Friday, December 26, 2014

We Saw His Glory


And the Word became flesh 
and made His dwelling among us,
and we saw His glory, 
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John 1:14


May our newborn Saviour grant you
the gift of Love,
the blessing of Hope,
and the fullness of His Peace.

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Blessed Christmas
Joyeux Noël
Feliz Navidad
Fröhliche Weihnachten

                                                                                


Monday, December 1, 2014

Advent Journey


In days to come,
The mountain of the LORD’s house
shall be established as the highest mountain
and raised above the hills.
All nations shall stream toward it;
many peoples shall come and say:
“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain,
to the house of the God of Jacob,
That he may instruct us in his ways,
and we may walk in his paths.”
Isaiah 2:  2-3

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I rejoiced when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
And now our feet are standing
within your gates, Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:  1
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As we prayerfully begin the holy season of Advent we truly are on a journey to a grace-filled place, a life-changing encounter with God.  It is a time to watch ever more closely for the coming of Jesus:  the many times during a day that we are consciously aware of His being present to us.  How can we more closely unite our heart to His so that we are always aware that He is with us?  What walls might we have built which need to be surmounted?  What earthly distractions might blind us to the radiance of Christ’s love and peace?

Let us pray for and encourage each other as we climb the Lord’s holy mountain so that we may rejoice in the presence of our loving God.

Blessed Advent!

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Pope Francis’ Prayer Intentions for December

Our Holy Father's universal prayer intention is:
“That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will”.

Our Holy Father’s intention for evangelisation is:
“That parents may be true evangelisers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith”.


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Thursday, November 20, 2014

Pray for Peace


For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
“May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your ramparts,
prosperity within your towers.”
For the sake of my brothers and friends I say,
“Peace be with you.”
For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God,
I pray for your good.
Psalm 122:  6-9
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As Jesus drew near Jerusalem,
he saw the city and wept over it, saying,
“If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes….
You did not recognize the time of your visitation.”
Luke 19:  41, 44
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“From the bottom of my heart, I make an appeal to the parties involved to put an end to the spiral of hatred and violence and to make courageous decisions for reconciliation and peace. Building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a torment!”
Pope Francis


“We condemn every act of violence and we call on Israelis and Palestinians for mutual respect, to work together so that a political solution to the conflict could be found. This vicious circle of violence, of counter-violence, of reprisals is seriously detrimental to the peace process.”
Bishop William Shomali, Vicar for Jerusalem
Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem


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Candle burning in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem


Please support efforts to work and pray for peace in the Holy Land and all of the Middle East:

The Franciscan Custody for the Holy Land needs your help to assist the children and the poorest of the town where Jesus was born.  Their goal is to help 350 Christian Palestinian families and 2,000 children of Bethlehem for Christmas:



The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website offers Advent reflections as well as interfaith prayers:

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Sunday, November 2, 2014

My Immaculate Heart Will Triumph



Statue of Our Lady of Fatima in the Chapel of the Apparitions
"My Immaculate Heart will be your refuge and the way that will lead you to God," said Our Lady to Lucia...

Lucia Santos, Francisco and Jacinta Marto
July 13, 1917

"You are going to have much to suffer, but the grace of God will be your comfort," said Our Lady to the children...

Our Lady of the Rosary
"Continue to pray the Rosary every day in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary in order to obtain peace for the world," said Our Lady to the three children.

Procession with the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima past the holmoak tree
The little shepherds began to be badly treated....  Our Lady promised to take Francisco and Jacinta to heaven very soon.  "But you," she said to Lucia, "are to stay here some time longer.  Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved...."

Site of the Second Apparition of the Angel to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta

"Pray very much!  The Hearts of Jesus and Mary have designs of mercy on you," said the Angel to the little shepherds.

The niece of Sister Lucia


The most gracious hospitality was offered to us by the family of the little shepherds...


At the Santos' home
The home of Francisco and Jacinta Marto
An Angel visited the little shepherds three times to prepare them with a greater understanding of living and spreading Our Lady's message, the message of the Gospel.

