Skip to main content
When I started writing this blog, God placed on my heart a desire to share how we are all walking a very similar path. I am not saying that we are all exactly alike but I often feel that my problems are unique and that is just not true. In addition, I find that fellow Catholics have experienced similar events. I was guided by the Holy Spirit to develop a list of seven questions and I have been sending them out all over the U.S. asking for a response. I admit it is an unusual method and probably has made some of the recipients nervous but I am happy to say that Fr. Al Baca has responded to me and his answers will be the first on this topic. Fr. Baca is Pastor of St. Cecilia's in Tustin, CA. You can learn more about him here: (http://www.stcecilia.org/about/rectory.shtml). If you would like to participate, simply respond to the following seven questions and forward your answers to fellmananthony@gmail.com. Here are the seven questions:
1. What is the biggest challenge to your faith that you have faced so far?

2. What scripture do you find yourself turning to most often?

3. How do you think God is revealing his presence to us int he world today?

4. Do you have a book that you would recommend to people trying to develop their spirituality?

5. Why do you think bad things happen to good people?

6. What have you found is the most effective way to introduce the word of God to a nonbeliever?

7. Do you have a favorite saint and if so, why?

Here are Fr. Baca's responses:
1. The biggest challenges to my faith are always personal ones. I love and am grateful for the life God has given me as a priest but I see how there are times that I fail to live up to the possibilities. I really do believe we are all called to be saints and I believe the priest should lead by example. My challenges are always centered on developing better ways of being a priest for the Lord and His people.
2. There are a few scriptures that I turn to. The first is Psalm 27:4 – ā€œOne thing I ask, only this do I seek, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.ā€ I would say this is my ā€œlife scripture.ā€ The other is from the Gospel of St. Luke 1:37, ā€œFor nothing shall be impossible for God.ā€ When I feel defeated or broken, this scripture gives me new strength and faith. The final one is from the wedding at Cana, when the Virgin says to the waiters, ā€œDo whatever He tells youā€ (Jn 2:5). The best advice someone could ever give!
3. God reveals His presence in different and marvelous ways to us. He reveals Himself to us through the Word or the Bible and through the seven Sacraments. It is primarily through the Blessed Eucharist that we find God revealed most perfectly to us, in the reception of the Body and Blood and the adoration of Him. He is found in nature, in beauty, in music, in others, and especially in the body of believers, the Church. In the Church I find support, love and understanding.
4. When I recommend books I always begin with the Bible – ā€œIgnorance of the Scripture is ignorance of Christā€ (St. Jerome). I also love ā€œThe Confessionsā€ by St. Augustine, ā€œThe Introduction to the Devout Life,ā€ of St. Francis De Sales, ā€œFriends of God,ā€ by St. Josemaria Escriva, and Tolkien’s ā€œLord of the Rings.ā€
5. The truth is that bad things happen to everyone. And if we are to imitate Jesus Christ as the Scripture encourages us to, then it would seem right that we should also share in His cross. The Lord always was clear with us that we would suffer and we only need to look at Mary, the Apostles and the Saints of every generation to see that this is a necessary part of our Christian identity. Suffering for us though is redemptive and as valuable as gold.
6. When ever speaking to someone who has no particular faith or a believer who is non-Catholic, I begin where they are comfortable and build from there. I always speak of Christ. I would feel odd not doing so.
7. I have many favorite saints! My top friends would be: St. Joseph, St. Dominic, St. Frances Cabrini, and Padre Pio. St. Joseph loves me and cares for me. He teaches me how to be a man. St. Dominic is the saint who inspires me most as a priest. His preaching of the Word, his miracles, his passionate love for Jesus move me. St. Frances Cabrini has been a special friend to all my family. She has worked great miracles for us and even my extended family has a great love for her. Padre Pio is just awesome! His life story is amazing. He makes me want to be a saint right now!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Pope Saint John Paul II and the Socialist Threat

Pope Saint John Paul II , a towering figure of the 20th century, was a staunch critic of socialist ideologies. He recognized the inherent flaws in systems that sought to control economies and societies through centralized planning and state ownership. The pontiff's teachings offered a prophetic warning against the dangers of such regimes, which often led to oppression, poverty, and the erosion of individual freedoms. Recently, a conference organized by the Catholic Association of Propagandists in Spain brought together prominent figures who echoed the concerns raised by the late Pope. Bishop JosƩ Ignacio Munilla of Orihuela-Alicante boldly declared socialism an "enemy of the cross," highlighting its incompatibility with Christian values. He emphasized the need for a spiritual renewal, urging individuals to embrace the cross as a path to true happiness and fulfillment. French philosopher Fabrice Hadjadj also addressed the challenges posed by modern society, warning ag...

Jesus Came to End Death and to Build a Church

The twelve apostles chosen by Jesus formed the bedrock of the early Church , and their Catholic identity is deeply rooted in their direct relationship with Christ and the mission He entrusted to them. The Catechism of the Catholic Church highlights this foundational role, stating that Jesus "instituted the Twelve as 'the seeds of the new Israel and the beginning of the sacred hierarchy'" ( CCC 860 ). These men were not simply followers; they were handpicked by Jesus, lived intimately with Him, witnessed His miracles and teachings firsthand, and were specifically commissioned to preach the Gospel to all nations ( Matthew 28:19-20 ). Their unique position as eyewitnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, and their reception of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, established them as the authoritative leaders of the nascent Church, a reality echoed in the writings of early Church Fathers like Ignatius of Antioch, who emphasized the apostles' authority as repre...

Unpacking Prophecy: Common Pitfalls in Scriptural Interpretation

One of the most significant hurdles people face when engaging with Scripture lies in the interpretation of prophecy. It's a common misconception that prophetic passages inherently refer to future events, leading many to overlook their immediate context. A crucial starting point for understanding prophecy is to first look for its fulfillment in the time period closest to the prophet. Only after considering this contemporary application should we then explore the possibility of more distant or future fulfillments. This foundational principle helps to ground our understanding and prevent misinterpretations that can arise from solely focusing on what's to come. Beyond the tendency to project all prophecy into the future, another pervasive error is adopting an "egocentric" interpretation, where individuals believe biblical prophecy is primarily about them. While extreme examples involve figures like Charles Manson or David Koresh claiming to be prophesied individuals, a ...