Shepherds of Christ  
       Daily Writing          

 

February 3, 2010

February 4th Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 2 Period I.

The Novena Rosary Mysteries  
for February 4th are Luminous.

  
  

Florida Retreat

February 2nd - 5th

1:30pm & 6:20pm each day

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Please pray for a special intention.

 

         

        

Available for $10.00 each

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Given August 23, 2008

Religious Life
 
and life in the Shepherds of Christ Movement for Servants, Handmaids and Apostles


                    We were created to love  God — we are
                to love others — We are to follow Christ —
                especially religious being faithful to God. We are to
                be witnesses for Christ. It is a special gift from God
                a special calling from God when one is asked to serve
                in religious life. The religious most of all is to follow
                in Christ's footsteps — to live humbly and to be
                a person following the Virginity of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
                Christ lived a virginal life, a life He elected for Himself.
 
                    In the religious life one is the Spouse of Christ — He
                is the bridegroom of their soul. One lives seeking
                deeper intimacy with God living as St. Paul says —
 

Galatians 2: 19-20

...I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me.

     

                    The religious is a real witness, showing the
                world and the Church in a powerful way their lives as
                witness to Christ alive in them. The religious is
                dedicated to building the Kingdom of God — living
                a holy life of praying for the priests, the Church and the
                world — being other-focused — praying for the souls
                Jesus gave His life for — in this they are more and more
                identified living the mystery of Christ's life, death and resurrection.
 
                    It is not a life of cold service, but one of being so on
                fire for love of God — the religious is wed in a special
                way to Christ — deeply yoked to Him in the mission
                of helping to lead souls to heaven for all eternity and
                preparing themselves for a sharing most abundantly
                in the love of the Trinity in heaven.
 
                    Martyrs in the Church lived especially lives
                of great service to the Church — dying for their
                faith and following Jesus in a special way by
                shedding their blood for Him, the Church and the
                world.
 
                    Christ rewards those abundantly who live a
                consecrated life to Him — a special life of giving
                them their life of virginal love and service
                for His honor and glory. God will not be out done in
                generosity. This life of love given to Christ to
                help build the Church and for the world is most
                pleasing to the Father and this oneness with Jesus,
                is also oneness with the Father in the Holy Spirit.
 
                    The Church needs these beautiful witnesses who
                see themselves as married to Christ and loving the
                children of the Church in a way as a mother
                and father of a family love their own children.
                This calling is a calling to love — special spousal
                relationship with Christ and His Church. Loving
                a life that is modeled after Mary, spotless Virgin —
                Spiritual Mother of the children of the Church, Mother
                of Christ, Mother of our Christ-life, this sharing
                given to us at baptism.
 
                    It is love God calls the religious to —
                this means vigor, energy, dedication —
                modeling oneself after the love Christ had
                for His precious souls — when He sweat blood
                in the garden, as He walked the passion,
                died on the cross and rose the 3rd day —
                He was consumed with love so much He
                died for me and you — His precious souls —
                Vigor — witness — consumed with love for
                The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Religious serving freely
                giving themselves to Christ and the Church — a
                present of their lives — given to God to
                build the Kingdom.
 
                    Reach for the heights for God has chosen His religious
                for His honor and glory to take them to Himself —
                to live in a special spousal union with them —
                They give themselves body and soul to God — for
                His love and His purpose —
                In following Jesus —
               
                Jesus gave His body to the precious souls —
                He died on the cross — He shed His Blood and
                from this gift of Himself — His bride the
                Church came forth from His pierced
                side — His Sacred Heart — Blood and water —
                Blood for the Eucharist where by our Christ-
                life is nourished and Water for baptism —
                giving to us this special sharing in His
                life —
 
                The religious follows Christ — lives likened
                to Christ in being a virgin for sake of
                loving Him in a pure, spiritual love
                and not taking another for their husband/wife.
 
                The religious imitates Christ faithfully —
                giving their entire life to God — living
                out their Baptismal vow ever deeper —
                in their marriage to Him — their yes to
                His service, their witness to the world —
                in dressing in a way to show the world —
                they are married to Christ — a great gift —
                a holy honor. They then realize how they
                have a special responsibility to be pure
                before others, service to others and love
                for the Church — for the children of the Church —
                praying in their lives for the priests, the Church
                and the world.
 

 


 

                Their gift of their lives in holiness is to
                give honor to the heavenly Father.
 
                    With the greatest love of the Word of
                God and the Eucharist they are fed with
                the Bread of Life — filled with His grace and in
                love with God — they are witnesses for
                those in the world interested in the religious
                life, for families, for the laity, for people
                of the schools.
 
                    The individual Christian, the world and
                the Church are always in the state of
                becoming. In loving God uniquely as only
                one can — a religious has a deep relationship
                with God — loving the priest, the Church and
                the people as only they can love them for
                they are more and more the beautiful human
                creature — being more and more saturated with
                His grace — living as the Father desires
                in love. They answer freely to the call
                of the Holy Spirit and they live a life
                filled with the fire of God's love.
 
                    They give themselves entirely to God — they
                live under the authority of the Church —
                they obey their superior and rules of the
                order. They have TOTAL DEDICATION TO GOD.
                This is an act of greatest love — to give
                themselves to their vocation to God and live
                as religious. They seek greater perfection as
                Mary — handmaid of the Lord —
  

Luke 1: 46-55

                The Magnificat

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.

   

                    They seek fruit for the Church.
                They seek to be more perfected as their
                heavenly Father is perfect —
                They seek to live a life of greater love of
                God, of others, of themselves as religious,
                of the Church and the world —
                A dedicated life to God
                A dedicated life in service of the Church
                Celibacy and obedience —
                They give freely of themselves and in great love —
                for the sake of the Kingdom of God — to
                help lead souls of the Church and on the
                earth to heaven —
                they beg God for greater capacity to love —
                    to grow in greater knowledge of
                    Him
 
                Loving God — because they love Him —
                    not for selfish gain
 
                Loving God with a heart consumed
                    with love as He deserves to be loved
                    by all the souls of the earth —
 
                    They lavishly empty themselves
                        in love for God and service for
                        His honor and glory to help build
                        the Kingdom and lead souls
                        to Him.
 
                This is the primary focus of the vocation
                    of a religious — TO LOVE God for His sake!!
 
                To love God to help build up, strengthen
                    the body of Christ — to be a living sign
                    of strength — love and unity because
                    of their relationship with God.
 
                They show to the world — the goodness of God —
                    living in them — they show the Light
                    of Christ to the world alive in them —
 
                They freely show this witness — living
                    obediently and in chastity for this
                    pleases God.
 
                In the Shepherds of Christ we are contemplatives-in-
                    action — living lives as servants and
                    handmaids — in deep service to God
                    before the Blessed Sacrament and
                    service to others in the world —
                    praying in love and giving our lives
                    for the priests, the Church and the
                    world.
 
                    We take seriously our mission besides
                prayer of spreading deep devotion to the
                Eucharist — love so much for the Church —
                frequent confession ourselves and telling
                others about these gifts and
                spreading the Good News about baptism —
                the Word.
 
                    Telling others the power of prayer,
                especially before the Blessed Sacrament —
                frequent prayer — all through the day — spreading
                devotion to the rosary, meditations
                in the Mysteries of the rosary and helping
                people, priests — all to live deeper lives
                of Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and
                Consecrating Churches, Schools, Houses,
                Countries, the World to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart.
                Apostolic Life —
 
                    In Shepherds of Christ spreading the Priestly Newsletter
                (6,000,000 in 14 years), spreading prayer
                chapters praying for the priests, the Church and the
                world — rosary making ministry, spreading
                250,000 rosaries, consecration cards,
                rosary aves to schools yearly, teaching
                people through the books, about the love of
                Jesus, the Eucharist, Consecration, Prayer —
                Our mission to lead people to greater love
                of God — unity in communities, Churches,
                nations, world, the family. We want the
                world, the family to have this deeper Christic
                image to be witnesses for Christ and
                building His Kingdom. We live Christ's
                life, death and resurrection in our lives —
                We live in unity — pray in unity — united
                so deeply in all our lives praying
                for the priests, the Church and the world.
 
                    Every duty is done in service to God —
                Our deep love for God is at the root of our
                success — for we never do anything
                except in oneness to God, for God, with
                God —
 
                    God be before me, behind me, in
                me, with me and for me always in
                all I do for Your honor and glory.
                Our strength comes in our loving union
                with God. We are empowered in Him —
                We seek God before everything else —
                Our work is done in love to serve God —
                We cling to God in our mind and heart.
                We do this work to lead souls to heaven —
                    to spread the Kingdom of God. We live
                    in the truth of Jesus, to spread
                    the truth of Jesus, to live pure
                    and holy lives honoring Jesus and bearing
                    witness in our lives to Him.
 
