More Vocations!

Readings for April 29, Good Shepherd Sunday:
Acts 4:8-12
Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29
1 John 3:1-2
John 10:11-18

In 1965 the United States Catholic population was around 45.6 Million people.

In 2011 the United States Catholic population was around 65.4 Million people.

In 1965 the United States was home to over 179,000 religious sisters and 12,000 religious brothers.

In 2011 the United States was home to just 55,000 religious sisters and 4,000 religious brothers.

In 1965 in the United States, 58,000 priests ministered at 17,000 parishes.

In 2011 in the United States, 39,000 priests ministered at 17,000 parishes. 

While our Catholic population has increased by 20 million souls, the number of men and women who are ministering to them as priests and religious has drastically decreased. This is because the past 50 years have been pretty turbulent ones. After Vatican II there were many people – bishops, priests and laity – who felt that things needed to be entirely changed. The Church had to catch up to the modern world and ‘get with the times’. For many, this meant tossing out our centuries-old traditions, rejecting the teaching of the Church, and starting something wholly new. After 50 years we can see that this was not truly what best for the Church. Mass attendance among the laity has dropped from around 85% in 1965 to only 22% today. This is but one statistic of many that shows us that quite often it was not the solid food of the Gospel and teachings of the Church that was given, but instead a watered-down version that leaves one desiring something more. So they leave in search of it elsewhere. They go to one of these new protestant communities because it’s more exciting. Or, even worse, they simply stay home.

In the midst of these turbulent times in the Church and the world, we are desperately in need of men and women who are willing and able to step up to the task of leading souls toward Heaven in a bold way. We need priests who know that they are not just one of the guys but are consecrated to be Jesus Christ in the midst of the world. We need religious sisters who are not fighting to build something new in the world but rather thrive on being a spouse and bride of Jesus Christ. We need religious brothers who are willing to step out there and be the love of Jesus Christ for the Church. We need men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for a glorious calling in this life and an even greater Heavenly reward.

As I was reflecting on what to preach this weekend, I kept thinking of how priests have specifically impacted my own life. When I was battling depression and suicidal thoughts as a teen, it was to the priest who was there to give me hope. When I was wandering without faith or belief in God, it was a priest that helped me to find the Lord. When I was drowning in sin as a college student, it was a priest who brought me to life through confession. When I was struggling with my own vocation, it was a priest who welcomed me and brought about the gift of clarity to see my calling. These are just a few of the many experiences that I’ve had with priests in our own diocese, a handful of men. Unfortunately, I never saw many religious brothers or sisters, so I couldn’t have those experiences with them that others might have had. But the reality is that God works through these men and women to bring salvation to individuals and to the whole world. That is our entire mission.

As I’ve said before – the primary goal of every person is to glorify God. We do so by becoming saints in Heaven. We become saints in Heaven by being holy on Earth. And the path to holiness that I have necessarily involves me doing everything in my power to ensure that each of you hears the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grows in your relationship with that same Christ. If you don’t come to know Jesus more deeply, it’s a mark against me. If you don’t know God’s love more deeply, it’s a mark against me. If your life is not transformed at least in a small way, it’s a mark against me. My entire life is focused on saving your souls. We need more men and women who have that same desire, that same longing to lay down their lives for the sheep that they might enter the gates of Heaven.

Recently, St. George parish has produced a number of vocations. Baton Rouge seminarians Josh Johnson and Brad Doyle, as well as Maronite-Rite seminarian Alex Harb all call St. George home. Also from our parish is Sr. Mary Martha Becnel, who is one of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. In our youth group we have two young men who are applying to enter seminary this year, one young lady who will be entering a convent this summer, and others who are discerning a vocation to priesthood or religious life. Certainly we can see the Spirit moving here in our midst, but the reality is that we must continue to pray and support vocations.

If you think someone might make a good priest or religious, let them know. Whether they’re 5 years old or 45 years old; let them know. Parents, if your child expresses a desire to pursue one of these vocations or you think they might make a good priest or religious, support them and encourage them. If someone is here today who is thinking about a vocation currently and has any unrest in your heart, be not afraid, for it is the Good Shepherd who calls you.

We must be pro-active in increasing vocations. We must talk about them and talk to others about them. But most of all we need to pray. Pray for priests by name and pray that our hearts might become like that of Christ the Good Shepherd. Pray for religious sisters by name and pray that they might be joyful spouses of Christ Jesus. Pray for religious brothers by name and pray that they might be able to witness to the world the transforming love of the God. Pray for us. Pray for our perseverance in our vocation. Pray that we might remain faithful to our promises to the Lord. Pray that we might be people of holiness. Pray that we remain open to the Holy Spirit. And pray that many many more might see our joyful example and come to follow in our footsteps to continue to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our world which so greatly longs to hear it.

