Once a person wanders into “other territory” such as the occult, there is reason to worry because it welcomes demonic influence.

Texas bishop talks to young adults about exorcism, dangers of occult

By Hillary Senour

Bishop Daniel Flores

Related news:

• Rome’s exorcist finding Bl. John Paul II effective against Satan

Bishop Daniel Flores of the Brownsville diocese addressed a crowd of over 100 young adults on the Church's view of exorcism, the dangers of the occult, and God's saving power.

“One of the reasons I chose the topic of exorcism is because I figured it was sure to draw a crowd,” he said during his opening remarks at the Nov. 21 Theology on Tap event in McAllen, Texas.

Bishop Flores explained that throughout history there has always been a fascination with the devil and evil but especially in recent years – given the popularity of demonic possession as a theme in many Hollywood productions.

Even though the world is increasingly less aware of God, the bishop said, there are many who “have no problem believing in the devil.” Yet despite this belief in evil, there are still many who attempt to “explain away” demonic possession as a mere psychological problem.

“How do we explain this kind of evil in the world or is it all medieval imagination?” he asked the young adults.

Bishop Flores explained Church’s scriptural basis of exorcism, citing St. Paul's letters and the Gospel of Mark. He also briefly explained the signs of demonic possession, and how potential cases are assessed.

Possession, the bishop revealed, is actually fairly rare. In his nearly 25 years as a priest, he said he's had plenty of people tell him they think they're possessed but has yet to encounter the need for an exorcism.

He focused on the more common, but less known, occurrence of “demonic obsession” which is oppressive harassment by demons outside of the person. He commonly sees demonic obsession in those who explore elements of the occult.

“Many times people go in thinking it's a game and then they realize its actually very serious.”

The serious threat of evil is why the Church and her members do not “play around” with the occult he explained.

Once a person wanders into “other territory” such as the occult, there is reason to worry because it welcomes demonic influence. However, while Christians participate in their faith they are in “God's territory” and under his protection.

Bishop Flores pointed out that the “devil's ultimate purpose is to drive an individual to give up and despair, a condition when one believes that they can’t be helped even by God.”

There is no need to fear the devil, he encouraged listeners, because “we believe in the triumph of God’s mercy by the blood of Christ on the cross.”

To combat despair and the influence of evil, he encouraged listeners to “live the sacraments,” cultivate a life of prayer, and have holy water and other holy objects in the home to help “keep you focused on living the life of grace.”

“It's urgent for us to live a grace-full life because it is only the power of God that is strong enough to protect us.”

Read more: http://www.ewtnnews.com/catholic-news/US.php?id=4710#.TyPDLcEffD9.facebook#ixzz1ksvcuXPV

Condom Business... at the Expense of Morality and Family Life

The Church has been under attack. Satan in his unrelenting effort to destroy the Church is finding his way in families that composes the Mystical Body of Christ. Parents, and children most especially must be aware of the on-going battle of good versus evil. Every family must be equipped with the right information about the Catechism and Doctrine of the Church especially when it comes to the Spirituality of Family and Life.

Please read, understand and share with other families, communities, parishes, etc. the following:

1. There will be an advertising campaign for large condoms manufacturers to be launched very soon.

2. The advertisement will be in a form of animation and will be circulated mainly through the internet or even on television, radio, posters, magazines and newspapers.

3. The storylines are fun and witty, supposedly to attract young adults – high school and college students.

4. There will be names and characters referring to male sex organs who use condom.

5. There will be one “contravida” whose name also suggests a male sex organ but refuses to use condom.

6. One of the "witty" quotes from the animation is: Don't be like that “stupid” sex organ, who refuses to wear a condom.

7. Based on the other works done by this advertising company, many expect that this will be a very good animated advertisement from a creative point of view.

It is scary how this will influence people.

Read : http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/philippines_bishops_warn_against_govt._condom_campaign/

To quote:

According to the CBCP, the “condom business” is a multi-million dollar industry that targets adolescents “at the expense of morality and family life.”

