May 13, 2017 marked the
100th anniversary of
Our Lady''s appearances to the children
in the tiny village of Fatima, Portugal
In her apparitions she appeals
to all of us to pray the rosary every
day for peace in the whole world. 

  San Luis
  First Saturday
  at 10:00 with the
  Guadalupanas

  Holy Cross
  The Chaplet of  
  Divine Mercy is
  recited on fridays at
  3:PM.
  The Rosary is
  prayed before mass
  at 9:30 on Sunday
  and Wednesdays at 6:30 pm with the
  Religious Education students and
  catechists downstairs at the Activity
  Center.

 

Our health and our lives depend on the sprouting of seeds and water to ensure their growth.  Through the nurturing of seeds, then harvesting and eating of their produce, we receive God’s choicest blessings.  Saving some of the new seeds allows us to continue this miraculous cycle each year. 
Just as seeds cannot grow without water, so the cycle of rain blesses us, and allows the water to be replenished in the ground.  From the beginning, You called us to the honored task of being workers in your garden.  Let us seek God’s guidance in planting seeds of love in our lives that will grow through the years into living words of your Son. 
Let us pray.  Loving God, the Spirit of Life hovered over the waters and began the great work of creation.  Bless the waters of this earth.  Let them fall again from the sky at the proper times so that our gardens and fields may yield abundantly, and all growing things may thrive.  Bless also the seed, pregnant with life.   Let them show us the Easter mystery of new life coming from death and burial.  May they burst forth soon with verdant growth from earth, rain, and sun.  Through the rain and these seeds, bring us to a new awareness of your presence in and around us, as we joyfully live in the knowledge of eternal resurrection.  We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Saint Philip, the Apostle (1st Century)

Saint Philip was born in Bethsaida in Galilee, the hometown of Peter and Andrew. A disciple of John the Baptist, Philip was a quiet and humble man. He may have been with John the Baptist when John called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

Jesus called Philip to follow him right after he called the two sets of brothers, Peter and Andrew and James and John. Philip did not hesitate to join Jesus. In fact, Philip urged his friend Nathaniel to join him in following Jesus. Nathaniel is thought to be the same man who is usually called Bartholomew when the Twelve Apostles are named. See Matthew 10:2–4.

It took a while for Philip to come to understand who Jesus was. Philip was with Jesus when he fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. When Jesus asked Philip how the large crowd could be fed, Philip was sure that the little food they had would not be enough. Later, Philip was among the disciples who gathered up twelve baskets of leftovers after everyone had eaten. You can read the story in John 6:1–14.

John’s Gospel records another story in which Philip learns more about Jesus. Some people from Greece approached Philip and asked him to help them meet Jesus. Philip and Andrew went to Jesus with this request. Jesus answered by saying that the time for his glory was getting near. This indirect answer to the request of the Greeks is understood as Jesus’ announcement that he had come to save Jews and Gentiles alike. See John 12:20–26.

Philip was also present at the Last Supper. It was Philip who said to Jesus, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus seemed impatient with Philip’s question, but he took the opportunity to teach the Apostles about his relationship with the Father: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father” (see John 14:8–14).

Philip was with the Apostles and other followers of Jesus who were praying together before Pentecost. With the other Apostles, he received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and was empowered to spread the Good News of Jesus’ teaching. (See Acts 1:12–14 and 2:1–4.) Philip preached in Greece, Syria, and Asia Minor. He was crucified in Hieropolis, a city in what is Turkey today. It is said that Philip preached as he hung upside down on his cross. Saint Philip the Apostle is a model for all of us as we strive to spread the Good News of Jesus. His feast day is May 3.

Pope St. John Paul II’s Prayer to Notre-Dame of Paris

Please join us in praying for all those troubled by the devastating fire in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris. We raise our prayers to Our Lady (Notre Dame) for recovery of this treasure of a church that helps us raise our minds and hearts to God.

When Pope John Paul II came to Paris for the first time on May 30, 1980, he read this prayer at the foot of the statue of Notre-Dame de Paris (Our Lady):

Virgin Mary, at the heart of the Cité
We pray to you for this capital city.
You Intact, preserve the purity of its faith!

Virgin Mary, from the banks of the Seine,
We pray to you for the country of France.
O Mother, teach it to hope!

Virgin Mary, in this great Christian site,
We pray to you for all the earth’s people.
You, full of grace, may they be one in Love.

If you wish to make a donation to support the restoration effort of this most visited monument in Europe, you may safely do so through the official site for receiving donations.

