Source: Daily Herald | Brian Hill

I hope you all are having a fantastic weekend so far. I would like to take a minute to apologize for the lack of substantial posts over the last few days. I know many of you have wondered where I have been lately. Well, things have been quite busy on my end with working, getting ready for school, etc. It is so hard to believe that this summer is practically over; school is just a couple of weeks away. To be honest, I am quite excited about getting back into a normal routine.

Over the next few days, things should begin to return to business as usual and I will have some more time to do posts here and on the Catholic Vote Action blog. I thank you for patience and for your continued reading.

I know I promised some more on the federal judge’s decision to overturn Proposition 8. But, truthfully, there are others out there who are more capable of giving you information on what this decision means for us as a Church and as a country. I recommend that you check in with our good friend the American Papist for all of your news on Proposition 8.

There is one thing I will say about the decision, however:

http://www.catholicvoteaction.org

Over the last couple of months, as I have transitioned out of the seminary, the blog has taken on a new approach, as many of you have witnessed. Three years ago, when I began that awesome journey of faith as a seminarian, the blog’s purpose was to keep my family, friends and supporters up-to-date on my progress. I shared countless stories about what seminary life was all about and how my experiences developed and shaped my faith. However, when my life outside of priestly formation began, the blog took on a new role, keeping Catholics informed about the internal workings of the Church (new appointments, installation Masses, etc.) as well as the external issues currently facing the Church.

About three weeks ago, I was approached about possibly joining the blogging team at Catholic Vote Action. To tell you the truth, I was ecstatic to even be considered for the opportunity. Since then, I have been thinking about what issues I could write about. While pro-life issues were number one on the list, I have also considered the debates surrounding gay marriage, immigration reform and the death penalty.

A brief interruption in the usual posts to offer congratulations to Rocco Palmo whose blog, Whispers in the Loggia, reached an astonishing 15,000,000+ viewers this week.

In my book, Rocco was one of the founding fathers, if you will, of the Catholic blogging movement. Without him and a host of others, the Catholic presence on the internet would not be as significant as it is today.

Thanks for keeping us informed and up-to-date on all of the happenings in the Catholic Church! Keep up the good work, Rocco!!

Well folks, I am hoping the rest of the week turns out to be quiet. I am going to be taking a brief recess from posting as I will be traveling to California for a couple of days. I have already put together the posts for the “Catechism in a Year” series for the next few days. Posting will return as normal on Monday.

I don’t say it all that often but I do thank you all for reading and keeping up with the blog, which turns three years old in July. In that three years, I have had a blast sharing a little bit of my experiences and faith journey with all of you. I have also enjoyed learning about my faith through the posts, which I sincerely thank you for.

I hope all is well on your end. Please be assured of my prayers for you as I ask for your prayers for me. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

Catholica Omnia thanks all of the Fathers, living and deceased, for all that they have done to guide, strengthen and support their children. A very special thank you to the men who have given their lives to the service of the church as priests; Happy Fathers’ Day to you as well.

Source: NCR

St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and chaste husband of Mary, you passed your life in loving fulfillment of duty. You supported the holy family of Nazareth with the work of your hands. Kindly protect those who trustingly come to you. You know their aspirations, their hardships, their hopes. They look to you because they know you will understand and protect them. You too knew trial, labor and weariness. But amid the worries of material life your soul was full of deep peace and sang out in true joy through intimacy with God’s Son entrusted to you and with Mary, his tender Mother. Assure those you protect that they do not labor alone. Teach them to find Jesus near them and to watch over him faithfully as you have done.

“Prayer for Fathers” by Pope John XXIII