a small favor...

Could you kind readers please say a prayer for me tomorrow?

I have an interview for an employment position tomorrow. It is an attorney position, and is vocationally sound. It is the type of position that I as a Catholic Law School graduate see as one that God could really work through me, to accomplish quite a bit of good. Plus, the fact that my current position ends in a week, as well as our lease being up... our family is trying to remain free from anxiety and trust that God is working through our efforts.

That being said, I want His will to be done, and not my own. It is in His hands, as I am shocked that I got an interview, and want this not for my own sake, but for His.

I would be humbled by any prayers. My interview is at 1:00pm AK Time (or 5:00pm ET)

Also a special thanks to C.S. and K.S. - as I am in no doubt that their most gracious and loving gesture played a part in this opportunity.

Letter to the Archbishop of Anchorage re: Episcopal Bishop "consecration" at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church

I ask that anyone that reads my blog to please read this post, and seriously consider joining us in our effort. (For more info please see the other posts regarding this issue.)

After extensive prayer we have decided to write a letter to the Archdiocese of Anchorage, and the Archbishop, his Excellency Roger Schwietz, asking that the Episcopal "consecration" which is scheduled to take place on September 4th at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Anchorage, is moved from the Church and performed elsewhere.

In that effort we have drafted a letter, which we have decided to make public, to give our readers across the world the opportunity to add their names to it before we send it. We do this with humble and heavy hearts. We do not wish to send this letter, but we feel called as faithful Catholics to do so. The truth and Sacredness of our Catholic churches and the teachings of the Church must be protected from that which fight against it. Although Ecumenism can produce good fruits when implemented correctly, it is very, very apparent that in this case Ecumenism has slid into giving scandal.

Signing our names to a letter is not enough though. In fact, if all we did was send a letter, there is little hope that the hearts and minds of those involved would change. So I ask, that along with pledging your names to our letter, that you also pledge something to the spiritual bouquet that we plan to send along with the letter. So, we ask that if you would like us to place your name on the letter that you submit these things to: angelsdefendus@gmail.com

• Name
• Parish
• Diocese
• A prayer, fast, or almsgiving that you are donating "spiritually" for the Archbishop or for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

We are hoping to send this letter off in the next few days, so please do not delay in sending me that email. It only takes a quick second. If you have any questions, regarding either the letter or the spiritual bouquet, please contact me.

A final note: This issue is not the "concern of a small group of Catholics." It actually spans across the country, and for that matter the world. The Archdiocese, the Archbishop, and the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe has been pulled into this. We found out about this situation on Saturday, and after doing a quick search we come to find out that this issue has spread across the "Catholic Blogosphere and Forum" world. We must stand together as a faithful Catholic community of Christ to defend the truth of the Catholic faith.

[[Update (2:19pm): The Archbishop has posted a letter to the Archdiocesan website. He explains why he originally agreed to let the Episcopal church use Our Lady of Guadalupe, and why he still stands by that decision. This letter is obviously a response to the questions raised previously elsewhere and similar to those that we posted on this blog. We still intend to send this letter, and in fact feel it is even more appropriate in light of the confusing statements made in the Archbishop's letter.]]

[[UPDATE (2:33pm): We are a little confused, but the Archdiocese has taken down the Archbishop's letter originally posted on the front page of their website. You can still find that letter here. We are in patient and prayerful hope that there may have been a glorious change of hearts and minds, and so we wait in joyful anticipation to find out exactly why the link was taken down. More to come...]]

Please sign our letter (email: angelsdefendus@gmail.com), please contribute to the spiritual bouquet, and please continue to pray.

The Most Reverend Roger Schwietz, OMI
Archbishop of Anchorage
225 Cordova Street
Anchorage, Alaska, 99501

Your Excellency Archbishop Schwietz:

We, the undersigned faithful, humbly and regretfully write to you regarding the planned use of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Anchorage, by the Episcopal Church on September 4th, 2010. The planned consecration of a new Alaskan Episcopal bishop by Ms. Katharine J. Schori comes as a shock and gives grave scandal to all Catholic faithful that learn of it.

