New Year - Another Prayer

A New Year Prayer

Holy Father,

God of our yesterdays, our today, and our tomorrows.

We praise You for Your unequalled greatness.
 

Thank You for the year behind us and for the year ahead.

Help us in Your new year, Father, to fret less and laugh more.
To teach our children to laugh by laughing with them.
To teach others to love by loving them.

Knowing, when Love came to the stable in Bethlehem, He came for us.

So that Love could be with us, and we could know You.
That we could share Love with others.

Prayers: New Year, Christmas, etc

Holiday Prayer Guide1

New Year Prayer - Flash

Jan 1: Mary, Mother of God and New Year

Mary, Mother of God and New Year

Anecdote: There is a beautiful, little story about a long, tedious train journey made, one Christmas day, by some elderly residents of a nursing home who were on their way to a vacation spot. At one station, a young mother with a small child entered the train. The child smiled at all the grim faces around him and began moving from one lap to another talking, shouting with joy and chatting with everyone. Instantly, the grim and silent atmosphere in the train was changed to one of joy and happiness. Today we remember with joy and gratitude, how Mary and her Divine Son Jesus transformed a hopeless, joyless and sinful world into a place of joy and happiness. 

Holy Family - C:

 Introduction by the Celebrant
(Liturgical Prayers of the day are included at the end)

A. In The House Of The Father

It may come as a real surprise to us to hear Jesus ask Mary and Joseph: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be where my Father is?" Even Joseph and Mary had still to learn and to grow in their faith. Like the Holy Family, our families and each of us have also to grow in the faith. Perhaps it is through painful trials like the one of Mary and Joseph that our faith may become mature. We too are asked: Did you not know...?

Nativity - Dec 25

25 December 2012: the Nativity of the Lord

At the outset let me express my sincere and prayerful wishes of the Nativity of the Lord. May the promises of hope, joy, peace, love of his birth be fulfilled in each of us now and always.
it happened during the carol service. A young lad dressed like a Santa Claus and accompanied us. When the carols are sung he would dance and entertain the household and finally would distribute sweets to all. It so happened that in a house he was dancing very well. A little child who was looking at the Santa Claus was smiling and trying to imitate the steps. When we were about to leave the Santa Claus asked for a glass of water. The mother of the house extended a glass. The boy removed his Santa mask to drink water. As soon as he removed the mask, the little child, who was smiling and dancing started crying and went to hide behind its mother. The mask made him laugh. The unmasking made him cry. It happens in our relationships too. People tend to like us or we tend to like them not for what they are but for the masks they were. The humble birth of Jesus brings to us the face of God. In Jesus there was no mask. That is why people were afraid to take him in – in their inn and in their hearts.

Christmas 2012 - Homilies and Stories

Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ - Year C

John Littleton

Gospel Reflection

Christmas has finally Come. We rejoice that the Word has become flesh, that God the Son has become human while remaining divine. There is no more waiting because the Messiah has arrived and now is the time liberation from our enslavement to sin. But this is n surprising since, in the Hebrew Scriptures ( Christians call the Old Testament), this arrival had b prophesied for many centuries before the birth of Christ.

Santa’s message to teach Children

“The True Meaning of Christmas”

This is how it happened…I just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house.
I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree.
He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. “What are you doing?” I started to ask.
The words choked up in my throat, and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone.
Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement. I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question,
and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,
“Teach the children! Teach them the old meaning of Christmas.
The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten. “Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle.
“Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind,
all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.
“He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago.
God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise.”
He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. “Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world,
and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.”
Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree.
“Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases.
Love is one continuous round of affection.”He then pulled from his bag an Ornament of Himself. “Teach the children that I, Santa Clause symbolize the generosity
and good will we feel during the month of December.”
He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality.
It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him.”
Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, “Teach the children that God so loved the world that HE gave HIS begotten SON…”
“Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift. “Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and presented
HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men.”
Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. “Teach the children that the candy cane
represents the shepherds’ crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock.
The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.”
He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. “Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth.
The angels sang ‘Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.”
Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL .
“Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold.
The bell symbolizes guidance and return.”
Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes.
He said, “Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center,
for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM, our LORD, our GOD.”

