B16 UK VID(s) OF THE DAY

The Pope is by now back sleeping in his own bed...i watched and followed tons of this trip and am very thankful 2 God 4 a safe and fruitful visit 2 the UK for B16...thanks b 2 God!!!

Mass with the Beatification of Venerable Cardinal John Henry Newman - Birmingham - full homliy text

9.19.10

here u get a sense of the people's love for this Pope and trip from the front lines - vid from Ruth Gledhill whom is the religion correspondent from The Times in London
9.19.10

B16 QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY

-Morning Mass homily in Westminster Cathedral

"My thoughts go in a special way to all those who are spiritually united with this Eucharistic celebration, and in particular the sick, the elderly, the handicapped and those who suffer mentally and spiritually. Here too I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers. Above all, I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ’s grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives. I also acknowledge, with you, the shame and humiliation which all of us have suffered because of these sins; and I invite you to offer it to the Lord with trust that this chastisement will contribute to the healing of the victims, the purification of the Church and the renewal of her age-old commitment to the education and care of young people. I express my gratitude for the efforts being made to address this problem responsibly, and I ask all of you to show your concern for the victims and solidarity with your priests." 9.18.10

-speaking on Cardinal John Henry Newman at the Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park - London

"Here is the first lesson we can learn from his life: in our day, when an intellectual and moral relativism threatens to sap the very foundations of our society, Newman reminds us that, as men and women made in the image and likeness of God, we were created to know the truth, to find in that truth our ultimate freedom and the fulfilment of our deepest human aspirations. In a word, we are meant to know Christ, who is himself “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn 14:6)." 9.18.10

B16 UK QUOTE OF THE DAY

-Ecumenical Celebration - Westminster Abbey

"In a world marked by growing interdependence and solidarity, we are challenged to proclaim with renewed conviction the reality of our reconciliation and liberation in Christ, and to propose the truth of the Gospel as the key to an authentic and integral human development. In a society which has become increasingly indifferent or even hostile to the Christian message, we are all the more compelled to give a joyful and convincing account of the hope that is within us (cf. 1 Pet 3:15), and to present the Risen Lord as the response to the deepest questions and spiritual aspirations of the men and women of our time." 9.17.10

B16 UK QUOTE(s) OF THE DAY

- when asked by a journalist 'how the Church could be more attractive to the public'

"I would say that a Church that seeks to be particularly attractive is already on the wrong path, because the Church does not work for her own ends, she does not work to increase numbers and thus power. The Church is at the service of another: she serves, not for herself, not to be a strong body, rather she serves to make the proclamation of Jesus Christ accessible, the great truths and great forces of love, reconciling love that appeared in this figure and that always comes from the presence of Jesus Christ." 9.16.10

- addressing the youth during the homily at the Mass in Bellahouston Park - Glasgow

"There are many temptations placed before you every day - drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol - which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive. There is only one thing which lasts: the love of Jesus Christ personally for each one of you. Search for him, know him and love him, and he will set you free from slavery to the glittering but superficial existence frequently proposed by today’s society. Put aside what is worthless and learn of your own dignity as children of God." 9.16.10

don't 4get that Pope Benedict XVI will b in the UK this Thursday-Sunday...so please pray your favorite prayer 4 him and the Church!
EWTN always has good coverage of the papal visits...u can check out the schedule here

Flashback Sunday:

while touring with a top 40 band back in 1997 i found myself in Ft. Wayne, Indiana...met this guitar player one nite...he liked my drumming...he asked me 2 come to a studio in town 2 record a song he had written...i said "cool"...later i come 2 find out that this song got serious airplay on a now defunked radio station called '96.3 The Edge' who had released it on a local music compilation...the cat's name was Brian Lemert...he says he actually had label buzz calling about signing a record deal...but it was only he and i that were on the record...he had no band...it was sort of a joke song...although he did give a fake name ala Prince 2 the project...Onionhead!

"Supersonic Rock and Roll Star" by Onionhead

Brian Lemert - all gtrs, bass, vocals
Manuel Lopez III - drums

"You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews." - John: Chapter 4

“We should be displeased with ourselves when we commit sin, for sin is displeasing to God. Sinful though we are, let us at least be like God in this, that we are displeased with what displeases him. In some measure than you will be in harmony with God’s will.”

St. Augustine Divine Office III p.451

2 months ago 2 the day

THE BIRTHDAY CONCERT

LIVE: Fr. Stan Fortuna with manuel3
St. Matthew Parish Hall
Champaign, IL.

6.9.10

Fr. Stan - talks, loop, bass, shaker, vox
manuel3 - drums, percussion
special guest Corey (future priest) on the djembe

download the winzip file for 1 week only...HERE

ZENIT: What would you recommend to Catholics who say they are bored at Mass?

Bishop Echevarría (Prelate of Opus Dei): I would recommend that they participate with sincerity in the Mass, seeking and loving Jesus. In "The Way," St. Josemaría wrote: "You say the Mass is long and, I add, because your love is short."

Feelings must not be given too much importance: enthusiasm or apathy, desire or lack of it. The Mass is sacrifice: Christ gives himself out of love. It is an action of God and we cannot fully understand its grandeur, because of our limited condition as creatures. But we must make the effort, not only to be at Mass, but to live it in union with Christ and the Church. - Source

the Sista's have been called! (by St. Joseph?)

we reported back in March that Decca Records was looking 4 a religious order 2 record Chant with...well they found them...read the Zenit article here...

and here is a vid from ITN news in the UK

So,
1st off i'd like 2 thank Augie Leal and his family along with the SHINE Catholic Work Camp for a fantastic blessing on July 9th, 2010...m3 was asked to play a concert closing a week long ministry for high school/college students in which they served the communities of Chicago...helping the needy, poor, and the elderly!

many a blessing b upon these great students for giving up some summer 2 do God's work!!!

2nd off,
i'd like 2 thank the fellas who accompanied me on this journey:

drums - Jamie Hopkins
bass - Curtis Hawkins
gtr - Ian Johnson
keys 2 - macario lopez
sax - Eddie McKinley
trpt - Manny Lopez

once again, they put tons of time in2 learning a pretty demanding show...they played awesome! it was super hot in the gym we played, but we were all cool as the other side of the pillow...c 4 urself!

arrival shot...(L 2 R) Augie, Macario, Jamie, Curtis, Ian, m3


rehearsal shot...

concert vid...


with Augie himself!!!