15°F SSW9mph SR0721 SS1625

Morning Offering given… Jesus, take me as I am, summon out what I should be, set your seal upon my heart, Holy Spirit, dwell in me.

Village chilly and quiet. Snows coming again.

Coffe good

St Geral reminds us to never cease to review and reform our spiritual selves. Father, help me to be constantly on guard against slipping into selfishness or sin.

ADVENT Day 6
•Christmas Novena
•RIAY Day 339: Sorrowful Mysteries
•Meditations for Each Day, pg.489: The Contemplative and the Active Life
•Pope Leo recommended Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection’s book, “The Practice of the Presence of God.” I’ve added it to my read list. I was surprised to find it on my bookshelf already. In looking back, I believe it was also recommended by my friend Jody McH.

Early pickup (0330) at Central Express for 2 coming home from the funeral. They are now home safe, sound, and warm. It was a bit chilly out there. I find myself in the garage office looking thru photos and news clippings of my bio father’s side of the family. Led me to send off a couple of messages to an uncle and a cousin, as I hadn’t checked in with them for ages. Trimmed the Ivy plants down to a reasonable length. Hopefully, that will stimulate root growth and new stems. At 7, I’ll pick up Emma R and head to the Amish meat & cheese store in Readstown. I really do need to get serious about putting this office in order. How it gets so messy is beyond me. Toner & ink ordered, should be in the first of the week. Also need a box of copy paper, as only 4 reams are left. The antique desk needs to be taken upstairs into the east bedroom. The old rug in the west bedroom needs to be rolled up. The denium floor pillow needs repair. See, I have lots of things that need doing, and I find myself running around the countryside avoiding them. Things feel like they are in a jumbled mess right now. Sort of like my prayer life. However, I am told it is not unusual to have a dry prayer life; one needs to persevere, and things will turn around. On the other hand, perhaps the prayer life would improve if I stopped putting other things ahead of it.

Know you are prayed for… some days more slowly than others.

-2°F SSW10mph SR0720 SS1626

Morning Offering given… Oh my God, forgive what I have been, correct what I am, and direct what I will be.”

Village sleeps and shivers

Coffee fragrant and bold

St Barbara, patroness of builders, shows us how building can give glory to God. Prayer… Lord, build your house in my heart and soul so that others may see you in me.

ADVENT Day 5
•Christmas Novena
•RIAY Day 338
•Meditation for Each Day pg. 487: True Love of Self

Morning!
I’m home today
Car in for maintenance
1 copy job completed
The man is doing the workshop girls for me
I have plants to be potted; it must be done
Ham and bean soup for supper
How’s your Advent coming along
It’s never to late to begin if you haven’t started yet

Know you are prayed for

26°F NW13mph SR0719 SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps with light dusting of snow overnight

Coffee good

Happy Birthday, Joe C, who is 68 today

Advent Day 4

•St Francis Xavier reminds us that we must always be willing to stretch our limits when working for God. Prayer…God of all, bring me to the place where I can do the most good.
•Christmas Novena Day 4
•RIAY Day 337: The Glorious Mysteries
•Meditations for each Day pg. 486 Recollection… The dissipated soul is absorbed in many things and has no time to reflect on the eternal truths or to think of God and of spiritual progress. As a result, it is incapable of solid virtue, or if it achieves this for a while, it soon evaporates.

Yesterday my friend and I went to the Japanese Bistro in downtown Sparta. My meal was excellent. I’ve added this to our places to enjoy eating.

Looking forward to an easy day today. Will catch up on things here at the house after I make my appointments downtown.

Know you are prayed for.

16°F SSW11mph SR0718 SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

Today, we remember Mae Hogan, born in 1890. May she rest in peace.

My day to pray for the Cmomc community…

ADVENT Day 3
•St Habakkuk, Hebrew prophet, emphasized God’s ties to His people, illustrating that God always welcomes us back. Lord, if I stray from You, remind me that You wait for me to return to Your embrace.
•Christmas Novena
•RIAY Day 336: The Sorrowful Mysteries
•Meditations for Each Day pg. 484: The Blessedness of those Who Suffer persecution

Pondering… “If it breaks God’s heart, why do you think it will fulfill your?”

Know you are prayed for.

5°F SSW6mph SR0717 SS1626

Morning Offering given

Village waking to cleaned streets

Coffee good

ADVENT Day 2

St Florence, convert and laywoman, exemplifies single minded devotion to Good and His Kingdom. Father, help me to never hesitate in turning my choice of work or lifestyle into your choice.

