List of Catholic Books for Children:

List of a few Children’s Catholic Books you can find on Amazon (Used are really inexpensive, some you might find in pennies. Only the shipping will get you.) But, take it from me; it is an investment for their souls. If you want your Children to end up in Heaven, my dear friends take the time and get these books.

Start them early, as parents it’s our responsibility to grow our Children’s faith in Christ. It’s our vocation, don’t be under the impression that your kids are to young to understand the scriptures, you will be surprised! I was – in terms of the comprehension my little one had of the stories and doctrine/dogma of faith. So, go to Amazon and order these books. Raise them in the one true faith. Set a strong foundation in Christ and no schism or heresy can uproot them from their faith.

1. Catholic Prayer Book for Children by Julianne M. Will

2. Friendly Defender Catholic Flash Cards by Matthew Pinto (Even though these are for kids, but even adults can use them to defuse an argument).

3. Catholic Book of Bible Stories by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton

4. Beatitudes for Children by Rosemarie Gortler

5. The Mass Book for Children by Donna Piscitelli

6. New Catholic Picture Bible/No 435/22 by Nable (Hardcover) (Really Nice my daughter loves this Bible)

7. My First Catholic Bible for Catholic Children Who Want A Devotional Bible of Their Very Own! By Thomas Nelson (Hardcover)

The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe(based on the original account)

December 9th, 1531, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. Juan Diego, a recent convert to the Catholic faith, was walking to attend the early morning Mass in Mexico City. Passing by Tepeyac Hill he heard the beautiful singing of birds, seemingly from heaven. Looking to see where the celestial music was coming from, he suddenly heard a young woman's voice affectionately calling his name, "Juanito." Reaching the top of the hill, he saw a radiant woman clothed in splendid light - the Ever Virgin Holy Mary, Mother of God. She told Juan that she desired him to be her special messenger to the Bishop of Mexico City. Juan was to tell the bishop that Our Lady wanted a church to be built where she could manifest her Son and hear the petitions of her spiritual children.

After being put off by the bishop's servants, Juan was finally granted an audience with Franciscan Bishop Fray Juan Zumarraga. The bishop didn't initially believe Juan Diego and asked him to return another day. Secretly, the bishop had been invoking the intercession of the Mother of God for help. The Spaniards had recently conquered the native Aztec people and were treating them harshly. Very few were willing to abandon their pagan gods and embrace the religion of their new dictators. All of this weighed heavy on the heart of Bishop Zumarraga, whom history now knows as the "Protector of the Native People." He wondered if Juan Diego's story was the answer to his prayers.

Dejected, Juan returned to Tepeyac and asked Our Lady to use someone else more worthy than himself. She assured him that he was personally chosen to be her ambassador. The next day he returned to plead with the bishop. Though impressed by Juan's persistence, he was still unsure. He sent Juan to tell the Lady he needed a sign in order to know if it was truly her.
Upon hearing the bishop's request, Our Lady told Juan to return the next day and she would give him the sign he needed. Returning home, Juan found his uncle ill and close to death. Instead of returning the next day, Juan stayed home and took care of his ailing uncle. Early on December 12th, Juan rushed to Mexico City in order to get a priest to administer the last rites to his dying uncle. On his way he went around the back of Tepeyac Hill in order to avoid Our Lady whom he knew would surely understand.

But Our Lady meet him anyway telling him not to worry, his uncle was already healed. He was to learn later that at that moment Our Lady had appeared to his uncle, who was restored to health. She urged Juan to go to the top of the hill were he would find flowers miraculously growing. Juan was astonished to see so many vibrant flowers during the frosty time of the year. He cut them and gathered them in his tilma (cloak). Our Lady arranged the flowers with her own hands, rolled up the tilma and ordered Juan not to unfurl his tilma until he was in the presence of the bishop.

After being harassed by the bishop's servants, Juan was finally brought in to see him. After recounting every detail of his conversation with Our Lady, he let down his tilma and the flowers fell to the floor. Juan was surprised when everyone in the room also fell to the floor on their knees. The image of Our Lady had miraculously appeared on Juan's tilma! Repenting for his unbelief with abundant tears, Bishop Juan Zumarraga promised to build the shrine that Our Lady had requested.

