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Cartoon from Politico via On Being with Krista Tippett
I only listed two things to do for 2013. The third one is the gravy. Gravy could mean I will die happy for having accomplished my endeavour. The list is:
Who am I kidding? I am not a domesticated chick that stays in the kitchen. I’d rather plant my own garden, be a cat woman, climb the mountain and be surprised by the light.
The Ham. Done. I fed it to Mr. Polish and Mother Teresa next door at Room 307.
Impromptu party for YaYa sisterhood last night. They loved it. Gave them all the left over. Just like I said, I only eat the Pope’s nose.
As a reward for the sisters gobbling the turkey, they each received a bottle of wine that I won at United Way and then some. And then some means, unburdened me with gifts I received that I have no need and giving clothes that that they are eyeing for a long time. They always enjoy coming here empty-handed and going home with party favours.
As for my reward: The Carcass.
Mission accomplished. It’s a good day to die.
Thousands of Catholic families from around the world gathered at the Vatican over the weekend to celebrate the Year of Faith with Pope Francis.A small group of children was invited to sit on the pope’s platform to listen to speakers from across the world speak about their faith and families.
Pope Francis was visibly amused when one child stayed on the stage instead of returning to his seat on the steps.
Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Luke 18:16
See more photos here. Source: NCR Staff
The spring rains did not come and the summer heat was worse than it had ever been. All the fields in the area were parched, dusty, and brown. Our livelihood, our way of life, was wilting away. Most mornings we would search the sky for any sign of relief, for a hint of rain on the horizon. Days turned into arid weeks and soon became months. Everywhere faithful people prayed.
The ministers, priest and rabbi of our local churches announced that there would be a special service to pray for rain on the following Saturday. They asked that everyone bring an object of their faith. So come Saturday morning we all gathered in the town square. People came with anxious faces and hopeful hearts. Looking around you could see the Bibles, Book of Prayers, crosses, crucifixes, pictures of Jesus – and you could tell the Catholic because of their rosaries.
And so we prayed. We prayed a mighty prayer of praises for God, praises for His divine protection, and petitions for rain. We sang, prayed some more, and heard the minister proclaim our faith in Jesus. And then we prayed some more. Just as the hour of prayer was concluding, and as if by some divine cue, a soft rain began to fall. Cheers swept the crowd as they held their treasured objects high in gratitude and praise. The Pentecostals were shouting out their Hallelujahs with arms raised in ecstasy. The Catholics even got excited and were waving their rosaries, whipping them around in a frenzy.
But one symbol of faith seemed to overshadow all the others; one person had brought an umbrella.
Source: Friarmusings
There are so many parishes around where I live. I go where ever the wind blows me.
The one closest to me is St. Frances de Sale I go should I feel like walking. Down the hills is St. Therese but I’ve never went because walking uphill is just a challenge for this old body. Our Lady of Mercy I visit should I wish to see my family.
Since I prefer the easiest route, I hop on a Sky train and attend a mass at St. Mary’s Church. Here I love listening to Fr. Pierre, a Frenchie. Somehow French man has a sing-song way of speaking English and his sense of humour is effective when he speaks his sermon. It is much easier to shallow his teaching when he lifts the congregation up rather than talking down to us. That is what I call effective communication.
Should I feel the need to drop by at a church on a way home, I go to the Cathedral. Here I meet all kinds of people including the pan handlers, the addicts, the alcoholics, the mentally ill or anyone who wants refuge from an inhospitable weather. Most of the priest here are on the higher echelon. Their sermons are okay. For as long as I get my dosage of Spiritual healing and thanksgiving, that is what I am after.
When I really missed being with the elders, I go to the Indian Reserve and attend a mass at St. Paul’s.
As I mentioned before, the whole world is my church. So far, I haven’t met anyone who understands this mentality until recently I read an article from UCAN News.
Faith revolutionizes our lives…
I would like to tell you what my expectations are regarding this World Youth Day. I would like us to make noise, I would like those inside the Dioceses to go out into the open; I want the Church to be in the streets; I want us to defend ourselves against all that is worldliness, comfort, being closed and turned within – Parishes, colleges and institutions must get out otherwise they risk becoming NGOs, and the Church is not a Non-Governmental Organization….
These are the words of Pope Francis. Finally, a man who understands me.
The World is my Church, this is the best part.
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Prayer for peace on Earth
Blessed John XXIII was a man unafraid of the future. Moved by his trust in Providence, even in what seemed like a permanent situation of conflict, he did not hesitate to summon the leaders of his time to a new vision of the world.
Let us all resolve to have this same outlook: trust in the merciful and compassionate God who calls us to brotherhood, and confidence in the men and women of our time because, like those of every other time, they bear the image of God in their souls. (John Paul II).
As we long for peace we remember our brothers and sisters of all faiths – and none – who share our longings.
Related Articles:A Jain Prayer
Lead me from death to Life, from falsehood to Truth. Lead me from despair to Hope, from fear to Trust. Lead me from hate to Love, from war to Peace. Let Peace fill our heart, our world, our universe. – Satish Kumar
Prayer for peace on Earth
Pope John Paul II reflected on Blessed John XXIII’s Four Pillars of Peace:
» Truth will build peace if every individual sincerely acknowledges not only his rights, but also his own duties towards others.
» Justice will build peace if in practice everyone respects the rights of others and actually fulfils his duties towards them.
» Love will build peace if people feel the needs of others as their own and share what they have with others.
» Freedom will build peace and make it thrive if, in the choice of the means to that end, people act according to reason and assume responsibility for their own actions.
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