Jacqueline's Blog

Jesus lives in me...

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:59:00 +0000

One of my biggest fears lately is that I forget how to engage in conversations with people. I wanted to challenge myself and see if I could talk to strangers. (I was in Colorado, so in the back of my mind, I knew I most likely would never see these people again, so my confidence was very high). I saw a guy and he was sitting at the bar making eye contact with me since the very moment I sat down. Finally after five minutes after awkward eye contacts and smiles, I asked him to join my table. (Mind you, there were men in a table behind me that if something went awkward, I knew had my back). He continued to talk for the next two hours or so. I came to find out he was Jewish and he asked, "Are you still willing to talk to me?" I said, "Of course, we were all Jewish at one point." He just smiled and we talked about baseball and skiing. But that is not all, we talked about sins, gluttony, heaven, and having meaning in life. I most likely will never see Aaron in my life again, but it will be one night I will never forget.

On the airplane Sunday night, I was reading a book entitled, "The Thrill of the Chaste: finding fulfillment while keeping your clothes on." I was sitting next to a man who were very pleasant the whole trip. Close to the end of the flight, he asked, "So what are you reading there?" He read it, and only kept saying the word, "Yeah..." I think he was a little shocked that a young women was reading and making comments about how our society has forgotten about chastity and purity and how I am more than willing to start changing the culture. I challenged him at the end to give it a try to. Yes, the conversation was only three minutes, but it was three minutes.

So why I am telling you these stories... not for glory, but rather showing you that Jesus lives in me and that's how I can be bold. Is Jesus living in you?

48 hours straight..

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 17:01:00 +0000

I received this e-mail from a fellow missionary and thought I should pass it on. For two days straight, individuals of all faiths and backgrounds will be reading the Bible. Now that is spreading the word of God.

"Brothers and Sisters!

Right now, at this very moment, an amazing event is happening at the University of St. Thomas! We are well into a continuous reading of the Bible, out loud, stopping only for masses! Check it out and spread the word!"

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/livenow?id=6660281

WOW, what a weekend!

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:43:00 +0000

That is all I have say about the weekend. "WOW, what a weekend!" This year at UMKC we hosted a local retreat for out student leaders. I am going to honest with you and let you know that we are not in any means expert at hosting retreats. Each of my teammates has something special to offer the students. If it's in their ability to get people excited or in a prayerful mood. We have been praying to Our Lady of Perpetual Help to protect us.

My two favorite highlights of the weekend were Ready, Set, Go and Outreach. Ready, Set, Go, was a talk assigned to an employee of the diocese. She is a dynamic individual and more than willing to preach the truth to anyone she meets. She was doing just that this Saturday morning at Planned Parenthood that she was not able to make it on time for her talk. So the Holy Spirit guided me to lead the talk about the Go Gospel. One of my favorite subjects to talk about. We cannot give what we don't have. I lived a life of mortal sin and I was personally attempting to evangelize my peers, but nothing was working. It's because I was not providing Jesus to them, I was providing my sinful self. If we want to evangelize other souls, we need a clean soul. We need to be cleansed. It's only through the sacrament of confession and true repentance can we bring souls to Christ.

But guess what, even with a clean soul we will not necessarily bring others to Christ. We need to know how to influence others. One of the biggest mistakes we make is being rude without even knowing it. Such as: timeliness, not giving them our full attention, distractions, not listening, making side track remarks, ect. We need to talk to others like we are talking to Jesus. Yes, that is right, talk to everyone you encounter as Jesus. The lady in the elevator this morning to the man ahead of you in line for lunch, treat them as Jesus. Now that is something to pray about for Lent.

The outreach was amazing... here is an excerpt from my newsletter.

"We split the student leaders up in groups with a missionary and told them go have fun! My group tried to have conversations, but it’s hard trying to make small talk and plug in our Savior in the conversation. We met a couple who had promise rings and I talked to them about the importance of chastity and keeping God always number one in their relationship (plus words of encouragement and thanks for their witness). We also ran into some girls that were just at the mall to meet some boys, we tried to convince them that Jesus is the best boy to meet; I know the Lord will bring fruit through that conversation.

Here is excerpt from a student I have been discipling for quite a while now named Tiffany Bell and what the weekend meant to her!

