tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88988215383313417302024-02-07T19:31:56.759-08:002016 Lent RetreatWaterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-44438675756856555962016-03-13T04:00:00.000-07:002016-03-13T04:00:12.470-07:00Day 7 - March 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 7 – March 13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “What Difference Can I Make?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And the king
will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of
these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” -- Matthew 25:40<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Given the enormity of the suffering in this
world, it can often feel like we have so little to offer. But we must do what
we can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Once a woman brought her young child to see
a concert by the great pianist Ignacy Paderewski. Before the concert, she was
talking to a friend sitting next to her and didn’t notice that her son had
slipped away until the lights dimmed. As the curtains opened she saw to her
horror that her son was sitting at the concert piano plunking out the tune
“Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> At that very moment, Paderewski came out to
begin. He saw the child and realized what was happening. So he slipped in
behind the young boy and whispered, “Keep playing.” As the little boy played
the tune “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” with one finger, Paderewski put his
hands on either side and began to fill in a wonderful accompaniment, to the
delight of the entire crowd. They both bowed, and the little boy went back to
Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> And so it is with our efforts to reach out
to those who are hurting in any way. We can’t fix it all. But we can offer our
simple bit of help, and God, the master musician, fills in around us to make
something wonderful from our simple efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted
from Two Minutes Toward Meaningful Living)<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When or how
have I experienced God, the master musician, “filling in around me” to make
something wonderful from my efforts?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When and how
might God be able to do this if I only gave God the chance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
make me an instrument of your peace. Help me to do my part to make a difference
in this world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-81738676841251351572016-03-12T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-12T04:00:15.050-08:00Day 6 - March 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 6 – March 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “To Whom Do You Listen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Let anyone
with ears listen! -- Matthew 11:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Years ago, I was hiking with some friends in
the mountains. On a narrow path on the side of a mountain we were suddenly
face-to-face with a black bear. We called to Tom, who was in front, to back up.
But Tom didn’t move. The black bear raised itself up on its back legs and then
let its front legs drop back to the ground in an effort to back us up, but Tom
still stood there. Tom’s wife called out to him, “Tommie, don’t be stupid.”
When he heard that, Tom came back to where we were, which freed up enough space
for the bear to find a way off the path down the mountain. Tom listened to his
wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Do you let anyone challenge you? To whom do
you give authority? We all need a willingness to let someone outside ourselves
speak a difficult word that we might need to hear. It is easy to find people
who will say what we want to hear, but are we willing to hear the difficult
word that challenges us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> God often speaks through those we don’t
expect: sometimes the imperfect and ordinary people right around us. Who causes
you to grow? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Ultimately, Tom listened to his wife. To
whom will YOU listen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted from <i>Two Minutes Toward Meaningful Living</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who are the
people who generally agree with me? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who are the
people who do (or might) challenge me when I gave them the chance?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
I need YOUR wisdom. Speak, O Lord, and help me listen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-51628181713262681592016-03-11T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-11T04:00:12.856-08:00Day 5 - March 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 5 – March 11<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “Make Every Moment Count”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Martha,
Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. -- Luke 10:41<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Maybe you are a worrier. Maybe you think
those bad things didn’t happen because you worried. No. Worry didn’t help
anything. It just kept you from being as alive in the present as you could have
been. When the anxiety comes, acknowledge it. But don’t stay there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> In Thornton Wilder’s play, <i>Our Town,</i> a high-school girl, Emily
Gibbs, dies. She pleads to return to earth for just one day. She is told that
she will have to live it just like she did, and no one but her would know she
is back for just one day. She pleads and argues, and they finally let her go.
Emily goes back to earth for her 12th birthday, the day was for her painful and
sad as she watched so many troubled and worried people race through their day.
