Dear friends,
So often we have the opportunity to share our faith with others
and for so many different reasons, we shy away. Could it be because
we don’t feel like we know enough, or maybe it is just because we
are scared of rejection, or maybe we don’t have the courage within
us to speak up. During this Year of Faith, I would like to share
some ways that may encourage you to find that strength within.
Bible Study Classes - many churches in our diocese have
implemented different bible studies. Some are year-long while
others are a 6-week program preceding Lent and Christmas. These
are wonderful opportunities to really read and study scripture so
that you have a better understanding of the messages and lessons
in the Bible.
Small Group Study - informal groups have begun visiting
casually in homes around our diocese (and of course around our
state and nation) to discuss and reflect on bible passages. It is a
wonderful opportunity to meet with friends who have the same
desire to learn their faith.
Retreats/Lectures - we are so blessed to have wonderful
theologians and public speakers to help us better understand our
faith. Check your local diocesan newspaper and check your church
bulletins for these opportunities.
Praying the Rosary - whether alone or in a group. Reflect and
dig deeply in the mysteries of the rosary and ask Our Lady for the
strength and courage to share the Good News of her son.
Attending Mass - not only do you hear the words from the
bible and listen to the reflection from the priest, but you also share,
as a community, in the precious meal of Our Lord.
Quiet Reflection - spend some time each day quietly sitting
with Our Lord. Try to empty yourself so that you are able to hear
Him and see how He uses you each day to bring others to Himself.
In all of our “busyness” we need to just stop, just for a second
at first and listen. As we put this into practice, you will see that
the “second” has now turned into a minute -and, a minute will
turn into an hour. Why? Because you will become comfortable in
listening. You will become comfortable with opening yourself up
to hear what the Lord has in store for you.
And ultimately, in this comfort you will also find the courage
to help others learn how to become closer to God so that they, too
can share the Good News we all celebrate.
In the Service of the Lord,
Sister Dulce Maria
SPRING 2013
17560
George O’Neal Road • Baton Rouge, LA 70817 • (225) 752-8480
E-mail:
•
The Sister Dulce Foundation, Inc.
Supporting the Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center
A Trip to the Holy Land... A trip of conversion
On January 9, 2013, thirty-three prayer partners from the
Cypress Springs Mercedarian Prayer Center joined Jeff & Emily
Cavin on a trip to the Holy Land. These prayer partners and others
had completed the Bible Timeline Series. This is a wonderful walk
through the Old Testament and a bridge to the New Testament.
This Bible Timeline Series has enabled the prayer partners to delve
deep into scripture so that they could all recognize the prophecies
in the Old Testament being fulfilled by Jesus Christ in the New
Testament.
Certainly as Catholics, we all know of the fulfillment in the
New Testament but having this more in-depth study of the Old
Testament, opened their minds and hearts and created these “ah-
hah” moments for many. For instance, did you realize that when
God told Abraham to look into the skies for his descendants would
be as many as the stars - that it was daytime? Abraham could see
no stars, but he knew they were there, just as he could not see his
descendants, or the possibility of descendants because of his age.
His faith made him believe. Wow!
Before completing this study, the group heard of the Cavin’s
trip and immediately began to sign-up. What a gift! To walk
the ViaDelorosa where it actually happened would be so awesome.
Little did they know that it would be much more than an awesome
experience. Hearts were changed and minds were opened. The
emotion of some who prayed at the Garden of Gethsemane, where
our Lord prayed before His suffering, was almost too much to
handle. They felt Him - had a better understanding of Him - they
really “knew” Him.
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