The Cookie Thief

A woman was waiting at an airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shops.
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be.
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye."

With each cookie she took, he took one too,
When only one was left, she wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other,
She snatched it from him and thought... oooh, brother.
This guy has some nerve and he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair,
The others were his, and he tried to share.
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

Thank you Wendy for sharing!
Cukierski Family - Healing Mind, Body and Soul by Catholic Products

Use words if neccessary...

“Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.”

It is the spirit of St. Francis that counts...

This is a great quote, very Franciscan in its spirit, but not literally from St. Francis. The thought is his; this catchy phrasing is not in his writings or in the earliest biographies about him.

In Chapter XVII of his Rule of 1221, Francis told the friars not to preach unless they had received the proper permission to do so. Then he added, “Let all the brothers, however, preach by their deeds.”

I had been a Franciscan for 28 years—and had earned an M.A. in Franciscan studies—before I heard the “Use words if necessary” quote. That was during Msgr. Kenneth Velo’s homily at Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin’s funeral in 1996.

About a year ago, a friend of mine used the Internet to contact some of the most eminent Franciscan scholars in the world, seeking the source of this “Use words if necessary” quote. It is clearly not in any of Francis’ writings. After a couple weeks of searching, no scholar could find this quote in a story written within 200 years of Francis’ death.

This saying and the “Peace Prayer,” which Francis certainly did not write, are easily identified with him because they so thoroughly reflect his spirit. Unfortunately, they would not have become as widespread if they had been attributed to “John Smith” or “Mary Jones.”

Exhaustive research on the origins of the “Peace Prayer of St. Francis” has led to Christian Renoux’s new book in French. This 210-page study (ISBN 2-85020-096-4) is described at www.electre.com under Les Editions Franciscaines.

An 11th-century French prayer is similar to the first part of the “Peace Prayer.” The oldest known copy of the current prayer, however, dates to 1912 in France. The prayer became more well known in other countries during World War I.

This prayer is sold all over Assisi today—but always under the title “A Simple Prayer.” Whoever linked it to St. Francis guaranteed a wide diffusion of the text. The same is true for the “Use words if necessary” quote. Both reflect St. Francis very well. 

Father Pat McCloskey, O.F.M

Miracle Everyday

The following quote from Jim Rohn reflect my belief that there are abounding Miracles which touch our lives every day. Thanks to Sr. Pat for the reflection.

I have found in life that if you want a miracle
you first need to do whatever it is you can do -
if that's to plant, then plant;
if it is to read, then read;
if it is to change, then change;
if it is to study, then study;
if it is to work, then work;
whatever you have to do.
And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.
Jim Rohn.

What miracle did you experience today?
A smile of a child.
A revelation of who you are.
Feet trodding a familar place.

Miracles All. Open your eyes to see.

Is It Well?

HOW IS IT WITH YOUR SOUL?

How is it with your soul?

I meet regularly with a few friends and we ask one another that
question. How is it with your soul? In other words, at the core of
your being ... what is going on?

It's a bigger question than, "How are you feeling?" It includes body,
mind and spirit -- everything.

How would you answer that question today? How is it with YOUR soul?

Are you caring for it? After all, you care for your body. Do you care
for your soul, too?

Do you FEED your soul?

I'm told that a hummingbird flaps its wings some 50-80 times a
second. It must eat constantly to work that hard. It takes tremendous
energy simply to live.

We, too, must feed our spirits if we intend to be healthy. It may
include prayer or meditation or the practice of other spiritual
disciplines. Or taking classes and reading books that not only teach,
but uplift and inspire.

These are only a few of the ways we feed our souls, but without
constant nourishment, our spirits will grow weak and listless.

Do you REST your soul?

In our multi-tasking lives, sometimes the best thing we can do is to
do nothing at all. Just to sit quietly long enough to let our souls
catch up with our bodies.

Charles Darwin said, "If I had my life to live over again, I would
have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least
once a week."

What rests your soul? Poetry? Music? Enjoying the beauty of nature?
This is a wonderful world we live in -- a world full of wonder. Can
you find ways to rest your soul?

Do you CHEER your soul?

Use one of the greatest gifts you have been given is a gift of
laughter. And it is a gift we never use enough.

A woman diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis told me how painful the
disease had become. Debra said that no drugs would touch the
devastating pain. "At times I prayed to die because I did not think I
could go on this way," she said.

