Kisses from My Grandson

Thankful for Blessings - Homecoming

Wednesdays is the day I join my blogging friend, Judy, in this meme at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. We give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Thanks, Judy, for helping me keep an "attitude of gratitude!" :)
Some of my blessings this week:
1. I am so thankful that my youngest son is returning home. He and his wife are moving back to Florida and I could just burst with joy! Now all our children are nearby. Thank you, Lord!
2. I am so thankful for my blogging buddies who inspire me and support me and make me laugh with joy.
3. Thank you, Lord, for the rain! We got some decent rain this week. We still need a lot more but it was beautiful to see and refreshing too!
4. I am grateful for my job which is our main source of income since my hubby is retired. Thank you, Lord.
5. I am thankful that I am still on my journey to healing from childhood sexual abuse, healing a little more each day. And for all who pray for me and support me, I thank you Lord!

Feast of Corpus Christi

"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." - John 6:56

Rev. Ron Rolhesier wrote - "The Eucharist is God's kiss." I really love that.

It was the Eucharist that brought me to the Catholic Church. It was a call that I have heard since I was a little girl.

It is the Eucharist that brings me to Mass.

It is the Eucharist that feeds me and nourishes my soul. It is Jesus' gift of Himself to me.

Out of love.

A Kiss, out of Love.

Oh, Lord, thank you for your Kiss. Thank you for the gift of yourself and for your everlasting love. I love you, Jesus. All praise and glory and honor to you, today and everyday.
Amen.

first posted 6/6/10. I changed the ending prayer and used a different scripture verse.

Sunday Snippets - June 26

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
God so Loves the World
Thankful for Blessings - Blogging &Beaches

Sabbath Moments - Rainbows

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below.

Here are some of my sabbath moments this week:

1. One night my husband was at church and he called me at home to tell me to look out the window. I looked outside and saw a beautiful rainbow. I love rainbows and I love that my husband called me about it. He later told me that when he drove home, he drove over the bridge and the rainbow was like an arch over the bridge and he felt like he was driving right under it.
The next night, I was driving home from work and I drove over the same bridge and there was another rainbow, arching over the bridge! Do God-incidences count for Sabbath moments? Well, certainly rainbows do.

2. Went with Rich to the beach to watch the sunset. Ended up being more clouds than sunset but beautiful and peaceful anyway. Watched the pelicans dive-bomb for their food and children playing. And walked barefoot in the water which was as warm as bathwater! And we had ice cream. A fun relaxing time.

Thankful for Blessings - Blogging & Beaches

Wednesdays is the day I join my blogging friend, Judy, in this meme at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. We give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Thanks, Judy, for helping me keep an "attitude of gratitude!" :)
Some of my blessings this week:
1. Blogging friends - some blogging friends got together and started a blog called Community of Catholic Bloggers. I am grateful to have been invited to be one of the authors. Read more about it here. And be sure to pay us a visit!
2. Beaches - how I love the beach. Did you notice my new blog look? Go figure, right? I cannot wait until I get there to watch a sunset! Some day soon!
3. Liturgy of the hours - so awesome to pray the prayer of the church. God speaks to my heart through the psalms.
4. The Eucharist. Sunday is Corpus Christi. We are having a Holy Hour at our parish. What a beautiful way to give thanks to Jesus for his gift of Himself. Thank you, Jesus.
5. Grandchildren. All of them. And last week we celebrated our youngest grandchild's FIRST birthday. What an awesome day. So I leave you with a picture. Of course.

FYI

I have created a new email - Colleen's Catholic Corner. It is sent weekly to those who sign up for it and will has short little blurbs to inspire (hopefully.)

Might be a reflection or a story or a scripture verse to ponder. Just something to help you to stop a moment and maybe have a Sabbath Moment? Or a prayerful moment with Jesus.

It is free. Just sign up here on the right sidebar near the top. You have to reconfirm you want it sent to you so watch for the email that asks you for that.

And hopefully you will enjoy my little corner of the world. Any ideas? Let me know.

God So Loves the World

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life." - John 3:16

For God so loved the world.

How often do I sit there and really ponder these words? I have heard this scripture verse hundreds of times. I love these words. But have I really absorbed them into my heart?

God loves us so much that He wants us with Him. Always. Eternally.

And His children were not really getting it. So He sent His only Son, Jesus, who suffered and died for us so we can live with God. Eternally.

