|
Shepherds of Christ Daily Writing |
|
|
Shepherds of Christ Daily Writing |
|
April 15, 2017
|
April 16th Holy Spirit Novena |
The Novena Rosary
Mysteries |
Please pray for Dan.
Please pray for Monsignor.
Please pray for Dennis serving our country.
Pray for Diane, Mike and Gary.
Prayer for Grace for our Country
Dear Father united to Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrifice of Calvary sacramentally made present, celebrated around the world, in the Holy Spirit. We offer up all we do united to the Mass. We unite in one mind and one heart as members of the mystical body of Christ, with Christ our head in the pure and holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary, through the powerful intercession of Mary with all the angels and saints and souls in purgatory, and we beg for the saving grace, for our country, the United States. Please help us. We further pray for unity to always do the will of God in love. We spread the Blood of Jesus on the leaders and people of the United States and cast the devil into hell. We consecrate our country to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart and all our dioceses, and beg for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God help us. We pray for our families, the priests, the Church and the world. In the Name of Jesus please hear us, we pray. We pray for our new president as he takes office. We pray that we are united as one nation under God to work together in love as God wants.
Happy Birthday Jim
April 15, 2017 - Holy Saturday
R. We have gone through the most holy and sacred
days of Lent to arrive at these days of the
Tridium – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday.
We sum up this time now in how we will
live Jesus' life, death and resurrection in
our lives.
How have we grown spiritually in these
precious days in Lent and how will the
victory of Easter live now in the next weeks
in our lives?
In the Shepherds of Christ Movement Jesus has
taught us so much about prayer – the role we
play as members of the mystical body of Christ –
our intimate union with Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus called Fr. Carter and me to write about
these truths and to work as contemplatives
in action in the Ministries He asked of us.
Here is a prayer Jesus gave me long
ago.
A Prayer for Intimacy with the Lamb, the Bridegroom of the Soul
Oh Lamb of God, Who take away the sins of the world, come and act on my soul most intimately. I surrender myself, as I ask for the grace to let go, to just be as I exist in You and You act most intimately on my soul. You are the Initiator. I am the soul waiting Your favors as You act in me. I love You. I adore You. I worship You. Come and possess my soul with Your Divine Grace, as I experience You most intimately.
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
Galatians 6: 14
But as for me, it is out of the question that I should boast at all, except of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
R. Jesus shed His precious blood for us –
1 Corinthians 11: 24-25
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.'
R. Christ is the Light of the World –
God calls us to go forth and bear fruit
for the Kingdom of God –
Come Holy Spirit, Come renew the face of
the earth –
Abraham was put to the test –
Abraham was obedient to God –
Genesis 22: 15-18
The angel of Yahweh called Abraham a second time from heaven. ‘I swear by my own self, Yahweh declares, that because you have done this, because you have not refused me your own beloved son, I will shower blessings on you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. Your descendants will gain possession of the gates of their enemies. All nations on earth will bless themselves by your descendants, because you have obeyed my command.’
Abraham went back to his servants, and together they set out for Beersheba, and Abraham settled in Beersheba.
R. God divided the Red Sea so the people
could escape Pharaoh –
God gives us baptism saving us from
the slavery of sin –
Sing: Come to the Water
We receive a new Covenant with God,
an everlasting covenant –
Romans 6: 3-11
You cannot have forgotten that all of us, when we were baptised into Christ Jesus, were baptised into his death. So by our baptism into his death we were buried with him, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glorious power, we too should begin living a new life. If we have been joined to him by dying a death like his, so we shall be by a resurrection like his: realising that our former self was crucified with him, so that the self which belonged to sin should be destroyed and we should be freed from the slavery of sin. Someone who has died, of course, no longer has to answer for sin.
But we believe that, if we died with Christ, then we shall live with him too. We know that Christ has been raised from the dead and will never die again. Death has no power over him any more. For by dying, he is dead to sin once and for all, and now the life that he lives is life with God. In the same way, you must see yourselves as being dead to sin but alive for God in Christ Jesus.
R. Now we are called to spread the Good News
of Jesus
We are to lead a new life –
We are to lead a risen life –
Colossians 3: 1-4
Since you have been raised up to be with Christ, you must look for the things that are above, where Christ is, sitting at God’s right hand. Let your thoughts be on things above, not on the things that are on the earth, because you have died, and now the life you have is hidden with Christ in God. But when Christ is revealed—and he is your life—you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.
Easter Sequence
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
offer sacrifice and praise.The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb;
and Christ, the undefiled,
hath sinners
to his Father reconciled.Death with life contended:
combat strangely ended!
Life's own Champion, slain,
yet lives to reign.Tell us, Mary:
say what thou didst see upon the way.The tomb the Living did enclose;
I saw Christ's glory as He rose!The angels there attesting;
shroud with grave-clothes resting.Christ, my hope, has risen:
He goes before you into Galilee.That Christ is truly risen
from the dead we know.
Victorious King, Thy mercy show!
Amen. Alleluia.
R. Our Founder taught on the spiritual
life his whole life –
Here are excerpts that Jesus wanted
me to put on for us living
more His life in us –
living in greater intimacy with God –
living the resurrected life in Jesus.
