Prayer Request Update

I have an update to the Prayer Request about a college aged girl considering abortion. Thank you all for the prayers, and if you could please remember her over the next several months. She will not be having an abortion today. Her mother was told about the abortion, and came looking for the girl with flowers to welcome her off of a retreat (the girl did not know her mother was coming). She was still planning to have the abortion up until last night. Her mother talked to her, and the choice (for now) is for life. However, the girl is having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that her life has changed, and some of her old dreams may need to be set aside to make room for this new life. It is hard for a college kid to leave the "me" stage so soon, especially in our selfish culture. Hopefully with support she will make it. Her life is not ruined, just on a different course than she planned. Because this is difficult for her, and abortion is legal up until birth in the US, please pray that she remains firm in the decision to keep this new life, and that her support system stays strong. The self centered lure of this world is strong, much too strong for these young who disconnect sex from its consequences. FURTHER UPDATE: I was able to touch base with my sister about an hour ago, and she tells me that everything is good right now. The girl is excited about the baby and what it means. My sis couldn't talk to me much (IM actually), but apparently after a lot of drama, the girl is embracing this new life inside her. Praise God! Again, please keep her and her child in your prayers.

Surreal Days in So Cal

I have not posted much the past few days. I am not sure what to say - it seems a bit surreal right now. There is my sister's friend for whom we are praying that has not made her decision to have an abortion or not. It is sad to see my sister lose a bit of innocence (yes, still innocent at 20), as she hears a friend say that she knows it is murder and she is thinking about it anyways. I myself at almost twice that age find that hard to fathom. But we pray and do what we can. I hope she does the right think in the end. My understanding is that October 29 is a crucial day. Please continue to pray for her. Contributing to the sense of gloom are the fires burning throughout So Cal. While the nearest fire is 20 miles away, there is no escaping the constant reminder of the devastation occurring nearby. Everything has an orange tinge to it when the sun is shining through the smoke. And the smell has been only of fire, and ashes fall even this far away. Please pray for those who have lost their homes or who are in danger. Pray too for the souls of the arsonists who set at least some of these fires. Arson, with the death and destruction it entails, is also a sin I find difficult to understand.

Prayer Request

Please pray for a college aged friend of my sister. She has made an appointment to have an abortion at the end of the month. She told my sister that she believes it is wrong, but the boyfriend/father is pushing for an abortion, and she does not want to face her parents. She tells my sister she knows she would regret an abortion for the rest of her life, but is leaning toward the abortion. However, she has agreed to see a priest tomorrow. Please pray for this girl and her child. Pray that she has the courage to do what she already knows is right.

Pray for our priests!

Catholic World News : Fears, negotiations for priests kidnapped in Iraq: "Two Syrian Catholic priests were kidnapped in Iraq on Saturday, October 13." Our priests are under attack on every front. Satan attacks from right and left, front and back. Pray for all of our priests, especially those under in spiritual or physical danger. Lord Jesus, You have chosen Your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim Your word and to act in Your name. For so great a gift to Your Church, we give You praise and thanksgiving. We ask You to fill them with the fire of Your love, that their ministry may reveal Your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that Your power shine out through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of Your dying and rising. In time of weakness send them Your Spirit, and help them to praise Your heavenly Father and pray for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit, put Your word on their lips and Your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the brokenhearted. And may the gift of Mary, Your mother, to the disciple whom You loved, be Your gift to every priest. Grant that she who formed You in her human image, may form them in Your divine image, by the power of Your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen. Prayer found at http://www.scborromeo.org/prayers.htm

Prayers, Please

I humbly ask for your prayers. I work for myself, and business development has been very slow. My anxiety has increased in the past couple weeks. I try to keep remembering that I can't do everything on my own, so I ask for your prayers. Also, if you know of anyone who needs marketing research expertise (survey design, statistical analysis, etc.), let me know. PhD quality, even.

Happy Michaelmas!

