Daily Grace

You Are Peter, And On This Rock I Build My Church

2012-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

A priest's response to the original rap video titled " Why I love Jesus, but hate religion.".

A special thank you to my sister Mary for sharing this with me.Her son goes to Servite High School and his theology teacher shared both videos with the class. Afterwards, the class discussed both.

I would love to read your thoughts on them.

Let Prayer Become A Joy For You

2012-01-25T13:25:00.000-08:00

Dear children! With joy, also today I call you to open your hearts and to listen to my call. Anew, I desire to draw you closer to my Immaculate Heart, where you will find refuge and peace. Open yourselves to prayer, until it becomes a joy for you. Through prayer, the Most High will give you an abundance of grace and you will become my extended hands in this restless world which longs for peace. Little children, with your lives witness faith and pray that faith may grow day by day in your hearts. I am with you. Thank you for having responded to my call. January 25, 2012, BVM, Medjugorje

Our Lady's words are both strong and tender as she beckons each one of us to come and open our hearts, to heed her call, to turn away from all that keeps us from embracing her Son.

As the psalmist said long ago, "Only in God is my soul at rest, in him comes my salvation".1

In prayer we find shelter and relief from all that the world has to offer; in prayer we experience what God has to offer......

Prayer brings peace. Peace brings joy. Joy cannot be kept to itself, joy can only be shared.

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.~ John 15:11

1 Psalm 62

Help Peace to Reign

2012-01-24T13:47:00.000-08:00

The followers of Christ have been called to peace. … And they must not only have peace but also make it. And to that end they renounce all violence and tumult. In the cause of Christ nothing is to be gained by such methods. … His disciples keep the peace by choosing to endure suffering themselves rather than inflict it on others. They maintain fellowship where others would break it off. They renounce hatred and wrong. In so doing they over-come evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer 1906-1945
The Cost of Discipleship

Making peace is not always an easy thing to do. Sometimes certain people or certain situations just rub us wrong. When conflicts arise our first reaction is usually to fight or flight. In both scenarios the pride of self is initially chosen before anything else.

Peace demands a mentality and a spirit which, before turning to others, must first permeate him who wishes to bring peace. Peace is first and foremost personal before it is social. And it is precisely this spirit of peace which it is the duty of every true follower of Christ to cultivate. ~John Paull VI

Cultivating peace, like cultivating a garden requires some work. But the fruit of the labor is worth price.

"Dear children, today I call you to pray especially for peace. Dear children, without peace you cannot truly experience the birth of Jesus in your daily lives.

Therefore, pray to the Lord of Peace that he will protect you with his mantle, and that he may help you understand how important it is to have a great peace in your hearts. Having this, you will be able to spread the peace of your hearts throughout the world.

I am always with you and intercede to God for you. Pray, for Satan wants to destroy my plan for peace. Be reconciled with each other and, by your lives, help peace to reign over the entire earth." BVM, Medjugorje, December 25, 1990

The Holy Father specifically cited the "grave threats" to the freedom of the Church in America

2012-01-22T06:29:00.000-08:00

This morning President Obama called New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan to break the news.

Secretary of Health and Human Services and pro-abortion Catholic Kathleen Sebelius just announced that the proposed mandate requiring all insurance plans to pay for contraception, sterilization and some abortion drugs is official -- and Catholics cannot escape.
...and the fig-leaf exemption for religious groups will not be modified, apart from allowing some groups an additional year to comply.

Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan responded minutes ago, saying: “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”
Beginning August 1, 2012 (less than eight months from today), the insurance premiums we pay, including the insurance premiums paid by Catholics for employees of churches and schools -- will be used to cover drugs and procedures that are in direct conflict with the teachings of our Church.

That's right. Our government will now force us to pay for insurance coverage for birth control, sterilization and even some abortion drugs.

President Obama ignored the organized efforts of Catholics across the country, including bold statements from the Bishops, university presidents (including Notre Dame's Rev. Jenkins), and even his Catholic allies like Sr. Carol Keehan.

Instead, President Obama stood with his real friends -- Planned Parenthood.

Make no mistake, this decision is a direct attack on you, our Church, and the religious liberty of all Americans.

Just yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the bishops from the United States who were completing their "Ad Limina" visit in Rome. The Holy Father specifically cited the "grave threats" to the freedom of the Church in America, and urged the Catholic community to respond, especially with "an engaged, articulate and well-formed Catholic laity."

He's talking to you and me. The Holy Father's brief address is a must read (link below).

Finally, today marks exactly one year from Inauguration Day. In exactly 12 months, America will welcome a new president, or usher in four more years of Barack Obama and his assault on our liberties. This irony is not lost on us.

We built CatholicVote into a movement to advance the cause of life, family, and freedom. Today's decision is an assault on all three. And it MUST be defeated.

You have our pledge that we will do everything possible to educate and mobilize the Catholic vote in 2012.

For on a day such as this, we realize that elections indeed have consequences.

The Catholic vote must rise up like never before. 1.

1.Brian Burch, President : CatholicVote.org

U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict
http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm

Read the Holy Father's Address to the US Bishops:
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2012/january/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20120119_bishops-usa_en.html

Read the text of the HHS Announcement:

In Adoration you meet Jesus

2012-01-21T08:02:00.000-08:00

Adoration of Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament is a paramount source to keep going at a difficult time, visionary Ivan Dragicevic says in a new interview. Ivan also confirms the seers to share a number of identical secrets, tells to be half finished writing his book, and calls the relationship between New Orleans and Medjugorje “important and significant”.

Ivan Dragicevic

It is urgently needed for man to follow and live the Virgin Mary’s messages from Medjugorje. It is not always easy, particularly not when times are difficult. But there are sources to turn to for strength, and meeting with Jesus in The Blessed Sacrament will make everything easier, Medjugorje visionary Ivan Dragicevic says in the January issue of The Medjugorje Star.

“Our Lady told me a couple of times,“I know my children are trying to live my message”. If people are trying, this is a very good step.” Ivan says.

“Living in this world today especially at this time, sometimes it is hard, even for me. I am trying every day. We need to be following, following Our Lady’s messages. We need to always be fighting to live the messages.”

Adoration in Medjugorje

The struggle is spiritual in nature, and it is not intended for man to fight it alone:

“Everything will be easier if we put Jesus first. Our Lady recommends going to Adoration of Jesus. In Adoration you meet Jesus; and when you meet Jesus, Jesus tells you everything you need. After you start Adoration of Jesus, everything else is easier” Ivan tells The Medjugorje Star.

“Joy, joy, joy can only be in Jesus. Nobody can give joy except Jesus. Reading the Bible, you will see joy. That is what Our Lady is asking, to read the Bible. Our Lady asks for confession to cleanse ourselves of sin. When the Holy Spirit and grace comes in your heart, there is a river of love. A river of joy then becomes your heart. Remove all negative and you will be open for the Holy Spirit.”

Seers share a number of secrets; book half finished

The statue of Jesus outside Saint Louis Cathedral, New Orleans. Ivan calls the city's relationship to Medjugorje significant and important

During the interview, Ivan confirms the Medjugorje visionaries to share a number of the same secrets entrusted to them by the Virgin Mary. Visionary Vicka Ivankovic said the same in the mid-1980s but later the notion sprung up that The Permanent Sign is the only future event known with certainty by all the visionaries:

“Our Lady does not give six visionaries 60 different secrets. Some secrets are the same. When I stay in Medjugorje in the summer when most of the visionaries are there, I talk to some of them during coffee time, especially Jakov and Mirjana. We talk of the same secrets.” Ivan tells The Medjugorje Star.

Two other noteworthy bits from the interview deal with the book that Ivan says he is writing with The Virgin Mary’s help, and about Medjugorje’s relationship to New Orleans where the interview was conducted by Mimi Kelly of The Mir Group in early November 2011:

“I am working for a long time on my book. The book is half finished. I need more time. So many papers stay on my table. The last couple of years I have been so busy with traveling and speaking in churches. Privately, Our Lady gives me things especially for priests, young people, family, and children” Ivan says.

And about New Orleans:

“I think New Orleans is my second home. I come one or two times a year. New Orleans is a foundation for Medjugorje. After the apparitions began in 1981, some of the first pilgrims came from New Orleans. The relation between Medjugorje and New Orleans is important. It is significant.”

Spirit Daily is circulating this article

In God's Company 2

Medjugorje Today

The Likeness of Christ

2012-01-19T19:00:00.000-08:00

Following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI invited the faithful, “as individuals and in communities, to participate spiritually, and where possible practically in the Week of Prayer, to ask God for the gift of full unity among the disciples of Christ”.

Thank you to Deacon John for sharing this video.

As the beautiful lyrics of the Gospel song "One Bread, One Body" by John Foley remind us.....

One bread, one body
One Lord of all
One cup of blessing which we bless
And we, though many
Throughout the earth
We are one body in this one Lord.

Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues

2012-01-19T11:30:00.000-08:00

Father Robert Barron has another engaging presentation concerning the Seven Deadly Sins, those great spiritual blocks that inhibit our flourishing in relationship with God and one another. Based on Dante’s writings, the seven deadly sins correspond to the seven stories of Dante’s Mt. Purgatory. Pride, envy, anger, sloth, gluttony, avarice and lust are all presented as patterns of dysfunction within us that lead to unhappiness.

You can catch part of the series on EWTN. Check their program guide for times in your area. Or, you can also order this great series from Word On Fire .

Every judgement of conscience, be it right or wrong, be it about things evil in themselves or morally indifferent, is obligatory, in such wise that he who acts against his conscience always sins. ~ Thomas Aquinas

Brick Walls

2012-01-18T10:27:00.000-08:00

This is Amelia

I am going to try and tell you what happened to us on January 10, 2012, in the conference room in the Nephrology department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

We arrived for our regular Nephrology visit with Amelia’s doctor who has seen her for the last three years. She examines Amelia and sends us for labs. I ask about the transplant and she says we have about six months to a year until she needs one. She tells us she reserved the conference room and when we get back from labs, we can meet with the transplant team and he can tell us about the transplant process.

After the labs, Amelia falls asleep in her stroller and we are called back to a large room with a screen and about sixteen chairs. Joe and I get comfortable and leave a space between us to fit the stroller. After about five minutes, a doctor and a social worker enter the room. They sit across from us but also leave a space between the two of them.

The doctor begins to talk and I listen intently on what he is saying. He has a Peruvian accent and is small, with brown hair, a mustache and is about sixty five years old. He gets about four sentences out ( I think it is an introduction) and places two sheets of paper on the table. I can’t take my eyes off the paper. I am afraid to look over at Joe because I suddenly know where the conversation is headed. In the middle of both papers, he highlighted in pink two phrases. Paper number one has the words, “Mentally Retarded” in cotton candy pink right under Hepatitis C. Paper number two has the phrase, “Brain Damage” in the same pink right under HIV. I remind myself to focus and look back at the doctor. I am still smiling.

He says about three more sentences when something sparks in my brain. First it is hazy, foggy, like I am swimming under water. I actually shake my head a little to clear it. And then my brain focuses on what he just said.

I put my hand up. “Stop talking for a minute. Did you just say that Amelia shouldn’t have the transplant done because she is mentally retarded. I am confused. Did you really just say that?”

The tears. Oh, the damn tears. Where did they come from? Niagara Falls. All at once. There was no warning. I couldn’t stop them. There were no tissues in conference room so I use my sleeve and my hands and I keep wiping telling myself to stop it.

I point to the paper and he lets me rant a minute. I can’t stop pointing to the paper. “This phrase. This word. This is why she can’t have the transplant done.”

“Yes.”

I begin to shake. My whole body trembles and he begins to tell me how she will never be able to get on the waiting list because she is mentally retarded.

A bit of hope. I sit up and get excited.

“Oh, that’s ok! We plan on donating. If we aren’t a match, we come from a large family and someone will donate. We don’t want to be on the list. We will find our own donor.”

“Noooo. She—is—not—eligible –because—of—her—quality– of –life—Because—of—her—mental—delays” He says each word very slowly as if I am hard of hearing.

“STOP IT NOW!” The anger is taking over. Thank God. Why did it take so long to get here?

The social worker is writing some things down. Not sure what. She casually gets up to take a call. My eyes follow her to the phone and I see Joe’s face. His mouth is open, his face is pale and he is staring straight ahead of him at the white board.

Rage fills the room. I point in his little, brown pudgy face. “Do not talk about her quality of life. You have no idea what she is like. We have crossed many, many road blocks with Amelia and this is just one more. So, you don’t agree she should have it done? Fine. But tell me who I talk to next because SHE WILL HAVE IT DONE AND IT WILL BE AT CHOP.”

I see the social worker quickly writing down what I just said. Joe hasn’t moved. Amelia is still asleep.

The social worker decides to join the conversation. “Well, you know a transplant is not forever. She will need another one in twelve years. And then what? And do you have any idea of the medications she will need to take to keep her healthy?”

I speak through gritted together. “YES, I HAVE DONE ALL MY RESEARCH.”

She smirks a little. “Well, what happens when she is thirty and neither of you are around to take care of her. What happens to her then? Who will make sure she takes her medications then?”

In a voice that mimics hers, I snort, “Well, what happens if you die tomorrow? Who will take care of your children? Your responsibilities at work?” She breathes in and her eyes widens. “Right!” I throw at her. “Neither of us can predict the future and we shouldn’t try. But if Amelia does not have this transplant she has no future!”

