Currently Playing Wow Hits 2005 By Various Artists see related

Leaving Cincinatti today and heading back to home base in St. Paul... Our last retreat was yesterday! CRAZY! Then we went out and had a team fun night.... Crookston, MN ... Lacross, WI ... Deluth, MN ... Davenport, IA... Owensboro, KY... Trenton, NJ ... Mobile, AL... Memphis, TN... Jeffersoncity, MI ... Cincinatti, OH .... = all come and gone...Praise the Lord!

Q: So what's the deal with all this creation stuff? I mean, how do we know anything we hear in the Bible is true? I mean like scientists are all saying that it's wrong. So how did it all start? A: When you look at this ongoing debate it seems to go in cycles every few years or so about whether or not the Creationists are right or the Evolutionists are right. To a certain extent, those who only believe in creation taking place just as it is presented in Genesis: you are right! To a certain extent, those who say that creation began with a Big Bang and we have evolved into what we are today: you are right too! But neither position is totally right. Like so many things, the answer is actually somewhere in the middle. Read More   Archive

From the Father Everyday of their lives we face types of rejection, its hard for us, at times, to understand how God can unconditionally invite us into His heart for eternity. This kind of unconditional invitation doesn't exist in the everyday world. Our world focuses far too often on exclusion. It focuses on who wasn't invited or who isn't cool enough to be included or who isn't like us. Christ teaches us to include everyone and He himself includes everyone in His family. To live this message as an example that includes every child of God, that is to say, each person we may meet. Every single week we are invited to a heavenly feast! Each one of us, no matter what the world or others have thought about us are brought here before to table of God’s love and called receive a taste of heaven. Do we really realize that? Do understand the passion with which God loves us and longs for us to be with Him? Do we see each other; the people sitting around us each week with His sight… all of us becoming more and more the Body of Christ? I once heard someone say that if people realized what was happening at Mass they would never ever want to miss it! People would come even if they had to they would crawl to church! Earth is united with heaven at every Mass. We are all for a time intimately bond to Jesus Christ in the real Presence of the Eucharist. All of us invited to be blessed to share in such a miracle as the Eucharist. How do we respond to this invitation? Are we oblivious to it? Bored with it? Do we think of it as the “same old thing every week?” Or do we just leave so that our moment of great union with Christ becomes a scramble to make sure we get out of the parking lot first? We all need to stop and think for a moment what happens at the altar table. Jesus becomes truly present in the Eucharist and we are invited to enter into His love for us and share His love with everyone around us. I'm praying for you all… have a great week. Peace Email this to a friend! From the FatherArchive    Live the Invitaion    My Hero: JPII    So Stupid    Welcome

Currently Reading Of the Imitation of Christ (Vintage Spiritual Classics) By THOMAS KEMPIS see related

NET team 5 is leaving Iowa on February 1^{st, heading to Kentucky! We have a 540-mile travel}

day on Tuesday, which takes an incredibly long time in a NET van...But we are so excited! We have absolutely loved the Davenport, diocese…but all of our dioceses have been in the Midwest – so we are excited to hit up the SOUTH! The Davenport, IA diocese has had the nicest people who have really treated us so well. We just wanted to tell some stories about the highlights from the past 3 weeks that we have been here.

Highlights: On our drive down to Iowa from the Twin Cities we stopped at a gas station in Brandon, IA -- a very small town that we thought was obscure until we discovered it was home to the Iowa's Largest Frying Pan. (I'm not sure if other states may claim to have a larger one or what ...). Of course we had to take a picture next to the frying pan, and as we were taking them, the deputy pulled up just to say hello b/c he noticed people were out. It was great (:

Retreat Highlights: This past week we have been doing a lot of retreats for small Catholic schools in southeast Iowa. One of our retreats the other day was for a 7-12th grade school that had a total enrollment of 52 youth! I had an awesome small group of 10th-12th grade girls. We had a neat discussion about living your faith even when it 'feels' like it is hard or when the 'retreat high', as we like to call it, goes away. They were so eager to figure out how they could live their faith at all times - even when they weren't at church or with their youth group. It was so inspiring! One of the coolest things was that they were all willing to work on it together to help each other out. It was so ironic b/c I was having a really long week, and they were my last small group before my day off, so they gave us a boost of energy.

Challenges: Well, one of our team members has been gone because of a broken leg. And while we definatly trust that it has been God's will, it has also been hard because we miss her and love her and need her! But she will be coming home to the team on Febuary 15! Please continue to keep her healing in your prayers!

Angels along the Road: The team has had a lot of random encounters lately with people who have nothing to do with our retreats. On my last day off Kari stopped in a gift shop and started talking to the manager who asked where she was from and why she was there. The woman went to the Catholic Church where the team was doing a retreat, so Kari ended up staying for a while to talk about our faith. When she went back to the church that night, I found out she had called the church and offered to buy us lunch the next day. It was so sweet - after we went out to lunch we stopped by her shop so the whole team could meet her. We talked and then prayed with her before we left. She cried b/c she was so touched. It was really sweet.

CD Favorite: Third Day... Album: Offerings....

Stats: The team has done a total of 65 retreats now since we went on the road in October! We figured out that just over the past 3 weeks there have been over 800 youth on our retreats. It is so challenging, yet rewarding, to be able to do this small work for the Lord.

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star )"

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,

("Don't quit.) ("Keep playing.)"

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.

Only the classic,

(" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)"

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on
our own is hardly noteworthy.

We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"(Don't quit)" "Keep playing)"

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

May God bless you and be with you always!

