"Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink….will surely not lose his reward." Mark 9:41 (full readings)
Ann's Reflections: Do you know someone who is thirsting for God? Give them a cup of His life-saving truth to drink. Today’s gospel reminds us that our good deeds will be rewarded in heaven. Eternally speaking, this world is but a moment and built up treasure here is meaningless. Let's focus our lives towards building treasure in heaven. I work with a committee to bring monthly pro-life speakers to the O'Gorman Junior High Students for Life group. The topics are anything related to the Church’s teaching on respect for life. This month, we were blessed with a very unique opportunity. A recently married couple who is expecting allowed the Alpha Center to perform a live ultrasound for the students. Dr. Ridder explained what the students were seeing, pointing out the beating heart and explaining that this heart began to beat at day 21. As I looked around the room, it was easy to see joy and amazement as these 13 and 14 year old students saw the little human being encompassed within his/her mother’s womb. Naturally, they asked questions of the doctor and the young parents. The power of the ultrasound ("window to the womb") was evident in the eyes of these students. They were seeing a baby, not tissue or a blob of cells. In that moment, the students gained a greater appreciation for the dignity of human life. As the Body of Christ, we can help strengthen the resolve of the new generation...to be a voice for the unborn and to reach out to their peers...changing and saving hearts!
* Ann Schaefbauer and her husband Keith have 5 children. She works part-time at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. Since 2005, Ann has helped lead the O’G Junior High Students for Life Group. She is also involved with the Respect Life Group at Holy Spirit Parish.
Faith Challenge: Today is the Feast Day of Blessed Luke Belludi. He is a great example of persistence in doing God’s work. He never gave up and prayed continually for help with his mission. Pray for a resolve to be His hands, feet, and voice in the pro-life battle. Pray for the courage to stand firm in your faith and work diligently to change hearts!
Our Prayers: Prayer to end abortion, Spiritual Adoption, Alpha Center, Peters family (JP). Add Prayers on our website. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, running, etc. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
Feast Day: Blessed Luke Belludi
Faith Quote: "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." ~ St. Augustine
Through Christ our Lord,
* Pray/Fast: Prayer connects us with God’s will & His miracles, changing us & helping others. Fast from things that take your eyes off Jesus. Those who pray together stay together, and close to God!
* Save Unborn (& family): Abortion reality (images)…#1 death cause (23% pregnancies). Prov 24:11 & Jer 1:5. “A great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish.” Mother Teresa
* Evangelize:Make room for unbelievers & re-evangelization of self, by way of prayer (relationship) and following Christ’s example of love (service/sacrifice/mercy). Matt 28:19.
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