Religious freedom will mean the ability to live one’s religious beliefs regardless of denomination without any type of restrictions or persecutions from the State. The reader should understand “State” as meaning the government at any level (city, county, state or federal). In this case, the State has no desire to interfere with religion in any way. For those who wish to reference the Amendments of the U. S. Constitution, it simply states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; …”

Religious liberty, on the hand, will be defined as meaning all religions, sects and denominations to be equal. No one church or religion is to be considered better or more correct than the other. In practical terms, religious liberty is the “father” of religious indifference. This definition has its origin in the French Revolution and Freemasonry.

Pope Pius XI, in his Encyclical Letter Mortalium Animos (On Fostering True Religious Liberty), confirms the effects of such liberty: “How so great a variety of opinions can clear the way for the unity of the Church, We know not. That unity can arise only from one teaching authority, one law of belief and one faith of Christians. But we do know that from such a state of affairs it is but an easy step to the neglect of religion or ‘indifferentism,’ and to the error of the Modernists, who hold that dogmatic truth is not absolute but relative, that is, that it changes according to the varying necessities of time and place and the varying tendencies of the mind; that it is not contained in an immutable tradition, but can be altered to suit the needs of human life.”

This error has become so imbedded in the mind of the typical American that it has also poisoned the soul of the Catholic in the United States. It is, indeed, to a greater degree the fault of the Modernist clergy which preached this error among many others to the ignorant Catholic in the pew.

In their desire to be ‘ecumenical,’ as well as to be ‘obedient,’ the unsuspecting Catholic accepted these errors, while probably not understanding the implications of their actions.

The bigger problem which we face in the United States at this time, though, is that of religious freedom. It is having its effect on everyone who wishes to be associated with a parish, a church or synagogue, whether they realize it or not.

The so-called mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare is of particular concern in this area of religious freedom. This mandate, of course, affects anyone who is morally opposed to the regulations which require an employer to pay for the employee’s insurance. The insurance includes “benefits” which will pay for abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilization.
As many Americans know by now, this type of legislation has never before been forced upon the citizens of this country. The Marxists in the White House have used lies, half-truths and disinformation to deceive the ignorant.

Make no mistake about it, this is an immoral law that is being shoved down our throats in such a way that, many believe if it is allowed to be fully implemented, the nation will never recover from it. This is because the law involves much more than simply “health care.” Those who truly understand this law realize that the true purpose of this “care” is to “fundamentally transform” the United States. Many notables believe the nation will be transformed into a European socialist state. I disagree. I believe, if allowed to continue, this law and others will transform this once free nation into a country that more closely resembles Russia, China or Cuba.

Why do I make such a bold statement when no one else is?
Let’s look at the facts. The mandate in this law is there to attack religion and morality itself. This is an attack in the broadest possible way. As already stated, is has the potential to effect a broad spectrum of Americans. The mandate is well understood. When the U. S. Catholic bishops pleaded for an exemption, Barack Obama flatly refused. It should be noted that the refusal came after a meeting with Timothy Cardinal Dolan where Obama led Dolan to believe the exemptions would be forthcoming. In other words, Barack Obama lied or purposely misled him. But should we be surprised, since when do Communists tell the truth?

Think about this for a moment. The “President of the United States” publicly refused to exempt the Catholic Church, which has a “membership” of about 60 million people. Put aside for the sake of the present argument, that these people are not true Catholics. In the eyes of the world, they are considered to be Catholic, and this is the important point in this discussion.

Obama has looked at the Catholic Church face-to-face. Either he believes he can divide Catholics and win this fight, or simply call their bluff. His re-election would lead us to the conclusion that he has successfully divided Catholics. Will it become necessary for Obama to wait and see how the bishops will play the next hand? I doubt it. In all likelihood, Obama is “two or three hands ahead.”

The reader must remember the Modernists bishops have put themselves in this position. Beginning in the 1960’s, they compromised and remained mostly silent about artificial contraceptives. Precious little has been said about birth control in nearly 50 years. An occasional clergyman will speak out to little or no avail. It indeed is an “accepted fact.” The “wink and nod” and confessional approval has brought with it a tidal wave of immorality among “practicing Catholics.”
Lip service was given when Roe v. Wade was argued in the Supreme Court. A small number of priests and bishops have consistently protested this “American Holocaust”- now at nearly 56 million.

I have said for several years that if the U. S. Catholics bishops in the early 1970’s had been fulfilling their responsibilities, that would have had their respective clergy preach against abortion from coast to coast in such a way that the public pressure and influence would have brought about a different result in the Supreme Court. Their near silence since 1973 has been overwhelmingly deafening!

From their lip service on the issue of sterilization, apparently they are not overly concerned with this moral issue.
It is quite interesting since the Obama administration announcement that the Catholic Church would not be given an exemption concerning the mandate, the media has chosen to focus on the issue of contraceptives more than that of abortion. Do I sense an opportunity for “anti-Catholic bashing” and open mockery of the Church? Understand dear reader, opposition against abortion has broader support among many different sects or denominations. Artificial birth control is permitted by all such groups with few exceptions, including Catholics.

