Best Practices
The Liturgy of the Hours
Feb 20th
Pray
Catholics often stop their daily devotions on Sunday.
Make sure you get to Sunday Mass and hopefully stay until after the final blessing, but before the song is over. But has this left many Catholics unsatisfied? What do our Protestant and Evanglical brothers have that we are missing?
They always carry the bible around and are talking about the Word? Maybe the Word is what we as Catholics are missing?
The Problem with Prayer
For some reasons many cradle Catholics have been left to believe that Sunday mass is all that they have for prayer. Sunday Mass is very important and spiritually filling, but many are missing out on the daily prayer that Jesus has called us to.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is available daily at many parishes, however, many parishioners due to their work schedule or family life can’t make the one mass offered a day.
Maybe us Catholics would become more Holy if we prayed more. Listened to God. Made ourselves available to all the riches the Catholic Church has to offer.
It seems that Catholic don’t know what to do in between mass?
Opening up scripture for Christian denominations offers spiritual food. I believe they learn at a young age to pray throughout the day. Maybe it’s just the simple move of breaking open scriptures with friends and family.
Simplicity from Mary
Our Lady of Medjugorje gave a simple practice for daily prayer life.
- Eucharist
- Scripture
- Frequent Confession
- Fasting
- Rosary
I like and promote this simple little prayer exercise because of it’s simplicity. Just as Jesus said love God and neighbor as yourself when asked what the greatest commandment was.
Even this simple little 5 step plan can be expanded upon, but it gives a little structure and guidelines for daily living.
PS. You could take this little plan and turn it into a teaching on prayer for your Parish.
The Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours provides a good opportunity to pray throughout the day. The structure is easy to learn, it can be like a bookend to start and end the day, it is personal, but also communal. Everything is contained in 4 books and over time because a beautiful rhythm.
Public and private pray are is considered one of the primary duties of the Church. The early Christians “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the community, to the breaking of the bread, and to prayer” (Acts 2:42)
The Liturgy of the Hours is a prayer of praise and petition which sanctifies the hours of the day. This wonderful pray has been consistent since the 11th century combining Psalms, prayers, canticles and readings.
“The whole life of the faithful, hour by hour, during day and night, is a kind of leitourgia or public service, in which the faithful give them-selves over to the ministry of love toward God and men…For this reason the Hours are recommended to all Christ’s faithful members.” Pope Paul VI
The Liturgy of the Hours allows one to begin and end their day in prayer in union with the whole Church. It is easy, quick, and extremely fulfilling.
Just imagine yourself praying alongside of the entire clergy of the Church, united in petition and praise to God.
If you read nothing, read THIS
The Classical Liberal Arts Academy has a wonderful article written about the LOH and family prayer.
Another Resource for Learning the Liturgy of the Hours
And you can also ask a priest!
Popularity: 1% [?]
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...Going Green or Going to Heaven – Smoke and Mirror Tricks
Feb 19th
California’s bishops suggest: “Reduce your carbon footprint.” I say, “How about Reduce your footprint in sin?”
Not a “Best Practice”
In a newsletter published on February 16, 2009 the Catholic Legislative Network suggested the Lenten practice of reducing your Carbon footprint as a practical Lenten sacrifice. Check out the Calendar Here.
It was released through the California Catholic Bishops lobbying arm. A 40 day carbon-fasting calendar published by the Archdiocese of Washington’s Environmental Outreach Committee.
“Show reverence for life and for the Earth today by obeying the speed limit…”
This is what the newsletter had to say:
“As the Lenten season arrives, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change has provided Catholics, schools and organizations with more tools and resources for its annual Catholic Climate Covenant. The Coalition was formed three and a half years ago to help implement the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) 2001 initiative ‘Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good.’ Launched last year, the Covenant revolves around the St. Francis Pledge, which correlates five key actions — pray, learn, assess, act and advocate — to the issues of the environment and poverty.”
The Catholic Coalition on Climate Changed is funded primarily by National Religious Partnership for the Environment as stated on their website. Also the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development.
One of the founders of the National Religious Partnership for the Environment was John Carr who’s actions and decision are coming under heavy fire from Catholics across the country. NRPE is also the ones who released the DECLARATION OF THE ‘MISSION TO WASHINGTON signed by many including John Carr. In the lengthy statement, one part hints to and maybe even advocates population control.
