All Saints Day

I love this image...

A wonderful day in honor of are Saints!

The Discalced Carmelite Students in Rome...

The Discalced Carmelite Theology Students in Rome.

Click the picture to be taken to their blog...

The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

Oh I'm definitely getting this.....because.....well.....because she makes me want to cook yummy looking food but also because she makes me laugh!

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

I'm a day late in posting.....day one was yesterday.....sorry!

Novena to St. Teresa of Avila

Pray especially beginning on 6 October and ending on 14 October, the eve of the Feast of St. Teresa. This Novena was written by St. Alphonsus of Liguori.

First Day:

O most amiable Lord Jesus Christ! We thank Thee for the great gift of faith and of devotion to the Holy Sacrament, which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits and by those of Thy faithful spouse, to grant us the gift of a lively faith, and of a fervent devotion toward the most Holy Sacrament of the altar; where Thou, O infinite Majesty! hast obliged Thyself to abide with us even to the end of the world, and wherein Thou didst so lovingly give Thy whole Self to us.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Second Day:

O most merciful Lord Jesus Christ! we thank Thee for the great gift of hope which Thou didst grant to Thy beloved Teresa; we pray Thee, by Thy merits, and by those of Thy holy spouse, to give us a great confidence in Thy goodness, by reason of Thy Precious Blood, which Thou hast shed to its last drop for our salvation.

Say one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be.

V. St. Teresa, pray for us:

R. That we may become worthy of the promises of Jesus Christ.

Let us pray: Graciously hear us, O God of our salvation! that as we rejoice in the commemoration of the blessed virgin Teresa, so we may be nourished by her heavenly doctrine, and draw from thence the fervour of a tender devotion; through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Our Lady Of The Rosary

Memorial

October 7

Quotes from Brother Lawrence...

“We do not always have to be in church to be
with God. We can make of our hearts an oratory
where we can withdraw from time to
time to converse with God. Everyone is capable
of these intimate conversations with God,
some more, some less.”

Prayers needed....

For my daughter Annie......please storm heaven for her! I wish I could share but I don't even know where to begin.

Novena to St. Therese begins today

Today begins the Novena, ending on September 30 which is also a fast day for OCDS members. You can get the Novena here...

Little Flower Novena

Big Miracles and Tiny Shoes

I have a very wonderful friend, filled with the Love of Christ who shared something today and it was just what I needed to hear!

Mary said..

"My ministry is not in performing big miracles. My ministry is in tying small shoes."

Thank you, Mary, for reminding me of the important job we do, and that we are Christ's hands when we are tying those small shoes and wiping those runny noses! God truly blessed me when he blessed our friendship.

EWTN Honors Padre Pio, September 26

Watch Saturday, September 26, 8PM Eastern Time (set those DVR's)