In early 2012, after the announcement mentioned above (the Catholic Church would not receive an exemption from the mandate), the bishops began howling publicly in such a way most Catholics had never witnessed in their lifetime. At the time I thought to myself, it was good to see them so united on an issue, but what really would become of it? Will they continue to fight, or will this be the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” as carried out so well by the hypocritical Pharisees?
In addition, as Barack Obama knows well, Catholic health care makes up about 12% of the total health care in this country (600 health care institutions; 1 in 6 persons is treated in a Catholic health care institution). Also, there are 244 Catholic universities in the United States.
Think of the disastrous effects it would have if all of these facilities and schools were forced to close. Yet, Obama is adamant that no exemptions will be given for Catholics or other denominational institutions.

Politically speaking, why would a man in his position be so unwilling to bend? Remarkably, he told us why before he was elected the first time. He spoke publicly about wanting to “fundamentally transform” the United States.

It would seem reasonable, that, in order to know what a person means by such a phrase there is one or two ways of finding the answer. The first and easiest way is when the person who has made the comment provides a full explanation. In this case, no explanation was forthcoming. Therefore, to have an idea of how a person might act, we should look to his past for possible answers.

For the patriotic American (True Catholics ought to be still more discerning), Obama’s past is literally filled with “red flags.” According to the information I have come across, his parents and grandparents were all Communists. The man his mother recommended as a mentor, (and in fact was his mentor), Frank Marshall, was a known card-carrying Communist. In Obama’s book, “Dreams of My Father,” he openly admits that he chose to openly associate with the Marxist professors on campus. He attended classes in Chicago to learn the “ways and means” of Saul Alinsky. His teacher admitted Obama was one of the best students he had ever taught. He learned the Communist tactics so well that Obama became a teacher.

For those who are not familiar with Alinsky, he was a Communist who worked as a “community organizer.” He went from city to city, using Communist coercion tactics to force businesses to unionize. He usually left a riotous trail. Alinsky’s influence among the U. S. Catholic bishops is quite embarrassing to Catholics who are aware of who he really was. One can only reasonably assume that these clerics were not naïve, but agents of the Communist/Socialist agenda.

So what, indeed, does this tell us about the man known as Barack Obama? The only honest answer is that he has cleverly and diabolically hidden his past because he is most assuredly a Communist. To say it any other way would be disingenuous. The media, of course, has been a willing partner in this treason.

In other words, it would not make political sense to push forward with this socialized medical program if one had the best interest of the country in mind. The law itself states that many persons will be refused care for reasons to be determined by the “elite.” In addition, the amount of money this law will require is a true injustice to those who will suffer medically, physically and monetarily.

I have learned recently of patients in Lubbock, Texas who have been refused what most would consider is rather routine health care – kidney dialysis. The reason given for this refusal was Obamacare.

On the issue of life, this law will make abortion nothing more than, “normal, everyday health care!” It says a lot about a person who considers the “slaughtering of innocents” nothing more than “normal everyday health care.”
Little do people know there are some 20 to 25 additional taxes built in to this law. That in itself is an act of injustice upon the workers of this country who are already feeding the other half of this nation who are largely either too lazy or just simply unwilling to work.

Only a person with an agenda would pursue this law, as though the country would not survive without it. The agenda includes much more than that which I have included here. Those things which have been described are tied to the new health care law. This brings us back to the focus of this article – religious freedom.
It is quite interesting, Catholic health care existed prior to the discovery of this nation, and obviously prior to Obama’s unfortunate birth. Yet, he, unlike any previous president is going after religion, Catholicism and its health care with the stroke of one signature of his Islamic name.
Yes, do not dismiss his desire to further weaken Catholicism, so as to make it easier for Islam to have a “greater influence.” His desire to divide Catholics is a clever way to conquer them. Please note the “Catholics” which are a part of Congress and his administration – Vice President Joseph Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Charles Rangel, Claire McCaskill, John Kerry, Barbara Mikulski, Mary Landrieu and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. These are examples of those who have betrayed their “faith” and country. All such Catholics ought to be publicly excommunicated and charged with treason.

One ought to be warned not hold your breath. Neither action will be taken, for the Modernist clergy has long ago sold its soul for thirty pieces of silver and the “right’ to “go along to get along.” On the other side of this one-sided coin, there are far too many traitors or otherwise weak “characters” in Congress to expect any talk of treason. Hell might yet freeze over first …

With a growing number of proclaimed atheists (1.6 million or 1.6%) and non-denominational church members (over 8 million or 11.8%), it there any wonder why so little is said about the continued loss of one’s ability to practice their religion freely?

We should remind ourselves that this present crisis (and it most certainly is a crisis) of this basic freedom may be new to us as Catholics in America, but it is not new to the Roman Catholic Church. Do we need to remind ourselves of the thousands of souls who have given their life for Christ? Our illustrious Catholic history is filled with those who stood tall when the enemies of God and His Church were persecuted.
It is, indeed, important to see the “big picture.” Understand we are fighting a spiritual war in the person of Barack Obama and his comrades. This is not about politics or parties, the rich or the poor (class warfare) or jobs or welfare. It is about right and wrong; good and evil; the Christian Order in Society versus the New Satanic World Order; the Mystical Body of Christ versus the Mystical Body of Satan; Heaven and Hell; the loss of your soul or its salvation.

It would be nice to think this situation will pass, but there is no guarantee of that. If history teaches us anything, we should recognize the clear signs and spiritually prepare ourselves. True freedom from a Catholic standpoint means we need to separate ourselves from the world’s attachments and sin. If we are able to accomplish this, the decisions of a Communist Moslem are of little consequence.