Condom ads should be banned because they desensitize the consciences of youth and “weaken their moral fiber as future parents,” the Conference statement argued.

“We urge parents, professional associations, civil society, youth organizations, the government, and the mass media, to be vigilant and take positive steps in guarding the total health and welfare of our people, and to form families in real loving and responsible relationships,” the bishops’ statement concluded.

“Parents in particular should stand for their constitutional right to rear their children according to their values, and not allow any ideological, commercial, political or international strategic interest to stand in their way.”

The Most Blessed Sacrament

The Most Blessed Sacrament inside the Adoration Chapel of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Baguio City.

Shrine of St.Therese of the Child Jesus in Paranaque

Photos of the altar of the shrine of St.These of the Child Jesus located in Paranaque.

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish

This is a closer view of the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption in Guinobatan, Albay. Parish Priest is Rev.Fr.Ding Panesa, Ph.D.

This is where the Third Order Carmelites - Guinobatan community is based. This served as my temporary community who adopted me since I came in Albay on August 2011.

Cheers to the Guinobatan community!

Monthly Vigil - Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary

Official images of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary being used by the Alliance of Two Hearts and Alliance of the Holy Family. Photo taken in the Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption, Guinobatan, Albay on Jan.6,2012, my very first attendance on the First Friday to First Saturday overnight vigil in Reparation for the Consecration to the Allliance of Two Hearts. I was tasked to give a brief talk on "Victimhood", one of the nine (9) Offices for the entire duration of the vigil. Thanks to the warm welcome of the parishioners, especially with Sr.Chato of the Alliance of Two Hearts and the community of the Third Order Carmelites headed by prioress Sis.Terry Naag. The able and willing parish priest Fr.Ding Panesa stayed with us on the entire duration of the vigil to accommodate the penitents for the Holy Sacrament of Confession. Holy Masses were celebrated at the start and at the end of this monthly vigil.

Every Family must be consecrated to the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Disposing Pendants, Lucky Charms, Amulets, Talismans, etc.

These are the images of the pendant renounced by its owner from Gogon, Legazpi City, Bicol. The pendant was disposed-of properly using Prayers to Destroy Cursed & Occultic Objects. The object was voluntarily surrendered by its owner upon learning of the Church's teachings against occultism, divination, sorcery, witchcraft, amulets, talisman, new age, etc.

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

No to Lucky Charms, Talisman, Amulets, Etc.

This is an example of pendant that promises the wearer or bearer "energy" for good luck, health, prosperity, strength, etc.

Is this in accordance to the teachings of the Catholic Church? OF COURSE NOT.

The Catholic Church teaches the faithful to rely only on God. The church teaches us the Centrality of Christ wherein, in everything we do, our actions must lead us to the Faith in Christ and to the Love of Christ. And the belief in luck, health, power, fortune, etc. through the use of charms, new-age pendants, amulets, talismans and the like are in no way a teaching that would bring us to the love of God. These are empty promises of occultism and new-age beliefs.

"Cursed and Occultic" objects such as this must be renounced and disposed of properly by the owner through the help of a Catholic Deliverance Team. Appropriate prayers must be used and the owners must be briefed with the possible evil effects this object may caused them and their families. On some cases, there may be a need to pray the Deliverance Prayer in houses where this "cursed and occultic"object was kept. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is always best, to be able to ask for forgiveness for the engaging in the occult and finally break free from the bondage with the devil.

To be guided, Catholic faithfuls are advised to know and love the catechism and doctrine of the Catholic Church. See earlier post http://knightsofsaintbenedict.blogspot.com/2009/12/new-year-celebrations-and-occult.html

To quote:

The "Catechism of the Catholic Church" deals with this subject in the section on the first commandment (You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me) under the title "Divination and Magic."

2115. God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.

2116. All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to 'unveil' the future.[Cf. Deut 18:10 ; Jer 29:8 .] Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

2117. All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.