EWTN Honors Padre Pio

Mary Day By Day

Now you are light in the Lord, Walk as children of light, for light produces all goodness and justice and truth.

~~~Eph 5:8-9

Reflection: For those who believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, for those who believe in the Church, behold the Mother: Mary!

Prayer: O Mary, you give light to everything in our lives. Enlighten my mind and open my heart so that I may learn and carry out the things that are pleasing to your Divine Son.

Just For Today, Ronald Knox

I bought a new book (sigh -- I really need to get a handle on this addiction, LOL) and wanted to recommend it to my friends. It's called Just for Today, Introduced by Ronald Knox. It is a book of daily readings (two readings), one from St. Therese of Lisieux and one from The Imitation of Christ and it blends the two together.

From The Right Reverend Monsignor Ronald Knox...

"The compiler of this anthology has been happily inspired to sit between two treasure chests, dealing out to us a jewel first from this then from that, like matched pearls."

If interested just click on the book cover...

Still recovering....

I know I haven't posted much lately but I've been sick for weeks now and have found out I have pneumonia. There were a couple of days where I thought I was on the road to recovery but then it hit harder -- such is life!

My youngest daughter is moving back home for a few months this weekend so I could use a few prayers -- we tend to have a stress filled relationship when she lives with us!:-)

Have a wonderful weekend!

An opportunity to go on a pilgrimage..

In April my Priest and our Archbishop are going to Assisi, the Holy House of Mary in Loreto, the shrine of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, the shrine of St. Nicholas in Bari, the Benedictine monastery of Montecassino, and a scheduled Papal Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

This has been a dream of mine and oh how I want to go! Please pray for me!!!

St. Pio Daily

From Air Maria, August Theme: Spiritual Aridity

“You will greatly encounter the pleasure of God, and mine as well, by not omitting your spiritual exercises on account of the aridity and interior languor that often returns to you; because not wanting to serve God and love Him save for His pleasure and love alone, and being more pleasing to Him, the service that we render Him amidst the pains of aridity, rather than those we render Him amidst the sweetness, we must likewise receive them [these pains of aridity] willingly, at least with our upper will. And even though, according to our pleasure and our self love, the gentleness and tenderness seems sweeter to us, aridity, according to the pleasure of God, is more useful, as dry food is more useful for those with dropsy, rather than moist food, even though the latter always tastes better than the former.”

Altar Serving 101

Discaled Carmelite Friars
www.fatheradam.blogspot.com

I've had the pleasure of hearing Father Robert speak at one of our monthly Carmelite meetings. I remember everyone at my table got out their paper and pens to take notes and after about...oh.....a minute.....we all just stopped as we didn't want to miss a single thing he was sharing. When he was done we all just thought "wow" as we were truly blessed..........thank you Heavenly Father for all our Priests and please bless them.

Obama and Body Language

A very telling article here at American Thinker......

"That's why I think this image will have genuine resonance. It captures something that older Americans in particular can relate to. The President presses ahead with a program that will tell them to take painkillers instead of getting that artificial hip."

Fragrance from Alabaster

To be always kind in thought, word and deed, one must practice real mortification, for one must constantly repress the natural which is in us all and which is quick to see the fault in another.

We must practice that faith which sees beneath the surface, recognizing the divine in every soul; we must realize that what is said to another is directed to our Lord, Who associates Himself with each one so closely as to be one with her.

The virtues of faith and love are within the reach of all of us. They are the two wings by which we can fly to God on countless occasions, and these occasions are provided by our Lord Himself just to have us do so.

In using these happenings, we shall find countless opportunities for overcoming our natural self, so given to irritation when things contradict our will, and so ready to think that annoying circumstances justify our showing annoyance. We forget that the occasions do not make us frail but they show what we are.

It is only the light of faith that can enable us to see through the various circumstances we meet with and see in them God and His permissive Will. To one under the influence of our Lord's Spirit instead of her own, these little trials show her our Lord asking for love; and if nature is tempted to complain, the soul that loves is not depressed or discouraged. Rather in this very reaction it sees its weakness, a tendency to watch; and the lover blesses God for the light thus given to know what she must work at, what she must overcome, if she would be pleasing to Him.

~~Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel~~

St. Pio Daily - Battles

"How can you not rejoice in seeing yourself engaged in so many battles, knowing that for every victory you carry off, a degree of glory corresponds?”
~~St. Pio~~

Sometimes it is so difficult to rejoice in and for the battle. Holy Spirit...give me the perseverance and courage in this struggle.

Discover the presence of God - have a prayer life

Linking to a post by an OCD sister at louange de sa galoire....

Discover the prsence of God - have a prayer life.

Is aborted fetal DNA in our children's vaccines?

