Shepherds of Christ          Daily Writing

May 21, 2009

Help us with the repairs on the Crucifix outside.

 We need to sell a Crucifix a week.

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The Crucifix needs work.

This is how it did look —

The church needs to have the stucco replaced

and also the community building.

It is about $38,000 to repair it.

People pray in the church 24 hours a day.

We have prayed in there for 11 years.

The archdiocese gave the church to us

for this purpose for a small price.

 

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                    Everything we do we should do
                for the honor and glory of God

                    We follow Paul — Asia Minor,
                Greece, Macedonia, Athens —

                The Greeks didn't want to hear
                about resurrection —

                Paul went to Corinth —
                    when he went to Corinth he
                    went in fear and trembling —

                We hear a different approach
                    there
                    Paul talking about death and
                    resurrection —

                We know he had trouble with
                    Corinthians in some letters

Acts 18: 1-8

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met a Jew called Aquila whose family came from Pontus. He and his wife Priscilla had recently left Italy because an edict of Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome. Paul went to visit them, and when he found they were tentmakers, of the same trade as himself, he lodged with them, and they worked together. Every Sabbath he used to hold debates in the synagogues, trying to convert Jews as well as Greeks.

    After Silas and Timothy had arrived from Macedonia, Paul devoted all his time to preaching, declaring to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. When they turned against him and started to insult him, he took his cloak and shook it out in front of them, saying, 'Your blood be on your own heads; from now on I will go to the gentiles with a clear conscience.' Then he left the synagogue and moved to the house next door that belonged to a worshipper of God called Justus. Crispus, president of the synagogue, and his whole household, all became believers in the Lord. Many Corinthians when they heard this became believers and were baptised.

                Many Corinthians believed and
                    were baptized

                Psalm

                    "The Lord has revealed to the nations
                        his saving power"

John 16: 16-20

In a short time you will no longer see me,
and then a short time later
    you will see me again.

     Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again," and, "I am going to the Father"? What is this "short time"? We don’t know what he means.’ Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said, ‘You are asking one another what I meant by saying, "In a short time you will no longer see me, and then a short time later you will see me again."

    ‘In all truth I tell you,
     you will be weeping and wailing
     while the world will rejoice;
     you will be sorrowful,
     but your sorrow will turn to joy.

                Silas and Timothy came to Paul
                    from Macedonia and where
                    Paul had to work before —
                    then Paul could focus on
                    preaching the Word of God

                Jesus talking to His disciples —

                What He said was as mysterious
                    as the resurrection

                Jesus was teaching —

                They didn't get it —

                Jesus didn't explain it exactly,
                    but He went on teaching —

                Jesus tells us about the risen joy —

                At times we experience Jesus so great in
                    our life —

                Then we have down times —
                    we don't feel close to Jesus —
                    a dry time —              

                "In a short time you will no longer see me,
                    and then a short time later
                    you will see me again." 

                We are always discerning the spirits —

                    God consoles us many times —
                        lets us touch Him —
                        We can have the gift of tears —

                    Then we can be in desolation —
                        we never act in desolation —

                Jesus after He was at the Jordon and
                    baptized and went off to
                    begin His public life —
                    went into the desert and
                    was tempted by the devil —

                We are always disciplining ourselves —
                    not giving into the temptations of
                    satan — spiritual pride —
                    testing God —

                God is the Initiator
                We are waiting on Him
                Waiting His favor

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 You

                Jesus is the Bread of life
                Jesus gives us Himself in the Eucharist
                Jesus gives us His Word

                "When we eat this bread and
                    drink this cup,
                    we proclaim your death Lord Jesus,
                    until you come in glory"

                Oh my God - thank You for giving
                    Yourself to me in the Eucharist —

                Oh my God - what a gift is this

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.

-Mass Book, December 27, 1995

Available for $10.00 plus postage

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From the Mass Book

                God calls us to our vocation —

                The devil is the tempter —

                The devil wants us to give in —

                The devil comes with fallacious reasoning —

                We have a free will

                Spiritual Exercises —

                    is exercising to do God's will —
                    listening to the Holy Spirit who
                        counsels us and helps lead
                        us to joy

                    The devil works in secrets —
                    The devil comes to deceive —
                    The devil wants you to give
                        your power to him —
                    The devil works in pride —

                God wants us to be aware always
                    of ourselves as little children
                    following the Father's will

                We see the Trinity at the Baptism
                    of Jesus —
                    the heavens opened
                    the voice from heaven

Matthew 3: 17

...‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’

                Obeying God brings peace —

                Some people just keep depending on
                    themselves and their ideas — priding themselves
                    on their ideas — what they did and
                    cause more and more confusion —
                    as they listen to the devil and
                    the devil counsels them and they
                    become more and more miserable and
                    act in desolation —

                Satan brings confusion —

                Surprise — when one would have
                    acted with the counsel of
                    the Holy Spirit —
                    all of a sudden a person does
                    some thing that affects everybody
                    else, causes confusion,
                    has an awful outcome — not
                    what brings unity and love,
                    but division, disharmony,
                    pride and control for their selfishness —

                A person not following God — living
                    to be under God — doing God's
                    will — trying to be strengthened
                    more and more in the spiritual
                    life becomes more and more miserable,
                    isolated, not loving others, selfish,
                    controlling, divided, disharmonious
                    and hurting others when they act in
                    desolation

                    Look at this picture of Jesus — 

                    The Baptism of Jesus —

                    The light —

                    The Mysteries of Light

                    The heavens open

                    A voice from heaven —

Matthew 3: 17

...‘This is my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on him.’

