Memorial Day...We remember our fallen heroes

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:13 

On this Memorial Day, we remember that freedom is not free and we honor all those who have given their lives for our freedom. May they rest in eternal peace.

As we look at this image of the American flag and the resting place of our military, we remember, with great gratitude, all our brave military men and women who gave their lives for our freedom and we remember their families, especially the children. May the Lord bring them comfort that they know He is near and with them always.

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  John 14:18

The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.  In green pastures He makes me lie down; to still waters He leads me;  He restores my soul.  He guides me along right paths for the sake of His Name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff comfort me. You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely, goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for endless days.  Psalm 23

Jesus is our strength and our comfort. We have nothing to fear. He is with us always and He gives us courage in times of distress.

In the world, you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.  John 16:33

Reflection: Falling off the cliff...

A few years ago, my family visited Yosemite National Park in California. The wonder and awe of God's creation was all around us. I remember a moment when my husband and I stood on a precipice. It was so beautiful but also frightening to look over the steep cliff. Another time, we traveled to Ireland and saw the beauty of God's creation at the Cliffs of Moher. It was breathtaking.

I was thinking about the moment standing on the cliff and about the protection of life in the womb. We see a continual assault on the sanctity of life and the family. It may seem like we are falling off the cliff but we must remember the Lord is with us.

We are greatly saddened by Ireland's vote against the unborn this week. We have turned away from God, the Creator and Giver of all life.

Thus says the Lord, This is what I command My people. Listen to My voice; then I will be your God and you shall be My people. Walk in all ways I command you, so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil hearts, and turned their backs, not their faces to Me.  Jeremiah 7:23-28

When this reading from Jeremiah was the daily Mass reading, I recall my former pastor spoke about the words, "turned their backs, not their faces to Me." He said that we turn our backs to God when we sin. He also spoke about how wrong it is when we turn our backs on one another. It is painful to witness the assault on life and family. We have turned our backs on God, the Creator and Giver of all life.

We must remember that we are not alone. God is in our midst. This is a battle of good against evil but the battle is the Lord's.

The Lord says to you: Do not fear or be dismayed at the sight of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.  2 Chronicles 20:15

What can we do to build a culture of life and restore the sanctity of life when it seems like we are falling off the cliff?

Do not be overwhelmed or afraid. Stay close to the Lord by receiving the Sacraments often, obeying the Commandments and praying the rosary every day.

I was thinking about those who climb mountain cliffs. They use safety equipment and they are harnessed to a cord with a hook that can attach to the rock. Our Lady of Fatima appeared to the shepherd children and told them to pray the rosary every day. The rosary is the chain and beads which keep us connected to Jesus and Mary by pondering their lives. We can think about the rosary as the cord that is harnessed to the mountain climber.

We have to remain attached to the Lord in the Sacraments for He is our strength. He is our Rock.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 18:2

Be not afraid of the assault against life and the family. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and Mary. Although it may seem that we are falling off the cliff, remember that Jesus is always waiting, with His hands extended to us. Jump into the arms of Jesus and cling to Him through Mass, the Sacraments and Prayer.

Pray for the souls who have been wounded by abortion. God wants them reconciled to Himself. When these souls are converted, healed and reconciled to God, they will teach others about mercy and forgiveness and the love of the Father.

Kiss of Mercy Prayer
(To be recited after kissing an image of  Jesus)
Jesus I trust in You. May my kiss and your grace, convert, heal and reconcile to the Father, one soul wounded by abortion. (Recite the Hail Mary)
Kiss of Mercy Apostolate for Healing from Abortion

Reflection: Let the children come to Me...

