This e-mail was forwarded to me, so I thought I ought to get the word out.
Dear Friends of the Dominican Sisters of Mary,
In this age of instant communications, word travels fast, so you may have already heard the news: we will be appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Tuesday, February 9, which also happens to be the 13th anniversary of the founding of our Community. Oprah was interested in doing a show on religious life as a hidden way of life which many people never experience, and so her producers asked us if we would be willing to welcome them. We accepted this invitation as an opportunity to share our life, and by extension, the Gospel, with an audience that we might not ever reach otherwise.
A camera crew came to the Motherhouse in Ann Arbor at the beginning of this week, and then on Thursday, Sr. Mary Samuel, Sr. John Dominic, Sr. Mary Judith, and Sr. Francis Mary were flown to Chicago for
the taping.
Some of our Novices and Postulants also participated in the taping from the Motherhouse via Skype.
The camera men come to breakfast!
The show will air on Tuesday, February 9th, so be sure to check your local listings for the time and station in your area. If you can't watch it then, be sure to record it, as her producers have let us know that they do not send out copies of any show. And please, spread the word!
In the meantime, please join us in praying that Our Lord will use this television show to touch the hearts of many, so that they may come to know Him and His boundless love and mercy.
God bless you!
In Jesus and Mary,
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
4597 Warren Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 930-4222
www.sistersofmary.org
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival; for Sunday February 7, 2010
GO COLTS!
Welcome to another edition of Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival. We are a group of bloggers who gather once each week to share out best posts. We are all Catholic and blog at least somewhat about Catholic things; some do so exclusively, others only periodically. All are welcome to participate here.
To join in the fun, go to your blog and create a post titled Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival. In that post describe and link to any posts you want to share with the rest of us. Then go to Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival and follow RAnn's instructions for linking your post to other bloggers. It's a lot of fun and helps draw people who may not normally visit your blog...and you may even gain a new follower or two.
1) From the God Love you Series: Laity in the 21st Century, Evil in the News and Poor in Spirit.
2) Superbowl Fun - Archbishops of Indianapolis and New Orleans and Counting on a Colts Win This Sunday.
3) The March for Life and the Weekly 5.
4) The crazy liberals - The Pope hurting people in the name of Jesus?, Bat Tutorial (funny), Margaret Sanger Interview, 72 Page report on Obama radicals.
5) Of inspirational interest - The Holy Shroud, the Conversion of Brett Favre and Pray Without Ceasing.
6) Check out my new page St Monica.
Well there you have another week of Catholic Carnival for your musings...and again I ask that we offer a prayer for one another, our families and our culture; that we as a nation will once again embrace the Christian values that our great country is founded upon...those values that proclaim all men are created in the image and likeness of God and as such possess dignity and sanctity; and so being all men have the inalienable right to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"....in that order!
As always....in the words of Monsignor Schaedel, a very holy priest and the Vicar General of my Archdiocese, "Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:
God willing I will return next week with more stupidity from the liberals, funny or inspiring posts. With faith, hope and trust in the
Prayer Requests
I'm taking prayer requests....if you or anyone you know has a prayer need, please leave it in the comment box below and I will remember you in my morning prayer.
Archbishops of Indianapolis and New Orleans make Super Bowl bet
.- Archbishop Daniel Buechlein of Indianapolis and Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans have made a friendly bet on the upcoming 44th Super Bowl this Sunday between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints.
Archbishop Buechlein revealed in an email provided to CNA that, “Archbishop Aymond and I have made a wager on the Saints vs. Colts Superbowl.”
“He receives Southern Indiana pork chops if the Saints win. I receive Gumbo if the Colts win,” he wrote.
Archbishop Buechlein also has a reward planned for his flock, according to the archdiocesan newspaper The Criterion.
The Indianapolis archbishop has declared Monday, February 8, 2010, the day after the Colts play in the Super Bowl, as an official day off for all archdiocesan Catholic schools in the area.
In granting the day off, Archbishop Buechlein praised the Colts for being “strong examples of positive role models and community involvement” and offered the team his gratitude and support.
The Colts have a 14 and 2 win-loss record, while the Saints come into the championship game with a 13 and 3 win-loss record. This Sunday's Super Bowl will start at 6:25 p.m. Eastern Time on CBS.
7 Quick Takes Friday - Friday 2/5/10
JMJ
Jen from Conversion Diary hosts 7 Quick Takes each week. Stop over there to read what others are saying.
++ 1 ++
My brother-in-law Sam has been on my mind almost constantly since returning home from the March for Life. The morning after my late night arrival home my husband gave me the news.....Sam's lingering pneumonia had given way to a diagnosis of end stage lung cancer. Quite a drastic change from a month ago when he was bowling in 4-5 leagues a week along with working part-time. I ask that all my friends in the blogging world keep him, my nieces and nephews and my husband in prayer.
