Public Witness to Christ in Woodstock - The Corpus Christi Procession

St. John Bosco in Woodstock, VA has a large Hispanic community. Some of their customs are absolutely beautiful and enrich the parish and the town. This Corpus Christi procession is one of them. The artistic work that goes into this project illustrates the respect and love they have for Jesus. And it offers and opportunity for the Hispanic and non-Hispanic members of the parish to work together to glorify God.

Sunday Meditation: St. John Bosco on Islam

St. John Bosco was a great story teller. And who doesn't love a good story? Jesus educated his listeners with parables that taught moral values. Who can forget the story of the Prodigal Son or the Good Samaritan. Think of the powerful impact his stories must have had on "his boys." The video below relates his story of a father telling his sons about Islam and answering their questions. He reveals how Mohammed claimed a "miracle" of replacing a piece of the moon that fell on his sleeve. That's where the image of the crescent comes from in Islam. Watch the video or read most of its content in the transcript below. Islam is a diabolical "religion" of hatred and violence, not peace.

Vigil of the Assumption: The Eucharist and Devotion to Mary

Dear Readers, Before I begin today's post I beg for your prayers. My son-in-law's mother disappeared Thursday afternoon from a care facility in Arkansas. She has Alzheimer's and was checked in for the weekend while her husband flew to Ohio for the confirmation of two of our granddaughters. Barbara is still missing and, amid growing concern, we all pray for her safe return. Will you please join your prayers to ours? God knows where she is. May he lead the rescue workers to her. Please pray for her and for our family, especially her husband and two sons who traveled to be with their dad as he suffers this terrible ordeal. Our Lady of Good Help, pray for us.

I expect many readers are familiar with St. John Bosco's famous vision of the Church in stormy seas being attacked on all sides by war ships trying to sink her. As the battle rages the barque of the Church anchors to two pillars. On top of the large pillar rests the Holy Eucharist. On the smaller pillar is Our Blessed Lady. Once the ship is anchored firmly, many smaller boats attach themselves to the the ship where the pope stands as its captain. 

Monday Morning: A Reflection on How We Celebrate the "Lord's Day"

St. John Bosco where we pray our virtual Mass.

Sundays in this crazy time, shine as beautiful days of prayer, family, and rest. They always were, but now, in the midst of the insanity of COVID 19, we're blessed to be immersed in the reality of "the Lord's day"  It truly belongs to Him. Our "ordinary" Sunday now looks like this. 

Join in Praying the Way of the Cross at My Parish in Woodstock, VA

Good News for Catholic Teacher Mark Smythe

Last month I posted about Orlando Catholic Social Studies teacher, Mark Smythe, being threatened with firing for quoting St. John Bosco's criticism of Islam.

The diocese, like many infected by liberalism these days, was punishing him for telling the truth after the Huffington Post rallied all the haters to get him fired. They failed.

Read about it at the Florida Family Association and if you were one of those who emailed or called the diocese or prayed for a good outcome -- give yourself a pat on the back!

Follow the Law of the Church Amoris Laetitia Notwithstanding!

detail from Rodin's Gates of Hell

It's clear. It's unequivocal. Those divorced and remarried without annulment are ineligible for Communion. Not Pope Francis, the Argentine bishops, nor any other cleric has the right to abrogate the clear teachings of the Church to implement their faux mercy. 

Check out canon lawyer Ed Peters' article, On the Buenos Aires Directive.

compromising the well-established interpretation of Canon 915 in the case of divorced-and-remarried Catholics necessarily calls into question the law’s applicability to cases of, say, ‘loving’ couples cohabitating outside of marriage, the ‘compassionate’ promotion of abortion or euthanasia, ‘honest’ persons entering “same-sex marriages”, and so on.

Do These Two Things Every Day if You Want to Go to Heaven!

St. Robert Bellarmine preached on hell.

Do you want to go to heaven? There are two things that will help you make that goal: love God and meditate on the four last things: death judgment, heaven or hell.

 First, as St. John Bosco always told his boys, "Love God!" Isn't that the same thing Jesus told anyone who asked Him about the most important commandments? "The first is this: Love God with your whole heart, your whole mind, your whole soul, and your whole strength!"

But what does that mean? What is love? So many people say they love this or that. Certainly many people love their gadgets. They put their entire heart, soul, mind, and strength into playing games and expanding their list of friends. They spend most waking hours glued to their Ipads, Iphones, and computers. That's where they invest the most time and energy. How many are chasing Pokemon right now? Is he a little god to be pursued and followed and "loved?" How many are addicted zombie-like to their little boxes? Are these gadgets the new gods seducing us?

Sunday Meditation: St. John Bosco, Our Parish Patron Saint

St. John Bosco: 1815-1888

Among modern saints (anyone recent enough to leave a legacy in photographs), St. John Bosco must be counted as one of the most fascinating. Even as a young boy his evangelical zeal set him apart from his peers. And yet he was all boy with a talent for running races, tightrope walking, and engaging in gymnastic stunts. He juggled and told stories and used all his talents to attract an audience of youngsters whom he taught the catechism. Like a magnet, he drew young people to him and carried a special love for them in his heart and a zeal for their salvation that carried over into his priesthood.

Italy at that time was suffering from internal struggles and many poor young boys were coming to the cities where they lived on the streets and often got into trouble. Don Bosco set about solving the problem by opening an oratory, a combination home, church, academic and trade school. He concerned himself about both their bodies and their souls and his mother soon moved in to help with the cooking and organization.

Thinking about Christmas Presents that will Keep on Giving?

Check out the videos at CatholicHeroesoftheFaith.com 



Read stories of the faith:

Blessed Imelda, Patroness of First Communicants

The Story of St John Bosco

There are even free resources for families. Check them out! Home schoolers, take advantage of this wonderful website and all it offers!