The CatholiCity Message

Volume XI, Number 3 – March 30, 2007

So the Jews said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?" Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM."
Gospel of John, 8:57
Mass Reading for Thursday, March 29, 2007

Dear CatholiCity Citizen,

Greetings and grace to all of you, especially our newest readers. We've only got a handful of items today, including a great new book by a friend. You'll enjoy the quotes and the joke, too.

You could describe the above quote from Jesus as a streamlined and profound summary of His divinity. He existed before Abraham, and makes a blatant reference to the name of God which God Himself gave to Moses, "Yahweh" (I AM WHO AM). Jesus is God. And you can quote Him.

1. CHOP CHOP
Did you notice CatholiCity's new motto? "The Catholic Church Simplified." Pretty much explains itself.

2. LAST CHANCE BEFORE EASTER
With the wildly successful release of Vinny Flynn's "Seven Secrets of the Eucharist" CD, we've been busier than spit here at the Mary Foundation. Many of you have heard "Seven Secrets" by now, have given it to friends and family or distributed it in your parish.

You know how powerful this talk is.

We're grateful for your generosity and response. For the rest of you, there's still time to hear "Seven Secrets of the Eucharist" before Easter if you order online today. All you need to know is right here:

http://www.catholicity.com/cds/eucharist.html

3. THE CONVERT MAKER
Ignatius Press has just published a wonderful new book by our longtime friend, Fr. John McCloskey. Co-authored with Russell Shaw, it's called "Good News, Bad News, Evangelization, Conversion, and the Crisis of Faith." It's essentially a manual on how to evangelize the Catholic Faith on a personal level. Fr. John is known as a "convert maker." Among the well-known Catholic converts instructed by Fr. John are Senator Sam Brownback, publisher Alfred Regnery, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, and journalist Robert Novak (along with numerous other souls who are not famous). The book can be ordered directly at 1-800-651-1531, on http://www.ignatius.com, on Amazon.com, or from your local Catholic bookseller.

4. SIN TAX OR DUTY FREE?
Have you heard of the Easter Duty? Catholics are obligated to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) at least once a year, and traditionally this is done during Lent. Contact your local parish for Confession times near you. If you need inspiration or guidance, we recommend our free "Confession" CD:

http://www.catholicity.com/cds/confession.html

4. LET'S PRAY TOGETHER
If you're new to the practice of the Catholic faith, or returning after many years, you'll be interested to know that the following prayer, the Anima Christ (Soul of Christ), has traditionally been memorized by Catholics for mental recitation after receiving Holy Communion. Let's pray it now, tens of thousands of us, together, beginning in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

Soul of Christ, make me holy
Body of Christ, be my salvation
Blood of Christ, let me drink your wine
Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash me clean
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Kind Jesus, hear my prayer
Hide me within your wounds
And keep me close to you
Defend me from the evil enemy
And call me at the hour of my death
To the fellowship of your saints
That I might sing your praise with them
for all eternity. Amen.

JOKE OF THE WEEK
A young man confessed to his priest that he was guilty of the sin of pride. "When I look in the mirror, I think I'm handsome." The priest gently consoled him, "My son, you are in no spiritual danger. That is not a sin. That is a mistake."

QUOTATIONS

"Not for me the Hound of Heaven, but the never-ceasing silent appeal of the Tabernacle."
J.R.R. Tolkien

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"
A toddler's first sentence, expressing himself after briefly touching the stove.

"The world is my crucifix."
Motto of the Carthusian Order

"The easiest day of a diet is always the second day. By the second day, you're off it."
Jackie Gleason

"Be not ashamed of the cross of Christ...but openly seal it upon your forehead, that the devils may behold the royal sign and flee trembling far away. Make this sign at eating and drinking, at sitting, at lying down, at rising up, at speaking, at working."
St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Have a fruitful and grace-filled Holy Week and a happy and holy Easter.

With Christ,

Your Friends at CatholiCity