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the compassion of Jesus.</i> <i>The most glorious work of all,
to praise God in His Kingdom.</i> <i>Anyone moved by the Spirit...</i> <i>Anyone who lives in love,</i> <i>lives in God and
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to be great saints.</i> <i>to be great saints.</i>
Well, welcome family. Well, welcome family.
Tonight is Family Night and Tonight is Family Night and
we’re just going to kind of we’re just going to kind of
chitchat. chitchat.
And this looks kind of And this looks kind of
complicated, but it complicated, but it
really isn’t. really isn’t.
I’m not going to read I’m not going to read
all this to you. all this to you.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea It wouldn’t be a bad idea
though if you read it. though if you read it.
But anyway, we’re going to But anyway, we’re going to
kind of chitchat, and I want kind of chitchat, and I want
you to call any time. you to call any time.
So I’m going to chitchat So I’m going to chitchat
here about some of the here about some of the
Vatican Documents. Vatican Documents.
Did you ever read one Did you ever read one
of these? of these?
No, you didn’t read one No, you didn’t read one
of these. of these.
Did you ever read one Did you ever read one
of these? of these?
Nobody here read one Nobody here read one
of these? of these?
Well, this is the Well, this is the
Vatican Document. Vatican Document.
You’ve been hearing a lot You’ve been hearing a lot
about that. about that.
In fact, they blame a lot In fact, they blame a lot
of things on this thing. of things on this thing.
Anywhere from sand in the Anywhere from sand in the
holy water font to I don’t holy water font to I don’t
know what, they blame on the know what, they blame on the
poor Vatican Council. poor Vatican Council.
So I just decided to get So I just decided to get
the books and read them to the books and read them to
you and then later on this you and then later on this
evening I’m going to tell evening I’m going to tell
you exactly where you can you exactly where you can
buy one. buy one.
So tonight we are going to So tonight we are going to
talk about Baptism. talk about Baptism.
I’m just going to read I’m just going to read
to you. to you.
It says, "Men and women..." It says, "Men and women..."
I’m glad they put the women I’m glad they put the women
in there, aren’t you? (audience laughs) (audience laughs)
I’m also glad they didn’t I’m also glad they didn’t
take the men out. take the men out.
(all chuckle) (all chuckle)
I’m glad they didn’t say I’m glad they didn’t say
"all these persons." "all these persons."
Anyway, "Men and women are Anyway, "Men and women are
delivered from the power of delivered from the power of
darkness, delivered from the darkness, delivered from the
power of darkness through power of darkness through
the Sacraments of Christian the Sacraments of Christian
Initiation." Initiation."
We’re delivered from We’re delivered from
something. something.
There’s this little baby-- There’s this little baby--
oh, there’s a great chapter oh, there’s a great chapter
here. here.
Where is it? Where is it?
Fantastic chapter on why Fantastic chapter on why
infants should be baptized. It’s wonderful. It’s wonderful.
I’ll just give you a little I’ll just give you a little
sampling, and you can buy sampling, and you can buy
this from the Daughters this from the Daughters
of St. Paul. of St. Paul.
"They die with Christ, are "They die with Christ, are
buried with Him and rise buried with Him and rise
again and. again and.
"After Baptism, they are made "After Baptism, they are made
a new creation through water a new creation through water
and the Holy Spirit and they and the Holy Spirit and they
are called God’s children." are called God’s children."
Isn’t that terrific? Isn’t that terrific?
Are you excited cause you’re Are you excited cause you’re
called a child of God? called a child of God?
Did you ever wake up in the Did you ever wake up in the
morning and say, "Ah, I’m a morning and say, "Ah, I’m a
child of God!"? child of God!"?
Most of us get up in the Most of us get up in the
morning and say, "Oh gosh, morning and say, "Oh gosh,
where’s my coffee? where’s my coffee?
Where’s my coffee?" Where’s my coffee?"
We depend upon some thick We depend upon some thick
black liquid to wake us up. black liquid to wake us up.
God should wake us up. God should wake us up.
He’s the One that should be He’s the One that should be
filling our hearts and our filling our hearts and our
minds early in the morning, minds early in the morning,
no matter how we feel. no matter how we feel.
Let the thought kind of roam Let the thought kind of roam
through your mind, "I am a through your mind, "I am a
child of God. child of God.
I was, I was just a little I was, I was just a little
baby and then this beautiful baby and then this beautiful
thing happened to me, this thing happened to me, this
wonderful Sacrament." wonderful Sacrament."
Now, "Signed by the giving Now, "Signed by the giving
of the same Spirit in of the same Spirit in
Confirmation,"--see, we’re Confirmation,"--see, we’re
confirmed--"they become more confirmed--"they become more
like Our Lord and filled like Our Lord and filled
with the Holy Spirit." with the Holy Spirit."
Isn’t this beautiful? Isn’t this beautiful?
Oh, these documents are Oh, these documents are
wonderful. wonderful.
"They bear witness to Him "They bear witness to Him
before the world." before the world."
The only thing I remember-- The only thing I remember--
and I can remember Sr. Rita and I can remember Sr. Rita
working hard on me but my working hard on me but my
mind was 100 miles away mind was 100 miles away
at that time and the only at that time and the only
thing I remember is that thing I remember is that
Sister said, "The bishop’s Sister said, "The bishop’s
going to slap you." going to slap you."
I thought, "Ooh, what kind I thought, "Ooh, what kind
of a gift is that?" of a gift is that?"
And I went up there fear And I went up there fear
and trembling, ’cause I and trembling, ’cause I
didn’t want to be slapped. didn’t want to be slapped.
But all he went was that But all he went was that
way. way.
It wasn’t what I expected It wasn’t what I expected
at all. at all.
But you see, at that But you see, at that
time I didn’t understand time I didn’t understand
that I received the Third that I received the Third
Person of the Holy Trinity Person of the Holy Trinity
in a very special way. in a very special way.
"To make me a witness, I was "To make me a witness, I was
filled with the Holy Spirit." filled with the Holy Spirit."
You hear a lot about being You hear a lot about being
"born again." "born again."
Do you hear that today? Do you hear that today?
All the charismatic friends All the charismatic friends
are born again. are born again.
Well, usually that means, Well, usually that means,
most of the time it means most of the time it means
that they became aware of that they became aware of
the power of the Holy the power of the Holy
Spirit, had a conversion Spirit, had a conversion
experience. experience.
But Jesus took care me But Jesus took care me
way before that. way before that.
He gave me Baptism, and He gave me Baptism, and
there I was born again. there I was born again.
