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I had other title ideas for this post, like:

The Question I’m Not Asking Myself Enough

And

Dear 2021, Saint Vincent de Paul called – it was a WAKE UP call

Saint Vincent de Paul. . . I know this Saint’s name mainly from the charity I pick at the Green Drop when I’m giving away old clothes and toys my kids’ have grown to old for . . .

But this past week, I did some digging on this man who lived a few hundred years ago. I was immediately moved by quotes attributed to him.

I also learned that this Saint became a holy man gradually.

(So for those of us who are “stumbling toward Sainthood, there is hope!)

Here are some of the quotes that impressed me:

“If we make poor use of God’s graces by neglecting our primary duties, God will take these graces from us.” Saint Vincent de Paul

 “We should spend as much time in thanking God for his benefits as we do in asking him for them.” Saint Vincent de Paul

And there were more . . .

But what this Saint was all about in his life as he grew in holiness was giving.

Want to Grow Closer To God, ask yourself this question . . .

If I learned anything from Saint Vincent de Paul this week, it was that I need to ask myself this question many times a day:

“What can I GIVE in this moment?”

or

What is God asking me to GIVE in this moment?

Saint Vincent de Paul said:

“Humility is nothing but truth, and pride is nothing but lying.” -Vincent de Paul.

My favorite quote about humility is from C.S. Lewis:

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”

― CS Lewis

When we stop and think, “what can I give?” our mind has to shift from what we are not getting.

For example, from my own head:

“I’m not getting enough help.”

I’m not getting enough attention.”

“I’m not getting enough time to myself”

Now, if I shift my focus, and ask “what can I give”?

How can I give more help?

Who can I give my attention to right now?

How can I serve and give to others or God in this moment?

“What can I GIVE in this moment?”

Saint Vincent de Paul’s wisdom assures us that there is always something we can give . . .

Can I give a person the benefit of the doubt?

“Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.” Saint Vincent de Paul

Can I give money, extra clothes, toys, food or anything to the poor?]

Charity is the cement which binds Communities to God and persons to one another . . .

Oh this one. How much do we need more unity! Here is our answer – charity! Give to the poor! Give to one another!

Can I give thanks to God?

 “We should spend as much time in thanking God for his benefits as we do in asking him for them.”

There is always something to be thankful for! Sometimes we just have to thank God for that last breath we took!

Can I give praise to someone else – God or another person?

“If you do not see any good in these persons, then say nothing, but if you do see some, speak about it to honor God in them because all good proceeds from Him.”

Can I give love to my spouse, children or to whoever is the closest to me in some way? Can I give more effort to a job or role I said yes to either through a Sacrament or a contract?

“If we make poor use of God’s graces by neglecting our primary duties, God will take these graces from us.” Saint Vincent de Paul

Can I give someone more time?

Even Saint Vincent de Paul turned from self-centeredness to a life of service to God and others gradually.

I was particularly moved by these words of Saint Vincent de Paul:

“Even convicts, with whom I have spent some time, are not won over in any other way. Whenever I happened to speak sharply to them, I spoiled everything; on the contrary, when I praised them for their resignation and sympathized with them in their sufferings; when I told them they were fortunate to have their purgatory in this world, when I kissed their chains, showed compassion for their distress, and expressed sorrow for their misfortune, it was then that they listened to me, gave glory to God, and opened themselves to salvation.“

This is not being a weak Christian!

Saint Vincent de Paul once met Saint Francis de Sales – and that Saint asked him to be the spiritual director of Saint Jane de Chantal.

Saint Vincent de Paul is one of the few Saints whose body is still incorrupt.

Surely his holiness is an example of loving God first and serving Him most.

Most importantly, we can give nothing without God. We must give God our attention, our moments, our silence, our praise.

It is through God that we give and that we are able to give anything at all.

Saint Vincent DePaul, pray for us!

The post The Question We Should Be Asking appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Getting there as early as I could and staying until late in the evening, and eventually sleeping there every night was how we spent our first weeks together as mother and child.

I asked the doctors every day, “When can we take him home?”

