Catholics Come Home

Catholics Come Home Papa is here!

Feast of Santo Cristo dos Milagres

Feast of Santo Cristo dos Milagres

Archdiocese of Boston Cursillo

CURSILLO

Archdiocese of Boston

Please join us on May l0, 2008 from 9:00 - l:00
For the lst Cursillo Day of Renewal - Cost is $20.00/person

Place: Marist House, 5l8 Pleasant Street, Framingham, Ma.

The program will include presentations, small group discussions, guided meditations and a
Prayer Service orMass.

Anyone that would like to stay after is welcome to bring their bagged lunch. Registration and payment are due that day.

DIRECTIONS: can be downloaded or call The Office of Worship and Spiritual Life at 6l7-779-

Pope Benedict XVI Prayer Intentions

Pope Benedict XVI Prayer Intentions

Today is the deadline to get your prayer intentions in to the site above.

Smile!

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world:

"When compassion is around us and when it is projected to others, it disarms even those who are hostile. The key is to approach every person with a mouth that curves upward. Mother Teresa said that 'holy living consists of doing God’s work with a smile.'

She also said that the smile on a child was God’s love.
A smile points the mouth, eyes, and soul up to God."

They shall all be taught by God

USCCB - (NAB) - April 10, 2008:
"Gospel
Jn 6:44-51

Jesus said to the crowds:
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,
and I will raise him on the last day.
It is written in the prophets:

They shall all be taught by God.

Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me."

It's been a crazy week with all kinds of false preachers coming forward and then...from the most un-expected place we get The Word spoken(sang) to millions (billions?). However the phrase 'My Jesus' was still edited out...they can edit all they want...it still came through nice and loud! So come on! Let's all shout to the Lord today...

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

My Jesus, my Savior, Lord, there is none like You;
All of my days I want to praise the wonders of Your mighty love.
My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength;
Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

Chorus
Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.


Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and Majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name.
I sing for joy at the work of your hands,
Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have...
Nothing compares to the promise I have...
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

Shout To The Lord

>: ""

Rising Expectations

Rising Expectations : A Catholic Reflection: "How many Christian parents are merely hoping to get their adult children back in Church? They can't imagine their children or themselves prophesying, healing, preaching, teaching, or leading. Sometimes in our prayer, we don't seem to be aware of Jesus' resurrection and its implications. The life of Philip opens us to a new dimension of life – risen life."

it continues

USCCB - (NAB) - April 8, 2008:

"But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
But they cried out in a loud voice,
covered their ears, and rushed upon him together.
They threw him out of the city, and began to stone him."

Still today there are those that have accepted the gift of faith and can now see and those who haven't yet and would like nothing better then to get rid of the first bunch in anyway possible. They too 'close their ears' and rush in 'together'...it may not be done in as brutal fashion as the above story mentions...but they get the job done.

Prayer Request

www.bravenet.com - A Bravenet.com Guestbook:
"What is your name? Joyce

Where are you from? Minnesota

Please enter your prayer request:

Please ask the Lord to restore my mother this week.
Since an auto accident in Dec. she has suffered declining health, chronic fatigue, depression, no appetite, and poor sleep. I love her. "

YouTube - Alleluia He is coming

the work of God

USCCB - (NAB) - April 7, 2008:

"So they said to him,
“What can we do to accomplish the works of God?”
Jesus answered and said to them,
“This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”"

There are so many forces at work today trying to set us on the wrong track...it comes at us from every direction imaginable..even 'dressed in sheeps clothing'...but just because something has worldly appeal doesn't make it right...weigh it against this dictate. How is it adding or subtracting from your belief in Jesus? If it is in any way detracting, run away from it as fast as you can.

Childhood Poems for parents

Childhood Poems for parents:
"A MOTHER'S PRAYER

Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom--
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read--
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one's face,
That you have blessed me all the while --
And I stoop to kiss that
precious smile.

