easy does it

USCCB - (NAB) - February 25, 2008:

"But his servants came up and reasoned with him.
“My father,” they said,
“if the prophet had told you to do something extraordinary,
would you not have done it?
All the more now, since he said to you,
‘Wash and be clean,’ should you do as he said.”
So Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times
at the word of the man of God.
His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."

The Lord never asks for more then what we can give, or at least not more then His grace can cover. What is the Lord asking from you? Look around your immediate environment, your family, your church. Holly Pierlot's book 'A Mother's Rule of Life' has us doing just that and then formulating a 'rule' very similar to the ones used by religious sisters in convents. This is how the Lord is looking to bless us, through ordinary day to day obedience to His calling.

Prayer Request

"

From Mary Andreyo of Toms River, New Jersey

My son, Matthew for a spirit, mind, body healing. Also, that he can find a job he can handle and close by. Thank you"

Only noticed this prayer request today in our 'prayer book'...will you all please join me in praying for Matthew? Thanks and God bless.

YouTube - DON MOEN - I Need Thee Every Hour

YouTube - Come to the Rivers of Life - Don Moen

no more thirsting

USCCB - (NAB) - February 24, 2008:
"Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”"

This Gospel was so timely for me...you see, all week I've been 'thirsting'...you know...that disquiet feeling deep down that leaves you un-satisfied and dis-content about everything and yet nothing in particular. Then your mind starts going and the 'if only' litany starts...if only I had a bigger house, if only I could manage the one I have better, if only I could lose more weight, if only my kids would listen to me...lol...and on and on. I know that I have a greatly blessed life, one that a huge part of the population would go to great lengths for...yet I manage to be less then joyful about it a great deal of the time. Maybe it is ungratefulness that is at the heart of it all...I don't know. Thankfully I've been on this journey long enough to at least recognize it for what it is...a spiritual drought...but how come? Why now? I'm sure the Lord hasn't moved away from me...but...was it me? Did I move? I am hardly aware of it at all...that's the problem...it's like playing around in the water at the beach and getting distracted...before you know it the current has carried you off quite a bit. My eyes cannot be taken away from Him...He is my spring of water...the minute that I 'disconnect' then I run dry.

one little step in the right directlion

USCCB - (NAB) - February 23, 2008:

"So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him."

One little step from us is all that is necessary...our Heavenly Father does the rest.

God's blessings...

USCCB - (NAB) - February 21, 2008:

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit."

The Lord has a plan and a purpose for each one of us and if we only would listen to Him and obey Him, then He will see us through the tough times. You see...He doesn't promise us that we will never experience a 'year of drought' but He does promise that we can still continue to be fruitful in spite of it. Praise God!

to serve

USCCB - (NAB) - February 20, 2008:

"Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.”"

When we think of 'serving others' we often think of 'active service'...the kind that requires us to be able bodied and abounding in ample health...which leaves a very large section of the population unable to fulfill this command...or does it? How about small children, the elderly, the sick, the institutionalized? Can they be of service? Can we be of service when our health and strength fail? Well...let's look at that Crucifix again...that was THE MOMENT when Jesus performed the greatest service to us. There He was hanging on that Cross, His physical strength all gone, His blood dripping to the ground and once He drew His last breath that is when His most important job was done...the curtain between heaven and earth was ripped in two and salvation was won for us. POWERFUL! We are not Jesus though, so how can we weak as we are be of service? By following Jesus' example of obedience and offering Our Heavenly Father all that we do possess at the moment...God will do the rest!

flower of carmel -Flos Carmeli

I've been pondering lately about this 'dual' calling that the Lord has put before me...the Contemplative world of the Carmelites and what at first glimpse seems to be a more 'worldly' call of the Charismatic Renewal. How do they fit together? Are they diverging? Do they unite at some point? So many questions that I've posed to Him. My answer came quickly and simply to me today. If Carmel is the stem, long and dignified with its deep roots and occasional thorns...the Charismatic movement then is the bloom...it reaches out to heaven with arms out stretched giving off its delicate aroma in worship and praise of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary then is the perfect model for both.

FLOWER of Carmel,
Tall vine blossom laden;
Splendor of heaven,
Childbearing yet maiden.
None equals thee.

Mother so tender,
Who no man didst know,
On Carmel's children
Thy favors bestow.
Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse,
Who bore one bright flower,
Be ever near us
And guard us each hour,
who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies,
That flowers among thorns,
Bring help to the true heart
That in weakness turns
and trusts in thee.

Strongest of armor,
We trust in thy might:
Under thy mantle,
Hard press'd in the fight,
we call to thee.

Our way uncertain,
Surrounded by foes,
Unfailing counsel
You give to those
who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother
Who in Carmel reigns,
Share with your servants
That gladness you gained
and now enjoy.

Amen Hail, Gate of Heaven,
With glory now crowned,
Bring us to safety
Where thy Son is found,
true joy to see.

article by Ralph Martin

Charismatic and Contemplative? What would St. John of the Cross Say?

Immaculate Heart

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

: "Short readingJoel 2:12 - 13 ©
Come back to me with all your heart, fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your hearts be broken, not your garments torn, turn to Yahweh your God again, for he is all tenderness and compassion, slow to anger, rich in graciousness, and ready to relent."