Dad offers her a birthday greeting then bustles off to work. On the inside she
is screaming, “But, Dad, I only have this one day. Just look at me. I want to
drink in your face.” Mom wishes her a happy birthday, then tells her to get dressed
and ready for school, while she cries out—on the inside—“But, Mom, I only have
this one chance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> At the end of this day, she says: “Wait. One
more look. Goodbye world! Goodbye Grover’s Corners—Goodbye Mama and
Papa—Goodbye to clocks ticking—and Mama’s sunflowers—and food and coffee—and
sleeping and waking up!” And she ends so
sadly, “Oh earth, you are too wonderful for anyone to realize you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Jesus offers a different way than the worry
that keeps us from being truly alive. He says, “Don’t worry. Just love now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted from <i>Two Minutes Toward Meaningful Living</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Who are the
people in my life who might be saying to me, “I only have this one day”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What would
change if I could really believe, “Oh earth, you are too wonderful for anyone
to realize you”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
help me see this ordinary day for what it is: precious; filled with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-65136633836548143032016-03-10T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-10T04:00:01.266-08:00Day 4 - March 10<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 4 – March 10<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “One Essential Ingredient”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That which
is, already has been; that which is to be, already is; and God seeks out what
has gone by. -- Ecclesiastes 3:15<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Worry has a corrosive power that eats away
at our bodies, our relationships, our peace of heart. What if we did what Jesus
said and chose, instead of worrying, to just “seek the kingdom”? In other
words, to just love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> In any moment, worry will not help me in any
way. It will rob me of the life and joy that is only found in the present
moment. Whatever the worries or tensions, regrets or fears, one thing only is
asked of me: to love now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> We hold firm to what we know is true. We
trust. For me, that means—not that everything will be okay but that—no matter
what life holds, I can be okay. And so, instead of worrying, I am called just
to love now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> That is all that I really can do. That is
all I need to do. It is one of the essential ingredients of a holy, happy,
joy-filled life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Jesus is not saying don’t plan for the
future. He knows we have to think ahead and use our brains. He is just saying
don’t live there. Live now. Love now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Jesus is not saying don’t learn from the
past or act like it didn’t happen. He is just saying don’t live there. Live
now. Love now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted from <i>Two Minutes Toward Meaningful Living</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When or how
have I experienced the fact that “not everything will be okay” <i>but </i>“I can be okay”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In what ways
am I living in the past?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
help me to feel the peace of your presence within me. And when I can’t feel it,
help me choose to trust that you are there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-42459493935706824032016-03-09T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-09T04:00:11.459-08:00Day 3 - March 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 3 – March 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “Who Me? Worried?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body,
what you will wear. -- Matthew 6:25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Do you ever worry? Maybe you even worry
about whether you can be forgiven. Or maybe someone else’s harmful actions
cause you anxiety, and forgiveness is difficult. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Perhaps this part of a longer prayer I wrote
will help you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I know that You are with me.<br />
You’ll never go away.<br />
Things aren’t the way I wanted,<br />
but You are here to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We are troubled. We do worry:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When we think we don’t have money to
pay our bills.<br />
When we wonder whether we will get good grades or whether our children will.<br />
When our car makes a noise that we haven’t heard before or our body gets a lump
that we haven’t felt before.<br />
When the conversation didn’t go well and we think the other person is mad.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> We worry…we worry a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Jesus comes to us in the midst of all that
in our Scriptures and says: “Do not worry.” Remember that Jesus, even as he
told people not to worry, could see his own cross looming on the horizon. The
famous preacher from some years ago, Charles Spurgeon, put it this way: “Anxiety
does not empty tomorrow of its trials; it simply empties today of its joy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted from <i>Two Minutes Toward Meaningful Living</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">What things
do I worry about the most?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If Jesus came
to me, what would he say about those things I worry about so much?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
so often I do worry. Yet, you have promised to be with me always. Free me from
the grip of my worries, and help me to trust your amazing and unconditional
love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-75910937029167485022016-03-08T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-08T04:00:06.550-08:00Day 2 - March 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Day 2 – March 8<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “Know That You Are Loved”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful. -- Luke 6:36<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Once I was visiting a friend of mine while
his two children played in the other room. We overheard the older of the two,
in an attempt to get her younger brother to behave, say to him, “If you don’t
stop that, Daddy isn’t going to love you anymore.” My friend knew it was one of
“those moments,” so he went into the room (while I peeked through the crack
between the wall and the door). He put one child on each leg and said to them,
“It is very important to me that you understand this: Your daddy loves you
always. When you behave well, I love you with a happy heart. When you
misbehave, I love you with a sad heart. But I will always love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Those children are fortunate to have such a
father. They will be able, perhaps more than many, to understand the incredible
mercy of God and that they are more than their sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> We are so much more than our sin. Yes, we
are each a mix of saint and sinner and are in trouble if we deny either part of
that. Perhaps we sometimes don’t see the reality and the consequences of our
sin and its harm on the world. There is also, however, a temptation for many to
over-identify with our sin. Maybe there are those who never let us live down
our past mistakes, as if that were mostly who we are. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> No. You are so much more than your sin.
