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Why do purgatory and hell exist? The Catechism teaches us today about the existence and the meaning of purgatory and hell. We learn that purgatory is a transitional state of purification while hell is the state of permanent separation from God. Fr. Mike reminds us that nobody drifts into heaven because “we cannot be united to God unless we freely choose to love him.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1030-1037.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/O0mrlrA9Iks
Together, with Fr. Mike, we explore what happens to us at and after the moment of our death. We examine the importance of understanding that the Christian, who unites his death with Christ Jesus, takes a step towards Christ in everlasting life. Fr. Mike emphasizes that we have an active choice in our journey to our Father in heaven. We should not simply desire Heaven, but actively choose it. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1020-1029.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/9Fr6t_l6cE4
Inspired by the real example of the saints, we will learn how to pray with the same consistency, trust, peace, and passion that led to deep transformation in their souls. The program will help you begin your journey of prayer, rejuvenate your prayer life, and strengthen your relationship with God.
Filmed on location in Italy with Dr. Edward Sri, this series mines the riches of Catholic spirituality and the Catholic tradition of prayer. Drawing from Scripture and the example of the saints, When You Pray will help you cultivate a fruitful life of prayer that leads to an ever-deeper encounter with God, so that you can give Him your entire heart.
Saint John I’s Story (c. 470 – May 18, 526)
Pope John I inherited the Arian heresy, which denied the divinity of Christ. Italy had been ruled for 30 years by an emperor who espoused the heresy, though he treated the empire’s Catholics with toleration. His policy changed at about the time the young John was elected pope.
When the eastern emperor began imposing severe measures on the Arians of his area, the western emperor forced John to head a delegation to the East to soften the measures against the heretics. Little is known of the manner or outcome of the negotiations—designed to secure continued toleration of Catholics in the West.
On his way home, John was imprisoned at Ravenna because the emperor had begun to suspect that John’s friendship with his eastern rival might lead to a conspiracy against his throne. Shortly after his imprisonment, John died, apparently from the treatment he received in prison.
John’s body was transported to Rome and he was buried in the Basilica of St. Peter.
Reflection
We cannot choose the issues for which we have to suffer and perhaps die. John I suffered because of a power-conscious emperor. Jesus suffered because of the suspicions of those who were threatened by his freedom, openness, and powerlessness. “If you find that the world hates you, know it has hated me before you” (John 15:18).
Together, with Fr. Mike, we arrive at the “nugget day” or summary for the Catechism paragraphs on the Resurrection and the Christian vision of death. Fr. Mike emphasizes that in the face of death, we must not grieve as though we have no hope. He also points out the importance of preparing for the hour of our death. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1012-1019.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/mBFaMN2OL0E
Fr. Mike examines the mystery of death and dying in Christ. Together, we explore the reality that in order to live with Christ, we must first die with Christ. Fr. Mike emphasizes that Christ accepted death in an act of free and complete submission to God’s will, and how we can follow that example by completely accepting God’s will in our own lives. Today’s readings from the Catechism are paragraphs 1005-1011.
Click on the link to play video: https://youtu.be/RSqOmjJwDIY
Together, with Fr. Mike, we unpack some of the questions surrounding the resurrection of the dead. The Catechism clarifies who, how, and when each person will rise from the dead, body and soul. We also examine how we are already somewhat in participation with Christ’s death and resurrection through our Baptism. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 997-1004.
Click on link to play video: https://youtu.be/MVqYooVEecA
Saint Paschal Baylon’s story (May 24, 1540 – May 15, 1592)
In Paschal’s lifetime the Spanish empire in the New World was at the height of its power, though France and England were soon to reduce its influence. The 16th century has been called the Golden Age of the Church in Spain, for it gave birth to Ignatius of Loyola, Francis Xavier, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Peter of Alcantara, Francis Solano, and Salvator of Horta.
Paschal’s Spanish parents were poor and pious. Between the ages of seven and 24 he worked as a shepherd and began a life of mortification. He was able to pray on the job and was especially attentive to the church bell, which rang at the Elevation during Mass. Paschal had a very honest streak in him. He once offered to pay owners of crops for any damage his animals caused!
