Oh Nuts

  As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him and prayed for his mother and friends. Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us. Photo by Alicia Quan on Unsplash Leader:  We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you. All:  Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world. As Jesus hung on the cross, he forgave the soldiers who had crucified him, and prayed for his mother and friends. Jesus wanted all of us to be able to live forever with God, so he gave all he had for us. Jesus, let me take a few moments now to consider your love for me. Help me thank you for your willingness to go to your death for me. Help me express my love for you! My Jesus, three hours didst Thou hang in agony, and then die for me; let me die before I sin, and if I live, live for Thy love and faithful service. Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory be to the Father... Leader:  Jesus Christ Crucified. All:  Have merc...

The other day my mom, two siblings and my older sisters mother-in-law and brother-in-law had the opportunity to visit and pray at the tomb of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen down in Peoria. It was an amazing experience and is now the fouth saint/blessed/venerable that I have had the opportunity to pray in front of. The other three were St. Mary Magdalene, St. Maria Goretti and St. Padre Pio. Taken by me The picture on the top left is of Ven. Fulton Sheen's tomb and on the top right is a close up of the painting of our Lady of Czestochowa. On the bottom left is in the cathedral's adoration chapel where they also have several relics of different saints. Bottom right is information about Ven. Fulton Sheen. After praying in front of his tomb and visiting the relics in the adoration chapel we walked a block or two down the street to visit the Fulton Sheen museum, which was an amazing experience as well. Because they had a lot of artifacts that had belonged to him. Though they did...

That was especially true tonight because there were several storms that rolled through. The rain started around 4:30 ish and then around 5:00 p.m. the sirens went off letting us know that stronger storms that included heavy winds, hail, and a possible tornado were approaching. Since I am at work we went downstairs into the basement to wait it out. Even though a lot of the heavy stuff has gone past there is still a tornado watch, severe thunderstorm warning, and a couple flood advisories in effect for the moment. There is still a possibility for more heavy storms to come through overnight.  When I was younger didn't like storms at all. I would get really nervous when it stormed out, especially when there was a tornado involved. But I have stopped being scared/nervous of storms, though I still don't like them much, especially if I have to drive through them. While we were sitting in the basement waiting for all of the heavy stuff to pass, the electronic devices were pull...

“For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.   Blessed are you who believed   that what was spoken to you by the Lord   would be fulfilled.”   Luke 1   On this last Sunday of Advent,   we quietly reflect on the mystery.   We rest in awe, in wonder,   at how our God entered our world and came to be with us.   We pause to receive the gift offered us:   that the Spirit of God will open up our lives and   that Jesus will really come into our hearts.   May we have watchful hope today,   believing what the Lord promises us.   Let us pray today, that we might be God's servants,   that we might be instruments of God's love   for our families and all we serve this week.   ... Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,,       cried out in a loud voice and said,...

We begin this third week of Advent asking to feel the joy  that comes from knowing our Lord's coming to us is near.   In these precious days ahead, we are praying, longing, hoping   in the background of our everyday lives. His mission is for each of us who ask, "What must we do?"   He tells us to give away our coats, our security. He asks that we not bully people but be content with our lives. We can smile today as we imagine the freedom he has won for us   and how liberating it will be to live it, with him, for others.   It is right to give our God thanks and praise. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything,  by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,  make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding  will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4: 6-7 Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad a...

Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem dwell secure. We begin Advent coming to the Lord who promises to keep us safe. In awe we say: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul!” Psalm 25   Let's begin this week with a deeply felt prayer. Even if we don't know exactly what we need or long for, today, let's try to express our desire for God's help and assistance. The days are coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and Judah .     Jeremiah 33   He guides the humble to justice,  he teaches the humble his way.  Psalm 25 May the Lord bless us,  protect us from all evil  and bring us to everlasting life.  Amen.

O Emmanuel , Rex et legifer noster, expectratio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos, Domines, Deus noster. O Emmanuel , king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people: Come and set us free, Lord our God. Veni, Veni, Emmanuel captivum solve Israel, qui gemit in exsilio, privatus Dei Filio. (1) O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! Gaude! Gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te Israel! Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:23 1 Timothy 4:9 Psalm 14:7 Phil 4:4

O Rex Gentium , et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti. O King of all the nations , the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man: Come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust. Veni, Veni, Rex Gentium, Veni, Redemptor omnium, ut salvas tuos famulos peccati sibi conscios. (7) O Come, Desire of the nations, bind in one the hearts of all mankind; bid every strife and quarrel cease and fill the world with heaven's peace. Isaiah 2:4; 11:10 Psalm 47:8; Jeremiah 10:7 Daniel 7:14; Haggai 2:8 Romans 15:12 Ephesians 2:14, 20

O Oriens , splendor lucis aeternae, et sol justitiae: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis. O Radiant Dawn , splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: Come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death. Veni, Veni O Oriens, solare nos adveniens, noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque mortis tenebras. (6) O Come, Thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh; disperse the gloomy clouds of night and death's dark shadow put to flight. Isaiah 9:1; 58:8; 60:18-20 Malachi 4:2 Luke 1:78-79 John 8:12 Revelation 22:16

The angel Gabriel said to Mary, "Do not fear, Mary, you shall conceive and bear a son and give him the name Jesus. Great will be his dignity and he will be called Son of the Most High..."  Lk. 1 Fourth Sunday of Advent O Jesus, I believe you were born of Mary and are God's Son. Your mysterious coming is beyond understanding. Yet like your holy mother, Mary, I wish that you come to me, for you promised you will. Let me serve you in any way I can and know that you are with me day by day as my life goes by. Like Mary, your mother, though I know you only by faith, may my whole being proclaim your greatness and my spirit rejoice in your favor to me. O Wisdom, holy Word of God, Jesus Christ, holding all things in your strong yet tender hands, come and show us the way to salvation.

