Daily Writing
| Shepherds of Christ Daily Writing |
|
June 24, 2010
June 25th Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is Day 8 Period II.The Novena Rosary Mysteries
for June 25th are Sorrowful.
Fr. Don will do Mass
on July 13th at 11:00am
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Given June 23, 2010
A Religious must ask themselves, if
they believe they are called —
Can I really accept
living by a rule of life —
Being under authority
Living the vow of celibacy
1 Corinthians 7: 31-35
and those who are involved with the world as though they were people not engrossed in it. Because this world as we know it is passing away. I should like you to have your minds free from all worry. The unmarried man gives his mind to the Lord’s affairs and to how he can please the Lord; but the man who is married gives his mind to the affairs of this world and to how he can please his wife, and he is divided in mind. So, too, the unmarried woman, and the virgin, gives her mind to the Lord’s affairs and to being holy in body and spirit; but the married woman gives her mind to the affairs of this world and to how she can please her husband. I am saying this only to help you, not to put a bridle on you, but so that everything is as it should be, and you are able to give your undivided attention to the Lord.
Focus on Jesus
Learn to sacrifice when God wants us to —
Living to be more
perfected —
Dying to self — not to be selfish —
jealous, seeking
dominance for dominance sake —
Think of all the people's lives
you have helped with your vocation —
Letting go of things —
detaching for the Lord
Given August 23, 2008
Religious Life and life in the Shepherds of Christ Movement for Servants, Handmaids and Apostles
We were created to love God — we are
to love others — We are to follow Christ —
especially religious being faithful to God. We are to
be witnesses for Christ. It is a special gift from God
a special calling from God when one is asked to serve
in religious life. The religious most of all is to follow
in Christ's footsteps — to live humbly and to be
a person following the Virginity of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
Christ lived a virginal life, a life He elected for Himself.
In the religious life one is the Spouse of Christ — He
is the bridegroom of their soul. One lives seeking
deeper intimacy with God living as St. Paul says —
Galatians 2: 19-20
...I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me.
The religious is a real witness, showing the
world and the Church in a powerful way their lives as
witness to Christ alive in them. The religious is
dedicated to building the Kingdom of God — living
a holy life of praying for the priests, the Church and the
world — being other-focused — praying for the souls
Jesus gave His life for — in this they are more and more
identified living the mystery of Christ's life, death and
resurrection.
It is not a life of cold service, but one of being so on
fire for love of God — the religious is wed in a special
way to Christ — deeply yoked to Him in the mission
of helping to lead souls to heaven for all eternity and
preparing themselves for a sharing most abundantly
in the love of the Trinity in heaven.
Martyrs in the Church lived especially lives
of great service to the Church — dying for their
faith and following Jesus in a special way by
shedding their blood for Him, the Church and the
world.
Christ rewards those abundantly who live a
consecrated life to Him — a special life of giving
them their life of virginal love and service
for His honor and glory. God will not be out done in
generosity. This life of love given to Christ to
help build the Church and for the world is most
pleasing to the Father and this oneness with Jesus,
is also oneness with the Father in the Holy Spirit.
The Church needs these beautiful witnesses who
see themselves as married to Christ and loving the
children of the Church in a way as a mother
and father of a family love their own children.
This calling is a calling to love — special spousal
relationship with Christ and His Church. Loving
a life that is modeled after Mary, spotless Virgin —
Spiritual Mother of the children of the Church, Mother
of Christ, Mother of our Christ-life, this sharing
given to us at baptism.
It is love God calls the religious to —
this means vigor, energy, dedication —
modeling oneself after the love Christ had
for His precious souls — when He sweat blood
in the garden, as He walked the passion,
died on the cross and rose the 3rd day —
He was consumed with love so much He
died for me and you — His precious souls —
Vigor — witness — consumed with love for
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Religious serving freely
giving themselves to Christ and the Church — a
present of their lives — given to God to
build the Kingdom.
Reach for the heights for God has chosen His religious
for His honor and glory to take them to Himself —
to live in a special spousal union with them —
They give themselves body and soul to God — for
His love and His purpose —
In following Jesus —
Jesus gave His body to the precious souls —
He died on the cross — He shed His Blood and
from this gift of Himself — His bride the
Church came forth from His pierced
side — His Sacred Heart — Blood and water —
Blood for the Eucharist where by our Christ-
life is nourished and Water for baptism —
giving to us this special sharing in His
life —
The religious follows Christ — lives likened
to Christ in being a virgin for sake of
loving Him in a pure, spiritual love
and not taking another for their husband/wife.
The religious imitates Christ faithfully —
giving their entire life to God — living
out their Baptismal vow ever deeper —
in their marriage to Him — their yes to
His service, their witness to the world —
in dressing in a way to show the world —
they are married to Christ — a great gift —
a holy honor. They then realize how they
have a special responsibility to be pure
before others, service to others and love
for the Church — for the children of the Church —
praying in their lives for the priests, the Church
and the world.
Their gift of their lives in holiness is to
give honor to the heavenly Father.
