Meditation of the Day

Pentecost

Scholars tell us that the first Pentecost took place during the Jewish Feast
of Weeks. This was a festival at which the first fruits of the harvest were
offered to God in thanksgiving. But on this particular day, instead of our
giving our first fruits to God, he gave his first fruit-the Holy Spirit-to
us.

And what an amazing gift the Spirit has been! It is his power that has kept
the church on track, despite human sinfulness, for two thousand years. It is
his grace that has strengthened us, revealed Jesus to us, moved us to serve,
and convinced us that Jesus will indeed come back to bring heaven down to
earth. To put it quite simply, Pentecost is all about the fact that Almighty
God has come to live in human hearts, making ordinary people into
extraordinary saints.

After Jesus rose from the dead, he appeared to the apostles and breathing on
them, said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). Just as he did at
Pentecost, Jesus wants to breathe God's energy into our hearts every day.
The spiritual dynamic that was present at that first Pentecost, moving
people to love God, to seek out holiness, and to come together as a church
is still at work today.

How can we tell if this breath of God is active in our lives? We will feel
energized by the Spirit, and we will want to set our sights on being like
Jesus. We will feel moved to go to work for the kingdom, relying on the
Spirit's power and guidance. We will try to be more loving, more kind, and
more patient.

Right now, stop and take a few deep breaths. In your mind, imagine yourself
breathing in the Spirit and breathing out your sin. Picture yourself
accepting the Lord and his plans, and letting go of your own plans and
visions. Know that what you are breathing in is pure, holy, and
intoxicating. Jesus has great plans for every member of his church. And that
includes you!

"Jesus, breathe on me and make me more alive to God. Come, Holy Spirit, and
fill me with your life!"

Psalm 104:1,24,29- 31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13; John 20:19-23

Visitation of Mary

MAY 31
THE VISITATION OF MARY

Visitation means "visit." The Archangel Gabriel told the Blessed Virgin Mary
that her cousin Elizabeth was going to have a baby. Elizabeth was an older
woman. Mary knew that she might appreciate some help. She started out at
once on the journey.
Mary's trip was long and dangerous. It was uncomfortable, too. But that
could not stop her. She rode on a donkey. Mary reached her cousin's house.
She was the first to greet Elizabeth. At that moment, God revealed to
Elizabeth that Mary had become his mother. Elizabeth asked joyfully, "How
have I deserved that the Mother of my Lord should come to me?" Mary remained
humble. She quickly gave all the credit to God. He had blessed her so
richly.
"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,"
she said. "For he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, and holy is
his name."
What graces the Blessed Mother brought to the home of her cousin! St. John,
while still hidden in his mother's womb, was cleansed of original sin.
Zachary was able to speak again. St. Elizabeth was filled with the gifts of
the Holy Spirit.
Mary stayed three months at her cousin's home. With great kindness and love,
she helped Elizabeth.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he
has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden, and holy is his name." (Luke
1:46-55)

St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.

Prodigal son

Life Happens and then God steps in

Well I am finally back to writing agin after a relapse of a month or so, due kids activities. God is drawing me closer through writing again. This where he wants me to be so I am on that journey again. My life has been nuts lately and now I spinning a part-time freelancing job into it--that ought to be fun. I just decided there are some things my hubby with have to take charge of life the softball practices and games, while I try to write and do everything else. He does help, but he is also looking for a job so I hate to ask. Good News I got an awesome Catholic Planner to help me staring this July--we are going to be on the road alot this summer, partly due to a writing project I decided to undertake, hopefully I will make the deadline. If not I could always send it to another magazine--hehehe. I honestly thought I was going back to teaching. Last night I got a clear message that is not where I am needed, so I leaving it all in The Almighty's hands. So Good News I will be a Catholic author sometime in the future, bad news my teaching career is the one I will have at home homeschooling at least for now. The funny thing one always says yes when everything is going good. When the bad times comes saying yes is harder but means so much more! So I am back doing something I love, which has always been the first passion in my life.

Praising Him Joyfully(even through some hard times),

Noelle

Magnificat Review for May's edition

The Magnificat greatly impressed me. Since this a Marian month, this issue was centered around Our Blessed Mother, Mary. There were Marian Blessing prayers for each day of the month, Blessings for the Table, Hymn of the month, prayers for the morning and night. The Litany of Mary was listed also. This month became a month of true prayer with the Magnifcat. Everyday is listed the Saint of the Day, with a meditation, along with the Mass readings to reflect upon. There are morning and evening prayers. With the aid of the Magnificat you can lead a very prayer lead life.At the end is a beautiful Canticle of Mary, which can be read or sung. There is a beautiful section called Hearth and Home which talks about the Holy Family through the use of a painting by Jaques Stella. This month's theme was very much true to the letter focused around Mary, the Blessed Mother. This faithful book will keep you on the path to God. I highly recommend this.