                Do we discipline ourselves?

                Do we love God and do things for His
                    honor and glory?

                Or do we want to say

                    "I did it because I wanted to,
                        for myself — so I am in
                        control — I didn't care how
                        I hurt others, I wanted my
                        way — I wanted control"

                Fr. Mike says —

                    "Rita, they can't say — the devil
                        made me do it

                    That is them - they do it because
                        they did it" —

                Giving into unloving habits —
                    habits where we choose
                    control, selfishness against
                    God's will are vices —

                When we don't take responsibility for
                    what we do wrong we are
                    not telling ourselves the truth —

                We are to learn obedience

                Jesus shows us how important
                    obedience to God's will is

                Obedience to His death on the cross —

                Then we can see others who give
                    bad example of disobedience
                    before others for control, confusion,
                    seeking dominance for
                    dominance sake —

                If every person in an 'order' could get
                    their way because they want
                    no one over them —
                    this is utter chaos —
                    life without an authority,

                    but say each one argues they are
                        right, provokes, pouts,
                        acts in silence, holds out —
                        until through passive ways —
                        they act aggressively to impose
                        their sinful, selfish ways on
                        the 'order'

                Just to seek dominance for
                    dominance sake

                That is what the devil tempted Eve
                    in the garden and she gave in —

                How miserable are we because of
                    Adam and Eve's sin —
                    their disobedience against God —

                We have been punished —

                We have this disorder brought into
                    the world because of their sin —

                Sin is disorder

                Disobedience against just authority
                    is wrong

                The Church was instituted by Christ —

                Men have free wills —

                Some men sin mortally who are
                    priests —

                We all have a free will —

                The Church is good —

                Men because of selfishness
                        because of sinfulness

                    do sinful things —

                    They can sin in secret —

                    The devil tempts men — they have
                        a free will —

                When we lie about our sins and
                    we sinned and never confess
                    it — it goes in our soul as
                    guilt Bishop Sheen says —

                What about the women today who
                    kill their babies through
                    abortion and keep lying that
                    it was not wrong —

                The devil works in secrets —
                    The devil wants his evil work hidden —
                    The devil wants it to continue —

                Priests or people who act in the Church
                    and are sinning do it most of
                    the time trying to conceal
                    their sins —
                    Satan wants them to try to weaken
                        the Church by their sin

                The Church was instituted by God
                The Church is the bride of Christ
                Christ is the head of the mystical body

                The Pope is the vicar

                Like St. Peter —

                    These popes of the 20th century
                        suffered — suffered and
                        were men of great prayer —
                        loving the flock and
                        laying down their lives for the flock

John 10: 11-15

I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd lays down his life
   for his sheep.
The hired man,
   since he is not the shepherd
and the sheep do not belong to him,
abandons the sheep
as soon as he sees a wolf coming,
   and runs away,
and then the wolf attacks
   and scatters the sheep;
he runs away
   because he is only a hired man
and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd;
I know my own
and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for my sheep.

                Jesus said to start the Priestly Newsletter this way

                Anybody who takes authority and
                    sins is hurting lots of people and
                    they are responsible for their sin
                    and who they hurt in their sin

                A person who is a priest, a religious is
                    married to Christ — they aren't
                    single — they are a special spouse
                    of Christ

                They take a vow to be obedient to the Church
                    and to serve the people in truth —

                The devil tempts people

                He wants them to isolate — to be selfish —
                    to see only themselves — to deny their
                    sins and keep lying in secret
                    so the devil can tempt them to
                    keep sinning

                The devil wants souls for hell

                The devil is real

                Jesus showed us after the Baptism at
                    the Jordon how
                    satan tried to tempt Him —

                Then the devil tried to tempt Him with
                    power —

                The devil wants men to seek power
                    over those in authority —
                    the person like Jesus —
                    does the will of the Father

                The person with their schedule —
                    making up their mind —
                    manipulating others for control —
                    having an agenda —
                    according to THEIR restraints —

                    What are those restraints?
                    Who is making your schedule?

