Memories of First Communion, Confession, Catholic School, and the Nuns! (Part 2)

We left the classroom to receive the sacrament of confession.  The sun was shining as we walked across the parking lot to the church.  I don’t remember much about the walk except that we were all vert quiet.  We walked into church.  The lights at the top of the confessionals were not lit, so we all sat and waited, quietly.  There was no sound in the church.  Then, two priests came out and each one walked into the confessional.  The rest was a blur until Sister Mary Claudia touched my shoulder and said it was my turn.  My legs felt like jelly.  I folded my hands praying that I make a good confession.  I wanted to make my First Communion on Sunday.

The door opened, and my best friend came out of the confessional.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sister Mary Claudia raise her finger to her mouth.  Sister seemed as surprised as I was, but this time, we looked at each other, and something was different.  We didn’t laugh.  She had been forgiven and was going to say her penance. 

I stepped into the darkened confessional.  The door opened.  I could see someone there, and I knew it was time for me to begin.  My. mind. went. blank.  I started to whimper.   Father was very kind.  He could hear me crying.  He said, “Is something wrong?”  All I could do was nod my head.  He asked again, “You have to tell me.  I can’t see you very well.” 

I managed to choke out, “I for-for-got what I’m supposed to say.” 

“Oh,I see,” he said.  “Should I help you?”

“Ye-yes.” I replied.

With the kindness of Jesus, Father, gave me the first few words, “Bless, me, Father,” he said.

The words came back to me.  “Father, aren’t I supposed to say that?”  I heard him laugh softly.
That was all it took.  Tears of fear became tears of joy.  “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.”

I don’t remember what I confessed that day, but as I was finishing up my confession, Father asked me a question, “Isn’t there something else you have to confess?”  I gasped!  Was I in the state of Mortal Sin?  How did he know?  What did I do? 

I stuttered out anything I could think of.  I was mean to my mother 6 times.  I hid the candy bar she was taking to work and ate it, 3 times. 

Father stopped me, “Stop and think, “ he said.  Why do you sit with Sister? 

I was stunned.  How did he know?  “Yes,” I replied.  Why do I sit with Sister? 

“I laugh a lot during Mass, Father.”

“Yes,” he said.  “Do you think it hurts Jesus to know that you are paying attention to something else during Mass?”

I started to sob.  I had hurt Jesus, and I didn’t even know it.  “Father, I’m so sorry.  I’ll never do it again!”

I could hear him smile.  “Well, Jesus knows that you will try.  That’s all that matters.  Say your Act of Contrition.

I said my Act of Contrition.  Father gave me my penance.  I had received forgiveness for my sins!  I was speechless.  I felt peace pouring into my soul.  I left the confessional, and I didn’t feel the ground under my feet.  Sister directed me to my pew.  She had a puzzled look on her face.  I had changed, and she knew it.  I prayed my penance, and I was now in the state of grace!

I tried so hard to remain in the state of grace.  My mother said I was unusually quiet.  I prayed a lot in preparation for First Communion.  I did what I was told.  On Sunday, my mother dropped me off at my classroom.  She spoke with Sister Mary Claudia.  I saw Sister raise her shoulders as if to say, “I don’t know.”  I was almost time for Mass and to receive Jesus.

We lined up at the back of the church.  When the organ began to play we walked in, boys on one side and girls on the other.  We filled the pews.  All went as we had rehearsed.  The Mass began.  The time for our First Holy Communion came.  We walked up to the altar rail and knelt down.  The priest and a server with a patten came to me.  I looked at the pure white host knowing it was Jesus.  I closed my eyes and opened my mouth to receive Him on my tongue.  He was there.  I knew it.  I felt His Unending Love pour into me.  I cried.  I knew then that I would never be the same, I couldn't be the same.  I looked at my best friend, and she looked at me.  She had tears in her eyes, too. 

We walked out of church.  My mother found me.  She gave me that long awaited candy bar.  I realized I was hungry.  I ate it quickly.  The odd thing was Sister Mary Claudia came over to where I was with the rest of my family.  She knelt down so that she could look me in the eye.  She put her hands on my shoulders.  “You know, now, don’t you.”  I could only nod.  I knew.  I really knew. 