God loves us so much that he never tires of finding ways to tell us and show us. God loves us so much that He never gives up on us and He forgives us over and over. And He waits for us to come home.

God loves us so much that He gives us free will so we can reject Him if we wish to do so.

And God help us, some of His children are still not getting it.

So we need to tell our sisters and brothers the Good News. We need to sing it out from the mountaintop. We need to use our voices and blogs and pulpits to tell all God's children that God, our loving Father, wants us all home with Him. 

All of us.

Loving Father, I thank you for your love. I live these days with one foot on earth and one foot in heaven ... loving my life, and yet longing for those days I can gaze upon your face. Until then, Lord, help me to always know in my heart, how much you love me. And how much you also love those who do not love you or do not know you. Help me, Lord, to bring them your love. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - June 19

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
1. Receive the Holy Spirit
2. Sabbath Moments - Silent Reflections

Sabbath Moments - Sea, Silence and Sighs

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!

Here are some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Hubby and I had lunch at restaurant on the beach. So relaxing to sit and watch the waves, the seagulls. No dolphins this time, but no matter. I felt such peace.
2. Eucharistic Adoration for an hour in the middle of the night - such silence. I can almost hear myself think.
3. Fridays have become a quiet day for me. That is, those Fridays I do not have an appointment of some kind. It is a day to catch up on sleep and rest and just mellow out. I write. I pray. I sleep. I read. It does me wonders really. I sigh a lot on these Fridays. That contented kind of sigh.

Thankful for Blessings - Birthdays, Beauty and Books

I just love Wednesdays because it is the day I join my blogging buddy, Judy, in this meme at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. We give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Be sure to also check out her other blog and her website when you visit!
If you do not have a blog, list your thanks in your comment!
Some of my blessings this week:
1. My grandson turns ONE this week! Wow! Where did that year go? Thank you, Lord, for blessing our lives with this beautiful baby boy. 
2. I gave a talk on the Holy Spirit and spiritual direction last week and it went well. Thank you, Lord, for giving me the words and inspiration.
3. My husband who takes such good care of me, and makes me laugh, every single day. Thank you, Lord, for my husband, the love of my life.
4. The ocean and life near the sea. Seagulls and dolphins and pelicans. Sand and sun and beautiful blue-green water with gentle waves. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty in this world.
5. Books. They inspire and teach and entertain and bring us to places we will never see otherwise. Thank you, Lord, for books and those who write them.
What are some of your blessings this week?

Receive the Holy Spirit

Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you."
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the holy Spirit." - John 20:21-22

The Holy Spirit. The breath of God.

Ruah. Hebrew word for spirit, or breath. Sounds like a gentle wind when you say it. Ruah.

I have had little understanding of the Holy Spirit for most of my life. After converting to the Catholic Church, I had grown closer to Jesus and the Father. But the Third Person of the Trinity was an unknown to me. I understood in my head who he was. But the personal relationship? Well, I didn't know how to have one.

Then about 15 years ago, when I started going to a charismatic prayer group, I began to have a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. And I saw the gifts. I saw the gifts in others and began to experience them in myself.

I experienced the gentleness of the Spirit. And began to really believe in God's love for me.

The Holy Spirit. The Love between the Father and the Son. The Spirit of Truth that helps me to witness about my childhood of abuse and how God has helped me. The Spirit that helps me to do spiritual direction and other ministries.

The Spirit that speaks to my heart when I take the time to sit in silence and listen.

The gentle breeze.

Ruah.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Catholic Church. Help me to hear the whisper and feel the gentle breeze of your love for me and for all of us, your children. Amen.

Sunday Snippets - June 12

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Faith and Doubt
Thankful for Blessings - Holy Spirit

Sabbath Moments - Silent Reflections

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time, just "being" instead of "doing". Sabbath time is time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!

Here are some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. I have been preparing to give a talk on Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, spending a lot of time in silence. As I reflect on God's presence in my life, I find myself falling in love with God all over again. Does that happen to you?
2. Reading - actually re-reading - a book called Music of Silence,  by David Steindl-Rast with Sharon Lebell. It is a book on living in the moment and "following the natural rhythms of the day." It is a beautiful little book that inspires and leads me to prayer and silence.
I pray that you have experienced some beautiful sabbath moments this week.