We believe there is a need for concerted efforts to stabilize world population by humane, responsible and voluntary means consistent with our differing values. Declaration of the Mission to Washington May 12, 1992 National Religious Partnership for the Environment
Good for these Bishops and interns for protecting the earth. There genuine concern is noteworthy.
However, where is their concern with the salvation of their flock?
Get off the magical mystery tour green station wagon and get back to Preaching, Hearing Confessions, and Offering the Holy Mass.
A Better Way to Save the Earth
Celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Preach the Gospel. Hear Confessions. Do what only a priest can do.
Here are a few quotes on the benefits of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
“The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross.” St. Thomas Aquinas
“It is most true that he who attends holy Mass shall be freed from many evils and from many dangers, both seen and unseen.” St. Gregory
“A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death.” St. Anselm
For More Great Reasons for Mass Read Power of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
The Bigger Problem
Our Lady of La Salette said the two things that weigh our Lord Jesus down so much are: not keeping holy the Sabbath and taking the Lord’s name in vain.
Read this short excerpt from the approved apparition.
“I have suffered all of the time for the rest of you! If I do not wish my Son to abandon you, I must take it upon myself to pray for this continually. And the rest of you think little of this. In vain you will pray, in vain you will act, and you will never be able to make up for the trouble I have taken over for the rest of you.
“I gave you six days to work; I kept the seventh for myself, and no one wishes to grant it to me. This is what weighs down the arm of my Son so much.
“Those who drive carts cannot speak without putting the name of my Son in the middle.
“These are the two things which weigh down the arm of my Son so much.
The Agenda
Unfortunately this “green” agenda does not bring people back to Jesus Christ. So where is this agenda coming from? Has smoke entered the Church?
If you want to do something for Lenten fast, pray, and give alms to the poor. It’s been working for a number of years. I guess someone wanted to distract us.
Popularity: 2% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...100 Catholic Post and Counting
Feb 18th
Jesus I trust in You
Today marks the 100th post of CatholicTools.com. A day of celebration and thanksgiving.
Thank you to everyone for comments, sharing articles, emails, and prayers. God Bless you.
In the Beginning
I have received many emails asking, “How did you start Catholic Tools?” It kinda grew organically as a simple test. I was building www.signsofcontradiction.com and in the process of refreshing my IT skills I began reading articles on Search Engine Optimization, blogging, and the Internet.
So I thought I would test some of these practices out myself. I just committed to writing short articles on practices, concepts, and ideas, people could use to spread the Catholic faith. I tried to have an article published everyday.
After reading what Pope Benedict XVI wrote on blogging, I took it as a sign to continue to write articles and share practices.
Without any advertising or links from a popular site Catholic Tools has generated over 5,000 views in its short existence. Just by publishing post people have found the site through Google and other search engines.
I have changed up the design, trying to make it better and more readable. I hope to share the design with anyone who wants it for their own site (probably around post 150).
Most Popular Post
It’s interesting to see what have become the most popular post.
- How to Lead Worship for Eucharistic Adoration
- Father Bing on Exorcism and Deliverance Prayer
- Binding, Rebuking, and Commanding Evil Spirits
- How to End Bad Liturgical Music
- Prayer of Protection for Spiritual Warfare
Most Popular Search Term
- eucharistic adoration for teens
- dos and don’ts of youth liturgy
- fr bing catholic priest
- catholic tools
- pope benedict priest technology internet
First Three Post
As Catholics we have a rich history. Here is CatholicTool’s not so rich history.
- 12 principles to follow to become like the 12 apostles
- Essential Prayers to Bless Sacramentals
- Free September Youth Ministry Lesson
Review of Results
After receiving views from around the world on many different topics, it seems that adoration, exorcism, deliverance prayers, youth groups, and technology are what people are looking for.
I never would have guessed people are searching around the internet for information about deliverance from evil spirits.
I kinda thought my more popular post would be about vocations to the priesthood, but they have not really caught on.
Future of Catholic Tools
I hope in the next 100 Catholic post to continue writing about effective evanglization strategies but to focus on 3 major topics.
