What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service?

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

 PDF more detailed version of this file with the history of the FLC in Montreal and a section on Our Lady of Fatima   

Family Life Chaplain

What is the Family Life Chaplaincy Service? 

Jesus Christ is humanity’s only true wealth… walking with us on our troubled paths… revealing Himself “in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24)… making us all brothers and sisters… drawing us out from our comfort to those on the peripheries of life… where the “joy of the Gospel” awaits us in life-giving encounters… as Jesus transforms despair into hope in the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit! (Pope Francis)

Your Family Life Chaplain is your Parish Priest sent by Jesus, through the supervisory authority of the Archbishop of Montreal, to bring the presence and divine mercy of God given to us in Jesus to you and your family in your local parish. Your priest is a happy man because he knows he is loved by God in Jesus, and he continues to offer his life to the Lord in order to be there for you at those times when you sense you need guidance, encouragement, the healing and strength God the Father gives us through his only-begotten Son in the mysterious moments of divine grace we call the Sacraments.

Normally, the best way to meet your pastor is to go to the church for Sunday Mass, because there you will have an opportunity to meet him, find out about his availability, meet other Catholic Christians, and discover the various services offered in your parish. However, during the various degrees of confinement due to the worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic, you could start by locating your parish’s contact information, and then make contact with them. If you are not familiar with your local parish, you can find it here. 

May the peace of the Risen Lord Jesus Christ and his Eternal Father be with you and your family!

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Catholic Christian Couple & Parent Spirituality Moments for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions All Day Long

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

 EXCEL file for note taking & tracking progress          PDF file for more details 

Please note that some items repeat to help you do them more than once during the day. Be gentle with yourself and take time. These spiritual exercises are rooted in Christian fatih and the Roman Catholic tradition. Try them and track your progress. 

We often feel incapable because we are simply human. Offer God your poverty and boldly do these spiritual exercises. Let God manifest his power to love, give life, strengthen, heal, deliver, and protect. Know that when evil, temptation, trouble, or pain come, God knows and allows it for a greater purpose, and trust He is WITH YOU and gives you strength to endure in peace and confidence. "I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Christ Jesus)." Philippians 4:13

We can do many of these as quickly as a flash of lighting… the key is to exercise within us the power God gives us.

BEGINNING THE DAY

1. BEDTIME Examen prayer before going to sleep

2. RISING Thank and praise God on waking

3. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

4. EARLY MORNING Look for God's Word in Bible

5. Offering God my day while washing & dressing

6. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning

7. MASS – Plan, prepare, and participate in Daily Mass

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

BEFORE – DURING – AFTER BREAKFAST

8. I ask Jesus to bless OTHERS as I interact with them

9. I ask God to bless me as I prepare breakfast

10. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having breakfast

11. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having breakfast

12. We put food away and do the dishes together

PREPARING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

13. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

14. I ask God's guidance and strength for my morning

15. I bless my spouse & children Father + Son + Holy Spirit

16. I ask God's protection before we drive or travel

17. “Lord bless all those I meet esp. those burdened”

