November 1, 2009
Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Tomorrow is All Soul’s Day. Today we celebrate Masses of Remembrance at both Sacred Heart and Saint Rose. We remember all those who have died in the past year. It is a time of holy remembering.
Every week I sit at my desk and type out the Mass Intentions here in the bulletin and from time to time I schedule funerals to be celebrated here… I often find myself wondering who these people were in life. I wonder if they were well loved or lonely souls. I ponder how their lives touched others. Every life on this planet touches another in some way.
Today, I think back to the loved ones I have lost and contemplate lost time. I ask myself was I too busy to visit my grandmothers when they were alive? Do I make time for my friends and relatives now while we are alive and well?
My thoughts today also go out to two of my friends who have terminal illnesses. I pray that a year from now I am not mourning them and feeling like I have neglected them in their time of need. Life is too short for regrets. Let us make in effort today, right now, to make a difference in someone’s life. Let us make time for the lonely, the ill and dying. Let us reach out with open arms to one another as Jesus did. And let us especially pray for and give comfort to those who are remembering and mourning loved ones today.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Friday, October 30, 2009
What Have You’ve Done for the Lord Lately?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
What Have You’ve Done for the Lord Lately?
“The Lord has done great things for us,
We are filled with gladness and joy.”
Jaime Cortez, based on Psalm 126
As we enter into the season of Autumn I am filled with gladness and joy. The Lord has His paintbrush out painting the trees all sorts of colors, the air is crisp and there is a sense of renewal for me as fall is my favorite season. At this time of year I often pick up a golden leaf and ponder its beauty. Benjamin Disraeli once said “Nature is the art of God.” God gives us the beauty of the earth, sky and seas and the ultimate miracle of life.
As I read Psalm 126 I ask myself “What have I done for the Lord lately? Do I deserve to be filled with gladness and joy? I look at my life and try to see where I can reciprocate God’s gifts to me. I ask you… how do you spend your time? Is it caught up in the minutia of life… the unimportant things in the world… or is it spent in the Lord’s service? How do you give back to the Lord for your gladness and joy?
This fall when you look into an autumn leaf or feel that irresistible urge to jump into a pile of leaves (going back to childhood joy) contemplate how you will give back to God for your happiness and joy. How will you make God joyful today? God gives us so much of His time and energies in order for us to be happy. Consider giving back of your time to God in service and prayer. Consider donating some time to ministry or to a lonely person. Be creative! And let us also commit ourselves to filling others with gladness and joy.
God Bless, Holly Clark
What Have You’ve Done for the Lord Lately?
“The Lord has done great things for us,
We are filled with gladness and joy.”
Jaime Cortez, based on Psalm 126
As we enter into the season of Autumn I am filled with gladness and joy. The Lord has His paintbrush out painting the trees all sorts of colors, the air is crisp and there is a sense of renewal for me as fall is my favorite season. At this time of year I often pick up a golden leaf and ponder its beauty. Benjamin Disraeli once said “Nature is the art of God.” God gives us the beauty of the earth, sky and seas and the ultimate miracle of life.
As I read Psalm 126 I ask myself “What have I done for the Lord lately? Do I deserve to be filled with gladness and joy? I look at my life and try to see where I can reciprocate God’s gifts to me. I ask you… how do you spend your time? Is it caught up in the minutia of life… the unimportant things in the world… or is it spent in the Lord’s service? How do you give back to the Lord for your gladness and joy?
This fall when you look into an autumn leaf or feel that irresistible urge to jump into a pile of leaves (going back to childhood joy) contemplate how you will give back to God for your happiness and joy. How will you make God joyful today? God gives us so much of His time and energies in order for us to be happy. Consider giving back of your time to God in service and prayer. Consider donating some time to ministry or to a lonely person. Be creative! And let us also commit ourselves to filling others with gladness and joy.
God Bless, Holly Clark
We Will Run and Not Grow Weary
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
We Will Run and Not Grow Weary
“It is now 5 o’clock and I have run out of pithy sayings for you.”
