Dear Ones,

We just finished the long, marvelous, exhilarating, and exhausting weekend of putting on a Renewal retreat at St. Ann's --we finished at 4:45 PM and I sat and waited in the room we finished in until 6:00 to give a talk on my conversion story with reference to Mary and the Saints. It was such a blessing to have brothers and their families from Teams 28, 30, 40, and one new guy and his wife from 42 come out to be with me. This was my first real public telling of my Conversion story since I stopped public speaking in 2000. The support of my brothers was very wonderful and really allowed me the comfort ability to share without restraint—on both the weekend and in the public talk.

As well, the snippets of conversation stolen with Father Steven during the weekend, his marvelous two homilies, and the visual image of how Christ bends low to serve and to love us-- I will live off of these for the next two months. How wonderful that the Confessions went so well I could hold Father hostage in the small Kitchen for my own private time with him. :)

As I said in the talk and on the weekend--I owe a great debt of love to the CRHP process--my five brothers in BIC ,Sons of Enoch, Team 28 and Team 30 for accepting me and loving me –loving me when I was unlovely and disagreeable and bringing me back to some form of socialization & interaction with believers again, and Team 40 and 42 for shaping and refining that HOPE in me to open up more fully and let God's love flow more freely from me to others--you all have to be resigned to the fact that sadly my social norms and abilities will always be woefully deficient. J Thankfully, I can say I made it through all the talks in one piece--but the Mass and homilies brought me back to my many tears and I want to continue to submit to Our Good and Loving Father that HE may continue to change me into the man he wants me to be--and somehow break through this heart of stone and teach me to love freely all HE has given unto me. Pray for me.

At the bottom I am attaching my Help letter to Team 42 because in reality it is my thanks to all those who have embraced me through CRHP, the Knights of Columbus, and the many wonderful apostolates at St. Ann's parish. I never thought I would be able to plug fully into a local parish--and though my heart will always be restless until united in Eternity--this has become the closest thing to home for me in this life--and to a displaced and wandering orphan, that is a lot. Thank you.
I am also including the bio and Scripture readings we attached in the CRHP 42 binder along with the “modified worship song” from my youth that speaks of my loss, wander-lust and rekindled Fire of God’s love. Amazing how the great moral theologians of our times: Tina Turner—“What’s LOVE got to do with it?” and Chicago…can first sing the TRUTH to us. :)

When the boys and I were counseled to come and start over in Dallas in 2000, I was told--"The Catholic community in Dallas is one of the strongest places of community and networking--they are who you need to be with." You few solid friends who held my heart together with your HOPE bead for us back in 2000-- the CPLC, The White Rose, TOPP and the pro-life activists—you were the guiding star to get us here and keep us here, and you will always be in my daily prayers and Holy Hours. If I still reject more social engagements then I accept know my heart is always glad to be asked to be with you and yours, and you are all very dear to me always.

I suppose it is the emotions released through the weekend, the public talk and the fresh sadness I am about to share—but I wanted to let each of you know how very special you are to me. I have a long way to go before I will be the man God really wants me to be, and I have a lifetime of regrets to serve out my purgative penance for. But, as the raw emotions of my recent loss with Bryan remind me—I do not want to keep missing the opportunities to be a very real living expression of the FACE of LOVE. I want to give freely the LOVE God has so richly given to me. Please know you are in my heart and forgive me for the many times I fail to personally give to you what HE has given to me. Surely, “the Nearness of God has been my Good, HE is the Strength of my heart…I believe that I shall see the Goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living while I yet live.”

Now I ask you to pray for my dear mentor in the faith and ministry—during the weekend I found out he is on life-support and not expected to live. I am not ready to say goodbye to yet one more good friend and yet I find I am already enlisting his prayers in his final hours of suffering:
Jack Locker—my Pastor since I was 17—a spiritual father who made up all that was lacking in my life and helped me embrace a life of grace and joy in believing. He was the first to teach me of Polycarp, the Martyrs of the Catacombs, Brother Lawrence, Fenelon, John of the Cross, Theresa of Jesus, the Early Church Fathers-he gave me my 37 volume set to read and love. Of Augustine, The Confessions, and Thomas à Kempis…I learned as our Renewal weekend was starting that he had a massive stroke and has been on life support while his daughter traveled to get here today and his body is expected to fail this week. I buried his beloved wife Edna and we have remained close and I am missing him already, and yet praying for his helps and mantel to remain with me.

Thank you all dear friends—old and new—for standing with me through so many of life’s recent difficulties. My heart is still tender with the new regrets of the loss of Bryan and your comments, prayers and most importantly masses offered for Bryan have been the greatest source of comfort—that you give your HOPE bead for the whole Vinzant family—those in the Arms of God and those still struggling heavenward here two steps forward and one step backwards—that we remain, all of us on the PATH.

With a full heart, a thankful heart,

Daniel
“To live without FAITH, without a heritage to defend, without battling constantly for truth, is not to live, but to ‘get along’ we must never just ‘get along.’ “
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassali

Gaudium et Spes n24
Man, who is the only creature on earth which God willed for itself, cannot fully find himself except through a sincere gift of himself.

Bio, song and help letter follow below


New Life in Christ Witness – Spiritual Director
Daniel Vinzant



Family: Andrew – 24, Lewis – 22
In the Arms of God: Emily Katherine (Baby), Sarah Ruth, 21 (October 2000)
Jan Vinzant lives alone in Waco, Texas.

Occupation: Director of Sales for SimCrest, Inc.—a Microsoft Gold Partner selling and implementing Dynamics NAV (ERP software solutions).

Hobbies: Anything my sons involve me in; Church or any conversation about Church; family dinners and intimate Dinner parties; movies with my sons; reading; cooking and new restaurants.

Background: I was born in Waco , Texas – the third of four children, to very godly, activist parents. I attended Howard Payne where I met my wife, Jan. I graduated from Baylor with a BA. I attended Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in 1980. I graduated from The University of Dallas with a Master of Theology in May of 99’.

Our Family was brought into full-communion with the Catholic Church in Waco, TX on Assumption, August 15, 1998 and helped celebrate Norma McCovey’s (Jane Roe) Confirmation on August 17, 1998 at St. Thomas in Dallas.

My sons and I came to Dallas in May of 2000 and they attended The Highlands School. Jan remained in Waco , having been moved out of the family home in August 1999 by her Baptist pastor/father. Sarah Ruth died in a car wreck on October 14, 2000. We started attending St. Ann ’s in December of 2000. I joined a small BIC group in October of 2002 and these 5 men were the only people I knew at St. Ann’s until my CRHP weekend April, 2005.

I began being invited to CRHP by my realtor, Bruce Umstead in 2001 and said no to the weekend twice and signed up and then dropped out twice, before making the 2005 weekend.

Biggest change in my life since CRHP weekend: I have HOPE again – Our Lord broke my heart during the weekend and made me realize my hope was almost gone. I am beginning to come back to HIM in the Church and see my place in discipleship and fellowship though the new relationships with my brothers in CRHP.


Scripture Readings for New Life in Christ Witness

Luke 2: 52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and if favor with God and man.

2 Timothy 3: 16
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 3: 14-16
I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the Church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of our religion: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Mark 4: 39
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat….And a great storm or wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But, he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Isaiah 43: 1-2
But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior….I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

1 Peter 4: 7-8
The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all hold unfailing your love—keep fervent in love-- for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another-- without complaint.

Song for New Life in Christ Witness
“I Don’t Want to Live Without Your Love” ChicagoThought it wouldnt matterIf we didnt stay together,And if it was over,Maybe it was for the better.I was thinking Id be alright,til I thought it all through.Now I know that I aint really livingIf I have to live without you.I dont wanna live without your love,I dont wanna face the night alone.I could never make it through my lifeIf I had to make it on my own.I dont wanna love nobody else,I dont wanna find somebody new.I dont wanna live without your love,I just wanna live my life with you.Guess I had to go away,So much I had to go through.Guess I had to lose YOUTo realize how much I love YOU.Can we make the fire burn again,Burn a little stronger? cause Ive been alone, and,I can’t be alone now any longer.I dont wanna live without YOUR love,I dont wanna face the night alone.I could never make it through my lifeIf I had to make it on my own.I dont wanna love nobody else,I dont wanna find somebody new.I dont wanna live without YOUR love,I just wanna live my life with YOU.Oh, if I had to make it on my own,My life would never be the same,My love would never be the same.I dont wanna live without YOUR love.


Dear Brothers in Christ,

By now you have come to the point in your weekend where hopefully you are coming to terms with why you were called by God to be here as a member of the CRHP 42 weekend at St. Ann’s. Perhaps you were like me and someone in your life has nagged you for so long to make a weekend that you finally broke down and just said yes. Perhaps you have been trying to make one of these weekends for a long time. It does not matter—what matters is that you did say yes and now you are here—and in some way you are hearing God’s voice speak to you. A wise friend who tried to get me to attend the weekend for 3 years said, “Daniel it does not matter where you are in your spiritual journey—if you open your heart to the Holy Spirit, there is something for each person to experience—it is not the same for every man, but there is something here for everyone who opens their hearts.

I am sure you are not like me—I had gone through three boxes of Kleenex by this point of the weekend. Father Steven still refers to CRHP 30 as the “Crying Team". :) You have heard a small, very real part of my testimony by this point—remember our confidentiality clause. :) Tonight at 6:00, for the first time, I am telling my story to a larger audience at St Ann’. The fact that I am speaking again at all is my testament to the CRHP experience. Hopefully you are not as wounded as me. But, if you missed it in my quick talk—hear it here. I found myself at a place where I thought I should be alone and that I did not deserve to be loved by others. These men of CRHP wrapped their arms around me and helped me once again run to Jesus, “Draw me and we will run together unto You, O Lord.” They have shown me love, support, and given me the confidence to take up the gifts and calling of God fresh, anew, and to share what HE has given unto me. I owe CRHP a great debt of love.

