The New Year Awaits! Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

Writing this is natural.

As the year seeps to it's close,

reflection is easier.

What happened last year?

So many challenges, a gift from God?

 

Why did these things happen?

I have no answers to that question.

I only know that 2014 was a very difficult year.

I was challenged

mentally,

spiritually,

physically,

and

emotionally.

The challenges were some of the most difficult that I have ever faced.

Most of the year, I felt beaten up by circumstance.

Every time I rose, I felt the blows of life beating me back down, without mercy.

Even when I tried to crawl to a safe corner,

 there was no safety, only chaos.

There was no place to recover and restore my spirit.

Life does seek a balance.

Seek is the key word.

All was not lost.  I was not forsaken.  There were good times to celebrate.

There were times of joy, 

blessings from God,

that might not have always been visible to my inexperienced eye.

I found more strength than I could have ever imagined.

I found that good friends shared their love and their strength with me,

even when I was at my lowest, most fragile, most brittle,

and there were many of these days,

 I drew strength from these dear friends.

In the midst of the chaos and storms,

I felt the blessing of the cleansing waters cover me, nearly drowning me,

washing away my sorrows

even as the sharp, pointed drops pelted my body,

leaving me numb.

Sweet blessings poured over me.

The unexpected greeting from a small child in the form of a hug.

The kindness of a stranger helping me pick up what I had dropped.

The quiet of a friend who let me talk until I was exhausted.

Tears of joy and tears of peace.

Coaxed into laughter by those who cared, 

helping me to forget, momentarily,

the challenges.

When I stood, I stood strong.

When I wept, I wept without remorse.

The journey of 2014 was a journey I gladly leave behind me.

The good I take with me.

I don't know why.

I don't know how.

I only know that

I 

 Survived!

The path ahead is unknown,

 no matter,

that I welcome that which comes next.

Welcome,

2015!

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 

 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away; 

 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiasates 3:1-8

Has Your Saint Chosen YOU for 2015?

Every year, we let our saints choose us.  The saint who has chosen my son for 3 years is St. Joseph of Cupertino.
That's his photo graph.  It's interesting to see which saint chooses you for the year. 

Jennifer Fulwiler of the Conversion Diary posted a link to her "Saint Generator."  All you have to do is to say a little prayer, then press the button!!!  Your saint will have chosen you!!!

Let your saint choose you.
Let the saints choose your children.
Let the saints choose anyone who would like to have a special saint for the year.

If you would like a special saint CHOOSE YOU,

Click

HERE. 

I Am Beginning to Recover From Christmas...

and that's why I'm writing today.  The boy child has gone home.  He had a safe trip.  Praise God!  He's back at home living his life again.  The interruption is over for him for now.

The girl child is still here, recovering from her cold.  I do think she's feeling a little bit better, even though she's still very pale.  Cancer really sucks!  (Talk about interruptions in life!)

 Christmas was a HUGE interruption in my life, and I loved EVERY MINUTE of that INTERRUPTION!

Advent: trial and error, growth, and change. 

Christmas: the fulfillment of  God's promises to His People.

Now, that  the secular Christmas is over, I have to discern that growth. (We are still celebrating the season of Christmas in the church.)   I have to discern where God wants me to go.  I have to discern how God wants me to grow.  I have to discern in what way God wants me to serve.  The new year will mean change.  The key is now, "Prayerful Discernment."

As a family, we celebrated this sacred holy day when the Son of God became Man.  His parents raised Him to be a good Jewish man.  There were many family celebrations in His life.  Then, His Father interrupted His Son's life when He called Him to be our Savior. 

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. "
John 3:16

The New Year's journey will be filled with challenges to our souls, and the fulfillment of the promises of God.  We will be at our weakest, and God will be there.  We will be at our strongest, and God will be there.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.   So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."
2 Corinthians 12:9    

More of Him and less of me.   One foot in front of the other.   Life interrupted.  Life disrupted.  This is our journey.  This is God's way. 