"In 1996 I began seeing a doctor who gave me the most important
prescription that I ever could have received. He excused himself from
the room. I watched him walking back and forth in the hall; he seemed
to be in deep thought."

The doctor came back in with this prescription. He told Debra to get
some funny movies and to begin laughing. If she didn't feel like
laughing, then she should smile. If she didn't feel like smiling, she
should smile anyway. He said that it would increase the endorphins in
her brain to help with her pain.

She did just as he suggested. She smiled constantly. Her children
teased her about the fake smile, but she told them that it was going
to get rid of her pain.

And it did. Of course, not all of her pain is gone, but her newly
acquired habit of laughing and smiling has made it manageable. And now
Debra says that she takes only a fraction of the pills she used to
consume, and that she would feel abnormal without a smile.

Someone beautifully said, "Life is not about waiting for the storm to
pass -- it's about learning how to dance in the rain."

How is it with your soul? That may be the best question you can ever
ask yourself.

-- Steve Goodier

CELEBRATING YOU

An old story tells of an unhappy and discontented stone cutter. One day he came upon a merchant and was awe-struck by all of the marvelous goods the man had for sale. "I wish I were a merchant," said the stone cutter and, quite amazingly, his wish was granted.

Not long afterward he saw a parade pass his little shop. Spying a prince dressed in splendor such as he had never before seen, he said,"I wish I were a prince." And he became one.

But it wasn't too many days later that he stepped outside and felt the discomfort of the hot summer sun beating down upon his head. "Even a prince cannot stay cool in the sun," he said. "I wish I were the sun."This wish, too, was granted.

He was happy being the sun until, one day, a cloud came between him and the earth. "That cloud over shadows me," he said. "I wish I were a cloud." Again, his wish was granted and he was happy until he came to a mountain that he could not rise above. "This mountain is greater than I," he said. "I wish I were a mountain."

As a tall and mighty mountain he looked down upon the affairs of humans and felt that he was finally happy. But one day a stone cutter climbed up his side and chipped away at rock and there was nothing he could do about it. "That little man is more powerful than I," the mountain said. "I wish I were a stone cutter."

So the circle was completed and now the stone cutter knew that he would always be happy just being himself. He would never dress like a prince, shine like the sun nor rise as tall as a mountain, but he was happy to be who he was.

A sure way to unhappiness is to compare yourself to others. Like someone aptly said, "The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but it still has to be mowed." You are who you are and that is to be celebrated.

-- Steve Goodier

Why Jesus Multiplied Loaves AND fish

Singing In The Reign: Why Jesus Multiplied Loaves AND fish

My take on this is a little different. Bread is seen as the necessities of life, which we pray for in the Our Father. We pray for more than just bread in that prayer, we pray for forgiveness, deliverance, and the coming of the kingdom.

Jesus showes us that when we put our lives in His hands, through the power of His prayer, he will supply beyond our need, He will provide abundance.

F.R.A.N.C.I.S Commitment to Civility in Discourse

From FANs website:

I commit to:

• FACILITATE a forum for difficult discourse and acknowledge that all dialogue can lead to new insight and mutual understanding.
• RESPECT the dignity of all people, especially the dignity of those who hold an opposing view.
• AUDIT one's self and utilize terms or a vocabulary of faith to unite or reconcile rather than divide conflicting positions.
• NEUTRALIZE inflamed conversations by presuming that those with whom we differ are acting in good faith.
• COLLABORATE with others and recognize that all human engagement is an opportunity to promote peace.
• IDENTIFY common ground such as similar values or concerns and utilize this as a foundation to build upon.
• SUPPORT efforts to clean up the provocative language by calling policymakers to their sense of personal integrity.

A Morning Prayer of Letting Go

More of You, 

Less of me.

How the world

Was meant to be.

All of you,

None of me

Is the path 

To set me free.

In your hands,

In your Grace

In each one

To see your face.

In your hands 

I put my Life

My joys, my tears,

My cross My strife.

Love of you

For Love of me

And yet beyond 

infinity.

Love of you

So beyond me

Let me lose 

myself in thee.

