Community Chat

[gloriajean]

To be successful in the projects you undertake today, you must believe in
yourself and your abilities even if you are walking on new ground. Lord,
guide me in my endeavors and open my mind to new solutions if things
aren't going as I have planned.


Scripture for the day:

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in
your truth, and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you
I wait all day long." ~Psalm 25:4-5

Meditation for the day:

There is much beauty in a God-guided life. There is wonder in the
feeling of being led by God. We can try to realize God's bounty and
goodness more and more. God is planning for us. God's ways are
wonderful. They are beyond our knowledge. But God's leading can
enter our consciousness more and more, and bring us ever more peace
and joy. Our lives are being blessed by God. We can count all
material things as loss if they prevent us from winning our way to the
consciousness of
God's guidance.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may earn the rewards of God's power and peace. I pray
that I may develop my awareness of being led by God.

Hello my friends! How was your Friday? Hope everything went well - here it
was cold, but we got quite a bit done - his day off - after Mass we went out
for breakfast, haven't done that in a long time, and grocery shopping.
Bought some smart chickens - our friend, Ray, told us they buy the smart
chickens that are air dried, never heard of that. So they were on sale, and
we bought a few. Of course the ones that are natural with nothing added.
We took a nap today too, well, he did, I rested but couldn't sleep, so got
up and got things done around here. Then we went out to our fav restaurant
for dinner to visit Jim - oh my! He shared with us his son's terrible
accident, fell asleep at the wheel, and how God saved him from getting
killed. After dinner he wanted us to come to his office to see pictures of
the car which rolled over 4 times. He said it surely was a miracle his son
is alive! Looking at that car there is no way he could have survived it,
but God kept him alive - his leg was cut so bad and he was bleeding fast,
and would have bled to death if he didn't get help fast but he did. Jim got
the call at 4 AM that his son was in a terrible accident! He worked there
at the restaurant, he's home now. Please pray for him - his name is Nima,
and he has a wife and two little kids. He has a long recovery - had surgery
on his leg. He waited on us a few times there, so we know him. I told Jim
I'd have people praying for him and he thanks you all already!

Homily of the Day


December 2, 2011


Freedom from Doubt
by Food For Thought

First Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24
Psalm: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
Gospel: Matthew 9:27-31

Isaiah proclaims a time when “the deaf shall hear [and] the eyes of the
blind shall see.” That time came amid Jesus’ busy ministry through the towns
and villages of Israel, where many blind and deaf people were healed and, as
a result, they praised God in thanksgiving.

We may think that that time is now in the past. The story of Jesus, after
all, has fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus is no longer physically
present here on earth and it would be unwise to count on miracles.

As it may be true that Jesus is not here in the same presence as He did more
than 2,000 years ago, Jesus is very much still with us. He is with us
spiritually in our hearts and physically with us through the Holy Eucharist.
He is here listening to us and answering our prayers and he is here still
actively working with us and through us to heal the sick, to enable the
blind to see and the deaf to hear. He was with the Apostles during their
very first missions and he is very much present as we in the Church come
together as a community to proclaim His Word and do our duty as His
followers.

All it takes is for us to believe and to build our faith, and to remember
that he is very much alongside us. Let us cast away the doubts and open our
hearts. Let us pray together with our families and with our church
community.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the
midst of them.” (Mt 18:20)

PRAYER
“Lord, help me to draw near to you with confidence and trust in your saving
power and mercy. Free me from doubt and unbelief that I may approach you
confidently and pray boldly with expectant faith. Let your kingdom come and
may your will be done in me.”

Catch of a Lifetime

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from a
dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New
Hampshire lake. On the day before the bass season opened, he and his
Father were fishing early in the evening, catching some fish and perch
with worms. Then he tied on a small silver lure and practiced
casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the
sunset, thin silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake. When his
pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His
Father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish
along side the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted
fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it
was a bass.

The boy and his Father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing
back and forth in the moonlight. The Father lit a match and looked at
his watch. It was 10 p.m. - two hours before the season (contest)
opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. "You'll have to put
it back, Son," he said.

"Dad!" cried the boy.

"There will be another fish," said his father.

"Not as big as this one," cried the boy.

He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were around
in the moonlight. He looked again at his Father. Even though no one
had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the
fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his Father's voice that
the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the
lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the black water. The
creature swished its powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected
that never again would he see such a great fish.

That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in
New York City. His Father's cabin is still there on the island in the
middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from
the same dock. He was right. He has never again caught such a
magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he
does see that same fish - again and again - every time he comes up
against a question of ethics. For, as his Father taught him, ethics
are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of
ethics that is difficult.

Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners
to get the design in on time? We would if we were taught to put the
fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth.
The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It
is a story we will proudly tell our friends and our grandchildren.
Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but
about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened.

Friends, give up the bass, for one day you'll catch THE whale!

TO MY CHILD . . .
Author Unknown


Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and
laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear,
and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick
you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let
you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the
computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble
when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you
one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be
when you grow up, or second-guess every decision I have made where you
are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I
won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both
a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story
about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get
angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the
porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss
my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you
pray,

I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever
given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their
missing children; the mothers and fathers who are visiting their
children's graves instead of their bedrooms; and mothers and fathers
who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly,
and screaming inside they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a
little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him
for nothing, except one more day.



I WAS NOTHING
Anonymous

Jesus...
I had nothing till I met you
My life was worthless
Just like a piece of clay
Laying on the ground before your feet.
But you came and picked me up.
You saw the beauty in me,
The beauty you alone saw...
only you..no one else, not even me.
You placed me in front of you,
And saw what you could make out of me.
You then got ready
And started working into my life.
You worked your loving hands so gently
And made sure I wouldn't get hurt.
You molded me to an image of you
And breathed life into my soul.


PRAYER
"Lord Jesus, you became a servant for my sake to set me free from the
tyranny of selfishness, fear, and conceit. Help me to be humble as you
are humble and to love freely and graciously all whom you call me to
serve."

A Prayer for December

Jesus, Light of the world.
When I am afraid and unsure,
comfort me with the light of Your presence.
When Loneliness chills me,
warm me with the light of Your love.
When the road ahead seems dark,
guide me with the light of Your way.
When I don't understand and my
thoughts are unclear,
fill me with the light of Your wisdom.
When I seem spent like a candle consumed,
replenish me with the light of Your life.
Then, so filled with Your light, use me,
So that I, with You, may be light for the world!

Good night my friends! Have sweet dreams and may the Angels be with you all
night - and may God bless your day tomorrow!