Our Salvation is not from the Earth (From Catholic Exchange)

Our Salvation is not from the Earth:
Reading 1 Rv 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Gospel Lk 21:20-28
Our salvation is not from the earth. It is not the product of human effort. Our salvation is from above, from Jesus Christ. So we should raise our hearts to heaven, the source of our salvation. Jesus will return. So as Christians, we should be a people of hope. Because Jesus has promised to return and bring us to be with him in his Father’s house, there is no need to fear the future.
Let us ask Jesus today to forgive us for the times that we worry too much and get preoccupied with the passing things of this world. Let us ask him to increase our faith in him and to help us to see his work in our lives. Let us also ask him to increase our hope that we might not get discouraged as we see our faults and lack of progress.

Irreligious Priesthood

"We all feel angry with an irreligious priesthood; but some of us would go mad with disgust at a really religious one."

          - From G.K. Chesterton's "What's Wrong with the World?"

Writing Straight with Crooked Postcards

Several months ago a friend and member of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul was visiting Paris.  She sent me a postcard with a brief note about all the wonderful sacred sites of Paris, including relics of St. Vincent de Paul.  But she put down the wrong address and changed a 3 to an 8.  So the postcard ended up many miles north of the parish, and was delivered to a home.

A few weeks later, a couple approached after Mass and told me they had some of my mail.  They gave me the postcard and we laughed about the wrong address.  But the couple wanted to talk more, so we did.  After about half an hour they said that it had been many, many years since they attended Mass, and they thought this was the Lord calling them back, and they promised they would start attending their local parish.  They hadn't stopped attending for any strong reason, just drifted away, and said that maybe this was the kickstart they needed to get back to the Church.

So a little memory lapse on the parish address brings someone back to the Church.

Reform can be painful

From time to time you read of the life of a saint, usually a priest or bishop who is noted for his reform of his diocese or parish.  I've been tempted in reading those remarks to think about the joy of reform and having a nicer Catholic presence in that diocese or parish.  Oh wouldn't it be nice to be in that reformed area where we all live like true Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ.

Maybe those places do happen after the reform, but I've come to the conclusion that living through that reform wouldn't be so much fun for either those being reformed, or the person(s) doing the reforming. 

I think we're starting to see a little bit of it in our own country.  Anti-Catholics think they have seen the weakness of our faith, and have decided to push out against us, to try to divide and conquer, and finally show the Church to be the paper tiger they have always believed it to be.  Not only do we have blatently anti-Christian comments and actions to deal with, but also anti-Catholic.

Is this the beginning of a time of reform?  Will these things begin to awaken Catholics to the precious nature of our faith, or will it take more, stronger efforts of those who push out against the Church?  Cardinal George has made some strong statements that seem to point out that he believes this to be only the beginning of a modern persecution of Christians of all kinds, and Catholics in particular.

We Catholics, often at Mass, pray for the needs of the Church during the General Intercessions/Prayers of the Faithful.  We often pray for a strong Church and strong leaders, who grow in faith and devotion.  But that growth and strength does not come easy and without sacrifice on the part of all members of Christ's Body.

When reform begins to happen, at some point either through actions or words, people are told that the current way of doing things is not acceptable, that things must change, that they aren't living up to be the people Christ calls us to be.  That never goes over easily.  For the most part, people are comfortable with the current state of things, and change is either difficult to contemplate, or insulting if they think they are 'good people' or better yet, 'good priests.'

We are all called to daily reform and conversion to Christ.  Especially during Lent we are reminded to pick up our cross and follow the Lord.  Picking up that cross is heavy, and the splinters are painful.  It is hard to carry.  But carry the analogy forward.  If we're picking up a cross, where are we taking it?  What is the end goal?  Do we just carry around a cross for a while -- or are we truly following the Lord to the Crucifixion?  If we're carrying it, we are probably going to have to use it, and it is probably going to be used on us.

Many years ago, a holy priest told me at the beginning of my priesthood that especially as priests we are called to follow Christ.  But remember in our churches we have a representation of where that path leads when we look on a Crucifix.  We also know that there awaits the Resurrection on the other side.  He told me that we all want resurrections, but we don't want the passion that gets us there.  Reform is another form of that passion.

