tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57994849188327154512024-03-12T04:31:40.019-07:00Fiat Voluntas Tua"Thy will be done"Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-40700631133920358442021-03-19T05:28:00.015-07:002021-03-20T07:34:02.006-07:00Sacrifice? Top 10 Reasons to Sacrifice - Intentionally! Why Sacrifice?When considering intentional sacrifice, one
might ponder, "Why in the world would anybody ever, ever, deprive
themselves of anything that could make their life easier, more enjoyable, and
possibly delight their senses?" Further to that point, "What if doing
so causes some discomfort or worse yet, pain?"
There is but one reason to
sacrifice, making&Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-35511145997405588992021-02-16T17:31:00.014-08:002021-03-30T12:47:59.809-07:00Dear Daughter - a Letter About Modesty"Dear
Girls, dressing immodestly is like rolling around in manure. Yes, you'll get attention, but mostly from pigs.Sincerely,
Real Men" (Anonymous)
Dear Daughter,
I know all your friends are wearing skinny jeans at
school. Yes, I know how freeing it feels
to wear a bikini and show your midriff in the heat of summer. And OH! The necessity of short, cutoff shorts
– a must have! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-72111329999791634752021-02-14T08:22:00.008-08:002021-02-14T09:26:07.639-08:00Open Letter of Thanks to Priests From Parents+AMDG++JMJ+This letter was presented to our parish priest, Father Peter, on the Feast of Epiphany, 2021. The letter has been modified slightly to remind all of the priests God has placed on our path how grateful we are for their daily Yes. It truly matters. We have no idea the battles our priests wage for our souls daily. Please pray for your parish priest - all priests, and thank Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-78550269997774752842020-12-11T18:01:00.003-08:002020-12-11T18:08:59.384-08:00Saying "Yes!" to Jesus - Living our Fiat in Our HomeDo you want to go to heaven, to be a
saint? Do you pray for the same for your family, for your loved ones?
Well! Today is your lucky day!
After studying scripture, the Catechism, lots of spiritual readings, the
lives of many saints, and insightful visits with holy, consecrated souls, I
have stumbled upon the answer! I mean the saints—even Jesus Himself—were
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-71849670250548502732020-11-18T03:52:00.005-08:002020-11-18T03:57:56.085-08:00God's Plan is Better - a Journey of Trust and Hope By God's grace I have been able to share our family's journey with my health opportunities with women's groups, religious retreats, and religious education classes over the last five years. Given COVID season is upon us, and other opportunities with which the Lord has blessed our family, my presentation for my most recent event will be delivered virtually. Here goes -Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-10185693395943796172020-10-19T13:06:00.010-07:002020-10-19T13:38:47.181-07:00Letter to the Editor - When Homicide is not Homicide AnymoreDid you know that abortion after 24 weeks of
pregnancy, also known as late-term abortion, was considered homicide until
January 22, 2019?
On January 22, 2019, the 46th
anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Reproductive
Health Act into law (Bill s2796).1
The changes to the existing bill added a new article stating, “An
abortion May be performed... within Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-16114404066352519192020-07-14T06:10:00.000-07:002020-07-14T14:15:51.407-07:00Carry Your Cross and it will Carry You to Heaven
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and
take up his cross daily and follow Me." Luke 9:23 NASB
At prayer group earlier this summer we were discussing the value of our crosses. Our crosses can be experienced as difficult trials,
ordeals, and disappointments: marriages or friendships that have failed; the
death of loved ones, jobs that don’t Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-86954628786626034632020-04-12T16:17:00.001-07:002020-04-20T11:33:08.544-07:00Luther and the Reformation - What Happened?
More than seven years ago, when helping lead youth group at our home parish, I asked the question of the youth: "What types of things do you want to learn?" The number one topic where they desired more information was: The Reformation - what happened? The really great news? So did I!
With God's grace, I was able to read, listen, watch, and learn all Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-54686733489101346512020-03-25T18:59:00.000-07:002020-03-25T19:12:42.989-07:00The Summons
My morning scripture and meditation was from the Gospel of Mark, chapter three, verse thirteen – Jesus appoints the twelve.
Verse thirteen reads:
“He… summoned those He wanted, and they came to Him.”
My heart-felt sentiment was, “How beautiful!” He, Jesus, summoned those He wanted, and what did they do? They came to Him.
Jesus is constantly summoning eachUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-59820547173662987592020-01-05T12:37:00.000-08:002020-01-06T14:54:16.531-08:00What's My Vocation?
Seven Steps to Guide our Children to their Vocation
Having published a book on Vocations for children, our local Serra International group asked me to join them for their November meeting to discuss my book, as well as some tips on helping guide our children to God’s call for them – to their vocation.
Serra International is group of Catholic lay men and women who vigorously respond toUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-27059563365630407392016-02-20T13:29:00.000-08:002016-03-08T21:43:23.672-08:00The Sacrament of Reconciliation - Why go to Confession
Confession is a true treasure in our Catholic faith and has become a meaningful part of my family’s life. But this was not always the case.
A Little History
In 2001, around the time our first child was born, the Lord called me to youth ministry. This call was totally out of left-field; but as I have come to appreciate, God does not always call the prepared, He prepares those He Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-77238832671878373582015-08-12T21:28:00.000-07:002020-04-03T17:01:08.687-07:00Kristen's Bone Marrow Transplant Journey
I have been in and out hospitals,
having my life sustained with blood and platelet transfusions, since late
January 2015. I am just finishing up
my first leg of a Bone Marrow Transplant Journey.
Initially the doctors suspected leukemia and after a hospital
to hospital transfer to Mayo from Fairview Southdale for additional guidance
and expertise, I was diagnosed with&Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-3811226940512675722015-05-28T16:18:00.000-07:002015-05-28T20:14:50.643-07:00Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence
The Secret to Peace and Happiness
Written by:
Father Jean Baptiste Saint Jure, S.J.