The school year ended with only a few more calls home.  I tried not to hurt Jesus, but I was at confession almost every week. 

To Read Part 1:  Click HERE

Memories of First Communion, Confession, Catholic School, and the Nuns - Part 1

As a cradle Catholic, by the age of 6 I was well schooled in learning how to please God.  Every morning I would pray, “I offer you all of my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.”  I trusted that God would be with me, and He would bless me and protect me.   I attended Catholic School, and Sister Mary Claudia was my teacher.  I know it was she who blessed me with Fear of the Lord.  I looked at Sister as she taught.  She had to be more than 14 feet tall!

Sister drilled us well in the Baltimore Catechism, and we had to review the day’s lesson with our parents at home. 

“What is the purpose of your life?”  she would intone.
In our sing song voices we would reply, “Our purpose in life is to know God, to serve God in this world and in the next.” 

We would say this with sincere hearts and souls, even as poked the kid in front of us, not that I  ever poked or pushed anyone! 

We attended Mass as a school once a week. We were expected to behave in a manner that would not embarrass our teachers or our parents.  We were expected to genuflect with heads bowed when we entered our pew.  We were expected to be quiet in the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.  We were expected to sit, stand, and kneel at the proper times in the Mass.  We were expected to focus on the Mass without allowing distractions to enter into our time at Mass.  If these things did not happen, our parents received the dreaded phone call about our behavior. 

I can’t explain this, but there were times, for no reason, my best friend would dissolve into tears of laughter, unable to stop, because we knew we had to be quiet.  I had to sit with Sister Mary Claudia many times during Mass, and, each time I did, the phone rang at my house!  The school year ended, and we  returned the next year as 2nd graders. 

We were much more mature, at least we 2nd graders thought so.  We began our preparation for the Sacraments of Confession and our First Reception of the Eucharist.  We agreed with our teachers who reminded us  that we had to set the example for the younger students.  We did our best, but I was still escorted to join Sister Mary Claudia in her pew.  Sister had been moved up to teach 2nd grade that year.  Yes, the phone continued to ring at my house. 

In spite of these trials of learning not to laugh at the wrong times, Sister taught us well.  We learned about the love of Jesus and how our living and true God would come to us when we received our First Communion.  This was serious now.  We were becoming true Catholics,  almost adults.  Sister taught us well.  We learned that we would not  be able to receive Holy Communion if we were in the state of mortal sin.  The thought of mortal sin made me guIp, so I tried harder not dissolve into laughter when my best friend and I looked at each other at Mass. I did not want to commit a mortal sin.  I wasn’t sure if that was a mortal sin, so better safe than sorry.

My efforts were a penance.  I was told to “offer up this sacrifice up to God so that I might become a better person and more worthy to receive Jesus on the day of our First Communion.  Our efforts were hopeless. My best friend and I were not allowed to sit near other.  Sister Mary Claudia no longer needed to escort me back to sit with her.  It was just easier to sit with her and be done with it!  I did not want to commit a mortal sin!

Our preparation continued through 2nd grade.  We were so near the day of our First Communion and our First Confession.  Sister taught us what we should say when the door on our side of the confessional would open.  “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.  This is my first confession.”  Later, Sister told us, we would say, “It’s been 2 weeks, or however long it’s been, since our last confession.”  We were also told to whisper since we did not want anyone else to hear our sins.  We were taught the Act of Contrition.  We were reminded that we needed to say the penance we were given immediately after we left the confessional.  There was no way we would ever forget what we were taught.  I could say it in my sleep, and I did on occasion.

My mother had bought my beautiful, white dress and veil for first communion.  She said that if I did not laugh during Mass, yes, it was still an issue, she would have a candy bar ready for me to eat after Mass.  This was in the days when we had to fast 24 hours before receiving Holy Communion.  The day was nearing.  We were so excited, but first we had to go to confession.

By now, I was walking with Sister Mary Claudia when we left the classroom to go to church.  She had begun to encourage me to sit with my friends.  I knew it was still easier to sit with her.  I’d be asked, during Mass,  to sit with her, anyway. 

Part 2:: Stay Tuned, tomorrow.