Reform can be painful.

Prayers for Bishops

During the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass, we always pray for our Bishop(s). I think I know why.

I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would accept the role of Bishop and less still continue as a Bishop.

I've been able to see just a small part of their lives in a close up way. I briefly held a chancery position and was able to see the daily working of the diocese and what is required of a Bishop to keep things moving. Our new Auxiliary Bishop has chosen to live in my rectory, so I see how a newly consecrated Bishop begins to learn what it means to be a Bishop and what it takes to be a Bishop. A friend was named the Bishop of Gallup, NM a few years ago, and I hear back from him and from other friends what is happening in his life.

From what I have witnessed, it takes an impossible mixture of holiness, fortitude and humility. I once heard Marriage described as a 'Saint making process.' I have the feeling that being a Bishop is a 'Martyr making process.' It might not be a red martyr, when actual blood is shed and life is lost for the faith, but a white martyr in which lifelong suffering and ridicule is accepted and offered to God in union with Christ on the Cross.  Many times that suffering comes from the ones who are supposed to be the closest collaborators with the Bishop, the priests of the diocese.

Pray for our Bishops.

Western Beauty

Several of the scenes in the *incredible* video were taken near Sedona, AZ, and I grew up just a few miles from there.  This entire video is stunning and breathtaking.

http://www.vimeo.com/29950141

Landscapes: Volume Two from Dustin Farrell on Vimeo.

SAFE?

from ADAM'S ALE by Fr. V

SAFE?:
Many people see Church as a safe place to be. Just think of the word “sanctuary.” If you are in danger you run to a church and claim sanctuary and supposedly are afforded a certain amount of protection as long as you remain there.But church and the realm of faith is anything but safe. One need only look at the statues and stained glass windows in his local parish (if he is fortunate enough that it is thusly equipped) to see people who were stoned, beheaded, set on fire, and whose leader Himself was crucified.

If you think things are much different today you are mistaken. Martyrs are still made throughout the world. But of course one might be inclined to think, “those things happen over there though, not here.” Wrong again. I’ll grant you that we do not have martyrs in the United States. But things are not all roses. That is because the Church is involved in the world of thoughts and ideas and it is one of the very few institutions that does not put its Okay stamp on modern culture and go along with the tide of popular opinion.

What is at stake? Men and women in the medical field who want to live out their Catholic faith run the risk of losing their jobs because they refuse to perform procedures or administer drugs that the government wants to mandate ridding us of our conscience clauses. Institutions come closer every year to being in direct conflict with new government regulations in hiring and in practices that go against Catholic teaching such as supplying medical coverage for abortions (just one example.) As same sex marriages are made legal the Church runs the risk of having to recognize such marriages or face sanctions. If you do not believe this take a look at what Archbishop Broglio is facing as archbishop of the military.

Faith is not safe. If you are safe it is only because such things have not yet directly affected your life. All of this prompted Francis Cardinal George to comment, “"I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square".

Study: Most Priests Are Happy, Appreciate Celibacy

Study: Most Priests Are Happy, Appreciate Celibacy:

By Genevieve Pollock

This interview with Msgr. Rossetti was a topic he discussed with the priests in our diocese (Phoenix) just over a year ago. It was very insightful and a great morale booster to all of us who keep hearing how wrong and unnatural it is to be celibate in modern U.S. society and how all priests are miserable and lonely.

On bending the knee

from Servant and Steward by daren@servantandsteward.org (The Rev. Daren J. Zehnle)

On bending the knee: In the ancient world the knee symbolized the strength of a man. Why? Take a stick and whack a man on the knee and see what happens.

To genuflect, then, - to literally "bend the knee" - is bend one's strength to God. To genuflect before God serves both to place oneself at his service and to honor his authority.

Too many Catholics genuflect far too lightly, both exteriorly and interiorly. Sometimes I wonder - without judging individuals - if too many of the elderly too lightly opt to bow instead of genuflecting.

This morning at the altar of God the importance of genuflecting hit me, as it were, in a particular way.

