St. Cecilia Church: Recent Episodes
St. Cecilia Church
Matthew Kelly The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic
Hebron, KY: Beacon Publishing, 2012, p. 61-62.
In The Prayer Process we take time – a minute, two minutes or maybe ten minutes – to spend time with Jesus every day. Pick a specific time when you will pray; for example, first thing in the morning or at night when the kids go to sleep. Find a quiet place where you can exclusively focus on God and begin. The seven steps of The Prayer Process are as follows:
Gratitude: Begin by thanking God in a personal dialogue for whatever you are most grateful for today.
Awareness: Revisit the times of the past twenty-four hours when you were and were not the-best-version-of-yourself. Talk to God about these situations and what you learned from them.
Significant Moments: Identify something you experienced today and explore what God might be trying to say to you through that event (or person).
Peace: Ask God to forgive you for any wrong you have committed (against yourself, another person, or Him) and to fill you with a deep and abiding peace.
Freedom: Speak with God about how he is inviting you to change your life, so that you can experience the freedom to be the-best-version-of-yourself.
Others: Lift up to God anyone you feel called to pray for today, asking God to bless and guide them.
Finish by praying the Our Father.
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The five homilies of Fr. Mike
It's True - Jesus is real, ground ourselves in truth
Identity - We are not what we do. We are sons and daughters of God.
Invest in your Faith - live it out, study the faith, pour yourself into your faith.
It is never too late - Move forward in faith. It has to start somewhere.
Share the faith - Its one thing to have something great, its another to share it. Don't be selfish with it. Share your story and step out in faith.
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"A sense of humor goes a really long way. Don't forget that in your faith life."
-Fr. Peter Julia
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You can find the complete Surrender Novena here:
https://archdpdx.org/documents/2021/1/Surrender%20Novena%20PDX%20RS.pdf
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Love is an act of the will. Are there aspects in your life where you can grow in love by understanding the situation better?
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Our Lady asks of three things of us in our relationship with her Son.
Prayer, Penance and Metanoia
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Father,
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you
with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
-Charles de Foucauld
https://www.crossroadsinitiative.com/author/foucauld/
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How do you carry your cross?
Self surrender or dispair?
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Known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church
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https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/22-9-days-print-1.pdf
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A few questions are posed by Fr. Cary this week.
Who are the Elizabeth's in your life?
What does the Visit between Mary and Elizabeth mean to you?
Is there something you have been asking for in Prayer?
Do you believe the words in the Gospel?
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Our model is to act like our Mother Mary.
Start everyday with a daily offering to our Lord.
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Fr. Peter references Lumen Gentium you can read the full text here.
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We are all unique and unrepeatable.
Father, I abandon myself into Your hands;
Do with me whatever You will.
Whatever You may do, I thank You.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only Your will be done in me,
And in all Your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into Your hands I commend my spirit;
I offer it to You, Lord,
and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into Your hands,
Without reserve and with boundless confidence,
For You are my Father.
Amen.
By Charles de Foucauld
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The lack of balance can easily lead to empty practices.
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At one time in our life, we all can relate to St. Teresa of Avila
Book recommendation to prepare for advent - Interior Castle
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Fr. Peter references the book by C.S. Lewis "The Great Divorce"
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If you want to ask God for something, you still have to move.
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Don't lose focus of your relationship with Jesus.
Prayer is simple, don't over think it.
Enter into the relationship.
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October is Respect Life Month
Here is the prayer we prayed in Mass today
A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life
Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life —especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things.
Amen.
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October is Respect Life Month
Here is the prayer we prayed in Mass today
A Prayer to St. Joseph, Defender of Life
Dearest St. Joseph, at the word of an angel, you lovingly took Mary into your home. As God’s humble servant, you guided the Holy Family on the road to Bethlehem, welcomed Jesus as your own son in the shelter of a manger, and fled far from your homeland for the safety of both Mother and Child. We praise God that as their faithful protector, you never hesitated to sacrifice for those entrusted to you. May your example inspire us also to welcome, cherish, and safeguard God’s most precious gift of life. Help us to faithfully commit ourselves to the service and defense of human life —especially where it is vulnerable or threatened. Obtain for us the grace to do the will of God in all things.
Amen.
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Guardian Angel Prayer
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day, be at my side,
To light and guard,
To rule and guide.
Amen.
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From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope
The word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature
You should be aware that the word “angel” denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels.
And so it was that not merely an angel but the archangel Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. It was only fitting that the highest angel should come to announce the greatest of all messages.
Some angels are given proper names to denote the service they are empowered to perform. In that holy city, where perfect knowledge flows from the vision of almighty God, those who have no names may easily be known. But personal names are assigned to some, not because they could not be known without them, but rather to denote their ministry when they came among us. Thus, Michael means “Who is like God”; Gabriel is “The Strength of God”; and Raphael is “God’s Remedy.”
Whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, Michael is sent, so that his action and his name may make it clear that no one can do what God does by his superior power. So also our ancient foe desired in his pride to be like God, saying: I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of heaven; I will be like the Most High. He will be allowed to remain in power until the end of the world when he will be destroyed in the final punishment. Then, he will fight with the archangel Michael, as we are told by John: A battle was fought with Michael the archangel. So too Gabriel, who is called God’s strength, was sent to Mary. He came to announce the One who appeared as a humble man to quell the cosmic powers. Thus God’s strength announced the coming of the Lord of the heavenly powers, mighty in battle.
Raphael means, as I have said, God’s remedy, for when he touched Tobit’s eyes in order to cure him, he banished the darkness of his blindness. Thus, since he is to heal, he is rightly called God’s remedy.
RESPONSORY See Revelation 8:3, 4; Daniel 7:10
An angel stood by the altar, holding a golden censer; a large quantity of incense was given to him,
— and clouds of incense rose from the hand of the angel in the presence of the Lord.
