Ashes to Ashes February 6, 2008

If there ever is a day of the year when you can spot Catholics at a glance, Ash Wednesday is it. It is the one time when Catholics literally wear their faith on their foreheads. In fact, Masses on Ash Wednesday are better attended than Masses on most holy days, except Christmas.Ash Wednesday—March 5 this year—marks the beginning of Lent for Catholics. The ashes we receive on our forehead in the shape of a cross serve as an outward sign of our sinfulness and need for penance. The ashes also symbolize our mortality, a reminder that one day we will die and our bodies will return to dust. Hence the traditional words, “Remember that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return.”The tradition of receiving ashes has its origins in the Old Testament, where sinners performed acts of public penance. It was Pope Urban II who in the 11th century recommended that all Catholics take part in the practice of receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. In the 12th century it became customary that the ashes used on Ash Wednesday were made by burning the previous year’s palm branches.   >> Read Full Article

 

Creating Space For God February 6, 2008

Greetings of love!!! 

Last Sunday when Father Glen gave his homily, his words “create space for God” struck me like lightning.  Ever since then I can’t get it out of my head to the point where I almost composed another song.  Well, I did but about something else because it’s a little difficult to get the lyrics to rhyme on creating space.  Anyway, four years ago I started keeping a journal… actually it’s more like a love letter to God.  One of the things that I noticed in my entries is that I find myself battling more wars during this Lenten season.  Thank God, because of His grace I have always come home as a victor, not without injuries but a victor nevertheless.  Otherwise I won’t be talking about the power of God today.  Most of us, in our own little ways, try to give something up during lent for various reasons.  A lot of times many would falter halfway but would keep on through all 40 days.  The rest will just try again next year just like they planned when New Year came.  I thought that maybe we should all do this together this time with more conscious effort and accountability that way it won’t be that easy to get discouraged.  It would even be better if we can share our struggles and victories with each other to give more honor and glory to God.  After all we should really do this sacrifice for Him in the first place.  Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this passage.  I invite you to join me and many others in this journey of 40 days of prayer and fasting and together let us claim the miracles that will unfold right before our eyes…  As we begin to create more space for God, may we all discover that self-sacrificing love that has been planted in the deepest recesses of our hearts.

Read this wonderful reflection from Bo Sanchez… I hope and pray that this will help us all jumpstart our willpower.  May God bless us all.

With love and prayers,

Bel

SFCJax – New Look! February 5, 2008

Hello!  Thank you for visiting our website.  We are in the process of moving to a cheap new and improved web service.  Check back for exciting news as we go through this facelift.  Do keep us in your prayers.  God bless!