After the consecration of the host and then of the chalice the priest is instructed to make a genuflection. With my arthritis, genuflecting in the morning is not always a simple effort and this morning I had to muster additional strength to place myself back at a standing position (the weather forecast, by the way, seems to be missing something).

As I worked my way back up, I said offered a little prayer: "What strength I have, Lord, little as it is, I give to you."

It seems to me this is not a bad way to start a day, if the reminder of weakness is not always welcome.

Clever advice for parents of teenagers

from Patrick Madrid » Patrick Madrid by Patrick Madrid

Clever advice for parents of teenagers:

Hard to believe, but Nancy and I have been raising kids for nigh unto 31 years now. We’ve done our best to lovingly and prudently herd our oldest 10 children into and through their teenage years and, so far, everyone seems intact and no worse for the wear.

Nancy and I, on the other hand, while not any worse for the wear either, have come to the point in life where we can begin to savor the tantalizingly pleasant realization that our eleventh and last child, Stephen, will soon be entering teenagehood. And that means (dontchyaknow), that, for us, raising teenagers will in the not too distant future be something we wondrously behold . . . in the rearview mirror.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that we haven’t loved and been grateful to God for all these years of living with a rambunctious throng of teens in our house at any given time, but we’re . . . shall we say, close to being ready, to transition to the next phase.

One of our favorite comedians, the insanely funny Tim Hawkins, delivers in this video some innovative advice on how to deal with teenagers. If only I could play the guitar and sing as well as he does, maybe I’d try it on my kids. Check it out.

Persevere in Prayer

This is a test of Google Reader's Send To feature - but it is still a worthwhile post

From Catholic Exchange by Maurice Blumberg

Persevere in Prayer:

First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones. (Ephesians 6:18)

Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

It is my wish, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. (1 Timothy 2:8)

My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

In the previous article, I described the call of each of us as Catholic men to be ministers of the Gospel (see Colossians 1:21-23). However, I believe it will be difficult to be faithful to this call if we do not develop a habit of coming into the Lord’s present each day to pray. I once had a priest tell me of a pastor who, every morning when he woke up, looked at his schedule for the day. If it was fairly light, he would then pray for one hour. If it was a very busy and demanding schedule, he then prayed for two hours. I smiled when he said it, but I got his point.

Br. Lawrence of the Resurrection once said that “Prayer to him was simply experiencing the presence of God” (The Practice of the Presence of God). St. Paul considered prayer vital for every Christian. Writing to Timothy, he encouraged his young coworker and all people to offer “prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving” for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1). Not only is prayer “good and pleasing to God,” it also has the power to transform lives (2:3).

God wants all of us to share in his desire that everyone “be saved and come to knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). And we do that by praying for people on a regular basis. However, being faithful to daily prayer can be a challenge at times. We all have days when we find it easy to pray, days when words of praise and intercession just flow effortlessly. But we also have days when prayer feels like nothing more than a burdensome chore – or we feel too busy, distracted, or harassed to pray.

What do we do on those days? Keep on praying (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)!

It should be comforting to know that we’re not alone in our times of dryness. Every saint has faced this exact same challenge. And we need to do exactly what every saint has done. We need to push through and knowing that Jesus’ “grace is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When she felt “incapable” of praying, St. Thèrése of Lisieux said: “I want to keep telling Jesus that I love him. It is not difficult, and it keeps the fire going.” Brother Lawrence had this to say about distractions during times of prayer:

One way of recalling the mind easily during prayer and of keeping it more tranquil is not to let your mind race . . . but to hold it close to the presence of God. Being in the habit of coming back to him . . . you will find it easy to remain peaceful during your prayer time, or at least to bring your mind back from distraction (“The Practice of the Presence of God”).

And from her own well-tested experience, St. Teresa of Avila said these words:

Imagine that the Lord is at your side … stay with so good a Friend for as long as you can . . . If he sees that you love him to be there and are always trying to please him, you will never be able, as we put it, to send him away, nor will he ever fail you. He will help you in all your trials and you will have him everywhere.

