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

Founders Novena Day 3 June 8, 2010

We continue to reflect on Bishop Giaquinta's motto from his coat of arms in honor of founders day

"put out into the deep"  (Luke 5:4) 

The next word in the passage is "into" and at first I thought this little word in and of itself had no real meaning.  But as I pondered it more with the Holy Spirit's help, I came to a new conclusion.  The little word into implies direction and purpose.  When we go into something such as a place, a relationship, a project, it is usually with direction and the purpose of finding meaning, insight and information.  Let us ask the Holy Spirit what direction he wants us to take with the encounters we have in these days, to give us insight into His love and what he wants us to communicate to others

Bishop Giaquinta, please pray with us as we go into our day tomorrow-- into our relationships, into our work, into our play to know how you want to use us as your instruments

Founders Novena Day 3 June 8, 2010

Founders Novena Day 2 June 7th 2010

As you recall, we are reflecting on Bishop Giaquinta's motto from his coat of arms  "Put Out into the Deep"

The second word of this simple phrase "out" implies moving beyond ourselves.  Of course we must start with our own interior holiness, but we cannot become so isolated that we forget about those around us.  The very heart of Bishop Giaquinta's spirituality involves reaching out to our brothers and sisters, which,  by his definition, includes all people.  He said in his book "Brotherhood" that we should treat all people as though we already know them because they either already are our brother in Christ, or by His grace could potentially be wtih the proper evangelization. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray that I may have the strength today to move beyond myself, to bring the love of Christ to my brothers and sisters. 

Founders Novena Day 2 June 7th 2010

Founder's Novena Day 1, June 6th 2010

The first very simple word   "Put" is a word of action.  It implies effort on our part.  We must make an effort to be all that God wants us to be, to take action in bringing ourselves and those around us closer to Him.  I must ask myself, how much effort do I really put into my relationship with God?  How much time do I dedicate to Him?  How can I strenghten my dedication to the things that I know He is asking of me? 

We can take comfort in knowing that my efforts are never made alone.  If we seek God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with a sincere heart, they are more than ready to help us and give us the strength for what we need to do. 

Bishop Giaquinta please pray for us for the courage to take action where it is needed in our own lives, and to brighten the lives of others.   

Founder's Novena Day 1, June 6th 2010

Novena in Honor of Bishop Guglielmo Giaquinta.  Founder of the Pro Sanctity Movement

This year in honor of our Founder, we are going to be reflecting on the saying at the heart of his Coat of Arms  "Duc In Altum"  Put out into the deep

At first glance this seems like a very simple saying hardly material for nine days of reflection, but the more we ponder it in the light of God's grace, the more infinite the store of wisdom becomes.  Please join us as we reflect together, in order to become more like our founder, whose ultimate goal was to reflect Jesus Himself

Brother Gregory Congote, OSB - Deacon!

Congratulations to our neighbors!!

On Saturday morning May 22, 2010 the monks of Mount Michael Abbey gathered with friends and family in the D.J. Sokol Chapel to celebrate the ordination of Brother Gregory Congote O.S.B. Omaha's Archbishop George Lucas presided at the ordination and mass.

The Benedictines of Elkhorn, Nebraska are supporters and long time friends of the Apostolic Oblates and the Pro Sanctity Center and Movement.

Fr. Dan Lenz chaplain for our Confirmation Retreats and good friend of the Camp is shown above singing .

Br. Gregory has been a good friend to the community and we love him dearly! We pray for him in this year of transitional deaconate and preparation for his ordination to the priesthood!

Brother Gregory Congote, OSB - Deacon!

Interior Pentecost 2010 - The Spirit was at work!

Pro Sanctity Center in Elkhorn- back yard - the Vigil of Pentecost 2010

Pentecost 2010

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim (Acts 2:1-4).

"The experience of the Holy Spirit can happen in a 'pentecostal'
way (as in Acts) or through an interior pentecost where the Holy
Spirit is met personally and quietly..."
G. Giaquinta

Interior Pentecost 2010 - The Spirit was at work!

Pentecost Novena 2010 - Day Nine!

DAY NINE:  YOUR GIFT IS CONSTANTLY GROWING!

Fifty years after my ordination, I can say in the words Mysterium Fidei we find ever more each day the meaning of our priesthood. Here is the measure of the gift which is the priesthood, and here is also the measure of the response which the gift demands. The gift is constantly growing! And this is something wonderful. It is wonderful that a man can never say that he has fully responded to the gift. It remains both a gift and a task: always! To be conscious of this is essential if we are to live our own priesthood to the full (Pope John Paul II – Gift and Mystery, page 79).