++ 2 ++
My husband and I met today with our youngest son Corey, our niece Kashara, her boyfriend Shay and Janet, my sister and Kashara's mom...for lunch to celebrate Kashara's birthday (2-1). We went to a place called Charbono's; a very nice restuarant, yet reasonably priced. Most of us ordered the Linguini Charbono which is a mix of shrimp, crab and lobster in a yummy pepper, pesto cream sauce served over linguini. Janet got a roasted chicken salad sandwich. It was served on what looked like a croisant but shaped like a hoagie bun, with colby-jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoe and mayonnaise. Kevin got a 5 cheese pesto pizza...he shared a piece with me and it was very good. Our good food was mingled with good conversation which ended far too soon due to weather and work hours.
++ 3 ++
I am busy planning our Superbowl Party. Well I should probably not call it a party, it will consist of 2 party participants, my husband Kevin and myself. But I am putting together some special foods anyway. As you can see from the picture below we are rather committed Colts fans.
The following is a recipe which I plan on serving, is posted on the Son Rise Morning Show blog and comes from Rita Heikenfeld. Find more great Super Bowl recipes at abouteating.com.
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, cut into cubes (or you can soften it and cover entire bottom of dish)
2 cups cooked chicken (a store-bought rotisserie chicken works best), shredded
1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce or less to taste
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
1/4 to 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Preheat
oven to 300°F. Spread cheese in an 8x8" dish or pie plate. Combine the
shredded chicken, wing sauce and butter, and pour over the cream
cheese-filled dish or pie plate. Top with just enough blue cheese
dressing and mozzarella cheese to cover (adding too much cheese will
cause a thick skin to form that will make eating the dip difficult once
the cheese cools). Heat the dip in the oven for 20 minutes. Serve with
Scoops (Tortillas or Fritos), celery sticks, etc. alongside for
dipping. Serves 8.
In honor of our Indianapolis Colts, Archbishop Daniel has proclaimed Superbowl Monday, February 8; a day off for all Catholic Schools within the Archdiocese and the Archbishop O'Meara Catholic Center.
++ 4 ++
We are having a winter storm here in Indy. Our forecast RIGHT NOW: Moderate and even heavy snow continues across Central
Indiana from now through the overnight hours. We could see snowfall
rate range from a half an inch even up to an inch in some spots. We
already have had up to 5″ of snow in downtown. Not only is the snow a
concern but so will the blowing and drifting snow. North of
Indianapolis, the snow is not as wet and more powdery so it is blowing
and drifting and even causing whiteout conditions. As the temperatures
drop below 32º some of the slush that was on the roads from this
afternoon could freeze over and make things pretty slick out there. We are expecting a total snowfall amount of 8-10 inches.
Burrr....it's cold and blowing out there.
++ 5 ++
Now that the activities surrounding the anniversary of Roe-v-Wade are over my focus at the Pro-Life Office will begin to involve the.........
Indianapolis Archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry
Sanctity of Life Dinner
Jill Stanek our featured speaker
Thursday April 22, 2010
Riverwalk Banquet Center
6729 Westfield Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN
6 p.m. - registration and cash bar
7-9 p.m. - dinner and awards
++ 6 ++
Something that just popped into my
head, which I am very excited about. My husband and I are going to
Cincinnati July 17, to see Father Corapi and then on July 20-22 we are
going on a 3 day pilgrimage with a number of other folks to visit the Shrine of Our lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse Wisconsin. I have been wanting to do this for quite awhile now and finally our friend Norbert organized a trip by motor coach with Monsignor Schaedel as spiritual director. It should be a very memorable trip.
++ 7 ++
I cannot think of anything else that is pressing at the moment. My brain is way too tired right now. So this will have to do until next week...God willing, a little earlier time.
The Weekly Five - Friday 2/5/10
The Weekly Five
1) Aussie Coffee Shop - Is hosted by Therese who blogs on faith and family, or just about anything she wants. She homeschools and has blog entries on cooking, sewing and family....all those neat home-body type of things. She has a very nice blog, well worth visiting.
2) Bible Tidbits - This blog contains biblical insights generally updated weekly by Daniel Egan. Much of what he writes comes from A Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (New Testament), by Orchard - Dicarlo - Egan.
3) Catholic and Enjoying It! - Is home to the well known Catholic writer and speaker Mark Shea. His blog is sort of a 'mixed bag', with a lot of added fun and humor. He seems to write on most anything and pretty much says what he thinks. It's worth a frequent stop at his blog to see what he is up to.
4) Catholic Answers LIVE - If you go here it sort of looks like the home page for Catholic Answers, but it updates daily in the reading list of the blogger dashboard. Also if you click on the internet link at this site it will take you to the Catholic Answers LIVE calendar at which point you can listen to live shows or download past shows.
5) Catholic Cuisine - Jessica's blog heading says "Recipes for Celebrating the Feasts and Seasons of the Liturgical Year." Jessica's blog not only contains creative and yummy sounding recipes, she also has a very beautiful blog. Jessica's creativity is obviously not confined to the kitchen; here you will also find a variety of beautiful snapshots and religious pictures, laid out in a very organized format. This is the place to go for those who are serious about really living the liturgical year in our daily lives.
