A woman in my Small Christian Community shared this gem. This is a good way to get into the Bible if you are not a regular reader.
When in sorrow: John 14
When men fail you: Psalm 27
When you have sinned: Psalm 51
When you worry: Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger: Psalm 91
If you have the blues: Psalm 34
When God seems far away: Psalm 139
If you are discouraged: Isaiah 40
If you are lonely or fearful: Psalm 23
Feeling down and out: Romans 8:39
Need courage: Joshua 1
World is overwhelming: Psalm 90
Rest and peace: Matthew 11:25-30
Going away: Psalm 121, 107
Feeling bitter: 1st Corinthians 13
Return on investment: Mark 10:17-31
A great opportunity: Isaiah 55
A woman in my parish told me about a terrific website dedicated to correct information about the Shroud of Turin:
Shroud of Turin Education and Research Association, Inc. (STERA, Inc.) http://shroud.com/
The secular press seems to be a magnet for misinformation and attacks on the Shroud of Turin, but this STERA website gives us all complete and correct information.
Of course, the main issue is not to debate science experiments per sec, but to reflect on the great Paschal Mystery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The image in the Shroud is of a man beaten and crucified:
"My Lord and My God!" -- Saint Thomas in the Gospel of John
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." -- Isaiah 53:5
Be a voice for the voiceless.
Exercise your citizenship as a Roman Catholic voter.
On April 27th, the Bishops of California are leading the 12th annual Catholic Lobby Day at the State Capitol.
I went last year and it was amazing!!! Thousands gathered in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. We heard speakers on each of the pieces of pending legislation. We celebrated Mass. We processed two blocks over to the State Capitol building and held a rally on the front steps. Then we had box lunches on the lawn, and then split up into groups of 30-45 to attend appointments with our own representatives. Many youth and young adults were there as well as older folks. Many diocese brought representatives of the very people affected most by the legislation. Very instructive and inspiring day!
Gather at 9:30am at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, 1017 11th St, Sacramento.
For registration and more information, click on “12th Annual Catholic Lobby Day” at the website of the California bishops: http://www.cacatholic.org/
Here are the California issues that will be raised with our representatives with a link to the Bishops' fact sheet so you can understand the issues and the Catholic Church position.
AB 1642 Food Stamps -- simplify the food stamp process by moving the frequency of reports to every six months instead of once a quarter
SB 399 Youth Sentencing -- after between 10 and 25 years of incarceration, allow for the review and resentencing of some youth who were sentenced to life without parole for crimes committed before the age of 18
SB 1460 Dream Act -- allow California high school graduates who have been accepted into a
California college —both U.S. citizens and undocumented “AB 540” students—to apply for state financial aid
State Budget -- Cuts will have to be made, but we and they must remember that those who are most vulnerable, those who are poor and in need in our communities have the greatest moral claim on our attention and resources
Be an informed, Catholic voter: take the time to understand in depth our Bishops' position -- and then decide for yourself how to contact your own representative about the issue. All of these issues are complex and go well beyond the overly simplistic "sound bites" regularly reported by the media.
“The poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them . . .” – Mark 14:7a
On American Catholic Radio, I just heard an interview with the founder of Mercy Beyond Borders. Wow! What a wonderful missionary outreach program! Really made me grateful that God helps the poorest of the poor through our wonderful Roman Catholic Church.
Learn all about Mercy Beyond Borders at: http://www.mercybeyondborders.org/
Hear the interview on American Catholic Radio at: http://www.franciscanradio.org/ACRepisode.asp?EpisodeNum=315
Mercy Beyond Borders uses three proven ways to alleviate poverty:
1. Educate women & girls.
2. Provide seed capital to women.
3. Promote maternal & child health.
“Jesus, I trust in you!”
On Friday, I began the Divine Mercy Novena, and am aiming for receiving all of these wonderful graces that Jesus promised in visions to Saint Faustina. In my parish bulletin, here are the simple rules:
“The soul that will go to Confession, and receive Holy Communion [on this day] shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment.” Diary #699
Note: Confession within a reasonable time before the Feast is sufficient. One must be in the state of grace to receive the extraordinary grace promised by Our Lord. (Diary§300)
Isn't that easy? Wow!!!
Here is how to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet on your Rosary beads: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/dmmap.htm
Here is how to pray the Divine Mercy Novena: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/mercy/novena.htm
For those of you pressed for time, I find that praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet takes less time than praying the Rosary and it is really, really powerful.
Here is some more background on Divine Mercy Sunday:
On April 30, 2000, Pope John Paul II, in response to the wishes of the Christian Faithful, declared that “the Second Sunday of Easter henceforth throughout the Church will also be called
Divine Mercy Sunday.” The desire for this celebration was expressed by Our Lord to Saint. Faustina, and can be found recorded in her Diary:
“. . . My daughter, tell the whole world about My inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy * be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the
very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of My mercy.”
Our Lord said to Saint Faustina: “Encourage souls to say the Chaplet which I have given you… Whoever will recite it will receive great mercy at the hour of death…Even if there were a sinner most hardened, if he were to recite this chaplet only once, he would receive grace from My infinite mercy. I desire to grant unimaginable graces to those souls who thrust in My mercy….through the Chaplet you will obtain everything, if what you ask for is compatible with My will. Diary #687, 1541, 1731