This was the content of a fortune cookie I received several years ago. I think this has stayed with me over the years because how often have we all felt this way? It is five o’clock, the end of a workday but yet it is the beginning of a night full of work: getting supper, doing laundry, catching up with family members and really all we want to do is stop the world for a few minutes, catch our breath and be still.
I have been practicing Lectio Devina for more than a year now and it is my favorite form of prayer. In Lectio you read some scripture (daily reading or other selection) and allow the words and phrases speak to you. Do not try too hard to discover the “lesson” in the passage but try to let God speak to you. A single word or phrase may leap out at you… this is God talking to you. Ask God to show you what he wants you to know.
Some days I feel like I am just too exhausted to pray this way. But in the last week or so I’ve ignored my weariness and prayed with scripture… to my surprise, I have had some very deep and profound conversations with Jesus even though I was really tired and needed to be in bed. I discovered that some of my most personal encounters with God have occurred in my life when I have been totally out of energy and spent. At these times I have tried to “be still” and empty my cluttered brain and have been able to hear God more clearly. When we think too much we may be blocking out God unintentionally. Let us try to empty our brains and let God’s words come to us. Let us keep in mind Psalm 46:10:
Be still, and know that I am God.
Be still, and know.
Be still.
Be.
We Will Run and Not Grow Weary
“It is now 5 o’clock and I have run out of pithy sayings for you.”
This was the content of a fortune cookie I received several years ago. I think this has stayed with me over the years because how often have we all felt this way? It is five o’clock, the end of a workday but yet it is the beginning of a night full of work: getting supper, doing laundry, catching up with family members and really all we want to do is stop the world for a few minutes, catch our breath and be still.
I have been practicing Lectio Devina for more than a year now and it is my favorite form of prayer. In Lectio you read some scripture (daily reading or other selection) and allow the words and phrases speak to you. Do not try too hard to discover the “lesson” in the passage but try to let God speak to you. A single word or phrase may leap out at you… this is God talking to you. Ask God to show you what he wants you to know.
Some days I feel like I am just too exhausted to pray this way. But in the last week or so I’ve ignored my weariness and prayed with scripture… to my surprise, I have had some very deep and profound conversations with Jesus even though I was really tired and needed to be in bed. I discovered that some of my most personal encounters with God have occurred in my life when I have been totally out of energy and spent. At these times I have tried to “be still” and empty my cluttered brain and have been able to hear God more clearly. When we think too much we may be blocking out God unintentionally. Let us try to empty our brains and let God’s words come to us. Let us keep in mind Psalm 46:10:
Be still, and know that I am God.
Be still, and know.
Be still.
Be.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Teddy Bear
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
The Teddy Bear
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 two 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. The next person I know who is diagnosed breast cancer will receive a teddy bear from me! It was through generous persons sharing their “afflictions” with me that helped me get through my illness. They joined me on my journey, giving me encouragement all along the way.
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.
The Teddy Bear
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 two 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. The next person I know who is diagnosed breast cancer will receive a teddy bear from me! It was through generous persons sharing their “afflictions” with me that helped me get through my illness. They joined me on my journey, giving me encouragement all along the way.
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.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Imagination
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Imagination
Holly got a message that on this day, God wants her to know... that you are only as free as you imagine yourself to be. There is nothing ''out there'' that's holding you down, - you are limiting yourself only with your own imagination. And your greatest limits are not even the ''cannot'' and the ''should not'', but the places where your imagination hasn't yet gone at all. There has never been a better time for you to open your eyes, let the imagination soar and see what more is possible.
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I came across a little application called “What God wants you to know…” Everyday a little message is delivered to me. Very often these messages provide me with much food for thought and prayer.
This message brought me back to a day in November 1970. My parents gave me a newspaper clipping with the heading “My Parents Knocked the Word Can’t Out of My Life.” On November 8, 1970 the placekicker for the New Orleans Saints, Tom Dempsey, kicked the game winning field goal in the last two seconds of the game. The kick was good at 63 yards, a record still held today. What was amazing about this feat was that Tom Dempsey was born with only a partial right hand and no toes on his right foot (his kicking foot).