Well, that's it, for this weeks edition of ...The Weekly Five.
God willing I will be back February 12, with the next post of this series.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Obama Advisor Says Pope is Hurting People in Jesus’ Name
By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist
An advisor to President Barack Obama’s who serves on the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has reiterated his belief that the Pope is “hurting people in the name of Jesus” because of his stance on condoms.
CNSNews confronted Harry Knox, who advises the president on the government’s Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships program, at a National Press Club event on Tuesday and asked if he still believed the pope was “hurting people in the name of Jesus” because of the Pope’s belief that the distribution of condoms only exacerbates the AIDS problem in Africa.
Knox answered, “I do.”
Knox, who serves as the director of the faith and religion program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a homosexual activist group, first made the comment....more
An advisor to President Barack Obama’s who serves on the Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships has reiterated his belief that the Pope is “hurting people in the name of Jesus” because of his stance on condoms.
CNSNews confronted Harry Knox, who advises the president on the government’s Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships program, at a National Press Club event on Tuesday and asked if he still believed the pope was “hurting people in the name of Jesus” because of the Pope’s belief that the distribution of condoms only exacerbates the AIDS problem in Africa.
Knox answered, “I do.”
Knox, who serves as the director of the faith and religion program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a homosexual activist group, first made the comment....more
+ + + + + + + + +
These people are absolutely insane! It is mind-boggling how they can make statements of such absolute absurdity while there are so many scientific research studies available to prove this line of thinking is completely erroneous!
Although I can quickly think of numerous studies showing the ineffectiveness of condoms for any use, I cannot immediately locate documentation to back up this reality. With a little research anyone interested in knowing the truth concerning the percentage of defective condoms and the permeability of the latex to the HIV virus as well as other STDs; would be able to find numerous scientific studies to show condoms are useless in the prevention of AIDS.
The inability to assure the prevention of unplanned pregnancies with the use of condoms is also well documented. On the contrary, condom failure results in an increased instance of the slaughter of millions of God's unborn children.
Anyone with a lick of sense, can determine with the use of reason alone; the only way to prevent the spread of STDs incuding AIDS and to prevent unplanned pregnancy is through abstinence...I mean, come on folks, if one does not put themselves in the position to aquire an STD or unplanned pregnancy...it isn't going to happen by osmosis!
I don't think I am being to harsh to suggest the only way these people can actually believe this nonsensical lie, could be because....they are son's and daughter's of the Father of Lies. At the very least they are spiritually deaf, dumb and blind; if not in fact deaf, dumb and blind to reality....they certainly are in denial of reality!
Oh, wow, denial of reality...is a good working definition of insanity...do we understand we have INSANE PEOPLE running our country...you know the kind that need institutionalized??
Although I can quickly think of numerous studies showing the ineffectiveness of condoms for any use, I cannot immediately locate documentation to back up this reality. With a little research anyone interested in knowing the truth concerning the percentage of defective condoms and the permeability of the latex to the HIV virus as well as other STDs; would be able to find numerous scientific studies to show condoms are useless in the prevention of AIDS.
The inability to assure the prevention of unplanned pregnancies with the use of condoms is also well documented. On the contrary, condom failure results in an increased instance of the slaughter of millions of God's unborn children.
Anyone with a lick of sense, can determine with the use of reason alone; the only way to prevent the spread of STDs incuding AIDS and to prevent unplanned pregnancy is through abstinence...I mean, come on folks, if one does not put themselves in the position to aquire an STD or unplanned pregnancy...it isn't going to happen by osmosis!
I don't think I am being to harsh to suggest the only way these people can actually believe this nonsensical lie, could be because....they are son's and daughter's of the Father of Lies. At the very least they are spiritually deaf, dumb and blind; if not in fact deaf, dumb and blind to reality....they certainly are in denial of reality!
Oh, wow, denial of reality...is a good working definition of insanity...do we understand we have INSANE PEOPLE running our country...you know the kind that need institutionalized??
Go to the St Michael Society blog and sign the petition to have Harry Knox removed due to his remarks that the Pope is "hurting people in the name of Jesus."
Okay, I've got to get off my rant here, but before I do I'm going to put forth 3 more links....
The first, EWTN Live with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and Dr. Del Hahn talking about the Glories of Condoms; in which they discuss how sex educators tell our children: "We would never try at home what we're about to tell you. Ever! We're what you call professionals. But, you go ahead and do it to your hearts discontent."
The second, is another EWTN Live with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., this time with Steve Mosher, president of the Population Research Institute talking about Population Control: Real Costs, Illusory Benefits and his conversion due to work in the pro-life movement.
Finally, go to Patrick Madrid's site and get this DVD.
The first, EWTN Live with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. and Dr. Del Hahn talking about the Glories of Condoms; in which they discuss how sex educators tell our children: "We would never try at home what we're about to tell you. Ever! We're what you call professionals. But, you go ahead and do it to your hearts discontent."
