Catholic Mom in Sweden

Go here

2009-01-05T09:19:00.001+01:00

To find my new journal, click here.

Happy New Year... new year, new journal

2009-01-05T09:07:00.001+01:00

Well, I am planning a blog move over to livejournal since I like livejournal's format better... and it's easier to read friends on it and make posts "friends only" or public...

I'll post a link once I get the journal set up...

12 painless ways to evangelize

2008-12-20T06:09:00.001+01:00

12 Painless Ways to Evangelize
Copyright © 2000, Catholic Answers.
All Rights Reserved.

Introduction

Why not face it? Most Catholics shy away from publicly engaging in evangelization. Even those who know their faith well hesitate to discuss it with strangers, and those who don't know their faith as well as they should usually find themselves running for cover when they think they may be asked to engage in evangelization.

Not to fear. This booklet explains twelve ways you can spread the faith--at very little expense, often with complete anonymity, and even "from the comfort of your own home," as the old phrase puts it.

But first of all, what's "evangelization"? It's the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ, as it has been entrusted to the Church he established. When we evangelize, we explain the truths of the Catholic faith and invite people to consider them and to consider becoming Catholics. We offer them a welcome into the house that God built for them.

Many lay Catholics still think evangelization is a task just for priests and religious. "Let Father or Sister do it," they say. But it's really a task for every baptized Christian. Nowadays, with a decreased number of priests and religious, it's especially important that lay Catholics get involved in spreading the faith.

How to begin? Most parishes don't have effective evangelization programs, so you might be forced to fall back on your own resources.

But don't worry. In the following pages we present twelve easy (and usually cheap) ways to get the Good News out. Some of these methods are best done by several people together, so you might consider asking your friends over to your home to discuss techniques. Which method best fits your budget? Which makes best use of your time? Which makes best use of your talents? As you will see, you won't need much of a budget, you won't need much time, and you won't need to be a theological whiz.

Now roll up your sleeves, read on, and choose the techniques that are right for you. Who knows--one of them just might launch you as a full-time Catholic evangelist!

1

Stuff bill payment envelopes with Catholic tracts.

Everyone pays bills, and each remittance envelope is handled by someone at the other end. Opening envelopes is a tedious job. (Imagine going through a few thousand a day.) The contents of the envelopes never vary, except for the amount remitted.

Why not give the person who opens your envelope a little variety by including a tract that explains a Catholic belief? You can be sure the opener will take the tract home.

Of course, you do not need to restrict yourself to remittance envelopes. You can stuff tracts or booklets into every envelope you mail. Tracts can be obtained for as little as four cents apiece. Booklets may cost you a little more.

Either way, you can reach a hundred people for the cost of a fast-food lunch. Best of all, you won't have to pay anything extra for packaging or postage--you'll be using the envelope and stamp you would have used anyway.

Do you want responses to come to you or to your group? Purchase an inked address stamper at an office supply store, and stamp your name (or your group's name) and address onto the back of each tract or booklet. You'll get replies in no time.

2

Volunteer to take charge of your parish's literature rack.

Most parishes have vestibule literature racks. For the pastor they can be a source of modest income and regular headaches. You can accomplish two things if you volunteer to oversee the rack. First, your pastor or his secretary will be relieved of the burden. They won't have to worry about keeping the rack neat and filled.

Second, you can be reimbursed for the cost of the rack's literature if there's a donation box next to the rack. (If you receive more than enough to cover your costs in buying the literature, donate the excess to the parish--a great way to make yourself well-liked.)

But what should go in the rack? If you look at racks in neighboring parishes, you'll see that some literature seems neat, while other is dog-eared. Skip the latter: Tracts and booklets become dog-eared when many people pick them up, but few people take them home.

Most Catholics--and most non-Catholic visitors to Catholic churches--would like to know more about the Catholic faith, so your best bet is literature that explains Catholic beliefs in a clear, straightforward way, one topic per item. A prominent sign asking for donations should bring in enough to cover your costs.

3

Play a video or audio tape for door-to-door missionaries.

The last thing you should do, when missionaries ring the doorbell, is to tell them to go away. This gives them a bad impression of you and, if they know you're a Catholic, of the Church. Instead, invite them in to view or listen to a tape.

You won't have to do anything except be friendly. Whether they're Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons or "Bible Christians," ask them to sit down and tell them you'll be happy to take and read their literature, but say that first you'd like them to see a videotape or listen to an audio tape.

A few missionaries will excuse themselves at this point, but most, even those who won't accept Catholic literature, will be willing to sit through a tape. When the tape is through, ask them their impressions of it. Have on hand Catholic literature, in case they want more information. Invite them back for another visit (at which you'll play another tape).

Don't get into an argument or a deep discussion. What you want to do is have them listen to the truths of the Catholic faith as spoken by experts. Those truths will settle in their minds and, over time, will affect them.

4

Place tracts or booklets in the pews at your parish.

For this one you'll need your pastor's permission, of course, but that shouldn't be hard to obtain if you offer to supply top-quality materials.

You'll be doing your pastor two favors: He won't have to purchase the tracts or booklets (you and your friends will do that), and he'll end up with a more educated parish--especially welcome to a pastor who is frustrated because he has to start at "square one" each time he gives a homily.

To ensure that parishioners take your literature, consider taping a little note that says "Free: Please take me home!" to the top of each one. You don't want folks to think the tracts or booklets, like the missalettes, should be left in the pews after Mass.

A general distribution of literature, especially in a large parish, can be a drain on your wallet, so you might want to team up with other parishioners.

In fact, you can go to the rectory as a group to present your plan--the pastor will be impressed that several of you are willing to dig into your own pockets to help others in the parish.

5

Write and answer messages on your online service.

If your home computer has a modem, subscribe to an online service. Among the commercial services are America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, and the Catholic Resource Network (CRNET information by modem: (703) 791-4336), and there are thousands of subscription-free bulletin board systems (BBSs).

Most services include public message forums in addition to private e-mail (electronic mail). A message in a public forum might be read by tens, hundreds, or thousands of people. This can be a cost-effective way to explain Catholic beliefs and to overcome common misconceptions about the Catholic faith.

Some local BBSs share messages with other BBSs around the country. This means that what you write tonight can be read tomorrow in hundreds of cities. (The Catholic Information Network [CIN information by modem: (619) 449-6030] operates this way.) Your cost: no more than a local phone call.

Online messages, unlike printed literature, allow for immediate responses. You can keep up continuing dialogues with people far away. Plus there's good news for the shy: Most systems allow you to use a "handle" instead of your real name.

6

Go door to door, hanging leaflets from doorknobs.

If you want to saturate your neighborhood with good Catholic literature, there's no better way than going door to door--and you never have to ring a doorbell.

Leave tracts or booklets hanging from the doorknob by means of cheap plastic bags. (Look in the Yellow Pages for manufacturers of such bags.) Or slip your literature under the doormat, or prop it against the door. But be sure you don't put your literature in anyone's mailbox. Mailboxes are for mail only, and it's a federal offense to put anything else in a mailbox.

If you feel up to face-to-face encounters, bring along other material, including tapes, for those times when you run into someone as you're leaving your tract or booklet. If you want to avoid such encounters, skip houses with open front doors or with people standing outside.

Going door to door is most enjoyable when you walk with a friend. Each of you can cover one side of the block. If one of you gets into a discussion with a resident, the other can cross the street and help guide the conversation.

7

Write to the editor when the press misrepresents the faith.

We all have seen anti-Catholic bias in the media. Sometimes it is a function of simple ignorance. Sometimes it is evidence of a deep-seated hostility. Either way, don't let misrepresentations about the faith go by without composing a quick answer.

Every opinion page editor wants lively letters to the editor. (He keeps his job only if he keeps this section popular.) The editor may not be a Catholic--he may not even like Catholics or their beliefs--but he'll print your letter if you write charitably, succinctly, and with verve.

The chief rule: Keep it short. An editor reserves the right to shorten long letters, but he usually doesn't want to use his time doing that. It's easier to throw long letters away. Your chances of getting your letter printed are greatest if you stay within 200 words, if you type your letter neatly, and if you include your name, address, and telephone number (so the editor can check that it was you who wrote, not someone using your name).

Many folks have their letters printed regularly. So can you. Remember: By writing just one short letter, you can influence thousands.

8

Place Catholic literature on windshields.

Two cautions: Don't do this on private property without getting permission from the owner. And, if you're going to place literature on windshields of cars parked along streets, check with your city about regulations. In most cities there's no problem at all, so long as the cars are on public property, including public parking lots, but some cities have restrictions. It's always good to check.

That said, this is an easy way to grab people's attention. After all, who can drive with a tract or booklet staring him in the face? Drivers have no choice but to remove your literature from their windshields. Few will toss your tract or booklet on the ground (being a litterbug is pass today), so even most of those who might not welcome the message will take your literature home, where it may sit for a day or two until it's read.

The key to getting your material read is to restrict yourself to topics that many people are interested in. Good examples: the Eucharist, the papacy, salvation. Even non-Catholics want to learn more about these.

9

Give away photocopies of articles from periodicals.

Again, you'll need permission for this one. Write to the publisher and explain that you want to make photocopies of a particular article and will give them away at no charge. (Most publications will refuse permission if you intend to sell the copies.) Be sure to include, on the last page of the article, the publication's name and address and the date of the issue in which the article appeared.

Passing out photocopies is a good way to distribute "I-wish-I-had-written-that" articles--you know, the kind that say just the right things in just the right words, but that probably never will appear in leaflet or booklet form.

If you take an article to a copying service, and if you order a large number of copies, prices can be less than four cents per magazine page. A hundred copies of a five-page article would run you $20--an inexpensive way to reach a hundred people.

These photocopied articles can be used as envelope stuffers, can be left in pews, or can be placed on windshields. If you want to receive responses, stamp your or your group's name and address on the last page.

10

Send a friend (or a stranger) a book or a tape.

Few people can resist a gift, especially one that has "perceived value," as the marketing phrase has it. Whether or not the intended recipient of your largesse likes books or tapes, he'll probably feel obliged to read or listen to whatever you give him.

Don't restrict your giving to friends. Preaching to the choir is often necessary, but you also should preach to the people in the pews and to the people who never even make it to church. Besides, there's no better way to overcome a lack of friendship than to give a gift that says, "Please accept this. I'm interested in having your opinion of it."

If you purchase a single title, whether a book or a tape, in quantity, you usually can receive a substantial discount from the supplier--anywhere from twenty to forty percent, sometimes more. If one or two friends will join you in underwriting the costs, you'll be able to give a book or tape to someone for as little as a dollar or two. This is an effective way to spread the good news about the Catholic faith.

11

Call radio talk shows.

Most talk shows on "Christian radio stations" are hosted by Protestants. Inevitably the Catholic Church and Catholic beliefs are discussed--but not necessarily with sensitivity or understanding. Here's where you come in.

All you have to do is call these shows--most of them advertise a toll-free number or a local number--but do a little preparation first. Since you'll have only a few moments on the air, you must know what you're going to say and how you'll say it. Before dialing, pencil a list of "talking points" so you won't become tongue-tied or lose your train of thought.

On most stations you maintain anonymity, with only your first name and city being given over the air. (You may have to give your full name and other information to the station's program engineer, but all that will be kept confidential.)

When you finally get on the air, make sure you speak constructively, even when you need to correct the program's host, his guest, or another caller. Don't say, "The guest on today's show doesn't know what he's talking about." It's better to say, "The guest on today's show seems to have a misconception about Catholic teaching on such-and-so. Let me explain what the Catholic Church really believes . . . ."

12

Leave Catholic tracts and flyers in conspicuous places.

Do you take a bus to work or to school? If so, leave Catholic literature on the seat as you exit, and the next person no doubt will read it. After all, what else is there to do on a bus?

If you find yourself waiting at a bus stop or on a train platform, leave a few copies of a tract or flyer on the bench--provided it's not a windy day, of course.

Before leaving your house, stuff a dozen pieces of Catholic literature into your pocket or purse. Make it a point to distribute that many pieces each time you go out. You can leave literature nearly anywhere, but be careful not to leave it where it likely will fall to the ground and be trampled underfoot.

