Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A Prayer for the New Year

New Year

Come, Holy Spirit,Spirit of the Risen Christ,
be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide,
and our Comforter.Be our Strength,
our Courage, and our Sanctifier.

May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always.
Amen.

H/T to Leticia

A Novena to St. Joseph of Desparate Cases

St. Joeph
H/T to America Needs Fatima Blog
O thou, whom no one has ever yet invoked in vain, thou, whose power with Our Lord and Our Lady is so great, that it has been truly said, "In Heaven, Joseph commands rather than supplicates," tender father, intercede for me!

St. Joseph, be my advocate with thy Divine Son, Whose foster-father and faithful protector thou wert here below. Add to all thy glories, that of gaining the despaired of cause that I confide to thee. I believe, yes, I believe thou canst obtain my deliverance from the troubles that overwhelm me, and the desolation in which my soul is plunged. I have the firm hope that thou wilt neglect nothing in favor of the afflicted who invoke thee.

Humbly prostrate at thy feet, dear St. Joseph, I implore thee to have pity on my tears, cover me with the mantle of thy merciful protection and bless me. Amen.

Daily Resolution - Seventh Day of Christmas

7th Day


Resolution: Today I will speak with someone about Jesus’ love for us as demonstrated through his Incarnation.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Our Pets

Honey Blessing
Our cat is still missing. What gives me comfort is knowing that Fr. Daren was kind enough to bless her when he was over this past Summer. My family and I are also comforted and very grateful to so many people who are helping us around our neighborhood, prayers from family and friends near and far.

I don't know if non-pet people understand the bond that forms between a person and their beloved animal. The animal really becomes part of one's family. When they die or go missing, there is a big void in the family. Right now as I write this there are fellow bloggers who are grieving for the death of their pet or a pet suffering from a serious illness.

I've had pets as a baby. My first pet was a Boxer named Furia which means fury in Spanish. Most of my pets have been dogs. But I've also had cats. These two animals couldn't be more different. Yet you have to love each of them for their own special qualities and personalities.

Honey our cat is a rascal. When she wants food she'll jump on my husband's back and screech. My husband also taught her how to play fetch with a toy mouse.

She loves my dog and my dog loves her. She has wanted to be friends with our older cat but our cat would have none of that.

Right now, my family and I are going through a very difficult time trying to find this beloved pet. But we know God will help us get her back, if it be His will.



Modern Day Martyrs

H/T to Tea at Trianon

A friend and I were discussing modern day martyrs last Saturday evening as we were debating whether or not to greet Immaculee Illibagiza. Her plane had been delayed to a very late hour. She mentioned that Immaculee's parents were martyrs for the faith. That one statement started us recalling more recent martyrs like the young priest and the bishop in Iraq who were killed not too long ago.

My friend expressed her disgust that the MSM does a good job of keeping these acts of heroism in the name of Christianity hidden from the world.

I am glad to have found that these martyrs' sacrifice did not go unnoticed by the Christian world.

The Greatest Story Never Told: Modern Christian Martyrdom

A must read for everyone.


Nominated for the Pro-Life Blog Awards

Prolife Blog Awards
Having been really down in the dumps since Honey went missing, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I had been nominated by DR of Maritime Sentry for the Prolife Blog Awards. I am happy to report that their fine blog has also been nominated.

I am also happy to report that all the blogs I wanted to nominate (and would have earlier, had I not been so busy at home) were also nominated. Just to name a few:

Catholic Fire

Causa Nostrae Laetitiae

Faith and Country

as well as Maritime Sentry.

I have since posted my nominees.

Thanks again DR!




Daily Resolution - Sixth Day of Christmas

6th Day
Today I will spend a quiet moment before the child Jesus and thank him for his presence here among us. I will also strive in a particular way to be cheerful and friendly to everyone I meet.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation


Monday, December 29, 2008

Update - 10,000 Masses for the Unborn

I received the following email from Patrick Benedict of St. Michael the Archangel Organization.
SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL ORGANIZATION
P. O. Box 41257 Memphis, Tennessee 38174 U.S.A.
PatrickBenedict@SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org
St. Michael the Archangel Organization

December 26th, 2008

Dear Esther,

Hello.

The Saint Michael the Archangel Organization* is now in the process of coordinating the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES effort, scheduled to take place from January 13th - January 21st, 2009. This will be a Novena of Masses offered for the following intention:

For the protection of unborn human persons. I greatly encourage you to help with this effort by having one or more Masses offered.. Additional information, including how to register, can be found at St. Michael the Archangel Organization.

In addition to contacting me about the registration of one or more Masses, please let me know if you would like to be on the email mailing list of the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization. My email address is PatrickBenedict@SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org.

