Thursday - God is in Control

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

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

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
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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

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

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

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

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

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!

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
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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

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

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 -

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
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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

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."

Confession Connection -

To send this card: To Enjoy Life

Quote for the Day: Faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God. Pope John Paul II

Sorry about not sending out a JoyNotes for Thursday.... I started on it.. but heat and life and a healthy dose of procrastination and before long I just went to bed!

I have to tell you about a plan I am working on. It's called... "Let's make "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation" a bestseller. You see, the book is selling... but only in little bits but I believe this is the most powerful book I have put together. The most life-changing book. But.... it's not easy to push.. because nobody... including me sometimes wants to go to confession!

A lot of us (I was there at the top of the list) don't understand how powerful this sacrament is. We don't realize . . . .

How confession can help us to be a better person.

How it can help us to become a more loving and lovable person.

How it can help us to have greater peace and acceptance in our lives.

How it can help us to feel better about ourselves.

How it can help us to develop more trust and confidence in God’s love and care for us.

How it can help us to do better work.

How it can help us to concentrate better and be more effective in everything we do.

How it can help us to use our talents and gifts more powerfully.

How it can help us to become more bold and courageous in our life.

And most of all... the biggest point of all... is that going to confession....

Allows God to Be more Present in our lives.

So..... prepare your souls... because for the next 18 days I am going to be sharing with you

Just what this book can do for you.

Call it sales talk... pushy.... whatever..... but I'm coming out of the closet and will be shouting out loud ..... just how life-changing and powerful this sacrament is.

AND - SO

during the month of August... I'm going to make a very special deal.....

for everyone who will pray one rosary for the success of promoting the Sacrament of Confession

I will offer the book for only $5.00.

Every rosary you pray - you can get a book for that amount during the month of August.

I am so convinced that the Rosary book did so well because of the hundreds of rosaries that were prayed for its success... and so I'm going begging again for prayerful suport.


Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

I am changing the Mini Retreat for the rest of this summer to the "Confession Connection." The "Mini Retreat" will continue in October.

The Confession Connection First of Four Points to Rediscover the Power of The Sacrament of Reconciliation in our lives by the Most Reverend William S. Skylstad, Bishop of Spokane First, we need forgiveness. Every one of us is a sinner, and we know it. At the beginning of every Eucharist, we acknowledge our sinfulness and proclaim God's mercy with one of several forms of the Penitential Rite. During the Our Father, we pray, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us . . . ." The redeeming and forgiving presence of Jesus is always with us. Again and again, we can return—yes, and we need to return—to the wonderful gift of this sacrament, seeking forgiveness and healing with a spirit of gratitude and joy. From the Introduction of "101 Inspirational Stories of the Sacrament of Reconciliation."

Wednesday - Busy days - St. Benedict

To send this card: Saint Benedict

Quote for the Day: Let them put Christ before all else; and may he lead us all to everlasting life. from the Rule of Saint Benedict

Well, I've just spent thirty minutes web wasting away my time while I tried to think of what to write about. One really can't think surfing... one just amuses I guess. But what the heck, it was fun and that should account for something?

I started off with the intention of trying to find a nice web link to share... but I decided I'm going to drop making this a weekly feature.. because I waste too much time looking for something to share like that. If something pops across my path I will share it now and then.. but its too much work searching them out as a mission.

Today was a fun but busy day. My sister Barb and her husband and daughter spent the night and left at 5:30 this morning and then I had a wonderful radio interview with Chris Cuddy (I will share that with you next week if you like) and then I had a radio class and then my brother Peter came by with his two kids, and all during the day there were two guys here to work on our fish pond to get it working right and it was a nice day but busy.

Not a reflective day - more of a "What's next?" kind of day. Fun though.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Each day has its own surprises Time moving to fast? Maybe today is the day to just "look" for your ten minutes. Find a nice quiet place.... hopefully cool... and just look and listen and enjoy. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, to spend time with you doing nothing is everything. Amen.

