Author: Father Albert

Episode III: Forgive me Father, for I have Sithed

Posted on by Father Albert
Greetings! Today I continue my journey through Star Wars. Last week I began with Episode II  and Anakin's failure to keep to his integrity. This week, I've taken a look at Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and guess what I've found? A Catholic Sacrament! Well, sort of. There's actually a ton of material here for reflection (how the devil lies, pro-life, how evil can look good, the dangers of relativism, etc.), but today I'll just focus on Jedis going to confession, and the sad reality that we can't all just get along after all... Bam! Fshwoon! VVMMMMM! KSCHHH! "Good... Kill...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Josaphat

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr Collect: Stir up in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the Spirit that filled Saint Josaphat as he laid down his life for the sheep, so that through his intercession we, too, may be strengthened by the same Spirit and not be afraid to lay down our life for others. Through our Lord Jesus Christ... "Stir up in your Church, we pray, O Lord, the Spirit that filled Saint Josaphat as he laid down his life for the sheep" -- We call to mind that Josaphat was killed for his defense of...Read More

Episdoe II: Attack of the Clones? or the Hormones?

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Baah, BAAAH, bu-bu-bu-Baah-baah... A short while ago, on a planet not far away, a digital citizen began an adventure. The Ephesian, excited by the hype of the upcoming Force Awakens, set out to re-watch and review all the prior episodes. After surviving the pod race and witnessing the death of Qui-Gon Jinn, we join him as he muses his way through the emotional Episode II, Attack of the Clones. Greetings digital visitors! While people on the internet are sensationalizing the new theory that Jar Jar Binks is a Sith Lord, I'd like to explore a different concern: how Star Wars displays...Read More

Daily Collection: Pope St. Leo the Great

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Leo the Great, Pope  Collect: O God, who never allow the gates of hell to prevail against your Church, firmly founded on the apostolic rock, grant her, we pray, that through the intercession of Pope Saint Leo, she may stand firm in your truth and know the protection of lasting peace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who never allow the gates of hell to prevail against your Church, firmly founded on the apostolic rock" -- We recall the promise made to Peter by Jesus in Matthew 16 and use it to stir...Read More

Daily Collection: Martin de Porres

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The Collect is taken from the optional memorial of St. Martin de Porres, religious. Collect: O God, who led Saint Martin de Porres by the path of humility to heavenly glory, grant that we may so follow his radiant example in this life as to merit to be exalted with him in heaven. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who led Saint Martin de Porres by the path of humility to heavenly glory" -- This recalls the verse that "whoever humbles himself will be exalted" (Mt 23:12) and offers the concrete example of Martin de Porres in receiving that promise. "grant...Read More

Daily Collection: Sts. Simon & Jude

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Collect taken from the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles and Martyrs Collect: O God, who by the blessed Apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name, graciously grant, through the intercession of Saints Simon and Jude, that the Church may constantly grow by increase of the peoples who believe in you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "O God, who by the blessed Apostles have brought us to acknowledge your name" -- The knowledge of God, the gift of Faith, is something passed down to every generation through God's apostles. We praise him for sending these who spread the Gospel...Read More

Worth More than the Stars: Some thoughts on “The Martian”

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Heyo! It's the Ephesian again. I'm back from a little trip through cyberspace and decided to drop in and share some thoughts about outer space. I went to see "The Martian" and a few things stood out that I'd like to write about if anyone is willing to read it, or even if no one reads it. I guess it's kind of like Mark's video logs - no one is watching them, but they just might someday ;-). Anywho, much of the movie is about dealing with the technical problems regarding staying alive on Mars. As for the scientific accuracy...Read More

Whatever We Want?

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29th Sunday OT, Year B (Farewell) Deacon Albert St. John the Evangelist Cathedral   https://sites.google.com/site/fatheralbertmedia/mp3/29_OT_B_6.mp3   “You can do whatever you set your mind to.” Really? Is that true? This claim is made by parents, teachers, advertisements, and politicians throughout our country. Children are filled with this idea from the time they are very little and hear it repeated constantly until some brutal encounter with reality shatters this fragile illusion. Then they must choose between willful naiveté, cold cynicism, or a new-found realism. How few choose the last of these! I once wanted to be a fighter pilot and eagerly researched what it...Read More

Daily Collection: St. Ignatius of Antioch

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Collect taken from the memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr Collect: Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs, grant, we pray, that, just as the glorious passion of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, which we celebrate today, brought him eternal splendor, so it may be for us unending protection. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... "Almighty ever-living God, who adorn the sacred body of your Church with the confessions of holy Martyrs" -- As the Bride of a crucified Lord, the Church can find no greater gems for her adornment...Read More

Daily Collection: Teresa of Avila

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Daily Collection taken from the Memorial of Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor of the Church Collect: O God, who through your Spirit raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus to show the Church the way to seek perfection, grant that we may always be nourished by the food of her heavenly teaching and fired with longing for true holiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son... " O God, who through your Spirit raised up Saint Teresa of Jesus to show the Church the way to seek perfection" -- Playing on the title of Teresa's book "The Way of Perfection," we recognize that all...Read More