For many today those two words, just government, are a contradiction of terms. It’s certainly understandable why many, if not most, would draw this conclusion. We live in an age when there exist so few good and honest civil leaders. In other words, how many honest politicians do you know? To be sure, there have many persons who were honest when they entered the political arena, but soon were corrupted through various agents of Satan. Yes, Satan is the corruptor of all true morality!

By extension, those corrupt individuals form the nucleus of a government that no longer has in mind the central purpose of government as it was meant to be. Many today will necessarily be required to ask what the purpose is. This, in itself, is an indication of the sad, but objective state of affairs in the world today.

The central purpose (object) of government (the State) is to secure and promote the temporal well-being or the common good of it members. It is, like the Church, a perfect or supreme society in the sense that it is sovereign in its own sphere and does not depend in any way upon a superstate or any other higher power except God alone, although it has (or should have) relations of inter-dependence with the Church and with other states. – from The Framework of a Christian State

The terms common good are of great concern here. In the past, most individuals would have an elementary understanding of the common good. Today, one is not so sure. The dumbing-down of the school systems has put us in a situation where some of the most basic ideas remain unknown because they were never taught in the classroom.

Another cause would be the growth of the welfare state or just simply laziness of the able-bodied adult. Quite typically, but not necessarily absolutely, this group thinks that whatever more the state is willing to give them, this is something (whether right or wrong) which is good. The end result quite often is the person or family which never seeks gainful work. Their sloth and arrogant attitude are passed on to their children and grandchildren.

There are two main principles which the state must constantly work at to accomplish: peace and public prosperity.
Peace means security from violent interference with one’s rights. This can usually be assured only by the aid of the strong arm of public authority. For this aid each and every member of the community has an indefeasible claim upon the State. To secure peace to all is in fact the State’s most important duty. This duty includes the essential function of defending the State, and all interests and groups within it against unjust aggression from within or from without, and usually requires the maintaining of an army adequate for national defense, as well as a police force to secure internal order and tranquility. – from The Framework of a Christian State

Public prosperity, in general, means a sufficient supply of the means that the individual requires for his natural welfare and happiness. It includes such goods as bodily health, food, clothing, shelter, personal freedom, private property, good reputation, mental culture suited to one’s station, and good moral and religious training. It is the individual’s own duty to strive after and secure all these things by personal effort, helped by the family and Church. As far as they are thus attainable, they are called Private Prosperity. Since the legitimate function of the State is secondary, and comes in only where private or family cooperation fails or is inadequate, the providing of Private Prosperity is not the State’s direct or immediate duty. – from The Framework of a Christian State

Please note the initial statement when defining peace. Peace means security from violent interference with one’s rights .Depending upon how one defines the word violent, a case could easily be made that it is, indeed, the government which is presently the source of the violence in this country over a period of several years and multiple administrations.

When bills (and executive orders) are signed into law which are obvious intrusions into basic freedoms, this nation indeed has crossed over the line into some form of socialism. What is truly sad is that many among the citizenry are willing to give up their freedoms for the sake of a fictitious security. Just ask those who go through airport security regularly!

How often do we find civil leaders who truly are looking out for the common good of the citizen instead of seeking to please a lobbyist, whether a person or a corporation? In other cases it is all about pleasing a group of constituents for the sake of votes. The end result of these examples is a selfishness which has no place for such an officeholder. Thus, an unjust governing is allowed to exist.

As this immoral practice is allowed to continue among a growing number of politicians, the system itself becomes corrupted. A thoroughly corrupt government, regardless whether it is on a federal or state level, not only neglects its basic duties (which by this time are of no concern), but becomes an overwhelming yoke around the neck of the citizen. One wonders how many persons are unaware they have been yoked like never before in the country over a period of several administrations, and live as though we simply need to change the party affiliation of the officeholder. I suppose ignorance is truly bliss!

The federal government of the United States has for many years and administrations pursued or allowed immoral laws which are an affront to objective civil justice. The Catholic in this country is able to compose a long list of such laws. Abortion, homosexuality, divorce, pornography, various forms of nudity, high taxation and usury are just a short list of laws which are allowed to exist under the Masonic ideology of “freedoms.”

The typical citizen of this nation has been so propagandized over decades about this elusive freedom which they desire, they have no true concept of an objective, true freedom.

Far too many are more concerned with bread, circus and sex and are thus tangled in a web of spiritual slavery. These problems are at the heart of one’s frustration in attempting to educate, not the masses, but a handful of sincere individuals.

The discussions and differences between party loyalists before presidential and mid-term elections are no longer comical, but horribly tragic and sad beyond description. So very few have a basic understanding of the underlying problems in government today. Therefore, little, if anything, is accomplished which assists the common good.

Besides what has already been stated above, there have been numerous pieces of legislation which have been signed into law that undermine basic human freedoms. The misnamed Patriot Act, signed by George W. Bush in 2001 and renewed in 2005 and the National Defense Authorization Act signed by Barack Obama on Dec. 31, 2011 are the two worst laws this country has seen in many years, and perhaps in its history. Their traitorous intentions are spelled out in the laws. A person only needs to read the laws to understand who they really are.

Fr. Denis Fahey, C.S.Sp., in his book The Kingship of Christ and Organized Naturalism provides us with a explanation of the attitude which ought to be our guide in understanding how to solve the problems of the State in our time. Although some of his remarks are dated, they are timeless in their objectivity of what constitutes a just government.

