Come join us today at the Shrine for our Celebration of Independence and Freedom!  It is time to be thankful and give praise!  Remember true freedom can only come through a relationship with Christ.  "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."  John 8:31b-32 RSV  Don't worry about the clouds - significant rain is supposed to hold off until tomorrow.  Please remember in your prayers all those in bondage, be it from sin, from corrupt government or whatever the cause.  Please continue to pray for all those affected by recent disasters.

"The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord..." Isaiah 40:3a KJV  It's amazing how Old and New Testament mesh.  Isaiah many years before John's birth foretold his coming as the man who would prepare the way of the Lord!
Please pray for all those affected by disasters in the world and especially for those along our Gulf Coast

Thoughts on Father’s Day

 

St. Joseph was the ultimate example of a father who walked with God.  One of the father's greatest roles is teaching his children to walk with God.  What an awesome task!  God be with you and bless you, Fathers.

 

Monday June 21

St. Aloysius Gonzaga

 

St. Aloysius was born to a wealthy family on March 9, 1568.  The plan was for him to enter the military but Aloysius had other ideas.  Unfortunately he developed kidney problems at a young age which were to bother him all his short life.  He desired to join the Jesuit order much to the consternation of his parents.  He prevailed with his decision and gave up all rights to inheritance.  When the plague broke out, he wanted to work with the sick, but was placed on a ward where it was thought there were no active cases because it was feared he would not survive.  He did contract the plague, survived but continued with health problems.  He received two visions re: his impending death and died exactly when he said the angel Raphael said he would on June 21, 1591 at 23 years of age.

Be a Transformer

We are called to be Transformers.  I think of the toys my sons used to play with.  They would look like a car or truck but with a few quick moves my boys would change them into robots.  And we are called to be like that.  “And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” Romans 12:2 KJV  We are called to put aside the world and turn into those powerful transformers, warriors of the Lord.  Kind of cool, huh?  We can be transformed in the knowledge of the Lord.

 

Talk about a transformer.  St. Romuald  was born in 956 started a life that was definitely “of the world”.  However, his father made him attend a duel during which his father killed his opponent.  That was Romuald’s point of change.  He entered a Benedictine monastery, became an abbot and founded many other monastaries.  He was called to transform and he did.  Check him out on line.

Here is a challenge for you.  When you go on vacation this year, find a way to turn it into a spiritual journey.  Example:  If you go to the mountains, think of all the references you can for mountains in the Bible such as Moses went up on the mountain when he received the 10 Commandments, Noah’s ark landed on a mountain, the Mount of Olives, “I lift up mine eyes unto the hills…” etc., etc. You go to the ocean, this one is fun, there are a number of shells that can have religious reference, e.g., angel wing, child’s ear, ark shell.  Don’t forget a sand dollar – on the front you see holes representing the 5 wounds of Christ, there is a cross, on the back – a poinsettia, a Christmas bell and if you break it open 5 “doves” (but don’t break it, just take my word for it)  And if you find a “cruci-fish” you have found a real prize (check it out on a search engine, it is the skull of the Gaff Topsail Catfish)  These are just two examples, but you can find connections on almost everything you do.  You don’t have to wait for vacation.  Look for a God-connection every day! Have fun and be safe.

Fly your flag today and rejoice that we live in a country with freedom of religion, that we can worship as we please, that we can praise God.  Take time to pray that these freedoms continue and that we all have the strength to take a stand if these freedoms are ever threatened.  We live in unusual times of “political correctness”.  Pray that we focus instead on “spiritual correctness” and never lose sight of what is true and just.  Pray that we may always be proud of the Red, White and Blue!

Please continue to pray to stop abortion, and pray for all those affected by natural or man-made disasters.  God bless America

Today’s Mary Garden Flower:  Zinnia (Zinnia elegans) The Virgin

 

Prayer of Trust in the Sacred Heart:

In all my temptations, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In all my weaknesses, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In all my difficulties, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.

