Category Archives: Women of Grace

My Beloved Child by Ron Quinlan

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Fr. Ed shared this beautiful quote by Ron Quinlan on the Catholic Exchange website during today’s Women of Grace live radio program.  It beautifully illustrates God’s deep and abiding love for us.  Happy St. Valentine’s Day! 

My Beloved Child,

Yes, you are my beloved child.  I know this is hard for you to believe.  You see all your mistakes and failures, all the times you lost your temper, all the times you’ve hurt people, all the times you stayed away from me.  You look at yourself and see your failures.

I look at you and see your beauty.  I see the love you’ve given to those you encountered in your life.  I see the times you tried to love others, all the times you’ve given of yourself.  I see a beautiful person struggling to become the person you were created to be.

There is a beauty and love deep inside of you.  Right now you may not see it but someday the whole world will look at you and see this rare beauty, someone very special and unique, a gift to the world — for you are my gift and my beloved child.

So often you’ve been afraid of me.  You run and try to hide, hoping that I won’t notice your mistakes.  So many hours you spend, doing everything you can to stay busy, too busy to think, to busy talk to me.  You run away from me but I long for your company.  I long to shower you with my love, to pour my blessings upon you.  I yearn to comfort and console you, to be there for you in your pain.  My desire is to take care of you.  My passion is for you to come to me, seeking me, to know and love me — for that is why I made you.

I want you to know that I know everything you ever done — and I love you with a passion so intense that human words can not describe it.  Your past is forgiven and forgotten.  I remember nothing you have confessed.  I passionately desire to forgive you everything.  All you have to do is repent and confess.

So come to me; come so that I may pour my blessings upon you.  There is so much I want to give you.  I want to do so much for you.  I want you to know my peace.  I want to set you free from the guilt that robs you of your joy; from the fear that plagues you; from the worry and anxiety that is tearing you apart.  I want you to know my joy, to know my freedom, to be secure in my love.

Come, now! There is nothing you have to change or do, no improvements you have to make before you come to me.  Come as you are.  I love you exactly as you are.  Just, come!

The Weakness of Worry

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Do you struggle with worry?  I know I do on occasion.  Life for the Christian is a daily exercise in surrender to Divine Providence and Venerable Solanus Casey knew this all to well.  Recently, I have found the following quote from Venerable Casey to be most helpful.  It is a wonderful reflection to use during your prayer time this week, especially if you are struggling with worry. 

“Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free.  We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of peace of soul.  Instead let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever he chooses to send us.

If we only try to show the Dear Lord a good will and ask Him for resignation to the crosses He sends or permits to come our way, we may be sure that sooner or later they will turn out to have been just so many blessings in disguise.”

Venerable Solanus Casey, pray for us.

Related Resources:

Saints of the States with Dan Lynch

The Heart of a Saint: Ten Ways to Grow Closer to God

WOG Facilitator Spotlight: Martha Nicolli

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During the first session of the Women of Grace study, I tell the women that my mother named me appropriately, Martha because I’m “a doer!”  But one day I heard a voice in the inner recesses of my heart say, “Martha, Martha, Come and sit with Mary at my feet.” The next thing I knew, I found myself participating in a Women of Grace study at a nearby parish!!
 
I fell in love with the study and realized I had a long, long way to go on my spiritual journey. The rain of graces from the study poured, not only upon my self, but upon my family as well.  My husband and I began praying the rosary together and the following Fall, Tony was right beside me as a daily communicant!!  My burning desire, my mission, was to create an opportunity for women from all walks of life to embark upon this journey of discovery and transformation.
 
The week that I was to begin facilitating my first Women of Grace group at my parish, negative thoughts plagued me like, “What are you doing?  You can’t facilitate this program! You don’t know enough! What if you are asked a question, and you do not know the answer?!”  I held my ground and didn’t allow the evil one to discourage me.
 
Throughout the bible we see how the Lord “qualifies the unqualified.” That was me but through my fiat, my “yes”, three Women of Grace studies were implemented at my parish; one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening.  At one point, we had five studies running at various times throughout the week.  Over three hundred women have had the opportunity to go through this life-changing program and it is now being offered in five other surrounding parishes.
 