                    Is it God's will for you or has
                        your whole life been planned
                        on their schedule and they
                        just do what they want
                        with no prayer and you
                        have put them as the schedule maker —

                Jesus died on the cross —
                Jesus died doing the Father's will —

                Jesus was bare

                Here is a message I got

                What happens is a person who isolates
                    more and more does not see themselves
                    with others and
                    they can

                    (1) become very controlling —
                    (2) not learning to work with others

                Their rules can be very rigid
                Their life can be very cold —

                I see in the baptism of Jesus —

                    Jesus began His public life
                    Jesus left home —

                    The devil tempted Him —

                Jesus came amongst the sinners —

                Jesus taught the Apostles

                My brother today at Mass said
                    you can see St. Paul even
                    had trouble with some of
                    his people in Corinth from
                    his letters

                St. Paul had to do work — then
                    Timothy and Silas showed up
                    and he could devote
                    himself (Paul) to preaching the word —

                God has called us to do the will
                    of God

We must discipline ourselves —                       St. Ignatius                     gave us the Spiritual Exercises

                We can't lie to ourselves about our
                    sin and keep lying and grow
                    to be more and more intimate with
                    Jesus —

                Jesus is the way, the truth and the life —

                The devil is the father of lies

                The devil tries to make right → wrong
                    and wrong → right —

                The devil deceives many by his
                    fallacious reasoning —

                There was order in the world until
                    the sin of Adam and Eve —

                Every human creature is marked
                    with original sin at the
                    moment of conception except
                    for Mary —

                We have a wounded human nature —
                    the devil is working on men
                    tempting them to disobey
                    authority —
                    to seek dominance for dominance
                        sake —

                God has all the Power

                God is over

                The Good Shepherd showed us
                    the way

                God is love

                Jesus was selfless —

                People acting in religious orders,
                    the Church — without love
                    for the flock are
                    not like Jesus

                Jesus laid down His life for the
                    flock

                Jesus is love

                When we act like Jesus we
                    are giving love —

                The devil is isolation
                The devil wants selfishness
                The devil wants disobedience
                The devil wants secrets

                Jesus came bare in the world
                Jesus died on the cross bare

                The Holy Spirit will guide us
                The evil spirit wants to tempt us
                    to sin

                Discernment of Spirits

Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. pp. 141-146

  

313. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
I

Rules for understanding to some extent the different movements produced in the soul and for recognizing those that are good to admit them, and those that are bad, to reject them. These rules are more suited to the first week
  

314.  I.  In the case of those who go from one mortal sin to another, the enemy is ordinarily accustomed to propose apparent pleasures. He fills their imagination with sensual delights and gratifications, the more readily to keep them in their vices and increase the number of their sins.

    With such persons the good spirit uses a method which is the reverse of the above. Making use of the light of reason, he will rouse the sting of conscience and fill them with remorse.

315.  2.  In the case of those who go on earnestly striving to cleanse their souls from sin and who seek to rise in the service of God our Lord to greater perfection, the method pursued is the opposite of that mentioned in the first rule.

    Then it is characteristic of the evil spirit to harass with anxiety, to afflict with sadness, to raise obstacles backed by fallacious reasonings that disturb the soul. Thus he seeks to prevent the soul from advancing.

    It is characteristic of the good spirit, however, to give courage and strength, consolations, tears, inspirations, and peace. This He does by making all easy, by removing all obstacles so that the soul goes forward in doing good.

316.  3.  SPIRITUAL CONSOLATION.  I call it consolation when an interior movement is aroused in the soul, by which it is inflamed with love of its Creator and Lord, and as a consequence, can love no creature on the face of the earth for its own sake, but only in the Creator of them all. It is likewise consolation when one sheds tears that move to the love of God, whether it be because of sorrow for sins, or because of the sufferings of Christ our Lord, or for any other reason that is immediately directed to the praise and service of God. Finally, I call consolation every increase of faith, hope, and love, and all interior joy that invites and attracts to what is heavenly and to the salvation of one's soul by filling it with peace and quiet in its Creator and Lord.

317.  4.  SPIRITUAL DESOLATION.  I call desolation what is entirely the opposite of what is described in the third rule, as darkness of soul, turmoil of spirit, inclination to what is low and earthly, restlessness rising from many disturbances and temptations which lead to want of faith, want of hope, want of love. The soul is wholly slothful, tepid, sad, and separated, as it were, from its Creator and Lord. For just as consolation is the opposite of desolation, so the thoughts that spring from consolation are the opposite of those that spring from desolation.

318.  5.  In time of desolation we should never make any change, but remain firm and constant in the resolution and decision which guided us the day before the desolation, or in the decision to which we adhered in the preceding consolation. For just as in consolation the good spirit guides and counsels us, so in desolation the evil spirit guides and counsels. Following his counsels we can never find the way to a right decision.

319.  6.  Though in desolation we must never change our former resolutions, it will be very advantageous to intensify our activity against the desolation. We can insist more upon prayer, upon meditation, and on much examination of ourselves. We can make an effort in a suitable way to do some penance.

320.  7.  When one is in desolation, he should be mindful that God has left him to his natural powers to resist the different agitations and temptations of the enemy in order to try him. He can resist with the help of God, which always remains, though he may not clearly perceive it. For though God has taken from him the abundance of fervor and overflowing love and the intensity of His favors, nevertheless, he has sufficient grace for eternal salvation.

321.  8.  When one is in desolation, he should strive to persevere in patience. This reacts against the vexations that have overtaken him. Let him consider, too, that consolation will soon return, and in the meantime, he must diligently use the means against desolation which have been given in the sixth rule.

322.  9.  The principal reasons why we suffer from desolation are three:

    The first is because we have been tepid and slothful or negligent in our exercises of piety, and so through our own fault spiritual consolation has been taken away from us.

