Dear friends and supporters,
By the time that this monthly Newsletter will reach you, I will be on holidays in the US. I have asked my web designer to include in this newsletter any last minute updates before its release.
(Note: With the passing away of Fr. Levesque's mother on November 29, 2000, his holiday suddenly came to an end. He will be arriving home during the later part of November 30 th.)
Considering that this newsletter will be the last one before Christmas, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a joyful Christmas in the peace of the Lord for the glory of God. May the Spirit of Christ be with you all so you may shine as brilliant lights in the world during this Season of Holy Days and holidays.
What follows is a summary of the accomplishment of the Catholic Doors Ministry during the month of November. I pray that each and every one of you will enjoy some spiritual gain from this variety of spiritual work for the glory of God.
2000 Annual Fund-Raising Campaign
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/funds.htm)
The first Annual Fund-Raising Campaign of the Catholic Doors Ministry started on November 13 th. With a goal of raising $ 1,500.00 by the end of December, 2000 to secure next year's operating needs, as of November 30 th, only $ 50.00 has been raised. I pray that the mail delivery service is to blame for the little financial support that has been seen until now. It would be dreadful to even consider that my brothers and sisters in Christ do not value the spiritual work of the Catholic Doors Ministry.
When you contribute in support of God's work, you plant a seed. The seed germinates and God rewards you according to your generosity for supporting His fruitful work. Naturally, those who do not plant any seeds, they deprived themselves of the grace of God that would have otherwise gone their way. One reaps what he sows.
Please take a moment to sow your seed by mailing your contribution to:
Catholic Doors Ministry
P. O. Box 7615
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
S7K 4R4, Canada
Bible Courses
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/courses/honour.htm)
During November, a webpage was created to list the Honour Students of the Catholic Doors Ministry who registered for Bible Courses by Correspondence. A Certificate of Completion was issued to these students who have reached a minimum of 70% in their marks. Congratulation to each and everyone of them.
Bible material
For Bible resource material, three webpages were added during the month. These consist of:
The abbreviations for each of the books of the Holy Bible at http://www.catholicdoors.com/bible/abbrev.htm
The Chronology of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible at http://www.catholicdoors.com/bible/history.htm
A schedule for reading the entire Holy Bible in one year at http://www.catholicdoors.com/bible/1year.htm
Catholic News
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/news.htm)
Because of the popularity of Catholic News which can be difficult to find on the Internet, the webpage that contained a few sources of news has been expanded to now contain 42 news links.
The Catholic Doors hourly update of Catholic News continues to be the most popular news webpage. This moreover service searched over 2,500 worldwide newspapers to bring you up to date Catholic news. You can view the page at: http://www.catholicdoors.com/news/moreover.htm
We know it is popular because other Catholic websites are monitoring this page for updated news/links to put on their webpages. As a general rule, no one else provides Catholic news during the weekend - except us!
Christian Names
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/names.htm)
Do you need help with choosing a Christian name for a baby boy/girl that has just arrived in the family? Check out this webpage that provides hundreds of names.
A submission Form was added at the end of the page for those who wish to submit new names.
Christmas Cards
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/card/index.htm)
COMING SOON! By December 10 th, the free electronic e-card service will include newly created Christmas Cards. A classroom in a Canadian School in Alberta has volunteered to do the artwork for this year's Christmas Cards. Keep an eye on the electronic e-card and support the kids by using their artwork when sending a Christmas Card to someone you love. The details about the school, the students, etc... will be provided once the webpage has been created.
Examination of Conscience
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/consc.htm)
We had it in French, but not in English! How does one do a sincere "Examination of Conscience" in preparation for the Sacrament of Confession? Where can one obtain a list of sins to review? This and much more is now available. Check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/faq/index.htm)
Two new pages were added to this section during the month. The first concerns what it means to be born again. The second is a list of all the Rites that are in communion with the Catholic Church.
Homilies
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/homilies/index.htm)
This month, over 5,000 homilies will have been downloaded. This is an increase of about 500 more than the previous month. Nine new homilies were added. These are:
Dec. 31 - HOLY FAMILY
Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY - DURING THE DAY
Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY - MASS AT DAWN
Dec. 25 - CHRISTMAS DAY - MASS DURING THE NIGHT
Dec. 24 - 4 th SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dec. 17 - 3 rd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dec. 10 - 2 nd SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Dec. 8 - THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF MARY
Dec. 3 - 1 st SUNDAY OF ADVENT
A year ago, on December 8, 1999, the Catholic Doors Ministry presented its first homily on the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Since that day, throughout the year, at least 10 visitors per day have downloaded that particular homily. The homily of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is our most popular homily on the website. While 200-300 homilies are downloaded for each Sunday, the homily of the Immaculate Conception of Mary has been downloaded thousands of times.
