Have You Done Your Best?

 

"God will not ask how many books you have read; how many miracles you have worked; He will ask you if you have done your best, for the love of Him."   

~ Mother Teresa of Calcutta

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The Catholic Church vs. Liberation Theology

by Chris Dickson, F.L.A.

I am appalled by the naivete of our Church being duped into anti-Christian communism. Liberation theology is a threat to free society by its undermining of the Church and its Magisterium through attempting to redefine moral issues (changing the Gospel to support theology opposed to shaping theology as a result of the Gospel.)

Ignorance is not bliss and unless we familiarize ourselves with the dangers, then future generations will demand answers as to why we threw away our freedom in lieu of communism.

To quote Gustavo Gutierrez (the "father" of liberation theology,) "There is no evil in being subversive, struggling against the capitalist system...Liberation leads to reinterpreting the Gospel...As I have witnessed the power of Marxism to provide motivation for a life of service where none existed before, I have come to a new appreciation of this part of my own history. I cannot settle for any story of America that fails to give a central place to this vision."

Again, Roger Garaudy (one of France's foremost Marxist intellectuals) wrote, "Socialism is a traditional stage in the passage from capitalism to communism." Also, "When the established order involves such injustice that millions of men are exploited, oppressed, mutilated, and humiliated by this order, a revolution, even armed revolution, can be less costly and in the long run less 'violent' than this established disorder, which has become pure violence. Of this, incidentally, many Christians are today becoming conscious, including, for example, even priests and bishops in Latin America."

Charles E. Curran, no longer permitted by the Church to teach moral theology at Catholic universities, has stated,"Questions arise in the light of both the importance and the limitations of Scriptures. In the light of the most striking development has been the emergence of dissent within the Roman Catholic theological community from the teachings of the hierarchical magisterium on specific moral issues."

One cannot help but feel an air of approval when local archdiocesan newspapers print articles written by these people. Already we have seen a swing by our priests and educators away from the Church's doctrine of "norma normans non normata"(the Scriptures being the norm above all other norms by which all norms are taken) and are thus shown to question the Scripture's relevance in our daily lives.

Perhaps we need to seek the definition of a couple terms which seem to have taken on good and bad connotations in complete reversal of their intended meanings:

First of all, the term orthodoxy means "right praise," or consistency with the faith of the Church as embodied in Sacred Scripture, the Fathers, official teachings and the liturgy.

Libertaion theology, on the other hand, is defined as a new type of theology which emphasizes the motif of liberation in both Old and New Testaments and which reinterprets all doctrines in terms of that motif. Forms of liberation theology include Latin American, black and feminist.

Jesus "liberated" all of us from the bonds of oppression. Rather than reinterpreting the Gospel, perhaps we would be better served to "live it." This idea may not be popular with some in the Church today, but by returning to the basics of our faith, we will be truly liberated through the instruction of Sacred Scriptures if only we would accept Jesus as the catalyst of our lives.

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The Suffering And Death of a Worldly Cleric

At one time, when St. Francis of Assisi lay ill in the bishops' palace in Rieti, Italy, a certain cleric, a dissolute and worldly man, was struck ill and lay in bed in immense suffering. He instructed others to carry him on a gurney before St. Francis and tearfully begged Francis to bless him with the sign of the cross. Francis said to the cleric, "Since you lived in the past according to the desires of the flesh, not according to to the judgments of God, why should I sign you with the sign of the cross?" Francis continued, "I sign you in the name of Christ; but know that you will suffer worse things if after you are delivered to return to your vomit." Francis again continued, "Because of the sin of ingratitude worse things than the first are inflicted." After Francis had made the sign of the cross over the cleric, the man arose completely healed, and broke out into praise, proclaiming, "I am freed!" However, the bones in his loins popped and crackled like sticks of dry wood being broken by hand.

After a short time, the cleric gave his body again to impurity. Then one evening after dining with another of his fellow clerics and slept there that night, all of a sudden the roof of the house collapsed on top of them. Everyone escaped the house but the wretched cleric who was cut in half.

Saint Francis of Asasisi
Celano, Second Life

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Pro-Life Sunday

October 2, 2016

The First Sunday of October is always Pro-Life Sunday. It is also the day we do the "Life Chain" in our local communities throughout America. What a magnificent group of young adults from the Richmond Catholic Community Youth Group in Richmond, Indiana. 

They are our future and our future is NOW!

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Join Me Today At "St. Teresa's Treasures" at Holy Family Church in Richmond, Indiana

The Mystic Monks have been busy preparing some surprises for this Christmas Season!

The most important of these is the



Fra Chris

Jingle Bell Java 2010

It is the most sophisticated blend available with a special blend of eight beans from all over the world. It is best described as a Medium Dark Blend with Citrus Flavors at first taste then a very smooth finish with pleasant pungentry. But hurry, because it is a Limited Edition Coffee Only!