                    We are faithful in the Shepherds of Christ to the
                vision of the Movement, the spirit as God designated to the founders
                Fr. Carter, founder and Rita Ring, co-founder —
                serving Jesus, Our Lord, for His honor
                and glory.
 
                    The vision here for the Shepherds of Christ is
                spreading the love of Jesus to hungry souls so
                they will grow in deeper intimacy with
                God — living as St. Paul says
   

Galatians 2: 19-20

...I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me.
 

   

                Spreading the Consecration to the hierarchy, and priests
                that is devotion to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart
                in our lives — greater devotion to the
                Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart in Churches, schools and
                    families
 
                    We spread the Priestly Newsletter every
                other month if possible to 80,000 priests
                and hierarchy, centered in Consecration to
                the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart — The Priestly
                Newsletter is written in the vision of the Father
                using scripture, writings of the popes,
                prominent theologians, wisdom of the
                saints, and the editors writings
                on deep spiritual matters for our spiritual
                life.
 
                Our second important mission beginning
                prayer chapters praying for the priests,
                the Church and the world to hierarchy,
                priests, religious people, youth etc.
 
                The school rosary  program — spread
                now to 250,000 school children a year has
                a 13 year history.
 
                Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart pray
                    2 hours a week before the Blessed Sacrament for

  1. For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

  2. For the Pope.

  3. For all bishops of the world.

  4. For all priests.

  5. For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.

  6. For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement, and for the spread of this movement to the world.

  7. For all members of the Catholic Church.

  8. For all members of the human family.

  9. For all souls in purgatory.

   
                There is a family consecration, images and
                    statues, rosaries for use in
                    prayer —
 
                Numerous videos, discs, prayer books
                    etc.
 
                We help to spread the knowledge to the people of the
                    tremendous gifts given in the Catholic Church —
 
                We have constant — 24 hour prayer
                    before the exposed Eucharist praying for
                    the priests, the Church and the world
 
                We attend daily Mass as our prayer life and
                    do one hour of adoration before the
                    Blessed Sacrament.
 
                We have a Nursing Home Ministry —
                    communion ministry
                    rosary for nursing home people
                    spreading the consecration to the Sacred Heart
                    and Immaculate Heart
 
                We have Junior Shepherds of Christ
                We have Prison Ministry
                We have Prayer Apostles
 
                We want to build unity in the Church
                    and world by doing these things —
 
                Our mission to help renew the Church and
                    the world culminating in the
                    Reign of the Sacred Heart and triumph of
                    Mary's Immaculate Heart
 
                In the Shepherds of Christ
                    we live out this response to God's
                    call to us as Servants, Handmaids
                    and Apostles in this Movement.
 
                We are aware of every human person
                    on the face of the earth as we
                    pray and the souls in purgatory.
 

Excerpt from Response in Christ
        by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.

       e) Relationship with Members of the Church
There is but one true Church of Christ. Yet this one Church has three different states of existence. There is the pilgrim Church, the Church of this world, composed of members who have received the grace of Christ and strive for its development. They have not yet obtained the goal of their efforts, as have the members of the heavenly Church, who enjoy God in eternal happiness. The Church suffering is an intermediate state of existence necessary for those who had not achieved the required purification as members of the pilgrim Church. Although there are these three phases of the Church's existence, there is a profound union existing between all the members. All these members possess the same basic life of grace in Christ, and this common life establishes the most intimate bonds of love. In our preceding chapter, we discussed the pilgrim Church. Let us now consider the Church suffering and the heavenly Church.

   The members of the Church suffering are those who have departed from this life in an incomplete state of Christian development. Their development is incomplete in the sense that grace has not fully taken possession of them, and, as a result, they are yet closed in upon themselves to a greater or lesser degree. They as yet cannot open themselves out in complete love to the Triune God in the beatific vision. They must undergo a further purification, a purification which could have been achieved upon earth with merit. Now the purification must be achieved with no merit attached. The pain of this purification is mixed with the certain expectation of achieving the vision of God. We can hasten the advent of this vision for this people by the offering of prayers and other good works. Scripture itself refers to our action on behalf of those in purgatory in Chapter 12 of the Second Book of Maccabees beginning with verse 38.

   The members of the heavenly Church are those in whom the life of grace has taken full possession and has reached its completion in the life of glory. Faith now is unnecessary, as the light of glory gives the human intellect a new strength and capacity for seeing God face-to-face. While the Christian was a wayfarer, he received the imprint of the indwelling Trinity as he shared in God's own life. Now in heaven that grace-life and possession of God reaches its completion—the absolute completion is not achieved, however, until the resurrection of the body. The divine persons give Themselves to the beatified in a profound union far surpassing that of the indwelling of the Trinity experienced here below.

   This life of heaven is still the Christ-life, for just as we possess a share in Trinitarian life here below as mediated by Christ, and exercise this grace-life as structured by Him, so also in heaven is the mediation of Christ present. In the words of Rahner, "One always sees the Father through Jesus. Just as immediately as this, for the directness of the vision of God is not a denial of the mediatorship of Christ as man."13 And not only does the humanity of Christ unite the blessed to God, but also, in some way, to the whole of creation. This is merely a completion of what is begun here below, namely, the union with Christ in His humanity establishing the Christian in a special relationship with God, with other men, and with the whole of creation. We have a glimpse, therefore, of the fullness of life which members of the heavenly Church possess.

   The heavenly Church, as St. Thomas says, is the true Church.14 The Church of this earth and the Church of purgatory are, each in its own way, reaching out in loving hope for the heavenly Jerusalem. Vatican II puts it very simply: "The Church, to which we are called in Christ Jesus, and in which we acquire sanctity through the grace of God, will attain her full perfection only in the glory of heaven."15

   The members of the heavenly Church can help us in living our life of grace until we too share its fullness with them. Their power of intercession on our behalf is but another ramification of the communal aspect of Christianity. We are meant to help others grow in Christ. We, in turn, are intended by God to receive aid from others—yes, from members of the heavenly Church, as well as from those with whom we dwell here below.

   Not only can we be aided by the saints' intercession, but the example of the canonized saints can also be of great value to us. They have concretely proved that full holiness is possible. Such an inspiration is of real worth when we are tempted to think that Christian sanctity in its higher degrees is impossible of attainment. Moreover, the canonized saints, in their diversity, teach us that there are many authentic versions of Christian holiness. They can be innovators in showing us that there are numerous possibilities in assimilating the mystery of Christ, although the basic assimilation remains the same for all Christians of all times. In the opinion of Rahner this is one of the chief roles the canonized saints exert in the life of the Church.16

_____
   13Karl Rahner, Theological Investigations, Vol. III (Baltimore: Helicon, 1967), p. 44.
   14Cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, In Ad Ephes., c. 3, Lect. 3.
   15Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church, No. 48.
   16Cf. Karl Rahner, Op. cit., pp. 100-101.

  

                Our work is for unity IN God on Earth —
 
                We pray the Morning Offering —
                    have prayers for the whole Church
                    with the Imprimatur from
                    Nursing Home people, priests,
                    families to pray the Morning
                    Offering —
 
                This is, that, great grace will be outpoured
                    on the earth —
 
                We pray 8 or 9 days a month
                    in all-day-retreats,
                    5 of those days Mass is celebrated —
                    begging for grace for the
                    priests, the Church and the world —
                    praying as intercessors —
                    to help make reparation for the
                    offenses against God
 
                We follow Christ
                    beg for grace for the priests, the Church and the world
                    Unite with all the Masses going
                        on around the world
 
                Our lives are very simple and our
                    money is used to send these materials
                    to the hierarchy, priests, schools,
                    families, individuals — for
                    prayer and deeper union in the
                    Mass
 
                Living out deeper and deeper our
                    membership in the body of Christ
 
                We live like this because we love God —
                We want the hungry world to know
                    this!!
 
                We see ourselves dwelling in the
                    pure and holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
 
                We give ourselves —
 
                We seek peace in the world
 
                We want to help bring about this
                    great era of peace
 
                We are one with Christ and the Church —
 
                Servants and Handmaids live lives of chastity
 
                We love to give ourselves to Christ
 
                We live more and more that likeness
                    of Christ —
                    living and loving in deeper and deeper
                    lives In Him
 
                Celibacy is the free gift of self to God —
                    in overwhelming love of the
                    servants and handmaids
 
                We follow the teachings of Jesus,
                    the Word of God, the life
                    of the Virgin Mary, the perfect
                    disciple
 
                The gift of celibacy — God has
                    called the servants and handmaids
                    to give to God — it is a precious
                    gift to God
 
                We do not live fancy lives — our
                    lives are lived to spread the
                    Priestly Newsletter, Prayer Chapters, Consecration
 
                As far as monetary things we give our simple
                    lives for this —
 
                We answer the call of the "hungry souls"
                    crying to be fed with the love of God —
 
                We identify with Christ in giving our
                    lives more and more as a sacrifice
                    for this work —
                    dying to self to be more likened to Him.
 
