A woman is trapped in the wreckage of a horrific car crash. Then a Catholic priest who had anointing oil with him, arrived.

“He came up and approached the patient, and offered a prayer,” New London Fire Chief Raymond Reed told KHQA-TV. “It was a Catholic priest who had anointing oil with him. A sense of calmness came over her, and it did us as well.”

Considering how many people were at the scene and interacting with the mystery faith leader, the story is a fascinating one.

“I can’t be for certain how it was said, but myself and another firefighter, we very plainly heard that we should remain calm, that our tools would now work and that we would get her out of that vehicle,” the firefighter added.

Now here’s where things get weird.

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Editor’s note: These things happen way more often than most people think. Here’s another short, illustrated, real-life, personal story.

God loves you. God will provide – and that often means answering frantic prayers with just the right person, for the job. All we can do in the mean time, is try not to mess things up too badly – and/or too often – since God’s ways are not our ways – and it’s never wise to act recklessly or presumptuously.

It’s also always a good idea to say a quick prayer for anyone who you might notice, happens to be in distress, may have been injured, may be very near death, or has recently died.

One more thing … thank God for priests. The vast majority of priests are nice guys who are just trying to do God’s work, under what usually turns out to be very difficult circumstances. Priests are at their best – and are most appreciated  – when they are attending to the souls of those who are literally, staring death in the face. Those who have been there will, I am sure, agree.

James 5:14-15 Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Additional related links:

A last chance for lost souls

Anointing of the Sick, Last Sacraments, and the Apostolic Pardon

What Are “Last Rites”?

Priest’s Heroic Battle Action

Priests Prevented From Anointing Boston Marathon Bombing Victims

Three kinds of holy oil/chrism

Saint Padre Pio and the Angels

5 tips for practical Catholic living

Let’s use marriage as an example. With marital love comes certain obligations and responsibilities—some more serious, others maybe not so serious. If we were to compile these individual acts of love into a list, we would end up with a very long list. This list contains obligations that we must follow if we want to preserve our love and want it to grow.

When marital love grows dull, this list seems suffocating.  So, too, in our relationship with Jesus. If our love is allowed to wane, then the Church’s teachings seem too hard. Thus, the problem is not rooted in obeying rules, but in not recognizing that the rules are more than arbitrary. Rather, they are the way to live and grow according to the law of love.

To avoid this apparent restrictive and joyless life for the Catholic, I would like to offer the following points for practical and personal application:

1.) Receive the Eucharist as often as you can. This is the very love of God poured forth into our hearts promised by Jesus. Even more astounding, it is Jesus, body, blood, soul, and Divinity, offered to us mysteriously under the appearance of bread and wine.

2.) Receive Him in a state of grace. That means to practice the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least monthly, or any time we are aware that we have willfully committed a grave sin. After all, one does not give sustenance to a corpse. We must be spiritually able to receive divine sustenance in order to benefit from this grace.

3.) Practice daily mediation. Pick up the Gospels and read a little and then stop when something strikes you. Put the book down, and let that point sink in. When you get overcome with distractions, pick up the Gospels and continue reading until the next thing strikes you. Repeat this process. This approach to prayer was encouraged by St. Theresa of Avila to her community. I have profited much from it myself, so I know that it works.

4.) When you are finished with your 20 minutes or more of spiritual reading, make a daily resolution. A resolution is a promise we make to God to respond to His grace by seeking to uproot some predominant fault that our spiritual reading has just uncovered. You can keep the same resolution daily, or change it up, depending on how the Holy Spirit moves you.

One note on this: the best way to uproot a fault is to work on the opposite virtue. As we develop the virtue, doing the good becomes easier, more joyful, and we act towards it more promptly. Thus, the life of repressing the evil inclination is replaced by a life of doing the good.

5.) Lastly, examine yourself at the end of the day and see how well you tended to your resolution. Thank the Lord for your days’ blessings, challenges, and benefits. Tell Him that you are sorry for offending Him by not keeping your resolution firmly if that is the case, and promise to put more effort into keeping your resolution tomorrow.

Liberal social justice Catholics have drunk the Protestant Kool Aid

by Doug Lawrence

The Catholic Church in America appears to be almost evenly split between “libs” and “trads”.

