Come on in....the door is always open

"Came to believe that a Power Greater than myself
Could restore me to sanity."

"God grant me the serenity
To except the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference. "


Thy will,
not mine,
be done.

My name is Sir Maximillion, I live with LadyLiz
e-mail me at [email protected]

"Lord, make me a channel of thy peace,
that where there is hatred, I may bring love,
that where there is wrong, I may bring the
spirit of forgivness,
that where there is discord, I may bring harmony,
that where there is error, I may bring truth,
that where there is doubt, I may bring faith,
that where there is despair, I may bring hope,
that where there are shadows,
I may bring light,
that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort, than to be comforted,
to understand, than to be understood,
to love, than to be loved.

For it is by self-forgetting that one finds.
It is by forgiving that one is forgiven.
It is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life. Amen.

National Catholic Office For People with Disabilities.org

It is not enough for us to say, "I love God."
But I also have to love my neighbor.
St. John says that you are a liar if you say you love God
and you don't love your neighbor.
How can you love God whom you do not see,
If you do not love your neighbor whom you see,
whom you touch,
with whom you live?
And so it is very important for us to realize that love,
to be true,
has to hurt.
I must be willing to give whatever it takes
not to harm other people and,
in fact, to do good to them.
This requires that I be willing to give until it hurts. Otherwise, there is no true love in me
and I bring injustice,
not peace,
to those around me.

Mother Teresa's 1994 Address to the National Prayer Breakfast

www.padrepio.com

"My soul is full of gratitude to God for the many victories
it obtains at every instant,
and I cannot refrain from uttering endless hymns of blessing
to this great and munificent God.
Blessed be the Lord for this great goodness.
Blessed be his great mercy.
Eternal praise be to such a tender and loving compassion!"

From the book of: 'Padre Pio's Words of Hope'

Our Father,
Who art in heaven
Hallowed be Thy Name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Psalms 23 A Psalm of David.
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yes, Though I walk through the valley
of the shadows of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of my enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

"I want to spend my Heaven doing good on earth."
St Therese of Lisieux
The Little Flower

Glory be to the Father and the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now,
and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen

The Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary;
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell;
the third day He rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgivness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

My beloved mom, 'Dokey',
74 years young

Friends, let me tell you a story!

It happened one month before Easter Sunday, that I saw Jesus. I had just dropped my 16 year-old son off at the Mental Hospital where he was staying. He had come home on a weekend pass. I was very tired. We had been on the road traveling for the last three hours. I had pushed my own mental and physical health passed the limits. The top to my Geo Tracker was down so that the wind would blow in my face as I drove home. I was getting to the top of an overpass on Interstate 49 when my car engine just stopped. It died right on the overpass, and the road was not going down hill, either. It went up another story onto an expressway. There was no way to coast down, so I was stuck on the second story of an interstate highway, looking down at cars and big trucks, and as they passed on the side of me at high rates of speed. When the big trucks passed, the overpass would shake and rumble. It sounded like thunder. It was getting dark. I was scared. My brain was exploding. I can't forget the train. The train that passed under the overpass blowing it's horn and roaring on. All I could think of was all the bad things that happen to people like me who are in this situation.

I had my phone with me, so I called 911 for assistance. I called twice, and was still sitting there as darkness over took me. I called my mother, I knew she could not help me, but I wanted her to know I loved her, just incase. In between calls and crying hysterically, I said the Rosary, and called to Mary and St. Therese to ask God to be with me in my time of sadness. I called to Jesus.

A car pulled up ahead of my car. I was really scared. A young man got out of the car and walked over. He was in a uniform. He did not get too close to my door. He told me he had just gotten off work and was going home to meet his wife to go on vacation. He asked me if he could take me to a store down below the interstate, where I could get help. I knew this was not the answer, and told him I would rather stay with my car until help came. Then, he asked me if I would like Him to stay with me till help would arrive. The area that we were in seemed to be all lit up. He stood in between the oncoming traffic and my car, protecting me from harm. I did not feel afraid any longer, just sat crying. I was crying because I was so over whelmed with joy.