In the 1993 Vatican document: Pontificium Consilium Ad Christianorum Unitatem Fovendam, the application of principles and norms of Ecumenism were outlined for the Catholic faithful. In that document the Pope, through the writing of Edward Cardinal Cassidy, conveyed to the Catholic faithful the way we should bridge the divides of Christian disunity. He said the proper method is in truth. Precisely it was stated that:

“The Second Vatican Council clearly asked Catholics to reach out in love to all other Christians with a charity that desires and works actively to overcome in truth whatever divides them from one another.” Para. 9

Because of Ms. Schori’s well known and outspoken opposition to Church teachings, we the undersigned feel that allowing this consecration to occur in a Catholic church gives scandal to the faithful. The reason this extends beyond Ecumenism and into scandal is because the consecration will be performed by a woman bishop who teaches that female ordination is a positive development, that openly and active gay & lesbian priests are a positive component of the faith, and that individual salvation (the idea that we as individuals can be saved through a personal faith or trust in Jesus) is a “heresy.” Therefore, we the undersigned humbly ask that this event be prevented from occurring within a Catholic church.

We are quite ignorant in the ways of Ecumenism, and have not found a suitable answer as to how this is beneficial to the Catholic Church or its faithful. Therefore, we seek clarification as to our misunderstanding of the way in which the use of a Catholic Church for such an event, by the personalities involved, helps bolster, ultimately, Holy Mother Church. We ask this out of a sincere desire to better understand our Catholic Faith and our role as the Ecclesia Militans.

Our confusion stems from the fact that the Archdiocese has a very committed and strict adherence to the vetting policy that Your Excellency has put into place. Many of the undersigned have expressed situations where faithful Catholics have had difficulty leading, participating, and promoting events of a Catholic nature within the Archdiocese due to this policy, and yet see this Episcopal event planned and approved. Therefore they are confused in their understanding of the vetting policy.

We, the undersigned faithful humbly request that you answer certain questions so that we can better understand why this event has been given clearance in light of Canon Law, the Catechism, and the Archdiocese of Anchorage Vetting Policy. We ask these questions sincerely, and with humble hearts, in light of the teachings of the Catholic Church:

• Will the Eucharist be removed from the Tabernacle during this event?
• Will the Altar be used for any reason, or for Episcopal Communion?
• Will Consecrated vessels which belong to the Archdiocese, Parish, or Catholic Priests be used in any of the ceremonies?
• Who from the Archdiocese will oversee this event to ensure that no desecration to any Sacred elements occur?
• Is there any prohibition or set of guidelines imposed upon those Episcopal leaders who will be officiating in terms of what they can physically do, their use of the Sacred Sanctuary, their use of any items, or specifically what they can say in terms of theological teaching?
• Is this event open to the public or can a representative of our choosing be selected to witness this event for the sake of understanding, Catechesis, and Ecumenism?
• Since this will be a non-Catholic ceremony, with non-Catholics in charge, is there a contingency plan as to what will happen should the ceremony, or those leading it, undertake actions or words that are contrary to the teachings and Sacredness of the Faith or the Church?

Finally, we humbly ask that this event not occur at Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is sadly ironic that it is slated to be officiated by a woman bishop who is clearly in defiance of the Magisterium and the teachings of the Church, in a church dedicated to Our Lady who was so accepting of the will of God. The striking contrast between Our Lady of Guadalupe and Ms. Schori are difficult for many to accept. Therefore, for the sake of preventing Scandal; out of reverence for the sacredness of the Church, Altar, and Sanctuary; the fact that those participating are directly opposed to the teachings of the Catholic faith; and that there are many outstanding questions which the faithful fear don’t have answers, we humbly request that Your Excellency think of his Catholic faithful first and move this event from the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

We present this letter to you with humble hearts. We have no desire to appoint blame or indict anyone in this situation. We honestly and sincerely desire only to preserve the honor and glory deserved of Holy Mother Church, Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist, and the faith and humility of the undersigned.

We ask that a written response be presented to us as soon as Your Excellency can produce it, and we will continue to pray for you, all the priests, and the whole Church. We do not envy your role as shepherd of us most unworthy flock of sinners, and humble ourselves before God as we send this brazen letter. As a sign of our faith, we have also included a spiritual bouquet from those who sign this letter for your Excellency, and for the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
We ask all of this through Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to Jesus.

Respectfully,

cc:
Prefect Archbishop William Joseph Levada
Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine Faith
Piazza del S. Uffizio 11-00193
Rome, VATICAN CITY

Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera
Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship
Piazza Pio XII 10-00193
Rome, VATICAN CITY

Reverend Steve C. Moore
Vicar General
Archdiocese of Anchorage

Reverend Thomas T. Brundage
Moderator of the Curia & Judicial Vicar
Archdiocese of Anchorage

Personal Intentions

Folks, I really need some prayer support.