Christmas Message of Our Lady of Medjugorje given through Jacov

“Dear children! Also today, in my arms I am carrying my Son Jesus to you and I am asking from Him peace for you and peace among you. Pray to and adore my Son for His peace and joy to enter into your hearts. I am praying for you to be all the more open to prayer. Thank you for having responded to my call.”



December 25, 2014

1 John 3:16

“The way we came to know love was that he laid down his life for us; so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers” 

(1 John 3:16)

Ten Things to do The Day after Christmas! (Spoiler Alert! It's a Repeat!)

I'm still wiped out from Christmas!

So this is a repeat from last year.
I hope it helps you to recover, too.



1) Savor the Spirit of the New Born King.  Praise Him in song.  Now we sing the Christmas carols!

2) Find a church and attend Mass, not because you have to, but because you want to praise our New Born King.

3) Take 10 minutes to rest in the silence of the Lord.

4) If you did not go to confession during the season of Advent, find a Catholic Church, find a priest and go to confession.

5) If your family gathering was stressful take a bit of time to offer it to God.  Pray for your family.  Pray for those without families.  Just pray.

6) Remember that, now, the light has come into the world, and the world is better for it.  Thank God the Father for this gift of His Son.

7) Write a love letter to God.  Write it in your own handwriting.  He's there waiting for you.  He loves you, too.

8) Encourage your family to visit a Church with you today, even if it's just to see the inside of the church.  An hour away from the games will not hurt them or you.  Savor the silence of that visit.

9) Hold the hand of someone you love.  If they are not close by, hold them in your heart.  Ask God to bless them.  He will.

10) Offer your day to God.  

After Midnight Mass

Right now, I am alone.  I sit in the living room with the curtains open looking outside.  Every thing is still.  The only noise I hear is quiet, for now.  I sip a glass of wine.  I have prepared snacks for the kids and I to eat.  They are both adults.  Christmases are so different now.  The girl child, who has cancer, is exhausted. So,  she is sound asleep.  I checked in on her after Mass.  The kitties were annoyed that I woke them up, and they turned their backs on me in unison, but she slept.  She did not go to Midnight Mass, so I'm glad she is sleeping.  The boy child went to an earlier Mass so that, after our celebration, he and his friends who were home for Christmas could get together for a couple of beers.  He'll be home in a bit.  He texted me to let me know it would be in about a half an hour, or so.  I'll be up to have some snacks with him before going to sleep.  Pixie, my dog, is snoring on the couch now, but that noise doesn't disturb my peace.

Mass was beautiful!  Advent flew quickly into Christmas.  I hope I pleased God with my efforts to grow spiritually.  I tried, but the season of Advent is, simply, not long enough.  God provides, and there is now time for reflection.

Mass brought me so much joy this year.  The manger was beautiful!  Seeing the baby in the crib with Mama Mary reaching for her new born Son brought tears to my eyes.

God loved the world so much that He gave His only Begotten Son that we might have eternal life!  That thought overwhelms me in this moment. 

One of the kitties has come downstairs and is forcing himself in my lap.  I puts his head under my hand.  I have no other choice but to pet him.  Pixie sees this and turns her head.  It's so quiet right now.  There is a peace in the silence.  Time is passing slowly.  I savor these moments in the dark with only the light of the lit tree.  Peace grows.  The silence continues to envelope me.

The decorations at Mass were beautiful, even the fresh garlands.  I had volunteered to go and fluff the garlands, but I forgot.  The people who decorated made the church feel joyous and welcoming.  My heart was joyous tonight.  The celebration of the Mass was holy.  God poured down His blessings upon us.  I left Mass hopeful, even though I experienced uncontrollable tears at times during the Mass.  Wrongs were righted. Reconciliations were made.  Many people without families nearby had plans to meet together for dinner on Christmas Day. God worked great miracles at midnight Mass.

Kitty has moved over to Pixie.  Pixie just looks at me as kitty forces his way on to Pixie's back.  Pixie does not appreciate kitty at all, but just goes back to sleep.  I glance at my phone.  It's almost 1:30 AM.  That's way past my bedtime, but I'm really not sleepy now. 

