"What toil we must endure, what fatigue, while we are attempting to climb hills and the summits of mountains! What, that we may ascend to heaven! If you consider the promised reward, what you endure is less. Immortality is given to the one who perseveres; everlasting life is offered; the Lord promises His Kingdom." - St. Cyprian of Carthage
Statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel located on the main altar of Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel, Haifa, Israel (photo by Fallaner - CC BY-SA 4.0)On the evening of February 14, 1876 in Pellevoisin, France, a young woman named Estelle Faguette lay dying of pulmonary tuberculosis. In mortal agony, and with just hours to live, Estelle begged God for the strength to accept death. Suddenly at the foot of her bed, the devil appeared and what happened next became one of the most remarkable interventions of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on record.
Don't you just love those prayer apps? Having a smartphone is like having a Bible, the Catechism, and your favorite prayer book in your pocket at all times. But there’s a downside. When you’re steeped in iBreviary and that notice flashes across the screen telling you “Amelia just responded to your Facebook post,” whether you tap on it or not, your smartphone just became a distraction.
“…one soldier thrust his lance into his [Jesus’] side, and immediately blood and water flowed out” (Jn 19:33)
"Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." John 20:25
We all grapple with spiritual discernment - how to tell if an inspiration is coming from God, ourselves, or the devil. But the spiritual masters claim it's not as difficult as it sounds. In fact, it all comes down to learning how to decipher a few telltale footprints.
By Maria V. GallagherWhen summer rolls around, I am reminded of a weekend a number of years ago, when I had difficulty reaching my then seven-year-old daughter on the phone at her father’s apartment. It seemed they had both disappeared.
Fr. Michael Russo & the Young Women of Grace graduatesBrenda Dooley, our indefatigable Regional Coordinator in Louisiana, spearheaded the program for the parish. She served under the guidance and direction of Father Michael Russo, pastor, and Stephanie Supple, the parish administrator. Four women from the school, all of whom facilitated Women of Grace studies in the past at the parish, generously volunteered to facilitate the girl's study. It was coordinated throughout the 2017-2018 school year and culminated with a graduation event and reception on May 18, 2018.
A prayer by Ellen Mongan
Jesus, I offer You myself today, in my nothingness. As I begin a new day, let me live in You, for You and through You. I come as a beggar asking You Jesus, to use me as a vessel of Your love. I seek You alone…Please fill me with Your unending love, so I can pour it out on everyone I meet. If You do not fill me, I will have nothing to give them.
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