everythingcatholic

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November 27, 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

I try to take a day off, but it just does not come.  I am so excited about what is to come that I had to write it all done for all of my friends.  My family is in all different places so it is just me and the Lord today so I have a lot of quiet time to write and to not take advantage of that, I would feel it to be a sin.  I love you all and hope you get the word out that we want to change the internet and make it safe for our young children.  We do this by spreading the word of our Lord Jesus Christ.  We use the internet for good.

God just did not land and sell us a bill of goods like he did Moses.  He came on Earth and became man.  He wanted to have our feelings so he knew what it was like to be man.  Then he taught us gradually what it was like to be him and to be near him.  The teaching was gradual and over time.  We can not as a group expect people to understand what a Christian is from the get go.  There must be a time of preparation.  There must be adequate instruction.  The Holy Spirit descended on the disciples and gave them courage and understanding during what we as Christians call Pentecost.  This spirit gave them the courage to speak out against all who wished them harm.  It takes courage to be a Christian and it takes faith.

Faith however is only a part of it. To be justified one needs more then faith.  Justification, as defined by the Catholic Church in, Fundamentals of Catholicism, by K. Baker, is the process by which a person, through faith in Jesus Christ and sorrow for his sins, receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and so becomes a child of God and an heir of heaven. Pg 57.

Many Catholics are not up to speed on this process because we do not do it as a whole.  We are not professionals like our Evangelical brothers and our Mormon brothers.  Why is that?  The answer is simple.  As I read this in a book called Catholic Matters by Fr. Richard John Neuhaus, he writes:

Catholic clergy and parishes seldom conduct aggressive programs of evangelizations aimed at getting new members.  One decidedly nontheological reason for this is that most priests think that they have more people then they are able to serve.

In many major cities it is not on common for a priest to have a parish of upward to 15,000 families with only 3-4 priests to serve them if that.  So we as good Catholics are instructed to lead by example.  Where as our Protestant brethren are taught from the get go on how to be aggressive Christians.  This puts us at a disadvantage.  I am currently leading my own campaign and borrowing from the Protestants.  After all it is hard to find a place to learn how to become a Catholic Evangelist. I use the website Catholic Answers, by Karl Keating and I read his books. I also have friends who were protestant and I study the Mormon technique.  Why do I do this?

I feel that there is a lot to offer Protestants.  As Catholics we have wonderful churches that are great homes to many outstanding Christians.  We have a vast array of followers already to go, who want to give their lives to Christ and want to volunteer for a good cause.  I have a cause that I am passionate about.  I am sure Jesus is passionate about it too.  I want others to be passionate about it.  I want to share my cause with millions.  I need to be an evangelist of Christ to do this.  I know, being a political student that Obama won the last election because he solicited our young people.  I am starting a movement with those same young people.  We need to change things by using them.  How were great revolutions won?  By starting with the young, Mao understood this, Hitler understood this so did Lenin and so do I.  I will be reaching out to the young Catholics of America to change our world, to clean up the internet and to spread the Holy Spirit.

Obama fooled the young, already he is breaking promises.  He told them he would change politics for all and what does he do? He is bringing in the old guard and filling positions in his cabinet with people from old administrations.  There is no change in that.  Jesus will not disappoint.  Jesus brings change.  My American Catholics we will change things.

This week I start at UNLV in Nevada.  I hope to visit many a campus Newman Center.  Spread the word.  Join our cause.  Let us clean up the internet.

God Bless Vern Paul

Pray for the following:

Mark and Ac may they heal,

Lori and her friend Rolly, may they be healed,

Cece and her school, may she finally be done,

Barbara and her family, may she be one and healed,

Pray for Kimberley that she may be strong,

Pray for all the soldiers and armed forces over seas,

Pray for the homeless that they may be fed, everyday,

Pray for the soul of Vernon Peter Hee, that he may be in heaven,

Pray for new priests and all vocations,

Pray for those aborted souls,

Pray for the 15 sisters in Kenya,

Pray for the success of Catholic America Today.

catholicamericatoday.net

What is the Catholic voice I so often
talk about? Why it is all of you, my fellow Catholics from all over the
world.  The Catholic Voice is the heartbeat of our religion. It is our
faith and our prayers and our pain.  It is our strengths and our
weaknesses and our triumphs and our defeats.  It is the very core that
keeps us going as Catholics.

Whenever
we express ourselves and share our experiences, that is the Catholic
Voice, a voice from our soul.  Often you find this type of expression
in poetry.  I have found it in the many letters I get from all of you. 
Here is an example.

(oh, and just for the record I asked this person weather or not I could post the letter.)

Well, this presence, a peaceful one, as I remember it,lifted me gently, and proceeded  to carry me and hold me. As I finished praying, in my dream,

October 30, 2008

Readings:  Ephesians 6:10-20;Lk 13:31-35

Dear Brothers and Sisters of Christ:

I have enclosed a great guide to help you vote in this election.  http://www.ewtn.com/vote/brief_catechism.htm, A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters by Fr. Torraco, phd.

Many you of you see me as too conservative in my views, and although this may true, I am the way I am because of the things I have seen and done in my life.  My sins and my accomplishments have shaped my views.  I would like to put what I call the Catholic Voice in every Catholic home.  This voice cries out for people like you and me to listen. We listen with our hearts and our minds. Many of us have pains so great that we cry out to God each day.  Catholic America Today has allowed me to listen to your pain and triumphs. Each day I am rewarded by many stories that I get to post. 

I was surfing today and I came upon this little tid bit from our good friends Catholic Answers:

The top reason Catholic teens abandon their faith is because of sexual sins.
Just ask any priest who hears confessions. When teens get caught up in a sinful lifestyle, it’s very difficult for them to remain close to God and practice their faith.
Instead, they start to shut God out of their lives, and they fall deeper and deeper into sin in a downward spiral that can cause them to lose their faith entirely—and even lose their souls.
Many kids get hooked on pornography (so readily available through the Internet). Others become sexually promiscuous. Along with the sex often comes drugs and alcohol. And, in the case of tens of thousands of Catholic teenage girls each year, they end up getting abortions.