Tasty Tuesday - Roadblocks and Cheese Tips

To send this card: In a Little Deep?

Quote for the Day: Often he who does too much does too little. Italian Proverb

Tasty Tuesday

The last couple of weeks I seem to go around in circles and nothing gets done. Nothing at least of what I think should get done. In truth things are getting accomplished... just not what I think "I am Supposed to Accomplish." Sigh.

One of the main things is that in working with my radio publicity class I am supposed to go out and try and get ten radio interviews on other radio stations.

You know what? I absolutely, totally don't feel like it. I like doing radio interviews usually but right now I just feel like I can't. I don't know what to offer to talk about. Everything I think of as a topic sounds either stupid or not me.

The retreat below is just for me. After reading this you can tell. Hope I can settle down and take my own advice. That would be different!

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Following Jesus with Courage Roadblocks. Sometimes it seems that we cannot move forward. When this happens to me I start feeling a sense of panic. I have to move forward! How come everything is stopped? Perhaps this is a time to change directions for a time. Roadblocks usually offer an alternate route. A detour - it may take us out of our way for a bit but eventually we will reach our destination if we can accept it and go peacefully with it. Today, imagine that you have come to a closed door in your life. Try and try as you might the door will not open. Stop, look around and prayerfully ask God what other direction you might go that will still help you to continue forward. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, I always have a "roadmap" of the direction I think I should be heading towards. Help me to relax when roadblocks happen. Help me to see that a detour does not mean I will not get to my destination. It may take longer, but the new route will open up new possibilities I have never explored before. Help me to be open to see them. Amen.

Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George

Tasty Tip for Tuesday, July 10, 2007

To prevent your cheese from getting moldy, never touch it with your hands. Hard cheeses can last a long time if you are careful. If your soft spreadable cheeses develop a red mold, toss them out, this is a very bad mold and can make you sick.

Miracle Monday - New Sisters in Diocese

To send this card: Pooh Card

Quote for the Day: People travel to wonder at the height of the mountains, at the huge waves of the seas, at the long course of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and yet they pass by themselves without wondering. St Augustine

Miracle Monday,

So, would you like to know about a very, very wonderful miracle that has happened in our diocese? We have just been blessed with 15 wonderful and holy women who have just joined the Church from a Traditionalist Catholic community.

Here is an article about it from our Catholic newspaper. http://www.dioceseofspokane.org/Communications/IR_2007/ir070507/sisters.htm .

Our community has met some of the sisters and they are really wondeful and holy women - full of joy, courage and open to following fully God's will for them.



Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Following Jesus with Courage Courage I think is being open to taking a new pathway if it opens before you. Imagine you are walking in your beautiful garden. It is early morning, the sun is just starting to rise and send fingers of rosy light onto the path before you. As you walk along you notice that the pathway is going into an area you have never seen before. Hmmm? Should you follow it? You have never gone that way before. You look ahead and you see that Jesus is ahead of you on this pathway. A new adventure, a time of discovery for you. Will you continue? This pathway may be a new way of looking at someone, an insight on a relationship you have been closed to. Ask Jesus today to reveal to you the new path he has opened before you. Whether it is a path of new prayer, new direction or new hope - go forward with joy and excitement.. because Jesus is going before you. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, every day presents new possibilities of growth. May I always be open to your guidance. Amen.

Thursday - Radio Program - Mini Retreat

To send this card: Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Quote for the Day: “(I wish for you) to talk with Christ about all your present happenings, even doubts and difficulties, especially tough doubts, exposing to Him all possible reasons.... Talk and chat in a familiar way, as you would with me, with Christ Crucified, and ask Him for advice” (Letter III, 23). St Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Blessings of Peace,

For those of you with brave heart and time (its a 30 minute program) ... here is a link to my radio program that aired on Tuesday here in Spokane. It was a very different show.... because you see I usually have a guest to interview but unfortunately the guest I had scheduled - I could not make contact with. Wrong phone number or something. So.... what we have is Sr. Patricia interviewing Sr. Patricia.
A bit strange .... but it worked! Sort of. . .

