Your good news

Tell us about your good news!

We could all use it.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

  1. jbalza007 says:

    Last week, I joined the Knights of Columbus (1st degree) :)

  2. Agnes of Prague says:

    I got a call from my best friend far away, whom I hadn’t talked to for a month!

  3. Liz F says:

    My son is home and so we have the whole family under our roof for one week. Several family members are coming for Thanksgiving. God is so good and we have much to be thankful for.

  4. Just finished my first Theology class in a MA program and I loved it!

  5. paglia says:

    Our youngest son, Peter Joseph, turned two today!

  6. James Locke says:

    I got and A in my History of Psychology midterm and an A- in my Political Regimes (aka Morality in Politics course). Not to mention, I co-starred with the best soprano on campus in a mini musical with music from Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Kiss Me Kate, The Sound of Music, and Fiddler on the Roof. It was my first time acting and we did very well. I got to sing Stars, which for the longest time had been my dream to perform in front of a live audience.

  7. My niece’s husband got a good job after being laid off nearly a year ago.

  8. Geremia says:

    God is still God, and God is still good.

  9. amsjj1002 says:

    Have finally got all the appliances installed in our new home. Mom’s very happy!

  10. Mark Pavlak says:

    We’ve been having great turnouts at our newly set up youth group. Averaging 40 kids per Sunday!

    AND…. JOE MAUER IS THE A.L. MVP!!!!! A class act, humble, and most deserving man to win the award.
    Making Minnesota proud.

  11. seanl says:

    I survived this semester’s first exegesis paper.

  12. Melania says:

    A devout man, Mr. Robbins, died recently, mourned by many as a man who lead many people to Christ. His widow is sick with rheumatoid arthritis. Members of his parish and his friends got together and held a benefit for her, raising $10,000 in one night. A great time was had by all and many stories told of the goodness of this man. A wonderful thing to witness.

    Also, my confirmation class had their first test of the semester last week. No child got less than 80% on it. Then tonight, they all prayed in complete silence in the church for over 10 minutes. This is squirrely 13 year olds. A miracle!

    Finally, my father’s life is now drawing to a close. But we have been supported by the prayers and love of many people. One blessing is that my father, who had been on continuous OxyContin, is now off of all pain medication, is pain-free, alert and comfortable. A great gift.

  13. gloriainexcelsis says:

    A traditional ordination will take place in Oakland, CA, on December 19. The Reverend Mr. Jose Zepeda will be ordained as an FSSP priest by the new Bishop Salvatore Cordileone at St. Jarlath’s. This is the first such ordination in No. California in recent history. St. Stephen’s Confraternity of St. Peter members from Sacramento will be assisting with the reception and may receive a partial indulgence under the usual conditions. God bless Bishop Cordileone. Brick by brick.

  14. Mark M says:

    Very mundane good news, but: I just managed to order a long outstanding item as a Christmas gift for my mum!

  15. TomB says:

    I haven’t seen the “vampire thing” !

    And I have a wonderful parish priest.

  16. Gabriella says:

    I had a meeting with my the bishop of my diocese a few days ago, Mons. Vincenzo Apicella, and asked for an extraordinary mass to be offered anywhere in his diocese and to start off, at least once a month. He replied that he would offer it himself in the Velletri Cathedral in Feb or March – as soon as he’s ready!
    Praise the Lord!
    Please pray for his mother, she’s very sick and in hospital.

  17. Manrique Zabala de Arizona says:

    On Monday the Bishops of Spain began their Fall General Assembly (“plenaria”), in which Mons. Dominique Rey from France was invited. It was also the first time for Mons. Renzo Fratini, recently appointed nuncio in Spain. He had quite surprising words for the assembly. Not the ones of a diplomat, but instead the ones of a true shepherd, calling to “announce the Good news”, encouraging the bishops to feel close to each other, and the priests not to consider them as ‘bosses’ but ‘ loving fathers, as suggested by the last Council’. That, considered Fratini, is the key to increase vocations to priesthood.

    We needed such a fresh stream of arguments in Spain…

  18. Fra Alban says:

    I’ve just received an e-mail from the Vocations director to go and spend my first visit at the Novitiate.

  19. BLC says:

    I made a good confession, and the priests at my chapel are amazing.

  20. ejcmartin says:

    A week ago I “suited up” my seven year-old son to help serve at the TLM for the first time. As I helped him get dressed I thought to myself how my feelings compared to most other fathers in Canada when they dress their sons in hockey gear for the first time. A great fatherhood moment.