How sad is that.  Young people who feel to ashamed to go to church because they are caught up in sexual activity.  We need to reach out to them.  Many of us have gone through this ourselves.  Heck, I have, I have two failed marriages to prove it.  How many of us get caught up in this?  I am searching now for young people that are going through this.  If you know someone, please forward the story to me.  So many people walk the earth in pain and shame.  Sex is all around us.  It is a disease that infests every aspect of our lives.  I am lucky my hormones are not racing anymore.  Think of our brothers and sisters in their 20’s and early 30’s being bombarded each and everyday by sexual suggestions and innuendos.  Let us pray for our Youth and if any of you have any stories you might want to share let us hear it.  John David is pretty common.  Think of this, when you go to the movies, how many of you watch sex scenes and think of nothing of it?  How many of you are no longer shocked when people on the big screen readily engage in sex without marriage?  Hollywood has pretty much desensitized our feeling toward this just like they did towards acts of violence on the screen. So let us put our selves in the shoes of John David who grew up with all of these things readily available, and internet porn to boot.  How do we expect our young people to not be tempted when us as adults have this problem.  What is the answer, prayer of course.  I have found daily prayer keeps your mind focused on God’s mission.  Let us teach our young people to pray.

God Bless you all and I thank all of you for the engaging conversations.

Vern Paul

Per haps we can join Catholic Answers in its fight to educate are youth about sex.  Right now they raise about $80,000 to fight this.  We will inform you what are role will be.

If you are receiving this message for the first time, Be not afraid. Read and enjoy and welcome to our fellowship where comments are always welcome and friends are friends.
We have built up a small community on line. For those that want to expand and meet some of these people go to Catholic America Today. Catholicamericatoday.net   Catholic America Today is not a dating site, rather it is community of Catholics that want Catholic fellowship.  This community is building and fast and right now it is free. It is a great social network for Catholics. We have profiles on there, the place is better than Myspace, the difference being, ours is clean and Christian. Bring your love and Support and Join us for good clean fun. Remember I try to be online to talk to you all at catholicamericatoday.net at 7:00pm Pacific Standard time… I am also on line during the day if you want to say…hi.

New friend drive, Get the most friends to register with us at Catholic America Today in the next two weeks and win a free subscription..

 Send us your prayer intentions:

Pray for the following brothers and sisters, (if you want your name used, just let us know)

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For the sister in Illinois that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

For a woman who has children in Indiana and a beautiful son Nick, we pray for her, that she have strength and that she find peace and comfort soon,

For my friend Danny that he may find a kidney doner and make a complete recovery.

For the soul of my father and that my sister and mother may be at peace,

For My Uncle who passed away on Wednesday and my family,

For a sister, Kim,  in Rancho Palos Verdes California who is bearing a huge financial burden to help her mother,

For a brother who is suffering depression that he may seek relief in the Lord,

For those suffering in Texas and all the gulf states that they may find peace and protection from the elements,

For all Americans that are hurting financially, may they find comfort in our prayers,

For a girl, Paloma, in Mexico who suffers greatly, please heal her Lord.

For My Auntie Wilma and her family, may their sorrow be wiped away,

For Kathy M, one of our writers, who is laid up and can not work, we pray for her recovery,

For Debbie, Thank you for helping us out, we ask the Lord to Bless you for all that you do,

For Peace, we Pray to our Lord.

For our younger generation that they may join us at mass and see the light.
For those that are returning from Iraq that they may no peace in their hearts,
For those who are friends, may they heal and be silent,

For those that sin on a daily basis and are not healed,

For those that have not yet found love,  that they may find Jesus,

For those who are thinking of leaving the Chruch, let them find Jesus,

For all those brothers and sisters suffering in this economy,

For CeCe who is taking graduate classes in Illinois we pray for your success,

For our Holy Father and all of our Bishops we pray for their success,

May we all suffer for our beloved Jesus and in turn save others from the fires of hell.

For my friend Mike whose father just had a heart attack,

For Susie, for visible guidance and assistance in finding my next full time employment in the job the Lord knows will be most satisfactory to me and which will allow me to do His mission- either in speech therapy or social services or any other related field, to heel me from my depression and lower back pain. as I wish only to be in good spirits and not into the past anymore, and lastly, for my daughter Alejandra 10-. So that she may heal from the transition of moving from one family to another- that she be happy, forgiving and find room in her heart for me once again

We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us!

 Send us your prayer intentions:

Pray for the following brothers and sisters, (if you want your name used, just let us know)

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For the sister in Illinois that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

For a woman who has children in Indiana and a beautiful son Nick, we pray for her, that she have strength and that she find peace and comfort soon,

For my friend Danny that he may find a kidney doner and make a complete recovery.

For the soul of my father and that my sister and mother may be at peace,

For My Uncle who passed away on Wednesday and my family,

For a sister in Rancho Palos Verdes California who is baring a huge financial burden to help her mother,

For a brother who is suffering depression that he may seek relief in the Lord,

For those suffering in Texas and all the gulf states that they may find peace and protection from the elements,

For all Americans that are hurting financially, may they find comfort in our prayers,

For a girl, Paloma, in Mexico who suffers greatly, please heal her Lord.

For My Auntie Wilma and her family, may their sorrow be wiped away,

For Kathy M, one of our writers, who is laid up and can not work, we pray for her recovery,

For Debbie, Thank you for helping us out, we ask the Lord to Bless you for all that you do,

For Peace, we Pray to our Lord.

For our younger generation that they may join us at mass and see the light.
For those that are returning from Iraq that they may no peace in their hearts,
For those who are friends, may they heal and be silent,

For those that sin on a daily basis and are not healed,

For those that have not yet found love,  that they may find Jesus,

For those who are thinking of leaving the Chruch, let them find Jesus,

For all those brothers and sisters suffering in this economy,

For CeCe who is taking graduate classes in Illinois we pray for your success,

For our Holy Father and all of our Bishops we pray for their success,

May we all suffer for our beloved Jesus and in turn save others from the fires of hell.

For my friend Mike whose father just had a heart attack,

For Susie, for visible guidance and assistance in finding my next full time employment in the job the Lord knows will be most satisfactory to me and which will allow me to do His mission- either in speech therapy or social services or any other related field, to heel me from my depression and lower back pain. as I wish only to be in good spirits and not into the past anymore, and lastly, for my daughter Alejandra 10-. So that she may heal from the transition of moving from one family to another- that she be happy, forgiving and find room in her heart for me once again

For Sandra, we pray for her brother that his faith may return,

For a lady from Texas who is concerned about her cancer returning,

For the family of Adelina that they may find peace,

For all the JohnDavids in the world that they may find peace,

We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us!

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October 7, 2008

Galatians: 1:13-24; Luke 10: 38-42

My brothers in Christ,

I received a letter yesterday from a man named John.  He wanted to talk to me about demon possession.  He said demons ran his life for twenty years.  I said sure why not.  So I talked to him for about an hour and a half last night and about the same today.  He told me a very sincere story of a man who lost his faith and in doing so did some horrible things.  I am not sure if I would call it possession.  I would have to talk to a priest about this case.    I do know the man was sincere and spoke from his heart.  He basically told me that dark voices made him commit his adulterous acts and all his acts of depravity.  The bottom line is he retuned to the faith of his childhood which was Catholicism, when he had no where to go. He returned to his faith and now the voices have gone.  He receives all the sacraments of the church.  He refuses to marry again and he lives a life of charity.  He gives freely to his church his time.

