LEAVES Website for Nov-Dec 2023 Issue
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
As we begin the month of November, I always feel a bit of sadness. The days are getting shorter; nature seems in some way taking time off. The green fields and forests gradually disappear to give space to various shades of red, yellows, and browns. These colors, although very attractive, slowly disappear with the leaves falling down. The trees are left with barren branches and look more like skeletons deprived of all the adornments they had not so long ago.
I get the impression that in November, our surroundings bring us to think more of the death of those we knew who are now gone. Where are they anyway? When I was a young boy, we would hear people talking more about the souls. They were often described as “the poor souls of purgatory.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the soul as the innermost aspect of man by which he has most especially God’s image. The soul signifies the spiritual image in man (#363). Created in the image of God, the human being is both physical and spiritual. When a person dies, his physical body dies, but the soul is still alive. I often heard people around me saying to those who were complaining about bad health, great physical pain and difficult situations. “Just offer this pain, this sickness to God for the poor souls.”
When we die, we may still be burdened with some consequences of our sins, even if we have been forgiven. We may need more purification and purgatory is a time of full purification, before we get to be with God in heaven forever. Purgatory is how we are able to attain full purification.
We can help others through prayer, such as having Holy Mass celebrated for them, also by saying the rosary, by fasting, helping the poor, and uniting our sufferings with that of Jesus on the cross, for the souls in purgatory.
But November is also special to us as we celebrate the Feast of Thanksgiving. This feast is a formal expression of thanks to God for all the gifts He has given to each of us. These gifts are not only material, but spiritual, as well such as truly loving and respecting God and our neighbors. What about personal talents such as music, cooking, story-telling, writing, poetry, photography, painting, and so many others. We could use them for others.
Why not write a list of all you have received? Then, at the end, write or draw a big THANK YOU on your paper and put that in an envelope and stick it in the back of your favorite painting or picture of the Lord or under your favorite statue, such as the Sacred Heart, or of the Good Shepherd. You could check your list once in a while, and add a few more items you might have forgotten? These are little tricks to make us more aware of the beautiful surprises we received from God at a time we needed them the most. I’m saying surprises, because we are amazed at what we have received and how
much the Lord cares for us so discreetly, so gently.
It might help you make a little surprise to someone you know. It could even be a way of expressing your forgiveness, or your affection to someone who might just need it at this time.
Dear friends, I wish you all the love of this Child Jesus we are celebrating at Christmas. May He let you hold Him very close to His heart and fill you with His love and abundant blessings, and the joy of being part of His life. Let us keep on praying for one another, at Christmas, and always – Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
A Christmas Story
By Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
When the Shepherds had left the stable and silence had returned, the Child Jesus lifted up His head and looked towards the door that was half opened. A little boy was timidly standing there, trembling and a bit scared. “Come over here,” said the Child Jesus, “What are you afraid of?”
“I don’t dare come in. … I don’t have anything to offer you,” answered the boy.
The Child Jesus said, “That’s too bad. I would be so happy if you would give me a present.”
Red with shame, the little boy answered, “I really have nothing … nothing that belongs to me. If I did, I would be more than happy to give it to you.” Then, he started to check all the pockets of his shabby patched trousers. And he pulled out an old rusted knife he found. “That’s all I have. If you want it, it’s yours.”
“No,” answered the Child Jesus. “Keep it. … I would like something quite different from you. In fact, I would like you to give me three gifts.”
“I’m ready to do that,” said the little boy, “but what can I give you?”
“Offer me the last drawing you made,” answered the Child Jesus.
All embarrassed, the little boy started to blush. Coming closer to the crib to prevent Mary and Joseph from hearing what he had to say, he whispered in the Child Jesus’ ear: “I don’t want to give you that drawing. It’s so ugly. … Nobody wants to look at it.”
“Well,” said the Child Jesus, “That’s why I would like to have it. … You must always offer me what other people reject; what they do not like.” Then, the Newborn Child continued, “I would like you to give me your plate.”
“But I broke it this morning!!!” stammered the little boy.
“That is why I want it. …You must always offer me what’s broken in your life. I want to put all the pieces back together again.” Then the Child Jesus asked the little boy with insistence: “Repeat to me the answer you gave to your parents, when they asked you how you had broken your plate.”
