Feast of the Transfiguration - Miracle Monday - August 6

To send this card: Feast of the Transfiguration

Quote for the Day: Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things. Henry Ward Beecher

Miracle Monday!

Well, its definitely time to get back into miracles. I was reading a book over the weekend called, "Let the Fire Fall" by Michale Scanlan. It's an old book published in 1986 but I love it. I read it every so often when I need a spiritual pick-up.

One of the stories I read in the book was about the cure of a small child who had Downe's snydrome! He was actually, totally cured. Totally amazing. But I do believe miracles as big as that do happen. Once we were asked to pray for a baby who although not yet born was diagnosed to be severely brain damaged. When the child was born he was placed in a potential adoptive home with parents who could take the best care of him. The father was a doctor and I think the mother was a nurse.

Guess what? The little boy grew up with brothers and sisters and learned to read and become a very normal child.

Another time a friend of ours was telling us about a parent who had a heart attack on a major freeway. He pulled over to the side before and passed out. Guess who was the first person on the scene? A heart surgeon. Miracles do happen in all shapes and sizes. It seems the bigger the tradedy the bigger the miracles happen to meet the needs.

I think many of us often forget that we need to play a part of intercessory prayer for many miracles to happen. God doesn't step in front of our free will, we must ask.One line I read in the above book mentioned that often people pray for about as long as it takes to get an aspirin and then they are off to other things. That hit me hard. How long and hard do I pray? Certainly I have my structured prayer life which is throughout the day - and I also am talking to God quite a bit... but actually, deep down prayerfully interceeding... I think I could do a lot better.

Wouldn't it be grand if we all became much more fervent in our prayers and started seeing miracles happen much more? I think it would. I am getting excited about this new book on prayer.... because I think God wants me to become much more committed and fervent in my prayer life. This is how each book has been for me. Not a work to do for God but rather an opportunity for God to teach and heal and do great things for me. Funny, whenever we try to do something for God we always come out the winners. Every time.

Now for two apologies.

I really wanted to get the book page up last week to start collecting stories but I just wasn't able to. This week as we prepare for our big celebration of Saint Clare on Saturday, I may not be able to get to it either.. but I definitely will do it right after that!

OH... and I have to tell you that my hopeful plans to sell the Reconciliation book for a low, low price throughout August, fell through. Because I want to continue to put my books in as many Catholic and other bookstores as possible I was told it would not be fair to undersell the book on my own site. So - what we are doing is planning a campaign in which we can sell the book at a low price - but go through the bookstores! Unfortunately it will take longer to work out the details than just selling myself... our plan at this moment is to have this special sale just before lent of 2008. A long time away I know.. but at least know that it will happen!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin by Vinny Flynn Day Nine: What this teaches us is that happiness isn't a feeling. It's a chosen attitude, an inner peace that comes from trust. Joy isn't the absence of sorrow. It's the presence of God. And if we allow the presence of God to penetrate deeply into us, even in the midst of great pain, we will be happy. (to be continued tomorrow) From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."