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Emily the Elephant

Emily was a couple of years older than Edward. She knew so much more than Edward and told Edward that every day. I mean everyday! That did not bother Edward though, as he really liked his sister. He loved her and liked following her all around the fields looking for food, and he liked meeting all of her friends too. They were so nice to him. Sometimes better than Emily. She could be a mean sister!

One day as Emily was supposed to be watching Edward, she got involved with her elephant friends and lost sight of Edward. He must have wandered away, she thought. She looked around and did not see him. All of a sudden she got scared! Edward was too young to be out here in the fields all by himself. She thought, “What am I going to do? Where do I start looking for Edward? Oh NO! What have I done?

Emily was having so much fun with her friends, she had no idea how long Edward was gone. As often as she told Edward how much more she knew than him, she felt real bad about losing Edward. She became real sad! She was worried! She knows the danger with other animals here in jungle.

Edward was off running around, and guess what! He found a bunch of puddles and could not wait to get in them. He was having so much fun just rolling around and getting muddy. Boy, did he love being muddy!

Edward did not realize that Emily was not around, because all he was thinking about was rolling in the water and dirt. He just loved doing that and liked filling up his trunk, again and again, with water! But then Edward looked around and realized what he did—He walked away from Emily and got so involved with the puddles, that now, he doesn’t know where Emily is. He cannot see her anywhere. Oh no! Where am I?

As Edward got up from the mud, he heard noises from other animals that he did not know. From the noises, it sounded like quite a few animals. He heard elephants yelling too! They were yelling at each other and at the other animals too! What was going on? That is Emily and her friends!! I hear Emily screaming. I got to find her!

Edward started walking slowly towards all the noise he heard in the distance. He then started to run, because he was worried about his sister. What am I’m going to do? I’m scared! Then he remembered what his mother told him after he got in trouble last time with the puddles. She said, “It is ok to be scared. We all get scared sometimes, but we must be brave and always do the right thing. We must always help family and friends, and other animals too that need help. And yes, you always need to listen to what Mom and Dad tell you.”

Edward then started to run even faster now. The noises were louder and he could not stop thinking about Emily. She’s my sister! My sometimes mean sister! He got behind the trees and he could see 3 young lions running around the elephants trying to get one of them alone. They were much faster than the elephants, but the elephants were bigger. It looked like they were trying to get Arnold, my friend, one of the smaller elephants like me.

Edward just watch them trying to figure out what they were going to do next. Edward slipped around the side where there were more trees so he could get even closer. He knew he had to surprise the lions, so the other elephants could help him chase the lions away.

Edward knew what he was going to do. He was so glad he did what he always loved doing in the puddles. He had filled his trunk up to the top with water. Now, he was ready!

Edward waited for the right moment and then charged the lions. Emily saw Edward, so she charged from the other side towards Edward. The lions were caught in the middle! The lions saw elephants coming at them from all sides. They knew they had to run and get away or they would be hurt.

It worked! The lions left. Emily could not wait to get to Edward and say how sorry she was for not looking after him. She promised that it would never happen again. And she told Edward she was sorry for always telling him she knew more than him. She was wrong. Emily also told Edward, that because of what he did, he saved everyone from getting hurt. Yes Edward, you knew more than me today. I am so proud of you Edward! Thank you for helping and I want you to know, I love my little brother. She put her trunk around his head and gave him a hug!

The elephants all gathered together and started a line to go back home. Edward was feeling pretty good for helping, but it meant so much more to him to hear his sister tell him she loves him. Emily means so much to me too I love her too!

Edward now couldn’t wait to get home and tell Mom and Dad.

“Find a way.”
_Conor

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“As I have loved you, so you should also love one another.”

_John 13:34

Love

As one reads the bible and reflects on its passages, some more than others have huge impacts on our lives. Some speak to our heart and reflect the needed changes we need to make in our thinking and behavior. Others offer peace and direction, and the needed insight for our lives and beliefs. The above passage from John, speaks to what God has said about love, its importance in our lives, and the call to sharing it.

I have just finished reading “Proof of Heaven” by Eben Alexander, M.D. He acquired bacterial meningitis in his brain, a bacteria known as E. coli, which has a 99+% fatality rate. Within 3 days, his brain shut down and he slipped into a coma, which lasted for 7 days. After a miraculous recovery, he faced a difficult road to full recovery and rehabilitation. During this time, he had the overwhelming drive to speak and write of the many things he had experienced. This is what he referred too as “Unpacking.”

Eben, highly educated and a neurosurgeon surgeon himself, found he could not explain what he saw and experienced. Words from this world could not begin to adequately explain the world of Heaven. One experience, more than all the others, was experiencing the Love from God and being in His presence. This is the most common and similar experience of all NDE experiences (Near Death Experience). For everyone who has returned, they talk of their encounters in heaven, their journey and what they saw, and the miraculous aspects of their tragedies; but the Love of God is indescribable. (Not only beyond words, but too wonderful for words.)

