Anecdotes Archives – Catholic Free Shipping Blog

Be A Man!

On July 14, 2010, In Anecdotes, Pop Culture, Stuff In Our Store, By Patrick

Be A Man!: Becoming the
Man God Created You to Be
by Fr. Larry Richards

We hear variations of it all the time: Man up! What are you, chicken? Quit being a wuss! It’s a call to arms, a challenge to overcome weakness and fulfill the role God intended for the sex: BE A MAN!

The particular field of “brothering” young men has a special place in my heart. I am the eldest of eight boys. Throughout my formal schooling, I aspired for many different careers, ranging from engineering to journalism–but after attaining my degree, I was drawn back to “brothering.” I took a teaching position at an all-boys Catholic high school (which I have mentioned in a previous post), and have been in the field of educating young men to this very day, a career that has now spanned nearly a third of my life. And, steps are underway for me to surrender everything, take vows, and make it my vocation–my sole apostolic mission–”brothering” until the day God calls me home.

Pure Manhood
by Jason Evert

Boys Should Be Boys
by Meg Meeker, MD

“True Love Waits”
Sterling Silver
Purity Rings

The Poor Fig Tree

On June 1, 2010, In Anecdotes, Bible Study, Stuff In Our Store, By Patrick

It was a lighthearted conversation around the breakfast table following morning Mass last Friday, when the topic of the Gospel reading came up. Br. R posed to our celebrant, Fr. J, “That poor fig tree!” He was seeking an explanation to the Lord’s harsh condemnation of the fig that simply wasn’t in season to bear Him any fruit to eat (Mark 11:11-14). Fr. J didn’t readily have an answer. And it came to me. From across the table, I chimed in:

“Maybe the Lord always wants us to be in season…?”

A silence came over the gathered. It was palpable in the sudden hush how my little piece of wisdom enlightened everyone, how upon hearing my interpretation, the Lord’s message became clear: He expects us to always be productive for Him, to “bear fruit” regardless of the time of year, to live our faith constantly and unceasingly. If we’re not, we’re damned to wither and die.

To ruin the moment, Br. R broke the silence. “Well,” he exhaled and leaned forward, a half-smile on his lips. “I’m always in season.”

The Complete Gospel Stories of Jesus
by Deacon Dick Folger

This is a boxed set of Gospel stories from Liturgical Years A, B, and C (readings from Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Each story is presented separately and independently, retold faithfully in a manner that draws the reader in as eyewitnesses, and comes with illustrations and follow up questions for further contemplation or discussion. This is a great resource for teachers, leaders of retreats, or individual or group bible study.

Give the Gift of Prayer

On May 19, 2010, In Anecdotes, Stuff In Our Store, By Patrick

Birthstone Rosary
Available for all 12 months.

It was not until recently that I owned my own Rosary. One would think growing up in a devout Catholic family and going to Catholic schools, someone would’ve given me one somewhere along the line. But no. I purchased my first Rosary when I was already an adult. I picked it up at a kiosk in some random flea market wandering aroung a tropical nation in Southeast Asia. I’ve since lost that Rosary. I guess that particular sacramental wasn’t all that important to me. I can’t even remember what it looked like. I just remeber being drawn to it because it looked exotic.

The next one I bought last year, and yes, you guessed it–from Catholic Books and Gifts, before I started helping out the family. I actually bought two of them: one small one to hang in my car (like every other Catholic), and the other one to use for its purpose–to PRAY ON (because sadly, most Rosaries end up hanging on something other than the fingers).

The small one still hangs in my car. The other, I used for a short bit before giving it away to someone who needed it more than I did. It wasn’t hard to part with that item either. Besides, I had been given one since–and this one, despite it being a cheapo sacramental compared to the others I have owned, I cherish it more, I keep it in my pocket and bring it with me everywhere, and I could NEVER part with it.

Which brings me to my observation: those Rosaries purchased for oneself don’t hold as much sentimental value as the ones received as gifts. I have experienced this both as a recipient of a Rosary and from giving one away. I guess it’s because it was attained through an act of love. That person who gave it to you cared enough to be concerned for your eternal soul, understood that you needed some spiritual guidance, and knew the solace you were seeking could be attained through this powerful Devotion.

When you purchase a Rosary, you are only buying beads. When you give or receive one, then it becomes a PRAYER.

Give one today and you’ll see what I mean. Have a look at the Rosaries in our store. I would suggest selecting one that in addition to aiding in the prayer, the sacramental reflects their personality or have meaning to them. We have them in various sizes and colors, made from different materials, and in several chaplets. A thoughtful, customized gift would be a Rosary made with birthstones (pictured above). We can gift wrap and include a special note in your order, too.

