The following comes from a Mar. 13 story in the Orange County Register.
It was part rock concert, part Catholic Church and all about religion Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center with a deafening rally, Gospel-like music, loud stomping—and a call to tweet.
“It’s a whole different experience from what they’re used to in church,” said Tustin resident Julio Vazquez, who brought about 15 teens from the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Santa Ana to join some 15,000 Catholic teens for the first day of a four-day Religious Education Congress sponsored by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles .
“It tells the kids there’s more to church than going to Sunday Mass,” said Leticia Soto, a chaperone with Notre Dame High School, a private Catholic school in Riverside.
On the first anniversary of Pope Francis’s election to lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics, the pope’s words and image seemed to be everywhere.
Even before they were asked to tweet @pontifex with #LALovesPopeFrancis, some of the teens already were pulling out their cellphones. Many explained they were drawn to the Catholic Church because of the new pope.
“I’m more involved because the pope inspired me,” said Giselle Mercado, 16, a Lancaster High School student.
Meagan Aurit, 17, who arrived with a group from the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Youth Ministry in Lancaster, called the pope: “amazing.”
“He accepts everyone, no matter what their sexuality,” said Aurit, referring to the pope’s comment last year about sexual orientation: “Who am I to judge?”
Nine teens who traveled from Mexicali, Mexico echoed Aurit.
“He seems more modern. And he communicates with the youth,” said Fernanda Bejarano, 17, of Instituto Salvatierra.
“His heart is more open,” said her friend, Marlene Marroquin.
Gabriela Covarrubias, a chaperone with a group from St. Thomas the Apostle in Riverside, credited the Pope with influencing youth and drawing them back to the church.
Sister Edith Prendergast, director of the L.A. Diocese’s Office of Religious Education, said it’s too early to “make big statements” about the impact of the new pope and whether he’s helping to attract youth. “But I think he brings a human dimension to our faith and a connection to God in all of our lives, and in the ordinary.”
To make the event more meaningful to youth, Catholic leaders incorporated music and technology into Thursday’s event. Divided into large groups, the teens also were invited to choose among workshops that dealt with relationships, prayer through pop music and making a difference in the world.
To read the entire story, click here.
Three days of darkness begin
From a Mar. 14 posting on the American Catholic.
That tribute to all things heretical, the annual Religious Education Conference of the Los Angeles Archdiocese, is underway. Father Z gives us the details:
The Religious Ed Conference is being perpetrated in Los Angeles.
Watch LIVE…. it’s a hoot. Right now they are dancing with bowls of burning stuff while singing about themselves.
I haven’t heard any mention of Jesus yet.
It’s a real blast from the past.
To read more, click here.
Gimme that ole time religion, yes, that ole time religion.
If any youth Congress does not encourage young people to read a Catholic Bible and those over 16 to read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” at home then they are not teaching the Faith.
(Any student who can read and uunderstand Harry Potter books, can understand the CCC.)
Our Faith must not be delegated to a circus like or Woodstock atmosphere. Woodstock preached only love as well. And youth flocked to the sinfulness.
“….. let us ask ourselves if we have actually taken a few steps to get to know Christ and the truths of faith more, by reading and meditating on the Scriptures, studying the Catechism, steadily approaching the Sacraments.” Pope Francis, May 15, 2013.
Good comments Janice. Now let us offer up prayers for these youth that they realize more than what is being presented to them.
“I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally….My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.” – Saint John Vianney.
More and more confusion within the church. This event is not Catholic !!! I’m a traditionalist and have many disagreements with Vatican 2 but can assure you there isn’t anything that would approve this sort of behavior in the documents of Vatican 2. Very sad that this is the message being sent, that they believe the Vicar of Christ is accepting the lifestyles mentioned. Shame on the organizers including those in the Religious Life at the event.
Pope Francis might be leading some youth to Christ, but we must be logical about this. The Holy Father is NOT a film star, and to only follow Christ because of the pope is not realistic. Many Catholics adored Pope John Paul II, but only a few of this followers were faithful to the Catholic Church. Sure, the pontiff could be a means of actual grace, but to put all your eggs in one basket, is not logical. Pope Francis can lead us to God, but then we must all grow in our faith. Beyond the papacy is Christ, and that is what the Catholic Church is all about: being the Mystical Body of Christ. By stressing emotion and feelings is not true faith, because faith involves the intellect . Ave Maria Purissima!
