IP#3 Sr. Ann Shields – “To Be Like Jesus” on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

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It was great to talk with Sr. Ann Shields, of “Food for the Journey”, about her new book “To Be Like Jesus – Inspiration From the Gospel of Luke” . In her maternal nurturing way she encourages us to “feed” on the great gift of God’s Holy Word.

You can find the book here.

From the book description:

God’s plan for your life is not as mysterious or unknowable as you might think. As Sister Ann Shields demonstrates in her probing reflections on the Gospel of Luke, the key to knowing what God is asking of you is to discover, first, who God is. If you are willing to spend time daily in his presence, ruminating on his word as it comes to you in Scripture, he will reveal himself and help you make the choices that conform to his will for your life.

To Be Like Jesus will enable you to distinguish God’s voice from the voices, noise and distractions of the world. As you let his word soak into your soul, you’ll find there the power to surrender to him and play your part in building his kingdom.

ST12 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – The Blessed Virgin Mary, “The Head-Crushing” Immaculately Conceived Handmaid of the Lord

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Episode 12 – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran, hosted by Bruce McGregor. Ep 12 – The Blessed Virgin Mary, “The Head-Crushing” Immaculately Conceived Handmaid of the Lord

Sharon Doran serves as the teaching director of “Seeking Truth.” An experienced Bible Study teacher, Sharon has a passion for scripture that will motivate and challenge you to immerse yourself in God’s Word and apply His message to your everyday life.

Episode 12 – Sharon and Bruce discuss the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the new Eve! The sin-free woman who will crush the head of the serpent. Sharon breaks open Genesis chapter 2, the Gospel of Luke, Revelation 12 and the Old Testament teachings on the two other woman who are “blessed” and how this shines a light on our understanding of Mary!

“Seeking Truth” is an in-depth Catholic Bible Study, commissioned by the Archdiocese of Omaha in response to John Paul II’s call to the New Evangelization as well as Pope Benedict XVI’s exhortation for all Catholics to study scripture. To learn more go to:www.seekingtruth.net

ST-V12 – Philippians – Seeking Truth with Sharon Doran – Video Podcast

“Philippians” – Seeking Truth Catholic Bible Study with Sharon Doran from Discerning Hearts on Vimeo.

In Acts 16, Paul and Silas visited the city of Philippi, so today we turn our attention to Paul’s beautiful letter to the Philippians. Written while in prison, Paul’s affection for the Philippians flows out through his words. Sharon begins with a panoramic historical view and then progressively narrows her focus, drawing us further in as the lecture progresses. To set the stage, Sharon takes us back to Daniel 2, showing us Daniel’s interpretation of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream which prophesied a succession of empires: Babylonian, Persian, Greek and ultimately Roman. Sharon then gives us a nice overview of the history of Roman emperors who ruled just before, during and following the time of Christ. Knowing this history enriches our understanding of not only Paul’s letter to the Philippians, but of the entire Bible and the initial 400 years of the Church. Sharon then turns her attention to Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which overflows with profound passages, rich in wisdom and theological significance. Working her way through this amazing epistle, Sharon periodically pauses and focuses on various important passages. The climax of the lecture is a wonderful teaching on Philippians 2:5-11, a beautiful hymn about Christ’s humility, obedience, humanity and divinity.

For the audio-only version of this podcast

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“Teach Us How To Pray” – Lent and the Importance of Fasting and Almsgiving in our Prayer – A series on prayer with Msgr. John Esseff Episode 4

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Msgr. Esseff teaches the importance of the Liturgical year and in particular the season of Lent. He also shares his experience of fasting in a desert found in Peru. From this he learned the importance of FASTING and PRAYER. Msgr. Esseff challenges us to discern what the Father in Heaven is asking us to do this Lent through fasting, so we can purely and perfectly follow His Holy Will. And he describes ALMSGIVING, and story from an experience he had with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Sisters.

The Church prepares a spiritual retreat for all of us during Lent. The Holy Spirit is transforming you in a radical way so that you become more like Jesus Christ…the day by day exercise of Morning Prayer, the Eucharist and Evening Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving, and the other moments of contemplative prayer aids in the transformation…our ego decreases and Jesus increases in our minds and in our hearts.

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “B uilding A Kingdom of Love”

Pray the Liturgy of Hours

Morning PrayerMid-morningPrayerMid-dayPrayerAfternoon PrayerEvening PrayerNight PrayerOffice of Readings

IP#219 Fr. Kenneth Baker S.J. – The Will of God on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“The Will of God: Finding and Fulfilling Your Purpose in Life” is a great book which uses the great Psalm 119 to help us in the area of discernment. Taking a lifetime of steeped in prayer and sound theology, Fr. Baker gives us a unique and penetrating resource to aid in our growth in the areas of contemplation and discernment. Father Baker was the editor of Homiletic & Pastoral Review for more than 40 years, and currently serves as Editor Emeritus of the online edition. He was a joy to talk with and to learn from….not to be missed for the discerning heart!

