January General Meeting

Advent wreath history, blessing and prayers

Last month we had the joy of making Advent wreaths within our group but as someone who did not grow up with this tradition in my home, I was not really sure how to implement this tradition with my family. After searching the web for resources we decided to use the following blessing and prayers. Just in case you need them too I am posting them here for you too. It's never to late to start!

Courtesy of Loyola Press
For a printable version click here

The Story of the Advent Wreath

Advent wreaths were originally part of folk traditions of Northern Europe. Wreaths of evergreens were decorated with candles to symbolize life and light during the dark months of winter. Legend has it that Saint Boniface first gave the wreath its Christian meaning in the eighth century, and we have been using these wreaths as part of our Advent preparation ever since. The circle of the wreath, which has no beginning or end, symbolizes the eternity of God. The evergreens signify continuous life. Each of the four candles represents one of the Sundays of Advent. The purple candles represent the prayer, penance, preparation, and good works we are called to do during Advent. The color purple signifies the “royalty” of Jesus Christ.
The pink candle is lit on the Third Sunday of Advent, which is the Sunday of rejoicing. The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. We gradually add more light each Sunday until Christ, our Light, comes at Christmas.

Blessing the Advent Wreath

Many families begin Advent with a short prayer service to bless the Advent wreath. On the first Sunday of Advent, you may wish to use the following prayer service to bless the wreath you have made.
To prepare, choose one person to lead the service and another to read aloud from Scripture. Open the Bible to Philippians 4:4–7. (Other good Advent passages are Isaiah 11:1–4, Isaiah 61:1–2, Mark 1:1–8, and James 5:7–10.)

Place the Advent wreath on a table and have your family gather around it. Lower the lights to create an appropriate atmosphere for the blessing. Light a single candle for the first week of Advent.

Leader: This week we begin the season of Advent, when the days grow short and darkness closes in. We are preparing to celebrate at Christmas the birth of Jesus, who is the light of the world.
(Pause a few moments and then pray the Sign of the Cross.)

Leader: Lord God, bless this wreath and bless us as well. May this wreath remind us of the hope and joy that Jesus brings to the world. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 All: Amen.

 Reader: A reading from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

*Philippians 4:4–7

 Reader: The Word of the Lord.

 All: Thanks be to God.

All: Amen.
(Pray the Lord’s Prayer and continue with the prayer for the First Week of Advent.)

Advent Wreath Prayers

As you gather to light your Advent wreath, use the following prayers to focus your reflection. When praying the last sentence, trace a Sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips, and heart, as we do at Mass before the Gospel reading.

First Week of Advent: purple

Jesus, as we wait for your coming, help us not to be afraid and to trust in you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of hope into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
Amen.

Second Week of Advent: purple

Jesus, John the Baptist told the people, “If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.” As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of service into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
Amen.

Third Week of Advent: pink

Jesus, we gather here as a family to dedicate our lives to you, as John the Baptist did. Help us to know, love, and serve you. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of joy into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
Amen.

Fourth Week of Advent: purple

Jesus, your mother, Mary, is “blessed among women.” We are happy that she said “Yes!” to being your mother. As we light this candle, we remember that you bring the light of love into our lives. May your Word be always in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.
Amen.

No time to excercise?

Courtesy of Catholicmom.com 

No Time for Exercise? Time to Re-evaluate

By Lynn Bode - Posted on July 6, 2013              

No Time for Exercise? Time to Re-evaluate

“I’m too busy”. That’s the reason that most people cite when referencing why that don’t exercise. You probably hear people say this nearly every day. Heck, you may even tell yourself that to justify why you went to bed without spending any time working out. But justifications are not truly “reasons”. In reality they are just excuses.
But when you really look at the facts – the amount of time you need for an effective workout – then that excuse simply doesn’t hold water. Many people think 60 minutes or more is what is required for a workout session. That’s where the root of the issue may begin. It’s no wonder people mistakenly think they don’t have time for exercise. Then they rationalize their “excuse” and one missed workout session quickly becomes a month of missed workouts.

And one month of doing something (or in this case NOT doing something), is considered a habit. Habits can be difficult to break and can lead to long term changes. That habit of not working out can lead to long-term health issues like heart disease.
But, there is a simple solution found in the facts. The fact is that you do NOT have to commit 60 minutes a day to working out. There have been many reputable studies conducted on the effects of short workout sessions versus long ones.  These studies have proven that shorter workouts can be as effective as long ones.

