BIG C CATHOLICS

Prayer Seeking the Intercession of St. Isidore O God, who taught Adam the simple art of tilling the soil, and who through Jesus Christ, the true vine, revealed yourself as the spouse of our souls, we pray through the merits of Saint Isidore to instill into our hearts a horror of sin and a love of prayer, so that working the soil in the sweat of our brow we may enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  Prayer of Farmers Heavenly Father, King of the Universe, you are the sole source of abundance. With your help I plant my crops and by your power they give forth a harvest. Grant me the grace always to work with all my strength and ingenuity in cultivating the soil so that it will bring forth fruits for my benefits and the benefit of all who will use them. Make me ever cognizant that without my part in the work of harnessing the goods of the earth, these particular goods would be lacking to my brothers and sisters in this world. Enabl

May 15th, is the optional memorial of Saint Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130), the patron saint of farmers, laborers. peasants and rural communities. He was married to Maria de la Cabeza, who was herself a saint. Their only son died in childhood. St. Isidore was especially devoted to the poor and to animals. According to tradition, the miracle of the multiplication of food occurred when Isidore fed a flock of starving birds and again when he shared his food with a large group of beggars. It is perhaps no coincidence that St. Isidore’s feast day occurs during the same month that many farmers, after a long and difficult winter, are finally able to plant their own fields. Although legend tells us that his story is filled with the miraculous appearance of angels plowing fields with him, the lesson that can be drawn for us is no less wonderful: that saints can and do spring from the very soil beneath our feet, and that there is sanctity in physical labor, humility and simplicity of life.

The following is excerpted from Fr. Irvin’s homily and a reflection by Fr. Butler .  “The Holy Spirit, the Person of the Holy Trinity who is Love personified, acts internally within each one of us. The Holy Spirit is present within our hearts and souls, animating, vivifying, and inspiring us. We can never see the Holy Spirit as separate and apart — standing alone. The Holy Spirit lives and breathes within our souls. We see the Holy Spirit in our actions and in the actions of others. The Bible assigns several different names to the Holy Spirit, identifying Him as the Consoler, the Advocate, the Sanctifier, and the Paraclete. As the bible presents Him, the Holy Spirit protects and defends us against our Ancient Enemy. He is our Advocate, the One who stands with us particularly when we feel worthless, useless, and of no value in God’s eyes. His consolations strengthen us when we feel weak, inadequate, and powerless. The word “Paraclete” in Greek translates into English as “to be

May 14, 2017 Motherhood is a special embodiment of God's unfailing compassion and enduring love. May all mothers everywhere recognize their divine calling as models of love and selflessness within their families and the world. Mary our mother, pray for us. ___________________________________________________ Prayer for Mothers Loving God, as a mother gives life and nourishment to her children, so you watch over your Church. Bless these women abundantly, that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of due admiration and profound respect. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen. A blessed Mother's Day to all mothers!

Fr. Charles Irvin Senior Priest Diocese of Lansing ( Click here for today’s readings ) Many people believe that living the Gospel message is unrealistic. Numerous times people have begun a conversation with me using the phrase: “Father, out there in the real world …” Their unspoken assumption is of course that because I am a priest I am somehow not in the real world. History has given us a number of philosophers and thinkers who have told us that Jesus was a beautiful man, possessing tenderness of heart, infinite sweetness, and universal charm. In other words they are saying that Jesus was an idealist who saw and lived life in an idealistic dream world, not as it really is. They like to talk about Jesus, admiring His ethical code and His moral standards while at the same time they are locating Jesus out of this world, out of touch with reality. I suspect there are some here in church who are here just now for a few moments of relief in order to get out of this world

May 13th is the optional memorial of Our Lady of Fatima, the title given to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary in the apparitions which occurred between May 13th and October 13th, 1917, at Cova da Iria, near the town of Fatima, Portugal, to three poor shepherd children. Lucia de Jesus Santos and Francisco and Jacinta Marto. Our Lady told the children that she had been sent by God with an urgent message for humanity. At that time, World War I was raging, and Europe was being torn apart by violence and bloodshed. Our Lady promised that God would grant peace the world over should her call for prayer, reparation and consecration to her Immaculate Heart be honored. The Blessed Virgin emphasized to the seers and to the world at large, "If what I say to you is done, many souls will be saved and there will be peace." However, if it were ignored and people did not cease offending God, a far worse war would befall mankind, during which innumerable souls would be lost. That conflict, World

May 12, 2017 In 1917, Our Lady appeared to three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. They were Lucia Santos, Blessed Jacinta Marto and Blessed Francisco Marto . She then instructed the children to pray the Rosary daily to end the war and bring peace to the world. She also asked that the following prayer be recited at the end of each decade of the Rosary: “O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of Thy mercy. Amen.” Our Lady entrusted the children with three secrets. The first was a vision of Hell . The second was a prophecy about the end of World War I and the beginning of World War II, and the need for Russia to convert to Christianity. The third secret concerned the Holy Father suffering greatly and the persecution of the Church. On her seventh and final appearance, Our Lady's promised miracle occurred. The sun appeared to dance in the sky; an event witnessed by thousands of people. T