SUMMER FASTLY FADING

I can't believe that the end of August is just a matter of days away which means Labor Day the traditional last day of summer is just around the corner. Lifeguards disappear from the beaches. Stores have nothing but school supplies, hopefully on sale. Winter clothing for the kiddies is on the back to school lists.
Religious Ed starts in just four weeks, a new group of about 20 sixth graders anxiously waiting for classes to start [I know I am just wishful thinking]. If anyone reads this, please keep me in your prayers. When the new RE year starts I always feel somewhat anxious, wanting so much to bring my sixth graders to a deeper understanding of their awesome Catholic Religion.

God our Father,
you conquer the darkness of ignorance
by the light of your Word
Strengthen within our hearts
the faith you have given us;
let not temptation ever quench the fire
that your love has kindled within us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.....Amen

Let the SPIRIT help us with Forgiveness

The theme is Matthew's Gospel today is "forgiveness" as in the "Our Father". What a beautiful prayer to God our Father, but, it is also a dangerous prayer. ".....forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trepass against us.....". Jesus taught the multitude this prayer, after being asked "teach us how to pray?" Jesus wants us to know the mercy of the Father but warns us that if we are not as merciful, the Father will mete out His mercy in the exact same way.
Question: Why wouldn't we want to forgive family, friends and co-workers?
I believe it takes much more energy to keep the hurt feelings etc. going than letting it "all go".
Here is a quote from "One Bread, One Body" for today: "When we refuse to forgive we will be tortured by depression, fear, anger, self-hatred, compulsions, violence, anxiety or suicidal tendencies. Many problems are forms of torture traceable to unforgiveness"......WOW..........
Father forgive me and make me a more forgiving person....Amen
I believe the Holy Spirit is the one to go to for help and assistance in developing forgiveness in all area's of our lives.

Holy Spirit, source of light,
From the clear celestial height
Your pure beaming radiance give.
Come Protector of the poor,
Come with treasures that endure;
Come, you light of all that live!
You of all consolers best,
You, the soul's delightful guest,
Do refreshing peace bestow.
You in toil are comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light immortal, light divine,
Make our hearts your own lifeline,
And our inmost being fill.
If you take your grace away,
Nothing pure in us will stay;
All our good is turned to ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away.
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
We confess you, and adore.
You sustain us evermore,
And your seven gifts do send.
Give us comfort when we die;
Give us life with you on high;
Give us joys that never end.

Mary, Daughter of the Father, Spouse of the Holy Spirit, Mother of the Incarnate Word, Intercede for us. Amen

Her Past Baggage is Still with Her

I just read Fr. Brown's most recent post in his blog WORD ON FIRE. His response to Anne Rice famous [also infamous, she wrote about Vampires] author who returned to her Catholic religion after many years as a "practicing atheist".
I also read some of the comments about her blurb on facebook, saying she is done with Christians [meaning Catholics]. I think she is still suffering with the effects of years spent in darkness, our history [experiences; thoughts; ideas] wrong or right stay with us they form the people we become. Surely she must realize that being a Catholic Christian especially today is not for the feint hearted.
I feel extremely sorry for her and as Fr. Brown said in his post, you can't separate the head from the body. Jesus Christ is the head of the Catholic Church. We Catholic Christians are that Church, we are that body, the body of Christ.
Please all who read pray for Anne Rice. She needs to investigate more into WHY we believe WHAT we believe in as Catholic Christians.

All About St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare

Just wanted to share the following with any Franciscan's or anyone who reads my blog.EWTN in October is having several programs on St. Francis. His Feast day is Oct 4th and with the grace of God I will professed on Saturday, October 3rd.

• 10/8 @ 10pm and 10/9 @ 2pm there is a 60 minutes documentary, a guided tour of Assisithe hometown of St. Francis.
  

• 10/4 @ 6:30pm there is a 30 minute film a brief overview of the life of St. Francis including a listing of famous Secular Franciscan's in history.

• 10/6 @ 6:30pm a 30 minute film on the conversions of St. Francis and St. Clare

• 10/8 @ 6:30pm a 30 minute film on writings of the two Saints including "The Testament" and the "Canticle of Creatures"

• 10/3 @ 1:30pm a 60 minute Concert "Dialogue of St.Francis & Clare" composed byFr. Robert Hutmacher tells the story of Francis and Clare in the months after St. Francis received the Stigmata.
  

+Pax et bonum [Peace and all good]

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COMING SOON

On Saturday, October 2nd, 2010 with the grace of God I will be professed as a Secular Franciscan. I am so looking forward to this very special occasion. It's all about living a simple life. In 2010 that is a real challenge but I am up for it. Paring down one's material possessions is just part of it. Simplifying one's life goes a lot deeper.
Creating silence in one's heart and mind starts with silence in the home.
We live in such a noisy world with tv, cell phones, ipods and yes computers. It makes me wonder what happened to the world before all these inventions...did it come to a screeching halt!!....would that happen now if someone couldn't get in touch...do we need to know what the breaking news is when we are waiting at a traffic light???
I have slowly been going through my clothing and possessions and donating those things that I really do not need. The tv goes on in the house only when my hubby comes home from work and goes off around 9 or 9:30 pm. I actually have time to sit quietly and *think* about something I read when saying my prayers or just look out at God's creation around me. I have discovered that there are many types of birds living in the trees around my home. St. Francis saw all of God's creation as his brothers and sisters. St. Francis pray for us...Amen

THE RAIN OF FORGIVENESS IS ALWAYS THERE

August came to NJ in a thunderstorm. The skies are grey and the rain persists, but we need the rain, the weather has been hot [to say the least] and dry. At times our prayers can be like that hot and dry, and then we receive grace from God to endure and perservere. I came across this Act of Contrition on a prayer card, it's not the one we say after confession. Nevertheless its one that I say every day now. I hope it may help anyone who reads my blog.

Forgive me my sins O Lord, forgive me my sins
the sins of my youth, the sins of my age
the sins of my soul, the sins of my body
my idle sins
my serious voluntary sins
the sins I know, the sins I don't know
the sins I have concealed so long,
and which are now hidden from my memory
I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial
for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour
I know my sins have wounded Thy tender heart,
O my Savior,
Let me be freed from the bond of evil through Thy
most bitter Passion,
O my Redeemer,
O my Jesus,
forget and forgive what I have been......Amen