Sunday, February 16, 2025

Communion rail: place of exchange...

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, 
continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, 
strengthened in the faith as you were taught, 
and overflowing in thankfulness. - Colossians 2: 6,7

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“The communion rail is a place of exchange. 
The people give time and receive eternity
they give self-denial and receive life
they give nothingness and receive all. 

Holy Communion commits each to a closer union 
not only with Christ’s life, but also with His death – 
to greater detachment from the world, 
to surrender of luxuries for the sake of the poor, 
to death of the old Adam 
for rebirth in Christ, the new Adam.”

Ven Fulton J Sheen 
From The Priest is Not His Own
(Excellent read for Lent!)
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Consider daily Mass attendance 
during the season of Lent -
and become a daily Communicant!
Ash Wednesday is March 5th.
Expect graces!

Saturday, February 15, 2025

Wise counsel, wise living...

"God is more honored by a single Mass 

than He could be by all the actions 
of angels and men together, 

however fervent and heroic they might be. ...
If we only knew the treasure 
we hold in our hands!" 

St Claude de la Colombiere

 

"If you are sinful, repent
so that you can Communicate often.
If you are imperfect,
go often to Communion
that you may amend your faults."

StClaude de la Colombiere
Jesuit priest ~ France ~ 1641 - 1682 
Eloquent speaker and writer
Exemplary life of holiness
Spiritual Director of St Margaret Mary Alacoque
Motto: "Trust in God"
Feast Day - Feb 15



"It is in vain that Your enemy and mine (the devil) sets new traps 
for me all the time.  He can make me lose everything, except
my hope in Your mercy.  Had I fallen a hundred times, and my
crimes were a hundred times more horrible than they are,
I would still hope in You." -  St. Claude de la Colombiere



If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous 
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us 
from all unrighteousness. - I John 1:9
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"The happiness of the person whose will is entirely submitted 
to God's is constant, unchangeable and endless. 
No fear comes to disturb it for no accident can destroy it."
St. Claude de la Colombiere


  St Claude de la Colombiere, pray for us!

Friday, February 14, 2025

The greatest love story...

"All that we do is a means to an end, 
but love is an end in itself, 
because God is love." - St Teresa Benedicta 


"The greatest love story
of all time
is contained
in a small white host."
Ven Fulton J Sheen
____________________

Sts Cyril and Methodius
9th century
Byzantine Greek brothers
Bishops, missionaries
"Apostles to the Slavs"
Translated Liturgy into Slavic language
using an alphabet devised by Cyril
Feast Day - February 14 


Sts Cyril and Methodius, pray for us!

Also remembering...

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St. Valentine of Rome (c. 270) was a priest in Rome during the reign of Emporer Claudius II. Not much is known about his life with certainty, but according to legend he gave aid to martyrs imprisoned for their faith, and it was for this work, along with his own Christian beliefs, that he was arrested. One account has it that the emperor banned all marriages and engagements in Rome believing this was the reason Roman men were unwilling to serve in the army. Valentine defied this unjust decree and continued to perform marriages for lovers in secret. He was arrested, and while in prison he restored sight to the jailer's blind daughter, causing the jailer and his entire extended family, all 46 of them, to immediately convert to Christianity. Upon hearing this, Emperor Claudius II ordered his execution. St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine." He was beheaded on February 14th. St. Valentine is the patron saint of bee keepers, betrothed and engaged couples, lovers, love, happy marriages, and young people. His feast day is February 14th.


St Valentine, pray for us!

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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Letting go of distractions...

 
"Anytime you come into the Eucharistic presence of the Lord 
and find that you are distracted and anxious about situations in your life, 
you can begin your prayer time with a litany of mercy 
as a way of letting go of all these thoughts.
How?  Let me suggest a method that has helped me. 


Simply begin asking the Holy Spirit to pray in you,
 and then respond to each of the distractions and anxieties – 
from whatever source – with short prayers 
such as: ‘Jesus, mercy’ or ‘Jesus, I trust in You.’
Imagine that each of the distractions, anxieties, fears, or hurts 
is a slide-show.  Project one ‘slide’ at a time on the wall 
and pray your response, and then move on to the next ‘slide.’ 
You will be surprised when suddenly you have run through 
all your slides and are at peace in the presence of the Lord.” 
Fr George W Kosicki, CSB 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Be big-hearted...

  "Be 'big-hearted' enough in prayer
to embrace everyone in the world."
Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo

Francisco de Herrera

"O living Host,
my one and only Strength,
Fountain of love and mercy,
embrace the whole world,
fortify those who are weak."
St Faustina Kowalska 
(Diary, 223)