What is your good news?

Let’s start a work week right.

Do you have good news to announce?

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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49 Comments

  1. Banjo pickin girl says:

    I got everything done this weekend that I had to do except some housework. I went to confession with a priest with lots of empathy and holiness and then to Mass. I did two loads of laundry and my mother’s food shopping. The pain in my legs was better than usual. I read GK Chesterton’s book on conversion. A great weekend. This work week will be great too.

  2. jbalza007 says:

    Our family did the Epiphany blessing of our house yesterday (also Feast of the Holy Family in the EF) :)

  3. momoften says:

    Son on retreat at seminary after a diocesan retreat–keep him in your prayers for properly discerning his vocation whatever that may be.

  4. benedetta says:

    With my family was able on Sunday to attend, for the first time, a local TLM. I found, overall, a sense of humility, and a trusting simplicity in the faith. Total absence of political grandstanding editorializing tied to the sacrament. The sacrament was permitted to speak for itself (! which is volumes). The homily most encouraging and tied the Gospel and readings to practical charity in daily life. People were pleasant and cheerful and friendly, even joyful, yet none of the baggage of faux-social presumption, pecking order or pretentiousness. Very refreshing and am grateful to this blog, the author of it and readers for leadership.

  5. TNCath says:

    This may sound very bizarre to those of you in the North, but we got 4-6 inches of snow last night, a rarity for Memphis. This means the city has shut down and schools are closed! It isn’t expected to melt today, so we may be in for more of the same tomorrow! Deo gratias!

  6. EoinOBolguidhir says:

    A NEW BABY BOY BORN ON SATURDAY!

    Six pounds, ten ounces, 19 3/4 inches, head circumference 13 3/4 inches and perfect in every way!

  7. MarkJ says:

    Another parish in our area (North County San Diego) has started offering a weekly Traditional Mass at 3:30pm on Sunday… St. Mary’s in Escondido. They also have twice daily confession during the week! and 24 hour adoration. The church has a centrally located Tabernacle flanked by icons of the four Evangelists and 6 tall candlesticks and surmounted by a beautiful Crucifix. Please say a prayer of thanksgiving for what this parish is doing for the Faith. Brick by brick…

  8. revs96 says:

    I have booked my flight to go on the FSSP Vocations Retreat in Nebraska in May. My vocation is starting to become more real…

  9. Centristian says:

    I’ve just had confirmation over the weekend that my parish will be the venue for the celebration of a Lenten Mass in Latin according to the Extraordinary Form in March. I believe the year 2000 was the last time Mass was celebrated there using the 1962 Missal, and before then, I believe the Tridentine Mass had not been celebrated there since 1969-1970.

    An area acapella chamber ensemble, Harmonia, will provide the music; they are, in fact, spearheading the event. Originally the event, to my understanding, was conceived merely as a concert, but Harmonia’s young director, Robert Pacillo, wanted to present the music in the context of an actual Mass, and so enlisted the services of a local priest learned in the pre-Conciliar liturgy.

    For any area residents interested, the Mass will be celebrated Sunday, March 6 at 4:00pm at St. Louis Church, 780 Main Street, Buffalo, New York. That is my good news.

  10. Mom2301 says:

    I ordered my first bunch of Mystic Monk Coffee! Looking very forward to trying it out!

  11. Our parish is having a Holy Hour for vocations on Wednesday night! I’m looking forward to it.

    One of our most reliable cantors didn’t show for the 8 AM Mass, for some reason. Well, either he or our music director must have been praying hard, because for some reason I felt like I should go directly from the bus stop to church, without stopping for breakfast or even coffee. (And I’m the original whiny low blood sugar chick….) So there I was about 7:50, ready to be scooped up by the music director. :)

  12. (Because I’m in the choir, and it sings at the Mass after that, so I was way way early for choir. Just making it clear.)

  13. Fr Matthew says:

    I’m mostly recuperated from a 3-day bout of stomach flu, our parishioners are generous and helpful people, and it’s a beautiful day outside!

  14. Jaybirdnbham says:

    My oldest son (age 29) has returned to the Church after a few years away, and yesterday was able to receive Communion again. (he did things right, and waited until he’d been to confession before receiving Communion.) Thanks be to God!!
    Now I just have to beg continuing prayers for my youngest son (24), who is at least searching for God in a thoughtful and serious way. With patience and prayer, miracles can happen!

  15. Peggy R says:

    Yes! After a very trying fall semester for both our children who receive special ed services and after implementing some changes I insisted on and pursued, last week was awesome for both of them–academically and behaviorally. I pray for the progress to continue! St. Michael and St. Gregory are their patrons.

  16. Tim Ferguson says:

    served as subdeacon for the Feast of the Holy Family yesterday and afterwards had a long, leisurely and salubrious dinner with three wonderful priests. Great conversation about the present state and future hopes of Holy Mother Church

  17. Tominellay says:

    My son has sent his resume and demonstration cd to the L.A. Master Chorale!

  18. Sub-sub-porter says:

    I’m continuing with another semester of minor seminary.