Visiting the sick can be challenging.  Finding the time to give in our very busy lives,  taking into account when the sick person desires a visitor,  and the health of ourselves and our young sidekicks that may be joining us on our visit are all factors that must be taken into account.

But when we visit the sick, we give our most precious commodity – our time.

That is LOVE.  Dropping all our routines, everything on the perpetual “to do” list, and giving our time, our presence and our attention is love in a very true and real form.

Love is not easy sometimes, is it?

When I reflect on this work of mercy, I don’t like what I see in myself.  I realize that I am selfish when it comes to “my” time.  How lucky am I to be healthy?  How lucky am I to have time to do anything I do each and every day?  Reflecting on this I realize that this is something I need to work on – I need to be more generous and giving with “my” time.

My Grandmother has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and I really need to visit her more. I love visiting her and I know she enjoys the visit too.

But what about the friend who is getting cancer treatments?  There are days when they are not “up” for visitors.  Send a text or give a call and ask, “Are you up for a visit?”.  If they are not, send them a card.  My good friend Traci who beat breast cancer said she really appreciated the friend that sent her cards (and my random visits).

Do you know a sick person that could use a visitor?  Will you join me and sacrifice some time this week to reach out to the sick and offer a visit?

Have you been sick and appreciated visitors?  What advice would you give?

The post Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Visit the Sick appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Excuse me while I tell myself to shut-up.

According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness:  “On a single night in January 2014, 578,424 people were experiencing homelessness — meaning they were sleeping outside or in an emergency shelter or transitional housing program.”

More than 500,000 people in the United States are homeless.  And that is just a quick glance at our country.

An organization known as HOMELESS WORLD CUP reports: “The last time a global survey was attempted – by the United Nations in 2005 – an estimated 100 million people were homeless worldwide and as many as 1 billion people lacked adequate housing.”

When I first started thinking about writing about this Work of Mercy, I began to think about all the different reasons why a person or family might be homeless.  I decided to make this post less about words of inspiration, and more about a call to action.  Below are categories of reasons I thought of when I asked myself, “Why are people homeless?”.  I ask you to look inside your heart and determine who you feel most compelled to help. Once you discover who most needs you, follow your heart and give a hand.

Why are people homeless?

They are battling addiction –   The following organizations help those battling addiction by not only providing shelter, but also assisting with recovery.

•  Bethesda Mission is in the Harrisburg, PA area and offers help to men, women and youth.
• Libertae is in a suburb of Philadelphia, PA and helps recovering women reclaim their lives
• The Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, Inc. offers recovering programs and rapid re-housing.

They live in extreme poverty – The following organizations will build houses for those who are completely homeless.

• Habitat for Humanity
• Food for the Poor

They are escaping domestic abuse

• Project Home – escaping domestic abuse is just one reason Project Home will help “shelter the homeless”.  No matter what the reason is, Project Home works to end homelessness and alleviate underlying causes of poverty.
• New House is located in Kansas City, MO and provides immediate and long-term help to women in need.  Their website lists immediate needs  that include old cell phones, chapstick and hair ties. This is a great way to help if you only have a little to give!

Who cares why, I just want to help!

• Back on My Feet combats homelessness through the power of running, community support, and essential employment and housing resources.  As someone who experienced how much running builds confidence and empowers character, I love this organization and signed up for the BOMF 5 Mile Run this morning!
• Catholic Charities – most cities in the U.S. have a Catholic Charities.  This link will take you to the Catholic Charities of Denver website.  The Archdiocese of Denver has at least four homeless shelters.

Is there an organization that helps the homeless you can recommend volunteering with or could use a donation?  Please let us know in the comments!

The post Mocha, Mercy and Mondays: Shelter the Homeless appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

I hope and pray you never have to perform this work of Mercy in such a literal way.

But how do we “clothe the naked”?

1. We provide for our children and in some cases our spouses.
2. We fill up bags with our own clothes and donate them to friends or clothing drives.
3. We donate gowns so that girls who are financially struggling can buy a pretty dress to wear on prom night.

