Excerpted from "Leaflets" Column
  

On the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11, we celebrate the World Day of the Sick. Let us remember to pray especially for all those who are hurting in body, mind or spirit. Pain and illness are difficult to endure. However, we must remember that if we "offer it up," some good can result.

Pain can be offered up on behalf of others who are in need, for vocations, for the Holy Souls in purgatory, for whatever we choose. When we look beyond ourselves, it can sometimes make pain bearable. 

From the Church's Pastoral Care of the Sick, it is suggested that those who are sick slowly pray short prayers over and over. Some of the suggested prayers are:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me.

Lord, I hope in you.

Your will be done.

Strengthen me, Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

The rhythm of the repetition of these prayers can be a source of soothing comfort to those who are ill. They can also help those who find themselves in anxious or stressful situations or even help in times of temptation.

Those who are in good health can offer up prayers of thanksgiving on the World Day of the Sick. At the same time, pray for others who are not well. Pray for family, friends, people at work, etc. And please, take a moment to pray for all those in our dear LEAVES family who are sick. Pray that the Lord strengthen them and give them peace.… May God grant you abundant blessings always - Father Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
 
 
 

Excerpted from "Our Family Album"
 

Writing Ministry 

Blesses Many

I am a Texas widow of two years. I also lost my son Mark, age 39, in April of 2003. I have M.S. and try to devote my time and the gift of being blessed by Our Savior as a fair writer to others in need through the prayer line at my church. I write letters and send many cards monthly to all I can when I receive names, addresses and whatever information is available about the individual's health.

I'm truly blessed to be able to do this work. I have heard from many of those to whom I've written. It's a true blessing and warms my heart when I hear from these people. I want all those requesting prayers to know they will be in my prayers and thoughts. 

Our world is overloaded with the needs and concerns of so many who need help in one way or another. My grief from the loss of my husband, Sam, and my son, Mark, has really overwhelmed me, but God gives us extra strength when we need it. He has given it to me.

I would be happy to send cards and letters to anyone who wishes me to. I am not an individual of great financial means at all, but I'll do my best to help reach out to others. I would need whoever wants to be contacted to give me name, address and whatever information that can be provided concerning the individual or family situation and need.

I do this because I believe God is telling me it is my job for His glory to help all I can with a kind word of prayer and love, in Jesus' name - Joan Shoultz, 4115 31st St., Lubbock, TX 79410-2532.

Candle Metaphor for Life

This may not be a letter which will be of interest to many. It's not political or actually helpful in any way. It's simply a thought that came to me at church early Sunday morning.

As I was sitting, prayerfully, waiting for Mass to begin, I noticed the candles that are always prepared weren't quite adjusted properly. Most were brightly lit, ready for the service to begin. One was dim and not glowing as it should.

As the altar server began to make the necessary adjustment, it was quickly corrected and began to shine and glow like the others, very proudly.

I suppose it made me think of our lives. One day we struggle to see and get through the day, but with our wonderful Lord's power of love and comfort, we can do as much as all the rest.
                                                                        By Joan Shoultz

ADD THREE LEAVES

Rosaries Requested

Please send me rosaries. I will send them to those who will make good use of them. I can afford the cost of postage for a large number of them. I will also repair broken rosaries. Some of the places I will send them to are the Salesian Missions, Missionaries of Charity, parishes, nursing homes and hospitals in New Mexico. Please send them to me at: Florence Weber, 9980 SW Murdock, Tigard, OR 97224.
 
 
 

Excerpted from Father Engelmar Testimonies

There is now available a booklet of the life of Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce, currently 37 cents), self-addressed envelope to us at:

LEAVES
P.O. Box 87
Dearborn, MI 48121-0087
 

On the day we completed our novena in honor of Fr. Engelmar, we received what we consider a miracle. Our baby grandson's jaw was dislocated. It may have been the result of a difficult birthing process. The day we finished the novena, it miraculously "popped" back into place. We thank Our Lord and Fr. Engelmar from the bottom of our hearts. We must also thank St. Joseph for his prayers and help, as we were also praying to him during the nine days – E.H.

+ + +

I have been praying the novena in honor of Fr. Engelmar for about four months. Each novena was for a different intention. All my novena prayers were answered before the third or fourth day: a troubled marriage, job, illness, solutions to many problems. A very good friend in Chicago introduced me to Fr. Engelmar. I have kept her informed of the many wonderful and powerful experiences I have had – E.W.

+ + +

I write with gratefulness and reaffirmation of the presence of God in our lives. Recently I read about so many people being helped through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar. I started a novena for help. My husband and I were having so many tribulations, specifically, health, depression and financial problems. I was in my eighth day of the novena when I received an unexpected check from my insurance company and, even though it wasn't very large, the amount was just what we needed at the moment to pay some bills and buy some medicines. Then I started to hear from family and friends whom I missed so very much. It was so overwhelming that my husband and I cried with tears of joy and gratitude.  O Father, it is true. You do often speak and minister to us through your beloved saints. Thank you, Creator God, for the special gifts in our life – N.C.
 

A Winter Landscape

White lies the glittering landscape
   As far as the eye can scan
In a beauty more exquisite
   Than human being could plan.

And etched in brilliance 'gainst the white
   Of snow-clad fields and lanes
A row of sprightly evergreens
   Stretch out across the plains.

Stately they rise against the sky,
   Background of glittering white
With snow encrusted limbs and boughs,
   Like to towers of ancient might.

The cold wind whistles through the plains
   And stately breezes by
To find some frailer being than these
   Against which no wind may ply.

The sky is gray and overcast
   And night is drawing nigh.
Along the whiteness of the plains
   A few lone snowbirds fly.

'Tis soon the landscape's beauty fades,
   As dusk comes o'er the plains,
And shadows of the evening fair
   Draw nigh, yet still remain.

No human artist e'er did paint
   Exquisite scenes as this,
So perfect in each line and trace
   Without a flaw or miss.

Only the Heavenly Master
   With His perfect all-seeing power
Doth portray perfect scenes as these
   On earth as a heavenly dower.

          By Harriet O'Connor
 
 

            By Margaret Peterso