One study example was conducted by the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The objective of the study was to determine whether several short bouts of exercise versus one long one per day would enhance exercise adherence, cardiorespiratory fitness, and weight loss. The results showed that short bouts of exercises made the individuals more likely to stick to the exercise plan while also improving the weight loss results.
What does this mean to you? It means it is definitely time to throw out the “I’m too busy” excuse. Start thinking outside of the gym. You don’t have to devote an hour per day to exercise in order to reap the benefits. Get creative with your schedule. Perhaps you could do a 10 minute workout in the morning and then a 15 to 20 minute workout in the evening. Doesn’t that sound a lot easier to schedule than hunting for an hour in your day to commit to exercise?

Skeptical that you can be effective in just 10 minutes? Give it a try and you will be surprised. In 10 minutes you can do a comprehensive, effective strength training workout. In 10 minutes you could run a whole mile. 20 minutes of a boot camp workout will have you sweating.
Today is the day to make a contract with yourself that you will no longer use the “I’m too busy to exercise” excuse!
Copyright 2013 Lynn Bode

The Rosary

In the past few weeks I have had several conversations in regards to saying the rosary. I can see how to some, the rosary can be kind of intimidating... There are a lot of beads and it must take a lot of time and what if I say it wrong?

So I wanted to add a bit of encouragement, to some of you, who may be a bit intimidated...

First You can always start with just one decade there are no rules against that. Meaning start with the introduction from the crucifix to the center medallion through the first set of Hail Mary's and then conclude with the final prayers as if you said the whole thing.

Second You don't have to be in a quiet room or the sacristy to pray it. I say it in my car on rides to pick up the kids and I get interrupted about 300 times but I figure God gave me my kids and he understands how difficult it is for me to get a moment alone.

Third God knows we are imperfect and that we sometimes make mistakes, so if you accidently say 9 Hail Mary's He is not going to dwell on the one you missed. He will only see how hard you are trying and be grateful of the time you spend with Him.

Finally, I once told someone had badly I felt when I fall asleep during my prayers they told me not to worry because the angels finish your unfinished prayers! Now I don't know that to be fact but the idea of it made me focus more on what I was trying to accomplish and less on where I was falling short. So pray those rosaries ladies. And just in case you need a bit more encouragement here is what Our Lady Has to say about it!

Fifteen Promises of the Rosary

In the thirteenth century, Saint Dominic and Blessed Alan received the following promises from Our Lady for all those who faithfully pray the Rosary:

1. To all those who shall pray my Rosary devoutly, I promise my special protection and great graces.
2. Those who shall persevere in the recitation of my Rosary will receive some special grace.
3. The Rosary will be a very powerful armor against hell; it will destroy vice, deliver from sin and dispel heresy.
4. The rosary will make virtue and good works flourish, and will obtain for souls the most abundant divine mercies. It will draw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities, and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. Those who trust themselves to me through the Rosary will not perish.
6. Whoever recites my Rosary devoutly reflecting on the mysteries, shall never be overwhelmed by misfortune. He will not experience the anger of God nor will he perish by an unprovided death. The sinner will be converted; the just will persevere in grace and merit eternal life.
7. Those truly devoted to my Rosary shall not die without the sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite my Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces and will share in the merits of the blessed.
9. I will deliver promptly from purgatory souls devoted to my Rosary.
10. True children of my Rosary will enjoy great glory in heaven.
11. What you shall ask through my Rosary you shall obtain.
12. To those who propagate my Rosary I promise aid in all their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Son that all the members of the Rosary Confraternity shall have as their intercessors, in life and in death, the entire celestial court.
14. Those who recite my Rosary faithfully are my beloved children, the brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a special sign of predestination.

How to Pray the Rosary

Courtesy of http://www.usccb.org

How to Pray the Rosary

The Rosary is a Scripture-based prayer. It begins with the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the great mysteries of the Catholic faith. The Our Father, which introduces each mystery, is from the Gospels. The first part of the Hail Mary is the angel's words announcing Christ's birth and Elizabeth's greeting to Mary. St. Pius V officially added the second part of the Hail Mary. The Mysteries of the Rosary center on the events of Christ's life. There are four sets of Mysteries: Joyful, Sorrowful, Glorious and––added by Pope John Paul II in 2002––the Luminous.
The repetition in the Rosary is meant to lead one into restful and contemplative prayer related to each Mystery. The gentle repetition of the words helps us to enter into the silence of our hearts, where Christ's spirit dwells. The Rosary can be said privately or with a group.

