Catholics
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TOTUS TUUS
In sisterhood, xo
Immaculate Conception, Mary, my Mother.
Live in me. Act in me. Speak in and through me.
Think your thoughts in my mind. Love, through my heart.
Give me your dispositions and feelings.
Teach, lead and guide me to Jesus.
Correct, enlighten and expand my thoughts and behavior.
Possess my soul. Take over my entire personality and life.
Replace it with yourself.
Incline me to constant adoration and thanksgiving.
Pray in me and through me.
Let me live in you and keep me in this union always.0 -
Day 3...for Heidi, Stephanie, and the requests of my sisters in this thread. Amen.
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I've just come from Heidi's thread and it sounds like it is just a matter of time. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and especially her children.
May God bless them all.
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DenverDiva ~ I was just over there, too. Things do sound grim. I am praying extra hard for her, her family, and her precious little children.0
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I don't often post on the boards as I don't think I have too much to offer; just read and gain as much information as I can. I am so glad to find this thread. I too am Catholic and reading through the postings has lifted my spirits IMMENSELY!
Thank you all for sharing your stories and prayers.
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also praying for sweet Heidi and her family. In sisterhood,xo
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Dearest Michelle...praying for you in a special way today...
Remember dear child of God...that He did not promise us easy times...just the opposite...we have to pick up our cross and carry it just as He did. However, He did promise us that He would help us carry it when it got real tough. He may lead you to a counselor or to some antianxiety meds, all that is fine and good. His hand is in all that helps. But even when you feel lost, He is with you. He promised He would never leave you, as long as you remain faithful to Him. It is absolutely all right to remind Him, too! If you feel abandoned, you can yell at Him and say, "You promised!! I need to feel your presence!" He will come to you...
Call on the Holy Spirit as well...the Comforter, and trust in Him.
Seeing fellow sisters move further along into mets can be so difficult...but more so if we thought all that was important was of this world. But that is not what we are about. We are meant to live with Him in eternity...and some of us will see Him before others. It is in this world that we have all the pain and suffering....we will of course go through a cleansing after death before we see Him face to face, but when that is happening to us, we will be able to feel His presence and love in a way that is just not possible here in our earthly state. Pray that Heidi and her family will feel His presence in a special way as the Comforter during this time....but weep not for Heidi. She may be closer to heaven than any of us, and she will have so much more power to help her husband and children who are here on earth after she is gone. These are our truths...we have nothing to fear!
God Bless,
Angel
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Amy,
Isn't it interesting when we have a "brush" with a saint! I remember happening upon a noon mass at a church that I was riding by and went in only to be at a Mass that Mother Theresa was a guest! It was the cathedral at Rockville Centre in Long Island! I felt so blessed to have "happened" upon it! I wanted to run into the aisle as she processed by and kiss the hem of her garment...but I didn't!
I remember her talking about our Blessed Mother...she said, "No Mary, no Jesus!"And then I was fortunate enough to tget a ticket to attend John Paul II Mas on the Great Lawn in Central Park... these a great moments in my life...
Mary K...that was a wonderful intercession/intervention from Fr. Solanus! Lucky you!!
God Bless All!
PS...Jeter just hit his 2,722 hit with the Yankees...highest of any Yankee! It is good to see an athlete who seems to be a good role model for the kids, too! I wonder what faith he is??
God Bless!
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Ladies,
I am praying for Deborah this evening from Florida. She has been having expansions that had been a bit painful...and now her husband (55 y/o) was dx with stage IV lung cancer. Let us pray for their comfort, their faith and their strength....Amen
God Bless
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Oh dear dear ladies, thank you all for your warm words they bring more comfort than I can possibly express. You ladies here are wise, kind, supportive, and just full of the holy spirit.
