Confession

I would like to highlight the sacrament of Confession here and hopefully explain in a clear and succinct way, why it is so necessary for us.

On a purely human plane I believe that whenever we get something off of our chest we feel a sense of relief. Take for example when a taumatic experience occurs and we sek the help of a professional or even a freind to talk to and help us through the tragedy we have just experienced.

There can be no tragedy greater than sin, because it strikes at the so... [Read More]

My favorite quotes

Mother Teresa

Wilt thou refuse? When there was question of thy soul I did not think of Myself but gave Myself freely for thee on the Cross and now what about thee?

Wilt thou refuse?

I want thee a victim of My love, who would be so very united to Me as to radiate My love on souls. I want thee free, covered with My Poverty of the Cross. I want thee obedient, covered with My Obedience on the Coss. I want thee full of love, covered with My Charity of the Cross.

Wilt thou refuse to do this fo... [Read More]

The Gospel According to Saint John

Starting a week from now, one of my favorite priests is beginning a multi-part lecture on the writings of Saint John. In particular he wants to cover his Gospel and his epistles, though he does plan to touch on Revelation. I am very excited about this not only because this priest has helped me immensely in my own faith formation, but because of the subject too.

Nearly a year ago I was in RCIA and needed to choose a saint under whose name I would be confirmed. This was hard for me since quite... [Read More]

Becoming a Religious

I live in San Bernardino, CA. I have been looking for Religious Orders near San Bernardino, and I have been having a heck of a time.

If any one know of any Religious vocation office that is near San Bernardino, Riverside, or Los Angeles please let me know.


Peace and all good
Mike Pratt

This Evening's Plans

I had a date tonight with a handsome young man who is not my husband.

Shock, horror, etc. Haha.

My date was with my son. He is six years old and the sweetest little man I've ever laid eyes on. On our date, we prayed together. We prayed the Holy Rosary, focusing on the Glorious Mysteries.. My seven-year old prefers to pray to herself in her head, in private. I'm happy that she is praying. She has the biggest heart of any child I have ever known. And my two year old's speech is coming along, b... [Read More]

The Passion of the Christ

I watched The Passion of the Christ today for the first time since Ash Wednesday, 2004.

As we grow in experience and in faith, so many things change.

My mom once told me to make sure that I not only have God in my mind as I try to understand my faith, but in my heart. She knew me so well!

Since 2004, my understanding of the workings of the faith have certainly grown. I look to my faith more and more as a gift, strengthening my as I go through this life.

Today, as I watched this... [Read More]

Legalism

Hi and welcome to my blog! I will be blogging about random theological issues, my personal journey, and the occasional rant. For my first entry, I will start with a brief rant that I wrote during a study hall with nothing to do. It's not high caliber and rather short but the main idea is still there. Please feel free to discuss any issue I bring up, that's why I type these!

Legalism is not Christ-like. It simply astounds me how many legalistic Christians there are out there. Before the moder... [Read More]

What does it mean to be a Carmelite?

To be a Carmelite means to be in the company of the beloved (God) whom we know loves us. (St. Teresa of Avila)

Our charism is prayer and prayerful service to the church. Out of our contemplative prayer, comes the grace to infuse our ministry with love and it becomes spiritually potent. In other words, our ministry becomes effective only to the degree of our union with God. If we are close to God, then we can give Him to others. If we are distant from God, then we will only give ourselves.
[Read More]

What is love?

My teacher asked me to write a paper on love, I liked a few parts of it so I figured I'd post it here.
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What is love? This question has baffled mankind for millennia as try to understand the powerful emotion at one time felt by us all. Ironically, few people have been able to fully answer this question and I, for one, know that I cannot as well. I tend to look at love from a biblical perspective; therefore, my focus wi... [Read More]

Religious Obedience.

Obedience can present a challenge to our wills and is very precious to God. It is one thing to give some object we possess to God, but it is quite another to give over our will to God. We can give no more because we subject ourselves to God through a human superior, which can sometimes be painful to our pride, but which is nonetheless pleasing to God if done cheerfully and if embraced fully and not given begrudgingly, which you have no doubt have already had formation about already so you are... [Read More]

The Annunciation of St. Joseph

“...Behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.’”

Prior to this dream, St. Joseph had just found out that Mary was with child, and was considering what course of action to take. He was considering putting her away quietly, in order that she would not suffer public shame. Joseph was ‘the just man’ in that he was trying to do what was right, but also showed a... [Read More]

The joys of celibacy

I don't regret my decision to become a Brother, and thus forgo the possibility of a wife and children. Sure there are moments when you think about the sacrifice and even are tempted to abandon the life, but celibacy is only possible by cooperating with the graces given to live this state.

