Community Chat

[gloriajean]

God did not intend that your life be about nothing but work. Lord,
there is so much beauty and joy in this world. Help me to reward
myself with a moment of enjoyment from time to time.


Scripture for the day:

"When they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and
cried out; for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he
spoke to them and said, 'Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.'" ~Mark
6:49-50

Meditation for the day:

I can take the most crowded day without fear. I believe that God is
with me and controlling all. I can let confidence be the motif running
through all the crowded day. I need not be worried, because I know
that God is my helper. Underneath are the everlasting arms of God.
I can rest in them, even though the day be full of things crowding in
upon me.

Prayer for the day:

I pray that I may be calm and let nothing upset me. I pray that I may
not let material things control me and choke out spiritual things.

Peace of Jesus to you all! May Jesus be always in your lives - in your
hearts, may His Holy Name be forever praised!! Today was a beautiful day -
He had to work, which meant we went to Mass tonight at the Cathedral, a very
nice Mass. The singer that led the songs - a man with a very good solo
voice and he also played flute! Very much talent! It was a full Church,
and everyone so prayerful - it was very nice to be there, of course, but we
still miss being at St. Michael's our own Parish. At least we can go there
daily for morning Masses. One more week of work, and he starts his vacation
so he can help out more for the Wedding etc. He'll still be on vacation on
our 48th Wedding Anniversary, the 29th, and goes back to work on the 30th.
Saturday of this week is his last day before vacation, and that's great we
can go to our own parish next Sunday and the next. It was a relaxing day
for me, I took a nap, and with the anti-biotic now I feel as good as new
again! Praise God!!! Praying for all of you and your loved ones, and
thanks for your prayers for us.

A Light For God's House

In a mountain village in Europe a long time ago, a nobleman wondered what
gift he could present to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a
church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished.
When the people gathered, they marvelled at it's beauty. Then someone asked,
"But where are the lamps? How will it be lighted?"

The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave each family
a lamp, asking them to bring these with them each time they came to worship.
"Each time you are in church, the area where you are seated will be
lighted," the nobleman said. "Each time you are not here, that area will be
dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some
part of God's house will be dark."

(Author Unknown)


PAPPY
Author Unknown

Pappy was a pleasant-looking old fellow. He had the whitest hair which
he kept neatly cut and combed. His eyes were blue, though faded with
age, and they seemed to emit a warmth from within. His face was quite
drawn, but when he smiled, even his wrinkles seemed to soften and
smile with him. He had a talent for whistling and did so happily each
day as he dusted and swept his pawnshop; even so, he had a secret
sadness, but everyone who knew him respected and adored him.

Most of Pappy's customers returned for their goods, and he did not do
much business, but he did not mind. To him, the shop was not a
livelihood as much as a welcome pastime.

There was a room in the back of his shop where he spent time tinkering
with a menagerie of his own precious items. He referred to this back
room as "memory hall." In it were pocket watches, clocks, and electric
trains. There were miniature steam engines and antique toys made of
wood, tin, or cast iron, and there were various other obsolete
trinkets as well.

Spending time in memory hall delighted him as he recalled many
treasured moments from his past. He handled each item with care, and
sometimes he would close his eyes and pause to relive a sweet, simple
childhood memory.

One day, Pappy was working to his heart's content reassembling an old
railroad lantern. As he worked, he whistled the melody of a railroad
tune and reminisced about his own past as a switchman. It was a
typical day at the shop. Outside, the sun illuminated the clear sky,
and a slight wind passed through the door. Whenever the weather was
this nice, Pappy kept the inner door open. He enjoyed the fresh air-
almost as much as the distinctive smell of antiques and old engine
oil.

As he was polishing his newly restored lantern, he heard the tinkling
of his bell on the shop door. The bell, which produced a uniquely
charming resound, had been in Pappy's family for over a hundred years.
He cherished it dearly and enjoyed sharing its song with all who came
to his shop. Although the bell hung on the inside of the main door,
Pappy had strung a wire to the screen door so that it would ring
whether the inner door was open or not. Prompted by the bell, he left
memory hall to greet his customer.

At first, he did not see her. Her shiny, soft curls barely topped the
counter.

"And how can I help you, little lady?" Pappy's voice was jovial.

"Hello, sir." The little girl spoke almost in a whisper. She was
dainty. Bashful. Innocent. She looked at Pappy with her big brown
eyes, then slowly scanned the room in search of something special.
Shyly she told him, "I'd like to buy a present, sir."

