Attended Spanish Mass today at St Sylvester's. Love how our Hispanic brothers and sisters pull out all the stops for this very important feast day. Lovely that it fell this year on the third Sunday of Advent. Oh how I want to learn Spanish. At the end of the Mass a Tijuana type band, I think, played down the aisle and serenaded Our Lady. Very cool!
What I had to do for another, to help out, has been accomplished. It filled a genuine need and was not solely filling my own need to help: two important checks for me. You know, sometimes folks need to vent or just need a shoulder or an ear. That's fine I think. All I'm saying is I used to really help others a lot of times to fill my own "helping" needs, so I try not to do that. Of course, I received a blessing in the doing for someone else. It usually works out that way. Sometimes pure sacrifice occurs, united with Christ's suffering, and the blessing is just "doing the right thing".
The pics are visuals of a recent blessing for my mom (aka Mama Gladys). Mom has had to have a large, benign tumor removed twice from around her right, inner ear. The rub is that both times it has been wound around crucial elements like her jugular vein and facial nerve, among others. The good Dr. down in Gainesville was able to remove it all, but he had to string her facial nerve out like a "telephone line", he said, to really get it all. As a result, for about sixth months that side of her face was paralyzed, with a possibility of losing facial tone forever. She kept her chin up (figuratively anyway), dealt with the drooling and eye not closing. When I visited the last two weekends (to see Uncle Macky), as shown in top pic, it is almost completely better!
Big sigh! I am going to be a bit cryptic, but I think folks will understand, generally, what I'm talking about.
Someone in my life needs me to do something I REALLY don't want to do, but KNOW it's the right thing to do. I have been complaining about it both verbally and in my head all morn. Then, the bit about being cheerful popped into my head, and I decided to vent it here, along with one of the goofy pics one of my sis's and I often send back and forth to one another.
Basically, Lord, where I am weak, you are strong. Give me the grace to be a cheerful giver, 'cause I ain't feelin' it!
My Uncle Macky has inoperable brain cancer. It's crummy that part of why I feel sad is because I have been back in the panhandle for 2 yrs and have not been to see him and Aunt Elizabeth. I was even over in Chattahoochee one day for a job interview and didn't stop by. Cue tears. Uncle Macky has painstakingly taken care of Aunt Lizbeth for 4 years, since her severe stroke. They are forever the lovebirds. Even now. Prayers please.
Hail holy queen, mother of mercy our life our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry poor banished children of eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Oh clement, oh loving, oh sweet virgin Mary. Pray for us, oh holy mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
I love the app for my new android phone for the liturgy of the hours. It is from http://www.universalis.com/. How awesome are free apps? I usually only get one prayer time in, but it's all there for you in this great app.
The other two apps I really like are one for a rosary and another that has the daily readings and reflections from different sources. The readings are included with the liturgy of the hours app above, but the reflection is by a layman, and I really like for the reflection to be by a priest or from a saint. I'm just sayin'.
I just typed in "catholic" I think into the android market search tool on my new phone to find these apps.
I've been training for a new job and it has gotten me up earlier than usual. Hopefully I will stick to it and make it to 8:30am daily mass at St Sylvester's - my fondest hope...That would be the best way to get my readings and reflection, I reckon!
Over on the right is now a link to the Virtual Rosary. You download a simple program to your computer, so you can pray the Rosary easily. For those of us that didn't grow up Catholic, the prayers are nicely presented. Also, you can download different modules. I am partial to the scriptural Rosary by the Carmelite sisters and the stained glass images.
The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium.(2) It is an echo of the prayerof Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer.
AND
5. But the most important reason for strongly encouraging the practice of the Rosary is that it represents a most effective means of fostering among the faithful that commitment to the contemplation of the Christian mystery which I have proposed in the Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Ineunte as a genuine “training in holiness”: “What is needed is a Christian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer”.(9) Inasmuch as contemporary culture, even amid so many indications to the contrary, has witnessed the flowering of a new call for spirituality, due also to the influence of other religions, it is more urgent than ever that our Christian communities should become “genuine schools of prayer”.(10)
Peruvian reporter denounces witch hunt against Catholic Church.
