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September 22, 2008

Reading for today:  Proverbs 3:27-34; Gospel, Luke 8:16-18

Dear Friends in Christ,

For those of you receiving this letter of Catholic Fellowship for the first time, we all welcome you.  This is a letter intended to bring Catholic Fellowship to all.  Just remember as we struggle in times of hardship to remember that you have a fellow Catholic that is praying for you with much love.  We grow in numbers each day, close to 40.  Thank you again to all who mail me emails to add to this list.  As Christians are strength lies in united prayer.  Matt. 18:19-20

We need volunteers that can give Debbie from Alabama a hand.  She has volunteered to translate for at least one day the letter into Spanish.  She might do more then one.  But if we can get some one else our Mission can boldly go into Mexico.

Last Friday we left off talking about Listening to God.  I am by  far no expert on the topic so I thought I would share some Scripture that I Borrowed from a book Titled The Charism of Intercession, Hearing God’s Voice,  by Intercessors of the Lamb.  It is a very deep formation program given over 24 week and is centered on the four pillars of contemplative spirituality:  silence, prayer, solitude, and penance.  Each pillar will build on a Trinitarian foundation with the first level founded in the father, the second level founded in the son, and the third level founded in the spirit.  My goal is to just hit the highlights to give you an idea what it is all about.  I like books which are embedded or tied to scripture.  This is one of those books.  Scripture is our guide.  The book talks about prayer as a journey through yourself, a journey that eventually leads to God and  a closeness with Jesus and the Lord. Our guide is Mother Nadine and she stresses that we “seek the mystery of God who created us and lives with in us.” She goes on to add when we seek communication with the Lord on a regular basis, little miracles of love burst all around us.”  I am going to have to agree with that.  Good things have been happening in my life ever since I started praying on a daily basis and not waiting to Sunday.  This communication will eventually lead to a relationship where you will call God friend.  Mother Nadine says as this relationship grows we find that the Lord will follow us and be there for us in our low moments and our high moments.  As we open our selves to Him, in total surrender we let him grow within us.

Mother Nadine recommends that we seek the Lord in a quiet place, she adds, “Each day , there must be a quiet time and a Quiet Place to which we can bring a Quiet Heart in an encounter with our Friend who says, “Be still and  Know that I am God.” Ps 46:10

Entering into Prayer:

1. Find a suitable place to pray-free from distractions.
2. Realizing that the harmony of body and spirit is  important, take a peaceful , relaxed position.
3. Spend a few moments quieting yourself-come into the presence of the Lord, Believe he is with you.
4. Ask for the grace you most desire.
5. Read the scripture passages slowly
6. Pause where you feel drawn
7. Respond with your heart to it.

Recommended scripture:  PS 46:10; Rv 12:14; Hos 2:16; Mk 9:7  Let the scripture be your guide.

We are one body.  One body in Christ and you do not stand alone.

(great song with a lot of meaning.)

 Is Your Faith Like The Tree?

Some Thoughts For Reflection

or

Add Your Thoughts

(See the Picture in The Gallery)

As I look out my window and walk through my Town Home Complex, I see ONE tiny Maple tree all deck out in vibrant red leaves glowing in the morning’s sun?

This one tree has changed its leaves several weeks before the others. It sits alone in its radiant beauty. It is eye-catching and it is glowing. The following questions come to mind in terms of our faith.

• Are we being called by God to grow in our faith so that we too may shine in His Son and be a symbol of beauty to others?
• Do we quietly change yet give some visible sign to others that we are a faith filled person who dares to be different?
• Do we glow in some way as we radiate the love of Our Lord in our lives?
• Is our faith a vibrant part of our daily lives or do we just attend Mass on Sunday and call ourselves Catholic because we fulfilled our obligation?

As difficult as it is, we as Christians and especially as Catholics, are called to grow in our faith, change daily as we grow closer to God and follow Jesus, radiate the love of Our Lord in our day to day lives, and be vibrant in our faith.

Are we like this tiny little Maple as it appears today or are we more like the trees of winter that appear dead, dormant and blend in with landscape?

Contributed by Carol S. (Serenity)

Catholic America Today Just accepted a new writer from the Midwest, extend a welcome to Carol, she hails from Minn.  I will introduce her more formerly next week.  Remember I try to be online to talk to you all at catholicamericatoday.net  at 7:00pm Pacific Standard time…

 registration is free at Catholic America Today until October.  Seeing is believing….

Pray for the following brothers and sisters,  (if you want your name used, just let us know)

For St. Thomas Aquinas in Las Vegas that they may find their funding,

For a sister in New Mexico who has a son in Iraq,

For two priests in Illinois that have lost their way,

For the sister in Illinois that she may graduate,

For the brother who is lonely in California,

For the sister who has a daughter in Illinois and wants her to be safe,

For the brother who prays that all his problems may be resolved,

For a woman who has children in Indiana and a beautiful son Nick, we pray for her, that she have strength and that she find peace and comfort soon,

For my friend Danny that he may find a kidney doner and make a complete recovery.

For the soul of my father and that my sister and mother may be at peace,

For My Uncle who passed away on Wednesday and my family,

For a sister in Rancho Palos Verdes California who is baring a huge financial burden to help her mother,

For a brother who is suffering depression that he may seek relief in the Lord,

For those suffering in Texas and all the gulf states that they may find peace and protection from the elements,

For all Americans that are hurting financially, may they find comfort in our prayers,

For a girl, Paloma, in Mexico who suffers greatly, please heal her Lord.

For My Auntie Wilma and her family, may their sorrow be wiped away,

For Kathy M, one of our writers, who is laid up and can not work, we pray for her recovery,

 We ask all our brothers and sisters through out America, this great country of ours to pray for us,

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