    The second reason is because God wishes to try us, to see how much we are worth, and how much we will advance in His service and praise when left without the generous reward of consolations and signal favors.

    The third reason is because God wishes to give us a true knowledge and understanding of ourselves, so that we may have an intimate perception of the fact that it is not within our power to acquire and attain great devotion, intense love, tears, or any other spiritual consolation; but that all this is the gift and grace of God our Lord. God does not wish us to build on the property of another, to rise up in spirit in a certain pride and vainglory and attribute to ourselves the devotion and other effects of spiritual consolation.

323.  10.  When one enjoys consolation, let him consider how he will conduct himself during the time of ensuing desolation, and store up a supply of strength as defense against that day.

324.  11.  He who enjoys consolation should take care to humble himself and lower himself as much as possible. Let him recall how little he is able to do in time of desolation, when he is left without such grace or consolation.

    On the other hand, one who suffers desolation should remember that by making use of the sufficient grace offered him, he can do much to withstand all his enemies. Let him find his strength in his Creator and Lord.

325.  12.  The enemy conducts himself as a woman. He is a weakling before a show of strength, and a tyrant if he has his will. It is characteristic of a woman in a quarrel with a man to lose courage and take to flight if the man shows that he is determined and fearless. However, if the man loses courage and begins to flee, the anger, vindictiveness, and rage of the woman surge up and know no bounds. In the same way, the enemy becomes weak, loses courage, and turns to flight with his seductions as soon as one leading a spiritual life faces his temptations boldly, and does exactly the opposite of what he suggests. However, if one begins to be afraid and to lose courage in temptations, no wild animal on earth can be more fierce than the enemy of our human nature. He will carry out his perverse intentions with consummate malice.

326.  13.  Our enemy may also be compared in his manner of acting to a false lover. He seeks to remain hidden and does not want to be discovered. If such a lover speaks with evil intention to the daughter of a good father, or to the wife of a good husband, and seeks to seduce them, he wants his words and solicitations kept secret. He is greatly displeased if his evil suggestions and depraved intentions are revealed by the daughter to her father, or by the wife to her husband. Then he readily sees he will not succeed in what he has begun. In the same way, when the enemy of our human nature tempts a just soul with his wiles and seductions, he earnestly desires that they be received secretly and kept secret. But if one manifests them to a confessor, or to some other spiritual person who understands his deceits and malicious designs, the evil one is very much vexed. For he knows that he cannot succeed in his evil undertaking, once his evident deceits have been revealed.

327.  14.  The conduct of our enemy may also be compared to the tactics of a leader intent upon seizing and plundering a position he desires. A commander and leader of an army will encamp, explore the fortifications and defenses of the stronghold, and attack at the weakest point. In the same way, the enemy of our human nature investigates from every side all our virtues, theological, cardinal, and moral. Where he finds the defenses of eternal salvation weakest and most deficient, there he attacks and tries to take us by storm.

end of excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

 

     

Excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. P.147-150
    

328. RULES FOR DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS
II

Further rules for understanding the different movements produced in the soul. They serve for a more accurate discernment of spirits and are more suitable for the second week
  

329.  I.  It is characteristic of God and His Angels, when they act upon the soul, to give true happiness and spiritual joy, and to banish all the sadness and disturbances which are caused by the enemy.
   It is characteristic of the evil one to fight against such happiness and consolation by proposing fallacious reasonings, subtilties, and continual deceptions.

330.  2.  God alone can give consolation to the soul without any previous cause. It belongs solely to the Creator to come into a soul, to leave it, to act upon it, to draw it wholly to the love of His Divine Majesty. I said without previous cause, that is, without any preceding perception or knowledge of any subject by which a soul might be led to such a consolation through its own acts of intellect and will.

331.  3.  If a cause precedes, both the good angel and the evil spirit can give consolation to a soul, but for a quite different purpose. The good angel consoles for the progress of the soul, that it may advance and rise to what is more perfect. The evil spirit consoles for purposes that are the contrary, and that afterwards he might draw the soul to his own perverse intentions and wickedness.

332.  4.  It is a mark of the evil spirit to assume the appearance of an angel of light. He begins by suggesting thoughts that are suited to a devout soul, and ends by suggesting his own. For example, he will suggest holy and pious thoughts that are wholly in conformity with the sanctity of the soul. Afterwards, he will endeavor little by little to end by drawing the soul into his hidden snares and evil designs.

333.  5.  We must carefully observe the whole course of our thoughts. If the beginning and middle and end of the course of thoughts are wholly good and directed to what is entirely right, it is a sign that they are from the good angel. But the course of thoughts suggested to us may terminate in something evil, or distracting, or less good than the soul had formerly proposed to do. Again, it may end in what weakens the soul, or disquiets it; or by destroying the peace, tranquility, and quiet which it had before, it may cause disturbance to the soul. These things are a clear sign that the thoughts are proceeding from the evil spirit, the enemy of our progress and eternal salvation.

