Today is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church. St. Thomas is often remembered as the Patron of Academia but is also hailed as the Patron of Chastity and is a prime example of meekness for all of us to follow. You can learn more about St. Thomas by listening to and viewing the material on "Wrath". There you will find it is always justified to stand for Truth and fight sin with utter abandonment. Our souls must be protected with holy anger. Below is an excerpt used on page 88 of the Devout Heart material by renowned Catholic author G.K. Chesterton:

“...his brothers introduced into his room some specially gorgeous and painted courtesan, with the idea of surprising him by a sudden temptation, or at least involving him in a scandal. His anger was justified, even by less strict moral standards than his own; for the meanness was even worse than the foulness of the expedient. Even on the lowest grounds, he knew his brothers knew, and they knew that he knew, that it was an insult to him as a gentleman to suppose that he would break his pledge upon so base a provocation; and he had behind him a far more terrible sensibility; all that huge ambition of humility which was to him the voice of God out of heaven. In this one flash alone we see that huge unwieldy figure in an attitude of activity, or even animation; and he was very animated indeed. He sprang from his seat and snatched a brand out of the fire, and stood brandishing it like a flaming sword. The woman not unnaturally shrieked and fled, which was all that he wanted; but it is quaint to think of what she must have thought of that madman of monstrous stature juggling with flames and apparently threatening to burn down the house. All he did, however, was to stride after her to the door and bang and bar it behind her; and then, with a sort of impulse of violent ritual, he rammed the burning brand into the door, blackening and blistering it with one big black sign of the cross.”

-G.K. Chesterton, St. Thomas Aquinas: The Dumb Ox, Chapter III

This Wednesday, from 7:30-10:00pm is the monthly Devout Heart Game Night.  We will meet in Weber Hall (Upstairs) @ Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in New Melle.  Bring your favorite games and we'll have a great time!  If possible, it would be great if you could bring a snack or two to ensure everyone has something to eat.  We will finish up the evening at 9:50pm with Prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Joseph's Chapel.

Thank you all so much for praying for the Williams Family last week.  Assuming all are well,  we will meet at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish from 6:30-8:30pm on Tuesday, January 22nd for Devout Heart.  This Devout Heart meeting will kick off the springtime sessions on "Know Him" which is a study on the person and God: Jesus Christ.  We hope to see all of you there.  If possible, please bring a snack to share.  The snack list is below:

Last Name A-F: Desserts (Cookies, treats, etc.)
Last Name G-L: Snacks (veggies, fruit, Chex Mix, etc.)
Last Name M-R: Soda (Coke, Sprite, Mt. Dew, etc.)
Last Name S-Z: Chips (Doritos, Sun Chips, Lays, etc.)

If you haven't (or even if you have) planned to go to Washington DC to March For Life, then I will exhort you to pass along this video to everyone you know via email and social networking.  It's time for us as the people of God to take a stand for life and you can take a stand by forwarding this to as many people as you know.  Please also take a stand for life each day in prayer and pray especially for all of those who plan to attend this year's event.  To donate funds or to find out more about the March for Life, you can visit www.marchforlife.org

If you would like, you can now listen to any of the sessions from the "Find Him" Devout Heart series.  You can click HERE to access them.

As always, please let us know how we can pray for you.  Click HERE to submit a prayer intention to us.  Know, we pray for each of you often.  God bless you and see you all soon!

This post is to announce a Catholic Youth Conference coming this June to St. Gianna Parish in Wentzville, Missouri!  Father Elliott has been very generous to open up the weekend of the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the youth in the area of the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

To view a video promotion for the conference please click HERE

To learn more about this conference, please visit the link below:

devoutheart.com/h-o-f.htm

Have a blessed Solemnity!
 

Hello All,

Below is the revised schedule for Devout Heart this Summer.  In September of 2012 we will go back to the 2nd and 4th Tuesday night format:

May 22nd-Baptism
June 15th-16th-Hearts on Fire Youth Conference
July 10th-Confirmation

Have a blessed Summer and we look forward to seeing you all at these upcoming events.

God bless you,

David & Kendel