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Sunday, August 29, 2010

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Humility

Today's readings (Sir 3:17, Heb 12:18-19 and Luke 14:1,7-14) deal with humility. Mother Theresa (the centennial remembrance of her birth was Aug. 26th) is a perfect example of humility. A shy, retiring nun, she answered God's call to serve the poorest of the poor. She devoted her life to those who were considered outcasts, untouchables. And God gave her the strength she needed to speak out, to confront world leaders, to do what needed to be done. (He has a way of giving you what you need when you answer His call). And she did it all with humility. When she won the Nobel Peace Prize, she asked that instead of a dinner in her honor, that the money for such a dinner be used to feed the poor in India. She knew it was not the accolades of this world or the possessions of this world that are important. She knew service to God was of primary importance so that when she came face to face with God, He would say, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Her daily prayer was "Lord, make me a channel of your peace." We should all pray that pray daily. God does not expect us each to be a "Mother Theresa" but He does ask that we leave ourselves open to His Will and that we answer when He calls us to action. Sometimes that call to action can be just to call someone or smile at a harrried clerk. It may seem inconsequential to us but that is because we judge by worldly standards. Pray daily and often and leave yourself open to God's Will. You may be amazed at the outcome!
Please pray for the trapped miners in Chile and all the afflicted everywhere.

1:49 pm edt

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Feast of St Joseph Calasanz

Joseph was born in a castle in Aragon, Spain in the 16th century. Although his father wanted him to become a soldier and marry to carry on the family name, he felt called to the priesthood. He eventually moved to Rome and while there felt that poor children deserved an education. While we are comfortable with all receiving an education at the time it was felt that if the poor were educated they would become dissatisfied and want more. Teachers were reluctant to teach the poor. So Joseph and some of his associates became teachers to the poor. They had the backing of two Popes, but, of course, controversy and dissention occurred. For one thing Joseph was friends with Galileo who held "strange" ideas about the universe such as the sun was the center of the solar system. Other groups of teaching priests were afraid Joseph's order would over shadow them. In fact Joseph's order was all but dissolved, but was reestablished some years after his death at age 92. All he sought to do was to minister to the poor by educating them. Some things never change. There are today those who would do good and those who feel threatened by them and try to discredit them. St. Joseph Calasanz can serve as an example of perserverence. When you know you are doing what God has called you to do, continue no matter what others say. St. Joseph is considered the Patron Saint of school children, , students, colleges, universities and schools for the poor. Please pray for the poor of the world and the poor in spirit. Pray for all those attending schools and for those who teach them. Praise God that we have the opportunity to pursue an education.

9:05 pm edt

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Read carefully the Gospel reading for today in Luke 13:22-30. Jesus cautions us to have a full relationship with God. This means having an active, on-going relationship. This involves daily talking with God (praying) and reading His word. This involves trying to live each day as the Lord would have you live. When we study the scriptures we find many examples of persons who demonstrated their faith on a daily basis. We also find examples of those who did not and what happened to them. Your walk with God does not end with your Baptism/Confirmation. Those are only the beginnings. Be active and pro-active in your faith so that the door will not be closed in your face by the master of the house. Be active and pro-active in your faith so that the master of the house will say, "I know you, good and faithful servant."
Pray for our nation and for all the persecuted Christians in the world.

2:50 pm edt

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to you do I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen

Remember in your prayers those affected by flooding, storms, mudslides and all forms of disasters. Keep the victims of the Haitian earthquake in your prayers. Pray for our country, for our leaders. And don't go to bed without thanking and praising God.

8:10 pm edt

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Feast Day of St. Sixtus II and Companions

Today is the feast day for St. Sixtus, a Roman of Greek decent, who was elected Pope in 257. Although forbidden to hold Mass, he and his deacons continued to worship secretely in a cemetary chapel until Roman soldiers broke in while Sixtus was preaching one day in 258. Sixtus and four of his eight companions were brutally beheaded. It is fitting that we ponder this event today when the news carries the story of 10 members of the International Assistance Mission who were gunned down by the Taliban for "spying for America" and "preaching Christianity". This multinational team consisted of unarmed doctors, nurses and logistics personnel who were on a mission to bring medical care to outlying communities in Afghanistan. IAM is registered as a nonprofit Christian organization that does not proselytize; they merely provide medical assistance to those in need. Let us pray for all those who strive to live as Christ would have all of us live inspite of personal risk, especially those in missions. And let us pray that we be given the strength to remain steadfast and not be afraid to live our faith. Please, Lord, be with the families of those who were martyred and receive the martyrs into Your Presence. Amen

4:50 pm edt

Friday, August 6, 2010

Transfiguration of Our Lord

"And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller (launderer) on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus." "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my beloved Son; hear Him.' And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves." Mark 9: 2-4,6-8 KJV

11:46 pm edt

Monday, August 2, 2010

Do you believe it is August already?

It is so hard to believe it is already August. School around here starts in just 3 weeks! didn't the kids just get out for the summer? Where does the time go? We fill our lives with such busyness that we can't catch our breath. Did you listen to the Scripture readings for Mass this past weekend. They all cautioned about being too much in the world. What we need to do is take the "l" out of world and spend more time in the Word instead. Although the days seem to go quickly, be sure to set aside some time each day to spend with the Lord: read His word, meditate on it, and take time to pray. Make a prayer sandwich out of your day - pray in the morning and again at night and in between! Offer up praises for all your blessing and remember in your prayers all the victims of disasters throughout the world. Continue to pray for those in Haiti as well a persons in need everywhere including those in your own house. Peace to you.

9:17 pm edt

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Morning Program: First Saturday Devotions

8:00 Confessions

8:30 Rosary

9:00 Confession

10:00 Breakfast ($5)

Evening Program: Celebration of Life & Light

4:00 Divine Mercy Chaplet

4:30 Rosary

5:00 Mass celebrated by Bishop George V. Murry, Youngstown Catholic Diocese

6:00 "Why First Saturdays?" Dinner & Talk by Deacon Ed Heinz (Dinner $10 Adults $5 children Tickets at the Door or Call to Reserve (440) 313-8327)

7:00 New Fatima Movie "The 13th Day" FREE by special arrangement with St. George Catholic Book Store, Blaine, MN. stgeorgebooks.com or on facebook

8:30 Candlelight Eucharistic Procession & Adoration