Hail Mary….

 

 

Today I attended both an ordination to the transitional deaconate and a wedding.  Parties for both sacraments had truly prepared with discernment, prayer, pausing….Will the deacon and the newly married couple be prepared to live the gift and task of their respective vocations? Without a doubt! But even so, it will be difficult without the gift of the Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Lady and the saints. The gift is constantly growing, as Pope John Paul II said, and they will certainly grow from strength to strength seeing that they truly understood the nature of their commitments from the beginning, but still they will need much help. Human nature can turn on a dime as we know so well, however the Lord labors to keep us on the straight and narrow; we must know that He wants us to live our vocations to the full, and be happy in this life and in the life to come. God is on our side!

 

Come Holy Spirit, into our lives again and fill us with the deep awareness that with you, in the spirit of our Lady, all things are possible; only one thing is necessary, trust! May we trust that the words proclaimed over us at our consecrations and ordinations, will be fulfilled because you are with us and promised to be with us always, until the end of time. Amen.  (Teresa Monaghen)

 

"The experience of the Holy Spirit can happen in a 'pentecostal' way (as in Acts) or through an interior Pentecost where the Holy Spirit is met personally and quietly..."

G. Giaquinta

 

Pentecost Novena 2010 - Day Nine!

Fullerton, California

My Mother, My Confidence!
May 19, 2010

Congratulations!!
Cathy renews her vows for another year and Palmira celebrates her 50th anniversary!

Who is an Apostolic Oblate?
By Bishop Giaquinta

She is…

A contemplative.
A person of prayer.
One who has an intense desire for perfection.
In love with the charism of the Institute to sow hope and encourage holiness.
She is given only for God, set apart for him and for his service.
She is given without reserve to the point that there is nothing else necessary.
She is open to giving a witness that costs.
She is a person who knows what she wants and wants what she knows.
She is actual, real, and relevant.
She is easygoing in meeting with people.
She is authentic and thus believable.
She is able to listen.
Sisterly.
One who works.
Creative.
She is a woman who understands the gradual growth of the others.
She is a woman of the tent, ready to pick up and go at any moment, holding on only to the Lord her Spouse!

This is the woman that Bishop William Giaquinta describes as an Apostolic Oblate. It is the ideal and at the same time it is the challenge that we, as Apostolic Oblates strive
to meet.

Fullerton, California

Pentecost Novena – May 16

Palmira Tafani, Apostolic Oblate,

She will celebrate 50 year of loving Jesus, this Wednesday in Fullerton, California!!

Year of the Priesthood 2010
Pentecost Novena – May 16

Need what you give and give what you need.

Today was the first Holy Communion at St. Polycarp Parish in Stanton California where I attended Mass. The children were beautiful and everyone seemed to have the sense of something great happening – yet, after the children and the congregation had received Jesus there was no silence – no moment to pause and say to Jesus, “I love you, thank you for loving me so much that you have come to me in this way.” The pastor at the end of Mass must have sensed something missing and did not want to let pass exhorting us all to pay attention to Jesus in our hearts. He especially encouraged the children to come to Mass often – to ask their parents to bring them- and to remember that this was not the end of their first holy communion but the beginning of a whole new wonderful relationship with the Lord.

At this point in the Mass, I became more aware that as a church we have the duty and the responsibility to stir into flame the gift that was given, and the more we encourage our children to pay attention to Jesus and remind them of how much he loves them and cannot keep his eyes off of them, the more they will find the silence in their hearts and stay with him, talk to him and have deep and meaningful relationship with him. We must witness that this is a real friendship that happens on Sundays, when we go to Mass, pause before the Blessed Sacrament and in reality every moment of our lives.

If we love Jesus and need him, then all the more we will want to witness this awareness of what we need and give to others what we have received.

I wish to ask every priest…
Dear fathers, cultivate this love for the Eucharistic Jesus in your heart and you will encourage this same love, this ardent flame of love in the hearts of your people. I pray it be so. Amen

Teresa Monaghen

Pentecost Novena – May 16

Pentecost 2010 - lst day

 

"The Spirit dwells in the Church and in the hearts of the faithful as in a temple..."