If you will give yourself to the full experience of the weekend and what comes after—I believe you too will say that God uses CRHP in your life. You have the benefit of Team 30 and Team 40-because I was not there with them, but am with you—it took them a long time to break through and show me their love and patiently wait on me to be able to return that love—I hope they all now know how much I love them—and you too I want to know that I love you-each of you, and if I can be of some help to you do not hesitate to call on me. “O, how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.”

YBIC, Daniel Vinzant
Spiritual Director Team 40

Dear Ones of my Hearts—how can I not share with you the few sweet words of Christian comfort and HOPE. Thank you for the many MASS cards and if you feel lead to offer others, thank you in advance.

This is certainly not the hardest, but almost the most bitter embrace of the Cross I have experienced in this Valley of Tears. Thank you so much for continuing to pray for the entire Vinzant family on your HOPE bead when you pray your beads—my HOPE is in the NAME of the LORD Who made Heaven and earth—though the earth tremble and the mountains shake—my HOPE will be in the NAME of the LORD—when my heart was bitter within, my reason had gone and there was NO HOPE –then the Lord of MY Heart took hold of my hand—now He is the strength of my Heart—The Lord God is the Strength of my Heart. Pray for me as I spend the rest of my life not failing others and loving them more surely and steadfastly through the pain of not being able to be more for Bryan in this life—as I pray for him and to him for help for the rest of my life as I learn to give away the love of Jesus Christ in a very troubled world.

daniel
Guest Book for
Bryan Keith Vinzant







March 31, 2008
Dear Vinzant Family,I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved Bryan. My deepest sympathies to Michael for the loss of his father. You and your father are in our thoughts and prayers. May God give Michael peace as you grieve the loss of your father and may God give your father eternal love and peace in heaven. Respectfully and with our Deepest Sympathies.

Stephanie & Randall Mardell (Irving, TX) Contact me

March 25, 2008
Daniel, we are very sad to hear about your brother. It is only compounded by the fact that it happened at the same place of your daughter's death. You and your family are in our prayers. May Jesus hold you tight and help you through this.

Anthony, Alicia, Valincia (The Paul Family) (Dallas, TX)

March 25, 2008
Our prayers are with you and your family, Daniel. God Bless.

Tim & Denise Taylor (CRHP 24,28) (Coppell, TX)

March 25, 2008
Our Deepest Sympathies. We have you in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

Michael & Jo Ann Talkington (Coppell, TX)

March 24, 2008
Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences. Bryan was and is one of my dearest friends. We mutually enjoyed each other's company and friendship very much! I will miss him and his presence greatly. It was a wonderful comfort to know he was only a phone call away. He looked out for those he loved with vigor and respect without desire for gratitude. May his soul rest in eternal peace...Chuck McDonald

Charles W. McDonald (Waco, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Daniel and Boys,Lisa, the girls, and I are so sorry for your losses and we will keep all of you Vinzants in our prayers. Daniel, my dear friend, I do not understand why you are given all these challenges nor how you manage with such dignity and grace. We feel so blessed to be your friend. God Bless.

Bill Stuart (Coppell, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
The thoughts and prayers of the Ryan family are with you in this difficult time.

Denis Ryan (Flower Mound, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Alicia, Mike & Danny,I was saddened to hear about Brian. I will be thinking of you all in your time of sorrow.

Tom Lee (Coldwater)

March 24, 2008
Our prayers go out to the entire Vinzant family and all those who knew Bryan.

Dauty and Lucie F (Irving, TX)

March 24, 2008
Daniel,Our condolences on the loss of your brother. Our prayers are with you and your family during this time of mourning. May God's presence permeate your being and flow through you to all those whom you encounter granting them peace. We were so very blessed to have shared Holy Mass with you on Holy Thursday. Your soulful singing and depth of love for our Lord was strongly evident. May this love carry you over the troubled waters into a place of peace and comfort. We thank you for your incredible witness, and will pray for the repose of your brother's soul.In His Love and Mercy,

Eddy and Denise Koch (Flower Mound, TX) Contact me




March 24, 2008
We're going to miss you, Bryan.

Jen Russell (Waco, TX)

March 24, 2008
Alicia, Mike and Danny:Mama (your Aunt Odessa) just told me yesterday about Bryan. I can't tell you how much my heart goes out to you at this time. It's really difficult to lose a sibling - I know when Andy died we felt we couldn't go on. But God, in His mercy, sent peace and understand as He will for y'all as well. I've thought of you so often over the years and will keep you in my prayers. My love to all of you.

Teresa Lee Miller (Ontario, CA)

March 24, 2008
Vinzant Family,Please take comfort in knowing that your extended family is with you during this sorrowful time. May the Lord cradle you in his loving arms.

Bob Kleam (Lake Dallas, TX)

March 24, 2008
May the peace of Christ, which is beyond all understanding, be with your family as they grieve the loss. And may you be graciously be welcomed by Our Lord for your heavenly inheritance.

Greg Novitsky (Flower Mound, TX)

March 24, 2008
Brother Daniel,My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I will pray for the repose of your brother's soul.Your Brother In Christ,Robert Romero

Robert Romero (Irving, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Dear Daniel & Family:My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of great loss.

tim moore (Carrollton, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends.

Darald Nathan (Lewisville, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Daniel and Family,Our deepest sympathies and prayers are with you and Bryan. May God bless and watch over all of you now and always.

Michael, Julie & Ian Maley (Coppell)

March 24, 2008
We are so sorry for your loss! Our prayers and thoughts are with you during this time.

Robert Keith and Mandy Spikes (Eddy, TX) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Mike and Family - We are so very sorry for your loss. We pray that you will be comforted during this difficult time. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows." - 2Cor1:3-5

Randy Simonds and Family



March 24, 2008
Mike, Alicia and Danny,I was so sorry to hear about Bryan from momma. I know that y'all will be glad to see her today, and I sure wish I could be there for you as well. Know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Cecila King (Ackerman, MS) Contact me

March 24, 2008
Our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. If there’s anything Vicki and I can do to assist, please let me know.Thanks,Bob and Vicki Fox

Bob Fox (Fort Worth, TX)

March 24, 2008
Daniel,The greatest gift God gives, besides his Son, is free will -- but, it's double edge works in ways we do not emotionally understand. I am so sorry for your loss and pray Jesus, whom you love and serve so incredibly well, wraps your family in his arms and comforts you.

Jeff Vaughan (Dallas, TX)

March 24, 2008
Our prayers are with all of the Vinzant family. May God have mercy on Bryan and all of us.

Bill & Beverly Deville (Carrollton, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
You will be missed but you know that I will contune to watch out for you son. My door has alway been open to you and Mike and they will always stay open. My heart go out to you family I know the pain they are going though. You were here when I lost my wife a year ago. I will be here for your family Your lost hurts but I know that you are walking with God now.

Lawrence (POPS) Akard (Bellmead, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
Uncle Burl and Aunt Sandy,You and your family are in my prayers

Tammy Rodgers (Marlin, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
Mike and Family,My deepest sympathies for your loss - it's never easy to lose a loved one, but when they leave us so unexpectedly it seems even more difficult. God bless and comfort your family in this time of sorrow.

Aileen Barr (Coppell, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
he will always be missed in our hearts. and we will keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers. i hope all gets better for his family and friends.

thomas and anna davenport (bellmead, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
we will all miss the knocks at the doors and the frequent scares he had for us.he will be missed and thought of always

mary & jody bond (bellmead, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
I am sorry to hear about your loss my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.

brenda Walker (Waco, TX) Contact me




March 23, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Charlene Ricketts (san marcos, TX) Contact me

March 23, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Don and Betty Cone (Flower Mound, TX)

March 23, 2008
You are all in my prayers.
Mel and Ellona Rodgers (Waco, TX) Contact me

Hi Wayne,

I am wondering if you are ready to share OLS with us for a bit? We are having a rough patch and it would be nice to have her comfort.

If you could pass on my sadness to Team 30. My younger brother--with whom I have had a bit of troubled relationship was struck and killed by a hit and run driver on Thursday night. We did not know until Friday evening when people stared calling because they released his name on the TV without contacting any next of kin---our name is so uncommon and we are all related had they called any Vinzant in Waco we could have told them....

And to compound the horror--which I have not yet gotten my head around yet. He died exactly the next on- ramp from where my precious daughter Sarah Ruth died in 2000--SR and Bryan both between mile marker 317 and 316 on the North bound side of I 35 at Bruceville Eddy before you get to Waco. We do not know why he was there, where his truck is, what had happened to him that night prior to his being hit--he was throw 150 feet and left for dead, alone...

The funeral is tomorrow in Waco at the Pecan Grove Funeral Home--it is a Baptist funeral and the preacher intends to "reach the unsaved" that might be there...I have already endured a very uncomfortable one hour tirade from a grieving relative on the evils of the Catholic church in the Third World where it is full of witchcraft and idolatry and the evils of the Pope for not dealing with it because we make money off them....I refuse to make the day of burring my brother about religion, or a Baptist pastors attempt to save the lost including the family who turned to the Catholics...Pray for us all, but more than all pray for Bryan Vinzant, 50. Pray for my sons--they experience the pain of confusion of the amount of sadness and unpredictability in the world...They have been so good to me and are trying to protect me--they did not want me to find out where he died...

