St. John's Adoration Chapel

St. John's Adoration Chapel
"Do Not Fear: I am with you. From here I will cast light Be sorry for sin."

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

June 30, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Wednesday, June 30
SOLEMNITY OF ST. PAUL PATRON OF THE PAULINE FAMILY
Mass and Liturgy in the CEREMONIES OF THE HFI OR:
Am 5: 14-21
Matt 8: 28-34

"The heart of Paul was the heart of Christ"
And one who belongs to the Pauline Family must have the heart of Christ.

And I suppose each of us can take plenty of time to ask ourselves what sort of heart have we. And especially if we have a courageous heart to preach the HFI wherever we are as Paul and Christ preached.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

June 29, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Tuesday, June 29
STS. PETER AND PAUL, APOSTLES
Acts 12: 1-11
2 Tm 4: 6-8, 17-18
Mt 16: 13-19


Don't become "colorless". If that happens the Congregation loses its value. Keep your method. Leave others aside (VM 827).

Do you still practice other devotions": with the idea that the more "things" you do, the better you are? No The more you CORRECT YOUR DEFECTS the better you are!

Monday, June 28, 2010

June 28, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Monday, June 28
ST. IRENAEUS, Bishop, Martyr
Am 2: 2-10, 13-16
Mt 8: 18-22

Be devoted to St. Paul. He preached in so many regions, converted countless souls and reached a wonderful sanctity (FSP p. 456)

How many people have you approached with the little "Something New..." EVERY DAY I ask St. Paul to give you his courage.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

June 27, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Sunday, June 27
13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
1 Kgs 19:16, 19-21
Gal 5:1, 13-18
Lk 9:51-62

Our products which are not promoted and distributed are like a lamp placed under a bowl instead of on the lampstand (VM 1235).

Our products, yes, but also the Institute which is not promoted. It becomes something we want for ourselves and perhaps consider others as not worthy to have it. What a colossal mistake!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

June 26, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Saturday, June 26
OF THE DAY
Lam 2: 2, 10-14
Mt 8: 5-17


It is a great responsibility if you have talents and do not use them for your sanctification and apostolate (FSP 249)

The same thought as on June 24: "I have sinned in what I have done and in what I failed to do." Don't make your death more difficult because you failed to seek out new members. What is the short-term embarrassment compared with the lont-term regret?

Friday, June 25, 2010

June 25, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Friday, June 25
OF THE DAY
2 Kings 25: 1-12
Mt 8: 1-4


When we speak about promotion, we should always remember the Second Joyful Mystery: the Visitation. It is the first bringing of the Good News to produce health, slavation and sanctification in Elizabeth's family (AM 1246)

The Founder is talking about promotion of the Good News through the media, but his thought applies just as much to us. First prayer and planning. Then ACTION!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

June 24, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Thursday, June 24
NATIVITY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Is 49: 1-6
Acts 13:22-26
Lk 57-66, 80


Jesus Christ taught us not to wait for people to come to us but to go in search of them. We must preach the Good News everywhere and to every person to avoid hearing at our judgment: "I was hungry and you did not give me to eat." (VM 1241)

Important thought: "and in what I have FAILED to do." Sins of omission are the most difficult to remember at the exam of conscience.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

June 23, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Wednesday, June 23
OF THE DAY
2 Kings 22: 8-13
Mt 7:15-20



It doesn't matter if 99% of the good seed falls on barren earth. The 1% of good soil compensates for the effort we have made.


True, but that is the point: "the effort we have made" meaning: have we prayed before approaching A, B or C? Have we studied him or her to judge of suitability? Have we prepared what to say so we don't say too much and spoil everything?


Prayer: Lord Jesus, when approaching new members, help us to know not only what to say, but when and how to best say it. Do not let new members go uncalled because we do not have the courage to speak. Lord Jesus, Way, Truth and Life work through us that we may not miss any opportunity to do Your will. ~Amen

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

June 22, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Tuesday, June 2, 2010
OF THE DAY
St. Paulinus of Nola, Bishop
St. John Fischer, Bishop & Thomas More, Martyr



Even if we save just one soul, working for it for an entire life would be worthwhile--after all, Jesus died for it! (VM 1238)


In fact it is our soul that explains the extraordinary efforts of God to bring us to Him after death and his constant care for us during life to the extent of living in us and with us! How much more could I have done?

Monday, June 21, 2010

June 21, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Monday, June 21
ST. ALOYSIUS GONZAGA, Religious
2 Kings 17: 5-8, 13-15, 18
Mt 7:1-5


Charity binds hearts and makes the Congregation like one body, like one thought, like one way of getting things done (FSS 183)


Charity...gets things done. Or at least attempted. But when things are NOT attempted--recruiting, for example-- what is the state of the heart in that case?

