MADISON, Wis., September 7, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) — A U.S. bishop turned heads toward the "east" last weekend in his diocese and around the world with his announcement that he would be celebrating Mass ad orientem.
Bishop Robert Morlino told parishioners at St. Patrick Church during his homily on Sunday that he would begin in October to offer Novus Ordo Masses facing the altar when he is town. The Diocese of Madison uses St. Patrick and two other parishes as a substitute for the cathedral that burned down 10 years ago. “I'm planning for us in accord to the mind of God," he said.
The local ordinary is one of the first bishops in the Church to respond after a call by Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect for the Congregation for the Divine Worship in Rome, for Masses celebrated in the ancient tradition of facing toward God along with the congregation to become the norm beginning in Advent. That form of worship had been the “common orientation” in Catholic liturgy for more than 1,500 years until …More

Strong Earthquake Rocks Italy (Perugia/Issisi Area)
Link to the story
Another News Story Link
Link to New York Time Story
Multiple aftershocks were reported; the earthquake-monitoring center EMSC said 11 had been felt by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday EDT. At least four were major enough for the USGS to track and report — of 4.6, 4.0, 5.5, and 4.3 magnitude.
Reports of major damage to the area began trickling in early Wednesday, and the Italian TV network SkyTg24 reported two deaths in the town of Arquata del Tronto.
Social media is saying no one is reporting from the epicenter area. They have reports from areas outside the epicenter about their experiences. Check out their map or reporting users.
Link to the social media posting and their map Looks like there's been a lot more aftershocks than they've reported. Check out this map. Link to the earthquake map for Italy Early video news report from Australia. Link to their news report

Lent forces us to think about temptations, and do we yield to them in their many forms? The devil tempted Jesus. After refusing to give in to three major-league temptations, the devil departed Jesus – for a time, so we’re told in the Gospel.
The devil always comes back because he (she) wants us to live by his (her) Beatitudes. Some are:
Blessed are those who claim to love God at the same time as hating other people.
They are mine forever.
Blessed are the trouble makers.
They shall be called my children.
Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked.
I can use them. Blessed are the touchy. With a bit of luck they may even stop going to Church. They are my missionaries. Blessed are those that have no time to pray. They are easy prey for me. Perhaps our remembering that God is love will help us resist. God is always present when love is given and received. Love is a temptation we cannot and should not resist. Temptation surely is good for us when we yield to …More

Balance
Today’s gospel reminds us of the need to balance two things: (1) the impact of external forces –especially other people—on the moral choices we make and (2) the personal responsibility we each must take for our own moral choices.
On the one hand, Jesus acknowledges the effect one person can have on another in choosing right or wrong. He expresses it in the negative
“It would be better if anyone who leads astray one of these little ones to be plunged in the sea with a great millstone fastened around his neck.”
Yes, we can help lead others to sin. Conversely however, we can help others to live lives of virtue.
My example, or lack thereof; my encouragement, or lack thereof, my speaking up or being silent all play a role in what the other does.
To be sure, peer pressure plays an important role with human beings at all stages in our lives. Perhaps it is most noticeable during adolescence when we are trying to clarify our own identity, we want to be accepted and we allow ourselves to …More

POST #174 – Are Your Sins Forgiven?
The answer is simple. If you aren't willing to try to earn forgiveness for your sins, you're not really sorry for your sins. So your sins are NOT forgiven. I say willing because some sins can never be repaid and some of us don't have the means to pay for our sins but that doesn't remove the obligation to at least give our best effort to pay for the damages caused by our sins. On the other hand, if you are making every effort to earn forgiveness for your sins will be forgiven.
If you're wondering where I found that reference in the bible you need to read Luke 19:1-10 (Jesus and Zacchaeus the chief tax collector). In that story, Zacchaeus says, "... if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much." Jesus' response was, "Salvation has come to this house today …."
I'm not saying you have to repay four times the cost of the sin but if you're like Zacchaeus and don't want to take any chances, four times the cost won't be too much. You'll …More