Worth Repeating: Prayer Journal: Change

When I was a child, I’d look forward to the start of fall.  Fall meant the start of school.  Who didn’t want to see their friends, and I loved school!  Fall meant walking home from school, crunching the leaves under my feet.  Fall meant dark mornings when we went to Mass.  Fall meant comfort foods that were too hot to cook in the blistering New Mexico summers.  Fall meant the smell of green chiles roasting in the kitchens.  Fall meant wearing clothes to school that were just too hot, but your summer clothes had been put away, so you did anyway.  Fall meant homework and reading.  Fall meant praying the family rosary after supper when it was dark outside.  Fall meant already starting to look forward to family and Thanksgiving. Fall meant looking forward to Christmas after Thanksgiving.  Fall meant coming out of the wonderful, lazy rut called summer.  Fall meant movement and silence when the birds began to migrate even farther south.  Fall meant the lizards would hibernate.  Fall meant coats and sweaters.  Fall meant the state fair.  Fall meant my birthday!

Sweet Jesus, I remember those days of childhood.  I saw the seasons through the eyes of a child.  I saw You through the eyes of a child.  I saw You as a God who loved me beyond measure.  I saw You as a God of great love for all of us. I tried to be good, not just because of Santa, I really wanted You to know how much I loved You!  


Now, I am a retired teacher, and fall means that I don’t have to go back to school.  Fall means that I need to rake leaves.  Fall means that here in the Midwest, I no longer roast green chiles, but, that’s okay, since my stomach does hurt a bit from the bite of the chiles.  Fall still means dark mornings when I go to Mass.  Fall means trying to figure out which clothes to wear, or wondering if I need boots so that if I hit a small patch of ice from an unexpected cold, freezing rain, I won’t fall.  Fall means finding clothes that are warm enough to keep my hands warm.  Fall means wondering if the kids will be able to make it home for the holidays.  Fall means winter is near.  Fall means that I don’t hear the sounds of birds singing in the mornings.  Fall means praying the Rosary in the silence of my living room.  Fall means I don’t have to go to the State Fair.  Fall means my birthday!

Sweet Jesus, now, I’m getting old.  I’ve seen many seasons in my life.  So much has changed.  You’ve given me many trials.  Loving You has been a challenge when I walked a rocky road.  Believing that You loved me has been a challenge.  My hands get cold when fall starts to come.  I miss my husband and children.  Life has not been easy. I wish I could see life as I did when I was 7.  I miss that part of me.  Where did that little girl go?

When in prayer, it is sometimes necessary to wait and listen to hear God speak to our hearts.  In silence I wait. 

My beloved Child, yes, it’s true you have changed.  It’s also true that you have faced many challenges in your life and that your heart has ached because of these crosses.  In many of these difficult times, you turned to Me and asked for My help which I rendered to you with great love.  There were other times when you felt alone in your journey, but what you didn’t know is that I walked beside you holding your hand.  Even when you turned your back on Me, I was there, ready to welcome you back into My loving arms.  Where is that child who loved Me without question?  Where is that child who ran gratefully into My arms?  That child has grown up.  That child has become a woman.   

Yet, it is still possible to love Me without question.  It is still possible to run into my arms where I can hold you in my loving embrace.  You must let go of the past.  You must forgive those who have hurt you.  You must trust that in spite of the trials of life, I know what is best for you.  I AM your God.  I love you.  Seek My Love.  Ask for the grace of Love.  Of all the virtues, love is the greatest.  Through love, you will find Me. 

Seek Me now through prayer.  Open your heart to healing.  I wish to heal you, but you must step aside and let me be God. 

My beloved child, I AM with you.  I will not turn my back on you.  I will hold you up when the trials of life beat you down.  Trust that I love you.  Turn your heart to Me.  I AM waiting. 

Tweaking our Xmas traditions to Make them more Christ Centered

I was browsing Pinterest today.

I know that the season of Advent has not begun, but there are already a plethora of ideas for celebrating 

Advent.

