A Call to Prayer

One of my new blogging friends aussieannie had posted a novena request for her beautiful friend Melinda who was struggling with advanced renal cancer.  I was praying for her and I checked back on Anne's website Under Her Starry Mantle and learned that Melinda had passed away. 

I didn't know this woman but my heart aches for her 6 children who will grow up without their mother. 

Please keep Melinda's family in your prayers as they try and move on with their lives.

Another Call to Prayer:
There's some trouble brewing in the Chicago Archdiocese between Cardinal Francis George and Reverend Pfleger.  I've been seeing news stories for the last month or so about Rev. Pfleger unwillingness to leave his St. Sabina Church which he has led for the past 30 years on the south side of Chicago.  His congregation loves him and he probably has done many great acts of service for his parishioners and I understand about connecting with a parish priest.  His congregation is speaking out boldly how they want him to stay in their parish but Cardinal Francis George wants him relocated to be the President of the Leo Catholic High School.  Rev. Pfleger reportedly has said to the media "if he is forced to leave St. Sabina, he will leave the Catholic Church."

I think what's happened here is that Rev. Pfleger has lost his focus on Jesus and has centered his church on himself.  Rev. Pfleger has become an idol to his parishioners.  You can't give an ultimatum if you don't get your way!  Can you imagine Jesus' response to one of his disciples if they gave him an ultimatum?  Or if the disciple went to the masses to fight Jesus?  I'm not saying that Cardinal Francis George is on a level with Jesus, but there is a hierarchy in the Catholic Church and it's for good reason.  It's worked for 2,000 years and it shouldn't be altered now.

What bugs me about this is that it puts a negative light on the Catholic Church.  I won't go on and vent about it.... all I will say is,  he needs prayer to remember he is called to be a holy priest and to obey the Will of God. 

Check out the most recent story:  Cardinal Francis George suspends Rev. Pfleger

God Bless,
noreen

A Shining Blog Award

I woke up yesterday to this wonderful news that I've been featured on Lynda's Blog, My Heart's Desire.  I'm incredibly humbled that she thought mine was blog-worthy to be featured on hers! 

You should really check out Lynda's blog for inspirational posts about her faith, family and life of a homeschooling mom!  I've been an admirer of her blog since I learned of the blogging world a few months ago!

Thank you so much Lynda for your support!  Due to my technology-challenged brain in the world of blogging... it took me a day to figure out how to grab the button and post about it!

Lynda also made this beautiful Rosary Mom button for me too!  I'm still trying to figure out how to grab this button instead of just copying it but I have hopes to learn about this one today.  I've been asked before if I have my own button and I've been absolutely clueless on how to make one so, the Holy Spirit must have been nudging Lynda to make one for me!  Thank you Lynda!!!!!


He's Alive!

I accidently came across this video and thought I would share it.  It's a song I've not heard before but I liked it so I'm posting it :)

     When the the women visited the tomb to anoint Jesus body, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.  As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
     "Don't be alarmed," he said.  "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified.  He has risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid him.  But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee.  There you will see him, just as he told you."
     When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.  She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.  When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. 
     Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country.  These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either.
     Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.
     He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.     Mark 16:4-7, 9-16.

Happy Easter!
noreen
                                                   

Good Friday

This video is sung by two of my favorite Christian artists - Mac Powell and Steven Curtis Chapman.  It's their song called By His Wounds.  Hope you enjoy it as I do! 

We just came back from our Good Friday Service and the choir sang another beautiful song, Were You There, When They Crucified My Lord?   This song always brings tears to my eyes because it brings to my full attention, would I have been one of his disciples?  Or one of the Jewish mob who didn't believe in Him?  Who didn't recognize him for the Messiah?  I fervently pray that I would have been like Mary Magdalene  and followed Jesus.

Have a Blessed Easter!
noreen

Holy Thursday

I thought this reflection was nicely done by Fr. Tom Rosica and wanted to share it with all of you. 