We do live in a Valley of Tears but this Easter season reminds of fresh and a new of the Hope of new life...Our Lady, Mother of Sorrows is a great comfort. The Eastern Church has a beautiful song we sang on Holy Thursday preparing for Good Friday----"Wahabeebee, Wahabeebee"--"Oh my son, Oh my beloved" It is a mournful song sung by Mary to her dying son...it has been a source of comfort to me.

Team 40, I will not make the last Monday meeting and will talk to Jeff Tuesday. I will be available Thursday to go to Confession and the weekend Friday, but after missing Monday and Tuesday of work, will probably need to work Friday....we will catch up after Monday--i was going to let Wayne and Jeff forward this, but once I started typing I got through this so will bcc a lot of you to get this partial message out and will catch up with many of you after the weekend.

The word of this sadness has trickled to many already and the prayers and promises of masses have been a great source of comfort. Jan has been here the whole weekend and is doing the music tomorrow and has been a great comfort. We are burying Bryan very near Sarah Ruth in our family plot.

Please pray for grace to endure the misunderstood--this is another tragedy in/near Waco and unfortunately there are actually those there of such fundamental faith who believe all these things happen because I became Catholic...that the "cup of God's wrath" is a deserved punishment for "turning from truth"...

I more than ever believe that the best evidence of God is that only God can bring Good out of Evil. I cannot imagine such a death, but do look forward to seeing the glimmers of God in the midst of this Sorrow and Tears. God is God and though He slay me, I will trust in God...My family was very blessed to be taken out of the sorrow for 5 hours by Doug and his family hosting us with an extended lunch with Fr. Mitch Pacwa who ministered such incredible comfort to not only me, but especially my sons and Jan. All three have mentioned him and how much they loved being with him Saturday and again for Easter Mass today. He offered Mass today for Bryan too which was such a comfort.

When I saw my sweet, misunderstood little brother's life reduced to 5 sentences and dwell on the fact that he died alone and had been whisked to Dallas for autopsy and was back in the Waco morgue before I even knew he was dead------I thought deeply of the incredible and undeserved gift of your friendships and your love to me--who can be far more disagreeable to love than someone like him. Thank you each that I have bcc'd as you came to mind--forgive the rambling as I throw out an update or your first hearing--for your kindness to me and my family, your prayers of faith, and your HOPE bead for my family...pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen...
your brother in Christ,
daniel


View/Sign Guestbook
Bryan Keith Vinzant
Bryan Keith Vinzant, 50, of Bellmead, passed away Friday, March 21, 2008. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Dr. in Waco ,with Mark Dallalio officiating. Burial will follow at Stanford Chapel Cemetery in Hewitt. Bryan was born July 18, 1957, in Waco, to Burl and June Vinzant. He attended Midway schools. He worked many years as a millwright for Commercial Contracting in Rockdale. He was a member of Local Carpenters and Millwright Union. He was preceded in death by his parents; and a niece, Sarah Ruth Vinzant. He is survived by a son, Michael Vinzant of Waco; sister, Alicia Bell of Waco; two brothers, Michael Vinzant and wife, Sandra of Carrollton, and Daniel Vinzant of Coppell, Texas; seven nieces and nephews. July 18, 1957 - March 21, 2008 Sign the Guest Book at http://www.wacotrib.com/

Written in love to a hurting Mom I give Spiritual helps to as we enter Holy Week—I share with you as a small reflection for part of your Holy Week.


You have been in my heart since I first read your email--but I have needed to find some time to really respond. I was gone for one week to Orlando on business with bad connections to the Internet and then have been feeling poorly with travelers cough since returning home. But, my prayers are intact for those I carry deep in my heart and your family is always safely tucked there.

So often for us as parents it is two steps forward and one step backwards--particularly if there is more than one child in our heart. We cannot really ever chose--we have to love them all, and yet we love the lost more deeply it seems. And we so want to see them walk in success--and more than all we want to see them overcome our defects. And harder still is when we see them wallow in excess in the very slight things we took as hardly worth working on in our own lives. But, hardest is to see them cling so desperately to a world we were so easily able to reject and we cannot for the life of ourselves understand how they find the allure so appeal ling for so long. The truth is that all of this world and its passing glory is nothing more than lipstick on a pig--and as long as the piglet has the least bit allure to the shinny objects, or the reflecting objects, or the wallowing holes of emptiness--they will not long for the comfort and real warmth that HOME has to offer.

This is why there is such comfort in the Church--and in her liturgical year, her seasons, and her Traditions--she is HOME--and she ever calls us HOME--like a Mother--like THE MOTHER of us all that she always is. I have always taken great comfort in the fact that the Catholic Church alone, as in so many of Her Truths--is the Church that has never definitively pronounced that Judas is in Hell--we leave as Jesus Commands the judgment of hell to only ONE and HE alone makes those definitive judgments. More the Catholic Church in Jesuit like sensibilities continues to call out the tenuous Truth--as long as you are alive--there is Time--and yet, it is later than you think...Like the two thump heart-beat of humanity:
save the lost, strengthen the believer
there is time, it is later than you think
evangelize the world, build the Church
all may enter, narrow is the way
today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart
Come unto me, I will give you rest
and yet the bottom echo of that two heart-beat of all humanity is the resounding Choirs of HOPE in the Beatific Vision:
You Have Not Seen The End of All Things YET.

So having been comforted from the time of a small boy that Judas and his fate belongs to God Alone, I have often had the story book like dream of two women in Heaven--one comforting the other--the Mother of Jesus, the Mother of God, Mary the Mother of us All--with her arms of love holding tightly and giving comfort to the mother of Judas...I can only Imagine....such love, such forgiveness, such HOPE. If my small boy dream could be true---how much more love and compassion does the most loving Queen of Heaven have not only for us, but for those we hold up to her for aid when we are almost without hope to pray for them?

I suspect you are very much like me-- I believe the Word of God and the Doctrines of the Church-I believe in the three theological virtues and I accept that of this faith, hope, and love that the greatest is LOVE. And I find more and more, that I am lacking in the greatest of these--look forward to the Day that it alone remains and us hopefully with it-- world without end in the Beatific Vision of Heaven with the Holy Family and the Saints of God--including all those we love, hold dear, and live and breathe to get to Heaven.

For now--in what I so often in the Sighs of my heart refer to as the "until" --this in our understanding of time--undetermined, but from Eternities side all so very determined--this very real Valley of Tears...Until..."Until the Son of God be Revealed"...."Mary, kept all these things and pondered them in her heart Until"...

I take such comfort that even the FATHER says to Our Lord Jesus after HE has done so much--can you Imagine as we enter into this lovely Holy Week and we re-experience again that beautiful gift of Saving Grace--the Life, Suffering, Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and now He has established the Church and He has breathed the Breath of the Holy Spirit and He has finally gone back to the Father--gone back to Heaven and what does the Father say to Him?

Psalm 110:1 “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

We think of Heaven as a wonderful and Beautiful place and of course it is more lovely than we can IMAGINE, and we think of the WORK of CHRIST as being Done on the CROSS. Did HE not say It is Finished? And yet, we have this tear in Heavenly history where we are allowed to see a vignette that happened in TIME where the Father speaks to the Son.... Sit...UNTIL...Do you not see that ALL of Heaven is busy with the one DESIRE of the FATHER and the SON--all of the Focus of HEAVEN is "us-ward to those who believe" Heaven is busy praying the will of the FATHER....Until.

Do not let Go of the Light at the end of the Road, we are stumbling Heavenward--two steps forward, and one step backward, but stumbling Heavenward...Until. My dear suffering mother of children here on earth, my friend of so long. We are in the UNTIL--and so longing as I do to get there one day with all I love--for now, Today while it is still called Today---I revel in the virtue of HOPE. Let us hold fast to our HOPE. Let us HOPE and not lose heart, pray and STAND praying and forgiving--pray like the woman in my favorite parable Jesus told on earth.

Let me remind you of my favorite parable--Luke 18: 1-8

“ And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, who feared not God, and regarded not man: and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. And shall not God avenge his elect that cry to him day and night and yet he is longsuffering over them? I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Amazing to me-- this is the only time that God promises to do something Speedily. My dear friend--with the Sorrows I myself have endured there is one thing for sure I have let fall to the Ground from my youth, and that is Exclamation points. I no longer believe in Exclamation points--and yet, when I read these words, I almost feel the shout of an Exclamation point in my heart. Can you imagine--Speedily!!! I often grouse to St Theresa of Avila that she was so right when she told Jesus, "Look is it any wonder how few friends you have? Just look how you treat them." And daily I complain to sweet St. Therese of the Little Flower about how Father likes to doll out to us in little bits and never all at once. My Lord and My God, help my belief--Jesus I Trust in YOU--Make me to do thy Will O, Lord---HOPE.

I pray the Psalms often. I learned this from the Early Church Fathers. In fact this is the thing from the very beginning that Christians kept from their Jewish roots--the praying of the Psalms. When I can do no other devotions, I remember to meditate on the Psalms. Here is one of my favorite in times of stress:
Psalms 73: 21-26 "When my heart was embittered And I was pierced within, Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

One day when we are together, if you like I will sing it to you. But, until that day--open your heart and hear the Saints of God sing it over you. I always teach that Truth and sadly Error to are both Sung First--you know so well the importance of Song and good music. Fortify yourself with good music--music that causes that HOPE to spring fresh and anew--that allows you to whisper in faith one more day...we have not Yet seen the end of all things...Until the Son of God appear...Rejoice.

