I understand, Terry that there are good arguments on both sides . I would also respect the fact that the Bishops who did close the Churches did so with the best of intentions. Although having said that I believe the Bishops in Poland not only kept their Churches open but are actually having more masses said at this time. So this cheers me up a lot, knowing that I am not the only one who thinks this way. Another alternative would simple have been to give priests and people a choice. If the priest decided to open a Church and say public mass then let people themselves come and attend and if not, not. I am convinced this would have been much better. It is the fact that the people and priests left with no choice. The doors are simply locked in their faces. They are told what is good for them. But they are adults; why not let them make their own choices? Why decide for them?
This is a remedy from Fr. Michel Rodrigue in Canada for healing, protection & deliverance: Good Friday Oil for Healing, Protection, & Deliverance To use the oil for Healing, Protection, & Deliverance, make the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of a sick person or sprinkle on food or ingest it. When all is complete, please say a Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or prayers of thanksgiving to the Blessed Mother. Items Needed Blessed icon, image or statue of Mary, the Mother of God Extra virgin olive oil (Blessed by a priest if possible--optional) Glass or stainless-steel containers to hold the olive oil (flame from wick may melt plastic) Pure cotton wick or pure cotton material rolled into a wick (see length requirement below) Small metal lid with a small in the middle to thread the cotton wick through Matches or lighter (place by the bowl with olive oil prior to 3 am) Syringe to move oil from large container to smaller containers (optional) Paper/pen to keep track of the number of prayers Labels marked “Good Friday Oil” to place on finished jars Advance Preparations—MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO 3 AM GOOD FRIDAY MORNING All preparation must be done in front of a blessed icon, image or statue of Mary, the Mother of God. Use glass or stainless-steel containers that can hold heated extra virgin olive oil—from one source, do not mix different oils in the same container. Soak the cotton wick or the cotton cloth (rolled into a wick) in the oil. Put a nail-sized hole in a small metal lid (e.g. jelly lid). Thread the wick/cotton cloth through the hole in the lid and tie a knot on the end. Drop the lid into the oil container and it will fall to the bottom. The wick will float to the top. The wick MUST BE long enough to burn the whole time it takes to pray the prayers below (maybe an hour or so). When finished you may want to use a syringe to transfer the oil into smaller containers (I bought 4 oz. mason jars). Label the bottles. Specific Prayers to be Prayed After lighting the candle at 3 am, begin praying these prayers: Pray the Apostles Creed 33 times in honor of Jesus’ 33 years on earth. Pray Hail Holy Queen 7 times in honor of Mary’s 7 Sorrows. OR you can pray the Salva Regina 7 times in Latin. This recipe was given by Our Lady for healing, protection and deliverance during her apparition at the Holy Mountain of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, from 1899 to 1910. This same recipe was given by St. Joseph to St. Andre Bessette of Canada (1845-1937). LINK TO PRINTABLE PDF
It did surprise me how easily bishops acquiesce to the demands of the civil authorities. This is probably a result of the damage caused by lawsuits and scandals. Bishops are so kowtowed; they want to show what good citizens they are. The moral authority and constitution of the Church is in shambles. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Data Analysis Indicates Coronavirus is Slowing with a Declining Fatality Rate with Warmer Weather Likely Slowing it Considerably A report by Aaron Ginn at Medium includes excellent analysis of the current status of the coronavirus based on data to date. The overall summary is things are getting much better. It’s time for the US and other nations to move from the cautious stage in handling the coronavirus to the data stage. And the data is showing significant improvements with the virus. Below are some significant points from the analysis: 1. The current charts are not helpful as they instill fear and are not relevant. This chart, for example, shows only total cases to date which is no longer a relevant number: The situation looks serious, yet we know that this virus is over four months old, so how many of these cases are active? 