My mouth is open...is this true? I have never heard this! Regardless of whether or not this is linked to Autism...this just shouldn't be happening!

Is Aborted Fetal DNA in Vaccines Linked to Autism

Thank you, Gretchen for sharing the article.

The End of the Present World

I have had this book....The End of the Present World on my "to read" list for awhile so imagine my surprise while reading the preface that Father Donald Kinney, a Carmelite Priest had a copy of this book (after searching for seven years) written in the original French language which was used to translate into english. Many in my OCDS community know him well and talk of him very fondly. I've met him a few times and was excited to see his name in this book!

"Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life."
~~St. Therese of Lisieux~~

Feeling very blessed!

Just sharing two of my favorite faces....this is my oldest daughter and my favorite grandson (who was VERY HOT and tired). I can say he's my favorite because...well....he's the only grandchild I have at the moment! But you have to admit...he's soooooooo cute!

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

I'm running late but just had to take a moment to say I will remember you all in my prayers today! God Bless!

Practice of the Presence of God

I read this post Faith and Reason at louange de sa gloire and the reference made to the Carmelite ideal of living in the presence of God at all times is timely as I just read the below excerpt from one of Father Bruno Cocuzzi, OCD homilies.

"There is an exercise of soul, closely akin to Mental Prayer, which is compatible with the faithful fulfillment of our daily duties and which renders us receptive to the influence of the Holy Spirit. It is the practice of the Presence of God. Since we have likened Mental Prayer to the spontaneous, informal, loving encounter of two well-beloved spouses, we can compare the practice of the Presence of God to the activity of mind and heart of a young housewife as she goes about her work in the home while her husband is away during the day.

Because she lives in his house and is entrusted with the care of it, and especially because she is responsible for the care of the children, a young housewife is keenly aware of her estate, that is, of her relationship to her spouse. He is indirectly present to her because of her immediate concern with persons and things that have a direct or indirect bearing upon him. He is present to her memory because she can’t help thinking of how he looks, of the sound of his voice, of his touch, etc. He is present to her intellect when she adverts to certain facts concerning him: he is so handsome; he is so kind and affectionate toward the children; he is such a hard, unselfish worker. Then, when the nature of her work absorbs her mind completely, when she cannot be mindful of him, she keeps him present to her will by applying herself to the task at hand with diligence for love of him. It is the last named means which can always be practiced, and which escapes the ability of no one.

The practice of the Presence of God, then, is the deliberate effort to keep God and related things present to our faculties of mind and heart. First of all it requires that we remind ourselves at stated times during the day that we are the children of God, co-heirs with Jesus Christ of the Kingdom of Heaven. We have to keep in mind that, even though we may own things outright, that we are stewards in God’s household. In particular, we have to get into the habit of seeing all persons as children of God for whose salvation and spiritual welfare we are to some degree responsible. We keep in the presence of God by remembering what we have read or heard concerning Him, by recalling images and incidents taken from the Gospels. Having sacred images in the home is a great help in this regard. We keep God present, too, by means of our intellect, when we make acts of Faith: God loves me; Jesus died for me, gave me Himself as my spiritual sustenance, gave me His own Mother; the Cross is necessary; a heavy Cross is a proof of signal favor, etc. And when the nature of our work makes this kind of mental activity impossible, we keep God present in our hearts by doing all things for love of Him. It is the minimum, but it is essential."

Have a blessed day!

Prayers for your children...

I've posted this before and this is really a reminder to myself to always pray for my children (you can replace "daughters" with children or sons).

Holy Mary, mother of God and mother of all the faithful, I place my daughters under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate them, body and soul. Take them under your care and keep them always. Guard them and keep their hearts pure, their thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect them always throughout life - in their joys and sorrows, in successes and failures, in dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to them, Mary, and preserve them. I commend them entirely to you. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration they become in a special way your children as well as mine; guard them and keep them as your very own. Amen.

Saint Teresa of the Andes

One of my favorites!

St. Teresa of the Andes

Thoughts from Mother Aloysius of Concord Carmel

"Try to see our Lord working out His plan for your holiness through the vexations and annoyances you meet with. Give yourself sweetly and generously to their purifying action; thus His transforming love can make you His living image; His Father will see in you another Jesus seeking only His glory. "

~~Fragrance from Alabaster~~

Novena to our Lady of Mt. Carmel (Second Day)

Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel, having heard the prayers of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock. Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion. May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.
