Beside the Holm Oak Tree

"I am so welcomed here"

Fri, 04 May 2012 01:44:00 GMT

For so many years, Debbie and Vanessa have worked for our Lord. As the name, Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry would lead someone to imagine, there have been many set-backs and sorrows trying to bring Jesus to people. Besides the usual obstacles that anyone would face, they have suffered many personal upheavals, hurts and disappointments. Of course, the evil one is working hard to stop any ministry that is bringing souls to Christ. But, through it all, they have persevered knowing they were doing the work of God.

This past weekend, as they joyfully welcomed their long-time friend, Fr. Philip Scott to Vandalia and the new Refuge they were blessed in many ways. Fr. Philip was on fire with the Holy Spirit. His talks and homilies were powerful and filled with many messages of hope, healing and reconciliation. The confession lines were long all weekend as many souls reconciled with our Lord.

Debbie and Vanessa received a tremendous consolation late Saturday night. After adoration and benediction, Fr. Philip approached the altar to repose the Blessed Sacrament. As he began, he heard our Lord tell him “I am so welcomed here”. Fr. Philip was amazed at this and immediately went to share this revelation with Debbie and Vanessa. Never before in his priesthood had he heard anything like this message. It was a consolation that through the many trials and hardships of maintaining this ministry, that the Lord, Himself, was pleased and found favor with OSMM!

Fr. Mark Baron added this discernment when he spoke with Debbie. Jesus is welcomed because we welcome Jesus’ suffering and wounded people here. They are welcomed and loved and that is how we honor Jesus.

He also reminded Debbie that Bethany was where Jesus went to rest and refresh himself. Mary and Martha welcomed and tended to him, just as Debbie and Vanessa strive to do with all who come here. OSMM has always been the place where all people and especially Jesus’ representatives on earth; his priests can come and rest, relax and renew themselves.

There is no greater reward than to know that God is pleased with how we are fulfilling the earthly mission He has chosen for us.

Too Busy?

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 01:26:00 GMT

Being busy is a common complaint these days. We are busy with our work, our homes, and especially tending to every need of our families. Our priorities seem to be about getting through our “to do” list. Except every day, our list gets longer and we never seem to finally get to the bottom. There is always that next thing that absolutely needs to get done.

If we look at the Ten Commandments we see what God is setting as our priorities in life. The first thing we are to do is to honor God and keep Holy His Name. The next thing we are asked to do is to honor the Sabbath; no mention is made about our work and daily routine. God wants us to keep Sunday holy and reserved for Him.

Next, we move to upholding our families. We are asked to honor our Father and Mother. The family is the basic unit of our earthly life. We respect the authority of our parents and as parents ourselves, we teach our children discipline and respect for what is right. It doesn’t mention anything about earning as much money as possible so we can accumulate the most possessions as possible.

The rest of the commandments are our guidelines for living a virtuous life, free from lying, stealing, envy, jealousy, and adultery.

So, the theme of the commandments has to do with our behavior toward God and our neighbor. When the Pharisees asked Jesus what the greatest commandments were, He replied. Mt 22:37-40 “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it:You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Where is our time going? Are we spending our time trying to follow God’s commandments or is all of our time spent trying to fulfill our own agenda of what is important in life?

Come join us for First Retreat in the Refuge of the Remanant

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:19:00 GMT

After many months of planning and hard work the new Refuge of the Remnant is in the final steps of preparation for our first retreat. This Friday, April 13^th, we begin with a retreat on Divine Mercy. It will be a celebration of many aspects.

First of all, we open this new center for retreats with a gratitude to God for the many blessings He has bestowed on Our Sorrowful Mother’s Ministry. We are blessed as a community of believers who look to our Lord for the guidance to live our lives. We realize we are nothing without Christ. Being able to live out this vocation for the Glory of God is a deep privilege.

Our gratitude extends to the people who have been led to this ministry by the Holy Spirit. Some come a few times and then drift away. We pray that whatever graces God wanted them to receive were found here and they will continue their journey in step with God’s plan. We are especially blessed by the many others who have returned again and again. They have become our friends and part of our OSMM family. Together, we share joys and sorrows. Each retreat, the atmosphere is like re-uniting with an old friend. We pick up where we left off. It seems like we’ve never been apart. You don’t have to be a long time regular retreatant to feel this way. We are always amazed how close we all grow together in one weekend. Everyone is welcome and accepted as a brother or sister in Christ.

