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Let’s Chat About Prayer!

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Gary Zimak

On Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 8:30 PM Eastern, I will be leading the first ever Following The Truth Twitter chat!? Immediately after my radio show (from 8 – 8:30 PM) on BlogTalkRadio, I’ll kick off the 30 minute chat on Twitter.? We’ll be discussing the topic “Why Should I Pray?”, which is also the subject of the radio show that evening.? Want to participate?? Here’s all you have to do:

1.? Join Twitter (if you’re not already a member).? It’s free and only takes a few minutes.? Click here to sign up.

2.? Follow @thecathtruth on Twitter (that’s me!).

3.? On Tuesday, at 8:30 PM Eastern, sign on to Twitter and enter #fttchat (it stands for Following The Truth chat) in the Search box and press the magnifying glass icon.? That will let you see all of the tweets for our chat.

4. If you’d like to participate, simply put #fttchat after your tweet (to ensure that everyone sees your comment).? You can ask questions, respond to my questions, respond to other people’s questions…whatever you like.? We’ll have a 30 minute discussion about prayer!

5.? That’s all there is to it!? If you’d like to find out more about Twitter chats, click here.

I’m looking forward to chatting with you all on Tuesday January 3rd, 2012 at 8:30 PM Eastern…See you on Twitter!

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Celebrating The Mother Of God

Posted on December 31, 2011 by Gary Zimak

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum.
Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

On January 1st, while much of the world is busy making New Year’s resolutions and recovering from the excessive partying of the night before, the Catholic Church celebrates the solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. This is a perfect and fitting way to begin the new year and calls to mind the Blessed Mother’s importance in salvation history.? In His infinite wisdom, the Savior chose to enter the world by requesting the cooperation of a humble creature.? He didn’t have to do this, but He did.? In the upcoming year, let’s all resolve to grow closer to Mary.? By doing so, we will also grow closer to her Son, Jesus!

Wishing you all a blessed and holy 2012.? Thank you for all of your support and prayers over the past year.? I’m looking forward to continuing our walk on the road that leads to Jesus Christ and our eternal salvation!

In Jesus and Mary,
Gary

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Parents…Are You Doing Your Job?

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Today we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family.? God values family life so highly that He willed that the Savior would be born into an ordinary family.? In fact, Jesus spent the vast majority of His life living an ordinary life with Mary and Joseph.? Rather than go with the obvious “feel good” message about family life, I’m choosing instead to use this opportunity to remind all parents of their responsibilities to their children.? In today’s society, the family is under constant attack and it’s all too easy to lose sight of the importance of the role of parents.? Long days at the office and endless after-school activities can pose a serious threat to the unity of the family when abused.? As parents, we need to remember that we are going to be judged for how we raise our children.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC):

Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery – the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the “material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones.” Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them. (CCC 2223)

Furthermore, educating our children about the Catholic Faith is not only a privilege, but is a serious responsibility:

Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the “first heralds” for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church.? A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one’s life.Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents. (CCC 2225-2226)

My wife is a religious education teacher at our parish and the majority of her students DO NOT attend Mass on Sundays!? This is a serious problem and will cause many parents to answer some difficult questions on their day of judgment.? Aside from the obvious duty to ensure that we take our children to Mass, we also need to be aware of the example that we’re setting for them at home.

Do we gossip about others?

Are we negative?

Do we use offensive language?

Do we speak about our relationship with Christ?

Do we pray with our families?

Do we constantly lose our temper?

Do we watch immoral TV shows?

As a father, I need to reflect on these questions daily.? Sadly, many times I fall short of the mark, but I have to keep trying.? Calling on the grace received in the sacrament of marriage, I constantly ask the Lord to help me be a better father.? How about you?? Could you do a better job with your children?? On this feast of the Holy Family, ask Mary and Joseph to help you to better live up to your responsibilities as a parent.

?Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe [in me] to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were put around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. (Mark 9:42)

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The Feast Of St. Stephen – A Case Of Bad Timing?

Posted on December 26, 2011 by Gary Zimak

“If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

One day after the beautiful celebration of Christmas, the Church honors the first Christian martyr, St. Stephen.? Talk about bad timing!? Isn’t this supposed to be the season of joy and peace?? Is the Church calendar so crowded that we had to squeeze Stephen in this week?? Wouldn’t he be a better fit during the season of Lent?

In reality, the Church knows exactly what she’s doing and this celebration (and yes, it is a celebration) takes place at the perfect time.? We often? tend to focus on the pleasant aspects of our Catholic Faith and neglect the painful realities that are necessary for followers of Christ.? While most people know that the colors of the Christmas season are red and green, few know the meaning behind those colors.? Green is the color of life and represents the birth of the Savior and the eternal life promised to His followers.? Red, on the other hand, represents suffering and the blood which has been shed for the Faith.? If we compare our lives to a Christmas wreath, we see that the red and the green are intertwined.? If we truly wish to follow the Lord, we must be prepared to suffer in some capacity.

St. Stephen was a deacon in the early Church (Acts 6:1-6) and became to first Christian to be martyred for the Faith (Acts 7:54-60).? What was Stephen’s crime that resulted in his being stoned to death?? He told the people something that they didn’t want to hear!? After relating the story of God’s covenant and the stubbornness of the? Israelites (Acts 7: 1-50), he proceeded to tell his listeners that they were also at fault (Acts 7:51-53).? As a result, they cried out, covered their ears (great way of handling something you don’t want to hear, isn’t it?), and stoned him to death.? As he lay dying, St. Stephen forgave his attackers (Acts 8:60).

In the present age, there are many issues that can cause us to be “martyred”.? Defense of life, condemnation of contraception, loyalty to the Catholic Church and her teachings, refusal to gossip or use foul language, etc.? Any of these things can bring on an attack when proclaimed.? By remaining silent we can sometimes avoid the suffering and backlash that speaking out could send our way.? On the other hand, St. Stephen didn’t care about the consequences.? He accepted the “red” along with the “green”.? He spoke out even though it caused him to suffer and die.

How about you?

“And I tell you, every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of man also will acknowledge before the the angels of God, but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8-9)

Posted in abortion, martyrdom, suffering | Comments Off

Merry Christmas!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Gary Zimak

See, your Lord proclaims to the ends of the earth: say to daughter Zion, your Savior comes! (Isaiah 62:11)

Wishing all of my friends a Blessed and Holy Christmas!? May you and your loved ones be surrounded by the joy and peace that flows from Our Savior, Jesus Christ.? Thank you for all of your prayers and support throughout the year.? I will continue to keep you all in my daily prayers!

Your Brother in Christ,
Gary

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The Light Is Coming!

Posted on December 24, 2011 by Gary Zimak

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

In a sense, we all have some degree of darkness in our lives.? Problems, fears and uncertainty can sometimes cause us to stumble on the dark road on which we travel.? Two thousand years ago, the world waited for the arrival of the Savior, the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.? Although it’s a historical fact that He did indeed arrive and was born in a stable in Bethlehem, many of us still need to welcome Him into our own lives.? It doesn’t matter whether we actively practice our faith or have fallen away, we can ALL stand to get closer to Our Lord.? At this holy time of the year, let’s make a promise to welcome the Savior in our lives and ask Him to remain with us.? By doing so, we’ll be able to walk in the light and safely navigate the treacherous roads of life.

The glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind will see the saving power of God.? (Isaiah 40:5)

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An Advent Challenge: Love Your Enemies!

