Motivational Monday: Mis Padres

Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:

“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.

‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).

“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.

• “Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].

“Homely gestures.

• “Like a blessing before we go to bed [blessing my honorary GODdaughter Maggie at bedtime, as her family does], or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”

*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.

^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^

Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…

Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?

Wong Fu was right on point:

Have you eaten yet? = Priceless ♥love♥

Speaking of family …

Happy 17th Birthday to Rey-Rey, my beloved GODdaughter Reyanna mañana!

Faith and Fortune Friday: New Year’s Edition ~ Mercy Jubilee

My 2016 challenge for all of us:

Be merciful to everybody!

No matter how educated, experienced, affluent or advantaged we are, none of us are better than everyone else. We all are called to

• treat others with dignity
• respect life at all stages
• serve the poor

I had three †crosses† from three of our Popes on my dissertation defense (with Pope Francis‘ photo that contained my defense prayer): the Pope Francis Rosary from Bishop Mike * ruby gold †cross† from María Elena from Assisi Jewels during Pope Benedict‘s leadership * Rosary blessed by Saint Pope John Paul II and Father Bob from Bro Joe

Happy One Month Anniversary to my Name Change:

Dr. Dispo!

I defended my dissertation on an extra special day for the Church

• Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Kickoff to our Jubilee Year of Mercy

Mami Aya pointed out that Papa Jun ~ now Grace‘s Lola & Lolo, as of exactly two weeks ago * #DISPObustAFlow ~ got this fam fortune shortly before my defense, hence excellent timing (on my †OLLU† afghan)!

Thirsty Thursday: Year of Mercy

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎆

As the full Year of Mercy draws near, Pope Francis has called us to seek ways to render more kindness to others ~ which is pleasing to the LORD. ☝🏽️

I’ve been praying my daily Rosary and 3 o’clock Divine Mercy with this Pope Francis Rosary from Bishop Mike who blessed me with it on the ☼morning☼ of my dissertation defense and started reading this Rediscover book by Matthew Kelly from my Dad

During Advent, my school, Our Lady of the Lake, kicked off this venture by deeming the Season of Mercy. 🎄

GOD bless you this Merciful Year! Cheers! 🎇

Study Saturday: The Show Must Go On…

Happy One-Week Anniversary of my Doc Grad!

This is where I reminisce about GOD’s plan.

When I thought that things were going wrong just because they didn’t go my way, it turned out that everything fell into place perfectly:

My Intent	What Went Wrong	GOD’s Perfect Plan
To wear my medal at my public dissertation defense and graduation	I couldn’t find it where I thought that I stored it … or anywhere else	Bishop Mike blessed me before my dissertation defense and gave me the Pope Francis rosary
To have my professors sign my dissertation with our dissertation signature pen	I misplaced it from the special spot where I set it aside for the past few years	Brought the “I Thank GOD for You” pen that Sister Jyothi gave us Religious Education teachers
To film my public dissertation defense with the tripod from Bestie Evie	Despite deleting Fast and Furious from my 128GB iPhone 6 plus, I still ran out of storage space as I presented results for my 15th out of 17 null hypothesis	Lessons learned: don’t consume too much memory on my devices or include so many variables in my research – but at least I recorded the majority
To walk across the stage without falling flat on my face – while wearing my cowboy boots instead of stilettos (like my high heels at my previous graduations)	I faced my school President while my dissertation chair hooded me instead of the crowd like the rest of the doctoral candidates	Bestie Evie pointed out that she noticed how I did the sign of the cross before I walked across the stage – which showed  that I put GOD first
To reserve the restaurant for my luncheon 3h after my graduation start time	Car accident on the major incident delayed our graduation procession, and major traffic jam getting out of parking lot delayed my reception	Time to catch up with my dad’s fellow Filipino Catholic USAF buddy with whom he was stationed in Germany and his wife (so we didn’t join impatient drivers and passengers) – shared stories

Thanks: GOD, my parents, my bestie Evie & her family, Drs. D & C-B, my colleagues + Team Dr. D for sticking w/me through my PhD journey! Scored this goal, now onto my next role #TitaElaine #MiniCOOLEYonTheWay #AnydayThisHOLYday #DISPObustAFlow #DrDISPObustAFlow #DISPO #TeamDrDISPO #TeamDrD #DrD #PhD #DoctorOfPhilosophy #3rdDegree (3 stripes) #OurLadyOfTheLakeUniversity #OurLadyOfTheLake #TheLake #OLLUSaints #Saints #WingsUp #PTL #PraiseTheLORD #PreciousTreasureLady #PrettyToughLady #WhatAWayToWrapUp2015 #YearOfFinishing #appreciate #graduate #celebrate #cheers #salud #GODblessUsEveryone ☝🏽️✌🏽🙏🏽👐🏽💒🏤⛲️🎓🎤🏅🏆🏈🏀⚾️🎾⚽️⛳️✨💫🌠🎇🎆🍾🍹🍷🍸🍻🍝🍨🍮

¡Gracias a Díos!

