Seven Days.....December 18

In seven days we will celebrate the anniversary of the Lord's first coming into the world.

Keep working to better yourself.
Let your love increase.
Know what is of value in your life.

Posting an early Christmas wish.

Click HERE

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Be Still..........December 17

The inspiration of the holy spirit

is heard only in silence.

Are the holiday activities

making too much noise?

Be still if you will.

Jesus in the Evergreens.....December 16

To fall in love with Jesus is the

greatest of all romances;

to seek Him,

the greatest adventure,

to find Him,

the greatest human achievement.

Will you find Him in ten more days?

Third Tuesday of Advent...December 15

MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE WHILE AWAITING OUR LORD

Remember your citizenship is in heaven. Don't keep your mind only on earthly things.

We eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform your lowly body so that you will be like His glorious body.

Third Monday of Advent, St. John of the Cross, December 14

What we need most in order to make progress

is to be silent before this great God

with our appetite and with our tongue,

for the language he best hears is silent love.

St John of the Cross, OCD

St. Lucy (Third Sunday of Advent December 13)

"Though they took her eyes,

she still had the Light of Faith."

Fr. Phil W.

Read about ST. LUCY HERE

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Our Lady of Guadalupe.....December 12

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE

Patroness of the Americas and Protector of the Unborn

"Am I not here, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the fountain of your joy? "

The Blessed Virgin Mary

Click HERE to read about Our Lady of Quadalupe.


To view video click HERE




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What is your Need?.....December 11

The more we share

with those in need,

the greater

our Christmas celebration becomes.

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Boat Called Hope.......December 10

Divine Jesus
Be Our Guide.
(card dated 1878)

BOAT CALLED HOPE

Rember Advent is for preparing for the coming of Christ into our hearts, by faith, hope, and divine charity, as well as for His last Advent on Judgment Day."

Are you ready?

"waiting on the Lord,

praying for that miracle that always comes to us,

year after year, day after day!"

Thank you Gardenia

St. Juan Diego.........December 9

"For I am a merciful Mother to thee and to all thy fellow people on this earth who love me and trust me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their suffering..........."

Words spoken to Juan Diego from the Blessed Virgin Mary

Read St. Diego's instructions from Mary regarding her wishes here

Feast of the Immaculate Conception.....December 8

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary

was, from the first moment

of her conception, by a

singular grace and privilege of

almighty God........

preserved immune

from all stain of original sin."

Pope Pius IX, 1854

O Mary, who entered the world without stain, obtain for me from God that I may leave it without sin.

Second Monday of Advent, Feast of St. Ambrose, ....December 7

“The Devil tempts that he may ruin and destroy;

God tests that He may crown.”

St. Ambrose

Read about St. Ambrose HERE


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Starting in two days........Hour of Grace Request

THE REQUEST OF OUR BLESSED MOTHER FOR THE HOUR OF GRACE


Day and time of the Hour of Grace - December 8th Feast of the Immaculate Conception

- to begin at 12 noon and to continue until 1 pm (one full hour of prayer)

- During this hour the person making the 'Hour of Grace' either at home or in the Church must put away all distractions. (Donot answer the telephone, or answer any doors, or do anything but totally concentrate on your union with God during this Special H our of Grace).

- Begin the Hour of Grace by praying three times the 51st Psalm with outstretched arms

- The remainder of the Hour of Grace may be spent in silent prayer before God meditating upon the Passion of Jesus, praying the Holy Rosary, praising God in your own way or by using favorite prayers, singing hymns, meditating upon other Psalms, etc.

Information about the Hour of Grace available HERE



Above information came from Esther
A Catholic Mom in Hawaii: Reminder - Hour of Grace - Feast of the Immaculate Conception


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First Saturday of Advent.....December 5

Tomorrow is the feast of St. Nicholas.

Let’s not forget the real St. Nicholas, who, like all the saints, points to Jesus.

Bless us, St. Nicholas, with the true spirit of Christmas.

We celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6. For people in some parts of the world, gifts are given on this day instead of on Christmas day.
St. Nicholas lived about 1,700 years ago, so we don't know a whole lot about his life. We have many stories and legends passed down through the years, though. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra (which is in the country we call Turkey today). He was known for secretly giving money and gifts to the poor.


Click here to read more

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First Friday of Advent...December 4

May Jesus be born anew
within our hearts
this Advent.

Here is the meaning of the German words on this card (which St. Margaret Mary Alacoque reported that Jesus spoke to her in 1675):

"Behold this Heart, which loved men so much that It spared Itself nothing, to the point of exhausting and consuming Itself to show them Its love."

Thank you John.

First Thursday of Advent...St. Francis Xavier...December 3

"Many, many people hereabouts

are not becoming Christians

for one reason only:

there is nobody to make them Christians. "

St. Francis Xavier

Click HERE to read about
St. Francis Xavier.

First Wednesday of Advent....December 2

As we fix our attention on Jesus

and the manger this Advent,

let's also turn our gaze

to the final home

He has prepared for us--heaven.

Here is the meaning of the German words on this card:

"BETHLEHEM
"Love of one's fellow men, a sacrificial spirit, self-surrender: This is the life of the shepherd.
"Docility, trust, faithfulness: This is the life of the flock."

Thanks John.

First Tuesday of Advent.....December 1

"Pray for the many spiritual and material needs

of your families, your communities,

the whole Church,

and all of humanity.

Indeed,

prayer is the first and greatest work of charity

that we must do for our brothers and sisters."

Pope John Paul II

(thanks Janette)

First Monday of Advent......November 30

The candle represents Christ

who came to scatter the darkness of evil

and show us the way of righteousness.

"Be as blind as possible

to the faults of your neighbors,

trying at least

to attribute a good intention to their actions."

Venerable Father Solanus Casey

First Sunday of Advent..........November 29

Advent comes from the Latin adventus,
meaning "coming."

A season for prayer and reformation of our hearts.

A time to examine ourselves for sins. Then reconciliation and

a joyful anticipation of the Bethlehem event.

A second and final coming of the Lord is

also on our minds.

Mother's Blessing.....November 28

Of all the rights of women,

the greatest is to be a mother.

Author Unknown

The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother.

—Therese of Lisieux

Icon Mary................November 27

"Mother dear,

lend me your heart,

I look for it every day

to pour my troubles into.

St. Gemma Galgani

Thanksgiving Day 2009..........November 26

"The greater the gifts, the greater our debt, and the more we need to have a carefully tallied receipt."

St. Gregory

"Let us be thankful for the very fact that we are chosen: chosen to exist, chosen to be baptized, chosen to know Christ in our lives. Why should God have chosen us? The less able we are to answer that question the more able we are to live a profoundly joyful thanksgiving."

Father Richard Veras,

(contributor to MAGNIFICAT)

The Cicely Mary Barker Collection
43911

Jesus Teaches.......November 25

"If you want God to hear your prayers, hear the voice of the poor.

If you wish God to anticipate your wants, provide those of the needy without waiting for them to ask you.

Especially anticipate the needs of those who are ashamed to beg.

To make them ask for alms is to make them buy it."

-- St. Thomas of Villanova

Today is the feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria. I don't always use a holy card of the "saint of the day" but you can see a beautiful picture of St. Catherine and read about her life by by clicking here.




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Run to Mary..............November 24

"Let us run to Mary,

and, as her little children,

cast ourselves into her arms

with a perfect confidence."

Saint Francis de Sales

St. Joseph and Jesus in Snow..........November 23

The Litany to St. Joseph ends with the words

"He made him the lord of His household and prince over all His possessions."

It is believed that the same way that Jesus

was obedient to His parents during life,

and denied them nothing,

Jesus does in Heaven.

Therefore, do not ever be reluctant

to ask St. Joseph

for his patronage in any need.

Christ the King..........November 22

"The Lord is our King," says Isaiah."It is He who will save us."
At the feet of Jesus, the Latin words mean "KING OF KINGS"
Under the papal tiara and keys, it appears to say "THROUGH THE ROCK"Michael on the right has a banner that says "WHO (IS) AS/LIKE GOD"
Angel on left has "GABRIEL" in his halo. His book appears to say "THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE..."
His banner freely translated, "whose reign will have no end."

CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Presentation of Mary in the Temple.....November 21

O Mary,

your Heart was a burning vessel

of God's love.

Fill my heart with love

for God and let me

thank Him every day for
His great love in sending

His only Son

to obtain my salvation.

Sepia toned Child Jesus..........November 20

"God had one son on earth without sin,

but never one without suffering."

Saint Augustine

Beuron Good Shepherd.........November 19

If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.

Talk to the Shepherd.

Feast of St. Philippine Duchesne...November 18

"Humility is the virtue that requires the greatest amount of effort."

St. Philippine Duchesne

Read about
St. Philippine Duchesne

Grant Me O Lord................November 17

"Grant me, O Lord my God,

a mind to know you,

a heart to seek you,

wisdom to find you,

conduct pleasing to you,

faithful perseverance in waiting for you,

and a hope of finally embracing you."

St. Thomas Aquinas

Feast of St. Gertrude the Great.....November 16

Prayer of St. Gertrude to release souls in Purgatory.
"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."


Read about St. Gertrude.

Beautiful Communion...........November 15

"O My children,

how beautiful will that soul be in eternity,

who makes frequent and good Communions!"

The Cure' of Ars,
St. Jean Vianney

Love Him......................November 14

"It is not hard to obey

when we love the one whom we obey."

Saint Ignatius

In Love With Blessed Mary...........November 13

"Someone truly in love with Mary

finds time to turn to her as often as possible,

to stay as long as possible at her feet.

We would entrust our troubles and worries,

and our whole life to her."

St. Maximilian Kolbe

Love God..................November 12

"To love God

is something greater

than to know Him."

St. Thomas Aquinas

Helping Others............November 11

"Our greatest duty and our main responsibility is to help others. But please, if you can't help them, would you please not hurt them. "

Dalai Lama

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We Are The Sheep..........November 10

The lamb of God
takes away the sins of the world.
I believe that you are my Shepherd
and
I shall not want.

Precious Blood of Christ..........November 9

"Jesus Lord, kind Pelican,

Cleanse my filth with Thy blood,

One drop of which can save

The whole world from all its sin,"

- St. Thomas Aquinas

In case you are wondering what a "Pelican" has to do with our Lord, please
click for one of my earlier posts here:
click here

The Port of Heaven................November 8

"To reach the port of heaven,

we must sail sometimes with the wind

and sometimes against it,

but we must sail,

and not drift,

nor lie at anchor."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Prayer ........November 7

Prayer doesn't need proof,

it needs practice.

Grandparents of Jesus..........November 6

St. Anne (St. Ann) and St. Joachim,
parents of Mary,

Grandparents of Jesus,

pray for all parents

that they may provide the loving home

and faithful teaching

that you provided your daughter.

Amen

Mary w/ Jesus..........November 5

"Christ saved men not with thunder and lightning,

but as a wailing babe in the manger

and as a silent sufferer upon the cross."

St. Jerome

Walk With God........... November 4

"I would rather walk with God in the dark

than go alone in the light."

Mary Gardner Brainard

Eucharist................ November 3

"Any time spent before the Eucharistic presence,

be it long or short,

is the best-spent time of our lives."

St. Catherine of Genoa

Feast of ALL SOULS DAY.......November 2

"On the Feast of Corpus Christi

a person enveloped in fire suddenly stood before me.

From the pitiable state the soul was in

I knew it was in Purgatory

and I wept bitterly."

St. Margaret Mary Alacoque

Feast of ALL SAINTS DAY.............November 1

The Saints are the sinners who keep on trying.

The picture to the right is from the dust jacket of a book by my very good friend, Fr. Eugene Carrella. The book is titled PATRON SAINTS by Barbara Calamari and Sandra Dipasqua.

Fr. Gene's holy cards are
the source of all the saints pictured in the book.

There is another new book out featuring Fr. Gene's holy cards. It is by Thomas Craughwell and it titled "THIS SAINT'S FOR YOU."