Behind-the-Scenes: To Be Born (Day 2: Baptism, Letter)

This is Day 2 of Behind=the-Scenes footage from the powerful and important film, "To Be Born." I love "Behind-the-Scenes" footage like this where you can see incredibly talented people making an outstanding film, but I'm having a tough time telling what is going to happen in the story. I cannot wait to see this movie! I hope everyone will support the film and the creative geniuses at Spirit Juice Studios!!!

Mother Thecla Merlo, Co-Foundress of the Daughters of St. Paul

Mother Thecla Merlo, Co-foundress of the Daughters of St. Paul - the "Media Nuns" who are finalists for their site "Ask a Catholic Nun!" as best Catholic Facebook Page! Don't forget to vote if you haven't already today by following this link. You can vote once a day every day from now through Mach 8th (Mardi Gras)!

http://catholicism.about.com/od/thechurchintheworld/ss/2011-About-Com-Catholicism-Readers-Choice-Awards-Finalists_11.htm

Mother Thecla Merlo, Co-Foundress of the Daughters of St. Paul

Mother Thecla Merlo, Co-foundress of the Daughters of St. Paul - the "Media Nuns" who are finalists for their site "Ask a Catholic Nun!" as best Catholic Facebook Page! Don't forget to vote if you haven't already today by following this link. You can vote once a day every day from now through Mach 8th (Mardi Gras)!

http://catholicism.about.com/od/thechurchintheworld/ss/2011-About-Com-Catholicism-Readers-Choice-Awards-Finalists_11.htm

St. Paul Thought of the Day

Discipleship

"Be imitators of me, just as I imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1)

Morning Prayers (from The Pauline Cooperator's Daily Companion)

Morning Prayers

Jesus Master, Way, and Truth, and Life:

have mercy on us.

Queen of the Apostles: pray for us.

Saint Paul the Apostle: pray for us.

From all sin: deliver us, O Lord.

Morning Offering

Divine Heart of Jesus,

I offer you,

through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Mother of the Church,

in union with the Eucharistic sacrifice,

my prayers, actions,

joys, and sufferings of this day,

in reparation for sins

and for the salvation of all men and women,

according to the special intentions

of the Superior General,

in the grace of the Holy Spirit,

for the glory of the heavenly Father.

I adore you, my God,

and I love you with all my heart.

I thank you for having created me,

made me a Christian,

kept me this night,

and led me into the Pauline Family.

I offer you my actions of this day.

Grant that they all may be according

to your holy will and for your greater glory.

Keep me from sin and all evil.

May your grace be with me always

and with all my dear ones.

Amen.

Evening Prayer (From the Pauline Cooperator's Daily Companion)

Evening Prayer (from The Pauline Cooperator's Daily Companion)

I adore you, my God,
and I love you with all my heart.
I thank you for having created me,
made me a Christian,
and kept me this day.
Forgive me my failings and sins
and accept whatever good I may have done.
Take care of me while I sleep
and deliver me from all danger.
May your grace be always with me
and with all my dear ones. Amen.

(Pray the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory to the Father, and Angel of God.
Make an examination of conscience on the day,
and pray the Act of Contrition.)

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in the hour of my death.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, when I die may I rest in peace with you.
Amen.

Behind-the-Scenes: To Be Born (Day 1: Beach, Park, Zoo)

Vote for "Ask a Catholic Nun!" best Catholic Facebook Page 2011

Many of you know I am a Pauline Cooperator - a Third Order member of the Pauline Family - which includes the Daughters of St. Paul, my awesome Sisters that I'm always bragging about. Their Facebook Page "Ask a Catholic Nun!" is a finalist in the Catholic Reader's Choice Awards for best Catholic Facebook Page.

Please follow this link and vote for "Ask a Catholic Nun!" in Category 10 as the best Catholic Facebook Page of 2011!

Click HERE to vote!

One of my favorite prayers by Blessed James Alberione

To St. Paul the Apostle, by Blessed James Alberione

O holy Apostle who, with your doctrine and with your charity, has taught the entire world, look kindly upon us your children and disciples.
We expect everything from your prayers to the Divine Master and to Mary, Queen of the Apostles.
Grant, O Doctor of the Gentiles, that we live in faith, that we save ourselves through hope, and that charity alone reign in us. Obtain for us, O Vessel of election, docile correspondence to divine grace, so that it may not remain unfruitful in us. Grant that we may better know you, love you, and imitate you, that we may be living members of the Church, the mystical body of Jesus Christ.
Raise up many and holy apostles. Breathe over the world the warm breath of true charity. Grant that all men may know and glorify God and the Divine Master, the Way, Truth, and Life.
And You, Lord Jesus, know that we do not have any faith in our own strength; in Your mercy, then, grant that we may be defended against all adversity through the powerful intercession of St. Paul, our teacher and father.
Amen

Alberione Trivial Pusuit #3 (Click on Link for Answer and Story)

Blessed James Alberione and his mother, Teresa, venerated which Marian Shrine frequently?