Finally, we are grateful and tremendously blessed to have this beautiful new building. Even though, the finishing touches are still being completed, there is no doubt that this building was built to honor and glorify Jesus, our Holy Mother and all the angels and saints. Pictures cannot capture the beauty and serenity of this place. There is a feeling of warmth here.

The Easter season is one of joy and gratitude. We invite everyone to come and share this weekend with us. Come and be a part of a new era for OSMM. There are no strangers here.

Lent

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 19:04:00 GMT

As we approach Easter, the discipline of Lent is coming to an end. Easter is a time of joy as we celebrate the greatest event in history. Even though I love Easter because it celebrates the resurrection and the fact that eternal life has been purchased for us, I will miss the season of Lent. There is something about the sacrifice and self-control of Lent that is appealing to me. The resolutions I could not keep for even a few days after New Year’s somehow are able to be kept during Lent. For some reason if I cheat by eating my favorite food or indulging in some other pleasure any other time of the year it doesn’t seem so bad when I’m just breaking a promise to myself. But, when I get to Lent, my promise is to God and there is no way I’m going to take it lightly. Many years, I have given something up and almost felt guilty about it later because I didn’t even seem to miss what I was sacrificing. I’ve come to know that my will power didn’t suddenly get stronger; it was the grace of God that enabled me to easily sacrifice for Him. I’m not trying to brag. In fact, it’s just the opposite. When I’m left to my own devices, I’m weak, easily distracted and able to justify my own behaviors. Only when I turn to God for strength am I able to overcome my own faults and find the resolve to accomplish more.

Phil 4:13 I can all things in him who strengthens me

Phil 4:13 has always been one of my favorite verses not because it gives me hope that I can accomplish anything but because it reminds me that there is nothing I can do without Christ.

Religious Freedom Under Attack

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:06:00 GMT

I never intended for this blog to have a political agenda. I just wanted to write about the beautiful devotions and traditions of the Catholic faith. I thought it would stay light and be filled with random observations. Unfortunately, the political climate has changed so much that the ability to even being able to practice our faith is greatly threatened. With that said, I feel compelled to speak out.

For example, there is the recent case in Gaithersburg, FL where a priest denied communion to a woman at her mother’s funeral. The priest has been relieved of his duties. When the dust settled, the facts came out and what was portrayed as a heartless and embarrassing spectacle during mass turned out to be anything but. The woman was not a practicing Catholic, introduced herself to the priest before mass and introduced a female companion as her lover. She quickly exited before the priest could even engage her in conversation. It was later revealed that the woman is a Buddhist, yet she still approached the altar at communion. Her knowledge of the faith must be non-existent. When we approach the altar for communion, we publicly proclaim with our actions that we are receiving Jesus in the host. We say “Amen” as an affirmation of the words, “The Body of Christ”. She didn’t profess to believe in any of the tenets of the faith. When quietly denied communion by the priest, she moved over to the extraordinary minister and received communion. The so-called confrontation was so discreet the extraordinary minister didn’t even notice and went ahead and distributed the host. Headlines and public criticism of the priest followed.

In Canada, a woman is protesting and circulating a petition against the Catholic school her children attend because she believes the wording in a pamphlet that quotes the Catechism of the Catholic Church concerning homosexuality is “outdated and harmful”. She even links the teachings of the Church to the problem of teen suicide. Isn’t it obvious that if you send your children to a Catholic school that the expectation should be that the beliefs of the Catholic Church will be taught? Yet, here is a woman demanding that the Church change for her beliefs.

Chick-Fil-A is well known as a Christian-owned company. Even in this day of 24 hour service for just about anything, the company chooses to be closed on Sunday to honor the day of the Lord. Because Chick-Fil-A supports Christian values and supports organizations such as Focus on the Family it has been labeled as homophobic by several universities. Because of these objections, the restaurants have been removed from several college campuses including Duke University, New York University, Indiana University, and Northeastern University in Boston. In light of being open-minded and inclusive, these universities are banning a company from conducting a legitimate business because their beliefs differ. Somehow, logic is lost.

I realize that these three cases all involve the topic of homosexuality. But, that is not the point I’m trying to make. My point is that a special interest group, with their own personal motives can protest and force religious groups and individuals to be silenced.

I’ve stated before, there is a fight going on for religious freedom. The people who oppose your freedom to practice your faith are quickly gaining ground. Are you ready to stand up, at any price, to defend your beliefs? Will the Church Militant be ready?