Thousands upon thousands waited on him, and myriads upon myriads stood before him.
— And clouds of incense rose from the hand of the angel in the presence of the Lord.
https://divineoffice.org/0929-or/?date=20210929
Fr. Peter references CCC -336
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The movie mentioned by Fr. Peter is Miracle of Marcelino
The previous homilies mentioned also in this mass are from Tuesday Sept. 14 and Wednesday Sept. 15th
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Litany of Humility
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I ...That, in the opinion of the world,
others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…
- About Us
- Careers
- Newsroom
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Fair Use & Licensing
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Our Prayer:
Lord, may we have the courage to come to you and give you our sins, so that we may be transformed anew and love you with all our heart in the end.
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Prayer Before the Crucifix
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus
while before Your face I humbly kneel and,
with burning soul,
pray and beseech You
to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments
of faith, hope, and charity;
true contrition for my sins,
and a firm purpose of amendment.
While I contemplate,
with great love and tender pity,
Your five most precious wounds,
pondering over them within me
and calling to mind the words which David,
Your prophet, said to You, my Jesus:
“They have pierced My hands and My feet,
they have numbered all My bones.”
Amen.
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How would you answer the question "What's Next?"
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Justin Echevarria stopped by our office this week to give us an update on his studies at the North American College in Rome.
Continued prayers for as you and your classmates prepare to go back for the new academic year.
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We are made unique and Unrepeatable like St. Claire, St. Francis, St. Lawrence and St. Joan of Arc.
"I am not afraid, I was made to do this"
-St. Joan of Arc
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How attentive are you to the everyday miracles in your daily life?
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We can do wonders no matter the size of our faith. A mustard seed or a watermelon.
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St. Mary Magdalene is called the Apostle to the Apostle
Two things to reflect upon
Stop Holding On
Go and Proclaim the Word of God
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Each of us are called and equipped for our unique discipleship.
Don't overfill your backpack for your journey.
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In today's gospel we hear what is necessary to take with us for a long journey, putting aside anything unnecessary.
What holds you back from embracing your Catholic faith fully?
Today, Fr. Peter encourages us to name whatever that is holding us back from fully embracing our Catholic Faith. We should offer it up as a thorn in our flesh and leave it at the alter and move on. If we don't, it will never be redeemed.
Prayer:
Lord, I offer up ________________ as a thorn in my flesh.
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Faith isn't magic. It is about a relationship.
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Sometimes in our spiritual life, we catch a cold. The Church is not a museum of saints. It is a hospital for sinners.
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Does the Glory of God shine forth within you?
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Prayer is a part of the effort we put into our relationship with Jesus. When we ask for something from God, expect to be given an opportunity to be challengd.
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Habitual Grace falls like rain
Actual Grace is a moment where the hand of God grants you something specific. It can be at any moment.
As Christians, we are constantly growing and training for growing in holiness.
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Are you part of the crowd or are you Bartimaeus?
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Do you bring joy to others in everything you do?
Live like St. Philip Neri
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“If we want to grow and to be filled with the love of God, it is necessary to plant our life firmly on three great realities: the Cross, the Host, and the Virgin"
Robert Sarah, The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise
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If ever lacking in what to pray for. Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
WISDOM
UNDERSTANDING
COUNSEL
PIETY
FORTITUDE
KNOWLEDGE
FEAR OF THE LORD
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Our final prayer will be tomorrow.
The Next Novena will start on 5/28/21
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It would be easier if Christ were here with us in person. Absence of a person cleanses and deepens the presence of the person when they return.
Jesus believes in the capacity of the disciples, The number 40 in scripture represents a time of intensive preperation. Sometimes feeling called to discipleship is a tall order. Discipleship is not easy.
How long have you been a disciple? What are the things that still divide us as a person?
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From the Surrender Novena:
Jesus I surrender myself to you, take care of everything
"The only way to heaven is to let go of earth"
-Fr. Peter
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The Novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost is actually the original novena, the very first novena.
After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the disciples prayed for nine days for the Holy Spirit, "the promise of my Father." (Luke 24:49).
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Powerful and fruitful homily from Fr. Cary
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The important qualities of agape love
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Divine Mercy Sunday -In today's Gospel, we see the Sacraments of confession and Confirmation. John 20:19-31
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The great commission is given today in the Gospel.
Often we ask "Lord, how am I going to do this?" The actions of our life are important. What is on the inside matches on the outside.
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The truth is not something, but someone. We live a restless life always trying to find the ultimate comfort. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
If we keep our own death before us, then the resurrection is attached to that as followers of Jesus. Memento Mori
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Faith is about divine movements and not being paralyzed by fear. Faith is all about being recreated every single moment. Faith is all about starting with the basics.
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To be Catholic is in many ways submitting to get our priorities straight.
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Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore: (Mention your request) Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. St. Joseph Patron of the Dying, Pray for us! Amen.
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request)
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Pillar of Families, Pray for us!
Amen
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Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore: (Mention your request) Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Most Faithful, Pray for us!
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena
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St. Joseph you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore: (Mention your request) Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. St. Joseph Most Obedient, Pray for us!
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena
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http://www.praymorenovenas.com/
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request)
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Most Strong, Pray for us!
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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We are created in God's own image and likeness.
We are not made to be a second edition of someone else, we are all created to be unique.
Let our prayer today be:
Lord, Let me know how to love myself in the way that you want me to love myself, so I that i can truly love my neighbor as myself.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request)
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Most Loving Husband, Pray for us!
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death.
Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary.
Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore:
(Mention your request)
Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Most Prudent, Pray for us!
