Spirit Bytes

Conquerors

2012-02-01T19:45:00.000-05:00

READING Romans 8:35, 37 "Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Trial, or distress, or persecution, or hunger, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? Yet in all this we are more than conquerors because of him who has loved us."

Luke 2:22-40 The Presenation of Our Lord in the Temple

2012-02-01T10:43:00.005-05:00

"Faithful to the religious observances of their faith, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the Temple forty days after his birth to dedicate Him to God. This was an important custom of the Jewish religion. It was also customary for a wealthy family to bring a lamb and a young pigeon or turtle dove to be sacrificed. Poorer families, however, were permitted to offer two pigeons or two turtle doves for the offering. When the Holy Family arrived at the Temple, they were greeted by a just and pious man named Simeon." Grace Lines [lhlaweb@lhla.ccsend.com] Scripture tells us that, Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
Many of us meditate on this joyful mystery thinking about how these words brought with them the first of Our Lady's sufferings and yet this scripture is part of the Joyful mysteries of the Holy Rosary. We are being called to reflect on the power of Joy that God gave Mary in this moment. Could it be that Mary's Joy in this moment,when she saw Simeon give witness that her son was indeed the messiah ,outweighed her sorrow. Mary suffered so many trials. She must of been more than a positve thinker to overcome so many sorrows. The joy of Lord was her strength. Can we say the same? I pray that when we see difficulties and challenges we would remember to look seek the Joy of the Lord and the good in everything. Dear Lord help us to follow the example of Mary. May the joy of the Lord be our Strength.

Pray Always

2012-01-31T21:45:00.004-05:00

Pray everyday and when you pray ask Mary, the Mother of Jesus to pray with you.
When you approach the throne of God in Prayer,with our Lady,it is very powerful.
Why?
Because she never denied God anything. She gave him all including her Son. ..and so
it is said that the Father can not deny her prayers be answered.
Our Lady will help us. Her prayers assist us in knowing what it is we really need and what it is we need to accept. She is a good mother. Trust her and she will lead you to trust in God. Let us pray the scriptures in Luke 1:28.
Hail Mary!
Full of Grace.The Lord is with you. Blessed are you amoung woman and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Holy Mary , Mother of God pray for us Sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

March for Life 2012

2012-01-20T09:01:00.004-05:00

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." --Martin Luther King, Jr. ...Amercians can not be silent about abortion anymore. It is being used to kill innocent children,who may be brought to birth and adopted.
Mother Theresa said,
"Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants" Mother Theresa,
If you are a victum of abortion, there are many places where you can turn to find healing. (i.e. http://www.rachelsvineyard.org/, priestsforlife website has many other resources, like the "Silent No More Campaign" of woman who suffered an abortion.)Jesus has provided places of healing and forgiveness for you.

Abortion will kill 120,000 babies today. We have to speak up for them. Let's do more than pray lets act. Help fight abortion go to Marchforlife.org or a march for life near you.

10 Minutes a Day

2012-01-13T08:04:00.003-05:00

Please cut and paste this link into your server.http://thereasonforourhope.org/meet_father/homilies.php?
show=archives

Please check out the above website. Listening to the sermons are quick easy ways to grab a Spirit Byte and draw closer to the God who loves you.
Here is a chance this New Years to make a commitment to spend just ten minutes a day meditating on God's love for you.

Just 10 minutes a day for your creator,father, and savior who loves us with such affection he gave all, to become one of us. Can you give Him ten minutes a day? In front of the Blessed Sacrament, or reading the Word, or giving thanks, or listening to the links above. The Jan 8th sermon on this link is great.

The Help, " Don't Quote Me"

2012-01-08T07:51:00.001-05:00

Aibileen Clark: God says we need to love our enemies. It hard to do. But it can start by telling the truth
Quote taken from the Movie entitled "The Help"

Epiphany

2012-01-07T22:08:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is the feast of the Epiphany.

Mary's and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem included not only joy but frustration, rejection, poverty, and trials.
But then there was that “Silent Night” when the heavens were opened and the Christ child was revealed to the world.
And yes, there was the Epiphany! (Matthew 2:1-12 )
How we all long to experience an epiphany with God! But are we willing to recognize that it takes time and work? In order to find Christ, the Three Kings and the Shepherds had to engage in a journey which involved time, sacrifice, faith and trials. Are we willing, like the Wiseman, to sacrifice in order to prepare our hearts for Christ?
Like the wisemen we have been given a star to guide us; The light of the church is there to guide us to Christ, who is waiting for us in the tabernacle and in the Sacraments. How will we respond to the Good News of Christmas? Can we respond with the shepherds, who upon hearing the Good News said: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."?
The good news is Jesus is in the Tabernacle in our Catholic Churches. Let us go to Eucahristic Adoration and SEE.
The celebration of the magi's encounter with the living God, our Lord Jesus Christ. He came to us as a little baby. He wants to be so approachable. Who would be afraid to approach a little baby? This little baby, who was the king of kings born in poverty and laid in a manger, a feeding trouth accessible to all is calling you. Will you answer his call? Will you make time to be with Him?
The three kings were not afraid to answer his call and they were humble enough to lay prostrate before Him. If we read the account of their journey to find Jesus, we will find that they had to travel through the darkness to find Christ. It took perverance and obedience. It wasn't easy and they had to overcome their fears. They had to trust in the heavens to guide them. Let us pray that we will be like them. They say that wisemen seek him.
Deuteronomy 4:29 The lord says..
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. jdandrow

Friendship withChrist

2012-01-06T07:18:00.004-05:00

A penitent said to St. Pio of Pietrelcina, "Padre, today they say the Rosary is out of date, that it is no longer in fashion. It is no longer said in many churches." He replied: "Let us do what our fathers did and all will be well with us."
"But Satan rules the world," said the penitent.
Padre Pio responded: "Because they make him rule; can a spirit rule by itself if it is not united to the human will?
We could not have been born in a more depraved world. The one who prays a lot saves himself. The one who prays little is in danger. The one who does not pray loses his soul." - An exchange with St. Pio Pietrelcina Pray every day. Praying a lot may seem difficult until we realize that one way to pray is to simply speak and listen to God.
Talk to God not only as if He is the Almighty but also as if he is a friend, because He is.
John 15:15 “ I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you”. New International Version(©1984) Do we treat Christ as He treats us, as friends? Do we take the time to tell Him everything, and to concern ourselves with His concerns? Do we spend time with Him or just sit with him out of obligation? Do we Take time for silence and to be still and to Listen to His voice in prayer
He has so much He wants to give our world and our world rejects Him. Let’s make time today to show Him we are different. We will not take His friendship and sufferings for granted. We can do that by reflecting on this scripture , or praying a Rosary or doing something kind in His name, something more. Let’s pray for the healing our world needs and that we personally need to be more aware of His friendship and to be faithful to Him. Amen

Amazing Grace

2011-12-22T19:25:00.004-05:00

Luke 1: 46 - 56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
Do we think about the great things the almighty has done for us? When times are tough it is hard to do this and yet that is the time when we really need to praise God and give thanks.
We can praise him for His coming to us as an infant, and dying a horrible death.We can remember that He is risen and so too we will rise. We can praise him as He continues to love us by being present to us in the Sacraments(most especially the Holy Eucharist). He sends us His Holy Spirit and calls to personal encounters with Him and his mercy everyday.
Father in Heaven grant us a better recognition of your love for us and the humility of Mary so we too can hear your voice,recieve your Grace and answer your call to carry Christ to one another.