When we think of love today in our life, what comes to your mind? The love of God, family and children? Seeing the joy of good happening to others? Finding a lost friend or receiving a letter from one so important to you, or experiencing God’s overwhelming presence and love? Has it brought tears of joy and the feeling of love over you?

Today’s bible quote is all encompassing. It sums up all we have been asked to do, and what should guide our actions. It speaks loudly of God’s unconditional love for us, and the action we need to take. God is all understanding and all forgiving. We need to keep listening to God and remaning close Him.

“What lies before us and what lies behind us, are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

Think of the gifts of love you have in your life and pass it on. A gift is not a gift until it is given to others.

“Find a way.”

_Conor

Love

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Don’t Quit

“When things go wrong as
sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging
seems all up hill,
When the funds are low
and the debts are high
And you want to smile,
but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won
had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace
seems slow-
You may succeed with
another blow.
Success is failure turned
inside out-
The silver tint of the clouds
of doubt,
And you can never tell
how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when
you’re hardest hit-
It’s when things seem worst
that you must not quit.”

_Unknown

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Children’s Category

An additional category is being added to the blog. It will be dedicated to children with a story, an audio of the story which will be coming shortly, and finally, some short prayers for children.

Hopefully, all will enjoy the stories and maybe they can become part of the routine of getting children to bed. The short children’s prayer can be said with the parents, other family members and those looking after the children.

My best to you and “Keep Smiling.”

“Find a way.”

_Conor

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Edward the Elephant

Edward was a small, young, baby elephant weighing 300 pounds. Do you know how heavy 300 pounds is? It is one zillion, zillion hot dogs. Well, all Edward wanted to do today, was run around and roll in all the big puddles of water. He wanted to have mud all over him. He just liked the feeling of mud on him and never thought of what his Mother would say when she saw him like that.

He loved to take his trunk and filled it with water and spray everything around him. The bugs and birds just flew away, but Edward was always ready with another trunk full of water just in case they came back.

Edward would roll over in the water, then roll in the dirt and back again into the water. He liked the way he looked when he was covered with mud. He liked looking at his reflection in the water. Maybe his mother would not even know him and he could surprise her.

Just then, Edward heard something making a noise in the bushes. He looked around and did not see anything; not even his mother and the other elephants. An animal he never saw before came out from the bushes standing there just looking at him. What is it? What do I do, he thought? He was really scared, realizing it was just him and this other animal.

Edward froze! He couldn’t move. He was just trying to think what his mother would do. He thought; I just wish I would have listened better to her all the times she was talking to him. Yes, all the times she talked to me, and all the things she told me to do. He thought and thought, and then he said, “I know what I will do.”

Edward then filled his trunk all the way up to the top with water. He slowly walked, I mean slowly, towards the strange animal. “Why am I going towards him? I should be going the other way”, he thought, but at the same time, it feels ok to be going towards him. Even though Edward was a baby, he was still bigger than this scary animal. “What am I going to do when I get closer to him? I wish my mother was here. She would tell me what to do”.

Edward continued walking slowly towards him rather than going the other way. Edward said to himself, “I can’t be afraid. I’ll be alright.”
Then, Edward started running faster towards the scary animal. He had his trunk full and was ready for when he got closer. The faster he ran towards this scary animal, he felt better. All of a sudden he let out the biggest screech of a roar and blew all the water from his trunk on to this scary animal. This scary animal turned and ran as fast as he could away from Edward.

Edward looked around, full of mud and scared, but he had chased away this animal that was going to hurt him. Just then, his mother came running, as she heard the noise and roar of Edward.

Edward knew now he was safe and it felt good. Everything was going to be alright. He did not care about all the mud on him, and what his mother would say to him. He just wanted to be with her. And yes, he just wanted to listen and remember real hard what she was telling him. He loved his mother very much and now was going to try harder to do whatever she says.

As Edward walked away from the puddles of water, he was listening to his mother and holding on to her tail with his trunk. He looked back at the puddles he already missed. He decided he would talk to her and find out how he could come back. Maybe she would join him in the water. He will ask and see what she says after he listens to everything she say to him.

As Edward got back home, he wanted to say thank you to his mother, give her a big hug with his trunk and tell her in her big ears, how much he loved her.

_Conor

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Inspiration quote and Reflection_Empty Hand

“It is a great loss if we greet every day with clenched hands stuffed with our own devices.
We will never know what is out there waiting for us if we don’t extend an empty hand to
The world and wait for the wonder to happen.”