As Christians in a modern world we tend to believe the doctors first and then the supernatural.  I had a marvelous conversation with a man who says evil took over his life and God saved him.  Who am I to say he did not do this.   I am not going to say this man was possessed or not.  The point is he believed that he was and he returned to his faith because he believed that he would be saved if he did.  So who am I to say that he was not.  I am going out on the limb to say this, I believe the Holy Spirit drove him back to his faith.  You all are free think that perhaps this was the power of positive thinking.  I will take the road of the Lord.  I found his story to be compelling and most inspirational especially about his prayer and the fact he started praying the rosary.  The rosary is said to keep people away from sin.  This is what John says about his sin:

I think at the age 19 I let something in the door and it did not go away.  It stayed with me like disease festering until I was over 40 years old.  I think it would have killed me.  Thank you for letting me tell my story.  God Bless.(see the entire interview on Catholic America Today.  Catholicamericatoday.net  It is still free.)

As Catholics we believe God forgives our sins there is never a point of no return while you are still living and breathing.  We need to hear stories of hope to inspire us to do better with our faith.  Carol wrote a remarkable story too about a friend of ours named Leann.  Her story tells about the gift of a remarkable boy that strengthened her faith in God.  That too can be seen in Catholic America Today.  I am drained from talking to John so I am going to call it today.  I urge u to read it today.  To register is free.

God gives us special children. The following is the story of Nicholas (Nick), a special child, a gift from God to his mother, LeaAnn. What you will read was written by LeaAnn with just some minor editing by Carol (Serenity).  See it in Catholic America Today.  Get inspired, Catch the fever, Read the Bible and Pray!

An Interview John David, who claims he was possessed by a demon:  (Caution:  Extreme Adult Content Warning )

I met John David on a Catholic dating site that will go name less.  Actually he said he got my name from the site.  I never met him on the site.  He got my email from a friend of his who gets my letter everyday.  He said he talked to a few people on the site about me and he then contacted me.  His email told me that he wanted to talk to me about demon possession and I emailed him back and he said he would talk to me on yahoo chat.  I then got on chat with him and the following exchange took place.

(John David Is not his real name it is just a user name that he uses)

John David:  I know you are thinking that I am crazy, I read your profile and I know that you and I will get along.

Vern Paul:  Why do you say that?

John David:  I noticed that you served some time in the Navy. 

Vern Paul:  Yes I did, I served on the USS Pyro from 1985 to 1989.  When did you serve?

John David:  I was on the USS Point Defiance as a snipe.  I served from 1979 to 1987.  I got out as an E -6. 

Vern Paul:  So you said in your email that you were possessed?  You are serious, none of my friends put you up to this?  And what were you possessed by?

John David:  Well let me tell you the story as I remember it….

  That is when I think my whole ordeal started.  I was 19 at the time and it was my first time away from home.  I was all alone.  I did not talk to the other people in my division which was B division.  I was a loner, and I was homesick.  I come from a small town in Michigan which will remain nameless.  I wrote home everyday. I was on my first deployment it was a Westpac.  Our destination was Australia where we were to conduct operations with the Australian military.  I was on LSD the ship not the drug.  The year was 1982.  The Point Defiance was on its way to the Philippines for some much needed liberty.  The favorite port at the time was Subic Bay.  Subic Bay was known for its hookers they there were about 21,000 hookers to 7000 sailors.  Now here is where my thing for sex started.  I was not possessed in Subic. At least I do not think so. 

Vern Paul:  I know my readers are going to ask but what exactly attracted you to subic.

John David:  Well lets just say for 20 dollars you can have any woman you wanted. I was lonely.  Also they these shows and women would pick up things with their….well I will leave that out…

Vern Paul:  So what exactly happened to you in subic?

John David:  Well I went out with a buddy of mine.  Call him Dan.  Dan and I spent three days in this bar in Subic City.  While we were there we drank all the beer we could drink and this stuff called mojo punch or something like that. Let’s just say by the end of the three days I could not remember how many women I slept with.  It was quite a lot though.  It was there something got inside me and it was not the clap.

Vern Paul:  ok…but how does this lead to possession?

John David:  I am no expert but I am getting to that… I was in the Navy for close to eight years and when I went on liberty it never really mattered where we were, I would go to the girlie bars  I thought nothing of this until I got out of the Navy.  I think the voices started then.  They just had me hooked on sex.

Vern Paul:  Yes so far you just described the all American sailor, I see no demons yet. Tell me about your religious background.  Were you going to church at the time? You started to hear voices.  What were they like?

John David:  Oh yea.  I am a cradle Catholic.  I attended mass every Sunday.  Even while in the service, but I never really paid attention to it nor did I pray very much.  The voices started to consume me.  They would drive me to have sex even when I did not want to.  I would go by a pretty lady and I would hear a voice say to try to have sex with her.

Vern Paul:  Well you know it is a sin to have sex outside of Marriage….The voices could be just your hormones talking…

John David:  Yes I know that…It was definitely more then hormones.  My hormones I could control.  No, weird ideas would pop into my head.

Vern Paul:  What sort of ideas? And can you explain what happened after the service.

John David:  Ok, I got a government Job managing boilers in a government building, I was making good money so I got Married.  We were married in her home town of Detroit and then we moved to California where I worked for in a federal building in downtown LA.  We lived in a small town called Santa Anna.  I would get weird ideas of where to masturbate and what to look at….like weird pornographic movies…I went to Adult video stores to look for weird sex.  All along I heard voices telling me what to buy.

Vern Paul:  So what happened.

John David: Ok, I am getting there.  Our honey moon was in Hawaii and on our first night I could not have sex with my wife.  Something told me to go down stairs.

Vern Paul:  What told you to go down stairs?  An actual voice?

John David:  It was not really a voice, it was more of a force. Sometimes I would hear a voice and other times I would be driven. But you have to understand, I would just follow it blindly.  I had no control.  I was like a robot.  It was an unseen force like I was being driven.

Vern Paul:  Sounds like you are a migratory whale….What was down stairs?

John David:  At the time I did not know…I only knew once I got there. Our hotel was on Waikiki.  When I walked out I was greeted by a very busty prostitute.  I was on fire and I wanted her not my wife.  I was in trouble.  I did not sleep with the prostitute but I then slept with my wife and thought about the other woman.  The prostitute haunted my honeymoon.  I was like an animal in heat.

