Bishop Fulton Sheen died 30 yrs ago today...

From The Catholic Thing...

On December 9, 1979, Archbishop Fulton Sheen died in the Lord. He was buried beneath the main altar at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where he had preached for many years. In a nation that still harbored anti-Catholic sentiments, Sheen gave Catholicism a public face that made the Church and its teachings acceptable to millions of Americans.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen, God love you – and pray for us.

Nearer, My God, to Thee (lyrics)

Nearer, My God, to Thee

Text: Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848
Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872
Tune: BETHANY, Meter: 64.64.6664


Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
darkness be over me, my rest a stone;
yet in my dreams I'd be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise,
out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
so by my woes to be
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!

29th Week in Ordinary Time Prayers (weekdays)

I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my prayer. Guard me as the pupil of your eye; hide me in the shade of your wings. (Ps 17:6,8)

Almighty and ever-living God, our source of power and inspiration, give us strength and joy in serving you as followers of Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord our God, Father of all, you guard us under the shadow of your wings and search into the depths of our hearts. Remove the blindness that cannot know you and relieve the fear that would hide us from your sight.

Lord God, may the gifts we offer bring us your love and forgiveness and give us freedom to serve you with our lives.

See how the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those who hope in his love, that he may rescue them from death and feed them in time of famine. (Ps 33:18-19)

The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mk 10:45)

Lord, may this eucharist help us to remain faithful. May it teach us the way to eternal life.

Prayer of the Week

If you, O Lord, laid bare our guilt, who could endure it? But you are forgiving, God of Israel. (Ps 130:3-4)

Lord, our help and guide, make your love the foundation of our lives. May our love for you express itself in our eagerness to do good for others.

Father in heaven, the hand of your loving kindness powerfully yet gently guides all the moments of our day. Go before us in our pilgrimage of life, anticipate our needs and prevent our falling. Send your Spirit to unite us in faith, that sharing in your service, we may rejoice in your presence.

The rich suffer want and go hungry, but nothing shall be lacking to those who fear the Lord. (Ps 34:11)

When the Lord is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 Jn 3:2)

Almighty Father, may the body and blood of your Son give us a share in his life, for he is Lord forever and ever.

Amen...

Prayer before Mass

Go and preach to all nations: baptize them and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you, says the Lord. (Mt 28:19-20)

Personal Responsibility & God is Light

Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each according to his ways, says the Lord God.
(Ezekiel 18:30)

God is Light, and in him there is no darkness at all.
(1 John 1:5)

Light is to be understood as truth and goodness, darkness is error and depravity. (NAB footnote, St. Joseph personal size ed, 1992)

In the Bible...

In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless wasteland, and darkness covered the abyss, while a mighty wind swept over the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw how good the light was. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." Thus evening came, and morning followed - the first day.

Genesis 1:1-6