The face of the little boy became very sad and gloomy. He lowered his head and shamefully murmured: “I lied to them. …I told them that the plate had accidentally slid through my fingers, but that was not true. …I was angry and furiously pushed my plate off the table and it fell down to the floor and shattered to pieces!”
“That is what I wanted to hear from you,” said the Child Jesus. “Always give me what is evil in your life, your lies, your calumnies, your cowardice, your cruelties. I want to take this load off your shoulders … because you don’t need it … and I am here to help you in your life.”
Then, giving the little boy a big hug to thank him for these three gifts, the Child Jesus added: “Now that you know the road that leads you to my heart, I would be so happy if you would come back to see me every day.”
Rest in Peace
Fr. Andrew Heier, C.M.M.
The Mariannhill Community is sorry to inform you that Fr. Andrew W. Heier, C.M.M., the brother of Fr. Thomas and Fr. Vergil Heier, passed away on the 24th of July in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It was his 85th birthday. He had been working as a missionary in Zimbabwe for about 57 years. We recommend his soul to your prayers. May Fr. Andrew rest in eternal peace.
Christmas Letter from Fr. Robert
Dear Readers, Benefactors and Friends of Mariannhill,
Christmas is the feast of new times. God comes among us in Jesus to renew the creation that has gone wrong, once again. Jesus comes to show us how to live differently. And every year, we remember it by celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Last year, Christmas came after an important event that took place in Montreal. It was a conference organized by the United Nations on the protection of creation. It was called COP-15, This is not a trivial task, only for specialists. Our world is first and foremost governed by money at the expense of life in all its forms. A change in our mentalities is imperative.
I just happened to come across a site on UTube where Fr. Henri Boulad, an Egyptian Jesuit, was giving a lecture on the theme: “Committed to a new world.” In fact, this conference was given long before these COP meetings that take place regularly and where the state of our planet is discussed.
I also received from a Sister her Christmas and Happy New Year greetings. She added a text by Pope Benedict XVI when he was simply Cardinal Ratzinger, a text that goes somewhat in the same direction. Cardinal Ratzinger speaks of the renewal of the Church. He says in part: “The Church speaks too much about herself and not enough about God. Our current problem is to have emptied the figure of Jesus Christ while our world thirsts for the message that is at the origin of the Church; it thirsts for the fire that Jesus Christ brought to the earth. We can only be credible messengers of the living God if this fire is kindled within us. The Gospel we proclaim touches hearts only if Christ is in us. The crisis of our culture is based on the absence of God the Emmanuel – God with us, He who came to revolutionize our world... to create a new world.”
These are words that resonate with the message of John the Baptist that we hear during Advent: “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.” This message refers to Isaiah’s prophecy (Is 40:3-5).
And St. Paul in his letter to Romans (8:22) expressed the same idea when he said: “We know that, to this day, the whole creation sighs and suffers the pains of childbirth.” Fr. Boulad adds that creation is not finished. God is still at work to bring it to perfection.
It seems to me that all this gives a whole new meaning to Christmas. In the manger, we find not only a Child, who at first sight, is just like the others, but a God who opens us to the world, to a universe in the WAITING FOR A SAVIOR, and that is always the theme of Advent, the theme of our life.
May this Christmas and New Year that is offered to us, bring about this new way of living. With gratitude for your faithful support to our mission, the mission of Christ, I wish you a very Happy Christmas and holy New Year! -
Fr. Robert Deshaies, C.M.M., Provincial Superior, American-Canadian Province,
The Mariannhill Mission Society
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Desperate Prayers Answered
Thanks be to God and all His angels and saints, and to the LEAVES family who prayed for me.
I love LEAVES magazine, and the Mariannhill Fathers and the LEAVES family will always be in my heart and prayers.
My prayer petition appeared in the May-June issue of LEAVES. On the very day the magazine arrived at my home, my prayers were answered.
I found a safe, affordable place to live, and unexpected help arrived to assist with the move. God gave me the strength to accomplish all I needed to do. Also, I now can go to Mass and receive the sacraments.
I feel safe, calm, renewed and oh, so grateful. God bless all – L.W.
Prayers Can Result
In Greater Morality
This is a difficult age. Immodest behavior is rampant because of bad examples that can be found in the media, radio, television, movies and others. In light of this situation, some might be tempted to give up when teaching morals to those for whom they are responsible.