Inches into Miles

An excerpt from The Best Way Out is Always Through (Link leads to meditative movie) by BJ Gallgher

Our journey of life is about progress, not perfection. It's not about doing one thing 100% better - it's a matter of doing 100 things, 1% better each day. Progress is evolutionary not revolutionary, and most days we measure our progress in inches, not miles. What matters most is showing up for your life whether you feel like it or not. Ask yourself, "What two or three little things can I do today that would move me forward?" You'll be amazed at how much distance you can cover by taking it in increments. The little things add up; the inches turn to miles; and we string together our efforts like so many pearls. Before long, look what you have - a whole strand! Ah... beautiful.

One Solitary Life

An excerpt from One Solitary Life by James A. Francis

He was born in an obscure village the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in still another village where He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty, and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never owned a house. He never went to college. He never visited a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where He was born. He did none of the things one usually associates with greatness. He had no credentials but Himself. He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for His clothing, the only property He had on earth. When He was dead He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend. Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today Jesus is the central figure of the human race, the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that have ever marched All the navies that have ever sailed All the parliaments that have ever sat All the kings that have ever reigned put together Have not affected the life of mankind on this earth as much as that one solitary life.

Your Cross

A young man was at the end of his road , seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room.
Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief and said, "Thank you Lord," and he did as he was told.
Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses; some so large the 
tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a 
far wall.


"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. The Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."


When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see 
what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more 
fortunate than you imagined.

YOUR CROSS
Whatever your cross
Whatever your pain
There will always be sunshine
After the rain
Perhaps you may stumble
Perhaps even fall
But God's always there
To help you through it all 

BEATITUDES: Blessings for our Time

BEATITUDES: Blessings for our Time

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time (January 30) build appropriately on the themes of FAN's "Creativity for Creation". In living from life to gospel the gospel shows us successful results- blessings.

We are invited also to participate in a webcast on January 26. On January 25, we celebrate the Conversion of St. Paul, who invites us along with the Corinthians to "[c]onsider your own calling, brothers and sisters" (1 Cor 1:26). The webcast provides this opportunity.

Zephaniah admonishes us to "seek justice, seek humility" (Zep 2:3). The Beatitudes in Matthew's Gospel (5:1-12) expand on this oracle's path to favor with God and offer a fitting meditation in preparation for and reflection on the webcast.

FAN is a movement which lends itself to the Franciscan Mission- The Christian Mission - to Love one another as first, Christ Loves us.

We are blessed to be poor in spirit, when we embrace the richness of Franciscan poverty and simplicity;

We are blessed to mourn, for the damage caused by our choices as we turn to Franciscan penance and return to Christ;

We are blessed to be meek, that we might be fitting heirs of the land and the kingdom;

We are blessed to hunger and thirst for righteousness, in our pursuit of right relationship and open dialog leading to mutual respect and love;

We blessed to be merciful, when we encounter each other and all creatures;

We are blessed to be clean of heart, with pure intentions towards all of Sister Earth's goods;

We are blessed to be peacemakers, who heal the restlessness that drives greed and excess;

We are blessed to be and do all these things in the face of rejection and opposition, that the kingdom of heaven might be our reward.

Jesus, help my eyes to see

Jesus, help my eyes to see

All the good Thou sendest me.

Jesus, help my ears to hear

Calls for help from far and near.

Jesus, help my feet to go

In the way that Thou wilt show.

Jesus, help my hands to do

All things loving, kind, and true.

