December 15, 2013
The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song.’ Is 35
Beside my front door at my house there is a small rose bush. Every spring and summer it blossoms a gorgeous deep reddish-pink color. While in bloom I gaze upon it as I enter and leave my house and give thanks to God for such beauty. I have noticed that every autumn there is at least one late bloomer. This single rose will blossom and flourish almost as in defiance of the approaching cold of winter. I have always admired that one rose. It is as if God is saying to me, “Here is one last glimpse of summer for you to carry you over to spring!”
This autumn we once again had a late bloomer but I notice that this was one stubborn flower! Usually when the rose is off the bloom her petals will shrivel and drop to the ground, but not this rose. Every day the pinkish-red petals would get smaller and smaller but they would refuse to drop off despite the frosty mornings we have had. I got to thinking how like Advent! This weekend is the third weekend… the rosy pink weekend. The color of pink in the third week of Advent is give us hope in the darkness as we await for our Lord. My rose is giving me a pink color among the darkening of her leaves and giving me hope as I see her struggle to her hope of new life in the spring. This rose brings me hope and light in the darkness of the season. When you see the rose colored vestments this weekend and you light the third Advent candle think of my rose and wait in hope for the coming of our Lord. -God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Calm Amidst the Chaos?
December 8, 2013
A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’
Luke 3:4
I invite you to walk with me as we step back in time… I am closing my eyes and imagining in my mind this scene from 2000 years ago: A desert backdrop… calm, quiet, peaceful. I am enjoying the silence of the desert. No cell phones, no noise, no violence, nothing here to remind me of the chaos of the 21st century. I have gone back in time… I am sitting on a rock… taking in a beautiful desert sunset enjoying the silence. Suddenly I hear a voice… who dares disturb my karma? John the Baptist has come to see me with an important message: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” John and I chat for a while about “the one who is mightier” to come. John leaves me and goes on his way. I remain in the desert a bit longer, the sun has set and I gaze up at the stars in heaven. Once again quietness comes over me and I ponder John’s message to me and the world. As I gaze into the night sky, one star to the north seems to twinkle at me. Is this twinkle from the eye of God?
As I travel back to our century I can’t help but wonder if John were to come to us today would we hear his message against the chaos of our own lives? How often do we take time out of our lives to be still and empty our minds of clutter… Think back to the last time you felt at peace, even if it was just a few minutes. This Advent, I am going to try to take time every day to quiet the chaos of my mind. I am going to go back in time to my desert and ponder how I will prepare the way of our Lord. It will be difficult to do amongst the cooking, shopping, working, and demands of life… but I am going to try and I challenge each and every one of you to do the same. -God Bless, Holly Clark
A voice of one crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’
Luke 3:4
I invite you to walk with me as we step back in time… I am closing my eyes and imagining in my mind this scene from 2000 years ago: A desert backdrop… calm, quiet, peaceful. I am enjoying the silence of the desert. No cell phones, no noise, no violence, nothing here to remind me of the chaos of the 21st century. I have gone back in time… I am sitting on a rock… taking in a beautiful desert sunset enjoying the silence. Suddenly I hear a voice… who dares disturb my karma? John the Baptist has come to see me with an important message: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God!” John and I chat for a while about “the one who is mightier” to come. John leaves me and goes on his way. I remain in the desert a bit longer, the sun has set and I gaze up at the stars in heaven. Once again quietness comes over me and I ponder John’s message to me and the world. As I gaze into the night sky, one star to the north seems to twinkle at me. Is this twinkle from the eye of God?
As I travel back to our century I can’t help but wonder if John were to come to us today would we hear his message against the chaos of our own lives? How often do we take time out of our lives to be still and empty our minds of clutter… Think back to the last time you felt at peace, even if it was just a few minutes. This Advent, I am going to try to take time every day to quiet the chaos of my mind. I am going to go back in time to my desert and ponder how I will prepare the way of our Lord. It will be difficult to do amongst the cooking, shopping, working, and demands of life… but I am going to try and I challenge each and every one of you to do the same. -God Bless, Holly Clark
Make Straight a Highway for God
December 1, 2013
Welcome to Advent! Advent is a time of waiting… waiting in darkness, waiting in hope! I so love this time of year! I love the coolness in the air… the stillness of night… all of which brings me to prayer. During Advent we await not only the birth of Jesus but also His coming again in Glory… We wait in darkness and in hope.