However, we should not give up, as the saying goes, “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” There are many prayers for children and young adults that we can use to pray for them.
We can pray for those in our families and circle of friends, for those in our schools and communities, and for those around the world. Let the light of many prayers shine brightly to guide all to a more moral life.
Many thanks – J.D.O.
Cardinals Signal Angels
There is a saying that, “When cardinals appear, angels are near.” As I was taking my daily walk, I was thinking of my mother who had passed away 30 years ago on that day.
All of a sudden, a cardinal appeared on a nearby tree as I was walking by it. I truly believe that it was a heavenly message from my mother saying that all is well!
My offering is to help with the cost of publishing the lovely LEAVES magazine. I have been receiving it for 50 years! – L.W.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
+ + +
My donation is for the hungry children in Africa as a thank you to God for all circumstances in our family. Please pray for Mary who had cancer surgery. She is unable to consume food by mouth. Pray that God heals her. Thanks to God, Bl. Engelmar, Ss. Maximilian Kolbe, Damian and Corrie Ten Boon, the Holy Spirit, the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory. Gratefully – Adela.
+ + +
I promised to give a donation for the hungry children overseas if I came through my operation. It was seven and a half hours long for a stomach aortic aneurysm. I had to go to the hospital alone as it was during the pandemic. Being 73 years old, I was scared. I had St. Therese and Our Lady medals in my hand. All went well. Thank you, St. Therese, Our Lady, Our Lady of the Snows, Ss. Anthony and Rita, the angels and Bl. Engelmar. Please pray for my sons to get jobs and for four children to marry. Thank you, all the angels and saints. I was so scared in the hospital, but my prayers were answered. God bless. I love my LEAVES magazine – Mary Theresa.
+ + +
I am sending a donation in thanksgiving to God, Jesus, Mary, Ss. Ann, Peregrine, Rita and Bl. Engelmar for favors granted. Please continue to pray for me that cancer and mucus never enters into my body ever again, that my CAT scans are always clear with no changes ever and that I get back to losing weight and that I don’t develop diabetes. Please pray that my labs and bloodwork are always okay. Thank you and God bless! – Patricia S.
+ + +
I am sending thanks for prayers answered from Ss. Therese and Padre Pio and Bl. Engelmar. Our family needs many, many prayers always! – C.A.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord for Ourselves, Our Friends and the Souls in Purgatory
By St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
I have placed all my confidence in Thee, do not reject me. I call Thee, I invoke Thee as the sovereign remedy for all my evils, the greatest of which is sin. Destroy it in me and grant me pardon for all the sins that I have committed, of which I repent with my whole heart, and ask your forgiveness for them.
Make then Thy sovereign power, O loving Heart, felt by me and by all hearts capable of loving you, especially my parents and friends, and by all those persons who have recommended themselves to my prayers for whom I have a special obligation. Assist them, I beseech Thee, according to their necessities.
O Heart full of charity, soften hardened hearts and relieve the souls in purgatory; be the assured refuge of those in their last agony and the consolation of all those who are afflicted or in need. In time, O Heart of Love, be to all in all things; but especially at the hour of my death, be the safe retreat for my poor bewildered soul. At that moment, receive it into the bosom of Thy mercy.
Amen.
(St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1647-1690, was a French Religious who spread devotion to the Sacred Heart after receiving revelations from Our Lord. Her feast day is celebrated Oct. 16.)
Rushing
By Margaret Peterson
Did you ever notice when rushing about
There is only time for you?
No time to appreciate the sun coming up
Nor admire the sky being blue.
No time at all to be neighborly;
What if the talk went on,
Bringing up things of no consequence?
Just look at the time that has gone!
But love takes time – consider a child.
Is one kiss enough or three?
And hugs take time and talking does too.
We can’t just think about me.
While there is time, slow down a bit;
Love those around you for sure.
The greatest treasure we have is love.
Those who have none are poor.
Recipe for Thanksgiving
By Andrea Remlin
Ingredients: Adoration, Charity, Faith, Hope, Mercy, Forgiveness, Grace, Kindness and Perseverance.
Prep Time: 2 hours fasting. Cook time: forever. Serves: all the saints
1st ingredient: Adoration that will guide you to Charity.
Combine Faith and Hope together for more stability.
To ask Jesus for pardon, combine Mercy and Forgiveness and add it to the above.