  21. Mark01 says:

    The last time you asked for good news I mentioned my 3 1/2 year old son pretending to be Noah and asking lots of questions about God. I’ve got a new story. This Sunday when we pulled into the church parking lot my son asked, “Is God already inside?” When I told him yes, he then said he wanted to go see God. Then my 2 year old said he wanted to see God too. Once inside the church, my oldest asked, “Where’s God, I want to go see him!” Throughout Mass both my boss kept telling me they wanted to see God, with the 2 year old demanding, “I want to see God NOW!” And every time he said NOW he pounded his fist on his thigh. (We were in the crying room, so they weren’t disturbing Mass. And when my oldest wasn’t asking to see God he was folding his hands, bowing his head, and singing the prayer he learned in preschool to say before their snack, “God our father, God our father, We thank you, We thank you, For our many blessings, For our many blessings, Amen, Amen.” (Sung to the tune of Frere Jacques)

  22. Mark01 says:

    Oh, that’s supposed to say my boys kept telling me they wanted to see God, not my boss.

  23. bubba says:

    Wedensday marks 11 years since my diagnois with cancer. I am now healthy and doing well. My family gathered around both then and now and I am very thankful for all that I have been given. As we gather on Thurs. to feast and fellowship, let us raise a glass of whatever you like and toast and remember those who won’t be there– “Absent Friends”.

  24. VivaLaMezzo says:

    I’m starting Thanksgiving break a day early! No school work for the rest of this week!

    Also, my 69yo mom and my 10yo daughter are going to lunch with me today! Should be a hoot. Always is. We are some crazy womenses.

  25. Fabrizio says:

    My daughter has started her Confirmation classes and my older boy has started his First Communion ones at SS. Trinità dei Pellegrini in Rome. Every Sunday after Solemn High Mass. They love their classes and the good FSSP fathers do know how to teach Catechism to young kids. Beside the basics (which however they already learned at home with our Catechism of S. Pius X), my daughter is know dealing with the concept of “person” while my boy is learning about virtues how they are fostered and vices and how they are eradicated. He is also less negative about being an altar boy now. I hope and pray his training will start soon. Father says there is no doubt it will.

    Slowly but surely the “personal parish” is growing. The logistics of Rome make it difficult for families to get downtown in time every Sunday, but we’re all people who aren’t easily discouraged. If they needed a “stable group”, well, they have one. And the EF Masses at other Churches are also well attended.

    Cardinals and bishops keep coming to celebrate Solemn Pontificals, and the parishioners’ average age is still lower than anywhere else in town (that I have seen). Also, we keep seeing new people every sunday. Not traditionalists, but “regular” faithful who happen to have heard of the parish and decide to give it a try, or just passers-by who stepped in for a prayer and discovered a world.

    Brick by brick, the unthinkable is happening. For many, we are still the elephant in the room all bend over backward to pretend they haven’t noticed. But the cubs of the elephant, those they’ll have to notice. Granted it’ll take time, and prudence and patience and charity, but if someone had told me 20 years ago that I’d see my kids taking classes at the TLM parish of Rome after High Mass..

  26. Dear Father: I have something which I consider good news which you might want to share with my fellow readers. Dr. Hadley Arkes has a wonderful essay today on: http://www.thecatholicthing.com wherein he lays out some very fundamental yet brilliant points on the necessity of objective, eternal moral truths.

  27. frater says:

    We have 6 new altar boys to training for the Tridentine Latin Mass.

  28. JerryM1967 says:

    Mass for the Feast of Christ the King (OF) at our so-named Parish was reverent and beautiful, and we start Perpetual Adoration this Sunday (Advent and Lent only….brick by brick)

  29. Allan S. says:

    I got a promotion at work. Yup. From “cancer guy” to “boss”.

    Life. Just no telling what’s in store!

  30. rhetoric57 says:

    Our Jesuit school in South Africa – St Aidan’s – was closed in 1973 – just three years before its centenary. We are in eMail contact with 400 or so OAs around the world. One of our number is a quadriplegic and needed a new wheelchair, which would cost US$17,500-00. We raised R180,000-00, say $23,500 in ten days from about 25% of the guys, who were in Russia, Korea, the Gulf, USA, Canada, UK, France, Australia and South Africa.

