Outside My Window

Outside my window, a new day I see

And only I can determine what kind of day it will be

It can be busy and sunny, laughing and gay

Or boring and cold, unhappy and gray.

My own state of mind is the determining key,

For I am only the person I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do all I can to help

Or be selfish and think just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do and make it seem fun

Or gripe and complain and make it hard on someone

I can be patient with those who may not understand

Or belittle and hurt them as much as I can.

But I have faith in myself and believe what I say

And I personally intend to make the best of each day

~Author unknown~

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A Sparrow's Faith

I'm just a little Sparrow
I have no pedigree

I'm rarely ever noticed
But the Lord is watching me

He gave me a coat of feathers
'tis very plain I know
Without a speck of color
For it wasn't made for show

It keeps me warm in winter,
protects me from the rain
Were it trimmed in gold or silver,
perhaps would make me vain

I have no barn or storehouse
I neither sow nor reap
God gives my daily portion,
with never a seed to keep

There are many other Sparrows
All over the world they're found
And my Father always knows
When one falls to the ground

I'm only one little Sparrow
A bird of low degree
I know my Father's love
Dost thou know His love for thee?

Yolanda Cohen © 2004

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✔️Match-A-Verse | June 2019

This Month's Interactive Game is "Match A Verse"
Can you match the bible verses with where they are in the Bible? (NIV)

http://dailyprayer.us/bible_quiz/bible_mq_2.php

illustrator charles h. twelvetrees

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12 CATHOLIC PRAYERS KIDS SHOULD KNOW

Special thanks to Loyola Press and Catholic.org for freely providing these prayers to the public.

LIST OF PRAYERS

Below is a list of prayers needed for First Communion preparation. Click on a title to jump to the prayer of your choice.

1. Sign of The Cross
2. The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)
3. Hail Mary (Ave Maria)
4. Glory Be to The Father
5. Act of Contrition
6. Prayer to Guardian Angel
7. Morning Prayer
8. Act of Consecration to Mary
9. Grace Before Meals
10. Grace After Meals
11. Prayer to the Holy Spirit
12. Act of Faith, Hope, and Love

1. Sign of The Cross

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Back to List

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2. The Lord’s Prayer (Our Father)

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
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3. Hail Mary (Ave Maria)

Hail Mary, full of Grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

---

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4. Glory Be to The Father

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

---

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5. Act of Contrition

My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong, and failing to do good, I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

---

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6. Prayer to Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear,
to whom God’s love commits me here,
ever this day/night be at my side,
to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.

---

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7. Morning Prayer

God, our Father, I offer you today
all that I think, and do, and say.
I offer it with what was done
on earth by Jesus Christ, your Son.
Amen.

---

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8. Act of Consecration to Mary

O my Queen, O my Mother, I love you and give
myself to you. I give to you this day my eyes,
my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole self.
Since I am yours, keep me and guard me as
your child forever.
Amen.

---

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9. Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts
which we are about to receive from your goodness.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

---

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10. Grace After Meals

We give you thanks
for all your gifts,
almighty God,
living and reigning
now and for ever.
Amen.

---

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11. Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit
you have taught the hearts of your faithful.
In the same Spirit
help us to relish what is right
and always rejoice in your consolation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

---

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12. Act of Faith, Hope, and Love

Jesus, I believe in you.
Jesus, I hope in you.
Jesus, I love you.

12 Free Printable Catholic Prayers Cards from NeatHouseSweetHome

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The Symbols of the Twelve Apostles

The symbols of the 12 apostles are found in our church along the edges of the vaulted ceiling in the narthex. The location of each is given as though entering the narthex from the door leading to the parking lot. The brief statement describing each symbol was written by Mr. Robert Molkenbur.

The emblem for Matthew, the former tax collector, shows three purses recalling his former manner of livelihood. The battle ax by which he was killed is also represented.

Peter's emblem shows two crossed keys, symbolizing the confession of faith upon which the Church is founded: “You are the true Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16). Whoever possess this same faith that Peter voiced so clearly and firmly has the keys to enter into the Kingdom of God. The inverted cross symbolizes how, at his crucifixion, Peter requested that his head might be where his Master’s feet were nailed to the cross.

Andrew brought his brother Peter to Jesus. The fish reveal that he transformed his occupation as fisherman to the larger calling as fisher of men. The cross saltire, now familiarly known as St. Andrew's Cross, is traditionally the form of the cross upon which he was crucified after preaching the gospel in Greece.

James the Less was a brother of Jesus. While one does not hear much about him because of his retiring nature, it is known that he preached around Jerusalem, until he was stoned and his body was sawn asunder, hence the stones and saw upon his emblem.

The basket in Philip’s emblem refers to the feeding of the multitude about which he was much concerned. The Tau cross and the spear indicate the manner in which he surrendered his life for Him Who is the Bread of Life.

