Angel Food Media

BUTTONS was a large, gray cat — a cat without a home. At one time, Buttons had lived in a firehouse, but he didn’t live there very long. Of course, the firemen were very kind to him, but Buttons didn’t like living in a firehouse. There was too much noise, too many bells — bells that rang in the night so that he couldn’t sleep. Buttons wanted to get away from the firehouse. He wanted to be free. He wanted to see the world. So, one day, Buttons disappeared. Buttons ran away. He ran away from home.

At first, Buttons liked the idea of being free. He could go wherever he pleased. He could do what he wished. But it wasn’t very long before Buttons found out that it wasn’t so nice to be without a home. He found out very soon that people weren’t too anxious to feed him. There was many a day when he was hungry and had nothing to eat. There were nights, too, when it rained. Nights when it was very cold. There was many a time when Buttons wished that he were back at the firehouse, but the cat was proud, too proud to go back.

One day, not so long ago, Buttons wasn’t feeling very well. So he went into a lady’s yard and fell asleep under a large tree. And what do you think? While Buttons was sleeping, a bad boy threw a large stone and hit the sleeping cat. Well, that stone hurt plenty. Poor Buttons! Oh, how his back hurt when he tried to walk! Yes, and his foot hurt, too. Buttons was in terrible pain — in so much pain that he began to cry.

Just then, along came another cat. He was a stranger to Buttons, but he was very kind.

“What’s the matter?” asked the stranger.

“Oh, a bad boy hit me with a stone,” cried Buttons, “and he hurt me.”

“You’ll be all right in a little while,” said the stranger kindly. “Take it easy and don’t worry!”

“Take it easy and don’t worry!” Buttons didn’t like to hear those words. “Listen, chum,” said Buttons to the stranger, “I can’t take it easy, and I can’t help but worry. Somewhere along the line, I lost a life.”

“You lost a life?” asked the stranger in surprise. “What do you mean?”

Buttons felt that he had met a friend. “Lie down,” he said, “and I’ll tell you my story!”

The stranger drew near to Buttons and he lay beside him. He opened his ears wide. The stranger was ready to hear Buttons tell his story.

“People say,” began Buttons, “that every cat has nine lives. Every cat lives nine times.”

The stranger nodded his head. Yes, he, too, had heard that every cat has nine lives.

“One day, when I was a kitten,” said Buttons, “a lady tied a piece of ribbon around my neck. I didn’t like the idea but I had to wear it. Well, I met a police dog and that dog called me a sissy. That was too much. I became angry and I talked back to that police clog. What happened? Why, in no time, that dog chewed me into bits. He killed me, and I lost my first life.”

The strange cat shivered. Now he knew why he didn’t like police dogs.

“That’s not all!” said Buttons again. “My next life was spent on a ship — riding the sea. It was a hard life, a dangerous life. One night, we got caught in a terrible storm. For six hours, we fought hard, but finally, the ship went down. Eighty-seven men and myself were drowned in that angry sea. That was the end of my second life.”

The strange cat’s eyes almost popped out of his head. He wondered what Buttons would say next.

Buttons was silent for some time. He seemed to be thinking. “Oh, yes!” he said finally, “I must tell you some more. You know, all cats are curious. Well, one time, I was walking through a field, and I came across a trap. I knew it was a trap but I was curious. I wanted to see how the trap would work. I touched the trap and something snapped. I was caught around the neck and I couldn’t breathe. Yes, the trap choked me to death and that was the end of another life. Curiosity had killed another cat.”

Suddenly, Buttons began to cry again. He cried and cried as though his heart would break. Finally, he stood up. He looked straight into the eyes of his new friend.

“Oh, I’m all upset and I’m worried,” said Buttons. “I started with nine lives. But I’ve been careless and I’ve lost count of them. Now I don’t know whether I’m living my eighth life or my ninth one.”

The strange cat nodded his head. He agreed that Buttons had a real worry. Was Buttons living his eighth life or his ninth one? Perhaps this was Buttons’ last chance. Buttons couldn’t afford to be careless.

Well, children, like Buttons, you can’t afford to be careless. This is your last chance — your last chance to save your soul. You won’t have nine lives to live. You have only one. You have only one chance to save your soul. You must save your soul now!

