What to do when your parish priest comes down with Kerygma

The late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
was know to be a frequent “sufferer” 

The Sunday homily as an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, can only be renewed and energized by the Holy Spirit.

Kerygma or the proclamation of the Paschal Mystery should lead to metanoia 5, a progressive (or radical) conversion of the heart to the Gospel. But, it is the Holy Spirit who is the great “Converter” waiting to be “stirred up” or “fanned into flame” 6 in the hearts of the faithful, through the preaching of Christ crucified.

As Pope Paul VI said in his very powerful apostolic exhortation “On Evangelisation”: “…the Holy Spirit is the principal agent of evangelization. It is he who inspires each individual to proclaim the Gospel, and it is he who causes the word of salvation to be understood and accepted.

It was not by chance that the inauguration of evangelization took place on the morning of Pentecost under the inspiration of the Spirit”. 7 It is noteworthy that the greatest aspect of the renewal of the Eucharistic Liturgy that Vatican II has brought is the introduction of the epiclesis, 8 right before the words of consecration of the bread and wine.

That is why preaching in the power of the Holy Spirit is essential. Hopefully, this kerygmatic preaching will elicit conversion which in turn awakens the desire in the believer for a deeper knowledge and understanding of the faith, which is catechesis.

However, what is sorely needed in our parishes, before faith formation or catechesis, which is, in itself, very important, is boldness in the kerygma, the proclamation of Christ crucified and risen.

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The (free on-line) Archbishop Sheen Audio Library

Pope Francis’ homily reflects on the importance of three words for Catholics: Proclamation, witness, worship.

“I would like all of us to ask ourselves this question: [ask yourself, ask myself] Do we worship the Lord? Do we turn to God only to ask him for things, to thank him, or do we also turn to him to worship him? What does it mean, then, to worship God? … All of us, in our own lives, consciously and perhaps sometimes unconsciously, have a very clear order of priority concerning the things we consider important. Worshiping the Lord means giving him the place that He must have; worshiping the Lord means stating, believing—not only by our words—that He alone truly guides our lives; worshiping the Lord means that we are convinced before him that He is the only God, the God of our lives, the God of our history.”

“This has a consequence in our lives,” the pontiff noted.

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Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker Proclaims January 22, 2013 Pro-Life Day.

012213 Protect Life Day (Full size PDF)

Submitted by Robert K.

Obama’s left-wing Mother’s Day proclamation

Whether an adoptive mom or grandmother, mother or partner, the women who raise us show us that no hurdle is too high, and no dream is beyond our reach. As sons and daughters, we show our gratitude for the women in our lives who care for us, shape our values, and set us on the path to a limitless future…

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Why we should nominate James Ridenour, Mayor of the City of Modesto, California, for President.

Proclamation issued by Modesto Mayor James Ridenour

WHEREAS, throughout our national history, elected leaders, including Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, Congress and Governors, have called for a day of fasting and prayer to humbly ask God for His forgiveness, blessings and guidance during times of difficulty; and

WHEREAS, the State of California declares in its Preamble, “We, the people of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to perpetuate its blessings…”; and

WHEREAS, California and the city of Modesto are facing new and prolonged challenges to our city that threaten the livelihood of our citizens and diminish the quality of life for all; and

WHEREAS, during this week of prayer we ask for Almighty God’s favor, blessings, wisdom and guidance upon our citizens, and leaders of our city government, faith community, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, we resolve to implore Almighty God to aid, enrich and empower the citizens, families, schools and businesses in our city and in our nation; and

THEREFORE, we implore Almighty God, through His grace and mercy, to renew the vitality of our city’s economy, revitalize the quality of our schools, restore safety to our neighborhoods and reverse the moral decline in our communities, and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, James Ridenour, Mayor of the City of Modesto, California, do hereby proclaim March 27-April 1, 2011, to be WEEK of PRAYER FOR MODESTO in this community and encourage our citizens to pray for God’s blessings in this time of need.

Thanks to California Catholic Daily

Editor’s note: Let’s support this effort with our prayers, too. Anyone that eloquent deserves God’s help.

Presidential Proclamation– June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

… NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month.  I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

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