Shepherds of Christ Daily Writing

October 30, 2024

Pray for the mailing of Fr. Joe's homily book. 

Please Pray for Bob & special intentions.
 

Consecration Prayer for Peace

I consecrate Russia and the Ukraine to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I further consecrate the priests, the Church and the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I do this in the name of Jesus in as far as I am able, united to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, praying to the Father, in the Holy Spirit, with all the angels and saints and the souls in purgatory through the powerful intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace. Amen.

I further consecrate myself, all members of my family and ask the Holy Spirit to fill us. I spread the Blood of Jesus on all above, I cast the devil into hell away from all of us and consecrate all persons, in as far as I am able,  to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart.

Dear Father united to Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrifice of Calvary sacramentally made present, celebrated around the world, in the Holy Spirit. We offer up all we do united to the Mass. We unite in one mind and one heart as members of the mystical body of Christ, with Christ our head in the pure and holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary, through the powerful intercession of Mary with all the angels and saints and souls in purgatory, and we beg for the saving grace, for our country, the United States. Please help us. We further pray for unity to always do the will of God in love. We spread the Blood of Jesus on the leaders and people of the United States and cast the devil into hell. We consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart and all our dioceses, and beg for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God help us. We pray for our families, the priests, the Church and the world. In the Name of Jesus please hear us, we pray. We pray for our president and leaders. We pray that we are united as one nation under God to work together in love as God wants. We pray for the upcoming election.

 

                    Morning Offering

    Dear Father,
    I offer up all I do all day united to Jesus
    in the Mass, in the Holy Spirit, through
    the powerful intercession of Mary, our
    spiritual Mother, with all the angels and
    saints, and the souls in purgatory, for
    the priest, the Church, and the world.

    We love You God so much.
    We thank You and adore You and
    petition You for our needs. Amen.

    

October 30, 2024

33 Years Ago
 

1991

R. Dear Jesus
Keep my heart pure and free to love,
and show light to others.
I am knowing Your light in me.

I know Your love Jesus –
I am washed clean –
Bathed in Your precious Blood.
Fill me with love, God –
Fill me with grace.

Let me know the warmth of Your love.
Bathe me –
Let the Holy Spirit move in me.

Jesus is the real spiritual doctor –
Jesus takes away our pain –
Jesus helps us forgive and let go –
Jesus fills us with His truth –
Jesus gives us His healing –

Jesus can remove the hurts if I let the lid off –
so His grace and healing pour inside.

God I thank You for Your healing hand –

You can do all things –

I thank You for what You are
doing in my life today –

All praise and honor to my God
Love, Rita

Sing: Spirit Song

Sing Song: Healer of our Every Ill

Beg for grace to be healed, purified.
Beg for grace to forgive.

Beg to know the truth about
ourselves and not project
our past hurts on others –

R. Dear Jesus
I put my head on Your lap
I ask for Your presence
I ask for Your peace
I ask for Your love

Matthew 11: 28

‘Come to me, all you who labour and are
overburdened, and I will give you rest.

 

October 29, 2024

Jesus: I am your Sacred Heart!!

Trust in Me.
My Heart is on fire, in love of Thee.

I love you with My on-fire love.

Amen.

Mary: I am Our Lady of Fatima.

I am Our Lady of the Rosary.

I am your Mother Mary.

I love you more than any earthly Mother!!
I am Mother of the Eucharist.

I love you

Mary
 

A trucking nun

Above altar at St. Teresa's

We need our children at Mass.
The Mass is the sacrifice of Calvary
sacramentally made present.

Our Lady of China

God is Light and in Him is no darkness.
Open your hearts and let God come and fill you.
Come into my heart, Lord, I love you so much.

I open my heart to You.
Amen.

Jesus is the Bridegroom of our soul.

My beloved Jesus, Come into my heart,
I love You, most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

 

 A Prayer for Intimacy with the Lamb the Bridegroom of the Soul

Oh Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, come and act on my soul most intimately. I surrender myself, as I ask for the grace to let go, to just be as I exist in You and You act most intimately on my soul. You are the Initiator. I am the soul waiting Your favors as You act in me. I love You. I adore You. I worship You. Come and possess my soul with Your Divine Grace, as I experience You most intimately.

Tell the children about Jesus.

Jesus was a child!!!

 

From the constitutes of the Liturgy  “… the liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows.”

 

Excerpt from Priestly Newsletter 1998 - ISSUE FOUR

    Shortly before he was to die from cancer, Joseph Cardinal Bernardin left us these inspiring words about peace: "It is the first day of November, and fall is giving way to winter. Soon the trees will lose the vibrant colors of their leaves and snow will cover the ground. The earth will shut down, and people will race to and from their destinations bundled up for warmth. Chicago winters are harsh. It is a time of dying.

    "But we know that spring will soon come with all its new life and wonder.

    "It is quite clear that I will not be alive in the spring. But I will soon experience new life in a different way...

