The Vocation Struggle,..

'The world needs priests because the world is in need of Jesus Christ!' - So are paraphrased the words from my Archbishop Christian Lepine as Jesus created two new priests for the diocese of Montreal.  I had the honour and privilege of acting as Cross bearer at this amazingly Spiritual event.  Fr Alexandre Tran and Fr Alfred Moubayed were ordained this past Friday.  Both awesome holy men, faithful to Holy Mother Church!

The ordination caused a flood of emotions in me, from Joy to unworthiness to complete anxiety, all of which are completely normal.  It seems since my entrance into the seminary, I sometimes break down, trying to figure out my complete unworthiness to even discern this Sacrament.  God calls all of us to a vocation, some to the married state, some to religious life and yes some to priesthood.  Perhaps I'm repeating myself in writing this blog post, but I've never been truly happier in my life.  I guess this is an open letter to any young man out there, or even old man, have you considered priesthood?  There is a special place in my heart, for the dude out there, who thinks he doesn't fit the mold,..well nor do I, and neither did any of the disciples.  Are there scandals?  Yes!  Every facet and aspect of humanity is laced with scandals, betrayal, and general wounds, but through it all, the Church survives!  God calls imperfect men to 'Come follow Me!'  However, are you listening?  Perhaps you were like me?  Partying, playing around, wanting money, girls, none of it permanent... the Charlie Sheen lifestyle.  Well, here is a news flash!  Our Lord won't stop tugging on your heart, He will put people on your road, and when the time comes, and you still haven't said yes,..He'll light a match,..actually more like a fuse right up your ass!  Then you can still say no, and what will happen?  Well, you'll marry (maybe?), have kids? (maybe) and have a mid life crisis at 40, then more than likely start cheating on your wife, get a divorce, and end up miserable and alone!  Why did this happen?  You'll ask in whimpery tone of voice!  Because that is where you weren't supposed to be!  Period!  Obviously this message is for the guys that are called, and you know who you are.  Why?  Because Jesus knows where you will be truly happy!  That's why!

Some of you feel unworthy, well guess what?  So do I!  Some of you will argue with Jesus, that you'll give Him the permanent diaconate,..then you find out that telling God what you'll do is insane.  Some of you will eventually give in, and say, well,..I will give it a try, (hoping that it is not your place!)  and secretly 'angry' that you are finding yourself at peace.  Some of you will fall with a woman, or another vice and satan will begin to play games in your mind, but guess what?  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is there, that little light is the most welcome sign you could ever imagine!  The devil fears priests!  They are God's holy warriors!  No priest equals no Eucharist, its that simple!

For the men coming in this coming August, I say God bless you for accepting to discern!  Already that's the first step, telling God, 'I'm here, I'm available, What do You want me to do?'  (Shout out to Fr Bertand Montpetit for that one! BTW, an awesome holy priest who is is real!)  Do not get discouraged, Do not be afraid, give it all to Jesus, and all will be made clear to you!  God Bless you and may Mary keep you!

St Jean Viannay,.............................................ora pro nobis!

The Media's Guide to Fixing the Church.

Last night, as I was watching Wrestlemania, friend of mine emailed me a clip from the popular Quebec talk show 'Tout le Monde en Parle.'  Guy A Lepage, a left of centre separatist mouthpiece and his creepy little co-hort Danny Turcotte had as a guest Montreal's new Archbishop Christian Lépine.  (see here)  What was really interesting are the aggressive tones that the media take in trying to put the Archbishop in the corner.  Monseigneur Lépine to his credit, answered as Faithfully as he could while Richard Martineau, another writer from the separatist intelligentia kept getting more and more aggressive.  Martineau claimed that the United Church of Canada (which basically tolerates everything, even sin) was the best choice for him and his wife when they went 'Church' shopping.  Arturo Bracchetti, also on the panel, describes himself as a child of Vatican II, and was more in touch with Pope Paul VI, a Pope on the 'left.' (Humanae Vitae on the left?  Get your head out of your a@$)

It seems the easiest solution to fill up the Churches, is to basically re make them as if the Truth are up for debate.  Disagreeing with Holy Mother Church is not about opinion, it comes down to disagreeing with Jesus Himself!  Imagine?  Sorry Lord, but your wrong about the gays!  The Church calls all people outside of marriage to chastity.  Whether its 2012, or 3012, the Church is the anchor.  Remember, Scripture says that God made us in His image.  Instead we are trying to create a god in our image. 

Another article making the rounds comes to us via CNN.  What's funny is that once again, we get the same pile of drivel always thrown at us during Holy Week.  Seven Reasons Why People Leave the Catholic Church.  (see here )  Number 1?  Yup!  You guessed it,..the sex abuse crises.  First off, one case of abuse is one too many!  However let's contextualize this shall we?  I have stated before that there are actually more abuse cases found in the protestant communities than there are in the Church.  Measuring the numbers, there are almost ten times the amount of teachers abusing children!  What about coaches?  You can look up the numbers for yourself,. but the media's faulty logic, usually advanced by heresy agenda driven priests, (the ones they parade on CNN, when they need a Catholic soundbite, or still John Allen, who traded in his testicles for 'being in the centre') or women religious.  The Church has been around for 2000 years, and its generally no coincidence that the enemy always attacks during Lent!

Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against Her.  Can you name any other organization that has lasted this long, even in the face of scandal?  That's all for now!

Our Lady of Fatima,............ora pro nobis.

Shout outs to the New Shepherds!!!!!!

Once again, dear readers please excuse my tardiness regarding The Israel/Palestine posts,..(part 6 will be up shortly)  More important news,.Montreal has a new Arch Bishop!  As information comes in, the tale of the tape is gonna be revealed!  We know that as of yesterday, Archbishop Christian Lépine took canonical possession of the Diocese, the second largest in Canada.  His co-pilot?  None other than the man himself, Thomas Aquinas for the 21st Century and Canada's youngest Bishop,...Bishop Tom Dowd!!!  (....Dowd!  Michael Buffer voice!)  The tale of the tape will follow,..

ArchBishop Christian Lépine

What can I say?  Staunchly pro-life, staunchly orthodox, a saintly and pius man, who truly loves Jesus and His Church!  The ArchBishop is considered an intellectual and following his appointment as an auxiliary bishop,..it was safe to assume that he would be suited for the job.  In true Optimusmastro fashion, Archbishop Lepine has balls, isn't afraid to tackle issues head on, and will not be intimidated.  He has attended John Pacheco's pro-life seminars in Ottawa as a priest.

Bishop Tom Dowd(Auxiliary)

What else could be said about the man who was the cataclyst for my return to the Catholic Church?,..(well orthodoxy at least!)  Bishop Tom Dowd, at one time the beat the living sh&t out of me on an intellectual level at the now defunct anglican diocesan bookroom. (see this post)  We have lunch together usually once or twice a year...He is basically an amalgamation of Thomas Aquinas, Jacques Maritain and Krang the brain from the ninja turtles series...When he thinks,..you can almost see the lights flicker...

Seriously all kidding aside, we must unite our prayers to these two amazing Shepherds as their task, this diocese won't be an easy one.  The Holy Spirit knows this and appointed two kickass men truly living their vocations!  Thank you Jesus for giving us these Bishops!

St Jean Vianney,...........ora pro nobis!