Explosive WORD! Lectionary 457

September 28, 2010

Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 Reflection: Occasionally, not everyday, but occasionally I wake up and “curse the day.” Usually it is because there is something in the day that I do not want to do, or feel ill-prepared or will definitely offer me a negative challenge like meeting with an angry person….I agonize on these days and often do not even sleep well in the first place.

Teaching: Job certainly was articulate about not only a bad, horrible day, but about a bad, horrible life! He curses the day he was born! He regrets that he was not aborted and laments his life, and it seems that only death will be his peace and his rest.

Conversation: Job, you sucked the breasts that gave you life and you survived. God had a purpose for you. We have sucked at the breasts of Mary, and have received the milk of comfort, the Eucharistic strength that comes from having received God through her! Yes, we have been nourished by God, evil has been overcome by the Lord's death and His offering has become our hope, our joy and our reason for living. Death becomes life following of Christ, no matter how bad the day is or how little prepared we feel. Every moment, every second has meaning in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus! Luke 9:51-56 Final thought: Jesus resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem so that we might have a reason to live life and live it to the full!

Explosive WORD! Lectionary 457

St. Therese, pray for us!

PRO SANCTITY NINE-DAY NOVENA

 

Nine days of prayer with

MARY and ST. THERESE OF LISIEUX

September 23 - October 1

The Relationship of St. Therese with the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Therese's Mariology coincides with that of the council. She rebelled against the distortions of her age, which exaggerated Mary's privileges to the point of nearly denying her humanity. She saw Mary as the quintessential little soul. It was not Mary who was great; rather it was the incomparable grace of the immaculate conception that was great, with a greatness that did not raise her above the church but plunged her into its very depths. She is, said Therese, "more a mother than a queen." The Second Vatican Council said the same thing. The fathers of the council declined to accept a separate schema on the Virgin Mary, preferring to place its treatment of the Blessed Virgin within the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, precisely where she belongs, devoting Chapter 8 of that great conciliar document to Mary and declaring her to be the mother of the church and its model. What kind of a mother would she be, Therese had asked sensibly, if her children did not look like her and could not imitate her?

Certainly Therese herself imitated Mary. A priest who knew her well called her "A ravishing miniature of the Virgin Mary," a delightful description. How she loved the mother of Jesus! With a hand that trembled and could no longer dip her pen in the inkwell, she picked up her pencil for the last time, and this is what she wrote: "O Mary, if I were the queen of heaven and you were Therese, I would want to be Therese so that you might be the queen of heaven." Famous last words, worthy of a doctor of the church, easy to understand and easy to remember and such an astonishing thing to think of saying!  [Source: Origins Vol 27,12 (Sept 4, 1997)]

We suggest the following method:

 

Read the passage given.  Read it several times.

 

Take note of the words or phrases that strike you personally.

 

Pause, pray and offer your desire to grow in trust that this Word will bear fruit in you.

 

Entrust yourself to the intercession of your sister, Therese and to Mary, your mother

 

Ask for the grace of a word or incentive that might become proposal to your life.

 

Write down your thoughts and prayers and/or share with another person the inspirations that the Lord entrusted to you.

My Mother, My Confidence!   

St. Therese, pray for us!

 

September 23 - October 1

 

Day One

All alone, saying the rosary requires an effort for me. I feel that I say it so badly! Even if I strained to meditate on the mysteries of the rosary, I can’t concentrate…I was distressed for a long time over this lack of devotion which surprised me, since I love the Blessed Virgin Mary so much (…) Now I am less distressed, because I think that the Queen of Heaven, being my mother, must see my goodwill and is satisfied by it (Ms C, 25v).

 

Point to Ponder: A relationship with Mary is not based on our practices, but our desire to be in union with her.

 

 Day Two

When an angel offers you to be the Mother of the God who will reign for all eternity, what an astonishing mystery to see you prefer the unutterable treasure of your virginity! I understand that your soul, Oh Immaculate Virgin would be more dear to the Lord than the Divine sojourn. I understand that your soul, humble and gentle valley, would contain my Jesus, the Ocean of love (PN 54)/

 

Point to Ponder: Therese had it right, the greatness of Mary was in God’s choosing her to bear his Son, and she saying YES!