Soon the church was built and the holy image transferred. The story spread like wildfire and people began to stream in to see the heavenly image and hear the story from Juan Diego. Many miracles starting happening and in the following years some 10 million were baptized and converted to the Jesus Christ! Pope John Paul II declared Blessed Juan Diego the greatest evangelist of all times.

Reference: http://www.franciscanfriars.com/RMH/OLGtext.htm

Why be Catholic?

Enclosed are a few Bible versus that point to the truth. Take sometime and read through them. It’s amazing that between James, Timothy and 1 Peter and 2 Peter from the New Testament, with the help of the Holy Spirit I was able to pull scripture versus that allude to the one true Church that Christ founded – The Catholic Church. Don’t take my word for it; just read his word below:

Salvation:

Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance.

For this we toil and struggle, 4 because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the savior of all, especially of those who believe. (1 Timothy 4:7-10)

Salvation with Faith alone? Or Work alone?

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

Do you want proof, you ignoramus, that faith without works is useless?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called "the friend of God." See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by a different route? For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2: 20-26)

Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one's works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. (1 Peter 1:17-19)

Temptation:

Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him.
No one experiencing temptation should say, "I am being tempted by God"; for God is not subject to temptation to evil, and he himself tempts no one.
Rather, each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.
Then desire conceives and brings forth sin, and when sin reaches maturity it gives birth to death. (James 1:12-15)

Sacrament of the Sick:

Is anyone among you sick? 6 He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint (him) with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)

Confession:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful. (James 5:16)

One cannot avoid civic duty or disregard Governmental Authority:

Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the approval of those who do good. For it is the will of God that by doing good you may silence the ignorance of foolish people. Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor the king. (1 Peter 2:13-17)

Defending the Faith:

Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. (1 Peter 3: 15-16)

Purgatory (Place between Hell and Heaven):

For Christ also suffered 5 for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit.
In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, (Jesus did not go to Hell, but to Purgatory to speak to the spirits, because the Gates of Heaven had not be opened prior to Christ’s death and resurrection) who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. (1 Peter 3: 18-20)

For this is why the gospel was preached even to the dead 2 that, though condemned in the flesh in human estimation, they might live in the spirit in the estimation of God. (1 Peter4: 6)

Papacy: Pope and Rome - (Rome sweet Home):

The chosen one at Babylon (Babylon is a code-word for Rome.) sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son. (1 Peter 5: 13)

“The Church here in Babylon, united with you by God’s election, sends you her greeting, and so does my son, Mark” (1 Pet. 5:13, Knox). (Babylon is a code-word for Rome.)

Church Authority – Magisterium (Personal Interpretation of Scriptures):

Know this first of all, that there is no prophecy of scripture that is a matter of personal interpretation, for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the Holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God.(2 Peter 1: 20-21)

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church, of which I am a minister in accordance with God's stewardship given to me to bring to completion for you the word of God, the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past. (1 Colossians 1:24)

The Church:

But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

Why Women cannot be Priest:

A woman must receive instruction silently and under complete control.
I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. 4 She must be quiet.
For Adam was formed first, then Eve.
Further, Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed.
But she will be saved through motherhood, provided women persevere in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (1 Timothy 2: 11-15)

Also, during Mass the consecration when the Priest raises the bread to heaven in person of Christ he says “This is my body” Because Jesus’ was a male, it would be hard to see a woman saying “This is my body”.

Reference: Holy Bible www.usccb.org

War on Christmas – to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday’s

Dear Friends in Christ; as we journey during this advent season towards the fast approaching Christmas. Let us understand the real meaning of Christmas, its not merely giving gifts, good will and best of wishes to friends/relatives or saying greetings such as "Happy Holidays" when you meet someone for the first time. My Friends, it is the Birthday of our Lord which is fast approaching. Christmas is the day the Creator of this world became flesh, lived with us to save us from final damnation. We must find the true meaning of Christmas which is the birth of our Lord King - Jesus Christ. Who came into to this world for a purpose, was born in humility in a manger, he did not have a fancy stroller, expensive clothing or special formula, baby food etc. Can you Imagine the creature of this world came into flesh and had nothing, not even a roof over his head, he was born in a stable (Cave), where animals were kept.

