Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

The name Michael means "who is like God."

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil; may God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. 
Amen.

Raphael means "God is my health."

O God who in Thy ineffable goodness hast rendered blessed Raphael the conductor of thy faithful in their journeys, we humbly implore Thee that we may be conducted by him in the way of salvation, and experience his help in the maladies of our souls. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Gabriel means "God is my strength." 

Prayer to St. Gabriel, for Others

O loving messenger of the Incarnation, descend upon all those for whom I wish peace and happiness. Spread your wings over the cradles of the new-born babes, O thou who didst announce the coming of the Infant Jesus.

Give to the young a lily petal from the virginal scepter in your hand. Cause the Ave Maria to re-echo in all hearts that they may find grace and joy through Mary.

Finally, recall the sublime words spoken on the day of the Annunciation-- "Nothing is impossible with God," and repeat them in hours of trial--to all I love--that their confidence in Our Lord may be reanimated, when all human help fails. 
Amen.

Who is Jesus?

In today's Gospel reading; Luke 9:7-9, Herod said, "John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?" And he kept trying to see him.

Who then do you say Jesus is? What confuses you?

Listen to what Fr. Barron has to say about who Jesus is and what makes him unique.

http://wordonfire.org/

Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul

“Extend mercy towards others, so that there can be no one in need whom you meet without helping. For what hope is there for us if God should withdraw His mercy from us?” ~St. Vincent de Paul

Prayer

Noble Saint Vincent de Paul,
beloved servant of the poor,
may we follow your example and do good works
among those whom society has abandoned,
enslaved, or forgotten.
Inspire us to feed the hungry,
to love a child,
to provide comfort and medicine to the sick,
to clothe those whose garments are threadbare,
and to offer hope and our Lord's words
to all who need respite.
Pray for us to our beloved God
that we may commit ourselves selflessly
to doing the same charitable acts 
that you did all your life,
and intercede with him 
that we may have the favor of his guidance 
and strength and love upon this important and meaningful work.

Amen.

40 Days for Life

 The 40 Days for Life campaign begins today! Ever thought of participating? Not sure how or what you can do? Simple! Pray. Fast. If comfortable sign-up for peaceful vigil at an abortion clinic. Find out more about the 40 Days for Life campaign by reading the 40 Days for Life blog.

40 Days Daily Devotionals 

Find a Campaign Near You

Religious Liberties Novena

Check this out Religious Liberties Novena! Novena begins on 9/29/12, the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels. 

St. Therese of Lisieux

St. Therese of Lisieux, The Little Flower's feast day is actually October 1st. If you begin praying a novena to St. Thérèse of Lisieux today, you will finish on on her feast day October 1st.

To inspire your prayers, here is a brief video about  St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Pray the Novena!

Print the Novena!

Read more! 

Morning Prayer

O Jesus, I come before you
at the beginning of this day.
Take, Lord, and receive my heart:
the words of faith that I speak,
the works of justice that I do,
my joys and sufferings.
When I come to the eucharistic table,
gather my offering to your own
for the life of the world.
At the end of the day,
place me with Mary, your mother,
and for her sake take me to your heart.
Amen.

- Maryland Province of Jesuits

http://www.livingwithchrist.us/

St. Matthew Pray for Us!

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." (Matthew 9:12-13)

God of mercy, You chose a tax collector, St. Matthew, to share the dignity of the apostles. By his example and prayers, help us to follow Christ and remain faithful in Your service. Amen.

www.oblatesusa.org.

Year of Faith!

"…They called the church together and reported what God had done with them and how he had opened the door of faith..."(Acts 14:27).

The Year of Faith Oct. 11, 2012-Nov. 24, 2013

I thought it might be helpful to share some resources to prepare for this upcoming Year of Faith!

One of the ways we are called to participate in prayer is by praying the World Mission Rosary. You can order you own World Mission Rosary, or pray the rosary online (this is a beautiful web version)! Here are Year of Faith Intercessions .

Want to learn more? Check out the USCCB website. Many resources are provided to help prepare for this upcoming Year of Faith and throughout the year. There are videos, information about the Saints and more!

