Pope Leo the Great

You should be aware that the word "angel" denotes a function rather than a nature. Those holy spirits of heaven have indeed always been spirits. They can only be called angels when they deliver some message. Moreover, those who deliver messages of lesser importance are called angels; and those who proclaim messages of supreme importance are called archangels. Raphael means God's remedy, Michael is sent whenever some act of wondrous power must be performed, and Gabriel is called God's strength because he was sent to Mary.

- St. Leo the Great, Pope

St. Wenceslaus (907?-929)

If saints have been falsely characterized as "otherworldly," the life of Wenceslaus stands as an example to the contrary: He stood for Christian values in the midst of the political intrigues which characterized 10th-century Bohemia.

He was born in 907 near Prague, son of the Duke of Bohemia. His saintly grandmother, Ludmilla, raised him and sought to promote him as ruler of Bohemia in place of his mother, who favored the anti-Christian factions. Ludmilla was eventually murdered, but rival Christian forces were victorious, and Wenceslaus was able to assume leadership of the government.

His rule was marked by efforts toward unification within Bohemia, support of the Church and peace-making negotiations with Germany, a policy which caused him trouble with the anti-Christian opposition. His brother Boleslav joined in the plotting, and in September of 929 invited Wenceslaus to Alt Bunglou for the celebration of the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian. On the way to Mass, Boleslav attacked his brother, and in the struggle, Wenceslaus was killed by supporters of Boleslav.

Although his death resulted primarily from political upheaval, Wenceslaus was hailed as a martyr for the faith, and his tomb became a pilgrimage shrine. He is hailed as the patron of the Bohemian people and of former Czechoslovakia.

Zechariah 8:1-8

Devastation. Desolation. No Temple. No altars.

No place to worship the Lord. Such was the state of Jerusalem in the second year of the reign of Darius the Mede (529 b.c.). Had God abandoned his people? Had their sin finally provoked him to give up on them and leave them to the cruelty of their captors?

No. Through the prophet Zechariah God spoke. He told Zechariah to cry out to the remnant of Jerusalem and tell them to return to him, and he would return to them. He would take pity on them and make Jerusalem his own once again. He promised that his Temple would be rebuilt, and that when other nations witnessed his work, they would all come, seeking his mercy and favor.

God had not abandoned his people. In fact, no matter how far Jerusalem had fallen, no matter how grave her sin, Yahweh would remain faithful to his covenant with them. Forgiveness, healing, peace, and security would once more cover the land, and the people would once more be exalted in his eyes.

But it would not be all one-sided. Through Zechariah, God also gave instruction and guidance to the people. They were to speak the truth to one another. They were to put away plotting against each other and swearing false oaths. They were to treat one another with the integrity and respect due to members of God’s special, chosen people.

We can take great solace from the words of Zechariah. He teaches us that there is no such thing as an unpardonable sin. Neither is there any situation or challenge that is too big for God to handle if we turn to him. Even if we have experienced our own kind of exile by ignoring the many promptings of the Spirit, God is still with us, waiting for us to seek him once more. He is right beside us, ready to pour out his healing power. God’s love truly does endure forever. Have you experienced it yet today?

“Father, you are truly a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love. Do not treat us as our sins deserve. You are a merciful God, and we are your people redeemed by the blood of your beloved Son. Father, we thank you and praise you for everything you have done in our lives!”

Psalm 102:16-23,29; Luke 9:46-50

Greener sites

www.greenergrocerchoices.org

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Meat and Potatoes Catholicism

In Father Classen's second book, "Meat& Potatoes Catholicism", he gets down literally to the Meat and Potatoes of our Faith. He used references from the Catechism, and experiences in his parish life as a priest, along with his unfailing humor to explain the sacraments, traditions, and many other questions. He uses day to day language to explain answers to questions, along with practical examples in everyday life. He puts all the confusion, errors and myths that people believe and still believe to this day to rest in this book. He also uses himself as instrument through his struggles to get to the heart of the matter in our Faith. After reading this book, I would highly recommend this books for a Bible Study or just to read to get more educated about our Catholic Faith. I am a hug fan of Father Classen's after reading two of his books. I am looking forward to reading more and hope he writes more.

Here is a link to this book at The Catholic Company:

http://www.catholiccompany.com/catholic-books/1111216/Meat-Potatoes-Catholicism?sli=1111216

Go out and get it!!!

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)

Time flies!

School started for us on August 21st. Chloe is now in 7th grade and Luke is 5th. Time Flies! I remember the day I brought them both home from the hospital. I cried that day.
I look at Chloe becoming the young, bright, spiritual young lady she has become. As I look back, I remember the 5 year old playing hide and seek with me. The angel dressed up and an Angel for the Christmas Play. She now has become a very confident young lady, whom I am so proud to call my daughter.
I look at Luke the young, bright, soon to be architect or cartoonist, spiritual young man he has become. I remember him playing Thomas the tank engine with me and I always got stuck being Percy. Watching The Thomas movies for hours, as he made the distinct sounds of every different train. He looked so cute being a Shepherd in the Christmas Play. He now knows more than I do at times and teaches me. Learning is an ongoing process, we should all try to learn something each day. He has become a very confident, sure of himself young man, whom I am so proud to call my son.

Times flies,
you turn around and the fleeting of the clock has spun,
once a child,
now has become a man or a woman,
Time Flies,
Mothers cry,
Dads are so proud,
Time Flies,
so take every moment and make it last,
before you know it,
they are on their own.

Praising Him Joyfully,
Noelle:)