Geesh...why do we keep straying? God is so good, so patient, so mercyful...He keeps calling us back to Him. He wants our whole heart...not just some show of affection. Puritas Cordis...purity of heart! Meaning, a heart with no other attachments but God.

YouTube - I Offer My Life

true humility

USCCB - (NAB) - February 19, 2008:

"Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;
but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”"

True humility is not about thinking of yourself as worthless but it is instead the deep knowing that without God you can do NOTHING! I've heard it said that 'God laughs when you make plans'...well, I don't know about outright laughter, but I can imagine a little chuckle coming forth from His lips right about now as so many of us are well on our way with our Lenten disciplines...then again...maybe you are all doing better then I am. You see...I get 'derailed' easily. Know what did it for me this time? a bug. yep...something so microscopic that it would be totally inconsequential if it weren't for the devestation that it can cause...the flu! I've been knocked out and dragged out of the race. I've been 'humbled'...not a bad thing in the long run I guess.

YouTube - Free Hugs Campaign.

give to get

USCCB - (NAB) - February 18, 2008:

"Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.
For the measure with which you measure
will in return be measured out to you.”"

When we find ourselves in a dried up phase of our lives where not much is being received (both physically and spiritualy), it is time to take a look at our 'giving'. What have we been holding back from the Lord and from each other? Never mind if others 'appreciate' it or not...you will get your merit...for you can never out give God. I don't know about you, but I for one want every single one of the blessings that the Lord has destined for me.

reconciling the family

USCCB - (NAB) - February 15, 2008:
"Gospel
Mt 5:20-26

Jesus said to his disciples:
“I tell you,
unless your righteousness surpasses that
of the scribes and Pharisees,
you will not enter into the Kingdom of heaven.

“You have heard that it was said to your ancestors,
You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment.
But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment,
and whoever says to his brother, Raqa,
will be answerable to the Sanhedrin,
and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.
Therefore, if you bring your gift to the altar,
and there recall that your brother
has anything against you,
leave your gift there at the altar,
go first and be reconciled with your brother,
and then come and offer your gift.
Settle with your opponent quickly while on the way to court.
Otherwise your opponent will hand you over to the judge,
and the judge will hand you over to the guard,
and you will be thrown into prison.
Amen, I say to you,
you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”"

healing the family

healing generational curses

Fr. McDonough

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world:

"Please pray for major healer Father Ed McDonough, Boston, who died today:
Friday 2-8 Wake at Mission Church, followed by 8 p.m. Vespers Saturday the Mass 10 a.m."

I remember going to Fr. McDonough's healing Masses as a kid with my mom when he was still in Cambridge. He will be greatly missed.

Lenten Resources Home Page

USCCB - Lenten Resources Home Page

February Readings

Today's Mass Readings and Homily

This is a great list to print off and then get into the Word at your own pace.

I like Mike

Mike Huckabee for President

Instead of going for who is most 'electable', I'm going for who the Lord is putting in my heart.

Praying for all those running for president as well as for all heading out to vote on Tuesday. Come Holy Spirit!

thorns?

USCCB - (NAB) - January 30, 2008:

"Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it
and it produced no grain."

As we prepare to enter into the Season of Lent...it is a good time to look around us and note any 'thorns' that may be trying to 'choke' God's Word from our lives. The thing with 'thorns' though, is that they don't always appear sinister...if they did, then it would be easy enough to stay away from. But regardless of appearances...what is the fruit? If it is not bearing fruit...let's chop it off.

Women's Conference

Hi, all,
The Boston Women's Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 18th, starting at 5PM at Boston College. The Keynote speakers this year are Kimberly Hahn, Patti Mansfield, and Stacy McGovern. I've heard both Kimberly Hahn; Patti Mansfield speak; they are fabulous! You can read more info about these women; get more info on the conference at BBCCspeakers2008.pdf

Anne

I got the above from my homeschooling group and I really, really want to attend. Anyone else thinking of going?

Parish Bulletin

Dear Parishioners,
We begin our season of Lent this Wednesday. Lent is starting early
this year. To give a simple explanation as to why Easter is celebrated
on a different date each year, the first Sunday after the first
full moon of spring is Easter Sunday. With the first full moon of
spring being on March 21st this year, Easter is then on March 23rd,
the first Sunday after the full moon. It is one of the earliest Easter
that is celebrated.

Lent is a season for repentance. It is a time of spiritual house cleaning. This is a time to look at our relationship with Jesus. What do we need to do to grow deeper in our relationship with Him? For some it may be addressing a sinful behavior and for others it may be engaging in activities that help us to grow. I would suggest that you spend some time in quiet prayer and ask Jesus what it might be that He is asking of you to do. Lent is a season for us to seriously care for our spiritual relationship. May what we do see us rise on Easter to a new level of relationship with Jesus.

This Lent we will hold a parish mission from Sunday, March 2nd to Tuesday, March 4th. Our guest will be internationally known speaker, Ralph Martin. Ralph is the host of the TV program, “The Choices We Face.” You can see this program on his web site: www.renewalministries.net. It is also on EWTN on Friday morning at 6:30 a.m. Ralph has traveled the world preaching a call to holiness and personal relationship with Jesus. He has written many books, the latest, “The Fulfillment of All Desire”, which is a guidebook for the journey to God based on the wisdom of the saints. He is currently Director of Graduate Programs in the evangelization at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in the Archdiocese of Detroit. Please plan to attend the mission if you are able, for we are blessed to have Ralph be with us.

