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Jesus is Born!

Friday, December 25th, 2020
The angels announced the birth of the Savior as “good news of great joy.”  In taking on our human nature, God the Son poured himself out for us, and from this we learn that joy comes from the giving of self.  Another message of the angels is that joy comes from personal acceptance of Jesus as our Savior.  The proud can never experience this joy, for they refuse to admit their need for salvation; or they pursue a futile quest for joy in pleasures and possessions. We give thanks that the Son of God came to save us.
Our Father
1. [While Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem for the census,] the time came for her delivery.
Hail Mary
2. And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes.
Hail Mary
3. She laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
Hail Mary
4. There were shepherds in the same region, living in the fields and keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Hail Mary
5. And behold, an angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of God shone round about them, and they were very much afraid.
Hail Mary
6. The angel said to them: “Do not be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people.
Hail Mary
7. “Today in the town of David there has been born to you a Savior who is Christ the Lord;
Hail Mary
8. “And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.”
Hail Mary
9.  Suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God,
Hail Mary
10. And saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will.”
Hail Mary
Glory be
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Reference: Luke 2:1-14
From John F. Kippley’s Seven Day Bible Rosary
For copies to purchase, see https://johnkippley.com/category/rosary/

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He Is Risen!

Sunday, April 12th, 2020

Jesus is risen from the dead

Our Christian faith is not a philosophy of ideas with which we happen to agree. Rather, true faith is based upon the person of Jesus Christ and upon his teaching, his death and his resurrection. So crucial is the resurrection that St. Paul wrote, “If Christ is not risen, your faith is in vain and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor 15:17).

The saving death and resurrection of the Lord are the foundations of our faith. They are also the reasons for our being faithful to our Savior in the everyday things of life.  We pray for an increase in faith and in daily fidelity to Jesus.

Our Father
1. After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulcher.
Hail Mary
2. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the stone and sat upon it.
Hail Mary
3. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow.
Hail Mary
63
4. For fear of him, the guards were terrified and became like dead men.
Hail Mary
5. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
Hail Mary
6. “He is not here; for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.
Hail Mary
7. “Go quickly and tell his disciples that He has risen from the dead. He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him.”
Hail Mary
8. They departed quickly from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Hail Mary
9. “I am the resurrection and the life.
Hail Mary
10. “He who believes in Me, even though he die, yet he shall live.”
Hail Mary
Glory be

References: Matthew 28: 1-10; John 11:25

Taken from the Seven Day Bible Rosary by John Kippley

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Some Thoughts Related to The Presentation of Jesus and World Day of Consecrated Life

Sunday, February 9th, 2020

The following was posted February 2, 2020 at the Catholic Nursing Mothers League website by Gina Peterson.

Here is a nice reflection on the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple on catholicmom.com.  Also, tonight might be a nice night to pray the fourth decade of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary with your little ones.

Breastfeeding was the norm during the time of Jesus.  Actually, most babies were nursed until 3 years of age.  When Mary presented Jesus in the Temple, he was just a tiny baby.  Mary was young;  I believe tradition says 13 or 14 years old?  Even though all the women around her nursed their babies, I still wonder if Mary, being a new mom, worried sometimes if she was holding and latching baby Jesus correctly?  Did she worry about if she had enough milk or if Jesus was gaining the right amount of weight?  I think some of these concerns that we have are due to modern society.  We do not trust nature.  I think that is why ecological breastfeeding is unpopular.

I would imagine Mary and all the local mothers got together and shared their mothering and breastfeeding experiences.  Today, many parishes and communities have moms’ groups and even breastfeeding support groups such as Catholic Nursing Mothers League groups.  However, I have noticed that sometimes modern mothers stay home and feel isolated.  That is why I think the Catholic Nursing Mothers League is so important and needed.  Moms can log onto our Facebook group even when they are unable to leave the house.  A mom to mom mentor can call her to just to check in on her and let her know that she cares.  A friend can request a care package of books or a nursing mother gift bag from CNML for her to encourage her.

Today is also World Day of Consecrated Life (actually it is also Candlemas, Groundhog Day, the Superbowl and the only palindrome day with 8 digits of the century!). Anyways, back to Consecrated Life Day.  Besides my love of my family and helping nursing moms,  I am also a devoted member of the Holy Family Institute which is a secular institute of consecrated life.  I have been a perpetually professed member since 2009.  Being an HFI member is really the best of both worlds – marriage and secular consecrated life.  Actually, one of the things that attracted me to HFI is the fact that I could do my formation within my own home and would not need to drive to a monthly meeting two hours away.  Plus, their annual retreat is very nursing baby and child friendly.

Sheila:  If anyone desires to start a Catholic Nursing Mothers League group in their parish or community, contact the CNML website.  The primary mission of this organization is to support breastfeeding mothers.

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