Shepherds of Christ Daily Writing        

February 18, 2016

February 19th Holy Spirit Novena
Scripture selection is 
Day 1 Period II.

The Novena Rosary Mysteries 
for February 19th
are Luminous.

 

Pray for special intentions.
  

Pray for Dan & Melanie, Jimmy,
Fr. Joe, Mary, Blue Book 16.

Please pray for funds & grace.

    

 

 Give the gift that Counts.

Blow Out Sale for Reprinting of Blue Book 1, 2 & 3

While Supplies Last

Blue Book 1   -  $4 each plus postage
Blue Book 2   -  $4 each plus postage
Blue Book 3   -  $3 each plus postage

Call 1-888-211-3041 for Doris

 

                  

New Homily Book - Cycle C
Available $10.00 plus postage 

   

February 18, 2016

 

                February 18, 2016

                R. Death / Resurrection

 

 

Excerpt from Response in Christ by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. p. 121

    We can understand why the saints have always had a tendency toward the cross. This is not their only vibrant tendency, but it is one of them. Because of their fidelity, their life of grace is given the proper freedom to develop according to all its basic dynamisms, one of which is towards the proper assimilation of the cross of Christ. It is not surprising, then, that down through the ages the Fathers, doctors, saints, and spiritual masters have taught the doctrine of the cross.

 

1 Corinthians 1: 17-25

After all, Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospel; and not by means of wisdom of language, wise words which would make the cross of Christ pointless. The message of the cross is folly for those who are on the way to ruin, but for those of us who are on the road to salvation it is the power of God. As scripture says: I am going to destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of any who understand. Where are the philosophers? Where are the experts?  And where are the debaters of this age? Do you not see how God has shown up human wisdom as folly? Since in the wisdom of God the world was unable to recognise God through wisdom, it was God's own pleasure to save believers through the folly of the gospel. While the Jews demand miracles and the Greeks look for wisdom, we are preaching a crucified Christ: to the Jews an obstacle they cannot get over, to the gentiles foolishness, but to those who have been called, whether they are Jews or Greeks, a Christ who is both the power of God and the wisdom of God. God's folly is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.

 

                R. Watch Movie St. John of the Cross

                Fr. Carter says:

"The cross should always be expressive of one's love of God and man, and it should always lead to a growth in this love."

 

                R. St. Ignatius teaches us about Death /
                Resurrection.

                    The cross, Fr. Carter says, leads to life.
                Fr. Carter says:


Excerpt from Response in Christ by Fr. Edward J. Carter, S.J. - Chapter 7

    One of the great stresses of contemporary asceticism is to sustain the Christian in his proper involvement with the world according to his particular vocation — we still make allowance of course for the rare vocation of the cloistered contemplative which still calls for withdrawal from the world. Contemporary asceticism is an asceticism which is primarily concerned with a loving service of God through a loving service of this world. It is an asceticism which enables the Christian to imitate Christ as the "Man for others", a phrase popular with some contemporary thinkers. This Christian dimension of "being for others" has been given a great impetus by the theology of Vatican II. This theology constantly opens up the Church to proper involvement with the world. The Church today, perhaps more so than ever, is conscious that one of the most obvious themes of her life is that of prolonging the witness of Christ, the suffering servant, the man for others. . .

    All forms of life demand self-discipline. The athlete has to subject himself to a rigorous training. The scholar has to discipline himself and make many sacrifices if he is to achieve significant academic success. The musician has to endure long hours of practice. The doctor has to be willing to order his life to the rigorous demands of the medical profession.

    The Christian life, too, has its own form of discipline or control. This discipline has for its comprehensive purpose the greater assimilation of the Christian's total being to Christ. Christian self-discipline allows for the proper development of the Christ-life in all its dimensions. Like all forms of authentic discipline, it is at the service of life. When it is properly exercised, Christian self-discipline helps us to grow in our capacity to love God and man. It helps us render in Christ a more meaningful life of service to the Father and men.

    This proper, grace-inspired control over our complete person is necessary because our various sense and spiritual faculties do not automatically follow the lead of grace. Because of original and personal sin, there are various tendencies within us which, if not properly controlled, will lead us away from Christ and the proper development of our grace-life. One of the dangers of an extreme or not completely authentic incarnational spirituality — an aberration of which contemporary Christians must be aware — is that it is falsely optimistic. It does not sufficiently allow for this sinful element in man. The Christian must be willing to exercise a reasonable self-discipline despite the considerable pain which can at times be involved. And this control must extend to all his faculties.

    As regards our intellectual lives, there are various tendencies inimical to our Christ-life which must be disciplined. For instance, there can be a laziness which prevents a proper pursuit of study which is necessary for the Christian life in general and for our own particular role in the Church. There can be an unwholesome curiosity which leads us to know that which is more pleasing, rather than first of all to know that which is necessary. There is an intellectual pride which can manifest itself in various ways. Some people find it extremely difficult to be open to the ideas of others, or to admit their mistakes. The most serious form of intellectual pride, of course, is that which can cause the loss of faith, a pride which prevents the person from any longer submitting to God's revelation.

