La Sabana Santa
Oh, my poor Jesus!!
via Pinterest
Friday, March 21, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Guest Post on Father Gordon's Blog - "I Come to the Catholic Church for Healing and Hope"
Father Gordon MacRae is often in my thoughts.
I used to picture him languishing in prison for over twenty years for a crime he didn't commit. But it is very clear that God does work to do good things out of really bad situations.
Father Gordon could easily ended up feeling sorry for himself and becoming a hardened man in the prison. Yet, he chose to put his trust in God. even though there were many times I am sure that he must have wondered if he had been abandoned by God. He continued to exercise his priestly duties as best he could. In that prison, he was forbidden from ministering through the sacraments. In fact, there in prison he is just another prisoner who claims to be innocent. The others cannot even address him with the title that rightfully belongs to him...Father. Yet, with his kindness, compassion and sense of humor, (as regular readers of his blog These Stone Walls know well), he has managed to earn the trust, admiration and love of some tough guys, his fellow prisoners.
One such prisoner should also be familiar to Father's regular readers and that person is Pornchai. He has written a very touching guest post on Father's blog. I hope you take the time to read it. It is touching because Pornchai teaches the reader compassion and understanding for the men locked away while telling his incredible story of conversion.
Father Gordon is in prison through no fault of his own. Yet, imagine all the good works that would have gone undone, had he not been sent to prison! It is an awesome thing to contemplate.
But please keep Father in your prayers as his appeal is currently in the courts. God willing he his conviction will someday soon be overturned.
And, please pray for Pornchai and the other friends of Father in the prison and for prisoners everywhere.
These Stone Walls: I Come to the Catholic Church for Healing and Hope.
Lastly, in the event you missed it, there is a very good article in Marian Helper magazine about Pornchai and buddies recent Marian consecration. You can read it HERE.
I used to picture him languishing in prison for over twenty years for a crime he didn't commit. But it is very clear that God does work to do good things out of really bad situations.
Father Gordon could easily ended up feeling sorry for himself and becoming a hardened man in the prison. Yet, he chose to put his trust in God. even though there were many times I am sure that he must have wondered if he had been abandoned by God. He continued to exercise his priestly duties as best he could. In that prison, he was forbidden from ministering through the sacraments. In fact, there in prison he is just another prisoner who claims to be innocent. The others cannot even address him with the title that rightfully belongs to him...Father. Yet, with his kindness, compassion and sense of humor, (as regular readers of his blog These Stone Walls know well), he has managed to earn the trust, admiration and love of some tough guys, his fellow prisoners.
One such prisoner should also be familiar to Father's regular readers and that person is Pornchai. He has written a very touching guest post on Father's blog. I hope you take the time to read it. It is touching because Pornchai teaches the reader compassion and understanding for the men locked away while telling his incredible story of conversion.
Father Gordon is in prison through no fault of his own. Yet, imagine all the good works that would have gone undone, had he not been sent to prison! It is an awesome thing to contemplate.
But please keep Father in your prayers as his appeal is currently in the courts. God willing he his conviction will someday soon be overturned.
And, please pray for Pornchai and the other friends of Father in the prison and for prisoners everywhere.
These Stone Walls: I Come to the Catholic Church for Healing and Hope.
Lastly, in the event you missed it, there is a very good article in Marian Helper magazine about Pornchai and buddies recent Marian consecration. You can read it HERE.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Mahalo Saint Joseph!
How can one honor a saint such as Saint Joseph!
He was a kind man.
He was a holy man.
He was a quiet man.
He was a righteous man.
He was a good husband...the best actually!
He was a good father.
He was a good protector.
He was a hard worker.
He was a loving provider.
He was a good role model.
He listened when God spoke to him.
He was humble.
He was silent.
He kept his thoughts to himself and God.
He did God's will.
He never complained.
When he died he was mourned deeply by his holy little family.
When he went to Heaven, Holy Mother Church raised him to be:
the protector of the universal church;
He is the:
the patron saint of the dying;
the patron saint of fathers;
the patron saint of those who want to sell their homes or buy a home;
the patron saint of workers;
the patron saint of all Josephs, Joes, Joeys, Joses, Guiseppes,
the patron saint of carpenters;
So, how can I thank St. Joseph for all the help and comfort he has given me over the years. I often go to him, daily in fact, because I know he will help those I entrust to his care.
He is a self-less saint, like most saints are yet there is something special about St. Joseph. He was a favorite among some saints, St. Teresa of Avila and St. Damien are two that come to mind.
I cannot imagine going through the day without invoking the aid of St. Joseph!
So, today on his feast day, I simply want to say. "I love you Saint Joseph". "Thank you St. Joseph."