 

Day Three

The Blessed Virgin was also watching over her little flower. Not wanting her to be tarnished by contact with earthly things, she moved her to her mountain before she bloomed….While waiting for this happy moment, the little Therese grew in love for the Heavenly Mother (Ms A, 40r)

 

Point to Ponder: Therese invites us to a deep spiritual journey with Mary.

 

Day Four

Finding no assistance on earth, poor little Therese turned to her heavenly mother. She prayed to her to have pity on her. …All of a sudden, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared beautiful to me, with a beauty such as I had never seen before. Her face radiant and indescribable kindness and tenderness. But what penetrated my soul it its very depth was the ravishing smile of the Blessed Virgin” (MsA, 30r).

 

Point to Ponder: The memory of the loving smile of Mary stayed with Therese her whole life.

 

 

Day Five

When Therese was three-and-a-half years old, every evening before retiring, she asked whether the good Lord was please with her. When the answer was in the affirmative, she asked then whether the Blessed Virgin was likewise satisfied (Jamart, pg 252).

 

Point to Ponder: The Blessed Virgin Mary held an important place in the daily life and daily decisions of St. Therese.

 

Day Six

At the age of seven, she wrote in one of her copybooks: “The Blessed Virgin is my mother and little children ordinarily resemble their mama” (Jamart 253).

 

Point to Ponder: Therese and Mary, mother and daughter.

 

Day Seven

In the afternoon of her first Communion Day, she pronounced the Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin, putting all her heart in to the act and asking the Holy Virgin, Mother of God, to watch over her. Recalling this later on, she added “that it seemed to her that Mary looked with love at her little flower and smiled at her” (Jamart 253).

 

Point to Ponder: Offering her life to Jesus was always done through Mary.

 

Day Eight

The Blessed Virgin made me feel that it was truly she herself who had smiled at me and had cured me. Oh! How great the fervor with which I begged her to be always my protector and help me realize my dream (to see the Pope and ask permission to be a Carmelite), hiding me in the shadow of her virginal mantel  (NV August 20 and 23).

 

Point to Ponder: Therese found trust, confidence and courage under Mary’s mantel.

 

Day Nine

If we wish a sermon on the Blessed Virgin to bear fruity, we ought to show what sort of life Mary actually led, as indicated by the Gospels, not as fabricated by our imagination…The Blessed Virgin is sometimes pictured as if she were unapproachable. We realize on the contrary that it is possible to imitate her by practicing her hidden virtues. She lives a life of faith common to all of us and we should prove this from what we are told in the pages of the Gospel (NV August 20 and 23).

.

Point to Ponder: St. Therese deeply read the Gospels and found the mother she was looking for!

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Set aside a little time at the conclusion of the novena:

 

Review the fruits received in these past nine days of prayer with the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Therese of Lisieux.  Visit with Mary about how to grow closer to Jesus in the spirit of St. Therese. Share your insights with others.  Pray your own prayer of thanksgiving.

 

“The Blessed Virgin is the Queen of Heaven and earth, quite true, but she is more mother than queen…It is proper to speak of her prerogatives, but we must not content ourselves with that. We must do all we can to maker her beloved of souls” (NV August 20 and 23).

 

All Saints, All Brothers and Sisters!

www.psm@prosanctity.org

 

St. Therese, pray for us!

A SAINT: FULLY HUMAN, FULLY ALIVE!

ANNUAL PRO SANCTITY THEME 2010
A Saint: Fully Human, Fully Alive!
USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE 68022psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670http://www.prosanctity.org/

THE NEW PRO SANCTITY FORMATION BOOKLET IS READY 2010-2011 AND WILL BE POSTED SOON!

