Ask me ANYTHING!

I lifted this idea from Deb's blog.

Go ahead - ask me ANYTHING! Be as rude, prying and aggressive as possible! Ask me about growing up, my family, my past, my faith, what I like to wear, eat, sing, read, watch, listen to etc.

Bring it on!

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Women allowed here??

I'm feeling punchy today so here goes...

Should women be allowed in the Sanctuary?

Why, or why not? I want back up - not feelings.

Fire away!

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Larry D gets a makeover! WOOT!

Over at Larry D's blog "Acts of the Apostasy" he has posted a parody of "A Simple Woman's Daybook" seen on many female bloggers sites. I was nearly hysterical with laughter! You MUST check out "The Y Chromoso-minute."

I would LUV to see Terry Nelson do his version.....(that was a HINT, Ter!!!)

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St. Gianna Feast Day - April 28

St. Gianna, patron of mothers and the unborn, pray for us!

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Receiving on the tongue from an EMHC

I was speaking to a fellow parishioner this morning. We work together and I've known him for years so I felt quite comfortable asking him why he would receive on the tongue from an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Normally he receives on the tongue from the priest but yesterday he couldn't. It makes no sense to me to receive on the tongue from one whose hands are not consecrated. What say you?

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When do you leave the Mass?

Some folks in my parish deke out the door as soon as the recessional starts. Most wait until Father leaves the church proper. Some wait until the recessional song is over.

If we don't like the song we leave after Father exits the church, while the music is playing (that's why it's called a recessional, right?!)

If we like the song we will stay until the music is over.

If I leave before Father does it is to get to the ProLife or mission table if we are having an educational session or collecting money for these causes.

What do you do?

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Humility and simplicity.

I've been thinking a lot about education lately. I don't have any. Well, I went through high school and received my diploma but that's it. Then I got married and had two kids. Then I got divorced and when I wanted to go back to school I couldn't afford it. I sought help from two agencies who were very unhelpful. (This was 20 years ago when we were still being punished for letting our husbands walk out on us.) Now I work in an office where my fellow employees have more degrees than a thermometer. How did I get my job? Good work ethic, a bit of charm and great baking skills.

Anyway, I am feeling more than a little humiliated lately by my lack of formal education. Ordinarily I try to convince myself that God wants me humble and simple. That got me thinking about nuns. Specifically holy and simple nuns like St. Faustina and St. Therese of Lisieux. They had little education. Nowadays if a woman wants to enter an order she has to have some sort of degree. What happened to the simple nuns who worked in the kitchen and the gardens and the laundry? I know there are many labor saving devices available now that didn't exist in Faustina and Therese's day but what if a simple uneducated women really has a vocation to the religious life?

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COOL nun names!

The Sisters of Life, from the New York City metropolitan area, were part of Divine Mercy Sunday Weekend on Eden Hill. Shown here, from left, are novices Sr. Joan Marie, Sr. Bethany Madonna, Sr. Amata Filia, Sr. Mariae Agnus Dei, Sr. Maria Anne Michela, Sr. Fiat Marie, and Sr. Mary Rose, vicar general. Not pictured is Sr. Hossanna Christi.

I just LOVE the names Mariae Agnus Dei, Fiat Marie and Hossanna Christi!

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What I did on Earth Day...

...Terry and I went to Cathy's to help her recycle all her empties....

A mom post

It's been awhile since I posted a photo of Luke and Nikki...
so here you go!

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Mercy!

So...shall we make a date to meet next year on April 11 ???

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Dream Team

When I heard the homily from the Installation Mass of Abp. Dolan of New York I started wishing that priests and religious could run for political office. I started imaginging Abp. Dolan as President of the United States, Abp. Chaput as Attorney General, Fr. Groeschel in charge of Health, Fr. Z as Secretary of State....come on folks...add your own!

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Fr. Groeschel - testy, truthful and terrific

Fr. Groeschel may be old and have suffered a stroke recently but he was ON FIRE today! Maybe his dander is up a bit because his speech is still affected by the stroke he had a few weeks ago. Maybe his batteries are recharged with the recent installation of Abp. Dolan. Maybe he's just mad that society is trying to cancel Jesus out (sort of the topic of his show today.) In any case - bring it on, Father!!!! Give me a kick-a** priest any day of the week!