As I sit here tonight with my 6 year old son, he is asking me about his homework assignment which is making a picture about "what God made" (he gos to Catholic school) anyway it is such a reminder about the simple pleasures in life, nature, sunsets, green grass, flowers, and of course the beautiful innocence of children. But really important is the support of friends and just the extreme comfort that small kindnesses bring.You are all so special and Bless you.
Angel, Laura, Artemis, Ddiva, lmfsm, Jennifer, Jacqueline, and all of the ladies here thank you I have saved your messages and reread them when I need the positive reinforcement.
Angel tonight I reserve my special intentions for Deborah, does this ridiculous C ever quit? I pray for Deborah and her Husband, I will pray to St. Jude tonight for intervention. Also for Karen's surgery special prayers to Mary for safe surgery and whole healing.
Ladies sometimes I have to tell you it is difficult to pray with absolute faith, but Angel you gave me great food for thought today. You make it sound so simple have you always had this type of beautiful faith and grace or did you work at it? Laura you too, you just exude complete faith.
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mmm5,
No...it was not always this way for me...although I was blessed with a very faithfilled mom...I did the usual "leaving" in my early 20's...but found my way home when I observed a Franciscan priest visit my mom during her illness. I knew they shared something (faith and a sense of peace) that I really wanted to experience. I have spent a lot of time in reading, studying, taking courses. I finally realized that eternity is a really long time...that I really needed to understand what I believe in and what part I play in seeing or getting myself (and my family) to Heaven.
Our Church has a treasure trove to work with! All we are asked to do is keep Him front and center. So now I talk all day long to God and His Son and our Blessed Mother. All day long. ..I get to Mass as often as I can, I go to Adoration at least once a week, and confession once a month. I say the Rosary daily...I talk, talk, talk all day long to God. Sometimes I even shut up and listen!
But I will tell you honestly, 2 things really helped me..rather 2 people. I took a week long retreat to Ireland, Achill Island to a place called "A House of Prayer" with a stigmatist/mystic by the name of Christina Gallagher. I was not really convinced about her or her experiences before going, but needed time away and 2 of my sisters had been there and spoke highly of their time there, so I decided, what the heck. I never really noticed anything immediately different, but over the next several months my faith developed such certitude...I felt the blinders were taken off. It was truly grace.
Most recently I have been reading the writings of another mystic, Anne (from Ireland again!). She has started a Lay Apostolate of Jesus Christ the Returning King. It is such an uplifting message she is being given from Jesus and the heavens. She has written extensively on the tough issues in our lives, tragedy, addictions, depression, suicide, abortion, concerns about having children away from the church, etc., and the messages are so hopefilled!!! Such joy! 90% of her writings/messages are available on line at www.directionforourtimes.com. When I read her booklets and volumes, I felt like Jesus and the saints were talking directly to me, personally! She even has the blessings of her Bishop which is practically unheard of now adays. There are many so called mystics who are whackos...but these 2 ladies are the real deal....I was so fortunate to have come across them when I did. They have taken me from a rather academic approach to theology to a child like faith...and the kingdom has been promised to the children of the world...and that is where I want to go!
Sorry for the long response...but I have been blessed, and would love to help anyone else find their way...especially through the difficulties of cancer and this sometimes (often?) crazy world we live in.
I also go to bed with my rosary in hand. Should I awake during the night, I say the Chaplet until I fall back asleep! God has been so good to me...it is the least I can do.
By the way, I am the 5th of 7 sisters to have BC., and 3 sisters and 2 brothers had stomach cancer as well that had to be trated by total stomach removal...total....so I am not a stranger to suffering....but I have learned to turn my suffering into offering. I ask the Good Lord to use my suffering to further His Will....and you can rest easy after making that prayer that all is right in the world. Even cancer can be used as a positive when you turn it over to Him. Just think what He did for us with His crucifixion!
God Bless,
Angel
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This is such a beautiful group on this site and I feel so blessed to have stumbled on it. Though, I believe there are no coincidences. Every one of us are here for a reason.
