Resource Steps

An inspiring link by Fr. Rosica!

https://twitter.com/fatherrosica/status/480144850667720704

This excellent resource from the USCCB has arrived for our Advent preparation!  Check out the Advent Calendar, audio prayers and Lessons and Carols at:

http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-resources/advent/

As we prayerfully consider Sunday as a time to worship God and spend our breath in acts of love in a re-ordering of our day the Archdiocese of New Orleans is providing such encouragement to the faithful.  Read more:

http://www.arch-no.org/news/We+need+to+%E2%80%98reclaim%E2%80%99+Sunday+for+God+and+family

Ask someone how have they begun to reclaim Sunday!

Catholic News Service just released an article on the efforts of New Orleans Catholic Schools to Reclaim Sunday by amending schedules to place events and sports to days other than Sunday.  Such articles may serve as a vehicle to explore how communities may reclaim the Lord's Day.

Here is the link:

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/new-orleans-schools-adjust-schedules-to-keep-sunday-sacred/

Learn more on Sundays or about Sunday!

An Interesting Teaching on the Lord's Day-The Eighth Day by Bishop Coyne check out:

http://www.catholictv.com/Catholic-church-liturgy.aspx

There is a motion to 'Free Up Sunday' abroad. How available are we to God's will? Is there one change to try today to sit at the feet of our Lord? Slow down and thank God that we belong to a community of faith! If you happened upon our website, welcome! We have been praying for you since you were gone. Sunday will soon be here offering a happiness from the light of Heaven!

Lead Us, Guide Us Lord to meditate on your plan for our lives.

Reading On Sunday:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a3.htm

Have you access to a laptop and the internet?  There is a bountiful catch of Sacred Music located there to listen to fill the air with beautiful notes of hope.  Try seaching You Tube and Sacred Music and Handel's Messiah and London Symphony Orchestra as an appetizer!  Whether on your smart phone or lap top or any device you may minimize the screen and continue on with a conversation with a loved one, or making dinner! Or in most American cities the public libraries permit a no-cost access to the internet with headphones to listen to the music.  However, check hours before visiting as some locations are closed in the summer on Sundays or observe an abbreviated schedule on Sundays during the academic year.

"In the sitting room, my dear Christians, the place of honor should be given to the crucifix.  The cross is the sign through which the Catholic Christian, in an especial manner, professes his belief, and the crucifix in the parlor is a public profession of faith that those dwelling there are Catholic.  For it is not enough that we believe in our innermost hearts; no we must still more show our faith publicly, and we must never be ashamed of it before anyone."

p. 78

Sermons for the Sundays and Feasts of the Year, Ven. Cure of Ars (Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney), Wagner: New York, 1901.

"..Through prayer, the cross which we have to bear through this life seems less heavy to us, we are more easlily relieved from sufferings, we think less of this life, and our mind is directed more to the mercy of God.  Prayer strengthens our soul against sin, awakens in us the desire for repentance, and gives us a delight in practising the same; it makes us feel and understand how much sin must offend our dear Lord.  In short, prayer makes us friends of God, enriches our souls, and assures for us eternal life.  Is it necessary, my dear friends, to say any more to constant prayer!  If we are imbued with the love of God prayer will come as natural to us as breathing." p. 162.

Sermons for the Sundays and Feasts of the Year, Ven. Cure of Ars (Jean Baptiste Marie Vianney), Wagner: New York, 1901.

For most a gradual turn to Reclaim Sunday will be done in prayer and deliberatly moving toward the fullness of Sunday as a day of worship.  Here are a few ideas others have sent in:

1. ENGAGE the faithful in discussion on how they observe Sunday.  Ask questions!  Generate responses!  The faithful actually care and do want a 'different' way from the world, the Lord's way.  Pray for openess to God's will to reclaim Sunday!

2.  PREPARE for Sunday throughout the week.  Reallocate errands and any other chores so that come Sunday time may be opened for Mass, rest and service. 

3.  TELL others about your excitement to Reclaim Sunday!  People remember and will ask how it is going!  Your action will prompt considerations before others in community!

4.  ARRIVE a little before Mass to pray, turning off our cell phones to enter into God's house and welcome all people who you meet!

5.  Are we living as risen?  Ask how is Sunday different and distinct for us as Christians?  How is that evident in our lives and to those we meet?

6.  TRY to allow time to linger over a reading, a conversation, a thought of faith and recognize that Sunday restores in a unique way.  Reclaim Sunday and begin to be renewed Monday thru Sunday!