Saturday, December 20, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Personal Reflection about Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk
Ever since I
enrolled in Holy Spirit School, the CLE teachers have been teaching us about
the Founder and the Foundresses . Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk has really
inspired me until now. When she was young, she had desired to serve God. By the
grace of God and a good upbringing by her truly Christian parents, she led a
very religious life as a young girl. She wanted to join the missionary works
but she had to face all the struggles before she had the permission from her
parents to enter a mission congregation. I can see that Blessed Maria Helena
Stollenwerk was really brave and faithful to God because she didn't give up becoming
part of the missionary congregation and I also admire her and Blessed Josepha
Stenmans for being brave to cross the sea just to go to Saint Arnold Janssen.
I also
admire Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk, who showed great concern for the poor
and suffering whom she visited with her mother. She always had time for the
poor and she had always shown care for them, and I really like those people who
do that. The characteristics that I really like about her are being a motherly
and cheerful nature, and being kind and a healing compassion. Blessed Maria
Helena always managed to find the sick and needy, and people turned to her for
help and advice in all their problems. Without her being aware of it, God was
developing the character and talents she would need for her future tasks.
She said, “I
long to give my love and my whole life to the service of spreading the Gospel.”
I like this quote that she once said because it always reminds me of preaching
the Good news of the Lord. She was really faithful to God that she didn't ever
forget to preach and be kind to other people especially the poor. So for me,
there is nothing wrong with helping the poor as long as you have a good
intention about it. Just by giving your extra money to the poor can mean so much
to them. There are some people who can’t find food to eat or don’t have a
room to live. We should be all aware of them and help unconditionally. We
should involve ourselves and do our best in these kinds of drive.
I Look Up To You
Saint Martin de Porres is the patron saint of mixed-race people.
I look up to him because he represents equality and charity. He put up an orphanage for the children who seek families. He put up a hospital for the sick to be healed. He was a simple man of God who had big dreams. He believed that everyone is equal in the Lord's eyes. Which is true. He was selfless, loving, God fearing and respectful to God's creations. He treasured the simple things in extraordinary ways. He sacrificed so much to help others, to help the children put some food in their bellys. He gave and taught them to have hope and just trust in God. In our God that has a plan for all of them. They might have suffered a lot of pains and crys, but Saint Martin de Porres helped give them the hope they need to continue in with their lives no matter what the consequences. He was devoted, faithful and true to his passion and desire. And that is to love and serve God.
I look up to him because he represents equality and charity. He put up an orphanage for the children who seek families. He put up a hospital for the sick to be healed. He was a simple man of God who had big dreams. He believed that everyone is equal in the Lord's eyes. Which is true. He was selfless, loving, God fearing and respectful to God's creations. He treasured the simple things in extraordinary ways. He sacrificed so much to help others, to help the children put some food in their bellys. He gave and taught them to have hope and just trust in God. In our God that has a plan for all of them. They might have suffered a lot of pains and crys, but Saint Martin de Porres helped give them the hope they need to continue in with their lives no matter what the consequences. He was devoted, faithful and true to his passion and desire. And that is to love and serve God.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal, a Queen and a Saint
St. Elizabeth of Portugal was a queen and a saint; married and had children. Being a queen, wife, mother, and a saint to everyone requires a lot of work. That is why I admire her so much. Despite all her duties and responsibilities to her kingdom and family, she still gave her little time to the people in need. She was charitable and equal. She ruled her people well; because nowadays some government leaders are not sincere with their jobs. She is my role model because like her, I am busy with some things as well. But I am discontented for I cannot be as benevolent as St Elizabeth. One of my goals in life is to help the one in need until I can. I am saddened every time I see someone in pain or someone helpless. As a student, I don't have much to give except prayer and little alms. When I think of my inspirations like St Elizabeth, I feel I can achieve my goals. Moreover, she is also a peacemaker. She doesn't like war and she did everything to avoid it from happening especially in her kingdom. I am also not a fan of wars for they cause injuries and deaths; I hope in the future the leaders will be as good as St Elizabeth. She was one of a kind, thoughtful and strong. She fought her sickness for her people; and that is what I admire the most, being sincere and caring. Reading about the lives of saints made me more interested in reading the lives of the other saints as well. For I, saints are the real role models compared to artists and big stars. Lastly, she is my role model because considering she had many duties, she still considered her care for the poor. She never forget to give for the poor; and she was equal with everyone. She was a great queen and saint; and she will never be forgotten. I will always be thankful for her because she thought me that nothing, not even your economical status can stop one from a saint.