So often in Advent we hear the above phrase: “make straight a highway for God.” My advent challenge this year is to ponder ways to make strait a pathway for God. I was at a loss as to the best way to do this, and a bit overwhelmed, until I came across the cartoon below while reading a magazine. The question is asked “It’s a big nasty world out there- what does God expect ME to do?” The reply really struck home with me: “Make a little UN-nasty part of the world wherever you are!” I thought this is how I will make God’s highway for Him! I will try to make my little piece of the world un-nasty!
I want you to take some time today and think about what makes you happy. What little things have given you joy? Was it the kind person who cleared snow off your car at the supermarket during a snowstorm? Was it the person who gave you hug when you most needed it? Was it the funny e-mail you received when you were grumpy? Or maybe someone told you that you make a difference in their life? Think about what little things give you joy and try to offer them to others, friends and strangers. Random acts of kindness and thoughtfulness are guaranteed to brighten someone’s day and make somebody else’s world a little less nasty.
Jesus made straight our pathway to salvation and in turn we should make straight the path for His return to us. Let us pray for the little things in life that bring us joy. Let us each make a difference in one another’s life. -God Bless, Holly Clark
Welcome to Advent! Advent is a time of waiting… waiting in darkness, waiting in hope! I so love this time of year! I love the coolness in the air… the stillness of night… all of which brings me to prayer. During Advent we await not only the birth of Jesus but also His coming again in Glory… We wait in darkness and in hope.
So often in Advent we hear the above phrase: “make straight a highway for God.” My advent challenge this year is to ponder ways to make strait a pathway for God. I was at a loss as to the best way to do this, and a bit overwhelmed, until I came across the cartoon below while reading a magazine. The question is asked “It’s a big nasty world out there- what does God expect ME to do?” The reply really struck home with me: “Make a little UN-nasty part of the world wherever you are!” I thought this is how I will make God’s highway for Him! I will try to make my little piece of the world un-nasty!
I want you to take some time today and think about what makes you happy. What little things have given you joy? Was it the kind person who cleared snow off your car at the supermarket during a snowstorm? Was it the person who gave you hug when you most needed it? Was it the funny e-mail you received when you were grumpy? Or maybe someone told you that you make a difference in their life? Think about what little things give you joy and try to offer them to others, friends and strangers. Random acts of kindness and thoughtfulness are guaranteed to brighten someone’s day and make somebody else’s world a little less nasty.
Jesus made straight our pathway to salvation and in turn we should make straight the path for His return to us. Let us pray for the little things in life that bring us joy. Let us each make a difference in one another’s life. -God Bless, Holly Clark
What are You Thankful For?
November 24, 2013
Just before Halloween I entered a store and was immediately bombarded by Christmas carols, Christmas crafts, cards, decorations and there was someone painting snowmen on the outside windows. I was there to buy a birthday gift and was really not ready to begin to think about Christmas. As I wandered the store I got to wondering whatever happened to Thanksgiving?
· Be thankful for the roof over your heads… many are homeless.
· Be thankful for good health… many are suffering.
· Be thankful for food on the table… many are starving.
· Be thankful for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life…
· Many will never know divine love…
Just before Halloween I entered a store and was immediately bombarded by Christmas carols, Christmas crafts, cards, decorations and there was someone painting snowmen on the outside windows. I was there to buy a birthday gift and was really not ready to begin to think about Christmas. As I wandered the store I got to wondering whatever happened to Thanksgiving?
I have
always thought of Thanksgiving as a time to count and reflect upon my blessings
and what I am thankful for. I always thought Thanksgiving was a good secular
holiday to warm us up for moving into Advent: a time of preparing for our
Savior’s arrival. I felt as if our material world was trying to rob us of the
Thanksgiving season. While Thanksgiving is not a holy day it is a day when we
count our blessings and give thanks to God for all he has given us.
So I
ask you to try to not to be overwhelmed by materialism and focus on what you
are grateful for this Thanksgiving. As we gather with family and friends let us
do some holy remembering and see where God is at work in our lives.
·
Be thankful
for loved ones… many are lonely.· Be thankful for the roof over your heads… many are homeless.
· Be thankful for good health… many are suffering.
· Be thankful for food on the table… many are starving.
