Do you have some good news? And give us some good point from the Sunday sermon you heard.

How about some good news from and for the readership?

For my part, I am happy during some travels and down time to be catching up with friends and people I haven’t seen for a while.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
This entry was posted in SESSIUNCULA. Bookmark the permalink.

37 Comments

  1. Tom says:

    Well…. For four years I have run a small “Religious Services” volunteer program at the South Bend Juvenile Corrections Facility. This is a prison of sorts for boys 13-18 who have committed major crimes. Our program visits twice a week – on Thursdays to pray the Rosary, and Sunday to do a Bible study using the Mass readings (the EF readings when I go haha).
    In my time there, I have seen many boys have a “spiritual awakening”, especially through the Rosary which I use as a catecheses time in the Catholic faith, as well. A good number of these boys have take so much to the Rosary that they have decided to become Catholic on the “outs” (when they are released.) There is even one boy there now who has a background in the EF, and is hungry for traditional devotions and teachings – I gave him my missale. Many have taken to praying the Rosary everyday, there.
    There is much I could say about the good I have seen there, but I just wanted to share a little about what is going on in this place. Needless to say, I would sure appreciate prayers for us, we could use them at the moment – there is great good happening, but hurdles as well.
    My greatest hope is to plant a seed in these boys about God, faith, prayer, the Church, or just “something greater” which, someday in some situation, leads them to make a critical positive choice for their lives; one which ultimately would even lead them to (or back to) the Church.
    So far, it looks like many have been greatly effected by this ministry, and much good has come from it.
    Ave Crux Spes Unica!

  2. Mandrivnyk says:

    Life has been challenging lately. After I was fired from my job, my Stepfather went into another violent rage that could easily have cost my Mom her life. She, however, was arrested.

    In the past week, after a couple months of very difficult trials, the charges against my Mom were conditionally dropped & my application for unemployment insurance benefits has finally been approved. It is an enormous relief.

  3. Tom Esteban says:

    I was confirmed yesterday (finally!).

  4. Alan Aversa says:

    My priest gave his second homily on the importance of Latin in the Church!

  5. BaedaBenedictus says:

    Well, yesterday at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, we had a special treat:

    A symposium on Blessed John Henry Newman. Among the speakers were Dr. Peter Kreeft, Fr. Peter Stravinskas, and Dr. William Fahey (President of Thomas More College).

    Following the symposium was Solemn Evensong and Benediction led by the pastor of the Anglican Use community in Boston (soon to join the Ordinariate). Participating were Fr. Stravinskas, Fr. Thomas Kocik (of NLM), Bishop Kennedy (auxiliary of Boston), and Fr. O’Leary, rector of the Cathedral.

    A glorious event on a glorious summery day.

  6. everett says:

    Today we went out to the land that our parish owns for to bless the site. Its a great location, and sounds like after owning it for something like 10 years they’re actually close to putting together a building plan.

  7. marknelza says:

    You asked. Here is my thoughts from yesterday http://bit.ly/o4hhC4

  8. JonPatrick says:

    We had a frost last week but enough of the rhubarb survived to make one last pie for the season yesterday.

    Interesting and probably controversial sermon yesterday. October being both the month dedicated to the rosary, as well as the anniversary of the miracle of the sun at Fatima. One of our Lady’s requests was the total consecration of Russia to her Immaculate Heart, which many feel was never done the way she had requested it. Since she had promised peace if this happened, one can look around and see that we certainly do not have peace in our world, or in the church for that matter. The only thing we can do is pray that the Holy Father would do this before it is too late.

    This wasn’t part of the sermon, but I have always wondered why the prayers for the consecration of Russia of Pope Leo XIII were dropped from the end of Mass.

  9. Supertradmum says:

    Good news from a historical perspective: today is the day Pope St. Leo XIII wrote and promulgated the St. Michael the Archangel prayer for the entire Church. Remember that he saw a vision of God and Satan discussing God allowing Satan to test the Church for so many years. Much like in the Book of Job, Satan was allowed to do this. Pope St. Leo XIII wrote the prayer in response to what he saw in the vision. God bless us and St. Michael protect us.

