tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38094370738578492192024-03-05T06:17:42.247-08:00Jon LeonettiAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-13955582107914346122017-05-02T13:52:00.002-07:002017-07-16T14:26:39.023-07:00The Paradox For a Happy Marriage<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZyun-4GieO5-Ycqk8HJHHTc5ytk5cdRCweTIHdSvWFhIeLyDrzcXERUYNPfmR0DV4WbQIkoSjPxht71sDgN6XS8Ht7xi-07WVIJJBELQ9srBgbZCC2P2UdbneE5zvrTtWOYTXSHP9HB2/s1600/shutterstock_251860945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12pt;"><img border="0" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZyun-4GieO5-Ycqk8HJHHTc5ytk5cdRCweTIHdSvWFhIeLyDrzcXERUYNPfmR0DV4WbQIkoSjPxht71sDgN6XS8Ht7xi-07WVIJJBELQ9srBgbZCC2P2UdbneE5zvrTtWOYTXSHP9HB2/s640/shutterstock_251860945.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Sacrifice = Joy</span></div>
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<strong>Remember:</strong><em><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> The joy you experience in your marriage is </span>contingent<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> on the amount of sacrifice you're willing to make.</span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-11315834080771057162017-05-02T06:50:00.001-07:002017-05-02T06:57:02.000-07:00How Do You Define Success?<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOr3mwwlS-m2rc98u0v5rK8dmPyPBWwohh8ufh-VKoAWG0zFFiEo_kE2HdS1_MNnkTxzHWkIYDiRJj6eYDE46WZgMrYbNm8Idtg31_XhrHYe0iSkd2llDKfhntK2Vo1ocEtgChQ-nghF-/s1600/shutterstock_520162933.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOr3mwwlS-m2rc98u0v5rK8dmPyPBWwohh8ufh-VKoAWG0zFFiEo_kE2HdS1_MNnkTxzHWkIYDiRJj6eYDE46WZgMrYbNm8Idtg31_XhrHYe0iSkd2llDKfhntK2Vo1ocEtgChQ-nghF-/s640/shutterstock_520162933.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">How do you define success?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">This question matters, because how you define it determines whether or not you consider yourself successful or a failure.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you define success in terms of money, and then you don't make very much money, then you've failed to be successful. If you define success in terms of power or prestige, but you fail to "win friends and influence people" then you'll consider yourself a failure.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">But there's another way to measure success. A way much more important (and longer-lasting) than the ones I just mentioned above.</span><br />
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><em style="background-color: white;"><br /></em></strong>
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><em style="background-color: white;">The way of holiness.</em></strong><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Augustine of Hippo was a popular young speech teacher and had an outstanding political career in front of him, but he gave it all up when he became a Christian, and then a religious, and ultimately was made bishop of a town in the middle of nowhere. Through it all he heroically loved and cared for the people God put in his way, and became known throughout the ages as one of the greatest saints in history.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Francis of Assisi tried to be a soldier but got captured on his first campaign. When they finally released him he went home to work in the family business (he turned out pretty bad at that too). But when Francis found his vocation in and through the poor, his message of complete abandonment to Christ spread, continuing all around the world today.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You see, these guys didn't measure success in the </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">temporal</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. Rather, they measured success in the </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">eternal</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">And we should, too.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-48071984849854641032016-11-15T14:09:00.002-08:002017-07-16T14:42:18.619-07:00Prayer "Time"<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl3iP4FCdijET8YaMJdXHChqAiZy0dYFIJ3kNPHG46wpC-E5s96bESPaiI93AH3h5-FT_BvqVj3mfMHA5n5iEaPVIcJXjY5yntAi4t-cLOvV0VWerFNNqds9PiZtEOreGJUSLCxj9PWJS/s1600/shutterstock_399116026.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl3iP4FCdijET8YaMJdXHChqAiZy0dYFIJ3kNPHG46wpC-E5s96bESPaiI93AH3h5-FT_BvqVj3mfMHA5n5iEaPVIcJXjY5yntAi4t-cLOvV0VWerFNNqds9PiZtEOreGJUSLCxj9PWJS/s640/shutterstock_399116026.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Commit yourself to time, today, with God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Not in a some generic, "we'll see if I get around to it" kind of way, but in a specific, "10:00am Rosary walk" kind of way.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Could be five or ten minutes. Could be an hour.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Commit. Schedule. Repeat.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-83517210705584430192016-11-15T14:07:00.004-08:002017-07-22T13:18:41.693-07:00How Do You Know?<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Knowing Jesus is much more important than knowing </span><em>about</em><span style="background-color: white;"> Jesus.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Knowing </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">about</em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Jesus wins the debate.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Knowing Jesus wins heaven.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-43932650430363117862016-11-15T14:07:00.001-08:002016-11-15T14:07:03.400-08:00When You Don't Know What To Say In Prayer<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">When you want to pray, but don't know what to say, you're in a good place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Simply, rest. Rest in his love.