Through Him, With Him, In Him
Excerpts from Response to God's Love by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J.
The Christian Virtues - Chapter 5 (excerpt)
Another sign of humility is one's willingness to live out the various implications of being a social person. A proud person is a falsely independent person who, in various ways, refuses to admit his or her social dimension, namely, that he or she needs others. A proud person also tends to refuse to admit his or her obligation to help others. To be available to others in their manifold needs demands a price, and a proud person, who is closed in upon his or her own self-interest is often not willing to pay this price. Whether it is a question of receiving from others or giving to them, humility helps to remind us of the truth of John Donne's classic observation that "no man is an island."
Humility also bids a person to accept himself or herself as coming forth from the creative hand of God. God has given each of us certain fundamental talents that can be great, but can also be ordinary. God has also given each of us a certain basic temperament and personality, and we must realize that he leads us on in Christian holiness according to this fundamental structure. This is not to say that we are not to improve upon our essential structure; it is rather to say that we are not to strive to become what God does not intend us to be.
Humility likewise leads a person to seek and fulfill the task in life that God has appointed for him or her. To act in this way is to exercise humility because it manifests a realization of what it means to be God's creature. We cannot always be as sure of our role in life as we would like. If we utilize prayer and the other means that are available, however, we can be as certain as God wants us to be, and this is what matters. Within this God-given role, we should strive to give our reasonable best each day despite the possible monotony, frustration, or hiddenness of our work. We must give our attention primarily to the task of the present. At times, a lack of humility can tempt us to live too much in the past or too much in the future (other causes are admittedly possible). To fail to properly live in the present can mean that we are dissatisfied with the tasks and circumstances that God's providence, here and now, puts before us. If this is the truth of the matter, it means that we are failing to some extent to act as creatures before our Creator; it is to fail in humility. It is appropriate that we conclude these remarks concerning humility by listening to St. Paul speak of Jesus:
Your attitude must be that of Christ.
Though he was in the form of God,
he did not deem equality with God
something to be grasped at.
Rather, he emptied himself
and took the form of a slave,
being born in the likeness of men.
He was known to be of human estate,
and it was thus that he humbled
himself,
obediently accepting even death,
death on a cross!
—Phil 2:5-8end of excerpt
The Christian Virtues - Chapter 5 (excerpt)
end of excerptMary realized both her greatness and the source of that greatness. In Mary's song of thanksgiving—the Magnificat—we read:
My being proclaims the greatness of
the Lord,
my spirit finds joy in God my
savior,
For he has looked upon his servant in
her lowliness;
all ages to come shall call me
blessed.
God who is mighty has done great
things for me,
holy is his name
—Lk 1:46-49
If humility is truth and, consequently, allows us to properly recognize our gifts, it also necessitates that we admit to the evil within us, which is also part of the truth and must be acted upon. Humility not only bids us to admit that there is evil in us, but also tells us that, as creatures of God, we should conform to his will and work against this evil side of our persons. In summary, humility allows us to properly evaluate both the good and evil within ourselves.
Because humility is the realization of the implications of our creaturehood, it helps us to accept the human condition with all its ramifications. One aspect of the human condition is that we occasionally suffer because of the limitations and sinfulness of others. To rebel in these situations is a failure to realize what it means to be part of the human condition, a failure to relate to reality, a failure in humility. Christ, the sinless one, the perfect one, suffered tremendously because of the human condition, but he did not rebel. He realized what it meant to be a human being—namely, that one must accept the fact that at times one is going to suffer because of the evil in others. Christ did not flinch; as human being, he fully accepted his creaturehood with all its ramifications. He was truly humble.
9
The Christian Prays (excerpt)
end of excerptProgress toward spiritual maturity depends very much on a consistent prayer life. The truth of this statement unfolds as one reflects on all that prayer contains.
Christian prayer is rooted in the personal relationship that exists between the Christian and the triune God. Prayer is becoming conscious, in a special way, of the fact that the life of grace brings us into a deeply intimate union with the divine persons—a union that is so intimate that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit actually dwell with us in the most personal fashion.
During prayer, we are especially aware of God's presence to us and, reciprocally, of our presence to him. This attitude of personal presence should dominate prayer. In prayer we are engaging in a love-dialog with the God who is so concerned with us. The personal presence of prayer should be rooted in our openness to God, in our willingness to listen to him. Our attitude should be like that of Samuel: "When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, 'Samuel, Samuel!' Samuel answered, 'Speak, for your servant is listening' " (1 Sam 3:10).
Being open to God in prayer, listening to him, is based on the very sound theological reality that God takes the initiative in the Christian life. This has been God's special procedure throughout salvation history; in fact, this is the only way it can be because of the very nature of the order of grace. We never have to fear, however, that God will fail to take the initiative; he is granting us his grace in abundance. The danger actually lies with us—with the possibility that we will be deaf to God's call, that we will not listen properly, or that our openness to him will be marred by our selfishness.
To be open to God in prayer means to listen to what he has to tell us about both himself and ourselves. To be open to God in prayer means to be willing to allow God in his love to possess us more, to be willing to allow that love to direct our lives. To be open to God means to search for God's will, to determine to be more aware of the varied manner in which his will for us is manifested. God's will is channeled to us through the commandments, for instance, as well as through the interior whisperings of the Spirit, the needs of others, the circumstances of our lives, and Scripture.
