Join Me If You Dare

 

  It's hard to miss all the Halloween decorations around my neighborhood. Some people really go all out and transform their entire yards. It is definitely more interesting to go for a walk this time of year. I remember when my kids were younger, they would start talking about Halloween costumes in August. I'm not against Halloween. In fact, my older son makes sure our house screams Halloween come October 31st.  I think Halloween can be fun, but I wonder why people don't spend as much time and energy on the actual feast day--All Saints Day.

 I would love to be in a community where everyone decorated their house to reflect their favorite saint. Could you imagine how much we would all learn from each other? What if we took it a step farther by trying to outdo each other in holiness. What if the city sounded its sirens encouraging everyone to visit their favorite church to celebrate mass? What if All Saints Day wasn't overshadowed by Halloween?

  Perhaps these suggestions sound ridiculous, but I would love to live in that reality. This week I'm going to treat myself to unwrapping a sweet inspiring quote from some of my favorite saints. Dressing up as someone else for a day is fun, but really changing yourself to become a saint is the role of a lifetime. I'm gearing up for the big day. I invite all of you who are brave enough to join me!

-Susan

Planting Seeds

 

  As I mentioned earlier in the month, October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. I would like to suggest thinking of the Rosary from a different point of view. Imagine that each bead of the Rosary represents a seed. While we pray the Rosary and meditate on the mysteries, Mary plants seeds of faith into our souls. These seeds will help us to love Jesus even more. These seeds will open our minds to contemplate the Incarnation, Transfiguration, Eucharist, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Ascension, and Pentecost, to name just a few.

 From heaven, she nourishes these seeds until they blossom into a beautiful garden. If we are open to her graces, this garden will grow larger and larger, season after season, and the harvest will be great. Seeds of faith will grow into large mustard trees where others will find shelter. The fruits of this garden will be nourished by the Holy Spirit, Himself, and include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Jesus often took His disciples to pray in the garden of Gethsemane because that is where they opened their hearts to God the Father.

 I encourage all of you to plant the Rosary deep into your soul. Allow Mary to handpick the seeds that allow the Kingdom to flourish within you and touch all who are near.

-Susan

Who's In Charge?

 

   I was watching my granddaughters one afternoon.  We had been having fun and after lunch I announced, "Okay, you both need to be changed before we go outside."  

  The baby of course had no objections, but my older granddaughter said, "I don't want you to change me."

  "I know, but it's my job to take care of you.  I'll do your sister first and then you're next."  As I left the room my granddaughter said under her breath, "I thought I was in charge."

  As I walked away I couldn't help but laugh inwardly. "Did she really think she was in charge?"  As I thought about this again later another thought came to mind.  I wonder how many times I have said that to God?  How many times has a challenging situation come my way and I have complained, "I don't want things to change.  I like things just the way they are."

  Trusting my heavenly Father should be easy, right?  I know He wants the best for me.  I know His Plan is always good, but let's face it, I sometimes act like a little child and think I'm in charge and know what's best.  When I find myself winning a little too much in my prayer time, I am reminded of the verse from Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways. and my thoughts above your thoughts."

  Perhaps this is the reason I laughed at my granddaughter.  I know all too well that I still have my moments when I act like a silly little girl.  I'm so grateful that my Heavenly Father still gathers me in His arms and whispers, "You can be more than you imagine."

-Susan

Rosary Meditation-Joyful Mysteries

  October 7th is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.  The Church dedicates the whole month of October to the Holy Rosary. There are so many wonderful ways to pray the Rosary.  I know I have my favorites, but I also like to change things up every once in awhile to keep things fresh. I would like to share this video on the Joyful Mysteries that I have created based on the Gospel of Luke. It brings me great joy to help others discover the beauty of the Rosary.  Together let's try to encourage everyone to follow the heart of Mary as she reveals the heart of her son.  The video can also be directly accessed from the side menu for easy access.

-Susan

Home Sweet Home

 

  "Home is where the heart is" is a saying most people are familiar with and would agree is true.  Our homes are the place we feel safe and loved.  It is the place we feel most comfortable.  It is where we gather as a family to share meals, memories, and everyday moments.  You can put a price on how much a house is worth, but your home is priceless.

  I felt very blessed to have been a part of the consecration to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary at my parish this week. There are twelve promises that Jesus desires to share with those who will have a devotion to His Sacred Heart. One of the promises is that "I will bless every dwelling where an image of My heart is both exposed and honored." My heart swelled with love as I brought my blessed image into my home, and my children joined me in praying the consecration prayer.

  My house may appear ordinary from the street, but the inside will enthrone the King of Mercy and Love and His beloved Mother. If "home is where the heart is" then I am blessed beyond measure because Jesus and Mary can call my house their home as well!

-Susan

Hands Up

 I had the opportunity to escape to the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains this past week.  While visiting I attended Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Hands up this was a wonderful experience. 

  As my family and I approached the church, an usher greeted us with a warm hello and asked us if we would like to receive holy water. “Yes!” I replied and held my hands up as he placed a small amount of water in them so I could bless myself with The Sign of the Cross.  As I sat in the pew before Mass began, I was intrigued with a banner of St. Joseph near the altar.  St. Joseph held the child Jesus in one hand and the other hand was stretched out.  

  The deacon gave a very moving homily centered on the need for our hands to be held up in life, so that we may receive the graces God desires to bestow upon us.  Filled with God’s graces we would be equipped to lend a hand to those who needed our help.  If we walked through life with our hands in fists or our arms crossed tightly across our bodies, we would be unprepared to receive God’s graces and the gifts of the Holy Spirit  

  After receiving Communion my eyes were again drawn to the banner of St. Joseph.  St. Joseph held Jesus close to his heart with one hand, and the other hand was open to God’s plan. As I continued to pray I realized that I had just received Jesus in one hand, and I too, must keep my other hand open and available to God.  I felt overwhelmed with God’s Presence. He had inspired me to come and receive Him high up on these mountains.   I was in awe of the beautiful mountains He had created, but I felt more than experiencing the beauty around me; He needed me to hear this important message of love.  

  My stay on this mountain will not be long, but it will be remembered.  Refreshed and strengthened,  I will come down the mountain holding my hands up. In fact, my hands look so much different to me now.  I realize that God will touch my hands with graces.  God allows me the privilege of holding the Body of Christ in them.  Now as I look at my hands, they appear to be stronger and more beautiful than I have ever remembered.  

-Susan

  

Feast of the Nativity of Mary

"We become what we love

and who we love

shapes what we become"

St. Clare of Assisi

  Let us generously love our Heavenly Mother, for she does more for us than we could ever imagine. No soul has ever pleased God more than Mary's. The best present you could give her today is your heart.  Allow Mary to unwrap anything that stands in the way of you loving God, for it is Mary's desire to fill every heart with great love for God.

-Susan