Hello my friends! By far, tonight's Mass was the highlight of my day! Mass for the Souls in Purgatory - our loved ones, and all the people in our parish who died this year was mentioned - it was very moving. We believe with all our hearts that the souls who have gone before us need our prayers - they cannot pray for themselves but we can pray for them and they for us. Right after Mass we were invited to have supper with Lori and a game of Dominoes followed. A very nice evening and a blessing to be with our daughter. All Soul's Day is held in special honor for them. Tomorrow we leave to visit Deil - Linus helps her with some insurance questions. I always tell her not to fuss - she said she doesn't know what dinner she will make yet, but one thing for sure, she's making a pumpkin pie!! We're bringing her some squash and some of our big potatoes!! We sure grew huge ones this year!! Even if I forget to say this all the time, know that you are always in my daily prayers!! Thanks for keep us in yours, too. That is the greatest gift!
No gift is so precious as love. Gratefully trust God and give Him your love.
Lord, I give You my heart.
Scripture for the day:
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has
to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in
love." 1 John 4:18
Meditation for the day:
Love and fear cannot dwell together. By their very natures, they cannot
exist side by side. Fear is a very strong force. And therefore a weak
and vacillating love can soon be routed by fear. But a strong love, a
love that trusts in God, is sure eventually to conquer fear. The only
sure way to dispel fear is to have the love of God more and more in our
hearts and souls.
Prayer for the day:
I pray that love will drive out the fear in my life. I pray that my
fear will flee before the power of the love of God.
The Cross Is . . .
The cross is the hope of Christians
the cross is the resurrection of the dead
the cross is the way of the lost
the cross is the savior of the lost
the cross is the staff of the lame
the cross is the guide of the blind
the cross is the strength of the weak
the cross is the doctor of the sick
the cross is the aim of the priests
the cross is the hope of the hopeless
the cross is the freedom of the slaves
the cross is the power of the kings
the cross is the water of the seeds
the cross is the consolation of the bondsmen
the cross is the source of those who seek water
the cross is the cloth of the naked.
We thank you, Father, for the cross.
Amen.
Cross in My Pocket
I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the faft that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.
This little cross is not 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.
When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key.
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price he paid for me.
It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And strive to serve him better
In all that I do and say.
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 no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I'll let him be.
GUIDE TO CONTENTED LIVING
By Fr. John Catoir
The famed German writer Goethe offered a list of nine requisites for
contented living. They are as timely now as they were when he wrote
them 200 years ago.
"Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your
needs. Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
"Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough
to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some
good in your neighbor.
"Love enough to move you to be useful to others. Faith enough to make
the real things of God. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears
concerning the future."
Goethe showed wisdom in these thoughts, perhaps especially in the use
of the word "enough." Often we seek something more, when contentment
could come with gratitude for having enough.
There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought
nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
(1 Timothy 6:6-7)
"Grace me with contentment , Jesus, for after all I do have everything
in You. "
Daily Reflection for Tuesday:
From today’s readings: “ If a man does not know how to manage his own
household, how can he take care of the Church of God?... I will walk with
blameless heart.... Standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, and
His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.”
I said a prayer for you today
And know God must have heard.
I felt the answer in my heart
Although he spoke no word!
I didn't ask for wealth or fame
(I knew you wouldn't mind).
I asked him to send treasures
Of a far more lasting kind!
I asked that he'd be near you
At the start of each new day;
To grant you health and blessings
And friends to share your way!
I asked for happiness for you
In all things great and small.
But it was for his loving care
I prayed the most of all!
A CHRISTIAN'S WAY TO REDUCE STRESS
Author Unknown
An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what
may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain.
Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that
will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more.. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too
many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over
time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find
out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't
do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary
purchases.
13 . Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key
buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent
an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality
of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot.. Try to nip small
problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try
and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is
often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they
can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the
universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for
that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING
THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against
us?" (Romans 8:31
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