    "What I would like to leave behind is a simple prayer that each of you may find what I have found—God's special gift to us all: the gift of peace. When we are at peace, we find the freedom to be most fully who we are, even in the worst of times. We let go of what is non-essential and embrace what is essential. We empty ourselves so that God may more fully work within us. And we become instruments in the hands of the Lord."³

---

Notes:

3. Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, The Gift of Peace, Loyola University Press, pp. 151-153.

 

Mary: I am Our Lady of the Rosary

Our Lady in Clearwater

 

I am the Bread of Life. John 6:35

October 26, 2024

R. We should be so very grateful for the
gift of the priest.

Mary recognized her gift, by election God
had called Mary too.
Mary is so important in the Father’s Plan!

But look at the importance of the priest in
our lives, our children’s lives, the lives of
those of the Church and the world.

What a gift, the sacrament of Holy Orders
for the world, for us.

Thank God for His gift of the priesthood.

Dear God, Thank You for the priest.

Mary said: “The Almighty has done great
things to me.”

Mary in her humility recognized her
enormous calling.

Oh my beloved priest,
God has called you Persona Christi,
What a gift the priest is to me.

Without the priest we would not have
the Eucharist.
Oh God, Thank You, Thank You for
the priest.

When Jesus was dying on the cross He
gave us our Mother Mary.

Thank You God, I long for knowledge
of Thee, I long for intimacy with Thee.
Amen.

In Shepherds of Christ we pray for the
priest, the Church and the world.

Thank You God for the priest.
  

 

A Mystical Marriage to Our Lord.

I Love You, Jesus.

 

May 14, 2024

R. Dear Holy Spirit come to me, possess
my soul, I love You, Holy Spirit.
When I am weak, I am strong in You.
Outpour Your precious love to me. Amen.
I love You, God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Dear Holy Spirit infuse in my intellect
wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Counsel me Holy Spirit from the mind of
God.

Help me, dear Holy Spirit to know the loving
embrace of God all the days of my life.
I turn to You. Amen.

When I find doing God's desire for my life
difficult give me the gift of fortitude, dear
Holy Spirit.
Sanctify my heart to act purely for the
honor and glory of God.
I may be willing, but I need Your gift to
give me courage to act as You desire.
Help me to know and love the heavenly
Father's will for me and to do it in love
for the honor and glory of God.

Help me to always put God first in my life,
in love for God in my heart.
Help me to walk realizing, I am the creature,
God is the Creator.

Help me to be patient and strong and
persevere in my life until I rest with Thee
forever in heaven.

Please Holy Spirit give me the gift of fear
of God that I do not offend you in sins
of unloving ways against God.
You are so good and deserving of all my
love.
I worship You and love You -
Help my interior disposition at Mass to be
that of purity in pleasing the Heavenly
Father, in my offering united to Jesus in
the Mass.
Dear Holy Spirit please help me in the gift
of piety to do that which pleases my Heavenly
Father with the tenderness as His little child.
Thank you God for all You give to me.
I pray this "All for the honor and Glory of
God". Amen.
 

Matthew 22: 36-40

'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?' Jesus said to him, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'

Dear Holy Spirit, strengthen our will and
move like a Divine breath in our soul, to
be docile sons and daughters of our
Heavenly Father. Amen.

Alleluia.

 

March 10, 2024

Novena to St. Joseph, Patron and Father (2024)

Begins March 11, 2024 - March 19, 2024

Dear Saint Joseph,

I turn to you, you who cared and
protected the child Jesus and the
Virgin Mary.
You taught men and women, the
love of God by your example in life,
and by your faithfulness of living
your calling in greatest commitment
and love.

You loved Mary and Jesus with the
most gentle, bonds of love.

You showed us how you
lived in loving conformity to the
Heavenly Father's will.

You guided Jesus and Mary's precious
lives with the Holy Spirit, Spouse of
the Virgin Mother of God.

Protect us and our family this day and
every day of our lives, like
you did the Holy Family of Nazareth.
We seek your powerful intercession.

How intimately you knew and loved
Jesus and Mary. You were so close to
them. You showed us love.

Your heart was pure and gentle and
yet you were strong in being their
manly protector on earth, intercede
for us to depend more and more on
God for all our needs, for when we
are weak we are strong in God.

St. Joseph please intercede for a
peaceful and holy death for us and
our sick loved ones.
Amen.

St. Joseph help us now in this nine
day novena to you.
Amen.

 

October 29, 2024

Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection

1. Luke 24: 1-12

On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, but on entering they could not find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled about this, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side. Terrified, the women bowed their heads to the ground. But the two said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee: that the Son of man was destined to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day.’ And they remembered his words.

And they returned from the tomb and told all this to the Eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. And the other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

Peter, however, went off to the tomb, running. He bent down and looked in and saw the linen cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.

