Hail Mary, full of grace, the LORD is with thee, blessed are you among all women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus, Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners now and in the hour of our death.
Category: Parish News & Events
Cleanse, Check, and Repeat / Limpiar, Revisar y Repetir
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks of the outside of a cup and dish being clean but not the inside. It reminded me of some memories, specifically, the after dinner routine in my childhood home. This included either myself or one of my sisters cleaning up the dishes [fyi: unless there was adult supervision, only one sibling would do the dishes or discord, including water fights, towel snapping, or tears, would follow].
Items would get a rinsing and light scrubbing before being loaded into the dishwasher and the rest would be hand washed. This was done as the dishwasher typically deposited some food particles and baked them on the surfaces and yet, sometimes this happened when we girls washed the dishes as well. We would get distracted by the issues of life and the world around us. We would make statements as facts or assumptions that caused us to lose focus on the tasks and the people around us, which led to problems in the personal and family life of the household.
The readings today tell us to keep ourselves in check through diligent review and reflection, prayer and the grace of God, to make changes and clean our interior dirt or leftovers that still cling to us. I know I absolutely need constructive feedback from my coworkers, family, friends and spiritual director, to help me see my mistakes, the food stuck in my tooth or point out the threads that have pulled in the seat of my pants or my life.
“The Word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart,” is the Gospel acclamation from Hebrews 4:12. Through continual reflection on the Word in prayer, attending Mass, receiving the Eucharist, taking time for adoration, finding silence to examine my thoughts, actions and reactions, helps me to ask for God’s forgiveness and seek the forgiveness of others whom I have offended.
Jesus tells us not to neglect the weightier things of the law, that of judgment, mercy and fidelity. These things we need to be mindful of as well as all other components of His teachings. It is not an easy path but a constant conversion of my heart, actions, words and expressions.
St. Rose of Lima, whose feast is today, is attributed to saying, “Let them know that the gifts of grace increase as the struggles increase. Let men take care not to stray and be deceived.”
O St. Rose, first flower of sanctity in the New World, let the fragrance of your virtues diffuse itself in our lives. Grant that we may imitate your holy purity; obtain for us courage in the practice of penance. Teach us to love Christ Jesus and Mary His Mother. Please continue to intercede and bless all the Americas, which give thanks to Him, the Giver of all good gifts. Amen.
En el Evangelio de hoy, Jesús habla de que el exterior de una taza y un plato están limpios, pero no el interior. Me hizo acordar de algunos recuerdos, específicamente, la rutina después de la cena en la casa de mi infancia. Esto incluía yo o una de mis hermanas limpiando los platos [para tu información: a menos de que hubiera la supervisión de un adulto, solo una hermana lavaba los platos a la vez, o seguiría la discordia, incluyendo peleas de agua, chasquidos de toallas o lágrimas].
Enjuagábamos los platos con un lavado ligero antes de ponerlos en el lavaplatos y el resto se lavaba a mano. Esto se hizo porque el lavaplatos generalmente depositaba algunas partículas de comida y las horneaba en las superficies y, sin embargo, a veces esto sucedía cuando nosotros también lavábamos los platos. Nos distraíamos con los asuntos de la vida y del mundo que nos rodeaba. Hacíamos afirmaciones como hechos o suposiciones que hacían que perdiéramos el enfoque en las tareas y en las personas que nos rodeaban, lo que generaba problemas en la vida personal y familiar del hogar.
Las lecturas de hoy nos dicen que nos mantengamos bajo control a través de la revisión y la reflexión diligentes, la oración y la gracia de Dios, para hacer cambios y limpiar nuestra suciedad interior o los “restos de la comida” que aún se adhieren a nosotros. Sé que necesito absolutamente los comentarios constructivos de mis compañeros de trabajo, mi familia, mis amigos y mi director espiritual, que me ayuden a ver mis errores, la comida atorada en mis dientes o señalar los hilos que se han tirado en el asiento de mis pantalones o de mi vida.
La aclamación evangélica de Hebreos 4,12 nos dice, “La palabra de Dios es viva y eficaz y descubre los pensamientos e intenciones del corazón”. A través de la reflexión continua sobre la Palabra en la oración, asistir a Misa, recibir la Eucaristía, tomar tiempo para la adoración, encontrar silencio para examinar mis pensamientos, acciones y reacciones, me ayuda a pedir el perdón de Dios y buscar el perdón de otros a quienes he ofendido.
Jesús nos dice que no descuidemos las cosas más importantes de la ley, la del juicio, la misericordia y la fidelidad. Debemos tener en cuenta estas cosas, así como todos los demás componentes de Sus enseñanzas. No es un camino fácil sino una constante conversión de mi corazón, acciones, palabras y expresiones.
