Joy Notes

Christmas Eve - Shelley and Friends

2007-12-23T22:59:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Christmas Eve

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Quote for the Day:
And the angel said unto them, "Fear not! For, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, Which shall be to all people. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David A Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, Lying in a manger."
LK 2:10 - 12

One more day till Christmas! Because today was Sunday I didn't do a lot for preparations .. hope to make up for that tomorrow! Certainly I don't have a choice if I want to get things done. But at least I had my mom over for dinner and that was lovely. On the way over I encouraged her to wear her mittens and we got to talking about mittens and she said, "We used to have someone in the family that liked to make mittens.... maybe it was your mother?" I didn't say anything.. because I knew my mother never made mittens. She embroidered... but did not knit or crochet.. so nope never mittens. I didn't explain to mom that she was my mother... after all why go there? Who cares about the little details like that?

Every night... yes even in the thick of preparing for Christmas.. Shelley gets a special grooming by her own private hairdresser, Sister Jane. Sister Jane was trained to be a beautician so she has to keep in practice you know!

After the grooming....when she is looking her best... then Sister Colleen and Sister Jane take her out for her last trip on the town..... or okay... her last little nightly jaunt to do her duty before a long winter's nap!

Tomorrow I hope to get some pictures of our Chapel and some of the Christmas Joy that is starting to seep through the cracks already! It is getting very close!

Blessings of Peace and Joy!
Sister Patricia

4th Sunday of Advent

2007-12-22T20:27:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: O King of Nations

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Quote for the Day:
O Emmanuel:
“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver,
desire of the nations,
Savior of all people,
come and set us free,
Lord our God.”
Isaiah had prophesied,
“The Lord himself will give you this sign:
the Virgin shall be with child,
and bear a son,
and shall name him Emmanuel.”

(7:14). Remember “Emmanuel”
means “God is with us.”
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

It's snowing! Lots of big fat flakes so we are back into winter wonderland. But the thing with big, fat snowflakes is that they have a tendency to turn into big fat wet flakes that sort of turn into rain. Which is what is forecast for tomorrow... rain and snow.... so.... maybe Santa should get out on his sleigh tonight before it melts?

I made headway on my "To Do" list in getting the chapel ready.... but I also got wounded. Not seriously mostly just enough to get me annoyed. I was pulling down the big creche from the top of a ladder and it was heavy and my fingers lost their grip and down it went. Slam... not before a brief stop on my leg - just to let me know it wasn't happy about coming down I guess. I didn't exactly swear but I did say something to the effect of "Why do we have to put this big heavy thing up so blooming high?"

I decided it needed to find a new home after Christmas. Something lower. You know like put the light things up high and the heavy things down low? Hell-o?

Then to make matters worse I noticed the other stable (the one we have been using for the last several years and is lighter and easier to handle) was right next to it. I then had to think. Do I want to use that one.... and put this heavy one back up there (not going to happen) or just go with my wounded victory of getting this one down? Such heavy decisions I have to make. I decided to go with the big one..

Can you tell I am not in a real thinking mode today? More like "just keep going . . . . you can get through this . . . . just put one step in front of the other . . . . "

I suppose I should be thinking along more spiritual lines.... but unfortunately...... I'm not..... do you think the Blessed Mother ever got a little out of sorts? She probably prayed a whole lot more than I do. That probably accounts for a lot. Sigh.

Oh well . . . . just a few more steps and it will be time for bed! Yeah. Two more days till Christmas.

Blessings of Peace and Joy!
Sister Patricia

O Radiant Dawn

2007-12-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: O King of Nations

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Quote for the Day:
O Rex Gentium:
“O King of all the nations,
the only joy of every human heart;
O Keystone of the mighty arch of man,
come and save the creature
you fashioned from the dust.”
Isaiah had prophesied,
“For a child is born to us,
a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor,
God-Hero, Father-Forever,
Prince of Peace.” (9:5),
and “He shall judge between the nations,
and impose terms on many peoples.
They shall beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword
against another,
nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4) .
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

Today was "clean" day in the chapel for me as I hope to bring out some of the first trimmings for Christmas tomorrow. So it was such exciting things as vacuuming and dusting. I would have taken a picture of that - but it was just too exciting to stop and go get a camera.

Early this morning before Mass I did sneak a quick snap of Sr. Rita Louise reading her advent meditation. One of our community Advent preparations (besides cleaning, cooking and trimming the halls with boughs of holly) was to have Advent sharing each day at our noon meal using the Advent reflections from these Advent booklets.

It's always surprising to see how many different ways the Spirit leads our meditations even though we all read the same thing. Sometimes they are similiar but most often they are quite unique and sharing them brings forth even more fruit!

Here is a picture of the Advent wreath which is in our chapel. It is not real big because our chapel is actually quite small... but it does bring forth a sense of growing anticipation as each week a new candle is lit.

In the Chapel everything gets a little dash of purple. I found these beautiful little candles holders several years ago and they are my great treasure for Advent and Lent.

Tonight I am totally exhausted but I feel good because I made definite headway in getting the chapel ready for the big day. One thing I did was to take a whole hour of time and plan out for each day what I need to do in order not to be frazzled and hazzled (new word but seems to fit don't don't you think?) for Midnight Mass. It really, really helps - now instead of just feeling that I have a ton of stuff to do - I have it all split out.. and I don't have to worry except for what I need to do today. Isn't it just amazing how long it takes for some of us to get organized?

I feel I am really making progress in this and that is good. Maybe reading all these organizing books and listening to Susan Rowland's seminar and reading her book.. is actually paying off!

One thing I do to keep me motivated - is break everything up into 30 minute bites. Than after every 30 minutes I get to do ten minutes of something different that I want to do! This may sound silly but what I really wanted to do was to clean up my bedroom which seems to have adopted many stray objects lately. I didn't feel justified in taking time from Chapel cleaning to do "self" clean.. but this way... I get both things done and I feel energized. My goal (this will also sound rather silly) is that on Christmas day I can just take an hour and just "sit" on my bed and enjoy being quiet and peaceful all by myself. Maybe take a nap.

I love taking naps. I have found I can take a ten or twenty nap at my desk by resting my head on the squisy mouse pad (it has one of those gel arm rest things) and it makes a totally perfect pillow. I feel a bit like romper room - but it works for me!

Only three more days tills Christmas!

Blessings of Peace and Joy!
Sister Patricia

Christmas Rush in the Monastery

2007-12-20T20:20:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: O Radiant Dawn

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Quote for the Day:
O Oriens: “O Radiant Dawn,
splendor of eternal light,
sun of justice:
come, shine on those
who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death.”
Isaiah had prophesied,
“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
upon those who dwelt
in the land of gloom
a light has shown.” (9:1).
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

Today is the O Antiphon - O Radiant Dawn but it is also the feast of St Peter Canisisus Now I did not know anything about this St. Peter until I made a card for him last year. Then I learned a little bit. Still don't know very much.. but I love this quote of his that I used on his card.

"If you have too much to do, with God's help you will find time to do it all." St Peter Canisisus

Doesn't that just seem to be the all too perfect quote for getting ready for Christmas? Of course with me, I need it all year round.

Because we are so very close to Christmas - I will send out a Peace Card for Saturday and Sunday so you don't lose the build up with the O Antiphons. . . probably won't do the full JoyNotes though. "We'll see," as my mom would tell us when ever we wanted something but the outcome was unsure. It always seemed like a very unsatisfying answer.. but sometimes its the one that fits!

Just to share a bit of our pre-Christmas flurry (I'm sure you already have everything done and are just sitting back sipping apple cider and listening to Christmas carols) here are a few glimpses I just grabbed.

Sister Rita Louise in one of her mad dashes in and about the kitchen. Notice the drawers that all are pulled out? There is a reason for this... see next picture.

Here is innocent Shelley.. so sad.. no one is paying attention to her... and why she would never even think of jumping up on the counter and grabbing one of those Christmas cakes! The very idea!

Notice anything funny about this tree? Like some lights are not working? Like how come this tree that was supposed to save us hours and hours of time because it was all PRE-LIGHTED is taking hours and hours of time trying to figure out why its not "ALL" pre-lighted?

and finally,

This tree - IS ONE HUNDRED PER CENT PRE-LIGHTED! In fact its pretty much pre everything. Just take it out of its box, plug it into the wall and it lights up! Not only that.. it goes round and round. What more could you ask?

And less anyone should think we are NOT getting into the Christmas spirit - here is the last and final proof.

This little jewel of a clock - plays a little Christmas melody every hour on the hour. So far it's okay - because we are only in the dining room for a short period of time. I think we can survive this.

Tomorrow - I will share a bit of the more SPIRITUAL side of Christmas in the monastery. Though really, I think God is at work in every part of our Christmas preparations... the lights - the gift making, buying and wrapping...all the action and soon .....

THE BABY JESUS!

Blessings of Peace and Joy!
Sister Patricia

Root of Jesse - Christmas Elves

2007-12-19T22:19:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: O Key of David

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Quote for the Day:
O Clavis David: "O Key of David,
O royal Power of Israel
controlling at your will the gate of Heaven:
Come, break down the prison walls of death
for those who dwell in darkness
and the shadow of death;
and lead your captive people into freedom.”
Isaiah had prophesied,
I will place the Key of the House of David
on His shoulder;
when he opens,
no one will shut,
when he shuts,
no one will open.” (22:22),
and "His dominion is vast and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne,
and over His kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.” (9:6).
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

The Christmas countdown is definitely on. This means that whatever you "hoped" you might get done... don't even think it. Just stay cool and let it flow.

Today I did a wonderful interview with an author of a book called, "Breaking Free of the Web: Catholics and Internet Addiction" Was really good. Sister Patrice Klausing is one of the co-authors of the book and she covered a lot of interesting material - basically how to recognize when someone is getting dangerouly close to addiction, how to work to confront them, how to deal with it.. etc. It was only a half hour interview though and it seemed like we barely could touch the surface of the problem.

I keep telling myself that I am going to start posting these interviews - I think some of you would like them..... it's always the time factor though and the fact that the radio studio is on the fourth floor on a different computer and hard to scrunch everything in. Still - I am definitely going to do it.

Tonight though I'm zipping along and going to bed as soon as I can - things won't get any better on too little sleep.. I can vouch for that. The Grumpy Factor will be sooo out of control and I'll end up only getting coal for Christmas!

OH! I do have something funny to share! I got Elfed! Christmas Elves . The first one is me... the second one is my mom (who would have thought at 89 she could be such an elf?) and the other two - are Michelle ( the one responsible for this travesty) and her husband who was an innocent bystander and shall remain nameless. Thanks Michelle - I don't suppose they could come up with a version like... You got canonized or something like that? A little halo? A set of wings?

Blessings of Peace and Joy!
Sister Patricia

Holiday Eating Tips & The Cat and the Crow

2007-12-18T22:13:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: O Root of Jesse

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Quote for the Day:
O Radix Jesse:
“O Flower of Jesse’s stem,
you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples;
kings stand silent in your presence;
the nations bow down in worship before you.
Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.”
Isaiah had prophesied,
“But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1),
and A On that day, the root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
the Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10).
Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David,
and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be
of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city,
Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

Here is a cute video about a stray kitten that was adopted by a crow. Very, very cute. The Cat and the Crow

http://www.sonnyradio.com/catandcrow.html

Also - you may have read this.... last year (I think I did) but its so funny that when a friend shared it with me yesterday .. I decided not only was it worth a second read - it was even worth sharing! . Especially since so many good smells are coming from the kitchen these days.. one has to reassess things. I didn't write this of course.. but I agree with almost everything except the fruit cake part. I love Fruitcake!

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas time!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano o ut of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday Party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at a ll cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over, but hurry -- January is just around the corner.

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

P.S. Of course in the monastery we don't go to a lot of parties.. but its very funny. I'm sure if I did go to parties I would have to follow these tips very closely!

O Adonai - December 18

2007-12-17T21:22:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: O Adonai

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Quote for the Day:
O Adonai: “O sacred Lord of ancient Israel,
who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush,
who gave him the holy law
on Sinai mountain:
come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.
” Isaiah had prophesied,
“But He shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5);
and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic;
yes the Lord our judge,
the Lord our lawgiver,
the Lord our king,
he it is who will save us.” (33:22).
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!

Christmas is a time when all the senses come into play... and surely delicious smells is one of the best signs that we are getting close to Jesus' birthday! Today Sister Rita Louise was baking coffee cakes. So far she hasn't had any accidents. They've all come out of the oven - just perfect. Sigh.

Even Shelley is reaping the benefits of Christmas smells. A friend came by this afternoon with a brightly wrapped package of homemade dog treats! So far nothing has appeared for the cat and the bird.... but they don't seem quite as food crazy as Shelley. The cat (Jeremiah) would of course never let on if he was... has to maintain that air of dignity don't you know ? And Pi... well Pi... he's suspicious of new food anyway - he wants to make sure its "Bird safe" before he will go over and investigate. I've been introducing him to oranges lately... and it helps if I eat my orange while he is eating his. Birds of a feather flock together applies to eating as well.

I read a neat thing today about the difference between making a New Year's Goal or a Resolution. This article was saying.. that we should make goals not resolutions - because we are more likely to keep them! Here is how the author explained it. A resolution is something specific and definite - that comes with a built in defeat factor if it doesn't work. For instance you might make a New Year's resolution to "lose ten pounds by exercising at the Gym three days a week. Well, you get started with it and then decide you don't like going to the gym... there goes that one. On the other hand if you made a resolution instead of definitely losing ten pounds but made a more general goal - of taking steps to get more exercise - than you can keep trying different activities till you hit on the one that does work for you.

Well, anyway I found it very good. Here's the link if you want to read the whole article. Goals versus Resolutions

http://stress.about.com/od/programsandpractices/a/goalsvsresoluts.htm

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

O Wisdom - December 17

2007-12-17T21:20:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: O Wisdom

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Quote for the Day:
O Sapientia: ?O Wisdom,
O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care.
Come and show your people the way to salvation.? Isaiah had prophesied,
?The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
a spirit of counsel and of strength,
a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord,
and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.? (11:2-3),
and ?Wonderful is His counsel
and great is His wisdom.? (28:29).
O Antiphons - FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

My brother Tim sent a live Christmas tree to my mom. I was talking to him yesterday and he told about it. I thought to myself, "Hmmmm, I had better go over there and see what happened to that tree?"

Did she open it up? Did she give it away? Is it alive and well?

So Sister Colleen and Shelley volunteered to go with me to pay my mom a visit. When I got there I did not see a live tree anywhere. Hmmm...? Then I saw a long box about two feet long set against the wall. Unopened.

This could be it!
I went over and looked.
Yes indeedy.

She liked her tree!
She thought it was very cute!

She thought I should take it home with me.

I could tell she thought this would be a very, very good idea.

So we did.

We took mom back to the monastery for a visit and some dinner and took along her tree with us.

It looks very nice in our front entrance.

She thinks it looks very nice there.

We do too!

Thanks Tim!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

A bit mixed up... but life is

2007-12-13T20:30:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: St John of the Cross

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Quote for the Day:
And if tonight my soul may find her peace
in sleep, and sink in good oblivion,
and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower
then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created.
D.H. Lawrence

Note: Yesterday - December 13th - I actually did plan on sending out the JoyNotes - but I spent so much time making two St. Lucy Cards that at 9:30 I just was too tired to keep moving.. So then I wrote the following this morning - but forgot to send it. Starting to crack up obviously. Anyway here is the message - and see if we do better next week.

To send card for the Feast of Saint Lucy

More St. Lucy Cards including the one with step by step instructions (and pictures) for making a Christmas Zito wreath.

Yesterday I got absolutely (well it seemed like it) nothing done. I was just too tired too function. Totally in "Dysfunction Junction." So last night when I started on the JoyNotes at 7:30 and it got to be 9:30 and I had hardly made a dent in the process - I decided this was just not going to work. So I closed down the shop and went to bed.

My mom always used to say (probably yours too) "Go to bed. Things will look better in the morning." And she is right... they look much rosier in the morning. I also found this quote that I have heard in various forms and probably said myself.. but here they have someone who is actually attributed to the quote.

No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. ~Carrie Snow

Anyway.... I expect a little better action today! We just got back inside from our early morning "take the dog out and wake up - because its 26 degrees out there" walk. Very funny. Shelley has a pretty warm coat.. but when it is still dark and this cold she beats us back to the door. Brave dog.

Today's Peace card is why it took me two hours to get the Joy Notes started! I worked on making a card to tell you how to make your Zito Christmas wreath. Today is the day! The feast of St. Lucy. I also found a beautiful image of St. Lucy so had to make another card for her as well with that graphic. See... when you are tired you find all sorts of wonderful reasons why you should do "other stuff."

And in case you are reading this without the pictures... here is how to make the wreath.

To make your own Christmas Zito wreath find a simple round container and glue or tape (double-stick) a red, white and blue ribbon on the outside. Fill the container with dirt.

In the middle of the dirt place a big red candle with a Christmas ribbon around it tied into a bow.

Gently poke wheat berries into the dirt. Wheat berries can be found in health food stores.) Each day make sure the soil is kept warm and moist.The wheat will sprout within a day or two... each day you can watch it grow!

By December 25th the wheat will be tall enough to create a Christmas Zito Wreath!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

Our Lady of Guadalupe - Cleaning my Office

2007-12-11T22:50:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Quote for the Day:
"I shall show my tender
clemency for those who love
and seek me,
for all who
implore my protection,
who call on me
in their labors
and afflictions.
Our Lady of Guadalupe

My Office after a day of cleaning.... you don't even want to know what it looked like before I started! Click to see larger images... maybe I'll have clean and improved ones at the end of the week. We can always hope!!

I spent a couple of hours today attacking my office. It was a counter-attack. Definitely. Because my office has been attacking me for the last several weeks and I simply had to go on the offensive and fight back. The battle is not over - but I certainly made progress. The crowning point of my major offensive was when I found a piece of paper with a set of weekly goals on it from last year. Last December as a matter of fact. The main goal that struck me was that I had "firmly" resolved to get my office clean by Christmas!

And you know what - I definitely remember achieving that goal. I had a beautiful clean office. Only it didn't last. Not even a week if I recall. Perhaps my next goal needs to be, "To keep a clean office!" Now that would be something to remember a year later!

My friend Barb came over to help me in the attack. I really didn't think that it would work to have someone help me to clean... after all how would they know what to do with stuff? But it was wonderful. She did all the filing which included making file labels. She even kept going while I was outside checking on my brother John who had come over to winterize our little pond "pump" house.

So now I am a firm believer in getting HELP when you have a mess that seems to be overwhelming.

Which by way as I think of it.... can also apply to our "Walk with God." Today was "Confession Day" in the monastery, Father Alberic gave us the opportunity to receive this sacrament after Mass. That is one thing that is really good about living in a monastery - spiritual exercises, daily prayer, adoration, confession, etc. are all scheduled in. This makes it much easier to maintain a religious life when the structure is already set up.... you don't have to go to extra lengths to fit time with God in... this actually was one of the main reasons that I decided to join the monastery. Knowing my own weaknesses and inability to stay the course on anything without help... I deliberately made the choice to put myself in a place where I could get the help to do that.

I did not enter the Monastery until I was 25 years old.... and up until that time - my life was a roller coaster of Spirituality. Some weeks I would be fervent... some months I would not.... some weeks I didn't even hardly think of God. I knew that this pattern would only continue (as fervently as I might think at any particular moment that I wouldn't) because basically I was and am a weak person.

I think all of us - whether in the Monastery or not - need to take advantage that a spiritual community offers us. Whether as member of a Church, a Bible study or spiritual group. As Christians we need always to belong to the "body" of Christ and accept help from one another in many areas... from cleaning our messes spiritually and otherwise - to working, celebrating, rejoicing, grieving... whatever. Don't do it alone...not only do you accomplish much more - with greater ease... it's also a lot more fun!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

Miracles big and small

2007-12-10T21:14:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: 2nd Tuesday of Advent

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Quote for the Day:
Do a little more each day than you think you possibly can.
Lowell Thomas

Bit by bit the stories are coming in - I wanted to tell you.. that I have extended the date of submission to January 15th. As Christmas gets closer and closer and more and more things get packed into one's day - I decided I needed to do that.

Of course I hope you won't wait until January to send in your stories .. but if time gets away from you... there is a bit more time! One thing I am hoping to get more stories from religious priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. I value all the stories, I really do, but I hope that some of you who have committed to religious life more deeply will share an experience or two from your walk with God and prayer.

To get you started and to show they don't have to be super duper over the top stories I will share a memory of mine.

As many of you know, I've always been a little hung up on miracles. Nothing turns me off faster than someone saying, "Well, you know, God needed to use miracles in his day...because people didn't have the faith we have now!" Well, I may get some disagreement with this.. but from what I can see... there is certainly enough "lack of faith" in these times to sink a few battleships! And personally - I don't believe God ever made the decision... "That's it folks. I'm done with miracles. You're on your own. I've given you everything you need to make a go of it. Just swim now and you'll make the shore."

To that, I say, "Bah, humbug!" I believe God is as ready and willing to do miracles each and every day. And we don't have to deserve them either. Just a simple, "Ask and you shall receive" will be enough.

I also have no problem asking for miracles just for myself. I don't feel greedy at all... since God is the creator of everything I think we do more insult to his goodness and generosity by not asking! Years ago I wanted a little green parrot. I prayed every day. I went outside after dinner and walked in the garden and I often would tell whoever was listening, "Well, I'm going out to pray for my little green parrot." I would pray my rosary and look in all the trees and the sky for my little green parrot to show up.

