tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12247920970249897162024-03-13T13:26:11.732-04:00The Apostolic LadyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger273125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-70524972076707058242017-06-04T12:52:00.000-04:002017-06-04T12:52:54.522-04:00A New People, A New Heart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLt3sjv08Qyf8lwh7Y7t5qK1sA1q5P65HF5qxDWPdKQprcY6MzC9zMZQ047tNuIXUvCOhaBKiFL2E9aqRau1dQLmU-yCK2pyTnwN6c5917KJTIsPCarLO3b3CIIv1HAUBBjpx1GHmdu0/s1600/Duccio_di_Buoninsegna_018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLt3sjv08Qyf8lwh7Y7t5qK1sA1q5P65HF5qxDWPdKQprcY6MzC9zMZQ047tNuIXUvCOhaBKiFL2E9aqRau1dQLmU-yCK2pyTnwN6c5917KJTIsPCarLO3b3CIIv1HAUBBjpx1GHmdu0/s320/Duccio_di_Buoninsegna_018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">they were all in one place together.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And suddenly there came from the sky</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">a noise like a strong driving wind,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and it filled the entire house in which they were.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">which parted and came to rest on each one of them.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and began to speak in different tongues,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Acts of the Apostles 2: 1-4</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Today concludes the Easter season, the fifty days that, from
Jesus’ resurrection to Pentecost, are marked in a particular way by the
presence of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is in fact the Easter Gift par
excellence. He is the Creator Spirit, who constantly brings about new
things. Today’s readings show us two of those new things. In the
first reading, the Spirit makes of the disciples<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>a
new people</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">; in the Gospel, he creates in the disciples<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;">a
new heart</span></span><span style="color: #343434;">.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;">A
new people</span></span><span style="color: #343434;">.</span></i></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> On the day of Pentecost, the Spirit came down from
heaven, in the form of “divided tongues, as of fire… [that] rested on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other
languages” (</span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;">Acts</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">2:3-4). This is how the word of God
describes the working of the Spirit: first he rests on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;">each</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">and then
brings<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;">all</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; font-family: inherit, serif; padding: 0in;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">of them together in fellowship. To each
he gives a gift, and then gathers them all into unity. In other words,
the same Spirit creates<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>diversity and unity</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, and in this way forms a new,
diverse and unified people: the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>universal</i></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Church.
First, in a way both creative and unexpected, he generates diversity, for
in every age he causes new and varied charisms to blossom. Then he brings
about unity: he joins together, gathers and restores harmony: “By his presence
and his activity, the Spirit draws into unity spirits that are distinct and
separate among themselves” (Cyril of Alexandria,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;">Commentary
on the Gospel of John</span></span><span style="color: #343434;">, </span></i></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">XI, 11). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">…The second new thing brought by the Spirit:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>a
new heart</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. When the risen Jesus first appears to his disciples, he
says to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any,
they are forgiven them” (</span><span style="color: #343434;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John </span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">20:22-23).
Jesus does not condemn them for having denied and abandoned him during his
passion, but instead grants them the spirit of forgiveness. The Spirit is
the first gift of the risen Lord, and is given above all for the forgiveness of
sins. Here we see the beginning of the Church, the glue that holds us
together, the cement that binds the bricks of the house:<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; outline: 0px;"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #343434; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>forgiveness</i></span></span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.
Because forgiveness is gift to the highest degree; it is the greatest love of
all. It preserves unity despite everything, prevents collapse, and
consolidates and strengthens. Forgiveness sets our hearts free and
enables us to start afresh…. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit is the fire of love burning in the Church and in
our hearts, even though we often cover him with the ash of our sins. Let
us ask him: “Spirit of God, Lord, who dwell in my heart and in the heart of the
Church, guiding and shaping her in diversity, come! Like water, we need
you to live. Come down upon us anew, teach us unity, renew our hearts and
teach us to love as you love us, to forgive as you forgive us. Amen”.<span style="font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Pope Francis</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Homily, Pentecost </span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> 2017</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">For the complete text please visit: </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-homily-for-pentecost-2017</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVFXYLHnIhgE17ch9rftZjEfAg1ueSMHNvb0aVrYNj5BtZKWAIjI-vdeJI2L_YLbd0MkrBcLZ7gkuhJQ2kkiTdWv5yPf0ScBG-giAtKk6DIW8LKvtAHo1RbaVZuMIGnG1foaWfHP5JuE/s1600/Holy_Spirit_as_Dove_%2528detail%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVFXYLHnIhgE17ch9rftZjEfAg1ueSMHNvb0aVrYNj5BtZKWAIjI-vdeJI2L_YLbd0MkrBcLZ7gkuhJQ2kkiTdWv5yPf0ScBG-giAtKk6DIW8LKvtAHo1RbaVZuMIGnG1foaWfHP5JuE/s1600/Holy_Spirit_as_Dove_%2528detail%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">May God, the Father of lights,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">who was pleased to enlighten the disciples' minds</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">by the outpouring of the Spirit, the Paraclete,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">grant you gladness by His blessing</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and make you always abound with the gifts of the same Spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">May the wondrous flame that appeared above the disciples</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">powerfully cleanse your hearts from every evil</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and pervade them with its purifying light.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And May God, who has been pleased to unite many tongues</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">in the profession of one faith,</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">give you perseverance in that same faith</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and, by believing, may you journey from hope to clear vision.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Solemn Blessing for Pentecost</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><i>Come Holy Spirit,</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><i>create us anew.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>Fill us with the fire of Your Love.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>May our thoughts, words and deeds</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>reflect Your Love to each person we meet.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>May we boldly use each of Your Gifts</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>to renew the world in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.</i></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-50913775446327657552017-04-17T12:01:00.000-04:002017-04-17T12:01:20.742-04:00Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtqzVuy58rDfo_52dfEziRePp52466Rw2H4xDNC74zZndxHnq1I645vUKW5cD_EqVRapurV7hRiz-oDdpXsFLgaFpr5Y-VKOk1ppzWqllTj07yPN3EmTEDae3wfO9YtnAkdGuUG3q0ds/s1600/Fra+Angelico+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKtqzVuy58rDfo_52dfEziRePp52466Rw2H4xDNC74zZndxHnq1I645vUKW5cD_EqVRapurV7hRiz-oDdpXsFLgaFpr5Y-VKOk1ppzWqllTj07yPN3EmTEDae3wfO9YtnAkdGuUG3q0ds/s400/Fra+Angelico+2.jpg" width="346" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And behold, there was a great earthquake; </span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, </span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">His appearance was like lightning</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and his clothing was white as snow.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">The guards were shaken with fear of him</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and became like dead men.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then the angel said to the women in reply,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">"Do not be afraid!</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Come and see the place where he lay.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then go quickly and tell his disciples,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">'He has been raised from the dead, </span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and he is going before you to Galilee;</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">there you will see him.'</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Behold, I have told you."</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then they went away quickly from the tomb, </span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">fearful yet overjoyed,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and ran to announce this to his disciples.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">And behold, Jesus met them on their way and greeted them.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">They approached, embraced his feet, and did him homage.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid.</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee,</span><br style="color: #333333;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">and there they will see me."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Matthew 28: 1-10</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Blessed Easter to you and your loved ones! I hope your Easter Sunday was filled with the joy of being with family. May you experience the fullness of peace of our Risen Lord throughout the Easter season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">My sister and I prepared traditional Slovak foods with recipes from our Mom and Grandmother, Baba, including pascha (bread), cheese, butter, kielbasi, ham, eggs, horseradish, etc. The basket was our grandparents'; our Mom embroidered the special cloths which line and cover the basket. A local parish offers the Blessing of Easter foods on Holy Saturday at noon and it is beautiful to see multiple generations of people of Eastern European descent gather for God's blessing upon their celebration.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSGY9-P1xPTYnJqvuBdu77_RArFfFOJGTJySwv794_UkIu4DmxsHE6w57FmwZv8ZsVfe6sWFXcNNojLl21KS4Vb_FHVCDHORfQEW9PVcMDmno4dOWquFnYJZo3AQMp58L7XK2v_MThyphenhyphenM/s1600/IMG_20170415_112943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSGY9-P1xPTYnJqvuBdu77_RArFfFOJGTJySwv794_UkIu4DmxsHE6w57FmwZv8ZsVfe6sWFXcNNojLl21KS4Vb_FHVCDHORfQEW9PVcMDmno4dOWquFnYJZo3AQMp58L7XK2v_MThyphenhyphenM/s320/IMG_20170415_112943.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">You were especially remembered in prayer during a recent Pilgrimage to Italy which included Mass at holy sites in Assisi, Siena, Padua as well as Rome. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Our group was privileged to received preferred seating and be near to His Holiness Pope Francis at a General Audience held in Saint Peter's Square. Our Holy Father bestowed his Apostolic Blessing upon us and upon each of you.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-36011314147921751132017-03-24T21:51:00.000-04:002017-03-24T21:51:45.839-04:00 “Do The Work of an Evangelist.”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAHIooD0opwoKeVkWp68SVnjgx9YJcSgczfC3QMD-QlF9LBGeYqX2WsBYRwvJhAIU65XnoU0CLxqt5nBCQM4ucw54bXSLkcV53apYHPqKLyIg6ezzUOhQUW2IxkZ3iQB58T9YMMSGBsU/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAHIooD0opwoKeVkWp68SVnjgx9YJcSgczfC3QMD-QlF9LBGeYqX2WsBYRwvJhAIU65XnoU0CLxqt5nBCQM4ucw54bXSLkcV53apYHPqKLyIg6ezzUOhQUW2IxkZ3iQB58T9YMMSGBsU/s400/scan0001.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karen with Cardinal Keeler<br />Saint Peter's Square, 1996</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">On March 23,
2017 God called home Cardinal William Keeler, a “wise and gentle pastor.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Our Holy Father Pope Francis wrote beautiful words of condolence to those who mourn the late Cardinal. Countless eloquent words of tribute are
posted on the Archdiocese of Baltimore website.