Help arrived five minutes later. A young officer, he was so sweet. This is not something I am use to. In the city I live in, the officers are not very nice. He called for a wrecker that was there in another five minutes. This new person that had come into my life was an older man who loaded my car and me up, and brought me first, to see his place of business, then to the machinists shop where my car would be fixed the next day. And then he brought me to a hotel where I was able to get room.

I never saw any of these people again. But what I saw that night was Jesus in every one of those people's faces.

I had been reading a book over the last few weeks on the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy. I was really struggling with some of the ideas and suggestions. To get mercy you have to give, and that Jesus is in the people that we meet every day. If we don't stay still, quite, and look, listen.....we miss him. On this Sunday night I saw Jesus! The mercy, compassion and grace that I received were just unbelieveable. I did not realize how angry I had become, and how blind to forgiveness. Forgiveness of others, and myself! My whole perspective on life changed that night. I know I have been blessed.

I still struggle every day with life's ups and downs, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal now. Please pray for my family, and me, and I will be praying for you, too!

Love always, LadyLiz

"And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation---some fact of my life ----unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life completely on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes. page 449
Alcoholics Anonymous

"God, I offer myself to Thee--
to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
That I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power,
Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always."

"My Creator,
I am now willing that you
should have all of me,
good and bad.
I pray that you now remove
from me every single
defect of character
which stands in the way
of my usefulness to you
and my fellows.
Grant me strength,
as I go out from here,
to do your bidding.
Amen."

"The alcoholic is like a tornado roaring his way through the lives of others. Hearts are broken. Sweet relationships are dead. Affections have been uprooted. Selfish and inconsiderate habits have kepted the home in turmoil."

I heard someone say
"It's not your fault.
You shouldn't feel guilt,
because he died."
But there is nothing that
can take away
the pain of a suicide.

It was long ago
and yet it was yesterday
When I was in the room
and I heard them say
If you were here today
I would tell you that you can stay

You did not have to die
in order for me to live.

Twig, I will always love you
April 29, 1962-July 13.1991

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
Jesus replied:
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and
with all your mind."
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it:
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these
two commandments."

Quotes are from the book of
Alcoholics Anonymous

"This is the how and why of it.
First of all, we had to quit playing God.
It didn't work.
Next, we decided that hereafter
in this drama of life,
God was going to be our Director.
He is the Principal: we are His agents.
He is the Father,
and we are His children.
Most good ideas are simple,
and this concept was the keystone
of the new and triumpant arch
through which we passed to freedom."

"Faith without works is dead"

"If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We wil not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We wil suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves."

"There are some things money can't buy, for everything else Master Card."

I'm sure you've all seen those commercials on TV. Well, I'm not unlike those agencies promoting their favorite credit card. You see, my life is a commercial for others to see.

I'm a card carrying representative for the Master's Card. let me tell you about it.

There are no finance charges, no payments due. My bill has already been covered...it's a prepaid deal. I couldn't afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me. My name is written on the card for all to see. It is accessible 24 hours a day from anywhere in the world. The Master's Card has so many benefits it's hard to list them all.
Let me share some with you - you just might want to apply for a personal card yourself.
Just for starters there is Unlimited Grace. That's right, there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from the Master's Card. Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no farther than the Master's Card. It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered. The Master's Card give accesss to many "members only" benefits.
Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam? The Master's Card is perfect for you. Another great thing about the Master's Card is that it never expires. Once you're a member you are a member for life...eternal life, that is.
Membership has its privileges, you know. Note: this membership is only revoked should you choose another master. Don't delay. This great offer won't last forever.
Peace, joy, and hope: Invalueable. Faith, contentment, and assurance: Inestimable.
Salvation: Priceless.
Christian, yes, there are some things money can buy. But for those other jewels of life, there's the Master's Card.
Why not be an advertisement for the Master's Card? Let your life be a commercial today for
Jesus Christ.
Author Unknown