This went on for two and a half years. Finally, the sisters decided if I wanted a parrot that bad, they would allow me to get one. So one day when we were out shopping and we had to get some supplies for the fish, I went over to the bird section of the pet store. There I found a little green parrot. He didn't look like much. He had been passed around from store to store because no one wanted to buy him. And each time he was moved he would get more unsettled, till finally he had started plucking out his own feathers.

When the clerk saw me looking at this little green parrot he said to me, "If you want to buy him, we will give you a very good price, because we think he needs to find a home soon as he is so stressed."

I walked quickly to the part of the store where Sr. Mary Rita was and told her about the little green parrot and the special price they would give me for him. She said, "Okay, you can get him!" So I did.

And guess how old Mikey was? Two and a half years old. The exact same length of time that I had been praying for him. For two and a half years my little Mikey had been in store after store with no one to take him home until he came to our home!

Mikey has gone to heaven now... and now I have my dear Pi (another answer to prayer), but I still remember how God answered my special prayer for a little green parrot.

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

We have met the Enemy and the Enemy is us...

2007-12-09T21:11:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: 2nd Monday of Advent

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day:
Nobody has things just as he would like them. The thing to do is to make a success with what material I have. It is a sheer waste of time and soul-power to imagine what I would do if things were different. They are not different.
Frank Crand

I set my timer for 30 minutes to work on the JoyNotes because I couldn't seem to get moving. I use a timer a lot for such occasions. It sort of forces me to at least try to accomplish something. My reward is I get to play a game of spider solitaire when the alarm goes. Yea.

Don't know exactly why I say yea though, as before I forced myself to knuckle down and get to busy, I had already played and lost three games. As a matter of fact I was rather feeling sorry for myself. Losing three games in a row sort of says something about one's ability at cards don't you think? I keep telling myself I will catch on to this.. but its not happening. Still, it seemed funner than doing the Joynotes!

I don't know why. JoyNotes are not bad to do. It's just the gettin going don't you know?

We got a little more snow today. Not much, just an inch I suppose but at least we are back in the Winter Wonderland getting close to Christmas sense. I really don't care for brown Christmases. Just not the way to do things when one lives in the North.

I was praying this morning about things I have to do and life in general and the word I seemed to get was "sabotage." The thought to go along with that was to spend some time this day, looking and praying at ways that I "self-sabotage" myself. You know the negative stuff that sort of filters down and settles and you let settle? The doubts, the procrastination, the building up of molehills into mountains and all that sort of thing.

I thought I should make a list and just look at it. Sort of like "we have met the enemy and the enemy is us." Not sure who said that. Snoopy or someone much more noble - ? Oh.. just googled it and it was Pogo - a cartoon character in the early 1970's.

Anyway the idea was to face the negatives and just sort of talk to them. You know, like, "Just how long do you intend to be staying around?" And their answer will probably be something snappy and rude like, "Just as long as you let us!"

Which of course puts the whole thing back into my court. If I am being my own worse enemy... just how long am I going to continue that and why?

No idea. If I get any break throughs I will let you know. The biggest thing I am working on is "Why can't I get moving on the new book? And why do I take on every new project that pops into my head so I have no time to work on the book? Huh? Hell-o? Is anybody home?"

Yea, the alarm went off a bit ago .... and it's time to play Spider Solitaire again!

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

When it's smokin.. it's cookin...

2007-12-06T20:24:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Ambrose

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day:
“The Devil tempts that he may ruin and destroy; God tests that He may crown.”
St. Ambrose

I set the fire alarm off with my cooking supper. Anyone hungry? Actually, nothing was burned, not really. Just brown as my mother would say. Fried potatoes and scrambled eggs... were delicious. Can I help if it smokes a little? Usually we close the door and open a window when I'm doing this.. but what the heck. At least we are not hooked up to the fire department - just nice little alarms that go off throughout the whole building that sound a bit like an air raid. Nothing to be worried about. Just a few flashing strobe lights in various places - a bit of pizzazz don't you know on an other wise very quiet evening.

Thankfully Pi had already gone to bed. Then again.... Pi loves noise! The more the better. He loves the vacuum cleaner - I think she thinks it is a cloud burst in the Amazon or something.. because she always spreads her wings out like she does when its shower time. Sometimes she likes to see if she can out shout the vacuum. I think she may actually do that. She can definitely get her point across when she needs to.

My big goal for this evening is to get more than six hours of sleep. That would be nice. Maybe I could think and make sense when I talk. Maybe I woudn't bite people's head off if they do something that I think is less than brilliant?

Yep, that's my big goal for this evening....

Blessings,
Sr. Patricia

JoyNotes - St. Nicholas - Shout Life

2007-12-05T22:40:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Nicholas

Send an Advent Card

Quote for the Day:
The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.
Burton Hillis

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas!

I'm in a very bad way tonight. Every little thing distracts me. First I have to go here.. then I have to go there.... sigh. I may never get this out before morning... if I don't settle myself down.

Jeremiah (cat) was in such a funny, funny pose tonight... he was laying on the couch like King Tut or something. I went to get my camera - but naturally he had moved. I took a picture anyway but his eyes didn't come out right... they make him look like a space cat from Planet Zulo or something so I decided not to share it. I think it would have affected his dignity and he's quite proud of his dignity you know.

We had lots of nice snow... but then we got lots of nice rain.... and it looks like we won't be getting any of the white stuff for at least a week. I hope we have a white Christmas. That always used to be a given but not so much anymore. Of course I used to live a little bit further north than Spokane - and we got lots of snow.

A friend today told me about a sort of Christian My space place called Shout Life So I decided to take a look and sign up and see how it goes. So far it seems nice... and you can also see how I was getting distracted by putting up my page!

Well, best get moving.... or it will be five o'clock in the morning and Sr. Colleen will be wanting me to go out with the dog and I never will have gone to bed. What a horrible thought.

Our Teleseminar tale of Woe

2007-12-04T21:17:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,

It is after 9:00 and I just don't have the push right now to do the
JoyNotes....so I am going to be kind to myself .. and take a break.

Susan Rowland and I did our Teleseminar... and everything seemed to
be working on our end... except that nothing was working on the Web
site end. Twenty people or so were on the phone version.. but the
web site would not work for anyone! We had almost 500 people signed
up for the call through me and tons of others folks through Susan.
All in vain.... well, not totally you know.. but it seemed like it.

Sad... sad... sad....

Here is the letter I sent out to the friends who signed up for the
call.. and I want to share it with you.. and also the link to the
free audio. Maybe some of you will want to listen. I thought we did
pretty good! Guess I can say that since we don't have the actual
recording to prove us right or wrong!

To the wonderful friends who signed up for our free Teleseminar.

I am so sad that the web portion of our seminar did not work. Rats!
Not only that but it did not record either. Rats, again!

So that's the bad news. Got that taken care of. It was totally out
of our control - as most of you know... sometimes things work on
the internet and sometimes they don't. This was definitely one of
those sad "don't" times.

The good news.. or sort of good news is that Susan and I did a
complete audio practice of the call this morning. It came out so
good I remember thinking, "Gosh, this is scary! Does this mean the
actual one isn't going to work?" I do have a pessimistic streak in
me you know. Well that streak turned out to be right this time.

But .... we do have that recording.... and though every time you do
something it comes out a bit different.. it did come out! So there
is something... if you want to take a listen!

Free Recording

http://101prayer.com/clean

Susan also has her book available at a special discount which we
were going to offer in the program.... sigh...that's available on
the web site as well.

We apologize again for not being able to come through for you. And
a special greeting to the 20 or so friends who did join us on the
phone lines! At least we did not do it in vain!

Hope you enjoyed it!

God bless you all, each and every one. You are special!

Sister Patricia and Susan

Crazy Shelley or Crazy Sisters?

2007-12-03T22:05:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Barbara

Quote for the Day:
The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.
Pope St. Gregory the Great

All dressed up and nowhere to Go

Just so you know, other than Shelley's poor manners in gulping down other people's food now and then.... she actually does put up with quite a lot of our craziness as well! Sister Colleen decided to share her winter hat and scarf. The amazing thing is not so much that Shelley allowed her to do that .... she even allowed us to take her picture.

Oh, and just so you know it's not always Shelley! This evening at supper, Sister Rita Louise put out some of the food and Jeremiah (the cat) decided to test out the butter while no one was around.

Yesterday we had lots of snow. It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Today we had lots of rain. Up in the mountains they got 50 inches... glad we got our version in a more liquid state! Fifty inches in one day would be a bit much!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. There is still time to sign up for the free teleseminar I am doing with Susan Rowland today .. on "Making Room for God at Christmas - Cleaning out the Clutter." Here is the link to sign up.
Making Room for God .

6:00 pm Pacific Standard time
7:00 pm Mountain Standard time
8:00 pm Central Standard time
9:00 pm Eastern Standard time

Once you sign up - you can come back anytime and listen to the recording. So if you can't make the live call - you can always get the recording. You can also save it to your computer and pass it on to friends.
Making Room for God

http://101prayer.com/clean/

Funny Dog Story

2007-12-02T21:30:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Francis Xavier

Quote for the Day:
The next best thing to winning is losing! At least you've been in the race.
Nellie Hershey Tullis

A lot of people know that email is my total downfall. I never seem to get to it. Maybe it's denial. So much of it.. how do you handle it? Most of the time I don't. I make a stab at answering a few - but the full load of it everyday... nope... just doesn't happen. I expect my purgatory will be taking care of all the emails I didn't take care of in my life. Woe

The thing is though. I love e-mail. I really do. It's just I don't have time to answer most of them and then I feel bad and then I decide the only way to deal with it is to play a game of spider solitaire. Chalk up another day in purgatory.

Oh... but now and then --- life breaks through and I get a wonderful email that I have to answer.. right this minute.. or at least share.... and here is one. It actually wasn't an email.. it was a comment on my blog (I copy the peace care text and put it on the blog.. so if you get this.. you also get what is in the blog.) Anyway this was in response to when I wrote about Shelley eating the peanut butter we were supposed to have for dinner We did by the way, have peanut butter... just not the serving she helped herself too!

This is from Diane - seems like it should be printed up in Reader's Digest or something.. just so funny!

It is not the owners it is the dog.

I have two cocker spaniels and two puppies who have not gone to their new homes yet. I, as well as my family members, have paid for as well as invested much time in training, however , as I was told on the last day of the last class, These wonderful animals are in fact animals. They like food and no matter how well trained they are, they will still like food.

A few years ago my son , who usually buys school lunches decided to pack a lunch because he did not like what was on the menu. We packed a roast beef sandwich and a few other items and he was on his way.

Later in the morning I got a call. It was my son asking if I would pack him another lunch and bring it to school. When I asked what happened to the lunch I previously packed (hoping that he gave it to a less fortunate child or something noble), I was told that I wouldn't believe him if he told me.

When I showed up at the school I got an explanation that , coming from my son, I probably would not have believed. It seemed that the local police department had brought in drug sniffing dogs to do locker checks. Another local police unit brought their dogs in to help be trained by the current service animals. As they approached my son's locker one novice dog became excited. He signaled that he detected something.

The no tolerance school cut my son's lock off, opened the locker allowing the dog access. Access to my son's lunch that is. (I guess this dog had a thing for Roast Beef ) He pulled the lunch bag out grabbed his sandwich and began to eat it (ziplock baggie and all)

The officer took the sandwich from the dog and examined it for drugs but only found roast beef and cheese. Another dog was brought to the locker and the locker searched but no drugs were present.

The embarrassed officer was very apologetic and immediately offered to pay for a new lock and a school lunch . We all had a big laugh. Amazingly this dog is now one of the top K9 s on the force. Just goes to show !

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. There is still time to sign up for the free teleseminar I am doing with Susan Rowland tomorrow .. on "Making Room for God at Christmas - Cleaning out the Clutter." Here is the link to sign up. Making Room for God .

JoyNotes - St. Andrew

2007-11-29T21:21:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Andrew

Quote for the Day:

I think there is something, more important than believing: Action! The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision.
Clement Stone

Oh woe upon woe... I seem to be catching the virus or whatever that Sr. Colleen has. She has been totally wiped by this bug - so hoping it doesn't get me in the same way. Sr. Rita Louise got it yesterday... its been there in the background with me for awhile.. but it seems to be making advances. Oh rats.

Thank you for everyone who signed up for our community newsletter. It should be going out in the mail next week. One sad note though that I forgot to mention. We are unable to send the newsletter to anyone outside the U.S. because the mailing is too expensive. Sorry, I didn't say that in the beginning.. I forgot! I will put a link to a version that you can download as a pdf next week.

Also thank you for those who signed up for the free teleseminar! Here is the link again if you are still thinking about it. http://101prayer.com/clean/

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

Clutter Free Christmas

2007-11-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Another Snow Man

Quote for the Day:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
St. James

Today was one of those nice days where I did all sorts of things and got all sorts of things done.... only..... it wasn't all the sorts of things I probably should have been doing. Know about those kind of days?

Kind of reminds me of the quote that says, "Life is what happens when you are making other plans."

Oh well, I hope it was in God's plans. One of things I want to share with you is a fun and free teleseminar I am doing with my friend Susan Rowland. I met Susan when I went to the Religious Trade Exhibit last spring. She was one of the "chosen" authors to do book signings for Saint Anthony Messenger. So that was neat.. but where I really learned just who Susan Rowland was - was when we shared a meal together courtesy of Saint Anthony.

Susan kept us absolutely in stitches. She was so funny. She is a sort of vegetarian. Sort of meaning that she doesn't go into "meat shock" if meat is served. In fact, she actually ordered a STEAK because she felt her body was in need of a little non vegetarian nuturing for the moment. Now that is the kind of vegetarian that is fun to sit next to. Not one so horribly, terribly, rabid that you never quite know what to serve if you invite them to dinner... or to talk about if you are munching on a delicious piece of chicken when you are sitting next to them. I see nothing wrong with being a vegetarian.. I just prefer them in moderation.

Anyway, Susan's book which I read, loved and started reading for a second time... is called, "Making Room for God: Clearing out the Clutter." Well, you all know that Clutter is my first, middle and last name. It just kind of follows me around wherever I go.

So, I persuaded Susan to do a Teleseminar ( a 3 week session in January) teaching myself and anyone afflicted with such tendencies to clear out the clutter. She had never done one before .. but I thought a Teleseminar on Clutter busting would be absolutely wonderful! So she agreed. That will be in January and that will cost a little - but ...

But next Tuesday ..... Susan is going to give a Free Teleseminar that you can listen to either by calling in on your phone (you will have to pay the phone charges) or listen for free on the web. If you would like to join us for one hour next Tuesday evening.... you can go to this page Making Room for God at Christmas and sign up.

When you sign up - it may seem like you are signing up for a subscription to a newsletter or something... you are not.. just the one class. It's just the only sign up form I have and that is just how it is worded. So ignore that part.. but you will have to confirm that you want to go to the class in order to get the information for signing up... etc. etc. Also we will want to send you a reminder or two... before the day so you don't forget!

Hope a few of you will join us! Even if you are one of those organized, got it all together folks... you will have fun with this class I think.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

Winter

2007-11-27T21:20:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Snow Family

Quote for the Day:

On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do fairly often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God requires of me is to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can do that.
Bruce Larson

Been a busy day. Sister Rita Louise came home from a visit with her mom for her 80th birthday. She hadn't been home for 23 years or more and this seemed like a significant enough reason to make a home visit. Her mom was so excited! She went last Friday and came back today.... she had a wonderful time but she is glad to be back and we are glad to have her back!

Shelley did something with her toenail last night... split it or something.... anyway she ended up going to the vet and spending half the day there.

We got snow! It's turned into winter. Just like that. Didn't ask me or anything... just did it.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Winter Community Newsletter - Sign Up

2007-11-26T20:56:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: http://franciscancards.com/cat.shtml?s/snowangel1b.gif

Quote for the Day:

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Johann von Goethe

Tonight we are supposed to get snow. Hmmm? Am I ready for this? No, I definitely am not.. but at least I guess it will clear up my mistaken impression that we should still be enjoying summer.

Shelley is in the doghouse again. Her crate. I'm thinking I will print a little sign and paste over it.... Sing, Sing .... which if you don't know is the name of a very notorious prison... for the really bad, criminals. The ones society doesn't think capable of reforming.

So what did she do? Helped herself to a bowl of peanut butter that was supposed to go on our sandwiches for supper. The problem with this dog.. is that you think you really have set things totally out of her reach... but the problem is.... she is learning to extend her reach by quite a bit.

I hesitate to share this with you. Our decadent dog.. because in sharing it... I open myself up to comments. Comments like, "Can't you control your dog any better than that?" and such sage, helpful advice as "You know the problem is not with the dog, the problem is with the owner."

But life is very short.... and so I risk my poor reputation by sharing with you our complete ineptitude with the dog.... and her voracious eating disorder..... maybe because I rather feel with the onset of fall and winter.. my eating appears to be a bit out of control as well!

Yesterday I had to work on getting our newsletter out. Yes, indeed even on Sunday..... and so the only way it could be done was with M & M's .... the peanut ones.... I bribed myself..... it was the only way I could stick to it. Write a sentence - pop in a M & M. Works everytime.

Oh! I meant to say... if you would like to receive our free "snail mail" community newsletter "Called by Joy" ... send me your name and address. The Winter issue is rather nice because it also comes with a little desk calendar, an apostleship of prayer leaflet (the pope's prayer intentions for each month) and a beautiful holy card of the Sacred Heart with a novena to the Sacred Heart. We pray this novena every day. It's very good.

My regular email address seems to be down for the moment.. so send .. to srpatosc@gmail.com

I have to have your address by Wednesday at the very latest .. sorry about the short notice.. but I just kept forgetting.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

JoyNotes for Monday - November 26, 2007

2007-11-26T05:30:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Christ the King

Quote for the Day:

It's not the situation, but whether we react (negative) or respond (positive) to the situation that's important.
Zig Ziglar

It's Monday morning. Early. I woke up at 4:30 and decided it was time to get up. Which was good because last night I went to bed at 8:30... which if you know me is very early. But I was feeling wiped and decided I was better material for sleep then anything else.

Soon I will have to go and wake everyone up. It will be five. They will be so glad to hear my voice. Ha. Ha. Ha. Sometimes I feel like our Navy sargeant in boot camp. The men got woken up I heard with a trash can banging down the hall... we got woken up much more civilized. All the lights came on (we were in a huge room with about fifty beds) and those big lights were like flood lights at 5:00 in the morning. Then over the intercom would come this sickenly sweet voice. "Good Morning, Ladies!"

You could tell she relished her job. It was not good. We did think too sweetly in return of that sweet voice.

My morning wake-up is much different. No bright lights.. just the shuffle of my slippers down the dark hallway. Three knocks on the door and I say quietly (because at 5:00 in the morning, a quiet voice is all even I can manage). "Let us praise the Lord." And such the day begins.

For Sister Colleen and myself we get the further pleasure of waking up more throughly by taking Shelley out for her morning duty. Usually, the colder it is - the swifter she is. Usually.

It's 24 degrees this morning. I hope she's up to her usual quick run and not into a sniffer mode...

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Friday after Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T20:28:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Cute Lion Cub

Quote for the Day:

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

Nora Roberts

Okay, I have to share this site with you... because it is just way, way too funny. and I hope no one gets scandalized - because this person is just so real..... and I love it. It is called Crazy Aunt Purl . http://crazyauntpurl.com/

It is about this lady who at age 35, after being married for nine years, her husband decides he needs to live a more creative life.. and leaves. She starts blogging... a private blog.. just as sort of self help therapy. But she is so funny. I think you will love her - and her book... which sounds a bit too much.. is called "Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair."

But I really didn't find anything about her being like "really" drunk... just how she coped with stuff.... and now she is a best selling author with up to 36,000 people visiting her blog on a good day! Anyway.... its full of knitting (that's where the Aunt Purl) comes in... and she lives with her four cats... which is where the "Cat Hair" comes in... and as far as the "Drunk" part - far as I could see she was just sitting at a table drinking a beer or something.... and making a face. So.. she obviously overstates things.. but makes for fun reading...

Do read her very first entry here so you can get a better understanding of it. http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/archives/2005/01/index.php

I wrote the above yesterday... which is a good thing.. because after a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner - my brain is fuzzy. But I do like that Crazy Aunt Purl site.... I like how she blogs... just on and on about this and than and then pictures of cats. Fun.

Often times when I write I have this voice that keeps whispering all these little warnings.. "You shouldn't write about things like that!" "You are a nun for heaven's sake - people will be scandalized." Bosh. Isn't that just such a downer.. trying to live up to other people's expectations of who or what a person should be... nun or otherwise? I mean every single nun I have met is as different as every single person I have met.. and yet we all (including me) have these preformed judgments of just what a nun should do and a mother should do and you should do.....

Terribly binding don't you think?

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Friday after Thanksgiving

2007-11-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T19:17:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Nine

Quote for the Day:

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Well, for a while today it looked like Thanksgiving was going to be on hold as a couple of our Sisters were sick. But... it looks like bed rest and some medicinal potions at least has one of them back on her feet.... and for tomorrow... being that she (Sister Rita Louise) is the Cook.. we are all very Thankful!

Of course we could always postpone it a day or two... but it never seems quite the same. Nice.. but not quite the same. BUT it looks like the turkey is going to get in the oven tomorrow and we're back on! Something new to be thankful for!

I hope you have a very wonderful, blessed and Thankful Thanksgiving tomorrow.... even if you are not in the U.S.A. - I hope you have a Thank-filled Day too!

Day Nine

Lord Jesus,
You are the same
Yesterday
Today
and Tomorrow.

Today, Lord,
I thank you
for my Tomorrows.

Not only the Tomorrows
I hope to spend
for ever with you
in eternity . . .

