Gabriel's Message

December 25th is just four days away! 

In the hustle and bustle of "getting ready for Christmas" it is easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas. 

Even though there is much to do before Christmas, I can take time to pause and pray.

Today advice was given from Dynamic Catholic Best Christmas Ever, to pray a Hail Mary before acting or speaking. 

Hail Mary 

Full of Grace

The Lord is with you

Blessed are you 

Among Women

Blessed is the fruit 

Of your womb, Jesus

Holy Mary,  Mother of God 

Pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death 

Amen. 

The Angel Gabriel gave Mary this message. 

I want to share that same message with you today. 

Gloria! The Lord is with you!  

This is my new favorite song this Advent! 

Let there be Peace

Christmas is almost here!  

Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent! 

The fourth candle symbolizes peace. 

I mentioned in my Retreat blog that I was given the gift of peace.

After my retreat I thought the gift of peace would run out. 

To my surprise it hasn't. 

I admit that life is not always peaceful. 

Especially this time of year... 

All the distractions that keep me from focusing on the real meaning of Christmas. 

So what do I mean by, "I was given the gift of peace"? 

I mean that I was given the gift to desire God's peace. 

I notice when I am not aware of God's peace.

And it is in those moments that I need His peace the most. 

On retreat the grace of peace filled my heart. 

His grace continues to fill my heart.

My prayer for you this last week of Advent is to let there be peace in your heart. 

Peace begins with you, me and a desire for God's grace. 

Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

Luke 2:14 

You and me, we are the favored. 

Blessed Retreat

I recently had an amazing experience of going on my first ever retreat with the Sisters of Life in Colorado! 

I don't know if I will be able to express the fullness of my heart's joy from this retreat in this blog, but I am going to try!  

The retreat began on the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple.  

I thought this blog was fitting to share today on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. 

Our Blessed Mother was very present to me while I was on retreat. 

I have received so many graces from this retreat! 

I began the retreat by asking for the gift of peace.

The Lord not only gave me the gift of peace but also the gift of joy! 

Part of that joy was the gift of being with Sr. Jordan on retreat! 

Together we enjoyed walking by the beautiful lakes and admiring the mountains. 

Joy radiated from each of the sisters. Their joy was contagious!

I am grateful for the sisters and the outpouring of their love.

I loved beginning my day with Jesus in the Eucharist at Mass each morning.

Since my retreat I have had a deep desire for Jesus in the Eucharist. 

 I have chosen to wake up earlier, to attend Mass and receive Jesus as often as I can.   

"Jesus has a deeper and personal longing to have you for Himself. Let Him do it... Just put yourself in front of the tabernacle. Don't let anything disturb you. Hear your own name and "I Thirst." St. Mother Teresa 

"I Thirst" was the theme for this retreat. 

The quiet and stillness gave me the opportunity for prayer, meditation and journaling. 

One morning the Gospel was about the widow offering her two coins in the temple. 

The widow who offered her poverty reminded me of the Immaculate Conception. 

Mary was chosen and immaculately conceived. She is full of grace.

Like the widow, Mary held nothing back, she gave all she had to the Lord. 

I too can offer what I have. 

"Love until it hurts. Real love is always painful and hurts: then it is real and pure." St. Mother Teresa  

Mary's love is real and pure because of her Immaculate Conception. 

The Immaculate Conception makes room for the Savior of the World. 

One of the sisters shared that God loves it when we give Him praise and He loves to reward us! 

We can praise God by giving Him thanks! 

The reason I am sharing this song is because my sister Maddie sang this at Adoration one of the nights I was on retreat. 

My sister gave me her whole heart in song and with guitar. It was the absolute best! 

I will always remember her gift!  

Gratitude in all things. 

Mary is the best example of gratitude.

There is no one better than Mary who sings this prayer of thanks and praise. 

The Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

the Almighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him

in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,

he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,

and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel

for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

the promise he made to our fathers,

to Abraham and his children forever.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. 

Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us!