She knew that the “only remedy” when we have given up praying regularly is to “begin again.” Persevere in prayer. Have faith. This is truly pleasing to God (1 Timothy 2:3). Plus you will find great rewards in your own life as you spend time with the Lord everyday in prayer! Then you too can echo St. Paul’s words and “Rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16).

“Lord Jesus, I desire to come into your presence in prayer every day. I want to be faithful to you not only when my prayer is flowing but also when it’s a labor of love. Holy Spirit, keep the fire of prayer burning brightly in me! I believe your grace is sufficient.”

Many thanks to The Word Among Us for allowing me to adapt meditations in their monthly devotional magazine. Used with permission.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion by Catholic Men

1. Take some time to meditate and reflect on the Scriptures at the beginning of the article. What do you think God is trying to reveal to you through them?


2. Why do you think the pastor mentioned in the article felt he had to pray two hours, instead of one, when he knew he knew his schedule for the day would be “very busy and demanding?”


3. How would you describe the obstacles that make it difficult for you to pray every day? What steps can you take to overcome these them?


4. If you do not pray everyday are you willing to commit to trying to pray every day for 10-15 minutes? If not, why not?


5. If you do pray every day, what are some of the fruits that have come from it? Do you have a routine you use every day? How would you describe it?


6. Take some time now to pray and ask the Lord for the grace to do whatever it takes to persevere in prayer every day. Use the prayer at the end of the article as the starting point.

Google+ - Never Mind

UPDATE: Thanks to Fr. Cory Sticha's Google+ post, folks have noticed this post.  Please realize, I'm not upset, I'm not mad, and I'm not complaining.  I understand and accept Google's policies and knew I was playing fast and loose with the rules.  If my post sounds snarky or upset or like a complaint, it was not my intention at all.

I got kicked off Google+ today due to my violation of their 'real name' policy.  By the way, that only usually happens if someone reports you as not using your real name - so I'm wondering who took a dislike to me, but those numbers are almost too great to consider.

Anyway, they didn't like the fact that I was using "Father Bud" as my first name.  They're right, it isn't my legal first name, but that's how I ask folks to address me.  So, farewell Google+, it was nice to know you.

It is somewhat ironic that I use Google's Blogger service to announce that I'm no longer on Google+.

Google+

Over on the right side of the blog is a link to 150 Google+ invitations. As I write this, four people have used the link.

One thing to consider, Google+ has a policy that you must use your real name. Unless or until they change or modify that policy, you need to consider that. Yes, you can still probably register under a fake name, but once they discover the fake name, you have four days to fix it, or get banned.

Update: I was banned under this policy.

So what is Google+ and why do I use it?

Google+ is a young, growing, social network. Yes, kind of like Facebook.  Yes, most of the world (they claim 750 million members) are on Facebook, but I'm not.  Here's the link to a previous post called Why I Left Facebook Today.

What do you do on a social network? You act socially, either with small groups of friends or followers, or with the public at large.  Some people use it for a status update - what they are doing at any particular moment in time, like "I'm drinking coffee and reading the morning news online." 

Some people use it for a way of expressing a particular thought or feeling they might be having, like "I'm glad the library has extended it's hours on nights and weekends, and these are the recent books I've read from the library . . . "

Some use it to express longer thoughts and views on a subject, kind of like how I use this blog.  With Google+ you can link to blogs, or re-share posts from other people, or put a video in the post, lots of different things.  You can link to things outside of Google+ too.  You make it what you want.

I use Google+ as a combination of Twitter and this Blog.  I post small status updates (I just spent $3,000 on auto repair), and I reshare things from other Plusers (I guess that's what we're called).  I've also started putting more info there, than on this blog.  It is just easier to do.  When I sit down to blog, I feel like I need to write something more profound than usual.  Those who know me will realize that profundity is not my strongest ability.  I don't post often, because I don't feel profound often.  I use Google+ more because I feel like it is a group of friends and acquaintances who chose to be made aware of what I want to say, whether profound or not.  If they get tired of my use of the service, they just 'uncircle' or block me, and they hear no more.  (Parishioners have to go to another parish to make that happen in real life!)

Update: No one is bothered by me, since I was banned.

Yes, there are some games to play too.  Being an "Angry Birds" addict, you can see my scores.