Author unknown"

A Prayer Request from our prayer book

- A Bravenet.com Guestbook:



Where are you from?
South Dakota

Please enter your prayer request:

Please join with me in praying for a nephew who just had surgery on his elbow...Judie's granddaughter and son need a miracle, financial and physical. Amen. Betty

Medjugorje Message

Medjugorje Graces: Message to Mirjana: April 2nd 2008:
"Message to Mirjana: April 2nd 2008

Dear children! Also today, as I am with you in the great love of God, I desire to ask you: Are you with me? Is your heart open for me? Do you permit me to purify and prepare it for my Son? My children, you are chosen because, in your time, the great grace of God descended on earth. Do not hesitate to accept it. Thank you."

Cursillo message

(just got this today and thought I'd pass it along)
Good morning from the Boston Cursillo Prayerline.

Just alittle bit of information...
We have received l4 applications for
up-coming women's weekend in the end of April.

How about having a full house like we did from the last
men's weekend!!!

Women's weekend April 24-27, 2008
It will be held at the Marist House
5l8 Pleasant Street,
Framingham, Ma.

You can get a application off the web site:
www.bostoncursilo.org

Ultreya: June l3, 2008 Reunion of candidates and team members.
All are welcome to come!!!
Come and bring a friend!!!

Have a great day,
De Colores,
Nancy

Porguese foster parents needed

PORTUGUESE TIMES - New Bedford, Mass.

My cousin just sent me the above article and any time I read about children needing homes my heart jumps. I think this particular article is referring to a need that they have in the South Shore...so if you are Portuguese speaking and live in the south shore...take a look. Meanwhile...let's pray for all the children, their families and for open and obedient hearts to take them in.

celebrities and their beliefs

Spirit Daily - Daily spiritual news from around the world

"The good news is that most "celebrities" at least believe in a higher force (unlike the world of science, where skepticism rules the roost). A lot of it is vague. Some is New Agey. Here we see what has happened to Oprah Winfrey. But at least there is a sense, among entertainers, of a spiritual dimension."

Right Living

USCCB - (NAB) - March 30, 2008: "Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves
to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone,
and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
All who believed were together and had all things in common;
they would sell their property and possessions
and divide them among all according to each one’s need.
Every day they devoted themselves
to meeting together in the temple area
and to breaking bread in their homes.
They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart,
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people.
And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved."

Even today, as people with families and jobs we can still have a little taste of this. Our churches are still open!

Wasn't it great to see the Church filled to capacity on Easter Sunday? Keep praying and they'll be back.

Everyone Suffers

Recapturing Our Catholic Patrimony: Everyone Suffers

This is a beautifully written article on suffering.

Test Your Knowledge of Carmel

Quiz 3: Test Your Knowledge of Carmel

Our Lady's Message

Medjugorje Graces: Our Lady's mMessage 25-3-08 to Marija:
"Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Our Lady's mMessage 25-3-08 to Marija

“Dear children! I call you to work on your personal conversion. You are still far from meeting with God in your heart. Therefore, spend all the more time in prayer and Adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, for Him to change you and to put into your hearts a living faith and a desire for eternal life. Everything is passing, little children, only God is not passing. I am with you and I encourage you with love. Thank you for having responded to my call.”"

Catholic books

Catholic books, bibles, christmas cards, advent wreaths, religious goods and gifts at your Catholic store

If you didn't get to buy the books you wanted at the Lenten Mission this weekend, make sure to go to the above link and place your order. This is a Catholic homeschooling family that can use your support...so shop around and I'm sure you'll find something you like.

Ralph Martin

Renewal Ministries, renewal and evangelization in the Catholic Church, focusing on Jesus, and grounded in prayer, scripture and the spirituality of the saints, we seek to proclaim Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.



We are blessed to have Ralph Martin with us at St. Joseph's in Wakefield for our parish mission...he was here yesterday and will be here today and tomorrow as well(7-9PM). Yesterday's talk was very powerful and really a confirmation for me of everything that the Lord has been doing in my life...I LOVE that!

Please pray for all who will be in attendance.

YouTube - City of God

time to wake up

USCCB - (NAB) - March 2, 2008:
"Eph 5:8-14

Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”"

Society is in such need of critical thinking at this time. Everything that is put forth through so many venues are merely taken in hook, line and sinker. We need the Light of Truth to show us 'what is pleasing to the Lord'. We need to awake from our sleep and arise from the dead. Satan is gaining territory very fast...our world needs us to do our part as children of Light.