2. On a per capita basis the numbers are less concerning: 3. The China coronavirus is spreading but probably not accelerating: 4. The coronavirus will decline no matter what the media says: The virus is on a bell curve as the numbers from China and South Korea point out. This thing reaches a peak and then declines as viruses typically do: 5. You have a low probability of catching the coronavirus: Ginn summarizes: To summarize, China, Singapore, and South Korea’s containment efforts worked because community-based and airborne transmission aren’t common. The most common form of transmission is person-to-person or surface-based. Although the China virus may stay on surfaces, it likely loses it potency in a very short period of time. 6. The virus will likely burn off in the summer like other viruses: The University of Maryland mapped severe COVID-19 outbreaks with local weather patterns around the world, from the US to China. They found that the virus thrives in a certain temperature and humidity channel. “The researchers found that all cities experiencing significant outbreaks of COVID-19 have very similar winter climates with an average temperature of 41 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, an average humidity level of 47% to 79% with a narrow east-west distribution along the same 30–50 N” latitude”, said the University of Maryland. The green area above is where the virus is currently thriving. It does not do well in hotter and more humid environments. 7. As we have noted, children and teens are less affected. 8. The fatality rate is declining: Based on this data Ginn suggests we should probably open up schools and public places. The numbers indicate it would be ok. More people are concerned about government actions impacting the economy than are concerned about the virus. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/20...armer-weather-likely-slowing-it-considerably/
There is a modern word I think called, 'Virtue signalling'. virtue signalling noun noun: virtue signalling; noun: virtue signaling the action or practice of publicly expressing opinions or sentiments intended to demonstrate one's good character or the moral correctness of one's position on a particular issue. "it's noticeable how often virtue signalling consists of saying you hate things" In the West we are like this. But in the East our people and Bishops are made of sterner stuff.
From Fr. Richard Heilman: https://www.romancatholicman.com/fe...l-than-seasonal-flu-here-it-is-in-a-nutshell/
I was praying to God to stop the virus at once by a miracle last week. (If you're going to ask from the Heavenly Father ask big and ask bold. He likes that.) But the Lord said to me., 'So you want things back to normal then? You want people to return to their evil ways and hell to filling up again with countless millions?' I didn't what to say. What could I? So I prayed instead, 'Well anyway Lord help them someway, please!' To which He replied, '..and what do you think I am already doing by letting the Sword of Justice save them from their onward race to hell'. I gave up. I wish I could be more like Our Lady and could find the words. But how do you argue with God.
I also have to add that the videos and photos coming out of China looked apocalyptic in the scope of death and affliction. We reacted in horror.
As far as I can tell from Catholic Prophecy it will be one thing after another from now on. A bit like Domino's falling. One after another. It need no be like this if people converted. But you can see for yourself they have no intention of doing so. They can't even see the Hand of God in all this. Poor, poor people.
https://www.churchmilitant.com/news/article/disobey-bishops-illegal-orders-banning-masses Rome Canonist to Priests: Disobey Illegal Mass Bans Says bishops have no authority to stop sacraments by Jules Gomes • ChurchMilitant.com • March 21, 2020 ROME (ChurchMilitant.com) - A Rome-based expert in canon law is urging faithful clerics to defy illegal orders prohibiting the faithful from attending Holy Mass and receiving the sacraments. "The Catholic Church has taught from time immemorial that lex iniusta non est lex, an unjust law is no law at all — and it should not be obeyed," writes canonist Catherine Caridi, creator of the popular blog Canon Law Made Easy. Bishops' Conferences have "absolutely no authority" to make decrees canceling all public Masses, Dr. Caridi states. "The law is clear ... according to canon 455 it [such a decree] is invalid."
Many here may be aware of this already but I only saw a very short story about it last night on the news. On Wednesday when I took down my Shamrock from my front door, I put up a cross for Easter along with a few other Easter decorations which are visible to my neighbors to help uplift the mood. Now, I'm considering putting up some lights in the shape of a cross in my large living room window. I hope this will help some people. +
I think the sign we need to hear is the increase in the number of people attending this forum. It often takes punishment for people to realise there is a God and he is not to be offended. Much prayer is needed though, I pray that this will bring about many many conversions.