If someone sees what you're doing and expresses interest, smile broadly and offer him samples. There's no need to argue about the contents of the literature. Just say, "Why don't you take one? You might find it helpful."

It's good to educate yourself

2008-12-19T17:00:00.002+01:00

I'm reading up on Non-Catholic belief groups... just to learn something I may not already know... I did order this book too.

http://www.catholic.com/library/noncatholic_groups.asp

I did NOT know so much about JW/WTS and it's really kinda odd some of the things. Having said this, I still love Joanne and what she believes is her own business and I'm not to judge her personally. But I could just never be a JW after being raised Catholic...

And well, re: the 144,000 anointed ones who will live on earth in Paradise....

Is Heaven Just for the "Anointed Class"?

The WTS teaches that only the anointed 144,000 seen in Revelation 7 will enter heaven (the "anointed class"), while the remainder that are not annihilated (the "other sheep") will live forever on earth in paradise. However, the Bible poses some irreconcilable difficulties with this idea.

If Revelation 7 is to be taken literally, there would only be 144,000 Jewish male virgins taken from a square shaped earth that are now in heaven worshipping a sheep. This would mean that Peter (not a virgin), the Blessed Mother (not a male), and Charles Taze Russell (not a Jew) could not be in heaven. Reading one number literally while taking the rest of a book symbolically is not sound exegesis. Beyond this, we see in Revelation 14 that the 144,000 stand before the 24 elders from Revelation 4:4. This at least brings the grand total to 144,024 people. But, the Scriptures indicate that there are still more to come. Revelation 7:9 speaks of a countless multitude before the throne, which is in heaven (Rev. 14:2-3). Still in the book of Revelation, we read that all those with their name in the book of life are in heaven (Rev. 21:27), while all whose names are not in the book of life are thrown into the pool of fire (Rev. 20:15). There is no third "earthly" class. Jesus reiterates this, and never speaks of two flocks. He has one bride, whose "reward is great in heaven" (Luke 6:23). Paul even exhorts the Christian community, calling them to remember, "As for us, our citizenship exists in the heavens" (Phil. 3:20).

The JWs attempt to use verses such as Psalms 37:29 as evidence that the just are to inherit the land forever, which is earth. In context, this refers to inheriting the promised land as a sign of God’s blessing in the Old Testament. But, Hebrews 11:8-16 indicates that there is a homeland better than the promised land on earth, and this is the heavenly one for those who die in faith. The Old Testament patriarchs "publicly declared that they were strangers and temporary residents in the land . . . they are earnestly seeking a place of their own. . . . But now they are reaching out for a better [place], that is, one belonging to heaven. . . . God . . . has made a city ready for them. . . .These [OT men and women] did not get the [fulfillment of the] promise . . . as God foresaw something better for us" (Heb. 11:13-16,39-40). Even the footnote of the NWT makes clear that the "city" spoken of in these verses is the heavenly Jerusalem mentioned in Hebrews 12:22 and Revelation 21:2. But, the Watchtower still maintains that no one that lived before Christ will ever enter heaven. "The apostle Paul in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews names a long list of faithful men who died before the crucifixion of the Lord. . . . These can never be a part of the heavenly class" (Millions Now Living, p. 89). Only the 144,000 elite that all lived after the death of Christ will supposedly go to heaven. Matthew 8:11-12 provides severe difficulties for this idea, since Jesus proclaims, "many from eastern parts and western parts will come and recline at the table with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of the heavens; whereas the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the darkness outside. There is where [their] weeping and the gnashing of [their] teeth will be." No verse could be clearer in declaring that the patriarchs are in heaven. The following verses all demonstrate that Christians go to heaven, and do not remain on earth: 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 3:1; Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 1:4-5; 1 Peter 1:4.

Note to self - namesday prayer

2008-12-19T15:00:00.002+01:00

I meant to post this on Alex's namesday (Dec 12), but never got around to it.

Dear Saint (Name),
I have been honored to bear your name,
which you made famous by your holiness.
Help me never to shame this name.

Obtain God's grace for me
that I may grow in faith, hope, and love,
and all the virtues.

Grant that by imitating you I may imitate
your Lord and master, Jesus Christ.

Watch over me all my life
and bring me safe to my heavenly home.

Prayer while Working in the Kitchen During Advent

2008-12-19T12:48:00.000+01:00

What joy this brings me, Lord. Thank you for guiding me into the kitchen for some time of silence with you. The room fills with wonderful smells and I share tastes and samples with my family as they make extra trips through the kitchen on days like this. Thank you for each and every one of these special people in my family. They are like the ingredients of my own life, adding spice and heat and wonderful flavor and melding together into a unique dish designed to glorify you. You know, God, cooking is quite a bit like my life. It's messy, I get careless and sometimes things don't turn out as I had planned. But in the mess of my life, that's where I can turn to you. Help me when I have to deal with being so imperfect. Bless me with humility when I grapple with my own poverty. Let me feel how deeply you love me, even when all I have to offer is scorched and humble.

Be with me Lord, in this kitchen today. Help me to take the time in this intimate silence with you, to pray for each person who will eat this food. Allow me to remember all of those around the world who have so little food, and bless those who share what little they have.

Interesting

2008-12-19T12:07:00.003+01:00

Well, I deleted yesterday's post but here it is again....

A JW (Jehovah Witness) woman called me yesterday and found herself shocked to be talking to a devout Christian !! LOL She started off: "Are you familiar with the book called the Bible..." and I thought, "Oh no, is the Church of Sweden trying to recruit me to them?" and I replied to her: "I should think so, I'm a very devout Catholic Christian woman." and she was taken aback, as in this secular country, you don't find many people saying so. LOL!

Well, I did make it clear that we were not converting to being JW, as we are a Catholic family, but she was welcome to come for coffee and learn about my faith and perhaps I'll learn more about JW Christians so I'm not so ignorant when talking with my best friend Joanne (who's a JW) ;o)

I just hope she's not freaked out with my religious table (has Our Lady of Mt Carmel on it, and I have heard that JW avoid homes with Marian statues) and paintings up on the wall.. nor allergic to dogs..

So she's coming over at 10:30am for a coffee chat. I have my Swedish little book, "25 Frågor & Svar om den Katolska Tron" to give to her, since they usually offer booklets when they visit. ;o) I'll call Joanne after per her request ;o))

And today's report:

Well I did end up having S (the JW woman) in, even if my sinuses are kinda buggin' me.

It was nice, no "We want to convert you" talk and I could ask what I wanted about her beliefs so I wasn't so ignorant. Found out why they believe 144,000 people will go to Paradise, she explained it to me, and the # and such were in the book of Revelations and it was actually an all around nice coffee chat.

Alex was on the go, talkin' a lot and runnin' around playing... I did have Toon Disney on as he likes watching different cartoons, not just Playhouse Disney ones. ;)

A nice lady, just like my best friend Joanne. :) Nothing odd about her and she believes as she does and is not pushing it on me at all. And in fact, she mentioned the latest issue of Watchtower feature the Blessed Virgin Mary in it ;)

So - don't be afraid to ever offer a cup of tea or coffee to a fellow believer even if their beliefs differ from yours. It's not very Christian-like to be that way. She took the book (Swedish) that is called "25 questions and answers about the Catholic Faith" and thanked me for it and said she'll read it and ask me questions as well about Catholicism. In all reality, it's no different than when one goes to Bible Study with other Christian denominations (Baptists, Evangelicals....) - we all love Jesus and that, to quote Martha Stewart, "is a good thing!" :)

Motherhood press?

2008-12-18T13:07:00.001+01:00

What happened to Kate Conway and her http://motherhoodpress.com/ ?? Just when I need a refill for my Orderly Days planner....................

Mary, did you know?

2008-12-16T19:32:00.003+01:00

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little boy
You've kissed the face of god

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rules the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heavens perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great I am

Day after St Lucia

2008-12-14T17:40:00.004+01:00

Just a reminder, to light your 3rd Advent candle today! :)

Well I meant to post yesterday about St Lucia, it's celebrated here in Sweden... someone dropped by my blog here and posted a link to their blog entry on it, and now you can view how Swedes celebrate St Lucia (St Lucy)! I would of had photos from my husband's workplace's annual Lucia but I didn't go on Friday when they had it in the morning as I was feeling (and still am) under the weather and it was super snowy outside.

Here are last year's pictures:

Go here.

Thanks Convenor (St. Conleth's Catholic Heritage Association)!

Last month's message from Our Mother, from Medjugorje

2008-12-14T17:36:00.001+01:00

Message of November 25, 2008

"Dear children! Also today I call you, in this time of grace, to pray for little Jesus to be born in your heart. May He, who is peace itself, give peace to the entire world through you. Therefore, little children, pray without ceasing for this turbulent world without hope, so that you may become witnesses of peace for all. May hope begin to flow through your hearts as a river of grace. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

2008-12-08T13:40:00.001+01:00

A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern Church in the seventh century. It came to the West in the eighth century. In the eleventh century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the eighteenth century it became a feast of the universal Church.

In 1854 Pius IX gave the infallible statement: “The most Blessed Virgin Mary, in the first instant of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege granted by almighty God, in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, the savior of the human race, was preserved free from all stain of original sin.”

It took a long time for this doctrine to develop. While many Fathers and Doctors of the Church considered Mary the greatest and holiest of the saints, they often had difficulty in seeing Mary as sinless—either at her conception or throughout her life. This is one of the Church teachings that arose more from the piety of the faithful than from the insights of brilliant theologians. Even such champions of Mary as Bernard and Thomas Aquinas could not see theological justification for this teaching.

Two Franciscans, William of Ware and Blessed John Duns Scotus, helped develop the theology. They point out that Mary’s Immaculate Conception enhances Jesus’ redemptive work. Other members of the human race are cleansed from original sin after birth. In Mary, Jesus’ work was so powerful as to prevent original sin at the outset.

Comment:

In Luke 1:28 the angel Gabriel, speaking on God’s behalf, addresses Mary as “full of grace” (or “highly favored”). In that context this phrase means that Mary is receiving all the special divine help necessary for the task ahead. However, the Church grows in understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit led the Church, especially non-theologians, to the insight that Mary had to be the most perfect work of God next to the Incarnation. Or rather, Mary’s intimate association with the Incarnation called for the special involvement of God in Mary’s whole life. The logic of piety helped God’s people to believe that Mary was full of grace and free of sin from the first moment of her existence. Moreover, this great privilege of Mary is the highlight of all that God has done in Jesus. Rightly understood, the incomparable holiness of Mary shows forth the incomparable goodness of God.

Quote:
“[Mary] gave to the world the Life that renews all things, and she was enriched by God with gifts appropriate to such a role.

“It is no wonder, then, that the usage prevailed among the holy Fathers whereby they called the mother of God entirely holy and free from all stain of sin, fashioned by the Holy Spirit into a kind of new substance and new creature. Adorned from the first instant of her conception with the splendors of an entirely unique holiness, the Virgin of Nazareth is, on God’s command, greeted by an angel messenger as ‘full of grace’ (cf. Luke 1:28). To the heavenly messenger she replies: ‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according to thy word’ (Luke 1:38)” (Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, 56).

Our Lady of America

2008-12-08T07:45:00.003+01:00

I got an email from Steve Gallagher saying I should post about Our Lady of America... and since I love my homeland, and I love Our Blessed Mother Mary, very much, I'm going to post the links he provided:-

www.ourladyofamerica.com

www.ourladyofamerica.org

I will be checking these sites out more, to learn more of the devotion... And I wanted to thank Steve for emailing me regarding this!

From EWTN

2008-12-07T14:47:00.004+01:00

HOMAGE TO IMMACULATE (LIVE) 1 hr
On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Father will preside over the traditional homage to Mary Immaculate in Rome's Piazza di Spagna.
Mon 12/08/08 10:00 AM ET & 7 AM PT Live (So, at 4pm my time here in Sweden.)
Mon 12/08/08 5:00 PM ET & 2 PM PT Encore (And at 11pm my time here in Sweden.)

SOLEMN MASS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY FROM BNSIC, WASHINGTON, D.C. (LIVE) 90 min

Answering the New Atheism

From the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., the Solemn Mass of the Immaculate Conception.

