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Fr. Edward's avatar

This sharing is filled with the kind of critical distinctions it would be important to sit and reflect on. They guide us to the goal of Jesus and show how we are called to share as the suffering Church, His true Body.

In the midst of the exhortation to prayer for the Consistory, our good bishop frames those prayers within the context of a Church diminished greatly by the prior Pontificate, with a body chosen and packed hoping to be the majority going forward. But God, who is always in control, sends His Spirit to achieve His will. This prayer for conversion must begin in us if its fruit is to go forth and achieve the ends God intends.

Of all the reflections I have read anticipating the Consistory, Bishop Strickland’s is the most honest and helpful appraisal I have seen. Heed his words. Pray and make acts of sacrifice to Jesus through Mary for her to crush the head of the serpent infecting so much of our leadership through their fearful silence and denial!

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Marie Wood's avatar

Would the Church have more Shepherds of this caliber she would not be in the present state of decline.

Bishop Joseph brings us a reflection with the Hope of a reinvigorated Church, resurrected by the passion of her faithful to pray and sacrifice for her victory on earth following the imitation of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We may not be victorious without Him going first to the Cross for us. VIVA CRISTO REY!

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Mary Suddath's avatar

Thank you for expressing this so clearly- especially the part about the human element of the Church. That is what often distracts and troubles me, so your fatherly advice has given me great comfort this morning.

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Diane Nohr's avatar

God has truly blessed us with this Good Shepherd to guide us in these uncertain times, and encourage us to stay hopeful no matter what the world sends us to endure.

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Marie Wood's avatar

Yes, indeed. Keep Bishop Joseph in your daily prayers. We must stay the course. Semper Fidelis!!

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Claudia Schoener's avatar

Thank you, Bishop Strickland, for your words of hope, comfort, and direction. It is difficult when the Roman Catholic Church is falling away from the truth. Most of our bishops and priests, in this time of turbulence, are abandoning their flocks through silence. Yes, we must pray as we have never prayed before, for a restoration of the Church established by Jesus.

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EMILY JEBBIA's avatar

Beautiful. Powerful. Honest. Thank you, Bishop Strickland, for the most clearsighted evaluation of the present situation of the Church as we go into this conclave. I don't have a lot of hope in the men involved, but I have complete trust in God. I know that Christ's Church will prevail. But I also believe that the situation we have lived since 2013, and continue to live, is unprecedented in the long history of the Church---and therefore may require unprecedented actions and graces on God's part, and ours.

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Marie Wood's avatar

The Barque of Peter will be righted and put on the course to victory when the Body of Christ sets its mind and heart to follow Jesus come what may. Through the outline set by Bishop Joseph, prayer, repentance and sacrifice will need to be “the order of the day”.

As Catholic Americans, we should re-examine the words of Sr. Lucia: “Our Lord explained to her: ‘The sacrifice required of every person is the fulfillment of his duties in life and the observance of My law. This is the penance that I now seek and require.’"

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EDIE SZYPERSKI's avatar

Dear Bishop Strickland,

This teaching was your best yet! You brought to light the Crucifixion of the Church - and the sure Resurrection to come. No matter what transpires at the Conclave, Jesus is on His throne and HE is the Head of the Church. Glory to God in the highest!

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Diana Compton's avatar

Wonderful, inspired encouragement. Thank you Bishop Strickland and God bless you!

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Susan Lettunich's avatar

Thank you Bishop Strickland, following you lead 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 “Pray Pray Pray”

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Joe S's avatar

Bishop Strickland, thank you for the excellent presentation of all the emotions and concerns many are facing in the leadup to and for what may be the results of the Conclave. I will admit that I have been viewing the Conclave with serious misgivings as a human that perceives that the deck was stacked against any traditionalist and in favor of the progressive factions of the Church.

I do not have any idea how long the persecution will endure, but your presentation and clearly spiritual perspective has brought me a peace of resignation. Resignation not in as giving up or losing hope, but in the fact that whatever happens, the Faith I have come to love and ascribe to will not die as long as I hold on to it and all the teachings of the Apostles and Church Fathers.

Thank you! I read and reflect upon all your posts as they are so rich and edifying!