The Scripture is the Word of God. For many Catholics, we are weak in the reading and understanding Scripture. St. Jerome said that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. The Bible is a necessity in growing in our relationship with Jesus. Very simply, Scripture is Jesus speaking to us. There is a program called Scripture from Scratch. It presents contemporary Catholic biblical scholarship in a clear, easy to follow and welcoming manner. It is a program both for those with little or no knowledge of the Bible and for those who have some experience with it. This program will be on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. in the hall. It will be an eight week course. We will begin on Tuesday, February 12th.

Just a reminder, that LIFT will be here on Monday, February 4th at 7 p.m. It is a young adult group that offers praise and worship with teaching. You are encouraged to come and experience this form of prayer.
For you snowbirds who are reading this on the web, we have added wooden borders to the back wall.
It is something simple and everyone loves it (taking the positive outlook).
May Jesus continue to shepherd you in all of your needs.
God love you,
Fr. Ron

Events Schedule

Renewal Ministries - Events Schedule:

"March 2-4 Parish Lenten Mission at St. Joseph Church
Wakefield, MA

Ralph Martin

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual Gifts (PDF file)

YouTube - I Will Sing

Lord You seem so far away. A million miles or more it feels today.
And though I haven't lost my faith, I must confess right now that it's hard for me to pray.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.
I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true. I will sing.

Lord is hard for me to see all the thought and plan You have for me.
But I will put my trust in You. Lord will meet Your guide to set me free.
But I don't know what to say and I don't know where to start.
But as you give the grace with all that's in my heart.

I will sing.
I will praise even in my darkest time through the sorrow and the pain.
I will sing. I will praise.
Lift my hands to honor You because Your word is true. I will sing. (2 times)

Sacrifice of Joy!

USCCB - (NAB) - January 29, 2008:

"Then David, girt with a linen apron,
came dancing before the LORD with abandon,
as he and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD
with shouts of joy and to the sound of the horn."

Praise You Lord, I love You Jesus! You lead me by the hand and bring me to fullness of JOY! You alone know exactly WHAT I need and WHEN. You are the great Provider! May I be able to 'dance' before you with ABANDON! Where You lead, I shall follow! I will not look to my left, or to my right...but only into Your eyes will I gaze.

Psalms 133

Psalms 133. The Holy Bible: King James Version.:
"The Psalms
133

The Blessings of Brotherly Unity
A Song of degrees of David.


1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity!


2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard,
even Aaron's beard:
that went down to the skirts of his garments;


3 as the dew of Hermon,
and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion:
for there the LORD commanded the blessing,
even life for evermore."

Come, Holy Spirit

Devotion - Prayers - Come, Holy Spirit:

"Come, Holy Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of Your Divine Love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created, and You shall renew the face of the earth. Oh God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructed the hearts of the faithful, Grant, that by the same Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen."

Unity Prayer

Catholic Online - Prayers:

"Eternal Father,
we praise you for sending your Son
to be one of us and to save us.
Look upon your people with mercy,
for we are divided in so many ways,
and give us the Spirit of Jesus to make us one in love.

We ask this gift, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen."

no divisions?

Reading II
1 Cor 1:10-13, 17

I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree in what you say,
and that there be no divisions among you,
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose.
For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters,
by Chloe’s people, that there are rivalries among you.
I mean that each of you is saying,
“I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”
or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”
Is Christ divided?
Was Paul crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel,
and not with the wisdom of human eloquence,
so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its meaning.

At first reading this passage, you might think that Jesus is speaking to the different 'denominations' out there. But then at closer look, we see this same 'division' within our very own Catholic Church. Sad, sad, sad. Can't even imagine what it must look like from the outside. There is so much fear, you can see it everywhere.

Today, let us pray for unity within our own church before we can reach out to others.

March for Life

Cardinal Seán’s Blog » March for Life

Nuno Alvares Pereira

Nuno Alvares Pereira

O God, who called blessed Nonius to lay down the weapons of this world and follow Christ under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, grant through the intercession of this former member of our order that we too may deny ourselves and cling to you with all our hearts. Through the same Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

YouTube - Here I Am Lord

Here I am Lord

USCCB - (NAB) - January 20, 2008

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10

R. (8a and 9a) Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, “Behold I come.”
R. Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

“In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!”
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
R. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

Reading II
1 Cor 1:1-3

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
and Sosthenes our brother,
to the church of God that is in Corinth,
to you who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be holy,
with all those everywhere who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours. Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.

God puts out the call, it is up to us to listen, discern and obey! I will be at the Carmelite meeting today to do His will...whatever that may be, and for how ever long that is...I'll be listening and obeying. Thanks for the prayers everyone.

Carmel's call

The Carmelite Web Site - O.Carm.

Please pray for me as I discern if it is God's will that I return to my Lay Carmelite community.

USCCB - (NAB) - January 13, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 13, 2008:

"After Jesus was baptized,
he came up from the water and behold,
the heavens were opened for him,
and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove
and coming upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens, saying,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”"

Lord, I pray that these be the words that I strive to hear...not those of the world saying how great I am, but Your Own Words declaring me your own.