Posted on December 13, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Dear Lord,
So far today I’ve done all right.
I haven’t gossiped, cursed, or lost my temper.
I haven’t been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish or overindulgent.
I am really glad about these things.
But, in a few minutes Lord,
I am going to get out of bed,
and from then on,
I’m probably going to need a lot more help.
Thank You,
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.? (Author unknown)

Most of us will chuckle when reading this prayer, but isn?t the message really true?? One of the most difficult aspects of being a Christian is dealing with people.? Especially challenging is Jesus? command to love one another.? Even more difficult is the Lord?s command not just to love those who love us back, but to love those who annoy us and to love those who (gulp!) hate us?our enemies!

If I had my choice, here?s how I would like to practice my faith.? I?d take a prayer book, rosary, and my Bible and sit in church or an adoration chapel for several hours each day.? I would be able to speak with the Lord, feel His presence and experience total peace.? Although it?s not impossible, it is very difficult to commit sin while I?m in church.? By using this approach, chances are good that I wouldn?t be sinning that much.? Therefore, achieving my salvation would be a ?piece of cake?.? Brilliant strategy, right?? The only problem is that this is not even close to what the Lord wants me to do.

Like it or not, most of our lives are spent interacting with people.? We must deal with family, friends, coworkers, fellow students, store clerks, uncaring receptionists at doctor?s offices, demanding supervisors, customers who scream at us because they are not happy and individuals who absolutely don?t like us and want to make us suffer as much as possible.?? Do you get the picture?? Some of these dealings are just not going to be pleasant.? Fortunately for us, the Lord gives us some guidelines to follow:

I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. (John 13:34)

That?s fine, I can handle that.? How about if somebody treats me badly?? What should I do then?

Then Peter approaching asked him, ?Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?? Jesus answered, ?I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)

This is getting tough, but I think I?m still good.? If someone apologizes, I have to forgive them.? I guess the only exception to this ?love one another? thing is when someone hates me and makes no effort to be nice.

?You have heard that it was said, ?You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.? But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Now, my friends, you see what being a Christian is all about?and it ain?t easy!? In order to call ourselves followers of Jesus, we must love as He loved.? How did He love?? By forgiving those who tortured, mocked and crucified Him.? To make matters worse, the reason He was on the cross in the first place was to redeem all of mankind, which included the very people who were putting Him to death.? And despite the fact that they laughed at Him, beat Him, and hung Him on a cross to die, He forgave them!? In the same way, Jesus expects us to do the same to those who mistreat us.? While it sounds impossible, it isn?t.? The only catch is that we must ask for help.? We can?t be expected to accomplish this on our own.? If we pray and receive the Sacraments frequently, we?ll receive the graces necessary to pull this off.

The season of Advent is all about preparing for the coming of Christ.? We should be using the time to turn away from our sinful behavior so that we?re better prepared to meet Him.? For the remainder of this Advent season, why not pledge to pray for and be kind to that individual who hates you?? Ask the Lord to bless that person and offer thanks for having them in your life.? Why?? Because without that person, you wouldn?t be able to fulfill Jesus? instructions to ?love your enemy?.? Loving that enemy will help you to get to Heaven one day.

Even if you don?t have any real enemies, I?m sure you can think of a really annoying and difficult person for whom to pray during Advent.? That would be a great use of the next few weeks.? Personally, I?m glad to be able to share this post with my Internet followers and speak about it on the radio.? For, when asking everyone to pray for the most difficult and annoying person they know, I know I?m going to get some prayers directed my way!

Do something good for someone you like least today.? (St. Anthony of Padua)

Posted in Advent, charity, love | 2 Comments

Sacred Heart Radio Needs You!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Gary Zimak

If you’re a regular listener of The Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN, you probably know that the show originates from the studios of Sacred Heart Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio.? On Thursday, December 8th, 2011, Sacred Heart Radio will be hosting a one day membership drive.? As a regular guest of the show, I’ll be appearing on the?air from 6:15-6:30 AM Eastern to do my part in helping to raise some much needed funds.?