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Remember, the Lord wants your heart much more than he wants your words.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-9854726336734590152016-11-15T14:05:00.001-08:002016-11-15T14:11:18.484-08:00What We Need<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">We all <em>need</em> heroes.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">And the Church has them in the saints.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The saints aren't just people who live in stained-glass windows. No, the saints are those heroes in the faith whose lives we admire and whose example we imitate because they stir up the best in us. We admire what they did, and pray we can do it ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">That's why a healthy spiritual life will always include a devotion to the saints in general and some special saints in particular.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you're struggling to find some for yourself, I've listed a few of my favorites below and a link to inspiring resources.</span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">St. (Padre) Pio - </strong><a alt="https://www.amazon.com/Padre-Rev-Charles-Mortimer-Carty-ebook/dp/B00UB2UCDW/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1476210269&sr=8-18&keywords=padre+pio" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRjzpGIFSPysSrCVGWIUJlXahI190-h40iCn7i6pb1ZJeC9tLoaIjHlmYX4Ebf_VFS-H27-Iusr41UpwLBGTxYWYHvl5DYoZJ4tAwIDEkvv6zsjAErQrXwComKKUXXDM_8kAoe3IqUEajcZz3irj0hoeTE7PjPHKFbS7YwzTR6gQW6Ck_JUylLrObc-fiMKBc3gCTFSQ9Qvw5CstKVoGIZ8DHmKa3CRpVDnq6CFgfjATtGRz_EUozIiA4sLHUBNWv3H4aekgvJ-U-_ZYyPK5vdOPJi93VYnyxTTIZlC6uK3lk%3D%26c%3DCClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g%3D%3D%26ch%3DobFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1479333870625000&usg=AFQjCNHQ-4_--jr0gxnPrIS86wMWwRz5Wg" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRjzpGIFSPysSrCVGWIUJlXahI190-h40iCn7i6pb1ZJeC9tLoaIjHlmYX4Ebf_VFS-H27-Iusr41UpwLBGTxYWYHvl5DYoZJ4tAwIDEkvv6zsjAErQrXwComKKUXXDM_8kAoe3IqUEajcZz3irj0hoeTE7PjPHKFbS7YwzTR6gQW6Ck_JUylLrObc-fiMKBc3gCTFSQ9Qvw5CstKVoGIZ8DHmKa3CRpVDnq6CFgfjATtGRz_EUozIiA4sLHUBNWv3H4aekgvJ-U-_ZYyPK5vdOPJi93VYnyxTTIZlC6uK3lk=&c=CClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g==&ch=obFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Padre Pio: The Stigmatist</a><br />
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Saint Teresa of Calcutta - </strong><a alt="https://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Mother-Teresa-Calcutta/dp/1537400738/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476209937&sr=8-2&keywords=beginners+guide+to+mother+teresa" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMR0nMTjgef47Wa-RTg_S72WR5iWfJU5jpJkJrqUFgTS203WqBR6AzSxynp6ORKfYNGG5jaCRYSnkkDRLrd_AuVD6uSnpADSiazB4VXXkhLtj8m0Rk4a6JAUiLZ2WbK7YL4As6iWYeqO3O6bATxWCFTs808l_o8zqYnXr1NrmMuoK6ch87elrni36SRWN6kWFBQEonCDCz77xpxDvMC8p8wWpkNNNyPy9BFf59wf-yFhB4eloAjzd3i9zfL-dyNI4XEvubSLmJzhEvlcPKlYFWo6AiV6hKVWrFOb0-HzWQRUrvQygNcDQ2tqIrhtd5jm-Vs-LBIZ1LByAM%3D%26c%3DCClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g%3D%3D%26ch%3DobFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1479333870626000&usg=AFQjCNGFOl3e4HT_tTz0dnP2lvIGRXieeA" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMR0nMTjgef47Wa-RTg_S72WR5iWfJU5jpJkJrqUFgTS203WqBR6AzSxynp6ORKfYNGG5jaCRYSnkkDRLrd_AuVD6uSnpADSiazB4VXXkhLtj8m0Rk4a6JAUiLZ2WbK7YL4As6iWYeqO3O6bATxWCFTs808l_o8zqYnXr1NrmMuoK6ch87elrni36SRWN6kWFBQEonCDCz77xpxDvMC8p8wWpkNNNyPy9BFf59wf-yFhB4eloAjzd3i9zfL-dyNI4XEvubSLmJzhEvlcPKlYFWo6AiV6hKVWrFOb0-HzWQRUrvQygNcDQ2tqIrhtd5jm-Vs-LBIZ1LByAM=&c=CClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g==&ch=obFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Beginners Guide To Mother Teresa of Calcutta</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> (Paperback)</span><br />
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Pope St. John XXIII</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> - </span><a alt="https://www.amazon.com/Journal-Soul-Pope-John-XXIII/dp/0225668955/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1476210350&sr=8-6&keywords=john+XXIII+journal+of+a+soul" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRS_1vLwq_ZSuDu6jrEyOH9SQTFp8FchomwAUOuWNx43wYYIjmlT6An5v4hXzwoS0AMDKYaQskSNFMUAlAO6R7tDA1sKP69GgKpR7LURRM37Ko9LLBeBojdhy4oIfjKMdh_FpnjjR2Lw_FqW3HkwrrdXeoBGViQRVUB6TVoObyXqD6JMbKyk3DHYIc5iOL64HeE6YBO8jJR_3Q6uJuBl2BXwVR7XNcsAK8c4Ux-N9llRpyqjsl-TrE2vG8c_hvl2KQBM6X3rx3nkaxnmJfK68fhIrqGJtJ42vyZVbrpVhposRmvDUWqRVECxz7X3TVYhCr%26c%3DCClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g%3D%3D%26ch%3DobFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1479333870626000&usg=AFQjCNHB9evEX90Jc7jhjN4I6xAZKtjf0g" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRS_1vLwq_ZSuDu6jrEyOH9SQTFp8FchomwAUOuWNx43wYYIjmlT6An5v4hXzwoS0AMDKYaQskSNFMUAlAO6R7tDA1sKP69GgKpR7LURRM37Ko9LLBeBojdhy4oIfjKMdh_FpnjjR2Lw_FqW3HkwrrdXeoBGViQRVUB6TVoObyXqD6JMbKyk3DHYIc5iOL64HeE6YBO8jJR_3Q6uJuBl2BXwVR7XNcsAK8c4Ux-N9llRpyqjsl-TrE2vG8c_hvl2KQBM6X3rx3nkaxnmJfK68fhIrqGJtJ42vyZVbrpVhposRmvDUWqRVECxz7X3TVYhCr&c=CClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g==&ch=obFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Journal of a Soul</a><br />
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></strong>
<strong style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> - </span><a alt="https://www.amazon.com/Man-Beatitudes-Pier-Giorgio-Frassati/dp/0898708613/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476210526&sr=8-1&keywords=blessed+pier+giorgio+frassati" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRUh9Lyf0o0TJ8vDgpDEfDPRJpyiqb295Yk6i07-nam8x4oBzuqGk3By2kyMlxs7zbFrHEOto4OkPZbq2emvNNIx3DOH2kYrR1eqLB4yfWAaQmujOE9v_kGnL5-zAhFNH_GLTwaY8ZeRFyYtFnu_JQ-h-Mu8FtyMaqvebzkul_OyeEQ1G6mSQjQonAJPTJYq4yJ6EeCeOv10mSZ-EPlbN--5Yt77vImHxHVF1pzgTKtc-UKQF28zUG3J5X4ZOZl_Dxt8gQs9QniXC2ahpl22q-748gfPQ86rIKGHQ9Y_CC-f71eFXojVNrAmzNwdRSn8K5%26c%3DCClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g%3D%3D%26ch%3DobFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1479333870626000&usg=AFQjCNHU0OFF_vQHvrdLkZE0MTFeAVyG0Q" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRUh9Lyf0o0TJ8vDgpDEfDPRJpyiqb295Yk6i07-nam8x4oBzuqGk3By2kyMlxs7zbFrHEOto4OkPZbq2emvNNIx3DOH2kYrR1eqLB4yfWAaQmujOE9v_kGnL5-zAhFNH_GLTwaY8ZeRFyYtFnu_JQ-h-Mu8FtyMaqvebzkul_OyeEQ1G6mSQjQonAJPTJYq4yJ6EeCeOv10mSZ-EPlbN--5Yt77vImHxHVF1pzgTKtc-UKQF28zUG3J5X4ZOZl_Dxt8gQs9QniXC2ahpl22q-748gfPQ86rIKGHQ9Y_CC-f71eFXojVNrAmzNwdRSn8K5&c=CClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g==&ch=obFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">A Man of the Beatitudes</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></strong></span>
<strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">St. Rita of Cascia</strong><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> - </span><a alt="https://www.amazon.com/St-Rita-Cascia-Saint-Impossible/dp/0895554070/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476210690&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=s.t+rita+cascia" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRbovYp4sXxssBq7jIgu3z60xoa-52euwuC78sGHAv4--k9-dfKJZO87_3AXJDVjNSyTzb1s6i0pXQE3Ke0fz0JqW4SHVLTHHXFwbH6u_Aw8yQDOuDrjqcvobenzsSYQNmQKrahaU6vJbcf9PFokSxEZm3viRxhp2me3ivOumWgEMujN7mlR87U3eDBBceuAdiHSKST3pfecysi4aagfSPu4c3Ir4K4iASEIEBVoSsXYHh48xS9jwVrZVB0Mut6XACoeUiClBFS6YRgCVp46My5Z6sz7Ec15kfHK4-f824cBwAbBGhK_Ofng%3D%3D%26c%3DCClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g%3D%3D%26ch%3DobFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1479333870626000&usg=AFQjCNHpPAHxUeIs6FDxsLqWDcTg4ovERg" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Yu3LAsBYdXK1OZ7JLR9VTCzyj44Mk4npn4d_NwwBBfq8ybpoaYPWHzZhbmb9-hMRbovYp4sXxssBq7jIgu3z60xoa-52euwuC78sGHAv4--k9-dfKJZO87_3AXJDVjNSyTzb1s6i0pXQE3Ke0fz0JqW4SHVLTHHXFwbH6u_Aw8yQDOuDrjqcvobenzsSYQNmQKrahaU6vJbcf9PFokSxEZm3viRxhp2me3ivOumWgEMujN7mlR87U3eDBBceuAdiHSKST3pfecysi4aagfSPu4c3Ir4K4iASEIEBVoSsXYHh48xS9jwVrZVB0Mut6XACoeUiClBFS6YRgCVp46My5Z6sz7Ec15kfHK4-f824cBwAbBGhK_Ofng==&c=CClWwK-fQZcj8WhyNmtf8KjcU2-RD4YMeFBs1CRRIyskEo4O-gS86g==&ch=obFvwt02xIT4oEDTFDZSCDUdRQG0TUWqpnHftuMVEYRS3y8IyZsk9A==" shape="rect" style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" target="_blank">Saint of the Impossible</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-40007316114897686512016-11-15T14:04:00.000-08:002016-11-15T14:04:01.560-08:00How To Get Someone Back To The Church<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">Invite them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">The best way to bring someone you know back to Mass is to, simply, invite them.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Be specific and personal in the invitation (yes, text or email works). Give them a date and time. Tell them to meet you there or offer to pick them up.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">If they decline, give it a week and invite them again.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-24144404622513917612016-08-22T07:39:00.001-07:002016-08-22T07:39:54.861-07:00It's Difficult To Be Selfish When...<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">It's difficult to be selfish when you're busy being grateful.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Therefore, from morning to evening...</span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white;">Thank God.</em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-25473239913066202462016-08-22T07:38:00.004-07:002016-08-22T08:34:55.171-07:00Try This, First.<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2H_G85XzxW14F8qiRAi6sp84Z8kWb-qMYUDWth0sX44AYCQzp9jXymysclcCyP64mCURhEuV2Gf1FJjKIUmIdvIlQfk34yMHE_2xLlSqepYXTNmDpGtYk2FfyzLosVvFPLlMuntrFUae/s1600/shutterstock_289830995.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2H_G85XzxW14F8qiRAi6sp84Z8kWb-qMYUDWth0sX44AYCQzp9jXymysclcCyP64mCURhEuV2Gf1FJjKIUmIdvIlQfk34yMHE_2xLlSqepYXTNmDpGtYk2FfyzLosVvFPLlMuntrFUae/s640/shutterstock_289830995.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">In addition to sharing the content of the faith with someone - the substance of it - try sharing your experience as well.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<em style="background-color: white;">In fact, try sharing your experience first.</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">Tell the story of how the Lord has changed your life, your marriage, your family, your hope for tomorrow and faith for today (even in the smallest of ways), and how The Lord can change theirs, too, if they let him.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-15004431097570430852016-08-22T07:37:00.004-07:002016-08-31T18:02:29.957-07:00"Where Does God Live?"<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGTK6W4UVxlnt2eKVynQJ_U_q2V_UH2BbjsApqeAMelW4z_6OdtiO23RcCTdQaG-c0GYHL89hOIFC78ymgUCgK71uONfxOyJz4MMds-XlCsD4ISfb9s770rZpZtcDC6VF8ZH9LtQJspvR/s1600/shutterstock_234833317.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGTK6W4UVxlnt2eKVynQJ_U_q2V_UH2BbjsApqeAMelW4z_6OdtiO23RcCTdQaG-c0GYHL89hOIFC78ymgUCgK71uONfxOyJz4MMds-XlCsD4ISfb9s770rZpZtcDC6VF8ZH9LtQJspvR/s640/shutterstock_234833317.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">After dinner the other night my three-year old son Joseph asked me a question.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />"Where does God live, Dad?"<br /><br />I said the first thing that came to my mind: "He lives in your struggles, Joseph." Then he went back to playing with his truck.<br /><br />Okay, so I went a little deep. But I want my son (and daughter) to learn something from an early age.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Something so many of us fail to realize...</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">God is not distant from you. He's not "there" when you're doing well, and "not there" when you're struggling. (In fact, some of the wisest saints have said He makes himself even more present during your times of suffering).</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Think of it this way, God wants to live in your mess.