You choose who to follow, and who to share with by using the Circles feature.  Just like in real life, you have different relationships with different people.  They have some Circles set up for you to start.  One for Family, one for Friends, and I think one for Acquaintances.  As you find people on Google+, you drag them to one of those Circles, or make new Circles.  For example, I've added Circles for Priests and for Deacons and Religious.  I also have a Circle for people I want to follow and read their public updates, but probably won't ever interact with, I just want to listen to them.  So I also have a Circle called Following. 

With Circles, you can choose to share your posts with just some of the world.  I might post something that would only apply to other priests, so I don't share it with the entire public (anyone on Google+) or with my family.  I might post something to my family, and choose to only share it with them (none of my family are on Google+ and don't see a reason to join, they want me back on Facebook, so we're at an impasse).  Facebook only has one level, Friends.  You either Friend or Unfriend someone, and that's the only choice.  With Circles, I can move someone around to different Circles, or include them in multiple Circles, and remove them from a Circle at my discretion.

I can also export my data and leave Google+, and that's the feature I like the most.

One major thing to consider.  Google+ is just starting and not a completely finished product.  That's why you have to be 'invited.'  They will add new features, and change the way things work, and might even remove features, so you are participating in a Work in Progress.  So don't join if you don't want to be part of the growth of a new service.  But if you do join, and want to include me in a Circle, just search for "Father Bud Pelletier" (without the quote marks) and there I am.  No, Bud is not my real first name, but I think they might let me use my nickname. 

Update: Nope, not the nickname, nor the title.  C'est la vie.

And in my free time . . .

Last September I was asked to serve as the Spiritual Advisor to our Diocesan Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.  Below is a video from the National Council giving a bit of an overview and history for the Society in the United States.

When I accepted the role, I really thought I knew all there was to know about the Society.  After all, every parish I've been in has had a local Conference.  They help people with food and other needs, direct Charity, very good, very nice, end of story.

Oh but I was so very, very poorly informed.  As it turns out, the Society has a rule, much like the rule of a religious order, that very definitely spells out that the goal is the spiritual growth of the members (also called Vincentians).  The way they help in the spiritual growth of the members is through the charitable activities.

That puts a much different spin on things for me, especially as a pastor.  These people seek to grow in a relationship with Christ, and through that relationship, serve the needs of others.  But it works both ways.  Some might come just out of a sense of charity, and through the Society, then come to a better relationship with Christ.  Any way you want, it all works, since the goal is the relationship with Christ.

I think I'll be writing more on the Society, and using some of the great social media work they've been doing at the Phoenix Council.  You'll probably get tired of it.  That's OK, just as long as you see the Society a little bit differently.  And if this gives you the itch to volunteer or donate, so much the better!

St. Michael's Abbey

Vignette of the Norbertine Life at St. Michael's Abbey from St. Michael's Abbey on Vimeo.

Let Sleeping Blogs . . .

I think I’m going to let the blog go to sleep again for a while.  The problem is finding time to do this, and finding a consistent ‘voice’ for the blog.

You might also consider that the blog is just entering a phase of silent, contemplative prayer.

No matter what, let us always continue to pray for each other and for the whole world.

Retreat!

Next week (Oct. 18-22) I will be on my annual priest retreat.  This year I’m attending the diocesan sponsored retreat which will be directed by Fr. Zachary of the Mother of God, SOLT.

I’m happy to learn that our new Auxiliary Bishop will be with us, as my brother priests and I hear about “The Priestly Soul & the Priestly Spirit.”

A time to pray, to reflect, to ask God’s continued Grace and Strength. 

May the Lord continue to Bless all priests to be the sign and instrument of His Love in our world.

Cutting the Cord

I’m not a big watcher of what is called Prime Time television.  These are the shows produced by the big networks (ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, NBC) and usually air from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. around the country (though in Arizona it has always been 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.)  But for some reason, this year, I’ve been recording and watching more of these shows, and frankly, I have begun to wonder both why I do it, and why I still pay for cable TV.

