72°F sprinkling WSW7mph SR0452CST SS1925CST

Morning Offering given
“My God, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world. I offer them for all the intentions of your Son’s Sacred Heart, for the salvation of souls, reparation for sin, and the reunion of Christians. Amen”

Village quiet but filled with humm of AC units

Coffee good

New month
New chance to begin again

Plants on porch watered. They were thirsty after the heat we’ve had the past couple of days.

In the Catholic Tradition let us begin our day with the awareness of the presence of God. Doing this encourages us to do our best to acquire all the virtues. It enlivens our faith and increases our love for God.

Good and gracious God,
As I prepare to walk into this new work day,
lead me into Your presence and unfailing love.
You who are Immanuel, God with us,
have promised to be with me always.
As the Psalmist asks,
“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?” (Ps. 139:7).
You, O God, are the One in whom my soul finds refuge.
On this day, filled with its own to-do lists
and tasks that require my efforts and attention,
grant me the grace of sensing your nearness.
You desire to dwell with me all the days of my life.
Open my soul to become more aware
of Your presence throughout the day,
and help me trust that You are with me,
even when I struggle to feel so.
Teach me to see this day
not as an obstacle in the way of experiencing
intimacy with You,
but rather as holy ground
that You will stand with me on.
Help me see this day
as another opportunity to commune with You.
Slow my spirit to walk in step with You.
Amen.

Know you are prayed for.

65°F SE4mph SR0451 SS1927

Morning Offering given

Village awake and moving

Coffee good

Good sleep, overslept Short run this morning free to do office work in afternoon.

Happy Birthday, Greg! Happy Anniversary, Joe & Donna!

Meet Olivia
https://youtu.be/S-lQOooYAs8?si=H5ZdqIkKyhQGgcJN

Know you are prayed for

63°F S8mph SR0450CST SS1928CST

Morning Offering given

Village wakes

Coffee ok

The man left early

The 2007 Expedition has been sold

1 copy project to do, 1 lax run to do, I still need a haircut, the office is still a mess, the houlihan and hogan fam his still needs copying, however, the printer is out of toner, story of my life.

Of course it is also that time to collect one’s thoughts and examine the past month. Time to find a confessional and get that job done… let’s talk about that. Why has it now become something, a job, to get done? Why isn’t there a burning in the soul because of fear of hell? Why is it suddenly just a job and not a passion. This unburdening of ones soul. This list of wrongs that need righting. This numerated list of defects that need correcting. Where is the anguish that used to be associated with wrongdoing? If it is not present, you haven’t finished making the list. https://spiritualdirection.com/exam
https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

In the Catholic Tradition… Ways of Resisting Temptation…
Prayer-
Be humble, work on humility-
Avoid Occasions of sin-
Flee temptation-

Scripture to peruse:
2 Cor 3:5, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5, Phil 4:13, 1 Cor 4:7, Ecclus 3:27

Keep in mind this will not be easy. It will take time, patience, and perseverance on your part.

Know you are prayed for.

67°F rainy ENE4mph SR0449CST SS1929CST

Morning Offering given

Village wet

Coffee ok

Great time at the Houlihan Reunion yesterday in Pinicon Ridge Park. Very nice gathering spot. Good to catch up with everyone, dismally losing at Shit on Your Neighbor, and in general good food… Tom’s cinnamon rolls were to die for. Promised to dig out all the fam history I have and make copies.

In the Catholic Tradition… Conquering Temptation… 1 Cor 10:13 “Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.” If you are discouraged by you frequent falls into sin ask god for help, he knows our weaknesses. Ps102:14″ “For he knoweth our frame. He remembereth that we are dust: ” Do not resign yourself to the slavery of sin, there is a way out, God is good and merciful he will help you. Satan loves to trick us into believing we are so sinful nothing can help us. Jesus tells us to watch and pray so that we do not fall into temptation (Mat 26:41) St Jerome advises us to “slay the enemy while it is small” St Francis de Sales tells us to “fly into the arms of Jesus and Mary as soon as we spy the wolf”. As long as the temptation lasts we should persevere in prayer. Without prayer it is impossible to overcome temptation.