“FOCUS student leaders had the opportunity to spend the entire weekend away from campus growing in relationship with one another and our Lord. We were able receive the Sacraments and spend time in prayer as well as hear talks by our missionaries as well as other FOCUS staff members. The retreat fueled me for the semester, reminding me of what is truly important as I live my life as a college student.

By attending and leading a FOCUS Bible Study, I am able to spend time in fellowship with other Catholic students learning about God's plan for our lives. Events hosted by FOCUS have given me the friends that I need to support me in my struggle to live a holy life as a college student. Discipleship with Jacqueline as helped me to grow deeper in my spiritual life, giving me the tools to strengthen my prayer life as well as help others along their journey. The work that FOCUS has done here at UMKC has truly changed the way I live my life.

Who says you cannot spread the gospel anymore?

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:22:00 +0000

Tim Tebow at the BCS championship game, wrote “John 3:16” on his eye black.

If you are curious follow the links below...

http://www.collegeotr.com/college_otr/tim_tebows_john_316_eye_black_causes_an_unholy_controversy_17875

http://www.nowpublic.com/sports/john-3-16-tim-tebow-switches-phil-4-13-eye-black-message

Blessed Andre Bessette, Pray for us

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:57:00 +0000

Many of you are wondering who is Blessed Andre Bessette, and to be honest I had not either until today. It's the final week of break before students start arriving back on campus and I have never felt this ready and nervous at the same time for the semester to arrive.

Blessed Andre was a man whose parents were ill at a young age and by the time he was twelve he was a adopted by a farmer (his uncle). Throughout the ages of 12-25 he had to work to keep his stay at the farm. By the age of twenty-five he applied to the seminary, but refused because he himself had poor health. Finally an order called the Congregation of the Holy Cross took and made him the doorkeeper. He was faithful to this job to the end, but not just faithful, he treated each individual that came to the door as Christ.

"On his windowsill, facing Mount Royal, was a small statue of Saint Joseph, to whom Andre was especially devoted. "Some day," he believed, "Saint Joseph will be honored on Mount Royal." Andre had a special ministry to the sick. He would rub the sick person with oil from a lamp in the college chapel, and many were healed. Word of his power spread, and when an epidemic broke out at a nearby college, Andre volunteered to help; no one died. The trickle of sick people to his door became a flood. His superiors were uneasy; diocesan authorities were suspicious; doctors called him a quack. "I do not cure," he always said. "Saint Joseph cures." By his death, he was receiving 80,000 letters each year from the sick who sought his prayers and healing. For many years the Holy Cross authorities had tried to buy land on Mount Royal. Brother Andre and others climbed the steep hill and planted medals of Saint Joseph on it, and soon after, the owners yielded, which incident helped the current devotion to Saint Joseph by those looking to buy or sell a home. Andre collected money to build a small chapel and received visitors there, listening to their problems, praying, rubbing them with Saint Joseph's oil, and curing many. The chapel is still in use." (http://saints.sqpn.com/sainta65.htm)

So basically, what I am trying to say, if we are doing our work for Jesus that it should be extraordinally. It should turn a few heads and make people wonder. So if you think your work is not making a difference in the world. As yourself if you are working as if Jesus is your client?

Finding Joy in Jesus.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Each year we have this great opportunity to sing to Jesus for his birth. I know this year is very troubled because troubled economic times, but there is great joy in Jesus. Most of us have family and friends who love us and to be honest that is the greatest gift God could ever give to us.

So find joy in Jesus through you family and friends. Tell them Thank you and humor the Lord with a little joy this Christmas. You never know the joy but spread to others.

Pray, Pray, and Pray

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:43:00 +0000

Please click on the following two links and pray. Some fellow missionaries with FOCUS need YOUR PRAYERS.

http://www.ketv.com/news/18266526/detail.html

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ashleyhaas

What's for dinner, good looking?

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:09:00 +0000

Here at UMKC, we host Women's Night once a month. It is very important to gather as women and just be. We are constantly doing this and that, but are we truly just at a state of being. This month we hosted a cooking night. We cook and than sit around the kitchen table and be. We talk about whatever comes to mind and laugh a whole lot. We thought, hey in college you learn a variety of skills, but you don't learn how to cook. So in FOCUS we teach them about living good moral lives, we might as well team how to live good healthy physical lives too. We are started to get women to work out with us and teach them a few great recipes.