A Santa Rosa de Lima, cuya fiesta es hoy, se le atribuye haber dicho: “Que sepan que los dones de la gracia aumentan a medida que aumentan las batallas. Que los hombres se cuiden de no extraviarse y ser engañados.”
Oh Santa Rosa, primera flor de santidad en el Nuevo Mundo, deja que la fragancia de tus virtudes se esparza en nuestras vidas. Concede que podamos imitar tu santa pureza; alcánzanos valor en la práctica de la penitencia. Enséñanos a amar a Cristo Jesús y a María Su Madre. Por favor, continúe intercediendo y bendiciendo a todas las Américas, que le dan gracias a Él, el Dador de todos los buenos dones. Amén.
Beth Price is part of the customer care team at Diocesan. She is a Secular Franciscan (OFS) and a practicing spiritual director. Beth shares smiles, prayers, laughter, a listening ear and her heart with all of creation. Reach her here bprice@diocesan.com.
Feature Image Credit: Rewrite27, pixabay.com/photos/water-flow-static-wash-the-dishes-2464417/
St. Philip Benizi: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Servite cardinal and preacher. Born in Florence, Italy, to a noble family, he was educated in Paris and Padua where he earned a doctorate in medicine and philosophy. He practiced medicine for some time, but in 1253 he joined the Servite Order in Florence. He served as a lay brother until 1259, when his superiors directed him to be ordained. Philip soon became known as one of the foremost preachers of his era, becoming master of novices at Siena in 1262 and then superior of several friaries and …
A Prayer for a Sick Child: Prayer of the Day for Tuesday, August 23, 2022
St. Gerard, who, like the Saviour,
loved children so tenderly
and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death,
listen to us who are pleading for our sick child.
We thank God for the great gift of our son/daughter
and ask Him to restore our child to health
if such be His holy will.
This favour, we beg of you
through your love for all children and mothers.
Amen.
Fulfillment of Every Effort of Faith / El Cumplimiento de Cada Esfuerzo de Fe
“We always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and powerfully bring to fulfillment every good purpose and every effort of faith, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 11-12
What a beautiful passage for celebrating the Queenship of Mary!
I try to picture Mary, going through her daily life. She has her daily routine, those tasks performed out of necessity and love for those around her. As she moves from one task to another, suddenly the word of God enters in; first through the words of the angel and then through the breath of the Holy Spirit and finally through her Son, Jesus.
Like Mary, we move through our daily lives. We keep our homes. We perform our jobs. We shop. We garden. We wash grubby little hands. We do all the little 1001 tasks needed to simply live from day to day. In the midst of all that, our Lord enters. He doesn’t enter in with fanfare and a marching band, but is found quietly in all the little things. We don’t have to be worthy of him on our own, but he makes us worthy when we include him. He comes to us in the silent prayer of gratitude said over a sink full of dishes. He is with us in whispered prayers for protection as a loved one leaves home for work or school. He stands beside us in the worried wondering of when we will find our next meal. He even joins us in the unspoken desire to find His presence in the tedium of yet another meeting. In all these places and so many more, our God enters in and brings fulfillment to our good purposes and efforts in faith.
Faith is a theological virtue infused into us at baptism and sealed within us at confirmation. It is brought into fulfillment through all those teeny tiny acts of faith performed each and every day.
Let us follow our Queen and Mother’s example of ascent to our Lord’s presence in our daily lives. Along with St. Paul, let us pray for one another that we continue to find God in all the little moments, “that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Oramos siempre por ustedes, para que Dios los haga dignos de la vocación a la que los ha llamado, y con su poder lleve a efecto tanto los buenos propósitos que han formado, como lo que ya han emprendido por la fe. Así glorificarán a nuestro Señor Jesús y él los glorificará a ustedes en la medida en que actúe en ustedes la gracia de nuestro Dios y de Jesucristo, el Señor.” 2 Tesalonicenses 11-12
¡Qué hermoso pasaje para celebrar el Reinado de María!
Trato de imaginarme a María, pasando por su vida diaria. Ella tiene su rutina diaria, esas tareas realizadas por necesidad y amor por quienes la rodean. Al pasar de una tarea a otra, de repente entra la palabra de Dios; primero a través de las palabras del ángel y luego a través del soplo del Espíritu Santo y finalmente a través de su Hijo, Jesús.
