Here's the sequel to "Positive and Uplifting Links." I hope that you enjoy these links like you did the other ones.
This is the website to an awesome Catholic channel http://www.ewtn.com/.
Can you study at an Ivy League school and still keep your faith? Find out at... http://youtube.com/watch?v=bAAa-A56fhw. EWTN's "Life on the Rock" interviews athletes from Yale University! (Sorry, you have to type it in yourself.)
When taking an apologetics class in high school we often read articles from http://www.catholic.com/. If you need help defending your faith it's definitely the place to go to.
Are you discerning a call to the priesthood or religious life? Do you have questions about vocations? http://www.vocation.com/
To find out about a great community of religious sisters check out http://www.sistersoflife.org/.
These are some great music videos...
"How Beautiful" http://youtube.com/watch?v=MINTcQU1XvI
"Find Your Wings" WARNING YOU MAY CRY!!! Sorry but you have to type it in yourself.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=knm492yxMf0
"You Know Better Than I" http://youtube.com/watch?v=8oL6HlzQZLo
"Father's Eyes" http://youtube.com/watch?v=cRB4pL6Xqy8
"Voice of Truth" http://youtube.com/watch?v=F7N8PcDA3rk
"Mary Did You Know" (with scenes from "The Passion")
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IfpK6cNPF7Y
The following is a talk on love by living a life of chastity. It's in twelve parts.
Part 1 http://youtube.com/watch?v=PnoCe7_Bev8
Part 2 http://youtube.com/watch?v=jQCtu_51UX0
Part 3 http://youtube.com/watch?v=YyKsi4sdqME
Part 4 http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cz1Z2QrxVJE
Part 5 http://youtube.com/watch?v=1cYPosiTdek
Part 6 http://youtube.com/watch?v=kjFmBaM7xNg
Part 7 http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z7sz8lpJpdY
Part 8 http://youtube.com/watch?v=T_gJi_U8RVM
Part 9 http://youtube.com/watch?v=L96LVn16mL0
Part 10 http://youtube.com/watch?v=QknoYRmCY-Y
Part 11 http://youtube.com/watch?v=Po_M--QCh0Q
Part 12 http://youtube.com/watch?v=5OQPV5H3fLM
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
St. Teresa de los Andes
Today I'm going to honor a saint that isn't very well known: St. Teresa of the Andes. I meant to do this before but I had some setbacks.
This young woman grew up in Chile during the early twentieth century. Originally her name was Juana but everyone called her Juanita. She lived a very devout and virtuous life for someone so young. At the tender age of fourteen, when a girl is in danger of being greatly influenced by the world, Juanita felt a call to be a carmelite nun. She intently read about carmelite spirituality, particularly the inspiring "Story of a Soul" written by the now canonized St. Therese (one of the patron saints of this blog.)
Yet even with this piety Juanita lived a balanced life. She enjoyed swimming and playing tennis, helped teach catechism classes, was deligent in school, and was very close to her family. Just before she reached nineteen Juanita entered the carmelite monastery at Los Andes. She felt such joy at finally meeting her Beloved but it was such a sacrifice for her to say goodbye to her family.
Not everyone understood why she became a carmelite and the now Sister Teresa of Jesus assured them of her happiness in her letters to them. Teresa evangelized her family and friends with her inspiring letters and the prioress of the community encouraged her to continue. If it were not for these letters then we may never have known about this holy young woman who had so much strength and love to give. Teresa spent eleven wonderful months in the monastery before she died a very young death. She did not even reach her twentieth birthday, yet in what little time she had spent there everyone in the community saw her sanctity.
I wish that more people knew about this simple yet powerful saint. She was very much like St. Therese in her littleness and humility. Last July EWTN showed a mini-series on her life which lasted six episodes. Unfortunately it's only played once a year and I don't think that it can be purchased anywhere, so next year if you want to see it you'll have to look up the times on www.ewtn.com. The mini-series starts out slow but then progresses and is well worth your time.
If anyone wants to learn even more about this saint go to www.teresadelosandes.org/#. Before entering the site you have to click on one of the flags on the bottom so that the proper language can be displayed.
This young woman grew up in Chile during the early twentieth century. Originally her name was Juana but everyone called her Juanita. She lived a very devout and virtuous life for someone so young. At the tender age of fourteen, when a girl is in danger of being greatly influenced by the world, Juanita felt a call to be a carmelite nun. She intently read about carmelite spirituality, particularly the inspiring "Story of a Soul" written by the now canonized St. Therese (one of the patron saints of this blog.)
Yet even with this piety Juanita lived a balanced life. She enjoyed swimming and playing tennis, helped teach catechism classes, was deligent in school, and was very close to her family. Just before she reached nineteen Juanita entered the carmelite monastery at Los Andes. She felt such joy at finally meeting her Beloved but it was such a sacrifice for her to say goodbye to her family.
