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Thursday, April 24, 2014

THE POPE, REP OF CHRIST ON EARTH GRANTS MERCY - SURPRISE OR NOT?

 
The Servants of the Father of Mercy are all about MERCY as shared by the Father in the story of the Prodigal Son.  Today, more MERCY is in the news!  A CNN writer reports . . .

A woman in Argentina says the pope called her Monday and told her she could receive Communion, despite being married to a divorced man, reports say. According to the woman and her husband, the pope allegedly said, "There are some priests who are more papist than the pope" -- referring to the parish priest who refused to give Communion to the woman.

Catholics who uphold the law and may be unaware of the “law of mercy” in the teachings of Christ, many of whom have been less than thrilled with the new pope during the first year of his papacy, are not happy with the latest news. One Catholic blogger insists the story must not be true. Of course, as the representative of the magisterium (or teaching authority) of the church, the pope is expected to toe the party line on church teaching -- especially in public. And he should have the media savvy to know that private conversations often go viral.

Despite all the brouhaha, this phone conversation was actually a private one, between "Father Bergoglio"-- as the pope allegedly identified himself -- and the woman. He also wouldn't be the first Catholic priest to privately tell a divorced person to go ahead and receive Communion.

Yet it's true that the pope has also publicly called for more pastoral sensitivity and inclusiveness not only toward the divorced and remarried, but also toward gay and lesbian Catholics, single parents and others. There's a reason his new book is called "The Church of Mercy."
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Wednesday, April 23, 2014

More Laws Against Feeding the Homeless!


The recent case of an Alabama pastor who was prohibited from feeding the homeless has renewed scrutiny on cities that have made this charitable act an illegal one.

Pastor Rick Wood recently was ordered by Birmingham, Ala., police to stop handing out hotdogs and bottled water to the homeless in a city park.

Wood, who preaches at The Lord’s House of Prayer in Oneonta – a mining town about 35 miles northeast of Birmingham -- says he was approached last month by law enforcement officers and told he was in violation of a new ordinance that requires food trucks to obtain a permit if they want to sell food.

Wood told the cops he wanted to hand out the food, not sell it – but it didn’t matter.

“This makes me so mad,” Wood told a local news station. “These people are hungry, they’re starving. They need help from people. They can’t afford to buy something from a food truck.”
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Tuesday, April 22, 2014

This Week Serving Our So Cal Homeless Family in a Snapshot:


Friday, 9:30am to 11:00am - Come and build sack lunches!

Friday, 6pm to 9pm - Youth & Family Night, Dinner and a Movie - Come inspire yourself and your family!  "Entertaining Angels" the Dorothy Day story.  Synopsis: The true story of a free-thinking agnostic Episcopalian turned Catholic who dedicates her life to serving the poor homeless on New York’s lower Eastside.  Dorothy Day recovers from a painful abortion and a child out of wedlock— after her Greenwich Village boyfriend (author Eugene O'Neal) deserts her, she turns out to be one of a few Americans to be considered for sainthood. A moving biographical film not to be missed shown in Dolby surround sound.

Saturday, 8:30am to 2pm - Serve StreetReach to our homeless family, delivery of sack lunches, hygiene kits, rosaries and more, Ventura County and downtown Los Angeles.  Orange County date TBA.

Plan to attend! You are invited to our annual Servants of the Father of Mercy retreat, Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside, CA, Memorial Day Weekend. Abbott Charles and Msgr. Kidney, guest speakers.
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Sunday, April 20, 2014

HOW IS YOUR LIFE DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU TRULY BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTON?


A couple of days ago a phone call came from a dear priest-friend preparing his Easter Sunday homily.  He asked the question, "How is life different when you truly believe and have faith in the Resurrection?"  That's a good question for anyone, but a real good one for someone who spent 30 minutes dead, out of body and in the afterlife.