Festive Foodie Friday: CHRISTmas Smiles, Family-Style

Merry CHRISTmas!

@KraftJello #FestiveFoodie #TurtleTDpie #turtle #TurkeyDay #touchdown #7layerPie #GingerSnapCrust #field #pumpkin #pecan #chocolate #hazelnut #caramel #walnut #THANKSgiving #feast #kickoff #Advent #AlmondJoyToTheWorldPeaceOfPie #AlmondJoy #peace #joy #PeaceOnEarth #WorldPeace #almond #coconut #MerryCHRISTmas #CandyCane #Oreo #PeppermintPattyCake 🐢🍛🏈🏉🎂🍰🍮🍯🌰🐿🎄😍🌎🌍🌏✌🏽️🍫🍩🍪🍭🎁💝🎀

As I reached my ultimate goal for this role of Dr. Dispo and approach my next one ~ Tita Elaine ~ I’ve been reminiscing all Advent season-long about those who are important to me, especially my parents ~ who are counting down ’til grandparenthood …

 

my dad, Papa Jun, who from childhood to now has been involved in my projects

• taught me how to compute basic math before I learned it in grade school
• helped me with my Election Day political party coloring map in 6th grade
• caught and froze insects for my bug collection assignment in 7th grade
• took me to my first speech tournaments in 7th and 8th grade
• coached me on the sidelines for my tennis matches in 8th grade
• told me that he’d support me 100% when I applied for my doctorate
• shopped with me for my presentation materials for my public defense

my mom, Mami Aya, who influenced me way more than I realized

• taught me how to read at the tender age of two ~ which helped me articulate
• wore sweet-smelling perfume that inspired my own fondness for fragrances
• worked out to exercise videos ~ which spurred me on to publish about them
• pointed out to me that my conduct affects my own relationships

my sister, Joanne, who has sent good vibes as she prepares to give birth to her first child (boy or girl?)

my mentor, Bishop Mike, who has shared the same home cities as my most recent schools

• Diocese of San Angelo, where he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing before my Master’s comp exams
• Rio Grande Valley, where he was born and raised, plus where I had my first college teaching gig
• Oblate Missions in San Antonio, where he gave me the Pope Francis blessing before my public defense

my bestie, Evie, who while praying and rooting me on all the way, went all out for my dissertation

• was the only one, aside from my school people, who sat through me practicing my presentation
• was, along with Mama Maggie, the first “Early Bird” to arrive to my public dissertation defense
• sat back and center at both my defense and my graduation commencement (ideal for photos)

This handful of special people were my starting five for Team Dr. D, out of a league of supporters throughout my Ph.D. GOD was the commissioner who made sure that I kept going while staying true to Him and myself …

Who needs CHRISTmas presents when I have their presence?

Thirsty Thursday: Advent Affirmations

Merry CHRISTmas Eve!

This Advent, I’ve been blessed with books gifted by my nearest and dearest:

• From Bishop Mike before my Dissertation Defense: Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul.
• From Bestie Evie & Mama Maggie after my Dissertation Defense: A Little GOD Time: Devotional Journal (2014), BroadStreet Publishing.
• From my PhD alma mater, Our Lady of the Lake after my Grad Ring Blessing: Advent 2015: Daily Reflections, Practices & Prayers: A Season of Mercy (2015), David M. Knight.
• From Bestie Evie at our CHRISTmas Gift Exchange Brunch: Pope Francis: In His Own Words (2013), Julie Schwietert Collazo & Lisa Rogak.

Each of these readings have offered enlightening passages for me to lead the ☼day.

May GOD bless us everyone! ✌

Throwback Thirsty Thursday: Call to the Poor

My first order of business as Dr. Dispo:

Give to the poor.

This is GOD‘s calling, not just to me, but also from our Holy Father, Pope Francis, and my spiritual mentor, Bishop Mike, through Him, to the people.

How will you help?

For the past few CHRISTmases, to follow in the example of the blessed birthday celebrant, JESUS, my family and I have contributed to those in need instead of each other. I’ve offered gifts to my Angel Tree children and am donating more to the Salvation Army today after my Holy Hour.

