February 7, 2006 Newsletter“The Church has dedicated the month of February to the Holy Family. During this time, we continue our journey toward the Holy Season of Lent.”
A prayer to the Holy Family:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, guide our families here on earth. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make our lives and our homes like yours. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, make our home life a foretaste of heaven here on earth.
Almighty God, whose only-begotten Son was born of a virgin and submitted himself to the authority and vocation of a carpenter, grant us a share in his humility so that we may be raised to share the joyful company of the same Virgin and Carpenter in your heavenly kingdom. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
- from the Book of Catholic Prayer “By His obedience to Mary and Joseph, as well as by His humble work during the long years in Nazareth, Jesus gives us the example of holiness in the daily life of family and work.” - from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 564
On March 19,
Books we recommend that will assist you in your Lenten journey this year:
Other items of interest as the Holy Season of Lent approaches:
The Communion of the Church of Heaven and Earth The three states of the Church. “When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating in full light God himself triune and one, exactly as he is”:
All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbors, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God. All, indeed, who are of Christ and who have his Spirit, form one Church and in Christ cleave together.
So it is that the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the constant faith of the Church, this union is reinforced by the exchange of spiritual goods. The intercession of the saints. “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness….They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus….So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.”
- the above is from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 954 “Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.” – Saint Dominic
“I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.” – Saint Therese of Lisieux (The following is the second in a series of short articles by one of our staff relating the amazing healing power and love of God in her life. To read the previous artlcle, click this link.) Dear Readers, “Here, then, is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: that God is light; in Him there is no darkness.” – First Epistle of John 1:5 Darkness entered my life 35 years ago following the murder of a beloved family member. I was too young at the time to understand the impact this single event would have upon my life. It was a time of fear and uncertainty. Anger and sadness took its toll on my family. As I look back, I realize this was the beginning of my departure from the path toward God. I did not leave the Catholic Church in the years that followed, but I was Catholic in name only. Going to Mass meant very little to me. My heart was now closed and dark spots would appear on my soul for the next 33 years.
“Blest too are the sorrowing; they shall be consoled.” – Gospel of St. Matthew 5:4
Just over 3 years ago, I lost my beautiful Mother. She, too, was taken from us at the hands of other human beings. Mom was my rock. I was devastated. I was alone and I hated God.
What did my family do to deserve this? The God I came to know was a Taker, not a Giver. I was now empty and broken inside. Little did I know that this was just the beginning of my life… the life I was supposed to have lived in communion with a God who never left me alone. In my brokenness, He would bring me Home.
Peace and Love, |
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