Please find attached a PDF download that includes an article likely to interest men. I receive a 2-page monthly newsletter that consistently features at least one engaging article. ~ Dcn. John Rangel, CMCS Co-founder & Director of Mission |
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Subject: Exploring a New Messaging Option
I’d like your assistance with this CMCS test project:
In addition to this usual email newsletter format, I’m experimenting with a family-friendly private messaging service (similar to texting but not owned by big tech) that avoids common email issues like getting sent to spam or bouncing. As email becomes increasingly filtered and complicated, much like social media, I want to offer a more straightforward communication method. Once you join and follow me, please let me know you’re part of CMCS, and I will link you to a channel to share content from this newsletter. This platform will also allow for one-on-one or group connections through texting, phone calls, and video meetings. Let us be in community, and then invite others to create your own community.
In other words, while email remains essential for accessing many online services, it’s becoming less ideal for personal conversations. I encourage you to consider using an instant messaging platform that ensures privacy and secrecy for your communications, which is our human right and becoming more scarce on the internet. Fortunately, the people at Teleguard (Swisscows), who I belive are Catholic, are providing a 'fresh air' alternative.
~ Frank J Casella, Co-founder & Executive Director
ID: fjcasella
TeleGuard: a messenger aimed at respecting our common right to private communication on the Internet, at protecting the privacy of every person on our planet, at protecting the family and family values. |
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Third Sunday of Advent 2024
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Dear CMCS Men, we hope you're doing well! At Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS), we're committed to fostering personal holiness and supporting men, husbands and fathers to live the mission of Catholic manhood - To make Jesus Christ the center of our daily lives. As part of our dedication to the community, we wanted to share some exciting and engaging topics with you for each week of Advent 2024. Enjoy! -- The CMCS Team
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Amidst the Holiday noise and chaos from the commercial industries, the Advent season is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas.
If you are a husband and father, your family looks toward you especially at times like this for spiritual leadership and direction.
This Advent, GIVE yourself deliberate time of silence and resolute to bring yourself – and your family – closer to Christ!
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(From the Archdiocese of Chicago) |
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Photo: ' Sunrise on the Winter Pine '
- A beautiful backyard pine tree, covered with fresh snow, absorbs the winter sunlight. Copyright Frank J. Casella All Rights Reserved. |
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-- Keep Doing Good Things --
Something I like about fresh snow is how it illuminates the sunlight.
The sunlight, especially in the morning, illustrates for me the warmth and blessing of God on his creation.
And in order to see the beauty of the sunlight, we have to see the shadows behind it.
The interplay of both is what I think makes this beauty interesting ... different from day to day .. such as with our own lives.
Life is messy and full of struggles and shortcomings. Our lives and culture are full of fault-finding.
But there is hope, if we accept it: Mercy.
" Mercy is the first attribute of God. God does not want anyone to be lost. His mercy is infinitely greater than our sins "
-- Pope Francis
Saint Thomas Aquinas defines God's Mercy as the eternal perfection of the Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier in His relation to people.
Through Mercy, God brings creatures out of poverty and replenishes their shortcomings.
Jesus tells us the next step, “ wisdom is vindicated by her works. ”
In other words, let the good things you’re doing do the talking.
Keep your eyes on God. And keep doing the good that God is calling you to do.
We are now in the season of Advent ... waiting for Christmas.
This waiting period is a time to prepare, by removing the clutter in our lives, known as sin, and to better practice what we believe.
And not to disbelieve because our expectations have not been met.
Like a pine tree is changed by the beauty of the fresh snow, so too can we be changed by Mercy.
A blessed Advent, and a Merry Christmas to you!
Frank J Casella,
CMCS Executive Director
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Thank you for taking the time to read the CMCS Blog and Updates. If you enjoyed the content, consider sharing this email with a friend. Your support in spreading the word means a lot to us, and we believe your friend will be grateful for it as well |
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Catholic Man Moment Message
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Learn more about: Living a Just and Charitable Life. The Baptist's words remind us that we are all to a greater or lesser degree tax collectors and sinners, and that we should strive to be just and charitable to our fellow-men.
Click the button below for this week's reflection message on our video/podcast channel:
(
The more views our channel receives in place of our blog, the more videos are "unlocked" for us to post. So please take a moment and watch some videos while you're there.) |
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Gospel - Lk 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist,
“What should we do?”
He said to them in reply,
“Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise.”
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,
“Teacher, what should we do?”
He answered them,
“Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.”
Soldiers also asked him,
“And what is it that we should do?”
He told them,
“Do not practice extortion,
do not falsely accuse anyone,
and be satisfied with your wages.”
Now the people were filled with expectation,
and all were asking in their hearts
whether John might be the Christ.
John answered them all, saying,
“I am baptizing you with water,
but one mightier than I is coming.
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor
and to gather the wheat into his barn,
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
Exhorting them in many other ways,
he preached good news to the people.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm
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Nurturing Your Spirituality with Catholic Resources |
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Explore our inspiration blog featuring support, encouragement, and Catholic information related to our mission of fostering Catholic Men. |
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For nearly 30 years, CHARITY MOBILE has been building a Culture of Life by serving Pro-Life customers and helping Pro-Life charities. We send 5% of your monthly plan price to your favorite Pro-Life charity, like CMCS. We make it easy for you to BUY THE WAY YOU BELIEVE! |
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The CMCS Mission: Catholic Men Chicago Southland (CMCS) is engaged in fostering holy and courageous men and proclaiming the importance of husbands and fathers to children and the family.
CMCS is a Catholic Apostolate of Interim Vicar Fr. Larry Sullivan, and founded by Bishop Emeritus Joseph N. Perry, Deacon John Rangel, and (Executive Director) Frank J Casella.
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This newsletter is making Catholic men holy again.
Forward it to the men at your parish - they can sign up here today. |
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Catholic Men Chicago Southland
Aplostolate of Very Reverend Larry Sullivan
Founded by Bishop Emeritus Joseph N Perry
Executive Director, Frank J Casella
Phone calls by appointment via email.
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