But what else can we do?  What else should we do? Or is that enough?

In 2002 I witnessed an event that made me realize how lucky and blessed I am in the clothing department.  It was that year that I was lucky enough to chaperone a mission trip organized by Sister Lisa Valentini, a Missionary Sister of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. The mission trip was to El Factor, a small town in the Dominican Republic. At the time, Sister Lisa was living there.  She was the principal of two pre-schools, in charge of choir and youth group and, with no priest living in that parish, a very important connection for people in the community.  My participation in this trip was very last minute. Another chaperone was needed, and by word of mouth I found out about it and jumped at the opportunity.

In the next two weeks I was sent a lot of paperwork.  Much of it I didn’t read.  I somehow managed to get my ducks in a row and go to the airport.  There, I met the other chaperone and all the teenager missionaries for the first time.  The missionaries had A LOT of baggage.  And that was not because they were young women that wanted to pack lots of choices for outfits.  It was because they were bringing with them donations.  Many of the donations were clothing.  During the two weeks we were spending there, one event we were going to help organize was setting up and working a sale for the village residents.  This sale would allow families to purchase clothes, shoes and other things we take for granted.

Now, back to that paperwork I didn’t read.  We arrived at the airport, where Sister Lisa picked us up, then drove us over an hour to the village where she lived and worked.  We got dressed for our first assignment – clean the convent.  I was in the Caribbean so I wore shorts.  Guess who was the first to shop at the “donation store”?  Yep.  Yours truly.  The information I should have read discussed a dress code.  I was a chaperone – way to go, I was making a banner impression.  Shorts were a no no.  Long skirts and baggie shirts were the acceptable attire.

Anyway, once my wardrobe mishap was straightened out, we all helped sort and prepare for the big sale.  Young people were coming by asking with excitement, “when is the sale?” (in Spanish, of course).  The excitement was for clothes that people like you and I easily throw in a bag, because we don’t need them nor do we want them.  This sale had the whole community excited.

The day finally came for the big sale.  I’m pretty sure the whole town showed up at the community center.  In order to control the crowds, only a certain amount of people were permitted to enter and shop for a given amount of time.  Once the first group was done shopping and exited, the next group were permitted to enter and do their shopping, and so on.  But the crowds got restless, and chaos broke out.

The long anticipated sale had turned into a mob scene.  Sister Lisa had to shut it down. She was heartbroken.

Some of us were working outside for crowd control, others were inside “selling the wares”.  I was outside and had taken a picture of the crowd before it was closed down.

A mob scene – for used shoes and old tee-shirts.

As Americans, we don’t need a stitch-fix, we need a Jesus Fix.  We need a Mercy Fix.

But how can we get our “fix’?  Here are some of my suggestions . . .

1. If you can, go on a mission trip – or sponsor a young person that has a desire to go, but not the funds.  It’s life changing.  It’s up-lifting. It’s hope giving. You’ll help clothe the naked, feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, and much, much more.  I personally recommending reaching out to Sister Lisa!
2. Fill those bags and give them away!  Even if you have a hard time letting go. Whether you give those clothes to a third world country, or a family who is down on there luck, it is still a great gift.  Just because it didn’t cost you anything, doesn’t mean it didn’t bring joy to someone else.
3. Find an organization that has a need for clothing.  In the Philadelphia area the Saint Francis Inn helps people daily. Last week I noticed they were in need of several items.  Two of those items were diapers (clothe the naked) and coffee (give drink to the thirsty).  I picked up some and this week I’ll mail it to them.  Every little act of love is still an act of love!  I also noticed the Media Food Bank requested more glove donations because they didn’t have enough in men’s sizes.

How do you clothe the naked?  What other suggestions could help us live this work of mercy?

Have you ever gone on a mission trip?  If so, would you recommend the experience to others?

Please share!

The post Mocha, Mercy, and Mondays – Clothe the Naked appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

Can you imagine being awaken by an angel, and this angel telling you to follow her because the Blessed Mother wants to speak with you?  I wonder at that moment if St. Catherine Laboure, being half asleep, thought she was just dreaming.  

