June 2012

Jerusalem Over a Hundred Years Ago

by Steve Ray on June 18, 2012

Old Aerial Photos of Jerusalem Below: original pictures; Above: my notations The Old city sure has changed in since these photos were taken. Does anybody know what the date these were taken? Since we arrived in Jerusalem today with the Franciscan University pilgrims, I thought you would all enjoy this old aerial photo with my [...]

{ 10 comments }

Today we are in Bethlehem. Since we are leading the Franciscan University of Steubenville in the Holy Land – and today we are in Bethlehem, I though many would like to see learn about the Christian situation in the Holy Land. This is well worth watching to understand the plight of the Christians in the [...]

{ 1 comment }

Up at 4:15 for early, in disturbed prayer along Via Dolorosa arriving to touch and venerate the top of Calvary where the old rigger cross once stood. Then Mass INSIDE the Tomb with lots of emotion and prayer.

{ 0 comments }

Bethlehem all Day!

by Steve Ray on June 17, 2012

Hot! It was over 100 degrees all day but it did nothing to quench the enthusiasm of this Francisco University Pilgrimage. Lots of water, air conditioned bus and restaurants, and excitement conquered as our pilgrims explored Bethlehem up and down ending with a great Palestinian meal with dancing. For our morning: Afternoon

{ 0 comments }

Thrilling day with ecstatic pilgrims, devout Mass at Capernaum, boat ride on Galilee, eating St. Peter’s Fish, Steve’s Conversion Story on the bus. Drive thru Jenin and Samaria. Stopped in Nablus ( Sycar) to drink water with Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at Jacob’s Well. Then to the Church of Visitation for Steve’s talk on [...]

{ 1 comment }

{ 4 comments }

Millions of Muslims Converting to Christianity

by Steve Ray on June 16, 2012

Islam’s Enemy #1 with a price on his head …

{ 13 comments }

I hope you are aware of the battle going on right here within the borders of our United States. As my own pastor Fr. Ed Fride recently said, “When they took God out of our schools and we did nothing. Next they took God out of our government, and we still did nothing. Now they [...]

{ 0 comments }

Great morning! More details soon but here is a link to the video of our morning. Morning Afternoon

{ 2 comments }

How Much Can a Camel Drink?

by Steve Ray on June 15, 2012

Since we are in Israel and riding camels, I thought I would post some fun and interesting facts. I recently wrote the Bible Study on Genesis for www.CatholicScriptureStudy.com. In chapter 24 Abraham sends his unnamed servant to find a bride for his son Isaac. The servant prays to God and asks, ”Whichever girl at the well [...]

{ 9 comments }

Another great day with the Franciscan Pilgrimages group of excited and inquisitive pilgrims. Fr. Bradly LePage is doing a fine job as spiritual director and the group is melding together nicely. Great day with Mass at the top of the Mount of Transfiguration, renewal of wedding vows in Cana and visiting the grotto in Nazareth [...]

{ 0 comments }

I miss this guy!

{ 2 comments }

The plane came in a bit late but everyone was full of excitement and joy to be in the Holy Land. We went to Mount Carmel where the Carmelites began to have Mass near the Cave of Elijah overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Then to our hotel on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and an [...]

{ 0 comments }

STEUBENVILLE, OH—Since its founding in 1991, over 28,000 people have attended the Defending the Faith Conference at Franciscan University of Steubenville, garnering it a reputation as one of the most comprehensive Catholic apologetics conferences in the nation. Under the theme “Apologetics and the New Evangelization,” this year’s line-up of speakers will share the clear truths [...]

{ 1 comment }

After posting my blog entry “Jesus and Homosexuality” I received a correspondence from a Harry H. McCall, a self-proclaimed ex-reverend, on June 4, 2012. He referred me to his blog “Debunking Christianity.” His post was entitled Jesus the Homosexual: Evidence From the Gospels. His blog was not a tit-for-tat response to my article, but was [...]

{ 2 comments }

Landslide of Lutherans into the Catholic Church

by Steve Ray on June 12, 2012

Article in National Catholic Register, by my friend Tim Drake One of the most under-reported religious stories of the past decade has been the movement of Lutherans across the Tiber. What first began with prominent Lutherans, such as Richard John Neuhaus (1990) and Robert Wilken (1994), coming into the Catholic Church, has become more of [...]

{ 10 comments }