That is the spirit of Catholicism: we must acknowledge that we cannot attain our salvation by ourselves. It first and foremost comes from God, and then, from the love of our fellow man.

Stoned to Death by Snacks

On May 17, 2010, In Anecdotes, Bible Study, Stuff In Our Store, The Sacraments, By Patrick

While we were serving breakfast outside our parish’s rummage sale, we saw our pastor hobbling towards our booth from the church. He had just finished hearing Confessions. As he neared, we noted that he looked exhausted and visibly distraught. He wearily asked for some food, something with protein in it. We gave him a plate of scrambled eggs, which he ate up quickly.

“Father,” we asked him, “does hearing Confessions take a lot out of you?” Implying the spiritual, emotional, and even physical aspects of it.

He managed a smile between bites. “Yes it does.” He wiped his mouth and continued with an analogy. “A priest friend of mine, who had already passed, explained it like this: ‘It’s like getting stoned to death with marshmallows.’”

His friend was most likely referencing Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s quip about how hearing a nun’s Confession is like being stoned to death with popcorn. (Or, perhaps, it was his friend who gave it to the late great Archbishop and now Servant of God–or, his friend WAS Archbishop Sheen, which would be way cooler. Or, it’s just one of those industry inside-jokes…?)

I both do and don’t get this analogy. I suppose it means our priests are expressing their immunity towards the sins we hurl at them. No matter how gnarly the things we let fly, it bounces right off them and they forgive us because God forgives us. Then again, it is getting stoned to death, the end result imminent despite the harmless, fluffy means used to attain it. Like death by a thousand papercuts.

We are taught that it is the Lord whom we are speaking to when we confess our sins. The conduit, however, is a human being. He is a man who sacrifices and struggles so much to walk a path of holiness for Him, for you. To assail him with the vile things we do, one after another after another, and for him to forgive each and every one with love–I can see why Father came out of the Confessional so famished, so haggard, the way he did.

Which brings us to today’s Gospel: in John 16:29, Jesus’ disciples go phew! when the Lord finally stopped using figurative language and spoke very plainly. I love how the Lord tells us stories that make us really think deeper. But when we are too dense to get it, he just tells us straight out, in plain and simple talk. Or, He shows us.

After bringing all our sins to the cross, before surrendering His spirit to the Father, Jesus said He was thirsty (John 19:28). I do not think this is to be taken figuratively, but a literal, deliberate request for something to drink–some alleviation from the intense suffering He was enduring for our salvation.

It is the same suffering He burdens on those He called to forgive us today.

prisnothisow m Stoned to Death by Snacks

The Priest Is
Not His Own
by Fulton Sheen

thmyprbyfujs b Stoned to Death by Snacks

Those Mysterious
Priests
by Fulton Sheen

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“God only wrote one book…”

On May 7, 2010, In Anecdotes, Bible Study, Pop Culture, Stuff In Our Store, By Patrick

I forget where I saw this quote. It has stuck with me and I often repeat it to others as advice. It goes something like this:

“God only wrote one book….”

The rest of the phrase is completed with a barb like, “What’s your excuse for not reading it?” or, “You have an entire lifetime to read it,” etc.

I aim this directly at those rabid people who stood in line at midnight for every book in the Harry Potter or Twilight series (which in addition to being junk fiction, they glamorize witchcraft, which is very, very bad–but that is another blog post). So yeah… of all the books we have read, some so avidly, what’s our excuse for not reading His one bible?

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone: I admit, I have not read all of the bible, nor do I read it regularly. I did take college-level New Testament courses a decade ago that were very insightful, and I still apply what I learned in those classes when I teach catechism to my own students today.

But a personal and regular bible study as a prayer for the enrichment of my own faith? Never. I need to start heeding my own advice.

I heard Mark Hart (author of Ask the Bible Geek) give a talk during a youth conference about how we Catholics all have bibles in our homes but we never read it–or, we use it like a fortune cookie: opening it to a random page and pointing at a random verse to see what God is trying to tell us. Hart commented that those who have strayed from the Church use the bible against us when we were the ones who put it together in the first place. OUR bible! Kind of like arguing against the laws of gravity with Sir Isaac Newton, using only Newton’s laws itself as the basis, and while not floating off into the air… dumb, right?

Then, I had the privilege of interviewing apologetics author Dave Armstrong, whose own study of the bible brought him to conversion into Catholicism. His books are about how Catholicism is entirely bible-based, contrary to what those in sola scriptura argue with us all the time. If one wants to truly follow the Word of God, according to Armstrong’s work and living example, one must become Catholic.

