St. Michael, Archangel

Today is the Feast of St. Michael and Leslie's name day.

Faces of Modern Saints

Father Hewko was back in town this weekend. Sunday sermon posted.

The Communion of Saints

We have had some interest from non-Catholic readers concerning the saints. The saints, of course, are our brothers and sisters in the Faith who have gone before us, "fought the good fight" and have "attained the prize" as St. Paul writes in his epistles. There are countless hidden, unrecognized saints. There are also thousands upon thousands of canonized saints, men, women and children since the time of the original Apostles from all walks of life who have led lives of heroic virtue, walking in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Canonized saints have passed through rigorous investigations into every detail of their lives to ensure their sanctity (and I would add, mental and emotional stability). In addition, there must be proven miracles attributed to a person presented for canonization that cannot be explained scientifically in order to provide Heavenly proof for sainthood. The Catholic Church investigates miracles using scientists within the Church, as well as scientists outside of the Church, preferably non-believers, to ensure authenticity of the claims. It is important to stress that for an event/phenomena to be declared a miracle, there can be absolutely no scientific explanation for the occurance.

Saints are important as examples of how to live a holy life, and since they hail from all walks of life and nationalities, one can easily find a saint to identify with. Catholics request prayers from the saints in heaven (they are alive in heaven) as one requests prayers from a good friend here on earth. Since they are in heaven, and part of the Beatific Vision, their prayers are very powerful. One is simply astounded when studying the lives and miracles of the known saints, many overcoming insurmountable personal obstacles and persecutions. Such lives provide much encouragment to us and demonstrate that we can persevere in sanctity in our own lives.

A caricature of a saint would lead one to believe they were perfect and untouchable. This is far from the truth. They suffered from the same temptations and defects that all of us do; the difference is that they struggled and overcame their faults for love of God ("for love of God" is the point that needs to be stressed). As such, God is glorified through them, because ultimately their perseverence came through His Grace and Strength.

Here are a few links of interest.

Some general information:
On the Saints from Fisheaters

A book of short biographical sketches on some of the most popular saints:
Little Pictorial Lives of the Saints

The Jesuit missionaries in North America
Saints of the American Wilderness

Biblical and Historical Explanation of the Communion of Saints
Any Friend of God's Is a Friend of Mine

Persecuted Saints of the First Three Centuries after the Resurrection of Christ
The Roman Martyrology

Excellent Sermons on Specific Saints:
Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne

Blessed Maria de Agreda: The REAL Flying Nun

Saint Maria Goretti

The Angels: Feast of St. Michael

Saint Potitus

Saint Sebastian

Saint Juliana

Blesseds Louis and Zelie Martin

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And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer; and he was given much incense to mingle with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. Revelation 8:3-4

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Obamajugend

To compliment the "Obama Youth" video a couple of posts down...

Prayers Needed

After a day yesterday of the washing machine breaking down (again) and some other interesting events, Leslie was struck from behind at a stop light while on her way to the church for some quiet prayer time. She had a battery of X-rays at the hospital and, thank God, no serious injury (to either of the drivers). And just when we think we are having problems, we received news of a stricken family who has several girl's at the Dominican school with our girls. Details follow. Please pray for a miracle.

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Urgent prayers are needed for a young mother, Alicia Bradley, who has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor (the tumor is not contained, it has “fingers,” making it impossible to remove). The family has 10 children and Alicia is pregnant, due in January, with her 11th. The doctors are hoping to take the baby at 7 months.

We are asking God, through the intercession of Our Blessed Mother, for a miracle. Please, in addition to remembering her in your daily prayers and rosaries, add 3 Memorares for this intention.

Alicia is on a fruit and vegetable-only diet, and we are hoping to stop the growth of this tumor and, perhaps, with supplements, actually reduce it. May God’s Holy Will be done. She has only been given between 3-6 weeks to live.

Also, if you are able to help this family financially with their escalating bills, it would be a great blessing. Donations in any amount can be sent to Alicia's sister-in-law, Colleen Edwards, 2758 Connors Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027.

Thank you all, and may God bless you!
Joan Lempka


Novena to Our Lady of Good Success
* Hail Mary Most Holy, Beloved Daughter of God the Father
Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres,
grant thy good success to this request (name request)...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be...
Saint Michael, pray for us.

* Hail Mary Most Holy, Admirable Mother of God the Son
Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres,
grant thy good success to this request (name request) ...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
Saint Gabriel, pray for us.

* Hail Mary Most Holy, Most Faithful Spouse of the Holy Ghost
Through the intercession of Mother Mariana de Jesus Torres,
grant thy good success to this request (name request) ...
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be...
Saint Raphael, pray for us.

* Hail Mary Most Holy, Temple and Sacrarium of the Most Holy Trinity.
St. Michael, St. Gabriel, St. Raphael, pray for us.

