Retreat at Saint Mainrad Archabbey

St. Meinrad

St. Meinrad, martyr is venerated as the patron and in some sense the founder of the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln in Switzerland which has kept an unbroken continuity since Carolingian times. He settled as a hermit at Einsiedeln, where he was murdered by two ruffians to whom he had given hospitality in 861. His feast day is January 21st. (Catholic Online)

Feast Day: January 21

I'm off to a time of prayer, instruction and community. May God bless you all most abundantly this weekend.

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Thanks be to God!

++Today's reflection is at Provident God++

Tea Talk

It's Thursday after Ash Wednesday. A perfect time to reflect on our journey this Lent with a warm cup of your favorite tea. Join me, won't you?

I'm having...Irish Breakfast tea this morning.

My teacup is... is a plain white cup. No frills. A reminder of the simple life we are called to

I'm feeling... happy in anticipation of the retreat I begin tomorrow at Saint Meinrad Archabbey.

Pray with me this Prayer For A Lenten Journey found in Lent and Easter, Wisdom from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi. Compiled by John V. Kruse.

Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God,
give us miserable ones
the grace to do for You alone
what we know you want us to do
and always to desire what pleases You.
Inwardly cleansed,
interiorly enlightened
and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit,
may we be able to follow
in the footprints of Your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
and, by Your grace alone,
may we make our way to You,
Most High,
Who live and rule
in perfect Trinity and simple Unity,
and are glorified
God almighty,
forever, and ever.
Amen.
~St Francis of Assisi~
"A Letter to the Entire Order," 120-121

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Thanks be to God!

Now it's time for you to visit Ruth at Celebrate Friendship is hosting Tea Talk at her house. I'm wishing all a grand day!

Award and Ash Wednesday

This morning I awoke to a wonderful surprise and one that has set before me a dilemma. You see if I had gotten this yesterday I would have had no trouble accepting it...It wasn't the first day of Lent. Today it is. I am committed to offering up prayer and sacrifice in preparation of the Resurrection. As I was raised that this time of penance and not for celebration, what am I to do...

What would Jesus do? He would be gracious, kind, and grateful. And so it is with gratitude that I say, "Thank you, Jackie, so very much." Her home is The Way of the Upright Is the Highway.


Here are the rules:

~~Thank the person wo kindly passes this to you and link your award back to them.
~~List 7 thing about yourself
~~Pass it on to 15 Beautiful Bloggers

About Me...
1. I like to knit, but have to have a reason, so I have started knitting baby booties as the Elizabeth Ministry at church is wanting them.

2. I'm going on retreat at St. Meinrad Archabbey on Friday for 2 days.

3. I love cream of tomato soup with melted cheese and Ritz crackers.

4. I have sincere hopes of returning to Ireland again!!!

5. I miss the Colorado Rocky Mountains!

6. My family is the most cherished treasure of my life!

7. I believe in miracles!!!!!!

My 15 bloggers:

Laura
MightyMom
The Duchess
Bernie
Sarah
Tracy
Lisa
QMM
Zuzana
Squelly
Abbey
Valeri
Anita
Suz
Sue


Now please visit these generous people and basque in their beauty!






I cannot leave today with out offering my Ash Wednesday Post!

Today we begin reading the Passion Narrative of mark. One way to pray the Scripture is to 'take someone with you' and talk with them along the way. For example, Mary Magdalene, or Peter, or Mary the mother of Jesus. (from The Little Black Book)


Give this serious consideration. If you need a Companion On the Journey, who better to spend time communing. A good way to meditate on Scripture.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday...

Tradition. My years are filled with earthly and spiritual traditions. They are welcome landmarks along the journey.

Here are just a few that I'd like to share.

MARDI GRAS

Mardi Gras is said to have come to the New World in 1699, with a Canadian explorer named Pierre LeMoyne d'Ibersville, who founded the colony in Louisiana.

D'Iverville's father had been an indentured servant when he arrived in Canada and grew wealthy in Montreal. His son, Pierre, distinguished himself as a soldier during efforts to keep the English our of the Hudson Bay area. Soon, the French asked him to find the mouth of the Mississippi River along the gulf and to establish a fort there.

On March 3, 1600, d'Iverville landed on the shores of the Mississippi near the Gulf. He name the spot Point de Mardi Gras, in honor of the holiday being celebrated that day in France.

PANCAKE DAY

For Catholics in some regions of the world, the day before Ash Wednesday is Pancake Day. Some suggest that serving pancakes on this day became a popular way to use up fat, butter and eggs before Lent got underway.

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In England, a Pancake Day Race has been held on this day before Lent for over 500 years--begun allegedly when a woman cooking pancakes heard the church bells summoning her to services. In her hast, she rushed out of her house still holding her frying pan.

From the Little Black Book 2009/2010

Please share your traditions. How do you prepare for Lent?

Tomorrow the Lenten Journey begins in earnest. Inviting you to be a companion on the Journey to Calvary.

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Thanks be to God

Beautiful picture courtesy of Holly at Banner Haus.

Presidents' Day

Happy Presidents' Day
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Thanks be to God!