Is It Catholic?
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/isit/isit10.htm)
After weeks of research and reading all what could be found regarding Catholic Church decisions related to Medjugorje, a webpage was created to provide the facts and the truth. contrary to the belief of many, the local Bishop of Medjugorje has proclaimed that "nothing supernatural" is happening at Medjugorje. In other words, there is not, nor has ever been an apparition of Our lady at Medjugorje. Also, organized pilgrimages have been condemned by the Church!
In view of this proclamation that has been supported by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, many continue to promote Medjugorje in complete disobedience of the Holy Catholic Church. Through their disobedience, they are supporting falsehoods, leading others towards deception, and support the money changers who have fabricated the Medjugorje deception for fame and money.
Read all about it on this webpage!
Liturgical Calendar
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/liturgy/2000-12.htm)
The December, 2000 Liturgical Calendar is now available on the website.
Prayers (English)
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/index.htm)
During November, 35 new prayers were added to the Treasure of Prayers. The website now enjoys a total of 297 different English prayers.
Saints
Do you have questions about Patron Saints?
This page, (http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/patron.htm) provides a list of hundreds of needs associated wtih Patron Saints.
This page, (http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/nation.htm) tells you which Saint is the Patron of which City or Country.
This page, (http://www.catholicdoors.com/misc/medical.htm) tells you which Saint you should pray to when in need of heavenly intercession related to a specific medical need.
Silent Voice
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/voice/index.htm)
The private revelations of Jesus and Mary to the silent voice have been updated to November 17, 2000. At this time, because of death in the family and the planned holidays of the spiritual director, it is unknown as to when the next update will take place.
Statistics
Last month, it was reported that October enjoyed 16,000 visitors. That should be revised to reflect that it was actually 17,500 visitors.
During November, if there are 800 visitors on November 30, 2000, we will have reached a new record of 20,000 visitors for the month. This reflects a 25% increase in visitors in two months, September having enjoyed 15,000 visitors for its month.
It is interesting to note that our Diocesan newspaper had an article last year regarding a survey that was done on over 800 Roman Catholic websites in the US. The majority of the Catholic websites reported an average of 1,000 visitors per month, the second largest reporting 12,000 visitors, and the largest enjoying 25,000 visitors per month.
In view of the popularity of the Catholic Doors Ministry, it may now be said with "safety" that this ministry is the largest internet ministry in Canada in size (over 2,500 webpages) and in popularity (now 20,000 visitors). Thank you Jesus and Mary for having led so many souls to this spiritual work for the glory of God.
Vocation Discernment
(http://www.catholicdoors.com/news/discern.htm)
How does one know if he has a calling to the priesthood? This webpage was set up to answer basic questions to determine if one has a calling from God. Take a moment to answer the questions and find out for yourself if God is calling you.
CONCLUSION
In May, last year, when the Catholic Doors Ministry started on the internet, we listened to the professional advise. Do not use graphics! Do not put music on your pages! Do not use frames! Well, every rule was broken and the professionals were proven wrong. The graphics and music was complimented as inspiring. The frames were proven useful for easy navigation throughout the website.
Now that over 5,000 homilies are being downloaded per month, it is suspected that at least 500,000 Christians are benefitting from them. This is based on 5,000 homilies x 100 persons. While it is agreed that in some cases, only 1 person may read the homily, in other cases, a minister of the Word of God may use the homily to preach to 400 faithful. In some countries where the priests administer to thousands of faithful, the fruit of one priest reaches thousands versus only one being reached in some circumstances. Accordingly, it is safe to say that 500,000 are now benefitting from the homilies of the Catholic Doors Ministry. This is the power of the internet that is manifested through the Holy Spirit. Not one priest could reach half a million faithful in one month. Through the internet, this can be achieved.
The fruits of this ministry by the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Ministry in the Most Holy Name of Jesus cannot be measured. What is known is that the numbers speak for themselves. Those who have signed the Guest Book have witnessed to how they have benefitted from the ministry. Many have sent private emails to ask for prayers, others to thank God for favours obtained. All of this has been made possible because of our faith in Jesus Christ and our belief in the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
I would like to invite each and everyone of you to become part of this success story by showing your financial support over and above your support of ongoing prayers for our ministry. This will assure the continuation of the Catholic Doors Ministry on the internet for another year. Your support is your spiritual battle against Satan, the raging lion who is attempting to extinguish every light that leads the faithful to Christ. Join us now to stop Satan in his track!
My daily prayers are with all of you during my celebrations of the Holy Mass and Rosary prayers. May the grace of God shine on all of you, now and forever.
Yours in the love of Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Father Maurice Levesque
November, 2000
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