Vatican Council II, L.G. #4 &# 12

 

Pentecost Novena 2010

May 14, 2010 – May 22, 2010

Year of the Priesthood

We dedicate the Novena for increased graces for the whole Church as the Year of the Priesthood draws to conclusion

 

DAY ONE: YOU SHARE IN THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST

The priesthood, in its deepest reality, is the priesthood of Christ. It is Christ who offers himself, his Body and Blood, in sacrifice to God the Father, and by this sacrifice makes righteous in the Father’s eyes all mankind and, indirectly, all creation. The priest, in his daily celebration of the Eucharist, goes to the very heart of the mystery. For this reason the celebration of the Eucharist must be the MOST IMPORTANT moment of the priest’s day, the center of his life.

Hail Mary….

 

Teresa

 

I see in this first day of the Novena for all of us to go to the heart of Jesus, and like John, priest, lay our head on Jesus; this means to find him in the Eucharist and to stand before the Cross with our priests day in and day out. If the Mass is the center of OUR life, the Lord will raise up more and more young men to the ranks of the priesthood. We need the priests who love the Eucharist, and our priest need people who love the Eucharist and look to their priests for their greatest need, the Eucharist.

 

Oh Lord, I am just now, at this time of my life, stepping through the veil of the mystery. I find you more real and more present to me than I have ever experienced. You are the real and ever near, and yet I still run around so often looking for you; missing you who are right there for me. I pray for all the lay faithful that we may grow in Eucharistic amazement and be for our priests a support and an inspiration to their own priest hood. Amen!

 

 

Pentecost 2010 - lst day

Flying Bethany Car Fund!

M.M.M.C!
May 10, 2010

Dear Members and Friends,

In honor of Joan Patten's First Profession of Vows, the National Council has set up a "Flying Bethany Car Fund,"please read the enclosed note below and if anyone would like to donate, or you know someone who was wondering what to give Joan besides PRAYERS, feel free to encourage everyone to give a dollar or two... Keep in mind that the money will assist all the Oblates who are on the go for the sake of others.

Thank you so much!! Make all checks payable to the Institute of the Apostolic Oblates, INC and send in honor of Joan Patten at 6762 Western Ave, Omaha NE 68132

Blessings, Teresa
***********************************************

Institute of the Apostolic Oblates
May 7, 2010

Dear Joan,

In honor of the occasion of your First Profession of Vows and in light of 1000's of miles you have driven for the sake of others and for the apostolate –which includes every walk of life and in more States than we can count - a fund has been established in your honor called, "The Flying Bethany Car Fund." All our members and friends may contribute to it for the missionary needs of the Apostolic Oblates!

Thank you for your great witness of availability, passion and good driving! Most of the time…
May the Holy Spirit and all your Guardian Angels be with you in these years to come – travel boldly and safely.

Your Apostolic Oblate Family along with the Pro Sanctity,

Teresa Monaghen
National Moderator

Flying Bethany Car Fund!

Apostolic Oblates of Omaha, celebrate God's Blessings!

Margaret, Anne,Franca, Joan!!!, Jessi, Leela, Monica, Teresa

Congratulations to Joan on the occasion of her first profession of Vows!

Apostolic Oblates of Omaha, celebrate God's Blessings!

Motherhood: Sarah and Mary

Extraordinary and mysterious events emphasize how Sarah's motherhood was primarily the fruit of the mercy of God, who gives life beyond all human expectation: "I will bless her, and moreover I will give you a son by her; I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall come from her" (Gn 17:15-16) (Pope John Paul II -13 March 1996, page 11)

Mary’s Motherhood transforms!

Motherhood is presented as a decisive gift of the Lord. The patriarch and his wife will be given a new name to indicate the unexpected and marvelous transformation that God is to work in their life.

Reflection

As children we were given pets, in our parents eyes it was for two reasons, partly to learn to take care of a living creature and primarily to teach us responsibility, but in our innocent way, it was, mostly to delight us! Caretaking, being mother to another, is an amazing gift that changes us forever. Just like the responsibility of caring for an animal changed us, so caring for another, as mothers and spiritual mothers, dramatically changes us. Our Lady, like Sarah, was given a life to care for beyond her wildest expectation and it changed her, expanded her, molded and formed her. Never would she be the same, and nor would our world!

Oh Mary, thank you for saying yes to the gift of life in your womb! Your yes brought us all into oneness with you, and with the Father. He is the vine and we are the branches, to be pruned often now, but never separate! Amen.

Teresa Monaghen

Motherhood: Sarah and Mary