John the Baptist

2011-12-11T22:38:00.001-05:00

No believer in Christ, no institution of the Church, can avoid this supreme duty: to proclaim Christ to all people at all times.”
~Pope John Paul II

Moms Countdown to Christmas, 18 days until Christmas

2011-12-07T15:41:00.002-05:00

Are we having fun yet?
Tired of the Christmas rush? Reading Matthew 11:28-30 Helps.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 New International Versions (NIV)
Last Sunday’s Scriptures invited us to “Prepare the way of the Lord” …..What is this way of the Lord? The church invites us to see that it is a life like John the Baptist, dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit and trusting in completely in God. The way of the Lord is one that makes the time to set oneself apart from the world to spend time resting with God.
It is the way of being open to His will and the work of salvation in our souls. It is the Way of faith, hope and love. Advent is a great time to take a few minutes extra minutes to respond to Jesus’s call to come to Him and find rest. A few minutes reading the Psalms or visiting the Blessed Sacrament,or going to Confession are great ways to prepare for the coming of the Lord and to find rest for your soul.

Christmas Joy

2011-12-02T09:35:00.004-05:00

I was listening to a priest preaching about the Gospel today. He spoke of how we belong to Christ. I found myself asking the question, “Today did I act like I really believe that we belong to Christ or did I behave as if I belong only to this world?" Today, Am I living like I believe that I am His, bought with the sacrifice of His life, the shedding of His precious blood. Am I living in the joy of knowing that God is my Father, I am not alone, and I am a child of the King. Can I take a moment to rest in the joy of knowing that Christ came to a tiny, dirty stable in Bethlehem? He accepted all its imperfections for love of me and You. ..I don’t want to be so busy with life that I don't rest in that knowledge so as to let it permeate all that I do. Come Holy Spirit, lead us this Advent to Bethlehem where we can encounter Christ in a Spirit of Joy and contemplation. Deliver us from the spirit of consumerism and restlessness. May the heart of the infant Jesus move our hearts to joy and peace overflowing?
Like the centurion we can pray, Lord I do believe, please help our unbelief that we may receive and live out the joy, and the graces you have won for us. Amen

Family Advent Prayer

2011-11-30T19:42:00.003-05:00

Dear Father God,
As we contemplate the birth of Jesus this Advent season, we consider the darkness of the stable of Bethlehem and how it resembles the darkness of our hearts and of our world. We give you thanks that you love us with an awesome love that desires to enter into this darkness, in order to bring us your saving light. This advent as we await your coming, Help us to prepare a place for you in our hearts and homes, where you will be honored and glorified. Let your light fill our hearts with hope and the self-knowledge we need to grow in holiness.
The Holy Family sacrificed so much that first Christmas in order to bring Jesus Christ into the world. May the prayers we pray and the sacrifices we make this Advent, help us and our world to recognize His presence more profoundly and may this recognition bring healing to all and Glory to God. Amen
jdandrow

Running from God

2011-10-03T08:53:00.001-05:00

Now the men were seized with great fear and said to him,
"How could you do such a thing!"
They knew that he was fleeing from the LORD,
Because he had told them."...Then they took Jonah and threw him into the sea,and the sea's raging abated. Struck with great fear of the LORD,
the men offered sacrifice and made vows to him.
But the LORD sent a large fish, that swallowed Jonah;
and Jonah remained in the belly of the fish
three days and three nights. to read more go to Jon 1:1:2:1-2,http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/100311.cfm 11

Even when Jonah fled, the Lord showed him mercy but how much better it would of been for Jonah and all involved if Jonah had obeyed and answered God's call.
Are you fleeing from the Lord? Afraid He may ask too much of you? Forgetting that He will never be out done in generosity? Think of Him and what He did for you. Take courage and draw near to your God who loved you enough to die for you. He has entered into our sufferings and our wounded humanity. Surely, He will do what is best for you.
God, your Father in Heaven is a God of Mercy. He is calling you today to find His Mercy and Love for you in the Scriptures and in the Sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist. In my experience, the experience of countless others, they are Sacraments of Healing . If you haven't discovered this yet, I invite and pray that you will open your heart to come home to the Sacraments. Don't run from God's mercy. He is waiting for you.

Trust In the Lord

2011-09-21T20:04:00.009-05:00

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a] Proverbs 3:5-6 (New I. version)
I was given this scripture by my sister-in-law at the begining of my spritual
journey. It came at a time when I decided I needed to seek God for guidance and
it is a scripture that I prayed daily for years.It is a powerful meditation.
After praying it for some time I realized that in order to trust God or anyone like this you need to get to know them first.It made me realize how little I knew God, but the fact that He is infinite did not stop me from trying.After all He died for me and invites us every day to seek Him. As I prayed this scripture,I was led to ask God to help me know Him and love Him better. I prayed for faith and God answered my prayer. In answer to my prayer He first filled me with a love for His Word(the Bible),a love for the Sacraments and an understanding of the power of the Rosary. God our father has not left us orphans. He wants to lead and guide us but to be led we need to be humble. We need to seek and to ask. The scriptures.. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."Jeremiah 29:13 and Pslam 32:8 "I will teach you and instruct you in the way that you should go,I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." Psalm 32 reminds me of this. God does not disappoint....Romans 5:5 "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." . In the Mass and the scriptures we can experience this personally and grow to know love and trust Him more. In doing so we find peace that the world can not give.

His Love

2011-09-05T03:52:00.003-05:00

In Ephesians 3:14-20 [14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen

Patience

2011-09-04T09:32:00.000-05:00

"Be patient with everyone, but above all with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew."