You know what you have to do in order to save your soul. You must pray, go to Mass, go to confession, receive Holy Communion. You must keep God’s laws. But when are you going to do these things? Don’t get the idea that you can do all these things just before you die! You may not have a chance to do these things just before you die. Don’t take any chances! Say those prayers now! Go to Mass and confession now! Receive those Holy Communions now! Keep God’s laws now! Every single day, you should work to save your soul.

Children, God gives everybody one chance to save his soul. This is your chance. Don’t be careless! Save your soul NOW!

JOHN PETERS and Tom Crowley were very good friends. These men had been friends for over thirty years. But one day, John Peters lost his best friend. Yes, Tom Crowley died.

After the death of his friend, John was very lonesome. But John Peters didn’t forget his friend. Oh, no! Every day he prayed for the soul of his friend, and, once a week, John went to the cemetery to visit Tom’s grave.

On one of these visits to the cemetery, John was surprised to find that a tombstone had been placed over the grave of his friend. Now there was some­thing strange about that tombstone. There was no writing upon the tombstone. No writing upon the tombstone! That made John wonder. He looked at the tombstone for a long time and tears ran down his cheeks. Then, John Peters knelt down to pray.

When John finished his prayers, he arose and lifted his head. And was John surprised? What do you think? There, standing next to the tombstone, was a real live angel. John shook from head to foot. Why, he was so afraid that he couldn’t speak.

“I have been sent,” spoke the angel kindly, “to write something upon this tombstone. I didn’t know Tom Crowley, so I don’t know what to write about him. Perhaps you can tell me some­thing about your friend. Then, I’ll know what to write.”

“Tom Crowley was my best friend and I knew him very well,” said John slowly. “He tried to be good, but, every so often, he failed. But no matter how many times he sinned, Tom Crowley always came back and tried again to live right.”

“That’s enough!” said the angel and he raised his hand.

Then the angel turned and began to write upon the tombstone. What did the angel write? The angel wrote four words, and the four words were these: “Here Lies a Saint!”

Yes, children, at times, Tom Crowley was a sinner. But Tom never remained a sinner. It didn’t take him very long to beg forgiveness from God, and then, he’d begin again to live right. That’s how Tom Crowley, the sinner, became Tom Crowley, the Saint.

Now, children, I know that each one of you wants to become a Saint. I know, too, that there will be times during your life when you may fall into sin. If you ever do fall into sin, then do just what Tom Crowley did — beg God to forgive you, and begin again to live right!

Oh, I know that some people fall into sin and they remain in sin. Those people are making ter­rible mistakes. If those people die in sin, they’ll go to hell — they’ll lose their souls. Those people refuse to let God help them. Those people are stubborn. They don’t want to be saved.

But you want to be saved. Of course, you do. Well, Jesus has made it easy for you to be saved. Jesus made the Sacrament of Penance for sinners — to help sinners to get back to God — to help sinners to begin again to live right.

Do you know what Jesus once said? Jesus said that you have to fight for heaven. Anyone who quits in the middle of a fight, never wins. If you quit fighting for heaven, you’ll never win heaven. If you quit fighting for heaven, you’ll lose, and you’ll lose badly.

So, children, don’t ever give up trying to save your soul! Keep on keeping on! If you ever fall into sin, then, go to confession, and start trying again! If you do that, children, then some day, perhaps, an angel will write upon your tombstone -”Here Lies a Saint!”

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

BEFORE I tell you my story this morning, I must tell you about a famous spring in Persia. The Silver Spring! That’s what the people called it. The Silver Spring!

Well, in order to get to the Silver Spring, the people of Persia had to walk over a very long road. At the end of the road was the Ivory Castle, and, at the side of the castle, was the famous Silver Spring. The people, you know, thought that the water from the Silver Spring had great power. They felt that, if they drank from the Silver Spring, they would never get sick, they would never grow old, they would never die. That’s why everyone wanted to drink the water from the famous Silver Spring.