With the greatest love of the Word of
God and the Eucharist they are fed with
the Bread of Life — filled with His grace and in
love with God — they are witnesses for
those in the world interested in the religious
life, for families, for the laity, for people
of the schools.
The individual Christian, the world and
the Church are always in the state of
becoming. In loving God uniquely as only
one can — a religious has a deep relationship
with God — loving the priest, the Church and
the people as only they can love them for
they are more and more the beautiful human
creature — being more and more saturated with
His grace — living as the Father desires
in love. They answer freely to the call
of the Holy Spirit and they live a life
filled with the fire of God's love.
They give themselves entirely to God — they
live under the authority of the Church —
they obey their superior and rules of the
order. They have TOTAL DEDICATION TO GOD.
This is an act of greatest love — to give
themselves to their vocation to God and live
as religious. They seek greater perfection as
Mary — handmaid of the Lord —
Luke 1: 46-55
The Magnificat
And Mary said:
My soul proclaims
the greatness of the Lord
and my spirit rejoices
in God my Saviour;
because he has looked upon
the humiliation of his servant.
Yes, from now onwards
all generations will call me blessed,
for the Almighty
has done great things for me.
Holy is his name,
and his faithful love extends age after age
to those who fear him.
He has used the power of his arm,
he has routed the arrogant of heart.
He has pulled down princes
from their thrones
and raised high the lowly.
He has filled the starving with good things,
sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the help
of Israel his servant,
mindful of his faithful love
—according to the promise
he made to our ancestors—
of his mercy to Abraham
and to his descendants for ever.
They seek fruit for the Church.
They seek to be more perfected as their
heavenly Father is perfect —
They seek to live a life of greater love of
God, of others, of themselves as religious,
of the Church and the world —
A dedicated life to God
A dedicated life in service of the Church
Celibacy and obedience —
They give freely of themselves and in great love —
for the sake of the Kingdom of God — to
help lead souls of the Church and on the
earth to heaven —
they beg God for greater capacity to love —
to grow in greater knowledge of
Him
Loving God — because they love Him —
not for selfish gain
Loving God with a heart consumed
with love as He deserves to be loved
by all the souls of the earth —
They lavishly empty themselves
in love for God and service for
His honor and glory to help build
the Kingdom and lead souls
to Him.
This is the primary focus of the vocation
of a religious — TO LOVE God for His sake!!
To love God to help build up, strengthen
the body of Christ — to be a living sign
of strength — love and unity because
of their relationship with God.
They show to the world — the goodness of God —
living in them — they show the Light
of Christ to the world alive in them —
They freely show this witness — living
obediently and in chastity for this
pleases God.
In the Shepherds of Christ we are contemplatives-in-
action — living lives as servants and
handmaids — in deep service to God
before the Blessed Sacrament and
service to others in the world —
praying in love and giving our lives
for the priests, the Church and the
world.
We take seriously our mission besides
prayer of spreading deep devotion to the
Eucharist — love so much for the Church —
frequent confession ourselves and telling
others about these gifts and
spreading the Good News about baptism —
the Word.
Telling others the power of prayer,
especially before the Blessed Sacrament —
frequent prayer — all through the day — spreading
devotion to the rosary, meditations
in the Mysteries of the rosary and helping
people, priests — all to live deeper lives
of Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and
Consecrating Churches, Schools, Houses,
Countries, the World to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart.
Apostolic Life —
In Shepherds of Christ spreading the Priestly Newsletter
(6,000,000 in 14 years), spreading prayer
chapters praying for the priests, the Church and the
world — rosary making ministry, spreading
250,000 rosaries, consecration cards,
rosary aves to schools yearly, teaching
people through the books, about the love of
Jesus, the Eucharist, Consecration, Prayer —
Our mission to lead people to greater love
of God — unity in communities, Churches,
nations, world, the family. We want the
world, the family to have this deeper Christic
image to be witnesses for Christ and
building His Kingdom. We live Christ's
life, death and resurrection in our lives —
We live in unity — pray in unity — united
so deeply in all our lives praying
for the priests, the Church and the world.
Every duty is done in service to God —
Our deep love for God is at the root of our
success — for we never do anything
except in oneness to God, for God, with
God —
God be before me, behind me, in
me, with me and for me always in
all I do for Your honor and glory.
Our strength comes in our loving union
with God. We are empowered in Him —
We seek God before everything else —
Our work is done in love to serve God —
We cling to God in our mind and heart.
We do this work to lead souls to heaven —
to spread the Kingdom of God. We live
in the truth of Jesus, to spread
the truth of Jesus, to live pure
and holy lives honoring Jesus and bearing
witness in our lives to Him.
We are faithful in the Shepherds of Christ to the
vision of the Movement, the spirit as God designated to the founders
Fr. Carter, founder and Rita Ring, co-founder —
serving Jesus, Our Lord, for His honor
and glory.
The vision here for the Shepherds of Christ is
spreading the love of Jesus to hungry souls so
they will grow in deeper intimacy with
God — living as St. Paul says
Galatians 2: 19-20
...I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me.
