The Holy Eucharist

A dear friend of mine has been struggling with the Fr. Corapi scandal and wasn't able "to let go" until she went to Eucharistic Adoration.  There she found the peace and calmness and left her feelings of confusion with Christ.  Her experience reminded me of the words I'd recently read by Pope John Paul II:

"The Eucharist is the source of the Christian life because whoever shares in it receives the motivation and strength to live as a true Christian.  Christ's sacrifice on the cross imparts to the believer the dynamism of his generous love.  The Eucharistic banquet nourishes the faithful with the Body and Blood of the divine Lamb sacrificed for us and it gives them the strength to follow in His footsteps."

"The Eucharist is a priceless treasure:  by not only celebrating it but also by praying before it outside of Mass we are enabled to make contact with the very wellspring of grace.  A Christian community desirous of comtemplating the face of Christ...cannot fail to develop this aspect of Eucharistic worship, which prolongs and increases the fruits of our communion in the body and blood of the Lord."

Pope Benedict XVI wrote, "Above all, this love of the Eucharist is the most concrete way that families can be united to the Blessed Trinity."

My personal experience in Eucharistic Adoration is leaving with a profound peace and a sense of ease.  When I go to my church to pray before the Eucharist, I arrive to join in the rosary prayer.  I have learned more about the gospel readings by praying the rosary at church.   It's a wonderful way to meditate on scripture and then apply it to my daily life.

I've linked this post to RAnn's Sunday Snippets -- A Catholic Carnival.  Please come and join me and reading some wonderful posts by other Catholic Bloggers!

God Bless,
Noreen

A Call to Chicago Area Catholic Bloggers

Hi Friends,

I've been contacted by a Media Group who is interested in inviting Chicago Area Catholic Bloggers to a pre-screening of the upcoming movie The Mighty Macs.  It looks to be a fabulous true story of Cathy Rush who became the basketball coach of an all girls Catholic College in the early 1970's at Immaculata College in suburban Philadelphia.  This movie is her story of bringing a struggling girls basketball team all the way to the national championship game.

Are any of you in the Chicagoland area and would like to attend the pre-screening?  They're scheduled for early September.  Please let me know and then I can forward you the information.

Blessings,
Noreen

LIVE ACTION News Report by Stephen Muff

LIVE ACTION sent me an email update today on the work of pro-lifers and this one caught my attention from the beautiful yellow LIFE balloons to the last picture of a pregnant woman holding a beer and a cigarette with the caption "Don't worry, Planned Parenthood says it's not a baby yet."  I just had to share this article regarding the outcome of a peaceful protest at an abortion clinic in Northern California.

Abortion Clinic Closes for the Day as

 “LIFE” Balloons Fly Proudly

I never thought I would see the day when balloons would be instrumental in saving lives, but last Saturday, that happened in Sacramento, California. A pro-life flash-mob assembled, much like the choirs that assemble in malls to sing Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus. As the abortion clinic decided to close for the day, many were, indeed, singing hallelujah.

At the Wright Street Feminist Women’s Health Center, you could look down the street and see groups of people amassing to peacefully pray for an end to abortion, holding yellow helium-filled balloons with the word “LIFE” on them. Apparently, the balloons and prayers were enough to get the attention of the upper-level management, the abortuary’s attorney, and many media outlets.

Emily Espinola, a local pro-life activist, explained the objective. “Our goal in organizing this rally was to bring about community awareness in regard to the practices of this clinic along with uniting the prolifers in our area. Many people consider themselves pro-life but don’t know how to make a difference. It is our hope to spark passion and conviction in the hearts of all who call themselves pro-life.”

That is exactly what this event accomplished. Many are looking forward to attending future pro-life activities such as this. The fact that the clinic closed for the day signaled a victory for those in attendance, and inspired many to keep coming back. Even more inspiring, is that it is a grassroots movement of like-minded individuals, not a particular group or leader. With over 150 people, including entire families, many teens and young adults, and two priests, this movement in Sacramento is growing quickly.