You don't really have to be in FOCUS to gather women together and challenge each other to cook healthy and exercise. That is one of the reasons I love FOCUS, it is truly a vision for life.

I am attaching the link of the recipes we cooked tonight. (http://umkc.focus.googlepages.com)

Please continue to pray for the women here that we foster a great community of sisterhood. I will be praying for yourself and you start realizing the importance of a sisterhood.

Kansas City is where it's at.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:42:00 +0000

I had the great opportunity this past weekend to share my life with others. One of my favorite aspects of FOCUS is Discipleship. We take two or three individuals and pour of our lives into them. 1 Thes. 2:8 - "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves because you had become very dear to us." It's scary and it's takes vulnerability into to share lives with other people. There is doubt and questions that arise, "Well they still respect me if they knew this about me?" One of the things I have realized in my time with FOCUS, people will still like you. They might even respect you because you were able to conquer sin and say Yes to our Lord.

This past weekend I invited "my disciples" on staff to Kansas City for a weekend of fellowship. We started Friday night by enjoying each other's company and getting to know each other. Than mass, prayer, and rosary outside of Planned Parenthood. There is nothing like praying outside in 40 degree weather. We later experienced BBQ by eating at Oklahoma Joe's and after that just fellowship. Sharing life is not doing anything so extravagant, but rather living your life. Noise of the world and media distracts us to getting to know each other as individuals. God is so Good.

Fill me Up.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:16:00 +0000

Okay, so you might be wondering what is all that about? So yesterday during the rosary I was meditating on the 2nd Mystery, Wedding Feast of Cana. The servants filled them to the brim. Ever stopped and thought about this passage. If that is the case, Fill me up Lord. But what a second, if I ask you to fill me up, I must have a lot of faith in Your will in my life. Do I? I am not really sure. I want to have that trust and confidence in our Lord, but do I?

This is a rather short entry, I apologize just something been praying about lately.

Just text me...

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 05:06:00 +0000

So this is one phrase I hear over and over again from college students. "Just text me." At first two years ago, I was like sure, sounds easy. But to be honest it's one of my biggest annoyances now. It seems that talking to individuals one-on-one is becoming rare. The way to communicate is through cell phones, texting, e-mailing, and facebooking. Don't get me wrong these ways of communication are fabulous and they get the job done when used correctly. It's when people are solely in front of their computers and cell phones nearby them 24/7 and when it comes to social skills and having a face-to-face conversation that don't know how.

I now understand why people don't know how to talk to each other anymore. Conversations are short, simple, and not personal. I heard once that weak people talk about people, good people talk about events, and great people talk about dreams.

Ponder this quote. Are we talking to our friends and close ones about the past and future events, always gossiping about the man/woman next door or they talking about dreams, aspirations, and goals. My favorite question to ask lately is, "What are you going to do for yourself next year?" Challenge the people around to think deeply.

Zaccheus and I could be friends.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:38:00 +0000

One my favorite people in the Bible. Okay, Jesus, Mary and Joseph are pretty good too, but Zaccheus is my friend. A short tax collector who after eating with Jesus converts.

Okay, so here is a man who was in the crowds with thousands of others to see this man called Jesus who is the Savior of the world. She is the chief tax collector which means he is the mob leader. This man is short and a man well respected and feared by many, is climbing up a tree to see someone. Can you imagine the man in charge of the mob climbing a tree. I think not. He does so because I know is looking for greatness. That is where the story changes. As Jesus is passing by, he says, "Zaccheus, come down from that tree and I am going to your house for dinner." Jesus was searching for HIM!!

Zaccheus is the only other person other than the apostles that Jesus calls out by name in the Bible. Which means you know he was being called out. As good Christians we are constantly wanting God to desire us. But guess what. He does desire us and wants he us to desire him.

So I pray for you as you pray for me to start desiring to love Jesus as he is always desiring you.
Luke 9:1-10

How to Accompany Jesus

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 03:32:00 +0000

When you do not think of yourself, my grace visits you, and I provide what is necessary for you. When you try to do it yourself, I leave you to your own care...

In the same way, the more simple you are, the more you will avoid great temptations, which are used to destroy in you that which is an obstacle between you and me. I am simple and near you. To come to me, your work is to remove obstacles; to eliminate, to choose, to remove all that you accumulate in your mind and in your heart apart from me. If you become simple as a child, where are the obstacles? You say that little children having no great struggles, have no great merits: the purpose of your life does not lie in the personal merit due to your generosity; your merit will lie in using all your generosity to allow me to live in you...

