The Declaration of the “YEAR OF FAITH” by Pope Benedict XVI

Year of Faith starts on October 11, 201 and will conclude on November 24, 2013. It marks two very important anniversaries in the Catholic Church: 1st: The 50th Anniversary of the Opening of the “Second Vatican Council (Oct. 11th-1962 to Dec 8th-1965)” and 2nd: The 20th Anniversary of the publication of “The Catechism of the Catholic Church (October 11-1992)” by Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Why does this matter?

Because it is a Fantastic way of knowing what the Catholic Church teaches. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is the explanation of Faith divided into 4 broad sections: what we believe, how we worship, how we live and how we pray.

The Pope urges us to profess, celebrate and be witness to our faith.  He is aware of the fact and instances that the Catholic Church being ridiculed, criticized, persecuted and continually branded as the fake religion by other sectors more than ever.

But how can we profess and defend our faith? How can we celebrate and be witnesses to the truth, beauty and joys of our faith?

Profession of faith by learning the Apostle’s Creed by heart, reading the bible or few paragraphs of the catechism or studying the documents of the Vatican is not enough. We have to go to confession and attend mass and join in the celebration of the Eucharist, and join the church worldwide. We have to live by our faith and be able to share in the evangelization. We must be very proud and brave to show and profess our catholic faith. Evangelization starts in our own home and the family. The parents being able to at least take their kids to the church during the mass even though they still do not understand the full meaning of what and why they have to do such – awaken curiosity and pave the way to discovering by themselves the meaning and significance of the practices.

Let us not just be plain and self-confessed or professed catholic. We must live as “One”. Defend our faith instead of just being passive or mums about certain issues being thrown and accused against the Roman Catholic Church. Defense does not mean by revolt or any form of hostile uprising. We can defend by evangelizing, sharing, commenting on issues, prayer vigils, supporting the causes and programs of the church, helping others, living a Christian life and be example to others.

The Year of Faith is a challenge for us. There are issues now that we can show how we can be united in faith. As our Blessed Pope John Paul II said in his homily during his papal inauguration “Non abbiate paura!” meaning - Do not be afraid.

We are free and we have the right to voice out and stand firm on our faith. We are free and have the right to express our oppositions to issues such as same sex marriages, legalization of abortion, modern and artificial contraception, RH Bill, ordination of women priest and other issues against the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

More than ever, we have the responsibility to guard and defend the church. Spread, evangelize and be living witnesses to our faith. We have the right to vote and choose candidates who will rule our nations. Let us unite in the name of our faith in Christ. Ask His Guidance in choosing the right candidates for good governance. Let us go for religious freedom and stop suppression and persecution of the Catholic Church and the faithful.

Do not be afraid! Open, in deed, open wide the doors to Christ! Open to His saving power! Do not be afraid! Christ knows 'what is inside a person'. Only he knows!

Sources:

http://www.ewtn.com/johnpaul2/index.htm

http://www.facebook.com/YearofFaith.va?fref=ts

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4735903724398&set=a.1925472745380.114043.1498997822&type=1&theater

Paper Cranes

Another Story from my Email

 

There was once this guy who is very much in love with his girl.

This romantic guy folded 1,000 pieces of paper cranes

as a gift to his girl.

His future didn't seem too bright, they were very happy together.

Until one day, his girl told him she was going to Paris
and will never come back. She also told him that

she cannot visualize any future for the both of them,

so they went their own ways there and then...


 

Heartbroken, the guy agreed.

But when he regained his confidence,

he worked hard day and night,

slogging his body and mind

just to make something out of himself.

 

Finally with all the hard work and the help of friends,

this guy had set up his own company ..

You never fail until you stop trying.

One rainy day, while this guy was driving,

he saw an elderly couple sharing an umbrella in the rain
walking to some destination.

Even with the umbrella, they were still drenched.

It didn't take him long to realize

They were his girl's parents.

With a heart in getting back at them

he drove slowly beside the couple,

wanting them to spot him in his luxury sedan.

He wanted them to know that he wasn't the same any more;

he had his own company, car, condo, etc.

He made it! 

 

 

What he saw next confused him,

the couple was walking towards a cemetery,

and so he got out of his car and followed...

and he saw his girl, a photograph of her smiling sweetly

as ever at him from her tombstone

and he saw his paper cranes right beside her...

Her parents saw him.

He asked them why this had happened.

They explained, she did not leave for France at all.

She was ill with cancer.