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Saint Joseph, you are the faithful protector and intercessor of all who love and venerate you. You know that I have confidence in you and that, after Jesus and Mary, I come to you as an example for holiness, for you are especially close with God. Therefore, I humbly commend myself, with all who are dear to me and all that belong to me, to your intercession. I beg of you, by your love for Jesus and Mary, not to abandon me during life and to assist me at the hour of my death. Glorious Saint Joseph, spouse of the Immaculate Virgin, pray for me to have a pure, humble, charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the divine Will. Be my guide, my father, and my model through life that I may die as you did in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, I raise my heart to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for my spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special grace I now implore: (Mention your request) Guardian of the Word Incarnate, I feel confident that your prayers on my behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God.
St. Joseph Most Just, Pray for us!
Amen.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Read more at: https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena
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The name Lazarus in Hebrew means the one God cares for. The name in the gospel represents everyone.
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In scripture, the heart is always emphasized.
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Feast Day- The Presentation of the Lord
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If someone were to ask you, why are you Catholic? How do you respond? What is the reason you go to Mass?
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Each state of life we are all in, should point us towards heaven.
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From God to God- what we do in between is our collaboration to God's grace.
What Thomas Aquinas teaches us about God and our Faith.
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We are called to be sowers of the faith, not just recipients. Do not be discouraged when it seems our efforts are not being fruitful. The fruits come from our own discipleship. The work is ultimately in the hands of the holy spirit.
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Stop carrying around the baggage of the past. To be a Christian, is to be a warrior of perseverance. Do not forget how we are bound together in the Eucharist.
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Our daily work should bring us closer to God but also bring it out in others. Part of following Christ is the openness to be transformed.
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A day of prayer set aside for the legal protection of unborn children.
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Often in today's culture going to Mass is seen as optional. Seek to put God into your life everyday.
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John wants to put us in the shoes of the unnamed disciple the invitation is open and not forced. A fundamental question in life for everyone is What are you looking for? Depending on our life situation we are all looking for something different in our work and personal life.
The word staying in the Gospel of John is very powerful, it is not just a place. It is a relationship with the Father. Jesus was not brining the two disciples to a retreat house or a mountain. Jesus is where the mission of the Father is fulfilled. The invitation is open- come, see and stay.
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It is much easier to not listen but we should all have the disposition of Samuel. Speak Lord, your servant is listening. The Lord is never out done in generosity.
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Just like that, we are back in Ordinary Time. It is very easy to get caught up in when the second coming will be. Ultimately, Jesus is telling us the time is now. His message is there is no tomorrow and we need to live with the gospel in our heart today, right now. Embrace the gospel, right now be prepared to embrace all the values the gospels teach us that is what we are called to do.
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As baptized Catholics we are all called to share in the office of Priest, Prophet, King.
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It is easy to be self focused. There is a great temptation to try to choose our own crosses, or own sufferings. But when a cross is given to us, we try to hand it back. We need to do our best to love those who are given to us. Those crosses are often are often the nearest occasion of love. We need to continually pray to have a softening of our heart.
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How can we unite our normal everyday things in life into a proving ground of interacting with others. We have to translate what we receive spiritually into the rest of our life.
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http://www.ibreviary.com/m/breviario.php
From a conference to her spiritual daughters by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton
Our daily work is to do the will of God
I will tell you what is my own great help. I once read or heard that an interior life means but the continuation of our Savior’s life in us; that the great object of all his mysteries is to merit for us the grace of his interior life and communicate it to us, it being the end of his mission to lead us into the sweet land of promise, a life of constant union with himself. And what was the first rule of our dear Savior’s life? You know it was to do his Father’s will. Well, then, the first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills; and thirdly, to do it because it is his will.
I know what his will is by those who direct me; whatever they bid me do, if it is ever so small in itself, is the will of God for me. Then do it in the manner he wills it, not sewing an old thing as if it were new, or a new thing as if it were old; not fretting because the oven is too hot, or in a fuss because it is too cold. You understand—not flying and driving because you are hurried, not creeping like a snail because no one pushes you. Our dear Savior was never in extremes. The third object is to do his will because God wills it, that is, to be ready to quit at any moment and to do anything else to which you may be called ….
You think it very hard to lead a life of such restraint unless you keep your eye of faith always open. Perseverance is a great grace. To go on gaining and advancing every day, we must be resolute, and bear and suffer as our blessed forerunners did. Which of them gained heaven without a struggle?...
What are our real trials? By what name shall we call them? One cuts herself out a cross of pride; another, one of causeless discontent; another, one of restless impatience or peevish fretfulness. But is the whole any better than children’s play if looked at with the common eye of faith? Yet we know certainly that our God calls us to a holy life, that he gives us every grace, every abundant grace; and though we are so weak of ourselves, this grace is able to carry us through every obstacle and difficulty.
But we lack courage to keep a continual watch over nature, and therefore, year after year, with our thousand graces, multiplied resolutions, and fair promises, we run around in a circle of misery and imperfections. After a long time in the service of God, we come nearly to the point from whence we set out, and perhaps with even less ardor for penance and mortification than when we began our consecration to him.
You are now in your first setout. Be above the vain fears of nature and efforts of your enemy. You are children of eternity. Your immortal crown awaits you, and the best of Fathers waits there to reward your duty and love. You may indeed sow here in tears, but you may be sure there to reap in joy.
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Common Epiphany blessing:
20+C+M+B+21
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The Magi represent all of us.
They took a leap of faith to get to the manager the star was their GPS.
Who is the GPS in your life in order to facilitate the deeper encounter with Jesus? As much as who our GPS is, we have to ask ourselves who are we a GPS too? How can I also be that star of Bethlehem?
Fr. Cary gives us three ways we can respond to the epiphany. Making use of this gift will transform our hearts and knowledge.
