Charism

Church of the Immaculate Conception
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN

The lesson this month for discussion was that of charism. As one in the process of discerning the role of becoming an Providence Associate, this was challenging. I had to look inward and identify my gifts/talents. Then, too, I had to acknowledge them. This process involved writing cinquain poetry. I found I like it. I, too, have to acknowledge that Laura at Catholic Teacher's Musings primed me for this by challenging me to write Haiku. Today I share with you this cinquain.

Charism
Creator's gift
Cherished treasure untold
Accepted with true gratitude
Fruitfulness

Have a grand day!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Angels explained by Children

This was sent to me my many friends. It is a little lighthearted humor about one of God's treasured gifts to us. Have a grand weekend with lots of smiles!

Angels Explained by Children

I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold... Gregory, 5

Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why, but scientists are working on it. --Olive, 9

It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to heaven, and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got to agree to wear those angel clothes. --Matthew, 9

Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else. --Mitchell, 7

My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science. --Henry, 8

Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows. --Jack, 6

Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject is where you went wrong before you got dead. --Daniel, 9

Love this one:

When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado. --Reagan, 10

Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow. Then when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter. --Sara, 6

Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.--Jared, 8

All! angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for it. --Antonio, 9

My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping me while she was still down here on earth. --Katelynn, 9

Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it.

What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot arrows at them

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Road to Providence

Saint Therese of Lisieux
Saint May-of-the-Woods Campus

I was struck this morning as I was changing "The Quotable" how two days in a row I have been given a lesson by each of my patron saints. Even more ironic is the lesson this time on my journey to becoming a Providence Associate is on charism. By definition, "God's grace, given for the service and edification of all." Though the subject of prayer was long and took us two visits to complete, learning to look inward at one's own charism is really a daunting task. First, one has to accept that it is not being proud, but humble, when we acknowledge these gifts or talents.
ascribed to us by God. And then we must humbly accept them as our own. And so it was that yesterday's quote by Saint Therese gives me the courage to look inward, to truly find those gifts I must to share and to accept them graciously.

The only way to make rapid progress along the path of divine love is to remain very little and put all our trust in almighty God. ~~Saint Therese of Lisieux~~

Today's quote touches home, because the task of searching and knowing who I am (something God already knows) can cause me frustration and anger, for it is difficult to express who I am without realizing that, as I have journeyed these many years, I have neglected or failed to use these gifts properly or at all.

There is no sin or wrong that gives a man such a foretaste of hell in this life as anger and impatience. ~~Saint Catherine of Siena~~

Finally, defining who I am by the charisms is difficult, so I must rely totally on the Holy Spirit to guide me. The next few days leading to my visit with Sister Dorothy will be one of simple surrender to the Holy Spirit, for he will have to be my guide. I ask you all to offer prayers that this journey I take will be fruitful and rewarding. And when I come home from this journey, I will not find I am NEW, but RENEWED.

~~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God!!

Friendship Blessing

May you be blessed with good friends.
may you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May be be able to journey to that place in your soul where
there is great love, warmth, feeling and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant or cold
in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and
affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth
and light that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your
anam cara.

Text from Anam Cara, A Book of Celtic Wisdom by John O'Donohue

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Valentine's Day Poetry

Roses are red.
Violet are blue.
It's Valentine's Day.
And I love all of you.

Daisies are white,
Lovely and pure.
Remember this day
That God's love is sure.


~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

I am reminded of the days on the playground when we girls would stand around and compose our "Roses are Red" poetry. They were grand times and there are such fond memories. My wish to you is that you can make some fond memories on this Valentine's Day.

If you wish to contribute your poem to this day known for its "Love Notes" please compose and add the link to your blog here so we can all read your beautiful
words...

Schoolhouse Rock- How a Bill Becomes a Law

Do you think this educational tool used to teach our kids about voting on a bill could be of any assistance to Congress and the President today? The topic here is ACTION, or the lack thereof.

~~~^j^~~~

I still say, "thanks be to God!"

Don't want to live anywhere else!

Seriously Frustrated!!!

Our Bible Study is Catholic Scripture Study. We meet every Thursday night, barring severe ice storms and heavy snow. We are studying the Book of Revelation. It comes with a wonderful text, excellent questions and the group in which we participate allows for informative discussion and helpful insights. There are about 40 all told in the class and 8 in our group!

Enough about the demographics. Since "Simon" got sick the only thing I miss is the speakers outline (OH, I forgot to tell you there is a film lecture at the end of the class). I had found it helpful when listening to the speaker. Well, since "Simon's" healing I can't print it out because it is encoded and I CAN'T figure out how to un-encode it!!!!! (HUUUFFFFF).

So with questions answered, PRINTED quotes from the CCC and the concordance helps printed. I will attend class tonight without my Lecture Notes! Such is life! But if anyone knows what I am talking about and can help me UNLOCK the CODE (I sound like Indiana Jones--get it INDIANA Jones) I would be soooo grateful. If not PLEASE have a GRAND day!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Windy

Wonder what the weather has in store for us here today...We're supposed to have 50-60 MPH winds. It may be September, 2008 all over again. We lost electricity then for four days! Guess we'll need to batten down the hatches!!! Or it could just pass over. Will have to wait and see! Who said living in Southwest Indiana was boring?!

Have a grand day wherever you are!

~~~^j^~~~

And thanks be to God!

God, Our Companion On the Journey

A gift to me, I have tried to adapt this into my prayer life, some days more successfully than others. It's a wonderful text that calls one into prayer, guiding and affirming.

Today as he left for work, Ron, for the first time, voiced his concerns about his workplace. A BIG meeting is scheduled for day after tomorrow and he is anxious. Let it be known that The Kellers have been tested and survived. Certainly not as painfully as some, but tested none-the-less. God has ALWAYS provided us with the grace and courage to succeed in answering his call. Though anxious, we have every reason to be sure that whatever the outcome we will be provided for. In our life together there has never been a time when he has not guided us along the next step of our journey.

And so it was, when I opened my prayers this morning with this source, that I was led to Tobit 13: 1B-8. I just want to share with you the verses that comforted me.

If you turn to him with all your
heart and with all your soul,
to do what is true before him
then he will turn to you
and will no longer hide his
face from you.
So now see what he has done
for you;
acknowledge him at the top
of your voice.
Bless the Lord of righteousness
and exalt the King of the ages.

Tobit 13: 6

I take comfort in these words. For:

O God, you search me and you
know me. all my thoughts lie
open to your gaze. When I walk or
lie down you are before me ever
the maker and keeper of my days.

Bernadettte Farrell
Text based on Psalm 139

Comforted by this I go out today, knowing that, indeed, he cares about us and we can rely on his justice and mercy. Wishing all a joy filled day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

The Quiet Man Film Locations, Cong, Mayo. Ireland

Tis the season...Yes, it is. Today in preparation for the Academy Awards TCM is showing The Quiet Man. Long has this movie been a favorite of mine. So visit with me the site of it's filming. Please enjoy!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!
And will no doubt be watching it
on the feast of Feast of St. Patrick. It's a tradition...