Contents:
- Weekend Scripture Readings
- Spiritual Guidance
- Discussion Board highlights
- Affiliate Web Sites
- Theology Note of the Week
- Web Site of the Week
- Spiritual Growth Resources.
- Book of the Week
- Saint of the Week
- Joke of the Week
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Weekend Readings
http://new.usccb.org/calendar/index.cfm?showLit=1&action=month
Saturday: Ru
2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17; Ps 128:1b-2, 3, 4,
5; Mt 23:1-12
Sunday: Is
22:19-23; Ps 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8;
Rom 11:33-36; Mt 16:13-20
R. (8bc) Lord, your love is
eternal; do not forsake the work of your hands.
I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple.
I will give thanks to your name,
because of your kindness and your truth:
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees,
and the proud he knows from afar.
Your kindness, O LORD, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
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Spiritual Guidance
Need a companion for the spiritual journey? We have several wonderful
people ready to help, using email and telephone conferences to bridge
the miles.
- Now providing -
Consultations:
this
option is best for short-term guidance pertaining to a specific issue.
Spiritual
Direction:
ongoing relationship with a spiritual director to become more attuned
to God's presence in all of life.
See http://shalomplace.com/direction/
- - -
Shalom Place Discussion
Board
A variety of topics are under discussion.
Christian Enlightenment: a
possibility worth exploring - Christian Morality and Theology
forum.
Heart meditation and Jappa with
the support of kundalini - Kundalini Issues and Spiritual
Emergencies forum.
- see http://shalomplace.org/eve/forums
for these and hundreds of other
discussions.
- - -
Affliliate Web Sites
- please give them a visit
The Sanctuary
Foundation for Prayer: resources for spiritual growth.
Serenity of
the Mind: supporting those who served and who suffer from
PTSD.
Hearts on Fire:a blog to spark inspiration, thought, wonder, laughter and
prayer.
Stillpoint: Programs in spiritual direction, contemplative prayer.
Solitude and Streets:
an emerging faith community.
Family Life
Training and Counseling Center: an online Bible
college/seminary
The Ark: Providing
a variety of scripture and lectionary study resources.
Contemplative
Ministries of the Pacific Northwest: Teaching and
support on contemplative practice
Inner Explorations: a vast array of spirituality resources for the mature
Christian.
SeeScapes. Picturing
the deeper dimensions of our spirituality.
Heartland
Center for Spirituality (sponsoring Internet
workshops year-round).
Emanuella House of
Prayer: a place for prayer and silence in British
Columbia
Kyrie Places of
Pilgrimmage and Renewal.
Contemplative
Rudder: "In the midst of Consecrated Silence'
atmospherics ... a Rudder!
Temenos Catholic Worker: support for homeless youth in Polk Street neighborhood, San
Francisco.
Institute
for Women's Spiritual Dynamics: holistic, flexible,
sensible
Christian spirituality for women.
Reach hundreds of people who
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weekly link to your site in the newsletter. Contact the Editor
when you're ready to begin.
- - -
Theology Note of the
Week
- http://www.carm.org/m
Major Prophets
Major Prophets is a term that refers to the five long books of prophecy
in the Old Testament. They would include: Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Lamentations, Ezekiel and Daniel.
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Web Site
of the Week
Christian Economics
- http://kingwatch.co.nz/Christian_Political_Economy.htm
There aren't many sites that take on the topic of economics in the
light of Christian values, but this one makes an effort to do so.
Some of the subjects covered include:
- Jesus' strong words about money
- A Christian perspective on money
- Biblical principles of banking
- Free markets are not an evil system
- Tax is a moral issue
I read around a bit and appreciated the straightforward and
uncomplicated approach taken by the writer. You might not agree
with all of what's presented, but you're sure to have your thinking on
this topic stiumlated.
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Featured Spiritual
Growth Resources
SpiritLife: A Spiritual Renewal Process
 -http://heartlandspirituality.org/spiritlife
Those
of you just a few hours from Great Bend, KS -- our next cycle begins on
Saturday, August 27th. Registration is still open.
- - -
The 'Logic' of Happiness:
Proverbs and Practical Wisdom for Daily Living, by Philip St.
Romain
 - Winner of "Angel Award" for excellence in
media.
This book invites us to take a journey deep into the soul, where
the mystery of self and the mystery of God are so intertwined as to
seem one life. It is a treasure trove of versatile, uplifting,
intuitive meditations, proverbs, exhortations, reflections and
exploratory questions on such topics as Empty Lovingness, True Prayer,
and Sanity. St. Romain urges us to "be here now in love" that we might
know greater peace and joy in daily living.