Remember this: the value of your existence is not in what you have done or said, or suffered: it is the part of your being that you have given to your Savior, in what you have allowed me to do with you. Give me your heart - and your heart is your whole life! See: what you wish to take by your own power you cannot grasp - what you give to me, I give back to you ....

It is my love which prevents you from understanding my passion - you understood how much I suffered you would be crushed...

Do no tire of asking for love: it transforms everything. Even time: thus when one loves much, one has plenty of time, time in which to do many things.
- Sister Mary of the Holy Trinity [Sister Mary of the Holy Trinity (1942) was a Poor Clare of Jerusalem.]

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 06:22:00 +0000

Tonight we headed to a Royals game. Yes, they lost, but guess who was on the big screen?!?! Yes that is right, you one and only. Many of you know my thoughts on baseball and I will truly be sad when the season is over, but there is always April!

But for the real reason to the post, My Big Fat Greek Wedding. We wanted to do something after the game, so we decided to have people come over and watch a movie. Let's me honest, you have seen the movie. There is a this young women who does not care much about her looks and works for her father day in and day out. Until she decides she wants to do something with her life. She goes back to school and ends up falling in love, getting married and moves right next to her parents with her new family.

However have you really ever stopped to think about the messages in the middle of the movie. She only starts caring about her personal appearance because of a man. And the reason she went to college is because she deceives her father into thinking it was his idea. Is the message we are teaching people, find a man so you can find fulfillment and if along the way you need to deceive people to get there, that is okay.

No, my friend. I know this might be the extreme, but think about it. I strive to find my fulfillment in Christ and I pray you will do the same. Don't fall into what the media is telling you. Next time you want to make a change in your life, ask God. Don't trust your own instincts unless you have taken them to prayer. Trust me on that!!

Our Moral Responsibility... Joint Pastoral Letter

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:10:00 +0000

Our Moral Responsibility as Catholic Citizens
Joint Pastoral Letter – September 8, 2008
Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann, Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas
Most Reverend Robert W. Finn, Bishop of Kansas City-St. Joseph

Dear Friends in Christ,

With the approaching general election this November, we believe this to be an important moment for us to address together the responsibility of Catholics to be well informed and well formed voters.

Except for the election of our next President, the people of Northwestern Missouri and Northeastern Kansas will be choosing different candidates for different offices in our two dioceses. Yet the fundamental moral principles that should guide our choices as Catholic voters are the same.

For generations it has been the determination of Catholic Bishops not to endorse political candidates or parties. This approach was initiated by Archbishop John Carroll – the very first Catholic Bishop serving in the United States. It was long before there was an Internal Revenue Service Code, and had nothing to do with a desire to preserve tax-exempt status. Rather the Church in the United States realized early on that it must not tether the credibility of the Church to the uncertain future actions or statements of a particular politician or party. This understanding of the Church’s proper role in society was affirmed in the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern Word: “The Church, by reason of her role and competence, is not identified with any political community nor bound by its ties to any political system. It is at once the sign and the safeguard of the transcendental dimension of the human person.”(Gaudium et Spes n.76)

A Right to Speak Out on Issues

At the same time, it is important to note that the Catholic Church in the United States has always cherished its right to speak to the moral issues confronting our nation. The Church has understood its responsibility in a democratic society to do its best to form properly the consciences of her members. In continuity with the long history of the efforts of American Bishops to assist Catholics with the proper formation of their consciences, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) this past November issued a statement: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. In that document our brother bishops took care to note: “This statement is intended to reflect and complement, not substitute for, the ongoing teachings of bishops in our own dioceses and states.”

It is in this context that we offer the following reflections to assist the Catholic people of Northwestern Missouri and Northeastern Kansas in forming their consciences in preparation for casting their votes this November.

Many Issues: Prudential Judgments

Every Catholic should be concerned about a wide range of issues. We believe in a consistent ethic that evaluates every issue through the prism of its impact on the life and dignity of the human person. Catholics should care about public policies that:
a) promote a just and lasting peace in the world,
b) protect our nation from terrorism and other security threats,
c) welcome and uphold the rights of immigrants,
d) enable health care to be accessible and affordable,
e) manifest a special concern for the poor by attending to their immediate needs and assisting them to gain economic independence,
f) protect the rights of parents to be the primary educators of their children,
g) create business and employment opportunities making it possible for individuals to be able to provide for their own material needs and the needs of their families,
h) reform the criminal justice system by providing better for the needs of the victims of crimes, protecting the innocent, administering justice fairly, striving to rehabilitate inmates, and eliminating the death penalty,
i) foster a proper stewardship of the earth that God has entrusted to our care.