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Lectio Divina
Praying with the Scriptures (LECTIO DIVINA) with Mary and the Saints
Thursday: September 30, October 7, 14, 21 2010

Time: 7-9 pm Cost: $20 ($5.00 a night)
Instructor: Teresa Monaghen, STB, MA
Location: St. Cecilia Institute at 3900 Webster St
Call (402) 553-5524 ext. 1 to pre-register or just come!
Call Teresa for information: 402-289-2670 psm@prosanctity.org
This short course on Lectio Divina will offer practical ways and means to pray with the Scriptures primarily using the ancient tradition of “Lectio Divina.” The course will be taught prayerfully with examples from the lives of the saints. Location: Saint Cecilia Institute, 3900 Webster St. Instructor: Teresa Monaghen, STB, MA. Dates: 4 Thursdays, September 30-October 21. Time: 7-9 pm. Cost: $20. Pre-register online at or at jmkoneckwilcox@archomaha.org. 402-553-5524 ext 1.

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FAMILY FALL FESTIVAL OF SAINTS
Saturday, October 30, 2010
3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Co-sponsored with the Home School Association
$5.00 per person, $10.00 per Family—Everyone is welcome!
Saint Parade (Bring saint costume or we will provide.), Booths games, candy, candy, saints, saints...bags..., Hay Rack Rides, Camp Fire, Chili, and S’mores
Four miles north of Maple on 204th (Hwy. 31) - West side of road - 11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE - 68022

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RETREAT
In the Shadow of Mary, In the Spirit of Mother Teresa
November 5-7, 2010

In the spirit of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and other saints, we will explore how to stay very close to our Lady. As Mother Teresa said, “If you do this, you can do great things for God and the good of people.” A reference book that will be used on the retreat will be, Mother Teresa: In the Shadow of Our Lady by Joseph Langford, MC (Our Sunday Visitor). Led by Msgr. Vaccari and Teresa Monaghen, AO

Friday, 7:30 p.m. to Sunday after Lunch TIME: Friday 7:30 pm to Sunday after Lunch
COST: $50.00 program free—add on room and board.
PSM@PROSANCTITY and we will send you a form.
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EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Three Possibilities
Come adore the Lord in a quiet, out of the way place.
These are quiet and restful days of prayer. Our special intention is for vocations and the intentions given to us by our members and we pray especially for our priests
FIRST LOCATION: : Drop in at The Bethany, 6762 Western Ave
Call Franca at 402-553-4418 or aoomaha@prosanctity.org
EVERY MONDAY
7:15 AM - 8:45 PM
AND EVERY SECOND SATURDAY
9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
__________________

SECOND LOCATION: Drop in at the Pro Sanctity Center in Elkhorn 11002 N. 204th St.
Call Leela or Anne at 402-289-1938 or psm@prosanctity.org
EVERY TUESDAY
9:00 AM - 1:30 AM (OR LATER IF YOU COME AND KEEP JESUS COMPANY)

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Pro Sanctity Needs Volunteers!
We need you today!!
Great service hours opportuntiy
Pro Sanctity Center and Camp
11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE

WHERE COULD YOU FIT IN?
·Office, mailing, calling, planning, organizing...
·Small group leaders for Confirmation Retreats!!! Go to confi
·Cooking, kitchen and hospitality, and help for a whole variety of activities for all ages!
·Green Team is a great Pro Sanctity group to join! Go to web site and the Green Team Blog and check us out: Building needed items, gardens of all kinds, designing, yard work, tree planting, fix up stuff (great service opportunity)
You tell us!
All ages of volunteers accepted. Come with your parent if you cannot drive!
· Contact Teresa at psm@prosanctity.org
402-289-2670 or Joan at 402-553-4418
http://www.prosanctity.org/

A SAINT: FULLY HUMAN, FULLY ALIVE!

Put out into the deep!

Pro Sanctity Men, catch fish and soul!

Social animator, Dr. Tom Hejkal

Pro Sanctity Board Member/Green Team, Larry Weigum

Apostolic Sodalis, Fr. Mark Bridgman

Fish

Put out into the deep!

The Pro Sanctity Family sufferings and joy...fall 2010

My Mother, My Confidence!

 

 

September 21, 2010

Feast of St. Matthew

Dear Sisters, Brothers, and Friends of the Pro Sanctity Family. 

 

In this last period our Pro Sanctity Family is experiencing the sickness and death of our dear friends and relatives. On September 17, we buried our dear friend Marko Botich who was the first President of the Pro Sanctity Board in California. May he rest in peace. Remember his wife Ruth of 63 years, in your prayers. 