I think it’s important to recall the humility of Catherine when we consider wearing the Miraculous Medal.  It’s not a charm meant to show off holiness or perform magic, but a message from heaven.  Our Lady is calling upon us to remember her Son and our purpose in this life – to love and serve Him.  As someone who has visited the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia during every “urgent need” of my life, I didn’t start wearing one until this year!
Shop for a Miraculous Medal from Telos!

Here are five reasons why I wear a Miraculous Medal:

1. I am being reminded daily to “listen to my Mother”

   – As a mommy of a three and a half year old boy, I’ve been hearing the word “no” a lot.  Me: “Xavier, go to the potty”  Xavier: No  Me: “Don’t say no to me, just do it”  Xavier: “No!”.  This happens countless times a day. As you can imagine, this can be extremely frustrating. I wonder if Mary gets frustrated with us. Almost 200 years ago Our Blessed Mother instructed Saint Catherine Laboure to “have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around their neck.” Our Blessed Mother also told Catherine, “Now it must be given to the whole world and to every person.” For almost two hundred years this message has been available to us, yet I still do not have one around my neck.  I wonder if Mary feels how I feel after a 30 minute debate with a three year old on why he has to at least try to pee.

2. It’s known as the “Miraculous Medal” for a reason, and I love a miracle!  

   When the medal first came into being, it was called the Medal of the Immaculate Conception. In less than ten years it became known at the Miraculous Medal because of the many graces and wonders that quickly became associated with wearing it. According to one source, between 1930 and 1950, more than 750,000 favors were granted and registered in just the city of Philadelphia alone.  Our Blessed Mother wants us to ask her for prayers. Our Lord wants us to go to Him and tell him what is on our minds and in our hearts.  Having this medal around our necks at all times is a constant reminder to pray. And as Mary promised, those who wear it will receive great graces.

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3. Heroic men and women have worn it and encouraged others to wear it.

Two particular individuals come to mind: St. Maximillian Kolbe and Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta.  Before St. Maximillian courageously gave his life for another man, he started a movement and an organization, known in English as the Knights of the Immaculata. He made the Miraculous Medal the insignia of the group and had each member wear the medal.  He said it was a “silver bullet” against evil.  Mother Teresa of Calcutta, known for her charitable work throughout the world, called it a “medal of charity” and gave it out by the hand full.  She said that the medal is a sign that God loves each and every individual at each and every moment of our lives.

4. It’s a reminder to ASK for help! 

The images on the medal were designed by the Blessed Mother and spoken to St. Catherine Laboure. Our Blessed Mother said that the rays coming from some of her fingers demonstrate the graces God gives through her to those who ask and are open.  There are some fingers where no rays are shown.  Mary said that is to demonstrate the graces that are not given because they were not requested of her.  Just another reminder of Matthew 7:7; “Ask and it shall be given to you”.

5. It’s a symbol of what is most important.  

As I write this, my Facebook profile picture includes an opaque flag of France to show my support and prayers for those who have suffered a great tragedy.  There is a U.S. flag hung outside the front door of our home to demonstrate patriotism.  We often wear colors to support those effected by different diseases and when we are cheering for our favorite sports team, we wear the appropriate jersey.  All of these have some importance in our lives.  But what is most important?  For me, it is my faith.  If signs and symbols are important for the lesser things, why not show my enthusiasm for the greatest blessing of all – faith in Our Lord and the love of our Mother.

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The post Five Reasons Why I Wear a Miraculous Medal – and Maybe You Should Too appeared first on Prayer Wine Chocolate.