She had believed that he will make it someday,

but she did not want to be his obstacle...

therefore she had chosen to leave him.
 

Just because someone doesn't love you

the way you want them to,
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
She had wanted her parents to put his paper cranes beside her,
because, if the day comes when fate brings him to her again...

he can take some of those back with him...
  

Once you have loved, you will always love.

For what's in your mind may escape

but what's in your heart will remain forever.
The guy just wept...

The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting
right beside her knowing you can't have her,

see her or be with her ever again.........

hope you understand.
 

 

Find time to realize that there is one person

who means so much to you,

for you might wake up one morning losing that person

who you thought meant nothing to you.

Kindness Pays

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door

to door to pay his way through school, 

found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. 

However, he lost his nerve when 

a lovely young woman opened the door.
Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. 

She thought he looked hungry so brought
him a large glass of milk. 

He drank it slowly, and then asked, 

"How much do I owe you?"
"You don't owe me anything," she replied 

"Mother has taught us never to accept payment for a kindness." 

He said... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt;
stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. 

He had been ready to give up and quit.

 

Years later that young woman became critically ill.
The local doctors were baffled. 

They finally sent her to the big city,
where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. 

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. 

When he heard the name of the town she came from, 

a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the
hospital to her room.
Dressed in his doctor's gown he we nt in to see her.
He recognized her at once. 

He went back to the consultation room
determined to do his best to save her life. 

From that day he gave special attention to the case.

 

After a long struggle, the battle was won. 

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the 

final bill to him for approval. 

He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge 

and the bill was sent to her room.
 

She feared to open it, for she was sure it would
take the rest of her life to pay for it all. 

Finally, she looked, and something caught ;
her attention on the side as She read these words.....

"Paid in full with one glass of milk." 

(Signed) Dr.Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: 

"Thank You, GOD, that Your love has spread abroad 

through human hearts and hands."

NOW YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES.
You can share this page on and spread a positive message 

or ignore i t and pretend it never touched you.

"Steak & Roses"

Someone sent this to me in my e-mail and would like to share this to everyone

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 7 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.

He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

 He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.

Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.  

Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

She saw me watching her and she smiled. "My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know."

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

"My husband passed away eight days ago," I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. "Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together."

She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I
could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

 

 

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. "These are for you," she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. "When you go through the line, they will know these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision. 

 

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed   so clear. I wasn't alone.

Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
(Please read all of this, it is really nice)

This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your friends, including the person that sent it to you.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.

For friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND!

God bless you and yours.

7 - Ups!

7 - Ups!
 

  Wake Up!

Decide to have a good day.

"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalms 118:24

  

Dress Up!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is

an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.

Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:7
 

Shut Up!

Say nice things and learn to listen.

God gave us two ears and one mouth so He must have

meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

"Gossip betrays confidence; avoid men who talk too much." Proverbs 20:19

"Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise."

 Proverbs 19:20

Stand Up!

Stand up for what you believe in.  As the saying goes,

stand for something or you'll fall for anything.

"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good . . ."

Galatians 6:9-10

          Look Up!

Look up to the Lord.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:13

Reach Up!

Reach up for something higher.

Always try to better today than you were yesterday.

"And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye

when you have a log in your own?"
Matthew 7:3

Lift Up!

Lift up your prayers.

"Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything."

Philippians 4:6

Hope these "7-Ups" lift your day!

Be sure to pass them on.

  

"When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him,

He will lift you up and make your life significant!"
James 4:10

Forgive Me When I Whine

Add caption

Today upon a bus I saw a girl with golden hair 

I envied her her loveliness and wished I were as fair. 

And then I saw her struggle up and hobble down the aisle -

She had one leg and a metal crutch
and a dazzling, friendly smile.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine

I have two legs -  THE WORLD IS MINE!
  

And then I stopped to buy some sweets from 

a lad who had such charm, 

I stayed to chat a while - If I were late, what harm?

And when I turned to leave, he said,
 "Thank you; you've been so kind.

It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh God, forgive me when I whine

I have two eyes - THE WORLD IS MINE!

Farther on down the street,
 I saw a child with eyes so blue -

He stood and watched the others play,
 as though puzzled what to do.

I stopped a moment,  said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"

He looked ahead without a word,
and then I knew he could not hear.

Oh God, forgive my words of woe -

I've eyes to see the sunset glow

And ears to hear what others say

And legs to take me on my way.

 Oh God, forgive me when I whine -

How blessed I am - THE WORLD IS MINE!
 

