Minute Meditations-Inbox Edition(Saturday, April 30, 2016)

Image of God Proclaiming the Message of Life
The image of God! This is what it means to be human! We are not just a bunch of cells randomly thrown together by some impersonal forces. Rather, we reflect an eternal God who knew us from before we were made and purposely called us into being. -from Proclaiming the Message of Life
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Saint of the Day (Saturday, April 30, 2016)-St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo

St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo Saturday, April 30, 2016 Lived(1786-1842) | Feast Day: Saturday, April 30, 2016
In some ways Joseph exemplified St. Francis' advice, "Let us begin to serve the Lord God, for up to now we have made little or no progress" (1 Celano, #103). Joseph was the eldest of 12 children. Born in Piedmont, he was ordained for the Diocese of Turin in 1811. Frail health and difficulty in school were obstacles he overcame to reach ordination. During Joseph's lifetime Italy was torn by civil war while the poor and the sick suffered from neglect. Inspired by reading the life of St. Vincent de Paul and moved by the human suffering all around him, Joseph rented some rooms to nurse the sick of his parish and recruited local young women to serve as staff. In 1832 at Voldocco, Joseph founded the House of Providence which served many different groups (the sick, the elderly, students, the mentally ill, the blind). All of this was financed by contributions. Popularly called "the University of Charity," this testimonial to God's goodness was serving 8,000 people by the time of Joseph's beatification in 1917. To carry on his work, Joseph organized two religious communities, the Brothers of St. Vincent de Paul and the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. Joseph, who had joined the Secular Franciscans as a young man, was canonized in 1934. Comment: How do we know God's will for us? Is that will static? Joseph did not begin the work for which he is most famous until 21 years after his ordination. Years of praying and searching certainly kept Joseph alert to God's call. However well we have responded to our neighbor's need in the past, God is surely calling us to greater generosity. That must have been what Francis meant when he said, "Let us begin to serve the Lord God." Quote: "Almighty, eternal, just and merciful God, grant us in our misery that we may do for your sake alone what we know you want us to do, and always want what pleases you; so that, cleansed and enlightened interiorly and fired with the ardor of the Holy Spirit, we may be able to follow in the footsteps of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and so make our way to you, Most High, by your grace alone" (St. Francis, Letter to a Chapter). Click here for a printer friendly version
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Celebrating Mary in the month of May

What greater comfort could there be than knowing that Mary is always praying for us?

Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.   Dear, Wisdom,   Welcome to Mary's Month! Every day of the year, the Church celebrates our Blessed Mother, but we focus on her in a special way during the month of May. And there is much to celebrate! Mary is honored with many titles and devotions. But one of the most powerful of her titles is Mother. She is the Mother of God, giving Jesus his human life through her total surrrender to his invitation. She is the Mother of the Church, watching over the Body of Christ on earth.   She is our Blessed Mother, praying for us, keeping us close to her Son. We are protected and loved by Mary, our mother, throughout our lives. We ask her to "pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death." What greater comfort could there be than knowing that she is always praying for us?     Get to Know Mary Better! To know and understand Mary better, we offer these products to help you grow in your friendship with our Mother and friend. We are offering a 25% discount on these books between now and June 1. Just add the discount code Mary at checkout to receive your discount.  Even better: Any order of $20 or more will receive free shipping! To get started, just click on any of the book covers above.or the tab below: We are grateful for your purchase, which helps support the ministry of the Franciscan Friars in their service to those in need. We pray this month for Our Lady's loving care to be ever present to you.   Your friends at Franciscan Media                                                                                                                              © 2015, All Rights Reserved Franciscan Media  800-488-0488  28 W. Liberty St.    Cincinnati,  OH   45202    You received this email because you are subscribed to Special Offers from Franciscan Media. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive.  Unsubscribe from all future emails

Minute Meditations-Inbox Edition(Friday, April 29, 2016)

Receding Gates Proclaiming the Message of Life
The gates of hell cannot withstand the power of heaven. Gates of sin melt in the presence of saving grace; gates of death fall in the presence of eternal life; gates of falsehood collapse in the presence of living truth; gates of violence are flattened in the presence of divine love. These are the tools with which Christ has equipped his Church. -from Proclaiming the Message of Life
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