<br /><br />No, really; He doesn't want to live in your perfect life, in the imaginary, never-quite-gonna-get-there version that we all dream about. All He wants is all you've got-right here and now.<br /><br />So invite God into your mess: into your problems and your worries and even the sins you still struggle with. Let Him live there, let Him be present to you <em>there</em>. Then, you might just start to see things different, to see things the way He does, the way He's always wanted us to.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-71341530173185710242016-08-22T07:36:00.003-07:002016-08-22T08:02:09.395-07:00What Humility Is (And Isn't)<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<strong style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1doF2zEoC89LzK0aRmZ3DBcUpNqJUr-JVQIMZ6ekEx9qE48W0xi5in0NQmRFZVeXGH5SRo0YYjhTLJubgkoveFbESW5g93IA-NyyiL5d2UmnCUWwrFSX6co5EOqJuPHEbj3gjAbUaze6s/s1600/shutterstock_210984577.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1doF2zEoC89LzK0aRmZ3DBcUpNqJUr-JVQIMZ6ekEx9qE48W0xi5in0NQmRFZVeXGH5SRo0YYjhTLJubgkoveFbESW5g93IA-NyyiL5d2UmnCUWwrFSX6co5EOqJuPHEbj3gjAbUaze6s/s640/shutterstock_210984577.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></strong><br />
<strong style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What humility is <em>not</em>:</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- False modesty</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Poor self-esteem</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Lack of gratitude for God's gifts</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Lying about self</span></em></div>
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<strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">What humility is:</span></strong></div>
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<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Genuine modesty</span></em></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Gratitude for gifts and opportunities</span></em></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<em><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Awareness of Divine Providence</span></em></div>
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<em style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">- Telling the truth about ourselves </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and God</span></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-38629726670437635682016-07-23T12:59:00.000-07:002016-08-01T06:57:22.395-07:00Don't Let These Words Fly By You<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HTSUsj7PQsbsRHdrUgCAsvr9ibmMtrBJYyfJfLOW-xoVuN7wbc0V0Yr2YeUWB65S0ED_UTpPjMUtoiRfzdrYA-HPcRd5olFk6MzlMFUvoybzwhNYVmu_fYbwKM-TzTBy314FU_0BQgrK/s1600/shutterstock_350911157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HTSUsj7PQsbsRHdrUgCAsvr9ibmMtrBJYyfJfLOW-xoVuN7wbc0V0Yr2YeUWB65S0ED_UTpPjMUtoiRfzdrYA-HPcRd5olFk6MzlMFUvoybzwhNYVmu_fYbwKM-TzTBy314FU_0BQgrK/s640/shutterstock_350911157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Just before we sing the, "Holy, Holy, Holy," at Mass, the priest says: </span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white;">"Therefore, with all the choirs of angels and all the saints..."</em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">He's not kidding; they're all there - all of them. Every saint in every glass window, every angel stenciled on the ceiling, every saint carved in cement, every holy man, woman, and child who has ever lived on earth and now lives in glory, are all there, praying for you and those you love.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-29201959947557624422016-07-23T12:57:00.002-07:002016-08-01T06:46:07.430-07:00How To Unlock Joy<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtnx0BiA4J11b9qOJDJE1elylDNrVOF9q2kJMXhqtvVa80_zuSlH8oSCxpcv2QEaNIWruXE2q9keN7kE5eLxI7sEs34q-rbx9I5OvdR94hyHv0dpNrXo2Q5tvAzzNS8USHc_QXagmPTef/s1600/Unlock+Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtnx0BiA4J11b9qOJDJE1elylDNrVOF9q2kJMXhqtvVa80_zuSlH8oSCxpcv2QEaNIWruXE2q9keN7kE5eLxI7sEs34q-rbx9I5OvdR94hyHv0dpNrXo2Q5tvAzzNS8USHc_QXagmPTef/s640/Unlock+Joy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">What brings us joy in life is complete self-giving. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">It can be painful, too, but you can't have real joy without self-giving.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">That's the great paradox of the cross, after all.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service for one another.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Start at home, then go from there.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-15144087069913985542016-07-23T12:56:00.003-07:002016-07-23T12:56:48.152-07:00The Next Time You Sit Down To Eat<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The next time you sit down to eat, <em>slowly, reverently, intentionally,</em> make the sign of the cross and thank God for your food.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></span>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<em style="background-color: white;">Slowly...</em></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></span>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<em style="background-color: white;">Reverently...</em></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></span>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<em style="background-color: white;">Intentionally...</em></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;" /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Thank God for your food.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-7789136786769352272016-07-07T12:08:00.002-07:002016-07-12T13:40:36.014-07:00What Would Your Parish Look Like If...<div style="border: none; margin-bottom: 0.11in; margin-top: 0.04in; orphans: 1; padding: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "open sans" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6k0xFNW3n3OYJ6kSsC5uFes6SQiqIN0-i0guek5ydoE0GtPC2RYbGq56PIsddM7rx1bAAQN39YLpc4CMzKbKbAfZjDk4haTqqc5ihI82nhG75qBycBTjJ_72T2x0ZpkKmfaclXX-B2j4/s1600/shutterstock_290010143.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6k0xFNW3n3OYJ6kSsC5uFes6SQiqIN0-i0guek5ydoE0GtPC2RYbGq56PIsddM7rx1bAAQN39YLpc4CMzKbKbAfZjDk4haTqqc5ihI82nhG75qBycBTjJ_72T2x0ZpkKmfaclXX-B2j4/s640/shutterstock_290010143.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite
the way my office usually looks, I’m something of a perfectionist.
It’s not that I always see the glass half-empty, just that I think
about what might make the glass and whatever else is in it a little bit better. I know that it drives some of my friends nuts, but when I
sit in the pew on Sunday morning I’m not judging how bad things are
(actually my parish is really good);
rather, I’m imagining – imagining what more it could be.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many
days throughout the year I spend in different parishes around the
country giving what’s called a <a href="http://www.jonleonetti.com/parish-mission.html" target="_blank">Parish Mission</a>. And often I
challenge the hard working faithful on the last evening with the same
commission I am challenged with by those who love me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
would your parish look like if being a parishioner at Saint
So-And-So's actually meant something, really meant something, so that
your friends and neighbors who know nothing of the faith know that
what it means to be a member of your parish is to be a Catholic who
takes their faith very seriously? What would it be like if every
one of us really treated the patron saint of our parish as our own
special model and guide, if we prayed for their intercession before
any major parish activity, and if we strove to imitate their
strongest virtues and taught our children to do the same. What would
your parish look like if everyone in your parish was so proud to be a
part of it that they would beg as many of their friends and family as
they possibly could to give it a try, even for just one week.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Imagine
the ushers after Sunday Mass not just simply smiling while handing
you the bulletin to place in the backseat of your car, but calling
you by name and asking how your week was. Imagine a Mass where
everyone sings, whatever the style and however good – or bad –
the organist or other musicians are. Imagine a homily so good that
you find yourself still talking about it Wednesday evening. Imagine
your parishes intentions being intentional, and your concern for your
neighbor so real that you find yourself praying for them at your family dinners.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Imagine a parish where at
communion time </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: 'helvetica neue', arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">everyone</span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> approached slowly and reverently, and
received the Eucharist as though it were the most important thing
they did all week. Imagine if every time a baby cried your first
instinct and that of those around you was to give thanks to God for
the gift of the baby, and not to wonder why the parents haven’t
taken her to the back, yet. Imagine your parish full fifteen minutes before Mass
prayerfully preparing for the true presence of Jesus to enter into
their souls, and where people stay five minutes after to give thanks
to God for the Gift they have received.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
would your parish look like if every day were like a Sunday? What if
daily Mass were more than a few people and the schoolchildren showing
up once a week? Can you imagine showing up on Saturday to help with a parish clean up and seeing as many people in line for
confession as the penance services during Advent or Lent? What would
it be like if your parish were known as the premier place in your
city for feeding the poor, helping those pregnant
and in crisis, assisting immigrants, and helping people save their
houses? What would it be like if every parishioner belonged to a Bible study or took part in some special ministry of prayer? What if <i>every</i>
parishioner who was able to drive volunteered to take communion to one elderly or homebound person each week, reminding them that they are loved
and not forgotten about by the parish? What if you felt so confident
in the prayer lives of your fellow parishioners that you genuinely
felt comfortable asking them to pray for your specific struggles or
concerns, and in addition, took their prayer requests as seriously as
anything else you are asked to do all week.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What
if instead of passing by your priest after Mass with a handshake and
smile, you asked him what specific parish needs you can fulfill that
week? What if you started to treat your priest as though he really
was the spiritual father of your parish <i>and</i> family; if you
invited him out to eat, had him bless you and your kids before he
left the house, and went to him first when you have some serious
personal problem? What would your
parish look like if the priests, deacons, and religious were so impressive that every parent encouraged their
kids to consider a religious vocation? What would your parish look like if it
were really beginning to make you into a saint? What would you begin
to look like? How would it change your marriage? How would it change
your kids?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So
when I sit in the pew before Mass with a look on my face that might
be hard to read, I’m imagining things being different, being even
better than they are now. But it’s not because I’m disappointed
in your parish or my parish or any other. It’s because every time I
gather with God’s people for Mass I see the true potential
within me and within you. Why? Because God’s there, and this is
what God longs to do with us.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">St. Irenaeus says that “The glory of
God is man fully alive.” Just imagine what your parish would look
like if every man, woman, and child, every family, every couple,