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As the new year begins, gaze upon Mary - The Mother of God.
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Stages of Spirituality
Purgative
Illuminative
Unitive
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The most important thing is that we always celebrate our faith, and to live our life like each member of the Holy Family. Jesus, Mary & Joseph.
February 15th we are starting the Consecration to St. Joseph. Find more information in the form below.
http://stceciliachurch.org/stjoseph
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The domestic church begins in our homes. When Christ is at the center of every relationship in our home.
How are we as teachers of the faith in our homes?
A holy family is a praying family.
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The whole nature of God is a relationship between the lover and the beloved.
The way we love each other, is really how Jesus loves us.
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Zechariah teaches us how silence we can recover our faith in God.
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God became one of us, and because of that, each one of us Is called to glory and to flourish.
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Pope Francis last week declared a year of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, who obediently listened to God through a dream In his own Annunciation. He lived his vocation as a father and husband with tenderness and care. God entrusted him with a mission to be a protector of Mary and Jesus, as well as the universal Church. God has also entrusted us with people to care for. How are we doing In being the custodian of the Word of God?
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Taken from the Imitation of Christ:
Do not worry about who is and is not on your side: simply make sure that God is with you in all you do.
Have a clear conscience, and God will defend you. For if God chooses to help you, no malice can do you harm.
If you know how to suffer in silence, without doubt you will receive the help of the Lord. He knows when and how he will free you, so resign yourself into his care. It is for God to give help and give freedom from trouble.
For the sake of humility it is often good for others to know our weaknesses and tax us with them.
When a man holds himself humbly because of his weakness, it is easy for him to please others and calm those who are angry with him.
God protects and frees the humble, loves and consoles them. He leans down to the humble, he bestows great grace on them, he lifts them from their lowliness into glory.
God calls the humble gently to him, and to them he reveals his secrets.
If a humble man is humiliated, he is happy enough and at peace, because his support is God and not the world.
Do not count yourself as having made progress until you feel yourself inferior to everyone.
A peaceable man is of more use than a learned man.
If you are a slave to your feelings, you will see good actions as bad, and you will easily believe the worst; a good and peaceful man will see good in everything.
Whoever is truly at peace is not plagued by suspicion. Whoever is discontented and disturbed will be blown about by gusts of suspicion: he cannot rest and will not let others rest either.
He often says what he should not say, and fails to do what it would be best to do.
He knows what other people ought to do, but not what he should be doing himself.
Worry about your own behavior first; you can worry about other people later.
You are good at making excuses for your own behavior and showing it in the best light, but you do not want to accept the excuses of others. It would be fairer for you to accuse yourself and excuse your brother.
If you want other people to put up with you, put up with them first.
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Joy is not the denial of a difficult situation but having hope and faith in all situations
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The Lord is always coming to us. It is a constant invitation, the hardest part to be able to receive him constantly.
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Reflecting on St. Juan Diego- whom Fr. Cary calls the hesitant saint.
St. Juan Diego proves the qualifications the Lord looks for when he wants to utilize someone for furthering his Kingdom.
God does not always choose the qualified, but he qualifies who he chooses.
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The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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If we are always waiting for the moment to pass, we are never ready for what blessings that might be right in front of us.
Even in hard times, those that have walked before us endured what was right in front of them.
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Finding our center in Advent. This time of the year, our earthly undertakings can overwhelm us.
What aspects do I need to address in my life to have a radical change of heart?
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Healing and things we request from God is not because of magic being involved. Rather, it is always rooted in faith. Do you believe God can transform you? Without faith life can be gloomy and dark. Those with faith have inner peace and joyful expectations.
The deeper the faith, the better eyes of faith we have to see God better in ourselves and others.
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What kind of house am I?
Am I the kind of house that is build solidly on rock? Or am I built on sand?
During this time of the pandemic, we have been battered with different things.
During this season of advent, we are called to recover our vision of faith. To make sure our being, the truest temple of God is built on solid rock.
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Sometimes we need to empty ourselves in order to be filled up. Especially in Advent.
Sometimes God removes mountains from our lives, but sometimes they are put in our way to help us.
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Being chosen for the Kingdom of heaven is the most important aspect of who we are.
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Advent is a time of returning and a time of penance as we wait and as we watch. Where is our focus directed? How do you use your spiritual gifts?
Gift of Wisdom: To judge and direct affairs according to divine knowledge functioning in normal everyday life and relating them to God.
Understanding: Penetrating insight into the higher truths necessary for our salvation. Aligned to the path of heaven.
Counsel: Being allowed to be directed by God, which is necessary for salvation. Is not being a counselor. Let God form and mold you like clay, be willing to be formed. Sometimes it is painful process.
Fortitude: A firmness in mind in doing good and avoiding evil. Fortitude is what the martyrs had.
Knowledge: Ability to judge correctly about the matters of faith and right action as to never wander from the straight path of justice. We should all question our lives if all we are gaining is earthly knowledge.
Piety: Worship and duty to God. Being a son or daughter to Christ.
Fear of God: God is God, and I am not Him. To understand that the greatest suffering is being separated from God.
The above definitions are traditional definitions from Thomas Aquinas
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O good Cross, made beautiful by the body of the Lord: long have I desired you, ardently have I loved you, unceasingly have I sought you out and now you are ready for my eager soul. Receive me from among men and restore me to my Master, so that he who, by means of You, in dying redeemed me, may now receive me. Amen.
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We are called to be vigilant and alert always. In times of dreary hearts and anxiousness we should put our hope in God always.
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Religion and faith are two different things. Faith arrives when we internalize religion. Faith sustains us every single day. Do you recognize God in your life everyday?
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How attentive am I in the workings of the Holy Spirit in my life?
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It is important to be prepared to always give a reason and explanation to defend our Catholic Faith.