In the Roman Rite, priestly celibacy is a firmly established discipline. Sure, it's possible for it to change, but extremely unlikely, and I don't think it would be good thing if it did, but if the Pope did, I... [Read More]

So Here I Am

I've never blogged before. Who'd really care what I have to say? Time will tell, I suppose. Who am I? My name is fairly vague. I'm a wife, a mother, a daughter, sister and friend. I'm also a Girl Scout leader, PTA board member, co-owner of a web-based local mom's group, as well as a chauffeur to little people, home-maker, chief cook and bottle washer. On occasion, I even go to a job that pays. I'm also a nurse. Most importantly, I am honored to call myself a Catholic.

I grew up in a lukewarm f... [Read More]

Blessed Are You Simon - BeaconsOfLight.net July 2008 Wk4

Christ’s Light be with us,

This week BeaconsOfLight.net, A Heartfelt Catholic Daily Reflections, comes back with a theme “The Pope” filled with lineups of refreshing articles about the life around and teachings about the Pope.

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Blessed Are You Simon – Featured Article

When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still othe... [Read More]

Beacons Of Light June 2008 4th Week Edition

Greetins my sisters and brothers in the Lord

Below are the excerpts of the newest entries "June 2008, 4th week edition" to refresh and strengthen our faith from:

Beacons of Light.net
“A Heartfelt Catholic Reflections Journal”

To view the complete articles, please click the link above or type “BeaconsOfLight.net” in your browser window.

Hot Chocolate Blessing
Praise be to God for all of the abundant blessing that He gives! I was hangin’ out with a brother in Chris... [Read More]

Beacons of Light, 1st week of July 2008 Edition

Greetings to the children of the Most High God,

Afer the 1st week soft opening, BeaconsOfLight.net is back with the Grand Opening lineup of solid articles that would reenergize your fatih and fill your spirit with His presence. Enjoy!

BeaconsofLight.net
“A Heartfelt Catholic Daily Reflections”

To view the website, please click the link above or type “BeaconsOfLight.net” in your browser window. To view the individual post, please click the title below.

[Read More]

RCIA Journal

Here I will be posting my journey through RCIA. I feel so blessed and honored to go through the Initiation process. For those who are interested in becoming Catholic, this may give you a little look into the RCIA process.

Disclaimer:

The experiences that I journal and the opinions I share, are of my own experience and opinion; therefore, whatever I say does not represent the Catholic Church nor the RCIA process.

Beacons of Light "2nd Week of July 2008" Edition

Greetings sons and daughters of God’s Kingdom,

BeaconsOfLight.net “July 2008 2nd Week” Edition is back with a beautiful lineup of heartfelt reflections that we surely believe will touch your faith.

BeaconsofLight.net
“A Heartfelt Catholic Daily Reflections”

To view the website, please click the link above or type “BeaconsOfLight.net” in your browser window. To view the individual post, please click the title below.

[Read More]

How to be Forgiven - Featured Article from BeaconsOfLight.net

Peace in the Lord.

Below is this week’s feature article from BeaconsOfLight.net, A Heartfelt Catholic Daily Reflections writen by my brother in Christ whom I love. May this article bring refreshing gush of His presence in our life.

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How to Be Forgiven

I think of myself at times as a perfectionist, so when things don’t go my way, I get annoyed it didn’t go the way I planned. And this in turn, causes frustration in my life. Then the frustration gives me a sense of hav... [Read More]

RCIA: 2nd Session

Today was the 2nd session of RCIA. We are still in inquiry phase. A few faces that where at the first session didn't come back this week, and a few new faces showed up.

Today our catechist, his name is Mr. T, shared his story with us. We went around the room and introduced ourselves, with a small story of ourselves; like last week. He wanted to do it again this week, because of the new faces. I missed last weeks introductions; so this made me happy. Most people where here because their famil... [Read More]

Treasures on Earth

Mathew 6:19-20 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Last Friday I had the procrastinated task of cleaning out a U Haul storage locker that I had rented for far too long.

Some of the items I needed and was glad to retrieve. There were my snow skis, which I had dearly mis... [Read More]

1st Session: Wednesday 17 August 2008

I brief introductory:

I am a X-Buddhist if that suits. I grew up in a home that had basic beliefs about god. That he existed and he ruled the universe. My family where not church goers, nor did we pray at anytime. When I got older I started out on a spiritual quest, looking for the faith. I ended up trying several different churches mostly protestant, every time things got weird and I would run for it. Later on I was moved by some humble monks I ran into in Hong Kong. I started to study budd... [Read More]