St. Michael Prayer

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do, thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Power of God, cast into hell satan and all of the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory to God in the Highest!

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Finding Ourselves Lost in the Presence of God

It doesn't happen that often, 
usually at Mass 
or
at Eucharistic Adoration, 
but when it does,
I realize how blessed we are to have our God with us on a daily basis
in the Eucharist
at
Mass
and at
Eucharistic Adoration.



I have read that only
30% to 63%
of all Catholics today
believe
in the real presence of Jesus
in the Eucharist.

 

30-63%
What's happened?
What went wrong?
This is a fundamental teaching of our Catholic Faith.

Look around before Mass starts.
How many people are there.
Numbers have dropped dramatically.
Where once there were full churches for Mass,
now the churches are almost empty.

This is not only a problem for the Catholic Church, it is also a problem for the Protestant denominations, as well.
Over all church attendance has dropped 37% - 54% in the last 4 decades.
 One of the reasons is that there is 
no strong religious identity as a Catholic
in our society.

I heard a priest, two weeks ago, present a newly baptized baby to the congregation as 
"our newest Christian," not Catholic.
If in our churches, we are loosing our identities as Catholics, then it would seem logical that Mass attendance would go down.  
If you do not believe, as a Catholic, that Mass attendance is a requirement of our Church,
then why go?

Our secular society has also enabled access to moral perversions and blessed it as 
all right.
I never thought I would see men kissing me or women kissing women on network television, but I have.
These are not at hours when children would be away from the TV, but during, popular 
prime time TV slots.
I never dreamed I would hear that to abort a baby is a woman's right.
I never thought I'd ever hear that assisted suicide is morally right.
Secularism has blessed the unblessable.
Why do to Mass when the Catholic Faith does not embrace the morals of the day?

"The faith has to change," I've heard.
"This is about love," others say.

The pews are empty.

If only they could experience the Presence of God.
If only they could feel His Love and His Life.
If only...

Now is the time to begin to fill the pews with love.
God loves those who do not know Him
as much as 
He loves those who do.

Do you talk about your faith at home?
Children need to hear about your faith and how much you love it.
Do you talk about your faith outside of your home?
Believe it or not, people are looking, and they need to hear what you say because they will not hear it in the media.
Do you actively practice your faith?
Do you attend Mass every Sunday?
If not, start going to Mass again.
When was the last time you went to confession?
The priest is there waiting for you.  Through the priest, Jesus forgives your sins.

If you're not a Catholic right now, and you were baptized in the faith, 
come back.
Come home.
We want you back.
God wants you back.
Yes, the Catholic faith is contrary to the world, 
but it always has been.
The faith is an anchor, and it teaches us what is right and what is wrong.
Be part of that anchor.
Be part of the change.
Invite someone to go to Mass with you.
You might help to save a soul.
Eternity is forever.
Get lost in the real Presence of God.
He is waiting.
 

 


 

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