This is by no means an exhaustive list.

While the above issues, as well as many others, have important moral dimensions, Catholics may and do disagree about the most effective public policies for responding to them. How these issues are best addressed and what particular candidates are best equipped to address them requires prudential judgments – defined as circumstances in which people can ethically reach different conclusions. Catholics have an obligation to study, reflect and pray over the relative merits of the different policy approaches proposed by candidates. Catholics have a special responsibility to be well informed regarding the guidance given by the Church pertaining to the moral dimensions of these matters. In the end, Catholics in good conscience can disagree in their judgments about many aspects of the best policies and the most effective candidates.

The Priority of Rejecting Intrinsic Evil

There are, however, some issues that always involve doing evil, such as legalized abortion, the promotion of same-sex unions and ‘marriages,’ repression of religious liberty, as well as public policies permitting euthanasia, racial discrimination or destructive human embryonic stem cell research. A properly formed conscience must give such issues priority even over other matters with important moral dimensions. To vote for a candidate who supports these intrinsic evils because he or she supports these evils is to participate in a grave moral evil. It can never be justified.

Even if we understand the moral dimensions of the full array of social issues and have correctly prioritized those involving intrinsic evils, we still must make prudential judgments in the selection of candidates. In an ideal situation, we may have a choice between two candidates who both oppose public policies that involve intrinsic evils. In such a case, we need to study their approach on all the other issues that involve the promotion of the dignity of the human person and prayerfully choose the best individual.

Limiting Grave Evil

In another circumstance, we may be confronted with a voting choice between two candidates who support abortion, though one may favor some limitations on it, or he or she may oppose public funding for abortion. In such cases, the appropriate judgment would be to select the candidate whose policies regarding this grave evil will do less harm. We have a responsibility to limit evil if it is not possible at the moment to eradicate it completely.

The same principle would be compelling to a conscientious voter who was confronted with two candidates who both supported same-sex unions, but one opposed abortion and destructive embryonic research while the other was permissive in these regards. The voter, who himself or herself opposed these policies, would have insufficient moral justification voting for the more permissive candidate. However, he or she might justify resorting to a write-in vote or abstaining from voting at all in this case, because of a conscientious objection.

In 2004 a group of United States Bishops, acting on behalf of the USCCB and requesting counsel about the responsibilities of Catholic politicians and voters, received a memo from the office of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, which stated: “A Catholic would be guilty of formal cooperation in evil, and so unworthy to present himself for Holy Communion, if he were to deliberately vote for a candidate precisely because of the candidate’s permissive stand on abortion and/or euthanasia. When a Catholic does not share a candidate’s stand in favor of abortion and/or euthanasia, but votes for that candidate for other reasons, it is considered remote material cooperation, which can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.”

Could a Catholic in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports legalized abortion when there is a choice of another candidate who does not support abortion or any other intrinsically evil policy? Could a voter’s preference for the candidate’s positions on the pursuit of peace, economic policies benefiting the poor, support for universal health care, a more just immigration policy, etc. overcome a candidate’s support for legalized abortion? In such a case, the Catholic voter must ask and answer the question: What could possibly be a proportionate reason for the more than 45 million children killed by abortion in the past 35 years? Personally, we cannot conceive of such a proportionate reason.

Time for Catholics to Exercise Moral Leadership

The number of Catholics and the percentage of Catholics in the United States have never been greater. There has never been a moment in our nation’s history when more Catholics served in elective office, presided in our courts or held other positions of power and authority. It would be wrong for us to use our numbers and influence to try to compel others to accept our religious and theological beliefs. However, it would be equally wrong for us to fail to be engaged in the greatest human rights struggle of our time, namely the need to protect the right to life of the weakest and most vulnerable.

