A great end to a long day!

Well, for the second half of my day today (Prison Ministry) was great as always. In fact, I would have to say that this was the best one yet!

The Homily by Deacon Cartwright was amazing, it was one of the best I have ever heard! He talked about the different types of temptations that we go through. He also said that Christ never tried to lead us to the Truth, a good life, faith or anything else, but instead Christ said He was all of that and more!

The homily really touched me when He was talking about discerning God's will. And about how we all have freedom of choice. It was just really impacting and very well done. I told Deacon that it was a great homily and he said that he spent a lot of time working on it. And trust me, I could tell!

Besides the homily, I was able to talk to one of the men there, and he is getting out in 15 days (after serving 20 years). I won't see him again because I am going home for spring break, but all I can say is that he has helped me grow in my faith (just from the 3 times I have met him). I have never seen anyone pray with so much passion! Just about every time he prayers the Rosary, he starts to get choked up, and it is beautiful.

After we left the prison, we went to have dinner (as usual), and it was just a great time to hang out with friends!

What to do during Lent

How can we relate the Lord's prayer to our journey through Lent?

"Our Father,
Who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen."

Well, first we praise Him for who He is and what He has done!

Then we ask for His will to be done to us during this season of Lent.

Next, we ask for our daily bread (what we need to survive through this time of prayer and fasting). Also, for the things we need to get through our time of giving up or sacrificing something we love during this season of Lent.

Ah, one of my favorites, "forgive us" well we should all know that this means we should go to confession and also forgive others who we haven't yet forgave.

And finally, we ask for the protection of God. We ask that He help us through our temptations, during this time (like Christ was in the desert for 40 days).

If we follow this prayer throughout Lent and live it all throughout this season, then we will truly be prepared for Easter and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection!!!

The day is only half over.

This morning I was blessed to help out with Habitat for Humanity. We started at 8 am and worked till about 2:45 pm.

They had us work on a house that someone donated to fix up and sell. The money from this house will go to the next 2 houses they build (if I heard right).

I think today was the day that Liberty Students were supposed to help. We had about 4 (including myself) from Catholic Community, then a couple from Air Force ROTC and Army ROTC. Then, just a few other students.

It was a lot of fun! But very tiring. I did try to conquer one of my fears today (heights). I ended up going up on the roof to help paint, it was a good thing the painting was almost done by the time I got up there. Then we had to take down one of those lift things that was on the roof (and that was scary).

Overall, it was a great experience, and now I am off to take a shower then go to Prison Ministry!

Feeling better

Thank you to all who have prayed for me. I am feeling much better now! I still have a bad cough though.

Second Station: Jesus carries His cross

Leader: We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you.

All: Because by your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same.

As a child, sometimes I don't like the problems that come my way. Sometimes I try to get others to take care of them or solve them for me. Sometimes I become upset and crabby when I'm asked to do even the smallest thing to help others.

As an adult I sometimes feel like I'm not appreciated. Sometimes I feel as if I accept more responsibility that I need to. I can feel sorry for myself, even though the crosses others carry are much larger than my own. In my self-pity, I don't reach out to help.

My Jesus, Who by Thine own will didst take on Thee the most heavy cross I made for Thee by my sins, oh, make me feel their heavy weight, and weep for them ever while I live.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.

All: Have mercy on Us.

Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.

All: Amen.

First Station: Jesus is condemned to death

Leader: We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee.

All: Because by Thy holy cross Thou hast redeemed the world.

Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others. They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death.

As a child, sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel that others don't stand up for me and defend me when I am afraid. Sometimes I don't feel like I am treated fairly, especially if I am scolded or corrected.

As an adult, sometimes I feel abandoned and afraid as well. Sometimes I too, feel like I am treated unfairly or blamed for things unfairly. I have a hard time when people criticize me at home or at work.

Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me.

My Jesus, often have I signed the death warrant by my sins; save me by Thy death from that eternal death which I have so often deserved.

Our Father.... Hail Mary.... Glory Be to the Father....

Leader: Jesus Christ Crucified.
All: Have mercy on Us.
Leader: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in peace.
All: Amen.

Stations of the Cross

From now until Good Friday, I will put up 2 stations, from the stations of the cross on Fridays.

By the time Good Friday comes around, we will be on the last 2 stations.

I will do this, so we can reflect on what Christ did for us.