13 | July | 2017 | Blogger Priest

Dave Thomas Passes Away, Knight & Parishioner

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Father Joe

Dave Thomas, a parishioner of Holy Family Parish and a long-time Knight of Columbus, passed away today. Keep him and his family in prayer. Dave delighted in jokes and magic! Rest in Peace.

Vigil at Beal Funeral Home on Sunday, July 16 from 1 PM to 4 PM
Funeral at Holy Family Church, Mitchellville on Monday, July 17 at 11 AM

DAVID M. THOMAS

On Sunday, July 9, 2017 of Glenn Dale, MD, formerly of Johnstown, PA. Beloved husband of Mary Jane Harbrant Thomas (married 54 years); loving father of Michael D. Thomas and his wife Susan McGuirk Thomas. Dear brother of the late Mary Jane Thomas. Devoted grandfather of Justin and Kendra Thomas. Also survived by many cousins four brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and many dear friends. Family will receive friends at the family-owned BEALL FUNERAL HOME, 6512 NW Crain Hwy. (Rte. 3 South), Bowie, MD on Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 1 to 4 PM. A Memorial Mass will be held Monday, July 17, 2017, 11 AM at Holy Family Catholic Church, 12010 Woodmore Road, Mitchellville, MD. Interment private.

He passed away at Hospice of the Chesapeake, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 5, 1937 in Johnstown, PA, son of Kenneth and Rose (Coco) Thomas. Preceded in death by his loving parents and sister, Mary Jane Thomas.

A member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Mitchellville, MD, Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council, and charter member of three Knights of Columbus councils in MD, and the Bowie Magic Club.

Dave will be remembered as a caring, loving, faithful, and thoughtful son, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved to entertain, do magic for children and at convalescent homes, and organize and MC local events.

Interment at St. John the Baptist Cemetery, New Baltimore, PA will be scheduled at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to For the Kids, Inc., a charity founded by Dave’s son, Mike, to benefit local children with serious medical issues. Donations may be sent to For the Kids, Inc., 1119 MD Route 3 North, #210, Gambrills, MD 21054.

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The Depth of Mortal Sin

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Father Joe

Question

I am having trouble understanding this requirement for a sin to be mortal, particularly the meaning of full consent. What exactly does this mean? Does it mean that you actually intend to sin? I am still not clear about full knowledge either. What does this mean?

Response

As a Christian we know certain things are right or wrong from the natural law, from divine positive law (Scripture), from Church law and from civil law. Human laws might be flawed, particularly if they conflict with the laws of God and nature. A Catholic takes guidance from the Church. Unnecessarily missing Mass on Sunday through one’s own fault is mortal sin. Most sexual transgressions are a matter of mortal sin. Abortion is a mortal sin. These and other actions are judged as both sinful and mortally so. If you are aware of this as a Catholic then you have sufficient (a better word than full) knowledge.

As for consent, it really is not that difficult to understand. Giving sufficient consent to mortal sin means that you are in control of your actions and you choose to sin anyway.

Let me put it this way. If one were to really reflect upon it, the person committing mortal sin is essentially saying…

“Right here… right now… I choose to disobey Almighty God… no matter what the consequences!”

“No one… not God… not anyone… can tell me what to do!”

“I do not love God or neighbor in any way sufficient to avoid this sin!”

“My sins target Christ on the Cross! Yes, I am a murderer of Christ! And a part of me really does not care!”

When we strip false rationalizations away, this is the cold black-and-white of it.

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