Spreading the Consecration to the hierarchy, and priests
that is devotion to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart
in our lives — greater devotion to the
Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart in Churches, schools and
families
We spread the Priestly Newsletter every
other month if possible to 80,000 priests
and hierarchy, centered in Consecration to
the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart — The Priestly
Newsletter is written in the vision of the Father
using scripture, writings of the popes,
prominent theologians, wisdom of the
saints, and the editors writings
on deep spiritual matters for our spiritual
life.
Our second important mission beginning
prayer chapters praying for the priests,
the Church and the world to hierarchy,
priests, religious people, youth etc.
The school rosary program — spread
now to 250,000 school children a year has
a 13 year history.
Apostles of the Eucharistic Heart pray
2 hours a week before the Blessed Sacrament for
For the spread of the devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary culminating in the reign of the Sacred Heart and the triumph of the Immaculate Heart.
For the Pope.
For all bishops of the world.
For all priests.
For all sisters and brothers in the religious life.
For all members of the Shepherds of Christ Movement, and for the spread of this movement to the world.
For all members of the Catholic Church.
For all members of the human family.
For all souls in purgatory.
There is a family consecration, images and
statues, rosaries for use in
prayer —
Numerous videos, discs, prayer books
etc.
We help to spread the knowledge to the people of the
tremendous gifts given in the Catholic Church —
We have constant — 24 hour prayer
before the exposed Eucharist praying for
the priests, the Church and the world
We attend daily Mass as our prayer life and
do one hour of adoration before the
Blessed Sacrament.
We have a Nursing Home Ministry —
communion ministry
rosary for nursing home people
spreading the consecration to the Sacred Heart
and Immaculate Heart
We have Junior Shepherds of Christ
We have Prison Ministry
We have Prayer Apostles
We want to build unity in the Church
and world by doing these things —
Our mission to help renew the Church and
the world culminating in the
Reign of the Sacred Heart and triumph of
Mary's Immaculate Heart
In the Shepherds of Christ
we live out this response to God's
call to us as Servants, Handmaids
and Apostles in this Movement.
We are aware of every human person
on the face of the earth as we
pray and the souls in purgatory.
Excerpt from Response in Christ
by Fr. Edward J. Carter S.J.e) Relationship with Members of the Church
There is but one true Church of Christ. Yet this one Church has three different states of existence. There is the pilgrim Church, the Church of this world, composed of members who have received the grace of Christ and strive for its development. They have not yet obtained the goal of their efforts, as have the members of the heavenly Church, who enjoy God in eternal happiness. The Church suffering is an intermediate state of existence necessary for those who had not achieved the required purification as members of the pilgrim Church. Although there are these three phases of the Church's existence, there is a profound union existing between all the members. All these members possess the same basic life of grace in Christ, and this common life establishes the most intimate bonds of love. In our preceding chapter, we discussed the pilgrim Church. Let us now consider the Church suffering and the heavenly Church.
The members of the Church suffering are those who have departed from this life in an incomplete state of Christian development. Their development is incomplete in the sense that grace has not fully taken possession of them, and, as a result, they are yet closed in upon themselves to a greater or lesser degree. They as yet cannot open themselves out in complete love to the Triune God in the beatific vision. They must undergo a further purification, a purification which could have been achieved upon earth with merit. Now the purification must be achieved with no merit attached. The pain of this purification is mixed with the certain expectation of achieving the vision of God. We can hasten the advent of this vision for this people by the offering of prayers and other good works. Scripture itself refers to our action on behalf of those in purgatory in Chapter 12 of the Second Book of Maccabees beginning with verse 38.
The members of the heavenly Church are those in whom the life of grace has taken full possession and has reached its completion in the life of glory. Faith now is unnecessary, as the light of glory gives the human intellect a new strength and capacity for seeing God face-to-face. While the Christian was a wayfarer, he received the imprint of the indwelling Trinity as he shared in God's own life. Now in heaven that grace-life and possession of God reaches its completion—the absolute completion is not achieved, however, until the resurrection of the body. The divine persons give Themselves to the beatified in a profound union far surpassing that of the indwelling of the Trinity experienced here below.
This life of heaven is still the Christ-life, for just as we possess a share in Trinitarian life here below as mediated by Christ, and exercise this grace-life as structured by Him, so also in heaven is the mediation of Christ present. In the words of Rahner, "One always sees the Father through Jesus. Just as immediately as this, for the directness of the vision of God is not a denial of the mediatorship of Christ as man."13 And not only does the humanity of Christ unite the blessed to God, but also, in some way, to the whole of creation. This is merely a completion of what is begun here below, namely, the union with Christ in His humanity establishing the Christian in a special relationship with God, with other men, and with the whole of creation. We have a glimpse, therefore, of the fullness of life which members of the heavenly Church possess.
The heavenly Church, as St. Thomas says, is the true Church.14 The Church of this earth and the Church of purgatory are, each in its own way, reaching out in loving hope for the heavenly Jerusalem. Vatican II puts it very simply: "The Church, to which we are called in Christ Jesus, and in which we acquire sanctity through the grace of God, will attain her full perfection only in the glory of heaven."15
The members of the heavenly Church can help us in living our life of grace until we too share its fullness with them. Their power of intercession on our behalf is but another ramification of the communal aspect of Christianity. We are meant to help others grow in Christ. We, in turn, are intended by God to receive aid from others—yes, from members of the heavenly Church, as well as from those with whom we dwell here below.