PRAYER TO WELCOME IMMIGRANTS (US)

LCWR REGION 6

O God,  You welcome all your children,

And embrace even the prodigal ones,
Help us open our hearts
And welcome all who come, searching
As our ancestors did,
For the promise of a new land, a new life.
Root out fear from our souls;
Help us form the words
"Sister" and "Brother"
As we greet the newcomers.
Let us remember that,
With your grace,
There are enough loaves and fishes
To go around
If we come together
As your family.         
Give us the courage
And the compassion
To respect the rights of all
In this country of abundance,
To embrace all in
The name of Your love.

Quotes 60 - Life

"And in the end it's not the years in your
life that count. It's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

The Mother with one eye - Story

My mom only had one eye. I hated her… She was such an embarrassment. She cooked for students and teachers to support the family.
There was this one day during elementary school where my mom came to say hello to me. I was so embarrassed.

Advent 4 C - Dec 23 - Homilies (2)

4 Advent Sunday C - Homilies

Background:

The Gospel of Luke, above all books of the New Testament, is about women. It reads as if a woman might have written it. It contains intimate details which hardly would have occurred to a man. It begins with the birth of John the Baptist, focusing on Elizabeth, his mother. The next major section is Mary's story. To her we will shortly return. There follows the prophecy of an old woman named Anna. When the boy Jesus went to the temple to debate the learned doctors, the only person Luke quotes is his mother.

Quotes 59 - Prudence

"The young do not know enough to
be prudent, and therefore they attempt
the impossible -- and achieve it,
generation after generation."

- Pearl S. Buck

Christmas Gifts and Songs - Old and New

Dear Santa,  I don't want much for Christmas, I just want the person reading this to be happy.  Friends are the fruit cake of life - some nutty, some soaked in alcohol, some sweet - but mix them together and they're my friends, MY fruit-cakes !

Here's your personal X'mas Juke-box .... just CLICK & enjoy ! !

Christmas  Songs A Holly Jolly ChristmasBurl Ives Away In A MangerLoretta Lynn Christmas AlphabetThe McGuire Sisters Christmas Country ChristmasThe Statler Brothers Christmas In My HometownSonny James Christmas SongAlvin & The Chipmunks Christmas Times A ComingBill Monroe & The  Boys Christmas WaltzFrank Sinatra Christmas Without YouKenny & Dolly Parton Frosty The SnowmanGene Autry Grandma Got Run Over By A ReindeerElmo & Patsy Hard Rock Candy ChristmasDolly Parton Hark The Herald Angels SingNat King Cole Have Yourself A Very Merry ChristmasRosemary Clooney Home For The HolidaysPerry Como Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas  I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa ClausJimmy Boyd Its a Most Wonderful Time Of The YearJohnny Mathis Jingle Bell RockBobby Helms Jingle Bells Roy S Jingle BellsPerry Como Jingle BellsThe Jingle  Piggie Joy To The WorldNat King Cole Leroy, the Redneck ReindeerJoe Diffie Let It SnowAndy Williams Lets Put Christ Back Into ChristmasTammy Wynette Little Drummer BoyNeil Diamond O Christmas TreeNat King Cole Please Come HomeThe Platters Pretty PaperRoy Orbison Rocking Around The Christmas TreeBrenda Rudolph The Red Nose ReindeerGene Autry Rudolph The Red Nose ReindeerUnknown Group Santa BabyCynthia Basinet Santa Claus Is Coming To TownBing Crosby Santa Claus Is Watching YouRay N S Silver BellsBing Crosby/Peggy Silent NightDean Martin Sleigh RideJohnny Mathis The First NoelAndy Williams Up On The HousetopGene Autry White ChristmasBing Crosby White ChristmasThe Drifters (1954) Winter WonderlandBrenda Christmas with Elvis

Advent - Christmas Dec 24 Monday

No Room For Them

It’s hard to decide about Christmas cards. They’ve begun to feel a bit old-fashioned in our electronic world; and there  is a triteness about them sometimes. But the real problem is deciding who to send them to. You’d like to be sure of including those who are likely to send you a card, so the lines get blurred and the list expands. in the end, you can find yourself including everybody who might be suspected of sending you their seasonal greetings. The lists never match and there is a last minute rush to fill the gaps. But whatever the defects of the cards, the thought behind it is undeniably good.