I became a whole new I became a whole new
creature. creature.
See, at that moment I could See, at that moment I could
call God "Father" call God "Father"
and mean it. and mean it.
My lack of understanding My lack of understanding
didn’t, didn’t take didn’t, didn’t take
anything away. anything away.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t come The Holy Spirit doesn’t come
to me because I understand. to me because I understand.
It’s the power of the It’s the power of the
Sacrament. Sacrament.
It’s the power of God It’s the power of God
comes upon me. comes upon me.
Let’s see what the Church Let’s see what the Church
says here about infant says here about infant
Baptism. Baptism.
"The words ’children’ or "The words ’children’ or
’infants’ are to be taken to ’infants’ are to be taken to
mean those who have not yet mean those who have not yet
attained the use of reason attained the use of reason
and consequently cannot and consequently cannot
profess personal faith." profess personal faith."
I was godmother for a I was godmother for a
little baby and it was very little baby and it was very
quiet, except when they quiet, except when they
started pouring that water, started pouring that water,
you know, and "yah!" you know, and "yah!"
So she didn’t know what So she didn’t know what
was happening to her. was happening to her.
But I as her godmother knew. But I as her godmother knew.
"The Church which was given "The Church which was given
the mission of evangelizing the mission of evangelizing
and baptizing has baptized, and baptizing has baptized,
not only adults but children not only adults but children
as well from earliest times. as well from earliest times.
"It has always understood the "It has always understood the
words of the Lord, ’No one words of the Lord, ’No one
can enter the Kingdom of God can enter the Kingdom of God
without being born from without being born from
water and the Spirit.’ water and the Spirit.’
"This means that children "This means that children
are not to be deprived of are not to be deprived of
Baptism, for they are Baptism, for they are
baptized in the faith of the baptized in the faith of the
Church, proclaimed by their Church, proclaimed by their
parents and godparents and parents and godparents and
everybody present." everybody present."
Well, let’s just kind of Well, let’s just kind of
go over what happens to us go over what happens to us
when we are baptized. when we are baptized.
"Baptism, which is washing "Baptism, which is washing
with water accompanied by a with water accompanied by a
Living Word, cleanses men Living Word, cleanses men
and women from all stain of and women from all stain of
sin, original and personal, sin, original and personal,
makes them shares in God’s makes them shares in God’s
life and His adopted life and His adopted
children." children."
What happened to me and to What happened to me and to
you, I was born and you were you, I was born and you were
born in the image of God. born in the image of God.
What does that mean? What does that mean?
It means that I have an It means that I have an
intellect--I can reason, intellect--I can reason,
I can imagine, I remember. I can imagine, I remember.
Do you remember all the Do you remember all the
things you remember? things you remember?
You think you forgot them You think you forgot them
but as you get older, but as you get older,
(all chuckle) (all chuckle)
you remember all kind of you remember all kind of
things that happened things that happened
20 years ago. 20 years ago.
You don’t know what you You don’t know what you
had for breakfast. had for breakfast.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Short term memory kind of Short term memory kind of
decreases a little bit decreases a little bit
--I always wished it was --I always wished it was
the opposite. the opposite.
I want to forget the I want to forget the
long term stuff. long term stuff.
I’d like to remember what I’d like to remember what
I did yesterday. I did yesterday.
I don’t care what I did I don’t care what I did
20 years ago. 20 years ago.
But for some reason as you But for some reason as you
get older, something comes get older, something comes
to your mind, "Gosh, that to your mind, "Gosh, that
happened 30 years ago." happened 30 years ago."
Well, that’s a memory. Well, that’s a memory.
I read an article one time I read an article one time
about our memory and it said about our memory and it said
in there that if we were to in there that if we were to
measure our computer by our measure our computer by our
memory, the capacity--not memory, the capacity--not
what we use it, how we use what we use it, how we use
it or how much we use it-- it or how much we use it--
but its full capacity, but its full capacity,
we would have to have a we would have to have a
computer as big as the computer as big as the
Empire State Building. Empire State Building.
You didn’t know you were You didn’t know you were
that smart, did you? that smart, did you?
But that’s a gift from God. But that’s a gift from God.
It’s a gift from God. It’s a gift from God.
Now, I have a will. Now, I have a will.
Oh, do I have a will! Oh, do I have a will!
My, my grandmother knew My, my grandmother knew
I had a will. I had a will.
She used to call me She used to call me
"corcadas," which is another "corcadas," which is another
word for "testadura", word for "testadura",
which is another word which is another word
for hardhead. for hardhead.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
(laughs) (laughs)
See, our strong will-- See, our strong will--
and every one of us and every one of us
has strong wills. has strong wills.
You think you don’t You think you don’t
but you do. but you do.
And that will is so strong And that will is so strong
that you and I can say no, that you and I can say no,
even to God. even to God.
That’s how, that’s how That’s how, that’s how
awesome it is. awesome it is.
Well, all of the faculties-- Well, all of the faculties--
which even in a child, which even in a child,
especially, are not quite especially, are not quite
working right--well, working right--well,
they’re still there, they’re still there,
they’re there. they’re there.
When you’re baptized, When you’re baptized,
the Father, the Son and the Father, the Son and
the Holy Spirit come the Holy Spirit come
right within you. right within you.
That child is totally That child is totally
different, so different different, so different
that the angels look that the angels look
upon it in awe. upon it in awe.
Isn’t that a magnificent Isn’t that a magnificent
thing? thing?
They look upon it in awe. They look upon it in awe.
When we’re confirmed, When we’re confirmed,
something else happens something else happens
to us. to us.
Seven gifts become active. Seven gifts become active.
For example, I need, as I For example, I need, as I
work along with people I work along with people I
need the fear of the Lord. need the fear of the Lord.
Oh, I don’t mean that shaky Oh, I don’t mean that shaky
fear that’s scary--I need fear that’s scary--I need
to know that God is my to know that God is my
Father and I don’t want Father and I don’t want
to offend Him. to offend Him.
I don’t want to make, I I don’t want to make, I
don’t want to hurt Him. don’t want to hurt Him.
I’m trying to keep away I’m trying to keep away
from things that are not from things that are not
according to His will. according to His will.
Then I have to have piety. Then I have to have piety.
I have to have, not only a I have to have, not only a
relationship with God, but I relationship with God, but I
have to have a relationship have to have a relationship
with you. with you.
I have to love my neighbor; I have to love my neighbor;
I have to love him as God I have to love him as God
loves him. loves him.