I also know that is is more than OK to cry, and grieve. It is necessary to cleanse our body, mind and spirit, and continue in our journey of healing. If we don't let it out, it will bury itself and manifest once again.
Also, can't tell you how uplifted I have been with that song that continues to haunt me! Come to Me, by Michael Joncas, for anyone who missed the post. Everyone I have played it for wants a copy!
Praise our Heavenly Father for each of you,
carol
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Ladies,
Tomorrow I go to visit my stepdaughter and granddaughter to celebrate the princess's 8th BD which occurred this past week! She shares our Blessed Mother's BD, Sept 8th....but they are not Catholic, so I don't think they are as happy as I am about that coincidence!
Anywhooo...I will be gone for 10 days and I don't have a computer when I am away, so I have printed out the Novena to St. Agatha and Peregrine, and will continue to pray for all my BCO sisters and their intentions while I am away.
God Bless each of you and your loved ones!
Angel
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Sweet Maggie.. Welcome!
Angel.. you gave me chills... I hope you save one soul.. and or bring even one lady closer to the Lord... AWESOME..! I feel small in comparison...
Ladies.. my heart breaks for Heidi and family. I just went to that thread. OMGOSH... I will continue to pray for a miracle.....
In Jesus name! Amen!
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Hi ladies,
I start my Catholic Bible study today(year 1 of 4) at Univ of Dallas. The teacher is awesome and I've met e few class members. we had another meeting a few weks ago but wanted to shre w/ you a poem the instructor gave us by John Shea.
First, Something Happens.
A friend dies;
a child smiles us into wonder;
an old lady refuses to be old;
an adolescent finds a way out;
a secret weakness is painfully exposed;
we are unexpectedly kissed.
First something happens.
A short fall is suddenly w/o bottom;
an expectation is reversed;
a comforting self-image is shaken.
First something happens.
At the center of our best effort we discover our worst motive.
Our perfect plot fails, and their sloppiest plan succeeds.
When all retreat at the sight of the dead, we stay and stare and do not know why.
First something happens.
In these moments and many more, we're thrown into the Mystery. They trigger an awareness of a More, a Presence, an Encompassing, a Whole within which we come and go. This awareness does not come with a polite introduction. It burst unbidden upon ordinary routine, demands total attention, and insists we dialogue...We may scream or laugh or dance or cry or sing or fall silent. But whatever our response, it is raw prayer, the returning human impulse to the touch of God.
I was weeping when he read this a few weeks ago. I'm thinking it's going to be an awesome class! We start off class w/ a prayer today and you all will be in mine!
Have a great saturday everyone!
xoxo,
jennifer
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Jennifer
Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us, that is so wonderful of you to let us experiecnce this with you. What a great Poem, it really does not even need words back from me just an appreciation of the emotion it evokes.
Thanks and enjoy, please share as you go along with your class.
Michelle
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Has anyone read the book "The Promise: God's purpose and pland for when life hurts" by Father Jonathan Morris? It is a really good book. I read through once, not long after my surgery, but I didn't really absorb much. I'm reading it again. Many good discussion questions like: "Why does God let people get sick? Why me?" It is a great book about suffering and doubt and acceptance.
Offering up prayers for everyone as I go about my house chores today....
Love to you all,
Amy
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Thanks Amy for the book recommendation. As for the prayers--right back at you! In sisterhood, xo
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Hello sisters, Welcome Maggie, this sure is a place to come to Give God Praise and share our joys and ask for guidence and lifting up prayers for each other. Laurie, its your FAITH THAT MAKES YOU WHOLE, GOD BLESS YOU. Nothing double minded about you. Hold on to that faith, honey it will get you far.
Dearest Michele, go back and remember what I told you awhile back..stay in the word. Look at all the miracles in your life, and look how GOD lead you to that scripture, that was no coincidence, that was God, standing right by you.