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Sometimes, it it easier to sit down and give up rather than get up and keep going.
Today, we celebrate 117 martyrs. We don't know how long the difficulty will last, but take heart and look at those who have gone before us.
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Forming ourselves closer to Christ.
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We end every Liturgical year with Christ the King Sunday. The Journey reminds us that the ultimate goal is eternal life with God.
There are kingdoms in the world that lure us from our walk in faith. These kingdoms are very appealing to the senses. We have to actively promote His kingdom.
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A temple is not just a place of worship. Our whole being is a temple of the Lord and belongs to the Lord.
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Be open to the will of God.
Mary is always pointing the way to her son.
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Sometimes, like Zacchaeus we have to go to great lengths to see Jesus.
The world needs more prayer and penance right now. Allow silence to enter in your life.
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Today's Gospel and the story of St. Margaret of Scotland show us the the importance of repentance and perserverance. Let us activly always seek Jesus.
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What do you yearn for? Is it a relationship with God?
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Think of the top three gifts God has given you-
How do you invest in the talents God gives you?
Which servant are you in this parable?
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Are we actively doing our part in our relationship with God?
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As the liturgical year draws to a close and we approach Advent which is the season of waiting. The Gospel readings highlight the urgency and need to return to the Lord.
What are the things in my life that take time away from helping me grow in discipleship?
Pay attention to the present, but also to the past of where God is calling us to be. What part of our past is holding us back?
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What tools do you use in everyday life to help you stay prepared? Fr. Peter gives us a "grandmother's" guid to help us hear the whisper moments in our life.
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St. Paul teaches us how to endure in good times and in bad.
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Fr. Cary addresses the stress that comes with our current limited capacity and the complaints that go along with that.
Despite all of the restrictions, it is very important to remember we are able to celebrate mass and recieve Jesus. Please remember to keep our priests in your prayers.
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The bulk of the crosses we carry have been carried by God, but we need to participate in carrying our own crosses in collaboration with God.
Do we carry our crosses with patience, faith, and hope?
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In today's readings, the gospel shows us that there are many excuses we can make to not spend time with God. But our ultimate call is to be at the wedding banquet with him. Often times our most difficult moments are when we are tried by fired. Sometimes, it is the isolation and quiet in our life that God wants us that we listen the most.
When we don't know what else to pray for, simply pray: Lord, may your will be done.
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Our top priority as disciples is having love as our identity. Our we convinced of our identity?
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Are you a prisoner for the Lord? Or of other worldly things?
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Fr. Cary breaks down the recent media coverage of Pope Francis.
It is important to always go back to the original source before reading or listening to commentaries. The original source is always important even if in another language.
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What has been entrusted to us? The gift of faith, it is not doctrine, teaching, a letter or the law but a person. We are asked to enter into a deeper relationship with Him. How do we be good stewards of our faith?
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To embrace and unite our suffering to the cross can be hard and scary and sometimes, physically demanding. The amount of things we can learn while we are afraid and embracing the cross brings us closer to Him.
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How do you define yourself?
In our baptism we are told who we belong too.
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Only God can create something great out of our suffering.
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The image of the heart in scripture is not just a seat for emotions it is for intelect as well.
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In our faith, we need to be docile.
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Change in the world, begins with purification of our own hearts.
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In this segment, Amanda sits down with Fr. Peter Julia, our newest parochial vicar who just finished his studies at the Pontifical University in Rome. Fr. Peter and Amanda discuss how faith and fitness are connected, the impact of your physical and spiritual diet, and how they actually look forward to dying!
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How does Jesus grow in you? Mary is a great model for us as we grow closer to her son Jesus. Is our faith maturing?
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Fr. Cary talks about three characterizes in prayer life and the process Jesus gives us. Does my prayer life consist of all three of these or stop at just the asking?
- Ask
- Seek
- Knock
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How enthusiastic are we to be guests at the wedding feast?
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The parable for today's gospel is a parable for heaven itself. Many are invited, few are chosen.
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Sometimes this world is hard to take and can fill us with anxiety.
We need to constantly remind ourselves all the time that the battle has already been won.
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Who or what owns you? In virtue of our own baptism we are claimed by God.
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Jesus commanded us to do certain things. They aren't optional sometimes we treat them as they are.
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If you want to give your life to God, you have to sacrifice. The things you think might be taken away from you might actually become graces in abundance.
Take your gifts and talents and give them back to God so He can transform them and redeem them beyond belief.
Ask God for you what you need. The closer you get to God, the more peace is felt.
Lord, Surprise me!
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Just like us, all angels are unique.
Guardian Angels have three roles.
1) They intercede for us to stay the path of holiness.
2) Protect us
3) Shepherd us to eternal life.
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Finding our vocation to be love and charity in the heart of our community is a little way, but a great way. We can learn so much from Thérèse short life. Her life highlights the interior struggle that takes place in each one of us.
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Don't focus on what is behind you, trust in the providence of God that fruits will be produced.
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Fr. Peter reads from a homily written by St. Gregory the Great that explaining the importance of Angels and Archangels.
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Sometimes as humans we think God's way is not fair. All work in the vineyard requires humbling ourselves.
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The incredible mercy and love of God has no limits.
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Human suffering never has the final word. There is redemptive value in suffering, looking at the cross not as a discouragement, but rather a participation of the very life of Christ. Remain filled with hope in times of suffering.
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In the first reading today the word time appears 30 times in just 11 verses. The biggest challenge is making time. Time is not to be found, it is to be made.
The bible speaks of the Greek words for time as chronos and kairos. Chronos meaning a measurement of time and kairos is making use of your time. How do you make use of your time?
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Fr. Cary talks about why St. Padre Pio is special to him.