Como María, nos movemos por nuestra vida cotidiana. Mantenemos nuestras casas. Realizamos nuestro trabajo. Vamos de compras. Tendemos al jardín. Lavamos las manitas sucias. Hacemos todas las 1001 pequeñas tareas necesarias para simplemente vivir el día a día. En medio de todo eso, entra nuestro Señor. No entra con fanfarria y una banda de música, sino que se encuentra en el silencio en todas las pequeñas cosas. No tenemos que ser dignos de él por nosotros mismos, pero él nos hace dignos cuando lo incluimos. Viene a nosotros en la oración silenciosa de gratitud dicha sobre un lavadero lleno de platos. Está con nosotros en las oraciones susurradas pidiendo protección cuando un ser querido se va de la casa al trabajo o a la escuela. Está a nuestro lado cuando nos preguntamos con preocupación cuándo encontraremos nuestra próxima comida. Incluso se une a nosotros en el deseo tácito de encontrar Su presencia en el tedio de una nueva reunión. En todos estos lugares y en tantos más, nuestro Dios entra y da cumplimiento a nuestros buenos propósitos y esfuerzos en la fe.
La fe es una virtud teológica infundida en nosotros en el bautismo y sellada dentro de nosotros en la confirmación. Se lleva a cabo a través de todos esos pequeños actos de fe realizados todos los días.
Sigamos el ejemplo de nuestra Reina y Madre de subir a la presencia de nuestro Señor en nuestras vidas diarias. Junto con san Pablo, oremos los unos por los otros para que sigamos encontrando a Dios en todos los pequeños momentos. “Así glorificarán a nuestro Señor Jesús y él los glorificará a ustedes en la medida en que actúe en ustedes la gracia de nuestro Dios y de Jesucristo, el Señor.”
Sheryl is happy to be the number 1 cheerleader and supporter for her husband, Tom who is a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the Diocese of Kalamazoo. They are so grateful for the opportunity to grow together in this process. Sheryl’s day job is serving her community as the principal for St. Therese Catholic School in Wayland, Michigan. Since every time she thinks she gets life all figured out, she realizes just how far she has to go, St. Rita of Cascia is her go-to Saint for intercession and help. Home includes Carlyn, a very, very goofy Golden Retriever and Lucy, our not-so-little rescue puppy.
Feature Image Credit: Tracey Hocking, unsplash.com/photos/sUTjF7ckvAM
St. Andrew the Scot: Saint of the Day for Monday, August 22, 2022
Archdeacon and companion of St. Donatus. Andrew and his sister, St. Bridget the Younger, were born in Ireland of noble parents.They were educated by St. Donatus, and when Donatus went on a pilgrimage to Italy, Andrew accompanied him. In Fiesole, through a miracle, Donatus was elected bishop. Andrew was ordained the archdeacon of Fiesole, serving Donatus for forty-seven years. He also founded a monastery in Mensola, Italy. Andrew died shortly after Donatus, but his sister, St. Bridget the …
Adoration Prayer : Prayer of the Day for Monday, August 22, 2022
My Lord Jesus Christ,
I believe that You are really here in this Sacrament.
Night and day You remain here compassionate and loving.
You call, You wait for,
You welcome everyone who comes to visit You.
I thank You, Jesus my Divine Redeemer
for coming upon the earth for our sake
and for instituting the Adorable Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
in order to remain with us until the end of the world.
I thank You for hiding beneath the Eucharistic species
Your infinite …
Strong Enough? / ¿Suficientemente Fuerte?
What do you think will happen to you when you die? What do others think will happen? As we are all human, we can be sure that after this life, we all face the same options, no matter what we currently think or believe. If you are reading this, you probably believe that you are created by a loving God Who awaits your arrival after death, and you are working to know Him better so that you are properly prepared.
What can we do to prepare ourselves for this moment, this crossing-over from this life to the next (because our souls are never “dead” – our memories, wills, and understanding are ever alive and ever ours, in this life and the next!)? What can we do to “be saved”?
When someone asks him if only a small number of people will be saved, Jesus has a clear opportunity to assure everyone: It’s easy. Everyone can do it. Just be nice and share!
But this is not what is true. Jesus instead gives us an indication of the effort we must exert when he says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter, but will not be strong enough.” What kind of “strength” do we need? Our Second Reading today (Heb 12) tells us we need to be reproved and disciplined by the Lord through patient endurance of trials; it is this kind of suffering that strengthens our “drooping hands and weak knees” so that “what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.” God Himself is a good Father Who sees where our weakness is, and Who will teach us what we need to know to be strong and whole, without breaking us. The difficulties and pain and confusion of this life are allowed by God because this is what will finally make us strong enough to enter through the narrow gate.
