The Year of Mercy

image is from the internet.

Because you were merciful, you will hear the reward of mercy from the central Cross: 'This day you shall be with me in paradise.' In that way, you become another Good Thief, for a good thief is one who steals Paradise!

- Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979), Potential feast day March 6

December 9, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9


Take heart and let us be firm in our hope, praying, working and offering to the Divine Master a great, constant and generous love (BM, p. 358).

FROM FATHER TOM: Which often means continuing in an unpleasant or seemingly futile task. "Love" in the Christian sense is not an emotion but an act of the will.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR DECEASED

December 8, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

I apologize for my absence and for the difference in posting. I never received, or have misplaced, my thoughts from the founder for the month of December. The postings for this month will be a little different, but will resume as usual in January. God bless and thank you for stopping by.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2015

The Lord desired that the devil should not exercise dominion over Mary, not even for an instant, because he wanted a holy and virginal tabernacle to become incarnate and to dwell in (BM, p. 359).


From Father Tom: God's condescension is matched by Mary's preparation for her sublime vocation. But . . . has He no interest in you and me? He has the maximum interest and He has followed us from childhood to the special vocation we have today.

Please Pray for our Deceased

Where Christ Begins...

December 1, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Tuesday, December 1
ST ELGIUS
FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH--THE HOLY SOULS
IN PURGATORY
FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT
Is 11: 1-10
Ps 72
Lk 10: 21-24

INTENTION OF THE MONTH:

For justice and true brotherhood

"The Church abhors, as contrary to the will of Christ, any discrimination among men and persecution perpetuated because of race, color, social condition or religion" (Nostra Aetate, 5).

From Father Tom: "Nostra Aetate" is the Vatican 2 document "Declaration on the Relationship of the Church to non-Christian Religions." It had Jews especially in mind. Little did it foresee that "persecution" on the basis of religion would become a horror story fifty years later.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: 

November 30, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Monday, November 30
ST ANDREW, APOSTLE
ADVENT WEEKDAY
Rom 10: 9-18
Ps 19: 8-11
Mt 4: 18-22

Let us make our lives a succession of "yes's" up to the end when the Lord will say to us: "Enter into the joy of the Lord!"

From Father Tom: Can't speak fro your, but personally, I want to enter into the work of the Lord. I thank Him for so many blessings and graces and I want to prove that I am really thankful!

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Fr. Carlo Staurenghi IJP (1988)--Bro Miguel Alfaro SSP (1996)--Sr. M. Elvira Benedetti FSP (2003)--Sr. Michael Sisko FSP (2007)--Pasquaiina Barone HFI (2010)--Fr. John Zieman OSB (No year given)--Sr. Annalisa Casati AP (2012).

November 29, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Sunday, November 29
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Jer 33: 14-16
Ps 25: 4-14
1 Thes 3: 12-4: 2
Lk 21: 25028, 34-36

The liturgy prepares us for a closer contemplation of the life of Jesus, for a better understanding of the mysteries of our faith, for a greater desire for perfection and sanctity (BM 522).

From Father Tom: The Founder seems to be speaking not of ceremonies in Church with music and song, but rather of the choice of Readings and the meaning of Feasts. But do these in fact prepare Catholics for "a greater desire for perfection and sanctity?" Over to you.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. Basilia Bianco FSP (1988)--Bro Bernardo Gugole SSP (1995)--Maria Dotti IAM (1996)--Sr. M. Marcella Catani FSP (2000)--Sr.M. Caterina Marcazzen FSP (2001)--Bro Luciano Melchioro SSP (2004)--Sr. M. Timotea Higashiseto FSP (2008)--Bro Fernando Tommaselli SSP (2008)--Sr. M. Bronislawa Suchora PD(2008)--Sr. M. Angiolina Caramori FSP (2009)--Olympia Dato (2013)--Sr. M. Ester Marin PD (2012)

November 28, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Saturday, November 28
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 7: 15-27
(Ps) Dn 3: 82-87
Lk 21: 34-36

The title "Queen of Apostles" is at the head of all her titles, after that of the Divine Maternity. Everything that Mary received was aimed at preparing her for her work as an apostle, including her motherhood: she gave us Jesus (RSP, p 550).

From Father Tom: And -- making the requisite distinctions--everything you and I have received from God was a preparation for our meeting with the Institute and our membership of it. Institute members are very special people, chosen by Providence, called to a unique vocation and twice-blessed for living it well.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Sr. M. Cormariae Brugiolo PD(1995)--Sr. M. Valeria Bonucchi FSP (1998)--Fr. DArio Ansaloni IJP (1999)--Attilio Pauluzzi HFI (2005)--Sr. M. Clelia Arlati PD (2011)--Sr. Giovanna Caprilli FSP (2012)--Fr. Giovanni Zucca IJP (2012)

November 27, 2015 With Blessed Father Alberione and With Father Tom

Friday, November 27
ORDINARY WEEKDAY
Dn 7: 2-14
(Ps) Dn 3: 75-81
Lk 21: 29-33

May Mary make us all like Jesus. May she give saints to our Congregation (SP Aug 20, 1940).

From Father Tom: Not visible "saints", but rather members who keep strictly to the Statute and are constantly on the lookout for new people--this last especially. As I write, the campaign earlier in the year was disappointing, so we must go back to the personal touch.

Please Pray for Our Deceased: Bro Bartolomeo Brogna SSP (1973)--Sr. M. Raffaella Montanari PD (1974)--Fr. Maggiorino Povero SSP (1981)--Sr. M. Cristina Panarello PD (1988)--Salvatore Orru HFI (1988)--Sr. M. Jose' Garcia SGBP (1997)--Sr. Annunziatina Del Bianco FSP (2000)--REnato Lattanzio HFI (2000)--Fr. Giovanni Battista Manfredi SSP (2005=4)--Bro Augustin Kalpakacherry SSP (2005)--Bro Paolo Zantedeschi SSP (2006)--Robert Converse (1998)