The Five Joyful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Mondays, Saturdays, and Sundays of Advent:

1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation in the Temple
5. The Finding in the Temple

The Five Sorrowful Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Tuesday, Friday, and Sundays of Lent:

1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scourging at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion and Death

The Five Glorious Mysteries are traditionally prayed on the Wednesday and Sundays outside of Lent and Advent:

1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation of Mary

The Five Luminous Mysteries are traditionally prayed on Thursdays:

1. The Baptism of Christ in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
3. Jesus' Proclamation of the Coming of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Praying the Rosary

Familiarize yourself and/or your group with the prayers of the rosary.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross.
2. Holding the Crucifix, say the Apostles' Creed.
3. On the first bead, say an Our Father.
4. Say three Hail Marys on each of the next three beads.
5. Say the Glory Be
6. For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery, then say the Our Father.
7. While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, next say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery. Then say a Glory Be. (After finishing each decade, some say the following prayer requested by the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima: "O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell,lead all souls to Heaven, especially those who have most need of your mercy.")
8. After saying the five decades, say the "Hail, Holy Queen, followed by this dialogue and prayer:
   V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
   R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
   
   Let us pray: O God, whose Only Begotten Son,
   by his life, Death, and Resurrection,
   has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life,
   grant, we beseech thee,
   that while meditating on these mysteries
   of the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
   we may imitate what they contain
   and obtain what they promise,
   through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Is the Lord your Shepherd?

The Divine Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
²     he makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters;^[a]
3     he restores my soul.^[b]
He leads me in paths of righteousness^[c]
    for his name’s sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^[d]
    I fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
    thy rod and thy staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
thou anointest my head with oil,
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely^[e] goodness and mercy^[f] shall follow me
    all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
    for ever.^[g]

We've all heard this passage before but only as of late have I really come to understand the meaning of this passage. Often times we read the words of our bible and forget to look beyond the words on the page. How often do you truly allow God to be your shepherd?

 

Back in the time of David being a shepherd was a symbol of strength, loyalty, protection and faithfulness. If we were to use a more current example one might think of a firefighter or marine, someone willing to risk everything to ensure our protection.

Like these examples God our shepherd is here to protect us and lead us to safety. In this world it is easy to be led astray but like the shepherd our Lord is searching for us, ready to care for us, to protect us and to lead us, we just have to let him be our shepherd.  Let the Lord lead you, not just in the areas of your life that are easy to delegate to him but in all areas of life and have faith in the promise that he has made all of us to provide for our every need.

 

 

 

 

 



General Meeting Reminder

Day 21 (The Hope I Give Will Not Disappoint You)

The Hope I Give Will Not Disappoint You

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

– Roma ns 1 5 : 1 3

Lord, despair and discouragement never come from you. How could they since you are the God of hope! Whatever happens, may this hope be an anchor for my soul, keeping me steady no matter the turbulence I face..

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Day 20 (Trust In Me At All Times)

Trust in Me at All Times

The righteous have many troubles,

but the Lord delivers them from them all;

he protects all their bones,

not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;

the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

The Lord redeems his servants;

no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

– P sa lm 3 4 : 1 9 – 2 2 ( TNIV)

Lord, I remember what happened to you on the cross. They pierced your side but did not break any of your bones. You had many troubles but you showed us the way to overcome them all. I trust that you will protect me and deliver me now and forever, amen.

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Day 19 (I Am Your Fortress, Your Loving God)

I Am Your Fortress, Your Loving God

 

The Lord gives strength to his people;

the Lord blesses his people with peace.

– P sa lm 2 9 : 1 1

Father, let me rise each day, asking with confidence for the strength I need. Make me strong against worry, financial pressure, selfishness, and fear. Strengthen me to do your will so that I will not only have peace but spread it to others.

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Day 18 (I Will Shield You)

I Will Shield You

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity,

but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

– 2 T im othy 1 : 7

 

Thank you, God, for giving me the strength I need every day—the strength to love, to believe, to resist evil, to stand firm, to show kindness, to do what is right even when I am afraid or upset. I trust that you will always be my strength.