Now, it was a long journey to the Ivory Castle and the Silver Spring. Oh, lots of people tried to make the journey, but most of them became tired and couldn’t finish. Yes, many people tried, but very few people ever reached the Silver Spring. But there was one man in Persia who did reach the Silver Spring. That man was Baru. He drank the water from the Silver Spring and was very happy. After drinking the water, Baru felt that he’d never be sick again. He felt that he’d never grow old. He felt, too, that he’d never die. Why, Baru was so happy that he decided to spend all his time helping others to reach the Silver Spring.

Now, what do you think Baru did? Well, he did just this. Baru used to hide along the side of the road that led to the Ivory Castle and the Silver Spring. From his hiding place Baru could see every person who traveled along the road, but no one could see Baru. Whenever a person became tired and was tempted to turn back, Baru would throw a small golden ball along the road that led to the Silver Spring. The golden ball, rolling toward the Silver Spring, would make people forget that they were tired. People would chase the golden ball, and in a short time, they’d find themselves at the Ivory Castle. Yes, the golden ball, thrown by Baru, led many a tired person to the famous Silver Spring.

Boys and girls, that’s a good story. It’s a good story because it reminds us that we, too, have a golden ball — a golden ball that we can throw before the tired feet of other boys and girls. Our golden ball is good example.

You know, children, we are all traveling along a hard road. It’s the road that leads to heaven. Every person in this world is traveling along that road. And what happens? Why, very often, some boys and girls get tired as they travel the road to heaven. They get tired of being good. They get tired of doing good. Instead of working hard to get to the end of the road, those boys and girls want to turn back. They’d rather travel the easy road that leads to sin. Now, there’s where you come into the picture. If you throw the golden ball of your good example in front of those boys and girls, they’ll chase the golden ball, and some day they’ll reach heaven.

What is one of the main reasons why you say your prayers every morning and night? Because your mother and father have said those prayers with you and have given you good example. Why do you go to Mass every Sunday? Because your parents have shown you good example. Why do you receive Holy Communion often? Because your mother and father receive Holy Communion often. Why are you honest? Why do you tell the truth? Why do you do anything that’s good? You do all these things because your parents have shown you how to do them. For years, your father and mother have thrown before you the golden ball of good example.

Why then, don’t you do the same thing? Why don’t you toss the golden ball of good example before other boys and girls? Remember, some boys and girls find it hard to be good. They find it hard to be honest. They find it hard to be truthful. They find it hard to go to Mass. They find it hard to go to confession. But, when those boys and girls see you doing these things, they, too, will want to do them. Your good example will be the golden ball that others will follow. Your good example will be the golden ball that will lead others to do good.

Perhaps you have some friend whom you admire? Well, you like to do whatever your friend does. Isn’t that right? Yes, you like to imitate your friend. You feel whatever your friend does, is just right. You follow your friend’s example. Well, don’t forget — others may be following you. Be sure, at all times, you show good example!

Just think of the fun you can have by tossing the golden ball of good example before other boys and girls. It will make you very, very happy. It will make you happy to know that your golden ball of good example is leading others to God’s Ivory Castle — heaven.

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

WOULD you like to hear about the ship that ran away? Well, that’s my story for you today.

One bright summer morning, many years ago, a fishing vessel, “The North Star,” set out from Newfoundland. The ship carried three men — three men who were sailors as well as fishermen. The men decided that each one would take his turn steering and guiding the ship while the other two men fished.

The sea was calm and the breeze was good as the North Star sailed peacefully through the blue water of the great Atlantic. At late afternoon, the North Star was far from shore, in fact, the three men couldn’t see land. The fishing was good and the men were having a fine time.

But then, something terrible happened. The sky darkened, and the sea became very rough. A mighty wind howled across the great ocean. Huge waves pounded the sides of the North Star and the ship rolled and tossed as if it were only a toy.

Then the heavens opened, and rain fell in tor­rents. Oh, a storm at sea is a terrible thing, and the storm that late afternoon was one of the worst that the Atlantic has ever seen.

For more than an hour, the men on the North Star felt that every moment would be their last. They were tired. Weary. Afraid. Yet, they didn’t give up hope. The North Star had been through other storms. Perhaps the North Star would pull through this one!