As some of you may know, through keeping up with my somewhat cryptic posts about my vocation as a husband-father-attorney, my current position of employment expires here in the next few weeks. We moved up to Alaska last August, following an opportunity, really the only opportunity God threw at us.

We prayed, trusted, believed, and jumped.

Every step of the way God has had his hands out, guiding us. We really want to be the vessel and not the captain of this journey. We know in the end, we must trust that God will provide... but that doesn't mean we should commit to  blind and passive "waiting on God." It means that we have to do our part; prayer, penance, and committing our hearts to have faith in God's will.

That being said, we need your support. Please pray for us, possibly a Rosary.

We are looking for an opportunity, something that shows us the direction we should take. Is it Michigan, to be with family, where I have taken and passed the bar, where there are some opportunities, although few and difficult ones, yet where there is a more diverse and accessible Catholic faith structure? Or Alaska, where we have gained a faith circle of friends and loved ones, although the Catholic "infrastructure" is somewhat primitive and small, and where I have not taken the bar and we are committed to one specific are, yet a place where our family would prosper and where our lifestyle and faith life would certainly benefit?

We by no means want to make this a single factor decision. We also don't want to "weigh the options to find the most ____________(fill in the blank) place to live." We want to listen to God, we want to thrive as a family, as Catholics, and in our vocations. Unfortunately, the world works on "Worldly Time" and God's time is a little more... well, patient? But that doesn't mean that it doesn't cause us to worry and stress. Believe me, I know that I am contradicting myself... but I believe sometimes God presses us like this, so that we commit ourselves to prayers and faith.

We have desires, but we are trying to align those desires with the path God desires for us. It is difficult, in our culture to focus on what is important, but we really are trying. We are willing to sacrifice "career opportunities"; "comfortable living"; "a great place to live"; "friends"; "career fields"; etc... and are willing to risk, and venture out again if that is what God asks.

We know I went to law school for a reason, we know that God has afforded us experiences so that we will be prepared for what he has for us down the road... we just need some help discerning that path. We know this appeal is all too common nowadays, and is by no means specific to us alone. We know that many are in difficult and even in dire situations, and compared to our plight, are quite poorly off. That being said, in a few weeks time we might be in just that type of situation.

We know that God will guide us, we just want to do our part. So we ask you, to join us in pleas for intercession and prayers for guidance. I know that many of you take these requests seriously, and I can't thank you enough. In the end, the most important thing to me is the faith and safety of the souls of my family. I know that only God can secure such things for us, s we humbly turn to him, for all that we need.

Please pray for us...

St. Joseph, the worker ~ Ora Pro Nobis

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St. Therese, the Little Flower ~ Ora Pro Nobis

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St. Thomas More ~ Ora Pro Nobis

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St. Jude ~ Ora Pro Nobis

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St. Lucy ~ Ora Pro Nobis

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St. Rita ~ Ora Pro Nobis
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help ~ Ora Pro Nobis

GREAT NEWS!

If you remember a few days ago, I made a post asking for your prayers regarding a situation involving a Sister Claudia. Sister Claudia if you remember, had been struck in the eye with a fishing lure, while up here on vacation, as she was fishing in the river.

The initial reports, were that she had been flown to Anchorage, and then flown to Oregon; the initial word was that she had lost her sight, and due to the damage was most likely going to lose her eye.

The next day, we included her as one of our intentions for the Rosary that we prayed on Tuesday (along with a few others.) At the conclusion of the Rosary, I grabbed a Saint Lucy prayer card that I had, and asked that we quickly seek the intercession of Saint Lucy...

...well we received word on Wednesday that she was possibly going to be able to keep her eye, although not for sight purposes as the damage was too much. We were grateful for whatever God gave her. BUT THEN...

...we found out last night that when the doctor removed the bandages, she said that she could see an OUTLINE of his shape. He said, "Impossible..."

No Dr... nothing with God is impossible.

There is still a long way to go, and it is hard to know yet, exactly "how much sight" she will have, but there is a chance that she will have at least partial vision out of that eye.

Deo Gratias! & thank you Saint Lucy for your intercession on our behalf.

Hurt, Rosary, and Hope

I am hurt. I am hurt by my own actions, the actions of others, and the depravity that is sin.
What hurts the most is that my words have been taken to mean something that they clearly state that they are not.

I am not blameless, nor is anyone else. But for the Grace of God...

