Happy Thanksgiving!

HEROES AND HEROINES OF THE BIBLE
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, 2007
During the first week of November 2003, I participated in a three day/four nights Carnival Cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, entitled, “Cruisin’ with the Word.” Father Michael Manning had daily Mass in the morning and gave three talks in the afternoon.

Father Manning is a Catholic priest whose unique ministry is television. Presently he is still seen weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, putting his message into millions of households across the country and around the world. He is on Chanel 40 for one-half hour on Wednesdays, 8:30 AM. May I share the gist of his talks?

“God sees something in people that we don’t see. There is Moses, a 70 year old man, a murderer, taking care of sheep called by God to bring the Jews into the Promised Land. There is Samuel the prophet who picks one of Jesse’s sons David to be the King of the Jews. David as a guerilla warrior conquered Jerusalem and brought to the nation the most prosperous times in Jewish life. One of his many sons was Solomon a wise leader and builder of the temple.”

“The Bible is a library filled up with different stories. Note the overwhelming power of this book in Hebrews 4 V.12. It is like a sword. There is Gideon, the man who goes against all odds. Jeremiah the prophet, although rejected by his people trusted in God’s judgment and mercy. He trusted in God and did not lean on his own understanding. Susanna a virtuous woman, full of grace and beauty, endured false accusations by the elders of her community. Judith and Deborah, women judges who dared to speak the truth amidst great darkness.”

“In getting used to the Bible, Father Manning suggested that we take the Sunday readings that are coming up. Read the second reading with a small group (or alone). Consider, “What one word stood out for you?” Reread, “What idea did I get from the reading?” Finally, “What are you going to do about it?””

Today, we have outstanding role models with Pope John Paul II, Blessed Mother Teresa and St. Pio. Among the local laity, we have two leaders in California who have been at the abortion sites for more than sixteen years. Hector Rubio is there four to five times weekly for about two hours. With God’s help, he participated in shutting down the abortion facility in Cypress about six years and nine months ago. Today, Hector is continuing his rosary prayers and counseling at the abortion sites in Long Beach, 2777 Long Beach Blvd., and in the city of Downey.

Also in Orange County, we have Joan Hosek who prays and counsels at the abortion mill at 2445 W. Chapman, Orange. Besides weekdays, they do abortions there on Sunday mornings. Both local heroes are at these locations where the least of our brothers and sisters die in California. It is a good place for us to be, even for one hour monthly, praying the Rosary for the dying and the grieving.
Fraternally yours,
George H. Kubeck.