Suddenly, a huge wave struck the side of the ship. The North Star shook and tossed from side to side and water dashed up over the deck. The three men were knocked down and carried along in the rushing water. Before they knew what hap­pened, all three men were washed off the deck of the ship and were tossed about in the ocean. Yes, the men were swimmers, but the waves were so high that they couldn’t swim. They fought hard, but luck was against them. Not one of the three men made the ship. They were all drowned — they lost their lives in the mighty waters of the deep Atlantic.

Now, that’s not the end of the story! The storm raged for three more hours. Then, gradually, the wind lowered. The sea became calm and peaceful. The storm was over.

Children, I know that you’d like to ask a question. You’d like to know what happened to the North Star. You’d like to know whether the ship sunk. Well, the North Star did not sink. All through the terrible storm the ship managed to keep afloat, and, after the storm was over, she was still riding the water.

Then, what do you think happened? The North Star began to move. The ship began to drift. For weeks and weeks, the North Star sailed the ocean. A ship sailing the ocean! A ship with­out a captain! A ship without a crew!

Of course, during all those weeks, other ships passed the North Star, but the sailors on those other ships didn’t know that no one was steering the North Star. Nobody knew that the North Star had no captain. Nobody knew that the ship was running away.

Now you’d like to know whether the North Star ever reached shore. Yes, the North Star did reach shore, but not the shore of Newfoundland. The North Star was carried by the tide until she hit upon some rocks near the city of Boston. A young fisherman found her early one morning. There was a hole in the side of the ship, and water was pouring into the hole. She was a sad sight — this ship wrecked upon the rocks, because there was no one to guide her — this ship that had run away.

Children, lets think of your soul as a ship. Your soul is on a journey — a journey to heaven. Like the ship, your soul must be steered and guided on its journey through life. Without a guide, your soul would be shipwrecked. Your soul must not be shipwrecked. Your soul must go through the storms of life safely. Your soul must not be lost.

Now, God has given you a guide to steer your soul safely to heaven. We call that guide by the name of conscience. Your conscience, you know, is that voice inside you that tells you that certain things are good and that other things are bad. When the devil tries to get you to steal, your conscience tells you not to steal. When you’re tempted to eat meat on Friday, your conscience tells you that eating meat on Friday is wrong. It’s your conscience that tells you to keep away from bad companions. It tells you not to look at bad pictures, not to read bad books, or listen to bad stories. And, when you do sin, it’s your conscience that bothers you and keeps telling you that you’ve done wrong. Then, too, your conscience points out good things to you. Every time you go to Mass, speak the truth, every time you are honest, and when you obey, it’s your conscience that makes you happy. In other words, your conscience tells you what is right and what is wrong.

I know that you want to save your soul. You don’t want to shipwreck your soul on the rocks of sin. Well, then, listen, and obey your conscience. Your conscience will guide and steer you safely. Remember, your conscience is the voice of God. Will God lead you astray? NO!

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

WOULD you like to hear a true story this morning? Well, I thought you would. True stories, you know, are always the best stories and that’s why I like to tell them. Now, I’m not going to tell you the real name of the boy in this story, so we’re going to call the boy, “Teddy.”

Teddy was six years old, and he was in the first grade at Saint Mary’s school. At the close of school, the boys and girls of the first grade put on a play for their parents and friends. It was a dandy play, and one of the best actors in the play was Teddy. Of course, Teddy was only a little fellow, but he didn’t make any mistakes. He surprised everybody.

When the play was over, some of the priests went over to the school to see the children who were in the play. Yes, the priests went to the first grade, and they made a big fuss over all the children. Finally, one of the priests called Teddy up to the front of the room. All of the priests shook Teddy’s hand, and they told him that he had done very well. Of course, that made Teddy very happy.

Then one of the priests asked Teddy a question. “Teddy, when you grow up, what are you going to be?”

The little boy looked up at the priest. “Father,” he said, “when I grow up, I’d like to be a priest.”

“So you’d like to be a priest?” smiled the old man. “Well, Teddy, if you want to be a priest, you’ll have to pray hard.”

Teddy nodded his head and walked back to his seat.

The next day there was no school. When the sisters went to the church in the morning, they found little Teddy kneeling in the first bench. Teddy stayed there for the Mass, and all during the Mass, he kept his eyes on the altar.

When the Mass was over, Teddy arose and left the church. In the yard, the boy met one of the sisters.

