Shepherds of Christ  
       Daily Writing        
 

October 11, 2010

October 12th Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 9 Period I.

The Novena Rosary Mysteries  
for October 12th are Glorious.

 

Rita will do the

Sidney Rosary tomorrow night

October 12, 2010 at 6:20pm
 


 

China Retreat

October 10th - 13th

Please tune in!

  October 12th - Retreat begins at 10:00am

October 12th - Mass at 1:30pm
 

 
 

October 13, 2010

93rd Anniversary of Mary's
last apparition of Fatima --

Come to China!

October 13th begins at 11:30am

Mass at 6:00pm

Please pray with us!

  
  

Excerpt from the Spirituality of Fatima

by Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.
 

October 13, 1917

    On October 13, 1917, there were more than 70,000 people gathered in the Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal. They had come to observe a miracle which had been foretold by the Blessed Virgin to three young visionaries: Lucia dos Santos, and her two cousins, Jacinta and Francisco Marto. (1) Shortly after noon, Our Lady appeared to the three visionaries:

    As the Lady was about to leave, she pointed to the sun. Lucy excitedly repeated the gesture, and the people looked into the sky. The rain had ceased, the clouds parted, and the sun shone forth, but not in its usual brilliance. Instead, it appeared like a silver disc, pale as the moon, at which all could gaze without straining their eyes. Suddenly, impelled by some mysterious force, the disc began to whirl in the sky, casting off great shafts of multicolored light. Red, green, blue, yellow, violet—the enormous rays shot across the sky at all angles, lighting up the entire countryside for many miles around, but particularly the upturned faces of those 70,000 spellbound people.

    After a few moments the wonder stopped, but resumed again a second and a third time—three times in all—within about 12 minutes. It seemed that the whole world was on fire, with the sun spinning at a greater speed each time.

    Then a gasp of terror rose from the crowd, for the sun seemed to tear itself from the heavens and come crashing down upon the horrified multitude.... Just when it seemed that the ball of fire would fall upon and destroy them, the miracle ceased, and the sun resumed its normal place in the sky, shining forth as peacefully as ever.

    When the people arose from the ground, cries of astonishment were heard on all sides. Their clothes, which had been soaking wet and muddy, now were clean and dry. Many of the sick and crippled had been cured of their afflictions. (2)


NOTE:

2. For background material on Fatima, I am particularly indebted to 
        Our Lady of Fatima's Peace Plan from Heaven
(Rockford: 
        TAN Books and Publishers, Inc., 1983). pp.7-8.
 

 

Nursing Home Video #1

Epiphany 2005 - January 2, 2005 at Clearwater, Florida
Video Options: Left click on movie link to view directly.
                          Right-click on link to download to your hard drive, then select "Save Target As" 
                         (See detailed instructions below.)

 DVD Quality, Great Picture - Ethernet or High Speed Cable modem (1Mbits/sec)
VHS Quality, Good Picture - DSL or Cable modem (256Kbits/sec)
 Lower Quality, Very Small Picture -  Dial Up modem (46Kbits/sec)
 

Nursing Home Video #2

Epiphany 2005 - January 2, 2005 at Clearwater, Florida
Video Options: Left click on movie link to view directly.
                          Right-click on link to download to your hard drive, then select "Save Target As" 
                         (See detailed instructions below.)

 DVD Quality, Great Picture - Ethernet or High Speed Cable modem (1Mbits/sec)
VHS Quality, Good Picture - DSL or Cable modem (256Kbits/sec)
 Lower Quality, Very Small Picture -  Dial Up modem (46Kbits/sec)
 
  

Rosary

Epiphany 2005 - January 2, 2005 at Clearwater, Florida
Video Options: Left click on movie link to view directly.
                          Right-click on link to download to your hard drive, then select "Save Target As" 
                         (See detailed instructions below.)

 DVD Quality, Great Picture - Ethernet or High Speed Cable modem (1Mbits/sec)
VHS Quality, Good Picture - DSL or Cable modem (256Kbits/sec)
 Lower Quality, Very Small Picture -  Dial Up modem (46Kbits/sec)

 

 

Can anyone please help us payoff

our loan on the building?

 

Please help us publish Cycle A -

Fr. Joe's Homily Book

1-888-211-3041

  

                  

October 11, 2010

                Jesus: Time marches on in petty pace —

                I call you to love

                To live your vocation with a
                    commitment as Mary lived
                    her vocation —

                    Mary was committed in serving
                        God —

                    Mary's whole life was to
                        please God

                    Mary, the perfect handmaid
                        of the Lord —

                    Mary the singular vessel

                    Mary, chosen by My Father
                        conceived without sin —

                    Mary, the Spouse of the Holy Spirit

                    Mary, My Mother —

                    Mary, the Immaculate Heart

                Mary:

                    Oh my children I love you,
                You are my children — come
                to my Immaculate Heart —
                Consecrate your lives to me —
                Live your vocation in love —
                Do not be afraid to love —
                You were created to love —

                It is the Plan of the Father —

                A man lived his whole life
                    trusting no one — he was
                    an island —

                You were called by God to walk
                    hand-in-hand
                    to work together —
                    to be brothers and sisters in the
                        Father's family

                    wanting to be isolated —
                    acting unloving is working
                        against God's plan
                        for you —

                You are rebelling against
                    the Father's Plan —

                The Father created you with
                    such gifts and talents
                    - to serve Him
                    - to do His work
                    - to go to Him for your
                        directions