2. Jesus rose from the dead.
3. Jesus rose victorious after 3 days.
4. Jesus rose as He foretold.
5. Jesus’ body and wounds were glorified.
6. God the Father gave to us His precious Son.

7. John 3:16

For this is how God loved the world:
he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him 
    may not perish
but may have eternal life.

8. Jesus laid down His life for the flock.
9. Jesus’ death has brought us life.
10. Jesus died the death of crucifixion so we
    could live.

 

The Ascension

1. Luke 24:50-53

Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and raising his hands he blessed them. Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven. They worshipped him and then went back to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the Temple praising God.

2. The world belongs to Christ.
3. The Church, the world and the individual
    Christian are to be more and more in the
    image of Jesus.
4. God loves us and wants us to be with
    Him in heaven someday.
5. Christians should feel at home in the world.
6. We help in the work of Redemption.
7. Man’s world is crippled by many evils.
8. God helps man make the world good in so
    many ways.
9. All of our actions should be for the honor
    and glory of God.
10. Sing: I Am the Bread of Life

 

The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles

1. Acts 2: 1-4

When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were sitting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves. 

2. The Holy Spirit appeared over their
    heads in parted tongues of fire.

3. May 14, 2024

R. Dear Holy Spirit come to me, possess
my soul, I love You, Holy Spirit.
When I am weak, I am strong in You.
Outpour Your precious love to me. Amen.
I love You, God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Dear Holy Spirit infuse in my intellect
wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Counsel me Holy Spirit from the mind of
God.

Help me, dear Holy Spirit to know the loving
embrace of God all the days of my life.
I turn to You. Amen.

When I find doing God's desire for my life
difficult give me the gift of fortitude, dear
Holy Spirit.
Sanctify my heart to act purely for the
honor and glory of God.
I may be willing, but I need Your gift to
give me courage to act as You desire.
Help me to know and love the heavenly
Father's will for me and to do it in love
for the honor and glory of God.

Help me to always put God first in my life,
in love for God in my heart.
Help me to walk realizing, I am the creature,
God is the Creator.

Help me to be patient and strong and
persevere in my life until I rest with Thee
forever in heaven.

Please Holy Spirit give me the gift of fear
of God that I do not offend you in sins
of unloving ways against God.
You are so good and deserving of all my
love.
I worship You and love You -
Help my interior disposition at Mass to be
that of purity in pleasing the Heavenly
Father, in my offering united to Jesus in
the Mass.
Dear Holy Spirit please help me in the gift
of piety to do that which pleases my Heavenly
Father with the tenderness as His little child.
Thank you God for all You give to me.
I pray this "All for the honor and Glory of
God". Amen.
 

Matthew 22: 36-40

'Master, which is the greatest commandment of the Law?' Jesus said to him, 'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles it: You must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang the whole Law, and the Prophets too.'

Dear Holy Spirit, strengthen our will and
move like a Divine breath in our soul, to
be docile sons and daughters of our
Heavenly Father. Amen.

Alleluia.

4. From the Holy Spirit Novena

Prayer for the Holy Spirit and His Gifts

Come Holy Spirit, come, come into our hearts, inflame all people with the fire of Your love.

Leader: Send forth Your Spirit and all will be reborn.
All:  And You will renew the face of the earth.

We pray for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, we ask for perfection in our souls to make us holy, holy souls likened to God.

Dear Holy Spirit, we give ourselves to You soul and body. We ask You to give us the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

5. From the Prayer Manual

Holy Spirit Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.

6. From the Holy Spirit Novena

Prayer for Strength and Light

We adore You, oh Holy Spirit. Give us strength, give us light, console us. We give ourselves entirely to You. Oh Spirit of light and grace, we want to only do the will of the Father. Enlighten us that we may live always in the Father's will.

Eternal Spirit fill us with Your Divine Wisdom that we may comprehend more fully insight into Your Divine Mysteries.

Give us lights, Oh Holy Spirit that we may know God. Work within the heart, the spiritual womb of the Virgin Mary, to form us more and more into the image of Jesus.

7. From the Holy Spirit Novena

Prayer to Be One with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit

We long for You, Oh Spirit of Light, we long to know God, we want to be one with Him, our Divine God. We want to be one with the Father, know Him as a Person most intimately. We want to know the beloved One, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and live and dwell in Him at all times, every moment of our lives. We want to be one with You, Oh Spirit of Light, that You move in us in our every breath.

8. From the Holy Spirit Novena

Little Prayers to the Holy Spirit

Dear Holy Spirit, help us not to be ignorant or indifferent or weak, help us to be strong with the love of God.

Dear Holy Spirit, please pray for our needs for us.

Dear Holy Spirit, help us to respect God and to avoid sin. Help us to live in the Father's will.

Dear Holy Spirit, help us to keep Your commandments and to respect authority. Help us to love all things as You will us to love them. Help us to want to pray and always serve God with the greatest love. Help us to know the truth. Help us to have the gift of faith, hope, and love. Help us to know what is right and what is wrong.