For those who are new to these culture wars, “libs” might be described as Catholics who tend to be light on Catholic dogma and overly reliant on emotion and social work – especially when it  comes to things like voting for pro-abortion, pro-homosexual politicians and the government funding of various welfare programs.

“Libs” also tend to be less concerned about the liturgy, and often have a less than complete understanding and appreciation for the sacraments – especially the need for the absolution of sins in the confessional and the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

For “libs”, emotion generally trumps faith and reason and malformed conscience trumps all – leading to the scandal of high profile, pro abortion and pro homosexual Catholic (and Protestant) politicians infesting all levels of government – along with a plethora of seriously defective Catholic In Name Only (CINO) charities, social justice organizations and even, religious orders.

All of these characteristics are really nothing new for Protestant groups – but they are new for Catholics, since they were essentially put into place by the post-Vatican II “reformers/enablers/revolutionaries” and others who have subsequently learned to invent such things, for their own nefarious purposes, from “whole cloth”.

To sum it up: Like most Protestants, Catholic “libs” generally find it difficult or impossible to believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as Christ’s one time, once for many, propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of mankind, the Catholic Church as the “Barque of Peter” – the world’s only universal sacrament of salvation, according to the grace, mercy and forethought of Jesus Christ – and the Bible as the inerrant, Holy Spirit inspired, written Word of God – so about all they have left is social justice work – and their poor choices will almost certainly tend to perpetuate the continuing need for it! 

“Trads” tend to obtain their personal guidance through the exercise of faith and reason, based on a good working knowledge of the teachings of Jesus Christ, illuminated by two thousand years of Catholic Church Tradition, exquisitely reasoned, settled Catholic dogma and Magisterial teachings, the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, the lives of the saints and the Holy Bible.

Subsequently, “trads” tend to be very picky about the Masses they attend, the fidelity of the priests and bishops who minister to them, the integrity of the politicians who represent them in government, the causes they support, the Bibles they read and the sacraments they receive – most especially the Holy Eucharist, which they firmly believe to be the authentic body and blood of Jesus Christ, along with his soul and divinity.

The “trad’s” primary reliance on grace-giving sacraments – which for baptized Catholics, serve to engender and deeply nurture the cardinal virtues of faith, hope and charity, among others – is based on almost two thousand years of remarkably successful Catholic church history and tradition- which until fairly recent times, provided the spiritual underpinnings for all the best features of modern, western civilization.

For “trads”, faith and reason are employed in order to better understand the “mind” of the Catholic Church and hence, the mind of Jesus Christ, who is God and who will also be our final judge. Individual conscience certainly plays a big part – but only after all pertinent Catholic teachings and principles have already been carefully and prayerfully weighed and considered.

When “trads” need to get something done, they pray – often using the Rosary, or kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament – believing they will receive. Then, one of several things typically happens: 1) The problem simply evaporates and disappears (praise God); 2) The right course of action becomes apparent and that action is personally carried out, according to God’s grace, resolving or suitably mitigating the problem; 3) If it is within their limited area of competence – God sends a socially conscious Protestant, “lib” Catholic, or other person – to fix things; or 4) Life goes on as before – since even God isn’t willing to tackle certain problems that we create for ourselves, in this “valley of tears”.

Of course, there are exceptions and variations on both sides, but it’s just about that simple!

The riches of Jesus Christ are communicated to all the members of the Church, through the Sacraments.

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

946     After confessing “the holy catholic Church,” the Apostles’ Creed adds “the communion of saints.” In a certain sense this article is a further explanation of the preceding: “What is the Church if not the assembly of all the saints?” The communion of saints is the Church.

947     “Since all the faithful form one body, the good of each is communicated to the others. … We must therefore believe that there exists a communion of goods in the Church. But the most important member is Christ, since he is the head. … Therefore, the riches of Christ are communicated to all the members, through the sacraments.” “As this Church is governed by one and the same Spirit, all the goods she has received necessarily become a common fund.”

948     The term “communion of saints” therefore has two closely linked meanings: communion in holy things (sancta)” and “among holy persons (sancti).”