                This is a call to love God and love our
                    neighbor as ourselves and love
                    the priests and the Church and
 
                LOVE our Vocation in the Shepherds of Christ
                    Movement
 
                We do not seek for ourselves
 
                But seek to help renew the Church
                    and the world with our lives
                    dedicated in prayer and service
 
                We are, by our lives, to show how
                    we are to be united in oneness
                    in God's truth.
 
                Prayer to Holy Spirit Novena (said daily)
                    4 languages, Church's Imprimatur
 


 

                Shepherds of Christ Prayers (said daily)
 

                We work to earn our living —
                    to do this work for the world —
                    maintain our centers and homes and
                    to live in community life —
 
                Centered around St. Anthony's China, Indiana 

 

 

                        where the Eucharist is exposed
                            24 hours
                        retreats of constant prayer
                        the Priestly Newsletter is sent
 
                Clearwater, Florida
                        Center
 
                Religious Store
                        Daily Prayer
                        Grottos and retreats
                        etc.
                open every day 10:00am - 10:00pm
 
                Our mission to spread greater oneness to the world
                    heart-to-heart — Loving union with Christ
 
                Help bring about era of peace promised
                    by Mary at Fatima
 
                Help bring about era of love
                    Age of the 2 Hearts
 
                Enjoyment of one's vocation in Shepherds of Christ
                Loyalty of one's vocation in the Shepherds of Christ
                Freedom in love given to serving Shepherds of Christ
 
                Obedience — love of Christ
                                    respect for order
                                    love of Shepherds of Christ Vision
                                    Willingness to serve
 
                The Church is the People of God —
                     the hierarchy live to help the
                     members of the Church —
                     united in love
 
                Obedience in living the Pascal
                    Mystery of death - resurrection
 
                The more we die to self — the more
                    we live in Him —
 
                The more we die to the ways not
                    likened to Jesus — the more
                    perfected we become
 
                Obeying authority and
                    freedom for self go together —
 
                We are to live according to God's will
 
                There is to be in the religious life
                    obedience to the superior
 
                Agitation can be constant in community
                    life of one who fails to recognize
                    the importance of being
                    obedient to superiors —
 
                This must be lived every day —
                    living in accordance to the
                    needs of the moment —
 
                The time one is told to do something
                    is to be obeyed as the superior
                    sees the vision of the whole
                    community and the outcome of
                    the mission to be accomplished
                    to do the work for the honor and glory of God.
 
                A servant and handmaid enters to
                    serve the mission under the
                    direction of a superior.
 
                There is to be work accomplished as
                    one as team players —
                    heads together in loving
                    union to accomplish the
                    work for the good of the
                    Movement —
                    as directed and seen through the
                    eyes of the superior
 
                These conditions must be respected.
 
                Some are expected to have certain
                    duties that are understood
                    will be accomplished by
                    that individual, at that center.
 
                In loving obedience one complies
                    with their job description or
                    job expectation whether written,
                    spoken or understood.
 
                Work accomplished should be the work
                    in compliance with the
                    institutes vocation
 
                The spiritual life in the Shepherds of Christ is
                    never ignored —
                    growing to live more deeply
                    the vocation of
                    servant, handmaid and
                    apostle as God intends
 
                The Community has a mission —
 
                The Community has jobs to accomplish
                    this
 
                We have a responsibility to the
                    — mission
                    — the superior
                    — the community
 
                We lose our life to follow Him
 
                You are to do what the superiors
                    tell you to do —
 
                You dedicate your lives to Jesus and
                    ask God to help you in your
                    vocation to be obedient.
 
                Fr. Carter prayed every day to be a good
                    Jesuit —
 
                In giving one's especially to this
                    vocation — you take a deeper commitment
                    to obedience — a person in the
                    spiritual life submits to God's will —
 
                A person in a religious order has a special
                    giving of one self — therefore their
                    commitment entails obedience to
                    the superior of the community
 
                This helps one to be free more to
                    live their vocation in greater
                    maturity in the obedience
                    in the religious life.
 
                The person is to obey the superior
                    even if they would rather do
                    it a different way over matters
                    that are matters not involving
                    any moral wrong on the part of the
                    superior.
 
                    If the direction is contrary to the law of God
                that is different but for ordinary
                directions - one is to obey their superior.
                It may be a point of view the one under the
                superior doesn't like the way they were
                asked to do it — they are to obey the superior —
 
                Lack of obedience can affect the common
                    good of the community —
 
                Christ obeyed His Father —
                The Cross showed us Christ's love —
                Christ obeyed His Father
 
                As religious one is striving to be holy.
 
                This means obedience
                This means celibacy for the religious
 
                This means joy in serving, this means
                    accepting the difficulties of work
                    in love —
 
                    This means living with others in
                        harmony
 
                    You are filled with fervor
                        recognizing the cross of Christ
 
                We are always following Christ
                We are always following Christ's example
 
                It is living in humility and simplicity
                It is living in loving harmony
                It is living in peace with others
                It is being free and obedient
                It is being spontaneous
                It is being obedient
                It is living in Faith
 
                Jesus will give the grace for these things —
                    the religious must seek it
 
                God the Father wants religious to serve the
                    Church
 
                The inner man in the religious life is
                    there to be more like Christ —
                    He is to be always developing spiritually
 
                The person in religious life must be spontaneous
                The person in religious life must be flexible
 
                Rigidity won't work if one is to obey and
                    respond to the needs of the
                    community and mission.
 
                Disorderly outbursts are wrong and
                    offend the community —
 
                Likewise provoking others in community
                    to anger is totally unacceptable
                    for one growing in holiness and
                    acting in love —
 
                Passive-aggressive behavior are games
                    not acceptable in community life
 
                Fr. Carter examined his conscience two times
                    a day for 10 minutes — this was his
                    Jesuit training
 
                Efforts must be made to die to selfish
                    outbursts or passive-aggressive
                    ways, provoking others in religious
                    life —
                    so a life of love and care for the community
                        is observed in a life of holy love
 
                Retreats are necessary and community prayer
                Living according to the prayer life
 
                Hospitality to visitors is to be expected
                    on occasions when they are invited.
 
                Guests too, to the community are not to
                    violate routines or deviate
                    so the community is led away
                    from deeper union with God
 
                Daily Mass is required for Servants, Handmaids and Apostles
                One Hour daily adoration
 
                Shepherds of Christ prayers prayed
                Daily Rosary
 
                Morning Offering
 
                Praying throughout the day
                    many hourly
 
                Reading the Daily Message and Blue Book
 
                There is to be a unity — in holiness and
                    living according to the beatitudes —
                    charity toward one another in
                    community
 
                There is to be a life of living a more
                    perfected life as Christ desires —
                    with deeper unity in community —
                    living according to God's will
                    in love — being a team player —
                    living in obedience to the superior —
                    observing the prayer life
 
                Men in religious community should be
                    growing in the spiritual life
                    with deeper love of God and neighbor
 
                Every one is working to be more perfected,
                    more holy, more loving.
 
                Every Christian is imperfect, but we
                    are trying to become more perfected —
                    dying to selfish ways
 
                We must become more one with Jesus —
 
                There must be a simplicity, understanding,
                    unity and love in community —
                    simple charity
 
                Hope to be more holy — to foster greater
                    love, unity, be more a team
                    situation — more a holy family
 
                The spirit of love and consideration is
                    present — relationship,
                    friendship, loyalty —
                    cooperation in love for the Apostolate,
                    support in community life,
                    for serving God — better and
                    better — learning better every day
 
                Our mission in the Shepherds of Christ is to reach the
                    world —
 
                    to reach the communities in cities
                        with prayer chapters
 
                    to form a community in loving
                        cooperation
 
                    to serve Christ
 
                    to help build stronger families, parishes,
                        schools
 
                    to help strengthen priests with
                        love and prayer and the Priestly Newsletter and books
 
                We live to make God more known to men and
                    strengthen our love relationship
                    with God
 
                Prayer is at the center of the Shepherds of Christ
 
                We want intimacy with God
                We do adoration
                We are deep intercessors in prayer for
                    the priests, the Church and the world
 
                The more we pray united in retreats,
                    daily prayer services,
                    the more God outpours His love and
                    reveals Himself to us through prayer
                    as a community
 
                We pray to the Holy Spirit to understand and love God
                    and be filled with the fire of God's
                    love
 
                The Holy Spirit works in the Heart of Mary molding
                    us more and more in the image of God.
 