(pause and mention petitions)

Say: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Novena to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Tomorrow begins the Novena to Our Lady Of Mt. Carmel. O Star of the Sea, please pray for us!

First Day (7 July)O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, most fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, holyand singular, who brought forth the Son of God, still ever remaining a pure virgin, assist us in our necessity! O Star of the Sea, help and protect us! Show us that you are our Mother! (pause and mention petitions)

Recite: Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Good St. Anne

I have to admit that I'm just learning about St. Anne, the beloved Mother of our Lady and Grandmother of Our Lord. Why I have never read or heard much about her is a mystery (to me anyway) but I'm so glad to have been introduced to her. How fitting that I discovered my own Annie's birthday to be the same as St. Anne's Feast day, July 26.

I want to thank Anne at Under Her Starry Mantle to be instrumental in sharing this devotion. AND a heart full of gratitude for her gift of the little booklet called Good St. Anne as well as a bottle of St. Anne Holy Oil that she shared with me.

Please visit her blog and enjoy her Tuesdays with St. Anne.

Also, St. Anne devotions starting July 1st at Evening Devotions.

St. John of the Cross - Sayings of Light and Love

I would do well these days to remember this one....

4. It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to be unburdened and with the weak. When you are burdened you are close to God, your strength, who abides with the afflicted. When you are relieved of the burden you are close to yourself, your own weakness; for virtue and strength of soul grow and are confirmed in the trials of patience.

And here is another one at Carmelitemom.

Blessings, Julia

A Novena

On July 10 our wonderful Pope Benedict XVI will be meeting with President Barack Obama. Please join me tomorrow, July 1, as I begin praying a Novena Rosary(nine days) for the conversion of President Obama's heart. I'll be the first to admit my ignorance when it comes to political matters.....but I know what I know.....and I know how important this meeting is going to be. Maybe even a little fasting the day before, July 9, couldn't hurt?

~~God Bless~~

May Feelings II

I love this!

Jon and Kate plus 8

OK, I know this is sooooo silly and really, none of my business...but this just breaks my heart. I hope they get some counseling because those precious children need their parents. I hope they can work it all out and find their way back to each other.

Happy Mother's Day

Wishing all of my dear friends a most wonderful Mother's Day!

God Bless!

The Sign Of The Mustard Seed

I just had to link to this post at The Sign Of The Mustard Seed...I'm a terrible writer and just can't seem to say what I want to say and how I want to say it. Soooooo.....linking to my friend's blog who also linked to a blog, LOL. Hey, at least this info is getting around!

Divine Intimacy

Please visit Praying For Grace as she has posted today's meditation from one of my favorite books Divine Intimacy.

As you can see I don't post much during Lent, but want everyone to know I am keeping you in prayer.

God Bless!

Company Muffins

I love these muffins.....they remind me of carrot cake...good even without the yummy cream cheese frosting! LOL

1 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. oat bran
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. brown sugar
1 1/2 c. finely shredded carrots
2 lg. tart apples, peeled, cored and shredded
1/2 c. raisins (optional)
1 c. chopped pecans
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. skim milk
2 eggs, slightly beaten (or use egg substitute, or 4 egg whites)
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, oat bran, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir in sugar. Add carrots, apples, raisins and nuts. Stir well. Make a well in the center. Add oil, milk, eggs and vanilla. Stir just until moistened. Use a 1/4 cup measure to scoop muffin batter into greased tins. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Makes 18 muffins.

Thankful for my husband

If there is a silver lining to back surgery it's that my husband has been home for the last couple of weeks and has a few more for recovery. When I wake up he has tended to the woodstove and the coffee is made (usually my jobs). Such a nice treat on these cold, cold mornings! As I write this I'm watching big fluffy, soft snowflakes fall. What is it about snow that just calms one's soul?

While I don't advertise for anyone I received an email this morning from AllCatholicBooks.com and they have two of my favorite things on sale....Divine Intimacy and a Leather set of Liturgy Of The Hours. I also have this 2009 Daily Planner. Just thought I would pass it along!

Happy Anniversary!

Today my husband and I have been married for 30 years! 30 YEARS! And we look forward to the next 30!

Devotion to Mary

As a Secular Carmelite, each day we are to honor Mary in some way, rosary, prayers, etc. I found this prayer on the Padre Pio Calendar website and wanted to share....


Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother,
Daughter of the Eternal Father, pray that we recognize our unity as children of the One Father.
Mother of the Only-Begotten Son, pray that we accept each other as sisters and brothers in the same Jesus.
Spouse of the Life-Giving Holy Spirit, pray that we be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, leading us to the fullness of life.
Mary, Virgin Made Church, Mother of the Mystical Body of Christ, First Tabernacle, First Monstrance, be with us in life’s journey, and help us see and follow Jesus. Amen.

Do Not Lose Hope In The Face Of Threatening Clouds