So, my dear friends keep Christ in Christmas; What I don't really understand that everyone wants to celebrate Christmas. Christmas has become so commercialize it’s utterly ridiculous, and not to mention I am guilty of over consumption and always looking for instant gratification. Our society has truly lost the meaning of Christmas. For example when you ask someone if they know about Jesus Christ who’s birth we celebrate this season, they immediate say they believe in god (which god), thee GOD or by saying you believe in god is some sort of deterrent you have created to avoid talking about religion, the existing of the one true GOD. Atheistic belief is at a rise, growing and flourishing, the GOD less delusion of this world. Having no belief in GOD is praised by this society, faithful are called fanatics.

Did you know there is a War on Christmas, it has been happening for years becoming more extreme each year. Back in time communalist tried getting rid of GOD, but failed. Anytime in history whenever people of this world have tried getting rid of GOD, the faith has become much stronger of the faithful. The evil-one is trying his best to rid GOD from this world. But, stand your ground confess and profess your faith, say Merry Christmas as you wish people at work, at the grocery store as you buy goodies for Christmas and when you shop for those presents at the Mall, greet everyone with a heartfelt and joyous "Merry Christmas". There is no need to be afraid, because our Lord is with us. Some of you reading this blog might have strong words for me, but my friends. If we cannot recognize and give respect and homage to our Lord, than for what purpose do we exist. He created you and we must give adoration to the Creator this Christmas, so be blessed and have a wonderful Christmas! - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Manner of Melchizedek

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: During my research on the Institution of Mass I came across a wonderful article that was published by the staff Apologist's at Catholic answers. I have not made any changes to the article and wanted to present in its original form. Please visit http://www.catholic.com/ for additional resources about the Catholic Faith. This article will assist in explaining in a concise manner about the institution of Mass.

The Old Testament predicted that Christ would offer a true sacrifice to God using the elements of bread and wine. In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek, the king of Salem (that is, Jerusalem) and a priest, offered sacrifice under the form of bread and wine. Psalm 110 predicted Christ would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," that is, offering a sacrifice in bread and wine. We must look for some sacrifice other than Calvary, since it was not under the form of bread and wine. The Mass meets that need.

Furthermore, "according to the order of Mel-chizedek" means "in the manner of Melchizedek." ("Order" does not refer to a religious order, as there was no such thing in Old Testament days.) The only "manner" shown by Melchizedek was the use of bread and wine. A priest sacrifices the items offered—that is the main task of all priests, in all cultures, at all times—so the bread and wine must have been what Melchizedek sacrificed.

Fundamentalists sometimes say Christ followed the example of Melchizedek at the Last Supper, but that it was a rite that was not to be continued. They undermine their case against the Mass in saying this, since such an admission shows, at least, that the Last Supper was truly sacrificial. The key, though, is that they overlook that Christ said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). Clearly, he wasn’t talking about a one-time thing.

"Do this in remembrance of me" can also be translated as "Offer this as my memorial sacrifice." The Greek term for "remembrance" is anamnesis, and every time it occurs in the Protestant Bible (whether in the New Testament or the Greek Old Testament), it occurs in a sacrificial context. For example, it appears in the Greek translation of Numbers 10:10: "On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts, and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; they shall serve you for remembrance [anamnesis] before your God: I am the Lord your God." Thus the Eucharist is a remembrance, a memorial offering we present to God to plead the merits of Christ on the cross.

Fundamentalists disbelieve claims about the antiquity of the Mass’s sacrificial.aspects, even if they think the Mass, in the form of a mere commemorative meal, goes all the way back to the Last Supper. Many say the Mass as a sacrifice was not taught until the Middle Ages, alleging Innocent III was the first pope to teach the doctrine.

But he merely insisted on a doctrine that had been held from the first but was being publicly doubted in his time. He formalized, but did not invent, the notion that the Mass is a sacrifice. Jimmy Swaggart, for one, goes further back than do many Fundamentalists, claiming, "By the third century the idea of sacrifice had begun to intrude." Still other Fundamentalists say Cyprian of Carthage, who died in 258, was the first to make noises about a sacrifice.