  10. pberginjr says:

    Father addressed the new translation of “pro multis”, pointing out the subtleties why it had been changed, why even though it is off-putting to many at first, it is a necessary statement that forces us to rethink our relationship with God, i.e. am I one of “the many”. He tied pro multis to yesterday’s gospel (Mt. 22:1-14), about those invited to the wedding feast and reactions on both sides. He also spoke about the Latin patrimony of the church, the importance of accurately reflecting Latin in the translation for the “Latin-rite”(even though is Latin is nearly non-existent). In the announcement part of mass (after Postcommunion) he encouraged everyone to pay close attention to the words of the prayers we say now in order to fully appreciate the changes when they arrive in November, which he’s looking forward to (commenting on the necessity to use elevated language rather than vulgar, i.e. common language in the liturgy/in worship of God.

    One of the best homilies I’ve heard in this parish.

  11. leutgeb says:

    We had a vsiting American priest. I only realised it was a different priest when he sang the beginning of the Asperges after I had played the intonation.

    Very pertinent sermon which I shall be acting on today.

  12. wanda says:

    I heard so many good things in the homily my head was almost spinning. The number one thing was ‘go to confession’. The other things I heard were related to the up-coming implementation of the new Roman Missal. Dynamic equivalence, Pope Benedict, spirit of continuity and tabernacles restored to the center front of the churches. There was a formal presentation on the corrected translations following the mass. It was an awesome homily and instruction afterward

  13. david andrew says:

    Last spring I found out that the TLM at our parish was being suspended owing to a lack of available priests. Our own parish priest does not wish to celebrate the EF right now, as he doesn’t feel that he’s well-trained enough to to it right. However, he welcomes other priests to come offer the EF for our parish. Re-assignments and the like made it impossible for the two priests we had coming to our church to offer the Mass to continue. However, we have found another priest able and willing to offer the Mass regularly. Deo gratias!

  14. priests wife says:

    our oldest parishoner- a 93 year old woman- collapsed and passed out in the middle of the Liturgy (no pulse for minute plus according to a doctor present (doctor is 80+) EMTs were called, the acolyte- a medical worker- got her to breathe so she was lucid as she was getting in the ambulance- and my kids seem okay with the experience. We continued the Liturgy with her as our special intention

  15. priests wife says:

    the homily- a few minutes before she passed out- was about life- respecting life from conception to old age…the elderly should be honored and respected…etc, etc- my husband feels a twinge of guilt

  16. asperges says:

    Sermon from the Dominicans on the (traditional) Rosary: three Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious mysteries shadow Our Lord’s own life. All the saints (of recent time) very attached to it as a very powerful weapon against evil. The full rosary (153 hail Marys: 15×10+3: full rosary) reflected in various passages of Scripture including the Haul of Fish – John 21 – which correspond: a sign of conversion; the number of people Our Lord ministered to in the gospels (excluding the 5000) etc. The way in which the Rosary said in a group or even alone in front of the Blessed Sacrament can grant a plenary indulgence.

    The previous Friday (7th) there had been a sung High Mass in the Dom rite for the solemnity of the H Rosary with blessed roses distributed to the faithful. We definitely know where we stand in this church. Deo Gratias.

  17. JoyfulMom7 says:

    On Saturday, Bishop Joseph McFadden of the Harrisburg Diocese had a Pro-Life Mass at the very beautiful ‘Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church’ and then led about 125-150 of the faithful in prayer at Hillcrest abortion business. What a powerful statement for life! In his homily, Bishop McFadden likened the abortions to the Holocaust. He encouraged us to eliminate this Holocaust happening each day in our Diocese, coming to pray as a penitent people, asking forgiveness, being nourished by the gift of Life, Jesus Himself. A great homily and spoken straight from his heart!

    Also, so far during our 40 Days for Life Harrisburg Campaign, we know of at least two women who have walked out of the abortion business at which we regularly pray. AND thus far during this 40 Days for Life campaign overall, we are aware of …

    … 122 babies spared from abortion! And of course, those are only the ones we know of.