NO FEAR
The first reflection that comes to mind is belief in the Resurrection should result in the loss of the fear of death.  One does not fear death because knowing God the Father and the love of his Son Jesus Christ sets you free from such a fear.  "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe."  Jesus said to Mary Magdalene (photo) upon encountering her on the morning of the Resurrection, "Fear not!"  Matthew 28:10

PEACE
Secondly, people who truly believe in the Resurrection find that they have peace. They do not sweat the "small stuff."  Think about it, the Resurrection makes everything look "small"; even an unfortunate car crash, a crucifixion, a divorce or a stubbed toe in the night.  But don't take my word for it . . .  "While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be to you.” But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish; and He took it and ate it before them." Luke 24: 36-49

ODD & WEIRD
Lastly, real faith in the Resurrection will make you appear odd, weird to others.  This is one way you may know and even measure the amount of your faith.  People weak in faith are often well-loved.  They have many friends and are highly regarded by many.  Jesus said, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets." Luke 6:26  Conversely, firm belief in the Resurrection often results in rejection by many.  One's coworkers, boss and even their family might turn against them.  Jesus said, "They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law." Luke 12:53  Now, if you're rejected because you are a lazy worker or disrespectful to your family, that is a different issue.  Rejection must exist completely and totally because of your devote Faith, with a capital F.

Happy Easter to our Servants of the Father of Mercy “Homeless in America”, LinkedIn and Facebook community, family and friends!
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Friday, April 18, 2014

The "Nones"

Damon Linker (photo), a journalist for theweek.com announces the death of religion this Easter season by grossly changing the numbers to help his cause. He writes in part . . .

"This week millions of Jews in America and around the world celebrate the holiday of Passover. Meanwhile, millions of Christians are preparing to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and rejoice in his resurrection on Easter Sunday three days later.

"And then there's everyone else.

I don't mean Muslims and Hindus and Buddhists and adherents of many other smaller faiths around the globe. I'm talking about the growing number of people, mainly in the U.S. and Europe, who couldn't care less about religious holidays and rituals. These are the "nones" — the roughly one fifth of all Americans, and 32 percent of those under 30, who profess no religious affiliation at all. For these tens of millions of people, religion is largely a matter of indifference."

[Actually there are 1.3 billion Catholics and 1 billion Protestants (he's only off by a couple of billion) celebrating Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  When Damon gets the facts correctly, there is no story.  In the 1600s, a French Atheist and philosopher-intellectual by the name of Voltaire predicted the end of religion within 100 years.  Damon should take note.]
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Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

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Monday, April 14, 2014

The Evil Easter Bunny




Each year around the Easter and Christmas holidays,Christians begin to  target the corruption of the holy days by the evil Easter bunny (photo) and deceptive Santa Clause, and yes, they may be an unnecessary diversion to the real Thing.  However, the real tragedy that's seldom spoken of is an American church steeped 24/7 in unholy wealth and judgmental hypocrisy.  Following Christ in the US has been relegated to theatrics, prosperity and pride.  However, Christ left for us a model of poverty and suffering, we just have to follow his example and give up the American high-life, and be-it-as-it may, possibly a bunny or two . . . "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously." 1 Peter 2: 21-23
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Aloha!


 
Friends, Romans and Hawaiians, lend me your ears . . . Who all is coming to the THIRD annual Hawaiian Luau? Sunday, May 18th, 2pm, 1544 Morse Ave./Market St., Ventura, CA, Hawaiian Buffet & Tina Tuitama Vainuku live show from Las Vegas, Polynesian Dancers! Exotic island cuisine by Mai Pham chef/owner of Mai's Cafe. Save $5 each, order in advance. Children 5 and under free! Also, advance tickets are available by contacting anyone of your friends: Celina Gonzales, Tina Vainuku, Mai Pham, Miguel Dorado Rubio, Nancy Pena, Catherine Delgado, Linda McWilliams or Mark Burke. Aloha!

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Visit our web site: http://servantsofthefather.org

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Friday, April 11, 2014

Pride, the Original Sin – Good Friday, the Original Solution


Good Friday is the remedy for the first pride proclaimed by the handsome and gifted angel Lucifer and consequently for all those beautiful, smart and gifted humans that exalt themselves.

However, Isaiah speaks of a different exaltation – Jesus lifted high, high and lifted up on a cross, humiliated and whipped beyond human semblance. That’s how to exalt one’s self, modeled by the teacher himself.  “Don’t become a Christian unless you look good on wood!”

“See, my servant shall prosper; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.  Just as there were many who were amazed at him, his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness — so he will sprinkle many nations,  and kings will shut their mouths because of him.  For what they were not told, they will see,   and what they have not heard, they will understand.”  Isaiah 52:13-15
 
So what's you're exaltation?  What is your cross?  Enjoy!
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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Good Friday, the day to happily celebrate brokenness is almost here: For all you homeless, misunderstood, foolish, despised, rejected and crucified losers out there, this one is for you!