USCCB - (NAB) - January 12, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 12, 2008:
Reading 1
1 Jn 5:14-21

"If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly,
he should pray to God and he will give him life.
This is only for those whose sin is not deadly.
There is such a thing as deadly sin,
about which I do not say that you should pray.
All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly."

Prayer for Today: May all our Venial sins and those of our loved ones be erased from Your Sight...and may we be convicted to approach You in the Sacrament of Confession with our Mortal Sins...so that we may have life.

prayer request

"I would love prayers to keep my fear and anxiety at bay. for a safe and healthy surgery. that the baby is in good health and nurses well. that my dh's health remains well, and that the grandparents are healthy before they come to watch the kids. they have been sick for months with a sinus infection thing.


we are scheduled for jan. 24th, in the morning.


thank you, so much for putting out the prayer request. i'll be offering up the pain as much as i can.


lovemel"

Jesus Is Life : A Catholic Reflection

Jesus Is Life : A Catholic Reflection:
"When God gave us life, He didn't give us an elixir, a potion, a pill, guaranteed health, a fountain of youth, or an unlimited supply of money to provide life. Instead, He gave us Jesus. God sent Jesus the Life into the world, and 'this Life became visible' (1 Jn 1:2)."

retreat

Boston retreat with Michael H Brown

USCCB - (NAB) - January 9, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 9, 2008:

"There is no fear in love,
but perfect love drives out fear
because fear has to do with punishment,
and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 8, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 8, 2008:

"God sent his only-begotten Son into the world
so that we might have life through him."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 7, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 7, 2008:

"He went around all of Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom,
and curing every disease and illness among the people.
His fame spread to all of Syria,
and they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases
and racked with pain,
those who were possessed, lunatics, and paralytics,
and he cured them.
And great crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, and Judea,
and from beyond the Jordan followed him."

Prayer for Today: Heal us O, Lord!

DON MOEN ( video )

USCCB - (NAB) - January 6, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 6, 2008:
"Is 60:1-6

Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come,
the glory of the Lord shines upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth,
and thick clouds cover the peoples;
but upon you the LORD shines,
and over you appears his glory.
Nations shall walk by your light,
and kings by your shining radiance.
Raise your eyes and look about;
they all gather and come to you:
your sons come from afar,
and your daughters in the arms of their nurses.
."

Thy Word (video)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds):
"Psalm 118 (119): 145-152

I call on you with all my heart – answer me, Lord. I will obey your laws.
I call on you, save me so that I can keep your decrees.

At dawn I cry to you, I put all my hope in your word.
In the night I keep watch, pondering your sayings.

In your mercy, Lord, hear my voice; in your justice, give me life.
My persecutors come to do me harm: they are far from your law.

But you, Lord, are near to me, and you are trustworthy in all your precepts.
From the beginning I have known your decrees, how you have made them to last for ever."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 5, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 5, 2008:

"Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth."

Prayer for Today: Oh Lord, may we be doers of Your Word and not merely hearers. May Your Word sink in deeply into our hearts and take root there and then bloom back out of us to others in our lives.

prayer

Holy Cross Family Ministries:

"The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.
Lord Jesus, we are mindful of your presence in our lives and in our world. We pray that we will always come to you when we are in need of your guidance and inspiration, especially in those moments when we need to make an important decision. May you give us the grace to be open to hear your words during these times. We ask this in your name. Amen."

Prayers for the AMROL P2 Team

AMROL P2 Team SparkTeam

Please keep all the members of this group in your prayers as we journey together towards health and fitness. You are welcome to join us there also

to God ASAP

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"When anything happens, go to God right away. If your faith is wavering, if you are having any kind of doubts, do not struggle with those on your own. That is when the enemy comes in and we start going down. If we are struggling with discouragement and we find “my hope is fading” do not toy with it. Do not even pray about it yourself. Take it to God, “Help. I need help.” If fear is coming in and love is growing cold go to God right away. As long as you are with the Lord, you and Jesus can work anything out together. That will always be a protection for all of us from the enemy."

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:
"Concluding Prayer

Almighty God, a new light in the sky
heralded the coming of salvation and our redemption.
May that salvation dawn in our hearts and renew them daily.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 4, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 4, 2008:

"Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the Devil."

Prayer for Today: Lord help us to ackowledge sin and the ways of the evil one in our own lives and surroundings, so that we can in turn hand it to You and have it be destroyed.

prayer request

I need more prayers for my dad please. First for his physical health, that he gets some relief...he is having a hard time breathing (especially at night) due to all the fluids in his body. Then for his emotional state...he does not do illness well. Also please say a prayer for all the doctors, nurses and staff caring for him...and for the rest of us who just want to see him at peace.

Hallelujah to the lamb (video)

The Lamb

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"In the Book of Revelation we read that the Lamb who was slain is on the throne and yet the Lamb who was slain lives within us. He lives within us in power because we need that kind of power to allow ourselve to be slain as He was. He is also the Shepherd in the Book of Revelation who leads His people to those life-giving waters . As we lay down our lives, as we become the lamb, this Shepherd of ours shepherds his people to life-giving waters again. He gives them that new life again. This is the new heavens and the new earth. We are working together all the time. We always are calling upon the name of the Lord. We are always in union with the eternal High Priest and the Lamb who was slain."

