Saint Joseph Parish: $871.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $63.00 from the second collection (plate); $70.00 from the Dues envelopes; $136.00 from the Peter’s Pence envelopes; $83.00 from the loose. Thank you.

Saint Vincent DePaul Parish: $930.00 from the Sunday envelopes; $159.00 from the second collection (plate); $5.00 from the Catholic Home Missions envelopes; $5.00 from the Peter’s Pence envelopes; $111.00 from the loose. Thank you.

AS WE MAKE READY TO WELCOME OUR NEW DIOCESAN BISHOP, we might want to become acquainted (or re-acquainted) with some of the canons (laws) of the Church that have to do with bishops. Here is one such law:

Canon #378
§1. In regard to the suitability of a candidate for the episcopacy, it is required that he is:

01/ outstanding in solid faith, good morals, piety, zeal for souls, wisdom, prudence, and human virtues, and endowed with other qualities which make him suitable to fulfill the office in question;
02/ of good reputation;
03/ at least thirty-five years old;
04/ ordained to the presbyterate for at least five years;
05/ in possession of a doctorate or at least a licentiate in sacred scripture, theology, or canon law from an institute of higher studies approved by the Apostolic See, or at least truly expert in the same disciplines.

§2. The definitive judgment concerning the suitability of the one to be promoted pertains to the Apostolic See.

Some words that might be unfamiliar are these: “episcopacy” means “office of bishop”; “presbyterate” means “office of priest”; “licentiate” means “master’s degree”.

I would not like it to be said that the people of St. Vincent dePaul Parish and of St. Joseph Parish did not contribute their fair share to this most important of all charities.
To be honest, I would have to say that — AS OF NOW — we have not done our fair share.
It all boils down to individuals. So, I put it to you flatly but respectfully: HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR FAIR SHARE TO THE BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL FOR 2009? If yes, thank you. If not, please do so.

PLEASE TAKE A GOOD LOOK AT THIS PICTURE. It is the “May picture” from the Catholic Heritage calendar. Most Catholic parishes (including our own) purchase calendars each year and distribute them free of charge to parishioners and others. “Catholic Heritage” is a brand name. Pastors are free to select calendars of their own preference from any one of a number of suppliers. One of the drawbacks when purchasing calendars is this: The pastor doesn’t usually get to preview all of the pictures before signing the contract. He usually sees the picture that graces the month of January and simply trusts that all of the other pictures are “suitable”. When I was a pastor in Pottsville, I often purchased “Catholic Heritage” calendars. I’m glad that I did not do so this year for the Girardville parishes.
This picture, as you can see, portrays Judas (see the moneybag and the spilled coins) and an ethereal image of the risen Christ. Do you know of any basis for such a scene either in Sacred Scripture or Sacred Tradition? No, you don’t! Why don’t you? Because there is none! This picture and the inclusion of it in a Catholic calendar is not an innocent act of sentimental religious imagination. On the contrary, it is an act of sabotage.
Please do not misinterpret my meaning. I am not — in any way, shape or form — criticizing any parish that circulated this calendar, neither explicitly nor implicitly. The pastors of those parishes had nothing to do with this picture being in the calendar. They were taken advantage of. I could easily have been one of them. I’m glad I was not.
What is the not-so-hidden agenda of the persons who propagate this kind of “heresy in picture form”? At least part of their insidious agenda is the propagation of the dangerous heresy known as Universalism. What does Universalism say? Something like this: It doesn’t matter what kind of sin you commit. In the long run, Jesus forgives everybody and everybody goes to heaven. Look! Jesus forgave Judas and, so, Judas went to heaven. So, you and I don’t really have to worry about our sins. Just trust in Jesus and you don’t have to confess your sins. It doesn’t matter that Jesus said about Judas, “One of you is a devil!” It doesn’t matter that Jesus said about Judas, “It would be better for that man if he had never been born”. It’s all okay!

I have no doubt that this picture has already done spiritual harm to a good number of our fellow Catholics. Brethren, be sober, be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, like a roaring lion, goes about seeking the destruction of souls.