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     In today's editorial we parallel two Catholic gentlemen - one a pop icon who entertained millions and will be forever remembered for his music and movie roles. That of course was Frank Sinatra, who, bless his heart and soul, got his life together and came back to the Church through the influence and prayers of many, especially his wife Barbara. The other is also an icon, not globally but in Heaven and within his parish as a loving pastor who will be sorely missed for he was a living example of all Jesus asked of His priest-son. His music was a melody of love and compassion for all as a caring shepherd. For our moving tribute to Monsignor Thomas Healy, taken from us by a heart attack this past Thursday, click on today's CATHOLIC PewPOINT entitled, "From Here to Eternity!"

From Here to Eternity!

      On Thursday May 14 two great men passed on. One did it his way, as he recorded for perpetuity in song, and the other did it God's way. One, was of course, Frank Sinatra, the legendary crooner, actor and philanthropist who was known by many monikers, mostly "Old Blue Eyes" and "Chairman of the Board." Though he had a questionable career moral-wise, in his later years he seemed to settle down and was loyal to his Church. That will be illustrated tomorrow morning when a solemn Mass will be celebrated in Southern California without all the fanfare one might expect from someone of his stature. The other will also have a solemn Holy Mass celebrated in Southern California, except it will be today. While one is known the world over, the other is really only known locally. The other is Monsignor Thomas Healy, pastor of Saint Mark's Parish in San Marcos, and our pastor since we relocated to the area. He was the major reason we chose St. Mark's because he exhibited all the virtues of a good and holy priest. The Masses and liturgy were in full accord with Rome and totally reverent. There was great devotion to Our Lady as well as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotions on First Fridays and First Saturdays. There was Daily Mass every day both at 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and only two priests assigned there, but they were always available for Mass and Confessions. Like the parish we left in Dallas Saint Pius X there were no liberal addendums or programs at this parish largely because of the leadership and shepherding of the pastors. At St. Pius X it was Monsignor Thomas Weinzapfel who had been there 41 years before retiring shortly before we left Texas. At St. Mark's it was Monsignor Tom who had been pastor there for 22 years. We had hoped and prayed he would be there much longer but God had other designs for this faithful and loyal priest who was born in Castlecomer in County Kilkenny, Ireland and educated at St. Kieran's College and seminary where he was ordained on the feast of the Visitation in 1959. He was assigned to the Diocese of San Diego where many of his fellow countrymen had been sent for the harvest of souls. This included Monsignor Tom Prenderghast who gave his good friend's eulogy last night.

     After cutting his teeth on various parishes in San Diego and Riverside, then part of the San Diego Diocese he was assigned as pastor of St. Mark's Catholic Church on Discovery in San Marcos and the parishioners found quite a discovery in this gem from the emerald isle. We had known of him when we attended St. Francis and interacted with him through Knights of Columbus activities, but we really came to know and love him when we enrolled at St. Mark's upon our return to Southern California from Dallas. We felt so blessed that we had gone from one great, traditional and orthodox parish in Texas to the same here. As Father Ramon Marrufo, one time his assistant, now pastor of St. Francis, said last night in his tribute to Monsignor Tom, "He knew one language: the language of the Gospel which translated to the language of love." He was there for everyone and, as so many who spoke last night testified to, once he got to know you, he trusted you as a friend for life. We have lost a very dear friend. He encouraged us in our ministry at MIR-A-CALL Center and with the DAILY CATHOLIC and, just last week, offered any help he could to help keep the ministry afloat as we are experiencing a dire financial crunch. He was there for every parishioner, a man of deep faith and prayer who could be found more often in front of the Tabernacle praying then outside kibitzing with parishioners. He did plenty of the latter, but prayer and the Sacraments always came first in his deep love for Jesus and His Blessed Mother. Through his inspiration the parish grew dramatically over the years and he built a magnificent church that kept Christ centrally focused with one of the most beautiful, moving crucifixes one will ever see hanging above the altar. No modern or abstract art or architecture here, just the traditional environment in a modern edifice to honor God. The same with the parish hall and a mission parish a few miles away - they were simple, but functional and full of love and caring. The campus is a tribute to the Monsignor where the parish family will sorely miss this great man who was made a monsignor in May 1985.