Perhaps we do not often enough reflect upon Scripture as a source of God's will for us, yet it is one of the primary ways in which God speaks to us. The word of Scripture is truly one of the great norms against which our lives must be measured. The word of Scripture judges us: "Indeed, God's word is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword. It penetrates and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the reflections and thoughts of the heart" (Heb 4:12).
The mention of Scripture leads to another important aspect of prayer's very personal encounter with God—namely, its Christocentrism. Christ, the center of Scripture, is also central to prayer. Our listening to God in prayer and our concomitant response is focused in Jesus because Jesus is the mediator of Christianity in all its aspects, including prayer. The Christian is in the image of Christ; in his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus has shown us how to bring this image to maturity. In the quiet of prayer, the Father, under the touch of the Holy Spirit, bids us to look at his Son, for the Father's will for us is summed up in the Christ-event. The Father wants us to assimilate the mysteries of Christ's existence more radically into our own. These mysteries, in their perennially transcendent reality and dynamism, are present in the glorified Christ. As we encounter this Christ in the intimate, personal union of prayer, we also encounter these mysteries—especially those of death and resurrection—and the graces that are necessary to more deeply incorporate them into our lives. The fundamental transcendency of Christ's mysteries make them always supremely relevant to Christians of any age. In short, they possess a perennial vitality to meet all our exigencies.
If openness to God in prayer means, in part, listening to what he has to tell us about his will for us as it touches the varied aspects of human existence, it is obvious, then, that when we pray, God expects us to talk not only about our direct relationship with him, but also about everything else; for our relationship to God radically includes everything. In prayer, God wants us to dialog with him about our personal relationships, our work, our temptations, our joys and happiness, our sorrows and pain, our successes and failures, our thrill at being alive and working for him, and the difficulties we might be having with the human struggle. All these various dimensions of our lives are caught up in the dynamic of prayer and become part of that prayer as long as the attitude of personal presence dominates.
The dialog with God in prayer does not have to focus distinctly and sharply on the various aspects of our lives that we have just mentioned; there may be a distinct consideration of work, joy, temptation, and so forth. However, it need not be this way. Often the reality of personal presence—that is, of God to us and us to him—will be a simplified experience. In this type of experience, the personal presence attitude is the only aspect of which we are dominantly aware; all the rest is there, but only implicitly or obscurely because it is summed up in the experience of personal presence. The following analogy helps bring out the point. A husband and wife, very much in love, are alone together at the end of the day; their young children are now fast asleep. The husband and wife, happy to share some time alone, become very much aware of their deep, mutual love—this is the only thing of which they are directly aware at the moment. However, if one were to ask them whether this vivid, loving awareness of each other in some way included their love for their children, they would unhesitantly answer in the affirmative. This example demonstrates how our consciousness of God in prayer—excluding, at times, any other direct awareness—can implicitly include the other various aspects of our lives.
We see, then, the close connection that exists between prayer and life. A corollary of this fact is easily recognizable: If we have glowing thoughts and lofty feelings about God during prayer, yet these have no real influence on our lives at other times, then our prayer is deficient. Effective prayer, on the other hand, gives a light to the intellect and a love and determination to the will that appropriately accompany the various activities of daily existence. Fully authentic prayer helps shape us to be contemplative in action—an idea that we will further develop a bit later.
From what we have already said, it is obvious that there is a connection between prayer and growth in self-identity. In prayer, there is a greater grasp of who I am—the unique person that God has created and redeemed—and how God wants me to act. Let us now expand a bit upon this idea.
Each of us is aided in achieving self-knowledge—self-identity—through a proper relationship with others and the world about us. Through this interplay between ourselves and the various facets of reality that are external to us, we come to learn many things about our strengths, weaknesses, talents, and personalities. This going out of ourselves to others and to the world about us, however, will not, by itself, achieve the grasp on our self-identity that we are looking for. We must also, in the quiet of prayer and reflection, enter into ourselves, gaze upon our mysterious uniqueness, and, through the light of the Spirit, try to see ourselves as we really are—ultimately, to see ourselves as God wants us to see ourselves. There should be a double thrust in our lives, then—a going out of ourselves and an entering into ourselves. Rahner observes: "Man is placed in an ineradicable dualism of two basic lines of self-fulfillment: he is a being who is thrust out of himself into the world and the human community, and he is a being who turns back upon himself" (Christian in the Market Place, pp. 90-91).
In the quiet of prayer, we have the opportunity to gather up what would otherwise become the fragmented, nonintegrated pieces of our lives. Prayer is meant to be a constructive and integrative force that will help us delineate more clearly our self-identity. Through the light of prayer, we see how the pieces fit together, how the mysterious self in its uniqueness is meant to give shape and meaning to all facets of our existence. We see that this image of mysterious uniqueness—that is to say, our self-identity—should be imprinted upon the raw stuff of everyday life so that the true self shows through and is in command of the myriad events that make up the human condition. In prayer, we see that this is what should be; we are not passively carried on by life in a haphazard fashion like a log in a wildly churning river.
