Love And Mercy

Hello friends!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your many blessings on our lives! Special prayers for those who "commend themselves to my poor prayers." In Jesus' name. Amen.
I do not believe in coincidences, so when my mom gave me a pamphlet entitled, "Live...The Holy Mass, The Testimony of Catalina." I knew God was talking to me. I didn't read it right away though, since I 'couldn't find the time,' but when I made it to Adoration recently, I did study it.

Catalina Rivas

First of all, the compilation was dictated to Catalina Rivas by Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
You might want to re-read that sentence again. *wink*
I had no idea what I thought when I realized Catalina was the vessel through which Christ and His Mother decided to impart these very important thoughts on the mass. I kept reading, though, because I knew the Holy Spirit was at work.

In the second paragraph of the document, Catalina states, and I'm paraphrasing, "...that they [priestly souls and religious souls] may break loose of the habit of receiving Him as a 'routine practice' [ie going to mass] and relive the amazement of the every day encounter with Love. And it is given so that my lay brothers and sisters the world over may live the greatest of Miracles, the celebration of the Holy Eucharist with their hearts." Parenthesis added, but the bolded and italicized words are directly from the publication, and this will be true throughout the blog entry.

The Blessed Mother gives Catalina a look into the mass from a physical as well as a spiritual vantage point. Catalina is a willing student and offers some profound thoughts on what she's learning. "What great ignorance about our Church and the Sacraments [we lay people have]! How much waste in trying to educate ourselves and becoming cultured about the things of the world, things which can disappear in one moment leaving us nothing, do not even serve us to prolong our existence by one single minute! And yet know nothing of what will obtain for us a little bit of Heaven on earth and eventually, eternal life. And we call ourselves cultured men and women...!"
As Catalina is watching the mass unfold, she is allowed to see some of the spiritual goings-on: "It was as if from the side of each person present in the Cathedral another person emerged, and soon the Cathedral became full of young beautiful beings. They were dressed in very white robes and started to move into the central isle, on their way to the Altar."

The Blessed Mother said, "Observe. They are the Guardian Angels of each one of the persons who are here. This is the moment in which your guardian angel carries your offerings and petitions before the Altar of the Lord."
[Catalina speaks again] "At that point I was completely astonished because these being had such beautiful faces, so radiant as one is unable to imagine. Their countenance was very beautiful, they had almost feminine faces; however, the structure of their body, their hands, their height were masculine. Their naked feet did not touch the floor, but rather they went as if gliding. That procession was very beautiful.

Some of them were carrying something like a golden bowl with something [inside] that shone a great deal with a golden white light. The Virgin Mary said: "Observe. They are the Guardian Angels of the people, who are offering this Holy Mass for many intentions, those who are conscious of the significance of this celebration, those who have something to offer to the Lord...[talking to Catalina, the Blessed Mother tells her], "Make your offering at this moment...Offer up your sorrows, your pains, your dreams, your sadness, your joys. Offer your petitions. Remember that the Mass has infinite value. Therefore, be generous in your offering and in your asking."

Behind the first Angels came others who had nothing in their hands; they were going empty handed. The Virgin Mary said, "Those are the angels of the people, who, in spite of being here, never offer anything. They have no interest in living every liturgical moment of the Mass, and their Angels have no offerings to carry before the Altar of the Lord."
At the end of the procession came other Angels who were rather sad, with their hands together in prayer, but with their eyes downcast. "These are the Guardian Angels of the people who are here, yet they are not here. That is to say, they are the people who have seen themselves forced to come, who have come here out of obligation but without any desire to participate in the Holy Mass. Their Angels go forth in sadness because they have nothing to carry to the Altar, except for their own prayers.

"Do not sadden your Guardian Angels...Ask for much. Ask for the conversion of sinners, for peace in the world, for your relatives, your neighbors, for those who commend themselves to your prayers. Ask for much, not only for yourselves, but also for all the others.
Remember that the offering which most pleases the Lord, is when you offer yourselves as a holocaust so that Jesus, upon His descent may transform you by His own merits. What do you have to offer the Father by yourselves? Nothingness and sin, but the offering of yourselves united to the merits of Jesus, is pleasing to the Father."

There is much more, of course, but you'll check out the website, won't you? *cute smile*
 Love and Mercy
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Jesus cartoons

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your undying love for each and every one of us! Special intention prayers for those who have asked me to pray for them, esp: OC, CN, and NB, and for their families, and a prayer for you as well, dear reader. God is interested in Your life, and in all that you do. Thank you, Jesus, for your many blessings in our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen.
The following pictures were first sent to me in an email, but I wanted to google them and give credit to the person who created them; the name that is associated with these cartoons is Gregory (no last name or anything).
Well Gregory, thank you for drawing these images; they are a great inspiration to me. My wish is that they help others who need them as well.

