Sports Spirit Sunday: Score Goal, New Roles, More Soul

Two-Day Game Warning: Almost the End of Regulation!

As I approach my Big Day (Public Dissertation Defense) to complete my Doctor of Philosophy, my journey toward this ultimate goal may be drawing to a close while my next one toward my career advancement will begin.

However, my Ph.D. pursuit has helped me grow, not just professionally, but also personally, and most of all: spiritually. Furthermore, this undertaking couldn’t have been accomplished single-handedly: GOD’s grace provided, JESUS’ example was all-sided, and the HOLY SPIRIT’s light guided, in addition to Team Dr. D, who had my back. I forever will be grateful to the †Heavenly HOLY TRINITY† and my positive supporters here on Earth, who’ve rooted me on all the way, leading up to this Tuesday, December 8 ~ save-the-date!

My next anticipated title this Advent: Tita Elaine.

We expect my future niece or nephew to arrive around CHRISTmas time ~ the very 1st grandchild of my parents, who recently celebrated their ♥wedding♥ anniversary.  Yes, my family is very blessed. Regardless of these joyous times, I pray that we’ll always turn to the LORD, as we lead our lives here while preparing our eternal home in Heaven.

Sending peace and goodwill to San Bernadino, CA, in the wake of this terrorist tragedy. ✌

Spirit Sunday: All Saints

Happy All Saints Day!

Bishop Mike has called us “saints in the making” who will join the saints someday to whom we pray.

Currently, I’m in a Saint Benedict Novena, initiated by my Bestie Evie (who claims him as her patron after her own healing).

Since he is the Patron Saint for Students, I’ve sought his intercession as I enter my round(s) of full faculty dissertation defense …

During my committee defense period, I went through these Novenas:

• Santo Niño (Child Jesus)
• Sacred ♥Heart♥ of Jesus
• Holy Spirit

Who are your favorite saints? Mine include:

• St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint for Animals
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, an education advocate
• Saints Helen and Rose, my chosen Confirma†ion patrons

Others who I admire are, but aren’t limited to:

• St. Joseph the Worker 
• St. Gerard, Protector of Expectant Mothers
• St. Pope John Paul II

Saints are special, and I like this analogy that Evie introduced to me:

They are our defense attorneys who advocate for us as we enter the stand at the gates of Heaven for GOD to judge our fate.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.”

~  Hebrews 12:1 [pointed out by Maryknoll]

R.I.P., Tita Leticia ✌

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.

Thirsty Thursday: Adoration Way

First and foremost, for me, ☼everyday☼, †The Prayer Way† starts with ♥Adoration♥   

San Antonio, TX (February 2013)

As a matter of fact, I spend every Thursday morning (my only day off from work out of the week) in my holy hour of obligation at our ♥Adoration♥ †Chapel†, and any other time when I can make a point to pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

Our Lady of the Lake University (where I’m earning my Ph.D.) ~ San Antonio, TX (March 2014)

Each and every one of my prayers begin with praise, because †GOD† deserves our glory, as we give our ♥LOVE♥ for Him.

San Antonio, TX (April 2014)

How about you join me in devoting even just one hour out of the week to ♥Adoration♥ ~ simply to ♥LOVE♥ our †LORD†? If you have an Adoration Chapel with the Blessed Sacrament, I encourage you to commit to one hour of one day out of the week on a regular basis. Even if you don’t have one, keep adoring Him anywhere and everywhere ~ as I promise you: worship works wonders for your soul.

* “My soul magnifies the †LORD†, and my spirit rejoices in †GOD† my savior” ~ Luke 1:46-47

On THANKSgiving and the Thirsty Thursdays ahead, I’ll continue The Prayer Way series with the other ways that we †pray†, as follows …

• ♣THANKSgiving♣ 
• Contrition
• Supplication  

Sources

• Fr. Oscar J. Lukefahr, C. M. “From the Spiritual Director.” The Association of the Miraculous Medal, Vol. 47, No. 3: Fall Bulletin (2014).*
• Jesus Our Life Activity Book, Faith and Life Series, 3rd ed. (Book 2). Chapter 9, Lesson 2, (p. 34)**; “Kinds of Prayer,” Chapter 15, Lesson 3 (p. 59)***. Ignatius Press, San Francisco. Catholics United for the Faith, Steubenville, Ohio. (2014).

†GOD† bless YOU ALL this ♣THANKSgiving♣ and always!!!