Ubi Petrus

And then explain to me again why going against the express wishes of every Pope since Pius X is the only way we’ll interest kids.  These young men are from Goshen College – the precise age range being targeted by those who want to add guitars and drums to the Mass:

The young want a challenge – they want authentic Catholicism, to live a life of true holiness with all the beauty the Church has to offer.  We ought to do nothing less than give it to them.  All of it.

Today we pray for all priests on leave.  May their time away serve them well and help them become even better servants of the Lord.

Mother Mary, watch over them on their leave, help them and guide them and lead them in the way that leads to your Son.

Today we pray for Rev. Deacon David Hamel and Rev. Deacon Mark Hobson.

Deacon Hamel was ordained in 2002 and serves St. John Neumann’s Parish in Merrimack.  He also serves as the Diocesan Coordinator for Deacon Formation.

Deacon Hobson was ordained in 2002 and serves St. Pius X’s Parish in Manchester.

May their love for Christ and His Church grow every day, and may they constantly seek and find renewed strength to live their ordination to service.  St. Stephen, Deacon and Protomartyr, pray for them.  Holy Mother Mary, draw them closer to your Immaculate Heart and so closer to your Son.

Today we pray for Rev. Adrien Longchamps and Rev. Rodrigue Gallant.

Fr. Longchamps was ordained in 1975 and is the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Laconia.

Fr. Gallant was ordained in 1947 and is now retired, having last served at All Saints Parish in Charlestown.

May they be drawn ever deeper into the mystery of God and may their every day reflect that mystery  to all around them.  May Mary draw them nearer to her and through her intercession draw them nearer to her Son.

Today we pray for all women and men religious.  In particular we pray for the orders serving throughout this Diocese, including the Franciscans, Benedictines, Carmelites, Daughters of Charity, Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate and I’m sure others I haven’t yet discovered.  We so desperately need their example in this world.

May they spend each day being formed by the Rule of their Order and serve as an example to all of us in word and deed.  May Mary draw them close to her Immaculate Heart and lead them ever closer to her Son.

Today we pray for Bishop John McCormack.

Bishop McCormack was ordained to the priesthood in 1960 and ordained to the episcopate in 1995.  He has been the Bishop of the Diocese of Manchester since 1998.

Lord, watch over him and guide him; conform him ever more closely to you, strengthen him in his ministry as shepherd and renew in him the willingness to do whatever is necessary for your flock.  Mother Mary, draw him close to you and lead him on that he might always point those whom he leads to your Son.

After the Connecticut Supreme Court recently decided that judicial fiat is sufficient to create law in their recent 4-3 decision to legalize same-sex “marriage” the Catholic Bishops of the state have responded, and responded forcefully.

It appears our State Supreme Court has forgotten that courts should interpret laws and legislatures should make laws. In its decision today, the Connecticut Supreme Court stated again their philosophy that “as we engage over time in the interpretation of our State Constitution, we must consider the changing needs and expectations of the citizens of our State.” Determining the “contemporary” views of the public is the responsibility of the legislature, not the judiciary.

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The Supreme Court of Connecticut has chosen to ignore the wisdom of our elected officials, the will of the people, and historical social and religious traditions spanning thousands of years by imposing a social experiment upon the people of our state.

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This decision of the Connecticut Supreme Court also raises a very real concern about the infringement on religious liberty and freedom of speech with the judicial imposition of same-sex marriage. The real battle in this court case was not about rights, since civil unions provide a vast number of legal rights to same-sex couples, but about conferring and enforcing social acceptance of a particular lifestyle; a lifestyle many people of faith and advocates of the natural law refuse to accept.

It is both unusual and welcome to hear Bishops speak so plainly and honestly.  I congratulate the Connecticut Bishops for calling a spade a spade and leaving no question about the proper Catholic understanding of marriage.  We all must pray this situation improves and quickly before this judicial insanity spreads.

H/T to Rocco.

Today we pray for Rev. Richard Landry MS and Rev. Benet Phillips OSB.

Fr. Landry is a LaSalette Missionary assigned to the Shrine of Our Lady of LaSalette in Enfield.

Fr. Phillips is the Assistant Registrar for St. Anselm College in Manchester.

May they grow closer to the Lord with each passing day and draw everyone around them deeper into the mysterium fidei.  May Mary, Mother of all priests, take them by the hand and lead them to her Son.

Today we pray for Very Rev. Frederick Pennet V.F. and Rev. Raymond Potvin.

Fr. Pennet was ordained in 1971 and is pastor at St. Anne’s Parish in Hampstead.

Fr. Potvin was ordained in 1980 and is pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Penacook.

May they grow ever deeper in their relationship with Christ and their love for His Church.  May Mary ever shelter them under her mantle and draw them ever closer to her Son.