The second, is another EWTN Live with Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J., this time with Steve Mosher, president of the Population Research Institute talking about Population Control: Real Costs, Illusory Benefits and his conversion due to work in the pro-life movement.
Finally, go to Patrick Madrid's site and get this DVD.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Counting on a Colts Win This Sunday!
Here is a picture of our own Archbishop Daniel Buechlein
riding in the side-car of the motorcycle that led our Indianapolis Colts into Lucas Oil Stadium for their AFC Championship
Victory over the New York Jets.
The driver is Mr. Forrest Lucas, the gentleman who
contributed so much to make Lucas Oil Stadium a reality for
Indianapolis . Archbishop Buechlein rode
with Mr. Lucas to show his support for the Indianapolis
Colts “as strong examples
of positive role models and community involvement.”
Archbishop Buechlein has declared Super Bowl Monday,
February 8, 2010, as an official day off for all archdiocesan
Catholic Schools
and the Archbishop
O’Meara Catholic
Center .
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Bat Tutorial
I could not resist.......
Our planet is populated with plenty of bizarre and astonishing creatures.
Here are two from the Bat Family ..... without the need for resorting to fiction.
Sucker-footed Bat
Left-Winged Ding Bat
Our planet is populated with plenty of bizarre and astonishing creatures.
Here are two from the Bat Family ..... without the need for resorting to fiction.
Sucker-footed Bat
Left-Winged Ding Bat
The Conversion of Brett Favre
From Catholic Exchange
January 26th, 2010 by Joseph Foster
Another chapter of Brett Favre’s legendary pro-football career came to a climactic end in Sunday’s NFC Championship when he threw an interception late in the game. Favre could have run for a chance to win, but chose to pass instead, across his body, and in doing so committed what a Fox Sports analyst later called the cardinal sin of pro-football, the same reckless throw that marked his storied 19-year career. Brett’s mistake might have cost his team the championship, and many games in his career. But the same mistake has also, in effect, driven the 40-year-old quarterback over the years to keep trying no matter how bad it gets, to bounce back, and to play with more than regrets.
While Favre is criticized for throwing more
interceptions than any player in the history of the league, he is better known
as the N.F.L. leader in touchdown passes, a three-time M.V.P., and one of the
most successful quarterbacks in the game. It is no coincidence that the league
leader in touchdowns and interceptions is the same player. This is because
success is accompanied by mistakes. And the same is true in our Christian
journey. With the right attitude, the taste of our mistakes motivates us to seek
conversion from God.
Brett Favre played 16 seasons with The Green Bay
Packers before joining the team’s division rival and longtime nemesis, The
Minnesota Vikings. It was a change that required a sharp conversion from players
and fans in Minnesota, and from Favre himself. A champion they once hated was
now positioned at the helm of their offense. Brett was now working alongside a
defense he once tried to destruct and deceive. But in just six months, Favre won
over an entire state of enemies, and is now perhaps one of the most popular
sports heroes in Minnesota history.
It is a similar conversion from one team to
another, from zealous hatred to charitable love that makes The Conversion of St.
Paul, that we celebrated liturgically yesterday, one of the most touching
miracles in the history of the early church (The Daily Roman Missal) . And
it is still happening today. As Christians, our daily conversion causes those
around us to be changed by the face of God. And it happens because we are
sinners who have the will to change and to be changed.
In every conversion there is a conversation with
the Lord, a repentance that follows, and a reaffirmed belief in the gospel (Mk
1:15). Like 
St. Paul’s own conversion (Acts 9:1-22), each day, in small hidden
ways, there is a blinding light that shines within us, and a small voice saying,
why are you persecuting me?
St. Paul’s own conversion (Acts 9:1-22), each day, in small hidden
ways, there is a blinding light that shines within us, and a small voice saying,
why are you persecuting me?
And if we are looking for this light, we realize
we are blinded and ask, Who are you?, knowing full well it is the
Lord.
Jesus then reveals himself to us more fully and
as a result we seek him in an entirely new way. We examine our conscience. We
seek his forgiveness. And our newfound awareness of him motivates us to change
in cooperation with his grace.
We take recourse to his will by asking, what
shall I do?
And the Lord gives his answer, saying go into
the whole world, and proclaim the gospel to every creature (Mk16:15). He
calls us to action, reinvesting in us his mission. He asks us to respond to love
more deeply and with firm resolution. He desires more than what we are already
doing. He wants us to rest in him, and always he asks us to change.
Like a single player elevating his teammate’s
level of performance, those around us take notice of this change. They see a
light at work in and through our lives, and gradually seek it themselves. They
learn with us who God really is. Our conversion becomes their own, and this is
how conversion and evangelization become one, right where we are, in every
corner of the world.