I always ask why we become afraid...GOD did not give us a Spirit of Fear. Someone once gave me a comparison of a child in the womb. That baby never wants to leave the womb and if given a chance would stay in the womb forever and that's why he leaves the womb screaming. We are no different when we leave this world. We think this is it!!! Remember HIS promise, NO EYES HAVE SEEN WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. We have no idea. PRAY, PRAY PRAY,asking for GOD'S peace. HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AND WILL NEVER FORSAKE YOU. WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE HAVE..
Love you all, what an awsome group of Ladies, my dear sisters in CHRIST
Continuing to pray for all the our intentions on this thread, IN JESUS NAME WE PRAY, AMEN0 -
Hello My Sisters in Christ,
I just found this discussion board this AM. Thanks to you all as you share your struggles and faith. I also have BC and will be having a BI MX and reconstruction, soon I hope. Since June, when the Dr became suspicious of a new lump in my breast, I have prayed that God would help me to stay positive and be a good example of his grace. I don't know what the future holds and am hoping that all will be well. This cancer was found at an early stage and I will do everything I can so that it will stay gone. But, the reality of life is that we all die...
The hardest time for me is at night, when I lay in bed and that dread overcomes me.. What if the cancer comes back and gets me next time? What will happen to my husband and my kids? What about my new kids that my husband and I are planning to adopt? Who will take care of them? Pray for me sisters as I will pray for you. And, thanks again
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Sheridangirl
I am a 22 year survivor and you will be also. When I was first diagnosed the nights were also a bad time, but then I realized this was a time I could be alone with God. No interruptions from the kids, no dishes, supper, the usual things that keep us busy and often away from time we could be spending with HIM. I started first just calling on HIS NAME then the Rosary, then the Devine Mercy, then i started to pray for others. I always, and still do to this day hold onto a Bless Crucifix that was given to me, that I always keep it under my pillow. Just surround yourself with HIS presense and you will sleep like a baby. Honey this is all new, but you will be fine. KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS AND TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART. PRAY PRAY PRAY0 -
Ladies, Just got home from the 4:00 Mass for this week read Psalm 116, the
Responsorial Psalm, especially you Michele and Lynn....TOTALLY AWESOME0 -
Hi Michelle!
I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you today....One of the big suggestions is to mark/highlight, take notes in the margins of our bibles as we go along....and that when we do that we can relive later..............Your story about the pink highlighter popped into my head! I am using the bible my Dad and step mom(My mother died in '86, and Dad remarried a wonderful widow lady from church).....The nuns gave them a bible as a wedding gift. I'm having issues 'defacing' it. So I'll probably buy another bible maybe another version so that I can compare...to take notes in! And leave this one w/ all the markers(funeral cards, funeral and wedding programs plus obituaries and wedding announcements stuffed into various favorite passages.....It's just too precious!
Another highlight of the day.....ok, not proud of this BUT! when I was in my 20's I was engaged to a man who really was not right for me....We stayed together waaay too long....retrospectively Soooo many things wrong w/ that relationship....but sheesh it's been almost 20 years since we split.......at any rate, we lived together for 2-3 yrs while engaged....he had too much house, too much debt and a recent divorce when we started seeing each other and truly wanted an expense sharer. My ex's next door neighbors were the greatest. So incredibly wonderful, fun, upbeat and very Catholic...They had an adorable 2 or 3 yr old son and another daughter born during the time we were engaged. They ended up moving a couple blocks away.........and a few mos later when it was 'over' and I 'moved out' I felt this need to get in touch w/ them but never did. They are in my bible study class! their kids are in college 19 and 22! They are now empty nesters but just as fun and sincere as they were 20 years ago! Here I am the ex-whore of babylon at bible study! What a riot! I really wasn't that promiscuous, just made some bad choices that just were not in line w/ what I truly believe....and now have no issues being MUCH more upfront about! At any rate......I'll be on the CBS journey w/ them. They know about my h(x) of BC and impending PBM/recon and have already offered to help out any way they could. The woman has been caring for her mum who just died in July of Ovarian CA....her mum and my mum have the same b day...9/24....2 days after my surgery! She told me how scared she is of her next mamo. It is such a blessing to have them back in my life...I now get to see them weekly!
