We all have one – a battle, or two, or three or more that we are fighting. We fight against ourselves, our sin, the world, and always the wiles, the tricks and the temptations of the evil one. Often, we can feel we are alone in fighting these battles. Where are our band of brothers?

But, we are not alone – EVER. We have each other here on earth and the saints in heaven; such as Crispin and his twin Crispian, whose feast we celebrate today. When you get discouraged during the battles you are fighting, and worry you do not have enough, remember that God is at your side: Phil. 4:13 – ‘I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.’

And, if that is not enough watch Kenneth Branaugh rally the troops in Henry the V, where he inspires his troops waning faith by calling down the twins as inspiration:

The Original Band of Brothers

In this month of October dedicated to the Holy Rosary, we would like to honor the Blessed Mother with a new badge contest for a Marian Consecration. This type of consecration is an act whereby you, along with your family, strive to take Mary into your home just as the beloved disciple John did at the foot of the the cross (Jn. 19:27) through specific actions, prayers, reading and more.

Many of our Catholic Club families have already done a Marian Consecration through such organizations as the Legion of Mary or through reading such books as St. Louis DeMonfort’s True Devotion to Mary or Fr. Michael Gaitley’s 33 Days to Morning Glory, A Do-it-Yourself Retreat in Preparation for Marian Consecration.

But, we also have our own act of consecration (highlighted in an upcoming issue of St. Mary’s Messenger) as does Holy Heroes. These were both specifically developed for young people and their families.

Now, we also want our members to get creative and make the badge we will use to honor our consecrations!!

Our newest contest will be the creation of a badge to publicly and formally recognize our commitment to Mary as our Mother here on earth and our Queen in Heaven. Sewn on your sash, a tote bag or even your favorite jacket it is proof of your work towards consecration and announces to the world how much you love her. It is a clear “Thank You” for how much she loves us and prays for us.

Once the badge is available, we’ll let you know, and you can plan a special badge ceremony to either kick off a consecration effort or give them to all those who have completed a previous consecration. Details on how to complete a consecration and ideas for planning such a wonderful party/ceremony will be included with each badge.

Ideas for the badge itself might include an image of Mary as a queen, or an image of one of her many honored titles; maybe a representation of one of her approved appearances.

Use your imagination and send them to us by Dec. 31, 2018 as we hope to get the badges out and ready to you in time for a May celebration (another one of her favorite months!).

-Badge Contest – marianconsecrationbadge (2)

Brief criteria for judging patches:

*Design should be easily embroidered

*Design should illustrate the theme and include the words: Marian Consecration as well as Catholic Clubs

*Design should be appealing to all Behold Christ Clubs (Little Flowers, Blue Knights and Hospitality Clubs)

*Design should be unique to the designer

*Design must be submitted on official form found on the website and attached above

*Prizes will be given to winning designs. Behold Publications and the creator of Little Flowers Girls’ Club, Rachel Watkins, and their families will judge the designs. We will get input on the finalists through social media, but the ultimate decision will be with Behold Publications. All decisions are final. Winners will be announced March 1st, 2018

DEADLINE for designs is DECEMBER 31, 2018 and cannot be extended. 

We look forward to seeing all the designs you have!

St. Francis of Assisi is my confirmation saint (taken when I thought I wanted to be a vet; you can blame James Herriot’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ series for that!).

What has always impressed me about his story is how unlikely his vocation seems to be – a rich boy, a partier, a soldier who fled the battle and then a reformer of the Church and stigmatist.

While we would be as angry as Francis’ father and cringe if any of our children became naked in the public square as Francis did, let’s us strive to be open to the call of God in their lives. With the current headlines, our Church seems in real need of another reformer and perhaps one is in your home or group!!

Check out this inspiring story of some Young Vocations of Today

and on and on and on! It’s not that every day doesn’t have its own saint or reason to celebrate our faith. This first week of October seems especially well-packed!

October 1 – St. Therese of Lisieux

October 2 – Feast of the Guardian Angels

October 4 – St. Francis of Assissi

October 5 – St. Faustina and Bl. Alberto Marvelli (my Nora’s Confirmation saint, read his story, it’s awesome)

All of these and others can be found here: Saints in October

So, take a moment, plan a feast (or least a good dessert) and know that in midst of the headlines that frustrate us or anger us or make us want to scream; there is reason for joy.

And while we might find it hard to find anyone to inspire us or encourage us or remind us that serving Jesus is a good thing; there are saints who have done just that.

Have a great week and know you are in our prayers!

Forgive me for not posting this yesterday, but don’t let that prevent you from joining us in prayer through our patroness! Remember, God works outside of time and space.

Head over to Pray More Novenas for the prayers, sign up for email reminders and more.

Be assured you and your family’s intentions have been added to my own during this novena.

And, please, let us know the roses you find along the way!

I like the name Matthew; which means ‘gift from God’. And God has given me more than a few gifts with this name.

I am married to a Matthew, have a son named Matthew, though we call him by middle name. I have a brother Matthew, who has a son named Matthew, who we call Matthew. And, yes, my mother has laughingly complained that there are too many Matthews in her life!

The Matthew we celebrate today is the publican, the tax collector who walked away from his work to follow Jesus. He had a mid-life conversion so to speak; not a crisis, but a change of heart and his willingness to change gave us the gospel that bears his name.

Matthew’s gospel was written for his Jewish friends and neighbors – and us – to convince them Jesus was the promised Messiah. While the entire gospel is excellent, as all of them are, he has given us some verses worth memorizing:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3-4

and

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Take a moment today to send happy words to any Matthew’s in your life, as well as encouraging your friends and family to see Jesus’ as their promised Messiah. For only in Him shall we truly find the peace we all need:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Today is the day we remember the Triumph of the Cross; not so much the pain and suffering Christ endured on the Cross for our salvation but the fact that His death lead to His Resurrection and, at the end of our life, our own.

Today is the day we claim the verse, “I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me.”  Phil. 4:13 By the triumph of the cross I can face my own sins, my own failings and find the strength to do better.

Too often I can find myself running to the cross with tears in my eyes laying down my burdens, overwhelmed by just how hard it always is. I ask Christ to help me endure my struggles as I picture Him there as on Good Friday and I feel broken myself.

I can easily forget that I can run to this same cross on Easter Sunday know it did not kill Him as expected. Satan did NOT win and the tomb is empty. The joy that bubbles up from this reality, this truth is the best boost to my spirit; a caffeine-kick, a jump-start to my soul. It is just want I need to keep going.

This triumphant cross might have inspired Paul to also write this in Phillipians:  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice. Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

So, find a reason to rejoice today. Celebrate this feast with a smile on your face remembering that Christ has triumphed as the result of a tool of torture. His act is the source of all the grace, mercy and joy we need to face our own crosses. He won and so did we!

If you are struggling, as most of us are, with the current crisis facing our Church, you may be wondering what you can do. Here are a few of many, excellent suggestions being put forth through other blogs, articles and newspapers such as the National Catholic Register:

A new novena offered by Pray More Novenas which begins today:

Novena for Abuse Crisis, Transparency and Healing

You can sign-up for email reminders.

As well as an excellent article encouraging acts of reparation here:

Meeting Scandal with Acts of Reparation

Consider talking with your spouse and children (age appropriately) about what your family might do to bring Jesus and Mary some comfort during this painful time. Our prayers and efforts not only add grace to the world but give the Holy Family and God, the Father some much needed love.