In the words of St. JosemarÃa Escrivá, a modern
master of conversion and champion of the new evangelization: For a son of
God each day should be an opportunity for renewal, knowing for sure that with
the help of grace (you) will reach the end of the road, which is Love. If you
begin and begin again, you are doing well. If you have a will to win, if you
struggle, then with God’s help you will conquer. There will be no difficulty you
cannot overcome." (The Forge, 344)
Football commentators use the term "conversion"
to describe the act of converting a particular goal into reality. The kicker
converts a field goal attempt into 3 points. The halfback converts a running
attempt into gained yardage, a new set of downs, or points. As Catholics, we
have the choice each day to realize a similar conversion, that of our race,
sacramentally, in and through The Body we receive at Mass. It is a conversion
that happens one soul at a time, in and through our own body, by making
visible the invisible reality of God. (John Paul II, Theology of the Body).
If we are to win, this conversion does not happen once or twice, but entirely
throughout the game. Conversion is our way of life. We need many small,
continuous conversions to undergo the great conversion into sons and daughters
of God.
The Morning Offering – Pray Without Ceasing!
From Catholic Exchange
February 3rd, 2010 by Gary Zimak
February 3rd, 2010 by Gary Zimak
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, St. Paul instructs us to “Pray without ceasing”.
Many people struggle with the meaning of his words, eventually dismissing them
as nothing more than a figure of speech. After all, how can anyone pray
constantly? If we followed his advice it would be impossible to work at the
office, do housework, go to school, tend to the needs of our family, or just
about anything else. We would have to spend all of our time in prayer. This
couldn’t possibly be Paul’s intent, could it?
Let me begin by saying that it is possible to follow St. Paul’s directions and still perform your daily work, provided that you know one well kept “secret”. While not actually a secret, the technique that I’m about to discuss is unknown to many Catholics. It is a practice that has been around for years and provides a way for you to pray constantly while going about all of your normal duties. With this method, your work actually becomes a prayer! Even more incredible is that you can also turn all of your joys and sufferings into prayers as well. I know it sounds hard to believe, but all of this can be accomplished by adding one simple step to your morning routine - the recitation of the Morning Offering. This traditional Catholic prayer has several variations, but the most common version reads as follows:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in thanksgiving for your favors, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen. Let’s take a closer look at this prayer and see why it’s so powerful. The first thing to observe is that we are making our offering through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Why is this important? If you recall, Jesus performed His first miracle (changing water into wine) at the request of the Blessed Mother (Jn 2:1-11). While attending a wedding at Cana with Jesus, Mary noticed that the supply of wine had run out. If not corrected, this situation would have greatly embarrassed the bride and groom. Realizing that something needed to be done, Mary brought it to the attention of her Son who remedied the problem by turning water into wine. With this same loving concern, Mary will also present our Morning Offering to Jesus. Knowing the heart of her Son better than anyone else, she will first remove any impurities or selfishness from our prayer and personally deliver it to Jesus.
In addition to our prayers and works, we can also offer up all of our joys and sorrows. Everything that we do or feel throughout the day is offered as a prayer. We then take this offering and ask Jesus to use it for His intentions. Not only are we offering up our entire day, but we say to Christ, “take this offering and apply it where You see fit”. Since Jesus’ intentions involve the salvation of all mankind, this selfless act will bear great fruit not only in our own lives, but in the lives of countless others. By making this presentation to Christ, we are essentially joining our lives to His mission. When the sacrifice of Jesus to His Father is made present in each of the Holy Masses around the world, we are now hanging on the cross with Him. Everything that we do and experience becomes part of the offering of Christ. There can be no more powerful sacrifice and, by virtue of this simple prayer, we are a part of it.
We also offer our works in thanksgiving for our many blessings, in reparation for any of our sins, for the intentions of all of our relatives and friends and for the intentions of the pope. It is really incredible that something that takes no more than one or two minutes can have so much power. Initially, you may forget that you offered up all of your works, but as time goes on, you will become more aware of this as you perform your duties. Because of this, you will have an even greater desire to perform your work to the best of your ability. When presented as an offering to God, no task can remain unimportant. Everything from scrubbing the floor to studying for an exam becomes meaningful, as it is a form of prayer.
How important is it that we offer our entire day to God? According to St. John Vianney, “All that we do without offering it to God is wasted.” Pope John Paul II observed that the Morning Offering is “of fundamental importance in the life of each and every one of the faithful.” Endorsements like that help us to see the importance of this prayer, especially when one considers its simplicity. If we truly believe that each new day is a gift from God, it follows that we would want to show our gratitude by making the most of that gift. By starting our day with the Morning Offering, we are turning each moment of our lives into a prayer.
The Morning Offering provides a great foundation for building a solid prayer life. We can supplement our offering by speaking to Jesus throughout the day, reaffirming our desire to offer up all daily activities. When problems arise or we are faced with a mundane task, a quick “I offer this to you, Lord” helps us to focus on the prayerful nature of the activity. On the other hand, saying “Thank you, Jesus” for a pleasant experience is a great way to express our appreciation for the many joys that we are granted. Such comments also allow our friendship with Christ to grow. As time goes on, you will find yourself becoming more aware of Our Lord’s presence in your daily activities.
