The CatholiCity Message

Volume II, Number 36 – September 25, 1998

Dear CatholiCity Citizen,

Today is Friday. Is this CatholiCity Message late? Not really. We usually shoot for Wednesday, but oftentimes travel or waiting for something to go "online" in CatholiCity makes sending this out on Thursday or Friday a better idea. Lotsa items this week, which we hereby dub "Freebie" week.

1. TAPE AND SCAP
Somewhat hidden in a small backstreet of CatholiCity is an organization that provides a brown scapular and audio tape explaining this beautiful devotion. There is a suggested donation of $6, but Sign of the Cross Ministry is happy to send it free of charge to anyone:

http://www.catholicity.com/market/scm/

2. THE MOST EFFECTIVE WORD IN ADVERTISING...
...is the word "Free." The second most effective word is "New." That's why Tide detergent is forty years old yet always has the word "New" on the box somewhere. Most people assume free stuff comes with a catch. That's not always true in the Catholic worldview. For example, our salvation is freely given by God. Grace is a free gift from God. A wife gives her love to her husband freely–it's not a contractual exchange. That's a long way around to saying that you can get a wonderful, useful, and free prayer booklet from the Peace of Christ Center by going to:

(THIS PAGE NO LONGER EXISTS)

3. IT ALL STARTS OCTOBER FOURTH
Please join me and thousands around the world in the 2nd annual Week of Prayer and Fasting to End Abortion from October 4th through 13th. For more info, go to:

(THIS PAGE NO LONGER EXISTS)

4. A FREE, SIMPLE FORMULA
Jesus designed and runs the Catholic Church in such a way as to make being holy and going to heaven easier for you and your family and friends. Here is a simple formula that we have observed in the most peaceful Catholics we know:

1. Daily Rosary (if possible, as a family)
2. Daily Mass if possible
3. Daily Mental Prayer (morning offering, quiet time with God, evening examination of conscience)
4. Fast on Fridays
5. Confession once or twice a month
6. Eucharistic Adoration (sometimes in combination of 1, 2, 3)
7. Bible reading (often focusing on the readings from daily Mass)
8. Study of the Faith
9. Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary
10. Tithe 10% of Income (whether before or after taxes depends on whether you are a Democrat or a Republican–ha ha)
11. Be active in your parish and/or apostolic work
12. Order of Priorities: spouse, children, extended family, friends, work

This is not an easy formula, but it's the best. Many of us are okay in a few areas, not-so-okay in others. These take time–time out of our day and time over weeks, months, and years to build the habits. These take giving up the things of this world.

5. MOM SAYS THANKS
Our "mom" worker thanks you for your prayers. They help. She was even feeling well enough to come into work for a few hours a couple days this week. We have passed all your advice and suggestions on fibro mylagia to her.

6. 10,000+ HAIL MARYS
If every person reading this message prayed one Hail Mary at this very moment, that would be something good and something really cool. Here's the intention: For all the spiritual and temporal needs of all CatholiCity Citizens. Let's begin: "Hail Mary, full of grace..."

QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"If you're not going to say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all."
Good Mom's Everywhere At All Times Throughout History

8. JOKE OF THE WEEK (FROM A 3-YEAR-OLD SON OF A WORKER)
Why is 6 afraid of 7? Because 7 8 9.

See you next week.

Yours in Christ,

Your Friends at CatholiCity