- http://tinyurl.com/3uzynqg
(paperback)
(Also available for Kindle, Nook, and on iBookstore)
- - -
Book of the Week
Wake up, Lazarus: On
Catholic Renewal, by Pierre Hegy. iUniverse Inc.
2011.
- Click
here
The author recognizes the decline of Catholics who are faithful to the
obligations like Sunday Mass and yearly Eucharist. He calls for a
radical renewal that is desperately needed. His statistics on poor
attendance and following of obligations required of Catholics are earth
shaking. He compares all aspects of Catholic life to the pattern also
seen in churches of other denominations, and finds many similarities.
The results cover many pages and one is inclined to give up on this
book, but the best is yet to come.
Hegy goes into great detail in giving the positive aspects of a model
non-denominational church and shows how the Catholic Church could
benefit from what he sees in that church. The outreach provided
is worthy of high praise, the involvement of hundreds of people in
activities sponsored by that church, the broadening of evangelizing
efforts, and the sense of community are worthy of admiration and
imitation.
He then proceeds to describe a model Catholic Church which also
deserves high praise for its involvement of hundreds of active
parishioners. There are ways to include the whole community, thus
creating a sense of belonging, responsibility, and stewardship. Church
events are centered around the sacramental life of the parish, and each
person has opportunities to assist in preparations and celebrations of
the sacraments.
One special heavy duty chapter lists ways to lead one's church to
become active and inclusive. Some suggestions are as follows:
A) Invite the inactive to become active
B) Ensure that the sound system is in best repair for
the readings and for the homily
C) Invite everyone to sing, even the presider
D) Disruptive children belong in the cry room or at
home
E) Repeat the appeals for participation; some need
encouragement
F) Make the introduction of the Gospel a special
ceremony
G) Homilies should be for the congregation,
applicable to today's Catholics
H) No departure from the Mass until it is ended, not
right after Communion
I) Choir involves the faithful, not just enhances the
liturgy
J) Priests are the role models in active
participation and adoration; this will translate into more active
participation of the faithful
Hegy's aim is to lead the inactive to become active and involved in
parish life, and inspire all to become committed disciples.
- Thanks to Sr. Irene
Hartman, O.P. for this review.
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- - -
Saint of the Week
http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1118
St. Louis of France
(1226-1270): August 25
At his coronation as king of France, Louis IX bound himself by oath to
behave as God's anointed, as the father of his people and feudal lord
of the King of Peace. Other kings had done the same, of course. Louis
was different in that he actually interpreted his kingly duties in the
light of faith. After the violence of two previous reigns, he brought
peace and justice.
He was crowned king at 12, at his father's death. His mother,
Blanche
of Castile, ruled during his minority. When he was 19 and his bride 12,
he was married to Marguerite of Provence. It was a loving marriage,
though not without challenge. They had 11 children.
Louis "took the cross" for a Crusade when he was 30. His army seized
Damietta on the Nile but not long after, weakened by dysentery and
without support, they were surrounded and captured. Louis obtained the
release of the army by giving up the city of Damietta in addition to
paying a ransom. He stayed in Syria four years.
He deserves credit for extending justice in civil administration. He
drew up regulations for his officials which became the first of a
series of reform laws. He replaced trial by battle with a form of
examination of witnesses and encouraged the beginning of using written
records in court.
Louis was always respectful of the papacy, but defended royal interests
against the popes and refused to acknowledge Innocent IV's sentence
against Emperor Frederick II.
Louis was devoted to his people, founding hospitals, visiting the sick
and, like his patron St. Francis, caring even for people with leprosy.
(He is one of the patrons of the Secular Franciscan Order.) Louis
united France--lords and townsfolk, peasants and priests and knights--by
the force of his personality and holiness. For many years the nation
was at peace.
Every day Louis had 13 special guests from among the poor to eat with
him, and a large number of poor were served meals near his palace.
During Advent and Lent, all who presented themselves were given a meal,
and Louis often served them in person. He kept lists of needy people,
whom he regularly relieved, in every province of his dominion.
Disturbed by new Muslim advances in Syria, he led another crusade in
1267, at the age of 41. His crusade was diverted to Tunis for his
brother's sake. The army was decimated by disease within a month, and
Louis himself died on foreign soil at the age of 44. He was canonized
27 years later.
- - -
Joke of the Week
Walking up to a department store's fabric counter, a pretty girl asked,
"I want to buy this material for a new dress. How much does it cost?"
"Only a kiss a yard, " replied the smirking male clerk.
"That's fine," replied the girl. "I'll take ten yards."
With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the clerk
hurriedly measured out and wrapped the cloth, then held it out
teasingly. The girl snapped up the package and pointed to a little old
man standing beside her. "Grandpa will pay the bill," she smiled.
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