The Sheepfold and the Voice of the Shepherd

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Stone sheepfold John 10:22-30 Recently my boys have been spending a great deal of time outside in the area that will soon be transformed into our garden. They spend endless hours digging in the dirt for worms. They then promptly take those worms and throw them to the chickens. It amazes me how even chickens can learn to recognize sounds or voices. My oldest makes this funny high-pitched sound when he comes out of the house and heads toward the coop. The chickens practically fall over themselves running toward the fence or out of the coop when they hear him making his sound. They know there is food to follow! In Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us that, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." and "I am the gate for the sheep." Today, again, Jesus mentions that His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  In these few verses we learn that Jesus is both gate and shepherd for the sheep. In those days and even today in some places, a sheepfold w
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Family Prayer Resources for Trying Times

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Today we are Mary and Joseph in the midst of those three days which must have felt endless.  Today we are the Apostles in the midst of fear, terror, regret, and sadness hidden in the rooms of our homes recalling all that has passed between us and the Lord.  Today or very soon many of us are facing the reality of not being able to receive Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist at Mass.  For the next 3 to 5 weeks and perhaps beyond we will be entering a time of fasting like no other.  This in itself should prompt us to cry out to Heaven and cover ourselves with sackcloth and ashes, do penance, offer little sacrifices throughout the day, and beg the Lord to work signs and miracles as in the days of old and remove this plague from our midst.

While we dwell in our home-hermitage of the domestic church let's not waste this opportunity to seek the Lord's face in prayer, reading, and spending time with those we love.  Below is a list of materials that I offer to you and your families.  These are books, meditations, pamphlets, and more that I have written over the years.  Most of them are free to download now or available for a time through Amazon for free.  Please feel free to share them all.  Together, let us seek the face of Christ remembering the words of Blessed Bartolo Longo - “Just as two friends, frequently in each other’s company, tend to develop similar habits, so too, by holding familiar converse with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, by meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary and by living the same life in Holy Communion, we can become, to the extent of our lowliness, similar to them and can learn from these supreme models a life of humility, poverty, hiddenness, patience and perfection”

 Rosary Meditations
Rosary Meditations for Real Life (paperback & Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/22 - Unique meditations on everyday life events and struggles including Work, Marriage, Death, Children, and more.

Rosary Meditation for the Family (paperback & Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/22 - Meditations on all 20 Mysteries as they relate to family life and how our families can be a witness to the world.

Rosary Meditation Pamphlets (PDF downloads) - These Free tri-fold pamphlets are available to download and print.  Currently there are 16 pamphlets including 2 Spanish versions.  Also available in this folder is an MP3 audio for praying the rosary.

Rosary Meditations for Help with Addictions - (Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/22 - These meditations are take from the book Rosary Meditations for Real Life.  They have been used by groups and individuals around the world as a spiritual help in combating addiction.


Other Meditations
Meditations on the Crucifix (paperback & Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/19 - This booklet is a brief but powerful meditation on a common Catholic sacramental.  You'll never look at a Crucifix in the same way again.

4 Simple Steps to Better Meditations (paperback & Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/22 - This books shows you step by step how to dive more deeply into daily scripture reading, meditation, and speaking with the Lord.

4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Workbook and Journal (paperback) - Free on Kindle and the Kindle app 3/18-3/22 - This books shows you step by step how to dive more deeply into daily scripture reading, meditation, and speaking with the Lord.  This book includes the original 4 steps along with 30 days of worksheets and journaling pages.


Children's Book
A Visit to Church: A Picture Journey (paperback & Kindle) - Free on Kindle and the Kindel app 3/18-3/22 - In this book the reader takes a walk through the Catholic Church and examines many of the items used for Mass.  Full-color photos and delightful descriptions help the reader understand many of these wonderful items and their use.  Kindle version included pop-out text.


Miscellaneous
4 Simple Steps Worksheet (PDF Download) - this is printable worksheet that can be used with the book 4 Simple Steps to Better Meditations.

Home Tenebrae Service - (PDF Download) - this printable sheet provides families with a basic outline for hosting a home Tenebrae service.

I hope this helps everyone in some way.  Feel free to share!


How to get better at prayer.
  1. Set a prayer appointment - Set a time on your calendar each day to meet and speak with God.
  2. Slowly increase your prayer time. - Don't jump in with an hour right from the get-go.  Build up your "tolerance" so to speak.
  3. Commit - to praying and slowly increasing your prayer time for 30 days.  Mark off the days on your calendar.  If you miss a day, jump right back in, don't give up.
  4. Pray - praying is talking to God, it's spending time with your attention focused on Him.  I enjoy spending time with my children regardless of their level of development.  God is the same way.  Spend time praying as best you can.  Use formal prayers if you want or simply speak in conversation.  Don't forget to listen
  5. Journal - Our newly revised 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Guide, Workbook, and Journal walks you through 4 easy steps that will help you go deeper in your prayer life.  It includes 31 days of workbook and journal pages too!
  6. Read other good books about how to pray better - Prayer Primer, Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, Time for God, The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Catholics Seeking Salvation.
* Contains affiliate links.  No, that doesn't mean that the kids should leave the room.  Rather, it means that if you click on a link, and if you purchase something, I may get some financial remuneration for that click and buy.  All that means is that my kids will finally get to eat, just kidding but I may get something, just so you know...


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