     It was ironic that just a few weeks ago on World Day of Prayer for Vocations before Mass one of the Lectors announced that there would be no priest for Mass that morning and only a Communion Service. He was, of course, saying that to wake the faithful to the fact that the Church is sorely in need of priests and that this scenario could indeed happen. We didn't realize how soon! Just a few days after Monsignor Tom's death, his only assistant at St. Mark's Father Aurelio Crisologo suffered a stroke and is presently in the hospital, leaving the parish currently without a priest. Though there will be 150 priests and Bishop Robert H. Brom presiding at Monsignor Tom's funeral Mass this morning, the Diocese, like so many dioceses around the country are desperate for priests. By tomorrow afternoon there will be no priests at St. Mark's and we have to pray the Bishop will appoint a pastor soon...if there are any eligible candidates out there. So pray for the family of St. Mark's and for vocations. As we have mentioned so often the Church is at a crisis period and vocations are a priority. Our Lady has said over and over that there will come a time that the Eucharist is scarce. We are coming to those times. Be prepared and pray. Pray for vocations and soon!

     And so, we bury two great men this week; both with great pomp and circumstance. The circumstances surrounding the song Frank Sinatra wrote and sang - New York, New York, brings home a point. The lyrics went: "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." We like to think he was referring to our beloved pastor. Both, in their own way, made their mark in this world and, while one starred in the award-winning movie of 1953, the other is assured of fulfilling it's title with Oscars and Grammies aplenty in Heaven; for it is Monsignor Tom who is now truly experiencing his rewards...for he has faithfully completed that last road "From Here to Eternity."

Michael Cain, editor

     In our sixty-eighth installment of our on-going mega series on Church history, we leave Blessed Pope Gregory X and follow the papacy of another beatified pontiff - Blessed Pope Innocent V who ruled for only four months but his spiritualiy and ties to Dominican greats Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Albert the Great as well as the great Franciscan theologian Saint Bonaventure helped prepare the Church for the burgeoning times ahead and his baptism of three Mongolian envoys of the Great Kahn were instrumental in bringing the faith to the far east as early as the late thirteenth century. For our chapter, "Blessed Pope Innocent V: First Dominican Pope," click on THE HISTORY OF THE MASS AND HOLY MOTHER CHURCH

INTRODUCTION
      The guidance of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Albert the Great, and Saint Bonaventure set the tone for the 185th successor of Peter Blessed Pope Innocent V who becomes the first Dominican to ever sit on the throne of the Church. Because of his predecessor Blessed Pope Gregory X's decrees for stricter rules in the election of a pontiff, total seclusion was enforced on the conclave that elected Innocent. The biggest mistake Innocent made was not following the astute political policies of Gregory. Rather than recognizing and coronating Rudolf I as Holy Roman Emperor he put him off and basically slapped him in the face by promoting his rival and the man Gregory had kept in check - Charles of Anjiou, king of Sicily. Innocent caved into pressure to make him Senator of Rome and once Charles had his foot in the door, everything else disintegrated including any possible chance of reunion with Constantinople. Innocent, a man of peace, was in over his head on the political scene and Charles took great advantage of that, but was not able to fully capitalize for Innocent only lived four months as Pope. He died in Rome on February 22, 1276.