Author Unknown

 

Through the Storm

The Blessings of a Storm

 
I did not know His love before,
The way I know it now.
I could not see my need for Him,
My pride would not allow.
I had it all, without a care,
The "self-sufficient" lie.
My path was smooth, my sea was still,
Not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,
I thought I'd seen His grace,
I thought I did not need to grow,
I thought I'd found my place.
But when the way grew rough and dark,
The storm clouds quickly rolled;
The waves began to rock my ship,
My anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself
Was made of foolish pride.
It fell apart and left me bare,
With nowhere else to hide.
I had no strength or faith to face
The trials that lay ahead,
And so I simply prayed to Him
And bowed my weary head.
 

 
His loving arms enveloped me,
And then He helped me stand.
He said, "You still must face this storm,
But I will hold your hand."
So through the dark and lonely night
He guided me through pain.
I could not see the light of day
Or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,
My faith began to grow.
I could not see it at the time,
But my light began to glow.
I saw God's love in brand new light,
His grace and mercy, too.
For only when all self was gone
Could Jesus' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,
I sometimes wondered, "Why?"
At times I thought, "I can't go on."
I'd hurt and doubt and cry.
But Jesus never left my side,
He guided me each day.
Through pain and strife,
Through fire and flood,
He helped me all the way.
 

 
And now I see as never before
How great His love can be.
How in my weakness He is strong,
How Jesus cares for me!
He worked it all out for my good,
Although the way was rough.
He only sent what I could bear,
And then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"
He made the storm clouds cease.
He opened up the gates of joy
And flooded me with peace.
I see His face now clearer still,
I felt His presence strong.
I found anew His faithfulness,
He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come,
But only for my good,
For pain and tears have helped me grow
As naught else ever could.
I still have so much more to learn
As Jesus works in me;
If in the storm I'll love Him more,
That's where I want to be.

Written By:
Wendy Greiner Lefko
© 1996
Visit the author's web site here.

My Ten Angels

My Ten Angels
 
 Ten angels walk beside me, each and every day.
Ten angels help to guide me, to give comfort and protect.
They have been my companions since I was very young.

Now you ask me, "Why ten?
 Do you think you are special?
Why not one, or two, or three?
Why ten?
 Surely you don't need so many."

Well, each and every angel has a special job to do.
Yes, it seems that even angels specialize.

All of us know Faith,  Hope  and Charity. They are wonderful angels, and all so overworked!

But there are seven more you see,
and each and every one gives comfort and protects.

The fourth angel is the angel I call  Tolerance,  whom I fear we do not use enough, for if we did there would not be any bigotry or hate.

The next angel is the one I call  Forgiveness, who is under utilized as well.  Who among us could not do with more Forgiveness in our hearts.

Then we have the angel I call Beauty.  We all see so much ugliness in life. I don't know a single soul who couldn't do with more Beauty in their life.

The next two angels are the twins I call Joy and Happiness. They are the most often seen walking hand in hand.

My favorite angel is the one I call Friend. This little angel is the one who can bring real riches to our lives.  I have often heard her saying, "To have a friend, one must first be a friend." And do you know, it works !!

And last but in no way least, is the angel I call
 Love.

 Sometimes she seems so shy and it seems like she is sleeping.
But she is always near.
If we would only open up our hearts
and just see her standing there.

For if we did, then all the other Angels would be easier to see.

It is my belief that we all have Ten Angels walking beside us.
They are sent from God , to see us through,
to guide, comfort and protect us
until the day we join Him
in the place we call Heaven.


Written By:
  Diana Thompson
©1997

Visit the Author's Web Site


Take time to notice
the angels around you!

Pass this on to a friend.
We all need to know our angels!

THAT'S GOD!

Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden
you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for?

THAT'S GOD!

He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.




Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems
to be around for you to talk to?

THAT'S GOD!

He wants you to talk to Him.




Have you ever been thinking about someone that you
haven't seen in a long time and then, the next thing
you know, you see them or receive a phone call from them?

THAT'S GOD!

There is no such thing as "coincidence."



Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't
even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously
been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had
just seen something you wanted but couldn't afford?

THAT'S GOD!

He knows the desires of your heart.



Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue
how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it?

THAT'S GOD!

He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day.


 

In all we do, if we remember to give total thanks to God,
our blessings will continue to be multiplied...

And I count you among my greatest blessings!

Thinking of you and
hope it brightens your day!

And I will send showers, showers of blessings,
which will come just when they are needed.
  Ezekiel 34:26 (NLT)