Our Lady of Fatima “Family” Rosary Calendar Newsletter Vol. 29, No. 1 January-March 2020 January February March Holy Name of Jesus Holy Family Saint Joseph *Pray for Pope Francis’ intention to *Pray for Pope Francis’ intentions for *Pray for Pope Francis’ intentions for promote peace and justice in the world. the victimized migrants. the Church in China. *Pray that we recognize the power of *Pray that the Holy Family of Jesus, *Pray to Saint Joseph, patron saint of Christ's Name and pray in His Name. Mary, and Joseph is our family’s model. workers and a happy death. Mary, the Mother of God January 1st, which is within the her words, “Be it done to me Octave of Christmas, is the according to thy word”. liturgical feast of the Blessed Calling Mary “Mother of God” Virgin Mary. Although honoring is the highest honor we can give to Mary as the Mother of God can be her. Just as Christmas honors traced back to the Council of Jesus as the “Prince of Peace”, the Ephesus in 431, it was not until the “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of 7th century that January 1st was God” honors Mary as the “Queen observed as a celebration of the of Peace”. New Year’s Day is also Maternity of the Blessed Virgin designated as the “World Day of Mary. This feast day honoring our Peace”, further acknowledging the Blessed Mother was replaced in the role of Mary in our hearts and in 13th century with the Feast of the our world. Circumcision of Christ. It was Theotokos, which means “God- As we begin another year, we removed from the liturgical bearer”. draw inspiration from the selfless calendar in 1974 by Pope Paul VI. On this day, we are reminded of love of the Theotokos, who never He replaced it with the feast of the the role that the Blessed Virgin hesitated to do the will of God. We “Solemnity of Mary, Mother of played in the plan of our trust in her prayers to God for us, God”, bringing Mary’s feast day salvation. Through the Holy Spirit, that we might, as the years pass, back to the first day of the year. God the Father prepared Mary to become more like her. The feast is a celebration of be the dwelling place where His Mary’s motherhood of Jesus. The Son and His Spirit could dwell O Mary, Mother of God, pray title “Mother of God” is a western among men. Christ’s birth was for us! derivation from the Greek made possible by Mary’s fiat with March for Life-January 24 As of August 13, 2019, there have been nearly 61 million abortions in the United States since the passage of Roe vs. Wade in 1973 (Guttmacher). Guttmacher believes that this figure should be at least 5% higher. The 5th commandment of God clearly states “You shall not kill.” Human life is sacred because, from its beginning, it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can, under any circumstance, claim for himself or herself the right to destroy an innocent human being. (From the Catechism of the Catholic Church). Life begins at conception: the entire being is present at that very moment. From the word of the Lord to Jeremiah (1:5) “Before I formed you in the womb I knew Pro-Life is Pro-Woman you, and before you were born I consecrated you”. Pray always for a culture of life! 1 Blessed Mothers 8th of 12 Approved Public Apparitions Tuy, Spain—1929 The apparitions and miracles at onto which some drops of Blood Fatima have been presented were falling, which flowed from the periodically in the Our Lady of face of the Crucified One and from Fatima “Family” Rosary Calendar the wound in His breast. Running Newsletter. However, it is in Tuy, down over the Host, these drops fell Spain that we have the most into the Chalice. significant and mystical vision of all Under the right arm of the cross the Marian apparitions when she was Our Lady with her Immaculate appeared to Sister Lucia on June 13, Heart in her hand ... (She appeared as 1929. Our Lady began with “The Our Lady of Fatima, with her moment has come in which God Immaculate Heart in her left hand, asks the Holy Father to make, in without sword or roses, but with a union with all the bishops of the crown of thorns and flames); under world, the consecration of Russia the left arm [of the cross], in large to My Immaculate Heart, letters, like crystalline water which promising to save it [Russia] by flowed over the altar, forming these this means. So numerous are the words: ‘Grace and Mercy’. I souls which the justice of God understood that the mystery of