Articles For Heart Mind Soul

Mary was there all the way with Jesus her son. From giving him birth and placing him on a wooden manger, the only crib to be found, to giving him up and returning Him to His Father, to die crucified on the wood of the cross. From his birth being placed in a wooden crib to his death on a wooden cross, Mary was there with Jesus. What a remarkable woman Mary must have been. She became pregnant through a miracle which came directly from God. She would be a mother and would bear a son who would be called Jesus. And this son of hers would be called the Son of the Most High and His kingdom would have no end. Mary was a real human being who felt her child grow and develop in her womb for nine months. Mary knew what it was to be in the latter part of her pregnancy and need to take a long, grueling journey, to walk or ride on a donkey over bumpy roads. Mary gave birth in a stinking, smelly, dirty stable. Just her husband Joseph and a few filthy farm animals were there when Jes...

Christmas Season Daily Morning Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, be with me as I begin this day. Joy of the angels, let your good news fill my every word. Bright Morningstar, shine through my thoughts and deeds. Sun of Justice, rise in my heart today and every day. Amen. Christmas Season Daily Evening Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, stay with me, for evening has come. Glory of heaven, may I rejoice with the saints at your throne. Light of the world, remain with me through the darkness. Prince of Peace, grant me a restful, restoring sleep. Amen.

Christmas/Advent 2009 The 12 Days of Christmas starts Christmas Day and finishes with the eve of Epiphany on January 5th. Catholics in England during the period 1558 – 1829 were prohibited from any practice of their faith by law, private or public. It was a crime to be a Catholic in England during this time in history. "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written in England as one of the "catechism songs" to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith, a memory aid. The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song does not refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jer...

Thank God for the grace to complete the Daily Advent Calendar Prayers. Advent: A Time For Preparations Daily reflections for the Advent season.

Thank God for the grace to complete the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer to Obtain Favors, prayed fifteen (15) times a day from the Feast of Saint Andrew (November 30) until Christmas (December 25). St. Andrew Christmas Novena Prayer to Obtain Favors Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen. I mprimatur +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York New York, February 6, 1897  

Every day is Christmas in the heart, mind and soul of all who believe. Christmas is not just one day every year, it is every day of the year for all who believe. Christmas is not just for a season, it is a reason to believe always. Christmas is all around us every day of the year. Christmas is any time our hardened hearts are softened with love, our narrow minds are widened with hope, and our hungry and thirsty souls are feed and refreshed with faith. Christmas is when the heart, mind and soul come to life with the true meaning of all the Christmas carols ever sung and all the Christmas cards ever written. All the Christmas candy cannot sweeten the soured heart, mind and soul, all the Christmas ornaments cannot decorate the empty heart, mind and soul, all the Christmas festivities cannot enliven the saddened heart, mind and soul, all the Christmas money cannot salvage the bankrupt heart, mind and soul, all the Christmas presents cannot gladden the gloomy heart, mind a...

A Triduum of Masses on December 22, 23 & 24 at 12:00 noon Mass, Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Del Rio, Texas has been celebrated for the intentions of all the readers of “Articles for Heart, Mind, Soul” blog. Any Catholic may offer up the Mass in which he or she participates for any good intention. Graces will accrue in accordance with the intensity of that person's participation and sincerity. This is a genuine exercise of the royal or common priesthood of the faithful. God bless you.

At Christmas we celebrate the most incredible, inconceivable, indescribable mystery that the almighty and powerful God in order to save us from sin and death, decided to come to the world as a defenseless, helpless, powerless baby. We truly have a reason for celebrating throughout the season. It is a great joy to celebrate Christmas with a festive spirit emphasizing the essence of this holiday; the happiness of knowing that we are redeemed by God, because unto us a Savior is born. “For to you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) We are all united in this great mystery of love and hope as we celebrate the mystery of God’s love that has come to save the world. It is a time to be full of joy and to thank God for the most important gift we can receive the gift of having God with us forever. This spirit of faith is paramount in this season for each of us to become a lamp lit with love and hope that will shine more than any Christmas decoration. The lov...

By battlebuddymoms Please stop for a moment and say the following prayer for our troops around the world. 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.' This can be very powerful. Of all the gifts you could give a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Chaplain & others deployed in harm’s way, prayer is the very best one.