-St. Francis de Sales

Seeking God

2011-09-02T07:29:00.004-05:00

"Whenever I go to the chapel, I put myself in the presence of our good Lord, and I say to Him, " Lord, I am here. Tell me what You would have me do"
If He gives me some task, I am content and I thank Him. If he gives me nothing I still thank Him since I don not deserve to receive anything more that that. And I tell God everything that is inmy heart. I tell Him my pains and joys, and then I listen..
If you listen, God will also speak to you, for with the good Lord, you have to both speak and listen. God always speakes to you when you approach Him plainly and simply."
Saint Catherin Laboure Her story and the story of the Miraculous medal can be found onMiraculous Medal Association - Marian Prayer, Spiritual Reflections ...
www.cammonline.org/ - I prayed the Novena and I was healed of a cyst , Thanks be to God!

The Lord is Near

2011-08-15T18:38:00.004-05:00

These are some of my favorite Scriptures that I am glad to be reminded of.

"Cast all your anxiety on him becuause he cares for you." 1 Peter 5;7
"I sought the Lord, and he answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
"The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear?" Psalm 27:1
Philippians 4:6
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
6 (A)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by (B)prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:5
New International Version (NIV)
5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

St Augustine

2011-08-06T23:27:00.002-05:00

"If I try by myself to swim across the ocean of the world, the waves will certainly
engulf me.In order to survive I must climb aboard a ship made of wood;this wood
is the cross of Christ. Of course even on board ship there will be many dangers
tempests and perils from the sea of the world.But God will help me remain on board the ship and arrive safely at the harbor of eternal life." St Augustine

Testify to Love

2011-08-05T15:30:00.007-05:00

" .. ..What matters is not owning life (which is impossible), but sanctifying it with love while we have it. Recognizing it as the fleeting, precious gift it is. "
This quote is written by Paula D'Arcy in her book,Where the Wind Begins,one of the best books I ever read. It was written by a woman who lost her husband and two year old in a car accident. She was pregnant and survived. Her book tells of her victory and the victory of others over suffering. I hope you can make time to read it. It is a book filled with hope.

Corrie ten Boom

2011-06-25T20:41:00.004-05:00

"If a bird is flying for pleasure it flies with the wind, but if it meets danger
it turns and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher." Corrie ten Boom

Isaiah 40:30-31
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

This quote means alot as it comes from a survivor of the Nazi concentration camps. Corrie's witness is one of great hope and faith. I hope you get a chance to read her story. It is amazing. It is called "The Hiding Place"
Psalm 32:7
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Show Me Your Glory , Third Day

2011-06-22T20:33:00.011-05:00

A Christian should never let adversity get him down except on his knees. -
Mae Nicholson

'Blessed is the man who endures temptation: for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
James1:12 The photo here was taken by my brother Mark Petruzzi(copywrite 2011). The resolution on my computer doesn't do it justice but I love it as it reminds me the victory we have in Christ. The roses are in all their Glory as reach for the sun and they embrace the Cross trelace.

Dear Lord in times of difficulty and always,help us to reach for your Son, Jesus, to embrace our cross and to trust that through it, He will show us Your Glory.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JbEQHmCEFU&feature=related

Moving Forward

2011-06-10T22:22:00.001-05:00

Why Do You Stand There....?"
ACTS 1:8-12 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven

- They say there is no such thing as standing still in the spiritual life. One either moves forward or backward. The disciples were witness of one of the greatest signs and wonders in scripture, the resurrection and ascension of Jesus into Heaven. I imagine it would have been an easy thing for them to remain there looking up at the sky recalling the great vision of Jesus they had seen,consoling one another and rejoicing. But instead, prompted by the angels they returned to Jerusalem and acted on what they had seen and believed.
When we experience Christ and His Glory it is natural to want to remain focused on those moments of mystery and power but Christ calls us to give what we have recieved. We are called to move forward in faith and in the power of His Spirit so as to give witness to the truth that He is Risen.
Dear Jesus, Faith without works is dead. Send us your Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to be living witnesses of you love. Amen

St. Augustine

2011-04-20T06:45:00.000-05:00

"God is not a deceiver that he should offer to support us, and then, when we lean upon Him, should slip away from us."

-St. Augustine

Confession

2011-04-13T15:03:00.001-05:00

Dear God, No use tryin' to kid You... You know I done it. ~ Dennis The Menace

:)

"God, in His mercy, instituted the sacrament of Penance, or Confession, so that sins committed after Baptism may be remitted.
Sin is possible because we are free. It is an abuse of freedom. Denying sin makes the forgiveness of sins impossible. Sin is a deliberate violation of the law of God and is the breaking of a personal relationship. But regardless of how great the sin, there is always mercy."Bishop Fulton Sheen

Humility

2011-04-13T06:22:00.002-05:00

"When tempted to despair, I have only one resource: to throw myself at the foot of the tabernacle like a little dog at the foot of his master."
-St. John Vianney
That's the kind of humility that leads us to Christ, who raises us up far higher than we could ever raise ourselves in our own power. It is hard to ask for the virtue of humility. Maybe this is because the word congers up visions of past humiliations and the fear of more to come. I was glad to of been told that Humility doesn't ask us to think badly of ourselves. Real humility is an honest recognition of ones strengths and weaknesses in the light of Christ's love for us.It calls us to trust in Him and to give thanks to Him in a way that draws us closer to all that is good. Real humility can lead to true contrition and it empowers us to live in the peace and freedom of Christ. Remembering that makes it easier for me to pray for this most foundational of all virtues. Dear Lord, We pray for the light we need to recognize our sins, our strenghts and our weaknesses. We pray for the virtue of humility. We pray this lent for true contrition for our sins and the grace to overcome obstacles that keep us from going to confession, your Sacrament of Mercy. Amen

You Matter

2011-04-12T11:04:00.008-05:00

I read today that one of the greatest gifts of love anyone can ever give or receive is attention. It is a simple yet life changing thought that when you give people your time, you give them your life. How great it was to be reminded that when you pay attention to someone and look them in the eye, you are saying, “You matter to me. You are valuable.” Sometimes it feels like we can not make a difference but Moms, children, dads and all the laity can remember that everyday,when we take the time to listen and pay attention to the needs of others, we are part of Christ's salvic mission. How can we treat others like they matter. We can treat others like they really matter when we are convinced that we really matter to God.Luke12: 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Lent

