Mary’s Anawim is meant to provoke conversation among faithful Catholics who support heroic leaders like Bishop Morlino and our Holy Father. This blog is a two-way street where your comments and feedback are not only welcomed, but strongly encouraged. Let’s verbally support each other as we strive to fully live our Catholic Faith, even when the going gets tough.
Please consider this my warm invitation to leave thoughtful comments and get the conversation flowing…
–Fr. Rick
August 2, 2007 at 5:12 am
Hello, All.
Anyone else struggling with yet to be answered prayer? I have been praying about something for 2.5 years; I have sought the Lord’s will over and over again and feel sure it is His will. In addition, I have sought Christian counsel; these people have prayed and come to the same conclusion. Now I’m being tempted to give up the prayers = the thoughts come that it will never happen, prayer has been a waste of my time, etc. It seems as if Satan is having a heyday with my mind and, to be honest, sometimes the thoughts seem quite convincing. Thoughts appreciated.
January 8, 2008 at 5:47 pm
HAPPY ARE YOU POOR
Fr. DuBay’s comment: “In matters that touch on one’s style of life…They find it ….almost impossible to investigate the evidence cooly and calmly.”
Somewhere I read that when one finds himself “digging in his heels” on the inside, so to speak, when someone makes a statement with which one may disagree or take offense……one needs to stop immediately and investigate from where that feeling (anger?) is coming. I have found that doing so sometimes reveals to me a jealousy of the person of the speaker and/or a prideful desire to be right…..and may have little to do with the content of the subject.
January 30, 2008 at 7:40 am
I’m not one to leave comments on blogs very often, but I wanted you to know Fr. Rick, that I am reading and am encouraged by your words! Thank you for providing daily fortification and inspiration….God’s reminder to me that I am NOT entirely alone on this journey of faith. To encourage you…
“If You Are What You Should Be, You Will Set
The Whole World Ablaze!”
St. Catherine Of Siena
You are definitely doing your part! Thank you!
June 23, 2008 at 12:40 pm
This is my first time visiting your blog, Fr. Rick, and I’m looking forward to digging into all the information that you have available here. However, I am a vocalist and feel called to sing praise and worship music outside of the Liturgical Setting and would like your thoughts on that. I love the hymns that our parish sings along with our Choir. They’ve also introduced more contemporary worship songs as well that I believe our just as honoring to our Lord as the older hymns. The new, like the old, hymns are very contemplative and spiritually moving. The music that I feel called to sing, outside of the Mass, our both old hymns and contemporary music as well as some that I’ve written. I’ve been in settings outside of Church, whether it’s a concert or a fundraiser, where the music artist did various hymns, etc. and felt God’s presence there. Surely, you are not saying that worship music (done with a right heart) outside of the mass is unworthy in the eyes of God? Please clarify. Thank you.
July 23, 2008 at 11:11 am
Father Rick,
Always good to read your blog. You are “right on” with the dress issues and church. The leadership by our priests will be especially critical in the coming years as we try to regain a sense of sacredness for the Eucharist and the mass. It will not be easy for priests to stand stand against the permissive culture that has developed in our country and spilled over into the church. Stand firm!
Mary Ann
August 15, 2008 at 11:51 am
I think your article about Obama should be made published at every single church around Madison. I think a lot of Catholics are blinded by the whole “tax and fuel” platform that this candidate has been presenting to the nation. We, as catholics, as mothers, should put an end to this “monster” who has no respect for life and God. How can I help distribute your article? Thank you!
August 31, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Hi Fr. Rick! I found your blog, and it looks great! I’ll be sure to send links to good articles I see. You’re in my prayers!
Bobby
October 15, 2008 at 11:05 am
Father Rick,
In regard to the open letter in the WSJ. The “catholics” who are involved with this letter are clearly thinking that the Church is a democracy. This is an age old point of attack that the devil continues to pursue. One of the best biblical examples (that I know of) to address this situation comes from the old testament. There were 12 tribes of Israel- but it was only from the tribe of Levi that God said a man could become a priest. After a while other tribe members began to question Moses about this because other tribesmen who were not from the tribe of Levi wanted to become priests too. They became so vocal about it that Moses went to God. God said to assemble the people. When all the people were assembled God had all the people stand to one side. Then God had all non-Levites who wanted to be priests to stand in a separate place and the ground opened up and swallowed them.
Therefore, as for me and my house- we will obey God and those who God has put in authority over us in the Church!
Mary Ann Croft
October 27, 2008 at 2:20 pm
We have a group that meets for prayer and faith sharing every Sunday evening. There have been numerous statements made by those in attendance as to their frustration concerning how/why other Catholics/Christians are not able to “see” into the “Life” issue and continue to cling to their political party even though it is in direct defiance to the teaching of Jesus and the Church in this area. In answer to this, 1 Cor 1:18-30, 2:14-16 and 2Tim3:5 were brought to mind, read, and discussed. (The readings may become even clearer if read in the Catholic Living translation). At any rate, may I suggest two resources that cover the solution to this problem and to what Fr. Rick has referred to as “the loss of belief in the Supernatural” within the Church……one is a CD entitled “The Astonishing Intervention of the Holy Spirit” available by contacting Franciscan University of Steubenville by calling 1-888-333-0381 and the other is a book entitled “The Sober Intoxication of the Holy Spirit.” The book and the CD are both by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM, Cap., who is, by the way, the preacher to the Papal Household.
December 11, 2008 at 9:51 am
Fr. Rick,
I so appreciate the invitation to do the 40-day novena for conversions. St. Paul’s story of being chosen, the great persecutor he was, to become God’s powerful voice — is such a great HOPE for all of us who wait for a loved one to turn to Him and come Home. I so look forward to living to experience someone in my life to has this sort of “knock ‘em off their horse” Holy Spirit experience. Praised by Jesus Christ!!
Sarah
March 22, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I am sickened by the invite and acceptance of the Obama commencement speech at UND. I am a 67 grad and it is disheartening to say the least. ND has been drifting this way for awhile and I do not consider it a Catholic University any longer. So sad,,such a loss for what was a great University.
April 20, 2009 at 1:09 pm
the following website is dedicated to the topic of kneeling @ Holy Communion
kneelingcatholic.blogspot.com
April 23, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Dear Father:
Rosie Rettenmund called me at 3:58pm to see if I had heard you on Relevant Radio say your Father was regaining some sight. I then heard you on Drew’s show. Praise be to God for the miracle! I called Ginny Dennis and told her. We’ll see you at Mass.