The Age of Heroic Catholicism Has Begun

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on His left. Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'" - Matthew 25:31-34

The United States of America, and the Roman Catholic Church within our own country, has been forever changed. On November 6, 2012, the American people chose to re-elect a president who's policies go against our entire belief system as Catholics/Christians. People have chosen death over life, sin over purity, greed over generosity, satisfaction over sacrifice, slothfulness over diligence, socialism over democracy, and—essentially—evil over good. Besides President Obama embracing all of these vices (such as abortions, contraceptives, gay marriages...etc.) he has also weakened our economy with an increasing rate of unemployment/underemployment. It is astonishing to believe that he was re-elected as president again just on his record alone!

During the next four years we will be challenged. Catholics in America will be persecuted. Our religious freedoms will be stripped away bit by bit. However, those who remain true to Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist will receive the strength to endure these trying times. This will test our faith. Inevitably, Catholics across the nation will have to chose to stand with the church or not. It is a very clear-cut decision. The so called "casual Catholics" will no longer exist because those who remain truly faithful will be the only ones willing to endure the persecutions. 

Some people, including Catholics, may have no idea to what I am referring to. Shocking! Right? According to the Obamacare HHS mandate, Catholic institutions (including hospitals, charities, schools, and churches) will NOT be exempted from paying the health care taxes that include funding abortions. This is one of the biggest reasons why the GOP "pro-life" candidates, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, were against Obamacare in the first place. As Roman Catholics we are pro-life. That is a HUGE principal of our faith! Essentially, Catholics who voted for Obama indirectly put a wedge between themselves and the Catholic Church's teachings. Our Catholic identity does not come from the title of our faith. It comes from our own actions by living out the word of God. Saying that you are "Catholic" means nothing if you don't apply the teachings in your own life. And apparently half of the Catholics in America didn't get the memo! Or an even worse scenario—half of the Catholics refused to listen and voted to re-elect Obama anyways.

The US Bishops warned us time and time again about this mandate. Ramifications from this mandate include Catholic hospitals closing down by the refusal to pay taxes on the inhuman procedure of abortions and the utilization of contraceptives. Also, did you know that Catholic hospitals make up 12% of our entire nation's hospitals? That would be detrimental to the economy and well-being of US citizens if they were all forced to close. Click here for more info. Other institutions, like Catholic schools and churches, will also be attacked. There is the option of paying a huge fine for not paying the health care taxes. But for these institutions to have the means to survive AND pay the fines will be extremely difficult. It can be done...but over time you will see many many MANY of these schools and churches close down. If these institutions continue to stay open, refuse to pay the taxes, and cannot afford the fines... Catholics will be thrown in jail, especially the priests who run the churches. 

Can you see the infringements the government is placing upon our religious freedom? This clearly violates the first amendment of the constitution that allows us to have free exercise of religion. For example, Catholic education will become less affordable. The private Catholic schools and universities will probably have to jack up the tuition in order to pay the fines. However, that can only go so far before they start losing enrollment. Then they will start to close down, like the hospitals. This restricts us to secular education, removing our freedom to chose an education based in Catholicism. 

All of this is hard to imagine. But my worst fear is the government forcing the churches to pay these taxes. If the churches start to close down, and if priests get thrown in jail, where do the faithful go to attend Holy Mass? Where are we suppose to receive Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist? How does one get married in the Catholic church? Where will confession be offered? Baptism? Confirmation? Adoration? ...At this point I'm not sure. We'll have to cross that bridge when we get there. But there is no doubt in my mind that a war is developing on our church in this country. However, Cardinal Dolan reminds us that Catholics won't give up without a fight—which is entirely true.