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Day 17 (I Will Guide You Always)

I Will Guide You Always

And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry

and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,

then your light will rise in the darkness,

and your night will become like the noonday.

The Lord will guide you always;

he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

– I saia h 5 8 : 1 0 - 1 1

Lord, help me to spend myself not on myself but on others, especially the needy of this world. Give me an eye to understand how they see things and wisdom to know how to help.

Day 16 (I Will Never Leave You)

I Will Never Leave You

 

Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your

God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.

– De ute ronomy 3 1 : 6

Lord, you promise that you will never leave nor forsake me. I promise the same to you. When things go wrong—and they will go wrong—help me to feel neither helpless nor hopeless, but confident that you are who you say you are.

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Happy Father's Day!!!

Dear God, whom we call Father, bless our earthly fathers and give them wisdom and courage.  Keep us in your care so that we may live in the pattern of the Holy Family.

Day 15 (I Will Keep You Strong to the End)

I Will Keep You Strong to the End

Christ will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the

day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with

his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

– 1 Cor inthia ns 1 : 8 - 9

Lord, you know how quickly I can swing from being assured of your presence to being certain of your absence. I’m so tired of being pushed around by circumstances. Help me to stop wavering between feelings of faith and anxiety. Give me the peace that comes from believing you are willing and able to keep me strong to the end.

Courtesy www.annspangler.com

Day 14 (I Want to Give You Courage and Confidence)

I Want to Give You Courage and Confidence

The Lord is my light and my salvation—

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

 

of whom shall I be afraid?

– P sa lm 2 7 : 1

Lord, steady my heart, so that when life is difficult, I will not give in to the temptation to think you have rejected me. May I remember that strength comes from living in your presence and relying on your faithfulness.

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Day 13 ( I Will Support You)

I Will Support You

One thing God has spoken,

two things have I heard:

that you, O God, are strong,

and that you, O Lord, are loving.

– P sa lm 6 2 : 1 1 - 1 2

Lord, I praise you not only for your strength but also for your love. Please blend strength and love in me, so that I can show others who you are.

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Day 12 ( I Will Extend Peace Like A River)

I Will Extend Peace Like a River

For this is what the Lord says:

“I will extend peace to her like a river,

and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream.”

– I saia h 6 6 : 1 2

Gracious and loving God, the One who led me out of the darkness and into the light, thank you for the peace you promise. Let it be like an ever-flowing river, and I will always proclaim your kindness!

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Day 11 (I Will Keep You In Perfect Peace

I Will Keep You in Perfect Peace

You will keep in perfect peace

those whose minds are steadfast,

because they trust in you.

– I saia h 2 6 : 3

Heavenly Father, when everything is shaking around me, hold me steady. Let me remember your unfailing love and your covenant of peace. May my children also learn form you so that they, too, may know your peace.

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Day 10 (I Will Be Found By You)

I Will Be Found by You

I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,

your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me,

for I have redeemed you.

– Isaiah 4 4 : 2 2

 

Lord, I love the image of my sins being swept away like an insubstantial mist. Help me to call this image to mind the next time I need to ask your forgiveness. Don’t let me give more power to my sin than I do to your forgiveness.

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Day 9 (I Will Heal Your Waywardness)

I Will Heal Your Waywardness

Let us acknowledge the Lord;

let us press on to acknowledge him.

As surely as the sun rises,

he will appear;

he will come to us like the winter rains,

like the spring rains that water the earth.

– Hosea 6 : 3

Lord, there was time when I was so very far from you. But you overcame the distance through your strong, forgiving love. How can I doubt your love when the evidence is all around me? Help me to find ways of remembering how good you have been to me by telling others what you have done.

Courtesy www.annspangler.com

Day 8 (I Am Slow To Anger)

I Am Slow to Anger

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love….

He does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

– Psalm 1 0 3 : 8 - 1 2

Lord, help me to remember what you have already done—forgiving all the sins I have ever committed—large or small, hidden or obvious. The power of your forgiveness has healed my past and reshaped my future. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

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Day 7 (I Will Restore Your Fortunes)

I Will Restore Your Fortunes

When you and your children return to the Lord your God

and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul

according to everything I command you today,

then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes

and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations

where he scattered you. Even if you have been banished

to the most distant land under the heavens,

from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.