Today is the feast day of St. Michael. It was traditionally known as Michaelmas and was a holy day of obligation until the 18th century. The Church has added Saint Gabriel and St Raphael to the feast day - these are the three Archangels named in the bible. Among other things, St. Michael is the patron saint for our family - all of us are named Michael or Michelle (first, middle, or confirmation name). Today is a special feast day for our family. There is a prayer to St. Michael that the entire Church would say after every mass. Those at daily mass at some parishes still say it (they do this at my parish). We say it together at least once per day. I share it with you: St. Michael the Archangel Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the snares and wickedness of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - Cast into hell, Satan and all evil spirits who wander this world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Prayer and Healing

One of the nice things about getting together with family is sharing stories. It was my dad's birthday this weekend and we were all together to celebrate. After the meal, but before dessert we were talking about miracles. I mentioned the story of my brother and the above and beyond actions of a pharmacist who saved his life (click here for that story). Well, my dad recounted how his father was cured from cancer through prayer. This happened in the early 70's. My Grandfather had cancer in his kidneys. One kidney was completely cancerous and the other was 80% cancerous. He was bed ridden with tubes inserted for urination because of the condition. The doctors gave a life expectancy of 5 minutes to emphasize that he could die at any time. My parents invited the parish priest, Fr. Flanagan, to come and administer last rights. At the time they were heavily involved in Marriage Encounter, and had activated a network of more than 1,000 people to pray for my grandfather. About a week later my grandfather rolled over in bed, pulled out the tube, got up and said that he was better. When the doctors examined him they found no evidence of cancer anywhere and had no explanation what happened. My dad tells me he does not think that my grandfather was even aware that so many people were praying for him. He attributed his miraculous recovery to carrot juice. He lived seven more years, and died of a heart attack - not cancer.

9/11 Remembrance Prayer

Father, On this anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I thank you for letting me live in this great country. May I always remember those who died because they are Americans. May I strive to make my country worthy of the blood that has been spilt for her. May we as a nation, along with those who love peace and freedom around the world, remember the cost of freedom. May we be worthy of the price that has been paid, and stand ready to pay when the need arises. I ask this through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen

Parent's Prayer

We had to arrange our schedule to make sure we were back for orientation at our kid's school. It was one of the best orientations I've been too. Well, each parent is given a handbook, and on the first page is a prayer that I'd like to share. O Father of humankind, Who has given me these, my children, And committed them to my charge to bring them up for You, And to prepare them for life everlasting; Assist me with Your heavenly grace, That I may be able to fulfill my sacred duty and stewardship. Teach me both what to give and what to withhold, When to reprove and when to praise. Make me gentle, yet firm, considerate and watchful, And deliver me equally from the weakness of indulgence And the excess of severity. Grant that both by work and example, I may be careful to lead them in the way of wisdom And true piety; so that at last I may, With them, be admitted to the joys of our true home in heaven. Amen

Shutting Out The Silence

Silence is an endangered commodity in the modern world. And we may be the worse off for it. Where has all the silence gone? Do you remember when cell phones first started appearing? I recall feeling sorry for this busy professional in the early ‘80s answer a phone in a grocery store because of their electronic leash. I did not realize I was looking at myself and everyone else that I know. Now we have text messaging and wireless email access, with 1000s of minutes and people talking on the phone constantly. I remember the time before Ipods, a time even before Walkmans. Remember that time? Sure there were portable radios, but nothing like what we have today. Anyone ride a subway in the past few years? Everyone is tuned in, with noise continuously pouring through little white earbuds. I remember when there where 7 VHF TV channels and a few on UHF that no one ever really watched. Now we have hundreds of channels and no time to watch any of it. I remember the time before the Internet, and before computers. This was a time without email or instant messages or message boards or blogs. When someone wanted to get a hold of you, they had to call (and there weren’t answering machines either) or write you a letter, or come over to see you. All of the technology over the past 25 years has had a dramatic impact on our lives and culture. A lot of it has been very good. Some of it has not. Perhaps the greatest damage has been to silence. In the silence we could ponder the world and our place in it. We did not need to constantly react. We could reflect, at least a little, and then act. We could attend to God. God is found in the whispering wind and the silence of our hearts. If we do not allow silence, we cannot hear Him. It is a symptom of our society that we shut out the silence. We do not want to hear what is in that silence. It is calling us, but we drown the silence with our activity, with our noise. We fear that it is calling us to change; to repent. But we don't want to. So we plug in, and turn up the volume. We keep moving, and talking, and reacting; never just being and listening. Take time today to create some silence. And listen.