Sincerely,

Patrick Benedict
Saint Michael the Archangel Organization

p.s. I also encourage you to let other people(including, of course, priests) know about the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES. The following bulletin announcement may be placed in a parish's bulletin:

The 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES is scheduled for January 13th - 21st, 2008. During this Novena, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be offered for the following intention: For the protection of unborn human persons. Persons wanting to help with this effort may do the following: 1) Ask a priest to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as part of the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES(of course, a person may ask that more than one Mass be offered); and, 2) Register the date and location of the Mass with the Saint Michael the Archangel Organization(P. O. Box 41257; Memphis, Tennessee 38174; U.S.A. or send an email to PatrickBenedict@SaintMichaelTheArchangelOrganization.org). The website is St. Michael the Archangel Organization

p.p.s. Presently, there are over 550 Masses scheduled to be offered as part of the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES. This includes one or more Masses being offered in: Australia, Trinidad, Rome(Italy), Fargo(ND), a Trappist Monastery, a Carmelite Monastery, Canyon(TX), Covington(LA), Brantford(FL), Poland, etc.

*The Saint Michael the Archangel Organization was founded in the year 2007. The Organization has coordinated the following: ROSARY FOR LIFE SUNDAY(October 14th, 2007); ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES(May 3rd, 2008); and, the WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES(October 18th, 2008). As mentioned, the 10,000 MASSES FOR UNBORN BABIES is presently being coordinated. It is hoped there will be a ONE MILLION ROSARIES FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event on May 1st and 2nd, 2009 as well as a WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event on October 17th, 2009.


Sacred texts: Vatican embraces iTunes prayer book

I told the creator Fr. Padrini that I would post his story here on my blog so here it is:
I'd like to offer this story on my application that brings the prayer on iPhone.
I believe that prayer is Christian and Catholic from spreading. You wonder why you can publish the news and if you can spread it to your friends on the blog.

thanks

fr. Paolo Padrini

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is endorsing new technology that brings the book of daily prayers used by priests straight onto iPhones.

The Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications is embracing the iBreviary, an iTunes application created by a technologically savvy Italian priest, the Rev. Paolo Padrini, and an Italian Web designer.
You can read the rest at Sacred texts: Vatican embraces iTunes prayer book



Daily Resolution - Fourth Day of Christmas

4th Day of Christmas
This Year it is also the Feast of the Holy Family

I will take a moment to listen attentively to and speak with a member of my family who may not have received much attention from me recently.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation

Prayer Request for our Lost Cat

We lost one of our cats last evening. It was our younger cat. We have looked everywhere for her. We even checked with the Humane Society. No signs of her and I am heartbroken.

Could I bother you to pray to St. Anthony that she be found safe and sound. She is the sweetest little cat.

Thanks so much.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Daily Resolution - 3rd Day of Christmas

3rd Day of Christmas
I will the recite the Creed in front of a manger scene today and make a special effort to talk about God’s providence in my conversations with others.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation


Power's Back

Thank God we decided to go out for an early dinner within walking distance to a neighborhood restaurant. On the way home we watched a spectacular lightening storm which is odd for Hawaii. I was speaking to one of my brothers when about a half hour later or less, Oahu was plunged into darkness.

Somehow the lightening storm wreaked havoc on the generators and everyone without a auxiliary generator was without power.

Tip: Be prepared.

Because of the last earthquake causing blackout three years ago, our family had a crank radio (thanks to my sister), a transistor radio (thanks to my mom), Blessed candles, plenty of batteries (thanks to Radio Shack's sale yesterday), matches and board games.

Joey and I played Scrabble by candlelight. My husband listened to the radio for updates. Thanks to the guys at KSSK, we were kept up to date with news, humor and experts answering questions like how long will the fish last in the fishtank without the pump. BTW, we didn't need a expert to answer that. My fish using stay without the pump from late evening to early morning because they noise from the filter bothers my husband :-)

Also, our decision to keep our landline phone with the corded phone was a good one. Two of my brothers were able to call close to midnight there time to wish me a happy birthday. Our cell phone did not work.

Well, anyway, we turned in early since there really wasn't much to do. We all got a good night's sleep and today we will continue my birthday celebration since it ended quite abruptly last early last night.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Feast of St. Stephen

St. Stephen

Must not forget to post about my patron saint! Which reminds me of this morning's Mass. Father P. came out wearing the red vestments and my first thought was, how nice of him to vest up in Christmas colors. It wasn't until he mentioned St. Stephen that I realized it was the liturgical color of the day. Yeesh! Did I feel dumb :-)

Oh BTW...

I finally joined Facebook and having a heck of fun time with it. I haven't decided if I want to let my old high school friends know I am on Facebook. Hmmm, I'll have to think about that one for a bit.