9. A Prayer for Intimacy with the Lamb the Bridegroom of the Soul

Oh Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, come and act on my soul most intimately. I surrender myself, as I ask for the grace to let go, to just be as I exist in You and You act most intimately on my soul. You are the Initiator. I am the soul waiting Your favors as You act in me. I love You. I adore You. I worship You. Come and possess my soul with Your Divine Grace, as I experience You most intimately.

10.

 

The Assumption

1. Mary was taken body and soul into
    heaven

2. Sing: See the eyes that look at Mary

3. Sing: Our Lady of Clearwater

4. Sing: Immaculate Mary
5. Sing: Come Holy Ghost
6. Mary is our spiritual Mother
7. Jesus gave us Mary as our Mother
    under the cross.

8. From Tell My People by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J.

The Holy Spirit

Jesus: "My beloved friend, tell My people to pray daily to the Holy Spirit. They are to pray for an increase in His gifts. My people must realize that the Holy Spirit comes to transform them. The Spirit desires to transform you more and more according to My image. Those who are docile to His touch become increasingly shaped in My likeness. He performs this marvel within Mary's Immaculate Heart. The more one dwells in My Mother's Heart, the more active are the workings of the Spirit. The Spirit leads Mary to place you within My own Heart. In both Our Hearts, then, your transformation continues. The more you are formed after My own Heart, the more I lead you to the bosom of My Father. Tell My people all this. Tell them to pray daily for a greater appreciation of these wondrous gifts. I am Lord and Master. All who come to My Heart will be on fire to receive the gifts of the Spirit in ever greater measure! I love and bless My people!"

9. Reflection: The Holy Spirit is given to us to fashion us ever more according to the likeness of Jesus. And the more we are like Jesus, the more Jesus leads us to the Father. Do we, each day, pray to the Holy Spirit to be more open to His transforming influence? Do we strive each day to grow in union with Mary? The greater our union with our Mother, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the greater is the transforming action of the Holy Spirit within us.

10. Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with your gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. As we dwell in the Heart of Mary, Your spouse, fashion us more and more according to the Heart of Jesus.

 

The Queenship of Mary

1. Revelation 12:1-2

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was pregnant, and in labour, crying aloud in the pangs of childbirth.

2. Sing: Hail Holy Queen

3. From Tell My People by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J.

The Riches of the Immaculate Heart

Mary: “My beloved priest-son, how often I have pressed you to my maternal and Immaculate Heart in the greatest love! How often I allow you to taste the sweetness of this Heart. How often I make you aware that my Heart is your refuge where you feel so much loved, where you feel so secure, where you feel bathed in peace! I desire that you tell all the people about the riches contained in my Immaculate Heart. Tell my people to come to my Heart each day. I will caress them with my maternal love. I will lead them ever closer to the Sacred Heart of my Son. I will tell them to listen to Jesus. I will remind them that He is their Lord and Master. I will remind them to do whatever He tells them to do.
“Yes, my dearly beloved son, tell my people all these things. Keep reminding them of my great love for them. Keep reminding them how I love to draw them to my maternal and Immaculate Heart!”

4. Reflection: Is there anyone who, listening to these words of Mary, does not long for a closer union with the loving Heart of our Mother?

5. Prayer: Mary, draw me each day more deeply within your Heart, so that each day you can place me more deeply within Jesus’ Heart!

6. From the Priestly Newsletter January / February 1995

Mary and the Priest

Our friendship with Jesus as His priest-companions, our faithfulness to Him because we love Him, very much involves Mary. She, under God, is the Mother of our Christ-life. She cooperates with the Holy Spirit in our ongoing transformation in Christ. Fr. Arthur Calkins, a contemporary Marian scholar, offers us these words on Mary and the priest:

“If every Christian ought to see himself in the Apostle John, entrusted to Mary as her son or daughter, how much more ought priests to recognize themselves as sons of Mary, as the subjects of a ‘double’ entrustment to her. I say ‘double’, because they are successors of John by a twofold title: as disciples and as priests. This is beautifully drawn out by our Holy Father in his Holy Thursday Letter to Priests of 1988: ‘If John at the foot of the Cross somehow represents every man and woman for whom the motherhood of the Mother of God is spiritually extended, how much more does this concern each of us, who are sacramentally called to the priestly ministry of the Eucharist in the Church!’

“No doubt there are any number of priests today who would say that such reasoning represents a certain ‘snob appeal’, a ‘clerical culture’ that should have disappeared after the Council. The emphasis now, they would maintain, is on equality: we all share the common priesthood of the faithful and priestly ordination does not make us better than lay people.