"Well, let's see," Pappy said, "who is this present for?"

"My grandpa. It's for my grandpa. But I don't know what to get."

Pappy began to make suggestions. "How about a pocket watch? It's in
good condition. I fixed it myself," he said proudly.

The little girl didn't answer. She had walked to the doorway and put
her small hand on the door. She wiggled the door gently to ring the
bell. Pappy's face seemed to glow as he saw her smiling with
excitement.

"This is just right," the little girl bubbled. "Momma says grandpa
loves music."

Just then, Pappy's expression changed. Fearful of breaking the little
girl's heart, he told her, "I'm sorry, missy. That's not for sale.
Maybe your grandpa would like this little radio." The little girl
looked at the radio, lowered her head, and sadly sighed, "No, I don't
think so."

In an effort to help her understand, Pappy told her the story of how
the bell had been in his family for so many years, and that was why he
didn't want to sell it.

The little girl looked up at him, and with a giant tear in her eye,
sweetly said, "I guess I understand. Thank you, anyway."

Suddenly, Pappy thought of how the rest of the family was all gone
now, except for his estranged daughter whom he had not seen in nearly
a decade.

Why not, he thought. Why not pass it on to someone who will share it
with a loved one? God only knows where it will end up anyway.

"Wait...little lady." Pappy spoke just as the little girl was going
out the door--just as he was hearing his bell ring for the last time.
"I've decided to sell the bell. Here's a hanky. Blow your nose."

The little girl began to clap her hands. "Oh, thank you, sir. Grandpa
will be so happy."

"Okay, little lady. Okay." Pappy felt good about helping the child; he
knew, however, he would miss the bell. "You must promise to take good
care of the bell for your grandpa--and for me, too, okay?" He
carefully placed the bell in a brown paper bag.

"Oh, I promise," said the little girl. Then, she suddenly became very
still and quiet. There was something she had forgotten to ask. She
looked up at Pappy with great concern, and again almost in a whisper,
asked, "How much will it cost?"

"Well, let's see. How much have you got to spend?" Pappy asked with a
grin.

The child pulled a small coin purse from her pocket then reached up
and emptied two dollars and forty-seven cents onto the counter.

After briefly questioning his own sanity, Pappy said, "Little lady,
this is your lucky day. That bell costs exactly two dollars and forty-
seven cents."

Later that evening as Pappy prepared to close up shop, he found
himself thinking about his bell. Already he had decided not to put up
another one. He thought about the child and wondered if her grandpa
like his gift. Surely he would cherish anything from such a precious
grandchild.

At that moment, just as he was going to turn off the light in memory
hall, Pappy thought he heard his bell. Again, he questioned his
sanity; he turned toward the door, and there stood the little girl.
She was ringing the bell and smiling sweetly.

Pappy was puzzled as he strolled toward the small child. "What's this,
little lady? Have you changed your mind?"

"No," she grinned. "Momma says it's for you."

Before Pappy had time to say another word, the child's mother stepped
into the doorway, and choking back a tear, she gently said, "Hello,
Dad."

The little girl tugged on her grandpa's shirttail. "Here, Grandpa.
Here's your hanky. Blow your nose."

TOP TEN REASONS TO BELIEVE IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
Author Unknown


1. The Credibility of Its Founder: Peter spoke for Jesus' closest
followers when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words
of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of
God." (John 6:68-69)


2. Reliability of Its Book: The integrity of this historical and
geographical record is supported by archeology. The Bible continues to
speak not only with spiritual power but with convincing prophetic
accuracy.


3. Explanations for Life: It is the Christian faith that reflects a
caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of
the natural world. It is Christ who clothed himself in our humanity to
feel what we feel and then to suffer and die in our place.


4. Its Continuity with the Past: The Christian faith offers continuity
with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting
the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, and Solomon.


5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses. They
risked their lives to tell the World that with their own eyes they had
seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days
later.


6. Its Power to Change Lives: Not only were the first disciples
dramatically changed but so were their worst enemies. Paul was
transformed from a killer of Christians into one of their chief
advocates (Galatians 1:11-24)


7. Its Analysis of Human Nature: The Bible says that society's real
problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and
technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of the
family, religion, and the arts.


8. Its View of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has
hoped for the best. We have conceived technologies that will deliver
us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to
what the New Testament describes as the end times. (Matthew 24:5-31)


9. Its Impact on Society: From roof tops to necklaces to earrings, we
see the sign of the cross, bearing visible witness to Christ's death.
Social relief agencies have been fueled by the direct or residual
values of The Bible.