                Some base their actions on
                    their imperfections —

                Scheming in anger against
                    their brother —

                Some base their actions on
                    control —

                They have never learned to
                    be under authority
                    in relationships
                    involving spiritual
                    matters and they
                    want to rule —

                I am your heavenly Mother —
                    the body was made for
                    the soul —

                Jesus in giving you the Shepherds of
                    Christ is giving you the
                    Mighty Medicine to
                    cure your tainted hearts —

                These daily writings

                The Blue Books to live by —

                My rosary I want you to
                    say

                To meditate on my life
                And the life of Jesus —

                Jesus: Come unto Me all who are
                    weary and find rest for
                    your soul —

                A pure heart —

                Oh you of tainted vision

                Reach for the pure heart —

                Look at your hidden
                    anger toward your
                    brother —

                Vengeance in your heart toward
                    your brother —

                    Remember Cain and Abel
                    Remember Jacob and Esau
                    Remember Joseph and his brothers

                Remember your Father
                    Abraham who walked
                    in faith —

                Who was willing to sacrifice
                    his — son Isaac —

                I promised to Abraham,
                    after he was tested to
                    show his faithfulness
                    with Isaac — descendants
                    as numerous as the stars
                    in the sky

                Oh men of Israel — hear Me
                    for I speak and you
                    plug up your ears —

                Listen and you will be wise —

                Bend the stubborn heart and
                    will

                Melt the frozen, warm the
                    chill

                Guide the steps that go
                    astray —

                Satan comes to dig a hole —
                    like Joseph's brothers
                    did to him —

                Satan wants your foot to
                    stumble in that hole —

                He drags you down —
                He is sad —

                He wants you to lie about
                    the truth — your sins —

                I am the way, the truth
                    and the life —

                The truth will set you
                    free —

                If you lie and continue living a lie
                    you become further and
                    further from Me —

                Come unto me all who are weary
                    and find rest for your soul

                I am the truth —
                I am love

                I am Jesus, the Heart of
                    Pure and holy love —

                You will not be close to Me if
                    you do not learn to trust —

 

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
I place My trust in Thee

 


                Relationship — Love

                Forgiveness — Reconciliation

                Restoring that relationship
                    to unity —

                Coming to Me with sorrow for
                    sin —
                    wanting forgiveness
                    - making amendments for
                        your sins
                    - making reparation —
                    - reconciliation
                    - a firm purpose of amendment to
                        sin no more and
                        avoid the near
                        occasion of sin —

                Sin is what drives you from
                    Me —

                Unrepented mortal sin is deadly —

                When one sins they hurt their
                    relationship with Me —
                    with their brothers —
                    with themselves —

                I want pure hearts
                I want hearts of love —
                I want holiness —

                Love is giving for the
                    good of the other —

                A man who is open in his heart is
                    able to be one with his brothers
                    and one with Me —

                Operating in the truth — he opens
                    up his heart to love —

                I am love —

                To be united to Me you are
                    loving —

                What makes a person sad is,
                    many times, living in
                    untruths and being
                    distanced from Me by
                    this —

                Failure to trust Me or anyone —
                    hurts the person —
                    for they use their energy
                    in trusting no one —
                    to try to live without trusting
                    God and others
                    Like an island

                Satan is division
                Satan wants disharmony
                Satan want commotion
                Satan wants disunity

                Satan wants you to waste
                    your energies
                    your time
                    so you will not love —
                    so you will not trust —
                    so you will be heartless —
                    A STONE HEART —
                    CLOSED

                Locked like a vault —

                So your actions are steeped
                    in human fear —

                    gripped in details —

                    very regimented without
                        unity of mind and heart —

                I teach you about unity
                I teach you about connection
                    in My Heart —

                I give you great gifts
                    knowing good and evil —

                I teach you about My Divine
                    Mysteries —

                I unveil to you the workings
                    of satan in your lives —
                    trying to deceive you and
                    live in disunity —

                A person that has lived with
                    eyes that say
                    "I am always on top"
                    is steeped in pride
                        LIKE EVE —

                Disobeying God's will
                    wanting to be equal

                Think of a pearl in an
                    oyster shell —
                    It must be cleaned —

                Think of sin committed
                    and denied —

                Your connection with
                    Me is in relationship
                    that is to last
                    eternally, but
                   

                If you fail to be
                    reconciled —
                    you live divided —

                You are to say you are
                    sorry when you
                    sin and ask for
                    My forgiveness —

                Pray for unity —
                    to be possessed by God

  

 My Way of Life, a pocket Edition of St. Thomas, p. 227
by Walter Farrell, O.P., S.T.M. and Martin J. Healy, S.T.D.

ALL HUMAN VIRTUES will be either intellectual or moral. Human virtue is a habit which perfects man in view of his doing good deeds. But there are only two sources of truly human actions: the human intellect and the human will. Every human virtue must be a perfection of one of these two sources of human action. If it perfects man's intellect, it will be an intellectual virtue. If it perfects his will, it will be a moral virtue. From this it follows that human virtue makes man perfect as man. Virtue is the perfection of the powers of reason and will which raise man above the level of the beast and make him the image of God. God's life consists of His Divine Knowledge and His Divine Love. The perfection of human life consists also of knowledge and love. Man needs therefore the intellectual and moral virtues which enable him to know and love well.
 

                Abraham had faith —

                    He was promised descendants
                as numerous as the stars in
                the sky —

                He was full of hope —
                His reward was long lasting —

                Abraham is the father of
                    many nations —   

Romans 4: 13, 16-18

For the promise to Abraham and his descendants that he should inherit the world was not through the Law, but through the uprightness of faith.