Not everyone understood why she became a carmelite and the now Sister Teresa of Jesus assured them of her happiness in her letters to them. Teresa evangelized her family and friends with her inspiring letters and the prioress of the community encouraged her to continue. If it were not for these letters then we may never have known about this holy young woman who had so much strength and love to give. Teresa spent eleven wonderful months in the monastery before she died a very young death. She did not even reach her twentieth birthday, yet in what little time she had spent there everyone in the community saw her sanctity.
I wish that more people knew about this simple yet powerful saint. She was very much like St. Therese in her littleness and humility. Last July EWTN showed a mini-series on her life which lasted six episodes. Unfortunately it's only played once a year and I don't think that it can be purchased anywhere, so next year if you want to see it you'll have to look up the times on www.ewtn.com. The mini-series starts out slow but then progresses and is well worth your time.
If anyone wants to learn even more about this saint go to www.teresadelosandes.org/#. Before entering the site you have to click on one of the flags on the bottom so that the proper language can be displayed.
Monday, August 13, 2007
St. John Vianney
Today I'm honoring a favorite saint of mine, John Vianney. If only there were some modern day Vianneys! He's the patron saint of parish priests even though he barely made it out of the seminary. His professors and fellow classmates thought that he was dumb. He failed most of his classes and had the toughest time with Latin, yet he never despaired. No one found anything remarkable about the man. He had profound humility and devotion to Our Lady.
John was sent to a parish that had abandoned its faith. Only the elderly women attended mass.
This courageous man never gave up on his flock. He knelt before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament begging for the conversion of his parish. He drew people to mass with his simple words of truth in his sermons. A great multitude of people came to listen to him, even those from other parishes.
Other priests were jealous of him and rebuked him. To their surprise John not only accepted their criticisms but thanked them for their corrections. He called them his dear colleagues and refered to himself as a sinful man who needed their direction. John was also hated by the bartenders of Ars, France who noticed that they were losing business because of him. Satan himself beat and harassed him, for he was losing souls because of him. Vianney saw visions of Mary and could tell when a penitent was hiding something from him in the confessional, but these spiritual gifts didn't make him a saint, the way he lived his life did. He spent at least eighteen hours a day hearing confessions. Imagine what the priests of today would do if such a thing were to happen!
Priests of our contemporary world look to St. John Vianney as an example. He was hated by the world for challenging it but he wasn't afraid to live by the truth of the Catholic faith. Those of you that have trouble with your own stubborn parish that refuses to convert, he had trouble with his too. It didn't just convert over night. He made sacrifices for them and prayed for them. He never lost hope in them. Vianney knew the power of prayer and lived it out. He called people to conversion and repentance. Vianney wasn't afraid to discuss turning away from sin. If he didn't then he wouldn't have spent all of those hours listening to confessions. What if there were a hundred St. John Vianneys? The world would belong only to God.
All of you who are not priests support these ordained men. I've heard it said on EWTN that twelve men changed the world two thousand years ago and twelve men can change the world today. Those twelve men were the Apostles. Those twelve men were priests. Pray for the sanctification of these men and dedicate to God all of your thoughts, words, and actions for them, for even St. Therese offered every beating of her heart for souls, dedicating everything she could to God.
I'd like to take the time to announce that Luke Films, the same organization that brought us the hit, "Therese" is thinking about making a movie about St. John Vianney, but they need financial assistance. Go to http://www.lukefilms.com/ to find out more about this company and how you can help. Prayers are especially needed for them now.
John was sent to a parish that had abandoned its faith. Only the elderly women attended mass.
This courageous man never gave up on his flock. He knelt before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament begging for the conversion of his parish. He drew people to mass with his simple words of truth in his sermons. A great multitude of people came to listen to him, even those from other parishes.
Other priests were jealous of him and rebuked him. To their surprise John not only accepted their criticisms but thanked them for their corrections. He called them his dear colleagues and refered to himself as a sinful man who needed their direction. John was also hated by the bartenders of Ars, France who noticed that they were losing business because of him. Satan himself beat and harassed him, for he was losing souls because of him. Vianney saw visions of Mary and could tell when a penitent was hiding something from him in the confessional, but these spiritual gifts didn't make him a saint, the way he lived his life did. He spent at least eighteen hours a day hearing confessions. Imagine what the priests of today would do if such a thing were to happen!
Priests of our contemporary world look to St. John Vianney as an example. He was hated by the world for challenging it but he wasn't afraid to live by the truth of the Catholic faith. Those of you that have trouble with your own stubborn parish that refuses to convert, he had trouble with his too. It didn't just convert over night. He made sacrifices for them and prayed for them. He never lost hope in them. Vianney knew the power of prayer and lived it out. He called people to conversion and repentance. Vianney wasn't afraid to discuss turning away from sin. If he didn't then he wouldn't have spent all of those hours listening to confessions. What if there were a hundred St. John Vianneys? The world would belong only to God.
All of you who are not priests support these ordained men. I've heard it said on EWTN that twelve men changed the world two thousand years ago and twelve men can change the world today. Those twelve men were the Apostles. Those twelve men were priests. Pray for the sanctification of these men and dedicate to God all of your thoughts, words, and actions for them, for even St. Therese offered every beating of her heart for souls, dedicating everything she could to God.