In all my trials, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In all my sorrows, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In all my work, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In every failure, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In every discouragement, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In life and in death, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus

In time and in eternity, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Source: Catholic Book of Prayers

Today’s Mary Garden Flower:  Begonia (Begonia fuchsioides) Heart of Jesus

See you at Saturday's concert!

During the 4th century when Ephrem lived, many heresies had arisen.  There was the Arian heresy propagated by Arius which denied the divinity of Christ.  There was the heresy held by the Syrian Bardesab which denied the truth of the Resurrection.  And these heresies were being promoted through song.  Ephrem, a deacon of the church, along with some others, according to tradition, decided to counter this with Christian lyrics superimposed on the other tunes.  He was quite prolific and produced hundreds of hymns and poems based on Christian scripture and tradition.  It is interesting that the part of the brain dealing with music is separate from that dealing with the spoken word.  You know how easy it is to get a tune "stuck in your head"  but that doesn't happen with spoken words.  What a marvelous way to counteract the heresies and what a rich tradition to add to Christian worship.  Remember that during Mass and join in singing and make "a joyful noise unto the Lord."
Today's Mary Garden Flower:  Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifol.) Lady's Fingers

What a beautiful day today!  It's in the 70's instead of the hot humid near 90's.  The sun is shining with just a few friendly, lazy clouds drifting by.  A perfect day.  So unlike the heat and humidity and storms.  The severe storms that swept through Ohio yesterday spawned tornadoes leaving death and destruction in their paths.  One tornado even touched down not too far from the Shrine but everything is OK at the Shrine.  Our prays are with those who were affected by the storms.  "For thou (the Lord) hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall."  Isaiah 25:4 KJV  God will be your strength through all the storms in your life and He will part the clouds and let the sun shine in your life again.  Enjoy and praise God on the sunny day, and let Him help you through the cloudy, stormy ones! 
Today's Mary Garden Flower:  Sunflower (Helianthus annus)  Mary's Gold

In today's Gospel, Christ sends the disciples out to peach and heal the sick.  When they returned he took them aside to speak to them about their experiences.  A crowd followed to whom Christ preached and performed healings.  There was quite a multitude (5000 men alone plus women and children) and they became hungry.  Christ blessed and broke two fishes and five loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute among the crowd.  "And they did eat, and were all filled..."  Luke 9:17a KJV.  And there were 12 baskets of leftovers besides!  So it is when we share in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  We are filled and there is grace for all.  The Body and Blood of Christ is our all in all - our forgiveness, our salvation, our peace.  Come and be filled at the table of the Lord.  If it has been a while since you have been to Mass, do not wait any longer.  Christ is waiting for you.  There is a place for you at the table of the Lord. 
Today's Mary Garden Flower:  Oriental Poppy (Papaver orientale)  Christ's Blood, Crucifixion Blood-drops
Please pray to stop abortion.  Continue to pray for the oil spill, for the people and wildlife affected, for those charged with controlling and clean-up.  Pray for victims of disasters including recent tornadoes.  And don't forget the concert this coming Saturday!

It's hard to believe it is the First Friday in June already!  The temperature and humidity have been more like August!  We're starting the countdown to the concert!  So much is going on this summer!  Keep checking this website for updates on more activities.  My son just got out of school for the summer and is definitely in summer mode.  While you are in summer mode, please remember to keep your walk of faith.  There is no "vacation" from faith, in fact, faith can actually provide the peace and relaxation you seek.  Faith is an adventure and experience.  Please remember to take time for God daily.  He takes all His time for you.  And please remember to pray for a resolution to the oil spill and to pray for all those who are victims of disasters.  Just because the news is no longer doing stories on Haiti, Katrina, mine disasters, Nashville, etc. doesn't mean those communities are no longer suffering.  It takes a long time to rebuild and renew and heal.  God bless you.