Let's continue to remember that incidences of human trafficking increase during times of major sporting events. Since the Super Bowl is today, perhaps we could revisit the Halftime Challenge. Click here for more information.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Super Bowl Halftime Challenge
Let's continue to remember that incidences of human trafficking increase during times of major sporting events. Since the Super Bowl is today, perhaps we could revisit the Halftime Challenge. Click here for more information.
Thomas Merton's 100th Birthday
Monday, January 26, 2015
How many slaves work for you?
Thanks to Sister Joanne Bednar for alerting us to this resource. Go to www.slaveryfootprint.org and answer the series of questions. Based on the choices we make with our lifestyle, the site will calculate how many slaves work for you and will give you some interesting tidbits of information along the way. See what you think . . .
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Day Nine: Nine Days for Life
Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage: Day Nine
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day nine:
Excerpt from Pope Francis’ “Day for Life Greeting.” © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Click here to visit the USCCB novena site.
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day nine:
Intercession: May we treat others with the love and respect that is due to each person as a “masterpiece of God’s creation.”
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: When God created each of us, He did so with precision and purpose, and He looks on each of us with love that cannot be outdone in intensity or tenderness. Moreover, the Lord invites each of us to behold ourselves and each other with the same wonder and awe. “Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect.” - Pope Francis’ Day for Life Greeting
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Say three Hail Marys for your parish priest. Without our priests, we could not have the Mass or the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Pray for your deceased relatives and those who have no one to pray for them.
- Spend quality time with a family member or friend; offer to help them with something with which they need assistance.
Read the brief 2014 Respect Life Program flyer, from which today’s reflection was taken, at www.bit.ly/2014Flyer.
Excerpt from Pope Francis’ “Day for Life Greeting.” © 2013 Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Click here to visit the USCCB novena site.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Day Eight: Nine Days for Life
Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage Novena: Day Eight
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day eight:
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day eight:
Intercession: For an end to all domestic violence.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: “A correct reading of Scripture leads people to an understanding of the equal dignity of men and women and to relationships based on mutuality and love. Beginning with Genesis, Scripture teaches that women and men are created in God's image.” ("When I Call for Help: A Pastoral Response to Domestic Violence Against Women," USCCB 2002. See: www.bit.ly/WhenICallForHelp).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Do you love your cup of tea or coffee in the morning? Fast from caffeine today, or try your coffee black.
- Learn how to pray the Angelus prayer, and consider saying it every day— on awakening, at noon, or at 6 p.m. (or all three times).
- Give up your favorite form (or all forms) of social media for the day. Spend some of the extra time meditating upon a Scripture verse or passage.
One Step Further:
Three in four Americans are reported to know a victim of domestic violence. Learn to recognize some of the signs in “Life Matters: Domestic Violence,” which discusses the painful assault on human dignity that is domestic violence. Read the article at www.bit.ly/LifeMattersDomesticViolence. (See also: “Domestic Violence” at www.bit.ly/FYMDomesticViolence. Other resources are available at www.bit.ly/USCCBDomesticViolence.)
If you believe someone you know may be in a troubled situation, you should call a hotline number for assistance, or encourage the person to do so themselves (911, the local hotline, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233/ TTY 1-800-787-3224).
Click here to visit the USCCB novena site.
If you believe someone you know may be in a troubled situation, you should call a hotline number for assistance, or encourage the person to do so themselves (911, the local hotline, or the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233/ TTY 1-800-787-3224).
Friday, January 23, 2015
Day Seven: Nine Days for Life
Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage Novena: Day Seven
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day seven:
Intercession: For an end to the use of the death penalty in our country.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: As Catholics, we believe and put our hope in a merciful and loving God. We are conscious of our own brokenness and need for redemption. Our Lord calls us to imitate him more perfectly by witnessing to the inherent dignity of every human being, including those whose actions have been despicable. Our faith and hope is in the mercy of God who says to us, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy (Mt 5:7)* and, "I desire mercy, not sacrifices" (Mt 9:13)*. As Christians we are called to oppose the culture of death by witnessing to something greater and more perfect: a gospel of life, hope and mercy.
