St. Patrick Catholic Church - Kokomo, Indiana

facebook launches first ever video game about life of Jesus

Suzanne — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:39:46 +0000

DENVER, COLO., May 16 (CNA) .- On the heels of its widely-popular “The Journey of Moses” Facebook game, Lightside Games is venturing into historic territory by creating the first-ever video game based on the life of Jesus. “There’s stories that need to be told in games,” Brent Dusing told CNA May 9, “and there’s not a lot of games where you can do really good, positive things from a Christian stand point,” Dusing, the founder and CEO of the Mountain View, Calif.-based Lightside Games, said that the new game, “The Journey of Jesus: The Calling,” will give people an opportunity to experience the life of Jesus firsthand. The company’s first game on the life of Moses has had great success, registering over 2 million players.

“The feedback has really been phenomenal. I just think there’s a lot of people who are really hungry for this, that’s what our players tell us,” Dusing said.

And he hopes that the new game on the life of Jesus will bring the Gospel to those who might not otherwise be exposed to it.

“For a lot of our players, this is the only chance they’ll have to hear this message,” Dusing said. “We know for some of them, it’ll be the only chance they have to see this story.”

The game follows the life of Christ during his public ministry from the point of view of a character whose name is pulled from the user’s Facebook profile. Players collect items and trade them with their Facebook friends to progress through Christ’s mission.

While his original game allowed the user to play as Moses, the “Journey of Jesus” allows the player to “connect with the real human emotional elements” by playing and interacting with Jesus as themselves.

Although the game is meant to be entertaining, Dusing said he drew the storyline from the Bible to make sure the message is accurate.

By completing a series of tasks and challenges while interacting with the Apostles, other players and Christ, the user is able to witness Christ’s public ministry and participate in his mission.

While the game can be played for free, there is an option to purchase materials to complete the game more quickly. Funds from some specially designated items will be donated to Compassion International, a Christian non-profit group dedicated to providing aid for underprivileged children worldwide.

The game is expected to become as popular as the Moses original, which is currently played by users on every continent except Antarctica, and is available in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese.

Birthright 25th Anniversary Open House

Suzanne — Tue, 15 May 2012 13:10:07 +0000

Sunday, May 20 from 2:00-5:00 pm
***Butterfly release at 3:00 pm***
Birthright parking lot – 3712 Southlea Drive

All are invited to an open house to celebrate Birthright of Kokomo’s 25 years of serving the community. Refreshments and special recognitions will be followed by a release of 70 painted lady butterflies.

It’s not too late to register for the Holy Family Conference this weekend

Suzanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 23:04:22 +0000

You can register online at the website, print off a registration form or pick one up at the parish.
Indiana Holy Family Catholic Conference
May 19-20, 2012
Kokomo High School
Conference hours are Saturday 8:30 am – 6 pm and Sunday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

For more information on speakers and to register go to www.holyfamilyconference.org

Who’s the Commencement Speaker?

Suzanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:49:15 +0000

We’ve all heard the news about various Catholic universities inviting speakers to give commencement speeches, even when the speakers’ actions or words are in direct violation of Church teaching. This satire from Anthony DiStefano helps to point out the errors inherent to such things. Imagining Satan giving the address is something straight out of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. Like Lewis, DiStefano helps us to see the obvious by putting things in the mouth of Satan himself. How would you respond to this commencement speech? Click HERE.

Sneak Peek at our Speakers for the Holy Family Cathoic Conference this weekend!

Suzanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:36:11 +0000

Our 2012 Indiana Holy Family Catholic Conference speakers each recorded 30 minute radio program and talk on a specific issue that is near and dear to their heart. They are posted here. Please take the time to listen to them and join us at the conference!

“Meddling” in the lives of our children – Be a parent FIRST

Suzanne — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:42:28 +0000

Excerpt from National Catholic Register blogger Simcha Fisher: “It’s our job to meddle in our children’s lives. You don’t have to be an obnoxious helicopter parent to realize that kids in their early teens are not yet adults. We’re not done raising them yet! And kids in home school or Catholic school face many of the same challenges our public school kids do” Read more

Conversion series by Fr. Barron offered

Suzanne — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:07:22 +0000

Conversion – Following the Call of Christ with Fr. Barron will be offered as a four week DVD series beginning Tuesday, May 22nd, 6:30 – 7:45 pm in the Bethany Center. In his characteristically energetic style, Fr. Barron explains how conversion is not so much a one-time event, but a life-long process. There is no cost to attend the series but we do ask that you call the parish office (452.6021) to register. Bring a friend!!!!!