“We can thus easily see that the entrance of Christianity into the world has meant two things. Primarily and principally, it has meant the constitution of a supernatural society, the Mystical Body of Christ, absolutely transcending every natural development of culture and civilization. Secondly, it has had as a result that this supernatural society, the Catholic Church, began to exercise a profound influence upon culture and civilization and modified in a far-reaching way the existing temporal or natural social order. The indirect power of the Church over temporal affairs, whenever the interests of the Divine Life of souls are involved, presupposes, of course, a clear distinction of nature between the ecclesiastical authority, charged with the care of divine things, and the civil authority, whose mission is concerned with purely temporal matters. In proportion as the Mystical Body of Christ was accepted by mankind, political and economic thought and action began to respect the jurisdiction and guidance of the Catholic Church, endowed, as she is, with the right of intervention in temporal affairs whenever necessary, because of her participation in the Spiritual Kingship of Christ. Thus the natural and temporal Common Good of States came to be sought in a manner calculated to favor the development of true personality, in and through the Mystical Body of Christ, and social life came more and more under the influence of the supreme end of man, the vision of God in Three Divine Persons.”

“Accordingly, the Divine Plan for Order in our fallen and redeemed world comprises, primarily, the supernatural social organism of the Catholic Church, and then, secondarily, the temporal or natural social order resulting from the influence of Catholic doctrine on politics and economics and from the embodiment of that influence in social institutions. From the birth of the Catholic Church on Calvary and the solemn promulgation of her mission at the first Pentecost, the Kingdom of God in its essence has been present in the world. As a result of the gradual acceptance of the role of the Church by the Temporal Representatives of Christ the King, the social institutions of States and Nations became deeply permeated with the influence of the Supernatural Life of Christ. Then, and only then, could the Kingdom of God in its integrity or the rule of Christ the King in its integrity, be said to exist. The Kingdom of God or the rule of Christ the King is present in its integrity only in so far as the whole social life of States, political and economic, is permeated with the influence of the Church. To put it in other terms, Christ fully reigns only when the Program for which He died is accepted as the one true way to peace and order in the world, and social institutions in harmony with it are evolved.”

“The Kingdom of God in its essence is always with us, but the influence of the Church on politics and economics, in other words, the extension of the Kingdom of God in its integrity, has varied with the centuries. Broadly speaking, the thirteenth century has been, so far, the high water mark of that influence. Since then, until recently, there has been steady decay. No particular temporal social order, of course, will ever realize all that the Church is capable of giving to the world. Each of them will be defective for several reasons.”

“First of all, the action of the Church, welcomed by some Catholics, will be opposed by the ignorance, incapacity and perversity of others.”
“Secondly, even if all Catholics did accept fully, they could only reflect some of the beauty of the Gospel, as the saints reflected some of the infinitely imitable holiness of Christ.”

“Thirdly, there would still remain the vast number of non-Catholics to be won for Christ and have their social life organized under His rule. It is towards this latter goal that every generation of Catholics is called upon to work. The aim is not, needless to say, to bring back the Middle Ages, for the river of time does not turn back in its course, but the aim is to impregnate a new epoch with the divine principles of order so firmly grasped in the thirteenth century. The result of the so-called Reformation and the French Revolution has been to obscure the Rights of God proclaimed by Our Lord Jesus Christ and to diffuse Naturalism.”
“Naturalism consists in the negation of the possibility of the elevation of our nature to the Supernatural Life and order, or more radically still, in the negation of the very existence of that Life and order. In our day (1943), owing to the progress of the anti-Christian revolt, the more radical meaning has become common. Naturalism may be defined, therefore, as the attitude of mind which denies the reality of the Divine Life of Christ and of our Fall therefrom by Original Sin. It rejects our consequent liability to revolt against the order of the Divine Life, when this Life has been restored to us by our membership of Christ, and maintains that all social life should be organized on the basis of that denial. We must combat that mentality and proclaim the Rights of God. ‘About the ‘rights of man’ as they are called,’ wrote Pope Leo XIII, ‘the people have heard enough: it is time they should hear of the Rights of God.’”
“‘The claim to withdraw the public life of States and Nations from subjection to God and His law,’ wrote Cardinal Pie, ‘is the dominant error and the capital crime of this (19th) century.’”

“Cardinal Mercier in the 20th century proclaimed that the terrible war of 1914-1918 was the punishment of this error and this crime. ‘In the name of the Gospel,’ he wrote, ‘and in the light of the Encyclicals of the last four Popes, Gregory XVI, Pius IX, Leo XIII and Pius X, I do not hesitate to affirm that this indifference to religion, which puts on the same level the religion of divine origin and the religions invented by men, in order to include them in the same skepticism, is the blasphemy which, far more than the sins of individuals and families, calls down God’s chastisements on society.”

It should be noted that what Pope Leo XIII, Cardinal Mercier and Cardinal Pie said concerning the 19th and 20th centuries is of greater importance (if that is possible) now in the 21st century. Those errors of naturalism of which Fr. Fahey spoke have now, in the 21st century, been so imbedded in the life of most persons, regardless of location, culture or creed, they fail to recognize the errors themselves. In fact, far too many have ‘drank the kool-aid’ and openly accept these errors as though they were something of which to be proud.

There truly is only one way to correct an unjust government. It is as Fr. Fahey stated above. It is the recognition of the Blessed Trinity, accepting the proper role of the Catholic Church in society and making use of the supernatural life of grace.