But Irenaeus, writing Against Heresies in the second century, beat out Cyprian when he wrote of the sacrificial nature of the Mass, and Irenaeus was beaten out by Clement of Rome, who wrote, in the first century, about those "from the episcopate who blamelessly and holily have offered its sacrifices" (Letter to the Corinthians 44:1).

Furthermore, Clement was beaten out by the Didache (a Syrian liturgical manual written around A.D. 70), which stated, "On the Lord’s Day . . . gather together, break bread and offer the Eucharist, after confessing your transgressions so that your sacrifice may be pure. Let no one who has a quarrel with his neighbor join you until he is reconciled, lest our sacrifice be defiled. For this is that which was proclaimed by the Lord: ‘In every place and time let there be offered to me a clean sacrifice. For I am a great king,’ says the Lord, ‘and my name is wonderful among the gentiles’ [cf. Mal. 1:11]" (14:1–3).

It isn’t possible to get closer to New Testament times than this, because Clement and the author of the Didache were writing during New Testament times. After all, at least one apostle, John, was still alive.

A misreading

Fundamentalists are particularly upset about the Catholic notion that the sacrifice on Calvary is somehow continued through the centuries by the Mass. They think Catholics are trying to have it both ways. The Church on the one hand says that Calvary is "perpetuated," which seems to mean the same act of killing, the same letting of blood, is repeated again and again. This violates the "once for all" idea. On the other hand, what Catholics call a sacrifice seems to have no relation to biblical sacrifices, since it doesn’t look the same; after all, no splotches of blood are to be found on Catholic altars.

"We must, of course, take strong exception to such pretended sacrifice," Boettner instructs. "We cannot regard it as anything other than a deception, a mockery, and an abomination before God. The so-called sacrifice of the Mass certainly is not identical with that on Calvary, regardless of what the priests may say. There is in the Mass no real Christ, no suffering, and no bleeding. And a bloodless sacrifice is ineffectual. The writer of the book of Hebrews says that ‘apart from shedding of blood there is no remission’ of sin (9:22); and John says, ‘The blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin’ (1 John 1:7). Since admittedly there is no blood in the Mass, it simply cannot be a sacrifice for sin" (174).

Boettner misreads chapter nine of Hebrews, which begins with an examination of the Old Covenant. Moses is described as taking the blood of calves and goats and using it in the purification of the tabernacle (Heb. 9:19–21; see Ex. 24:6–8 for the origins of this). Under the Old Law, a repeated blood sacrifice was necessary for the remission of sins. Under the Christian dispensation, blood (Christ’s) is shed only once, but it is continually offered to the Father.

"But how can that be?" ask Fundamentalists. They have to keep in mind that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever" (Heb. 13:8). What Jesus did in the past is present to God now, and God can make the sacrifice of Calvary present to us at Mass. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes" (1 Cor. 11:26).

Jesus does not offer himself to God as a bloody, dying sacrifice in the Mass, but as we offer ourselves, a "living sacrifice" (Rom. 12:1). As this passage indicates, the offering of sacrifice does not require death or the shedding of blood. If it did, we could not offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. Jesus, having shed his blood once for all on the cross, now offers himself to God in a continual, unbloody manner as a holy, living sacrifice on our behalf.

Reference: http://www.catholic.com/ - search "By the order of Melchizedek"

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors. Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004 IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827permission to publish this work is hereby granted. +Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004

Worthy is the Lamb

Dear Friends in Christ, I write this new post with great humility and desire for the conversion of this world. I "Ocran" a sinner; a slave of Christ's love want for this world to adore and give homage to our LORD our GOD who was, is and will be forever. As the seven mighty spirits that stand in front of GOD the FATHER'S throne and the twenty-four elders that fall on their knees and bow in adoration to the Almighty. In the same manner we must fall down and give him homage, for he is our creator. It is right to give him thanks and praise. So, my dear brothers and sisters in CHRIST go to Church during weekdays (and remember Lord's day) whenever it's quite and there isn't a mass in progress. Fall on your knees in front of the Tabernacle, where Christ Jesus our LORD is present, waiting for you. When you look at the cross, imagine that you are kissing his feet, his knees, his side that bleed for your sin, his hands that were nailed to the cross, kiss his forehead that was crowned with piercing thrones. Do not forget his suffering; don't look at the empty cross, but look at the image of Christ on the cross which is a reminder to us all about his suffering, the difficult and struggled breathing, the burning, and the stinging of open wounds. Look to him and ask for his grace and pray that GOD the Father keeps you away from temptation and gives you strength to fight against the evils of this world.