Mon 12/08/08 12:00 PM ET & 9 AM PT (So at 6pm my time here in Sweden.)

Happy 1st of Advent!

2008-11-30T14:15:00.011+01:00

Traditional Advent candle decorations for window-sills.

Our Christmas Tree (plastic)

Nativity set

Our Advent candle holder with old fashioned candles.

We can't get to Mass so I'll watch it online. Our car is in the shop until tomorrow sometime. We've been car-less since Thursday. We took the bus today to my FIL+MIL's because it was his birthday today, he turned 65 :)

Tomorrow I'll put up the Advent calenders (they start on Dec 1st and go to the 24th).... we have a Catholic one that has a story book with it that I got from KPN, and then one from the store that has a little chocolate candy in each day. :) Both are Alexander's of course. ;)

Bookworm award

2008-11-28T10:53:00.002+01:00

Thanks, Esther, for picking me for this meme award! You know how much I love reading! And lately it's been Catholic books or a book on being a SAHM in this day and age.

Here are the rules:

Pass this on to 5 blogging friends. Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that.

I will have to get back to you all on this, as I do not have any books at the moment on our kitchen table. We're doing Christmas decorating today and I've got the table free for putting stuff on it in the decorating process.

So the 5 blog friends I am choosing to award are:

JennD, Cassie, Andrea, Kimberly and Sanctus Belle.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2008-11-27T15:18:00.002+01:00

Advent tv

2008-11-21T07:56:00.002+01:00

Well, I seen on EWTN's newsletter, that Advent begins on the 29th of November--- so I need to get my Advent candles and get to decorating after Thanksgiving night next week! ;) And put up the Advent Calender I bought from KPN (Katolska Pedagogiska Nämnden) last weekend, up in the kitchen dining area as well. :)

I watch EWTN online.... so greatful I can!!!

VESPERS FOR THE START OF ADVENT (LIVE) 90 min
From St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI celebrates Vespers for the start of the Season of Advent.
Sat 11/29/08 11:00 AM ET & 8:00 AM PT
Sat 11/29/08 3:30 PM ET & 12:30 PM PT

Holy humor

2008-11-19T04:47:00.001+01:00

These are so funny!

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, 'I know what the Bible means!' His father smiled and replied, 'What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, 'I do know!' 'Okay,' said his father. 'What does the Bible mean?' 'That's easy, Daddy...' the young boy replied excitedly,' It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

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'Somebody has said there are only two kinds of people in the world. There are those who wake up in the morning and say, 'Good morning, Lord,' and there are those who wake up in the morning and say, 'Good Lord, it's morning.'

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A minister parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter. Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: 'I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses.' When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note 'I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.'

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There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: 'I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it's still out there in your pockets.'

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While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... 'Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.'

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A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, 'Boys and girls, what do we know about God?' A hand shot up in the air. 'He is an artist!' said the kindergarten boy. 'Really? How do you know?' the teacher asked. 'You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... '

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A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump. 'Reverend,' said the young man, 'I'm so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.' The minister chuckled, 'I know what you mean. It's the same in my business.'

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Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, 'Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt.' Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said 'Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming.'

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The minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the church building. Therefore, he was annoyed to find that the regular organist was sick and a substitute had been brought in at the last minute The substitute wanted to know what to play. 'Here's a copy of the service,' he said impatiently. 'But, you'll have to think of something to play after I make the announcement about the finances.' During the service, the minister paused and said, 'Brothers and Sisters, we are in great difficulty; the roof repairs cost twice as much as we expected and we need $4,000 more. Any of you who can pledge $100 or more, please stand up' At that moment, the substitute organist played 'The Star Spangled Banner.' And that is how the substitute became the regular organist!

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Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life, And pass it on to other folk.

From Catholics for Sarah on Team Sarah

2008-11-19T04:21:00.000+01:00

A message from Kathielee to all members of Catholics for Sarah on Team Sarah!

Obama Executive Orders Will Force Abortion, Embryonic Stem Cell Funding

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
November 9, 2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Members of the team Barack Obama has put together confirmed over the weekend that the incoming president will immediately overturn executive orders President Bush put in place as soon as possible after he takes office. The Bush orders have protected taxpayers on key pro-life issues.

The advisors confirm the concerns pro-life advocates had during the presidential election campaign.

They indicated Obama would overturn a Bush policy that prevents forcing taxpayers to fund groups that perform or promote abortions in other countries. Known as the Mexico City Policy and first instituted during the Reagan administration, President Bush expanded the policy to make sure no State Department funding goes to the pro-abortion groups.

Obama would also overturn President Bush's policy against funding any new embryonic stem cell research.

Visit Catholics for Sarah at:
http://www.teamsarah.org/groups/group/show?id=2330231%3AGroup%3A3691

Butterfly award

2008-11-18T07:51:00.004+01:00

Thank you dear Jenn, for such a nice award! I hope to get better at posting a lot more than I have. I have so much to write about, about our wonderful faith... but time next to the laptop is limited... and I got a bad cold this weekend so I'm beat at night and don't get on the laptop much... And when I do, Alex wants to watch "Wall-E" trailers and clips on youtube. LOL!

I hope to be able to write great spirit/faith filled posts in here as the advent season and Christmas season arrives :)

I do love your blog Jenn, as well as Esther's...

I don't know many bloggers on here and I try to visit the Catholic Mom blog-roll as often as I can...

And since you nominated some of the same blogs I like to visit... well... LOL I'm having a tough time picking 10 blogs....

But I will say THANK YOU once again for nominating me in your 10 blog picks.

God bless you!

Weekend course @ the Bridgettine Convent

2008-11-16T20:43:00.002+01:00

Well, the course by Father Ulf Jonsson, S.J., called "Argumenten om Guds existens" ("The Arguement about God's existence") was a very information-rich course. Having only a High School degree (back home), 1 year experience in Community College (back home), and then a CNA degree (here in Sweden) and a dog grooming degree (correspondence course from back home).... I don't have the University level of intelligence (LOL) so even reading the Pope's book on Jesus is very hard for me... it's not the flowing type of book that I am used to. Lots of big words (LOL)! Well anyhow, I did come away with a lot but my brain is still processing it all... and I need to organize my notes better.

I just want to say, thank you, Fr Ulf, for a nice course, I learned a lot! Tack så mycket!

Borrowed from the CatholicWomenTogether yahoogroup

2008-11-06T15:22:00.002+01:00

h/t to Cassie...

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said:
"Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I'm pregnant again. I don't want kids so close together."

So the doctor said: "OK, and what do you want me to do?"

She said: "I want you to end my pregnancy, and I'm counting on your help with this."

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: 'I think I have a better solution for your problem. It's less dangerous for
you too."

She seemed relieved, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request.

Then he continued: "You see, in order for you not to have to take care of 2 babies at the same time, let's just kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we're going to kill one of them, it doesn't really matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms."

The lady was horrified and said: "No doctor! How terrible! It's a crime to kill a child!"

"I agree," the doctor replied. "But you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution." The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point.

He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that's already
been born and one that's still in the womb.
The crime is the same!

November is for the Poor Souls in Purgatory...

2008-11-03T09:20:00.001+01:00

Don't forget, you can free 1000 souls if you pray this:-

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. Amen

Sign this - Fight FOCA

2008-11-02T14:42:00.000+01:00

Dear Friend,

I'm writing to let you know about a terrible piece of legislation called "The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA).

FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.

It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws that the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.

Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and sign the Fight FOCA petition at:
http://www.FightFOCA.com

Thank you!

Children of Medjugorje site

2008-10-26T13:06:00.001+01:00

Thanks Dawn for this site! I sure hope someday Medjugorje is accepted just as Fatima was!

From Sacred Space, this week

2008-10-20T14:13:00.000+02:00

Something to think and pray about this week

You remember the Gospel scene (Mark 10:13) where Jesus encountered noisy children. A crowd of them interrupted his preaching, and the apostles were shooing them away. They were boisterous, energetic, enjoying life, running instinctively towards someone who also enjoyed it. The apostles spoke sternly to those who brought them. (‘ These kids are not serious. We are here to listen to the Sermon on the Mount and we can't hear him properly with all this noise and commotion.') Jesus intervened, invited the children closer and laid his hands on them. He gave them two precious things that cost no money; time and affection. These days, parents often experience a famine of time, so that children suffer from too little attention. Concern about children's safety means that children suffer from not being touched - as too-careful adults teachers avoid responsibility. Yet children's needs remain the same.

For all my blogger friends

2008-10-16T09:40:00.000+02:00

Saint Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be confident knowing you are a child of God.
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

This stinks

2008-10-15T20:10:00.002+02:00

Bosnian bishop urges Medjugorje visionaries to stop claims

Yet I still want to believe...

:-\

The Angelus

2008-10-15T10:21:00.002+02:00

This morning, I woke up bright and early, just 5 mins to 6am, and lit candles and prayed the Angelus. Will do this everyday, at 6am, 12 pm and 6pm.

Here is Wikipedia's explanation.

Insight

2008-10-12T20:26:00.003+02:00

Well I have mailed two Catholic yahoogroups I'm in regarding a rough patch I've had in my Church life. I really have great friends in the Catholic Women Together group, they have helped greatly. I needed to realize that I go to Church and Mass for JESUS, and to hear The Word, and not to feel a bond with the other Parish members. That I am there for Jesus, and not anyone else. I just was wanting to feel "at home" in my Parish; instead of just focusing on what Mass is really about and why I am really there.

One thing I wished our parish had, was Mass in English. I really do miss it (even if I am fluent in Swedish).

Praying hard and hoping things improve as far as me not feeling so bad about hubby driving us (out of town where our Church is, in Falun) to Mass on Sundays.... I do try hard to attend all Masses in our town (once or twice a month on Saturdays)... lately we've had a bad battle with real nasty colds... not fun!! I pray we can make Wednesday night Mass in Falun... I booked a time for confession when Mass is in town again...

+JMJ+

Did I ever share this? "Welcome home."

2008-10-12T11:07:00.000+02:00

I don't know how to embed videos, so go here:-

http://www.lovetobecatholic.com/video_1179_Welcome_Home.html

Books

2008-10-12T09:10:00.003+02:00

I so want to get these books by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle...

Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers
Grace Café
The Domestic Church
Prayerfully Expecting (as I want to get pregnant next year)
The Heart of Motherhood

If only I had extra $$ I'd get them all at once. ;-) Nice winter-time reading indeed, even tho I have a handfull of other books I need to finish (Pope B XVI's "Jesus of Nasareth", W. Wangerin's "Book of God" & "Paul: A novel", Matthew Kelly's "Rediscovering Catholicism" and a couple Catechist books...).

Thank God for seasons

2008-10-12T07:51:00.001+02:00

Fun Saturday Morning
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

Thank you God for such beautiful seasons.... my most favorite are Fall and Winter....

My son and our fave thing to do - tossing leaves and letting them rain upon us :))

Thought about something

2008-10-12T07:01:00.003+02:00

Even tho I'm Roman Catholic and believe that the Catholic faith is the one true faith for Christians, that began over 2000 years ago with Jesus and the apostle Peter, I just thought of something. When we die and we're standing at "the pearly gates" of Heaven, I do not think God nor Jesus will ask everyone what denomination they are (of course they already know, being they know everything) nor care about denominations. What they will care about is if you have the love of Jesus in your heart, and lived a good Christian life.

JMHO. :)

A rosary for the unborn babies...

2008-10-01T09:00:00.002+02:00

Thanks Esther for this info!

http://www.saintmichaelthearchangelorganization.org/english.php

WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES

9:00 a.m. * Saturday * October 18th, 2008

Circling the earth with multiple waves of Rosaries
The WORLDWIDE ROSARY FOR UNBORN BABIES prayer event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 18th, 2008. Participants will pray the Rosary during the 9:00 a.m.* hour for the following intention: For an end to the surgical and non-surgical killing of unborn babies. Because participants will be praying the Rosary during the 9:00 a.m. hour according to the particular time zone they are in, it is hoped that the earth will be circled with multiple waves of Rosaries within a 24-hour time period.

