Preach the Gospel! Evangelize the World! Bring back the 99! 5 ways to help you go out into the World!

 "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."
St. Francis of Assisi

Today, Pope Francis tells us::

"In the Gospel there's the beautiful passage about the shepherd who realizes that one of his sheep is missing, and he leaves the 99 to go out and find the one," Pope Francis told the parish leaders. "But, brothers and sisters, we have only one. We're missing 99! We must go out and find them."
 National Catholic Reporter

Preach the Gospel!

Evangelize!

Is standing on the corner not your forte?   Most likely, that's not an option.  Many are home bound.  Small children make preaching on corners difficult for Mom's and Dads.  Of course, there are jobs that require our presence to support families.  Some are ill.  So, if we are to follow the call that Pope Francis gives us as Catholics, how do we bring the gospel to the masses?  There are ways, tried and true ways, to help bring the 99 home.

1) Begin with prayer, daily prayer, for the conversion of sinners.  The Rosary is a powerful tool for any need.  Pray the Rosary.  Ask the Lord for the conversion of all.  How could he refuse a sincere heart and soul?  This is how we begin to serve.

2) Offer it up!  You've heard this before.  You stub your toe.  Offer it up.  You have a bad day.  Offer it up.  Your children are causing you great sorrow.  Offer it up.  You were given a raise at work.  Offer it up.  Your baby took its first steps.  Offer it up.  Rather than eat all of your lunch, eat half of your lunch and offer it up.  Offer your day for the conversion of sinners.  Give your day to God for His greater honor and glory.  How can He refuse your offerings for sinners? 

3) Attend Eucharistic Adoration as often as you can.  Praise and adore God at Adoration.  Pray for the conversion of sinners.  Pray that the 99 will return.

4) You know that crabby person checking out your groceries.  Rather than react, choose to act with kindness to that person.  Smile at them.  Silently offer up a prayer for them.  Thank them for doing a good job.  ("Always preach the gospel.  If necessary, use words.")

5) Use your financial resources to support church causes for evangelization and relief work.  Let your acts of kindness show the world, even if you are only able to donate a small amount, that Jesus is alive in our world today.  (If necessary, use words.)

We are all called to share the messages of the gospel.  Pray.  God will show you the way.  Prayer is your most powerful tool.  Use it hourly.  Use it daily.   Use it as often as you can.

Pope Francis said, ""Be creative. Be audacious. Do not be afraid."
National Catholic Reporter

G. K. Chesterton

St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

where there is injury, pardon; 

 where there is doubt, faith; 

where there is despair, hope; 

where there is darkness, light; 

where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

 to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love; 

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life

7 QT's - Pick a Day, Any Day - Thoughts on Adversity

--- 1 ---

Sunday

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

 

  

--- 2 ---

 Monday

“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”
Helen Keller
 

 --- 3 ---

Tuesday

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths."
Proverbs 3: 5-6

 Tawney Coster Butterly - Photo Taken by gbohne, Berlin German

 --- 4 ---

 Wednesday

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Christopher Reeve

--- 5 ---

 Thursday

“Pain is never permanent.” St. Teresa of Avila

 --- 6 ---

 Friday

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

Winston Churchill

--- 7 ---

 Saturday


“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance;  and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
James 1: 2-4
 

For more Quick Takes, visit Conversion Diary!

30 Words Thursdat:: Romans 15: 13

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15: 13

This Brings Back So Many Memories:: It's a Blog Called: Ask Sister Mary Martha!

The Blog Begins:

 Life is Tough.  Nuns are Tougher.

I love this blog!  Who says that Catholics don't have a sense of humor? 

Sister Mary Martha dispenses her "advice" in such a way that you laugh, and if you were ever taught by nuns wearing a veil, you remember the days when you didn't dare tell your parents that the nuns were mean to you.  If you did, you'd be marched back to school and told to apologize to the "good sisters" who were teaching you.  The nuns never got in trouble, but you sure did!

If you click HERE , you will go directly to the blog.  Spend time browsing the blog.  Feel free to ask "Sister Mary Martha" for advice.  I'm sure she will give it to you straight from the hip.  Just be ready to duck!  Sister Mary Martha, who quite apparently loves Jesus, is a straight shooter.  She will let you know what she thinks.   Be sure to read her profile, too!  I love how she describes herself and her likes. 

You will also find a link to Sister Mary Martha's Etsy store, "Heaven Help Us".  This week she is featuring saints.  Sister Mary Martha says that there is a patron saint for everything.  I think she's right.  I placed my order.  I look forward to its arrival. 

Thank you, Sister Mary Martha for blogging for us!

Returning the Tabernacle to the Center of the Sanctuary

I've seen it, and I've never liked it.

The Catholic Church I attend when I'm home is a beautiful church.  At the center of the church is the tabernacle where Jesus resides, body and blood, soul and divinity.  

I love this.

The Catholic Church I attend when I'm away from home has a brick wall in front of the tabernacle.  

Things I've noticed about this church.

1)  When people come in, I rarely see anyone genuflect or bow.

2)  It is very difficult to pray because people are talking out loud.

3)  The ushers insist on shaking your hand as you leave the pew to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  I find this very distracting.

4) This church seems to be a very social church, which is good, but I see so little reverence for Jesus in the Eucharist.

I don't like this! 

I found this article today.  I hope you read it all and think about this.  I am hoping that the bishops here in Minnesota follow the lead of this Courageous Bishop!

Bishop Paprocki: Return the Tabernacle to the Center of the Sanctuary

By John White

Bishop Thomas Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois has directed all the pastors in his diocese to move the tabernacles in their churches back to the center of the sanctuary.

In a beautifully written pastoral letter, Ars celebrandi at adorandi (The Art of Celebrating and Worshiping), Bishop Paprocki expounds on the rich tradition and teachings of the Church regarding the celebration and reverence for the Eucharist.

Read More::   Here