You don't need a reason to help people by Dominique Ador
"Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused."
– Tommy Lee
St. Elizabeth of Portugal is someone who is very inspiring. Despite of what happened to her she remained faithful, not only to herself, but also to others especially to God. She dedicated her life helping others, making the poor and the sick her priorities, she even did a greater charity and penance through out the years. She's really a wonderful role model and a good peacemaker to all the people around her.
As I continue to read her story it reminds me of my mom or just any mother in the world. Because being mother means that no matter how stressed you are for doing chores, taking care of the family, cooking etc. You should always this little faith that will still hold you together and you should have this kindness in your heart that will make feel at peace all the time and I believe that's what we need. That we ,human beings, need is to have a kind heart.
I think that is what God want from us; to be kind all the time and look for what makes us calm and at peace. No matter how hard the struggles or how long the stress we have in life. We should remain faithful and learn how to accept it, just like what St. Elizabeth did. She faced a lot of hardships but she remained positive in life and she found strength to carry her many great crosses.
St.Anthony de Padua by Sydney Jusi
I chose Saint Anthony of Padua as my Patron Saint because he was called the Finder of Lost Articles. At first I thought that I would only pray to him whenever I lose something but then I realized that sometimes it's not the lost materials I am asking him to find. It's faith.
When he preached the Gospel to the Heretics, the Heretics didn't listen to him so he proclaimed the Gospel to the fishes. This shows that no matter how hard it is for him to convince other people to be faithful to God, he won't stop and be ashamed of what he is supposed to do. He is proud to proclaim the Word of God to other people.
Another reason why I chose him is because in our generation, it is very hard to encourage people to have faith in God. And because of his great faith, he serves as a great example to other people, people who are lost, people who think that they don't have any hope left. I don't only think of him as a Saint who can find lost things, I also think of him as a Saint who can strengthen the lost faith of other people.
Let's be like St. Anthony of Padua, let's not be ashamed of our faith and let us help the lost, help them find their way back to God, so that together we may see and face God.
When he preached the Gospel to the Heretics, the Heretics didn't listen to him so he proclaimed the Gospel to the fishes. This shows that no matter how hard it is for him to convince other people to be faithful to God, he won't stop and be ashamed of what he is supposed to do. He is proud to proclaim the Word of God to other people.
Another reason why I chose him is because in our generation, it is very hard to encourage people to have faith in God. And because of his great faith, he serves as a great example to other people, people who are lost, people who think that they don't have any hope left. I don't only think of him as a Saint who can find lost things, I also think of him as a Saint who can strengthen the lost faith of other people.
Let's be like St. Anthony of Padua, let's not be ashamed of our faith and let us help the lost, help them find their way back to God, so that together we may see and face God.
My Peacemaker
St. Elizabeth of Portugal was known as "The Peacemaker" for she, as the name implies, makes peace. I view my life as the kind of life wherein i make peace in terms of implanting peace in people's minds. St. Elizabeth is very inspiring for all she wanted to do was help the poor and help the people who have no peace find it. I've always wanted to help those who have no peace of mind, somehow i want them to feel better about themselves. I ask God for help, I pray to Him, that He may bless the people who have blurry, messed up and confused minds. To the people who think they aren't good enough, to the people who think that they're worthless, to those who don't believe that God can help them, to those who want to kill themselves are the ones I pray for. With the help of St. Elizabeth's intercession, my simple 'vocation' will hopefully be more powerful and helpful. I want these people to find God again, i want them to know that God's there with them. I hope that everyone will find peace in their minds and peace with the world. ♥
The Croods Podcast
The Croods Podcast
by
Hannah Lea Cardona (# 8)
Maria Francesca Alexa Cruz (# 10)
Deborah Allison Hartendorp (# 18)
Antonina Sophia Malabanan (# 24)
ENJOY!