Vatican City, April 9 (CNA) .- Peruvian reporter Martha Meier recently published an article in the newspaper El Comercio denouncing the "witch hunt against the Catholic Church" being carried out by the media, which is attempting to smear Pope Benedict XVI over cases of sexual abuse by some members of the clergy.
Meier said those who are seeking to tarnish the Pope's image "want to bring back their outdated ideology."
After noting that the full force of the law must fall upon abusive priests, Meier asked, "Are those who rend their garments over the abominable acts of pedophilia really concerned about children? Do those who spill gobs of ink really seek the truth? The answer is no."
Through their disinformation, she argued, "they discredit the Catholic Church, they cast blame on everyone and want to make the more than 2 billion Catholics all feel guilty."
"Sexual abuse of pre-teen children by priests is the exception, not the norm," Meier said. "The statistics reveal that it is an uncommon situation that involves 0.3% of the clergy."
The Peruvian author then compared the treatment given to these few cases in the Church with those of humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations in emergency zones.
"Should the UN Peacekeeping forces disappear? Are Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and his predecessors responsible?" she asked, referring to abuses carried out by peacekeeping troops. "If we followed the logic of the anti-clericals we would have to blame them, because the actions continue in those places where there ought to be help for those most in need," she explained.
Meier said the kind of witch hunt being carried out against the Church does nothing to further democracy and ends up being a perverse and opportunistic form of terrorism.
I have a background steeped in HolyScripture, since I was raised Southern Baptist. However, several years ago, it was an addict I was counseling (I was a substance abuse counselor) who taught me about the time Jesus was on earth between the resurrection and the ascension, 40 days. I was unaware of this info. One of my newer, favorite bible passages was in the readings on April 9th, occurring during this 40 day period. I'll reprint it here, from John 21, because I love it so:
"Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples
at the Sea of Tiberias.
He revealed himself in this way.
Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,
Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,
Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.
Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”
They said to him, “We also will come with you.”
So they went out and got into the boat,
but that night they caught nothing.
When it was already dawn,
Jesus was standing on the shore;
but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to them,
“Children, have you caught anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
So he said to them,
“Cast the net over the right side of the boat
and you will find something.”
So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in
because of the number of fish.
So the disciple whom Jesus loved
said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”
When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,
he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,
and jumped into the sea.
The other disciples came in the boat,
for they were not far from shore,
only about a hundred yards,
dragging the net with the fish.
When they climbed out on shore,
they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.
Jesus said to them,
“Bring some of the fish you just caught.”
So Simon Peter went over
and dragged the net ashore
full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.
Even though there were so many,
the net was not torn.
Jesus said to them,
“Come, have breakfast.”
And none of the disciples dared to ask him,
“Who are you?”
because they realized it was the Lord.
Jesus came over and
took the bread and
gave it to them,
and in like manner the fish.
This was now the third time
Jesus was revealed to his disciples
after being raised from the dead."
Here are a couple of reflections on this passage from two marvelous blogging priests (you'll have to scroll down: to April 9th, 2010 on each blog):
I've recently been listed on Catholic Blog Directory: http://catholicblogs.blogspot.com/ and you can find a lot of great blogs by priests and religious, as well as your regular old laity, like myself. There are many priests who comment on the trials our Holy Father is enduring and can help to untangle the erroneous information out there. There is also a novena going on right now for Pope Benedict that will end on the 2nd Sunday of Easter, the 5 year anniversary of our Holy Father.
I guess what I love most about the "breakfast by the Sea" passage is that even our first pope, Peter, could do nothing without Jesus. Here are the disciples, utterly flabergasted by the recent crucifixion, led by Peter to keep on, keeping on with no results. Then Jesus tells them to cast the net on the other side and they catch a haul like no other, to prefigure the haul of human souls that will be converted in the near future. And, Jesus gives them every gift they need to make it happen - unity to bring in the net, a leader in Peter, and spiritual food in the Eucharist. Fantastic!
