Really. It seems incredible. Unimaginable, even. That a mere mortal can gain God's mercy, for the entire world. All you need to do is pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Praying the the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day at 3:00PM can stop war, instill peace and achieve endless blessings. And it takes just 15 minutes to pray.
Why make praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy a part of your every day? Because our Lord wants us to ask for, recieve His and give mercy. Unconditional love and forgiveness. Complete faith. Devout prayer. A strong relationship with Him. These are the things God wants for us. All of these things are easily obtained and all it takes is 15 minutes a day. He couldn't make it easier for us.
How do we know these are the things God desires for us? Besides the Bible, the many miracles and saints, specifically Saint Faustina Kowalska devoted her life to Divine Mercy. Her diary entries over the course of 10 years articulate her many encounters with Our Lord. Saint Faustina became a truly Christlike example, the majority not knowing of her suffering. It wasn't until after her death that the world would know of her choosen status or her great sacrifice.
No wonder my Father-in-Law has consecrated himself to this amazing saint. He must get his strength and a good measure of his faith from Saint Faustina Kowalska, of the Most Blessed Sacrement".
Be kind. Be merciful. Practice forgiveness. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy daily.
To Learn more about Saint Faustina and her selfless acceptance of her role in the Divine Mercy movement, you can read her book, Diary: Divine Mercy in My Soul. You may also listen to The Saving Power of Divine Mercy, a talk by Father Jason Brooks. Order his talk on CD by going to http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/ Promo Code: 100947.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Consecrating oneself to GOD
In my strengthening my faith journey I have promised our Lord to read, listen to and learn at least one thing about our Catholic faith each day. Today's endeavours brought the discovery that 'consecrating' oneself does not involve laying yourself at the alter of GOD to be scorched by hellfire! If you had similar misgivings you can rest assured.
The Miriam Webster definition of Consecrating is:
1. Make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.
2. (in Christian belief) Make (bread or wine) into the body or blood of Christ.
Perhaps it was that second part of the definition that brought the awful visual of consecration to my mind. Most of us cannot begin to imagine and are utterly humbled when we take the time to think of what Jesus went through for us - because of us. To remind us of his sacrifice and sufferings we celebrate communion every weekend at Mass, where the Priest consecrates the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. That is a transformation that, although glorious, sounds painful.
Today, I was listening to my Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month, "Gangland to Promise land," and the speaker reminded me about my Confirmation. Not something I have thought of for a second since receiving that sacrament... Also unsure if I am supposed to feel a measure of Catholic guilt at the fact that I haven't. At Confirmation we take the name of a Saint. The speaker reminded me of that fact and plead with the audience to strengthen our relationship with GOD by consecrating ourselves to our favorite Saint or the Saint we chose at confirmation. The name I took at Confirmation was Elizabeth.
I am not sure if I just liked the name Elizabeth or if I understood who Saint Elizabeth was at the time. Saint Elizabeth was Mary's cousin and one of the first to know of Mary's great blessing. Her husband Zachary was a Priest who had a vision of an Angel who told him, his beyond child-bearing years wife, Elizabeth would have a son and they were to name him John. Not much more is readily known about Elizabeth.
Today I learned how pivotal a role Elizabeth's family played in the Holy Family's life and that she is surely a Saint worthy of consecrating myself to.
Thank you for reading! If you are interested in the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month Club, please follow the below link and use PROMO CODE: 100947 http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/.
The Miriam Webster definition of Consecrating is:
1. Make or declare (something, typically a church) sacred; dedicate formally to a religious or divine purpose.
2. (in Christian belief) Make (bread or wine) into the body or blood of Christ.
Perhaps it was that second part of the definition that brought the awful visual of consecration to my mind. Most of us cannot begin to imagine and are utterly humbled when we take the time to think of what Jesus went through for us - because of us. To remind us of his sacrifice and sufferings we celebrate communion every weekend at Mass, where the Priest consecrates the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. That is a transformation that, although glorious, sounds painful.
Today, I was listening to my Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month, "Gangland to Promise land," and the speaker reminded me about my Confirmation. Not something I have thought of for a second since receiving that sacrament... Also unsure if I am supposed to feel a measure of Catholic guilt at the fact that I haven't. At Confirmation we take the name of a Saint. The speaker reminded me of that fact and plead with the audience to strengthen our relationship with GOD by consecrating ourselves to our favorite Saint or the Saint we chose at confirmation. The name I took at Confirmation was Elizabeth.
I am not sure if I just liked the name Elizabeth or if I understood who Saint Elizabeth was at the time. Saint Elizabeth was Mary's cousin and one of the first to know of Mary's great blessing. Her husband Zachary was a Priest who had a vision of an Angel who told him, his beyond child-bearing years wife, Elizabeth would have a son and they were to name him John. Not much more is readily known about Elizabeth.
Today I learned how pivotal a role Elizabeth's family played in the Holy Family's life and that she is surely a Saint worthy of consecrating myself to.