The doctor interrupts. He puts his hands up and tries to take a stern voice with me. “These medications she has to take after the transplant, they are very dangerous. They can cause seizures. We have to get the dose exact. They may cause brain damage.”

“DO OTHER CHIILDREN WHO HAVE A TRANSPLANT TAKE THIS MEDICATION?”

“Yes, but it is different for her. She is already brain damaged and mentally retarded.”

He pauses as if he is choosing his words carefully. “I have been warned about you. About how involved you and your famliy are with Amelia.”

The devil himself could not have produced a more evil laugh. “Ha! Warned! That is funny! You have no idea…”

I am beginning to realize I want this over with so I can move onto the next person who will help me with the transplant. So I say the words and ask the questions I have been avoiding.

“So you mean to tell me that as a doctor, you are not recommending the transplant, and when her kidneys fail in six months to a year, you want me to let her die because she is mentally retarded? There is no other medical reason for her not to have this transplant other than she is MENTALLY RETARDED!”

“Yes. This is hard for me, you know.”

My eyes burn through his soul as if I could set him on fire right there. “Ok, so now what? This is not acceptable to me. Who do I talk to next?”

“I will take this back to the team. We meet once a month. I will tell them I do not recommend Amelia for a transplant because she is mentally retarded and we will vote.”

“And then who do I see?”

“Well, you can then take it the ethics committee but as a team we have the final say. Feel free to go somewhere else. But it won’t be done here.”

They both get up and leave the room.

I look at Joe who is sobbing trying to get the stroller and Amelia’s backpack. I break down with him before we head to the parking garage.

I hope you are disturbed, troubled, distressed, and pissed off when you read this. I hope you share it with many, many people. Although I did not know this yesterday, this is very common and happens across the map. I have researched and researched and researched transplants and the MR, as they are called in the medical journals, and it is appalling. We are in the year 2012 and my child still does not have the right to live, the right to a transplant, because she is developmentally delayed.

“You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.”
Desmond Tutu

Link to this post

In God's Company 2

Fixing to a Cross

2012-01-10T14:29:00.000-08:00

Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi ; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am ?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am ?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." Mark 8:27-33

The Christ, the Messiah, the long awaited one. He would deliver Israel, He would gather the tribes together. Jesus, Son of God, our Redeemer. He was heralded as a king while he rode into Jerusalem on a colt. But it seemed shortly after that all darkness and evil went out to meet him when he was arrested and handed over to Pilate, accused of plotting against the Roman Empire.

Jesus, the Son of God, who gave his life as a ransom for the many, was sentenced to death by means of crucifixion.

Crucifixion, or in the Latin, "crucifixio", literally means, fixing to a cross.

Crucifixion, as we know, is an ancient method of painful execution in which the condemned person is tied or nailed to a large wooden cross and left to hang until dead. This mode of putting someone to death was largely used among the Greek and Roman Empires from about the 6th century BC to the 4th century AD. The threat of the "cross" was a way they used to warn off any possible heretics, criminals or other offenders. It was a way of saying, so to speak, that if you "cross us", this will happen to you.

But Jesus changes all of that because while he is on the cross he does the unthinkable. He looks at his perpetrators, the very people that have done this to him, and he asks the Father to forgive them. Jesus interrupts evil with forgiveness from the cross.

After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the Christians looked at the cross in a different way. For them, the cross had become victory, something no longer to be feared. The cross became the symbol of Jesus Christ, the one that ransomed his life for many.

"Dear children! Also today I call you to
prayer. In this time of grace, may the cross be a sign-post of
love and unity for you through which true peace comes. That is
why, little children, pray especially at this time that little
Jesus, the Creator of peace, may be born in your hearts. Only
through prayer will you become my apostles of peace in this world
without peace. That is why, pray until prayer becomes a joy for
you. Thank you for having responded to my call."BVM, Medjugorje,November 25, 1999

Crucifixion

Catholicism

Open Yourselves to the Father

2012-01-02T13:36:00.000-08:00

Message of January 02, 2012
"Dear children; As with motherly concern I look in your hearts, in them I see pain and suffering; I see a wounded past and an incessant search; I see my children who desire to be happy but do not know how. Open yourselves to the Father. That is the way to happiness, the way by which I desire to lead you. God the Father never leaves His children alone, especially not in pain and despair. When you comprehend and accept this, you will be happy. Your search will end. You will love and you will not be afraid. Your life will be hope and truth which is my Son. Thank you. I implore you, pray for those whom my Son has chosen. Do not judge because you will all be judged."

Many of us have wounded pasts that have lead us to close our hearts to God and to those around us. Some wounds are caused by others, especially in the vulnerability of our youth. Yet, some wounds are caused by us and the paths that we alone choose to follow; maybe we could call it our incessant need to do things our way rather than God’s way.

I did a quick little search on the word “incessant”, it means continual - unceasing - continuous – ceaseless. Immediately I thought to myself, this is how Our Lady is with us. She incessantly pleads with us to live her messages; the messages which lead us all to her Son.

As the deer yearns for running streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and see the face of God?

Psalm 42:2-3

“Jesus is a way that can be traveled, open to everyone, He is the path of peace. Today the Virgin Mary points him out to us, she shows us the way. Let us walk in it!” Pope Benedict XVI , Vatican City, Jan2, 2012

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

2012-01-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

It was through the Blessed Virgin Mary that Jesus came into the world, and it is also through her that he must reign in the world.

– St. Louis de Montfort

I am the Mother of God and Queen of Peace....BVM, Medjugorje, October 12, 1981

There could be no better way to start the new year than to honor Our Blessed Mother,the Mother of God and Queen of Peace.

"Mary, the all-holy ever-virgin Mother of God, is the masterwork of the mission of the Son and the Spirit in the fullness of time. For the first time in the plan of salvation and because his Spirit had prepared her, the Father found the dwelling place where his Son and his Spirit could dwell among men. In this sense the Church's Tradition has often read the most beautiful texts on wisdom in relation to Mary. Mary is acclaimed and represented in the liturgy as the "Seat of Wisdom." — Catechism of the Catholic Church 721

"Dear children, today, the first day of the New Year, I invite all of you to live the messages which I give you. You know, dear children, that because of you, I have stayed here this long in order to teach you to walk on the road to holiness. Therefore, dear children, pray constantly, and live all the messages which I give you. I do it with a great love for God ~ and for you." BVM, Medjugorje, January 1, 1987

You have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. Col 3:9-10

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new. 2 Cor 5:17

Our Lady calls us today to live her messages anew, for she knows that are the key to the spiritual gifts we so desire, an abiding peace and happiness, a spirit of love.

As Our Lady gave her humble "yes" to God, today we pray that we give our "yes" to living the messages of prayer, peace, penance and fasting.

On this feast of Mary, the Mother of God, let us recommit ourselves to her messages and her plan of salvation.

Adapted from:

Medjugorje Day by Day, Richard J Beyer

St. Bridget 12 Year Prayer - The Seven Wounds of Jesus- A Prayer Request

2011-12-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

My dad has a great devotion to this beautiful novena that was given to St. Bridget of Sweden on the Passion and Death of Jesus.

A few days before Christmas, dad began some internal bleeding, resulting from both a reaction to his medication and his advanced prostate and bone cancer. As we sat in the emergency room with him, waiting for admission to the hospital where he would remain until his bleeding was under control, he looked up at my mother, squeezed her hand, and asked her to make sure that she went home to get him his pamphlet that contained this special novena; he prays it daily.

Dad is home now and and resting as comfortably as possible. He has tried to promote this novena to the people he comes in contact with. Seeing just how firmly he believes in the power of this novena, I have started to pray it too.

If you do take the time to watch this, will you please offer it up for my dad ; his name is Don. God be with you all...Daily Grace

Medjugorge Magazine- St. Bridget

Divine Babe

2011-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

"Let us put our hands in those of the Divine Babe. Let us say our Yes to his invitation "follow me" and we will be His. The way will be clear for His divine life to become incarnate in us. This is precisely the light that comes through the darkness, a light kindled in the soul the miracle of Christmas." St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, O.C.D (Edith Stein)

The first Christmas was certainly surrounded by wonder. 1

Zacharias wondered how he and his elderly wife could give birth to the forerunner of the Messiah. (Luke 1:18)

Mary wondered how it would be possible for a virgin to give birth to a baby. (Luke 1:34)

Joseph wondered why he and Mary had been chosen by God to be the parents of the Messiah. (Matthew 1:18-25)

The shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem wondered about the angels that appeared in the sky, and what their message meant. (Luke 2 13-15)

Those in Bethlehem wondered about the story that the shepherds were spreading throughout the village. (Luke 2:17-18)

Mary wondered about everything that was happening at the birth of her baby. (Luke 2:19)

May the wonder of of the Divine Babe, love incarnate, be your joy this Christmas Day and may you share His joy with all you meet.

"Dear children, here is my Son in my arms! I would like to ask you to be a light for all in the year to come. I would like to call you again to live my messages- the messages of peace, conversion, prayer, penance, and faith.

Dear children , your Mother does not seek words from you- I ask for deeds. Your Mother will help you and she will give you the strength to preserve. And tonight I would like to tell you: Rejoice! BVM, Medjugorje, 12/25/1989

1 The 12 Ways of Christmas, David Jeremiah

Without God We Are Incomplete

2011-12-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

Fr. Barron make a great analogy in this short clip that, no matter what our successes or accomplishments might be, nothing on earth can satisfy us because we are wired for God. Without God we are incomplete!

Mary Immaculate And America

2011-12-08T05:59:00.000-08:00

My children, it is only because many years ago you consecrated your country to Me that you have not received the destruction that is gradually coming closer to you from the outside world. But if you turn from Me now I no longer will be able to shield you."

~Our Lady, July 1, 1971

The above quote is from a private revelation (not sure to whom) and while we do not need to believe in private revelations, these words seem to ring very true for us today.

In 1846,the first Council of Baltimore formally declared the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived without sin, the patroness of the United States. This formal declaration came eight years before Pope Pius IX declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.

We in this country need to turn to Mary. As patroness of this country she is also a protector. This country comes closer every day to the destruction referred to in the quote.

Our Lady's sole desire is to bring us closer to her Son. If we turn to her, she will surely do this, not just individually but as a nation.

We pray to our patron saints for guidance and protection in our lives. Let us pray, as one nation under God, to Our Lady under the title of the Immaculate Conception for guidance and protection. She will lead us to Jesus who is our ultimate Savior and Protector.

Prayer Entrusting the United States to Mary Immaculate

Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our President and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy, born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, our Mother, patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give ourselves to you. Protect us from every harm. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the will of your divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.
Amen.

(Excerpt from a prayer attributed to Archbishop John Carroll, first bishop of the United States)

Thank you Karinann, Daughter of the King, for sharing this beautiful blog today.

Take Time, Slow Down, Be Still

2011-12-07T07:19:00.000-08:00

"Take time to be aware that in the very midst of our busy preparations for the celebration of Christ’s birth in ancient Bethlehem, Christ is reborn in the Bethlehems of our homes and daily lives. Take time, slow down, be still, be awake to the Divine Mystery that looks so common and so ordinary yet is wondrously present. Edward Hays, A Pilgrim’s Almanac, p. 196

We love to walk together in the evening. It’s a nice way to unburden our minds, to be together and talk about our day before we settle in for the night. Sometimes our conversations are light and cheerful; sometimes they are more on the serious side, depending on what the day has brought us.

Lately, I have been bringing my Rosary bracelet on these walks and after we talk for a while I ask him, “Would you like to say the rosary with me”. He smiles and says, “of course”.

By the time we get home, no matter what the day has given us, we feel strengthened in mind and spirit.

Jesus, the great comforter, is always inviting us to give it all to him, to surrender every fear, every worry, every concern.

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

"Dear children; Today I am praying here with you that you may gather the strength to open your hearts and thus to become aware of the mighty love of the suffering God. Through this His love, goodness and meekness, I am also with you. I invite you for this special time of preparation to be a time of prayer, penance and conversion. My children, you need God. You cannot go forward without my Son. When you comprehend and accept this, what was promised to you will be realized. Through the Holy Spirit the Kingdom of Heaven will be born in your hearts. I am leading you to this. Thank you." December 02 2010 Message to Mirjana

Only honest eyes can see the way........

2011-12-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”Jeremiah 17:8

"Dear children, As a mother I am with you so that with my love, prayer and example I may help you to become a seed of the future, a seed that will grow into a firm tree and spread it's branches throughout the world. For you to become a seed of the future, a seed of love, implore the Father to forgive you your omissions up to now. My children, only a pure heart, unburdened by sin, can open itself and only honest eyes can see the way by which I desire to lead you. When you become aware of this, you will become aware of the love of God - it will be given (as a gift) to you. Then you will give it (as a gift) to others as a seed of love. Thank you."BVM, Medjugorje, Message of December 02, 2011

A loving mother never stops caring for her child no matter how old that child is. She brings that child before the Lord and lovingly places her[him] into his hands.In constant prayer she pleas for her[him]. She never gives up hope.

