Saint John XXIII

I found this many years ago and try to read it in the morning. It seems do-able if I only have to do it for today;)

Saint John XXIII Decalog for Daily living

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.
8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.

To conclude: here is an all-embracing resolution: "I want to be kind, today and always, to everyone."

Saint John XXIII, pray for us!

You are cordially invited

to the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation on May 22 at 7p at Our Lady Of Fatima Catholic Church in Alcoa, TN.

 

We would love to have you join us as we celebrate Rachel's and Zachary's confirmation into the Catholic faith by Bishop Richard Stika.

 

Could you please keep them both in your prayers as they prepare to receive this holy sacrament.

 

 

Blessed Jose Luis del Rio Sanchez, pray for us!

Saint Joan of Arc, pray for us!



For the sake of his sorrowful passion

have mercy on us and on the whole world

 

If you would like a craft...go to Catholic Icing and check out Lacy's ideas and printout

On Good Friday

I wanted to post a few pictures of the Living Stations of the Cross that Emily and Zachary participated in last Friday. They were very moving. We are lucky to have a wonderful woman as part of our homeschool group who directs these stations each year. She is fantastic in her ability to work with the kids and she is an excellent director. The children who participated were from the Our Lady of Perpetual Help homeschool group and St. John Neumann school.

 

Each station began with a scripture reading. This was followed by instrumental music while the participants prayerfully acted out the scene. When the music stopped, the actors froze while a prayer was read by the congregation and another by the narrator.

 

The kids met every week for 5 weeks to prepare. Emily was St. Batholomew and one of the women of Jerusalem. Zachary was very privileged to be chosen to portray Jesus.

 

Jesus falls the first time

Jesus meets his mother

Jesus is nailed to the cross

 

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,

because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Salve et Deo Gratias - Francis!

Hello Holy Father! It's so wonderful to meet you!

 

We love you already, you will always be in our prayers!

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory Be...

Good Bye

Just tears, no words

"Live" blogging the Cardinal's send-off

11:05 We are leaving home headed for the airport. All of us are excited.

11:20 Arrive and park. You just can't believe how awesomely small this airport is.

11:25 Arrive in terminal, meet up with Jeff,  and unroll our poster. A very nice gentleman gives us the rundown on what will be happening and directs us over near the ticket counter.

11:27 Realize that I left the memory card for the camera in the computer at home because I just HAD to put previous picture up before we left. Frowny-face.

11:30 Get ourselves in a prime spot to cheer and wave. Excitement builds as more people are arriving and more news crews and reporters (!).

11:35 Beth and kids arrive to join the celebration. Waiting and watching continues.

11:45 Cardinal Rigali's car pulls in front of the terminal. Lots of excitement and cheering.
He enters the building and greets the crowd warmly. Stops to talk with Knox Catholic HS students.
Greets others, then comes to talk to us. He was sure to talk with and bless each one of the children. So wonderful!

11:50 While the Cardinal is checking in at the ticket counter, we move down the terminal to join the others already lining the walkway.

12:00 Here he comes. Everyone is clapping. He greets, speaks with, shakes hands with those who have come to send him off and comments on how great it is to have all these prayers going with him.
He stops to talk to the kids again.

12:15 Cardinal gets to the security line and gives a farewell wave. Crowd cheers and claps again.
The news crews are busy filming, interviewing, taking pictures. Scott gets pulled aside by Channel 6 news and interviewed. He rocked it. (Plus he looked great:) We will have to wait and see what they put on the news.

12:25 Mom calls Dad. He tells her he saw us on the noon news.

1:15 It's over. I can't believe it. He is on his way and we feel like we are part of it all! We just got home and I am still shaking with excitement.

I guess I'll have to post pictures later. I am hoping that I can get some emailed to me.

In the meantime see if you  recognize any of these people:)  (click on blue words)

UPDATE: pictures coming in, but this is from the news...check out pictures in article...

Great Joy!

We are having an exciting time here as Catholics in East Tennessee.

Our diocese is home to Cardinal Justin Rigali, the retired Archbishop of Philadelphia.
We were so excited to be able to go to Mass on Sunday, where he was celebrating, as a kind of send-off as he is leaving for THE CONCLAVE TODAY!!!

We will be joining Catholics from all over the diocese at the airport today to show our support and send him off with our prayers to Vatican City to elect our new Holy Father. (Can you say once in a lifetime opportunity?) We are getting ready to leave so I'll update later...

If I were to meet Pope Benedict XVI

If I had the chance to meet our Holy Father, I have a few things I would like to say.

Like:
Your Holiness (can I call him that?),

 I'm sorry I didn't cry tears of joy when I heard your name announced as JPII's successor. I wish I had. I didn't know you then. (I cried tears of sadness on Monday morning, after hearing the news of your abdication)
 I did however rings bells when your plane touched down on your visit to the US. I still carry it in my jacket pocket. It will probably always stay there.

Thank you for your spiritual direction, your example, your gentle suggestions, your wisdom. I will forever carry your words in my heart.

May God reward you for your humility and courage. I can only imagine that this has been a difficult time for you. I pray you get some much needed rest, but please let us know how you are doing. We would love to hear from you, and will be waiting to hear from you.

I love you.


There are several prayers circulating for the Holy Father, his successor, the church.
These are some I have seen:

Prayers for Benedict XVI
Pro Pontifice

V. Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff, Benedict XVI.
R. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make
him blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will
of his enemies.

Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon thy servant Benedict XVI,
our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to thy loving-kindness, in
the way of eternal salvation; that, of thy gift, he may ever desire that
which is pleasing unto thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through
Christ our Lord. Amen. (Collection of Indulgences)
  ­­­­­­­­­­­­­

In Thanksgiving
O God, who in your wondrous providence chose your servant Pope Benedict XVI
to preside over your Church, we give you most hearty thanks for the years
of his faithful service, praying that, after having served as the Vicar of your
Son on earth, he may enjoy your abundant blessing in this life and, at life’s end, be received
by your Son into eternal glory. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


For the Election of a Pope
 O God, eternal Shepherd, who govern your flock with unfailing care,
grant in your boundless fatherly love a pastor for your Church
who will please you by his holiness and to us show watchful care.
 Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,  who lives and reigns
with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.


For the Newly Elected Pope
O God, who in your providential design
willed that your Church be built
upon blessed Peter, whom you set over the other apostles,
look with favor, we pray, on N. our Pope,
and grant that he, whom you have made Peter’s successor,
may be for your people a visible source and foundation
of unity in faith and of communion.
 Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.


O God, Shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,
Look favorably on your servant N,
whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;
 grant, we pray, that, by word and example,
he may be of service to those over whom he presides
so that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,
he may come to everlasting life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.
                                      
--From new Roman Missal


I have also seen a novena for Pope Benedict and the Papacy

Will you join me in praying for our beloved Holy Father and his successor?