The emblem of Thomas includes a carpenter’s square. Tradition recounts how he erected a church in India while carrying on his ministry there. The rocks, arrows, and spear which are also shown tell the story of a painful but brave death.

The Bible and a flaying knife are signs for Bartholomew. He had firm faith in the Word of God, which he preached freely. He met his martyrdom by being flayed alive.

James the Greater walked much in his preaching and teaching. The stalt, evident on his emblem, was used in his pilgrimages. The scallop shell that may be seen was a simple dish with many uses. King Herod had James put to death with a sword, which appears as crossing the staff. James was so active and so courageous that even at his death, his accuser became a Christian.

Simon the Zealot was the inspiring companion of Jude. Both were martyred in Persia on a missionary journey. A relentless fisher of men through the power of the Gospel, Simon is symbolized by a fish on a Bible.

Matthias was chosen by the apostles to take the place of Judas the traitor. Matthias was well-versed in the scriptures, depicted by a Bible in his emblem. After dauntless work as a missionary in Judea, he was beheaded with a scimitar, also shown on the emblem.

Legend has it that an attempt was made on John's life by placing poison in his chalice. Actually, he was the only one of the twelve to attain a ripe old age and die a natural death. He is known as the beloved disciple who was close to Jesus and who cared for Jesus’ mother, Mary.

A ship with a cross on the sails pictures heroic Jude on missionary expeditions accompanied by his friend Simon. Jude is sometimes known as Thadaeus or Lebaeus

Also see this infographics from Catholic-Link.org

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Book Of Love

How many times have you sit all alone

No one to talk to and no one to phone

Lonely and sad, don’t know what to do

Then you see on the table a book

Of love waiting just for you

It is black and gold so very lovely

As precious as it could probably be

It was written especially for you and me

It’s the greatest book ever written

A book filled with love and forgiveness

From the very beginning to the very end

The greatest love story ever written

It’s the Holy Bible that teaches us

How to learn to love and forgive

All our brothers and sisters

Learning the love of our savior

Jesus Christ

©Donna Kramer
Revised 2009

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J.E.S.U.S.

J – is for JESUS the name above all names!
E – is for ETERNAL LIFE after this life - more life remains.
S – is for SAVIOR for all of the world.
U – is for UNITED in Christ, every man, woman, boy and girl.
S – is for SINNERS as we all are and we all must confess.

J-E-S-U-S – the son of GOD who is above all the rest!

AMEN!

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. [John 20:31]

An acrostic poem using the name of Jesus, and filling it in with other names that He is called.

J – Jesus Name Above Every Name
E – Everlasting Father
S – Son of God
U – Undefiled High Priest
S – Savior

J – Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, (Philippians 2:9-11)

E – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

,.

S – The beginning of the gospel and the Son Of GodJesus Christ. (Mark 11)

U – For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens. (Hebrews 7:26)

S – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

click to view as Printable

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When God Created Fathers

This originally appeared in a newspaper column by Erma Bombeck.
She was a well-known humorist and author.
She died April 22, 1996 in San Francisco, California.

When the good Lord was creating Fathers he started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said, “What kind of Father is that? If you’re going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won’t be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping.”

And God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?”

And when God made a Father’s hands, they were large and sinewy. And the angel shook her head sadly and said, “Do you know what you’re doing? Large hands are clumsy. They can’t manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats.”

And God smiled and said, “I know, but they’re large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day…yet small enough to cup a child’s face in his hands.”

And then God moulded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. And the angel nearly had a heart attack. “Boy, this is the end of the week, all right,” she clucked. “Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?”

And God smiled and said, “A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle, and hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus.”

God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had every seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. “That’s not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?”

And God smiled and said, “They’ll work. You’ll see. They’ll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross, or scare off mice at the summer cabin, or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.”

God worked throughout the night, giving the Father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, “Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a Mother?”

The angel shutteth up.

Also See When God Created Mothers

Shared from: https://digilander.libero.it

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This originally appeared in a newspaper column by Erma Bombeck. She was a well-known humorist and author. She died April 22, 1996 in San ...

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Know Your Saints📌Quiz

A Saint is regarded as the heavenly advocate of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family or person.

Saints: Our ‘Good Neighbors’

Quiz Created At Interact - Create Yours Today!

(All references made from "Wikipedia" and "Loyola Kids Book of Saints" by Amy Welborn.)

