Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

“May the LORD bless you and keep you; May the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; May the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace”. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Merry Christmas

On the eve of the Feast of the Birthof Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I wish you all a Very Happy Christmas. May your Christmas be filled with many Blessings of the Christ Child.

Eucharistic Adoration

How Many Chapels in Australia?

In Australia we know of 12 parishes that have Eucharistic Adoration available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Western Australia has 4 parishes – Belmont, Mirrabooka, Midland and Bluff Point in Geraldton. Bluff Point started perpetual adoration on July 16, 1988, Mirrabooka – August 15, 1988, Midland in the early 1990’s, and Belmont on April 9, 2002.  Click on this link and find your parish  http://www.perthcatholic.org.au/

Victoria has 4 parishes – East Brunswick, St Francis Melbourne (Monday to Saturday: 6:45 am to 5:30 pm (except during Masses) Sunday: 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm).  St Augustine’s Bourke Street, Melbourne (Friday night vigil), Mitcham, Croydon, Geelong and Warrnambool.  http://www.cam.org.au/

New South Wales has 3 parishes – Wagga Wagga, Belfield and Merrylands. St. Michael’s, Belfield and St. Margaret Mary’s, Merrylands have perpetual adoration in front of the tabernacle. Both these chapels are very popular day and night. Their parish Priests are very committed to the program. http://www.sydney.catholic.org.au/

The country parishes listed above break all the rules. They have an average of a few hundred Sunday Catholics yet they have established perpetual adoration. Almost everyone is prepared to give one hour a week in these parishes. When people learn about the value of prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, they willingly give of their time. To most people the Holy Hour becomes their favourite hour of the week.

Children of Hope Read about Fr Antoine’s mission on teaching children Eucharistic Adoration, http://www.childrenofhope.org/index.html.

Fr Antoine video on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6uZwD30aXI

On suffering

The truth is we are all born the same – rich and poor, whatever country or nation we belong to, each of us have to go through life’s struggles, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, etc. No one escapes it. From the time a baby is born, he/she learns slowly (the hard way) how to sit up, stand on their feet, slowly take one step at a time, how to cry when hungry or in pain, learn how to talk, go through the childhood years of learning, adjusting to adulthood, going out in the world as a mature adult. All this takes time, effort, learning by mistakes. We have to deal with sickness, disease, life’s hurts, somebody deceiving you, there will be painful life situations and we grow with faith through each situation. When we accept suffering and pain in our life and align it with Christ’s suffering on the cross, it becomes redemptive suffering.  We can turn a blind eye to human suffering – whether its poverty, disease, family break up, homelessness, etc., and pretend it doesn’t exist. But it does and each of us can do something about it – however small it is. If you are in pain and anguish right now – go to Jesus, speak to Him in your heart or visit a church.

Amazing Grace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVxzEueJ6A

Amazing Grace Song

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me -
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T’was Grace that taught -
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear -
the hour I first believed.

T’was Grace that taught -
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear -
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares -
we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far -
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me -
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be -
as long as life endures.

 

When we’ve been here ten thousand years -
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise -
then when we’ve first begun.

 

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me -
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

Thank you Jesus.

“Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous — not just to some people in some circumstances — but to everyone all the time.” Thomas J. Watson

“Do it anyway” poem by Mother Theresa

Poem by Mother Theresa – DO IT ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;

Forgive them anyway.

St Therese of the Little Flower

St Therese of the Little Flower, a saint for all young people today.  Read the autobiography of St Therese in The Story of a Soul or check this website http://www.sophiainstitute.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=337.  St Therese had a deep love for God from a very young age and couldn’t compare herself to the great things other saints had done for God, so she asked Him for the grace to do little things every day for the Glory of God. God understands us all totally, He knows our weaknesses, our failings and wants us to have a closer, deeper relationship with Him.  We can offer little things to Him at any moment of the day – little prayers (if we don’t have time) Jesus, Mary and Joseph I love you, save souls, Thank you Jesus, Praise you Jesus, All for Thee Jesus. In times of trouble just saying the name of Jesus will bring comfort and strength. Little acts of love to our family, friends or neighbours, just a few words of comfort can be a life saver for someone else. A prayer I say every day “St Therese in this hour show thy power”.

Examination of Conscience

Examination of Conscience (Making a Good Confession)

EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE—A DAILY DUTY

By Rev. John Corapi, SOLT, STD

http://www.fathercorapi.com/Examination-of-Conscience-Making-a-Good-Confession-W13C85.aspx

XT3 World Youth Day 2011

http://www.xt3.com/index.php