Women of the Bible I'd Love to Meet, Part 3:Elizabeth, Mother of John the Baptist

Elizabeth, Cousin of Mother Mary
Mother of John the Baptist
Married to Zachariah, the High Priest

Elizabeth, did you ever think you would bear a child?

Were you surprised when Zachariah came home from the temple that day and could not speak?

Was he able to tell you that an angel had appeared to him and told him that you would have a child?

How did you feel about that?  Did you dare hope that would be true?

How did you feel?

Did you have morning sickness with your baby?

Were you aware when you became pregnant with John?

Did the women of the village talk about you?

Were they amazed that you were actually going to have a baby?

What about Mary?  How did you know that she was pregnant when she arrived?  Was she showing yet?

You said that your baby jumped when Mary arrived?  John knew that she was carrying the Messiah?

Did you know that your baby would be a boy?

Did you and Mary pray often?

How did your heart feel when you heard her pray the Magnificat?

Were you full of Joy when you were around Mary?

How long did she stay and take care of you?

Was Mary there when John was born?

Did she hold your baby boy?

Did she rock him to sleep when you were tired?

Did she stay a while to help out before she went home to face her parents, Joseph, and the village?  By then, she most have had a baby bump.

Was John a sweet little boy?

Did you have to have a lot of faith that John would be taken care of by God even after you and Zachariah left this earth?

Did Mary come back with her baby and visit after He was born?

Someday, Elizabeth, I hope we can meet and you can tell me all about the birth of your son, John the Baptist.

Message of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Visionary Marija on October 25, 2014

“Dear children! 

Pray in this time of grace and 

seek the intercession of all the saints who are 

already in the light. From day to day may they be  
an example and encouragement to you on the 

way of your conversion.  Little children, be 

aware  that your life is short and passing. 

Therefore,  

yearn for eternity and keep preparing your 

hearts in prayer. I am with you and intercede 

before my Son for each of you, especially for 

those who have consecrated themselves to me 

and to my Son. Thank you for having responded 

to my call.”

Message to the World from Our Lady of Medjugorje October 25, 2014

Padre Pio on Prayer

7 Quick Takes This Week

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursday:: Isaiah 11:2

"The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him,
    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
    the spirit of counsel and might,
    the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."

Isaiah 11:2

Thoughts on the Road Ahead

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path."
Psalm 119: 105 


The path renews daily.  As many times as I’ve walked this road and have seen the seasons change, I only know the direction in which I walk.  New experiences wait with the twists and turns of the road.

I have walked this path in rain.  I have walked this path in the heat of blissful summer days.  I have walked with path hearing only the crunch of dry leaves under my feet.  I have walked this path in ice and snow hoping my boots will keep me steady as we go.  I have walked this path alone.  I have walked this path with friends.  I have walked in silence.  I have walked chatting with friends dear to my heart.  I always, though, walk with my dog.  She is the reason I walk.  The path changes.  The people change.  The reason remains the same.

I know the area, but I don't know the people I meet.  Some people are friendly.  Most are not.  Some people cross the street to avoid my dog.  Some come up and greet her.  Some people glare at me as we walk. Even though I know the road, I don’t know what will happen.

Each morning, when I wake, I thank God for the gift of a new day.  I thank Him for the chance to undo the wrongs of yesterday.  I thank Him for the chance to live in His fullness and grace again.  I offer Him my day, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I pray for forgiveness.  I pray for courage and strength to do His Most Holy Will.  I ask for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Where God will take me, I don't know.  I have no knowledge of those who will cross my path.   The routine is the same,  but the souls I meet change.  Each person is a chance to bring God closer to this world, to extend His Love to those I meet.  Some people are happy in The Lord, they teach me more about joy.  Some people are cranky.  I pray for them in their needs.  I pray that their deep hurts may be healed.  Some people are suffering both in body and soul.  I pray for their healing.  I pray for both the healing of body and soul.  I pray for those whom I enjoy.  We laugh and talk.  I pray for those whom I don't  enjoy.  I pray that I learn to see the face of Jesus in their faces. 

In spite of the goodness I see, I still stumble and fall.  My sins pull me down.  I get up.  I walk along the path again.  Sometimes, I fall with a great thud on the ground.  Other times, when I sin,  it's a lesser fall, but sin is sin.  Sin blocks us from God's graces.  I pray for forgiveness and look forward to the moment when I can confess.  Peace and forgiveness are the gifts and fruits of this sacrament. 