Apparitions Chapel, left; Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary

May we be inspired by the three little shepherds of Fatima to whom our Blessed Mother appeared six times:  Francisco, the contemplative, ever eager to console Our Lord; Jacinta, who so deeply loved the Immaculate Heart of Mary and was always looking for new  ways of making sacrifices for the conversion of sinners; and Lucia, the apostle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who stayed a long time on earth to spread the message of Fatima.

Pope John Paul II beatified Francisco and Jacinta on May 13, 2000.  Sister Lucia died February 13, 2005.  The shepherds are buried at the Basilica.

Crucifix overlooking the Square

Basking in the candlelit glow of praying the nightly Rosary and
joining the procession around the Square
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excerpts from Fatima:  Place of Hope and Peace, Consolata Editora

Monday, October 20, 2014

Act of Consecration


A Solemn Act of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate ourselves and our families to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world.

Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.

O Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and Queen of the World, rule over us, together with the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, Our King. Save us from the spreading flood of modern paganism; kindle in our hearts and homes the love of purity, the practice of a virtuous life, an ardent zeal for souls, and a desire to pray the Rosary more faithfully.

We come with confidence to You, O Throne of Grace and Mother of Fair Love. Inflame us with the same Divine Fire which has inflamed Your own Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. Make our hearts and homes Your shrine, and through us, make the Heart of Jesus, together with your rule, triumph in every heart and home.

Amen.
Venerable Pope Pius XII

For more information, please visit: 

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“'Rendering to God the things that are God’s' means being docile to his will, devoting our lives to him and working for his kingdom of mercy, love and peace. Here is where our true strength is found; here is the leaven which makes it grow and the salt which gives flavour to all our efforts to combat the prevalent pessimism which the world proposes to us. Here too is where our hope is found, for when we put our hope in God we are neither fleeing from reality nor seeking an alibi: instead, we are striving to render to God what is God’s. That is why we Christians look to the future, God’s future. It is so that we can live this life to the fullest – with our feet firmly planted on the ground – and respond courageously to whatever new challenges come our way”.

Pope Francis
Homily, October 19, 2014


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“Mary, Queen of the Saints and Mother of the Church, help us to faithfully fulfill the Lord's will in our life.”

Pope Francis
Angelus, October 19, 2014



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You will be especially remembered in prayer at the Sanctuary of Fatima during the time of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO) General Assembly. 

The Message of Fatima is an invitation and a school of salvation. It was initiated by the Angel of Peace (1916) and completed by Our Lady (1917).  It was lived, to a heroic degree, by the three Little Shepherds.

The Message of Fatima, which is that of the Gospel, emphasizes the following points:
- permanent conversion;
- prayer, and namely the Rosary;
- the sense of collective responsibility and the practice of reparation.

The acceptance of the Message brings with it Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which is a symbol of commitment to faithfulness and to the apostolate.

The prayers taught in Fatima by the Angel and by Our Lady help us to live the Message which, as Pope John Paul II said, means conversion and living in the grace of God. (Fatima 1982).

Prayers of The Angel

My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love You! I ask pardon of You for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love You!

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I adore You profoundly, and I offer You the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He Himself is offended. And, through the infinite merits of His most Sacred Heart, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of You the conversion of poor sinners.


Prayers Taught By Our Lady

Sacrifice yourselves for sinners, and say many times, especially when you make some sacrifice: O Jesus, it is for love of You, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

In the same apparition, Our Lady added:

“When you pray the Rosary, say after each mystery: ‘O my Jesus, forgive us, save us from the fire of hell. Lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are most in need.’” 


Consecration to The Immaculate Heart of Mary

Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, to your Immaculate Heart we consecrate ourselves, in an act of total entrustment to the Lord.

By You we will be led to Christ. By Him and with Him we will be led to the Father.

We will walk in the light of faith, and we will do everything so that the world may believe that Jesus Christ is the One sent by the Father.