All that is lost, will soon be found!
There were many moments in my life where I was searching for something I had lost. The number of these moments happening in fact, are more than my mere fingers can count. And if by some twist of fate I was disciplined enough to count those times in the past and perhaps in my coming future; I'll let you know now, you wouldn't even believe the number I would come up with!
Losing things has become a bad habit of mine. It has become so bad in fact, that my family is never the least surprised when I tell them I had lost something. And even though it has become the norm, my mother and St. Anthony de Padua never fail to inspire me to keep searching.
Every time I lose something of value to me like say, my cellphone, you can only imagine the splurge of emotions I feel when I do. And let's all admit, I can't be alone on this one! It all starts with worry, (Will I ever find it? What if I never do?), then determination ( Maybe it's still here, I believe it is! I'll just keep looking!), right around the corner comes doubt (Ugh! It's nowhere here! Maybe I was wrong), then "I'll try again" comes knocking on our door.( Try and try but do not die!) And if by then it's nowhere to be found? Frustration is what we do find. (You know what, it's no use. I can't find it.) And often times, when we do reach that last emotion; "I give up" is what we end up becoming.
Here is where my mom and St. Anthony step in! Every time I am in that last state of emotion, my mom comes up to me and tells me "Pray anak, pray to St. Anthony de Padua. He helps people find things that they have lost." And ever since then, pray to him is what I did! When I lost my phone, book, candy, shirt or just about anything! He would be the person I would ask help from. But praying to him does not stop there.
What does it mean to be lost? Lost doesn't mean losing material things and objects alone.. Being lost can also mean Spiritually. There were times in my life where I had lost myself and almost lost faith in God. I didn't know where to go, or who to call on to and what I could possibly do. But then I remembered my mother's wise words and the saint who will always be there, St. Anthony. And thus, I took my "Children's book of Saints" and tried to find him. And when I did, I was changed. Reading his life story, how he dedicated his life to God, his teachings and the way he preached, how he renewed the faith in others; definitely renewed the faith in me. It was amazing to me how he could change so many people just by the words that came from his tongue, that were inspired by the Holy Spirit. He definitely showed me that words maybe mightier than any weapon. Remember how I said earlier, how when we lose something we are affected by a splurge of emotions? With St. Anthony, when I would be lost, that wouldn't be the case. With him I learned to let out my emotions through prayer, and tell him all the whispers my heart lets out. And in no time, I was at ease.
I do not think there will ever be a time where I will never be lost. But what I do know is if and when that time may come, I'll be more than "okay". I will be faithful, for I have St. Anthony by my side.
"Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
Losing things has become a bad habit of mine. It has become so bad in fact, that my family is never the least surprised when I tell them I had lost something. And even though it has become the norm, my mother and St. Anthony de Padua never fail to inspire me to keep searching.
Every time I lose something of value to me like say, my cellphone, you can only imagine the splurge of emotions I feel when I do. And let's all admit, I can't be alone on this one! It all starts with worry, (Will I ever find it? What if I never do?), then determination ( Maybe it's still here, I believe it is! I'll just keep looking!), right around the corner comes doubt (Ugh! It's nowhere here! Maybe I was wrong), then "I'll try again" comes knocking on our door.( Try and try but do not die!) And if by then it's nowhere to be found? Frustration is what we do find. (You know what, it's no use. I can't find it.) And often times, when we do reach that last emotion; "I give up" is what we end up becoming.