That is why the promise is to faith, so that it comes as a free gift and is secure for all the descendants, not only those who rely on the Law but all those others who rely on the faith of Abraham, the ancestor of us all (as scripture says: I have made you the father of many nations). Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into existence what does not yet exist.

Though there seemed no hope, he hoped and believed that he was to become father of many nations in fulfillment of the promise: Just so will your descendants be.

This is the faith that was reckoned to him as uprightness.

 

Psalm 105: 6-9, 42-43

Stock of Abraham, his servant,
children of Jacob whom he chose!
He is Yahweh our God,
his judgements touch the whole world.

He remembers his covenant for ever,
the promise he laid down for a thousand generations,
which he concluded with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.

Faithful to his sacred promise,
given to his servant Abraham,
he led out his people with rejoicing,
his chosen ones with shouts of joy.

      

                We may fail to see our involvement
                    at present in the world at
                    large, but
                    we are to see ourselves now
                    as so important in giving
                    our lives and praying for the
                    priests, the Church and the
                    world —

                As leaving a legacy behind
                    us for when we are gone —

                Why would we do anything
                    to jeopardize our
                    eternal salvation —

                Jesus promised us that our
                    Father will acknowledge
                    us if we are faithful
                    to Jesus —
                    especially when we are
                    persecuted

   

Luke 12: 8-12

    'I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of human beings, the Son of man will declare himself for him in the presence of God's angels. But anyone who disowns me in the presence of human beings will be disowned in the presence of God's angels.

    'Everyone who says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven, but no one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will be forgiven.

    'When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say, because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you should say.'

   

                Paul told us to follow the
                    example of Abraham —

                We who have the gift of baptism —
                    should be so faithful
                    and follow his example —

   

Romans 4: 20-25

Counting on the promise of God, he did not doubt or disbelieve, but drew strength from faith and gave glory to God, fully convinced that whatever God promised he has the power to perform. This is the faith that was reckoned to him as uprightness. And the word ‘reckoned’ in scripture applies not only to him; it is there for our sake too—our faith, too, will be ‘reckoned’ because we believe in him who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus who was handed over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification.

 

Luke 1: 69-75

and he has established for us 
    a saving power 
in the House of his servant David, 
just as he proclaimed, 
by the mouth of his holy prophets 
    from ancient times, 
that he would save us from our enemies 
and from the hands of all those 
    who hate us

and show faithful love to our ancestors
and so keep in mind his holy covenant
This was the oath he swore 
to our father Abraham, 
that he would grant us, free from fear, 
to be delivered 
    from the hands of our enemies, 
to serve him in holiness and uprightness 
in his presence, all our days. 

     

                We will be accountable
                    for the gifts of faith
                    and life God has given
                    us —

                We are to be ready at all
                    times —

                To live in faith —

   

Luke 12: 13-21

A man in the crowd said to him, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ He said to him, ‘My friend, who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for life does not consist in possessions, even when someone has more than he needs.’ 

    Then he told them a parable, ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, "What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops." Then he said, "This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time." But God said to him, "Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?" So it is when someone stores up treasure for himself instead of becoming rich in the sight of God.’

 

Romans 5: 12, 15, 17-21

Well then; it was through one man that sin came into the world, and through sin death, and thus death has spread through the whole human race because everyone has sinned.

    There is no comparison between the free gift and the offence. If death came to many through the offence of one man, how much greater an effect the grace of God has had, coming to so many and so plentifully as a free gift through the one man Jesus Christ!

It was by one man’s offence that death came to reign over all, but how much greater the reign in life of those who receive the fullness of grace and the gift of saving justice, through the one man, Jesus Christ. One man’s offence brought condemnation on all humanity; and one man’s good act has brought justification and life to all humanity. Just as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by one man’s obedience are many to be made upright. When law came on the scene, it was to multiply the offences. But however much sin increased, grace was always greater; so that as sin’s reign brought death, so grace was to rule through saving justice that leads to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

   

                We live the Pascal Mystery
                    of death/resurrection

      

Psalm 40: 7-8, 9-10, 17

    then I said, ‘Here I am, I am coming.’ 

In the scroll of the book it is written of me, 
    my delight is to do your will; 
your law, my God, 
    is deep in my heart. 

I proclaimed the saving justice of Yahweh 
    in the great assembly. 
See, I will not hold my tongue, 
    as you well know. 

I have not kept your saving justice locked in the depths of my heart,
    but have spoken of your constancy and saving help. 
I have made no secret of your faithful and steadfast love, 
    in the great assembly.

Poor and needy as I am, 
    the Lord has me in mind. 
You, my helper, my Saviour, 
    my God, do not delay.

   

                Here I am Lord

                I come to do Your will

     

Psalm 124: 1-8

If Yahweh had not been on our side
    —let Israel repeat it—
if Yahweh had not been on our side
    when people attacked us,
they would have swallowed us alive
    in the heat of their anger.

Then water was washing us away,
    a torrent running right over us;
running right over us then
    were turbulent waters.

Blessed be Yahweh for not letting us fall
    a prey to their teeth!
We escaped like a bird
    from the fowlers' net.

The net was broken
    and we escaped;
our help is in the name of Yahweh,
    who made heaven and earth.