  18. okiesarah says:

    My priest is using the implementation of the new translation as a springboard for correcting the irregularities that have crept into worship (holding hands during the Our Father, the “and also with you” hand gesture the laity is so fond of.) And his column in the Sunday bulletins of late have been reminder columns on what is expected of us at Mass and the importance of the Eucharist. He even made an announcement to a packed service that we needed to stop chatting if we were inside the sanctuary. Bravo for him, he is a good priest. :)

  19. Cassie says:

    Our Pastor used the second reading to discuss the current economic unrest and protests, acknowledging that our youth could look at what’s going on and have no hope. Using Paul’s words he drove home the point that our hope MUST rest in Christ. That’s just one point from a home run of a sermon that affirmed our tireless efforts to raise our children to be faithful Catholics. Thanks be to God for another day of fantastic preaching – we have such good, holy priests! That, in and of itself, is good news.
    But here’s some more: a nice, older lady stopped me as I came out of the adoration chapel yesterday and commented on the reverence our two younger sons displayed while altar serving at Mass earlier in the day, our oldest son accompanied me to the weekly “Moms rosary” at his younger siblings’ school this morning (he’s on fall break) and our daughter has decided to join the children’s choir at our parish, and for Sunday dinner I was able to closely approximate the southern chicken pastry recipe that my husband’s “Nana” used to make. It will never be exactly like Nana’s but I guess it wasn’t bad for a half Italain native New Yorker.
    God’s blessings to you all!

  20. mrsmontoya says:

    We had a WONDERFUL homily – connecting the readings to the Sacraments, catechesis on proper preparation for and reception of Communion, and more. It was a pleasure to listen to, and read afterward (Father posts his homilies at the parish website) and meditate on.

  21. Philangelus says:

    During the homily, the priest said, “We all want to go to heaven, but the sad fact is we’re not all going to make it there.” I was shocked — we don’t normally get that kind of statement in our parish.

    That led to a good discussion with my kids over dinner about salvation and how we get into Heaven and how Jesus wants us all to get there to be with Him.

  22. jilly4ski says:

    My good news is that I passed the Bar exam!
    I swear in before the court later this month.

  23. Warren says:

    On the occasion of John Henry Cardinal Newman’s reception into the Catholic Church, our bishop blessed the first Newman House in the Diocese of Victoria, British Columbia. The House is a male-only house occupied by four young men attending the University of Victoria. The House-mates prepared a sumptuous turkey dinner complete with fixings for a gathering of twenty students, the bishop, our chaplain and a few additional guests.

    God willing, a house for female students will be established next year. In God’s time, we hope to develop a Newman Centre with a chapel!

    Blessed John Henry Newman – pray for us!

  24. Jbuntin says:

    My good news is IT RAINED 4 1/2 inches in north central Texas where I live! We are in severe drought, the rain was very welcome.
    Sundays sermon was on the persecution of the Church in Mexico begining in 1914. Father kept us all on the edge of our seats telling of the horror that the Catholics in Mexico went through at the hands of their Masonic goverment and with the silence of the United States.
    I’m sure he was trying to make it plain without saying so… that this is coming here if we don’t pay attention, and even if we do, and it comes … we had better be spiritually ready. It definitely scared the Hell out of me.

  25. DavidMiller says:

    Going over the readings for the 17th Sunday After Pentecost I was reminded of a sermon I heard a few years ago on the Gospel appointed for this day. It was a rather novel suggestion to hear in a sermon, but I liked it! Father asked all of us who had a computer to use the “Scrolling Text” screensaver, and to use for the text Our Lord’s answer as the greatest commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind” And I recall that it really was a good idea, too. At several random points during the week, when the screensaver would kick on, I would be reminded of the Gospel reading. :)

  26. Agellius says:

    My pastor gave a very good homily on the importance of proper preparation for Mass, including grooming and attire.

    My only complaint was it was about 35 minutes long! People were getting quite squirmy near the end. It might not be so bad if we had nice, comfortable padded pews, but we don’t! : )

  27. lux_perpetua says:

    i will be giving a talk this thursday to a bunch of high school students about the untold history of eugenics in this country and how they continue to play out daily in abortion milss and hospitals across the country. please pray for me… i’m terrified! i surely do hope this experience will help me to figure ot what the Lord is calling me to do.