But the Tomorrows
You have carefully planned
for me in this
Time
and Space.

I thank you
for the people
I will love Tomorrow
I thank you
for the Food
You will provide
the Shelter
the Comfort
the Peace.

I thank you
for the New Doors
you will open
Tomorrow.

I thank you
that whatever
Tomorrow will bring
I know
You will be There!

Thank-You!

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Feast of the Presentation of Mary - Thanksgiving Novena Day Eight

2007-11-20T22:33:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Eight

Quote for the Day:

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Helen Keller

Today is the beautiful feast of the Presentation of Mary! I pray that Mary will ask a special blessing for you from her Son! Expect something wonderful!

If you would like to read the missing Novena days (they were on Saturday and Sunday when I didn't send out JoyNotes) you can visit all nine days here. Thanksgiving Novena.

This evening we had a wonderful sharing time with a group of four young women (two who are our neighbors) who are in a Christian group together and in following a book on living a Christian life - decided when they got to the Chapter on Prayer to come and see what our life of prayer was about. Was fun. We shared, they shared and God blessed us all.

Only one more day till Thanksgiving!

Day Eight

Prayer for
Eighth Day of Novena

Today Lord,
I thank you
for the gift
of your presence
in the Eucharist.

I don't understand it
I hardly can comprehend it
and yet with faith
I grasp it
and hold it firmly
in my heart.

Oh God of the Universe
Creator of all
how wonderful
how awesome
that you should
become so small.

I thank you for
the witness of Your Love
made present
in great humility.

Such a lesson
for me
to seek
not high ways
and men's ways
but always
the little way
of humility
and love.

Thank you most wonderful God
for the gift
of being small.

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksgiving Novena Day Seven

2007-11-19T22:13:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Seven

Quote for the Day:

It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Unknown

Well, Shelley is back to being an only dog. Taz left this morning with Sr. Colleen's brother and family. It was fun while it lasted. It was fun having two Golden retrievers in the house... both friendly - lovable and ready to gulp down anything you don't want. I'm not sure but I think Shelley might be part goat - anything that even faintly looks like foods she's ready for. I'm surprised she hasn't attacked our cookbooks.

Had my mom over today for dinner. Was nice - she is so pleased over little things. Lots of things make her smile. A cute picture, the sun shining, the cat sprawled over the floor so you can't get around him unless you pet him... just little things. I think her dementia is probably worse but certainly not her attitude. That is a blessing. Every day I pray for my mom to be happy. She doesn't have to be cured of her dementia or anything to change for her.. except to be happy.

I think the gift of being happy under any circumstances is a gift from God.

Prayer for
Seventh Day of Novena

You know what I thank
you for today, Lord?
I thank you
for You!

I thank you
that at any moment
of my day
I can just start
a conversation
with you and
know you are really
and truly listening!

I thank you
that you are always
just a prayer away.
What an awesome
thought
to know
that at any moment
just by lifting
my mind and heart
a bit
I can talk
to the very Creator
of the Universe.

That you know me
inside and out
the good the bad
and the ugly
and you still
love me.

What could I give
greater thanks for
than that?

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksgiving Novena - Day Six

2007-11-18T21:39:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Six

Quote for the Day:

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks
into small manageable tasks,
and then starting on the first one.
Mark Twain

I think the biggest complex task that is facing me (yes, once again) is cleaning this desk! I expect it is a symptom of procrastination - called pile it and deal with it later.

Oh well... time for bed.. I will deal with it later!

Prayer for
Sixth Day of Novena

Today Lord,
I want to thank you
for the Unexpected!

Those gifts you gave
to me in in odd shaped packages
in colors I didn't like
and sizes I didn't want.

Those gifts I never would
have chosen for myself,
that landed on my doorstep
unwanted
unasked for
and definitely
in my blindness
gifts I thought I didn't need!

Those gifts that changed
my life forever.
Those gifts that brought
tears when I opened them
like the death of a loved one
or a loss of something
so precious to me.

Those gifts that opened
a new meaning to my relationship
with you.

Those gifts
that painful as they were
caused me to grow
and develop in ways
that only You knew
I needed to do.

Yes, Lord
today most sincerely
I thank you
for taking hold
of me and giving
always the best
and most valuable
of gifts!

Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksiving Novena - Day 3

2007-11-15T19:52:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day Three

Quote for the Day:

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle. Every cubic inch of space is a miracle.
Walt Whitman

I don't know what to write about - so I decided I would just write some words here in the hope something spectacular will spew forth. This morning at breakfast the Sisters told me I had a one track mind and that I hadn't heard a word anyone else had said. The second part was not true. I did hear what they said, but my brain just didn't process it.. but I definitely remember hearing them talking about stuff. What the stuff was they were talking about... that I didn't quite get... but I did hear them.

So... it seems they think I am just a bit too intense right now on this new book. Just a bit heading over the edge. But I am having a lot of fun ... thinking .. thinking... thinking....

And I have a great partner of crime with this book because I have decided to dedicate it to our Sister Eileen (God rest her soul - though I doubt very much she is resting - because I know she is helping me!). Sister Eileen was always coming up with this statement, "I have an idea!" and then she would pray and soon ... her idea would take root and start sending out little shoots into the ground and before long... her idea was solidly planted and bearing fruit. It was fun living with Sister Eileen. Exciting.

Sister Mary Rita was a close comrade in crime as well.. so I figure - they started me out well.. it's up to me to continue... and you will be glad to know that I now have "Lots of ideas!" And I'm sure they are great ones.. a bit one-tracked .. but that's how I get things done!

Most of my really, really good ideas come during morning prayer and at Mass. I don't think they are distractions.. I think they are like our Father Sebastian used to tell us, "The Kingdom of God breaking through."

God works in each of us very differently ... but in the end it all comes out to His glory. As long of course we continue to put all into his hands.. which believe me I do, about a zillion times a day!

But this book which will be on prayer.. is just so cool.. because I mean that is what our life here is all about.. and it is good to work to make it the very, very best it can be I think. Even if it means I am a bit one-tracked and a bit deaf now and then. Sigh.

Prayer for
Third Day of Novena

Thank you Lord Jesus,
for the gift of
Faith.
For Faith,
that knows each moment
is carefully
held in your hand.

For Faith that
Encourages me
when I don't know
where to turn,
what to do
or where to go
but to You!

For Faith
that sees me through
Fears of War,
Terrorists, Pain
and Suffering.

For Faith
that assures me,
I will never be alone
that nothing will
ever happen to me
that is too big
for you to take care of!

Thank you Lord,
THANK YOU
For the Gift of Faith!

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Thanksgiving Novena Day Two

2007-11-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day One

Quote for the Day:

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."
Abraham Lincoln

Please keep your stories coming in for the new book! I'm looking for stories that had a big impact on you or someone you know. A story that really shows the power of God in an amazing way! That doesn't mean they have to be raising the dead to life but they should be something that has really affected you in some way. Sometimes little things happen that make all the difference.

One of the things that happens to me when I start thinking about answered prayer or miracles in my life... it seems that talking about them some how makes them shrivel down to a smaller size because I can't quite get across that "BIG FEELING" that came to me when my prayer was answered. If that happens to you... just try to do the best you can with sharing the story - often times I think more comes across than we think. Also if I feel the story is good but needs more information I will call you on the phone or email you questions that will make it more clearer to me. The important thing is to just try!

A little miracle happened to me this morning with one of our little sick fish. Rufus. He is Sister Marcia Kay's little buddy (I think he looks a bit like Godzilla) but she really loves this little guy. So he was looking really, really bad and very close to death. Well she gave him some Rescue Remedy and other medicine but it didn't seem to make much effect. I went and looked at the little fellow and asked Mary's help for him while I prayed three Hail Mary's. Do you know at the end of the third one he actually popped up and looked some better! He still may not make it... but it showed me in a small way that Mary was indeed listening! Even for a lttle small fish.

Prayer for
Second Day of Novena

Thank You for My Family!

Dearest Lord Jesus,
where would I be
without the gift
of my family
and friends?

I thank you today
for their presence
in my life.
I thank you
for the gifts
you have given
to each one.
I thank you
for the many ways
in which they touch
my life.

I thank you for
their laughter,
their encouragement,
their support.

I thank you
for every experience
I have shared with them,
whether good or bad
happy or sad
their presence in my life
has made me a better person.

Thank-you!

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

First Day of Thanksgiving Novena

2007-11-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Thanksgiving Novena - Day One

Quote for the Day:

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
Sally Berger

Prayer for First Day of Novena

Loving God,
Life-giving Breath of all Creation
today I thank you for the Gift of Me!

I thank you that I am alive
at this moment
at this space in time
in this place of history.

I thank you God
for the person I am
for the way I look
for the way I speak
for the color of my hair
my skin
my eyes.

I thank you
that in your Great Plan of Life
you have made me
just as you wanted me to be
and placed me
just where you wanted me
to be.

Thank you God for Me!
Sr. Patricia Proctor, osc

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Catholic Bestsellers for November

2007-11-12T21:17:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Frances Cabrini

Quote for the Day:

"We must pray without tiring, for the salvation of mankind does not depend on material success; nor on sciences that cloud the intellect. Neither does it depend on arms and human industries, but on Jesus alone."
Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini

Months and months ago I had told the folks at Catholic Publishing (of which I am a small member) that I wanted to share the Catholic Bestseller's list with you. So here we are finally getting around to it. I hope when I die the Lord doesn't wait so long for me to decide to get around to letting me into heaven! Yikes!

I am suffering from after Halloween - best go have a little candy bar snydrome. After all there are only a few left, and I shouldn't let them get so lonely.

Catholic Bestseller's Report for November
Hardback 1. Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light Mother Teresa with Brian Kolodiejchuk, 2. Jesus of Nazareth Pope Benedict XVI 3. Soul Provider Edward Beck 4. Celebration of Discipline Richard Foster 5. The Dream Manager Matthew Kelly, 6. Catechism of the Catholic Church Our Sunday Visitor 7. Simply Christian 8. The Apostles Pope Benedict XVI 9. Mother Angelica’s Little Book of Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality Raymond Arroyo 10. The Rhythm of Life Matthew Kelly	Paperback 1. The Screwtape Letters C. S. Lewis 2. Catechism of the Catholic Church 3. Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis 4. The Great Divorce C. S. Lewis 5. Why Forgive? Johann Christoph Arnold 6. United States Catholic Catechism for Adults 7. Prayer Joyce Rupp 8. Reconciliation Robert Morneau 9. Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church 10. Return of the Prodigal Son Henri J. M. Nouwen

Catholic Bestseller's Report for November

Hardback
1. Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light
Mother Teresa with Brian Kolodiejchuk,

2. Jesus of Nazareth
Pope Benedict XVI

3. Soul Provider
Edward Beck

4. Celebration of Discipline
Richard Foster

5. The Dream Manager
Matthew Kelly,

6. Catechism of the Catholic Church
Our Sunday Visitor

7. Simply Christian

8. The Apostles
Pope Benedict XVI

9. Mother Angelica’s Little Book of
Life Lessons and Everyday Spirituality
Raymond Arroyo

10. The Rhythm of Life
Matthew Kelly

Paperback
1. The Screwtape Letters
C. S. Lewis

2. Catechism of the Catholic Church

3. Mere Christianity
C. S. Lewis

4. The Great Divorce
C. S. Lewis

5. Why Forgive?
Johann Christoph Arnold

6. United States Catholic Catechism
for Adults

7. Prayer
Joyce Rupp

8. Reconciliation
Robert Morneau

9. Compendium of the Catechism
of the Catholic Church

10. Return of the Prodigal Son
Henri J. M. Nouwen

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Monday - I Can See

2007-11-11T20:05:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Saint Josaphat

Quote for the Day:

I have found in life that if you want a miracle
you first need to do whatever it is you can do -
if that's to plant, then plant;
if it is to read, then read;
if it is to change, then change;
if it is to study, then study;
if it is to work, then work;
whatever you have to do.
And then you will be well on your way of doing the labor that works miracles.
Jim Rohn.

I can See!

I am just totally amazed! I can read the small print on my computer! Totally amazing. On Saturday I had our computer whiz friend Dale over to fix and heal all the rough spots on my new server. One of the first things he said to me was, "Gosh, your monitor is really shot!"

"Really?" I said, "I thought it was just fuzzy because my eyes were going bad and old age was creeping up."

"No," he said, "This monitor is really bad!"

So, we went and got a new one! Whoa. Just totally whoa! Can hardly tell you how different things are. I got one of those flat screen monitors so that it takes up about 1/100th of desk space that it used to. I also can sit it far back against the wall and I still can see it at medium print. Just totally whoa!

Isn't it amazing how sometimes we are so sure its just ourselves who are out of sync.. and then all of a sudden we find out, "No, it actually is a real, concrete problem that can be fixed!"

Just amazing!

Blessings of Peace and All Good!
Sr. Patricia and all the Sisters

Niacin Flush - New York Times Best Seller List

2007-11-08T20:37:00.001-08:00

To send today's card: Elizabeth of the Trinity

Quote for the Day:

Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Experiment Follow Up!

Thank you to the several people who wrote and told me that I was probably experiencing a Niacin Flush. Wow, that is a whole lot more comforting than what my first initial reaction was... ."You have just been poisoned! You are going to die!" My brain tends to jump to conclusions easily. Not too rational ones either.

So I really appreciate that information! Very, very helpful. Especially when I took some more of the stuff tonight and started getting the red reaction again. This time it was, "Hey, everybody look, it's doing it again."

What really was neat about this whole thing.. was the fact that I shared it with you ... and some of you knew exactly what it was! That was neat. The thought came to me very powerfully that if I had not shared it.. I would never have known the real cause of it. Pretty awesome when you think of it.

New York Times Bestseller Follow Up

Today, I got some of the material for my course on becoming a New York Times bestseller. It is really, really great. But it is sort of challenging. Like trying to climb Mount Everest when your only equipment is a pair on tennis shoes and a pocketknife.

Here is one funny thing. I was talking on MSN to my brother Peter for a few seconds and I told him about this course that I was soon to start.

I told him,
"It says right there in the beginning if you can't come up with an outreach of one to three millions contacts don't even attempt it!"

I then asked him,

"How many friends do you have?"

He wrote back...

"I have the one to three part but not the million part. "

Sigh.... obviously he's not going to be much help!

101 Prayer Blog

I wrote a very, very long post to my 101 Prayer blog Learning to Accept "NO." Just a thought I had yesterday about how we limit ourselves by being afraid of getting a "no" response when we try new things. No doubt I was giving myself a pep talk!

Blessings and Thanks!
Sr. Patricia

Thughts and more thoughts

2007-11-06T21:07:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: Knowing we are Loved

Quote for the Day:

The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of.

C. S. Lewis

"With my God I can break through any barrier"

This is the quote from scripture that I seemed to fasten onto this morning. I'm not sure where in scripture it is, we read it often in the breviary. Must be in the psalms. Anyway, it was such a strong comfort for me as I try to move forward with this book and make it the best I possibly can.

Not that I have come against real barriers yet with it...mostly just the ones that play in my head. I was reading Robert Middleton's blog entry today - and for me it was just exactly and totally what I needed. He said in essence that about 85 percent of what holds us back from doing things.. is how we think about them. That is the fact.. but we don't face that fact.. instead we find all sorts of "other" stuff that we need to DO before we can move forward. Very interesting.

With my book (its on my mind a lot these days) I am trying to reach out and pull in a few "famous" folks to give a little recognition for people who know nothing about my other books. I have a friend who is helping me with the back cover text.. getting endorsements, etc. and she suggested to me this morning in an email that I should ask you (the faithful readers of my rambling thoughts) what you think. Here is what she said:

"Also, through your newsletter, consider doing an informal poll of this captive audience to see what other authors your subscribers like to read, what music they listen to, who/what else inspires them in their Christian faith, etc. This is a great idea, to go right to your list and ask them."

So....? What ARE your thoughts? Will you share them with me? Email Me

I contacted Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR last week for permission to use his story of the cure of the Downe Snydrome child and he said "Yes!" Today I put out an inquiry to see if I could use an article on prayer by Max Lucado (will see what happens there).... and now I just need your suggestions. AND if you have a way for me to contact them .. that would be even better!

Blessings and Thanks!
Sr. Patricia

God's Love multiply by billions

2007-11-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: A Little Rain

Quote for the Day:

The miracles of nature do not seem miracles because they are so common. If no one had ever seen a flower, even a dandelion would be the most startling event in the world.
Unknown

We had a wonderful sermon today - on how much Jesus loves us and how we should spend our lives trying to love him in return. Was really beautiful. Father was encouraging us to love Jesus for His sake alone.. and not for what we want Jesus to do for us. This is not easy.. because basically everything comes from God so how can we place ourselves outside of that neediness?

Personally, I still haven't a clue. I mean how do you wrap yourself around loving God without loving all the wonderful things He does for us? Seems a bit impossible to me.

I do think I could spend a lot more time appreciating God more than I do. I was walking up the stairs this evening after evening prayer and the thought came to me that there are billions of people on the earth.. and God is personally and totally loving and caring for each of us. Is that mind boggling or what? So I decided ... I will just let God love the billions and I will work on just loving him. One I can handle.. billions.. nope.. don't think so.

I remember Saint Padre Pio once commenting on his relationship with the Blessed Mother. He said, "She loves me as if I was her only one" isn't that beautiful? And Mary is only a reflection of the great love of God... so wow.. imagine being loved so totally by God? We really should have nothing to fear. If God loves us so much... whoa....how can we even think that He doesn't want us to enjoy the full glory of heaven.

Yep, time to spend more time.. just being amazed and thankful for God's love.

Monday - November 5, 2007

2007-11-04T21:21:00.000-08:00

To send today's card: For No Special Reason

Quote for the Day:

There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself.
Andrew Carnegie

Oh sigh. I have wasted about two hours here... all because I didn't know what to write about.. and so I went here and there.. played a game of spider solitaire... read a few blogs... followed a few links.. went and had a bowl of dry cereal.... played another game of spider solitaire...

and here I am...

the grand prize winner of Procrastinator's Annoymous.

Still nothing to write about...but I would like to call it quits and I can't till I write SOMETHING so here I am...

I will just write

SOMETHING

and call it quits.

Blessings of Peace, Joy and all Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. Maybe I'm written out. I did a book exercise this morning which was to write 12 pages on the benefits of my new book. It was rather fun... and I did get all twelve pages comopleted (hand written not typed) and I learned a few things about the direction of my book and how I needed to focus it... but ... the writing part has all zipped away now... oh and I did post a new thought on my Prayer blog today. So its not like I haven't written anything .... just not able to do it now.

Oh and one more thing... a very exciting thing I am totally, jazzed about. Tomorrow I get to sign up for a 12 week teleclass with John Kremer on how to make your book a New York Times bestseller. I had a consultant call with him on Friday that was very good.. and he didn't think that this new book would actually be the stuff for a New York Times Best seller .. but I could do a lot of things to make it a bigger seller.. so.... I am going to take the sessions and see what I learn.

I have been reading his book, "1001 Ways to Market your Books" and totally love it. I read it word for word when I did the first book on the rosary. He is very good. If you ever decide to write or self-publish a book be sure to get a copy of it. Excellent.

Anyway,

Maybe... my book will be a New York Times Bestseller.. because I am putting the book totally in Mary's hands.. and she does big things. But whether it does or not.. I am going to just have fun with making it and make it the absolute best I can and just see what happens.

My Mom and new blog on prayer

2007-11-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: All Soul's Day

Quote for the Day:

The will of God is eternal because He does not begin to will what He did not will before, nor cease to will what He willed before.

William Ames

This is a picture of my mom that I took yesterday when I went to visit her - to see how she was doing after her hospital stay. She looks really good I think. And she really has less gray hair at 89 than I do at 52! Amazing.

One of the funny things I wanted to share with you about our hospital stay.. was when we were leaving. In hospitals at least most of them I think.. they make you leave in a wheelchair. So my mom rolled her eyes at that one but I think she was probably glad at the same time.. as its a big hospital and a lot of walking to get to the front door. Well anyway as she was being carefully wheeled to the elevator there were several people waiting to get on as well. With great glee she told them, "We are making our escape!"

So just in case I had any doubts what she thought about her stay - I think that would sum it up.

Today has been a bright, sunny fall day. Both Pi and myself were happy. We're sun folks. I'm thinking I may need to get one of those natural day light lights.. to keep us going into the winter. Either that or let us hibernate till spring and we won't care what the weather is like.

Thank you for all who are sending in stories. They are really nice and its encouraging for me to read about them myself! I've started a new blog just for the book.... 101prayer.com I am going to try and write a paragraph or two every day about prayer and things relating to the book on prayer. Yesterday I read a really super article on prayer... it was written several years ago but it had a really good thought that I really liked. I will give the link to that there.. when I get a chance. I plan to reference books, articles and all sorts of things relating to prayer on that site. Will be fun and keep me focused as well!

Blessings of Peace, Joy and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Happy Halloween - Contest Opens

2007-10-31T20:56:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: All Hallow's Eve Card

Quote for the Day:

The saints have always been the source and origin of renewal in the most difficult moments in the Church's history.
Pope John Paul II

Trick or treat is a bit different here in the monastery. I think its a bit shall we say on the scary side? You see our monastery at night is tall and dark and rather spooky... we do have a couple of pumpkins in the window to show that we are "Halloween Friendly" but its still rather spooky. And that's before you even come inside!

If you are small kid and you do get enough nerve to come inside... than you are in a small reception area.. and what the heck is that thing? There is a door bell by it so most of them (accompanied by a parent) do ring the doorbell... and then "The Turn" goes into action. The turn is like a lazy susan in which one side is grilled and the sisters look out from that and the other side is open so that things can be put into in.... food, whatever and then "turned" around so that the sisters can remove it without going outside the cloister.