                The Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom
 
                The Holy Spirit gives us grace for community prayer
 
                We can pray deeply united in the Mass
                    what a gift
 
                We give ourselves to the service of the "Word"
                    this is a light to men
 
                Silence is needed for love of God —
 
                    Prayer alone in silence
 
                We need silent prayer to have intimacy
                    with God — especially before the Blessed Sacrament
                    after communion
 
                God intends us to pray together and to
                    pray alone —
 
                Look at the Mass — the greatest prayer
  


  

A Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

    Let me be a holy sacrifice and unite with God in the sacrament of His greatest love.

    I want to be one in Him in this act of love, where He gives Himself to me and I give myself as a sacrifice to Him. Let me be a holy sacrifice as I become one with Him in this my act of greatest love to Him.

    Let me unite with Him more, that I may more deeply love Him. May I help make reparation to His adorable Heart and the heart of His Mother, Mary. With greatest love, I offer myself to You and pray that You will accept my sacrifice of greatest love. I give myself to You and unite in Your gift of Yourself to me. Come and possess my soul.

    Cleanse me, strengthen me, heal me. Dear Holy Spirit act in the heart of Mary to make me more and more like Jesus.

    Father, I offer this my sacrifice, myself united to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to You. Help me to love God more deeply in this act of my greatest love.

    Give me the grace to grow in my knowledge, love and service of You and for this to be my greatest participation in the Mass. Give me the greatest graces to love You so deeply in this Mass, You who are so worthy of my love.

-God's Blue Book, December 27, 1995

 

 

Prayer for Union with Jesus

    Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.

    I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.

    I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.

    When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You, I adore You and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.

-God's Blue Book, January 17, 1994

   

                We pray the Holy Spirit leads us and helps
                    us to be on fire for love of God —
 
                We pray for Faith, Hope and Love
 
                The Center of the Church life is the
                    Eucharistic Liturgy
 
                Going to Mass together as a community
                    is vital
 
                We offer ourselves in our vocation —
                    so deeply at every Mass — in
                    emptying ourselves at the Consecration
                    of the Mass
 
                Being together at Mass helps renew the
                    Community together
 
                Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus
                    Christ is the primary source
                    of renewal
 
                We empty ourselves in our vocation
                    at Mass
 
                We offer ourselves
 
                Our lives as a sacrifice at Mass
 
                The Mass is the greatest sacrifice of
                    God's love
 
                We have the Church in China to do this —
 
                We go through Christ's death/resurrection
                    in the Mass —
                    we have trials in our mission —
 
                We live the resurrected life
                    in our vocation
 
                We offer ourselves to the Father
                    at Mass, united to the sacrifice
                    of Jesus in the Holy Spirit with
                    the angels and saints and the
                    souls in purgatory —
                    through the intercession
                    of Mary our Mother and St. Joseph.
 
                We pray for the priests, the Church
                    and the world —
 
                We live a life of greater unity in Him
 
                        CONCLUSION
 
                We give ourselves more deeply united
                    in the Mass
 
                We live the same vision as
                    members of the Shepherds of Christ
 
                We have the same mission
 
                We are constantly being renewed
                    more and more in living the
                    consecrated life in Him
 
                We live deeply the Word in our hearts —
 
                Our mission spreading the Daily Writing,
                                        Fr. Joe's homilies
                                    all Priestly Newsletters and
                                        Fr. Carter's Books —
                                        Fr. Pasquini's Books
 
                We spread the Priestly Newsletter and prayer chapters,
 
                        — pray deeply
                        — Books on the Eucharist
                        — Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
                                to the world
                        — The rosary - books
 
                We live to pray for the priests, the
                        Church and the world and help get
                        souls to get to heaven
 
                We spread the Morning Offering —
                        Mass Book, Medicine of Immortality, etc.
 
                We live to have this Movement
                        Shepherds of Christ more deeply unite
                        the world in deep oneness
                        in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
 
                Having the Priestly Newsletter strengthen the
                        priests and hierarchy spiritually,
                        lift them up and send our
                        love
 
                Having a network of prayer
                        chapters around the world
 
                Spreading the Rosary as Mary
                        said at Fatima
 
                Spreading the Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
 
                We want a deep intimate relationship
                        with Jesus for everybody in
                        the world —
                        a mystical marriage
 
                Love of the Sacred Heart
                Love of the Immaculate Heart
 
                The Holy Spirit filling the world with
                        the fire of God's love
 
                JOY, PEACE —
 
                        UNITY, LOVE
 
                ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC
 
                        AND APOSTOLIC
 
                Growth in the servants and
                        handmaids and apostles
                        because of joy and love —
                        unity and
                        committedness to the mission
                        obedience, chastity
 
                Seeing the vision Jesus gave to
                        me, Rita Ring and Fr. Carter
 
                To follow Jesus
 

From the Shepherds of Christ

Prayer Manual

10. Prayer for Priests. "Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the Flock, we pray that in the great love and mercy of Your Sacred Heart You attend to all the needs of Your priest-shepherds throughout the world. We ask that You draw back to Your Heart all those priests who have seriously strayed from Your path, that You rekindle the desire for holiness in the hearts of those priests who have become lukewarm, and that You continue to give Your fervent priests the desire for the highest holiness. United with Your Heart and Mary's Heart, we ask that You take this petition to Your heavenly Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen"

11. Prayer for all members of the Shepherds of Christ Associates. "Dear Jesus, we ask Your special blessings on all members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. Continue to enlighten them regarding the very special privilege and responsibility you have given them as members of Your movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates. Draw them ever closer to Your Heart and to Your Mother's Heart. Allow them to more and more realize the great and special love of Your Hearts for each of them as unique individuals. Give them the grace to respond to Your love and Mary's love with an increased love of their own. As they dwell in Your Heart and Mary's Heart, abundantly care for all their needs and those of their loved ones. We make our prayer through You to the Father, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary our Mother at our side. Amen"

12. Prayer for the spiritual and financial success of the priestly newsletter. "Father, we ask Your special blessings upon the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. We ask that You open the priest-readers to the graces You wish to give them through this chosen instrument of Your Son. We also ask that You provide for the financial needs of the newsletter and the Shepherds of Christ Associates. We make our prayer through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary at our side. Amen"

13. Prayer for all members of the human family. "Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessings on all Your children the world over. Attend to all their needs. We ask Your special assistance for all those marginalized people, all those who are so neglected and forgotten. United with our Mother Mary, we make this petition to You through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit."

14. Prayer to St. Michael and our Guardian Angels:

"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."

"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."

15. Pause for silent, personal prayer. This should last at least five minutes.

16. Act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

"Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock, I consecrate myself to Your most Sacred Heart. From Your pierced Heart the Church was born, the Church You have called me, as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, to serve in a most special way. You reveal Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love for me, whom You have chosen as Your companion in this most important work. Help me to always love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour out my life in love of God and neighbor! Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You!

"Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, a movement created by your Son as a powerful instrument for the renewal of the Church and the world. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple. Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that, through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced Heart of Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock."

 

 

 

Help us get this book to the priests.

 

Baptism of the Lord

Isaiah 42: 1-4, 6-7

Here is my servant whom I uphold, 
my chosen one 
    in whom my soul delights. 
I have sent my spirit upon him, 
he will bring fair judgement to the nations. 
He does not cry out or raise his voice, 
his voice is not heard in the street; 
he does not break the crushed reed 
or snuff the faltering wick. 
Faithfully he presents fair judgement; 
he will not grow faint, 
    he will not be crushed 
until he has established 
    fair judgement on earth, 
and the coasts and islands 
    are waiting for his instruction.  

I, Yahweh, have called you 
    in saving justice, 
I have grasped you by the hand 
    and shaped you; 
I have made you a covenant of the people 
and light to the nations, 
to open the eyes of the blind, 
to free captives from prison, 
and those who live in darkness 
    from the dungeon. 

     

Acts 10: 34-38

Then Peter addressed them, ‘I now really understand’, he said, ‘that God has no favourites, but that anybody of any nationality who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

    ‘God sent his word to the people of Israel, and it was to them that the good news of peace was brought by Jesus Christ—he is the Lord of all. You know what happened all over Judaea, how Jesus of Nazareth began in Galilee, after John had been preaching baptism. God had anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and because God was with him, Jesus went about doing good and curing all who had fallen into the power of the devil.

 

Luke 3: 15-16, 21-22

    A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to wonder whether John might be the Christ, so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, who is more powerful than me, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Now it happened that when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical form, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son; today have I fathered you.’