We say: It seems like GOD is too far away from me.
I can’t see anything. He is too far away.
(Jesus is standing so close to us)

And then my other fav -

We pray: God, please protect me.
A stone hits us. (stone = problems)
We say: Why God? Why?
We turnback and see Jesus protecting us from a shower of stones.
Jesus to us: I’m sorry, did I miss one? Are you alright?

This one helps me remember to be thankful for my cross, and I continue asking Jesus to help me carry it...

We carry our cross.
We complain: Lord, it’s too heavy! Please cut it down a little…
We shorten our cross.
We again complain: Lord, please cut it down a little more…I’ll be able to carry it better…
We cut down our cross again and says: Lord, thank you so much
A great obstacle arrives in our path of life.
Others: Let’s use this as a bridge and 'cross' over!
We are unable to cross over as we had cut down the cross we carry.

My apologies for the small images; if you'd like to see larger images, please visit Gregory's website: http://www.turnbacktogod.com/jesus-christ-cartoons/

God bless you, my friends, today and always! :) Feel the Love.







"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Lent 2012

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing us with your Son, Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, many of us would remain lost, seeking only the pleasures of this world to fill the longing for you in our souls. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

After many, many, many years of only 'giving things up,' for Lent, this year, finally, I feel like I understand what Lent means.

Lent isn't so much about 'giving things up,' as it is about 'in place of.'
'In place of' watching my favorite television show, I'm going to watch EWTN, the Catholic t.v. channel, more often.
'In place of' playing my favorite game on my phone, I'm going to surf the web for Catholic prayers, and in those moments I'm 'bored,' I'm going to pray and thank God for the blessings in my life.
'In place of' being a gossip at work, I am going to do my best to be kind to the person who seems to constantly receive ridicule.

'In place of' eating sweets, I'm going to contemplate Christ's forty days in the desert of fasting, and join in His sacrifice.
'In place of' buying Starbucks, I'm going to give that money to the Church, or my favorite charity.
God willing, and I pray for this most fervently during these forty days, some of these 'in place ofs,' will have changed me to become permanent habits in my everyday life by the time we celebrate Easter.

I thought about this the other day: there are enough Catholic prayers written to fulfill every living, breathing moment of life with prayer. It is possible to follow Paul's recommendation, 1Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."

God already blesses us, even in our muted, unaware state of how much He loves us and cares for us...can you imagine how much more blessed and cared for we will be when we do our best to stay in a constant state of prayer? A consistent 'looking for Him,' in our everyday comings and goings? WOW.

A good friend said something interesting to me yesterday, after mass. She said, "I don't know why I'm amazed at all the wonderful blessings in my life, or in my daughter's life, my mother prays for me earnestly since the day I was born; just as I have prayed ardently for my daughter since the day she was born..."

One last 'in place of'...in place of gripping about a bad day, or being frustrated with a work situation, I pray sweetly to my Lord, Jesus Christ, "I love you, Jesus; I adore you Lord. Thank you for my life, for my job..." My days have become pleasant and peaceful.

Enjoy Lent. It is a time of renewal; a time to get back to 'what's Real and True' in our lives: God's love for us. Amen.
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Excitement and Mystery

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the  many blessings in our lives. This past week was a tremendous blessing, full of your love and caring for me, and I am truly grateful for all you've given and shown me. I'm asking for a special prayer of healing for PE, and others who have asked me to pray for them. May they find true happiness and healing, knowing You are with them in all of their trials and tribulations. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The title of this blog is one definition of "Romance," that I found on the web.
Romance is every where in our lives, all around us, all the time, if you stop to think about it, and are astute enough to recognize it.

In fact, sometimes, even when situations seem their most mundane, I'll create romance in them.

For example, if I have the oppoturnity to speak to an attractive man, and we make small talk; I'll think to myself, the thoughts behind his sweet, innocent words are, "Through this inane babble, I'm really trying to find a way to ask you out on a date."
Silly, I know, but fun.

My life has been laced with romance. I think everyone's is; but again, it takes us seeing it, to know it's there.
Many years ago I had the pleasure of dating one of the most romantic men I've ever met. The romance didn't work out, unfortunately, but I'll always remember bits and pieces of the the amor we shared.
Specifically, being in the back seat of a friend's car, and holding hands tightly as we watched the sun set.

Everyone has moments like these.
I want more of them in my life.
My mom is constantly telling my brother and I that she wants, "Good, clean, love for us." I understand now what she means, and I wholeheartedly agree.

I think in pictures sometimes, and when I was thinking about this blog, I pictured a white cloud, and the saying "Every dark cloud has a silver lining?" Well I'm changing that to, Every cloud has a romance lining. :)

Romance can be platonic too.
When mom and I hold hands while watching a movie, that's romance to me.
Sharing a laugh with a good friend is romance.

