SATURDAY MORNING MASS HOMILY - FATHER SHANNON

Christianity is an incarnational religion, not only that the Lord came in the flesh and that human nature (flesh) is a good thing. It is not an evil thing, because the Lord became human. It brings a consequence, an important conclusion. We are part of God's plan, too. He saved us through the blood He shed. God is looking to our human nature to continue the saving of the human race. We are an instrument. An instrument must know its place. By itself an instrument can do nothing. An instrument has to have someone to pick up the instrument and use us. As God uses us to bring about salvation, it is a good thing.

The devil has instruments also. There are people who are not repentant at all. The devil wants powerful instruments according to the world's estimation. God likes little tiny people, not powerful people. In 1917 at Fatima God sent Our Lady to three young children to be instruments. He puts down the wise and clever and uses the little.

SATURDAY MORNING INSTRUCTION - FATHER SHANNON
    
Very few of the prophecies in the Bible are uplifting. Most of them say "get in shape."
Our Lord told St. Francis to go forth and rebuild His Church, because it was falling down.

Pope Innocent III had a dream of his cathedral falling down. Francis ran up to it and put his back to it and kept it from falling. The Church was going in the wrong direction, and Francis wanted to bring people back home. What is home? Home means people feel comfortable; everything is familiar. If a Catholic who had been away from the Church since the 60's would return today, everything would feel strange to that person because of the changes. That person might have trouble finding the tabernacle in the Church today. He would probably feel robbed of his inheritance. He would not hear the music of old. There would be no statues or religious pictures in some churches.

Father gave a few instances in other places of things that are happening. In Quebec, Canada, Mass is developed to imitate the dinner party, a family-like meal with wine, bread, soup, etc. In Ohio  new changes in the Liturgy would unsettle people. People will feel uncomfortable. Biggest change would be to break the habit of immediately going to the pew to kneel and pray after receiving Holy Communion and wanting the people to remain standing. Another change is the Orans position at the praying of the "Our Father." Your parish is your home. The priest will be part of that home. Greeters are greeting people when they arrive at church. People coming home do not meet greeters. 

Fathers need to correct their children. In every home there are treasures that are precious to you. We should have reverence to what is handed down. We should have reverence for our ancestors and what has come before us - respect for tradition, fidelity, faith of our Fathers, respect for our special treasures and keepsakes. We should have respect for sacred music and architecture. You carefully preserve what has been handed down. The Catholic person should revere and fear to abandon posture and music.

It is said that Paul VI wept most nights and that he went to bed as though he was wearing a crown of thorns. Cardinal Ratzinger said that a false sort of spirit came from Vatican II. After the Council, we abandoned things and replaced them with an on the spot manufactured product. Vatican Council II said that Latin is to be retained. Latin is commanded, the vernacular is permitted. Latin is a jewel, a precious treasure. The part of the rebuilding effort will be to put Latin back in the Mass, because it is the language of the Latin Rite.

The Catholic Church has never changed doctrine that She has received from Jesus Christ. The greatest treasure art form we have in the Catholic Church is our music - Gregorian Chant - hundreds of years old. It has been lost. You have to endure children's Masses today. Pope Paul VI saw this coming. A booklet was released called "Jubilato deo". There were chants for people to sing at Mass.

Other changes include altar girls, priests facing the people instead of the traditional way - Mass towards the East. Another change was that instead of a sacrifice, it was a community meal. The preaching is like a Democratic party platform. In some places the vessels used today at Mass are not sacred vessels. Mass is a sacrifice offered to the Father through Jesus Christ.

Archbishop Sheen said that those who marry the age will become a widow in the next age.
The Catholic Church is the spotless bride of Christ, still as beautiful as in the times of Christ. We must rebuild and find family customs and treasures. Restore foundations that we may be more settled and secure. This temple is not of this world, but something out of this world - solid doctrine teaching and religious practices. All worship God. We need modern day Elijah's. It is time to put those false teachings to the sword. True solid worship must be restored.

HEALING SERVICE - FATHER MARK
 
The abiding union with Our Lord is a distinctive Catholic doctrine. Holiness is not just a moral issue. Holiness is a transformation of us, our being. When a baby is baptized, sin is washed away, but when they pour the water over the head, it is a mark. Pope John Paul II in a document on the Laity said that Christ is the true vine which gives life and fruit to the branches. The Church is a vine. Because we are grafted to the vine, we have a mission. We are to seek the kingdom of God - our primary purpose. All our vocations are rooted in Baptism. The greatest work is down in the hospital. Your suffering united with Our Lord is a great grace. The more trials we have, the better. If you humble yourself, you  can grow in that in sanctity.