“Teddy,” asked the Sister, “what were you doing in church so early this morning?”

“I was praying,” answered the little boy. “Last night I told Father that I wanted to be a priest, and Father said, if I want to be a priest, I’ll have to pray hard.”

Now, Teddy didn’t stop praying then and there. Oh, no! That morning at Mass was only the beginning of Teddy’s prayers. For years and years, Teddy bothered God every day — telling God that he wanted to be a priest. All through his years at Saint Mary’s school, Teddy prayed for one thing — that God would help him to become a priest. Yes, Teddy bothered God a lot with his asking, but God liked to be bothered. The more Teddy bothered God with his asking, the more God was certain that Teddy really wanted to be a priest.

Children, Teddy has been bothering God for a good many years. And what do you think? With­in a few months, Teddy’s friends will stop calling him, “Teddy.” In a short time, Teddy’s friends will call him, “Father.” Yes, children, next June, Teddy will be a priest.

So, you can see, children, that it pays to bother God. It pays to keep on asking, and asking, and asking. If you really want something from God, show God that you really want it by asking for it more than once. Keep on asking! Keep on bothering God! Keep on praying!

Many, many times I’ve met boys who wanted to be doctors, or lawyers, or dentists. I’ve met girls, too, who wanted to be nuns, or nurses, or teachers. And what happened? Those boys and girls grew up and they never became what they wanted to be. Why? Because they didn’t bother God. They didn’t pray enough. They didn’t keep on with their prayers.

Don’t ever get the idea that God gets tired listening to your prayers! God loves to have you bother Him. Every time you bother God, you show God that you need Him, and that’s just what God wants. You do need God. Yes, you need God every day. You need God to help you in every­thing you do. Well, God won’t help you unless you ask for His help. God won’t help you unless you pray.

Children, take a tip from Teddy! When you want something from God, bother God, and bother God a lot! PRAY!

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

HOW would you like to live up in the north­ern part of Canada? During the winter, there is plenty of snow up there, and it’s mighty cold, too. That means that people have to spend most of the winter inside the house. You wouldn’t like that, would you?

Well, Elsie Meehan was a little girl who lived in the northern part of Canada. She lived there with her father, her mother, and her two younger brothers. Elsie was eight years old, and she was too young to go to school. In fact, Elsie couldn’t go to school, because the nearest school was eight miles away. That was too far for a little girl to walk.

Now, it wasn’t Elsie’s fault that she had no girl friends. How could she have girl friends when the nearest house was four miles away? But that didn’t bother little Elsie. Oh, no! Even though she didn’t have girl friends, Elsie was happy. She liked to play with her younger brothers, and she loved to help her mother with the work around the house. Yes, Elsie was very happy.

Last winter, something very sad happened to little Elsie Meehan. It was a cold, cold night in January. Seventeen degrees below zero! Elsie be­came sick. She became very, very sick. In fact, Elsie’s mother and father thought that the little girl would die. The father and mother couldn’t call a doctor because there was no phone in the house. They couldn’t call their neighbors because their nearest neighbors were four miles away. So, the father and mother did the best they could. They gave Elsie medicine, kept her warm, and prayed. It was a long, long night, and every hour the little girl became weaker and weaker.

Morning came. Elsie was no better. Something had to be done.

Well, what do you think Elsie’s father did? He left the house, and for a long time, he tramped in the snow. Maybe you think he tramped in the snow looking for a doctor! Oh, no! Mr. Meehan didn’t go any place: he merely tramped in the snow outside the house. You may think that that was a strange thing to do. Well, it was. I suppose that you’re wondering why he tramped in the snow. Listen!

First, Mr. Meehan tramped in the snow until his tracks had formed the letter “H.” It was a large letter, too. In fact, that letter “H” was several hundred feet high. Then, right next to the letter “H,” Mr. Meehan tramped another letter in the snow. It was the letter “E.” Then he made the letter “L,” and finally, the letter “P.” “HELP!” was written in the snow, and each letter of the word stood several hundred feet high.

Then, Mr. Meehan went into the house to wait. But he didn’t have to wait very long. In a short time, he heard a humming noise. It was the sound of an airplane motor. Yes, a plane was coming, and it looked as though the plane would fly right over Elsie’s house. Well, the plane did fly over Elsie’s house, and the pilot saw the word “H-E-L-P!” written in the snow. The pilot knew that something was wrong.

