While you're attending to the spiritual needs |
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Article: What Do You Need This Summer: Rest? Momentum? Connection?
Let Franciscan Father Greg Friedman inspire you to pray in creative, deep, and personal ways.
Sometimes, a video can help us to
be transformed!
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Spending 4 minutes with this video reminds us that we don't need words to spread the Gospel:
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This 6-minute parable will renew how you see others:
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This one is especially for catechists.
Author Terry Hershey takes 5 minutes to review how busy catechists can practice sanctuary in their daily lives: |
Allow these children 4 minutes to start your day on a beautifully positive note:
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A brief prayer can lift our minds and hearts:
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PEACE PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. Where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love. For it is in giving that we receive. It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. |
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FRAGRANCE OF CHRIST PRAYER by ST. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN Help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go - let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by my example - by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to you. |
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HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER
of ST. AUGUSTINE Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love only what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy. |
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PRAYER OF ST. DOMINIC May God the Father who made us bless us. May God the Son send his healing among us. May God the Holy Spirit move within us and give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with, and hands that your work might be done. May we walk and preach the word of God to all. May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God's grace to the Kingdom. |
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PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT
Gracious and holy Father, grant us the intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you. May our ears hear you, may our eyes behold you, and may our tongues proclaim you. Give us grace that our way of life may be pleasing to you, that we may have the patience to wait for you and the perseverance to look for you. Grant us a perfect end--your holy presence, a blessed resurrection and life everlasting. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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PRAYER FOR GENEROSITY of ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God, Teach me true generosity. Teach me to serve you as you deserve. To give without counting the cost, To fight heedless of wounds, To labor without seeking rest, To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward Save the knowledge that I have done your will. |
Online Resources for Spiritual Help
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CLICK HERE for a brief online article by Sr. Janet Schaeffler, OP, in Catechist magazine on ways a catechist might pray.
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CLICK HERE for prayers from the National Catholic Partnership on Disability to increase the sense of belonging for every one of God's children.
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CLICK HERE to go on an online Ignatian Prayer Adventure from IgnatianSpirituality.com.
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CLICK HERE for Orientations for Spiritual Growth, for "points of departure ... suggestions ... hints ... landmarks ... maps ... etc., to be used or not used in as much as they are helpful for the landscape of the spirit." From Jesuit fathers in Canada.
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CLICK HERE for Minute Meditations, from Franciscan Media, a ministry of the Franciscan Friars.
Find "The Other Person is Not Your Problem," "God Makes Grace Out of Grit," "What Can We Do with Our Fear," and much more. |
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CLICK HERE for a variety of simple yet powerful Ignatian Prayers, plus short bits of spiritual advice from Jesuits throughout history. From Xavier University.
Consider this advice: THE SLOW WORK OF GOD Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are, quite naturally, impatient in everything to reach the end Without delay. We should like to skip The intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on The way to something unknown, Something new, And yet it is the law of all progress That it is made by passing through Some stages of instability --- And that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you. Your ideas mature gradually --- Let them grow, Let them shape themselves, Without undue haste. Don't try to force them on, As though you could be today What time will make you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit Gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing That his hand is leading you, And accept the anxiety of Feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.. |
Watch for news of retreats or spirituality events:
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Books for spiritual strengthening:
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Touching the Holy : Ordinariness, Self-esteem and Friendship
by Robert J. Wicks Dr. Wicks's most popular book will revitalize you with his message of growing in self-esteem through appreciation of God's many gifts found in ordinary life, especially through the gift of friendship. |
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Abundant Treasures: Meditations on the Many Gift of the Spirit
by Melanie Svboda, SND Sr. Melanie helps us discover the presence in our lives of the Holy Spirit's gifts like beauty, leadership, patience, common sense, relaxation, commitment (and 45 others). |
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The Virtue of Resilience.
by James D. Whitehead and Evelyn Eaton Whitehead. After introducing the concept and the "three Rs of resilience" (recruiting, reframing, resolving) the Whiteheads explore the personal, social, and civic aspects of resilience. They offer examples through stories of individuals (like Rep Gabby Giffords) and even cities (Boston after the Marathon bombing) exploring the emotional, spiritual, and relational bases for recovery and renewal. For all those who work with and counsel people and communities, as well as individuals seeking a better understanding of the resources available to us in times of dislocation and despair The Virtue of Resilience offers much practical advice and inspiration for the struggles we face in our journeys through life. |
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Sacred Space: A Little Book of Encouragement.