Advent is a time of hope, of spiritual awakening, a time to prepare our souls for Immanuel.. Our Lady is asking us to open our eyes, to recognize the things that keep us from coming ever closer to her son. Will we be ready to receive the precious gift which the Lord wants to share with us.Will we be able to say with pure hearts, "come let us adore him"........

Mother Mary, thank you for always interceding for me.

Her Amazement at Her Only Child

2011-12-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Light piercing, gradually, everyday events;
a woman's eyes, hands
used to them since childhood.
Then brightness flared, too huge for simple days,
and hands clasped when the words lost their space.

In that little town, my son, where they knew us together,
you called me mother; but no one had eyes to see
the astounding events as they took place day by day.
Your life became the life of the poor
in your wish to be with them through the work of your hands.
I knew: the light that lingered in ordinary things,
like a spark sheltered under the skin of our days -
the light was you;
it did not come from me.

And I had more of you in that luminous silence
than I had of you as the fruit of my body, my blood.

Karol Wojtyla
(Pope John Paul II)

Open Your Hearts

2011-11-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

"The world is not as just, not as loving, not as whole as we know it can and should be. But the coming of Christ and his presence among us—as one of us—give us reason to live in hope: that light will shatter the darkness, that we can be liberated from our fears and prejudices, that we are never alone or abandoned. 1

God, in His Supreme Mind, knew the faults mankind.

He saw our weakness, and loving Father that He is, still sought the way of our redemption.

He could have chosen any means to do this; however, He chose a spotless womb, a new Eve to aid humanity from falling, to lead us on the path of holiness, purity, charity and virtue. She would be the God-Bearer, the perfect temple, the Ark of the Covenant. Her name would be Mary, conceived without sin, the Immaculate.

From the moment she said “yes” to God, she has been our Co-Redemptress, tirelessly working to lead us toward her Son, continually asking us to open our hearts to Him.

Today she is still calling us to open our hearts, to become the change we seek in the world. She has given us a way to do this through prayer, fasting, the Holy Bible, confession, and attending Holy Mass .

“May this Advent season be a time for bringing hope, transformation and fulfillment into the Advent of our lives."2

1,2 CONNECTIONS, 11-28-93

reprint from the archives

Recognizing Greatness

2011-11-28T10:33:00.000-08:00

We like Bethlehem, are too tiny to imagine the greatness within us: 1

You Bethlehem-Eprathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule my people Israel. Micah 5:1-2

Be alert,

stay awake,

be prepared,

for grace flows down from above.

Will my heart be open,

will my eyes bear witness,

or will I fail to even see.

A simple yes from one who loves,

this heart will know great sorrow.

She reaches down into the manger bed

and cradles our hope for the morrow.

Oh Bethlehem, town so small,

in you salvation came to sing.

And, forever will history recall that

you cared for Christ our King.

May we recognize the greatness and love of Christ in our small everyday life during this Advent season and always.

God bless

1. Radical Grace, Daily Meditations by Father Richard Rohr

Prepare the way of the Lord.

2011-11-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

   “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
   make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
   every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
   the rough ways smooth.
And all people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3: 4-6

Advent is a time of preparation as we wait for the coming of the Christ Child. During this time we will decorate our homes and prepare our shopping lists, we will prepare our special projects select our favorite recipes to share with family and friends. From all outside appearances everything will look as it should. But, will we have taken the time we needed to prepare our hearts and our souls for his coming. Will we have used this time for prayer and reflection? Will we have prepared the way of the Lord? Will we be ready to receive his grace?

Joy, hope, peace and love.
May these be the gifts we give and receive this advent season.

"Dear children! Today I desire to give you hope and joy. Everything that is around you, little children, leads you towards worldly things but I desire to lead you towards a time of grace, so that through this time you may be all the closer to my Son, that He can lead you towards His love and eternal life, for which every heart yearns. You, little children, pray and may this time for you be one of grace for your soul. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorje,Message of November 25, 2011

Today let us give praise and honor to the Lord

2011-11-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

In God's Company 2

Honor Your Father And Your Mother

2011-11-18T12:30:00.000-08:00

I came across this video clip today and it spoke volumes to me because there have been a few times recently where I have witnesses adult children speaking harshly to their aging parents either at a mall or at the grocery store.Perhaps they don't realize how they come across. Perhaps they harbor resentment from the past. On occasion I have wanted to voice my opinion, but have not wanted to cause the elderly parent any further embarrassment. Rather, I have offered up prayer for both of them, remembering Christ's words "Father forgive them for they know not what to do".

"Dear children! Today, in a special way, I invite
you to take the cross in the hands and to meditate on the wounds
of Jesus. Ask of Jesus to heal your wounds, which you, dear
children, during your life sustained because of your sins or the
sins of your parents. Only in this way, dear children, you will
understand that the world is in need of healing of faith in God
the Creator. By Jesus' passion and death on the cross, you will
understand that only through prayer you, too, can become true
apostles of faith; when, in simplicity and prayer, you live faith
which is a gift. Thank you for having responded to my call."

BVM, March 25, 1997, Medjugorje

I Will Not Leave You Orphaned

2011-11-05T14:01:00.000-07:00

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them. John 14: 15-21

These sweet words of Jesus speak directly to our hearts, for he knows our deepest fears, our deepest challenges, our loneliness and our areas of vulnerability. Through these trying times, these many seasons of our lives, he promises “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you”

What immeasurable love the Father has for us; a love freely given and undeserved.

Father Richard Rohr, O.F.M. says it perfectly when he says, “God doesn’t love us because we are good, God loves us because God is good.”1 His love is a gift of pure grace poured out and overflowing for all of us. And he asks so little of us in return. He just wants us to love him and to share our love for him to a world that neither sees him nor knows him, to a world that has lost its way.

True love cannot be kept to itself, it must be shared in order to grow. Our love of God must be the same.It must be shared with others, it must shine so brightly that it illuminates the way for others.

Lord, let our love for you burn so brightly that it might lead others to your goodness. Let our voices join in with the Psalmist, inviting others to, “Taste, and see, the goodness of the Lord “(Psalm 34:8).

"Dear children, the Father has not left you to yourselves. Immeasurable is His love, the love that is bringing me to you, to help you to come to know Him, so that, through my Son, all of you can call Him 'Father' with the fullness of heart; that you can be one people in God's family. However, my children, do not forget that you are not in this world only for yourselves, and that I am not calling you here only for your sake. Those who follow my Son think of the brother in Christ as of their very selves and they do not know selfishness. That is why I desire that you be the light of my Son, that to all those who have not come to know the Father - to all those who wander in the darkness of sin, despair, pain and loneliness - you may illuminate the way and that, with your life, you may show them the love of God. I am with you. If you open your hearts, I will lead you. Again I am calling you: pray for your shepherds. Thank you." BVM, Medjugorge,11/02/2011

1Fr. Richard Rohr

At least 532 have been healed in Medjugorje

2011-11-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

At least 532 have been healed in Medjugorje
by Jakob Marschner on Nov 3, 2011

On the average, next to one million Holy Communions were distributed per year in each of Medjugorje’s first 30 years of apparitions. More than 500 people think of Medjugorje as the place where they were healed from oftentimes incurable or even terminal disease, and about as many priests ascribe their vocation to a visit.

Key statistics of Medjugorje’s first 30 years of apparitions are revealing a parish not quite like most other parishes about the size of 4,000 parishioners.

27 million Holy Communions were distributed.

540,000 visits were registred from Cardinals, Bishops, priests and nuns.

532 healings were medically documented.

520 men became priests as a result of a visit.

123 women became nuns as a result of a visit.

First passed on by a Franciscan priest during the Medjugorje conference in Irvine, California, on October 21-23, last week these numbers were published on websites and blogs, and the numbers are indeed correct as of the 30th anniversary, Medjugorje parish archivist Marija Dugandzic confirms to Medjugorje Today.

With the number of clerical visits and distributed Holy Communions being the surest and most exact ones, an unknown number of healings and vocations have gone un-reported, and so the real number in both categories would be bigger, was it possible to know them.

The measures of the fruits of Medjugorje's
first 30 years are now being confirmed
by parish archivist Marija Dugandzic.

Photo: childrenofmedjugorje.com

Barbara Camenga reported from Medjugorje
http://is.gd/9cXHey

Thank you Ed Sousa Sr. for sharing this post

A Time For Change

2011-10-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

The real risk that we run in calling upon the living God, is not that we might wake God up. Rather, the danger is that God might awaken us. [We] might open our eyes to the ways that God is ever present with us. [He] has been right under our noses, waiting for us to notice. 1

Life seems like a ride in the fast lane with the radio on loud. Pedal to the floor, two hands on the wheel; if we take time to check our blind spot before making that lane change we congratulate ourselves for driving defensively.

Our cars become our homes away from home. And, if we slow down just a moment to look around the inside of our highway homes we might have to admit that the surroundings reflect the messy, disarray of how we are living our lives.

Half drank soda cans, fast food wrappers, jacket, sports uniforms and gym bags, are just a small part of the rubble inside.

We are all so busy being busy.

Texting has replace phone conversation with family and friends. And, Facebook supposedly gives us the feeling that we are in touch with one another.

There are many times, exhausted and empty, that we cry out to the Lord to help us. But, we think he is going to answer us as quickly as we operate our lives and when he does not, we easily become discouraged and continue on in the same manner that lead us to this emptiness in the first place.

Nothing changes.

Last weekend, my husband and I attended the Medjugorje Peace Conference in Irvine, CA. During the Eucharistic Liturgy on Friday evening, Fr. Joe Grbes, OFM, asked how many of us attended the conference last year. Many peoples raised their hands. Then he asked us, “How have you changed? Are you different than you were last year?” If you had not changed, what prevented you from changing, and why did you come back this year? What is it going to take to make you change?

His comments made me stop and think, as I looked around, I saw many expressions that lead me to believe that other people might be asking themselves the same question.

God is ever present to us all the time. He is trying to wake us up. He is trying to get us to slow down long enough to take a look at our lives. He is calling us to change. He calls us to union with him, it's up to us to give him our "yes", our "fiat".

“Dear Children! I am looking at you and in your hearts I don not see joy. Today I desire to give you joy of the Risen One, that He may lead you and embrace you with His love and tenderness. I love you and I am praying for your conversion without ceasing before my son Jesus. Thank you for having responded to my call.” BVM, Medjugorje, October 25, 2011.

Notes.1In The Sanctuary of Women, Jan L Richardson

Exposed

2011-10-25T09:48:00.000-07:00

Adam and Eve

"Then the eyes of both were opened" (Genesis 3:7). They were exposed. When they heard the voice of God on the evening breeze, Eve and Adam hid themselves. From the One who had formed them, from the One who had given them life, they fled. 1

In their shame, in their sin, they hid their faces and refused to look upon the One who had created them, thus distancing themselves from God.2

Much like Eve and Adam, we have all experienced the shame of sin in our lives. This shame leads us to distancing ourselves from God and from one another. This shame leads us to sew our own fig leaves together and to hide our selves from the life God has planned for us, from the gifts He wants to share with us.

Yet, we know that there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God except our own refusal to acknowledge our sinfulness and to turn away from it.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not hide my iniquity; I said I will confess my sins to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilty of my sin.

Therefore, let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. ~Psalm 32: 5-6

"Dear children! My prayer today is for
all of you who seek the grace of conversion. You knock on the
door of my heart, but without hope and prayer, in sin, and
without the Sacrament of Reconciliation with God. Leave sin and
decide, little children, for holiness. Only in this way can I
help you, hear your prayers and seek intercession before the Most
High. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorje, Message of May 25, 2011

Notes: 1,2, the In the Sanctuary of Woman, A Companion For Reflection and Prayer, Jan L. Richardson

Simple Stones

2011-10-22T23:51:00.000-07:00

The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. For forty days they taunted King Saul and his army. They were all terrified. But the faith and courage of one young boy changed what could have been a dreadful outcome.

David, son of Jesse, you slew Goliath with nothing but a sling shot and a bag of stones. As the 9 foot Philistine approached you, jeering at you and ridiculing you with his enormous size and mighty strength, you feared not! You, a simple shepherd boy, filled with trust and faithfulness to the God of Israel, took a stone from your side pouch, loaded your sling shot, aimed and launched the stone that ended his life and destroyed your enemy.

Our Lady has given us weapon to use against the attacks of the wicked enemy, Satan. These weapons are like the stones used by David to slay Goliath. They are prayer (daily Rosary), fasting, the Bible, monthly confession, and Holy Communion.

Since 1214, when the Church first received the Rosary from St. Dominic, given to him by Our Blessed Mother, the Rosary has been a powerful weapon for the conversion of sinners and a form of protection against the enemy.

To recite the Rosary is to be with Jesus and Mary, meditating on the mysteries of their lives. When we are daily linked with them by such meetings, then the joy of victory over death and sin is guaranteed to us with them. The gifts of the Spirit and the final triumph in heaven are assured us. 1

Sometimes, it is easy to say the Rosary in a hasty manner, rushing to finish it and off to start something else. But, we should try to say the Rosary like we were talking to a friend, enjoying the time we spend together, nurturing the moment and the relationship.