Quotes 58 - Happiness and Disposition

"I have learned that the greater part of
our misery or unhappiness is
determined not by our circumstance
but by our disposition."

- Martha Washington

Advent Sunday 4 C - Mary (1)

The Madonna

When a mother is expecting a baby all the focus is on the mother. She gets loads of advice – ‘be careful’, ‘don’t lift that’ and ‘don’t forget the afternoon nap’. Once the baby is born the mother recedes into the background, and now the attention is on the baby – ‘who does she look like?’ ‘what name will you give him?’ …and so on. So on the last Sunday before Christmas the Gospel is always about Mary, the mother. This year the Gospel is the story of the visit of Mary to her cousin, Elizabeth.
It is interesting that Mary is even more honoured in the Eastern Orthodox Church than she is in the Catholic West. In the West, after the 16th century reformation, many Protestants stopped honouring Mary. Shrines were levelled, thousands of stained glass windows were broken, statues of Mary shattered, pictures of the Madonna burnt. Not all Protestants disowned Mary. Probably the most frequently quoted line about her is William Wordworth’s, in which he refers to her as ‘our tainted nature’s solitary boast’. Martin Luther had a deep lifelong devotion to Mary. He even kept a picture of her on his desk, though many Lutherans seem unaware of this.
All Christians, whether Catholic or Protestant, like to meditate on the Magnificat, a prayerful song that brims over with anger at the way the world is tilted against the poor. It is Mary’s cry for justice: He has filled the hungry with good things/ And sent the rich away empty. This is Mary who inspires us to challenge injustice.

Anthony De Mello Essays - 4

 

Wisdom from Anthony de Mello

LOSING THE RAT RACE 31 Lets get back to that marvelous sentence in the gospel about losing oneself in order to find oneself. One finds it in most religious literature and in all religious and spiritual and mystical literature. How does one lose oneself? Did you ever try to lose something? That's right, the harder you try, the harder it gets. It's when you're not trying that you lose things. You lose something when you're not aware. Well, how does one die to oneself? We're talking about death now, we're not talking about suicide. We're not told to kill the self, but to die. Causing pain to the self, causing suffering to the self would be self-defeating. It would be counterproductive. You're never so full of yourself as when you're in pain.

Anthony De Mello Essays -3

Wisdom from Anthony de Mello

AWARENESS AND CONTACT WITH REALITY 21 To watch everything inside of you and outside, and when there is something happening to you, to see it as if it were happening to someone else, with no comment, no judgment, no attitude, no interference, no attempt to change, only to understand. As you do this, you'll begin to realize that increasingly you are disidentifying from "me".

Anthony De Mello Essays-2

On Waking UP
01

Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep. They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up. They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. You know, all mystics - Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox, to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare.

Anthony De Mello - Essays - 1

Wisdom from Anthony de Mello

ON WAKING UP  01

Spirituality means waking up. Most people, even though they don't know it, are asleep. They're born asleep, they live asleep, they marry in their sleep, they breed children in their sleep, they die in their sleep without ever waking up. They never understand the loveliness and the beauty of this thing that we call human existence. You know, all mystics - Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox, to be sure. But, tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare.

Quotes 57 - Obstacles in Life

"Most of our obstacles would melt away
if, instead of cowering before them,
we should make up our minds
to walk boldly through them."

- Orison Swett Marden

‘Mary Did You Know?’

Video; a Christmas Letter From Jesus

Mary Did you know? ( Click on the pic below. Speakers on. )

 

A Christmas Letter From Jesus

Advent 3 C

3 Advent Sunday C – Dec 16 - Homilies

Introduction:

Someone asked Saint Philip Neri (who happened to be playing cards at the time) what he would do if he learned that his death was imminent. Philip Neri replied that he would continue playing cards. The best preparation for the Lord's coming at any moment is to be doing what we ought to be doing. In the words of the old Shaker hymn: "'Tis a gift to be simple, 'Tis a gift to be free, 'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be."

----------------
Today is called “Gaudete” Sunday because today’s Mass begins with the opening antiphon, “Gaudete in Domino semper” (“Rejoice in the Lord always”). Today we light the rose candle of the Advent wreath, and the priest may wear rose vestments to express our communal joy in the coming of Jesus, as our Savior.  The theme of the third Sunday of Advent is rejoicing in hope.  Advent is a time for joy, not only because we are anticipating the anniversary of the birth of Jesus, but also because God is already in our midst.  Christian joy does not come from the absence of sorrow, pain or trouble, but from an awareness of the presence of Christ within our souls.