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds):

"Have mercy on me, God, have mercy. My soul flies to you for refuge.
I will hide in the shelter of your wings until the time of ambush is past.
I will cry to God the Most High, to the God who cares for me."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 3, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 3, 2008:

"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

Prayer for Today: Let us place all our sins, fears, anxieties, and worries at the foot of the Cross today. He wants to take all of that away and give us a new life in exchange. What a deal...let's not miss out on it.

two kingdoms

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"There are the two kingdoms. St. Ignatius teaches about them in detail. Jesus said it in a different way, 'You either are with me or you are not.' That is not what the world says. The world talks about gray areas, and compromise, all the time. But that is not the message of Jesus. 'You are with Me all the way or you are not.' We start out by saying to the Lord, 'Can I have one foot in both kingdoms? I kind of want to hang onto this, but yet I want to hang onto you?' Have you ever had that? 'I don't want to let go of the Lord, but I still have my attachments.'

He gave me a little demonstration one time in imagery. We were walking along, Jesus and I, hand in hand and I Had my little attachments here in my other hand. Jesus said, 'Give me your other hand.” In order to give him my other hand, I had to make a choice to let go. When I did and gave Him my other hand, we were face to face. Try that sometime. That is what He wants, that face to face relationship. He wants both hands. There is something in us that is like an octopus. We let go of one and we grab onto something else. Desert spirituality will start showing us what we are doing there."

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:
sermon by St Gregory Nazianzen
Two bodies, but a single spirit (about St. Basil)

"We seemed to be two bodies with a single spirit. Though we cannot believe those who claim that everything is contained in everything, yet you must believe that in our case each of us was in the other and with the other.

Our single object and ambition was virtue, and a life of hope in the blessings that are to come; we wanted to withdraw from this world before we departed from it. With this end in view we ordered our lives and all our actions. We followed the guidance of God’s law and spurred each other on to virtue. If it is not too boastful to say, we found in each other a standard and rule for discerning right from wrong.

Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents or to themselves, that is, to their own pursuits and achievements. But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians."

Oh Lord, send like minded people into lives so that we can be strengthened in our faith.

USCCB - (NAB) - January 2, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 2, 2008: "Reading 1
1 Jn 2:22-28

Beloved:
Who is the liar?
Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.
Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist.
Anyone who denies the Son does not have the Father,
but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well."

Prayer for Today: Lord give us the faith and strength needed to never deny You...neither in word, nor deed. May our lives be about Truth!

poverty of spirit

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"Humility is very important, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” We have four vows: poverty, chastity, obedience and zeal for the salvation of souls, which is victim love. For a long time I used to think that the vow and the spirit of obedience was number one. We have grown to see that it is the spirit of poverty that is first. Our Lady is Lady Poverty. When I am empty and divested of me, myself and I, that little unholy trinity – when I am poor – I am automatically detached from my own will. Obedience is never going to be a problem when we are detached, when we are poor in spirit as Mary was. Then, we will always do whatever, whatever, whatever. There is no attachment."

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds):

"God, it was by means of blessed Mary, virgin and mother, that you gave the human race the gift of eternal salvation.
Grant that we may feel the effects of her intercession for us,
for it is through her that we have received your Son, the source of life."

USCCB - (NAB) - January 1, 2008

USCCB - (NAB) - January 1, 2008:
"Nm 6:22-27

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”"

Prayer for Today: Lord bless all who gather here that each in turn may be a blessing to others.

Days of Elijah (video)

Be ready!

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"There was a very powerful prophetic word given from the Papal altar at St. Peter’s. I never forgot it. It seems that now is the time for this prophetic word to be realized, I want to share a little bit of it. This is what God said. “I will pour out on you all the gifts of My Spirit. I will prepare you for spiritual combat. Be ready My people; I want to prepare you. I speak to you of the dawn of a new age for My Church. I speak to you of a new day that has not been seen before. Prepare yourselves for the action that I begin now because things that you see around you will change. The combat that you must enter now is different. It is new. You need wisdom from Me that you do not yet have.” This is why we are going to go to the desert - to get this wisdom. “You need the power of My Holy Spirit in a way that you have not yet possessed it. You need an understanding of My will and of the ways that I work that you do not yet have. Open your eyes. Open your hearts to prepare yourselves for Me and for the day that I have now begun. Prepare! For, I proclaim a new day, a day of victory and of triumph for your God. Behold, it has begun.” What a beautiful word. Doesn’t it sound like it is for us? Doesn’t it sound like this is His time?"

Excerpt from Mother Nadine’s, “Introduction,” Prepare the Way of the Lord Conference, Omaha, NE 2005

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:

"You who love the Lord, hate evil!
The Lord protects the lives of his consecrated ones:
he will free them from the hands of sinners.
A light has arisen for the just,
and gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice, you just, in the Lord
and proclaim his holiness."

Dear Lord, open our eyes so that we can see evil for what it is..SIN! Not what our anti christian society has told us it is, but what the Lord has decreed.

USCCB - (NAB) - December 31, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 31, 2007:
"1 Jn 2:18-21

Children, it is the last hour;
and just as you heard that the antichrist was coming,
so now many antichrists have appeared."