Glaze: Combine Grace and Kindness together, then sprinkle your glaze with Perseverance.
May all of you be filled with the Holy Spirit.
One Night in Bethlehem
© By Linda Donohoo Monday
Does a mother want to share
her newborn baby boy
in those moments after birth,
her heart overwhelmed with joy?
She looks up and sees them, wild
but smiling, pointing at her child.
They are dirty, uncouth, smelling foul –
motioning, may they come in?
She nods. It is not her place,
and so they stay awhile and
gaze upon the newborn face,
then speak excitedly of angels seen
and wondrous songs heard this night.
She smiles at them, uncovers precious limbs
to let them gaze at Him.
One shepherd folds a newborn lamb
against his heart. He smiles at her,
then sees one sudden tear upon her cheek.
They file out quietly.
She does not speak
but kisses gently the newborn head
while Joseph fashions from their cloaks
and hay the travelers’ bed.
Souls of Purgatory
By Clyde L. Borg
They suffer as they wait.
The knowledge that it may cease
Maintains them as they await
The prayers of the faithful.
Christmas
By Joseph Emberley
Jesus is the reason for the season. / I don’t know what could be more pleasing. / Certainly nothing this world has to offer / like material things to fill up the coffers.
The Holy Family traveled on a donkey / but the world says, act like a monkey / to eat, drink and be merry / as if life was just an earthly series.
In dire poverty, Jesus was born / to heal us all from being torn / by the allurements of the world / the hate, the abuse and the stifling swirl.
What a sacrifice He made for us / to save us from the negative fuss / to lead us to repent of our sins / and start a real life all over again.
At the innermost depths of our being / we have a connection to the unseen / the spiritual world where Jesus resides / with His mother Mary to be our guide.
Her holy rosary taken from the scriptures / presents to us the perfect picture / of the life God wants to reside in our soul / He gives us the joy of this heavenly role.
The supernatural grace of God saves / us from the crazy world enslaved / to a euphemistic culture of death / with surface niceties to take your breath.
But the power of God is found in weakness / and with a healthy dose of meekness / which Jesus and Mary practiced on earth / and which manifests in us a healthy mirth.
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
As we begin the month of November, I always feel a bit of sadness. The days are getting shorter; nature seems in some way taking time off. The green fields and forests gradually disappear to give space to various shades of red, yellows, and browns. These colors, although very attractive, slowly disappear with the leaves falling down. The trees are left with barren branches and look more like skeletons deprived of all the adornments they had not so long ago.
I get the impression that in November, our surroundings bring us to think more of the death of those we knew who are now gone. Where are they anyway? When I was a young boy, we would hear people talking more about the souls. They were often described as “the poor souls of purgatory.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church refers to the soul as the innermost aspect of man by which he has most especially God’s image. The soul signifies the spiritual image in man (#363). Created in the image of God, the human being is both physical and spiritual. When a person dies, his physical body dies, but the soul is still alive. I often heard people around me saying to those who were complaining about bad health, great physical pain and difficult situations. “Just offer this pain, this sickness to God for the poor souls.”
When we die, we may still be burdened with some consequences of our sins, even if we have been forgiven. We may need more purification and purgatory is a time of full purification, before we get to be with God in heaven forever. Purgatory is how we are able to attain full purification.
We can help others through prayer, such as having Holy Mass celebrated for them, also by saying the rosary, by fasting, helping the poor, and uniting our sufferings with that of Jesus on the cross, for the souls in purgatory.
But November is also special to us as we celebrate the Feast of Thanksgiving. This feast is a formal expression of thanks to God for all the gifts He has given to each of us. These gifts are not only material, but spiritual, as well such as truly loving and respecting God and our neighbors. What about personal talents such as music, cooking, story-telling, writing, poetry, photography, painting, and so many others. We could use them for others.
Why not write a list of all you have received? Then, at the end, write or draw a big THANK YOU on your paper and put that in an envelope and stick it in the back of your favorite painting or picture of the Lord or under your favorite statue, such as the Sacred Heart, or of the Good Shepherd. You could check your list once in a while, and add a few more items you might have forgotten? These are little tricks to make us more aware of the beautiful surprises we received from God at a time we needed them the most. I’m saying surprises, because we are amazed at what we have received and how
much the Lord cares for us so discreetly, so gently.
It might help you make a little surprise to someone you know. It could even be a way of expressing your forgiveness, or your affection to someone who might just need it at this time.