the condemns for sins committed Most Holy Trinity was shown to me, against Me, that I come to ask for and I received lights about this reparation. Sacrifice yourself for mystery which I am not permitted to this intention and pray.” sanctuary lamp: “...Suddenly, the reveal.” While in Spain (where Lucia whole chapel lit up with a pronounced her vows), Lucia had supernatural light and on the altar Editors note: There is so much more important visits from Jesus and Mary. appeared a cross of light which that we need to understand about the It was in Tuy that Our Lady’s reached the ceiling. In a clearer light, message of this apparition. For now promise, contained in the Secret of on the upper part of the cross, could though, please turn to the Blessed July 13, 1917, was fulfilled: "I shall be seen the face of a man with His Mother and pray her Rosary, ask her come to ask for the consecration of body to the waist, on His chest a help to perform pleasing acts of Russia...." dove, equally luminous; and nailed to penance and a thorough and complete Sister Lucia describes the the cross, the body of another man. A consecration, both personal and of communication with the Blessed little below the waist [of Christ on your family. Mother while she was lying prostate the cross], suspended in the air, could with the only light being the be seen a Chalice and a large Host, Twelve Articles of the Apostles Creed Transubstantiation, the bread and Almighty, Creator of heaven and 9. “The Holy Catholic Church, the wine used for Communion becoming earth,” was given by Saint Peter; Communion of Saints,” by Saint the body and blood of Jesus Christ, is 2. “And in Jesus Christ His only James the Less; central to the Catholic faith. Indeed, Son, Our Lord,” by Saint John; 10. “The Forgiveness of Sins,” by the Catholic Church teaches that “the 3. “Who was conceived by the Holy Saint Simon; Eucharist is ‘the source and summit Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary,” by 11. “The Resurrection of the Body,” of the Christian life.’” The article at Saint James the Greater; by Saint Jude; the top of page 3 describes that lack 4. “Suffered under Pontius Pilate, 12. “And Life Everlasting,” by Saint of belief in the core of this Catholic was crucified, died, and was buried,” Matthias. teaching. However, this article by Saint Andrew; This synthesis of faith was addresses the Apostles Creed. It is a 5. “He descended into hell and on gathered from all the Scriptures, to summary of the basic tenets of the the third day He arose again from the present the one teaching of the faith Catholic Faith. It is composed of dead,” by Saint Philip; in its entirety. This summary of faith dogmas expressing Faith in the 6. “He ascended into heaven and encompassed, in a few words, the Blessed Trinity and the Catholic sitteth at the right hand of God, the whole knowledge of the true religion Church, the Sacraments by Father Almighty,” by Saint Thomas; contained in the Old and the New association, and the dogmas of the 7. “From whence He shall come to Testaments (From Catechism CC 186). particular judgment, hell and judge the living and the dead,” by St. Ambrose wrote: “This Creed is purgatory. Saint Bartholomew; the spiritual seal, our heart's Each Apostle is attributed to an meditation and an ever-present article as listed below: 8. “I believe in the Holy Ghost,” by Saint Matthew; guardian; it is, unquestionably, the 1. I believe in God, the Father treasure of our soul.” 2 Seek Mercy and Faith This Lenten Season Lent 2020 begins on Ash rather than believing in the Real Wednesday, February 26 and ends on Presence of Jesus Christ under the Easter Sunday, April 12. Lent is a forms of bread and wine. However, of time for us to prepare for Easter those Catholics who attend Mass at through prayer, doing penance, least once a week, 63% believe that the mortifying the flesh, repenting for our bread and wine become the body and sins, giving alms, and denying our ego. blood of Christ, still a low percentage. Society and our Church are in a The teaching of the Real Presence very difficult time. Unfortunately, of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, there is a tendency to push God out of avoiding sin. St. Augustine continues according to the Catechism, is the the Catholic Church (Fr. L. M. Oppl, the point by emphasizing that after we “source and summit of the Christian Rector, Opus Sanctorum Angelorum).