“Dear children! Today I invite you in a particular way to enter the battle against Satan by means of prayer. Satan wants to battle more, now that you are aware of his activity. Dear children, put on therefore, your armor against Satan, and with the Rosary in your hands, you will defeat him. Thank you for having responded to my call.” (August 8, 1985)

1 Pray with the Heart! Medjugorje Manual of Prayer, F. Slavko Barbaric, O.F.M.

21st Medjugorje Peace Conference

2011-10-20T07:41:00.000-07:00

INVATATION

"Today I call you to have your life be
connected with God the Creator."
(Our Lady’s message at Medjugorje)

We cordially you, your family and your friends to this conference in Irvine to hear our Blessed Mother's messages and seriously consider living the conversion to which she is ardently calling us.

The Conference Program includes Speakers, Testimonies,
Sacraments of Reconciliation, Medjugorje Holy Hour, Healing Service, Daily Rosary, and Daily Holy Mass

      In June of 1981, six young people in Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hercegovina, were stunned by the appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary and by her impassioned messages given for the salvation of the world: “Dear children, I am your Mother, the Queen of Peace…God sends me to you out of love that I may help you comprehend that without Him there is no future or joy and above all, there is no eternal salvation. ...I call you to have your life be connected with God the Creator.”

      For thirty years, out of love for each one of us, Our Blessed Mother continues to speak to the world through these six visionaries: “Now is a time of grace… I wish to be with you to reconcile the world through prayer, fasting, faith, conversion and peace…God is sending me to show you the way…Give your hand to me…and permit me to lead you.” Yes, now is a time to break free from our old ways of thinking, reasoning, judging and living—a time to embrace conversion of heart and true love for our neighbor, a time to pray and a time to fast.

      At this conference we are encouraged to ponder this invitation from Our Blessed Mother who copiously fills our cup with graces to help us stay connected with God the Creator. We have but to drink from it.

      “I am your Mother, I love you…God has permitted me to obtain graces for you… Realize that all the earthly things are not important for you, that only heaven is that for which it is necessary to strive.”

“I beg of you…to live my messages
and relate them to whomever you meet.”

If you have any special intentions you would like brought to the conference you may either leave them in the comment box or email them to me and I will include them in the basket of intentions that will be lifted up at the mass and healing service Saturday evening.

Please keep the conference in prayer this weekend.

God bless you all,

Daily Grace

Medjugorje: Souha's Most Beautiful Confession

2011-10-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Souha’s most beautiful confession. A group came from the Middle East to spend a few days in Medjugorje, wanting to make a holy pilgrimage. Among them was Souha, a married woman whose husband is a doctor. She came without him because he was working.

Souha had a secret that left her without peace. Soon after her arrival, she went to see a priest from her group and confided to him that she had an abortion. The child that she was expecting was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, and she and her husband did not want him. They decided together to have him removed from the womb and had an abortion performed. Her heart was still restless however and Souha asked the priest, “It’s not a sin, is it?” The priest answered, “But yes, my daughter, it is a sin! A grave sin! You must go to confession!”

Souha was not convinced and she shut herself within her denial. Yet she asked the Blessed Mother for a sign to know whether she should confess this act.

In the evening, at the apparition of the Gospa on the hill with Ivan, Souha was with her group. As soon as the Blessed Mother arrived, Souha unexpectedly bent over with her nose on the ground. She remained like this for a while and when she came back up after the apparition, her friends saw her crying. She told them, “Please call a priest, I must go to confession right away!”

I do not know what happened to her during the apparition, her friends respected her secret, but Our Mother acted.

In tears, Souha made the most beautiful confession of her life. Yes, she touched the horror of sin and it made her cry. She accepted God’s mercy towards her. Her inner peace was at last restored. Now she is free! What a contrast on her face! What light! She witnesses to her friends that she feels a deep joy, as never before in her life.

In Medjugorje, some pilgrims groups have a fine tradition. The guide suggests that each pilgrim receives the responsibility of praying for a particular person of the group during the whole pilgrimage. Thus the first or second night, each one must draw from a little basket the name of another pilgrim. That evening, out of the 150 people in the group, who received the name of Souha and the call to pray for her? A young woman with Down’s syndrome!

That same night, Souha’s husband called, and after hearing his wife’s story, tells her, “You know, I am calling you because I find it strange that you are over there praying to God, while I am here performing abortions. It is not right! Today, I have decided not to that anymore.” He also was crying over the phone. The whole day, he had the feeling that something was happening to his wife and he was ready to take this giant step professionally. Souha could not believe her ears.

This happened last August. Now Souha, her husband and their children are living differently, they put God in the first place. They practice the sacraments and go to Mass almost everyday. They give testimonies. After this memorable pilgrimage, they were wondering how to make reparation for such a past when they suddenly received a call from an orphanage needing help. Sisters were asking them to care for an orphaned child. They saw this as the answer from God, they were grateful to Him and decided to do everything in their power for the child.

And what has become of the aborted baby? In Medjugorje, Mary says of these unborn children, “They are with me”. This child is certainly praying for his parents and for all his little companions who, today, are programmed never to see the sun.

I am asking myself the question: did the baby really have Down’s syndrome? For I see more and more examples of wrong diagnostics: many mothers decide to keep their child whatever the handicap, and often, the child is born perfectly normal. Bizarre! To be meditated!

But God is wonderful! For this family, He changed evil into good. Now hundreds of children (perhaps even thousands) will never be aborted by this doctor who now fights for life.

*“Dear children, tonight I invite you to pray in a special way for the unborn children. Pray especially for the mothers who kill their children. Dear children, I am sad because so many children are killed. Pray that there are no more such mothers in the world.”
(To the Medjugorje Prayer group, 3- 03- 90)
Children of Medjugorje” www.childrenofmedjugorje.com

Shared by Ed Sousa, Sr..

Day is Done

2011-10-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Day is done. Everyone here at the cabin has quietly settled in for the night. The house is peaceful and it’s a perfect time to pray and reflect on all that has gone by.

So much to think about, and so much to be grateful for.

Father Paul’s homily today at mass was wonderful. He spoke about “giving to God what belonged to God”.

And, He asked us, “what has God given you”, “what has God given to all of us?”

He reminded us that God has given us the gift of our lives; he tells us that God lives inside each of us. He says that God has given us everything we possess,. God is with us in our hopes and dreams for the future. He has given us our talents, our families, our every possessions;

God has given us so much. And, what does God want from us in return? He wants us to love him, to serve him, to be happy with him in this world and the next.1

God looks for our gratefulness.

As I sit here by the lamplight, my heart is filled with gratitude for I am given an awareness of the many blessings God has sent me this day.

Blessings came in many forms. Today my blessings came in forms of laughter shared with my Catholic community after mass. Blessings came in sharing a walk and a rosary with my husband. But most of all for receiving Christ in the Eucharist; the nourishment of my soul. Nothing in the whole world can compare to this blessing.

I end this day with the Fifth Luminous Mystery, “The Institution of the Eucharist”, fruit of the mystery, love of our Eucharist Lord.

1. I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.

2. Jesus took bread, blessed it: "Take and eat, this is My Body."

3. Taking the wine: "This cup is the new covenant in my Blood, shed for you."

4. At that Eucharistic meal, Jesus celebrated the first Mass.

5. At every Mass the sacrifice of Calvary is made present.

6. At the Last Supper Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Orders to perpetuate this sacrifice.

7. "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him."

8. The Eucharist is a sacrifice inasmuch as it is offered up, and a sacrament inasmuch as it is received.

9. In the Mass we offer ourselves to God, and God gives himself to us.

10. The Mass will be fruitful in the measure of our surrender to the Father.

1 Baltimore Catechism

We Are All Called

2011-10-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

“If you will be what you should be, you will set all of Italy afire. Don’t be content with the small things: he, the Lord God, wants them great”…St. Catherine

Each and every one of us is called to a particular vocation in life.

Some of us might be called to be doctors; some of might be called to hospital ministry. Some of might be called to be teachers; some of us might be called to help out with religious education programs at our local parishes. Some of us are called to the priesthood; some of us are called to parenthood.Yes, we are all called.

Each of our callings is different from another, but every calling is unique in the eyes of God the Father that made us. And why did God make us? God made us to know him, to love him, and to serve him in this world, and to be happy with him forever in heaven.1

Our existence is a manifestation of his love for us. Yet, the world today tries to show us that we don’t need God, that we can have societies and families without him. Little by little we push him aside, we become disconnected from God. Thinking that we know what is best for us, we put our trust in ourselves, rather than putting our trust in God that made us.

Jesus tells us, “You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk”(Luke 11:44). Our spirituality is catching no one!

Jesus was asking the Pharisees and scholars of his days to wake up, to become what they should be. He is asking us to do the same. He wants us to set the world on fire with the love of his Holy Spirit. He wants our every action and reaction to reflect the love God has for us.

"Dear children; Also today my motherly heart calls you to prayer, to your personal relationship with God the Father, to the joy of prayer in Him. God the Father is not far away from you and He is not unknown to you. He revealed Himself to you through my Son and gave you Life that is my Son. Therefore, my children do not give in to temptations that want to separate you from God the Father. Pray! Do not attempt to have families and societies without Him. Pray! Pray that your hearts may be flooded with the goodness which comes only from my Son, Who is sincere goodness. Only hearts filled with goodness can comprehend and accept God the Father. I will continue to lead you. In a special way I implore you not to judge your shepherds. My children, are you forgetting that God the Father called them? Pray! Thank you." BVM, Medjugorje, October 2, 2011

Mirjana said: I have never said anything before, but are you aware, brothers and sisters, that the Mother of God was with us? Each of us should ask himself: "Are you worthy of this?" I am saying this because it is difficult for me to see Her (Our Lady) in pain, because each of us is seeking a miracle, but does not want to work a miracle in himself.

1. Baltimore Catechism

Our Lady of the Rosary

2011-10-07T06:42:00.000-07:00

"Dear children! Today I call you to begin to pray
the Rosary with a living faith. Only in that way I will be able to help you. You wish to receive graces, but you do not pray. I am not able to help you if you do not decide to begin.
I invite you, dear children, to pray the rosary in such a way
that it will be a commitment for you , achieved in joy.
In this way, you shall understand the reason I am with you for such a long time. I want to teach you to pray. Thank you for having responded to my call".

BVM, Medjugorje, June 12, 1986

And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” Then beginningwith Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.
And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther.But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So He went in to stay with them. When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them Lk 24:25-33

Reflection: In this story we find that the risen Christ "interpreted for them every passage of scripture which referred to him," so that his disciples would understand the meaning of his life, death, and resurrection.

In meditating on the mysteries of the rosary, Jesus also helps us to interpret and understand the meaning of his life and death. And today Our Lady as well says to, "let the faithful meditate each day on the life of Jesus while praying the rosary." It is not necessary to concentrate on the repetitive prayer of the rosary, (which serves as a mantra) but to let the quite rhythm of the prayers keep us centered on the particular mystery on which we are meditating.

The more we reflect on the lives of Jesus and Mary through the mysteries, the more we become like them in mind and heart. By means of the rosary, the Spirit of God gradually transfigures our hearts and minds to resemble those of Christ and his Mother.

Application: Pray the scriptural rosary if you have a book with the verses, or if not, pray the traditional rosary truly from the heart, "meditating on the life of Jesus," as Mary asks of us.

Medjugorje Day By Day, Richard J Beyer

The Way

2011-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Raymond Arroyo, from the The World Over Live, has actors Martin Sheen and son, Emilio Estevez as featured guests this week. They are promoting their new movie, "The Way" which opens up this Friday. October 7, 2011.

"The Way" is a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends, and the challenges we face while navigating this ever-changing and complicated world. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to St. Jean Pied de Port, France to collect the remains of his adult son (played by Emilio Estevez), killed in the Pyrenees in a storm while walking the Camino de Santiago, also known as The Way of Saint James. Rather than return home, Tom decides to embark on the historical pilgrimage to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. What Tom doesn't plan on is the profound impact the journey will have on him and his "California Bubble Life.”
Inexperienced as a trekker, Tom soon discovers that he will not be alone on this journey. On "The Way," Tom meets other pilgrims from around the world, each with their own issues and looking for greater meaning in their lives: a Dutchman (Yorick van Wageningen), a Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and an Irish writer (James Nesbitt), who is suffering from a bout of writer's block.
From the unexpected and, oftentimes, amusing experiences along "The Way," this unlikely quartet of misfits creates an everlasting bond and Tom begins to learn what it means to be a citizen of the world again. Through Tom's unresolved relationship with his son, he discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose."
THE WAY, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, was filmed entirely in Spain and France along the actual Camino de Santiago.

The support of films of faith and purpose depend on us! I hope you will consider asking a friend or family member to come at and see this film this weekend!

God bless, Daily Grace

Sanctify Yourself and You will Sanctify Society

2011-10-04T09:41:00.000-07:00

"Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.
– St. Francis of Assisi

Francis of Assisi was poor only that he might be Christ-like.He really believed what Jesus said: "Announce the kingdom! Possess no gold or silver or copper in your purses, no traveling bag, no sandals, no staff" (see Luke 9:1-3).

He recognized creation as another manifestation of the beauty of God. In 1979, he was named aptron of ecology. He did great penance (apologizing to "Brother Body" later in life) that he might be totally disciplined for the will of God. His poverty had a sister, humility, by which he meant total dependence on the good God. But all this was, as it were, preliminary to the heart of his spirituality: living the gospel life, summed up in the charity of Jesus and perfectly expressed in the Eucharist.