      With the Holy See restored to respectability by Blessed Pope Gregory X it was left to the Conclave to continue this trend. To do that they turned to a Dominican for the first time ever. The man was Cardinal Pierre de Tarentaise who, born in Savoy of noble birth, had turned his back on worldly treasures and joined the Order of Preachers in 1240 at Lyons, France. He studied under Saint Thomas Aquinas, Saint Bonaventure, and Saint Albert the Great and in 1259 collaborated with Thomas and Albert in drawing up a rule of studies for Dominicans. It was Pierre who preached the funeral Mass of the great Franciscan theologian St. Bonaventure in 1274. Under Pope Clement IV he preached the Crusade in France and it was Pope Gregory who elevated him to Arbishop of Lyons in 1272 and Cardinal from Ostia a year later. Four years later he was the choice of the available College of Cardinals who had gathered quickly at Arezzo, Italy becoming Pope on January 22, 1276. This man, who chose the name Pope Innocent V, was a man of great learning and piety but lacked the political prowess of his predecessor; so much so that he was influenced into recognizing Charles of Anjiou for Senator of Rome even though Gregory had fought hard against it. But Innocent, in an effort to appease everyone in his quest for peace, did not realize the far ranging effects of changing horses in midstream. This flared up when he delayed Rudolf I of Habsburg to come to Rome to be officially crowned Holy Roman Emperor as Gregory had intended, rationalizing that Rudolf and Charles needed to work out their differences before he could acknowledge Rudolf. In his desire to bring peace everywhere he possibly compromised too much such as by removing the interdict Gregory had placed on Firenze despite the fact Florence had not repented. On the plus side Innocent was able to reconcile Genoa with Charles as well as end hostilities between the Guelph pro-papal faction and the pro-imperial forces of the Ghibellines. He also held one thing dear to his heart that Gregory did - the Crusades and he promoted it far and wide. He enlisted Spain to help, but they were enmeshed with struggles against the Moors and he called on King Philip III, son of Saint Louis IX, to lead the legions to recapture Jerusalem. But the one key to making it successful was locked tight with the interference of Charles. The headway Gregory had made with the Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Paleologus was detoured because Michael had gone along with the plan for political purposes, knowing Gregory would keep his greatest threat - Charles - in check. With Innocent giving Charles free reign all deals were off. Any hope of union went down the drain when Innocent innocently sent a demand that the Greek clergy take personal oaths to Rome and accept the Filioque procession of the Latin "and from the Son" in declaring the twofold procession of the God the Holy Spirit from God the Father and from God the Son. This would prove a bone of contention throughout history. As the papal envoys sent to Michael were enroute to deliver these demands, Innocent died four months to the day he was elected, passing from this world on June 22, 1276. His pontificate had lasted only 39 days and though he had tried to pacify warring factions, it would not last. What would last was planting the seeds of Christianity in Mongolia when he baptized three of the Great Khan's ambassadors. Charles, realizing his "meal ticket" had passed on did all in his power to influence the incoming conclave, including announcing that he was commissioning a special elaborate tomb in the Lateran Basilica for his dear friend Innocent. Innocent was beatified in 1898 by Pope Leo XIII. In the next installment we will detail the two succeeding popes who Charles tried to influence further in Popes Hadrian V and John XXI: Short terms and sickness mars the papacy.

      Jesus emphasizes the quality of THE CARDINAL VIRTUE OF FORTITUDE in His 86th Lesson/Meditation to the Hidden Flower of the Immaculate Heart which is one in a series of 100 Meditative Lessons imparted to her. Today's feature Lesson stresses the importance of Fortitude and only by relying on it can we expect to outlast the wiles of satan and stay the course during these crucial last days of the pivotal time before the Third Millennium. The best way to nourish Fortitude is by fasting and sacrifice, thus losing the poundage and bondage of worldly addictions. Click on THE HIDDEN WAY

THE CARDINAL VIRTUE OF FORTITUDE

Lesson Meditation #86

(Imparted on February 15, 1995 to the Hidden Flower by Our Lord)

      Beloved Hidden Flower of My Mother's Immaculate Heart, do not grieve over thoughts which come fleetingly into your mind, for these do not cause Me sorrow. Rather, I Am greatly comforted because at the instant you recognize them in faith and trust do you call out My Name, seeking only humility in My Sacred Wounds. Let all of My children realize this and do as I ask: Trust in Me!

      O! How weak My children have become in FORTITUDE, which disposes you to do that which is right despite all difficulties.

      Rather, My enemy, satan, has taken fortitude from you and he has replaced it with the strong human will to seek ease, comfort in all things.