2011-03-20T20:03:00.002-05:00

“It [penance] does not mean sacrifice and self denial in the first place, but a “change of heart,” a victory over sin and a striving for holiness. The sacrifices of fasting and self-denial are only means and signs of this spiritual penance. If people understand this well, they will not put the main effort in Lent on technical feats of abstaining from pleasures (which sometimes make them proud or vain), but in sincere contrition, prayer and humble fight against their faults.” Fr. Francis X. Weiser S.J
The observance of Lent is the very badge of Christian warfare. By it we prove ourselves not to be enemies of the cross of Christ. By it we avert the scourges of divine justice. By it we gain strength against the princes of darkness, for it shields us with heavenly help. Should mankind grow remiss in their observance of Lent, it would be a detriment to God’s glory, a disgrace to the Catholic religion, and a danger to Christian souls. Neither can it be doubted that such negligence would become the source of misery to the world, of public calamity, and of private woe.”Pope Benedict XIV

Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.
Pope John Paul II
And he departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here.
St. Augustine

Homeward Bound

2011-02-28T12:27:00.003-05:00

"The longer you stay away from Communion, the more your soul will become weak, and in the end you will become dangerously indifferent." -St. John Bosco
Why do we neglect the Mass when it is so powerful in assisting us in our every need?
Is it because we lack knowledge,faith, perseverance,and love? Maybe, we hope to take pride in ourselves and our own accomplishments. Decieved into thinking we have no time or no need for Sunday Mass or even daily Mass, we unknowingly reject the love of God and His means of assisting us. St. John Baptist de la Salle says;
"The Eucharist is necessary to preserve the soul in the spiritual life of grace; for the soul, like the body, becomes gradually exhausted, if care is not taken to repair its strength."
Dear God help us not to get so busy and distracted by the cares of this world that we forget your care, love and saving power for us in the Blessed Sacrament.Amen

An Unhappy Anniversary

2011-01-22T10:22:00.001-05:00

52,008,666 Babies Aborted Since Roe v.Wade, January 22, 1973
Prayer to the Virgin Mary

O Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of us all, we turn to you today as the one who said "Yes" to Life. "You will conceive and bear a Son," the angel told you. Despite the surprise and the uncertainty about how this could be, you said yes. "Be it done unto me according to your word."
Mary, we pray today for all mothers who are afraid to be mothers. We pray for those who feel threatened and overwhelmed by their pregnancy. Intercede for them, that God may give them the grace to say yes and the courage to go on. May they have the grace to reject the false solution of abortion. May they say with you, "Be it done unto me according to your word." May they experience the help of Christian people, and know the peace that comes from doing God's will. Amen.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/prayers/prayertomary.html
Woman need love, not abortions!

How to Pray?

2011-01-13T20:03:00.001-05:00

Pray as Mary, the mother of Jesus prayed.
..."She whom the Almighty made "full of grace" responds by offering her whole being: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to Thy word". "Fiat": this is Christian prayer: to be wholly Gods' because He is wholly ours. [CCC 2617]

"How to pray? This is a simple matter. I would say: Pray any way you like, so long as you do pray."
--Pope John Paul II

Prayer

2011-01-11T20:01:00.001-05:00

"Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness."

-- St. John Chrysostom

Epiphany- Matthew 2:7-12

2011-01-05T21:14:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow is the feast of the Epiphany. The celebration of the magi's encounter with the living God, our Lord Jesus Christ. He came to us as a little baby. He wants to be so approachable. Who would be afraid to approach a little baby? This little baby, who was the king of kings born in poverty and laid in a manger, a feeding trouth accessible to all is calling you. Will you answer his call? Will you make time to be with Him?
The three kings were not afraid to answer his call and they were humble enough to lay prostrate before Him. If we read the account of their journey to find Jesus, we will find that they had to travel through the darkness to find Christ. It took perverance and obedience. It wasn't easy and they had to overcome their fears. They had to trust in the heavens to guide them. Let us pray that we will be like them. They say that wisemen seek him.
Deuteronomy 4:29 The lord says..
But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. jdandrow

WISHING YOU A BLESSED NEW YEAR

2011-01-02T18:57:00.004-05:00

"...so as one year ends and another begins, never forget that you are a child of God. Never forget that you are wrapped in his love, enfolded in his plan, and held close to his heart. He who is from all eternity has divine wisdom to guide you as you face the challenges of 2011. No matter what comes your way. Jesus Christ,the Word of God,has taken on human flesh. He came to dwell among us centuries ago, and he is still dwelling among us today." A meditation based on 1 John 2:18-21 froim FIVE MINUTES WITH THE WORD ADVENT 2010, CALL 1-800-775-9673 TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WORD AMOUNG US. DAILY MEDITATIONS

O Come Let Us Adore Him

2010-12-18T10:02:00.002-05:00

O Come Let Us Adore Him
The journey of the first Christmas included traveling, waiting, fighting the crowds, plans and preparations that were thwarted by the need to register to pay taxes. We all can relate to this, after all, it almost sounds like a modern day at the mall during Advent.
Mary's and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem included not only joy but frustration, rejection, poverty, and trials.
But then there was that “Silent Night” when the heavens were opened and the Christ child was revealed to the world.
And yes, there was the Epiphany! (Matthew 2:1-12 )
How we all long to experience an epiphany with God! But are we willing to recognize that it takes time and work? In order to find Christ, the Three Kings and the Shepherds had to engage in a journey which involved time, sacrifice, faith and trials. Are we willing, like the Wiseman, to sacrifice in order to prepare our hearts for Christ?
Like the wisemen we have been given a star to guide us; The light of the church is there to guide us to Christ, who is waiting for us in the tabernacle and in the Sacraments. How will we respond to the Good News of Christmas? Can we respond with the shepherds, who upon hearing the Good News said: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."?
The good news is Jesus is in the Tabernacle in our Catholic Churches. Let us go to Eucahristic Adoration and SEE.

JOY

2010-12-06T10:57:00.005-05:00

"Only When God is seen does life truly begin. Only when we meet the living God in Christ do we know what life is ...There is nothing more beautiful than to be surprised by the Gospel, by this encounter with Jesus Christ. THere is nothing more beautiful than to know HIm and to speak to others of our friendship with Him" Pope, Benedict XVI

Advent Reflections

2010-11-29T13:45:00.003-05:00

This is a great book that can be downloaded and printed. To find it go to;

http://www.osv.com/tabid/8196/Default.aspx

The Mass

2010-10-21T08:59:00.003-05:00

"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy." ~ Saint Jean Vianney~
"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us." ~ Saint Jean Vianney~
"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass. " ~St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), stigmatic priest~

Just for You

2010-10-20T08:10:00.005-05:00

Matthew 6:33 (King James Version)

33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

On the Cross,God put us first. How can we not try and do the same for Him?
Dear Father, Help us to let go of all the incorrect visions we have of you and to close are ears to the culture's image of you. Help us to trust in your love for us shown to us in the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to know Truth. There can be no justice without truth. Help us to be people of Justice. Amen

Morning Prayer

2010-10-18T07:28:00.005-05:00

I will raise myself up from this bed of sleep to adore my God and to labour for the salvation of my soul. Oh, may I rise on the last day to life everlasting!