Sancta sanctis! (“God’s holy gifts for God’s holy people”) is proclaimed by the celebrant in most Eastern liturgies during the elevation of the holy Gifts before the distribution of communion. The faithful (sancti) are fed by Christ’s holy body and blood (sancta) to grow in the communion of the Holy Spirit (koinonia) and to communicate it to the world.

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Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics believe there will be a bodily,
physical Resurrection of the Dead
and a General Judgment,
when Jesus returns, on the Last Day.
(1st Corinthians 15:51-52)

We believe that all the just will dwell eternally with God
on a totally renovated and fully restored, “new” heaven
and “new” earth, while the unjust will be sentenced
to an eternity, in Hell.
(John 5:29)

As faithful, Baptized members of the Holy Catholic Church;
the divinely designated, New Testament beneficiaries
of God’s powerful graces, inestimable love and tender mercies;
we hope to obtain eternal life.
(Hebrews 9:15-20)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Perfectly loving God and loving our neighbor
is the prescribed way of showing
our gratitude and respect for God,
while upholding the key, moral tenets
of his Divine Law.

But, even should we fail, all is not lost,
since, according to the New Covenant,
forgiveness, absolution and a fresh infusion
of Divine Life remain constantly
and freely available to us,
through Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ
and the grace empowered, merciful, work, worship,
sacraments and devotions of the Holy Catholic Church.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics are Eucharistic People.

Jesus Christ, our Divine Savior and Holy Redeemer
is really and truly present
in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist;
body, blood, soul and divinity,
through which properly disposed Catholics
faithfully, personally and communally acknowledge,
affirm, acclaim, worship and graciously receive him.
(1st Corinthians 10:16)

Joyously proclaiming our heart-felt,
everlasting appreciation, gratitude,
praise, honor, hope, love, fidelity and
benediction, we remember Jesus’
saving work on the cross, we profess
his glorious Resurrection and we
declare his total victory over death
and hell, until he comes again.
(Acts 2:21-24)

Supersubstantially fortified by the Risen Christ
in this way, we’re empowered and encouraged
to go out and actually, BE like Jesus.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics believe in the power of grace-giving Sacraments:
seven in number;
instituted for us by Jesus Christ, himself,
not the least of which
are the great Sacraments of Baptism and Reconciliation,
through which membership into the Holy Church is obtained
and all our sins are duly absolved and washed away.
(Mark 16:16) (John 20:23)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

Catholics acknowledge the existence of human corruption
at various levels, within the Holy Church.

But even Jesus had his Judas and God’s grace remains sufficient.

(Matthew 26:21-25)
(2nd Corinthians 12:9)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

The only proper way for faithful Catholics to disagree with authentic church teachings.

Jesus is an expert healer of the blind – spiritual and otherwise

by Doug Lawrence

The only proper way for a faithful Catholic to disagree with authentic church teachings is to go to confession, apologize to God, receive absolution, and humbly leave the confessional spiritually renewed, with a firm purpose of amendment.

Next, in order to successfully mend our ways and reform our errant conscience, we undertake a thorough study of the relevant portions of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, coupled with a careful review of all related church documents.

This … along with full, faithful and regular participation in all the other work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Catholic Church, will serve to properly identify and clarify all of the pertinent issues involved.

From that point forward, faith and reason, along with a bit of help from other good, faithful, and well-educated Catholics (educated in authentic, traditional Catholicism … not the new, phony versions) will serve to order the struggle so as to (eventually) properly form the conscience, in the light of all God’s revealed truth.

The process may well take years, but what do we have to do that is more important?

The writings of the Saints confirm that spiritual struggle (always in good faith and always for the right reasons) is probably the very best way of eventually achieving Heaven.

Those who have managed to overcome serious personal shortcomings with the help of God’s grace, know that this is absolutely true … while those who prefer to disagree need only remember that denial is not just a river in Egypt!

Visit the blogroll (links) section of this website for all the necessary Catholic educational resources. Seek out Jesus Christ, the source and summit of our Christian existence, and encounter him regularly and personally, in and through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. Then … expect Jesus to begin to more fully reveal himself … his inestimable love … and his truth … to you … in many wonderful ways.