During prayer, the Spirit not only gives this light that allows us to both arrive more surely at self-identity and see how this self-identity should guide our lives, but also gives the determination to act upon this self-identity. The Spirit gives the strength so that we may have the courage and moral stamina to allow this self-identity to authentically unfold itself in and through all dimensions of our existence.
In prayer, then, everything that bears upon the question of self-identity is brought into sharper focus. The light of prayer shows us our weaknesses, our limitations, and the extent to which we can and should strive to correct these. To the extent that these limitations cannot be removed, however, the light of prayer moves us to a healthy self-acceptance. Prayer also shows us our strengths, our great potential for good, our unique mission in life. Prayer, if we allow it to accomplish its task, fills us with a basic peace that is consequent upon an authentic acceptance of that self which God has made. Prayer also fills us with the desire to develop that self as the Spirit wishes. Briefly, then, prayer is formative of true self-identity.
April 3, 2017
A Prayer for Grace and Holiness today
A prayer to work in love and holiness
John 16: 23
"If you ask the Father anything in my name,
He will give it to you"R. God wants our unity – we ask for this
unity – that the Spirit of God fill
us and help us to be holy –
that we do not hold onto any of the deadly
sins that block us from this unity –
that the Holy Spirit can work in our souls,
so we can be His instruments of love
and peace and joy among our brothers.We pray this heavenly Father in the name of
Jesus who said ask in my name and
it will be given to you.Let us experience the joy of unity and love
on a supernatural level and know You
our beloved God – more and more supernaturally.
We want our hearts to be sanctified in
our love and work so we are holy and
pleasing to You God.Come to us Lord and possess our soul.
We want to walk as God intends us
to walk today in the plan of God,
in the work He has called us to do today.We know that we must cooperate with the grace
You are giving us – now and today to
bring unity and peace and love to this
day as we serve to do the work – You are
calling us in our vocation to do.Dear Heavenly Father, hear our prayer,
in the name of Jesus, we pray,
we ask, heavenly Father for these
graces necessary this day to
bring peace, love and joy to
our relationships and work – as You
work in us.We seek perfection in our souls to be holy
souls likened to You – in work
and in play – to be holy in prayer –
we invite You Holy Spirit to be
the Guest of our soul.We seek order in our lives, not disorder.
We beg for the virtues of faith, hope, love,
prudence, temperance, fortitude, justice,
and humility. We seek to be obedient
to the will of God and live obedient to
the will of God in love.Come Holy Spirit Come into our hearts. Transform
us from fear to fearlessness to serve
You as You desire in our lives.Help our actions to be for the glory and honor
of God with the goal of these actions
to one day be in heaven with Thee,
our beloved God.Heal our hearts and our bodies – Help
us to have health of body now in
this work you call us to do.Instill in us a desire to want to only
do the will of the heavenly Father
and to walk in holiness and love.We pray all these prayers heavenly Father,
united to Jesus, in His name for
grace and holiness today and always.Help us to live by right reasoning in
our lives – to have the truth
in our every thought and to live
in order as You operate in us
in unity and love.Come to me Lord and possess my soul.
We seek order in our lives – Your order
to love in us, to help us to act as
You desire, to have the thoughts
that are in right reasoning and in
Your order, Lord.Give us the grace to use our faculties
to love and serve You and do
Your work.Give us faith and right reasoning.
Help us to love and be just in our actions.
Help us to seek Your Divine Will and to
perform those actions, which are actions
pleasing to You in everything.Come to us Lord and purify our consciences,
our souls.Help us to hope and love in Thee.
We seek heavenly vision – to see
things through the eyes of
the heavenly Father and to be
perfected more and more in doing
God's will in our lives.We pray for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit.
We pray for this purity in our souls –
to live virtuously, to be perfected
more and more and filled with the
gifts of the Holy Spirit –
Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel,
Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety
and Fear of the Lordand to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit –
charity, joy, peace, patience,
benignity (kindness), goodness,
long-suffering, mildness,
faith, modesty, continency,
and chastity.We do not want the enemies to
invade our thoughts, our
actions, our lives –We pray to give up ugly bad habits of the
deadly sins –
pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and slothWe know on this journey we will
experience sufferings and joys
and we accept the struggles
in life and ask You to help us,
strengthen us in our lives to
suffer and rejoice as You
desire us to do in our lives.We want to be a reflection of Your
heavenly love – to be full of light –
Your light in us. To operate in
light and not darkness – IN You,
our beloved God.We want to follow in the footsteps
of Jesus in giving love and
light and unity to those
we contact in our lives –
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
April 4, 2017
R. Dear Holy Spirit please come to me the
Guest of my soul. Please pour
into me Your virtues and gifts.
Dear Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwell in me.
Please fill me with the
supernatural gifts I received at
baptism – that they may grow
ever greater to know and love supernaturally.
Dear Holy Spirit,
Please mold in me more and
more the image of Jesus in my
heart and soul.
From Tell My People by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J.