Saint of the Day, Lives, Lessons and Feasts, Leonard Foley, O.F.M, revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M

        "Dear children! Without prayer there is no
         peace. Therefore I say to you, dear children, pray at the foot of
         the cross for peace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

September 6, 1984, BVM, Medjugorge

Walking the Walk, A Call to Witness

2011-09-28T12:56:00.000-07:00

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ........Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25 35-40

The greatest lessons I ever learned were the lessons I witnessed first hand.

I learned to share, because I was taught compassion for those less fortunate.

I learned hospitality, because the door of our home was always open and an extra bed or plate was always available.

I learned prayer, because I was taught that prayer was a conversation of love with God himself.

And I learned love, because I was taught acceptance of myself and others.

The greatest teachers I ever had were my parents. They were my first educators in the ways of the faith and they taught me by walking the walk and not just talking the talk.They understood that their job was not to be my buddy, but lead me toward the Lord.

In this month’s message from our Blessed Virgin Mary, she asks us to walk the walk, to lead others the Lord, to be a witness of our faith to all we meet.This is not always an easy things to do, but as St. Therese of Lisieux said herself, "seek out always the most perfect thing to do, and forget self". Through her "little ways" she committed herself to the tasks and people God sent her way. She was a joyful witness to the faith.

Message of September 25, 2011 "Dear children! I call you, for this time to be for all of you, a time of witnessing. You, who live in the love of God and have experienced His gifts, witness them with your words and life that they may be for the joy and encouragement to others in faith. I am with you and incessantly intercede before God for all of you that your faith may always be alive and joyful, and in the love of God. Thank you for having responded to my call." 09/25/2011

Prayer: Blessed Mother, through your love and intercession, pray that I, in my unworthiness , might still be a joyful witness for the Lord and that I might find great pleasure in serving Him in "little ways".

Noticing God....

2011-09-26T14:15:00.000-07:00

Colleen Spiro at Thoughts On Grace has such a beautiful post for today that I could not help but re-post it here.

Thank you Colleen!

Notice. This seems to be the word of the week. It keeps popping up in my mind. Over and over.
Wake up and take notice. Notice God’s presence and action in my life.
Anthony de Mello was fond of saying that we need to wake up. We need to stop sleeping through our lives. Grace is always with us, but we are not always aware.
We are often sleeping.

We are responsible for most of our own blindness and deafness. Yet the Spirit of God goes on renewing the gift. (Bishop John V. Taylor)

I write about God and God’s presence in my life so I need to stay awake. I need to take notice. But there are many times when I am not paying attention.
There are moments and more than moments, when my focus is elsewhere or when I miss God’s presence or his whisper.
Let’s face it. Sometimes God is hard to miss. I mean it is pretty easy to spot God’s presence in a beautiful rainbow that is plastered on the sky in front of you as you drive home from work. Or the birth of a new baby.
But those little moments. Do I notice?
The dew on the roses outside my window.
My husband cooking dinner for me.
The way my grandbaby’s eyes light up when his mother comes into view.
The way the air smells after a spring shower.
A kind face showing years of smiles and joy.
A hug when I least expect it.
A child’s belly-laugh.
How many God moments do I miss? How many do I not notice?

Open your eyes and see. (Thomas Merton)

Originally published in my ezine, Prayerful Morsels, September 2011
Copyright 2011 Colleen Spiro

Please post any comments to Thoughts on Grace

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

2011-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

September 25, 2011 Message to Marija

"Dear children! I call you, for this time to be for all of you, a time of witnessing. You, who live in the love of God and have experienced His gifts, witness them with your words and life that they may be for the joy and encouragement to others in faith. I am with you and incessantly intercede before God for all of you that your faith may always be alive and joyful, and in the love of God. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Patiently you wait for me....

2011-09-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

They suppressed their consciences; they would not allow their eyes to look to heaven, and did not keep in mind just judgments. Daniel 13:9

How many times have I suppressed my conscience, O Lord;

how many times have I looked the other way?

My pride is strong and I try to deceive myself, but I cannot fool you,

and my transgressions are always before me,

so I look the other way.

Yet, in spite of my sin, you stand before me,

patiently you wait, you wait for me.....

He does not call those who are worthy but those whom He pleases....

St. Therese of Lisieux

"Dear children! I am with you even if you are not

conscious of it. I want to protect you from everything that Satan
offers you and through which he wants to destroy you. As I bore
Jesus in my womb, so also, dear children, do I wish to bear you
into holiness. God wants to save you and sends you messages
through men, nature, and so many things which can only help you
to understand that you must change the direction of your life.
Therefore, little children, understand also the greatness of the
gift which God is giving you through me, so that I may protect
you with my mantle and lead you to the joy of life. Thank you for
having responded to my call." BVM, March 25, 1990

Let Love Be Contagious

2011-09-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

There is one ONLY THING to do here below: to love Jesus, to win souls for Him so that He may be loved.

-St. Therese

How can I look at the brilliant stars in the sky,

Watch the ocean waves crash on the shore,

admire rolling hills and mountains high

And not think of your majesty?

How can I see the young family playing all the while

hear their laughter,

watch their smiles,

and not think of you?

How can I look at the elderly couple walking hand and hand

And not think of what their years together might have to offer me;

The wisdom of age is also hope for the future.

The gift of life is so precious and your love is all around me.

Yet, I easily get distracted and caught up in my own now.

Sometimes I become the center of my own world.

In my constant busyness I become

Indifferent to the needs of others, sometimes indifferent to you.

Scripture tells me " So because you are lukewarm,and neither hot not cold, I will spit you out of my mouth" Revelations 3:16

Let that never be!

Help me to live everyday in the presence of your son, Jesus Christ,

And may the joy of your love in me be contagious to all I meet.

"Dear children! Today also I am calling you to

live and follow with a special love all the messages which I am

giving you. Dear children, God does not want you lukewarm and

undecided, but that you totally surrender to Him. You know that I

love you and that out of love I long for you. Therefore, dear

children, you also decide for love so that you will long for and

daily experience God's love. Dear children, decide for love so

that love prevails in all of you, but not human love, rather

God's love. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorge, November 20, 1986

All Generations Shall Call You Blessed

2011-09-08T14:05:00.000-07:00

"Your birth, O Blessed Virgin Mary, fills the whole world with a sweet consolation and a holy joy, because of you was born our Jesus, our God, who has taken away from us the curse in which we were plunged by the sin of our first parents, and filled us with all kinds of blessings." ~ Saint John Vianney

'O Mary, you where chosen by the Father to begin and accomplish His greatest work, for you alone were found worthy of God's grace,the grace to become the God- bearer. Holy is your name, 'O Mother, and all generations shall call you blessed.

The Son of God became man for our salvation in you and through you, 'O Queen of Heaven, and we shall forever sing your praises.

'O Guiding Light, you continue your part in our salvation journey by constantly leading us to your Son. May our ears and our hearts be open to listen to your motherly call all the days of our lives.

"Dear children! Today I call you especially now to advance against Satan by means of prayer. Satan wants to work still more now that you know he is at work. Dear children, put on the armor for battle and with the Rosary in your hand defeat him! Thank you for having responded to my call." August 8, 1985 BVM, Medjugorje

Dawn in Suburbia

2011-09-06T05:39:00.000-07:00

The alarm clock goes off, the bathroom light goes on, the dog yawns and my husband kisses me goodbye. It’s 4:50 a.m. and I am grateful that I have about twenty more minutes to lie here before I get out of bed.

The weekday morning routine seldom varies. The coffee pot is percolating and this quiet time alone with God is my favorite part of the day. Funny, I never thought of this before, but caffeine and the rosary are an awesome combination! The caffeine stimulates me, while the rosary strengthens me providing the grace I need to start the day.

Today, while praying the Sorrowful Mysteries, I think of Jesus carrying His cross, and wonder what the day will bring. Family and friends come to mind, and I entwine these thoughts of them between each small bead.

Dawn in suburbia brings hope and promise. Today is a gift to be used wisely.

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5: 11).

Fraternal Correction

2011-09-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Fraternal Correction

Today's Gospel (Mt. 18:15-20) emphasizes the importance and necessity of fraternal correction. Jesus says, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, so that every fact may be established on the testimony of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church. If he refuses to listen even to the church, then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector" (18:15-17). Jesus is making it very clear of our responsibility to call to task those who are living sinful and immoral lives. It is our responsibility when someone is in serious sin or error to correct them of this. We do this through an act of love. The whole purpose of fraternal correction is not to condemn someone for their actions, but to help them turn away from such actions.

This is precisely what Jesus did during His public ministry and why He visited and ate with tax collectors and sinners. He wasn't condoning their sinful acts. Rather, through His teachings and love, He was helping them to see the error of their ways in hopes they would change and conform their lives to His. We too must do the same. Friends, we have such an opportunity at hand for us. We are living in desperate and immoral times. This is not said to instill fear, panic, or depression, but to help us be hopeful--hopeful by being in the Light of Christ! We have great opportunities to stand up for our faith and to be good witnesses for others. We are privileged to be Christ's disciples and ought to be motivated to defend the faith that means so much to us. We have to correct others when they are in error and speak of and support things that violate the Divine Laws of God. We do this out of our love for Christ and neighbor.

What we cannot afford to do is despair if our fraternal correction is rejected. We cannot control the actions of others and are solely responsible for our own actions. The Truth sometimes hurts and causes division. Jesus tells us, "I have not come to bring peace but the sword" (Mt. 10:34). His "sword" is the sword of truth and the truth causes division time-to-time. We cannot allow the possible outcome of such encounters deter us from teaching the truth. This is why Jesus tells us to not go it alone. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Mt. 18:20). Together, united in Christ, the Lord will manifest His presence. Let us trust always in the Lord and be ever mindful that when two or three of us gather together in His name, He will be among us.

To view his video reflection for today's Gospel Click Here!

May God bless you always,

Only the Glory of God Remains.

2011-09-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

9/2/11

Our Lady's Medjugorje Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:

Our Lady's Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:

"Dear children; with all my heart and soul full of faith and love in the Heavenly Father, I gave my Son to you and am giving Him to you anew. My Son has brought you, the people of the entire world, to know the only true God and His love. He has led you on the way of truth and made you brothers. Therefore, my children, do not wander, do not close your heart before that truth, hope and love.
Everything around you is passing and everything is falling apart, only the glory of God remains. Therefore, renounce everything that distances you from the Lord. Adore Him alone, because He is the only true God. I am with you and I will remain with you. I am especially praying for the shepherds that they may be worthy representatives of my Son and may lead you with love on the way of truth. Thank you."

A REFLECTION:
In recent years, Mirjana has stayed almost completely away from discussing her secrets, as do the other visionaries. In fact, she has stated that a supernatural "block" about them has allowed her to go about life without thinking or even readily recalling most of them. She brushes aside questions about them.

But back in 1985 – when the alleged revelations were fresh – she said about the first secret, “To the people of this world who pray it will be a gift.” Other parts of the interview were even more revealing:

Father Ljubicic: How would you assess the current situation around the world? How would you personally view all these things?

Mirjana: There never was an age such as this one; never before was God honored and respected less than now, never before have so few prayed to Him; everything seems to be more important than God. This is the reason why she cries so much. The number of unbelievers is becoming greater and greater. As they endeavor for a better life, to such people, God Himself is superfluous and dispensable. This is why I feel deeply sorry for them and for the world. They have no idea what awaits them. If they could only take a tiny peek at these secrets, they would convert in time. Certainly, God always forgives all those who genuinely convert.

Posted by Ed Sousa , In God's Company 2

These Days of Grace

2011-08-24T16:18:00.000-07:00

It was early 1982 or 1983 when I first hear about Our Blessed Mother appearing in Medjugorge. Having been brought up in a devout Catholic home, and having a strong devotion to Our Lady, I eagerly devoured any reading material that was available on the subject. For me, the thought of Our Holy Mother appearing now, just as she had in Fatima and Lourdes was more than exciting, it was pure divine grace. I wanted to know why she was coming to us now and I wanted to know everything she had to say.

Soon afterwards, around 1989, my parents and a wonderful group of their friends went to a Marian Conference in Notre Dame to hear different speakers share their personal testimonies and experiences about Medjugorge. Being very moved by this whole experience, one of their friends suggested that they should try to organize a conference like this one in California. This October will mark the 21^st Medjugorge Peace Conference to be held in Irvine, California. It looks like Our Lady approved!

In May of 2006, I was called to a make a pilgrimage to Medjugorge with one of my daughters. I say that I was called to make this pilgrimage, because that is exactly what happens to all of us that go to Medjugorge, we are called by Our Lady.

If you have ever spoken to anyone that has made the journey to Medjugorge, they have probably told you that it is a grueling trip. It took us 22 hours to get there, with three connector flights, one of which we barely made. Needless to say, when we finally landed in Sarajevo I gave Jesus one big “thank you Lord”!

We were met at the airport by a man that held up a simple sign that said “Heaven, this way”. Since he spoke no English, we could only hope that he was there for us. We loaded ourselves into the bus, pulled out our rosary beads and began to pray them out loud. All the pilgrims in the bus did the same. We were heaven bound!