Well, that’s a special gift. Well, that’s a special gift.
It’s not easy to love. It’s not easy to love.
You say, "Well, love You say, "Well, love
is easy." is easy."
I don’t think it’s easy. I don’t think it’s easy.
Do you think love is easy? Do you think love is easy?
No. No.
Nobody thinks love is easy. Nobody thinks love is easy.
No, you’ve got emotional No, you’ve got emotional
love. love.
Oh, that all comes. Oh, that all comes.
Dogs have that. Dogs have that.
You see, one person comes You see, one person comes
in; he likes that odor, in; he likes that odor,
that’s all. that’s all.
Don’t--don’t kid yourself Don’t--don’t kid yourself
that your dog knows you. that your dog knows you.
He just likes the odor. He just likes the odor.
Besides, he knows that this Besides, he knows that this
person in this blue dress person in this blue dress
is going to feed me. is going to feed me.
He’s got instinct. He’s got instinct.
If you ever hit him with a If you ever hit him with a
broom, every time he sees broom, every time he sees
a broom, he’s going to a broom, he’s going to
back off. back off.
But you and I love with But you and I love with
our will. our will.
We choose to love. We choose to love.
That’s why there’s so That’s why there’s so
many divorces. many divorces.
Somewhere along the line Somewhere along the line
when the emotions wore down, when the emotions wore down,
they didn’t will anymore. they didn’t will anymore.
You’re married? You’re married?
Well, I’m asking. Well, I’m asking.
Sure you’re married. Sure you’re married.
That’s a dumb question, That’s a dumb question,
wasn’t it? wasn’t it?
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
How long have you How long have you
been married? been married?
Man: 49 years. Man: 49 years.
Mother: 49 years. Wow! Mother: 49 years. Wow!
That’s a lot of will, That’s a lot of will,
isn’t it, huh? isn’t it, huh?
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Man: For her. Man: For her.
Mother Angelica: For her. Mother Angelica: For her.
(all laugh) (all laugh)
But there are times, But there are times,
weren’t there times weren’t there times
when you have to when you have to
really will? really will?
Do you ever feel like Do you ever feel like
you’d like to give him you’d like to give him
a swat or something? a swat or something?
Yeah, you did. Yeah, you did.
Man: I can’t answer Man: I can’t answer
that question. that question.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Mother: (laughs) I don’t Mother: (laughs) I don’t
mean to put you on the mean to put you on the
spot. spot.
I’m just trying to prove I’m just trying to prove
something. something.
But there had to be But there had to be
sometimes and maybe lots of sometimes and maybe lots of
times when you have to say, times when you have to say,
"Yes, I’m committed, I love "Yes, I’m committed, I love
this woman, I love this man this woman, I love this man
and we’re going to work and we’re going to work
through these difficulties, through these difficulties,
these crosses." these crosses."
That’s real love. That’s real love.
If we only love when we feel If we only love when we feel
good about it, then how will good about it, then how will
I ever love God Whom I do I ever love God Whom I do
not see if I don’t love my not see if I don’t love my
neighbor whom I see? neighbor whom I see?
A person told me one time, A person told me one time,
"Well I find loving God "Well I find loving God
easier than somebody I’m easier than somebody I’m
looking at." looking at."
Well, I don’t know. Well, I don’t know.
John said that, "If I don’t John said that, "If I don’t
love my, my neighbor whom I love my, my neighbor whom I
see, how am I going to love see, how am I going to love
God Whom I don’t see?" God Whom I don’t see?"
Then I have to love God Then I have to love God
on a real level. on a real level.
It doesn’t decrease It doesn’t decrease
love now. love now.
Love and will are the same. Love and will are the same.
If God calls me to vocation If God calls me to vocation
and I say, "Yes, Lord," then and I say, "Yes, Lord," then
I have to--I have to carry I have to--I have to carry
that through to thick and that through to thick and
thin, good and bad, success thin, good and bad, success
and failure. and failure.
Well, it takes a lot of Well, it takes a lot of
piety and gifts. piety and gifts.
The second gift is The second gift is
fortitude. fortitude.
Anybody married 49 years Anybody married 49 years
has fortitude. has fortitude.
You’ve got to have strength. You’ve got to have strength.
Why? Why?
Because you get tired Because you get tired
of it all. of it all.
You get tired of doing You get tired of doing
things; you get tired. things; you get tired.
On a natural level, we On a natural level, we
don’t persevere well. don’t persevere well.
We need a special grace We need a special grace
from God. from God.
We call that fortitude. We call that fortitude.
I call it guts. I call it guts.
You need guts to love God, You need guts to love God,
to love your neighbor, to love your neighbor,
to keep on being good in to keep on being good in
a world that is saying a world that is saying
something entirely something entirely
different. different.
That’s fortitude. That’s fortitude.
You got all that at You got all that at
Confirmation. Confirmation.
Then that’s wonderful gift Then that’s wonderful gift
called counsel that we don’t called counsel that we don’t
seem to have much of seem to have much of
these days. these days.
We just seem to wander like We just seem to wander like
cattle, sheep, lost sheep. cattle, sheep, lost sheep.
That particular gift allows That particular gift allows
me to discern between the me to discern between the
Holy Spirit, the human Holy Spirit, the human
spirit and evil spirit. spirit and evil spirit.
If more people discerned the If more people discerned the
presence of the evil spirit presence of the evil spirit
today, you wouldn’t be in today, you wouldn’t be in
all these crazy things all these crazy things
you’re in. you’re in.
If we could discern the If we could discern the
human spirit, we wouldn’t human spirit, we wouldn’t
always say, "Well, God always say, "Well, God
told me to do this and told me to do this and
God told me to do that and God told me to do that and
God told me to do this." God told me to do this."
Well, how do you know it Well, how do you know it
wasn’t you? wasn’t you?
I had a woman one time said I had a woman one time said
she was so angry because her she was so angry because her
husband went down and bought husband went down and bought
a motorcycle and he needed a motorcycle and he needed
that a hole in the head. that a hole in the head.
She asked him why he did it. She asked him why he did it.
He said, "God told me." He said, "God told me."
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Oh, I don’t know if God told Oh, I don’t know if God told
him to buy a motorcycle. him to buy a motorcycle.
I don’t know, I don’t think I don’t know, I don’t think
He did, especially when he He did, especially when he
couldn’t afford it. couldn’t afford it.
So we have to discern So we have to discern
things. things.
We just can’t go around We just can’t go around
doing these kind of things doing these kind of things
because we want to. because we want to.