  19. Henry Edwards says:

    Yesterday, beautiful EF high Mass with 9 altar boys/torchbearers, 2 of them serving for the first time, and 3 of them seminarians home for the Christmas break. This morning, snowed in for the first time in many years, with a Tennessee winter wonderland scene outside. Aside from not being able to make it to OF morning prayer and Mass, how good does it get?

  20. rakesvines says:

    There are good Muslims who mingled with the Copts during their Mass and protected them from bomb attacks. Also, there are Muslims who are leaving Islam and converting to Christianity. Americans are protecting them from being murdered for their “apostasy” cfr. http://divine-ripples.blogspot.com/2011/01/pamela-geller-annie-taylor-award.html

  21. Luke says:

    An affirmative decision was returned in my tribunal case before the diocese on the 27th of last month and I have been granted a Decree of Nullity.

    As I am no longer a neophyte, have never been married, and have no other impediments, I may now pursue my calling to be a seminarian in earnest with our diocesan Vocations Director. (A stanch Spirit of Vatican II fellow; your prayers are both welcome and needed.)

    Thanks be to God!

  22. MJ says:

    It snowed here yesterday – beautiful! In the EF yesterday was the Feast of the Holy Family! Gorgeous High Mass, and the schola sounded like a regular group of monks! Totally awesome.

    Congrats on the new baby, EoinOBolguidhir!

  23. Joe in Canada says:

    8 young men are coming to spend the weekend at the novitiate as part of their discernment process towards entering the Society.

  24. Rose in NE says:

    Our pastor came to our house to give the Epiphany Blessing–such a beautiful tradition.

    Today is a snow day! (I work at a school.) I think the staff gets just as excited about snow days as the kids do.

  25. AnAmericanMother says:

    TNCath –
    Snow City here — travel very hazardous with temperatures below freezing, snow, a skim coat of ice, and idiots on the roads . . . nothing has melted and people persist in trying to drive. I have my hunting truck with off road tires, 4WD and limited slip, but it’s the other guy who’s never seen snow that I’m worried about – so it’s parked in the driveway and staying there unless there’s an emergency.
    The good news is that there is relatively little ice, so no power outages to speak of so most folks are warm and safe.
    Spent the morning sledding with the neighborhood kids and a vanguard of neighborhood dogs. We all loved every minute of it.

  26. Girgadis says:

    I’m home this week, having left one job and getting ready to start a new one , so I can spend lots of time in the kitchen, at Adoration, and bird-watching in the backyard. Bear in mind that I live in a neighborhood of row houses in South Philly, and today, I saw a possum trotting down the street like nobody’s business. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal were among the birds enjoying the sunflower seeds in our backyard this afternoon. I hadn’t seen the cardinals in a very long time and worried that the cat next door got them, so they were a welcome sight. The possum is another story. All it needs is a pitchfork. The other nice thing about having some extra time on my hands refers to something Father Z posted earlier – an increase in the number of people asking for prayers. I often have to say “and anyone else who asked me to pray for them who I can’t remember” because I’d have to read from a list to keep them all straight. While it’s not good that people are in dire straits, I do find it a blessing to have the time to pray for them and an Adoration chapel just minutes away in which to do it.

  27. Christo et Ecclesiae says:

    My friends and I attended a powerful and moving retreat with faithful from different parts of PA, MD, OH, and NY as well as others. We thrice immersed ourselves in the treasuries of the mass, worshiped our Eucharist Lord, called upon the Spirit, sat in the silence of perpetual adoration, and came together as the Body of Christ, laity, old and newborn, religious, and priests of God to gain strength in the Lord to return to His battle with the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit.

  28. AnAmericanMother says:

    My husband has started calling our collection of birds at the feeder “The College of Cardinals”. I am going to turn around in my chair here to look out the study window — 1, 2, 3 . . . FIVE male cardinals fluttering and flaunting round the feeders, with their consorts in the azaleas looking on.

    We also have a few goldfinches but in their winter plumage so not very bright – lots of house finches – a phalanx of towhees, chickadees and tufted titmouses (mice?) to round out the crowd. Going to have to go fill up the feeders again!

  29. Jack Hughes says:

    I MAY repeat MAY be looking at a job in the Badger State thanks to inquires made on my behalf by my spiritual Father; not a definate yet but its the first tentitavely good piece of employment news to come my way for 6 months.; also I’m told that the potential employer in question is a devout Catholic which is a plus.

    Also I’m hoping that as I haven’t lost my head since last Monday that Father might take my comments off automatic moderation – I promise to be good Father !!!

    I talked to the mystic monk vocation director last Monday and we’re hoping to arange a visit in the 1st/2nd week of Easter

    My mom (agnostic) spent two days in Prauge and at my behest visited the Church of the Infant Jesus where she brought me a postcard which I had requested, she then went further and brought me a little statuette and coat pin which I was thrilled with.

    Lastly but probebly most importent I went to confession on Saturday evening and I’m starting to restore my relationship with Jesus.

  30. justMe says:

    28 days of sobriety and counting one day at a time…

    [OORAH! Good for you!]

