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].
“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?
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 …
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!
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
R.I.P.✌ all of the fatalities in today’s Oregon community college massacre.
Those who were shot and killed are modern-day martyrs.
While we live in a nation where we have the freedom to express ourselves (First Amendment) ~ including through our religion, we unfortunately may encounter those who express their animosity against our beliefs.
In Jim Grassi‘s Guts Grace & Glory, connections are made between the football field and Christianity. Dr. Grassi, who has worked with pro football players in my beloved Bay Area, makes athletes’ testimonies and scripture readings relevant with the game and our overall moral conduct as a whole…
Besides the textbook from which which I teach, I also refer to supplementary sources for my speech students! While I still separate religion from education in the public school system, I tie in certain codes of conduct practiced when relevant.
This leads me to pursuing my legacy, even at my age, because we never know whether we’ll still be here tomorrow ~ so
How will you be spiritually when you meet your maker?
Affirmations for Athletes and Non-Athletes Alike
Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson.
Another Inspirational Reading from a fellow Christian
Tebow, T. R., & Whitaker, N. (2011). Through my eyes: A quarterback’s journey. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
My tiny tea cup cat’s fave hot spots: the windows! Here she is at the window behind my piano peering out into our garden…
Part of our backyard view complete with lush green grass (most definitely the best-mani on the block, hands down)! We’re enjoying the summer ☼sun☼ while we can before autumn officially starts soon. After receiving more precipitation at the ½way point this year following our previous full year’s totals, I wonder how much we’ll get next season?
Now that football season has kicked off, this sports spirituality book will do just the trick to keep my soul on a roll while I keep working on my own sports study (been investing 12-15h/day on it lately ~ ’til this weekend so I could focus on my Church readings)!
Get Coached is a collection💾 of 🎬segments🎥 from 🌠winning🏆 🏉football🏈 📣coaches📢
4 NFL head coaches, including 2 Mikes ~ one (Singletary) who played for another Mike (Ditka) & the father (Buddy Ryan) of another featured coach (Rex Ryan), + another one (Sean Payton) who I actually reported on for one of my last doctoral classes
The Florida State Seminoles former coach (Bobby Bowden)
Rather than focusing our energies on 🌎worldly🌏 wants, we have a greater power💥 that transcends our own lives!
At Mass💒 (in memory of my friends’ family’s loved 👼🏽one on his one-year anniverary) last weekend, the priest who delivered the homily🎤 pointed out two types of hunger:
🎈🎁 ¡Feliz 🎂Cumpleaños🍰 a mi querida Evie mañana! 🎊🎉
Aside from calling my co-minister, co-teacher and faithful friend in ☝️Christ, “Ms. Easygoing Evie” in R.E., I also refer to her as a EV for Evie the Evangelist.
I believe that she, her mother Maggie and Maggie’s Bestie Mary Ellen may practice all 4 signs of Dynamic Catholic, with the 4th being Evangelism. To me, I practice the first three:
Now I pursue to improve on my evangelistic efforts: to draw others to the faith.
😇Saint Pope John Paul II‘s (who would’ve turned 95 in four days) strength in his convictions opened up countless many Catholics’ minds💡 & hearts💖 to come back [†cross† from 🌴Brownsville Cathedral].
How do we bring people to our beautiful 💒Church?
Mother Teresa restored faith in the poor and meek by helping and healing impoverished communities. This special Time issue dedicated to her was introduced by Rick Warren, who wrote The Purpose Driven Life.
Mary Ellen invites anybody and everybody to our Church and in fact influenced Evie’s family to return. Evie encourages others as well, and her approach is gentle in which those who come don’t feel forced or imposed. When we motivate someone, we want to empower👊 them, that they’re doing this on their own free will because our Christian convictions are deeply rooted on:
From the same author of Rediscovering Catholicism📖 that I read last year during Lent, Matthew Kelly conducted a 🔭study🔬, and according to his 📊results📈, only 7% master ALL of the Above. I’d like to become part of that 📉statistic✅, and as someone who demonstrates the top three, I also pursue to practice the fourth by bringing more people to the faith and increasing that percentage.
Key points that I’ve found here so far that confirms my own actions include:
Intentionality ~ so I’m delighted that I’ve been on point with preventing distractions by disconnecting from my devices and social media to keep up with my prayers, priorities and practices!
Spiritual Health ~ in which Kelly includes a road behavior barometer as an indicator that makes sense of how our mood reflects our joy or discontent
☝️GOD bless you all!✌️
Source
Kelly, M. (2012). The four signs of a Dynamic Catholic: How engaging 1% of Catholics could change the world. Cincinnati, OH: Beacon.
Welcome/Mabuhay/¡Biénvenidos! I am a USAF brat who was born in Germany and grew up State-side while celebrating my Catholic and Filipino heritage. ☼Sunny☼ DISPOsition Elaine’s Eye Candy/DISPhotos ~ I love GOD & His creations, so I take photos @ any given opportunity. Elaine DISPOrts ~ I am passionate about sports, which is my research focus on my ... Continue reading →
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