Pretty amazing huh? Not sure how many monasteries have the old turn like this... but we do - mostly because it works so well and why change what works? Maybe lots of monasteries still do, I have no idea because I don't go around to monasteries... would be kind of fun I think. I am sure they still have a lot of "turns" in Europe still.

Sister Colleen read recently that the "turn" actually was started as a way to save babies. It seems a lot of babies were being abandoned and no one would find them until it was too late. So monasteries had "turns" built into their front halls so that anyone who could not take care of their baby could annoymously put the baby into it, ring the doorbell and disappear before anyone discovered them. The baby then was taken care of - instead of being abandoned.

I've been here 25 years and no babies yet. Rats. When I was young I would go walking in the woods and stuff looking for abandoned babies. Never found one. Guess that is a good thing. Today the turn is being used mostly for Candy! Happy Halloween.

The Contest is Officially Open! I spent most of the day getting the contest page (and sub pages) up and working. I hope at least they are working. Haven't had time to check them all out.. but I think they are. I may have more prizes to add in days to come.. but so far check out what we have!

Submit a Prayer Story Contest.

Please help me to spread the word about the contest. I would appreciate all the "push" anyone can offer!

Blessings of Peace, Joy and all Good,
Sister Patricia

P.S. A few people were confused because I said yesterday that November 1 was "All Souls Day" when I should have said, "All Saint's Day. Sorry. Brain drain again. Does seem to be happening a lot does't it? Hmmmm.

Mom - Hospital - Home Again

2007-10-29T21:38:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: All Hallow's Eve Cards

Quote for the Day:

One must see God in everyone.
St. Catherine Laboure

Friday night I fixed the JoyNotes for Saturday and talked about having my mom over for dinner and how well she was doing. Remember that?

Well.... it all changed. On Saturday morning at 6:30 (right during prayer) I got a phone call from the place where she was staying at the assisted living center. My mom had fallen and was on her way to the hospital. So that is where I have been.. day and night since Saturday morning. Finally at about 11:00 am today she was well enough to come home. Boy were we both glad!

She didn't hurt herself much from the fall - but she had other complications - her heart was not in sync - in afib or whatever they call that. Okay, I am not a medical person - anyway they needed to get that under control along with n a UTI (Urinary tract infection). I didn't want to leave her by herself because it is so hard to stay oriented for a person without dementia in the hospital ... and totally - totally impossible for a person with dementia.

So actually... the two of us together did not do too badly. When they found out I was going to be staying overnight with my mom.. they gave us a private room (may God bless them) and a cot for me to sleep next to her... (God bless them a hundred fold). I will admit the cot was not as comfortable as my bed... since many other people of different sizes and shapes had also slept on this cot.. but it was still a huge blessing!

I enjoyed being able to spend lots of time with my mom. I also (truth to tell) enjoyed being away from all my deadlines and pressures of everything else. I mean what else could I do? Mom's always and forever come before everything else you know.

I have decided though... that hospitals have a sort of cruel streak about them. A sort of treatment that is not at all good for healing. They use the same methods of brain washing and mind control that are used in torture places. Meaning .. that they wake one up whenever one falls asleep... they poke them with sharp needles,.... they ask them questions under bright lights when one has been in complete darkness...and you know just the typical torture stuff.

No wonder older people get confused. Hell-o?

But other than the standard official hospital (torture) procedures... the nurses and doctors and aides were absolutely wonderful. And everyone was as nice and friendly as could be. My mom came through wonderfully. Yes, she was a bit more confused than if this had not happened.. but I know a lot less than it could have been. I thank God as well for the understanding of my sisters to let me be with her during this time. Let's hear it for community!

And, another blessing. I got lots of time to read and pray and think about how to make this next new book on prayer the best it can be. One of the things I have decided is to have some contests to get stories. Just for fun.. but to give a sort of framework for different story ideas to give you (if you want to) some new points of reference for remembering some prayer experiences.

I will have more details tomorrow.. but the first contest theme is this.

Did you use prayer in finding a good job for yourself or someone else that had a remarkable result?

So start thinking and I will put up the contest page - rules and prizes tomorrow!

Blessings of Peace, Joy and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Spirit of Assisi - My mom

2007-10-25T21:02:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Spirit of Assisi - October 27

Quote for the Day:

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.
Thomas a Kempis

Saturday is a special day called ... The Spirit of Assisi....First started by Pope John Paul II and continued by Franciscans (and hopefully others) It is a day to think of Peace, pray for Peace and hopefully to find Peace.

Today I brought my mom over for dinner. It was a beautiful fall day, blue sky and everything golden and bright and sunny. (I wish we could share this day with the suffering people in California.) At any rate I was glad to be able to get my mom and take her for a little drive and spend time with her. The only problem was... someone came to visit me in the parlor (sort of a prayer emergency) and I ended up spending all my time there...and not with my mom. Thankfully the sisters all treat my mom as their mom too so she was well taken care of!

I did get back in time to eat dinner with her. Whew. Then I took her home and bought her some "comfort food" - a half gallon of vanilla and chocolate ice-cream to put in her freezer. Nice to have a treat when you want don't you know. A little ice-cream is about the only thing she eats in her room since all her meals are in the dining room.

In January my mom will be 90. She is really doing wonderfully well... a bit of dementia... but I rather live with that myself.. so I can handle that.

Blessings of Peace, Joy and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Prayer against the Fires in California

2007-10-24T19:58:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Saint Agatha

Quote for the Day:

We cannot truly face life until we face the fact that it will be taken away from us.
Billy Graham

I decided upon Saint Agatha for today - because she is the patron saint against fires (not the only saint for fire protection but a good start). I tried to find a good prayer against fires.. but did not find anything I really like. Maybe a prayer to Saint Michael would help.. he certainly fought against the fires of hell.. and these fires look pretty close to it!

I am going to keep today's JoyNotes much shorter.. to give you a breath and a break from yesterday's long one.

May our loving God protect you and keep you safe from all fires.
May he command the winds to be still
and the waters from heaven to fall
so that the earth may once again be at peace.

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

Here is a nice prayer I did find from this blog in San Jose, California - by Diana Macalintal. Blog

A Prayer of Blessing for Firefighters,
Police Officers, Medical Workers,
and All Who Serve Us in Times of Crisis

Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy,
who through your Son gave us a marvelous example of charity
and the great commandment of love for one another.
Send down your blessings on these your servants,
who so generously devote themselves to helping others.
Grant them courage when they are afraid,
wisdom when they must make quick decisions,
strength when they are weary,
and compassion in all their work.
When the alarm sounds
and they are called to aid both friend and stranger,
let them faithfully serve you in their neighbor.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

-adapted from the Book of Blessings, #587, by Diana Macalintal

Saint Anthony Mary Claret - New Guidelines for Story submissions

2007-10-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Quote for the Day:

When I see the need for Divine teaching and how hungry people are to hear it, I am atremble to be off and running throughout the world, preaching the word of God. I have no rest, my soul finds no other relief, than to rush about and preach.
St. Anthony Mary Claret

Today's saint - Saint Anthony Mary Claret is known among other things as the cancer saint. Not sure exactly why. I do know we prayed to him for our own Sister Jean when she had cancer. Truthfully not sure if he helped or not as she did die from the cancer. But... who knows what other graces he won for her? I was just reading a little more about him on the Saint of the Day site at Saint Anthony Messenger. Sounds like a very neat saint and doesn't mention a word about being a patron of cancer... so, maybe we just didn't make the right connection.

At any rate, Sister Jean had this thing where she really did not want to get old. Not sure why ... and she thought 70 was old.. and so she died when she was 69! We were so amazed that God honored her desire not to get old. In a sad kind of way it was a beautiful blessing of answered prayer for her. And... not only did God take her to heaven - but within a year he had also taken almost every other family member that she had been worried and concerned about to heaven with her! Really, really amazing!

Doesn't it sometimes seem that this praying stuff can be a little scary? I mean, imagine if God were not such a good God and actually did give us every little thing we prayed for (instead of what is the best for us) we would be in a whole world of hurt!

That's why, personally, I have no problem at all praying for things... because I believe that God like any good and loving parent is not going to give me what is not good. And that - is the difference between postive thinking - imaging and all that stuff which is okay in the context of "prayer" where we allow God to guide and direct our wants and desires - but downright dangerous when we trust only in our own feeble whims and fancies of what WE think is good.

I must tell you that I am getting a little deeper into this next book on prayer and much more excited! I am working with a professional copywriter to come up with the back text for the cover..(which is so important in creating a book people will actually want to read) and in doing so the copywriter had me answer four pages of questions about my book! Wow. Really, in depth things to get me thinking. Now as a result I am focusing and refocusing on how I feel the book will be the most effective.

One thing that has become much clearer in answering these questions is this. Since the book is about "the power of prayer" I need the stories that are submitted to bring out in a very strong way how prayer was an essential element in each story.

The stories need to provide answers to these questions.

1. How did you pray? What kind of prayer? The rosary, scripture or just heart to heart conversation with God?

2.. How committed were you to praying? Maybe you didn't pray all that much... that's okay.. tell us that ... but if you prayed a lot - spell it out. Help us to really get into how much heart and soul went into your prayer.

3. What effect did the answer to your prayer have on your future relationship to God and prayer?

I know I did not have this spelled out very well.. because truthfully I wasn't that clear myself! So we learn as we go.. even though this is our fifth book - we keep learning!

Please, if you submitted a story - and feel that it does not follow the above guidelines.. consider rewriting and sending the story in again. The way I am moving with this book now is to strongly bring out "The Power of Prayer" - so merely explaining that you got a miracle or a special answer does not give us real substance to grow and understand how prayer was powerful for you. The personal, life-changing description of what took place needs to be included.

Also feel free to submit as many stories as you want. I am being very, very selective for this book in getting good stories so if you really want to be included in this book (and I hope you do) keep trying! The more time and effort you put into creating a complete picture of your story the better chance it has to make it. And, if you don't feel that you are that great a writer - don't worry about that! Just give as much details and put as much "self" into it as you can and I will work with you into making it wonderful.

And most of all.. pray to the Blessed Mother for help... because I am putting the whole book into her hands and I am relying a lot, lot, lot on her help myself!

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

P.S. One thing I just learned about Saint Anthony Mary Claret that I thought was really cool.. was that he had a strong devotion to our Blessed Mother and was hardly ever seen without a rosary in his hand! Yeah!

Spiritual Thinking

2007-10-23T03:30:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Saint John Capistran

Quote for the Day:

I am realistic - I expect miracles.
Wayne Dyer

Tuesday,

Spiritual Thinking. It really is a pity I do not write my little bits of thought during morning chapel time. I actually am God focused the most then. I have all these great insights that I think, "Oh great, I will share this with you in my next writing." but then the day sort of filters over thoughts and reflections and by the time it comes to write... I am blank as a newly erased board. Sigh. Who could tell there actually was a scribble or two of honest reflection there?

I don't suppose they would let me set up my computer in the chapel?

No, I thought not.

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

JoyNotes - collecting stories for new book

2007-10-21T22:20:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Thinking of you... and praying for you.

Monday

So much of the time I feel that I need to be in control and always woefully aware that I am not. But bit by bit it is starting to sink into my very small brain (as Pooh would say) that I really don't have to be in control if I let God be in control.

The trick I think is not to panic when it "looks" like God isn't in control.

Padre Pio once counseled someone to, "Pray, hope and don't worry." I need to do that a lot.

I am getting started "once again" in collecting stories for the new book. Had a problem with the form but it is fixed now. Submit your story. I am also starting a blog about this book ... but it is still being designed..hope to have it up for viewing tomorrow.

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

Email Woes and Cardsite Solution

2007-10-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: North American Martyrs

Quote for the Day:

Be still, and know that I am God.

Ps 46:10

Feast of Saints Isaac Jogues and Companions.

Praise the Lord - and Blessings In Abundance. I figured out what was wrong with the card site!

Nothing. Absolutely nothing!

What was wrong was my email address. Apparently srpat@calledbyjoy.com has been stolen and used so many times by spammers that practically the entire internet has banned me from using it. So everytime I tried to send out a Peace Card using my email address.. it wouldn't work. Isn't that special?

So... obviously I have changed my email address. For the moment I'm using my comcast email.... stclare3@comcast.net .... so for anyone who has whitelisted my address in their email... please make the change... that address is going into oblivion. The black hole of cyberspace.

Tomorrow is my day of recollection. Whew. I think I need it - I've decided I'm going to have a complete day away from the computer. A book and breathing time and maybe a nap sounds just wonderful. Hope God thinks so too.... I hope, I hope, I hope.

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

Thursday - October 18, 2007

2007-10-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

Quote for the Day:

Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much.

St. Luke, 7. 47

Today is the Feast of Saint Luke.. but the card site is working so poorly can't send a card.

Not much progress on the card site....guess God had other plans for my day. This morning I worked on it for about 30 minutes.. and then I went to pick up my mom to bring her over for dinner. That was nice. Then it was dishes and then it was bake chocolate chip cookies. I mean I had to bake cookies because we were having about 25 junior high and high school kids over for one of their youth trips. And they have to have chocolate chip cookies don't you know? I mean what other kind of cookie is there?

So then we had prayer, ate supper and then all the kids came and we had a fun time and now here I am... end of the day and looking forward to my sweet little bed.

Not a very good picture... but we had a lot of people packed into our community guest room! I was amazed we could get that many. They were a really neat group..very open, friendly and just fun.

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

Here is an excerpt from my friend Helmut's newsletter.I thought it was really neat so wanted to share it with you.

October 15, 2007 - Providence, Rhode Island - Providence Journal

Neither motorists nor pedestrians could ignore the man in the pale blue shirt and bright white sneakers yesterday morning standing between the Providence Biltmore and The Westin Providence hotels.

He was offering something.

“Good morning!” exclaimed Thad Davis to everyone around him.

He twisted to the left, to the right, and checked behind him, leading always with a waving hand. “Good morning! ... How are you? ... Have a good day!”

Davis, 41, a freight train conductor on the Norfolk Southern out of Bellevue, Ohio, arrived on his first visit to New England on Wednesday with his wife, Kathleen.

She’s an assistant director of a residential-care facility back in Van Wert, Ohio, where the Davises and their four children live. She’s attending a mental-health conference in Providence.

On Thursday, while his wife was at her conference, Davis, a curious guy, took his first stroll through a New England city, testing some of his preconceived notions of New Englanders.

Davis had heard little about those from the littlest state, but during his walk Thursday through downtown and Providence Place mall he came away thinking Rhode Islanders were, well, kind of glum.

Back in the hills of Polk County, N.C., where Davis grew up, offering greetings to people you meet on the street is as natural as chompin’ on pulled pork during a NASCAR race.

He got an idea. While his wife took in her morning conference sessions yesterday, he would take to the street and try to brighten people’s spirits.

By 8 a.m., he had found a nice spot at the tip of a traffic island across from Burnside Park.

People stared. Drivers shot double-takes as they passed by his sign. Others offered obligatory waves, as reactive as swatting at a passing fly.

But there also came cracks in all those glum expressions.

One lady in a maroon sedan couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She rolled down her window and gawked.

“Good morning! How are you?” said Davis.

“Good morning,” the young lady said, then beamed back a wide smile before driving away.

One police officer in a cruiser swung by and stopped, too.

“That’s it?” he asked.

“Yes sir, that’s all it is.”

The officer drove away, grinning.

“Some people sometimes looked at me like I’m silly,” he said. “Others just thought I’m panhandling until they read the sign again.”

What did he learn from his three hours in a Providence intersection?

“Well, the people seemed to appreciate it.…

Said Davis: “I don’t think I changed anybody’s life, but I hope I made their day a little better. Maybe it will become a movement.”

Saint Teresa of Jesus - Trip to Birmingham

2007-10-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Satin Teresa of Jesus

Quote for the Day:

“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can - namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us."
St Teresa of Jesus

Home Again!

Happy beautiful Feast of Saint Teresa of Jesus (Avila).

At the moment I rather feel like Teresa did when she got dumped off of the carriage she was riding in and landed in a mud puddle. She exclaimed to God, "Well, if this is how you treat your friends no wonder you have so few of them!" For some reason or other the card site is not working. I have no clue and no one to contact (that is online anyway) at the moment. So..... guess that will be tomorrow's big plan for the day. It may be that I will need to move to the new card program sooner than I had planned. Stay tuned for stormy clouds ahead.

We (Sister Marcia Kay and myself) arrived back home late Saturday night. A little bit of rain and lightening in Denver extended our stay an hour but not too bad. We were still very, very glad to get home.

We had a wonderful time, made new friends, saw new things and learned a lot about Catholic Radio. Mostly that I need to learn a lot more! Geeesh.. Just when you think you are getting a handle on things.

The first day of the Catholic Radio Association (convention) was a spiritual day. We went to the shrine of "The Most Blessed Sacrament" which was really fun. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but it was a really, really nice experience. We got to meet a few of the Poor Clares, listen to a spiritual talk, attend the Holy Eucharist and visit Castle San Miguel. At first I thought Castle San Miguel was going to be a bit "over the top" but it was fun!

I have to say one of the things I enjoyed the most was the knights in armor. I had never seen one before - and it sort of put the whole Franciscan Middle ages thing in sort of a concrete perspective for me. I can't imagine actually going to war in one of those things! Amazing. How could one even move?

Here is a picture of Sister Marcia Kay and myself with Saint Joan and two knights. Kind of looks like the one behind me is going to bop me on the head. Probably if I had lived back in those ages I would have been bopped and "off with her head" quite soon.

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

Novena to St. Teresa - Catholic Radio Association

2007-10-08T22:44:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Novena to Saint Teresa of Jesus

Quote for the Day:

“Prayer is nothing else than being on terms of friendship with God.”
St Teresa of Jesus

Fourth Day of the Novena to Saint Teresa of Jesus

Well guess what! I am off and away on Wednesday to a strange land to meet new friends. Well, not really that strange a land, I suppose though it seems so to me at the moment. Because we manage a Catholic radio station we are going for a few days (we, being Sister Marcia Kay and myself) to Birmingham, Alabama for the Catholic Radio Association convention.

I am a bit nervous about going at the moment - but I think it will be good and I hope to learn from other "radio folks" how they are doing things with their station. Even though thankfully, we are an affliate station of Sacred Heart Radio and do not have to worry about 99% of the stuff that being in charge of a station by itself would mean - there is still plenty of opportunity for growth!

Always new things to learn - to do and to explore in bringing about better Catholic radio!

Last night for some reason I was feeling pressured by life and I walked into the library where Sister Colleen was working on the laptop... and at her feet (practically sitting on them was her lap dog). Okay, she is a bit BIG for a lap dog but I'm sure she would try it if given the opportunity.

I said, "Rats! I don't have a dog who will sit on my feet!" Pi actually does like to sit on my shoes given the chance though. She likes to until the shoestrings. She thinks that is a very fun thing to do. And I do love Pi... but sometimes one needs a dog to sit by one's side. It's just a little more "solid" comfort. Don't worry about Pi though.. she likes Shelley too!

At any rate about my trip. There is a very good chance that there won't be JoyNotes on Thursday and Friday. I'm taking my laptop.. but not sure... will just see.

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

JoyNotes - Happy Thanksgiving Day in Canada

2007-10-08T09:48:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Happy Thanksgiving in Canada!

Quote for the Day:

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice.
Meister Eckhart

Happy Thanksgiving Day in Canada!

I did it! I actually remembered today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada... well, at least I remembered when I looked at the calendar and saw it written there. One does need a little help now and then.

Our Poor Clare Sisters in Duncan, B.C. have it made. They celebrate thanksgiving on both days! I think we should start doing that too. Makes sense to me, after all we are supposed to "always give thanks" course maybe the kitchen crew would not think it was such a wonderful idea. They might want to give thanks in a different way!

------ Oh Rats... so much for my exulting about remembering Canada Thanksgiving... I ended up spending the next two hours working on a email server problem and finally decided it was too late and I was getting too tired and grumpy to send out the JoyNotes... sigh... better late than never...its now a little after five in the morning and I'm waiting for "the dog" to show up so we (Sister Colleen and myself) can take her out for her morning stroll. Then I won't be back till much later in the morning - about 9:30 as we have prayer, breakfast, prayer and then Mass. This will be really late.. but such is life.

At least its not a life or death issue.. just a late issue and most of you are familiar with me on that!

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

---------------------------------
Novena To St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

O Gracious Woman of God,
still active in our time,
you knew how to capture the
Heart of God through
your indomitable trust,
determination and desire.
Tell us, again, that we need not
be troubled or
frightened and that the one
who has God has
everything. Help us to
surrender. And, ask God
to accept us just the way we are.

We believe that
if we approach God from
the heart, God will, in
turn, speak to our hearts.
Hence, we need not worry.

We place this cause in your hands.
St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us.

Above Novena - Courtesy of Carmelite Sisters of Eldridge
http://carmelitesofeldridge.org/

To view Novena Card Click Here
---------------------------------

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Eight:

Some family History on Reconciliation

In the fifth century, a major change in the form of the sacrament took place in Ireland. Here, the monks would travel the country to hear individual confessions privately. They would then give a penance to be performed, and when they returned, months later, they would pray with the sinner to ask God's forgiveness. Gradually this practice became poular in Europe, even though it was resisted by some Church leaders as too lenient. By the year 1215, the Church officially adopted this practice of private confession to a priest, but absolution was now given after the confession of sins and before the assigned penance was completed. This remains the common Catholic practice today.