Anything less than the ideals as mentioned by Fr. Denis Fahey, C.S.Sp., will end up in folly. If you have ever wondered why the politicians of today seem to ‘spin their wheels’ and make buffoons of themselves, you now have the answer.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

“Going therefore, teach you all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” – St. Matthew, Chap. 28, Verses 19-20.

This last command of Our Lord to the disciples before ascending into Heaven has resounded from the four corners of the earth for the last two thousand years. Every race and culture has heard the Gospel preached. Six of the continents have borne witness to untold conversions and numberless barbaric tribes have been civilized.

Our Lord’s command directly implies a simple but profound truth, i.e., to convert the world to the One True Faith – the Roman Catholic Faith. This truth is in no way acceptable to an obstinate, politically correct world in the 21st century. It seems as though the longer the Gospel has been preached, the more stubborn men have become.

When Christ sent the disciples out to preach, they went two by two into the four corners of the known world. They preached the Gospel by word of mouth for it would be in hearing the spoken Word that men would find salvation. And so the course was set – with the exception of the few who were inspired to write – the Gospel would go throughout the world by way of preaching.

The method of spreading the Gospel for many centuries was quite simple. The clergy preached it during Holy Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obligation. It was preached in churches and the open fields, especially in Europe, throughout the world. Priests in hiding would have preached it in the secrecy of the homes of courageous Catholics, who, if they were caught by the authorities would have faced imprisonment. The priests were put to death.

This is an interesting example for this writer. Everywhere I now travel in the West and Southwest, Mass is celebrated in a home of a faithful Catholic. The exception, of course, is Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lubbock, TX. Although the parallels are not exact, for we don’t face imprisonment or death yet, the homes are certainly types of modern-day catacombs.

The local clergy would have fulfilled Our Lord’s command in the frigid missions of Alaska, Russia and Siberia, as well as the tropics of Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. It has been preached in hundreds of languages with the greatest simplicity or the eloquence of the educated intellectual. The lowly peasant of Europe, the savages of Africa, the Orientals of the Far East, the kings of Europe and the infidels (Moslems) of the Middle East have all heard the Gospel preached to them. This was indeed their “moment of salvation.” Some responded to the message of Christ and were converted and baptized, while others remained obstinate and refused the Grace of Salvation.

As time passed, the Gospels (sermons) in written form became more common. It was the Church’s way of reaching more souls beyond the local parish or mission. Undoubtedly, this must have been quite “modern” for its time. Consider the clergy of those times. All they had known up to that point was preaching the Gospels from their pulpits. It would have been quite parochial, and to us quite primitive. The fact is, those “times” weren’t that long ago.

After the printing press and typewriter, the next major invention the Church utilized would seem to be the radio. Imagine the first clergy to step behind the microphone. Like so many, they would have theoretically understood just how far the radio waves would have carried their message of the Gospels. In practice, (I am now able to understand this myself) only when you have people who are listening at a local distance, call into the program does it begin to dawn on you that, yes, indeed, my voice is being heard by those listening to this station at this time. One is now able to preach to any willing listener. This now has a new meaning to the person behind the “mike.”

One is reminded of the times gone by of the Catholic clergy who preached in the open square or field. They quickly realized their words were now being heard by a “mixed” crowd, not simply the Catholic sitting in the pew each Sunday morning. Those mixed crowds made it possible for numberless conversions – individuals who otherwise would not have “darkened the doorway” of the local Catholic church, found themselves willing to listen to the Catholic priest (many of whom were noted, saintly Franciscans or Dominicans) and as a result were converted to the True Faith or brought back into Holy Mother Church from their reprobate life.

Later on in the 20th century the invention of the television brought on another wave of technical advancement. Now the viewer could not only hear, but now see the one who is giving a sermon or lecture. Those old enough to remember Bishop Fulton Sheen on weekly television in the 1940’s and 50’s can attest to the effect of watching a clergyman defend the Catholic Faith while the viewer remains in their home. I don’t know if anyone was able to determine how many people converted to Catholicism as a result of his program, but it would not be surprising to learn there were many.

As a side note, I believe the Catholic clergy in the United States has, for the most part, been quite negligent in how they have not made use of the different forms of the media. The Faith could have been advanced immeasurably if only the bishops had been willing to initiate apostolates dedicated to the field of mass communications. Now this is the type of “modernism” which ought to be promoted instead of the heterodoxy which has overwhelmed the Church. Unfortunately, I believe their outlook was far too limited to understand the good which could have been accomplished, or else they simply allowed the heresy of Americanism (go along to get along) to dictate their decisions.

Moving forward since the 1980’s when computers first became available to the consumer, and in the 90’s when the internet came online, the world of communication changed in a way that had not been seen previously. Now it was possible to communicate with those in distant parts of the earth immediately. The different means by which this has been accomplished is nothing short of what would have been thought of thirty to forty years as science fiction. The rapid development of the technology has truly been quite amazing, especially for those old enough to remember rotary phones and black and white television.

The more important point in this review is what is now possible through the development of this technology. We are now able to broadcast a program such as The Catholic Faith Radio Program from a local radio station, make the proper connections to our website (www.catholichour.org) and the internet, and are now able to reach listeners around the world. The ability to do this has been with us for several years, so the news in itself is not startling.

The exciting aspect of this apostolate is the ability to reach souls anywhere in the world. Our efforts have already begun to bear fruit, hearing from people in New Zealand, England and India. I will tell you this gives an entirely different meaning to missionary work! But there is more.