Now, before we go to the Now, before we go to the
other three, I want to, I other three, I want to, I
want to take the next call. want to take the next call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller 1: Hi, Mother Female Caller 1: Hi, Mother
Angelica. Angelica.
Mother: Hi. Mother: Hi.
Where are you from? Where are you from?
Caller: Michigan. Caller: Michigan.
Mother: Wonderful! Mother: Wonderful!
Caller: Yeah. Mother: We’ve got people Mother: We’ve got people
here from Michigan. here from Michigan.
Caller: Sterling Heights, Caller: Sterling Heights,
Michigan, and I’d like Michigan, and I’d like
to have a request for to have a request for
my daughter. my daughter.
She’s 31 years old and She’s 31 years old and
they’re testing her for they’re testing her for
Lupus disease. Lupus disease.
And they don’t know if she’s And they don’t know if she’s
got it--and she’s also got got it--and she’s also got
cancer of the cervix. cancer of the cervix.
And about Baptism--she has a And about Baptism--she has a
daughter, 9 years old that’s daughter, 9 years old that’s
never been baptized and never been baptized and
it’s really bothering me. it’s really bothering me.
(tearfully) (tearfully)
Mother: I know. Mother: I know.
It is a kind of heartbreak It is a kind of heartbreak
but there you have to trust but there you have to trust
honey, and as your daughter honey, and as your daughter
gets older, maybe you could gets older, maybe you could
talk to her and explain to talk to her and explain to
her that what a wonderful her that what a wonderful
thing it is to be baptized, thing it is to be baptized,
to be a child of God, to go to be a child of God, to go
from darkness into great from darkness into great
light. light.
If we explain things to people, if we explain the people, if we explain the
wonders of the Sacraments, wonders of the Sacraments,
the Presence of Jesus and the Presence of Jesus and
that you really want her to that you really want her to
be a child of God , I don’t be a child of God , I don’t
think anybody would say, think anybody would say,
"No, I don’t want that." "No, I don’t want that."
We don’t, we’re not We don’t, we’re not
enthused over our faith enthused over our faith
anymore. anymore.
I know you’re crying. I know you’re crying.
Don’t cry. Don’t cry.
Pray for her. Pray for her.
As you, as you spend time As you, as you spend time
with your granddaughter, with your granddaughter,
pray for light and for pray for light and for
your daughter. your daughter.
Let’s all say a prayer now. Let’s all say a prayer now.
This poor woman has cancer This poor woman has cancer
and now they think she and now they think she
has lupus. has lupus.
So I’ve got to take a glass So I’ve got to take a glass
of cold water, and we’re of cold water, and we’re
going to say a prayer. going to say a prayer.
"Lord God, You know this "Lord God, You know this
woman. woman.
"You know her heart, her "You know her heart, her
soul, her spirit. soul, her spirit.
"Her body is wounded. "Her body is wounded.
"Her body is in great need "Her body is in great need
of healing--and her soul. of healing--and her soul.
"First, give her light, Lord, "First, give her light, Lord,
to see that her daughter to see that her daughter
needs to be baptized, needs needs to be baptized, needs
to have that relationship to have that relationship
with You that nothing else with You that nothing else
can give, needs to have that can give, needs to have that
awareness of being called a awareness of being called a
child of God. child of God.
"Heal her of this cancer; "Heal her of this cancer;
manifest to her how manifest to her how
Wonderful You are, what Wonderful You are, what
a Great God we have, a Great God we have,
a Great Healer. a Great Healer.
"Give her that grace to "Give her that grace to
know Thee and through this know Thee and through this
sickness to, to be aware sickness to, to be aware
of You. of You.
"Let her call out to You. "Let her call out to You.
"Let her understand we do not "Let her understand we do not
have here a lasting city. have here a lasting city.
"We are called to be born, "We are called to be born,
to live and to die, but if to live and to die, but if
we know that we belong to we know that we belong to
You, Lord, all things will You, Lord, all things will
go well. go well.
"We ask this in the name "We ask this in the name
of Jesus through the of Jesus through the
intercession of Mary intercession of Mary
our Holy Mother. our Holy Mother.
Amen." Amen."
We have another call. We have another call.
Hello. Hello.
Female Caller #2: Yes, Mother. Mother.
Mother: What can I do Mother: What can I do
for you? for you?
Caller: I have a question. Caller: I have a question.
Mother: Okay. Mother: Okay.
Caller: Um, is there a Caller: Um, is there a
time limit that it’s bad time limit that it’s bad
to wait before you have to wait before you have
a child baptized? a child baptized?
We have a baby and we’re We have a baby and we’re
probably not going to be probably not going to be
able to do it till the able to do it till the
end of the year. end of the year.
Is that going to be a Is that going to be a
problem? problem?
Mother: Well, it’s not Mother: Well, it’s not
a problem. a problem.
It’s just that you keep the child in darkness the child in darkness
all this time. all this time.
I mean, you want to. I mean, you want to.
Is there some reason it Is there some reason it
can’t be baptized now? can’t be baptized now?
Are you there? Are you there?
She’s gone. She’s gone.
I was born in April, I was born in April,
baptized in September. baptized in September.
And do you know why I was And do you know why I was
baptized in September? baptized in September?
Because I was waiting for Because I was waiting for
my Godparents to come back my Godparents to come back
from Italy. from Italy.
What happened if I had died What happened if I had died
between April and September? between April and September?
But you see, the priest But you see, the priest
looked at me my mother said looked at me my mother said
and said, "Well, why didn’t and said, "Well, why didn’t
you wait until she walked?" you wait until she walked?"
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Now, I’m supposing there Now, I’m supposing there
is a good reason--I don’t is a good reason--I don’t
know what the reason is know what the reason is
--but try not to put off --but try not to put off
Baptism, because you see, Baptism, because you see,
this, this Trinity--we this, this Trinity--we
need to follow the mandate need to follow the mandate
of Jesus here. of Jesus here.
He said we must be He said we must be
baptized. baptized.
We cannot enter the Kingdom We cannot enter the Kingdom
unless you’re baptized in unless you’re baptized in
water and the Spirit. water and the Spirit.
And we need, we need to And we need, we need to
have our children baptized have our children baptized
as early as possible, early as early as possible, early
as possible. as possible.
We know--and maybe this is We know--and maybe this is
kind of exaggerated--but a kind of exaggerated--but a
woman wrote and said that woman wrote and said that
she had a child and when the she had a child and when the
child was born, she had a child was born, she had a
priest there, after if was priest there, after if was
born and put in the little born and put in the little
cradle--you know what they cradle--you know what they
do--and he went in there do--and he went in there
and it had it all masked up and it had it all masked up
and he baptized the baby. and he baptized the baby.