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Welcome, Philip!

New blog in the sidebar. You simply must visit for gorgeous photos and Philip's story.
You can find his blog here. Pray for him!

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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY!

O greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness,

today all makind calls out from the abyss

of its misery to Your mercy---to Your compassion,

O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that it cries out.

Gracious God do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles!

O Lord, Godness beyond our understanding,

Who are acquainted with our misery through and through,

and know that by our own power

we cannot ascend to You,

we implore You; anticipate us with Your Grace

and keep on increasing Your mercy in us,

that we may faithfully do Your holy will

all through our life and at death's hour.

Let the omnipotence of Your mercy

shield us from the darts of our salvation's enemies,

that we may with confidence,

as Your children await Your final coming

-that day known to You alone.

And we expect to obtain everything promised us

by Jeus in spite of all our wretchedness.

For Jesus is our Hope:

Through His merciful Heart

as through an open gate we pass through to heaven.

(Diary of St. Faustina 1570)

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You can read about Special Graces and Indulgences here.

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Divine Mercy Novena - Day Nine

Ninth Day:

Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM,* and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

I'm "in love"...

...with new Abp. Timothy Dolan of New York!

Just watched him being interviewed by Raymond Arroyo on EWTN. What a wonderful, down to earth, jovial, charismatic (in a good way!) orthodox man!

Thank you Holy Father for appointing him archbishop! Long may Abp. Dolan live and reign!

And he loves his mama - you raised a good boy, Mrs. Dolan!

You can see more great photos here.

Prayer DOES work!

Dear Readers,
First I want to give everyone who prayed for my husband's family a HUGE THANK YOU!

All the issues are not resolved yet. In fact one family member is very, very ill and needs life saving surgery. She also could use prayers for reconciliation with the Church. I will leave it at that. St. Jude, pray for her.

One family member needs intensive psychological healing and reconciliation with the Church. I will leave it at that. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for him.

But I want to tell you about my mother-in-law. She has had ongoing heart issues and was hospitalized this week. We have been on high alert and every time the phone rings we start to panic. This morning I asked Hubby if his dad had called the priest to anoint his mom. He said he didn't think so. I told him he should encourage his father to call the priest but he said my father-in-law is too shy. (I know! - men!) So I asked Hubby if I could call the parish and arrange to have the priest anoint her. Hubby said OK. Before he could change his mind I grabbed the phone and started dialing.

I was immediately connected to the very kind and efficient parish secretary. I introduced myself and she immediately recognized my last name (the family have been parishioners there for at least 4 generations.) What she didn't know is that I was calling from 4,000 miles away! I made my request and she assured me Father would go to the hospital before the end of the day. I thanked her, hung up and got ready for work.

Then I started to panic a little. My in-laws are of the generation that sees the clerical collar and the Sick Call set and assume that the end is imminent. I begged Hubby to call his father to let him know Fr. R. would be making an appearance at the hospital and that this Sacrament was for healing and strength for the surgery that probably lies ahead. Hubby phoned Dad and he was fine with it. We still had no idea when the priest would actually show up.

When I got home from work there was a message from Dad. All he said was, "This is Dad, please call me when you get home."

Of course we immediately assumed the worst. I practically shoved the phone at Hubby and barked at him to call NOW! He said he needed a minute. I looked at him like "you've GOT to be kidding, right?!" He stood firm. I told him I had to leave because the Novena was starting in a few minutes but I wanted to know what was going on. He said I better go. Then I understood - if he was going to lose it he didn't want me to see it. So I left. With a heavy heart.

We prayed the Novena but my mind wasn't on the intentions which were for those in purgatory today - I kept wondering if I was praying for Mom!

The minute we were done I phoned home and Hubby told me the most amazing story!

Dad and Hubby's sister decided to go to the hospital at a different time than usual today. When they entered Mom's room it was at the same time as Father R ! He introduced himself (he is filling in while the regular priest is away) and took the time to explain that he would be anointing Mom and praying for her and this was NOT the "last rites." My SIL said, "it was just like Mass without Communion." My FIL was comforted by witnessing the Sacrament. My MIL was strengthened mentally and spiritually by Jesus!