Taken from a Manuel of Catholic Devotions Imprimatur May 3 1900, Archbiship Michael Augustine

Never Give Up

2010-10-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

Don’t let your weakness, faults, and sins deter you. Repent and get up again and again. You honor the Lord by such fidelity, and there is no limit to His patience and His forgiveness. May God bless you and lead you day by day. May the Christ of the Gospels capture your heart and your mind in such a way that you will never be the same.” - Sister Ann Shields

Dependence on God

2010-10-01T08:45:00.005-05:00

"The disciples came to Jesus and said, " Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?", And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, And said truly I say to you, unless you are converted, And become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name, receives Me."

A little child completely trusts His Father to care for him. A little child is completely dependant on his father for all his needs.
Are we willing to admit that we need God? Can we trust Him like a little child?

Choose life!

Autumn

2010-09-30T18:54:00.005-05:00

Change is in the air. The leaves are turning, changing falling. I have often reflected on how beautiful the leaves are just before they die. There is something so peacefull about watching the leaves fall gracefully and effortlessly to the ground. It makes me think about the paradox of the cross, that it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Change
Leaves falling in beautiful golds and reds,
Dying
While we give thanks for life
And reap the harvest;
Beautiful, mystical fall.

St Therese of Lisieux

2010-09-29T19:05:00.003-05:00

"Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity."

"Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be - and becoming that person."

- St Therese

"St Therese of Lisieux was born in Alencon, France in 1873. ...
During her short lifetime St Therese sought to approach God through a path of simplicity and love. She developed a path know as “the little way” The philosophy she developed was. to do the ordinary things of life with great love and attention.

“You know well enough that Our Lord does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, nor even at their difficulty, but at the love at which we do them”

St Therese died of tuberculosis at the early age of 24. However her writings were published after her death and have inspired. St Therese is often associated with the rose as she had a particular fondness for roses and often roses appeared in miracles attributed to St Therese after he death." info found on
http://www.writespirit.net/spirituality/women-saints/st_therese_lisieux

November Elections

2010-09-16T15:40:00.003-05:00

"The evangelization of culture is all the more important in our times, when a "dictatorship of relativism" threatens to obscure the unchanging truth about man’s nature, his destiny and his ultimate good. There are some who now seek to exclude religious belief from public discourse, to privatize it or even to paint it as a threat to equality and liberty. Yet religion is in fact a guarantee of authentic liberty and respect, leading us to look upon every person as a brother or sister." Pope Benedict
Full text here: http://origin.ewtn.com/papalvisituk/words.ht
I missed the coverage of the Holy Father's trip to England and Scotland today but a friend sent me this quote from his homily. I have to read it in it's context but I have no doubts that this quote describes exactly what is happening here in America and around the world. Christians need to wake up in this country and excercise our faith now before we loose the freedom to do it. Let's pray to see how each one of us may respectfully put our freedom and faith into action.9

To Tell the Truth

2010-09-14T20:09:00.002-05:00

"There is nothing more important than Truth"
- Mother Theresa
The Truth sets us free to Love.
Mother Theresa also said
"Faith in Action is Love"
"Love in Action is Service"

Our Lord Jesus is the Way,the Truth and the Life. He showed us love in action his entire life. On this feast day of the exhaltation of the Holy Cross I give thanks to Jesus for is mercy and love poured upon us from His Cross. Gaze upon the cross and see that suffering has power and meaning. It need not lead us to despair but to hope and healing. He has truely showed us the way.
"Lord through your cross and resurrection, you have set us free, you are the savior of the world" Amen

Happy Birthday Mother Teresa

2010-08-26T22:23:00.003-05:00

"I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion." - Mother Teresa, in her 1979 Nobel Prize acceptance speech.

Faith

2010-07-12T18:06:00.000-05:00

"Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light." Raymond Edman-

Put Your Hope in Christ

2010-07-11T05:35:00.005-05:00

" In repentance and rest is your salvation,in quietness and trust is your srtength but you would have none of it....15 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion, For the Lord is a God of justice Blessed are all who wait for him" NIV ISAIAH 30:14-18

Multiple Sclerosis, Does God hear 0ur Prayers?

2010-07-08T03:21:00.014-05:00

Today a nurse came to the house to start a five day regiment of steroids as prescribed by my doctor to help with relieve symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. The nurse had to ask my about my symptoms and med. history. Upon telling her she looked at me in amazement and was speechless. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she sees people every day and hears their stories. Having heard mine she knows that I have been through hell and that I should be miserable like the rest of her clients. She shared how she was amazed at the peace and positive attitude I have. She asked me how that could be. She did not know tht my strength comes from knowing that Christ is going through this with me and that my hope is in Him.
I was able to share with her how God gives me strength, that my peace comes from my faith in God but more importantly from the grace to exercise my faith every day. Faith isn't always easy and fighting the temptation to feel sorry for ourselves is hard for everyone. For me it is easier when I depend on the Sacraments and God's word. I could see that she believed in God but did not know how to put her faith in to practice. She did not know how to trust him.
Trust comes from building relationship. It takes work. It is not easy to read scripture every day, pray the Rosary daily or make Mass as often as possible but neither is it easy for an athlete to work out every day. But like the athlete who knows he has muscles and also knows that having muscles is simply not enough; we have faith and we must know that that is not enough. We have to exercise our faith daily, in good times and in bad, through commitment to prayer and service. The athlete knows that he has to exercise his muscles in order for them to be a blessing to him and others. The Christian needs to persevere in the same way,excercising his or her sprititual muscles through practicing ones faith.