Sounds good on what you say Jesusita. We need to know our faith. As we know it, it is always a learning lesson daily, never ending. We must be humble to admit this. But the seeds must be planted and then allow our Lord to take care of the rest, for He knows what is really deep within the hearts of these youth. May His truths always be told and known! Lets rebuke the lies of the enemy, even through those who try to deceive through media by what they perceive what the Pope said or didn’t said.
For well over 40 years the annual CCD congress has been heretical. The behavior was so scandalous that Disneyland banned then from using their facilities. One of the frequent writers to this post has given an excellent report on the congress, and it can be viewed on churchmilitant.com. Instead of leading the youth to Christ, this encampment drives souls away and isolates them from the saving graces found in Holy Mother Church. The organizers of this sacrilegious event are responsible for all the souls who have left the Church and who are leading pagan lives.
The article says that this Pope is drawing the young back to the Church. Sounds great on the outset. But what about the actual Faith? The ‘Church’ without faith is like works without charity. The job of the Church and the Pope is to safeguard and transmit the Faith, not fill pews.
I’m personally fed up with the false notion that the Church has only now become welcoming with Pope Francis at the helm. And with the youth seemingly being wooed by the misconception of ‘Who am I to judge?’ how will they even raise their own children in the Faith? Or even maintain any semblance of order as that requires judgment.
All the comments from the youth above seem Pope oriented and people oriented, not Faith or God oriented. As if salvation is to be had based on whether or not we ‘like’ the message. That’s why we’ve got Cardinal Dolan on national television saying, “Bravo!” when it comes to someone making a public spectacle of being inclined toward sodomy.
Talk about misleading.
Spoken like a true schismatic.
Truth hurts doesn’t it Anon…
Anonymous, your sarcastic put down of Ann was shouted out like a true drive-by bully. :(
Thanks, Tracy, but no doubt Anonymous will drive-by again and again. And that’s okay. The drive-by itself is an objective lesson on how too many deal with very critical problems abusing Our Holy Mother the Church. Abusing Her. That’s the key.
I thank God you are not one of those.
Malley you abuse the church by not attending her liturgies. At least I drive by a parish with a licit Mass. Correction, I walk into my parish with a licit Mass.
“Prayer through pop music?”, “the pope excepts everyone no matter what their sexuality?” My, My, sounds like World Youth Day. Of course the Pope accepts everyone as we all should, but I’m hoping she doesn’t think the HF is accepting of “gay” behavior. I keep thinking the HF sent the wrong message to our youth when he said his “who am I to judge”.
Ugh! Just ugh! Disgusted! Lukewarm, feel good garbage!
We need to annoint our youth with holy oil. They are constantly being fed untruths about our Pope and the church. It is a spiritual battle, a hard one but we must trust God. After all we were all that young too and vulnerable. I remember growing up and going to those sort of gatherings. But the Holy Ghost never left me, He protected me and others. We ended up growing up defending the truth as we were growing and learning it too.
For these Youth I pray:
Douay-Rheims Bible
The Lord is My Shepherd Psalm 23
(Ezekiel 34:11-24; John 10:1-21)
1A psalm for David. The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing.
2He hath set me in a place of pasture. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment:
3he hath converted my soul. He hath led me on the paths of justice, for his own name’s sake.
4For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they have comforted me.
5Thou hast prepared a table before me against them that afflict me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!
6And thy mercy will follow me all the days of my life. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord unto length of days.
AMEN! That’s right Abeca we need to pray for all our youth today. Especially since there is much spiritual attacks against the faith and our Pope. God help our Pope!
Yes, an oil change will do the trick.
We live in a dysfunctional world. But we have the church to bring us healing. We need to have faith and our sacramentals to help us and protect us. Always trusting God, fearing the Lord and understanding what that means and what it means to love Him, and only Him!