I hope you will indulge me in some simple but heartfelt words in memory
of a dear friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">My first
interactions were with then Bishop Keeler of the Diocese of Harrisburg. He certainly lived the words of his episcopal
motto, “Do The Work of an Evangelist.” I
cannot remember ever seeing him eat dinner at large diocesan gatherings as he
spent the entire meal time going around the room to every table and greeting each
person, usually by name. He had an enviable
gift for remembering names (without needing a name tag!) and other details
about those whom he met. He was a great
correspondent, especially good at keeping in touch after he became Archbishop of
Baltimore, testified by a large collection of hand-written notes in my possession. He appreciated updates on the health of
friends as he promised his prayers for them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFKqKUOpXmojxn045w8gnkomcG8J-zEi-nwtodUzuqcTPi3tJUx0NfZwAgKAvHnPw0IzCBiRXMX9jddavZddBh6eB4DLnd46zoW1SplJLbDdPJqvYERQP2eBdDHP6HYpfwNS00xTLLTw/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFKqKUOpXmojxn045w8gnkomcG8J-zEi-nwtodUzuqcTPi3tJUx0NfZwAgKAvHnPw0IzCBiRXMX9jddavZddBh6eB4DLnd46zoW1SplJLbDdPJqvYERQP2eBdDHP6HYpfwNS00xTLLTw/s400/scan0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen and Terry with Cardinal Keeler<br />Cardinal's Residence Chapel, celebrating our 25th Wedding Anniversary</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Cardinal Keeler
was generous in his support and encouragement of my service to the Church,
whether in the National Council of Catholic Women, World Union of Catholic Women’s
Organizations, or in the parish and diocese.
One day Cardinal Keeler took me by the hand to introduce me to another
Cardinal, whom he also took by the hand and, referring to an upcoming Vatican
event, said, “You need Karen at that meeting.” Not long afterwards the official invitation
arrived from the Vatican: I did attend and speak.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kJ52HJwi0b8mvFIiyDYhMkN_djCEHtVFtj5hG8dhhUV0MhIyRpt3YFwW2qQ-2lEdWEbEcnZsqoI38ELhd1ll_AtbFGX93AaD7uix0-UsHZiiw_27BYWk2tPaASl4tS7ejlJQO6ahnbc/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kJ52HJwi0b8mvFIiyDYhMkN_djCEHtVFtj5hG8dhhUV0MhIyRpt3YFwW2qQ-2lEdWEbEcnZsqoI38ELhd1ll_AtbFGX93AaD7uix0-UsHZiiw_27BYWk2tPaASl4tS7ejlJQO6ahnbc/s400/scan0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardinal Keeler welcoming WUCWO Executive Committee Members<br />Santa Maria degli Angeli, Rome</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Cardinal Keeler
graciously interceded for me to meet Pope John Paul II on multiple occasions. A humble man who never forgot his simple
roots he once told me about having dinner with His Holiness and thinking to
himself, “What is a boy from Lebanon (PA) doing at the Vatican eating with the
Pope?” He proudly shared
a photo he took with his own camera of Pope John Paul II looking out a helicopter window at stadium overflowing with faithful awaiting his arrival during a visit to the USA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I will always
give thanks to God for the gift of the ministry and friendship of Cardinal
Keeler. The witness of his faith and his
care for others drew people to him and, most of all, to the Lord. During my last visit with His Eminence, a
mutual friend and I shared our memories of many special times with the
Cardinal. At that point he was not able
to speak to us, though he tried valiantly.
We knew he was pleased with our presence and remembrances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The Cardinal
will be greatly missed by many, but the Lord has surely said, “Well done, good
and faithful servant…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The following
is the full text of the telegram of condolences following the death yesterday,
23 March 2017, of His Eminence Cardinal William Henry Keeler, of the title of
Santa Maria degli Angeli, archbishop emeritus of Baltimore, United States of
America. sent by the Holy Father Francis to His Excellency William Edward Lori,
archbishop of Baltimore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Telegram
from the Holy Father</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">To the Most
Reverend William E. Lori<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Archbishop of
Baltimore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Deeply saddened
to learn of the death of Cardinal William H. Keeler, I offer heartfelt
condolences to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the
Archdiocese. With gratitude for Cardinal Keeler’s years of devoted episcopal
ministry in the local Churches of Harrisburg and Baltimore, his years of
leadership within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and his
long-standing commitment to ecumenical and interreligious understanding, I join
you in commending the soul of this wise and gentle pastor to the merciful love
of God our heavenly Father. To all who mourn the late Cardinal in the sure hope
of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of
consolation and peace in the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">FRANCISCUS PP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For more
information please visit: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/03/24/170324c.html">http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2017/03/24/170324c.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-mourns-death-of-wise-and-gentle-pastor">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-mourns-death-of-wise-and-gentle-pastor</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For more
information about Cardinal Keeler please visit the Archdiocese of Baltimore
website: <a href="http://cardinalwilliamkeeler.com/">http://cardinalwilliamkeeler.com/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-41166581876986246982017-03-04T15:15:00.000-05:002017-03-04T15:15:09.378-05:00Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;<br />
in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.<br />
Thoroughly wash me from my guilt<br />
and of my sin cleanse me.<br />
<br />
For I acknowledge my offense,<br />
and my sin is before me always:<br />
"Against you only have I sinned,<br />
and done what is evil in your sight."<br />
<br />
A clean heart create for me, O God,<br />
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.<br />
Cast me not out from your presence,<br />
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.<br />
<br />
Give me back the joy of your salvation,<br />
and a willing spirit sustain in me.<br />
O Lord, open my lips,<br />
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
<i>Psalm 51:
3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 17<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNl90EvZOzWiUHSRU7Tkks7D5wuHYcgKZsJmOo8hB7MX7lQDFKcARgFsty3iHOMUnsAmQY9wI6nAYr_K296-JbM1_Qv2mjytiJ0QFGlUjFd3lK2-SginNz3d5N7tWn4yJg3MDT4UV-gM/s1600/IMG_3989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNl90EvZOzWiUHSRU7Tkks7D5wuHYcgKZsJmOo8hB7MX7lQDFKcARgFsty3iHOMUnsAmQY9wI6nAYr_K296-JbM1_Qv2mjytiJ0QFGlUjFd3lK2-SginNz3d5N7tWn4yJg3MDT4UV-gM/s400/IMG_3989.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lent is a new beginning, a path leading to the certain goal of
Easter, Christ’s victory over death. This season urgently calls us to
conversion. Christians are asked to return to God “with all their hearts” (<i>Joel</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>2:12), to refuse to settle for
mediocrity and to grow in friendship with the Lord. Jesus is the faithful
friend who never abandons us. Even when we sin, he patiently awaits our return;
by that patient expectation, he shows us his readiness to forgive (cf.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/cotidie/2016/documents/papa-francesco-cotidie_20160108_a-surprising-embrace.html"><i><span style="color: black;">Homily,</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></i></span><span style="color: black;">8 January 2016</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Lent is a favorable season for deepening our spiritual life
through the means of sanctification offered us by the Church: fasting, prayer
and almsgiving. At the basis of everything is the word of God, which during
this season we are invited to hear and ponder more deeply….</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Lent is the favorable season for renewing our
encounter with Christ, living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbor.
The Lord, who overcame the deceptions of the Tempter during the forty days in
the desert, shows us the path we must take. May the Holy Spirit lead us on a
true journey of conversion, so that we can rediscover the gift of God’s word,
be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers
and sisters in need.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="right" style="background: white; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Message of His Holiness Pope Francis<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
For Lent 2017<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #663300; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">For the
complete text please visit: <a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20161018_messaggio-quaresima2017.html">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20161018_messaggio-quaresima2017.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfntYw_s4ncFWKrVbIpyAKexdCtp9yb6BWdYtB-7MdDxOZi5tij1ikJQxuXFmD9XA7UnpHknkpvMtxWakw7p8UWZa0PB_4w9vYb4LRhiGg42GPsvG8IvThcBcmSBfYyJ-QvLy4hp5HWSM/s1600/IMG_3724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfntYw_s4ncFWKrVbIpyAKexdCtp9yb6BWdYtB-7MdDxOZi5tij1ikJQxuXFmD9XA7UnpHknkpvMtxWakw7p8UWZa0PB_4w9vYb4LRhiGg42GPsvG8IvThcBcmSBfYyJ-QvLy4hp5HWSM/s400/IMG_3724.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Grant,
almighty God,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">through the
yearly observances of holy Lent,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">that we may
grow in understanding<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">of the
riches hidden in Christ<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">and by
worthy conduct pursue their effects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Through our
Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Who lives
and reigns with you in the unity<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">of the Holy
Spirit,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">one God,
for ever and ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Collect<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">First Sunday of Lent<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhTEqr87LQ_QWaDNEW9XbRFNbEEQD51Eh0KspqwxLsPIIYDNof_-JMUuKFJQNp5SEspCefyBoryJ6jrPaf0t11d0mEiYEaMdMzDRffMY5yQ0yj2EkGdCP3Sw0H_Lwa_VPoHp8JMeWzPA/s1600/IMG_4775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhTEqr87LQ_QWaDNEW9XbRFNbEEQD51Eh0KspqwxLsPIIYDNof_-JMUuKFJQNp5SEspCefyBoryJ6jrPaf0t11d0mEiYEaMdMzDRffMY5yQ0yj2EkGdCP3Sw0H_Lwa_VPoHp8JMeWzPA/s400/IMG_4775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">You are especially in my thoughts and prayers as we travel this
Lenten journey. Each year we are given a
new opportunity to turn away from sinfulness, follow Jesus more closely, and
share with others the gift of our faith.