News: Gunman kills 30 on Virginia Tech campus

Gunman kills 30 on Virginia Tech campus Let's keep all of those killed and injured and their families in our prayers.

Metal As In A Forge

Yesterday I was writing about whether I am doing all that I should given the talents God has given me. Is this wondering about myself a manifestation of pride? Perhaps I am doing exactly what I am supposed to be, and if I was more humble I would recognize that. I guess I want to do more, and I am dissatisfied with what I have done and am currently doing. I feel the need to give more. I feel so very blessed, but that I have taken too much and given too little. I look at my parents and others around me whom I would like to imitate (indeed, Christ Himself), and I see people who give more than I think I give. Is my comparison here prideful? I do not begrudge their impact – I am glad of the results and happy to see God’s will done. But I also feel sadness that I am not doing more. When I feel this way, I suspect that God is answering my prayers for greater humility AND shaping me for something that I cannot see. When I pray on this, I have repeatedly had an image come to me: of metal being hammered as in a forge, as though I am being shaped for some purpose. This image has conveyed a couple of messages. First, being shaped to do God’s will is not pain-free. Second, the one hammering loves the metal and what the metal is and what the metal will become. I feel God’s presence at such times, and I know in my heart that He is asking for my patience and that the hammering is necessary if I am to be what He intends. When this image comes to me, I welcome it. I want to be shaped. I want to become what I am intended to become. Sometimes, I just wish I didn't have to wait. Patience is not an easy thing for me. I think that is why I need the practice.

Person of Consequence

One of the things about giving up a VP job and working for yourself is that you wonder sometimes if you are a person of consequence. While there were many people below me and my decisions carried weight in determining the course of a company, it was clear that I was at least in a position of consequence. I even got to be on TV a couple times. As I have moved to working on my own, it is less clear that what I do matters. Now, I must say that I think my life before was consequential as the world counts it, but it was corrupting to the soul, and I am glad that I was able to change. I also know that I matter immensely to my family and even to my small circle of close friends. But I wonder is my life of consequence in His eyes. I know God loves all of us, and we all are important to Him. Yes, yes, got that. But I also know that to whom much is given, much is expected. I wonder if I am measuring up in this way. Am I doing what I need to be doing? Am I doing enough of it? Am I using my talents as He would? Looking back on my life, I know that I could have used my talents less selfishly, but am I doing the best I can now? Am I living my faith? I do not want to be the rich young man who turns and walks away. Lord, guide me down the path that you have set for me. Help me to follow you, to set aside my own aspirations and to go where you lead. Amen.

Powerful Verse

Here is a verse from tomorrow's (Sun, Feb 4) second reading that really hit me. It is Paul's first letter to the Corinthians verses 10: "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective" All that I do that is good comes from Him. Lord, I pray that your grace is effective in me that I may be of your design. Amen.

Humility, Worry, and Growth

It has been hectic since the baptism. I have had to finish a couple of projects, I had a school board meeting for our Catholic school, and we had family visiting from Indiana. Not much time to put in a blog. Everyone is doing well, I continue to do alright with Gracie. I have it rigged pretty good. She is getting more and more delightful as well. She has started smiling and we hear the beginnings of laughs. On a personal note, I had a humbling experience last week. I was confronted with an error I had made. I had to own it - and that was not pleasant. I have been working on humility for years, and it is still not easy. This error was work related to work. Now, those who know me, know that I worry. This combined with a couple of discontinued projects got me started. This time was a little different though - I was not as worried as I would have been even a year ago. As I look at my life, there has never been a time when God did not provide. It makes my worry seem so foolish. I am grateful that I am growing here, and pray for even more growth. Back soon.

