"A new year is unfolding—like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within.

Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good—with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others.

As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible—with Your help and guidance."

2012

I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time.

I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months.

All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination.

All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires.

All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have—these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose.

I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."

Courage

What is the true meaning of the Virgin Mary...

Let us understand the fullness of the meaning of virginity. To be virginal is not only to maintain a certain type of bodily integrity, and here is where we can have a more spiritual connection to the Blessed Virgin. Most people in this world are not called to be virginal or celibate, so most people cannot identify with a purely physical virginity, which is too often defined in negative terms: a virgin is someone who does not have sexual intercourse. Spiritually seen, Mary’s virginity (and hence our attempted imitation of it) is an expression of undivided devotion to God, complete availability for the carrying out of his will, a personal consecration to God that excludes everything that is not of Him or not pleasing to Him. We honor Mary as Virgin not only because of the miracle God worked in her, but because she belonged to Him, body and soul, and that is our desire and goal, the Christian raison d’etre as well. “I am the handmaid of the Lord”—this defines Mary as virginal in the spiritual sense.

Finally, let us look to Mary as our Mother. Having arrived at this point, I would hope that we’re done with controversies, but it seems that even this point is argued. Some people—this is incredible but unfortunately true—don’t even want a Mother in Heaven. Why not? I can’t think of a single good reason. (It may be, though, that some people’s earthly mothers have been abusive or overbearing, and hence for them one mother already seems more than enough, but they shouldn’t project those unfortunate experiences all over Heaven; it’s much more rewarding to stick to the reality of God’s gracious gifts.) Certainly no harm can come to anyone from Mary, who has loved and served God all her life and who loves each of us as her own dear children, for whom she desires nothing less than eternal joy in Paradise—only good can come from such love, such fervent and compassionate intercession on our behalf.

Thank you Father Joseph

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

The Most Terrible Poverty Is Lonliness...

"Everywhere there exists loneliness, the same deep need to be loved and cared for. Right in your midst there are those who suffer because they do not feel wanted or loved. They experience the anguish of having no one to call their own. This is real poverty without a doubt. We need to want to be someone for those who need us."

Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Spread Some Love

 Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your... children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor... Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.

~ I Am Mother Theresa ~


Angel Feathers Tickle Me

Just A Tickle

If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful,

 ignoring aches and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring

 people with your troubles,

If you can eat plain food every day

and be grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones

are too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame

 without resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without liquor,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

Then You Are Probably 

The Family Dog!

And you thought I was going to get

 all spiritual didn't you..?

Tickle Tickle

Your Gift...

We bathe your palms
In the showers of wine,
In the crook of the kindling,
In the seven elements,
In the sap of the tree,
In the milk of honey,

We place nine pure, choice gifts
In your clear beloved face:

The gift of form,
The gift of voice,
The gift of fortune,
The gift of goodness,
The gift of eminence,
The gift of charity,
The gift of integrity,
The gift of true nobility,
The gift of apt speech.

May I Love You

With

humbleness,

may I face

everyone

with compassion

With

devotion

to enlightened life

may I abide

in true compassion

So that others

may know

their true Heart,

may I have

the wisdom

and True Knowledge

to bring out the best

in everyone

With

compassion

for this world

with all

and everyone

in it,

may I fight

in every way

for a better world,

for the generations

to come

Accepting

any hardship

for myself,

may I abide

in the Energy

of the Universe,

the source

of wisdom

and compassion

Empowered,

may I have

true compassion

in sharing

the wisdom

of life and death

with others,

by

being present

in meditation,

of any shape

or form

of everyday life

May

this branch

of Love

be

of benefit

May I Love You?

Be A Light In The Darkness

We are holding a light. We are to let it shine! Though it may seem but a twinkling candle in a world of blackness, it is our business to let it shine. Light dispels darkness, and it attracts people in darkness to it.

We are blowing a trumpet. In the din and noise of battle, the noise of our little trumpet may seem to be lost, but we must keep sounding the alarm to those who are in spirtual danger.

Fore we are kindling a fire. In this cold world full of hatred and selfishness, our blaze may seem to be unavailing, but we must keep our fire burning.

A light, a trumpet fire...they seem so little against the darkness of the world. But "with God all things are possible" and he will bless our efforts to bring his love to a weary and strife torn world.

Be a light in the darkness....

Angel Feathers Tickle Me