I can promise you--one who has seen the darkness of faith--I can promise you--Jesus will come--Speedily!!! In this blessed Holy Week as we offer our slight wounds and sufferings to His and allow HIM to bring us fresh and anew into that new Springtime of Faith where we Stand with the whole Church and say anew, He is Risen, Alleluia, He is Risen Indeed!
You remain ever in my heart, in my prayers, and in my Holy hours--and knowing that the Vinzant family is ever remembered on your HOPE bead of your rosary is always the great source of comfort to me. Yesterday, I celebrated my 30th wedding anniversary with many of these same thoughts--such as I have I give to you. We cannot change the past. We cannot change the ones we love. But we can live lives of quite HOPE that HE who holds tomorrow holds our hands and never leaves us alone. And that He can take even the broken dreams and scattered promises of our lives and bring Good out of Evil and Shine the Light of the FACE of LOVE even into the darkest darkness. He can bring Good out of our own willful wrongness and sins and bring us into the Love of His Forgiveness.

This is HOPE –that we can believe even from our wounded past that HE has a plan of Goodness and Mercy for our future. I love this old Swedish hymn and I will leave it with you as my prayer for you and yours:

Children of the Heavenly Father
Children of the heav’nly FatherSafely in His bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in HeavenSuch a refuge e’er was given.
God His own doth tend and nourish;In His holy courts they flourish;From all evil things He spares them;In His mighty arms He bears them.

Neither life nor death shall everFrom the Lord His children sever;
Unto them His grace He showeth,And their sorrows all He knoweth.
Though He giveth or He taketh,God His children ne’er forsaketh;
His the loving purpose solelyTo preserve them pure and holy.

Lo, their very hairs He numbers,And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev’ry blessingAnd His help in woes distressing.
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers:Your Protector never slumbers.
At the will of your DefenderEv’ry foeman must surrender.

your friend,
daniel

Dear Ones,

We STAND together for TRUTH--and so many of you do not know much of my family. For all we do together, I realize I am a very private man. But, you and your friendships and love in Christ make me more and more a better man. Today, on Sarah Ruth's birthday--I wanted to share 3 of my favorite pictures with you my very dear friends and thank you for your love to me and my family and your many prayers for all of us.

I gave my Witness on New Life in Christ for the Crhp team as we prepare for the March 30-31 Renewal weekend--ever mindful of the loss and missteps of my past--ever mindful of the many things done, that can never be undone--ever mindful of the many who will forever view me in light of one single failure or defect or life-event--knowing I can not change the past or anyone's mind--I can only live a life of purgation and repentance for today, tomorrow. to be different, better, real...walking always walking--two steps forward, and one backwards--stumbling forward, stumbling- God willing-heavenward--we fall down, but we get up--walking..."draw me and let us Run together unto HIM"...

God bless you and yours,
You remain in my daily prayers and my Holy Hours,

pray for us:
daniel
Sarah Ruth--in the arms of God
Andrew-24 in Coppell
Lewis-22 in Coppell
Jan Vinzant in Waco, Texas


Many blessings to you on the day of her birth;With her smile, sunshine & gladness were given.I know the dear Father prepared her on earth for a beautiful birthday in heaven.

This is a retake of our family birthday blessing that our family friend Barbara wrote for Sarah Ruth's birthday today--she would be 29 today--and entered suddenly and too soon for me into the arms of God on October 14th, 2000 at 21 , asleep in the back seat of a car in a terrible wreck.

Please offer up your HOPE beads for the Vinzant family and pray for Sarah Ruth as I know she prays ever for us....

31, December 2007


Dear Ones,

How marvelous to be Catholic and to know that the wonders of Christmas do not end in a single day—the Octave of Christmas is this wonderful 8 days that encompass such beautiful days as St Stephen the Martyr, the Feast of the Holy Innocents, and the Feast of the Holy Family—and culminating on the first with our Feast of the Mother of God, Mary Most Holy and the Circumcision of our Lord.

And then of course extends to the 12 Days of Christmas which will culminate on January 6th for The Epiphany of our Lord. And then of course the Christmas season lasts for 40 Days—how wonderful to be Catholic.

Please do not miss this wonderful opportunity:
Two Plenary Indulgences are available as follows:

1. Reciting the Te Deum (privately) on December 31.
2. Reciting Veni Creator Spiritus on January 1st.


If you're confused about the Church's publications of several books on indulgences over the past 200 years, allow me to give a brief teaching:

The new 'Manual of Indulgences' or Enchiridion Indulgentiarum is a hardcover English edition of the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum published by the Holy See. It replaced the the 'Enchiridion of Indulgences' published by Liberia Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City in l968 and authorized by Pope Paul VI after Vatican II in the Apostolic Constitution on the 'Revision of Indulgences.' However, the Vatican's new l999 Enchiridon Indulgentiarum lists only 33 indulgences, instead of earlier 74, that one may gain.

Before the Enchiridion of 1968, there was 'The Raccolta' or original manual of indulgences. 'The Raccolta' was translated into English in l950 from the official l807 edition 'Enchiridion Indulgentarum' issued by the Sacred Penitentiary Apostolic, with the latest revision being done in l898 by the Sacred Congregation of the Indulgences. 'The Raccolta' contains prayers and pious exercises to which indulgences have been attached by the popes; also the decrees granting these indulgences and the conditions necessary for gaining them.

I have both of these indulgence books in my home Catholic library. All of the indulgences in each book have been approved by the Popes of the Church, so they are all still valid and licit to use. The new l999 edition, "Manual of Indulgences" is probably the one to use for general purposes for today; however, extra special occasions and prayers will be found in the older Raccolta book. I take the Raccolta with me to my Holy Hour. You can get a reprint easily on the Internet.

The current l999 edition, the 'Manual of Indulgences, ' rearranges the material in a more user-friendlier format while retaining, and sometimes expanding on, the grants of older indulgences. If one consults the earlier l991 'Handbook of Indulgences, ' one would still get a fairly accurate list of the indulgences, but would miss some of the more recent grants, such as the decree from Pope JPII that attached the plenary indulgence to the celebration of Divine Mercy Sunday.

The English translation of the new l999 'Manual of Indulgences' was done by the USCCB Secretariat for the Liturgy under the supervision of the Holy See, not ICEL, so every prayer is still the traditional prayer with the familiar traditional language.

Those who claim that indulgences are no longer a part of the Church's teachings today are msinformed. Indulgences are the enactment of the authority given to Peter and to the Church, which Christ established to extend the mercy of God to the Christian faithful. Temporal punishment due for sins is a Doctrine of the Church as explained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 1471 thru 1479., and Code of Canon Law, c. 994.

Te Deum, also sometimes called the Ambrosian Hymn because if its association with St. Ambrose, is a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving. First attributed to Sts. Ambrose, Augustine, or Hilary, it is now accredited to Nicetas, Bishop of Remesiana (4th century). It is used at the conclusion of the Office of the Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours on Sundays outside Lent, daily during the Octaves of Christmas and Easter, and on Solemnities and Feast Days. The petitions at the end were added at a later time and are optional. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite it in thanksgiving and a plenary indulgence is granted if the hymn is recited publicly on the last day of the year.

TE DEUM laudamus: te Dominum confitemur.
O GOD, we praise Thee: we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord.
Te aeternum Patrem omnis terra veneratur.
Everlasting Father, all the earth doth worship Thee.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi Caeli et universae Potestates;
To Thee all the Angels, the Heavens and all the Powers,
Tibi Cherubim et Seraphim incessabili voce proclamant:
all the Cherubim and Seraphim, unceasingly proclaim:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts!
Pleni sunt caeli et terra maiestatis gloriae tuae.
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy glory.
Te gloriosus Apostolorum chorus,
The glorious choir of the Apostles,
Te Prophetarum laudabilis numerus,
the wonderful company of Prophets,
Te Martyrum candidatus laudat exercitus.
the white-robed army of Martyrs, praise Thee.
Te per orbem terrarum sancta confitetur Ecclesia,
Holy Church throughout the world doth acknowledge Thee:
Patrem immensae maiestatis:
the Father of infinite Majesty;
Venerandum tuum verum et unicum Filium;
Thy adorable, true and only Son;
Sanctum quoque Paraclitum Spiritum.
and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter.
Tu Rex gloriae, Christe.
O Christ, Thou art the King of glory!
Tu Patris sempiternus es Filius.
Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem, non horruisti Virginis uterum.
Thou, having taken it upon Thyself to deliver man, didst not disdain the Virgin's womb.
Tu, devicto mortis aculeo, aperuisti credentibus regna caelorum.
Thou overcame the sting of death and hast opened to believers the Kingdom of Heaven.
Tu ad dexteram Dei sedes, in gloria Patris.
Thou sitest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.
Iudex crederis esse venturus.
We believe that Thou shalt come to be our Judge.
Te ergo quaesumus, tuis famulis subveni: quos pretioso sanguine redemisti.
We beseech Thee, therefore, to help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Precious Blood.
Aeterna fac cum sanctis tuis in gloria numerari.
Make them to be numbered with Thy Saints in everlasting glory.
V. Salvum fac populum tuum, Domine, et benedic hereditati tuae.
V. Save Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thine inheritance!
R. Et rege eos, et extolle illos usque in aeternum.
R. Govern them, and raise them up forever.
V. Per singulos dies benedicimus te.
V. Every day we thank Thee.
R. Et laudamus nomen tuum in saeculum, et in saeculum saeculi.
R. And we praise Thy Name forever, yea, forever and ever.
V. Dignare, Domine, die isto sine peccato nos custodire.
V. O Lord, deign to keep us from sin this day.
R. Miserere nostri, Domine, miserere nostri.
R. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos, quemadmodum speravimus in te.
V. Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, for we have hoped in Thee.
R. In te, Domine, speravi: non confundar in aeternum.
R. O Lord, in Thee I have hoped; let me never be put to shame.