Thanksgiving

Click on picture to see a larger image. Ps 118:24-29 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. LORD, grant salvation! LORD, grant good fortune! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. We bless you from the LORD'S house. The LORD is God and has given us light. Join in procession with leafy branches up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, I give you thanks; my God, I offer you praise. Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever. Today is the day that Americans have set aside as a nation to give thanks for what we have received. I am thankful for God's enduring love and patience. I am grateful for His guiding hand. I am grateful for His people who have entered my life - my wife, my children - particularly baby Gracie who was just born, my family and my wife's family, my friends and colleagues. I am thankful for my Church - especially Pope Benedict and my local parish. I am thankful for my country - may she stay free and strong, and work to correct every flaw. I am grateful to be in Southern California -for the beauty both in nature and in the people. I am grateful for the gifts God has given me: prosperity, intelligence, good humor - may I use these for the greater glory of God. I am grateful as well for those who read this blog and the community that is developing here in blog-space. I am grateful for the life that God has given me. God, thank you for everything. Thank you for all of the graces you have bestowed. I love you. Amen. Tags: Thanksgiving

Prayer for Consciousness

Click on picture to see a larger image. From www.sacredspace.ie Consciousness To be conscious about something is to be aware of it. Dear Lord help me to remember that You gave me life. Thank you for the gift of life. Teach me to slow down, to be still and enjoy the pleasures created for me. To be aware of the beauty that surrounds me. The marvel of mountains, the calmness of lakes, the fragility of a flower petal. I need to remember that all these things come from you. Tags: Christianity, Catholicism, prayer

Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Click on picture to see a larger image. Today is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today we celebrate when God brought Mary's body as well as her soul to Heaven after she died. She gets to fully participate in the resurrection right away because of her selfless, sinless life. She is the one who said yes to God - Praise God for that "YES!" The love our Lord must have for his mother! And, oh the love she has for us her children! Christ gave her to us, and us to her through John when he was on the Cross. It is awesome - in the true sense of the word. Let's celebrate!!!!! I'd like to do it here in two ays. I am blessed to lector at this evening's mass. I'd like to quote from the reading I will be allowed to proclaim tonight (these are just two of the lines). It is from Revelation 11:2,5. "A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod." Amen! The other way I want to celebrate, is with on of my favorite prayers. It is the Momorare: Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins my Mother; to you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful; O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen. Have a great feast day!!!!! Tags: Christianity, Catholicism, Blessed Virgin Mary, Prayer, Memorare

Prayers for my mom, please

I got a call early in the morning that my dad was taking my mom to the hospital. I am praying that all will be well, but your prayers would greatly appreciated. Thanks! UPDATE: Good news! Just found out it is less serious than they first thought this morning, and it should be a self correcting problem. I pray they are right. Thanks for any prayers, and keep 'em coming. :)

St. Joseph Prayer for Work

Click on picture to see a larger image. I am still feeling overwhelmed with all I have to do right now, but I am sure I can get through it. I have a couple thoughts I want to post on, but wish I had more time. They will get out eventually. In the meantime I thought I would post a prayer to St. Joseph for work. I found this at www.rc.net/marquette/carmelite/glorious_st__joseph.htm Glorious St. Joseph, model of all those who are devoted to labor, obtain for me the grace to work conscientiously, putting the call of duty above my natural inclinations; to work with gratitude and joy, considering it an honor to employ and develop, by means of labor, the gifts received from God, without recoiling before weariness or difficulties; to work, above all, with purity of intention, and with detachment from self, having always death before my eyes and the account which must render of time lost, of talents wasted, of good omitted, of vain complacency in success, so fatal to the work of God. All for Jesus, all for Mary, all after thy example, O Patriarch St, Joseph. Such shall be my watchword in life and death. Amen. Tags: Christianity, Catholicism, Prayer, Work, Saint Joseph

