2nd Annual Retreat
“Growing a Mary Garden”
Saturday, March 28th
St.Pius X Catholic Parish, in Chula Vista
"Being in the world without being of the world.” These words summarize well the way Jesus speaks of the spiritual life. It is a life in which we are totally transformed by the Spirit of Love. Yet it is a life in which everything seems to remain the same. To live a spiritual life does not mean that we must leave our families, give up our jobs, or change our ways of working; it does not mean that we have to withdraw from social or political activities, or lose interest in literature and art; it does not require severe forms of asceticism or long hours of prayer. Changes such as these may in fact grow out of our spiritual life, and for some people radical decisions may be necessary. But the spiritual life can be lived in as many ways as there are people. What is new is that we have moved from the many things to the Kingdom of God. What is new is that we are set free from the compulsions of our world and have set our hearts on the only necessary thing. What is new is that we no longer experience the many things, people, and events as endless causes for worry, but begin to experience them as the rich variety of ways in which God makes his presence known to us." - Henri Nouwen
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Adopt an attitude of gratitude
Here's an intriguing take on a familiar commission: Thankful people become missionaries. "To be 'in a state of mission' is a reflection of gratitude," Pope Francis declares on this World Mission Sunday. Yet this “state of mission” belongs to the whole church, not just to those brave souls who pack up and go off to foreign lands. Jesus commissions his friends to take the Good News wherever we go. Grateful folks do this cheerfully. How can we keep from singing, when a song's been placed in our hearts? Pray the Rosary's Glorious Mysteries and live the mission of gratitude.
Today's readings: Jeremiah 31:7-9; Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52. “Immediately [the blind man] received his sight, and followed Jesus on the way.” #takefiveforfaith
“It is my deepest hope that these weeks will be for us all a time to grow in our love for and understanding of this most beautiful sacrament and, in doing so, come closer to the God who has bestowed upon us every blessing we know in this world,” Bishop Robert McElroy says.
This weekend concludes our “teaching Masses” . If you missed any of the handouts they are available on the parish website www.Sacredheartcor.org under NEWS.
Spirit of the Lord, who at the beginning of creation, breathed over the waters, made them fertile.
Spirit under whose inspiration God’s saints spoke.
Spirit whose anointing teaches us everything.
Spirit who gives testimony of Jesus Christ.
Spirit of truth who inspires everything.
Spirit who descended upon Mary.
Spirit of the Lord who fills all the earth.
Spirit of God who dwells in us.
Spirit of wisdom and understanding.
Spirit of counsel and fortitude.
Spirit of knowledge and piety.
Spirit of fear of the Lord.
Spirit of grace and mercy.
Spirit of faith, hope, love and peace.
Spirit of humility and chastity.
Spirit of goodness and meekness.
Spirit of all the forms of grace.
Spirit who scrutinizes the divine depths.
Spirit who prays for us with inexpressible pleading.
Spirit who descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove.
Spirit by whom we receive new birth.
Spirit who fills hearts with charity.
Spirit of adoption of the children of God.
Spirit who appeared over the Disciples in the form of tongues of fire.
Spirit with which the Apostles were filled.
Spirit who gives to each one according to His will.
Spirit fill us, shape us, lead us, mold us.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on us.
#saturdayswithmary
🎨 Incarnation of Christ, detail
Piero di Cosimo
Saturday, Oct 23, 2021
MEMORIAL OF JOHN OF CAPISTRANO, PRIEST
You get as good as you give
Jesus, his disciples, and the early evangelists were all clear about one thing: “the wages of sin is death.” Beyond physical death, the selfishness of sin cuts off our relationship with God and the opportunity for true peace and joy. Paying attention to the needs of others as well as yourself keeps us alive in Christ. Study after study shows that happiness comes from social connectedness and a spirit of generosity. Franciscan Saint John Capistrano says of the faithful: “The brightness of their wisdom must make them like the light of the world that brings light to others.” Ponder the ways that you can acquire wisdom to share with others.
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 8:1-11; Luke 13:1-9. “The concern of the flesh is death, but the concern of the spirit is life and peace.” #takefiveforfaith
When Jesus died, the disciples’ friendship with him did not diminish. On the contrary, it grew. This is what the sending of the Spirit was all about. The Spirit of Jesus made Jesus’ friendship with his disciples everlasting, stronger, and more intimate than before his death. That is what Paul experienced when he said, “It is no longer I, but Christ living in me” (Galatians 2:20).
You have to trust that every true friendship has no end, that a communion of saints exists among all those, living and dead, who have truly loved God and one another. You know from experience how real this is. Those you have loved deeply and who have died live on in you, not just as memories but as real presences.
Dare to love and be a real friend. The love you give and receive is a reality that will lead you closer and closer to God as well as to those whom God has given you to love.
-Henri Nouwen
📷Art by Jack Medved with Open Hearts friendship chain #exceptionalfamiliesministry
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
Matthew 11:25
#dailyingodsword
Friday, Oct 22, 2021
MEMORIAL OF JOHN PAUL II, POPE
Reasonable faith
In this era of “alternative facts,” it is challenging to find the truth. Saint John Paul II gave us good counsel on seeking truth. In the encyclical letter Fides et Ratio (“Faith and Reason”) he wrote, “. . .believers do not surrender. They can continue on their way to the truth because they are certain that God has created them ‘explorers,’ whose mission it is to leave no stone unturned, though the temptation to doubt is always there. Leaning on God, they continue to reach out, always and everywhere, for all that is beautiful, good and true.” How might you be an “explorer” in situations where truth is difficult to find?
TODAY'S READINGS: Romans 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59. “Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?” #takefiveforfaith