The Incomparable Christ

Almost two thousand years ago there was a Man born contrary to the laws of
life. This Man lived in poverty and was reared in obscurity. He did not travel extensively. Only once did He cross the boundary of the country in which He lived; that was during His childhood exile.

Quotes 57 - Success and Happiness

"Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful."

- Albert Schweitzer

Quotes 56 - Imagination

"Imagination is everything. It is the
preview of life's coming attractions"
- Albert Einstein

Quotes 55 - Health

"The first wealth is health."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Marriage and Communication

How's Your Communication?

'Husbands, love your wives' Ephesians 5:25   One of the biggest challenges in marriage is communication. Here's an interesting example: in a young family, the husband might go to work and the wife stay home to look after the baby.

True Success - reflections

There is great value in who you are. Let it flow into all you do.
Success is not really a matter of getting this thing or having that experience. True success is being able to live each day as the beautiful, authentic person you are.

Quotes 54 - Success

"The heights by great men reached and
kept, were not attained by sudden
flight, but they, while their companions
slept, were toiling upward in the night."

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Advent 2 C

2 Advent Sunday – C- Homilies

Introduction to the Celebration

Why do we gather here each Sunday to celebrate the sacred meal of the Lord? Because as we say later: when we eat this bread and drink this cup we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Now in Advent we recall the past when Jesus first gathered disciples, but we also remember the future when he will come again in glory. Then we will be delivered from all that binds us, but before then we must take John the Baptist as our model: ‘we must prepare a way for the Lord’ within the world we live in.

-Thomas O'Loughlin

Christmas Videos - 3 C's

Video: Christmas with a capital C, Three Stories…

 

Do check the two versions of the song “Christmas with a capital C” by Go Fish and is popularThe first links has the lyrics, but the second one has 17,910,461 hits on YouTube – with speakers on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8vhGYT4gyo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

” Hard Working, God Honoring, Fellowship Building “

Romans 16:12  : Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Some believers treat their faith as a leisure interest.
They go to church if they have time and are not too tired; they get caught up with the enthusiasm of others, but are reluctant to give their time and money - and only give if they think they will have enough to meet all the other responsibilities as well.
They are certainly not the first to offer themselves for hard work.
The three women in today’s verse were not like that at all. They were people who had a reputation for giving everything for the sake of the Lord, His gospel and His people.
They did not work in order to gain God’s favour, but were active because the Lord had put it into their hearts.
And they were careful to put their effort into tasks which pleased the Lord and were for His glory.
In short: they accepted that the Lord was their Master and that it was their responsibility to put all their effort into serving Him, His kingdom and His church.
Their hard work was not to get God to love them more, but to express the joy and privilege of being saved and included in His kingdom.
They worked hard for the Lord because they loved Him very dearly.
‘Loving God’ means putting everything we have into our relationship with Him.
Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
There is something wrong when people who say they love Him are not willing to work hard in the Lord.
Perhaps this is a helpful challenge to lazy, self-centered, de-prioritized Christian faith; and this could be a pivotal thought which will drive us to seek the Lord in a fresh way.

Prayer for the day : -
Almighty God. Thank You for the extraordinary way in which You have loved me, provided for me and sacrificed Christ’s life for me.
I am sorry for the times I have not wanted to work hard to serve You, or to serve others for Your sake.
Please forgive me for such carelessness and laziness.
Please give me a bigger view of what You have done for me so that I will be disciplined, glad and joyful in giving back to You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Corporate Culture - Humour

The Corporate Culture

A hilarious look at Corporate Life! 

  

 

100 Zen Quotes

100 Quotes to live by

1. Its The Little Things That Makes Living Worthwhile.
2. The toughest thing about success is that you have to keep on being a success.
3. Anyone can win unless there happens to be a second entry.

