Success

"Peace of mind attained only through self satisfaction in knowing you made the effort of doing the best of which you’re capable… trying to improve the situation that exists for you. I think that is success, and I don’t think others can judge that. I think it’s like character and reputation. Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be, your character is what you really are. I think your character is much more important than what you’re perceived to be, you had hoped that they would both be good but they won’t necessarily be the same". - John Wooden, UCLA basketball coach when asked about success 

I thought this was very wise

Message from Mary

Little children, hear my Son. How eager He is to 

help you and bring you back safely to Him. Do 

not fear, please, if you have made mistakes. We 

are only concerned about today and this must be 

your approach also. Be sorry for your sins and 

walk away from them. Often, the evil one will 

attempt to keep you tied to past sins by remind- 

ing you of them and trying to persuade you that 

sinners cannot be true chosen souls. How ridicu- 

lous a notion! Look to the Bible for proof. Jesus 

came for sinners. Jesus will return for sinners.

And my little chosen souls will prepare the way 

for Him. I am counting every one of you who 

receives this message as a chosen soul. What joy 

will be yours. Think about joy, dear little child. 

When did you last feel joy? Your mother will 

show you heavenly joy if you heed our messages 

now. Don’t be afraid, my small ones. Holiness is 

a process and it is mostly up to Jesus to move you 

through that process. In a special way, right 

now, you can let Jesus form you. We are going to 

take care of everything. You need only love Jesus 

and let Him direct your life. Be like a small spar- 

row, living only in the moment, confident that 

God will provide everything needed for the next 

day, the next season, and the next year. Your 

mother blesses you. 

This is a message from the Blessed Mother as given to "Anne" a lay apostle 

www.directionforourtimes.com

Ascension Thursday

"In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be."  John 14:2-3

There are so many thoughts that could go through my mind on Ascension Thursday and obviously heaven is one of them.  I am waiting for heaven.  For eternity with Christ and all of my brothers and sisters!  I wrote a poem a little while back about my good friend Sister Elizabeth (she is a Franciscan Sister, T.O.R.) and heaven.  I can't wait to spend eternity with her in heaven where we will never have to say good bye!  So here is the poem and a picture of Sister and I.  

Eschatalogical man

Made for heaven

But I see now

Maybe only a glimpse 

But it's truth!

I see it in you

My future, my destiny

Forever with my King

To know perfectly

To know you

In all truth

My sister...perfect

Oh sweetness

I only see pieces presently

I want more

More bliss, more peace

More you,

Revealing God and truth

You sing of heaven

I hear the tune

The sweetest song

The story of you

Your generous yes

The humble beat

Let it play

Soothing my soul

This glorious taste

The beautiful banquet

My sister, my friend

Friendship so true

Truth that reveals

The face of Christ to behold

I see Him in you

Peaceful rest

A small piece of heaven

My heart... Oh 

Found a home

Found it in you

My heavenly sister

Calling me out

Urging me on

Heaven, bliss, eternity

Forever a sisterhood

Forever with you!

(written for Sister Elizabeth on 11/14/08)

B16 and internet evangelization

I thought this was a great article from our Holy Father and it may inspire me to update my blog more often... we shall see!

Pope calls for Internet evangelists

Vatican City, May 20, 2009 / 11:21 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI is calling upon young people to evangelize using the Internet as the Church prepares to celebrate the World Day for Social Communications.

At the end of his Wednesday general audience, the Holy Father launched an appeal asking that cyberspace be a place that promotes a "culture of respect, dialogue and authentic friendship where the values of truth, harmony and understanding can flourish."

Speaking English, the Holy Father recalled how in his message for this year's celebrations, "I am inviting all those who make use of the new technologies of communication, especially the young, to utilize them in a positive way and to realize the great potential of these means to build up bonds of friendship and solidarity that can contribute to a better world.

"Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!" the Pope urged.

"Employ these new technologies to make the Gospel known, so that the Good News of God’s infinite love for all people, will resound in new ways across our increasingly technological world!"

The World Day for Social Communications will be held on Sunday, May 24 this year.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=16057

Slumdog Millionaire

My name is Sarah, I'm a 25 year old Religion teacher that lives in Connecticut.  I have been desiring to start a blog for sometime now and was inspired to do it today after seeing the movie Slumdog Millionaire.  

You see I teach freshmen and seniors in high school and that makes my life very interesting.  My passion is teaching my seniors Theology of the Body by John Paul the Great.  I ended last semester by teaching Ephesians 5.  It seems whenever I am teaching something I am also living it out in my personal life, funny how God works like that.  I feel like Ephesians 5 is the summary of all that I taught my seniors throughout the semester.  It would be difficult to explain everything in detail now, but those who know Theology of the Body will understand what I am getting at.  There is a profound complementarity between men and women that when lived out according to the Gospel is heavenly.  

"Wives be subordinate to your husbands...Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and handed Himself over for her"  What I explained to my students is that when a husband is willing to die on the cross for his wife then she won't have a hard time respecting him.  When we know that we are following a man who will die to protect us, our heart, our desires, our purity and so on then it will be simple to listen to him.  A light went off in my teens heads and hearts.  They got it.  

How does this relate to Slumdog?  Jamal was the main character and very simply he fought for love.  He went to all heights to find her, to rescue her, to love her.  He fought for love just as Christ fights for us.  Jamal laid down his life for Latika to win her heart just as Christ died on the cross to win our salvation.  

I think I could go on and on about this, but I don't want to get bogged down with words.  He simply fought for love.