Know you are prayed for.

On August 13!! stop Evers out of control spending of federal $$

63°F clear SSE7mph SR0448CST SS1930CST

Morning Offering given

Village slumbers

Coffee good

Another quick Mass last evening. I do not see the point of rushing thru.

In the Catholic Tradition… Temptations… Temptation is the greatest trial a faithful man can endure. No one is perfect and holy. (James 1:12) “Blessed is the man who endures temptations for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him” Every temptation is first presented to the mind as a simple thought. Then it is clothed by the imagination and projected in vivid colors until it arouses the evil inclinations of the senses. This is how it takes possession of the mind. We must be ready to reject it when it is a simple thought.

Off to the Houlihan Reunion in IA today.

Know you are prayed for.

64°F cloudy S10mph SR0447CST SS1931CST

Morning Offering given

Village awake and open for business

Coffee good

Good grief, two days in a row of long sleep time. I could get used to this.

Typing job completed. Copy job pending.

The car went in for maintenance yesterday. While that was being done the coil was broken. No car till Monday. Probably a good thing. My house is a disaster and that is a shadow statement at best.

In the Catholic Tradition…The Hour of Trial (Antonio Cardinal Bacci)… Everyone, including saints, has an hour of trial. “One who enters a contest is not crowned unless he has competed according to the rules” 2 Tim 2:5 Even the angels were put on trial and the haughty spirits who rebelled against God were damned forever. Adam & Eve were placed on trial and because they disobeyed God’s command… deprived of supernatural gifts and exiled from earthly paradise. Even Jesus will to endure His hour of trial in the Garden of Gethsemane, before the Sanhedrin, before the judgment seat of Pilate, and on Mt Calvary. He desired this to teach us how to be victorious. Whether physical, moral, or spiritual, these trials affect us greatly. Mt 26: 39-42 “Father, if it is possible let this cup pass away from me; yet not as I will, but as thou willest” , should be our fervent prayer in times of trial.

Know you are prayed for.

54°F SSE9mph SR0446CST SS1932CST

Morning Offering given

Village waking

Coffee good

The porch is wonderful this morning. Cool, refreshing, peaceful. The man has already left for the day. My vehicle is in the shop for maintenance. My day will be here at home for once. Had a good sleep. PAD test, audio, dental, and carpel tunnel appointments scheduled. Gotta love those golden years!

In the Catholic Tradition… Life today is fast and mechanical, a mad race for profit and pleasure. Roadways, footpaths, theatres, cinemas and sports complexed are crowded with people looking for fun and happiness. Churches are empty… the one place Jesus is really present… empty.

Know you are prayed for.

Life happens to us all.  We do, say, don’t do things along the way that left uncontested blow up on us later.

We walk around with mad, angry, irritated, written plainly on our face.  No wonder people avoid us at all

costs.  It is time to get this straightened out.

1. They love God and you a lot. (Be mindful.)

2. They are painfully limited human beings. (Be realistic.)

3. They probably have a pretty low view of their own “job performance”. (Be kind.)

4. They wish they were better preachers. (Be awake.)

5. They really do want God’s best for you and your family. (Be open-hearted.)

6. Their work knows no time or location boundaries. (Be patient.)

7. They hear much more negative information than positive. (Be encouraging.)

8. They are in a vocation in which it is hard to remain steadfast. (Be praying.)

9. They have chosen a highly leadership-intensive call. (Be lead-able.)

10. They need help. (Be available.)

11. Their God-given vision is bigger than themselves and the church (Be faith-filled.)

12. They want to personally meet the needs of all, but know they can’t (Be understanding.)

13. They are going to say some dumb things every now and then. (Be forgiving.)

14. They are greatly encouraged by your faithfulness. (Be there.)

15. They are passionate for God’s Word to be made practical to you. (Be hungry.)

16. They long for the church to be your spiritual oasis. (Be loving.)

17. They dream for you and your family’s spiritual health. (Be receptive.)

18. They need to hear that you pray for them. (Be interceding.)

19. They are just regular people. (Be real.)

Pray for your priests!A dear friend sent me this and I knew others would want to see it too.