“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called [by Christ]. Not many of you were wise by human standards [not very smart]; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth [losers]. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.'”  1 Corinthians1:26-31
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Sunday, April 6, 2014

Continued Growth!

Ventura Breeze, April 2 – April 15, 2014
Vol. 7, No. 13 Published Every Other Wednesday www.venturabreeze.com
Religion Section

 Servants of the Father of Mercy continue their growth!
An old approximately 2,000 sq. ft.
warehouse in Ventura recently got a
good cleaning and facelift as the new
headquarters of the Servants of the
Father of Mercy, Inc.
 
Officially incorporated and founded
at St. Peter’s Italian Catholic Church
in Los Angeles, Chinatown on July 26,
2008, the Servants of the Father of
Mercy first shared space at St. Paul the
Apostle Church in Westwood. In 2010
they relocated to Santa Paula.
 
Now, their new location is in Ventura
at 1544 Morse Avenue and accommodates
well the continued growth of the
ministry. The “Servants” among many
things sponsor interdenominational and
inspirational family nights, children and
parents seasonal crafts making, holiday
baking, candy making, fresh floral
arranging and other fun fundraisers for
the homeless they serve. The warehouse
is newly outfitted with a prayer chapel,
family room, crafts and conference area,
storage and private bathroom.
 
Since their roots in 2001, the
Servants of the Father of Mercy have
always been like Dominos Pizza, “they
deliver!” Their transport service brings
to the homeless living under bridges,
remote alleyways and on streets in So Cal
food, water, clothing, blankets, jackets,
hygiene kits, spiritual supplies and more.
Since their inception, the team built of
more than 100 members and supporters
have prevented dehydration, starvation
and even death in the tens of thousands
of homeless men, women and children
they have served.
 
The Servants of the Father of Mercy
maintain delivery service and volunteer
staff locations in Ventura, Los Angeles
and Anaheim/Costa Mesa. They publish
and donate to poor children This Bible
Talks! the first-ever talking Bible for
toddlers as well as a book by Bro. Gary
Joseph, the founder’s near-death-experience
testimony, Proof of the Afterlife – The
Conversation Continues.
 
The Servants of the Father of Mercy,
Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit tax-exempt
California organization and an Association
of the Catholic Archdiocese of Los
Angeles.
 
They have received letters of praise
and endorsement over the years for their
work from Cardinal Roger Mahony,
Archbishop Jose Gomez, Bishop Clark,
Mother Antonia Brenner and many
others.
 
You can visit the Servants of the
Father of Mercy at their weekly Hawaiian
Barbecue sponsored by Ventura’s Mai’s
Café and Tina Tuitama Vainuku Polonysian
Dancers. It’s every Thursday,
11am to 2pm, and of course, they deliver!
For more information www.servantsofthefather.org.

(Photo) Angelique Perez made braided Swiss egg
bread for a recent bake sale fundraiser for the
homeless.
 
 

Friday, April 4, 2014

Suffering



Lent, the perfect time to reflect on suffering . . . as Fr. Ed our Greek/Hebrew teacher said in seminary a few years ago at a 7am Lenten Mass, "Don't become a Christian unless you look good on wood!"

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

"Valentine Propehcies"


It was Valentine's Day February 2013 when God began to speak to David Dellit a devote Christian from Australia, but who had been ostracized from a “perfect church” he had been attending for many years.  He instructed David to simply type what He heard and share it with the world, calling it the "Valentine Prophecies.”

In the "Valentine Prophecies", God says in part . . .

“Have you ensured that everyone knows I love them, and I saved them, and I want them in heaven with me forever; and that all they have to do is seek my heart, fall in love with me and with my Father? No, you have thrown books at them, not lavished them with my patience and love, as I do you. You convert them to a church, to a faith, to a religion. You do not introduce them to me or to my Father. You give them rules. You make sure that they are not divorced, or homosexual, or a thief, or a smoker, or a drinker, or a gambler, or a dancer. You introduce them to a set of rules. You have introduced them to a Pharisee, not to me. You have introduced them to someone who is itching to find some reason to reject them, with something to teach them, with something to correct them. Worst of all, you called your abomination of faith godly! How dare you? Repent now. Fall at my feet and weep in deep sorrow for breaking my heart. I am not the one you have taught others about. I am filled with love.”  Jesus

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