Sunday, June 20, 2010

June 20, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Sunday, June 20
12th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Zec 12: 10-11, 13:1
Gal 3: 26-29
Lk 9:18-24


When we multiply human words with the resources of technology we perform a work of charity according to the number reached (VM 1232)


Well...yes, but you know my reservations about this: a human word can certainly impress, stir us to make a resolution to reform. But the reform itself can come only from the Master and He must first possess the heart and mind of the preacher. Which is not always the case.


Please continue to pray for and increase in good priestly and religious vocations.
"Oh, Jesus, Eternal Shepherd of our souls, please send good laborers into Your harvest. " Amen

Saturday, June 19, 2010

June 19, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Saturday, June 19
OF THE DAY
St. Romuald, Abbot
B.V.M. on Saturday


Talking about people or things that don't concern us or the apostolate leads of emptiness and discontent and feeling that life is burdensome. (AAP p.202)

Worse still, it is often sinful. The remedy, as always, is to control our minds. We can't stop having a thought but, once we become aware of it (and there is no sin at that point) we must vigorously banish it and pray for the entity or person involved.

Friday, June 18, 2010

June 18, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Friday, June 18
OF THE DAY
2 Kings 11: 1-20
Mt. 6: 19-23


I asked some Sisters: "What do you talk about among yourselves?" And they told me: "Our talk is always about the apostolate and yet we are happy and joke a lot." (FSP 289)


What is my talk about? the apostolate, the Institute? No, I never mention it. I follow the old rule. "Don't talk before acting, it may not work out. Don't talk while you work--you may waste time. Don't talk when you have finished--your work will speak for itself.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

June 17, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Thursday, June 17
OF THE DAY
Sir 48: 1-14
Matt 6: 7-14


Woman feels God, feels virtue and the presence of the good and beautiful. In feeling she loves and in loving she communicates with perusasian (DA 56).

Over to you!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

June 16, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Wednesday, June, 16
OF THE DAY
2 Kings 2: 1, 6-14
Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18

The first wheel of the "Pauline cart" is piety (others are: study, poverty, apostolate). Piety is fundamental and without it consecrated life collapses (FSP).

Definitely. But also apostolate, study and poverty.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

June 15 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Tuesday, June 15
OF THE DAY
1 Kings 21: 17-29
Matt 5: 43-48


Create solitude around you because God speaks in solitude. No need to be cloistered--cloistered Sisters often know more news than others. Make a cloister in your heart where Jesus can speak (FSP 41).


Agreed. In fact without plenty of prayer during the day, our prayer in Church will not be effective: too many distractions, too little preparation. Contemplatives? Yes, but also "Actives" in the right time and place and way.

Monday, June 14, 2010

June 14 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Monday, June 14
OF THE DAY
1 Kings 21: 1-16
Mt 5: 38-42


When you feel yourself tired during Adoration, put St. Paul in front of Jesus to adore and supplicate, especially that there will be holy priests and religious (APD, 1947)


Interesting idea! Actually I am praying to him every day to give us all the courage to approach potential candidates politely and ask him to enlighten them!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

June 13, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Sunday, June 13
ELEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
2 Sam 12: 7-10, 13
Gal 2: 16-21
Lk 7: 36-8:3
*1896, Birthday of Joseph Giaccardo


What does the sanctivication of Sunday require? A more abundant spiritual work, more prayer, an appropriat rest. (FSP 159)


Rest? Sunday is my day for replying to your correspondence--and I would be far more tired if I did not have it! Prayer" Of Course!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

June 12, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Saturday, June 12
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
Is 61: 10-11
Lk 2: 41-51


The reparation, the prayer and the suffering of contemplatives are a real power for the Church...and a support for those engaged in apostolic activity (CVV p. 312)


The Founder was speaking probably to the Sister Disciples whom he wished to be semi-contemplatives. We have a different vocation: prayer, definitively and plenty of it, but the...ACTION! (And you know the action I mean!).

Friday, June 11, 2010

June 11, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Friday, June 11
THE MOST SACRED HEART OF JESUS
Ez 34: 11-16
Rom 5: 5-11
Luke 15: 3-7


It was Jesus Christ who chose a humble sister of the Visitation as his apostle: Blessed Margaret Alacoque (DA 51)


Does that make her better than you and me? Well, yes, but also...maybe! It is GOD who gives us our importance, not the job He give us to do. The job is usually something material, but my importance or yours is in proportion to how and how much He lives in us.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

June 10, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Thursday, June 10
OF THE DAY
1 Kgs 18: 41-46
Matt 5: 20-26


When you are happy, it's easier to become holy--happiness in the sense of sound optimism (APD, 1957, 123)


Not too easy to be happy these days--it almost seems a fault when we look at the suffering world around us and the--alas!--far worse condition of millions living outside the Church in some sense. But we have the optimism conferred by our HFI membership well lived--and well-shared with others (don't forget the important part!)