Website: www.fondationavenirpatrimoineparis.fr

Saint of the Internet: Isidore of Seville

Saint Isidore of Seville was born in Cartagena, Spain. He had an older brother, Leander, a younger brother, Fulgentius, as well as a sister, Florentina. Leander was quite a bit older than Isidore, so when Isidore went to school, his brother was one of his teachers. Leander was also the Archbishop of Seville. Read more about this sixth-century saint and find activities for all ages, from preschool through middle-school.

When their parents died, Leander took charge of Isidore. He lived in the Archbishop’s residence, where he was surrounded by books and educated guests who participated in discussions around the dinner table.

Isidore was a very intelligent boy, but he didn’t study as hard as Leander thought he should. Leander expected more from him than the other students. Isidore began to feel that he would never be able to meet his brother’s ambitious goals for him.

Then, one day when Isidore was sitting near an old stone well, he noticed that thin wet ropes had worn grooves into the thick stone walls of the well. Isidore realized that it took a long time for this to happen, for the stone was very hard. But little by little, day after day, year after year, the wet ropes had cut into the stone. Isidore learned a very valuable lesson that day. If he kept working at his studies—day after day, year after year, little by little—his small efforts would be successful. And that is exactly what Isidore did.

Isidore became known as the most learned man not only in Spain, but in the western world. He read and gathered the writings of the world’s greatest thinkers. He collected and organized information on every imaginable subject. He wanted to pass on the knowledge he had acquired. His most important and best known work is the Etymologiae, which was like a vast storehouse of all the knowledge known to mankind at the time. It was divided into 20 books and treated a wide variety of subjects—from God, theology, philosophy, and poetry to medicine, law, animals, stones and metal, geography, agriculture, war, ships, houses and clothes, food, tools, and furniture.

Isidore also wrote dictionaries, encyclopedias, books on history, physics, astronomy, theology, grammar, and Christian biography. His history of the world is still consulted as a source on Spanish history. Isidore’s work has been compared to a huge database. And that’s why, in 1999, the Pontifical Council for Social Communications recommended that Isidore of Seville be named the patron saint of the internet, computer designers, programmers, and those who use computers.

After Leander died, Isidore became Archbishop of Seville. During his 36 years as archbishop, Isidore’s influence grew. The Church and his nation had been divided by the Arian heresy, which claimed that Jesus was not truly God, but was created by God. Isidore succeeded in converting the Arians to genuine Catholic faith. He worked to establish a seminary in every diocese in Spain. He set up a model of representative government for the Church in Spain, with synods made up of groups of bishops to advise him on important Church issues. He presided over the Second Council of Seville and the Fourth Council of Toledo.

Because his writings and teachings shaped the spirituality and theology of generations of Christians, Isidore was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Benedict XIV in 1722.

But it was not his wisdom and achievements that made Isidore a saint. His life of teaching and leadership in the Church was rooted in prayer. He used the gifts and opportunities God gave him to benefit others. Isidore was as well known for his generosity toward the poor as he was for his wisdom.

In a general audience on June 18, 2008, Pope Benedict XVI cited Saint Isidore of Seville as an example of a holy person who seeks God in contemplation, prayer, and Sacred Scripture and, at the same time, serves the human community.

SEEDS

Seeds children will share Saint Isidore’s curiosity and quest for knowledge, and often delight in organizing objects. In a large paper grocery bag, place an assortment of objects of various textures, sizes, and colors: for example, a feather, a balloon, a marble, a seashell, a cotton ball, a crayon, a drinking straw, a paintbrush, a pompom, a building block. Invite the children to take turns reaching into the bag and, without peeking, picking up an object. Before pulling their hand from the bag, they should guess what object they are holding.

When all of the objects have been identified, lay them out on the floor or a table. Then help the children organize the objects by asking questions, such as: Which of these things are soft? Put the soft objects in one group. Which of these things are long? Put them in a group. Which are round? Which are the same color? Which are small? If there’s time, you may want to gather all of the items together again and give children a chance to group the objects into another set of categories.

PROMISE

Talk with Promise children about the importance of charity and stewardship. Point out that because Saint Isidore was an important man in the Church in Spain, he probably lived in a very nice home, with nice furniture, books, art, and clothing. But Isidore believed that everything he had was a gift from God and should be used for the good of others. All of his life, Isidore was generous in giving money to the poor. But as he grew older, his charity also grew. In the last months of his life, Isidore gave away so much that his home was filled from morning to evening with people coming to him for help.