Michael Card Joseph's Song Lyrics: How could it be this baby in my arms Sleeping now, so peacefully The Son of God, the angel said How could it be Lord I know He's not my own Not of my flesh, not of my bone Still Father let this baby be The son of my love Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours How can a man be father to the Son of God Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king He looks so small, His face and hands so fair And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear But when He laughs it shines again How could it be

Album: Navidad en Español: Villancicos of Traditional Latin America Artist: Harmonies Girls Choir Description: Founded by Antonio Espinal in 2002, Harmonies is one of the most dynamic and versatile girls choirs in the city of Los Angeles. The choir has been recognized for the dedication of St. Thomas Church in 2002, and since performs every year at St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral and Our Lady of the Angeles Cathedral. This album is a special collection of rare Christmas songs and arrangements from all over Latin America, including traditional and recent renditions of tunes and melodies from Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic. The following are three (3) songs from the album: At The Hour of Midnight, Guadalupana Christmas, and The Christmas Cha Cha Cha. At The Hour of Midnight Guadalupana Christmas The Christmas Cha Cha Cha

Received in email It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration: I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town. Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what ...

Health Care Reform Prayer Resources O God our Father, we praise you for the work of your hands and for the precious gift of life. Grant your protection to those who are yet unborn. Inspire those who govern us to advance policies which protect the unborn child in the womb and preserve the conscience rights of all. Jesus, Divine Healer, may our legislators find the courage to advance needed health care reform that protects the conscience rights of health care providers and does not promote or fund abortion. Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of elected officials with the desire to save lives, not destroy them. Father, we ask this in Jesus’ name, through the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music Video by Michael White A wonderful song based on a wonderful movie. Written by Michael White, with additional vocals by Krista Detor and Dave Weber.

The following movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. http://www.usccb.org/advent/movies.shtml The reviews include the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie. † All Mine to Give (1958) † The Bishop's Wife (1947) † A Christmas Carol (1951) † Christmas in Connecticut (1945) † A Christmas Story (1983) † Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) † Fred Claus (2007) † Holiday Affair (1949) † Holiday Inn (1942) † It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947) † It's a Wonderful Life (1946 ) † Joyeux Noel (2005) † March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934) † Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) † Miracle on 34th Street (1947) † The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) † The Nativity Story (2006) † Scrooge (1970) † Three Godfathers (1948) † White Christmas (1954) Do you have a favorite Christmas movie?

In this Year of the Priests, God bless - Rev. George Montague, SM - Rev. Bob Hogan, BBD - Rev. William Combs, BBD Legion of Mary member, Marian Casillas, would like to share that when she lived in San Antonio, Texas, she received many blessings, graces and healings from God through these holy and charismatic men of God, in the Prayer Group Meetings/Life in the Spirit Seminars on Friday evenings at St. Mary’s University, where Father Montague, Father Hogan and at that time Brother Combs minstered to the spiritual needs of the participants. Father Montague, Father Hogan, and Father Combs, are featured in this video.

Telma Jauregui Rodriguez, fineartamerica.com O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of the true God and Mother of the Church! who from this place reveal your clemency and your pity to all those who ask for your protection, hear the prayer that we address to you with filial trust, and present it to your Son Jesus, our sole Redeemer. Mother of Mercy, Teacher of hidden and silent sacrifice, to you, who come to meet us sinners, we dedicate on this day all our being and all our love. We also dedicate to you our life, our work, our joys, our infirmities and our sorrows. Grant peace, justice and prosperity to our peoples; for we entrust to your care all that we have and all that we are, our Lady and Mother. We wish to be entirely yours and to walk with you along the way of complete faithfulness to Jesus Christ in His Church; hold us always with your loving hand. Virgin of Guadalupe, Mother of the Americas, we pray to you for all the Bishops, that they may lead the faithful along paths of in...

Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, And let perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace. Amen. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and deliverer, my God is my rock in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, and my stronghold. Psalm 18:2”. Robert Huerta, age 43, entered into rest on December 4, 2009, in Del Rio, Texas. He was born March 14, 1966 in Del Rio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, Jose Huerta Jr., and his maternal grandparents, Pedro and Dominga Hernandez and paternal grandparents Jose Huerta Sr., and wife Teresa Rivas Huerta. He graduated from Del Rio High School in 1984. As a young child he learned a trade of cabinet-making handed down by his beloved father. His passion was working in construction. While in High School he was an outstanding baseball player and was coached throughout his childhood by his father. He lived in Austin, Houston and San Antonio but always considered ...

Fair-use Rationale Description Immaculate Conception Source Jimmy Akin.org Author Photo by Jimmy Akin Uploaded by: Audrey Date 2008-06-12 This image is copyrighted. The copyright holder allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided it is not used for commercial purpose and attribution or original source is properly cited This prayer was offered by the Bishops of the United States in November 2006 in Washington D.C. as a solemn renewal of their Consecration. Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore Your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority. Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to You. Through her we wish to thank You for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has b...