   

 

January 8, 2007 

INTRODUCTION: Today’s first reading is closely connected with Jesus’ baptism.  This first reading was written over 500 years before Christ.  It is a mysterious passage in that scholars do not know who the prophet was writing about.  But in hindsight, we can see how perfectly Jesus fulfilled this description of God's servant.  The words that introduce our first reading are directly connected with the account of Jesus’ baptism.  In our first reading God introduces his servant in this way: “Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am well pleased.”  And it is on this servant that God has put his spirit.  God's words at Jesus’ baptism are almost exactly the same except for one word that is changed.  At Jesus’ baptism,  God speaks of Jesus as his Son.  And upon Jesus God the Father sends the Spirit.  We have here something more than just an introduction of God's Son to the world and his being empowered by the Spirit.  The words of the Father also gave direction to Jesus’ future work.  Jesus was being called for the victory of justice.  He was to be a covenant of the people, a light for the nations as described in this servant passage from Isaiah.   

HOMILY: The baptism of John the Baptist was a baptism of repentance.  Jesus was God's Son, human like us in every way, except he was without sin.  Why would he present himself for baptism by John?  If you are confused about the baptism of Jesus you are in good company.  The early Church was confused and somewhat uncomfortable about it.  St. Matthew reports John saying to Jesus “I ought to be baptized by you, yet you come to me.”  St. Luke, as we heard in today’s gospel, hardly mentions the baptism itself.  And St. John in his gospel makes only an indirect reference to it.  Yet all the gospels as well as the Acts of the Apostles know that it happened, but they struggled to understand it.   

Jesus did not have sin to repent of, so John’s baptism had no relevance in this regard.  One approach to understanding this event is to see it as a clarification of who Jesus is.  He is God's Son, his beloved, with whom the Father is well pleased.  There would be no question about Jesus’ identity.   Jesus’ identity had already been revealed to us in Luke’s gospel when the angel told Mary at the annunciation that she would conceive her child through the power of the Holy Spirit and he would be holy and would be called Son of God.  Jesus’ identity was also revealed when Jesus was lost in the temple for three days and when he was found he said to his parents:  “why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?”  But his identity was hidden from everyone around them.  It was only when Jesus was baptized and God announced to the world “This is my beloved Son” and the Spirit came down upon him that the world was to know who he was.   

Our baptism gives us our identity too.  It tells us: we are God's child, sharing God's life, beloved by the Father and called to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to our heavenly Father.  So often we forget who we are and that we are God's beloved.  The advertising media is constantly telling us we don’t measure up, we’re not worthwhile.  We’re not as beautiful, as shapely, as energetic, as stylish, as popular, as successful, as wonderful, as happy as we should be.  But do not despair!  The ads tell us the product they happen to be promoting will make everything better.  It will solve our problems and make us over into someone worthwhile.  

God has already made us someone worthwhile.  He first made us in his image and likeness.  More than that he has given us his life.  He has made us his beloved son or daughter.  Archbishop Tutu, the Anglican bishop from South Africa, says he always preaches one message to his people there.  His message is simple and he repeats it over and over again.  It is that “God loves you.”  “I tell them that,” he says, “because the entire culture tells them that they are unlovable, and I have to give them the message of who they really are, because God loves them.” 

Through baptism we have been defined forever as God's children and the only one who can deface or destroy that dignity that has been given to us is we, ourselves.   

But, Jesus’ baptism not only clarified for all the world who Jesus was, but it also gave Jesus his mission.  He was to be a covenant of the people and a light for the nations.  Especially he was called to establish justice on the earth.  Justice here means “righteousness,” fidelity to God, goodness, living up to what we know God wants of us.  Who we are should define how we live .  If a person is a policeman, he or she is to work to uphold the law.  If a person is a doctor, he or she has a concern about people’s health.  If a person is a teacher, he or she is oriented toward helping people grow in wisdom and knowledge.  If we are God's child, we are called to live up to that dignity.  And in trying to live up to that dignity, who better could we imitate than the perfect Son of God, with whom the Father was well pleased.    

As we celebrate Jesus’ baptism, may we at the same time celebrate our own.  May we rejoice in God's gift of love and life given to us, and may we live up to the high dignity with which God has blessed us. 

 

 

2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
 

Isaiah 62: 1-5

The splendour of Jerusalem

About Zion I will not be silent,
about Jerusalem I shall not rest
until saving justice dawns for her
   like a bright light
and her salvation like a blazing torch.
The nations will then see
   your saving justice,
and all kings your glory,
and you will be called a new name
which Yahweh's mouth will reveal.
You will be a crown of splendour
   in Yahweh's hand,
a princely diadem in the hand of your God.
No more will you be known as 'Forsaken'
or your country be known as 'Desolation';
instead, you will be called
   'My Delight is in her'
and your country 'The Wedded';
for Yahweh will take delight in you
and your country will have its wedding.
Like a young man marrying a virgin,
your rebuilder will wed you,
and as the bridegroom rejoices in his bride,
so will your God rejoice in you.

    

January 17, 2010

INTRODUCTION: (Isaiah 62, 1-5; I Corinthians 12, 4-11; John 2, 1-11) For almost fifty years the Jews were captives and exiles in Babylon (modern day Iraq). But then the Persians (modern day Iran) conquered the Babylonians, and they allowed God’s people to return home. The Persians were even willing to give them financial aid to rebuild their Temple, their homes, their cities and their farms. The prophet in today’s first reading announces this wonderful event that God would bring his people back home. During their exile God had not forgotten his people and would take his people back to himself as his bride. The image of God marrying his people is an important biblical image, found in several of the prophets, and is the best symbol from our human experience that can be used to describe the affection God has for us. This wedding image prepares the way for the gospel account of Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast of Cana.
 

 

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

There are many different gifts, but it is always the same Spirit; there are many different ways of serving, but it is always the same Lord. There are many different forms of activity, but in everybody it is the same God who is at work in them all. The particular manifestation of the Spirit granted to each one is to be used for the general good. To one is given from the Spirit the gift of utterance expressing wisdom; to another the gift of utterance expressing knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; to another, faith, from the same Spirit; and to another, the gifts of healing, through this one Spirit; to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the power of distinguishing spirits; to one, the gift of different tongues and to another, the interpretation of tongues. But at work in all these is one and the same Spirit, distributing them at will to each individual.

 

John 2: 1-11

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. And they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the feast had all been used, and the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said, ‘Woman, what do you want from me? My hour has not come yet.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’ There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablutions that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water,’ and they filled them to the brim. Then he said to them, ‘Draw some out now and take it to the president of the feast.’ They did this; the president tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew—the president of the feast called the bridegroom and said, ‘Everyone serves good wine first and the worse wine when the guests are well wined; but you have kept the best wine till now.’

This was the first of Jesus’ signs: it was at Cana in Galilee. He revealed his glory, and his disciples believed in him.?

       

January 17, 2010


HOMILY: Since our gospel is about a wedding, I want to start with a few quotes that offer some wit and wisdom about marriage. James Thurber said: “the most dangerous food is wedding cake.” Ruth Graham said: “A happy marriage is the union of two forgivers.” Lyndon Johnson: “Only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. One is to let her think she is having her own way; the other, to let her have it.” Mignon McLaughlin: “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Joseph Barth: “Marriage is our last, best chance to grow up.” Bill Cosby: “For two people in a marriage to live together day after day is unquestionably the one miracle the Vatican has overlooked.” (quotes taken from Readers’ Digest, 5/09, pg 184)

Since our gospel is about wine, I have a quote from Benjamin Franklin: “We hear of the conversion of water into wine … as a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into wine – a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.” (from Readers’ Digest, 6/09, pg 159)

Making wine is a lengthy process; the miracle, of course, is that Jesus made the wine instantaneously, made it of such excellent quality and in such great abundance (120 to 150 gallons). What is the point of his doing that and what is the point of this story for us? John tells us it was a sign. So it’s meant to tell us something. Let us explore what the sign tells us. It was not a sign that Jesus was opening up a new wine shop in the neighborhood. His mission would not be limited to time or place. As we sang in the psalm refrain, his mission was to all nations. God’s people were always praying for and looking for the day when God would come to save his people. That day was often expressed in wedding imagery (as we heard in today’s first reading) and an abundance of wine would mark the arrival of that day. I would like to quote from several places in the Old Testament where an abundance of wine would be a sign of God’s coming as our savior. We read in Isaiah: “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines; … he will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces…On that day it will be said: ‘behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!’” (Is 25,6.9) Or again from Isaiah: “you who have no money, come, receive grain and eat; come without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk!” (Is. 55,1) Amos tells us: “The days are coming says the Lord, when…the juice of grapes shall drip down the mountains and all the hills shall run with it.” (Amos 9, 13) In Proverbs we read about wisdom, personified as a woman who has built her house, dressed her meat, mixed her wine and has spread her table. She sends out her maidens and calls out to the city to all who would be wise and understanding: “come, eat my food, and drink of the wine I have mixed!” (Prov. 9,1-5) Overindulgence in alcohol is foolishness and destructive, but the Jewish people have always had one of the lowest percentages of alcoholism of all nationalities. They respect its power and thus it is for them a symbol of joy and celebration and, according to their Scriptures, it is a sign of the abundance of joy with which God would bless his people on the day of salvation.