“Surely, it is true that the hierarchical priesthood which is received by the imposition of the bishop’s hands is conferred on the basis of the royal priesthood which all the faithful share. It is also true that of itself priestly ordination does not make one morally better than the laity…

“But the fact is that the Sacrament of Holy Orders configures the priest more closely to Christ the Eternal Priest to the extent that his soul receives an indelible spiritual character and his very being is transformed in a way that allows him to function in persona Christi, in the very person of Christ, as he celebrates the sacraments and intercedes as a member of and on behalf of the whole Church. Hence this scriptural injunction surely holds true for the priest: ‘When much has been given a man, much will be required of him. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted’ (Lk 12:48). Saint Thomas Aquinas puts it this way: ‘Those who have been chosen for a superior position through the bestowal of Holy Orders also have been called to a similar height of holiness’ (Summa Theologica, suppl., q. 35, a. 1, ad 3)…

“Although Jesus had already entrusted every priest to his Mother from the height of the cross and the Pope has done it even hundreds of times, it is still necessary for the priest to do so himself if he would truly experience the power and the protection of the Mother of God in his life as her Divine Son intends it. Priests who have done so know the difference it makes.⁸

8. Fr. Arthur Calkins, Soul Magazine, January-February 1995, p. 30.

7. From the Priestly Newsletter January / February 1996

Mother of Our Christ-life

Mary is the Mother of our Christ-life, this life which flows to us from the bosom of the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit. Pope John Paul II beautifully links Mary's spiritual motherhood toward us with her being Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church, and Model of the Church. "Mary is present in the Church as the Mother of Christ, and at the same time as the Mother whom Christ, in the mystery of the Redemption, gave to humanity in the person of the Apostle John. Thus, in her new motherhood in the Spirit, Mary embraces each and every one in the Church, and embraces each and every one through the Church. In this sense, Mary, Mother of the Church, is also the Church's model. Indeed, as Paul VI hopes and asks: the Church must draw 'from the Virgin Mother of God the most authentic form of perfect imitation of Christ.'" (10)

        10. Pope John Paul II, The Mother of the Redeemer, United States Catholic Conference, No. 38.

8. From the Priestly Newsletter July/ August 1997

St. Bernard's Tribute to Mary

Bernard, saint and doctor of the Church, and one greatly devoted to Mary, offers us these inspiring words:

"If you will not be submerged by tempests, do not turn away your eyes from the splendor of this star. If the storms of temptation arise, if you crash against the rocks of tribulation, look to the star, call upon Mary. If you are tossed about on the waves of pride, of ambition, of slander, of hostility, look to the star, call upon Mary. If wrath or avarice or the enticements of the flesh upset the boat of your mind, look to Mary. If you are disturbed by the immensity of your crimes'if you begin to be swallowed up by the abyss of depression and despair, think of Mary! In danger, in anxieties, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her name not leave your lips, nor your heart, and that you may receive the help of her prayer, do not cease to follow the example of her conduct'If she holds you, you will not fall, if she protects you, you need not fear."¹³

      13. St. Bernard, as in Hilda Graef, Mary: A History of Doctrine and Devotion, Christian Classics, Vol I., p. 237.

9. From the Priestly Newsletter 1998 Issue 1

Thoughts from a Spiritual Journal

Here are certain reflections from a spiritual journal. Notice how Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and Mary enter into the person’s experience:

"Well, the night was black, as black as black could be and the cold pierced my bones. I felt its chill go through my entire body and I wanted to scream and it happened—He gave me an outpouring of His life in my soul and my darkness was truly turned to light, another light, not the light of the eyes, a light of knowing God, the joy of beholding His heavenly embrace, the great illumination of another mystery. Oh such sweet gifts He gives when, in an instant, I pray my rosary and the Holy Spirit fills my heart with lights and the mystery lights up and I know, I just know, and I experience a great insight into God.

"This is the reason for this letter, for I laid on my bed and I wanted to cry and I was deeply afraid for the demons pressed in as rocks poking at me and hurting my precious skin. I laid in bed and I went into the womb of my Mother Mary and I asked for the Holy Spirit to flood me with His light and it came: death-resurrection, darkness-light, sorrow-joy, suffering and pain, but oh, the joy of His light, the joy of His glory. It is in the death there is the resurrection.

"So, I walk the road to Calvary. I mount the cross and I die. I offer sacrifice and in the morning when the night is done I see the glory of the resurrection. I experience His joy in my heart.

"So I went to bed and went into the womb of my Mother Mary and the Holy Spirit flooded me with light and I united deeply to my precious Jesus on the cross. I know Him and His love. I reminisced on all the places of deepest intimacy I had shared with Him and my heart burned. I wanted Him to be so close to me, and I loved Him so much. I cried out, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’ In that moment I knew Him. He had removed my bonds and set me free. I then knew Jesus as never before.

"I felt my great love for God the Father. I have been experiencing my littleness as a child and knowing my Father, seeing myself very little and knowing my Father and wanting as a little child to please Him. Then tonight I realized more His Fatherly love. I saw myself depending on Him, needing Him, crying to Him, loving Him and then I realized His might and love coming to me.