Not only can we be aided by the saints' intercession, but the example of the canonized saints can also be of great value to us. They have concretely proved that full holiness is possible. Such an inspiration is of real worth when we are tempted to think that Christian sanctity in its higher degrees is impossible of attainment. Moreover, the canonized saints, in their diversity, teach us that there are many authentic versions of Christian holiness. They can be innovators in showing us that there are numerous possibilities in assimilating the mystery of Christ, although the basic assimilation remains the same for all Christians of all times. In the opinion of Rahner this is one of the chief roles the canonized saints exert in the life of the Church.16_____
13Karl Rahner, Theological Investigations, Vol. III (Baltimore: Helicon, 1967), p. 44.
14Cf. St. Thomas Aquinas, In Ad Ephes., c. 3, Lect. 3.
15Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church, No. 48.
16Cf. Karl Rahner, Op. cit., pp. 100-101.
Our work is for unity IN God on Earth —
We pray the Morning Offering —
have prayers for the whole Church
with the Imprimatur from
Nursing Home people, priests,
families to pray the Morning
Offering —
This is, that, great grace will be outpoured
on the earth —
We pray 8 or 9 days a month
in all-day-retreats,
5 of those days Mass is celebrated —
begging for grace for the
priests, the Church and the world —
praying as intercessors —
to help make reparation for the
offenses against God
We follow Christ
beg for grace for the priests, the Church and the world
Unite with all the Masses going
on around the world
Our lives are very simple and our
money is used to send these materials
to the hierarchy, priests, schools,
families, individuals — for
prayer and deeper union in the
Mass
Living out deeper and deeper our
membership in the body of Christ
We live like this because we love God —
We want the hungry world to know
this!!
We see ourselves dwelling in the
pure and holy Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
We give ourselves —
We seek peace in the world
We want to help bring about this
great era of peace
We are one with Christ and the Church —
Servants and Handmaids live lives of chastity
We love to give ourselves to Christ
We live more and more that likeness
of Christ —
living and loving in deeper and deeper
lives In Him
Celibacy is the free gift of self to God —
in overwhelming love of the
servants and handmaids
We follow the teachings of Jesus,
the Word of God, the life
of the Virgin Mary, the perfect
disciple
The gift of celibacy — God has
called the servants and handmaids
to give to God — it is a precious
gift to God
We do not live fancy lives — our
lives are lived to spread the
Priestly Newsletter, Prayer Chapters, Consecration
As far as monetary things we give our simple
lives for this —
We answer the call of the "hungry souls"
crying to be fed with the love of God —
We identify with Christ in giving our
lives more and more as a sacrifice
for this work —
dying to self to be more likened to Him.
This is a call to love God and love our
neighbor as ourselves and love
the priests and the Church and
LOVE our Vocation in the Shepherds of Christ
Movement
We do not seek for ourselves
But seek to help renew the Church
and the world with our lives
dedicated in prayer and service
We are, by our lives, to show how
we are to be united in oneness
in God's truth.
Prayer to Holy Spirit Novena (said daily)
4 languages, Church's Imprimatur
Shepherds of Christ Prayers (said daily)
We work to earn our living —
to do this work for the world —
maintain our centers and homes and
to live in community life —
Centered around St. Anthony's China, Indiana
where the Eucharist is exposed
24 hours
retreats of constant prayer
the Priestly Newsletter is sent
Clearwater, Florida
Center
Religious Store
Daily Prayer
Grottos and retreats
etc.
open every day 10:00am - 10:00pm
Our mission to spread greater oneness to the world
heart-to-heart — Loving union with Christ
Help bring about era of peace promised
by Mary at Fatima
Help bring about era of love
Age of the 2 Hearts
Enjoyment of one's vocation in Shepherds of Christ
Loyalty of one's vocation in the Shepherds of Christ
Freedom in love given to serving Shepherds of Christ
Obedience — love of Christ
respect for order
love of Shepherds of Christ Vision
Willingness to serve
The Church is the People of God —
the hierarchy live to help the
members of the Church —
united in love
Obedience in living the Pascal
Mystery of death - resurrection
The more we die to self — the more
we live in Him —
The more we die to the ways not
likened to Jesus — the more
perfected we become
Obeying authority and
freedom for self go together —
We are to live according to God's will
There is to be in the religious life
obedience to the superior
Agitation can be constant in community
life of one who fails to recognize
the importance of being
obedient to superiors —
This must be lived every day —
living in accordance to the
needs of the moment —
The time one is told to do something
is to be obeyed as the superior
sees the vision of the whole
community and the outcome of
the mission to be accomplished
to do the work for the honor and glory of God.
A servant and handmaid enters to
serve the mission under the
direction of a superior.
There is to be work accomplished as
one as team players —
heads together in loving
union to accomplish the
work for the good of the
Movement —
as directed and seen through the
eyes of the superior
These conditions must be respected.
