Articles For Heart Mind Soul

Day 12: Luke 14‐19   Here, Scripture focuses on the Kingdom of God. We are told that to be a disciple requires total dedication to the Kingdom; living Kingdom values requires attention to the poor; the Kingdom belongs to those with a total trust in God the Father; the Kingdom has everything to do with God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. Reflect on how well you are living Kingdom values. What are your areas of strength? How can you do better?

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2010 ( CNA ).- After the Angelus on Sunday, the Holy Father directed his words to the population of Chile and victims of its massive earthquake. He prayed that quake victims receive relief and courage from God. "My thought also goes to Chile and to the population hit by the earthquake," Pope Benedict XVI said. Chile was hit by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake very early on Saturday morning, at a strength 500 times that of the January earthquake in Haiti. At least 214 deaths have been confirmed and the government estimates millions of people are without homes. "I pray for the victims and am spiritually close to the people tested by such a grave calamity; for these I implore from God relief from the suffering and courage in this adversity," the Holy Father said at St. Peter’s Square. He assured victims of the support of the Church, adding "I'm sure that there will be no lack of solidarity of many, especially ecclesial organizati...

A Blessing of the Cars will be done by Father Jim Fischler on Sunday, March 21 after the 11 o'clock Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church parking lot. The church is located at 307 E. Losoya. Buy a decal from any Catholic Daughter of the Americas (CDA) or Junior CDA (JDCA) and place it on your vehicle's front windshield before the blessing. The decal reads: " Lord Guide Our Path ". The funds raised will be used for scholarship and other benevolent projects for CDA/JDCA throughout the year. For more information about the car blessing and decal, contact Martha Sandoval at 774-2242; Orie Gonzalaz at 734-1100; or Anna Chapman at 774-7081.

Father Leo Patalinghug joins the director of CatholicTV , Father Robert Reed for " Grace Before Meals ". Grace Before Meals is centered on one fundamental concept: the simple act of creating and sharing a meal can strengthen all kinds of relationships. Founded by Fr. Leo Patalinghug in 2003, Grace Before Meals has grown from a simple idea to a worldwide movement, producing a book , blog and even a pilot for a TV show endorsed by PBS . Research shows that having frequent family dinners can reduce the susceptibility of teens to risks like teen pregnancy, smoking, drug use and depression. Stronger families foster stronger communities, and that’s the goal we’re striving for–one meal at a time.

Day 11: Luke 10‐13         Jesus told Martha that she worries about too many things; and that her sister Mary, in choosing to sit at the feet of the Lord and listen to his teachings, had chosen the better part. How much time do you spend at the feet of the Lord? Could you do better?

The Turner Classic Movies (TCM) network is featuring 31 Days of Oscar. The Nun’s Story was broadcast on Saturday, February 27. The Nun's Story (1959) is an unforgettable revelation of the seldom-seen world behind convent walls. Audrey Hepburn portrays Sister Luke, a nun whose life journey leads her to a much desired position as a surgical nurse in a Belgian Congo missionary hospital. After she returns to her native Belgium, World War II breaks out and she finds her commitment seriously tested -- torn between the pull of the Resistance and the church's neutrality. Directed by four-time Academy Award winner Fred Zinnemann, The Nun's Story earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Sent by her religious community to be a nurse in the Belgian Congo, a young nun (Audrey Hepburn) resists her feelings of love for the doctor (Peter Finch) with whom she works, returns to Belgium and, after struggling with the routine of convent life, leaves for the world b...

Washington D.C., Feb 27, 2010 ( CNA ).- In his fourth and most likely final book on Mother Angelica , noted author and EWTN news anchor Raymond Arroyo highlights some of the devotions and prayers of the 86-year-old nun, many of which are borne from her personal sufferings. In an exclusive interview with CNA, Arroyo spoke about his motivation behind writing the new book and detailed some of the lesser known facts surrounding Mother Angelica's early life, including her painful disability and being raised in an impoverished, broken home. Mother Angelica, he said, is “no stranger to pain.” “ The Prayers and Personal Devotions of Mother Angelica ,” is set to be released on March 2 and contains not only meditations and prayers written by Mother Angelica but traditional favorites of hers as well. According to Arroyo, readers will be able to “'listen in' on her private, and very human, conversations with God.” Explaining how he came up with idea for his latest book, Arroyo...

