Thursday, March 31, 2011

Litany for Japan







A form of prayer, consisting of a series of petitions or biddings which are sung or said by a priest, deacon, or leader, and to which the people make fixed responses.
Litanies have a definite structure: first the invocation of the persons of the Trinity, then the petitions corresponding to a distinctive theme, followed by three invocations of the Lamb of God, and closing with a short prayer that summarizes the petitions made.
Since the Second Vatican Council, theses litanies have been formally indulgenced, i.e., a partial indulgence for every recitation: the Holy Name, the Sacred Heart, the Precious Blood, the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph, and the saints. Other litanies, approved for use by the faithful but not thus indulgenced, number over a hundred.
In the Eastern Rites, litanies are an outstanding feature of the Eucharistic liturgy, and in the Ambrosian Rite are sung every Sunday during Lent in place of the Gloria. (Etym. Latin litania; from Greek litanei_, prayer, entreaty, supplication.)   Catholic Reference.net





Our Lady of Akita, pray for us.

St. Peter Baptist, martyr and patron of Japan, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, patron of Japan, pray for us.
St. Paul Miki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Anthony Dainan, martyr, pray for us.
St. Anthony Ishida, martyr, pray for us.
St. Francis Nagasaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Francis of St. Bonaventure, martyr, pray for us.
St. Gabriel Jusuke, martyr, pray for us.
St. Gaius Francis, martyr, pray for us.
St. James Kisai, martyr, pray for us.
St. Joachim Sakachibara, martyr, pray for us.
St. John Kokumbuku, martyr, pray for us.
St. John Soan de Goto, martyr, pray for us.
St. Leonard Kimura, martyr, pray for us.
St. Leo Tanaka, martyr, pray for us.
St. Louis Ibachi, martyr, pray for us.
St. Louise of Omura, martyr, pray for us.
St. Matthias of Meako, martyr, pray for us.
St. Michael Kozaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Paul Aybara, martyr, pray for us.
St. Peter Shukeshiko, martyr, pray for us.
St. Romanus Aybara, martyr, pray for us.
St. Thomas Danki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Thomas Kozaki, martyr, pray for us.
St. Vincent Kaun, martyr, pray for us.
Holy Martyrs of Japan, pray for us.

God our Father,
you guide everything in wisdom and love.
Accept the prayers we offer for the nation of Japan;
by the wisdom of their leaders and integrity of their citizens,
may their suffering be lessened,
may harmony and justice be restored
and may there be lasting prosperity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Monday, March 21, 2011

What's in a Song?

 A Carrie Underwood song says,

"Right now he's probably slow dancing
With a bleached-blond tramp
And she's probably getting frisky
Right now, he's probably buying
Her some fruity little drink
'Cause she can't shoot whiskey
Right now, he's probably up behind her
With a pool stick
Showing her how to shoot a combo
And he don't know
I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
Slashed a hole in all 4 tires
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats"


I guess today I am just kind of blowing off some steam but I have heard this song many times and it has a catchy little tune but when you think of the words they don't really make sense. Keeping in mind that this is a song that people are loving all over the place.

But, according to the words there is a woman who is upset because someone she is apparently in relationship with is cheating on her so she goes out destroys his vehicle. Not only that she carves her name into the seat cushions. I'm sorry but isn't that like a bank robber handing over the note to the bank teller and signing it with his name or a kidnapper sending a ransom note and adding his name and address to the letter. She carves her name, leaving no doubt who did the crime.

I mean she is the one who is going to have alot of time to think. Think about her actions of destruction of property when she is caught. This is song is speaking of revenge. Something God says we are not to take. It, also, demonstrates a total disrespect for property that belongs to someone else and it is a crime.

Granted it is just a song but songs have words, words have meaning and if we say them over and over again they can become part of us. I'm hoping this song does not influence anyone to follow it's example.


And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.
Holy Father prays for the victims of the terrible earthquake and tsunami.