Fall in front of our LORD, ask for blessings and thank him for the blessing that you have in your life. Go for confession, have the priest who is in persona Christi (in person of Christ) has authority from our LORD to forgive your sins (John 20:22-23), I know it is the hardest thing to do to face someone and tell them of your sins, the deepest, and the darkest and gravest/mortal sins (1 John 5:16-17). But, once professed and confessed, you will be renewed and refreshed in his Love. Ask the intercession of our Lady, as you ask your friends and relatives (here on earth) to pray for you to our GOD the Almighty. Ask the Mother of GOD, our Mother, the Mother of this World, the Mother who brought Salvation to this world in Greek her title Theotokos means literally - "God-bearer"(Matthew 1:18-25), (Matthew 2:10-11), (Luke 1:41-44) and (Gal 4:4).

Ask her for prayers, she is much closer to his son Christ Jesus in Heaven; then us who are here on earth. Ask the help of all the Saints, the twenty four elders, the seven spirits (Angels) to intercede on your behalf in prayers to the GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT. Any help you can get, take it, pursue it, be persistent, it's a better for your soul and your Salvation. Don't be denied by the once saved, always saved methodology. You can lose your salvation by merely having an unclean, impure thought about someone or something, keep the commandments to the fullest - Love your GOD with all your might, with all your being. Fall on your knees and give him homage, for he deserves the adoration. With each breath, give him praises for he has given you the breath of life. He has taken you out of the snares of evil, Satan has a bounty out on your soul, Jesus has given the ransom, the bail for you with his precious blood. Reject the evils of this world. Every night before going to bed, fall on your knees ask for forgiveness for your sins, go for confession regularly, do not play roulette with your soul, and don’t leave it for chance. One does not know his/her time, when you can be called by the Almighty. You don't want to be standing in his presence with a load of sins on your conscience, get purged, get cleaned use the sacraments given to you by Christ, use them they hold the Grace(s) which will strengthen your soul, your body. Go for communion (1 Cor 11:23-29), after confession, let Jesus come within you and nourish your soul, fall on your knees when you receive his body - because Worthy is the Lamb.

His body is sacred, do not touch it with your unclean hands, but let the priest deliver it to your tongue who is in persona Christi (in person of Christ). Do not chew his body, but let it dissolve within you. If you get a chance during the weekdays go and receive his body and blood, do it as often as you can. His body has a purpose; it's the bread of life (John 6:35-58). Eat it and be nourished it will help you fight temptation. If you fall, get up, dust yourself up. Head for confession, do not part take the body of Christ if you have even a blemish of mortal sin because Worthy is the Lamb for our reverence. Make him your GOD and he will deliver you from evil, renew your soul and give you eternal life. He is waiting for you, we are his children. If hardship and sufferings come, offer them up to the LORD, rejoice and be glad for he has found you worthy.

Praise be to the GOD Almighty - In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. GOD bless and have great thanksgiving my friends. Amen!

Doctrines of Church - Part 7 "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

Charity unites all the members of the Body of Christ (Rom 12:3-9)

Matthew 5:43-45
Matthew 19:19
Matthew 22:36-40
Matthew 25:31-46
Mark 12:28-34
Luke 6:27-36
John 13:34-35
John 15:12-17
Rom 10:1
Rom 12:9-13
Rom 15:30-32
1 Cor 10:24
1 Cor 13
Gal 5:9-13, 6:2
1 Thess 3:12; 4:9-10, 18
1 Thess 5:11, 14-15
1 Tim 2:1-4
1 John 4:7-21
Jas 2:14-17