Let’s pray for each other to receive with open arms the blessings which
the Lord has chosen just for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is the Lord calling you to do differently this Lent to more
fully experience the mercy and compassion found in His Sacred Heart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Can we more joyfully and patiently conform our will to God’s will?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">How is the Holy Spirit inspiring you to renew your own prayer life as
well as to encourage others on their spiritual journey?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks be to God for the witness of your faith-filled journey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-31441238430464388232017-01-23T16:35:00.000-05:002017-01-23T16:35:04.972-05:00The Gift of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8XZzWtj_iyUreoxuFYv6PuqkVjE-t9XG1O_rd9pjFZN7YjOCEQgSolyYIzRzRAkMdXWHGAjBc3NjrOqBEyl1B7KMY4ulvvDN8xdO33GM_Z4jcrGK-syiys1wwSg4MGMjeDlvAm3vomw/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8XZzWtj_iyUreoxuFYv6PuqkVjE-t9XG1O_rd9pjFZN7YjOCEQgSolyYIzRzRAkMdXWHGAjBc3NjrOqBEyl1B7KMY4ulvvDN8xdO33GM_Z4jcrGK-syiys1wwSg4MGMjeDlvAm3vomw/s400/IMG_3599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">God our Creator,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">we give thanks to you, who
alone have the power <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">to impart the breath of life
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">as you form each of us in
our mother’s womb;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">grant, we pray,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">that we, whom you have made
stewards of creation,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">may remain faithful to this
sacred trust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">and constant in safeguarding
the dignity of every human life…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collect<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Day of Pray for the Legal Protection of
Unborn Children</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+ </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">All are
created equal, they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable
Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Declaration of Independence</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+ </span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
acceptance of abortion in the popular mind, in behaviour and even in law
itself, is a telling sign of an extremely dangerous crisis of the moral sense,
which is becoming more and more incapable of distinguishing between good and
evil, even when the fundamental right to life is at stake. Given such a grave
situation, we need now more than ever to have the courage to look the truth in
the eye and to call things by their proper name, without yielding to convenient
compromises or to the temptation of self-deception. In this regard the reproach
of the Prophet is extremely straightforward: "Woe to those who call evil
good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness" (Is
5:20).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Pope
John Paul II<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Evangelium Vitae</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">, 58<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> +</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Among
the vulnerable for whom the Church wishes to care with particular love and
concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us.
Nowadays efforts are made to deny them their human dignity and to do with them
whatever one pleases, taking their lives and passing laws preventing anyone
from standing in the way of this. Frequently, as a way of ridiculing the
Church’s effort to defend their lives, attempts are made to present her
position as ideological, obscurantist and conservative. Yet this defense of
unborn life is closely linked to the defense of each and every other human
right. It involves the conviction that a human being is always sacred and
inviolable, in any situation and at every stage of development.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Pope
Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Evangelii Gaudium, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">213<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html</a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kp0DdOZrV9m9dUPABJImIxlChp4M_sE_vGD7d3cPV9Yv1AKgg7oQP_aK4FtuiRDFTfac7hHBS6riszSrmj5YObsSmgZCX-mLMnTxId5ODiCELvGOz2ofsvCq31z4Hv1p8u6_YTBn0_s/s1600/IMG_2826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Kp0DdOZrV9m9dUPABJImIxlChp4M_sE_vGD7d3cPV9Yv1AKgg7oQP_aK4FtuiRDFTfac7hHBS6riszSrmj5YObsSmgZCX-mLMnTxId5ODiCELvGOz2ofsvCq31z4Hv1p8u6_YTBn0_s/s400/IMG_2826.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Not just
on this Day of Prayer, but each and every day, we give thanks to Our Creator
for the unalienable right to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Have you,
like me, been bothered to hear recent angry chants of “women’s rights are human
rights”… thinking that the chanters were blatantly ignoring the fundamental right
to life? Are you saddened by those
promoting self-serving destruction? How
can we put an end to the duplicity of demands for inclusivity and tolerance to
the exclusion and detriment of persons who aspire to moral values?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I am
reminded of the peer pressure of my distant teenage years. I can still hear my parents saying, “if ‘everyone’
is doing something (fill in the blank), it doesn’t make it
right and it doesn’t mean that you have to do it also.” You and I need to be the voices of wise,
loving parents guiding and praying others away from the pressures of the evil
one which are rampant in today’s world. Acts of
loving kindness can conquer anger and selfishness, by the grace of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">People
of faith, hope and love… all people of good will: Be steadfast
in your belief that human rights and dignity are bestowed on each and every person from conception to natural death. Celebrate
that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. We will find peace and joy when we embrace God’s
will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thanks
be to God for the gift of His love!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-85130947812694734162016-12-23T15:12:00.001-05:002016-12-23T15:12:53.253-05:00And We Saw His Glory<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofQIJb5rkkQ1QoXzaRI4wrmj5qDBceuEAEbS4hZoBheQVkoiZ-gRX9Dbqa-RTqQZERX6lJw5EeNyjRVAbfe1cVHXl1A4B9f3a3ihQWNfi-o_WuJCGPXeU0_4N5RPqonqNBNWEEgzg3q4/s1600/594px-Giotto_-_Scrovegni_-_-18-_-_Adoration_of_the_Magi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofQIJb5rkkQ1QoXzaRI4wrmj5qDBceuEAEbS4hZoBheQVkoiZ-gRX9Dbqa-RTqQZERX6lJw5EeNyjRVAbfe1cVHXl1A4B9f3a3ihQWNfi-o_WuJCGPXeU0_4N5RPqonqNBNWEEgzg3q4/s320/594px-Giotto_-_Scrovegni_-_-18-_-_Adoration_of_the_Magi.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">And the Word became flesh </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">and made his dwelling among us,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">and we saw his glory, </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">the glory as of the Father’s only
Son,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">John 1:14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">May
our newborn Saviour grant you</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">the
gift of Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">the
blessing of Hope,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">and
the fullness of Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">May our lives proclaim His glory.</span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Blessed
Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Joyeux Noël</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Feliz
Navidad<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Fröhliche
Weihnachten<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<b style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12pt;"><i> In
Christ Jesus,</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #365f91; font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;">Karen<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-14400439734300778802016-12-22T19:50:00.002-05:002016-12-22T19:50:49.435-05:00A Bud Shall Blossom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; text-align: justify;">His
Holiness Pope Francis, on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the General Audience,
urged the faithful to open their hearts to the Good News of the Saviour’s
birth.</span><br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pope
Francis recalled the words of the prophet Isaiah, “the Lord himself will give
you a sign: the young woman, pregnant and about to bear a son, shall name him
Emmanuel” and also “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his
roots a bud shall blossom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">He said that the sense of Christmas transpires in both of these
verses: “God fulfills his promise by coming in the flesh, (…) and He gives his
people a new hope for humanity: eternal life”.<br />
Christ, by coming in the flesh, has opened the way for us to ascend to the
Father.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">“When we prepare the Christmas crib in our
homes and churches let us be attentive to the message of hope it
embodies”. </span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">With our gaze on the
nativity scene that takes us to the little town of Bethlehem, the Pope said we
can see revealed God’s love for each of us, however small or lowly:</span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">We see it
in Mary, who trusted in God’s word: “She is the Mother of Hope”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Next to
Mary is Joseph, the man of hope, who gave Jesus his name, which means “God
saves”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">In the
crib we see the joy of the shepherds who represent the humble and the poor who
were awaiting the Messiah. They were the
ones, he said, to receive with joy the peace proclaimed by the angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Dear
brothers and sisters: every time we say ‘yes’ to Jesus a bud blossoms into
hope. May we trust in this bud of hope” and open our hearts to the Good
News of the birth of Jesus who came to save us”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">For more
information please visit: </span><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-open-your-hearts-to-the-good-news-of-christma"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-open-your-hearts-to-the-good-news-of-christma</span></a><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-85841961144748240042016-11-22T15:54:00.000-05:002016-11-22T15:54:18.907-05:00We Give Thanks to God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">And now, bless
the God of all,</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">who has done wondrous things on earth;</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">Who fosters people’s growth from their mother’s
womb,</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">and fashions them according to his will!</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">May he grant you joy of heart</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><br />
</span></b></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>and may peace abide among you…</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sirach 50: 22-23</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b>Let all your
works give you thanks, O Lord,<br />
and let your faithful ones bless you.<br />
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom<br />
and speak of your might.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Psalm 145: 10-11</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Thanksgiving
and Praise to the Father<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1359</span> The
