Search Page

God the Father is surrounded in Heaven by the Saints, who share His joy; so when we please Him by our love for Christ, our sincere prayer, our encouragement of others in faith, and our efforts to foster reverence in God's house, we give joy to the Saints.

The mother of a priest should recognise her part in the development of his vocation. First, she was grateful for the gift of a child, when so many mothers choose to refuse that gift and arranged for their tiny babies to be destroyed in the womb. And most mothers of priests have provided encouragement in the Catholic Faith, and an example of trust in God.

The mother of a priest should recognise her part in the development of his vocation. First, she was grateful for the gift of a child, when so many mothers choose to refuse that gift and arranged for their tiny babies to be destroyed in the womb. And most mothers of priests have provided encouragement in the Catholic Faith, and an example of trust in God.

Every follower of Jesus is on a journey to Heaven, with ravines to cross and mountains to climb; yet Jesus' true friends persevere in faith, hope and love, and set an example for other people who long to reach Heaven.

If we speak about the teachings of the Church, about faith and morality, we may meet with anger or indifference. It is not comfortable speaking out with a prophetic voice.

The Father sees everything that happens to us, as we live and work in the 'darkness' of earthly life, as if in a deep cavern, far below Heaven's glory. Yet when we overcome our sins and persevere in difficulties, and share our faith in God, we give joy to God's heart.

Some deficient catechesis puts great emphasis on God's work for human beings in past ages, and God's glorious plans for the faithful in Heaven, but with little teaching about how we can meet and touch God here, in the present moment.

The Catholic Church teaches the glorious truth that, in the past, God reached out to human beings in various ways; in the future, He will reward all who have remained faithful; and in the present moment He remains with His Church, guides us through the Pope and other Catholic Bishops, and is Present with us through Jesus's sacramental Presence.

Whether in church, when we cannot receive Holy Communion, or at home or elsewhere, when we long for closer union with Christ, we please Christ and help ourselves - by His grace - whenever we make a Spiritual Communion. By an act of faith in Christ, with an act of contrition and a request for a spiritual communion, we can be sure that Christ is very close to us, even if unfelt, unseen.

A Catholic who refuses to believe some of the truths of the Faith puts up a barrier in his soul, and prevents himself from gaining the sort of clearer understanding of Truth, and of inter-locking truths, that he might have gained from God in prayer.

No Catholic should look down on our ancient Christian devotions, or those of other Christian cultures, where the imagery of faith is clothed in an unusual or unfamiliar appearance; for example, Our Lady of Sorrows.

There are all sort of trials that must be faced by Christians who are trying to be faithful. This should not surprise us. Christ was not surprised by the jeering crowds who lined the streets of Jerusalem as He staggered along the road the Calvary.

Christ promised huge rewards for all who leave 'houses, lands or children' for His sake; and His promise holds true today, for all who put their trust in Him and believe what He has said on this subject of consecrated virginity or celibacy.

The Last Judgment, Part D, The life of grace and the faith of the Church helps us prepare for Heaven

The Lord showed me row upon row of people gathered in a Cathedral for the Requiem Mass of a Bishop: people who deserve to hear the Faith preached by Bishops in its fullness.

Vocations have a 'seed-bed': wherever families believe and practice the Faith, love Christ and His Church, obey their pastors, and train their children, as they ought, to treasure their spiritual heritage.

Vocations to the Priesthood and to the Religious Life are plentiful where Catholics love Christ, the Church, and it's teachings, and do not regard it as demeaning to live in obedience to Catholic teaching on faith and morals.

Where families are faithful to the teachings of the Church, out of love for Christ and His pastors, they act as a seed-bed for vocations to the Priesthood and religious life. How can the Faith be handed on fervently by Catholics who don't believe or practice it?

Where irreverence and dissent go unchecked, and a false gospel is preached, there are few vocations to Priesthood or to religious life. How can people who disbelieve large parts of the Faith hand it on with conviction?

Where families are faithful to the teachings of the Church, out of love for Christ and His pastors, they act as a seed-bed for vocations to the Priesthood and religious life. How can the Faith be handed on fervently by Catholics who don't believe or practice it?