The Catholic Company sells it at:

http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-books/2005908/Magnificat-Magazine-Subscription-1-Year

Obama elects Ambassador to Holy See

http://www.ncregister.com/daily/obama_names_vatican_ambassador/?utm_source=NCRegister.com&utm_campaign=dfd3c89d99-RSS_DAILY_EMAIL&utm_medium=email

Meditation of the Day

What a tender moment!

It is a final farewell from the great apostle Paul, who had not only founded
the church at Ephesus but lived among the new believers for three years.
During that time, God did extraordinary miracles through Paul. As a result,
the gospel continued to spread "with influence and power" (Acts 19:20).

However, the Ephesian elders were not crying in admiration of Paul's
accomplishments. Rather, they shed tears of affection for a brother. And
Paul, in turn, was concerned not for the continuation of his ministry but
for the survival of "the flock?. that [God] acquired with his own blood"
(Acts 20:28), especially "the weak" (20:35).

The church in Ephesus had born leaders like Apollos (Acts 18:24-28)-quick
studies whose keen minds grasped the significance of Paul's message.
Teaching such converts must have been very gratifying for Paul. However, his
attention here seems to be on those at the other end of the spectrum, the
humble and lowly who enjoy a special relationship with the Lord.

Every community, every congregation, even every family has its own "weak"
members. Through whatever combination of genetics, upbringing, sin, and just
plain hard luck, it is unlikely that they will ever be able to take care of
themselves adequately. And these are the ones Paul singled out for special
attention, for he knew the fundamental precept of the gospel that those who
are more graced should care for those who are in need-not take advantage of
them or ignore them.

Such a philosophy goes against our human nature. Those who move quickly find
it irritating to slow down for those who lag behind. It can be hard for
someone with a quick mind to have to re-explain things to someone who just
doesn't get it. Instead of putting ourselves in their shoes, we tend to
imagine them in ours: "If that happened to me, I would surely have handled
it better." But when we do this, we exercise the judgment that belongs to
God alone and fail to extend the mercy of God-a mercy that belongs to the
strong and weak alike.

"Jesus, pour out your grace on your poor and needy brothers and sisters. Let
their cry pierce my heart. Show me how I can be your arms to encourage them
and lift them up."

Psalm 68:29-30, 33-36; John 17:11-19

Saint Augustine--Saint of the Day

MAY 2 7
ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY

St. Augustine was the abbot of St. Andrew's monastery in Rome. Pope St.
Gregory the Great chose him and forty other monks for a mission dear to his
heart. They were to preach the Gospel to the people of England. Abbot
Augustine and the monks started on their journey. When they reached southern
France, people warned them that the English were fierce. The monks felt
discouraged. They asked Augustine to go back to obtain the pope's permission
to give up the whole idea. They did, but the pope asked them to go to
England just the same. He said that the people wanted to accept the
Christian faith. The monks went to England. They arrived in 596.
The missionaries were well received by King Ethelbert, whose wife was a
Christian princess from France. The monks formed a procession when they
landed. They walked along singing psalms. They carried a cross and a picture
of our Lord. Many people received the monks' message. King Ethelbert himself
was baptized on Pentecost, 597. Abbot Augustine became a bishop that same
year.
St. Augustine often wrote to ask the pope advice. And Pope St. Gregory gave
him much holy advice, too. Speaking about the many miracles St. Augustine
worked, the pope said: "You must rejoice with fear and fear with joy for
that gift." He meant that Augustine should be happy that through the
miracles the English were being converted. But he should be careful not to
become proud.
At Canterbury, St. Augustine built a church and a monastery, which became
the most important in England. It was there that he was buried. St.
Augustine died seven years after his arrival in England, on May 26, 605.

We pray with the help of St. Augustine of Canterbury that the fruits of his
works continue in our Church.

Sacred H.E.A.R.T. Convention

Remember to register for the Sacred HEART convention before the early birddeadine passes!

• Great Speakers
• Numerous vendors
• Free childcare if you preregister
• Teen & Preteen Q&A panel
• Mass with Archbishop Myers
• Special music

Register at www.heartconvention .org

or contact Peach at dphomeline@msn. comor at

(732)388-9719

Meditation for the Day

The long-awaited hour had finally come-the hour for which Jesus was born
into the world (John 17:1).

Ancient prophecies were about to be transformed into terrifying, then
glorious realities as Jesus would die an agonizing death and then rise to
glory.