Eucharist, the sacrament of our salvation accomplished by Christ on the cross,
is also a sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for the work of creation. In the
Eucharistic sacrifice the whole of creation loved by God is presented to the
Father through the death and the Resurrection of Christ. Through Christ the
Church can offer the sacrifice of praise in thanksgiving for all that God has
made good, beautiful, and just in creation and in humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1360</span> The
Eucharist is a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Father, a blessing by which the
Church expresses her gratitude to God for all his benefits, for all that he has
accomplished through creation, redemption, and sanctification. Eucharist means
first of all "thanksgiving."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1361</span> The
Eucharist is also the sacrifice of praise by which the Church sings the glory
of God in the name of all creation. This sacrifice of praise is possible only
through Christ: he unites the faithful to his person, to his praise, and to his
intercession, so that the sacrifice of praise to the Father is offered through
Christ and with him, to be accepted in him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For more
information from the Catechism of the Catholic Church please visit <a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P41.HTM">http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P41.HTM</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We give thanks to God</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> for all the countless blessings
bestowed upon us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">I would like to
thank <i>you </i>for the gifts of <i>your</i> friendship and faith, prayers and
encouragement, ideas and inspiration. I thank God for bringing us together on this journey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Whether nearby,
miles away, or across the globe, let us be united in Spirit as we celebrate the
Holy Eucharist, the ultimate sacrifice of Thanksgiving. All glory, honor and praise to our loving and
gracious God!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Prayerful best wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving Day to you and your loved ones!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-23874818774687356032016-11-01T12:43:00.000-04:002016-11-01T12:43:25.832-04:00All Saints: Blessed Are You<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxx3Tvv30crLdjcsHjdjInN-FMa4FHxbg-0QYBGwaolVh0ginQS9xVcpIs_AsY4N09WaouSUrXAN5tz-h8GX5n4dSXPLlFtmq6xEYK4M2_9itbM5fY15DCTHmVtsslHPJFZCrbd13bnQ/s1600/IMG_3736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxx3Tvv30crLdjcsHjdjInN-FMa4FHxbg-0QYBGwaolVh0ginQS9xVcpIs_AsY4N09WaouSUrXAN5tz-h8GX5n4dSXPLlFtmq6xEYK4M2_9itbM5fY15DCTHmVtsslHPJFZCrbd13bnQ/s400/IMG_3736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sea of Galilee viewed from Mount of Beatitudes</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the
mountain,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">and after he had sat down, his disciples came
to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">He began to teach them, saying:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Blessed are the poor in spirit,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are they who mourn,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will be comforted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are the meek,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will inherit the land.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for
righteousness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will be satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are the merciful,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will be shown mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are the clean of heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will see God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are the peacemakers,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for they will be called children of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are they who are persecuted for the
sake of righteousness,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Blessed are you when they insult you and
persecute you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">and utter every kind of evil against you
falsely because of me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Rejoice and be glad,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">for your reward will be great in heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Matthew 5: 1-12a<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“If
there is one thing typical of the saints, it is that they are genuinely
happy. They found the secret of authentic happiness, which lies deep
within the soul and has its source in the love of God. That is why we
call the saints blessed. The Beatitudes are their path, their goal, their
native land. The Beatitudes are the way of life that the Lord teaches us,
so that we can follow in his footsteps. In the Gospel of today’s Mass, we
heard how Jesus proclaimed the Beatitudes before a great crowd on the hill by
the Sea of Galilee.</span>”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Pope Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Homily, 1 November 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For more information please visit: <a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-celebrates-mass-at-malmo">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-celebrates-mass-at-malmo</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">“As Catholics,
we are part of a great family and are sustained in the same communion. I
encourage you to express your faith in prayer, in the sacraments, and in
generous service to those who are suffering and in need. I urge you to be
salt and light, wherever you find yourselves, through the way you live and act
as followers of Jesus, and to show great respect and solidarity with our
brothers and sisters of other churches and Christian communities, and with all
people of good will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">In our life, we are not alone; we have the
constant help and companionship of the Virgin Mary. Today she stands
before us as first among the saints, the first disciple of the Lord. We
flee to her protection and to her we present our sorrows and our joys, our
fears and our aspirations. We put everything under her protection, in the
sure knowledge that she watches over us and cares for us with a mother’s love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Pope Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Angelus, 1 November 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For more information, please
visit: <a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-be-salt-and-light">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-angelus-be-salt-and-light</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-15423307647681385892016-09-14T11:52:00.000-04:002016-09-14T11:52:53.862-04:00Contemplate the Sign of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV7W-GELKnE9UtnU8_zmkwtHuwKldPgsAHIsWa5K6ZG3pHhO5C58bzpkcnQsYqFRrcAONf35QkBBtJhkM7oBt6eoRvJvUcfAU6NEb8Y6NvYUAx5HO_NyWfZtH07Cgf4PieARBcRIs450/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV7W-GELKnE9UtnU8_zmkwtHuwKldPgsAHIsWa5K6ZG3pHhO5C58bzpkcnQsYqFRrcAONf35QkBBtJhkM7oBt6eoRvJvUcfAU6NEb8Y6NvYUAx5HO_NyWfZtH07Cgf4PieARBcRIs450/s400/scan0001.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span></i></b><br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For
God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes
in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">John 3: 16</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">We
exalt the Cross of Jesus, because in it God’s love for humanity was fully
revealed. That’s what the Gospel of John reminds us of in today’s liturgy: “God
so loved the world that He gave his only Son” (3:16). The Father “gave” the Son
to save us, and this resulted in the death of Jesus, and his death on the
Cross. Why? Why was the Cross necessary? Because of the gravity of the evil
which enslaved us. The Cross of Jesus expresses both things: all the negative
forces of evil, and all of the gentle omnipotence of God’s mercy….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">When
we look to the Cross where Jesus was nailed, we contemplate the sign of love,
of the infinite love of God for each of us and the source of our salvation. The
mercy of God, which embraces the whole world, springs from the Cross. Through
the Cross of Christ the Evil One is overcome, death is defeated, life is given
to us, hope is restored….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">While
we contemplate and celebrate the Holy Cross, we think with emotion of so many
of our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and killed because of
their faith in Christ. This happens especially wherever religious freedom is
still not guaranteed or fully realized. It happens, however, even in countries
and areas which, in principle, protect freedom and human rights but where, in practice,
believers, and especially Christians, encounter restrictions and discrimination….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">On
Calvary, there at the foot of the Cross, was the Virgin Mary (cf. John
19:25-27). She is Our Lady of Sorrows, whom we shall celebrate tomorrow in the
liturgy. To her I entrust the present and the future of the Church, so that we
may all always be able to discover and welcome the message of love and
salvation of the Cross of Christ….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Pope Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Angelus, 14 September 2014<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">For
the complete text please visit: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2014/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20140914.pdf">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2014/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20140914.pdf</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We
adore you, O Christ, and we bless you, because, by your holy cross, you have
redeemed the world!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFcU7sCeap-HUNeTbSMjPG3MEFSbXafmZMz4iINNfzN2gJyGmRh97R7dnf2VkfyWKU_73lha_DIqPR8ReCoaSA9J_GEJqI1M5uITJla-9vxHbwtOVEn3kVD1jIP0NUst2QmPgFrxgChk/s1600/398PX-%257E1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMFcU7sCeap-HUNeTbSMjPG3MEFSbXafmZMz4iINNfzN2gJyGmRh97R7dnf2VkfyWKU_73lha_DIqPR8ReCoaSA9J_GEJqI1M5uITJla-9vxHbwtOVEn3kVD1jIP0NUst2QmPgFrxgChk/s400/398PX-%257E1.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Chapel at Calvary</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcIOYbjub_ei9hxrccKoHKKIqDJYSJQ_OefrrPaE_QOTpzxEsjtLPMw94AmJ2dWk9zr0tz5Xw31uvZ3VWJbUUjxEYGGCJqvVr1QHZ0zv3kUedQENAxFdpXS-yU5pGyA36Ru3wh8ArFTE/s1600/JSC-stat13-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcIOYbjub_ei9hxrccKoHKKIqDJYSJQ_OefrrPaE_QOTpzxEsjtLPMw94AmJ2dWk9zr0tz5Xw31uvZ3VWJbUUjxEYGGCJqvVr1QHZ0zv3kUedQENAxFdpXS-yU5pGyA36Ru3wh8ArFTE/s320/JSC-stat13-m.jpg" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Our Lady of Sorrows</span><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>+</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross as well as Our Lady of Sorrows are “favorites”
of mine. They became extra special to me
during my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land on a visit to the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
Encountering Calvary, seeing and touching the rock of Golgotha, had a
spiritual, emotional and physical impact on me.
The pain and suffering of our Lord Jesus as well as our Blessed Mother
Mary on Good Friday became real. For me,
for you, they suffered. Our Lord Jesus
died for my sins and those of the whole world.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">The
human mind cannot fathom the infinite love and mercy of our God for us. All we can do is devote our life to giving
God all our love and thanks and glory.