That’s what you call quick. That’s what you call quick.
But there has to be some But there has to be some
kind of time limit and I-- kind of time limit and I--
that’s a long time. that’s a long time.
There’s many months here now There’s many months here now
that you’re waiting and I that you’re waiting and I
take it there must be some take it there must be some
serious reason that you serious reason that you
would wait so long. would wait so long.
But if you’re asking my But if you’re asking my
opinion, if it could be opinion, if it could be
done sooner, I certainly, done sooner, I certainly,
I would do that. I would do that.
And there again, it’s not And there again, it’s not
a matter of the child a matter of the child
understanding; it’s a matter understanding; it’s a matter
of you understanding and of you understanding and
your God parents your God parents
understanding. understanding.
It says right here, see It says right here, see
right here it talks about, right here it talks about,
"It is baptized in the "It is baptized in the
faith of the Church." faith of the Church."
See, it’s baptized in See, it’s baptized in
the faith of the Church, the faith of the Church,
proclaimed by you, the proclaimed by you, the
parent, the Godparents and parent, the Godparents and
everybody present proclaims everybody present proclaims
that this child, you see, that this child, you see,
is born again. is born again.
It’s the faith of the Church It’s the faith of the Church
that enters into this child. that enters into this child.
That’s why it’s so important That’s why it’s so important
that, that we come. that, that we come.
"The children must "The children must
subsequently be formed in subsequently be formed in
the faith in which they the faith in which they
have been baptized." have been baptized."
That’s where you come in. That’s where you come in.
"The foundation for the "The foundation for the
process being the Sacrament process being the Sacrament
they have received, the they have received, the
object of the Christian object of the Christian
formation to which children formation to which children
are entitled"--it says, are entitled"--it says,
children are entitled to children are entitled to
Baptism-- "is to lead them Baptism-- "is to lead them
gradually from early, early, gradually from early, early,
early infancy to understand early infancy to understand
and discern the plan of God and discern the plan of God
for them." for them."
Do you see how important Do you see how important
that is? that is?
That’s very important. That’s very important.
It says, "They will be able It says, "They will be able
to ratify the faith in which to ratify the faith in which
they have been baptized." they have been baptized."
And it’s the same with And it’s the same with
Confirmation. Confirmation.
Let me; I’ve got all kind of Let me; I’ve got all kind of
little, little ditties here little, little ditties here
and I’m going to find one and I’m going to find one
that says Confirmation here. that says Confirmation here.
Where is it? Where is it?
There’s one here somewhere. There’s one here somewhere.
Well, here we go, trying Well, here we go, trying
to find it. to find it.
Confirmation, I just Confirmation, I just
had it here. had it here.
Well, I can’t find it now. Well, I can’t find it now.
But anyway, in the, in the-- But anyway, in the, in the--
here’s another thing about here’s another thing about
traditional doctrine of traditional doctrine of
infant Baptism. infant Baptism.
Here’s St. John Chrysostom, Here’s St. John Chrysostom,
St. Jerome, St. Basil, St. Jerome, St. Basil,
St. Gregory the Great, St. Gregory the Great,
"Vigorously reacted against "Vigorously reacted against
its negligence and begged its negligence and begged
adults never to postpone adults never to postpone
the Sacrament of Baptism the Sacrament of Baptism
for their children." for their children."
Now, Confirmation is given Now, Confirmation is given
at a later age. at a later age.
For some reason--I never For some reason--I never
figured it out and nobody figured it out and nobody
ever did either--I was ever did either--I was
confirmed before I was, confirmed before I was,
before my First Holy before my First Holy
Communion. Communion.
I was confirmed in September I was confirmed in September
and my First Communion was and my First Communion was
in April. in April.
So for some reason I don’t So for some reason I don’t
know, maybe the bishop just know, maybe the bishop just
happened to come and said, happened to come and said,
"Well, let’s push this "Well, let’s push this
kid in here. kid in here.
She’s going to need it." She’s going to need it."
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
But in Confirmation, we need But in Confirmation, we need
to know what we’re doing and to know what we’re doing and
that’s why we’re confirmed that’s why we’re confirmed
at a little later age. at a little later age.
I become--when we talk I become--when we talk
about Baptism and about Baptism and
Confirmation, I become a Confirmation, I become a
soldier... soldier...
I’m a child of God at I’m a child of God at
Baptism; now I’m a Baptism; now I’m a
soldier of Christ, I am soldier of Christ, I am
to proclaim the Gospel to proclaim the Gospel
at Confirmation. at Confirmation.
So at Confirmation I get So at Confirmation I get
four working gifts. four working gifts.
I get fear of the Lord-- I get fear of the Lord--
I have to have that in order I have to have that in order
to stay away from sin. to stay away from sin.
I get piety so I can I get piety so I can
love you. love you.
I get counsel so I can I get counsel so I can
discern. discern.
I get fortitude so I can I get fortitude so I can
persevere. persevere.
These we call kind of These we call kind of
working gifts. working gifts.
Now, I need this to deal Now, I need this to deal
with you. with you.
You need it to deal with me. You need it to deal with me.
After that comes knowledge. After that comes knowledge.
Now, these three gifts are Now, these three gifts are
separate. separate.
They reflect my relationship They reflect my relationship
with God. with God.
Why do I need knowledge? Why do I need knowledge?
Well, I we had knowledge Well, I we had knowledge
today--oh, I don’t mean today--oh, I don’t mean
knowledge of books. knowledge of books.
I mean supernatural I mean supernatural
knowledge, I mean the kind knowledge, I mean the kind
that detaches me from the that detaches me from the
things of this world. things of this world.
I’ve told you my favorite I’ve told you my favorite
meditation was all these meditation was all these
squashed cars on the squashed cars on the
flatbed truck. flatbed truck.
Oh, what a meditation Oh, what a meditation
that is! that is!
A couple of weeks ago I was A couple of weeks ago I was
in Italy and by golly, in Italy and by golly,
I saw a flat bed truck I saw a flat bed truck
with squashed Mercedes. with squashed Mercedes.
How do you like that? How do you like that?
Squashed Mercedes going Squashed Mercedes going
down the Italian highway, down the Italian highway,
bouncing along--so much bouncing along--so much
for that. for that.
I need detachment from I need detachment from
myself, I need detachment myself, I need detachment
from the world, I need some from the world, I need some
kind of detachment from my kind of detachment from my
own will. own will.