On December 8, the church observes the feast of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate Mary's clean and pure beginnings from the time she was first conceived. We are all born into a sinful condition. This is evident whenever we act in an evil way in spite of our best intentions; envy, greed, hate, and revenge invade our thoughts. Pain, suffering, and death are part of the human experience. This inherited condition of sin is defined as original sin. The first humans, Adam and Eve in the Bible, were clothed in God's grace and destined to live forever in eternal happiness. Their personal choice to sin resulted in the state of brokenness we find in ourselves and in the world at large. We are people who are capable of love and goodness, yet also capable of hate and evil. The church teaches that only two people were ever conceived without original sin. One, of course, was Jesus. The other was his mother, Mary. Tradition plays an important role in the development...

“I will give thanks to You, O Lord, with all my heart; I will declare all Your wondrous deeds.” – Psalm 9:2 As Mary surrendered her life to God's will, so we in The Legion of Mary present our lives to the Lord for Him to do with as He wills. As the psalmist gives thanks to God and declares His wondrous deeds, so we spend our lives spreading His word in thanksgiving to make a return to the Lord for all the good He has done for us (Psalm 116:12). This blog, “Articles For Heart, Mind, Soul”, is one way the Lord has called us to express our commitment to Him. Please pray for us to remain faithful in serving the Lord. Pray that we may resist temptation, refuse to compromise with the world, and bear a hundredfold harvest or more. Pray that all who have ever read this blog accept Jesus as their Savior, Lord, and God, and not fail "to recognize the time" of God's visitation (Luke 19:44). Pray that every word written in this blog be anointed by the Holy Spirit....

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen. (It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.) Imprimatur +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York New York, February 6, 1897

By Claudia Hill Staff Writer Del Rio News-Herald Front Page November 29, 2009 http://delrionewsherald.com   What began as an act of faith has ended in controversy for local religious advocates Fred Esquivel and Beatriz "Bea" Vallejo. A 21-foot tall wooden cross on a monument-like layer of concrete in mid-September, residents in the neighborhood have voiced their inquietudes regarding the cross site. The structure of the cross has also been considered a zoning violation by the city of Del Rio's Zoning Department, according to Vallejo. Despite the city's regulations and controversial neighbors, the cross continues to sit on the lots and is currently adorned with Christmas decor and colorful flowers. Esquivel, who spent months working on the construction of the cross, considers it to be a symbol of God's love. Cross in dispute can be seen from intersection of Qualia Drive and Santa Maria Drive.

Meditation from Father Bertrand Buby, S.M. http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//meditations/AdventModel.html I like to think about Mary, my spiritual mother, during this Advent season. She is the one who became the mother of Jesus and brought the first Advent of the Christ into our history. She is the active agent cooperating with God in the plan of salvation history. As we prepare for the event of Jesus' Birth at Christmas, we are more interested in participating in his mysteries through prayer and the liturgy, namely, the paschal mysteries. In the spirit of Mary we are more interested in participation than in a commemoration of a past event. That moment is gone, but our faith has brought about a birthday of Christ each day during Advent and the rest of the year through the mysteries of our faith, especially the Paschal Mystery of Jesus. We turn to Mary who is the person who did this for the first time. She was born in the soil of Judaism and listened to the words of ...

http://manhattandeclaration.org Released November 20, 2009 A Call of Christian Conscience A Summary Christians, when they have lived up to the highest ideals of their faith, have defended the weak and vulnerable and worked tirelessly to protect and strengthen vital institutions of civil society, beginning with the family. We are Orthodox, Catholic, and evangelical Christians who have united at this hour to reaffirm fundamental truths about justice and the common good, and to call upon our fellow citizens, believers and non-believers alike, to join us in defending them. These truths are: 1. the sanctity of human life 2. the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife 3. the rights of conscience and religious liberty. Inasmuch as these truths are foundational to human dignity and the well-being of society, they are inviolable and non-negotiable. Because they are increasingly under assault from powerful forces in our culture, we are compelled tod...

The power of prayer is at work always and in everything. Results are due, first and foremost, to the power of prayer. God rewards the generous when we take the time to pray, when we remember to turn to God in prayer, when we ask God to be present in our life and place our trust in His Love. When we take a leap of faith with trust in God we land where we were meant to be. Let us profoundly understand the importance of humbly, peacefully, prayerfully standing as a witness of Christ in this world. Let us proudly carry the banner of Christian most importantly on our hearts, minds and souls. Not a mere outward banner but more importantly an inner banner that manifests itself in thought, word and deed. Our eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet; every part of our being is subject to the curse of sin in our natural realm; however, our eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet; every part of our being is subject to the blessing and grace of salvation in our supernatural realm. Prayer is a chann...