Dad had called to thank us for arranging this. And what time do you think the family and priest arrived at Mom's room???? Yes, I think it was around 3:00 PM - the Hour of Mercy!

I want to thank each of you that prayed. Your prayers inspired me to call the priest. Your prayers were part of Divine Providence that had Dad changing his routine (trust me, he is a creature of habit and going at a different time is SO out of character for him!) which in turn provided an occasion of grace to everyone present for the Sacrament.

A few posts ago I credited my mother-in-law for planting the seed for my Divine Mercy devotion. I trust she can see that the plant has borne beautiful fruit. Thank you Jesus. I love you. Jesus, I TRUST IN YOU!

UPDATE: April 18 - My MIL is feeling much improved since yesterday! The doctors adjusted her meds and my step-son phoned her to talk about his kids and it perked her right up. However, my FIL said it best when he told Hubby, "I think it was the anointing that helped." You got that right, Dad!

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Divine Mercy Novena - Day Eight

Eighth Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

Prayer request

Prayer request - please help. We are having a health meltdown in my husband's family. Not only physical health but relationships are at stake. That's all I can say. Thanks for praying.

Genuflection Reflection

I went to the church today for the Novena of the Divine Mercy. Adoration was on so one of the Guardians reposed the Blessed Sacrament while I went to get the Divine Mercy image. After we were done praying I removed the DM image from the church and the Guardian exposed the Blessed Sacrament again. I returned to the church for my purse and coat. When I left the church I double genuflected because the Blessed Sacrament was exposed.

When I was 3 steps from the door this man that I know approached me, muttering. I couldn't hear what he said so I walked into the foyer and looked at him quizzically.

He said, "you are only supposed to genuflect on one knee."

I must have looked at him like he was nuts.

Feeling belligerent with a strong whiff of PMS I just shot back, "everyone does it that way."

He repeated himself and I just shrugged. Then he walked away.

I was very ticked! How RUDE! First of all - don't talk to me unless the church is on fire when Adoration is taking place. Secondly - it's not his place to correct me. Third - if he wanted to have a conversation about this and tell me what he thought that would be fine. But don't come onto me like that telling me what to do!

If I saw fit to press my forehead into the carpet because the King of Kings and Lord of Lords was in our midst then that's none of his beeswax!

I know I should have offered it up but I couldn't contain myself and as soon as he was out of earshot I told my friends D and M what he said to me. They were shocked too.

Laura and I were discussing the incident later and she says there is a progression of reverences:

We bow to the altar.
When the Blessed Sacrament is reposed in the Tabernacle one genuflects on the right knee.
When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed one genuflects with both knees.

Please - I want your thoughts. Oh - and for those who have the Blessed Sacrament exposed during the Novena - if your priest says that's OK then that's his banana but my priest said no exposition while praying the Novena when we asked him. (So please keep remarks directed at genuflection, not the novena. Thanks.)

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New poll in the sidebar!
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Divine Mercy Novena - Seventh Day

Seventh Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ESPECIALLY VENERATE AND GLORIFY MY MERCY,* and immerse them in My mercy. These souls sorrowed most over my Passion and entered most deeply into My spirit. They are living images of My Compassionate Heart. These souls will shine with a special brightness in the next life. Not one of them will go into the fire of hell. I shall particularly defend each one of them at the hour of death.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose Heart is Love Itself, receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who particularly extol and venerate the greatness of Your mercy. These souls are mighty with the very power of God Himself. In the midst of all afflictions and adversities they go forward, confident of Your mercy; and united to You, O Jesus, they carry all mankind on their shoulders. These souls will not be judged severely, but Your mercy will embrace them as they depart from this life.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls who glorify and venerate Your greatest attribute, that of Your fathomless mercy, and who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls are a living Gospel; their hands are full of deeds of mercy, and their hearts, overflowing with joy, sing a canticle of mercy to You, O Most High! I beg You O God:

Show them Your mercy according to the hope and trust they have placed in You. Let there be accomplished in them the promise of Jesus, who said to them that during their life, but especially at the hour of death, the souls who will venerate this fathomless mercy of His, He, Himself, will defend as His glory. Amen.