Red Bookbag

While I was walking into class last night I was thinking (I think I do that I a little too often these days), but I was thinking about what I must look like walking up to the school building, through the parking lot. Pretty much dressed all in black, head-to-toe, except for my bookbag...it's red. Not my color of choice. I inherited it, it was Mike's bag from college. Shortly after we got married I first "met" this bag. It was in one of those gray storage containers along with all of Mike's other precious belongs...his hackey sack, Alf zippo lighter, an address book from when he was a kid and a few other random things. After he was diagnosed we started using the bag to transport medical records when we went to his appointments, then for overnight stays we brought it to the hospital, you get the drift. So when he died and now that I'm back in classes, I've started using his trusty bookbag. But what got me thinking about all of this today was why red? Mike's favorite color wasn't red. It was blue and a close second would have been green. Knowing him, black would have been his third pick...he was a bit conservative with stuff like that. And I would think any hint of anything that could be affiliated with an Ohio State team, like the color red, he would not only shy away from, but purposely avoid (he was a die-hard ND fan), so there-in lies the question how did he end up with a red bookbag. Then I was thinking, I'll never know. I never thought to ask him when he was alive. Can you believe this is the first time this has happened to me. The first time I realized I don't know the answer to something about Mike and it's about something so silly and I can't ask him to find out. Can't believe I didn't think to ask him when he was alive. I feel like that's exactly one of those silly, doctor-waiting room conversations we would have had. A Seinfeld-esque conversation if you will, made me smile thinking about this. 

p.s. If anyone is wondering I do still have the Alf lighter, it's on a shelf for safe-keeping. :)

God is THIS Love

The reading at mass today was 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13. Probably familiar to everyone and anyone who either is married or has attended a wedding. The following section in particular is very popular: 

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, love is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

On Sundays I take a mass journal with me and write down notes either about the readings that I feel speak to me or typically something about the homily that breaks open my heart or mind. Lately I've been finding that during the weekday masses I end up hearing something that speaks to my heart as well and I end up digging through my purse or pockets looking for a pen to write it down. (I actually once considered using my eyeliner in desperation because I couldn't find a writing utensil then caught myself and realized I should let it go...if it was becoming that much of distraction perhaps it was defeating the purpose). I'm off topic here, but my point is today during mass the priest spoke about this first reading and I scratched down some notes about what he had to say. (With pen by the way...not eyeliner. I'm sure to bring a pen with me all the time now). 

Here's what I recorded from the homily.

God is this love. We enter in this love through faith and then we too become this love. We shouldn't read this as a "do this list" or think of it as things we are not doing or are failing at in our lives and feel guilty.  Rather we should read or hear this as this is how God loves and what he gives us through baptism, gifts. Then we should pray, Lord help me to love like you.

"Love and do what you will. If you keep silent, keep silent by love. If you speak, speak by love. If you correct, correct by love. If your pardon, pardon by love. Let love be rooted in you, and from this root nothing but good can grow." ~ St. Augustine of Hippo

Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows

The Virgin Mary, who believed in the word of the Lord, did not lose her
faith in God when she saw her Son rejected, abused and crucified. Rather she
remained beside Jesus, suffering and praying, until the end. And she saw the
radiant dawn of His Resurrection. Let us learn from her to witness to our
faith with a life of humble service, ready to personally pay the price of
staying faithful to the Gospel of love and truth, certain that nothing that
we do will be lost.

~Pope Benedict XVI

St. Rocco's Church, Cleveland

O Blessed mother,
it is not one sword only
with which I have pierced your heart,
but I have done so with as many
as are the sins which I have committed.
Ah, lady, it is not to you,
who are innocent,
that sufferings are due, but to me,
who am guilty of so many failures.
But since you have been pleased
to suffer so much for me,
by your grace help me be sorry for my sins,
and patient under the trials of this life. Amen.

— Traditional

http://www.livingwithchrist.us/

Google

Someone made the comment yesterday about Google, with a look of awe on their face; 

"I’m amazed with Google because it is free and it is so awesome, it just does it all and keeps getting better."

 

This comment sounded so familiar to me...made me stop what I was doing for a moment. I thought to myself Google is wonderful, I agree, I'm a fan, no question there..but something didn't seem right. 
Amazing
Free
Awesome
Does it all... 

Wait, that's God! Now we're talking awesome! And I'll throw in one more thing that Google can't do, God loves. Google doesn't have a program, or app for that.

Every gift God offers us is free, and amazing, and awesome (and yes even Google is a gift from God)! We are so blessed.
 

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross

 

Prayer

Praise to you, saving sacrifice,
offered on the wood of the cross 

for me and for all mankind.

Praise to the noble and precious blood,

flowing from the wounds 

of the my crucified Lord Jesus Christ

and washing away the sins of the whole world.

Remember, Lord, your creature,

whom you have redeemed with your blood;

I repent my sins,

and I long to put right what I have done.

Merciful Father, take away 

all my offenses and sins;

purify me in body and soul,

and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies.