What’s next? When will Catholic, Evangelical, Baptist and other churches be forced to close because their teachings do not agree with the politically, but morally bankrupt opinions of the masses?

Freedom for Liberals or Freedom for All?

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:20:00 GMT

The group “Freedom from Religion Foundation” recently put an ad in the New York Times that included this letter. I have to admit that when I first read it, I thought it was a spoof. The arguments are so poorly formed and supported and filled with clichés, there was no way it could be serious. I was wrong. There is a real organization that describes itself a freethinkers who work to keep the church and state separate.The letter is below with my comments in red.

Dear ‘Liberal’ Catholic:

Liberal refers to “freedom of action”, apparently that only pertains to people who favor the HHS mandate, the people who oppose it aren’t afforded this same freedom.
It’s time to quit the Roman Catholic Church.

It’s your moment of truth. Will it be reproductive freedom, or back to the Dark Ages? Do you choose women and their rights, or Bishops and their wrongs? Whose side are you on, anyway?
If we’re picking sides, I’m on the side of those people who have the vocation of protecting and preserving the Truth revealed to the Church from the 1^st century. It’s called apostolic succession.
It is time to make known your dissent from the Catholic Church, in light of the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops’ ruthless campaign endangering the right to contraception. If you’re part of the Catholic Church, you’re part of the problem.
I’m not sure what the problem is? Apparently, it’s following God because He is The Creator. He created the entire universe, including man. He created the process that brings new life and allowed humanity to cooperate with that plan by a physical act. He could have just had people crawl out from under a rock and then exist as independent beings. But He didn’t, His plan involved families and community where we serve one another.
Why are you propping up the pillars of a tyrannical and autocratic, woman-hating, sex-perverting, antediluvian Old Boys Club? Why are you aiding and abetting a church that has repeatedly and publicly announced a crusade to ban contraception, abortion and sterilization, and to deny the right of all women everywhere, Catholic or not, to decide whether and when to become mothers? When it comes to reproductive freedom, the Roman Catholic Church is Public Enemy Number One. Think of the acute misery, poverty, needless suffering, unwanted pregnancies, social evils and deaths that can be laid directly at the door of the Church’s antiquated doctrine that birth control is a sin and must be outlawed.
Actually, the Church is opposed to being forced to provide others with contraception, abortion and sterilization. The Bishops have never asked for the government to ban anything for all people. “Old Boys Club”, really? That old argument is the best she can really come up with?
A backer of the Roman Catholic presidential candidate says that if women want to avoid pregnancy we should put an aspirin between our knees? Catholic politicians are urging that the right to contraception should be left up to states? Nearly 50 years after the Supreme Court upheld contraception as a privacy right, we’re going to have to defend this basic freedom all over again?
A backer? Who? I would bet that old joke I heard 20 years ago about an aspirin wasn’t meant to be taken seriously as a new policy. What’s wrong with morality, anyway?
You’re better than your church. So why? Why continue to attend Mass? Tithe? Why dutifully sacrifice to send your children to parochial schools so they can be brainwashed into the next generation of myrmidons (and, potentially, become the next Church victims)? For that matter, why have you put up with an institution that won’t put up with women priests, that excludes half of humanity?
I know why I continue to attend mass. I go to honor and give glory to God, to hear the Word of God preached, to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, and to be filled with the graces of the Mass.
No self-respecting feminist, civil libertarian or progressive should cling to the Catholic faith. As a Cafeteria Catholic, you chuck out the stale doctrine and moldy decrees of your religion, but keep patronizing the establishment that menaces public health by serving rotten offerings. Your continuing Catholic membership, as a “liberal,” casts a veneer of respectability upon an irrational sect determined to blow out the Enlightenment and threaten liberty for women worldwide. You are an enabler. And it’s got to stop.