Like so many of us that have ups and downs in our lives, my pilgrimage to Medjugorge was a much needed answer to a prayer for inner peace. And, shortly after our arrival in this quaint little mountain town, we took a hike up to Apparition Mountain where we just sat for awhile taking everything in. As I sat there, my mind filled with the faces of many people I had meant throughout my life, some of whom I had not thought of in years. I immediately offered them up to the Blessed Mother in prayer, as if handing them to her here, at the site of her first appearance to the visionaries, and then I let them go into her care. It was then that a peace came over me, and I heard something say, “this time is for you”. This time of prayer and of peace was for me and would remain with me for the rest of my life to reflect upon in good times and bad. I was receiving an undeserved gift of grace for which I would be forever grateful! And, like all God given gifts, it was meant to be shared with others.

Still today, Our Lady is appearing in Medjugorge. And, she is still saying to each one of us that our time of grace is now while she is still among us! She asks us all to live her massages. What are these messages? She asks us return to a life of prayer, to be reconciled with God and with each other, to fast and to read the Sacred Scripture, letting it be a part of our everyday lives. In perfect obedience to God the Father, Our Lady is always leading us one way, and that way is toward her son, Jesus Christ.

"Dear children! Today on this great day which you have given to me, I desire to bless all of you and to say: these days while I am with you are days of grace. I desire to teach you and help you to walk the way of holiness. There are many people who do not desire to understand my messages and to accept with seriousness what I am saying. But you I therefore call and ask that by your lives and by your daily living you witness my presence. If you pray, God will help you to discover the true reason for my coming. Therefore, little children, pray and read the Sacred Scriptures so that through my coming you discover the message in Sacred Scripture for you. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM,June 25,1991

Who Is My Neighbor.....

2011-08-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind……..You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:34-40

My soul longs for you my God;
Only in you can my spirit find rest.

You are Holy indeed, and you call me to holiness.

In my imperfection, I wonder what this means.
Is holiness obtainable for someone like me?
I stumble and fall so easily.

Yet your hand is always stretched toward me,
And you ask me to walk in your ways.

You remind me that you lived a simple and ordinary life.
You sought neither fame nor fortune.
And everything the Father gave you, you shared with me.

You ask me to do likewise for my neighbor
But I am not sure who that is.......

Then you show me the one in need, the one you have put before me.
I don’t have to look very far.
My neighbor has many faces, as do all of God’s children.
And, I find him in many places.

You ask me to care for him as I would care for myself,
To share with him all that I have for his benefit, as you did for me.

You call me to holiness in the ordinary simplicity of sharing with others the love you share with me,
To stretch my hand forward and hold nothing back,
For you held nothing back for me.

Mother of All

2011-08-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Mother of one, mother of all;
Each child just as dear as the rest.

Heart pure and gentle; love always constant,
The glory of your son you attest.

Morning star, guiding light, strong and mighty,
In the distant horizon you shine.

Arms open, beckoning forward, your voice calling;
Peace in your sweet refuge I find.

Casting myself before you, humbly down at your feet;
I give you my joys and my sorrows Oh Mother,
Make my devotion to complete.

"Dear children, with joy, persistently work on your conversion. Offer all your
joys and sorrows to my Immaculate Heart that I may lead you all to my most beloved Son, so that you may find joy in His Heart. I am with you to instruct you and to lead you towards eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call” Our Lady’s Message of September 25, 2009 to Marija

The Sacrifice of Love.....

2011-08-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

~Mignon McLaughlin

Life is never exactly the way we think it should be, and so it goes with married life as well. You see, we all have expectations of others, especially of our spouses.

For most of us, the beginnings of our married lives together are sheer bliss. We are infatuated with one another, we aren’t looking for too much outside of our new lives together and we simply enjoy pleasing each other. Sadly, this doesn’t last forever, and as the relationship begins to change, we find our selves, from time to time, judging our spouse quite harshly, sometimes even wondering why we married this person in the first place.

Dwelling on the perceived negative aspects of another person, especially of our spouse, can easily become an obsession that leads us away from the marital commitment of “I do”, to the self-serving thoughts of “I won’t”.

In today’s Gospel (Mt. 19:3-12), the Pharisees approach Jesus and question him on the "lawfulness" of divorce, to which he replies,

“Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”

He later goes on to say “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom that is granted."

We don’t have to look very far to see the effects of the break down of marriage and family in our society today. Sometimes the effects are as close as our own front doors. In a culture of instant gratification and personal satisfaction, the thought of patience and long-suffering with joy (Colossians 1:9-12) for the sake of another is seldom embraced.

But, real love entails sacrifice. We must be willing to give of ourselves and to compromise from time to time.

I have often heard it said that if we put as much effort into our marriages and families as we put into our careers and personal desires that we would find ourselves quite content. I believe this to be true.

O Dear Jesus,

I humbly implore You to grant Your special graces to our family.

May our home be the shrine of peace, purity, love, labor and faith.

I beg You, dear Jesus, to protect and bless all of us, absent and present, living

and dead.

O Mary,

loving Mother of Jesus,

and our Mother,

pray to Jesus for our family,

for all the families of the world,

to guard the cradle of the newborn,

the schools of the young and their vocations.

Blessed Saint Joseph,

holy guardian of Jesus and Mary,

assist us by your prayers

in all the necessities of life.

Ask of Jesus that special grace

which He granted to you,

to watch over our home

at the pillow of the sick and the dying,

so that with Mary and with you,

heaven may find our family unbroken

in the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Amen.

Notes: A Family Prayer

Together We Can Change the World....

2011-08-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

“Dear children; Today I call you to be born anew in prayer and through the Holy Spirit, to become a new people with my Son; a people who knows that if they have lost God, they have lost themselves; a people who knows that, with God, despite all sufferings and trials, they are secure and saved. I call you to gather into God’s family and to be strengthened with the Father’s strength. As individuals, my children, you cannot stop the evil that wants to begin to rule in this world and to destroy it. But, according to God’s will, all together, with my Son, you can change everything and heal the world. I call you to pray with all your heart for your shepherds, because my Son chose them. Thank you.” Our Lady's Message of August 2, 2011 to Mirjana..

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.” Matthew 5:3,6.

Reflection: One of the ways that God reaches man is through words. The spoken word—and even the written word that seems to leap off of the page when we read it—has the power to pierce and move hearts. And when that word is full of truth, it has a mysterious resonance in the heart, a kind of magnetic attraction for the soul that is truly hungry for what is right, true, and good. When Christ came to proclaim the Kingdom of God, he made a series of appeals to the heart—invitations to a life of greater poverty, simplicity, honesty, and wholehearted service. Some perceived the beauty of that call and rose up to follow it. Others did not. Why? Perhaps some become entrenched in their own supposed righteousness, so burdened by the need to maintain appearances that they cannot rise up in response to the call. The accessories of success keep them weighted down. Others are so hungry for God, in some cases, so humiliated by life, that they feel entirely free to let go of everything, even their pride. Others are simply pure of heart, focused on what is good and not on self at all. There are so many reasons why some do and some do not follow Jesus, and he alone knows the story of each soul. Where do we stand? What does he see in our hearts? 1

Note: 1
Mini Meditations on the Luminous Mysteries

Permit Me to Lead You....

2011-07-27T06:58:00.000-07:00

"Dear children! May this time be for you a time of prayer and silence. Rest your body and spirit, may they be in God’s love. Permit me, little children, to lead you, open your hearts to the Holy Spirit so that all the good that is in you may blossom and bear fruit one hundred fold. Begin and end the day with prayer with the heart. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Message to Mirjana, July 25, 2011

On June 24, 1981, two teen-age girls went for a walk in the rocky hills above their village in western Yugoslavia. Suddenly, one of them saw in the distance the luminous silhouette of a young woman, “Mirjana, look! It’s Our Lady!” Ivanka said. But her companion, without bothering to look, replied, “Come on! Why would Our Lady appear to us!?”1

The next day they, along with four of their friends, went to the hill ( Mt Podbrdo) at the same time, about 6:30 p.m. They were stunned when the woman appeared to them.

She later spoke to them saying, “Peace, peace, peace!”. “Be reconciled!” She told them that she wished to be known as the “Queen of Peace”.

Thus began the longest series of Marian apparitions in the history of the church, from 1981 until the present day. She said that she had come to bring peace and reconciliation to a world that was intent of destroying itself.2

For thirty years now, out of love for each one of us, Our Blessed Mother continues to speak to the world through these six visionaries: “Now is a time of grace… I wish to be with you to reconcile the world through prayer, fasting, faith, conversion and peace…God is sending me to show you the way…Give your hand to me…and permit me to lead you.” Yes, now is a time to break free from our old ways of thinking, reasoning, judging and living—a time to embrace conversion of heart and true love for our neighbor, a time to pray and a time to fast.3

Our Lady calls us to daily prayer, to fasting, to reading the Bible, to monthly confession and to Holy Communion. These five things will bring peace to a world that has lost its way.

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Notes:
1,2, Medjugorje Day by Day, Richard J. Beyer
3, Medjugorge Peace Conference

In God's Company 2: Revelation: Saint Sister Maria Faustina

2011-07-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Catholic bloggers is Ed Sousa Sr., of In God's Company 2. Ed spends a lot of time paying it forward for Jesus and our Blessed Mother. If you haven't visited his blog before please go check him out.

In God's Company 2: Revelation: Saint Sister Maria Faustina: "Revelation: I do not know, O Lord, at what hour You will come. And so I keep constant watch and listen As Your chosen bride, Knowing t..."

I Have Seen the Lord

2011-07-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

My soul longs for you, O Lord

So early I rise to find you,
You are the one that my heart loves.

Like a bridegroom, you have courted me,
Your faithful love has won me over.

You have rolled back the stone of my heart,
And delivered me from my life of sin,
For no one is outside of your mercy.

Though many obstacles cross my path,
I search for you.
It is you alone that I seek,
For you have called me by name that I might tell the world,
“I have seen the Lord”.

"Dear children, today I want to call all of you to start living a new life from this day on. Dear children, I want you to understand that God has chosen each of you to participate in his great plan for the salvation of mankind. You cannot comprehend how great your role is in God's design." BVM, Medjugorge, 1-25-87

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us.

I will be with you

2011-07-13T07:29:00.000-07:00

Come, now! I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people,…..But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go .........He answered, "I will be with you….” Exodus 3: 10-12

Who am I that you should call me, Oh God,

for my sin is great and I am so unworthy.

But you alone know my heart,

you know everything about me

and you call me still.

“I will be with you”, is your reply.

Like a child taking her first step, you stretch your hand toward me.

I look into your eyes and suddenly believe I can do it.

You are with me.

Though I may fall time and time again,

Good Father that you are,

You lift me up and send me out.

I look into your eyes and see that you have chosen me….

Here I am Lord, I come to do your will.....

The Song of Life

2011-07-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

Noticing the basket among the reeds, she sent her handmaid to fetch it.

On opening it, she looked, and lo, there was a baby boy, crying! She was moved with pity ……..Exodus 2: 5, 6

My God, how precious is the gift of life,

A gift that you alone have given us.

As women, you give us the grace to nurture

This gift within, to bear and to bring forth,

To say yes to your gift and share it with all humanity.

As men, you give us the grace to father these little one,

To love and protect them always.

New life….

How can we ever take it for granted,

Cast it aside or say that it is anything but gift from you alone.

How magnificent you are my God,

And how wonderful are all your works.

"A great prayer for life is urgently needed, a prayer which will rise up throughout the world. Through special initiatives and in daily prayer, may an impassioned plea rise to God, the Creator and lover of life, from every Christian community, from every group and association, from every family and from the heart of every believer.”

– Pope John Paul II, The Gospel of Life (Evangelium Vitae), n. 100.

The Song of Trust

2011-07-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16

I hear your words, and I take them to heart.

Like a loving parent, you have taken me under your wing and taught me,

You have prepared me for the journey that lies ahead.

Though my sin is heavy before me, and my weakness is more than I can bear,

I trust in your mercy……your mercy is what I cling to… it shall be my strength in the days to come.

And when I stand before those that hold me in contempt, it will be your face that I see, not theirs, it will be your voice that I hear, not theirs.

Your love is all I need and your promises are truth and I shall sing your praises all the days of my life.

The Fruit of Love and Unity

2011-07-03T16:51:00.000-07:00

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a faithful spirit within me...Psalm 51:10

Message of July 2nd, 2011 "Dear children; today I call you to a difficult and painful step for your unity with my Son. I call you to complete admission and confession of sins, to purification. An impure heart cannot be in my Son and with my Son. An impure heart cannot give the fruit of love and unity. An impure heart cannot do correct and just things; it is not an example of the beauty of God's love to those who surround it and to those who have not come to know that love. You, my children, are gathering around me full of enthusiasm, desires and expectations, and I implore the Good Father to, through the Holy Spirit, put my Son - faith, into your purified hearts. My children, obey me, set out with me." As Our Lady was leaving, to her left she showed darkness and to her right a Cross in golden light. 7/02/211

Grace Shared By Others:

Dear friends:

These are photos taken this past week at the 30th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Medjugorje. They were taken by a friend in my group (not by me), with her very basic mobile. It is spectacular those of the dancing sun. In one of them we can see a red dove…

The lady who took the photos was astonished because it was her 1st pilgrimage to Medjugorje. She is still wondering why her…Please be aware that they are not fake. I was standing next to her when she took the photos with her mobile. Maria Vallejo Nagera

Thank you Ed Sousa Sr., for sharing the grace and love of Our Lady.