In 1564, Paschal joined the Friars Minor and gave himself wholeheartedly to a life of penance. Though he was urged to study for the priesthood, he chose to be a brother. At various times he served as porter, cook, gardener, and official beggar.
Paschal was careful to observe the vow of poverty. He would never waste any food or anything given for the use of the friars. When he was porter and took care of the poor coming to the door, he developed a reputation for great generosity. The friars sometimes tried to moderate his liberality!
Paschal spent his spare moments praying before the Blessed Sacrament. In time, many people sought his wise counsel. People flocked to his tomb immediately after his burial; miracles were reported promptly. Paschal was canonized in 1690 and was named patron of eucharistic congresses and societies in 1897.
Reflection
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament occupied much of Saint Francis’ energy. Most of his letters were to promote devotion to the Eucharist. Paschal shared that concern. An hour in prayer before our Lord in the Eucharist could teach all of us a great deal. Some holy and busy Catholics today find that their work is enriched by those minutes regularly spent in prayer and meditation.
Saint Paschal Baylon is the Patron Saint of:
Eucharistic Congresses and Societies
Shepherds
Saint Margaret of Cortona’s Story (1247 – February 22, 1297)
Margaret was born of farming parents in Laviano, Tuscany. Her mother died when Margaret was seven; life with her stepmother was so difficult that Margaret moved out. For nine years she lived with Arsenio, though they were not married, and she bore him a son. In those years, she had doubts about her situation. Somewhat like Saint Augustine, she prayed for purity—but not just yet.
One day she was waiting for Arsenio and was instead met by his dog. The animal led Margaret into the forest where she found Arsenio murdered. This crime shocked Margaret into a life of penance. She and her son returned to Laviano, where she was not well received by her stepmother. They then went to Cortona, where her son eventually became a friar.
In 1277, three years after her conversion, Margaret became a Franciscan tertiary. Under the direction of her confessor, who sometimes had to order her to moderate her self-denial, she pursued a life of prayer and penance at Cortona. There she established a hospital and founded a congregation of tertiary sisters. The poor and humble Margaret was, like Francis, devoted to the Eucharist and to the passion of Jesus. These devotions fueled her great charity and drew sinners to her for advice and inspiration. She was canonized in 1728. St. Margaret of Cortona’s liturgical feast is celebrated on February 22.
Reflection
Seeking forgiveness is sometimes difficult work. It is made easier by meeting people who, without trivializing our sins, assure us that God rejoices over our repentance. Being forgiven lifts a weight and prompts us to acts of charity.
Grace Builds Upon Grace
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
May 13 – 14, 2023
Gospel: John 14:15-21
In Latin, the word “Sacrament” means “mystery.” So, why does God give us the Sacraments? Through the Sacraments, He gives us the fruits of His suffering, death, and resurrection for the life of our souls. The Sacraments (Baptism, Marriage, Holy Orders, Last Rites, Confirmation, Holy Communion, and Confession) are given at various times. In Eastern Rite churches, Confirmation is called chrismation and is given at birth along with baptism. I prefer it that way. It’s like giving children all their shots early so they don’t get sick.
The Sacrament of Confirmation is a strengthening Sacrament and helps you fight temptations if you use it. To use it, you must practice your faith. . . . Mass on Sundays, Confession at least once a year, and prayer. Now, I am a man of no talent while my brother had many talents. I enjoy people who have talents, and I wish I had them. Frankie has a wonderful talent. She reads a foreign language called music. That is totally foreign to me. I took some music appreciation courses in college because they were easy A’s. To get as good as Frankie is, she had to practice constantly; otherwise, she would lose her talent. It’s just like your muscles; if you don’t use them, they atrophy. It’s the same for the grace God offers us for our souls. God gives you the gift of Himself to help you in this world and to keep you holy. By staying holy, you evangelize. For example, when you say to people, “I don’t do that” and they say “Why not? Everybody else does it.” And you say, “Because it’s not right. It’s not Christ-like.” That’s evangelization. That’s someone who has a Christian backbone and stands up to what’s not right. God gives you this grace which is fortified by prayer. You never lose it. If you commit a grave sin, it becomes dormant because sin drives God out of your soul. But He is always willing to come back. That’s the beauty of God’s love. He never writes any of us off. At the VA, I don’t ask patients if they want Last Rites because they are going to get it whether they want it or not. I’m not going to ask. They will have Last Rites because it’s a sign of God’s love.
