Excerpted from "Leaflets" column

  Now that the over-indulgence of the holidays is over, this would be an excellent time to look at what we have accumulated. Are our homes overflowing with an overabundance of things? Are toy boxes spilling over and closets crammed full? Do we have so much stuff that we can't even store it away properly?

The February Apostleship of Prayer Intention for the Holy Father is: "That the goods of the earth, given by God for all men, may be used wisely and according to criteria of justice and solidarity." Is it time for us to try to disengage from consumerism? It might be hard, but it can be done.

If watching television, get up during commercial breaks to dust the furniture, wash a couple windows, cut up vegetables for snacking. Another option is to record your favorite programs and play them back, skipping through the commercials. Do you really need what they're selling anyway?

When the Sunday newspaper arrives, toss out all the ad papers. Don't use coupons unless you can document that you indeed are saving money. There are those who use a coupon to buy something they wouldn't ordinarily purchase or something they don't really need. Just beware.

Stop window-shopping. If you can't live without going to the mall, take your walking shoes and use the mall to exercise. This works very nicely during cold or rainy weather. Combine trips to the store with other errands of paying bills or going to the post office. That will save on gasoline and you will tend to spend less time at each stop knowing you have other places to go.

Naturally grocery shopping must be done regularly however, even here you can make adjustments; make a list and buy only what is on the list. When you go into a store, only go down those isles that have things on your list. Don't go food shopping if you're hungry and only go at pre-determined times. If you decide to shop every Friday and run out of catsup on Wednesday, do without it for two days. There are very few items that we couldn't live without for a couple days.

Don't buy a toy for your child simply out of habit every time you go to the store. Save gifts for birthdays or special occasions. Presents will mean more to children that way. You also teach your children they should not expect to get something, so that when money is tight, you won't have a crying child making a scene.

People need to make up a budget and stick to it. Families should know what their obligations are so they can plan for them. That will go far towards a more stress-free and responsible life. Make a commitment that any purchases over $50 are agreeable to both husband and wife. Then if both agree, wait for 24 hours before buying so you aren't buying something on a whim.

Is it right and just for some to have so many things that they can't take care of them or appreciate them, while there are others who are hungry and cold? Just because we can afford something doesn't mean that we should have it. We still have an obligation to those less fortunate.

Before Christmas people are very generous in giving to the poor, but sometimes that caring attitude is not continued after New Year's. Perhaps our budgets will then allow us by becoming more careful financially to use our resources in such a way that honors Our Lord in the care of the less fortunate.

Let us all remember the Holy Father's intentions and work and pray that the goods of the earth begin to be shared just a little more equally.

 

… God grant you abundant blessings always - Father Thomas Heier, C.M.M.

 

 

 

 

Excerpted from "Our Family Album"

 

How I Stopped Smoking

Our body is supposed to be the temple of the Holy Spirit and not have the disgusting smell of an old chimney. If you want to get rid of the horrible, evil habit of buying expensive smelly cigarettes that kill your body (as we all well know, many thousands die each year of this awful habit), then listen to my story.

I started smoking when I was a young girl during the Second World War. I was a student at that time and lived through the cruel German occupation of my country. We students were hungry daily because food was not readily available. Little by little I started smoking to control my hunger pains, and before I knew it, I was hooked.

After immigrating to America, I tried many, many times to stop smoking because I could not afford it as a poor, young, single, widowed mother who could not speak the English language. Because of my state I could not qualify for a good job.

In the struggle to try to stop smoking, I remembered how my father used to tell me that tobacco is a devil flower. [Some say that when the Lord Jesus was walking in the valley one day, He stopped and admired the beautiful creation of Almighty God. The devil joined Him and told Him that he will put one of his flowers between God's flowers and whoever tastes it will never leave it.] With words from my heart, I then prayed to Archangel St. Michael and to St. Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus cast out seven devils, that they would help me to rid myself of this evil habit that was destroying my health and my body.

Believe it or not, I stopped smoking without even thinking or trying hard about it. I even had a cigarette lying on my living room table for a long, long time, and not even a thought or craving came into my mind that would lead me to start smoking again.

About 10 years later I also dreamt that I was smoking, and when I woke up, I had the taste of cigarettes in my mouth. This happened to me three times. Despite these temptations (which were probably from the devil), I still did not resume the habit.

Thanks to Ss. Michael and Mary Magdalene, I am totally rid of cigarettes. If you want to quit as well, I am sure that you too can receive help from above as I have! - Marija Strasner.

 

 

 

No Fault

 

My thanksgiving is to Ss. Jude, Therese the Little Flower and all the other saints and angels who answered my prayers and many novenas that I said. I was accused of having hit a car in a bingo parking lot, as I was backing out, because of the way the car was parked. Many people said that I hit the car. Even our local police said so.

I knew I did not hit the car because there was no red paint on my car. The insurance claim investigator said he would have to check my car and then said that I did not hit the other car because the bumper did not match up and they could not find any red paint.

My donation is in thanksgiving and I want to let readers know that prayers are answered. Maybe not when we want, but they are answered. I was cleared of the accident - Ms. M.B.

 

 

 

Burning Candle

Doesn't Start Fire

 

My sister, Mrs. Ray Gauthier, always lit a candle every day by a statue of St. Anthony.

 

One day she went to town and forgot to blow the candle out. The candle was on a dresser right in front of an open window with a curtain. Upon her return my sister found that the curtain had blown over the candle, and the candle was still burning, yet only a small round hole was seen in the material, thanks to St. Anthony - Sr. M. Carcellita Weller.

[Ed. Note: Candles are a wonderful sacramental; however, please use them with caution.]

 

 

 

 

 

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 39 cents), self-addressed envelope to us at:

 

LEAVES

P.O. Box 87

Dearborn, MI 48121-0087

 

 

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My thanksgiving is to Fr. Engelmar. My son was ill with nausea for a month in the hospital. The second day of my novena they found medicine to relieve the nausea. Also, I started a novena to Fr. Engelmar last June. On the second day of praying to sell my house, a buyer walked in and bought it, someone I really wanted to have my beloved house - Name Withheld.

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God is good! Many blessings are received daily. The additional amount of my Long-Term Disability is the same as my existing bills. Prayers are always answered in different forms. Praying the novena is a daily guide by itself - Name Withheld.

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My donation is in thanksgiving to Fr. Engelmar after praying the novena. Thank you, LEAVES family, for being there for me - J.B.

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My donation is in thanksgiving to Fr. Engelmar for a good job for my daughter. Fr. Engelmar always answers my prayers. Thanks to Blessed Mother, Ss. Jude, Therese, Anthony and Joseph – B.A.S.

 

 

Walking with God

 

If you walk in faithfulness

before God, you will not be lost.

No shallowness will invade your heart,

only a passionate love which does not cost.

 

 

Integrity and a faith that is true

can win many souls to God's love.

May those who have wandered

far from Him realize the longing from above.

 

 

After all, what does God ask of you?

To act justly,

to love tenderly

and to walk humbly

with your God (Micah 6:8).