Daily Archives: February 19, 2012

Just opened the Arma Dei Shoppe!

Equipping Catholic families has never been easier

now that our new

Arma Dei Shoppe

is open!

Our Catholic Family Apostolate is called Arma Dei,

latin for Armor of God,

referring to our favorite Scripture

Ephesians 6:13-17

.

We have created books, paper craft kits and quizzing cards

to help teach and celebrate the Catholic Faith through Feastdays, Seasons and Sacraments!

Six of our favorite Cathletics Craft Kits are now available by PDF

for you to download, print and copy for your family or a whole class!

Check out the new Arma Dei Shoppe…or look for us at

Lift Jesus Higher Rally

(Toronto, ON Canada),

the

Mid-Atlantic Congress

(Baltimore, MD),

NCEA

(Boston, MA) or

IHM

(Fredericksburg, VA)

NOW AVAILABLE at the Arma Dei Craft Kit Printables Online Store!

Color Me Catholic: New Roman Missal Edition
(printed version: $16 + shipping) printable version: $14

Catholic Lingo Bingo (English)
(printed version: $12 + shipping) printable version: $10

Catholic Lingo Bingo (En Espanol)
(printed version: currently not available) printable version: $14

Catholic Family Calendar
(printed version: currently not available) printable version: $14

Journey with Jesus: Sacraments (all 7)
(printed version: $16 + shipping) printable version: $14

Journey with Jesus: Reconciliation & Holy Communion
(printed version: $16 + shipping) printable version: $14


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Just opened the Arma Dei Shoppe!

In Rome, It’s Christmas in February!

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The day after the sea of red, thousands of pilgrims came together to celebrate on the Lord’s Day, once again at St. Peter’s Basilica, on the solemnity of the Chair of Saint Peter. More metal detectors, long lines and not as much sunshine as Saturday. Joyfully, the pilgrims from the Archdiocese of Toronto delegation all made their way inside today so for that we can be most grateful.

Steps away from the Holy Father, 22 (technically 21 with one from Germany not making the trip due to health reasons) new cardinals joined with Pope Benedict XVI in offering prayers and the Eucharist together with thousands at the Vatican and millions more virtually and through numerous global media outlets.

The spiritual hangover continued with the new cardinals greeting many of those gathered before the start of Mass (see Cardinal Collins with two of his Auxiliary Bishops, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops Vice-President, Paul-Andre Durocher and Hamilton Bishop Emeritus Anthony Tonnos below).

The Holy Father chose to preach on the Chair of Peter, part history lesson, part catechesis, full part evangelization, drawing parallels between the physical elements of the chair and the basilica to our own faith. A short sample:

“The window of the apse opens the Church towards the outside, towards the whole of creation, while the image of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove shows God as the source of light. But there is also another aspect to point out: the Church herself is like a window, the place where God draws near to us, where he comes towards our world.”

Pope Benedict went on to draw other parallels using the chair of Peter and other elements of the altar for a deep and thoughtful reflection.

Following the Mass, pilgrims had the chance to enjoy a free afternoon in Rome. Cardinal Collins continued on his media sprint with several interviews for media outlets back in Toronto as well as those embedded with our pilgrims here in Rome. We also had a number of pilgrims calling back home to assist with media interviews for broadcasters and other journalists looking to get the pilgrim perspective on all that’s unfolded this weekend.

The evening included numerous groups getting together to enjoy fellowship while other events unfolded with the official government delegation that continues to be a presence at a number of varied activities. It’s been refreshing to here the sincerity and genuine interest of many of our political leaders who are with us in Rome. They really seem to be enjoying the experience and learning more about the College of Cardinals and the eternal city.

Monday morning will be the final day of our pilgrimage with the delegation enjoying Mass together at 7:15 a.m. at the Tomb of Peter, followed by a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

Some great connections, bonding and fellowship among the group have formed and no doubt many are feeling an array of emotions from the weekend, armed with the knowledge that the pilgrimage is beginning to wind down.