With Him we wish to carry His Love and Salvation to the ends of the earth.

Under the protection of your Immaculate Heart, we will be one People with Christ. We will be witnesses of His Resurrection. By Him we will be led to the Father, for the glory of the Most Holy Trinity, Whom we adore, praise and bless forever. Amen.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.santuario-fatima.pt/portal/index.php?id=1000


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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Love is Our Mission


The theme of the World Meeting of Families to be held in Philadelphia, September 22 – 27, 2015, “Love Is Our Mission: The Family Fully Alive,” was inspired by Saint Irenaeus, who wrote “the Glory of God is man fully alive.” The glory of men and women is their capacity to love as God loves—and no better means exists to teach the meaning of love than the family.

The recently unveiled Holy Family Icon (above), which was commissioned for and will be present at the World Meeting, can help us to meditate on our relationship with our loving God especially within the context of family. For more information, please visit:  http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/about-the-event/icon/  

May the Holy Family inspire us to love as God loves!

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Join together in prayer with families from around the world. Pray the World Meeting of Families Prayer for the success of the event and for your family’s personal intentions.

God and Father of us all,
in Jesus, your Son and our Savior,
you have made us
your sons and daughters
in the family of the Church.
May your grace and love
help our families
in every part of the world
be united to one another
in fidelity to the Gospel.
May the example of the Holy Family,
with the aid of your Holy Spirit,
guide all families, especially those most troubled,
to be homes of communion and prayer
and to always seek your truth and live in your love.
Through Christ our Lord. 
Amen.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph, pray for us!

For more information, including translations of the prayer, please visit:  http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/about-the-event/prayer/

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For more information on the Synod on the Family convened by Pope Francis, please visit the website of the Pontifical Council for the Family:  http://www.familia.va/  Be sure to sign up on the website to receive the newsletter of the Pontifical Council.

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Monday, September 8, 2014

Blessed are You


Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise;
from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

From the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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These flowers from the garden I place at thy feet,
O Mother, Immaculate, Virgin most sweet.
O Rose of all roses, O Pure Lily-Maid,
O Flower of God's choosing, that never shall fade.
In all thy fair virtues, give me a part,
And make me forever a child of thy heart.
From Flowers of the Garden of the Precious Blood

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A dear neighbor gave me Stargazer Lily bulbs last summer after she learned in conversation that the lilies were a favorite of our dear Mom who had just died.  This summer the blooming lilies were a reminder of the many blessings God gave us through our Mom and Dad who we know are happy in heaven with the Lord and our Blessed Mother Mary.  

So on this Feast of Mother Mary's Nativity, I hope you will join me in prayer in the garden:  a place from where there is endless inspiration to draw whether in times of drought or when the dew is on the roses... whether we enjoy the scent of lilies or are trying to keep the deer from eating the pea and green bean plants... whether we on our knees pulling out weeds or standing tall looking up into the face of a sunflower, the seeds of which have been sown by birds, not us.... In the garden we find many parallels to what may be happening in our lives and which may make us feel like we are alternately in a parched desert or a thick jungle.  Through it all we need to be constantly aware that we are in the loving arms of God who cares for our every need and nurtures our growth in faith.  Who better than Mother Mary to guide us to her Son's peace by helping us to do God's will every moment of every day?

Let us continue to pray for and with each other as we plant and weed, nurture and trim in all the gardens and seasons of our lives.

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We bring you our offerings, O Lord, and we humbly pray to be given strength by the humanity of your Son, who from the Blessed Virgin Mary was pleased to take flesh.

From  the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary





Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother.  To thee do I come, before thee I kneel, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer them.  Amen.











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Jesus, Sun of Justice

Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary

Jesus, Mighty God

Jesus, Lover of Us

Jesus, Eternal Wisdom

Jesus, Our Way and Our Life




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O Virgin Mary, our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal  Church, salvation of the world; pray for us, and awaken in all the faithful devotion of the Holy Eucharist so that they may render themselves worthy to receive it daily!


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