Therefore, if one wants to be a good Catholic, then one needs to know the Word of God!

I remember now where I saw that quote. It was from a billboard sponsored by a sola scriptura group. Their intention being to encourage us Catholics to read the Sacred Scriptures with the hopes of separating us from the Traditions of our Church. Little do they know that OUR bible, when read correctly, will only affirm and strengthen our faith.

I urge you, then, to take up reading the Catholic bible with me. Join me in discussion, debate, a sharing of information. To help you get started, there are some suggestions in our Catholic Resources page. I am also going to create a “Bible Study” section in addition to all the other stuff I blog about. Let’s have fun doing this.

And when we get to Heaven, we can ace the entrance exam.

askbigebymah m God only wrote one book...

Ask the Bible Geek
Mark Hart

bideofcabyda m God only wrote one book...

A Biblical Defense
of Catholicism
Dave Armstrong

Bibles and Bible Study
Resources

The Times They Are a-Changin’

On May 5, 2010, In Anecdotes, Pop Culture, The Saints, By Patrick

A few weeks ago, I sat with my nephew while he watched iCarly on Nickelodeon. And then–what the heck?–the lead actress snuck into her boyfriend’s room and started making out with him as they lay on his bed?!?!

Immediately, I looked up the show on the internet. The lead actress, Miranda Cosgrove (who played Summer in Jack Black’s School of Rock), was only sixteen years old.

This deeply troubled me. I grew up watching Nickelodeon and remember it being wholesome. I did my internship at Nickelodeon Studios and got to see that even behind the scenes, the adults had the best interest of their young viewers in mind. But that was more than ten years ago… times have most definitely changed.

What’s next? Will Miss Piggy start giving the “get tested” talk? Bert and Ernie advocating same-sex marriage? Is there anywhere left for our youth to go to that has not been corrupted?

Well, yes. Meet Bernadette and Rebekah of St. Maria’s Messenger. Their goal is to provide an alternative, Church-centered resource for girls age ten through teens. Currently, they are in the process of recruiting writers for their blog. They have forums where our young women can go to get information, advice, and find fellowship under the guidance and leadership of responsible, Catholic women. Bernadette and Rebekah are taking up Benedict XVI’s call for us to give the internet a soul–and, to be better female role models than what’s-her-face… I won’t say it, but her initials are Hannah Montana.

Times have definitely changed. But, our values should not. Please join us at Catholic Books and Gifts in supporting and praying for Bernadette and Rebekah’s venture, that they may strive in the example of their patron, St. Maria Goretti, to show that our young women, even at their vulnerable age, are equally called to be saints.

God: Master Craftsman

On May 4, 2010, In Anecdotes, Pop Culture, The Saints, By Patrick

Today is the Feast of Blessed Michael Giedroyc, a handicapped dwarf who lived a life of holiness.

There isn’t much written on him. What we do know is that he was born in Lithuania and died in Poland in the late 1400s. He was born with severe physical impairments. This however did not stop him from entering the Augustinian monastery, where he lived as a hermit in a small room adjacent to the church the remainder of his years. He devoted his day to fasting, prayer, and work–more specifically, metalworking. He made sacred vessels for use in the Mass, like patens and chalices.

Last night, we screened The Butterfly Circus for our Junior High class. (I’m not going to reveal anything more about this short movie; go ahead and look it up, there are places to view it for free on the net.) Fantastic story about how God has a higher purpose for everything he endowed us with–even our flaws. Then, I had no clue that today was going to be Bl. Michael’s feast: again I saw God’s work disguised as coincidences.

This made me recall a talk I attended while I was still in high school. A man was sharing about his friend who had died from a terminal disease. This friend was quite an artist, and as he neared death, he began working on his final piece: a still-life of a vase. As the end approached, he grew more uninspired about that particular piece–until one day, he picked up the canvas and drew cracks all over the vase, as if it had been shattered. Our storyteller, perturbed about his friend’s emotional state, inquired about the new addition. The response:

“It is through the cracks that God’s light can shine through.”

Bats in the Belfry

On April 9, 2010, In Anecdotes, The Sacraments, By Patrick

A very inspirational woman from the Diocese came to speak to our parents and sponsors last night, in this the final week before our Year II class gets “sealed with the Holy Spirit.” She shared this joke with us as an introduction. Upon hearing the punchline I knew I was going to share it with you here. I shined up the story a bit from her original, but the point remains.