  28. Samthe44 says:

    Our homily was about how Catholics need to respect life at ALL stages. Our priest used the example of people being pro-life, but pro-death penalty; and pro-abortion, but anti-death penalty. He spoke about how people can be influenced by popular causes that are not Catholic. He said that ‘pro-life’ needs to include being against abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment. It was excellent!

  29. James Joseph says:

    It was something about this or that… Can’t remember. I don’t think it was about anything really Catholic at all. The priest is a nice man but given to moralism, which I doubt he realises. I’m just glad to make it the holy Sacrifice.

    I think what made me forget was he decided to use the Childrens’ Prayer thing #2 from the appendix or wherever it is found. I’ve heard this isn’t allowed to said in Latin. Is that true?

    It’s just difficult to concentrate when one is not smart enough to be able shut out distractions like tubas, trumpets, and having to remember a responsorial psalm thing. With all of the distractions and busy-nessy mind wanders off, especially at the Ordinary Form. I think I am looking for some mental shelter. This time I was thinking about Mary being the House of the Lord, and also about the tilma of Juan Diego, and Her feet crushing the snake.

  30. James Joseph says:

    Oh yeah! Now I remember. The homily was about being prepared for the huge banquet.

  31. Charivari Rob says:

    Good news: complications in my father’s recovery from recent surgery look like they’re clearing up, and the doctors all appear to be on the same page.

    Good homily about leading us through the dark valleys between pastures. Impressed by Father, too. Clearly dealing with some sort of pain/injury, he shut his eyes to close out distractions and hang on every word of the psalm & readings, to hear them as the congregation did.

  32. mrsmontoya says:

    Wonderful news from today: I found my Catholic ID Tags! Crucifix and medal, on chain, which I took off a month ago and put “in a safe place.” Found them in my purse of all places, now safely back around my neck and in plain sight.

  33. MJ says:

    Good news: yesterday’s rehearsal for Victoria’s 6-part Requiem (that our polyphony choir will sing on the Feast of All Souls) went great!

    Homily from yesterday: on the persecution of Catholics and the Church in Mexico…it was a very good homily and very chilling.

  34. pm125 says:

    Good news for my little world is that cable service (phone, internet, and TV) was repaired this morning. Have to return to having a land line, not having all eggs in one basket.
    Sermon was based on Jesus’ wedding banquet parable. The king’s banquet is a symbol for Heaven.
    We are invited to all that God promises, as the king did to the point of supplying proper garments. The first people who didn’t show up were too full of disregard, to the point of killing the messengers (like current events). Then, others enjoyed the invitation, except the one who didn’t come with the proper dress supplied and could not answer why. God grants us ways to find His welcome which need to be our priority.

  35. cjcanniff says:

    I spent an enjoyable Columbus Day weekend in New York City with my family. Fortunately, I remembered the mention of Holy Innocents Church in previous posts on WDTPRS, and my family and I attended Sunday Mass there yesterday morning. The music was beautiful. Afterwards, while walking down Fifth Avenue, we were lucky enough to see Archbishop Dolan standing outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral waving to people who were in a parade. Even though I’m from Boston, I still love NY.

  36. MAJ Tony says:

    I returned a week ago from Europe, and just this morning got my internet service back up and running (electrical storms). During my three weeks I was blessed to spend two days at the Maria Einsiedeln Monastery and was able to participate in the Engelweihe, their biggest local feast. Then, was blessed to be in Salzburg for the Feast of St. Rupert, patron of my home parish in the Dio. of Evansville, IN, whose feast is celebrated 24 Sep in Austria. Lastly, I also was blessed to attend the 28 Sep Papal Audience.

    Then, after traveling hither and yon, mostly by train, but also thru the Tuscan Hills in a small car with my cousins, I visited not only Florence, but also Ravenna and Venice, where we just managed to get into Saint Mark’s Cathedral. Also enjoyed taking up some good Oktoberfest bier, etc. visited the old city of Augusta Treverorum aka Trier and then headed back to the States.

Comments are closed.