We need committed Catholics in both major political parties to insist upon respect for the values they share with so many other people of faith and good will regarding the protection of the sanctity of human life, the upholding of the institution of marriage between a man and a woman as the foundation of family life, as well as the protection of religious liberty and conscience rights. It is particularly disturbing to witness the spectacle of Catholics in public life vocally upset with the Church for teaching what it has always taught on these moral issues for 2,000 years, but silent in objecting to the embrace, by either political party, of the cultural trends of the past few decades that are totally inconsistent with our nation’s history of defending the weakest and most vulnerable.

Thank you for taking time to consider these reflections on applying the moral principles that must guide our choices as voters. We are called to be faithful Catholics and loyal Americans. In fact, we can only be good citizens if we allow ourselves to be informed by the unchanging moral principles of our Catholic faith.

No Show

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:06:00 +0000

I have had one of those weeks, where I wake up and I have an agenda and feel capable to accomplish all on my sticky note, but the Lord throws me a curve ball.

Last night, I had my second Bible study of the year. I co-lead one earlier in the evening with a student leader until she feels confident to go ahead and begin as a facilitator and I am starting up a new cross-country/volleyball team Bible study. We had made our rounds made phone calls two days beforehand, and day off, written on girls facebook walls and even done some e-mailing, but no one showed up. We even saw three of the girls walking by saying they had homework to go do and one who was going on a walk with a boy. These four girls will come soon, I have the faith.

However the Lord blesses those that are patient. We sat and exchanges authentic stories of our lives and were witnesses to many students walking by who saw us praying for the girls that did not attend study.

I decided to start a second study an hour and half after the first one. Coming into the night, I was certain that no one would attend, but the Lord truly blesses those that are patient. I was stood up by a sophomore at a coffee shop on Friday, but I still had high hopes that she will come around. I decided to text message this student to see if she was coming because if not it would be another no show Bible study on the same night. She texted back very quickly and within five minutes she was down in the lobby with her New American Bible on hand and ready to go. So for the next 45 minutes we talked about Matthew 7 and the foundation of rock and sand. She openned up that night and admitted so many things she wanted to do better at with her Catholic faith. She promised to bring more friends next week and think of a "sand" item in her life that she is placing as a foundation in her life instea of God and making steps to make it disappear.

The Lords blesses those that are patient! It is you, not I.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Pray for us.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:11:00 +0000

"I sit here in silence on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows wondering how fast the time always flies. I remember three years ago I felt complete guilt for being alive... My friends who had the gifts to inspire were taken by our Mother. Such a depressing story, I know, but that's life." The Gospel of Matthew chapter 7 says it's so beautifully, storms will come.

"It came to be today in prayer that we all have special graces and gifts allotted to us by our Lord. It is by these gifts we are able to build up the Church." We each, yes you, has a gift to do something beautiful today. God has given you the opportunity and unique opportunity for only you to do today. Only you.

So let's LIVE. Live like you don't know what will happen next. Storms will come by friend. Big or small, storms will come. But it's the foundation that will matter when they do.

JFA: Yes, I participated.

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 02:06:00 +0000

During my first FOCUS Staff Training, an organization came to teach the FOCUS staff members on how to have healthy conversations about abortion. They are called Justice for All, in short, JFA. I didn't feel called to go around the streets of Madison, WI to ask citizens their thoughts on abortion, so took the afternoon for prayer and personal reflection.

However, it was brought to my attention two weeks ago that they will be showing their exhibit at KU (University of Kansas) and we will be attending the training session once more, but this time I will participate. I was a little hesitate at first. Thinking to myself, who am I to go out and talk to my peers about abortion. But again lives are being lost each and every day.

Needless to say ther was a young man there from the early beginning who had a sign. He was actively protesting against the exhibit and screaming things here and there. As trained individuals, some would try to have some sort of conversation, but it was useless. I myself, tried to prove a point to this young women on the issue of dependency of the child to the mother.

I began a conversation with a young women, "Let's say you are the only one near the swimming pool and a three-year jumps, but cannot swim and needs you to save him/her. Wouldn't you say that this three-year old is dependent on solely you to save his/her life?" "Yes, but I would let the child die," said this young women. I was in shock and couldn't believe this women wouldn't save a child. Just to prove her point that a baby is dependent on a mother. The conversation ended and I said a prayer for this women.