But God gives me those But God gives me those
things. things.
He’s not going to let you go He’s not going to let you go
out in the world without an out in the world without an
implement to fight with. implement to fight with.
The other one is The other one is
understanding. understanding.
I need to know the I need to know the
Scriptures. Scriptures.
Some of you don’t even know Some of you don’t even know
there are four Gospels-- there are four Gospels--
Matthew, Mark, Luke Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John. and John.
I had a prayer group one I had a prayer group one
time year and years ago, time year and years ago,
and they were mostly and they were mostly
non-Catholics. non-Catholics.
It wasn’t a prayer group, It wasn’t a prayer group,
it was a Scripture class. it was a Scripture class.
One day I said, "I want you One day I said, "I want you
to look at Luke 12." to look at Luke 12."
Everybody opened it up. Everybody opened it up.
They had Luke 12 like that, They had Luke 12 like that,
except two women. except two women.
I looked at their Book I looked at their Book
and they were looking and they were looking
at Ezekiel. at Ezekiel.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
And I said to them, And I said to them,
"Are you Catholic?" "Are you Catholic?"
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
All my Protestant friends All my Protestant friends
knew where Luke was. knew where Luke was.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
And they said, "Well, we just, And they said, "Well, we just,
it’s been a long time." it’s been a long time."
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Well, their Bibles were Well, their Bibles were
brand new. brand new.
You can tell by brand new You can tell by brand new
Bibles that they’re Bibles that they’re
brand new. brand new.
They are not dog-eared. They are not dog-eared.
You need a dog-eared Bible, You need a dog-eared Bible,
which means you’ve been which means you’ve been
reading. reading.
That gift of understanding That gift of understanding
the Lord gives me for the Lord gives me for
His Word. His Word.
So I grasp the Word, I hold So I grasp the Word, I hold
it in my heart and I it in my heart and I
understand it. understand it.
Isn’t that wonderful? Isn’t that wonderful?
Did you know you got all Did you know you got all
that at Confirmation? that at Confirmation?
I bet you didn’t. I bet you didn’t.
You went home and had a You went home and had a
piece of cake and that piece of cake and that
was the end of it. was the end of it.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
Then the last gift you Then the last gift you
got at Confirmation got at Confirmation
was wisdom. was wisdom.
O,h wow. O,h wow.
Every day I ask the Lord if Every day I ask the Lord if
He would give me the gift He would give me the gift
of wisdom before I die-- of wisdom before I die--
not that I don’t not that I don’t
already have it. already have it.
He gave it to me at He gave it to me at
Confirmation. Confirmation.
But I mean in a very But I mean in a very
high degree, in that high degree, in that
degree of wisdom where degree of wisdom where
I would see things in this I would see things in this
world as they really are, world as they really are,
that I would be able to that I would be able to
love my neighbor. love my neighbor.
No matter how much he No matter how much he
insulted me, no matter how insulted me, no matter how
much he hates me, no matter much he hates me, no matter
how much he persecutes me, how much he persecutes me,
I would have that love for I would have that love for
my enemies--that’s wisdom. my enemies--that’s wisdom.
Right now sometimes I wish Right now sometimes I wish
they’d slip on a banana they’d slip on a banana
peel. peel.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
I don’t have that wisdom yet I don’t have that wisdom yet
--the kind of wisdom that --the kind of wisdom that
sees God in everything and sees God in everything and
everybody right now, and everybody right now, and
sees God in tragedies like sees God in tragedies like
earthquakes and hurricanes earthquakes and hurricanes
and tornadoes and and tornadoes and
disappointments and pain. disappointments and pain.
Pain is a giant eraser. Pain is a giant eraser.
Did you ever notice when you Did you ever notice when you
have pain, everything else have pain, everything else
goes by the wayside. goes by the wayside.
You might as well forget it. You might as well forget it.
Charity goes--you get very Charity goes--you get very
demanding. demanding.
Love goes. Love goes.
You go, "Ooh, get out of You go, "Ooh, get out of
here, I don’t want to here, I don’t want to
see your smiling face." see your smiling face."
Everything seems to go. Everything seems to go.
It’s a giant eraser. It’s a giant eraser.
Some people are so sweet Some people are so sweet
and so loving and so quiet and so loving and so quiet
and oh, they’d give you and oh, they’d give you
the shirt off their the shirt off their
back until they get a cold. back until they get a cold.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
They turn into something They turn into something
entirely different. entirely different.
It’s almost like Dr. Jekyll It’s almost like Dr. Jekyll
and Mr. Hyde--and all they and Mr. Hyde--and all they
got is a stuffy nose. got is a stuffy nose.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
We need that wisdom that We need that wisdom that
gives us a kind of serenity. gives us a kind of serenity.
Wow! Wow!
Well, let’s go on. Well, let’s go on.
Do you have anymore Do you have anymore
questions out there? questions out there?
Okay. Okay.
Now, we’re going to look at Now, we’re going to look at
another Sacrament in this another Sacrament in this
beautiful Vatican document beautiful Vatican document
called Penance. called Penance.
You can call it Confession, You can call it Confession,
you can call it Penance, you you can call it Penance, you
can call it Reconciliation. can call it Reconciliation.
I don’t care what you call I don’t care what you call
it, as long as you go. it, as long as you go.
Today, I don’t know what it Today, I don’t know what it
takes sometimes to get takes sometimes to get
anybody to hear your anybody to hear your
Confession but it says here, Confession but it says here,
"On the night He was "On the night He was
betrayed, as He commenced betrayed, as He commenced
His Saving Passion, Jesus His Saving Passion, Jesus
instituted the sacrifice instituted the sacrifice
of a New Covenant in His of a New Covenant in His
Blood," why? Blood," why?
"For the remission of sin. "For the remission of sin.
And after His Resurrection, And after His Resurrection,
He sent His Spirit to the He sent His Spirit to the
apostles, that they may have apostles, that they may have
the power to forgive or the power to forgive or
retain." retain."
We’re talking about power We’re talking about power
of the will. of the will.
Do you realize the power Do you realize the power
a priest has? a priest has?
It’s awesome. It’s awesome.
It’s awesome to think that It’s awesome to think that
this man by ordination is this man by ordination is
called by God Himself to called by God Himself to
hold in his what is a wafer hold in his what is a wafer
of bread and a cup of wine. of bread and a cup of wine.
He says those words of He says those words of
Consecration and suddenly. Consecration and suddenly.