Vern Paul:  Wow how did that make you feel.

John David:  I felt like crap.  My insides were all out.  I was full of guilt.  After our honey moon I got involved with Aol chat rooms.  I would get online and just chat with anyone.  I began to have relations on line.

Vern Paul:  What?  Explain that.

John David:  I did not think anything of it but at the time I was thinking about sex constantly.  I would just get on line to see if anyone wanted to talk about it.  I was addicted.  This is kind of hard for me to talk about.  I have never told anyone about this.

Vern Paul:  I understand, but what made you think that this was the cause of demons and not just a sickness.

John David:  I guess you think I am a nut.

Vern Paul:  No, but I need to take a break and look something up.  No, by no means do I think you are a whack job.  I am very interested in contacting you tomorrow.  Perhaps by phone?

At this point John and I decided to take a much needed break.  I had to gather my thoughts.  In my mind this was not a case of demon possession so I had to look it up.  I also had some questions for him.  I was curious if he had gone to any therapy for his problem which sounded like a severe case of sex addiction.

I looked up the following in the Catholic encyclopedia:  Possession:

He may attack man’s body from without (obsession), or assume control of it from within (possession). As we gather from the Fathers and the theologians, the soul itself can never be “possessed” nor deprived of liberty, though its ordinary control over the members of the body may be hindered by theobsessing spirit (cf. St. Aug., “De sp. et an.”, 27; St. Thomas, “In II Sent.”, d. VIII, Q. i; Ribet, “La mystique divine”, Paris, 1883, pp. 190 sqq.).

I noticed a person can be controlled by obsession.  I had forgotten about that term.  This case just did not seem to be a case of possession.  In possession the human seems to get lost in the personality of the demon and that was not happening here.  John David just seemed like he was continuing on his merry way.

The following day I contacted him via the internet.  We spoke on Yahoo chat.  Then he gave me his number and I called him.  John David seemed very sincere.  This whole thing at first sounded like a prank from one of my friends, but the more I chatted with him the more this sounded like the real thing.

Vern Paul:  Good morning John, nice to see you again.  Are you ready to continue, I have a few questions for you.

John David:  Good morning Paul, I am fine. Go right ahead.

Vern Paul:  Well you were talking about your experiences on line.  Did this take up a lot of your time, and what exactly were you doing.

John David:  Well, this is embarrassing, but I would come home from work…and I would get on line after dinner.  My wife would be watching her TV.  She hates computers.  Anyways I would start chatting.  I had my own office and I would tell her not to disturb me, and I would shut the door.  I would tell my wife I was working.  I would chat until 1:00 am. 

Vern Paul:  Can you give me an example of who you were chatting to and what about?

John David:  Well, I would talk to friends and I would try to meet other women.  For example, I met this one gal in Tennessee.  Her name was Doris.  She said her husband had been ignoring her and she needed attention.  So she got on line with me and we would have cybersex and we would exchange basic sexual fantasies on line.  At that time I would look at a lot of porn on line.

Vern Paul: Meaning you masturbated?

John David:  Yes about 5 times a night.  I then would spend 50.00 a week on porn.

Vern Paul:  Now were there voices telling you what to do and was it just confined to the computer?

John David:  Of course I heard voices, and no my behavior was not confined to the computer.  On the way home these voices would make me drive passe the hooker district.  I would drive up and down looking for sex.  Any kind of sex, sometimes I would pay 100.00 sometimes only 40.00.

Vern Paul:  Wow, did you ever go to counseling or seek any help for this problem?

John David:  At the time I knew I had a problem and yes I wanted help.  By nature, I loved my wife.  She was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  I did not want to cheat on my wife.  I wanted to stop this behavior.  I was a member of Kaiser so I sought out counseling.  The lady put me on a drug called …I forget…oh it was Paxil.  She said I was mildly depressed and sought to feel better through sex.

Vern Paul:  Is there more, did you get better?

John David:  No, it got worse if you can believe that.  I started seeing a lady on the side.  I stopped going to counseling and the voices told me not to take the medicine.  I had an affair and my wife caught us having sex.  We had been married for about 1. 5 years.  We got divorced.  I then cheated on my girl friend and we broke up. I was ok as long as I was not married.  I still saw the hookers, I still did the porn.  I felt empty.  I thought if I went back to church things would be better.  So I started going back to mass but felt restless.  I then met someone.  We dated for a year.  The voices subsided .

Vern Paul:  Geez, how long did this last?  I am not really seeing any evidence that you were possessed.  I mean you continue living your life.  This sounds more like a case of obsession.  Do you know what that is?  Not that I am an expert or anything.

John David:  Obsession or possession, what ever you call it the voices were there.  They were evil and they controlled my life.  Anyways my wife and I got involved in the swinger crowd and we started wife swapping and going to orgies.  The voices told me to do every depraved thing I could get my hands on.  I slept with men, half men, animals and geez everything.  I finally got caught by the police having sex with a prostitute.  That ended my short marriage of 2 years. 

Vern Paul:  wow, can you describe these voices?

John David:  They would come in my sleep and while I was working.  They would get me to do things, like masturbate in my car or while at work.  They made me think of nothing else but sex.

Vern Paul:  Were you going to church at the time?

John David:  (he was crying at this point)  No, They made me do things I would never do.

Vern Paul:  What finally made you stop or have you?

John David:  After my divorce, I took a long drive.  My second divorce was my eye opener.  I started driving. I had to clear my head. I stopped in Albuquerque New Mexico from LA.  I stopped in a small church. I still remember the name of the church to this day. It was in Spanish, called Sangre de Christo.   I told the receptionist that I was in need of confession.  She told me that the priest was not available.  I started crying.  I would not stop.  She got me a priest.  My confession lasted an hour and half.  A huge weight was lifted. I started going back to mass.  Then communion, I went back to mass and started praying everyday.  I made friends with the priest.  The voices went away. Another voice told me to pray the rosary.  I started praying the rosary everyday.  I pray the rosary twice a day and pray up to five hours a day now.  The voices, the dark voices have not returned.  Ge, I remember days that the voices would talk to me all day long.  Jesus has saved me.   They have not returned.  I know they left because I have gone back to church.  I am positive this is the reason that I am healed.  I wanted you to know this story.  I wanted others to hear this.  I could save others form going through this.  I think I went through this so that I could talk to others.  God wanted me to experience this so that I may help others to see the light.  You can go dark and return because God forgives our sins.   He wants us to come back.  I am sure of this now.  There is a reason for everything.