 

Angela Di Paola, an apostolic oblate from Brooklyn, is in Rome these days, because her younger brother, Umberto is terminally ill.  They are making him comfortable but little else can be done. 

 

And on Thursday, Mariakutty another member of Brooklyn community, is leaving for India, because also her mother is very sick.

 

Let us ask our Founder Bishop Giaquinta, to stay close to all the sick, and let us remember our sisters in our prayers. 

 

On this day we remember all our members with the name of Matthew and pray that your saint intercede for your holiness! God bless Theresa Gabriel, Fr. Matt Gutowski, and Fr. Matthew Vellanickal on their birthdays too.

 

Frances and John Monaghen celebrated their 58^th anniversary of marriage yesterday and even though both have dementia they are doing much better thanks to God’s grace and everyone’s prayers.

 

Please pray for Agnes as she prepares to represent us at the Apostolic Oblate Council Meetings in Rome in October and we pray for Giovanna who is back from her home visit and is preparing her missionary move from New York, to California.

 

Best wishes to all our Pro Sanctity Local Boards and for a tremendous new season as we celebrate the them, "A Saint, Fully Human, Fully Alive!" Formation booklets are now available too from the Pro Sanctity Center in Elkhorn or pull it off our web site. We are preparing for the National Pro Sanctity Convention in Schuyler, Nebraska this summer. It should be fantastic! Mark off, July 26-31, 2010 on your calendar now and plan to attend and pray for the preparation!

 

The Animators and the Sodales went on a fishing trip recently, they froze and caught fish! Good way to grow in brotherhood! See their picture on the Pro Sanctity Blog (go to web site and click in it). We pray for the Sodales this year as they prepare for their General Assembly in August 2011

 

We know that there are many, many more intentions so let us hold one another in our hearts and in the unity of God's Holy Spirit we are one in our prayers for each other.

 

In the heart of Mary we bless you all,

 

Teresa and National Council

 

 

The Pro Sanctity Family sufferings and joy...fall 2010

Feast of our Lady of Sorrows - September 15

Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows!

 

"Mary is the motive of trust; whatever moment we are living, in whatever difficulty we find ourselves, we turn to he and say: My Mother, My Confidence!" G. Giaquinta

 

Rosary in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows

Offered for the special intentions of those among our members who are suffering in a particular way and also for the opening of a new Pro Sanctity Center and Bethany in Holland, dedicated to our Lady of the Magnificat!

 

We also remember our members who celebrate their anniversaries today!

 

ROSARY

"Behold, your mother"

 

FIRST MYSTERY: Mary bore a Son. In heaven, he is the Only-begotten of the Father; on earth, likewise, he is the Only-begotten of his Mother... She who is the only Virgin-Mother, she who glories in having borne the Only-begotten of the Father, embraces that same Only-begotten of hers in all his members and so can be truly called Mother of all in whom she recognizes her Christ to have been formed, or in whom she knows he is being formed.

 

SECOND MYSTERY: Eve handed on to her children an inheritance of certain death rather than the beginning of light. She is indeed called the mother of all the living, (Gen 3,20) but... as she was incapable of fulfilling the vocation of her title, Mary consummated the mystery.

 

THIRD MYSTERY: Mary herself, like the Church of which she is the type, is a mother of all who are reborn to life. She is, in fact, the mother of the Life by which everyone lives, and when she brought it forth from herself, she in some way brought to rebirth all those who were to live by that Life...

 

FOURTH MYSTERY: Thus the blessed Mother of Christ, knowing that she is the mother of all Christians by reason of this mystery, shows herself a mother by her care and loving attention.

 

FIFITH MYSTERY: For Mary’s heart is not hardened against these children as if they were not her own; her womb carried a child once only, yet it remains ever fruitful, never ceasing to bring forth the fruits of her motherly compassion. «The blessed Fruit of your womb» (Lk 1,42), O holy Mother, left you pregnant with inexhaustible tenderness. He was born of you once and for all, yet he remains in you always.