10. Its Offer of Salvation: No other faith offers everlasting life as
a gift to those who trust the One who has overcome death for them. No
other system offers assurance of forgiveness and adoption into the
family of God.

God Needs Our Hands

At the end of World War II a group of soldiers offered to help the people of
a destroyed village in any way they could. But instead of asking for food,
money, or farm equipment, the townsmen asked for help in restoring a statue.
For years their proudest possession had been a statue of Christ in their own
town square. Now it lay shattered into many pieces. Could the soldiers help
put it together again?

It was a difficult task, chips and pieces lay all over the square. Finally
the statue was repaired except for two missing parts that the soldiers could
not find. Finished, they covered the statue with a silken parachute, so that
it could be unveiled in a ceremony before the townspeople, even though it
was incomplete.

On the occasion the mayor of the town gave a speech and pulled the cord of
the silken drape... It dropped from the statue, showing a Christ without
hands.

At first the townspeople were shocked. Then they looked down at a sign which
the soldiers had put at the feet of the statue. It said: "I have no hands.
Won't you please lend me yours?"

- - -
Matthew 25:40 - "Whenever you did something for one of the least important
of these brothers of mine, you did it for me."

A NEW PRESCRIPTION

Are you needing a prescription for
what's ailing you today?
Well, gather round folks and listen
to what I have to say.

The best thing about it, is it won't
cost you a dime;
All it's gonna take is a little of
your time.

The medicine that I prescribe is
J-E-S-U-S....FOR YOU;
Just read the label in His book
and do just what it says to do.

Take a spoonful of worship and
a spoonfull of praise;
It will cure all your aches and pains
if you do just what it says!

Take a mouthful of joy and another
of belief;
From the trouble you've been having
you will quickly find relief!

Take a great big swallow of faith
and another one of hope;
I promise you it won't be long
till you find that you can cope!

Take a huge dose of forgiveness
and a large dose of love;
Then throw out all those pills of
depression and give thanks to
your God above!

I promise you'll feel better soon
and there'll be no doctor bills;
For God's your new physician
and He'll cure all your ills!

You won't need an appointment
He will see you night or day;
You don't need no insurance
For that He already paid!

He's always in His office
just waiting there for your call;
Whatever might be ailing you
He has the cure-all!

I'll bet you're feeling better already!
Well let's give Him a big praise offering!

~Helen Johnson~

Mary, Our Model in Prayer


All praise and glory are Yours, almighty Father:
You have given us Your Son Jesus to save us from sin.
We praise You for choosing Mary to be His mother,
for teaching her to believe Your message,
for helping her to accept Your holy will.
Strengthen us by Your Spirit to be like Mary
to ponder Your word in our hearts,
to obey Your will,
to love Your Son,
to sing Your praises every day.
Father, we praise You through Jesus Christ Your Son
In the love of Your Spirit, for ever and ever

Amen.

SOme of Mother teresa´s FAVOURITE Prayers

Dear Jesus, help us to spread Your fragrance everywhere we go.

Flood our souls with Your spirit and life.

Penetrate and possess our whole being, so utterly,

That our lives may only be a radiance of Yours.

Shine through us, and be so in us,

That every soul we come in contact with may feel Your presence in our soul.

Let them look up and see no longer us, but only Jesus!

Stay with us, and then we shall begin to shine as You shine;

So to shine as to be a light to others.

The light O Jesus will be all from You, none of it will be ours;

It will be You, shining on others through us.

Let us thus praise You in the way you love best: by shining on others
through us.

let us preach you without preaching, not by words but by our example,

By the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what we do, The evident

fullness of the love our hearts bear to You. Amen."

(Cardinal John Henry Newman)



Prayer of St. Francis

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:

where there is hatred let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is discord, harmony;

where there is error, truth;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

Lord, may I not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

Because it is in giving that we receive,

in pardoning that we are pardoned. Amen."

(ST. Francis of Assisi)

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellow men throughout the world, who live
and die in poverty and hunger. Give them today, through our hands, their
daily bread and through our understanding love, give peace and joy. Amen

(Pope Paul VI.)

Remember, o most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone
who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession
was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence we fly to You, o virgin of
the virgins, our Mother. To you we come, before you we stand sinful and
sorrowful. O Mother of the word incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in
your clemency, hear and answer us. Amen