Dear Friends,

Some of you may have heard that the Satanic Temple will be holding its first convention in downtown Scottsdale next month. A few parishioners have asked me what I thought should be done about it. My immediate response was to say that they should not be given any attention by Christians, because our reaction is exactly what they are looking for.

It is one thing to fall into sin and, as a result, to find yourself distant from God and your spiritual center. All of us know that feeling. But it is quite another to commit yourself to rebelling against God by aligning yourself with His (and our) archenemy, Satan. Besides being an act of pure rebellion, it is also an act fueled by a darkening of the intellect. It is Satan who disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive us into following him into rebellion against Our Father who loves us and wants only what is good for us.

I received a letter from Bishop Olmsted’s office advising all Catholics to resist the temptation to stand outside their gathering place and protest their presence. That is just the reaction that they would most want to see from us, because it would affirm their rebellion against the One True God, which would only foster their pride.

Below is the letter from Msgr Bui, writing on behalf of the Bishop:

Dear Brother Priests,

The Satanic Temple is organizing their first convention - SatanCon 2022 that will take place from February 11-13, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The move came about after the group lost a federal lawsuit against Scottsdale alleging religious discrimination because they were not allowed to give a prayer invocation at a City Council meeting. By having their convention in Scottsdale, they are trying to seek attention and legitimacy in the public and social arena.

In view of denying the attention and legitimacy that they seek, Bishop Olmsted has asked the faithful of the Diocese to refrain from organizing or participating in any type of protest at the venue of the Convention. Instead, in our spiritual warfare against Satan and his minions; prayer, fasting, reparation and sacrifices coupled with the Sacraments are the most effective, spiritual weapons at our disposal. St. Paul reminds the early Christians of Ephesus of the spiritual aspect of this ongoing battle: “For our struggle is not with $esh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12).

Therefore, Bishop Olmsted encourages all priests and faithful to increase their prayers and sacrifices of reparation….

Also, it is possible that in the days and weeks leading up to and during the Convention, the Sacred Host given at Holy Communion could be clandestinely obtained for later desecration. Parish churches could also be broken in to desecrate the sanctuary and/or steal the Sacred Host. We encourage pastors to communicate to staff, volunteers and Extraordinary Eucharistic Ministers to be vigilant at Holy Communion and securing Church buildings.

In response to the Bishop’s request, on Friday February 11 and Saturday, February 12, I would like to expose the Blessed Sacrament for one hour after the morning Mass for all who would be willing to pray in reparation for the offense this group is giving to the Lord. We will pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. If you cannot come to Mass or stay for the Exposition, then please unite yourself to us by praying at home at the same time (9:00 and 8:30am, respectively). I would also like to suggest that we abstain from meat and fast on Friday the 11th (that day is also the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes). If you can’t fast, perhaps you can find another means of doing penance in reparation for what these people will be doing.

St. Michael the Archangel, Pray for us.

May God bless you and your family,

Fr Charlie

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