Catherine of Siena

Catherine of Siena, a photo by saints_c on Flickr.

Jesus, every day you give u this food, showing us yourself in the sacrament of the altar...And what has done this? Your mercy.  ~~ St. Catherine of Siena~~

I saw the living body of Christ last night as we gathered for the healing Mass.  It was compassion, caring, generosity, courage and love at its best.  The church was full.  As we continue to pray for "H" and the healing of this tumor, it is good to know that there are those who see the value of the healing power of the Holy Spirit.  As "H" allowed several hundred persons, family and friends, to lay on hands on him my own faith allowed me to believe that healing was moving in the midst of all of us.  

My fervent prayer is  that the Holy Spirit bless "H" abundantly and heal him completely.  Will you join me in that prayer?  Not just for "H" but for us all.  Indeed, that the mercy of our Savior may be on all of us.

God is GOOD!  All the time!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Miracles

"ANY ONE who likes, therefore, may call my belief in God merely mystical; the phrase is not worth fighting about. But my belief that miracles have happened in human history is not a mystical belief at all; I believe in them upon human evidences as I do in the discovery of America. Upon this point there is a simple logical fact that only requires to be stated and cleared up. Somehow or other an extraordinary idea has arisen that the disbelievers in miracles consider them coldly and fairly, while believers in miracles accept them only in connection with some dogma. The fact is quite the other way. The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them." ~GKC: 'Orthodoxy,' IX.

As I was considering this morning how I should proceed today I was guided to the words of G.K. Chesterton on Facebook.  It's marvelous how the hand of God inserts into our lives just what we need when we need it.  

For today I am praying for a miracle.  There are hundreds today who will be praying for a specific miracle. 

I believe in miracles!!!  They happen everyday to everyone.  Just a short 5 years ago Ron was to have surgery on his back for a herniated disc with nerve impingement.  He suffered severe pain for nearly 18 months and though not looking forward to the surgery he was anticipating it with hope.  The morning of the surgery, after Mass, Father anointed him while family and friends laid hands on him.  Surgery was to be at 9:00 a.m.  The Dr. came in to see Ron before surgery and do what Dr.s do.   He looked at Ron and said, "I can't do the surgery today."  

I said, "I that's not a funny joke."

He said, "It's not.  I can't do the surgery, because I cannot illicit pain.  If he no longer has the pain and I do the surgery I could cause even more injury and pain that he would have the rest of his life."

Yes, that's what he said.  He told Ron that if he found that the condition returned he should call and he would make arrangements for the surgery.  Since that day Ron has had no pain in his back.  Yes, it was a miracle.

 So now I'm hoping you will join us in the prayer.

H is a young man in our parish who will be going yet again to Memphis for treatment of brain cancer.  He and his family have made the trips before and will again as long as they can.    Chris has touched the lives of many.  He is the son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, friend, student, former student, athlete, artist.  He is "everyman."  

A Mass for healing will be said in his honor tonight at 6:30 p.m. CDT at Saint John the Baptist Church here in Newburgh.  If you cannot join us physically please stop and pray for the healing of this young man an all who suffer and need a miracle.  

May God bless you all today with a miracle.  Yes, a miracle!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Sir Thomas More

Sir Thomas More, a photo by XhowidisappearX on Flickr.

Whatever our bodies may be doing, we should a the same time continually life up our minds to God which is the most acceptable form of prayer.  For no matter which way we may turn our steps, as long as our minds are turned to God, we clearly are not turned away from him who is present everywhere.  ~~Saint Thomas More~~

I find these words comforting today.  I often find myself busy and don't have or take the time for quiet reflection.  But reading these words of Saint Thomas More bring me consolation.  If the purpose of my action is done in conjunction with the love of God it is a prayer.  If anxiety or worry cause me discomfort, I can find consolation in the action of offering it to God in prayer.  Oh my, what treasure this is!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Memorial Day

Remember, Lord, the fallen
Who died in fields of war, 
In flaming clouds, in screaming crowds,
On streets that are no more,
That we today might waken
And greet this day in peace
With grateful prayer for those who bear
The storms that never cease.


Remember friends and stranger, 
And those forgotten now,
Who names are known to you alone, 
Before whose love we bow
And ask that you surround them
With mercy's endless light
That they may live, and we forgive
The foe they went to fight


Remember, Lord, the living,
Who bear the pain of loss
A death she died who stood beside
Her Son upon the cross.


Remember all your children
The dead and those who weep,
And make us one beneath the sun
Where love will ever sleep.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

May the Month of Mary

A wonderful quote by Saint Augustine

Christ's mother carried  him in her womb; may we carry him in our hearts.  The Virgin became pregnant with the Incarnation of Christ; may our hearts become pregnant with faith in Christ.  She brought forth the Savior; may our souls bring forth salvation and praise.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Ladders

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

My reflection today is one suggested at Woodlands Home.  God's Providence as witnessed through the eyes of those around us.

Blessings From Above!

The wonders of God's power.

South Dakota, 2010

"Christ's mother carried him in her womb; may we carry him in our hearts The Virgin became pregnant with the incarnation of Christ; may our hearts become pregnant with faith in Christ. She brought forth the Savior; my our souls bring forth salvation and praise. ~Saint Augustine~

My initiation into motherhood happened 42 years ago today!  Our oldest was born.  She has been a delight and a joy!  Her gifts and enthusiasm for life have given me cause to thank God heartily endlessly for her and all her brothers and sister.  Treasures all!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!