Book signing at Wheaton Religious Gift and Church Supply on Tuesday, April 5th, 2011!!

Deacon John Green, founder of Emmaus Ministries, will in the store Tuesday, April 5th, 2011 to sign copies of his newly published, "Street Walking with Jesus."  After reading his book, "You will come away challenged and inspired to live a deeper, more mission-based life."  Deacon Green "didn't set out to be another Dorothy Day or Mother Theresa, and would be quick to tell you he hasn't become one.  Struck by the words of Micah 6:8 and the act of a homeless man who gruesomely ended his life in Green's presence, Green vowed to constantly ask himself:  How can I live justly?  To whom do I show mercy?  How may I walk humbly with God?"

Deacon Green is the founder of Emmaus Ministries, a non-profit ministry to male prostitutes in Chicago. Emmaus Ministries’ innovative outreach has been featured in numerous Christian and secular television shows, radio broadcasts, magazines and newspapers. John completed a BA in Christian Education from Wheaton College and an MA in Educational Ministries from Wheaton College graduate school in 1992, and in 1997 he earned a Certificate in Non-Profit Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

He is a frequent speaker on issues relating to male prostitution, urban ministry, evangelization, and peace and justice work. His wife Carolyn is a nationally performing singer/songwriter. The Green’s have three sons and a daughter. They lived in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago directly in back of Emmaus Ministries for 20 years and relocated to northeast Ohio in 2009. John is an ordained Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church and serves at Holy Family Parish in Stow, Ohio.

Wheaton Religious Gift will be hosting John Green for his first book signing from 1:00-4:00pm Central time.  Stop by for an autographed copy, and take an opportunity to talk with John about his new book or his ministry with Emmaus Ministries.

You may call us at 1-866-757-5195 for more information on available copies of his book, "Street Walking With Jesus," or purchase a copy online at Church Supply Warehouse.

Our retail store is located at:

Wheaton Religious Gift and Church Supply

113 W. Front Street

Wheaton, IL  60187

Our store website is:

http://www.churchsupplywarehouse.com/index.asp

Check out his book's website at:
http://streetwalkingwithjesus.com

We look forward to seeing you!!

Incense, Its Use and Symbolism in the Church

The use of incense in the ancient world was common, especially in religious rites where it was used to keep demons away. Herodotus, the Greek historian, recorded that it was popular among the Assyrians, Babylonians and Egyptians. In Judaism, incense was included in the thanksgiving offerings of oil, rain, fruits, wine (cf. Numbers 7:13-17). The Lord instructed Moses to build a golden altar for the burning of incense (cf. Exodus 30:1-10), which was placed in front of the veil to the entrance of the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept.  The purpose of incensing and the symbolic value of the smoke is that of purification and sanctification. For example, in the Eastern Rites at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area were incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere," was chanted invoking the mercy of God. The smoke symbolizes the prayers of the faithful drifting up to heaven: the Psalmist prays, "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141). Incense also creates the ambiance of heaven: The Book of Revelation describes the heavenly worship as follows: "Another angel came in holding a censer of gold. He took his place at the altar of incense and was given large amounts of incense to deposit on the altar of gold in front of the throne, together with the prayers of all God's holy ones. From the angel's hand, the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God's people."  The usage of incense adds a sense of solemnity and mystery to the Mass. The visual imagery of the smoke and the smell remind us of the transcendence of the Mass which links heaven with earth, and allow us to enter into the presence of God.

Source:  Father William Saunders.  EWTN.com.  "Why is Incense Used during the Mass?".  Accessed March 21, 2011.  http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/INCENSE.htm.

Incense is now 10% off for the next two weeks at Church Supply Warehouse.  Order now to stock up for lent and Easter.  Order online or call 1-866-757-5195!!

The Significance of Palms in Christendom

Palm branches have been used by all nations as an emblem of joy and victory over enemies; in Christianity as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world according to Psalm 91:13, "Justus ut palma florebit"; especially associated with the memory of the martyrs. The palms blessed on Palm Sunday were used in the procession of the day, then taken home by the faithful and used as a sacramental. They were preserved in prominent places in the house, in barns, and in the fields, and thrown into the fire during storms. On the Lower Rhine the custom exists of decorating the grave with blessed palms. From the blessed palms the ashes are procured for Ash Wednesday. In places where palms cannot be found, branches of olive, box elder, spruce or other trees are used and the "Cæremoniale episcoporum", II, xxi, 2 suggests that in such cases at least little flowers or crosses made of palm be attached to the olive boughs. In Rome olive branches are distributed to the people, while the clergy carry palms frequently dried and twisted into various shapes. In parts of Bavaria large swamp willows, with their catkins, and ornamented with flowers and ribbons, were used.


Source:  Catholic Encyclopedia.  "Palm Sunday."  Accessed March 15, 2011.  http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11432b.htm.

Order your palm strips now by March 23rd to avoid expedited shipping!!  After March 23rd, expedited shipping is required.  Order today and save up to $20 in shipping charges.  Order online at ChurchSupplyWarehouse or call us at 1-866-757-5195!

Holy Water and Its Use in the Church

The use of holy water dates to the early Christian era, but prior to the 5 the century, there is no specific documentation. Since Jewish law employed water for ritual purification, it is safe to assume that Christians adopted its use quite early. Jesus Himself was baptized with water.  One of the earliest liturgical documents by a 4th century Bishop refers to the blessing of holy water, invoking His Name upon it, and granting that it may have the powers to heal fevers and other maladies by drinking or anointing, and that all evil spirits shall be put to flight. St. Epiphanius blessed water with the Sign of the Cross and used it successfully to expel a demon. Later documents are filled with accounts of cures obtained by drinking water blessed in the Name of Jesus Christ.  In the 9th century, Pope Leo VI decreed that on each Sunday priests would bless holy water and deliver Asperges. He also encouraged the faithful to carry some away in a clean vessel to bless their homes, fields and cattle.  The most commonly used holy water is found in vessels called stoups just inside the door of every Church. This water can be found in urns and Easter water is blessed at the Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday with a ritual that involves dipping the Paschal candle three times. It is also available for personal use, although not many parishes encourage the faithful to utilize it. Not long ago, it was a pious custom for Catholic homes to send the young people of the family to Church to obtain this water as a sign of joyous renewal on Easter Sunday.  A procession throughout the house and gardens is led by the male head of the household, or if a family is so blessed, by a member of the clergy, invoking a blessing.


Source:  Catholichomeandgarden.com.  "Holy Water."  Accessed March 7, 2011.  http://www.catholichomeandgarden.com/Holy%20Water.pdf 


Special offer:  now get 10% off a new holy water pot or sprinkler at Church Supply Warehouse!!  Offer valid for a limited time.