– Deuteronomy 3 0 : 2 - 4

Lord, thank you for assuring us that no one is ever beyond the reach of your compassion. I pray for those who seem alienated from you. Give them the grace to turn to you and be healed. Bring them back from distant lands and restore their fortunes.

Courtesy www.annspangler.com

Day 6 (I Will Arise and Have Compassion)

I Will Arise and Have Compassion

For the Lord will rebuild Zion

and appear in glory.

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;

he will not despise their plea.

– Psalm 1 0 2 : 1 6 - 1 7

Lord, you never despise the destitute. Help me not to be ashamed of my desperate need but let it move me to call out to you with hope. May this be the time to show me your favor!

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Day 5 (I Will Show You My Unfailing Love)

I Will Show You My Unfailing Love

“Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

says the [Lord,] who has compassion on you.

– I saia h 5 4 : 1 0

Lord, I want to name your faithfulness, to identify you by the way you treat me. So today I call you, not merely Creator, King, and Lord, but the loving God who has shown me compassion.

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Day 4 (I Will Not Forget You)

I Will Not Forget You

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast

and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget,

I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;

your walls are ever before me.”

– I saia h 4 9 : 1 3 - 1 6

Lord, you more loving than the most faithful of mothers. Thank you for your promise never to abandon, forsake, or forget me. Hold me close, like a child nursing at her mother’s breast.

Courtesy www.annspangler.com

Day 3 (I Will Be Your Father)

I Will Be Your Father

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers our dust.

– P sa lm 1 0 3 : 1 1 - 1 4

Lord, you are not surprised at my weakness. I am insubstantial as the dust beneath my feet. And yet you assure me that I am “beloved dust.” Don’t let me hide this truth from myself but fill me every day with wonder at the greatness of your love.

Courtesy of www.annspangler.com

Day 2 (I Will Reveal Myself to You)

I Will Reveal Myself to You

 

Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him

and proclaimed his name, the Lord.

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “the Lord,

 

the compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

– E xodus 3 4 : 5 - 6

Lord, let your goodness pass in front of me. Help me to see you for who you are and to live my life according to this vision.

 
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Day 1 (I long to Be Gracious To You)

I Long to Be Gracious To You

 

 

The Lord longs to be gracious to you;

He rises to show you compassion.

I saia h 3 0 : 1 8

Lord, you are near even when my heart seems far from you. Open my eyes to your presence. Whether I turn to the left or to the right let me encounter your love.

Courtesy www.annspangler.com

21 Days of Gods Tender Words

I found this awesome freebie from www.annspangler.com, called 21 Days of Gods Tender Words. Everyday for 21 days, I will post inspiring scripture verses for you all to reflect on and to be encouraged by. If you have thoughts on the reflections that you would like to share with the group, use the comment boxes below the posts. I hope you all enjoy it!

 

 

 

As the rain and the snow

Come down from heaven,

And do not return to it

Without watering the earth

And making it bud and flourish,

So that it yields seed for the sower

And bread for the eater,

So is my word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to me empty,

But will accomplish what I desire

And achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 

– Isaiah 5 5 : 1 0 - 1 1

 

Pope Francis: What Have You Done to Make the Church Holy?

Pope Francis: What Have You Done to Make the Church Holy?
By Cindy Wooden
Source: Catholic News Service
Published: Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 29.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — All Catholics must ask themselves what they personally have done lately to build up the holiness of the church and ensure people feel welcomed and loved in it, Pope Francis said.

"Some people today say, 'Christ, yes; the church, no,' like they say, 'I believe in God, but not in priests,'" the pope said. Such a position does not make sense because "it is the church that brings us Christ and brings us to God. The church is the great family of God's children."

During his weekly general audience May 29, an audience that began with the pope getting drenched by a cloudburst as he rode through St. Peter's Square in an open pope mobile, Pope Francis announced he would begin a series of audience talks about the church.

"The church is the great family of children of God," he said. "Certainly it has human aspects from the members who comprise it, pastors and faithful. They have defects, imperfections, sins. Even the pope has them — and he has many — but what is beautiful is that when we become aware that we are sinners, we find the mercy of God. God always forgives. Don't forget this. God always forgives.

"Sin is an offense against God, but it's also an opportunity," he told the estimated 90,000 people gathered in the square and the avenue beyond. "Humiliation can lead one to see there is something beautiful awaiting you: the mercy of God. Think about this."