If you feel like God is not hearing your prayers, persevere. Make a commitment to seeking him in His Word, the Sacraments,and in prayer. Don't wait until a trial comes to grow strong in the Lord. Seek him now and grow strong now so that when the trial comes it does not take you by surprise and you will stand ready to fight with faith, hope and love.
Back to the Nurse and her inability to cope with her own difficulties and the suffering she sees every day.
She kept asking me about my testimony and I shared it with her. God touched her heart. It was a beautiful thing to see that the way God blessed me in my sufferings (with God's grace) gave her joy and the faith to persevere.
Dear Lord Help us to be instruments of faith, hope and love and to the truth that you will never leave us nor forsake us but that you will work all things together for good for those who love you. Should we in our weakness despair help us to persevere. Without you and your grace we can do nothing. Glorify your name and deliver us from every evil. Amen
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Don't Quote Me on Laughter

2010-07-05T21:26:00.004-05:00

You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything, even poverty, you can survive it.” Cosby
"Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” Twain
-"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.."ECC
-"Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh."Luke 6:21

Suffering with Christ

2010-06-16T06:42:00.003-05:00

I heard a soul say try to explain the mystery of suffering today. He said that some souls, if it is possible Jesus loves more. I disagree.
He said this in an effort to explain the mystery of why some suffer more than others.
First of all, who can measure how much suffering each one of us has? Impossible.
Secondly, Peter and Jon were called to be set apart at least twice; Once when they climbed the mount of transfiguration, where they received the great consolation of seeing Christ in his divinity, and then again in the garden of Gethsemane where they witnessed his agony.
They were close to him both in his sufferings and in His Glory.
Christ loves all and calls some to be closer to him than others. Those who are closer may experience His sufferings more readily but they also experience his joys and glories in greater ways. Good always conquers evil.
It serves us well to remember that there were two people crucified with Christ. One chose to be angry and bitter, but the other chose to accept it and in doing so he heard the voice of His savior promise him paradise.JD

Grace

2010-06-04T22:11:00.005-05:00

I heard someone say today that God will give the grace that you need for today.
Don't worry about what might happen tomorrow. You're not there yet,nor are the graces that are prepared for it.
Matthew 6
31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Eucharist

2010-06-01T12:57:00.003-05:00

"When you look at Jesus on the cross you remember how he loved you 2000 years ago and when you look at the Euchrist you see how he loves now" Taken from EWTN's special on St Margaret Mary

Romans 5:3

2010-05-30T04:40:00.002-05:00

3 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.

What is the reason for your hope? Trust in the Lord. He will not disappoint. Come Holy Spirit fill us with your love overflowing.

-- Psalm 55 liv, 17-19,22

2010-05-29T13:05:00.001-05:00

But I have cried to God: and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning, and at noon I will speak and declare: and He shall hear my voice: He shall redeem my soul in peace from them that draw near to me...

22 Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 34:19

2010-05-29T09:35:00.002-05:00

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

Truth - St. Maximilian Kolbe

2010-05-20T07:45:00.002-05:00

"No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hetacombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we are ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?"
~ St. Maximilian Kolbe

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

2010-05-19T17:40:00.002-05:00

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal, the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth, the Spirit of Counsel that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven, the Spirit of Fortitude that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, the Spirit of Piety that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, and the Spirit of Fear that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord with the sign of Your true disciples, and animate me in all things with Your Spirit. Amen.

Jeremiah 17: 7- 8 Trust

2010-04-25T19:28:00.001-05:00

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the water that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of the drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit."
Jeremiah 17: 7- 8

Theresa of Avila

2010-04-24T16:20:00.001-05:00

Consider seriously how quickly people change, and how little trust is to be had in them; and hold fast to God, who does not change." Theresa of Avila

Don't Quote Me- Health Care Bill

2010-04-21T19:56:00.003-05:00

“Pride is an admission of weakness; it secretly fears all competition and dreads all rivals.”Bishop Fulton Sheen
“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” Bishop Fulton Sheen
“The big print giveth, and the fine print taketh away.”Bishop Fulton Sheen
Reminds me of the health care bill.

The Persecution of Pope Benedict

2010-04-21T07:16:00.002-05:00

For a good article go to http://www.catholicvoteaction.org/americanpapist/index.php?p=6557
and http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZDkxYmUzMTQ1YWUyMzRkMzg4Y2RiN2UyOWIzNDVkNDM=

A Last Prayer Mother Theresa

2010-04-19T19:22:00.007-05:00

Mother Theresa writes..

The devil may try to use the hurts of life,
and sometimes our own mistakes,
to make you feel it is impossible that Jesus really loves you,
is really cleaving to you. This is a danger for all of us.
And so sad,because it is completely the opposite of what Jesus is really wanting,
waiting to tell you. Not only that He loves you, but even more, He longs for you.
He misses you when you don't come close. He thirsts for you.
He loves you always, even when you don't feel worthy.
When not accepted by others, even by yourself sometimes,
He is the one who always accepts you.
Only believe, you are precious to him.
Bring all you are suffering to His feet,
only open your heart to be loved by Him as you are.
He will do the rest.
- Mother Teresa, 1910-1997 For more see side bar

Don't Quote Me - Mother Theresa

2010-04-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

"If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist and to Jesus... We must pray to Jesus to give us that tenderness of the Eucharist." -Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Forgiveness

2010-03-29T08:22:00.004-05:00

I came across this quote today and thought how appropriate it is for Holy
Week. "When we are judging others, we have no time to love them."
~Mother Theresa
This is a great quote although it does not exclude the fact that we
are called in the Gospel to discern, and choose between good and evil.
That being said, we can reflect on how
during Holy week we witness our Lord Jesus being judged and crucified.
He did not judge those who judged him. He prayed for them.
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Gospel of Luke 23:34 Have I done the same?
Dear Lord, Help me to know truth and to defend truth, to discern between good and evil. When others bear false witness against us help me to know when to speak and when to be silent. Help me to pray for my persecutors with a great trust in God's providential care for me and for those who hurt us. Amen

Defending Life

2010-02-06T05:06:00.001-05:00

"....There are some in our culture and even in our country, even culturally elites who think that human civil institutions or some given human subject bestow the right to life. No, not any of us bestow the right to life. We can only recognize the right to life, uphold it, defend it, and cherish its beauty..." taken from

Homily of Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston
Chairman, USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities
National Prayer Vigil for Life Opening Mass
January 21, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

Bigotry in American Politics - Catholic Charities

2010-02-06T04:55:00.004-05:00

The civil rights of Catholics are being violated by goverenment leaders everyday. Where is the outrage and where are the calls for seperation of Chruch and state when the govenement imposes it's religion of moral reletavism on Catholics? Everyone has the right to believe what they want to except Catholics? Go figure? But who can?
All people of faith should be outspoken about Harry Knox and the bigotry and lies being spewed against Catholics by the Obama Administration! We need to protect our religious freedoms. We need to pray and we need to vote the present elected officails out of office.