And what would a Mystic Monk Christmas be without a little

Jingle Bell Java?

Our famous Jingle Bell Java will only be available until the end of the
Christmas Season
so be sure to stock up now!

We also have a beautiful new single handled Christmas Mug with a logo,and an insulated Mystic Monk Travel Mug - Perfect for enjoying our coffee while on the go!

Thank you for your support of the
Portiuncula Hermitage,
Mystic Monk Coffee®
and Birthright.

Please remember that the Portiuncula Franciscan Hermitage and Retreat Center donates ten percent of their Mystic Monk Coffee Sales to Birthright (a loving alternative to abortion)!!!

To order, simply click on the
Mystic Monk Icon
at the Top of this screen!

 

 

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Elder Beerman "Community Day" Booklet Benefits the Portiuncula

"Wow! Look at these fantastic coupons!"

Go shopping to support
the
Portiuncula Hermitage!

Better than ever!

You talked - we listened. Our fall Community Day booklet is filled with even better Bonus offers, longer Early Bird hours and a $10 off coupon with minimal exclusions!

Take advantage of

• $10 off coupon featuring minimal exclusions
• 30% off early bird coupon
• six additional savings coupons
• exclusive Community Day Bonus offers
• three amazing web -exclusive offers

From now until November 13th, the Portiuncula Hermitage is partnering with the Bon-Ton family of stores through the sale of coupon booklets, good toward store merchandise. With 100% of booklet sales benefiting the organizations, you can feel good going shopping and great about giving back!

This valuable coupon booklet can be purchased for just $5 each, good toward great merchandise at the Bon-Ton family of stores during the special One Day Community Day Sale on November 13th.

Buy your Elder Beerman Community Day Coupon Booklet today by contacting us at:

email:

hermitage@parallax.ws

Cell phone:

(765) 220-1623

Dr. Keith March, M.D., Ph.D. to Speak at Pro-Life Weekend in Richmond, Indiana

March, Keith L., M.D., Ph.D.

EDUCATION

UNDERGRADUATE:

1974 - 1975, at the age of 12,

Audited 6 Undergraduate hours at Mississippi College, Jackson, Mississippi

1975 - 1979, at the age of 16,

Received his B.S., Chemistry/Biology
St. Francis College, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Valedictorian of class with a 4.0 grade point average

GRADUATE:

1979 - 1983 at the age of 20
Received Ph.D., Chemistry with Highest Distinction
Indiana University
Awarded October 11, 1983
Thesis: "Electrostatic Interactions and Ion Binding in Trypsin, Bovine
Pancreatic Trypsin Inhibitor, and Other Proteins"

1979 - 1985 at the age of 22
Received Combined M.D./Ph.D. Degree
Indiana University School of Medicine
Awarded May 12, 1985
M.D. with Highest Distinction

Dr. March will be bringing his vast knowledge of Adult Stem Cell Research, along with his down-to-earth demeanor, and wonderful sense of humor to Richmond, Indiana this coming Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. in the Seton Catholic High School Gymnasium.


Immediately following Dr. March's talk, a prayer service will be held in St. Andrew Church

Please plan on attending!

Pax Et Bonum!

Contrary to popular belief, this is an actual photograph of Dr. Keith March. I have been wrongfully accused of putting up a photograph of Dr. Scott Hahn. This is simply untrue!

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My God and My All! My God and My All!

Looking up to heaven and raising his hands, he prayed with intense fervor and devotion, saying: "My God and my all!" And he sobbed out those words with so many tears and kept repeating them with such devout persistence that until matins he said nothing but "My God and my all!

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 2T

"Son" Bathing

Sitting before the Holy Eucharist: 

“It is like sitting out in the sun. You may not feel the effect at
the moment, but a little while later, you know you were singed.”
  
Sr. Briege McKenna, OSC


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Alms Wash The Stains Of Sin From Our Soul

Brother Juniper and a beggar

"We must be charitable, too, and humble, and give alms, because they wash the stains of sin from our souls. We lose everything which we leave behind us in this world; we can bring with us only the right to a reward for our charity and the alms we have given. For these we shall receive a reward, a just retribution from God."

Saint Francis of Assisi
LETTER TO ALL THE FAITHFUL

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Rise Immediately To Pray

"If the servant of God, as may happen, is disturbed in any way, he should rise immediately to pray and he should remain in the presence of the heavenly Father until he restores unto him the joy of salvation."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter LXXXIX

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Woe To Those Who Insult You And Refuse You Alms

If people insult you and refuse to give you alms, you should thank God for it, because you will be honored before the judgment-seat of our Lord Jesus Christ for these insults. The shame will be imputed to those who cause it, not to those who suffer it.