 

                Men were captured many
                    times and were made slaves —

                We who are sinners
                    find freedom in Jesus and
                    our lives are to be lived
                    in being holy —

                For God gives eternal life

      

Romans 6: 12-18

That is why you must not allow sin to reign over your mortal bodies and make you obey their desires; or give any parts of your bodies over to sin to be used as instruments of evil. Instead, give yourselves to God, as people brought to life from the dead, and give every part of your bodies to God to be instruments of uprightness; and then sin will no longer have any power over you—you are living not under law, but under grace.

What is the implication? That we are free to sin, now that we are not under law but under grace? Out of the question! You know well that if you undertake to be somebody’s slave and obey him, you are the slave of him you obey: you can be the slave either of sin which leads to death, or of obedience which leads to saving justice. Once you were slaves of sin, but thank God you have given whole–hearted obedience to the pattern of teaching to which you were introduced; and so, being freed from serving sin, you took uprightness as your master.

 

Romans 6: 19-23

I am putting it in human terms because you are still weak human beings: as once you surrendered yourselves as servants to immorality and to a lawlessness which results in more lawlessness, now you have to surrender yourselves to uprightness which is to result in sanctification.

When you were the servants of sin, you felt no obligation to uprightness, and what did you gain from living like that? Experiences of which you are now ashamed, for that sort of behaviour ends in death. But, now you are set free from sin and bound to the service of God, your gain will be sanctification and the end will be eternal life. For the wage paid by sin is death; the gift freely given by God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

  

Psalm 1: 1-2, 3, 4, 6

How blessed is anyone who rejects the advice of the wicked
and does not take a stand in the path that sinners tread,
nor a seat in company with cynics,
but who delights in the law of Yahweh
and murmurs his law day and night.

Such a one is like a tree planted near streams;
it bears fruit in season
and its leaves never wither,
and every project succeeds.
How different the wicked, how different!

Just like chaff blown around by the wind

For Yahweh watches over the path of the upright,
but the path of the wicked is doomed.

   

Luke 12: 49-53

'I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!

'Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on, a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; father opposed to son, son to father, mother to daughter, daughter to mother, mother-in-law to daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law to mother-in-law.'

   

                Sing: Holy Is His Name

                We have a choice to choose
                    life or death

                Sing: Choose Life   

 

Romans 7: 18-25

And really, I know of nothing good living in me — in my natural self, that is — for though the will to do what is good is in me, the power to do it is not: the good thing I want to do, I never do; the evil thing which I do not want — that is what I do. But every time I do what I do not want to, then it is not myself acting, but the sin that lives in me.

So I find this rule: that for me, where I want to do nothing but good, evil is close at my side. In my inmost self I dearly love God's law, but I see that acting on my body there is a different law which battles against the law in my mind. So I am brought to be a prisoner of that law of sin which lives inside my body.

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body doomed to death? God — thanks be to him — through Jesus Christ our Lord.

So it is that I myself with my mind obey the law of God, but in my disordered nature I obey the law of sin.

 

Psalm 119: 66, 68, 76, 77, 93, 94

Teach me judgement and knowledge,
for I rely on your commandments.

You are generous and act generously,
teach me your will.

Your faithful love must be my consolation,
as you have promised your servant.
Treat me with tenderness and I shall live,
for your Law is my delight.

I shall never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
I am yours, save me,
for I seek your precepts.

   

Romans 8: 1-11

Thus, condemnation will never come to those who are in Christ Jesus, because the law of the Spirit which gives life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. What the Law could not do because of the weakness of human nature, God did, sending his own Son in the same human nature as any sinner to be a sacrifice for sin, and condemning sin in that human nature. This was so that the Law’s requirements might be fully satisfied in us as we direct our lives not by our natural inclinations but by the Spirit. Those who are living by their natural inclinations have their minds on the things human nature desires; those who live in the Spirit have their minds on spiritual things. And human nature has nothing to look forward to but death, while the Spirit looks forward to life and peace, because the outlook of disordered human nature is opposed to God, since it does not submit to God’s Law, and indeed it cannot, and those who live by their natural inclinations can never be pleasing to God. You, however, live not by your natural inclinations, but by the Spirit, since the Spirit of God has made a home in you. Indeed, anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But when Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin but the spirit is alive because you have been justified; and if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead has made his home in you, then he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your own mortal bodies through his Spirit living in you.

  

               We are to bear fruit
                    for the Kingdom

                If there is no fruit on
                    the fig tree
                    eventually it
                    will be cut down

 

Luke 13: 6-9

He told this parable, ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none. He said to his vinedresser, "For three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?" "Sir," the man replied, "leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it: it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down." ’

 

Galatians 5: 18-25

But when you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. When self-indulgence is at work the results are obvious: sexual vice, impurity, and sensuality, the worship of false gods and sorcery; antagonisms and rivalry, jealousy, bad temper and quarrels, disagreements, factions and malice, drunkenness, orgies and all such things. And about these, I tell you now as I have told you in the past, that people who behave in these ways will not inherit the kingdom of God. On the other hand the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, trustfulness, gentleness and self-control; no law can touch such things as these. All who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified self with all its passions and its desires.

    Since we are living by the Spirit, let our behaviour be guided by the Spirit and let us not be conceited or provocative and envious of one another.