every single, every priest, every religious, every layperson,
everyone on the books at your parish were made just a little more
alive each day, each week, each year, in the parish you call <i>home</i>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ll tell you what your
parish would look like...it would change the world.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-74874692036747892572016-06-15T11:24:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:23:12.315-07:00The Most Overlooked Fact About St. Paul<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1jWgUBfl7jOghNaCEUgIEMM4KPOeX7SvNBLAT5DDxbDG6h2_ePdbNPAqInJNZpdXmhyphenhyphen8I8cbgTBqbEXRehHJvrBzo4nyUsqnBFkZty5v8gWFNVdDzVIbQEKBKW7vrFywmrYRA9JhRrB5/s1600/St.+Paul+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1jWgUBfl7jOghNaCEUgIEMM4KPOeX7SvNBLAT5DDxbDG6h2_ePdbNPAqInJNZpdXmhyphenhyphen8I8cbgTBqbEXRehHJvrBzo4nyUsqnBFkZty5v8gWFNVdDzVIbQEKBKW7vrFywmrYRA9JhRrB5/s640/St.+Paul+for+blog.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">St. Paul is one of the most well-known Christians in history, and probably the greatest evangelist who ever lived.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But while we still talk about his adventures and preach through his letters, many have forgotten something critical to his life.</span></span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">St. Paul had a day job.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yep, he was a tentmaker. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We don't tend to remember that part, of course; we remember the preaching, and the teaching, and the miracles, pretty much everything but the day job. </span></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Those letters we read on Sunday to Colossae or Corinth or Rome, he had to write those in his spare time, because there was always somebody at the door asking, "So, how 'bout that tent you said I'd have last Tuesday?"</span></span></span></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In other words</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, St. Paul didn't have to break free from his regular routine to find time to preach the gospel. What he did is exactly what you and I can do--what we must do--if we're to be faithful to our vocation.</span></span></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And if he could do it with canvas and wooden poles, we can surely do it with computers and cars and smartphones and cubicles. We can make room for the gospel, not just on Sunday mornings, but every day of the week.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today, let's make room for God.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-74105370998530416782016-06-08T11:15:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:24:04.957-07:00The Secret To Happiness<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJBl11nYF9jQ-4INDaeckOfaIMs78MdAR8rDc3Tn0B2qCQzTtFk-9lMinJWViJVKu6RUbRZPKW3-25kvVoyuuHBLW4uq-rNyGugsgOU1QdqYGh3ZlnFXXMEyYOPGKq66KU_y68myYi5T/s1600/shutterstock_244123600.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDJBl11nYF9jQ-4INDaeckOfaIMs78MdAR8rDc3Tn0B2qCQzTtFk-9lMinJWViJVKu6RUbRZPKW3-25kvVoyuuHBLW4uq-rNyGugsgOU1QdqYGh3ZlnFXXMEyYOPGKq66KU_y68myYi5T/s640/shutterstock_244123600.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's the secret to happiness?</span><br />
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Everyone wants to know.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">The saints knew it; and we probably should, too.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is it money, fame, beauty, power? If so, there'd be a lot more happy people in the world.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The secret to happiness is <em>holiness</em>.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, <em>holiness</em>.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
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<em><strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PS - Check out my *new* Podcast, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-529337184" target="_blank"><span style="color: #b45f06;">"Your Catholic Life"</span></a><span id="goog_1966268296"></span><span id="goog_1966268297"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> for insight and inspiration from the top Catholic speakers and authors today! (It's FREE)</span></strong></em></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-5134674438552201072016-06-01T10:44:00.002-07:002016-07-07T12:24:26.858-07:00Yesterday, Today And Forever!<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One day St. Teresa of Avila overheard one of the other sisters say, "If only I had lived at the time of Jesus...If only I had seen Him, talked with Him, been touched by Him..."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Teresa stopped what she was doing at once. She walked up to the sister and said, "But do we not have in the Eucharist the living true, and living Jesus laid present before us? Why look for more?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Yeah, she </span><em style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">got</em><span style="background-color: white;"> it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Jesus you received in your parish last Sunday and the Jesus you will receive </span><span style="background-color: white;">this Sunday</span><span style="background-color: white;">, the Jesus you receive at Mass while traveling and the Jesus who waits in the tabernacle of the Church down the street</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><strong style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">is the same Jesus who walked this earth 2000 years ago.