Faith in humanity Restored - In Pictures

http://www.buzzfeed.com/expresident/pictures-that-will-restore-your-faith-in-humanity

Advent and Christmas - Meanings

The Meaning of the Manger

Every year there is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York an eighteenth century painting of the nativity scene. It's traditional in every sense except one. Behind the cradle, in the far distance, we see the ruins of the mighty Roman columns. The artist knew the meaning of the Bethlehem manger. The birth of God's new age means the death of man's old world.

Staff Writers, Sermons.com.

Abby's Dog died and God's Reply

Letter from the post office

 

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.
The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:
Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much.

Tour of Vatican - In Photos

Magnificent Tour of the Vatican!

 Vatican City officially the State of the Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. At approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and with a population of around 800, it is the smallest independent state in the world by both population and area.
 

Creative Anti Smoking Ads

 These are inspiring visual advertisements on smoking. The ones with illustrations and ashes are very creative!

 

The Floating Flower Market

Bloemenmarkt colorful, so fragrant; you’re lured as if they’re sirens! One can’t really help but stop and smell the roses or swoon over the robust bright yellows and eye catching lavender and purples. Who wouldn’t want to treat themselves a stem or two to brighten up their spaces and to provide the connection with nature that is often lost! And if not, you’re yet to see Bloemenmarkt-one of the largest flower markets of the world. From bouquets that will capture your gaze and heart to multicolored cacti, this market has basically everything!

 

 

10 Most Captivating Deserts

Here are 10 of the most Captivating and Bretahtaking Deserts!  From the Sahara, the worlds largest to the Farafra in Egypt and even the Taklamakan, a desert covered with snowfall!

 

 

 

Taklamakan (Central Asia): a desert covered with snowfall

Father - Son - Humour

An old man wanted to plant a tomato garden but it was difficult work as the ground was hard.
His only son, Vincent, who used to help him was in prison.

SILENCE, QUIETNESS & CHAOS

Does the cycle of life and death never end?
The whole world is like that. It is all spherical; everything moves in cycles. You have to come back, but you have a choice. If you are born out of compulsion then it’s the same old story again and again. But if you get liberated, then you have the choice and the will to be born when you want. When you come back after being liberated, it is joyful.

Scottish Humour

Scottish Jokes

Jock & Jimmy were walking along a street in London. Jock looked in one of the shop windows and saw a sign that caught his eye. The sign read, "Suits £5.00 each, Shirts £2.00 each, trousers £2.50 per pair". Jock said to his pal, "Look at the prices! We could buy a whole lot of these and when we get back to Scotland we could make a fortune.

Don't Give Up - Even in the Storm - Story

A lady was driving along with her father. They came upon a storm, and the young lady asked her father, What should I do?” He said “keep driving”.. Cars began to pull over to the side, the storm was getting worse. “What should I do.” The young lady asked? “Keep driving,” her father replied. On up a few feet, she noticed that eighteen wheelers were also pulling over. She told her dad, “I must pull o…ver, I can barely see ahead. It is terrible, and everyone is pulling over!”

An ambitious young man and his tithing

W.A. Criswell tells of an ambitious young man who told his pastor he’d promised God a tithe of his income.
They prayed for God to bless his career.
At that time he was making $40.00 per week and tithing $4.00.
In a few years his income increased and he was tithing $500.00 per week.
He called on the pastor to see if he could be released from his tithing promise, it was too costly now.
The pastor replied,
“I don’t see how you can be released from your promise, but we can ask God to reduce your income to $40.00 a week, then you’d have no problem tithing $4.00.”

Quotes 53 - Greatest Achievements

"The greatest things ever done on Earth
have been done little by little."
- William Jennings

Quotes 52 - Growth

"Unless you try to do something beyond
what you have already mastered,
you will never grow."
- Ronald E. Osborn

I carried my wife - A divorce was stopped by love

MARRIED OR NOT, YOU SHOULD READ THIS ...

“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She s
at down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Stress - Understanding -ppt

Stress from Chirostarpresentations

Quotes 51 - Tomorrow

"Yesterday is not ours to recover, but
tomorrow is ours to win or to lose."
- Lyndon B. Johnson

Stress Management - ppt

Stress Management from Yodhia Antariksa

My Doctor - in Humour

MY DOCTOR...  Let me tell you about my doctor. He's very good! If you tell him you want a second opinion, He'll go out and come in again.  ~~~~~ He treated one woman for yellow jaundice for three years Before he realized she was Chinese.