This is a hard saying in a world where we generally avoid difficult and painful things and seek ways to rest in security and comfort. But the Gospel is always the place where worldly understanding is turned upside down so that we learn to reject the priorities of the culture and even of our own weaker nature and to embrace the challenge to do hard things for the greater good, our own good, and love of God. The Gospel is always reminding us that we need saving, that by ourselves we can do nothing, but if we continually open ourselves fully to God, HE can do all things. We are weak, but in Christ we are made strong enough to enter through the narrow gate of LIFE.
¿Qué crees que te pasará cuando te mueres? ¿Qué piensan los demás que pasará? Como todos somos humanos, podemos estar seguros de que después de esta vida, todos enfrentamos las mismas opciones, sin importar lo que pensemos o creamos actualmente. Si estás leyendo esto, probablemente creas que fuiste creado por un Dios amoroso que espera tu llegada después de la muerte, y estás trabajando para conocerlo mejor para que estés debidamente preparado.
¿Qué podemos hacer para prepararnos para este momento, este cruce de esta vida a la siguiente (porque nuestras almas nunca están “muertas” – nuestros recuerdos, voluntades y entendimiento están siempre vivos y son siempre nuestros, en esta vida y en la siguiente)? ¿Qué podemos hacer para “ser salvados”?
Cuando alguien le pregunta si solo un pequeño número de personas se salvará, Jesús tiene una oportunidad clara para asegurarles a todos que es fácil, que todo el mundo puede hacerlo. ¡Solo sé amable y comparte con los demás!
Pero esto no es cierto. Jesús en cambio nos da una indicación del esfuerzo que debemos hacer cuando dice: “Esfuércense en entrar por la puerta, que es angosta, pues yo les aseguro que muchos tratarán de entrar y no podrán.”. ¿Qué tipo de “fuerza” necesitamos? Nuestra segunda lectura de hoy (Hebreos 12) nos dice que necesitamos ser reprendidos y disciplinados por el Señor a través de la paciencia en las pruebas; es este tipo de sufrimiento el que fortalece nuestras “manos cansadas y sus rodillas vacilantes” para que “el cojo ya no se tropiece, sino más bien se alivie”. Dios mismo es un buen Padre que ve dónde está nuestra debilidad y que nos enseñará lo que necesitamos saber para ser fuertes y completos, sin quebrarnos. Dios permite las dificultades, el dolor y la confusión de esta vida porque esto es lo que finalmente nos hará lo suficientemente fuertes para entrar por la puerta estrecha.
Este es un dicho difícil en un mundo donde generalmente evitamos las cosas difíciles y dolorosas y buscamos formas de descansar en seguridad y comodidad. Pero el Evangelio es siempre el lugar donde la comprensión mundana se pone patas arriba para que aprendamos a rechazar las prioridades de la cultura e incluso de nuestra propia naturaleza más débil y a aceptar el desafío de hacer cosas difíciles por el bien mayor, nuestro propio bien y amor de Dios. El Evangelio siempre nos está recordando que necesitamos la salvación, que solos no podemos hacer nada, pero si continuamente nos abrimos completamente a Dios, ÉL puede hacer todas las cosas. Somos débiles, pero en Cristo somos lo suficientemente fuertes para entrar por la puerta estrecha de la VIDA.
Kathryn Mulderink, MA, is married to Robert, Station Manager for Holy Family Radio. Together they have seven children (including Father Rob), and four grandchildren. She is President of the local community of Secular Discalced Carmelites and has published five books and many articles. Over the last 30 years, she has worked as a teacher, headmistress, catechist, Pastoral Associate, and DRE, and as a writer and voice talent for Catholic Radio. Currently, she serves the Church by writing and speaking, and by collaborating with various parishes and to lead others to encounter Christ and engage their faith. Her website is www.KathrynTherese.com
Feature Image Credit: sasint, pixabay.com/photos/sunset-men-silhouettes-helping-1807524/
St. Pius X: Saint of the Day for Sunday, August 21, 2022
On June 2, 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto saw the light of earth at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Venice; on August 20, 1914, he saw the light of heaven; and on May 29, 1954, he who had become the two hundred fifty-ninth pope was canonized St. Pius X. Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintly Pope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of …
Prayer for the Sick and Seniors: Prayer of the Day for Sunday, August 21, 2022
All praise and glory are yours,
Lord our God.
For you have called us to serve you and one another in love.
Bless our sick today so that they may bear their illness
in union with Jesus’ sufferings and restore them quickly to health.
Bless those who have grown old in your service
and give them courage and strength in their faith.
Lead us all to eternal glory.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, …