Well, it didn’t take very long for that pilot to land his plane. Little Elsie Meehan was carried into the plane, and the plane rushed the girl to a hospital. Five weeks in the hospital and Elsie was well again.

Yes, children, Elsie is home now. She is well again and very happy. Elsie’s life was saved by the tracks in the snow!

Boys and girls, do you know that we’re just like Elsie Meehan? Yes, we need help. We need God’s help. We need God’s help every day. Oh, we need so many things from God. We need health, happi­ness, help with our work in school, help in our studies. We need help to be kind, to be obedient, to be honest, to be truthful. And all this help comes from God.

Now, how do we get this help from God? By prayer! Prayer is like the tracks in the snow: it’s the signal that we send to God, the signal that tells God that we need Him. God, you know, is always in heaven, and He sees us always. Now, when we signal to God through prayer, God knows that we want Him, and He hurries to help us. Of course, if we don’t signal to God, if we don’t pray, why, God lets us get along by our­selves. That’s why people who don’t pray, don’t receive help from God.

If you want God to help you every day, then, send a signal to Him every day! Pray every day! Send a signal to God the first thing every morning! Pray to God every morning and ask Him to help you all through the day! If something goes wrong during the day and you need God’s help, send Him another signal! Say a prayer, and He will hurry to help you! Send another signal to God before you go to sleep at night! Pray, and ask God to watch over you while you sleep! Learn to pray to God often! Send Him a signal often! PRAY!

Remember children, God sees every signal. God hears every prayer. Best of all, God answers every prayer.

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

I DON’T suppose that very many of you ever had a ride in an airplane. Well, it’s lots of fun. I’ve had many rides in airplanes and I’ve enjoyed every one of them. While flying in a plane is lots of fun, children, still one can’t help but be afraid. When one flies high in the clouds, one is always afraid that something might go wrong. That’s why all fliers put so much trust in God.

This morning I want to tell you a true story about a young pilot. This pilot, or flier, was twenty-two years old. Oh, he had been up in a plane many times. He had made several trips through the clouds, and he had never had an accident.

One day, not so long ago, this pilot entered his plane, started the motor, and was off for a ride. He climbed up, and up, and up, until his plane was three thousand feet above the ground. For a time, everything went well. But then, suddenly, some­thing terrible happened. The plane caught on fire. Three thousand feet above the ground in a burning plane! The pilot had no parachute, so he couldn’t jump. Well, what do you think he did? There was only one thing that the pilot could do. He pointed his plane toward the ground. Down, down went the plane — a blazing torch that became brighter and brighter every second. People who saw the burning plane thought that the pilot would be burned to death, but somehow, he landed the plane, jumped through a window, and ran as fast as he could. A few minutes after the pilot escaped from the plane, there was a loud noise. Flames and smoke shot high into the air. The plane was destroyed. But the pilot was safe.

Some time later, someone asked the pilot to tell how he managed to escape death — how had he been saved.

“When that plane caught on fire,” said the pilot, “I talked to The Man Upstairs and I talked to Him plenty. He must have heard me, because He brought me down. The Man Upstairs saved my life.”

The Man Upstairs! Children, you must know The Man Upstairs. Yes, it’s God. When that pilot was a little boy, he must have learned his cate­chism well. Why do I say that? Well, the second lesson of the catechism teaches us that God sees and knows everything. When that pilot was in trouble, he knew that God was watching. He knew, too, that God could help him. That’s why the pilot called upon God for help — that’s why he prayed. And God heard those prayers, because He saved the pilot’s life.

It’s a good thing to remember, children, that God is always watching. He sees and knows everything. He knows every time you are in danger. He knows every time you are tempted to steal, lie, disobey, cheat, eat meat on Friday, or miss Mass. God doesn’t want you to get into trouble. He doesn’t want you to get hurt. He doesn’t want you to fall into sin. Why, then, don’t you call upon God when you’re in danger? When you get into trouble, you should do just what the pilot did — you should pray.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the only time you should pray is when you’re in danger. Oh, no! You should pray even when there is no danger. The best thing to do is to pray to God every day. Through prayer you’ll become one of God’s best friends. Then, when you need Him, God will be right on the job to help you.