I'd like to take the time to announce that Luke Films, the same organization that brought us the hit, "Therese" is thinking about making a movie about St. John Vianney, but they need financial assistance. Go to http://www.lukefilms.com/ to find out more about this company and how you can help. Prayers are especially needed for them now.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Our Anniversary
Today is a very special anniversary for me but first I have to backtrack. I grew up as a luke warm Catholic but shortly after I turned thirteen something amazing happened. It was saturday morning and I was flipping through channels. Suddenly I stopped turning channels because I recognized a certain cartoon's opening credits. The show was called, "In the Beginning." I remember watching an episode of it in my sixth grade religion class the year before. For some reason I decided to watch the show. I discovered that the channel that was called EWTN which was and still is a passionately Catholic network. As time passed I watched the channel regularly and I converted from luke warm to on fire for the faith. I discovered a whole new world that had been right in front of me the whole time.
Now this is where the anniversary comes in. Several months after randomly finding EWTN, I had a dream that I hope I'll never forget. I was in one of EWTN's shows called, "The Story Keepers." "The Story Keepers" is an animated series about the first century Christians who were persecuted for their faith. The characters risk their lives to pass on the Gospel stories. I definitely recommend this series! Anyway, I found myself at the foot of The Cross but The Lord hadn't died yet. I noticed that St. Peter stood next to me. He asked The Lord how this could be happening and how could he ever follow Him now. Christ was saddened by what he said because it sounded as if he was leaving Him. Somehow I mustered up the courage to speak. I said something along the lines of, "Lord, no matter how bad things get I will never leave You. I say this because I love You." He smiled and looked at me with such love.
Today is the five year anniversary of the first time I told Jesus that I loved Him. Thinking about the dream gives me comfort during trying times in my faith life. When was the last time you told Jesus that you loved Him?
Now this is where the anniversary comes in. Several months after randomly finding EWTN, I had a dream that I hope I'll never forget. I was in one of EWTN's shows called, "The Story Keepers." "The Story Keepers" is an animated series about the first century Christians who were persecuted for their faith. The characters risk their lives to pass on the Gospel stories. I definitely recommend this series! Anyway, I found myself at the foot of The Cross but The Lord hadn't died yet. I noticed that St. Peter stood next to me. He asked The Lord how this could be happening and how could he ever follow Him now. Christ was saddened by what he said because it sounded as if he was leaving Him. Somehow I mustered up the courage to speak. I said something along the lines of, "Lord, no matter how bad things get I will never leave You. I say this because I love You." He smiled and looked at me with such love.
Today is the five year anniversary of the first time I told Jesus that I loved Him. Thinking about the dream gives me comfort during trying times in my faith life. When was the last time you told Jesus that you loved Him?
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Positive and Uplifting Links
This is a website that promotes chastity, which is the only way to find true love. There are quotes on purity, questions and answers about living pure, a gift shop, and more. http://www.pureloveclub.com/
This is an online discussion board with all kinds of topics; vocations, prayer, apologetics, and more. http://www.phatmass.com/
If you're looking for reliable reviews on movies from the Catholic perspective here it is. http://www.decentfilms.com/
This is an amazing article that answers the frequently pondered question, "What do Catholic youth want?" www.adoremus.org/6_72K.Jon.html (If the link doesn't work try either http://www.adoremus.org/ or a google search entitled, "What do Catholic youth want?")
This is an absolutely beautiful music video on discerning a vocation! It's based off of a speech by Pope John Paul II. The song is magnifecent! This clip is my favorite clip on vocations! www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHgSAjuqcLI
The song played during this clip is "Here I am Lord." The background is simply gorgeous! www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzp835WRNZw&mode=relatedsearch= (P.S. since the equal sign doesn't appear in the blue you'll probably get better results if you just type this in yourself.)
"What I can do with my life." The song played is "Here I am Lord." I've never heard that song sung so beautifully before! It's yet another vocation clip. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GINNh15cTO8
This is a great clip about the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia! (P.S. since the equal sign doesn't appear in the blue you'll probably get better results if you just type this in yourself.) www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BxHskcdzQ&mode=related&search=
This is a touching clip that answers the question, "Why am I Catholic?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOnSjxDKJE0
This is a tribute to Pope John Paul II with a song sung by Clay Aiken, the runner up on the hit TV show American Idol. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEGCACesZII
This is a feast for the soul! The song played is "I Can Only Imagine" but it's the Catholic version with an eye opening surprise! Go to www.youtube.com and type in "Catholic I Can Only Imagine."
This is a very touching music video made in memory of Terri Schiavo called, "Beautiful Still." www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rFyfsIHaGM
This is a rare treasure! The music video is entitled, "Can I live?" by Nick Cannon. It promotes the pro-life movement. How unexpected to find such a thing from a secular artist! It's no coincidence that this clip was added on May 18, the birthday of Pope John Paul II. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AqPRcF7zCO
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