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

When Jesus becomes present
for us on the holy altar, at Mass,
his saving work on the cross
is remembered, renewed and re-presented
in a very special way,
but he is not crucified, again.
(1st Corinthians 11:24-26)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

For the Glory of God, who never fails
and for the edification of the Holy Church,
Catholics, in Communion with all the Angels and Saints,
honor and venerate (but do not worship)
The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Mother of God
because Jesus honored her
and Jesus continues to honor her.
(Luke 1:26-55)

For much the same reason,
Catholics honor and venerate (but do not worship)
all the holy Saints who, loving God,
invoke the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ in every place
and whose prayers are offered upon the golden altar,
which is before the throne of God.
(Revelation 8:3-4)

Catholics acknowledge the Roman Pontiff: The Pope,
as the undisputed leader and earthly head of the Universal Church
because that’s the way Jesus personally set things up
and because the proverbial “buck” has to stop, somewhere.
(Matthew 16:17-19)

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

The Holy Catholic Church is the Authentic, Original
Universal, Evangelical, Bible Writing and Believing
Hymn Singing, Charismatic, Pentecostal
Jesus Declaring, Holy Trinity Worshiping, Apostolic
Holy Martyr, Full Gospel, Devil Crushing
Salvation Proclaiming, Mass Going, Eucharistic
Grace Dispensing, Devotional, Teaching
Preaching, Sanctifying, Civilization Building
Faith Affirming, Church Erecting, Sin Confessing
Sacramental, Rosary Praying, Holy Water Sprinkling
Sinner’s Hospital, Charitable, Fasting, Almsgiving
World Wide, Pray Without Ceasing, Divine Mercy
Mystical Body of Christ, Healing, Miracle Working
Commandment Keeping, Resurrection Proclaiming
Baptizing, Militant, Suffering, Triumphant, Exorcising
Holy Spirit Guided, God the Father Glorifying
Missionary Church, that was personally founded
authorized, empowered and perpetually guaranteed
by Jesus Christ, while he still walked the earth.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Today’s excerpt from “Catholicism – explained”

C A T H O L I C I S M
enthusiastically accepts
and encompasses the fullness
of all God’s revealed truth
wisdom, power and grace
faithfully handed down
from Jesus Christ and the Apostles
and translated into a particularly
fruitful, holy way of life
both temporal and eternal.

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)

Recommended study: CATHOLICISM – explained

Many people think
Catholicism sounds too good to be true.
But, they don’t really know God.
– Doug Lawrence –

C A T H O L I C I S M – explained

FREE Download  C A T H O L I C I S M  – explained  (PDF)
(Single 8.5X11 page, two sides)

Obtaining Eternal Salvation In and Through
Our Lord, Jesus Christ and his Holy Catholic Church – PDF

The reason the world needs re-evangelization is not because of a defective message.

The reason the world needs re-evangelization is not because of a defective message. It’s because the guys who ran the post-conciliar Catholic Church lost their focus, became corrupt, and failed to faithfully live, proclaim and defend the eternal truths of the sacred deposit of faith that were entrusted to them by Jesus and the apostles.

Once the church again begins to “fly right” … toning down the corruption, re-catechizing the world, universally reaffirming the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ, and promoting the church’s traditional work, worship, sacraments and devotions (instead of a bunch of watered down, liberal, modernist, BS) things can’t help but improve.

What ever happened to the simple, direct approach?

1) Decide for yourself whether you believe in God.

2) Assuming the answer is yes, consult the only “source” who ever really knew him, in the flesh, while he still walked the earth … the only assembly or group that was ever divinely authorized to teach, sanctify, and govern in the name of Jesus Christ … the Catholic Church.

3) Begin directed prayer and study, in order to become intimately familiar with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as only the Catholic Church knows him, by taking full advantage of over 1900 years of the world’s finest theological scholarship and related philosophy (which includes, but is certainly not limited to the Bible.)

4) Become an official member of the Catholic Church (a living temple of the Holy Spirit, an adopted child of God, a citizen of Heaven, and co-heir with Jesus Christ) through the Sacrament of Baptism.

5) Embark on a lifetime of ever increasing holiness. faith, and love in Jesus Christ, through continuing prayer and study, along with full, faithful and regular participation in all of the work, worship, sacraments and devotions of the Catholic Church … “keeping it up” until the very moment God calls you home.     