May God's blessings continue to overshadow you, protect you, and guide you throughout the rest of your life!!!

I have shared this article with everybody in my contact list!

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Marie Wood's avatar

You state very well what we all are thinking. I share Bishop Joseph’s writings, also.

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Linda Campbell's avatar

Beautiful. I feel so much lighter. Thank you for the words of encouragement and the gentle reminder to pray.

The struggle to hold firm to the Catholic Church in our morally upside-down culture became so much harder these past few years when the Church appeared to submit to worldly pressures to “play nice” and not be so “judgy”. I found myself wandering

This world needs the truth if souls are to be saved. I fear that so many Christians, myself included, have gone soft and squishy. We want people to be nice and good, but mostly we just want them not to dislike us. We water down all our beliefs or just stay silent to avoid confrontation. I want to be a warrior for Christ, not an obstacle. We have had it so easy here in the United States that we forget Christians throughout the world are killed for what we take so casually for granted. It is very humbling.😔

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Marie Wood's avatar

AMEN! I’ve thought and expressed the same sentiments. St. Joan of Arc, pray for us! I am a warrior, too. Join me in making a Covenant of Love with the Mother Thrice Admirable. The three graces will strengthen your resolve.

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Bob's avatar

The Bishop of Rome discerned by our brothers guided by the Holy Spirit Is NOT crowned. Guided by the same Holy Spirit in union with the Bishops he shepherds us along the path through the opening doors of which Pope St John Paul II speaks. Behold, He is doing something new!!

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Marie Wood's avatar

The Bishop of Rome is at the same time the Vicar of Christ on earth. As such, we can say he is crowned just as Jesus was crowned with a crown of thorns. The Bishop of Rome follows Christ and he is to lead us to him.

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Bob's avatar

The vicar of a king does not wear the crown

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Marie Wood's avatar

True, if we were referring to a monarch.

"Vicar of Christ" is a title, primarily used in the Catholic Church, to refer to the Pope. It signifies that the Pope acts as a representative of Christ on Earth, possessing supreme authority within the Church. The term "vicar" means a substitute or representative, so "Vicar of Christ" means that the Pope acts in the place of Christ, leading and guiding the Church.

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Bob's avatar

In communion with the bishops. He is the first among equals

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Marie Wood's avatar

Yes. However, he is expected to exemplify Christ in every way possible.

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Bob's avatar

Like me and you

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Thomas's avatar

I find myself running to read and/or watch His Eminence Bishop Strickland's guidance on what to do and where I go from here! His Eminence is wise and the predominant American Catholic prelate in my lifetime. I'm a strong man, a military man, a Catholic fighter and a man with my family only second behind Jesus Christ. However, I still need Bishop Strickland's leadership and guidance on a daily basis. He is my Admiral during these rough seas.

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Marie Wood's avatar

You are not alone. I find the simplicity of his words easy to understand and moving at the same time. We are blessed to have his faithful guidance.

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Thomas's avatar

I'm a retired Navy Veteran (27yrs), when serving in combat we needed leadership that told us what to accomplish. Bishop Strickland is just like that but he makes us think about his lesson by speaking in parables like Jesus with the Apostles. When he speaks it's time to shut your mouth, open your ears and learn! That's exactly what I do ... Have a nice day Miss .. God Bless You and Keep You Safe ...

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Marie Wood's avatar

Is there a hidden message in your comment?

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Thomas's avatar

LOL - not that I'm aware of ... I'm just saying that when Strickland speaks I listen !!! I'm too old to play games ... I just tell it how I see em' ... :)

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Marie Wood's avatar

Totally!!

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Cindy Kelley's avatar

Truly balm for the heart, mind, and soul. Thank you, Bishop Strickland.

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Don Sovie's avatar

Viva Christo Rey♥️🦅🙏🙏🙏

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Elisabeth M Lombardi's avatar

Thank you again dear Bishop Strickland

Yes Christ is the Church. You lead the flock to the right direction: to Christ no matter what happens ❤️. Elisabeth Lombardi from Baltimore

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Marie Wood's avatar

A true Shepherd.

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Trish Warfel's avatar

Is there a link to the podcast?

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