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rapping priest, Fr Stan Fortuna
Here in South Florida, down the street from my home parish, was a concert featuring Fr Stan Fortuna C.F.R., the “rapping priest.” The evening concert was today @ St. Boniface Catholic Church (8330 Johnson Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33024) from 8pm until 11pm. Tickets were $10.00 per ticket. — I didn’t get a chance to go, but I’m sure he was great … I’ve seen him a couple of times already … blessing all he encounters.
Here are some You Tube video with him, if you don’t know him. Lost of video on You Tube … just search “Fr Stan Fortuna.” They don’t really do him justice … you need to see him live.
Eucharistic music video + simplicity
I found this Eucharistic music video on You Tube. It’s a collage of pictures arranged to music by a New Age band called Era (chant of an imaginary language close to Latin). This tune is called “The Mass,” I think …
DOTS — Narnia, Lion, Witch, Wardrobe movie, part 2 (in Spanish) — dish washing duty — Rector’s Conference on “Simplicity of Life” — LOST rerun — Night Prayer 4
David Crowder Band – “O Praise Him” (song)
Since morning prayer, I’ve been singing “O praise Him, Alleluia …” and tried to find a video with it, but found another favorite by David Crowder Band called “O Praise Him” with a simple, but interesting video. Here it is:
DOTS — Narnia, Lion, Witch & Wardrobe (in Spanish) part 1 — Pauline Epistles & Theology in New Testament class — washing dishes duty — Enchanted — (Irish reporter movie?)
(video) “When God Ran” by Phillips Craig & Dean
On our first day of Holy Week break, our rector, Fr Michael, sent an email with a You Tube video link. It features clips from The Passion of the Christ movie to the Phillips Craig & Dean song “When God Ran.” — a powerfully good focus for reflection for entering Holy Week.
“Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself and took the form of a slave, being born of human estate, and it was thus that he humbled himself, obediently accepting even death, death on a cross!
“Because of this, God highly exalted him and bestowed upon him the name above every other name, so that at Jesus’ name every knee must bend in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth, and every tongue proclaim to the glory of God the Father: JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!” — Philippians2:6-11
Leeland songs + poverty
I stumbled upon some great videos by a newer Christian group called Leeland. They’re very deep, passionate and “present.” I also saw them in concert last year at an Aquire the Fire youth conference. I fresh and renewing sound to the Christian mainstream.
The first video/song is Leeland’s “Tears of the Saints“ with a collage of today’s poverty [dedicated to Karl Marx, spokesman for the poor, & Contemporary Philosophy class]. The video (and included lyrics) was put together by a Baptist minister. There are others on YouTube, but I like this one.
The second video/song is Leeland’s “Sound of Melodies“ — simply a great sound.
This last video is Leeland in concert with a moment of Scripture & “How Great Thou Art.” — indeed.
Group 1 Crew + Forgive Me (song)
It looks like Thursdays are going to be my YouTube & christian music post day. I’m not a huge Christian hip-hop fan, but when I hear something good, it’s worth noting (especially if it can hold its weight with greats like TobyMac, Grits & KJ-52). I saw newcomer Group 1 Crew perform at the Winter Jam Christian Music Festival at UM last month and I still can’t get 4000 people singing this chorus out of my head. This is “Forgive Me.” [Lyrics at LyricsMode.com]
Behind the Song:
“This song was birthed after a deep time of prayer in which we discovered the need for understanding how God viewed us in the light of his forgiveness. So many times as humans we like to place humanistic qualities on God simply because we can’t comprehend how He can love such unlovable creatures…and yet He still does. This song gives every listener the courage to believe that with God, it’s never too late to be forgiven. When you embrace this grace He’s made available to us, there’s nothing you ever need to fear. No valley in your life is permanent…” – Group 1 Crew
the NAC seminary in Rome
Tonight, after dinner, we had a presentation about The Pontifical North American College seminary in Rome. A priest (formation leader) from Rome showed a great video and answered questions about “the NAC.” When Bishops in the US see potential charism in mature seminarians & priests, they occasionally send them to continue their formation in Rome, usually studying in specific programs that Bishops see a need for in their diocese.
As a new Pre-Theology seminarian here in little old St John Vianney College minor seminary in Miami, Florida, it was all new to me and very interesting. For the first 2 years, you don’t leave Rome. Many of the classes are in Italian. It sounds like a great opportunity and gift to be chosen, but is a big change and quite intimidating. That’s probably why they select men who are mature and fairly sure of their priestly vocation for such a big step. Their website is @ pnac.org.