Prayer shawls available in the parish office

Suzanne — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:49:36 +0000

We encourage parishioners to give prayer shawls to those going through difficult times such as illness, loss of loved ones, major surgery or chemotherapy treatments. The shawls are available in the parish office. Like to knit? Please call the parish office if you would like to participate in this ministry.

Archbishop Dolan comments on Obama’s support of gay marriage

Suzanne — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:23:08 +0000

WASHINGTON D.C., May 10 (CNA/EWTN News) .- Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan is charging President Barack Obama with undermining the “very cornerstone of society” by supporting “gay marriage.” Cardinal Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, described the president’s endorsement as “deeply saddening.”

The bishops “cannot be silent in the face of words or actions that would undermine the institution of marriage, the very cornerstone of our society,” he said in a May 9 statement. “The people of this country, especially our children, deserve better.”

Cardinal Dolan said that the announcement was “not surprising” based on the Obama administration’s previous actions, which “erode or ignore the unique meaning of marriage.” He called for prayer and efforts to “promote and protect marriage” in order to “serve the true good of all persons.”

In an unprecedented move, Obama announced his support for “same-sex marriage” in a May 9 interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts. “I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” he said. The announcement came just days after U.S. Vice President Joe Biden told NBC’s David Gregory that he is “absolutely comfortable” with the idea of homosexual couples marrying.

Previously, Obama had stopped short of endorsing “gay marriage,” saying instead that he opposes discrimination against gay individuals but that his views on the question of marriage were “evolving.” However, his actions as president have won the praise of gay advocacy groups. His administration announced in Feb. 2011 that it would not uphold the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman for federal purposes.
He also signed a law repealing the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the military. Obama’s latest statement places him in firm disagreement with presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who has signed a pledge to uphold marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Romney was quick to voice his opposition to Obama’s stance. “I have the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor and that I’ve expressed many times,” he said at a May 9 campaign event in Oklahoma. “I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.” He explained that states can “make decisions with regards to domestic partnership benefits, such as hospital visitation rights,” but “marriage itself is a relationship between a man and a woman.”

Acknowledging that the issue is “a very tender and sensitive” one about which “other people have differing views,” Romney reiterated his own conviction, which he has held “since running for office.”

Several political commentators have suggested that Obama’s support for “gay marriage” does not reflect the views of the American people and could have a significant political impact in the November 6, 2012 election.
“Marriage was created long before any government came into existence,” said Catholic Advocate president Matt Smith.

He warned that if Obama’s advocacy for same-sex “marriage” succeeds, “Catholic institutions could be forced once again to violate our beliefs.” “Many faithful Catholics were fooled by clever political rhetoric in 2008,” added Smith. “This year, the anti-Catholic record of the Obama administration should inform their vote.”

So far, 30 states have passed constitutional amendments banning “gay marriage,” including North Carolina, where voters approved such a measure by an overwhelming margin on May 8. Tony Perkins, president of the D.C.-based Family Research Council, pointed to the recent North Carolina vote as evidence that “redefining marriage remains outside the mainstream of American politics, especially in the critical battleground states and among minority voters.” He observed that the North Carolina amendment received over 60 percent of the vote in majority-black counties.

A Pew Research Center survey in April 2012 found that only 39 percent of African Americans are in favor of “gay marriage.” Perkins noted that 10 of 16 key battleground states have passed amendments to protect marriage. He said that Obama’s announcement “ensures that marriage will again be a major issue in the presidential election.”

Catholicism DVD Set on sale at Word on Fire Buy One Give One Free!!!!

Suzanne — Fri, 11 May 2012 17:09:22 +0000

That’s right!!! Fr. Barron and Word on Fire are offering The Catholicsm Project DVD series at a promotion of Buy One Give One Free!

The season of graduations, First Communions, Confirmations and weddings is upon us, and we have the perfect gift for you and your loved ones.
Buy one DVD set of CATHOLICISM and receive a second DVD set absolutely free.
For just $149.95 you will receive two DVD sets of the award-winning documentary CATHOLICISM. This offer is good for both English and Spanish CATHOLICISM sets (sorry, this offer is not extended to the Blu-Ray version). Now is your opportunity to share the most-watched Catholic documentary of all time. This offer ends June 15 so be sure to place your order right away. Give the gift of CATHOLICISM!. Click HERE to order from Word on Fire. The parish is not taking orders.