</strong></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Think about that for a second. Let it sink in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">So, the next time you genuflect to Jesus in the tabernacle before entering your pew, the next time you see Him raised by the consecrated hands of your priest, or the next time you pass a Church in your car, realize and remember just</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><em style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Who</em><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">is in your midst--Jesus of Nazareth.</span></span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white;">The Same: yesterday, today and forever.</strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-28657104973075176442016-05-25T10:41:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:25:18.673-07:00Consider This<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"That movie was amazing!" We tell our friends.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">"We're getting married!" We post on Facebook.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">We're never shy in regards to the temporal. Thus, we should never be shy when it comes to the eternal.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Don't be afraid to share your love for Jesus and his Church, today.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-80712285494811733782016-05-11T13:42:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:25:35.182-07:00What to do when you don't feel like praying<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't feel like praying today? Its Okay. You're not the only one.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: left;">There are days I don't feel like praying either, but then I remember: prayer is not simply</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">about feelings, prayer is an act of the will--a </span><span style="text-align: left;">movement of the heart. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You don't feel like praying, today? That's OK.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><em>Pray anyway</em></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.</span></span></div>
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<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><strong style="font-weight: bold;">PS</strong><b> - </b>Here's the <a alt="http://www.vatican.va/spirit/documents/spirit_20010302_giovanni-crisostomo_en.html" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f%3D001mebH5WsiixznoGU25ZZJ4qasnN4lEDPZoJzUFGjoaQYw-y-saoMcL1fyPhJYbvMzUJ_H4rTYAbE1Ub0Awzg1ZuAL5GJqhSALDW9BKtz1xDVXXfddhXTfO7sbE-TLnyG6eMMcKb_u6jZ1lZE5fw9k5Za6XHzq8dHLabAadhB8rhnQ0Z4d435j2M-bWbm-pv64bS2W-HvccgZGyYqPQdjVq44Xm42CZ7lJVJWYxgCUcCRRyvVIFzf2QCQL0p0Xg0JI%26c%3D-qkI28UXEVLhes4oauU381Ujvn617BigcVZRRENvR5V5S1Bd1xQXTA%3D%3D%26ch%3D-KFvssz2KKKJAxOPSfIJqQww5kXYkcrN4DDgHH53uQ1lje--yfY32w%3D%3D&source=gmail&ust=1463258491495000&usg=AFQjCNH5TczJYyOM9svnzvA0pgvrdIhaPQ" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001mebH5WsiixznoGU25ZZJ4qasnN4lEDPZoJzUFGjoaQYw-y-saoMcL1fyPhJYbvMzUJ_H4rTYAbE1Ub0Awzg1ZuAL5GJqhSALDW9BKtz1xDVXXfddhXTfO7sbE-TLnyG6eMMcKb_u6jZ1lZE5fw9k5Za6XHzq8dHLabAadhB8rhnQ0Z4d435j2M-bWbm-pv64bS2W-HvccgZGyYqPQdjVq44Xm42CZ7lJVJWYxgCUcCRRyvVIFzf2QCQL0p0Xg0JI&c=-qkI28UXEVLhes4oauU381Ujvn617BigcVZRRENvR5V5S1Bd1xQXTA==&ch=-KFvssz2KKKJAxOPSfIJqQww5kXYkcrN4DDgHH53uQ1lje--yfY32w==" shape="rect" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">text</a> of a short homily by St. </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;">John Chrysostom on prayer.</span></span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-35062863690341613512016-05-05T08:17:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:26:05.480-07:00Why the month of May matters<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Warmer temperatures, longer days, better moods, graduations, confirmations, first communions, some things ending, others beginning; yeah, this is </span><em>May</em><span style="background-color: white;">.</span><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: white;">But there's something else about this month that's important; namely, Mary.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">By now, over the course of these emails, you know of my devotion to Mary. (If you've ever attended one of my parish missions, you </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">really</em><span style="background-color: white;"> know of my devotion to Mary.) Here's </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">why</em><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: white;">The Church celebrates devotion to Mary, during the month of May, because it is a month of new beginnings and of celebrations.</strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75g2clYDouZsvmZbxlBQapGNVw2qZo4YvWcL3QBSG8UFycvh3QcgI68lbzlSNuRK76o7EZnPg5V-IGjnlk_cInPLAKQo03GqjwnhBdhmxmxhyphenhyphenHgKY9Yjcp1AHsfKNwJ-1iHwxPxZ3BGIh/s1600/Mother+Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75g2clYDouZsvmZbxlBQapGNVw2qZo4YvWcL3QBSG8UFycvh3QcgI68lbzlSNuRK76o7EZnPg5V-IGjnlk_cInPLAKQo03GqjwnhBdhmxmxhyphenhyphenHgKY9Yjcp1AHsfKNwJ-1iHwxPxZ3BGIh/s400/Mother+Mary.jpg" width="267" /></span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The new life of nature which we see sprouting up in our front yards and back gardens naturally reminds us of the new life we've been given in Christ, a life which came, as all our lives came, through His mother.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Now, I realize Mary can be a point of contention among those who are friends with her Son. Some people think that by moving towards Mary we must be moving away from Jesus, but this misses the point.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></strong><strong style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We don't </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">go </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Mary. We </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">go </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">through</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Mary. We pass through her Immaculate Heart, to the Sacred Heart of her Son.