Jesus, may I helpful be,

Growing every day like Thee. Amen.

~~~~~~

Jesus, help my eyes to see

God has given us the great gift of ourselves and as all good gifts, meant to be shared.

Retreat to Nature Beckons

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

It is not a very pretty day outside

from the picture out the window

Yet creation goes beyond the frame

A line of sight pretends to form.

My Faith, my knowledge, hopes and dreams show that within my grasp

All creation sings out praise

In silence as in thunder blast.

If for nothing else I give praise

For the creators mighty hand

Enter a time to spend with God.

He is near; draw near to Him.

The amazing beauty of nature provides many moments and small pleasures to treasure. Take a few minutes away from the daily fast pace to enjoy the award winning photography, music and beautiful words in the 4 minute movie, Nature's Inspiration. It will be a welcome break!




Click this link for a 4 minute natural retreat:

A blessing for today

May the blessing of the God of peace and justice be with us;

May the blessing of the Son

who weeps the tears of the world's suffering be with us;

And may the blessing of the Spirit

who inspires us to reconciliation and hope be with us

from now into eternity.

Amen.

[Blessing for Order of Ecumenical Worship Service for Christian Unity]

A Thanksgiving Prayer - the challenge of giving thanks...

When we think about thanksgiving, we are inclined to rush to the warm fuzzy feelings of Thanksgivings gone by, as well as a happy thought of Thanksgivings to come.  I am firstly thankful that this nation has the need to be thankful.  I am also reminded though the day to day challenges that this holiday does not go without its own...

The following prayer appeared in St. James Stratford, CT bulletin and has settled in my heart.  I share this my thanksgiving prayer with you and pray that all who are open to receiving the great gifts of God will receive them abundantly.

Let us Pray

May God bless us with discontent at easy answers,half-truths, superficial relationships, so that we will live deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, abuse and exploitation of people, so that we will work for equality, justice and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for thise who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that we will reach out our hands to comfort them and change their pain to joy.

May God bless us with foolishness to think that we can make a difference in this world, so that we will do things which others tell us cannot be done.

If we have the courage to accept these blessings, God will bless us with happiness because we will know that we have made life better for others;

With inner peace because we will have worked to secure peace for others;  

With laughter because our hearts will be light;

With friends who will share our stories and honor our dreams.

Adapted from Ruth Fox, OSB

So Let us act...

Preparing to vote: The Washington Monument

The Washington Monument

One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C. there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument.
With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information.

On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.

Once you know Laus Deo's history , you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America.

Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply,
they say " Praise be to God!"

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo. "Praise be to God!"

From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution! So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.


Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings.
As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message..
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ;
on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians;
on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!

When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848, deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy "One Nation, Under God."
I
When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo ", its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city,the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127:1). 

Pray the Rule!

Good Morning! I received this article in email and think that this is a powerful morning prayer: May all who pray it obtain the graces it invokes and may they be close to Jesus always. 

PRAY THE RULE

Liam McCarthy, OFM

O Lord, our God, we intend to make present the charism of our Seraphic Father Francis in the life and mission of the Church, in various ways and forms but in life-giving union with one another. By our profession, we pledge ourselves to live the Gospel in the manner of St Francis by means of our Rule approved by the Church (Arts. 1-3). Help us, we pray, so that daily we may:

• observe the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ by following the example of St Francis, going from gospel to life and from life to the gospel (Art. 4);
• seek to encounter the living and active person of Jesus Christ in our brothers and sisters, in sacred scripture, in the Church and in the Eucharist (Art. 5);
• go forth as witnesses and instruments of the Church's mission among people, proclaiming Christ by our life and words (Art. 6);
• conform our thoughts and deeds to those of Christ by the radical interior change which the Gospel calls "conversion", making use of the sacrament of reconciliation on the way to renewal (Art. 7);
• let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all we are and do (Art. 8);
• imitate the Virgin Mary's complete self-giving in her openness to your every word and call (Art. 9);
• faithfully fulfill the duties proper to our various circumstances in life (Art. 10);
• seek the proper spirit of detachment and purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power (Art. 11);
• acquire the purity of heart needed to set ourselves free to love God and our brothers and sisters (Art. 12);
• accept all people as your gift, Lord, and an image of Christ (Art. 13);
• exercise our responsibilities competently in the Christian spirit of service (Art. 14);
• be in the forefront of promoting justice by the testimony of our human lives and by courageous initiatives (Art. 15);
• esteem work both as a gift and as a sharing in the creation, redemption and service of the human community (Art. 16);
• cultivate the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity and respect for life in our families, striving to make it a sign of a world already renewed in Christ (Art. 17);
• respect all creatures, animate and inanimate "as bearing the imprint of the Most High" (Art. 18);
• be bearers of peace and messengers of perfect joy in every circumstance, as immersed in the resurrection of Christ, we serenely tend towards Sister Death and our ultimate encounter with you, our Father (Art 19).

All this we ask through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Brother.

Amen.

Truth Shines Through!

UNBELIEVABLE PHOTO

This is a beautiful photo of a giant American flag in Arizona . The photo is authentic, UN-Touched and was taken on regular Kodak 35mm film. The person who took the Picture couldn't believe the image created by the sun's rays. Nice of them to share it with the world! Read what it says under the picture.

For those who prefer to think that God is not watching over us. Go ahead and delete this.

For the rest of us.. Pass this on!!!!!

How to Plug the Oil Leak!

Making the rounds in email this morning!