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Happy Birthday Mother Teresa!

By Theresa W
August 26, 2010

Hello to all those out there who may still be with me!  It has been a busy summer spent with family and friends with no time for blogging! 

I thought this would be a good day to log on and remind you that today the world is celebrating Blessed Mother Teresa’s 100th birthday.  I feel close to Mother because  my sister Cathy was a Missionary of Charity many years ago.  I fondly remember the adventure of visiting her in the Bronx when she was a novice.  And while Cathy was called out of the convent to the married life,  the religious formation she received was a personal gift to her  and all the members of  our family.

Today, please also remember one of our own young women from the Cathedral  of Our Lady of Perpetual Help who has been called to religious life  with the Missionaries of Charity,  Sister Mary Giovanni (Stefanie Zetah).   Keep her and all the Missionaries of Charity in your prayers.    Thank you Blessed Mother Teresa for your love and witness during your beautiful life on earth!

There are lots of articles out there today. Here is one to check out:   http://www.ncregister.com/register_exclusives/the-world-celebrates-mother-teresa/

Posted in Saints.

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Marian Consecration Time!

By Theresa W
July 6, 2010

Please encourage your friends and family to consider making or renewing a Marian Consecration.   We are gathering a group to begin their preparation on July 13 with a consecration day on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.  Feel free to copy the  invitation below and send it out. 

TO JESUS THROUGH MARY

This is an invitation to make or renew your Marian Consecration following the Preparation for Total Consecration according to Saint Louis Marie de Montfort.  The preparation prayers begin Tuesday, July 13   with a consecration date of  Sunday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.  For more information, contact Theresa Witte  Theresa@omorningstar.org

Posted in Total Consecration.

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Pilgrim Virgin Visit June 19

By Theresa W
June 16, 2010

NATIONAL PILGRIM VIRGIN STATUE COMING TO PARISHES IN JUNE

Sponsored by the World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue will be at various parishes throughout the diocese during the month of June. The image of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed by Pope Paul VI and carries the message of world peace. All are invited to listen to the custodian of the statue, William Sockey, explain how the message of Fatima applies to the state of the world today. The statue will be at the Cathedral on Saturday, June 19.    Here is the schedule for the day:

8:00 am Mass followed by Adoration in Our Lady’s Chapel, OLPH Cathedral

9:30 am  Rosary Procession with the statue lead by Fr. Hathaway to ICC.

10:30 am  Talk by William Sockey, the custodian of the statue at ICC

1:00 – 5:30  pm   Veneration of the statue in Our Lady‘s Chapel, OLPH Cathedral

7:00 pm  Concluding talk by William Sockey,  Our Lady’s Chapel, OLPH Cathedral

For more information, contact Jim Jacquot at 605-381-9130 or at jcq6jw@msn.com.

Please make the effort to attend the procession or one of the talks.  Bring your family, children love to walk in the procession praying and singing along the way!    These activities will support your devotion to the Blessed Mother and also all the hard work of our local Blue Army chapter, who brought William Sockey and the statue to tour the diocese this month.   Thank you Jim Jacquot!

 

Posted in Events, Our Lady.

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Heart of Mary

By Theresa W
June 12, 2010

Happy Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary!   Mary, mother of all priests, pray for us!  

Our Holy Father Pope Benedict has said much in the past few days during the closing events for the Year for the Priest in Rome.   Even though this special year is now over,  there is a sense that this is only the beginning for a renewed and purified church.   At the Spiritual Motherhood gathering last night, we were reminded of the continued need for constant prayers for our priests, our seminarians and all men the Lord will call to the priesthood.   Women of the diocese of Rapid City,  please consider making a commitment to pray for the next year for these men.  You may contact Susan Safford, Coordinator of the Vocations office for more information about the Spiritual Mother Program  : ssafford@diorc.org.