May His will be done.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Praised
be Jesus Christ!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-41820188455243729672016-08-22T11:15:00.000-04:002016-08-22T11:15:24.393-04:00Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMO01Yylp2VqLBF9iR2K0HB5le8F7e6t5g51jYWVGNLsLHzb5661ZMUaU8EPMuT2PCm1GyU_KryTpx3-zgIFaG5tegLEFHzy6Fp9YoWPRbpswqovrkDkfh7rLlJM87hi6kvsfoZmaQOk/s1600/Martino_di_Bartolomeo__Coronation_of_the_Virgin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMO01Yylp2VqLBF9iR2K0HB5le8F7e6t5g51jYWVGNLsLHzb5661ZMUaU8EPMuT2PCm1GyU_KryTpx3-zgIFaG5tegLEFHzy6Fp9YoWPRbpswqovrkDkfh7rLlJM87hi6kvsfoZmaQOk/s400/Martino_di_Bartolomeo__Coronation_of_the_Virgin.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>Hail, Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,<br />
our life, our sweetness and our hope.<br />
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve;<br />
to thee do we send up our sighs,<br />
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>Turn then, most gracious advocate,<br />
thine eyes of mercy toward us;<br />
and after this our exile,<br />
show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.<br />
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>Pray for us O holy Mother of God,</i></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"There is a worldly or common idea of a king or queen: a person with great power and wealth. But this is not the kind of royalty of Jesus and Mary. Let us think of the Lord; the royalty and kingship of Christ is interwoven with humility, service and love. It is above all serving, helping and loving. Let us remember that Jesus on the Cross was proclaimed king with this inscription written by Pilate: “The King of the Jews” (cf. Mk 15:26). On the Cross, at that moment, he is shown to be King; and how is he King? By suffering with us and for us, by loving to the end, and in this way governing and creating truth, love and justice. Let us also think of another moment: at the Last Supper he bows down to wash the feet of his followers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Consequently Jesus’ kingship has nothing to do with that of the powerful of this earth. He is a King who serves his servants; he demonstrated this throughout his life; and the same is true of Mary. She is Queen in her service to God for humanity, she is a Queen of love who lives the gift of herself to God so as to enter into the plan of man’s salvation. She answered the Angel: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” (cf. Lk 1:38) and in the <i>Magnificat</i> she sings: God has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden (cf. Lk 1:48). She helps us. She is Queen precisely by loving us, by helping us in our every need; she is our sister, a humble handmaid.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so we have already reached this point: how does Mary exercise this queenship of service and love? By watching over us, her children: the children who turn to her in prayer, to thank her or to ask her for her motherly protection and her heavenly help, perhaps after having lost our way, or when we are oppressed by suffering or anguish because of the sorrowful and harrowing vicissitudes of life. In serenity or in life’s darkness let us address Mary, entrusting ourselves to her continuous intercession so that she may obtain for us from the Son every grace and mercy we need for our pilgrimage on the highways of the world."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pope Benedict XVI</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">General Audience</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22 August 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps, like me, you almost automatically turn to our Blessed Mother Mary countless times every day to ask for her intercession. We know from experience that we can count on her "motherly protection and heavenly help" for all of life's challenges whether great and small.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On this feast of her Queenship let's consciously offer to Mary our love and thanks for the many gifts she gives to us. May all our actions imitate her humble service to God and to humanity. May she always reign as Queen of our heart, Mother of grace and mercy. </span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-74910708174100427412016-08-10T13:00:00.000-04:002016-08-10T13:00:59.385-04:00The Brightness of Eternal Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02qeZ1pHtPWIXA-jiRkaKWZc66hJrohSHwPNGJheVu23fcI_sWUB7p_WtTUyzMpj2C-jKVonDMTLIkOALVztlHI19ocVhgBLHfRj4pAH486EmVWtqASvQwLSUEFse3J8TadOhvZ0jGZs/s1600/Clare+of+Assisi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02qeZ1pHtPWIXA-jiRkaKWZc66hJrohSHwPNGJheVu23fcI_sWUB7p_WtTUyzMpj2C-jKVonDMTLIkOALVztlHI19ocVhgBLHfRj4pAH486EmVWtqASvQwLSUEFse3J8TadOhvZ0jGZs/s320/Clare+of+Assisi.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>“</b><b>Gaze upon Him, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>consider Him, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>contemplate Him, </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>as you desire </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>to imitate Him.</b><b>”</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- Saint Clare of Assisi</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saint Clare of Assisi calls each of us to a greater awareness of our
Lord Jesus Christ present and active in our lives. Clare was attracted to the ideals of Saint Francis: his
inspired preaching about God, poverty and love. She was drawn to spiritual matters. She intensified her prayer life. She also embraced a life of poverty, yet one
that was rich in works of charity and piety, which in turn attracted other
women to join her as the Poor Ladies or Poor Clares. The sisters’ daily life consisted mainly of
prayer and penance, but all this was flavoured with the serenity of women who
have joyfully chosen to follow Our Lord in poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saint Clare is indeed a “light that would enlighten the world” just as
her expectant mother was told by a voice from heaven as she was praying for
strength and serenity during her delivery. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">May</span><span style="line-height: 107%;"> this holy woman inspire and guide each of us to focus on Christ, our Light, and to share His Light with others.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pj-uN2tfRPPFPWYjGU-DDXKLeggwvtEP-y-aqHDQj3cr7YzzTffl4AnrrkxHLySHReacMBl7lq_k9z2K06j4RaPE376xJIeyOQbmeLWAzbhJWduvEdQpac65Pd9YTbQ4Ryfqyak7yuI/s1600/640px-Kruis_san_damiano.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8pj-uN2tfRPPFPWYjGU-DDXKLeggwvtEP-y-aqHDQj3cr7YzzTffl4AnrrkxHLySHReacMBl7lq_k9z2K06j4RaPE376xJIeyOQbmeLWAzbhJWduvEdQpac65Pd9YTbQ4Ryfqyak7yuI/s400/640px-Kruis_san_damiano.gif" width="287" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Happy indeed is she who is granted a place at the divine banquet, for
she may cling with her inmost heart to him whose beauty eternally awes the
blessed hosts of heaven; to him whose love inspires love, whose contemplation
refreshes, whose generosity satisfies, whose gentleness delights, whose memory
shines sweetly as the dawn; to him whose fragrance revives the dead, and whose
glorious vision will bless all the citizens of that heavenly Jerusalem. For he is the splendor of eternal glory, the
brightness of eternal light….” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">- from a
letter by Saint Clare to Blessed Agnes of Prague</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Blessed be you, my
God, for having created me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">- Saint Clare of Assisi</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7AihEiWF3sjc-1a37J-v3Xr098s5IRE2uCZ9J_amLt62HsbASagzlS5Lql-j9nKE6Vzwp-iNO0s2xpnj3XGfGXXv2GGkn_od4F_ntjoa_YtK2FHbgmQZb1eMR8l4yFzcHA924rvr0_I/s1600/IMG_4150_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7AihEiWF3sjc-1a37J-v3Xr098s5IRE2uCZ9J_amLt62HsbASagzlS5Lql-j9nKE6Vzwp-iNO0s2xpnj3XGfGXXv2GGkn_od4F_ntjoa_YtK2FHbgmQZb1eMR8l4yFzcHA924rvr0_I/s400/IMG_4150_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Sunset View from Assisi</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-86270684516989105662016-07-04T12:11:00.001-04:002016-07-04T12:11:11.009-04:00One Nation Under God<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq94p4X3Z6HRUTJI2oRDwnEIo4695Y09iI4uB3lZwiZmEiNUeOdezF75N0e08vQR_XcKywnUJGlCwvwyzzq2daw4JrxiPTQVS0q3qaabINfzcjh8YJcUqEdjKJVBhK3GW3g99O0cNj54/s1600/800px-0_L%2527Immacul%25C3%25A9e_Conception_-_P.P._Rubens_-_Prado_-_P1627_-_%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq94p4X3Z6HRUTJI2oRDwnEIo4695Y09iI4uB3lZwiZmEiNUeOdezF75N0e08vQR_XcKywnUJGlCwvwyzzq2daw4JrxiPTQVS0q3qaabINfzcjh8YJcUqEdjKJVBhK3GW3g99O0cNj54/s320/800px-0_L%2527Immacul%25C3%25A9e_Conception_-_P.P._Rubens_-_Prado_-_P1627_-_%25282%2529.JPG" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Immaculate Conception<br />Blessed Virgin Mary<br />Patroness of the United States of America</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I will espouse you to me forever: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will espouse you in right and in justice,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in love and in mercy;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will espouse you in fidelity,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and you shall know the Lord."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Hosea 2: 21-22</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Father of all nations and ages,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we recall the day when our country</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">claimed its place among the family of nations;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for what has been achieved we give you thanks,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for the work that still remains we ask your help,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and as you have called us from many peoples to be one nation,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grant that, under your providence,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our country may share your blessings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with all the people of the earth.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Collect, Independence Day</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blessed and Happy Independence Day to the United States of America! We celebrate the freedom which comes from God as we give thanks for the riches He has bestowed upon us in the form of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A larger-then-usual group attended the weekday morning Holy Mass, most of whom were wearing some variation of red, white and/or blue, in solids, stripes, stars or other prints. From the youngest toddler to the almost-104-year-old Monsignor it was beautifully apparent that all those gathered in thanksgiving were "one from many" ancestries united in prayer as the one family of God. It was fitting that we had come together at a shrine of the Miraculous Medal under the patronage of our Blessed Mother Mary, the Immaculate Conception.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, in a special way, we give thanks for our faith and freedom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each and every day may we share the faith entrusted to us and strive to ensure freedom for all God's people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God bless America! God bless you!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-55057853455537086882016-05-31T10:57:00.000-04:002016-05-31T10:57:48.579-04:00Blessed Are You Who Believed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKDCPDJ8HnS3tHdEytmD2xEZLxKc5yOfJ_1jojh4PbsNHfvx98HDLpw5ob7KBB32kCxmVkEnC3K8fJqdtsY24ZTIJltLMKJDXeiIoTPkLCAhETxablNPdIuDEtnsCmrsKDXl2m1EW9UE/s1600/KAREN+-+VISITATION+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEKDCPDJ8HnS3tHdEytmD2xEZLxKc5yOfJ_1jojh4PbsNHfvx98HDLpw5ob7KBB32kCxmVkEnC3K8fJqdtsY24ZTIJltLMKJDXeiIoTPkLCAhETxablNPdIuDEtnsCmrsKDXl2m1EW9UE/s320/KAREN+-+VISITATION+1.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And Mary said:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From this day all generations will call me blessed: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Almighty has done great things for me, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and holy is His Name."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Luke 1: 45-49</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>+</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almighty ever-living God,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">who, while the Blessed Virgin Mary was carrying your Son in her womb,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inspired her to visit Elizabeth,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">grant us, we pray,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that, faithful to the promptings of the Spirit,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we may magnify your greatness</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with the Virgin Mary at all times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Collect</i>, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listen, my faithful children: open up your petals,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">like roses planted near running waters;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">send up the sweet odor of incense,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">break forth in blossoms like the lily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Send up the sweet odor of your hymn of praise;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bless the Lord for all He has done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proclaim the greatness of His name,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loudly sing his praises...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sirach 39: 13-15</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May this Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary fill your heart with joy to overflowing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May God grant us the grace to do His will, give Him all the glory, and share our blessings with all we meet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God bless you!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-33928673156495783662016-05-15T12:53:00.000-04:002016-05-15T12:53:02.918-04:00The Holy Spirit Has Been Poured Out Upon Humanity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Q4hzSvFS3xQMr7tPbRTeMbc8c7WLB4m6yz1h_L-Odf5ZMSGDsFhf25Mlk9skKNiJivUNNS2jIXcEcajrk03RM_7AkefZGXAJM59PJWy1xSLNLDCE7GSAqDkNI63F_GeivVYCkt6P5c/s1600/20091109173523%2521Gian_Lorenzo_Bernini_-_Dove_of_the_Holy_Spirit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8Q4hzSvFS3xQMr7tPbRTeMbc8c7WLB4m6yz1h_L-Odf5ZMSGDsFhf25Mlk9skKNiJivUNNS2jIXcEcajrk03RM_7AkefZGXAJM59PJWy1xSLNLDCE7GSAqDkNI63F_GeivVYCkt6P5c/s320/20091109173523%2521Gian_Lorenzo_Bernini_-_Dove_of_the_Holy_Spirit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Come, Holy Spirit, come!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
