Thursday, January 22, 2015
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Day Three: Monday, January 19, 2015
Intercession: May those who long for a child of their own be filled with trust in God’s loving plan.
Pray the Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, and a Glory Be.
Reflection: It can be very difficult and painful when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers the way we hope. We may have many doubts and questions, wondering why we face the challenges that we do. Yet even though our suffering is often shrouded in a sense of mystery, we believe that the Lord loves us with great tenderness and compassion that is beyond our imagination. Knowing this, we can trust that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
- Smile. Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and share your love for Christ with those who need that encouragement the most today.
- Pray the Rosary, or even just a decade, today for someone who has hurt or disappointed you, and ask for the grace to forgive that person.
- We can sometimes forget how blessed we are to have many of our daily comforts. Give up sleeping with your pillow tonight.
Here... Let us catch up...
Day Four: Tuesday, January 20, 2015 (en español)
Printable versions of Day Four: (color) (black and white)
Intercession: May children awaiting adoption be welcomed into loving families.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: Let us reflect on today’s reading from Hebrews (6:10-20)*, which reminds us to “hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm” (Heb 6:18-19)*. We pray that children awaiting adoption would be filled with the hope of Christ and “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding” (Phil 4:7)*. We also remember that, we too, can cling fast to this anchor of hope, for we have received “a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” (Rom 8:15)*. May our loving Father envelop each of us in His love today and open our eyes in faith, that we may see and rejoice in it.Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Make an act of faith, hope or love. (www.bit.ly/9DaysFaithHopeLove)
- Today, ignore your sweet tooth. Make healthy eating choices.
- Make a “quiet hour” today, turning off all electronic devices (cell phone, iPod, computer, television, radio, video game system), and retreat to your room. Spend some time in prayer or prayerful reading.
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Better late than never.
The UCCB has posted a novena for life. I thought I would share.
It starts (started) Saturday 1/17/2015.
The UCCB has posted a novena for life. I thought I would share.
It starts (started) Saturday 1/17/2015.
Day One: Saturday, January 17, 2015 (en español)
Printable versions of Day One: (color) (black and white)
Intercession: For the conversion of all hearts and the end to abortion.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: Today’s Gospel reading from Mark (Mk 2:13-17)* recounts Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners. When the Pharisees question Jesus about this, he responds, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” In a society where millions of people have fallen prey to the false promises of the culture of death, let us witness to the mercy of Jesus and invite all who’ve been wounded to experience his abundant love and healing.
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Go to an abortion clinic and pray, or set aside an hour today to pray for those who are struggling with a decision of life or death for their unborn child.
- Spend some time reflecting upon today’s Gospel passage.
- Use Facebook or another form of social media to post something that builds up the culture of life.
God Bless, Debbie
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
The Pope's Points to Ponder
Merry Christmas! I enjoyed this article. The Pope has some great points for us to ponder this Christmas.
Enjoy the time with your families.
In His Service,
Debbie
POPE-EMPLOYEES Dec-22-2014 (920 words) With photos. xxxi
Pope: Christmas is reminder to heal wounds, fix defects, play with kids
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christmas is the time to heal wounds and fix whatever defects still linger in one's life and heart, Pope Francis told Vatican employees.
And leading by example, the pope asked everyone for their forgiveness -- for any errors or shortcomings he and his "colleagues" may be guilty of and "also for some scandals that cause so much harm. Forgive me."
The pope's comments came during a special audience in the Vatican's Paul VI hall Dec. 22. It was the first time the pope invited everyone who works at the Vatican, along with their family members and loved ones, to receive the pope's pre-Christmas greetings. In the past, popes have held smaller annual gatherings with certain groups, like the Vatican police force, for a moment of reflection and thanks.
The pope continued to follow tradition with a pre-Christmas meeting earlier in the day with members of the Roman Curia -- the church's central administrative offices -- as well as cardinals living in Rome and members of the papal household.
However, Pope Francis said he wanted to show his thanks and appreciation for all those who serve the church behind the scenes at the Vatican.