CHeck out One of the biggest charities inthe world! http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=897

Hope in Haiti

2010-02-04T20:18:00.000-05:00

Thoughts for the Glory of God
louishaiti.blogspot.com

Changing the Culture

2010-01-30T22:51:00.001-05:00

"..we need to remember that what we do, proceeds from who we are. Nothing is more dead than faith without works (Jas 2:17); except maybe one thing: works without faith. I do not think Paul had management issues in his head when he preached at the Areopagus. Management and resources are important – but the really essential questions, the questions that determine everything else in our life as Christians, are these: Do I really know God? Do I really love him? Do I seek him out? Do I study his word? Do I listen for his voice? Do I give my heart to him? Do I really believe he's there?" ZE10012703 - 2010-01-27
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-28172?l=english
\Archbishop Chaput to Congress on Priests and Laity
"The Prince of This World and the Evangelization of Culture"

Angels We Have Heard on High- keep it simple

2009-12-24T07:22:00.006-05:00

This morning, on Christmas Eve, I awoke with the song, Angels We have Heard on High” going through my head. I felt joy and peace.
One wonders why the shepherds heard and saw the angels and heavenly host on the first Christmas. I have heard of many reasons but this morning, when I read in the Gospel of Luke;”The shepherds were in their fields at night keeping watch over the sheep", the word “watch” struck me.
I imagine that the noise and the hustle of the city during the census left most of the inhabitants too busy to hear or see God.
The Shepherds, on the other hand were keeping watch. The lives of the shepherds were simple. The shepherds were in a place where they could see and hear God’s voice through the angels. This Christmas, one may ask the question, are we in that place?
Keeping things simple at Christmas time can be a challenge. I pray that the activities of the season and anxieties of this world would not distract us from hearing the voice of the angels say to each one of us, personally,..”Do not be afraid…Today in the town of David a savior has been born to YOU, he is Christ” Luke
God came to us as a little Baby, small, vulnerable and pure. Glory to God in the Highest!
Merry Christmas

O Come Let Us Adore Him

2009-12-12T11:26:00.000-05:00

The journey of the first Christmas included traveling, waiting, fighting the crowds, plans and preparations that were thwarted by the need to register to pay taxes. We all can relate to this, after all, it almost sounds like a modern day at the mall during Advent.
Mary's and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem included not only joy but frustration, rejection, poverty, and trials.
But then there was that “Silent Night” when the heavens were opened and the Christ child was revealed to the world.
And yes, there was the Epiphany! (Matthew 2:1-12 )
How we all long to experience an epiphany with God! But are we willing to recognize that it takes time and work? In order to find Christ, the Three Kings and the Shepherds had to engage in a journey which involved time, sacrifice, faith and trials. Are we willing, like the Wiseman, to sacrifice in order to prepare our hearts for Christ?
Like the wisemen we have been given a star to guide us; The light of the church is there to guide us to Christ, who is waiting for us in the tabernacle and in the Sacraments. How will we respond to the Good News of Christmas? Can we respond with the shepherds, who upon hearing the Good News said: "Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."?
The good news is Jesus is in the Tabernacle in our Catholic Churches. Let us go to Eucahristic Adoration and SEE.

Don't Quote Me

2009-11-20T23:22:00.003-05:00

"Entrust yourself entirely to God. He is a Father, and a most loving Father at that, who would rather let Heaven and earth collapse than abandon anyone who trusted in Him." St Paul of the Cross

Spinal Tap

2009-11-14T13:44:00.003-05:00

Recovering from a spinal tap today. Came across this quote.
Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass... it's about learning how to dance in the rain!"
It happens to be raining out today and I just keep thinking about Gene Kelly.
Came across this as well,..

"

Peace

2009-10-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart?

-- St. Gerard Majella

The Promise

2009-10-08T07:10:00.004-05:00

But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays. ~Malachi 3:13-20b

If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" ~Luke 11:5-13

Facing Failure

2009-10-07T21:23:00.001-05:00

Facing Failure

Mother Teresa:
" Jesus the Son of God was sent by His Father to proclaim Good News.
He was fully confident that his father would work out His plan of slavation in spite of the apparant failure of his mission. He was confident even when he saw that people did not accept him. For 30 years in Nazereth they knew Him only as the son of Joseph and Mary. Our Lady and Joseph too must have wondered. People told Him that He was mad, a liar, they slapped Him, spat at Him crucified Him. He seemed to be a complete failure. He knew though that in spite of all this, the will of His Father would be fullfilled. Do you have that Trust?" From "Thursting for God", by M. Teresa

The Battle is Not Ours but the Lords

2009-10-02T06:03:00.000-05:00

Sunday, October 14, 2007
Life is a Battle, Spiritual Warfare

EXODUS
8Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.
9So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."
10Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.
12But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.
13So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
__________________________________________
Moses and the people of Israel were in a battle. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Isreal had the better of the fight. But even Moses could not do this alone. Moses needed the help of the community (Aron and Hur) to support him. We too are in a battle and without community to support us we can not have the victory. Lifes battles can be exhausting and we like Moses need to do more than just believe that our help is in the Lord. This reading is a great reminder that we need to surround ourselves with others who share our faith and whom can we can depend on for help when we are weary. Don't Go it Alone.
Love Mrs. TLF

Autumn

2009-09-30T19:09:00.003-05:00

In light of what I just read in my last post (posted two months ago ) I should be changing a lot.
Change is in the air. The leaves are turning, changing falling. I have often reflected on how beautiful the leaves are just before they die. I wonder if that is how it is suppose to be for all of us or at least all of us who believe. When we reflect on the death of Jesus on the cross it is easy to see only the gruesomeness and horror of sin and death. How sad it is that this is the only thing some see, when they look at the cross. Others see Christ and His love for us and some see both. The paradox of the cross, that it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Change
Leaves falling in beautiful golds and reds,
Dying
While we give thanks for life
And reap the harvest;
Beautiful, mystical fall.

Suffering

2009-07-20T21:39:00.004-05:00

" Suffering is healing. There are those who think the path to holiness is to be healed of your bodily suffering, but often times God uses the suffering to change us and to heal our souls." Mother Angelica

Don't Quote Me

2009-05-08T04:35:00.000-05:00

Pray always and don't doubt that God keeps you in His divine arms and that the time will come when He will teach you His most holy Will.

-- St. Paul of the Cross

The Good Shepherd

2009-05-03T20:24:00.004-05:00

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,
15 as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Alleluia, He is Risen!