Saint Claude De La Colombiere, S.J.
Summarized by:
Susan Mielke & Kristen Soley
“It is one of the most firmly established and most consoling of the
truths that have been revealed to us that (apart from sin) nothing happens to
us in life unless God wills it so.”
- St. Claude De La Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-8726989169674352792015-04-05T04:31:00.001-07:002015-04-05T18:09:23.735-07:00Crucified
Alleluia! The tomb is empty! Jesus Christ is risen today!
But, do not forget what I have done...
...because I love you so much!
As we celebrate this Easter, "Yes, rejoice and be glad, but don’t forget how we got here, what I have done because I love you with all that I have. I have poured myself out completelyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-49257702340631481702015-03-25T13:58:00.001-07:002020-10-20T03:53:42.563-07:00Rape and Abortion - Letter to the Editor - Herald Journal March 23, 2015Kristen M. Soley This Letter to the Editor is in response to President Obama’s stance on abortion and rape.
“Rape is rape, and the idea that we should be parsing and qualifying what types of rape we are talking about doesn’t make sense to the American People and certainly doesn’t make sense to me. So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians, a Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-45301452262371431282015-02-22T09:50:00.002-08:002015-02-24T09:43:19.545-08:00The Hands and Feet of Christ
To the Hands and Feet – Our Brothers and Sisters in Christ -
We are humbled and overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity and help God has showered upon us through all of you.
We are not even sure where to begin when it comes to thanksgiving for all of the love and generosity God has poured upon our family through your generous acts of kindness.
Your prayers Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-58674289933394515802015-02-06T21:39:00.003-08:002020-04-03T17:09:13.948-07:00This is What it Means to be Held
Being on this side of a potentially life-threatening illness and seeing how God, through the prayers of others, holds us closely, I cannot help but praise and thank Him for His faithfulness and unfailing love. Many times I have expressed my gratitude for the front row seat God has blessed me with in watching His handiwork; tickets I could never afford. This time, I was in the middle of Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-64526032526177372922015-01-10T19:27:00.001-08:002015-01-11T09:38:27.708-08:00Worshiping Saints and MonkeysKristen M. Soley
Sitting in a cozy coffee shop, enjoying a creamy vanilla latte and some moist pumpkin bread with a dear friend, our conversation turned to a party which her child had recently been invited. The family hosting the party was Hindu and as the party came to a close, the guests were invited to, as her child explained, “Pray to a monkey.” From the host’s perspective, this Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-69865409221077384772014-12-07T04:55:00.004-08:002014-12-07T05:31:08.853-08:00Get Happy! The Beatitudes of Life for the Vocation of Wife and Mother - ConclusionKristen M. Soley
The Eighth Beatitude - Blessed are they that suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Merriam-Webster defines persecution as “The subjecting of a race or group of people to cruel or unfair treatment, e.g. because of their ethnic origin or religious beliefs.”
There are so many great saints that suffered persecution forUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-53204907746346147702014-12-06T04:44:00.007-08:002014-12-06T04:45:22.922-08:00Get Happy! The Beatitudes of Life for the Vocation of Wife and Mother - Part VII
Kristen M. Soley
Seventh Beatitude - Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
The "peacemakers" are those who not only live in peace with others but help to preserve peace and friendship among man and between God and man. They also help to restore.1
St. Francis of Assisi was a happy and blessed man, who found his beatitude in peacemaking.2 Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-22194191815092091712014-11-23T10:03:00.002-08:002014-11-24T12:30:54.072-08:00Mission Critical!!
Kristen M. Soley
Years ago, I read that the primary mission of the family is to get each other to heaven. We have seven children, five of whom are boys. Introducing the journey to sainthood as a mission seemed a perfect approach for our family. It also helped to understand that God’s plan is perfect and has chosen each family member for our sanctification (growth in holiness).&Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-89699934427158428812014-11-16T13:45:00.000-08:002020-07-19T06:12:02.517-07:00The Fruit of His LoveKristen M. Soley
No matter what our vocation, if we are given the good fortune of arising to another day, God has work for us to do, for Him. Borne of the love Jesus has for us, He desperately desires to equip us with the fruits necessary to serve Him in the gift of another day.
Imagine that each morning we arise, we are holding a bag that is utterly empty. This is the beginning of each day Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-43393264297849240832014-11-12T04:28:00.002-08:002014-12-06T05:18:50.380-08:00Titus 3:4-7
Kristen M. Soley
I just felt like sharing some good news today! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-85961008282560722252014-11-08T16:29:00.000-08:002014-11-24T12:31:17.159-08:00Get Happy! The Beatitudes of Life for the Vocation of Wife and Mother - Part VIKristen M. Soley
The Sixth Beatitude - Blessed are the pure of heart: for they shall see God.
Merriam-Webster defines pure as, “Not mixed with anything else.” Father Ahern explains that purity of heart lacks actual sin, and affords freedom from affection toward sin. When self-love and the seeking of personal pleasure are removed the passion of love, the human heart becomes crystal clear, 2Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5799484918832715451.post-11729154935297962532014-11-01T14:31:00.000-07:002014-11-24T12:30:40.486-08:00Get Happy! The Beatitudes of Life for the Vocation of Wife and Mother - Part V
Kristen M. Soley
The Fifth Beatitude - Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy
Mercy is a virtue “influencing one's will to have compassion for, and, if possible, to alleviate another's misfortune.” 9
Living a life, filled with mercy and love, St. Martin de Porres enjoyed true beatitude. Famous for his love of the poor, he ministered to and comforted the dying and Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0