 

Mediations are from Blessed Guerric of Igny (c.1080-1157), Cistercian abbot 1st. Sermon for the Assumption ; PL 185A,187 (©1971 Cistercian Publications)

 

 

Feast of our Lady of Sorrows - September 15

My best friends are the saints!

"Each one," Pope Benedict said, "should have a saint that is familiar to him, to whom he feels close with prayer and intercession, but also to imitate him or her. (PBXVI)

 

I am always grateful to my parents for giving me a saint name, a saint middle name and the awareness that the saints were there for me and all I had to do is call upon them! How often as a child I imagined them surrounding me at night, each a place in my room. They were my first real friends and in many ways still are. I am forever getting “lost” along the way, but they are like a GPS guide, always there to assist in prayer and directions (their lives, writings and stories inspire me).

 

Dear Lord I am in awe of the gift of saints that you have given to me and to the whole Church. May we more and more know the power of friendship that starts on earth and leads to heaven! Amen.

 

My best friends are the saints!

Pro Sanctity Meeting with Archbishop George Lucas

My Mother, My Confidence!

August 30, 2010

 

Hi Pro Sanctity Family

 

These days have not been the slow days of August, but filled to overflowing with apostolic energy. We praise God because we today we had our first official meeting with our new Archbishop, George Lucas There was Kay, Fr. Frank, Fr. Tom W, Rita H and myself. He was so gracious!! He affirmed us, affirmed our Sodales, the Animators, and especially our promotion of the Universal Call to holiness in a manner that people can receive, at the same time he highlighted the necessity of a movement with its supporting groups, like ours to encourage it. He thanked us for working with our priests and with young people particularly!! He was very happy with our formation program plans, and our emphasis on interiority for the apostolate!

 

Plus!

He said yes to invite Cardinal Arinze in next September (who has already been approached and was waiting for Archbishop Lucas to OK it), he said yes to celebrating November lst with us and preaching on our theme, Saints: Fully Human, Fully Alive (including children) and he said a tentative yes for the Pro Sanctity Convention in July (depends on his retreat)!!!

 

What a great meeting, we thank God, our Lady, Our Founder and all the saints!! We thank all of you for you are the Movement!!

 

I am going to pray in now in thanksgiving!

 

Love, Teresa

 

PS: I am trying to set up SKYPE with my phone, give me a few days and  I will have it figured out under the name of: Teresa.Monaghen

 

 

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USA NATIONAL PRO SANCTITY CENTER

11002 N. 204th St. Elkhorn, NE 68022

 psm@prosanctity.org or 402-289-2670

 www.prosanctity.org

 BLOG: http://prosanctity.blogspot.com/

 

  THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....G. Giaquinta

"Mary is the motive of trust; whatever moment we are living, in whatever difficulty we find ourselves, we turn to her: My Mother, My Confidence!" (Giaquinta)

 

Pro Sanctity Meeting with Archbishop George Lucas

Celebrate Mother Teresa - Listen on Saturday 102.7 Lisa and Teresa on Theresa

I have the joy and privilege to write a few words about Mother Teresa. I intend to write a “few” words because it would be so easy to write volumes, in fact volumes have already been written on her, and still there is so much more to say!  In all honesty, I cannot add any new fact about her either because I am by no means a scholar of Mother Teresa and her work. No, I am just a fellow “Teresa” who for one reason or another, find myself following her tracks, seeing her shadow and admiring her from a distance over the years.  I follow in her tracks because she, before me, took St. Therese of Lisieux as her model, mentor and for her religious name. I, too, took Therese as model and mentor, not because Teresa of Calcutta did it, but for the same reason she did: because of St. Therese’s attractiveness and inspiration to me. Mother Teresa’s shadow literally passed in front of me for years. It would be so frustrating to find out that I was in a place just a moment too late and missed meeting her or seeing her! This happened many times! I have had spiritual directors and friends who knew her well and told me many stories, but I never once saw her live and in person.   I have admired her, too, from a distance as millions of others have, and her example, her love and joy, her dedication and drive, her straightforwardness and her “Christ-centeredness” have long been a source of inspiration to me. It is in this spirit, I now wish to share a few notes about her, that you too may reflect on your relationship with her and grow in love and appreciation of the Church who now officially celebrates her as a “blessed person” of our times.