I think at the age 19 I let something in the door and it did not go away.  It stayed with me like disease festering until I was over 40 years old.  I think it would have killed me.  Thank you for letting me tell my story.  God Bless.

We stopped at that point. I was stunned.  My energy was drained.

I have heard of things like this before.  Who is to say this was not evil making itself known.  What is a sickness or disease?  In the past people use to blame afflictions on demons and evil spirits.  We have since become modernized.  As a society we know better now.  Those demons and evil spirits were all just superstitions and old wise tales.  After this conversation with John David, I wonder now.  You be the judge. John David was afflicted with this sickness of his for over 20 years.  He told me he has been clean now for a year with no relapses.  He cured himself with prayer, confession and mass.  I am not saying all people can do this.  I am not saying that at all.  Let me know what you think.

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September 22, 2008

Reading for today:  Proverbs 3:27-34; Gospel, Luke 8:16-18

Dear Friends in Christ,

For those of you receiving this letter of Catholic Fellowship for the first time, we all welcome you.  This is a letter intended to bring Catholic Fellowship to all.  Just remember as we struggle in times of hardship to remember that you have a fellow Catholic that is praying for you with much love.  We grow in numbers each day, close to 40.  Thank you again to all who mail me emails to add to this list.  As Christians are strength lies in united prayer.  Matt. 18:19-20

We need volunteers that can give Debbie from Alabama a hand.  She has volunteered to translate for at least one day the letter into Spanish.  She might do more then one.  But if we can get some one else our Mission can boldly go into Mexico.

Last Friday we left off talking about Listening to God.  I am by  far no expert on the topic so I thought I would share some Scripture that I Borrowed from a book Titled The Charism of Intercession, Hearing God’s Voice,  by Intercessors of the Lamb.  It is a very deep formation program given over 24 week and is centered on the four pillars of contemplative spirituality:  silence, prayer, solitude, and penance.  Each pillar will build on a Trinitarian foundation with the first level founded in the father, the second level founded in the son, and the third level founded in the spirit.  My goal is to just hit the highlights to give you an idea what it is all about.  I like books which are embedded or tied to scripture.  This is one of those books.  Scripture is our guide.  The book talks about prayer as a journey through yourself, a journey that eventually leads to God and  a closeness with Jesus and the Lord. Our guide is Mother Nadine and she stresses that we “seek the mystery of God who created us and lives with in us.” She goes on to add when we seek communication with the Lord on a regular basis, little miracles of love burst all around us.”  I am going to have to agree with that.  Good things have been happening in my life ever since I started praying on a daily basis and not waiting to Sunday.  This communication will eventually lead to a relationship where you will call God friend.  Mother Nadine says as this relationship grows we find that the Lord will follow us and be there for us in our low moments and our high moments.  As we open our selves to Him, in total surrender we let him grow within us.

Mother Nadine recommends that we seek the Lord in a quiet place, she adds, “Each day , there must be a quiet time and a Quiet Place to which we can bring a Quiet Heart in an encounter with our Friend who says, “Be still and  Know that I am God.” Ps 46:10

Entering into Prayer:

1. Find a suitable place to pray-free from distractions.
2. Realizing that the harmony of body and spirit is  important, take a peaceful , relaxed position.
3. Spend a few moments quieting yourself-come into the presence of the Lord, Believe he is with you.
4. Ask for the grace you most desire.
5. Read the scripture passages slowly
6. Pause where you feel drawn
7. Respond with your heart to it.

Recommended scripture:  PS 46:10; Rv 12:14; Hos 2:16; Mk 9:7  Let the scripture be your guide.

We are one body.  One body in Christ and you do not stand alone.

(great song with a lot of meaning.)

 Is Your Faith Like The Tree?

Some Thoughts For Reflection

or

Add Your Thoughts

(See the Picture in The Gallery)

As I look out my window and walk through my Town Home Complex, I see ONE tiny Maple tree all deck out in vibrant red leaves glowing in the morning’s sun?

This one tree has changed its leaves several weeks before the others. It sits alone in its radiant beauty. It is eye-catching and it is glowing. The following questions come to mind in terms of our faith.

• Are we being called by God to grow in our faith so that we too may shine in His Son and be a symbol of beauty to others?
• Do we quietly change yet give some visible sign to others that we are a faith filled person who dares to be different?
• Do we glow in some way as we radiate the love of Our Lord in our lives?
• Is our faith a vibrant part of our daily lives or do we just attend Mass on Sunday and call ourselves Catholic because we fulfilled our obligation?

As difficult as it is, we as Christians and especially as Catholics, are called to grow in our faith, change daily as we grow closer to God and follow Jesus, radiate the love of Our Lord in our day to day lives, and be vibrant in our faith.

Are we like this tiny little Maple as it appears today or are we more like the trees of winter that appear dead, dormant and blend in with landscape?

Contributed by Carol S. (Serenity)

Catholic America Today Just accepted a new writer from the Midwest, extend a welcome to Carol, she hails from Minn.  I will introduce her more formerly next week.  Remember I try to be online to talk to you all at catholicamericatoday.net  at 7:00pm Pacific Standard time…

 registration is free at Catholic America Today until October.  Seeing is believing….

Pray for the following brothers and sisters,  (if you want your name used, just let us know)

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For the sister in Illinois that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

For a woman who has children in Indiana and a beautiful son Nick, we pray for her, that she have strength and that she find peace and comfort soon,

For my friend Danny that he may find a kidney doner and make a complete recovery.

For the soul of my father and that my sister and mother may be at peace,

For My Uncle who passed away on Wednesday and my family,

For a sister in Rancho Palos Verdes California who is baring a huge financial burden to help her mother,

For a brother who is suffering depression that he may seek relief in the Lord,

For those suffering in Texas and all the gulf states that they may find peace and protection from the elements,

For all Americans that are hurting financially, may they find comfort in our prayers,

For a girl, Paloma, in Mexico who suffers greatly, please heal her Lord.

