Community Chat

[gloriajean]

You will be what you believe that you are and you will become what you
believe
you can become. Lord, increase my humility so that I may always be mindful
that the good within comes from You.


S C R I P T U R E S F O R T H E D A Y

Brothers and sisters: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the
heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be
holy and without blemish before him. In love he destined us for adoption
to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, for
the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
~Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me
according to your word." Then the angel departed from her. ~Luke 1:26-28

M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y

Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the
Blessed Virgin Mary we celebrate her special place with God and the fact
that from her Conception she was preserved from the stain of Original Sin.
As we rely on her presence and intercession we strive to follow her
example as well. As she said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be
done to me according to your word."

P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y

I pray that I may rely on the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I
pray that I may be inspired by her example and know that I too amid the
handmaid of the Lord. I pray that I may accept my life as a gift from God
and proclaim, "May it be done to me according to your word."

Hello my friends! Today Lori picked us up to go to her old Parish's Easter
Mass - great singing and instruments - great celebration and very, very
full! It was nice going again even though we went to the Easter Vigil last
night. Lori spent the day with us - then we went with her to the wake for
Elicia's Mom. Very crowded wake! I didn't know that Elicia's Mom was a
nurse. She had nursing pictures and plaques displayed. May she rest in
peace. Darla called us to wish us a Happy Easter and we had a nice visit.
She said she fell down her stairway last week and is very sore, all wooden
steps! She'll go to the doctor tomorrow. Thanks be to God she didn't break
any bones!


THE EMPTY EGG



Jeremy was born with a twisted body and a slow mind. At the age of 12 he was
still in second grade, seemingly unable to learn. His teacher, Doris
Miller, often became exasperated with him. He would squirm in his seat,
drool, and make grunting noises. At other times, he spoke clearly and
distinctly, as if a spot of light had penetrated the darkness of his brain.
Most of the time, however, Jeremy just irritated his teacher.

One day she called his parents and asked them to come in for a consultation.
As the Forresters entered the empty classroom, Doris said to them, "Jeremy
really belongs in a special school. It isn't fair to him to be with younger
children who don't have learning problems. Why, there’s a five-year age gap
between him and the other students."

Mrs. Forrester cried softly into a tissue while her husband spoke. "Miss
Miller," he said, "there is no school of that kind nearby. It would be a
terrible shock for Jeremy if we had to take him out of this school. We know
he really likes it here."

Doris sat for a long time after they had left, staring at the snow outside
the window. Its coldness seemed to seep into her soul. She wanted to
sympathize with the Forresters. After all, their only child had a terminal
illness. But it wasn't fair to keep him in her class. She had 18 other
youngsters to teach, and Jeremy was a distraction. Furthermore, he would
never learn to read and write. Why waste any more time trying?

As she pondered the situation, guilt washed over her. Here I am complaining
when my problems are nothing compared to that poor family, she thought.
Lord, please help me to be more patient with Jeremy.

From that day on, she tried hard to ignore Jeremy's noises and his blank
stares. Then one day, he limped to her desk, dragging his bad leg behind
him. “I love you, Miss Miller," he exclaimed, loudly enough for the whole
class to hear.

The other students snickered, and Doris's face turned red. She stammered,
"Wh-why, that's very nice, Jeremy. N-now please take your seat."

Spring came, and the children talked excitedly about the coming of Easter.
Doris told them the story of Jesus and then, to emphasize the idea of new
life springing forth, she gave each of the children a large plastic egg.
"Now," she said to them, "I want you to take this home and bring it back
tomorrow with something inside that shows new life. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Miss Miller," the children responded enthusiastically--all except for
Jeremy. He listened intently, his eyes never leaving her face. He did not
even make his usual noises. Had he under-stood what she had said about
Jesus' death and resurrection? Did he understand the assignment? Perhaps she
should call his parents and explain the project to them.

That evening, Doris' kitchen sink stopped up. She called the landlord and
waited an hour for him to come by and unclog it. After that, she still had
to shop for groceries, iron a blouse, and prepare a vocabulary test for the
next day. She completely forgot about phoning Jeremy's parents.

The next morning, 19 children came to school, laughing and talking as they
placed their eggs in the large wicker basket on Miss Miller's desk. After
they completed their math lesson, it was time to open the eggs.

In the first egg, Doris found a flower. "Oh yes, a flower is certainly a
sign of new life," she said. "When plants peek through the ground, we know
that spring is here."

A small girl in the first row waved her arm. "That's my egg, Miss Miller,"
she called out.

The next egg contained a plastic butterfly, which looked very real. Doris
held it up. "We all know that a caterpillar changes and grows into a
beautiful butterfly. Yes, that's new life, too."

Little Judy smiled proudly and said, "Miss Miller, that one is mine."

