This entry is pretty late, but better late than never....
I would like to wish Pope Benedict XVI a happy and blessed 81st birthday. May he continue his great work as a faithful servant of God, and may he have many more birthdays to come!
Also, may God guide and protect Pope Benedict during his trip to the United States.
I just wanted to remind all CMYPC members that you need to have your sacrifice ready by April 26 (next prayer meeting). Reminder of the sacrifice guidelines:
You need to be willing to do the sacrifice for a month
The sacrifice cannot be harmful to yourself or others
Preferrably, choose a sacrifice that is personally challenging
Remember that we are offering this sacrifice up to God
On Apr. 27, please be by the front door of the church after mass and wear last year's retreat t-shirt if you have one. A reminder also to Job and Migi that they're announcing this at church the week before. That's it for now. Check back frequently for retreat updates! Hope to see you all next next week!
Three years ago, on April 2, 2005, Pope John Paul II passed away, ending the 26-year papacy that made him one of the longest reigning popes of all time. Many individuals - Catholics and non-Catholics alike - were saddened by his passing. He was a charismatic, wise, and, most importantly, faithful pope who was able to preach Jesus' teachings not only through his words, but also through his actions.
Let us all pray for Pope John Paul II's dearly departed soul, and let us also continue to pray that his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, may always be guided by the Holy Spirit.
On behalf of the Canadian Martyrs Prayer Community, I would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed Easter. As I mentioned in one of my previous blog entries, Easter is perhaps the most important feast in the Catholic Church, and in Christianity in general. St. Paul explains it best, with the following words taken from the Bible:
Well then, if Christ is preached as risen from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is empty and our belief comes to nothing. And we become false witnesses of God, attesting that He raised Christ, whereas He could not raise Him if indeed the dead are not raised. If the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith gives you nothing, and you are still in sin. Also those who fall asleep in Christ are lost. If it is only for this life that we hope in Christ, we are the most unfortunate of all people. But no, Christ has been raised from the dead and He comes before all those who have fallen asleep. - 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Being a big movie buff, I somehow felt obliged to compile a list of films that I recommend you watch during Lent and Easter. Most of the films listed below will probably be recognizable to the average film viewer, but I also added several hidden gems that might be of interest.
Films Based on Biblical Events:
The Ten Commandments (1956)
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Jesus of Nazareth (1977) (TV miniseries)
Biographical Films/Films Based on True Events:
Brother Sun, Sister Moon (1972) (St. Francis of Assisi)
A Man for All Seasons (1966) (St. Thomas More) (Best Picture Oscar winner)
Becket (1964) (St. Thomas Becket)
Dead Man Walking (1995) (Sister Helen Prejean) (Best Actress Oscar winner)
Boys Town (1938) (Father Flanagan) (Best Actor Oscar winner)
Fictional Movies with Christian Themes:
Millions (2005)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