Veni Creator Spiritus is a hymn normally sung in Gregorian Chant and is considered the "most famous of hymns." It was written by Rabanus Maurus in the 9th century. The hymn in normally associated with the Roman Catholic Church where it is often sung at occasions such as the entrance of Cardinals to the Sistine Chapel to elect a new pope, as well as the consecration of bishops, the ordination of priests, the dedication of churches, the celebration of synods or councils, the coronation of kings and other solemn events. It means "come Holy Spirit Creator" and commemorates the feast of Pentecost. The hymn was probably first assigned to Vespers. One eleventh century manuscript has it at both Lauds and Vespers. Its use at Terce is said to have begun at Cluny as it thus commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost at the third hour of the day. Below is the original Latin and its English translation:


Latin
English
Veni, Creator Spiritus
mentes tuorum visita
Imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.
Qui Paraclitus diceris,
Donum Dei Altissimi,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.
Tu septiformis munere,
dextrae Dei tu digitus;
tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.
Accende lumen sensibus,
infunde amorem cordibus,
infirma nostri corporis,
virtute firmans perpeti.
Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque duces protinus,
ductore sic te praevio,
vitemus omne noxium.
Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium,
te utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.
Sit laus Patri cum Filio,
Sancto simul Paraclito:
nobisque mittat Filius
charisma Sancti Spiritus.
Amen.

Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our senses from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.


God bless you and yours and the very merriest of Christmas to you and all of yours. I look forward to many more stirring chats by the fire in 2008.

Daniel

May you experience the Many Comings of Our Lord Jesus this Advent and during the Season of Christmas 2007
Prayers for a Blessed Advent for you and your family with personal greetings from D. in Coppell for HOPE in believing for you and yours.

Sometimes friends come from unexpected places, but they are life's most special gift! Have a wonderful day, my friend.

I pray for you and your family this Advent that you will truly experience the Many comings of Jesus in your lives
and that as we prepare to Adore Him at Midnight in bitter cold--we shall Adore Him Indeed as Christ the King.

God bless you and yours--you remain in my daily prayers as I sit before a warm fire with hot toddy in hand. Gazing around the room, my eyes are drawn from one to the next of the the nine different Creche sets and watch the progression of the Wise Men as they travel from afar to the baby in the Manger--angels and stockings hanging from the mantle, favorite mercury glass ornaments twinkling on the trees. Candy canes, gold balls, and red beads shimmer on the Norfolk in the kitchen,bowls of nutritionally appropriate goodies and nuts abound--the smell of holiday scented candles--Saint Nicholas and his band of merry Nutcrackers stand guard, and the Angel tree topper from the tree on the dining room bar look down in serene peace. Favorite story books of Christmas stacked high on the coffee table with a new favorite novel I cannot put down flung where left on the couch, Bible and Catechism lying within reach on the floor--and to date I have only made it through number six of the 24 Christmas CD's I listen to every year as the wonderful songs fill the house--the Monks of San Domingo Chants, an Irish Christmas, the Carpenters, Frank, Dino, Burl, Perry--all on first name basis--the Yellowjackets, Celtic,New Age,St John's, Oxford, Mananatha...Charlotte and Michael Crawford----and hope still springs that the stocking will find the newest Josh Groban Christmas CD on Christmas morning (we will see if one of the boys ever actually read these things? LOL).

Starting this Friday night and through the New Year the Glogg will be on the stove--ready to heat , with the drunken raisins at hand to coat the bottom of the cup. Already the tin of tea is at hand and the kettle is kept full of water for cups of hot tea with friends and family as they appear. By the weekend the shortbread and bisconti will be ready, waiting as special treats as well...If you are near by, ring the bell and if not cozy up in front of your own fire or creche as we settle ourselves before the Baby Jesus ourselves----Still, still, still--as we come into the Silence--the language of heaven.

Whether at my side on my very couch or at the feet of the manger in our hearts--you remain ever in my heart and in my Holy Hours--in my HOPE. God bless you everyone.

Love,
Daniel and the boys
Pray for the Vinzant's
517 Ashford
Coppell, Tx 75019
214-566-2298

Requiem Aeternam
Eternal rest grant unto them,
O Lord, and let perpetual light
shine upon them. May they rest in Peace, Amen.



God bless you and yours on the Feast of All Saints Day,
Dear Ones in Standing Just,


For years I sent out a monthly reflection of appropriate faith builders and prayer concerns--and then life got in the way and the years have flown by. Working with the two men's groups at St. Ann's has slowly drawn me out of a solitary life--and as we enter into this meaningful month of the Church, I want to take the opportunity to share some appropriate thoughts from our most ancient faith and perhaps a few from more recent happy memories. I do not know how often I will continue these jottings, but do let me know if you find them helpful.


Nov. 1 All Saints Day-- A Holy Day of Obligation

Nov. 2 All Soul’s Day--A Debt of Love Day for those who have gone before us

Nov. 1-8 an opportunity to gain Plenary Indulgences for Souls in Purgatory--you gain this by visiting a Cemetery and offer up prayers

Nov. 2 Devoutly visiting a Church--go to Mass, sign up your loved ones in the Book of Remembrance for the Alter , receive Communion, and Light a Candle for those who have gone before you--and you earn a Plenary Indulgence--you are reciting the required Credo and the Our Father by being on time to Mass and participating.


Pray the Requiem Aeternam daily during November--you join with the whole Church in praying for the Souls in Purgatory.

I have a good friend, Gerri who says, “Adam and Eve--it is their entire fault--look what they did to us..." Adam and Eve and David and Bathsheba are the two clearest examples of Holy Scripture that bring home to me so hauntingly Catholic theology that though God forgives sin, the worldly consequences of sin can continue to run its course. And these consequences do not happen alone in the prayer chapel like our confessions--they spill over into our very real lives and affect not just us, but those around us.

The Blood of Christ does remit sin. Oh, the Blood of Jesus, it washes white as Snow...Christ Jesus poured out His Blood completely for us--and in the unbloody sacrifice of the Mass, He still pours out fresh and anew His Blood on the Alter to forgive our sins. As Catholics we have the incredible privilege to partake of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity or Our Dearly Beloved Lord Jesus. It is from this treasury of merit from which indulgenced works draw. The redemptive work of suffering--the purgative work of embracing the Cross of Christ in our daily lives causes the fountain of these graces to flow from the treasury of merit Christ created in the offering up of His Blood. Please--dear ones, who are new to me--let me be the first to say--this is much easier for me to put on paper in the comfort of my own private office and safety. Embracing the Cross is not easy, it is not fun, it is not without pain--but it is to what we are called. Most of us spend a lifetime trying to avoid the one thing that we are called to do--Embrace the Cross--love deeply the Cross of Christ, Glory in the Cross. "For I was born to be Your Dwelling place--a home for the presence of the Lord--so let my heart now be, Separated unto Thee--that I might be what I was born to be."

From an early age I have been a student of Holy Scriptures. When I was less than 5 a wise, old, godly woman taught me my first Bible verse--Luke 2: 52 "And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man." As Mrs. White rocked me and taught me that Scripture, she told me stories of King Jesus--hero stories--and then she said, "This is what I want you to do." It has been two steps forward and three steps backwards, but that has been a guide-star verse for my life. And those who look from a far think that I have been somewhat successful--those who know me close up know the real truth---even now there are moments where I shudder and turn from the Cross. But, Jesus did all these things well--and yet Scripture tells us there was something that even Jesus had to learn--did you know that? There is something that even Our Lord had to learn--Obedience--He learned it through suffering---His Suffering--is the Blessed Storehouse of Merited Grace and Mercy which He pours out for the purification of the whole world--unbounded LOVE, unmerited GRACE.

Read from Holy Scriptures:
Luke 2:51-52, Hebrews 5: 7-8, Colossians 1: 22, I John 2:2
Recommended Book:
The Confessions -- St. Augustine—this is a must read.


November is the month of Remembrance.
During this month, we remember those who have died and we do special acts of Metanoia--prayer, almsgiving and fasting to honor and assist those Christians who have gone before us....

What are Indulgences?

God sent us into the world to make the world a better place. But, thanks to Adam and Eve--sin entered the world--and every man through all of time has been a Sinner and sinned making the world not a better place--but worse.

When we sin, we take grace away from not only our own lives, but from the rest of the world. Sin takes away our power to be joyful—to accept graces—to let love flow from us to others—to have the power and desire to resist more sin… Confession restores me to a state of joyful grace, but the people I mistreated still suffer from my earlier lack of grace. How do I repair that damage? I must repair that damage –this is the Will of God. In fact, I cannot enter Heaven until I do His will--obey Him. As we were taught from a young age—to know God, to love Him, to obey Him, and to hope to live with Him forever… The world must be free from the suffering my sins have caused. The Maronite rite expresses beautifully that the blood of Jesus ran down from the cross and covers the whole world—offering the healing and forgiveness for sins. Through the redemptive power of His Blood—the sign of peace is extended from the priest and the Altar one by one to each and every Mass participant—illustrating our call to extend this work of peace and grace throughout the world.