The ability to broadcast Holy Mass live via the web is a more recent development, but one which is perhaps more exciting and certainly more important than the radio program. As we are all aware, there are numberless True Catholics who desire to attend only the Latin Tridentine Mass, but live in places where a priest is not able to go on a regular schedule. This broadcast each Sunday morning from Lubbock, TX has now made it possible for Catholics coast to coast (literally) to attend Mass. Some have told me how they get dressed in their Sunday clothes and use their missals to follow Mass. This obviously means they are able to hear a Sunday sermon, providing spiritual thoughts to grateful souls. A Spiritual Communion would seem to complete there “attendance” at Mass.

Frankly, this technology is a Godsend in an otherwise godless world. I have seen the effects of those who attend Mass once a month, or perhaps once a year. The hardship of such a situation is known only by those who live it. May God abundantly bless them for the sacrifice which they make!

More recently, we have been told that a small group of Chilean Catholics now “attend” Mass on Sunday mornings. I was left nearly speechless when this wonderful news was conveyed to me. We were told these souls do not have any priests available to say Mass. On one hand, imagine a country such as Chile with its Catholic history not having one priest available to offer the Holy Sacrifice; and on the other, the effect of the destructive work of the Modernists. Their only recourse is Bishop Luis Madrigal in Mexico and our Franciscan community in the United States. Is it any wonder why the devils seem to always torment us in one way or another, and would wish to destroy us?

God has made it possible to reach souls which a few short years ago was simply unthinkable. It is now up to us to do all which we can to reach these souls anywhere in the world. These are the tools of the 21st century with which to preach the Holy Gospels – and preach we must!

We can no longer think in terms of simply helping those who attend Mass in our local churches, but must use the technology to reach as many Catholics who are concerned with their salvation. It indeed is a new way of preaching the Gospel, reaching the four corners of the world by pressing a few buttons on your computer.

Please pray for the continued success of our work. We also ask for the special intercession of St. Clare of Assisi, Patronness of the Radio and Television.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

It is quite normal for religious communities that have existed for some years to have dates that have a special meaning to occur on a regular basis. An example would be the feast day of one of its members. In our Franciscan community this day is celebrated by wishing the friar a “Happy Feast Day.” At his place in the refectory, a special napkin or placemat is put under his plate and a simple vase of flowers is placed next to his plate. The brother cook usually made a simple cake with which to finish the meal. As simple as these gestures may seem to many, the friar whose feast we were remembering was usually quite grateful. Such is life in the religious state!

Other examples which hold special meaning in the community are the days of investiture – the day in which we were given the habit, or to put it another way, the day in which we began religious life.

In August 2012, there were three friars who remembered their anniversaries. On August 16, Br. Anthony completed his year of required novitiate and made his Simple Profession. This means he took temporary vows for three years.

In addition, Fathers Bernard and Joseph celebrated their thirtieth anniversary of having made their Simple Profession. It hardly seems possible that so many years have passed, but that certainly is the situation.

The most important memory of August 2012 would certainly be the consecration of Most Rev. Bonaventure Strandt, OFM. This took place on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Our Lady of the Angel’s Friary in Rochester, NY.

It turned out to be a beautiful day, with Catholics coming from numerous states. The pleasant surprise concerning those who attended was the ones who traveled from Alaska, Chile, England and Mexico! How special that day must have been for them to travel so far and attending the Mass and ceremonies which continues Apostolic Succession!

Over the years our community has had its crosses, but it also has had its joyful moments. The month of August 2012 will certainly stand out as one of the more memorable times of this Franciscan community.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,

Hello from the Land of the Sun, and HEAT!!

On June 13, 2012 I celebrated the 25th Anniversary of my Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. The following Sunday, June 17, I offered a High Mass and preached a sermon in celebration of this anniversary. Family members were present as well as the parishioners of Corpus Christi Catholic Church. I am most grateful for those who were present that day, as well as those who have supported the efforts of the Franciscan Friars over the past 25 years.

The role of the priest is unique among all vocations, for it is centered around offering sacrifice each day. But not just any sacrifice, but the Sacrifice of Calvary. This duty is both inspiring and overwhelming. To be allowed at the altar each day in renewing the Eternal Sacrifice does truly bring one great joy, and as a result inspires the priest to offer each Mass more fervently than the last one.

The consideration of placing oneself at the foot of Calvary is, indeed, beyond description, for we are truly unworthy servants. It is only God’s bountiful mercy and goodness which allows the priestly servant to approach the Altar of Sacrifice each day.

The confessional is the second most important responsibility of the Catholic priest. It is here where a penitent’s sins are removed through the power bestowed upon him at his ordination. Many come to the priest with heavy hearts because of their transgressions, looking for peace of soul and heavenly consolations.

The “alter Christus,” the other Christ, takes on the role of spiritual physician, desiring to heal the wounded or dead soul in those few precious moments they are given to admit their guilt and seek forgiveness. Only Almighty God is willing to forgive the sinner although the penitent is guilty of many of the same sins numberless times over.
Unknown to non-Catholics is the trust given the confessor in the confessional. He is given the added burden of hearing the most personal thoughts of the individual, certainly more than that exchanged between married spouses. It is prayer and experience which allows him to properly guide the ailing soul. I pray the trust given to me has been returned by way of good counsel during these private moments.