Dear friends, I wish you all the love of this Child Jesus we are celebrating at Christmas. May He let you hold Him very close to His heart and fill you with His love and abundant blessings, and the joy of being part of His life. Let us keep on praying for one another, at Christmas, and always – Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
A Christmas Story
By Fr. Michael Sheehy, C.M.M.
When the Shepherds had left the stable and silence had returned, the Child Jesus lifted up His head and looked towards the door that was half opened. A little boy was timidly standing there, trembling and a bit scared. “Come over here,” said the Child Jesus, “What are you afraid of?”
“I don’t dare come in. … I don’t have anything to offer you,” answered the boy.
The Child Jesus said, “That’s too bad. I would be so happy if you would give me a present.”
Red with shame, the little boy answered, “I really have nothing … nothing that belongs to me. If I did, I would be more than happy to give it to you.” Then, he started to check all the pockets of his shabby patched trousers. And he pulled out an old rusted knife he found. “That’s all I have. If you want it, it’s yours.”
“No,” answered the Child Jesus. “Keep it. … I would like something quite different from you. In fact, I would like you to give me three gifts.”
“I’m ready to do that,” said the little boy, “but what can I give you?”
“Offer me the last drawing you made,” answered the Child Jesus.
All embarrassed, the little boy started to blush. Coming closer to the crib to prevent Mary and Joseph from hearing what he had to say, he whispered in the Child Jesus’ ear: “I don’t want to give you that drawing. It’s so ugly. … Nobody wants to look at it.”
“Well,” said the Child Jesus, “That’s why I would like to have it. … You must always offer me what other people reject; what they do not like.” Then, the Newborn Child continued, “I would like you to give me your plate.”
“But I broke it this morning!!!” stammered the little boy.
“That is why I want it. …You must always offer me what’s broken in your life. I want to put all the pieces back together again.” Then the Child Jesus asked the little boy with insistence: “Repeat to me the answer you gave to your parents, when they asked you how you had broken your plate.”
The face of the little boy became very sad and gloomy. He lowered his head and shamefully murmured: “I lied to them. …I told them that the plate had accidentally slid through my fingers, but that was not true. …I was angry and furiously pushed my plate off the table and it fell down to the floor and shattered to pieces!”
“That is what I wanted to hear from you,” said the Child Jesus. “Always give me what is evil in your life, your lies, your calumnies, your cowardice, your cruelties. I want to take this load off your shoulders … because you don’t need it … and I am here to help you in your life.”
Then, giving the little boy a big hug to thank him for these three gifts, the Child Jesus added: “Now that you know the road that leads you to my heart, I would be so happy if you would come back to see me every day.”
Rest in Peace
Fr. Andrew Heier, C.M.M.
The Mariannhill Community is sorry to inform you that Fr. Andrew W. Heier, C.M.M., the brother of Fr. Thomas and Fr. Vergil Heier, passed away on the 24th of July in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. It was his 85th birthday. He had been working as a missionary in Zimbabwe for about 57 years. We recommend his soul to your prayers. May Fr. Andrew rest in eternal peace.
Christmas Letter from Fr. Robert
Dear Readers, Benefactors and Friends of Mariannhill,
Christmas is the feast of new times. God comes among us in Jesus to renew the creation that has gone wrong, once again. Jesus comes to show us how to live differently. And every year, we remember it by celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Last year, Christmas came after an important event that took place in Montreal. It was a conference organized by the United Nations on the protection of creation. It was called COP-15, This is not a trivial task, only for specialists. Our world is first and foremost governed by money at the expense of life in all its forms. A change in our mentalities is imperative.
I just happened to come across a site on UTube where Fr. Henri Boulad, an Egyptian Jesuit, was giving a lecture on the theme: “Committed to a new world.” In fact, this conference was given long before these COP meetings that take place regularly and where the state of our planet is discussed.
I also received from a Sister her Christmas and Happy New Year greetings. She added a text by Pope Benedict XVI when he was simply Cardinal Ratzinger, a text that goes somewhat in the same direction. Cardinal Ratzinger speaks of the renewal of the Church. He says in part: “The Church speaks too much about herself and not enough about God. Our current problem is to have emptied the figure of Jesus Christ while our world thirsts for the message that is at the origin of the Church; it thirsts for the fire that Jesus Christ brought to the earth. We can only be credible messengers of the living God if this fire is kindled within us. The Gospel we proclaim touches hearts only if Christ is in us. The crisis of our culture is based on the absence of God the Emmanuel – God with us, He who came to revolutionize our world... to create a new world.”
