Changes In Faith of the Fathers Blogs Effective January 1, 2013

Effective January 1, 2013, Faith of the Fathers blogs will reduce the number of "active" blogs, from 24 to 10.

Beginning January 1, the 14 that will no longer be posted to, will be listed as "Older Faith of the Fathers Blogs" as a link list at the very bottom of each blogs left hand sidebar. Those blogs will not be deleted, they will just no longer have any new posts added to them.

A decision to delete them entirely may come at a later date, as the 14 have very little to no traffic at all.

The 10 blogs that will remain active are as follows: 

Faith of the Fathers, Saint Quote of the Day, Daily Mass Readings, Approved Apparitions, Saints of the Faith, Pope Benedict XVI, Favorite Prayers And Scripture , Prayer Requests, The Early Church Fathers, and Apologetics.

These 10 are the blogs that have the most traffic and subscriptions, with the exception of the Prayer Requests blog. I will not remove it, as it is a blog I feel that is, and has been very helpful to many people.

In any case, thank you all for reading, following, and subscribing to these blogs.

From The Diocese of Charlotte: Rorate Mass in Latin held Dec. 15

Catholics attended what is thought to be the first Rorate Mass celebrated in the Diocese of Charlotte since the Second Vatican Council. The pre-dawn traditional Latin Mass, an ancient custom during Advent in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was held "in media nocte" ("in the middle of the night") and was illuminated only by candlelight.

Don't Let Time Slip Away

Today's tragic events in Connecticut have me thinking about things, as I am sure it has most of us.

I feel so much sorrow for the one's who died today, especially the children. No matter how I try to express my sorrow, it just seems so empty...too much like a cliche.

I suppose that is because we all know, that no matter what we might say, it won't change what happened. So the words I write, the things I think, seem so empty and shallow, that nothing I can say or write can make a difference whenever something awful like this happens.

To those of us who mourn the deaths of all the victims there is just nothing that we can say that will take the hurt away, that can ease the pain. All we can do is say "I'm sorry" and trust in God.

I heard someone on the radio tonight, ask "where was God when all this happened?" And they also asked, "why does God allow these things to happen if He is really there, and really cares?"

My reply to the first question is, God was, and is in the very same place He was, when His own Son died on the cross.

My reply to the second question is, that the old devil is behind this crime. And one of the reasons he caused this crime to take place, is so that you would begin to doubt God.

Let's not doubt God, but let's turn to Him. Now is when we all should turn to Him, and trust in Him. In the end, He will see us....and all the families and friends of the victims... through it all.

Another thing or two before I'm finished here. Hug your children tight, and tell them you love them. I don't care if your child is 5 or 55. Tell them.

Also, make sure that there are no bitter chasms between you and a loved one or friend. Call them. Tell them you love them. Tell them you miss them. Tell them you want to forget the past, and start anew.

Husbands and wives, don't allow petty arguments that seem so huge in your lives, to create a gulf between you. Don't go to bed angry. Don't let one or the other leave the house with one or both of you angry.

None of us are promised tomorrow. We don't know what tomorrow will bring, or even what the next hour will bring. Don't let it bring you any regret for having not made amends, or not having said some tender loving words. Take the time to say, "I love you". Take the time to say "I'm sorry". Take the time to say, "I forgive you". Take the time to ask for forgiveness.

Because just like the parents in Connecticut had no idea this morning that they would be seeing their child alive for the last time... we have no idea that someone in our lives... someone important in our lives...may be walking out the door... hanging up the phone...or going to sleep next to us...or in the same house with us... for the last time.

Don't let the moment escape you. Do it now!

Prayers For The Children In Connecticut

To You, O Lord, we humbly entrust these children, so precious in Your sight. Take them into Your arms and welcome them into paradise, where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain, but the fullness of peace and joy with Your Son and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.