Pryer for Today: Dear Lord help us to 'batten down the hatches' and prepare pretty much as we would in the case of an impeding storm. We are living in anti christian times, and among anti christian people and the attacks can seem pretty fierce at times. However the Lord has promised that the rewards in heaven would be great for those that persevere.

Marriage Prayer

Heavenly Father, through the intercession of the Holy Family, help us to treasure the gift of Marriage that reflects the love of Christ for the Church, where the self-giving love of husband and wife unites them more perfectly and cooperates in Your Plan for new life created in Your Image.

Help us support men and women in their vocation of marriage, especially in difficult times when they join their sufferings to the Cross.

Help us uphold the institution of Marriage in our society as the place where love is nurtured and family life begins.

Help us acknowledge that our future depends on this love and Your Providential care for us. Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, bless our families.

Cancao da Familia (video)

Dedicated to my entire family and all my Portuguese friends that join me here, on this Feast Day of the Family which is made even more special for my family since it is the 10th anniversary of my mom's entrance into heaven. I love you all!

The Eternal Family Reunion

The Eternal Family Reunion : A Catholic Reflection:

"For your family to stay together for an eternity of Christmases, you must:

Repent of sin and decide to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Talk to your family members about your love for Jesus.

Be in right relationship with family members. Honor your parents (Sir 3:2), be submissive to your husband, lay down your life for your wife (Col 3:18-19), disciple your children.

Pray together daily as a married couple and as a family (see Mt 18:19-20).

Forgive family members seven times seventy times (see Col 3:13).

Many of you feel very discouraged about the spiritual state of your families. Be instead confident that the Lord loves each member of your family, even to death on the cross. Jesus will change the hardest heart. Be hopeful.

PRAYER: Father, may I remove the plank of sin from my own eye so as to help family members remove the specks from their eyes (Mt 7:5)."

USCCB - (NAB) - December 30, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 30, 2007:

"Wives, be subordinate to your husbands,
as is proper in the Lord.
Husbands, love your wives,
and avoid any bitterness toward them.
Children, obey your parents in everything,
for this is pleasing to the Lord.
Fathers, do not provoke your children,
so they may not become discouraged."

Prayer for Today: Oh Lord, you designed the family to be a learning place for us on how to be Christians. Give us humility and a heart for each other so that we may discover the beauty hidden there.

Universalis: Office of Readings:
An address given at Nazareth by Pope Paul VI
The example of Nazareth

"Second, we learn about family life. May Nazareth serve as a model of what the family should be. May it show us the family’s holy and enduring character and exemplify its basic function in society: a community of love and sharing, beautiful for the problems it poses and the rewards it brings, in sum, the perfect setting for rearing children – and for this there is no substitute."

Prayer Request

Dear friends in Jesus,
My nephew Steven Graves, 14 years old is in dire need of prayers. He is once again in the hospital. This boy has suffered since he was 2 with Autism, chronic pancreatitis, migraines, sleep disorder, esophageal reflux, foreign mass build up in his stomach called a bezoar, cysts on his brain, malnourishment due to inability to eat because of stomach problems plus the Autism he suffers from limits the things he will eat since he has extreme sensory issues. This little angel weighed only 60 lbs. last Christmas, we almost lost him. The good Lord has helped him to reach 100 pounds over the past year and we are very greatful for this great favor. Still he has been out of school and housebound, practically bedridden for 2 years. He needs a miracle. His family suffers extreme sleep deprevation due to Stevens sleep disorder, and trying to care for an autistic child who is very limited in speech to express how he feels is very difficult. Please, I beg you to pray for this sweet little boy. Thank you for listening and caring.

Patti Crawford

Found in Bulletin this week...

As you begin your New Year, below are some recommendations for a Catholic home:
• Meals together as often as possible – with grace before and after
• Blessings of children by parents at night
• Spouse blessing one another at night
• Never going to bed angry
• Icons or pictures of Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart in a prominent place
• Crucifixes in main rooms, bedrooms
• Other holy pictures or statues in rooms
• Open Bibles in rooms
• Have a Catechism of Catholic Church
• Wearing of Cross, scapular or other blessed medals
• Holy water-perhaps in a container at door entrances, to be used entering and exiting your home
• Blessed Incense
• Blessed Oil – can be used for cooking
• Blessed Salt – can be used for cooking
• Praying Rosary daily, as a family whenever possible
• Regular celebration of Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Weekly Mass (daily Mass is encouraged) and Adoration
• Gregorian Chant or other Christian music
• Container into which family members can make donation for the poor
• Cast out all articles of occult and New Age (e.g. Ouija Boards, crystals, pornography, inappropriate books, music or videos, etc)

The Precepts of the Church

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: "II. THE PRECEPTS OF THE CHURCH
2041 The precepts of the Church are set in the context of a moral life bound to and nourished by liturgical life. The obligatory character of these positive laws decreed by the pastoral authorities is meant to guarantee to the faithful the indispensable minimum in the spirit of prayer and moral effort, in the growth in love of God and neighbor:

2042 The first precept ('You shall attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation.') requires the faithful to participate in the Eucharistic celebration when the Christian community gathers together on the day commemorating the Resurrection of the Lord.[82]

The second precept ('You shall confess your sins at least once a year.') ensures preparation for the Eucharist by the reception of the sacrament of reconciliation, which continues Baptism's work of conversion and forgiveness.[83]