The news article gave a brief synopsis of Dempsey’s life. He gave full credit to his parents for encouraging him in anything he wanted to do. The word “can’t” was not allowed in his household (nor was it allowed in mine.) I kept that news clipping until this day as a reminder to me that with faith anything is possible.
The next time you feel something is impossible ask God to show you a path. Ask Him for strength, insight, and imagination and you will find that with God’s help, nothing is impossible.
God Bless… Holly Clark
Imagination
Holly got a message that on this day, God wants her to know... that you are only as free as you imagine yourself to be. There is nothing ''out there'' that's holding you down, - you are limiting yourself only with your own imagination. And your greatest limits are not even the ''cannot'' and the ''should not'', but the places where your imagination hasn't yet gone at all. There has never been a better time for you to open your eyes, let the imagination soar and see what more is possible.
A few months ago I joined Facebook and I came across a little application called “What God wants you to know…” Everyday a little message is delivered to me. Very often these messages provide me with much food for thought and prayer.
This message brought me back to a day in November 1970. My parents gave me a newspaper clipping with the heading “My Parents Knocked the Word Can’t Out of My Life.” On November 8, 1970 the placekicker for the New Orleans Saints, Tom Dempsey, kicked the game winning field goal in the last two seconds of the game. The kick was good at 63 yards, a record still held today. What was amazing about this feat was that Tom Dempsey was born with only a partial right hand and no toes on his right foot (his kicking foot).
The news article gave a brief synopsis of Dempsey’s life. He gave full credit to his parents for encouraging him in anything he wanted to do. The word “can’t” was not allowed in his household (nor was it allowed in mine.) I kept that news clipping until this day as a reminder to me that with faith anything is possible.
The next time you feel something is impossible ask God to show you a path. Ask Him for strength, insight, and imagination and you will find that with God’s help, nothing is impossible.
God Bless… Holly Clark
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Sunset Alert!
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Sunset Alert!
In my “previous life” as a medical technologist I worked in a hospital chemistry lab that was in a glass building. We were on the fourth floor with a wonderful view of the western sky. As the days grew shorter, and sunset occurred closer to 4:30-5:00 pm, very often someone in the lab would shout out “SUNSET ALERT!” At that point we would all stop working and congregate to the west side of the lab. We’d all make a special effort and take a few moments to silently admire God’s handiwork. No matter what our differences, faiths, stress levels at the moment, we’d come together for a few moments of peace, solitude, and camaraderie. These times were very special to me.
I find a sunset one of God’s most awesome works of nature. For me they always seem to come when I am in most need of cheering up or de-stressing. Who could remain upset or stressed after gazing at the pinks and oranges of a sunset?
The other day I was musing that sunsets remind me of Jesus’ resurrection. Daylight “dies” and a glorious colorful sky is born. About two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer and when I underwent radiation therapy. I was totally exhausted mentally and physically. As I was driving along one day, during this period, I came across a beautiful sky, full of color, and silhouetted against the panorama was a church steeple and cross. I knew God was speaking to me. He was giving me hope and letting me know that I could lay down my troubles at His feet and he would bear the burden for me.
As we travel through life let us pause at beautiful sunsets and shout out “Sunset Alert” to those around us so that all may partake of God’s wonder. God Bless, Holly Clark
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Who are the Poor and Marginalized?
For if a man with gold rings and fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here, please, ” while you say to the poor one, “Stand there, ” or “Sit at my feet, ” have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs? James 2:2-4
Before reading on, please pause for a moment and reflect upon this passage… Have you ever looked at someone and thought “what shabby clothes” or “that person looks abnormal, and is probably mentally challenged as well?” Have you ever walked across the street to avoid a homeless person?
In studying the Bible we talk a lot about how to behave towards the poor and marginalized but no one ever talks to the poor and vulnerable. We talk about “them” as if they were just anonymous blobs of flesh that need handouts, protection and charity… we tend to think we know what is best for them… we need to open our eyes, ears and heart to the poor, handicapped, and others who live on the fringes of society.
Strangers have looked upon me as a marginalized person many times in my life. It is sad that some cannot look beyond physical deformities and see the beauty of the soul.