It is my constant prayer that God bless all of my priestly work, desiring to help those souls which cross my path each day.

Once again, I would like to thank all for their prayers and support these past 25 years, and if it is His Will, that I may be given at least another 25 years to do the work of Holy Mother Church.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,
I hope you had a Blessed Easter and are continuing to have a Blessed Easter Season!

In recent weeks, Catholics in the United States have been faced with a confrontation that is new to them but not new to the Catholic Church.

It concerns the mandate in the Health Care Law (Obama Care) that will force Catholic institutions to pay for insurance that will include abortion drugs, contraceptives and sterilization procedures. These clearly are against the teachings of the Catholic Church, but Obama now insist he will not allow any exceptions due to religious conscience.

If this mandate stands, it will be the first time in American history that a president has intentionally and directly gone to battle with the Catholic Church. This is a direct attack upon our religious freedom. It is, in fact, a direct attack upon the religious freedom of all Americans.
If Barack Obama is willing to take on the Catholic Church, the single largest Church in these United States, one must conclude what his true motives seem to be. It is an attack upon religion itself, or at least upon all “Christian” denominations.

This is not about medical care, but political control of the citizens of the United States. To state otherwise would be intellectual dishonesty.

Perhaps the most important question in this affair is how will the Modernists finally decide to deal with this dilemma? To this point the Modernists bishops have expressed grave concerns, and understandably so. It is indeed the most serious issue Catholics have faced regarding a law of the Federal Government and the ability to live their faith openly and freely.

It is to be seen as of this date if the Supreme Court will overturn this immoral law. This certainly would relieve the Catholic hierarchy of the need to make a decision. Then again, perhaps the once-Catholic hierarchy needs for once in their lifetime to be willing to take a stand for the Catholic Faith, and not simply consider this issue a part of the “seamless garment.”
It is possible, being an election year, Obama will compromise. I doubt it, though, knowing he is a Marxist disciple of the late Communist Saul Alinsky. Noting how he has functioned for three years, he is not the type to give in to the opposition, but he will use an old Marxist mechanism, “two steps forward, one step back.”

Ultimately, who will stand with Catholics? Interestingly, a small number of Jews and Protestants have spoken out.

They realize the present fight is not just about Catholics, but concerns the religious freedom of all in the United States.

We now have more reasons than ever to pray for this country. I strongly urge all who read this blog do to so.

May God have mercy on this sinful nation,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,

Sunday, April 1, 2012 is Palm Sunday. It is this day on which Holy Week begins. This is the most solemn week of the Church year, as we are reminded of Our Lord’s Passion and Death.

How many, especially those of you who will read this blog, are fully aware that Our Lord’s Death and Resurrection are indeed, the central events of human history. It was through His death that man was redeemed of his sins. The effect of His death, has unfortunately been twisted by many to mean that all our souls have been saved after having proclaimed some sort of “love” for Christ. This, of course, is totally wrong.
Our Lord’s Death opened Heaven, which had been closed sin the Fall of Man. This now makes it possible for those found worthy to enter into Heaven. There is no free ticket; no guarantee; no unreasonable assurances of salvation. If you have some form of “paperwork” which proclaims your salvation, you are sadly being misled.
On the other hand, Our Lord’s Death does provide three profound points for our consideration. The first is proof of His love for us. He was willing to endure horrible sufferings, not only as an example for us, but because it was His Father’s Will. It has been said by others that one drop of His Blood would have been enough to redeem man. Yet, Our Lord was willing to shed ALL of His Blood. Why – to prove that His love for us was whole and entire. In addition, from the sacrificial standpoint first demonstrated in the Old Law, the sacrifice needed to be immolated entirely. This means the sacrifice needed to be destroyed (burned) in its entirety. Nothing was to be left of the sacrifice if it was to be accepted by God. This is why at the time of His death, Christ was not able to give any more of Himself!
The second point is the evil of sin. We live in a world in which many, if not most, either do not know or choose to ignore the seriousness of sin. The effect in either case is that the world is full of sin. Mortal sins are committed each day in numbers which are known only God, but clearly it is seen that little regard is given to sin and its effects.

Mortal sin destroys all grace in the soul. A soul which dies in this state will go directly to Hell. There is no recourse after death. God’s justice is such after death that forgiveness will not occur. All hope is indeed gone.
Satan has had a lot of time to practice on souls. He knows how to entrap them, blind them, use their naivete, or otherwise fool them so as to get them to sin seriously and think little of the sin. One of the results of such a situation is an attachment to a sin, particularly those of impurity.

When Adam and Eve fell in Paradise, it changed the course of history. All of nature was affected by it. Both have been suffering ever since in ways which few recognize. Our Lord wanted to change this damaged course by redeeming Man. This brings us to the third point; satisfaction.

In the eyes of God the scales of justice must be balanced. When considering the countless sins and their nature which have been committed by men, women and children over thousands of years, there is no way man alone would be able to satisfy the injustices toward God. All such sacrifices would be finite, or limited, because man is limited, and, therefore, insufficient. This is why once man fell, God’s plan was to have Our Lord come to this world and die for the sins of men. His sacrifice would be infinite, and therefore, capable of balancing those divine scales. The satisfaction which was required, was accomplished.