Thank you for reading! If you are interested in the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month Club, please follow the below link and use PROMO CODE: 100947 http://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Answered, The Prayers of our Heart
For the last several years I have been considering ways I could deepen my relationship with GOD. After all, he has blessed me so completely. It's only right to give thanks and give back. In entertaining the many possibilities from choir to children and youth ministry and everything in between, each was quickly dismissed due to the lack of physical time and/or talent.
Then, about 2 years ago I discovered the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month Club through a co-worker. I listened to the CD's on my rides to and from work and was moved. Each speakers topic, knowledge and timeliness struck a powerful cord. My personal and work relationships improved. My general level of contentedness in life improved.
In July I listened to a CD featuring Matthew Kelly. He talked about our faith and evangelizing. Having been a practicing Catholic for the majority of my life, his was a truly foreign concept to me. Matthew Kelly shared that of 60 Million Catholics in America over half are non-practicing. Amazing! I wondered what these poor, non-practicing Catholics did in the time of sorrow and crisis? Where do they turn with their every day troubles? Who do they celebrate their every day and blessings with? Why don't Catholics perceive how cool our faith is? We have the Eucharist, the Holy Trinity, Mary and all the Saints. What greater appeal could any faith or lack of faith have?
In August, we were on vacation and took a day trip into New York City. We attended Sunday Mass at a small church there and during the Priests' homily he called for each of us attending the Mass that day to share the good word of our faith. He stated that the Catholic faith is under attack by many other faiths and we were losing a great number of our faithful to other religions - some not even Christian.
Later that month a friend mentioned to me that the purpose of her prayer group was evangelizing. I am ashamed to say, I physically pulled away from my friend as she said the word 'evangelization'.
At the end of August my CD of the Month came with an excerpt by Tim Staples. Tim shared how he had been raised from the age of 10 to consider Catholics week in their faith, easy targets for conversion and in dire need of being 'saved'.
Catholicism is under attack.
60 Million tells me there is something beyond the incredible about our faith. The majority being non-practicing tells me we have forgotten what is special and cool about our faith.
That's when I decided to share the cool in our faith, shamelessly. I started this blog, a FB page, Twitter account - all dedicated to relearning the magnificent in being Catholic. When I received an email about becoming involved with Lighthouse Catholic Media, I responded and am now speaking at my local parishes and every opportunity I get about the CD's with our Catholic message.
Thank you, GOD, for so many things, but today for answering my unspoken prayers. For putting people and faith and opportunity in my path to strengthing my relationship with YOU.
As for you, I hope you will keep reading and re-learn with me about the cool and the glorious in our Catholic faith. Then I hope you will share it with a friend.
(And if you are interested in joining the CD of the Month Club, click on the link and use
Promo Code: 100947) https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/cdclub
Then, about 2 years ago I discovered the Lighthouse Catholic Media CD of the Month Club through a co-worker. I listened to the CD's on my rides to and from work and was moved. Each speakers topic, knowledge and timeliness struck a powerful cord. My personal and work relationships improved. My general level of contentedness in life improved.
In July I listened to a CD featuring Matthew Kelly. He talked about our faith and evangelizing. Having been a practicing Catholic for the majority of my life, his was a truly foreign concept to me. Matthew Kelly shared that of 60 Million Catholics in America over half are non-practicing. Amazing! I wondered what these poor, non-practicing Catholics did in the time of sorrow and crisis? Where do they turn with their every day troubles? Who do they celebrate their every day and blessings with? Why don't Catholics perceive how cool our faith is? We have the Eucharist, the Holy Trinity, Mary and all the Saints. What greater appeal could any faith or lack of faith have?
In August, we were on vacation and took a day trip into New York City. We attended Sunday Mass at a small church there and during the Priests' homily he called for each of us attending the Mass that day to share the good word of our faith. He stated that the Catholic faith is under attack by many other faiths and we were losing a great number of our faithful to other religions - some not even Christian.
Later that month a friend mentioned to me that the purpose of her prayer group was evangelizing. I am ashamed to say, I physically pulled away from my friend as she said the word 'evangelization'.
At the end of August my CD of the Month came with an excerpt by Tim Staples. Tim shared how he had been raised from the age of 10 to consider Catholics week in their faith, easy targets for conversion and in dire need of being 'saved'.
Catholicism is under attack.
60 Million tells me there is something beyond the incredible about our faith. The majority being non-practicing tells me we have forgotten what is special and cool about our faith.
That's when I decided to share the cool in our faith, shamelessly. I started this blog, a FB page, Twitter account - all dedicated to relearning the magnificent in being Catholic. When I received an email about becoming involved with Lighthouse Catholic Media, I responded and am now speaking at my local parishes and every opportunity I get about the CD's with our Catholic message.
Thank you, GOD, for so many things, but today for answering my unspoken prayers. For putting people and faith and opportunity in my path to strengthing my relationship with YOU.
As for you, I hope you will keep reading and re-learn with me about the cool and the glorious in our Catholic faith. Then I hope you will share it with a friend.
(And if you are interested in joining the CD of the Month Club, click on the link and use
Promo Code: 100947) https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/cdclub
Monday, September 5, 2011
Mother Theresa says it all!
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be good enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and GOD; It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Theresa
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be good enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and GOD; It was never between you and them anyway.
~Mother Theresa
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