    The Christian's will, the decisive faculty in man, must receive special attention. It must become both supple and strong. It must be supple in order to be open to the varied movements of the Holy Spirit. The will, under grace, must also have the strength to guide the whole man, including those forces which can so powerfully at times lead away from God. As far as concrete decision-making is concerned, there are two extremes which we must avoid. On the one hand, we must avoid precipitous action which is devoid of reflection. This reflection is rooted in an appropriate openness to the movements of grace. On the other hand, we must not fall prey to the habit of indecision. Some people are prone to spend much too long in making decisions over the simplest matters. Life is short, and we must train ourselves to make decisions after appropriate reflection. In many of our ordinary actions and decisions this reflection is instantaneous. Unhealthy fear and other factors which are responsible for indecision must be curbed despite the even great pain this can cause at times for certain temperaments.

    The Christian's remaining interior faculties, those of memory and imagination must also be subjected to proper discipline. These two faculties can be of great value when properly guided. If they are not properly controlled, they can, in their unruliness, become great obstacles to the proper exercise of the Christian life. An undisciplined memory and imagination can seriously interfere with our prayer life. A memory and imagination which are not properly controlled can also give rise to numerous temptations against purity, charity and the other virtues.

    Man's emotional nature must also be properly regulated under grace. A considerable portion of past spiritual literature has not given due allowance to the role which God intends the emotions to exercise. Therefore, when we speak of control of the emotions, we by no means are suggesting repression or an inhuman rigidity. Rather we speak of a control which permits the emotions to contribute to the richness and overall value of the Christian's actions. St. Thomas teaches that the emotions or passions, when properly integrated with the movements of the intellect and will, add to the goodness of our acts. 4

    However, as is obvious, the evil tendencies of the emotions must be properly disciplined if they are to add their positive contribution to the Christian life. The emotions can cause havoc if such a discipline is lacking. They can reduce man to an almost brute existence at times, or they can so constrict a person as to interfere seriously with the proper exercise and development of his Christ-life. In this regard it should be observed that the emotion of fear, if not properly controlled, can cause serious disorders. Psychiatrists and psychologists tell us that an uncontrolled and morbid fear is one of the chief causes of emotional and mental illness.

    At the mention of emotional and mental illness we should digress somewhat and ask ourselves this important question: Do such disturbances interfere with growth in holiness? Not all theologians would agree in their answer. The better opinion seems to be that which would make a distinction between two basic kinds of holiness.5 There is a total holiness, one which manifests itself throughout the entire being. Heroic holiness of this type is the kind which the Church presently demands for canonization. There is another kind of holiness which does not manifest itself in every area of a person's being. This is the type of holiness which is compatible with even severe emotional and mental illness. Persons thus burdened must take the reasonable means to cure or control such afflictions, and strive to live the Christian life as well as their condition allows. If this is done, they can be sure they are pleasing to God, that holiness is possible for them, and that they too can make their own contribution to the life of the Church.

    We now return to the topic of Christian self-discipline. We have discussed the control of the intellect, will, memory, imagination and emotions. There remains a final part of one's being, bodily nature. The body is holy, partaking in the holiness of Christ's body. But it is not yet completely redeemed. It can be subject to numerous evil tendencies, which, if not controlled, can weaken the life of sanctifying grace and even destroy it. The great saints did not excuse themselves from a proper vigilance of the body with its various senses. Neither can we. St. Paul says, "All the runners at the stadium are trying to win, but only one of them gets the prize. You must run in the same way, meaning to win. All the fighters at the games go into strict training; they do this just to win a wreath that will wither away, but we do it for a wreath that will never wither. That is how I run, intent on winning; that is how I fight, not beating the air. I treat my body hard and make it obey me, for, having been an announcer myself, I should not want to be disqualified." (1 Co 9:24-27).   end of excerpt


                Sing: Take Lord Receive

 

 

 

 

  February 9, 2016

Dear Friends,

I give my heart to Jesus and Mary with you in love.

If you read Fr. Joe's book like I did on the 13th you can see how awesome it is.

It helps me understand what is happening in the writings during the liturgical year.

It is so very good, it makes me so eager to live the liturgy in my life,
live in the liturgical year.

Well we have sent over 13,000 of Fr. Joe's new cycle books since the beginning of November to priests and hierarchy
all over the world.

It can enrich so many lives with the weekly sermon rooted in the Word, the Eucharist,
the liturgy,
the Mass,

Baptism, love and unity.

When a priest uses the book weekly he focuses on the Bread of Life to feed the people.

Say a priest says 4 or 5 Masses weekly
Think of how many souls could be reached with the people attending Mass.

Fr. Joe speaks of love and being a member of the body of Christ, living in relationships
all in the context of the scripture.

We see salvation history and its ups and downs -
we see our calling from God
and we see our part in salvation history.

God calls - we respond.

The body of Christ can help the world to raise up to greater perfection.

What are you doing to help this coming election in the United States.

This book of Fr. Joe's can help so many people every week.

We have sent over 13,000 books out to priests and hierarchy to every priest in your state.