Finally, night comes.  Blessed night when rest heals and renews.  When, in the silence and sacred darkness, we can invite God to work in our souls as we sleep. 

The path was the same but different today.  New souls walking along the way.  We intersect.  We pass each other by.  We make contact.  We ignore.  All the while, we walk with God and His goodness to His children. 


Thank You, Lord for all of Your blessings this day.  Forgive me for the wrongs I have committed.  Forgive me when I was willful.  Forgive me for not loving as You would love.  Forgive me my unjust anger. 

Come to me, tonight, Lord, as I sleep.  Heal those wounds.  Fill me with your graces so that when I wake in the morning, I will walk closer to You in this journey of faith.

Amen.

Women of the Bible I would Like to Meet, Part 2:: The Woman at the Empty Tomb, Mary Magdalene

There were two Mary's who  went to the empty tomb to finish the burial work of Jesus.  One was Mary Magdalene and the other was Mary, the mother of James and Joseph. Both of these women  had been at the cross with Jesus, Mary, His Mother, and John, and Joanna. 

Mary Magdalene is the woman who was weeping in the garden who spoke to Jesus and didn't recognize Him at first in all His Glory.

When I meet her at His Tomb, I would like to ask her so many questions about her meeting with Jesus.

Of course, you were distraught over your Master's death.  How did you feel when you went to His tomb to finish His anointing for burial?

Did you leave the home of Mary early to spare her the duty of finishing the burial rituals?

What are your memories of the cross?  You must have wept with the other courageous women there?

You worked and traveled with the Master.  Did you understand what He meant when He said He would rise on the third day?  Did you really believe that?

Were you caring for the Mother of Jesus?

Where were the Apostles?  Did they believe that Jesus would rise again?

Did you go into hiding when the men took the body of Jesus down from His Cross?

Why did you and the other Mary go out to the tomb before the men were awake?

Were you astonished to see the stone removed?

Did the angels look like real men, or did they look like beings of light?

How did they sound when they spoke?

What did you think when you saw the tomb empty?

Did you believe that Jesus had risen then?

When you went to tell Peter and the rest of the Apostles about Jesus being risen, did they believe you or did they think you were unreliable?

Did you care what they thought?

Did the Mother of Jesus smile at you when you announced the good news?

You must have gone back to the tomb with Peter.  Why did you stay and not return to the hiding place?

 What did you think when you heard Jesus call your name?

Did you really think He was the gardener?

At what moment did you realize that Jesus was not the gardener, but your Lord and Master?

 Were you surprised when Jesus said not to touch Him?

Did the Apostles believe you when you told them that you had seen the Lord?

Did you care?

Did the Mother of Jesus embrace you?

She already knew, didn't she?

God Answered my Prayers with a Yes!

There was a time that I prayed and asked God to send holy friends, spiritual friends into my life.   If you will recall, He did.

You can read about my Church friend:: "Maureen" HERE.

Now, I'd like to tell you about another friend of mine, named 

"Sandra."

I met "Sandra" at a time in my life, when my husband was afflicted with the cancer that took his life.

We met at Mayo Clinic.

Our children had been friends through high school, but "Sandra" and I had not met until that time.

Her husband was at St. Mary's Hospital having a procedure done.

My husband was there having a stem cell transplant.

We met at a restaurant for lunch.

We knew each other by sight, but I was not prepared for the impact this wonderful woman would have on my life.

"Sandra" and I talked, but she, mostly, listened.

She didn't give advice.

She was there for me.

Trust me, at that time in my life, God sent me someone that I needed, someone to be there.

 

As the years have passed, I have learned so much about Sandra and her spiritual life.

Sandra is very close to God.

Everyday, Sandra reads and studies Sacred Scripture.

Her love of God's word shows in her love for her husband, her children, her grandchildren, and her many, many friends.

 Sandra has told me that even though she doesn't pray the Rosary daily, she is always saying

"Hail Marys."

That's a great way to go!

Sandra is a wonderful prayer partner, too.

We ask each other to pray for our children in times of crisis and calm.