Ask the children to close their eyes and picture Isidore’s large house in their minds. Ask: Can you see Archbishop Isidore, an old man now, sitting in the living room? Can you see all of the poor people coming for help? Are people thanking Isidore? Can you see him smiling at the people? Can you see the happy people going back home?

Have the children make a mural. Divide a long piece of roll paper into five sections or use five sheets of poster board. Hang the paper or poster board on the wall or lay it on a long table or on the floor. Have children work in five groups or pairs to produce the mural showing these scenes.

Scene 1: Sunrise, many people traveling toward city
Scene 2: Isidore’s large house
Scene 3: Archbishop Isidore in his living room, with people crowding toward him
Scene 4: Close-up of Isidore talking with the people
Scene 5: Sunset, many people leaving the city carrying food and possessions

GOOD NEWS

Good News children are tackling the scholastic challenges of chapter books, spelling tests, sentence structure, multiplication tables, and long division. Like young Isidore, they may be tempted to skip their homework. And at times, they will be discouraged because even though they study, they don’t always do as well as they had hoped. Have the children make bookmarks for inspiration.

Talk about the lesson Isidore learned by seeing what the wet ropes did to the stone walls of the well. Help the children think of images that illustrate for them the importance of not giving up. It could be a dandelion growing and blooming through the crack in a sidewalk, an ant carrying a cookie crumb, or a climber ascending a mountain. Suggest that they also make a homework resolution or prayer, such as “Keep trying” or “A little better every day” or “Holy Spirit, help me.”

Give each child a 2″ X 8″ piece of cardstock. Ask the children to print their homework resolutions or prayers on their bookmarks in their best lettering. Then they can illustrate their bookmarks with images that will help them to remember not to give up. Encourage each child to keep this bookmark in the textbook for the subject that he or she finds the most challenging.

VENTURE

Venture children will be intrigued by the subject of patron saints. Saints have been named as the patron—one who protects, guides, and helps—of individuals, professions, countries, parishes, schools, and more.Discuss why Saint Isidore has been considered the patron saint of the internet and computer users. Then have children work in small groups to write a short prayer to Saint Isidore of Seville that they can pray before logging onto the internet. They should make enough copies for everyone in their group. Encourage children to tape the prayers to the family computer at home for everyone to pray.

Help the group draw up a list of people, places, or activities that interest them. For example: sports, students, artists, aviators, television, teachers, firefighters, parish priests, children, singers, skiers, the United States, the Americas. Then assign each child one item on the list. The task: to find the patron saint for that person, place, or activity. If the internet is available during class, you may allow children do their research immediately. If not, have them do it at home and report their findings at your next class.

VISIONS

In his Book of Maxims, Saint Isidore wrote: “When we pray, we talk to God; when we read, God talks to us…. Reading the Holy Scriptures confers two benefits. It trains the mind to understand them; it turns man’s attention from the follies of the world and leads him to the love of God.…”

Introduce Visions students to Lectio Divina, which means “holy reading.” This is a way to pray using Scripture that has long been a tradition in the Church. You may want to copy, cut, and paste these four steps into a document that can be copied, one for each student:

Lectio (reading)—Choose a short passage or verse from Scripture. In a comfortable and quiet place, say a prayer. Then open the Bible and find your chosen passage. Read it several times slowly and carefully, see it, but also hear it. Listen to each word and phrase.
Meditatio (meditation or reflection)—Think about what you have read. Let your memories, imagination, and ideas go to work. Ask yourself: What does this passage say about God? What does it mean to me?
Oratio (prayer)—Pay attention to your heart. You may feel like giving thanks or praising God. Ask God for the grace to apply the truth of his Word to your life. You may need to ask God for help in changing your attitude or behavior.
Contemplatio (contemplation)—This is the time to be quiet and listen for God’s response. Forget about words. Just enjoy being with God. Let yourself rest in God’s love and peace.

Image credit: iStock.com/sedmak

"The holy souls are eager for the prayers
of the faithful...Pray unceasingly. 
We must empty purgatory!" 
–St. Padre Pio 

"The prayer most pleasing to God is that
made for others and particularly for the
poor souls. Pray for them, if you want
your prayers to bring high interest."
–Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

"Many stay a long time in purgatory
who, although not great sinners,
have lived tepidly."
–Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

The prayers taught to the children at Fatima are simple in structure and profound in depth. To a world poor and needy in faith and charity, these prayers stress ancient truths of our Holy Catholic Church... especially concerning the Holy Eucharist and Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God.
 