A. Shrine of the Madonna of the Flowers (Santuario della Madonna dei Fiori)

B. Shrine of Our Lady of Mt. Berico (Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico)


C. Sanctuary of Caravaggio (Santuario di Caravaggio)


D. Shrine of The Madonna of the White Stone (Santuario di Madonna Pietralba) 


E. Shrine of Our Lady of Oropa-The Black Madonna (Santuario di Oropa)


F. Shrine of the Madonna of Consolation (Santuario Basilica la Consolata) 


G. Our Lady of Montallegro (Santuario di Nostra Signora di Montallegro)


From James Alberione: Apostle For Our Times, by Luigi Rolfo, SSP

"From her childhood, she (Teresa) had venerated the Shrine of the Madonna of the Flowers at Bra. How often has she longed to take James there and thus more efficaciously put him into the hands of the Mother of Mercy, but it had always been too far away.

When the family moved to the area of Cherasco, she was able to take him to the shrine and often did. At least on feast days, she could go to the venerated shrine and still get home in time to care for her household chores. There at Bra, James spoke his first words and had fixed in his memory his very first impression of the world and of the persons who surrounded him.

Taking him inside the church, she showed him the tabernacle and told him of Jesus ever present there. She taught him not to talk or move about too much in church out of respect for His presence. She most certainly taught him how to invoke the Blessed Mother with complete confidence in all his difficulties. She told him in detail the story of the wild prunes which blossom every year at the shrine on December 29 under the snow as a perennial reminder of the extraordinary protection which the Madonna of the Flowers, during a winter in the distant past, extended to a village girl pursued by two French soldiers intent upon doing her harm.

In time young James would often go unescorted to the shrine where he spent more hours before the tabernacle than all the members of his family put together."

Answer: A. Shrine of the Madonna of the Flowers (Santuario della Madonna dei Fiori)

Alberione Trivial Pursuit #2

Where was Blessed James Alberione born?

A. Alba

B. Bra

C. Cherasco

D. Rome

E. San Lorenzo di Fossano

From James Alberione: Apostle For Our Times, by Luigi Rolfo, SSP

"Michael Alberione worked on (but did not own) a plot of land in an area known as San Lorenzo di Fossano. The family had arrived there a few years earlier and were already thinking of leaving the place, a sign that it had offered them little or not satisfaction. Michael wanted to round out his income from the produce of the land by building up a modest cattle trade. He never had enough to get started and as a result his dream of working and owning a smaller piece of land all his own was never realized.

Their moving to Cherasco would take them closer to their immediate families and most of their distant relatives. Not only had Michael and Teresa both been born in Bra, very near Cherasco, but above all, Bra was the land of all of Michael's ancestors, the original family name being Albrione."

Answer: E. San Lorenzo di Fossano

Alberione Trivial Pursuit #1

What were Blessed James Alberione's parents' names?

A. Stephen and Gloria

B. Lawrence and Sophia

C. Michael and Teresa

D. Joseph and Anna

E. Paul and Rosa

Answer (From James Alberione: Apostle For Our Times, by Luigi Rolfo, SSP)

"James Alberione was born at 10 a.m., April 4, 1884. He was the fifth son of Michael and Teresa. Michael and Teresa conformed with the best traditions of their environment. The first-born (surviving) son was named Juvenal, after his paternal grandfather. The name was very common in the family, so much so that all the first-born male cousins were known in the area as "the juveniles." The second-born son was named John Ludovico after his mother's father. The others that followed took the name of the godfather or godmother. When Father Alberione was born, the parents decided to name him James after Michael's brother whom they had asked to be his godfather.

The new-born James was not only small, but also very thin - so much so that his parents feared for his life. Michael, having often heard the pastor reminding parents of the grave responsibility they had to baptize their children as soon as possible (because some babies died without the sacrament through the negligence of the parents), decided to have little James baptized immediately."

The answer is C. Michael and Teresa

Thursday, October 7, 2010

1 Thessalonians 2:8

8

With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us.

What strikes me most today

St. Paul and all the subsequent missionaries - who risked their lives to make Jesus and His Gospel known to the world. If I love Christ as much as I say I do, shouldn't I be that willing to evangelize the world. I surely shouldn't hesitate due to fear of what others would think when so many missionaries suffered torture and death for standing up for Christ and the Gospel. I have a lot of work to live up to being the type of Christian I want to think I am!

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Colossians 4:17-18

17

"See that you fulfill the ministry that you received in the Lord."

