Today, my good sister in CHRIST and I visited our loved ones’ resting places. Here is the prayer from my book that we said for them.
Their special spots are in beautiful memorial gardens.
One of them has his birthday today, so we celebrated Mass for him this morning.
Praying for Peace ✌
Sacred Heart of JESUS (my tapestry)
Thirteen years since the traumatic, tragic terrorist attack that struck our entire nation, we still have wars around the world.
Created in GOD’s Image (Tita Mel’s cross-stitching)
At the Adoration Chapel this morning, I prayed for the souls of the victims on that fateful day in 2001 and the recent ISIS incidents.
As a deer longs for flowing streams… ~ Psalm 42 (family painting)
GOD bless the public servants and military service men and women whose selfless sacrifice for our country have helped us endure freedom.
I am with you always. ~ Matthew 28:20 (Natalia‘s collection)
We may never be able to bring back those lives who were lost, but we have come together more closely as a united front since then.
Throwback Thursday: AR-N after September 11, 2001
GOD Bless the U*S*A!!! 2:22 ~ make a wish!!!
Happy Belated Labor Day!
Today’s Thirsty Thursday segment refers to doing GOD’s work, not Man’s.
Glorify GOD’s grace with our gifts.
My Church buddy, Joe, reminded me that through our ministry, we’re mainly here to serve GOD above all else ~ giving him our BEST.
Thanks to Joe, Evie and I’ve embarked on team teaching Religious Education!
Our endeavor can help prepare us for the Catholic school, but either way, we’ll be reaping our rewards to head closer to Heaven.
1:11 ~ make a wish!!!
Happy Birthday to Yours Truly!!!
What better way to ring in my special day☼ than to celebrate at Church†? I began my birthday at the Chapel for my Adoration hour. Then Father Bob blessed♣ me and my gifts from my special friends, Evie, Maggie and Joe.♥ ♪They even sang Happy Birthday♫
GOD is Great!!!
PTL for Praise The LORD * People that LOVE * Pretty Tough Lady
In my quest to get closer to Heaven …
Regalo de México de mi Suegra
I strive to thrive on the Ten Commandments and live by the Four Cardinal Virtues while doing my best to resist the Seven Deadly Sins. Here is a list of each of them: the Commandments, along with the Sins that impose temptation to break those Commandments, and the Virtues to keep in order to prevent myself from committing those Sins:
Regalos de Puerto Rico de la Familia Bruno
| 10 Commandments = MUST Do | 7 Capital Sins = DON’T Do | 4 Cardinal Virtues = MUST Maintain |
| You shall have no other gods before me. | Greed, Pride | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not make for yourself a carved image – any likeness of anything that is in Heaven above, or that is in the Earth beneath, or that is in the water under the Earth. | Pride | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain. | Anger | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| Remember the Sabbath day, to keep holy. | Gluttony, Lust, Sloth | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| Honor your father and your mother. | Anger, Pride, Sloth | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not murder. | Anger | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not commit adultery. | Envy, Greed, Lust | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not steal. | Greed | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. | Greed, Pride | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
| You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not cover your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s. | Envy, Greed, Lust | Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Temperance |
Regalos de Puerto Rico de la Familia Bruno
The Holy Spirit soars into the sky…
Leading souls through the Gates of Heaven.
On Tuesday (day of Sorrowful Mysteries for the Rosary), we buried my dear friend’s beloved father, who passed away last Friday (other Sorrowful Mysteries day) in a beautiful Catholic ceremony.
During the time that his dad spent at the hospital and hospice, I believe that GOD was preparing his place in Heaven, as his soul healed and reached peace.
✌️R.I.P., SEÑOR DEVORA👼 as you’re lifted up on eagle’s wings
🙏Pray with Praise & Thanks + for Peace✌️
After school business, I visited more beautiful Churches.
St. Joseph’s (San Benito)
Following my meeting yesterday, with a principal of the Catholic school where my Ph.D. professor served as CEO/President, I went to this Cathedral close to the border.
Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Brownsville)
Due to over a year worth of renovations, it will be closed until September 15, 2014.
Luckily, the gift shop was open for pasalubong!
Oblates of Mary Immaculate is my dear friend and Valley native, Bishop Mike’s religious order!
☝️God’s Blessings👏
🌞 Today’s Forecast: Heavenly Sunshine with 100% Chance of Showers of GOD’s Blessings 🌈
🌴 Upon my return to the Valley from Tita Brenda’s memorial, I went westward for more Churches that I attended when I lived here. 💒
OLSJ del Valle Basilica & Shrine (San Juan)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help (McAllen)
Holy Spirit (McAllen) ~ home of this Stations of the Cross
where I received my first 🍎teacher blessing🎓
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Mission)
where I 🎼sang🎤 in the 🎵choir🎶
Since my good friend’s dad, who tithed generously to their Church, is very sick, I started the St. Jude novena for them and their family. 🙏
☝️ Blessings of GOD’s Peace to all! ✌️
My beautiful Valley Church tour took me further throughout the lower RGV this past week.
After spending time working on my dissertation research at school last Saturday, I attended Vigil Mass at the nearby parish where we had my second Ph.D. Convocation.
St. Francis Xavier (La Feria)
The priest really struck a chord in me about how his Church lacked involvement in the Ministry, so I hope that he reached out to the Congregation members.
On Sunday, I swung by the grotto in Port Isabel, following my homecoming in South Padre Island.
Our Lady Star and Sea (Port Isabel)
My buddy also took me by another place of worship on the Island.
Chapel by the Sea (South Padre Island)
After work on Monday, I visited the Church where my nephew’s dad was the first altar boy.
Our Lady Queen of the Universe (San Benito)
Unfortunately, we lost a family friend that night, and I continued to pray for the repose of her soul on Tuesday.
St. Helen’s (Rio Hondo)
I’ve also taken my nephew and stepdaughter to Vacation Bible School, so I like to believe that they’re learning valuable lessons about GOD and His Word there.
R.I.P., Brenda Doria Paragas
♥Love♥ †GOD†, ♥Love♥ People.
This is the magnet that ☼Sunshine☼’s rear bumper used to sport when I first bought her. It also reminds me of John 4:16b, in which I’d sing with my children’s Church choir:
♫ †GOD† is ♥Love♥ ♪
Acts of love come from kindness, mercy and patience.
Compassion = with Passion
We can extend our love to others, who are in need. For instance, my Church’s visiting priest encouraged my Congregation to contribute to the Maryknoll cause, one of which my mother is a patron, and also of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, which is Bishop Mike’s religious order. Another way is to pour our hearts out to those who we meet, like I did on Monday…
On my way to work this morning, I found a woman down on the side of the road w/her dog. I pulled over to help her w/my First Aid kit. She told me several cars passed by before I stopped my truck, & a man also parked his to lift her up. This lady is lucky to have her loyal black lab who never left her side on her leash. Morals of the story: * if you see someone in need, render aid b/c it’s the humane thing to do for GOD’s people * keep a First Aid kit in handy * caring companions are always around @ the right time #GoodSamaritan #BePrepared #MansBestFriend #DontLeaveAFallenSoldierBehind
GOD lives through our fellow man, so we’re here on Earth to treat others as we would JESUS CHRIST, because we could be looking at His face in everyday encounters, and we, in turn, live in His image.
I’ve noticed this more and more lately in the positive people with whom I’ve surrounded myself: as my fellow lay minister, Evie, calls us
spiritual warriors
My Church buddy, Joe, also told me this:
If GOD wants it, it’ll happen.
We’re following His plan for the Catholic school, if it is in His will.
†GOD† Bless & Keep Y’all!!! 4:44 ~ live on a †prayer† ✌Peace✌!
The Elaine Dispo Journal 