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
So then, anyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, and the wind blew hard against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. But anyone who hears these words of mine and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain poured down, the rivers flooded over, the wind blew hard against that house, and it fell. And what a terrible fall that was!
Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.”
~ I Corinthians 15:33
Assignment ~ “study the playbook” (The Bible**) to “know the plays” {for the truth and our service as we proclaim GOD’s Word}
Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts.
So Jesus said to those who believed him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
~ John 8:31-32
Spiritual Sources
*Grassi, J. E. (2013). Guts grace and glory: A football devotional. New York, NY: Thomas Nelson. (p. 69)
**Rainbow Studies, Inc. (2000). The Catholic Rainbow Study Bible: Good News Translation (2nd ed.). El Reno, OK: Rainbow Studies International.
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.
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!
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.
Our Holy Father has spread joy & hope all around the world leading up to his World Meeting of Families | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special
¡Biénvenidos, Padre!
“Don’t walk alone, always be encouraged. Walk with courage. Courage gives you joy, and joy gives you hope. Always move with courage, and always move with hope. Ask GOD for these.” ~ Pope Francis tells young girl in Spanish (this translated message transcends to all of us) … Similarly, Bishop Mike advised me to always look at the †cross† to refresh my soul with new hope, ♥love♥ and trust. | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special
As Pope Francis journeys on his well-anticipated trip to America (Philly to D.C. to NYC)
Pope Francis has addressed the *U.S. Congress* | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special
Pope Francis has connected with my previous home: el Valle | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special
We also must consider how we take care of ourselves, in terms of our own †spiritual† health.
Pope Francis lifted up this young man’s spirits for taking care of his family | Courtesy ABC‘s Pope Francis & the People special
Lately, I’ve reflected on my self-centered tendencies and been praying to be relieved of them in order to put my life in GOD’s hands. This hasn’t been easy. Fortunately, more messages have reminded me to get more †spiritually-fit.
Has this already been part of our genetic disposition* or is this something that we can learn**?
CourtesyUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Maryknoll‘s Father Finch uses a molecule metaphor about our spirituality already being part of our †souls, from the Holy Spirit to uncover GOD’s mysteries. By following these “spiritual† genetic instructions,” we serve and leadfaithfully.
en español | CourtesyUnited States Conference of Catholic Bishops
**Spiri†ual Bootcamp
First, we must make sure that we maintain our religious practices for the mind:
Bearing in mind and ♥heart♥ all of the above advice plus last week’s scripture, I realize now more than ever that I’m no better than anyone else in the way that I treat others and ought to be treated; after all, as said every Ash Wednesday:
For you are dust, and to dust you shall return. ~ Genesis 3:19
That being said, let’s follow the Pontiff‘s solid guidance to seek from GOD: courage –> joy –> hope ~ as I’ve studied this leadership practice for several years:
Encourage the ♥Heart♥
CourtesyMaryknoll
Spiritual Sources
ABC. (2015, Sept. 4). “Pope Francis and the People.” [TV special].
EWTN. (2014). Women of Grace “Marian Devotion: For Such a Time As This.”*
Finch, Fr. Raymond J. (2015, Sept. 20). Reflections from Maryknoll.** [Email].
I am the LORD, your GOD; you shall have no other GODs besides Me.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain.
Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it Holy.
Beautiful 💝gift🎁 from our special student Felicity
The 7 Deadly Sins (and their roots)
Anger (root: fear of forgiving)
Envy (root: fear of being powerless)
Lust (root: fear of being a child)
Pride (root: fear of submitting my will to another)
Gluttony (root: fear of mortification)
Sloth (root: fear of commitment)
Avarice (root: fear of detachment)
🌍Earth🌎 Day: Delightful Dani shows off her giraffe after her interview, Faithful Felicity and I showcase our 💐plants🌾 + fellow *Dallas Cowboys* fan Amazing Adrian & I wave👋 like 😇St. Pope JPII!
Bibliography
Kelly, M. (2012). The four signs of a Dynamic Catholic: How engaging 1% of Catholics could change the world. Cincinnati, OH: Beacon.
*† ♥Sacred Heart Catholic Church. (n. d.) Examination of Conscience. Diocese of San Angelo
When I taught college, I didn’t lead my classes in prayer because we were in public schools. However, I did inform my students that I am a woman of faith, and I occasionally requested moments of silence out of respect for people or incidents that I believe deserved our attention.
My Ph.D. is from Our Lady of the Lake University, a Catholic school, so I’m grateful for my faith-based education. Before our classes, we would pray. Every year, we would have our Convocation at Church, where we would light candles to illuminate. After we passed our first year luminary exams, we earned these medals.
Our fourth year symbolized our candidacy, upon completing our final set of comprehensive exams.
Matthew 5:14-16
Bearing all of this in mind, I very much integrate my soul into my studies.
Spirit Mode = Scholar Mode
Recently, I reached my latest milestones as a Ph.D. Candidate who is ABD (All But Dissertation): the blessing of my Concept Proposal before the HOLYdays and the passing of my Proposal Defense this past Tuesday! GOD has surely blessed me on this journey, and as my classmate, Dr. Alex Garza, who graduated a year ago, told me: it’ll happen in GOD’s time.
Today, the LORD likewise blessed me in continued service to our Church: this time as commentator at Mass for the first time. After going through my proposal, I felt like my voice was cracking. Yet the LORD stayed by my side, and kept me going, and luckily, several congregation members commended me for speaking clearly.
Where am I going with this? I am going with GOD’s calling, which is to establish a Catholic school. The future generations of the Church deserve an opportunity to lead by their faith and values systems, even in their education. Honestly, I am uncertain of what will happen from here, but if I keep listening to GOD, He will lead me toward His plan.
GOD Bless Y’all!!! ¡Díos los bendigan!
Happy Birthday to Bishop Mike mañana!
By the way, my friend, Bishop Pfeifer has double-digits in his age this year, as well as my mom, the Birthday Girl, this Tuesday, and I also will in my next birthday!
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 →
The Elaine Dispo Journal 
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Thirsty Thursday: Triple T
In ♥ & Soul, Community, Health, Higher Ed, Home Sweet Home, Pro-DiSPO, Public Interest, Relationships, Thirsty Thursday, Travel, Weekly Wonders, What's Hot, Workin' Woman, Yours Truly on 10/29/2015 at 08:00We all have unique ways that GOD has called us to serve Him and His people.