- Young Adult Ministry
- Technology and Evangelization
- Traditional Catholic Prayers
Share Catholic Tools
Please share CatholicTools.com with one person who you might know who would benefit from it’s resources. Also, feel free to print off articles and use them in your parish meetings as your ideas, or to help you run a Catholic youth meeting.
Comment
If you have a question or a suggestions or if you just dislike an article, please add a comment under the article. It would be great to hear from you.
New Logo
Catholic Tools
You have seen the “priest” logo for some weeks now, but I am introducing another one. I am pleased to welcome “Sister” to join the Catholic Tools promotional staff. You can never say no to a sister.
God Bless and Praise be Jesus Christ.
Thank You,
Jason Buck
Popularity: 2% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Increase Faith Through the Word of God
Feb 13th
Sacred Scripture
Catholics are known for not opening a Bible. Holy Scripture, the Word of God, the Gospels, are not that familiar to most of my Catholic friends, even though it has nourished so many of our Catholic Saints. Many I have meet, including myself, have left their relationship with God only for Sundays.
However, the Church is asking us to read, pray, and make the Word of God an important part of our lives. In the Church document Dei Verbum, it talks about an intense desire that God has to draw us into communion with Him.
Why Read Scripture
All Scripture is divinely inspired and has its use for teaching the truth and refuting error, for reformation of manners and discipline in right living, so that the man who belongs to God may be efficient and equipped for good work of every kind” (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Greek text). Dei Verbum
This divinely inspired word is necessary to nourish our spiritual development, which will help us as youth ministers, teachers, DREs, and religious live as a witness. Consistently and prayerfully reading of Scripture will give you the words necessary to spread the Gospel, teach others as Christ taught, and call others into a close union with God.
In Scripture the Father meets His children with great love and joy, speaking to their hearts. Scripture will strengthen our hearts, give food to our souls, draw our souls to God, and teach us Jesus Christ redeeming message.
Catholics who have been lacking Scripture in their spiritual life should reconsider this worthwhile Catholic Tool.
5 Ways to Promote Reading of Sacred Scripture
- Men or Women Bible Study on Friday Mornings
- Start a Parish Bible Study using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline
- Suggest reading scripture from the pulpit
- Offer an email Bible study program
- Plan a Bible Study for Youth Group, Young Adult Group, or in the grade school
For more information on Sacred Scripture visit Dei Verbum.
How do you promote reading Sacred Scripture in your Catholic parish?
Popularity: 3% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Highest Form of Worship
Feb 12th
Mass
With so many prayers to say and devotions to follow, how does one make time for them all? My shelf and desk are full of beautiful saintly, pious, devotional books. I have read many of them, but sometimes the overwhelming duty to pray overtakes me.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy says that the liturgy is the highest form of worship. It is the summit of what all Church activity should strive for. From the liturgy, especially the Eucharist, a font of grace is poured out upon us.
However in order to partake fully in the Liturgy proper preparation is needed. This preparation is prayer. Our minds need to be in tune with our voices and our souls must cooperate with Divine graces.
The Constitution emphasizes the role of pastors have in preparing their flock for the Liturgy so they may have full, active, and conscious participation in the Liturgy. But his preparation can start at home.
Important Phrase: full, active, and conscious participation.
It is what we do before, doing, and after the liturgy. We have done a good job on the celebration of the liturgy, but we have not done a good job on catechist for before and after it.
Two Levels of Worship
The Church says that the highest form of worship is the Liturgy, but it also states there must be two other levels of worship.
- First – Private Prayer
- Second – Popular Devotion
Ok, if the Liturgy is the highest form of worship, but what are the effects.
The 3 Effects of Liturgy
- We become one in holiness
- We hold fast in our lives to what we celebrated in Faith. We now live out the mysteries that we celebrate.
- Set on Fire with compelling charity
Catholic Church
These effects are incredible. What Catholic parish doesn’t want holy people, living the faith, and set on fire with charity.
This is why it is essential to properly prepare for the liturgy and place special importance in our prayer life in preparation.
Learn about the Mass, read Scripture, reflect on what is going on, and pray for receiving our Lord in Holy Eucharist.
Next time I can’t decide on what book to read, I’ll just remember to prioritize on the Liturgy and have everything revolve around that.
Popularity: 9% [?]
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Recent Comments