"So I knew in an instant. He gives you a light and you know. I experienced the Trinity. My heart was consumed. I was engulfed in the love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I stopped to be in the embrace, wanting it to never end, for in this embrace I felt peace, a peace I had not felt before, so different from the days that had proceeded this moment, the days of suffering and trial.

"I mounted the cross. I felt the nails press deeply into my hands and feet. I felt the crown of thorns on my head. I said to Him, "Oh, why, my God, if you love me, do you make it so hard?

"And then I pictured Jesus on the cross. I saw His mouth with blood running from the corner of it. I saw the body of one close to death. I saw His wounds, blistery and red, pouring out His precious blood. I saw the hollowness of His cheeks and the exhaustion of one ready to expire in death. I saw the anguishing Lord Who came to show us His way. His way is death and resurrection. His way is pain and glory. His way is the way to eternal life!"

        -- Rita Ring

10. From the Priestly Newsletter 1999 Issue 4

Mary

St. Louis de Montfort has been one of the greatest apostles regarding devotion to Mary. Here are some of his thoughts:

"Just as in natural and bodily generation there is a father and a mother, so in the supernatural and spiritual generation there is a father who is God and a mother who is Mary.

"... God the Son wishes to form himself, and, in a manner of speaking, become incarnate every day in his members through his dear Mother.

"... Moreover, Jesus is still as much as ever the fruit of Mary, as heaven and earth repeat thousands of times a day, ‘Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus’. It is therefore certain that Jesus is the fruit and gift of Mary for every single man who possesses him, just as truly as he is for all mankind. Consequently, if any of the faithful have Jesus formed in their heart they can boldly say, ‘It is thanks to Mary that what I possess is Jesus, her fruit, and without her I would not have him.’

"...When the Holy Spirit, her spouse, finds Mary in a soul, he hastens there and enters fully into it. He gives himself generously to that soul according to the place it has given to his spouse. One of the main reasons why the Holy Spirit does not now work striking wonders in souls is that he fails to find in them a sufficiently close union with his faithful and inseparable spouse."⁸

                     8. God Alone: The Collected Writings of St. Louis de Montfort, Montfort Publications, pp. 298-299.

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Books written by the cofounder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries
 

 

Rita Ring
		Mass Book A Journey Into the Heart of Jesus - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 12.00   Mass Book, by Rita Ring: Many of the entries in the Priestly Newsletter Volume II from a spiritual journal came from this book. These entries   are to help people to be more deeply united to God in the Mass. This book is available in English and Spanish with the Church’s Imprimatur.   $12

		Rosary Meditations for Parents and Children From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 10.00   Rosary Meditations for Parents and Children, by Rita Ring, Short Meditations for both parents and children to be used when praying the   rosary. These meditations will help all to know the lives of Jesus and Mary alive in their Hearts. Available in both English and Spanish with   the Church’s Imprimatur. $10

		God's Blue Book 3 Love God Love One Another  Author: Rita Ring $ 5.00 God's Blue Book III by Rita Ring. $5

		God's Blue Book 4 The Love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring $ 5.00 God's Blue Book IV by Rita Ring. This book is about the love Jesus has for Mary and Mary has for Jesus and Jesus and Mary have for us    It is truly the Love of the Two Hearts. Mary appeared every day at the Holy Spirit Center    Fr. Carter was there. Mary's first apparition July 5, 1994. $5

		God's Blue Book 5 So Deep Is the Love of His Heart. Author: Rita Ring. $ 5.00 God's Blue Book V by Rita Ring. Jesus wants to be the bridegroom of our soul    He is our beloved    Jesus tells us about pure love    how we are to be pure of heart and love God and love others. It is a must, to hear about love from Jesus    Jesus is love    $5

		God's Blue Book 6A He Calls Us to Action Author: Rita Ring. $ 5.00 God's Blue Book 6A by Rita Ring. Rosaries from Their Hearts during apparitions. Jesus and Mary appeared every day and I received rosaries from Them and They were transcribed from a tape. Also messages of love from Jesus on days of January, 1995    About Baptism    writings from Fr. Carter and the Scriptures. $10

		God's Blue Book 6B He Calls Us to Action - The Sixth Book, Part B Author: Rita Ring. $ 5.00 God's Blue Book 6B by Rita Ring. Jesus and Mary appeared every day in February, 1995    So beautiful    transcribed from a tape    the Stations, 7 Sorrows, prayers in the Prayer Manual, the Holy Spirit Novena Book and the Song Book. Pure love    loving and forgiving    a book about Jesus' love, baptism, grace and Fr. Carter's Newsletter. $10

		God's Blue Book 6C He Calls Us to Action - The Sixth Book, Part C Author: Rita Ring. $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 7 Intimacy with God by Rita Ring $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 8 See thru the Eyes of Mary. Author: Rita Ring and Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 9 The Mass and the Hearts of Jesus and Mary $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 10 God's Blue Book 10 - This is My Body $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 11 God's Blue Book 11 - Showers of His Grace $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 12 Solidarity In Chirst $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 13 Grace $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 14 God the Father Speaks After Clearwater $ 5.00