"I did not want to spend my second Christmas in Rome" without meeting the people whose hard work and dedication often go unnoticed, those who are "ironically defined as 'the unknown, the invisible,'" like the gardeners, doormen and maintenance staff.
He told the employees that he had spoken with their bosses about the importance of all the many and different members living as one harmonious body united in Christ.
Everyone has a different and yet essential role to play, and sometimes "those parts of the body that seem the weakest are the most important," he said.
While the pope had warned the heads of the Roman Curia against 15 "illnesses" to avoid in their work as leaders within the church, the pope talked to employees about the importance of care, by underlining the connection between the word "curia" and the Italian word, "curare," meaning "to take care of" and "to heal."
He asked that they use the Christmas season as an occasion "to heal every wound and to take care of every shortcoming."
The first thing to take care of is one's spiritual life -- one's relationship with God -- because that is "the backbone of everything we do and everything we are."
"Christians who do not nourish themselves with prayer, the sacraments and the Word of God inevitably shrivel up and run dry," he said.
Employees must take care of their families, he said. Their focus should not just be to provide an income, but to give all family members "time, attention and love."
"The family is a treasure, children are a treasure," he said.
He told everyone to ask themselves "Do I have time to play with my children or am I always busy and I have no time for them?" Playing with one's kids is so important and "it's so wonderful. It is sowing the seeds of the future," he said.
Among the other things the pope listed that people must take the time to do in their lives:
-- Take care of your relationships with others, transforming one's faith into good works through one's actions and words, especially toward the elderly, the homeless, the sick, the hungry and "the foreigner, because this is what we will be judged for."
-- Watch your mouth, "purifying" one's vocabulary of "offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence."
-- "Heal the wounds of the heart" by forgiving people who have wronged you and repairing the wrongs "we have caused others."
-- Be mindful of doing a good job by working "with enthusiasm, humility, competence and passion with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord."
-- Heal oneself of "envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our inner peace and turn us into people who are destroyed and who destroy."
-- Pray to God for "the wisdom to bite your tongue in time, to not say insulting things that then leave a bitter taste in your mouth."
-- Take care of letting go of all "rancor that leads us to revenge and from laziness" that causes a sort of "euthanasia" of one's very being.
-- Stop pointing fingers, which only fuels pride and stop "complaining continuously, which leads us to desperation."
Pope Francis said he understood why it was so easy to speak poorly of others, especially when it is done as a way "to defend yourself. I understand these situations. But it ends up very badly. In the end we are all destroyed, right? And this is not needed."
He asked that everyone work hard to make sure Christmas "never be a holiday of commercial consumerism, of appearances or useless gifts or of unnecessary waste."
The holy season of Christmas must be a time of joy in "welcoming the Lord in the creche and the heart."
"Let's imagine how much our world would change if each one of us began right here and now and seriously took care of ourselves and generously took care of our relationship with God and our neighbor."
He asked that people look at others, especially those most in need, with God's eyes -- with "eyes of goodness and tenderness, the way God looks at us; he is waiting for us and he forgives us."
Often people are afraid of humility and tenderness, the pope said, but it is humility that "we find our strength, our treasure."
END
Copyright (c) 2014 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
Enjoy the time with your families.
In His Service,
Debbie
POPE-EMPLOYEES Dec-22-2014 (920 words) With photos. xxxi
Pope: Christmas is reminder to heal wounds, fix defects, play with kids
By Carol Glatz
Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Christmas is the time to heal wounds and fix whatever defects still linger in one's life and heart, Pope Francis told Vatican employees.
And leading by example, the pope asked everyone for their forgiveness -- for any errors or shortcomings he and his "colleagues" may be guilty of and "also for some scandals that cause so much harm. Forgive me."
The pope's comments came during a special audience in the Vatican's Paul VI hall Dec. 22. It was the first time the pope invited everyone who works at the Vatican, along with their family members and loved ones, to receive the pope's pre-Christmas greetings. In the past, popes have held smaller annual gatherings with certain groups, like the Vatican police force, for a moment of reflection and thanks.