40 days for life

2008-09-27T08:08:00.003+02:00

Well, for the 40 days for life I gave up crocheting (and I really am itching to start a preemie afghan for my new niece who was born 3 wks ahead of time on Sept 11).... but I've not been able to sit and pray the first 3 days of devotionals... but today I'm up early so I am reading day 4 and praying. Since they've not got anything in Sweden to go to physically, I am offering prayer and fasting. Abortions are done in hospitals here as there aren't private clinics for the procedures, like in America.

Anyone else participating in this cause?

Happy Birthday, Blessed Virgin Mary (by Fr Corapi)

2008-09-08T17:55:00.003+02:00

The universal Church celebrates September 8th in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s birthday. This is an excellent opportunity for each one of us to do something to show our love and appreciation for the Mother of God and our spiritual Mother. From all eternity, God in his infinite wisdom decreed that Mary would be the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. She was with Jesus at all of the important moments throughout his life from the Incarnation, to his death on the cross. Before our Savior died He gave his Mother to each one of us in giving her to his beloved disciple, St. John.

This September 8th let’s thank God our Father for his beloved Daughter; thank Jesus for his Mother, full of grace; and thank the Holy Spirit for his immaculate Spouse, our Mother Mary. Offer a Rosary in thanksgiving to God for the gift of his own Mother as our Mother. Tell your Mother you love her, and most of all follow her example of holiness, humility, and perfect fidelity to Jesus and his teaching.

Happy birthday Mother, from all of your children still trying to fight the good fight and run the race to the finish line. We love you and ask you to intercede for each one of us with Jesus your Son. Keep us safe in the enclosed garden of your Immaculate Heart. Protect us from the wiles of the Devil. Lead us safely home to Heaven, to be with you, the most holy Trinity, and all of the angels and saints. Pray for us sinners, dear Mother, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Mother Theresa is today's saint

2008-09-05T13:02:00.002+02:00

September 5, 2008 from AmericanCatholic.org

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified October 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the Order she founded in 1950 as a diocesan religious community. Today the congregation also includes contemplative sisters and brothers and an order of priests.
Speaking in a strained, weary voice at the beatification Mass, Pope John Paul II declared her blessed, prompting waves of applause before the 300,000 pilgrims in St. Peter's Square. In his homily, read by an aide for the aging pope, the Holy Father called Mother Teresa “one of the most relevant personalities of our age” and “an icon of the Good Samaritan.” Her life, he said, was “a bold proclamation of the gospel.”

Mother Teresa's beatification, just over six years after her death, was part of an expedited process put into effect by Pope John Paul II. Like so many others around the world, he found her love for the Eucharist, for prayer and for the poor a model for all to emulate.

Born to Albanian parents in what is now Skopje, Macedonia (then part of the Ottoman Empire), Gonxha (Agnes) Bojaxhiu was the youngest of the three children who survived. For a time, the family lived comfortably, and her father's construction business thrived. But life changed overnight following his unexpected death.

During her years in public school Agnes participated in a Catholic sodality and showed a strong interest in the foreign missions. At age 18 she entered the Loreto Sisters of Dublin. It was 1928 when she said goodbye to her mother for the final time and made her way to a new land and a new life. The following year she was sent to the Loreto novitiate in Darjeeling, India. There she chose the name Teresa and prepared for a life of service. She was assigned to a high school for girls in Calcutta, where she taught history and geography to the daughters of the wealthy. But she could not escape the realities around her—the poverty, the suffering, the overwhelming numbers of destitute people.

In 1946, while riding a train to Darjeeling to make a retreat, Sister Teresa heard what she later explained as “a call within a call. The message was clear. I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them.” She also heard a call to give up her life with the Sisters of Loreto and, instead, to “follow Christ into the slums to serve him among the poorest of the poor.”

After receiving permission to leave Loreto, establish a new religious community and undertake her new work, she took a nursing course for several months. She returned to Calcutta, where she lived in the slums and opened a school for poor children. Dressed in a white sari and sandals (the ordinary dress of an Indian woman) she soon began getting to know her neighbors—especially the poor and sick—and getting to know their needs through visits.

The work was exhausting, but she was not alone for long. Volunteers who came to join her in the work, some of them former students, became the core of the Missionaries of Charity. Other helped by donating food, clothing, supplies, the use of buildings. In 1952 the city of Calcutta gave Mother Teresa a former hostel, which became a home for the dying and the destitute. As the Order expanded, services were also offered to orphans, abandoned children, alcoholics, the aging and street people.

For the next four decades Mother Teresa worked tirelessly on behalf of the poor. Her love knew no bounds. Nor did her energy, as she crisscrossed the globe pleading for support and inviting others to see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor. In 1979 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On September 5, 1997, God called her home.

The Pope's September prayer intentions

2008-09-02T09:19:00.001+02:00

Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for September 2008

Monday September 1, 2008

Pope Benedict XVI announces his special prayer intentions for each month--particular things that he wishes all Catholics to pray for. (When, for instance, we pray the rosary and say the prayers at the end for the intentions of the Holy Father, these are the intentions for which we're praying.)

Pope Benedict offers two intentions every month, one general, and one for a particular Catholic missionary activity. His general prayer intention for September 2008 is "That those who, because of wars or oppressive regimes, are forced to leave their homes and country may be supported by Christians in the defence and protection of their rights." The Holy Father undoubtedly has in mind the continued exodus of Christians from Iraq, as a result of the American-led war that both he and Pope John Paul II opposed.

Pope Benedict's mission intention is "That, faithful to the sacrament of matrimony, every Christian family may cultivate the values of love and communion in order to be a small evangelising community, sensitive and open to the material and spiritual needs of its brothers." To that end, if we are married and have children, we might commit ourselves to praying the Prayer of Parents for Their Children every day this month. And if we are not yet married, the Church recognizes that a strong marriage starts before we exchange vows with our future spouse and offers us a beautiful Prayer of an Engaged Couple.

(Photo by Maurizio Brambatti-Pool/Getty Images)

Saint help and other Saint stuff

2008-08-20T09:52:00.002+02:00

I am curious, if my fellow Catholic blogger friends, can help me find any books or good websites regarding my 2008 Patron Saint, St Louise de Marillac? I mean, I've read the sites that tell about her, etc, but nothing that's really chock full of information.

Btw, I couldn't remember my Confirmation Saint, so I chose St Monica, as I am so drawn to her (being that I'm Catholic but my husband is Agnostic... and hope he someday will convert to Catholicism). So I'll be looking stuff up on her - and any books/sites you all can recommend on her, I'd appreciate!

My Baptismal Saint name is Mary, as in our Blessed Mother. :)

I once was confused, thinking that my Confirmation Saint was Mary, but I remember having the Saint name prior to Confirmation, so it had to be my Baptismal Saint name.

Militia of the Immaculata and books

2008-08-20T09:47:00.002+02:00

I chose September 8th, the birthday of Our Blessed Mother Mary, for consecration to the MI. I have emailed them and hope to get a response.

I'm going to begin reading the Divine Mercy in My Soul, too. I always wanted to read it but never got around to it. And I heard it changes lives and deepens the faith.

I eventually will order The Mystical City Of God, to learn more about Our Blessed Mother Mary.

Something I'd like

2008-08-19T12:03:00.003+02:00

I've been eyeing this bible cover for a while now. Too bad it'd cost almost as much as the product itself, to send overseas. I know, as I emailed them and asked, and they said it'd run $20 to ship. Amazing. I reckon it doesn't weigh much at all, but I don't know....

A fun auction from Greg of the Rosary Army!

2008-08-18T15:55:00.002+02:00

He's packing up the Cloffice, so,
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260276492954

The money will go into the Rosary Army of course...

Am watching him on Ustream.

Words I long to hear

2008-08-17T12:38:00.003+02:00

...from our Lord Jesus Christ... just as he spoke to the woman with the ill child in Matthew 15: 21-28, I, too, hope to hear these words, often, from Jesus:

28 Then Jesus said to her, "O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish."

As a housewife and stay at home mom, I always try my best to keep my family happy, and my home a warm, welcoming place to be. I do not always keep it tidy (hard to do with a toddler, hehe) but I do try to pick up in whichever room I am in... and the dishes are 9 out of 10 times always done in the morning and evening.

As a Child of God, I always always try to spend time with God, Jesus and Mary. Even if it's brief, I want them to know I am thinking of them and talk to them. When I haven't spent time praying or reading scripture, I sure do feel lousy. Which is why I try to set aside time, for them. I am working hard at getting up early and having prayer time, before anyone wakes up, to start the day off right.

Recently, after confession, I felt such a huge burden lifted off my chest, that has been a big deal for me for a long time. I was at first very nervous to bring it up to my Priest, but I said, it really is JESUS I am confessing to, and He knows what's in my heart and thoughts, before I even say or do anything. So, that helped me confess what needed to be confessed for a while, and the advice I got, and penance to do, has made a big difference.

The Assumption Of Mary

2008-08-15T10:28:00.001+02:00

THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY: A BELIEF SINCE APOSTOLIC TIMES

Father Clifford Stevens
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The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady, but we don't know how it first came to be celebrated.
Its origin is lost in those days when Jerusalem was restored as a sacred city, at the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine (c. 285-337). By then it had been a pagan city for two centuries, ever since Emperor Hadrian (76-138) had leveled it around the year 135 and rebuilt it as in honor of Jupiter.

For 200 years, every memory of Jesus was obliterated from the city, and the sites made holy by His life, death and Resurrection became pagan temples.

After the building of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 336, the sacred sites began to be restored and memories of the life of Our Lord began to be celebrated by the people of Jerusalem. One of the memories about his mother centered around the "Tomb of Mary," close to Mount Zion, where the early Christian community had lived.

On the hill itself was the "Place of Dormition," the spot of Mary's "falling asleep," where she had died. The "Tomb of Mary" was where she was buried.

At this time, the "Memory of Mary" was being celebrated. Later it was to become our feast of the Assumption.

For a time, the "Memory of Mary" was marked only in Palestine, but then it was extended by the emperor to all the churches of the East. In the seventh century, it began to be celebrated in Rome under the title of the "Falling Asleep" ("Dormitio") of the Mother of God.

Soon the name was changed to the "Assumption of Mary," since there was more to the feast than her dying. It also proclaimed that she had been taken up, body and soul, into heaven.

That belief was ancient, dating back to the apostles themselves. What was clear from the beginning was that there were no relics of Mary to be venerated, and that an empty tomb stood on the edge of Jerusalem near the site of her death. That location also soon became a place of pilgrimage. (Today, the Benedictine Abbey of the Dormition of Mary stands on the spot.)

At the Council of Chalcedon in 451, when bishops from throughout the Mediterranean world gathered in Constantinople, Emperor Marcian asked the Patriarch of Jerusalem to bring the relics of Mary to Constantinople to be enshrined in the capitol. The patriarch explained to the emperor that there were no relics of Mary in Jerusalem, that "Mary had died in the presence of the apostles; but her tomb, when opened later . . . was found empty and so the apostles concluded that the body was taken up into heaven."

In the eighth century, St. John Damascene was known for giving sermons at the holy places in Jerusalem. At the Tomb of Mary, he expressed the belief of the Church on the meaning of the feast: "Although the body was duly buried, it did not remain in the state of death, neither was it dissolved by decay. . . . You were transferred to your heavenly home, O Lady, Queen and Mother of God in truth."

All the feast days of Mary mark the great mysteries of her life and her part in the work of redemption. The central mystery of her life and person is her divine motherhood, celebrated both at Christmas and a week later (Jan. 1) on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. The Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8) marks the preparation for that motherhood, so that she had the fullness of grace from the first moment of her existence, completely untouched by sin. Her whole being throbbed with divine life from the very beginning, readying her for the exalted role of mother of the Savior.

The Assumption completes God's work in her since it was not fitting that the flesh that had given life to God himself should ever undergo corruption. The Assumption is God's crowning of His work as Mary ends her earthly life and enters eternity. The feast turns our eyes in that direction, where we will follow when our earthly life is over.

The feast days of the Church are not just the commemoration of historical events; they do not look only to the past. They look to the present and to the future and give us an insight into our own relationship with God. The Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

The prayer for the feast reads: "All-powerful and ever-living God: You raised the sinless Virgin Mary, mother of your Son, body and soul, to the glory of heaven. May we see heaven as our final goal and come to share her glory."