God's plan, the pope said, is to unite all humanity into one family where everyone recognizes he or she is a child of God and loved by him: "The church is born from God's desire to call all people into communion with him" and "to participate in his divine life."

During the Year of Faith, he said, Catholics should pray that their parishes and the entire church would increasingly be a family that lives and shares God's love and mercy.

Noting that many people today complain about the church, Pope Francis urged Catholics to ask themselves several questions: "How much do I love the church? Do I pray for it? Do I feel part of the church family? What do I do to make the church a community where everyone feels welcomed and understood, everyone feels the mercy and love of God who renews life?"

In his morning Mass homilies in the days leading up to the audience, the pope had been speaking about the church's identity and the attitude that Catholics should have toward those who come to their parishes and the attitude Catholics should have toward the world.

Celebrating Mass with Vatican employees in the Domus Sanctae Marthae where he lives, Pope Francis spoke on May 29 of the danger, even the temptation, for the church and its members of forgetting that salvation comes from the cross of Christ.

"The triumphalism of the church stops the church," he said. It becomes a church that journeys only halfway to its goal of salvation because people become satisfied with everything being "well-organized — all the offices, everything in its place, everything beautiful, efficient."

Martyrdom is part of the life and journey of the church, he said, as he urged those at Mass to pray for "a humble church."

During his morning homily May 25, the pope spoke about the importance of priests, parish workers and parishioners being open and welcoming to those who come to the parish asking for something. He used several examples, including that of a couple who goes to a parish to arrange their wedding, but before being congratulated, are told how much it will cost and asked for their baptismal certificates.

Too many times, the pope said, "we are faith-checkers instead of facilitators of the people's faith."

Pope Francis also used the example of an unmarried mother who goes to a parish asking that her baby be baptized only to hear, "No, you aren't married."

"This young woman had the courage" to carry her baby to term and not have an abortion, he said, and "what does she find? A closed door. And this happens to a lot of people. This is not good pastoral zeal. This pushes people away from the Lord."

"Jesus instituted seven sacraments and we, with this kind of attitude, institute an eighth: the sacrament of pastoral control," he said, using the term in Italian for the customs control at an international airport.
Catholic News | Pope Francis: What Have You Done to Make the Church Holy? | American Catholic

Debbie's Book List

For those who missed it, here is the book list Debbie shared with us during her testimony.

May Newsletter

 **If you have receipts to turn in for the fundraiser, please be sure to bring them tomorrow to meeting. 

Mothers and Others
Tea and Testimony

From the Coordinator

May 2013

Dear Ladies,

It has been a wonderful year and it has been my pleasure serving you. I am excited to see where the future of Mothers & Others is going to go. We have such a new and excited board coming this next year. They have already planned their new year.

Again ladies it has been a pleasure.

Davene Franklin.

Clubs

Bible Study:  We will be finishing up our study on "How to Explain and Defend the Catholic Faith" this month. Bible study will return in the fall with a new, yearlong study "The Great Adventure Bible Timeline". An exciting learning system to help us get the "big picture" of the entire bible narrative.

Book Club:   Book Club has finished its calendar of meetings for this year. But, if you are looking for a good summer read consider Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. The clubs discussion of this one will kick off on September 3^rd.  Enjoy a little time in a lounge chair with a good book and we will see you in September..

 Play Group:
Wed. May 15 9:30 a.m. Ronald Regan Sports Park, Temecula
Wed. May 22 9:30 a.m. Santa Rosa Plateau ,Murrieta.
Wed. June 5 9:30a.m. Torrey Pines Park, Murrieta, 39455 Torrey pines road .
Wed. June 12 11:00 a.m. Johns Incredible Pizza Tour, Riverside, 6187 Valley Springs Pkwy. Come make your own pizza and enjoy all you can eat. 
Tues. June 18 2:00 p.m. Beach Day!  Tamarack beach in Carlsbad. Come meet us in the swim area,  as close to Tamarack parking lot as possible. 
Wed. June 26 9:30 a.m. Murrieta Sports Park, main section, not tot lot. For more info call Myriam!

Recipe Club:  The Recipe Club, will resume in September. Thank you to all those who have participated this year.

Scrappers Club: Every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cynthia’s house. Please, make sure you  call Cynthia ahead of time to let her know that you are coming.

Tennis Club: If you would like to play tennis, call Cynthia.

Wine Club:  look for more information to come.