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Saints Are People Who

1. Saints who help us understand God.

St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Jerome
St. Patrick
St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Edith Stein

2. Saints who love their families.

St. Monica
St. Cyril and St. Methodius
St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Blessed Frédéric Ozanam

3. Saints who see beyond the everyday.

St. Juan Diego
St. Frances of Rome
St. Bernadette Soubirous
Blessed Padre Pio

4. Saints who help the poor and sick.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Vincent de Paul
St. Martin de Porres
Blessed Joseph de Veuster

5. Saints are people who teach us new ways to pray.

St. Benedict
St. Dominic de Guzman
St. Teresa of Ávila
St. Louis de Monfort

6. Saints who help in ordinary ways.

St. Christopher
St. Blaise
St. Anthony of Padua
St. Bernard of Montjoux

7. Saints who come from all over the world.

Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
St. Paul Miki and Companions
Blessed Peter To Rot
Blessed Maria Clementine Anuarite Nengapeta

8. Saints who changed their lives for God.

St. Ambrose
St. Gregory the Great
St. Francis of Assisi
St. Ignatius of Loyola
St. Camillus de Lellis
St. Katharine Drexel

9. Saints who are brave.

St. Perpetua and St. Felicity
St. George
St. Margaret Clitherow
St. Isaac Jogues
The Carmelite Nuns of Compiègne
St. Maximilian Kolbe

10. Saints who are strong leaders.

St. Helena
St. Leo the Great
St. Wenceslaus
St. John Neumann

11. Saints who tell the truth.

St. Polycarp
St. Thomas Becket
St. Thomas More
Blessed Titus Brandsma

12. Saints who surprised others.

St. Simeon Stylites
St. Celestine V
St. Joan of Arc
St. Catherine of Siena

13. Saints who travel far from home.

St. Boniface 1
St. Peter Claver
St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Solano
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

14. Saints who create.

St. Hildegard of Bingen
Blessed Fra Angelico
St. John of the Cross
Blessed Miguel Pro

15. Saints are people who love children.

St. Nicholas
St. John Bosco
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Blessed Gianna Beretta Molla

Excerpts From: Loyola Kids Book of Saints - By Amy Welborn
Preview

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ABC's for Dad's

ACCEPT the scriptural command to be the head of your family.

BELIEVE God will keep your children as you nurture them in Him.

COMMIT yourself to the Christ, to your wife, and to each child.

DISCIPLINE them with love and wisdom from the Lord.

ENDURE hardness as a good soldier of the Lord.

FORGIVE any shortcomings your family may have.

GIVE of yourself, your time and attention untiringly.

HELP your children reach their full potential as they grow.

INSPIRE your wife and children to follow your godly example.

JOY, rejoice and have fun times with your wife and children.

KISS them often with a holy kiss of love and affection.

LOVE them all uncondionally and without reserve.

MARRIAGE is holy; teach your children to honor this union.

NEVER provoke your children to wrath, rather to love.

OPEN your heart to God's love and the Holy Spirit's Guidance.

PRAY constantly for your family.

QUIET your spirit and thoughts before the Lord.

RAISE your children in the truths of the Word.

SALVATION; Share the Gospel of Jesus, the Savior with them.

TELL your children often that you love them.

UTILIZE your gifts and resources from God to build your family up.

VERBALIZE your pride, joy and love to your family.

WIN their devotion, respect, and admiration.

EXPECT God to bless your family as you serve Him.

YEARN for a close relationship with God, for youself and family.

ZEAL for the Lord in all you do will bless your family!

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Scripture of the Day...June 3

Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

This Week's Daily Bible Verses
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Scripture of the Day...June 2

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans 1: 16-17 (KJV)

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Scripture of the Day...June 1

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4: 16-17 (KJV)

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/bibleestudy/scripture-of-the-day-june-1-t9708.html

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Death Is A Doorway

We live a short while on earth below,
Reluctant to die for we do not know
Just what "dark death" is all about
And so we view it with fear and doubt.

Not certain of what is around the bend
We look on death as the final end
To all that made us a mortal being
And yet there lies just beyond our seeing,

A beautiful life so full and complete,
That we should leave with hurrying feet.

To walk with God by sacred streams
Amid beauty and peace beyond our dreams -

For all who believe in the Risen Lord
Have been assured of this reward
And death for them is just "graduation"
To a higher realm of elevation -

For life on earth is a transient affair.

Just a few brief years in which to prepare
For a life that is free from pain and tears,
Where time is not counted by hours or years -

For death is only the method God chose
To colonise heaven with the souls of those
Who by their apprenticeship on earth,
Proved worthy to dwell in the land of new birth -

So death is not sad...it's a time for elation,
A joyous transition...the soul's emigration,
Into a place where the soul's safe and free
To live with God through Eternity.

by Helen Steiner Rice

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Paid In Full

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For
many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's
showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told
him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited
signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the
morning of his graduation his father called him into his private
study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine
son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son
a beautiful wrapped gift box. 

Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man
opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily,
he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you
give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy
book.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in
business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his
father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He
had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make
arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had
passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He
needed to come home immediately and take care things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and
regret filled his heart. 

He began to search his father's important papers and
saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With
tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he
read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope
taped behind the Bible.
It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the
sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,
and the words...PAID IN FULL.

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