The age of heroic Catholicism has begun! A new era of faith is born. Even the pope announced this year as the "Year of Faith." It is up to us to remain faithful, stand by the church, and endure the persecutions—whatever they may be—even if it means dying for what we believe in. Although I was originally devastated to hear the news that Obama was re-elected, this will give us the opportunity to embrace our faith even more...in the midst of evil. This will give us the opportunity of become REAL saints! We must be role-models for others. We must choose to say "yes" to Christ and become His sheep in the flock and let the others fall by the wayside (Luke 8:5-8). Those who embrace the church will be a dagger of light that pierces the darkness of the wickedness and sin. It is time to ignite that flame and let your heart burn fiercely for Christ. Remember what St. Catherine of Sienna said, "If you are what you should be, you will set the whole world ablaze!" 

I invite you to join me in this effort of reviving the Catholic Church in the United States of America. There are 77 million Catholics in our country alone. It is time to wake up this sleeping giant! Pray the rosary with friends and family. Go to Holy Mass. Receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Utilize the resources of the Catholic Church while they are still available to us. (FYI: The mandate doesn't go into effect until August of 2013.) Even though we might not be able to control what the government does, we can control how we handle what is thrust upon us. It is not going to be easy. Be prepared that it will probably be extremely difficult. However, the reward of eternal life in Heaven will be over a million times greater then any suffering we may face on this earth. Do all that you can to bring souls to Christ. Help revive the church. Continuously grow in your own faith, day by day, so at the end of your life you may hear God say to you, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

"We always find that those who walked closest to Christ were those who had to bear the greatest trials." - St. Teresa of Avila

Your Prayer, Your Voice, Your Vote

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance." 
- Psalm 33:12

Catholic voters, this upcoming presidential election for 2012 is only a few weeks away. We need to ask ourselves... What does God truly want for the United States of America? What are His future plans for us and our country? How can America become a nation that will uphold His values? What is it going to take for our country to be successful and, at the same time, be loyal to the Almighty God? In what way can we serve God in this election?

These are all questions with answers that need to be determined on our own. But as a suggestion, contemplate WWJD: what would Jesus do? If Jesus could vote in this election who do you think He would choose? Who would please God more as our next president? It is obviously a very clear choice. God is giving us the opportunity to reform America with a new president. A president who will lead with honesty and integrity.

Since many people have already made up their mind about who to vote for, the election is coming down to the undecided voters. Please keep these men and women in your prayers. Pray, now and on election day, they will wake up with a clear decision inspired by enlightenment from Holy Spirit. Pray the rosary especially for them now and in the days to come. This is a very serious issue. It is no laughing matter, as Vice President Joe Biden might think.

Our country is under a serious attack through spiritual warfare. The best way to combat the evil lurking in the darkness is to pray for the American people. Pray with a radiant light! This light will shine so bright it will pierce the darkness and enlighten others. It is our job now. We must be that light—the light of Christ. Many saints have come before us and given examples of how to live a life for Jesus. We must follow in their footsteps. It is essential, for the survival of our nation as we know it.

CatholicVote.org just came out with a wonderful video and prayer for this election. I encourage you to watch it and share it with others.

This is my prayer for America:
Holy Spirit, come and be with us. Guide and enlighten us. Help us this night and everyday to do Your Will, to be open to Your inspiration, and to allow our lives simply to be reflections of Your creative power. And we ask only Your inspiration to guide us and lead us. That we may spend the brief days of our lives doing Your Will as best we can. Amen.

Just watching these Americans in this video above gives our country hope. Hope for a real change! Hope for a good change! It is imperative that Americans pray for our own country. But we, as Americans, also need to be informed on the issues at stake. Catholic voters should be aware of what to look for in the presidential candidates and what they stand for.

Here are PDF documents you can download and share with friends. Help them become more informed on the issues, especially if they are undecided Catholic voters.

• Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics by Catholic Answers.
• Where Do The Candidates Stand On Life? by National Right to Life Committee, Inc. 
• Florida Catholic Bishop's Statement by Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Know the Positions of the Presidential Candidates by Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Discerning Your Vote by Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Election and Political Activities Guide by Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Faithful Citizenship by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• YES: Amendment 8 & Religious Freedom by Citizens for Religious Freedom 

It is also important to know, as Catholic Americans, that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) released a statement on October 12, 2012, refuting Vice President Biden's claim regarding the HHS mandate. According to this statement, Catholic organizations are not exempt from the Administrations's anti-Catholic HHS mandate. Click here to view the statement. The USCCB continues to urge the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in the strongest possible terms, to eliminate the various infringements on religious freedom. However, since many of our religious freedoms are constantly under attack it is very important to vote YES to Amendment 8. This constitutional amendment will help protect our religious freedom. Click here to view the Amendment 8 Fact Sheet. (Note: This Amendment may only be found on the Florida voters ballot.)