"Hidden Jesus, in You lies all my strength. From my most tender years, the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament has attracted me to Himself. Once, when I was seven years old, at a Vesper Service, conducted before the Lord Jesus in the monstrance, the love of God was imparted to me for the first time and filled my little heart; and the Lord gave me understanding of divine things. From that day until this, my love for the hidden God has been growing constantly to the point of closest intimacy. All the strength of my soul flows from the Blessed Sacrament. I spend all my free moments in conversation with Him. He is my Master."  Diary of Saint Faustina 1404

Saint Faustina wrote in her diary in November 1937 about her love for the Most Blessed Sacrament, which is the Lord Himself. How important it is to be with our Lord, even at a young age, listening and talking to Him. What graces we will receive.

You, too, will find peace and mercy if you spend time adoring our Lord in the silence and quiet of His Most Holy Presence. Parents and grandparents, take your children and grandchildren to visit Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration!

"Let the children come to Me; do not prevent them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen I say to you, whoever does not accept the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it." Then He embraced the children and blessed them, placing His hands on them. Mark 10:14-16

God's forgiveness and peace are available to us always. He calls us to trust Him completely like a child. There is no limit to our Heavenly Father's goodness, kindness and mercy. Come alone or come with a child and sit in the Presence of Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration.

Come away and rest awhile...Come with little children...Come yourself...Jesus is waiting for you...Come...  

Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church

Today is the 1st celebration of a new Marian Feast Day honoring Mary, Mother of the Church, instituted by Pope Francis. It will be celebrated on the Monday after Pentecost.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home. John 19:25-27

When Mary stood at the foot of the Cross, Jesus gave her to the beloved disciple John and he took her to his home. In giving His Mother to John, Jesus gave her to us. Mary is our Mother and she is the Mother of the Church. God entrusted her with this mission. When we experience the cross, turn to Mary. She is our model and our Mother. She guides and accompanies the Church on the pilgrim journey with the tender love of a mother.

The disciples devoted themselves with one another to prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Acts 1:14

A Pentecost Meditation...Veni Sancte Spiritus

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit... Acts 2:4

Meditation: Let us enter the Upper Room with Mary. The disciples are filled with fear. Mary is in their midst, comforting them. A noise suddenly came from the sky, like a strong driving wind and tongues of fire appeared, which parted and came to rest on everyone. All were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues and were no longer afraid. Allow Mary comfort you. Invite her into your heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and pour out His gifts that you may proclaim the love of Jesus!  

Come Holy Spirit. Come through Mary.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:19-22

The Sequence for Pentecost Sunday, Veni Sancte Spiritus, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, is a melody of Gregorian chant. The words and melody blend together so beautifully that it has become the customary prayer to the Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, send now Your Spirit over us and all those we pray for. May the Blessed Virgin Mary be our Advocate. O Holy Spirit, as you did with the Apostles and Mary in the Upper Room, make Your consoling Presence known to us that we may share Your love with others.

Reflection: Jesus prays to the Father

Lifting up His eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed, saying, "I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, so that they may all be one, as You Father are in Me and I in You, that they my be also in us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21

Place yourself in the scene of this Gospel as Jesus is praying to the Father. The disciples are nearby, listening to Jesus. As you listen, draw close to Jesus that you know how intimate His relationship is with the Father. Jesus is speaking to the Father about you and how much He loves you. Sit with Him and allow His love to flow over you like a river.

The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in Me is doing His works. Amen, amen, I say to You whoever believes in Me will do that works that I do, and will do greater ones than these because I am going to the Father.  John 14:10-11

Then Jesus tells you that He and the Father are One. As you listen, you hear Jesus say He is going to the Father. He is teaching you how to pray to the Father as He prays to Him. Jesus is interceding to the Father for you. He is calling you to follow Him. To be His disciple, Jesus wants you to be with Him in union with the Father.

Lift up your eyes to heaven and speak to the Father, open your heart and know that the Father hears your prayers. You are not alone. He is with you and you are His beloved child.

See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. 1 John 3:1

Reflection: I have called you friends...

Jesus is your friend. He chose you to go and bear fruit that will last.