  31. Peggy R says:

    JustMe:

    Congrats! One day at a time. Keep coming back.

  32. cursormundi says:

    I have been made a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management!
    http://www.iirsm.org/

  33. anj says:

    Ordinations: Music
    by ordinariateportal

    Westminster Cathedral’s music list informs us that the music for the Priestly Ordinations at Westminster Cathedral on 15th Jan will be:

    Introit: Sacerdotes Dei

    Missa O magnum mysterium (Victoria), Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus Dei

    Alleluia: Tu es sacerdos

    Beati quorum via (Stanford)

    Sanctus VIII

    Communio: Ego vos elegi

    Ave verum corpus (Elgar)

  34. cursormundi says:

    anj – what gives!? Where’s, ” I watch the sunrise,” and “Shine Jesus Shine?!”

  35. QMJ says:

    Leaving in a couple of days for a friend’s wedding. It will be a Solemn High Mass in the EF.

  36. bookworm says:

    I got an e-mail today saying that my first order of Mystic Monk Coffee is on its way… if I get it tomorrow it will be an excellent birthday present :-)

  37. Supertradmum says:

    Member of fraternal side of the family, who has not been to Church or regular Confession for years, has come back to the Church over Christmastide. Praise God.

  38. lmgilbert says:

    Well, my good news is that even with the software update I am STILL on moderation, which I take as an indication that I should be spending my time and efforts elsewhere. Please give further clarity to this situation by de-registering me. Thanks for the memories….

    [And to think.. you could have been civil about it. Don’t let the door hit you… etc.]

    Bitter Fruit Award

  39. GirlCanChant says:

    After 2 weeks of Saturday & Sunday TLMs (not that I’m not grateful!), and a Thursday night Mass for Epiphany, I finally had a weekend where I wasn’t practically living at church and could destress and get my apartment straightened up.

    To clarify, I only spent three and a half hours in church this Sunday. This now constitutes a light day for me.

  40. RCOkie says:

    The bible study group that I facilitate begins again this Wednesday with a increased number of participants from last session. Last time we had 12. I can’t wait.

  41. Dr. Eric says:

    I got through my first deposition as an expert witness without murdering the opposing attorney! (I seriously wanted to at least twice.)

  42. TheWork says:

    My lovely wife is pregnant! Congratulations on the new baby Eoin!

    And my new job is going great :-)

  43. pharmgirl says:

    Despite 5 inches of snow and a 70-mile round trip commute, I got to and from work safely. And I’m working an evening shift again tomorrow, which means there will be little traffic and the roads should be plowed by the time I have to leave my house. :)

  44. Margaret says:

    Babies and vocations and Masses, oh my! (In the best possible sense…) :)
    Here, our family of eleven has a new, working dishwasher, and a new van. I could not say that a month ago. Washing everything by hand, and taxiing around a large family in a small compact was taking up an awful lot of time. Soooo thankful for modern technology.

  45. I am another year older, as of yesterday. I am thankful I’ve made it this far, and hope to see another 43 years, at least!

  46. mvhcpa says:

    Although it is silly and secular, my Auburn Tigers just won the college football national championship last night! WAR EAGLE!!!

    Michael Val
    (who also still needs prayers for a couple of job prospects in the hopper)

  47. Luke says:

    I am so glad to see everyone’s good news. Y’all lift my spirit!

  48. Christo et Ecclesiae says:

    Upon returning to my Catholic High School (who had built a beautiful new chapel when I was a sophomore) I was happy to learn that a tabernacle was bought for all-school masses (which have to be said in the gym because of space constraints). I was also surprised to learn that the school’s new chaplain, recently ordained, has purchased some beautiful new vestments for daily and school masses, INCLUDING burses and chalices veiles. The best news is that the new vestments include a BLACK set with a beautiful Roman Chasuble! Brick by brick!

  49. the Gospel and my Life says:

    I know I’m a few days late but I have very good news! This past weekend around 1,000 college students attended a FOCUS National Conference in St. Paul, MN. The Masses were beautiful and orthodox with EVERYONE praying a thanksgiving on their knees after Mass. The talks were inspiring, challenging, and with the theme of “answering the call” the students were giving encouragement to listen to ‘the calling to be in relationship with the One who created us and to discover the gifts and talents He has given us in order to bring others into that relationship.’ The best part is that this coming weekend their will be another FOCUS Conference in Denver with 1,500 students, the weekend after in Baltimore with over 1,000 and finally Nashville at the end of January also with around 1,500 students. In total over 5,000 college students will experience a weekend filled with orthodox Catholicism and go back to their campuses more on fire about their faith. Also, because every Saturday night is Adoration (there is 24 hour Adoration during whole weekend as well) and Confession (with most students partaking in the Sacrament of Confession) there will be thousands of students taking this opportunity to change their lives!
    Pictures of the St. Paul Conference can be found here http://withhopeinthedivinewill.blogspot.com/2011/01/focus-conference-st-paul.html
    More info about FOCUS Conferences: focusconference.org

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