In light of the recent scandals unfolding within the Catholic Church, we ask for your help through prayer and sacrifice in order to purify the Church on Earth. Our Church is not a collection of Priests, Bishops, Cardinals or the Pope. Our Church is a Holy Institution founded by Jesus Christ and only He can see her through the ugly sin done here on earth. Please help our Church collectively move toward Christ using the suggested fasting ideas provided by the Very Reverend Bryan W. Jerabek, a pastor in Birmingham, AL. (You can read his full response at his website: https://fatherjerabek.com/2018/08/03/the-purification-of-the-church/)
Suggested Fasting/Acts of Sacrifice for the Purification of the Church
- Omit cream/sugar in coffee/tea
- Take a cool shower instead of a hot one
- Skip an episode of your show & pray/read instead
- Skip a meal or skip snacks
- Skip your evening wine/cocktail if you do that
- Turn off the radio in the car
- Skip a day on social media
- If you’re a napper, skip a nap
- Add some concrete service to the poor
- Cook a meal for an elderly/sick neighbor
- Say a special prayer for those who annoy you
- Call someone you’ve been avoiding
- Get up five minutes earlier and add some prayers
- Fight against any time-wasting you may do
- Donate money saved from making sacrifices
- Pray kneeling instead of sitting
- Get to know local priests, deacons, and religious
- Make a list before you shop and stick to it
- Fast for 2 hours before Communion instead of 1
- Visit a nursing home
- Don’t eat meat on all Fridays
- Skip chocolate or sweets for a day
- Clean out your closets and donate to charity
- For ladies: don’t wear makeup one day
- Park farther away at the store & say a prayer on the way in for those who were driving poorly on the way
- Go out of your way to stop at the church or adoration chapel to say your prayers
- Make the extra effort to come up with 5 unique things for which you are grateful and thank God
- Resolve to come to Mass five minutes earlier and spend time in prayer
- Resolve to spend a few minutes after the final hymn is over at Mass to thank God before leaving
CrossWood’s Favorite Sayings:
I’m glad you were born.
Every battle should begin and end on our knees.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Phillipians 4:13
A good sailor was never made in calm seas.
In baseball and in business, there are 3 types of people, those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
Tommy Lasorda
Preach the Gospel, if necessary use words.
St. Francis of Assisi
A cross meant to kill is my victory!
Crowder
The best coaches can correct and inspire in the same breath.
Don’t tell me how rocky the sea is, just bring the ship in.
Lou Holtz
Discover your gift, develop your gift, then give it away, every day!
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John 16:33
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Romans 12:12
Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28