I reflect more on the lessons learned this Advent Season. 

God loves me.
More importantly, I learned that I love God!  I know I could love Him more, but I really didn't think I loved Him. 

I thank Him for this gift.

I hear the girl child come down the stairs.  She's amazed that I'm still awake.  She asks if the boy child is home yet. I tell her that he will be home shortly.  She's hungry, so she gets out the snacks.  Then, like a little girl, she comes and puts her head on my shoulder.  I see tears in her eyes.  I can only hold her in my arms.  We seem to breathe in unison.  She decides that it's time to get back to sleep.  Kitty is still on top of Pixie, and does not like being picked up.  We all sigh.

Silence again.  After the girl child is asleep in her childhood room, I weep silently.  This is not easy.  My heart breaks even more. 

I see a car driving into the driveway.  The boy child walks in the door with cookies in his hands.  He is still a Cookie Monster, all 6'4" of him.  He smiles and asks how his sister is doing.  I tell him that she's sleeping again.  He asks how Mass was.  I tell him it was beautiful.  He smiles and digs into the food.  I can't believe he's still hungry!  We both seep into the silence.  It's a beautiful time.

I finish my wine.  He finishes the snacks.  I hug him and tell him I love him,. He tells me that he loves me too.  We're both tired now.  I walk upstairs to go to bed.  I thank God again.  I pray that my children both allow God to work in their hearts.  I pray that they both encounter the living God this Christmas season.

I turn out the lights and roll over.  Sleep is instant and peaceful. 

I dream of the manger.  I dream that I am rocking the sweet baby boy.  Then Christmas Day has dawned.

Christmas Eve 2014:: Everything is ready

 The Church is ready and beautiful!

Our Home is Ready!

The kids are home!

(Yes, they are actually older than this, but I thought it was a sweet photo!)

Even Pixie is ready!

OK, Me, not so much,

however,

as quickly as the time of preparation,

Advent,

flew by, 

I am somewhat more prepared than I have been in previous years.

(It could be age or the hair!)

The time has finally arrived!

Jesus,

our New Born King, will share His life with us,

and

He will give His greatest gift later in life.

He will die for us that we might be saved!

And the shepherds saw the angels!

This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2: 12-14

Praise God!

The Son of God was born to Mary

that we might be saved.

"

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

John 1: 1

He, whom the prophets for3told, was born! 

 

The Star of Bethlehem

The time of the Messiah is near!
The star led the Magi to our new born King.

 "In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” 
Matthew 2: 1-2 


We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star

O Star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading, still proceeding
Guide us to thy Perfect Light
 

Where will His star lead you?



 

Mary in the Incarnation, in Faith, In acts of Mercy, and in Praise, and in her role as Mother.

Mary in the Incarnation::

"The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God.  And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” 
 Luke 1: 35-37

 Mary in Faith::
Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38

 Mary In Acts of Mercy::
Elizabeth said:
"And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?"
Luke 1:43

Mary in Praise::
 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.     Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is his name."

1:45-49

Mary in Her Role as Mother::
His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

John 2: 5

 ^"When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”  

 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger."

Luke 2: 15-16

Psalm 36: 5

 

Do you see the heart?

I just poured the syrup and it formed a heart!

God's consolation!

7 Quick Takes This Week

--- 1 ---

The celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe was wonderful!!!  The Mass was beautiful, the Mariachi band was spectacular!
The food was delicious!!!!  I hope Our Lady enjoyed it, too!

--- 2 ---

After Mass, our associate pastor proved that he could sing with the Mariachi band.  His voice is spectacular!  He said that this was something he had always wanted to do, and he proved that he could!

  
--- 3 ---

Another article published on Catholic365.com.

Check it out! 

Click HERE! 

Sometimes we are able to learn why things happen. 

 --- 4 ---

Last Sunday was Gaudate Sunday.
We are 3/4 of the way to Advent.
This Sunday will be our last Sunday in Advent.
The priests will wearing the penitential vestments again.
There are only two times a year that the priest has a choice to wear the rose colored vestments:: Guadate Sunday and Laetare Sunday.
Even in the midst of sorrow, there is joy!