Here is a video:
Mother Angelica Live Classics – Living in a Dysfunctional World –
I remember a few years ago, an elder mentioned to me that she feared being around our youth. She didn’t like their mouth and the music they listened. She just judged them and would rather avoid them. I thought to myself, that is the easy way out. It is an easy way out. To love these youth and to try to reach them before the liberals do, I’m sure not many are up to the task. When my kids where smaller, it was easy, the little kids where innocent and sweet but as they grew up to be teenagers, I learned to make myself be around them and try to be a positive influence on them. If we can just have a few more adults learn to reach them at their level and teach them the real faith, not what they have perceived through media but through the scriptures, the CCC, the writings of the church doctors, the saints etc. Little by little we can plant those important seeds. Not letting our pride get in the way just because we didn’t see instant results because we should know conversions are done in our Lord’s time. He knows when is the best time, plus He knows that we must also be humbled with dealing with difficult times, Will we act in a time of need? Or will be just walk away and judge without planting seeds.
The Lord loves us each and everyone of us. Are we able to carry our cross and not let spiritual warfare dictate our actions, but instead we must use temperance and little by little plant those seeds, persevering with fortitude.
What a bunch of grouches!
The people of the Catholic Church need to make it known to their pastors and bishops that we are not tolerant of error. That being said-one of the things that has watered down the efforts of those who try to purify the Church from error, is the errors of those who complain about events like the REC. 98% of what people complain about are matters of personal taste and not errors. 98% of what people cry “Heretic” over is not heretical. Those who like to refer to the REC by cutie-pie insults like the Three Days Darkness, the Wreck, the Dissent-fest indicate that they do not take it seriously and are simply entertaining themselves by criticizing it. The end result has been that people who know what they speak of and have legitimate concerns are drowned out by the loudmouths who say nothing.
Cowardly Annonymous,
You write of that of which you know not. We have a large file of heretical statements made by speakers at this Congress that even you might agree are heretical. The Bishops and Archbishops I conferred with on this certainly agreed.
“Three Day of Darkness” is a very adequate description. I spent quite a bit of time trying to convince an Order Priest that he must refuse Communion to Public Sinners.
I don’t know if I made any headway, but at least I tried.
Aren’t they teaching about Sacrilege, Scandal, and publically sinning in the Seminaries any more?
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Thanks for putting it out there, Kenneth. Cutie-pie insults are precisely what the assorted anonymous employ to undermine even that which the senses can fully fathom – heresy, rupture, heterodoxy, and rampant confusion.
God bless :)
Kenneth M. Fisher, my post was not about you. I wondered if, when I posted it, you would think it was. Although I do think you undermine your cause by using humorous take offs on words, I realize that you do have the best information on the REC atrocities. I was hoping that you would use your platform on Militant Church TV to elaborate, but you and Mr. Voris got sidetracked a lot and talked about other things that, while relevant, were not the information that I had hoped you would present. Also, I remember when a poster who was going to attend the REC asked you repeatedly for the information and you did not answer him.
Archbishop Gomez needs to write a letter to be included in all Catholic Church parish bulletins, all local Catholic newspapers, and all Catholic blogs that heresy and schism, and abuses against the Mass (per GIRM), take place at REC (within the LA Diocese), and that all Catholics are forbidden to attend.
He has the right and the authority.
But then again since Abp Gomez honors the aiding and abetting child abuser – Cardinal Mahony with a placement of honor on the LA Diocese web site – what can we expect of Archbishop Gomez?
The Abp publically promised that Mahony would have no public duties. How does he keep his word?
Archbishop Gomez is merely exercising his authority as he sees fit, MADDIE. So while he may be holding to the ‘letter’ of his promise that Cardinal Mahony will not have public ‘duties’ he is doing the opposite in ‘spirit’ by giving the selfsame individual a place of honor. I doubt you could find a precise error in any of his statements.
It’s politics, not true leadership.
Ann Malley – here is the Bishop’s promise to the Faithful.
https://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?
If Abp Gomez had to change anything, he should have made a NEW public statement. Truth and trust is important.
QUOTE: ” “…Effective immediately, I have informed Cardinal Mahony that he will no longer have any administrative or public duties. …” UNQUOT – – in a written letter so it could not be misquoted.
This public letter/statement was even printed in the LA Times and NY Times plus many others.
Further, Abp Gomez is not required to put anything on his Diocese web site that he personally does not approve of – including currently promoting Mahony.