Interestingly enough, The Christian Post also pointed out that many people tweeted the bible verse Proverbs 29:9 to describe Joe Biden after the recent Vice Presidential Debate. The verse states, "If a wise man goes to court with a fool, the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace." This statement perfectly describes what happened when the two opposing Catholics went head to head on the issues at the debate. As a result of this, the GOP released a very interesting and powerful ad called "Laughing at the Issues."

I hope and pray that those capable of voting in this election will vote for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. May I remind you, not everyone in America can vote. That is why your prayer, your voice, and your vote are so important in this upcoming election. It is necessary to remain faithful to the values of the church as Roman Catholics living in America. Many people are counting on your vote! For example, the high school students shown in the video below describe what it's like for their future to be in the hands of the eligible American voters. They are voices without a vote. But if you are an American citizen that is 18-years-of-age or older, before the election, you have the opportunity to proclaim your voice and vote.

During this election, I choose to follow Jesus. If you do too He will never ever leave you astray. This I promise you. With all of my heart, I know America is headed towards a new, wonderful, beautiful, and bright future. But it is up to you. Will you decide to be heard on November 6, 2012, with your prayer, your voice, and your vote? May God bless you and God bless the United States of America. 

God Bless America

"Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world'." - John 18:36

Hello dear friends in Christ! Today is the fourth of July. Happy Independence Day to the United States of America! It is wonderful to be a citizen of the land of the free and the brave. In this time, especially now, we as Catholics need to come together and pray for our beloved country. It is imperative. With the upcoming elections and so much going on in the world we need to humble ourselves before the throne of God and beg His mercy on us and the USA. On January 19, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI said, "It is imperative that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church's public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural sphere." Our Catholic faith helps to inspire us all for the protection of human life and the dignity of every soul. Religious freedom in America is a gift. If we can no longer practice our own faith in our own country the common good and the American way of life will be in jeopardy.

This past Friday I went to a huge Mass in our diocese to pray for our country called "Fortnight for Freedom." Bishop Robert Lynch came to our local parish to celebrate the Mass and gave a wonderful homily explaining the dire situation we are currently facing. Even though we are praying that our country will open up to God's Holy Will we also need to be aware that it might not. If this is the case, if America does not have a change of heart, we must take the road less traveled by and continue to stand by God. We need to remember, like Jesus, our home of eternity is not here and not of this world. Ask yourself, am I willing to fight for what is right? Like true servants of Christ we need to flock to Him and take on the battle. You can see throughout history how many saints have suffered martyrdom for the Father in Heaven. Are we, as a country, willing to go that route if necessary? Would you lay down your life for your God? Jesus, who loves us so passionately, died on the cross for us. Could we possibly die for Him as well?

Needless to say, we need to fervently pray that our country will have a change of heart and stand by the Constitution, one nation under God. I certainly believe that America has the ability to change, for the better. But like I said, if it does not, for some reason, we need to pray to God for the strength to endure whatever comes. We need to ask Him for the grace to bare the unbearable and live life in America without fear.

One quote Bishop Lynch shared with us at Mass is from Archbishop Thomas Wenski. He said, "As Catholics, we help people not because they are Catholic, but because we are Catholic." Let us live that message and strive to help America through our prayers and sacrifices so we can become a holy nation.

If you would like to visit the Diocese of St. Petersburg website for the "Fortnight for Freedom" click here. If you would like to view Bishop Lynch's blog post click here. You can also download the PDF version of the Litany for Liberty and pray together with friends and family for America. God bless you on this July 4th and God bless America!!!