 

 

Celebrate Mother Teresa - Listen on Saturday 102.7 Lisa and Teresa on Theresa

Saints make great friends!

Pope Benedict XVI Encourages Choosing a Special Saint Recommends Namesake as a Model

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 25, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is recommending that everyone have devotion to a particular saint -- he suggested, for example, a namesake -- so that the saint can offer closeness through intercession but also be a model to imitate.

 

The Pope said this today when he reflected during the general audience on the saints. He gave the audience address from Castel Gandolfo, where he is staying at the papal summer residence through next month.

 

The Holy Father said that it is important "to have 'travel companions' on the journey of our Christian life: I am thinking of a spiritual director, a confessor, persons with whom we can share the experience of faith, but I am also thinking of the Virgin Mary and of the saints."

 

"Each one," he said, "should have a saint that is familiar to him, to whom he feels close with prayer and intercession, but also to imitate him or her. Hence, I would like to invite you to know the saints better, beginning with the one whose name you bear, by reading his life, his writings. You can be certain that they will become good guides to love the Lord ever more and valid aids for your human and Christian growth."

 

The Pontiff noted his own closeness to St. Joseph and St. Benedict, as his namesakes, but also reflected on a saint who has "become a good 'travel companion' in my life and my ministry": St. Augustine.

 

Pursuit

 

Benedict XVI said that St. Augustine's teaching is particularly relevant today, since "relativism is, paradoxically, the 'truth' that must guide thought, decisions and behavior."

 

Augustine was a great seeker of truth, the Pope noted -- not '"pseudo-truths' incapable of giving lasting peace of heart, but that Truth that gives meaning to existence and that is the 'dwelling' in which the heart finds serenity and joy."

 

"St. Augustine understood that it was not he who had found Truth, but that Truth itself, which is God, pursued and found him," the Pontiff reflected.

 

Referring to a passage from Augustine's "Confessions," in which the saint is with his mother and both "for a moment touch the heart of God in the silence of creatures," the Holy Father said: "[C]reatures must be silent so that there will be a silence in which God can speak. This is also true in our time: Sometimes there is a sort of fear of silence, of recollection, of reflecting on one's acts, on the profound meaning of one's life. [...] [T]here is fear of seeking the Truth, or perhaps there is fear that the Truth will find us, will grip us and change our life, as happened to St. Augustine."

 

"Dear brothers and sisters," the Pope concluded, "I would like to say to all, also to those in a difficult moment in their faith journey, those who do not participate much in the life of the Church, or those who live 'as if God did not exist' that they not be afraid of the Truth, that they never interrupt their journey toward it, that they never cease to seek the profound truth about themselves and about things with the internal eyes of the heart."

 

"God will not fail to give Light so that one can see," he said, "and Warmth to feel the heart that loves us and that wants to be loved."

 

Saints make great friends!

Mother Teresa Birthday - August 26, 2010 - 100 years old

Thank you, Mother Teresa!

You no longer are just a good witness, a fascinating story or a wonderful role model; you are now my personal friend. In the communion of saints, I can go to you personally. You speak to my heart today of your love for Jesus and you inspire me to love Him with all my being as you did. You tell me not to count the cost, to refuse Him nothing and in the spirit of Mary, do whatever He tells me. The Church is calling you “Blessed” and this assures me that our friendship is real and alive.

Dear Mother Teresa, along with St. Therese of Lisieux, I ask you to guide my journey and help me to be as holy as I know I am called to be, and with you, win all souls to Jesus!  Instruct me in how to let go of my self-absorption and put on your Christ-centeredness. I am so pleased to have finally met you! I thank the Lord for this opportunity and I pray that in these next days many may come to know you, love you and follow the Lord as unconditionally as you did. Amen!