Jesus said to His disciples: "This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another." John 15:9-17

To be a friend of Jesus, He tells us: "Keep My commandments and love one another."

When we keep the Ten Commandments, we establish a friendship with Jesus and grow in His Love.

"Sin is hurting the one you love."  Venerable Fulton Sheen

Serious sin breaks the Heart of God, a God who loves us even when we sin. He died for us on the Cross to show us how much He loves us. Say NO to sin and say YES to a deep friendship with Jesus. When we stay close to Jesus, in friendship, He helps us grow in virtue and love one another.

Jesus heals us through the Sacraments and speaks to us through the Scriptures. When Jesus calls us His friends, He is inviting us into His life. Friends want to spend time with one another. To know Jesus, spend time with Him in prayer, in silence, reading the Scriptures, in Eucharistic adoration and stay attached to Him by following the commandments and attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation often. By making a good confession, we restore our friendship with Jesus. In this way, we are healed and we get to know Jesus better and know ourselves better.

O Jesus, You are our friend. Help us to imitate You by staying close to Mary, our Blessed Mother. Heal our hearts and bring healing, peace and comfort to all those for whom we pray.

Reflection: Mother's Day

Today we celebrate Mother's Day. We remember all our mothers, living and deceased, and all women who have been spiritual mothers to us. 

A dear friend gave me a beautiful statue of Mary called Madonna Magnificat. Mary's face is captivating and her hands are folded in prayer. She looks like she is pondering. I gaze at this image often.

"Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."  Luke 2:19 

Meditation: 
Take a moment and be still. Gaze at an image of the face of Mary or an image of Mary gazing at the Baby Jesus. Ponder this image and call upon the Holy Spirit to be with you during this intimate time of prayer. Mary is a model for all mothers. Speak to Mary and ask her to teach you how to ponder as she did. There were many things Mary did not understand but she pondered them in her heart. Ask her for the grace to ponder the things you do not understand. Ask her to be with you as you ponder. Mary was with the Apostles at Pentecost. She is with you always and she will draw you to her Beloved Son Jesus.

"When they entered the city, they went to the Upper Room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and His brothers." Acts 1:13-14

Through this ministry, we pray for so many intentions. We remember in a special way all mothers today and we turn to Mary, our Blessed Mother, in all our needs. Today we also celebrate the Feast Day of Our Lady of Fatima. She appeared to the shepherd children between May 13, 1917 - October 13, 1917 as Our Lady of the Rosary.

"In this is love." 1 John 4:10

Our Lady of Fatima, we entrust to you all these special Moms and their precious little ones. Bless all mothers and wrap them under your protective mantle of love.

Reflection: Mary's Garden

The Angel Gabriel visited Mary at the Annunciation to tell her that God had chosen her to be the Mother of our Savior. In this image, the Angel Gabriel is presenting the Madonna lily to Mary.

Mary's Garden is a garden, filled with flowers, plants and trees named for Mary and Jesus. It is designed to be a place of beauty that reminds us of our Lord and Our Lady, to experience God's creation, and to invite prayer and contemplation.

You are an enclosed garden, my sister, my bride, an enclosed garden, a fountain sealed. Arise, north wind! Come, south wind! Blow upon my garden that its perfumes may spread abroad. Song of Solomon 4:12,16

During the Middle Ages, there were reminders of Mary, the Mother of God, in the flowers and herbs growing around them. Violets were symbols of her humility, lilies of her purity and roses of her glory, marigolds were Mary’s Gold, clematis was the Virgin’s Bower, lavender was Our Lady’s Drying Plant, petunias and purple blossoms of the blue flag iris. The Madonna lily was carried by the Angel Gabriel when he visited Mary to tell her God had chosen her to be the Mother of our Savior, bedstraw, holy hay and other herbs became radiant in the humble manger where Mary gave birth to Jesus and carnations and the Christmas rose bloomed on that holy night.

