Lent - A Journey

Hello again,

I am back To blogging and sharing with you from a bit of suffering resulting from a shoulder injury. I will focus these Lenten reflections on aspects of Luke 8:14,"As for the seed that fell among thorns, they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along, they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life, and they fail to produce mature fruit."

My prayer for this Lent is that God helps me to identify the major thorns in my life and then sends the Holy Spirit to assist me in removing them.

So, my first question is "What is the biggest thorn in your life that you need to lift up to God?"

For me, I am focusing on my health. As one who is taking over 20 different pills for my multiple conditions, I live with the fear of drug side effects--especially with the steroid Predisone. So, begininning today, I am removing Prednisone from my pill box. I have the doctor's permission and I pray for God's healing touch.

Please pray for me. How can I pray for you?

God bless you,
Deacon Tom

Humbly Asking For Your Prayer

I am in a bit of migraine Gehenna. 

Say a prayer for me.  I hope to be more actively blogging when the headaches go away. 

My love to all,

Deacon Tom

On the 12th Day of Christmas, Our Lord and Our Church give us the Feast of St. John Neumann

 

• He was the 4th Bishop of Philadelphia, my hometown.  
• Canonized in 1977, he is buried in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Philadelphia.

1)  Visit his shrine in Philadelphia

<Shrine of St John Neumann>

2)  Learn about this great man from the video below:

< Great Video about St John's Life and his spirituality >

3)  Finally, let us pray together with St. John Neumann
 
My God, how great Thou art, how wonderful in all Thy works! Teach me Thy will that I may begin and end all my actions for Thy greater glory.

Speak to me, 0 my God, let me know Thy will, for behold I am ready to fulfill Thy every command. The difficult, the irksome, I will patiently endure for love of Thee.

0 my God, I thank Thee for the love Thou hast planted in my heart. I will cultivate this precious flower. I will guard it night and day that nothing may injure it. Do Thou, 0 Lord, water it with the dew of Thy grace.   Amen
~ From the Diary of St. John Henry Newman


God Bless you and your family,


Deacon Tom

On the 11th Day of Christmas, Our Lord and Our Church give us the Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

On the 11th Day of Christmas, Our Lord gives us the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Foundress of Sisters of Charity , Educator and the 1st native-born United States citizen to be canonized.

 Together let us pray with St. Elizabeth Ann...

"Lord Jesus, Who was born for us in a stable, lived for us a life of pain and sorrow, and died for us upon a cross; say for us in the hour of death, Father, forgive, and to Your Mother, Behold your child. Say to us, This day you shall be with Me in paradise. Dear Savior, leave us not, forsake us not. We thirst for You, Fountain of Living Water. Our days pass quickly along, soon all will be consummated for us. To Your hands we commend our spirits, now and forever. Amen."  (Prayer by Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton)

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Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was born August 28, 1774(1774-08-28) in New York City.  New York Shrine and Walking Tour of St Annn Seton's NY Life

She died on January 4, 1821 (aged 46), in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Her national shrine is in Maryland.    National Shrine of St Ann Seton

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Finally, those of us who are military are all blessed to have St Elizabeth Ann Seton watching over us.  She knows our problems because she was the mother of a sailor.

Final Prayer with St. Elizabeth Ann.....

"We must pray literally without ceasing—without ceasing—in every occurrence and employment of our lives . . . that prayer of the heart which is independent of place or situation, or which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him." AMEN

Love,
Deacon Tom

On the 10th Day of Christmas, Our Lord gives us the Gift of His Most Holy Name - Jesus

On the 10th Day of Christmas, Our Lord gives us the Gift of His Most Holy Name - Jesus.

I attached the link from Catholic Culture which does a great presentation of the details of the feast.

Catholic Culture - The Most Holy Name of Jesus

God Bless everyone!!

Deacon Tom