gospels were enriched by his twenty-eight etchings. Of Bida's work, it was said that he brought a truth and genius that made his Christ reverent, refined, dignified, and strong. He died in Buhl, Germany in the year of 1895 at the age of 82.**

GOSPEL
LUKE 12:32-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not be afraid any longer, little flock,
for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.
Sell your belongings and give alms.
Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out,
an inexhaustible treasure in heaven
that no thief can reach nor moth destroy.
For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.
Be sure of this:
if the master of the house had known the hour
when the thief was coming,
he would not have let his house be broken into.
You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect,
the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said,
“Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?”
And the Lord replied,
“Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward
whom the master will put in charge of his servants
to distribute the food allowance at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so.
Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant
in charge of all his property.
But if that servant says to himself,
‘My master is delayed in coming,’
and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants,
to eat and drink and get drunk,
then that servant’s master will come
on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour
and will punish the servant severely
and assign him a place with the unfaithful.
That servant who knew his master’s will
but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will
shall be beaten severely;
and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will
but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating
shall be beaten only lightly.
Much will be required of the person entrusted with much,
and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.

New American Bible

Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 29

August 12, 2007

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** Alexandre Bida was compiled and written by me from the little data I could gather on him at others sites. It was then entered on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia and S9.com. No copyrights were violated.

I updated the data on Bida in theWikipedia with reliable citations links two nights ago.

Evelyn out.

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2007-08-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Evelyn here,

Below is the gospel reading for last Sunday, the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.

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The Gospel

Luke 12:13-21

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus,

“Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”

He replied to him,

“Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?”

Then he said to the crowd,

“Take care to guard against all greed,

for though one may be rich,

one’s life does not consist of possessions.”

Then he told them a parable.

“There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.

He asked himself, ‘What shall I do,

for I do not have space to store my harvest?’

And he said, ‘This is what I shall do:

I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones.

There I shall store all my grain and other goods

and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you,

you have so many good things stored up for many years,

rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’

But God said to him,

‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you;

and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’

Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves

but are not rich in what matters to God.”

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE

Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Psalm: Sunday 28

08.05.07

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Evelyn Out.