Saint Juliana Falconieri (June 19)

Saint Juliana Falconieri, Patron Saint of Sick People and Sickness, became the first covent the Sisters of the Third Order of Servites. Please pray for all those who suffered from disease and sickness and let them find relief. We ask this of you Lord, Amen.

                                                          Alex S.

St. Juliana Falconieri's body, exhumed incorrupt, now rests in a glass shrine dedicated to her honor in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Florence, Italy; a fitting resting place for a holy woman who throughout her life, and with her blessed death, proclaimed the miraculous love of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.  Read more about Saint Juliana HERE

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

The Rosary helps us to pray to Jesus through Mary. The four sets of  mysteries, are prayed on the following days":

 

Joyful Mysteries -  Monday & Saturday

Sorrowful Mysteries - Tuesday & Friday

Glorious Mysteries - Wednesday & Sunday

Luminous Mysteries - Thursday

 

The Joyful Mysteries are:  

1. The Annunciation - Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
2. The Visitation - Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
3. The Nativity - Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
4. The Presentation - Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple - Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Loyola Press is the source for this post, and guide to praying the rosary.   

 

Saint Anthony of Padua (June 7)

St. Anthony of Padua, Patron Saint of all things that are lost, found God in his life. God, please help all people who have something or someone vital to their well-being, please help these people find these lost items so their life may be restored. We pray this through, Christ, our Lord, Amen.

                                                 Patrick

Read more about St. Anthony HERE

Saint Bede the Venerable (May 25)

For St. Bede the Venerable, may he watch over young scholars and pass on the great knowledge he possesses to these pupils. We pray to the lord.

                                      Justin

St. Bede's Church History has earned him the title of “Father of English History.” It is a plain unadorned chronicle ; but that the author was thoroughly honest and most painstaking is evident to any reader. Saint Bede was famous not only for his rare learning, but still more so for the holiness of his life. The account of his death (A.D. 735), which took place on Ascension Eve, written by one of his pupils, is touching in its loving simplicity. Bede’s last words were “Gloria Patri et Filio et Spiritni Sancto.”  

Source: http://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-bede/ 

Amnesty International Day (May 28, 2015)

Saint Paul the Apostle (June 29)

Saint Paul is the patron saint of authors so in his spirit let us pray for all the authors in the world that they may publish true and good facts.  Also, that they never publish a hurtful lie.  Lord watch over all the writers of the world. Amen.

                                                           Paul J.

Today's Human Rights Watch Daily Brief (May 5, 2015) is filled with reports of chaos and innocent people in dire circumstances around the globe who need a voice: "Burundi protests; "unthinkable atrocities" in Syria; Boko Haram's survivors; therapy for LGBT youth; Azerbaijan crackdown; Tunisian journalists lost to Libya; fresh debate over police force in US; child trafficking in India; Qatar cover-up?; Big Brother in China; EU migrant crisis...". All of this in one day! So much of humanity is in crisis, nationally and internationally.  In the case of ancient conflicts and civil wars, it may seem impossible to know who is on the right side. When in doubt, pray that we ourselves will be instruments in God's hands to be used for the greatest good and that we might have the courage of St. Paul to speak out against violations of human rights and the strength to unite our brothers and sisters in love.

This is a good week to think about how what we read, write, and broadcast is consistent with God's will.  We are called to not only believe, but to follow.  Like the disciples who spread the Word of Christ's love, we may be called to help the oppressed.  We must also take care to vet propaganda with education and not be used for the wrong purpose. We can use our God-given talents and all of the tools at our disposal to help others, but we must first arm ourselves with Faith, Hope, Love, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude & Justice, without which we will be unequipped to deal with daunting tasks God might have in store for us.   

8 Days of Greatness in memory of Brogan, and ...

A Pop Quiz (from 6th grade)

Which three of the following are among the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit...

1. passion,
2. gratitude,
3. generosity,
4. kindness,
5. remembrance,
6. love,
7. celebration, and
8. selflessness

Bonus: Name the remaining six gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Answer:
St. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, gave nine biblically-based fruits of the Holy Spirit:
“love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Source of map: St. Gregory Parish

Ascension Thursday (May 14, 2015)

The week of Ascension Thursday (5/14) is reserved for reflection on the glory of Christ's Resurrection following His Passion of the Cross.  Students and families are invited to share inspiration/meditation that focuses on the significance of this Holy Day. These resources may be included in the inspirational links at the right of the blog.

"On Ascension Day, we are called to "go up"—to find higher ground—not to escape Earth's crises, but to gain a vision and mission that is larger than ourselves or our communities. We don't need to look to the heavens to find inspiration. The ever-present God is right here, giving us all the guidance and inspiration we need, if we but look beyond ourselves. Our mission is here—to heal, to embrace, to welcome, and to love. We don't need to wait for a far off day of perfection and rapture. If God is always with us, then right here and now can be the day of transformation and fulfillment."  -- Bruce Epperly   Read more

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Today's Human Rights Watch Daily Brief (May 5, 2015) is filled with reports of chaos and innocent people in dire circumstances around the globe who need a voice: "Burundi protests; "unthinkable atrocities" in Syria; Boko Haram's survivors; therapy for LGBT youth; Azerbaijan crackdown; Tunisian journalists lost to Libya; fresh debate over police force in US; child trafficking in India; Qatar cover-up?; Big Brother in China; EU migrant crisis...". All of this in one day! So much of humanity is in crisis, nationally and internationally.  In the case of ancient conflicts and civil wars, it may seem impossible to know who is on the right side. When in doubt, pray that we ourselves will be instruments in God's hands to be used for the greatest good and that we might have the courage of St. Paul to speak out against violations of human rights and the strength to unite our brothers and sisters in love.

This is a good week to think about how what we read, write, and broadcast is consistent with God's will.  We are called to not only believe, but to follow.  Like the disciples who spread the Word of Christ's love, we may be called to help the oppressed.  We must also take care to vet propaganda with education and not be used for the wrong purpose. We can use our God-given talents and all of the tools at our disposal to help others, but we must first arm ourselves with Faith, Hope, Love, Temperance, Prudence, Fortitude & Justice, without which we will be unequipped to deal with daunting tasks God might have in store for us.