In 1950, in the Apostolic Constitution , Pope Pius XII proclaimed the Assumption of Mary a dogma of the Catholic Church in these words: "The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever-virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heaven."

With that, an ancient belief became Catholic doctrine and the Assumption was declared a truth revealed by God.

Father Clifford Stevens writes from Tintern Monastery in Oakdale, Neb.

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This article was taken from the July-August 1996 issue of "Catholic Heritage". To subscribe write Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., 200 Noll Plaza, Huntington, IN 46750-9957 or call 1-800-348-2440. Published bimonthly at a charge of $18.00 per year.

Church in Riga

2008-08-05T14:55:00.001+02:00

Riga July 2008
Originally uploaded by Tommy SO Lund

The author of this photo says:
"A church in Rigas old town in HDR. It´s the Virgin of Anguish Roman Catholic Church Pils Street 5, Riga."

It's quite beautiful!

Fasting and Prayer for Our Lady's birthday

2008-08-02T07:15:00.000+02:00

If you choose to follow the messages of Medjugorje, please consider praying and fasting on this, the time right before Our Lady's Nativity.

In Medjugorje, Our Lady revealed that while she accepts with gratitude birthday wishes whenever they are given, if we wish to know the actual birthday, it is August 5th.

One of her messages was at the beginning of August, 1984:

“This message is dedicated to the Pope and to all Christians. Prepare the second millennium of my birth which will take place August 5, 1984. Throughout the centuries, I consecrated my entire life to you. Is it too much for you to consecrate three days for me? Do not work on that day, but take up the Rosary and pray.”

The Catholic Church has recognized and designated September 8th as the day to honor the birth of the Virgin Mary. By no means is that being usurped or encouraged to ignore. Rather, Our Lady Queen of Peace of Medjugorje has purposely and clearly made it known that the actual date is August 5th. Therefore, honor Her on August 5th and respect the Church and its authority on September 8th.

7/25 message from Our Blessed Mother Mary

2008-07-26T21:42:00.002+02:00

Message of July 25, 2008 (From Medjugorje.org)

"Dear children! At this time when you are thinking of physical rest, I call you to conversion. Pray and work so that your heart yearns for God the Creator who is the true rest of your soul and your body. May He reveal His face to you and may He give you His peace. I am with you and intercede before God for each of you. Thank you for having responded to my call."

Spiritual Reference Guide

2008-07-24T13:40:00.002+02:00

Scriptural Reference Guide

The Catholic Church bases her teaching upon one source: The word of God. This divine revelation is transmitted in two ways: through Scripture and apostolic tradition. Many assume that only the writings of the apostles are the word of God. However, their oral transmission of the faith is also considered the word of God (1 Thess. 2:13). Few Protestant groups today accept the validity, let alone the authority, of tradition. In fact, many believe that Scripture is the only definitive source of divine truth. For this reason, they are critical of certain doctrines of the Catholic Church, which, according to them, have no basis in Scripture. In fact, those who embrace the theory of sola scriptura attempt to use the Bible to contradict, to prove baseless, certain Church teachings, such as the Real Presence and the existence of purgatory. However, these teachings are reflected in Scripture, as the passages we will look at illustrate.

Our purpose here is not to dissect the opposition. Rather, our purpose is to provide a scriptural evidence for these doctrines. Under each Catholic doctrine in the list that follows are passages from Scripture that witness to the doctrine’s divine origin. For the Catholic, what follows will make clear the harmony of Scripture and tradition: truth cannot contradict truth. Whether God speaks to us through the Bible or through the voice of tradition, the word spoken is always a true and steadfast guide.

Please note that all scriptural citations are taken from the Revised Standard Version: Catholic Edition of the Holy Bible.

Scripture and Tradition

"I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2).

"Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us" (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

"So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thess. 2:15)

"You, then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

"First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

"‘Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink, but I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete" (2 John 12).

Faith and Works

"‘Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven’" (Matt. 7:21).

"‘Why do you call me "Lord, Lord," and not do what I tell you?’" (Luke 6:46).

"For he will render every man according to his works . . ." (Rom. 2:6-8).

"For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified" (Rom. 2:13).

"For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful prospect of judgments . . . (Heb. 10:26-27).

"What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?" (Jas. 2:14).

"So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead" (Jas. 2:17).

"But some one will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. . . .Do you want to be shown, you foolish fellow, that faith apart from works is barren? (Jas. 2:18-20).

"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone" (Jas. 2:24).

The Trinity

"Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . .’" (Gen. 1:26).

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

"But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.’" (Acts 5:3-4)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all" (2 Cor. 13:14).

Christ’s Divinity

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’" (Is. 9:6).

"Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven’" (Matt. 16:16-17).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).

"Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am" (John 8:58).

"‘I and the Father are one’" (John 10:30).

"For in him [Christ] the whole fulness of deity dwells bodily" (Col. 2:9).

"In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power . . ." (Heb. 1:1-3).

"But of the Son he says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever, the righteous scepter is the scepter of thy kingdom. . . . And, "Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of thy hands." (Heb. 1:8, 10)

Real Presence in the Eucharist

"‘Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.’ The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, ‘How can this man give us his flesh to eat?’ So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed’" (John 6:47-55).

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant of my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes" (1 Cor. 11:23-26).

"Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor. 11:27).

The Papacy

"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter . . ." (Matt. 10:1-2).

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven’" (Matt. 16:18-19).

"‘Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren’" (Luke 22:31-32).

"He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, ‘So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas’ (which means Peter)" (John 1:42).

"When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ A second time he said to him, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ And he said to him, ‘Lord, you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep’" (John 21:15-17).

Purgatory

"For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for the dead. But if he was looking to the splendid reward that is laid up for those who fall asleep in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin" (2 Macc. 12:44-45).

"Make friends quickly with your accuser, while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison; truly, I say to you, you will never get out till you have paid the last penny" (Matt. 5:25-26).

"Each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire" (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly did not obey . . ." (1 Peter 3:18-20).

"But nothing unclean shall enter it [heaven] . . ." (Rev. 21:27).

Honor Due to the Virgin Mary

"And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and she exclaimed with a loud cry, ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’" (Luke 1:41-43).

"And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name’" (Luke 1:46-49).

"If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:26).

Praying to the Saints

"‘And as for the dead being raised, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God said to him, "I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob"? He is not God of the dead, but of the living . . .’" (Mark 12:26-27)

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely . . ." (Heb. 12:1).

"And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints" (Rev. 5:8).

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials
presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors.
Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004

IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827
permission to publish this work is hereby granted.
+Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004

We are the Catholic Church

2008-07-19T08:16:00.001+02:00

From CatholicsComeHome.org:

Happy Feast Day of Our Lady Of Mount Carmel!

2008-07-16T15:43:00.001+02:00

Being a member of the Blue Army (WAF), I could not pass up posting about this day! Being that I do wear a Brown Scapular.

Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, or of the Scapular

July 16

The Church celebrates on this day the feast of the Scapular of Mount Carmel. The scapular, which derives its name from the Latin word scapulæ, meaning shoulders, is a dress which covers the shoulders. It is mentioned in the rule of Saint Benedict as worn by monks over their other dress when they were at work, and it now forms a regular part of the religious dress in the old Orders. But it is best known among Catholics as the name of two little pieces of cloth worn out of devotion to the Blessed Virgin over the shoulders, under the ordinary garb, and connected by strings. The devotion of the scapular, now almost universal in the Catholic Church, began with the Carmelites. The history of its origin is as follows: During the thirteenth century the Carmelite Order suffered great persecution, and on 16 July 1251, while Saint Simon Stock, then general of the Order, was at prayer, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, holding in her hand a scapular. Giving it to the saint, she said,
"Receive, my dear son, this scapular of thy Order, as the distinctive sign of my confraternity, and the mark of the privilege which I have obtained for thee and the children of Carmel. It is a sign of salvation, a safeguard in danger, and a special pledge of peace and protection till the end of time. Whosoever dies wearing this shall be preserved from eternal flames."
It is much to be wished that people should everywhere join this confraternity, for the honor of Mary and for the salvation of souls, by a life fitted to that end.

In order to have a share in the merits of the sodality every member must:
Shun sin, and, according to his state of life, live chastely.
Say every day, if possible, seven times, Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.
Strive to serve God by venerating Mary, and imitating her virtues.
These rules, it is true, are not binding under penalty of sin, but the breach of them deprives us of all merit; and is not this something to be taken into account? "He who sowetb sparingly shall also reap sparingly." (II Corinthians 9:6)

Tagged a while back by JennD

2008-07-16T07:41:00.002+02:00

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

I'm reading "Rediscovering Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly that I got for free from the Catholics Come Home website.

When you don't have this singleness of purpose, you get lost in the tossing and turning of daily life. For the man who knows where he is going, the whole world will get out of the way. For those who do not, the world becomes a playground filled with nothingness.

Now to tag 5 people... that's tough! But I say this... anyone who reads this, may do this fun book "meme". :)

Good food for thought

2008-07-14T11:15:00.000+02:00

Seen this in a yahoogroup I'm in...

How to Overcome Discouragement!

By the late Father Kilian McGowan, C.P.
Used with permission, from the Passionist Priests

Most of us at one time or another are tempted to discouragement. The spiritual combat gets too tough and we'd like to call it quits. It seems so hard to keep on trying-especially when we don't seem to be going anywhere. Or when just about everything seems to be going against us.

It may help to know that the saints had the same struggle. At times they had to grind out their acts of faith, hope and charity through clenched teeth. Don't think they were swept along without effort. They waged an uphill battle against discouragement, failure and despair. They became saint not by never failing, but by refusing to give in to their falls.

At times the saints even experienced a repugnance for the things of God. They didn't deny this condition, but rather faced up to it. Our Lord never said to deny that a cross exists, or even to say that it didn't hurt. He told us to "take it up." And to do it daily.

Maybe you feel spiritually "beat." Everything seems just too hard. You don't feel like praying. You feel the need for God, but He seems beyond hope and charity-and just about everything else! This can be a greater mortification than some of the bodily austerities of the saints.

Be assured-you may be much closer to God than you think. It's not thinking of God that is the most important. Nor the feeling that He is near. Or even wanting to pray. It's just trying to pray. And wanting Him-even when you think you've lost God. God permits this rough going, because we hang onto Him more fiercely at a time like this.

Don't say to yourself: "It's no use. I just don't have what it takes." OF course, you haven't! But none of us have. God is a merciful supplier who will supply just what is needed when you need His help. Don't sit back and hang your head in discouragement. Lift up your heart and approach Him exposing your need like a begging child.

I think that the trouble often is not so much lack of courage as lack of correct vision. We haven't lost our backbone-but we're just looking in the wrong way. We are looking too much at ourselves and not enough at God. He told us that "to those that love God ALL things work unto good." Not "some" things or "most" things. He excluded absolutely nothing!

Really, what is there to be discouraged about? Past mistakes, no matter how serious, are erased by the merciful forgiveness of God. Possible future troubles haven't even arrived. Spiritual success, at least, is available. Happiness can be yours for the asking-if you are willing to set your heart on the right things.

Discouragement can be the sign that we have trusted too much in our own abilities and not enough in God's. Or that we are taking ourselves too seriously. Or perhaps overemphasizing our importance in the scheme of things. Or it could be that we want things that aren't good for us and God simply refuses to let us have them. If He shakes us up it's only because He wants us to find Him more perfectly.

So, don't be discouraged over your failures-or anything else. Whatever the cause of discouragement, lift up your eyes and your heart. Your eyes to make you see that there's never an excuse for self pity, for one who is loved by a God of love.

Your heart to make you realize that you shouldn't feel sorry for yourself as long as you are an object of His tender concern. Our need is the perfect invitation for God to take over in our lives. Let us not be afraid to ask Him to do so!

Long time

2008-07-01T11:13:00.003+02:00

I am sorry for being bad about posting in this blog.

Busy getting Alex potty trained (it's day 2 and going BEAUTIFULLY!) and enjoying summer vacation with my hubby too. :)

I hope to be more active in a couple more weeks. You can read my daily blog at http://imamommie.livejournal.com in the meantime. :)

Site recommendtion

2008-06-21T22:19:00.000+02:00

I've found a very helpful Catholic web site www.AskACatholic.com formerly known as CPATS.ORG and FaithfulChristians.org

They've won the Benedictine 2000 Award for Excellence.
You should check them out at:

http://www.AskACatholic.com.

