I worry more and more about the road our country has chosen.  I am grateful for one thing, Hillary was not elected.

I wish our Secretary of State would have enough respect for other people’s beliefs and traditions to at least try to understand them.  Why bother visiting a place and not know the history of it?

I was sent this story and had to pass it on.

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton / Our Lady of Guadalupe

Mexico City, Mexico, Mar 27, 2009 / 04:59 pm (CNA).- During her recent visit to Mexico, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unexpected stop at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe and left a bouquet of white flowers “on behalf of the American people,” after asking who painted the famous image.

The image of Our Lady of Guadalupe was miraculously imprinted by Mary on the tilma, or cloak, of St. Juan Diego in 1531. The image has numerous unexplainable phenomena, such as the appearance on Mary’s eyes of those present in the room when the tilma was opened and the image’s lack of decay.

Mrs. Clinton was received on Thursday at 8:15 a.m. by the rector of the Basilica, Msgr. Diego Monroy.

Msgr. Monroy took Mrs. Clinton to the famous image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which had been previously lowered from its usual altar for the occasion.

After observing it for a while, Mrs. Clinton asked “who painted it?” to which Msgr. Monroy responded “God!”

Clinton then told Msgr. Monroy that she had previously visited the old Basilica in 1979, when the new one was still under construction.

After placing a bouquet of white flowers by the image, Mrs. Clinton went to the quemador –the open air area at the Basilica where the faithful light candles- and lit a green candle.

Leaving the basilica half an hour later, Mrs. Clinton told some of the Mexicans gathered outside to greet her, “you have a marvelous virgin!”

This evening Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to receive the highest award given by Planned Parenthood Federation of America — the Margaret Sanger Award, named for the organization’s founder, a noted eugenicist. The award will be presented at a gala event in Houston, Texas.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15511

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We need to pray hard and make our voices heard.

Below is a prayer asking St Joseph’s for guidance and intercession.

I also found a website dedicated to St. Joseph which is full of information.  http://www.bulin.com/stjoe/

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This chaplet is said on rosary beads.
Begin on the crucifix (or medal of St. Joseph)

Blessed Joseph, husband of Mary,
be with us this day.
You protected and cherished the Virgin;
loving the Child Jesus as your son,
you rescued Him from danger of death.
Defend the Church, the household of God,
purchased by the blood of Christ.
Guardian of the Holy Family, be with us in our trials.
May your prayers obtain for us the strength to flee from error
and wrestle with the powers of corruption
so that in life we may grow in holiness and in death rejoice in the crown of victory.
Amen.

On each of the large beads say:
St. Joseph guardian of the Holy Family, bless our families.

On each of the small beads say:
St. Joseph pray for us.

To conclude the chaplet:
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
I give You my heart and my soul.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
assist me now and in my last agony.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
may I breathe forth my soul in peace with You.

“Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me, Christ at my right, Christ at my left, Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.

St Patrick of Ireland”

My Daily Catholic Bible RSV – Our Sunday Visitor

Our Lady of Lourdes – February 11

Our Lady, Mary the Mother of God, appeared near Lourdes in southern France in the year 1858.  She came to a young peasant girl named Bernadette Soubirous 18 times.  During these visits St. Bernadette prayed her Rosary with Our Lady and listened to what She had to say.  Mary revealed herself as the Immaculate Conception and asked Bernadette to pray for the conversion of sinners.  When she asked Bernadette to dig a fountain in dry dirt, a spring began to flow.  The water, that still flows from this spot, has shown remarkable healing power to this day.  Over the years over 5,000 cures have taken place.  Sixty-five of these have been designated Miracles.

As a family, pray a Rosary for the conversion of sinners on February 11.

Read more about Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette Soubirous at the following sites.

http://www.catholic.org/clife/mary/

http://www.catholictradition.org/Mary/lourdes.htm#LOURDES

Volunteering at Cub Scout Day Camp.  Getting ready and then thinking about one son at Boy Scout Camp in Wisconsin.  One son helping Grandpa with yard work.  Helping my Mom at the store.  Tutoring my niece for the ACT.  Soccer Camps starting up. Math and Reading with the boys.  Merit Badge work.  Cooking.  Cleaning.  More Cooking. More Cleaning.

“She (St. Therese the Little Flower) teaches us that God is everywhere – in every situation and person – and in the ordinary, simple details of life. ‘Everything is grace’ is probably the theme song of her spirituality. Her ‘Little Way’ teaches us to do the ordinary things of life with extraordinary love. A smile, a note of encouragement, a phone call, suffering in silence, always having a positive word, a simple unnoticed task to brighten the life of another, and so many other simple deeds, done with love – these are the examples of her spirituality. The smallest action, done with love, is more important than great deeds done for personal glory, gratification or simply out of obedience.”

I’ve been thinking about St Therese “the little flower” during the busy times. I do believe what she teaches but it’s so hard to live.  I shouldn’t resent housework but sometimes it’s hard to smile while I clean up, yet again. I love my family but the cooking and cleaning I could do without.  I have to learn to do it with a loving heart.  I have noticed when I do, it is easier and everyone around me stays happy.

“She took seriously Jesus’ request that we not use lots of words, but rather pray to God our Father in simple, hidden and honest ways.”  I should follow her advice and ask God to help put love into all I do.

All quotes today come from a great site.  www.littleflower.org  It tells all about her life and her way.  If you have a chance visit the site.  Better yet, visit the National Shrine in Illinois.  It’s wonderful.

“Prayer is in all things, in all gestures.” Mother Terersa

“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.” Jesus, Matthew 25:40

These quotes came from Mother Teresa, No Greater Love. I think they are perfect reminders for any mother. I spend my day caring for others. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and resentful of my lack of ‘me time’ as the world says. Since I’ve started the day with prayer, my days do seem easier. Daily, I have to remind myself that all I do, can be offered to God. Every meal I cook, bathroom I clean, question I answer, argument I resolve, bored child I occupy, hug I give. I will keep these quotes in my thoughts as we go through our day.

Today I will try to remember I am lucky to be able to:

Feed the Hungry, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Clothe the Naked, Instruct the Ignorant, Council the Doubtful, Admonish the Sinners, Bear Wrongs Patiently, Forgive Offenses Willingly, Comfort the Afflicted, Pray for the Living and the Dead

St Theresa of Lisieux                        Mother Theresa