From the Papal Homily for the End of the Year for the Priests:

“The Year for Priests which we have celebrated on the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the death of the holy Curè of Ars, the model of priestly ministry in our world, is now coming to an end. We have let the Curé of Ars guide us to a renewed appreciation of the grandeur and beauty of the priestly ministry. The priest is not a mere office-holder, like those which every society needs in order to carry out certain functions. Instead, he does something which no human being can do of his own power: in Christ’s name he speaks the words which absolve us of our sins and in this way he changes, starting with God, our entire life. Over the offerings of bread and wine he speaks Christ’s words of thanksgiving, which are words of transubstantiation – words which make Christ himself present, the Risen One, his Body and Blood – words which thus transform the elements of the world, which open the world to God and unite it to him.”      The entire text is here:  http://www.zenit.org/article-29576?l=english

Benedict XVI’s Turn Toward Mary – A Reflection on the Immaculate Heart of Mary by Dr. Mark Miravalle

“As the Church and world scene grow in complexity and gravity, Benedict XVI seems to be turning more and more to the Mother. The principle is simple yet sublime. The more the Immaculate and Co-redemptive Heart of Mary is proclaimed and accepted, the more the Sacred and Eucharistic Heart of Jesus is adored and reverenced, and consequently peace of Christ, the only authentic foundation for global peace, can be restored to the hearts of humanity.”    For the entire text:  http://www.zenit.org/article-29573?l=english

Posted in Feast Days, Our Lady.

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Heart of Jesus

By Theresa W
June 10, 2010

Heart of Christ, we sing thy praises, wellspring of eternal life!

Through the sorrows of thy Passion, we find refuge from our strife.

Happy Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus!  

From the Office of Readings today, a work by St. Bonaventure,  “It was a divine decree that permitted one of the soldiers to open his sacred side with a lance.  This was done so that the Church might be formed from the side of Christ as he slept the sleep of death on the cross,  and so that the Scripture might be fulfilled:  They shall look on him whom they pierced.  The blood and water which poured out at the moment were the price of our salvation.  Flowing from the secret abyss of our Lord’s heart as from a fountain, this stream gave the sacraments of the Church the power to confer the life of grace, while for those already living in Christ it became a spring of living water welling up to life everlasting….Run with eager desire to this source of life and light, all you who are vowed to God’s service.”

Today also marks the official end of the Year for the Priest. An end and yet a beginning,  as is explained in the following article from the Catholic News Agency:   http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/denver-bishop-reports-atmosphere-of-great-excitement-at-closing-of-year-for-priests/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+catholicnewsagency%2Fdailynews+%28CNA+Daily+News%29

See for yourself the excitement and long to be there!  Viva il Papa,  Long Live the Pope!

Posted in Events, Feast Days, Holy Father, Jesus Christ, Video.

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Corpus Christi 2010

By Theresa W
June 10, 2010

What a beautiful Corpus Christi celebration at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help last Sunday!  Somewhere between 50 – 75 people participated as we walked with Our Lord to four altar stations to pray for the parish and community,  the diocese, respect for all life and young people.  With baskets filled with rose petals,  a dozen children walked before the montrance to prepare the way with flowers.  Together with three of our Cathedral priests, we sang and prayed in adoration.   The traditional Corpus Christi Procession was revived at the Cathedral a number of years ago with the support of Msgr. Michael Woster and has been maintained over the years.   We are grateful to Fr. Michael Mulloy, the rector,  for making sure the tradition continues.  It is a particular gift to our children, who look forward to the procession every year.

Thank you to all who participated!   Special appreciation goes to the canopy bearers, servers, the children with flower baskets, Angela Weber for leading the music and our priests who were present to lead us in prayer, Fr. Ed, Fr. Mike and Fr. Tyler. Thank you also to staff members Mary Daniel and Katie Severns for their hard work and to Jolly Lane Floral for the donation of so many lovely rose petals.     The photo shown was taken by Gail Wingert.    Our Eucharistic Lord was truly adored through all your efforts!

Posted in Feast Days, Jesus Christ.

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St. Charles Lwanga, Pray for us!