Coincidently, a few days ago, I found a blog of Ted Martin, a seminarian of Kalamazoo, Michigan that is currently in his first year of theological studies at the Gregorian University living at the NAC in Rome. He’s got some great pictures of his experience in the Vatican. His blog is @ theodoremartin.blogspot.com — I’ll definitely check it out every now and then.
cute videos + Psalm 23 girl + Mom overture
FUN VIDEOS — I found some cute & funny christian videos from GodTube & YouTube that I have to post.
(video) PSALM 23 GIRL — reciting Psalm 23 as only a child can tell it … adorable!
(video) MOM OVERTURE — “The Mom” song, sung to the William Tell Overture, by Anita Renfroe at a “Women of Faith” Conference. What a mom says in 24 hours, condensed into 3 minutes! Hilarious and talented! Lyrics for “The Mom Song” are on its YouTube page.
“philosopher soccer”
Yesterday was our exam on Modern Philosophy (not easy) and tommorrow is Ancient Philosophy. As some of us took a break from a study session, we found this YouTube video from Monty Python about Philosopher’s Football (Soccer) that has the (Ancient) Greeks verse the (Modern & Contemporary) Germans. — Hillarious! (but only because I kinda-know some philosophy)
Miami seminary
I was looking on the Archdiocese of Miami website for a video of catholic military chaplains that is no longer on their video page (–I downloaded it last year). There is, however, a great little video about St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami (which I’m starting next month) called “A Call to Faith” (DSL or dialup).
While I continued searching the website, I found a great article from last year called, “The people of God deserve the best.” It’s an interview with Father Michael Carruthers, the new rector of St. John Vianney Seminary. He spoke about the quality and “wholesomeness” of the young men who are entering the seminary today. I found a profile on him as well as 24 other priests on another page called “Building the City of God.” Besides hearing some great homilies last November @ the “Seminary Vocation Weekend,” I personally met with Father Carruthers (as part of the application process) and was very impressed by his sincerity, encouragement and attentive ear. — he’s definitely someone I look forward to grow with.
Exorcism outs the Devil
One of the greatest “gifts” God gave to the Church was the power of exorcism. What most people think about when you say exorcism is actually a “major exorcism” where the Church determines a demon has possessed someone’s body (but not taking their free will) and a priest (approved by the bishop) does the rite of exorcism (usually done in 5 minutes, but may take several months). I didn’t explore my ignorance about exorcism (because I thought it may invite bad stuff) until I saw a DVD available called “Interview with an Exorcist”.
Here’s a few facts that clarified my misconceptions. Although a demon may possess a body, it does not control a person’s free will. All priest are taught the rite, but the bishop must approve doing one. A priest prepares more for the the sacrament of reconciliation than the rite of exorcism. Priests have been known to successfully perform exorcisms in the state of mortal sin (it’s not a battle between the priest & a demon, it’s between GOD & the demon). Any prayer denouncing the power of Satan is a prayer of exorcism. Although a majority of possessions includes some occult practices, even a Christian believer can be possessed (although less likely).
I think I was more afraid of exorcism due to my own ignorance than I am today. I would recommend more knowledge & understanding to those who may empathize. A new book supplements the DVD just came out. More Catholic resources on exorcism are HERE. The movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose is also pretty good.
I saw an episode of Showtime’s Penn & Teller’s Bullsh*t about exorcism (season 5#5). They had some ridiculous (non-Catholic) “exorcists” that made the whole rite into a joke, concluding there is no such thing as demonic possession. They just affirm Verbal Kint (Kevin Spacey), “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he did not exist.”
This is WHY exorcism is a “gift.” In an exorcism, Satan is manifested (revealing his existence) and the supreme power of God over evil glorifies our Lord. — but I don’t want to be the person in the middle (possessee).
SJVCS Seminary Life Album
July '09 -- hospital chaplains @ IPF
Easter '09 -- Miami SJVCS friends
the Son always finds a break in let the clouds
Feb '09 -- school vocation talks @ AMHS
Feb '09 -- cold breakfast with brothers (Matias, Fenly & Randy), now at SVDP and Imad (at SJVCS)
Superbowl '09 -- eating great @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- Worklist Coordinators?
St Raphael Chapel mural @ SJVCS
Sept '08 -- retreats @ SJVCS
"It's not easy being green"
Catholic Kermit 
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