As the hours passed and had tried to have conversations will students passing by, it was time to start again. I knew it coudldn't be any worse than the lady who would let a child die, so I asked the young man who had been protesting all day. "I said, hey why did you write that on the board." He continued on and I listened. I listen for the next 30 to 40 minutes talk about his life. At the end, I am certain I didn't change his view point on anything, but he did say something to me that I will always remember, "Thank you for listening, you are the best pro-lifer, I have ever met."

I have never considered myself so one of many words or huge advocate of this or that, I just live my self in the way I see the Lord finds fit. My advice, don't try to do change people, but try to listen and be the sincere heart they have been waiting for. I pray this young man daily, I ask you to do the same as well.

Use your ability...

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 03:33:00 +0000

M. Kathleen Casey - "You are the only person on earth who can use your ability."

Ladybug Extravaganza

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:51:00 +0000

LADYBUG DAY

10.30.07 - Between 3:30 and 5:30 there was a plethora of "Beetles of Our Lady" in my apartment. (true story that is the official name, google that)

Jacqueline: "It is bad luck to kill a ladybug because it represents the Virgin Mary. I just killed like 50 of them. Oh my God I am going to hell."
Marley: HAHAHA "Maybe you could go to confession."
Jacqueline: "c _ _ _ "
Marley: "Wait, isn't that a superstition?"
Jacqueline: "Yes, let's google that."
Marley: "Google solves every problem."
Jacqueline: "The Roman Catholic Church considers superstition to be sinful in the sense that it denotes a lack of trust in the divine providence of God and, as such, is a violation of the first of the Ten Commandments. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states superstition "in some sense represents a perverse excess of religion" (para. #2110). SWEET, I guess I didn't kill the Virgin Mary."

58 days later and I am back...

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:02:00 +0000

Every once in a while I think about this blog I used to own.

I truly apologize for not updating this blog in such a long time. It has been truly busy here at the University Missouri Kansas City.

I have been truly humbled and blest to fulfill this calling in my life. There are many mornings when I wake up and think... "Wow, God has called me today to communicate the fullness of life to others." But you know, you don't have to be a missionary to communicate the fullness of life. I just happen to believe that the best way for me to do so is by being a missionary.

In these past 58 days I have been blest to surround myself with two friends who communicate the fullness of life in such a radical way. One is in the convent and the other is joining at the beginning of the month. There are many times where I just sit and think, "Wow, how lucky am I to have been blest with their guidance, presence, and wisdom in my life." They aren't extraordinary individuals, but they are truly thoughtful. They are always thinking 5 minutes ahead and anticipating your wants.

In the simple ways, they show you kindness. You rarely hear them grumbling, but rather giving thanks for everything.

Yes, tonight, I declare to you that this year will be my year of kindness through simplicity. Why make things complicated? When all people really want in this world is to feel loved and needed.

Lord I ask you to give me the strength to do your will, not just the right thing. If this is what you want of me, please guide me and I will try not to grumble.

Uniformity with God's Will

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:23:00 +0000

"Who knows? Perhaps if God had given us greater talent, better health, a more personable appearance, we might have lost our souls! Great talent and knowledge have cause many to be puffed up with the idea of their own importance and, in their pride, they have despised others. How easily those who have these gifts fall into grave danger to their salvation! How many on account of physical beauty or robust health have plunged headlong into a life of debauchery! How many, on the contrary, who, by reason of poverty, infirmity or physical deformity, have become saints and have saved their souls, who, given health, wealth, or physical attractiveness had else lost their souls! Let us then be content with what God has given us. But one this is necessary, and it is not beauty, not health, not talent. It is the salvation of immortal souls." (Page 18)

This past week I was recommended this short book by St. Alphonsus de Liguori. I couldn't be more happy with the words from this book. It truly is only 30 pages and I know it's one book that you can manage to finish. He writes in a way that speaks to your heart and convicts all your previous thoughts and prayers. Instead of accepting God wills in our lives, are we asking to uniform our lives with Christ. Are you happy even with the suffering to say, that if this will of the Father, Lord give me more pain?

I know I am not in the state of mind to pray in such a fashion. I am caught up in the comfort of this world that I am truly afraid to ask what His will is. Because we can be doing all the good in the world, but if its not the will of the Father, than we are not pleasing Him. Now that is something to think about. "Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will." (Page 16) "A single venial sin is more displeasing to God than all the good works we can perform." (Page 28).

