Posts Tagged “catholic social network”

I was thinking about the number of Catholic convert websites I've seen over the past 10 years.  Most Catholic convert sites have come and gone, leaving the roaming web visitor with a dead site that hasn't been updated in years.  Or worse, instead of a Catholic convert story, they find a 404 error page.  

Even my original blog space is no longer updated.  I migrated Musings of a Catholic Convert as soon as this Catholic Social Network went live.  I wanted to be one of the first.  I was the 3rd Catholic blog to be added (after the Admin/HomePage and our King of Catholic Media).  Now I have to hope that my readers from "the old days" of Musings of a Catholic Convert will venture over via the links I left to my new Musings of a Catholic Convert blog here at CatholicDestination.com.  

I'm looking forward to seeing more Catholic converts join this community and hearing their conversion stories.  It is always so encouraging to hear, or read, in someone's own words how God brought them into the Catholic Church.  I know what it is like to be investigating the claims of the Catholic Church or to ask "How do I join the Catholic Church?" & "How does somebody become Catholic?"  Other people want to know about Catholic apologetics or how to defend the Catholic Faith.  It's good to know that the people at CatholicDestination.com are dedicated to bringing as many resources as possible under one roof so that seekers and "cradle Catholics" alike can find information and spiritual help.  

You know, while I'm thinking about it, I want to encourage other Catholic converts to consider posting their story by creating a free Catholic blog here in our Catholic social network and blog community.  Your testimony of God's work in your life WILL make a difference in someone's life.  There's no doubt about it. 

So who do you vote for this year?  I read an article about Pennsylvania "Catholic voters" that may vote for Clinton in the Democratic primaries.  You need to read this article provided to CatholicDestination.com by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life.

Ten Easy Steps to Voting With a Clear Conscience

It still baffles me that Catholics would vote for abortion "rights".  Actually it baffles me that ANYONE would vote for this.  The right to choose to kill your baby?  Are you serious?  

This reminds me of what I told my Catholic Social Teaching class last night.  We cannot address properly the moral problems of our age by merely treating symptoms.  We must go to the source - page one, if you will - and re-inform the consciences of entire generations of people.  Morality has never been the product of popular opinion, a book club, or even a democracy.  Morality has its root in the Divine Creator.  God is the source and standard of morality and He is unchanging.  Not only that, but God is alone worthy of our worship.  We must obey Him before all others.  People must unlearn all the garbage they have accumulated and internalize this truth.  Then they must internalize the Dignity of the Human Person and the love of neighbor as one's self.  If  we can love God as we ought and love our neighbors as God loves us and as we love ourselves, we can overcome sins like abortion and contraception.  From the basic principles of human existence as beings created in the image and likeness of God stem all our other beliefs, including the proper view of human sexuality.  

The answer is not condoms, it is not the pill, it is not abortion rights.  Go to page one.  What has God revealed about Himself and humankind?  How do they relate one to another?  How is humankind to relate to itself?

Looking for a good primer on the subject?  The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has a Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.  Every Catholic should read it.

Honestly, I have no idea what that song means, but isn't the beat catchy?  Yup.  Now you have the tune in your head for the rest of the day.

You're welcome.

So what is going on in my neck of the woods?  Work, that's what.  Taking a week's vacation has a heavy price tag.  It's Wednesday and I'm only now beginning to see things clear up a bit.  Whew!

Know what I'm reading now?  Little booklet from Archbishop Fulton Sheen called Way to Happiness.  I started reading it yesterday, and I do not expect that I'll be disappointed.  Archbishop Sheen is such a good preacher.  I need to look into the cause for canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.  Hang on a second.

Here's what the official cause site says:

Status of the Cause
Posted on March 20, 2008

Last February 3rd, 2008, a very special Mass was held at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois, celebrating the end of the diocesan phase of the inquiry into the life and works of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

During the public ceremony known by the Latin name of Postrema Sessio or “next stage”, all documents, books and personal testimonies that had been collected for the cause were certified and forwarded to Rome, where they are now being examined by the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

The documents that were certified included all reviews of Archbishop Sheen’s books done by the cause’s Theological Commission, all materials gathered by the Historical Commission, and the personal testimonies about the sanctity of the Archbishop given by more than 100 witnesses.

Wanna know about the canonization process?  Got that too:

The Canonization Process

VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 1997 (VIS) - Today the Holy See Press Office made public the following note on canonical procedure for causes of beatification and canonization:

1. Canon norms regarding the procedure to be followed for causes of saints are contained in the Apostolic Constitution 'Divinus Perfectionis Magister, promulgated by John Paul II on January 25, 1983.

2. To begin a cause it is necessary for at least 5 years to have passed since the death of the candidate. This is to allow greater balance and objectivity in evaluating the case and to let the emotions of the moment dissipate.

