Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Deal with the shortcomings of those around you as gently as you would
your own. Lord, help me to treat others as I want to be treated.

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

"Peter approached Jesus and asked him, 'Lord, if my brother sins
against me, how often must I forgive? As many as seven times?' Jesus
answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."
~Matthew 18:21-22

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

When we call on God in prayer to help us overcome weakness, sorrow,
pain, discord and conflict, God never fails in some way to answer our
appeal. When we are in need of strength for ourselves or for the help of
some other person we can call on God in prayer. The power we need can
come simply, naturally, and forcefully. We can pray to God not only
when we need help, but also just to commune with God. The spirit of
prayer can alter an atmosphere from one of discord to one of
reconciliation. It can raise the quality of thought and word and bring
order out of chaos.

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

I pray that I may bring peace where there is discord. I pray that I may
bring conciliation where there is conflict.

Hello my friends! Hope you all are having a great Saturday today! Hope your weather is nice out and you have lots of sun! It is sunny out, but it's cold. We had a little dusting of snow. My blessings today is: no snow storm, going out for dinner tonight for our Parish Fund Raising Dinner and Silent Auction, so looking forward to it meeting up with friends, Ann and Ray and others, stuff pork chops etc. and the theme is back to the 50's and 60's. I remember back then when I graduated in 1958 those can cans were in - those were those big petticoats, to make your flare skirts flare! Mine was a red one! Loved it!! I had lots of flare skirts and at our Catholic High School we wore dresses and skirts all the time.
Our fashion then was skirts almost down to the ankles, I loved it! My sister would make me circle skirts! Then we'd dance and twill around - those were the days! We are supposed to dress like that tonight if we have any of those clothes, and the saddle shoes. I don't, I'm going in a nice dress slacks and aqua sweater. It's cold enough! I'll have to report later how the night was. Oh, our dear Father Matthew, our 29 year old assistant pastor, who wasn't even alive at that time, is going to sing songs of that era. That should be good. He is a great singer - even sang for the Pope when he was in Rome. So they have social hour at first, at 7 is the dinner, and after that they have a band and dancing and entertainment. It's always so much fun. One year Fr. Bernie played the piano for us, never knew he could play and he did a great job!! Now I wonder if he'll be able to come. He's in a wheelchair since his stroke last June.
I'm all ready to go now waiting for my dear husband to get home from work - thought I'd get this thread out early rather than later. Can you tell I'm excited? Another blessing was a phone call this morning from Sarah. She really needs a lot of prayers, she's so depressed. I'm glad I could be there for her.

Homily of the Day


February 26, 2011


Humanity´s Value in the World
by Monsignor Dennis Clark, Ph.D.

Is 49:14-15; 1 Cor 4:1-5; Mt 6:24-34

God loves His creation. “No ‘bout a-doubt it!” In fact, not the smallest
part of an atom could exist without God keeping it in mind. And the crown of
his creation, is not the universe, but humanity. When God finished creation
by creating humanity, he did not say “it is good,” but “it is very good”.
Now, I may have people upset at me for this, but God started this idea: why
do we have more concern for endangered species than we do for unborn
children? It is not that we should ignore the environment around us, and use
things without a care for what is happening to the world, but Jesus himself
says that we are worth more than grass, or birds.

The Vatican has “gone green” with solar panels. Each of us are called to an
awareness of our own “carbon foot print,” as the catch phrase for modern
times goes. But, when “mother Earth” becomes “goddess Gaia,” we have a
problem. Being stewards of God’s great creation has great responsibilities.
But, in many circles today, things are disordered. I have even heard it said
that some want “personhood” to be granted to animals! Yet, unborn children
are denied personhood and the protection of law.

If we could only see how valuable we are in God’s eyes, if we could only see
ourselves and those around us as God sees us, if we only believed in the
greatness we contain because of God’s grace… how great this world would
become again? Where did all the great paintings and churches come from in
previous centuries? They came from an understanding of our greatness in the
eyes of God, and our desire as a result of that knowledge to give praise and
glory to Him.

Can we make this world, in all its natural beauty, into a magnificent
cathedral that gives glory to God because of the way we use what He has
given us? I see two major obstacles to that: abortion and a disordered
understanding of the value of the world.

What are we really worth? Just look at the cross.

Short Meditation
Visions and Dreams

Find baby pictures of family members.
Spend some time looking at the pictures
and reflecting on each person’s
potential, vision and dreams.
Pray for each person.

The Medium Can Change the Message

Years ago an elderly illiterate carpenter
received some mail and he was very upset about
it. A letter was a very unusual thing in his life
and he was worried about what might be in it. So
he hurried over to the butcher shop and the
rough-voice muscle man behind the counter read it
aloud.

"This is a letter from your son," he shouted,
"and it says: 'Dear Dad, I am sick and haven't a
single cent. Send me some money quick. Your son."
Influenced by the hard tones of the reader, the
carpenter became red with rage and exploded, "Who
does that kid think he is, telling me what to do?
I won't give him a cent."

