Discovering hope and joy in the Catholic faith. January 2017 St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish Conventual Franciscan Friars Resolve to have perfect faith

Imagine having complete confidence has to do with punishment, and so one that God is with you in all things. Think who fears is not yet perfect in love” (1 St. Genevieve how differently you would respond to John 4:18). We were not created to be St. Genevieve was troubles, temptations, afraid. It is Satan who wishes born in Nanterre or hardships. Worry would to drive a wedge between near Paris in 422. be obsolete. That’s perfect us and God and tempts She became a faith and it is us to fear. When we nun at the age possible. Here’s how. remember that God of 15 and Believe in God’s has consistently moved to Paris, love. Perfect faith proven himself to where she became comes from be faithful and known for her piety. When believing that dependable, only Attila the Hun marched on God loves you faith is left. Paris, Genevieve convinced without limit or Practice the inhabitants to pray and condition. God is makes perfect. fast. Attila retreated, leaving love, so to believe in Perfect faith results Paris untouched. Again, when God is to believe in his when we live God’s word, King Childeric occupied Paris, love. “Trust in the Lord with all not just hear it. Adhering to she crossed enemy lines to your heart, on your own intelligence the Ten Commandments, the bring food to prisoners and do not rely” (Proverbs 3:5). The key is to Beatitudes and the two Great convinced the king to release remember that God loves you and only Commandments (love God, love them. She is the patroness of wills your good. your neighbor), we notice God’s Paris. Banish fear. “There is no fear in love, hand in our lives and trust in him Hope in God but perfect love drives out fear because fear grows. Even the saints experienced times when their faith in God’s goodness was tested, yet they never gave up hope; they knew Why do Catholics that whatever happened, God’s unchanging love would see call Jesus “Christ”? them through. When you feel disheartened, pray for God’s grace and hope in him. “Christ” is not Jesus’ last one chosen by God to name, but a title. It comes deliver Israel from its “I have told you this that from the Greek “Christos,” enemies. So in calling you might have peace in which means “Anointed Jesus “Christ,” me. In the world One.” Ancient Jews Christians af rm not you will have enthroned their kings only his Lordship trouble, but take in a ceremony by over all creation, but courage, I have anointing them with also his mission as conquered the oil. This anointing Savior and the world” (John distinguished the promised Messiah of 16:33). king as being the the Jews.

© Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC January 2017 Page 2 A kinder, gentler you Kindness is contagious. A recent study found that conversation like a competitive sport that gives points for the witnessing an act of kindness produces good feelings cleverest, loudest, and longest speaker. Interrupting, insisting, and inspires imitation. In the new year, try these ideas and entertaining are not conversing. to be kinder and inspire others to do the same. Instead, listening is a kindness that shows Make connections. In days past, households someone he is valued and understood. weren’t easily relocated, so neighbors were Choose not to be offended. Being right lifelong relations. That made solving is no compensation for broken friendships. disagreements necessary and important. What If there is someone in your life who resulted was a supportive network to help when deliberately tries to offend you, walk away. necessary. Make sure you are part of a supportive Otherwise, look the other way when feeling network of friends and family wherever you are. slighted. Being kind is more rewarding than Be interested, not interesting. Many of us treat being right.

Matthew 5:1-12, How do we make paths to happiness a good Confession? God wants us to be happy. When he “Blessed are the meek …” Jesus is created us, he put into our hearts the meek and gentle. Imitate him and Jesus knew that, even after Baptism, we desire to be happy (Catechism of the you will have everlasting peace. would fall into sin, so he instituted the Catholic Church, #1718). During the “Blessed are they who hunger and Sacrament of Confession. In confession, Sermon on the thirst for righteousness …” Peacefully we admit what we’ve Mount, Jesus gave accept done, apologize, and us the Beatitudes – whatever resolve not to do it guaranteed ways to happens again. In return, we obtain peace here and knowing that Jesus receive absolution and happiness in Heaven. promises to give you the grace to ght against “Blessed are the poor in courage to face it. temptation. “His mercy is spirit …” Recognize that we need God to “Blessed are the merciful …” Mercy is in nitely greater than our compensate for our weakness. Depend love in the face of sin and injury. If we sins” (Pope Francis). upon his help. show mercy, we are guaranteed mercy. A good confession begins with a “Blessed are they who mourn …” God Perhaps the real secret to happiness thorough examination of conscience. knows what you need even better than is remembering that when we follow Using the Ten Commandments and the you do. Trust him to strengthen you and Jesus, there will always be a happy Beatitudes as guides, reect on instances bring you comfort. ending. when you have failed to love like Christ. Confess any mortal sins since your last confession and any venial (lighter) sins that you remember. For sin to be mortal, retired after two years, only to be it must be serious, freely chosen, and elected head of the Dominicans. He is committed knowing it was a sin. the patron saint of lawyers. After hearing your confession, the Jan. 9 – Baptism of the Lord. Jesus priest will ask you to make an Act of Jan. 1 – Solemnity of the Blessed began his public ministry by getting Contrition expressing sorrow for sins Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. baptized by St. John the Baptist. Jesus and a desire to change. He will give you Today, we honor Mary, but also Jesus as was free of sin, but he allowed himself absolution and assign you penance. God. Today is a holy day of obligation. to be baptized in order to “ful ll all Remember, God loves you dearly and he In their honor, attend Mass and pray a righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). By his wants to forgive you; you need only ask Rosary. baptism, Jesus declared his for it. Jan. 7 – St. Raymond of Peñafort willingness to ful ll (1275). St. Raymond studied and taught God’s saving plan. To provide practical ideas that promote canon (Church) law in Barcelona, and It is also at this faithful Catholic living. later joined the Dominican Order. He time when God Success Publishing & Media, LLC was called to Rome to work for Pope Publishers of Growing in Faith™ and Partners in Faith™ revealed Jesus as his (540)662-7844 (540)662-7847 fax Gregory IX. He was appointed “beloved Son” http://www.growinginfaith.com (Unless noted Bible quotes and references are from archbishop of Tarragona, Spain. He (Matthew 3:17). the Revised Standard Version and the New American Bible) © Copyright 2017 Success Publishing & Media, LLC