The third precept ('You shall humbly receive your Creator in Holy Communion at least during the Easter season.') guarantees as a minimum the reception of the Lord's Body and Blood in connection with the Paschal feasts, the origin and center of the Christian liturgy.[84]

2043 The fourth precept ('You shall keep holy the holy days of obligation.') completes the Sunday observance by participation in the principal liturgical feasts which honor the mysteries of the Lord, the Virgin Mary, and the saints.[85]

The fifth precept ('You shall observe the prescribed days of fasting and abstinence.') ensures the times of ascesis and penance which prepare us for the liturgical feasts; they help us acquire mastery over our instincts and freedom of heart.[86]
The faithful also have the duty of providing for the material needs of the Church, each according to his abilities.[87]"

Go Light Your World(video)

the fruit of obedience

Intercessors Of The Lamb

The third mark of the Church is catholic. That means that it is universal. God is saying, “I want My house to be a house of prayer for all nations, for everyone.” This is what we are called to do. Wisdom is instructing her children! This mark of the Church, this catholicity, comes out of the third pillar of contemplation, which is prayer itself. Prayer, if we are faithful to it, will always produce the fruit of obedience – always. It is out of prayer that we are able to do whatever He tells us. Why? Because it is in prayer that we are listening and receiving whatever He says. It is in prayer that we receive the strength to live it out. This is why He said, “A body You have prepared for Me. Behold, I come to do Your will.” He is saying that to us through our intercession as we prepare the way for Him throughout the Church, throughout the world. “A body you have prepared for Me,” out of our own silence, our own solitude, our own prayer, and our own penance. “A body you have prepared for Me,” so that He can continue coming and dwelling within people and living out the Father’s perfect will. That is always the victory over satan. That is always the maternal “yes” over the “no.” Everything becomes “yes” for intercessors. Everything is, “Yes Lord!” It brings grace, not only to us but also, to others. The theological gift that comes forth in this pillar of prayer, and this universal mark of the Church, is love – love. Love reaches its perfection through obedience. Jesus does not want just our word, “yes.” It is those who do the will of God that He seeks. This will bring forth tremendous love. Obedience, you might say, is like love in action. It is the proof in the pudding. It is the proof that we do love. Prayer, in turn, becomes the fruit of obedience.

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:
Colossians 1:1 - 14

"Epaphras, who taught you, is one of our closest fellow workers and a faithful deputy for us as Christ’s servant, and it was he who told us all about your love in the Spirit.
That will explain why, ever since the day he told us, we have never failed to pray for you, and what we ask God is that through perfect wisdom and spiritual understanding you should reach the fullest knowledge of his will. So you will be able to lead the kind of life which the Lord expects of you, a life acceptable to him in all its aspects; showing the results in all the good actions you do and increasing your knowledge of God."

Let us not fail to pray for one another, so that we all may reach the fullest knowledge of God's will.

USCCB - (NAB) - December 29, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 29, 2007:

"The way we may be sure that we know Jesus
is to keep his commandments.
Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commandments
is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoever keeps his word,
the love of God is truly perfected in him.
This is the way we may know that we are in union with him:
whoever claims to abide in him ought to walk just as he walked."

Prayer for Today: Dear Jesus, may we come to know You fully. First through the Church that You left behind and then through the Scriptures that came from it. May our love and desire for knowledge of Your commandments grow as our love for You grows.

DECOLORES

full lyrics here:


"Joyfully, joyfully we live in god's friendship because he has willed it.
Faithfully, faithfully we will slake the great thirst of christ the immortal.
Joyfully, joyfully we will bring to our savior a harvest of souls.
Pouring outward the light from within the grace of our god his infinite light.
Pouring outward the light from within the grace of our god his infinite light.

Missionaries, missionaries of christ with his courage determined to conquer.
Cursillistas, cursillistas who don't pay attention to human opinion.
Let the cowards, let the cowards deride us and taunt for it is the truth;
That they really desire the pleasure of being in grace, in colors with us.
That they really desire the pleasure of being in grace, in colors with us."

craving Truth

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"We begin to crave this divine truth, and once we start receiving His truth - and I say truth because God is truth and everything He says to us, everything that is infused into us, is truth - the other beautiful fruit here is that we begin to see the lies that we didn’t see before. We begin to see the lies that we were raised with. We begin to see the lies of the world, maybe in our own families, in our own culture. Maybe we don’t even know the difference between a lie and truth until this knowledge, this pure wisdom, this understanding of God begins to enlighten our minds and we begin to know. It’s a grace. It’s a gift from God."

video

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:

"Pharaoh then gave his subjects this command: ‘Throw all the boys born to the Hebrews into the river, but let all the girls live’."

Enlighten the minds of all leaders Lord, so that the killing of the innocents will stop. Bring Your Light and Truth into the heart of all Your people so that a new era may enter...one which has at its basis the respect for all human life.

USCCB - (NAB) - December 28, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 28, 2007:

"God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
If we say, “We have fellowship with him,”
while we continue to walk in darkness,
we lie and do not act in truth.
But if we walk in the light as he is in the light,
then we have fellowship with one another,
and the Blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin."

Prayer for Today: Lord, may we be illumined by Your Light and persevere in walking in truth. May we learn to love the Light more then the Darkness. May we in turn be a source of Light for our family and friends as He shines His Light through us...even if at first attempt they shield their eyes and turn from us.