334.  6.  When the enemy of our human nature has been detected and recognized by the trail of evil marking his course and by the wicked end to which he leads us, it will be profitable for one who has been tempted to review immediately the whole course of the temptation. Let him consider the series of good thoughts, how they arose, how the evil one gradually attempted to make him step down from the state of spiritual delight and joy in which he was, till finally he drew him to his wicked designs. The purpose of this review is that once such an experience has been understood and carefully observed, we may guard ourselves for the future against the customary deceits of the enemy.

335.  7.  In souls that are progressing to greater perfection, the action of the good angel is delicate, gentle, delightful. It may be compared to a drop of water penetrating a sponge.
    The action of the evil spirit upon such souls is violent, noisy, and disturbing. It may be compared to a drop of water falling upon a stone.
    In souls that are going from bad to worse, the action of the spirits mentioned above is just the reverse. The reason for this is to be sought in the opposition or similarity of these souls to the different kinds of spirits. When the disposition is contrary to that of the spirits, they enter with noise and commotion that are easily perceived. When the disposition is similar to that of the spirits, they enter silently, as one coming into his own house when the doors are open.

336.  8.  When consolation is without previous cause, as was said, there can be no deception in it, since it can proceed from God our Lord only. But a spiritual person who has received such a consolation must consider it very attentively, and must cautiously distinguish the actual time of the consolation from the period which follows it. At such a time the soul is still fervent and favored with the grace and aftereffects of the consolation which has passed. In this second period the soul frequently forms various resolutions and plans which are not granted directly by God our Lord. They may come from our own reasoning on the relations of our concepts and on the consequences of our judgments, or they may come from the good or evil spirit. Hence, they must be carefully examined before they are given full approval and put into execution.

end of excerpt of The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

Excerpt from The Pain and the Joy, by Father Edward Carter, S.J.

15

Contemporary Asceticism

   Let us define asceticism here as the effort to reach a higher spiritual level by rigorous self-discipline and denial.

   Asceticism is an important element in the pattern of death-resurrection. It is one of the more active forms of dying with Jesus, for the term asceticism implies a chosen kind of effort on the Christian's part, but, very importantly, an endeavor assisted by God's grace. There is another fundamental form of the cross which does not require this more active type of effort and we could label it as passive suffering or purification, a kind of suffering which we accept in accord with God's will, but over which we have little or no control. Here, we discuss asceticism on a different level, as defined above.
 

   The purpose of Christian asceticism is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in achieving the necessary discipline required for the living of the Christ-life, our life of grace. This discipline is meant to extend to all dimensions of the person. As with many aspects of the Christian life, the concept of asceticism has undergone rethinking in our day. The traditional asceticism is seen as deficient in certain respects. A contemporary asceticism, geared to meet the needs of the modern Christian, has been gradually developing.
 

   The traditional asceticism was based to a considerable extent upon the monastic or semi-monastic type of spirituality. For many centuries this spirituality was a dominant force. It became systematized and was handed down from generation to generation. Many committed Christians who were not living a monastic or semi-monastic state of life, more or less adapted this spirituality as best they could to serve their own particular vocations. As we know, this monastic spirituality stressed withdrawal from the world. If one had to live in the world, one endured it for the proper reasons, but hardly desired such a situation in itself. Many precautions were given on how to escape basically unscathed from the engagement. Monasticism's attitude toward secular involvement was to a considerable extent negative. Its asceticism was oriented toward non-involvement rather than toward proper engagement. This traditional asceticism was basically directed toward achieving a particular kind of contemplative union with God. Its direct objective was not primarily aimed at the proper building of the secular city, although it did have its own proportionate concern in this regard.
 

   We should not be overly critical of this traditional asceticism with its stress on withdrawal, silence, and the like. It originated and developed to serve the purpose of monasticism, and in view of this goal we can say it was basically well-conceived. This spirituality certainly has produced its share of great saints. Its shortcomings arose because it came to be accepted by many as the universal asceticism—the one for committed Christians of all vocations.
 

   As stated above, a contemporary asceticism is being developed to more realistically meet the needs of the vast majority of today's Christians. The new asceticism is meant to serve the Christian in her or his secular involvement. It is meant to help the Christian find God in the market place as well as in times of formal prayer and solitude. Its general principles can serve the needs of all committed Christians living in the secular world, whatever their vocations may be. The traditional monastic type asceticism is still available for those living within that monastic tradition, and it has also been experiencing its own renewal.
 

   The new asceticism, if it is to be authentic, has to meet the varied needs of the Christian in the exercise of the Christ-life. This Christ-life is a relational life. Let us now discuss three of the relationships which flow from this Christic existence—relationships with the material world, with one's neighbor, and, most importantly, with God.

   The new asceticism assumes a very positive attitude toward material creation. Yet, as must the asceticism of any age, contemporary asceticism has to be concerned with the Christian's proper control relative to the material world. We have a tendency to misuse the world's material things. At times we use things in excess. At other times we use things we should not be using. These abuses are present in any age and culture, but they are apt to be multiplied among people living in affluent cultures. The new asceticism, while accepting an appreciation of material things, must also be concerned with instructing us to achieve proper control relative to the material. There are two facets of this control. One allows us to relate to the material world properly, while actually using it. The other facet directs us at times to non-use, either to learn better how to use God's material gifts, or because there is an indication that the particular use of something material is simply not according to the Spirit's designs here and now.