2009-04-11T19:07:00.002-05:00

Re-Run
John 20:1-2, 11-18......They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."Saying this, she turned round and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. ..Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rab-bo'ni!" (which means Teacher). Could it be that Mary was weeping so hard that she could not see Jesus and yet He was right there beside her? What keeps us from seeing and believing that Jesus is near and calling us by name?

A Funny Byte

2009-04-07T17:10:00.004-05:00

Taken from Ahajokes.com

with Love to all my friends and family, Happy Easter!

Life is Good

2009-04-01T17:40:00.007-05:00

I just read the following on the internet; "The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. "Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, she's dead." Kids are so funny. The teacher must have laughed her socks off.
Goethe is known for saying that "Life is the childhood of our immortality" but I am not sure how many of us live like we believe that. On the day after 9/11 the churches were filled with people who believed it. I hope this lent helps us to do the same but in a spirit of joy and not sorrow.
I am referring to the Joy of knowing that because of Jesus Christ crucified and Risen from the dead, there is hope for us all and best of all, for the faithful, there are the rewards of eternal life. Dear Jesus don't let us miss the chance this lent to see your personal love and forgiveness for us. Amen

Don't Quote Me

2009-03-31T14:46:00.002-05:00

"Easter says you can put the truth in the grave but it wont stay there." Hall

Jesus Our Hope

2009-03-28T21:03:00.005-05:00

"The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in

the LORD." Pslam 21:34

Hope in Christ

2009-03-23T13:43:00.007-05:00

"I will lead the blind on their journey; by paths unknown I will guide them.

I will turn darkness into light before them, and make crooked ways straight. " (Revelation 14 ) The CCC says that Hope is the confident expectation of divine blessing and the beatific vision of God.." We all need to join the blind man in the gospel when he cried out... "Lord help us to see". We all need to put our hope in Christ.

HOPE from the Flowers

2009-03-21T05:13:00.005-05:00

Our lives, like the tulips endure the long dark winter days. Their bulbs hidden under the ground amaze me. It seems a small miracle to watch as every spring they rise up out of the darkness, their colors brightening the earth while giving glory to God. These little signs of hope and resurrection encourage me as I contemplate God’s goodness and power to use the darkness and cold of winter to produce such life and beauty.Once we see the tulips winter seems almost forgotten.Dear God help us to trust you to bring new life, joy and beauty out of the winters of our lives.Amen

"Prayer of Discernment."

2009-03-18T07:12:00.001-05:00

Happy Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord that I may carry out Your holy and true command. Amen. St Francis of Assisi

Lent - Season of Joy

2009-03-01T07:50:00.003-05:00

At lent we contemplate the passion of Christ and so we are reminded of Our Lord Jesus's great love for us.
When we recieve this love it sets us free and gives hope. There is great joy in contemplating His personal love for us. A real love that proved itself in suffering in all things. But we can't recieve His love if we do not have open hands and open hearts and so we empty ourselves through prayer, fasting and sacrifice. The sacrifices we make though sometimes difficult are made lighter with the knowledge that it is the fruits of His Sacrifice on the cross that we all recieve. Freedom in Christ and the joy of eternal life .
"I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love. " Mother Teresa

Forgiven

2009-02-23T19:25:00.004-05:00

Isaiah 43: 18 - 19, 21 - 22, 24 - 25
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
.......I, I am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." We need not let the past lead us when the light of Jesus in His word calls us forward in faith. Dear Jesus light of the world help us to forgive and be forgiven. Set us free to share your love and truth. Amen

Letting Go

2009-02-21T21:29:00.005-05:00

"...but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. " Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians 3:13

It is so easy to fall into the temptation of dwelling on our past mistakes. Knowing Saint Paul's history of perscuting Christians one may think that Paul had every reason to do just that but instead he calls us to forget what is behind and to keep moving forward.

Dear Jesus, we pray that we would never allow the weight of our sins and mistakes to weigh us down and keep us from pressing ahead towards the goal. St. Paul you accomplished great things for and in Christ. Pray for us and for the Church. Amen

Sacred Heart Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T10:28:00.005-05:00

"Behold this Heart which has so loved men that it has spared nothing, even to exhausting and consuming itself, in order to testify its love. In return, I receive from the greater part only ingratitude, by their irreverence and sacrileges, and by the coldness and contempt they have for me in this Sacrament of love... "-- Third apparition of Jesus to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Sacred Heart of Jesus

In all my temptations, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my weaknesses, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my difficulties, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my trials, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my sorrows, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my work, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In every failure, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In every discouragement, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In life and in death, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In time and in eternity, I place my trust in You,O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
[From: Catholic Book of Prayers]

Seeing Things in a New Light.

2009-02-10T16:29:00.008-05:00

The light of Christ can change the way we see everything. How do we find His light?
I was reminded today that meditating on the scriptures everyday is an essential part of living in the light of Christ. For me this has always been true. When we come to Him humbly seeking him in the scripture, His word really does pierce our coldness of heart. Come Holy Spirit guide us in your Word.
Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Christian Prayer Liturgy of the Hours

2009-02-06T07:50:00.004-05:00

"God our Father, you conquer the darkness of ignorance by the LIGHT of your Word.

Strengthen within our hearts the faith you have given us;;

let not temptation ever quench the fire that your love has kindled within us.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Photo by Jim Petruzzi http://www.myhawaiianimages.com/gallery/5832038_X7GEt#466703939_94APe

Hope for the Flowers

2009-01-30T11:00:00.011-05:00

Only a month ago we celebrated Christmas and Lent is only a few weeks away.
Each day the sun shines a little longer. The days are literally getting brighter as we approach springtime. I see this as an invitation to contemplate Jesus the light of the world. His light warms the earth so that it can bear its fruit in due time. Sooner than we think the springtime sun will melt the snow and frost away and we will see the crocus flowers appear. I pray we all may experience His light, the light of God's Son, in a way that will warm our hearts, melting the frost of winter away so we can radiate His Love and Hope in all that we do. Amen
Ephesians 1:18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Titus1:31Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior,

Jesus Light of the World

2009-01-28T19:32:00.002-05:00

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ

Obama’s Inauguration Speech

2009-01-22T15:39:00.002-05:00

Our new President, whom we all need to respect and pray for, spoke these words on inauguration day;

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear…

Today, thousands who have chosen Hope over fear are marching on the nation’s capitol in the March for Life. Because,
“Woman who have unplanned pregnancies need Hope not abortions”
This nation needs to see we can choose Hope over fear.
Let us pray that our President will, as the expression goes, “put his money where his mouth is” and provide hope for woman and preborn babies in this country. Let us pray that he will see the dangers of signing FOCA. . Choose Hope. Choose Life. Amen