Although we were there as a prayerful gathering, some did their part to raise awareness of the issue in other ways. A few prolifers held this sign:

 Others held signs to remind people to stand for life.

The power of prayer at this site is also showing, in very particular ways. Not only did the abortion clinic close for the day, but the staff seems to recognize our effectiveness. One of those participating dropped a rosary on the sidewalk. One of the abortuary administrators noticed this, walked over, picked it up, and carried it away. Hopefully, in some way, this will cause a change of heart and she will switch to the winning side— the culture of life’s.

Many people are coming to the Wright Street clinic from all over Northern California. If you want to get involved, send a message to SACprolife@gmail.com, and they can point you in the right direction. We can change our State if we decide to get involved!

For more information go to LIVE ACTION

Blessings,

Noreen

Pay it Forward

This is also the time where I can Pay it Forward to a Catholic blogger who I admire and so enjoy reading her posts.  Tiffany at Family at the Foot of the Cross blog is my pick for this week.  She devotes her blog to glorifying God and is a witness to her love for Christ and Our Blessed Mother.  She's a lovely lady who is a devoted wife and mom to 6 children (one being heaven already) and is raising her brood to be "Warriors for Christ."  Many of you probably know her already but I wanted Tiffany to know how much I appreciate and learn from her!  If you do not know Tiffany, you should head right on over and say hello!

Thank you Holly at A Life Size Catholic Blog for hosting this supportive and encouraging meme!

St. Maximilian Kolbe

"My challenge to my dear teenage friends is:  rise up and be the vibrant youth of God that you are meant to be.  Rebel against the low standards set for you!  Give everything to the Lord--your studies, your sports, your friendships, your dreams, your future.  Do not be afraid to stand out and stand up for your faith.  Be a witness by the way you talk, the way you dress, the way you study.  Be an example by the friendship you offer to others, and look always to see the goodness in them.  Embrace the wisdom of your parents.  Respect them and submit yourself to their guidance.  Cherish your family life.  Take time to pray, not just externally, but entering into the deep realities of which true love relationships are made.  Find in Christ and His Church the power to be saints.  It is in your hands.  You can be a saint, if only you will it!"

   His feast day is coming up on August 14, but I read this quote of his and thought it was so inspiring to the youth of our day (to any age really).  If they could only turn their natural rebellious feelings toward Christ and away from the secular world, there would be less depression, violence, and immorality.   Imagine a world where the teenage population ran to Christ instead of away from him?
 
   St. Maximilian Kolbe died young in an Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland for volunteering his own life for a fellow prisoner.  Before he was imprisoned, he had harbored many Jews in his Friary from Nazi persecution.  He lived during a very evil time and recognized the power in reaching out to the youth of his time.  We are not living in WWII but his words are as important today as they were then.

God Bless,
noreen

The School of the Family Book Review

     It's always discouraging yet eye opening to read a book about the Catholic Faith, thinking you already have a fairly good grasp of it, then after a chapter or two of the book, realize, you don't.  That was the ongoing realization for me as I read Chantal R. Howard's book, The School of the Family.  In fact, I read through her book with a pencil in hand to highlight the many ideas that challenged my own thinking and encouraged me as a parent.  This book was published by Leonine Publishers in 2010 and is 213 pages in length.  The premise of the book seemed obvious, the home is where the tenets of the Catholic Faith are taught to the children.  If you want to raise your children in their faith (Catholic Formation), it has to start in the home.  We all know this as Catholic parents but her book illustrates a deeper level of commitment all Christian parents should adhere to in child raising.

     Chantal R. Howard delves into her own personal journey through her upbringing by a free spirited mom who left the family "to discover the spirit that was leading her" and then returned a devoted Catholic wife and mother.  Her father was an adventure seeking young man who wanted to party and live the good life.  He too, was raised Catholic yet "his faith was just lessons learned, not a life that was lived."   Both her parents yearned to find what they were missing and their conversion led them both back to the Catholic Church and they did so with zeal.  They raised their six children in the faith and Chantal's life blossomed by being centered in Jesus Christ and living a sacramental life.