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

First Day of Novena to Saint Teresa of Avila

2007-10-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

First Day of Novena to Saint Teresa of Avila

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Peace Card in color
http://franciscancards.com/peace/oct07/peace1006.html
=======================================

Novena To St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila)

O Gracious Woman of God,
still active in our time,
you knew how to capture the
Heart of God through
your indomitable trust,
determination and desire.
Tell us, again, that we need not
be troubled or
frightened and that the one
who has God has
everything. Help us to
surrender. And, ask God
to accept us just the way we are.

We believe that
if we approach God from
the heart, God will, in
turn, speak to our hearts.
Hence, we need not worry.

We place this cause in your hands.
St. Teresa of Jesus, pray for us.

Above Novena - Courtesy of Carmelite Sisters of Eldridge
http://carmelitesofeldridge.org/

A beautiful Audio Novena is available
from the Carmelite Sister in Saint Louis Click Here
http://web.mac.com/stl_ocds/iWeb/Meditations%20from%20Carmel/Podcast/1C9540FC-E4F4-49D8-A858-2ECE74895C79.html

Blessings of Peace,

For those of you who are interested - Today begins the Novena to Saint Teresa of Avila. The Carmelite sisters in Eldridge, Iowa graciously allowed me to copy and use their Novena. I really like it.

When I was talking to one of the Carmelite sisters this morning on the phone to get permission to make their novena into a card, I was telling her about our sisters praying the novena to St. Theresa and she told me that their community celebrated some of the major Franciscan saints as well. We had a fun few minutes sharing saints devotion stories.

I think I am going to make this novena for Teresa's help in getting the new card site up and going. I am making progress but I need lots more before it will be ready. It will have some new features that I am really anxious for you to try. Hopefully, with Teresa's help it will be ready for Christmas!

Sister Rita Louise told me that one of the friars who was talking about St. Teresa explained that Theresa of Liseux was the "little flower" but Teresa was the "big bouquet!" I think that is kind of a neat thought.

Blessings of Peace and All Good
Sister Patricia

To send this Novena Card Click Here
http://franciscancards.com/java.shtml?/t/teresa_novena.jav

Saint Faustina

2007-10-04T22:47:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Feast of Saint Faustina

Quote for the Day:

"Jesus, I love you,
I trust in you."
St. Faustina

Friday,

The Feast of Saint Faustina,

I have to tell you something that is cool upon cool upon cool. It just happened to me right this minute! I am working on making a card for tomorrow for the feast of Saint Faustina... and so I found a beautiful picture but for the life of me I could not find the official prayer for her. So anyway.. I looked hither and yon and finally decided to check out the USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops) site. Zilcho. So I looked around some more on the site and just by chance my eye fell on a line that said, "When the Holy Spirit says "Go".... I go and when the Holy Spirit says, "Stop"... I stop." Well that sounded something like I would like to read.. so I went to the link. There I found a most interesting story by a young seminarian (at the time of the writing) from Lativa. I read the whole article - just because I found it was interesting... and guess what? At the very, very end is an amazing fact about this priest and Saint Faustina!

To me, it seems like a blessing from her... cool....cool.... cool.... . because the link did not seem to have anything at all to do with Saint Faustina... and I was just taking a supposedly break in my search because the article sounded interesting.. and it had a Faustina message! Here is the link if you want to read the story. When the Holy Spirit says "Go."

I love the Divine Mercy prayer, "Jesus, I love you , I trust in you." Whenever I have something that I am really worried or upset about.. this prayer always, and always helps me out. That and the "Hail Mary" are my mainstays.

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Seven:

Some family History on Reconciliation

As a result of this demanding tradition, which was allowed only once in one's lifetime, most persons who intended to become Christians would wait until they thought they were near death and then ask to be baptized. In this way, they had their sins forgiven. It seems that most Christians did not consider themselves either great saints or great sinners, and they simply avoided the rigors of public penance through the more usual means of prayer, giving alms, fasting and attending the eucharistic liturgy.

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Feast of St. Francis - New Blog of Diet Tips for Elder Care

2007-10-03T20:41:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi

More Cards of Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

“Blessed is the servant who loves his brother
as much when he is sick and useless
as when he is well
and an be of service to him.
And blessed is he who loves his brother
as well when he is afar off
as when he is by his side,
and who would say nothing
behind his back he might not,
in love, say before his face.”.
St Francis of Assisi

Thursday,

The Feast of Saint Francis.

Well today (October 3) was a fast day.... a day of fasting for Peace in the world and an end to war. I think the war went on inside me - I don't fast well. I get grumpy. We have such a loooong way to go to getting holy. It's just definitely not going to happen for me with fasting. Just the thought of it makes me want to eat. Sigh.

Maybe if I did it more often. I probably should... but I probably won't. I'm probably a pretty sappy Poor Clare.. but that's the way it is. We will just have to make up for it in other ways... or just rely more on God's mercy!

Onto new things!

My sister Barb has started a blog after much encouragement from me. I'm her older sister by one year.... so I know how to encourage! Anyway I think it will be a wonderful site. The blog is about helping people provide good nutrition for the elderly. Barb was head of the nutrition department at Welsley Center in New York - which was rated the highest in health care at the time she was there. It was a large facility for assisted living and other care.

One of my favorite stories that Barb shared with me was about one of her patients who was 104 years old! Every day when Barb would come into his room, he would roll his eyes, grin and say, "Oh, there she comes again, trying to get me to eat!" Barb said all that he wanted to eat was cocoa. So she kept trying to encourage him to eat more... then one day... a light bulb went off inside her head and she exclaimed to herself!

"What am I doing? He's 104 on Cocoa. Let him be!"

Anyway - I think if you do work with anyone who is elderly or know someone who does I am sure you will get lots of good tips from Barb's blog. Truthfully she is a much funnier writer than me - even when it comes to food! Also tips for people with special care needs like diabetes, etc.

Barb's Blog It's called ... Elder Care Diet Tips....... http://bgdiet.com

It's only just a work in progress... still in the baby steps...with only three posts.. ( and not everything works) but I wanted to share it with you now so you can grow along with her as it gets better and better. Do leave a comment or two - she may not be able to get back to you (her schedule is worse than mine) but she would love to hear your comments and ideas how to make it even better and what tips you might like for her to cover.

Oh,,,, and by the way.... HAPPY FEAST OF SAINT FRANCIS! Let's celebrate with Food!

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Six:

Some family History on Reconciliation

Some strict Christians like Tertullian (who lived about 160-230 in the Christian era) taught that some sins like murder and adultery could not be forgiven by the Church, but his views were not accepted by the majority of the community.

Tertullian did not prevail, but the early Church nonetheless required a severe penance of a public nature when a Christian confessed, usually to the bishop. This penance might take as long as two years to fulfill, after which time the sinner was reconciled to the community. As you might guess, few persons were willing to undergo the embarrassment of having everyone know that they had done something so serious that they were not allowed to take part in worship. They often had to stand outside the church in rags to symbolize their sinful condition.

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Transitus of Saint Francis

2007-10-02T22:33:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Transitus of Saint Francis

More Cards of Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

I am on my way to God, and I commend you all to his favor .
St Francis of Assisi

Wednesday,

This evening is the Transitus (the passing) of Saint Francis. Christianity turns death upside down. Instead of being sad at losing our loved ones.. the closer we are to understanding the joys and goodness of God - the more we rejoice that they are welcomed into such heavenly glory.

In eartly life when someone is going to go on a beautiful cruise or an exciting trip there will we be "Going Away parties" and "Bon Vogage" presents and all the friends and relatives will come to wave good-by as the ship leaves port. That is what we should hold in our hearts when Sister Death knocks at our door. Death is not good-bye for ever... it is merely passing into the Joy and Glory of Eternal Life. A life that we hope to join with our loved ones as well!

So Wednesday evening (October 3rd) is the Transitus and then Thursday is the Big and Glorious Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Five:

Some family History on Reconciliation

The early Christians has no doubt that the Lord Jesus had left with his community the power to forgive sins. What was not clear was the form that such forgiveness was to take, and it is clear that the understanding of the sacrament has evolved over centuries.

Scholars tells us that the earliest form of forgiveness of sins was expressed through the sacrament of baptism. When a person was baptized, sins were forgiven at the same time that the person became a member of the Christian community. As time went on however, the question arose of what to do about sins committed after baptism.

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Feast of the Guardian Angels

2007-10-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Feast of the Guardian Angels

Eigth day of the Novena to Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

If trouble hearing Angels song with thine ears, try listening with thy heart.
Meriel Stelliger

Tuesday,

Well the day started out pretty well... in fact I was sure it was going to be an absolute winner. But about midday it took a definite nose dive and now about the only thing I am looking forward to is going to bed and trying another attempt at life tomorrow.

I am working on the new card site.... it is a bit like trying to dig a tunnel through a mountain with a teaspoon. A bit over my head. I'm hoping to have it up for Christmas.. but not sure what year just now. Oh well.... we will see.

Perhaps the angels will fly in and help me out! Better put in an order for a platoon!

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Four:

Some family History on Reconciliation

If you are ever asked why Catholics believe that Jesus gave us the sacrament of reconciliation, you can simply refer to John 20:22, "After saying this ['As the Father sent me, so I send you'], he breathed on them and said: 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.'"

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Feast of St. Therese - Upgrading server.. amazing

2007-09-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Feast of Saint Therese

Seventh day of the Novena to Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.
St.Therese

Monday,

Ha... I have to write this fast... because... I am watching a movie on my computer.... it's "The Truman Story".... I'm the only one in the house who likes it... so its a solo viewing. We all watched it about a year or so ago.. and it was voted down for future viewing... except for me... I like it. So I'm sitting here at my desk eating a delicious apple and enjoying my movie. Except I took a 30 minute break now to work on the JoyNotes so I don't end up doing it at the end... when its too late for brain functioning. I do have that problem.

I'm also very excited for the day... because I had my friend Dale come over to upgrade the MySQL on my server.. and HURRAY....we did it! Fantastico... You see when I got into this server I didn't realize that it also meant all the upgrades for the thing were now my responsibility. Soooo.... when I found that out... it was like... "Oh brother... now what.' But my jove we did it.. onwards and upwards! It pays to have friends!

I'm learning a whole lot of new things with this server.... just amazing... most of all .. that its not as impossible as it might look.. just "one step at a time, Lord Jesus."

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Two:

A Sacrament for Seeing the Truth

This Jesus meets you in the sacraments of the Church in order to give you the gift of his presence through the most common elements of your daily life: water, bread and wine, touch and speech.

Jesus gives you the sacrament of reconciliation as a help because he understands that you often need to hear a voice other than your own to assure you that you are forgiven, that all is well and that you do not need to be haunted by past mistakes.

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

9th Day of Novena

2007-09-29T20:10:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Ninth Day of the Novena to Saint Therese

Sixth day of the Novena to Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips,
be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.
St. Francis of Assisi

Sunday,

Wanting to please. I think we all have a built in system that makes us want to please others. And then we have a counter built in system that says... "Forget it, you can't please everyone, so why bother?"

Isn't that funny? Like this little war taking place inside our heads all day. Or maybe its just me? Who knows since I obviously can't get inside anyone else's head. I wish I could get to the point where I just wanted to "please" Jesus all the time. But you know it just isn't there. I guess there is to much "ME" hanging around. And truthfully, I don't even make much effort to put "ME" to the side.

So here we are ... 26 years in the monastery.... still haven't levitated... still haven't walked on water...... still ? Anyway... one thing I can say.... "Oh well, I am happy just as I am..... and that has to be a BIG dose of grace... and a BIG dose of maturing at least a bit in the Spiritual life. Maybe I should try walking on the water tomorrow? Ha. Ha. Ha. Best wait till it freezes over and try then. One does get a bit staidly practical as one matures...

Today (Satruday) is my anniversary of Simple profession. Can't remember how many.... 23 I guess. I was rather hoping I would see an angel or something (it being the feast of the Archangels) but they seem to be keeping an invisible profile. I'm sure they are around though. Knowing me, I'd probably faint if I did see one. Either that or run and take my temperature.

Kind of strange. I think I would like something excitely spiritual... and yet the other part of me says, "NO way, let's just keep everything nice and normal....and don't go doing anything funny and weird."

Sigh.... I could be turning into a very boring nun soon. How dreadful.

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day Two:

A Sacrament for Seeing the Truth

The priest in his role as confessor in the sacrament of reconciliation can also serve as a kind of sounding board or mirror who helps you see points you may not have thought of.

When you look to others, whether priest, family or friend, it probably isn't because you doubt God. You're checking with those you trust and respect to reassure and inform you. God, after all, speaks to us through those around us. So it is with the sacrament of reconciliation.

You sometimes need feedback from another individual who can help you understand your feelings, examine your motives, analyze your actions and suggest a resolution of your concerns. Catholics believe that God is so close to creation that the divine enters our life in the most personal manner imaginable: God becomes a visible part of our world in the person of Jesus Christ.
to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

8th Day of Novena to St. Theresa - Blogging & Bering Sea

2007-09-28T22:49:00.000-07:00

Eighth Day of the Novena

8th Day of Novena card to St. Therese.

5th Day of Novena to St. Francis

Only two more days left of the Novena....very sad but my enthusiasm for Novenas always sort of dwindle down on about day seven. Need a spiritual pick-up or something to fill me with hopeful expectation! A miracle or two would be nice. I did put a beautiful yellow rose on our altar this morning and I wasn't even thinking of Therese when I did it... maybe it was a sign for one of the sisters since we are all praying the novena together as well.

My intention is for working with the Reconciliation book and the Confession website... spent most of this afternoon updating the blog - this is a whole new learning curve for me having my own server...its like Geesh I hope I don't destroy everything! I did get it upgraded eventually - not without wiping out the old template and having to spend an hour or more searching for a new one and playing around with it. One of these days I'm going to have to stop playing and get back to writing on it! Confession Blog

My brother Peter (oceanographer) is out in the middle of the Bering Sea doing whatever it is that oceanographers do. He emailed me yesterday saying he had to transfer from one ship to another in a little boat with six foot high waves - and he wasn't looking forward to it. Not that he hasn't done it before... but its still scary. Nope, I do not think they would be able to pay me enough to do stuff like that. Hopefully he made the transfer safely - am adding him to my portion of the Novena!

Here is a google map of where he made the transfer.. suppose he's further away by now.

Here in Washington state we got some rain... finally.. we're not on the (rain forest) side of the state... and we were needing some! I went out this afternoon to feed the fish as it was raining ... for a minute I thought maybe they wouldn't want to come and get their dinner in the rain... rather silly thought since they live in the water! They were actually having a grand old time and came right over for a good meal!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

Seventh Day St Theresa Novena - Getting over the Fright Factor

2007-09-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Seventh Day of the Novena to Saint Therese

Fourth day of the Novena to Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion and pity,
you will have men
who will deal likewise with their fellow men.
St. Francis of Assisi

Friday,

I was on the radio today - for those EWTN afflicated stations who are holding their pledge drives this week. It was fun. At least once it got started. I also found it very nerve wracking as I haven't been interviewed for several months. I interview all the time.. but being on the other side of the microphone was back to being scary. It all goes to show... our comfort zone can change whenever we stop doing something for awhile.

I remember after I entered the monastery there was quite a period of time when I didn't do any driving (we do go out to the store and do community business) and it was like scary to start in driving again! Amazing. So I think basically anything we do over and over we gain confidence and anything we stop doing over and over again... we lose confidence.

I think.. we could apply that to our spiritual life as well. If we don't pray every day or go to Mass or any number of "Holy and Good" things.. then these spiritual practices can get outside of our comfort zone as well.

Here in the monastery we think of our habit as our "holy habit" but I think besides the things we wear .. the things we do also become our "holy habits!"

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

The Confession Connection

Preparing for Confession:
Taking Your Spiritual Temperature

by Fr. Thomas M Casey.

Day One:

Have you ever heard the question, "Why should I confess my sins to a priest, when I can go directly to God?"

One answer is that we can talk directly to God and ask forgiveness for the sins or faults that weigh on us. There is allowance made for this approach in the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass, and surveys indicate that many Catholics use this opportunity to examine their conscience or take their spiritual temperature and ask forgiveness. The Church has always taught that God's love and acceptance are available whenever anyone is truly sorry for harmful words, deeds or attitudes.

Most of you probably find yourselves talking to God at some point during the week, perhaps even daily. You may ask God to help you do well on a test, to make a sports team or just to be liked by your classmates.

Other times you may be uncertain about a decision that you have to make and you feel the need to pray over it. Maybe a close friend has asked you to lie to his or her parents about being with you when the friend was really with someone the parents disapprove of. At time like this, talking to God will help you sort out your feelings and be honest to your conscience.

At other times you find that you need to ask someone else for advice, simply to get a second opinion about some concern. You might ask an older brother or sister: "What should I say when my friends pressure me to drink or try drugs?"

to be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Sixth Day of Novena

2007-09-26T18:06:00.001-07:00

To send today's card: Sixth Day of the Novena to Saint Therese

Third day of the Novena to Saint Francis

Quote for the Day:

It is no use walking anywhere to preach unless our walking is our preaching.
St. Francis of Assisi

Thursday,

Pi just had his daily grape and is doing his little talking and twittering about as he tries to encourage me to take him upstairs to bed. It's only six o'clock though and that seems a bit early. Will let him chatter about a bit more. Tried to get a picture of him as he knaws on his rope - but he doesn't like the camera aimed at him. Rats.

It is definitely turning fall here, (Spokane, Washington) - we are still able to pray evening prayer outside but everyone (or almost everyone) grabs a sweater. Guess when we start grabbing mittens and a stocking cap it will be time to move indoors. Sigh. I do think Summer went way too fast.

Had my mom over for dinner today. When I was taking her home to the assisted living place, I saw someone had "The World's sweetest Mom" on their license plate.... I didn't tell them they had the second sweetest mom, because mine was obviously the first... sometimes you just have to let people be. I mean of course she has probably never met my mom so she wouldn't know her mom was only the world's second best.... one of those sitations where ignorance is bliss.

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

Fifth Day of Novena -

2007-09-25T19:42:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Fifth Day of the Novena to Saint Therese

Today is the feast of the North American Martyrs

Quote for the Day:

Above all the grace and the gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self.
St. Francis of Assisi

Wednesday,

I am not sure where the direction of this day will be going. I feel quite alert but I'm not acting like it. I've already tipped stuff off the sacristy cart as I was preparing for Mass, and there are other little signs that fuzz is creeping over the mental processes in a very definite way.

I don't think I am the only one either... in fact I may be the best case in the room.... everyone else seems to be wiped as well. Hmmm.... it could be that getting about five hours of sleep is not enough. Isn't it funny... you think you have yourself turned around to good habits and wham... before you know it you are back doing things in the same crazy way.

Of course I do have an excuse .. it won't hold water.... but I was just having too much fun yesterday with Barb planning things for the card site and then afterwards making new backgrounds and it was just one more.. I think this would be neat if I did this...and the clock meanwhile is just doing its ticking tock stuff without any concern for my stupidity in not paying attention to it.

Anyway I am resolving to do better today... and that is why it is not even ten o'clock in the morning (Tuesday) and I am moving solidly forward on doing the JoyNotes. There may be hope left yet!

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

3rd Day of Novena - Jeremiah - E-Cards

2007-09-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Third Day of the Novena to Saint Therese

Quote for the Day:

Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant, count as nothing.
St Therese

Monday,

Below is a sneak picture..... it really has to be explained to make any sense. Behind that door is a small telephone room in which Sr. Marcia Kay is talking to someone. Apparently Jeremiah decided she had been away from the dining room long enough (we were watching a movie during recreation) and decided he had better be on hand in case she comes out and forgets its time to pay attention to the cat!

Tomorrow is Sr. Jane's birthday .. and so today being Sunday she got to pick the movie for us to see during Recreation. She chose "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang." It was fun. I had seen it many years ago back when the world was still young but it was fun to see it again. Apparently Jeremiah wasn't impressed though.

I've been working on the card site some more... a friend today told me that she had had trouble with the multi-send feature.. so I worked on that... and I think it is working better. Hope so. I also made the St. Therese Novena into a complete set of cards. Was a ton more work than I thought it would be - but I think they came out well. I especially love the new picture of St. Therese that I was allowed to use from the CatholicTradition.org site. Really beautiful.

I've also got tons and tons and tons of beautiful holy cards that I am concentrating now on making into new cards for the site. Many of them are from the archives of the Saint Barbara Franciscan province and I am way behind in returning them... so .... must get busy, busy, busy and add them to the site. They are very beautiful and quite unique. Here is one.

If you haven't visited the card site lately.... please make a visit and let me know how I can improve it! I really want to try and make it the very best I can - and I welcome all your ideas and suggestions!

Franciscan Cards

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

Novena to St Therese and Confession!

2007-09-21T20:53:00.001-07:00

I hope you will join with me on this novena...I know its pretty close after just finishing the last one.. But I know of many great results from praying to St. Therese! So....

Guess what? A really great article just came out on confession.. in of all places the Wall Street Journal! This is the article that I was contacted by the reporter for.. I didn't make it into print.. but the article is really good!

Would you work with me in making it a popular article? If you go and read it... and encourage your friends to do it... we can make an article on confession a much bigger splash! I think they keep track of all the people who go to the page and read it.

One thing that I find interesting in the article is the number of other Christians churches besides Catholic that are encouraging "confession." That's kind of a breakthrough I think.

Here's the link to the article. Confession Makes a Comeback

I am going to make my main intention with this novena that Confession does indeed make a comeback!

Blessings of Peace and all Good!
Sister Patricia

Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle

2007-09-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

To send today's card: Feast of Saint Matthew the Apostle

Quote for the Day:

Reading the Bible without meditat ing on it is like trying to eat without swallowing.
Anonymous

Friday,

Happy and Glorious Feast of Saint Matthew. I once read something to the effect that the Apostles in heaven are like great mountains of holiness compared to all the other saints. Not sure if that is true, but I do know that until I read that quote I didn't place that much "greatness" onto the apostles.

