Father, You have
Welcomed me home,
I embrace all
The Saints that have
Gone before me
And are my inspiration.

I come to you with
Awe and Wonder,
At how I can often
Receive You,
In the real presence.

To receive the
Blotting out of
My sins.
Giving me a way
Of atonement.
By coming before You
Through the sacrament
Of confession.

I know I will find
Grace in the sacraments,
I am in awe of the fullness
Of the Faith.

From the work
Of your divine appointing
Out of the line of David.
You sent your son Jesus,
To set up a kingdom
That will never end.

You proclaimed that
The keys to your
Kingdom are in
The hands of Peter
And upon this rock
You have built your Church.

The one true everlasting
Body of believers
Which I am to unite with
For all time.

- – - Submitted by Cyndi Robinson

Bishop John Reed of Sydney, Australia, was preaching in Christ Church Cathedral one Sunday when a 75-year-old woman named Ethel Hatfield got saved. Mrs. Hatfield had attended that Anglican church for decades, but the message had never gotten through to her until that day. The following day she came to see Bishop Reed and said, “I could hardly sleep last night I was so excited about what happened. I want to do something to serve God with the few years I have left. I was wondering if I could teach Sunday School.”

Bishop Reed looked at this 75-year-old, white-haired lady and just couldn’t picture her controlling the rambunctious third or fourth grade kids. So he said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t have an opening in our Sunday School.” Her face fell. Bishop Reed said, “You mean business, don’t you? I don’t know what kind of service God may have for you, but let’s pray.” So they prayed for God to reveal His will for her.

The next day Mrs. Hatfield was out in her yard tending her roses when a Chinese student from Taiwan walked by. He stopped and complimented her on her roses and they began to talk. She thought, “He seems like a decent chap; I’ll invite him in for a spot of tea.” So she did and she told him her testimony. He found it an interesting story, so when he had to leave he asked if he could come back and talk further. She said, “Yes, and please bring a friend.”

He came back and brought a friend and she again shared how she had come to put her faith in Jesus Christ after all these years and how Christ had forgiven her sin and given her eternal life. These students came back and brought more friends, who brought even more. Within two weeks, Mrs. Hatfield was leading a weekly Bible study with 70 Chinese students in attendance! She led many of them to personal faith in Jesus Christ. That which seemed a hindrance to Mrs. Hatfield’s serving the Lord–her age–God turned into the key to reaching a group of people who respect old age!

None is too old to witness for Christ.

- – - submitted by Cecil James

Graces from Holy Mass

1. The Holy Mass is Calvary continued.
2. Every Mass is worth as much as the sacrifice of Our Lord’s life, sufferings and death.
3. Holy Mass is the most powerful atonement for your sins.
4. At the hour of death the Masses you have heard will be your greatest consolation.
5. Every Mass will go with you to judgement and plead for pardon.
6. At Mass you can diminish more or less temporal punishment due to your sins, according to your fervor.
7. Assisting devoutly at Holy Mass you render to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord the greatest homage.
8. He supplies for many of your negligences and omissions.
9. He forgives the venial sins which you have not confessed.
10. The power of Satan over you is diminished.
11. You afford the souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief.
12. One Holy Mass heard during your life will be of more benefit to you than many heard for you after your death.
13. You are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might have befallen you.
14. You shorten your stay in Purgatory.
15. Every Mass wins for you a higher degree of glory in Heaven.
16. You receive the priest’s blessing which Our Lord ratifies in Heaven.
17. You kneel amidst a multitude of holy angels, who are present at the Adorable Sacrifice with reverential awe.
18. You are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs.

In eternity we shall fully realize that it was certainly worthwhile to have assisted at Holy Mass daily.

Pray for priests that they may offer the Mass with holy love and reference.

Quotes on Holy Mass