      Chantal's life was "the school of the family" in practice with daily mass, Catholic Faith Formation, homeschooling, family business, athletics, world travel, discernment of vocation and the death of her father.  Her mother's devotion to Jesus and her vocation of wife and mother; so inspired Chantal that she is currently homeschooling her own four children with her husband, Dr. Peter Howard a theologian who is the founder and President of the Fulton Sheen Society and Director of the Catholic Hour Movement.

     Chantal's memoir includes her own struggles with marriage and having to learn to keep her eyes on Jesus to guide her through their marital and familial challenges.  Her role model for mothering is Mary and she desires "to allow the grace of God to make up for her insufficiencies."   She discusses the challenges all mothers face in this secular society and how we are called "to live this art of love by offering our bodies as sanctuaries to our unborn children, setting our careers aside, giving our hearts away in love, and laying down our lives for the sake of our children.  This is the hidden life of sacrifice that holds the mighty power to help us and our children triumph over this world and live secure in grace.  If we choose to be like Mary, embracing our vocation in the light of the Holy Spirit, then our way of salvation as mothers is secure."

     Not only is this Chantal's story but she gives her reader "The Family Rule" to help others keep their lives focused on their spiritual goals.  She reminds us that The Holy Family is our shining example of how to live virtuous and holy lives.  She included a marital examination of conscience "to evaluate whether we are actually loving our spouse."  Her "Family Rule" emphasizes the ideal method in raising a family rooted in the power of Christ.   She admits it's not easy and her book should be considered a "survival manual."  It is chock-full of insights from the great writings of the saints and Pope John Paul II on how "to protect our families against the attacks of the devil so they will bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God."

     Whether we like it or not, the family is a school by which our children learn what values the parents truly believe, what level of priority is Jesus in their lives and whether they embrace the teachings of the Catholic Church.  Chantal advises "it is our duty as parents to provide the family life that challenges our young people to live in virtue, preparing them to enter into good, holy friendships and ultimately into friendship with God."  I would highly recommend her book, The School of the Family for it's many informational and thought provoking insights.  You can purchase her book at Tiber River and learn more about Chantal Howard at her own website School of the Family.

I was given a free copy of this book to review from The Tiber River Company.  I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

Joining RAnn  and other Catholic Bloggers today at Sunday Snippets - A Catholic Carnival. Please come and join us!

A Prayer

This is a prayer that my son wrote down and I wanted to share it's beauty with all of you.  

I hope you enjoy it!

Oh Lord, help us at every twist and turn, 

rise and fall, 

and protect us from all of the exiled angels and deceptions.  

 We thank you for our family, our friends, our pets, and are good times in life.

  

 You are our master, we are your servants, 

You are the king, we are the peasants, 

You are the shepard, we are the sheep.

  

You are the creator, we are the creations.

Amen.

Community of Catholic Bloggers

Today I am posting about marriage over at Community of Catholic Bloggers.  This post is based from the book, The School of the Family by Chantal R. Howard, a Catholic author, and it gives wonderful insights into family life, marriage, homeschooling, and Our Lord.  I haven't finished reading it yet but her chapter on marriage resonated so strongly with me that I knew I must post her examination of conscience.  Her insightful questions really make one think about how they're treating their spouse.

Please come and join me and check out the posts written by other bloggers on the richness and beauty of Our Catholic Faith!

The Holy Mother of God Defamed

I received this email the other day from TFP Student Action who devotes their time in defending moral values on campus.  They also reach out to the Catholic Community to raise awareness in the atrocities being committed against Our Blessed Mother and Jesus.

Please read and act on preserving the dignity and holiness of Mary.

