The Killing Of A Priest

Such a sad story coming from Notre Dame of Fatima, a Roman Catholic Church in the Central African Republic. The Church was attacked during Mass and the parish priest, the Rev. Toungoumale Baba was killed along with at least 15 other people. Innocents-worshipping God, praying, during the  sacred Catholic Mass and evil came through the door. Using grenades and gunfire the killers desecrated the holy Church and brought death and despair and pain to God. The worst of humanity.
A large crowd, protesting the violence and the death of their beloved priest carried his body to the presidential palace. But evil won the day. Their pastor is gone. The good priest died at the hands of the most fanatical, the most cruel and evil side of humanity.
And its not over. People want revenge. So the vicious cycle of violence will unfortunately most likely continue. No one wins. The children of the parish witnessed unspeakable horror.
I pray for the soul of the good priest who died celebrating Mass and those who care for him. So tragic. In this day and age, at this time in history and still, good, holy priests and good people are slaughtered because of misunderstanding, conflict and hate.
God bless the people of Notre Dame of Fatima Church, may God be with them during these difficult days. The United Nations peacekeeping group will have to work quickly to stop the spread of violence, God be with them and inspire their work.
NJA

Bishop Paprocki Takes a Stand Against the Evil One

What a great idea! Go get him! I applaud the idea and action of Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield, Illinois who is restoring the recitation of the prayer of St. Michael the Archangel, at every Mass. Beginning immediately, the prayer will be recited after the dismissal and before the recessional or closing song in his Diocese. The Bishop was quoted as saying, "While Christ's death and resurrection have restored the gifts of heavenly treasures for us, we also have to recognize that the devil, Satan, is real and he will do everything in his power to deflect us from our goal, which is eternal life on high with Christ in his kingdom." Not only does he try to deflect us from our goal, but he causes havoc in our world. There is much evil in the world and the influences of evil show up everywhere, unfortunately. I agree with Bishop Paprocki and I think reciting the powerful prayer of St. Michael at every Mass will help defeat the evil presence and evil influences in the world. It will be a help to parishioners as well.

On the beautiful St. Michael prayer card that a friend recently gave to me it says, "We should make it a sacred duty to join fervently in this important prayer, repeating if often each day."

Both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict have suggested that Catholics recite the prayer of St. Michael daily and especially after Mass. Up until 1965, it was recited at Mass. I say bring it back. It can only help people of faith.

In my opinion, anyone who doesn't believe in evil or evil influences has a veil over their eyes and mind. Everytime I watch the news or read a newspaper, there's evidence of evil in the world. It's very plain to me.

NJA

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

Saint Michael the Archangel defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wiles and wickedness of the devil. Restrain him, O God, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin and destruction of souls. Amen.