		God's Blue Book 15 Life $ 5.00

		Blue Book 16 Mary Mother of the Eucharist $ 5.00
		God's Blue Book 17 Life In Him $ 5.00
		God's Blue Book 18 Jesus, Bridegroom of Our Soul $ 5.00
		God's Blue Book 19 The Lamb of God $ 5.00
		God's Pre-Blue Book Loved in a Personal Way $ 5.00
		God's Pre-Blue Book 2 My Hand is Upon You $ 5.00

		Apostle's Manual Shepherds of Christ Overview: Very carefully discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S. J. $ 20.00 Apostles Manual. About the Movement — the structure of the Movement    All Ministries — from the time 3 months before Mary appeared in Clearwater and 3 months after. Rosaries of the 13ths, Fr. Carter's Newsletters. Messages from God the Father    Reaching the priests, the Church, the schools and the world. $20

		Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume I Red Rosary Book - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00 Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 1. Mary appeared in Clearwater December 17, 1996 in rainbow color and these rosaries left the printer the same day from Apparitions of Jesus and Mary    transcribed from a tape. $10

		Blue Rosary Book Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume II $ 12.00 Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 2. This is a book of so many rosaries — transcribed from a tape. So many beautiful rosaries.   pages  $12

		Messages From Jesus Messages From Jesus for the Ederly, Ill, and Homebound Given by Jesus to His Messenger - Author: Rita Ring Discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00 Messages for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This is a big book of loving messages for nursing home people and homebound from Jesus and Mary    Their lives are so important    united to the Mass offering up their suffering, their lives for the souls of this earth. $10

		Short Rosary Meditations for the Ederly, Ill, and Homebound From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary: Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 10.00 Short Rosary Meditations for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This book is so important with pictures they can open it and lay it on their laps and pray the rosary. $10

		Songs From Jesus Given by Jesus to His Messenger Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 5.00 Songs from Jesus Songbook. These loving songs were given from Jesus. So beautiful    Love Songs from Jesus of His love — helping us have pure and loving hearts. $3

		Daily Messages From Heaven From the Florida Apparition Site Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00

		Rosary Meditations for Little People and Elderly Short Meditations for the Rosary $ 3.00

		Meditaciones del Rosario para Pequenos y Ancianos $ 10.00

Fr. Joe Robinson

 

Inspiring Homilist & Author
 

Fr. Joseph Robinson has dedicated his life to serving Christ and the Church for over 40 years.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

	Guiding Light - The Mystery of Christ Guiding Light - The Mystery of Christ, Cycle A - Homilies for 2022 - 2023 $ 10.00
	Guiding Light - In the Image of Jesus Guiding Light - In the Image of Jesus Cycle C - Homilies for 2021 - 2022 $ 10.00

Guiding Light - Bread of Life Guiding Light - Bread of Life, Cycle A for 2019 - 2020 $ 10.00

Guiding Light - Walk in the Light Guiding Light - Walk in the Light, Cycle C for 2018 - 2019 $ 10.00

		Guiding Light - The Word Alive in Our Hearts Guiding Light - The Word Alive in Our Hearts Cycle B 2017 - 2018 $10.00 Guiding Light — The Word Alive in Our Hearts. — Cycle B    Homilies by the Reverend Joe Robinson given at St. Boniface Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a tremendous honor Fr. Joe has allowed us to share these great gifts with you – for greater holiness and knowing more and more about God. $10

		Guiding Light - The Soul Who Could Guiding Light - The Soul Who Could Cycle A 2016/2017 $10.00 Guiding Light — The Soul Who Could. — Cycle A    Homilies by the Reverend Joe Robinson given at St. Boniface Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.  $10

		Guiding Light - Trust and Transform Guiding Light - Trust and Transform, Cycle C for 2015/2016 $ 10.00

		Guiding Light - By God Through Me Guiding Light - By God Through Me, Cycle B for 2014/2015 $ 10.00

		Guiding Light - Inspired To Be Genuine Guiding Light - Inspired To Be Genuine, Cycle A for 2013/2014 $ 10.00

		Guiding Light - Centered In Christ Fr. Joe Robinson's latest homilies for Cycle C for 2012/2013. $ 10.00

		Guiding Light - Reflect on the Word Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle B of the Litugical Year (2011/2012) $ 10.00 Guiding Light homily series — Reflect on the Word — Cycle B     The Word leaves an impression on our souls. In my thoughts and reflections are born a more tangible understanding of these eternal concepts presented in the Gospels and the readings. Anyone can read a sentence, but not anyone can absorb it's true meaning. Truth, in this day and age, is almost a matter of opinion or individual entitlement. We believe that Christ's truth is our Roman Catholic Church. We, as priests, champion it's teachings; we are ambassadors for the Pope and Christ to those faces looking at us. We are the light by which our congregation reads to reflect upon real truth and we do it hand in hand. $10