We have sent the books to so many priests in the United States and all Bishops.

Can't you help us.

We also send a Prayer Brochure with the Shepherds of Christ prayers praying for the priests, the Church and the world.

We pray in adoration 8 days a month with usually 6 Masses for you, your family and the priests the Church and the world.

We pray in 24 hour adoration before the Exposed Blessed Eucharist in China for all this and for you.

The China mortgage is due tomorrow

and we are struggling because of giving so much money to the Ministries.

Can anyone help us with a donation.

Also we are printing another 20,000 of Fr. Joe's books
going to all the priests in the United States.

This can enormously help for this coming election.

A weekly Priestly Newsletter used about the scriptures and everything at Sunday Mass.

Please we need your help.

If you want to know what to do to help the world and especially all active priests in the United States please help us with a donation.

We need your help today.
Thanks for your prayers and help in advance.

God Bless you and love you.

Rita Robinson Ring

 

 

 

Give the gift that keeps giving.

6 different Blue Books for $30.00 including postage 

       


$
6.00


$5.00


$4.00


$2.00


$2.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00


$3.00

 
 $5.00                        $5.00

Books available in limited supply for this sale.

 

The more you use the Blue Books and
    become one with Jesus – more
    intimate with Jesus –
    the more your lives are a blessing and
    everything you do in life can help
    to bring down great grace for the world
    because of your being so
    one with Jesus.

 

Guiding Light Homily Book Series

Fr. Joe’s Books


Cycle A –
Steadfast to the Son


Cycle B –
Focusing on the Word


Cycle C

Feed My Soul

 
Cycle A
 
Inspired to be Genuine

4 for $20 plus postage of $5.95 

 

These books can be given to:

1) All Priests

       2) Good for Music Ministers
       3) Good for DRE's
       4) Good for Deacons
       5) Good for Principals of Schools
       6) Good for Teachers
       7) Good for Mom and Dads

     


 

                Given March 21, 2014

                R. Pray for These Things

                1) Pray for the Pope & hierarchy to help us start prayer chapters.
                2) Pray for Dan, Sally Jo, Richard, Carol, Margaret, Sue,
                    Jack, Jean, Amanda, Matthew, Special intentions.
               
3) Pray for the priests, the Church and the world!
                4) Pray for the spread of prayer chapters,
                    also for the spread of priests doing prayer chapters.
                5) Pray for the spread of Blue Books.
                6) People going to Florida and China.
                7) Vocations to all 7 categories.
                8) Pray for spread of Consecration and Rosary.
                9) Pray for pope helping us.
               10) Pray for Jeff - sales & health. Pray for Nick.
               11) Blue Book 16 and cover and all involved.
                    For our Publisher and all involved
               12) All intentions on my list, Jerry's list.
               13) Priests getting Fr. Joe's book.
               14) Pray for Fr. Joe's new book, cover & funds for printing & postage.
               15) Donors and members and their families.
               16) Healing of the Family tree.
               17) Dan & Melanie, Catherine & mom, Gary, Mary Jo,
                    Jim & statues, Fr. Ken, Monsignor, Kerry, Tom & wife.
               18) All who asked us to pray for them.
               19) All we promised to pray for.
               20) Rita, John, Doris, Sheila, Jerry, Regina, Sanja,
                    Betty, Sophie, Lisa, Eileen, Fr. Mike, Louie, Laverne,
                    2 Dons, Mary Ellen, Fr. Joe, all priests helping us,
                    Ed, Jimmy, Steve, a special couple
, Rosie & all involved.
               21) 2 babies and moms.
               22) Funds and insurance.
               23) Jerry's garage.
               24) In thanksgiving for gifts, graces, & blessings received.
               25) Spread the Blood of Jesus on all of us here.
               26) Consecrate all hearts.
               27) Cast the devil out of all of us here and all in Movement.

 

 

 The Wedding Rosary 

Crystal Image Rosary

$40 plus shipping

 

Original Image Rosary

8mm glass beads
in a matching gift box

$40 plus shipping

 

  

Give the gift that counts.

                Give to your priests Fr. Carter's Books plus postage.

Tell My People                    $5.00
Response to God's Love    $8.00
Response in Christ              $8.00

      

 

Old Mass Books with the Imprimatur 
$2.00 plus postage


 

New Mass Book with Imprimatur   
$8.00 plus postage


 

New Parents & Children's Book with the Imprimatur
$8.00 plus postage


 

Fr. Joe's Cycle A – Steadfast to the Sun – Starts in Advent
$5.00 plus postage

Give the gift that keeps on giving!

Give to your priest.


Fr. Carter's Priestly Newsletters Book II
$6.00 plus postage

     

Get a canvas print of Mary's image
with a sliver of glass and a little
bottle of Jesus and Mary water.
The glass will be fixed behind the
back of the picture.
$200.00 plus postage

 


Shepherds of Christ Ministries  
P.O. Box 627  China, Indiana 47250

Telephone: (toll free) 1-888-211-3041 or (812) 273-8405  
FAX: (812) 273-3182

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