Day 10: Luke 5‐9   This section of Luke’s Gospel is dedicated to the idea of discipleship: from the call of the first disciples, to the selection of the 12, to the women who accompany Jesus and provide for Him, to the commissioning of the 12 to proclaim the Kingdom of God, and to cure the sick. Are you prepared, no matter how unworthy you might feel, to follow Jesus, to leave behind boats and nets and careers for the sake of being His disciple? Are you prepared to offer up what you have of yourself for the sake of the mission of making sure that “the poor have the good news proclaimed to them?”

Day 9: Luke 1‐4         These stories of Jesus’ infancy and childhood point to the fact that, from the very beginning, the stage was set for Jesus to be extraordinary. The lessons that Jesus learned as He grew up prepared Him to move forward with His ministry. At His baptism, He heard a voice say, “You are my beloved Son, with you I am well pleased.” Looking back over your own life, can you see signs and hints of the extraordinary things that God has planned for you? Are you ready to respond to the call of the Father who tells you that you are in fact His beloved and He finds great pleasure in you?

Day 8: Mark 12‐16 When questioned by the Scribes on which commandment of the law is the greatest, Jesus reduced the entire law to two: love God with everything that you are, and love your neighbor as yourself. Not long after uttering these words, Jesus showed the length He would go to live them out through his passion and death. Upon seeing the way in which he did this, even the Roman centurion cries out, “Truly this man was the Son of God!” Does your life exemplify this dual command enough that others around you recognize it and declare that you too are a child of God, committed to loving God with everything you are, and your neighbor as yourself?

What is a Snow Flurry? Snow flurries are the lightest form of snow precipitation. Another way to think of it would be the wintertime equivalent of drizzle, but in frozen form. Snow flurries are often brief in duration, and very light. Rarely will snow flurries cause any type of accumulation. It is also sometimes referred to as a light snow shower, and is classified as snow that meets the visibility requirements for light intensity snowfall. Read more at Suite101: All About Snow Flurries, Showers and Squalls: Definitions and Classifications of These Different Snowfall Events http://meteorologyclimatology.suite101.com/article.cfm/all_about_snow_flurries_showers_and_squalls#ixzz0gUiGxCvV

Day 7: Mark 7‐11 The disciples show how easy it is to get caught up in the wonderful things that come from being with Jesus and seeing all things transfigured by the light of grace in a way that can lead to grandiosity. Yet Jesus reminds us that His way is the way of humility, the way of children, and the way of the cross. In your own life, how do you keep yourself in touch with the costs of discipleship while maintaining an attitude of humble and willing service?

Day 6: Mark 1‐6         Throughout these five chapters, Mark shows Jesus as being very active in reaching out to those around Him who were hurting or marginalized. He frees those who are bound in any way. He is of and with the common people. Yet this same Jesus of community is pictured in Mark 1:35 as going off “very early, before dawn” to pray alone. In your own life, how do you find a balance between the activity that comes with living your particular vocation and the need for quiet prayerful reflection?

Day 5: Matthew 25‐28 Jesus told his disciples the Parable of the Talents. In what ways have you put your talents to work? With which of the three servants do you identify the most? Why?

DE MARTES A JUEVES IGLESIA NUESTRA SENORA DE GUADALUPE DESPUES DE MISA DE 6:00 p.m. PARA JOVENES Y ADULTOS

The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, Just remember... Noah was a drunk Abraham was too old Isaac was a daydreamer Jacob was a liar Leah was ugly Joseph was abused Moses had a stuttering problem Gideon was afraid Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ The Disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced … more than once Zaccheus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had an ulcer... AND Lazarus was dead! No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential! Besides you aren't the message, you are JUST THE MESSENGER. God bless you and those you are loving and thinking of. God has placed them on your he...

Day 4: Matthew 19‐24 One of the Pharisees (a scholar of the law) tested Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus’ response reveals the two great commandments of love. What does it mean to you to love God with your whole heart, soul, and mind? What do you do to demonstrate that love?

Our Lady of Guadalupe Church presents: MARTIN VAL VERDE February 26, 2010   Del Rio Civic Center - Pecan Ballroom Pre-Sale tickets $10 (ten dollars) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Office 505 Cuellar Street Del Rio, Texas Tickets at the door $12 (twelve dollars) BELLA DAMA  MARTIN VALVERDE VIVIR EL HOY MARTIN VALVERDE Encuentra más videos como éste en Oraciones Catolicas

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends! This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a lon...

Day 3: Matthew 13‐18     Jesus used different methods to convey His message of the present reality of God’s Kingdom, including the unique form of storytelling known as parables. The Parable of the Sower suggests different kinds of soil. How can you cultivate your own soil so that the seed of God’s Word can grow in you?

