0°F SSE10mph SR0724 SS1625

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

Village shivering this morning.

Coffee good

Happy 9th Birthday to Hudson!

Holy Day of Obligation… Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary… Loving Father, open my eyes so that I can see the many wonders and signs you have given to us.

Christmas Novena Day 9
RIAY Day 342: The Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg. 493: The Immaculate Conception Read Luke 1

Today’s Ponder: To understand the enemy we must first understand that, like every serpent, he slithers and hides. He is not obvious. He is not easy to identify. Indeed, he is so subtle in his camouflage and subterfuge that we are usually blind to his real identity, and he remains invisible. _{Fr. Dwight Longenecker, Immortal Combat}

Good Morning! Missing my friend Val this morning. Came across one of her Christmas ornaments, which made me sad as I looked at all the art I have that she made. Her things always spoke to me. Those tiny little ornaments of the wise men… Wishing I could be at my g’son’s 9th birthday and trying to figure out what mass is going to work for me today. Yesterday’s Christmas potluck was enjoyable. As always, the food was splendid and plentiful. Santa came for the children; I so enjoy watching their faces. Christmas brings out the best and the worst of us. Pine is not my friend so as they grew up having a real tree wasn’t often something my children got to enjoy. Now, as I’ve grown older and the children have homes of their own, my tree is made of grapevines and mistletoe. The perfect size to place on the table. Our tree always went up the Saturday before Christmas and came down shortly after Epiphany. Seldom did we do all the outdoor decorating that seems to be the norm these days. Presents have never been the most important thing. Something to read, something to wear, and something you wanted was the choice. Perhaps I could have done things differently, but I never felt Christmas was about what was given or gotten. I miss Christmas Eve at the monastery with full incense and my children all in a row in the pew and breakfast afterwards. I miss Christmas Morning 8AM Mass, and the excitement that went with that. I miss seeing my boys on the altar serving. I miss having my girls in the kitchen getting everything ready for dinner. I miss combing, brushing, and braiding the girls’ hair and slicking down the boys’. I miss the awe and wonder little children bring to the manger on Christmas morning. Soon, I will find the Wise Men and set them on their journey to Bethlehem. They will wander the house until Epiphany, when they finally find Mary & Jesus.

Have a wonderful Advent. I hope you find Christ in your journey to Christmas.

Know you are prayed for.

18⁰F. N9mph SR0723. SS1625

snow another inch

taking u to adoration

know u r prayed for

24°F W7mph SR0722 SS1625

Morning Offering given

Village sleeps

Coffee tasty

75th birthday greetings to Pat S

Happy St Nicolas Day

St Nicholas, patron of children, symbolized the need to celebrate God’s gift of Jesus to us by giving to others. Prayer…generous Lord, help me to celebrate the joy of your birth with the happy abandon of a child.

ADVENT DAY 7

Christmas Novena Hail and 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 the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.
RIAY Day 340: Joyful Mysteries
Meditations for Each Day pg.490: Knowledge & Learning

Only God knows why I am awake this morning. Last evening, I went to bed fully intending to sleep until 6. Not sure why every morning is in the 3-330 hour.

Couple of copy jobs to complete and deliver this morning.

Know you are prayed for.

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.