I have two choices if I wish to heal the world: I can share in the healing work of the Cross r in Purgatory in the life to come—or in this life through indulgences. An indulgence is a prayerful act I can do today that restores part or all of the grace the world would have enjoyed if I had never sinned. Just as if I had never sinned—Protestants call this Justification and we call it a state of grace. We are called to share in the healing work of Christ

To be worthy of sharing in this healing work of Christ, I must first be in a state of grace.
To perform a partial indulgence, I need only be in a state of grace when doing the work.
To perform a plenary indulgence, I must be in a state of grace when doing the work, receive confession, receive the Eucharist, pray for the Pope’s intentions (an Our Father and a Hail Mary ), and make an act of the will to love God and despise all sin, even the most venial.


Plenary Indulgences for November

Feast of All Saints

Feast of All Souls

Visiting a cemetery and praying for the dead during the Octave of All Saints’ Day (November 1 through November 8) will win a plenary indulgence that can only be applied to those in purgatory.

At the Hour of Death: The Anointing of the Sick contains the apostolic pardon, a plenary indulgence which requires no other work. If no priest is available and the person is baptized, rightly disposed and has regularly prayed in some way during his life, prayer in the hour of death may earn a plenary indulgence.

Feast of Christ the King: Praying the Act of Dedication to Christ the King on the Feast of Christ the King (25th) may earn a plenary indulgence.



Act of Dedication to Christ the King

Most Sweet Jesus, Redeemer of the human race, we are Yours, and Yours we wish to be. To bind ourselves to You even more closely we kneel before You today and offer ourselves to Your Most Sacred Heart.

R. Praise to You, our Savior and our King. Have mercy on all who have never known You and on all who reject You and refuse to obey You: gentle Lord, draw them to Yourself.

R. Praise to You, our Savior and our King. Reign over the faithful who have never left You, reign over those who have squandered their inheritance, the prodigal children who now are starving: being them back to their Father's house.

R. Praise to You, our Savior and our King. Reign over those who are misled by error or divided by discord. Hasten the day when we shall be one in faith and truth, one flock with You, the one Shepherd. Give to Your Church freedom and peace, and to all nations justice and order. Make the earth resound from pole to pole with a single cry: Praise to the Divine Heart that gained our salvation; glory and honor be His forever and ever. Amen.

R. Praise to You, our Savior and our King. Amen.



Tantum Ergo

Down in adoration falling, To the Everlasting Father
Lo! The Sacred host we hail. And the Son Who reigns on high,
Lo! O’er ancient forms departing, With the Spirit blessed proceeding
Newer rites of Grace prevail; Forth, from Each eternally,
Faith for all defects supplying, Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Where the feeble senses fail. Might and endless majesty. Amen.



Today is the Thanksgiving of the Catholic Church—let us joyfully celebrate and pray for the Church:
The Church Militant—those still in this life
The Church Triumphant—those heroes of the faith in the Beatific Vision of Heaven
The Church suffering—those praying for us, and we praying for them still in the moment of purgation-Purgatory.


God bless you and your dear families—remember the Vinzant family on your Hope beads.

YBIC,

Daniel

The Ascension of our Lord (A Holy Day of Obligation) which falls on Thursday, May 17, 2007 is suspended in USA dioceses till the following Sunday, and will be celebrated on Sunday, May 20, 2007.

Today, a Holy day of obligation, we celebrate the Ascension. Today’s readings from the Liturgy of the Hours includes a sermon from Saint Leo the Great. This sermon is powerful. It captures the significance and importance of the ascension to our faith.

Before you read the sermon, consider the author. Saint Leo the Great was Pope from 440 to 461 AD, and is one of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church. He was Pope when the barbarian, Attila the Hun sought to invade Rome . Attila was the fiercest and most ruthless of all barbarian invaders. When Attila arrived at the gates of Rome , Saint Leo, in a saintly white robe, went out to meet him with a little entourage of 100 priests, monks and bishops, chanting in Latin, burning incense, and carrying crosses and images of Jesus and Mary. Even though Attila, who feared no man, was flanked by thousands of barbarian troops, he feared this saintly man who was called Vicar of Christ. Attila feared not the power of man, but the unseen power of God. Worried that Saint Leo could call down the heavenly army of angels to fight for the Church, Attila agreed not to sack Rome and turned back ( Rome was lost 25 years later; different Pope, different barbarian).

Saint Leo the Great produced some of the finest writings and sermons in Church History. One of those sermons, about the Ascension, is as follows (the part that is chilling to me is to realize that women and children were brutally tortured for our faith):

“At Easter, beloved brethren, it was the Lord’s resurrection which was the cause of our joy; our present rejoicing is on account of his ascension into heaven. With all due solemnity we are commemorating that day on which our poor human nature was carried up, in Christ, above all the hosts in heaven, above all the ranks of angels, beyond the highest heavenly powers to the very throne of God the Father. It is upon this ordered structure of divine acts that we have been firmly established, so that the grace of God may show itself still more marvelous when, in spite of the withdrawal from men’s sight of everything that is rightly felt to command their reverence, faith does not fail, hope is not shaken, and charity does not grow cold.

“For such is the power of great minds, such the light of truly believing souls, that they put unhesitating faith in what is not seen with the bodily eye; they fix their desires on what is beyond sight. Such fidelity could never be born in our hearts, nor could anyone be justified by faith, if our salvation lay only in what was visible.

“And so our Redeemer’s visible presence has passed into the sacraments. Our faith is nobler and stronger because sight has been replaced by a doctrine whose authority is accepted by believing hearts, enlightened from on high. This faith was increased by the Lord’s ascension and strengthened by the gift of the Spirit; it would remain unshaken by fetters and imprisonment, exile and hunger, fire and ravaging beasts, and the most refined tortures ever devised by brutal persecutors. Throughout the world women no less than men, tender girls as well as boys, have given their life’s blood in the struggle for this faith. It is a faith that has driven out devils, healed the sick and raised the dead.

“Even the blessed apostles, though they had been strengthened by so many miracles and instructed by so much teaching, took fright at the cruel suffering of the Lord’s passion and could not accept his resurrection without hesitation. Yet, they made such progress through his ascension that they now found joy in what had terrified them before. They were able to fix their minds on Christ’s divinity as he sat at the right hand of his Father, since what was presented to their bodily eyes no longer hindered them from turning all of their attention to the realization that he had not left his Father when he came down to earth, nor had he abandoned his disciples when he ascended into heaven.

“The truth is that the Son of Man was revealed as Son of God in a more perfect and transcendent way once he had entered into his Father’s glory; he now began to be indescribably more present in his divinity to those from whom he was further removed in his humanity. A more mature faith enabled their minds to stretch upward to the Son in his equality with the Father; it no longer needed contact with Christ’s tangible body, in which as man he is inferior to the Father. For while his glorified body retained the same nature, the faith of those who believed in him was now summoned to the heights where, as the Father’s equal, the only-begotten Son is reached not by physical handling, but by spiritual discernment.”

OK, it is that time again---I hate fund-raising by nature but it is something we have to do for some of these pro-life organizations

The Walk for Life funds one of my good friends in the work and she is very careful with every nickle and dime--she works with the Legislature in Texas to safeguard our rights which are constantly under attack such as the right to die issues being debated the next week in Austin.

It is so easy--just tell me the amount and your name and address and phone number and they will send you a reminder for payment later.

Please help me exercise and serve a greater good by helping you fund a wonderful pro-life organization--again one of my favorites. No amount is too big or too small.

And while we are raising awareness---love those wonderful wives and mothers of your children dearly and hold them near with special times this lovely weekend. And pray your HOPE bead for the Vinzant family. Lewis turns 22 on Friday and we start the weekend with a tremendous brisket--the best ever thanks to the BBQ for Life---you go GUYS--you ROCK!!!

Jan will be surprising Lewis at the diner party and staying the whole weekend so we can treat her to a special Mother's Day Weekend--maybe we will bump into some of you over the weekend .

God bless and call in those pledges so i can turn them in eh.

Your brother in Christ,

daniel

A little Monday humor.

Hope the pic comes out---you know what they say: "If you wants to be Impotent you gots to dress Impoent." hehehe

This is Daniel with Jennifer O'Neil of the Summer of 42 movie--you go boy.

Actually Jennifer was in town for the annual CPLC Bishop of Dallas Pro-Life Banquet 2007 as the Keynote Speaker and we were hanging out at the reception with the Bishop and his friends--good times had by all.

I do look forward to fishing with him at his lake and we wish him God's speed in spending lots of time in that boat down South--thanks be to God.

Hope some of you can make it again Wednesday for the Adult Ed--such a treat to have good friends in the audience. I am speaking on the Credo as a catechism for our faith.

God bless,

daniel

Dear Brothers,

Here are my prayers for you and your family as you have a very meaningful Holy Week. What a joy for so many of us to be able to participate in the CRHP 38 Lunch and Candle Mass on Saturday. We will have our new schdeule out soon after Holy Week and hope to see more and more of you we have been missing.

Each year I try to take a few speical friends to a very special event--Holy Thursday in Lewisville at our Lady of Lebanon--I figrue the numbers are great enough at our home church, that no one will miss us for one evening eh. Do try to come and call if you have any questions.

My former Spiritual Director, our beloved Father Pacwa from EWTN is do to be there for Holy Week and you will love meeting him and then they have Confessions till Midnight with him if you would like to do that. He stays to the very last penitant is done--always much after Midnight.