They have a write-up done by Catholic Culture at:
http://www.catholicculture.org/sites/site_view.cfm?recnum=311

Other interesting links about them can be found here:

Awards Won: http://www.AskACatholic.com/_About_AACO/awards_won.cfm
Reviews of the site: http://www.AskACatholic.com/_About_AACO/reviews.cfm
Mission and Philosophy: http://www.AskACatholic.com/aboutus.cfm
Holy Quotes: http://www.AskACatholic.com/holyquotes/

Be sure to check out their AskACatholic Knowledge base at http://www.AskACatholic.com/Catholic_Answers.cfm

I recommend you also pass this e-mail on to other sincere seeking Protestants or confused Catholics.

Tim Russert: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

2008-06-16T17:37:00.001+02:00

Tim Russert: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Originally uploaded by Vox Massive

A very nice tribute.

I heard he was a great man, Catholic, and a Buffalo, NY native.

Food for thought

2008-06-05T14:46:00.002+02:00

There Is Enough Grace For You In Order To Love

"Jesus Christ knocks at your door by allowing you to encounter difficult and unpleasant people. He expects that you will try to fulfill His new commandment. You have to remember that He is not expecting the impossible from you. When somebody's behavior, actions, views, or posture is irritating to you, you have a special opportunity to be like a child who imitates his own Father in everything."

From: In The Arms Of Mary foundation

June already?

2008-06-03T09:41:00.002+02:00

Holy smokes, the year is half done! :-O

Summer sun and heat arrived in Sweden over a week ago and I am glad. :-) More to do outside with Alex (and our dog Rain).

I plan on going to Mass more regularly now... I haven't been to Mass in a couple weeks.. due to a cold or just not feeling good in general... but anyway, no more excuses, we are going... 'specially since we're not stuck in the house when it's hot out since Rain can be home alone (with a radio on) without making any noise... we couldn't do that when we had the other cocker as he would howl if left home alone... and in the summer we'd have to put him at doggy daycare when we couldn't have him in the car due to the heat...

Light Weigh is going good, and I'm hoping to really focus better on it and do a lot better than I've done the past month on it. I only lost 2 lbs last month but I am thankful for it none the less :-) All praise to God for those 2 lbs going away!

Well, I need to go trim Rain as he's quite warm and his fur isn't as short as it was over a month ago... I like to keep his coat short, around 1mm. His ears are kept long since I want people to see he's a spaniel ;-P

Blessed Virgin Mary and the Jesus Child

2008-05-31T08:20:00.001+02:00

Blessed Virgin Mary and the Jesus Child
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

This is the statue hubby got me on Mother's day :-)

Christian exercise

2008-05-30T10:03:00.002+02:00

I love my Leslie Sansone Walk The Walk dvd so much. It combines faith and fitness. Here is an article by her from Guideposts magazine and I know my girlfriends here on the blog who are chubby like me would enjoy reading about her faith filled workouts.

Good article

2008-05-26T16:22:00.000+02:00

THE FAMILY SPIRIT
Mother M. Angelica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We live in an age that stresses personal goals, careers, happiness, work and religion. The emphasis is on the individual and how best that individual can satisfy himself. There are as many degrees and types of living, ideals and morals as there are people. Since one of the common denominators is freedom to do as one pleases, there is very little to contrast. To this way of thinking, everyone is free to be and do whatever he pleases without causing anyone any harm. This state of animated blahs perpetuates only darkness, for light is kindled by a clash of ideas, from strong concepts of right and wrong, from leaders who are fearless and stand tall on the side of justice.
We do not find choices between good and evil thrust upon us today—only the confusion of half-truths, blatant evil disguised as part of modern living, and an indifference to sin called "tolerance" and "love." Self-satisfaction at everyone else's expense is considered a kind of fulfillment and any reaction to the contrary is an infringement on personal freedom.

Married life has become to many a necessary burden, but a burden that is shed very easily. Faithfulness has become merely a biblical term no longer relevant or possible in an age of modern enlightenment. Adultery and fornication have passed from unfaithfulness and sin to an inability to love only one person and the fulfillment of one's basic needs. Children who are to be the fruit of love are considered mere accidents, financial burdens, consumers of the world's food supply, an infringement on personal freedom to utilize untapped talents which are destined to be forever buried. This, alas, is the thinking of the minority to the dismay of the disheartened majority.

Not every family, suffers from all these evils. But perhaps it is safe to say that we are all tainted in some way with their effects. What can we do to correct these ills? Where do we start? Do we run away and hide in some remote area or will that hopeless spirit follow us wherever we go? Do we band together for mutual up-building and protection? What happens to the rest of mankind if we retreat? Are the problems facing us so gigantic that we are forced to stand still as we wait for the final blow? Do Christians form minority groups for protection, growth and perseverance?

Perhaps we should look at the Gospels to see what Jesus had to say. Whatever we find must be applicable to every form of Family Living, to Christians and non-Christians for we all share the same Father—we are all the work of His Hands. We must also keep in mind that the Family Spirit concept is at the core of every Christian and the goal of every person who seeks happiness and goodness in this life.

A family spirit is not always synonymous with family life. Bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh makes for brothers, sisters and relatives, who may be as distant as strangers in a foreign land. The world will always be blest with families or it will become extinct. It is not always blest with a family spirit in the midst of its families. The result is that every facet of daily life is affected with selfishness, indifference, lack of respect, cruelty and coldness.

The Family is at the root of all society and the Family Spirit is a special quality that feeds the Family with vigor and vitality. When that spirit is present, there is a desire to cling together in time of crisis, to sacrifice in time of need and strength to face the demands of communal living.

The spirit of a family relationship affects our entire lives and we have suffered from the lack of that spirit on the communal, parish and national level. In neighborhoods there is fear of murder and robbery. Over the fence chit-chat is non-existent for the "personal living" concept has made us disinterested in our neighbor's welfare. We fear his burden will become ours and we are little concerned with his heartache, loneliness or suffering. The aged become merely another obstacle to surmount. Each home is only a house in which individuals live—alone together—in miniature motels. Neighbors are competitors instead of partners, suspicious instead of trustful, indifferent instead of helpful, cold instead of loving, greedy instead of generous. We no longer consider ourselves living in neighborhoods, but only as living next to "hoods." We live in wealthy, middle class or poor sections of a city, rather than communities of people living together for mutual growth.

As the individual family lives, so lives the immediate community, the parish, the city and state, the nation and the world. A countryside is ugly or beautiful according to the tiny seeds sown in abundance. From weeds come shocking overgrowth that is neither appearing nor inspiring but from selected seeds, cared for and pruned during growth, come trees to delight the eye and fruit to nourish the body. Let us see what is lacking in our family living and its various aspects—why it is unsightly and distressing—why it has sunk to such depths in so short a time. Do the Gospels tell us what we can or cannot do? If so, let us look deeply to see if there is any solution to such a problem.

First, we know a few things we cannot do and one of them is, we cannot run away. "I am not asking you to remove them from the world but to protect them from the evil one." (Jn. 17:16) We are to change the world, transform it as we are transformed, renew its spirit as ours is renewed, and we are to do this in the midst of the wickedness in the world. "They do not belong to the world," He prayed to the Father, "anymore than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." Every Christian has been filled with God and then sent into the world to bring that Lord and Savior to it. The Holy Spirit within Christians flows out of those Christians, touching the lives of everyone around them.

Jesus explained what would happen when that Spirit began to live in the soul and the soul live in the Spirit. A union with God would result—a union so powerful—so simple and so sublime that no one could come within its proximity and not be affected by it.

"With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me, Father." (Jn. 17:23) The Trinity—three Persons in one God—is a community—a family. God is love and that love extends Itself in the Christian and in turn, must extend Itself to the world—the Family in the Trinity and the Trinity in the Family.

Jesus gives us the reason for this—"so that the love with which you loved me may be in them and so that I may be in them." It is an awesome reality—a terrible responsibility—the Christian possesses in his soul, through the Holy Spirit, the same kind of love with which the Father loves the Son! Since we are made in His image, possess His Spirit and are filled with His love, this creates within the soul a family spirit—a concern for others—a desire to diffuse goodness—a capacity to love—a new strength to sacrifice—an ability to bear fruit a hundred-fold.

Within the individual soul there is the Family of Persons—a need to share, to give, to radiate, to express concern. There is no longer an isolated individual, seeking self alone, but a togetherness—the soul and the Trinity—one in will, in purpose, in love.

"On that day you will understand," Jesus told the Apostles, "that I am in the Father and you in me and I in you." (Jn. 14:20) This dependence of the soul on God for its life, breath and joy creates a need to give as one is given. As the soul feels itself being filled, it desires to give itself to others in the same unselfish way it is receiving from God its Father. Family Spirit is born within the soul and that Spirit extends itself to everyone, everywhere, in every facet of everyday life. A constant source of unending love is poured forth from the soul and God together. A spark is kindled within cold hearts, harmony restored where dissension once reigned, faith where cynicism and unbelief were masters.

How true are the words Jesus spoke to us when He said, "Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty." (Jn. 15:5) We were created in His Image and that image is not only in our intellectual faculties, but in the harmony of the life of the Trinity. Sin destroyed that harmony. Man decided to stand alone—outside the influence of the Trinity—the Three in one God.

The more man rebelled, the further away he went from harmony and family spirit. No matter how hard he tried, man and God were on a Creator-creature basis—servant of the Great Yahweh. But the Father sent His Son and when the "Word was made flesh and dwelt among us"—when He died and rose; He bestowed on us the gift of gifts—an opportunity to be part of God's family. Jesus, our brother, God our Father, the Spirit our Indweller.

"I shall not call you servants any more," Jesus said, "because a servant does not know his master's business; I call you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt from my Father." (Jn. 15:15) "Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven, he is my brother and sister and mother." (Matt. 12:50) Doing the Father's Will is to be a child of the Father. The Spirit of Jesus in us inspires, leads and bestows a greater participation in the very Nature of God every time we choose His Will over ours, every time we prefer our Family of Persons (the Trinity) to ourselves. This constant giving and receiving on the part of God and the soul is at the core of the family spirit within us. As we habituate ourselves to this type of Family living we spread this spirit to others. As God is the initiator of goodness in our regard, we become the initiators of goodness in the lives of others. As God loves us because He is good, so we love our neighbor out of that infinite source of goodness within us.

We are able then to be self-effacing, prefer the good of others to ourselves, do good to those who persecute us and forgive seventy-times seven. We can truly be compassionate as our Father is compassionate and merciful as He is merciful because our family life with the Trinity has enabled us to love in the same way God loves.

Family living has also suffered on a Parish level. It is a place in which we are baptized, confirmed, taught, cleansed, married and buried. The Parish can become the family "batter board." Because it represents God, we blame it when things go wrong, criticize it when it does not share our opinions, and condemn it when it falters. The result can be a parish that houses factions, referees dissensions and spends precious time merely keeping the boat from capsizing. There is no progress forward to give courage, or digression backward to signal danger. Families become statistics, wage-earners categorized as givers or non-givers, workers or non-workers. Shepherd and sheep end up matching wits to survive.

Family living on the national level is shaky and uncertain. Leaders are mistrusted, political office has become synonymous with cheating, bribery and lies. Sinful enterprises are condoned under the guise of freedom. Abortion and euthanasia are mere debates over heated questions. Political pressure rather than a deep desire for the right to life, ultimately decides the answer, formulates laws and rationalizes sin. Fear of the decisions of those in office creates a cold war between governments and the citizens of those governments. The integrity, honesty, justice and wisdom of those in office are held in question and then it is that both faith and hope in the nation waver. Love grows cold and with it loyalty.

