Pray
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflect
On Good Friday, when we observe our Lord’s Passion and Crucifixion, we remember how He bore our sins and the sins of the whole world as He suffered on our behalf. A week after celebrating His Resurrection, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday, remembering the message He so ardently instructed St. Faustina to spread: His endless mercy and forgiveness. God longs for us to return to Him and to allow His mercy to wash away our sins. He has a prepared place in His merciful heart for each of us, and no sin is bigger than His power to forgive. He desires all of us to come to Him just as we are and receive healing through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The words Christ revealed to St. Faustina, He also speaks to us: “Lay your head on my shoulder, rest and regain your strength. I am always with you” (Diary, no. 848).
Act (Choose one.)
Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3:00 pm (the Hour of Mercy), with the intention of healing for all suffering from involvement in abortion. How to pray: usccb.org/divine-mercy-chaplet
Jesus spoke to St. Faustina, “Reveal all the wounds of your heart. I will heal them” (Diary, no. 1487). Seek Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and allow His healing mercy to reach every hurt and hidden pain.
Offer some other sacrifice or prayer that you feel called to do for this month’s intention.
One Step Further
Learn about St. Faustina, the Apostle of Mercy, and the message of Christ’s mercy that she conveyed to mankind: usccb.org/divine-mercy.
Andrew's Notes from the 4/2/22 Meeting
April Men’s’ Book Group /Practical Theology, by Peter Kreeft / Points 171 – 190
171. Motive and deed
Catholic Encyclopedia
As a virtue, charity is that habit or power which disposes us to love God above all creatures for Himself, and to love ourselves and our neighbors for the sake of God.
IRS / dictionary definition
(mostly) Money given voluntarily to those in need.
Contrast with communist “charity”
Involuntary, perhaps invisible to the giver.
Love overflows into good works. Works can exist without love but as St. Paul says:
And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
172. Alms
I think of alms in terms of money (as charity in #171)
Aquinas lists the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and suggests alms may be the fulfilment of others needs in the works of mercy. There can be spiritual alms.
Kreeft focusses on “To forgive injuries” and this is something we perhaps neglect.
173. Guidelines for giving
Are you looking for a minimum amount to give? Motive is important.
Sacrificial giving produces joy
174. “Fraternal correction”
You become worse than the sinner if you fail to correct him (see #178 unreasonable patience)
Pain does not trump sin. The true good of the other may require discomfort.
There must be a chance of repentance.
Timing and situation are important.
Truth vs. Harmony?
Grief vs. Reproach – It is out of love that I suffer from where your sin will lead.
175. When it’s right to correct your clergyman
Only a superior may punish. Fraternal correction may be done if correct, necessary, respectfully, gently, in private, without presumption or pride, without hypocrisy. Only in public if innocent people would otherwise be harmed.
176. Denouncing public sin
Silence implies consent. Public scandal is the key. It shows that this sin is OK.
https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13506d.htm
…scandal is a word or action evil in itself, which occasions another's spiritual ruin.
We may think of our Bishops, of Biden, Pelosi and other Catholics who publicly support evils worthy of excommunication, but what of the man who says nothing as his brother divorces his wife?
177. Hating God
Hate punishment, not God
To hate God is to hate justice
Free will allows us to hate God.
Example of the two prisoners. One admits of justice, the other hates justice in order to justify himself.
178. Hating sins without hating sinners
Assume we love all for the sake of God who made all.
Sin harms the sinner.
If we love the sinner (and we must) then we must hate the sin.
In our age some people wrap their identity in sin and claim that the sin must be loved to love the person. This is logically impossible.
179. “Hate crimes” vs. adultery: which is worse?
Subjective (intent) vs Objective (action)
The action without the intent is not sinful. The intent (hatred) itself is disordered.
Kreeft contrasts traditional morality with political correctness leaving us with the impression that traditional morality is reflective of the “true high and holy mystery” of human dignity which political correctness the psychological opportunity for pleasure.
180. Sloth
Sloth is an oppressive sorrow. It is more than mere laziness.
Sloth is a sin of omission, a refusal of duty to move toward the good.
Interesting that Kreeft thinks leisure has been abolished and yet boredom abounds. Seven years have passed since the book was written. I’d like to know what Kreeft has to say about a society so obsessed with networked devices, social media and constant games / play.
181. When sloth becomes a mortal sin
Things contrary to charity are mortal sin. Sin has two main degrees, mortal and venial
Sloth is a lack of joy. Joy springs from charity in God. Therefore, the type (class) of sin is mortal but mere laziness is venial.
Sloth is a sin of omission; joy is an act of will
182. Sloth as the origin of lust
“those who find no joy in spiritual pleasures have recourse to pleasures of the body”
Sex is a substitute for God
183. Why the military is an honorable occupation
Just war:
1. Legitimate authority
2. Just cause
3. Rightful intent
Many things are worse than war.
Hard and painful things, like amputations, may be necessary in a world of sin.
184. Sinning a little sin to avoid a big scandal?
Kreeft doesn’t come out and say it but no, it’s not OK to sin a little to avoid a big scandal. He mentions a few cases like, “mental reservation” which is not a sinful lie and the case of the attacker giving up his right not to be murdered. These perspectives are not obvious and difficult to see for most people. In our day the difference between Divorce and Annulment come to mind.