I could go on and on quoting more from this book, but you MUST read it yourself. The best $2.50 in a book you will ever invest in. The will of our Father and ours should go together like a wink and smile. [what can I say, I have been listening to lots of jazz lately]

Definition of Love

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 21:21:00 +0000

So I was driving around the city like I usual do going from place to place when at a Lutheran Church I read this...

"Love is forgetting about oneself in service of another."

In a world where the world love is used to frequent and lost it's meaning, here's a great definition for you to ponder. I know for a fact that I use it myself quite often [but I mean it when I say it]/ My friends know that I usually end with a "I love you" in every phone conversation. Hey I say, if we are made in the image and likeness of God shouldn't we also love with the likeness of God. I say Yes, so go ponder a little.

I am totally Martha & not proud of it

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 02:38:00 +0000

It's Sunday and I headed to mass with my mother. I heard the Gospel reading and I cannot help, but smile. How many times have we heard the story of Martha and Mary? To be honest I have lost track. Here it is one more time...

Gospel - Lk 10:38-42

Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
“Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me.”
The Lord said to her in reply,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her.”

This Sunday however the visiting priest said something very direct. "If you feel sorry for Martha, you don't have a good spiritual life." Wow, it hit home for me this week. I thought I was enjoying my routine at home, I go to mass, holy hour, sometimes go to Panera with some ladies from Church, make a little phone calls, drive around from appointment to appointment and prepare dinner for my parents from their long hours from work. Yes, I will admit it, I do feel sorry for Martha, she gets stuck "doing" all the work. I am jealous of Mary sometimes even because that would be the life to sit and listen to our Lord. Mary is "being."

Comes back to the point that I will always struggle with. We are not human "doings" we are human "beings." I don't know if I will ever come to learn this concept. If we are not making ever aspect of our life a prayer than we will always feel like Martha. Even the simple tasks like water the plants or taking out the trash should be a form a prayer. Thanking God we have things to throw away and fragrance and beauty of flowers to water. Or are you thinking like me and saying that it's too hot to step outside and I don't want to carry around smelly bags. So thank you for the prayers because I can always use more graces.

St. Martha's feast day is July 29th, next sunday, so this week ask for her intercession to learn to be.

Lord, help me to be in your presence in all that do and listen to what you are asking me to do.

Luke 2:19

mary.prayforus@gmail.com (Exceptional Novice) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:37:00 +0000

Don't you hate it when Catholics start quoting Bible verses? Seriously you are like, man I don't know what Luke 2:19 can't you just tell me.... well it's a good one and you will soon have it memorized by the end of the post. "Mary kept all things, pondering them in her heart."

Last week on Thursday I had the great privilege of going to breakfast with a few women from my parish. It was wonderful to sit there and watch them. What can I say I am people watcher. Ever once in a while I would put my two cents in. The conversation somehow turned to prayer. One lady said, you know I don't pray to change the result, I pray so I can have a peace of mind. It's so true, God knows, we pray for His will, so why pray for a change, pray to able to accept God's will, pray to have a peace in knowing we are His children and He loves us.

I said, "the bad thing about prayer, is you have to keep at it because if you take a break and start praying again you soon realize you aren't praying anymore you are rather day dreaming." The all agreed. How can you not. It happens to all of us. I know for a fact it has been a real struggle to get my prayer in. I am present, but my mind and heart are not in there for some reason. Mary had it down. She kept all things in her heart, you know she was really good at pray. She had to be. For goodness sakes she bore the Son of God, our Savior.

After breakfast I got in the car and a song from this new cd I was given started. Mother Mary by The Remnant Band. They are a Catholic band from Texas and its refreshing to hear songs about our rich faith. The lyrics just blew me away..

I know it's hard sometimes to pray
Just can't think of the words you want to say
You're down on your knees; there aint't no doubt
But I know a girl who can help me out....

I ask my Mother Mary / to help me out

The song continued...I knew at that very instant, our Mother Mary wanted me to come close to her, so I can learn how to pray to her son again. She has her arms open, and I cannot say it enough, she is the first follower of Christ, how can we not follow her. Luke 2:19. How many times we do ponder things, but do we ponder them in our heart or do we ponder them out of selfishness, envy, greed, jealous? I know I am guilty of them all. We need to do more of this, to be honest, I have the sudden huge to stop typing and go pray from my heart.

So today is the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. For all those brown scapular lovers out there, it's your day. It's a perfect day for you to ask the intercession of Mary. Ponder from the heart.