Most of these shows are available for free using an antenna.  I grew up in a rural town, so I know that is not always the case, but now in the city, I can get all the channels just fine OTA (Over The Air as they say).  That goes for most of our local sports teams and a small amount of sports on weekends (even though that’s my busy time of the week).

Many of these shows are now available over the Internet as well through services like Hulu, or from the networks’ web sites.  Even Netflix is getting into the act with offering many NBC (and affiliated cable networks) shows for Internet streaming the day after broadcast.

But two other things have caught my attention of late, especially with these Prime Time shows.  First is the lowering or abandoning of all moral standards in these shows, and second is the heavy-fisted preaching of modern themes in these shows.

In what used to be called the Family Hour – the first hour of Prime Time – that was safe for viewing by all members of the family, I can't believe the number of sexual innuendo and references.  Maybe because I haven’t been watching these shows regularly for a while, it makes it even more jarring to me since I wasn’t slowly made numb to it by the increase over the past few years.  (Look up, on your own, a reference to slowly boiling a frog.) 

TV has also always pushed for modern themes.  The original Star Trek pushed the boundaries during its initial airing by having the first scripted interracial kiss on television.  (Kirk and Uhura in the episode “Plato’s Stepchildren”)  But over the last couple of decades it seems to have really accelerated, or at least I’m a lot more aware of it.  Maybe this is behind the rise in popularity of the reality based shows, the viewers choose them so they don’t feel chastised if they hold views contrary to those of the writers and producers.  It is just getting more difficult for me to separate out any kind of entertainment from the barrage of preaching about how I’m supposed to think and act.  (Look up, on your own, Brownies with a Difference.)

Modern technologies are making it possible for me to drop cable TV completely.  I can use iTunes or Amazon to purchase or rent the shows I want to watch.  I can use antenna to still watch the local news or sports.  Google, Apple, Microsoft, Sony, Roku and others have competing technologies to let me watch, record or stream television shows.  Even modern smart phones like the iPhone and Android phones will let me watch more and more video.  Maybe it is time I sat down, really looked at the math of the money I’m spending on television and video, and found alternate ways to watch things that entertain me and won’t bludgeon me with innuendo and condescending modern attitudes.  It will be more difficult at first, and probably a technological nightmare to organize it all.  But I’m not sure I can take much more of the way it has always worked before.

Jammies

OK, I’ve gotta wonder aloud.  When did pajamas become acceptable fashion outside of the home?

This last weekend I was in Los Angeles for the EOHSJ Western Lieutenancy annual meeting (see previous post).  I stayed at a Doubletree, and one morning ate at the hotel’s restaurant breakfast buffet.  This was not a “free” buffet, but had a price.  I was rather taken aback at the amount of people wearing sleeping attire into the restaurant.

At first I was rather taken aback, and then an old childhood rhyme stayed with me.  “I see London, I see France, I see someone’s underpants.”  Many people, of all shapes and sizes, including a table of 20-something young women.  Let’s just say I had breakfast and a show.

Consider me old fashioned.  Consider me prudish.  I don’t care.  I just don’t want to see your choice (or lack of choice) in sleepwear.  That privilege should be reserved for the closest family members.

And yes, this goes for Mass attendance too. I have seen people attend Mass in sleeping attire.

EOHSJ Update

This past weekend I was fortunate to attend the annual meeting of the Western Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.  Also known as the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre.

We met in Los Angeles, heard about the efforts of the Order in the Holy Land, and celebrated promotions within the Order and new Investitures in the Order.  Two Cardinals of the Church were in attendance, the Prior of the Western Lieutenancy, Cardinal Mahony of Los Angeles, and the Grand Master of the Order, Cardinal Foley.  At the Investiture Mass we had two Cardinals, an Archbishop, 15 other Bishops, almost 40 priests, and over a thousand Knights and Ladies.

I invite you to visit the website of the Western Lieutenancy at www.khswesternusa.org or the main USA website at http://holysepulchre.net

I have the honor of being a Knight for the past three years, and it is always a spiritual lift for me to meet with so many people who try each day to live the Order’s motto, “Deus lo vult” (God wills it).  Placing ourselves into the Will of God is one of the most difficult, but most rewarding things we can do.  May God always bless our efforts with His grace.