3. The bishop of the diocese in which the person whose beatification is being requested is responsible for beginning the investigation. The promoter group (Actor Causae): diocese, parish, religious congregation, association, asks the bishop through the postulator for the opening of the investigation. The bishop, once the nulla osta of the Holy See is obtained, forms a diocesan tribunal for this purpose. Witnesses are called before the tribunal to recount concrete facts on the exercise of Christian virtues considered heroic, that is, the theological virtues: faith, hope and charity, and the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude, and others specific to his state in life. In addition, all documents regarding the candidate must be gathered. At this point he is entitled to the title of Servant of God.

4. Once the diocesan investigation is finished, the acts and documentation are passed on to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. The public copy used for further work is put together here. The postulator, resident in Rome, follows the preparation of the Positio, or summary of the documentation that proves the heroic exercise of virtue, under the direction of a relator of the Congregation. The Positio undergoes an examination (theological) by nine theologians who give their vote. If the majority of the theologians are in favour, the cause is passed on for examination by cardinals and bishops who are members of the congregation. They hold meetings twice a month. If their judgment is favourable, the prefect of the congregation presents the results of the entire course of the cause to the Holy Father, who gives his approval and authorizes the congregation to draft the relative decree. The public reading and promulgation of the decree follows.

5. For the beatification of a confessor, a miracle attributed to the Servant of God, verified after his death, is necessary. The required miracle must be proven through the appropriate canonical investigation, following a procedure analogous to that for heroic virtues. This one too is concluded with the relative decree. Once the two decrees are promulgated (regarding the heroic virtues and the miracle) the Holy Father decides on beatification, which is the concession of public worship, limited to a particular sphere. With beatification the candidate receives the title of Blessed.

6. For canonization another miracle is needed, attributed to the intercession of the Blessed and having occurred after his beatification. The methods for ascertainment of the affirmed miracle are the same as those followed for beatification. Canonization is understood as the concession of public worship in the Universal Church. Pontifical infallibility is involved. With canonization, the Blessed acquires the title of Saint.

 

Vatican Information Service. Canonization Process. Catholic-Pages.com. 1997. 19 Apr.
2007.

 

So now you know….

Oh, c'mon! 

You're supposed to say "…and knowing is half the battle."   Then. . . .

Wait for it . . . .

 

gi joe logo 

 

Back from vacation and, as expected, I'm swamped with work.  The workday hasn't even started yet and I already feel the weight of what is about to fall on me.  Oh well.  I had a good vacation and I enjoyed seeing my grandmother.  I'm even a bit relaxed.  

NOW ARE YOU READY?

Dudes, we are in EASTER!  I would love to hear about your parish's Easter Vigil celebrations, especially from those of you who have recently been brought into the Church.  DETAILS PLEASE. I would love to hear from any "Catholic convert" out there.  What is your story?  Seriously, people, join this Catholic blog community and share your story with us.  If you know people who have just come into the Church, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ask them to consider creating a free Catholic blog on this site.  Not only will it be encouraging for us to read their conversion stories, but it will be great for us to be able to minister to their families through our prayers and encouragement.

This is going to be fun!

This week seems to have flown by.  I can't believe it's already Thursday. Last night was my Catholic Social Teaching class, so I guess today really is Thursday.  Tonight at RCIA we are going to have a Passover Seder meal and look at it's similarity to the Mass.  The Seder meal is so full of symbolism.  I'm looking forward to an enlightening night and some excellent fellowship.  

This weekend is going to be busy.  I think I'll turn in early tonight and get a little extra shuteye.

While I'm thinking about busy, let me tell you something I heard from the King of Catholic Media.  The KOCM says that we are getting superclose to phase two of our catholic social network.  Blogs are working good, and I guess that means you're sending him your bugs and requests.  Phase two will add new elements to enhance the community and give us more ways to reach in and reach out.  He made me promise not to spill ALL the beans, but I think I've told you enough to get you interested, right?

Blog Directory - Blogged

I feel like I've been mauled by wild cougars or angry leprechaun.  Monday's just are not my day of the week.  However, I am mega super ultra excited about one particular Monday.  March 10 I will have the opportunity to be a guest on The Journey Home television program, hosted by Marcus Grodi.  I'm both excited and nervous about the opportunity.  It has been a little while since I was in front of a camera.  However, I'm trying not to think about the fact that I'll be on a worldwide live television broadcast.  It does me no good to worry about it.  What I have to focus on is being myself and sharing what God has done in my life.

Do you want a sneak preview?  Then I suggest you do one of two things.  

1.  Search this blog for my posts: Why Catholic?

2.  Go to my ministry page where they are already indexed for you. 

I would appreciate it if you prayed for me.  You know, while I'm thinking about prayer, I could use your prayers also for a personal intention of mine.  I can't go into details online, but there are two things I'm praying about that could sure use the prayer support.  Thanks in advance.