185. Actual vs. habitual charity
This one is an explanation of habits and particularly a habit of charity (virtue).
186. Anger
Is anger sinful?
Anger before Reason vs Anger after Reason
Anger which overrides reason is seldom good (sinful anger).
Anger regulated by reason may be good (zealous anger).
Chrysostom: “He who is not angry when he has cause to be angry, sins. For unreasonable patience is the hotbed of many vices; it fosters negligence and incites not only the wicked but even the good to do wrong.”
187. Why God does not give you grace to overcome lust
Pride is worse than lust, so God allows us to fall into lust to cure our pride.
Focus more on sins of spirit which are worse.
188. Pride
Pride – “I will not serve”
The root of pride is found to consist in man not being in some way subject to God and his rule.
189. Women’s punishment for the Fall
The punishments of sin:
Pain in childbirth
Woman subject to man
Man’s pain in labor
190. Cruelty vs. savagery
Cruelty is justice perverted, vengeance taken too far. Cruelty is purposeful.
Savagery is irrational and not based on justice but pleasure in another’s pain.
I’d like to start with #186. I was particularly disturbed by the thought that I might be “unreasonably patient” and in this way negligent. From here it is worth reflecting on #178 (hating sin) or perhaps tolerating sin in order not to upset sinners. Then when should we denounce sin (#176)? Perhaps fraternal correction (#174) including our clergy (#175) and other authorities should be in our thoughts? In being tolerant am I sinning a little to avoid scandal (#184)? Applying these principals to societies #183 tells us that the military is an honorable vehicle for fraternal correction at the scale of nations.
There is another thread which is perhaps happier in the text. It is the theme of charity. In #171 we see that motive matters and that charity is more than financial. #172 develops the idea of alms further from corporal to spiritual and #173 reinforces that intent is the key to alms. #185 develops the idea of habitual charity which shows itself in good works.
From here we can dive back into the ugliness. After pondering the necessity of good intent, we ponder #179 as whether intent is more important than deed. It is observed that society has perverted human dignity for pleasure. This takes us to #177 where we ask how can one hate God? The second sinner who hates justice to avoid his own sin shows the way that society appears to be leaning. Could this be out of Sloth? Without God (“And I will go in to the altar of God: to God who giveth joy to my youth. / Et introibo ad altare Dei, ad Deum qui laetificat juventutem meam”) there can be no true joy. Is it sloth then (#180, #181, #182) which though our ignorance of or distain for our Duty to God leads us to this pervasive lust?
Why then, O God, are we allowed to persist in lust (#187)? Would our pride (#188) lead us into so much worse? Are we to descend into cruelty and savagery (#190)? Are we spiritually dead or have we abandoned reason to become like the beasts?
This leaves us to ponder our punishment for the fall (#189).
Prayer Request
Email from Steve R:
I hope all is well. I have a prayer request. I am undergoing surgery Thursday on my Achilles tendon. Please let the group know that they may keep me in their prayers for s successful surgery and a full recovery. I will miss the group but I will be on crutches for some time and won't be allowed to drive for a while, either.
God Bless,
Steve R
Please keep Steve in your prayers!
Evening of Recollection this Wednesday April 6 St. Bridget 6 PM
Evening of Recollection this Wednesday April 6 St. Bridget 6 PM.
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
Kozak's Korner - Recommended Activities
Virginia March For Life - March for Life
https://marchforlife.org/virginia-march-for-life/
40 Days for Life
https://www.40daysforlife.com/en/Richmond
Those Catholic Men
https://thosecatholicmen.com/
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
March 9 Recollection
Our March Evening of Recollection for Men will be this Wednesday, March 9th at St. Bridget Richmond. 6PM
Kozak's Korner - Recommended Activities
Unbelief, the Opiate of the Masses | Kurt Hofer | First Things
https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2022/02/unbelief-the-opiate-of-the-masses
USCCB Pro-Life Prayer Guide
https://www.respectlife.org/prayer-guides
Human Rights Begin in the Womb | Catholic New York
https://www.cny.org/stories/human-rights-begin-in-the-womb,22937
Lenten Shrine Pilgrimage—March 5
Gents,
I have reserved Saturday, March 5 for our Shrine trip this year. Details are still being worked out, but the general itinerary will be the same one you are familiar with from years past ( tour, Confessions available, Mass, private prayer/bookstore, Stations of the Cross).
Since we are dealing with ever changing District of Columbia COVID-19 regulations, we will need to decide as we get closer to the trip about lunch at The Dubliner ( I’m fully aware that is probably the reason some of you go on the trip, so I’m hopeful).
We will plan to depart by carpool again if folks are comfortable with that approach. You are of course welcome to meet us up there, people have done that in the past as well. I’m also planning to invite the Men of St. Joseph from St. Edward’s, who have joined us in the past.