Jesus: "My beloved friend, tell My people to pray daily to the Holy Spirit. They are to pray for an increase in His gifts. My people must realize that the Holy Spirit comes to transform them. The Spirit desires to transform you more and more according to My image. Those who are docile to His touch become increasingly shaped in My likeness. He performs this marvel within Mary's Immaculate Heart. The more one dwells in My Mother's Heart, the more active are the workings of the Spirit. The Spirit leads Mary to place you within My own Heart. In both Our Hearts, then, your transformation continues. The more you are formed after My own Heart, the more I lead you to the bosom of My Father. Tell My people all this. Tell them to pray daily for a greater appreciation of these wondrous gifts. I am Lord and Master. All who come to My Heart will be on fire to receive the gifts of the Spirit in ever greater measure! I love and bless My people!"
Reflection: The Holy Spirit is given to us to fashion us ever more according to the likeness of Jesus. And the more we are like Jesus, the more Jesus leads us to the Father. Do we, each day, pray to the Holy Spirit to be more open to His transforming influence? Do we strive each day to grow in union with Mary? The greater our union with our Mother, the spouse of the Holy Spirit, the greater is the transforming action of the Holy Spirit within us.
Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill us with your gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. As we dwell in the Heart of Mary, Your spouse, fashion us more and more according to the Heart of Jesus.
end of excerpt
R. Help me to live my life praising
and loving God in love and
being as God wants me to be.
Holy Spirit be the Guest of my soul.
Come Holy Spirit fill me with the Spirit –
Let the Spirit of God be in me.
John 16:12-15
I still have many things to say to you
but they would be too much for you
to bear now.
However, when the Spirit of truth comes
he will lead you to the complete truth,
since he will not be speaking
of his own accord,
but will say only what he has been told;
and he will reveal to you
the things to come.
He will glorify me,
since all he reveals to you
will be taken from what is mine.
Everything the Father has is mine;
that is why I said:
all he reveals to you
will be taken from what is mine.
Sing: Come Holy Ghost
Sing: Come Holy Spirit
R. Let the Light of Christ live
in my soul. Amen.
We see when the Holy Spirit lives
in us there is cooperation with
the Plan of God, Our heavenly Father.
The Holy Spirit brings unity to the soul –
order in our hearts – direction
according to and with God,
our heavenly Father who
created us in the image and
likeness of God.
Genesis 1: 26-27
God said, ‘Let us make man in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves, and let them be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven, the cattle, all the wild animals and all the creatures that creep along the ground.’
God created man in the image of himself,
in the image of God he created him,
male and female he created them.
R. The Holy Spirit opens our hearts and
souls to God – so God can dwell
in us more abundantly.
Come to me God and possess my
soul –
Sing: 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.
We are imperfect – the Holy Spirit
comes to transform our souls
more and more in the image and
likeness of Jesus –
Come to me Lord and possess
my soul –
God fills us more and more abundantly
with His life –
Sing Song: I Love You Jesus
R. The Holy Spirit is the Spouse of the
Virgin Mary – perfect handmaid
of the Lord.
The Holy Spirit wants to transform
us more and more into the image of Jesus.
We were created for this –
Oh God, we are so grateful for
the sacrament of baptism and
the other sacraments. We are
so grateful for the Eucharist
whereby, you feed the life you
gave to us.
God gives us a sharing in
His life in baptism and feeds
us with the Body and Blood
of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Come to me Lord and possess my soul –
Sing: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
1 Corinthians 3: 16
Do you not realise that you are a temple of God with the Spirit of God living in you?
R. We consecrate ourselves to God.
We give ourselves to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
From the Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual
Holy Spirit Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, almighty Sanctifier, God of love, who filled the Virgin Mary with grace, who wonderfully changed the hearts of the apostles, who endowed all Your martyrs with miraculous courage, come and sanctify us. Enlighten our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgment, set our hearts on fire, and preserve us from the misfortunes of resisting Your inspirations. Amen.
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."
Given October 29, 2016
R.
Please spread blessed holy water
(You can also mix Jesus and Mary water
with your blessed Holy Water if you have it.)
in your yard, around your house,
in the state you live in.
And ask God to bless your state
Ask God to bless the United States
Pray all prayers through the intercession of
Our Lady of CLEAR – WATER.
Ask the Lady of CLEAR - WATER
to help with the blessed water.
Mary has appeared to me for 22 years,
in Ohio and Florida.
Give
the gift that Counts
this Christmas!
18 Blue Books
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 6C, 7, 8
9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
for $60 plus postage
Special Offer
Shepherds of Christ Book Store Books written by the cofounder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries
|
Rita Ring |
||||
|
|
|
Mass Book,
by Rita Ring: Many of the entries in the Priestly Newsletter
Volume II from a spiritual journal came from this book.