In the upper room, surrounded by his disciples, Jesus opened his heart in
prayer. He had accomplished the work that God had given him to do. Now he
wanted to prepare his closest friends for what lay ahead. The signs and
symbols of the Passover meal that were all around them were about to find
consummation in the unfolding events of his passion. There, on the threshold
of eternal glory, Jesus proclaimed, "This is eternal life, that they should
know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ" (John
17:3).

Forty days later, these same disciples gathered again to pray. They were
joined by Jesus' mother Mary and the other women who followed Jesus from
Galilee. The events of the past several weeks had left all of them in a
state of quiet wonderment. So much had happened since that meal with their
Master. So much had changed inside of them. And now they had been told to
wait-simply to wait and pray. Reverently, expectantly, they obeyed (Acts
1:12-14).

There are moments in human history when the infinite meets the finite in
earthshaking, cataclysmic ways and forever changes everything that had come
before. We who live in the twenty-first century have been blessed to witness
the fulfillment of almost all of God's divine, cataclysmic, reality-changing
interventions: creation; the incarnation; Jesus' death, resurrection, and
ascension; and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Only one intervention
remains: Jesus' glorious return to earth, when he will banish all sin and
suffering and bring his kingdom in all its marvelous fullness. Just as
surely as all of God's other promises have come to pass, so too will this
one.

Jesus will come again to judge the earth and to take us to his side. Until
that day comes, let's go out and share the good news with as many as we can.

"Father, help me to await Jesus' Second Coming with a prayerful, expectant
heart. What a privilege it is to be found at this moment in history. Come,
Lord Jesus, come!"

Acts 20:17-27; Psalm 68:10-11,20- 21

Saint of the Day

MAY 26
ST. PHILIP NERI

St. Philip Neri was born in Florence, Italy, in 1515. As a child, his
nickname was "Good little Phil." He was always so jolly and friendly that
everyone he met loved him. Philip went to Rome as a teenager. He studied
theology and philosophy for three years and was a good student. Above all,
Philip was a very active Christian. He lived simply and worked hard. But he
also did much good for the people around him. He helped poor children. He
donated his time to the sick. He was a friend to people who were troubled
and lonely. In fact, he reached out to everybody he could for the love of
Jesus.
Philip helped start an organization of lay people to take care of needy
pilgrims. That ministry gradually continued as a famous Roman hospital. The
priest who guided him realized that Philip was doing so much to help the
Christians of Rome become fervent again. But it became obvious when Philip
was thirty-six that he had the call to be a priest. It was then that he
began his most wonderful ministry for others. He started to hear
confessions. He was available for the sacrament of Reconciliation for
several hours every day. The lines of people who came to him grew longer.
But Father Philip was never in a hurry. He never ran out of patience and
gentleness.
People began to notice that he could read their minds at times. He could, in
some circumstances, foretell the future. The Lord even worked miracles
through him. But all Philip wanted to do was bring Jesus to the people. To
avoid their admiration, he acted silly once in a while. He wanted people to
laugh and forget that they thought he was holy.
St. Philip was making a difference, though. Because of him, the whole city
of Rome was becoming better. Once he started to think about being a
missionary to far-off lands. He was very impressed by the life of St.
Francis Xavier, who had died in 1552 at the gate of China. Philip had just
been one year a priest at the time of St. Xavier's death. Should he leave
Rome and volunteer for the missions? A holy Cistercian monk told him "Rome
is to be your mission land." After that, Father Philip was at peace.
St. Philip spent the last five years of his life offering the sacrament of
Reconciliation to the people. He died at the age of eighty in 1595. He was
proclaimed a saint by Pope Gregory XV in 1622.

"A servant of God ought always to be happy." How can I become more cheerful
and generous? I can pray for these gifts.

Saints of the Day

MAY 25
The current Roman calendar lists three saints on May 25. Their stories are
briefly presented here, one after another.

VENERABLE BEDE

This English priest is famous as a saint, a priest, a monk, a teacher and a
writer of history. He was born in England in 673. His parents sent Bede to
the local Benedictine monastery to receive an education. He loved the life
of the monks so much that when he grew up he became a monk. He remained in
that same monastery for the rest of his life.
St. Bede loved the Holy Bible very much. He tells us that it was a joy for
him to study the Bible. He loved to teach it and write about it. When he
grew older, sickness at last forced him to stay in bed. His pupils came to
study by his bedside. He kept on teaching them and working on his
translation of St. John's Gospel into English. Many people could not read
Latin. He wanted them to be able to read the words of Jesus in their own
language.
As he grew sicker, St. Bede realized that he was about to go back to God.
The monks would miss him very much. He kept on working even when he was
seriously ill. At last, the boy who was doing the writing for him said,
"There is still one sentence, dear Father, which is not written down."
"Write it quickly," answered the saint. When the boy said, "It is finished,"
the saint said, "Good! You are right-it is finished. Now please hold my head
up. I want to sit facing the place where I used to pray. I want to call on
my Heavenly Father."
St. Bede died shortly after, on May 25, 735. His most famous book, Church
History of the English People, is the only source for much of early English
history. People call Bede by the respectful title of "venerable." He is also
a Doctor of the Church.