Bats in the Belfry

There was this cathedral that had a problem with bats in the belfry. The youngest priest, newly ordained, wanted to impress the Bishop by taking a shot at getting rid of them. He took the easiest, most practical, and humane approach. He had them gathered into a net and released them in the nearby woods. The bats, unfortunately, found their way back and reclaimed the belfry.

A second priest, who’s been at the cathedral a number of years, attempted a more drastic approach, knowing the Bishop expected more from him. He gathered a posse of Knights of Columbus armed with two-by-fours and baseball bats and they assailed the belfry hoping to scare the pests away. The bats, however, held their ground and even grew more aggressive than before.

Humbled, the two approached the wise Bishop. He assured his subordinates that his plan was foolproof and even guaranteed that by the following morning, not only would the bats be gone, that they would also never return.

The next day, as the two doubtful priests approached the cathedral, they saw the Bishop on his way out. And, sure enough, there was no more commotion of bats coming from the belfry–no sign of them anywhere.

The priests exclaimed, “Your excellency! How did you get rid of all those bats?”

“Simple,” the Bishop grinned. “I Confirmed them.”

Check out some Confirmation Gifts.

Ecce Homo

On April 2, 2010, In Anecdotes, Pop Culture, Traditions, By Patrick

The night of the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist. It was also in this same night He started the priesthood. We saw our priests remove their chasubles and lower themselves before their parishioners to wash their feet, a poignant symbol that our priests were called to humbly serve us, to be the least, just as Jesus taught.

After Adoration in the hall, I joined a handful of my students and fellow Youth Ministers in an adjacent classroom to watch The Passion of the Christ. One of our priests, on his way back to the hall after changing out of his liturgical vestments, stopped by to greet us. He realized what we were watching and decided to join us instead. He pulled up a dinky kindergartner-sized seat (and Father is a very, very tall man) and sat down.

Now I started worrying because Father (who besides being really tall is very, very knowledgeable) knows the adults in that room were all involved with the teaching of the kids in there; I didn’t know where he stood in regards to the appropriateness of the film for our teenagers, nor if he had seen it before and given his okay in terms of its consistency with the teachings of our Church. I was just waiting for him to exclaim “heresy!” and shut down the movie–then set us adults straight.

But he didn’t. Tall and intelligent Father in his flowing black cassock sat in that kindergartner’s seat the whole way through, his eyes fixed on the screen, his hands tented in front of his lips as if praying. When it was finished, when the lights were turned on, I saw Father’s eyes. He had been crying.

In the Gospel of John, of which most of the film was taken, Pilate sent Jesus to be scourged. It was quite a gruesome scene: a fitting reminder of just how much He endured for us. When Jesus was returned to face Pilate and the gathered crowd, He was beaten and bloodied, barely able to stand. Pilate addressed the crowd, pointing at Jesus, pleading with them to show clemency at their prisoner who had been more than justly punished. He said, “Ecce homo” –behold the man–that here was the evidence they were looking for that Jesus was not the Messiah He claimed to be, but a mere mortal susceptible to pain and wounds, to suffering. Behold the man. Only a man.

When I looked at Father crying, those were the words in my head. Ecce homo. I forget sometimes that he, too, is a fragile human being like me.

But, like Christ, is also much more.

Going Away Party

On April 1, 2010, In Anecdotes, Traditions, By Patrick

Not more than five minutes ago, I was having this conversation with a good friend and fellow Catholic about tonight’s Holy Thursday activities at our parish.

Following the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, the tabernacle is going to be emptied and the Eucharist exposed for Adoration in the adjacent hall. This will go on until midnight, and all are encouraged to keep Him company for those few hours. In one of the classrooms of the school, they will be screening Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, to keep the kids occupied, or for whoever else wants to meditate upon the day of sorrow that is shortly coming.

All this in remembrance of Jesus’ final hours, beginning with the Last Supper, His agony in the garden, the Apostles falling asleep on Him, and then His arrest. The empty tabernacle is observed in the Church worldwide.

I asked my friend: “Are you ready for dinner and a movie with Jesus tonight?”

“For sure!”

“Ya know, Holy Thursday is kinda like His going away party. But He’ll only be gone for three days.”

[Laughter here.]

Of course, we’re going to have an even bigger celebration when He comes back.

Be A Man!

The Poor Fig Tree

Give the Gift of Prayer

Stoned to Death by Snacks

“God only wrote one book…”

The Times They Are a-Changin’

God: Master Craftsman

Bats in the Belfry

Ecce Homo

Going Away Party

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