By Theresa W
June 3, 2010

You perhaps know that President Obama has declared June to be a month in which to celebrate homosexuality in the United States.   Perhaps you know also that St. Charles Lawanga and his 21 companions of Uganda died because they would not submit to the homosexual demands of King Mwanga.  We celebrate the faith and extreme courage of these martyrs today – Lord, may we be unafraid to proclaim your Gospel message in our own times.

Posted in Saints.

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St. John Vianney, pray for us!

By Theresa W
June 3, 2010

Pope Benedict with gather with thousands of priests in Rome next week to close the Year for the Priest.   Pray then for all priest and our own Rapid City diocese priests who will gather from June 7 – 11 for their annual retreat.   The Pope will end the year on June 11 and proclaim that St. John Vianney is not only the patron for diocesan priests but all priests!

Posted in Events, Holy Father.

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Closing the Year for the Priest

By Theresa W
June 1, 2010

This month of June brings with it the end of the very special Year for the Priest.  I am sad to see it end – for I know it has been a year of great graces amidst severe trials for the Church.  In the local Rapid City church we have many opportunities to gather and to celebrate the gift of our faith.    The events listed below have come to my attention  and are listed in order by date- there may be more out there!

Thursday, June 3  First Thursday for the Year for the Priest   This is the “last”  First Thursday for the opportunity to gain the plenary indulgence.   Go here for more information:    http://www.usccb.org/yearforpriests/indulgences.shtml

Sunday, June 6   Corpus Christi Procession scheduled to follow the 10:30 am Mass at OLPH Cathedral.   Paul and I are helping to organize this -  if you would like to help, let us know.   Otherwise, please plan to attend this beautiful event and encourage your friends and family to come.   wittes@knology.net

June 7 – 11  Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at OLPH Cathedral  during the annual Priest’s Retreat.  Begins following 7:00 am Mass on June 7 and concludes at noon on June 11.   Please sign up for an hour with Our Lord by contacting Gail Wingert gwingert@rap.midco.net

Friday, June 11  Spiritual Motherhood Event  From Susan Safford, Coordinator of the Vocations Office:   We hope to continue prayers for our priests and seminarians and for vocations, and so we have scheduled another Spiritual Motherhood Event for Friday, June 11, from 7:00-8:30pm at St. Patrick’s Church in Wall, SD.  We will pray together, share stories, and give the opportunity to commit to another year of prayer for our priests, adding to that prayers for seminarians and for vocations.  I hope that you will join us for this event!  Your commitment to prayer is of inestimable value for our priests, and we will find out only in heaven the great things that God has done through your prayers and sacrifices.  I hope that you will prayerfully consider joining us in this endeavor for another year.  There is no charge for this event, but please RSVP to me at this email address: ssafford@diorc.org or 343-3541 x235.  Thanks so much, and may God bless you and your families!   Susan is looking for more spiritual mothers, so come!

Saturday, June 12 Iron Sharpens Iron Men’s Conference   St. Isaac Jogues Church and Mother  Butler Center, 7:00 am Registration, 8:00 am- 3:30pm Conference.   For details  go to www.ironsharpensiron2010.com.    Men,  do not miss this rare opportunity to hear great speakers who will prepare you for the “battle”!

Saturday, June 19   The Last Day of the Year for Priests    This is the official last day of the Year for the Priest and the last opportunity to gain the special  plenary indulgence for this year!

Thursday, June 24  The Year for the Priest Celebration     Mass  at  6:30 pm  /  Join Bishop Cupich and our diocesean priests at the OLPH Cathedral for a special Mass to end the Year for the Priest.

Posted in Events.

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The Charity of Mary

By Theresa W
June 1, 2010

Well,  the month of Mary has ended with the Feast of the Visitation.   Congratulations to  those who made their Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary yesterday and all those who made an annual renewal.

The Holy Father has a lovely meditation on the Visitation found here:   http://www.zenit.org/article-29439?l=english

We now move into June -  and the opportunity to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 6 and then the Feasts of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts on June 11 and 12.  There are lots of local Catholic events coming up in June which I will mention in my next post.

Posted in Feast Days, Holy Father, Our Lady.

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