Camped out at Lake Eufaula lot last night. Wee min pin Coco did great sleeping in the tent. It's not really roughing it when you have the use of a huge travel trailer. Anyhoo, enjoying the outdoors and hanging with my Dad. We're getting his chainsaw fixed at the moment, and I have time for a quick post. I'm glad I was able to get day 7 posted.
First of all, what is a patron saint? When you come into the Catholic church or when you are confirmed as a child, you choose your patron saint. It is your special saint; he/she becomes your friend and your advocate. You can pray to them and ask them to pray for you just as you would ask a friend on earth to pray for you. As believers in the "communion of saints" (see the Nicene Creed), we believe that all Christians who are still living, who are in purgatory, and who are in heaven are members of the Body of Christ. "Certain Catholic saints are associated with certain life situations. These patron saints intercede to God for us. We can take our special needs to them and know they will listen to our prayers, and pray to God with us." http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Saints/Patrons.aspx
One of her writings is called the Dialogue, written while she was in ecstasy. I started reading it but it was a bit over my head. At the time my autoimmune symptoms were raging, so I found it hard to focus. I hope to pick it up again soon. At any rate, this quote is one of my favorites:
"http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1368 --> A soul rises up, restless with tremendous desire for God's honor and the salvation of souls. She has for some time exercised herself in virtue and has become accustomed to dwelling in the cell of self-knowledge in order to know better God's goodness toward her, since upon knowledge follows love. And loving, she seeks to pursue truth and clothe herself in it. [p.25]"
St. Catherine of Siena Eucharistic Quotes:
"O eternal Trinity, You are a deep sea in which the more I seek the more I find, and the more I find, the more I seek to know You. You fill us insatiably, because the soul, before the abyss which You are, is always famished; and hungering for You, O eternal Trinity, it desires to behold truth in Your light. As the thirsty hart pants after the fount of living water, so does my soul long to leave this gloomy body and see You as You are, in truth."
This image is in the public domain because its copyright has expired - from Wikimedia Commons. Description: St Catherine intercedes for the soul of sister Palmerina // Museo Amedeo Lia, La Spezia. Date: c. 1470
Saint Catherine of Siena, Doctor of the Church
Feast Day: April 29, (formerly April 30)
Patron: of Fire Prevention (as are Saint Agatha, Saint Barbara, Saint Eustachius, Saint Florian and Saint Lawrence) against fire, and firefighters, bodily ills, illness, miscarriages, sick people, sickness, nurses, and nursing services, people ridiculed for their piety, sexual temptation, and other temptations
Patroness of: Siena Italy, and Italy
Symbols: stigmata, cross, ring, lily
Unfortuanately I'm not going to be able to post much this week. I think I'm going to go camp with my Dad on Wednesday. Dial up is just far too slow. We'll see.
This morning at breakfast the Catholic members of my family and I were discussing how we were catechized (how we were educated about the Catholic Church). I got to reminisce about my beautiful experience of being ushered in by exactly the folks that seemed almost hand-picked for me.
I was living in a small town outside of Jackson, Wyoming called Alpine, Wyoming. I knew I wanted a conservative church and always like to support the local parish, so I chose the church in Afton, Wy - Holy Family. Deacon Bill was ordained as deacon and given the Holy Family mission to "grow" just about the same time I started my catechesis. The weekly Tuesday meetings were attended by parishoners also because it served the dual purpose of Christian education. Essentially, I was catechized by them all under the capable and kind leadership of Deacon Bill. Geepers. I really thought I knew everything already. I knew nothing, frightingly nothing about God's ways. I had all these folks in their 40's, 50's, 60's who I could ask any questions under the sun. They shared their Catholic schooling and Christian maturity with me. It was the perfect place for me - this tiny, Wyoming town. Turns out, I was catechized very well. I didn't fall between the cracks.
Here's a pic of the little church in Afton:
Here's Day 4 video of the Divine Mercy Novena for tomorrow:
This week has been so peaceful and reflective. I feel like I've been a part of the Pensacola-Tallahassee diocese in earnest, and it makes me want to get more involved. A recap: Monday - Penance Service at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola; Tuesday - Mass at St Sylvester in Navarre; Wednesday - Chrism Mass at the Cathedral, and the Triduum at St Rita's in South Walton County. Whew!