Venerable Bede's own words can be a source of inspiration to us: " It has
ever been my delight to learn, to teach, or write."-Venerable Bede

ST. GREGORY VII

This pope's name was Hildebrand. He was born in Italy around 1023. His uncle
was a monk in Rome so Hildebrand went to the monastery to be educated.
Later, Hildebrand became a Benedictine monk in France. Soon, however, he was
called back to Rome. There he held very important positions under several
popes until he himself was made pope.
For twenty-five years, he had refused to let himself be elected. But when
Pope Alexander II died, the cardinals made up their minds to elect
Hildebrand pope. With one voice they cried out: "Hildebrand is the elect of
St. Peter!" "They carried me to the throne," the saint wrote afterward. "My
protests did no good. Fear filled my heart and darkness was all around me."
Hildebrand chose the name Gregory VII.
These were truly dark times for the Catholic Church. Kings and emperors were
interfering in Church matters. They named the men they wanted to be bishops,
cardinals and even popes. Many of those appointed were not very good men.
They were bad examples to the people.
The first thing Pope St. Gregory did was to spend several days in prayer. He
also asked others to pray for him. He realized that without prayer nothing
can be done well for God. Afterward, he began to act to make the clergy
better. He also took steps to keep civil rulers out of the affairs of
the Church. This was very difficult because the rulers were all against the
change. However, some gave in.
One ruler, Emperor Henry IV of Germany, caused Pope Gregory great
sufferings. This young man was sinful and greedy for gold. He would not stop
trying to run the affairs of the Church. He even sent his men to capture the
pope. But the people of Rome rescued the saint from prison. Pope Gregory
excommunicated the emperor. That did nothing to stop Henry IV. He chose his
own pope. Of course, the man he chose was not the real pope. But Henry tried
to make people think he was. Then, once again, the emperor sent his armies
to capture the saint. Pope Gregory was forced to leave Rome. He was taken
safely to Salerno where he died in 1085. His last words were, "I have loved
justice and hated evil. That is why I am dying in exile." He was proclaimed
a saint by Pope Paul V in 1606.
Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand) is known for his tremendous personal courage.
He stood up for the cause of Jesus and his Church.

"Lord," said Thomas, " we do not know where you are going. How can we know
the way?" Jesus told him: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." (Jn.
14:5)

ST. MARY MAGDALEN DE PAZZI

Catherine de Pazzi was born in Florence, Italy, in 1566. She was the only
daughter of very rich parents. When she was fourteen, Catherine became a
boarder at a convent school. There she grew to love life in a religious
house. But about a year later, her father took her home. He began to think
of choosing a rich husband for her. However, Catherine's heart was set on
becoming a nun. She shocked her parents by telling them she had already made
a vow of chastity. They could not believe it. Finally, they let her enter
the Carmelite convent. Only fifteen days later, however, they came and took
her home. They hoped to make her change her mind. After three months of
trying, they gave up. They let her go back for good, with their blessing. It
was 1582, the year St. Teresa of Avila died in Spain.
As a novice, St. Mary Magdalen became very sick. The nuns feared she might
die. She was permitted to pronounce her religious vows. Since she was
suffering greatly, one of the sisters asked her how she could stand that
pain without a word. The saint pointed to the crucifix. She said: "See what
the great love of God has suffered for my salvation. This same love sees my
weakness and gives me strength."
St. Mary Magdalen had great sufferings her whole life. She also had very
strong temptations to impurity and to greed for food. She overcame
everything by her great love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and for Mary.
Often she ate only bread and water. She practiced other acts of self-denial,
too. Moreover, her love for Jesus became so great that she would say, "Love
is not loved, not known by his own creatures." With tears, she would pray
and offer her pains for sinners and unbelievers, right up until she died.
She once said: "O my Jesus, if I had a voice loud and strong enough to be
heard in every part of the world, I would cry out to make you known and
loved by everyone!"
St. Mary Magdalen de Pazzi died on May 25, 1607, at the age of forty-one.
She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Clement IX in 1669.

"Love, then, consists in this: not that we have loved God but that he has
loved us and has sent his Son as an offering for our sins." (1 Jn.4: 10)

Meditation for Today

The disciples were feeling confident.

