Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit,
that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit,
that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit,
to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit,
that I always may be holy. Amen
Pray.
“There be Dragons,” a movie about the founder of Opus Dei – a great a story of human passions that underlines the issues of forgiveness.
Father Barron explains, “God is love through and through. God can’t cause the non being which is evil. Evil in a metaphysical sense doesn’t exist. Its the lack of being that ought to be there. God allows evil to bring about a greater good, that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. God wants the great good of free will. He desire us to be his friends not his puppets. He wants free will. You can’t have free will and not allow the abuse of freewill. Allowing bad, someone like Hitler, so as to bring about the greater good, Free Will – for creation to have its own integrity.”
“The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.” – Introduction to the Book of Job, 1907
“Prayer” by Michael O’Brien
A good friend of ours is amending his life and stopped drinking around 4 months ago. Recently I was telling him about the news of an affirmed Mary apparition and shrine in Champion, Wisconsin called the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Hope. It became the only official Church-confirmed apparition site in the United States just 6 months ago (Dec. 2010).
As a fellow Catholic, I knew our friend would also find the joy in this amazing event and also just wanted to share something inspiring as he journeyed into new territory. It turns out he happened to have business in Green Bay and remembered that the shrine was nearby. Amazingly, it also happened to be Ash Wednesday.
He told us how it was quiet there and nobody was around, as it was snowing heavily at the time. And out of the silence, as he approached the shrine, a big friendly golden retriever appeared. Knowing how much our friend loves dogs, including his own two, we knew this was a sign and a reward for his efforts. Our friend said he felt like it was Jesus greeting him, appearing in the form of this peaceful retriever.
Pictured are some of the canes that have been left at the shrine for healings that have occurred there.
All photos were taken by our friend.
More on the incredible story of the Shrine is here.
For anyone who is considering a pilgrimage in the future, here are directions and hours:
While mailing address shows New Franklin, Chapel sits one mile east in Champion.
Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help
4047 Chapel Dr.
New Franklin, WI 54229
920-866-257
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/15/nation/la-na-virgin-mary-20101215
Poems written by my 10 year old:
~Mother~
Mother
Cheerful Fun
Charming Loving Cleaning
My Personal Maid
Mom
~The Cleaner~
There once was a mother who cleaned
Upon a broom she leaned
She’s done all the rooms
She owns twenty brooms
She ought to own a crown and be queened