A couple of things I don't want to forget next year is that the Chrism Mass should not be missed. Our priests and religious renew their vows, which is powerful in and of itself, but it also gives us an opportunity to pray for them together as a diocese. Also the blessing of the Holy Oils should not be missed. I feel blessed to have heard Bishop Ricard, especially after his recent stroke, leading the rites.
There were times I was in tears at the Easter Vigil. I am so very thankful for all Christ has done for me. I'm going to have to unpack all the details later this week, as it is late. I think the most special thing about this year was attending all these services with my cousin Joan who first introduced me to the Catholic Church. Again, I am so very thankful.
My 2009 Good Friday post on my other blog is THE page that gets the most hits - hands down. Usually, if I check my traffic from exotic parts of the world, they will be for that page. Like I said on my other blog, sometimes I think that one page is the reason for my blog.
So, I'm just going to repost it here. It states so well what Good Friday is about and it will be a good way to start this new endeavor.
On Good Friday, the entire Church fixes her gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member of the Church tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the solemn ceremonies of Good Friday, in the Adoration of the Cross, in the chanting of the 'Reproaches', in the reading of the Passion, and in receiving the pre-consecrated Host, we unite ourselves to our Savior, and we contemplate our own death to sin in the Death of our Lord.
The Church - stripped of its ornaments, the altar bare, and with the door of the empty tabernacle standing open - is as if in mourning. In the fourth century the Apostolic Constitutions described this day as a 'day of mourning, not a day of festive joy,' and this day was called the 'Pasch (passage) of the Crucifixion.'
The liturgical observance of this day of Christ's suffering, crucifixion and death evidently has been in existence from the earliest days of the Church. No Mass is celebrated on this day, but the service of Good Friday is called the Mass of the Presanctified because Communion (in the species of bread) which had already been consecrated on Holy Thursday is given to the people .
Traditionally, the organ is silent from Holy Thursday until the Alleluia at the Easter Vigil , as are all bells or other instruments, the only music during this period being unaccompanied chant.
The omission of the prayer of consecration deepens our sense of loss because Mass throughout the year reminds us of the Lord's triumph over death, the source of our joy and blessing. The desolate quality of the rites of this day reminds us of Christ's humiliation and suffering during his Passion.
Good morning to all. A couple particulars about this day: Today is one of the two days in the calendar that we are to abstain from meat and fast. These are not legalistic, "rules" we follow, but have great purpose and meaning. Here's a snippet from http://www.catholic.org/diocese/diocese_story.php?id=23168 .
"Fasting and abstinence gives Catholics an opportunity to slow down and draw nourishment from a different source. As acts of penance, fasting and abstinence help us acknowledge the sin in our lives. “When we fast and abstain we take attention away from ourselves,” Father DiNardo said. “It isn’t meant for weight loss. The tradition is based in the idea of denying oneself to focus on something greater.”
This lenten and Easter season, the idea of noticing or focusing on my hunger for Christ seems to be coming to a renewed light for me. That hunger has helped me take a step back: Instead of emotionally eating or impulsively speaking, I, by the grace of God, can have some self control and remember Christ.
A pic from Wikimedia Commons (The baldachin of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.- Author Sweet Kate):
This is also the day to start the Divine Mercy Novena. Divine Mercy Sunday is the Sunday after Easter.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed along with the novena intentions. The Chaplet and other useful info can be found at this link: http://thedivinemercy.org/ . Here's an explanation of the Novena, etc from http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/novena.htm :
Jesus asked that the Feast of the Divine Mercy be preceded by a Novena to the Divine Mercy which would begin on Good Friday. He gave St. Faustina an intention to pray for on each day of the Novena, saving for the last day the most difficult intention of all, the lukewarm and indifferent of whom He said:
"These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy."
In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that Jesus told her: "On each day of the novena you will bring to My heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy ... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls."
And a video for day 1:
I will do my best to put these videos on every day.
