» Archives for February 2010

How to Begin Your Prayer

Written by on February 26, 2010 - 13 Comments

“For me prayer is a surge of the heart, it is a simple look towards Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy” – St. Therese of Lisieux

My first assignment was at St. Philip’s parish in Greenville, RI.  St. Philip’s is a vibrant parish comprised of about 3000 families with a large school to boot.  It was a wonderful place for a new priest.

One of the great blessings was ministering to the many youth in the parish.  I remember one email exchange I had with a high school student who was very involved in our youth group. She took her faith seriously and she wanted to grow in her relationship with the Lord.  Her email to me was simple: I want to spend more time in prayer and deepen my relationship with God, but I’m not quite sure how to pray.  Can you give me advice?

Maybe you find yourself in the same position as that girl—now a wonderful young woman whose wedding I’ll be doing in May.  You want to grow in your relationship with the Lord, but your not sure how to enter into deeper prayer. When you go to pray your mind is filled with distractions.  So you sit there and fidget. get more holiness->

25 Ways to Live the Lenten Season

Written by on February 16, 2010 - 14 Comments

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday which begins the season of Lent.  Lent is a time of great grace, a time a spiritual renewal.  Traditionally there are three main components to Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  So, here are 25 ways to live the Lenten season in a spirit of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  There is no particular order to these 25 ways, and I don’t pretend that these are the best or most creative ways.  However, if you’re looking for some ideas, hopefully you will find one or two here.  I’d love to hear some ways that you are planning to enter into the spirit of Lent, so please feel free to leave a comment.  Your comments may be helpful to the readers of this blog as well.

Without further adieu, here are 25 way to live the Lenten season.

1)   Read a little Scripture (maybe choose one of the Gospels)

2)   Read a spiritual book for ten minutes

3)   Spend ten extra minutes in silence

4)   Pray the rosary

5)   Pray the Way of the Cross

6)   Stop by a church for five minutes on your way to/from work (if possible)

7)   Go to daily Mass or try to go once or twice during the week besides Sunday

8)   Put aside $1-$2 a day and give it to charity at the end of Lent (consider giving to Haiti if you haven’t done so)

9)   Give up desserts

10)  Give up unhealthy snacks

11)   Give up alcohol

12)   Give up or cut down on coffee or tea

13)    Give up bread

14)    Wake up earlier than usual (get up as soon as the alarm goes off)

15)    Go to bed earlier than usual

16)    Give up or spend less time on the Internet, especially facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites

17)    Give up or cut down on Television

18)    Don’t listen to the radio while you drive; use the silent time for prayer

19)    Cut down on the number of times a day you check email

20)    Fast on Fridays if your health allows for it (one meal or just bread and water)

21)     Call a friend or family member each day—or a few times during the week— to see how they’re doing

22)     Volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or another place that is committed to serving the poor, addicted, or abused.

23)     Remain calm when driving

24)     Simplify your life: each week go through your closets and drawers and get rid of clothes and give them to the needy; each week get rid of books and find a place to give them away

25)     Begin and end your day on your knees

I pray that you have a blessed and holy Lenten season!

P.S. I’m leaving for Rome on Thursday to visit our three seminarians at the North American College.  Please know that I will pray for you.  I may not get a chance to post another article until after I return on the 24th.  I will try to tweet from Rome if possible.

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Dandelions for My Mom and the Lord

Written by on February 10, 2010 - 13 Comments

When I was a little boy I used to pick dandelions for my mother. I’d be running around the backyard and notice those bright, curious, little yellow weeds. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know they were weeds; I thought they were flowers. I knew that giving flowers was a sign of love, and I knew that I loved my mom, so in my little world dandelions made perfect sense. I’d walk into the house and proudly announce, “Mommy, I picked you a flower!” With a bright smile she would say a huge thank you, give me a hug, and then put the dandelion in a little glass of water and place it on the windowsill above the kitchen sink.

My mother didn’t care that I gave her weeds. Really, would any mother? She was simply overjoyed at the little act of love that her son offered her. It really wasn’t about the dandelion; it was about the son doing his best to show his mom that he loved her. And isn’t that enough to lift a mother’s spirits, to touch a mother’s heart?
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Macey’s Story

Written by on February 6, 2010 - Leave an Awesome Comment

Dear Friends,

On this Saturday morning, I wanted to share an inspirational story with you.  For the last few years, my dear friends, Scott and Kim King, have experienced every parents worst nightmare: their daughter Macey was diagnosed with cancer over three years ago. Macey is now ten and, thank God, is cancer free.  She has relapsed twice, but we are all hopeful that the Lord will keep her cancer free.

Her story is one of suffering and inspiration.  She is a heroic, faith-filled little girl, and Scott and Kim’s faith, although tested, has been nothing short of remarkable.  They have a beautiful family (Macey is the only girl, but she has four brothers who love her dearly!). (See picture below).

If you have a chance, please watch this 6-minute video narrated by Macey’s mom, Kim.  It really highlights the importance of faith when dealing with life’s difficulties.

Please continue to pray for Macey and the King family, and for all people–especially children–suffering from cancer.

The Gift of Spiritual Friendship

Written by on February 4, 2010 - 14 Comments

Usually when I write a post for this blog I reflect on the spiritual life and give some practical advice about how to live in deeper friendship with the Lord.  However, this post, prompted by a recent experience, is more a reflection on the gift of friendship.  If anything, I hope it makes you more [...]

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