But that’s not all that the miracle tells us, for, as a sign it tells us a lot of other things, such as, it was a sign of who Jesus is. It was a sign of his unique person – as John’s gospel tells us: “he revealed his glory and his disciples began to believe in him.” It was a sign that he was the messiah who would bring God’s blessing of salvation to all God’s people. Since he would be a light to all nations, as is often spoken of him, it is not just the Jewish people who would share in God’s blessings. He would be a blessing for all people who would follow him. Another meaning to this sign is that this would be the beginning of Jesus’ saving work, a term described as his “hour.” His work would lead to his execution and his resurrection as he well knew. Perhaps knowing what was ahead for him, Jesus wasn’t in a hurry to begin his work. So when his mother, Mary, described the difficult problem of not having enough wine, his response was, “my hour has not yet come.” Notice she didn’t push him into anything, but she probably knew he would want to help this young couple who would have been dreadfully embarrassed if their celebration came to a rapid end. Mary just said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Good advice for any and all of us.) Another sign here for me is his interest in every detail of our own lives. Did he not tell us in another place: “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. (Mt. 10, 29) It was a sign he came to change things: he changed sick people into people who were well, he changed sinners into saints, he changed death into a pathway into everlasting life, he changed bread and wine into his body and blood. Finally, the miracle at Cana was a sign of the Eucharist, in which he would give his blood for us, his blood, which represents his life and his blessings that are offered to those who come to be nourished by him. Amen.

 

 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
 

Nehemiah 8: 2-4a, 5-6, 8-10 

Accordingly, on the first day of the seventh month, the priest Ezra brought the Law before the assembly, consisting of men, women and all those old enough to understand. In the square in front of the Water Gate, in the presence of the men and women, and of those old enough to understand, he read from the book from dawn till noon; all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

    The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden dais erected for the purpose;

In full view of all the people — since he stood higher than them all — Ezra opened the book; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God, and all the people raised their hands and answered, 'Amen! Amen!'; then they bowed down and, face to the ground, prostrated themselves before Yahweh.

Ezra read from the book of the Law of God, translating and giving the sense; so the reading was understood. Then His Excellency Nehemiah and the priest-scribe Ezra and the Levites who were instructing the people said to all the people, 'Today is sacred to Yahweh your God. Do not be mournful, do not weep.' For the people were all in tears as they listened to the words of the Law. He then said, 'You may go; eat what is rich, drink what is sweet and send a helping to the man who has nothing prepared. For today is sacred to our Lord. Do not be sad: the joy of Yahweh is your stronghold.'

    

Psalm 19: 8-10

The precepts of Yahweh are honest, 
    joy for the heart; 
the commandment of Yahweh is pure, 
    light for the eyes. 

The fear of Yahweh is pure, 
    lasting for ever; 
the judgements of Yahweh are true, 
    upright, every one, 

more desirable than gold, 
    even than the finest gold; 
his words are sweeter than honey, 
    that drips from the comb.

 

  1 Corinthians 12: 12-30

For as with the human body which is a unity although it has many parts—all the parts of the body, though many, still making up one single body—so it is with Christ. We were baptised into one body in a single Spirit, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink. And indeed the body consists not of one member but of many. If the foot were to say, ‘I am not a hand and so I do not belong to the body,’ it does not belong to the body any the less for that. Or if the ear were to say, ‘I am not an eye, and so I do not belong to the body,’ that would not stop its belonging to the body. If the whole body were just an eye, how would there be any hearing? If the whole body were hearing, how would there be any smelling? 

    As it is, God has put all the separate parts into the body as he chose. If they were all the same part, how could it be a body? As it is, the parts are many but the body is one. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ and nor can the head say to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ 

    What is more, it is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones. It is the parts of the body which we consider least dignified that we surround with the greatest dignity; and our less presentable parts are given greater presentability which our presentable parts do not need. God has composed the body so that greater dignity is given to the parts which were without it, and so that there may not be disagreements inside the body but each part may be equally concerned for all the others. If one part is hurt, all the parts share its pain. And if one part is honoured, all the parts share its joy. 

    Now Christ’s body is yourselves, each of you with a part to play in the whole. And those whom God has appointed in the Church are, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers; after them, miraculous powers, then gifts of healing, helpful acts, guidance, various kinds of tongues. Are all of them apostles? Or all prophets? Or all teachers? Or all miracle–workers? Do all have the gifts of healing? Do all of them speak in tongues and all interpret them?

  

Luke 1: 1-4; 4: 14-21

Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have reached their fulfilment among us, as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,  I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus, so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.

Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside. He taught in their synagogues and everyone glorified him. He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read, and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written: The spirit of the Lord is on me, for he has anointed me to bring the good news to the afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord. He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them, 'This text is being fulfilled today even while you are listening.'

      

  

January 21, 2007 

INTRODUCTION – You’ve heard frequently of the Babylonian exile and how the Persians conquered the Babylonians fifty years later and allowed the Jews to return home. Many of the Jews in Babylon had become rather comfortable there and they did not return to Israel all at once. Little by little they came. Even a hundred years after they began to return they were still struggling to rebuild their cities and their civilization. The Persians were still in control of the entire Middle East which included Israel. Nehemiah, a Jew, had been a high level servant to the king of Persia and he asked his king to allow him to return to Israel to help his people rebuild. So the king of Persia appointed him to be governor of Israel. In Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild the nation, he had to start with what was most important and that was to remind the people that God had to take first place in their lives. He realized much of the trauma his people had gone through at the time of their exile was because they had forgotten their God. In today’s first reading Nehemiah called for a general assembly of the people and the priest Ezra read God's word to them. Remember, ordinary people did not have books in those days. Books were very rare and very expensive, since each one had to be individually written word by word. So, if the ordinary person were ever to know God's word, someone had to read it or preach it to them. Ezra, thus, read God's word to the people and interpreted it for them. The reading was most probably from the first five books of the bible. Notice that there was active participation on the part of God’s people as they heard the word, possibly for the first time: raising their hands, answering “amen,” bowing to the ground, listening attentively, weeping and rejoicing.


HOMILY - The central theme of today’s liturgy is God's word. The people were saddened by God's word in today’s first reading. Perhaps they recognized how they had failed to live up to it. But Ezra and Nehemiah told the people God's word should bring us joy. Even if they had not been living by God’s word, on hearing it they could learn from it and start living as God instructed them. When we break the laws of our society, we may get thrown into jail. God doesn’t send the police around when we break his laws, but when we ignore his word, it’s going to catch up with us in the long run. So many people rationalize bad behavior by saying Jesus is a good guy. He won’t punish me for this or that. But they forget, Jesus didn’t come to punish us. He came to show us the way to happiness and eternal life. When we choose a way contrary to his teaching we bring unhappiness upon ourselves.

One of my favorite psalm verses is: “Your word is a lamp for my steps and a light for my path.” (Ps 119, 105) If you have to go somewhere in the dark, it’s nice to have a flashlight to help you see where you’re going. You can walk in the dark if you wish, but that would not be very smart and you might be likely to end up hurting yourself. When we try to make it through life without God's word, we’re walking in the dark. We can’t say God is punishing us if, while we’re walking in the dark, we run into something or we fall. We did it to ourselves.

Nehemiah knew the people needed God's light if they were ever going to succeed in getting back on their feet. Jesus knows we need God's light. In today’s gospel, Jesus is beginning his public ministry and he uses the Scriptures to describe the work he will do. People were impressed at first, but unfortunately, as we will hear next week, they rejected him.

Jesus said “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” “Today” is the important word here. It tells us God is speaking to us whenever we hear the Scriptures. Those who heard Ezra read the word of God and interpret it were hearing about things that happened almost a thousand years before, the stories of Abraham, Moses and the Exodus. But they saw its relevance for them that day. Jesus read from the book of Isaiah, written centuries before he was born, but he told his audience it had great meaning for them that day. “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” God's word always speaks to us because God is a living God and his Spirit continues to communicate to us through that word.

