A Prayer for Discernment.

Lord God, by the words of St. Francis lead me where you will Today!

"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness of my heart and give me true faith, certain hope, and perfect charity, sense and knowledge, Lord that I may carry out
Your holy and true command. Amen."

Draw near Oh Lord....

Oh Lord,
Hear our prayer as we turn our hearts to you.
Take our world, our nation, our family and ourselves
And draw us ever the closer to you.

When we turn away, allow us to hear your voice calling us back.
When we ignore you, show us your truth and open our hearts to you.
When we forget you, do not forget us and gently remind us of your love.

Come close to us Lord, and give us the courage and strength to change our lives
So that we can forever sing with all creation
Of your mighty deeds.

Pro-Life Conversion Prayer to Saint Paul

Conversion Prayer to Saint Paul

Blessed Apostle Paul, who labored so zealously for the conversion of the Gentiles in many lands, obtain for us a perpetual zeal for the salvation of souls and especially enkindle our interest in the conversion of our separated brethren. Ever mindful of the interest that our Divine Lord, the Good Shepherd, has for the other sheep not of His fold, I now beg your intercession and obtain for me the gift of the true faith for Barack Obama and all the supporters of abortion and any other policy that forsakes the sanctity of life.

May God grant this request so close to my heart and thus enable me to extend to another what I so richly enjoy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Pray with Our Holy Father

Jesus Help Me

Jesus Help Me

In every need let me come to Thee with humble trust, saying,
Jesus, help me!

In all my doubts, perplexities, and temptations,
Jesus, help me!

In hours of loneliness, weariness and trials,
Jesus, help me!

In the failure of my plans and hopes; in disappointments, troubles and sorrows,
Jesus, help me!

When my heart is cast down by failure, at seeing no good come from my efforts,
Jesus, help me!

When others fail me, and Thy grace alone can assist me,
Jesus, help me!

When I throw myself on Thy tender love as Father and Savior,
Jesus, help me!

When I feel impatient, and my cross irritates me,
Jesus, help me!

When sickness and loneliness overcome me,
Jesus, help me!

Always, in weakness, falls and shortcomings of every kind,
Jesus, help me and never forsake me.

Thanks to http://www.cukierski.net/index.shtml

Prayer For Employment

God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

Red Letter Day......

Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500-0001

On the back, write the following message.

This envelope represents one child who died in abortion.
It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world.
Responsibility begins with conception.

Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

MISSING- Update:Found :(

MISSING!



FRISKY

Missing on or around 10/15/08 in the Canaan Court area.
He is a grey tabby (long hair)brown eyes
He is approximately 3 yrs old.
He does respond to his name and is a very friendly cat.
If you've seen him please call Jennie at 243-3373
or Paul at 685-0544

On February 3, 2009, We found Friskie in the middle of the road less than a quarter mile from our house. Thanks to all who searched, prayed and hoped for his safe return. Although it was a horrible end, I know that any pain or suffering is over.

I found a poem which reflects aspect of heaven (which I define as living in the full presence of God and his many gifts, outside of temptation and sin)
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm

May all creation forever praise the living God!

A prayer for Life for focus in the coming week

A prayer for Life for focus in the coming week.

Daily Prayer to End Abortion

Lord God,
I thank you today for the gift of my life,
And for the lives of all my brothers and sisters.
I know there is nothing
that destroys more life than abortion,
Yet I rejoice that you have conquered death
by the Resurrection of Your Son.
I am ready to do my part in ending abortion.
Today I commit myself
never to be silent,
never to be passive,
never to be forgetful of the unborn.
I commit myself
to be active in the pro-life movement,
and never to stop defending life
until all my brothers and sisters are protected,
and our nation once again becomes
a nation with liberty and justice
not just for some, but for all.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

From Priests for Life

Kutless Giveaway

free Kutless MP3 is being given away at Bible Study Magazine. They are also having a contest to win cool Kutless gear and Logos Bible Software. Go check it out!

Please Pray for Zimbabwe from Anne Seggerman - paul.kravitz@gmail.com

Please forward this to as many people as you can.