Have you benefited at all from the Son Rise Morning Show?? If so, I’d ask you to keep this membership drive in your prayers and consider making a monetary donation.? I know that Catholic radio is greatly responsible for my love of the Faith and I’m sure many of you feel the same way.? Without the help of folks like us, many Catholic radio stations would cease to exist!

If you’re not in the Cincinnati area and would like to share in this day of special programming, you can listen live at http://www.sacredheartradio.com/? You can also make an online donation using that link.? The tentative lineup of guests is as follows (all times are Eastern):

6:00-6:15 Kevin Prendergast (studio)

6:15-6:30 Gary Zimak (phone)

6:30-6:45 Randy Hain (phone)

6:45-7:00 Cheryl Dickow (phone)

7:00-7:15 Pete Ellerhorst (studio)

7:15-7:30 Teresa Tomeo (phone)

7:30-7:45 Rita Heikenfeld (studio)

7:45-8:00 Stephanie Mann (phone)

8:00-8:15 Fr Kyle Schnippel (studio)/Marcel LeJeune (phone)

8:15-8:30 Paula Westwood (studio)/Liz Carter (studio)

8:30-8:45 Emily Bissonnette (studio)

8:45-9:00 Marybeth Hicks?(phone)

4:00-4:30 Collin Raye (studio)

4:30-4:45 Lisa Hendey (phone)/Fr Rob Jack (studio)

4:45-5:00 Thom Price (phone)/Fr Rob Jack (studio)

5:00-5:15 Bishop Joseph Binzer (studio)

5:15-5:30 Kent Linneman (studio)

5:30-6:00 Kevin Lowry (studio)

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It’s Time For The Saint Andrew Novena!

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Gary Zimak

I have to admit that when I first heard of this Novena, which begins on November 30th (the feast of Saint Andrew), I was skeptical.? It sounded a little too superstitious to me.? As I did some more research and gave it some thought, I realized that praying?this novena?causes us to focus 15 times each day, throughout all of Advent, on the moment of Our Lord’s birth.? What could be bad about that?? This year, I’ll be saying it again and invite each of you to join me.?

The St. Andrew/Christmas Novena

Say 15 times a day from St. Andrew?s Day (30 November), ending on Christmas Eve

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew, on November 30th, until Christmas will obtain what is asked.)

[Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897.]

Posted in Advent, Christmas, prayer | 14 Comments

Why I’m Glad That I Said “And Also With You”!

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Gary Zimak

Maybe I shouldn’t admit this publicly, but I did slip up and say “and also with you” at Mass today.? Although I understand that this is the first day that we’ve used the new Roman Missal, I really should know better.? I’ve blogged about the changes, devoted radio shows to them and? have been looking forward to these?modifications?for a few years.??Unfortunately, I’ll probably slip up again at daily and Sunday Mass.? Rather than beat myself up about saying the wrong response, I’m actually thankful that it happened (and will continue to happen).? Why?? Not because I want to look like a dope, but because it’s teaching me a valuable lesson.

Every time? I proclaim “and also with you” instead of “and with your Spirit” it tells me that I’m zoning out and not paying attention at Mass.??While that’s not a good thing, awareness of that fact is?the first step to recovery.? The Mass is the most important activity that takes place on earth and we want to make sure that we’re there mentally as well as physically.? At every Mass, we are mystically transported to Calvary and are able to share in the offering of Jesus by offering our lives to the Father.? We are also able to receive numerous graces through our worthy?participation.?

Did you?mess up and say the wrong?response today?? Instead of feeling bad, be?thankful?for the reminder that you were slipping into “auto pilot” mode and use it as motivation to pay?better attention each Sunday.??What better way to begin the season of Advent than by realizing that?we have some?work to do!? In this holy season, we focus on preparing to meet the Lord.? Guess who appears at every Mass?? You got it…the Savior of the world!? Paying closer attention and participating more fully at Mass is an excellent way to?get ready?for the coming of the Lord when you receive Him in Holy Communion.? Don’t miss?the opportunity!

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