These entries |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Rosary Meditations
for Parents and Children,
by Rita Ring, Short Meditations for both
parents and children to be used when
praying the |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book I by Rita Ring. Open Anywhere This book will change your life. These are beautiful love letters to us from Jesus. A million books have been printed and circulated. Jesus loves us so much He wants a personal relationship with us He wants us to go to the Eucharist and be with Him before the tabernacle. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book II by Rita Ring. Letters from Jesus about His on fire love Jesus wants this great intimacy with us On fire love Personal love letters from Jesus about the love of His Heart A book on surrender Fr. Carter said! $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book III by Rita Ring. Fr. Carter's favorite book It is about loving and forgiving each other Being pure in heart A book for unity in family, community, in life!! $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book IV by Rita Ring. This book is about the love Jesus has for Mary and Mary has for Jesus and Jesus and Mary have for us It is truly the Love of the Two Hearts. Mary appeared every day at the Holy Spirit Center Fr. Carter was there. Mary's first apparition July 5, 1994. $5 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book V by Rita Ring. Jesus wants to be the bridegroom of our soul He is our beloved Jesus tells us about pure love how we are to be pure of heart and love God and love others. It is a must, to hear about love from Jesus Jesus is love $5 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book 6A by Rita Ring. Rosaries from Their Hearts during apparitions. Jesus and Mary appeared every day and I received rosaries from Them and They were transcribed from a tape. Also messages of love from Jesus on days of January, 1995 About Baptism writings from Fr. Carter and the Scriptures. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
God's Blue Book 6B by Rita Ring. Jesus and Mary appeared every day in February, 1995 So beautiful transcribed from a tape the Stations, 7 Sorrows, prayers in the Prayer Manual, the Holy Spirit Novena Book and the Song Book. Pure love loving and forgiving a book about Jesus' love, baptism, grace and Fr. Carter's Newsletter. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Apostles Manual. About the Movement — the structure of the Movement All Ministries — from the time 3 months before Mary appeared in Clearwater and 3 months after. Rosaries of the 13ths, Fr. Carter's Newsletters. Messages from God the Father Reaching the priests, the Church, the schools and the world. $20 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 1. Mary appeared in Clearwater December 17, 1996 in rainbow color and these rosaries left the printer the same day from Apparitions of Jesus and Mary transcribed from a tape. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Rosaries from the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Book 2. This is a book of so many rosaries — transcribed from a tape. So many beautiful rosaries. pages $12 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Messages for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This is a big book of loving messages for nursing home people and homebound from Jesus and Mary Their lives are so important united to the Mass offering up their suffering, their lives for the souls of this earth. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Short Rosary Meditations for the Elderly, Ill and Homebound. This book is so important with pictures they can open it and lay it on their laps and pray the rosary. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Songs from Jesus Songbook. These loving songs were given from Jesus. So beautiful Love Songs from Jesus of His love — helping us have pure and loving hearts. $3 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary. Volumes 1 through 7. Coloring books and meditations for grade school children and others on the mysteries of the rosary — really good. $5 each. |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary. Volumes 6 through 7. Coloring books and meditations for grade school children and others on the mysteries of the rosary — really good. $5 each. |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fr. Joe Robinson |
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Guiding Light homily series — Reflect on the Word — Cycle B The Word leaves an impression on our souls. In my thoughts and reflections are born a more tangible understanding of these eternal concepts presented in the Gospels and the readings. Anyone can read a sentence, but not anyone can absorb it's true meaning. Truth, in this day and age, is almost a matter of opinion or individual entitlement. We believe that Christ's truth is our Roman Catholic Church. We, as priests, champion it's teachings; we are ambassadors for the Pope and Christ to those faces looking at us. We are the light by which our congregation reads to reflect upon real truth and we do it hand in hand. $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Guiding Light homily series — Steadfast to the Son — Cycle A The sunflower is a great example of how we should be steadfastly guided by light. What a powerful thought that this exceptional plant is not stuck in one pose day in and day out, yet adaptable and magnetized to the sun. We feel the same about our Son. Our heads turns to face Christ as each day presents its challenges to find light. We join together like plants in a field and soak up the Son through the pulpit. We are a warm circle of strength using the wind of our breath to carry our priests' words, Christ's words, to new rich soil. $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Guiding Light — Focusing on the Word — Cycle B At times we may feel that our path to Christ is a bit "out of focus". Like the disciples in the Book of Mark, this ordinary life clouds our vision of Christ's Divinity. We may doubt the practicality or possibility of applying His teachings and example to our modern life. Cycle B's homilies are a "guiding light" to help us realize Jesus' Messianic greatness and His promise of better things to come. $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Guiding Light — Feed My Soul — Cycle C In a world rapidly advancing and encouraging personal gain, we are faced with modern problems. There is a challenge to find time in our busy schedules for Sunday Mass or a family meal. We are able to research, shop, bank and even work without hearing one human voice. It is no wonder that we may often feel disconnected and famished at our week's end. In Fr. Joe's third book of homilies from Cycle C, we are reminded of the charity that Christ intended us to show each other. We have a calling to turn the other cheek and be the Good Samaritan to others. We are rewarded with the Father's kingdom and love when we are not worthy. We are not left alone or hungry. $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Guiding Light — The Word Alive in Our Hearts. — Cycle A (partial) Homilies by the Reverend Joe Robinson given at St. Boniface Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is a tremendous honor Fr. Joe has allowed us to share these great gifts with you – for greater holiness and knowing more and more about God. $10 |
|
|
|
Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. |
Here are all the products in this category:
Books written by the founder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Response to God’s Love by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. In this book Fr. Carter speaks of God as the ultimate mystery. We can meditate on the interior life of the Trinity. Fr. Carter tells us about our uniqueness in the Father's Plan for us, how the individual Christian, the Church and the world are in the state of becoming. Imprimatur. $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ — Selected Writings on Spirituality for all People as Published in Shepherds of Christ Newsletter for Priests. Contains 12 issues of the newsletter from July/August 1994 to May/June 1996. $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ — Volume 2: by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains issues 13—29 of the newsletter (September/October 1996 — Issue 5, 1999) $15 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ — Volume 3 by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. Contains Newsletter Issues 1 through 4 of 2000 including Fr. Carter’s tremendous Overview of the Spiritual Life $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Tell My People. Messages from Jesus and Mary (As given to Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.) One of Fr. Edward Carter, S.J.'s Synopsis of the Spiritual Life From Jesus to Fr. Carter "On Holy Saturday, 1994, Jesus told me that on the following day, Easter, I would also begin to receive messages for others. Our Lord also told me that some of these were eventually to be published in a book and here is that book." $10 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
Spirituality Handbook. Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. did 3 synopsis of the spiritual life. The Spirituality Handbook, the Priestly Newsletter 20he Tell My People book. The way of spiritual life proposed to the members of Shepherds of Christ Associates is centered in consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. All aspects of the spiritual life discussed below should be viewed as means to help members develop their lives in consecration to Christ, the Sacred Heart, and to Mary, the Immaculate Heart. $3 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
The Spirituality of Fatima by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. The Fatima apparitions and messages received official Church approval in 1930. In giving her official approval to the Fatima event, the Church tells us that what took place at Fatima involving the three young visionaries is worthy of our belief. $5 |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
Priestly Newsletter — 2000 #1 — CD. — Christ is Our Strength — Fr. Edward Carter, S.J. read it the year he died. It is so beautiful. "This brief passage contains one of the greatest lessons of the spiritual life. As we progress along our spiritual journey, we become increasingly aware of how weak we are in our—selves, but how strong we are in Christ. To experience our weakness involves suffering. The degree and kind of suffering can vary. The suffering can include the experience of the classical dark night of the spirit as described by St. John of the Cross. One of the main purposes of the dark night is to make a person keenly aware of his or her helplessness without God." quote by Fr. Carter from the newsletter $10 |
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ Holy Spirit Novena Holy Spirit Novena Booklet. In four languages with the Imprimatur with 18 scripture readings for two complete novenas – this very powerful Holy Spirit Novena has prayers for prayers for Protection by the Blood of Jesus, Healing, Strength and Light, To Be One with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, One with Jesus, To Dwell in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Prayer for the Holy Spirit and His Gifts, and the Word Alive in Our Hearts. All these prayers take about 10 minutes daily recited out loud. $1
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ Holy Spirit Novena CD
|
|
|
Shepherds of Christ Prayer
Manual Shepherds of Christ Prayer Manual. The Shepherds of Christ has prayer chapters all over the world praying for the priests, the Church and the world. These prayers that Father Carter compiled in the summer of 1994 began this worldwide network of prayer. Currently the prayers are in eight languages with the Church’s Imprimatur. We have prayed daily for the priests, the Church, and the world since 1994. Associates are called to join prayer Chapters and help us circulate the newsletter centered on spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart and helping to renew the Church through greater holiness. Please form a Prayer Chapter & order a Prayer Manual. |
|
Fr. John J. Pasquini |
|
|
|
This book Light, Happiness and Peace is a journey into the spiritual life an awakening of deeper life IN HIM. Here are some of the comments we received from bishops and cardinals about the book. Cardinal – Pontifical Council for Culture – Vatican City “I am sure that this book, Light, Happiness and Peace through a discussion on traditional Catholic Spirituality will contribute in bringing back prayer into the mainstream of life.” $10 |
|
|
|
|
In Imitation of Two Hearts — Prayers for Consolation, Renewal and Peace in Times of Suffering Fr. John J. Pasquini leads a suffering soul to the gentle Hearts of Jesus and Mary. In these most loving Hearts — the prayers by Fr. John Pasquini — help the person suffering to know more deeply the pascal mystery of death/resurrection. President of the Pontifical Council for Health $10 |
|
|
|
|
Authenticity, the Yellow Book of prayers by Fr. John Pasquini, can lead the soul into deeper intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can lead to greater love of Mary which leads to the unitive life and greater holiness. The book of prayers Authenticity by Fr. John J. Pasquini is to help one grow ever deeper in the Unitive life. Apostolic Nuncio – Archbishop – Philippines “With Authenticity, much is gained in prayer, and much is accomplished through prayer. More especially if prayer is directed in behalf of the Church.” $10 |
|
|
|
|
“In Medicine of Immortality, Father John Pasquini offers his readers the richness of Catholic devotional prayer, the wisdom of the Fathers and, most of all, the fruits of his own prayer and meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. I recommend this book to all who wish to grow in their love for the Lord, who sustains the life of His Church through the precious gift of His Body and Blood.” Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago $10 |
|
|
|
Ecce Fides is a work dedicated to defending Catholic beliefs through reason, Scripture, and the life of the Holy Spirit. "It is important that we (as people of God) return to the source of life, our faith, which is usefully exposed in this volume, and take it out to our contemporaries, evangelizing them and their cultures and inculturating the Gospel." Cardinal – Pontifical Council for Culture – Vatican City $10 |
|
|
Shepherds of Christ, a book of Spirituality Newsletters, is a compilation of the first nine newsletters from Fr. John J. Pasquini begining in August 2006. The Newsletter has been circulated to the priests and hierarchy spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart, promoting love for the Eucharist, greater love for the Church, the Priesthood, Mary and the Holy Spirit, the Mass, Prayer, and greater intimate relationship with God. $35 |
|
Statues/Religious Items
Statues, Crucifixes, and Religious Artwork
These items are very special additions to your home or place of worship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special 12" Sacred Heart or Immaculate
Heart Statues with Glass
|
|
|
|
Special 11" Our Lady of Fatima/Clearwater
Statue with Glass
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red
Crystal Rosary
|
|
|
Clear Crystal Rosary
|
Give the gift that keeps giving.