This year, Advent begins on November 29.  In many families, the tradition is to have an Advent Calendar to help the children prepare for Christmas.

The majority of the Advent calendars I have seen have a small or large gift attached so that each day, a gift is opened by the child or children.

As I express my opinion, please remember, that I am not one who appreciates Advent calendars.  This was not a tradition in our home as the kids were growing up. 

We did other things to teach them about 

Christmas, but calendars were the last on the list.

That said, I still have concerns with the use of Advent Calendars for the giving of gifts, each day, to prepare the child for Xmas.

When we prepare children for Christmas, I feel, that it is our duty to prepare them for the birth of Jesus and not for the receiving of gifts.

When a child is given a present each day in Advent, and many times, these are not small presents,

what are they learning?

They are learning that they are entitled to be given a gift daily without earning it.

They are learning that it is better to receive than to give.

This becomes entitlement.

 I'm not saying that you shouldn't keep traditions going if you use an Advent Calendar with lots and lots of gifts and presents for the kids.

I'm saying, maybe you should tweak the tradition a bit.

If you want to give small presents,

give your children Holy Cards with the lives of the Saints on them.

Give your children their first rosary.

Give your children a Catholic book on the birth of Jesus.

Put small notes in the Advent Calendar telling them how much Jesus loves them.

Write them small notes telling them how much you love them.

Encourage other family members to send small notes  of love to your children.

Give your children small chores to do to offer up in Thanksgiving for Christmas.

Plan outings to a nursing home with your children on a particular day.

Set up dates with your children to teach them about love and giving.

Pray with your children.

Get them ready for the birth of Jesus.

On occasion, tuck a small gift into their calendar for the day.

Make the emphasis of Advent on preparing for Jesus to come!

It's amazing how quickly children learn and respond to the love of God.

Just like our Christmas tree past,  that was lopsided and ugly, we need to embrace the beauty of Christmas remembering that the first Christmas was celebrated by a single family, in a smelly manger with sheep and other animals present in the cold.

The mother and baby shivered, and the father stood guard to protect them.

Maybe, I'm just a romantic, but the beauty of that moment, when the King of Kings, who would one day die a miserable death on a cross for our salvation, was born to a woman...

Words just aren't enough.

If I had been a sheep in that stable, I would have bowed to my God and my King.

If we are to bring back the true meaning of Christmas, it must begin in the family.

Pope Francis said that the family is the beginning of society and it is through the family that the world will be saved.

I know, it's just the middle of October, but think about this.  You might not agree with me, and that's all right.  I would just ask that you think about this.

Christmas is more than just presents and food. 

Christ has got to be there, somewhere.

Teach your children.

Are You a Sinner?

If you are my age,

and 

you went to Catholic School,

you

KNEW

what

sin

was.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church,

"Sin is an Offense Against God."

 

Did you know it's a sin to miss Mass on Sunday, without extenuating circumstances?

 

Did you know it's a sin to gossip?

 

Did you know it's a sin to have sex out of wedlock?

 

Did you know it's a sin when you don't put God in first place?

 

I would posit, that when it comes to sin, most of us don't realize that we are committing sin each and every day.

 

There are two types of sin:

venial and mortal.

 

A mortal sin can cause us to loose heaven.

 

What is a mortal sin?

 

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, for a sin to be a mortal sin,

 "...three conditions must together be met: "Mortal sin is sin whose object is grave matter and which is also committed with full knowledge and deliberate consent."

For example, murder, premeditated murder, would be a mortal sin.

Abortion is a mortal sin.

To plan and execute a murder is the commission of a mortal sin.

If you didn't know that deliberately missing Mass on Sunday is a mortal sin,

you might not be committing a mortal sin, 

however,

now you know.

When it comes to sin, though, there is hope.

WE ARE ALL GRIEVOUS SINNERS!

Let me say that once again:

WE ARE ALL GRIEVOUS SINNERS!