Offensive play depicts Our Lady as a lesbian

I regret to inform you that the Oklahoma City University School of Theatre plans to host a terrible attack on the Mother of God – a play that depicts Our Lady as a lesbian.

Sign your protest right away:  http://petitions.tfpstudentaction.org/

The grossly misnamed play, “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told,” is scheduled to begin on December 4, and you and I have a chance to get it canceled – but only if we speak up TODAY.

Press reports say “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told” refers to Our Lady as a lesbian. It presents a homosexual version of the Old Testament, with scenes of “Adam and Steve” in full frontal nudity.

According to The New York Times, the playwright himself is a homosexual, and this is how he describes his play:

“I wanted the Garden of Eden in Central Park, and Mary as a lesbian mother, which would certainly help me comprehend immaculate conception.” (The New York Times, 12/06/98)

You and I cannot just sit idly by and let “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told” be shown unchallenged at Oklahoma City University. 

If you have any doubt of the urgent need for our protest, read this:

According to City Pages: “Contrary to church doctrine, the Virgin Mary turns out to be a flaky lesbian… Adam, Steve, and company have gathered in a Chelsea loft to celebrate Christmas and a second immaculate conception.” (City Pages, 01/19/00) 

This is an abomination.


There’s no time to lose. Please sign your protest now.

I ask -- will God bless those who allow His Holy Mother to be dragged into the dirt of lesbian insults? Will He allow the Immaculate Conception to be turned into a homosexual party game?

I really believe we’re walking in the shadow of God’s anger.

I’m convinced that we must rise to the occasion and protest with all our hearts. We must show Jesus that we care, and that we love His offended Mother, and that we will defend her honor. And our prayerful protest is the only way of showing our gratitude and our only hope of redeeming ourselves.

That’s why I’m urging you to speak out.

http://petitions.tfpstudentaction.org/
And please send this email alert far and wide. Spread it. Tweet it. Post it. Blog it. Facebook it.

Let’s make this peaceful protest so big that the Oklahoma City University officials will feel ashamed and cancel it.

I’ll be working overtime to protest this blasphemy. But I can’t do it alone. I urgently need your help, and I need it right now -- immediately. Today.

On behalf of the Virgin Mary’s honor, http://petitions.tfpstudentaction.org/.


Thank you and God bless you.

John Ritchie
TFP (Tradition Family Property)

L.A.C.E.

Please join me today over at L.A.C.E. to be uplifted and blessed by the many beautiful women who post on Trish's meme.  In case you were wondering, L.A.C.E. is an abbreviation from Philippians 4:8:  

Whatever is..Lovely. Admirable. Cheerful. Encouraging. ~ LACE

All of these ladies who post on L.A.C.E. are certainly lovely, admirable, cheerful and encouraging women of Grace!      Especially the meme's host, Trish!

God Bless,

noreen

Pay if Forward

   My friend Holly from A Life-Size Catholic Blog has a wonderful way to support and encourage are fellow bloggers by "Paying It Forward."  So, this post is about one of my favorite and first blogging friends, Sue from Sue Elvis Writes.  Many of you know her, and know how open, encouraging, inspirational and kind she is.  Not to mention that she's a wonderful writer who has the ability to draw you into her stories as if you were there.  Her most recent post is about a miracle, her son Thomas and her friend Annie.  You'll get a glimpse into her heart as she shares her joys and pains being a mother, an unschooler and spare time writer.  If you do not know her, I would encourage you to visit her blog and she'll be quick to welcome you to her site and loves to hear comments.

God Bless,
noreen

I Want To Be The Good Soil

"A Farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on the rocky places, where it did not have much soil.  It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop -- a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  He who has ears, let him hear.    Matthew 13:3-9


     When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was in his heart.  This is the seed sown along the path.


     The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time.  When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.


     The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.


     But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understand it.  He produces a crop, yield a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.   
Matthew 13:19-23

   This was the gospel reading at mass this weekend and I found myself identifying with each situation... at times, I'm the path and the Word of God lasts as long as I'm in church or for a short while at home while I'm pondering it and then is gone.  As if it vanishes amidst the daily chores of life.