Statistics from Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

Sharks of Tremendous Dimension!

A Crucifixion Type Love

Sympathy for the Devil?

I and others have sometimes struggled with the reality of a loving a merciful God permitting souls to go to Hell for all eternity. It seems contrary to His essence. A friend of mine pointed me to this article from Crisis Magazine entitled "Sympathy for the Devil and Mercy for the Damned". It's a dialogue - fictional, to be sure - that I think helps to shed some light on this. Well-written, worth the read, and thought-provoking!

Receive Well

Mantegna's Crucifixion with Host Superimposed

Readings for April 22/ Third Sunday of Easter: 

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-9

1 John 2:1-5

Luke 24:35-48

*Weekend of First Holy Communion*

With the Resurrection of Christ from the dead, we are set free from our sins and the doors of Heaven are thrown open for the faithful to enter joyfully into Paradise. This is great news and should bring joy to our hearts and a longing for that day when we get to join God for all eternity. But in the midst of our joy, it’s important to remember that just because the gates of Heaven are opened to us doesn’t mean that we can sit back and relax.

When he was with the two disciples in the gospel story today, Jesus didn’t say that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and then we’d do whatever we wanted to because we’re all going to heaven. He said that the Christ would suffer and be raised on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in His name. We rejoice that Heaven is open and praise the Lord that our sins can be forgiven. But we must also do those things that grant us God’s forgiveness: turn away from sin and follow the commandments of God. This is the hard part because sin appears to be a good thing, or as I’ve heard it before, it tastes good while it’s happening. We eat too much because food tastes good. We cheat because it’s easier than being honest. We hold grudges because it’s easier than forgiving someone who hurt us. It’s almost always easier to do things that are wrong or avoid doing things that are good. But the thing is that as Christians, Jesus tells us that we are to do what is right, not what is easy.

The neat thing is that the thing that opened the gates of Heaven is also the way that the Lord helps us to pass through them. It was Jesus’ death on the Cross and His Resurrection that opened the gates of Heaven. And it is that same death on the Cross that we celebrate here at Mass. In an unbloody manner, we participate in and receive the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross when we receive Holy Communion. When we receive Holy Communion well, we receive special blessings that help us to do the things we’re supposed to do and avoid the things we aren’t supposed to do. Notice that I said receive Holy Communion well. Not just receive Holy Communion. What do I mean by that?

Practically speaking, we ought to watch the children as they receive Communion today and imitate it ourselves. See how they have dressed up and made this a special occasion, not just something that happens casually but something they have really prepared for. They come not with sin on their hearts but with purity and simplicity because they know Who it is that they are receiving. Notice that they receive intentionally with their hands raised like a throne to receive Jesus their King. Listen to their excited “Amen!” as they receive the Body and Blood of Our Lord. Watch them pray in their pews after receiving Holy Communion and experience for the first time the union of their body with that of God. And lastly, listen to the joy that they have in singing after receiving Holy Communion. If all of us can approach Holy Communion in the same manner, we will surely gain many graces and will be more than ready to enter the Heavenly Gates when our day comes.

Face-Melting Quote of the Day

God has created my heart only for Himself. 

He asks me to give it to Him that He may make it happy.

-St. Jean Vianney-

Let us pray for the Pope!

Today is the Holy Father's 85th birthday! 

Let us pray for the Pope!

V. Let us pray for Benedict XVI, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, and give him life, 

and make him blessed upon the earth, 

deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. 

Our Father....

Hail Mary....

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, 

look mercifully upon Thy servant Benedict, 

whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. 

Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, 

he may edify those over whom he hath charge, 

so that together with the flock committed to him, 

may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or in Latin! Oremus pro Pontifice!:

V. Oremus pro Pontifice nostro Benedicto.

R. Dominus conservet eum, et vivificet eum, 

et beatum faciat eum in terra, 

et non tradat eum in animam inimicorum eius.

Pater Noster...

Ave Maria...

Deus, omnium fidelium pastor et rector, famulum tuum Benedicto, 

quem pastorem Ecclesiae tuae praeesse voluisti, propitius respice: 

da ei, quaesumus, verbo et exemplo, quibus praeest, proficere: 

ut ad vitam, una cum grege sibi credito, perveniat sempiternam. 

Per Christum, Dominum nostrum. Amen.