· Be thankful for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life…
· Many will never know divine love…
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Holly Cark
Mission Possible
November 17, 2013
"We're on a mission from God." - Elwood Blues*
What do you think of when you hear the word missionary? Do your thoughts go to poor third world countries where there is much suffering and death? Do you ever think of yourself being able to do missionary work? It might surprise you to know that when you were baptized you were given Christ’s mission to carry on His work… you became a Missionary on the day the water was poured over your head in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
What is your mission to be? You do not have to go to a third world country like Mother Teresa, in fact she told people when asked how they could help her in Calcutta she told them “Find your own Calcutta!” We have plenty of missionary work that can be found in our own back yards. We can be missionaries by helping those in need by donating food, clothing, medicines or by visiting the ill and the homebound or perhaps supporting our troops here and abroad. You may say “I do not have time or money to be a missionary…” or “I don’t have what it takes.” Jesus appointed 72 disciples to be missionaries and commanded them to take nothing for the journey, no sandals, no money, no baggage. He told them their needs would be provided for. (c.f. Luke 10:1-9)…Who are we to question? But… if you still do not feel up to the task, you can still PRAY! Pray for all the poor, ill, needy people of the world.
This week, let us pray for the courage and strength to become missionaries following in Christ’s footsteps. Let us allow ourselves to be open to the possibilities that lay before us in our task… Be brave! God will help us on our way and remember we are always “on a mission from God.” ----
God Bless, Holly Clark
*Quote from The Blues Brothers movie (1980) where Jake and Elwood Blues’ mission from God was to form a blues band to raise money to save the Catholic orphanage that they grew up in.
"We're on a mission from God." - Elwood Blues*
What do you think of when you hear the word missionary? Do your thoughts go to poor third world countries where there is much suffering and death? Do you ever think of yourself being able to do missionary work? It might surprise you to know that when you were baptized you were given Christ’s mission to carry on His work… you became a Missionary on the day the water was poured over your head in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
What is your mission to be? You do not have to go to a third world country like Mother Teresa, in fact she told people when asked how they could help her in Calcutta she told them “Find your own Calcutta!” We have plenty of missionary work that can be found in our own back yards. We can be missionaries by helping those in need by donating food, clothing, medicines or by visiting the ill and the homebound or perhaps supporting our troops here and abroad. You may say “I do not have time or money to be a missionary…” or “I don’t have what it takes.” Jesus appointed 72 disciples to be missionaries and commanded them to take nothing for the journey, no sandals, no money, no baggage. He told them their needs would be provided for. (c.f. Luke 10:1-9)…Who are we to question? But… if you still do not feel up to the task, you can still PRAY! Pray for all the poor, ill, needy people of the world.
This week, let us pray for the courage and strength to become missionaries following in Christ’s footsteps. Let us allow ourselves to be open to the possibilities that lay before us in our task… Be brave! God will help us on our way and remember we are always “on a mission from God.” ----
God Bless, Holly Clark
*Quote from The Blues Brothers movie (1980) where Jake and Elwood Blues’ mission from God was to form a blues band to raise money to save the Catholic orphanage that they grew up in.
Cotton Candy Mountains
November 10, 2013
A couple of weeks ago, after daily Mass at Sts. Martha & Mary, I was pulling out of the parking lot and patiently waiting my turn to enter Rte. 18, when I found myself absorbed in the beauty of the pond and noticed on the horizon of the pond fluffy mountain-shaped clouds. The clouds appeared to be coming up out of the pond like an island would. I thought to myself that the clouds really ed like cotton-candy mountains in the middle of Assawompsett Pond! What an awesome sight to behold! I then asked myself if this is what heaven is like…
So often we picture our loved ones in heaven with Jesus, in the clouds, with the angels singing. Traditional art always has God up in the clouds… Is this what heaven is like? As I sat there at the end of the Church driveway, I thought of my dear father, beloved grandparents and countless others who have gone before us. I pictured them across the pond residing in the “cotton-candy” mountains overlooking a gorgeous pond. My father, surrounded by my grandparents, were on the horizon waving to me as if to say “we are okay and so are you. We are watching over you and we are proud of the person you have become.” I could see Jesus also there watching over all of us on earth and in heaven.
November is the month where, traditionally in the Church, we remember and honor those who have gone before us into our Father’s arms. This month I encourage you to look for those cotton-candy mountains, or other places where you think you might find your loved ones watching over you. You might be surprised to find that they are everywhere keeping us safe and in their hearts forever.
—God Bless all our departed loved ones, Holly Clark
A couple of weeks ago, after daily Mass at Sts. Martha & Mary, I was pulling out of the parking lot and patiently waiting my turn to enter Rte. 18, when I found myself absorbed in the beauty of the pond and noticed on the horizon of the pond fluffy mountain-shaped clouds. The clouds appeared to be coming up out of the pond like an island would. I thought to myself that the clouds really ed like cotton-candy mountains in the middle of Assawompsett Pond! What an awesome sight to behold! I then asked myself if this is what heaven is like…
So often we picture our loved ones in heaven with Jesus, in the clouds, with the angels singing. Traditional art always has God up in the clouds… Is this what heaven is like? As I sat there at the end of the Church driveway, I thought of my dear father, beloved grandparents and countless others who have gone before us. I pictured them across the pond residing in the “cotton-candy” mountains overlooking a gorgeous pond. My father, surrounded by my grandparents, were on the horizon waving to me as if to say “we are okay and so are you. We are watching over you and we are proud of the person you have become.” I could see Jesus also there watching over all of us on earth and in heaven.
