40 Days for Life

Consider being involved in the 40 Days for Life campaign. You can find ways to be involved at http://40daysforlife.com/

Gospel meditation from the Diocese of Austin

Please consider using the following question from the Diocese of Austin for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time:


• How do you go about producing “good fruit” in the vineyard of the Lord?


• ¿Cómo le haces para producir "buenos frutos" en la viña del Señor?

Apostolate for Family Consecration

Several members of St. Martin de Porres parish have become involved in the Apostolate for  Family Consecration and find it very rewarding.  For more information go to the website.

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - September 12, 2010

September Reflection Questions from the Weekly E-Pistle a publication of the Diocese of Austin.

Please consider the following question as a reflection on the Gospel for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time (September 12, 2010):

• The story of the Prodigal Son teaches us that even when we falter (by sinning), when we return to God our Father, he will welcome us back with joy. Is there someone who has trespassed against you that you need to forgive?

• La historia del Hijo Pródigo nos enseña que aun cuando fallamos (al pecar), al regresar a Dios, nuestro Padre, él nos dará la bienvenida y nos recibirá con alegría. ¿Hay alguien que ha hecho algo en contra de usted, que lo ha ofendido y que tiene que perdonar?

Prayer for Family and Friends

O God,
bless our family and all its members and friends;
bind us together by your love.
Give us kindnes and patience to support each other;
and wisdom in all we do.
Let the gift of your peace come into our hearts
and remain with us.
May we rejoice in your blessings for all our days.
Amen.

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - July 18, 2010

Reflection Questions from the Weekly E-Pistle a publication of the Diocese of Austin.


Please consider the following question as a reflection on the Gospel for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 18, 2010):

• The story of Martha and Mary teaches us that sometimes we need to be busy and sometimes we need to be still -- but always focused on the Lord. Where is your focus when you are busy and still?

• La historia de Marta y María nos enseña que a veces necesitamos estar ocupados y a veces tenemos que estar quietos – pero siempre centrados en el Señor. ¿Hacia donde te centras cuando estás ocupado o estás quieto?

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - July 4, 2010

Reflection Questions from the Weekly E-Pistle a publication of the Diocese of Austin.

Please consider the following question as a reflection on the Gospel for the 13th Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 4, 2010):

• Jesus tells the 72 to bid peace to every house they enter. How do you bring peace to all those you visit?


• Jesús les dice a los 72 que den la paz en todas las casas que entren. ¿Cómo lleva usted la paz a todos aquellos a quien visita?

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - June 27, 2010

Reflection Questions from the Weekly E-Pistle a publication of the Diocese of Austin.

Please consider the following question as a reflection on the Gospel for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time (June 27, 2010):

• Jesus instructs us to avoid focusing on the past but rather to look ahead. What in your life still needs to be “let go” in order for you to be fit for the kingdom of God?

• Jesús nos enseña que evitemos enfocarnos en el pasado y en su lugar, ver hacia adelante. ¿Qué hay en su vida que aún usted necesita “desprenderse o soltar” para prepararse para el Reino de Dios?

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - July 20, 2010

Reflection question from the Weekly E-Pistle a publication of the Diocese of Austin.



Please consider using the following question as a reflection on the gospel for the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 20, 2010):

• Peter announces Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. In what ways do you reveal Jesus Christ to others?


• Pedro anuncia a Jesús como el Cristo, el Mesías. ¿De qué manera usted revela a Jesucristo a los demás?

Volunteer Opportunities

If you are looking for a way to give back by helping the next generation, consider volunteering to help the boy scout or cub scout units chartered by St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church. For more information go to http://www.troop280bsa.org/ or http://www.pack280bsa.org/

Weekly Meditation from the Diocese of Austin - July 13, 2010

Reflection question from the Weekly E-Pistle.

Please consider using the following question for the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 13,2010):

• The woman in today’s Gospel sought repentance from Jesus. How do you actively seek repentance?

• La mujer en el Evangelio de hoy, busca el arrepentimiento con Jesús. ¿De qué manera busca usted el arrepentimiento, prácticamente?