Today I prayed this for Ma Beck and her family.

Condolences to Ma Beck

Dear Readers,
Many of you will remember blogger Ma Beck from the blog WardWideWeb. She emailed me this morning to let me know that her dear father has died this morning. His wife and children were with him. It was peaceful and beautiful. Please pray for the repose of his soul and for the comfort that only Jesus can bring to those left behind.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

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Divine Mercy Novena - Day Six

Sixth Day

Today bring to Me THE MEEK AND HUMBLE SOULS AND THE SOULS OF LITTLE CHILDREN, and immerse them in My mercy. These souls most closely resemble My Heart. They strengthened Me during My bitter agony. I saw them as earthly Angels, who will keep vigil at My altars. I pour out upon them whole torrents of grace. Only the humble soul is capable of receiving My grace. I favor humble souls with My confidence.

Most Merciful Jesus, You yourself have said, "Learn from Me for I am meek and humble of heart." Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart all meek and humble souls and the souls of little children. These souls send all heaven into ecstasy and they are the heavenly Father's favorites. They are a sweet-smelling bouquet before the throne of God; God Himself takes delight in their fragrance. These souls have a permanent abode in Your Most Compassionate Heart, O Jesus, and they unceasingly sing out a hymn of love and mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon meek souls, upon humble souls, and upon little children who are enfolded in the abode which is the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. These souls bear the closest resemblance to Your Son. Their fragrance rises from the earth and reaches Your very throne. Father of mercy and of all goodness, I beg You by the love You bear these souls and by the delight You take in them: Bless the whole world, that all souls together may sing out the praises of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Evangelizing - anytime, anywhere!

I was tasked with 2 evangelizing opportunities in the last week. As most of my readers know I am leading the Divine Mercy Novena at my parish this year. I have a very poor singing voice so I asked one of our choir ladies if she would like to lead the singing portion of the prayers. She declined saying she didn't know much about it and was uncomfortable with it. I simply invited her to come out one afternoon to listen and I admitted to her that at one time I found some of the language associated with the prayers and the diary a bit flowery (gushing fountains and all that.)

Well, she attended on the first day. And the second day. And the third day. She didn't show up yesterday but I figured maybe she was working. Today she showed up again and practically apologized for forgetting yesterday! I told her not to worry, God knows her heart and that most of the people that started the Novena with us last Friday are praying it from home. (We printed 30 copies of the Novena and they are all gone as are most of the 90 prayer cards I left in front of the Image on its little table in the foyer.)

I think she's a devotee now...!

The second evangelizing opportunity occurred at Easter dinner. We went to friends who are also parishioners at our church. They had invited practicing Catholics, lapsed Catholics and non-Catholics.

I was sitting with a lady I have wanted to meet for a very long time. I can't really give details but she is not Catholic, has no intention of becoming Catholic but we had a great talk about a variety of subjects and I hope I was a good example of Catholic Christian joy. And I think she has a better understanding of what a decree of nullity really is.

Oh - and today I was asked by one of the Catholic Women's League ladies to do a presentation on my trip to the Divine Mercy conference! I just might take her up on that!

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Divine Mercy Novena - Day Five

Fifth Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE SEPARATED THEMSELVES FROM MY CHURCH, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.

Most Merciful Jesus, Goodness Itself, You do not refuse light to those who seek it of You. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Church. Draw them by Your light into the unity of the Church, and do not let them escape from the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart; but bring it about that they, too, come to glorify the generosity of Your mercy.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who have separated themselves from Your Son's Church, who have squandered Your blessings and misused Your graces by obstinately persisting in their errors. Do not look upon their errors, but upon the love of Your own Son and upon His bitter Passion, which He underwent for their sake, since they, too, are enclosed in His Most Compassionate Heart. Bring it about that they also may glorify Your great mercy for endless ages. Amen.

More tomorrow...

I was going to post about my Easter weekend and evangelizing opportunities but it's too late now. I will try to post when I get home from the Novena at about 3:30 PM Tuesday.

I just want to mention that the management in my office are pagan at best yet they totally supported my request to adjust my hours this week so that I could leave early every day to lead the Novena. Jesus WILL remember this.