Blue Book 1 & 2 – $4.00 each plus postage
Blue Books 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6A, B, C, 3 –
$3.00 each plus postage
Blue Books 4 & 5 –$2.00 each plus postage
Blue Books 14, 15 & 16 –$5.00 each plus postage
The more you use the Blue Books and
become one with Jesus – more
intimate with Jesus –
the more your lives are a blessing and
everything you do in life can help
to bring down great grace for the world
because of your being so
one with Jesus.
Guiding Light Homily Book Series
Fr. Joe’s Books
Cycle A –
Steadfast to the Son
Cycle B –
Focusing on the Word
Cycle C –
Feed My Soul
Cycle A –
Inspired to be Genuine4 for $20 plus postage of $6.95
These books can be given to:
1) All Priests
2) Good for Music Ministers
7) Good for Mom and Dads
3) Good for DRE's
4) Good for Deacons
5) Good for Principals of Schools
6) Good for Teachers
Given March 21, 2014
R. Pray for These Things
1) Pray for the Pope & hierarchy to help us start prayer chapters.
2) Pray for Dan, Sally Jo, Richard, Carol, Margaret, Sue,
Jack, Jean, Amanda, Matthew, Special intentions.
3) Pray for the priests, the Church and the world!
4) Pray for the spread of prayer chapters,
also for the spread of priests doing prayer chapters.
5) Pray for the spread of Blue Books.
6) People going to Florida and China.
7) Vocations to all 7 categories.
8) Pray for spread of Consecration and Rosary.
9) Pray for pope helping us.
10) Pray for Jeff - sales & health. Pray for Nick.
11) Blue Book 17 and cover and all involved.
For our Publisher and all involved
12) All intentions on my list, Jerry's list.
13) Priests getting Fr. Joe's book.
14) Pray for Fr. Joe's new book, cover & funds for printing & postage.
15) Donors and members and their families.
16) Healing of the Family tree.
17) Dan & Melanie, Catherine & mom, Gary, Mary Jo,
Jim & statues, Fr. Ken, Monsignor, Kerry, Tom & wife.
18) All who asked us to pray for them.
19) All we promised to pray for.
20) Rita, John, Doris, Sheila, Jerry, Regina, Sanja,
Betty, Sophie, Lisa, Eileen, Fr. Mike, Louie, Laverne,
2 Dons, Mary Ellen, Fr. Joe, all priests helping us,
Ed, Jimmy, Steve, a special couple, Rosie & all involved.
21) 2 babies and moms.
22) Funds and insurance.
23) Jerry's garage.
24) In thanksgiving for gifts, graces, & blessings received.
25) Spread the Blood of Jesus on all of us here.
26) Consecrate all hearts.
27) Cast the devil out of all of us here and all in Movement.
The Wedding Rosary
Crystal Image Rosary
$40 plus shipping
Original Image Rosary
8mm glass beads
in a matching gift box$40 plus shipping
Give the gift that counts.
Give to your priests Fr. Carter's Books plus postage.
Tell My People $5.00
Response to God's Love $8.00
Response in Christ $8.00
Old Mass Books with the Imprimatur
$2.00 plus postage
New Mass Book with Imprimatur
$8.00 plus postage
New Parents & Children's Book with the Imprimatur
$8.00 plus postage
Fr. Joe's Cycle A – Steadfast to the Sun – Starts in Advent
$5.00 plus postage
Give the gift that keeps on giving!
Give to your priest.
Fr. Carter's Priestly Newsletters Book II
$6.00 plus postage
Get a canvas print of Mary's image
with a sliver of glass and a little
bottle of Jesus and Mary water.
The glass will be fixed behind the
back of the picture.
$200.00 plus postage
Shepherds of Christ Ministries
P.O. Box 627 China, Indiana 47250
Telephone: (toll free) 1-888-211-3041 or (812) 273-8405
FAX: (812) 273-3182
Copyright © 2014 Shepherds of Christ.
Rights for non–commercial reproduction granted:
May be copied in its entirety, but neither re–typed nor edited.
Translations are welcome but they must be reviewed for moral and
theological accuracy by a source approved by Shepherds of Christ Ministries
before any distribution takes place. Please contact us for more information.
