Dear Friends,

    On Thursday of this past week, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was beatified and is now known as Blessed Fulton Sheen.  This is the final “step” in the process of canonization. 

   Many of us remember Sheen from television. Standing in front of his famous blackboard, he had an incredible ability to explain the Catholic faith and speak about the challenges facing the world.  You can still catch his program on EWTN or even snippets on YouTube.  His show, “Life is Worth Living” is definitely worth watching!

   What fascinates me is how relevant his words still are today. In fact, some of them seem almost prophetic.

    Sheen understood that while the world was making great advances in technology and material things, something was being lost spiritually. He understood that having more does not necessarily make us happier. He warned about a world becoming distracted, anxious, divided, and increasingly convinced that we could somehow live without God.

    Sound familiar?

    One of my favorite quotes from Sheen is: “There are not one hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they wrongly perceive the Catholic Church to be.”

    Those words seem especially appropriate today, when so much of what we know—or think we know—comes from headlines, social media, and quick opinions.

    What I admire most about Fulton Sheen is that behind all the television appearances, books, speeches, and fame was a priest who spent an hour every day before the Blessed Sacrament. That time with our Lord was key for him; silently presenting himself to the Lord - no agenda except for being at the “feet of the Teacher”.

    Maybe that is why his words still have such power. Before Sheen spoke to the world about God, he spent time with God. He would often conclude his homilies, speeches or TV program with “God Love you.”  He was able to say that because he was so aware of the deep and abiding love that God has for him and for each one of us. There is a lesson in that for all of us.  Blessed Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

God love you!

Fr. John