--- 5 ---

Bare trees bear no fruit.

To bear a tree must be watered and fertilized.

Our souls must also be watered and fertilized.

The sacrament of reconciliation will water and cleanse your soul.

You will bear much fruit.

There are many sessions being scheduled before Christmas.

Take advantage of the chance for reconciliation with God.

Take your family.

Be blessed by the Lord.

 --- 6 ---

The tree is lit.

The decorations are up.

When Jesus is born, we can join the angels proclaiming His birth.

"O Come, O Come,

Emmanuel,

and 

ransom captive Isreal,

that mourns in lonely exile here.

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice, 

O Isreal,

to thee shall come

Emmanuel!" 

 --- 7 ---

May the peace of the Newborn King

be with you

until the end of time!

Mother Mary,

thank you for saying yes.

Lord, Jesus, thank you for becoming one of us!

Joseph,

Thank you for your yes.

 

30 Words Thursday:: The Birth of Jesus

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:: 13-14

The Prayer of Silence

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations,
    I am exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10


Encounter the silence,
The silence becomes a prayer.
Focus on God,
and God alone.
In the silence, 
fill your heart 
with God who lives.
Find Him in the quiet of the day
and the dark, sacred night.
Let Him fill your soul
with His wondrous Love.
He speaks in the silence.
Listen.
He speaks to your heart.
Listen.
His love is a prayer,
a gift to you.
Encounter the silence.


He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;  and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 
1 Kings 19: 11-13
 

 

It's Okay to be a Grinch when it comes to Christmas...

"Maureen" is a self proclaimed "Grinch" when it comes to Christmas.  She has a tattoo on her calf of the Grinch.  She snarls a little bit when people speak of Christmas.  She is a self proclaimed Grinch, after all.

Didn't the Grinch say,

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

Taken from "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas."

 A Modern Day Grinch's Story

When it comes down to what Christmas can be,

Do you stop and breathe, 

Look around and see,

That Christmas more than a  Christmas tree?

That presents and gifts under the tree

are fine as can be,

but what did you do to make sure they would be

wrapped and ribboned under the tree?

Did you shop 'till you dropped and took that parking space,

that someone else should have had in your place?

Did you yell at the cashier who had not a trace

of the toy you were seeking at this hallowed place?

When the kids decided they what they wanted in this place,

Did you stress and work out how to buy it haste?

Did you  worry and fuss if you couldn't replace

That they would not have a smile on their face?

Did you lie and tell Mom and Granny that church would be nice,

but the kids get nothing from services, too high a price

to pay for the family time you could have with a slice

of the time you'd be spending reading of Christmas nice.

The kids would have fun opening their gifts,

and, yes, we'd be over in one of the shifts

for dinner and for more gifts.

Opening presents really makes them happy

because they love this tradition, and it really fits.

We need more space, so we'll join you after church,

Going would really put the kids in a lurch.

They want to know what came from the search

by Santa and not be in a lurch.

So, if you think Christmas comes from a store

Think over and over and then some more.

What's more important, love expressed with a roar

of presents and gifts galore

or

Remembering the real reason, and it's not from a store?

Written by Another Grinch

Maureen, in her love and wisdom of God says,

"An incredible, wonderful, beautiful miracle of God!

Thank you, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!"  

Biblical Reference:

Luke 2

The Birth of Jesus!

Though I've Stumbled, I Will for the rest of Advent...

Pray

each day.

I will worship

God

with my heart and soul.

Each morning

I will dedicate my day to God.

I will be His Child of joy.

I will trust in His Guidance.

I will read

His Word

in Sacred Scripture.

 

 I will walk in His Presence.

If I stumble and fall,

I will seek forgiveness.

I will hold Him in my heart.

I will move aside.

I will be less, and He will be more.

He will change me.

I will give thanks for all I have been given.

 

I will await His Coming and rejoice in Our Infant King.