I think in the morning at I think in the morning at
Mass there must be at that Mass there must be at that
moment when every angel in moment when every angel in
that chapel of ours, all the that chapel of ours, all the
guardian angels of all the guardian angels of all the
people kneeling there, people kneeling there,
the guardian angel of that the guardian angel of that
priest, the angels that priest, the angels that
surround the, the surround the, the
Blessed Sacrament--I think Blessed Sacrament--I think
when the priest pronounces when the priest pronounces
those words, I think every those words, I think every
one of those angels goes, one of those angels goes,
"Ahh! Awesome! "Ahh! Awesome!
"Wow! Look at that! "Wow! Look at that!
Look what happened!" Look what happened!"
That’s what happens. That’s what happens.
Then that same priest has Then that same priest has
the power--now I can kneel the power--now I can kneel
before and tell him all before and tell him all
my sins--because at that my sins--because at that
moment he is Christ, moment he is Christ,
he is not a man. he is not a man.
It’s Jesus, and I kneel for It’s Jesus, and I kneel for
Him, before Him, like Peter Him, before Him, like Peter
must have, or Magdalene-- must have, or Magdalene--
or maybe Thomas, because or maybe Thomas, because
he didn’t believe. he didn’t believe.
He says some special He says some special
words to me. words to me.
He says, "I absolve you, He says, "I absolve you,
I absolve you from all I absolve you from all
your sins." your sins."
It’s an awesome time. It’s an awesome time.
I think my guardian angel, I think my guardian angel,
when, when he hears that when, when he hears that
priest say that to me, priest say that to me,
has to say, "Ahh!" because has to say, "Ahh!" because
suddenly the darkest, the suddenly the darkest, the
shadows in me are all gone shadows in me are all gone
and there is a light and there is a light
that is sublime. that is sublime.
Now, you talk about power. Now, you talk about power.
Do you think a president has Do you think a president has
power or a king has power or power or a king has power or
anybody else has power? anybody else has power?
No. No.
That’s not power. That’s not power.
The power lies in that man The power lies in that man
chosen by God to do such a chosen by God to do such a
great thing--unbelievable great thing--unbelievable
power. power.
Now, do you know what He Now, do you know what He
said to Peter? said to Peter?
"I give you the keys of the "I give you the keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven." Kingdom of Heaven."
Can you imagine a man Can you imagine a man
having the keys of the having the keys of the
Kingdom of Heaven? Kingdom of Heaven?
Oh boy, those feminists, Oh boy, those feminists,
I bet they’re hot tonight! I bet they’re hot tonight!
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
(laughs) (laughs)
Oh wow! Oh wow!
I didn’t intend, you know... I didn’t intend, you know...
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
I don’t even feel I don’t even feel
ornery tonight. ornery tonight.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
But "’whatever you bind on But "’whatever you bind on
earth shall be bound in Heaven earth shall be bound in Heaven
and whatever loose on earth and whatever loose on earth
shall be loosed in Heaven.’ shall be loosed in Heaven.’
In obedience to the Lord’s In obedience to the Lord’s
command Peter preached the command Peter preached the
remission of sins by Baptism remission of sins by Baptism
on the day of Pentecost." on the day of Pentecost."
On Profession Day Holy On Profession Day Holy
Mother Church says that Mother Church says that
when I profess, it’s when I profess, it’s
like another Baptism. like another Baptism.
In other words, all my In other words, all my
sins are washed away. sins are washed away.
Well, when I was first Well, when I was first
professed, I said that to professed, I said that to
my friends and relatives, my friends and relatives,
thinking they would rejoice thinking they would rejoice
with me that I got this with me that I got this
new garment. new garment.
All of a sudden I got all All of a sudden I got all
kinds of petitions in the, kinds of petitions in the,
in the mail. in the mail.
The sisters at the monastery The sisters at the monastery
started giving me these started giving me these
little slips of paper all little slips of paper all
wound up with scotch tape. wound up with scotch tape.
They said, "Here, carry this They said, "Here, carry this
for me when you’re lying for me when you’re lying
there prostrate before there prostrate before
the Lord." the Lord."
I had such a pad around me I had such a pad around me
of notes that I never of notes that I never
felt the floor. felt the floor.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
The whole Litany of the Saints The whole Litany of the Saints
was said and I never knew was said and I never knew
I was laying on the floor. I was laying on the floor.
But they knew something very But they knew something very
special was going to happen. special was going to happen.
"On Pentecost Peter said, "On Pentecost Peter said,
’Repent,’" and what else? ’Repent,’" and what else?
".be baptized in the Name of ".be baptized in the Name of
Jesus." Jesus."
(coughs) This is one of (coughs) This is one of
those nights. those nights.
This is not supposed to be This is not supposed to be
good for you but I’m stuck. good for you but I’m stuck.
We better go for a break. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (applause) Mother: So, thanks for Mother: So, thanks for
waiting. waiting.
This asthma stuff is a gift This asthma stuff is a gift
for me from God and we just for me from God and we just
have to kind of live have to kind of live
with it. with it.
Some people are asking a Some people are asking a
question, "Can laypeople question, "Can laypeople
baptize?" baptize?"
Well, let’s see what the Well, let’s see what the
Church says about it. Church says about it.
"If no priest or deacon is available,"--this is in available,"--this is in
emergencies now. emergencies now.
Say, for example, you just Say, for example, you just
had the baby and you were had the baby and you were
bringing it home and bringing it home and
suddenly in the back of the suddenly in the back of the
car, it begins to choke and car, it begins to choke and
it’s beginning to get blue it’s beginning to get blue
and you realize this child and you realize this child
is in danger of death. is in danger of death.
Anyway, "Any person at all Anyway, "Any person at all
with the intention of doing with the intention of doing
what is right may and what is right may and
sometimes must administer sometimes must administer
Baptism when there is Baptism when there is
imminent danger of death or imminent danger of death or
especially if the actual especially if the actual
moment of death has come." moment of death has come."
You have to understand, You have to understand,
laypeople just can’t go laypeople just can’t go
around baptizing little around baptizing little
children. children.
"If danger of death is not "If danger of death is not
yet imminent, the Sacrament yet imminent, the Sacrament
ought, if possible, to be ought, if possible, to be
administered by a member of administered by a member of
the faithful. the faithful.
It is desirable that even in It is desirable that even in
this case a small community this case a small community
be collected or that at be collected or that at
least there be, if possible, least there be, if possible,
one or more witnesses." one or more witnesses."