Take time in Holy Week to say the prayers which Holy Mother Church has provided. Acknowledge the debt of gratitude which we owe Our Lord for His sacrifice. Pray the prayers of the True Mass and understand this Mass is the same sacrifice as that of Calvary.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,

As the years pass, I continue to be amazed at the places where God truly takes me and the people I meet. This is my second trip to this small California town about forty-five minutes north of Los Angeles. Nestled in a valley and surrounded by mountains of various heights, it would remind many of Small town, America. There are many orchards in the area along with fields of strawberries and various vegetables. If it were not for a lack of rain, the area would be quite picturesque. I did not come here, though, to observe the scenery. There are a few people here who want to attend only the True Mass. As with Catholics who attend only the True Mass, their understanding varies, but ultimately they realize they cannot attend the Modernist New Mass. Over time I hope to educate the people here so their understanding improves. In this way they will be better equipped to explain to others the treachery which has taken place in the Church.

Tomorrow I will make the short trip to Buena Park, CA where I will say three Masses for these good people. I have been going to Buena Park for nearly six years. With the two Franciscan Missions on the West Coast, I am reminded of the monumental work of Fr. Juniper Serra, who founded, I believe, twenty-one Missions between San Diego (St. Didacus) and San Francisco (St. Francis of Assisi). A number of these Missions have been preserved, thanks to a great degree to the state of California, who years ago saw the historical value of preserving the buildings and sites of these churches. I’m sure the Church helped with the preservation, but to what degree, I am not sure. I only know the Missions have suffered the same destruction spiritually as the rest of the Roman Catholic Church. In my travels I have seen how this destruction has destroyed lives, marriages, and most importantly, souls. It has kept millions of Catholics so very ignorant of their Faith and blind to the spiritual war which continues to rage.

Let us use the Holy Season of Lent to repair the damage we have done to our own souls. Do penance with a joyful and willing spirit. Understand how Our Lord suffered so terribly because of ALL of the sins of ALL men, including yourself.

May God bless you all,

F. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,
The Christmas Season is one of my two favorite times of the year. It, indeed, is such a joyful time as we celebrate Our Lord’s Birth. It would follow that Christmas hymns are also among those which I enjoy singing the most.

In the Catholic Church, the Christmas Season began four days ago. It will extend until January 13, or as some prefer, February 2, the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Mother.

Since I last wrote, this website continues to expand. Each week the latest edition of the radio program and Sunday Sermon are uploaded. Perhaps the most exciting news is we have begun streaming live Sunday and HolyDay Masses. These broadcasts may be viewed through this website through the Holy Mass Live link. Since we just began on Christmas, it may take a week or two to archive them. I plan on uploading the video sermon from each broadcast. Simply follow the website links.

There are many of you who are not able to attend Mass on a weekly basis. This website ought to prove to be quite beneficial. It has been primarily, but not exclusively for you. I know that some who attend weekly Mass make use if the site for different reasons.

If you have any questions, you are invited to email me at father@catholichour.org .

May you be abundantly blessed during this Holy Season.
Fr. Joseph, OFM

Dear Friends,
Please accept my apologies for such as extended time between the first blog and this one. I’ve been quite busy with a number of duties.

I’d like to give an update on this website for those who are new, or just haven’t ventured into other parts of the menu. Sunday Sermons are now being uploaded each week. By the time you read this, there should be four in the Sermons/Audio Sermons file. I hope you find these sermons spiritually beneficial. My plan is to add each Sunday’s sermon, and in doing so build a large resource of sermons of various topics.

The radio programs are being added much quicker now. I’m trying to get them up within a day or two. Many have told me they learn from these programs, regardless of their age. This is the number one objective of this program, i.e., to educate Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

I’m hoping to give you a starting date soon for video streaming Sunday Mass. We’ve been having a number of technical issues, causing an extensive delay. If the delays are any indication of just how much Satan doesn’t want us to be able to stream, then he will be quite upset when this project is soon completed.

Your blog comments are always welcome. Some have noticed that I am quite new at this. I am just learning what is a genuine comment and what is spam. For some time most of the hits on this site seem to be spam. I hope that changes in the coming weeks, for I do look forward to hearing from those who are benefiting from the information on this site. One thing is for sure, we are getting a lot of hits each day. In the coming weeks, I will be building a database of spam ip addresses and thus making it impossible for these comments to get onto the website and making my work considerably easier. Until now I never realized there was so much spam. Apparently, there are many people who spend a lot of time creating spam, but in the end, it is truly a waste of time and effort.

Tomorrow, October 4, the Franciscan Order celebrates the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. It is a day of great joy for those who wish to follow in the footsteps of the Poor Man of Assisi. He was truly unique among the calendar of saints. He strove to live the virtues of humility and poverty as no one before him. Has anyone since him lived so closely in the footsteps of Christ? I and others seriously doubt it.

St. Francis is today a popular saint, but he is quite misunderstood. Many look at him and think of him as an “animal lover.” He did love animals, but do you know why he cared for animals? Because St. Francis looked upon them as creatures of God. He saw the image of God in the face of the animals.

Many others have chosen him as their “patron saint,” including radical environmentalists, peaceniks and the like. All have understood him incorrectly, except those who are willing to live a virtuous life, filled with penance and obedience. If the virtues are missing, they are not true followers of St. Francis.

The old statues of St. Francis express who he was the best. He carried a cross in his right hand, a Book of the Gospels in his left hand, and a human skull was placed at his feet. He slept with a human skull to reminder him of his death. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

Pass the word onto others about this website, so they may too reap the benefits of it.

May God bless you,
Fr. Joseph, OFM