   Other times in my life, I am the rocky place the seed has been sowed and I receive it excitedly and do not fall back on it when troubles arise.  I can become discouraged and try to handle the situation on my own, forgetting that I don't have to.

   There are different times when I am the thorns, and my own worries about how to do something or what others may think, stifle the Word of God and it bears no fruit.

   Not often enough, am I the good soil, that hears the Word of God and understands it, lets it take root to transform my life and bear fruit.  This is of course, what I want to be and strive to be and need to remember when life because stressful or busy.

God Bless,
noreen

Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival

It's that time again where you can go and visit Sunday Snippets--A Catholic Carnival to read posts from Catholic Bloggers that encourage and inspire us as Christians.  Personally, I have learned much from my fellow Catholic bloggers about our Faith, Sacred tradition and Sacred scripture.  RAnn is the creator behind this wonderful idea of sharing posts with each other!  I encourage everyone to come and join us!

This week I am sharing Catholic Eucharistic Flash Mob  Come join me!

Catholic Eucharistic Flash Mob

I saw this posted by Victor from the Community of Catholic Bloggers and loved it so much that I emailed it to friends and am now posting it here.  This is very powerful and moving devotion to Jesus!

And this one is called God in the Streets of New York City which I first saw on my friend Patty's Blog and wanted to share it with all of you!

Please come join me at L.A.C.E. this week!  


Enjoy and God Bless!

noreen

My Journey with Our Blessed Mother

     How do you explain why we, as Catholics, believe in Purgatory?  This word is not in the bible yet we are taught to believe in Purgatory.  I do believe because it makes sense to me logically and I trust my church but I have a desire to know more.

     I know this issue was discussed at the early church councils and there are a couple of verses that seem to infer "a purging through fire."   But where does it originate?

     From books, I've learned that Our Lady has shown the visionaries Heaven, Purgatory and Hell.  St. Faustina was brought to Purgatory by her Guardian Angel and wrote about in it her book, The Diary of Sister Faustina.  (Which I have and still need to read.)

      I am now reading The Visions of the Children~ The Apparitions of the Blessed Mother at Medjugorje and read about the children's visits to Purgatory and Our Lady's messages regarding Purgatory... and I was in tears.  Not knowing if my loved ones who have died are there?  Our Lady of Medjugorje, who appears in Bosnia Herzegovina, tells us about the souls in purgatory who have been forgotten by their loved ones on earth.  "The Blessed Mother said the souls in purgatory are very lonely.  She asked that all the pilgrims pray for their beloved dead by name.  She said the souls in purgatory can see their loved ones on earth.  Most people today have forgotten or don't know about purgatory.  Souls there are very, very lonely.  The Blessed Mother wants her faithful ones to pray for them by name."

     I've had the habit of "offering up the good I've done to the souls in Purgatory" and to pray for them during mass.  I will say each name in my head of my family members, neighbors, friend's parent's who have died during my lifetime.  But I feel as if that's not enough...I feel an urgency about this that I cannot explain.
     Of course, there is the St. Gertrude Prayer taught to her by Our Lord:  Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."
     
     I also pray the prayers given by Our Lord to St. Bridget of Sweden every day and have been for 9 months now, even though the duration is 12 years for this devotion.




  
     What have you learned of Purgatory?  What do you do for the souls of Purgatory?


May God Richly Bless You,
noreen

4th of July Celebration

May God Richly Bless America, rain down his graces upon her and keep His protective hand upon her!!

We celebrated with our family by watching our city parade go down our street.  Our siblings bring their families over early to participate in the parade by waving, cheering and receiving candy from the floats.  

It's fun for all!

