La viña que no se poda, se ahoga y termina por no dar buen fruto, sólo agrazones. Así nos pasa a las personas humanas: si no podamos nuestros brotes malos, nuestras malas inclinaciones, y si no resistimos con valentía las muchas tentaciones que nos da la vida, terminamos convertidos en personas espiritualmente secas, en simples esclavos de nuestras pasiones. Tenemos que podarnos corporalmente, en la comida y en la bebida, en el ejercicio y en el descanso, y tenemos que podarnos psicológica y espiritualmente, en pensamientos, palabras y obras. Somos sarmientos de la cepa que es Cristo y si no podamos todo lo que sea incompatible con Cristo, nos secamos espiritualmente y terminamos alejados de Dios. Para poder vivir en comunión con Cristo necesitamos purificar diariamente nuestro interior y comportarnos exteriormente de tal manera que nuestro comportamiento sea parecido al comportamiento de Cristo, salvando, naturalmente, las muchas distancias personales, de tiempo y espacio, que inevitablemente existirán siempre entre nosotros y Cristo. Podar, en este caso, significa lo mismo que purificar y sabemos que toda nuestra vida ha de ser un ejercicio continuado de purificación, porque venimos ya a este mundo con inclinaciones y tendencias originalmente malas y pecaminosas. En el evangelio se nos dice que intentemos ser perfectos como nuestro Padre celestial es perfecto, y sin un ejercicio continuado de poda y purificación, nunca podremos acercarnos a este ideal, porque no podremos dar fruto abundante de buenas obras. Continue reading “Domingo V de Pascua ciclo B 2018”
FORMED now Available for our Parishioners
FORMED is a Catholic Service that lets you view many catholic books, audios, Movies and various studies about the Catholic faith. They contain video studies about each of the sacraments, the bible and various Catholic Teachings. Now we have many movies about the saints and audios to listen to on your way to work. Can’t get to bed at night? We have many books you can read about the faith or if you just simply need a source of inspiration, FORMED has it for you.
The Agonizing Case of Alfie Evans
E. Christian Brugger
Editor’s Note: This is the first article in a new Register series called “Difficult Moral Questions.” Readers are invited to send questions to editor@ewtn.com, putting “Difficult Moral Questions” in the subject line. Please identify your first name (or, if you prefer, a suitable pseudonym) and the state you live in (and country, if not the United States).
QUESTION: Concerning the Alfie Evans case, I have heard three terms used somewhat loosely: 1) People on both sides have spoken about Alfie’s “best interests.” 2) Opponents of care have said that continued treatment would imply “therapeutic obstinacy.” 3) Others have claimed that further care would constitute “overzealous treatment.” How do these terms apply to Alfie’s case?
http://www.ncregister.com/blog/christianbrugger/the-agonizing-case-of-alfie-evans
Stubenville Youth Conference
St. Paul here we come! We’re heading back to Minnesota this year for the Steubenville Youth Conference, being held from July 27-29. This conference is open to grades 9-12.
Steubenville is a fun-filled, energetic, and life-changing weekend getaway filled with Mass, speakers, and Adoration. It’s a weekend you won’t want to miss!
For more information, contact Gabby at 815-277-9722, or email her at gwilliams@stthomasfreeport.org.
After Life Support Withdrawn, Alfie Evans Still Alive & Breathing; Then, Hospital Gives Water & Oxygen
This is old news from a couple days ago. Please pray for these parents and Alfie.
Despite Alfie being given Italian citizenship and two hospitals ready to welcome him and transport him with no cost, Alder Hey Hospital ‘unplugged’ the toddler last night.
They said that Alfie would die within minutes…
Nine hours later, Alfie was still breathing.
Good news arrived…
https://zenit.org/articles/after-detaching-ventilator-alfie-evans-breaths-9-hours-on-own-then-hospital-gives-water-oxygen/
Honor our Sheriff, Police, Fire and EMs
Please join the Freeport Knights of Columbus and our Parish communities in honoring our Freeport/Stephenson County and surrounding area first responders on Tuesday night, May 15th for our 4th annual Blue Mass.
Mass will begin at 5:30 PM at St. Josephs in Freeport. Afterwards, there will be refreshments where you can meet those who put their lives on the line every day to protect all of us! We hope to see all of you there to say thanks to all our local first responders!
Madonna Renewal Center Saturday Work Day
We have set aside one more work day for this month — Saturday, April 28 (8:00am to 4:00pm) or choose your own day! Feel free to bring your teenage children — all types of age-appropriate work need to be completed!
You may also donate work items (work gloves, pliers, paint brushes, mops/buckets, brooms, sandpapers, hammers, and so on). Let us know on time — to prepare for you! God bless you. — Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Pro Life Corner
(Presented by Stephenson County Right To Life)
In America over twenty-four times as many babies die through abortion than women die to breast cancer each year. About 41,000 women die each year from breast cancer. Over 1,000,000 babies die from surgical abortion each year, and that does not take into account the millions of chemical abortions.
Presence St Joseph Auxiliary Spring Luncheon
Meet your friends! Enjoy great food! Support a worthy cause by attending the Presence St Joseph Auxiliary Annual Spring Luncheon this Tuesday, April 24 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church, 1400 Kiwanis Dr., Freeport, IL.
Tickets are $9.00 and will be sold at the door. Carry-outs will be available. Thank you for your support!
The Good Shepherd
Apr 25, 2018
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