Welcome Message

Welcome to my blog about Catholic life and family values.
This blog will center around the beauty of Catholicism and how to raise families, evangelize our faith, and fight the ongoing spritual battles that challenge us daily.

You are invited to share your wisdom on these pages with all the readers. Together we will address important life and faith issues and how to enhance our Catholic identity.

Key areas that you will find me addressing regularly will be about important Catholic doctrine and beliefs and how they help us raise strong Catholic Christian families. My hope is that you will learn, enjoy, and be challenged by my posts. You may be informed, amused, or even annoyed, but I hope it will in some way improve your Catholic faith.



Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Great Pro-Life article - a MUST read

The best Pro-Life article by a national columnist that I've read it quite some time. Star Parker appears in my local newspaper, the Kitsap Sun. Fortunately, I read it this morning. I've now subscribed to her column online as to not miss any in the future.

This is a fabulous article - a MUST READ and pass on...

Click here to read.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Monday, January 19, 2009

Lesson #2 from Narnia

Excuse the delay...I went through the wardrobe and ended up in Rhode Island!

Lesson #2 is this - Put your trust and faith blindly in Jesus. Sometimes there is no evidence He is there or listening to you. He is. In the movie, Peter couldn't find Aslan; wondered why he never showed up to save the day; and gave up hope he would come. Lucy finally found him and Aslan asked why she was the only one to show up. Faith, hope and trust must exist...even in the toughest of times.

Ironically, on my trip back East, I started reading the book on Mother Teresa that came out a few years ago. I've barely been able to put it down. Amazingly she hits on the issue I've just mentioned above. Blind faith and trust even when you are in darkness. If you haven't read the book yet, do yourself a favor and get it. You will be inspired!

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Lesson #1 from Narnia

My goal isn't to ruin the movie for you. If you haven't seen it, this shouldn't take away the excitement. Maybe you can watch and re-visit this post later...

Lesson #1 - Temptation is always attractive. And, it normally hits our weak spots.

In the movie, the opportunity to free the evil White Witch from her bondage is given to both Caspian and Peter. Both are visibly leaning towards doing the unthinkable and freeing their mortal enemy to help them defeat a new one.

As Father John Corapi says, the devil never walks up to you looking all bad and evil saying, "Hi, I'm the devil and I'm here to tempt you." Instead, he disguises himself in something that we have a desire for, whether it be self interest, pornography, gambling, drug or alcohol abuse, etc. Like the White Witch, he shows up looking like it's our best interest...see the Garden of Eden.

In the movie, Peter lost faith in Aslan. When we lose faith or forget in the power of God, we are tempted to do the same. Don't fall for the bait.

Next up - Lesson #2.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Lessons from Narnia

My family just watched the newest edition of C.S. Lewis' the Chronicles of Narnia last night - Prince Caspian. If you are familiar with C.S. Lewis, you know he was greatly influenced by Catholicism. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has a ton of Christian and Catholic imagery dealing with the Resurrection, Confession, and Faith to name a few.

I found Prince Caspian to be much more of the same. Granted, Lewis' work has been turned into a major motion picture which can sometimes lead to distortion. That being said, I think Disney did an excellent job in keeping to the original work.

Over the next three posts, I'm going to comment on three key areas that I believe have a Catholic interpretation. I couldn't help but hearken back to them as I sat in Mass this morning. I hope you plan on checking back over the week to see what they are. As always, I will welcome your comments and critique.

Vivat Jesus,

Dan