O Clavis David , et sceptrum domus Israel, qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperuit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis. O Key of David , O royal Power of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom. Veni, Clavis Davidica, regna reclude caelica, fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum. (5) O Come, Thou Key of David, come, and open wide our heav'nly home, make safe the way that leads on high, that we no more have cause to sigh. Revelation 3:7 Isaiah 22:22 Jeremiah 13:13; 51:19 Matthew 4:16; 16:19 Luke 1:79

O Radix Jesse , qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare. O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid. Veni, O Iesse virgula, ex hostis tuos ungula, de spectu tuos tartari educ et antro barathri. (4) O Come, Thou Rod of Jesse's stem, from ev'ry foe deliver them that trust Thy mighty power to save, and give them vict'ry o'er the grave. Isaiah 11:1, 10 Isaiah 52:15 Romans 15:12

O Adonai , et dux domus Israel, qui Moyse in igne flammae rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento. O Sacred Lord  of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: Come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. Veni, Veni, Adonai, qui populo in Sinai legem dedisti vertice in maiestate gloriae. (3) O Come, O Come, Thou Lord of might, who to thy tribes on Sinai's height in ancient times didst give the law, in cloud , and majesty, and awe. Exodus 3:2 Isaiah 33:22; 63:11-12 Micah 6:4 Acts 7:30-31

O Sapientia , quae ex ore Altissimi prodisti, attingens a fine usque ad finem fortiter, suaviter disponensque omnia: veni ad docendum nos viam prudentiae. O Wisdom , O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care: Come and show your people the way to salvation. Veni, O Sapientia, quae hic disponis omnia, Veni, viam prudentiae ut doceas et gloriae. (2) O Come, Thou Wisdom, from on high, and order all things far and nigh; to us the path of knowledge show, and teach us in her ways to go. Wisdom 8:1 Isaiah 11:2-3; 28:29 Proverbs 8:1-36 John 1:1-5

John's disciples said to Jesus, "Are you 'He who is to come' or do we look for another?" In reply, Jesus said: "Tell John what you hear and see: the blind recover their sight, cripples walk, lepers are cured, and the poor have good news preached to them..."  Lk. 3:10 Third Week of Advent O Jesus, I rejoice at the signs that say you are near. Your power is everywhere if I could see it. Yet my eyes often see only darkness and what has yet to be done. I believe in you, yet when I look around evil seems so strong and goodness so weak. If you have come, why is there still so much suffering and why do the poor still despair? Where are your miracles today? Your grace, O Lord, is more fruitful in my world than I imagine. I know your power is everywhere around me, if I could only see it. Show me today where the blind see and cripples walk. Make my vision sharper than it is.

When John the Baptizer made his appearance as a preacher in the desert of Judea, this was his them: Reform your lives. The reign of God is at hand!"  Mt. 3:1 Second Sunday of Advent O Jesus, in an empty desert your prophet John proclaimed: God is here, at your side. God has come to bring about a kingdom where injustice and suffering will be no more, where tears will be wiped away, and where those who turn to God will feast at a banquet. "Turn now, your God is standing at your side. Reform your lives, God's kingdom is at hand." In an empty desert John said these things. Give me faith like John's, O Lord, strong enough to believe even in a desert that you and your kingdom are no farther from me than my hand. Make my heart strong like his, not swayed by trials or snared by false pleasures. Give me courage to be faithful until your promises are fulfilled. O King of all nations, Jesus Christ, only joy of every heart, come and save your peopl...

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be constantly on the watch! Stay awake!...You do not know when the Master of the house is coming.'" Mark. 13:33 First Sunday of Advent O Jesus, your voice sounds through the house of my world: Be on your guard! Stay awake! Yet I hardly hear you. Busy with so much, I go about the things I do like a servant trapped in  household  routine, hardly giving a thought to what my life is about. My spirit within has grown tired and you, my God, seem far away. How can I hear your voice today? Speak to my heart during this season of grace, as you spoke to your prophets and saints. Remind me again of the journey you call me to make and the work you would have me do. I am your servant, O Lord. Speak to me in this holy season and turn my eyes to watch for your coming. O Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, desire of every nation, Savior of all peoples, come and dwell among us.

Life has been well and I don't really know what to write about. Except that my cousin Grace is getting better. She still hasn't really woken up yet, though she has started talking, which is a good thing. Still pray for her please. I am going to be doing the July round of Camp NaNoWriMo and this time I am going to actually finish, or at least come close, to finishing the story that I have been working on for a while. Since I am doing three different stories lines based on three very different stories, I don't know how well it will be turning out. Though I think that it might be more interesting then how the little bit that I had written had been.

Though my cousin gave us a bit of a scare last night when she took a turn for the worse but at around 2:40 central time she started breathing on her own so they took her off of the ventilator. She is still holding her own this morning which is a good thing. But please continue to pray for her recovery. Update: keep praying because they had to put her back on the vent because they felt she was getting too tired out. Her stats still look good, but now they will be doing an MRI because they're worried there might be swelling at the base of her brain. Keep those prayers coming please!

Hey guys. My cousin Grace went into the hospital earlier today with a bad asthma attack and it's turned into one of her lungs collapsing. They don't know what  happened. Right now they have her in essentially a medically induced coma and are working on clearing out her lung and trying to get it working again. Please keep her and my family in your prayers. She is in very critical condition! Please pray through the intercession of Bishop Fulton Sheen that she be healed! Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, ARCHBISHOP FULTON J. SHEEN, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession (mention your request). I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ,our Lord. Amen. Thank you sooo much and God bless you!