Our Lady of Good Success, thou who art the all-powerful intercessor before the Most Holy Trinity, deign to hear and answer my request, so long as it contributes to the salvation of my soul and the glory and exaltation of Holy Mother Church.
Hail Holy Queen...

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For unto you it is given for Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Phil 1:29

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Public School Obama Youth Indoctrination

Our tax dollars at work. This video is from a school in my home state of New Jersey (Burlington county). Hitler and Stalin would be proud.

The Williams Name

My mother called yesterday to steal some of my thunder (in good spirit, of course) concerning the Hickman name by reminding me that my paternal grandfather was adopted. Even so, through legal adoption we claim the name and heritage although the bloodline is not there.

So, how about my mother's family name, Williams. Williams has Welsh origins, dates back as far as the Hickman name, at least to the eleventh century,with coat of arms motto "By following the Truth". Both of these names have great Coat of Arms mottos.

The Welsh name Williams is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name William, which is in turn derived from the Old German names Willihelm and Willelm (the Norman French version was Guillaume). Following the Norman Conquest of 1066, William became the most popular personal name in Britain for a time.

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Williams have included Williams, Quilliams, Guilliam, Guilliams and others.

First found in Breconshire and Monmouthshire on the English/Welsh border, where the Williams family held a family seat from very ancient
times.

The Hickman Name

I had a co-worker ask me recently about the origins of my name. I always thought it was German in origin and knew little else. I have done some quick research which has revealed the following:

Origin: English
The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Hickman came from the baptismal name for the son of Hickman. As the naming tradition grew in Europe, baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures. (Al Note: this makes the name "Hickman" Catholic in origin, as the Protestant revolution did not occur until the sixteenth century),

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages (Al Note: Sic! Any good historian will tell you such a statement is revisionist history. The thirteenth century, for example, had the largest university enrollment as a percentage of population of all time, even compared to today! see: Students and Discipline in the Thirteenth Century), so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations are common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Hickman family name include, Hickman, Hykeman, Hyckman and others.

First found in Oxfordshire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

For policital, religious (Al Note: the bloody persecution of Catholics during the English Reformation drove many families from England), and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived.

Above is the Hickman crest. The motto is: "Always faithful".

Happy 5th Birthday, Maria Caterina!

We shall never forget mischievous Mary Catherine in the hours just before birth. She simply would not stay in place for delivery, so Dad and a nurse had to push down on Mom's belly and hold her in place for better than an hour. She has not stopped moving since.

Bathroom Face Lift

After nearly five years and plenty of little fingers and toes running all over the surfaces of our house, interior projects are in the works. What really helped to jumpstart this effort was a call I made to my banker a week ago where she asked how much I thought my house was presently worth. The current market conditions aside, after quickly mulling over the worn carpets, peeling wallpaper and dented baseboards and door frames in virtually every room, I was naturally reluctant to throw out a figure.

Wear a tear is simply one of those normal occurances in family life, particularly large family life. With other priorities and distractions, staying ahead of it has not been my focus. So it is time to refresh in earnest. I set my sights on the downstairs bathroom as the first project. Aside from a few finishing touches it is complete. Now I am off to tackle a children's bedroom.

Ever Ancient, Ever New

This one is for Christopher who is striving as of late to walk in the

footsteps of St. Francis.

"Reverent behavior in thought, word, and deed produces humility. Humility removes the obstacles within us that are preventing us from becoming saints."
Quote from another edifying sermon found here: Very Little Reverence, Very Little Humility

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. St. Luke 2:34-35

First Day of School for the Younger Boys

+Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Thanksgiving has been walking through the yard all this week...

School Pictures Continued

Here are a couple more pictures of the first day of school in Mary Catherine and Isabella's classroom. Boys will be next week. Andrew arrived in Illinois today.

Looking for Sponsors

Thomas at 3 Months

Thomas is 3 months old today

Protecting our Children

What are we doing to protect our children? Why is Obama inserting himself by live telecast into schools? This sermon is a must listen for parents, given this past Sunday by an FSSP priest in the midwest:


Download Link: http://www.AudioSancto.org/auweb/20090906-Where-Are-Those-Whom-I-Have-Entrusted-to-You-.mp3

Girl's First Day of School

Pictures

I am stuck doing some amateur plumbing as I refinish our downstairs bathroom
Sunday Dinner

Got Leek?
Back to School Sundae party

Goodbye Summer of 2009

Summer is over. We will have a big ice cream party tomorrow for the children as the end of summer treat before the school year begins. Five of our girls begin their year with the Dominicans on Wednesday. Andrew leaves for La Salette Academy in Illinois on Thursday. The remainder of the boys begin their school year at the parish school the following week. There will be times this school year when there will only be two children at home. Where will Leslie spend all of her new found time, I wonder? I write that in jest of course.

Summer is usually a time of added fun and leisure; a time zealously anticipated during the long winter months. I must say that this summer has been one of the most difficult times of my life, from complications with Thomas and Leslie, to mysterious illnesses, kitchen floods, a long, difficult project at work that never seems to end, and lots of little oddities and difficulties to fill the gaps. This was definately not a summer at the beach for the Hickman family.