Our Lady impregnated my soul with a holy zeal for Women of Grace.  As a facilitator, a profound gift is given!!  The Holy Spirit allows me to witness His abundant fruit sprouting in the hearts of the women he has entrusted to me.  Just one example was when I saw a woman’s face transformed after she returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after forty years!!
 
For those considering becoming a facilitator, I can not express the importance of spending time in prayer.  It is prayer which allows the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.
 
As this New Year unfolds, may Our Lady and her spouse, the Holy Spirit, prepare your hearts with a double portion of fortitude to birth Jesus to the world!
 
 
 

Fr. Robert Barron on Abortion

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Fr. Robert Barren‘s recent video commentary about the recently published abortion statistics for New York is excellent and well worth watching.  The numbers are sobering, particularly with regard to the disproportionate rates of abortions among the African American community.  He highlights how the pro-abortion community is fueling these frightening trends and the need for greater education and support for those who feel they are left without options when faced with a crisis pregnancy.  Definitely a must see during this week in which we reflect and pray about the devastating Roe vs. Wade decision.

March with Courage

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These are certainly unprecedented times.  One only need to watch the evening news to see that the world seems to be quickly spiraling out of control.  That is why the March for Life is an event of such great hope.  It is the powerful witness of hundreds of thousands of pro-life individuals from varying faith backgrounds marching together to give a voice to the voiceless unborn children and their parents who have been wounded by abortion.

Those who March are the white (as opposed to red) martyrs of this generation.  Though they may not be called to shed their blood, they are called to walk in a spirit of self-sacrifice and like the martyrs, draw upon the virtue of fortitude.  It is fortitude which propels the soul to act in spite of fear or discomfort.  It is fortitude that gives the soldier the strength to enter into the battle.  It is fortitude which enables one to lay down their life for a friend.   As St. Therese of Lisieux reminds us: it doesn’t’ matter if we have courage – as long as we act like we do.

So on this January 22nd, which marks the 38th anniversary of the March for Life and the devastating Roe vs. Wade decision, we call upon God to bestow upon those who will march, a double portion of His strength and fortitude.  We are in solidarity with you, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ and are grateful for the hope that you bring into this very fallen world.

“O Lord God of hosts, You said in your Gospel , ‘I am not come to bring peace but the sword’; provide me with desire to fight for Your glory, but I beseech You, strengthen my courage.  Then with holy King David I can exclaim: ‘You alone are my shield, O God; it is You who prepare my hands for war.’

“O my Jesus, I will fight for You as long as I live, and love will be my sword.  My weakness should never discourage me; when in the morning I feel no courage or strength for the practice of virtue, I must look upon this state as a grace, for You teach me that it is the very moment to put the axe to the root of the tree, counting only on Your help.”

“What merit would there be in fighting only when I feel courage?  What does it matter even if I have none, provide that I act as if I had? ”                                       (St. Therese of Lisieaux quote from Divine Intimacy, page 839)

Addition resources:

Preparing for the March for Life by CatholicVote.org.

March for Life official website and schedule of events

EWTN  March for Life programming

Here’s to You Mrs. Seton

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Seton

 “The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will.”  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

As a Catholic revert, it was with great joy and surprise that I was introduced to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.  I, like many, at the beginning of my faith journey, viewed sainthood as something that was only attainable to priests and religious who dedicated their entire lives to prayer, fasting, and extreme penances.  In other words, it wasn’t for a lay person like myself.  Mrs. Seton taught me differently. 

Read the rest…

Looking for a Good Read for the New Year?

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newyearsThe countdown to the New Year is fast approaching.  Will you be making resolutions? 

For most of us, the answer is yes.   If you are a regular reader of this blog then you know that last year, I wrote a blog using the acronym R-E-S-O-L-V-E-D to help us focus our resolutions on the things that really matter.  The “L” in the acronym stood for “Listening” in which I encouraged the cultivation of a listening spirit so that we could hear the voice of God in our everyday circumstances.  In addition to prayer of the Holy Rosary, Eucharistic Adoration, and Lectio Divina, one of my favorite ways to practice “listening” is spiritual reading. 