Devoted to Mary, people decorated her altars with flowers on her feast days. Poets and popes praised her in hymns. In the last century, people also honored Mary with flowers. May crownings were the tradition in Catholic schools during Mary’s month of May, and makeshift home altars bearing an image of Mary were decorated with the choicest home-grown blossoms

More than 30 flowers and herbs bear legends about Mary’s life. Many of the plants can be easily grown in your own Mary Garden, a garden dedicated to Mary and containing her image and plants associated with her by name or legend. They are found in Mary Gardens throughout the world. These gardens can take us on a virtual journey with Mary, in spirit and in our heart.

Lily of the Valley Convalleria majalis Mary’s Tears.
It was said that when Mary wept at the foot of the Cross, her tears fell to the ground and turned into the tiny fragrant blossoms of this early spring plant. In England it had the name “Our Lady’s Tears” because when viewed from a distance the white flowerets gave the appearance of teardrops falling. The lily of the valley was a symbol of the Virgin Mary because of its pure white flowers, sweet smell and humble appearance. It symbolized Mary’s Immaculate Conception and represented the purity of body and soul by which Mary found favor with God.



O Mary, we crown thee with blossoms today, Queen of the Heavens, Queen of the May. Make our hearts a garden of prayers for these little ones and their families.

Reflection: The John 10:10 Prayer Ministry...The 8th Anniversary

I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

Today we celebrate the 8th Anniversary of this prayer ministry. We honor Our Blessed Mother Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, on this first day of Mary's month of May. The ministry is consecrated to Jesus Christ, Wisdom Incarnate, through the hands of Mary.

Saint Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, Patroness of  the John 10:10 prayer ministry  "Prayer is, for me, an outburst from the heart; it is a simple glance darted upwards to Heaven; it is a cry of gratitude and of love in the midst of trial as in the midst of joy!"

In great gratitude, we pray for our beloved priests who prayed a Prayer of Entrustment to Mary for this prayer ministry at:

The Basilica of Mary Major in Rome, Italy, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary in Fatima, Portugal, Sacred Heart Parish Church in Lourdes, France at the site of Saint Bernadette's Baptismal font, Saint Peter's Basilica at the tomb of Saint John Paul II, Vatican City, Rome, Italy and the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy at the Shrine of the Holy Innocents in Stockbridge, Massachusetts

This ministry began on May 1, 2010 but the prayers actually began in May 2006, praying for an unborn baby, Lily Grace. There were medical problems with the baby and we began praying the novena to Saint Anne that "Lily Grace would have abundant life." Through the intercession of Saint Anne, mother of our Blessed Mother and grandmother of Jesus, Lily Grace was born in November 2006. We give thanks for all the prayers for this precious little baby. She is now a healthy and happy eleven year old who loves her little sister, eight year old Norah!

Over these past years, as we pray each day, we have received so many other names to include in our prayers through this ministry. We pray for families, for unborn babies and for children who are healthy, sick or disabled. We pray for priests and seminarians whose vocations are nurtured in their families. We pray for pregnant women, couples who are trying to become pregnant, couples who want to adopt, mothers who have had miscarriages. We pray for parents who have suffered the death of a baby or a child. We pray for grandparents and their grandchildren. We pray for mothers and fathers who have had an abortion or considered having one. We pray for parents who are struggling to accept their disabled child, as well as parents who embrace their disabled child and see, in that child, the beauty that was created by God.

We pray for families, for the sanctity of all life and for vocations to marriage, the priesthood and consecrated life, which are born and nurtured in families.

Prayer changes things. Jesus performs miracles, seen and unseen, through all your prayers. We give thanks for the John 10:10 prayer partners who pray the Memorare every day for all the names we have received and all the names we will receive.

A monthly Mass is offered for all the John 10:10 prayer partners and all the prayer intentions.

SWEET VIDEO
(This video was posted on the first blog posting on May 1, 2010)