     

Ephesians 1: 3-10

Blessed be God 
    the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
who has blessed us 
    with all the spiritual blessings of heaven 
        in Christ. 
Thus he chose us in Christ 
    before the world was made 
to be holy and faultless 
    before him in love, 
marking us out for himself beforehand, 
    to be adopted sons, 
        through Jesus Christ. 
Such was his purpose and good pleasure, 
to the praise of the glory of his grace, 
his free gift to us in the Beloved,
in whom, through his blood, 
    we gain our freedom, 
        the forgiveness of our sins. 
Such is the richness of the grace 
which he has showered on us 
in all wisdom and insight. 
He has let us know 
    the mystery of his purpose, 
according to his good pleasure 
    which he determined beforehand 
        in Christ, 
for him to act upon 
    when the times had run their course: 
that he would bring everything together 
    under Christ, as head, 
everything in the heavens 
    and everything on earth. 

       

                               

Given October 7, 2010 - Feast of the Holy Rosary

 

Joyful Mysteries
 

                Annunciation

                1. Luke 1: 26-38

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, you who enjoy God’s favour! The Lord is with you.’ She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean, but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour. Look! You are to conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David; he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’ Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I have no knowledge of man?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God. And I tell you this too: your cousin Elizabeth also, in her old age, has conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month, for nothing is impossible to God.’ Mary said, ‘You see before you the Lord’s servant, let it happen to me as you have said.’ And the angel left her. 

                2. We are to see the vision of God —

                3. God intends us to follow in His footsteps —
                    to love our brothers and sisters in the
                    Father's family —

                4. God intends for us to have unity —
                    God intends us to obey the commandments —

                5. The Angel Gabriel came to Mary —
                    she said "yes"

                6. God has given us such a gift in Mary —

                7. Mary was conceived without sin —

                8. Mary is our spiritual Mother —

                9. 1 John 4: 9-10

This is the revelation
   of God’s love for us,
that God sent his only Son into the world
that we might have life through him.
Love consists in this:
it is not we who loved God,
but God loved us and sent his Son
to expiate our sins.

                10. To save men from their sins — God the Father
                        sent Jesus His only begotten Son —

   

                Visitation

                1. Luke 1: 39-56

Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could into the hill country to a town in Judah. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Now it happened that as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord? Look, the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’ Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

And Mary said:

My soul proclaims
    the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit rejoices
    in God my Saviour;
because he has looked upon
    the humiliation of his servant.
Yes, from now onwards
    all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty
    has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his faithful love extends age after age
    to those who fear him.
He has used the power of his arm,
he has routed the arrogant of heart.
He has pulled down princes
    from their thrones
        and raised high the lowly.
He has filled the starving with good things,
    sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the help
    of Israel his servant,
        mindful of his faithful love
—according to the promise
    he made to our ancestors—
of his mercy to Abraham
    and to his descendants for ever.

        Mary stayed with her some three months and then went home.

                2. Song: Holy Is His Name — Sing it

                3. Elizabeth in her old age, after thought
                    barren conceived a child —

                4. Elizabeth and Mary give such dignity to the
                    womb —

                5. This gift given in Elizabeth's womb and
                    Mary's womb is in the scriptures —

                6. We see the gift of Sarah, wife of Abraham
                    how important his life and the life of Isaac
                    was to God —

                7. Jesus is a Divine Person
                    with 2 Natures — human and Divine —

                8. Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist
                    in His Divinity and humanity
                    no less than the day He walked the earth —

                9. The Eucharist is a tremendous gift —

                10. We can meditate on the mystery of
                    God's love for us.

    

 

                Birth of Jesus

                1. Luke 2:1-7

Now it happened that at this time Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be made of the whole inhabited world. This census—the first—took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria, and everyone went to be registered, each to his own town. So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee for Judaea, to David’s town called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line, in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. Now it happened that, while they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to a son, her first–born. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the living–space.

                2. The incarnation goes on in us —

                3. Sing: Silent Night

                4. Sing: What Child Is This

                5. Sing: Angels We Have Heard on High

                6. Dear God - thank You for coming to the earth —

                7. Dear God - thank You for the Church.

                8. Dear God - thank You for the priest.

                9. Sing: A Priest is a Gift from God

                10. Sing: Joy to the World

    

 

               Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

                1. Luke 2: 25-34

Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to the restoration of Israel and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord. Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required, he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

    Now, Master, you are letting 
        your servant go in peace 
    as you promised; 
    for my eyes have seen the salvation 
    which you have made ready 
        in the sight of the nations; 
    a light of revelation for the gentiles 
    and glory for your people Israel.

As the child’s father and mother were wondering at the things that were being said about him, Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘Look, he is destined for the fall and for the rise of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is opposed —

                2. Sing: Little Baby Hands and Feet

                3. From the Rosary of August 27, 1996

Mary's Message

Mary:  I stood beneath the cross of my Son, and my Heart was in such pain for I saw Him before my eyes. I saw Him covered with blood. I saw Him die. My Heart, my children, my Heart to watch my Son, but my Heart, my Heart, how I suffered for my little children of the world that give in to this world and give up the love of my Son. O my little children of light, I give you this message. Carry this light into the darkness for your Mother Mary, for I stood beneath the cross and I cried. I cried for the little ones. I cried for the young ones, the ones that do not care and will lose their souls. How do I make you see for you will not listen to me? What can I do? I come. I appear. I beg. I plead. I give you these gifts from my Son, and you reject me. I do not deliver messages very often anymore for I have been ignored. The message is the same. You do not read the messages I have given to you. Please help me. Help the little children. I appear. I appear. I appear, and I am ignored. I stood beneath the cross, and I cried. I cried, and my Heart was in such anguish for my little children, for I am searching for them this day as I searched for the Child Jesus. Please, please help me. I cannot hold back the hand of my Son any longer. I am Mary, your Mother. I ask you to help my children. You are my children of light.

end of Mary's Message

 

                4.

