All I have to say if WOW! Every person in America and especially every Catholic should hear this.

The is a homily from St John the Evangelist parish in ST. John Indiana. The priest was a lawyer – the parish is middle class, northern Indiana, blue collar, likely democratic. It is incredibly clear, direct and created a fire of activity.

Behind every success story there is always a teacher – a visionary teacher who has inspired, molded and created our best doctors, writers, artist and model citizens. Through his/hers unselfish commitment and educational expertise, the teachers generates and revitalizers the excitement in learning that is necessary to produce exceptional performances.

Ted Fattoross, a professional speaker and workshop leader brings this important message to schools, government agencies and corporations throughout America. Ted Fattoross leads over 300 programs each year on a variety of topics which include self-esteem, conflict resolution, teamwork and leadership. His clients include Principals and Supervisors Association, Phi Delta Kappa, National Education Association, Parent Teachers Association, Middle Level Educators Association, as well as the Department of Education and many Fortune 500 companies. Ted has been featured on national TV, radio and in newspapers.

We offer workshops and speaking seminars that promote core values… positive influences, self-esteem and self-confidence in personal development. We have extensive experience in personal, radio and television presentations designed to reinforce these values and ethics through confidence building, communication and leadership programs. These presentations have instilled in children the necessity of being positive and proactive in their own lives.

more info… info@battleforthesoul.com

Do It Anyway

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-This version is credited to Mother Teresa

About the song “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?” performed by Becky Kelley.

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, “where’s the line to see Jesus”? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus… With goose bumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville … Still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD’s, iTunes, anything… We had nothing’. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring… This time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs… The real deal…. And here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come to gather… Remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults cannot understand. Hopefully Spencer’s observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Sometimes trials and tribulations and everyday obsticles can take an effect on the inner you. Get into the rhythm of life.   If you need some inspiration here you go. Remember, Jesus LOVES you!!!
What a way to start your day!

While writing something for Fathers’s Day, I was sent this link from a good friend, it says it all. Happy Father’s Day!

“the greatest gift a Father can give his children is to love their mother”

I know I am a little late but the month of May is dedicated to Mother Mary. For all Christians who are a little confused about the role of Mother Mary and her place in Christianity and our world, I hope this helps. 

Just a few things, when meeting someone’s mother we usually treat her with the utmost respect. A few reasons, one simply she is a mother, the one who conceived and gave birth. The one who cared for you, held you comforted you, taught you to talk, walk, read and write. She fed you, clothed you, taught you to pray and cared for you when you were sick. The list goes on, and on. She helped develop you into the person you are today. We all respect mothers and when in their company show that respect (hopefully). Remember as a kid what a low blow it was if someone insulted your mother. The last come back to an insult that usually put you over the top was when you came back with “YOUR MOTHER”. So why do some Christians want to minimize the role of Mary, Jesus’ Mother, Mother of God?  Some will not acknowledge she was a virgin, and born without sin. Some don’t even realize she is the Mother of God.  Respect for Mary and her role in Christianity and in the life of Jesus should go without question. After-all she gave birth to Jesus and raised Him and helped Him become the man He had become. Just out of being Jesus’ Mother we should respect her.  How hurt is Jesus when we disrespect His Mother.

Just one more thing. The Bible uses mentions Mary and Jesus’ brothers, the word brother as interpreted was used for the word cousins and relatives. Not literally brother as we use it today.

So for all fellow Christians here are a few references straight out of the Bible taken from more than one version. No matter what Bible version you use, you will see the Truth.

We will start with Genesis and just work through the Bible.

Mary is first mentioned in Genesis 3:15, as the Woman whose offspring (Jesus) will crush the head of the serpent (Satin)

Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.

Mary in the Book of Isaiah

Isaiah 7:14

¹⁷ And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

The Angel Gabriel greets Mary and her reaction

Luke 1:26-29

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 

The Bible tells us that Mary is the Mother of God

Matthew 1:20

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 2:11

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Elizabeth was overwhelmed from Mary’s visit and her baby jumped in her womb

Luke 1:41-45

 41When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!”

Mary was the perfect choice by God and showed obedience and humility:

Luke 1:38

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it to me according to your word. And the angel

departed from her.

Mary meditated on God’s word

 Luke2:19

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.                                                   

Jesus obeyed His Mother

Luke 2:51                                                                                                                                      

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject (obedient) to them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Jesus performed His first miracle for His Mother

John 2:3-10

³ And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”
⁴ Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.”
⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
⁶ Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸ And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. ⁹ When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. ¹⁰ And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”

Mary was worried sick over Jesus for 3 days                                                                          

Luke 2:46-49

⁴⁶ Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.”
⁴⁹ And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Marty visited Jesus when He ministered                                                                             

Matthew 12:46 ⁴⁶ While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.

Please note brothers here means relatives or cousins

Mary’s own soul would be pieced with pain in order that the hearts’ of many would be revealed

Luke 2:34-35 ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”    

The bible tells that “all generations would call her blessed”

Luke1:48

 ⁴⁸ For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
 For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.

At the foot of the cross of Jesus, He gave Mary His Mother to all of us as a spiritual Mother

John 19:25-27

²⁵ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

As the apostles prayed Mary was with them

Acts 1:13-14

 ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Mary is mentioned by Paul

Galatians 4:4

⁴ But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

In the book of Revelation, chapters 11& 12 we are given a view of just who Mary is. She is the Ark of the New Covenant, the Queen of the apostles. The 12 star in Revelation is Mother Mary.  

Revelation11:19-12-2

¹⁹ Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Revelation 12

The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon

 ¹ Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. ² Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

The woman is Mary and Jesus is her Son.

Revelation 12:5

 ⁵ She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.

The dragon wages war with Mary and her offspring the true believers:

Revelation 12:17

¹⁷ And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus

Hope this clears up any doubts about Mary and her significants to God, Jesus and all His followers.

 If anyone wants or needs a Rosary, let me know.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, those here and gone, foster moms,stepmoms, grandmoms, wives, aunts, big sisters, daughters who fill in, nuns, all the female role models, teachers, nurses, and care givers in this world.  And a special Happy Mother’s Day to Mother Mary!   Men you need to be the Head of the Household, but ladies you are the glue that keeps us all together. I am never lost for words, but all I can say is Thank You, and I Love You.