November is the month where, traditionally in the Church, we remember and honor those who have gone before us into our Father’s arms. This month I encourage you to look for those cotton-candy mountains, or other places where you think you might find your loved ones watching over you. You might be surprised to find that they are everywhere keeping us safe and in their hearts forever.
—God Bless all our departed loved ones, Holly Clark
The Communion of Saints
November 1, 2013
When I was a child I learned our faith as a child would, in very simplistic terms. I learned Jesus loves me; I memorized prayers, the 7 Sacraments and the Beatitudes. In 8th grade I was confirmed and like all Catholic teenagers, I felt “graduated” in the Faith. How wrong I was! I didn’t realize then that Confirmation was really the beginning of an adult faith. The Holy Spirit has now come into my life and guides me towards an adult understanding of faith.
Over time I have been exploring the concept of the Communion of Saints. As a child, I was taught all about the lives of the Saints, now in heaven, and how they help guide us in our daily lives. But my definition of a saint was someone who was really good and holy and perhaps martyred for the faith. It never occurred to me that you and I, when we pass on and go to heaven, that we too enter into the Communion of Saints.
A little over three years ago my beloved father passed away. There came an emptiness that can never be filled. I turned to my faith to bring me answers about suffering and death. As I prayed with Jesus and I delved into Church teachings and talked with persons more knowledgeable than I, I discovered that my Dad was up there in the Communion of Saints. I learned that he too, along with St. Peter, St. Paul, etc…, was still looking out for his little girl and now he has help from St. Peter and all of angels to keep me safe.
Every so often I feel my father’s presence on one side of me and Jesus on the other side of me and behind us my deceased grandparents, and the army of Saints ready to help where needed. Ask yourself today “Who do I know in the Communion of Saints?” and then feel their loving presence. While our loved ones may pass from this life, they are always present in our lives. As we remember our deceased loved ones during the month November, let us give thanks to the Communion of Saints.
—God Bless all our Saints in Heaven and Earth, Holly Clark
When I was a child I learned our faith as a child would, in very simplistic terms. I learned Jesus loves me; I memorized prayers, the 7 Sacraments and the Beatitudes. In 8th grade I was confirmed and like all Catholic teenagers, I felt “graduated” in the Faith. How wrong I was! I didn’t realize then that Confirmation was really the beginning of an adult faith. The Holy Spirit has now come into my life and guides me towards an adult understanding of faith.
Over time I have been exploring the concept of the Communion of Saints. As a child, I was taught all about the lives of the Saints, now in heaven, and how they help guide us in our daily lives. But my definition of a saint was someone who was really good and holy and perhaps martyred for the faith. It never occurred to me that you and I, when we pass on and go to heaven, that we too enter into the Communion of Saints.
A little over three years ago my beloved father passed away. There came an emptiness that can never be filled. I turned to my faith to bring me answers about suffering and death. As I prayed with Jesus and I delved into Church teachings and talked with persons more knowledgeable than I, I discovered that my Dad was up there in the Communion of Saints. I learned that he too, along with St. Peter, St. Paul, etc…, was still looking out for his little girl and now he has help from St. Peter and all of angels to keep me safe.
Every so often I feel my father’s presence on one side of me and Jesus on the other side of me and behind us my deceased grandparents, and the army of Saints ready to help where needed. Ask yourself today “Who do I know in the Communion of Saints?” and then feel their loving presence. While our loved ones may pass from this life, they are always present in our lives. As we remember our deceased loved ones during the month November, let us give thanks to the Communion of Saints.
—God Bless all our Saints in Heaven and Earth, Holly Clark
The Teddy Bear
October 27, 2013
Blessed be… the God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction,so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. 2 Cor 1:3-4
Sometimes we get very caught up in our daily problems and woes and we ask God why now, why us or why me? One day I came across the above passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. These verses opened my mind to a new way of thinking.
About six years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had begun radiation therapy, a friend of mine left me big teddy bear sitting on my desk. I’ll never forget how much that bear cheered me up. My friend later told me that she had also been diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago and had also received a teddy bear. Since then, two other women I know were diagnosed with breast cancer and to them I gave away Teddy Bears. I know it was through generous persons sharing their “cancer journey” with me that helped me get through my illness. And now I hope to continue the sharing. The breast cancer survivors before me joined me on my journey, giving me encouragement all along the way and I hope to share the journey with those who come after me.