 
Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary - February 22, 1995
 

1. The Prophecy of Simeon
Mary, Joseph and the child Jesus went to the temple. Simeon, the prophet, inspired by the Holy Spirit, met them and told Joseph and Mary of the great sufferings of Jesus and Mary. He told Mary that a sword would pierce her heart. From that point on, Mary ever remembered the prophecy of Simeon whenever she beheld her child. When she looked at His little body, even as an infant, she knew He would suffer. Every time she clothed Him and watched Him at play, her heart was torn in her chest as she knew what He would suffer. And a sword, too, shall pierce your Heart, O Mary!

 

                5.

2. The Flight into Egypt
Joseph was told by the angel to flee. Joseph, Mary and the child Jesus had to flee because of what might happen to Jesus. They had to pack for a long stay. The child Jesus was so small! They left on their journey, hearts full of fear, trying to protect Jesus. They were forced to flee into Egypt.

 

                6.

 

3. Jesus Is Lost, In the Temple
Imagine the sufferings in Mary's heart when she realized the child Jesus was not with them. Think of how it would be to lose your child and not know where he was or if anything happened to him. With sorrow in their hearts, Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem to look for the child Jesus. And a sword, too, shall pierce your heart, O Mary!

 

               

                7.

4. Jesus Carries His Cross
Song: See the eyes that look at Mary, her tender infant child. See the child's Heart beat so tenderly, the Savior of the world!
See the eyes of Jesus and Mary as they met on Calvary. Mary's Heart knew Jesus' Heart so well! From the first moment of conception and throughout His life, Mary was so connected with Jesus and now she peered into His eyes. The crown of thorns adorned His Head! Blood ran down His face! A heavy cross on His back! Wounded, His whole body covered with bleeding wounds! And her whole life flashed before her, the life that she had spent with Jesus. This was the beloved child that she had held in her arms when Simeon told Mary that 'a sword, too, shall pierce your Heart, O Mary!'

 

                8. 

5. Jesus Dies on the Cross
Mary stood under Jesus' cross as He was put to death. The child that she had held in her arms as Simeon prophesied, And a sword, too, shall pierce your Heart, O Mary! Now Jesus is dead on the cross! He gave His flesh, He gave His blood so that we might be with Him forever in heaven. He held not back. He gave His all. He calls out to us this day to see through the eyes of His mother as she appears and calls out with a Heart of great love, "Return to the love of my Son! He is with you this day. He remains with you, no less present than the day that He hung on the cross, in the Eucharist. He longs for you to come and be with Him. He is in your brother. How can you not love your brother when Jesus died for your brother?"

Her Heart was pierced with a sword. His Heart was pierced with a lance. What came forth was blood and water, the sacramental life of the church. He lives with us this day in the Church. He gives to us His sacraments, the source of His life! He gives to us the Sacrament of Penance whereby any sin that we commit can be taken away through the priest. He wants us to be so close to Him! He gives us everything to be close to Him. But we see with such limited vision only those things that are right before our face, when the true reality is that which we don't see with our eyes, the reality of the invisible divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, in the consecrated Host! This is reality! This is our life! This is our power! This is God! And a sword, too, shall pierce your Heart, O Mary!

 

                9.

6. Jesus Is Taken Down from the Cross
If we ever doubted for one second that we were loved, we could visualize the picture of Mary as she sat beneath the cross with the lifeless, battered, bruised and bloodied body of her Son in her arms, the same child that she held when Simeon prophesied her suffering. He gave His last breath. He gave the last beat of His Heart. He gave His all! This is the way He complied with the Will of the Father. He came to show us the way. He died in perfect peace. To His death He was in peace because He knew the Father's love. The Father loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son for love of us! The Spirit descended upon the Virgin Mary and the Word was made flesh! The love of the Two Hearts! Such immense love beating for us!

In all love there is suffering. Her Heart was pierced with a sword. His Heart was pierced with a lance. And a sword, too, shall pierce your Heart, O Mary!

                10.

7. Jesus Is Locked in the Tomb
And now Jesus, His body lifeless, is locked in a tomb! What cold reality for Mary to realize that His body is now gone! A stone separated her from her Son!

He gave His last breath! He gave the last beat of His Heart for love of each one of us! And she comes to us this day with her sweet, beautiful voice and she asks us to go to her Son and love Him! How can we refuse Jesus who spread His arms and gave His life for each and every one of us? How can we not trust Him when He loved us so much that He allowed them to tear His flesh, to crown Him with piercing thorns and, lastly, to hang Him on a cross? He truly gave His life for us! He, truly God, is with us this day, the same as the day He died on the cross, in the tabernacle! And we take it so lightly! Death has no power over Him! Locked in the tomb for three days, He rose triumphant on the third day as He had foretold. He comes to give us life. He gives us the sacrament of Baptism that initiates us into His life, that makes us children of God and heirs of heaven if we remain in the state of grace. He asks two things: love of God and love of one another! He came to show us the way and His way is love. To His death on the cross He loved each one of us! He calls out to each one of us here today to be His soldiers, to march on a world that has forgotten God, that has forgotten what it is like to love! It is a battle to live in this world. But the battle is won with hearts that are filled with His love, empowered by the grace and might that He pours out in the Eucharist. He calls out for us to come to the Eucharist and to the tabernacle and be fed with His very flesh and blood. To feed on Divine Life, the greatest nourishment, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! This is the love He gives. This is the love He asks us to share.