Kissing someone all over their face with puckered lips, that's pure romance.

In 2012, I want to see more romance, and create more romance in my life. Join me, won't you? You'll be happy you did.

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Looking for a creative way to support adoption in your area?

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, thank you for the health of my family and friends; special prayers for MN, EP, the S family, and all others who have asked me to pray for them. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. In Jesus Name. Amen.
I asked the Lord to show me where I can lend support during Lent (I do this every year), and within a week, a colleague handed me a flier with the title of this blog on it.
I know what I need to do, and I'm hoping to inspire you too.

Birth Mother Tote Bags

Chosen Child Adoption Services

 

What's the Purpose?

The staff at Chosen Child Adoption

Services believes in the importance of

supporting birth mothers and

equipping them to make positive

steps in life. Supporting birth

mothers can include providing

adoption, information, counseling

services, presenting families waiting

to adopt, and financial support as

needed.

Every birth mother is unique in her

own way, bringing different

strengths, different personalities and

different needs. At Chosen Child

Adoption Services, we have found

that  most birth mothers have needed

financial support providing basic

necessities including clothing and

hygiene items.

 

Each Birth Mother Tote Bag is

intended to provide for some of the

potential clothing and hygiene needs

during pregnancy, at the hospital, and

after delivery. Plus, a few optional

items to show support, comfort, and

care during this tender time in life.

 

We appreciate individuals,

community participants, other

agencies, companies and

organizations who have taken interest

in supporting birth mothers in this

unique way.

Chosen Child Adoption Services

Ph. 214-383-3551

Fax 214-383-3651

Toll Free 24-Hour Care Line. 877-383-3551

101 W. McDermott

Allen, Texas 75013

Make a Birth Mother Tote Bag with Chosen Child Adoption Services!

What to Include in a Tote Bag? Necessary Items. We have compiled a list of Necessary Items and Optional Items to include in the Birth Mother Tote Bags. Please include as many Necessary Items in the tote bag as possible and consider the list of Optional Items as well.

• Large tote bag
• Slippers
• Pair of socks
• Robe
• Cosmetic bag to include the following:
•    Bath sponge
•    Shampoo
•    Conditioner
•     Body Wash
•     Face Wash
•     Stretch Cream or Lotion
•     Deordorant
•     Toothbrush
•     Toothpaste
•     Maxi pads
• Puzzle book (i.e. Sudoku, Crossword, or Wordfind)
• Pencils or Pens
• Journal

Optional Items to Include
Photo bok
Mirror
Bubble bath
Deck of cards
Pamper set for hands or nails
Bag of mints, Jollipops, or hard candies
Bottle of hand sanitizer
Stationery set
Non-perishable snack foods
Pocket calendar
Small stuffed animal
Nalgene or reusable water bottle
Pocket tissues

May your heart be moved to act - in anyway you see fit. :)
God bless!
"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Just joking around...

Hello friends,
Thank you Lord for all your blessings, and Lord? Please help me to fully rely and trust you wholeheartedly in times of distress. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Here are some Sunday funnies - random silliness -



What can laughter do?:

• Lower blood pressure
• Increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood
• Give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscles
• Reduce certain stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline
• Increase the response of tumor- and disease-killing cells such as Gamma-interferon and T-cells
• Defend against respiratory infections–even reducing the frequency of colds–by immunoglobulon in saliva.
• Increase memory and learning; in a study at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, humor during instruction led to increased test scores
• Improve alertness, creativity, and memory

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-laughter.html#ixzz1ktVDhMUe

A day without laughter is a wasted day indeed. :)

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Ten Rules for Being Human, spiced with Catholic wisdom

Hello friends,
Heavenly Father, please bless all the eyes reading this blog. May they know You and feel You working in their lives: today, and always. We are nothing without you, Lord. Thank you for the many blessings you've bestowed on each and every one of us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
I came across this list of 'ten rules,' on a posting from an FB subscription, Positive Inspirational Quotes.

 by Cherie Carter-Scott

1.  You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it's yours to keep for the entire period.
Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own? For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. 1Corinthians 6:19-20
2.  You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, "life."
But the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let your heart not be troubled, nor let it be afraid...John 14:27
3.  There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The "failed" experiments are as a much a part of the process, as the experiments that ultimately "work."
Job 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn.

I bet you are starting to get the idea, lol.
4.  Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it.When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5.  Learning lessons does not end. There's no part of life that doesn't contain its lessons. If you're alive, that  means that there are still lessons to be learned.
6.  "There" is no better a place than "here." When your "there" has become "here," you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here."
7.  Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you hate or love about yourself.