 Sandra feels very strongly that we must share our prayers needs with each other,

but we must also share the joys of our lives, too.

Sandra is an active member of the Catholic Church she attends.

She serves at funerals.

She attends Bible Study classes.

She attends Mass regularly.

In the community, Sandra delivers 

"Meals on Wheels," to the shut ins.

Sandra also does respite care for the elderly at the local community center.

Always active, she will help her friends, when possible.

She travels to and from to help her children.

There is nothing Sandra would not do to help her children.

Her grandchildren are a delight to her.

Sandra lives and gives.

I am truly blessed to have this wonderful woman in my life, as a friend.

Sandra, if you recognize yourself in this post,

I want you to know how grateful I am for your friendship.

Thank you for all your kindnesses to me and my children.

You are a woman of God.

I thank God for you and your friendship

 

 

 

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Hebrews 1:3

7 Quick Takes This Week:: This, That, and the Other...

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Saints' feast days are,  

for me, like birthdays.

I tend to forget them.

I subscribe to 

Saint of the Day,

but I usually don't read the post until the end of the day.

When I think I could have been asking the special saints for special favors on their special day...

Sigh!

Do you think they mind if I ask for their help the day after their special day?

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Add

1 sunset 

to

Fire Maples

and that 

equals

The Glory of God shown on earth!

 

"Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 40: 5

 

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I wish I could give attribution for this photo, but I can't.  I will if someone tells me who it is.

 Have you ever heard of the 

"Before I die" walls.

It's a global art project of love.

Often, they are started as graffiti art on old buildings that need renovating.

The buildings are removed and new walls are started on others.

People state their dreams on these walls.

I hope that I can find one near here. 

What would you post on a wall that said, "Before I die?"

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Do you pray with your family before meals at home?

"Bless us, Oh, Lord, and these Thy gifts,

which we are about to receive,

from Thy bounty,

through 

Christ, Our Lord.

Amen." 

Do you pray when you go out to eat?

How about making the 

Sign of the Cross when you're out in public?

"In the Name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen." 

Prayer is a good habit to practice.

 

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Did you know that most Catholic Churches have a scheduled time for the

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

aka 

Confession

on Saturdays?

Have you checked your church to find out what time you can go to receive this 

AMAZING

Gift of God?

If you haven't had a chance,

call the church office.

They can tell you.

You can also make an appointment with your priest so that he can hear your confession.

BTW, it's not always a good idea to post some things on  Facebook. 

(Smile and Wink)  

You know what I mean.

 

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Pray for Pope Francis.

Pray for all of our priests.

They need your prayers.

Pray for them to be strong.

Pray for them to be courageous.

Pray for them to have peace.

Never criticize a priest.

Jesus' revelations to Mutter Vogel

Mutter Vogel was a German woman who buried in Munich, Germany.

Her book is a private revelation of Jesus' words to her.

She devoted her life to praying for priests.

 
"One should never attack a priest, even when he's in error, rather one should pray and do penance that I'll grant him My grace again.  He alone fully represents Me, even when he doesn't life after My example."

"When a priest fails, we should extend him a helping hand through prayer and through attacks.  I, Myself, will be his judge, no one, but I.  Whoever voices judgment over a priest has voiced it over Me.  Child, never let a priest be attacked, take up his defense."

"Child, never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every Thursday, through the hands of My Blessed Mother, Holy Communion for him."

"Never again accept an out-of-the-way word about a priest, speak no unkind word about them, even if it were true!  Every priest is My vicar and My heart will be sickened and insulted because of it.  If you hear judgment against a priest, pray a Hail Mary."

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  Always remember,

He Loves You!

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast
    and have no compassion on the child she has borne?
Though she may forget,
    I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;
    your walls are ever before me. 

 Your children hasten back,
    and those who laid you waste depart from you."

Isaiah 49: 15-17

See you at Mass this weekend!

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

"Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together,
    for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 40: 5

Making Time to Pray:: Is it really possible to make time to pray? And a free gift for you.

(Photo taken by:: Conniemod 
Found on Wikimedia Commons)


 Yes, you can.  Not only can you find more time to pray, you NEED to find more time to pray.  We all do!  

