Sunday, November 30, 2008

First Sunday of Advent and Lectio Divina

First Sunday of Advent, Nov. 30, 2008, Lectio Divina

We must speak to and see God amidst the thunder and the hurricane; we must see him in the bush, amidst the fire and thorns.
~~St. Pio~~

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Desire To Make Rosaries

I have, for many, many years had a desire to make Rosaries. I have procrastinated because I just didn't know where to begin. If anyone has a great tutorial or can help me get started I would so appreciate the help!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have so much to be thankful for as my father finally comes home from his surgery two weeks ago. It has been a long haul for him but he is now doing very well....Praise God.

Wishing all of my friends and family a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Bishop prays for Obama's Conversion of Heart

I'm never quite sure how much of an article is proper to post but I thought this was important enough to share...

EWTN

Bishop Prays for Obama’s Conversion, Calls on Catholics to Integrate Faith and Politics

FARGO, North Dakota, NOV. 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The next months will require tireless work from Catholics in order to preserve the fundamental right to life, and from priests to make Church teaching known, says a U.S. prelate.

Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo affirmed this in a column written for the November issue of New Earth, his diocesan newspaper.

He congratulated president-elect Barack Obama, and assured him of prayers for "the conversion of his heart and mind to recognize the dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death and the truth that no government has the right to legalize abortion."

Observing Obama's voting record and his public support of the Freedom of Choice Act, the prelate asserted that the president-elect opposes the position of the Catholic Church. He added: "On a purely political level, he even disagrees with the majority of Americans, who at least want some limits on abortion.

"The Church, and most especially bishops and priests, will need to make the teaching of the Church known to every Catholic."

Clear teaching

Bishop Aquila wrote about letters he received expressing a desire for more outspoken and clear teaching on abortion. He stated, "Catholics need to promote the Gospel of Life and understand, as Pope Benedict XVI and his predecessors have made definitive and clear, that the question of the moral legality of abortion is non-negotiable. It is always and everywhere wrong, and this moral truth must be enshrined in law in every civil society."

He addressed the misunderstandings that he encountered regarding a Catholic's role faced to abortion. "Abortion is an intrinsic evil," he explained, "which means that in no circumstance is it permitted nor may it ever be supported, even as a means to a good end."

The prelate reiterated the message of other U.S. bishops, on the central and primary importance of the issue of human life among the many other political issues to be weighed in the balance.

Faith in politics

The bishop addressed the misunderstanding about the relationship between the Church and the state, and more particularly, how each Catholic is called to live his faith in daily life and political decisions. He lamented the removal of "religious and moral values from the public square," observing that "some Catholics in the separation of their faith from decisions in the political order abandon God and embrace secular atheism."

"Abandoning the truth," he continued, "is directly opposed both to our ideals as Christians and to the founding principles of our country as seen in the Declaration of Independence which acknowledges the ‘laws of nature's God' and ‘the Creator.'"

The prelate quoted from the nation's first president, George Washington: "Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."

Based in these ideals of the founding fathers, as well as the teachings of the Church, Bishop Aquila called on Catholics to live out their faith: "Being faithful to the call and mission given to us by God can never be limited to Sunday worship, but requires the surrender of our complete and entire lives.

"If we are faithful Catholics, everything we do will be influenced by our relationship with God, his truth, his love and his constant inspiration. If we withhold the beauty and truths about human life from our nation's laws, we diminish our society."

Monday, November 17, 2008

Blessed Françoise d’Amboise

You have various afflictions which constitute your cross. Bear them willingly to the very end, when you will finally yield your soul to God. Give Him praise and thanks for calling you to His service. Scorn no-one, for it is God’s will that you love each one of your neighbors as you do those of your own community. Strive to curb all unruly instincts within you. To this end try one remedy today and another tomorrow, so that gradually you will subdue your unruly impulses, and when the Lord sees your good will and your perseverance, He will give you the support of His grace, enabling you to sustain to the end the burdens of religious life. Through His love nothing will be too difficult for you to bear.”

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Prayers for my Dad

My father had hip surgery yesterday. Everything seemed to go fine but he developed some complications late last night and was moved to Intensive Care. I would so appreciate prayers for him...his name is Richard. Thank you.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Economy, e c o n o m y!


Whatever! Time to pick ourselves up by the (whatever) and realize that while things may be tougher...they are in NO WAY as tough as so many countries have it. Good grief....a good portion of the world doesn't have a toilet to flush or clean water to drink. Why not look at this as an opportunity to live a little lighter on the earth and take time to count your blessings.

I'm cold this morning. I have an old, drafty house but instead of turning the heat up I just built a fire in the woodstove. Don't have wood? Can't afford it? Look on craigslist for free wood. You might have to work at getting it but a little hard work won't hurt anyone. Don't have a fireplace or woodstove? Start looking for ways to keep the heat in. Put blankets under drafty doors and add a sweater or sweatshirt to your wardrobe, hats and toasty warm slippers and socks. Drink hot/warm water...always helps me warm up! Maybe your drapery isn't insulated enough....use quilts on the windows to keep the cold out and the heat in - making sure you open them if the sun is shining!

And last but by no means least....thank our Heavenly Father for the home you are in that keeps out the elements and gives shelter to your family. And if you have trouble finding gratitude...use the computer to look at where and how people live in other countries....I think you will find something to be grateful for.



Daily Meditation

I love these meditations.....

Man's Purpose on Earth

CHRIST:

MY CHILD, the highest goal of your life is union with Me in Heaven. Let your intentions throughout the day be guided by this truth. In all things be sure to stay on the path which leads to Heaven. Do not become too deeply interested in the passing desires and brief enjoyments of this earthly life.

2. I have given you everything that you are and everything you have. All things come to you from Me, the Supreme Good. Whatever comes, accept it, use it, enjoy it, as I wish and as much as I wish.

3. If you think only of satisfying yourself, without considering My approval, your mind becomes confused and your will becomes weak. Mistakes and sins will rob you of peace on earth and of unending happiness in Heaven. In all things, therefore, keep your eyes on Me.

4. Happy are those who desire only what I want, trying steadily to do My Will. Such people do not let themselves become completely absorbed by their daily activities. They frequently offer their activities to Me. They see the brevity of human contentment on earth.

5. Examine your motives in your daily words and actions. Find out how you may please Me more, and avoid everything which may draw you away from Me.

THINK: I was created for eternal happiness with God in Heaven. Everything else must take second place in my life, because if I lost Heaven, I will be losing everything. The sure guide to Heaven is God's holy Will. If I follow it in my daily life, every moment on earth will be a sure step toward the perfect happiness which my heart craves.

PRAY:
My God and loving Father, grant me the wisdom to think, speak and act each day as You want me to. May I never be such a fool as to disagree with Your supreme goodness and wisdom. Nothing on earth can bring me any lasting happiness. Therefore, let me never sin for the sake of anything. I want to live for the perfect happiness for which You created me. Amen.

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Sweet, Sweet Baby!


In all the turmoil of the last few days...just had to take time to look at this sweet face...my grandson...

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

We Must Trust

'Let us then trust ourselves entirely to God and His Providence and leave Him complete power to order our lives, turning to Him lovingly in every need and awaiting His help without anxiety. Leave everything to Him and He will provide us with everything, at the time and in the place and in the manner best suited. He will lead us on our way to that happiness and peace of mind for which we are destined in this life as a foretaste of the everlasting happiness we have been promised.'

~from the book...Trustful Surrender To Divine Providence~


As we watch and wait for the election outcome, let us trust in Divine Providence.

Saturday, November 01, 2008