And if we really are poor ~ in health, spirit, or otherwise ~ let us seek the LORD for strength to overcome.

Prayers of …

• ♥Adoration♥ for strength in faith
• Contrition for weaknesses
• THANKSgiving for everything
• Supplication for GOD’s will

Throwback Thursday: This JUST-IN … My fave ✌CHRISTmas✌ memory was when my lil’ nephew ~ him decked out in *Dallas Cowboys* Santa hat & yours truly in *Dallas Mavericks* ~ helped me decorate the natural tree that I picked up & actually kept up ’til past ♣St. Patty’s♣ (while also decorating it for more ☼cheer☼ through ☼New Year’s, ♥Valentine’s, ♠Mardi Gras, ♣St. P’s & †Easter)!

Spirit Sunday: World Missions

Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for people.

~ Pope Francis

OLG with mums from my sis’ baby shower

Let’s follow Chris†‘s example by serving others ~ regardless of mistakes along the way (like my off-tune ♪singing♫ at Church yesterday) ~ as our fai†h will always prevail, our missions won’t fail!

#DISPObustAFlow✌

OLG with mums from my sis’ baby shower + rose in hand yesterday!

World Mission Sunday

Send me forth each day, O God,
to announce Your peace, love,
forgiveness and joy to all the earth. Like the Samaritan,
help me be a good neighbor.Like the Centurion,
help me confess my faith.Like the Beloved Disciple, help me to be a bold
and faithful witness to Your Resurrection.

All the world deserves to hear Your Good News.
Help me proclaim and live it today.

Amen.

~ Father Joseph R. Veneroso 

World Missions ☼Sunday☼ Reminder from Father Raymond J. Finch

Both Prayer and Reminder Courtesy Maryknoll Missions

Thirsty Thursday: Pro-Life Prays & Praise

Pinteresting: My Sister‘s ♥Bridal♥ (yes, saved from 5y ago ~ Happy Belated †Wedding† Anniversary to Bro & JoJo) + ☼Baby Shower☼ Cookies

Happy Feast Day of St. Gerard, Protector and Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers!

After ♥Bishop Mike♥ sent me the beautiful †cross† blessed✌ by ♥Pope Francis♥ he mailed me this sweet photo of our pontiff!

For all of you mommies-to-be ~ including a few of my own ♥loves♥ (who we celebrated this past weekend) ~ who are adding to your families, this prayer’s for you and your little miracles in the womb that they’ll be born and baptized plus survive and thrive …

St. Gerard †Prayer† for Protection * Expectant Mothers | Courtesy Straight from the ♥Heart♥ from Vince for my blessed birthday

My prayers are for ALL moms ~ so here’s another to St. Joseph that I pray before my work and for unwed mothers

St. Joseph †Prayer† for: GOD’s will * unwed mothers * peaceful✌ death | Courtesy Our Lady of San Juan del Valle

GOD bless all mamas and their babies-to-be!

Throwback Thursday (2/22/2009): Pro-Life for my Profile, taken the last time I visited my motherland, the P.I. … Rest in ✌Peace, Unborn Babies whose Lives were terminated too soon

• Source: Rev. Fr. Ladra, Marío José. (2007). Straight from  the ♥Heart♥ … A †Prayer† Companion. (pp. 146-147).

Thirsty Thursday: Perfect Plan

Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I, the †LORD† your GOD, am with you wherever you go.

~ Joshua 1:9*

Bishop Mike ~ who reminded me to look at the †cross† for renewed hope, ♥love♥ and trust ~ sent me this beautiful †cross† that was blessed by Pope Francis during his *Stateside* visit!

Live by the †cross†: For more ☼floral☼ religious symbols from the clergy, please see the OLG medal from ♥Bishop Mike♥ & the ♥Pope Francis♥ coin

I received this generous gift from my spiritual mentor in great timing: the day before my latest conference call with my professor** to practice my dissertation defense ~ in which I advanced to my first committee defense (preliminary presentation to my professors on board)! This reminds me of how the Bishop has always come through for me ~ particularly when he gave me the Holy Spirit blessing and medal right before I took my comprehensive examinations for my Master’s degree almost a decade ago!

He will not let you down.

~ Bishop Mike

While we live in a world where ✌peace✌ is but a wish, our Heavenly Father has the BEST in store for us that is yet to come …

♪♫CHRIST be our Light ~ ☼shine☼ in our ♥hearts, shine through the darkness♪♫

*♪♫Do not be afraid, I am with you … I ♥love♥ you, and you are mine♫♪

*Bible Reference = My Mantra during my **Run-through

• Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.