 

 

 

                Finding in the Temple

                1. Luke 2: 41-52

Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When the days of the feast were over and they set off home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was somewhere in the party, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere. 

    It happened that, three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ He replied, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he meant. He went down with them then and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and with people.

                2. Song: A Song from Jesus

                3. Song: The Rosary Song

                4. Song: I Love You Jesus

                5. Song: Little Child

                6. Song: I Am Your Sacred Heart

                7. Song: Come to My Heart

                8. Song: My Open Heart

                9. Song: I Am a Child of God

                10. Song: Your Presence Pervades My Soul

     

     


Give Christmas Presents that count.

 

Get a canvas print of Mary's image
with a sliver of glass and
a little bottle of
Jesus and Mary water.

The glass will be fixed behind the
back of the picture.

Cost   — $200.00

Call Sheila

1-513-470-3387

                           

Also available

a cup with a Mary's image on it

Cost $15

 1-888-211-3041
Call Doris

or Call Kathleen
1-727-412-0906
 

 

 

   

Rosaries with Mary's Image Available
Aurora Borealis Beads

6mm - $30.00
8mm - $40.00

   all items plus shipping


Fatima w/glass - 11"
$150.00


Sacred Heart of Jesus
w/glass - 18" - $300.00
 


St. Joseph - 18"
$65.00


St. Rita - 12"
$40.00

Different statues and sizes available

 1-888-211-3041
Call Doris

or Call Kathleen
1-727-412-0906
 


Authenticity


 
Prayers and Meditations

$10.00
 

Medicine of Immortality


Prayers and Meditations - on
the mystery of the Eucharist

$10.00

other books by Fr. Pasquini available

  

        
Cycle A Book available soon!
 

        

other books available by Fr. Carter

$10.00 each plus shipping

 Call 1-888-211-3041

 

   

other books available by Rita Ring

 


Blue Book I
$10.00

Blue Book II
$10.00

Blue Book III
$10.00

Blue Book IV
$5.00

Blue Book V
$5.00

Blue Book VI
$10.00

plus shipping

   

      

         
Immaculate Heart and Sacred Heart Pictures Available

with & without frames - different sizes available

 1-888-211-3041
Call Doris

or Call Kathleen
1-727-412-0906
 

 

 

 

We can send Fr. Joe's

homily book to a priest for 75¢.

Can you please help us get

these homilies to the priests?
 

Please help us with your donation.

Call Shepherds of Christ

1-888-211-3041

   

 

Prayer Cards available

     
Holy Spirit Prayer Act of Consecration to
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Act of Consecration to
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer for Priests

 

Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
 

Prayer for Union with Jesus

Available for .25¢ each plus postage

Call Shepherds of Christ

1-888-211-3041

 

 

 

Prayer Card  4" x 6"

.5 each plus postage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

size 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
$1.00 plus postage

 

 

 

 

 

  Statues  

     

Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass - 18

Our Lady-Guadalupe w/glass - 12
Limpias - 8
     

Immaculate Heart w/glass - 18

I Heart - Ivory w/glass - 18

Our Lady of Grace w/glass - 18

     
Our Lady-Mt. Carmel w/glass - 18

Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass - 18

Infant of Prague w/glass - 24

     

Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass - 24

Sacred Heart -Blessing w/glass - 24

Sorrowful Mother w/glass - 24

 

 

 

I Heart - Ivory w/glass - 24

I Heart of Mary w/glass - 24

Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass - 24
   

 

  

 

Our Lady-Guadalupe w/glass - 28

Our Lady of Grace w/glass - 24

Our Lady-Mt. Carmel w/glass - 24
     

Fatima w/glass - 11

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 12

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 15

 

  

 

Fatima w/glass - 18

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 18

 

Pilgrim Virgin w/glass - 27

St. Padre Pio

St. Joseph

St. Therese

   

 

 

St. Francis

St. Anthony

St. Claire

 

  

 

Limpias

St. Jude
 

Divine Mercy

 

  

 

Holy Family

Angel

St. Philomena

 

 

 

Pieta - Marble

Pieta - Color

Holy Family

 

  

 

St. Anthony - 18

St. Francis - 18

St. Joseph - 18

 

 

 

St. Therese - 18

St. Rita - 18

St. Clare - 12
 
     
     

St. Rita - 12

St. Padre Pio - 12

Divine Mercy - 12

St. Michael - 11

         

 


Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P. O. Box 627
China, IN  47250

 

Toll free - 1-888-211-3041
Local - 1-812-273-8405
fax - 1-812-273-3182
web: www.sofc.org
e-mail: info@sofc.org

 

  Size Price Quantity   

 Holy Family

 24"

$180

 

 Limpias

 24"

$125

 

 St. Anthony

 24"

$125

 

 St. Claire

 24"

$125

 

 St. Francis

 24"

$125

 

 St. Joseph

 24"

$125

 

 St. Jude

 24"

$125

 

 St. Padre Pio

 24"

$125

 

 St. Therese

 24"

$125

 
 Divine Mercy

22"

$125  
 Angel

22"

$100  
 St. Philomena

20"

$100  
 St. Philomena

16"

$65  
 St. Joseph

18"

$65  
 St. Francis

18"

$65  
 St. Anthony

18"

$65  
 St. Rita

18"

$65  
 St. Therese

18"

$65  
 Pieta - Color 15" $75  
 Pieta - Marble 15" $75  
 Holy Family

12"