1
"Sweet Heart of Mary, be the salvation of Russa, Spain, Portugal, Europe, (Brazil, Canada, the United States) and the whole world."

2
"By thy pure and Immaculate Conception, O Mary, obtain for me the conversion of Russia, Spain, Portugal, Europe and the whole world"

3 Pardon Prayer
"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee. I ask pardon for all those who do not believe in Thee, do not adore Thee, do not hope in Thee, do not love Thee!"

4 The Angel's Prayer
With the Blessed Sacrament suspended in the air,
the angel at Fatima prostrated himself, and recited the prayer...

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly, and I offer Thee the Most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Son Jesus Christ, present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all thoe sacrileges, outrages and indifferences by which He is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart, and through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg the conversion of poor sinners."

5 Eucharistic Prayer
This prayer stresses that most beautiful truth.. that the all-powerful, all-loving God is upon the altar at every Catholic Mass.

"O Most Holy Trinity, I adore Thee; My God, My God, I love Thee in the Most Blessed Sacrament"

6 Decade Prayer
Our Lady asked that the following prayer be inserted
after each decade of the Rosary

"O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need."

7 Sacrifice Prayer
Our Lady taught the children a prayer to be said when they would have something to offer up to God... such as some suffering,
or an act contrary to what they wanted to do
but which was necessary in order to please God.....

"O My Jesus, it is for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer this sacrifice to Thee."

Sister Lucy of Fatima Speaks on the Rosary...

"The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a
new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there
is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all, spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families, of the families of the world, or of the religious communities, or even of the life
of peoples and nations, that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is
no problem I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve
by the prayer o fthe Holy Rosary. "With the Holy Rosary, we will save ourselves, we will sanctify ourselves, we will console Our Lord and
obtain the salvation of many souls."

BEGIN WITH A DAILY OFFERING

Father, here I am, I know you are always with me.

I place my heart in the Heart of your Son Jesus.
who gives himself to us in the Eucharist each day.
May your Holy Spirit strengthen me to live the Gospel
in everything I do and say.
For my part I give you this day - all my prayers, works,
joys, and sufferings - all I am and possess.
With Mary, Mother of the Church, I pray for the mission of the Church,
for all Apostles of Prayer, and for the intentions of the Pope this month.

OR

O Jesus, through the Immaulate Heart of Mary,
I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day
in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world.
I offer them for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart: the salvation
of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of all Christians. I offer them
for the intentions of our bishops and of all Apostles of Prayer, and in particular for those recommended by our Holy Father this month.

JANUARY
Young People and the Example of Mary
That young people, especially in Latin America, follow the example of Mary and respond to the call of the Lord to communicate the joy of the Gospel to the world.
 
FEBRUARY
Human Trafficking
For a generous welcome of the victims of human trafficking, of enforced prostitution, and of violence.
 
MARCH
Recognition of the Right of Christian Communities
That Christian communities, especially those who are persecuted, feel that they are close to Christ and have their rights respected.
 
APRIL
Doctors and their Collaborators in War Zones
For doctors and their humanitarian collaborators in war zones, who risk their lives to save the lives of others.
 
MAY
The Church in Africa, a Seed of Unity
That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.
 
JUNE
The Mode of Life of Priests
That priests, through the modesty and humility of their lives, commit themselves actively to a solidarity with those who are most poor.
 
JULY
The Integrity of Justice
That those who administer justice may work with integrity, and that the injustice which prevails in the world may not have the last word.
 
AUGUST
Families, Schools of Human Growth
That families, through their life of prayer and love, become ever more clearly "schools of true human growth."
 
SEPTEMBER
The Protection of the Oceans
That politicians, scientists and economists work together to protect the world's seas and oceans.
 
OCTOBER
A Missionary "Spring" in the Church
That the breath of the Holy Spirit engender a new missionary "spring" in the Church.
 
NOVEMBER
Dialogue and Reconciliation in the Near East
That a spirit of dialogue, encounter, and reconciliation emerge in the Near East, where diverse religious communities share their lives together.
 
DECEMBER
The Future of the Very Young
That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering.

 
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May the Creator of all and the head of all our families shower us with blessings. Grant us patience with each other as we go through our days. Help us to bear one another's mistakes, to forgive one another's wrongs, and to be gentle with those who are younger as they learn what it means to be family. Give us the gift of gratitude for our famiies. Help us to apprecieate the unique qualities that each member brings to make our family holy, whole and complete. Let the example of our family shine through so that all people will see your goodness through us. Let us be models of the Holy Family today and always.