The CatholiCity Message

Volume VII, Number 15 – October 14, 2003

Dear CatholiCity Citizen,

Shorter and sweet today. Lot of quotes. In fact, aside from our prayer together, that's all we have, along with our hearts. Our pockets are empty.

1. EARS THAT HEAR
As longtime readers know, we love to share Catholic quotations with you. As you read these today, we boldly ask that you read them at a leisurely pace.

Allow the Truth to find the depths in you.

Perhaps, bring these diamonds to prayer, or bring the ideas with you next time you attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. All Saints Day is coming soon, so now, let us ponder the wisdom of the saints, especially the last quote from our friend, Saint Teresa of Avila, who has helped teach so many how to pray over the centuries.

Perhaps some of you are in mortal sin, and you are being tempted to despair. God sent this CatholiCity Message for you today. Our Lord is asking you to pray. Your safe harbor is the sacrament of Confession. Do not delay.

"Nothing but self-will can separate us from God."
Saint Alphonsus Ligouri

"It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey."
Saint Ignatius of Loyola

"It is a form of trade, you see. I ask God for souls and pay Him by giving up everything else."
Saint John Bosco

"To be criticized, denounced, and despised by good men, by our own friends and relatives is a severe test of virtue."
Saint Frances de Sales

"Sorrow can be alleviated by good sleep, a bath and a glass of wine."
Saint Thomas Aquinas

"God commands you to pray, but He forbids you to worry."
Saint John Vianney

"Learn to hate your faults, but to hate them calmly."
Saint (Padre) Pio

"To sin is human, but to persist in sin is devilish."
Saint Catherine of Siena

"Even if you are committing mortal sins, keep on praying, and I guarantee you will reach the harbor of salvation."
Saint Teresa of Avila

Thanks for reading this. You might want to take a few clicks of your mouse to forward these golden nuggets to your friends. Let's all 70,000 of us pray the Our Father today, keeping in mind our fellow CatholiCity Citizens who will be going to Confession soon. Let us love them with our prayer...

"Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen."

And Amen. If you haven't heard our free recording by Father Larry Richards called, simply, "Confession," perhaps now is a good time. It will help:

http://www.catholicity.com/maryfoundation/confession.html

2. SON OF MAN
As surely as you watch the news, you know the rumors are thick concerning the grave state of Our Holy Father's health. The 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's election is this Thursday, 16 October. If he needs a miracle, we'll pray for one together. Keep your eye on your in-box.

POET OF THE WEEK

"For sudden
the worst
turns the best
to the brave"
Robert Browning

3. BERY BERY GOOD
"There are only five things you can do in baseball: run, throw, catch, hit, and hit with power."
Leo Durocher

Go Sox. Go Cubs.

If you sin, if you are poor, if you suffer, if you pray, if you love, if you love Mary, if you have no strength but God's, if you are afraid, if you are dying, if you are a father, if you dream, if you laugh, if you are lonely, if you obey, if you thirst for consolation, we are with you...

In Christ,

Your Friends at CatholiCity