As Catholics, we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

This gift from God is an Act of Divine Mercy to His Children.

The Priest, through his anointing in the Sacrament of Holy Orders, is given the ability to forgive our sins on earth.

When we confess our sins, in this amazing Sacrament, with a sincere and contrite heart 

 

WE ARE FORGIVEN!!!!

 The slate is wiped clean.

 

God is Kind and Merciful!

 

Yada Yada Yada...

but 

IT'S TRUE!

 

God loved us so much that He sent His Own Divine Son to die for our sins so that we might have the gift of eternal life.

 

So, what to do.

1) Recognize that we are miserable sinners.

2) Learn what is sinful.

3) Seek reconciliation using the Sacraments of the Church.

4) Change your ways.

 

You will find a peace that this world cannot give, 

that only God can give.

 

Let us pray for each other.

I will pray for you.

Please pray for me.

 

 

 

 

 

Ending the Week in Praise and Thanks giving

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

  

1) Today is my birthday, and I am getting old!  I never thought I'd get old.  I really didn't.  I thought I would die at a young age, but now I'm old.  It's part of God's plan for me, and I praise and thank Him for that gift.  He's given my life through my parents.  They chose to allow me to live.  For them, there was no choice.  I was a gift from God.

My life was cherished by them.

I thank God for the gift of life.

2) I have two amazing children who are no longer children.  They have grown and developed into adults whom I am proud to know.  They make the world a better place in which to live.  They are kind, loving human beings.  

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of these beautiful souls in my life!

3) If I could sum up all the blessings in my life in one post, no, I know I can't.  There are just too many for me to begin to count.  I wouldn't know where to begin, so I can only say,

Thank you, Lord!  You walk with me and hold me up.  You know better than me, and even prayers answered or seem not answered, are a gift from You.

Praise God from Whom all Blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above the Heavenly Host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!!!!

Thoughts on the Eve of My Birthday

Yes, tomorrow is my birthday.

I will be ending my 67th year and beginning my 68th year of life.

(I'm speaking of conception to the present time.)

I thank my parents for giving me life.  My journey could have been so different if they had chosen otherwise.

For them, my life was not a choice, it was a right.

They believed that life is sacred, no matter at which stage it is.

I was blessed.

I look back on my life.

I guess as we age we become more retrospective.

I know that God has been directing my life, and that He has His reasons.

Anyway, here are some thoughts.

1) I am shocked that I have lived this long.  I never thought I'd make it this far.  Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm alive, but I am surprised!  

2) You know the picture of the angel weeping, I think that is my guardian angel.  What a job my angel has had.  God knew that my angel would be busy protecting me from evil and pushing me back on the right path.  I'm sure my angel is either bald or gray haired.  My angel has been busy!

3) In spite of the bad, in spite of the sorrow, I was blessed!  God gave me a life to live.  In that life He included two beautiful children who have become amazing adults!  What else could be better than that?  Nothing.  

4) I was blessed with the Catholic Faith.  I grew up in a home where the Rosary was recited nightly by the family.  That was my grandmother's gift to me.  She believed in the power of prayer!  

5) I've learned that, in some cases, you cannot substitute one ingredient for another in a recipe, but I still have to try.  Last night, I made crockpot French Onion Soup.  Since I was out of butter, I used coconut oil.  Well, the soup has a unique taste, but it is a little bit oily.  I'm sure it will be filling, but I think butter would have been a better choice.  Can you see a connection to life?  Think about it.

Well, my mind is empty now.  Is that old age or just tired?  I don't know.

Reflection comes naturally sometimes.

Today, not so much.

I ask God to bless you and keep you.

Thanks for reading this blog.