I have learned through this that I still recoil from the Cross. How many times was the Cross put in front of me (and these are still baby crosses!), with the Grace to persevere and the opportunity to grow, only to be met with the repugnance of a tepid soul. But, while I know I fell far short of what God wanted to give me through these invitations to draw closer to His Sacred Heart, I have still gained. First, I was able to see where I am spiritually. Second, I have the hope that I was able to secure graces for myself and my family during the times when I could reach out to that cross without complaint and attempt to shoulder it, at least for a short time. I am also convinced that since the start of the Rosary Crusade, that life has gotten much harder for those who are trying to contribute in their small way to the larger battle. This is actually a good sign. The powers of Hell hate this Rosary Crusade and will do everything possible to undermine it, one rosary praying religious, family, and individual at a time.

Though as I write this I am feeling a bit weary of the battle, I have hope for this coming academic year. Our children continue to receive excellent, orthodox, Catholic educations. We are here in a community that, despite its human imperfections, is having an impact on the Church at large. The word "Tradition" now seems to be whispered everyone, either out of fear from those who are doing their damnest to suppress it, or jubilation of those who are finding it for the first time, or finding it again like a long lost love.

Helping to fuel the momentum are the recent Motu Proprio freeing the Traditional Mass and the nullification of the excommunications of the Society of Saint Pius X bishops. Catholic Tradition is indeed vindicated. It is now easy to find a pocket here and a pocket there turning back to Tradition. High Altars are being restored, scholas formed, religous returning to cassock and habit, Catholics who have been asleep in the pews for decades finally waking up to the devastation that has been wrought for nearly half a century now. It is a good start, but it will take a long time and a few miracles before Christ's vineyard here on earth is restored to complete health.

Though the old battle between darkness and light rages on, as Fr. Hewko continues to say: "we must build." As is evidenced by the recent Kennedy funeral debacle, and the glorification of a man (may God have mercy on his soul) who gave public scandal to the Catholic faith through his support of abortion and sodomy, there are portions of the Church that have simply abandoned the faith, priests and bishops included, for the esteem of the world. Communities like ours are the hope of the Church, and that is not meant to be a boast. Rather, we have been given a great gift and each one of us has to look deep inside and honestly answer the question of how we are sharing it, how we are working to restore all things in Christ? Certainly it begins by picking up our crosses and joyfully walking the Via Dolorosa of our lives for our loved ones and neighbor in uncompromising fidelity to the teachings of our Divine Savior.

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I realize the blog has been short on family pictures this summer. This is because our camera is beginning to show its age. We have captured some shots today and will tomorrow, so expect a post shortly.

Vincent Wedding Sermon

Fr. Jackson preached the Vincent wedding sermon alternating between English and French. Since my two years of high school French did not get me very far with the language, I just assumed that English and French speaking attendees were hearing the same thing. I was just recently informed that this was not quite the case as the French segments build upon the English. So, I have just posted the original sermon with the alternating languages. Those who speak French, enjoy!

When the Popes Spoke Unequivocally

But, Venerable Brethren, we shall never, however much we exert ourselves, succeed in calling men back to the majesty and empire of God, except by means of Jesus Christ. "No one," the Apostle admonishes us, "can lay other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ." (I. Cor.,iii., II.) It is Christ alone "whom the Father sanctified and sent into this world" (Is. x., 36), "the splendor of the Father and the image of His substance" (Hebr.i., 3), true God and true man: without whom nobody can know God with the knowledge for salvation, "neither doth anyone know the Father but the Son, and he to whom it shall please the Son to reveal Him." (Matth. xi., 27.) Hence it follows that to restore all things in Christ and to lead men back to submission to God is one and the same aim. To this, then, it behoves Us to devote Our care - to lead back mankind under the dominion of Christ; this done, We shall have brought it back to God. When We say to God We do not mean to that inert being heedless of all things human which the dream of materialists has imagined, but to the true and living God, one in nature, triple in person, Creator of the world, most wise Ordainer of all things, Lawgiver most just, who punishes the wicked and has reward in store for virtue.
-From the Encyclical of Pope Pius X, E Supremi, laying out the course of his pontificate to Restore All Things in Christ.

+ Feast of Pope St. Pius X

A most wonderful time

As September gets underway, here is an old favorite for those parents who might just be a little excited about the start of the new school year.

Wedding Music

Posted in the links is an MP3 of the music from the Vincent wedding. Included are the organ works performed by one of the brother's of the Bride, Mass Propers, Responses, Hymns, etc. I will cite my disclaimer now that the quality is slightly below adequate due to the recording equipment and the lack of good quality editing and mixing tools. Everything is combined into one MP3 without the partitioning of tracks. That being said, I still think it is worth the download and listen. The music was excellent.