In our second reading today, Paul reminds us of the importance of community. He tells us we can’t say I don’t need a church, I don’t need to come to Mass, I don’t need to pray with all those other people. We do need to because we are part of the body of Christ and we can’t say we do not need one another. When we separate ourselves from one another, we are denying the spiritual gifts God has given to others to help us and we are denying to others the spiritual gifts God has given us to help them. We need each other. We need to share our faith with each other, even if it is a matter of praying with one another. To sum everything up, we need God's word and we need each other to make it through this life to the joys of eternal life.

     

 

Second Sunday of Lent

 

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18  

Then taking him outside, he said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars if you can. Just so will your descendants be," he told him. Abram put his faith in Yahweh and this was reckoned to him as uprightness.

    He then said to him, "I am Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldaeans to give you this country as your possession."  "Lord Yahweh," Abram replied, "how can I know that I shall possess it?" He said to him, "Bring me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove and a young pigeon." He brought him all these, split the animals down the middle and placed each half opposite the other; but the birds he did not divide. And whenever birds of prey swooped down on the carcases, Abram drove them off.

    Now, as the sun was on the point of setting, a trance fell on Abram, and a deep dark dread descended on him.

When the sun had set and it was dark, there appeared a smoking firepot and a flaming torch passing between the animals' pieces. That day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram in these terms:

    "To your descendants I give this country,
    from the River of Egypt
        to the Great River,

                        the River Euphrates,

 

Philippians 3: 17 - 4: 1

Brothers, be united in imitating me. Keep your eyes fixed on those who act according to the example you have from me. For there are so many people of whom I have often warned you, and now I warn you again with tears in my eyes, who behave like the enemies of Christ’s cross. They are destined to be lost; their god is the stomach; they glory in what they should think shameful, since their minds are set on earthly things. But our homeland is in heaven and it is from there that we are expecting a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transfigure the wretched body of ours into the mould of his glorious body, through the working of the power which he has, even to bring all things under his mastery.

So then, my brothers and dear friends whom I miss so much, my joy and my crown, hold firm in the Lord, dear friends.

  

Luke 9: 28-36

   Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter, John and James and went up the mountain to pray. And it happened that, as he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became sparkling white. And suddenly there were two men talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they woke up and saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what he was saying. As he was saying this, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid. And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’ And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

     

March 4, 2007

INTRODUCTION – (Gen 15:5-12, 17-18; Phil 3:17–4:1; Luke 9:28b-36) Almost 4000 years ago, God made awesome promises to a man named Abram about how he would inherit much land, would have so many descendants they could not be counted, even how the whole world would be blessed through him. Abram had no evidence that these promises would ever be fulfilled. He asked God for some assurance that they would. So God gave Abram a special sign. It may seem complicated to us but it would have been easily understood by Abram. It was the way people made covenants or contracts in those days. The ritual of cutting an animal in half and walking between the halves was a symbolic way of saying “may the same thing happen to me as to this animal if I am unfaithful to my word.” God is often represented as fire, and in this experience only God moved in-between the two halves of the animals. This indicated that God was not asking Abram to promise anything. God asked only for Abram’s trust.

HOMILY – As our lives move along, there are disappointments but there are also hopes and promises that we look forward to. Abram (later named Abraham) looked forward to the promise of land, many descendants and numerous blessings. In an ecstatic experience God assured him his hopes would be fulfilled. Jesus had several times warned his apostles that he would suffer and die. Now he gave three of them a special experience to help them know what was ahead, that his death would lead to glory. It was a glory so wonderful that they didn’t want it to stop. They wanted to set up tents on the mountain, not for themselves but for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, and they wanted to stay there indefinitely. But it wasn’t to be. They still had to go through challenging and difficult times before they came to the glory they had seen. Matthew and Mark leave us in the dark regarding what Jesus was talking about with Moses and Elijah, but Luke tells us they were talking about Jesus’ departure from this world by his death in Jerusalem. That departure is translated here by the word “exodus.” Jesus had to leave this world to enter into the glory that was ahead. Luke has thus allowed us to see there is a definite connection between the transfiguration and Jesus’ passion. Perhaps the experience of the transfiguration was meant to give strength and hope to Peter, James, and John, to help them survive Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Perhaps it was a gift from God the Father to Jesus to help bolster his commitment to be faithful to his mission. Whatever it was, it was a promise of future glory and an assurance that God would not let down those who trusted in him. When Peter wanted to put up three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah, it is always understood that he was enjoying this ecstatic experience and didn’t want it to end, and this is true. But I wonder whether Peter, in his way of thinking, was making Jesus equal to Moses and Elijah. He said: “Let us make three tents,” as if Jesus were a great leader on a par with Moses and Elijah. God the Father’s words: “This is my chosen Son” let the apostles know that Moses and Elijah were great men and great prophets, but Jesus is God’s Son and no one could ever be on the same level with him. If the transfiguration is a promise of future glory for Jesus and the Apostles, St. Paul gives us a promise of future glory for us when he tells us today “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are only tourists in this world and it’s not our true home. We must always have our bags packed because we never know when we will be called to move on. And we will be called. Paul tells us God “will change our lowly bodies to conform with his glorified body.” We will be transfigured also. Lent helps us remember to be ready to move on and to make any changes in our lives we need to make, so we will be ready to meet our God in eternal glory. Mass is always an assurance and a promise of what’s ahead, especially in Communion. The consecrated bread and wine are Jesus’ body and blood. We are reminded of his death for us. We are also assured that he hasn’t left us orphans, but he is still with us and in Communion he wants us to be more closely united with himself. Someday we will enjoy perfect union when we will not have to experience him through signs and sacraments. We will know him directly and intimately. When we come to that stage, like the three apostles at the transfiguration, we won’t ever want to leave. Unlike the apostles, we won’t have to.

 

 

The Body and Blood of Christ
 

Genesis 14: 18-20

Melchizedek king of Salem brought bread and wine; he was a priest of God Most High. He pronounced this blessing: 

    Blessed be Abram by God Most High, 
        Creator of heaven and earth. 
    And blessed be God Most High 
        for putting your enemies 
            into your clutches. 

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

      

1 Corinthians 11: 23-26

    For the tradition I received from the Lord and also handed on to you is that on the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread, and after he had given thanks, he broke it, and he said, This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. And in the same way, with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me. Whenever you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.

 

Luke 9: 11-17

But the crowds got to know and they went after him. He made them welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

It was late afternoon when the Twelve came up to him and said, 'Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.' He replied, 'Give them something to eat yourselves.' But they said, 'We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.' For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, 'Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.' They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps left over were collected they filled twelve baskets.

     

June 10, 2007

INTRODUCTION

Today we celebrate our faith in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  Today’s first reading takes us back about 1850 years before Christ.  Abraham’s nephew Lot had been captured by some local tribes and Abraham set out to rescue him, which he did.  On his return, he passed by Salem, which is Jerusalem today and he was met by Melchizedek, who was both king and high priest in that area.  They didn’t believe in separation of church and state in those early days and it was not unusual for the same person to be both king and high priest.  Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham.  This act of eating together signified the creation of a bond of enduring friendship and mutual protection.   Many of the early fathers in the Church saw this gesture as a foreshadowing of the Eucharist.   

St. Paul describes the institution of the Eucharist in his letter to the Corinthians.  The language he uses indicates that this is a tradition that is authentic and reliable.  He received it from the Lord and he is handing it on to the Corinthians as he has received it.  Receiving it “from the Lord” does not necessarily mean that he received it directly, but that it is an essential part of the gospel that has its origin in the teaching and the life of Jesus Christ. 

HOMILY

I want to begin by saying to all of our fathers here: “Happy Father’s Day.”  I was trying to find a joke about fathers and you know what, there aren’t very many.  There must be ten times as many jokes about mothers as there are about fathers.  Perhaps fathers aren’t as funny or perhaps men write most of the jokes.  But since I couldn’t find one about fathers I decided to tell one about mothers.  There was this young son who phoned is mother and asked how she was.  She said she was awfully weak.  Concerned, he asked why she was so weak and she said she hadn’t had anything to eat for 32 days.  He was alarmed and asked what was going on she hadn’t eaten for 32 days.  She said it was because she didn’t want to have a mouth full of food in case he would call.  How’s that for giving someone a guilt trip?  Well, in case your mother or father are still alive and you haven’t called yours recently, give them a call today. Remember fathers need love and affection as much as mothers do.  They just try to be tough and don’t say they do.   

I was thinking fathers (and mothers) sometimes have a difficult job.  They have to try to convince their children that vegetables do them more good than ice cream, that turning off the TV and going to bed early is important, especially on school nights, that they need to brush their teeth, go to school, be nice to others, share their things, do their chores and do dozens of other things that children are not inclined to do.   

