Children

Finishing up the rosary in chapel this evening, I heard the sweetest thing. Little footsteps and a soft giggle. A young child came to see Jesus with her parents. I couldn't help but smile as I finished my prayers and just thought how amazingly beautiful. What wonderful parents bringing their child to adoration and what a special little girl who gets to play in the company of Jesus. I had to leave and couldn't stay much longer, but I stayed long enough to catch a glimpse of such a beautiful family. This scripture came to mind right away...

Jesus, however, called the children to himself and said, "Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." ~Luke 18:16

St. Catherine of Siena

Eternal God, You are my Creator, and I am the work of Your hands. In the blood of Your Son You have created me anew; remade by Him, I am Your beloved. Eternal God, limitless and deeper than the sea, what more can You give me than Yourself? An ever-burning fire, You burn away my soul’s self-love. You are the fire that takes away all cold. Your light enables me to know all truth. Your light is above all light, enlightening my mind, making the light of faith clear, perfecting it so I may see my own soul alive, and in this light I receive You – the true Light.
~St. Catherine of Siena

Missionary Oblates www.oblatesusa.org

St. Louis Mary de Montfort

O Immaculate Mother, in the presence of all the heavenly court I choose you this day, for my mother and mistress. I deliver and consecrate to you, as your servant,my body and soul, my goods,both interior and exterior, and even the value of all my good actions, past,present and future; leaving to you the entire and full right of disposing of me, and all that belongs to me,without exception, according to your good pleasure, for the greater glory of God, in time and in eternity. 

Amen.

- St. Louis Mary de Montfort

www.livingwithchrist.us

"If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)

Offering

Dear Jesus, I give this day to you and all I will say, do, desire, feel. Every pain every movement, every action and thought...all to you. I offer this day in prayer for my Grandmother who is undergoing surgery for cancer. May God be with her, my mom, aunt, the doctor and all who care for her. In your name always this I pray. Amen

World Day of Prayer for Vocations

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.  
"Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2).  Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.

O Father, you desire all of us to be happy.
Stir up the grace of a religious vocation in the hearts
of many men and women.
Grant to them the willingness and generosity
to give of themselves,their lives, their time and their
talents to the service of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord and
Savior, and to His Holy Church.

May more men and women go forth as priests, deacons,
brothers and sisters to bring the truths of our Catholic faith
to all others so that soon they, too, may know You better
and love You more...
and serving You, be truly happy. 

Amen

(www.usccb.org) 

Prayers for Vocations

USCCB Vocations Site

Deer...A Good Reminder

Deer have been a good reminder for me to slow down lately. Today was no exception. I hopped in my vehicle and was driving to church this morning. And I'll admit it I was fumbling around with my phone. And then there were three deer in the opposite lanes hesitating to cross the road. So I slowed and the car in front of me slowed to see if they were going to dash in front of us, but they didn't so we drove on by. And then I realized what a fool I was, not just for fumbling with my phone, but one glance into the sky with the sun peeking through the clouds, the snow salting the grass...such a beautiful morning and I thought,  "I'm just taking it all for granted". I started to think about how I left the house this morning; I just hopped in my vehicle and left for church without a second thought. With no thanks or appreciation to God for the vehicle I was driving, the gas I could afford, being able to drive myself, my health, or how about even the fact that we have a Saturday morning mass at our  parish, or that we can even celebrate and practice our faith or even better that our God loves us so much that he is still present to us and gives of himself in the Eucharist. And that I, a sinner, so undeserved, can go and receive him. Wow, seeing those three deer sure made me think this morning. God is so good and fortunately I could go and tell him!

Today's Responsorial Psalm
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
How shall I make a return to the LORD
for all the good he has done for me?
The cup of salvation I will take up,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
My vows to the LORD I will pay
in the presence of all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the LORD
is the death of his faithful ones.
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?
O LORD, I am your servant;
I am your servant, the son of your handmaid;
you have loosed my bonds.
To you will I offer sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and I will call upon the name of the LORD.
How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?

"Lord, keep your grace in my heart. Live in me so that your grace be mine. Make it that I may bear every day some flowers and new fruit." ~St. Gianna Beretta Molla

"I, therefore, a prisoner for The Lord, beg you a to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3)

Blessings

The Gospel - Third Sunday of Easter

I know that at times I will be troubled,
I know that at times I will be belabored,
I know that at times I will be disquieted,
But I believe that I will not be overcome.
Amen.

- Julian of Norwich
www.livingwithchrist.us

Mary

AngelusFrom A Catholic Prayer Book

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary.

V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

"Late have I loved you, O beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I love you!  You were within me, but I was outside, and It was there that I searched for you.  In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things you created.  You were with me, but I was not with you.  Created thinks kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would have not been at all.  You called, you shouted, you broke through my defenses.  You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness.  You breathed your fragrance on me;  I drew in breath and now I pant for you.  I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more.  You touched me, and I burned for your peace."

~from The Confessions of Saint Augustine

Gospel JOHN 20:19-31

Divine Mercy

My Lord,
I have nothing to do in this world,
but to seek and serve you.
I have nothing to do
with a heart and its affections,
but to breathe after you.
I have nothing to do
with my tongue and my pen,
but to speak to you,
and for you,
and to publish your glory and your will.

- Richard Baxter
 www.livingwithchrist.us

EWTN Devotionals

O Sons and Daughters

We thank you, Lord Jesus,
because the Gospel of the Father's love,
with which you came to save the world,
has been proclaimed far and wide in America
as a gift of the Holy Spirit
that fills us with gladness.

We thank you for the gift of your Life,
which you have given us by loving us to the end:
your Life makes us children of God,
brothers and sisters to each other.
Increase, O Lord, our faith and our love for you,
present in all the tabernacles of the continent.

Grant us to be faithful witnesses
to your Resurrection
for the younger generation of Americans,
so that, in knowing you, they may follow you
and find in you their peace and joy.
Only then will they know that they
are brothers and sisters
of all God's children scattered
ùthroughout the world.

You who, in becoming man,
chose to belong to a human family,
teach families the virtues which filled with light
the family home of Nazareth.

May families always be united,
as you and the Father are one,
and may they be living witnesses
to love, justice and solidarity;
make them schools of respect,
forgiveness and mutual help,
so that the world may believe;
help them to be the source of vocations
to the priesthood and the consecrated life,
and all the other forms
of firm Christian commitment.

Protect your Church and the Successor of Peter,
to whom you, Good Shepherd, have entrusted
the task of feeding your flock.
Grant that the Church in America may flourish
and grow richer in the fruits of holiness.
Teach us to love your Mother, Mary,
as you loved her.

Give us strength to proclaim
your word with courage
in the work of the new evangelization,
so that the world may know new hope.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America,
pray for us!

Pope John Paul II

ECCLESIA IN AMERICA

Given at Mexico City, January 22, in the year 1999, the twenty-first of my Pontificate.

What Are We Looking For?

"Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?”
(John 20:15)