Prayer is direct communication with God.  God wants to hear from us, and we need to hear from God.  Through prayer, we lift our hearts and minds to God.  

Without prayer, we are dry.  God's love fills us with joy.  This is what happens when we pray--communicate--with God.  His graces flow to us and for us.  We need to find more time in our busy days to open our hearts to God in prayer.

So, how can you find more time to pray?  

Use Sacred Scripture to pray.  Dust off that family bible and begin to read.  

If you have favorite verses,  find those in your Bible.  If you don't own a bible, you can download one into your e-reader.  There are also free resources online.  Check these out and use them.

1) Now that you have your bible and you have found your favorite verses, write them down on index cards or print them out.  Use only 1 verse per index card.  I would say, at this point, write down 5-7 verse of sacred scripture, only 1 verse per card.  

2)  Tonight, read through your cards.  Choose the one card that appeals to you.  Put it somewhere so that you will see it the first thing in the morning.  This is very important!  If you don't think you have time to pray, this will help you.

3) In the morning, when you wake up, read the verse of sacred scripture that you chose the night before.  As you brush your teeth or put on your makeup, slowly read the verse you chose.  Ask God to help you find it's meaning for you today in your life.  Slowly read it one more time.  Now, let God do the work.

4) Take you verse card with you to work or as you run your errands or do house work.  During your break, read the card again, and open your heart to God.  He will work on you as you go through your day.

5) After supper, take a moment or two to read the scriptural verse again.  Take your time.  Let God enter your thoughts.  He will gently guide you.

6) Before you go to bed, choose another index card.  Repeat instruction #1.  Before you go to sleep, read the verse from sacred scripture that you chose last night.  Go through your day and let God show you how He worked in your life today.  Think about what this scripture means to you.  Think of how God lead you through the day with His words in your heart.  Let His graces flow into you.  

This process through the day takes a total of 15 minutes.  This is praying with the scriptures.
I'm going to share with you some of my favorite scriptural verses.  If they are also some of your favorite verses, feel free to use them.  It's very hard for me to choose which verses are my favorites, but I think these are good.

Verse#1

This banner is my gift to you.

This banner will fit your Facebook page at the top.

Feel free to use it and share it, but if you would give me credit for the design, not the verse, I would appreciate it very much.  

To save on either a MAC or PC,

Right click, save image.

Verse #2

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14: 6

Verse #3

"Blessed are the Merciful, for they will receive mercy."

Matthew 5: 7

 

Verse #4

  "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you."

Ephesians 4:32

Verse #5

Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one;  you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”  

Mark 29-30

Please let me know if this helps you.

If you have any favorite verses, I'd love to know what they are.

 

Can You Spare 3 Hail Marys each day this Week to Pray for Peace?

Our Mother reminds us to pray for peace.

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,

the Lord is with you.

Each of us must pray for the peace of God 

in our hearts,

in our lives,

in our nation,

and 

in our world.

Blessed are you among women,

and

blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus. 

If our world converts,

then there will be peace.

The peace of God,

which transcends all,

will fill our hearts, our minds and our souls.

Holy Mary,

Mother of God, 

Pray for us sinners,

We are all sinners.

Whether we know it or not,

we all seek God.

Our souls long for Him.

In Him there is peace,

a peace which the world cannot give.

Now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

That's one Hail Mary.

Offer that gift to Our Mother for peace.

She will take your gift and offer it to Jesus

in love for all of her children.

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,

the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and

blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Hold Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

41 words can save souls.

That's the number of words in each Hail Mary.

That's two Hail Mary's now.

Pope Francis says 20 decades of the Rosary each day.

There are 53 Hail Mary's in each rosary.

Our beloved Pope prays 4 complete rosaries a day.

He prays the Joyful Mysteries.

He prays the Sorrowful Mysteries.

He prays the Luminous Mysteries.

He prays the Glorious Mysteries.

53 x 4 = 212

If he can spare 212 Hail Mary's a day,

Can you spare 3 a day for one week?

Hail Mary,

Full of Grace,

the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and

blessed is the fruit of your womb,

Jesus.

Hold Mary,

Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners,

Now, and at the hour of our death.

Amen.

That's three.

The Blessed Mother will give your prayers to Jesus.

She intercedes for us everyday before His throne.