8.  What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
Tobit 2:18 For we are the children of the saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.
9.  Your answers lie within you. The answers to life's questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. Proverbs 3:5
10.  You will forget all this.
Numbers 15:39 That when they shall see them, they may remember all the commandments of the Lord, and not follow their own thoughts and eyes going astray after diverse things...

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa

Christmas in El Paso, 2011

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the gift of family, and grant that our relationships with our relatives always be laced with love, like the love between the members of the Holy Family; help us to have patience, understanding, and empathy in our dealings with each other, family and friends. And Father, please grant safe travels for everyone, everywhere, in Jesus' name, Amen.

When Carlton asked mom and me if we wanted to go to EP for Christmas, I was a bit hesitant because the drive from Big D to EP, is so long. However, when I found out that a cousin I haven't seen in at least ten years was going to be there, of course I wanted to go. I wasn't sure at the time if his lovely bride was accompanying him, but she did, and that was an added bonus!(smile)

We left Big D at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Christmas Eve, and arrived in EP around 5:30 or 6p of the same day. My Tia Luisa (my middle name comes from her) asked us to her house for dinner. We checked into our hotel room and then hurried to her home. Lots of hugging and kissing upon our arrival!

We ate some delicious food, as always, but what I will most remember from this night is the toast my aunt made. "C'mon, everybody, get your cup," she urged, as we were each handed rum-spiced egg nog. My Tia seriously and ceremoniously gave us a wonderful benediction, which I will keep private; but open your ears and let your imagination create the loveliest words of blessings and love you can hear a family member say to you, and you'll be close to knowing what we heard. (wink)

Sunday, Christ's birthday, praises happily poured forth from the live band playing at the 11am Spanish mass, where my mother, brother, good friend from childhood, and I, attended. We were surrounded, engulfed really, by pure happiness. The drummer's beats matched the rhythm of my heart; my love of such a good and gracious God rising higher and higher, and I received our Lord Jesus Christ in a new and profound way; once again asking Jesus into my heart and my life, remembering to thank Him for becoming human. My mom was so touched by the mass, and filled by the Holy Spirit, she was jubilantly weeping.

We left the church feeling pretty high from the alleluias, but God had even more consecrations in store for us; when we went to my Tia's to eat again, picture lots of hugging and kissing, AND the cousins we hadn't seen in many, many years were there, which was cause for even more love to be shared! (smile) We were rejoicing and catching up for most of the afternoon, and into the early evening.

On Monday, a group of us: Carlton, a childhood friend of mine, childhood friend's sweet daughter, her sweet daughter's friend, and I took a trip on the Wyler Aerial Tramway, in EP. I am a "scare-d" cat when it comes to heights, but I swallowed that fear, concentrating instead on enjoying the time with my brother and good friend. The tram ride itself was about five minutes to and fro, so the majority of our time was spent at the top of the mountain, looking at EP spread out beneath us. The best part of this whole adventure was that none of us have ever ridden the tram! We/had live/d in EP for a number of years and hadn't been on this 'limo' to the sea lions, which is how I fondly refer to the mountains of EP, because that's what I think they look like.(Some of the family was supposed to join us, nudge, nudge, wink, wink, but they chickened out last minute.)

Monday night found mom, Carlton and I eating at a quaint restaurant that's an EP staple. Despite this fact, neither Carlton nor I had ever eaten there...until now.(wink) I went to school with the son of the owner, but I didn't see anyone I knew in the restaurant.

The food was scrumptious, and they had an impressive collection of beer from around the world. The place was packed, and we were the last group allowed in before they closed for the evening. It's small, but that just adds to the charm and intimacy of the restaurant. The service was great too.
Tuesday we took a trip to EP's Museum of Art, where Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol had exhibits. I am proud to say that EP's museum of Art is on par with any museum in Big D. (big grin)
For this outing, mom, John, and I enjoyed the company of cousins again, but different ones from the ones I mentioned earlier. In total there were 8 of us! :) I felt completely in my element, with family and culture, what a package! (lots of hugging and kissing!)

After the museum, everyone was hungry, so we went to a nearby restaurant that my Tia Rosa used to take us to, when we were little; this unassuming restaurant has the best, juiciest, burgers, with fast-food prices. My burger had mushrooms, but others had spiced, bacon, or avocado on theirs. Simply delightful!

Tuesday night Carlton and I joined my good bud again, but this time for dinner at one of EP's Mexican restaurants. Which brings me to a challenge for my friend - come to Big D and let's see who really does have the best Mexican food in Texas. (wink)

This blog wouldn't be complete if I didn't offer a thanksgiving prayer to JC; Heavenly Father, thank you for giving me the family I have. I wouldn't trade them for the world! They keep me grounded, and help me grow. In Jesus' name. AMEN!

Wishing everyone Love, Health, Happiness, and Laughter in the New Year!

"I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." Mother Theresa