Faith, Hope and Action 30 minutes

I actually had recorded this back in April... so maybe I already shared this with you. Can't remember - at any rate it aired today because my guest problem happened again!

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Celebrate the Day Another Mass tip that helps me to become a more active participant (stay awake and stay focused) is to make a specific intention for that Mass. Since the Mass is of infinite value - you can make your request as big and as impossible as you want - knowing that there is no more powerful time to ask Jesus than at that moment. Be sure to ask God to make you "HOLY" make you a "SAINT" . That might seem a little weird - perhaps even presumptious but nothing is impossible with God and God wishes all of us to be Saints. My definition of a saint is someone who loves God and lets themselves be totally loved by God. It doesn't mean you have to be a martyr or endure great sufferings....if so, I would be far to chicken to pray for that! It just means you are willing to be totally and completely united to God - and if God wants you to do great things or little things... either way is fine with you. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, I desire to be your friend. To think of you often and to talk, listen and spend my day in your presence. Amen.

Independence Day - Expectant Faith at Mass

To send this card: Today's Card

All Independence Day Cards

Quote for the Day: This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. ~Lyndon B. Johnson

Blessings on the United States of America today and every day!

May God bless all the men and women who have served our country and are serving it still.

May God bless all those who have died or who have borne wounds of body, soul and spirit for our country.

May God bless all Americans and all peoples throughout the world
who know and keep the gift of God's freedom in their heart!

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Celebrate the Day I have read many different things on how to get more out of the Mass - but it came to me today that what makes the Mass the most vital for me - is when I participate in the Eucharist with Expectant Faith. If I am open to the understanding that God is speaking directly to me in every prayer, song and word - then I find myself eager and excited to see and hear what is taking place. Because I know that there is a personal message for me there and I don't want to miss it. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, open my eyes that I may see the Love that you have for me personally and for all. Amen.

Tasty Tuesday - Summer Food Danger Zones

To send this card: Saint Thomas the Apostle

Quote for the Day: “My Lord and My God!” St. Thomas the Apostle

Hurray! Today is the day we can take an honest look at our doubts and fears and have a good friend to help us out with them.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Celebrate the Day Today look for an area that is a "hot spot" for you. Something that triggers your emotions in a negative way. A comment that makes you boil, an action someone does or doesn't do that gets you upset, a look, whatever. Take that "hot spot" into your time of prayer. Ask Jesus to show you why that button is such an easy mark for you. Don't worry about the "who" that pushed your button - instead try to figure out how you can defuse it so that whoever pushes it you do not react. The answer will come if you are open to honestly finding an answer. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, you are my friend and healer. Help me to bring my wounds to you for healing. Give me the humility to accept being healed. Amen.

Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George

Happy 4th of July (safely).

Welcome, it’s time to celebrate our nation’s freedom on the 4th of July. This message is sent to wish you well and keep you well. Some safety picnic tips, and a quicker than ever dessert that your family and friends will love.

2 Hour danger zone: you’ve heard it over and over again. Here’s how to make sure your picnic preserves happy memories long after the deviled eggs are gone...

The 2 hour danger zone is the time food can sit in temperatures warmer than the refrigerator but not as hot as the grill. There are several things to consider.
1. 2 hours includes any time the food is in the unsafe zone from the time it is prepared until it is put away. So, if you make potato salad the night before, count all the time the ingredients sit out and then how long you keep it out for the picnic.
2. Protein foods are not the only foods that cause food related illness, these are everything from rice to chicken, including mayonnaise salads, eggs and puddings, even baked potatoes.
3. Cross contamination occurs when foods like raw meat are allowed to sit on the same surface as foods that you eat raw . This can allow dangerous bacteria to grow. Always use separate cutting surfaces, utensils, and when you carry the meat to the grill, that plate is now dirty, so is the spatula you put the meat on the grill with. Use a clean spatula to remove the cooked meats onto a clean plate.
4. Food left on the grill too long? If in doubt–throw it out!!!