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In our spiritual journey it takes more than just hearing about Jesus to get to know Him and have a real relationship with Him. It requires a detachment from all kinds of vanities.
In the language of the faith, commitment and discipleship there is an element of hearing and seeing. Hearing means to take action.
In seeing we enter into a real relationship with Him. Let our prayer be today:
Lord, let us know just hear you or hear about you but allow us to see you too and in return, follow your will.
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We often do not ask for the things we need the most. On the flip side, don't over spiritualize problems. We should work on real human problems that we have. We need God to be part of the equation, but we can't say "I just thought God would take care of me."
We have to ask repeatedly for God's will to to be our will. Things will change in your life when we ask for what we need.
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Each of us has a gift that we can contribute to the kingdom of God. It is not always about money we give to the church, but time.
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Sometimes a personal invitation makes all the difference in someone's life, especially when working in the the kingdom of God. The journey is just as important as the destination. We learn from the landowner how relentless he is in finding workers. How convinced are you that God wants you to work in the vinyard ful ltime?
Be an instrument of joy, hope, and light in the kingdom of God.
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An important point in our Catholic faith is that we have to be OK with a certain amount of mystery.
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We learn from the martyrs how to be oriented in the Spirit. So many things vi for our attention. Too much stuff in this world distracts us and we need to shift our focus more often on God.
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How am I becoming an active participant in the building up of the Kingdom of God?
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Who are you in the story? Our faith is living and active and requires us to have eyes of mercy for everyone.
Prayer
Lord, Let me see my brother and sister as you see them.
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Below is the poem Fr. Peter recites.
When Jesus came to Birmingham
When Jesus came to Golgatha,
They hanged Him on a tree,
They drove great nails through hands and feet,
And made a Calvary.
They crowned Him with a crown of thorns,
Red were His wounds and deep,
For those were crude and cruel days,
And human flesh was cheap.
When Jesus came to Birmingham
They simply passed Him by,
They never hurt a hair of Him,
They only let Him die;
For men have grown more tender,
And they would not give Him pain,
They only just passed down the street,
And left Him in the rain.
Still Jesus cried, ‘Forgive them,
For they know not what they do!
And still it rained the winter rain
That drenched Him through and through;
The crowd went home and left the streets
Without a soul to see,
And Jesus crouched against a wall
And cried for Calvary.
G A Studdert Kennedy (1883-1929)
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When sorrow overwhelms you, address our mother in prayer.
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The crucifix and the sacrificial love it signifies is a reminder of Jesus holding his arms wide open for us. The christian life is when we recognize stepping onto the foot of the cross.
Do you have a crucifix in your house?
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Our burdens no matter the size are too much or too big for God.
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Fr. Cary gives background of Mary our Mother and the Church's teachings on her.Finding what Mary means to you helps us to find our own vocation. She is a model of discipleship and the first disciple.
Ponder:What does the name Mary mean to you?
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Forgiveness is always a two way street.
How do I value forgiveness?
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It is dangerous for the blind to lead the blind. Applying that to our own daily life, we must use our foundation built and rooted in scripture and traditions of the Church.
Faith built on a personal encounter with Jesus. We live in a complex world that constantly brings questions. We are confronted with new questions that effect our faith. If we do not have a solid foundation, we can easily be swayed by the world.
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Where do you set your sights? Is your focus on setting your sight on heaven?
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Today's Gospel reading explains the process of reconciliation.
The christian perspective is never about right or wrong but the end goal is communion with one another. Rather than asking opinions from others, if you have a problem with someone you should go directly to that person.
Don't waste your energy in despair, misery, frustration and depression.
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We tend to over complicate things. Prayer doesn't have to be one of them.
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Another word for love is charity and love is always the law of God.
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Worship and the church are one, they are meant to be shared in a community.
Being oriented with the common goal of building up the kingdom of God, knowing Christ is our peace, and love is the fulfillment of the law.
There are a million different things vying for our attention but if we focusing on the task at hand, making an effort to get along with everyone and being oriented with the common goal of building up the kingdom of God.
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An important aspect of a spiritual life is balance. Honor and celebrate the past, but being open to the enriching journey of the Holy Spirit.
Ponder
Are you attentive and flexible to new experiences?
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God offers us eternal life if we are willing to cast our nets into deep waters. Even though the invitation is risky, we should not be afraid because we know who is inviting us.
Ponder:
Are you willing to cast your nets in deep waters?
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Listen as Fr. Peter talks about consolation, desolation and grace.
Ponder:
Are you a coworker in God's vineyard?
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St. Paul makes the distinction between being wise and the gift of wisdom from the Holy Spirit.
Human wisdom is science, natural or knowledge gained. The gift of wisdom is knowing and relating that God has to do with with everything. There is a sharp distinction between wisdom of men and wisdom of God.
Ponder:
How do the things on this earth we do, relate back to God?
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Do you recognize when truth is standing in front of you?
We need to be encouraged to continue to work on our own virtue. In our own life as a follower actions always speak louder than words.
The ones Jesus ministers too, are always ones that call out to Him.
Ponder:
Do your actions follow your words?
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When there is chaos and unrest in the world, and in our lives one thing all the great saints do especially St. John the Baptist is they remove themselves from the world, he focused on heaven.
St. John's way to Jesus and his example are important for us. One thing the apostles do is they always recognize who He is right away. God is God. I must decrease, He must increase.
Fr. Peter stresses the importance of changing ourselves even in prayer and asking for what we need.
Ponder
How can you renounce the world in someway shape or form keep focus on God.
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How comfortable are you with the depiction of the crucified Christ?
What is at the center of your discipleship? What cross does Jesus ask us to carry as part of our discipleship? At the center of Christianity is Christ dying for us. The cross we are asked to carry is our limited humanity. We will not always be young, healthy, in control. Our humanity is our own cross. How many times do we struggle with this? What are you struggling with right now? Give it to the Messiah.