by The Irish Jesuits, Vinita Hampton Wright, Editor. Offers seventy short chapters to comfort us with God’s presence in the midst of life’s challenges and to remind us that Jesus journeys with us step-by-step. Each entry—which includes a Gospel reading, a short reflection, and a prayer—is given a descriptive title so that readers can easily find the encouragement they need depending on their situation at the time. |
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Fly While You Still Have Wings: and Other Lessons My Resilient Mother Taught Me.
by Joyce Rupp Rupp shows how the difficulties of her mother's early years and family life, including the unexpected death of a twenty-three-year-old son, forged a resilience that guided Hilda Wilberding Rupp through the illnesses and losses she faced later on. |
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Rummaging for God : Seeking the Holy in Every Nook and Cranny
by Melannie Svoboda, SND Contains 100 rummagings, that is, short meditations on the thorough search for God in everyday events and places. The questions, reflections, and short closing prayers help facilitate the reader's own rummaging. Perfect for private prayer and reflection or for group sharing. |
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Between Heaven and Mirth: Why Joy, Humor, and Laughter Are at the Heart of the Spiritual Life
by James Martin, SJ Using relevant stories and characters from Scripture, insights and teachings from the lives of the saints, spiritual writings, and personal experiences, Fr. Martin explores the place of joy, humor, and laughter in the spiritual life. |
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The Courage to Be Happy: The Pope Speaks to the Youth of the World.
by Pope Francis. Nowhere does Pope Francis's exuberance and outgoing personality seem to come more alive than in the company of young people. Constantly he exhorts his “dear young people” to “have a deep spirit,” “to dream of great things,” to have “the courage to be happy.” Included here are his talks with young people in Rome and in his travels throughout the world, including World Youth Day gatherings in Rio and Krakow, his annual Youth Day messages, and preparations for the upcoming Synod on Youth. But there are also spontaneous encounters and intimate conversations, in which he shares personal reflections on prayer and faith. |
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The Fabric of Friendship: Celebrating the Joys, Mending the Tears in Women's Relationships.
by Joy Carol Exploring the emotional hurdles that women face in their relationships, The Fabric of Friendship reveals a simple truth: friendship is never simple. Weaving her own experiences together with real-life stories of other women, Joy Carol will remind readers of the amazing gifts friendship holds and inspire them to reclaim the power of their relationships. |
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A Catholic Gardener's Spiritual Almanac: Cultivating Your Faith Throughout the Year.
by Margaret Rose Realy, Ave Maria Press, 2015. This one-of-a-kind book for gardeners explores the riches of the Catholic spiritual tradition in conjunction with all things gardening. Margaret Rose Realy-master gardener, retreat leader, and author of the "Patheos" blog "The Catholic Gardener," -offers meditations and scripture passages on a spiritual theme for each month, reflections on the liturgical seasons and feasts, and delightful stories of saints who have special relevance to gardening. Additionally, there are creative ideas for garden design, practical tips and techniques, suggestions on unique plants, and a table of biblical plants. |
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Flunking Sainthood: A Year of Breaking the Sabbath, Forgetting to Pray, and Still Loving My Neighbor.
by Jana Riess Paraclete Press, 2011. Reveals a vulnerable story of the quest for perfection and the reality of failure, as the author confesses her failure in a year-long search to become more saintly by accomplishing twelve spiritual practices, including fasting, generosity, and more. |
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The Pilgrim. Bunn, Davis. Franciscan Media, 2015. (Christian Fiction)
Davis Bunn takes readers on a journey through an ancient landscape. Travel with Empress Helena from Caesarea to Judea. Abandoned by her husband, in danger because of her faith, but with an implacable will to do what God calls her to, she takes a perilous pilgrimage. Along the way she meets those who would help her and those who would harm her. This unforgettable story of the discovery of the True Cross will thrill readers with its adventure, and with its vivid portrait of one of Christian history’s most important women. |
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Great Spiritual Masters : Their Answers to Six of Life's Questions
by John Farina. Brings together religious masters (Ignatius of Loyola, Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Gregory of Nyssa, Dante Alighieri, and Bonaventure) to answer six deep questions in modern society. |
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From a mother's heart : stories of God's faithfulness
ed. by Theresa Difato A collection of true stories in which mothers share the joys and challenges of motherhood, relating to God and children, extending forgiveness, being miraculously healed, coping with loss, and realizing hopes and dreams. |
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Chronology of a Life Well Loved: Poems and Reflections.
