Octave Day of Easter

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery hast established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Beatification

Here's a link to the booklet containing the ceremonies for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, taking place on Sunday, May 1st.  It includes the Divine Mercy Chaplet beforehand, and then the Mass, all at St. Peter's Basilica.

"Follow Christ!"

The Venerable John Paul II will be beatified this Sunday, and as that great day approaches, I cannot help but remember the first time I saw him.  I was a young Episcopal priest, and I was standing on the Boston Common in the pouring rain.  It was October 1, 1979.  The Holy Father's voice rang out across the crowd, "Follow Christ!"  I knew then, it would mean leaving where I was, to follow Christ where He would lead me.  It was as though the Pope, the Vicar of Christ, was there to speak to my heart.  And he did.

"Stay with us..."

That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, "What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" And he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him, "Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see." And he said to them, "O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.


So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, but they constrained him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. They said to each other, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?" And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

- St. Luke 24:13-35

O God, whose blessed Son did manifest himself to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open, we pray thee, the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

It's Easter break...

The school is quiet (too quiet), the staff is all on vacation, and springtime is morphing into summer...

...the magnolia tree outside the Lady Chapel is flowering...

...and the lilies are blooming in the courtyard pond.

This is the day...

O God, who for our redemption didst give thine only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection hast delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through the same thy Son Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God; now and for ever. Amen.

May the Day Star find it burning...

REJOICE now, all ye heavenly legions of Angels: and celebrate the divine mysteries with exultation: and for the King that cometh with victory, let the trumpet proclaim salvation. Sing with joy, O earth, illumined with this celestial radiancy: and enlightened by the King eternal, thy Glory, believe and know that thou hast put away the darkness of all mankind. So likewise let his holy Church, our Mother, welcome the bright beams of light shed upon her: and let his holy courts be filled with the praises of his people. I pray and beseech you, therefore, dearly beloved, that all ye, who here are present seeking this heavenly brightness, make your supplication with me to God the Almighty, that he would shew forth his mercy toward me. That he who in my unworthiness numbered me among his Ministers and called me to do him service: so also may vouchsafe to lighten my darkness, making me meet to praise this gift of light with thankfulness. Through his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer: who liveth and reigneth with him in the unity of the Holy Ghost. World without end. R. Amen.

V. The Lord be with you:
R. And with thy spirit.

V. Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up unto the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
R. It is meet and right so to do.

It is very meet, right and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father Almighty, Everlasting God. And that with the service of our lips we should glorify thee, and with heart and soul should praise thee, O God the Invisible and Almighty, and likewise thy only begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. Who paid for us to thee, O Eternal Father, the debt of Adam's transgression: and with his dear Blood wiped away the reproach of our former offences. Now therefore we sacrifice our Passover, wherein for us the very Lamb of God is slain, by whose Blood even the doors of his faithful people are made holy. Now is come the night, wherein, when our fathers the children of Israel were led forth out of Egypt, thou dividest the sea and madest them to go on dry land in the midst of the waters. Yea, now is come the night, that with the fiery pillar hath taken away the darkness of our condemnation. Now is come the night, whereby all that believe in Christ upon the face of the earth, delivered from this naughty world, and out of the shadow of death, are unto grace renewed, and made partakers of eternal life. Now is come the night, wherein the bonds of death were loosed, and Christ harrowing hell rose again in triumph. For wherefore should man be born into this world, save that being born he might be redeemed? O how wonderful is thy loving kindness unto us thy children! O how unspeakable is the love that thou hast bestowed on us: who to redeem a servant, delivered up thine only Son! O how great is thy providence in man's necessity, to make by the Blood of Christ from Adam's sin our salvation! O blessed iniquity, for whose redemption such a price was paid by such a Saviour! O night verily blessed, to thee alone that time and hour were made manifest, when our Saviour Christ rose again from death unto life! Now is come the night whereof David said: Behold, the night is as clear as the day: then shall my night be turned into day. The holy mystery therefore of this night putteth to flight the deeds of darkness, purgeth away sin, restoreth innocence to the fallen, and gladness to them that mourn: casteth out hatred, bringeth peace to all mankind and boweth down mighty princes.

THEREFORE, in this night of grace, accept, O holy Father, this our sacrifice of incense: which thy holy Church by the hands of thy servants doth offer thee, wherein this Candle of wax which by thy creatures the bees did gather, is made a solemn oblation. Ye hear, brethren, the meaning of this pillar we have set up, which in God's honour the bright flame of fire doth set alight.

WHICH though it be never so much divided, yet knoweth not variableness, nor loseth ought of its splendour. For wax that melteth doth but feed the flame, for thereunto have God's creatures the bees brought it forth, that it should give light in darkness.

O NIGHT verily blessed, which did spoil the people of Egypt and enrich the Hebrews! O night, wherein heaven and earth are joined, and man is brought close to God. We pray thee, therefore, O Lord most merciful: that this Candle, which we have lighted and consecrated before thee in thine own Name, may continue to shine forth without ceasing, and may vanquish all the shades of darkness. That being accepted before thee as a sweet savour, it may be numbered with the lights that thou hast kindled. May the Day Star find it burning when he dawneth into day: the Day Star that riseth and knoweth not his going down: but coming forth from the places of darkness gladly giveth forth light unto all creation. We beseech thee, therefore, O Lord most merciful: that thou wouldest direct and guide us thy servants, and the hearts of all thy faithful family: and all those also that minister in thy service: especially Benedict our Pope, and thy servant Gustavo our own Bishop, so helping us with continual grace, that we may pass our time in rest and quietness, in the glad solemnity of our Redemption. Through the same thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer: who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost ever one God, world without end. Amen.

The open tabernacle...

...waiting for our Lord to take up residence again!

Banishing darkness

This is the night which shines with the glory of Christ’s resurrection – the night in which we recall and reaffirm our own participation in His resurrection which is ours through the power of our baptism. And tonight we consider what Baptism means for daily life. Certainly baptism is a one time thing, but it isn’t something that is done once and then simply remembered with a certificate, like graduations and anniversaries. It is something done once, but with eternal effects. And so in that sense, baptism is not just a one time thing “over and done with...” It’s a daily thing in its effects: baptism is a daily garment, something we wear each and every day. In baptism God has marked us with his seal of ownership, branded us as sheep of His pasture, and taken away the stain of original sin by washing us with Christ’s blood. The Christian life is a daily baptism, and baptism is the daily life of a Christian. It’s a daily dying and rising. Just as we go to sleep each night and get up in the morning, so we daily die to sin and rise up to live in Christ through our baptism. Daily dying and rising is the daily life of the baptized.

St. Paul writes, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" He writes this as though everyone would know this and agree wholeheartedly with it. We were buried with Christ by baptism into His death. Baptism unites us with the death of Jesus.

In the death of Jesus on the cross, God has given the world a death in which a sinner may die now and live forever. We can either die now in the death of Jesus and live forever in His life, or we can live now apart from the death of Jesus, and die forever in our own death. There is no third option. Jesus died for sin and rose from the dead. Scripture teaches us that "the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God." Baptism joins us to the death of Jesus. It nails us to His cross, buries us in His tomb. God has put our sin out of His sight. He has buried it in the death of His Son. He has hidden it in His wounds. He has sealed it in His grave.

Baptismal death in the death of Jesus is a death with hope. "If we have been united with Jesus in a death like his, we shall also be united with him in a resurrection like his." We know how our story ends. We know how the last chapter comes out for those who are joined to Christ. Christ has died. And we have died with Him. Christ has risen. And we will rise with Him. That means whatever may come our way in this life - whether poverty, disease, pain or persecutions - our present sufferings cannot compare with the glory that will be revealed in us. Whatever burden the cross of Christ may bring to us now, it doesn’t compare with what we will be ours in the resurrection of the righteous. But baptism sets us in a struggle. Because of our baptism, we have become the enemy of the devil, the world, and our own sinful natures. The devil rants and roars against baptism, and will stop at nothing to keep us away from living in its power. The world hated Christ and crucified Him, and so the world tries to crucify everyone who is joined with Christ.

However, by confessing our sins we bury them in Baptism. We drown them in the blood that flowed from Jesus' side. This is what St. Paul means when he says, "Reckon yourselves dead to sin." We are to confess our sins. We are to bury them in Christ’s grave. In confession, we are setting Baptism to work for us, releasing the power of Jesus' death and resurrection in our lives. We can’t conquer sin. Christ alone conquers sin for us, and He does it through the daily application of the fruits of baptism. We no longer live, but we died and were buried, and so Christ now lives within us. Our life is the resurrected life of Jesus. He is at work in and through us. We are "alive to God in Christ Jesus" and it is only "in Christ Jesus" that we are alive to God. Apart from Him, we would be dead, but because we are joined to Him by baptism, we live.

The Altar of Repose...

...ready and waiting for the Lord.

All things are made new...

The entire Academy gathered as usual at 9:15 a.m. this morning.  Because it is Maundy Thursday, instead of the usual celebration of the Mass, we had Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  We began with the reading from Exodus, describing the preparation of the passover lamb.  We do this each year, and it gives me an opportunity to speak about the new Passover Lamb, and the new Israel, all in the context of our Lord's "mandatum novum," His new commandment that we should love one another as He loves us.  This day is a "new day of creation," when everything is transformed and given a new and final meaning.

Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before He suffered, didst institute the Sacrament of His Body and Blood in the new and everlasting sacrifice: Mercifully grant that we may thankfully celebrate the same in remembrance of Him who in these holy mysteries bestoweth upon us His inestimable love and a pledge of life eternal; even the same Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost ever, one God, world without end.  Amen.

Pictured above is the High Altar with the triptych closed, showing the Annunciation, the beginning of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh.

Spy Wednesday

Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What will you give me if I deliver him to you?" And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?" He said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, `The Teacher says, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.'" And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover. When it was evening, he sat at table with the twelve disciples; and as they were eating, he said, "Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." And they were very sorrowful, and began to say to him one after another, "Is it I, Lord?" He answered, "He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me, will betray me. The Son of man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born." Judas, who betrayed him, said, "Is it I, Master?" He said to him, "You have said so."

-Matthew 26:14-25

Elsewhere the Gospel tells us that Satan entered into Judas, but even before this, Judas had shown himself to be dishonest and a lover of money. He kept the money box which was used for the needs of Jesus and the disciples, but he was accustomed to taking money out for himself. When the expensive perfume was used to anoint Jesus, he complained that it could have been sold and the money given to the poor – although he was more likely thinking that he could take the money himself. And now, he goes to the chief priests and asks what they would give him if he delivered Jesus to them. The bargain was struck: thirty silver pieces for the Son of God.

Could the betrayal by Judas have been because of something as common and low as his love for money? Certainly, it looks that way. There could have been other reasons – some have said that he was trying to force Christ into revealing himself as the Messiah. Some have said that Judas was jealous of all the other disciples and so wanted to do something to ruin their common life together. But if Judas betrayed Jesus for those reasons, why did he ask for money when he went to the high priests? He could have handed Jesus over to them without asking for money.

No, Judas was a lover of money, a worldly man who was looking for personal gain. As St. Paul wrote to St. Timothy, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” And this, no doubt, was an evil act. When Judas approached Jesus in the garden, our Lord asked him, “Judas would you betray the Son of man with a kiss?” Judas had given his betraying kiss before, when he took money into his filthy hands, caressing it as a lover would his beloved.

Spy Wednesday serves as a reminder to us, too, that we can betray Christ for common, low things. We tend to think about our own wants before we think of Christ. We sometimes spend time trying to get things for ourselves while forgetting the needs of others. When we put things before what we owe to God, we’re betraying Christ. When we’re cruel or when we bully someone weaker than we are, we’re betraying Christ. When we delight in gossip, we’re betraying Christ. When we cheat someone, or when we take something which isn’t ours, we’re betraying Christ. When we use foul language, speaking filthy words from the same mouth in which we receive the Body of Christ, we’re betraying Him.

We’re horrified by what Judas did. But we need to look at our own lives, too, lest we are betraying Jesus.

O Lord God, whose blessed Son our Saviour gave his back to the smiters and hid not his face from shame: Grant us grace to take joyfully the sufferings of the present time, in full assurance of the glory that shall be revealed; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Tuesday in Holy Week

When Jesus had thus spoken, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, "Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me." The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was lying close to the breast of Jesus; so Simon Peter beckoned to him and said, "Tell us who it is of whom he speaks." So lying thus, close to the breast of Jesus, he said to him, "Lord, who is it?" Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give this morsel when I have dipped it." So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "What you are going to do, do quickly." Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the money box, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the feast"; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel, he immediately went out; and it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of man glorified, and in him God is glorified; if God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going you cannot come.' A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "Where I am going you cannot follow me now; but you shall follow afterward." Peter said to him, "Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you." Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the cock will not crow, till you have denied me three times.

- John 13:21-38

 O God, who by the passion of thy blessed Son didst make an instrument of shameful death to be unto us the means of life: Grant us so to glory in the cross of Christ, that we may gladly suffer shame and loss for the sake of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Six Years Ago: Habemus Papam

Monday in Holy Week

Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at table with him. Mary took a pound of costly ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box he used to take what was put into it.  Jesus said, "Let her alone, let her keep it for the day of my burial. The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me." When the great crowd of the Jews learned that he was there, they came, not only on account of Jesus but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests planned to put Lazarus also to death, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

- St. John 12:1-11

Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Palm Sunday

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

84 and goin' strong!

A Blessed Birthday, Holy Father!

Watch over thy servant Benedict, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

To begin Holy Week...

The Church of Our Lady of the Atonement

invites you to attend

A Meditation on the

Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ

Presented by the

Parish Festival Choir

featuring anthems and motets by

Byrd, Casals, Dubois, Gibbons, Stainer, and others

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Passion (Palm) Sunday

4 o’clock in the afternoon

A free-will offering will be received

for the support of the parish Music Series

For more information, visit the parish website:

http://www.atonementonline.com/ or contact

music@atonementonline.com

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Holy Week and Easter Schedule

Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday), April 17th

Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. (Latin)

Distribution and Blessing of the Palms at all Masses

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,

April 18th – 20th

Masses at 7:00 a.m. and 9:15 a.m.

Evening of Spy Wednesday, April 20th

The Office of Tenebrae at 7:00 p.m.

Confessions after Tenebrae, at approximately 8:35 p.m.

THE SACRED TRIDUUM

Maundy Thursday, April 21st

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at 9:15 a.m.

(with the Academy students and faculty)

Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 7:00 p.m.,

followed by the

Office of Tenebrae & the All-Night Vigil in the Sacred Heart Chapel

(10:00 p.m. on Maundy Thursday through 3:00 p.m. on Good Friday)

Child care will be available on Maundy Thursday,

in the school building, 6:45 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Good Friday, April 22nd

Solemn Liturgy at 3:00 p.m.

Stations of the Cross and the Office of Tenebrae at 7:00 p.m.

Child care will be available on Good Friday,

in the school building, 2:40 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Holy Saturday, April 23rd

The Great Vigil of the Resurrection at 8:00 PM

The Sunday of the Resurrection
(Easter Day), April 24th

Masses at 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

(There will be no 6:00 p.m. Mass)

Child care will be available on Easter Day,

in the school building, 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Pray for the Ordinariate

As we wait for the erection of the U. S. Ordinariate, this is a request for your prayers on Thursday, April 14th. The general intentions for this Day of Prayer are:

1) The Holy Father

2) Anglican Clergy and postulants for encouragement and strengthening of their faith, particularly when faced with uncertainty about what their future roles in the Church may be.

3) The laity for their encouragement and increase of faith.

An Ordinariate has been erected for England and Wales; however, we are waiting (with varying degrees of patience) for the establishment of Ordinariates in the United States, Canada and Australia. Also, there are Anglicans in many parts of the world who desire this, but who have not yet had a formal notification from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that the process is beginning for them.

All this should included in our prayers — and this really needs to be a world-wide effort. If you can give a specific hour of prayer, please send a notice to Sean Reed at 6@societyofstmichael.org, telling him during what hour you will be praying. And get the word out! Tweet this, or Facebook it. Send this link out to your email list. Do whatever you can to get as many people as possible praying about this on April 14th.

Run, Guys, Run!

Eduardo Bravo Jr. and Katherine Wright are recent graduates from The Atonement Academy. Eduardo now attends the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, and Katherine attends the University of Dallas in Irving. They have organized the "San Antonio Run For Life," to support these Pro-life non-profits: San Antonio Coalition for Life, Allied Women’s Center, and Guadalupe Home.  Even if you're not a runner, you can be a sponsor.

Go to their website for more information.

The Academy "Crusader Times"

Find out how our choirs did in their recent competition... Learn about the "Penny War" to raise money for the Latin Patriarchate School in Jifna... See what our students are up to...

You can read the latest issue at this link.

"...early will I seek thee."

Altar on the site of the first Mass, Our Lady of the Atonement Church, in the early morning.

Psalm 63. Deus, Deus meus.

O GOD, thou art my God; * early will I seek thee.
2 My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee, * in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3 Thus have I looked for thee in the sanctuary, * that I might behold thy power and glory.
4 For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself: * my lips shall praise thee.
5 As long as I live will I magnify thee in this manner, * and lift up my hands in thy Name.
6 My soul shall be satisfied, even as it were with marrow and fatness, * when my mouth praiseth thee with joyful lips.
7 Have I not remembered thee in my bed, * and thought upon thee when I was waking?
8 Because thou hast been my helper; * therefore under the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
9 My soul hangeth upon thee; * thy right hand hath upholden me.
10 These also that seek the hurt of my soul, * they shall go under the earth.
11 Let them fall upon the edge of the sword, * that they may be a portion for foxes.
12 But the King shall rejoice in God; all they also that swear by him shall be commended; * for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Bread of Heaven

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which giveth life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A loving shepherd...

O heavenly Father, Shepherd of thy people, we give thee thanks for thy servant Pope John Paul II, who was faithful in the care and nurture of thy flock; and we pray that, following his example and the teaching of his holy life, we may by thy grace grow into the stature of the fullness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Venerable John Paul II

(18 May 1920 – 2 April 2005)

will be beatified on 1 May 2011.

2011 Anglican Use Conference

The 2011 Conference of the

Anglican Use Society

“Our Patrimony”

Hosted by

Church of Saint Mary the Virgin

Arlington, Texas

July 7-9, 2011

An annual gathering of Catholic and Anglican clergy and laity who are interested in Anglicanorum Coetibus and the Ordinariates, congregations, groups and individuals who are concerned to fulfill the Lord’s will that His Church may be one so that the world may believe.

Speakers:

Fr. David Jaeger, OFM, of the Antonianum Pontifical University in Rome

Msgr. Keith Newton, formerly “Flying Bishop” of Richborough in the Church of England, now Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham in England & Wales

Rev. John Hunwicke, formerly parish priest of St. Thomas the Martyr in Oxford

Brother Stephen Treat, O.Cist., of the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Spring Bank, Sparta, Wisconsin

Dr. William Tighe, Associate Prfessor of History at Muhlenberg College

The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann, Bishop of Fort Worth (and adviser to Cardinal Wuerl on the erection of the Ordinariate in the U.S.) will be the principal celebrant and preacher at the conference Solemn Mass on July 8.

Please go to this website to register.

There are limited places left.

This says it all...