The Religious Family has also suffered in this day of enlightenment. The security of that life is uncertain. Religious no longer feel bound together by the ties of the vows and mutual commitment. There is a new freedom that fills the soul with the cold chill of indifference to each other, to the aged and sick members, to the apostolate and to retirement. Disappointment and heartache dig deep into some hearts while others fear the future of the order they loved so dearly. Confusion over priorities and values causes dissension, and complicated solutions produce burdens too heavy to carry. The constant changing of theological views and opinions shake whatever semblance of stability remains. Vocations begin to waver. Hard-hearted rebellion against good changes or necessary modifications causes untold harm. The religious family loses togetherness and the sense of belonging.

The Family Spirit in our souls will result in ennobling and building up the family spirit in our life at home, in our community, in our parish and nation. In proportion as we are alienated from the family spirit in our soul, in that degree we are at enmity with our brother. Our relationship with our neighbor will be either close, distant or indifferent. Only when we live within the warmth of God's unselfish love can we invite others to come in from the cold.

Nations do not fall except when families have ceased to live in a family spirit. It is also true that members of families are not alienated from each other except when each member decides to stand alone outside of God's family. Since he was made in that Image, only by living and growing in that Image can he possibly bear the fruit of harmony and unity.

"I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty." (Jn. 15:5)

We see the emergence of this family spirit immediately after Pentecost. Before Pentecost the Apostles and disciples were individuals called together to do a work. When the test came at the crucifixion, each ran his own way. After the Resurrection and Ascension they stayed together, but more out of fear than love.

When they received the Spirit of Jesus into their very souls, they became family—brothers. There was an invisible bond between them that neither trial, persecution, personality clashes or differences of opinions could diminish. Deep in the heart of each one that possessed the Holy Spirit, the goal was the imitation of Jesus. This oneness of heart made them one in mind. They saw God in everything that happened to them, depended upon Him for everything they needed and prayed to Him for each other. The personality clashes that disturbed and caused dissension before, now became only opportunities to die to self, be understanding, and imitate Jesus. They treated all men as brothers and that is why St. Peter could say, "For the sake of the Lord, accept the authority of every social institution... God wants you to be good citizens. Have respect for everyone and love the community; fear God and honour the emperor." (1 Peter 2:14, 15)The Family Spirit, among the first Christians touched the whole world and it was that spirit of togetherness, love and respect that witnessed to the world that Jesus was Lord Messiah.Prayer

Oh, Holy Trinity, let me live within You that we may share and speak as friend speaks to friend. Let our union of mind and heart, through the power of Your Spirit, enable me to live as one with You. Let the power of that union touch the hearts of everyone around me so all may share in our harmony together in Your Spirit. Let my family, community, parish and nation live within and grow in this family spirit so the world may know Jesus is Lord and that Your love embraces all mankind. Amen. So be it.

From Sacred Space today... Both in Eng and Swe..

2008-05-23T14:59:00.002+02:00

This reminds me of the prayer group I am a part of here, for Marriage...

Kanske kan vi idag be för äktenskapet. Om du är gift, så offra din kärlek och din omtanke om din maka till Gud. Be om Guds hjälp i din kärlek Vi kan alla be för dem som har problem i sina äktenskap och därför är nära att brytas ner. I vår bön kan vi nämna dem som står i beredskap att gifta sig och tacka för vad vi får ut av andras äktenskapliga kärlek.

---

Maybe our prayer today could be for marriage. If you are married, offer your love and your concern for your spouse to God - ask for God’s help in your love. We ight all pray for those who find their marriages difficult or are close to breakdown. We can bring to our prayer those about to be married, giving thanks for the gifts we receive through the married love of others.

Update, and Corpus Christi

2008-05-22T09:24:00.004+02:00

Sorry I've been lax on posting here but the past week both Alex and I've had bad colds. Mine is good as gone now (praise God!), but Alex's is still got a runny nose...

Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi... which begins the Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart...

In this novena, or nine-day prayer, to the Sacred Heart, we ask Christ to present our request to His Father as His own. While it is especially appropriate to pray this novena around the Feast of the Sacred Heart or during the month of June, which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart, it can be prayed at any time of the year.

Novena of Confidence to the Sacred Heart

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention. [State your request.] Only look upon me, then do what Your love inspires. Let Your Sacred Heart decide . . . I count on You . . . I trust in You . . . I throw myself on Your mercy. Lord Jesus, You will not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Your kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked You for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in Your open Heart. When the Eternal Father looks upon it, He will see it covered with Your Precious Blood. It will be no longer my prayer but Yours, Jesus.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in You. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

Ask Search Knock

2008-05-10T16:34:00.001+02:00

cameraphone pics
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

Is anyone else involved in this? "A Movement of Continuous Prayer for Marriage and Family Life" which is run by Fr Johnny oherty, CSsR. An Irish woman named Helen in my parish asked me if I wanted to join and of course I did :-) So every 14th day of each month, between 2 and 3 pm, I will pray for a parish member that is after me as well as in general for marriages and family...

BVM @ Notre Dame

2008-05-07T09:01:00.001+02:00

BVM @ Notre Dame
Originally uploaded by Pater JPM

I seen this in a friend's photostream. It looks like the statue I'll be getting for our balcony, exactly!

I also am getting a small plastic model of BVM, for by my sink in the kitchen, ( I have lots of prayer card pictures taped up to the tiles in the kitchen of her and even of St Terese the Little Flower ) as I just would love to have the reminder of praying a rosary as I do the dishes =)

Rosary with the Pope

2008-05-02T19:44:00.002+02:00

HOLY ROSARY WITH POPE BENEDICT XVI (LIVE) 1 hr. on EWTN

From the Basilica of “Santa Maria Maggiore” in Rome, Holy Rosary presided over by His Holiness Benedict XVI.

Sat 5/03/08 12:00PM ET & 9:00 AM PT LIVE
Sat 5/03/08 3:30 PM ET & 12:30 PM PT Encore
Sat 5/03/08 9:00 PM ET & 6 PM PT Encore

I'll maybe miss the live one (12p EST is 6p here in Sweden) if we're not back from visiting a friend and her family out of town tomorrow (day trip)... but praise God there will be reruns! I love the rosary!

Happy Birthday, Mother Angelica!

2008-04-20T21:16:00.003+02:00

Wishing my favorite nun a very happy 85th birthday!

Thanks Esther for this great graphic =o) Hope you don't mind me snagging it!

Wise words

2008-04-19T08:20:00.002+02:00

While at Sacred Space this morning, this touched me...

At any time of the day or night we can call on Jesus.
He is always waiting, listening for our call.
What a wonderful blessing.
No phone needed, no e-mails, just a whisper.

Isn't that wonderful?

Christ's Crown of Thorns

2008-04-19T08:11:00.001+02:00

Christ's Crown of Thorns
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

Houseplants are something I love. Must be because my Mom did! hehe

My MIL gave me new houseplants - Crown of Thorns (2) were the ones I got yesterday, and 2 weeks ago when she visited she brought another houseplant (the one in the middle)... I don't know the name of it though...

The photo is our kitchen window, which gets tons of son in the afternoons and evenings.

I am thinking of eventually taking some cuttings from the Crown of Thorns, someday, to make nice balcony plant decoration (our balcony is enclosed)... as the balcony gets sunny and warm all morning until noon.... :)

If you click on the pic, you will get to my photostream, and see more pics of these gorgeous thorny plants!

update

2008-04-01T08:11:00.004+02:00

Well, mornings are busy now that the playgroup is back on after Easter break... we don't go on Mondays when I've got a lot to do in the afternoon as far as dinner making before the dog course I go to...

I have to wash my hair, and get dressed soon, and then we'll go out with the dog, and then go to the playgroup... probably the little one (playgroup Myran) nearby instead of the one near Magnus' work (playgroup Fenix)...

With this rainy gray dreary weather I don't feel like doing much. :P~~ Just hanging out here at home with Alex and playing with him. But I know he enjoys "skolan" and the interaction with kids his age (or younger or older). ;)

So, I'll ttyl!

Pope Benedict XVI

2008-03-29T11:08:00.001+01:00

Pope Benedict XVI
Originally uploaded by Jari Kurittu

I dreamt of hanging out with the Pope. I think I was a young Nun. It was a heartfelt warm dream. I don't remember much, but he was very down to earth and a kind man.

I've been tagged (thanks Cassie!) =o)

2008-03-27T07:45:00.002+01:00

The rules are:

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago: Celebrated my 1 yr anniv of Swedish living (moved here in 1997), and attending Swedish For Immigrants classes.

Five things on my To Do List today: (not in any particular order)
1. Take a couple walks with Alex and the dog.
2. Do laundry.
3. Do dishes.
4. Play in the playground with Alex.
5. Pray the rosary, Divine mercy novena, read the bible.

Snacks I enjoy: butter-flavored popcorn, chocolate, strawberries, raspberries, ice-cream.

Things I would do if I were a billionaire: I would pay off our debts, donate to various Catholic Charities, put money in savings for Alexander's future schooling, donate to both my home church in Orchard Park, New York and our home church here in Falun, Sweden. I would also like to buy a nice house for us. I would also share my wealth with family and friends.

Three of my bad habits:
1. Procrastinating
2. Saying one thing and ending up doing another.
3. Using the laptop too much ;)

Five places I have lived:
1. Buffalo, NY
2. Borlänge, Sweden
3.
4.
5.

Five jobs I’ve had:
1. Cashier @ TOPPS supermarket (Orchard Park, NY)
2. Cashier @ Hill's Department Store (Orchard Park, NY)
3. Cashier @ K-mart Department Store (Orchard Park, NY)
4. Nurse @ group home for handicapped. (Borlänge, Sweden)
5.

Five people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG!):
# Esther
# JennD
# UKOK
# Sanctus Belle
# A Catholic Notebook

Food for thought

2008-03-26T14:35:00.000+01:00

At any time of the day or night we can call on Jesus.
He is always waiting, listening for our call.
What a wonderful blessing.
No phone needed, no e-mails, just a whisper.

Time

2008-03-26T13:57:00.002+01:00

It's been my quiet time for 15 mins now, Alex is napping. :-) I ate a little bit of chocolate, and will make some tea, and spend time at Sacred Space.

I prayed day 3-6 of the Divine Mercy novena this morning when I got up earlier than everyone, since I missed 3 days of the novena... so I hope Jesus is alright with me making up for it this morning. :)

Wow, the week is half over with! Time is going by fast.

Btw, I opted out on bussing it to Church, instead, hubby said we can go on Sundays from now on, that it's not a problem. He just didn't think Alex would last (he'd get restless) 2 hours each Mass during Fri-Sat-Sun this past weekend... and he's probably right... ;-)

TTYL!

Spam on blogger?

2008-03-22T22:26:00.001+01:00

What is with the "See here and here" posts?? I get them almost every time I post in my blog! Grr... And one time I made the mistake of clicking on the links thinking it was some Christian but nope! Praise God for good anti-virus programs. ;)

I miss and love you Mom...

2008-03-22T22:17:00.001+01:00

Mom wrote this in 2004
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

My Mom's death anniversary is today. She died at 11:05pm on March 22nd, 2004. It feels like yesterday. I can still remember *every* detail from the time she came home from Roswell Park hospital on March 4th and got hospice at home... and then on 3pm on the 22nd, she went in to the hospice facility, as she was in a lot of discomfort... my dad and I remained there until 6:30pm, and then we went out for dinner and told her we'd come back the next morning. Well, at 10:20pm we got a call that woke us up, the hospice people said, "You better come in as we do not think she will make it through the night." and we got quickly dressed and drove as fast as we could. Mom's breathing was very shallow (she had asthma and half a lung was filled with fluids already since leaving the hospital)... just a small circle in the center of her body, was moving, and she was not responsive. But I knew she heard us. My dad making calls, to relatives, me calling around and even trying to call Magnus and instead got through to his parents (Mag had a migraine and withdrew the phone jack that night) to tell them the news after my Mom died... I was there with my dad when she did pass away... I got to tell her I love her and that it was ok to let go... I thank God for letting me be there for the 5 weeks prior to her passing... to take care of her, who took care of me all my life... to return the favor. The only thing now I wish I did back then, was spent the 5 weeks praying by her side, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Divine Mercy Novena... and many Rosaries.... She was a devout Catholic... and such a role model for me, since becoming more of a believer back in 1998 when she got diagnosed with Leukemia (fell in the 12% of lupus patients who could get leukemia...)...