Things looked very bad for the pilot in our story, but God heard his prayers. Remember, God is not far away. He is very near. God is just up­stairs — waiting to help you, if you pray.

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

EUTYCHUS! That’s a strange name for a boy. Isn’t it? Well, I’m going to tell you about a boy named Eutychus. I think you’d like to hear his story.

Eutychus lived shortly after the time when Jesus was on the earth. Time and time again, Eutychus heard stories about Jesus— how Jesus walked on the water — how Jesus changed water into wine — how Jesus cured the blind, But the best story of all was the one that his mother told him —how Jesus died for him and after three days, Jesus began to live again.

Well, one day, there was great excitement in the little town where Eutychus lived. Saint Paul, one of the Apostles, was coming to town. Yes, Saint Paul would be in town the next day. The Apostle was coming to tell the people about Jesus.

Of course, everybody wanted to hear Saint Paul. Everybody wanted to hear his stories. Everybody wanted to hear about Jesus. So the next evening, a large crowd was on hand to hear the great Apostle. The people crowded into a large room and every place was taken.

Did Eutychus go to hear Saint Paul? You bet he did. He was right on the job. In fact, Eutychus had a very special seat — a seat where he could see and hear everything. Eutychus sat on a window sill right up in the front of the crowded room. Eutychus wasn’t going to miss anything.

Saint Paul began to talk. Oh, he had so many things to say, so many things to tell. Well, he talked, and he talked, and he talked. And the people listened to every word. It certainly was a long sermon — one of the longest sermons that the Saint ever preached. But the people liked it. They came to hear about Jesus, and Saint Paul didn’t disappoint them.

Now there wasn’t much air in the room. So, after some time, it became very warm. There were lots of things that Saint Paul said that the boy didn’t understand. Eutychus became tired. He became sleepy, too. And what do you think.? Eutychus fell asleep. Asleep on his special seat! Asleep on a window sill in a crowded room!

Saint Paul paid no attention to the sleeping boy. Neither did the people. The boy should have been home in bed. Instead, Eutychus was sound asleep on the window sill.

All of a sudden, there was a terrible commotion. Eutychus lost his balance. He fell out of the win­dow and dropped three stories to the street below.

Some of the women fainted. Some of them screamed. There was a wild rush for the door. Men and women hurried down the steps, and there on the ground, they found the body of Eutychus.

“He’s dead! He’s dead!” the women screamed.

Saint Paul paid no attention to the excited women. He made his way through the crowd, and knelt beside the boy’s body. Then Paul raised his hand, and the crowd drew back. Every eye was on Saint Paul. Every person wondered what the Saint would do.

Saint Paul rubbed the boy’s forehead. Then he said some prayers. What happened? Well, nothing happened right away. But in about five minutes, Eutychus opened his eyes. He looked at the crowd and began to cry. Then the boy stood up. Yes, he was all right. And let me tell you something! Eutychus didn’t stay around that crowd very long. No, sir! Where did he go? Eutychus went home.

Children, Eutychus was the first boy who ever fell asleep in church. But he wasn’t the last one. There have been lots of boys and girls, too, who have fallen asleep in church. Why, every Sunday there are boys and girls who fall asleep. Oh, I don’t mean that they close their eyes. But I do mean that by their actions, they show that they’re asleep to what goes on at the altar. Yes, their souls go to sleep in church.

How do you act in church? Do you talk and laugh? When you are at Mass, do you spend your time watching the people instead of the altar? Is your mind on some movie, some game? Do you spend your time thinking about where you’re going after Mass? If these things are true, then, your soul is asleep. You are asleep in church with your eyes wide open.

Boys and girls, you come to church to pray — to talk to God. You come to church because Jesus is here. Remember, the church is not a place where you talk to your friends. It’s not a place for laughing. You don’t come to church to hurt Jesus. This is God’s house. This is a house of prayer.

Children, when you come to church, behave yourselves! Say your prayers and keep your mind on Jesus every moment! If you do these things, your soul won’t fall asleep.