$60  
 St. Padre Pio - standing

12"

$40  
 St. Padre Pio - sitting

8"

$50  
 St. Michael

11"

$40  
 St. Rita

12"

$40  

 Divine Mercy

12"

$40  
 St. Claire

12"

$40  
 Limpias

8"

$25  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

28"

$500  
 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

24"

$500  

 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Infant of Prague w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Sacred Heart -Blessing w/glass

 24"

$500  

 Sorrowful Mother w/glass

 24"

$500  
 Immaculate Heart of Mary w/glass

18"

$300  
 Immaculate Heart - Ivory w/glass

18"

$300  
 Sacred Heart of Jesus w/glass

18"

$300  
 Our Lady of Lourdes w/glass  

18"

$300  
 Our Lady of Grace w/glass

18"

$300  

 Our Lady of Mt. Carmel w/glass

18" $300  
 Our Lady of Guadalupe w/glass

12"

$200  

 Fatima w/glass

11"

$150  

 Fatima w/glass

 18"

$250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

 12"

$160  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 15" $200  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass 18" $250  
 Pilgrim Virgin w/glass

27"

$450  


Call for Shipping Price (1-888-211-3041)
 

  Name
   
 Sub-Total
  Address
         
 IN Tax (7%)
  City
  
 Shipping
  State                                            Zip
  
 Donation
  Telephone
   
 Order Total

 

Shepherds of Christ  
P. O. Box 627
China, IN  47250

1-888-211-3041

 

Fr. Joe's Homily Books  

Guiding Light - Cycle A
The Word Alive in Our Hearts

$10.00


Guiding Light - Cycle B
Focusing on the Word

$10.00
 

Guiding Light - Cycle C
Feed My Soul

$10.00

 

Fr. Carter's Books

Priestly Newsletter Book I

12 Newsletters
July 1994 - June 1996

$12.00


Priestly Newsletter Book 2

17 Newsletters
1996 - 1999

$12.00
 

Priestly Newsletter Book 3

4 Newsletters & Prayers
2000

$12.00


 

Response to God's Love



$10.00
 


Messages given
by Jesus and Mary 1994

Tell My People
$10.00
 


The Pain and the Joy

$10.00

Synopsis of the Spiritual Life

Spirituality Handbook
$3.00

 


Priestly Newsletter on CD
2000 - Issue 1

$10.00


Priestly Newsletter on CD
2000 - Issue 2

$10.00


 

 

 

Fr. Pasquini's Books

 

Authenticity


 
Prayers and Meditations

$10.00

In Imitation of Two Hearts

For those suffering or
in Nursing Homes
 
$10.00

Light, Happiness and Peace

Journeying through traditional
Catholic Spirituality

$10.00

Medicine of Immortality

Prayers and Meditations - will assist the reader in growth toward a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist

$10.00


Ecce Fides - Pillar of Truth

Ideal for RCIA, Adult & Youth Bible Study, Homeschooling, Catholic
Identity Studies

$10.00

Shepherds of Christ Newsletters
9 Newsletters
2006 - 2008

$36.00

  

DVDs and CDs by Fr. Pasquini
 


 

Authenticity DVD
Prayers on the Ocean

$10.00
 

Nursing Home Mass DVD

$10.00

Consolation DVD

$10.00

Medicine of Immortality
Read by Rita Ring

2 CDs - $17.00

In Imitation of Two Hearts DVD

$10.00


 

Consolation CD
by Fr. John

$8.00
 


 

Nursing Home Mass CD

$8.00
 

Holy Spirit Novena DVD

$10.00 

Divine Mercy Chaplet DVD

$10.00 

 

 

 

God’s Blue Books

God’s Blue Book 1
Teachings to Lift You Up

    $10.00


God’s Blue Book 4
The Love of the Hearts of
Jesus and Mary

$5.00
 


God’s Blue Book 2
The Fire of His Love

$10.00
 

God’s Blue Book 5
So Deep Is the Love of His Heart

$5.00


God’s Blue Book 3
Love God, Love One Another

(Fr. Carter's favorite)
$10.00
 


God’s Blue Book 6
He Calls Us to Action

$10.00
 

  

 

Rosary Books
 


Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary

$10.00
 

Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary

$12.00

Rosary Meditations for
Parents and Children's

$10.00


Mysteries of Light 1

$5.00
 

Mysteries of Light 2

$5.00


Little People & Elderly Rosary Book

$10.00

Coloring Book
$5.00 each


Coloring Book
$5.00 each

 

Coloring Book
$5.00 each

Coloring Book
$5.00 each

Coloring Book
$5.00 each


Coloring Book
$5.00 each

 

   

 

 


 

The China Church is over 140 years old

and we pray in there 24 hours a day.

It needs stucco and so does

the community building.

Can you please help us?

Call Shepherds of Christ

 1-888-211-3041

 

Likewise the priest house

is 150 years old.

Jesus told us to repair it

which we have been doing.

We need $13,000.00 for this work.

 

 

Crucifix — hand carved by Felix

   

Available for $750.00

      

 

Brand New Internet Store

 

 

Click picture

   

 


Table of Contents


Main Shepherds of Christ Page


SofC LogoCopyright © 2008 Shepherds of Christ.
Rights for non—commercial reproduction granted:
May be copied in its entirety, but neither re—typed nor edited.
Translations are welcome but they must be reviewed for moral and 
theological accuracy by a source approved by Shepherds of Christ Ministries 
before any distribution takes place. Please contact us for more information.