We all have issues in life, some more than others, but we all learn from these struggles and it is what we learn in the journey to resolve our problems that is important. Let us not be shy. When we see someone who is traveling down a path where we have trod, let us help them along and share the journey. Let us resolve to share our lives with others who are struggling with similar issues. Imagine what the world could be like if we all shared our triumphs, our woes and our hearts with one another. God Bless… Holly Clark
P.S. October is Breast Cancer awareness month. Please remember to get those yearly exams… you never know… you might save your life… it did mine.
Blessed be… the God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction,so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. 2 Cor 1:3-4
Sometimes we get very caught up in our daily problems and woes and we ask God why now, why us or why me? One day I came across the above passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. These verses opened my mind to a new way of thinking.
About six years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had begun radiation therapy, a friend of mine left me big teddy bear sitting on my desk. I’ll never forget how much that bear cheered me up. My friend later told me that she had also been diagnosed with breast cancer some years ago and had also received a teddy bear. Since then, two other women I know were diagnosed with breast cancer and to them I gave away Teddy Bears. I know it was through generous persons sharing their “cancer journey” with me that helped me get through my illness. And now I hope to continue the sharing. The breast cancer survivors before me joined me on my journey, giving me encouragement all along the way and I hope to share the journey with those who come after me.
We all have issues in life, some more than others, but we all learn from these struggles and it is what we learn in the journey to resolve our problems that is important. Let us not be shy. When we see someone who is traveling down a path where we have trod, let us help them along and share the journey. Let us resolve to share our lives with others who are struggling with similar issues. Imagine what the world could be like if we all shared our triumphs, our woes and our hearts with one another. God Bless… Holly Clark
P.S. October is Breast Cancer awareness month. Please remember to get those yearly exams… you never know… you might save your life… it did mine.
Leaping the Mountains & Bounding the Hills
October 20, 2013
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 8:30 am Family Mass at Sacred Heart. Since we changed the Mass times for the Family Mass, combining the former 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Masses the Church has been filled to nearly full capacity. What a nice sight to see! A full Church! This particular Mass seemed to me to be abounding with joy! It was a nice cool Autumn day… the leaves have started to show their colors and as the Church started to fill up with children and their families I could feel the joy in the air! As the opening hymn began with the Children’s Choir leading us I could feel the joy building, the Joy and Love felt in the communal celebration of our faith.
We were short of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist that morning, so I popped up to serve. I happened to be serving on the side of the Children’s Choir. The young girl cantor began the Communion Hymn and I was ready to serve. I found myself enveloped in joy, love and hope! As the children in the choir, and in the congregation came up to receive, I found that they do not process in a solemn fashion but rather they come to the table of the Lord, literally, in leaps and bounds! They are leaping the mountains, and bounding the hills in joy. There were some children who were actually skipping in the procession! As I served I thought to myself what a treasure to our faith our children are! After Communion I sat down, filled with hope for the future of our Church.
This week I challenge to you to look for Jesus in the faces of our children. Try to see the hope and love Jesus offers us through our children. I challenge to you to gaze into the face of a smiling baby and sense the joy of life! God Bless – Holly Clark
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the 8:30 am Family Mass at Sacred Heart. Since we changed the Mass times for the Family Mass, combining the former 8 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Masses the Church has been filled to nearly full capacity. What a nice sight to see! A full Church! This particular Mass seemed to me to be abounding with joy! It was a nice cool Autumn day… the leaves have started to show their colors and as the Church started to fill up with children and their families I could feel the joy in the air! As the opening hymn began with the Children’s Choir leading us I could feel the joy building, the Joy and Love felt in the communal celebration of our faith.
We were short of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist that morning, so I popped up to serve. I happened to be serving on the side of the Children’s Choir. The young girl cantor began the Communion Hymn and I was ready to serve. I found myself enveloped in joy, love and hope! As the children in the choir, and in the congregation came up to receive, I found that they do not process in a solemn fashion but rather they come to the table of the Lord, literally, in leaps and bounds! They are leaping the mountains, and bounding the hills in joy. There were some children who were actually skipping in the procession! As I served I thought to myself what a treasure to our faith our children are! After Communion I sat down, filled with hope for the future of our Church.
This week I challenge to you to look for Jesus in the faces of our children. Try to see the hope and love Jesus offers us through our children. I challenge to you to gaze into the face of a smiling baby and sense the joy of life! God Bless – Holly Clark
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