Check out our events calendar at the bottom of the page!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Charismatic Asian Indian

Beginning on Friday, June 22nd and lasting through the early afternoon of June 24th, Catholic Charismatics especially of Indian descent will gather in Philadelphia for an event that is bound to bring about a spiritual renewal. Many speakers have been invited from bishops to inspired lay people. We Daughters of St. Paul and Cooperators will be present with a display of books and media to reinforce the messages the people will hear.
The Conference will take place at St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at 608 Welsh Rd., Philadelphia PA 19115. The church is close to the intersection of Grant Avenue and Welsh Rd.

For more information check their website: http://www.queenmaryministryusa.org/.
The St. Thomas Parish website has directions http://www.syromalabarphila.org/

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Movie Not to Miss

In case you have not seen it, I suggest you go to see the new film on the Cristeros War which ravaged Mexico from 1926--1929. The War was an attempt on the part of Catholics to restore their religious liberties which had been brutally trampled by the Mexican government's leader Plutarco Elias Calles. Andy Garcia stars as the non-practicing husband of a devout church-goer played by (Eva Longaoria). Garcia's portrayal of  General Gorostieta is a perfect fit. Known as a sort of agnostic but respectful of others' right to worship, Gorostieta was hired by the Cristeros whose mottoe was Long live Christ the King, or Viva Cristo Rey! Garcia does a fine job in the role of the general who succeeded in weaving together a formidable army from volunteers from all over the country. Mauricio Kino, a fourteen year old newcomer,  portrays a likeable Jose Del Rio who witnessed the martyrdom of Father Christopher Magallenos. He and a buddy fled to the Cristero camp after witnessing the murder of a photographer who wanted to show the world proof of the torture inflicted on the victims of the government's persecution. Jose and Father Christopher are now part of a veritable holy army who have been beatified or canonized as Saints and martyrs for the faith.
Rather than complain that there are not enough wholesome movies, support movies such as For Greater Glory. To see a review click on this link:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/for-greater-glory/55688/main?sem=1&ncid=searchusmovi00000016&s_kwcid=TC|15224|%2Bgreater%20%2Bglory%20movie||S|b|22497773995


A Good Movie

Recently we had the privilege to view a screening of the new movie "For Greater Glory"  in downtown Philadelphia. In this week's current bulletin our Parish of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary contains a letter from Archbishop Chaput recommending the movie. For Greater Glory tells the true story of the "Cristeros" or the "Cristiada" War which took place in Mexico in the late 1920's. 90,000 people died in that war including hundreds of priests and lay people who resisted the anti-Christian laws of the government.
I read an interview with the film's director Dean Wright. He had been captivated by the story of the Cristeros who fought to gain freedom of religion and free speech in Mexico. When he met with the daughter of the main character who is well portrayed by Andy Garcia, Wright became even more engaged with the story. For years the Cristeros were unknown in their own country because the laws enacted in the early 20th century were still on the books until 1992. The whole era was barely mentioned in many schools.
Now Providence would have it that "a cause worth dying for" is being made known to a greater audience. Thanks to this movie many more will repeat with conviction the Cristeros' motto: "Viva Cristo Rey!" Long live Christ the King!
See a trailer of the film:
http://www.moviefone.com/movie/for-greater-glory/55688/main?sem=1&ncid=searchusmovi00000016&s_kwcid=TC|15224|%2Bgreater%20%2Bglory%20movie||S|b|22497773995

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Corpus Christi

Tomorrow is the Feast of Corpus Christi in the USA and Canada. The title means the Body and the Blood of Christ. We firmly believe in the real presense of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. The awesome God who raised the dead, healed the leprous, preached the Good News of Salvation and who died and rose for us is truly present in the white host hidden in the tavbernacle, and consummed at our Masses.  Enjoy this feast day of Our Lord by participating even more deeply at Mass.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

June Events

We began our month of June surrounded by over 2,000 enthusiastic Charismatic Catholics at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in downtown--center city--Philadelphia. It was uplifting to see so many people most of them from the East Coast who are so very in love with God and his people. The program was enriched by music and liturgies from the Eglish-speaking, Haitian, Filippino and Hispanic cultures. It was truly a "catholic"/universal event.

Our next Pauline Book & Media display will be at all the weekend Masses June 16th and 17th at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Cape May, New Jersey. We may be using our new 10' x 10' canopy/tent to house our book and media display. Please check the parish website for more details on Mass times, etc. http://ladystarofthesea.org/olss/

We congratulate the six newly ordained priests for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. And, congratulations too to the six newly ordained priests for our neighboring Trenton Diocese! May you all enjoy a blessed ministry of priestly life and service. Best wishes too for our newly ordained permanent deacons who are of such great assistance to our priests.

The Mass with the NEW TRANSLATION Explained for Kids

Blessed Pope John Paul II Resources Flyer