Novena of Healing - Day Two

To send this card: Novena of Love and Healing - Day Two

Quote for the Day: Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, Psalm 103:3-4

Tuesday,

This is the second day of the Novena. - I am very glad that I started this - all of your emails have made me much more aware of how much need there is in our world for healing. Almost like taking a little trip to Lourdes because each email is such a story of the faith of those who bring there needs to God.

So far I've received over 250 individual requests... and I know that probably each of us could add a dozen more to our list once we start! I am praying that God will grant touch each and every person requested for prayer in a huge way. I am asking all the Angels and Saints in heaven and souls in purgatory to join with us in praying. We'll get the whole God Squad on this!

If each of us pray for all... that will be a lot of prayers for each!

This Tuesday is also Patriot day.... a new day to pray for those who put their lives in danger for the need of others, such as firefighters, policemen and women, emergency response people and of course all of our men and women in the military, coast guard, etc. Not just for Americans either.. because I know every country has brave people who are serving their counties and their people.

My hope is that as prayer and communication make our world more and more unified we can someday say with conviction.... "No War.. no more." In the meantime we can pray for those who have died, the suffering of those left behind and the pain that lasts for a long, long time whenever casualties occur.

On a positive note..... somehow... in some way... God turns all things into good. Even bad things - God can find ways - impossible ways... to bring new growth, new healing, new beginnings.

Thanks be to God, we have a God!

Here is a Patriot Card you might want to send to someone.

http://franciscancards.com/cat.shtml?p/patriotday1.jpg

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia and all the Sisters

The Confession Connection The Sacrament of Reconciliation: Celebrating God's Forgiveness by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M. Day Nineteen: Celebration: God always loves us Upon witnessing the festivities, he {elder brother] appeals to fairness and legalism. In a sense, he is hanging on to the courtroom image of the sacrament of reconciliation, suggesting that there is no way everyone can feel good about the return of the younger brother until amends have been made. But this older son is far too narrow in his understanding of life, of God and of the sacrament. He is too calculating, too quantitative, not unlike the butchers and grocers that Zorba refers to in his description of God. This son finds it too difficult to understand that we are never not forgiven. The sacrament of reconciliation does not bring about something that was absent. It proclaims and enables us to own God's love and forgiveness that are already present. To be continued A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

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Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George
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Mango: Tuesday Tasty Tip

If you’re ready for a mouth watering treat, now is the time to find mangoes at their best. Mangos originated in India and were known as the king of fruit. They grow in areas that have a rainy season followed by hot dry weather (hmm, sounds like Oregon). Look for a smooth skinned fruit that is firm and contains no black blemishes. Mangoes can range from green to gold to blush. They are ready to eat when you can feel the fruit start to soften but before it is easy to dent.

Peel the fruit, then, holding it stem side up, cut small chunks away from the seed. It is not a good fruit for melon balls, but tastes so good, who needs perfect shape. They are wonderful in fruit salad and are often found in chutneys. The seed is edible as well, not sure how.

Mangoes are very high in Vitamin A, a good source of vitamin C and fiber, and low in calories.

Recipe: fruit salad side dish for dinner: 2 mangoes, cut in small chunks. 1 ripe red pepper cut into 3/4" pieces. ½ can drained and rinsed black beans. 4 scallions sliced. Drizzle of rice wine vinegar. Mix the ingredients and serve room temperature with summer meals. You can add cilantro, mint, or parsley but this mild salad does well all on its own!