St. Martin de Porres Guild *

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A beautiful Christmas greeting, sent to me by a dear friend, from Jesus, who said that in essence with the crass materialism of the Christmas season, He was not being invited to His own birthday party. Mother Theresa of Calcutta said that when she was taking care of the poor, hungry, neglected, mistreated; the poor of the streets of Calcutta, that she was taking care of Jesus.

Many of us are faithful sisters and brothers of St. Francis and so we have been exhorted to take care of these multitudes increasing at an alarming rate and now, particularly, with the unspeakable horrors of the genocide taking place in Zimbabwe.

It has been said that in these days, sometimes referred to as the Latter Days, satan has been set loose, for he knows his time is short. It has also been remarked that many of the people who are now found in positions of leadership have been taken over by satan himself or by one of his evil spirits. No one fills that description better than avowed communist Robert Mugabe, who for 28 years has inflicted the tortures of hell on his own people, now along with mass starvation culminating in a deadly epidemic of cholera killing hundreds a day.

In Medjugorje, we have been told that for some difficult situations prayer alone does not suffice, but prayer accompanied by fasting is required to be rid of grave evil.

Along with St. Martin de Porres, and all the saints in heaven, I plead with you, my sisters and brothers in Christ, to pray every day and fast however and whenever you can for the poor, sick and starving millions of victims in what was once the bread basket of Africa, a place once called Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and that the Lord God Almighty might rescue these people from the terrible scourge of the evil Mr. Mugabe.

Together, our prayers and fasting directed to the salvation of these people and of their nation can become the greatest birthday present we could offer to Our Savior on His birthday!

Anne C. Seggerman SFO DM

NOVENA TO SAINT MARTIN DE PORRES

For 9 days in a row, say:

Saint Martin de Porres,

your concern and charity embraced

not only your needy brethren,

but also the animals of the field.

You are a splendid example of charity;

we thank and praise you.

From above,

hear the requests of your needy brethren.

(Mention your request here...)

By modeling our lives after yours,

and imitating your virtues,

may we live content knowing that

God has looked favorably upon us.

Because this is so,

we can accept our burdens

with strength and courage

in order to follow

in the footsteps of our Lord

and the Blessed Mother.

May we reach the Kingdom of Heaven

through the intercession of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

A traditional Catholic fast, as recommended by the seers of Medjugorje, is on Wednesday or Friday or both days. During fast days a single simple meal is allowed after sundown so that one goes without food for 24 hours from the last evening meal to the meal the following evening closing the fast. Only water and plain bread if necessary is permitted during a fast. Only those persons considered well enough should fast. Check with your doctor before embarking on a fast.

* a committee of the Fourth World Foundation Inc.

Human Rights Day

A Call to All Franciscans to . . .
A Day of Prayer and Fasting
On Wednesday, 10 December 2008
World Human Rights Day
To Commemorate the 60th Anniversary
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
To Be in Solidarity with Our Sisters and Brothers . . .
. . . In the DR Congo; Palestine / Israel; India
and Wherever People Are Suffering Violence
Let us use
“The Peace Prayer of Saint Francis” and/or
“The Canticle of Creatures”
to unite our voices in a cry for world peace
with universal justice and respect
for all of God’s creatures.

Prayers to the unborn Lord Jesus

Think about Jesus, as an unborn child within the circumstances that God placed him within our story of redemption. Thank you Lord for coming to us and being with us.


Lord, thank You for first coming among us as the Unborn Christ Child. Today, untold numbers of our tiny sisters and brothers have been abandoned by the world’s leaders, by the traditional defenders of justice, by the healing professions and even by their own parents. But You are their Savior—You have not forgotten them. Savior, rescue and protect these little ones from the neglect and violence of an uncaring world.

Merciful Lord, Your tiny infant heart, which was later emptied on the cross, offers this world its only hope. Forgive us our sins against the unborn, against their parents and against all Your children. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Prince of Peace, through Your healing Spirit, help us to lovingly accept every conceived child created in Your image and likeness, as a messenger of peace and goodwill towards all people. Amen.