   Turning our attention to relationship with our neighbor, let us say a few words concerning new asceticism and social concern. There is the constant temptation to settle down in the niche of one's relatively comfortable existence and act as if there were not extremely pressing social problems and issues. A Christian could even do this under pretense that he or she needs peace, a freedom from anxiety, in order to find God. The person could rationalize that to become mixed up with the murky and seething waters of social issues destroys this peace of spirit.
 

   The asceticism of social concern points in another direction. First of all, it gives us the courage to look at the unpleasant, sometimes hideous aspects of the social structure. The asceticism of social concern bids us to reflect sufficiently about the actual situation—long enough and consistently enough so that we no longer block out that about which we should be aware. The asceticism of social concern makes us look at racism, at poverty, at the vastly destructive drug traffic, at the free reign of pornography, at political corruption—at whatever is eating away at authentic social structures, at whatever helps prevent the establishment of a more just social order.

   The asceticism of social concern makes us seriously reflect on all this. Obviously, it must do more. It must also generate the verve to act upon this realization that there is much to be done. Asceticism must prompt us to embrace the pain involved in bettering the social structure, whether that pain be, for instance, enduring the anguish attendant with actual inner-city involvement, or the frustration entailed in painfully slow court procedures aimed at achieving social justice. Whatever our state of life, whatever our work or profession, whatever our immediate environment may be, the asceticism of social concern will prompt us to do something. This doing can range from the most intense concrete involvement of the social activist to the prayer and sacrifice of the cloistered contemplative. All of us must take Christ seriously. May He be able to say to us:
 

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me. (Mt. 25:35-36).
 

   Contemporary asceticism looks not only at our responsibility toward society at large, but also at our dealings with those relatively few individuals whom we contact in a more direct and consistent fashion. There is, for example, an asceticism required for giving time and attention to the individual. This is not always easy. We live in a vastly advanced technological culture in which the individual can easily be pushed into the background where she or he tends to be treated as a faceless number rather than as an unique individual with a priceless dignity. Influenced by this ugly dimension of our culture, we can rationalize that we are too busy to give any considerable time to this or that individual. Asceticism, however, bids us to develop the patience, the loving attention, the selflessness involved in making ourselves available to individuals, particularly in those instances when the individual is not especially attractive to us. 

   Even when the individual is appealing to us—as, for example, in friendship or marriage—there is still an ascetical effort demanded. These close relationships are meant to be meaningful and beautiful occasions for the exercise of the deepest love. If this love is to grow and flourish, if it is not to wither, and perhaps die, there is a dying which must take place within us—it is ultimately a dying to the non-authentic self, to that self which is an obstacle to the relationship. It is a dying to that which refuses to give oneself in love so that the other may be aided in becoming more what he or she is destined to be. If these relationships are to endure properly, there must be at least a basic attitude of such selflessness. We are not speaking here of those relationships which are dissolved for legitimate reasons, for instance, a friendship which is judged by one or both parties to be no longer authentically viable.
 

   Let us consider a few ideas concerning this new asceticism and the Christian's relationship with God. We have already said much in this regard. In discussing asceticism's role in helping the Christian relate properly to material things and to one's neighbor, we have also been implicitly speaking about one's finding God through such relationships. This is precisely one of the main thrusts of contemporary asceticism—to enable the Christian to find God in and through a proper engagement with the world.
 

   To find God in this manner demands discipline. We have to make the effort to be open to the Spirit's guidance during our activity. We have to take the means whereby the vision of faith is vitally operative in our engagement in the market place. Following the lead of faith, we must allow Christian love to shape and inform our secular activity. If we fail to make this effort, lesser motives take over. We work and are busy, we mix in the society about us, simply because we happen to find it all so interesting, and the overriding influence of the Spirit guiding our activity fades to the background. 

   If we are to achieve proper openness to the Holy Spirit during our secular involvement, it seems a certain amount of formal prayer and disengagement must be structured into our lives. In this regard, the new asceticism can borrow from the traditional asceticism. Figuratively speaking, the Christian must at times go to the solitude of the desert to meet God in a more direct fashion. The Christian must seek the solitude of one's room, a church, a walk in the fields or along the lake's shore. The Christian needs these periods of disengagement in order to pray, reflect, reorient oneself so that engagement with the world may be truly a Christic one, one guided by the Spirit.
 

   In conclusion, we can say that a new asceticism has been developing to meet the needs of today's Christian. If the current asceticism is a new one, it is not a totally different one. It is not completely differentiated from the traditional asceticism. But if it is to be really effective, today's asceticism will necessarily have to incorporate into its structure some of the practices of the more traditional one. We have just given one indication of this in our discussion of the need for a certain degree of disengagement. By having proper regard for certain teachings of traditional asceticism, the newer form can temper what could be an excessive optimism regarding our engagement with the world.
 