God the Father has the same difficult job.  He tries to convince us that we are going to be happiest when we do what he tells us to do.  One of the hard things he has to do, is to try to get us to to take on faith many things we cannot see.  He wants us to believe in him, to believe in his love (even though we do not see it at times), to believe in his Son Jesus, to believe that death is not the end of life but for those who faithfully follow Jesus but it is the beginning of eternal life.  One of the things we cannot see but have to take on faith is the Eucharist. 

We heard in today’s gospel the one miracle, other than the resurrection of Jesus, that is reported in all four gospels.  It wasn’t necessarily mentioned by all four because it was the most spectacular of Jesus miracles, but because it foreshadows the ongoing miracle of the Eucharist through which Jesus continues to feed his people with his own Body and Blood. When a child who is told to eat spinach and carrots instead of ice cream or cake which they might prefer, they may not see benefit in doing that.  We may not see anything special about this small wafer and sip from a cup that we receive in Communion.  We just have to take it on faith, a faith that is founded on one thing: the very clear words of our Lord: “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood.”  “Do this in remembrance of me.”   

I was encouraged recently when I read in the Catholic Telegraph that a recent study reported that 91% of young Catholics (ages 20-39) believe the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ at Mass.  But I was sorry to see in the same report that only 77% say they can be a good Catholic without attending church every Sunday.  It’s like saying I believe that a healthy diet and exercise are really important, but I can be healthy without it.  

Most of us nourish our bodies three or more times a day. Yet we’re going to have to leave that part of behind us some day.  What are we doing to nourish the spiritual part of us, the part of us that will live forever?  Christ gives us himself because he knows we need him.  “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.”  Jesus lost a lot of his followers because of that line.  But he didn’t back down on what he said.  The Church tells us to be a good Catholic we must come to Mass at least once a week.  This is the way we Catholics observe the third commandment to keep holy the Lord’s day.  The Church encourages our full participation at Mass, which includes the reception of Communion but says we must receive the Eucharist at least once a year to be in good standing. 

When we were young and didn’t feel like eating our vegetables we did it because we had to.  Hopefully as we matured we got to the point that we saw the value of a good diet and followed it.  So the Church makes rules about Mass and about the Eucharist to help us when we don’t feel like doing what is beneficial for us, but hopefully most of us have gotten beyond that point to where we are able to be nourished in faith and joy by the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.

 

 

        

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Jiffy Sheet: 108 day Novena beginning February 3, 2010 to May 21, 2010

You will need:           1. This sheet
                                2. Holy Spirit Novena Book
                                3. Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual

I. Begin at 6:20 p.m. by singing, "Come Holy Ghost" (verse 1).

  1. Say, "I want to make a Spiritual Communion." 

  2. "I give my heart to Jesus and Mary with you in love." (This will unite us in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.) 

  3. Cast out Satan: "We cast Satan into the fires of hell, far from us, our families, our Movement, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, the Church and the world in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Holy Spirit Novena and Rosary Novena Chart

Day:

1  

2

3 

4  

5  

6 

7  

8 

9 

Period I

Feb 3 - J

4 - L

5 - S

6 - G

7 - J

8 - L

9 - S

10 - G

11 - J

II

12 - L

13 - S

14 - G

15 - J

16 - L

17 - S

18 - G

19 - J

20 - L

Period I

21 - S

22 - G

23 - J

24 - L

25 - S

26 - G

27 - J

28 - L

Mar 1 - S

II

2 - G

3 - J

4 - L

5 - S

6 - G

7 - J

8 - L

9 - S

10 - G

Period I

11 - J

12 - L

13 - S

14 - G

15 - J

16 - L

17 - S 

18 - G

19 - J

II

20 - L

21 - S

22 - G

23 - J

24 - L

25 - S

26 - G

27 - J

28 - L

Period I

29 - S

30 - G

31 - J

Apr 1 - L

2 - S

3 - G 

4 - J

5 - L

6 - S

II

7 - G

8 - J

9 - L

10 - S

11 - G

12 - J

13 - L

14 - S

15 - G

Period I

16 - J

17 - L

18 - S

19 - G

20 - J

21 - L

22 - S

23 - G

24 - J

II

25 - L

26 - S

27 - G

28 - J

29 - L

30 - S

May 1 - G

2 - J

3 - L

Period I

4 - S

5 - G

6 - J

7 - L

8 - S

9 - G

10 - J

11 - L

12 - S

II

13 - G

14 - J

15 - L

16 - S

17 - G

18 - J

19 - L

20 - S

21 - G

  1. Pray the Holy Spirit Novena using the Holy Spirit Novena Booklet.

  2. After the novena, read the appropriate meditation. For example: period 1, day 1; period 1, day 2; etc. This will continue until further indicated.

    • It is enormously important that you feel as a body praying together, asking for the special coming of the Holy Spirit.

  3. After the meditation say: "We consecrate the Movement, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, the Church and the world to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

  4. Ask that the Blood of Jesus be spread on the Movement, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, the Church and the world.

  5. Begin the 6:30 p.m. prayer service as usual.

II. Begin the 6:30 prayer service

  1. Begin praying:  Dear Father in the name of Your Son Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, through the powerful intercession of the Virgin Mary, with all the angels and the saints and the souls in purgatory, we join in one mind and one heart and ask the Holy Spirit to come to all the world in a special way, especially to our priests. We pray all prayers for the priests and the renewal of the Church and the world and for the Shepherds of Christ intentions. By the precious Body and Blood of Jesus we cast out Satan far from this place, our families, the Shepherds of Christ Movement, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, the Church and the world. We ask the Blood of Jesus be spread on us, the Shepherds of Christ Movement, Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Center, the Church and the world. We beg for grace and mercy for the world and wish to make reparation to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. We give our hearts to Jesus and Mary with all gathered here in love. We wish to be forgiven for offending one another. We love You God, help us.

  2. Sing A Song from Jesus.   Refrain:  "I come to you with greatest love, I am your loving Savior.  I am your God, I died for you, I come to you this day."

  3. Then begin the prayers of the Good Shepherd (Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual).

  4. Sing The Rosary song   Refrain:  "Oh the rosary, the rosary is the love of Their two Hearts,   Oh the rosary, the rosary is the love of Their two Hearts."
          1) Ave Maria, Ave Maria.
          2) Jesus we love You, Mary we love you.
          3) This is her peace plan, Children must pray it.
          4) We turn to Mary, She is the Queen of Peace.
          5) Oh Sacred Heart Divine, Oh Heart of Mary pure, Ave Maria, We love to pray it!

  5. Begin the rosary. Please use the Rosary Books and the Rosary Aves.  The important thing is to pray the prayers and the rosary at 6:30 p.m., if possible. (Rosary mysteries need to be according to the Rosary Novena.)

  6. Read the Ten Commandments.

    1.  I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods besides me.
    2.  You shall not take the name of the Lord, your God, in vain.
    3.  Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day.
    4.  Honor your father and your mother.
    5.  You shall not kill.
    6.  You shall not commit adultery.
    7.  You shall not steal.
    8.  You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
    9.  You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
    10.  You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
      

  7. Pray A Prayer of Thanksgiving then read the Daily Message for the day.

 

 

   

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NEW! — 11" St. Michael - $40.00 plus shipping

 

 

 

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

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Prayer Card  4" x 6"

.50¢ 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

 

       


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. 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  


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

 

Call Shepherds of Christ

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 

plus shipping
   

 

Call Shepherds of Christ

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Available for $10.00 plus postage

1-888-211-3041

Call Shepherds of Christ

 

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

 

 

 

We are trying to get

Response to God's Love

and the Mass Book out.
 

Anybody who wants to help us

with a donation to get these 2 books

out in the Priestly/hierarchy mailing —

Please call Shepherds of Christ

 1-888-211-3041

 

 

July 31, 1994

Words of Jesus to Members of
Shepherds of Christ Associates:

"My beloved priest-companion, I intend to use the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ, and the movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates, in a powerful way for the renewal of My Church and the world.

"I will use the newsletter and the chapters of Shepherds of Christ Associates as a powerful instrument for spreading devotion to My Heart and My Mother's Heart.

"I am calling many to become members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. To all of them I will give great blessings. I will use them as instruments to help bring about the triumph of the Immaculate Heart and the reign of My Sacred Heart. I will give great graces to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. I will call them to be deeply united to My Heart and to Mary's Heart as I lead them ever closer to My Father in the Holy Spirit."

- Message from Jesus to Father Edward J. Carter, S.J., Founder, as given on July 31, 1994,
feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus (The Jesuits)

 

  

 

  


 

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

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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.

 

 

You can help put the Blue Book V

in the hands of 1,000 people

we need $1,200 postage for this

It is ready to go

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Crucifix — hand carved by Felix

   

Available for $750.00

 

 

 

Brand New Internet Store

 

 

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