Taken from : The Unborn Word Alliance

Getting Into Advent

A nice meditation to start Advent:

Advent Conspiracy

I have set the framework for Christmas this year.
It shall be a Holy Day like NONE OTHER.

Jesus is coming.

He has shown us the way.

We are blessed if we look upon it.

Join the conspiracy, look down the path. And know that the gift is here.

With us.

Every Day.

Waiting to be unwrapped. Waiting to be taken. Waiting to be given.

A day like none other is coming soon. Will you be ready?

http://www.adventconspiracy.org

A thought from St. Therese

St. Therese: 'Why should we defend ourselves when we are misunderstood and misjudged? Let us leave that aside. Let us not say anything. It is so sweet to let others judge us in any way they like. O blessed silence, which gives so much peace to the soul!'"

This theme reminds me of many of the Saints who faced persecution of all sorts. If we apply this to how faith is looked at in the country, and actively persecuted in other parts of the world, we should consider ourselves blessed to be called to bring the gospel to the marketplace.

Our joy goes far beyond what is visible in this world, for where is the Love of Christ in this world- it can not be seen in countries or buildings or programs or even prayers and devotions, but in the hearts of the followers of Christ.

So live your life as you are called to, for in the understanding and judgment of the Lord all will be brought to light, and for those who live in the light, darkness can no longer be.

Thnaks to Wendy and company for the quote.

Franciscan thought of the day 10/24/08

Keep on truckin', fellow travellers:

"'Let my Gospel be your Rule, and My life be your life, My cross your repose, My charity your life, My death your hope and resurrection, Let the reproaches, blasphemies, and mockery against Me be your honors, blessings, and commendations; let your life, joy, and glory be to endure death and torments for Me; let your portion and riches be to wish to have nothing under heaven; let your distinction, consolation, and triumph be to be humbled beneath all and to rejoice to be afflicted and vilified on account of My name.' (Angelo Clareno, The Book of Chronicles [Prologue, Christ Instructs Francis])"

Our True Face

Ghandi said:

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

It seems to me that Christ still suffers today.

If we have the spirit of Christ within us, and everyone who accepts Christ and eats his flesh and drinks his blood, Then the anonymous face on the street is not so anonymous. We will have to answer to the king when he asks us of we fed the hungry clothed the naked and all the meriful acts he REQUIRES of us as followers.

Anything less is lip service and brown nosing.

If the Christian (myself included) does not live up to this, yet insures that SELF is fed, SELF is clothed and we do not concern with the person next store or the person holding their hand out on the street, then we deny Christ. If we see Christ in ourselves but cannot see Christ in the Other, then we are missing the Christ He wants us to see.

No matter how hard we try, we cannot see our true face:
In a mirror, the image is reversed.
In a photo we are captured in a monment.
Though a video, we see what the lens (or person behind the lens) can see.

Yet a stranger walking the street would see our glance.
Our spouses can see the look of the emotion of the moment.
Nature can observe the joy.

Discipleship has a price....

PLEASE PRAY FOR CHRISTIANS IN INDIA
Christian Persecution India

From: persecution, 2 weeks ago

Christian Persecution India

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: india persecution)

Christan persecution India


SlideShare Link

A Call For Convention

Today, the Connecticut Supreme Courts approved "Same-Sex" Marriages as being legal. I am not surprised that Connecticut would do this, but I am saddened, and I hold up this state to Almighty God to continue showing His mercy towards us.

It seems we have turned our face away from him- again.

At first, I was not in favor of the vote to invoke a constitutional convention, which I saw as a waste of taxpayers money and pretty much a waste of time.

But Times (and opinions) change. I join the bishops of the state in calling for votes to support a convention.
I encourage you to do the same.

Perhaps this state can return to morals that are consistent to the Gospels, with a lot of prayer and a lot of votes.

Here is what the CCC had to say:

Connecticut Catholic Conference calls for Constitutional Convention