Tuesday, March 2, is Election Day, and Early Voting has begun and continues through Friday, Feb. 26! Please get out and vote. Your vote will make a critical difference! We cannot protect innocent human life without pro-life elected officials at every level of government. We need your help. Early Voting: through Friday, Feb. 26 Election Day Voting: Tuesday, March 2 Polls Open on Election Day: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Precinct Conventions: March 2 after 7 p.m. VOTE TWICE! Attend your party's precinct convention after 7 p.m. on Primary Election Day, March 2 (check at your polling place for time and location). Bring your pro-life friends and pass a pro-life resolution like one below. Sample Resolution (you can print out this resolution to propose at your precinct convention): Resolution Against Planned Parenthood WHEREAS, Planned Parenthood is the nation's leading abortion performer and promoter, We urge all federal, state, and local elected officials and other co...

Day 2: Matthew 8‐12 This section of Scripture draws a portrait of Jesus, the miracle worker and healer, through different stories. With which story do you most identify? Why?

Experiencing Jesus A Lenten Reflection with Luke on the Road to Christian Discipleship St. Joseph Catholic Church , Del Rio, Texas Saturday and Sunday, March 6 and 7, 2010 At all of the liturgies for the third Sunday of Lent, we will explore the very meaning of the Lenten season. We will consider the path of our Christian discipleship embracing our ability to recognize Jesus as the revelation of God’s perfect love for us. As Moses led his people from slavery to freedom, so will Jesus Christ lead us to the liberating experience of God’s love. Monday, March 8, 2010 “He came to Nazareth where he had been reared . . .” Luke 4:16-30 We will explore the Biblical word which Jesus claims for Himself which designates His work as that of the Messiah. We will discover more clearly His call and therefore also our call to be Messianic people, a new Israel, formed at the hands of Jesus Himself and then sent on a mission. This is the place and the manner that the Church waits for its Lord...

You Will Be My Witnesses : A Pastoral Letter to the People of God of San Antonio on the Christian Mission to Evangelize and Proclaim Jesus Christ The Most Reverend José H. Gomez, S.T.D., Archbishop of San Antonio

Day 1: Matthew 1‐7 On the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes some of the qualities of being a disciple — a follower of Jesus. The Apostles John, James, Peter, and Andrew responded to Jesus’ call as His first followers. In what ways do you respond to Jesus’ call today?

Sacred Heart Catholic Church 307 E. Losoya Street 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 6:30p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church 510 Wernett Street 6:30 a.m., 12:00 noon, 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m. Our Lady of Guadalupe Church 509 W. Garza Street 12:00 noon Study Center – 5:00 p.m.

Lent is a time of reconciliation. Lent is a time when we make space in our lives to think about our relationship with our heavenly Father and the ways in which we are responding or failing to respond to his love and care for us. One of the principle stumbling blocks we face in making a constructive and creative response is that we often have a distorted image of God. Such distortions have their origins in a variety of sources. We may have been given certain impressions of God from our parents or teachers which have remained with us in adult life. We may have had difficulty coping with a crisis and feel that we were abandoned by God at that time. We may have found it difficult to cope with changes in our life and in the Church, and feel lost and distanced from the God we thought we knew. We may have had a bad experience with a priest, a fellow Christian or a Church organization which has made us question the God of the Catholic Church. We may in fact, have no feelings of...

O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided by your Providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of the States, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen

Almighty God, grant we beseech You, that we who celebrate the glorious martyrdom of Saint Valentine, Your servant, may by his intercession be filled with the love of God and neighbor and be delivered from all the evils that threaten us. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Day in the Life of Nuns Video Overnight at a Convent Nuns on the Importance of Silence and Reflection Imagine if you were asked to give up your career, possessions, sex life and the possibility of ever having children. It's a way of life many women worldwide gladly accept in order to serve God. There are more than 60,000 Catholic nuns in the United States, with 750,000 worldwide. As nuns, sisters take three strict vows: chastity, poverty and obedience to God and their church. Nuns believe they are married to Jesus Christ, and some wear wedding rings to symbolize their devotion. Their traditional clothing is called a habit, which consists of a white cap, veil and long tunic. Nuns consider this their wedding dress. Not all nuns live the same lifestyle. Cloistered nuns rarely leave the confines of their monastery and pray up to 12 hours a day. Some sisters choose an independent path, which means they live alone, go to college, pursue careers and don't wear a habit...