Notes for the next broadcast

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Extremadura.
Like Mother, like Son.

The bambino, Rocco, and St. Joseph

Sitz im leben

Spring cleaning!

• Liturgical year.

Gina's notes

March 26

• The March for Marriage is taking place today in Washington, D.C.
• Prayer for the Protection of Marriage.
• Android tablet users can now download the iCatholicRadio mobile app!
• "This program is brought to you by you, and it is brought to life by your calls and correspondence. If you enjoy listening to and participating in this show, please be generous to the Station of the Cross Catholic Radio during our upcoming fund drive."
• Popestuff:

1. Betty from Cheektowaga via e-mail: What was the significance of Benedict changing his shoes? Why did the press reports about his retirement mention it so often?

• Anonymous. Please pray for Shelley in recovering from a recent open heart surgery.
• Chris. I have a friend who told me: "I’m not too happy with the church. Changing those prayers was not necessary. I also don’t care for the fact that in many scriptures they change the words so it is now “politically correct.” What the heck is that all about? Leave God’s word & His holy scripture from the Apostles alone. Okay, just my little gripes." Can you tell me how best to respond ?
• Rebecca. Buffalo, New York. My husband and I are currently expecting our second child and we could not be more excited. Sadly, I must report that since we have been married, we have used contraception as our means of family planning. Now, becoming closer and more understanding of our Catholic faith, we are planning to explore Natural Family Planning methods that are approved by the Church. We are both very nervous about this. The couple that presented at our pre-cana class prior to our wedding did not provide us with any foundation to understanding the approved methods and how they are actually implemented. Could you talk about Natural Family Planning and provide us with some direction or resources?
• Kim: In today's Gospel, Jesus said, the one who eats this bread after I dip it in the wine will betray me. Judas ate the bread and satan entered into him. He then went and betrayed Jesus. Would Judas have been forgiven if he went to Jesus and was truly sorry for what he had done? Was what Judas did an example of how we are lead into temptation and by not avoiding temptation we sin?
• Anonymous. Based on Matthew 16:18 why did Jesus start a new religion? Is Judaism that bad?
• Debra. Vancouver, Washington. Is it wrong for a female to sell her eggs so another couple may have a chance to have a baby?
• Christopher. Houston, Texas. sent via iPhone. Did Judas receive the Eucharist at the Last Supper?
• Dan. Batavia, New York. Would like to speak to father about his friend who has cancer.
• Joyce. Buffalo, New York. Her 102 yr. old mother-in-law is in hospital with many complications, and she would like to talk to speak to father and have his prayers.
• Rita. Rochester, New York. Prayers please for her daughter-in-law Rachel, 33, who recently. and prayers also for the family as they mourn her passing.
• Bob. Boston, New York. Has a question regarding Judas and if he was affiliated with any other organizations of the time?

March 22

• Suggest we do a daily pitch--10 seconds. "This program is brought to you by you. If you enjoy listening to this show, please be generous to the Station of the Cross Catholic Radio during our upcoming fund drive."
• Sunday is Palm Sunday!
• Our visitor from last week, Mother Olga, asked our prayers for herself and for the Daughters of Mary of Nazareth.
• Psalm 18. "I love you, LORD, my strength."
• Popestuff:

1. What is a "Jesuit"?
2. Marie in Amherst: For first time since the schism in 1054 AD, an Ecumenical Patriarch attended the pope’s installation Mass.
3. Dan from Batavia, New York: I heard the news of black smoke on The Station of the Cross at the same time I was trying to explain to someone the importance of our prayers for the Holy Spirit to guide the Cardinals. Out of nowhere, it hit me that the Cardinals were in the shoes of Jesus during the Conclave, in that Jesus Himself chose the first Pope. Is that the right way of thinking about the election of Pope Francis?

• Phil from Indooroopily, Australia, not too far away from Woolloongaba, via Facebook: Was Vatican II a bad thing for the church? I know a lot of people who wish it never happened, and many want to bring back the traditional Latin mass.

• Dan from Bativa, New York, at the end of last week's show: What led to the second Vatican Council adopting a new stance toward non-Catholic Christians and non-Christian religions?

• Elizabeth from Clarence, NY: Mother of five and first time listening: Would like to share the blessings. She is very happy to have found the station and saw it on a bumper sticker.
• Brian from Facebook: Greetings Nicolette and Fr. Marty, I understand a deacon and priest are ordained by a bishop. A bishop is ordained by the Pope. How does the Pope become 'ordained'? Is it strictly by election or is there a 'laying on' of hnds by the Cardinals?
• Barbara from Kenmore, NY: May the elderly who are suffering from Alzheimers or some other form of dementia receive the Blessed Sacrament? She heard that they cannot. She is Eastern rite and wonders why babies can, but those with dementia cannot.
• Bob from Boston, NY: Are there others instances of Eucharistic Miracles besides (Luciano)?
• Ellen from Buffalo: Wants to tell you the name of the book--Joan Carroll Cruz, Eucharistic Miracles.
• Freddy from from Chicago on Android: Can you take communion when living together and are engaged?
• Delores from Boston, NY: Wants to say that there is another Eucaristic Miracle she heard of in Bueno Aires.
• Chad from Rochester: If two people married in a Protestant ceremony and now want to become Catholic, does their marriage have to be endorsed by the Catholic Church?