St. Ambrose of Milan

http://www.livingwithchrist.us/

email

Received an email from a new acquaintance asking if they could pass along my contact information to a friend who's father has cancer. They are looking into a wholistic diet to support the immune system and heard about some of the things Mike and I tried.

Over 4+ years ago Mike and I were trying out different diets in efforts to reduce the side-effects of his medication/treatments, prevent the growth of the tumor, set that "healthy terrain" to prohibit new tumors from developing. (I was so influenced by what I learned I actually try to follow this diet still). After Mike died I remember looking at all of the notes, binders, file folders, books, etc. we had compiled wondering what I should do with all of this stuff. I've kept it all. A majority I use as reference material for the foundation, but in cases like this it will prove to be handy too. It's been some time since I've opened those books and revisited that time in my life. But when I do I sometimes I find little gifts tucked inside. Like little notes written by Mike. Seeing his handwriting still takes my breath away. Or even I'll remember moments or the day when we were sitting in the doctors office at UH waiting for the MRI results to come in and what we were talking about or if I was doodling and as Mike sat and watched. Those little memories come flooding back. All by one email request. Funny to think about this now after so long.

Every once in while God sends reminders like this to me. Reminders I guess about life and how his plan is just so much greater than what I've ever imagined. Twelve and 1/2 years ago I thought I had my life and future all figured out...teaching in the public schools, just started dating Mike (who I knew a month after we dated I was going to marry), kids eventually. And now, my life is in such a different place than I ever would have imagined, by God's design not my doing. And I'm not sure where my future is headed, but it's moments like this that remind me that he's got it all taken care of. I just have to do my part to be faithful and trust.

I do hope I have the opportunity to speak to this person and perhaps provide some information or support. Maybe help in some small way?

Feast of St. John Chrysostom

Jesus,
open the eyes of my heart,
that I may hear your word
and understand and do your will.
Open the eyes of my mind
to the understanding
of your Gospel teachings.
Speak to me the hidden
and secret things of your wisdom.
Enlighten my mind and understanding
with the light of your knowledge,
not only to cherish those things
that are written,
but to do them. Amen.

- St. John Chrysostom

https://www.livingwithchrist.us/

Love

Reading one of St. Augustine's tractates on the Gospel of John for my Biblical Hermeneutics class. This is my favorite line by Augustine;

"To love God is even a gift of God. He himself granted that he be loved, who, when not loved, loved."

Thank you God for loving me. Thank you for allowing me to love you even though I sin and hurt you in ways only you know. Teach me to love as you love. Teach me to give my love as freely as you do. In Jesus' name I pray.

Amen

Huh?

So one of the exciting and incredibly humbling (to say the least) parts of this journey is becoming aware of  all of the things I don't know and learning about these things. And when I say things I mean traditions, customs, prayers that are core to Catholicism. It is sometimes embarrassing to admit how much I do not know and also for not making more of an effort to learn or even participate earlier in life. By the grace of God, I'm learning now with some help from many friends and teachers. Reminds me of a line from the first reading from Thursday's Liturgy.

1 Corinthians 3:18: Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you considers himself wise in this age, let him become a fool so as to become wise.

For example, I'll share a story about my first book I bought when I began classes at the seminary. We were told to pick up a copy of the Cathecism of the Catholic Church (CCC). We also were given a our first reading assignment. I ordered my book online and went to the store to pick it up. I looked at the first assignment we were to read 1700-1724. So I picked up the book and flipped through the pages, to my dismay there were only 825 pages in the book! I asked the clerk if they had any other copies/editions in stock because I needed the book ASAP and this couldn't be the correct book. They had another book in stock, whew! This one was a soft-cover, but it didn't look too promising. I flipped to the back and held my breath as I hoped to see page 1700...no luck. I went back to the clerk and bought the hardbound book convinced I would look online when I got home and worse-case scenario I would just go to class on Monday and talk to my professor and show him the book as evidence. If anyone is familiar with the CCC you will know that it is divided by paragraphs (2,865 paragraphs, each of which is numbered), so on the syllabus what was listed were the paragraph numbers to be read, not the page numbers! I felt so foolish, but I did have the right book! Oh, and I did figure this out before class on Monday and saved myself the embarrassment. :)

I often find there are many things I don't know like this. I'm learning by sometimes watching people during mass for example, or doing research online or in books and I talk to fellow Catholics to inquire about beliefs and practices or "what to do & why". This is how I learned to pray the rosary, how to return to reconciliation, so many things.