      The holy virtue of Fortitude disposes your soul to cling to Me, the Way, the Truth and the Life. As if a mirror, Fortitude looks at Me, receives My Truth and reflects it back to you who are My child, enabling you to see that which is right and just before Me.

      When you are alive with Fortitude you bear My armor and go forward one moment at a time toward Me, your Eternal God, your Eternal Goal.

      But human life, due to Original Sin and your weakened nature, is not a path of glory. The evil one, seeing your misery whispers to you incessantly that you do not have to travel through thorny brambles, but he points out to you his falsehoods-for he shows to you a life resplendent with worldly luxuries, which give the mortal body every conceivable comfort. Your nature, unfortified by holy virtue, leaps into the arms of satan where you revel in finite pleasures and neglect fully your soul which is immortal.

      Does not Sacred Scripture tell you that in the end times, despite My many warnings and miracles, mankind shall choose the false mirage of satan, and be lost to the true Light?

      Is this not the very case of the world today? Fortitude has been replaced by selfishness. This selfishness is so rampant that My Gospel has been as diluted as to bear no meaning for you. Without Fortitude you are helpless victims of satan and all his cohorts, which are legion. You do not recognize these demons who pull at your human weakness, because you search for any way and means to escape the slightest discomfort.

      To possess Holy Fortitude is to labor in My vineyard, unconscious of the heavy sweat of your labor. Fortitude does not look at bodily pain and discomfort. Fortitude accepts these sufferings in My Name. Nor does Fortitude look at the sufferings of the world, nor does it hear the mockery, rebuffs, persecutions hurled against you by those who have lost faith and seek their joy in their earthly life. Fortitude is that virtue which propels you onward into My eternal embrace and counts as nothing the wear on the mortal body, nor the wounds to the heart. Fortitude enables you to carry such bodily hurts and heart-felt wounds as precious treasures which you humbly lay at the Foot of My Cross for love of Me. Holy Fortitude streams from My Most Precious wounds. It strengthens, nourishes, encourages and assists the soul to remain united to Me in all things.

      I do solemnly tell you that by the virtue of Fortitude you, who are My children, grow strong in faith. You are filled with holy trust and love transcends all human emotions. Because of Holy Fortitude you are chained, as it were, to My Sacred Cross. Your abode is the Refuge of My Sacred Heart and you receive comfort in all afflictions.

      But if you permit Fortitude to die, you are as a dead person whose grave has not been readied. Aimlessly, lifelessly, you wander from thing to thing, from person to person searching for that which will ease the sorrows of earthly life. And in each circumstance you find neither comfort or solace because you do not have Fortitude, which comes only from Me. Instead, you grow more restless, more eager for your own pleasure and thus, not finding it, you are led by satan to despair.

      I solemnly tell you that so sadly has Holy Fortitude been rejected that every conceivable evil now exists upon the face of the earth. Life is disdained. Murder, especially of the unborn, is an abomination before Me. Reverence for Me, respect for My Laws, and consequently respect for all men does not exist, because you do not have Fortitude.

      Go then to Confession and receive My Mercy and Forgiveness so that the virtue of Fortitude may once again shine forth from your soul. By frequent Mass and Holy Communion, your Fortitude will never be diminished, but will glow brightly in your dark, sinful world.

      Pray much. Make sacrifice. Mortify your body that the virtue of Holy Fortitude may be a guide in these end times. You must be courageous in seeking and doing that which is right, for if you do not seek and do as I have commanded, you cannot say you are Mine.

      Heed My Words, dear children. I give them to strengthen you so that you might persevere. I solemnly tell you: I Come!

Next Lesson/Meditation #87: THE CARDINAL VIRTUE OF TEMPERANCE

   Dear children! Today I call you, through prayer, to open yourselves to God as a flower opens itself to the rays of the morning sun. Little children, do not be afraid. I am with you and I intercede before God for each of you so that your heart receives the gift of conversion. Only in this way, little children, will you comprehend the importance of grace in these times and God will become nearer to you. Thank you for having responded to my call.