For My Auntie Wilma and her family, may their sorrow be wiped away,

For Kathy M, one of our writers, who is laid up and can not work, we pray for her recovery,

 We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us,

September 18, 2008

Todays Reading:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Gospel: Luke7:36-50

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For those of you receiving this letter of Catholic Fellowship for the first time, we all welcome you.  This is a letter intended to bring Catholic Fellowship to all.  Just remember as we struggle in times of hardship to remember that you have a fellow Catholic that is praying for you with much love.  We grow in numbers each day.  Thank you again to all who mail me emails to add to this list.  As Christians are strength lies in united prayer.  Matt. 18:19-20

I know we must be united against those who fail to follow Jesus and not defend human life.  I went to see Senator Obama at Cashman field, here in Las Vegas to report on him for Catholic America Today.  My goal was to be unbiased and to just report what Mr. Obama had to say.  I feel I did that and my report is online now at catholicamericatoday.net under politics and news.  Please let me know if you feel I was biased in that report.  I honestly enjoyed myself yesterday even though I did not agree with anything he said.  The crowd was very friendly.  If I had to describe my mood, I would have to say I was filled with pride to see so many Americans, young and old coming out to participate in a political event.  I was proud to be and American and I felt very patriotic, to think that our country has turned over power peace fully for over 150 years.  Not many countries can boast that.  The only mark we have on our record being the election of Lincoln and the onset of the Civil War.  I interviewed and listened to 15 people of all ages and sexes and am in the process of putting together a montage of all the voices.  Let us just say when I go to hear Palin speak the republicans better be more informed.  The Dems need some help.  I only spoke to two people that could actually form a sentence in English.  Ok, enough Dem bashing and on to the fellowship.

Jesus wants us to be brothers whether or not we are Democrats or Republican.  I make all my remarks here in this letter as light hearted jabs and I hope no one takes offense.  My friends the Democrats opened their arms to me yesterday and embraced me as a brother.  Let us all do the same.  As a country we need to come together and pray.  This letter already crosses the country from Maine to California all the way to Hawaii.  Lets keep it going.

I cannot stress the importance of saying the rosary.  Recently the Pope visited France and the place where Saint Bernadette saw the apparition of Mary at Lourdes.  We must remember that this prayer is not worshiping Mary but as the Pope stated, it brings us closer to Jesus.  In this prayer we come closer to Jesus by imitating Christ and honoring his mother like he did.  In the mediation we meditate on the many details of Christ.  I believe if we pray the rosary it keeps us away from major sin.  Already my life has improved in this respect and I can not tell you how the pain of my father’s recent death and that of my Uncles death yesterday have been lifted from my shoulders.  The key hear is prayer.  The rosary gets us to pray to Jesus and reminds us we are not alone.

I am on my second cup of coffee so I am really going now.  In times of need people need our help.  Michele and I plan a trip to Catholic Charities soon to see what we can do.  I recently read numerous articles on Pope Pius XII for his heroic deeds during WWII.  He is credited by the state of Israel for saving over 860,000 lives during the Holocaust. He used Catholic Churches, convents all over Europe, and his own home, the Vatican, to save and hide thousands of Jews.  I know this is different times but times are hard.   I look to history for inspiration in my own life just as I look to the saints. By the way Pius XXII is up for beatification for his heroic deeds.  Let us pray that it comes about. I did not need to go listen to Barrak Obama to learn that times are hard.  In these times let us seek out a brother and sister who needs help and offer them solace or even a prayer and a shoulder to lean on.  We all need someone to listen too.  Sometimes it just takes a minute. Others need more of our time.  That is what coffee is for and diet Coke.  Take the time out of your busy day and just listen to your fellow brother in Christ who is in pain.  Remember the ad campaign that most of us grew up with, “Reach out and touch someone.”  The technology of the internet makes this even more possible.  Let us remember the words of Christ, Acts 20:35 “there is more happiness in giving than receiving.”  Which brings me to the point of how blessed I am to call you all my friends and I look forward to talking to you every night at 7:00pm pacific standard time on catholicamericatoday.net.  I have fun and love discussing life.  Feel free to register for free and come online and join us.  It is free till October.

We are one body.  One body in Christ and you do not stand alone.

(great song with a lot of meaning.)

. 

Again we extend our welcome to all who are new.  We are over 30 people.  We grow daily.  Keep the letters and prayer intentions coming.  Thanks for the support.  Refer your friends.  We are still looking for interested volunteer writers from the South East, Mid West, South West and North West.

Now, since I talk to you all the time here is a word from Michele  our Secretary.

“Good readers make good writers. Good writers make good thinkers”

I saw this saying, and immediately thought of Paul. When I met him, May of 2008, he gave me a proposition. Paul asked me to be partners with him as a writer, not only in writing for Catholic America Today, but on a few sci-fi books, he was working on at the time. Paul said he liked my poetry writings, and thought I would be good in contributing for his envision of Catholic America Today. I could not believe my hobby, past time passion for writing, would cross paths with Paul and just explode. (Moreover, eventually get paid for it).

Paul envisioned Catholic America Today back in May, and approached Bob as his financial advisor. Put these two brains together, with their talents, and with the help from a web developer, Catholic America Today was born!  WALLA! As the secretary for this website, it is an honor. I am at an age now that my daughter is growing her wings, and my parents are in a nursing home preparing for the final chapters of their life, and I realize I do not have to run home anymore at 3:00 to be there for when my daughter gets off the bus. As well as being a caretaker and rushing to the ER at 2am because dad fell out of bed (again) or mom is having breathing problems. I do not have to RUSH as much now. My life has changed. I now can just focus on myself. With writing, I look forward to every morning I awake. Dad once told me”Life goes in cycles.” I guess he is right.

My mother held my hand before I left New Hampshire to Las Vegas to do Paul’s proposition. She looked me in the eye and said, “Michele. Take care of yourself now.” My father said, “All that you have done, will come back to you…thank you for taking care of your mother and I, we could of never have gone on without you…May God be with you and keep you safe..” Though it was unnecessary for them to tell me this, they gave me that push I needed to actually leave, as I did have my financial fears. Now, when I get nervous with financial matters, Bob reassures me. He says, “Shelly, God always provides what we need. Don’t worry.” I call Bob my big brother (BB) as that is what he is to me. Bob and Paul are using their time, energy, and minds to make the impossible, possible.

Brothers & Sisters there is a book called, “Make the Impossible, Possible“, by Bill Strickland. What a wonderful book! Even more so, what a wonderful man, Bill Strickland, is to take the time and effort to write such a book! There are so many men and women that walk among us on God’s planet, which inspire us, are great examples to us…from writers, missionaries in some capacity, workers, and so forth… True brothers and sisters who share their God given talents with others, whatever they may be…I think a true Christian, seeks out those works/deeds, or the holy spirit speaks to various people to carry on a particular work, deed, or mission, that are good, pure, and help others…regardless of what “faith” they may be labeled, or represent. If those works/deeds be honest, true, and in the spirit of Christ, that draw them closer to Him, make extraordinary people.