I’ve compiled the list below which features some of my all time favorite books for spiritual reflection, prayer, meditation and direction.  I hope that you will incorporate one or several of them into your Catholic library because I know that you too will see much fruit in your relationship with God as a result.  They are in no particular order.

  Read the rest…

Sorry we missed you…

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WOG 058As you may know, the Women of Grace 5th Annual Retreat was held at Malvern Retreat House the weekend of July 23-25.  It was preceded by the Women of Grace Leadership Institute on July 22, ending mid- afternoon on the 23rd.  Both events were abundantly blessed and I am delighted in the receptivity of heart so apparent in the women who attended.  If you weren’t able to make it this year, I just wanted to give you a little taste of what the retreat was like so you will seriosly consider coming next year. 

Our guest presenter for the retreat was Dr. Edward Sri, Provost of the Augustine Institute in the Archdiocese of Denver. Father Edmund Sylvia, C.S.C. and myself were the retreat directors. The theme was “The Mysteries of Mary: Hope, Healing, and New Life.” We have copies of the retreat talks available for you on CD.

I was personally inspired by Dr. Sri’s discussion of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and his enlightening discussion of the marriage feast of Cana.  In both instances, I felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to enter more deeply into the call and mission God has entrusted to me and to surrender more fully to His Holy Will.  I am confident you, too, will experience the power of the Holy Spirit as you listen to Dr. Sri’s presentations.

The Scripture passages we were led to consider throughout the retreat, in the order they were given, are the following:

Jeremiah 1: 5-10

2 Chronicles 7:14

Jeremiah 7:3-11

Ezekiel 22:30

Dr. Ted Sri

Dr. Ted Sri

Throughout the retreat the women were encouraged to be the prophetic voice of this our day and time and to step boldly into the mission which God has entrusted to them. Reminding them of the Closing Message to Women from the 2nd Vatican Council, the women were exhorted to “reconcile men with life” and to “save the peace of the world” as the Council Fathers told them only they can do. A big mission to be sure, but a mission that can be accomplished, “for with God, nothing is impossible.” 

I suggest you pray the passages the women received at the retreat, see what the Holy Spirit is saying to you, and give your “fiat” to the Lord as did Our Lady. The salvation of the world depends on it.

Like most retreats, the end came too soon and we had to leave our mountaintop experience and return to the realities of everyday living.  I am certain that we have all been refueled for the certain challenges which lie ahead.  I hope that you too will consider joining us next year for this beautiful retreat experience! 

Our next event is the Women of Grace National “Healed for Holiness” Conference , Hyatt Regency Hotel, Sacramento California, September 17-19, preceded by the Leadership Institute September 16 -17 (mid-afternoon).  You won’t want to miss this faith-filled opportunity!

Enjoy a few pictures from the retreat.  If you’d like to see them all, visit my Facebook  page.

Fr. Ed and Vicki Crispo, one of our first ever Women of Grace facilitators

Fr. Ed and Vicki Crispo, one of our first ever Women of Grace facilitators

There were plenty of laughs...

There were plenty of laughs...

Teaching moments...

Teaching moments...

Prayer...

Prayer...

Time for reflection...

Time for reflection...

and lots of PRAISE!

and lots of PRAISE!

More PRAISE...

More PRAISE...

And more PRAISE!

And more PRAISE!

Five Ways to Enhance Your Experience of Eucharist, Part II

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In this next section of our reflection on the Eucharist we will look at how to cultivate a living faith and deeper desire for the Eucharist.

A living faith keeps the fire of our desire burning for Jesus. This type of faith is engendered through a consistent prayer life, a temperate lifestyle, charitable actions, and an attitude of gratitude for the blessings God bestows on us each day. Another way to practice a living faith, especially in reference to the Eucharist, is by making a proper thanksgiving after receiving our Lord. As true appreciation for God’s gracious generosity wells up within us so does a holy desire to remain united to him.

