Fr. Maassen's Message - 11/05/2023

Dear partners in the mission,
 
What happened to the St. Louis Cardinals this year?  Do you think it was the pitching, the inconsistent hitting,  etc. I am guessing you have some thoughts on our major league baseball team. Why are you Catholic?  Why do you go to Mass?  What do you know about miracles?
 
Perhaps you can answer the question about the Cardinals a little more easily than questions about the faith. Why is that? Which is more important? I want to encourage you to continue to learn and grow in our Catholic faith.  One website I use and recommend is catholic.com.  Many of the apologists are converts to the Catholic faith.
 
Recently, I was researching a particular miracle, with an eye for defending the reality that it truly happened. By the way, at every Mass there is a miracle. I was researching the Miracle of the Sun. Let me be clear, I don't believe in every claimed miracle (outside of doctrinal miracles which require the assent of faith...Incarnation, Resurrection Transubstantiation etc.) nor does any Catholic have to believe in them.

The Miracle of the Sun is incredibly difficult to ignore and I would add, there is no reasonable or rational explanation for it, other than it was an incredible miracle. October 13th, 1917 the Sun did some amazing things. It was witnessed by thousands upon thousands who were told it would happen on that very day, which is why thousands were present.  Many of those witnesses were non-believers and hostile to the church.   The ground and the people were soaking wet, but all became dry in minutes. The children refused to recant what they had been told by the Blessed Mother even in fear of death.  Predictions came true and there is more.
 
Peace,
Fr.  Maassen