Here is where my mom and St. Anthony step in! Every time I am in that last state of emotion, my mom comes up to me and tells me "Pray anak, pray to St. Anthony de Padua. He helps people find things that they have lost." And ever since then, pray to him is what I did! When I lost my phone, book, candy, shirt or just about anything! He would be the person I would ask help from. But praying to him does not stop there.
What does it mean to be lost? Lost doesn't mean losing material things and objects alone.. Being lost can also mean Spiritually. There were times in my life where I had lost myself and almost lost faith in God. I didn't know where to go, or who to call on to and what I could possibly do. But then I remembered my mother's wise words and the saint who will always be there, St. Anthony. And thus, I took my "Children's book of Saints" and tried to find him. And when I did, I was changed. Reading his life story, how he dedicated his life to God, his teachings and the way he preached, how he renewed the faith in others; definitely renewed the faith in me. It was amazing to me how he could change so many people just by the words that came from his tongue, that were inspired by the Holy Spirit. He definitely showed me that words maybe mightier than any weapon. Remember how I said earlier, how when we lose something we are affected by a splurge of emotions? With St. Anthony, when I would be lost, that wouldn't be the case. With him I learned to let out my emotions through prayer, and tell him all the whispers my heart lets out. And in no time, I was at ease.
I do not think there will ever be a time where I will never be lost. But what I do know is if and when that time may come, I'll be more than "okay". I will be faithful, for I have St. Anthony by my side.
"Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention your petition) which has been lost. As least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss.
To this favor I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen."
Sources for pictures and prayer: http://www.ourcatholicprayers.com/prayers-to-st-anthony.html
http://images.catholic.org/saints/anthonypadua.gif
http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/a-childs-prayer-ken-gimmi.jpg
http://treasure.diylol.com/uploads/post/image/325414/resized_all-the-things-meme-generator-lose-all-the-things-7facbd.jpg
http://cookingfortheotherhalf.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/facepalm-cat.jpg?w=500&h=359
http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lidn41I8fn1qc4uvwo1_500.jpg
http://www.lovethispic.com/uploaded_images/31117-Believe-In-God.jpg
St. Elizabeth of Portugal - Bread into Roses
St. Elizabeth born in Zaragoza, Spain in 1271, she was the daughter of Peter
III of Aragon and was married off to King Denis of Portugal in 1282.
From the beginning Elizabeth showed a great compassion to the poor.
I chose her because after I read her life she gave me the opportunity to help the poor. Filipino teenagers today should follow what St. Elizabeth is doing. She always goes to Church, if we can go to malls everyday why can't we go to Church everyday? She was married to a man at a very young age and still that didn't change her faith in God. Others says that St. Elizabeth leaves the palace disguised, in order to take breads for the poor. She is amazing she is looking for a way to help those who are in need.
I want to be just like St. Elizabeth of Portugal because of her passion in helping others. Let's make St. Elizabeth be our role model. Let us live out our Faith in God just like how St. Elizabeth Lived her Faith in God by helping others and also being a peacemaker.
I chose her because after I read her life she gave me the opportunity to help the poor. Filipino teenagers today should follow what St. Elizabeth is doing. She always goes to Church, if we can go to malls everyday why can't we go to Church everyday? She was married to a man at a very young age and still that didn't change her faith in God. Others says that St. Elizabeth leaves the palace disguised, in order to take breads for the poor. She is amazing she is looking for a way to help those who are in need.
I want to be just like St. Elizabeth of Portugal because of her passion in helping others. Let's make St. Elizabeth be our role model. Let us live out our Faith in God just like how St. Elizabeth Lived her Faith in God by helping others and also being a peacemaker.
Oh Great Foundresses, I Thank you For being Born
When I started going to holy spirit school our CLE teacher thought us about our school's foundresses, I first thought that they were just simple and like other foundresses but I was wrong, yes they are simple but they conquered and encountered many difficulties I never knew that a person can overcome those problems. I never thought that simplicity can help you achieve your goals. I thought that I am only a student, I can't do such thing but when I read their biographies, I said to myself "maybe I should start on smaller things like helping others by donating and joining charities" so that I can achieve my goals in life, to be a good daughter of God and to share my blessings from God with others.