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<i><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Heal our wounds, our strength renew;</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">On our dryness pour your dew;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Wash the stains of guilt away:</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Bend the stubborn heart and will;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Melt the frozen, warm the chill;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Guide the steps that go astray.</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">On the faithful, who adore</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And confess you, evermore</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">In your sevenfold gift descend;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Give them virtue’s sure reward;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Give them your salvation, Lord;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Give them joys that never end. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amen.</span><o:p></o:p></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i><b><br />
</b></i><span style="background: white;"><i><b>Alleluia.</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: right;">Excerpt from the </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: right;">Sequence</i></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">From the immense gift of love which is Jesus’ death on
the cross, the Holy Spirit has been poured out upon humanity like a vast
torrent of grace. Those who by faith are immersed into this mystery of
regeneration are reborn to the fullness of filial life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">“I will not leave you orphans”. Today, on the feast of
Pentecost, Jesus’ words remind us also of the maternal presence of Mary in the
Upper Room. The Mother of Jesus is with the community of disciples gathered in
prayer: she is the living remembrance of the Son and the living invocation of
the Holy Spirit. She is the Mother of the Church. We entrust to her
intercession, in a particular way, all Christians, families and communities
that at this moment are most in need of the Spirit, the Paraclete, the Defender
and Comforter, the Spirit of truth, freedom and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">His Holiness Pope Francis <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" style="background: white; line-height: 15.0pt; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Homily, Solemnity of Pentecost </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(Excerpt)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For more
information, please visit: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160515_omelia-pentecoste.html">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2016/documents/papa-francesco_20160515_omelia-pentecoste.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You
were especially remembered in prayer during Mass celebrated by His Holiness
Pope Francis on Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at the Chapel of Casa Santa Marta. My husband and I were blessed to be present, thanks be to God. It was a joy to greet our Holy Father after Mass! Pope Francis said to us, "Please pray for me," which we assured him we were already doing and I know that you are also united in spirit and prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">God bless you!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-26514248752466573102016-04-03T16:53:00.000-04:002016-04-03T16:53:40.654-04:00Jesus I Trust in You<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w4WchLNaRohDe1smgOQRutYNcOZE3I75smbWQlfu4UO_rn9MIde92z5HSMeasGecbFOMy-GfTP6CtlvOTOokac6RthJcM_7O2asqfxckgqU_Cny2kNei_WRX8RbT6ZHhzWPpmrKBzRc/s1600/Divina_Misericordia_%2528Eugeniusz_Kazimirowski%252C_1934%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1w4WchLNaRohDe1smgOQRutYNcOZE3I75smbWQlfu4UO_rn9MIde92z5HSMeasGecbFOMy-GfTP6CtlvOTOokac6RthJcM_7O2asqfxckgqU_Cny2kNei_WRX8RbT6ZHhzWPpmrKBzRc/s320/Divina_Misericordia_%2528Eugeniusz_Kazimirowski%252C_1934%2529.jpg" width="189" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Eternal God, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">in
whom mercy is endless, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">look
kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">that in difficult moments, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">we
might not despair nor become despondent, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">but with great confidence, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">submit
ourselves to Your holy will, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">which is Love and Mercy itself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">(Closing
Prayer of the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For information
on praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, please visit: <a href="http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet.php">http://www.thedivinemercy.org/message/devotions/chaplet.php</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His Holiness Pope
Francis led a prayer vigil in Saint Peter’s Square on the <span style="background: white; color: #343434;">on the eve of Divine Mercy Sunday 2016 which<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"> coincided with the 11th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul
II’s death on April 2, 2005.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In remarks
prepared for the occasion, our Holy Father reflected on the ‘vast ocean’ that
is the mercy of God, saying “so great and infinite is his mercy, to the point
that it is greatly challenging to describe it in all its entirety”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“How many
expressions there are of God’s mercy! This mercy comes to us as closeness and
tenderness, and because of this, comes also as compassion and solidarity, as
consolation and forgiveness. The more we receive, the more we are called to
share it with others; it cannot be kept hidden or kept only for ourselves. It
is something which burns within our hearts, driving us to love, thus
recognizing the face of Jesus Christ, above all in those who are most distant,
weak, alone, confused and marginalized.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For more
information, please visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-leads-prayer-vigil-for-divine-mercy">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-leads-prayer-vigil-for-divine-mercy</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have always had a great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During this Jubilee of Mercy I have found myself drawn also to the complementary Divine Mercy devotion. Thanks to the advice of a special priest confessor I have been praying the Chaplet each day, sometimes asking for mercy for myself or for another person specifically by name. It is quite powerful and it truly helps me to experience Christ's peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The message of Divine Mercy is simple, beautiful and profound: Trust in Jesus who said to Saint Faustina, "I am Love and Mercy itself. When a soul approaches Me with trust, I fill it with such an abundance of graces that it cannot contain them within itself, but radiates them to other souls." When we experience Christ's choicest blessings we feel compelled to share them with others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May you experience the mercy, love and peace of our Risen Lord!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-76250075507264806252016-03-26T21:53:00.000-04:002016-03-26T21:53:59.559-04:00Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7k1Vz7SkKh76ZA2Db3I1oM2JsPR4MTI8l29M8ZgSAO8jK2Q1S59t5BIrIJ95OvpCDb9smajaDCBrR4G4qYqejmaYE9hXypesk-QmeQ2ZtTewDj1zm9fLMt3RSlxIYMeW09qQXpL8eGU/s1600/Fra+Angelico+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7k1Vz7SkKh76ZA2Db3I1oM2JsPR4MTI8l29M8ZgSAO8jK2Q1S59t5BIrIJ95OvpCDb9smajaDCBrR4G4qYqejmaYE9hXypesk-QmeQ2ZtTewDj1zm9fLMt3RSlxIYMeW09qQXpL8eGU/s320/Fra+Angelico+2.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christians, to the Paschal Victim</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Offer your thankful praises!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Lamb the sheep redeems;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ, who only is sinless,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reconciles sinners to the Father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Death and life have contended in that combat stupendous:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speak, Mary, declaring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What you saw, wayfaring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“The tomb of Christ, who is living,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The glory of Jesus’ resurrection;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">bright angels attesting,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The shroud and napkin resting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to Galilee he goes before you.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amen. Alleluia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Sequence - Victimae Paschali Laudes</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May our Risen Lord grant you peace and everlasting joy in His presence.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-33913959029670574792016-02-08T19:48:00.000-05:002016-02-08T19:48:21.334-05:00Lent 2016: I Desire Mercy, Not Sacrifice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fQ9bxLTjqTOc94y10tCErCAz7bODWEkD2it1oWfNQBORrKMTQHGJ790Pll7upg7MHJi5nSxrFLdy-YVwBWmz1rpKwCWUWPEESZHat5k5DPobp2ofZTsuI9Gjp3FGrjj7t4vVMMnHBpY/s1600/Batoni_sacred_heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fQ9bxLTjqTOc94y10tCErCAz7bODWEkD2it1oWfNQBORrKMTQHGJ790Pll7upg7MHJi5nSxrFLdy-YVwBWmz1rpKwCWUWPEESZHat5k5DPobp2ofZTsuI9Gjp3FGrjj7t4vVMMnHBpY/s320/Batoni_sacred_heart.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“Go and learn the meaning of the words,</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come
to call the righteous but sinners.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Matthew 9:13<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXv1x76zy54JKXf-s5_en9JfUjzSpGKjkvawGelID9tqcv8rt6TiCMqOfUGATDzsNddD3vSbOoD8zLMb0LzlWM9gB0p_vTEyYVBPhkzgSbXXuSG9OPqTkSFt_WiFeOVhdfJ2U8HVMhFY/s1600/KAREN+-+Annunciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXv1x76zy54JKXf-s5_en9JfUjzSpGKjkvawGelID9tqcv8rt6TiCMqOfUGATDzsNddD3vSbOoD8zLMb0LzlWM9gB0p_vTEyYVBPhkzgSbXXuSG9OPqTkSFt_WiFeOVhdfJ2U8HVMhFY/s320/KAREN+-+Annunciation.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After receiving the Good News told to her by the Archangel
Gabriel, Mary, in her<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Magnificat</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, prophetically sings of the mercy whereby God
chose her….</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">For all of us, then, the season of Lent in this Jubilee Year
is a favourable time to overcome our existential alienation by listening to
God’s word and by practising the works of mercy. In the corporal works of mercy
we touch the flesh of Christ in our brothers and sisters who need to be fed,
clothed, sheltered, visited; in the spiritual works of mercy – counsel,
instruction, forgiveness, admonishment and prayer – we touch more directly our
own sinfulness. The corporal and spiritual works of mercy must never be
separated. By touching the flesh of the crucified Jesus in the suffering,
sinners can receive the gift of realizing that they too are poor and in need.
By taking this path, the “proud”, the “powerful” and the “wealthy” spoken of in
the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>Magnificat</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> can also be embraced and undeservedly
loved by the crucified Lord who died and rose for them….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Let us not waste this season of Lent, so favourable a time
for conversion! We ask this through the maternal intercession of the Virgin
Mary, who, encountering the greatness of God’s mercy freely bestowed upon her,
was the first to acknowledge her lowliness (cf.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>Lk</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> 1:48) and to call herself the Lord’s
humble servant (cf.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i>Lk</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> 1:38).</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Message of
His Holiness Pope Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">for
Lent 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For the complete text please visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20151004_messaggio-quaresima2016.html">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/lent/documents/papa-francesco_20151004_messaggio-quaresima2016.html</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5JS_cZ_rXmtZPbFCYvW0maZns6SSXbQZ9DGPaaILoaaJq9R91JlilJrmUDaRzxeGgMsHUrBfFjUcOHWi_iAyrBZlj-peoUl8LHXTkdr_TdrvXNRR6vG0FHf_RWcGR1ZW6yeKON9We4/s1600/scan0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0F5JS_cZ_rXmtZPbFCYvW0maZns6SSXbQZ9DGPaaILoaaJq9R91JlilJrmUDaRzxeGgMsHUrBfFjUcOHWi_iAyrBZlj-peoUl8LHXTkdr_TdrvXNRR6vG0FHf_RWcGR1ZW6yeKON9We4/s320/scan0006.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A local grocery chain recently had an advertisement encouraging
shoppers to “Savor the Taste of Lent”... which I thought was not quite in keeping
with the “sacrificial spirit” of the season!