These are words that resonate with the message of John the Baptist that we hear during Advent: “Prepare the way of the Lord. Make straight his paths.” This message refers to Isaiah’s prophecy (Is 40:3-5).
And St. Paul in his letter to Romans (8:22) expressed the same idea when he said: “We know that, to this day, the whole creation sighs and suffers the pains of childbirth.” Fr. Boulad adds that creation is not finished. God is still at work to bring it to perfection.
It seems to me that all this gives a whole new meaning to Christmas. In the manger, we find not only a Child, who at first sight, is just like the others, but a God who opens us to the world, to a universe in the WAITING FOR A SAVIOR, and that is always the theme of Advent, the theme of our life.
May this Christmas and New Year that is offered to us, bring about this new way of living. With gratitude for your faithful support to our mission, the mission of Christ, I wish you a very Happy Christmas and holy New Year! -
Fr. Robert Deshaies, C.M.M., Provincial Superior, American-Canadian Province,
The Mariannhill Mission Society
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
Desperate Prayers Answered
Thanks be to God and all His angels and saints, and to the LEAVES family who prayed for me.
I love LEAVES magazine, and the Mariannhill Fathers and the LEAVES family will always be in my heart and prayers.
My prayer petition appeared in the May-June issue of LEAVES. On the very day the magazine arrived at my home, my prayers were answered.
I found a safe, affordable place to live, and unexpected help arrived to assist with the move. God gave me the strength to accomplish all I needed to do. Also, I now can go to Mass and receive the sacraments.
I feel safe, calm, renewed and oh, so grateful. God bless all – L.W.
Prayers Can Result
In Greater Morality
This is a difficult age. Immodest behavior is rampant because of bad examples that can be found in the media, radio, television, movies and others. In light of this situation, some might be tempted to give up when teaching morals to those for whom they are responsible.
However, we should not give up, as the saying goes, “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” There are many prayers for children and young adults that we can use to pray for them.
We can pray for those in our families and circle of friends, for those in our schools and communities, and for those around the world. Let the light of many prayers shine brightly to guide all to a more moral life.
Many thanks – J.D.O.
Cardinals Signal Angels
There is a saying that, “When cardinals appear, angels are near.” As I was taking my daily walk, I was thinking of my mother who had passed away 30 years ago on that day.
All of a sudden, a cardinal appeared on a nearby tree as I was walking by it. I truly believe that it was a heavenly message from my mother saying that all is well!
My offering is to help with the cost of publishing the lovely LEAVES magazine. I have been receiving it for 50 years! – L.W.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
+ + +
My donation is for the hungry children in Africa as a thank you to God for all circumstances in our family. Please pray for Mary who had cancer surgery. She is unable to consume food by mouth. Pray that God heals her. Thanks to God, Bl. Engelmar, Ss. Maximilian Kolbe, Damian and Corrie Ten Boon, the Holy Spirit, the saints in heaven and the souls in purgatory. Gratefully – Adela.
+ + +
I promised to give a donation for the hungry children overseas if I came through my operation. It was seven and a half hours long for a stomach aortic aneurysm. I had to go to the hospital alone as it was during the pandemic. Being 73 years old, I was scared. I had St. Therese and Our Lady medals in my hand. All went well. Thank you, St. Therese, Our Lady, Our Lady of the Snows, Ss. Anthony and Rita, the angels and Bl. Engelmar. Please pray for my sons to get jobs and for four children to marry. Thank you, all the angels and saints. I was so scared in the hospital, but my prayers were answered. God bless. I love my LEAVES magazine – Mary Theresa.
+ + +
I am sending a donation in thanksgiving to God, Jesus, Mary, Ss. Ann, Peregrine, Rita and Bl. Engelmar for favors granted. Please continue to pray for me that cancer and mucus never enters into my body ever again, that my CAT scans are always clear with no changes ever and that I get back to losing weight and that I don’t develop diabetes. Please pray that my labs and bloodwork are always okay. Thank you and God bless! – Patricia S.