The Church’s job is to facilitate points 1 through 5, for the salvation of souls and the common good of all mankind. But because of all the confusion and corruption in the post-conciliar Catholic Church, that has not been happening.

We don’t need new theology. We just need to effectively put to good use what we already have!

Saint Anthony – Finder of Lost Husbands?

The most humorous story I ever heard regarding Saint Anthony was told by my mother. She had an aunt who prayed to Saint Anthony for many years.

Every night she knelt before her statue of Saint Anthony and asked him to find her a husband. She prayed and prayed faithfully, but her prayers just weren’t being answered.

Finally one day, feeling discouraged and angry that Saint Anthony wasn’t answering her prayers, she took the statue and threw it out the window.

It flew out of her apartment window and bonked a pedestrian on the head.  The man saw which window the statue had come from, and returned it to her.

They married shortly after.

I’m sure the bump had healed by then.

San Diego Cdl. McElroy’s heretical position on unworthy reception of Holy Communion only “works” if the Blessed Sacrament is merely “cookies and grape juice”. McElroy (and others) need to be officially reprimanded. Here’s what you can do to help make that happen…

*** Send this article to all your Catholic friends ***
*** Copy the link below and paste it into your email ***
tinyurl.com/4xxrwvm5

By Doug Lawrence

San Diego’s Cdl. McElroy’s heretical position on unworthy reception of Holy Communion only “works” if the Blessed Sacrament is merely symbolic i.e. “cookies and grape juice”.

But, since the Holy Eucharist (in the Catholic Church) TRULY IS the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, active homosexuals and others, who choose to “live in sin” rather than authentically repent and turn away from their sins, should “seek out Christ” in Protestant faith communities, where they will have no opportunity to intentionally (or otherwise) desecrate and profane the authentic, Blessed Sacrament.

The Pope’s recent heretical teaching, urging priests to give absolution to unrepentant sinners, even though said sinners have no intention or likelihood of true repentance, is merely the “flip side” of McElroy’s same, ugly, corrupt and counterfeit, pro-sodomy “coin”.

Are they attempting to “queer” the Holy Catholic Church
in an effort to somehow, “inoculate” the priesthood
from future, homosexual/pedophile sex scandals?

Have they no “Fear of the Lord”?

Both of these men, as well as all their like-minded, clerical cronies, ought to immediately resign, so as to avoid any further, public scandal and/or damage to the Church. But they probably won’t.

As a faithful Catholic, you should be angry
about what these people are doing
and you should also be ready and willing to do something about it
right here and right now!

First, these renegade clerics dishonored, profaned
and financially impoverished the Holy Catholic Church,
with their homosexual/pedophile sex scandals!

Then, they closed down all the churches
and effectively impeded reception of the sacraments,
during the pandemic!

Now, they work to brazenly and publicly
“queer” the Church
while attacking the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist,
as well as all the other sacraments!

*** HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP REPAIR THE CHURCH ***
(It won’t cost you anything.)

Send a note to your parish priest
(I’ve already written it for you. All you need to do is print it. See below.)
explaining that, until these people are properly disciplined,
publicly and officially sanctioned/reprimanded by the Church,
that no more weekly donations will be forthcoming.

Place that note into the collection basket,
in lieu of your regular, Sunday donation.

Continue to do so every week, until the problem is fully
and properly resolved.

Urge all your Catholic friends to do the same.

Don’t worry about sending a copy to the bishop. He’ll find out – real fast!

— SAMPLE NOTE —

Sample note – ready for you to print out
and drop in the collection basket. (PDF)

Related article with all the sordid details

New Study Explains the Relationship Between the Passion, the Mass and Holy Communion

Download and/or View In Your PDF File Reader

Bob Stanley’s “The Catholic Treasure Chest” website is fully operational in English and Spanish; including the new, custom search feature. Try it!

Click Here For Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest” Website
E N G L I S H – I N G L E S

Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest”
provides practical, well written and clearly explained
Catholic answers to a host of faith questions.

The site is fully up and running here at AskMeAboutGod.org
in English and Spanish, in both HTML
and downloadable, PDF formats.

Your advice, suggestions and prayers are greatly appreciated.

May God richly bless you and yours.

Click Here For Bob Stanley’s
“The Catholic Treasure Chest” Website
S P A N I S H – E S P A N O L