It's like I just sort of accepted them as you know... the first followers of Jesus. Yeah, great... but.... somehow when I read that it just painted a complete different picture for me and gave me a greater understanding. Then it also started to make sense of some of the scripture readings.. especially in Revelation where they talk about the 12 gates and the 12 tribes.. and it all started building up a much bigger image of the "great holiness" of these first twelve apostles.

Then of course, being the lowly, miserly sort who always has some need or other, I thought, "Aha! I should pray more to these apostles since they are so holy and powerful!"

I'm always looking for an edge to have greater efficacy in my prayers. And the easiest way is to latch on someone whose got a definite edge on stuff. I really think we don't ask enough from the saints and apostles... really.... I mean I bet there are a whole lot more of then just the "little flower" who are spending their time in heaven doing good on the earth!

Which of course leads me to remind you that the first day of the Novena to Saint Therese of Lisieux starts on Saturday! I will send you a simple Peace Card on Saturday and Sunday so you don't forget to join in!

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

Healing Novena - Ninth Day

2007-09-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

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

Today is also the feast of the Saint Joseph of Cupertino

Quote for the Day:

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14

Tuesday

First of all... Thank You! to those who have submitted a story. I am impressed. I didn't get a chance to work on the submission page some more today - but looks like you went ahead and did fine with what is there. One thing I want to do is give some guidance to the kind of stories I am looking for. Right now.. its very bare bones! Like submit story.... thanks... Not too helpful.

My goal with this new book is to help people to see the amazing results that happens with prayer. So these are the "exceptional" stories.... the ones that really stand out and make you realize how awesome our God is. They don't have to be HUGE stories ... but they do need to give specific instances of something that happened... how you prayed. . . the length of time until your prayer was answered ..... and finally what it meant to you to have your prayer answered.

There needs to be enough details to actually paint a picture of what happened to the reader. Of course they will be edited and I plan this time to contact (hopefully by phone) those authors whose stories will be used. This way I can discuss with you any parts that need maybe some more detail or further background.

I think a book on inspirational prayer stories will be highly motivational to many. It's a project it will be great fun to work on. Thank you for joining with me on this.

- Today is the final day of our novena. Please be assured that we will continue to remember all your intentions in our daily prayers - and even if you haven't gotten the answer you wanted yet.... don't give up. God is sometimes so sloooooowwww in getting everything worked out but I know He is happy that we are all praying for each other.

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

The Confession Connection
My Thoughts . . .

by Maggie Geene

Complete Story

In the six years that I was a director of religious education (DRE) I wanted those entering the church to understand the awesome grace of the sacrament without falling into the trap of becoming overly scrupulous in their examination of conscience.

I shared a lot in our discussions about a nightly check in with God, as part of their daily prayers. If one makes a daily examen then they would be less likely to fall into a pattern of sinfulness and more likely to know when they needed to avail themselves of the sacrament.

The one thing that I tell the catechumens and candidates about what they need to confess is anything that gets in the way of their authentic relationship with God. I usually don't use the distinctions between mortal and venial sin, but rather those habits and actions that damage the relationship that I have with God and with other people.

The End

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

THOSE Days and Submit Your Story

2007-09-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

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

Today is also the feast of the Stigmata of Saint Francis

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

Monday

Happy Monday... and prayerful blessings as we continue on with the eighth day of the Novena. Don't worry if you came in late.. God is on call for us all no matter what time we check in!

I have the page up for submitting stories for the next book! It's pretty rustic still... so will be fine tuning it over the next few days.. but it works and if you are ready (I know a few have asked about it) it is up.

Submit a story for 101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer!

This Sunday has been one of THOSE days .. where I should have stayed in bed. It's where I wanted to be.. I should have just ignored the world and done it! Sigh. I did take a nap later on .... but it didn't stop the day from being one of THOSE days. Well I won't have to worry about matter for confession... since I took care of those little details.

One good, good thing though.. is that my little fish Sadie is okay! I didn't tell you about her.. until I was sure of the outcome. On Saturday she got stuck in the sponge that I had placed around the pump to keep it from getting clogged. When I found her she looked like she was dead.. but when I pulled her out.. she wiggled! So I thought she was okay... and then as I was working with cleaning the rest of the water she came over as if to say "THANKS!" But I noticed her head was a little bloodied from her terrible entrapment.. she probably had struggled quite a bit and the more she did the further in she got trapped! Anyway after she swam away I didn't see her again for the rest of the day or half of today.. but I cleaned some more of the water liliies out.. and there she was! Hurray! She even came over for dinner. Whew.

Thank you Jesus! Because I do love my little fishes!

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

The Confession Connection

No Sin Too Big

by Bonnie E. Doherty of Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Complete Story

In 1980, I made a very bad choice and committed a grave and serious sin. Afterwards I was torn by immense guilt and sorrow. After going to many different priests to confess this sin and having it absolved, I still didn't feel forgiven. Finally, I confessed this sin to a priest whose response made a big difference in how I view God's mercy.

He was a priest helping out at a Cursillo Renewal Weekend at St. Basil's Seminary in Methuen, Massachusetts. When I confessed my grave sin to him and told him how often I had already confessed it, he told me that my biggest sin was pride. He said that pride caused me to believe that I could commit a sin so grave and so big that God could not forgive it.

I was very humbled by his words, and I truly came to know God's great love and mercy.

The End

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Novena - Day Seven

2007-09-15T22:09:00.001-07:00

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

Novena of Love and Healing
Seventh Day

Continually offer God a Sacrifice of Praise.
Hebrews 13:15

Loving Father in heaven,
thank you for filling us with hope.
Hope, that we might experience
the presence
of your Son's healing power
in our hearts
in our lives
and in our world.

Truly nothing is impossible
with you
and we place all our hope
in Your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ
who came that we might have life
and have it to the full.

Jesus gave his life
that we might have life
So dear Father in heaven,
In the power and glory
of His Name
we humbly ask for healing
of body, mind and spirit
for ourselves
and those we love.
Amen.

Blessings of Peace and Joy!

May your Sabbath rest.. be restful, peace-filled and Joyful.

Sister Patricia and all the Sisters

Novena of Love and Healing - Day Five

2007-09-13T22:21:00.001-07:00

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

Today is also the feast of The Exultation of the Cross

Quote for the Day:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Mark Twain

Friday,

Yesterday I received a beautiful letter from a friend who experienced a miracle of healing with his wife during this novena. I hope to be able to share it with you soon. Very exciting. I hope we will all experience God's touch today and in the days to come. Father Sebastian our former chaplain used to tell us that sometimes God's healing comes slowly - but if we see any sign at all that there is an improvement than we should trust that God is at work and to keep praying!

A few people have asked when they can send in their stories of answered prayer! I hadn't thought of it before but who knows maybe there will be a few answers with this Novena that will make it into the book! At any rate I am working on the form. I hoped to have it done tonight but I think it will have to wait until Monday.

Though maybe on Saturday and Sunday I will send you just the Peace Card with the Novena prayers so we can keep our Novena on schedule and I can send you a link to it then. See how life goes.

Novena of Love and Healing
Novena of Love and Healing
Fifth Day

Some of the days
that God gives to us
are full of clouds
full of rain.

Days of darkness,
sadness
days of pain.

But with the Son,
every shadow
lightens,
brightens,
for a
better tomorrow.

Lord Jesus,
thank you
for this Day.

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 Twentyone

A Communal celebration

Sacramental celebrations are communal because sacramental theology is horizontal. Sacraments happen in people who are in relationship with each other and with God.

In the area of sin, forgiveness and reconciliation this is particularly evident. Our sinfulness disrupts our relationship in community as well as our relationship with God. And since the sacrament begins with our sinfulness, which affects others, it is only proper that it culminate with a communal expression of love and forgiveness that embodies the love and forgivenss of God.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Third Day Novena - Shelley and Federation President

2007-09-11T21:03:00.000-07:00

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

Today is also the "Holy Name of Mary." I created a special card today just for this Feast! Holy Name of Mary

Quote for the Day:

Mary is the Mother of God. Catholics do not believe that God was bound by any compulsion to have a Mother; they believe that He chose to have a Mother and all that this implies. He chose to permit His human body to be formed in her womb.
Redemptorist Fathers

Wednesday,

A visit from our Poor Clare Federation President... Sister Anna Marie... notice who has already claimed her as MINE!

Today is the third day of our Novena. Each email that I read (thank you for sending your petitions) makes me so glad that we are joining together in prayer for one another's healings. Truly we are God's people in need of his help.

Each email has and is a confirmation that I am right where I should be.... living my life of prayer and joining with you in your life of prayer... together we are indeed - A Prayerful Witness of God's Presence.

Here are the words that are on today's healing card.... (in case you are not able to view the Peace Card or haven't time). The words are very simple.. they make a small prayer.. but when we join together in faith and sincerity... God will listen and answer in a BIG way.

Novena of Love and Healing
Third Day

It's true,
that God knows
what we want
before we ask.

But, He also knows,
that part of
the very healing
we need, must be
to admit this need.

"Lord,
I need to be healed!"

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 Twenty:

Celebration: God always loves us

The older brother's problem is a universal human one. It's tough for most of us to say, "I'm sorry." It is even tougher to say, "You're forgiven." And it is most difficult of all to say gracefully, "I accept your forgiveness." To be able to do that we must be able to forgive ourselves. That, too, is what we celebrate in the sacrament of reconciliation.
To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Novena of Healing - Day Two

2007-09-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

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."

----------------------------------------------------------
Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George
----------------------------------------------------------

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!

First Day of Novena of Healing and Love

2007-09-09T21:36:00.001-07:00

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

Quote for the Day:

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14

Monday,

Today is the beginning of a Novena for love and healing. No special reason except that I know we all know people who are in need of healing so I hope you will join with me in praying this for those in this special need. If you or someone you know is in need of healing you might want to let them know we are praying for them by sending the card of the day to them if they can get email or just a note or phone call.

If you want to send me an email Send Email of the person (s) you want prayed for we will put the request on our altar and pray especially for them during these nine days. But even if you don't - we will be praying for them. God knows their names even if we don''t - but sometimes for our own knowledge it is nice to know that their name is being placed on the altar.

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 Eighteen:

Celebration: God always loves us

Celebration makes sense only when there is really something to celebrate. Each of us had the experience of going to gatherings with all the trappings of a celebration—people, food, drink, balloons, bands—and yet the festivity was a flop for us. For example, attending an office party can be such an empty gathering of the spouse or friend of an employee. Celebration flows from lived experience or it is meaningless. The need for celebration to follow common lived experiences is especially true of sacramental celebrations. All of the sacraments are communal celebrations of the lived experience of believing Christians.

Perhaps what we need to help us feel more comfortable with the idea of celebration in relation to reconciliation is a conversion from our own rugged individualism. Let's face it—there is something about believing in a bogeyman God from whom we have to earn forgiveness that makes us feel good psychologically. It's harder to feel good about a God who loves and forgives us unconditinally—whether we know it or not, want it or not. In the face of such love and forgiveness we feel uncomfortable. It creates a pressure within us that makes us feel we should "do something" to deserve such largess—or at least feel a little bit guilty.

The older brother in our story expresses this same discomfort.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Birth of Mary on September 8th

2007-09-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Birth of Mary

Quote for the Day:

As a weak limb grows stronger by exercise, so will your faith be strengthened by the very efforts you make in stretching it out toward things unseen.
- James H. Aughey

Friday,

Saturday is the Feast - the blessed feast of Our Lady's Birthday! It is also the anniversary of the day I entered the monastery... oh so many, many moons ago. Like 26 years! Whoal... pretty amazing - who would ever have guessed I could stay put in one place for so long? That in itself must be a miracle.

I hope you have a very holy - blessed and Joy-filled day!

I must share this little bit of wisdom. When they say work like a dog - they don't really mean, sit back and watch other people work..... But really that is how it is to work like a dog.... at least in this place.

Sister Jane is watering the garden. Shelley is actually doing more than just observing and making sure the job is done right. She is also planning more mischief. First and foremost she is on the lookout for a squirrel to chase - than she will probably wander over and eat a pear - I don't know why she likes pears... but she rather likes anything that she can put into her mouth. In a yard as big as ours she finds lots of things that fit that criteria

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 Seventeen:

Celebration: God always loves us

Celebration is a word we haven't often associated with the sacrament of reconciliation. But in Jesus' parable, it is obviously important and imperative. "Quick!" says the father. "Let us celebrate." And why? Because a sinner has converted, repented, confessed and returned.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Tenth Anniversary of Mother Teresa

2007-09-04T21:47:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Mother Teresa

Quote for the Day:

God doesn't require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.
Mother Teresa

Wednesday - The tenth Anniversary of Mother Teresa going to Heaven

Well, I am sure today will be a beautiful day - because God will be showing his love for the faithfulness of Mother Teresa to all the world. Perhaps beautiful things will happen.

Mother Teresa died on the fifth of September - on the eighth of September her funeral was being televised when I went to visit my dad who suffered from Parkinson's and dementia and had just broken his hip. The second one in six months. As I walked in the room I took one look at my poor dad in pain in his bed and then at the TV displaying the funeral of Mother Teresa... and I said to her. "Dear Mother, please come and get my dad!" And she did! Four days later my dad went to heaven even though all the medical staff were very surprised because they didn't think he was that close. But Mother Teresa had pity on him.

I have no doubt that she like "the little flower" is doing even more good in heaven than all the wonderful, loving things she did while she was on earth with us. This must be a very holy and happy day.. in Heaven and on Earth.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Fifteen:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

A question that often arises is: Why confess my sins? And why confess to a priest? Why not confess directly to God, since God has already forgiven me anyway?

From God's point of view, the simple answer is: There is no reason.

But from our point of view, the answer is that human beings do not live in our minds alone, we need to externalize bodily—with words, signs and gestures—what is in our minds and heart. We need to see, hear and feel forgiveness—not just think about it.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Push and Fush.... Why not?

2007-09-03T22:10:00.001-07:00

To send this card: Saint Rosalia

Quote for the Day:

When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
Helen Keller

Tuesday

Oh dum de dum.. it's back to the late routine. I did get started this morning and did my half hour bit.. but then the day went into overdrive or maybe more accurately underdrive. After all it was a holiday and I didn't push I just sort of fushed out (fush is not a real word.. but it sort of feels like it should be don't you think.. kind of the opposite of push).

We had delicious barbecued hamburgers out on our patio to celebrate Labor Day. I was able to go and get my mom and bring her over for dinner too. It was nice. The only rowdy member of the party was Shelley who has taken to barking very loudly when she doesn't get a hamburger. But Sr. Colleen went and got her squirt bottle of water and went into dog training mode and she settled down.

Part of the problem is - she is not allowed to eat with us in the dining room.. but a few times she has been in the kitchen when my mom was eating a snack.. and good old mom thinks half of her snack should be for Shelley. Shelley completely agrees with her and by the time I caught on to what was going on... it was all history. So now when Shelley sees my mom and food...she thinks "Where's my beef?"

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Fourteen:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

Of course the new rite does concern itself with the confession of sins. But one's sinfulness is not always the same as one's sins. And, as a sacrament of healing, reconciliation addresses the disease (sinfulness) rather than the symptoms (sins).

So, the sacrament calls us to search deep into our heart of hearts to discover the struggles, value conflicts and ambiguites (the disease) which cause the sinful acts (the symptoms) to appear.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Monday - Small World of Blogging and Pi

2007-09-02T21:16:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Gregory the Great

Quote for the Day:

"There are nine orders of angels, to wit, angels, archangels, virtues, powers, principalities, dominations, thrones, cherubim, and seraphim."
St Gregory the Great

Monday,

Well, I had something rather interesting happen yesterday (I'm writing this on Sunday afternoon). I was reading one of my latest computer books... (sort of addicted to them you know) and anyway this one was called "Clear Blogging" by Bob Walsh . It is very, very good... but in Chapter 6 the book had a brief interview with a blogging nun named Sister Julie. I was reading about her and it sounded pretty neat so I decided to go and visit her site, A Nun's Life

Guess who I found when I got there? Me! Really... It was a YouTube posting of my Confession video! Sister Julie had just posted it. Isn't that amazing? That she would post it on the very day I discovered her and went to visit her site? That sounds like a God thing to me. Anyway... who knows what will come of it.. but I thought it was neat. If you go to her site.... (and I hope you do) be sure to leave a comment

I am in the process of some changes with my email - so if you get a bounce or something in the next few days sending an email .. don't be surpriised. This is taking my "learning patience" to a whole new level.

Oh! I wanted to share a picture with you of Pi - she was sitting over there in her cage...munching down on something or other .. and I decided to take a picture to see what all the noise was about. I never realized birds could make so much noise eating.Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Thirteen:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

Our attitude toward the sacrament of reconciliation is intimately related to our image of God. We need to really believe that our God, like Zorba's, is not some big bogeyman waiting to trip us up, but a great lord who is ever ready to reach out in forgiveness.

The rite of reconciliation reflects this image of a God of mercy. Formerly, it was the penitent who began the encounter in confession—"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned"—not unlike the way the sinner of Zorba's imagination approached God, or the way the son in our parable planned to greet his father. But both Zorba's God and the parent in the parable intervened. In the same vein, now in reconciliation it is the confessor who takes the initiative, reaching out, welcoming the penitent and creating a hospitable environment of acceptance and love before there is any mention of sin. Thus, the sacramental moment of confession—just one of the sacramental moments in the whole rite—focuses on God's love rather than our sin.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Friday - I meant to do my work today

2007-08-30T19:05:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Friendship Card

Quote for the Day:

"Satan will do anything to make us timid, troubled, and ineffective servants of our Master."
Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR

Friday,

It's happening. Just a little after ten o'clock in the morning and I'm starting on the JoyNotes. My plan is to do thirty minutes before looking at email. They say you should only look at email once a day.... hmmm.... we won't discuss how many times a day we look at email. Nope.. we won't even go there.

They say, (they being all the people who are helping me to get sense out of the chaos of my life.) that email is the world's biggest time cruncher. One little email with one little request can take thirty minutes, smack out of your day before you even realize it. One little email with an interesting link can sneak you off into distraction land with no return. So .... no email till I get my thrity minutes in.

It always takes me a minimum of one hour to put the JoyNotes together.... but the later it is.. the more time it takes. If I don't get started until after 8:00 in the evening it might take me two or more hours. Not sure exactly why.. brain slows down... my procrastinator genes kick in and I keep finding little things to look at, do, read, play a game of spider solitaire while I kid myself that after that I will surely think of something interesting to write about....

Sometimes what happens and this sounds good but really isn't. I think ..."Oh my goodness, I need to make a really nice card for tomorrow. Something special to celebrate the day. There goes an hour.. crunch, crunch, crunch with no problem. After all its night... nothing else to do but sleep and who needs to do that when I need to make this really cool card? Or whatever. Brain goes flaky soft at night. Reason and common sense they don't stick around... they quit.

So.... just see what interesting stuff I write in the morning? Aren't you impressed?

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Twelve:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

Zorba the Greek—that earthy, raucous lover of life created by Nikos Kazantzakis—captures this loving God when he says: "I think of God as being exactly like me. Only bigger, stronger, crazier. And immortal, into the bargain. He's sitting on a pile of soft sheepskins, and his hut's the sky...In his right hand he's holding not a knife or a pair of scales—those damned instruments are meant for butchers and grocers—no, he's holding a large sponge full of water, like a rain cloud. On his right is paradise, on his left hell. Here comes a soul; the poor little thing's quite naked, because it's lost its cloak—its body, I mean—and it's shivering.

"...The naked soul throws inself at God's feet. 'Mercy!' it cries. 'I have sinned." And away it goes reciting its sins. It recites a whole rigamore and there's no end to it. God thinks this is too much of a good thing. He yawns, 'For heaven's sake stop!' he shouts. 'I've heard enough of all that!' Flap! Slap! a wipe of the sponge, and he washes out all the sins. 'Away with you, clear out, run off to paradise!' he says to the soul...Because God, you know, is a great lord, and that's what being a lord means: to forgive!"
To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Making a New Resolution -

2007-08-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

To send this card: A Memorial of His Love

Quote for the Day:

"...In this world I cannot see the Most High Son of God with my own eyes, except for His Most Holy Body and Blood."
St. Francis of Assisi

Thursday,

Today I decided to turn over a new leaf and work on JoyNotes in the morning. You know when I was wide awake, alert, brimming with enthusiasm for the day ... that sort of thing. Well, life got in the way. Isn't that just the way with good intentions? You are so sure if you just make up your mind about something... everything will cooperate and fall into place.

At any rate though, I did work on JoyNotes for about 20 minutes and it did make a big difference even that little bit. So it shows that it is a good idea.... just not always workable.

Making resolutions I think is good... even if you only make a little progress - it's better than none!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Eleven:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

Look again at the parable. The father, seeing his son in the distance, runs out to meet him with an embrace and a kiss. Through one loving gesture, the father forgives his son—and the son hasn't even made his confession yet!
When he does, it seems that the father hardly listens. The confession is not the most important thing here; the important thing is that his son has returned. The son need not beg for forgiveness, he has been forgiven. This is the glorious good news: God's forgiveness, like God's love, doesn't stop. In this parable, Jesus reveals to us a loving God who simply cannot not forgive!

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Feast of St. John the Baptist - Spider Solitaire

2007-08-28T21:52:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Martyrdom of Saint John the Baptist

Quote for the Day:

A good plan implemented today is better than a perfect plan implemented tomorrow.
George S. Patton

Wednesday

I couldn't think of anything wonderfully exciting to write here.. so I went and did what one has to do when one's mind refuses to click in. Went and played a game of Spider Solitaire. I lost. I still can't think of anything to write about.