"Rejoice always,  pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.  Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do this."
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-24

 

 

Gaudete Sunday:: We're Past the Half Way Mark of Advent:: Are you Ready for the New Born King?

Philippians 4:4-5: "Gaudete in Domino semper" ("Rejoice in the Lord always").

Gaudete Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent.  During this time, we have been encouraged to prepare for the coming of Jesus.  We have been encouraged to pray, fast,  and to seek the spiritual connection, rather than the secular connection, to Christmas.

At Mass, you will find that the third candle of the Advent Wreath is rose colored. The softer color of this candle shows the tender side of the church reminding us that the time of Jesus is near.

On Gaudate Sunday, the priest has the choice to wear rose colored vestments or to continue with the penitential purple.  The time of the Lord is near.  Make way His path.

I have a feeling that our Pastor, Father Mariano will choose the rose colored vestments today.  Which vestments will your pastor wear?

Isaiah 40: 3-5

photo from Wikimedia commons uploaded by Beyond My Ken

A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord,
    make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 

 Every valley shall be lifted up,
    and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
    and the rough places a plain. 

 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: 3-5

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Patroness of the Americas

Protector of the Unborn

and

She left her likeness on a tilma.

Look at the detail.

A Prayer for Abortion Victims

Prayer for all victims of abortion. May those involved in abortions be reconciled to God and may the innocent dead be saved.

Holy Mother of God and of the Church, our Lady of Guadalupe, you were chosen by the Father for the Son through the Holy Spirit. You are the Woman clothed with the sun who labors to give birth to Christ while Satan, the Red Dragon, waits to voraciously devour your child.
So too did Herod seek to destroy your Son, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and massacred many innocent children in the process.
So today does abortion killing many innocent unborn children and exploiting many mothers in its attack upon human life and upon the Church, the Body of Christ.
Mother of the Innocents, we praise God in you for His gifts to you of your Immaculate Conception, your freedom from actual sin; your fullness of grace, your Motherhood of God and the Church, your Perpetual Virginity and your Assumption in body and soul into heaven.
O Help of Christians, we beg you to protect all mothers of the unborn and the children within their wombs. We plead with you for your help to end the holocaust of abortion. Melt hearts so that life may be revered!
Holy Mother, we pray to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart for all mothers and all unborn children that they may have life here on earth and by the most Precious Blood shed by your Son that they may have eternal life with Him in heaven. We also pray to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart for all abortionists and all abortion supporters that they may be converted and accept your Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior. Defend all of your children in the battle against Satan and all of the evil spirits in this present darkness.
We desire that the innocent unborn children who die without Baptism should be baptized and saved. We ask that you obtain this grace for them and repentance, reconciliation and pardon from God for their parents and their killers.
Let there be revealed, once more, in the history of the world the infinite power of merciful love. May it put an end to evil. May it transform consciences. May your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart reveal for all the light of hope. May Christ the King reign over us, our families, cities, states, nations and the whole of humanity.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, hear our pleas and accept this cry from our hearts! Our Lady of Guadalupe, Protectress of the Unborn, Pray for us!
Click  HERE for more information.

The Lillies of the Field

"No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?   

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?

 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith."

Matthew 6: 24-30 

The Maternity of Mary

"The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God."
Luke 1:35 

Mary became pregnant with the Son of God.  She carried Him in her body for 9 months.  Like most women, she gained weight.  Her belly grew.  The baby kicked.  Her ankles swelled.  Women would pat her expanding stomach.  She would hold her baby in her arms as she supported her tummy.  She waddled.  She slept with difficulty.  She was the same as any other woman who has carried a child in her body, except that her baby was going to be born to save the world.  

Her joy overcame her sorrows as she carried her Son, Jesus, in her womb.  One day, her journey would include holding the body of her Son in her arms.  Her Beloved Son, who was born and died for His Children.  He was born.  He died.  We were saved.

Now, as we recall the maternity of Mary, we remember our Mother as she held her Son for the first time.  In that there was great joy.  Then we must recall the opposite, when Mother Mary held the body of her Son in her arms after His horrific death on the cross.