Daily Resolution - Second Day of Christmas

2nd Day of Christmas
Today I will look for the positive side in everyone I meet. I will look beyond their limitations. I will forgive anyone who might offend me.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation

Fine Art Friday - Mary Cassatt

Child's Caress
The Child's Caress. c. 1890.
Oil on canvas. Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu.


Self-Portrait
Self-Portrait. c.1880. Oil on canvas. The Smithsonian Institution,
National Museum of American Art, Washington, D.C.

Opera
At the Opera. 1979. Oil on canvas.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.

Young Bride
La Jeune MariƩe (The Young Bride).
c. 1875.Oil on canvas, Montclair Art Museum, Montclair


Le Toilette
Le Toilette
1891, Oil on canvas. Art Institute of Chicago


Reading in the Garden
Reading in the Garden
1880, Oil on canvas, Art Institute of Chicago


The Bath
The Bath (The Child's Bath). 1890-1891. Drypoint, soft-ground etching, and aquatint. The National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC.
You can really see the Japanese influence in this particular work.

Hope you don't mind if I post about my all-time favorite woman artist, Mary Cassatt. She is famous for her mother and child themes. She is also well-known because she held her own with the other French Impressionists of the time, who with the exception of Berthe Morisot, were all men.

Daily Resolution - Christmas Day

Happy Birthday Jesus

Today I will strive to show special joy and goodness in my relations with others, especially with my family. I will look for an extra way to make each of them happy today.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Mele Kalikimaka



Merry Christmas Everybody!

Daily Resolution

Merry Christmas
Today, I’ll say “yes” to one thing that God has been asking of me.


Regnum Christi Daily Meditation

Toys and Christmas

Jeni shared this article with our Catholic moms' group.

When Toys Were Magical Without Being Pricey
Do you remember the first time you got the 64-pack of Crayolas? You'd gotten a box of two dozen crayons before. But this one had cornflower, goldenrod and sienna! There were five shades of yellow, and what's that in the back? A sharpener!
I believe the 64 pack of Crayola crayons was usually on my list for Santa to bring me. Nothing made me happier than the smell of new crayons or drawing with the sharpened point of a new crayon. A few years before my grandmother died, she gave me her anniversary tin of Crayola crayons. Sometimes I like to open the tin and smell the crayons and a wonderful memories of my childhood envelopes me.

The article brought back fond memories of Christmas when my brothers, sisters and I were growing up. My dad would always go all out if he liked something. One Christmas he discovered the fun of building with Legos. That Christmas, the five of us regardless of whether we had listed Legos on our Christmas list or not, or whether we were teens or younger or whether we were girls or boys, we all received boxes and boxes of Legos.

I recall during that memorable Christmas my family and I had a great time building and creating with the simple little Lego blocks.

An earlier Christmas memory I have was of my Dad, ever a child at heart, created a magical Christmas scene for us with the old Lionel trains. He had a huge layout, or so it seemed to me as a little girl. I remember it having trees, people, villages and of course the locomotive train with the steam and the "toot-too".

Gosh, I wish children could experience the kind of Christmas we experienced as children not too long ago.

This year when our son had difficulty composing his wish list my husband and I turned to the old standbys...Monopoly and Scrabble. Okay, there was a tad of a selfish reason for me choosing these two particular games but I am sure he will have a grand time playing these classic board games as much as I will.

These old toys are what one reporter on Fox News referred to as "The comfort food of toys".

What is your favorite toy or memory of Christmas when you were a child?


O Antiphons - 7th Day

Day 7th
O EMMANUEL, God with us, our King and Lawgiver, the expected of the nations and their Savior: Come to save us, O Lord our God.

I saiah 7:14; 33:22. Symbols: tablets of stone, Chalice and Host.

Women for Faith and Family Christmas Novena

Monday, December 22, 2008

A Decalogue for Priests

Priest at Altar
1. How I live as a priest is more important than what I do as a priest.

2. What Christ does through me is more important than what I do by myself.

3. It is more important that I live the unity of the priesthood than plunge myself headlong and alone into ministry.

4. The ministry of prayer and word is more important than serving at tables.

5. It is more important to nurture the spiritual welfare of those who build up the parish community than to undertake alone as many activities as possible.

6. It is more important to be present in a few key points radiating life than to be half-present everywhere and in a hurry.

7. It is more important to work in unity with others than alone, no matter how capable I may feel. In other words, communion is more important than action.

8. It is more important to value the Cross which yields true life, than to value the apparent success of human talents and efforts.

9. It is more important to have an open soul - open to the community, the diocese, the universal Church - than a soul fixed on particular interests, no matter how important they may seem.

10. It is more important to witness to my faith than to be caught up in every demand that is made upon me.

Bishop Klaus Hemmerle


Source Sister Briege McKenna

Shared by Sue