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You can find the book here

“Father Baker helps us to discover God’s will and, what is even more, important how to live God’s will! He uses the Holy Scriptures,the teaching of the Church and the saints to help us become holy and transformed into the saints that God created us to be. Read this book and discover what God wants you to do!” —Fr. Larry Richards, Author, Be a Man!

IP#266 David Clayton – The Little Oratory on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

“The Little Oratory: A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home” by David Clayton and Leila M. Lawler is absolutely wonderful. More than just a “prayer-how-to”, this book is about the beauty of God and embracing the relationship in all areas of our lives. Clayton and Lawler help us to reverence the sacred found in our homes, in the rhythm of the day, the blessings we have been given, and the gift of the present moment. This is for every home, whether one filled with children or a sanctuary for the single life, this is a must have for those who wish to be surrounded in prayer.

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You can find the book here

“This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. How I wish I had it when I first became a Catholic, not just for myself, as a husband and father, but for my family, too. If one book has the potential to transform the Catholic family (and society), this is it.” – Scott Hahn

“This book is a rare treasure.” – Thomas Howard

“Wonderful, inspiring, and deeply practical.” – Joseph Pearce, Editor of The Saint Austin Review

“A great blessing to Catholic families.” – Stratford Caldecott, an editor of Magnificat UK

Day 2 Novena to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

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Most Holy Mary, Our Mother, in your great love for us

you gave us the Holy Scapular of Mount Carmel,
having heard the prayers
of your chosen son Saint Simon Stock.
Help us now to wear it faithfully and with devotion.
May it be a sign to us of our desire to grow in holiness.

(State your request here…)

Recite the following prayers…

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be…

Our Lady of Mount Carmel,
pray for us.

Chap 1 & 2 – The Way of Perfection by St. Teresa of Avila – Mp3 audio

THE WAY OF PERFECTION
By
St. Teresa of Avila

PROTESTATIONS – PROLOGUE – Chapter 1 – Chapter 2

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For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

Chapter 1 – Of the reason which moved me to found this convent in such strict observance.

Chapter 2 – Treats of how the necessities of the body should be disregarded
and of the good that comes from poverty.

THE WAY OF PERFECTION
by
ST. TERESA OF AVILA
Translated & Edited by
E. ALLISON PEERS
from the Critical Editon of
P. SILVERIO DE SANTA TERESA, C.D.

On Retreat with Msgr. John Esseff Day 2 Talk 1 on “PRAYER” – Discerning Hearts

In January 2012, Msgr. Esseff conducted a weekend retreat for the Deacons and Deacon-Candidates and their wives of the Diocese of Fargo.

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The subject is PRAYER. From Luke Chap 11 v 1-13, Msgr. Esseff discusses how little we know how to pray and how to receive. He reflects on the Blessed Virgin Mary’s teaching to St. Catherine Laboure about prayer. Then he offers the proper movement of prayer:

1. “Be there with Him and for Him”
2. “You have to want Him” Intensify the desire of relationship with God.
3. “Listen to Him”

A – Acknowledge (What’s going on in your heart)
R – Relay that to God
(Tell God – Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
and the Blessed Virgin Mary – about that experience)
R – Receive (What is God going to tell me about what I told Him)
R – Respond

4. “Let Him” (Surrender to God)

What happens when we encounter the Holy Eucharist
What happens when we encounter the Living Word of God

Be sure to visit Msgr. Esseff’s website “Building a Kingdom of Love”

On Retreat with Msgr. John Esseff Day 2 Talk 2 on “GRACE and the Life of Jesus We Receive in Baptism” – Discerning Hearts

In January 2012, Msgr. Esseff conducted a weekend retreat for the Deacons and Deacon-Candidates and their wives of the Diocese of Fargo.

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The subject is GRACE and the life of Jesus we receive in Baptism. From Ephesians Chap 4 v 7 -16, Msgr. Esseff discusses what he calls “that most magnificent passage” which transforms us. What made the transformation occur? What is Original Sin? He reflects on the fall of our first parents and the broken relationship with God, and God’s gift of the Son. The importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary…the first person to receive the revelation of the Trinity. The tremendous moment of PENTECOST. What is Sanctifying Grace? What does it mean to have Jesus within us and what are we called to do? How can we forgive, especially the deepest wounds? Being like Jesus, we depend completely on the Father. The lie of the “I can do anything” attitude. The beauty of Galatians 2:20. Ask God to help you discover your true self in Him.