The doctrine of the Church is anything but stale. You could spend a lifetime trying to read all the Church Fathers and Doctors of the Church and still not be able to grasp all the knowledge they have written.
If you imagine you can change the church from within — get it to lighten up on birth control, gay rights, marriage equality, embryonic stem-cell research — you are deluding yourself. If you remain a “good Catholic,” you are doing “bad” to women’s rights. You’re kidding yourself if you think the Church is ever going to add a Doctrine of Immaculate ContraCeption.
You don’t lighten up on Truth.
It is disgraceful that U.S. health care reform is being held hostage to the Catholic Church’s bizarre opposition to medically prescribed contraception. No politician should jeopardize electability for failure to genuflect before the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (Question to ask your Bishop: Does he hold up an umbrella against the rain? Isn’t that just as “unnatural” as using a condom or diaphragm?)
How is holding up an umbrella preventing God’s will for man? Umbrellas don’t interfere with creation of new life or cause life to be killed in the womb. It’s a faulty analogy.
Your Church hysterically claims that secular medical policy is “an assault against religious liberty.” You are savvy enough to realize that the real assault is by the Church against women’s rights and health care. As Nation columnist Katha Pollitt asks: Is it an offense against Jehovah Witnesses that health care coverage will include blood transfusions? The Amish, as Pollitt points out, don’t label cars “an assault on religious liberty” and try to force everyone to drive buggies. The louder the Church cries “offense against religious liberty” the harder it works to take away women’s liberty.
I haven’t noticed any of the bishops being “hysterical”. The Amish also are not forced to pay for the car I drive. What about the individual’s liberty to not pay for something that they are morally opposed to?
Obama has compromised, but the Church never budges, instead launching a vengeful modern-day Inquisition. Look at its continuing directives to parish priests to use their pulpits every Sunday to lobby you against Obama’s policy, the Church’s announcement of a major anti-contraception media campaign — using your tithes, contributions and donations — to defeat Obama’s laudable health care policy. The Church has introduced into Congress the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, ” a bill to place the conscienceless Catholic Church’s “rights of conscience” above the rights of conscience of 53 percent of Americans. That the Church has “conscience rights” to deny women their rights is a kissing cousin to the claim that “corporations are people.” The Church that hasn’t persuaded you to oppose contraception now wants to use the force of secular law to deny contraceptive rights to non-Catholics.
The “rights of conscience” should apply if 99% of the country is opposed. I didn’t know our conscience is only honored if it is formed in a group. Individual conscience means exactly that.
But is there any point in going on? After all, your misplaced loyalty has lasted through two decades of public sex scandals involving preying priests, children you may have known as victims, and church complicity, collusion and coverup going all the way to the top. Are you like the battered woman who, after being beaten down every Sunday, feels she has no place else to go?
Yes, my loyalty has lasted through the sex scandal. I know the scandal is not the Church. It is individuals within the Church who have greatly sinned and committed criminal acts. The Church, itself, its beliefs and practices have always held fast to Truth.
But we have a more welcoming home to offer, free of incense-fogged ritual, free of what freethinker Bertrand Russell called “ideas uttered long ago by ignorant men,” free of blind obedience to an illusory religious authority. Join those of us who put humanity above dogma.
I can’t imagine anyone thinking of St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Ignatius, St. Francis, St. Alphonsus Liquori, John of the Cross, St. Bernard, etc. as ignorant men. Humanity is not above dogma when they are acting in opposition to it. We can choose to oppose the Truth, but the Truth remains. I can go to the top of a tall building and jump. I will still fall to the earth whether or not I believe in gravity.
As a member of the “flock” of an avowedly antidemocratic club, isn’t it time you vote with your feet? Please, exit en Mass.
No, thanks. I follow Jesus.But, I’m sure the evil one is pleased with your nonsense.
Very truly,