God bless,

daniel

see notes below
Brothers,A reminder and a some notes: Reminder, Holy Thursday at Our Lady of Lebanon in Lewisville at 7pm.http://www.ourladylebanon.com/You can find the address and a map at their website. I hope to see many of you there.Three main notes for those of you who have never attended a Maronite service:1. Communion is by Tincture. That means the Priest dips the Host in the wine and puts the Host in your mouth. So don't hold your hands up because you will look silly. :)2. The sign of peace starts at the Altar and then is spread to the congregation. Basically the Priest gives the sign of peace to the Altar servers and then the Altar servers go to the first person in each row and it spreads from there. Just don't sit in the first row and all you have to do is watch and do what everyone else does.3. The standing, sitting, kneeling is a little different. Again just watch and follow.I hope each of you has a blessed Holy week.

YBIC,

Dear Ones in Standing Just,

I am late in the game on this one. I keep thinking I can live a quiet life in Coppell and not get drawn into the horrors around us, but even now when I hear of these horrors being done by agents of the Church--the largest Catholic health organization in the world--Ascension Health --Daughters of Charity...and the silence of yet another Catholic Bishop this time in Austin, Texas.

Ten years ago-when I was not yet fully Catholic in the midst of the horrors in Dallas, Texas a beloved priest told me that we were living in a time when it took the Courts to force a Bishop to do the right thing.... I call on good Catholics and believers everywhere to call on good Bishops and to raise a cry--a resounded cry against the willful killing of another human by neglect as they quibble on their "quality of life" debate. Did our beloved Pope John Paul II's end of life and natural death--faithful till the end, to the love and calling of God--teach us nothing?

This baby has been granted a reprieve until April 10 through the Courts--where are the Christian activist for LIFE? I have been told that Seaton refuses to allow a Doctor to perform a simple tracheotomy that would allow this baby to be able to be transported to another facility or even to home with his mother. Please read the blogs--Goggle the most recent news---reach out to Kyleen Wright, President Texans for Life Coalition www.texlife.org

MAKE PHONE CALLS
You can express your views in this case by calling Brackenridge Children's Hospital in Austin at 512-324-8000. Please let them know that you know they are Catholic and why are they not upholding Catholic teaching on offering ordinary care such as nutrition and hydration--trach,....

Flood the Austin Bishop's email and phone calls--he can do the right thing and get involved.

You Life advocates--hit the streets and media if you have to--even if it means in front of a Catholic hospital, order of nuns, and Bishops office. If you know Bishop Vann in Fort Worth or Archbishop Gomez in San Antonio....get them to talk to their brother Bishop...

WE must do something--so we Pray and then put your prayers to action as God leads,

For Life in His Sacred Heart,

daniel

Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Whether living or dying ... let's embrace baby Emilio
Emilio Gonzales is a 16 month old baby boy. He’s in has a degenerative neurological condition called Leigh’s disease. A Google search will reveal that Leigh’s disease --“is a rare inherited neurometabolic disorder characterized by degeneration of the central nervous system. Symptoms of Leigh's disease usually begin between the ages of 3 months to 2 years and progress rapidly. In most children, the first signs may be poor sucking ability and loss of head control and motor skills. These symptoms may be accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, continuous crying, and seizures. As the disorder progresses, symptoms may also include generalized weakness, lack of muscle tone, and episodes of lactic acidosis, which can lead to impairment of respiratory and kidney function. Heart problems may also occur.”“…The most common treatment for Leigh's disease is thiamine or Vitamin B1. In patients who have a deficiency of pyruvate dehydrogenase enzyme complex, a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet may be recommended. Oral sodium bicarbonate or sodium citrate may also be prescribed to manage lactic acidosis. Experimental protocols are currently using dichloroacetate to treat patients with lactic acidosis.”“…The prognosis for individuals with Leigh's disease is poor. Individuals who lack mitochondrial complex IV activity and those with pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency tend to have the worst prognosis and die within a few years. Those with partial deficiencies have a better prognosis, and may live to be 6 or 7 years of age. Some have survived to their mid-teenage years.” (Taken from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/leighsdisease/leighsdisease.htm .)”In short, little Emilio is a very sick baby boy.
Texas Futile Care LawHe is ventilator dependent and under the care of the Brackenridge Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas – but not for long. Under a Texas Futile Care law, his doctor is able to override the family’s wishes and withdraw treatment if he deems it to be futile. That’s exactly what has happened. Emilio’s mother Catarina Gonzales (23) was served the mandatory 10 days notice by the hospital ethics committee that baby Emilio’s ventilator would be turned off on March 23rd 2007. A brave and tenacious Texas Lawyer, Jerri Ward, has been able to get that ominous date postponed until April 10th in order to assist the baby’s mother to find another facility that will accept Emilio.Surely there is another medical facility somewhere in America that will accept this baby boy. (?) Surely there is a physician who will step forward to treat Emilio. (?) Surely there is somebody who is prepared to underwrite the cost of a medical flight for Emilio and his mom out of Texas to wherever that medical facility might be. (?)This baby deserves whatever life has been given to him and nobody has the rob him of it. If he dies, let it be from natural causes, not because somebody pursued his death by denying care. If baby Emilio dies of natural causes, at least America does not stand under the moral indictment of deliberately killing another disabled citizen.

Christian response to Terri SchiavoIn 2003, the disability organization I founded (HumanLifeMatters) tried to persuade the Canadian government to offer asylum for Terri Schiavo. HumanLifeMatters assembled a team of volunteer Christian physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in Edmonton, Alberta, to provide need care for her. The Good Samaritan Hospital guaranteed a bed for Terri. A wealthy Edmonton businessman offered to underwrite the costs of a medical flight.Unfortunately the Liberal government of former Prime Minister refused to offer asylum for her.Now futile care has raised its ugly head to threaten Emilio Gonzales. I will try once again to explore similar medical arrangements in Canada. We have a new Conservative government. Perhaps they will be open to showing mercy and allow entrance into my country.I ask readers of this blog to explore possibilities for Emilio in there communities. Is anyone prepared to cover costs of ring Emilio and his mother to Canada if it comes to that?

Baby Emilio deserves loving care, regardless of whether he lives or dies naturally. He needs to feel loved and valued through our collective embrace. I can be contacted at HumanLifeMatters@shaw.ca or my personal email MPickup@shaw.ca

Dear Brothers,

Happy St Joseph Feast Day!!!,

We will meet tonight at Wayne's house at 7:00 PM for Mass and fellowship with Fr Steven Sanchez. We hope to see you all there tonight.

March 19th 2007
Feast of St. Joseph
Patron of the Universal Church

JMJ

A Meditation on St. Joseph from Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

As Joseph had a mind to put Mary away secretly, the Gospel lifts the veil of the mystery to him: "But hardly had the thought come to his mind, when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, and said, 'Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take thy wife Mary to thyself, for it is by the power of the Holy Ghost that she has conceived this child; and she will bear a son, whom thou shalt call Jesus, for he is to save his people from their sins' " (Mt I:20-21).
Joseph's worries were overcome by a revelation of the dignity of Christ's Virgin Birth and of the nature of His mission-- namely, to save us from our sins. The very words of the angel: "Do not be afraid to take thy wife Mary to thyself" seem to support the view that Joseph already believed that miracle had taken place in Mary and that that was why he "feared" to bring her into his own house. It is unlikely that any man told of a Virgin Birth would ever have credited it if there had not already been in his heart a belief in the Messias, Christ, Who was to come. Joseph knew that the Messias would be born of the family of David, and he himself was of that family. He also knew of the prophecies concerning the Child, even the one of Isaias that He would be born of a Virgin. If Joseph had not already been described as a just man, the message of the angel and the honor that was to come to Mary would have been enough to have inspired great purity in him. For if a modern father were told that one day his son would be President of the United States, it would inspire a changed attitude toward his wife, the mother of the child. In like manner, all anxiety and anguish now leave Joseph, as his soul is filled with reverence and awe for the love of Mary's secret.

-From World's First Love (pages 90-91)

Protector of Holy Church, pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Pillar of families, pray for us.
Good Saint Joseph, your faithful love protected and nourished the Mother of God and Jesus Christ, her son.Your fatherly care led to maturity he through whom all creation began. Through your intercession, may God guide and protect all human life from conception to natural death, and lead this nation in the ways of truth and of love. Pray for us, good Saint Joseph, that joined with Christ Jesus, we might give praise to God forever. Amen.

Hi Brothers,

Team 30 will have Mass at Wayne's house at 7:00 PM for Mass and fellowship.
It is Fr Steven's 50th and we are celebrating--a bottle of wine, a Macy gift card--whatever you want to bring to honor him--and of course we will still do a cash stipend for Mt Carmel for the Mass.

Sunday--White Rose Open Hose--come and bring your family and then take a walk on the beautiful Katy Trail that runs behind it--kids can run wild--and finish up with a Wild about Harry ice cream custard--call me for details if you like--I will be there.

Our last CRHP meal will be the Saturday lunch for the upcoming weekend--which is March 31st--who can help ---Help!!!

Kevin Sadler, Dave Lukeman and I need your help---I am bringing three Form 100's and three of you are going to join the Knights of Columbus--do not do it under John Garcia as he already has his and the three of us need one each of you so we can win a coveted prize which we can not tell you about or else we would have to ___ you eh. I am serious--three of you will sign Forms 100 one for each of us before Wayne will let you leave his house. No excuses--your brothers and the Church needs you.