Saint Francis of Assisi
THE RULE OF 1221
Chapter 9

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At The Name Of Jesus...

One day when Brother Simon was praying in the woods and feeling a very great consolation from the Lord in his soul, a flock of birds, called rooks because of the great noise and clamor they make, began to disturb him with their cries, so he ordered them in the name of Jesus to go away and to never come back there again. And it is wonderful to relate that although that Place of Brunforte in the Custody of Fermo existed for over fifty years, those birds were never seen or heard again anywhere around the Place or district or entire region. And I, Brother Ugolino, di Monte Santa Maria, stayed there for three years, and I observed the wonder in a sure way, and it is known among both the lay people and the friars of the whole Custody.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Little Flowers of St. Francis - 41

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Beware Of Accepting Churches And Houses

e una doccia !

As a sign of holy poverty and humility, blessed Francis decreed that the churches of the friars were to be small and their houses to be built with only wood and clay. For he wanted the friary of St. Mary of the Portiuncula to be a pattern especially for buildings constructed of wood and clay, so that it might be a permanent memorial for all friars, present and to come, since it was the first and chief house of the whole Order. But some of the friars opposed him in this matter, saying that in some Provinces timber was more costly than stone, so that it did not seem sensible that their houses should be built of wood and clay.

But blessed Francis refused to argue with them, especially since he was nearing death and seriously ill. So he had it to be written in his Testament: "Friars are to beware of accepting churches, houses, and all other places built for them unless they conform to holy poverty; and they are always to lodge in them as pilgrims and strangers."

Saint Francis of Assisi
Mirror of Perfection - 11

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Shelter Under A Rock Of The Mountain

la Sanctuario il Poverello d'Assisi

Francis said: "When the Lord withdrew into solitude to pray and fast for forty days and nights, he did not have a cell or a house built for himself but he took shelter under a rock of the mountain." That is why, following his example, he refused to have either a house or a cell on this earth and forbade that one be built for him.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Legend of Perugia - 13

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Escape

Francis learned how to distribute the time in which he could gain merit wisely, devoting part of it to his neighbor by doing good, and part to the restful ecstasy of contemplation. According to the demands of time and circumstances he would devote himself fully to the salvation of his neighbor, but when he was finished, he would escape from the distracting crowds and go into solitude and peace. There he was free to attend exclusively to God and he would cleanse any stain he had contracted while living in the midst of the world.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Bonaventure, Major Life
CHAPTER XIII

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Heirs And Queens Of The Kingdom Of Heaven

Sister Briege McKenna, OSC

The summit of Most High Poverty has made you, my dearest sisters, heirs and queens of the kingdom of heaven. It has made you poor in material things, but rich in virtue.

Saint Clare
The Rule of St. Clare
CHAPTER VIII

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St. Clare Instructs Her Sisters

St. Clare Sisters Palm Harbor, FL

For the Lord Himself has not only placed us as examples and mirrors for others, but also for our own sisters whom the Lord has called to our way of life, so that they in their turn will be mirrors and examples for those living in the world.

Saint Clare of Assisi
The Testament of St. Clare - 6

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Fasting On Christmas

When the question arose about eating meat that day, since Christmas day fell on a Friday, Brother Francis replied, saying to Brother Morico, "You sin, Brother, calling the day on which the Child was born to us a day of fast. It is my wish," he said, "that even the walls should eat meat on such a day, and if they cannot, they should be smeared with meat on the outside!"

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, Second Life
Chapter CLI

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St. Francis of Assisi Built The Very First Nativity Scene in Greccio

What Francis did on the birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ near the little town called Greccio in the third year before his glorious death should be especially noted and recalled with reverent memory. In that place there was a certain man named John, of good reputation and an even better life, whom blessed Francis loved with a special love, for in the place where he lived he held a noble and honorable position in as much as he had trampled upon the nobility of his birth and pursued nobility of soul. Blessed Francis sent for this man, as he often did, about fifteen days before the birth of the Lord, and he said to him: "If you want us to celebrate the present feast of our Lord at Greccio, go with haste and diligently prepare what I tell you. For I wish to do something that will recall to memory the little Child who was born in Bethlehem and set before our bodily eyes in some way the inconveniences of his infant needs, how he lay in a manger, how, with an ox and an ass standing by, he lay upon the hay where he had been placed." When the good and faithful man heard these things, he ran with haste and prepared in that place all the things the saint had told him.

...The manger was prepared, the hay had been brought, the ox and the ass were led in. There simplicity was honored, poverty was exalted, humility was commended, and Greccio was made, as it were, a new Bethlehem.

Saint Francis of Assisi
Celano, First Life
CHAPTER XXX

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