Annie Laurie Gaylor
Co-President
Freedom From Religion Foundation

Freedom of Religion and Freeedom from Government

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 01:53:00 GMT

There has been a lot of attention lately given to the role of the government and its dictates that affect the free practice of our faith. The first amendment of the constitution is frequently misunderstood and believed to have a clause that states there shall be a separation of church and state. Nowhere in the Constitution does it state that. The first amendment is as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

So, as far as religion is concerned, the amendment is restricting the government from making laws that would require the people to follow a particular religion. The second part is also interesting in that it prohibits the government from interfering with the free exercise of whatever religion the people choose. So, the government can’t choose a religion for us and it can’t interfere with how we practice the religion we choose for ourselves.

The recent HHS mandate has clearly violated the second part of the first amendment. It requires all employers, including the Catholic Church to provide contraceptive services, sterility procedures and abortion services to its employees. That is definitely interfering with a person’s right to free exercise of their religion. Catholics would be forced to provide these services even though they are against the faith. President Obama later issued a clause that said the Catholic Church wouldn’t have to provide them, but the insurance company they contracted with would have to provide the services. I guess in their mind that makes it OK. “I won’t do something, but I will pay someone else to do it, so it doesn’t really count.” Sounds like playground logic.

Furthermore, it makes it impossible for Catholics who are true to their faith to own or work for insurance companies, since they will be required to provide services for others for sterilizations, abortions and contraceptives.

Where does this end? Religious liberty is at stake. Other Catholic views are already being identified as bigotry or “hate crimes”. Will we be not only persecuted, but prosecuted for our beliefs? Are you ready to really stand up for your beliefs?

In one of my first blogs, I wrote about prayer in public schools. I am not in favor of it. I sure it would make students and school more prayerful, but I don’t want the government in any way involved with my faith. I may sound cynical, but I don’t trust the politicians to do what’s right.

Here are two recent examples of situations that have involved faith and public schools:

A high school choir from Grand Junction, CO was practicing for a program that included an Islamic song entitled “Zikr” that has a phrase that translates as “There is no truth except Allah”. When one of students objected, he was told the song was approved because the program included other religious songs from other faiths. Rather than sing that acclamation he choose to quit the choir. I wonder if there would have been a similar response if the song had been, “To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King” and a non-Christian student had objected?

In another instance, a second grade student from a Sheboygan, Wisconsin elementary school was prohibited from distributing valentines because they contained a religious message. The message said Jesus Loves You and included the verse from John 3:16. The school had a policy against distributing religious materials. I guess the school really saved those students from such a dangerous message.

The government must not be allowed to restrict or control our religious liberty whether it is in the work place, our schools or our daily lives. We must be vigilant in the defense of our faith.

Are You Catholic?

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:35:00 GMT

What does it mean to be Catholic? Simply put, a Catholic believes and follows the teachings of the Catholic Church; all of the teachings. We don’t have to fully understand all of them and will never know the full meaning of all the mysteries of the church on this side of heaven. We believe on faith. Knowing, believing and accepting something without proof is faith.

Do you believe in the Holy Trinity? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity that was born of the Virgin Mary and became true man and true God? Do you believe that He came and established the Church on earth through his apostles who continued his mission through their teachings, the Eucharist, confession and the other sacraments? Do you believe that they were given the supernatural power to do this by Jesus and through the infusion of the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost? Hopefully, if you consider yourself a Catholic you completely accept all of this as true.

The Church teaches that the first apostles taught and preserved the faith as Jesus intended. They passed this on to their successors who became the first popes, bishops and priests. The faith has been preserved throughout the past two thousand years. The Lord Himself said the gates of hell will not prevail against the church.

If you have agreed to all of the above, then you are saying you believe the Catholic Church is the church of Christ, who established it to guide and lead us to Him. You have to accept all the Church teaches if you believe in the faithfulness of apostolic succession that was established with the first apostles. If you reject the teachings of the Church, then you are denying the faith has been preserved truthfully through time. If you disagree with the Church’s teachings on one area, why believe it is right in any other area? Did the truth just fail to be maintained in the areas in which you disagree? With God, there is no past, present or future. I remember learning in CCD that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. It’s not like He is heaven thinking, “Wow, if I knew things were going to turn out this way, I would have written different commandments.” That is ludicrous.

One of the Church’s true examples of wisdom is its ability to preserve the truth no matter what the world believes. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Truth does not change because society has changed its values on sin and morality.

When we profess the Our Father, we proclaim, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done”. If we are faithful Catholics, we are proclaiming that we look for, accept and yearn for the “will” of the Father to be done. We are not imposing our own will on God. We don’t know God’s plan for our lives, the ones we love or the world. We don’t have an inkling of the master plan. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures of the earth from outer space that shows a large sphere covered with blue water and swirling clouds. We can imagine our own existence in the large scheme of the universe as a tiny speck that appears for a few moments and then is gone. Yet, somehow, when we move away from the Church, our pride leads us to think that we know better than God what we need, what we believe and how we should live our lives.

As Catholics, we seek the will of God and then with the grace of God work to fulfill it.

Where Have all the Children Gone?

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:51:00 GMT

It seems that no one wants to be a child, least of all, children. If you’ve raised children, you have experienced their need to be “big”. They long to become independent and do things by themselves. That is part of the normal process of growing up.

What I’m referring to is the way society has changed its view of children as being grown up in the sense that they can make their own decisions at an early age and know all about the adult world when they are still very young. Innocence, it seems, is lost at an early age.

