LEAVES Website for January-February 2005 issue
Excerpted from "Leaflets" column
Feb. 11 is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes and a day to remember the sick. As we read in each issue of LEAVES, many of our beloved LEAVES family members are suffering. Let us all join our prayers together on Feb. 11 to pray that all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit may feel the comforting presence of Our Lord.
Suffering has meaning when offered on behalf of others. Those who suffer might offer their pain on behalf of those most in need of God's mercy. Whether we find we are healed or in pain, in all things we must remember to pray God's will be done. May God grant you abundant blessings always - Father Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
In 1963 my husband was driving home from the country. We had a friend in the car with us. It went out of control and rolled down into the ditch. The friend died in that accident.
My husband was not a Roman Catholic at the time. We were married in the Catholic Church and our nine children were all Catholics. My husband was finding it really hard to cope with the accident, so I said to him, "Why don't you pray for help?" He said: "I don't know how to pray. Will you help me?" I said, "Yes." So when the children were all settled in for the night, I shared my rosary beads with him as we walked back and forth in the kitchen.
After a few nights he said, "If the time comes when I can go to bed and sleep for at least two or three hours, I would really believe in prayer." When that time came and he finally went to bed and slept for 2 1/2 hours, he said, "If I can get a good sleep for a couple of nights in a row, I'm going to become Roman Catholic."
One day after a year or so, he didn't come home from work at the regular time. I thought to myself, "Oh well, I guess he has gone to the tavern with his chums." I waited. He was an hour and a half late. When he came home, he had a bright smile on his face. I said, "Where have you been until this hour?" He said, "I was over to the deanery, the home where the priest lives. I'm taking instructions beginning on Monday."
Two and a half months later he was baptized a Roman Catholic. This was in 1964. He was 52 years old in March of that year. He died in August 2001, age 89 years and 5 months. The Rosary was answered for him in a way that was never thought of when we started to pray it together. Many, many thanks for the Rosary - M.W.
SOS Prayers to St. Jude
A few days ago my day didn't start out well, as I wondered where I had put the key to my daughter and son-in-law's apartment. They had been out of town and I had been bringing in their mail. I told my daughter in the morning that I had mislaid the key, but would look for it when I got back from my work out at the YMCA.
After I left the YMCA, I stopped for a few items at the store. I realized I did not have my watch, so I said my SOS prayers to St. Jude to find both things. I backtracked to the Y, and thankfully someone had turned in the watch at the front desk.
When I got home, I decided I would fix myself a sandwich, then look for the key. My daughter showed up and asked if I had found the key. She said she had not told her husband. I know him well enough to know that he would have had a fit. I told my daughter not to worry, that I had St. Jude working on it.
Within half an hour after my daughter left, I found the key in a pocket of the jeans I had worn that day. I know that St. Anthony is the saint to pray for lost things, but St. Jude always comes through for me. He must get tired of this old lady always misplacing things and then in a panic start praying to him - B.D.
Excerpted from Father Engelmar Testimonies
There is now available a booklet of the novena 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
My brother was very ill with cancer in 1995. My brother, his wife and I prayed constantly to Fr. Engelmar. I believe with all my heart that is why my brother is completely recovered. It has been two years and he is cancer free - M.D.
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I have received many favors through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar. Quite a few people who have been ill have gotten well and several people who had serious operations are now well - D.A.
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For two prayers answered through the intercession of Fr. Engelmar, we send this donation - J&AS.
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I received favors from Fr. Engelmar. I had been out of work for most of 2003, having done my student teaching and completing my education. Being a middle-aged, single woman, this has been very stressful. I began praying to Fr. Engelmar. Before the novena was complete, I had a part-time position at a new Catholic High School. This is very exciting for me! It is not enough to support me, but I'm gaining teaching experience. I am beginning a new novena to Fr. Engelmar to help find another part-time job to give me my health insurance benefits and additional income - M.MacD.
Communion
I love to pray to God each day
To thank Him for my life,
And know that I can turn to Him
To ease my pain and strife.
And when I take Communion,
That's the closest I can be
To God the One with whom I hope
To spend eternity.
It's such a blessing we can know
His presence here on earth,
Just like His twelve apostles did,
Who came to know His worth.
When life is dry and when it's not,
Still we need the union
That we can all experience
When we receive Communion.
By Margaret Peterson