    We hope Chris gets his chair (which is made in Australia) in time for Christmas.

    There will be a reunion in Port Alfred in February 2010, which should attract 70 or so OAs – including a couple of priests and one bishop!

  31. Ruben says:

    I’m visiting the Franciscans of The Immaculate in Bloomington Indiana in January to continue my vocation inquiry. This is the fourth community I’ve inquired into. Two others had an age limit I did not meet and another I was evidently not called to. I thank God for the grace of perseverance. I know God has a plan.

  32. MarkJ says:

    Here’s some good news: As of this moment, 77861 people have signed the “Manhattan Declaration” and that number is growing by about 2000 per hour. This is a chance for all Christians in our country to unite and take a stand against the pro-death, anti-family and anti-religion forces in our society. It’s time to join the battle – this is a start – if you haven’t done so already, please sign it and pass it on… http://www.manhattandeclaration.org

  33. scaron says:

    Today is my good friend Micaela’s Birthday! ad multos annos!

  34. Rouxfus says:

    Good Shepherd Parish at St. Stephen’s Church in New Orleans, comprised of three parishes merged after two nearby churches were closed (with controversy) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, will be celebrating Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the first time on Sunday, 29 November, at 12:30pm. EF Masses will continue at that time on the last Sunday of the month going forward.

    Fr. Bill Farge, S.J. will celebrate the Mass; Good Shepherd pastor Msgr. Christopher Nalty will give the homily.

  35. wanda says:

    I’m with TomB. I haven’t seen or read any of the vampire books/movies, haven’t read/seen any of the Left Behind books, haven’t seen/read any of the Tom Hanks/Ron Howard movies, I can’t even think of the names of any of them, honest.

    We have been blessed with beautiful, holy Priests at our Parish.

    God is good all the time; All the time God is good.

    One more bit that is good, this place (Fr. Z.’s blog) to share with others, ask questions and to grow in wisdom and understanding, learn more about our beautiful Catholic Faith and our beautiful Catholic heritage.

  36. jasoncpetty says:

    Despite doctors telling us we’d likely never have kids, our baby (a little girl) is due in about a week thanks to many prayers from friends temporal and spiritual. Te Deum, laudamus . . .

  37. tzard says:

    This Sunday we had a visiting priest from Ireland who out of habit said “Incarnate” during the creed. My #3 Son (11) noticed and asked me if the priest forgot and used the upcoming translation instead. (I explained the reason).

  38. a catechist says:

    Mon. I “authentically participated” at Holy Mass with my bishop celebrating the NO ad orientem. After Mass venerated a relic of St. John Vianney.

    On Sat. I took my mobile kids into a real Asian grocery store for the 1st time, which was lots of fun. There was a small Buddhist shrine set up in the back wall: red & gold with lights, incense sticks, etc. My 6 yr. old said, “Look! They already have their Christmas decorations up!” He’s the one I talk to St. John Vianney about….

  39. Matthew in Vancouver says:

    I’m defending my thesis today!!! 10:00 AM PST

    Please pray for me! :-)

  40. I start a FT permanent job on Monday!

  41. JosephMary says:

    Going to spend Thanksgiving with my two dear sons, ages 21 and 25. Halfway to my masters. Assisted at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass this morning and also received the sacrament of confession. Deo Gratias! And the weather is good for travel this week–yeah!

  42. irishgirl says:

    I signed the Manhatten Declaration, MarkJ-thanks for posting it!

    For Thanksgiving, I got invited to the home of a member of the TLM chapel I go to. I’m not doing anything with my family-did the same thing last year, except that I went out to dinner alone-so it was very nice of this man to invite me and another member of the chapel, a widow, to have dinner with him and his family! He’s also been very generous in giving me money from time to time, since I’m still not working.

  43. pyrosapien says:

    First EF Mass in 40 years celebrated at my Parish on Saturday. It was sung!!

  44. Margaret says:

    Thanksgiving with DH’s large family in a few days. DH & his five sibs have a total of 23 children among them, with 2 more on the way. 19 of them will be under Grandma and Grandpa’s roof for Thanksgiving. Really 20, since I have one in utero (who btw still had a lovely little heartbeat at a checkup last Friday.) It will be loud and chaotic and a total blast.

  45. Rachel says:

    I’d given up on finding spiritual direction until a potential director suddenly appeared on the radar last month, and from our first meeting I think he’s going to be very very helpful!