Children as young as eight or nine make family decisions. They are consulted on whether or not they want to go and visit relatives. I remember going to my Grandmother’s house on Sunday afternoons as a regular ritual. I’m sure no one consulted me to see if I felt like going. At mass, I have seen the ushers ask a family if they would be willing to take up the gifts before communion and it is not rare that the parent turns to the children and asks if they want to do so. Is that really the child’s decision? Why don’t the parents see themselves as the spiritual leaders of the family and see it is an opportunity for their family to assist at the mass? I know a couple who have asked their daughter from the time she was six years old where she wanted to go on vacation. Their rationale is that they go on vacation for the child so she should have the say in where they go. Since the child has no idea about vacation days, travel arrangements, hotels, and cost, I’m pretty sure her decision shouldn’t carry any weight, but so it goes.

From twelve years old, many kids watch “R” rated movies. It is not uncommon. I have seen many examples where young teens know all the details about their parents’ financial problems, marital conflicts and arguments with neighbors and relatives. The parents are using these young people as a sounding board or even confidantes in personal situations.

Are our kids really ready for this? I don’t think there is anyone who has given this serious thought who would agree. I don’t propose to give anyone advice about raising children. I am no expert. I have made plenty of my own mistakes. I guess I am disheartened when I see young kids miss their childhood because they go straight from being a little kid to a teenager and think of themselves as adults. First and second graders are “going out” with one another, sixth graders go on “double dates” with their parents and teenagers have boy/girl sleepovers. I’m not naïve to think the past was all rosy with no problems. But, I do think we need to go back to a place where we protected the innocence of childhood, taught them to become independent within the safety of the family unit and built their self-worth on their being a child of God. The world will latch on to our kids soon enough, it’s our job to build them up so they can cope and stay strong to resist the temptations and empty promises of the world.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 6:20 My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s teaching.

Ephesians 6:2 “Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth”

A New Year and New Beginnings for OSMM

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:10:00 GMT

With a new year there are always new beginnings. Hopefully, if you made any resolutions they are still holding strong. If not, there is always the chance to begin again. As I began to think about what personal changes I was making for 2012 my thoughts drifted to OSMM and the many changes that are happening.

As many of our faithful friends and retreatants already know, we are taking on our biggest undertaking yet. The construction of our own building, the Refuge of the Remnant, brings with it excitement and joy. We laugh at ourselves because we are so excited to see concrete poured or 2 x 4's put up. We can't help ourselves because we are watching it all come to fruition. This new building is bringing with it so much hope for the future. Each day, when we look at the progress made, we anticipate how much it will bring to the ministry. The concerns about scheduling other sites to host our events will be alleviated. We will have a permanent site for our many beautiful statues and artwork. All of the items in the building have been carefully selected to give honor to our Lord and our Lady. It is all for the glory of God.

For the first time, we will have a permanent site for our store. It has appropriately been given the name, Mary’s Anawim. (Anawim is a Hebrew word which refers to the ones who remain faithful to God in times of difficulty). This truly describes what we are striving for in these difficult times. The new store will greatly increase our ability to serve those who come to our retreats. We will have many items that will aid in spiritual growth. Many of our books are from speakers that you know well as they have led retreats in the past. Other books are from well-known and respected authors. They focus on personal growth, healing, forgiveness and living the life that God intended. You can be sure that everything we have will be based on solid Catholic teaching.

The beautiful windows, furnishings and sanctuary items not only bring out the beauty of the liturgy but are a way for many to honor their loved ones. We have received donations from our friends that have helped purchase items and are also in remembrance of many blessings or to remember or honor a loved one. It is a constant reminder of our gratitude to God for our many joys and blessings. Items are still available if you are interested.

It’s hard to describe the anticipation we are feeling waiting for the building to be completed. I hope you are as excited as we are. We are looking forward to the coming year because we know all of the hard work will be worth it. We can’t wait to see all of you at our retreats so you can share in our joy.

So many people have come to OSMM suffering feelings of hopelessness, woundedness and confusion. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, many have left feeling refreshed, renewed and loved. God has given OSMM a mission to bring people to Him, to literally save souls. God has also provided this new venue in order to do so. Come, be a part of it.