Why not try the Morning Offering and see what a difference it makes in your life? An investment of a few minutes will pay infinite dividends. It won’t take long before tasks that previously seemed meaningless become much more tolerable and fulfilling. There is no better way to start your day than by offering all of your daily activities to Christ and turning them into one powerful prayer. By doing so, you are fulfilling the instruction of St. Paul to “pray without ceasing” as you go about your daily duties.
Let me begin by saying that it is possible to follow St. Paul’s directions and still perform your daily work, provided that you know one well kept “secret”. While not actually a secret, the technique that I’m about to discuss is unknown to many Catholics. It is a practice that has been around for years and provides a way for you to pray constantly while going about all of your normal duties. With this method, your work actually becomes a prayer! Even more incredible is that you can also turn all of your joys and sufferings into prayers as well. I know it sounds hard to believe, but all of this can be accomplished by adding one simple step to your morning routine - the recitation of the Morning Offering. This traditional Catholic prayer has several variations, but the most common version reads as follows:
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer You my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, in thanksgiving for your favors, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen. Let’s take a closer look at this prayer and see why it’s so powerful. The first thing to observe is that we are making our offering through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Why is this important? If you recall, Jesus performed His first miracle (changing water into wine) at the request of the Blessed Mother (Jn 2:1-11). While attending a wedding at Cana with Jesus, Mary noticed that the supply of wine had run out. If not corrected, this situation would have greatly embarrassed the bride and groom. Realizing that something needed to be done, Mary brought it to the attention of her Son who remedied the problem by turning water into wine. With this same loving concern, Mary will also present our Morning Offering to Jesus. Knowing the heart of her Son better than anyone else, she will first remove any impurities or selfishness from our prayer and personally deliver it to Jesus.
In addition to our prayers and works, we can also offer up all of our joys and sorrows. Everything that we do or feel throughout the day is offered as a prayer. We then take this offering and ask Jesus to use it for His intentions. Not only are we offering up our entire day, but we say to Christ, “take this offering and apply it where You see fit”. Since Jesus’ intentions involve the salvation of all mankind, this selfless act will bear great fruit not only in our own lives, but in the lives of countless others. By making this presentation to Christ, we are essentially joining our lives to His mission. When the sacrifice of Jesus to His Father is made present in each of the Holy Masses around the world, we are now hanging on the cross with Him. Everything that we do and experience becomes part of the offering of Christ. There can be no more powerful sacrifice and, by virtue of this simple prayer, we are a part of it.
We also offer our works in thanksgiving for our many blessings, in reparation for any of our sins, for the intentions of all of our relatives and friends and for the intentions of the pope. It is really incredible that something that takes no more than one or two minutes can have so much power. Initially, you may forget that you offered up all of your works, but as time goes on, you will become more aware of this as you perform your duties. Because of this, you will have an even greater desire to perform your work to the best of your ability. When presented as an offering to God, no task can remain unimportant. Everything from scrubbing the floor to studying for an exam becomes meaningful, as it is a form of prayer.
How important is it that we offer our entire day to God? According to St. John Vianney, “All that we do without offering it to God is wasted.” Pope John Paul II observed that the Morning Offering is “of fundamental importance in the life of each and every one of the faithful.” Endorsements like that help us to see the importance of this prayer, especially when one considers its simplicity. If we truly believe that each new day is a gift from God, it follows that we would want to show our gratitude by making the most of that gift. By starting our day with the Morning Offering, we are turning each moment of our lives into a prayer.
The Morning Offering provides a great foundation for building a solid prayer life. We can supplement our offering by speaking to Jesus throughout the day, reaffirming our desire to offer up all daily activities. When problems arise or we are faced with a mundane task, a quick “I offer this to you, Lord” helps us to focus on the prayerful nature of the activity. On the other hand, saying “Thank you, Jesus” for a pleasant experience is a great way to express our appreciation for the many joys that we are granted. Such comments also allow our friendship with Christ to grow. As time goes on, you will find yourself becoming more aware of Our Lord’s presence in your daily activities.
Why not try the Morning Offering and see what a difference it makes in your life? An investment of a few minutes will pay infinite dividends. It won’t take long before tasks that previously seemed meaningless become much more tolerable and fulfilling. There is no better way to start your day than by offering all of your daily activities to Christ and turning them into one powerful prayer. By doing so, you are fulfilling the instruction of St. Paul to “pray without ceasing” as you go about your daily duties.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
The Mike Wallace Interview - Margaret Sanger 9/21/57
Planned Parenthood is the most bloodthirsty organization on the face of the earth. The business of Planned Parenthood is the corruption of our children and the destruction of innocent life in the womb.
You are about to see the face of Margaret Sanger as she is interviewed by Mike Wallace. Study her face, listen to her words. Comprehend the evil the woman is proposing and notice how ignorant Mike Wallace is.... in the face of the evil Margaret Sanger is proposing.
Recognize, as you watch this video, the statistics delivered by Planned Parenthood... if you have a Planned Parenthood in your local community, consider the number of young men and women who have passed through the doors of Planned Parenthood to buy underpriced contraception, which corrupts the soul of the user... which is sold without parental consent to minors, which destroys newly conceived human life, which destroys relationships by turning sex into something robbed by the intrinsic evils brought about by sex without consequences.