They finally understood Jesus. They grasped his "plain words," and that
probably made them think that they had everything figured out. You can
imagine Jesus smiling at their reaction. He loves them but wants to be sure
they understand their limits. So he warned them that despite their
self-assurance, they would abandon him soon. What's more, he said all this
so that they would have peace about it when it happened!

Actually, the fact that we will never get Jesus figured out can be a very
comforting, peaceful thought. It means that we don't have to completely
unravel mysteries like the Blessed Trinity and transubstantiation. We can
all grow in love for God and our neighbors no matter how much-or how
little-we understand. In the final analysis, it's not "getting it"
intellectually that brings us peace. It's coming in touch with the Lord
personally. This is what puts our hearts at rest. And not surprisingly, this
is what imparts to us the kind of knowledge and understanding we really
need.

That's why the Mass is called the source and summit of our Christian life,
and not the Catechism or the papal documents. As essential as these are to
our life of faith, they exist for one reason: to help us understand what it
means to love the Lord and to receive his love in return. Coming
face-to-face with Jesus, eating his body and drinking his blood-that's what
enables us to hear him speaking to us. That's what purifies our hearts and
brings us peace. In Mass, we can be lifted up to heaven in a way that no
amount of study can ever accomplish. And being thus lifted up, we begin to
make greater sense of our lives. We begin to understand who we are and how
we are to live.

Rejoice in Jesus' presence today! Rejoice that he has given you the
Eucharist as a way for his presence to heal you, bring you peace, and make
you more fully alive. We will never fully "understand" Jesus, but each of us
can get to know him and love him more and more.

"Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your body and blood. I rejoice that I can
know you in such a personal way, even if I do not understand everything
about you. May your presence bring me the peace that surpasses all
understanding. "

I will Rise--for a good friend of ours

God is truly present

All the doctors and medical journals alone cannot explain lots of things. Please pray for this special family. After viewing this, you know God truly exists and is present in our lives:

http://www.babyfaithhope.blogspot.com/

Pope 2 You

http://www.pope2you.net/index.php

Now this is cool!!! Good for you Pope Benedict!

Homeschool goodies

http://thankevann.com/homeschoolgoodies/

Meditation of the Day

The Ascension of the Lord

Today is a day of great celebration. Christ Jesus, victorious over every
enemy, has ascended to heaven! He returns to the Father, taking with him as
"captives" the hearts of those who love him. All power and authority in
heaven and earth now belong to him. Can you imagine the joy of the whole
heavenly court as they welcome Jesus home? Can you picture all of them
bowing low, acknowledging him as their valiant King of Glory?

Jesus, the man of sorrows acquainted with such grief; Jesus, beaten,
scourged, and put to death; Jesus, mocked as a false prophet, ridiculed as a
fake king, taunted as a powerless priest, has been vindicated! And now that
he is enthroned, he seeks to share his victory with his people. He has
brought with him into glory that same human nature that was humbled to
death. And in so doing, he has raised up all of human nature and made it
capable of intimate and eternal communion with God.

How should we honor this day? By lifting up our hearts and our voices. By
proclaiming that the gates of heaven are open and that we can approach God
confidently to receive all the grace we need. Jesus may have left us, but he
will never stop caring for us. He is constantly pouring out his love and
offering us abundant gifts that will build his church.

St. Augustine once said: "Our Lord ascends to heaven, let our hearts ascend
with him." Scripture offers the same advice: "If then you were raised with
Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God"
(Colossians 3:1).

So on this great and glorious day, let the Lord bring you into his throne
room. Let your voice join with all the angels and saints in the praise,
worship, and adoration that will go on for all eternity!

"O Jesus, slain for our sins, you are now King of kings and Lord of lords.
We love you and adore you."

Psalm 47:2-3,6-9;? Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20

Saint of the Day

MAY 24
ST. DAVID I OF SCOTLAND

David was born in 1080. He was the youngest son of St. Margaret, queen of
Scotland, and her good husband, King Malcom. David himself became king when
he was about forty. Those who knew him well saw how little he wanted to
accept the royal crown. But once he was king, he was a very good one.
St. David ruled his kingdom with great justice. He was very charitable to
the poor. All of his subjects were free to visit him whenever they desired.
He gave everyone a good example with his own love of prayer. Under this holy
king, the people of Scotland united more closely into one nation. They
became better Christians.
King David established new dioceses. He built many new monasteries. He gave
much money to the Church during his rule of about twenty years.
Two days before he died, he received the last sacraments. He spent his time
praying with those attending him. The next day, they urged him to rest. King
David answered, "Let me think about the things of God, instead, so that my
soul may be strengthened on its trip from exile to home." By home, the saint
meant our heavenly home. "When I stand before God's judgment seat, you will
not be able to answer for me or defend me," he said. "No one will be able to
deliver me from his hand." So he kept on praying right up until he died. St.
David died on May 24, 1153.

