Updates; Praying the Rosary under assault in France

Back from a short hiatus to writing on my blog, as the last couple of weeks got ahead of me. I was in the field for a few days, teaching kids about vocations, which was fantastic! I pray that through my witness, and what the Holy Spirit inspires me to say, that the kids were moved to consider God's call in their life.

I believe that every person is called to something great: sainthood. We are all called by God to be saints. Sainthood isn't for the lofty mystic, or the martyr who dies a horrible death; it is for individuals like me, you and the average Joe or Jane who walks past us on the way to work, or the conductor on my wife's train. We are all called to be great saints. How often do at least I fall short of that goal.

I strive daily to be a saint, and daily I fail to live up to my calling; yet, each morning, I resolve to try again. I want to be a saint. I want to be Christ to others, to preach the love of God and to preach His message of salvation, which is the most loving example of love in the history of humanity.

This is why assaults against the love of God are so painful to me, like the one below. How loving is the Father, yet oftentimes we choose hatred, a complete dichotomy of what the Father wants.

I pray that the faithful in France and abroad may inspire those who turn to hate to instead turn to the loving Father's embrace, and sow love, not hate. I pray that for myself, that I may turn to the example of the love of God, and not get wrapped up in the daily struggles of my life.

Please pray for those who hate the symbol of the Rosary and the Gospel of Life, especially those protesters talked about below.

The following is from Life Site News. You can read more article here.

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France's National Rosary for Life Sparks Pro-Abortion Counter-Protests


By Patrick B. Craine

FRANCE, November 16, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - To mark their 23rd anniversary, the French pro-life group SOS Tout-Petits held their annual National Rosary for Life on Saturday, sparking heated protests from the country's pro-abortion activists.

Catholics gathered to pray outside cathedrals and churches in at least 28 cities throughout France, as well as in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Philippines. In many of these cities, the peaceful event attracted large anti-Catholic counter-demonstrations.

For example, at the St. André Cathedral in Bordeaux, police were called to the scene as a large crowd opposed the 150 people gathered to pray. The crowd carried pro-abortion signs and shouted "Caca Catholic," "Mary, Jesus, we f*** you," and "If Mary had had an abortion, we wouldn't have this sh**." At the St. Étienne Cathedral in Toulouse, the protesters were held back by police. At St. Nicolas in Nantes, they threw eggs.

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May you remain close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. May God bless you and keep you.