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The month of the Eucharist

My husband never ceases to amaze me. He just asked me if there is any time in the liturgical calendar that particularly concentrates on and celebrates the Eucharist. I quipped, "every day at every Mass."

The correct answer is: the month of April! Hubby has great timing!

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Another Duggar pregnancy...

...and no, it's not Michelle - it's her DIL Anna. Congratulations!

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New poll in the sidebar!

Divine Mercy Novena - Day Four

Fourth Day:

Today bring to Me THOSE WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO DO NOT YET KNOW ME. I was thinking also of them during My bitter Passion, and their future zeal comforted My Heart. Immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are the Light of the whole world. Receive into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls of those who do not believe in God and of those who as yet do not know You. Let the rays of Your grace enlighten them that they, too, together with us, may extol Your wonderful mercy; and do not let them escape from the abode which is Your Most Compassionate Heart.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls of those who do not believe in You, and of those who as yet do not know You, but who are enclosed in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Draw them to the light of the Gospel. These souls do not know what great happiness it is to love You. Grant that they, too, may extol the generosity of Your mercy for endless ages. Amen.

Sick and Dying

Our priest is leaving on Wednesday. His mother is dying. He will be gone 3 - 5 weeks.

I am sad about his mother. I am also sad that whatever chance we had to have him deliver a homily about Divine Mercy Sunday on April 19 is now history. We are getting a substitute priest for the next few weeks and considering the parish he is coming from I have little hope of hearing anything about the Divine Mercy.

I was thinking about this at the Vigil Mass. (I know - I should have been paying attention...) Then during the Consecration it hit me - the priest's life is the Way of the Cross. The priest gives his life for us in a million ways. And maybe Father won't be here in our parish for Divine Mercy Sunday but he will be living it as he watches his mother die.

A few weeks ago I gave Father an article written by Cardinal Arinze that appeared in Marian Helper magazine. Cardinal Arinze wrote this:

"Theologically, it is significant that this Sunday is the conclusion of the octave of Easter," Cardinal Arinze said. "Thus is shown the strict link between the paschal mystery of Redemption and the Feast of Divine Mercy. The novena in preparation for Mercy Sunday begins on Good Friday. This is eloquent. We are adoring the merciful God, who sent sent His Son to save us through the cross."

He noted that Pope John Paul II, in declaring in April 2000 that the Second Sunday of Easter would have the name of "Sunday of The Divine Mercy," did not create new liturgical texts. "Providentially, the reform of the texts of the 1962 Missal, following on the Second Vatican Council, had already supplied us with prayers and readings that speak of the mystery of God's mercy."

I also gave Father a little pamphlet with a brief biography of St. Faustina as he is not very familiar with her. And then I prayed.

But back to the Vigil - I had that realization and then as I gazed on the consecrated Host I just said, "Jesus, I trust in you!" Maybe we won't have a homily about it this year. Maybe it won't even be next year. But if and when it happens it will be in God's time - which is NOT our own.

In the meantime I will pray the Chaplet for Father's mom because "One of the best means of assisting the dying is the one that Jesus revealed to St. Faustina and insisted that she use often, even continuously: The Chaplet of The Divine Mercy. Jesus said, "My daughter, encourage souls to say the chaplet which I have given to you. It pleases Me to grant everything they ask of Me by saying the chaplet. ... Write that when they say this chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person, not as the just Judge but as the merciful Savior" (Diary, 1541).

Earlier, our Lord said to her, "At the hour of their death, I defend as My own glory every soul that will say this chaplet; or when others say it for a dying person, the indulgence is the same" (Diary, 811).

And one closing thought. Jesus knows how awful it is to lose your mother. Maybe that's why His mother didn't die but was assumed into Heaven....

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PS...two amazing opportunities to evangelize these last few days - will post more about them tomorrow.

Day Three - Divine Mercy Novena

Third Day:

Today bring to Me ALL DEVOUT AND FAITHFUL SOULS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.