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962

IN YOUR geography classes you’ve learned about sunny Spain. Well, my story this morning is about Spain, but it’s not about sunny Spain. My story is about a sad Spain, because Spain was at war. Spain was at war with her enemies.

It seems that the enemies of Spain were attacking the city of Toledo. In the city of Toledo there was a large castle which the Spanish people had turned into a fort. In this castle, or fort, there were about a thousand people — a few children, some women, and a large number of soldiers. The soldiers were under the charge of Colonel Moscardo.

For three days the enemy tried to make Colonel Moscardo and his soldiers stop fighting. The enemy used all kinds of tricks and schemes, but Colonel Moscardo refused to give up.

In the midst of the fighting, Colonel Moscardo was called to his office. There was a very important telephone call for the Colonel. Someone wanted to speak to Colonel Moscardo.

The Colonel hurried up the stairs of the castle and entered his office. He sat before a large wooden desk. He picked up the phone.

“Hello!” said the Colonel. Then he waited.

“We have captured your son, Luis,” said the voice of one of the enemy over the phone. “He is here with us now. If you don’t stop fighting within ten minutes, your son will be shot.”

“My son?” called out the Colonel. “I don’t believe you. You’re trying to trap me with one of your schemes. If my son is there, let me speak to him!”

For a moment, there was silence. Then another voice came over the wire. The voice of a sixteen-year-old boy. It was the voice of Luis Moscardo, the son of the Colonel.

“Father!” said the boy. “They’ve told me that they’ll kill me if you don’t stop fighting. What shall I do? I’ll do whatever you tell me.”

Colonel Moscardo’s face turned pale. He tried to think… Should he give his country to the enemy and save his boy, or should he tell his boy to die and save Spain for his people? There was only one answer.

Colonel Moscardo’s voice was very clear. “Luis,” he said, “I can’t stop fighting. I can’t give my country to the enemy. You must die for your country. Beg God to help you, and die like a hero!”

The Colonel listened. “Father,” he heard, “I’ll die for my country. I’ll die for you.”

The father listened for more words from his son, but no other words were spoken. Then a terrible sound came ringing over the wire into the Colonel’s ears. It was the sound of a shot from a gun. Then, the Colonel heard a noise as if something had fallen heavily upon the floor.

Yes, Luis Moscardo, the Colonel’s son, had been shot. Luis Moscardo died because his father asked him to die. Luis Moscardo died for his country. If there ever was a hero, it was Luis Moscardo.

Children, on the first Holy Thursday night, Jesus Christ knelt in a garden. And Jesus called up to His Father in heaven and asked His Father what He should do. And what did God, the Father, ask His Son to do? God asked Jesus, His Son, to give up His life — to die for us. And what did Jesus answer? Children, you know the answer Jesus gave. Jesus, too, told His Father that He would do whatever His Father wanted Him to do. And the very next day, the first Good Friday, Jesus did what His Father asked Him to do. Jesus gave up His life by dying on a cross. Jesus died for you, for me. Yes, Jesus died for the whole world. The world’s greatest Hero — Jesus Christ!

That isn’t all, children! Oh, no! Every morning God lets His Son die again on our altar. In every Mass, Jesus dies again. And why does Jesus die? To free the world from sin! Jesus dies for our sins. He dies to wash away our sins. He dies to win us from sin.

Children, there isn’t any prayer that pleases God more than the Mass. The Mass is the greatest prayer, the best prayer. That’s why God wants us to come to Mass often. Jesus doesn’t die just once a week. Jesus dies every day. That’s why God wants us to come to Mass not just once a week, but every day if it is possible. God wants us to pray the Mass every single day. God wants us to give Him the best prayer every single day.

Why, then, don’t you come to Mass more often? Why don’t you get up a little bit earlier each, morning, and stop in for Mass on your way to school? Hundreds and thousands of people, men and women, go to Mass every day. Why don’t you? You’ll meet Christ at Mass. You’ll get so many, many graces — graces that you need — graces that will help you all through the day.

The Mass, children, is for you. The Mass is Jesus dying for you. Show Jesus that you are grateful for what He is doing for you! Come to Mass! Come to Mass often!

Angel Food for Boys and Girls Volume III
by Rev. Gerald T. Brennan 1898-1962