_Brother Homan and Louis Collins Pratt

It is all about trust and trust comes from love. Imagine a small child standing by the side of the pool, and the father or mother says “Jump. Don’t worry I’ll catch you.” For some children that is enough, while other it may take 5 or 6 times of encouragement. But what makes them take that jump? Yes, the trust in their parents that they will be ok, even though they are scared to make that jump into the water.

What about us as adults? Are we standing there with an empty hand towards God? Are we the child today that is willing to receive what God has for us or are we too scared? Do we have the trust in God, and if not, why not?

God loves us, and is all merciful with unlimited forgiveness for us. Yes, us. All we have to do is ask.

So how do we become that child today by holding out an empty hand to God? How do we get over our fears? Literally, when are we going to make that move and jump?
Yes, its trust in God, and we’re scared just like that child trying to jump into the water.

Everything is all about love. Just trust God.

“Find a way”

_Conor

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St. Faustina

“Dear St. Faustina, I have come to know you as a friend. I ask you to plead to the Lord for me the prayer I ask of you. In times of doubt, dear friend, implore the Lord’s Mercy as you did so often here on earth, that I may remember who I am, and to what His mercy has called me.

In times of fear, implore His Mercy that I may ever remember to trust, and trust again, in joy, and in the knowledge that God is preparing me for a beautiful mission.

Please pray dear St. Faustina, that I may never forget that the abyss between my Lord and I has been bridged by His tender mercy. He will continue to be faithful and heal me of anything which stands in the way of His Will. My life is in His Hands.

Thank you dear friend. Pray with me the prayer Our Lord taught you to spread throughout the world; Jesus, I trust in You! Remind all pilgrims of life that if our trust is great, there is no limit to Jesus’ generosity.”

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Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries (Mondays and Saturdays)
1. The Annunciation
2. The Visitation
3. The Nativity
4. The Presentation in the Temple
5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Luminous Mysteries (Thursdays)
1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
2. The Wedding Feast at Cana
3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God
4. The Transfiguration
5. The Institution of the Eucharist

Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesdays and Fridays)
1. The Agony in the Garden
2. The Scouring at the Pillar
3. The Crowning with Thorns
4. The Carrying of the Cross
5. The Crucifixion

Glorious Mysteries (Sundays and Wednesdays)
1. The Resurrection
2. The Ascension
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit
4. The Assumption
5. The Coronation

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“When your enemy falls into your hands, do not consider how you can pay him back and let him feel the sharp edge of your tongue before sending him packing; consider rather how you can heal him and restore him to a better frame of mind. Continue to make every effort, both by word and deed, until your gentleness has overcome his aggression. Nothing has more power than gentleness. As someone has said: ‘A soft word will break bones. And what is harder than bone?’ Well then, even if someone is as hard and inflexible as that, he will be conquered if you treat him gently. There is another saying: ‘A soft answer turns away the wrath.’ It is obvious; therefore, that whether your enemy continues to rage or whether he is reconciled depends much more on you than on him. For it rests with us, not with those who are angry, either to destroy their anger or enflame it.”

_ St. John Chrysostom

The Measure to Measure With

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All You Need Is Love

All You Need Is Love
Great Beatles song. It gets running in your head and it doesn’t stop. No way to turn it off. Little did I know a song I loved many years ago, is what guides me today in many ways of my faith. It’s a cornerstone part of my faith. It guides me, and when I may be confused or indecisive, it is what I use to choose my thoughts and actions.

What are some ways we can use love everyday as we go about what we do?
• Challenges we meet
• People we see and meet
• “Situations”
• Success
• Failures
• Help received
• Help given
• Bonds formed
• Disappointments
• Wrongs inflicted on others
• Forgiveness
• Gifts you receive
• Vulnerability
• Weakness in ourselves and others
• Viewed as an obstacle
• Listening
• Encouragements
• Them not Me
• It is the right thing to do-Carry it with us everywhere. The list goes on…………….

And when we speak and act from the heart, people from all backgrounds, all ages and all cultures, see through to the beauty of innocence, sincerity and love.

All you need is Love.

“Find a way.”

_Conor

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St. Rita

Intercessory Prayer to St. Rita

O powerful St. Rita,
rightly called Saint of the Impossible,
I come to you with confidence in my great need.
You know well my trials,
for you yourself were many times burdened in this life.
Come to my help,
speak for me,
pray with me,
intercede on my behalf before the Father.
I know that God has a most generous heart
and that he is a most loving Father.
Join your prayers to mine
and obtain for me the grace I desire

(Make your request…)

You who were so very pleasing to God on earth
and are so much so now in heaven,
I promise to use this favor, when granted,
to better my life,
to proclaim God’s mercy,
and to make you more widely known and loved.

Amen.