 Governor Quinn and Mayor Marty Moylan

The kids being "forced" to take a picture :)

It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. ... I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. -   John Adams

God Bless,

noreen

10,000 Angels

10,000 Angels by Aaron Thompson

As I'm baking for tomorrow's breakfast before our 4th of July parade, I am listening to Aaron Thompson's 10,000 Angles CD.  I love this song by Aaron Thompson, a Catholic artist who glorifies God with his beautiful music.  In fact, I love his entire CD!  You can learn more about this man HERE

Pray the Rosary for America on July 4th!

An Ardent Appeal Asking God: ”Through the Holy Rosary, Save America!”

Pledge to pray the Rosary for America on July 4th!

There are still signs of Catholic militancy in America. This can be seen in the growth of the pro-life movement and in the rejection of blasphemous displays such as Our Lady of Controversy which depicts Our Lady of Guadalupe in a floral bikini. But there is still much work to be done.

Those who seek to remove God and His holy law from our society fights unceasingly on. Abortion murders innocent unborn babies; the institution of the family is weakened by impure customs and threatened by the legalization of homosexual “marriage;” the sexual revolution pervades popular culture especially in television, media, movies and the Internet.

However, the worst consequence of this secularist offensive is the rejection of God. In so doing, we disdain His wise and loving action and we refuse His grace upon the citizens of our country. And without His grace, how can we survive?

How can our leaders properly govern our nation? From where will they get wisdom and strength to solve the great and complex problems that abound? Besides the abovementioned moral problems, how can we maintain our treasured national identity, while adopting a just solution for the immigration dilemma?

How can we solve our need to become self-sufficient in energy? How can we resolve our economic problems? How can we maintain a wise, strong and balanced military strategy?

Pledge to pray the Rosary for America on July 4th!

This appeal was taken from America Needs Fatima

May God Richly Bless You~

noreen

Jerry Springer: the Opera

The blasphemy continues on and on... first I learned of Alma Lopez's blasphemous picture of Our Lady Here and I sent an e-protest for her.  And today, I learned of the blasphemous show, Jerry Springer: the Opera that mocks Jesus and His Mother.  

I'm well aware of Jerry Springer's "work" over the years as an "tv entertainer" if you can call him that.  I've never approved of his tv shows for the obvious reasons but this is going way too far.  I'm going to try and reach him personally assuming he has his own facebook page or blog.  Please read the below message from America Needs Fatima:

Catholics launch wave of Protest against the blasphemous show "Jerry Springer: the Opera" 

Click here to send your instant e-protest message.  

Catholics are encouraged to send an instant e-protest message to the Chance Center in Anaheim, California – because they're showing the Southern California premiere of Jerry Springer: The Opera, which is full of profanity, nudity and blasphemous content. Some examples are:

• The Crucifixion is mocked and the Eucharist is trashed

• There is a lady singing "Jerry eleison" (mocking the Mass: Kyrie Eleison)

• Jesus is introduced as "the hypocrite son of the fascist tyrant on high." He wears a diaper, is fat and effeminate and later admits: "Actually, I am a bit gay."

• Eve gropes Jesus in a manner too indecent to describe while the Annunciation is described as a rape.

• God is a fat man in a white suit who complains about being blamed for everyone's problems.  He invites Jerry Springer to join Him to "sit in Heaven beside me, hold my hand and guide me."  At the end, Jerry emerges as the true savior of mankind.

The "opera" has earned its blasphemous reputation. In London, the debut was the subject of a libel suit for defaming Christians.  When it was to be aired on the BBC, it drew more than 60,000 complaints.

As Catholics, you and I cannot accept such insults to Our Lord and the Catholic Faith!  That's why I ask you to please send a protest message via email to the Chance Theater today.

For the love of Our Lord and the Catholic Church, please send your message today, and consider forwarding this email to all the Catholics you know.


My sisters in Christ, please let us raise our voices and protest this blasphemous act against Jesus and Our Lady!  


If I didn't do the link correctly, you can go to http://www.americaneedsfatima.org/


May God Richly Bless You,

Noreen