Then I reread Pope Francis’ Message for Lent which takes the theme from
Matthew’s Gospel: “I desire mercy, not
sacrifice.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Giving up chocolate for Lent historically has not made me a better
person--no doubt about it. Savoring the blessings and mercy
of God, however, offers me the great potential to draw closer to our Blessed Mother
Mary and, through her intercession, to more fully experience the loving embrace
of her Son, our Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Our Holy Father is encouraging us to listen to God’s Word as well
as to practice both corporal and spiritual works of mercy—a balanced, savory
diet, if you will. While I have discerned a call to particularly work on prayer, forgiveness, and visiting, I know that any small progress
in those areas will only come by the grace of God’s mercy and the prayerful
encouragement of dear “humble servants”. Let's challenge, support and encourage each other to "live" mercy, worthy of Jesus' call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You are remembered in prayer.
Please pray for me. May our
Blessed Mother Mary help us to encounter God’s mercy in new and deeper ways
during this great and holy season of Lent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-62236901376364548542016-01-06T11:45:00.000-05:002016-01-06T11:45:47.999-05:00Gifts Given and Gifts Received<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mhAlAjOJaYuRapQY2380LzS12ZcCQv0Ql6OzizMd4zQFjmoX9hYcxah7blfy9H1pbZZZUpN8VOFgCsmihmXdOf6cX5nEYRD2gU_e4ZyWa10PcswHiglim5MIkqXne4TFoS43UWFPpRQ/s1600/594px-Giotto_-_Scrovegni_-_-18-_-_Adoration_of_the_Magi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mhAlAjOJaYuRapQY2380LzS12ZcCQv0Ql6OzizMd4zQFjmoX9hYcxah7blfy9H1pbZZZUpN8VOFgCsmihmXdOf6cX5nEYRD2gU_e4ZyWa10PcswHiglim5MIkqXne4TFoS43UWFPpRQ/s400/594px-Giotto_-_Scrovegni_-_-18-_-_Adoration_of_the_Magi.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">in the days of King Herod, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We saw his star at its rising<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and have come to do him homage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When King Herod heard this,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">he was greatly troubled, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and all Jerusalem with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">for thus it has been written through the prophet:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">since from you shall come a ruler,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">who is to shepherd my people Israel.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Then Herod called the magi secretly <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">He sent them to Bethlehem and said, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Go and search diligently for the child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">When you have found him, bring me word, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">that I too may go and do him homage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">After their audience with the king they set out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded
them, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They were overjoyed at seeing the star, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and on entering the house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">they saw the child with Mary his mother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">They prostrated themselves and did him homage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Then they opened their treasures <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">they departed for their country
by another way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Matthew
2: 1-12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1nASLdin0s_mOvBm0bO63qnmrAw_X8kbP5-gNeGcN96nq6lLLAoXu8JZ4NTbotN7BFai-WqJe9C8G_xMdjdTQ8R2brFeRE69GqUIXcarbx6a2Q4_wxiXHvWSImcuM7EwLWsUaEi574k/s1600/IMG_2806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1nASLdin0s_mOvBm0bO63qnmrAw_X8kbP5-gNeGcN96nq6lLLAoXu8JZ4NTbotN7BFai-WqJe9C8G_xMdjdTQ8R2brFeRE69GqUIXcarbx6a2Q4_wxiXHvWSImcuM7EwLWsUaEi574k/s400/IMG_2806.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blessed Sacrament Chapel, with Infant for Adoration.<br />Saint Catherine Church, Bethlehem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>+</b></span></span><span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">We do well to repeat the question asked by the Magi: “Where is
the child who has been born the King of the Jews? For we observed his
star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Mt 2:2). We are
impelled, especially in an age like our own, to seek the signs which God offers
us, realizing that great effort is needed to interpret them and thus to
understand his will. We are challenged to go to Bethlehem, to find
the Child and his Mother. Let us follow the light which God offers
us! The light which streams from the face of Christ, full of mercy and
fidelity. And once we have found him, let us worship him with all our
heart, and present him with our gifts: our freedom, our understanding and our
love. Let us recognize that true wisdom lies concealed in the face of this
Child. It is here, in the simplicity of Bethlehem, that the life of the
Church is summed up. For here is the wellspring of that light which draws
to itself every individual and guides the journey of the peoples along the path
of peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Pope
Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Homily,
Solemnity of the Epiphany, 2016<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Saint
Peter's Basilica<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For the complete text, please visit: <a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-church-doesnt-shine-with-its-own-ligh">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-church-doesnt-shine-with-its-own-ligh</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>+</b></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV89R9ZDaoBnAb2bno1RnpGmbzNNA3LyySaoY7j3wevUBDEMSjkYZDLfHQ5b4g3T8cMSl6HChZUeX32xG7i9KKlPlFn_v7yxAPsj1QSfOuFP7rm3x-qGVyAQBo6BCJiBV2H4JRl4-a_k/s1600/IMG_2809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="line-height: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKV89R9ZDaoBnAb2bno1RnpGmbzNNA3LyySaoY7j3wevUBDEMSjkYZDLfHQ5b4g3T8cMSl6HChZUeX32xG7i9KKlPlFn_v7yxAPsj1QSfOuFP7rm3x-qGVyAQBo6BCJiBV2H4JRl4-a_k/s400/IMG_2809.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star marking the place where Jesus was born.<br /> Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.75pt; text-align: justify;">I hope and pray that you have been experiencing a most blessed Christmas season. May the graces continue to flow in and through us as we return all-to-soon to Ordinary Time. As the lights are still shining on our Christmas trees and the candles are still glowing let's contemplate once more the holy gifts we are giving as well as receiving:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.75pt; text-align: justify;">What gifts do we personally bring to our newborn Savior?</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 24pt 0in; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">What gifts do we receive from our Lord who cannot be outdone in
generosity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 24pt 0in; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">How have we been transformed by our encounter at the manger so
that we will return to our daily lives in a different way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-69270573337292204052015-12-21T21:18:00.000-05:002015-12-21T21:18:01.703-05:00Christmas Blessings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2V98OE_VMM5JA2D6zxWbpmEPdcp-NkwQkprGRKjXiy3GDlNry6gGsSYxSoKPj0zWhtzNQr1AkBi_ZnQhSX1jk6p87ziIWKO8ZPo4jFPfBnECPK5gZnmaK4MF7rbdpvsGFC8p3uAaePM/s1600/390px-Raphael_-_Madonna_dell_Granduca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2V98OE_VMM5JA2D6zxWbpmEPdcp-NkwQkprGRKjXiy3GDlNry6gGsSYxSoKPj0zWhtzNQr1AkBi_ZnQhSX1jk6p87ziIWKO8ZPo4jFPfBnECPK5gZnmaK4MF7rbdpvsGFC8p3uAaePM/s320/390px-Raphael_-_Madonna_dell_Granduca.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">full of grace and truth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">John 1:14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">May our newborn Saviour grant you<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">the gift of Love,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">the blessing of Hope,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">and the fullness of His Peace.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 2.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Blessed Christmas<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Joyeux Noël</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Feliz Navidad<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Fröhliche Weihnachten<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <b><i>In
Christ Jesus,<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> </span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #215968; font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Karen<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">Karen M. Hurley, DSS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: #215968; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215968; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=50000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 128;">k.m.hurley1@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-11829925010415637962015-12-09T18:53:00.000-05:002015-12-09T18:53:06.004-05:00Jubilee Year to Contemplate Divine Mercy<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: kashida; text-kashida: 0%;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrOONtUIAO3VtrbmaZrXqKAAsMIpcydHoVLg15iXGbOzb_vCmvZS3G8cpwcjiRpS4IlQKR0nOkkwMsaN584vL_k8_Z3O8RKWLiUQUKNTamCRffJGcADKWedgnn6m2F7jZc3dk1gYtuH8/s1600/1430832550293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVrOONtUIAO3VtrbmaZrXqKAAsMIpcydHoVLg15iXGbOzb_vCmvZS3G8cpwcjiRpS4IlQKR0nOkkwMsaN584vL_k8_Z3O8RKWLiUQUKNTamCRffJGcADKWedgnn6m2F7jZc3dk1gYtuH8/s320/1430832550293.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Pope Francis dedicated
the general audience of December 9, 2015, the first of the Holy Year, to
explaining why he convoked a Jubilee of Mercy. “The Church is called upon to
offer her special contribution, making visible the signs of God's presence and
closeness. And the Jubilee is a propitious time for all, as contemplating
Divine Mercy, that exceeds all human limits and shines onto the darkness of
sin, we can be surer and more effective witnesses”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Celebrating a
Jubilee of Mercy means restoring the specifics of Christian faith to the centre
of our personal life and of our communities. … This Holy Year is offered to us
so that we are able to experience in our life the sweet and gentle touch of God's
forgiveness, His presence next to us and His closeness, especially in our
moments of greatest need. … This Jubilee is therefore a special moment for the
Church to learn to choose solely 'what God likes the most'. … Forgiving His
children, having mercy on them, so that they can in turn forgive their
brethren, to shine like beacons of God's mercy in the world. … The Jubilee will
be a propitious moment for the Church if we learn to choose what God likes the
most, without giving in to the temptation to think that there is something else
more important or that takes priority. Nothing is more important than choosing
what God likes most, His mercy”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For more information, please visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/shine-like-beacons-of-gods-mercy-in-the-world">http://www.news.va/en/news/shine-like-beacons-of-gods-mercy-in-the-world</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ_mBxYHpGsMr3mqPe-IevGagCEmv9Dg_MYkzyJBg_FqVF0WhodcaLNV2vHuTzcczJeLRWf3CviAND3RLHaB4V_R1cFuGXCaR91wQ-vAfpKEZ-6ZjDjRljgherkT-JqGQAIaUeXT4neU/s1600/Holy+door+by+Dnalor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzJ_mBxYHpGsMr3mqPe-IevGagCEmv9Dg_MYkzyJBg_FqVF0WhodcaLNV2vHuTzcczJeLRWf3CviAND3RLHaB4V_R1cFuGXCaR91wQ-vAfpKEZ-6ZjDjRljgherkT-JqGQAIaUeXT4neU/s400/Holy+door+by+Dnalor.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica</span><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Dnalor 01</span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“This
Extraordinary Year is itself a gift of grace. To pass through the Holy
Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone
and goes out personally to encounter each of them. It is he who seeks
us! It is he who comes to encounter us! This will be a year in
which we <i>grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy</i>…. In passing
through the Holy Door, then, may we feel that <i>we ourselves are part of
this mystery of love</i>, <i>of tenderness</i>. Let us set aside all
fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved.