		Guiding Light - Steadfast to the Son Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle A of the Litugical Year $ 10.00 Guiding Light homily series — Steadfast to the Son — Cycle A    The sunflower is a great example of how we should be steadfastly guided by light. What a powerful thought that this exceptional plant is not stuck in one pose day in and day out, yet adaptable and magnetized to the sun. We feel the same about our Son. Our heads turns to face Christ as each day presents its challenges to find light. We join together like plants in a field and soak up the Son through the pulpit. We are a warm circle of strength using the wind of our breath to carry our priests' words, Christ's words, to new rich soil. $10

		Guiding Light - Focusing on the Word Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle B of the Litugical Year $ 10.00 Guiding Light — Focusing on the Word — Cycle B    At times we may feel that our path to Christ is a bit "out of focus". Like the disciples in the Book of Mark, this ordinary life clouds our vision of Christ's Divinity. We may doubt the practicality or possibility of applying His teachings and example to our modern life. Cycle B's homilies are a "guiding light" to help us realize Jesus' Messianic greatness and His promise of better things to come. $10

		Guiding Light - Feed My Soul Inspiring Homilies Covering Cycle C of the Litugical Year $ 10.00 Guiding Light — Feed My Soul — Cycle C    In a world rapidly advancing and encouraging personal gain, we are faced with modern problems. There is a challenge to find time in our busy schedules for Sunday Mass or a family meal. We are able to research, shop, bank and even work without hearing one human voice. It is no wonder that we may often feel disconnected and famished at our week's end. In Fr. Joe's third book of homilies from Cycle C, we are reminded of the charity that Christ intended us to show each other. We have a calling to turn the other cheek and be the Good Samaritan to others. We are rewarded with the Father's kingdom and love when we are not worthy. We are not left alone or hungry. $10

Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.

Here are all the products in this category:

Books written by the founder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries

		Response in Christ Fr. Edward J. Carter gives to the modern Christian a message that will sustain him. $ 10.00

		Response to God's Love ...God Himself is the Ultimate Mystery $ 10.00 Response to God’s Love by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. In this book Fr. Carter speaks of God as the ultimate mystery. We can meditate on the interior life of the Trinity. Fr. Carter tells us about our uniqueness in the Father's Plan for us, how the individual Christian, the Church and the world are in the state of becoming. Imprimatur. $10

		Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 1 Selected Writings on Spirituality—for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 10.00 Shepherds of Christ — Selected Writings on Spirituality for all People as Published in Shepherds of Christ Newsletter for Priests. Contains 12 issues of the newsletter from July/August 1994 to May/June 1996. $15

		Spirituality Newsletters 2 Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 12.00 Shepherds of Christ — Volume 2: by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains issues 13—29 of the newsletter (September/October 1996 — Issue 5, 1999) $15

		Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 3 Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00 Shepherds of Christ — Volume 3 by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains Newsletter Issues 1 through 4 of 2000 including Fr. Carter’s tremendous Overview of the Spiritual Life $10

		Tell My People Messages from Jesus and Mary Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest $ 10.00 Tell My People. Messages from Jesus and Mary (As given to Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.)    One of Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.'s Synopsis of the Spiritual Life    From Jesus to Fr. Carter "On Holy Saturday, 1994, Jesus told me that on the following day, Easter, I would also begin to receive messages for others. Our Lord also told me that some of these were eventually to be published in a book  and here is that book." $10

		Spirituality Handbook Shepherds of Christ Associates Spirituality Handbook - A Way of Spiritual Life Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest $ 3.00 Spirituality Handbook. Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. did 3 synopsis of the spiritual life. The Spirituality Handbook, the Priestly Newsletter 20he Tell My People book. The way of spiritual life proposed to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates is centered in consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. All aspects of the spiritual life discussed below should be viewed as means to help members develop their lives in consecration to Christ, the Sacred Heart, and to Mary, the Immaculate Heart. $3

		The Spirituality of Fatima Fatima: The Setting, The Message, The Spirituality of Consecration $ 5.00 The Spirituality of Fatima by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. The Fatima apparitions and messages received official Church approval in 1930. In giving her official approval to the Fatima event, the Church tells us that what took place at Fatima involving the three young visionaries is worthy of our belief. $5

Shepherds of Christ Holy Spirit Novena CD   Holy Spirit Novena Read by: Rita Ring   $ 10.00  plus postage   Holy Spirit Novena CD. Prayers and scripture readings from the Holy Spirit Novena Booklet read by Rita Ring. $10

 

Statues/Religious Items

Blue Crystal Rosary   Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater   8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping

Red Crystal Rosary   Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater   8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping

Clear Crystal Rosary   Rosary with the Image of Our Lady of Clearwater   8mm - $ 40.00 plus shipping