Here is a simple finish everyone will love and remember...in the tradition of holiday appropriate desserts!

Ice cream pie:

Lightly spread raspberry preserves over a graham cracker crust. Soften vanilla ice cream just until able to spread, and scoop into crust. Spread out even and chill. Meanwhile, slice fresh strawberries, and mix with fresh blueberries. Add a little sugar and let warm for about 2 hours until they make juice, cover and chill until ready to use.

When it's time for dessert, slice the frozen pie, plate, and generously add berry mixture. Top with a dollop of whipped cream, and enjoy your red white and blue delight!

Happy 4th of July!

A Pride of Lions? Hmmm

To send this card: Canada Day

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

Miracle Monday

Sunday was CANADA DAY! This is late.. but Happy Canada Day anyway!

Sunday is a day of rest. So I rested. I took a nap in the morning and a nap in the afternoon and a little nap before I worked on this peace card. So.... you would think I would be wide awake and could think of something exciting to write about?

Well, unless I tell you about my dream - in which a whole pride of lions were outside trying to get in and my difficulties in calling 911 were nil and the lions finally jumped a lady across the street (yes, this is all in my dream) and I went back to calling 911 with no luck... well other than that exciting stuff.... there is nothing exciting to write about.

Remind me not to take a nap in too hot a room again, won't you?

Thanks. Anyway, after I got up - I made Sr. Colleen go outside with me to feed the fish. Because I did not want to see those lions all by myself.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: A Time for Miracles It's not going to be about lions. This meditation is going to be about flowers. A garden of beautiful flowers. All colors, shapes and sizes. In God's garden we too are special and unique. No matter our size, our color or our shape... God is pleased with us just as we are. In your quiet time - be filled with joy that you do not have to prove yourself to anyone - (especially yourself) that you are important in God's eye just as you are. Today. This minute. Be open to God telling you what your "mission" today is to be. No matter how big or small it is a wonderful mission in God's plan. A mission that only you are given the grace and knowledge to do. Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, help me to love myself and everyone else without envy or anxiety. All is good. Amen.

Friendship Friday and a Dog Car Lesson

To send this card: Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Quote for the Day: Be ready always to satisfy everyone that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you. St. Peter

Friendship Friday.

Today (I'm writing this on Thursday) was a perfect friendship day because my sister Euli called in the morning and said, "We're in Washington can we come to see you today?" So I said, "Yes, of course" and the rest of the day was busy and fun, fun!

First it was busy because I had to clean off the patio so we could have lunch out there... you always need company to get you to do the stuff you mean to do but just can't seem to get to. Even in the monastery! So did that and then Euli and her husband and kids and dog came and my mom and my brother John and we had a wonderful, wonderful time.

Oh, and Shelley had a car lesson! You see our dog Shelley thinks that the only way you can get into a car to go for a ride is if someone physically picks you up and puts you in the car. I don't know exactly how this got started but a 70 pound dog with this kind of complex is not fun. She just panics at the very thought. So I knew what she needed. She needed to see how "normal" dogs get into cars. You know - like just jump in.

So one of the first things I asked Euli when she came with (Chester) her dog... was, "Hey, can we give Shelley a car lesson?" She said, sure! Shelley and Chester always get along well when they come to visit so this was totally perfect. And it worked! Shelley had three lessons of getting in the car by following Chester who probably thought she was nuts that she was taking so long in the first place. With her final lesson Euli took Shelley, Chester and all three kids (because of course they wanted to go) for a two block ride.

They had a great time... and Sadie about half way through the ride said to Shelley, "Oh! That is why you are sitting so close to me! I'm sitting on your tail!"