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I Saw Him Today

2011-06-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15

You are the eyes that notice me,

You are ears that hear my inner plea.

You are the heart of compassion,

With mercy tender.

You are the arms stretched toward me,

That hold me in my fear.

You are the smile that greets me,

The hope that sustains.
You are thanksgiving pure.

"You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Matthew 16: 16

Grace shared by others:

I saw Him today in a mother at our local swimming pool who was assisting her grown disabled son into the swimming pool. I'm not sure if he was born with a disability or had an accident later on, but she was one devoted mama. She lifted her son who was bigger than herself, out of his wheelchair to sit on the side of the pool. He was unable to move his legs or his arms yet he was able to grip the ladder with his hands.

She then got in the water and lifted him down into the water and swam him around like you would a toddler who was just learning to swim.

The joy on the young man's face was priceless and as I watched them interact, there was a deep love between them. She didn't look exhausted or bothered... she smiled and talked happily with him for a long time. It warmed my heart! ~ noreen rosarymom

Thank you noreen

Medjugorje:30th Anniversary Breaks All Previous Records

2011-06-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

30th anniversary breaks all previous records
Posted on Jun 25, 2011

An estimated 100,000 pilgrims from more than 100 countries attended Masses in more than 20 languages, bought a record number of books and restaurant meals before spending the night in a record number of local hotel and pansion beds, if not on lawns and parking lots. The 30th anniversary of the apparitions in Medjugorje set new records in almost every conceivable way.

Throngs of pilgrims in Medjugorje on Friday. Photo: medjugorje.hr The apparitions in Medjugorje can neither be limited by time, nor by space, the Croatian newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija reports from the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Virgin Mary’s apparitions. Nor by any kind of number, one could almost add.

According to the newspaper Vecernji List, a record number of just about 100,000 pilgrims make sure a number of other records are also being broken these days: Number of countries the pilgrims have arrived from (more than 100 on all continents), and number of languages in which Masses are being celebrated (more than 20).

The great influx of pilgrims sets new secular records as well. This goes for the number of souvenirs, books and meals sold in restaurants and stores, and the number of rooms rented in local hotels and pansions.

“The days are busy not only for the hotel facilities and rooms in private houses, but also for lawns, streets and parking lots where pilgrims from all over the world and of all races and nations are resting and sleeping, tired but satisfied”, Slobodna Dalmacija also reports.

June 25, 2011 Message to Marija

"Dear children! Give thanks with me to the Most High for my presence with you. My heart is joyful watching the love and joy in the living of my messages. Many of you have responded, but I wait for, and seek, all the hearts that have fallen asleep to awaken from the sleep of unbelief. Little children, draw even closer to my Immaculate Heart so that I can lead all of you toward eternity. Thank you for having responded to my call."

I would like to thank Ed Sousa, Sr from "In God's Company 2", for sharing this post with me. Ed "pays it forward" for Our Lady everyday of his life.

.......for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

2011-06-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Backseats filled with love and laughter;

Little squeals of sheer delight.

Singing songs and making merry;
Grand kids come to spend the night.

Hide and seek and “tag, your it!”,
It’s my turn to count again.

Baths with bubbles,
Storybook time;
I wish this night would never end.

The moon shines brightly,
Stars are twinkling;
Sleepy eyes are what I see.

Sheets pulled down,
Prayers and kisses;
Tomorrow this is a memory.

Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

For the many gifts God has given me, I give thanks.

The Ministry of Attraction

2011-06-24T10:26:00.000-07:00

“Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me….” taken from Malachi 3: 1

St. John the Baptist, the prophet of hope, was the first to point out the Messiah to his disciples.

………. prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway of our God! (Is 40:30)

The call to conversion always calls us to a change of heart, to turn away from the darkness in our lives, and to turn to the eternal light, Christ.

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Medjugorje apparitions. And, like St. John the Baptist, Our Lady continues to call out to us to conversion, to a change of heart.
Loving parent that she is, she never tires in her attempt to lead us to her Son, even in our resistance, in our attempts to do it our way.

“Dear children, I want to lead you on the road to conversion. I desire that you convert the world and that your life be a conversion for others. Do not fall into infidelity. Let each one of you be completely submitted to my will and to the will of God. Beginning this day, I give you special graces, and in particular the gift of conversion. Let each one of you take home my blessing and motivate others to real conversion” BVM, Medjugorje, 1

This call to conversion, to change, to transformation, is uppermost in the plans of the Blessed Mother, and she gives us the tools to achieve it: prayer, fasting, confession, Mass and the sacred scripture. 2

As light attracts, so must we be light to those around us, even those we find most difficult. Like St. John the Baptist and Our Lady, we must be the hope, we must be the light, we must attract others to an ever deeper relationship with Jesus.

Let our love be a ministry of attraction to those we meet , as we partner with Our Lady to bring Christ to the world.

1,2 Medjugorje Day by Day, Richard J. Beyer

Family Matters

2011-06-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

She became a wife at the young age of eighteen.

Just as she held me then, she holds me now.

Her strong faith has always kept me focused, even in the darkest times.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.

She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.

Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:

"Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all." ~Proverbs 31:26-29

We have shared many cups of tea throughout the years.

He was never to tired for me then, he is never to tired for me now.

His love shaped my life.

Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name. ~William Wordsworth

They created many memories then....

They create them now.

With hair of silver and hearts of gold,

they laugh with us,

they cry with us,

they pray with us,

because they know just how much family matters.

God made us a family.

We need one another.

We love one another.

We forgive one another.

We work together.

We play together.

We worship together.

Together we use God's word.

Together we grow in Christ.

Together we love all people.

Together we serve our God.

Together we hope for heaven.

These are our hopes and ideals.

Help us to attain them,

O God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

May God bless each member of your families today and always........

Such Sad News

2011-06-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

Please continue to pray for Fr. John Corapi and for all our priests.

Community , A Common Union

2011-06-15T08:17:00.000-07:00

To live a Christ centered life is to live in communion with Him. Communion, to share in common, to offer Him all, to feel Him within.....

I am up a little earlier than usual this morning. Sitting on the front porch with rosary beads in hand I can hear the birds speak to one another, softly at first, but their cheerful melody increases as their small community begins to grow a little larger.

Community…My small neighborhood community is starting to stir. Lights are coming on, garage doors are opening and engines are warming up. Their day is beginning too, though their melody is not nearly as sweet as the birds.

I start to say my rosary, as I do every morning and the Lord whispers softly in my ear, “Pray for your community today, for those that live nearby and for others that make up your community”

It is now the second joyful mystery, “The Visitation”. The charity and love of Mary prompts her to visit her cousin Elizabeth who lives about five days away. Though it is a laborious journey, Mary is joyful for she bears with her the Incarnate Word. The whisper of the Lord takes on another meaning now; I begin to understand what He is telling me.

Community… I need to start reaching out to my neighbor as Mary did, through prayer and deeds. The busier my life gets (or should I say, the busier I let my life get) the less I notice my neighbor. Forgive me O Lord , I acknowledge my selfishness and want no further part of it. Please take it from me.

I remember what I have read earlier this morning ; it is God’s will that we bring Jesus into the life of other people once He has entered into our life, to bring him into other people’s joys and sorrows, into other people’s darknesses and bitterness 1

Community…Give me such love for you, O Lord, and for all men, as will blot out all hatred and bitterness.” 2 Help me strengthen my communtiy by sharing your love and by noticing the needs of my neighbor.

1 Pray with the Heart, Medugorje Manual of Prayer, Fr. Slavko Barbaric, O.F.M.

2 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who wrote these words while in a Nazi concentration camp.

From the archives

Naming Grace

2011-06-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

William Arthur Ward

You have opened my eyes to the goodness around me,

And I sing your praises.

For everything I have is gift from you,

Freely given and undeserved grace.

Birds gather in the trees outside my window, cheerfully proclaiming the start of a new day; the gift of life is so precious.

The smell of coffee, freshly brewed, slowing climbs my staircase. It tickles my nose as it bids me to get up and join him, a gift of love my husband left me this morning.

A phone call comes a little later on this day. We can take a few extra days off which will make our mountain stay a little sweeter. The gift of time together, a couples blessing.

The beauty of crisp cool mountain air and cold running streams that surrounds us as we ride our mountain bikes for 26 miles. The deer and the cattle welcome us along the way.

Fr. Paul, clothed in red, processes down the isle and greets us cheerfully. “Happy Pentecost”, he says, and we smile and wish him “Happy Pentecost”.

Later, Father’s words are even sweeter as I walk up to receive the body and blood of my Savior and looking into my eyes he says to me “The body of Christ”. Eucharist; the ultimate “thanksgiving”, a grace freely given to me and to you, out of pure love.

.....in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Breath of My Soul

2011-06-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

COME, O Creator Spirit blest,

And in our souls take up Thy rest,

Come with Thy grace and Heavenly aid,

And fill the hearts which Thou hast made. 1

Spirit of Christ, breath of my soul, joy of my heart;

It is Your “Divine Wisdom” that I seek.

Help me this day and always to,

Deny myself all that is in me,

That keeps me from You.

Grant me the grace to conquer my pride,

And to be ever mindful of the words that leave my lips.

Spirit of Christ, breath of my soul, joy of my heart;

May I never seek greatness in this world,

But, through holy obedience,

Prefer the role of a servant.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow

The Father and the Son to know,

And Thee through endless times confessed

Of both the Eternal Spirit blest. 2

from the archives

(1,2) Veni Creator

"The Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" -- Isaiah 30:18

Come Holy Spirit

In God's Company 2: I am offering to you the light of the Truth and th...

2011-06-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

Share by Ed Sousa, Sr.,

Thank you Ed

In God's Company 2: I am offering to you the light of the Truth and th...: "Medjugorje: Photo taken by my friend Barbara Goodier on October 2nd, 2010 at the time of Mirjana's apparition. A few of us were praying th..."

Family, Our Hope For The Future

2011-06-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

I see them joined in prayer and my heart skips a beat,

A sign of His presence in a world that has lost its way.

Could there be a greater witness to the world than a family joined in prayer?

One father, one mother, sharing their greatest gift with their children,

The gift of faith.

Together, as one, they witness with their lives, they pass on true values,

And they teach the importance of commitment to another person.

Family, the domestic church, our hope for the future.

“Dear parents, commit yourselves always to teach your children to pray, and pray with them; draw them close to the Sacraments, especially to the Eucharist.”

“Introduce them to the life of the Church; in the intimacy of the home do not be afraid to read the sacred Scriptures, illuminating family life with the light of faith and praising God as Father.” Pope Benedict XVI

“Dear children, tonight your Mother wishes to call you, as I have before, to renew prayer in the family. Dear children, families need to pray today. It is my wish, dear children that you would live my messages through family prayer. BVM, Medjugorje, January 1, 1990

A Miracle of Your Love

2011-06-03T12:43:00.000-07:00

Adorn in splendor you stand before me,

Your Eucharistic presence,

A great miracle of your love.

I think of your Resurrection garment,

The brightness shines forth like the rays of the sun.

You have invited me here to this place of rest.

Your gift of peace is a kiss to my cheek.

My heart quickens within my chest.

“Love me”, I feel you say. “And love me for those that do not love me,

Witness with your life”.

“Yes Lord, I will”.

I love this time alone with you,

These moments feed the hunger within.

I will take these moments with me and share them with those you send my way.

And, in sharing these moments maybe others will come and spend time with you too.

"The First Friday of each month was designated by our Savior Himself as a day to be
consecrated to honoring His Sacred Heart…. As the object of this devotion is to make our Savior Jesus Christ ardently and perfectly loved, and to make reparation for the outrages offered to Him in the past, as well as for those which he daily receives in the Blessed Eucharist…

I am offering you the light of Truth and the Holy Spirit

2011-06-02T11:20:00.000-07:00

June 02, 2011 Message to Mirjana

"Dear children! As I call you to prayer for those who have not come to know the love of God, if you were to look into your hearts you would comprehend that I am speaking about many of you. With an open heart, sincerely ask yourselves if you want the living God or do you want to eliminate Him and live as you want. Look around you, my children, and see where the world is going, the world that thinks of doing everything without the Father, and which wanders in the darkness of temptation. I am offering to you the light of the Truth and the Holy Spirit. According to God's plan I am with you to help you to have my Son, His Cross and Resurrection, triumph in your hearts. As a mother, I desire and pray for your unity with my Son and His works. I am with you; you decide. Thank you."

…the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17

Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light, and listen to Your voice, and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You, by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds, and trusting in His Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say to You always and everywhere, "Speak Lord for Your servant heareth." Amen.

Infuse My Soul

2011-06-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

'I will give to you a new heart of flesh..." Ezekiel (36:26)

The heart is also the central core of the conversion which God desires on the part of man and for man, so as to enter into his intimacy, into his love. God did not create man to be indifferent or cold, but to be open to God.... The heart of flesh, a heart that has a human sensitivity and a heart capable of letting itself be moved by the breath of the Holy Spirit.... All her life, St. Margaret Mary burned with the living flame of that love which Christ came to kindle in the history of man... John Paul II, Paray-Ie-Monial in October. 1986

Gazing upon your heart O Lord,

My heart begins to race.