Most Merciful Jesus, from the treasury of Your mercy, You impart Your graces in great abundance to each and all. Receive us into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart and never let us escape from It. We beg this grace of You by that most wonderous love for the heavenly Father with which Your Heart burns so fiercely.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon faithful souls, as upon the inheritance of Your Son. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, grant them Your blessing and surround them with Your constant protection. Thus may they never fail in love or lose the treasure of the holy faith, but rather, with all the hosts of Angels and Saints, may they glorify Your boundless mercy for endless ages. Amen.

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ALLELUIA!

ALLELUIA!
ALLELUIA!
HE IS RISEN!
ALLELUIA!

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The Harrowing of Hell

"...He descended to the dead..."

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The Divine Mercy Novena - Day Two

Second Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind.

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service,* that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of chosen ones in Your vineyard—upon the souls of priests and religious; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing. For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end. Amen.

The Divine Mercy Novena - Day One

First Day:

Today bring to Me ALL MANKIND, ESPECIALLY ALL SINNERS, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. In this way you will console Me in the bitter grief into which the loss of souls plunges Me.

Most Merciful Jesus, whose very nature it is to have compassion on us and to forgive us, do not look upon our sins but upon our trust which we place in Your infinite goodness. Receive us all into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart, and never let us escape from It. We beg this of You by Your love which unites You to the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon all mankind and especially upon poor sinners, all enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion show us Your mercy, that we may praise the omnipotence of Your mercy for ever and ever. Amen.

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During the service this afternoon I was a bit distracted because I was leading the Divine Mercy for the first time in my life. I kept saying to myself, "Jesus, I trust in You." After receiving Communion I knelt to pray, closed my eyes and felt an odd sensation for a few moments. I felt as if I were lifted up. Not floating - just lighter.

When the service was over I went to sit with my friend M. who was giving me moral (and singing support). The lady who has the most beautiful singing voice in the parish sat in front of us. I asked her if she would lead the singing and I would read the prayers. She said "Sure!"

I was nervous and flubbed a few words and raced through the prayers too fast but that's OK. I also forgot to display the Image. That's OK, I looked at the cross we had just adored and most people had their eyes closed anyway. Tomorrow I will be more on the ball.

And like one lady said to me - it's NOT a performance, it's a PRAYER!

Two very nice things happened after we left the church. One lady stopped me in the foyer to thank me for leading and said she loved hearing it sung as she had only heard it spoken. Another lady said she heard I had gone to the Divine Mercy conference in New York and we spoke about much we love Fr. Groeschel. I am (almost) looking forward to tomorrow!

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Mary and Jesus

H/T to Digi

Good Friday

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:5

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Divine Mercy

Anyone that reads this blog knows I am totally in love with the Divine Mercy devotion. When I first encountered it I didn't like it though. I had no idea what to meditate on while praying the chaplet. Then I found out that I could contemplate His wounds with these meditations.

I didn't like the image. Then I found out that there were several. It was the Hyla image that I didn't care for. My preference is the original Vilnius version. The Skemp is OK too. However, it doesn't matter which image you prefer because Jesus told St. Faustina "Not in the beauty of the color, nor of the brush, lies the greatness of this image, but in My grace. (Diary 313)

I could not for the life of me memorize the Chaplet until we got EWTN in December of 2007. The first program I watched when we got that channel was the Flynn family chanting the chaplet. I would rush home from work every day to listen to it. In March of 2008 I started going to the Novena at my parish. We sang this version.

But I truly think my mother-in-law planted the seed of this devotion back in 1997, before St. Faustina was even canonized. When my mother died my mother-in-law enrolled her in the Association of Marian Helpers. The following blessings were bestowed on her soul: daily Mass, Mass on First Fridays and First Saturdays and all Feasts of Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother, Rosaries of the Marian priests and brothers and the continuous Novena to the Divine Mercy.

Now in the those days I was far away from the Church. I had never even prayed the Rosary never mind the Divine Mercy chaplet or novena. I thought it was a nice gesture but I didn't "get it". My mother-in-law had given the Marians my address and occasionally they would send me cards that I could send out (for a small donation) and their little magazine "Marian Helper." I still didn't get it.

But God is patient and eventually I underwent a powerful conversion experience. Slowly, He began to reveal things to me. Devotions I had found weird or even creepy now became near and dear to my heart. Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Miraculous Medal and Eucharistic Adoration became very important to me and eventually so did the Divine Mercy.