Let me know how it works for you.

I'd love to hear from you!

 

 

Fear

According to the Mirriam Webster Dictionary,

Fear is:

: "to be afraid of (something or someone)

: to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant)

: to be afraid and worried."

 Fear is the antithesis trust.

If I hadn't been forced to function today,

I would have sat down at Mass and done 

nothing.

I was terrified.

I was actually shaking.

My hands were white, 

Fear overwhelmed me.

Why would anyone be so full of fear in this encounter with our God?

I don't know.  I can't explain it, but I can only say that I did not trust.

It's been over 3 months since I cantored at Mass the last time.

My daughter has been seriously ill this summer.

I have been her caretaker.

Since she lives in another city, I have not been able to participate in the ministries at Church.

Cantoring has been one of these ministries.

I'm not the strongest cantor at Church, but I will do.

I practiced the materials for the last 5 days.

I had trouble with a couple of pieces, but I thought they would work out.

 

When I got to church for rehearsal, I found out that the organist I was expecting wasn't there.

She had a sub.

I was nervous enough.

The organist is one man who, for whatever reason, intimidates me.

He's never been unkind.

I don't know why he intimidates me, but he does.

That didn't help my nervousness.

It only got worse.  

I had trouble hitting the high notes.

Things only went from bad to worse.

I wanted to sit and cry after Mass.

I was so ashamed.

 

I don't know the problem.

I just know that I was in a state of great anxiety and panic.

 

I prayed for help, but there was none.

I am still trying to sort this out.

Fear does not equal trust in God.

What I know:

I have never experienced such debilitating fear.

 

Ironically the psalm was Psalm 93:

 

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.      

He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;      

he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
    for his name’s sake.

 Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff—
    they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows^.

  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    my whole life long.

 

God made me aware that I need to trust HIM completely. 

I didn't Trust today.

It's time to stop focusing on this.

The collective memory of a crowd is short.

I need to pick myself up, dust myself off, and start all over again.

Lord,

I come to you in awe of Your greatness.

I thank You for all that You have done and given me.

I praise You!

I adore You!

Lord, I come to do Your Will.

I give You my fears and anxieties. 

I give You All that I am and will be.

Lord,

I seek to do Your Will.

Help me to trust You, especially in times of fear.

I want to trust.

I need to trust.

Lord, I am Yours.

Help me.

Thank You!

 

 

 

John 1:1

Kindness:: Mother Theresa

7 Quick Takes:: Life Lessons

--- 1 ---

Lesson #1.
Sometimes when you're stuck, a good walk on a crisp morning, will open that door that was stuck, and the ideas, finally come flowing in.

  

--- 2 ---

 Lesson #2

Letting people be nice to you is as important as being nice to people.

Kindness opens the door for the graces to flow whether you are kind to someone, or they are kind to you.

 

 --- 3 ---

 Lesson #3
When it's your birthday, and you are with a group of friends, and one of them says, "If I had known it was your birthday, I would have brought you a crown to wear," then looks at you and realizes you are already wearing a tiara, continue to smile and enjoy their company!  They are as quirky as you are!  Some friends just have a hard time keeping track of birthdays.

 --- 4 ---

Lesson #4

There really are differences between female children and male children, even if they are adults.

See that edible fruit?

My daughter surprised me with this collection of fruit and chocolate.

My 6'4" tall, handsome son, sends me a text:

"Mom, remember that time Dad bought you a tackle box?

Trust me, I don't fish.

I am going to buy you a jersey of (someone I don't know.  It's a 2XX.  I'll try it on and see if it fits."

Ummm, no.  

Oh, well, it's better than a tackle box.

  

--- 5 ---

Lesson #5

Take care of your health!

Ladies, October is Breast Cancer awareness month.

Get those boobies crunched.

  

--- 6 ---

Lesson #6

Like this exploding thistle,

there is a time for everything under the sun.

Take your time.

Don't worry about being in control all the time.

Life isn't always about control.

Life is about living,

not forcing circumstances that might not be best for us.

Breathe.  

 --- 7 ---

Lesson #7

Where is God in all of this?

He's here.

He's there.

He's everywhere.

He's now.

He's then.

He's what will be.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:1 

 

 For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!