Actually Shelley just loves to stick like glue to anyone who will let her. She is a 70 pound lap dog.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: A Time for Miracles Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Sometimes it is fun to pray for a fun miracle for someone else. We all know those who need miracles of healing and reconciliation and truly serious things and I do pray for those intentions.. but sometimes I like to pray for "FUN" miracles. Something that will just make someone happy and know how much they are loved by God. Sometimes - it is nice to pray for this miracle for an unknown person. Someone who just needs a miracle. Someone you may never see, know or meet until heaven... but God takes our prayers and does wonderful things for that unknown friend. Today, ask God to surround someone who needs special love with a Joy Miracle. Imagine your prayer thoughts lifting up to heaven and sending blessings down on this special person. Who knows maybe God will even let you know who this person is in some way. Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, I ask you to bless with love, joy and miracles someone who is most in need of your love today. Amen.

Thankful Thursday

To send this card: St Irenaeus

Quote for the Day: You can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water. Rabindranath Tagore

Thankful Thursday

I love the quote from Scripture that tells us "God works all things to good - for those that love him." That is pretty awesome and I have to say it really is true.

Even some of the things in my life that have happened that I was absolutely sure were not so good.... God turned them around to bear good fruit.

Which, speaking of fruit.... our cherry trees did not bear a lot of berries this year even though they had thousands of blossoms... and the one tree that did have a lot of cherries on it... all the cherries got gobbled up by hungry birds....and the good thing about it? We were too busy the week they were ripe to have been able to pick them anyway!

Proof positive.. that God works all to good.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: A Time for Miracles Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) One of the most exciting things about being a Christian - is that you don't have to be in charge for wonderful things to happen. In fact with Christians - the more we surrender to "not" being in charge... the more wonderful things happen. Today, imagine that you have an old country style mailbox along the side of the road. Its an old metal box with a lid that pulls down and a little red flag you push up when you've put a letter inside and you want the mailperson to take your letter. As you walk up to that mailbox - do so with the expectation that there is going to be a very special letter inside. A letter that is going to totally change your life in a wonderful way Spend your quiet time - opening that letter and reading the warm and loving letter God has written just to you. Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, help me to realize how present you are to me. How close and caring and loving you are. Amen.

No Web Link and Little Conrad

To send this card: St Cyril of Alexandria

Today is also Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Quote for the Day: That anyone could doubt the right of the holy Virgin to be called the Mother of God fills with astonishment. Surely she must be the Mother of God if our Lord Jesus Christ is God, and she gave birth to him! Saint Cyril of Alexandria

Web link for Wednesday

I don't have a web link. Nope. I know there are ten zillion sites out there, but its nine o'clock in the evening and not one of them pops into my head as being worth sending anyone to. Isn't that sad?

Not really. Just means I'm brain zoned and ready for bed and don't want to go looking at any more sites to see if I like them.

Did I tell you about my little fish named Conrad? I got him a few weeks ago from my sister, Euli for an early birthday present. He was just a little guy and I put him in the pond with the big Koi and he zoomed down to the bottom of the pond and that was the last I saw him for weeks.

Every day I would look to see if I could find him...but I never could. The pond was very dark with algae (starting to get clear now) and so I could only see about two feet down. Never, a glimpse of a little black and orange fish showed up.

I was sad because I loved little Conrad even though I only saw him that one day. So I kept looking and wishing and praying that he was still alive.

Well, finally, one night Sister Jane was out for one of Shelley's last trips of the day and she said she saw him! I thought... "Poor Sister Jane she is losing it."

But no... a few days later.... as the pond cleared.... there was little Conrad! Whew. Now I could tell my sister, Euli that Conrad was alive. I hadn't told her he was missing.I kept hoping . . .

Now I have also found Conrad's hiding place. It was the same spot little Jasper stayed in when he was small. The filter box. It's small, its dark and best of all . . . all the food that doesn't get eaten right away when I feed the bigger fish ends up in the filter box! What a feast for one little small fish... who is growing quite rapidly by the way.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: A Time for Miracles Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Some miracles come when we don't expect them. We don't even know how bad we need them until they happen. Know what that means? Means that someone very special..... someone very powerful and loving and kind . . . is watching out for us. Today, smile because God is watching out for you. Today and for all your tomorrows God is there ahead of you. So today, just be content that you don't have to worry about how to be better or pray better or do anything.... but be happy because God is there for you. Without you doing anything at all. Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, I wish I would worry less and trust more. Thank you for helping me bit by bit to realize your love is holding the world together not me. Amen.