Consider the tax dollars you pay our government so the policies of Planned Parenthood can corrupt innocent people in countries this country does business with. Consider NSM 200 which was passed during the Ford Administration turning our foreign policy with the United Nations into 3rd, 4th and 5th world countries into coercive exportation of contraception in exchange for aid.
Consider the damage done by every abortion Planned Parenthood performs for money which kills babies inside the womb of their mothers... to the mothers.... who, to their unmitigated shame and guilt often wake up to learn they have been deceived.
Consider the damage done by Planned Parenthood sex education courses in our schools which cheapen young people by reducing their self awareness to that of creatures who "Are going to do it anyway, so use protection"
Consider the corruption in our state legislatures as legislators are forced to corrupt their own sense of right and wrong by voting to spend your tax dollars in support of corruption of our youth and destruction of our innocent unborn.
Consider the hatred for US policy sewn in the hearts of those who have been deceived by the US...
Consider the Holy Father was right when he predicted these and other catastrophes when Humanae Vitae was written and Paul VI wrote of the consequences if the teaching in Humanae Vitae was not taught, learned and practiced.
Consider the damage done in our seminaries by dissenters to Humanae Vitae... and then consider generations of priests ordained in the 70s 80s 90s and early 2000s were taught dissent in their seminaries...
And consider Catholics in parishes across this nation and around the world never taught Humanae Vitae by these priests who practice birth control... mindless of the damages done to their unborn and their own souls...
Consider these evils when you view the face of Margaret Sanger...
And thank a priest to teaches the truth.
Under the mercy,
David E. Dowd
http://www.hrc.utexas.edu/
72-Page Report Documents Obama’s “Radical” Nominees and Appointments
72-Page Report Documents Obama’s “Radical” Nominees and Appointments
Washington, D.C., January 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Liberty Counsel (LC), a pro-life and pro-family legal group, released a 72-page report on Wednesday detailing information on each of the nominations and appointments of President Barack Obama.
The document provides information on more than 100 of Obama’s appointments and nominations. It includes more than 850 citations to articles, websites, and cases regarding each of the individuals and, according to LC, took weeks to compile.
“President Obama has nominated and appointed the most radical group of ideologues ever assembled by an American President,” said Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law. “The list of individuals, their comments, and backgrounds demonstrates that President Obama uses a radical ideological litmus test to select his nominees, which clearly takes preference over experience or qualifications.”
This report exposes the activities of radical activists like Kevin Jennings, Obama’s pick for “safe schools czar.” The founder and former executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, Jennings oversaw more than five years of student-workshops where topics included a message of homosexual sex, giving students their very own “fisting kits,” and graphic descriptions of homosexual practices, including urinating on one’s partner. For the high school students, there was a listing of local gay bars, complete with descriptions, but for the younger children there was a book list, recommended for ages 7-12, featuring explicit descriptions of sex acts between preschoolers; stories that seemed to promote and recommend child-adult sexual relationships; stories of public masturbation affairs between students and teachers, and five-year-olds playing sex games.
Other nominees, like Dawn Johnsen, Obama’s pick to head the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice, are pro-abortion to an extreme degree. She has said that the idea to make abortion rare as well as safe and legal is “nonsensical” and that abortion restrictions “reduce pregnant women to no more than fetal containers.”
Johnson, the former ACLU employee and legal director of NARAL said, “The argument that women who become pregnant have in some sense consented to the pregnancy belies reality ... and others who are the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery no more ‘consent’ to pregnancy than pedestrians ‘consent’ to being struck by drunk drivers.”
“Obama’s nominations are neither moderate nor merely left of center,” concluded LC’s Matt Staver. “They can best be described as radical. They are clearly out of touch with all but a radical fringe. Obama’s pattern of choosing radical ideologues raises serious concern about the competency of the government.”
(To view the complete report by Liberty Counsel, click here)
Washington, D.C., January 27, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Liberty Counsel (LC), a pro-life and pro-family legal group, released a 72-page report on Wednesday detailing information on each of the nominations and appointments of President Barack Obama.
The document provides information on more than 100 of Obama’s appointments and nominations. It includes more than 850 citations to articles, websites, and cases regarding each of the individuals and, according to LC, took weeks to compile.
“President Obama has nominated and appointed the most radical group of ideologues ever assembled by an American President,” said Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law. “The list of individuals, their comments, and backgrounds demonstrates that President Obama uses a radical ideological litmus test to select his nominees, which clearly takes preference over experience or qualifications.”
This report exposes the activities of radical activists like Kevin Jennings, Obama’s pick for “safe schools czar.” The founder and former executive director of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, Jennings oversaw more than five years of student-workshops where topics included a message of homosexual sex, giving students their very own “fisting kits,” and graphic descriptions of homosexual practices, including urinating on one’s partner. For the high school students, there was a listing of local gay bars, complete with descriptions, but for the younger children there was a book list, recommended for ages 7-12, featuring explicit descriptions of sex acts between preschoolers; stories that seemed to promote and recommend child-adult sexual relationships; stories of public masturbation affairs between students and teachers, and five-year-olds playing sex games.