A weekend of blessings, new friendships, booster shots to the faith and most importantly, time to reflect, rejoice and rekindle our own spiritual journey.

With the abundance of blessings and gifts showered on the pilgrims this weekend, you might well say it’s Christmas in February here in Rome…

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rome, Italy

Source:

In Rome, It’s Christmas in February!

Lent 2012 edition of the Catholic Faith Education Newsletter

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The Lent 2012 edition of the Catholic Faith Education Newsletter is now online at the usual Web address:
http://www.silk.net/RelEd/ezine1.htm

Content of this edition of the Newsletter:

  • Resources Featured on the Catholic Faith Education Blog: Find dozens of resources for the Lenten period and Clipart related to the Old Testament.
  • Resources for Feast Days, and Special Days: A calendar of feast days, memorials and optional memorials for March and April with links to information on each of these.
  • Resources on the Sunday and Daily Readings: Links to homilies, commentaries, stories, clipart, coloring pages, meditations related to the gospel reading for Sundays from February 26 to March 25.
  • Blog World Resources: Link to interesting and useful articles on various blogs by or for catechists.
  • Technology and Religious Education: Add content to your Web personal or parish Web site by using the two widgets offered in this section.
  • Articles Online: Dozens of useful articles for use with your students or for growth as a catechist or in your spiritual life.

May your relationship with God grow ever deeper during the upcoming Lenten season.

God bless,

Gilles Côté

Resources for Catholic Educators

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Lent 2012 edition of the Catholic Faith Education Newsletter

Pope Benedict XVI on redistributing wealth

Much has been made about Pope Benedict’s alleged call for wealth redistribution in the world. However, he clearly does not advocate such a policy. Here is a quote from the Holy Father:

“The illusion that a policy of mere redistribution of existing wealth can definitively resolve the problem must be set aside. In a modern economy, the value of assets is utterly dependent on the capacity to generate revenue in the present and the future. Wealth creation therefore becomes an inescapable duty, which must be kept in mind if the fight against material poverty is to be effective in the long term,” Pope Benedict XVI said in his Jan. 1, 2009, message for the World Day of Peace.

Credit - 

Pope Benedict XVI on redistributing wealth

True Devotion to Our Lady

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St Louis de Montfort – he seems to be saying, ‘Who do you think you are?!’

From Fr Erlenbush:

“In a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary (according to the method of St. Louis de Montfort) begins this year on Ash Wednesday (February 22nd) and concludes with the act of consecration on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 26th this year, moved because of the 5th Sunday of Lent).

“This year, the Total Consecration lines up perfectly with the season of Lent! This has only happened three times since de Montfort’s death (1716), and it will not happen again until 2164.

“The spirituality of the Total Consecration fits well with Lent: It is the perfect renewal of our baptismal promises, which is precisely what the season of Lent is all about.”

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Fr Erlenbush’s Blog

Link: 

True Devotion to Our Lady

McFruitloop Files…

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Okay so enough people wanted to know who this Fr McFruitloop is and why he figures so much into ‘Confessions’ kind of like an arch enemy. So here goes my attempt to make you guys laugh! Enjoy!

Born Andre Tiffany McFruitloop, he was the only child in a household of girls. His father, discovered that he really felt more like a woman inside, so he decided to have a sex change and embrace his/her true call to femininity. His mother gave him the middle name Tiffany so he would not feel left out being the only person with testicules. As a result he called his mom, ‘maddy’ and his dad, ‘dommy.’ This way, everyone was equal! As a young child, he felt hockey was too competitive and violent so he decided to persue figure skating in the winter and pottery/arts and crafts in the summer. McFruitloop didn’t have many toys either as he was uninterested in GI Joe with kung fu grip, instead following the only ‘half’ male role model in his house, took active participation in sowing and creating sparkly armbands and colourful fruit fridge magnets.