Pope Benedict's address to the General Expectorate can pertain to us as well as we go about our duties....loved this part...

"If undertaken with love", he added, "such service becomes prayer, a prayer even more welcome to God when your work is thankless, monotonous and tiring, especially during the night and in bad weather. It is by doing their duty well", he concluded, "that each of the baptised achieves his or her vocation of sanctity".

Here is the whole address..

"Do Not Lose Hope In The Face Of Threatening Clouds"

Many prayers needed

I wish I had a better picture on my computer of this special boy. Flash, my husband's best buddy had to be put down today. It's all rather sudden....he collapsed on Saturday and many tests later we have learned that his heart was beyond repair. We started medication but it was pretty evident that it was not going to do what we had hoped. Goodbye buddy....you were such a sweet boy.

And in the midst of all this, my husband will be having back surgery tomorrow morning (just found out a few moments ago) - a lot to process in such a short time.

Trying to embrace my crosses today.........

Happy New Year

Holy Mary, mother of God and mother of all the faithful, I place my daughters under your motherly protection. To you I completely consecrate them, body and soul. Take them under your care and keep them always. Guard them and keep their hearts pure, their thoughts ever holy and directed to God and the things of God. Protect them always throughout life - in their joys and sorrows, in successes and failures, in dealings with others. Always and in all things be a true mother to them, Mary, and preserve them. I commend them entirely to you. Remember, Mother Mary, that through this act of consecration they become in a special way your children as well as mine; guard them and keep them as your very own. Amen.

It doesn't matter how "old" your children are...they still need or prayers. One of my resolutions this year is to consecrate my daughters to Mary every morning!

God Bless all of you today and always!

Grandma's little guy!

Ok, so sorry about this big picture of me, but wanted to share my pride and joy! He is ALWAYS smiling!

The Loretta Young Show

A good, clean show on a very snowy day!

LORETTA YOUNG SHOW 3 & 2 PLEASE 30 mins Loretta Young portrays, “Sister Ann”, a nun who brightens the lives of patients in a Catholic hospital at Christmastime.
Sun 12/21/08 6:30 PM ET & 3:30 PM PT
Tue 12/23/08 11:00 AM ET & 8 AM PT
Fri 12/26/08 2:30 AM ET & (Thu) 11:30 PM PT
Sat 12/27/08 2:30 PM ET & 11:30 AM PT

Catholic Carnival is up!

Catholic Carnival 203: Waiting In Joyful Hope

Salve Regina: Hail Holy Queen in Latin

We sing this at the end of our monthly Carmelite meeting - still trying to learn it!

Liturgy Of The Hours

While reciting the Intercessions of the Morning Prayer this jumped out at me...

~~You are nearer to us than we to ourselves~~

Just ponder that one a moment! Have a wonderful day!

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~~

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!

Lectio Divina for Sunday November 23

Lectio Divina

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."

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.”

Obama: Fear and The Security Force

For your discernment......

Obama: Fear and The Security Force

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.

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.

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...

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.

Lectio Divina for Sunday, Nov. 2

Lectio Divina

Just Tell Us The Truth...

All Saints and All Souls

For many years I've had our Lord nudging me to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory (and I've been forgetting), and especially for those that have no one to pray for them. There are many wonderful prayers to offer for our loved ones that have gone before us.......two of my favorites....

Prayer for the Most Abandoned Souls

Have mercy, we beseech you, Lord God, through the precious Passion of your only begotten Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ; have mercy on those souls that have no intercessor to you to have them in remembrance, which have neither hope nor comfort in their torments, but only for that they be framed after your image and likeness and ensigned with the sign of faith, which either by negligence of them that be living or by long process of time are forgotten by their friends and posterity.

Spare them, Lord, and defend your creation; neither despise the work of your hands, but extend your right hand to them and deliver them from duress of their pains and bring them into the company of the celestial citizens through your exceeding great mercies which are most excellent above all your works.

Who lives and reigns in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

Eternal Father, I offer thee the most precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with all the Masses being said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, those in the Universal Church, in my home and within my family. Amen.

St. Teresa of Avila interceding for the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Stir Up Your Mighty Power Lord

But my people did not heed my voice
and Israel would not obey,
so I left them in their stubbornness of heart
to follow their own designs.
~Psalm 81: 11-13~

Stir up your mighty power, Lord; come to our aid.

God is calling us, inviting us to listen and obey Him.

Eleventh Hour Election Alert Part One

Please watch...it is very important.

Eleventh Hour Election Alert Part Two

Eleventh Hour Election Alert Part Three

A sign of the economic struggle?

I watched the news this morning....(BIG MISTAKE), and women are harvesting their eggs for money saying the economy struggles are making this an attractive way to earn income. There are lots of ways to earn or save money...this is just so sad to me!