Now I'm mad that I lost the stupid game (I'm on the second level my sister Barb said she finally had to quit the second level because she won it all the time and advance to the third level even though she never wins there.) Me, I'm still stuck on level two and winning is a very rare experience. Now not only do I not win the stupid game (yes it is stupid when I don't win and please don't tell me it's not the game that is stupid!) but now I think every time I lose the stupid game, "How come she wins all the time and I don't? Can it be that there is logic or some sort of intelectual card expertise that I don't seem to have a handle on? Could it be?"

That's a very sobering thought. That's why I resort to calling the game stupid. I'm sure it must be the game. Why do they make games like that? Why does God make sisters that don't have problems with games like that? It's quite a mystery to me.

I still don't have anything to write about but I've filled up a couple of paragraphs..... so guess it will qualify for the night.

Sad that on the feast of Saint Augustine I can't write anything more profound. Really sad. Oh well, I'll get over it... and as soon as I get this JoyNotes out I'll go play another game! Is that stupid?

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Nine:

Confession: Externalizing what is within

Confession, one aspect of the sacrament which used to receive the greatest emphasis, is now seen as just one step in the total process. Confession of sin can only be sincere if it is preceded by the process of conversion.

It is actually the external expression of the interior transformation tht conversion has brought about in us. It is a much less significant aspect of the sacrament than we made it out to be in the past.

This does not mean that confession is unimportant—only that it is not the essence of the sacrament.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Tasty Tuesday - Reflections on Mother Teresa

2007-08-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Augustine

Quote for the Day:

What does love look like?
It has the hands to help others.
It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy.
It has eyes to see misery and want.
It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.
That is what love looks like.
Saint Augustine

Tasty Tuesday

A little bit ago I had a serious case of the grumpies. I sat down at my computer and it was just not going to work. I just felt the BLAHS and the NAHS and the "GET ME OUT OF HERE" snydrome was taking over. I had to leave. So I did. I took the bird up to bed. Made my bed (was laundry day). Did the checking. It's my job to walk through the monastery every night checking for unlocked doors, irons left on, burglars hiding in closets that sort of thing.... pretty routine. I didn't see any burglars.Then I moved into the Sacristy and did a few chores in there.. and by jove after a little movement around I felt much better!

Guess the bad mood was caused by lack of not moving! Hey maybe that is why one has mood swings.. so you swing from one thing to another to change your mood? Sounds like I'm getting pretty thin on making sense doesn't it?

Oh well. I find I keep thinking about last night on the news when they had about the publication of Mother Teresa's letters. Sort of amazing. Sort of way too much. And yet in some ways it is also a bit comforting to know that such a saint had such interior struggles. The one thing we noticed that even though she talked about not having "faith" she was always talking about "not having faith" to Jesus.

Another point that occurred to me - was that when Mother Teresa first started out... God allowed her special graces to guide her in a totally new direction. Consolations and understanding that most of us never experience. Then when those were taken away - the loss would be much more severe than if she had never experienced them.

Kind of like losing a loved one. If you had never known them so intimately... the absence would not be noted. But because there was such a deep love the loss seems unbearable at times. Which to me makes sense when she says how empty receiving the "Noble Peace Prize" was to her.. because she did not have Jesus.

She did not have the "Jesus" she had experienced.... she was I think sort of like Jesus on the cross saying, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?"

Boy, I sure hope I never have the dark night of the soul like that .. because I sure don't know if I could hang in like she did. I need a flashlight or something!

One thing I am assured of though is that - Mother Teresa is a saint. Amen.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Nine:

Conversion: An ongoing process

Lillian Hellman provides a wonderful image of this process of reconciliation in her explanation of the word pentimento at the beginning of Pentimento: A Book of Portraits: "Old paint on canvas, as it ages, sometimes becomes transparent. When that happens it is possible, in some pictures, to see the original lines: a tree will show through a woman's dress, a child makes way for a dog, a large boat is no longer on an open sea. That is called pentimento because the painter "repented," changed his mind. Perhaps it would be as well to say that the old conception, replaced by the later choice, is a way of seeing and then seeing again."

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
----------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday’s Tasty Tip: Peach Cobbler
August 28, 2007

To pick the perfect peach for your cobbler, feel the peach. It should feel firm, but soft, no large brown spots. You should be able to get a nice subtle peach smell when you buy it. This cobbler takes about 6 medium ripe peaches. Allow store bought peaches to finish ripening on the counter for about a day.

Wash and slice fresh peaches into a lightly buttered 8" square glass baking dish. Crumble together 2 tablespoons cold butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/8 cup flour, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle over top of peaches.

Make cobbler topping by using “Bisquik” type biscuit mix. Follow package directions for cobbler. Or use your favorite drop biscuit recipe, using butter for shortening, and adding 2 tablespoons of sugar. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto peaches.

In preheated 425 degree oven, bake for 40-50 minutes until top is browned and peaches are bubbly. Allow to cool slightly, and serve with vanilla ice cream.

This is the best of summer, simple, and makes a special end to a late summer get together.

Not low calorie because some things in life are just meant to enjoy!

Miracle Monday - August 27, 2007

2007-08-26T22:10:00.001-07:00

To send this card: Saint Monica

Quote for the Day:

To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our imaginings. So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God moulds us according to God's love and not according to our fear. The spiritual life is a life in which we wait, actively present to the moment, trusting that new things will happen to us, new things that are far beyond our own imagination, fantasy, or prediction. That, indeed, is a very radical stance toward life in a world preoccupied with control.
Henri J. M. Nouwen

Miracle Monday

Well, I don't have a miracle to report - but I'm open to receiving one. Of course I know they are happening all the time...maybe I should pray more to be open to seeing them!

I just found this video yesterday about a young lion who was raised by two young men. When he got too big for them he was put in the wild with a pride of lions. The video is a clip of their "Reunion" a year later.

Christian the Lion Reunion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xmc8gDzk2sg&mode=related&search=

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Eight:

Conversion: An ongoing process

For many people in the past penance connoted "making up to God" by punishing ourselves for our sins. But true reparation is not punishment. At its root, reparation is repairing or correcting a sinful lifestyle.

In the past we were told to do penance as temporal punishment for our sins. Now, however, we understand that our real "punishment" is the continuing pattern of sin in our lives and the harmful attitudes and actions it creates in us.

The purpose of doing penance is to help us change that pattern.

Penance is for growth, not for punishment.

"Doing penance" means taking steps in the direction of living a changed life: it means making room for something new.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Friendship Friday - Our little bit . . .

2007-08-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Bartholomew

Quote for the Day:

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work."
H. L. Hunt

Friendship Friday

When thinking about friendship - it occurs to me what powerful friendships we have in sharing with one another our life of faith. To have a friend one must share one's self. And of course that sharing takes place on all sorts of different levels - but the bond of a common faith - links across nations, race, economics - almost everything.

Pretty awesome. Something I don't think I have noted with enough gratitude. One of my most favorite stories in the whole world ( probably shared it with you before) was one I read in an old Catholic Digest magazine. It was about this elderly Mexican lady who had just arrived in the United States, could not speak a word of English and needed surgery.

They had put her in a hospital bed and she was frightened to death. They could do nothing to calm her or assure her that she would be all right because no one knew any Spanish. Finally they called upon one nurse who they thought knew some Spanish. She didn't. Well, not much. The only thing she knew in Spanish was the "Hail Mary." But since there was no one else with anything better to offer she went to see this very sick and frightened patient.

She walked quietly into the room but the poor lady was so afraid of all these American doctors and nurses (probably had heard all sorts of strange tales) that she practically jumped out of the bed when the nurse walked in. The nurse smiled at her to reassure her - it did nothing to help her.

So at a loss of what to do to help... and praying quite desperately herself to think of what to do, the nurse reached into her pocket, pulled out her rosary and started to pray the one thing she knew in Spanish, the "Hail Mary."

The poor, sick lady was so surprised, that tears started streaming down her face and softly she joined in with her to pray the Hail Mary. She was totally transformed, her fears quieted and she calmed down to a point that the other nurses were able to help her get ready for her much needed surgery.

We never know how much our "little" bit can make a "BIG" bit of difference to someone else. I love that story. It's true - though I cannot remember how many years ago I read it so as to find it again. It just speaks so powerfully to me.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Seven:

Conversion: An ongoing process

Let's look again at our story. The young man takes the first step in the conversion process when he "comes to his senses," overcomes his blindness and sees what he must do. "I will break away and return to my father." Before he ever gets out of the pigpen, he admits his sinfulness. And in this acknowledgement of sin he both expresses contrition and determines his own penance. "I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you...Treat me like one of your hired hands.."

Contrition means examining our present relationships in the light of the Gospel imperative of love, and taking the necessary steps to repent and repair those relationships with others, ourselves and God. The repentence step in the conversion process is what is commonly called "making satisfaction for our sins," or "doing penance."

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Saint Rose of Lima

2007-08-22T23:06:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Rose of Lima

Quote for the Day:

If only mortals would learn how great it is to possess divine grace,
how beautiful, how noble, how precious.

How many riches it hides within itself, how many joys and delights! "
St. Rose of Lima

Thursday

This evening I am almost in "Book Heaven." The heaven part is that I got several new books to read and they look great and I love to read. The "almost" part is that its hard to find "time" to read. Sigh. But never fear, I do find little minutes tucked in here and there and get my reading done. When one is addicted to reading like I am .. one always finds a way.

Sometimes I have been resorted to having to read the toothpaste tube or the underside of the kleenex box.... but I do find things to read wherever I am.

But today was an amazing day. Today was the day I could bring my mom to the monastery for a couple of hours and to have dinner with us. We sat outside on the swing and enjoyed the beautiful day. I think I talked about this the last time we did this... but its such a blessing. Even in the monastery sometimes we don't slow down enough to just sit and stare at the beauty God provides for us!

And it was amazing... it was hard.. but I didn't even take a book with me to read!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Six:

Conversion: An ongoing process

When we discover in the examination of our values, attitudes and style of life that we are "missing the mark," we experience the next step in the converstion process—contrition." This step moves us to the next leg of our conversion journey: breaking away from our misdirected actions, leaving them behind and making some resolutions for the future.
To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Queenship of Mary - Reaching out a helping hand

2007-08-21T22:35:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Queenship of Mary

Quote for the Day:

He who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.
William Law

Wednesday,

Whew, you have no idea how close I came to not sending a card out tonight as it is getting late and I am just starting. But I took a look at the calendar to see what tomorrow would be and found out is the feast of the Queenship of Mary.

Well, that settled that. Certainly can't pass that one by.... Sr. Colleen said I would surely get a lightening bolt!

Today has been a radio day... did four interviews. Surely a record for me! Three of them were with Dale and Susan Recinella about working with the prison ministry. I totally cannot believe their courage and committment in doing this. Totally God's grace. I will be putting up their interview on their web site soon. I cannot begin to tell you how much I have been affected by their talks. A ministry of healing for the hopeless.

To me it has been so inspiring to be open to God working in my own life - to be open to helping someone who is suffering with greater compassion and sympathy. So often I don't look beyond the surface with others pain. What they shared the most was not so much the pain of the victim or the murderer.. but the pain of the families left behind. The tremendous suffering to have a loved one die at the hands of another.

They also presented some ways to reach out to help these families. Prayer being one.... and part of that prayer to ask God, "How do you want me to help someone in need?"

It doesn't have to be someone on death row... but I know in our own families, and circle of friends and work... there are people who need help, understanding and compassion in suffering.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Five:

Conversion: An ongoing process

The need for conversion does not extend only to those who have made a radical choice for evil. Most often metanoia means the small efforts all of us must continually make to respond to the call of God.

Conversion is not a once-in-a-lifetime moment but a continuous, ongoing, lifelong process which brings us ever closer to "the holiness and love of God." Each experience of moral conversion prompts us to turn more and more toward God, because each conversion experience reveals God in a new, brighter light.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

this is a test

2007-08-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

this is my news for the day

JoyNotes - Tasty Tuesday - August 21, 2007

2007-08-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Pius X

Quote for the Day:

"Holy Communion is the shortest and safest way to heaven."
. St. Pius X

Tuesday

"Tut, tut.. looks like rain." In case you didn't know this is from Winnie the Pooh.... when Christopher Robin was trying to pretend that it was going to rain so that Pooh could sail up to the honey tree (via his balloon) and sneak some honey. At any rate as I look out my window it looks like rain. We've gotten some good soaking already.. .but not complaining. A day or two more of rain is certainly welcome.

This afternoon has been one of those crazy days where I seem to have gotten on a tread mill that was set way too fast to keep up with. Or maybe its more like being lost in an endless maze. I just can't seem to solidly focus on what to do and move forward in a direction that makes sense. Too scattered I guess.

Oh well, time for prayer...hopefully God will straigten things out for me.

Later.. . I see on the headlines that Hurricane Dean is now a Category Five. Very scary. We are going to night prayer soon and will be praying for everyone in its path.. may our dear Lord soon calm the winds.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Five:

Conversion: An ongoing process

Moral conversion means making a personal, explicitly responsible decision to turn away from the evil that blinds us to God's love, and to turn toward God who gifts us with love in spite of our sinfulness.

Persons who turn to God in conversion will never be the same again, because conversion implies transforming the way we relate to others, to ourselves, to the world, to the universe and to God. Unless we can see that our values, attitudes and actons are in conflict with Christian ones, we will never see a need to change or desire to be reconciled.
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
----------------------------------------------------------

Fresh zucchini, italian style:

This side dish is served hot, and makes a delightful accompaniment to grilled chicken or fish.

Cut up 2 small zucchini’s in 3/4" thick slices. Chop one large onion in 3/4" chunks. Chop two sticks celery into ½" slices. Stir fry quickly in a small amount of olive oil and fresh diced garlic (1-2 cloves, depending on your tastes). When zucchini is barely cooked, add 12 ounce can diced tomatoes (or fresh peeled tomatoes skinned and cut up) and simmer for 20 minutes. That’s it! You’re ready to eat. Serve in a sauce dish and top with fresh grated Parmesan

You can alternate the recipe by adding fresh green beans or greens.

This summer medley can be frozen and enjoyed in the winter. If freezing, be sure to undercook all the vegetables slightly.

Enjoy!

Barbara George

Monday - Prison Ministry and Death Row

2007-08-19T22:14:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Bernard

Quote for the Day:

"In dangers, in doubts, in difficulties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let not her name depart from your lips, never suffer it to leave your heart.
. St. Bernard of Clairvaux, 1091-1153.

Monday

At present we have three wonderful guests staying with us. Dale and Susan Recinella and their daughter. Dale and Susan both work in prison ministry for the death row in Florida. I am one hundred percent and a bit more in awe of their ministry and their answer to such a very hard vocation. Dale is the Prison Chaplain there and visits each cell on death row. At times he is called to be the spiritual minister for those who are executed. Being with the person all through the terrible, terrible process. Susan is a trained psychologist and volunteers to be with the families of the executed or the vicitim. (never both at one time of course).

It is so beyond me... how we can kill someone - because they killed someone. I must admit though at one time I thought nothing of it and just thought they were bad people and deserved it. Now, I believe much differently and I can truly say...as Saint Francis did, "There, but for the grace of God, go I."

In God's eyes whether we will an action or do an action... it is the same sin. And truthfully I can say there have been moments when I was so full of anger at someone I did not wish them a very long life! I also think of the many stupid things I did in my youth, and my Navy days with drugs and everything else and I can see how easily I could have ended up some place very differently than a monastery.

What I find the saddest of sad.. is that a moment's anger, or drugged moment can affect some people for ever and ever.. and others of us.. simply live through it and grow up to move beyond such things. Imagine doing something stupid, totally stupid when you were 18 or 19 and paying for it by living fifty years in a 9 x 6 cell. I wouldn't wish that on an animal... much less a human being.

How greatly we need to grow in forgiveness ... and accept forgiveness. Susan told a story of when one of her children was about five years old and hit his sister, she gave him a swat and put him in the corner. (Normally she did not believe in spanking) but anyway this time she did and her little son said to her, "I don't see how its not okay for me to hit someone and okay for you."

Which is how it is with the death penalty. It's not okay for someone to kill someone but its justice to kill them for doing it.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Four:

Conversion: An ongoing process

The conversion process begins with a "coming to one's senses," with a realization that all is not right with our values and style of life. Prompted by a faith response to God's call, conversion initiates a desire for change. Change is the essence of conversion.

Shuv, the Old Testament for conversion, suggests a physical change of direction; metanoia, the term the New Testament uses, suggests an internal turnabout, a change of heart that is revealed in one's conduct.

The Gospel vision of metanoia calls for an interior transformation that comes about when God's Spirit breaks into our lives with the good news that God loves us unconditionally.

Conversion is always a response to being loved by God.

In fact, the most important part of the conversion process is the experience of being loved and realizing that God's love save us—we do not save ourselves. Our part in this saving action is to be open to the gift of God's love—to be open to grace.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

To Do or Not To Do -

2007-08-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Remembering You In Prayer

Quote for the Day:

Every time you meet a situation, though you think at the moment it is an impossibility and you go through the tortures of the damned, once you have met it and lived through it you find that forever after you are freer than you were before.
. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Friday

You know what is discouraging? It's to find a "To Do" list from a year ago and find out that most of the same "To Do" things still apply. If some of the things actually did get done... they need to be done again... and if they didn't get done.. in a whole year... well that's discouraging.

But then again, what the heck. Life is too short to worry about getting all the "To Do's" done..... and it just goes to show... somehow one survived without getting them done anyway. Maybe things would have been better - maybe not.

My new motivational force is set to spend the next eight weeks working with the radio station. For the last few days I've been brainstorming what to do and when and all sorts of exciting things like that. Then will come the actual doing of them. Is that any fun?

Will have to work in some fun - that is one thing I have learned with this goal setting stuff.. if you don't put in a system of rewards.... then the system doesn't stick! At least with me.... kind of like training a dog.. you periodically need a few treats to keep on target. Got to be something better than those smelly things Shelly eats though.....

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Three:

A Journey home to God

The parable of the prodigal son can help us understand the stages in our journey to reconciliation—and the order in which they occur. This helps us see why the theology of the new rite of reconciliation suggests a reordering in the pattern that we were familiar with in the past.

The journey for the young man in the parable (and for us) begins with the selfishness of sin. His sin takes him from the home of his parents—as our sin takes us from the shelter of God and the Christian community.

His major concern in his new self-centered lifestyle—as is ours in sin—is himself and his personal gratification. None of the relationships he establishes are lasting. When his money runs out, so do his "friends." Eventually he discovers himself alone, mired in the mud of a pigpen, just as he is mired in sin. Then comes this significant phrase in the story: "Coming to his senses at last..." This is the beginning of the journey back, the beginning of conversion.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Thursday - God is in Control

2007-08-15T20:13:00.001-07:00

To send this card: Wait for the Lord to Lead

Quote for the Day:

A thousand experiences have convinced me beyond room of doubt
that prayer multiplies the strength of the individual and brings
within the scope of his capabilities almost any conceivable objective.
. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Thursday

As I look out the window this evening it is very quiet. There is a pale pink haze in the sky which is the only lingering reminder of a hot summer day. It is very still.

I looked at the headlines in the news and was struck by the huge tragedies all over - terrible earthquakes in Peru, suicide bombings in Iraq, forest fires all over - so much trauma taking place and yet how quiet the world seems from my window.

A dear friend of our community lost his father today. What a hole he shall leave behind even though his father was a holy man and was surely welcomed into heaven. All these things take place about us and we know about them because of communication.

Instant and far reaching communication that ties all the threads of life about the globe into our own. In some ways it is beautiful and in some ways it is overwhelming.

How can one deal with the immensity of life - that is taking place in every single soul?

I think in some ways - although we are called to be our brothers keeper - we are also called at these moments of reflection - to give all to God. To our great God who can keep each blade of grass and grain of sand in his hand with total control and total peace.

Give all to him. Surrender control and worry and anxiety - for all the needs of the world to God. Whew. What a relief NOT to be God - to just be God's child and leave all in HIS hands.

"Jesus, I love you - I trust in You" .... for all and for everything.

I can now soar like a kite in the breeze - our God is here - there is nothing we need fear.

Which leaves me free to enjoy the small things of life that take place in my own little world. Silly, simple things, like Shelley (our dog) getting her first bath today! Don't be shocked.... she's two years old and her first bath! Sister Colleen who did the honors says she was a jewel. She just sat in the tub and let herself be sprayed with water, shampooed and then dried and fluffed and combed with quiet decorum.

The only one who was upset was Jeremiah the cat. After all, Shelley was in "HIS" bathroom. Get that dog out of there. Where are my rights?

A friend asked today for pictures of Shelley (the dog) Jeremiah (the cat) Pia (the bird). A good idea. I will try and take some current ones tomorrow.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day Two:

A Journey home to God

God's reconciling work in us doesn't happen in an instant. Reconciliation is often a long, sometimes painful process. It is a journey not confined to, but complete in, sacramental celebration. It is a round-trip journey away from our home with God and back again that can be summed up in terms of three C's: conversion, confession and celebration—and in that order.

In the past the order was different: Receiving the sacrament meant beginning with a recitation of sins (confession). Then we expressed our sorrow with an act of contrition, agreed to make some satisfaction for our sins by accepting our penance, and resolved to change our ways (conversion). Celebration was seldom, if ever, part of the process.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Wednesday - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2007-08-14T22:14:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Assumption of Mary

More Cards of the Assumption

Quote for the Day:

Personal prayer, it seems to me, is one of the simplest necessities of life,
as basic to the individual as sunshine, food and water--
and at times, of course, more so.

