Community Chat

[gloriajean]

When your mind takes you to places you don't want to go, you have
the power to bring yourself back. Lord, strengthen my ability to focus
on that which I am experiencing now so that I will truly live and lose
none of the time You have given to me.


Scripture for the day:

"Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning."
~Psalm 30:5

Meditation for the day:

We can constantly live in preparation for something better to come.
All of life can be a preparation for something better. We can
anticipate the morning to come. We can feel, in the night of sorrow,
that understanding joy that tells of confident expectation of better
things to come. "Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with
the morning." We can know that God has something better in store for
us, as long as we are making ourselves ready for it. Our life in this
world can be a training for a better life to come.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that when life is over, I may enjoy eternal life with God. I
pray that I may make this life a preparation for a better life to
come.

Hello my friends! Hope your day went well. Busy day for me today - we had
Darla with us all day - and she helped make the supper for all of her aunts
and uncles on his side who were invited to come see her. We had chicken
alfredo and a huge salad I made. Everyone had a good time! They are gone
now, but Elisha, Lori's friend is here, she needs some support - it's a year
ago today that her Dad died. Tough day for her. I remember when he was
dying of cancer. Today was spent with looking at a rental for the Wedding -
things like boxes to put the cards in - they have all sorts of cute things.
Darla also got a massage by her sister. It was so nice spending time with
her. Always a great blessing to all be together.
Another blessing - I didn't have to do anything for the meal except the
lettuce salad I made. Darla made herself useful in the kitchen. Lori came
and finished with her after her work.

Santa's Christmas Prayer



The sleigh was packed,
the reindeer were fed,
But Santa still knelt
by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed
"Be with me tonight.
There's much work to do
and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh
and streak through the sky,
Knowing full well
that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household
before the first light,
I'll cover the world
and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing,
I'll land on each roof,
Amid the soft clatter
of each little hoof.

To get in the house
is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney
of each little heart.

My sack will hold toys
to grant all their wishes.
The supply will be endless
like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings
and not leave a track.
I'll eat every cookie
that's left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord,
only through You,
I just need your blessing,
then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor
the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us,
Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends,
lest Your glory I rob,
Please Lord, remind them,
who gave me this job."

Friday, December 16, 2011

God Waits Patiently

Like the second son in today’s Gospel, we may be reluctant
and even resentful about obedience at times.
But God waits, knowing that we just need a little time.
Is there anything you know you should be doing,
but you have been putting it off?
Maybe it’s time to say “yes” to God.

from Catholic Update: Rest Stops for a Rushed People

13th Century hymn attributed to St. Simon Stock - Carmelite

Flower of Carmel, tall vine blosson laden;
Splendour of heaven. Child bearing, yet maiden.
None equals thee.

Mother so tender, whom no man didst know.
On Carmel's children. Thy favours bestow.
Star of the Sea.

Strong stem of Jesse. Who bore one bright flower.
Be ever near us. And guard us each hour:
Who serve thee here.

Purest of lilies, that flowers among thorns.
Bring help to true hearts that in weakness turn:
And trust in thee.

Strongest of armour, we trust in thy might.
Under thy mantle, hard pressed in the fight.
We call to thee.

Our way, uncertain, surrounded by foes.
Unfailing counsel you offer to those -
Who turn to thee.

O gentle Mother, who in Carmel reigns.
Share with your servants. That gladness you gained.
And now enjoy.

Hail, gate of heaven, with glory now crowned.
Bring us to safety, where thy Son is found.
True joy to see.

The Little Crown is a form of prayer which was currently used in the 17th
century. Among its promoters were: St. Joseph Calasanctius (d.1648), St.
Andrew Avellino (d.1630), Alexis of Salo, Francis Olimpio (d.1639). The
Jesuits commended it to the members of their Marian congregations. Blessed
Julian Maunoir put it into verse, and had it sung during his missions in
Brittany.

The sermon of St. Bernard, "In signum magnum," or "De duocecim stellis,"
served as a basis for some versions. That of St. Louis-Marie de Montfort,
however, derives its structure from the work of Fr. Poire, entitled, "The
Triple Crown."

THE TRIPLE CROWN OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Virgin most holy, accept my praise.
And give me strength to fight your foes.

[Crown of Holiness]

Our Father... Hail Mary...

You are indeed blessed, Virgin Mary, in having brought forth the Creator of
the universe.
You gave birth to the one who made you, while ever remaining a virgin.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Virgin holy and immaculate, no tongue can praise you worthily.
For you bore in your womb the God whom the very heavens cannot enclose.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

You are all beautiful, O Mary.
And free from every stain of sin.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

The gifts bestowed on you, Virgin Mary.
Outnumber the stars of heaven.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever...

Glory be to the Father...

[Crown of Power]

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Queen of the whole world, we praise you.
Lead us to the joys of heaven.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Treasury of all God's graces, we praise you.
Grant us a share in your heavenly gifts.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Mediatrix between God and man, we praise you.
Through your intercession may the Almighty be favorable to us.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Victor over heresies and all that is evil, we praise you.
Guide us lovingly in the way of truth.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Glory be to the Father...

