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[Maltese Babies]

We are judged by our actions, not by our intentions. Lord, may I show my love for You through charity and goodness toward others.

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

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
~Matthew 18:20

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

"Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
When God finds two or three of us in union, who only want God's will to
be done, who want only to serve God, God has a plan that can be revealed
to them. The grace of God can come to people who are together in one
place with one accord. A union like this is miracle-working. God is
able to use such people. Only good can come through such consecrated
people, brought together in unified groups for a single purpose and of a
single mind.

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

I pray that I may be part of a unified group. I pray that I may
contribute my share to its consecrated purpose.

We are judged by our actions, not by our intentions. Lord, may I show my love for You through charity and goodness toward others.

The Bishop´s Gift

Once a church had fallen upon hard times. Only five members were left: the pastor and four others, all over 60 years old.

In the mountains near the church there lived a retired Bishop. It occurred to the pastor to ask the Bishop if he could offer any advice that might save the church. The pastor and the Bishop spoke at length, but when asked for advice, the Bishop simply responded by saying, "I have no advice to give. The only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you."

The pastor, returning to the church, told the church members what the Bishop had said. In the months that followed, the old church members pondered the words of the Bishop. "The Messiah is one of us?" they each asked themselves. As they thought about this possibility, they all began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off chance that that one among them might be the Messiah. And on the off, off chance that each member himself might be the Messiah, they also began to treat themselves with extraordinary care.

As time went by, people visiting the church noticed the aura of respect and gentle kindness that surrounded the five old members of the small church. Hardly knowing why, more people began to come back to the church. They began to bring their friends, and their friends brought more friends. Within a few years, the small church had once again become a thriving church, thanks to the Bishop's gift.

Treat others and yourself with love, and you will find yourself and the people around you better for it.

New Year's Resolution

Last week I threw out Worrying,
It was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me;
I couldn't do things my way.

I threw out those Inhibitions;
They were just crowding me out.
Made room for my New Growth,
Got rid of my old dreams and doubts.

I threw out a book on My Past
(Didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with New Goals,
Started reading it today.

I threw out childhood toys
(Remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a New Philosophy too,
Threw out the one from long ago.

Bought in some new books too,
Called I Can, I Will, and I Must.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
Wow, You should've seen the dust.

I ran across an Old Friend,
Haven't seen Him in a while.
I believe His name is God,
Yes, I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning
And added some things Himself.
Like Prayer, Hope and Faith,
Yes I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing
And placed it at the front door.
I Found it - its called Peace.
Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble
There just isn't any place.

Its good to do a little house cleaning,
Get rid of the old things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter;
Maybe you should Try It Yourself.

- Author unknown -

THE CROSS IN MY POCKET
Author Unknown

I carry a cross in my pocket,
A simple reminder to me
That I am a Christian,
No matter where I may be.

This little cross isn't magic,
Nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn't meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It's not for identification
For all the world to see.
It's simply an understanding
Between my Savior and me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful
For my blessings every day,
And to strive to serve Him better
In all that I do or say.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or a key,
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price He paid for me.

It's also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care.

So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding none but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life,
If only I'll let Him be.

Prayer For The Departed

By Saint Alphonsus Mary de Liguori

MY GOD! I recommend to Thee the souls of my relations, my benefactors, my friends and my enemies, and of those who are in Purgatory on my account.

I recommend to Thee the souls of evangelical labourers, of Religious and priests, and especially of those who had charge of my soul.

I recommend to Thee the souls of those who were most devout to the passion of Our Lord, to the Blessed Sacrament, to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the souls who are most abandoned, those who suffer most, and those who are nearest to the entrance into paradise.

As the dawn breaks on a new year, let us give thanks for all we hold dear: our health, our family and our friends.

Let us release our grudges, our anger and our pains, for these are nothing but binding chains. Let us live each day in the most loving ways, the God-conscious way. Let us serve all who are in need, regardless of race, color or creed.

Let us keep God of our own understanding in our hearts and to chant God’s name each day. Let us lead the world from darkness to light, from falsehood to truth and from wrong to right.

Let us remember that we are all one, embracing all, discriminating against none.

May your year be filled with peace, prosperity and love. May God's blessings shower upon you and bestow upon each of you a bright, healthy and peaceful new year.