Ponder:
What are you struggling with to hand over to Jesus?
Prayer of St. Ignatius
"Take, Lord, receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, my whole will, all that I have and all that I possess. You gave it all to me, Lord; I give it all back to you. Do with it as you will, according to your good pleasure. Give me your love and your grace; for with this I have all that I need."
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Memorial of St. Augustine
Where are you restless in your life?
The restlessness for the quest for the truth, the restlessness for the quest of God,
the restlessness of always coming to know God better and of going out of oneself to always make Him known to other people.
Our routines can make us complacent, passive losing the element of awe and wonder.
A dynamic quality of faith is that, faith should always lead us to a daily awe and wonder. There is always something new about faith. Faith is always dynamic, never static, always on the go, a journey until we arrive at Him until whom our restlessness finds its completeness and answer.
Thought to Ponder:
Lord, help us to have restless hearts so that we may find our rest in you.
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Peter's humanness is so much like day to day life choosing to follow and to fall.
Our christian life is like a depiction described by Thomas Aquinas.
A constant battle of running away (a coward), someone who is always ready to fight (the brave fool), or the one in the middle (the virtuous person) who has to constantly discern is it time to fight or time to walk away?The essence of Christianity is difficult because it is easy to fight or run away. The path of virtue is to discern where your focus is where you constantly discerning. Sometimes you have to stand and fight sometimes you have to walk away.
To be conformed to the world, is a huge pitfall. Form yourself to Christ there are no tomorrow.
Ponder:
Conform yourself to Christ, there is no tomorrow
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When the outside doesn't match the inside
Not using the excuse "what you see is what you get"
To Ponder:
Are there things we have to hide from those we know and love because we are afraid of rejection?
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Memorial of St. Monica
We celebrate St. Monica because of her perseverance in prayer, patient endurance, model of faith, trust and confidence in God as a wife and mother. Like in the gospel today, Monica stayed awake in her prayer life. It is in our patient endurance that we grow in faith.
To Ponder:
Who are the Augustine's in your life?
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St John Chrysostom on the temptations of the devil
The five paths of repentance
- condemnation of sins
- forgive the sins of those near us
- prayer
- almsgiving
- humility
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So much of our faith is about knowing or being known which requires vulnerability.
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In his homily, Fr. Cary points out how many times the disciples failed to recognize who Jesus was. How often am I like Peter?
Thought to Ponder:
In my life, do I let God be God?
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There is nothing more beautiful than watching someone you love get back up after they fall.
Peter fell down A LOT, but he was the one who had enough faith to get out of the boat.
Thought to Ponder
Pray LORD SAVE MEquo vadis (where are you going?)
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What do we consume in our life?
A life with Jesus or a life filled with with junk food? (social media, food, worldly things)
What we consume and what the world contains what do we allow ourselves to consume everyday? Putting things on display can be dangerous, what are your intentions?
The rosary contains the life of Jesus and is a pattern for us as Catholics. Mary teaches us by example.
Ponder:
Pray the Rosary
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What does the parable of the wedding feast tell us about our own discipleship?
How do we respond to the invitation of God?
What is it that stops you from being 100% available to God?
work, materialistic things? addiction? Is it easier to pretend God doesn't exist so we can live in sin?
Question to Ponder:
Are you responding to the invitation of our King?
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All our heart, All our soul, All our mind.
All our actions must take into account how they respect, honor and deepen our relationship with God.
We don't have to like everyone but our call is to love them. No matter what.
Question to Ponder:
How will my specific action Glorify and Give honor to God?
Do I pray for those I don't always like?
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Fr. Peter reminds us that in life, some will receive a greater portion than others. What is important is not letting jealousy and envy get to us. Truly accepting your path and living it.
Thought to Ponder:
"The thing we do badly God does perfectly"
-Fr. Peter
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What weighs you down?
We can't take anything with us when we leave this earth. A good reminder to remember your death "memento mori"
Homework:
find three things whatever they are and give them away, or give them to someone who may need them. If you can't think of anything, you can always start with clothes.
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Jesus doesn't allow us to get away with being a rich man-
Being able to go through "the eye of the needle" is a constant process. What can you fit through the gate? This questions has to be a constant process of evaluating our lives.
What distracts you from keeping your eyes fully on Jesus?
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What is this Solemnity all about?
Listen as Fr. Cary explains to us why sometimes a Solemnity is a Holy Day of Obligation and what today's feast is all about.
Questions to ponder:
Am I a joyful person? Joy is different than Happy
Am I available? I may not be not have the ability, but am I prepared to say yes anyway joyfully?
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Fr. Cary talks about St. Maximilian Kolbe
Question to ponder:
are there areas in my faith where I give into indifference?
Let us all draw inner peace from the goodness and peacefulness of God.
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Mary's yes to God. Mary is the perfect mother and example that leads us to her Son.
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The call to forgiveness is at the heart of christian discipleship.
God continues to forgive us, we should also do the same. Forgiveness is not something we just do for others, but for ourselves as well so we are not burdened and weighted down. There is a difference between Forgiveness and Reconciliation. Have I embraced forgiveness? Is there someone I need to forgive so I can fully live in the moment.
Forgiveness - pray for the good of the person. not necessarily going back to the original relationship.
Reconciliation - going back to the original relationship but it is not always a requirement for forgiveness.
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Fr. Peter talks about the simplicity of St. Jane Frances de Chantal who reminds us that simplicity and trusting the Lord in all aspects of life no matter the tragedy, helps us persevere.
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Fr. Peter pays homage to one of his best friends, Fr. Brent in today's homily.
Fr. Peter walks us through different scenarios in movies to paint a picture of how even heroes and disciples lose courage and faith sometimes.