[Crown of Goodness and Gentleness]

Our Father... Hail Mary...

Refuge of sinners, we praise you
Reconcile us with Almighty God.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Mother of orphans, we praise you.
Make us beloved children of our Father.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Joy of those who serve the Lord, we praise you.
Lead us with you to the happiness of heaven.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Hail Mary...

Advocate ever near us in life and in death, we praise you.
Lead us with you to the Kingdom of God.

Rejoice, O Virgin Mary.
Rejoice forever and ever.

Glory be to the Father...

Let us pray.

Hail, Mary, daughter of God the Father, mother of God the Son, spouse of the
Holy Spirit, temple of the Blessed Trinity.
Hail, Mary, my mistress, my wealth, my joy; Queen of my heart, my Mother and
my life; my consolation, my dearest hope, my very heart and soul.
I belong to you entirely, and all that I possess is yours, Virgin blessed
above all. May your soul be in me to glorify God; may your spirit be in me
to rejoice in God.
Virgin most faithful, set your seal upon my heart, so that in you and
through you I may be found faithful to God.
Grant, gracious Mother, that I may be numbered among those whom you love and
instruct, whom you guide, cherish, and protect as your children. O Queen of
heaven, I renounce from this moment anything in me that does not belong to
you. O daughter of the King of kings, whose principal glory is within, do
not allow me to be distracted by things that are visible and transitory;
grant, rather, that through God's abundant grace, I may always be intent on
the life within me, where I may find in God my delight, my wealth, my honor,
my glory and my rest. Thus, through the Holy Spirit, your faithful spouse,
and through you, his faithful spouse, Jesus Christ, your beloved Son may be
perfectly formed in our hearts for the greater glory of God our Father,
forever and ever. Amen.

Listening

A man realized that he could not hear very well and that he had to buy a
hearing aid. But he did not want to spend much money on it. So he went to
the store and asked the clerk, "How much do hearing aids cost?"

"Well" said the salesman, "it depends. They run from two dollars to two
thousand .'' "Let me see the two dollar model," the man said.

The clerk hung a string around the man's neck. "Just put this button in your
ear," he said, "and stick this string in your pocket." "How does it work?"
asked the customer. "It doesn't work. But when people see it on you, they'll
speak louder."

Actually most of our communication problems are not due to people speaking
too softly, Most of us are not good listeners. Big companies know that
people want to be listened to. One company uses the motto: "We listen
better, and another company says, "We hear you."

As one little girl promised, "I'll try to listen louder."


Origins of Christmas

Around December 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere marks the shortest day of
the year as measured between the times of sunrise and sunset. In 274 AD,
Roman Emperor Aurelian declared December 25th as a cause for celebration
because the sun begins anew its journey toward longer days... and so the
Winter Solstice pagan festival (or Yule) was born.

The early Church, which was being persecuted by ancient Rome, believed they
could convert some pagans by assimilating this holiday into Christian
beliefs. As the Pagans were celebrating the Light and the rebirth of the
Sun, early Christians took this opportunity to teach them about Jesus, who
is the "Light of the World". (And so Christians started Christmas in 336
AD.)

(Many scholars believe that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles,
which is around September.)

Even the popular Roman pagan festival Saturnalia led to a Christmas
tradition. Saturnalia was held in mid-December to honor the pagan-god of
agriculture, Saturnus, with feasting and gift giving. Early Christians
found the gift giving tradition endearing, because it is a reminder that God
gave his only Son to save us.

Let us pray:
Father, help us to prepare the way of Jesus, the Light of the world.
May we, who believe He will come again, always serve You.
Let us proclaim this mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Amen.

- - -
John 8:12 - "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will have the
light of life and will never walk in darkness."

John 3:16 - For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.

Gifts You Can Give Year Round




The Gift of Praise
Appropriate mention, right in front of the other
fellow, of superior qualities or of a
job or deeds well done.

The Gift of Consideration
Putting yourself in the other's shoes and
thus providing your genuine understanding
of his side of the case.

The Gift of Concession
Humbly saying at just the right point,
"I am sorry, you are right and I am wrong."

The Gift of Gratitude
Never forgetting to say "Thank You"
and never failing to mean it.

The Gift of Attention
When the other fellow speaks, listen attentively.
If his words are directed to you
personally, meet his eye squarely.

The Gift of Inspiration
Plant seeds of courage and action
in the other person's heart.

The Gift of Personal Presence
In sickness, in trouble, or in great joy,
there is nothing quite equal to your
personal expression of sympathy or
congratulations. Resolve to give these gifts
each day. You will be pleasantly surprised
at what you will receive in return.

THE BEST GIFTS THIS SEASON:
Author Unknown
December 16, 2011


To a Friend - Loyalty
To an Enemy - Forgiveness
To your Boss - Service
To your Child - A good example
To your Father - Honor
To your Mother - Gratitude and Devotion
To your Spouse - Love and Faithfulness
To Yourself - Respect
To All Men - Charity
To God - Your Life!!

Good night all - Sweet Dreams and may your Saturday be blessed in every
way!!