In closing, I mentioned that there are extraordinary people walking among us. Paul and Bob are two special men. I pray that you will have the privilege, as I did to get to know them. You will be happy you did. The personal trials that Paul and Bob have suffered and endured I have seen with my very eyes, in launching this website have been put  and pushed to the ultimate test. Yet, we believe, this website is needed. May it touch your heart and enrich your life, in some small way, and may all good things come to you. Prayers are always needed, and welcomed J

God Bless,

Michele

Pray for the following brothers and sisters,

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,  

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For a sister in Illinois whose boy friend is away and hopefully safe,

For that same sister that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

For a woman who has children in Indiana and a beautiful son Nick, we pray for her, that she have strength and that she find peace and comfort soon,

For my friend Danny that he may find a kidney doner and make a complete recovery.

For the soul of my father and that my sister and mother may be at peace,

For My Uncle who passed away on Wednesday and my family,

For a sister in Rancho Palos Verdes California who is baring a huge financial burden to help her mother,

For a brother who is suffering depression that he may seek relief in the Lord,

For those suffering in Texas and all the gulf states that they may find peace and protection from the elements,

For all Americans that are hurting financially, may they find comfort in our prayers,

 We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us,

September 16, 2008

Dear Friends In Christ,

Another day is here and we reach new people every day.  We are at 30 people as of today.  At this rate of 15 people a week we will be around 195 people by December 25, that is over a hundred more past our goal.  For those that just joined us, welcome, I have started a letter campaign to reach Catholics all over the country.  The goal is spreading Catholic Fellowship and offering people a place to be with Jesus.  Often times our lives get filled with the daily routine that we forget to bring Jesus into our lives.  My hope is that when you read this letter you think of Jesus and what he brings into your life.  The letter changes from day to day.  I write about what ever seems to be the Holy Spirits will.  It usually does not take long for each day I sit at this key board and the topic is already at my finger tips.

The other day I came upon an article about Nancy Pelosi, The speaker of the House.  Don’t worry, I am not getting political.  Believe me, she is the last lady that I want to talk about.  It is a sad statement that my brothers and sisters can be so divided by political lines that we often forget to ask for Jesus.  Here is the article I was reading. http://www.catholic-sf.org/FPArticle14b.htm  The article basically says that the Archbishop has not made a decision on denying communion to Ms. Pelosi.  I then wrote a statement yesterday on a Catholic site that stated the following:

 I look at it this way, right now she is receiving the body of Christ and she is a terrible speaker. Can you imagine what she would be like without the Body of Christ? Please, Archbishop I pray that she holds on to communion for the rest of us that must put up with her. 

Of course I was only kidding around.  Most of that statement is true though.  I truly feel that Jesus keeps her in check and that she would be better off then she would with out.  I was torn a new butt by the following which brings me to what I want to say today.

I’m sorry, Paul, I don’t understand why you are praying that Speaker Pelosi contine to receive the sacrament of the Eucharist.  When one is in a state of grave sin, receiving the Eucharist is a defilement of the Eucharist.  Why would you pray that that continue?  How does that benefit the community of believers? 

Everyone has there opinion, but this person immediately rushed to judgment that Pelosi is guilty of a grievous sin.  Ok, she made a mistake.  A sin is only a sin if you consciously do something.  I am giving Ms. Pelosi the benefit of the doubt which we should do as Catholics.  Catholic Fellowship is based on listening to your fellow brother and sister, and listening with an open heart before you shut the dang door in their face.  I do not care who the person is or what they stand for, Jesus would have listened and then he would have prayed.  I pray that the Archbishop makes the right decision.  It is his to make, not the public.  If she did wrong then He alone will make that decision after some serious talks with Jesus.  Who are we to rush to judgment?  What happened to , “If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.  Psalms 95: 7-11 

As Catholics we owe it to our fellow Catholics to not to rush to judgment.  Jesus never did.  He hung around the sinners.  He ate with the tax collectors.  He felt they were the ones that needed his help the most.  We as Catholics should feel the same way.  We should still stand up for what we believe in, politically but do it with compassion and understanding.  Things are not always black and white.   Thanks for listening.

Spreading The News

As the summer wanes and fall takes over we must remind ourselves constantly that the days are becoming shorter.  Our mood sometimes goes with the season.  As it gets darker so does our personality.  Let’s spread the good news even more during this time.  My parish is having a fall festival.  I intend on being there making new friends. If we can not become missionaries in our own church how do we expect to go out into the world as examples in Christ?  Go to your church, make some new friends.  Fellow ship starts among our own.  Another idea with the holidays coming up, if you have students from colleges near by, invite a student over for Thanksgiving dinner. 

Updates:

Catholic America Today had some great people sign up to look at its many features.  Please feel free to do this while it is free.  We need the feed back and the help.  Catholicamericatoday.com  This will remain free till Oct. 1, God willing.  Pray for the message.

Here is a comment that I thank the Lord for.  It is good to know that people take the letters seriously.  How did the letter start?  It started with my father.  My cousins in Hawaii made the point, and my sister in California said that they would miss my father’s jokes.  He used to send jokes through email.  I have replaced his jokes with Catholic fellowship.

  Here is a letter from a dear friend in Illinois:

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the email. I have not had the chance to thank you personally for your daily message. It is very uplifting in my life so full of chaos. I try to remember that among the weeds there is a rose, you can only bloom when you are planted. So much has gone on in my life, so many new things I don’t know how to juggle. I take one day at a time, one hour and sometimes one minute at a time. This keeps me going!

Write me.  I would love to hear from all of you.  I hope all of you had a good day at work.  God Bless.

Vern Paul

Pray for the following brothers and sisters,

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For a sister in Illinois whose boy friend is away and hopefully safe,

For that same sister that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us.

Catholic Fellowship Revolution

The internet is changing how religion is reaching America.  With almost 70 million Catholics in the United States the internet is the ideal way to reach them.  It is estimated that 75% of Americans own a computer.  It just makes sense that the word and Holy spirit now travels along the internet highway.  Catholic America Today is trying to spread Jesus in this same manner.

The owners of Catholic America Today, Bob and Vern see this magazine format as the “Catholic Myspace”.  Vern was on the internet chatting to friends on a Catholic Dating site when it occurred to him how much fun it was to talk to other Catholics. He then got together with his partner to design a site that had a little bit of everything for all Catholics.  Although people can use Catholic America Today to meet other Catholics in a romantic way, the site is mainly for socializing with other Catholics.

Catholic America Today is truly a remarkable way to communicate with other Catholics.  It offers Catholic News, educational topics and an online community.  By combining a community suite with News from all over the country people can chat with friends in clean environment and make new friends on line.  The experience is a dream come true for the owners that wanted to make it easier to spread the Good News of Jesus and communicate with fellow Catholic adults from all over the country.