For more on Medjugorje, click on MEDJUGORJE

Events Today in Church History

     For events throughout the centuries that are memorable in Church history today, click on TIME CAPSULES: ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME

Historical Events in Church Annals for May 19:

715 A.D.


Pope Saint Gregory II becomes the 89th successor of Peter. He ordered the destruction of images forbade by the edict of Constantinople in a campaign against iconoclasm.

988 A.D.


Death of Saint Dunstan, Irish saint, Benedictine monk, and Archbishop of Canterbury who revived monasticism in the Bristish Isles. He is Patron Saint of armorers, goldsmiths, locksmiths and jewelers.

1218 A.D.


Death of Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor during the reign of Pope Honorius III.

1296 A.D.


Death of Pope Saint Celestine V, 192nd successor of Peter, who renounced the papacy when he realized he was a mere instrument in the hands of the lords of those troubled medieval times.

1303 A.D.


Death of Saint Ives also known as Saint Ivo Helory of Kermartin. Forty-four years after his death he was canonized by Pope Clement VI and is today known as the Patron Saint of Lawyers.

1342 A.D.


Cardinal Pierre Roger becomes Pope Clement VI, 198th successor of Peter, who was the fourth in the Avignon line of Popes. Clement VI, known for being a great protector of the Jews, bought the city of Avignon for 18,000 gold florins.

1611 A.D.


Birth of Blessed Pope Innocent XI, in Como, Italy as Benedetto Odescalchi who would become the 240th successor of Peter.

     Today is the Sixth Tuesday of Easter. For the liturgy, readings, and meditations as well as tomorrow's feast of Saint Bernardine of Siena, click on LITURGY FOR THE DAY.

Tuesday, May 19:
Tuesday in the Sixth Week of Easter

White vestments

First Reading: Acts 16: 22-34
Psalms: Psalm 138: 1-3, 7-8
Gospel Reading: John 16: 5-11

Wednesday, May 20:
Wednesday in the Sixth Week of Easter and
Feast of Saint Bernardine of Siena, Priest, Religious and Missionary

White vestments

First Reading: Acts 17: 15, 22-34; 18: 1
Psalms: Psalm 148: 1-2, 11-14 and Isaiah 6: 3
Gospel Reading: John 16: 12-15

      Saint Bernardine was born of noble parentage in Siena, Italy near the end of the 14th Century. While a youth he practiced the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, even to personally taking care of an old woman who was very holy. From her he learned a true respect for God and devotion to the Church. Upon her death following a long illness, Bernardine entered the Franciscan Order. There he dedicated his life to God and vowed to be a great preacher of the Holy Name of God. One day in 1408, while the great preacher Saint Vincent Ferrer was preaching to a group of young Franciscans, he stopped in the middle of his sermon to prophesize that there was among this group one who would go on to become a greater preacher than himself and would bring great honor to Holy Mother Church. Bernardine never dreamed it was him Ferrer was talking about for he had a speech impediment that hindered him from speaking eloquently to the people. Yet, true to St. Vincent's prediction, Bernardine went on to become just that as God cured him through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. For 38 years Bernardin spread devotion to the Holy Name through his inspiring words and example. The fruits of his labors produced countless conversions and reformed most of Italy but, as is true of anyone who willingly takes up the cross, he suffered great persecution by detractors, even being proclaimed a heretic by some in the Church. Yet through all his trials he persevered, trusting in the truth and God's providence. He was finally proclaimed innocent and absolved of any wrongdoing. The Feast of the Holy Name commemorates the path of salvation for all of us following the example of Christ: suffering in order to attain triumphant glory. This was the path Bernardin traveled throughout his life, succumbing on Ascension Eve in 144 while his fellow Franciscans were chanting the antiphon, "Father, I have manifested Thy Name to men."

Today's prayer is in honor of our deceased pastor whose funeral Mass is today Monsignor Thomas Healy. Since he was born in Ireland we send him out with a special Irish Prayer:

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May 19, 1998 volume 9, no. 97   DAILY CATHOLIC