In a fit of anger, the carpenter walked back
home. But along the way he met his friend the
soft-spoken tailor. He stopped him and confided,
"I want you to see this letter my boy sent me."
The tailor took the letter and read it aloud in
his usual calm and cultured way. Suddenly the
message sounded different to the carpenter. It
came across as appealing and plaintive. It left
the carpenter deeply saddened. "Poor Bill," he
said with worry in his voice. "He's in bad shape.
I'd better send him some cash - fast."

So off he went to wire some money to his son. The
message can often depend on the medium! How true!

God's Hand

Sometimes...

We must be hurt in order to grow;
We must fail in order to know,
We must lose in order to gain.

Some lessons are learned best
Only through pain.

Sometimes...

Our vision clears
Only after our eyes are
Washed with tears.

Sometimes...

We have to be broken,
So we can be tender,
Sick so we can rest and think better;
On things more important
Than work or fun;
Trip near death,
So we can assess how we've run.

Sometimes...

We have to suffer lack,
So we can know God's provision,
Feel another's pain,
So we can have a sense of mission.

So take heart, my friend,
If you don't understand today,
Instead of grumbling,
Ask God what He means to say,
In order to learn you must endure,
And learn to see the bigger picture.

In order to grow, you must stand;
Look beyond the hurt
To God's loving hand
That takes what is good,
And gives what is best,

And on this blessed thought, rest:

As your anxious heart,
With questions, waits,
God's hand only gives
What His loving heart dictates.

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm;
Sometimes He lets the storm rage...
And calms His child.

Better the storm with Christ...
Than smooth waters without Him.

- Author Unknown

What do Angels Look Like
Author Unknown

Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.
Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the world, when
you smile.
Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.
Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.
Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only you
believe.
Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when you had lost your
way.
Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't think you had one.
Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types.
Some with freckles, some with dimples, some with wrinkles, some without.
They come disguised as friends, enemies teachers, students, lovers and
fools.
They don't take life too seriously, they travel light.
They leave no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return.
They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, but when you choose to see,
they are everywhere you look.
So, open you eyes and count all your Angels -- for you are truly blessed!

THANK YOU, LORD
Author Unknown
February 26, 2011


A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured
the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a
large workroom filled with angels.


St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the
Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are
received". The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy
with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper
sheets from all the people of the world.


They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter
told the soul, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the
graces and blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to
the persons who asked for them down on earth."


The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in
that room, since so many blessing were being packed and delivered to
Earth.


Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the
last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there
idly, doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledging


Section," St. Peter told the soul. "How is it that, there is no work
here?" "That's the sad thing," St. Peter answered. "After the people
received the blessings they asked for, very few send their
acknowledgments". "How does one acknowledge God's blessing?" "Simple,"
St. Peter answered. "Just say, "'Thank you, Lord'."


Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with
others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this
with. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a
roof overhead and a place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this
world.


If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a
dish someplace .. you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.


If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . you are
more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.


If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of
imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are
ahead of 500 million people in the world.


If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest,
torture, or death ..you are more blessed than three billion people in
the world.


If your parents are still alive and still married .. you are very
rare,.


If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly
thankful .. you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.


If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the
shoulder
.. you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.


If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in
that.. someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more
blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at
all.


Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind
everyone else how blessed we all are.


THANK YOU LORD!


A GLASS OF MILK

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way
through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.
He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his
nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked
for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large
glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to
accept pay for a kindness." He said... "Then I thank you from my heart." As
Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his
faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were
baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in
specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for
the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a
strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of
the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see
her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room
determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special
attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly
requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He
looked at it, and then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to
her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of
her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her
attention on the side of the bill. She read these words... "Paid in full
with one glass of milk" Signed: Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her
eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread
abroad through human hearts and hands.”

Closing Prayer:

PRAYER WHEN YOU NEED HEALING INSIDE

O God,
These prayers come from all of us. Someone prays on our behalf, but the
prayers belong to everyone, and come from our hearts more than from our
mouths. In some ways none of us really knows how another feels, because
each of us must struggle with his own fears, cope with his own problems,
hurt from his own pains, search for his own goals, forgive and be forgiven
his own failures. In such matters, God, when we seek understanding and
hope for encouragement, it is to you that we turn. In moments such as
these, we reach beyond ourselves and our troubles to you...asking not so
much for things, but for a second or two of your presence. Just your
slightest touch, and the day will be blessed, the raw spots will be healed
and there will be peace in the hours ahead. And so we pray to you
Dear God, Almighty, Everlasting One--all of us--giving thanks for
this moment, your touch and our healing. Amen.

Good night and God bless you all! Sweet Dreams! May you all have a very
blessed Sunday - The Lord's Day!! Enjoy Church - Mass or services - and stay
close to Our Lord!