2012: A New Beginning

Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:27:00 GMT

The end of the year usually brings about a time of thoughtfulness about what the past year has brought and what the coming year will be. It’s a traditional time to make resolutions. Some swear off of them saying they never stick to them so why bother. Others are eternally hopeful this will be the year they lose weight, get in shape, stay on a budget or spend more time with family. Resolutions can even be of a spiritual nature like spending more time reading scripture or attending daily mass more frequently.

The key to all of these is a plan. It’s been said that we really don’t break any habits; we just replace them with something else. Hence, people who gain weight when they quit smoking. So, think about what takes you away from God. How are you using your time? Try to find time to grow spiritually.

Basics for a greater spiritual life

Say the rosary every day, ideally with your family. The Blessed Mother asked us to do this at Fatima and during many other apparitions.
Make a point to include a holy hour sometime in your week. Actually putting it into your schedule with a specific time will make it much easier to keep.
Make a daily examen. You are looking back over your day and discerning your behavior. There are many examples in books and online. I have borrowed this one from Fr. John Hardon.
- Think about what blessings God granted you during the day. Thank God for all of them. Some of the blessings will be obvious and some were hidden in negative experiences.
- Think about the people and circumstances of your day. How was God asking you to respond? How did you do? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight into how you failed to respond to God’s promptings.
- Pray to know God’s will and to have the knowledge and strength to act on it in the future.

I have found keeping a journal helps me to organize my thoughts and to be more specific and honest. When I look back over some of my entries it’s easy to see if there is a pattern to my thoughts and actions.

Use the following link to get the complete explanation of Fr. Hardon's examen.. http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Christian_Spirituality/Christian_Spirituality_012.htm

What are some of your resolutions? What have you done that has worked in the past? What are your hopes for this year?

Christmas

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:48:00 GMT

God is Love and Love came to earth as a baby. Ignoring all the commercialism and distractions of what Christmas has become we are celebrating the greatest gift that God gave us and that is the Word made flesh. As the second person of the Trinity, Jesus came to earth to show us the path to his Father. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Take time to enjoy the day and every day you have been given. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. Whatever your plan may be this Christmas, enjoy those around you, look beyond the shortcomings, and remember the gift of the Savior to the world.

Do you "Tebow"?

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:51:00 GMT

By now, most of you, even those who are not football fans have heard of Tim Tebow. For those who haven’t, he is the quarterback for the Denver Broncos. He joined the NFL after a stellar collegiate career with the Florida Gators winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007 as a sophomore. He helped lead the Gators to the National Championship in 2006 and 2008. There is no doubt he is a successful and gifted athlete.

What makes Tebow different is his unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ. He is unashamedly a witness for Christ. During interviews, Tim readily attributes all of his ability to the grace of God. He is known for dropping to one knee and saying a quick prayer during the game. The media has dubbed this as “Tebowing” and it is gaining widespread popularity. There is even a website showing pictures of people kneeling and praying, “Tebowing”, from all over the world.

Tebow was born to Christian Baptist missionaries in 1987. While pregnant with Tim, his mother suffered a life-threatening infection and though she was advised to have an abortion she refused and Tim was born without complications. Last year, he and his mother made a commercial sponsored by Focus on the Family relating the story of his birth that was to air during the Super Bowl. Though no direct mention of abortion was mentioned, the controversy that ensued threatened whether the network would even allow the spot. Eventually, it did air amid protests from pro-abortion groups.

In 2010, the NCAA made a new rule banning messages on the black eye paint players typically wear to help shade their eyes from the sun. This was in response to the scripture verses that Tim had printed on his eye paint while in college. It has been called the “The Tebow Rule” though the NCAA denies the rule was written in response to Tebow since there were other players who have worn messages. The facts remain that in the Championship Series game in 2009, Tim painted John 3:16 and as a result Google reported 92 million searches of it on its site. There were 3.43 million searches of Proverbs 3:5-6 and Tim Tebow when Tim used those words during another game.

This year, Tim Tebow has taken over as quarterback at Denver winning the last six games. Several of the games have been won with miraculous last minute comebacks. The press is calling him God’s quarterback. While we don’t understand God’s divine plan in the big scheme of things, most people agree that God doesn’t really change the outcome of football games.

The thing Tim Tebow has done is bring the question of faith to the public eye. He is willing to express his faith without question to millions. He has received lots of criticism with his critics eagerly looking for something in which to accuse him of hypocrisy. In the world of professional sports where money and power rule, Tim Tebow is the exception. He doesn’t claim to be perfect; he just openly expresses his love and gratitude for Jesus.