www.catholic.org

www.nami.org

The Daily Gospel

www.nmha.org

www.zenit.org

www.advocacyla.org/

Mother Teresa's 1994 Address to the
National Prayer Breakfast

"Let us bring the child back." The child is God's gift to the family. Each child is created in the special image and likeness of God for the greater things- to love and to be loved. In the Year of the Family we must bring the child back to the center of our care and concern. This is the only way our world can survive, because our children are the only hope for the future. As other people are called to God, only their children can take their places.

Reframe a Problem by
Asking Three Questions:

"Is it important?"
"Is it any of my business?"
"Is there anything I can do about it?"

What was it about not being sober,
Did I really think I was having a good time.
Was there ever a line that I crossed over,
or was it all in my mind.

My life was not what it could,
It turned into one great big sin.
Some of it had to be good,
because I did it over and over again.

Or did I read some where
that was called Insanity.

When was it that I died.

Carmel-on-the-Teche
The story of the Sisters of Mount Carmel began in 1824 by Father Charles Boutelou of Saint Aubin, a secular priest, who was the Third Order director in Tours, France. Father Boutelou wished to organize a small group of these Third Order members into a religious congregation. The education of youths and the care of the sick were the two goals Father Boutelou hoped to achieve.
In 1825, Father Boutelou succeeded in interesting a group of young girls, tertiaries of Mount Carmel, in the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Miss Pauline Marie Therese Bazire became the first Superior of the Congregation of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. as Reverend Mother Saint Paul, she and the other members of the Community consecratede themselves to the education of youth, and to the comfort and assistance of the poor, the needy, and the sick.
After only three years from her founding of the Congregation, Reverend Mother Saint Paul lay dying. Her prophetic words, whispered to the Mistress of Novices Mother Theresa Chevrel, foresaw the organization of a community across the seas.
"I know not what shall come to you. It seems to me that you will not remain here, but that you shall go into a foreign land where you shall continue your work. It shall be, however, without trouble for you, for you shall have to go through water and fire. I see you in that distant day I know not where, but I see you going across oceans in order to establish yourself in new countries."
Two years later these words were fulfilled. In 1830 the French Revolution began. It was aimed at the destruction of the Church. Convents were invaded. Monasteries and Churches were defiled and desecrated. Thousands of crimes against religion were committed. The work of Mount Carmel was hindered, so the Community was forced to disband.
Father Boutelou found refuge from a possible death by fleeing to Louisiana. When Bishop Nekere of New Orleans heard the tale of the Congregation, he invited Mother Theresa to come to Louisiana to continue the work of the Community. Mother Theresa and Mother Saint Augustine arrived in New Orleans in 1833. They were sent to Plattenville, where Father Boutelou awaited them.
Bishop Anthony Blanc, who succeeded Bishop Nekere after his death, suggested the opening of a school in New Orleans by the Sisters. The time for a day school for girls had arrived -- in fact, had become a necessity, since the only schools for girls were boarding schools which were rather expensive.
Many requests from other parishes came for religious teachers to be placed in charge of schools. In 1846, five Sisters under the leadership of Mother Saint Paul Aucoin opened a school in Lafayette.
The great success achieved in Lafayette urged other pastors on. One of these was Reverend Father L.A. Chasse of Saint Peter's Catholic Chuch in New Iberia. The town was only a year old when Mount Carmel-On-The-Teche was established. In 1870 Mother Saint John of the Cross Aucoin, Sister Stephen Altheimer, Sister Albertine Passon, and Sister Mary Joseph Leo arrived in New Iberia, where they opened the school.
Mount Carmel-On-The-Teche began as a boarding and day school. Located near Saint Peter's Church, it was the fifth of the many branches established in Louisiana by the Sisters of Mount Carmel.
Then, in 1872, the Sisters purchased the Duperier Home on the banks of Bayou Teche, the present site of the school and Convent.