Peace and Active Nonviolence
Peace and Active Nonviolence is the two main topics in Lesson 4. After I read the lesson in our book I started realizing that without peace everyday is a war and I don't want that to happen.Violence is never an option to attain peace.
I also read what happened last 1987 when Churches never stopped to get their peace during People Power Revolution. They were able to persuade people to do prayer rallies, strikes, and many more. This an example of an active nonviolence. For me this is a smart idea, they are not using deadly weapons they used God's grace and God's presence.We should Prevent ourselves from using deadly weapons just to attain peace.
Peace is the tranquility of the heart born out of righteousness,security in the family, loving relationship with one another, and harmony in our society. there is peace if there is justice, but love gives peace beyond justice can provide.
I also read what happened last 1987 when Churches never stopped to get their peace during People Power Revolution. They were able to persuade people to do prayer rallies, strikes, and many more. This an example of an active nonviolence. For me this is a smart idea, they are not using deadly weapons they used God's grace and God's presence.We should Prevent ourselves from using deadly weapons just to attain peace.
Peace is the tranquility of the heart born out of righteousness,security in the family, loving relationship with one another, and harmony in our society. there is peace if there is justice, but love gives peace beyond justice can provide.
Living life to the Fullest (Live Full) by Deborah Hartendorp
This lesson has taught me how to live my life to the fullest. It teaches us that we should appreciate life as it is. We should cherish each moment, we should be thankful for the miracles, blessings, and the opportunities God has given us. We get to live and experience the best gift God has given us, Life. This lesson has taught me to not only live my own life to the fullest but to share and to help the people in need.
And to thank God all we need to do is to live life in the most amazing and beautiful way that we could, to not waste it and to not destroy it. To make Him proud and to make everyone happy, and to care for those in need.
And to thank God all we need to do is to live life in the most amazing and beautiful way that we could, to not waste it and to not destroy it. To make Him proud and to make everyone happy, and to care for those in need.
"The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, To the fullest. Do what matters, Now."
Bridging the gap, Making the difference
St. Elizabeth of Portugal is a perfect role model for the Filipinos of today. The Philippines being a country with the most number of Roman Catholics in the whole of Asia, needs to follow St. Elizabeth's devoutness who went to Church everyday and practiced what was being preached. St. Elizabeth was no ordinary woman, she was a Queen married to King Denis of Portugal at the age of 12. Despite her privilege and status, she loved the poor people in her kingdom. She showed that the rich and powerful must have compassion and understanding for those who have less in life.
Her kindness in forgiving her page, because her page goes to mass everyday, is the perfect example on why Filipinos should emulate St. Elizabeth's kindness. Even when she was wrongly accused, she had the strength not only to forgive but to understand that people do make mistakes. She was the peacemaker not only for her family but for others as well.
The Philippines will be a better place if each and every one of us will find the St. Elizabeth within our hearts. That we should also go to mass as much as we can. And despite of all the problems and quarrels that our country is facing, we should always have patience in understanding people around us. We must have a bigger heart in accepting and helping those who are poor and have less in life, that we should bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and make the difference in making a better life everyone, just like what St. Elizabeth did.
Her kindness in forgiving her page, because her page goes to mass everyday, is the perfect example on why Filipinos should emulate St. Elizabeth's kindness. Even when she was wrongly accused, she had the strength not only to forgive but to understand that people do make mistakes. She was the peacemaker not only for her family but for others as well.
The Philippines will be a better place if each and every one of us will find the St. Elizabeth within our hearts. That we should also go to mass as much as we can. And despite of all the problems and quarrels that our country is facing, we should always have patience in understanding people around us. We must have a bigger heart in accepting and helping those who are poor and have less in life, that we should bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and make the difference in making a better life everyone, just like what St. Elizabeth did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