I will try to contain myself but think this class will be awesome and I know they have an online program. I'm very much looking forward to all!
Hope all is well! lots of rain here!
xoxo,
jennifer
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I love going on this thread, because it reminds me to pray and that brings me peace. My love to ALL of you here! In sisterhood, xo
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Good Morning special friends-
LMFSM you are so right this thread has taught me to pray and pray and pray. I walked this am and just kept bringing my mind back to prayer.
Jennifer I had a LOL on your post, how many of us were perfect in our 20's .......NOT!
I am so glad you reconnected with your dear friends, that is God's doing bringing you together right there in that wonderful place.
Wonderful Wonderul Nonijones your messages ring in my head for days, and I immediately picked up my bible and went to Psalm 116 and what great PEACE it brought me. Your presence is very important here and I believe "a Calling". If anyone is having fear today please listen to NONIJ and go to psalm 116. "NOW I CAN RELAX"!!!!!
One more little tidbit I am trying to follow all of your wonderful advice and read and pray and pray some more and I came across another very comforting passage.
James 1
Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.
BTW I am sure James meant to say Brothers and Sisters he was just limited by a time that didn't realize the impact our WOMANHOOD........LOL!
Ladies I have printed out this whole thread and it is impactful, full of sincere kindness, meditative prayers, book suggestions, songs and just reminders to go back to God.
Thanks thanks and thank you again.
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One more thing I forgot to add.....((((((((((ANGEL)))))))))))) I love all of the support of your wisdom I am researching now many of your suggestions I just know you are here to help us and it means the WORLD to me!!
I pray for you ladies today and want to give you back as much as you have given me, you are truly A GODSEND
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Jennifer, Isn't it wonderful that we have such a loving God who accepts us just as we are? None of us are without sin, but we have the promise of forgivness.
God says, Come to me all that are heavy laden and I wll give you rest. I somehow think that is the same as peace.
Sisters In Christ. I think we are probaly better people for this journey.
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I forgot the novena yesterday, and for that I am thoroughly sorry.
I'm starting over today.Day 1...for Heidi, Stephanie, and the requests of my sisters in this thread. In the name of Jesus, Amen and Amen!
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I am just spending as much of my day in prayer as I can, kids are at friends and various sports practices.
I wanted to let you know that you ladies here have brought me more comfort than anything else.
I was reading today and came across the Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I am starting another Novena today for 9 days for "Motherly Comfort" which is what you have all brought me. I lost my Mother when I was 5 so I believe your words are what she would be saying if she was speaking to me. Anyway this Novena will be said on behalf of all of your intentions and for the many Mothers on this board that are suffering and just want to be Healthy Moms and for those that have brought motherly comfort to others here, that your intentions will be heard.
Remember , O immacualate virgin, the words you spoke to your devout client;"I am a merciful mother to you and to all of your people who love me and trust me and invoke my help. I listen to their lamentations and solace all their sufferings and sorrows. I beg you to be a merciful mother to me , because I sincerely love you and trust in you and invoke your help. I entreat you, Our Lady of Guadalupe, to grant my request, if this shoule be the will of God, in order that I may bear witness to your love, your compassion, your help and protection,. Do not foresake me in my needs.
Say the Novena 9 times for 9 days and recite the Hail Mary 3x each day.
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Father, you brought us together... why? We might never know... I pray tonight.. that you bring more Christians here.. I pray this thread grows.. this thread teaches.. and this thread lets ALL Breast Cancer sisters know... how much you are loved by our Father...
For Heidi... In Jesus name I pray.. Amen.
Please Father... if it is your will... Let Heidi LIVE! Please Father.
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