Weekly Meditation from the Diocses of Austin

Reflection from today's Gospel reading:


Please consider using the following question for the feast of Corpus Christi:

• Just as Christ fed the multitudes with the loaves and fish, he feeds us each day in the Eucharist. Our Eucharist is not a sign or a symbol, but the true flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, ponder or meditate on what that truth means to you.

• Así como Cristo alimentó a la multitud con los panes y los peces, El nos alimenta todos los días en la Eucaristía. Nuestra Eucaristía no es un símbolo o un signo, sino el verdadero cuerpo y sangre de Jesucristo, considere y medite en lo que significa esta verdad para usted.

Source: Diocese of Austin E-Pistle

Prayer Books

The following prayer books are by Philip Neri Powell OP who holds a BA in philosophy/history, an MA in English, an MDiv, and a PhD in English (emphasis in poetry). After studying at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, and Oxford University, Fr. Powell entered studies at the Angelicum. Fr. Powell taught spirituality, liturgy, classical western literature, Catholic theology, and philosophical theology at the University of Dallas for three years before moving to Rome. He recently completed a pontifical license in philosophy and will begin work on a PhD.

Royalties go to suppor the Dominican Order.

Treasures Holy and Mystical: A Devotional Journey for Today’s Catholics

By author: Philip Neri Powell OP
Product Code: 819131
ISBN: 9780764819131









Treasures Old and New: Traditional Prayers for Today's Catholics

By author: Philip Neri Powell OP
Product Code: 818400
ISBN: 9780764818400

Novena to the Holy Spirit

Starts the Friday after Ascension Thursday (May 14, 2010).

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

Link to the Novena: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/pentecost/seven_tx.htm

Offer It Up

My mother used to tell me to "offer it up." She usually gave this advice whenever I was complaining about some particularly difficult, at least in my opinion, trial or struggle. I usually interpreted it as, "stop complaining." Then I heard a priest on Relevant Radio the other day suggest to a listener to "offer it up."

At first I thought the priest could be a little more sensitive to the listeners condition. Then as the conversation went on I began to understand. The priest was helping the listener to understand that sometimes a person can not do much to affect a situation. Some things are just beyond our ability to control or understand. When these things happen it is our nature to suffer. Sometimes the suffering is physical pain. Sometimes the suffering is more a sense of worry, unease, or anger. Sometimes the suffering is beyond our control.

The priest went on to explain that when a situation is beyond our control we can "offer it up" in prayer to God. The priest was not going to tell the listener to stop suffering, because the listener couldn't really do that. Instead he was telling the listener to turn to God, offer the suffering to God, and let God take care of the situation. He said, "Offer it up."

 So if you or someone you know is suffering, remember to act on the things you can control. As for the rest, "Offer it up."

Pot Luck Fun!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Pot Luck Dinner last Saturday evening.

A special thanks to Steve Curran for his information on Theology of the Body and John and America Costilla for their information on the Apostalate for the Family.

Welcome

Welcome to ACTS - After the Retreat! After having been on an ACTS retreat, most people at some point ask, "What's next?" This site is here to help. You will find aids to help enrich your prayer life, articles about how to participate in the community of faith, links to websites that have helped people grow as disciples of Christ, and ideas about how to give back through service to our neighbors.

ADORATION

God wants us to be aware that he is always with us. We can be with him in a special way in the Adoration Chapel. Call or email the parish office to find out how to participate in Eucharistic Adoration at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church.

If you can not make an adoration hour and are still looking for a way to increase your prayer life, go to our prayers link for more suggestions.

COMMUNITY

Want to increase your sense of community? Think about joining one of the many organizations at St. Martin's. The Knights of Columbus, Women of the Church, and Legion of Mary all provide wonderful opportunities for fellowship.

THEOLOGY

As disciples, we thirst for greater knowledge and understanding. Try one of the bible study session offered at St. Martin's. More information is available at the St. Martin de Porres website. Another idea is to follow the daily readings of the mass.

SERVICE

Looking for an opportunity to be active? Opportunities abound! Youth Ministry, Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts are always looking for people who have a talent in teaching our youth. Called to serve in liturgical ministry? Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ushers, and Choir welcome those desiring to serve.

This post is just the beginning. Bookmark this blog and check back. Our aim is to post new information every week.

Also, let us know if the information is helpful or if there is something we can do to make it more helpful.

May God Bless you.