“Part of the mission of Catholic America Today is to give Catholics from all over the country a place to discuss Catholic issues in a clean environment.”, stated Vern.  He then added, “Today America, Tomorrow the World.”  Catholic America Today can be found at catholicamericatoday.net.  Right now you can register and get on for free for two weeks.

It Is A Mortal Sin To Miss Mass.

Dear Friends in Christ,

I was just re-reading some of the things that I wrote over our first week together.  I had written a piece on the importance of going to mass.  As most of you know, if you miss mass it is a mortal sin.  That is how important to go to mass.  If the Church thought it that important, and Christ thought it that important then it is important to attend.  We get so much strength from mass and we expose our selves to such temptations if we do not.  I thought it would be beneficial if I posted an article by Karl Keating, President of Catholic Answers, http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2003/0311fr.asp, he writes in this article that it is a mortal sin, but if you forget and it was a mistake, or you are a shut in and can not attend these are acceptable.  Like all sins if you make an honest mistake or you truly tried to attend it would not be a mortal sin.  Please read for further clarification.

I will go on the record to say that the problems I had with my marriages stem from not attending mass.  All the problems I have had can be traced back to not being close to God.  I shoved him away and in turn let the dark side creep into my life. The Mass gives us the strength to fight the temptations.  It does not do it alone but it definitely is necessary.  I remember during my first marriage I put God aside and temptation came into my life.  I put my feelings and my self a head of God.  It is something that I am still ashamed of.  I let a friend of mine lead me down the road of sin.  I committed adultery and that lead to the break up of a marriage.  I rationalized this behavior by saying I was unhappy.  I put my feelings before my wife and God.  Most importantly I acted out of immaturity.  I told God that my promise to him was no good.  I broke my vow for some instant pleasure.  I broke my vow just because “I” did not want to make it work.  That is wrong.  In today’s culture, you read many articles on the “I” culture or “the me” first generation.  In this culture it is all how you feel at the moment.  It never asks the hard hitting questions, like who you hurt besides yourself.  I let down my family and I let down the Catholic Faith.  Now that I attend mass and have tried to get closer to God I can see that it was wrong.  If you were to ask me back then though, I told people she was a bad wife and that it was all her fault.  The truth is completely opposite.  It was me.  I was unhappy so I blamed her.  The truth is simple, I was wrong.  End of story.  It is hard to talk about it. 

The other day I was looking through my fathers old computer and found a recent picture of my family with my ex wife.  My family never left her.  I did but they continue to see her long after I abandoned her.  Am I mad at my family, no, of course not.  I am proud of them.  I am even more proud to be a member of my family.

Temptation is around us all the time.  It feeds on sin.  It is real.  It is dark and has no boundaries.  It comes after us when we let our guard down.  You need other people to help you when the devil comes to you and demons enter your life.  It took years of mistakes and false hopes for me to recover.  I truly let the demons in after that first sin.  My life was not right until one day I woke up without a Job and said hey, I have to correct the situation.  I let prayer back into my life.  I let Jesus back in. The dark became light and I began to see hope.  My life became more meaningful.  Even with the passing of my father, because I go to mass and pray everyday I see things differently.  The dark demons of my past have retreated.  They are still there, watching me and waiting for me to slip, but now I have my church and friends to help me out.  I am not alone.  I do not see the fight against evil as me fighting, rather I see one billion Catholics fighting with me. 

Thank you Lord.

Dear Friends,

But I have prayed for you that your faith may never fail.  You in turn must strengthen your brothers. Lk. 22;32

When you are down and out and lonely and jobless, the main thing one needs to do is to go to mass and receive the Eucharist.  This is the gift of the mass that I have talked about in the past.  It is life sustaining and gives us hope when there is none.  Once you have partaken in the Lord, then seek out fellow church members.  Be a family.

The other day I was talking in the Catholic Mingle chat room with a man named Thor.   This man was determined to lash out at Catholics.  His sole purpose was to go in and cause grief.  I recognized the pain in his talk.  I knew he was not Catholic by the way he criticized Mary.  The man was calling out for help by bashing Catholics.  That of course would not be my way of gaining attention, but it seemed to work for him. Let’s do this in a positive way at church. My point is people like this are in our church and need our attention.  The problem is finding them. How do we find them?  We engage in conversation with our fellow Catholics.  Catholics need to go to Church and not be so anxious to get to the car.  Talk to people after church. Laugh and have a good time.  Just start off by talking to people you know and you will notice that conversation is infectious.  After mass make it a point to stay 5 minutes to engage in stimulating conversation.  If you are having a good time then others will stay too. 

One way to make this fun is to stress to the church that food will make people stay.  They usually sell donuts or coffee after mass.  Good for fund raising but most people eat their donuts right there for they do not want to mess up their cars.  A church in West Covina built a snack bar.  They went to the extreme.  But talk about build it and they will come!  They always have large crowds staying after mass to talk.  Guess what, if you stay after mass you will not have to fight the parking lot.  By the time you leave the majority of the people will be gone.  Brothers and Sisters community starts with us just talking after mass.  If we fail to do this then we cease to be a community.

Still another way to do this would be with in your own group.  If you belong to the choir, then just stay a little to chat with choir members.  Once you do this then others may join in.  Again talk is infectious.  Everyone wants to do it, sometimes people forget how fun it is to do it.

Here is what I am going to do.  I am going to get some coffee and I am going to give away cups of coffee.  Just so I can stand and talk to people.  I am then going to stand and hand out a fellowship button. It will be my own button campaign.  I will do this in three weeks.

Our Protestant brothers do the following:

1. I went to a presbyterian  church to see how they do it.  At the doors of this fairly large church they had four greeters greeting all the people as they entered.  They made you feel very welcome.  Guess what! Presbyterians do not leave right away after church.  They have a cup of coffee and a donut and chat a while.
2. I also went to a small Lutheran church.  They too have the greeters.  They too stayed after the service to chat. 
3. I would love to hear if your church is different or if you found Protestant churches to be friendlier.  Please email me your experiences so that I can share them with our brothers and sisters.

How can forget that the little things count?  People leave the church for the simplest things.  Have we become so large that we forget that common courtesy counts?  It is up to us as Catholics to make each church unique.  The pastor of your church can not do it all.  He needs your help.  The little things count.  

My brothers and sisters, this is a mission.  We are on a mission to reach as many Catholics as we can with this message. Help us out buy a button and pass the word at your own church.  Once I have done it I will be willing to pass on my buttons. Luke 22:32 can be a start.

If you have not registered to get a free look at Catholic America Today, the Flagship of our Mission, go ahead and register.  Right now it is Free until we go online.  You have full access to everything.  Go to catholicamericatoday.net

God Bless

Vern Paul