Definitely Worth Repeating Wednesday: Ways to Help the Souls in Purgatory

Impatience is a sin which I regularly confess.  Most of my impatience happens when I drive.  Today was no exception.  I drove on Highway 14 heading towards Sam's Club to shop.  The Lord has a sense of humor!  Within 5 minutes of being on the road, I found myself driving behind a car going less than 55 mph in a 65 mph speed limit.  Grrrrrrrrrrr!  The cars behind me were moving over to the fast lane to pass both of us.  Since there were so many cars, I was stuck.  The car in front of me slowed down to 50 mph.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.  I. Was. Impatient. To. Pass, and my exit was approaching!  I thumped my fingers on the steering wheel.  Then, my guardian angel must have whispered in my ear.  I thought of the souls stranded in Purgatory who so desperately need our prayers, sacrifices, and acts of charity to enter heaven.  

I realized I could offer my contrition for my impatience  to God for the beloved souls.  I whispered a quick apology to God and asked Him to forgive me and bless the driver of the slow car in front of me.  Then, I asked God use what He could of my repentance for the souls.  After that, each time I started to become impatient, I offered it up for the souls in Purgatory. I was still stuck behind that slooooow car. The drive became much more tolerable knowing that I had this gift, this tiny sacrifice, to help the souls stuck in Purgatory.

When I reached Sam’s, I saw that the driver was an elderly man bringing his elderly, disabled wife to shop.  He smiled at me when we parked next to each other.  I was ashamed and added impatience to my notebook for confession. 

As I shopped, my angel reminded me that there are many more ways to help the souls who are moving slowly through Purgatory knowing there is nothing they can do to help themselves.  

Pray for the souls daily, hourly. 
      A quick prayer to say is:  Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I love You!  Save souls!  Say this prayer 9 times and you have prayed a novena for the souls. 

Say the St Gertrude prayer which is said to release 1,000 souls each time it is prayed.

Eternal Father, I offer You the most Precious Blood of Your Divine Son, Jesus, in Union with all the Masses said throughout the world today, in reparation for sins, for the Holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home, and in my family. Amen.

I always add::

All praise and honor be to the Precious Blood of Jesus for it wrought our salvation and redemption. Amen. 

All of these prayers said together will take less than five minutes and you will have helped souls move beyond the bounds of Purgatory.

2) Attend a Holy Hour of Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament and offer the time spent adoring Jesus for the souls.

3) Offer up your aches and pains, (We all have them,) for the souls.

4) Turn your sins into virtues by repenting of your sins, changing your behaviors, your thinking, and offering up the emerging virtues for souls.

5) Every morning, dedicate your day for the Holy Souls.

6) Fast for the souls in Purgatory.  Skip a meal. Don't buy that coffee you crave.  Give up soda.   Turn off TV. Offer your "fast" up for the Souls.

7) Your acts of charity should not be wasted either.  You know that co-worker that annoys you?  Smile and say a kind word.  Offer the merits of your kindness for the souls.  You know that family member you haven't spoken with in 10 years?  Forgive the infraction.  Forgive the hurt, and this can be very difficult.  Offer your merits for the souls who suffer so greatly.  The souls will never forget your kindnesses to them.

When you die, and you are released from the bonds of Purgatory, the souls you helped to release will be waiting at the Gate of Heaven to take you to Jesus as you make your triumphant entry.  They will never forget that you helped them see the Face of God sooner than they could have without your merits going for their souls.  While you live, they will pray for you and with you.  They will intercede for you even as they suffer the pangs of Purgatory.  They love you!  They want to be in heaven with you. 

Always remember that God loves the souls in purgatory. He also loves those who love the souls.  You are His beloved child.  His Love is unending for you and for all His children. Help save souls!

Adopt a Bishop for the Synod

The Synod on the Family begins

October 4 and ends October 25.

Our shepherds need our prayers.

You can adopt a priest for whom you can pray through the Synod.

Click

HERE

and you will go to the site.

Click on the button

Adopt a Synod Father 

or maybe it says

Adopt,

and an email form will pop up for you.

Send the email and you will receive a priest's name for whom you can pray.

My adopted Synod Bishop is

Bishop Harold Anthony Perera of Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.

You may pray for him, too!