 

 

Mother Teresa Birthday - August 26, 2010 - 100 years old

Feast of the Assumption - Reflection on Mary - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

Reflection - the rewards of a holy life

Mary's Assumption is another example of God's grace in her life.  She receives this blessing and this special gift because of the choices of God, no other reason.  Here we see her raised to heaven at the end of her life, body and soul united with the Father.  What she has received already, we hope to achieve some day too!  She said yes to God's will for her and God preserved her from original sin.  Safe from sin, she escaped the separation of death.  Her holiness shines in the heavens and God filled her soul with more than she could have imagined.  And so for us too.  Though we are touched by original sin, the victory of God surpasses the pains of sin and death.  God has kept in heaven for us far more than we might imagine or even hope for!  Each sacrifice we make, each time we persevere, each act of charity and forgiveness leads to the blessings God has kept for us.

 

Mary, pray for us that we may keep our eyes on your Son.  He promises great rewards to all who remain united with him.  He holds for us a prize for holiness, greater than all the world can offer. Msgr. Andrew Vaccari, National Pro Sanctity Spiritual Advisor

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY....G. Giaquinta

"Mary is the motive of trust; whatever moment we are living, in whatever difficulty we find ourselves, we turn to her: My Mother, My Confidence!" (Giaquinta)

 

Feast of the Assumption - Reflection on Mary - Msgr. Andrew Vaccari

Spiritual Advisor, Msgr. Vaccari

My Mother, My Confidence!

July 3-4, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The holiday weekend is here and many will have the opportunity to relax with family and friends, perhaps take a vacation, go to barbeques or to the beach or spend time relaxing at home. It is a weekend of remembering and celebrating our beginning as a nation, when we declared ourselves to be a nation independent from Great Britain.

With the public discussion these days about the place of invoking the name of God at public ceremonies, it is enlightening to return to the Declaration of Independence itself. That document, authored by Thomas Jefferson, includes multiple religious references. Phrases such as "Nature's God," "endowed by their Creator," "appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world," and "a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence."

Without being an overtly religious document, the Declaration of Independence not only presumes the involvement of God in the life of the new nation, but also looks to be guided and directed by God. The effort by some to remove the language of God from public discussion is contrary to the initial foundation of our nation. While our country does not have a national religion, believe in the existence of God is at the heart of our national identity.

Using language about God can present a difficulty depending on what image of God is presented, and how knowledgeable the speaker or writer is about God. This is a different, although related topic, from whether or not reference to God is permitted at all!

On this Independence Day, let us be thankful for the men and women who serve our nation in the military, who work to ensure our continued freedoms and liberty. May the Lord protect them and, if they are away, may they return safely home soon.

Monsignor Andrew Vaccari

pastorsmmj@gmail.com

Thought for the day ... G. Giaquinta

Let us pray for the courage to risk and look at the real needs of others, of the Church and of the world. Let us pray for the strength to respond positively to what we find.

Spiritual Advisor, Msgr. Vaccari

Founders Novena Day 9, June 14th 2010

When they brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him. 

Luke 5:11

Wow, that is quite the statement of faith.  To leave everything and follow Him.  I know that I have not done this, it is the greatest challenge for me and perhaps all of us.  I have to ask myself, what things have I left to follow Him and what things do I still to readily cling to, even though I know they need to be left-- my bad habits, my laziness, my willfulness and desire to be in control, my desire to spend my time exactly as I want to rather than seeing it as a gift from God, the list is endless. 

In spite of this long list of shortcomings, we should not get discouraged and give up.  When I have tried to give up, I often hear the voice of God saying, that is too easy, I have too much I want you to do, ask my forgiveness and we will move on together. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray with us to gain the insight into what we need to leave behind to follow You and give us the courage and the strength to do it.   Lord, we know you don't ask us to do anything that you don't equip us to do.  Help us put our lives completely in Your hands

Founders Novena Day 9, June 14th 2010

Founders Novena Day 8 June 13th 2010

Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."  (Luke 5:10)

Although fear and trembling is an appropriate response to the awesomeness of God as we discussed yesterday, throughout all of Scripture we are reminded again and again to "fear not".  Scripture also tells us that a sparrow does not fall without the Father's knowledge and that even the hairs on our head are numbered. 

This intense love and care that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit has for us should fill us with hope and confidence. I know for me and perhaps others of you, I approach the unknown with fear more often than hope.  I would  much rather control everything myself and know exactly what is going to happen when than to trust God.  But how can we not trust the one who loved us enough to die for us and knows all of the hairs on our head. 