Tasty Tuesday - Egg Plant Tip

To send this card: A New Beginning

Quote for the Day: God does not ask about our ability, but our availability. Anonymous

Tasty Tuesday

Barb's tip this week is really fascinating. I'm not an egg plant fan but maybe this tip would make the difference in how I like them!

Well, my miracle is still going on. After sending out the JoyNotes last week I went back to the pond and adjusted the valves a bit and reprimed the pump.... and though I only got a little stream from both pipes at the time - when I went out this morning for our early morning Shelley trip the waterfall was in full force. Has been going all day. Hurray.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: A Time for Miracles Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Practice the gift of inward silence. Take ten minutes to sit quietly - not praying - not thinking just listening and becoming aware of life about you. If possible find a spot outside where you can hear a bit of nature - but anywhere will do. Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, how much of life going about me I never seem to notice. Thank you for filling my world with so much. Amen.

Tasty Tip of the Week

from Barbara George

Tasty Tip for Tuesday, June 26, 2007


Ever tried to cook an eggplant and have it be full of seeds? Did you know there is a male and female version? For once, the female version is preferred. They will have much less seeds and be tastier and easier to prepare. Here’s how to tell. Tip the eggplant upside down (the little stem part being the top) and look at the center of the base. If it is indented it is a female. This is what you want. And don’t be fooled by size, too small and they can be bitter, too big and they can be mushy. Select a nice medium sized firm eggplant with good solid deep purple color.

Miracle of the Waterfall - Mini Retreat

To send this card: Hope

Quote for the Day: No one is to be called an enemy, all are your benefactors, and no one does you harm. You have no enemy except yourselves. St. Francis of Assisi

Miracle Monday.

Well, I had a miracle over the weekend - but its already sort of fizzled to its premiracle state. Wonder how much that counts?

This is what happened. Our fish pond has a small waterfall. The problem is the water doesn't fall it dribbles. So we have had various people come out and work over it and all to no avail. Just dribbles.. sometimes bigger dribbles and sometimes drop, drop, drop dribbles.

So I got fed up with the stupid dribbling water and decided to concentrate some prayer, time and energy on the situation. I prayed a rosary, I prayed a ton of Hail Mary's and I figgled and fiddled with the valves and the pumps and the nozzles and everything I could think of short of kicking it which believe me I was very, very tempted to do.

Finally I got mad. I started chewing out God a lot. I explained that it was a fine thing for me to be expected to be praying for serious things like people with cancer and wars and and job losses and all sorts of serious big things when He couldn't even fix a stupid waterfall. Okay, so I get a bit demanding in my prayer life now and then but like I said I was mad.

So finally after awhile I cooled down and told God, "Okay, if you don't want to help with the stupid waterfall... fine... we're still friends.... I don't have a lot of hope in this situation and just a little in other stuff... but you must have a reason so okay... that's fine. Whatever.

I went back to praying more Hail Mary's and figgling and fiddling with the valves. Finally.. a glimmer of hope. I got both little pipes to send out a little stream of water. Not big mind you but I had not been able to get both pipes to work before so I was hopeful this was a breakthrough.

It was time for evening prayer so I stopped. We prayed evening prayer in the garden about a hundred feet from the waterfall I mean water dribble. About a third of the way through I thought I heard a little more water coming down.. but I didn't look up. Probably not I figured. Just imagination. Then I heard more and more water. I looked up. All the other sisters were looking too. The water was coming down much better.

All through the rest of the prayer the waterfall (it was by golly starting to look like a real waterfall) kept increasing and increasing till finally it was a full fledge roaring, tumbling splashing waterfall! Just like it was supposed to.

A miracle. Really. And what was really funny was that God had to have it break through during prayer time so I could see He really was listening to my prayers, impatient as they were.

It was great. I was feeling very happy. I always feel very happy when things go my way.