Picture source
O, my beloved St. Joseph,
adopt me as thy child,
take care of my salvation,
watch over me day and night,
preserve me from the occasion of sin,
obtain for me purity of soul and body!
Through thy intercession with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament,
and a sweet tender love for Mary, my Mother.
St. Joseph,
be with me living,
be with me dying and obtain for me a favorable
judgment from Jesus,
my merciful Savior.
Amen.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Interview with Rita A. Simmonds on the Sacrament of Marriage
I was so moved by the cancer patient's video in the previous post that I did had to do a little more searching. The name of his wife seemed very familiar to me. It dawned on me that she is a contributor to Magnificat magazine. In my search I came across an interview by another Magnificat contributor, Heather King. She interviewed her friend Rita in such an appealing way and exactly like it was, two friends sharing. Even though the interview is a couple of years old, it is still much worthy of a good read. POET RITA A. SIMMONDS ON THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE.
A Journey through Lent with a Cancer Patient
You will hear some pretty powerful and inspirational words from this dear man. From A Stage Four Cancer Patient: "Never Have I Felt So Accompanied in My Life".
via: Association of Catholic Women Bloggers.
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Ash Wednesday and Lent 2014
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| Saints Peter and Paul Church, Honolulu |
The following are resources from the convenience of sitting in front of your computer, that may help you on your journey to a holier life and a closer relationship to God.
1. Join in the Saint Damien Retreat and receive a daily email with beautiful reflections, inspiration for meditations by Hawaii's own saint, Damien.
2. Read 7 Fallible Tips for Lent by Father John Holloway and shared by Courageous Priest
3. Sign up for the free Lenten meditations by the Divine Mercy Fathers and receive a daily email.
4. Read 5 Reasons to Love Fasting.
5. Sign up for Father Robert Barron's Lenten Reflections.
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Coming later this month to Paliku Theater - The Passion of the Christ play
Thursday, February 20, 2014
The World of the Sick
Never before have so many people around me been in need of prayers. They are either very sick, elderly or suffering from debilitating diseases or worse, an unknown disease.
As Catholics it is our responsibility to perform the corporal act of mercy of visiting the sick. Sometimes, we are called to do more than just visit them.
One person has an aggressive form of breast cancer. Nothing she has done has helped. She and her husband pray and wait for an answer to their prayers. It has been almost two years and they have no relief in sight. Their situation only gets worse.
Friends visit them, bring them Holy Communion, bring them meals, bring them a priest to hear confession, ask how they are doing, and of course pray. Yet, they feel isolated.
The husband told me that no one understands the world of the sick.
That is incredible food for thought.
Yes, we may do our part to help, but then we have the luxury to do something else. We can go home. We can distract ourselves with other things. But the very sick live every moment of their time consumed in pain.
I don't presume to imagine how they feel or where their relationship is with God. But it is frustrating to hear the sick, especially the Catholics who are sick, not unite their suffering to those of Jesus' Passion. One told me she offered enough of her sufferings. She was now looking for relief. Another told me, she offers her sufferings for her own soul. This was in response to a suggestion that she offer up her pain and suffering for others in need. Yet another Catholic says he believes in what ever happens, happens. This fatalistic thinking is not in union with Catholic teaching. Neither is the belief in karma or healing with Eastern energies such as Reiki.
When one is seriously sick and in pain, it is very difficult to think of anything but the consuming pain. It is especially during this time that the sick person should turn to God. Tell Him all your pains. Ask Him to heal you if it be His will. Ask Him to help you patiently endure until He sees fit to give you relieve. Offer your pains as reparation for your past sins or for those of your loved ones. This is especially important because you may be suffering like this as a gift from God so that you can do your time in Purgatory, while you are still alive. This is what is meant by not to waste your sufferings.
Caregivers, particularly the spouse of the sick person, also suffers right along their loved one. They too must offer up their sufferings. But it is also important that they remind the sick person that it is only holy sufferings if it is united to those of Christ's.
As Catholics it is our responsibility to perform the corporal act of mercy of visiting the sick. Sometimes, we are called to do more than just visit them.
One person has an aggressive form of breast cancer. Nothing she has done has helped. She and her husband pray and wait for an answer to their prayers. It has been almost two years and they have no relief in sight. Their situation only gets worse.
Friends visit them, bring them Holy Communion, bring them meals, bring them a priest to hear confession, ask how they are doing, and of course pray. Yet, they feel isolated.
The husband told me that no one understands the world of the sick.
That is incredible food for thought.
Yes, we may do our part to help, but then we have the luxury to do something else. We can go home. We can distract ourselves with other things. But the very sick live every moment of their time consumed in pain.