My challenge to you is to exhibit this same courage with your own faith. It’s not just a private part of our lives. Live so people will know you are Christians and don’t be afraid to say so.

There is no Christmas without Christ

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:46:00 GMT

It seems like every time you turn on the news, read the paper or search the internet, there is a story about how a Christmas tree, Nativity scene, Christmas program or other Christmas celebration is being threatened. We don’t have Christmas parties at school anymore. We’ve changed the name of Christmas Musicals to Winter Programs. I’m not sure why we would celebrate a season unless someone was referring to summer vacation of which I would be in favor. We debate public displays and even if clerks should wish someone a “Merry Christmas” or just say “Happy Holidays”. Christmas Hymns were written to celebrate the most momentous event in the history of mankind. We’re not allowed to play Christmas songs at work because someone might be offended. I suppose we’re supposed to be more concerned that some individual might be offended than we are of offending God?

I know history tells us that there were ancient celebrations of the Winter Solstice. Is anyone alive who celebrated these? I think not. In recent times and by that, I mean centuries, December 25 has been celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ. God became man and came to earth as an infant to redeem the human race. That is what we are celebrating. Does anyone in politics and the media remember that?

As time went on, traditions developed and Christmas trees, wreaths, gift-giving and family get-togethers developed. No matter what your family traditions are; the reason for all of it was and still is the celebration of the nativity.

So I can’t help but wonder when people want to deny the religious aspect of Christmas and celebrate the holidays in general what holiday are they celebrating? There is no holiday to celebrate on December 25, but Christmas.

I realize some people will think that I am ignoring other traditions like Hanukah or Kwanzaa. Hanukah celebrates when the Jews were able to regain control of Jerusalem and rededicate the Holy Temple. This tradition goes back to the 2^nd century BC. Jewish people do not believe nor have they ever believed they are celebrating the Jewish version of Christmas.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 to give African Americans a holiday to celebrate themselves and their history. That doesn’t sound like an African American version of Christmas to me.

So, why can’t Christians celebrate Christmas? Christmas (the birth of Jesus) is the holiday. If we deny that, there is nothing to celebrate. Why do we as Christians have to deny our worship of our Lord in public? How am I unduly hurting anyone else for publicly displaying my love and adoration for the Lord? Make this Christmas about Christ.

During this time of Advent, we, as Catholics, should ask our Lord to prepare our hearts for the Second Coming of Christ as we commemorate his First Coming at Christmas.

Second Sunday of Advent-Courage

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:29:00 GMT

By now, everyone has probably heard homilies on keeping the meaning of Christmas first on our minds and not getting caught up with consumerism. Instead of centering our lives on God, it can be tempting to focus our energy on decorations, shopping and having the perfect family gathering. We can be deceived into giving in to the false gods of this world.

We no longer build false idols that we kneel down before and worship. We don’t have to create anything. For many of us, we have become our own idols. Our knowledge, our beliefs and our opinions are our gods. We have access to all kinds of information instantly so it’s easy to feel qualified to make all of our own decisions. This is how we move away from God since the more we rely on ourselves; the less we rely on Him.

To truly trust God and do His Will means to admit we know nothing for sure except His love of us. All we know is limited by our senses. We are hampered by our own humanness. To do God’s will means to turn over our will completely to God. It is less our own action, than it is waiting, listening and watching for the Will of God to be made known in our lives. It is docility to Divine Providence.

Usually when someone talks about courage, it refers to an action. It is someone risking their own safety to save the life of another or it can refer to taking a risk to accomplish some physical feat. This kind of courage involves using knowledge and fortitude to work through a conflict and come out victorious.

The Lord may ask us to display this type of courage in times of persecution. It is something that the martyrs of the Church have had to do in the past. In today’s society, the Church and its beliefs are being challenged daily with religious freedom taking a back seat to political correctness. We have to stand ready to defend our faith and may be asked to do so in a greater way in our own lives.

But daily, the Lord asks us to display a different type of courage. He asks us to totally surrender to Him. We are not to use our knowledge, our experience, our opinions or our natural tendencies to try to control our world and those around us. We are to become powerless in a world where power is everything. He asks us to trust Him in all things. We are asked to stop, listen and discern His Will. He knows what we need and when we need it. Real courage comes from trusting in God and totaling surrendering our wills to Him.