18

The greeting is in my own hand, Paul's. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

What strikes me most today

This is the very end of St. Paul's Letter to the Colossians. What struck me first was the quote about being sure to fulfill the ministry received from the Lord. I am always wondering if I am doing God's will, living my life how He wants me to, and fulfilling the ministry of evangelization and living the Gospel that we are called to through our Baptism. I sometimes wish I would receive more explicit instructions for the right decisions to make on a daily basis - but I guess that could interfere with free will. In becoming more like Christ and trying to think in a WWJD way, we are becoming more like Christ, more fulfilled, and more free.

While thinking of this, St. Paul throws us the left hook of "Remember my chains," realizing that the right decisions are not always going to be the easy ones. How can we do this? "GRACE!" So he finishes with "Grace be with you."

It just amazes me that such perfect writings by St. Paul were written nearly 2000 years ago and are just as true today as they ever were.

What strikes you most today? Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Colossians 4:2

2

Persevere in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

What strikes me most today

Today's passage made me realize that most of my prayers are prayers of petition - I'm asking for something. I try to remember to pray a prayer of thanksgiving - when I get what I want. But I really should be praying prayers of thanksgiving the most. I have the life that God gave me and the lives God gave my family and friends. He certainly didn't have to create us or the world we live in - but He did. And because He gave us life, we will live for all eternity. Maybe I'll be more likely to spend that eternity in Heaven if I'm a little more grateful and spend more time thanking God for this life and all that's in it.

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" below to share your thoughts.

Monday, September 7, 2010

Colossians 2:6-7

6

So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,

7

rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

What strikes me most today

"abounding in thanksgiving." So my oldest son told us he would be unable to come home for Labor Day weekend, but my daughter surprised us by driving to Columbia, MO by herself and bringing him home - I'm glad I didn't know she was doing this until she was back home safely!

It was awesome having him home for the weekend, but today I had to say goodbye again. He drove there, and my 15 year old drove home (he has his permit.)

I was feeling a little sorry for myself that my kids are getting older, and therefore I am getting older. Then I realized I really should be thankful. Kids are meant to grow up, and so are we. Then I started thinking about all I had to be thankful for, starting with the gift of life itself God gave me and my family - we certainly did nothing to deserve it, but how awesome that God has given us life!

I need to focus on the blessings in my life; just meditating on those as my son drove me home from Mizzou made me much less anxious about all the details of my life - even his driving!

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Colossians 2:1-3

1

all who have not seen me face to face,

2

that their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ,

3

in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

What strikes me most today

the idea that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are in the person of Jesus Christ. Our faith is not just a set of beliefs --> it is the Truth of the person Jesus Christ, Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. His bride is the Church He founded when He handed the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Paul. And here in today's reading we have St. Paul passing on this Truth to us.

Awesome!

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Colossians 1:15-17

15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

16

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him.

17

He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

What strikes me most today

OK, first, just reading the word firstborn, I have to admit I thought of my firstborn who is now away at college. Today's picture is my youngest daughter with him. She misses him terribly. She was so excited this morning when she received an e-mail from him, telling her how much he missed her.

I also thought of my college son in the rest of the reading today. God is our Creator - he made the world where kids are attending college just as He made the world we raised our children in and continue to live in. That realization is such a comfort to a parent - God made the part of the world my son is in now, and God is just as present to my son there as He was here at home.

What an awesome God!

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Colossians 1:9-12

9

we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding

10

to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God,

11

strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy

12

giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light.

What strikes me most today

OK, so maybe everything I am reading now makes me thinking of my son moving away to college. But if you reread the lines above, I really think it fits. My son is a young man. He's ready to move into a dorm, make decisions and choices (all right choices, I'm hoping, even though all the choices I made certainly weren't perfect!) So what is there left for me to do? First --> pray for him. Second --> be ready to give him good advice based on mistakes I've made and learned from. Thirdly --> try to be ready with financial support as needed. (I wonder if his order of these 3 would be the same as mine?)

As St. Paul says to the Colossians, our family says to our son, "We do not cease praying for you..."

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Philippians 4:4-5

4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!

5

Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near.

What strikes me most today

Jeff Jr is packing up for college. Elizabeth is next - about to start her senior year and looking at colleges.

As we pack Jeff up, we come across so many old memories and photos. The photo above is our two oldest after they snuck into a bag of M&M's (which are supposed to only melt in your mouth, not in your hands or around your mouth!). We didn't find out until we wondered why they went to brush their teeth on their own without being asked.

They had had their own little party. I remember this evening well - they were so happy, just rejoicing in the chocolate stash they had discovered. And it was good to see them happy and rejoicing. They were and are the kindest children (OK, young man and young woman) you could hope to meet. And they were loving the present moment and enjoying their lives - the lives that are God's greatest gift to them. God wants us to be happy in this world and the next. And that is precisely my prayer for them. Happiness now and in Eternity - for all of us! Rejoice! The Lord is near!

What strikes you most today?

Click on "COMMENTS" to share your thoughts.