This morning it was back to the dribbles. Sigh. BUT..... at least I know that if I keep praying and figgling and fiddling with those valves I may get it back. Because now I know it really is possible.... and I also know a lot more about how to make this thing work than I did before. Which is good. I just wish I could get it to last.

More miracles please.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Walking with Jesus in the Ordinary Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) A new shop has opened. It's called The Miracle Shop. It's very nice - you go in and there is a clerk behind the counter and you ask for whatever miracle you want and the clerk looks through the catalog and lo and behold... the very miracle you want is available. Not only that it is free with immediate delivery. So you order it. I mean after all it does't get much better than that does it? So you go back the next day and order another miracle. Same thing. Pretty soon you just start expecting those miracles to always be there. On time, free and immediate delivery. Then one day - you go in and the regular clerk isn't there anymore. Everything has been changed. It's all self service now.... you sit down and go through the catalog yourself. Lots of miracles available but oh my,..... now they are not free and the delivery is uncertain and the price is really, really high. Even for the little ones. And worse of all there is no one to talk about it with at all. Just an empty room with those stupid catalogs. So you leave and go back to your garden. You find your favorite place and you wait for Jesus to come - because you want to talk to him about the closing down of this miracle shop. It's been a long time since you came to your garden... because for some reason you've just been going to that little miracle shop and not spending any time here at all. Hmmm..... maybe that is what was wrong? Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, thank you for answering my prayers but most of all thank you for being there for me every day, always and forever whenever I need you. Amen.

Friendship Friday - HP Printing Mailbox

To send this card: Saint Thomas More & John Fisher

Quote for the Day: “The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest.” -- St. Thomas More

Friendship Friday

Well, I went to visit my mom today to see how she was doing with her new little printer. It's the neatest thing. My brother John heard about it on the radio and what it does is it prints out emails for people who don't want or can't use a computer. So cool. Made I think especially for parents whose kids want to send them emails I think. Anyway it works absolutely fantastic. And so now everyday my mom can receive a few emails on her printer. Even prints out the pictures in color ... so everything but video and audio.. it is really great for our family because our mom is so deaf that this makes a way that we can communicate with her when we are not right there!

If you are interested - the one we got was a HP Printing Mailbox. John got this one from Amazon. I will share the link just for your information.. I don't get anything from it.. but it just seems like a cool, cool idea if anyone has a hearing disabled parent or friend. Costs $99.00 for the printer and $10.00 a month for the service. Oh and another neat thing is that it only accepts email from people you include on the mailing list.. so they won't get spam. And another neat thing... you would think I am a salesman for this product but its really neat .. is that it tells you online if they are out of paper or ink! HP has really thought this through.

Oh before I forget... the Link to HP Mailbox Printer

http://www.amazon.com/Printing-Mailbox-use-Presto-Service/dp/B000JERC8A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-3110848-2907803?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1182487955&sr=8-1

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Walking with Jesus in the Ordinary Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Today might be a nice day to sit in your garden for a few minutes and think of all the ways that you have been blessed with kindness by people doing "little" things for you. I remember my mom used to get us drinks of water when we were sitting watching television or reading a book. I remember my sister, Euli sewed me a Paddington bear for Christmas one year... all by hand! And my sister Barb made me a set of little wooden boxes once... that fit inside each other. I still have the littlest one! Had little leather hinges and I store a few feathers in it from each of the birds I've been blessed to have. Memories are kind of like patchwork quilts.... no two alike and yet together they make a very warm and protective comforter! Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, thank you for friends who bless us in so many ways. Truly friendship is a golden treasure. Amen.

Thankful Thursday - Be Bold for Jesus

To send this card: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Quote for the Day: Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly. -- St. Ignatius Loyola

Thankful Thursday

Today I have been thinking about some of the things I do. How much I asked myself is for God's glory and how much for my own? It occurred to me that there was probably a whole lot more self glory than Jesus glory wrapped up in things. Because, now I could be wrong but this is what it seemed like the message I was getting.

If I was totally doing things for Jesus than I wouldn't be so worried about people's reactions. And if I was totally doing things for Jesus Glory I would probably be a whole lot bolder and powerful in attempting things.