Thankful for Blessings - The Holy Spirit

I just love Wednesdays because it is the day I join my beautiful friend, Judy, in this meme at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Be sure to also check out her website when you visit!
Some of my blessings this week:
1. Thankful to the adorers at my church and the Holy Spirit too! Last weekend, we came very close to not having enough adorers for the middle of the night and I was worried. I put the word out, asked for help, prayed a lot, and we not only had enough adorers but had new people sign up. Praise God!
2. I am thankful for my grandson who turns 1 year old next week. Do you believe it? I can hardly wait to see him!
3. My hubby - he always looks out for my needs and happiness before his own. Truly a wonderful husband who has taught me a lot about what love really means.
4. The Catholic Church - this is where I found God over 20 years ago. This weekend we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord!
5. Diaconate Ordination - went to the ordination of 3 deacons last week. Always moving. I was filled with such joy to witness this beautiful sacrament of Holy Orders.
The Holy Spirit has been busy this week! :)

Faith and Doubt

"When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted." - Matthew 28:17

I have read this gospel reading many times, but I do not remember reading these words - When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.

Goodness gracious, Jesus was right in front of them. How could the apostles have doubted?

But there are the words as clear as can be - they worshiped, but they doubted. It was as if they could not make up their minds.

I have to say that it makes me feel better to know that the apostles who gazed upon the face of Jesus doubted sometimes. Surely if they doubted, then the times I have doubted are OK too. 

In fact, I think that having doubts is just a normal part of the spiritual journey. In our quest for answers, our faith deepens. And so does our trust. 

"Dear Lord, help me to doubt less and believe more. Help me to grow in faith and trust that you are always with me, as you promised. Thank you, Lord for your gift of faith."

Sunday Snippets - June 5

This is the weekly Catholic Carnival! Be sure to visit RAnn at This, That and the Other Thing and check out some posts from other bloggers participating in Sunday Snippets this week. Why not join us and share a blog post or two from last week?

Here are my contributions for this week:
Jesus Will Not Leave Us Orphans
So Many Blessings

Sabbath Moments - Rest and Reflect

Sabbath moments are a way of taking time, just "being" instead of "doing". Sabbath time is time to rest in God, to enjoy God in silence or in nature. The word sabbath comes from a Hebrew word meaning "cease." And that is what we need to do sometimes, cease our activity and live in the moment and breathe in God.

I invite you to share your Sabbath moment(s) here on Saturdays. Be sure to sign into Mr. Linky below. If you don't have a blog, please share about it in a comment!

Here are some of my sabbath moments this week:
1. Read a reflection from Upper Room Reflections and it mentioned a poem by Wendell Berry who writes about the "peace of wild things." He says that when your soul is disturbed you should -

"Sit beside a stream where herons feed."
"Go dwell where squirrels run."

The "peace of wild things." Beautiful. I must be looking for peace a lot lately. :)
2. Memorial Day weekend was such a quiet, restful weekend. I did not do much other than write, pray, read, watch TV, listen to music, laugh with my husband. It was a long weekend of Sabbath Moments and gave me some rest that I really needed. I really felt refreshed!

Thankful for Blessings - So Many Blessings

I just love Wednesdays because it is the day I join my beautiful friend, Judy, in this meme at her inspiring blog, A Thankful Woman's Book of Blessings. In this meme we give thanks for the five things we are most thankful for this past week and then link to Judy's blog. Be sure to also check out her website when you visit!
I have so much to be thankful for so I decided to do this a little differently this week:
1. I am thankful I am Catholic - Thank you, Lord, for leading me to the Catholic Church. On the day I entered the Church, my life changed forever and so did the life of my family.
2. I am thankful for my husband - Thank you, Lord, for leading me to my hubby and for our beautiful happy years of marriage and for your presence with us always. His love has made such a difference in my life.
3. I am thankful for being a mother and a stepmother and a grandmother - Thank you, Lord, for the gift of my children, stepchildren and grandchildren. They have filled my life and taught me how to love.
4. I am thankful I am healing as a sexual abuse survivor - Thank you, Lord, for helping me in my struggles to heal. I am still on that path but I am grateful that I am on the journey of healing and that you have led me to be a kind of "wounded healer," using my wounds to help heal others.
5. I am thankful for my parish - Thank you, Lord, for guiding me to my parish, for the opportunity to "belong" to this community from the very first Mass, for the gift of friends and priests that I have come to know over the last 20 years here, and for my ministries and my job/ministry as parish secretary.
Thank you, Jesus, for loving me and helping me to learn how to love others. I have a long way to go, but I know you are with me always.
Amen.