“Thy Will Be Done” or “My Will Be Done” – Part II

click picture for larger image I had meant to get part two out yesterday, but work has heated up. And when it is your anniversary, other priorities demand the attention of any free time. So I have this today. Part I can be found by clicking here. In Part I, I discussed greed. A second stumbling block in praying “Thy Will Be Done” is pride. The Catholic Encyclopedia starts off with a succinct description of Pride: “Pride is the excessive love of one's own excellence.” How does this form a stumbling block for us? It is because we think we don’t need any guidance. We believe we are quite capable of figuring out right and wrong on our own, thank you very much. When I was in High School I had the privilege of going to Our Lady Queen of Angels Seminary. I really enjoyed the religion classes – from reading encyclicals with Fr. Ziemann to Church History with Fr. Burnham to senior religion class with Fr. Dober. In Fr. Dober’s class we discussed the role of our conscience, and how we must obey our conscience, and that we will be ultimately judged against it. Well, that was enough for me. After telling Fr. Ziemann the year before that the Church needed to stay out of the bedroom, I had all I needed to feed my pride. Now, I thought, I could do whatever pleased me. It also formed a political belief that even heinous acts were OK, so long as the person'sconscience thought they were OK (and they didn't hurt anyone). Basically, pride and arrogance lead to this relativist thinking. “Hey, I’m good with it, so it must be OK” and “whatever you think is good is up to you.” So we say “It doesn’t matter if it says different in the Bible – that is just interpretation; and what does the Church know – they’re still in the dark ages.” Of course, I de-emphasized the part of Fr. Dober's teaching that said a conscience must be informed by Holy Scripture and the teachings of the Church. I didn't want to think about how it was my responsibility to study Scripture and learn what the church teaches and why. The thing is my conscience actually knew better. All along, when I would say that I was following my conscience, there was a part of me that knew I was fooling myself. I think this issue is hard for those in the United States, and I suspect for other developed democracies. We vote on issues, and my vote is as good as any other (unless you are in Florida). Everyone is equal under the law, and all are free to express their opinions. With this, we can easily confuse political tolerance with morality. Just because someone can say something does not make it true. Just because different perspectives are rightly tolerated in a democracy – does not mean that all perspectives are right. But it is easy, especially when you believe in the value of democracy, to lapse into this relativism. We set ourselves up as heads of our own individual churches. We reject Church teachings and the Scriptures, because “we know better.” But we do know better. Deep down, we know we are not wiser than God. We do need the Bible and the teachings of His Church. We know that 2000 years of study and prayer, are better informed than my current and often sinful view. If we let go of our pride and our need to control, then we are truly liberated. When we humbly approach God for teaching and guidance, then we can follow our conscience. Then we can pray "Thy will be done" and truly mean it. Tags: Christianity, Catholicism, Pride, Our Father

“Thy Will Be Done” or “My Will Be Done” – Part I

Cross in cemetery at Santa Barbara mission. Click for a larger image. When I pray the Our Father, I will often stop and contemplate one of the specific phrases. From "Our Father" to "deliver us from evil," I find meditating upon each, provides a special opportunity to open oneself to God. The phrase I stop on most is "Thy will be done." I think that praying this AND actually meaning it is the hardest thing for someone (especially an American) to do - at least it has presented a great challenge for me. I think the problem for me (and perhaps more than me?) comes in two distinct parts: greed and pride. I believe that these two sins are the greatest threat to living a Christian life. I'd like to share my thoughts on greed today and pride tomorrow. The first sense is one of greed. "My will" gives us more of what we want. We really mean "let my will be Thy will.". The thinking is tantamount to the following: "I want what I want, and I want it ASAP." We want to make more money. We want new things (car, house, computer, golf clubs, etc.). We want others to be a certain way. We want to be admired. We want recognition. We want to be in charge. We are focused on what we want, not what God wants - "my will" not "Thy will." But "my will" doesn't work! It leads to anxiety, worry, and stress. We fret over situations, other people, our own abilities, or obstacles that stand between us and our goals. And when we do achieve them, we are unfulfilled - we want more and move on to the next conquest. "My will" does not feed the soul. A focus on "my will" can also negatively change who we are. I work for myself now (and I am the toughest boss I ever had), but I had been a VP at a Fortune 1000 company. Being in my 30's, I was doing pretty well by the world's standard, and could have gone even further in the corporate world. But climbing the ladder requires an intense focus on goals to achieve success. You can end up trading things you need to get what you want - time with family vs. time at work, compassion vs. company politics, helping others vs. helping me, growing a family vs. growing a bank account, building community vs. putting in the hours. In contrast "Thy will" frees us and fills us. By doing "Thy will" we let go of control, and let God direct us. We still have goals, but now our effort is seeking alignment with God's will through an ongoing process of discernment. We still work and strive, but it is different when we give up the driver's seat. God does not stop filling us with love if we don't succeed in the way the world judges. To God, "how" we live is more important than what we accomplish. When we accept this, and stop judging ourselves on the World's terms, He will accomplish what he judges as great through us. When we can surrender that control, we can say "Thy will be done" and truly mean it. Tags: Catholicism, Christianity, Our Father, Prayer, Greed

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam

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