EMBRACING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

18. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

19. I ask God's guidance as I enter into my work

20. I work in peace knowing God is with me

21. I face challenges with confidence in God’s help

22. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

23. "God bless my spouse" when s/he comes to mind

24. At an opportune time I meditate silently

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

BEFORE – DURING – AFTER LUNCH

25. I ask God to bless me as I prepare lunch

26. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having lunch

27. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having lunch

28. We put food away and do the dishes together

29. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them

30. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

EMBRACING THE WORK / SCHOOL DAY

31. I ask God's guidance as I get back into my work

32. I work in peace knowing God is with me

33. I face challenges with confidence in God’s help

34. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

35. I ask God's help as I go out to run errands

36. I take delight whenever I remember I am loved

37. I thank and praise God when I receive help

38. I often let myself be glad to be alive

39. When I see one in trouble I ask God to bless them

40. When I see beauty in others I give God praise

41. As a car cuts me off I ask God's mercy on them

42. "God bless my spouse" when s/he comes to mind

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

PERSONAL TIME

43. At an opportune time I meditate silently

44. I take God with me as I go for a walk and fresh air

45. I take God with me as I take a little nap

BEFORE – DURING – AFTER SUPPER

46. I ask God to bless me as I prepare supper

47. Saying "GRACE" for a blessing before having supper

48. Saying "GRACE" to give thanks after having supper

49. We put food away and do the dishes together

FAMILY TIME

50. Patience - with love I accept to endure a trouble

51. I ask Jesus to bless OTHERS as I interact with them

52. We pray the Rosary together as a couple/family

53. I ask Jesus to bless our children – FUN time

54. I ask Jesus to bless our children – homework

55. I ask Jesus to bless our children – wash & PJ's

56. I ask Jesus to bless our children – story time

57. I ask Jesus to bless our children – prayer / bed time

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

COUPLE TIME

58. Mercy – with God's love I forgive the other

59. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image

60. I thank God as I look upon my spouse with love

61. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Evening

62. Spouses - we have a SIT DOWN heart to heart chat

63. I / we plan for the possibility of Mass tomorrow

64. I / we thank God and ENJOY some recreation

65. I ask God's mercy as I tie up the day's loose ends

66. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Night

67. Husband: "Lord help me pleasure my wife first, not me."

68. We welcome God and his love to our nuptial bed

Daily or once a week spouses will learn from each other by sharing their experiences and praying together.

Created April 19th, 2018 - Updated October 25th, 2018 - November 17th, 2020

Father Gilles Surprenant, Poustinik  fathergilles@gmail.com   514-864-5600 ext. 618

If you want to chat, please do:

Diocesan Center for Marriage, Life, and Family

Katerine Perrault 514-931-7311 ext 233

Ellen Roderick 514-931-7311 ext. 287

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Simple Faith & Spirituality Ideas for Daily Catholic Christian Devotions

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

EXCEL file for note taking & tracking progress             PDF file for more details 

Please note that some items repeat to help you do them more than once during the day. Be gentle with yourself and take time. These spiritual exercises are rooted in Christian faith and the Roman Catholic tradition. Try them and track your progress. 

1. Examen prayer before going to sleep - e.g. Thank You Father for… forgive me for… Glory..

2. Thank and praise God on waking in the morning - e.g. I thank You and praise You Father for this day

3. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul

4. Early morning glimpse of God's Word in the Bible - e.g. "Speak, Lord, your servant is listening…"

5. Offering God my day while washing & dressing - e.g. "Father, let me walk with Jesus this day…."

6. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Morning - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

7. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord, bless…."

8. Asking God to bless me as I prepare breakfast - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family."

9. Saying "Grace" before having breakfast - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

10. Saying "Grace" after having breakfast - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

11. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

12. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

13. I ask God's guidance and strength this morning - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength."

14. I bless my spouse & children F Son + HSp - e.g. "Father, bless…."

15. I ask God's protection before I drive or travel - e.g. "Lord, bless and protect me and everyone…."

16. Lord bless all those I meet esp. those burdened - e.g. "Father bless your children, especially…."

17. Prepare and participate in Daily Mass

18. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

19. I ask God's guidance as I enter into my work - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength…."

20. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

21. "God bless my spouse" as s/he comes to mind - e.g. "God bless my spouse…."

22. At an opportune time I meditate silently

23. Asking God to bless me as I prepare lunch - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family…."

24. Saying "Grace" before having lunch - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

25. Saying "Grace" after having lunch - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

26. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

27. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

28. Love connects as I look at crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul…

29. I ask God's guidance as I get back into my work - e.g. "O Holy Spirit grant me wisdom & strength."

30. I anticipate and watch for God's inspiration

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

31. At an opportune time I meditate silently

32. I ask God's help as I go out to run errands - e.g. "Lord, be with me as I run these errands…."

33. I take delight whenever I remember I am loved

34. I thank and praise God when I receive help - e.g. "Lord, I thank and bless you."

35. I often let myself be glad to be alive

36. When I see one in trouble I ask God to bless them - e.g. "O God, bless…."

37. When I see beauty in others I give God praise - e.g. "Father, I praise you for your children…."

38. As a car cuts me off I ask God's mercy on them - e.g. "Lord, have mercy on them…."

39. "God bless my spouse" as s/he comes to mind - e.g. "God bless my spouse…."

40. I take God with me as I go for a walk and fresh air - e.g. "Lord, be with me as I go for a walk…."

41. I take God with me as I take a little nap - e.g. "Father, grant me rest…."

42. Asking God to bless me as I prepare supper - e.g. "Father, bless these elements and your family…."

43. Saying "Grace" before having supper - e.g. "Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts…."

44. Saying "Grace" after having supper - e.g. "We give You thanks O Lord for all…."

45. We put food away and do the dishes together - e.g. Enjoy the moment and each person….

46. