THE VIEW FROM MY WORLD

I know it's been awhile since I've published THE VIEW FROM MY WORLD but it just seems that time flies by so fast and you just forget anything outside of your own little world. Fr. Dennis one of the friars stationed here at the parish gave a wonderful homily yesterday on appreciating the things that are around you. Your family, friends, neighbors, nature, etc. He realized that he wasn't enjoying life when someone from his old assignment called him and asked, "Have the leaves changed colors yet?" He realized that he didn't notice and he referred to song about the man who noticed he didn't spend enought time with his son and when he was ready to spend time with his son and when he did have time it was when he son was an adult and was busy with his own life. I think the theme that I want to get out there to you is that you must appreciate every minute you have with your loved ones and with God's creation.

FEAST OF THE ARCHANGELS

St. Raphael is one of seven Archangels who stand before the throne of the Lord. He was sent by God to help Tobit, Tobiah and Sarah. At the time, Tobit was blind and Tobiah's betrothed, Sarah, had had seven bridegrooms perish on the night of their weddings. Raphael accompanied Tobiah into Media disguised as a man named Azariah. Raphael helped him through his difficulties and taught him how to safely enter marriage with Sarah. Tobiah said that Raphael caused him to have his wife and that he gave joy to Sarah's parents for driving out the evil spirit in her. He also gave Raphael credit for his father's seeing the light of heaven and for receiving all good things through his intercession. Besides Raphael, Michael and Gabriel are the only Archangels mentioned by name in the bible. Raphael's name means "God heals." This identity came about because of the biblical story which claims that he "healed" the earth when it was defiled by the sins of the fallen angels in the apocryphal book of Enoch. Raphael is also identified as the angel who moved the waters of the healing sheep pool. He is also the patron of the blind, of happy meetings, of nurses, of physicians and of travelers.

The name Gabriel means "man of God," or "God has shown himself mighty." It appears first in the prophesies of Daniel in the Old Testament. The angel announced to Daniel the prophecy of the seventy weeks. His name also occurs in the apocryphal book of Henoch. He was the angel who appeared to Zachariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptizer. Finally, he announced to Mary that she would bear a Son Who would be conceived of the Holy Spirit, Son of the Most High, and Saviour of the world.

The name Michael signifies "Who is like to God?" and was the warcry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against satan and his followers. Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as "one of the chief princes," and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called "the Archangel," the Greek Fathers and many others place him over all the angels - as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael is the patron of grocers, mariners, paratroopers, police and sickness.

text from: www.catholic.org
image from: www.encantra.msn.com

SAINT OF THE DAY

Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was born to Giuseppa and Grazio Forgione, peasant farmers, in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina on May 25, 1887. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a special child of God. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of Church. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio.The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. He died on September 23, 1968 at the age of eighty-one. His funeral was attended by about 100,000 people.On June 16, 2002, over 500,000 Padre Pio devotees gathered in Rome to witness Pope John Paul II proclaim Padre Pio, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. The Padre Pio Foundation and many benefactors traveled to Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Pietrelcina, Piana Romana and many other holy places to celebrate Padre Pio's Canonization.

text from www.catholic.org
image from www.corazones.org

MY SPECIAL DAY

Today is the day of my Solemn Profession. Today I will profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience for the rest of my life. In a sense you can say this is my wedding day in which I turn my whole life completely to God and let him use me as an instrument so that I can serve him and serve my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I want to dedicate this day to my parents who have given me life and have supported with such great love and concern during these years of formation. I also want to send a BIG THANK YOU to all of you have been such good friends to me and have supported me and many of you will be with me on this special day to celebrate. Also to my provincial (superior) who has been such a loving and concerning father figure in my life. To my formators who have accompanied me on this journey and I hope to take what I have learned as I continue on this Franciscan journey. I want to thank all the wonderful people that I have worked with in my different apostolates you have been truly a blessing to me and I have learned much from you. Well, let us celebrate because today is truly a day of rejoicing!

image from www.bspenance.org