Departure will be at 6:30 a.m., from the front parking lot @ St. Bridget, hoping to arrive with time to spare before the 9:00 a.m. tour. The cafeteria is currently closed, so bring your own coffee. We try to get back in time for the Vigil Mass on Saturday, but we are usually cutting it pretty close. Of course, that will depend on whether we have lunch up in DC or not and traffic conditions.
If you want to go on the pilgrimage, please email me at ckoz654@aol.com and include your mobile phone contact info. Also, let me know if you want to be a driver and, if so, how many people you can fit comfortably in your vehicle.
Have a great weekend!
Mike K.
Lenten Shrine Pilgrimage—March 5
Gents,
I have reserved Saturday, March 5 for our Shrine trip this year. Details are still being worked out, but the general itinerary will be the same one you are familiar with from years past ( tour, Confessions available, Mass, private prayer/bookstore, Stations of the Cross).
Since we are dealing with ever changing District of Columbia COVID-19 regulations, we will need to decide as we get closer to the trip about lunch at The Dubliner ( I’m fully aware that is probably the reason some of you go on the trip, so I’m hopeful).
We will plan to depart by carpool again if folks are comfortable with that approach. You are of course welcome to meet us up there, people have done that in the past as well. I’m also planning to invite the Men of St. Joseph from St. Edward’s, who have joined us in the past.
Departure will be at 6:30 a.m., from the front parking lot @ St. Bridget, hoping to arrive with time to spare before the 9:00 a.m. tour. The cafeteria is currently closed, so bring your own coffee. We try to get back in time for the Vigil Mass on Saturday, but we are usually cutting it pretty close. Of course, that will depend on whether we have lunch up in DC or not and traffic conditions.
If you want to go on the pilgrimage, please email me at ckoz654@aol.com and include your mobile phone contact info. Also, let me know if you want to be a driver and, if so, how many people you can fit comfortably in your vehicle.
Have a great weekend and don’t forget the food drive this Saturday morning!
Mike K.
April Meeting - Saturday April 2, 7:00 am NO MARCH SATURDAY MEETING
No March Saturday Meeting
Lenten Shrine Pilgrimage Saturday March 5 - See separate email
Our April Saturday meeting will be April 2, at 7:00 am, in the parish hall (basement).
We will start at 7:00 AM and finish by 7:55 AM so guys can attend Mass at 8:00 AM
The following will be our points for discussion from Practical Theology by Peter Kreeft.
Chapters 171 – 190
You can purchase the book at:
The Catholic Company - https://www.catholiccompany.com/practical-theology-350-ways-your-mind-can-help-you-become-a-saint-i79986/
Thanks to Andrew for volunteering to facilitate our April meeting.
Thanks to Steve S for facilitating our February meeting!
Email lshadowen@aol.com to volunteer to facilitate a meeting!
EOR for Men St Bridget 6PM Wed. Feb 9th
Our Evening of Recollection for Men for February is at St. Bridget 6PM --Wed. Feb 9th
Lenten Shrine Pilgrimage—March 5
Gents,
I have reserved Saturday, March 5 for our Shrine trip this year. Details are still being worked out, but the general itinerary will be the same one you are familiar with from years past ( tour, Confessions available, Mass, private prayer/bookstore, Stations of the Cross).
Since we are dealing with ever changing District of Columbia COVID-19 regulations, we will need to decide as we get closer to the trip about lunch at The Dubliner ( I’m fully aware that is probably the reason some of you go on the trip, so I’m hopeful).
We will plan to depart by carpool again if folks are comfortable with that approach. You are of course welcome to meet us up there, people have done that in the past as well. I’m also planning to invite the Men of St. Joseph from St. Edward’s, who have joined us in the past.
Departure will be at 6:30 a.m., from the front parking lot @ St. Bridget, hoping to arrive with time to spare before the 9:00 a.m. tour. The cafeteria is currently closed, so bring your own coffee. We try to get back in time for the Vigil Mass on Saturday, but we are usually cutting it pretty close. Of course, that will depend on whether we have lunch up in DC or not and traffic conditions.
If you want to go on the pilgrimage, please email me at ckoz654@aol.com and include your mobile phone contact info. Also, let me know if you want to be a driver and, if so, how many people you can fit comfortably in your vehicle.
Have a great weekend and don’t forget the food drive this Saturday morning!
Mike K.
Defending Life Day-Feb. 9th
Email from Mike:
Please see below for the group. Thanks!
Please see below if you are interested in participating in Defend Life Day. If you do sign up, also let our St. Bridget social concerns minister, Jeannie G know of your interest.
Thanks for your consideration.
Mike K.
We are in our final push to get individuals signed up for Defending Life Day on February 9th! We have a large number of individuals coming from the Diocese of Arlington and are hoping to have a great turnout from our Diocese, as well!
If you or anyone you know is interested, please sign up at: https://vaprolifeday.org/.
Because this day is focused on advocacy, it is important that people sign up ahead of time so we can match them with their appropriate district and district captain in advance. A schedule of the day can also be found on the webpage. We are also still in need of district captains!
Here are some great videos promoting the day, as well!
https://youtu.be/KxSFHXR4IOw (Spanish)
https://youtu.be/6dmWhdlt4kQ (English)
Thank you for all you do!