President’s page
December, 2008

THE LOVE OF OUR LADY

As we prepare for Advent here at JMJ I couldn’t help but to reflect on the many answered prayers, people's healings, conversions and miracles that have happened this past year especially in our own group of directors and prayer partners. We had a get together at my house yesterday and Sylvia was sharing how her family had knowledge of the church and were faithful to the teachings but now she has a deeper level of spirituality and it is ongoing. The LOVE of OUR LADY and her guidance has really manifested itself in our group in a very obvious direction.

We always look to HER to guide us in all we do every day. I was reading some articles in the Magnificat Magazine about St. Therese and how she survived the suffering she endured because of LOVE. We are so fortunate to share a love for each other in this ministry as well and it gets us through all the trials and temptations of this life.  Jesus did not send anyone out one by one, always two by two. As we relate to each other we share with all we come in contact with. I believe this is why this ministry as so many prayer requests and the healings that do happen.

Her love and guidance has brought many new friends to the ministry for friendship and support this year. One couple volunteered their time and talents to come way out to my house and fix a ceiling before my daughter arrived. With much gratitude to them and all our benefactors, I am very grateful. We also have a wonderful lady from Micha's Restaurant that is a very special benefactor and most often buys our breakfast for us. There are, of course, a lot more and they are all very special.

We also have one of our prayer partners volunteering in the store so I can spend time with my family that is in from out of state. Denis Goyet has been in every day and has come up to bat as Joey recovers from an illness. This ministry could not run if it were not for the volunteers which include Reina Castillo and Bud and Mary Brown.

Our prayer ministry has been strengthened by the Love of Our Lady as well. It is often just awesome to sit back and watch what she is going to do next. Not quite nine months ago we celebrated the annunciation and now we await the fulfillment in just 25 days. We will look for answers for all the longings in our lives and focus on the transformation that is in store for us.

We look for Her to continue teaching us the great value of all our actions being done in a very ordinary fashion with love and offered to our Heavenly Father as She and St. Joseph taught the Son of God. As Father Gabriele Amorth states: "Holiness does not lie in accomplishing extraordinary works, but in living the life of every day in a holy way." That is what we try to do as I am sure each of you do as well.

As I close I pray for each of you to have a Happy, safe and blessed Holiday Season and let us pray together for ourselves and for the Church and for the world that we go beyond the superficial appearances and experience the reality of the love of Jesus and his Blessed Mother. This is the love that will last forever.

May God Bless You Today and Always.

Gayle