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...