By prayer I mean an effort
to get in touch with the Infinite.

We know that our prayers are imperfect.

Of course they are.

We are imperfect human beings.

A thousand experiences have convinced me beyond room of doubt
that prayer multiplies the strength of the individual and brings
within the scope of his capabilities almost any conceivable objective.
. Dwight D. Eisenhower

Wednesday

Miracles of miracles. I think they happen when we turn ourselves completely over to God. The more we surrender the outcome of things to God - the more we will be amazed at what God does.

It is very funny. I love reading marketing books. Because they are mostly positive and give one all sorts of ideas to try new things. But lately I have found that one thing they advise doesn't work so well for me.

It's called planning. I love to plan. Its sort of a game... but most of my plans fizzle...YET... when I pray in the morning and let God have complete, overwhelming control of my day.... when I allow myself not to plan but to live in God's plan.

Then...

amazing, wonderful things happen.

Today, I had a journalist call about a story she is working on for confession. She found my web site and wanted to ask me some questions. She asked me about the Confession workbook and if I knew anyone who had used it and would be willing to talk to her about the results. Hmmm? Anyone interested? Send Me an Email.

Even if you don't want to talk to the journalist.. I would surely love to hear from anyone who likes the book or workbook on Reconciliation and would be willing to share their thoughts on my website. ..Please.. and Thank you and God Bless You and Oh.. now it's time for night prayer....How did it get to be this late?

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

The Sacrament of Reconciliation:
Celebrating God's Forgiveness

by Sandra DeGidio, O.S.M.

Day One: Introduction

The well-known parable of the prodigal son is perhaps the most strikingly powerful illustration of the human process of reconciliation, and of the theology inherent in the new rite of reconciliation. But many of us find it difficult to believe the story (see Luke 15:11-32). The father welcomes the son back instantly—doesn't even wait for him to get to the house. And he isn't at all interested in the young man's confession, only in celebrating.

This is not the way we Catholics have viewed the sacrament of reconciliation. Even with the new rite, most of us tend to view this sacrament with the attitude of the older son in the story: Forgiveness comes only after you recite your list of sins, agree to suffer a bit for them, do something to make up for your offenses, give some guarantee you won't commit the same sins again, and prove yourself worthy to join the rest of us who haven't been so foolish!

But God really is like the merciful parent in this parable: not out to catch us in our sin but intent on reaching out and hanging on to us in spite of our sin. Reconciliation (and the new rite is careful to point this out) is not just a matter of getting rid of sin. Nor is its dominant concern what we, the penitents, do. The important point is what God does in, with and through us.

To be continued

A selected article from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Tuesday - Shelley has an unlisted number

2007-08-13T20:50:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Maximillian Kolbe

Quote for the Day:

One gets to know the Immaculate better through "humble prayer" than through "definitions and distinctions"
. Saint Maximillian Kolbe

Tuesday

Monday was Recover day..... a time out day to catch one's breath. Shelley decided to catch something else. Our phone. Seems that Sister Rita Louise was outside watering part of the garden and she took the phone out with her and laid it down in what she thought was a safe place. It wasn't. When she looked up Shelley was digging a nice hole to bury it.

This actually is not the first time that Shelley has grabbed the phone and run off with it. Just the first time she tried to bury it. Burying phones do not do good things for them, it doesn't say that in the manual but it's true. It also doesn't help if you take a few nice healthy crunches and munches on it beforehand.

It looks like we will be shopping for a new phone soon.

Oh, and lest anyone write and tell me that our dog should go to obedience school and be better managed? Shelley is an honor graduate of several obedience classes. And truly, she is pretty obedient "most" of the time.... just not "all" the time.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

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Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George
----------------------------------------------------------

Here’s a quick a pretty summer salad I borrowed from the CIA (that’s culinary institute of America).

The summer squash and zucchini are in full production, and what do you do with all of them you ask? When I was an intern, I took a tour of the Culinary Institute of America in upstate NY. We had a wonderful lunch with this tasty salad that is barely there in calories, high in fiber, and such a fancy way to make use of some of those vegetables.

Grate 1 cup each of zucchini, yellow squash and fresh carrots. Arrange red leaf lettuce on a small salad plate, preparing 4 individual servings. Arrange 1/4 cup each of the grated vegetables in 3 small mounds. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and a light sprinkling of olive oil. Top with a fresh parsley sprig. Salad’s done! Your guests will think you fussed all afternoon.

Next week: fresh zucchini side dish Italian style!

Happy eating,

The Confession Connection

Dad's Return

by Jacqueline D. Henry - Carolina Shores, North Carolina

In the summer of 1979, I was visiting my mother and father in Long Beach Island, New Jersey. During a conversation with my dad about the changes happening in the Catholic Church, he asked me if the prayers and format of the sacrament of reconciliation were still the same.

My dad had not been to reconciliation in many years. We talked about the different steps: examination of conscience, initial blessing, telling how long it has been since the last confession, confessing our sins, receiving absolution, getting our penance, and making an act of contrition. We practiced the act of contrition several times until he felt comfortable.

Later in the afternoon he announced he was going to church for a while. I asked if he wanted me to go along with him. He said, "No."

He returned an hour later with a broad smile on his face, saying he was greatly relieved, "Do you know what that lovely priest did? When I was finished, he actually came out of the confessional, put his arms around me, and gave me the warmest hug."

The next day my dad was beaming when he received Holy Communion.

The End.... new story tomorrow

A selected story from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Monday - St. Clare Celebration News

2007-08-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Clare of Assisi)

Quote for the Day:

Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go forth without fear, for he who created you has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Blessed be you, my God, for having created me.
. Saint Clare of Assisi

Monday,

We had a beautiful Celebration of Clare! The weather was beautiful - blue sky - not too hot - nice breeze. Perfecto. We had about 210 people which was a perfect amount for our garden area. The Mass was great, Father Franklin Fong, OFM gave a joyful, uplifting sermon with inspiration and plenty of laughter. Just wonderful.

Afterwards we had time to meet and talk with everyone who came and it was just fun. The little kids played with the fish...they had little twigs and they held them in the wqter like they were fishing.. and my little fish (Zachary, Sadie and Johnny) are so tame that they came up and nibbled on their twigs to see if there was any food connected with this new game. There wasn't. I went and got some though so they could feed them. They had a fun time - both the fish and the kids.

The real loser for the day was Shelley. She was confined to quarters because unfortunately her idea of greeting people is to jump up and greet them with 80 pounds of Joy on their chest. She is getting better... but the exuberance of having 200 new friends all at once would have been over the top for her... perhaps next year as the puppy stage levels off she can handle it.

It was just a very nice day. The best thing I was totally without stress - or at least a very low version of it. That, I think can be likened to all the prayers said for us. We even had a special novena prayed just for us from our dearest community friend. So hey, we were totally covered!

I am already looking forward to next year!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

My Own Disbelief

byAnne B. Caron
Day Three:

I approach the sacrament of reconciliation very differently now. It's still not easy. It's still humiliating to admit my faults and deliberate actions, but knowing that there is an ocean of mercy that I can throw those sins into fills me with deep gratitude.

Now I know that God's loving heart is always there to lean on and whisper my sorrows to. I haven't yet been able to live up to my desire to live the perfect life out of love for Him, but I know that this is where I receive the grace to keep trying.

The End.... new story tomorrow

A selected story from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Preparations for the Feast of Saint Clare

2007-08-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein)

Quote for the Day:

The limitless loving devotion to God, and the gift God makes of Himself to you, are the highest elevation of which the heart is capable; it is the highest degree of prayer. The souls that have reached this point are truly the heart of the Church.
.
Edith Stein

Thursday

Two days till the feast of Saint Clare. It's about this time that we realize we really need at least two weeks more to get everything in order...but of course that probably wouldn't happen either. At any rate things are getting spiffed up. Sister Rita Louise has been baking in the kitchen for treats afterwards - along with several friends and Sr. Colleen's mom who even though she is hundreds of miles away in Montana - manages to bake up a storm and send us a box of goodies a number of times throughout the years.

So this whole fun Celebration of Clare is made possible as the old Beatles song, "With a little help from our friends."

Even Miss Shelley (our golden retriever) has been trying to help. Unfortunately not help of the best kind. Today she picked our one big cantaloupe out of the garden (it was not ripe yet... but showed the most promise) .. snapped it right off its little stem and rolled it with great glee down the sidewalk. Cantaloupe Soccer! What fun. Keep that up and we might be playing Shelley Soccer - rolling her down the sidewalk!

Jeremiah the cat is blithely unconcerned with all the extra bustling about but Pia was annoyed that I was late taking her to bed and by the time I came into my office tonight I found her sitting on top of my walking shoes... "Let's Go!"

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

My Own Disbelief

byAnne B. Caron
Day Two:

At one point during the mission, the priest pointed to the crucifix. He said to us in a firm and solemn voice, "If you don't think this is enough to forgive what you've done, then there's no way you can be forgiven."

It hit me like a ton of bricks! My feelings of unworthiness could prevent Our Blessed Lord from forgiving my sins? Not because Jesus was unwilling, but because of my own disbelief! I was stunned. Could I actually prevent God from forgiving me?

(to be continued)

A selected story from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Saint Dominic - Radio Interview Report

2007-08-07T20:53:00.001-07:00

To send this card: Feast of Saint Dominic

Quote for the Day:

Arm yourself with prayer rather than a sword;
wear humility rather than fine clothes.
St. Dominic

Happy Wednesday,

I made it through the interview. I was very nervous - which was probably good for me as nowadays I am mostly on the side of interviewing rather than being interviewed probably good to get a taste of my own medicine.Sigh.

I think it went pretty well. Once I calmed down. The pace was a little faster than I was ready for but then maybe lack of sleep and anxiety attack had something to do with that. Hard to judge time when you're in the panic zone.

I guess anxiety sometimes come when one is too worried about self. Poor self. I do worry about it alot. Seems like its always doing things to make me worried. And it's always hanging around with me... everywhere I go - there is self. What's a person to do?

In the meantime now that that is over, I can move onto the next big agenda which is our Celebration of Saint Clare this Saturday. Lots to do... don't be surprised if I take Friday off from JoyNotes. Just have to see.

Next week for sure and by golly though I will have the page up to collect prayer stories. This time I will have to include some of my own... funny, but I have never included any stories of my own in these books. Kind of weird huh?

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

My Own Disbelief

byAnne B. Caron
Day One:

A few years ago our parish held a Lenten Mission. I was not planning to go, but a friend didn't want to go alone, so I went to accompany her. I think God used her to get me to go!

The Passionist priest giving the mission was very fervent and very much in love with the Lord. I drank in every word he said and thrilled to the truth of it.

It had been awhile since I'd gone to confession because I felt very unworthy. Sometimes I would imagine that God was impatient with me for repeating the same sins over and over.

(to be continued)

A selected story from "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Feast of the Transfiguration - Miracle Monday - August 6

2007-08-05T21:50:00.001-07:00

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."

JoyNotes & Heat & a daily dose of Jesus

2007-07-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Quote for the Day:

He who trusts himself is lost. He who trusts in God can do all things.
Saint Alphonsus Liguori

Happy August

Whew. It's starting to cool down. Thanks be to God. I took Pia up to bed earlier but decided it was just too hot - would have had a fried bird so brought her back down to my office till it gets better. Once the sun goes down now it gets pretty good - is 80 now and will get down to 57 before morning. We can breathe, we can breathe. Yeah.

I was trying to think of something worthwhile to write about - but the heat totally took away any last remaining traces of mental ability away. Probably not drinking enough water - usually a good sign when the heat gets me this way.

Aaahhh... just went and got me a big cold drink. Amazing what a little water can do for a person.

Maybe that is how it is when we get too far away from God - everything starts to go to pieces and we can't quite put a finger on why. Then all of a sudden we get knocked on the head and say, "Oh yeah, I don't have enough Jesus in my system."

Duh! It's always the obvious that we overlook.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn
Day Eight:

This is what it really means to be a Christian—to have joy in our hearts, trusting that, no matter how bad things seem, God can turn all things to good for those who love Him. St. Paul admonishes us to "rejoice in the Lord always and in all things give thanks" (1 Thes 5:16-18). What a powerful teaching! Rejoice always. Give thanks in all things, not just the good things, but the bad as well—even pain, suffering, failure, tragedy.

(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Tasty Tuesday and Miracle on its Way!

2007-07-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Quote for the Day:

“Teach us to give and not to count the cost”
Saint Ignatius of Loyola

Tasty Tuesday

Well, it's happened! Remember yesterday I said I was in the mood for a big miracle? It's on its way! One of the smallest churches in our diocese is starting a special movement to bring healing to the diocese. St. Ann's Parish in Medical Lake is planning a wonderful healing and reconciliation concert at our Cathedral. Four of the members of the planning committee came this evening to brainstorm with us. We are so excited about it.It really feels like the movement of the Holy Spirit.

I am going to the the web site for them - bought the domain tonight and will start putting a simple site up tomorrow. The site is called "Lets heal our church dot com" I will keep you posted as to how it goes.

We hope to have lots of radio, bill boards, and tons of volunteers if we can find them. Pray we do!

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

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Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George
----------------------------------------------------------

Get your fruit today!

Summer is the perfect time to balance your diet with delicious refreshing fruits. Many fruits are at their peak right now. Eat a variety as they come in season.

You should get 2 cups of fruit each day to meet your body’s vitamin needs and add some wholesome fiber. If you still want to drink juice, remember ½ cup should be a serving. That should be as much of your daily fruit as you get from this source. Juice is more of a simple sugar and does not add to your fiber and vitamins as well as whole fruits.

Also, spread your portions out through the day so you aren’t getting all of the fruit sugars at one sitting. Keep your intake to the 2 cups also because too much fruit is just like too much cookies or other sweets. Too much can turn to unwanted weight.

Hope you stay healthy. Enjoy the summer!

Barbara George

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn
Day Seven:

I remember a scene from Herman Hesse's book "Siddhartha" that suggests very powerfully that, though suffering is unavoidable, unhappiness is not.

Siddhartha has just gone through a period of deep suffering but, through his acceptance of it, he has grown and is able to retain an inner peace, even in the midst of a very painful grief. His wise friend looks at him and says, "You have suffered...yet I see that sadness has not entered your heart."
(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Thursday - New Book Cover Preview

2007-07-25T21:32:00.001-07:00

To send this card: Saints Joachim and Anne

Quote for the Day:
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
Dale Carnegie

Thursday

Well, I'm gearing up for moving forward with our next book! 101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer. Here is a picture of the cover, click to see a larger version.

Book Cover

I will start collecting stories next week. Any wonderful, exciting story you have to share I will be glad to review for possible inclusion. This book is not a "Catholic" only book.. if you are Christian and have a wonderful story of prayer ... please share. Stories should be between 300 - 1200 words.

Do not send any stories until next week as I am not prepared yet to handle them and they could very easily get lost forever.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn
Day Four:

I used to think of sin in a very narrow, punitive way. Sin was simply an offense against God, something "mortal" or "venial," something wrong for which I needed to be punished. And I had neat little lists of these offenses categorized in my mind.

I'm not saying this view was all bad. As a matter of fact, today's world might benefit from a greater awareness of sin.

What I am saying is that my view of sin was incomplete. I tended to try to avoid the mortal sins, the serious offenses against God, and I didn't worry too much about the venial ones.

I never realized that sin is also an offense against myself. I never saw my sin in the larger sense of "sinfulness"—a state of being that carries with it its own punishment, that cripples me and prevents me from being who I could become—that makes me see mud when I could see stars.
(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Wednesday - Newsletter link

2007-07-24T20:40:00.001-07:00

To send this card: St. James, Apostle

Quote for the Day:
Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.
H. L. Hunt

Wednesday

First of all here is the pdf link to our Community Newsletter - Newsletter

http://www.confessions101.com/pdf/PoorClares%20Summer%202007.pdf

Unfortunately a few of the things did not convert right...so the recipe is missing and a few letters on one of the headlines.. but best I can do for now. Will attempt to figure out what went wrong some other day.

Today I had a radio class. Fun but got pushed to the edge again. This time our assignment is to create a two minute video about our topic and make available for viewing. Oh fun. Oh hum de dum.

Actually, I think it will be fun... except the learning curve is a bit over the edge. We do have a video camera but it has been years since I have used it - it's not digital - and I am not so sure how this is all going to work out.

Will give it the old nun try though and see what comes of it. I will let you see the results... good or bad I'm sure it will be entertaining. Its due by next Tuesday... offer a prayer or two.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn
Day Three:

Let me give you an example: Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw mud; one saw stars.

Several years ago, I came upon this old verse as I was reading a book by Fr. John Powell, SJ, and it has stuck with me ever since. Powell's book is entitled Fully Human, Fully Alive. Its basic premise is that our happiness is not determined by our situations, but by our personal perceptions of these situations. The two men in the verse share a common experience. It's their way of viewing the experience that shapes its meaning.

I think we can safely assume that neither man is overjoyed about being in prison. But one looked beyond the confines of his immediate situation and finds something to rejoice about. The other allows the pain of his situation to color his view of everything and thus remains a prisoner in spirit as well as in body. To the pain of his unavoidable suffering, he adds the unneccessary pain of being unhappy about it. (If this doesn't make sense yet, don't give up. There's more.)

(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Tasty Tuesday -

2007-07-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Teresa of the Child Jesus and John of the Cross

Quote for the Day:
They are too attached to their honor. . . .These souls, for the most part, grieve over anything said against them. They do not embrace the cross but drag it along, and so it hurts and wearies them and breaks them to pieces. However, if the cross is loved, it is easy to bear, this is certain.
St Teresa of Avila

Tasty Tuesday

I just finished the newsletter for our community! Now it can go off to the printer in the morning and I can go off to bed. Hurray. Hurray.

It's only several months late - should have had a Spring newsletter.. and an earlier Summer newsletter but, life just gets in the way of living sometimes.

Tomorrow with a bit of luck - I will make it into a pdf and share it with you. At least those of you who can use pdf's.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn
Day Two:

"Oh, come on now," you say, "It's not a sin to be unhappy! Everybody gets unhappy." Yes, Everybody gets unhappy. And it is sin. Dangerous sin, because it's habit-forming, extremely contagious, and seldom diagnosed as sin. It's usually viewed as something like a cold—it just happens to us, and we have to endure it until it goes away. We don't really have any control over it.

But that's a lie. Part of the Great Lie. We do have control over it. My unhappiness is not caused by something that happens to me. It is caused by my response to something that happens, a response generated by my attitude, my way of looking at things. Is my glass half full? Or is it half empty? It's a matter of perception, and the way I choose to perceive things determines my emotional response to them.

(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

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Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George
----------------------------------------------------------

Freezer Burn

Not too tasty but a serious problem and source of food waste.

If you’re having trouble with things in your freezer suffering from freezer burn you may have a problem with the seal on the door. Freezer burn can develop from warming and then refreezing of frozen foods. There may be too many items crowding the door and causing the door to shut wrong. Or...you may need a new gasket. Here’s a trick from my dad, the refrigerator repairman:

Take a dollar bill and close it in the door so half is sticking out. If you can easily pull the bill out with the door closed, you may need a new gasket. Try it several different places around the door seal. A new gasket is easy to replace and can save you a lot of money in lost food.

Keep it cool. Keep it safe. Happy Tuesday!

Miraculous Monday - A Confession of Hidden Sin

2007-07-22T16:34:00.000-07:00

To send this card: Have a Nice Day

Quote for the Day:
There is no sinner in the world, however much at enmity with God, who cannot recover God's grace by recourse to Mary, and by asking her assistance.
St. Bridget of Sweden

Miraculous Monday

Today after dinner as we were doing the dishes we got to talking about what we would like to do or see in heaven. Of course we haven't a clue what heaven will be really like, but that didn't stop us from faithful imaginations. Anyway we were discussing how exciting it would be to view the life stories of different people... and since there are so many billions of them.. that ought to keep us occupied for a good long while.

Because each and every one of us has a beautiful faith journey. I know each one of us is a beautiful chapter in God's book of how salvation is played out so uniquely and beautifully. It occurred to me now, that it is probably only in heaven that we will see where the real miracles in our life occurred. What we take as a normal day - with quiet ordinary things happening.. and who knows what tragedies our angels might have diverted from us that we never knew about? Who knows what opportunities came to us by the way of prayers we prayed long ago or someone else prayed for us?

I remember reading some big events in history - where the fate of millions hung in the balance and except for a few key people in top positions who knew how perilous the situation was - the rest of mankind just went blithely on its way without a clue. Amazing huh?

I mean we don't even know how many huge comets were quietly redirected from collision that could have wiped us out yesterday.

Basically God does have the whole world in his hands - and the final showing of salvation will leave us speechless.

Blessings of Peace and All Good,
Sister Patricia

The Confession Connection

O Happy Fault: A Confession of Hidden Sin

by Vinny Flynn

I have a confession to make. A real confession. Of real sin. I have a great sin that has lain hidden in me for a long time, unrecognized, unconfessed, unrepented.

It's not your common, everyday brand of sin—not included in the usual list: pride, greed, jealousy, immorality, drunkenness, stealing, etc. These are easier to recognize, easier to fight against. This sin is different. It's like a traitor within me, lying in wait to jump out and trip me up, over and over again.

It has become like a cancer, living and growing inside me, dragging me down, away from God, and dragging others with me. So I need to expose it, to confess it publicly to all who will listen. And I'm not afraid to confess it to you, because you have sinned in the same way.

The sin is this: I have been unhappy! Repeatedly—at the slightest provocation—unhappy!

(to be continued tomorrow)

From one of twelve articles on confession found in the book, "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."