I find that the use of good spiritual books and regular spiritual direction are also keys to maintaining a living faith.  Those of you who regularly watch or listen to our programs are familiar with some of my favorites but in case you are not they are:  In Conversations with God by St. Josemaria Escriva, Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D. and True Devotion to Mary by St. Louis De Montfort.  It is difficult to express how much my faith has grown through these beautiful resources and I happily recommend them to you.

The final characteristic of a fervent communion is ardent desire. This desire is demonstrated by a consistent longing to be united to Jesus all of the time. A conscious anticipation for Eucharist, accompanied by a frequent turning of the heart and mind to God, becomes the daily rhythm of the soul imbued with ardent desire. This holy response to the Eucharistic presence is the preeminent grace of the Sacrament. And, it is a defining feature of all the great saints throughout the ages.

No contact with Jesus is greater than receiving him in the Eucharist. However, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is another way in which we can be spiritually nourished by the Eucharistic presence. Whether the Sacred Species is exposed in the monstrance or reposed in the tabernacle, coming before our Lord is efficacious and spiritually beneficial.

pope-john-paul-ii & jesusPope John Paul II, a man of deep prayer and Eucharistic adoration, has encouraged Catholics everywhere to seek the rich spiritual benefits available through Eucharistic worship.  He writes: 

“Indeed, since the Eucharistic mystery was instituted out of love, and makes Christ sacramentally present, it is worthy of thanksgiving and worship … The Church and the world have a great need of Eucharistic worship. Jesus waits for us in this Sacrament of love. Let us be generous with our time in going to meet him in adoration and contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. May our adoration never cease” (Apostolic Letter on the Mystery and Worship of the Holy Eucharist, # 3).

Time spent before the Eucharistic presence should be a time of prayer. As with any prayer time, we must first recollect ourselves, aware of what we intend to do (pray) and of whose Presence we are in. Next, we engage in the prayer itself. We may find it helpful to structure our adoration time by dividing it into four equal parts, spending several minutes each on adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication (petition). These four parts form the acronym ACTS, and have constituted a suggested structure of prayer for centuries.

However, as we grow more comfortable in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, our time in prayer should give over to contemplation.  A time of simply gazing into the face of the One whom we love. Sitting quietly before the Radiant Splendor of Jesus Christ, allowing the rays of His love to penetrate into all areas of our heart, can do much to nourish and strengthen our life of faith. Jesus desires that each of us becomes a temple in which He dwells. As we gaze on the Lord’s glory with unveiled faces, we are transformed into the very image of our Lord (see 2 Cor 3:18). Then, filled with his life, we can carry his blessings to the world.

Another way to place ourselves consistently in the Lord’s Eucharistic presence is through the frequent offering of spiritual communions.  This can be done by your own personalized version or by one of the many beautiful prayers composed by one of the Saints or the Church for this purpose.  One of my favorites is the Anima Christi:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

Let us come to each encounter of the Eucharistic presence of our Lord with hearts opened wide, ready to receive every spiritual blessing in the heavens (Eph. 1: 3). And, vivified by him who brings us spiritual life, may we be beacons of light leading others to know Christ who is King of all.  

Faith in Action:

  • Find a good Catholic spiritual resource which will help you to develop a living faith.  Look for the Nahil Obstat and Impramatur to ensure that they are authentically Catholic.
  • Spend an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament this week.
  • Make a commitment to offer Spiritual Communions on a regular basis.

Are You Ready For LENT?

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87567178Lent is upon us. I’m wondering if you have asked yourself how you will make your Lenten preparation for Easter? It’s a good question to ask.

Life being what it is, I have often found it beneficial to come up with a plan and a strategy to help me enter more deeply into the Lenten season.

In years past, I have planned and strategized how to “give up” —

Certain foods or treats  — don’t buy them;

Activities and recreations — don’t go to them;

Habits and behaviors — don’t do them.

One year I even gave up going to the mall — don’t drive by it.

That was my longest Lent ever!

Along with the exclusions, I have often added a few inclusions: more time in prayer, study, and adoration; additional acts of charity; exchanging a bad habit with a good one. Read the rest…