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

June 9, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Wednesday, June 9
OF THE DAY
St. Ephrem, Deacon, Doctor of the Church
1 Kings 18: 20-39
Matt 5: 17-19

Only if you live what you say or do will you have an influence on others (FSP)

Which is the same as saying that the Lord must be vitally present in me and you and so can "speak" or "write" through us. Of course we also come up against the freewill of those we approach. But that's THEIR problem. Let's make sure all OUR ducks are in a line!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

June 8, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Tuesday, June 8
OF THE DAY
1 Kgs 17:7-16
Mt 5: 13-16


Don't worry about what people say or what they question. Forget about yourselves to live in God, think in God, work in God, be close to God (APD).


Very true. People, of course, affect us and sometimes help in the short run. But neither help nor hindrance are major factors in our lives, but rather our confidence in God and our constant search for HIS assistance--either from people or from an inspiration.

Monday, June 7, 2010

June 7, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Monday, June 7
OF THE DAY
First Monday of the month--St. Paul,
1 Kings 17: 1-6
Matt: 5: 1-12


There are wonderful souls that when they see others doingn good are happy and try to imitate them (FSP 41).

Indeed. And there are other souls who react quite differently, shooting down the good work of other members, or refusing to collaborate. Always ask forgiveness "for what I have FAILED to do."

Sunday, June 6, 2010

June 6, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Sunday, June 6
CORPUS CHRISTI
First Sunday of the month--the Divine Master, Way, Truth and LIfe

Gen:. 14: 18-20
1 Cor 11: 23-26
Lk 9: 11-17


Eucharistic souls are the most ardent in the apostolate ardent with a constant ardor which knows how to find new initiatives of zeal.

Our "new initiative" is already clear: use the "Something..." booklet, after prayer and study of likely candidates. No need to EXPLAIN anything--it's in the booklet.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

June 5, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Saturday, June 5
ST. BONIFACE, Bishop, Martyr
First Saturday of the month--Mary Queen of Apostles
2 Tim 4: 1-8
Mark 12: 8-44


When you talk the language of charity, when charity is not only word, but in material help, you have found the way of the spirit. (DA 211)


Of course charity can also be unacceptable in the short term--when we were chastised by our parents, for example. And so let's hear what is said and follow IT--avoiding judgment on the speaker.

Friday, June 4, 2010

June 4, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione & With Father Tom

Friday, June 4
OF THE DAY
First Friday of the month--the Sacred Heart
2 Tim 3: 10-17
Mark 12: 35-37


Treat others well. Adopt the manner of behaving that is the fruit of interior charity, love for God and respect for everyone as the image of God (AAP 1957, 411)

I hope I have measured up to this rule in our correspondence. Not so sure about my personal dealings and am happy they are not many! How do you measure up?

Thursday, June 3, 2010

June 3, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione

Thursday, June 3
SS. CHARLES LWANGA & COMPANIONS, Martyrs
First Thursday of the month--the Guardian Angels
2 Tim 2: 8-15
Mark 12: 28-34


The Institute is a body with various members. To form oneself and enclose oneself in one's own way of seeing and organizing one's life is to separate oneself from the body (APD, 1957)

The Founder is talking about the Pauline Religious Life, but what he says makes sense for us also: concentrate on Pauline prayer and practice and trust in the Master that He will look after other "good causes" precisely because we look after ours!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

June 2, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione

Wednesday, June 2
OF THE DAY
SS. Marcelino and Peter, Martyrs
First Wednesday of the month--St. Joseph
2 Tim 1: 1-3, 6-12
Mark 12: 18-27


"One heart and one soul"-- his is the spirit of the consecrated life, joining forces in work, in prayer and in goals (FSP 320).


What is our goal? Peronally, sanctity; apostolically, vocation, our lifeline to the future.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

June 1, 2010 With Blessed Father Alberione

I'm not sure where I got this image...I found it somewhere on the internet.

Tuesday, June 1

ST. JUSTIN, Martyr

First Tuesday of the month--the souls in Purgatory

2Pt. 3: 11-18

Mark 12: 13-17

MONTHLY INTENTION

Thank you, Most Holy Trinity, for all women and for each one, just as they have come from God's hands in all the beauty and riches of their feminity: mothers, sisters, spouses, consecrated to God.

As we leave the Year of the Priest, we remember that each priest had a mother who gave him not only her flesh, but often also her saintly spirit.