God Bless,

noreen

A Call to Prayer in Chicago

Prayer in the Public Square

Divine Mercy Project

     

12 Midnight between Holy Thursday and Good Friday: 

     April 22nd to midnight of Divine Mercy Sunday, May 1, 2011        

                                                

            Daley Plaza---24 Hours Each Day

         50 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago, Illinois                

   INFO@thedivinemercyproject.org

   Sponsors: Thomas More Society / Heralds of the Divine Mercy

 Institute of Christopher Leaders

  CONTACT:  RICH WENZEL COORDINATOR AT (773)-909-4508 OR

                     MIKE O’DONNELL VOLUNTEER AT (773)-631-2265

No Shame... Bold As Can Be...

Who or what has no shame or is bold as can be?  Dimenions Medical Center in Illinois.  Outside one of these sites is where I saw women praying for an end to abortion.  I googled this medical center and clear as day they list abortion as a medical service.  See for yourself.   Dimensions Medical Center 

Right under my nose this has been happening.  I wonder how many other people are going about their daily business unaware of this evil happening in our town?  This doctor going undetected for quite some time until a group of women from the North West Families for Life who has made it their mission to end abortion.

We must pray for an end to abortion and for those involved in this process that God may open their eyes to harm they are doing to the most fragile of our nation.  We must also pray for those who value the unborn's life to stand up for what is right and follow the Will of God.

God Bless,
noreen

Lenten Revelations

I've slowed down on my blogging during Lent so that I could focus more on my family and enriching my faith life.  Plus during this time, my volunteer activities at my son's school has picked up dramatically.  I'm one of two VPs of Hospitality at my son's school which I've loved doing these past years but it's a very busy end of the year... all during Lent.  This is what I've been filling my days with these last couple of weeks:

*I've organized our Crossing Guard Breakfast for the eight crossing guards that work to keep our children safe on their way to and from school each day. 

*We have a big Open House/Ice Cream Social that's on Holy Thursday of all days.  (My son goes to a public school or this would never have been scheduled on this day.)  This is a big event that we plan for 300+ students and their families.  I'm working on the kitchen duties - getting enough ice cream for 400+ students and families. 

*Then, our school fundraiser is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm organizing the food which means contacting local business for food donations.  Not an easy job and fortunately, I have a couple of friends who are helping in this area.   

During this same time, I've finished reading Abby Johnson's book called Unplanned.  Wow, her story is a conversion similar to Saul.  She went from one extreme to the other... pro-choice to pro-life.  Very outspoken in each position and now that she's unveiled the deception behind Planned Parenthood, I think there is hope for the unborn of our country!    Then I came across this wonderful you tube video from Students for Life and their work on the Pro-Life Movement.  These are college students... I had no idea this generation even favored Pro-Life.  God is working in this generation!  Check out their video:
The Tide is Turning:  Students for Life in America

I also just learned yesterday that my town has 3 abortion clinics... yes, I typed that correctly, 3.  I was heartbroken yet inspired because a group of women were praying in front of one of them and I stopped to chat with them.  I came home and immediately called a couple of friends and we feel called to act on this knowledge.  We will join them on their prayer vigils but we want to do more.  My friend suggested, we write a letter to our Mayor and Alderman about our city having 3 abortion clinics.  We live near Chicago so I guess it shouldn't be too surprising, but I was shocked. 

So, my Lenten Revelation is that I must not sit idley by while babies are being aborted.  I feel God is calling me to become active in a loving and peaceful method to end this evil.

Please pray for us that we can be a peaceful part of ending abortion in our city and in our nation.



Prayer Intention for Fr. Corapi

I have been wondering what has happened with two of my favorite EWTN shows involving Fr. Corapi.  Both his shows have not been aired over the last few weeks and I've missed them.  Today I received this email about Fr. Corapi and learned of his forced Administrative Leave while the investigation of an employee against Fr. Corapi is conducted.



Please pray for Fr. Corapi and his accuser that the truth will come out.

I am grateful for....

The Holy Eucharist.  I had a scary thought today... what if we had no priests?  How would we receive holy communion?  We need our priests to confect the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

On Monday evenings at our church's Eucharistic Adoration we say the rosary at 7pm out loud as a group.  One of the intentions is for our parish priest and I used to think... "Oh that's nice."  But after today I thought, we need Father Noel to be a holy priest to lead our parish.  If we want a holy church we need a holy priest.  He needs our prayers probably more than we do because I'm sure it's not an easy life to be a priest.

The priests of the Catholic Church have long been under spiritual attack and even though they've been given special graces from the Holy Orders, they are still human and need prayer.

Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians requests the people of Thessalonica to "pray for us (Paul, Silas and Timothy) that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you."
(2Thessalonians 2:1)

May God's graces and blessings fall abundantly upon you Father Noel!

A Missed Opportunity or Avoiding a Dangerous One?

Recently I was at church with my family and my son and I stayed to see The Fiddler on the Roof performance afterwards.  My husband is not a theater buff so he opted to go home.  We were at the Saturday Mass and were chatting with friends inside for a bit before we stepped out to go through the parking lot over to the gym where the show would be performed.

No one was in the dark parking lot when we came out besides a young woman holding a sign asking for money.  As we walked past her I noticed her sign and slowed down perplexed why she was in this parking lot.  She said nothing but simply stared at me.  My son whispered to me "What is she doing?"  He has never noticed someone begging for money before so I quickly and quietly told him.  I asked her if she went to this church even though she didn't look familiar and she said no.  I asked her if she lived in our town and she said no.

My mind flooded with thoughts and time slowed down...

...if I open my purse to give her money, will she try and grab it and run? 
...is this a scam with someone else hiding behind another car waiting to jump out and steal my purse?
...is she truly in need and I should give her money?
...is she a mentally ill woman who has gone off her medication and is trying to survive by begging?
...is she dangerous?
...would Jesus want me to help her?
...why do I feel very uncomfortable?  unsafe?

In the end, I told her I was sorry I couldn't help her and we walked on.  The money I did have was going to pay for the tickets and the dinner for our church's fundraiser.  My son was upset with me saying I should have helped her and given her something.  Instead, once we went inside the building we stopped and offered up a prayer for her.  I looked back out the window and she was gone.

Did I miss an opportunity to put into practive the virtue of charity and help her?  By walking by her and not helping, did I miss an opportunity in seeing Jesus within her?  Am I just like the priest and the levite from the Good Samaritan Bible Story?  Should I have been the Good Samaritan?  Why did I feel so unsettled and nervous about our encounter?  Did I save my son and I from being harmed in some way? 

I'll never know what her true intention was but it haunted me for awhile and all I contined to offer up prayers for her.

A Disturbing Moment

I was driving in my car today and half-listening to Moody Radio until the speaker made a shocking comment regarding Mary which drew my full attention.  He was talking of the early miracles of Jesus and specifically the Wedding of Cana.  I'm paraprashing a bit but this is what he said, "The Roman Catholics believe that Mary appears throughout the world at different times, if your a Protestant you believe that Jesus has made appearances in our world.  I'm sorry to tell you that the inference that Mary is an intercessor to Jesus is false.  Mary is living a joyous life in heaven and can not hear your prayers.  Nor has she or does she appear to people throughout time.  At the Wedding of Cana when she mentioned to Jesus that they had run out of wine and Jesus then proceeded to perform his miracle did not mean Mary interceded to her son.  Nor that Jesus did it because his mother asked.  Mary had a special role in bearing the Messiah but she is sinful like the rest of us."

I came home and immediately looked online to see the face to who was speaking and it's Dr. Erwin Lutzer from Running To Win. 

Today's rosary intention is going for you Dr. Lutzer that Jesus may open your heart to the special role God has given Mary to us.

A Fun Mini-Vacation

I've been out of the blogging world for about a week for several reasons.  Primarily because it's Lent and I find I can spend way too much time on blogging and visiting all those other wonderful blogs I so love.  Instead I should be focusing more on Jesus and my family.

Secondly, I've been reading Abby Johnson's book, Unplanned and I'm almost done with it and it's certainly an eye opener.  I find myself engaging in more and more conversations about the Pro-Life movement and the hidden deceptiveness of Planned Parenthood.  Many women I speak to about it around my neighborhood have no idea what PP is all about.

Live Action group has posted a video of the President of Planned Parenthood, Ms. Cecile Richards on The Joy Behar Show defending their right to taxpayer money because it is about basic women healthcare including mammograms.  The Live Action group also has been contacting numerous Planned Parenthood Clinics around the United States inquiring to their mammogram service.  Again and again, these clinics inform the caller that they do not perform mammograms.  Check out this video link for yourself:  Planned Parenthood Exposed.

Lastly, is that we went away for a couple of days but I will post about it another day.