by Fr. Joseph Fata, CreateSpace, N. Charleston, SC, 2018. This book presents a collection of poems by Fr. Joe Fata that began in the seminary in the 1960s and ended the year before he died of cancer in 2016. They provide a window into his spiritual perspective on the ordinary. His poetry is particular in place, time and personal experience and yet offers universal truths: we recognize our own grief, joy, amazement and insecurity in his. |
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On Eagles' Wings: A Journey through Illness toward Healing.
by Fr. Michael Joncas, Twenty Third Publications, 2017. Millions of Christians know Fr. Michael Joncas from his iconic song, “On Eagle’s Wings,” an anthem of hope that has uplifted and inspired people everywhere. Fewer may know that about a decade ago, Fr. Joncas contracted Guillain-Barre syndrome, a debilitating condition that leaves its victims subject to weakness in varying degrees, and can lead to paralysis. His time of dealing with this infirmity was challenging, frustrating, and, ultimately, a time of great spiritual discernment and growth. Anyone who has experienced chronic illness themselves or has cared for a suffering loved one will find hope and comfort in this book, as well as strategies for coming to grips with our times of powerlessness and overcoming them with trust and confidence in God’s goodness. |
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Behold Your Life: a Pilgrimage Through Your Memories.
by Macrina Wiederkehr. Ave Maria Press, 1999. In this 40-day pilgrimage, we are guided to let go of bitterness and blame and prayerfully reflect on our memories (both joyous and painful) so we can move into the future with new wisdom and strength. From the moment of our conception through our childhood, adolescence and adulthood, we are led to recognize the ever present, loving touch of God. |
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Conversations with a Guardian Angel (Novel)
by Robert Wicks. Franciscan Media, 2015. Jack, a psychiatrist recovering from a personal tragedy, finds hope and healing in the wise words offered by his guardian angel, Kathleen. She introduces him to a world of new perspective, the insight of other spiritual guides, and a new life of acceptance and hope in the wake of great loss. |
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God Isn't Finished with Me Yet: Discovering the Spiritual Graces of Later Life.
Lee, Barbara. Loyola Press, 2018. As we see fewer years ahead than behind, it can be easy to question our value or what we have left to contribute to our communities. How can we continue to give back and live with purpose in our later years? Barbara Lee is living this reality every day, and in this book she describes the intersection of aging with the timelessness of Ignatian spirituality. God Isn’t Finished with Me Yet shows readers how God meets us with unexpected grace. In five succinct chapters, Lee shows how Ignatian prayer and discernment offer those in later life a path to discovering previously unknown vocations and new ways of living and being of service. |
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Finding Your Spiritual Direction as a Catechist.
Miller, Bill. Twenty-Third Publications, 2017. Filled with excellent tips and wonderful reflections, this book will help the catechist of any and every level re-engage and re-energize their spirituality so that sharing the Good News will be fulfilling and life-changing for catechist and student alike. |
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River of Grace: Creative Passages Through Difficult Times.
by Susan Bailey, Ave Maria Press, 2015. A Catholic recording artist and blogger shares powerful insights on the presence of grace in the Mass, sacraments, nature, and even grief. Includes activities, personal rituals, and inspirational tools. |
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Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity.
by Ron Rolheiser Image Books, 2014. Explores Christian spirituality and explains how to achieve new heights of spiritual awareness and maturity. “Where do we go once some of the basic questions in our lives have been answered, or at least brought to enough peace that our focus can shift away from ourselves to others? Where do we go once the basic questions in our lives are no longer the restless questions of youthful insecurity and loneliness? Where do we go once the basic question in life becomes: How can I give my life away more purely, and more meaningfully? How do I live beyond my own heartaches, headaches, and obsessions so as to help make other peoples’ lives more meaningful?" |
Music for Spiritual Reflection
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Earthen Vessels: Music from St. Louis Jesuits
You can borrow the CD from the Library. Or watch here an inspiring YouTube video of one of its songs. It's an oldie, but remains one of the best-selling religious music albums of all time for a reason: Beauty! |
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A New Day
Steve Agrisano Borrow the CD, which has links to videos. Sample a song on the YouTube video: |
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Fish With Me: More Songs for Every Generation
Ken Canedo and Jesse Manibusan Jesse Manibusan pleases crowds whenever he is in the diocese. Borrow one of his newest, Fish With Me, from the Library, or be inspired by one of his best songs, on the video here. |
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