Other nominees, like Dawn Johnsen, Obama’s pick to head the Office of Legal Counsel in the Department of Justice, are pro-abortion to an extreme degree. She has said that the idea to make abortion rare as well as safe and legal is “nonsensical” and that abortion restrictions “reduce pregnant women to no more than fetal containers.”
Johnson, the former ACLU employee and legal director of NARAL said, “The argument that women who become pregnant have in some sense consented to the pregnancy belies reality ... and others who are the inevitable losers in the contraceptive lottery no more ‘consent’ to pregnancy than pedestrians ‘consent’ to being struck by drunk drivers.”
“Obama’s nominations are neither moderate nor merely left of center,” concluded LC’s Matt Staver. “They can best be described as radical. They are clearly out of touch with all but a radical fringe. Obama’s pattern of choosing radical ideologues raises serious concern about the competency of the government.”
(To view the complete report by Liberty Counsel, click here)
Friday, January 29, 2010
March for Life Promotional
This is one of the videos produced by a member of the Indianapolis Archdiocesan Youth for Life from the 2010 March for Life. Some of the many youth sent to Washington with the group sponsored by the Archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry are featured in this promo video. More videos can be seen on the Archdiocesan Office for Pro-Life Ministry website.
Photos of the 3 day pilgrimage were also taken by a member of the Indianapolis Archdiocesan Youth for Life as a representative for the Criterion; the archdiocesan newspaper. Photos and the article Standing up for the unborn: Archdiocesan youths come out in large numbers for annual March for Life in nation’s capital cover the opening Mass for the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on the evening of January 21, the private Mass celebrated for the Indianapolis Archdiocesan pilgrims by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein in the Crypt Chapel of the Basilica the morning of January 22 and the March for Life later in the day.
Other articles of interest about the 2010 March for Life are 2010 March for Life in Pictures, Hilarious Media Bias on March for Life and The Truth About the 2010 March for Life.
Other articles of interest about the 2010 March for Life are 2010 March for Life in Pictures, Hilarious Media Bias on March for Life and The Truth About the 2010 March for Life.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Sunday Snippets -- A Catholic Carnival For January 17, 2009
Welcome to another edition of Sunday
Snippets--A Catholic Carnival. We are a group of bloggers who gather
once each week to share out best posts. We are all Catholic and blog at
least somewhat about Catholic things; some do so exclusively, others
only periodically. All are welcome to participate here.
To join in the fun, go to your blog and create a post titled Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival. In that post describe and link to any posts you want to share with the rest of us. Then go to Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival and follow RAnn's instructions for linking your post to other bloggers. It's a lot of fun and helps draw people who may not normally visit your blog...and you may even gain a new follower or two.
To join in the fun, go to your blog and create a post titled Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival. In that post describe and link to any posts you want to share with the rest of us. Then go to Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival and follow RAnn's instructions for linking your post to other bloggers. It's a lot of fun and helps draw people who may not normally visit your blog...and you may even gain a new follower or two.
This week for your enjoyment...
1. From God Love You; 2 Videos - Building Materials and He Would Have Gone Farther.
2. Something dfferent - Our Lady of the Eucharist a Catholic Woman's Day Planner from Family Centered Press.
3. A bit about me - Introduce Youself an idea I got from Conversion Diary.
4. 7 Quick Takes Friday - Another weekly I participated in from Conversion Diary.
5. The Weekly Five - A series I started after Adrienne mentioned my blog on Adrienne's Corner.
6. A Truly Inspirational Woman - A Woman of Grace - Select links from Johnnette Benkovic's blog.
Well there you have another week for your musing pleasure...and once again I ask that we offer a prayer for one another, our families and our culture; that we as a nation will once again embrace the Christian values that our great country is founded upon...those values that proclaim all men are created in the image and likeness of God and as such possess dignity and sanctity; and so being all men have the inalienable right to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness"....in that order!
In the words of Monsignor Schaedel, a very holy priest and the Vicar General of my Archdiocese, "Of one thing I am convinced; of one thing I am certain:
This is my last post, God willing until after my return from the March for Life in Washington. With faith, hope and trust in the
A Truly Inspirational Woman - A Woman of Grace
Johnnette Benkovic
of
I was just reading Johnette's blog and I couldn't help but post the following links. Johnette is such an inspiration for my life and these posts on her blog are such important reminders to me.
New Year's Resolutions, Part 3
New Year's Resolutions, Part 4
New Year's Resolutions, Part 5
I have studied and broken down these words of inspiration into manageable bite-size chunks
Over the coming year, as the days progress and with God's grace, I pray I can remember to review these inspirational notes daily; so as to burn them deep within my memory and allow me to follow the R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D acronym with fervent and wholly committment.
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