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.