March 15

• Peace Prayer of St. Francis.
• Mother Olga.
• Anonymous from Rhode Island: She heard that once the cardinals choose a pope, that man has the option to refuse the election. Is this correct? She wondered how this could be the work of the Holy Spirit, unless that also was in His plan.
• Paul W. from Facebook: I work in construction and climb ladders all day long. I worry that not eating but one meal (meatless) on the days of "fast and abstinence" might not afford the strength I need to perform at work. Is there any exception for fasting under these circumstances?
• Jessica from Tonawanda, NY: Question for Mother ... What kind of a response do you get wearing a habit? What do you think of lay women who choose to dress plainly?
• Scott from Rochester, New York: How can I explain purgatory to non-Catholics... It isn't in the scriptures?
• Jerry Please pray for my recovery from recent surgery as I am told it may take a lengthy amount of time.
• Christian: On the 30th I will be fully Roman Catholic and I ask to please keep me in your prayers. My question is I have found money next to a group of girls in school and I did not know who it belonged to, so I took it. Would this be considered stealing and will I need to confess this? I already made my first confession, and I also want to know if you have advice on how I can overcome temptation.
• Please pray for Health, to get a job, and special intentions.

"Go to Joseph."

• Nick from Toronto, Canada: Follow up on purgatory. The priests are not mentioning it at Mass.
• Carla from Rochester, New York: Wants to say hi and that I was happy that Mother blessed my stomach last year and the baby turned out fine.
• Anthony: You mentioned the Syrian Catholic Church, are they Roman Catholics?
• Anonymous: Please pray for my health, to find a job and for my special intentions.
• Kimberly from Rochester: Prayer Request: for healing of serious intestinal problems.
• Ellen from Buffalo, New York: Very Happy Mother is here. Comments on St.. Joseph.
• Lisa from Buffalo, New York: I have a job offer to be a health mother for 20+ Chinese girls at a Catholic School. Many of them are Buddhist. Do you have tips?
• Dan from Bativa, New York: What led to the second Vatican Council adopting a new stance toward non-Catholic Christians and non-Christian religions?

8 March (solo!)

• Memorial of St. John of God (1495–1550).
• Sunday Gospel: Parable of the Merciful Father.
• Prayers for the Dying.
• Thank Kathy Gallagher for being on the show last week.
• Pray for fathers and mothers who have had abortions.
• A former student of mine asks for prayers for himself as he returns to the practice of the Catholic faith.
• Danielle: "I work in a fast-food restaurant. We offer a special discount on Wednesdays as well as Fridays during Lent. How did Wednesdays came to be a secondary day of fast and abstinence during Lent?"
• John from Webster, NY: Are there any exceptions to not receiving Communion more than twice/day?
• Paul from Amherst: What do you know about Gary Wills who says Jesus is one of God's prophets and also that the Letter to the Hebrews is illegitimate?
• Steve from Buffalo: do you have a comeback for "that is not very Christian of you"?
• Barbara from Kenmore: do you know anything about a March for Marriage in Washington? She think she heard it on Al Kresta.
• Michael from Welland, Ont. Canada: Is your guardian angel's name the same as our name (e.g., Michael)?
• Sandy from Buffalo: Gan you tell her what happened to Hagar and Ishmael after they were sent out?

1 March

• Sunday gospel: parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13). God is a good gardener. He wants us to produce good fruit.
• Discussion of Reproductive Health Act with Kathleen Gallagher, director of pro-life activities for the New York State Catholic Conference.
• Jess: What are the implications for pregnant women in the future and bearing children? My husband and I are concerned about how this affects bringing new life into the world and why as Catholics we should be concerned.
• Bob wants to know if this law passes, will abortion be legal through whole pregnancy?
• Rob from Williamsville: question whether there are positive initiatives in NYS that will replace this negative one?
• Julia in Webster, NY: Do you know that Justin Bieber's mother is on a mission to help women who are being forced to have abortions?
• Chad from Rochester, NY: What is the progress of this bill. Where is it now?
• Polly from Tonawanda: What can we do to help?
• http://www.nyscatholic.org
• http://newyorkersforlife.org
• http://www.facebook.com/NYS4Life