Articles For Heart Mind Soul

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

Gratitude is called the rarest flower in the garden of virtues. Gratitude is the response of those who humbly and readily acknowledge the good that others have done for them. Gratitude protects us from thinking that the world always owes us something. Christ lamented that only one of the ten lepers he cured returned to express thanks. “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?” Christ tells the thankful leper: “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you”. (Luke 17:17) Only this one grateful leper was cured not only in body but also in heart, mind, and soul. This story poignantly points out the message and the value of genuine gratitude, which is holistically healing. Not having to struggle for daily survival can pave the path to presumption. If we have everything we need and want today; why not also tomorrow, and the day after and throughout our life? A cocoon of living in our comfort zone makes us forget that all good things come from God’s provide

Countdown to adding up: Archbishop leading 2010 Census efforts, Archbishop underscores confidentiality of data Today’s Catholic – November 20, 2009 Serving the Archdiocese of San Antonio http://www.satodayscatholic.com/Census2010.aspx Archbishop José H. Gomez urged historically underrepresented groups, such as the homeless, Spanish-speaking, economically disadvantaged and non US citizens, to complete the Census form. Obtaining funding for healthcare and other services used by these hard-to-reach populations will directly add to their quality of life. In addition, Archbishop Gomez underscored the confidentiality of the data collected on the Census form, ensuring that it is unlawful to report the information to other government agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I encourage each individual to be assured that the information gathered through the Census will remain confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share your answers with anyone,” said the

Curtis Stephan & Band Father Juan A. Puigbo, Director of Sol Vocational Institute Carmen Briceno, Director of Youth Ministry for Sol Vocational Institute   Today’s Catholic – November 20, 2009 Serving the Archdiocese of San Antonio http://www.satodayscatholic.com/YoungAdults.aspx DEL RIO • St. Joseph Parish, in coordination with Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Guadalupe churches, is hosting a youth mission and concert December 2-4 in order to reach teens through the new evangelization. On Tuesday, December 2, and Wednesday, December 3, talks for the youth will be held at 7 p.m. each evening in the St. Joseph’s Parish Hall at 510 Wernett St. The presentations will be given by representatives of the Sol Vocational Institute (SVI) from Washington, D.C. The (SVI) is a ministry of the Diocesan Laborer Priests, whose goal is to accompany the processes of vocational discernment of teenagers and young adults through workshops, encounters, retreats and celebrations. A sp

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth Street NE, Washington DC 20017-1194 202-541-3103, Fax 202-541-3166 U.S. House Keeps Abortion Funding Out of Health Care Reform Tell Senators: Follow the House’s Lead on Removing Abortion Funding Protect Conscience Rights Ensure Affordable Health Coverage Allow Immigrants to Purchase Private Health Insurance As long-time advocates of health care reform, the U.S. Catholic bishops continue to make the moral case for genuine health care reform that will protect the life, dignity, consciences and health of all, especially the poor and vulnerable. On November 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed major health care reform that reaffirms the essential, longstanding and widely supported policy against using federal funds for elective abortion coverage. It is critical that the Senate adopt the House-approved Stupak Amendment language on this issue. This Amendment ensures that Americans are not forced to pay for the d

Manners are both a blessing and a challenge. Manners can differ and evolve, but the gospel doesn’t change. The mandate of Jesus is clear: We must treat one another with mercy and love. We can view courtesy as a sign that what we are doing is what Jesus would have us do. Being true to our Christian calling, the world around us would be a kinder, gentler place. Despite the gospel call to kindness, some view good manners and rules of etiquette as unreal, restrictive and even dishonest. But what is so real, liberating and honest about being bad mannered, discourteous, impolite and uncivil. Has civility, courtesy and good manners disappeared from society? Has it become an ancient relic of days gone by, of yesteryear’s way of being, of times past; an antiqued, fanciful way of being that no longer exists in this fast paced world that is harsh and cruel? Curse words; swear words, profanity and vulgar language seem to be the accepted mood of communication that glibly fills our

Education for Justice - Center of Conern http://www.educationforjustice.org/resources/prayer-veterans-day By: Jane Deren Take time to pray for all those who have generously served their country. We ask for blessings on all those who have served their country in the armed forces. We ask for healing for the veterans who have been wounded, in body and soul, in conflicts around the globe. We pray especially for the young men and women, in the thousands, who are coming home from Iraq with injured bodies and traumatized spirits. Bring solace to them, O Lord; may we pray for them when they cannot pray. We ask for, echoing John Paul II, an end to wars and the dawning of a new era of peace, as a way to honor all the veterans of past wars. Have mercy on all our veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq; bring peace to their hearts and peace to the regions they fought in. Bless all the soldiers who served in non-combative posts; may their calling to service c

Today’s Catholic Newspaper, San Antonio, Texas – November 6, 2009 – www.satodayscatholic.org  & Sisters of Divine Providence, San Antonio, Texas - http://www.cdptexas.org While some build fences, the Sisters of Divine Providence (CDP) build community. On the second weekend of September, sixteen (16) CDPs met in Cuidad Acuña, México on the U.S. – México border across from Del Rio, TX to gather in community and to bring together all the women in initial formation. The gathering was an event of community, friendship, support and fun. Seven women in formation had time to share stories, prayer, song and a very special trip to Amistad Dam. The word “Amistad” means “Friendship”. What a special location to express the bonds of ‘friendship’ and community as the new Sisters held hands across the actual border to express our unity and community bonds. “We hope to grow in love and spirit as we minister to those in need,” stated Sister Elsa Garcia, vocation director. The CD

Tell Congress: Remove Abortion Funding & Mandates from Needed Health Care Reform Congress is preparing to debate health care reform legislation on the House and Senate floors. Genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death. The U.S. bishops’ conference has concluded that all committee approved bills are seriously deficient on the issues of abortion and conscience, and do not provide adequate access to health care for immigrants and the poor. The bills will have to change or the bishops have pledged to oppose them. Our nation is at a crossroads. Policies adopted in health care reform will have an impact for good or ill for years to come. None of the bills retains longstanding current policies against abortion funding or abortion coverage mandates, and none fully protects conscience rights in health care. As the U.S. bishops’ letter of October 8 states: “No one should be required to pay

When we make the commitment, God will provide every ounce of grace that we will need to answer His call. By the grace of God the fall campaign of 40 Days for Life from September 23 – November 1, 2009 has concluded and come to the end. We each are given a special grace so that we can better address the issue of life. Because we are each called to play our own particular role in this effort, that grace varies from person to person, and thus the experience also differs. The courage to choose life is the power and purpose of God, Our Father's choice. We are in the midst of a spiritual battle and we must pray more powerfully and fast more faithfully. We have prayed the 40 Days for Life Daily Devotionals and it has changed more lives, softened more hearts, and given hope to more people. The power of prayer is very real! Christ forgives and Christ heals. Our presence in prayer really does make a difference! Embracing Jesus' work on the cross, His grace th