"Let me think about the things of God, instead, so that my soul may be
strengthened on its trip from exile home."-St. David of Scotland

Curriculum reviews

I will be posting some curriculum reviews from the past year we have used over the next couple of days, so watch out for it! God Bless! Have a Blessed Memorial Day Weekend and please remember to thank a veteran for all he has done for our freedom!

Praising Him Joyfully,

Noelle

Vatican clears Obama Stance

http://www.ncregister.com/daily/vatican_clarifies_obama_stance/?utm_source=NCRegister.com&utm_campaign=fe4f7505a5-RSS_DAILY_EMAIL&utm_medium=email

God is Gone Up

Gordy

Sacred H.E.A.R.T. Convention

Raising Children in a Catholic Culture

First Annual Sacred H.E.A.R.T. Convention Offers Encouragement and Support to Parents

Orange, NJ, May 26, 2009—Parents are often times worried about who and what influences their children: the media, peer groups, the Internet,popular culture, even school textbooks. At the first annual Sacred H.E.A.R.T. (Homeschooler’ s Educational Alliance of Roman Catholics in the Tri-state Area) convention, parents will learn what it means to raise children in a Catholic culture.

The Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention will take place on Saturday, June 20, 2009 at St. John the Evangelist parish in Orange . The convention is designed to assist and edify both veteran and new Catholic homeschoolers in the Tri-state and New England areas, as well as other parents and families seeking guidance and support in raising their children in a Catholic culture. Distinguished speakers will teach parents how to educate their children in the Catholic Faith, how to teach their children morals and values, how to create a Catholic home life, and how to train the next generation of Catholic leaders. Participants will also be able to visit vendor booths, to ask questions ofCatholic college representatives, to listen to classical music, and to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Speakers include Damon Owens, founder of God’s Plan for a Joy-Filled Marriage program and a frequent guest on EWTN; Steven Greydanus, film critic for the National Catholic Register and founder of DecentFilms. com; Martha Nowik, a homeschooling mother of 10 and a professional church musician; Mary Daly, founder of Ye Hedge School; and Dylan McDonald, founder of The Family Cloister Learning Center. Workshops will cover a range of topics including a presentation by Kate Daneluk, co-founder of Making Music, Praying Twice, an early childhood music program for families to use at home. Other workshops include “Helping Your Child to Write” and “Teaching the Struggling Learner.” There will also be a Questions and Answers panel for pre-teen, junior high and high school students.

Damon Owens will speak on solid marriages as the foundation for raising children who will positively impact the culture. “The common good of marriage as the foundation of a just society is no longer part of the common sense of our culture. The Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention is the perfect place to explore why the family is the source of all culture, why marriage is the source of the family, and how our Catholic faith and identity animates these vocations.”

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available and an adoration chapel will be accessible for reflection and prayer. The Angelus will be prayed at noon and an organ recital will be offered by Domecq Smith on the parish’s historic 1879 Hook and Hastings organ. The closing Mass will be celebrated by theMost Reverend John Myers, Archbishop of Newark, with music offerings by the combined St. John the Evangelist parish choirs and the Little Way Homeschool Choir. Refreshments will be available for purchase, but attendees are also welcome to bring their own food and beverages.

Registration is offered at a significant discount if postmarked by June 10, 2009. Free childcare is available for children under the age of ten but only for those who preregister.

For more information or to register, visit www.HeartConvention .org or call 732-388-9719. Early registration fees are as follows: $25 per couple, $20 for a single adult, $5 for children ages 10-18. After June 10, 2009, the prices will be $40 per couple, $30 for a single adult, $5 for children ages 10-18. All priests and religious are free.

For more information about the Sacred H.E.A.R.T. convention or to schedule an interview with Damon Owens, please contact Christine Schicker with The Maximus Group at 404-610-8871.