Ed, my post is not to excuse Abp Gomez, but rather to imply that I am not surprised anymore by the seeming contradictions as – much like with a legal brief and/or real estate sale – one needs to hold folks to writing precisely what they mean to include every absurd possibility or else the absurd possibility will occur. (Like *honoring* Mahoney – oops – I mean giving him a seat of honor ;^)
Kind of like making a real estate sale in good faith only for the buyer to find all the curtains, garden hoses, and fountains stripped from a newly acquired property. Why? Because said items were not ‘specifically’ noted.
The message: within the Church we are not dealing with loving fathers, but often with sharks who navigate the waters with keen sight and a scent for whatever happens to venture off land.
God give us priests, God give us many HOLY priests!
I don’t know how my recent comments are being linked with my comments in the past, but I want to let your readers know I did not repeat myself. I even had to monitor this comment to prevent that!.
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
The Pew Survey conducted Mar. 2013-October 2013, the results of which were posted 11/25/13, showed no positive change at all in the number of self-identified Catholics in the US, nor an increase in their Mass attendance,as a result of the expected and much-ballyhooed “Francis effect.” Neither did the 10% of respondents who said they were former Catholics decline in number, evidencing no return to the Catholic Church, something that John Allen and the NCR-ilk promised would occur.
No doubt the Pew Survey is a group of grouchy schismatics, but one area it did identify as a possible trend was a reduction in confessional practice (only 1 or 2% but a decline nonetheless, so it would seem occurring because PF has suggested they dont need to anymore?) and also the general trend of a decline in weekly Mass attendance, a pattern which has continued for US Catholics since 2007.
Now, we can be certain that if there were any positive increases reflected by Pew [and there are none], the Pope-Franciscans would be cudgeling those of us who continue to point out the confusion and contradictions of his many conflicting statements, by truly ‘schismatic’ statements of his lieutenants Kasper and Muller, and his rudderless leadership of Peter’s barque. However, when Illinois legislators voted for same-sex marriage in their state this past fall, several of them quoted PF’s “Who-am-I-to-judge” as evidence of support for their stand.
The ‘Francis-effect’ marketing tack is similar to that employed by Obama supporters who tout seemingly lowered unemployment rates and job growth numbers. As in there is no analysis to explain that unemployment ‘rates’ seem to be down because folks have fallen off the unemployment rolls due to expired benefits or they’ve given up looking for work.
As for increasing jobs, these are the variety that in no way can support a family – much like a ‘Catholic’ mentality that leads one to believe they are Catholic and doing great when in reality they are still not receiving the grace that saves. Looks good, sounds good, feels good to hear it, but families are quite often suffering malnutrition despite having a belly full.
God give us youth with the grace to reject false positives. It keeps one hungry for Truth.
So, when Illinois legislators voted for same-sex marriage in their state this past fall, several of them quoted PF’s “Who-am-I-to-judge” as evidence of support for their stand. When PF called together a religious orders conference in Rome Nov.27-29, 2013, he praised only one group by name — the ecumenical but Protestant-founded Taize community, not a Catholic order at all. Gee, PF, you couldnt find one good order ANYWHERE inside the Church to laud? When a well-known local (CA) bishop recently wrote back to individuals who questioned pro-pan-sexual ethic advocate/teacher ‘Catholic’ Santa Clara U professor Lisa Fullam and her mandatum to teach, the bishop dutifully cited Pope Francis’ (“Indeed,” wrote the good bishop, “Pope Francis is calling us to honest dialogye that is not stymied by authority that is afraid to enter into discussion of the various ways that the one trust is perceived support of “open dialogue” in theology.”) Each side has a little of the truth.
And yet we know there is no accord between Christ and Satan (2 Cor 6:15). St Dominic chose his standard to be white and black, because the Truth of Christ was as definable and disparate from evil as black and white (Surprise!).
It is over one year now of PF’s papacy, and the clarity, certainty, and purpose that existed under BXVI’s leadership has been completely shattered and the barque of Peter is clearly rolling aimlessly in the tempest.
ABECA WRITES: “We need to annoint our youth with holy oil.”
Hello?
What are you talking about?
The Sacramental Oils of the Church are three: Oil of Chrism (for Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders); Oil of Catechumens (for non-baptized people who want to become Catholics); Oil of the Sick (for Catholics who are gravely ill).