I don't know exactly how one acts with greater boldness or greater zeal except I guess by just plunging in. If I wasn't so "worried" about results in things but just went ahead and moved - would that be zeal or stupid? After all, even Jesus told the parable about the commander first looking to see if he could win the battle or else settle peacefully?

I think though.... from my former small experience. If one thinks boldly and acts boldly than either the situation will work out or else God will put up a big sign in front of your face that says something like. THINK AGAIN.

So, I think I am going to move ahead with some new ways to promote my book on the Sacrament of Reconciliation.. because I truly believe that it is a powerful book. I think God allowed me to work on it for HIS glory and now He wants me to Promote it for his glory too. So all those little niggling, naggling voices that say, "shhh, keep still" are the ones that need to KEEP STILL!.

I read a line in a book today that said, "What would you do if you were ten times bolder?" Isn't that something? The book was "Jesus, CEO" by Laurie Beth Jones. I just looked at in the store, I didn't buy it - and probably won't but those lines really grabbed me. Amazing huh? What if we were ten times bolder in serving Jesus than we are?

Hmmmm... so I am thinking, thinking... thinking... Stay tuned.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Walking with Jesus in the Ordinary Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) Here's the question for you. What if you only had one year of life on your calendar? What could you do to make a Jesus difference? Walk into your special garden spot or take a walk down your favorite road with Jesus. Talk it out, Ask Jesus to show you what could be your first step. Imagine that Jesus is inviting you personally to go out and spread his good news. Maybe in a letter, maybe in a few extra moments of prayer, maybe? Be bold.... and put all your heart and soul into asking Jesus ..."What coud I do to make a difference for you?" Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, help me to be bold, for you. Give me the courage to get out of my own personal little boat and start walking a few steps on the water. Amen.

Tasty Tuesday - Little chicks and Sr. Janet's Link!

To send this card: Eucharist Card

Quote for the Day: In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't. Blaise Pascal

Tasty Tuesday

I can't talk about food. Mainly because I think I have eaten too much of it today and my stomach is now telling me to find a new course for conversation. So even though this is tasty Tuesday I will move on to something else.

No idea what of course. Pia has a beautiful little white egg that she is carefully nurturing. This one came out nice and round like it should. I think giving her the egg shells helped. See growing up with chickens turned out to be helpful. We used to often get new baby chicks in the mail. Was fun to go to the Post Office for our special arrival. The whole place would be cheeping with our boxes of baby chicks.

The Post Office would always call immediately when they came in and we would zip down - pick up the boxes of several hundred chickens and then rush home to get them their first meal.

The baby chicks are placed in the box as soon as they are born ... and shipped by one day to service. The chicks do not know how to eat or drink... so you have to pick each little fluff ball up in your hand, dip its beak in a bit of baby chicken mash and then dip it into a drink of water. One time does it. They catch on fast!

Was always so much fun getting them all eating and scratching around. I loved the smell of the new sawdust on their floor which smelled extra sweet and pungent because of the heat light under their brooder hood to keep the babies warm.

Well, must be getting older - having more memories of them there 'good old days."

For heaven's sake be sure to read Sr. Janet's article today and be sure ... sure... sure to watch the first YouTube link she offers. You will love it.

Blessings of Peace and all Good,
Sister Patricia

Mini Retreat Theme: Walking with Jesus in the Ordinary Quote: Meditation: (set your timer for ten minutes) One of the best ways I find to grow in my spiritual vision is to ask a question. I may not get an answer but I find just the fact of questioning opens up new thinking. Today imagine that Jesus is your spiritual coach. He is ready to counsel, encourage and help you to find greater spiritual wholeness. Here is a spiritual question you might ask. "Jesus, what is one thing I could do tomorrow to make myself more aware of your presence in my life?" Feel free of course to ask any question - that was just a starter. Prayer when time is completed: Jesus, in this over laden information age there are so many sources to find answers. Help me to remember to start with you! Amen.