Christmas Novena Day 2
RIAY Day 335: The Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 483: The Blessedness of the Peacemakers

Monday begins

Know you are prayed for

24°F NNW13mph SR0716 SS1627

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps covered in 6″ of fresh new snow

Coffee good

St Andrew (brother of the apostle and 1st Pope, Peter) demonstrates the importance of collaboration in fostering faith. Jesus, thank you for drawing men and women to you, who created a strong foundation for your message.

The new liturgical year begins today.
Read Romans 13:11-14
RIAY Day 334: The Sorrowful Mysteries
St Andrew Christmas Novena 15x

1^st Day of Advent 2025… A season observed as a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’ birth and his return at the second coming.  Today’s candle is purple in color and represents “Joy.” 

The snow has stopped, the wind continues, and the ground is covered in pristine snow. What better time is there than right now, this moment, to take stock of where your life has been and where it is now headed?   

This is or it can be your moment to begin again.  Putting the past behind you and stepping out in faith for the new life that awaits you. 

Believing in Jesus but not obeying Him is what Satan does. It is believed to be the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit, refusing to ask for mercy. Now is your time; use it wisely. 

Know you are prayed for.

26°F E11 SR0715 SS1627

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps as snow falls

Coffee strong

Today we remember David C, who would have turned 70. May he rest in peace.

St Staurnius shows us how idolatry can be eliminated by God’s gifts of inspired preaching and miracles. Watchful God, move me to successfully and vigorously oppose idolatry in its many forms.

Read Ezekiel 45: The Holy Portion
RIAY Day 333: The Luminous Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg 479: The Blessedness of the Merciful

Today is the last day of the liturgical year. Tomorrow Advent begins. Begins the season my praying St Andrew’s Christmas Novena
(said 15x’s a day, every hr and a quarter based on 12 hr day.)

Hail & blessed be the hour and
moment in which the Son of God
was born of the most pure
Virgin Mary, at midnight,
in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.
In that hour, vouchsafe,
O my God! to hear my prayer
and grant my desires,
(mention your intentions here)
through the merits of
Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of
His Blessed Mother
Amen

Today I will find the Advent Wreath, Calendar, and Candles. I’m wondering what I did with them. Perhaps I should have looked for them sooner. Who knows.

The trips to Iowa during the past week were successful in accomplishing their intended purpose. An unexpected issue with the SUV will now be repaired on Thursday next week. It could have waited, and it wouldn’t have caused problems, except in my mind. Now I don’t have to think about it.
Know you are prayed for.

21⁰F NW8mph. SR0714. SS1624

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee ok

Leaving for Southern IA returning before snowstorm hits pls pray. Me there and back.

then I am home till the storm wears itself out

know you are prayed for

23°F NW15 SR0712 SS1628

Morning Offering given

“Father all-powerful, your gifts of love are countless and your goodness infinite; as we come before you on this Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge our dependence on you. We come before you with grateful hearts to thank you for the blessings we have received. Accept our thanksgiving on this day. We pray and give thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Village, peaceful and quiet

Coffee strong

Today we say Happy Birthday to Tonia D and Bev… Hope your days are awesome.

St Maximus exemplifies obedience in the way he accepted responsibilities he did not always want. Father, give me the strength to accept the roles you have given me and to do my best. I thank you for being by my side these past 60 years, with the support you have already provided for those things I did not want to take responsibility for.

Read Ezekiel 44: The Closed Gate
RIAY Day 331: The Glorious Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg.476: The Blessedness of Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Justice

Today we are headed to IA for a lovely Thanksgiving and to celebrate DD#1’s 50th birthday. Time has moved so swiftly. Hoping the weather holds there and back.

Know you are prayed for.

28°F Snowing WNW23mph SR0711 SS1628

Morning Offering given along with thanksgiving for only an 1″ of snow

Coffee good

Village dusted in white

St Leonard of Port Maurice, Patron of Parish Missions, emphasizes for us the beauty and importance of making the Stations of the Cross.

Happy 50th to my DD#1 Kaylee A and to Robby S

We remember Dixie S, who passed away on the 25th in 1969. May God have mercy on her soul.

Read Ezekiel 43: The Glory of the Lord Returns
RIAY Day 230: The Sorrowful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg 475: The Blessedness of Those Who Mourn

Have a wonderful day today

Stay safe in the storm make sure you travel with a winter safety kit include a rosary and a good book in it.

Know you are prayed for.