God gives Himself to us so that we may have eternal life. When we receive the Sacraments for the first time like Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, it’s so exciting. However, after the first or second time, Confession kind of feels mundane or ordinary. But it’s not ordinary. Just because it’s not like the first time doesn’t mean it’s not as good or that you aren’t doing it right. In fact, it’s just the opposite. It means you are doing it right, because one grace from the Sacraments builds upon another and strengthens your will. Grace builds upon grace.
When you cooperate with the grace from the Sacraments, you grow in God’s love. A word of caution- when we draw closer to God, it catches the devil’s attention, and he will really come after us. Now, do you always feel yourself growing closer to God? No. For example, many of us are on blood pressure medicine. You really don’t feel it working, but it’s easy to find out by using a sphygmomanometer. Thunk! Just because you don’t feel it, doesn’t mean it’s not working. That’s a temptation of the devil. What that lack of sensory excitement means is that your love for God is becoming deeper and more ingrained. You know what the happiest day of a married couple should be? The day that one leaves to see Jesus. Not because you want to see Jesus – although that’s a good idea – and not because you are rid of them – till death do us part is not a hope and prayer. It’s because that love should have kept on building over all the years and becoming deeper. It is deeper because the love you have as a 40-year-old is not the same as when you were first married in your 20’s. It is deeper. Hopefully, you’ve changed by growing in holiness. Saying the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a lot different for me than it was 38 years ago when I was a young priest. I’ve said Mass in some unusual places. I got to say Mass at the cathedral with the bishop. Woo-hoo! But each Mass was deeper than the earlier ones. So, you mustn’t give into the devil’s temptation by saying, “Oh, I’m not getting anything out of the Sacraments.” Of course, you are. You may not feel it, but you are. Otherwise, you are denying His power. In the Gospel, Christ said, “And I will put my spirit within you.…” (Ezekiel 36:27). How does His spirit come within you? It comes through the Sacraments. So, if you say you’re getting nothing from the Sacraments, you are denying the Gospel. If you say, “I get nothing out of the Mass,” that’s okay – you aren’t supposed to. You come to give of yourself. You give yourself into my hands, and I, acting in the person of Christ, emulate with you Christ’s sacrifice on the altar as an offering to the Father. You are united to His suffering, and I give you back your life in Holy Communion.
I want to thank all the teachers who helped with Faith Formation this year. It was a wonderful year. It’s hard to do because we live in a very un-Christian society. I appreciate the sacrifice; I really do. Never think that your sacrifice goes unnoticed. You will be repaid for anything you do for the love of God. But you’ll never know when. He will reward you for any small act of love you do for Him. Give of yourself totally in the Mass. Everybody has problems and they bring them here. Make an intellectual prayer: “I offer myself totally to you.” And with that offering, you become part of Christ’s sacrifice. From that offering, you give back to yourself. More than that, He gives Himself to you.
Father’s Reflections . . . Yesterday was kind of fun. People were all dressed up for Confirmation although that’s not a requirement. They really looked good. Even Tom Adams looked like he was ready for Hartsell’s Funeral Home. Last night, we had 14 Confirmations and one First Communion. It was an interesting day. I administered five of the seven Sacraments. If I had performed a marriage ceremony, it would have been six Sacraments. The remaining sacrament is Holy Orders which only a bishop can administer. Finally, I am sad to announce that Ms. Dottie is retiring after almost 50 years of teaching Faith Formation. We’ll leave the light on just in case she changes her mind. She will be missed.
How will you apply this message to your life? ______________________________________
You can read all of Father Fitzgibbons’ sermons by going to annunciationcatholicalbemarle.com and clicking on “Blog” then “Categories” then “Sermon Notes.” On a cell phone: click on “Blog” then “Menu” and then “Categories.” Sermon Notes are also available on the church Facebook page at facebook.com/ola.catholic.church. Click on “Groups” and then “Sermon Notes.”