Saint of the Day

MAY 20
ST. BERNARDINE OF SIENA

St. Bernardine of Siena was born in 1380 in a town near Siena, Italy. He was
the son of an Italian governor. His parents died when he was seven. His
relatives loved him as if he were their own. They also gave him a good
education. He grew up to be a tall, handsome boy. He was so much fun that
his friends loved to be with him. Yet they knew better than to use any dirty
words when he was around. He would not put up with it. Twice when a man
tried to lead him into sin, Bernardine punched him and sent him on his way.
The saint had a special love for the Blessed Mother. She was the one who
kept him pure. Even when he was a teenager, Bernardine would pray to her as
a child talks with his mother.
Bernardine was tender hearted. He felt great pity for the poor. Once, his
aunt had no extra food to give a beggar. The boy cried, "I'd rather go
without food myself than leave that poor man with none." When a plague
struck the area in 1400, Bernardine and his friends volunteered their
services at the hospital. They helped the sick and dying day and night for
six weeks until the plague had ended.
Bernardine joined the Franciscan order when he was twenty-two. He became a
priest. After several years, he was assigned to go to towns and cities to
preach. The people needed to be reminded about the love of Jesus. In those
days, bad habits were ruining both young and old people. "How can I save
these people by myself?" Bernardine asked the Lord in prayer. "With what
weapons can I fight the devil?" And God answered, "My Holy Name will be
enough for you." So Bernardine spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. He
used this Name a great many times in every sermon. He asked people to print
Jesus' Name over the gates of their cities, over their doorways-everywhere .
Through devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus and devotion to the Blessed
Mother, Bernardine brought thousands of people from all over Italy back to
the Church.
St. Bernardine spent forty-two years of his life as a Franciscan. He died at
the age of sixty-four in Aquila, Italy. It was May 20, 1444. He was declared
a saint just six years later, in 1450, by Pope Nicholas V.

"If you speak of God, speak with love. If you speak of yourself, speak with
love. Take care that there is nothing in you but love, love, love."-St.
Bernadine of Siena

Ave Maria--Andrea Bocelli

Ave Maria!

It's May!!!

Amy Wellborn

Here is Amy's site:http://blog.beliefnet.com/viamedia/2009/05/50-reasons.html

This made me cry. When he husband died I cried, and yet did not know them but knew that it was heart wrenching for a husband to just suddenly die. It made me think of our lives. Yes my husband is unemployed, but through all of this we still have each other. I know that God is always at our sides but sometimes it is still hard, especially going through grief. You never truly get over the grief and you still miss the person who left you, whether it is a grandparent or uncle. They are still a part of you. The closer in your walk with God, I find the more your heart is affected by things they never were before, and the more you feel the Love of God envelope you like a blanket. God Bless Amy and her children!

Paulist Inspiration of the Day

Praise God in all things.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.

Hidden Treasures

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Paulist Message of today

God gives grace to those who love.

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

Heart of Matter article--really good!!!

Do You Ever Feel Like This?

May 17, 2009 by Cheryl

I know I do. Somewhere midpoint through our school year I begin to feel overwhelmed, overburdened and overtired. I have been homeschooling for 5 years and have been both an enrolled and registered home learner. I have tried a variety of curriculum and homeschool approaches. I have gone to homeschool conferences, seminars and meetings. I attend a monthly homeschool support group and have many homeschool friends who have also chosen similar paths - and still, at some point I end up feeling like this guy here. I find I end up saying to myself “Just why am I doing this?”

I found myself saying this very thing one day to a good friend of mine who had the wisdom to tell me, “Yes, why are you doing this? Don’t you remember?” I’ll never forget that conversation, because whenever I find myself repeating those words, I can hear her reply. Her reply changed my thinking. She reminded me of all the good reasons to homeschool and most importantly she reminded me of He who led me here.

Homeschooling came as an interruption to me. I never dreamed I would homeschool, I never gave it a second thought. I was on my way to become an interior designer and was already apprenticing. My plan was, when my daughters would turn school age, I would design full time. I still remember where I was. I was sitting on the computer (of all things) looking for recipes when the thought came into my head,

Maybe you should homeschool.

“What?” I said aloud. Where did that thought come from?

Maybe you should homeschool.

There it was again. Am I really thinking that? I wondered. Could I really do this?

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5

That was His message to me five years ago, and that is still His message to me today. Of course it wasn’t long before I started asking myself the incredibly stupid question: What will people think? Of course it wasn’t long before I was met with:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

So when I find myself feeling like the poor guy at the beginning of this post I remember these things - I remember how I got here, and I remember the One who led me here:

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. John 15:16

May You find comfort in Him and may God bless you all in your homeschool journeys.

