Success in Dress! May the Lord Find Favor

Dress for Success

Success seems to be defined by fashion magazine trends these days, and everyone wants to be successful! However, most of us are not fashion models on photo shoots. Rather, we’re everyday people trudging along in our communities, working, shopping and maybe, we exercise at the gym. Yet, how often do you see scantily clad people inappropriately dressed for a given occasion? Maybe its short shorts and a tank top in church, or a low cut blouse and tight jeans at work.

What we choose to wear makes a difference, not so much for others, but for ourselves, in the view…Read More…

Be Still, Silent, Listen and Know God!

Silence and Know God

Be still and know God! Easier said than done! Yet, to truly come to know God, we must become good listeners capable of discerning what He has in mind for us. Think about it: Do you ever really hear what another person has to say, if you are talking over them? Why should it be any different with God? We need to be still, silent, and listen for God’s guidance.

Here’s an exercise to get you started on the right path:

  1. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for 15 minutes.
  2. Get comfortable.
  3. Mentally, tune out the chatter…Read more…

Listen to God? What’s in it for Me?

Listen to God 2

Listen to God as He speaks to you. He has your best interests at heart. God wants only what is best for you. He is omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (everywhere at one time) and omniscient (all-knowing); three very good adjectives to describe why we should be silent and listen to Him and not to the questionable, noisy, broken chatter of this world! God knows what He is doing. We, as humans, certainly do not have the full picture regarding anything, but He does. God is there to guide us on our journey. If we would be silent and listen, we would… Read more…

Sponsor a Child – Practice Compassion

What a difference you could make if you were to sponsor a child! It is within your power to alleviate the suffering of a child.

Sponsor a Child

Back in 2005, we had a visiting priest come and speak to our parish about the opportunity to sponsor a child in a third world country, where living conditions were deplorable, yet the faith was ablaze. After Mass, I stopped by the table. I saw this picture of a small little Guatemalan girl, named Heydi, age 7. She was dressed in a simple little dress, yet she had no smile. She stole my heart! I immediately entered her sphere of suffering and wanted to do whatever I could to alleviate that suffering. There were many pictures on the table of children in need just like Heydi, but for some reason it was… Read more…

Embracing Compassion – Step into the Suffering

Does embracing compassion come easy to you? Or, do fears, doubts and past hurts get in your way and inhibit you from alleviating the suffering of others?

Embracing compassion: “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt 25:40). Do you need any additional rationale for embracing compassion? When you care for those who suffer, you minister to the Lord, Himself! Jesus states this exhortation slightly differently, yet appeals with the same message in Matt 10:42 where He says, “ And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because he is a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward.” Jesus is telling us that we have each been called to be compassionate to our fellow man, in the same manner as Jesus demonstrated compassion during His time on earth.
As humans, we are, by nature, social beings, meant to live in communion with each other. Therefore, we are called by Christ to have…Read more… 

Practicing Gentleness – A Treasured Virtue

Practicing gentleness requires strength. Sounds contradictory doesn’t it, since most people equate gentleness with weakness?

Practicing gentleness first requires an assessment of one’s own behavior. Truthfulness and self-awareness should be at the heart of this assessment. If you determine that you are routinely aggressive, or overly assertive, than gentleness is needed. Expressions of aggressive behavior are emotionally based, not reason based, where decisions and reactions stem from emotion, not facts.

How many times have you watched the Dr. Phil show and heard him say to someone acting in an aggressive or overly assertive manner, “How’s that been working for you?” He knows that aggressive/overly-assertive behavior does not produce wanted results.

Practicing gentleness requires…Read more…

Gentleness – For Some a Struggle

How can embracing gentleness change your life? Why is embracing gentleness so important? Embracing gentleness can only lead to good things in your life. I speak from experience.

Before retiring from the bank auditing profession to go back to school to obtain my Masters in Pastoral Theology, I was an over-achieving technology audit manager who sought excellence in all that I did, and also sought excellence from all those who worked for me and with me. Because of my good track record of job performance, I had been tapped to lead a very special project that would impact the working style and quality of my entire team of approximately 50 people. I took this responsibility very seriously. I had an intense passion for the work, and especially the work ethic. Well, I got the job done, and after it was all over, Read more…

Veterans and Your Families – Thank You

Veterans and your families: A huge thank you for your service and sacrifice. Thank you for your fortitude, commitment, leadership, courage, bravery and willingness to serve on our behalf. You are a virtuous group of people. May Our Lord bless you and your families on this day. May we as Americans, never forget the sacrifice you paid to maintain our freedom. May we never take you or our freedom for granted. God bless you! – Virginia Lieto