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star )"

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,

("Don't quit.) (“Keep playing.)"

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.  Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.

Only the classic,

(" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)"

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on
our own is hardly noteworthy.

We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"(Don't quit)" "Keep playing)"

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.'

Currently Playing Carried Me: The Worship Project By Jeremy Camp see related

NET TEAM 5 Diary - between Davenport, IA and Owensboro, KY

(you think you know but you have no idea...)

Where in the magi are we?

NET team 5 is leaving Iowa on February 1^st, heading to Kentucky!  We have a 540-mile travel

day on Tuesday, which takes an incredibly long time in a NET van...But we are so excited! We have absolutely loved the Davenport, diocese…but all of our dioceses have been in the Midwest – so we are excited to hit up the SOUTH! The Davenport, IA diocese has had the nicest people who have really treated us so well.  We just wanted to tell some stories about the highlights from the past 3 weeks that we have been here.

Highlights: On our drive down to Iowa from the Twin Cities we stopped at a gas station in Brandon, IA -- a very small town that we thought was obscure until we discovered it was home to the Iowa's Largest Frying Pan. (I'm not sure if other states may claim to have a larger one or what ...).  Of course we had to take a picture next to the frying pan, and as we were taking them, the deputy pulled up just to say hello b/c he noticed people were out.  It was great (:

Retreat Highlights: This past week we have been doing a lot of retreats for small Catholic schools in southeast Iowa.  One of our retreats the other day was for a 7-12th grade school that had a total enrollment of 52 youth! I had an awesome small group of 10th-12th grade girls.  We had a neat discussion about living your faith even when it 'feels' like it is hard or when the 'retreat high', as we like to call it, goes away.  They were so eager to figure out how they could live their faith at all times - even when they weren't at church or with their youth group.  It was so inspiring!  One of the coolest things was that they were all willing to work on it together to help each other out. It was so ironic b/c I was having a really long week, and they were my last small group before my day off, so they gave us a boost of energy.

Retreat Lowlights: NONE!...

Challenges: Well, one of our team members has been gone because of a broken leg. And while we definatly trust that it has been God's will, it has also been hard because we miss her and love her and need her! But she will be coming home to the team on Febuary 15! Please continue to keep her healing in your prayers!

Angels along the Road: The team has had a lot of random encounters lately with people who have nothing to do with our retreats.  On my last day off Kari stopped in a gift shop and started talking to the manager who asked where she was from and why she was there.  The woman went to the Catholic Church where the team was doing a retreat, so Kari ended up staying for a while to talk about our faith. When she went back to the church that night, I found out she had called the church and offered to buy us lunch the next day. It was so sweet - after we went out to lunch we stopped by her shop so the whole team could meet her.  We talked and then prayed with her before we left.  She cried b/c she was so touched.  It was really sweet.

CD Favorite: Third Day... Album: Offerings....

Stats: The team has done a total of 65 retreats now since we went on the road in October!  We figured out that just over the past 3 weeks there have been over 800 youth on our retreats.  It is so challenging, yet rewarding, to be able to do this small work for the Lord.

St. Alphonsus Liguori

St Alphonsus Liguori Patron Saint of Vocations Born: 1696 d. 1787 Feast Day: August 1 Bio: Alphonsus was born into a very wealthy family just outside of Naples, Italy. Noted for his brilliance and scholarly mind, he was a lawyer who practiced for several years before leaving the career because of a court case that was ‘fixed.’ Once ordained a priest, he spent time as a missionary and as a teacher. It was while he worked with the poor around Italy that he recognized their incredible need for education. He was so moved with pity for the poor, that he founded an order of priests, the Redemptorists, whose most basic principle in both life and teaching, was simplicity. Later, Alphonsus accepted the office of Bishop, in a diocese near Naples, although he was reluctant to take the position. Once Bishop, he spent significant time reforming the local seminary, and he continued to concentrate on educating the lower and middle classes. An avid reader and true scholar, he authored many books that further educated his brother priests and religious. One work, the Theologia Moralis (1753), was written to denounce an anti-Catholic group called the Jansenists, who believe that God was a ‘cruel taskmaster’ and that people were ‘far too unworthy to frequently receive the sacraments, especially the Eucharist.’ The writings and teachings of Alphonsus Liguori became the basis and foundation for Catholic theology and Church teaching for the next 200 years. Although he was an extremely holy man, he suffered from severe depression at times. When times were good, however, he was known to make predictions that came true and even perform miracles. He died quietly, at the age of 90, and his order (the Redemptorists) was recognized by the Vatican, and has spread all over the world over the past two centuries. Factoids: He earned a law degree and worked as a lawyer for almost a decade He was ordained a priest at 30 years old Named a Doctor of the Church in 1871, by Pope Pius IX He founded the Redemptorist order of priests, specializing in ministry to the poor He wrote several works that served to educate priests, and defend the Church from anti-Catholic groups In his own words: “If you embrace all things in life as coming from the hands of God, and even embrace death to fulfill His holy will, assuredly you will die a saint.” “Prayers offered right after Holy Communion are more precious and profitable than prayers offered at any other time.” “O divine heart, be consolation in trials, my rest in labors, my comfort in anxiety, my haven from stress.” “I consecrate to you my body and my soul, my heart and my life, together with all that I am. I unite all my thoughts, all my affections and all my desires to yours.”

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)"

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear,

("Don't quit.) (“Keep playing.)"

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.

The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.

Only the classic,

(" Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)"

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on
our own is hardly noteworthy.

We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear,
"(Don't quit)" "Keep playing)"

May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.'

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire.

May God bless you and be with you always!