Tell God

11-28-2021The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

Francois Fenelon, a seventeenth century Roman Catholic writer said this about prayer:

"Tell God all that is on your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend.

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Hearts of Love & Humanity

11-28-2021Gospel Meditation© LPi

Staying awake can often be a challenge, especially when we are exhausted. Life’s demands have a way of zapping every last bit of energy out of us. When we are tired it affects us not only physically, but psychologically and spiritually as well. All of our senses are dulled and diminished. We can overlook details, become disinterested, lethargic and apathetic, and detached. Getting sufficient physical rest only helps so much. We need to be rejuvenated, refreshed, and reenergized in other ways.

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Share Your God Story

11-28-2021Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” (Luke 21:28)

We celebrate Advent each year in preparation for the birth of Jesus, His first coming, as we await His second coming. What will you do differently this Advent season to grow in friendship and love with Jesus? How will you inspire others to do the same? Start by sharing your God story with others, especially those closest to you. Invite and accompany them on their faith journey this Advent.

"And it came to pass"

11-21-2021The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

During a parish Adult Formation Class in Washington, D.C. the question was asked, "In your time of discouragement, what is your favorite Scripture passage?"

A young man said, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" Psalm 23:1. A middle age woman said, "God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1. Another woman said, "In this world you shall have tribulations, but be of good cheer, I have overcome this world" John 16:33-35.

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Work for the Eternal Kingdom

11-21-2021Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

"Jesus answered, My kingdom does not belong to this world." – John 18:36

Life is short. How much time, energy and money do you put into building “your” kingdom here on earth? We all know we can’t take it with us. The real kingdom is in the next life. Yet, how much time, energy and money do you invest in working for that eternal kingdom? Ask God for His guidance. Detach from earthly possessions. Generously share your material goods with others for the greater glory of God.

More to Come

11-21-2021Gospel Meditation© LPi

We often come to life expecting all of the pieces of the puzzle to nicely fit together. We want and expect harmony, order, and fairness, the achievement of rewards for good behavior, good health, and happiness. We can more easily accept death when it comes naturally after a good long life, but have a real difficulty comprehending the meaning of it all when it is cut short. Willing to put in a good measure of effort, we desire positive results. When things go wrong and life gets hurtful, unjust, and downright ugly, we become unsettled and can quickly fall into despair. This is especially true if we are people of faith who believe in a God who sees things on our terms and works in favor of our life agenda. What happens to our faith when we find ourselves sitting in a mess?

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He Seeks Us Out in Love

11-14-2021Gospel Meditation© LPi

“And then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory.” Take a moment to ponder these words from today’s Gospel. How does this image make you feel? For people to truly understand the significance of this message, something profound has to happen within. If we find ourselves reacting with a sense of dread or fear, we have to step back and ask why.

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What Have You Done with your Gifts?

11-14-2021Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“And then they will see ‘the son of Man coming in the clouds’ with great power and glory.” – Mark 13:26

We will all have that day when we are standing before God and our life is played out like a movie. When this happens and God asks each of us, “What have you done with the gifts that I have given you?” How will you respond? The good news it’s never too late to live and grateful and generous lifestyle.

Peace of Mind

11-14-2021The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

Catholic University of America did a study on “peace of mind.” The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness. Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:

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From Your "First Fruits" or From the "Left Over"?

11-07-2021Everyday Stewardship - Recognize God in Your Ordinary Moments

“I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.” (Mark 12:43-44)

Jesus gets right to the point we are all called to give money to support the mission of the church, regardless of our circumstance. No gift is too small or insignificant! Giving money to support the mission of our local parish is a matter of our faith, just like praying and participating in parish ministries. When you make a financial offering, is it from “first fruits” or from what is “left over”?

Live Authentically and Walk with Holiness

11-07-2021Gospel Meditation© LPi

On December 10, 1979, a very petite holy woman known as Mother Teresa of Calcutta spoke these words in her Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, “But I am sure in the families and many of our homes, maybe we are not hungry for a piece of bread, but maybe there is somebody there in the family who is unwanted, unloved, uncared, forgotten, there isn’t love. Love begins at home. And love to be true has to hurt."

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Don't Worry about the "What If's"

11-07-2021The Pastor's PenFr. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.

Dear Friend,

Jesus calls us to be people who live in present tense. An average person’s anxiety is focused on:

40% things that will never happen
30% things about the past that can’t be changed
12% things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% about health, which gets worse with stress
8% about real problems that will be faced

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Bernadette Speaks by Laurentin Rene

11-01-2021Book Recommendations

A Life of St. BernadetteSoubirous in Her Own Words

This is a different kind of saint'sbiographyone that reads almostlike a novel. In these pagesBernadette lives again. We followher from birth to death, hearing herspeak, watching her interact,experiencing with her the lifechanging impact of the eighteenapparitions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes.

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