Let us welcome those on the fringes as Jesus did. Let us make an effort to befriend those less fortunate. We must remember that though we are many parts… many different parts… we are all one body in Christ.
- God Bless, Holly Clark
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
How Will You Serve God?
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
How Will You Serve God?
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a person who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. James 1:23–24
Are you a hearer and not a doer? I asked myself this last spring when the women of WINGS and I explored the book of James in depth. It is so easy to hear the Word of God through the readings at Mass—to sit and nod in agreement as we listen. But how many of us really take in what is said and actually take the Word home with us and then form an action plan to put the Word into action?
I often find myself in this situation. I get many ideas and new thoughts from the daily and Sunday readings and then something from our secular world distracts me and the thought vanishes. We lead such busy lives… we multitask everything… we schedule everything… including time for God! Does your Sunday to do list look like this:
- Breakfast, paper & coffee
- Get self and family ready for Mass
- Attend Mass
- Lunch and Patriots
- Laundry, dishes, trash, homework, housekeeping, home repairs, mow lawn, phone calls, Internet, e-mail, pay bills, supper, ecetera, etcetera, etcetera…
It is no wonder that we have become just hearers and not doers of the Word! Where is prayer, reflection and service? As the summer winds down let us take time to explore how we will become a parish of doers. Get a small notebook and pen and start writing down thoughts and ideas on how to become doers. Right after Mass is a good time (before all the sports!). Consider sharing them with us. We would love to hear how you are serving God and being a doer of the Word. God Bless, Holly Clark
How Will You Serve God?
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a person who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like. James 1:23–24
Are you a hearer and not a doer? I asked myself this last spring when the women of WINGS and I explored the book of James in depth. It is so easy to hear the Word of God through the readings at Mass—to sit and nod in agreement as we listen. But how many of us really take in what is said and actually take the Word home with us and then form an action plan to put the Word into action?
I often find myself in this situation. I get many ideas and new thoughts from the daily and Sunday readings and then something from our secular world distracts me and the thought vanishes. We lead such busy lives… we multitask everything… we schedule everything… including time for God! Does your Sunday to do list look like this:
- Breakfast, paper & coffee
- Get self and family ready for Mass
- Attend Mass
- Lunch and Patriots
- Laundry, dishes, trash, homework, housekeeping, home repairs, mow lawn, phone calls, Internet, e-mail, pay bills, supper, ecetera, etcetera, etcetera…
It is no wonder that we have become just hearers and not doers of the Word! Where is prayer, reflection and service? As the summer winds down let us take time to explore how we will become a parish of doers. Get a small notebook and pen and start writing down thoughts and ideas on how to become doers. Right after Mass is a good time (before all the sports!). Consider sharing them with us. We would love to hear how you are serving God and being a doer of the Word. God Bless, Holly Clark
Monday, August 24, 2009
Time for God
Setting Our Hearts Aflame!
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Time for God
Sometimes, our initial impression is that having to include time for Mass on a Sunday is rather inconvenient. But if you make the effort, you will realize that this is what gives a proper focus to your free time. Do not be deterred from taking part in Sunday Mass, and help others to discover it too. Let us pledge ourselves to do this - it is worth the effort!
Pope Benedict XVI
Last week I attended the New England Convocation for Catechetical Leadership. At this conference we explored how we view preparing for Mass and how we participate in Mass. We were asked: “When does Mass begin?” Most people answered when we see the priest coming down the aisle. Wrong answer! The speaker reminded us that Mass begins at home. We should be preparing ourselves to fully engage and participate in the Mass throughout the week. We can read and reflect upon the readings ahead of time, we can pray, we can set aside some time for God on a daily basis by praying the “three minute prayer.”
The three minute prayer is a little prayer that can be done anywhere and anytime. Get yourself comfy and close your eyes and take one minute each for each person of the Trinity. Say a minute prayer to the Father, another minute to Jesus and another minute to the Holy Spirit. Is three minutes really asking too much? Let us take a moment and think about the ways we can prepare for Mass during the week and weekends. Let us gear up to fully participate in the Mass with all our heart, our mind and voice.
God Bless, Holly Clark
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)