McFruitloop was a tender kid who bruised easily, so his figure skating career was cut short. High School was a little rough as when puberty hit,..he discovered his manhood, but the guidance counselor told him to keep his options ‘open’ to both men and women. This was the 1960s btw! McFruitloop while waiting for his mother to come home from working construction was helping his dad bake a cake,..’Dommy, I think I like men, and want to help others discover this awakening,.’ When not become a priest person? Andre, Vatican II’s spirit is running wild,..though the actual documents might be still very patriarchical, chauvisnistic and hierarchical, its the spirit that really counts! We don’t need that silly Pope guy anymore, and Jesus,..well he just loved everybody and equal, some people nowadays even call him ‘Sophia.’ Andre decided to mull it over, instead of praying he dropped acid, smoked a ‘J’ and went to bed.

After meeting with the vocation director at Rainbow Carebear Seminary, Sr. Bruce,..Andre McFruitloop went through five years of nothing, because, well truth didn’t exist and he was sooo happy to finally figure it out. One of his courses though was a pre requisite for graduation in theology. The course, Advanced Intro to Women’s Eco Spirituality And Karl Marx is the solution Theo-1960 was hard. Students had to dialogue their feelings, learn how to set up dialoging commitees, and focus groups that concentrate on small ‘faith sharing’ while drawing inspiration from the Buddha. One day Sr Bruce announced that there was only 3 seminarians left,..they had to kick somebody out for getting caught with Aquinas,..dangerous literature! Anyway she was wearing her very best polyester pant suit combination in order to muster and conjure up the spirit of Vatican II to propose women’s ordination, the Roman hierarchy refused,..so she shaved her head in protest.

The day came when Andre was to be ordained. Although an archaic celebration it was needed to maintain a sense of solidarity with the people. Jesus/Sophia called us to be fishers of ‘people’ after all! Bishop Smirk arrived wearing his best neon green chasuble with a blade of wheat and rainbow in the middle! He even was thoughtful enough to bring other mini chasubles for all the girl alter servers present! After he laid hands on McFruitloop, Bishop Smirk invited the entire congregation to also lay hands on him,..So they all did! First came the gay and lesbian alliance, then the eco-spiritual people, then came the women religious of the order of social justice,..absent were any kind of religious advocating a belief in an eternal truth, such as Dominicans, Jesuits and Franciscans…He was dressed in chasuble by his ‘moderator’ Sr Bruce (she also runs parishes as ‘moderator’ whereby all the priest does is consecrate,..but that will change soon when she gets ‘ordained’..) …What a glorious day! Fr McFruitloop wore the brightest neon green chasuble as well but with a rainbow and bunnies adorning the front! Instead of the laying on of hands by other clergy present, he and his Bishop engaged in a ceremonial patty-cake,…see below..

Fr Andre McFruitloop is now a priest and assigned a parish whereby he ‘moderates’ in the spirit of Vatican II all liturgical celebrations celebrating and reaffirming our collective ‘okayness.’ The alter, now referred to as the ‘table’ is held on equal esteem with the ambo. So they should be presented as such in the sanctuary. Vested in alb and stole, he will only wear his chasuble for special occasions. He does not own a Cope or a Humeral Veil,…But he will continue to work for a more just Church! His blessing at the end of liturgy is May God/Goddess, Allah, Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva and Brahma bless you all! In the name of the creator, the redeemer and the sanctifior!

And now,…….back to reality!!!!

God Bless, and Happy Sunday!!!!

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McFruitloop Files…

Celebration

It isn’t usually my custom to duplicate stuff from other sites here on the Valle Adurni, but I must make an exception in this case. The church of St Mary Magdalen, Brighton, is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year and has laid on a quite incomparable series of events which I commend very warmly to anyone reading this blog.

The best thing is to consult

the source itself

.

Congratulations, Fr Ray, not just for the anniversary, but for your enterprise.

Source - 

Celebration

RTRT Supports Respecting Difference

Reclaim the Rainbow – Toronto supports the document “Respecting Difference,” recently released by the Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association. We urge all local Catholic school boards to adopt it as official policy governing their anti-bullying efforts.

Further analysis to follow.