So, Abeca, which “holy oil” are YOU talking about, and who do you think can use it?
All three of the Holy Oils I described above can only be used by the ordained, and then only for Sacraments.
I’ve heard about some Catholics who go around ‘anointing’ people with the ‘oil of gladness’ or whatever, but this is not a Catholic Sacrament, and the people doing it are not Catholic clergy.
Michael maybe I was mistaken. I was told from someone who knew a priest who is a specialist in exorcisms, encouraged that parents should bless their children not only with holy water but also with holy oil? Correct me if this is wrong but this person is a devout traditional Catholic who told me. The holy oil is for the sick. We are all sick due to sin and because there is a spiritual warfare, we need to do that for our children. I’m sorry if I caused much confusion. That was not my intention but I was only going by what I was told. So I bless my children with holy water and oil too.
Thank you for asking. God bless. I hope I clarified. Maybe I don’t quite understand how to explain what was explained to me.
Abeca, from whom did you get this holy oil? What makes it holy oil? I can think of some things it could be but it should not be the oil of the Sick that the Church uses in the sacrament of Anointing.
Anony the holy oil is a sacramental just like holy water. Blessed by a priest. Olive oil. You can also have the Epiphany water that is blessed with special prayers that are called exorcism prayers from when the priests have a special mass and prayers for. All done by priests. Especially came from a priest who specializes in exorcisms. I hope I’m explaining my self right. I’m so sorry I thought that being Catholic we all knew of these sacramental’s that we use to protect us against evil spirits or attacks from evil.
There are many blessings to our faith. Like there is also the practice of the blessing of animals and of harvest. The Priest has a special mass, Latin Mass, then we bring our animals to be blessed. I like all these beautiful traditions from our faith. I know that many have not been introduced to these traditions, some don’t understand them and that they have been practiced all throughout God’s people from the beginning of time.
I’m sorry I caused much confusion. I did not mean to. God bless you all and remember to stay humble and faithful, that would lead us to holiness.
Thank you for your answer. I did not know of this. I had heard of blessed salt. I have not heard of Epiphany water, either.
Your welcome Anonymous. I hope this helps. It’s a good practice to bless our children daily. In Jesus name we pray and trust.
Even for us adults too.
Abeca .. When my girlfriend was sick, she was anointed frequently.
My understanding was that only a priest can administer the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. We thought our deacon could do it but we we’re wrong. This makes sense since the rite includes forgiveness of sins which of course can only be done by a priest. Yo might want to run this by your priest. If there are holy oils which are proper for lay people to use, I’d be interested in knowing about them.
Hi all I’m not speaking of the sacrament of the anointing because only a priest can administer that. I am speaking of a sacramental not a sacrament. You have holy water, oil blessed by a priest, the Epiphany holy water, blessed salt etc. Sacramental.
Micheal I hope my previous reply answers your question. If I didn’t explain it well, I pray that you ask a good devout priest to introduce you to these sacramentals.
God bless you.
We have friends who’s daughter helped organize this event. They are a very holy and devout family. So just because this article may have painted something that some didn’t like, well you are dealing with teenagers and when asking them questions, they are just going to answer the way they see things or understand them. I just hope that the adults in charge are better at influencing them but as record as shown, they are not always that good, as well intended as they may be. Not excusing this event any way but we can’t see all negative stuff about it. If others have other better ways to reach our youth, whom many have parents who do not care about their spiritual growth in Christ, then by all means please go out and do something to help.
There are many parents, whom call them self Catholic and who are very secular. So we must try to reach out to their youth since they are lazy to encourage their children in the faith.
For our youth, I ask you to watch these videos of Fulton Sheen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuCw8UT5y6c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc9Xkpx-WyA
Also watch this Video by Fr. Larry Richards – The mass explained:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGQLWj37KKk
Enjoy and God bless you
Youth and even adults watch this video of EWTN Life on the Rock episode:
Be a Man: Father Larry Richards:
Life on the Rock – Be a Man – Fr. Mark and Doug with Fr. Larry Richards – 09-02-2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkpUPRWIeqo
Watch this classic too that can pertain to you and your life, youth listen up, Jesus is calling your name, as imperfect as we may be:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMfQ5kyjPi4
Mother Angelica Live Classics – Imperfection as an Opportunity –