But three years ago my dream came true.  I finally had a family.  I could finally order picture Christmas cards.  And I did.  I ordered tons of them and sent them out until I ran out of stamps.  Then I bought more stamps and ordered more cards!  I think one year I ordered several different designs.  My heart is so grateful to be in a place that allows me to send those cards. Having a son that looks like a baby model is an added bonus ;).  This past week I think I got mail from every company that produces and sells these cards.  I saw several designs I love and they even have ornament cards!  Ornament cards . . .I love that idea!  The excitement is still in me . . . I have a family and an adorable child that I am extremely grateful for and I want the whole world to know it!  However, even though I enjoy sending those cards, this year our family is going “old school”. We are going to send traditional Christmas cards.  Before I explain why, let me put my disclaimer here.  I love getting Christmas cards.  I love getting traditional ones, family photo ones, cute baby ones and the creative funny ones where the only person in the picture is Matt’s 40-year-old cousin dressed like an elf sitting on a shelf.  I am not saying “no one should send photo Christmas cards” (please don’t cross me off your list)!  I am just challenging myself to go “old school” and these are the reasons why:

Reason #: I recently read an article and one statement in it really stuck with me.  Annie, from Catholic Wife, Catholic Life wrote a post about really trying to become a saint.  In that article she wrote, “Stop thinking of yourself and start thinking of HIm“.  I had an “aha” moment when I read that statement.  Now, I am sure that my friends and family LOVE getting pictures of our son and my husband and I.  They probably stare at it every day and show it to all their houseguests. They probably discuss my creativity at the dinner table.  Over dessert I am sure they comment on how handsome my husband is and how we have an absolutely perfect son.  Really, I mean, let’s be honest. Matt and I have the greatest child the Lord has ever created.  O wait . . . that’s probably not what happens.  The truth is, I am going to look at a that card more than anyone.  I’ll look it at when I design it (and it will take me hours).  I’ll look at it when they come in the mail.  I’ll look at it when I address the envelopes . . .etc.  You get the picture.  But, if I am going to stop thinking of me and start thinking of Him, I should be looking at cards that picture Our Lord, the Holy Family, Our Blessed Mother and her child, the Three Wise Men . . ..  As I write out the envelopes, my mind can envision the Lord and ALL his gifts (including my wonderful husband and adorable son).

Reason #2: Cards cost money.  And the cards I like cost more than the average card.  Snapfish and Shutterfly get business from me all year.  They are not going under if I forgo the photo card this year. On top of that, the Sacred Heart Monastery sent me free Christmas cards.  The Priests of the Sacred Heart ask for a donation and offer to pray a special Novena of Masses beginning on Christmas Day for the recipients.  Why don’t I give the money I would have given to a company and give it to their mission?  Not only am I giving money towards some noble work, I am also giving my family and friends the gift of someone praying for them. Mary’s Miraculous Medal Family offers three free Christmas cards and sells additional ones, and the recipients get a Mass said for them every day for a year.  If you like this idea, but feel a different cause needs your support – check out cardsthatgive.org – you may find an organization that you are already passionate about!

Reason #3:  Saint Therese’ stated “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”  Not sending Christmas cards with my family’s or my son’t picture on it is an extremely small sacrifice.  But, it still is a sacrifice.  I haven’t been able to throw out those catalogs I received in the mail from tiny prints and the like.  It’s truly a small sacrifice.  But filling out an old fashioned card, one that isn’t already signed for me, is also an opportunity.  It’s an opportunity to write more than our names.  It’s an opportunity to write an extra note to my aunt who might be lonely.  It’s an opportunity to thank my friend who came out to celebrate my 40th birthday with me (no, I still have not sent out thank you cards; please don’t judge me)! How much have we lost as a result of not handwriting letters to our loved ones anymore?  How much do we enjoy when we get a letter written by a friend or family member?  Such a beautiful gift – the gift of someone thinking of you and writing some “kindly words”. Sure, writing out those cards will take longer.  But that gift of time is a small sacrifice that may bring someone a smile and brighten his or her day. That time is probably only taking away twenty more minutes of me staring at Facebook.  That’s a sacrifice my spiritual self needs to make.

If you would like to join me in this challenge – let me know!  If you would like to alter the challenge and maybe send only some photo cards, and send the traditional ones to certain people you feel need that extra note inside, that sounds awesome too!  I would love to hear what you think! Also, if I was on your Christmas card list, please don’t cross me off of it!  Whatever you choose to do – enjoy doing it!

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