The “main thing” . . . is to always keep the “main thing” . . . the “main thing.”
Spiritual Reading: available through online booksellers
The Catholic Bible, especially the RSV revised edition for Catholics
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, The Compendium, YouCat
The Catholic Catechism for Adults by the American Bishops
Introduction to the Devout Life by Francis de Sales
The Three Ages of the Interior Life by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange
The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard
The Way, The Furrow, and The Forge by Josemaria Escriva
In Conversation with God by Francisco Fernandez
Discover Christ, Follow Christ, and Share Christ by David Nodar
Making Missionary Disciples by Curtis Martin
The Fulfillment of All Desire by Ralph Martin
Forming Intentional Disciples by Sherry Weddell
Navigating the Interior Life by Daniel Burke
33 Days to Greater Glory by Michael Gaitley
The Better Part by John Bartunek
Holy is His Name by Scott Hahn
The Willpower Advantage by Tom Peterson and Ryan Hanning
Foundations for Discipleship by Curtis Martin and Edward Sri
Online Resources: from trustworthy websites
ChristLife.com – David Nodar
Focus.org – Fellowship of Catholic University Students
CatholicsComeHome.org – Thomas Peterson
MyCatholic.Life – John Paul Thomas
Catholic.com – Catholic Answers
WordOnFire.Institute – Bishop Robert Barron
AugustineInstitute.org – The FORMED Series
NCRegister.com – National Catholic Register
PillarCatholic.com – The Pillar News
Prayer Requests. May I pray for you? Please click here to send me an email, and I will remember your special intentions not only at Mass but also when I recite the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the course of each day.
Please remember that, in addition to the public intentions at Mass, your private personal intentions are also included in every celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as well. May God answer all your prayers!
Here is something else to consider. Imagine placing your petitions on the paten with the host as the priest lifts it up. And imagine pouring your tears of joy and sorrow into the chalice as the priest pours the wine and water into it.
Remember that the priest prays that “my sacrifice and yours” is acceptable to God at each Mass. So, please keep your special intentions foremost in your mind and heart as you come forward to worthily receive Holy Communion.
“The Eucharist is the shortest and safest way to heaven.” – Pius X
The Pastoral Care of Souls
Pastoral Care treats the human spirit in ways that go beyond healing to holiness of life. The reparative therapy of Soul Care provides a Sacramental Cure for the whole human person in Christ. In the process, people may also experience temporary symptom abatement as a respite from their redemptive sufferings.
Repentance (deprogramming) leads to Catechesis (re-education) and results in Conversion (renewal). Sacramental Pastoral Care is thus the therapeutic hallmark of traditional Catholic Christian spirituality. “Resistance is futile; you will be converted!” So, convert to Christ before the world converts you first!
As a pastoral care provider, your parish priest can help discern your spiritual condition and make referrals to spiritual directors and other faith-base counselors for your ongoing spiritual care. At the heart of pastoral care ministry, the focus is on the sacraments of Confession, Communion, and the Anointing of the Sick.
Pope Saint Leo the Great taught us that, after his Ascension into heaven, Christ remains with us until the end of time in the sacraments of his Church. The signs and wonders of the early Church thus continue on in the devout celebration of the sacred liturgy and the sacraments of his Church.
Please contact your parish priest for more information about pastoral care ministries and referrals in and around your parish. Resources include sacramental confession, spiritual direction, and pastoral counseling.
Resources for Pastoral Care. The following short pamphlets may be of interest to you in understanding some of the spiritual dynamics of pastoral care.
Health and Healing | Five Keys to Spiritual Health | Seven Habits – Covey | Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit | What is Your Religion
Please contact your parish priest for information about pastoral care resources available to you from trusted spiritual directors and pastoral counselors.
We are looking upward in faith, moving forward in hope, and leading onward in love, to new life in Christ!
We are a faith community of prayer, education, and service. Please come and join us as intentional disciples of Christ.
We believe that the Catholic Christian Lifestyle is the only life truly worth living, both now and for all eternity!