BY SARA ANGLE (CNS)

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Saying he, too, was horrified by the images of the
death and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Pope
Benedict XVI asked people to join him in praying for the victims. “May the
bereaved and injured be comforted and may the rescue workers be strengthened
in their efforts to assist the courageous Japanese people,” the Pope said
in English March 13 after reciting the Angelus prayer with visitors in St.
Peter’s Square. Government officials estimated that perhaps 10,000 people
lost their lives after the earthquake March 11 and the tsunami it triggered.
Speaking in Italian after the Angelus, the Pope said, “The images of the
tragic earthquake and the consequent tsunami in Japan have left us deeply
horrified. “I want to renew my spiritual closeness to that country’s
dear people, who with dignity and courage are dealing with the consequences
of the calamity. I pray for the victims and their families and for all who
are suffering because of these terrible events. I encourage all those who,
with laudable speed, are working to bring help. Let us remain united in
prayer.” Bishop Marcellino Daiji Tani of Saitama, one of the dioceses hit
hardest by the disaster, told the Catholic missionary news agency Fides that
the catastrophe is a reminder that “life is in the hands of God and that
life is a gift from God.” He described the tragedy as a challenge for
Christians during Lent “to practice and witness to the commandment of love
and brotherly love.” However, he also told Fides, “Of particular concern
to us is the situation of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima. But we must
take courage, with the help of the Holy Spirit.” Two reactors at the
Fukushima plant were hit by explosions and another was losing its cooling
system. Japanese officials were playing down the health risks posed by the
emergency at the plant, but they did order evacuations for hundreds of
thousands of people. In a message March 13 to members of the Orthodox
Church, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople said the Japanese
tragedy demonstrates the threat posed by nuclear power plants, and it calls
for serious reflection. “With all due respect to the science and
technology of nuclear energy and for the sake of the survival of the human
race, we counter-propose the safer green forms of energy,” the patriarch
said. The Orthodox patriarch, who is a leading proponent of a Christian
environmental theology, said in his message, “Our Creator granted us the
gifts of the sun, wind, water and ocean, all of which may safely and
sufficiently provide energy. Therefore we ask: Why do we persist in adopting
such dangerous sources of energy?” Meanwhile, Father Daisuke Narui, the
director of Caritas Japan told Fides, “This painful event may be an
opportunity to spread the values of the Gospel, that is, the fraternity of
all men and women, the building of common good, the recognition that every
person has the dignity of a child of God and is important in the eyes of
God. “If with our work and our witness we can communicate that, then from
this evil will come good.”

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/prayers-for-japan/
 
I found this at National Catholic Register. We all need to pray for the people in Japan and not forget that such a thing could happen anywhere, including here.  I know I can't even begin to understand all that they are going through. The pain, the fear and the heartache must be horrendous. The people in Japan are our brothers and sisters in Christ and need our prayers and our help.
 
And also as we become concerned about all that is happening with the nuclear reactors we must keep in mind that the earth is a gift to us from God and we must be good stewards. So maybe in our prayers we can also ask God to show us the way to more healthier, greener ways of energy. I never thought too much about that before, but have come to realize that the way we are stewards of this earth has affects on others, even those who come after us. Maybe as individuals we can do our small little things to care more for the gift God has given, the world around us, because that world is meant to be a gift to all.
 
 I hope and pray God will show us new and safer ways of energy and continue to pray for the people that have been affected by the nuclear radiation.
 
Saint Francis, patron saint of the environment, pray for us.

Friday, March 11, 2011

40 Days for Life Reminder

Just a reminder Ash Wednesday started 40 Days for Life. Here's the link.
http://40daysforlife.com/getinvolved.cfm

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Facebook Etiquette

“a kind mouth multiplies friends, and gracious lips prompt friendly greetings. Let your acquaintances be many, but one in a thousand your confidant…” Sirach 6:5-6




