Catholic Exchange

Wake Up and Smell the Incense

Written by

Bill Donaghy

in

My wife, Rebecca, sent me these statistics, released early this month from the Office for Research and Planning in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

"There are 1,204,818 registered Catholic parishioners in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In addition, in parishes where there is a large unregistered population, Pastors estimate that there are another 87,804 unregistered parishioners. There are other unregistered Catholic people living in universities, institutions and other group settings and others who identify themselves as Catholic but are not counted in this report. The most current estimate of all Catholic people (registered and unregistered) is 1,458,642."

That's just nuts.

1,458,642 Catholics in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia alone.

Not to don those 'ole cranky pants again, but, what difference are we making?

Why is Philadelphia slowly becoming the murder capital of the country? Why is the "City of Brotherly Love" an expression always said sarcastically these days? What's with all the getting and spending, the bitterness and the laziness and the rampant desecration of the sacrament that is my neighbor? What's going on?

Could you imagine if all of us, all 1,458,642 of the Catholics here in Philadelphia, were on fire with faith, open to the power of the Holy Spirit, unashamed and giddy at the thought of loving Jesus and serving others as He has served us? Taking time to pray each day. 1,458,642 souls praying all over the five counties, being still, asking the deeper questions, looking for ways to love and serve God and others, wanting and willing to be become saints no matter what the cost! I can only imagine.

We need to wake up and smell the incense! We are called to be a light to the nations, salt of the earth, leaven in the midst of a flat and tasteless materialistic culture!

The story goes that one day the Devil appeared to Saint John Vianney, the man so renowned for his faithfulness and devotion to the confessional and to counselling others. "If there were three souls like you in the world," the Devil said, "my kingdom would fall."

Say what? Only three saintly souls, three open and ready to do the Master's bidding, to follow His lead into Calvary, to run a rescue mission for the lost and lonely hearts out there, and they could take out Satan?

1,458,642.

Let's start with 1.

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I love the smell of incense in the morning!

    Like a soul on fire!  St. John Vianney pray for us!

    GK – God is good!

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Bill, Thank you for your vision of our Church, alive,active, and transforming our secular culture, one soul at a time. Keep sharing your ideal.

    I hope that your vision will be shared one day by those entrusted with the leadership of our Church instead of the "NCCB can do it all" model that has been in vogue for the past three decades.

    And, I believe that the Holy Spirit is now exerting a powerful influence to change our beloved Church match your vision. May I live to see the day that Catholic laypersons, served by a dedicated clergy, are changing our culture and bringing souls to Christ.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Send forth Your Spirit, and we shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth.

     

    Come join us in prayer, fasting, and vigil to change the hearts of those involved in the “Culture of Death”; those who have stolen the very soul of our nation.

     

    September 26 thru November 4, 40 Days for Life will be carrying out a good work for the voiceless and crying out to the God of Life to change hearts and save lives.

    The only way this evil deed can be overcome is by prayer and fasting.You can join in even if there is not a group in your area. Just sign on and let the nation know that there  are millions of "on fire" Catholics who can make a change one prayer at a time.

    http://www.40daysforlife.com

    "Do not try to please everybody. Try to please God , the angels, and the saints. These are your public. If you are afraid of other people's opinion, you should not have become Christian." St John Vianney

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I have a friend in Philly who helps a single mom with her young daughter when the mother has to work nights & weekends. They attend the same Church. She was sharing that the mother is forever grateful. My friend had asked recently for intercessory prayers re the rising murder rate there.

     

    Recent news also brought the story of the 11 month old who was apparently beaten to death by a 9 yr old in a neighbourhood daycare of 5 children. This daycare has been in service for 12 years, good reputation, satisfied customers.

     

    From my experience, the fire of service isn't only dampened by indifference & selfishness, but also fear among others of 'disaster', something going wrong when I'm around.

    'Jesus be our courage when fear tempts us to withold 'brotherly love.'

  5. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    American Catholics suffer from terminal lukewarmness. We don't get fired-up about anything except the bishop telling us what to do. Remedy: a martyr. This nation has not had a martyr for the faith, hence no fire in the belly and no zeal.

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