Some are expected to have certain
duties that are understood
will be accomplished by
that individual, at that center.
In loving obedience one complies
with their job description or
job expectation whether written,
spoken or understood.
Work accomplished should be the work
in compliance with the
institutes vocation
The spiritual life in the Shepherds of Christ is
never ignored —
growing to live more deeply
the vocation of
servant, handmaid and
apostle as God intends
The Community has a mission —
The Community has jobs to accomplish
this
We have a responsibility to the
— mission
— the superior
— the community
We lose our life to follow Him
You are to do what the superiors
tell you to do —
You dedicate your lives to Jesus and
ask God to help you in your
vocation to be obedient.
Fr. Carter prayed every day to be a good
Jesuit —
In giving one's especially to this
vocation — you take a deeper commitment
to obedience — a person in the
spiritual life submits to God's will —
A person in a religious order has a special
giving of one self — therefore their
commitment entails obedience to
the superior of the community
This helps one to be free more to
live their vocation in greater
maturity in the obedience
in the religious life.
The person is to obey the superior
even if they would rather do
it a different way over matters
that are matters not involving
any moral wrong on the part of the
superior.
If the direction is contrary to the law of God
that is different but for ordinary
directions - one is to obey their superior.
It may be a point of view the one under the
superior doesn't like the way they were
asked to do it — they are to obey the superior —
Lack of obedience can affect the common
good of the community —
Christ obeyed His Father —
The Cross showed us Christ's love —
Christ obeyed His Father
As religious one is striving to be holy.
This means obedience
This means celibacy for the religious
This means joy in serving, this means
accepting the difficulties of work
in love —
This means living with others in
harmony
You are filled with fervor
recognizing the cross of Christ
We are always following Christ
We are always following Christ's example
It is living in humility and simplicity
It is living in loving harmony
It is living in peace with others
It is being free and obedient
It is being spontaneous
It is being obedient
It is living in Faith
Jesus will give the grace for these things —
the religious must seek it
God the Father wants religious to serve the
Church
The inner man in the religious life is
there to be more like Christ —
He is to be always developing spiritually
The person in religious life must be spontaneous
The person in religious life must be flexible
Rigidity won't work if one is to obey and
respond to the needs of the
community and mission.
Disorderly outbursts are wrong and
offend the community —
Likewise provoking others in community
to anger is totally unacceptable
for one growing in holiness and
acting in love —
Passive-aggressive behavior are games
not acceptable in community life
Fr. Carter examined his conscience two times
a day for 10 minutes — this was his
Jesuit training
Efforts must be made to die to selfish
outbursts or passive-aggressive
ways, provoking others in religious
life —
so a life of love and care for the community
is observed in a life of holy love
Retreats are necessary and community prayer
Living according to the prayer life
Hospitality to visitors is to be expected
on occasions when they are invited.
Guests too, to the community are not to
violate routines or deviate
so the community is led away
from deeper union with God
Daily Mass is required for Servants, Handmaids and Apostles
One Hour daily adoration
Shepherds of Christ prayers prayed
Daily Rosary
Morning Offering
Praying throughout the day
many hourly
Reading the Daily Message and Blue Book
There is to be a unity — in holiness and
living according to the beatitudes —
charity toward one another in
community
There is to be a life of living a more
perfected life as Christ desires —
with deeper unity in community —
living according to God's will
in love — being a team player —
living in obedience to the superior —
observing the prayer life
Men in religious community should be
growing in the spiritual life
with deeper love of God and neighbor
Every one is working to be more perfected,
more holy, more loving.
Every Christian is imperfect, but we
are trying to become more perfected —
dying to selfish ways
We must become more one with Jesus —
There must be a simplicity, understanding,
unity and love in community —
simple charity
Hope to be more holy — to foster greater
love, unity, be more a team
situation — more a holy family
The spirit of love and consideration is
present — relationship,
friendship, loyalty —
cooperation in love for the Apostolate,
support in community life,
for serving God — better and
better — learning better every day
Our mission in the Shepherds of Christ is to reach the
world —
to reach the communities in cities
with prayer chapters
to form a community in loving
cooperation
to serve Christ
to help build stronger families, parishes,
schools
to help strengthen priests with
love and prayer and the Priestly Newsletter and books
We live to make God more known to men and
strengthen our love relationship
with God
Prayer is at the center of the Shepherds of Christ
We want intimacy with God
We do adoration
We are deep intercessors in prayer for
the priests, the Church and the world
The more we pray united in retreats,
daily prayer services,
the more God outpours His love and
reveals Himself to us through prayer
as a community
We pray to the Holy Spirit to understand and love God
and be filled with the fire of God's
love
The Holy Spirit works in the Heart of Mary molding
us more and more in the image of God.
The Holy Spirit fills us with wisdom
The Holy Spirit gives us grace for community prayer
We can pray deeply united in the Mass
what a gift
We give ourselves to the service of the "Word"
this is a light to men
Silence is needed for love of God —
Prayer alone in silence
We need silent prayer to have intimacy
with God — especially before the Blessed Sacrament
after communion
God intends us to pray together and to
pray alone —
Look at the Mass — the greatest prayer
A Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
Let me be a holy sacrifice and unite with God in the sacrament of His greatest love.