 Decorations on the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square glisten as Pope Francis leads the Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking the square at the Vatican Dec. 21. (CNS/Paul Haring) |
However, Pope Francis said he wanted to show his thanks and appreciation for all those who serve the church behind the scenes at the Vatican.
"I did not want to spend my second Christmas in Rome" without meeting the people whose hard work and dedication often go unnoticed, those who are "ironically defined as 'the unknown, the invisible,'" like the gardeners, doormen and maintenance staff.
He told the employees that he had spoken with their bosses about the importance of all the many and different members living as one harmonious body united in Christ.
Everyone has a different and yet essential role to play, and sometimes "those parts of the body that seem the weakest are the most important," he said.
While the pope had warned the heads of the Roman Curia against 15 "illnesses" to avoid in their work as leaders within the church, the pope talked to employees about the importance of care, by underlining the connection between the word "curia" and the Italian word, "curare," meaning "to take care of" and "to heal."
He asked that they use the Christmas season as an occasion "to heal every wound and to take care of every shortcoming."
The first thing to take care of is one's spiritual life -- one's relationship with God -- because that is "the backbone of everything we do and everything we are."
"Christians who do not nourish themselves with prayer, the sacraments and the Word of God inevitably shrivel up and run dry," he said.
Employees must take care of their families, he said. Their focus should not just be to provide an income, but to give all family members "time, attention and love."
"The family is a treasure, children are a treasure," he said.
He told everyone to ask themselves "Do I have time to play with my children or am I always busy and I have no time for them?" Playing with one's kids is so important and "it's so wonderful. It is sowing the seeds of the future," he said.
Among the other things the pope listed that people must take the time to do in their lives:
-- Take care of your relationships with others, transforming one's faith into good works through one's actions and words, especially toward the elderly, the homeless, the sick, the hungry and "the foreigner, because this is what we will be judged for."
-- Watch your mouth, "purifying" one's vocabulary of "offensive words, vulgarity and worldly decadence."
-- "Heal the wounds of the heart" by forgiving people who have wronged you and repairing the wrongs "we have caused others."
-- Be mindful of doing a good job by working "with enthusiasm, humility, competence and passion with a spirit that knows how to thank the Lord."
-- Heal oneself of "envy, lust, hatred and negative feelings that devour our inner peace and turn us into people who are destroyed and who destroy."
-- Pray to God for "the wisdom to bite your tongue in time, to not say insulting things that then leave a bitter taste in your mouth."
-- Take care of letting go of all "rancor that leads us to revenge and from laziness" that causes a sort of "euthanasia" of one's very being.
-- Stop pointing fingers, which only fuels pride and stop "complaining continuously, which leads us to desperation."
Pope Francis said he understood why it was so easy to speak poorly of others, especially when it is done as a way "to defend yourself. I understand these situations. But it ends up very badly. In the end we are all destroyed, right? And this is not needed."
He asked that everyone work hard to make sure Christmas "never be a holiday of commercial consumerism, of appearances or useless gifts or of unnecessary waste."
The holy season of Christmas must be a time of joy in "welcoming the Lord in the creche and the heart."
"Let's imagine how much our world would change if each one of us began right here and now and seriously took care of ourselves and generously took care of our relationship with God and our neighbor."
He asked that people look at others, especially those most in need, with God's eyes -- with "eyes of goodness and tenderness, the way God looks at us; he is waiting for us and he forgives us."
Often people are afraid of humility and tenderness, the pope said, but it is humility that "we find our strength, our treasure."
END
Copyright (c) 2014 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Great Article!!
Is Google making students stupid?
This article was originally published at http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/09/is-google-making-students-stupid/380944/
Summer*
This article was originally published at http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2014/09/is-google-making-students-stupid/380944/
Summer*
Friday, September 26, 2014
Purgatory
I remember when I was in grade school, I heard a story of someone in Purgatory who appeared to a friend and asked for prayers. I vividly remember that he left a burned hand mark in the wooden desk. I am so glad I came across this priest's blog and the story again! It is amazing how some things leave such a vivid impression (no pun intended) on the mind of a child. Let this be a reminder to us that we should strive for perfection ourselves and pray for the poor souls in Purgatory. See the attached link for the story.
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