Read the article - 

RTRT Supports Respecting Difference

Sea of Red…


Well an historic day would not be overstating the scene at St. Peter’s Square, Basilica and all points surrounding today as 22 new cardinals were created by Pope Benedict XVI. It’s with special pride that Canada and the Archdiocese of Toronto welcome Thomas Cardinal Collins as our 4th cardinal in Toronto’s diocesan history and 16th in Canadian history.

The day started early for the pilgrims who lined up around St. Peter’s Square from about 6:30 a.m. onwards. A lineup at the Vatican has an amazing way of growing wider by the minute and by the time we entered through the first security check point, it was clear that a funnel had formed and regardless of your arrival time, the departure point of said funnel depended on one’s jostling, shuffling, elbowing and shimmying abilities.

About 8,000 people made their way to seats inside the church, yes, it was like midnight Mass with plenty of scarves, hats, coats, socks and maybe even a shoe holding other seats in reserve. Those who didn’t make it inside the church including about 40 of our delegation, settled for the consolation prize. While it’s not ideal to be outside of the main draw, sitting on chairs with large video screens, St. Peter’s Basilica as your backdrop with blue skies, warm sun shining down and plenty of room to move around isn’t a bad second spot to be in the world.

The ceremony, streamlined into one day for the first time, included bestowing symbols of the cardinals’ office on each new member: biretta (red hat) and ring. Each cardinal had the chance to approach the Holy Father and have a short exchange with him before receiving the symbols of their membership in the college before receiving brief congratulations from each member of the College of Cardinals.

Following the consistory ceremony, there were short prayers and the announcement that seven new saints would be canonized on October 21, 2012 including Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha, of particular pride to the people of our first nations and many other Canadian and American catholics.

After the Vatican red hat celebrations, we made our way to the Pontifical Canadian College where priests from our country studying in Rome reside. They put on a lovely affair, with the sun shining and the garden accessible for the 200 or so in attendance, including the official gov’t delegation. The new cardinal held a brief media scrum before greeting guests and taking plenty of pics in his new vestments.

Following a little break, the Cardinal made his way to the Paul VI Audience Hall for the traditional courtesy visits, providing an opportunity for anyone at the Vatican to stop by and say hello to the newest red hats. It was quite a sight to see with some visitors stopping by and bringing gifts, prayer cards, best wishes with many current cardinals stopping by to say hello (including former Quebec City Cardinal Ouellet below).


The Vatican Arts Patrons also generously hosted a private tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel for the North American delegations (Toronto, NEw York, Baltimore). Considering the total # of pilgrims of all these delegations topped about 2,000 people it was hardly an intimate affair but certainly an opportunity to see some of the most beautiful pieces of art this side of the ocean.

This evening, I spent about 2.5 hours with the new cardinal facilitating interviews with media across Canada. Cardinal Collins has been a real trouper for us this week, giving most generously of his time and saying yes at every point when we’ve asked him to chat with journalists. Emanuel Pires, who’s been taking incredible photos throughout the pilgrimage, was busy working away, editing the pics you’re seeing on this blog and our Tumblr page, many which have been picked up by the media to use in their own publications. We’ve also had plenty of our pilgrims say yes to assisting us with the many media moments this week. A lot of work and some very long days but great to have the cooperation of so many on these initiatives.

So our delegation has been busy to say the least. With Mass pegged for 9:30 a.m. Sunday, it will be another early morning, likely with some new line strategies to get to the front as quickly as possible.

To all those who have been following us virtually or through media articles, offering prayers and well wishes, we’re especially grateful. Most importantly, we rejoice on this historic day for the blessings and graces that God has provided to the Archdiocese of Toronto and the church in Canada.

Let’s seize this energy and translate it to our own faith journey – perhaps it is the spark that lights the flame within, to motivate us for a spiritual reboot or to push us to the next level on the path.

So for a small-town boy from Guelph to a bishop who carried around a red bible (because the bible needs to be read as he says), there’s some more red in your life after today. It’s a bright colour that stands out in the crowd – just like the ones who were recognized today. May they wear it well…

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Rome, Italy

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Sea of Red…