Instead, let us experience <i>the joy of encountering that grace which transforms
all things</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His
Holiness Pope Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">8 December
2015<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For the
complete Homily, please visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><a href="http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20151208_giubileo-omelia-apertura.html">http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20151208_giubileo-omelia-apertura.html</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-50349329601925309002015-12-07T19:21:00.000-05:002015-12-07T19:21:35.713-05:00Immaculate Conception<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSbX45uFM-_had6KT6xoPHNEnk5p0BV-h3cEsYXjBshGi3DLbNJFuk-IEnlhdSkBzdARFL6Bvn-ooX617AFQpyzEySaYstCp7p3bAUAUhFBFgBrdExPjgY2aYpEaBLJQCejxSdEjJOj8/s1600/VirgendeLourdes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSbX45uFM-_had6KT6xoPHNEnk5p0BV-h3cEsYXjBshGi3DLbNJFuk-IEnlhdSkBzdARFL6Bvn-ooX617AFQpyzEySaYstCp7p3bAUAUhFBFgBrdExPjgY2aYpEaBLJQCejxSdEjJOj8/s400/VirgendeLourdes.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Immaculate
Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of
your conception in the womb of your mother, Saint Anne.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">You were chosen
to be the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I believe the teaching of Holy Mother Church,
that in the first instant of your conception, by the singular grace and
privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of
the human race and your beloved Son, you were preserved from all stain of
original sin. I thank God for this
wonderful privilege and grace He bestowed upon you as I honor your Immaculate
Conception.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Look graciously
upon me as I implore this special favor:
<i>(Mention your request).<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Virgin
Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, please intercede for me as these
prayers now rise before God. Filled with
confidence in your goodness and power, I ask you to help me in this journey of
life and to preserve me from all that is displeasing to God. I entrust myself entirely to you, knowing that
you will help me to avoid sin and to always live a humble and pure life. I consecrate myself to you forever, for my
firm desire is to love your Divine Son Jesus.
Mary, since those devoted to you have never been known to perish, pray
that I too may be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Novena Prayer in Honor of the Immaculate Conception<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Basilica of the National Shrine of the
Immaculate Conception<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-30004227865141621382015-11-29T15:06:00.000-05:002015-11-29T15:06:00.231-05:00Stand Erect<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-htKQz6YShPJ4L6FwzDiOVy1W-mrOkuLM7CzZCLXC_bCHKsqdb_cJN0A5vFq__4ZlawkzbTf-X8AxQryeGMa50GZ-vdmKzUfYcRpOMI8GeiqDdBBTNc-NfOq1RrPDrvZGV04vnfe3YhY/s1600/IMG_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-htKQz6YShPJ4L6FwzDiOVy1W-mrOkuLM7CzZCLXC_bCHKsqdb_cJN0A5vFq__4ZlawkzbTf-X8AxQryeGMa50GZ-vdmKzUfYcRpOMI8GeiqDdBBTNc-NfOq1RrPDrvZGV04vnfe3YhY/s400/IMG_3599.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><i>Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is
at hand.</i></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luke 21: 28</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">+</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Advent <span style="color: #333333;">is the season of the presence and expectation of
the eternal. For this very reason, it is in a particular way a period of joy,
an interiorized joy that no suffering can diminish. It is joy in the fact that
God made himself a Child. This joy, invisibly present within us, encourages us
to journey on with confidence. A model and support of this deep joy is the
Virgin Mary, through whom we were given the Infant Jesus. May she, a faithful
disciple of her Son, obtain for us the grace of living this liturgical season
alert and hardworking, while we wait.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">His
Holiness Benedict XVI<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">28
November 2009<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABm2uHqdjQP1W7YjtXmg1E7B6eZvdWmAISNwBWGYp6uPn_zRg0lBntDY_GCWM2dKiWBZKx7tA3fXl_mSBeconid0v6eIWJvtDQ7ycVFvKrgh6Rt7skwhCeq9HvX63UOBwlHEjLZnFSJ0/s1600/IMG_2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABm2uHqdjQP1W7YjtXmg1E7B6eZvdWmAISNwBWGYp6uPn_zRg0lBntDY_GCWM2dKiWBZKx7tA3fXl_mSBeconid0v6eIWJvtDQ7ycVFvKrgh6Rt7skwhCeq9HvX63UOBwlHEjLZnFSJ0/s400/IMG_2832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">“Stand
erect and raise your heads”. I’ve been
hearing and reading these words from Sacred Scripture frequently in the past
few weeks. Have you also heard
them? They remind me a bit of my parents
admonishing me in my teenage years to “stand up straight” when I was slouching.
So perhaps these Advent days the words
serve the dual purpose of exercising good posture as well as living as a grown
woman of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I’ve
been personally interpreting these words as “stand up straight and tall, hold
your head up high, and smile!” I think
the smile is especially important to show the joy of knowing that my redemption
is at hand. It is a blessing to believe
that our Saviour Jesus Christ is coming in a special way. I feel the confidence and encouragement of
our Blessed Mother Mary to journey through these days of Advent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Do
you feel the joy and confidence? Do you
feel richly blessed? Let’s remind each
other to keep smiling and sharing the gifts we have already received in this
life as we anticipate the eternal life to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-23494150020823557312015-11-15T20:36:00.000-05:002015-11-15T20:36:31.109-05:00Pray for Wisdom and Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdLrrC9Iak-bsBc7K1cuMAp2vsPq5pXSid0onJhGdukNvr42DePnFoEpIHrhKc_cHrqlaue2FWTTPPPTedSrPxChAhMNQuKNY8mXkevmz5rqOZM7ofiH5ahrk4uVBfM0LVTXTq5KPKoo/s1600/pray_for_paris130434103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdLrrC9Iak-bsBc7K1cuMAp2vsPq5pXSid0onJhGdukNvr42DePnFoEpIHrhKc_cHrqlaue2FWTTPPPTedSrPxChAhMNQuKNY8mXkevmz5rqOZM7ofiH5ahrk4uVBfM0LVTXTq5KPKoo/s320/pray_for_paris130434103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">Pope Francis condemned the violence and hatred behind the terror
attacks in France which left 129 people dead and several hundred others
injured. Speaking to the crowds gathered in St Peter’s Square for his weekly
Angelus address on Sunday, November 15, the Pope said he wished to express his
deepest condolences to the French President and especially to all those whose
family members were killed or wounded in the multiple attacks on Friday night.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pope Francis said such barbarity leaves us stunned as we wonder
how human hearts can think up and carry out such atrocities which “have shocked
not only France but the whole world”. The Pope stressed again that “the way
of violence and hatred does not resolve the problems of humanity”, adding
that whoever uses God’s name to justify that path is guilty of blasphemy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 15.75pt; margin: 24pt 0in; outline: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Pope Francis invited all those listening to his words to join
him in prayer, entrusting to God’s mercy the innocent victims of this
tragedy. Leading the faithful in the recitation of the Ave Maria, he
prayed that Mary, the Mother of Mercy, would inspire all our hearts with wisdom
and peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">For more information, please
visit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-says-using-gods-name-to-justify-violence-is-b">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-says-using-gods-name-to-justify-violence-is-b</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condolences-to-france-after-terror-at">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-condolences-to-france-after-terror-at</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>+</b></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224792097024989716.post-81805691685048556052015-09-29T14:59:00.000-04:002015-09-29T14:59:04.299-04:00"I embrace all of you in the Lord"<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 24.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 24.0pt; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<img height="272" src="http://media02.radiovaticana.va/photo/2015/09/28/RV9861_LancioGrande.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Some excerpts from His Holiness Pope Francis’ farewell speech
before departing the United States of America for Rome:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">“My days with you have been brief. But they have been days of
great grace for me and, I pray, for you too. Please know that as I prepare to
leave, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and hope….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> I pray that our days of
prayer and reflection on the importance of the family for a healthy society
will inspire families to continue to strive for holiness and to see the Church
as their constant companion, whatever the challenges they may face.…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">It was particularly moving for me to canonize Saint Junípero
Serra, who reminds us all of our call to be missionary disciples, and I was
also very moved to stand with my brothers and sisters of other religions at
Ground Zero, that place which speaks so powerfully of the mystery of evil. Yet
we know with certainty that evil never has the last word, and that, in God’s
merciful plan, love and peace triumph over all….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">This land has been blessed with tremendous gifts and
opportunities. I pray that you may all be good and generous stewards of the
human and material resources entrusted to you. I thank the Lord that I was able
to witness the faith of God’s people in this country, as manifested in our
moments of prayer together and evidenced in so many works of charity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Jesus says in the Scriptures: “Truly, I say to you, as you did
it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me”. Your care for
me and your generous welcome are a sign of your love for Jesus and your
faithfulness to him. So too is your care for the poor, the sick, the homeless
and the immigrant, your defense of life at every stage, and your concern for
family life. In all of this, you recognize that Jesus is in your midst and that
your care for one another is care for Jesus himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">May our days together bear fruit that will last, generosity and
care for others that will endure! Just as we have received so much from God –
gifts freely given us, and not of our own making – so let us freely give to
others in return.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">Dear friends, I embrace all of you in the Lord and I entrust you
to the maternal care of Mary Immaculate, Patroness of the United States. I will
pray for you and your families, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. May God
bless you all. God bless America!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #343434; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.5pt;">For the complete text, please visit: </span><a href="http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-concludes-visit-to-usa-and-leaves-for" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 15.75pt;">http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-concludes-visit-to-usa-and-leaves-for</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0