   If the traditional asceticism was prone to an excessive fear of the world, the new asceticism is prone to fail to effectively point out that there are precautionary measures to be taken to ensure a proper engagement with the world. If the new asceticism can judiciously blend certain aspects of the older form with its own particular thrusts and broadened vision, then it certainly will be a more effective and realistic asceticism for the vast majority of today's Christians.

end of excerpt

                Discernment of Spirits

Matthew 10: 16

Look, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; so be cunning as snakes and yet innocent as doves.

Lord, teach me to be generous.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve;
To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labor and not to ask for any reward,
Save that of knowing
                    that I am doing your will.

                            by St. Ignatius Loyola

                Jesus knocked Saul to the ground

                Discernment of Spirits

                Spirit of God

                    and

                spirit of this world —

From The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, 
    by Louis J. Puhl, S.J. p. 25

46. PRAYER.  In the preparatory prayer I will beg God
our Lord for grace that all my intentions, actions, 
and operations may be directed purely to the 
praise and service of His Divine Majesty.  

                Jesus wants us to have joy —

                When God is speaking to us
                    we can be ready to control
                    rather than listen

                Imitate Jesus —
                To serve Jesus —
                To be under God

                Frequent examination of our
                    conscience

                Fr. Carter, S.J. said 10 minutes
                    twice a day —

                Thanks for grace
                Thanks for blessings

                See where you are failing God —
                See where your response is
                    not what God wanted —

                Am I doing what the Spirit
                    of God wants?

                Am I working against the Spirit
                    of God —

                Jesus did what He was supposed
                    to

                Jesus left home

Luke 4: 18-19

    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. 

Luke 4: 24

And he went on, ‘In truth I tell you, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

                Jesus is generous

                Jesus a Heart of love —

                God calls us to follow Him

                Jesus came as a baby —

                Jesus is united to Mary —

                Jesus calls the Apostles —

                Jesus works in love with
                    others

                Jesus calls us to follow Him —

                    Felix is at the site

                    Please come and get a
                    signed crucifix by
                    Felix and your picture

 

      Betty is a handmaid who has prayed in the

        China Church for 11 years. To get from her

        house to the church she uses a walker and

        must go over a creek and a little bridge.

        We wanted a little place she could rest

        by the Church. We need about $1,000 to

        make this happen. Can you help us?

 

 

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 Kathleen 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 Kathleen 1-888-211-3041

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

Call Kathleen

1-888-211-3041

You can help put Fr. Joe's homily

book in the hands of

1,000 priests — it costs $1,100

This can help 1,000 parish priests

talk about Covenant for Lent 

Please help us

It is ready to go

Call Kathleen  1-888-211-3041

Call Kathleen to Order any of the items below

1-888-211-3041

Fr. John J. Pasquini Light, Happiness, & Peace Journeying Through Traditional Catholic Spirituality Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini $ 10.00 plus postage In Imitation of Two Hearts Prayers for Consolation, Renewal and Peace in Times of Suffering Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini $ 10.00  plus postage Authenticity Authenticity - Prayers and Meditations Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini $ 10.00  plus postage Medicine of Immortality Prayers and Meditations for Mass and Eucharistic Adoration Author: Fr. John J. Pasquini $ 10.00  plus postage Ecce Fides Pillar of Truth - Dedicated to defending Catholic beliefs through reason, Scripture, and the life of the Holy Spirit $ 10.00  plus postage Authenticity Ocean DVD The Authenticity Prayer Book is read with the Ocean as a backdrop. $ 10.00  plus postage Nursing Home Mass DVD A special mass by Fr. John J. Pasquini for those in nursing homes or homebound. $ 10.00  plus postage Consolation DVD Give this DVD as a sympathy present. $ 10.00  plus postage

 

Books written by the cofounder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries Writings by Rita Ring Mass Book A Journey Into the Heart of Jesus - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 12.00 plus postage Rosary Meditations for Parents and Children From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 10.00  plus postage God's Blue Book I Teachings to Lift You Up. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage God's Blue Book II The Fire of His Love. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S. J. $ 10.00  plus postage God's Blue Book III Love God, Love One Another. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage God's Blue Book 4 The Love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary Author: Rita Ring $ 5.00  plus postage God's Blue Book 5 So Deep Is the Love of His Heart. Author: Rita Ring. $ 5.00  plus postage God's Blue Book 6A He Calls Us to Action Author: Rita Ring. $ 10.00  plus postage Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume I Red Rosary Book - Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage Blue Rosary Book Rosaries From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary - Volume II $ 12.00  plus postage Short Rosary Meditations for the Ederly, Ill, and Homebound From the Hearts of Jesus and Mary: Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur This book is 8 1/2" by 11" and you can open it up and sit it on your lap. $ 10.00  plus postage Messages From Jesus Given by Jesus to His Messenger Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. This book is 8 1/2" by 11" and you can open it up and sit it on your lap. $ 10.00  plus postage Daily Messages From Heaven From the Florida Apparition Site Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage Rosary Meditations for Little People and Elderly Short Meditations for the Rosary $ 3.00  plus postage Color the Lives of Jesus and Mary, Book 5 A Coloring Book with Short Meditations on the 15 mysteries of the rosary. Author: Rita Ring. Discerned by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 5.00 plus postage