A Consolation

Live your Catholic faith

Your Catholic faith is a public thing. It is not meant to be left behind when you leave home (ccc2472). But be forwarned: Being a public Catholic involves risk and loss. You will find some doors closed to you. You will lose some friends. You will be considered an outsider. But, as a consolation, remember our Lord's words to the persecuted: "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matt. 5:12).

SING FOR JOY (video)

covenant relationship

Intercessors Of The Lamb:

"In Isaiah 42:67, God said, “I have formed you.” God has formed us and He is continuing to form us. “I have formed you as a covenant.” You become the covenant now, “to open the eyes of the blind, to bring the prisoners out from confinement”, out from the dungeons or from wherever they are living in darkness. This is New Covenant ministry at its best. In John 17, Jesus said, “I have given you the glory that the Father has given to Me. I have prayed, ‘Father, that they may be one, as we are one.’” That’s covenant. “You, Father, in me and I in you and I in them,” one totally in this Trinitarian love. Jesus has called us into this relationship, to be totally, literally, in love, dwelling in the full presence of love in this New Covenant relationship. All this I, too, say to you today that His joy may truly, truly be in you, so that your joy will always be complete.

Excerpt from Mother Nadine’s “New Covenant,” Come Higher Friends conference, Omaha, NE, 2004."

Universalis: Office of Readings

Universalis: Office of Readings:

"The just will rejoice and hope in the Lord:
the upright in heart will give him glory."

USCCB - (NAB) - December 27, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 27, 2007:

"We are writing this so that our joy may be complete."

Prayer for Today: Show us Lord how we need nothing but You in order to have complete joy. If we focus on the world around us, there is so little to be happy about...but if we keep our focus on You, we can't help but to rejoice! Bless us with joy today!

Prayer Request

Could you please keep my dad in your prayers. He was hospitalized on Christmas Eve with congestive heart failure due to a hardened heart valve. He has a lot of fluids and it is making it very uncomfortable for him to sleep...he can't lie back and has been sleepin up in a chair for a while now. I'm praying for some comfort and peace for him.

Also Roy's cousin(in law)Joe who was diagnosed with stomach cancer over the Summer and has been receiving chemo treatment will have his cat scan on Friday to determine where things stand. Our God is able! Let us pray for the Lord to pour down His grace on Joe and his family and for that tumor to completly disappear.

Thank you!

"Mary's Boy Child/ Oh My Lord" (video)

joy

Medjugorje Graces: ANNUAL APPARITION TO JAKOV ON DECEMBER 25TH 2007: "'Dear children! Today, in a special way I call you to become open to God and for each of your hearts today to become a place of Jesus’ birth. Little children, through all this time that God permits me to be with you, I desire to lead you to the joy of your life. Little children, the only true joy of your life is God. Therefore, dear children, do not seek joy in things of this earth but open your hearts and accept God. Little children, everything passes, only God remains in your heart. Thank you for having responded to my call.'"

Sing a New Song(a fun video)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Universalis: Morning Prayer (Lauds):
"Psalm 149
The saints rejoice

Sing a new song to the Lord, his praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in its maker, and the sons of Sion delight in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing, sing to him with timbrel and lyre,
for the Lord’s favour is upon his people, and he will honour the humble with victory."

USCCB - (NAB) - December 26, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 26, 2007:

"When they hand you over,
do not worry about how you are to speak
or what you are to say.
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.
For it will not be you who speak
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Prayer for Today: Lord, may we be more open to having You speak through us.

USCCB - (NAB) - December 25, 2007

USCCB - (NAB) - December 25, 2007:

"And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth."

Merry Christmas!

YouTube - Let there be Peace on Earth (Vince Gill)

Pope On the Birth of Christ (cont.)

ZENIT - On the Birth of Christ

Dear friends, in these days of preparation leading up to Christmas the prayer of the Church intensifies, so that the hopes for peace, salvation, justice, and all that the world urgently needs, be made a reality. We ask God that violence be defeated by the power of love, that opposition be replaced by reconciliation, that the desire to dominate be transformed into desires for forgiveness, justice and peace.

May the wishes of kindness and love that we exchange in these days reach all sectors of our daily lives. May peace be in our hearts, so that we can be open to the action of God's mercy. May peace live in all families and may they spend Christmas united before the crib and the tree decorated with lights. May the Christmas message of solidarity and welcome contribute to create a deeper sensibility toward old and new types of poverty, and toward the common good that we are all called to share.

May all family members, especially the children and the elderly -- the weakest ones -- feel the warmth of this feast, and may that warmth spread out through every day of the year. May Christmas be a celebration of peace and joy: joy for the birth of the Savior, Prince of peace. Like the shepherds, we hasten our steps toward Bethlehem. In the heart of the Holy Night we will be able to contemplate the "infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger," together with Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:12,16).

We ask the Lord to open our soul, so that we can enter the mystery of his birth. May Mary, who gave her virginal womb to the Word of God, who contemplated the child between her arms, and who offers him to everyone as the Redeemer of the world, help us make next Christmas a moment of growth in the knowledge and love of Christ. This is the wish that I warmly extend to you all, to your families and your dear ones.

Merry Christmas to you all!