I love the Marians and the Divine Mercy so much that I recently went to New York for one of their conferences.

I hope that you too will come to love the Divine Mercy devotion. You can read more about God's unfathomable mercy here and here.

Tomorrow afternoon we will start the Novena. Intentions may be found here.

And new poll in the side bar....

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Dear Readers,
Please pray for Bob Morden. I accidentally ended up on a blog devoted to updates on his condition (an Internal Cerebral Hemorrhage) and promised to pray for him and his family. Truthfully I don't think my surfing in there was accidental - I think the Holy Spirit led me there. I have never met Mr. Morden or his family but I am sure they could use our prayers. Thank you. Angela

Holy Thursday, April 9, 2009

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,
"This month shall stand at the head of your calendar;
you shall reckon it the first month of the year.
Tell the whole community of Israel:
On the tenth of this month every one of your families
must procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.
If a family is too small for a whole lamb,
it shall join the nearest household in procuring one
and shall share in the lamb
in proportion to the number of persons who partake of it.
The lamb must be a year-old male and without blemish.
You may take it from either the sheep or the goats.
You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month,
and then, with the whole assembly of Israel present,
it shall be slaughtered during the evening twilight.
They shall take some of its blood
and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel
of every house in which they partake of the lamb.
That same night they shall eat its roasted flesh
with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

"This is how you are to eat it:
with your loins girt, sandals on your feet and your staff in hand,
you shall eat like those who are in flight.
It is the Passover of the LORD.
For on this same night I will go through Egypt,
striking down every firstborn of the land, both man and beast,
and executing judgment on all the gods of Egypt—I, the LORD!
But the blood will mark the houses where you are.
Seeing the blood, I will pass over you;
thus, when I strike the land of Egypt,
no destructive blow will come upon you.

"This day shall be a memorial feast for you,
which all your generations shall celebrate
with pilgrimage to the LORD, as a perpetual institution."

Exodus 12

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A blessed and holy Triduum to all my faithful readers.
Angela

+JMJ

They expected Him to cry...

The executioners expected Jesus to cry, for everyone pinned to the gibbet of the Cross had done it before him. Seneca wrote that those who were crucified cursed the day of their birth, the executioners, their mothers, and even spat on those looked upon them. Cicero recorded that at times it was necessary to cut out the tongues of those who were crucified to stop their terrible blasphemies. Hence the executioners expected a word, but not the kind of word that they heard...Like some fragrant trees which bathe in perfume the very axe which gashes them, the great Heart on the Tree of Love poured out from its depths something less a cry than a prayer - the soft, sweet, low prayer of pardon and forgiveness.

Abp. Sheen, Life of Christ

Palm Sunday error

Yesterday was Palm Sunday, one of my very favorite days of the year. My youngest was born on Palm Sunday. Yes, I know, every year it's on a different day and sometimes his birthday falls on Easter or just a plain old Lenten weekday but it's still special to me!

Anyway, even though our procession into the church is super lame I still like the whole palm thing, singing "All Glory, Laud and Honor" and watching EVERYONE kneel during the Gospel.

Before I left for Mass yesterday I went online to find a tutorial on making palm crosses. I wanted to wow my little friend "J" who has become quite attached to me. She is about 10 years old and always comes to Mass with her uncle. She has a mom but I've not met her. In any case "J" was totally bug-eyed when I whipped that cross into shape. (Whipped...hmm...bad choice of words.)

Anyway, I found the article here and I also found this.

I found it curious that someone with a good Portugeuse name like Barboza would write an article with a glaring error regarding the length of Lent. He wrote, "For Catholics, the holy day marks the end of the solemn, 40-day season of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, in which worshipers remember Jesus' last supper and his crucifixion and culminate the observances by celebrating his resurrection on Easter Sunday."

Umm...no.

I emailed him and corrected him, pointing out that the Sundays of Lent are not counted in the total 40 days and that Lent ends on Thursday night when the shortest liturgical season, the Triduum, begins.

He actually emailed me back! He said he was going to look into it. Maybe I've planted a seed?

Anyway, I won't be resting on my laurels...or is that...palms?!

Have a happy and holy day, everyone!