I want to be one in Him in this act of love, where He gives Himself to me and I give myself as a sacrifice to Him. Let me be a holy sacrifice as I become one with Him in this my act of greatest love to Him.
Let me unite with Him more, that I may more deeply love Him. May I help make reparation to His adorable Heart and the heart of His Mother, Mary. With greatest love, I offer myself to You and pray that You will accept my sacrifice of greatest love. I give myself to You and unite in Your gift of Yourself to me. Come and possess my soul.
Cleanse me, strengthen me, heal me. Dear Holy Spirit act in the heart of Mary to make me more and more like Jesus.
Father, I offer this my sacrifice, myself united to Jesus in the Holy Spirit to You. Help me to love God more deeply in this act of my greatest love.
Give me the grace to grow in my knowledge, love and service of You and for this to be my greatest participation in the Mass. Give me the greatest graces to love You so deeply in this Mass, You who are so worthy of my love.
-God's Blue Book, December 27, 1995
Prayer for Union with Jesus
Come to me, Lord, and possess my soul. Come into my heart and permeate my soul. Help me to sit in silence with You and let You work in my heart.
I am Yours to possess. I am Yours to use. I want to be selfless and only exist in You. Help me to spoon out all that is me and be an empty vessel ready to be filled by You. Help me to die to myself and live only for You. Use me as You will. Let me never draw my attention back to myself. I only want to operate as You do, dwelling within me.
I am Yours, Lord. I want to have my life in You. I want to do the will of the Father. Give me the strength to put aside the world and let You operate my very being. Help me to act as You desire. Strengthen me against the distractions of the devil to take me from Your work.
When I worry, I have taken my focus off of You and placed it on myself. Help me not to give in to the promptings of others to change what in my heart You are making very clear to me. I worship You, I adore You and I love You. Come and dwell in me now.
-God's Blue Book, January 17, 1994
We pray the Holy Spirit leads us and helps
us to be on fire for love of God —
We pray for Faith, Hope and Love
The Center of the Church life is the
Eucharistic Liturgy
Going to Mass together as a community
is vital
We offer ourselves in our vocation —
so deeply at every Mass — in
emptying ourselves at the Consecration
of the Mass
Being together at Mass helps renew the
Community together
Receiving the Body and Blood of Jesus
Christ is the primary source
of renewal
We empty ourselves in our vocation
at Mass
We offer ourselves
Our lives as a sacrifice at Mass
The Mass is the greatest sacrifice of
God's love
We have the Church in China to do this —
We go through Christ's death/resurrection
in the Mass —
we have trials in our mission —
We live the resurrected life
in our vocation
We offer ourselves to the Father
at Mass, united to the sacrifice
of Jesus in the Holy Spirit with
the angels and saints and the
souls in purgatory —
through the intercession
of Mary our Mother and St. Joseph.
We pray for the priests, the Church
and the world —
We live a life of greater unity in Him
CONCLUSION
We give ourselves more deeply united
in the Mass
We live the same vision as
members of the Shepherds of Christ
We have the same mission
We are constantly being renewed
more and more in living the
consecrated life in Him
We live deeply the Word in our hearts —
Our mission spreading the Daily Writing,
Fr. Joe's homilies
all Priestly Newsletters and
Fr. Carter's Books —
Fr. Pasquini's Books
We spread the Priestly Newsletter and prayer chapters,
— pray deeply
— Books on the Eucharist
— Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
to the world
— The rosary - books
We live to pray for the priests, the
Church and the world and help get
souls to get to heaven
We spread the Morning Offering —
Mass Book, Medicine of Immortality, etc.