The latest quest I want to learn is how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. How have I never learned these beautiful prayers? The prayer books and ideal behind the prayers reminded me much of the prayer rituals that I observed while teaching at the Orthodox Jewish school. We were just given a book at our last Pastoral Ministry formation meeting and so when I got home I was so excited to begin prayer that evening. I read over the intro, the beginners guide and started to "place" the ribbons where I thought they belonged. Soon they were braided into some kind of knot and I gave up. I had no clue what I was doing. Thank goodness for technology because I do have several apps that has the Liturgy of the Hours so I can still participate in the prayers virtually anywhere, but not in the traditional sense.  I do want to learn how to use the book. A Sister from school has offered to help teach me and my spiritual director. I'm so blessed to have so many friends and people in my life who are willing to take time to help me guide me along this journey...wherever it is leading me! I hope one day I will be able to do the same for others God willing.

No Mass

Driving to mass this morning it was dark, peaceful and quiet. A phone call suddenly broke the silence. My friend Kelly called to tell me she was sitting in the church parking lot and she's pretty sure mass must be cancelled today. We talked about what we would do, both a little surprised, disappointment in our voices. I glanced at my clock and realized I didn't have enough time to shoot over to the other parish in town that has an early, early mass either. So we both ended up going to adoration on our own. I was disappointed not to be able attend mass this morning, but felt so fortunate that I was able to still go and be in the presence of God, what a gift and honor.

 

Adoration was beautiful this morning. Luckily I don't have any other engagement tonight because I can still attend mass at another local parish! Hmm, maybe this all has been more of an invitation today for me to spend a little extra time in the presence of God?

 

"O Jesus, here present in the Holy Eucharist, Thy Heart is all aglow with love for me! Thou dost call me, Thou dost urge me to come to Thee."

~ St. Ildephons

Path

God of wisdom and love,

Source of all good,

teach us Your truth,

guide our actions today

in Your way of peace. 

May Your healing power turn us from sin

and keep us on the path that leads to You.

Amen

www.oblatesusa.org

Feast of the Nativity of Mary

Entrance Antiphon: Let us celebrate with joy the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for from her arose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

  



I praise you, O sacred virgin,
 for your holy nativity,
 which for the entire Christian world
 was a birth of joy,
 the hope and solace of its life.
 When you were born,
 then the world was made light!
 Have mercy upon me a sinner,
 and give me aid, O lady,
 so that just as your nativity
 announced joy to the entire world,
 so may it fill me with true joy
 and cleanse me from every sin.
 Pray for me, O virgin most prudent,
 that the joys of your nativity
 may put a cloak over all my sins.
Amen

- St. Ambrose of Milan
 

Life

 

 

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is bliss, taste it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

~Mother Teresa

This is the Stuff

Every have one of those days where you let "stuff" get you down and you lose sight of what is truly important, God? Today's been one of those days for me. I keep praying that I'll stop letting the "stuff" distract me from my primary focus...but it's been difficult today. But I'm persistent in prayer. I've found it helpful when the "stuff" that interferes with my day is other people's behavior and attitudes to pray for them. When the "stuff" is just stuff...well, I try to remember that. God sometimes sends reminders in His own special way too. For instance, driving home today I was behind a bus for the developmentally and physically handicapped. I sat and watched them unboard the bus to their home and  that took care of the stuff, it just didn't matter anymore. A family member lost his grandfather today...there you go another reminder of how this "stuff" that feels so important at the time, is really so insignificant.

Here's one of my favorite songs...all about stuff!

 

 

 

Saint Gregory the Great

"The all powerful Creator and Redeemer of mankind can give me, in spite of my weakness, a higher life and effective speech; because I love Him, I do not spare myself in speaking of Him."

~Saint Gregory the Great

 

Prayer

O God, help us to bring
 our worldly concerns under control,
 so that they never
 turn our minds from higher things.
 Help us have earthly things for our use
 but not as objects of our desires.
 May there be nothing to hold back
 the desire of our mind;
 and do not let the delights
 of this world ensnare us. Amen.
- Pope St. Gregory I, the Great

Our Lady of Sorrows

The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows. The Church celebrates the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15.

 

 

To Our Lady of Sorrows

O most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ: by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object. Honor, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God.
Amen.

Morning Prayer

May the strength of God
guide me this day,
and may God's power preserve me.

May the wisdom of God instruct me:
the eye of God watch over me;
the ear of God hear me;
the word of God give sweetness to my speech;
the hand of God defend me;
and may I follow the way of God.

Christ be with me, Christ before me,
Christ be after me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right hand, Christ at my left.
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I rise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
~ St. Patrick

https://www.livingwithchrist.us/

Free For Catholics

Stumbled across this site last night; Free For Catholics. Pretty self-explanatory...free stuff for Catholics! Happy (free) shopping. :)