YouTube - They Will Know We Are Christians by our Love

love your neighbor AS YOURSELF!

USCCB - (NAB) - February 29, 2008: "Mk 12:28-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
“Which is the first of all the commandments?”
Jesus replied, “The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.
The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these.”"

Those two words 'as yourself' often go un-noticed or get over looked by good intentioned Christians. We are so busy loving and caring for others that the person who gets the scraps from the heap is often us...and we think that we are doing a great and holy thing. Not exactly. We are to love others as ourselves...which means that it starts with loving yourself (in a balanced way of course). You can't love others if you are completly exhausted, drained and with nothing left. You need to fill yourself up first. Just like the airplanes tell you to do in case of an emergency...apply your own oxygen first and then attend to those near you. So...'fill up' on God's graces by partaking of the Sacraments (the Church is the 'gas station' that the Lord left for us, to keep us going until His return), develop an intimate and personal relationship with Him and allow Him to guide you forward and to show you what you need to do to better care for yourself and then others. That's our whole mission here! Simple...huh?

By the way...I have a small group of friends meeting regularly with me over at 'Spark People'...the group is called 'A Mother's Heart in Motion' and our whole purpose is 'To love God with our whole heart, soul, mind and strength and others as our selves.(Mark 12:28-31) By taking up our daily cross and following Him. (Luke 9:23)'. We are learning to care for ourselves through diet and exercise, caring for our loved ones through frugality and simplicity and Loving God with our whole hearts through prayer and praise. If you are interested in joining us, let me know and I'll send you an invite.

YouTube - Blessed

teach the gospel

USCCB - (NAB) - February 27, 2008:

"Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments
and teaches others to do so
will be called least in the Kingdom of heaven.
But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments
will be called greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.”"

You may be wondering how the 'teaches others to do so' may apply to each one of us...we are not priests or teachers...are we? Well the Bible does say "You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9)." But we also'teach' by our own actions and inactions. If you aren't going to church then you are teaching your children something. If you aren't standing up for the sacredness of life or the holiness of matrimony then you are teaching those around you something. Like St. Francis of Assisi said "Preach the gospel always, If necessary use words."

Our Ladys Message

Medjugorje Graces: Our Ladys Message 25-2-08 to Marija:
"Our Ladys Message 25-2-08 to Marija

'Dear children! In this time of grace, I call you anew to prayer and renunciation. May your day be interwoven with little ardent prayers for all those who have not come to know God´s love. Thank you for having responded to my call.'"

YouTube - You are My All in All

with our whole heart

USCCB - (NAB) - February 26, 2008:

"But with contrite heart and humble spirit
let us be received;
As though it were burnt offerings of rams and bullocks,
or thousands of fat lambs,
So let our sacrifice be in your presence today
as we follow you unreservedly;for those who trust in you cannot be put to shame.
And now we follow you with our whole heart,
we fear you and we pray to you.
Do not let us be put to shame,
but deal with us in your kindness and great mercy.
Deliver us by your wonders,
and bring glory to your name, O Lord.”"

This is what the Season of Lent is about...turning back to the Lord with our whole hearts. Yes, we should be living like this year round...but in our humanity we stray off...the Church in her great wisdome has set up a little 'wake up call'.

Sunday Mass

St Joseph Home Page

Check out 'Mass this week' at the above link. If you look closely on the third rowe from the front, right center aisle...you will see my family(yep...as if attending Mass with two little ones isn't humbling enough...we now have cameras at church...lol).

Prayer Request

"I'm asking for prayers for Maria. We are in the hospital again with bronchiolitis. She's really been struggling to breathe and is on oxygen and breathing treatments.

Alicia Fazio"

Please pray for my friend Alicia and her baby Maria as well as the entire family...may the Lord extend His loving protection over them.

prayer request

"My aunt’s illness is progressing. Please pray that when the Lord decides to take her, she goes peacefully. She is not afraid to die. Her torment is that she will not see her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren again. Please pray for all of us who love her very much, this is a very difficult time for us.

Luisa Raleza"

YouTube - Marie Bellet in Ordinary Time

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!