We live to have this Movement
Shepherds of Christ more deeply unite
the world in deep oneness
in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Having the Priestly Newsletter strengthen the
priests and hierarchy spiritually,
lift them up and send our
love
Having a network of prayer
chapters around the world
Spreading the Rosary as Mary
said at Fatima
Spreading the Consecration to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
We want a deep intimate relationship
with Jesus for everybody in
the world —
a mystical marriage
Love of the Sacred Heart
Love of the Immaculate Heart
The Holy Spirit filling the world with
the fire of God's love
JOY, PEACE —
UNITY, LOVE
ONE, HOLY, CATHOLIC
AND APOSTOLIC
Growth in the servants and
handmaids and apostles
because of joy and love —
unity and
committedness to the mission
obedience, chastity
Seeing the vision Jesus gave to
me, Rita Ring and Fr. Carter
To follow Jesus
From the Shepherds of Christ
Prayer Manual
10. Prayer for Priests. "Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the Flock, we pray that in the great love and mercy of Your Sacred Heart You attend to all the needs of Your priest-shepherds throughout the world. We ask that You draw back to Your Heart all those priests who have seriously strayed from Your path, that You rekindle the desire for holiness in the hearts of those priests who have become lukewarm, and that You continue to give Your fervent priests the desire for the highest holiness. United with Your Heart and Mary's Heart, we ask that You take this petition to Your heavenly Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen"
11. Prayer for all members of the Shepherds of Christ Associates. "Dear Jesus, we ask Your special blessings on all members of Shepherds of Christ Associates. Continue to enlighten them regarding the very special privilege and responsibility you have given them as members of Your movement, Shepherds of Christ Associates. Draw them ever closer to Your Heart and to Your Mother's Heart. Allow them to more and more realize the great and special love of Your Hearts for each of them as unique individuals. Give them the grace to respond to Your love and Mary's love with an increased love of their own. As they dwell in Your Heart and Mary's Heart, abundantly care for all their needs and those of their loved ones. We make our prayer through You to the Father, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary our Mother at our side. Amen"
12. Prayer for the spiritual and financial success of the priestly newsletter. "Father, we ask Your special blessings upon the priestly newsletter, Shepherds of Christ. We ask that You open the priest-readers to the graces You wish to give them through this chosen instrument of Your Son. We also ask that You provide for the financial needs of the newsletter and the Shepherds of Christ Associates. We make our prayer through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, with Mary at our side. Amen"
13. Prayer for all members of the human family. "Heavenly Father, we ask Your blessings on all Your children the world over. Attend to all their needs. We ask Your special assistance for all those marginalized people, all those who are so neglected and forgotten. United with our Mother Mary, we make this petition to You through Jesus and in the Holy Spirit."
14. Prayer to St. Michael and our Guardian Angels:
"St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen."
"Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God's love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen."
15. Pause for silent, personal prayer. This should last at least five minutes.
16. Act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
"Lord Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock, I consecrate myself to Your most Sacred Heart. From Your pierced Heart the Church was born, the Church You have called me, as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, to serve in a most special way. You reveal Your Heart as a symbol of Your love in all its aspects, including Your most special love for me, whom You have chosen as Your companion in this most important work. Help me to always love You in return. Help me to give myself entirely to You. Help me always to pour out my life in love of God and neighbor! Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in You!
"Dear Blessed Virgin Mary, I consecrate myself to your maternal and Immaculate Heart, this Heart which is symbol of your life of love. You are the Mother of my Savior. You are also my Mother. You love me with a most special love as a member of Shepherds of Christ Associates, a movement created by your Son as a powerful instrument for the renewal of the Church and the world. In a return of love, I give myself entirely to your motherly love and protection. You followed Jesus perfectly. You are His first and perfect disciple. Teach me to imitate you in the putting on of Christ. Be my motherly intercessor so that, through your Immaculate Heart, I may be guided to an ever closer union with the pierced Heart of Jesus, Chief Shepherd of the flock."
Give a gift that lasts.
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Call 1-888-211-3041
Shepherds of Christ
We can send Fr. Joe's
homily book to a priest for 75¢.
Can you please help us get
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Please help us with your donation.
Call Shepherds of Christ
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Prayer Cards available
Holy Spirit Prayer Act of Consecration to
Immaculate Heart of MaryAct of Consecration to
Sacred Heart of JesusPrayer for Priests
 |
| Prayer before the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass |
 |
|
Prayer for Union with Jesus |
Available for .25¢ each plus postage
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Prayer Card 4" x 6"
.50¢ each plus postage
size 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
$1.00 plus postage
Statues
Sacred Heart of
Jesus w/glass -
18
Immaculate
Heart
w/glass
- 18
I Heart -
Ivory w/glass -
18
Our Lady of
Grace w/glass -
18
Our Lady of
Lourdes w/glass
- 18
Infant of Prague
w/glass - 24 Sacred Heart of
Jesus w/glass -
24 Sacred Heart
-Blessing
w/glass - 24 Sorrowful Mother
w/glass - 24
I Heart -
Ivory
w/glass - 24
I Heart of
Mary
w/glass - 24
Our Lady of
Lourdes w/glass
- 24
Our Lady of
Grace w/glass -
24
Fatima w/glass -
11
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass - 12 Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass - 15
Fatima w/glass -
18
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass - 27 St. Padre Pio St. Joseph St. Therese
St. Francis St. Anthony St. Claire
Limpias St. Jude Divine Mercy
Holy Family Angel
St. Philomena
Pieta - Marble Pieta - Color
Holy Family
St. Anthony - 18 St. Francis - 18
St. Therese - 18 St. Rita - 18 St. Rita - 12 St. Padre Pio -
12 ivine Mercy -
12 St. Michael - 11
Toll free -
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Holy Family 24"
$180 Limpias 24"
$125 St. Anthony
24"
$125 St. Claire
24"
$125 St. Francis
24"
$125 St. Joseph
24"
$125 St. Jude
24"
$125 St. Padre Pio
24"
$125 St. Therese
24"
$125 22" 22" 20" 16" 18" 18" 18" 18" 18" 12" 12" 8" 11" 12"
Divine Mercy 12" 12"
8" 28" 24"
Immaculate
Heart of Mary
w/glass 24"
Immaculate
Heart - Ivory
w/glass 24"
Infant of
Prague w/glass 24"
Our Lady of
Grace w/glass 24"
Our Lady of
Lourdes w/glass 24"
24"
24"
Sorrowful
Mother w/glass
24"
18" 18" 18" 18" 18" Our Lady of Mt.