And being fishers of men means doing everything we can to cummunicate God's love to those around us so that they may too be "caught" into the family of God and know His love. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray with us that we may put our fear into God's hands and look for the opportunities to "fish" that you put into our path daily. 

Founders Novena Day 8 June 13th 2010

Founders Novena Day 7, June 12th 2010

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said, "Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."   Luke 5:8. 

After my first reading of this verse, I had thought about focusing on the love and forgiveness of Jesus displayed later in the passage.  I have since changed my mind.

 I am struck by the humility of Peter in this passage.  Peter could have just laughed and been overjoyed at their good fortune after the catch.  Instead, as was proper for the occasion, he was filled with fear and trembling.  I fear too often in my own life, I take the love and grace of God for granted, in knowing that he will forgive me I push my sinfulness and bad habits to the side.  I need to learn a lesson from Peter. 

Bishop Giaquinta, please pray with us that we will learn what Peter did that day-- to fear the Lord with trembling and confess our sins wtih a sincere heart   

Founders Novena Day 7, June 12th 2010

Founders Novena Day 6 June 11th

The overabundant provision of God

"When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish and their nets were tearing.  They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come to help them.  They came and filled both boats so that they were in danger of sinking"

Luke Chapter 5:6-7

Our Lord is so much bigger than our mortal minds can fathom.  I remember Teresa Monaghen saying at a talk earlier this year that God wants so much  to fill us to overflowing and we hold out a teacup.  How very true that is.  If we only could truly understand that the power and desire and strength and love and might and joy of God is infinitely vast, we would never worry about anyting, and without a moment's hesitation we would trust Him completely. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray with us for the realization of the greatness of God, and to know how much He wants to use us to communicate this to everyone. 

Founders Novena Day 6 June 11th

Founders Novena Day 5 June 10th

At Your Command

As I have been reading and rereading this passage from Luke about putting out into the deep, I have realized there is so much to meditate on in such a few verses of scripture.  In verse 5 of Luke chapter 5 which is the verse just after Jesus instructs Peter to put out into the deep, he says "Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing, but at your command I will lower the nets". 

What struck me as I read this is how apparent it is that Peter expresses no emotional attachment to his action.  Sometimes before we act we want to have an experience of joy or elation and knowing exactly how things are going to turn out.  We can learn from Peter that doing something just because the Lord asks us to should be sufficient.  We know as we read ahead to the end, that following what God asks can have amazing results

Bishop Giaquinta please pray with us that we can be more attentive to the Holy Spirit in hearing God's voice as to what He wants us to do, knowing that even though we do not know the outcome, following Him is never a mistake

Founders Novena Day 5 June 10th

Founders Novena Day 4 June 9th

Put out into the Deep   (Luke 5:4)

The word  "the deep" in it's original context when the Lord was talking to Peter referred to the putting nets into deep water for a catch.  But it is more than apparent that Jesus had so much more in mind, that the catch was a symbol for something infinitely bigger that he had in mind.  Jesus said in verse 10 of chapter 5
"Don't be afraid, from now on you will catch men"

As I write this I am profoundly confronted with exactly why Bishop Giaquinta considered this his life passage.  He was ever following our Lord's example and catching men, with his writing, his humor, his gentleness.  Pro Sanctity's motto of All Saints All Brothers and Sisters implies that we are to "catch" everyone with whom we come into contact and tell them of God's love. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray with us that we will strive to put out into the deep to catch men for your glory

Founders Novena Day 4 June 9th

Re: [The Pro Sanctity Family Reflects] Founders Novena Day 3 June 8,2010

Dan and Joan, the reflections are wonderful!! Thank you so much! We have news that Simon Ommachen our pro sanctity member who was very sick is getting better faster than ever expected. They attribute the healing to our Founder's intercession!! What a grace it has been. God bless you for offering the novena, pray now in thanksgiving too for the gift of healing received. Teresa

Re: [The Pro Sanctity Family Reflects] Founders Novena Day 3 June 8,2010