Next, Doris found a rock with moss on it. She explained that moss, too,
showed life. Billy spoke up from the back of the classroom. "My daddy
helped me," he beamed.

Then Doris opened the fourth egg. She gasped. The egg was empty. Surely it
must be Jeremy's she thought, and of course, he did not understand her
instructions. If only she had not forgotten to phone his parents. Because
she did not want to embarrass him, she quietly set the egg aside and reached
for another. Suddenly, Jeremy spoke up. "Miss Miller, aren't you going to
talk about my egg?"

Flustered, Doris replied, "But Jeremy, your egg is empty."

Jeremy looked into her eyes and said softly, "Yes, but Jesus' tomb was
empty, too."

Time stopped. When she could speak again, Doris asked him, "Do you know why
the tomb was empty?"

"Oh, yes," Jeremy said, "Jesus was killed and put in there. Then His Father
raised Him up."

The recess bell rang. While the children excitedly ran out to the school
yard, Doris cried. The cold inside her melted completely away.

Three months later, Jeremy died. Those who paid their respects at the
mortuary were surprised to see 19 eggs on top of his casket, all of them
empty.


RESURRECTION SUNDAY STORY COOKIES
Author Unknown



You need:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 F. (this in important - don't wait till you are
half way done with the recipe!) Place pecans in zipper baggie and let
children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman
soldiers.

Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar
to drink.

Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus
gave His life to give us life.

Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and
brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty
tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.

Read Luke 23:27.

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar.
Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because
He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him.

Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.

Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks
are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in
God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.

Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie
sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus'
body was laid.

Read Matt. 27:57-60.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven
OFF. Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain
that Jesus' tomb was sealed.

Read Matt. 27:65-66.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the
oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.

Read John 16:20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice
the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the
first Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and
empty.

Read Matt. 28:1-9.

HE HAS RISEN!!!!!

I BELIEVE
Author Unknown

I believe in Miracles and dreams that will come true,
And I believe in happiness And friendship, through and through
I believe that when you cry your tears are not in vain,
And when you're sad and lonely someone knows that you're in pain.

I believe that when we laugh a sparkle starts to shine,
And before you know these sparks will spread
From more hearts than just mine.
I believe the gifts you have are there for you to share
And when you give them from the heart, the whole world knows you care.

I believe that if you give, even just to one,
That gift will grow in magnitude before the day is done.
I believe that comfort comes from giving part of me,
And if I share with others, there's more for all so see.
I believe that love is still the greatest gift of all,
And when it's given from the heart, Love will conquer all.

"Jesus is Truly Risen. Alleluia!"

Early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of
the crucified Lord. Their hearts were filled with sorrow, pain and despair.
Upon arriving at the tomb, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away.
Not only had the morning sun risen, but Jesus, the Sun of Justice, had risen
from among the dead. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know
that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has
been raised, as he said."

On Easter, Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the greatest day in the
Church's year - Jesus rose from the dead. There is such a stark contrast
from Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

On Good Friday, Mary and the Disciples were faced with greatest tragedy -
the murder of Jesus, his humiliating death on the cross. To them, it was the
end - death had won. Jesus was therefore like any one else - how could he be
the Saviour, if he was conquered by death? Today, the angel of the Lord has
told the truth - Jesus is risen! Jesus is truly Risen! Death has no victory
over him. Jesus is the Saviour. Jesus is truly God.

For Christians, death does not conquer us, death is not the end. After the
cross, after suffering and pain, after hurt, confusion and anger, after the
many questions, the searching, the giving up... the answer is clear. Death
is not the end. There is Resurrection. There is hope.

Jesus has bridged the gap from heaven to earth, from death to life, from
mortality to immortality. We have a new and eternal life in Heaven with God.
Thanks to Jesus. This is why Easter is the greatest day of the Church's
Year.

As we celebrate Jesus' Resurrection from the dead and await the sending of
the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, may we follow the example of Mary and the
Apostles who gathered in prayer. May we all devote more time to prayer in
our daily lives.

Death, O death, where is your victory?
Jesus is truly risen.
He has conquered death. He has given life.

Fr Geoffrey Abdallah.
(1998 Youth Chaplain's Easter Messsage.)

- - -
Acts 4:2 - Jesus had risen from death, which proved that the dead will rise
to life.

Romans 6:9 - Christ has been raised from death and will never die again -
death will no longer rule over him.

1 Corinthians 15:54 - ... "Death is destroyed; victory is complete!"
1 Corinthians 15:55 - "Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your
power to hurt?"
1 Corinthians 15:57 - ... thanks be to God who gives us the victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!

Now that Lent and Easter Sunday is over - let us continue to be Easter
People! Let us rejoice - He is Risen and He is always with us. Alleluia!
Hope you all had a nice and Holy Happy Easter!