Good morning:
I was blessed with the opportunity to attend the events of May 11th and 12th. The winds and heavy rains and traces of rolling thunder and flashes of lightening off in the distance made for a very dramatic setting. And while uncomfortable--we Catholics were not made for comfort, but to be set apart.
I am especially grateful to have gotten the opportunity to meet so many of you.
I would like to track down as many of the people I met as I can. I would like to stay in contact as much as possible. I was able to give out my business card and get some contact info from some of the people I met, but not nearly as many as I would have liked. If you recognize me, send me a note, stay in touch, and know that you will always be welcome in Limerick, PA (outside of Philadelphia).
And while I realize in these times it may be difficult (if not futile) to forge a community of like minded and faithful Catholics (especially when the sheperd is struck) I think it is still helpful to do what we can, where we are, with what limited resources we have to stay connected. It will be the great difficulty, challenge, and mission of my life to raise a strong Catholic family. It is difficult (and by every human measure nearly impossible) to raise up strong Catholic families without strong Catholic community (not to mention, society, government, and so many other treasures of Catholic civilization long gone in our history, but that modern man in his wickedness takes for granted and still basks in like the light of a distant star that has long since ceased to be).
I am very new to tradition. I was born and raised within the Novus Ordo. However, I was raised within a family that always had strong Catholic instincts. So my awakening to the crisis in the Church really was a lifetime in the making, but only accelerated and came to its fruition in the last 12 months.
By that time Archbishop Lefebvre became a saint in my eyes, but I was reluctant to attend an SSPX chapel. I tried to find a "resistance" Mass. Then, through a series of what can be only seen in my eyes looking back as providential events I was able to contact Father Ortiz, who called me and gave me the information for this online forum. Then to my surprise I received a call from Bishop Zendejas (at the time Father Zendejas). I am very blessed and grateful for this.
Where I live, I am the only traditional Catholic that I know (even within my own house). Pray for me brothers and sisters. I will be praying for all of you!
God bless you and God bless the four bishops. Vivo Cristo Rey!
Michael Collier
Limerick, PA