Whether or not you heard this growing up, God would say to you, “Deep down you
are good, you are wanted, you are loved for yourself as you are. In my heart,
you are safe. You are more than your sin.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(Excerpted from <i>Mercy--A Message for Children</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When and how
do I fail to see the consequences of my sin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When and how
do I fail to realize that I am more than my sin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Merciful God,
sometimes it is hard for me to trust that you love me just like I am. But—even
with all my faults—you deeply love me. You do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-7316772664719418372016-03-07T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-07T04:00:16.015-08:00Day 1 - March 7<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxySyOtjIQUOxvi_xbh72qnfBXyj7wPd5c4CJuijXA00CdTsG9_wkMDb3i_firacN7xgO4J-tD2Vk8qoF4qnMISTcLSuevLd7_fKsYubsqUMlq3q0apd-guwN2TgiMvmmhB29-BhLxeHE/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">The Joy of
Mercy Online Lenten Retreat<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Day 1 – March 7<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Today’s
Theme: “There Is No Life in Sin” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Today’s Scripture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">A few days
later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country,
and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. -- Luke 15:13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Fr. Kempf’s Reflection<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> A teenage Sunday school class was asked to
describe the parable of the Prodigal Son in their own words. One young man rose
and said the following: “Once, a kid talked his dad into giving him a lot of
money. Then he took off, ran away from home and spent half his money on wine,
women and song.” He added: “And then he wasted the other half.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> The primary sin of the son in this story is
not that he spent his money on wild and dissolute living—not that we are
encouraging that. But by Jewish law, one does not get his father’s inheritance
unless dad is dead. By asking for his share of the inheritance now, he
basically says, “I wish you were dead. But since you are not, you will be like
dead to me.” It was like spitting in his father’s face. Then, off he went,
messing up his life as only sin can do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";"> But then came one of those key moments in
his life—as in the lives of all of us sinners: <i>he came to his senses,</i> thinking, What am I doing? This is waking
up. Sin is a false light. There is no life there. This is such an important
awareness…and it is itself a gift of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(excerpted from <i>Mercy--The Sacrament of Reconciliation</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Who are the
people who I treat as if they were dead to me?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">What habits
or attitudes do I have in which there is “no life there”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Today’s Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Merciful God,
the “false light” of sin is so alluring. Yet it does not hold life. Remind me
of the deeper joy that comes from your way. Help me be willing to “wake up” to
your call.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Published by special
arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Used with
Permission. All Rights Reserved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8898821538331341730.post-86083098116434030672016-03-06T05:51:00.001-08:002016-03-06T10:05:38.241-08:00Introduction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DEkx2sFNS6ygebb73Nr6FUIhdxDPdtg7Les-ddqdvtkOTKhOO9tyJ5GmdX9Wbjlz_1X30lIisLpBLzW7qIQ8E-fnZQIJ_wJh8T3Bx_63tZQ3B4h-BUR9GDxNt6iAiHLARZH5yliwlL8/s1600/lent+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DEkx2sFNS6ygebb73Nr6FUIhdxDPdtg7Les-ddqdvtkOTKhOO9tyJ5GmdX9Wbjlz_1X30lIisLpBLzW7qIQ8E-fnZQIJ_wJh8T3Bx_63tZQ3B4h-BUR9GDxNt6iAiHLARZH5yliwlL8/s320/lent+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">The Joy
of Mercy—Forgiving and Forgiven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Welcome to
our online Lenten Retreat for 2016. This
daily retreat is designed to give you an opportunity for prayer and reflection
during this Lenten season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">You may use
the retreat at any time and in any environment that is convenient and conducive
to your personal prayer and reflection.
You may also use the retreat in a family or faith-sharing environment. Don’t worry if you miss a day; you do not
have to complete the retreat on the appointed days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Here are some
suggestions which you might find helpful:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">1. Choose a
time and location for your daily retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">2. Take a few
moments to relax and quiet yourself before you begin the retreat. If necessary, make a list of the things you
need to do or think about after you have finished your prayer and
reflection—this will help insure that these things don’t distract you during
your retreat time. Notice the theme for
the day’s reflection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">3. Read the
daily Scripture. Read it a second time
if you wish. Consider what words,
phrases or ideas stand out for you. In
what way might you “connect” to this scripture reading?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">4. Read Fr.
Kempf’s reflection. Think about the ways
in which you can identify with what he has written. Are there ways in which your experience is
similar or different? The questions following
the reflection may help you think more about the reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">5. If time
permits, spend a few minutes pondering the reflection and its connection to
your own life. How would you summarize
the point of today’s reflection? How
does it apply to your own life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">6. Pray
today’s prayer. Pray it a second time if
you wish. Try to identify a word or
phrase you want to remember and repeat throughout the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">Remember to
share your thoughts or insights with other people participating in this
retreat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif";">We wish you a
blessed and fruitful retreat experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The
material in this year’s online retreat is excerpted from <i>The Joy of Mercy—Forgiving and Forgiven, </i> published by Creative Communications for the
Parish. This material is copyrighted and
all rights are reserved. Published by
special arrangement with Creative Communications for the Parish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Waterloo Catholicshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09331405207575963444noreply@blogger.com0