+ + +
I am sending thanks for prayers answered from Ss. Therese and Padre Pio and Bl. Engelmar. Our family needs many, many prayers always! – C.A.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Our Lord for Ourselves, Our Friends and the Souls in Purgatory
By St. Margaret Mary Alacoque
I have placed all my confidence in Thee, do not reject me. I call Thee, I invoke Thee as the sovereign remedy for all my evils, the greatest of which is sin. Destroy it in me and grant me pardon for all the sins that I have committed, of which I repent with my whole heart, and ask your forgiveness for them.
Make then Thy sovereign power, O loving Heart, felt by me and by all hearts capable of loving you, especially my parents and friends, and by all those persons who have recommended themselves to my prayers for whom I have a special obligation. Assist them, I beseech Thee, according to their necessities.
O Heart full of charity, soften hardened hearts and relieve the souls in purgatory; be the assured refuge of those in their last agony and the consolation of all those who are afflicted or in need. In time, O Heart of Love, be to all in all things; but especially at the hour of my death, be the safe retreat for my poor bewildered soul. At that moment, receive it into the bosom of Thy mercy.
Amen.
(St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, 1647-1690, was a French Religious who spread devotion to the Sacred Heart after receiving revelations from Our Lord. Her feast day is celebrated Oct. 16.)
Rushing
By Margaret Peterson
Did you ever notice when rushing about
There is only time for you?
No time to appreciate the sun coming up
Nor admire the sky being blue.
No time at all to be neighborly;
What if the talk went on,
Bringing up things of no consequence?
Just look at the time that has gone!
But love takes time – consider a child.
Is one kiss enough or three?
And hugs take time and talking does too.
We can’t just think about me.
While there is time, slow down a bit;
Love those around you for sure.
The greatest treasure we have is love.
Those who have none are poor.
Recipe for Thanksgiving
By Andrea Remlin
Ingredients: Adoration, Charity, Faith, Hope, Mercy, Forgiveness, Grace, Kindness and Perseverance.
Prep Time: 2 hours fasting. Cook time: forever. Serves: all the saints
1st ingredient: Adoration that will guide you to Charity.
Combine Faith and Hope together for more stability.
To ask Jesus for pardon, combine Mercy and Forgiveness and add it to the above.
Glaze: Combine Grace and Kindness together, then sprinkle your glaze with Perseverance.
May all of you be filled with the Holy Spirit.
One Night in Bethlehem
© By Linda Donohoo Monday
Does a mother want to share
her newborn baby boy
in those moments after birth,
her heart overwhelmed with joy?
She looks up and sees them, wild
but smiling, pointing at her child.
They are dirty, uncouth, smelling foul –
motioning, may they come in?
She nods. It is not her place,
and so they stay awhile and
gaze upon the newborn face,
then speak excitedly of angels seen
and wondrous songs heard this night.
She smiles at them, uncovers precious limbs
to let them gaze at Him.
One shepherd folds a newborn lamb
against his heart. He smiles at her,
then sees one sudden tear upon her cheek.
They file out quietly.
She does not speak
but kisses gently the newborn head
while Joseph fashions from their cloaks
and hay the travelers’ bed.
Souls of Purgatory
By Clyde L. Borg
They suffer as they wait.
The knowledge that it may cease
Maintains them as they await
The prayers of the faithful.
Christmas
By Joseph Emberley
Jesus is the reason for the season. / I don’t know what could be more pleasing. / Certainly nothing this world has to offer / like material things to fill up the coffers.
The Holy Family traveled on a donkey / but the world says, act like a monkey / to eat, drink and be merry / as if life was just an earthly series.
In dire poverty, Jesus was born / to heal us all from being torn / by the allurements of the world / the hate, the abuse and the stifling swirl.
What a sacrifice He made for us / to save us from the negative fuss / to lead us to repent of our sins / and start a real life all over again.
At the innermost depths of our being / we have a connection to the unseen / the spiritual world where Jesus resides / with His mother Mary to be our guide.
Her holy rosary taken from the scriptures / presents to us the perfect picture / of the life God wants to reside in our soul / He gives us the joy of this heavenly role.
The supernatural grace of God saves / us from the crazy world enslaved / to a euphemistic culture of death / with surface niceties to take your breath.
But the power of God is found in weakness / and with a healthy dose of meekness / which Jesus and Mary practiced on earth / and which manifests in us a healthy mirth.