Mother Valerie,
Superior of
Carmel-on-the-Teche
from 1900 to 1907,
was photographed on the occasion of her
Golden Jubilee.

1969 Sister Sacred Heart explains the use of a map

Celebration of Carmel's Diamond Jubilee in 1945

1966 Sister Alberta attired in the old (right), admiringly views the new habit which Sister Rose Marie proudly wears. The new habit is now worn by all Sisters of Mount Carmel.

Mount Carmel, New Iberia, Louisiana

May 2000, Third Order of Carmelites, New Iberia, Louisiana

We are ordinary Christians who have discerned a call from our Lord to follow Him in a rule of life which will lead to a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. We, as Carmelites, try to respond to that Call as Mary: She put her faith in God's Call and responded by offering herself totally to His service:
"I am the servant of the Lord!" (Lk 1:38)

We are called to live a holy life according to the Rule of Carmel
and to live out this consecration in the world amidst our daily activities.
As our Rule states:
While Mary lived on this earth a life common to all men, filled with family cares and work,
she was always intimately united with her Son and cooperated in the work of the Savior...
In the family, in work or professional surroundings, in their social responsibilities in everyday actions,
in their relations with others, Lay Carmelites look for the hidden hand of God.
They recognize this hand of God and they help the seed of salvation bloom
according to the spirit of the Beatitudes
by a humble and continual exercise of the virtues.

Our Rule goes on to describe Carmel's gift to the Church: A Life committed to prayer, "In all its forms."

The entire Carmelite family, in its task of living its consecration to Christ, seeks to live in the Presence of the living and true God Who, in the person of Christ, lives in our midst; it is a family that seeks divine intimacy.

In reaching this goal by following its charism,
it is inspiring by the figures of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and of the Prophet Elijah.

Lay Carmelites, imbued with the spirit of the Order, try to live its charism in a silent listening to the Word, making their whole life a prayer by allowing themselves to be caught up by the Spirit for the wonderful works that God accomplishes, and which require their commitment and worthwhile contribution.

Lay Carmelites, according to the constant tradition of Carmel, are to cultivate in the greatest degree possible prayer in all its forms: mental prayer and aspirational prayer as well as the traditional practices.
Above all they should learn from the Virgin how to praise the Lord
and rejoice in God their Savior in their ordinary daily lives.
They will see and be able to show how temporal activity and material occupations are a share in the
creative and transforming work of the Father and that it is a true service to their fellow men
which helps bring about human progress.

With such a tall order;
we realize that only with the Holy Spirit can we fulfill our role in the Body of Christ and in the world.
Our Rule does not specify any particular type of work to be done.
Our primary ministry is to be the Church at prayer.
Good works and a loving community spirit will flow from our prayer life as the Spirit leads us.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, I lived in a box.
Then the box started closing in and spinning out of control.
I wanted to die.
I wasn't sure there was a God,
but I knew some where deep inside of me,
if there was one,
it would not hurt to ask for help.
A book flew at me and opened on a page that read,
"knock and the door shall open, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find."
Then a door appeared and opened.
The next step was for me to walk through.
It was all up to me, but I could not do it alone.
I cried for someone to hear me.
A hand reached out, than another, and another.
I grab with all my heart and pulled myself out of the box.
I saw a whole new world I had never seen before.
I was afraid, but I wanted to see more.
I wanted to be in this world where people smiled and said,
"keep coming back."
These few words meant everything to me.
I know now that God works through others.
The door that opened was the door to
Alcoholics Anonymous.

When the student is ready,
the teacher will come

Prayer:
"I Love You."
God says,
"I Love You More!"

Rule 62:
" Don't take yourself too damn seriously"

I'm LadyLiz,
On my way home.....I found myself.
Thank you for visiting my site.
Come back any time. You are always welcome here.
Please pray for me...and I will pray for you.