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Fr. Peter talks about St. Lawrence and the Eucharistic prayers, especially the first one and how important these prayers are.
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Are you aware in the Bible says "do not be afraid" 365 times?
That is one time per day for everyday of the year!
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Fr. Peter reminds us that being childlike in our faith is an authenticity that Jesus longs for in us.
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It is said St. Dominic often didn't speak unless he was speaking to God or about God.
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Our new parish podcast series, Into the Deep, we take time to sit with parishioners and discuss how they have radically responded to the Lord's invitation to cast their nets out into the deep (duc in altum) just as the first apostles did. (Luke 5:4)
This episode, I take time to sit down with Justin Echevarria, a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Portland currently studying at the North American College In Rome, whose summer assignment was at St. Cecilia's. Justin shares his love of 80s movies with us, his experiences of living In Rome and with Fr. Peter, and his journey to saying "yes" to the Lord In his discernment to the clerical life. He even has a funny story about meeting the one and only Pope Francis!
Please send any podcast feedback to Amanda at ajewett@stceciliachurch.org. You can also help financially support our podcast by donating at stceciliachurch.org/donate and indicating your donation is for the podcast in the comments. Thanks for joining us!
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- Deny oneself - saying no to selfish desires which is not always material but can be an ideology or a toxic person. Only when we learn to deny ourselves, can we truely
say yes to God. - Take up your cross - The cross Jesus refers to is the collective cross of humanity. The cross of not being insufficient. Not being able to do it all.
- Follow me - saying yes to ourselves is to gain the whole world. Sometimes the language of the gospel doesn't make sense, it is paradoxical.
Prayer of Abandonment
Father,abandon myself into your hands;
do with me what you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me,
and in all your creatures –
I wish no more than this, O Lord.
Into your hands I commend my soul:
I offer it to you with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord, and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father.
Charles de Foucauld
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Jesus love is perfect. The thing we think we are bad at, Jesus is perfect at. Jesus is perfect at justice and mercy. We should never be anxious or worried because Jesus is perfect. Take comfort in praying- Don't pull back trust your prayers will be answered.
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Fr. Peter reflects on a prayer written by St. John Vianney
The glorious duty of man: to pray and to loveIn all difficulties in life we should ask in prayer faith and a pure heart always.
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Fr. Peter talks about his recent night climb on Mt. Adams with one of his best friends, where they also celebrated Mass but how the climb up a mountain is also a metaphor for life.
When Jesus asks Peter to come, it is a metaphor for our life even in the storms and waves. Don't be afraid-Step out of the boat, have faith and be humble enough to pray the simple prayer "Lord save me."
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The christian life is not an easy life we need the food Jesus leaves us to persevere.
Jesus got to know his disciples by conversation and time. What is left behind for us here on earth is the Eucharist.
Challenge: If you have been to church have you looked for Fr. Peter's favorite window in our church yet?
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The world looks for abilities and capabilities, God looks for our availability.
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Fr. Cary compares our two readings: Jeremiah never worried about what people thought, but Herod worried about what people thought. Deep within us, we all want to be Jeremiah yet often are we like Herod and worry about what the world thinks?
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What is in your net of life? What things do you collect? Discipleship is about being able to discern and take what has been handed on to us in the old and new.
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On the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Cary talks a little bit about St. Ignatius' life and his conversion. Reminding us that sometimes what we think will destroy us, really makes us whole. Sometimes, the things we have been given in life is really an opportunity of faith and to be whole again.
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In the story of Martha and Mary Fr. Peter shares how a contemplative faith life and an active faith life are necessary at the same time.
When times of anxiety runs high remembering that contemplation with the Lord is necessary to have the active life. We have to do things to live our life as human beings. To contemplate requires nothing, you can be anywhere, setting your sight on the Lord.
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Jesus uses the real things on earth and in the parables to teach us about moral living.
Sometimes that distinction can be hard. Living the life we live on Sundays should be the same life we live daily everywhere. Online, and in person.
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Fr. Peter explains how something as simple as wearing a saint medal is an outward sign of our faith to others.
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A pearl of great price- The beauty of our faith is only appreciated by few.
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We often get so busy we forget that sitting quietly with Jesus gives us everything we need.
Fr. Peter reminds us it is important to have quite time with our Lord everyday.
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The gift of faith.
What are you willing to give up to follow God?
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Seeds of Faith
You never know how our words and actions will become seeds of faith for others.
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In moments of conflict how do I respond? In living out our Catholic faith, we should ask ourselves "what does the Gospel teach us about this?"
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How often do we offer eyes of mercy to others?
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Our new parish podcast series, Into the Deep, we take time to sit with parishioners and discuss how they have radically responded to the Lord's invitation to cast their nets out into the deep (duc in altum) just as the first apostles did. (Luke 5:4)
This episode, I take time to sit down with Casey Collins, a young adult and lifelong parishioner, who recently finished up her second year serving as a missionary with the St. John Society (socsj.org) first at Oregon State and then at American University in Washington D.C. Casey takes times to tell us about how she has responded to pursue the call to holiness after personally encountering Jesus Christ while In college at Oregon State, and how being raised at St. Cecilia's helped her on this lifelong journey.
Casey is working to pay off her student loans ($18,000 total) before she enters the Society of Mary (socmaria.org/home) as a postulant on August 15, 2020, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. Please consider supporting her spiritually and financially in her time of need. Donations can be dropped off at the parish office mailbox slot (please indicate it is for Casey) with checks written directly to Casey Collins or you can send her money via Venmo: @Casey-Collins-73 For more info, you can contact her at caseyc2@me.com or 503-702-9133 .
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Fr. Peter explains how being yoked with Christ is always a way to lighten our burdens no matter what current situation we are in.
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