Community Chat

[gloriajean]

Hello my friends! How do I begin telling of our blessings today! First of all, Lori called me to ask if she should take me shopping, I didn't need to, but the thought that she would take me was a great blessing! Then a call from Ann reminding us that they're taking us to the Theatre tomorrow afternoon and picking us up! Our Mass tonight was by our newly ordained Bishop! He wants to do Masses at parishes in His diocese when he has the time and our Church was his first choice, and he made a good choice being it was our Christmas Around the World where we look at posters etc. on different countries how they celebrate Christmas etc. and also a dinner mostly prepared by Father Mark again, Lasagna and some other good Italian pasta dish, and there were some German dishes, Noreweigen etc. it was great! That followed a talk by Father Mark in another room about trips to Guatemala - he takes about 25 parishioners there once a year and they build houses and what is badly needed there, he showed lots of pictures - very interesting, BUT it costs $1000.00 per person to go plus air fare - for the ten days, it's expensive but some can do it! Anyway, he says by buying the Guatemala coffee from them, and him after he has it roasted etc. helps them out too. That's what we do. It was a wonderful evening to say the least!!! We are very fortunate to be in this Parish with Father Mark. I praise and thank Our God for this!

When life seems hard and filled with troubles, look for reasons

to be thankful. Lord, Your beautiful presence is always with me.

Scripture for the day:

"Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

~Matthew 6:10

Meditation for the day:

The world would sooner be brought close to God and God's will would

sooner be done on earth, if all of us who acknowledge God gave

ourselves unreservedly to being used by God. God can use each one of

us as a channel for divine love and power. What delays the bringing

of the world closer to God is our reluctance to follow. If each one

of us lived each day for God and allowed God to work through us, then

the world could be drawn much closer to God, its creator and

preserver.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be used as a channel to express God's love. I pray

that I may so live as to reveal God's spirit God's life in me.

I like this one:

When I say good morning I mean to say:

G-od

O-ffers us His

O-utstanding

D-evotion to

M-ake us

O-bedient &

R-eady for a

N-ew day with Him.

I-nspire others please, and

N-ever forget

G-od loves you!

Christmas And No End

Even 2000 years after Christ's birth, Incarnation has not come to an end. As

long as there is time and space, people and history, Incarnation in its

effect, not as cause, is an ongoing event, personal as well as collective.

God's coming is offered to all peoples at all times. This is the deeper

meaning of the nativity sets with our collection. They are a reflection on

the many ways in which Christ has been sought and found, with a strong

emphasis on seeking.

Christmas and no end. There is an old legend about seeking and finding.

The wise man Artaban in his pursuit of the star misses his three friends. He

misses the Christchild, too, because his pilgrimage to Bethlehem leads to

strange encounters with dying soldiers, ailing beggars and poor mothers. He

gives them two of his three diamonds saved for the child in the manger.

After thirty- three years and many adventures he returns to Jerusalem.

There, he still diligently searches for the child. Artaban, now an old man,

notes an unusual commotion. Inquiring about its cause he learns that they

are taking Jesus of Nazareth, who calls himself King of the Jews, to

Golgotha and his death. Artaban knows instinctively that this is the king

for whom he has been searching. He rushes to the scene. Alas, once again, he

is sidetracked. On his way he meets a young girl being sold into slavery.

His heart is moved, and he gives away his last diamond for her ransom. Just

then, darkness falls over the city, and Artaban knows that his king is dead.

Inconsolable, he cries out: "Thirty-three years I looked for you, Lord, but

I have never seen your face or ministered to you." But then a voice comes

from heaven and says: "What you did to the least of my brothers and sisters,

you did it to me." Artaban's restlessness is gone. His heart grows calm and

his soul peaceful. His long journey is ended. He has found his king.

Meanwhile, the story goes on for each one of us is Artaban.

A True Christmas Poem

C is for the Christ child lying in a manager.

H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger.

R is to Remember Him who died that we may live.

I is to Inspire us that we may always give.

S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise.

T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way.

M is for the Miracles that bless us each day.

A is for the Almighty who always puts us first.

S is for the Shepherd who guides us on earth.

The Anatomy Of A True Friend

Eyes:

Will always see you for the way you really are, your true self.

Ears:

Will always have them open to listen.

Mouth:

To always tell you the truth and give their opinions, tell you when you

mess up or do something good.

Shoulder:

Will offer when you need one to cry on, will be your strength when you

find it hard to carry yourself. Will always let you lean on them.

Heart:

To love you for who you are and not judge, Will always have a place there

for you.

Hands:

To hold yours when you need a little guidance, to lend when you need

help, and to help you up when you may fall.

Arms:

Will always make you feel comfortable in them and to offer hugs when you

need one. Will try to warm when you are cold.

Feet:

To walk with you throughout your life and be the best friend they can be.

Hail Most Loving Little Jesus, In Preparation for Christmas Day

Hail, most loving little Jesus, sweetest love, far above all created love!

I greet Thee, and in the desires of all Christendom I embrace Thee.

Hail, most charming little Jesus, noble Child of Nazareth, full rose of

Jericho, blooming flower from Heaven! Draw our hearts to Thyself and refresh

them with Thy sweetness.

Hail, most lovable little Jesus, living Bread of Bethlehem, innocent Lamb of

Jerusalem, newly-born King of Judea! Receive us into the number of Thy

chosen servants.

Hail, most beautiful little Jesus, watchful Shepherd of the Heavenly

sheep, beloved fellow-Brother of all the children of men, delicate flower

planted by the Holy Spirit in the virgin heart of Mary, bright daybreak

rising out of the dark night to the joy of the whole earth! Drive away from

us the darkness of sin.

Glory and praise be to Thee, tender, sweet little Jesus! From the

depths of my heart I pray and adore Thee because for the love of me and of

all mankind Thou wert willing to lie in the manger and to suffer such great

poverty and misery. I thank and adore Thy tender limbs and Thy tender hands

and feet, and I praise the inexpressible love which drew Thee forth from the

bosom of the Heavenly Father, down to a poor and miserable stable.

Glory and praise be to Thee, noble little Jesus! I greet and praise

Thee with the same fervent love with which Thy mother loved and praised Thee

so intensely.

Glory and praise be to Thee, most beloved little Jesus, sweet delight

of eternal bliss. I greet and praise Thee with the same love which made Thee

leave Heaven and become a poor Child.

Glory and praise be to Thee, most precious little Jesus, joy and honor

of Thy Heavenly Father! I thank Thee through Thine Own sweet Heart which

Thou didst reveal to the whole world through Thy birth. I greet Thee over

and over again, most beautiful little Jesus, sweetest delight of the

Father's Heart, refreshment of sick souls. I offer to Thee my own heart for

Thy eternal glory and service.

Jesus, crown, love, joy, bliss of virgins! Thy love made Thee the Son

of a Virgin. May Thou be glorified and praised forever. Amen.

(St. Gertrude)