God bless,

YBIC,

daniel

This is a monthly event
2nd Tuesday Night Rosary at Planned Parenthood abortion center, sponsored by TOPP (Texans Opposed to Planned Parenthood)
6:30 p.m., in front of Jason’s Deli at 7412 Greenville Ave., just south of Walnut Hill Lane. After the rosary, we will go into Jason’s Deli for food, Christian fellowship and pro-life discussion. Park in the Jason’s Deli parking lot. This is a monthly event. Contact Daniel Vinzant, 214-566-2298 We meet in one of the booths closest to the doors in the Glassed in Atrium--to the right as you enter Jason's

2nd Saturday Stand for Life at Planned Parenthood after 8:00 AM Mass at St Ann's--carpool and stand prayerfully praying the Rosary and singing--and then breakfast and fellowship afterwards for those who can stay...

Same address for meeting to pray the Rosary on Saturdays at Planned Parenthood--you can park at Jason's and we stand on the little sidewalk under the Presbyterian hospital crosswalk and hold rosarys and pray lovingly and prayerfully. Saddly i can not be there every Saturday--but will be there this Saturday--going to 8:00 AM Mass at St Ann's and then driving down--so being there between 9:00-9:30 and staying till 11:00 AM and then going for breakfast with whoever would like after. If you come this Saturday I can show you the ropes so to speak and take the mystery out of it and hopefully some of you and your groups can pick a Saturday and make it a monthly love gift to the FACE of LOVE.

We have had some wonderful heros there faithfully every Saturday for the last 6 years and they have all fallen ill with serious illnesses this last month--we need some loving, prayerful people to STAND Praying--there is no real contact with people--just a prayerful witness that causes the power of Heaven to show up and do wonders in many lives...

God bless--for Life I hope to see you Saturday,

daniel

Dear Ones in Standing for Life in the midst of the Culture of Death,

Please send your emails and letters.

God bless,

Daniel

Note: forwarded message attached.

The pharmaceuticals are using aborted children to make many types of vaccines. They have been doing this for many, many years. We can do something about it right now. The FDA has invited the general public [you and me] to respond to them now through December 28th.

'Children of God For Life' organization [COGforLife] has on their web site this easy form to fill out which will go directly to the FDA and to the CDC. Please consider 5 minutes of your time and click here to start:http://www.cogforlife.org/

Here is my own letter that I electronically just sent from the COGforLife web site link above. You can take from my words or use one of the samples below.

"I would like to appeal upon the nation’s vaccine makers to develop, as soon as possible, vaccines that are not cultivated on cells taken from aborted fetuses. The pharmaceutical companies that manufacture the vaccines made from aborted babies have the ability and know-how to produce versions of these vaccines which do not depend on cell lines from aborted children. The pharmaceutical should be pressured by the FDA to develop those vaccines to meet the health needs of those who have religious and ethical objections to abortion. The FDA has the authority to allow for the licensing and importation of safe and effective ethical alternative vaccines such as Takahashi (rubella) and Aimmugen (Hepatitis A), and it has a moral duty to exercise that authority. Pharmaceutical companies and the FDA have a responsibility to address these concerns and provide vaccines that can be used by all." Samples of what you might write to the FDA and the CDC can be very simple, such as the following:As citizens concerned with both moral values and the health of our families, we request government intervention to ensure the creation of vaccines from non-objectionable sources. orWhy should you risk endangering the population as a whole by producing vaccines that a large number of people will refuse out of moral concerns? orWe will promote companies and products that do not use aborted fetal cell lines. We will boycott those that do. orIt is in the best interests of our country to provide ethical vaccines that all Americans may use in good conscience! or There are ethical alternatives to aborted fetal material: Use them or we’ll refuse them!also:
You can in addition get others to sign their names on a petition sheet.

Here's how to do that: download and print a comments form letter Click here: FDA Petition Comment Form for 25 signatures per page for others to sign with room for 25 signatures per page, though it is not necessary to fill all 25 spaces. Use as much as you need!

Send these forms before Dec 15th to Cogforlife [everything must be in to the FDA from COG by Dec. 28th]:
Children of God for Life
4613 Barfield Crescent Rd
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
Toll Free Number (stays the same) 877-488-LIFE
Email (stays the same) cogforlife@aol.com or debi@cogforlife.org
www.cogforlife.org<>

One more thing, please consider sending a 'snail mail' letter to the Dept of Health and Human Services [by US Mail only] to:<>Secretary Michael O. LeavittThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services200 Independence Avenue, S.W.Washington, D.C. 20201

Brothers, some have asked this question--here is the latest from the Holy Father.


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http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0606058.htm
SKYLSTAD-VESSELS Oct-24-2006 (550 words)

Lay ministers may not cleanse Communion vessels, Pope Benedict says
By Nancy Frazier O'BrienCatholic News Service

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- At the direction of Pope Benedict XVI, extraordinary ministers of holy Communion will no longer be permitted to assist in the purification of the sacred vessels at Masses in the United States.

In an Oct. 23 letter, Bishop William S. Skylstad, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asked his fellow bishops to inform all pastors of the change, which was prompted by a letter from Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

The U.S. bishops had asked the Vatican to extend an indult -- or church permission -- in effect since 2002 allowing extraordinary ministers of holy Communion to help cleanse the Communion cups and plates when there were not enough priests or deacons to do so.
Bishop Skylstad, who heads the Diocese of Spokane, Wash., said Cardinal Arinze asked Pope Benedict about the matter during a June 9 audience, "and received a response in the negative."
Noting that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal "directs that the sacred vessels are to be purified by the priest, the deacon or an instituted acolyte," the cardinal said in his Oct. 12 letter that "it does not seem feasible, therefore, for the congregation to grant the requested indult from this directive in the general law of the Latin Church."

Although receiving Communion under both kinds is a "more complete" sign of the sacrament's meaning, Cardinal Arinze said, "Christ is fully present under each of the species."
"Communion under the species of the bread alone, as a consequence, makes it possible to receive all the fruit of eucharistic grace," he added. Another "legitimate option" when "the high number of communicants may render it inadvisable for everyone to drink from the chalice" is intinction -- the practice of dipping the consecrated host into the consecrated wine -- "with reception on the tongue always and everywhere," the cardinal's letter said.

Along with the letters from Bishop Skylstad and Cardinal Arinze, bishops received a new resource prepared by the bishops' Committee on the Liturgy titled "Seven Questions on the Distribution of Holy Communion Under Both Kinds." The committee document also suggested distribution of Communion by consecrated bread alone or by intinction when the number of communicants makes the purification of vessels by priests, deacons or instituted acolytes alone "pastorally problematic." "Priests should also keep in mind potential risks associated with intinction, especially in the coming flu season," the document added.

The committee said extraordinary ministers of holy Communion may continue to "consume what remains of the precious blood from their chalice of distribution with permission of the diocesan bishop." The document notes that the "extraordinary ministry" by which laypeople distribute Communion "was created exclusively for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute holy Communion, due to the consummate importance of assuring that the faithful have the opportunity to receive holy Communion at Mass, even when it is distributed under both species."
Ordinary ministers of Communion are priests and deacons, with instituted acolytes being permitted in the Roman Missal to help the priest or deacon "to purify and arrange the sacred vessels."

In the United States, instituted acolytes, who must be male, generally are seminarians preparing for priesthood.
END

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250

Church Etiquette

Church Etiquette Do’s andDon’ts:

Cellular Phones and Pagers--Turn off cellular phones and pagers before entering the Church

Church Dress
Modesty and neatness are encouraged.

Children:No shorts except for the very young. Only clean and tied shoes or sandals. No T-shirts with advertisement. Women: No tank tops. No dresses with only shoulder straps. No low cut tops, no short skirts and no skintight dresses. Men: Coat and tie preferred. Shirts hould be buttoned. Shirts should have collars (the button on the collar may be unbuttoned).

Entering the Church Please arrive on time. If you are late, enter the Church quietly. Face the altar, cross yourself, and quietly find a seat. Do not take the place of someone who is in line for communion. Do not sit where the choir sits. If the Church is full ask an usher to seat you.

Lighting Candles Pickup candles for offering prayers at the entrance. Donations for candles are an expression of appreciation for God’s blessings and grace. Light the candles at the back of the Church and pray, leaving room for others to join you in prayer. Quietly find a seat. There are occasions when candles will not be lit.

Standing vs. Sitting
It is traditional to stand during the whole service if you wish. If not, follow your liturgy book for directions. Arrow pointing down – sit down. Arrow pointing up – Stand up. Arrow at an angle – kneel in prayer.

Talking Inside the Church It is inappropriate to talk in Church during the service or afterwards. Be aware that there may be people still praying while you are leaving.

Crossing Legs
Do not cross your legs in Church. Do not put your feet up - The bottoms of your shoes should not face the altar. Place your feet flat on the floor, and be ready to stand up when needed.
No Food or Drink in ChurchDo not bring food into the Church. Do not chew gum. Do not bring water or other beverages into the sanctuary.

Don’t Go Down the Center Aisle
Do not walk down the center aisle. When you enter the Church go to the right or the left, and go down the side aisles, but never down the center aisle. After taking communion, go through the right or left aisles to return to your seat.

Leaving Before the Dismissal
It is improper to leave before the conclusion of the liturgy. After the final blessing, it is proper to go up to the priest, kiss the Holy Book and cross yourself.

Blot the Lipstick Blot your lipstick before you receive Holy Communion, or kiss the Holy Bible or the Priest’s hand and vestments. Be aware that your lipstick may stain the Bible and the hand or vestments of the Priest.

Ah, for the good ole days indeed,

YBIC,

daniel