Archive for the ‘Memory Book’ Category
What a wonderful way to end the liturgical year! Thanksgiving Eucharist with Gloria Patri Ministry leading the way from one year into the next urging us all to embrace our cross and follow Jesus.
Memorable too because my wife proclaimed the first reading for the first time from the pulpit. Then our Lord blessed me too with an opportunity to serve Him as an Extraordinary minister of Holy Communion. This brought a tear to my eye for I felt His endearing love for me. He knew that I would always be willing to serve Him in any capacity. Even if it meant doing something I was uncomfortable with. I only pray that as we enter into the new year, Holy Spirit Lord will guide my steps and guard my heart. Amen
Blessed Advent everyone!
Yesterday night, during the healing mass led by Gloria Patri Ministry. The atmosphere was the most intense it has ever been in a long while and lots of healing took place through the healing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Praise be to our ever merciful and loving God!
Father was inspired by the Gospel reading to lead married couples in renewing of their marriage vows to one another. My wife turned to me and said she did not want to put me in a spot and that she did not want to do it. She would bring my daughter out to go to the toilet when the time came. I turned to her baffled. She saw my look and asked why? Did I want to do it? I replied why is it even a question?
I began to feel uncomfortable as to why I was even there? I was not angry but overwhelmed with sorrow. My wife’s reaction was puzzling to me, was there something I did wrong or hurt her that she did not want to do it? I could not shake the feeling even after verbally praying and asking Jesus to take the hurt feelings away.
Then Joseph the prayer leader revealed more healing taking place. All of a sudden I heard him say, “The Lord is touching you, Julian, Julian!” At that very moment all the negative feelings were taken away and I felt His profound love envelop me.
Later Father invited the married couples to stand and face one another, my wife stood up and invited me to do likewise. We took one another’s hands and renewed our commitment to love one another. Praise the Lord!
Later that night I shared with her how disappointed I was initially with her reaction. She explained that she wanted to do it, but out of respect for me she did not want to compel me to do it. Apparently she had a recording in her mind, of something I shared with her a few years back. I had told her I did not believe in the practise of renewing one’s vows. Afterall our marriage vows is covenantal, forever not something that needed to be renewed like a driver’s license. We should look upon the vows we made as sacred. What we should continue to renew is our love for each other.
Yes I remembered saying it and still believe in what I said. However I was willing to do so out of obedience to the priest who encouraged it and for her sake. ❤️
Theme – Love or lost
What a blessing to be part of the first ever archdiocese level family camp. Families from different parishes gathered together to experience the love of our Lord and to have fun together.
The youths had several opportunities to reflect as well as bond through their own separate activities. The kids too, those below 12 had some enrichment and lots of fun games to take part in. While the adults re-learnt the great importance of loving one another after God. That is if we love God first in our lives; followed by loving one another, the love for our children will be heightened and the family will be one.
Apart from that it gave me great joy to meet and bond with other families from the other parishes. The greatest joy came from first being given the opportunity as husband and wife to serve at the Eucharistic celebrations, especially on the feast of Corpus Christi. And secondly, being able to share the love of Christ through our faith experiences with one another. By giving hope and encouragement to a mother struggling to bring the family together for prayer. Then sharing with another who was genuinely seeking but not yet finding; the experience and importance of belonging to a community even building up one through faith in Christ.
All of us were truly blessed not only to experience the love of Christ in very tangible ways but to have a wonderful spiritual director who led us very much closer to Him through the love sessions.
I was very much in awe to learn at the end of the camp as we were departing that the lady I had spoken to about community had managed to get three other families staying close by to continue their journey together. One of them was a neophyte! What a blessing indeed to witness the grace of God and the fruits of the camp.
Glory and Praise to God our Father, His son our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Amen
My Easter Reflection for 2018
Posted: April 1, 2018 by CatholicJules in Life's Journeys, Memory Book, Personal Thoughts & ReflectionsThe journey towards Easter this year was certainly not what I hoped for. By far in the last five years this has been the dryest one of all. Still I clung on as tightly as I could to His love for me.
In the last three weeks leading up to Easter my reflection was on the denial of St Peter. How easy it was to judge him for his lack of faith when it mattered most. And yet how many times had I denied Jesus in my own words and actions? Hence as far as possible I would call to mind this reflection.
The second reflection that hit me in an all new way and only recently was in Jesus’s washing of his disciples feet. St Peter’s response is another classic, in which he protested that his Lord should not wash his feet. Is my own respond to Jesus any different? When I allow empty pride get in the way of allowing my saviour to cleanse me that I be made worthy of Him? I have no part of Him otherwise! He did not cling to His divinity, instead He humbled himself to go on His knees to wash my feet. To cleanse me of my sins. That very act brought to mind the Sacrament of reconciliation. Why does it matter which priest it is? What did it matter how dirty and dark my sins were? How embarrassing it was for me to confess? How can I allow pride to prevent my saviour from cleansing me? Also in that very act of love for me, by washing my feet he shows me how I am called to lead others to His love. I am called to do so in the very same manner.
While I was mourning the loss of my Spirituality this Lent, my dear Lord was speaking His truth to my heart in a deep profound way. My eyes were opened to His great love for me and you during the Easter Vigil! His Peace perfumed the air. His abundant blessings came down upon us as Holy water was sprinkled and we were renewed in His holiness. His shepherd then let us in a joyful celebration in His love. I praised and thanked Jesus and offered to try my hardest to always stand ready to serve Him in humility. I honestly did not think He would call me so soon, but that very night I was called up to serve Him even though it looked there were more than enough hands and feet on duty. Needless to say I was in awe. Joy filled my heart and it has carried over today.
May the joy of the Risen Lord fill your heart not just for a day or two but for all eternity. Amen
My Easter candle came with a message….. I need to bleed a little more for Him.
Truly Blessed Easter celebration. To have celebrated with joy and thankful hearts with the whole Parish! Lifting hands in praise and worship. To have received both the body and blood of Christ and to be given the opportunity to serve Him. Thank You Jesus…