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UPDATE: The writer of the article emailed me again and this is what he had to say....

I contacted the Diocese of Orange about this and they said that while technically, yes, Holy Week starts on Thursday, they thought it was too nitpicky to require a correction. For the general purposes of a feature story explaining the difference between Lent and Easter, they said it's fair to say Palm Sunday serves as a transition between the end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week, though it sounds like Lent does spill over a few days past Holy Week. I do appreciate your vigilance on this one--thanks for looking out.-Tony

Kudos to Tony for pursuing this and BOO! to the Diocese of Orange for fudging the Truth!

Adoration, true progress and peace

The Church believes that a holy hour spent before the Blessed Sacrament does more good for the well-being of the world than whole days spent in talking about progress to the utter oblivion of the fact that the only true progress consists in the diminution of the traces of original sin; she believes that a penitent returning to God is of far more consequence than the cancellation of war debts; that an increase of sanctifying grace in a soul is of far more value than the increase of international credit; that a group of cloistered nuns in prayer are more effective in preserving world peace than a group of world politicians discussing peace to the forgetfulness of the Prince of Peace.

Abp. Sheen, Manifestations of Christ

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All glory, laud and honor

Refrain:

All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee Redeemer King,
To Whom the lips of children,
Made sweet hosannas ring.


Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's name comest,
The King and blessed One.
Refrain

The company of angels
are praising Thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
created make reply.
Refrain

The people of the Hebrews
with palms before Thee went,
Our praise and pray'rs and anthems
before Thee we present.
Refrain

Thou didst accept their praises
accept the pray'rs we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.
Refrain

Palm Sunday custom in Holland

It is customary in many churches for worshippers to receive fresh palm leaves on Palm Sunday. In parts of the world where this has historically been impractical substitute traditions have arisen. In the Netherlands, crosses are decorated with candy and bread, made in the form of a rooster.

Episcopal minister says abortion a blessing

Over the last few days a certain Episcopal woman who fancies herself a "priest" and a representative of Jesus Christ has been making waves in cyberspace.

This deluded creature is Katherine Ragsdale Hancock and if you want to read her disgusting views on how "abortion is a blessing" then you need to go here.

She has already closed comments on her old blog where Deb/UKOK found her.

LORD, HAVE MERCY!

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You know you're a Divine Mercy apostle if...

The Divine Mercy message has the power to take over a person's life. What effect can the message have on the way a person lives? The following list is a start.

You know you're a Divine Mercy apostle if:

1. You estimate distances in terms of Divine Mercy Chaplets ("Such-and-such-a-place is about two chaplets away ...").

2. You take a slightly longer way to drive home so that you can complete the chaplet you are reciting.

3. You arrive slightly late for your 3 p.m. appointments because you pray the chaplet during the "Hour of Great Mercy".

4. When you hear that someone is dying, or has died, you immediately recite the conversion prayer that Jesus gave to St. Faustina: "O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of Mercy for us, I trust in You" (Diary, 187).

5. When you see a crucifix you also see the blood and water gushing forth from the Heart of Jesus.

6. You call St. Faustina "my Faustina," as Pope John Paul II did.

7. You carry Divine Mercy brochures and prayercards in your car/handbag just in case you meet someone who may need one.

8. You don't mind waiting anymore because you can use the time to pray the conversion prayer for those around you.

9. You have the image of The Divine Mercy in various places around your home.

10. You hand out cards so other parishioners can commence the Divine Mercy Novena on Good Friday.

11. You have highlighted or underlined your favorite parts of St. Faustina's Diary.

12. You have memorized a favorite prayer from the Diary.

13. On your travel wish-list is a pilgrimage to the Shrine of The Divine Mercy in Poland.

14. You have tremendous trust in Jesus.

15. You don't mind not being able to sleep at night because it gives you time to pray the chaplet.

16. You keep Rosary beads under your pillow.

17. You are learning more and more about how important the Passion of our Lord is to our salvation.

22. You pray the chaplet when you wake up in the morning, just in case you forget to pray it at 3 o'clock.

JP2 - 4 years since he went home

Pope John Paul the Great
18 May 1920 - 2 April 2005

JP2, pray for us!

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