</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">You see, with Mary, we go to Jesus with an advocate, a coach, a mentor, and a Mother, who helps us along the way.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">Nobody gets offended when you show respect and honor, love and devotion, to people that they love. Jesus is the same.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong style="background-color: white;"><br /></strong><strong style="background-color: white;">Virtually every saint in the whole of the Christian tradition has insisted that devotion to Mary is devotion to Jesus--that Jesus is all the more honored whenever and wherever we honor his Mother.</strong></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">After all, it's exactly what he asked us to do. Remember His last will and testament, delivered there from the cross. "Woman," he said. "Behold your son." And then, to the disciple who represents all of us at the cross, "Behold your mother."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">So this month, start your relationship with God anew, and remember that you are not alone. Let His Mother--</span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">your Mother</em><span style="background-color: white;">--help you. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And if you can, remember me as well.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-72904634770679251712016-04-27T14:01:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:27:45.059-07:00The most difficult prayer you will ever pray<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most difficult prayer we will ever pray is for the person we can't stand the most.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all, praying for our enemies would be easy if we didn't have, well, enemies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not easy (it never will be), but praying for those we can't stand is necessary if we're going to follow Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you need help, start with this simple prayer:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<em style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"Jesus, help (insert name) to be holy. Because you love (insert name) as much as you love me."</span></em></div>
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<em style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></em></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pray this prayer every time you think of him or her. Pray it everyday if need be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Someday, they may even thank you in heaven.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-48435488982348063092016-04-21T14:00:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:26:44.766-07:00What holiness is about<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3eky-2H4Px_jgcn5XiM5IdQwUZ64eluwm4CkLZiN6H2BOqh_pWQkQ82R4G-GtyvbhUebzg5Fd2x4RWj8XGbHMI3HIBM-y-HsoiXAtJBsO71RrARVhdBTK7Ps3-WPLRoZ_Bjh8McVQw_h/s1600/shutterstock_334290167.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3eky-2H4Px_jgcn5XiM5IdQwUZ64eluwm4CkLZiN6H2BOqh_pWQkQ82R4G-GtyvbhUebzg5Fd2x4RWj8XGbHMI3HIBM-y-HsoiXAtJBsO71RrARVhdBTK7Ps3-WPLRoZ_Bjh8McVQw_h/s640/shutterstock_334290167.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The moment I got booked to speak at a marriage retreat sometime ago, I received a text message from my wife that read, "you forgot to clean the blender."</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Holiness in married life (and life in general) really is about the little things, isn't it?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Dishes.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Picking up your shoes.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Letting the dog out.</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">An unexpected text message that reads, "I love you."</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cleaning the blender.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, holiness <em>really</em> is about the little things.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-84752528734038693632016-04-14T13:59:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:27:37.124-07:00How to simply pray<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOjgEkT48Rj1G5aVijRr7lDtzsEKjPFjZjKdJSyzUW-C6FLc6QTLEgws0gGT3ocV9i5RNRQisoQS1C-o_v-x-ak0X5yju4beSVzUmYlzcHYulwB-hbVSCZi8xI7wtPamqYmBXiA9L3ITG/s1600/shutterstock_102786296.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWOjgEkT48Rj1G5aVijRr7lDtzsEKjPFjZjKdJSyzUW-C6FLc6QTLEgws0gGT3ocV9i5RNRQisoQS1C-o_v-x-ak0X5yju4beSVzUmYlzcHYulwB-hbVSCZi8xI7wtPamqYmBXiA9L3ITG/s640/shutterstock_102786296.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Talk to Jesus as you would a friend, today.</span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Give Jesus the people in your life you love, today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Ask Jesus to break into the areas of your life you know you need him the most, today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Thank Jesus for everything you have (yes, even the struggles), today.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">Prayer really is </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">that</em><span style="background-color: white;"> simple.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3809437073857849219.post-40348793195639436542016-04-07T07:04:00.000-07:002016-07-07T12:28:22.875-07:00That's The Point, Afterall<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">God gives you everything you need to make you a saint.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every joy, every struggle, every question you have is God's way of calling you into a deeper relationship with him.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">That's the point, after all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;">That's the point of everything</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">To make you a saint.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03734683026396644578noreply@blogger.com0