So Mom, I love you, miss you, and think of you all the time. I hope you are enjoying your Easter up in Heaven with Jesus, Mary and your Gaurdian Angel. And I hope Grandma Kozak, Aunt Lil and Grandpa Roy (mom's stepdad) are also with you and enjoying the Easter celebrations.

Love always,
Your daughter,
Heather

Plans not going as I planned

2008-03-21T14:50:00.001+01:00

Embrace
Originally uploaded by fathero9

Well we aren't making it to Mass... Alex isn't in the mood... and Mag doesn't seem to be either... I'll have to watch it online and pray we go on Sunday for Easter Mass.

Let us remember...

2008-03-21T09:46:00.001+01:00

Lectures

2008-03-20T09:04:00.002+01:00

I just sent a mail away to KPN and said I'd like to go to the 4th part of the base course for Catechists, which is the 5th of April, at our Parish... as well as a weekend lecture at the Birgittagården convent in Hosjö, which is the 11-13th of April. :-)

11-13/4 - Birgittagården (Hosjö)
Pater Rainer Carls SJ - "Att inte rymmas i det största och ändå innehållas i det minsta, detta är sant gudomligt" (Inskrift på den heliga Ignatius grav.)

Wee!

A day late...

2008-03-18T09:27:00.003+01:00

..but Happy belated St Patrick's day!

Got this in a Light Weigh newsletter recently:-

St. Patrick's Breastplate:
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Hope you had a good day yesterday!

Happy Palm Sunday all!

2008-03-16T22:12:00.001+01:00

Happy Palm Sunday all!
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

I am sure you all are so happy that this week finally is here! We had a lovely Mass today.... the little Church was packed!

Too tired to write at the moment, but visit my flickr photostream and see nice pictures.

Prayer re Saint Louise de Marillac

2008-03-15T21:31:00.002+01:00

O God, You inspired Saint Louise to strive for perfect charity, and so attain Your Kingdom at the end of her pilgramage on earth. Strengthen us through her intercession that we may advance rejoicing in the way of love and service to our brothers and sisters. Amen.

about Saint Louise de Marillac

St Louise and Mass

2008-03-15T13:31:00.002+01:00

Today is St. Louise de Marillac's feast day! She is my 2008 Patron Saint. So I'll be thinking extra much about her today! How should one celebrate feast days?

Magnus and I talked about going to Mass, and he said he prefers to go to Sunday Holy Mass more than Wednesday evenings or the 2 Saturday's a month when it's in Borlänge... So I am thinking we could focus on making Sunday Mass from now on, and on Saturdays, we do something together as a family - an outing, going to the Charlie's Playland that just opened nearby, for kids, and have fun there... whilst Sunday can be spent going to Church, and then spending the rest of the day at home and reading a verse from the Children's Bible we have, to Alex. My parents did the same with us. On Saturdays, we went out to our cabin (no phones there, and just a few tv basic tv channels if that on the tv there) and Sundays were spent at 12.oo Mass and after we went to the donut shop, had a donut, and milk, (parents had coffee/tea)... and then home again to spend time talking about Mass and other things that happened that day. I do want to make it a habit so it's something wonderful Alex grows up with, like my brother and I. Even if I didn't enjoy Mass as much as I do know, when I was a little, well, it still was something we did and I seen as positive and wonderful... Weekends were spent out and about! Sundays were for Mass... We also went on Holy Days too... so we will be going Palm Sunday (tomorrow), Good Friday and Easter Sunday...

Whilst it's nice that there are Masses available twice a month in Borlänge, I enjoy going to the Church in Falun more, and I see/heard Magnus and Alexander do too.

Lent review

2008-03-08T07:32:00.005+01:00

Boy, my Lent has been up and down. I mean, I do good most days, staying away from sweets (that I gave up for Lent as tradition), but quite a few times I've had sweets. I said I would do a DMC with my Rosary everyday, and find it hard to get it in since not everyday does Alex take a nap in the afternoon, so before bed I am so pooped so I fall asleep halfway through my Rosary praying. I try most Fridays to not eat any meat (fish is OK). A few Friday's tho, I've had meat. And I wanted to make this Lent the best one and I've fallen short.

I will make sure to make the rest of Lent better than the first part of it!!!! I am determined!!!

I Said a Prayer for You Today

2008-03-06T17:51:00.000+01:00

I said a prayer for you today and know God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my heart although He spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame--I know you wouldn't mind--I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that He'd be near you at the start of each new day to grant you health and blessings and friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness for you in all things great and small, but it was for his loving care I prayed the most of all.

by Frank Zamboni

Happy March!

2008-03-05T16:08:00.004+01:00

My birthday yesterday was excellent...

Here is a pic of my tulips from Magnus and Alex :o)))

Btw, I made a new webpage: www.ringen.net/~hkl/faith ....what do you think? I plan on adding more when I get time....

Off to make dinner now... I promise to write more later... I have a lot to tell ya about!

THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR BDAY WISHES! How sweet of you Esther to post about my bday! I loved getting visitors to my blog! God bless you!

Prayer for daily neglect

2008-02-28T12:41:00.001+01:00

Thanks to Esther, I seen this in her blog...

From a Holy Card from the Grail, St. Meinrad, Indiana
A Prayer For Daily Neglects

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its love, all its sufferings and all its merits.

First -- To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life.

(Glory be to the Father and to the Son and the Holy Ghost as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.)

Second -- To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life.

(Glory Be to the Father...)

Third -- To minister for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life.

(Glory Be to the Father...)

A poor Clare nun who had just died, appeared to her Abbess, who was praying for her, and said to her, "I went straight to Heaven, for, by means of this prayer, recited every evening, I paid all my debts."

Found at OurCatholicFaith.org

2008-02-27T14:36:00.002+01:00

The Lutheran Church was founded in the year 1517 by Martin Luther, a former priest of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Church of England (Anglicanism) was founded by King Henry VIII in 1534 when he threw off the authority of the Pope and proclaimed himself the head of the Church in England, because the Pope refused to declare invalid his marriage with Queen Catherine.
The Presbyterian denomination was begun in 1560 by John Knox who was dissatisfied with Anglicanism.
The Episcopalian denomination was begun in 1784 by Samuel Seabury who was dissatisfied with Presbyterianism.
The Baptist church was launched by John Smyth in Amsterdam, Holland in the year 1606.
The Methodist church was launched by John and Charles Wesley in England in 1744.
The Unitarians were founded by Theophilus Lindley in London, in 1774.
The Jehovah's Witness Church was developed in 1872 by Charles Russell.
The founder of The Salvation Army is William Booth, who quit the Anglicans, and then the Methodists, and set up his own version of Christianity in 1787. His own son, Ballinger, quit The Salvation Army and did the same for himself in 1896.
Mrs. Mary Baker Eddy began the Christian Scientist religion in 1879, basing it upon an outright denial of Original Sin and its effects.
The Mormon church, the Seventh-Day Adventists, the Church of Christ, The Church of the Nazarene, or any of the various Pentecostal Churches, etc. are also among the hundreds of new churches founded by men within the past 150 years or so.

The Roman Catholic Church was founded by God-made-man, Jesus Christ, in the year 33 A.D. He said: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it... Feed my lambs; feed My sheep" (Matt. 16:18,19; John 21:15,17). He also said: "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who gathers not with me scatters" (Matt.12:30).

---
Ref: http://www.ourcatholicfaith.org/openlettertononcatholics.html

Great source - Catholics Come Home

2008-02-27T08:56:00.002+01:00

I "came home" in 1998.... I am a Cradle Catholic, but didn't come back to the faith until 1998 when my Mom got diagnosed with leukemia.

I wish this site existed back then! I did order the free book they offer and hope my Dad sends it onwards to me when it arrives at his address. I couldn't put my Swedish addy in. I look forward to reading that book!

It's only been a few years since I began studying my faith, before then I was Christian and watching the Protestant-based tv channel GodTV on our digital cable... and reading bible studies with Protestant sisters in Christ.

But since deepening my faith in Catholicism, there is so much more to being Christian now... so much more meaning! And my prayer life is so much richer!

Great

2008-02-24T10:38:00.002+01:00

S:t Pauli Kyrkan, Gävle
Originally uploaded by Heather K-L

Yesterday I spent the day with a few other Catechists in St. Paul's Church in Gävle. It was wonderful - we had a course that was part 3 of 4 for the Base Course for Catechists here in Sweden. It's run by the KPN, and in April I think we might have part 1 and 2 at our Church in Falun. :o) I hope so! Would be nice.

So click on the photo here and see around 30 pics that I took yesterday of the gorgeous St Paul Church in Gävle... it's a few years old, so not a very old Church as you can see.

God bless!

Award thank-you

2008-02-16T21:13:00.002+01:00

Thank you to Ukok for your cute little award!

I think I’m just to tag people from around the world whose blogs I enjoy reading or whose cyber friendships I enjoy (or both) so if you are reading this - I tag you!

Catholic rap

2008-02-16T19:22:00.001+01:00

http://www.catholic-rap.com/

D Major is pretty cool, love his music... just found his site today! So great to hear rap with a good message!

Anyone out there listen to him too?

Surrounded with love from Jesus

2008-02-16T16:25:00.002+01:00

I really felt the Lord Jesus' presence at Confession today. I wept as I confessed how depressed I've been about my weight and appearance and how I yearn to learn to love myself as the Lord teaches us and in fact loves us, so unconditionally. I really didn't plan on my emotions to take over like that, but they did and I just couldn't help it... and I am so thankful Fr Raphael really took his time (despite the fact Mass was going to start right after our confession time) and gave really great advice... I felt the Lord speaking through him... and feel so much better afterwards.

I am beautiful. Both inside and out. The Lord thinks so, and I need to start thinking so.

Thank you Jesus. I love and trust you.

Book fun!

2008-02-16T15:17:00.002+01:00

Thanks JennD for tagging me in this book meme...

Here are the rules:
1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

From Pope Benedict XVI's "Jesus of Nazareth", p. 123...

We need only recall Mahatma Gandi's interest in Jesus, which was based on these very texts. But is what Jesus says here actually realistic? Is it incumbent upon us---is it even legitimate---to act like this?

Hmm, 5 people to tag:

Esther
Christine
Sanctus Belle
Ukok
Catholic Notebook

Another great apologetics type of site

2008-02-12T11:47:00.001+01:00

On the SAHCM yahoogroup, a friend gave a great link to a site called Intro to the Catholic Church for Evangelicals. Yet another valuable site for us who feel like we always have to defend ourselves to our Protestant friends, on why we believe some things that they don't etc...

Will be placing it amongst my links!

Headcovering

2008-02-10T18:54:00.001+01:00

Heather
Originally uploaded by lundqma

I found the most gorgeous blue shawl (at the Dollar Store!).... delicate and perfect for Mass and prayer time at home....

Yay! Prayers

2008-02-08T09:29:00.000+01:00

I found these via A Catholic Notebook - the prayers the nuns at Birgittagården convent sing; Laudes, Vesper and Complitorium is what the nuns call them...

Lauds (morning prayer)
Vespers (evening prayer)
Compline (night prayer)

I'm so happy to find these. I loved singing these with the nuns during my weekend visits.

Ash Wednesday, Mom and Kid

2008-02-06T21:15:00.001+01:00

Ash Wednesday, Mom and Kid
Originally uploaded by lundqma

This pic is taken by hubby :o)

Alex kept trying to rub his forehead on my jacket... ;o) But he was well behaved at Mass (full house this evening there)...

Act of Spiritual Communion

2008-02-06T15:04:00.000+01:00

An Act of Spiritual Communion

From Scott P. Richert, Your Guide to Catholicism.

Accepting Christ Into Our Hearts

The Roman Catholic Church encourages the faithful to make frequent, if not daily, communion. Today, the normal opportunity to receive the Eucharist comes at daily Mass. (In the past, many parishes, especially in cities, distributed the Eucharist before and after Mass for those who weren't able to attend the whole Mass.)

When we cannot make it to daily Mass, however, we can still make a spiritual communion, in which we express our faith in Christ and in His Presence in the Eucharist, and we ask Him to unite Himself with us. The following text is a popular form of spiritual communion; you can memorize it or use it as a guide to offering your own act of spiritual communion in your own words.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.