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
*NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission.
Click here to go to the USCCB novena site.
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day seven:
Intercession: For an end to the use of the death penalty in our country.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: As Catholics, we believe and put our hope in a merciful and loving God. We are conscious of our own brokenness and need for redemption. Our Lord calls us to imitate him more perfectly by witnessing to the inherent dignity of every human being, including those whose actions have been despicable. Our faith and hope is in the mercy of God who says to us, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall be shown mercy (Mt 5:7)* and, "I desire mercy, not sacrifices" (Mt 9:13)*. As Christians we are called to oppose the culture of death by witnessing to something greater and more perfect: a gospel of life, hope and mercy.
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Clean a room in your house without being asked or without telling anyone. Pray for your family members while you clean, “and your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:6).
- Read about a Church teaching you don’t understand in the Catechism.
- Make an honest assessment of your “giving finances” –are you giving too little? Make a resolution to give a set weekly or monthly donation to your parish or favorite local charity.
*NABRE © 2010 CCD. Used with permission.
Click here to go to the USCCB novena site.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Day Six: Nine Days for Life
Prayer, Penance and Pilgrimage Novena: Day Six
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day six:
Intercession: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope & healing in Christ.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection:
Today, on this 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we consider the past four decades in which our society has legally permitted abortion. Since that tragic decision, many children’s lives have been lost, and many suffer that loss—often in silence. Yet God’s greatest desire is to forgive. No matter how far we have each strayed from his side, he says to us, “Don’t be afraid. Draw close to my heart.”
“In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. … We bishops and priests are eager to help you if you experience difficulty, hesitation, or uncertainty about approaching the Lord in this sacrament. If you have not received this healing sacrament in a long time, we are ready to welcome you” ("God’s Gift of Forgiveness": www.bit.ly/GiftOfForgiveness). Let us run into the arms of Jesus, who is love and mercy.
Acts of Reparation (choose one)
On January 22 our nation will mark the 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that made abortion legal throughout the U.S. Since that tragic decision, more than 56 million children's lives have been lost to abortion, and many suffer that loss -- often in silence. The USCCB invites us to join thousands of Catholics across the country coming together in prayer for a "culture of life" from January 17-25. Here's day six:
Intercession: May each person suffering from the loss of a child through abortion find hope & healing in Christ.
Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection:
Today, on this 42nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we consider the past four decades in which our society has legally permitted abortion. Since that tragic decision, many children’s lives have been lost, and many suffer that loss—often in silence. Yet God’s greatest desire is to forgive. No matter how far we have each strayed from his side, he says to us, “Don’t be afraid. Draw close to my heart.”
“In the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation, also called confession, we meet the Lord, who wants to grant forgiveness and the grace to live a renewed life in him. … We bishops and priests are eager to help you if you experience difficulty, hesitation, or uncertainty about approaching the Lord in this sacrament. If you have not received this healing sacrament in a long time, we are ready to welcome you” ("God’s Gift of Forgiveness": www.bit.ly/GiftOfForgiveness). Let us run into the arms of Jesus, who is love and mercy.
Acts of Reparation (choose one)
- Today, go visit an adoration chapel and spend some time with Jesus.
- Go to Confession—today, if possible—or during this week. Before you go, look up St. Faustina and learn a little about the message of Divine Mercy she shared during her life.
- Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for those who are suffering the loss of a child through abortion, asking that they find healing and peace.
- Hope After Abortion (www.bit.ly/HopeAfterAbortion)
- "How to Talk to a Friend Who’s Had an Abortion" (http://bit.ly/How2Talk)
- "Life Matters: Forgiveness and Healing After Abortion" (bit.ly/ForgivenessHealing)
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