Quick Fixes

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalms 51:10). How could I say no? My children were asking for a day off from homeschooling to enjoy our favorite family activity-riding bikes. Since we had just moved to the country, we weren't aware of the problems that lay ahead. As we proceeded down the gravel road for our first outing, we traveled only a short way before three of our bikes started losing air in their tires. Stopping the other children, my husband examined the flat tires and found goatheads sticking into the tread. Apparently, the burrs that were ruining our day came from the puncture vine that grew easily in the ditches and roads near our new home. Looking for a fast, inexpensive solution to the problem, we decided to purchase several tubes of "goo." However, we quickly discovered this sticky remedy was useless against the goathead's long, spiny ends. My husband's next idea involved purchasing an extra tire tube and cutting it in half to reinforce each bike tire with additional thickness. This idea also proved to be useless. After exhausting several other options, we finally bought what we should have purchased in the first place-expensive, solid tubes necessary for riding bikes on thorn-infested roads. After calculating the time, effort, and money spent, we realized how much our "quick fix" had cost. Quick fixes usually have a way of costing more in spiritual matters, too. Like King David's sin with Bathsheba, we foolishly attempt to fix or cover up the sin in our life with short-term solutions. Bypassing prayer and the correction from God's Word, we waste time and energy thinking, "What's the easiest way to get out of this?" We refuse to listen to God's disciplining voice and trade confession and long-term Holy Spirit transformation for our man-made remedy. What about you? Are you heading down life's road thinking you have everything under control? If you've been tempted to apply a quick fix to your sinful condition, you may find yourself with a flat tire or worse yet, headed for the ditch. Why not pull over now, and allow the solid truth of God's Word to bring about the change in your life that God desires? "For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin" (Psalm 38:18). Lord, I've been trying to fix this mess in my life for too long. I confess that what I've been doing is wrong. Please transform me into the person You want me to be. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

A work in progress

I believe we are all a work in progress.  This books looks awesome for people who need healing:

http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/work_in_progress

We all have our own journey with God.  This is hers and it may help some of you out there.

Praising Him Joyfully,

Noelle

Prayer to promote peace

Guardian Angel Prayer(everyone has one)             Angel of God, My Guardian Dear             to whom God's love commits me here.             Ever this day be at my side             to light and guard and rule and guide.             Amen.

Gardasil

*Gardasil vaccine linked to nerve disorder
*
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/cervical-cancer/news/20090430/gardasil-linked-to-nerve-disorder<http://ss.all.org/link.php?M=19438&N=129&L=886&F=H>
News Source
Girls and women who receive the Gardasil vaccine to prevent cervical cancer
may be at increased risk of a rare but serious disorder of the nervous
system in the first few weeks after getting their shots, researchers report.
"There is clear evidence from our database of an increased incidence of
Guillain-Barre syndrome in the first six weeks, especially the first two
weeks, after vaccination,” says Nizar Souayah, MD, of the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark.

Prayer against Illness

Prayer of Prevention by Father DeGrandis.

Seal your family against infiltration of evil and the "spirit of infirmity" at this time when there is so much disease. "In the Name of Jesus, I seal myself, my relatives and friends, my home, my workplace, my automobile and all sources of supply in the Precious Blood of Jesus," This should be repeated three times in honor of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

ASAP

Always Say A Prayer (A.S.A.P.)

There's work to do, deadlines to meet,
you've got no time to spare, 
but as you hurry and scurry, 
always say a prayer.

In the midst of family chaos, 
"quality time" is rare.
Do your best; let God do the rest:
always say a prayer.

It may seem like your worries
are more than you can bear.
Slow down and take a breather - 
always say a prayer.

God knows how stressful life is, 
He wants to ease our cares,
and He'll respond a.s.a.p. -

ALWAYS SAY A PRAYER!

Real Catholic TV

http://www.realcatholictv.net/vortex.php

Sacred Heart Convention June 20, 2009

Greetings!

Many of you have heard on this loop about the Sacred HEART convention coming up in June. This is not only a homeschool convention, it is really a day of encouragement, refreshment, inspiration and renewal for families. Marriage as we know it is being redefined, and the family as the foundational root of our society is being shaken. So, while there are many homeschool vendors, workshops and homeschooling talks, we will also be talking about our foundations. Why exactly are we doing what we are doing? Let's get back to the basics and encourage our vocations as couples, parents, remember WHY we are homeschooling in the first place. I know that this is a bit of a different 'format', but I strongly believe that this is something we really need to do at this time. SO, you can come and do just the homeschool tract - see all the vendors, do the workshops and listen to the homeschool talks. You can come just for the spiritual side of the day - Adoration, Mass, Confessions, Marriage, Family - or you can do it all. If you preregister - and that is ending SOON....you can even get free child care so that you do not have to worry about the baby and actually go to a talk with your husband...and then take a walk in the garden, or adore together for a while....

Also - this is the first year we are doing this. Please, spread the word to your friends and family, your churches and co-ops, and encourage them to sign up soon. If you plan on bringing your children to childcare, register asap so that we can be sure we don't run out of room.

Register at www.heartconvention .org.

If you have questions, you can e-mail me on or off loop or call me at 732-388-9719. dphomeline@msn. com

Free Movies for the summer

Marquee theaters will have free movies on Tuesday and Wednesday during the summer:

http://www.marqueecinemas.com/Portals/1/toms%20river.pdf