I want to remind everyone of something from my first major post about the HFC situation. I wrote the following as my concluding thought:

In closing, remember that our jobs in all of this is to be good members of the Church Militant. That means we should adhere to the 3 Eminent Good Works of PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING. Do not give way to rumor mongering, hearsay, or "stories." There will be much that is said in the following days about this, and the best we can do, is all that we can... and that is to live our lives as good Catholics, with all that it entails.

I can't say it any other way... Everything I TRULY believe and mean is said in those words. Have I said things that may have stirred emotions or feelings? I don't know, that wasn't my intention and I said so. Maybe people didn't read it? Either way... I have been accused of being divisive, while the whole time I have preached for unity... so clearly in the realm of Ora et Labora I am somehow messing up the "works" portion.

For that reason I am adding HFC & the BISHOP to the list of intentions we have for a Rosary and Dinner that we are having at our place tonight. I ask all of my Kenai Readers, to join me. Amongst our petitions will be the safe and successful surgery of a parishioner who is in the lower 48 for surgery, tomorrow. As well, we will be praying for Sister Claudia, and her situation that I mentioned yesterday.

All are welcome at our Dinner and Rosary tonight, and if you are in the area, please contact me for more details.

URGENT PRAYER INTENTION: St. Lucy - Ora Pro Nobis

Please quickly ask St. Lucy to intercede for a Sister Claudia that has been visiting locally.

I have received a call that while fishing she had a hook hit her in the eye. She was flown to Anchorage, and then Oregon.

There is a fear that she will lose sight in that eye, or her eye entirely.

Please take a moment and pray:

Dear Sicilian Virgin and Martyr, whom the Church recalls in Eucharistic Prayer I, you valiantly rejected great promises and resisted several threats in remaining faithful to your beloved Lord. For centuries Christians have invoked you particularly when suffering from eye trouble.


So now we implore your assistance on behalf of {SISTER CLAUDIA}. We also ask you to teach us to imitate you and to avoid spiritual blindness of any kind.


Amen.

Prayer Intention.

Please pray for me, and my family. Especially those doing the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Novena.

I wear a scapular, probably don't deserve to, but did not participate this year... for a multitude of reasons.

I probably should have.

The intention is personal, but it involves our future, where we will/should live, and careers.

The night seems quite dark. They say it is always darkest before the dawn... let us hope so.

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ~ Ora Pro Nobis

Prayers for Young Sailor

This is one of those sad cases of horrible circumstances: 16year old Probably Lost at Sea
Please Pray for her.

Saint Brendan - Ora Pro Nobis

There is a lot to say about this... but I don't really think now is the time. As adults we are entrusted with young people, not only because they are our children... but because they are God's as well. There is a fine line between letting children grow and risk, and knowing when to say "That is too much." There will be time for that discussion later...

For now, let us just pray.

Prayer Intentions - Week of June 7, 2010

So I have decided to start listing prayer intentions for myself and others so that readers can include them in their lists. I know that many folks are very kind and self-sacrificial and will pray faithfully for the intentions of others. That being said, if you do keep any of these intentions in your prayers, I want to thank you for not only myself, but for those that request the support.

Here are the weeks intentions:

• For my Mother. It has only been a few months since the death of my father, and I know she needs spiritual support for understanding and faith, but also for the intention of her future. Logistically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually, things will be very different for her moving forward, and prayer must be part of the equation.
• For my Parish and the Priests. There are a lot of divisions, issues, and intentions within our parish.
• For a reader's future scholastic endeavours. They recently came into a great opportunity to do some advanced theological coursework, but are trying to locate some funds to get some pre-requisites out of the way. The support of prayer to discern how to best do this would be much appreciated.
• For the local people in my area - One of the "fisheries" has closed down, which means that fishermen tourists have started cancelling trips here due to the inability to fish for certain species, leaving the area of about 8,000 with a loss estimated in the $1.3million + range. That is a good chunk of money, especially when some folks survive almost solely on that tourism generated income.
• For a fellow blogger and her discernment regarding their parish, their practice, and their convictions. This blogger is really diving into their faith, and exploring uncharted territory which is scary, but also rewarding. Spiritual help will most definitely be appreciated.
• For a personal intention of mine regarding a "project." I can't say much more than that, but it isn't really for myself, but for the people I care about - my friends and family. I am working on something neat, and need the ducks to really line up for me on this one... and quickly. You prayers would be greatly helpful and appreciated... Latin prayers might be "extra" helpful ;)

Thank you.