So we’re talking about So we’re talking about
catechesis, catechetical catechesis, catechetical
people, social worker, people, social worker,
nurses, physicians--people nurses, physicians--people
who really know this child who really know this child
is in danger of death. is in danger of death.
I think it’s very necessary I think it’s very necessary
that we understand this. that we understand this.
Now, we’re going to take Now, we’re going to take
some questions from the some questions from the
audience. audience.
We have a phone call. We have a phone call.
Hello. Hello.
No phone call. No phone call.
Okay. Okay.
So it’s important that So it’s important that
the child is baptized. the child is baptized.
But we have to know, the But we have to know, the
Church says, they cannot be Church says, they cannot be
baptized if the person, the baptized if the person, the
parents or guardian is not parents or guardian is not
going to raise it as a going to raise it as a
Catholic and allow it to, Catholic and allow it to,
to really participate to really participate
in the Church. in the Church.
So there are many, many So there are many, many
cases that you have to cases that you have to
really go to a priest and really go to a priest and
see what the situation see what the situation
really is and what the really is and what the
solution is. solution is.
But sometimes a guardian But sometimes a guardian
wants the child to be wants the child to be
baptized, the parents don’t. baptized, the parents don’t.
Well, then, at that, they’re Well, then, at that, they’re
going to have to wait. going to have to wait.
Why is that? Why is that?
Well, you see, you have Well, you see, you have
to be sure that once the to be sure that once the
Presence of Jesus is there Presence of Jesus is there
and the Spirit and the and the Spirit and the
Father, that child is Father, that child is
obliged and you are obliged obliged and you are obliged
to have that child learn to have that child learn
every truth that it is every truth that it is
possible to learn. possible to learn.
We say, "Well, how can we We say, "Well, how can we
allow that to happen?" allow that to happen?"
Well, would you happen if Well, would you happen if
everybody was baptized and everybody was baptized and
never lived as a Christian? never lived as a Christian?
Wouldn’t that be culpable? Wouldn’t that be culpable?
Wouldn’t that make it worse? Wouldn’t that make it worse?
So we have to realize it’s So we have to realize it’s
important that you baptize important that you baptize
your children. your children.
It’s also important that It’s also important that
as parents, you raise those as parents, you raise those
children in the truths of children in the truths of
the Church because there’s the Church because there’s
so much to learn. so much to learn.
Just think what you learn by Just think what you learn by
knowing about Confirmation. knowing about Confirmation.
Think what that child will Think what that child will
understand when it knows understand when it knows
that when it commits sin, that when it commits sin,
it can be absolved, it can it can be absolved, it can
be made new again. be made new again.
Don’t you, anybody out there Don’t you, anybody out there
tell me kids don’t commit tell me kids don’t commit
sin. sin.
You have to be deaf, dumb You have to be deaf, dumb
and blind not to know that and blind not to know that
these kids by 4 years old these kids by 4 years old
and 5 know more than you and 5 know more than you
did when you were 20. did when you were 20.
(audience laughs) (audience laughs)
When you know more, When you know more,
you’re going to have that you’re going to have that
tendency to sin more. tendency to sin more.
You can’t. You can’t.
Kids in the 6th, 7th grade Kids in the 6th, 7th grade
are on drugs already. are on drugs already.
Don’t tell me they Don’t tell me they
don’t sin. don’t sin.
Don’t tell me they can Don’t tell me they can
receive Communion and receive Communion and
4 years later go to 4 years later go to
Confession. Confession.
You’ve got to be kidding. You’ve got to be kidding.
I mean, we arrive at the use I mean, we arrive at the use
of reason and once you say of reason and once you say
"no," bingo, you did it, or "no," bingo, you did it, or
once you say "yes" at the once you say "yes" at the
wrong time. wrong time.
12 year old children are 12 year old children are
getting pregnant and you’re getting pregnant and you’re
telling me they don’t sin. telling me they don’t sin.
Let’s look at the Church Let’s look at the Church
and study these documents. and study these documents.
This document--and this This document--and this
document is called "Vatican Council II." Do you know where you can get them? Write for them. Be informed about what the Church really teaches, what the Church is really saying in these documents. We’re going to pray tonight for a child in West Palm Beach whose parents are Beach whose parents are
fighting all the time. fighting all the time.
Isn’t that the saddest Isn’t that the saddest
thing, when a child calls up thing, when a child calls up
tonight and says, "My parents tonight and says, "My parents
are always fighting. are always fighting.
Pray for them." Pray for them."
We want to pray for Ronald We want to pray for Ronald
in Pennsylvania who in Pennsylvania who
has cancer. has cancer.
We want to pray for a We want to pray for a
caller in Florida whose caller in Florida whose
sister is ill. sister is ill.
We want to pray for a caller We want to pray for a caller
from Ohio who’s praying for from Ohio who’s praying for
the grace of sobriety. the grace of sobriety.
I want to pray for each one I want to pray for each one
of you here and out there in of you here and out there in
television land for grace, television land for grace,
for repentance, for faith for repentance, for faith
and hope and love, for a and hope and love, for a
great renewal in the Church. great renewal in the Church.
Do you know what I bet? Do you know what I bet?
55 million Catholics in 55 million Catholics in
America, 55 million, if America, 55 million, if
all 55 million read these all 55 million read these
two books, ah, would we two books, ah, would we
have a new Church! have a new Church!
It would be wonderful. It would be wonderful.
We’d all be striving We’d all be striving
for holiness. for holiness.
So let’s say all those So let’s say all those
prayers. prayers.
"Lord God, I ask You to "Lord God, I ask You to
take into Your hands take into Your hands
tonight, into Your arms all tonight, into Your arms all
those I mentioned--the those I mentioned--the
sick, the lonely, those in sick, the lonely, those in
Turkey still buried under Turkey still buried under
rubble, those that are cold rubble, those that are cold
in all the streets, in all in all the streets, in all
our cities all over the our cities all over the
world, all the children world, all the children
whose parents are divorced whose parents are divorced
or fighting, quarreling, or fighting, quarreling,
all those on drugs that all those on drugs that
can’t lift that burden, all can’t lift that burden, all
the alcoholics that are the alcoholics that are
listening that want to be listening that want to be
delivered so badly, all delivered so badly, all
those who are just without those who are just without
hope, all those that are hope, all those that are
without faith, those who without faith, those who
have long lost love. have long lost love.
For those, Lord, and for all For those, Lord, and for all
those that need our prayers, those that need our prayers,
we ask Your grace, (coughs) Your grace, Your love, Your grace, Your love,
Your peace, Your joy."