Okay, so here is a story. Names are changed to protect all.  A young teen, named Mac, who is involved in several activities couldn't make it one night.  Mac isn't in charge but is one of the leaders. I don't necessarily want to say what this activity was but it wasn't sports. It was an extracurricular educational activity for boys.
Well, there are about 40 boys in this group and they recently have started communicating on Facebook.
We all know how popular Facebook is getting and it seems to be the way people are communicating these days.
So, he posts on Facebook that he won't be there. No big deal, but one boy , "Joe" seems to take it personal or something know one really knows for sure but he responded to the message. Now understand that he didn't respond just to Mac who couldn't make it but he responded so all could see. His message was, "you lazy bleep (he didn't use bleep) you better have told the leaders you aren't going to be there."  Mac did tell the leaders and did have someone covering for him. His reason for not being able to be there was a series of tests he was taking the next day and his need for study was greater than his need for the activity. Unfortunately, he didn't explain himself. He just said he couldn't make it.
The reply message from "Joe" was sent late at night so no one saw it until the next day. Mac didn't know he had got this reply. It was the mom who saw the reply because she frequently checks her sons Facebook page to keep up on who he is socializing with and what he is saying.  Needless to say she was upset that someone was saying her child was lazy because he was not attending this extracurricular activity and she was upset the message was sent to everyone and this teen was using foul language.  The mother decided she had better clarify in the message why her son was not able to be there because he did not say why. He had just said he wouldn't be there and to do your best with the meeting they were having. Keep in mind there would be several adult leaders attending this meeting and the teen missing wouldn't be that big of a deal.
Well, this story is getting long but Mac's mother called another mom because she was upset and wanted to talk. The other mom, also, had a son in this group and she saw the message and thought the reply had been in bad taste, also.
Mac's mom finally emailed the adult leaders, who had seen the reply and they were okay with him not being there. The mother had decided to take up the issue of language at one of the meetings.
Later that day when Mac had come home he was upset and bothered by the reply. Who wouldn't be?
So, the reason I am telling this story is this. Did Joe's mom see what he had posted? He is under 18, has two parents and still needs guidance. I am not even trying to say one parent is better than the other or that I have any heads up on parenting because I don't.  Parenting is one of the hardest jobs I have ever done in my life.
I heard someone say one time after being asked what he would do different in parenting because his daughter was a prodigal child. He said he would be quiet and not have bragged so much about what a great parent he was. So, that is not my intention here. I am just one mom trying to do my best and making mistakes along the way, also, but picking myself back up with God's help.
My intention in this post is a plea. A plea from one mom to other moms. Please, please check and see what your children are putting on Facebook. This is only one story. I could tell others. I try hard to be vigilant about what my child puts on Facebook and probably other moms could come to me and say to me, "do you know what your son said on Facebook?" That scares me. I pray all the time over this. I cry out to God and the Saints for guidance for me and my family in this internet world we live in. It is so awesome to know God is always there to guide us through the trials in life.
I ask, would we allow our teens free to roam the world physically, going to all kinds of seedy places. No, but it happens on the internet these days and the most popular right now is Facebook. What will it be next?
The thing about Facebook is it gives courage to people. It allows them to say things to people they wouldn't say to their face but what teens and others seem to forget is what goes on the internet stays on the internet. It is there.  I have seen teens posting on Facebook about sex, drugs and personal issues, such as arguing with another person on Facebook for all to see.
When I was pregnant with my son someone told me how important it was for a mom to be with their child when going through the teen years not just when the child is an infant, though that is important too.
I just have to repeat this again and stress it so much.
Please moms and dads check what your kids are doing on the internet, especially right now on Facebook.
This not only bothers me from the perspective of fear of what my son will read but, also it saddens me that these teens are left alone in the Facebook world to say and do whatever they please. Do you know that you can have your child's status posts sent to your cell phone so you can always see what they are posting on their page. This doesn't work I don't think when they post on other peoples pages but it helps.
You should  always know your teens password to Facebook and check it frequently.
Facebook isn't a right.  It is a privilege and a responsibility. A responsibility as God's children to be good stewards of what he gives us and this internet world isn't a bad thing. It's how it is being used. And by the way who is paying for that internet service anyhow that allows them to be on Facebook?  That puts the responsibility in our laps.

Please, please moms and dads do your best to monitor your child's Facebook page and I will do my best, too.

Do you know what your child just posted on Facebook? I'll check mine too.

Blessed Mother, pray for us.


By the way, here's a great video to help express my point. Show it to your kids.

Dear Lord help us to educate our family for your glory.

"Since parents have conferred life on their children, they have a most solemn obligation to educate their offspring. Hence, parents must be acknowledged as the first and foremost educators of their children. Their role as educators is so decisive that scarcely anything can compensate for their failure in it. For it devolves on parents to create a family atmosphere so animated with love and reverence for God and others that a well-rounded personal and social development will be fostered among children. Hence, the family is the first school of those social virtues which every society needs."--Gravissimum Educationis (one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council)

Helping and Loving Our Neighbor

Corporal works of Mercy
Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Shelter the homeless

Visit the sick

Visit the imprisoned

Bury the dead



The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Admonish the sinner

Instruct the ignorant

Counsel the doubtful

Comfort the sorrowful
Bear wrongs patiently

Forgive all injuries

Pray for the living and the dead


Good Samaritain