Reflection Starter from St. Faustina

"God is very generous and does not deny His grace to anyone. Indeed he gives more than what we ask of Him. Faithfulness to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit - that is the shortest route." - Saint Mary Faustina Kowalska, whose memory the Church celebrates today (5 October)

Joseph Haydn: Divertimento in D major

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Joseph Haydn's Divertimento in D major:

 

Holy Father's Prayer Intention for October

The Holy Father's prayer intention for October is:

For a Shared Mission: We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.

Thenk You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of autumn flowers.

Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, on the Little Saints of October

"In the Church calendar, the first week of October brings us the feasts of the angels and saints who taught us to be like children.  On the First of October, we remember St. Therese of Lisieux, the 'Little Flower.'  St. Therese gave us the 'Little Way,' reminding us that we don't have to do great things, but the ordinary, everyday tasks of our vocation can lead us to holiness and, eventually, heaven. 

"The next day we continue to focus on the little ones with the Feast of the Guardian Angels. . . ."

In a recent commentary, Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, reflected on some of these "little saints" and on St. Francis de Sales, wrote that we should be like little children who cast their cares on their parents and run to them for protection.

To access Fr. Kolodziej's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial's Reflection: The Little Saints of October (3 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from St. Francis of Assisi

"Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage." - Saint Francis of Assisi (whose memory the Church celebrates today, 4 October)

National Bullying Prevention Month

October is being observed as National Bullying Prevention Month. This observance was initiated by the National Center for Bullying Prevention, an initiative of the PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights). The campaign is designed to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.

Background information:

National Bullying Prevention Center: National Bullying Prevention Month

National Bullying Prevention Center

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stopbullying.gov

"I Am Thine, O Lord"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Morning Joy presenting "I Am Thine, O Lord":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessings You have planned for us during the month of October.

Br. Bertrand Hebert, O.P., on Humility and St. Thérèse's Little Way

"Saint Thérèse was a realist.

"In her childhood, she often took the smallest things to heart, to the point of shedding tears. This aspect of her childhood seems to have left its mark on her spiritual doctrine of the Little Way. It shows how humility and profound 'littleness' lead the soul to embrace God profoundly. But even in her littleness, Thérèse did not remain the fretful child she used to be. By the end of her life, this woman was unafraid to look at the fullness of reality that makes men and angels tremble: the sight of God. Thérèse's vision of God - a realistic vision - is an underappreciated characteristic of the Little Way."

In a recent commentary, Brother Bertrand Hebert, O.P., reflected on Saint Thérèse, humility, and God's goodness.

To access Br. Bertrand's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: The Little Way, the Real Way (1 OCT 24)

Reflection Starter from St. Thérèse of Lisieux

"A word or a smile is often enough to put fresh life in a despondent soul." - Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus (Saint Thérèse of Lisieux), whose memory the Church celebrates today (1 October)

Birthday Blessings, Brooklynn!!!

Birthday greetings to niece Brooklynn, whose birthday is today!!! May this day, and each day of the upcoming year, be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!