Carmel w/glass 12" Fatima w/glass
11" Fatima w/glass
18"
12"
27"
Shepherds
of Christ 1-888-211-3041
Our
Lady-Guadalupe
w/glass - 12
Limpias - 8
Our Lady-Mt.
Carmel w/glass -
18
Our
Lady-Guadalupe
w/glass - 28
Our Lady-Mt.
Carmel w/glass -
24
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass - 18
St. Joseph - 18
St. Clare - 12
Shepherds of
Christ
Ministries
P. O. Box
627
China, IN
47250
Local -
1-812-273-8405
fax -
1-812-273-3182
web:
www.sofc.org
e-mail:
info@sofc.org
Size
Price
Quantity
Divine Mercy
$125
Angel
$100
St. Philomena
$100
St. Philomena
$65
St.
Joseph
$65
St. Francis
$65
St.
Anthony
$65
St. Rita
$65
St. Therese
$65
Pieta - Color
15"
$75
Pieta - Marble
15"
$75
Holy Family
$60
St. Padre Pio -
standing
$40
St.
Padre Pio -
sitting
$50
St.
Michael
$40
St.
Rita
$40
$40
St.
Claire
$40
Limpias
$25
Our
Lady of
Guadalupe
w/glass
$500
Our
Lady of Mt.
Carmel w/glass
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
Sacred Heart of
Jesus w/glass
$500
Sacred Heart
-Blessing
w/glass
$500
$500
Immaculate
Heart of Mary
w/glass
$300
Immaculate
Heart - Ivory
w/glass
$300
Sacred
Heart of Jesus
w/glass
$300
Our
Lady of Lourdes
w/glass
$300
Our
Lady of Grace
w/glass
$300
18"
$300
Our
Lady of
Guadalupe
w/glass
$200
$150
$250
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass
$160
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass
15"
$200
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass
18"
$250
Pilgrim Virgin
w/glass
$450
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P. O. Box 627
China, IN 47250
Fr. Joe's Homily Books
Guiding Light - Cycle A
The Word Alive in Our Hearts$10.00
Guiding Light - Cycle B
Focusing on the Word$10.00
Guiding Light - Cycle C
Feed My Soul$10.00
Fr. Carter's Books
|
Priestly Newsletter Book I
12 Newsletters $12.00 |
17 Newsletters $12.00 |
Priestly Newsletter Book 3
4 Newsletters & Prayers $12.00 |
|
|
Response to God's
Love |
Tell My People |
$10.00 |
|
|
Synopsis of the Spiritual Life
Spirituality Handbook
|
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
Fr. Pasquini's Books
|
Authenticity |
In Imitation of Two Hearts
For those
suffering or |
Light, Happiness and Peace
Journeying through traditional $10.00 |
|
Medicine of Immortality
Prayers and Meditations - will assist the reader in growth toward a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist $10.00 |
Ideal for RCIA, Adult & Youth Bible Study, Homeschooling,
Catholic $10.00 |
Shepherds of Christ Newsletters $36.00 |
DVDs and CDs by Fr. Pasquini
|
Authenticity DVD $10.00 |
Nursing Home Mass DVD $10.00 |
Consolation DVD $10.00 |
|
Medicine of Immortality 2 CDs - $17.00 |
In Imitation of Two Hearts DVD $10.00 |
Consolation CD $8.00 |
|
Nursing Home Mass CD $8.00 |
Holy Spirit Novena DVD
$10.00 |
Divine Mercy Chaplet DVD
$10.00 |
God’s Blue Books
God’s Blue Book 1 –
Teachings to Lift You Up$10.00
God’s Blue Book 4 –
The Love of the Hearts of
Jesus and Mary$5.00
God’s Blue Book 2 –
The Fire of His Love$10.00
God’s Blue Book 5 –
So Deep Is the Love of His Heart$5.00
God’s Blue Book 3 –
Love God, Love One Another
(Fr. Carter's favorite)
$10.00
God’s Blue Book 6 –
He Calls Us to Action$10.00
Rosary Books
Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary$10.00
Rosaries from the
Hearts of Jesus and Mary$12.00
Rosary Meditations for
Parents and Children's$10.00
Mysteries of Light 1
$5.00
Mysteries of Light 2
$5.00
Little People & Elderly Rosary Book
$10.00
Coloring Book
$5.00 each
Coloring Book
$5.00 each
Coloring Book
$5.00 eachColoring Book
$5.00 eachColoring Book
$5.00 each
Coloring Book
$5.00 each
The China Church is over 140 years old
and we pray in there 24 hours a day.
It needs stucco and so does
the community building.
Can you please help us?
Call Shepherds of Christ
1-888-211-3041
Likewise the priest house
is 150 years old.
Jesus told us to repair it
which we have been doing.
We need $13,000.00 for this work.
Crucifix — hand carved by Felix
Available for $750.00
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