ABC News - Harvesting Eggs

Start your Rosary Novena today!

Call for a Rosary Novena
By Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Among the most important titles we have in the Catholic Church for the Blessed Virgin Mary are Our Lady of Victory and Our Lady of the Rosary. These titles can be traced back to one of the most decisive times in the history of the world and Christendom. The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7 (date of feast of Our Lady of Rosary), 1571. This proved to be the most crucial battle for the Christian forces against the radical Muslim navy of Turkey. Pope Pius V led a procession around St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City praying the Rosary. He showed true pastoral leadership in recognizing the danger posed to Christendom by the radical Muslim forces, and in using the means necessary to defeat it. Spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and this more than anything was a battle that had its origins in the spiritual order—a true battle between good and evil.

Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress—a battle between the forces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God—total collapse, economic, social, and national. The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation. God is not a disinterested spectator to the affairs of man. Life begins at conception.
This is an unalterable formal teaching of the Catholic Church. If you do not accept this you are a heretic in plain English. A single abortion is homicide. The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition. The group singled out for death—unwanted, unborn children.

No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion.

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God’s will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man, has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being.

May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our conscience in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well‐formed Catholic conscience.

Please copy, email, link and distribute this article freely.
God Bless You
Fr. John Corapi
www.fathercorapi.com

Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina for today, October 26, 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time...

Lectio Divina

Judge Not

Meditation from Minute Meditations, J. E. Moffatt, S.J.

The thought of the coming judgment is well calculated to awaken fear even in the stoutest heart. To think of standing all alone before a Judge whose searching gaze can probe with infinite exactness the hiddenmost recesses of our soul, and there detect even the slightest flaw or stain, is not a matter to be set aside lightly. To have each thought and word and work that we must own as ours weighed in the scales of God's unerring justice and know that on their worth will hang our fate for all eternity, cannot but be sobering even to the most fickle-minded.

Yes, naturally we dread the coming judgment and, for most mortals, that fear is not without foundation. But our fear need not be without hope; for He in whose hands the judgment rests has shown us a way by which we may make that dreaded day a day to be joyfully awaited. "Judge not," He tells us, "and you shall not be judged." It is the promise of Him who cannot be deceived and never will deceive us.

Judge not! Is it asking too much? Is the demand too great, that we refrain from probing the secret recesses of our neighbor's soul that none but God and he can ever penetrate?

Judge not! We demand it of others in our own regard even when our conscience smarts beneath the undeniable evidence of ugly guilt. We want the kindly esteem of our fellow men even when we know our utter unworthiness. Then, why not give as much to others? And besides, it is the price of exemption from God's judgment!

O Divine Light, be my Light!

This definitely gave me pause for thought today...especially with the upcoming election. I have my fears and I'm afraid that I'm sometimes not charitable in my opinion of candidates. So while I have to make the right decisions and can share my reasons, I need to hold my tongue and be chartiable in my speech.

Into Great Silence

INTO GREAT SILENCE 3 hrs

Step into the riveting silence of Philip Groning's stunning new documentary on the spirituality of Carthusian monks. Filmed without narration and very little dialogue at the Monastery of the Grand Chartreuse in France, Mr. Groning captures the brimming vitality of monastic life and the overpowering sound of God. (U.S. airing only)

EWTN
Sun 10/26/08 9:00 PM ET & 6 PM PT
Thu 10/30/08 2:30 PM ET & 11:30 AM PT

A wonderful chance to see this film - sit back and enjoy the quiet.

Getting to the Truth of Obamacide

.Barbara at Praying for Grace has kindly allowed me to copy her post...


"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women's fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election." -- Barack Obama

The Holy Water Font

A beautiful story about a Nun, a little boy and a Holy Water Font at A Nun's Life.

Novena to Our Lady of Victory

Father John Corapi is urging everyone to pray a Rosary Novena between October 27 and Election Day, November 4. This Novena is on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens...the unborn. This may truly be the most important election, but unless we protect innocent life it won't really matter who is elected as God will not be happy with the continued slaughter of innocent blood.

Catholic Carnival is up!

Catholic Carnival 195 is here!

Carmelite Books On-line

A great resource of books you can read online...

http://www.ctocds.com/books/index.htm

Pondering His Goodness

Is the title of my new blog.

My Heart is Full!

I'm going to be a Grandma! And I just can't wait! Thank you heavenly Father for this most precious gift!