I don't presume to imagine how they feel or where their relationship is with God. But it is frustrating to hear the sick, especially the Catholics who are sick, not unite their suffering to those of Jesus' Passion. One told me she offered enough of her sufferings. She was now looking for relief. Another told me, she offers her sufferings for her own soul. This was in response to a suggestion that she offer up her pain and suffering for others in need. Yet another Catholic says he believes in what ever happens, happens. This fatalistic thinking is not in union with Catholic teaching. Neither is the belief in karma or healing with Eastern energies such as Reiki.
When one is seriously sick and in pain, it is very difficult to think of anything but the consuming pain. It is especially during this time that the sick person should turn to God. Tell Him all your pains. Ask Him to heal you if it be His will. Ask Him to help you patiently endure until He sees fit to give you relieve. Offer your pains as reparation for your past sins or for those of your loved ones. This is especially important because you may be suffering like this as a gift from God so that you can do your time in Purgatory, while you are still alive. This is what is meant by not to waste your sufferings.
Caregivers, particularly the spouse of the sick person, also suffers right along their loved one. They too must offer up their sufferings. But it is also important that they remind the sick person that it is only holy sufferings if it is united to those of Christ's.
Prayer of Resignation in Suffering
Merciful Lord of life,
I lift up my heart to You in my suffering
and ask for your comforting help.
I know that you would withhold the thorns of this life
if I could attain eternal life without them.
So I throw myself on Your mercy,
resigning myself to this suffering.
Grant me the grace to bear it
and to offer it in union with Your sufferings.
No matter what suffering may come my way,
let me always trust in You.
Amen.
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Your petitions at Lourdes Grotto - prayers for Our Lady of Lourdes Feast Feb. 11
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Shared by Mary Jane.
Place your petitions at the Grotto of Lourdes in France
View live shot of Grotto and watch Lourdes TV
Our Lady of LourdesFeast Day February 11
O ever Immaculate Virgin, Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick, Refuge of Sinners, Comfort to the Afflicted,
you know my wants, my troubles, my sufferings. Deign to cast upon me a look of mercy. By appearing in the Grotto of Lourdes, you were pleased to make it a privileged sanctuary, whence you dispense your favors; and already many sufferers have obtained the cure of their infirmities, both spiritual and corporal.
I come, therefore, with the most unbounded confidence to implore your maternal intercession. Obtain, O loving Mother, the granting of my requests. (mention your intentions here)
Through gratitude for favors, I will endeavor to imitate your virtues that I may one day share your glory.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Amen.
(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be.)
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longer version: http://www.ewtn.com/
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Two prayers to prepare the universal celebration of Our Lady of Lourdes, on February 11
Mary, you showed yourself to Bernadette
in the crevice of the rock.
In the cold and grey of winter,
you brought the warmth, light and beauty
of your presence,
in the crevice of the rock.
In the cold and grey of winter,
you brought the warmth, light and beauty
of your presence,
In the often obscure depths of our lives,
in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful,
bring hope,
return our confidence!
in the depth of the world where evil is so powerful,
bring hope,
return our confidence!
You are the Immaculate Conception,
come to our aid, sinners that we are.
Give us the humility to have a change of heart,
the courage to do penance.
Teach us to pray for all people.
come to our aid, sinners that we are.
Give us the humility to have a change of heart,
the courage to do penance.
Teach us to pray for all people.
Guide us to the source of true life.
Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church,
whet our appetite for the Eucharist,
the bread for the journey, the bread of life.
Make us pilgrims going forward with your Church,
whet our appetite for the Eucharist,
the bread for the journey, the bread of life.
The Spirit brought about wonders in you, O Mary :
by his power, he has placed you near the Father,
in the glory of your eternal Son.
Look with kindness
on our miserable bodies and hearts.
Shine forth for us, like a gentle light,
at the hour of our death.
by his power, he has placed you near the Father,
in the glory of your eternal Son.
Look with kindness
on our miserable bodies and hearts.
Shine forth for us, like a gentle light,
at the hour of our death.
Together with Bernadette, we pray to you, O Mary,
as your poor children.
May we enter, like her, into the spirit of the Beatitudes.
Then, we will be able, here below,
begin to know the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven
and sing together with you :
Magnificent !
as your poor children.
May we enter, like her, into the spirit of the Beatitudes.
Then, we will be able, here below,
begin to know the joy of the Kingdom of Heaven
and sing together with you :
Magnificent !
Glory to you, Virgin Mary,
blessed servant of the Lord,
Mother of God,
dwelling place of the Holy Spirit!
blessed servant of the Lord,
Mother of God,
dwelling place of the Holy Spirit!
Amen.
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