Symbol of a love divine,

I long for your embrace.

Burning love infuse my soul

With compassion deep and true,

And when my life on earth is done,

Bring me home to you.....

Consecration to the Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus, filled with infinite love, broken by my ingratitude, pierced by my sins, yet loving me still, accept the consecration that I make to You, of all that I am and all that I have. Take every faculty of my soul and body, and draw me, day by day, nearer and nearer to Your Sacred Side, and there, as I can bear the lesson, teach me Your blessed ways. Amen.

As the Church devotes the month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place you and your families in His Heart, that His love and mercy protect you and that you find rest in Him.

Seek the Grace of Conversion

2011-05-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

May 25, 2011 Message to Marija

"Dear children! My prayer today is for all of you who seek the grace of conversion. You knock on the door of my heart, but without hope and prayer, in sin, and without the Sacrament of Reconciliation with God. Leave sin and decide, little children, for holiness. Only in this way can I help you, hear your prayers and seek intercession before the Most High. Thank you for having responded to my call."

...I am writing this to you so that you may not commit sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.
: He is expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only but for those of the whole world. 1 John 2:1

‘For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world.’.... St. Faustina Kowalska

Not as the world gives.......

2011-05-24T08:36:00.000-07:00

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you. John 14:27

He just hadn’t been feeling well. Was it just his age, or was something really wrong with him? He went to his family doctor, but nothing serious was diagnosed. He was told to take it easy and was sent home.

His balance seemed off, then he started to fall.

He went back to see his doctor, and this time he was told that he had had a mild stroke. After treatment, he was sent home, only to experience another fall, then another. Things were happening fast now, and he was frightened.

He was admitted into the hospital and diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer; it was inoperable. Struggling with the news, his family gathered around his hospital bed in prayer and support.

He was husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle to many. He had served his country proudly in the Korean War. He had always been a loving man, a peaceful man, a family man. Suddenly he was a very ill man, with little time left.

As his pain grew stronger, his medication was increased making it difficult to communicated or even pray. But God in his goodness sent him many prayer warriors to keep vigil with him. They said the prayers he could not say, they brought his priest to administer the sacrament of the sick, and they spent time in Adoration for him. Through Christ, they brought him the peace he needed.

The doctor and hospital staff could do no more for him. Hospice care had been arranged and he was sent home to spend the time he had left with his family. Within a few days he was in the arms of Jesus.

Now he prays for all of us.......

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3

In Memory of John Valencia

The Word Became Flesh

2011-05-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

Karinann at Daughter of the King has tagged me for this Scripture based meme. I am asked to pick three of my favorite Scripture verses. Many came to mind, but these are the three I have chosen.

Luke 1:46 And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord.”

I often think of just her with awe and wonder;
In perfect humility, she offers a remarkable hymn of praise.
“The God-bearer”, she greatens the presence of God in our lives by bringing him to us.
As Christians we are all called to magnify the Lord, and to greaten his presence in the world around us.

Matthew 18:1-4 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

I can be very narrow minded at times, only seeing things or a situation one way. I call this preoccupation with self. In this scripture passage, Jesus points out to his disciples that they have lost site of his message. Instead of seeking a place of service, they sought positions of advantage.

As Christians we are called to humble service.

John 6:32-33 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven; my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world."

The true presence of Christ himself is available to us everyday in the Holy Eucharist. The words “come let us adore him” fill my mind. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all spent more time adoring our Lord in the sacrament of Holy Eucharist?

"Dear children! Today I call on you to read the Bible every day in your homes and let it be in a visible place so as always to encourage you to read it and to pray. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorje , October 18, 1984

I would love to read the favorite bible verses of:

Jek at In Search of...

Ed Sousa, Sr at In Gods Company 2

Joan Grayson at Catholic Sacred Art

So if you arae interested, tag you're it!

I know my sheep, and mine know me....

2011-05-15T08:54:00.000-07:00

“……the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3

We had packed the motor home early that day; we were looking forward to the trip. Lake Tahoe was our destination, where our children would be participating in a soccer tournament.

My husband wanted to leave at midnight. His plan was to beat the heat of the Mojave Desert and arrive at our campsite early, making the most of the time allotted to us.

As he drove through the night we slept soundly until the motor home came to a complete stop and a small voice from a child in the back yelled, “Are we there yet ?” Dawn was breaking and the fog on the road was so thick that the taillights on the car in front of us were barely visible. “No”, my husband said, “We aren’t there yet, but we aren’t moving either”.

Just then, we started to hear the sound of bells jingling softly in the distant. Our curiosity was peaking as the sound grew closer and the fog began to lift.

To our sheer delight, we saw what looked like hundreds of sheep coming toward us. They were being lead by a single shepherd to a pasture across the highway. It was amazing how this one man could guide all these sheep so effortlessly across the road, but he did.

Today we celebrate the Good Shepherd. May we take the time to pray for the shepherds in our church, as well as for an increase in vocations.

O Jesus,

I pray for your faithful and fervent priests;

for your unfaithful and tepid priests;

for your priests laboring at home or abroad in distant mission fields.

for your tempted priests;

for your lonely and desolate priests;

For your young priests;

for your dying priests;

for the souls of your priests in Purgatory.

But above all, I recommend to you the priests dearest to me:

the priest who baptized me;

the priests who absolved me from my sins;

the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion;

the priests who taught and instructed me;

all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way

(especially …).

O Jesus, keep them all close to your heart,

and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.

Amen St. Therese of Lisieux

Remebering Fatima

2011-05-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

May 13, 1917

"I have come to exhort the faithful to change their lives, to avoid grieving Our Lord by sin; to pray the Rosary.” Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima asked the children if the would pray and make sacrifice for sinners, to which they said "Yes". This was the beginning of a new life for them, for their sole purpose in life was to pray and make sacrifices for sinners. As young as they were, they would even give their lunches to the sheep as a sacrifice and other acts of mortification.

Application~ What sacrifice am I willing to make for Our Lord? How long has it been since I have offered a family rosary for the souls of others?

Prayer:

Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell and lead all souls into heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

Citation: Our Lady of Fatima, Cultural Catholic

Say "Yes" to The Father With The Heart....

2011-05-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

God sent the Son into the world not to condemn the world, but so that through him the world might be saved. (John 3)

Thick clouds gathered round the moon that night and an eerie stillness filled the air. As he knelt to pray, tightness grew within his chest, his breathing became labored and his heart began to race. He knew what lied ahead of him and his anxiety was growing stronger. His perspiration turned to blood and slowly ran down his cheeks as he accepted his chalice of suffering. Freely he said, “Father, let it be done to me according to Your Word”. With an infinite love, he suffered that we might be saved.

Like a criminal he was bound and brought before the court. Innocent though he was, he was condemned, tied to a post and scourged mercilessly. All of this he offered up to free us from the wickedness of sin.

And just as evil always seems to feed in an angry crowd, their contempt for him increased as they crowned him with thorns, slapped, spat upon him and mocked him. He suffered for our redemption.

Force to carry the weight of the heavy cross; he walked the long road of Calvary. Weak as he was, he fell three times. Knees shaking almost uncontrollably, he struggled to push himself up and continued on to what lied ahead. He knew what was at stake a little further down the road. His ‘yes’ for our salvation sustained him.

He accepted the crucifixion and death of the cross for us as he surrendered his spirit to the Father. All this he did that we would turn from our sin, from all that we are bound to here on this earth and that we too, may be resurrected to a new life.

“Dear children; God the Father is sending me to show you the way of salvation, because He, my children, desires to save you and not to condemn you. That is why I, as a mother, am gathering you around me, because with my motherly love I desire to help you to be free of the dirtiness of the past and to begin to live anew and differently. I am calling you to resurrect in my Son. Along with confession of sins renounce everything that has distanced you from my Son and that has made your life empty and unsuccessful. Say 'yes' to the Father with the heart and set out on the way of salvation to which He is calling you through the Holy Spirit. Thank you. I am especially praying for the shepherds (priests), for God to help them to be alongside you with a fullness of heart." BVM, Medjugorje, May 02, 2011 Message to Mirjana

Stay With Me Lord....

2011-04-28T14:36:00.000-07:00

“Peace be with you…”

“Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see…..”Luke 25 : 38-39

We all need the peace that only comes from our risen Savior, for though we are a people of faith, we still experience times of trouble and questions arise. It is in times like these that we look for Christ in others and that others look for Christ in us.

All human beings yearn for life to the full. We are truly blessed who have been given food from heaven and the water of life in the Easter sacraments of baptism and Eucharist. 1 Easter Wednesday, Magnificat

Help me to me recognize You as Your disciples did at the breaking of bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the power which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart.

Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone, Your Love, Your Grace, Your Will, Your Heart, Your Spirit, because I love You and ask for no other reward but to love You more and more, with a strong and active love.

Grant that I may love You with all my heart while on earth, so that I can continue to love You perfectly, throughout all eternity, dear Jesus. Amen!2 Stay with me Lord (Prayer after Communion)

Witness With Your Life.......

2011-04-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

"Dear children! As nature gives the most beautiful colors of the year, I also call you to witness with your life and to help others to draw closer to my Immaculate Heart, so that the flame of love for the Most High may sprout in their hearts. I am with you and I unceasingly pray for you that your life may be a reflection of Heaven here on earth. Thank you for having responded to my call." BVM, Medjugorje April 25, 2011 Message to Marija

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb,

fearful yet overjoyed,

and ran to announce the news to his disciples.

And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.

They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.

Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,

and there they will see me.” Matthew 28-8:10

Lord, how glorious you are and all of heaven sing your praises.

Grant us the grace to witness with our lives the glory that your cross and resurrection have purchased for us. You are the Savior of the world.

Open Your Heart

2011-04-13T06:23:00.000-07:00

Just as the clenched hand can neither give nor receive, the closed heart cannot love.

Love unifies,
it brings us together and makes us one.

Love calls us individually to relationship,
yet its very nature has no boundaries;
its desire is to be shared with others.

Love flows from the heart...
this same love flows from each of us because God's Spirit of abundant love flows through our hearts. ~Henri Nouwen

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"

He said to him, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment.

The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22: 36-39

"Dear children; With motherly love I desire to open the heart of each of you and to teach you personal unity with the Father. To accept this, you must comprehend that you are important to God and that He is calling you individually. You must comprehend that your prayer is a conversation of a child with the Father; that love is the way by which you must set out - love for God and for your neighbour. That is, my children, the love that has no boundaries, that is the love that emanates from truth and goes to the end. Follow me, my children, so that also others, in recognizing the truth and love in you, may follow you. Thank you."

Once again Our Lady called us to pray for our shepherds (priests) and said: "They have a special place in my heart. They represent my Son." BVM, April 02, 2011 Message to Mirjana , Medjugorje

This season of Lent calls us to reconciliation with God, with others and with ourselves. Reconcilation can only come to a heart that is open. May our hearts be open.

Daily Grace

You Are Peter, And On This Rock I Build My Church

Let Prayer Become A Joy For You

Help Peace to Reign

The Holy Father specifically cited the "grave threats" to the freedom of the Church in America

In Adoration you meet Jesus

The Likeness of Christ

Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues

Brick Walls

Fixing to a Cross

Open Yourselves to the Father

Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God

St. Bridget 12 Year Prayer - The Seven Wounds of Jesus- A Prayer Request

Divine Babe

Without God We Are Incomplete

Mary Immaculate And America

Take Time, Slow Down, Be Still

Only honest eyes can see the way........

Her Amazement at Her Only Child

Open Your Hearts

Recognizing Greatness

Prepare the way of the Lord.

Today let us give praise and honor to the Lord

Honor Your Father And Your Mother

I Will Not Leave You Orphaned

At least 532 have been healed in Medjugorje

A Time For Change

Exposed

Simple Stones

21st Medjugorje Peace Conference

21st Medjugorje Peace Conference

Located 40 miles south of Los Angles, CA

Medjugorje: Souha's Most Beautiful Confession

Day is Done

We Are All Called

Our Lady of the Rosary

The Way

Sanctify Yourself and You will Sanctify Society

Walking the Walk, A Call to Witness

Noticing God....

The Medjugorje Web - Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje

Patiently you wait for me....

Let Love Be Contagious

All Generations Shall Call You Blessed

Dawn in Suburbia

Fraternal Correction

Come, Holy Spirit

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Fraternal Correction

Only the Glory of God Remains.

9/2/11

Our Lady's Medjugorje Message, given on September 2, 2011 through Mirjana Soldo:

These Days of Grace

Who Is My Neighbor.....

Mother of All

The Sacrifice of Love.....

Together We Can Change the World....

Permit Me to Lead You....

In God's Company 2: Revelation: Saint Sister Maria Faustina

I Have Seen the Lord

I will be with you

The Song of Life

The Song of Trust

The Fruit of Love and Unity

I Saw Him Today

Medjugorje:30th Anniversary Breaks All Previous Records

.......for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

The Ministry of Attraction

Family Matters

Such Sad News

Community , A Common Union

Naming Grace

Breath of My Soul

In God's Company 2: I am offering to you the light of the Truth and th...

Family, Our Hope For The Future

A Miracle of Your Love

I am offering you the light of Truth and the Holy Spirit

Infuse My Soul

Seek the Grace of Conversion

Not as the world gives.......