Masses for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation is asking for Catholics all over the world to help mark the 30th anniversary of his death, December 9, 2009, with Masses said in his memory and to pray for the cause of his canonization. They are asking us to schedule Masses in our parishes on that day, and then to contact Sara Worrell at sworrell@cdop.org or 1-309-671-1550 to tell her the time and the place of the Mass. The Foundation's website will be kept updated so we are all able to see where Masses are scheduled. Their latest newsletter listed 14 countries outside the USA that have scheduled Masses and 12 states in the USA. It would be a fitting tribute if all 50 states in the USA were able to schedule Masses in honor of this holy native son!

Another worthy project of the Foundation is an appeal to help provide copies of Archbishop Sheen's inspiring book The Priest Is Not His Own to the almost 5,000 seminarians in the USA. A $15.oo donation to the Foundation (includes shipping and handling) will send a copy to a seminarian and also help the work of the Sheen Cause. The book may be donated in honor of someone--perhaps a favorite priest?--and that special someone will be made known to the seminarian. Donations of books are not limited to just one, but to as many as you are inspired to provide for seminarians. Book orders can be sent to : The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, P.O. Box 728, Peoria IL 61652-0728. (They are also grateful to receive donations to help further the Sheen Cause).

Archbishop Sheen was very concerned about the sanctification of priests during his lifetime. In Treasure in Clay he wrote, "I have loved every work to which I have been called or sent. But perhaps the most meaningful and gratifying experience of my life has been giving retreats to priests...In the course of his life, a priest may make thirty or more retreats. I am sure that most of them could not remember a single resolution they made and kept...For that reason, all of my retreats centered in one general resolution--namely, to make a continuous hour of meditation in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament...If I were asked what detail of my sixty years of priesthood I would show to the Lord as a sign I loved Him, I would point to the Holy Hours which have been made by priests in the course of their lives as a result of my retreats. Since these retreats have been put on tape and circulated throughout the world, there is hardly ever a week goes by without a priest writing me a letter telling me that for nine years, or twenty years, or thirty years he has answered the Lord's request to watch with Him the hour. But it is not only priests who have practiced this act of adoration and reparation: thousands of laity have likewise been inspired to do so ."

AN APPEAL FOR ONE HOUR OF EUCHARISTIC ADORATION FOR PRIESTS

Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, Mother of all priests, and our Mother, help us respond generously to the Holy Spirit's request, through the voice of His Church, to offer up to God Eucharistic adoration for priests. Amen.