  46. Jaybirdnbham says:

    Thankful for good friends, a very holy confessor/spiritual director, good health, a stable job, and a patient God Who continues to put up with me and loves me as I am.

  47. Rose in NE says:

    Well, I got a flat tire taking my son to school this morning, but I managed to make it to the school parking lot before it totally gave out! My husband came and picked me up, and I was still able to make it to work on time.

    Our college freshman daughter has finally found a part-time job that is flexible enough to work around her school schedule. And she still has time to play violin gigs for weddings and receptions.

    Last year my husband lost his job the day before Thanksgiving. So we are very thankful that this year he is employed.

    No matter what happens, God is good.

  48. Gwen says:

    Tomorrow my 77 year old dad and depart for our annual Thanksgiving trek to Death Valley. The desert is spectacular this time of year; highs expected in the mid-70s with lots of sun. I’m looking forward to a long weekend of hiking, sightseeing, and just quality time with dad.

  49. Leonius says:

    I got married on November 7 and we just found out we have conceived in that first week of our marriage and are now expecting our first child, 3 weeks pregnant and counting. Please pray for us.

  50. Girgadis says:

    Our Operation Walk group returned from Panama safe and sound last Wednesday. We
    were able to perform 64 total joint surgeries for needy patients. And while we
    were there I was able to get to Sunday Mass despite the fact that we had a full
    day of surgery. I was very fretful when I agreed to go on the mission that I
    would not be able to get to Mass since the bulk of the surgeries are done on
    the weekend when the Panamanian doctors vacate the OR. As luck would have it,
    there was not only a magnificent church right across from our hotel but it was
    run by Carmelites and the first Mass of every day was at 6 am. Aside from the
    joy of seeing our patients walk the day after their surgery, that church
    was the highlight of the trip for me, particularly hearing its bells each morning
    at an hour that would never be tolerated here in the states.

  51. AngelineOH says:

    I was accepted into the Pastry Arts program at the Midwest Culinary Institute this week. The frustrated pastry chef actually get to be a real one! Thank you, God, for giving me the chance to follow my lifelong dream.

  52. ejcmartin says:

    My seven year-old son started to learn Latin today!

  53. Supertradmom says:

    Good news-Father Z’s blog is still going strong. Thank you, Father Z and the Holy Spirit.

  54. After many decades an agnostic family member met with a faithful priest, and discovered he wasn’t so agnostic after all! Never underestimate the power of the Truth, faithfully spoken.

  55. edwardo3 says:

    We are finally done with ugly paintings in my studio class, and I’m working on more classical paintings.

  56. mvhcpa says:

    Last Saturday my bride and I welcomed her sister’s family for dinner–we all had a great time, especially our young nephew, almost one year old, who is progressing just fine, thank you!

    Michael Val
    (who repeats the old saw that a baby is God’s opinion that the world should continue!)

  57. Jane says:

    My book finally got printed today.

  58. Cattern Cakes are tasty, even if you burn them!

    :)

  59. fairkaye says:

    Apple just replaced my 3.5 year old MacBook Pro (Notice that it was 6 months past the warranty.) with a brand new one that is faster and has more memory. Praise be to G_d for the money saved.

  60. PatrickV says:

    Due to family concerns, our organist and choir leader had to resign. That left us at sea as an adult, and a youth choir. As adults, we have been cantoring the Masses (four of us), and I took over the youth choir. It had done so well last year that I did not want to see it fade, and there were enough kids willing to assist in the choir at the monthly youth mass.

    Well, for eight months now I have been trying to attract members to both choirs. The adults are tough nuts, but we have 11 youth who will sing at Mass. All girls. Good girls, committed girls, no boys.

    I have been praying and trying to recruit boys. Fortunately we have a very large and devoted corps of altar boys. Unfortunately, they are the ones most qualified to be in the choir.

    The little clerics are tough nuts. They respect me, they listen to me, they ask my advice. They will not join the choir. They are tough nuts.

    Well, in concert with the Religious Education secretary I asked for volunteers to assist at the Youth Mass as readers and gift bearers, and I threw in a “Joint the Choir” plug.

    GOOD NEWS!!!! One of the altar boys broke, and he is a Baritone!!!

    So, my prayers have been answered, I am no longer the deepest voice in the flock!!!

    I just hope that Father does’nt box my ears for poaching an altar boy.

    Happy Thanksgiving

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