Fr. Edward J. Carter

Books written by the founder of Shepherds of Christ Ministries Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 1 Selected Writings on Spirituality—for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 10.00  plus postage Spirituality Newsletters 2 Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimatur $ 12.00  plus postage Shepherds of Christ Spirituality Newsletters 3 Selected Writings on Spirituality — for All People Editor: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage Tell My People Messages from Jesus and Mary Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest (spiral bound) $ 10.00  plus postage Spirituality Handbook Shepherds of Christ Associates Spirituality Handbook - A Way of Spiritual Life Author: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. Imprimi Potest $ 3.00  plus postage The Spirituality of Fatima Fatima: The Setting, The Message, The Spirituality of Consecration $ 5.00  plus postage Shepherds of Christ 6:20 Prayers CD Holy Spirit Novena, Associates Prayer Manual and the Rosary Led by: Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J. $ 10.00  plus postage Priestly Newsletter 2000 Issue 1 Audio CD - Read by Father Edward J. Carter $ 10.00  plus postage

Statues/Religious Items Statues, Crucifixes, and Religious Artwork These items are very special additions to your home or place of worship. Special 27" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass 27" Statue with crown $ 450.00 plus shipping Special 18" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass   Includes Crown $ 250.00 plus shipping Special 15" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass White gown with gold trim around mantel $ 200.00 plus shipping Special 12" Pilgrim Virgin of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass White gown with gold trim around mantel $ 165.00 plus shipping Special 18" Our Lady of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass   Blue and Pink gown with a rosary over her hand. $ 250.00 plus shipping Special 11" Our Lady of Fatima/Clearwater Statue with Glass Blue and Pink gown. $ 150.00 plus shipping Crucifix by Felix - Hand Carved Crucifix with incredible detail! $ 750.00 plus shipping Imitation of Two Hearts Giclee Art Print on Canvas $ 150.00 plus shipping Lucia's Vision Giclee Art Print on Canvas by Harold Kellner $ 150.00 plus shipping

 

Yes — All the ends of the earth have seen the power of God.        God has called us to be united as a family in the Shepherds of Christ.      This is a vocation — to pray deeply for the priests, the Church and the world and to help support the Newsletter and the Ministries.      Remember the image of Our Lady of Clearwater on the building. We have very special Fatima statues so you can have a special place of prayer in your homes, praying the rosary for your family and for the priests, the Church and the world. If you are interested in these very special Fatima/Clearwater statues e-mail me with your phone number and address  info@sofc.org.      Those using the special statues will be united to us in a special way — We want you to pray the Shepherds of Christ prayers for the priests, the Church and the world from your special place in your home.      When people have set up a prayer corner/niche with this statue, Fatima/Clearwater glass, they have reported that their families have received special blessings. With this statue it is important to pray the prayers in the red prayer manual and consecrate your home and family to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart. Call Sheila or Doris about statues or go to China or Clearwater.  1-888-211-3041 or 1-812-273-8405

27” - $450.00 18” - $250.00 15” - $200.00 12” - $160.00 11” - $150.00 plus shipping We send these.  They are good for people in the family for Christmas, give with a prayer manual.

 

Statues

 

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel	Our Lady of Lourdes	Our Lady of Grace
Sorrowful Mother	Immaculate Heart - Ivory	Immaculate Heart of Mary
Limpias	Sacred Heart of Jesus -Blessing	Sacred Heart of Jesus
Infant of Prague	Divine Mercy	Holy Family
St. Jude	Our Lady of Guadalupe	Holy Family
St. Therese	St. Francis	St. Anthony
St. Claire	St. Padre Pio	St. Joseph
Angel	St. Philomena	St. Rita - 18
Immaculate Heart of Mary - 18	Immaculate Heart - Ivory - 18	Sacred Heart of Jesus - 18
Our Lady of Lourdes - 18	Our Lady of Mt. Carmel - 18	Our Lady of Grace - 18
St. Francis - 18	St. Anthony - 18	St. Joseph - 18
St. Therese - 18	Our Lady of Guadalupe - 12	St. Clare - 12
St. Padre Pio - 12	St. Rita - 12	Divine Mercy - 12
Pieta - Color	Pieta - Marble	Limpias - 8
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

       

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
Immaculate Heart of Mary	24"	$125
Immaculate Heart - Ivory	24"	$125
Infant of Prague	24"	$125
Limpias	24"	$125
Our Lady of Grace	24"	$125
Our Lady of Guadalupe	24"	$125
Our Lady of Lourdes	24"	$125
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel	24"	$125
Sacred Heart of Jesus	24"	$125
Sacred Heart of Jesus -Blessing	24"	$125
Sorrowful Mother	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
Immaculate Heart of Mary	18"	$65
Immaculate Heart - Ivory	18"	$65
Sacred Heart of Jesus	18"	$65
Our Lady of Lourdes	18"	$65
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel	18"	$65
Our Lady of Grace	18"	$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
Our Lady of Guadalupe	12"	$40
St. Padre Pio	12"	$40
St. Rita	12"	$40
Divine Mercy	12"	$40
St. Claire	12"	$40
Limpias	8"	$25
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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