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Here are this week’s must-reads:

+ “John the Baptist was for his time. St. Francis of Assisi was for his time. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was for her time. You and I are for this time… The world needs heroes right now. Heroes who are animated by their Faith, who are willing to sacrifice everything —  their name, their reputation, to bring the love of Jesus Christ to a world that does not know Him. The heroes we choose play a role in (our lives). So choose wisely the heroes you will have. Choose the saints. Allow them to inspire (you) to greatness.” — Fr. Mark Bernhard

+ Today is the feast of St. Faustina! A few things about her:

 1) Jesus told her, “The graces of My mercy are drawn by means of one vessel only, and that is — trust. The more a soul trusts, the more it will receive.” (In her Diary, 1578). //  I grew up around these words — this prayer, “Jezu, ufam Tobie” (Jesus, I trust in You). It’s so meaningful to me. It’s an act of faith every time we say it. It’s an act of hope. Pray it with me today? Even if we aren’t “feeling it” when we say it, these words and the repetition of praying it can chip away at any hardness of heart. 

2) Soon after taking her final vows, St. Faustina visited Czestochowa on her way to her convent. She prayed in front of Our Lady of Czestochowa and wrote about it in her diary — she said, “The Mother of God told me many things. I entrusted my perpetual vows to her. I felt that I was her child and that She was my Mother.” (260) // We are all her little children. Let’s entrust our intentions to her today. To Jesus through Mary. // I frequently share this image I have of Our Lady of Czestachowa — you can now buy the digital print here:

—– Our Lady of Czestochowa Digital Print —–

+ A few days ago, I shared a reel on Instagram of some of my indoor Fall Decor, including that print of Our Lady. You can watch it here. I shared links to the same — or very similar — pieces of many things featured in that video in this week’s newsletter — scroll all the way down to the bottom of the post for the pictures of what’s featured.

+ “You don’t have to have all the answers. Your desire to serve and seek God’ will is enough.” — Lauren Costabile

+ “St.ThĂŠrèse teaches us to never stop praying, and to surrender to God’s perfect timing and ways.”

+ “Brothers, it is by love and not by fear that we will overcome our sins. Pure fear of hell is not enough if you want to live a holy life. Fear is the lowest motivation that may indeed begin our spiritual journey but it is not a long term sustainable solution. Rather, one may begin with fear but must move into love with the law of God by seeing it for what it really is.” — Sanctus Company

+ “Does God Make Us with Flaws? // Fr. Mike answers that God does not make us with flaws, but we are all born with the unfortunate effects of original sin. We were all made in the image and likeness of God, but if we feel like some sinful behavior has been a part of us for as long as we can remember, that part doesn’t come from God. It comes from our fallen nature. Whether or not we were “born that way”, God still wants to make us holy and wipe away even the most deep-seated blemishes. God loves us just as we are, but loves us too much to keep us that way. Admit it, acknowledge it, accept it, but don’t stop there. Allow God to transform it into something that can give him glory.”

+ “The real goal in marriage is embracing the truth of our imperfections.” — Dr. Sri

+ “We must remember that our union with our spouse should inspire a desire to grow together—to increase our love, never decrease it. Once you are one, to sever that oneness only causes disorder and chaos. Just as Christ loves us through our imperfections, as married people, we are called to do the same. That doesn’t make it easy, but, trust me, breaking up the foundation doesn’t make anything easy either. Marriage takes grace. Marriage takes work. Marriage takes patience. Marriage involves sacrifice. Marriage involves healthy doses of humility.Marriage requires God. Remember the oneness you have with your spouse, Catholic Pilgrims. There isn’t another person on earth that you are stitched to other than your spouse. Fight to keep the stitching together.” — Amy Thomas, Catholic Pilgrim

+ “God meets us where we are, not where we intend x be.”

+ “We don’t serve a do-nothing God. He is always working.” — Lysa T.

+ “Ven. MarĂ­a Luisa Josefa (1866-1937) was a childless Mexican wife, a widow, and then an ex-nun twice over. On the surface, her life looked like a series of failures and frustrations. But God was working… MarĂ­a Luisa Josefa is a powerful intercessor for anyone whose life feels uncertain and out of control, especially those living with infertility or whose vocations haven’t seemed to materialize. Her suffering didn’t destroy her faith but led her to the essential work God was calling her to do. Through her intercession, may we trust in God even as our prayers go unanswered, knowing that he is working all things for good.” — Meg Hunter-Kilmer

+ God’s Army: the Truth about Angels

+ “We may think that none of us will be asked to do something so remarkable, and maybe we won’t be. But maybe we will be asked to marry someone who may not wake up tomorrow. …⁠⁠⁠⁠These are not things to run from. We will never experience joy if we keep waiting for sorrow to run out. We need to make a home in it: fluff the pillows, make a cup of tea, turn on the light, and trust that God will come to sit at our table. Because He will.”⁠⁠– Veronica Marrinan⁠

+ How to have Faith in the midst of Grief

+ “Let people help you carry your crosses. Because your story is worthy of telling.” — Kathryn Whitaker

+ Danielle Bean’s recipe for pumpkin pie 🙂

+ “When the angels ascend to God is when they take to God our petitions and our prayers. And when they descend is when they come back from God with all of his answers and graces and benefits for us. And so they are intercessors for us in prayer. That’s important so we should use them and pray to them and ask them for that intercession – that they will obtain from God the things that we need.” (Fr. Barry Braum)

+ Lastly, here’s what’s featured in this week’s Catholic Wife, Catholic Life NewsletterI share these every Monday and they always include: two gluten-free recipes, a reflection & prayer based on Sunday’s Mass readings, and links to budget-friendly fashion & home decor.

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