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
Mary\'s Anawim 
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
the following website is dedicated to the topic of kneeling @ Holy Communion
kneelingcatholic.blogspot.com
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.
Dear Father, I am sorry, I did not know who was the author of this web-site, so I addressed a comment to “Sir or Madam”. I just saw your name now. Please fix it – and please don’t post this comment! It’s just a correction. Thanks. God bless you. Chris Boyce
How’s this:
Comment. Comment.
Just joking…
Ben
AMDG
May God forgive them!
I am ashamed of the Nuns who went against the Catholic Church and our stand on abortion to encourage passage of the health care bill. I attended 16 years of Catholic School and have always supported our Nuns. I will no longer support any of the organizations who signed this letter.
Thank you Father for standing up for the “true” Catholic faith. We need to hear the “Truth” and not some watered down, fluffy, feel-good stuff. We are the minority but w/ Christ on our side it doesn’t matter as long as we stand for the “Truth”. Thank you for standing tall and strong! I am a mother of 9 and you are an inspiration to me to stay strong for the “Truth” and not be misled. Thank you again! 🙂
Hi Father Rick! I first heard you on Relevant Radio a few years ago and I think you are just wonderful :). I have this blog site bookmarked, but sometimes I forget to check it. I think you should have a Facebook page so that those of us who frequent Facebook (and I think maybe there’s a lot of us) can more easily keep up with you. What do ya think? If you’re not familiar with Facebook, it’s very easy to do. Please consider it. Thanks and God bless you!
My wife and I are seeking comments about the Servant Sisters fo the Home of the Mother based in Spain. Our college sophomore daughter has an opportunity to spend part of the summer with them in Madrid, culminating in the week long World Youth Day.
Her understanding is that the four preparatory weeks would be training for the Order’s media coverage of WYD, followed by the actual week of work at the event itself.
If she does go, she would be going by herself to Madrid, so we have concerns. Is this an orthodox order? Is it “legit”? We have researched what we can over the web, but any personal experiences and/or opinions from real people would be welcome.
Hello,
I published my story of miscarriage here:
http://www.birthingpains.blogspot.com
I just found your image of a 10 week old baby fetus, and I’d like to use it to finish up my story, and I will link back to this site.
If you have any objections, please email immediately and I will remove it.
Blessings,
Heidi
I like your idea of counter culture/counter attack.My art work which is professional,has for years been based on these ideas.If you wish you can see this on mfgilfedder.blogspot.com and you may be interested in the culture of life Madonna attached to the blog. in pearlprints. Kind regards,Michael Felix.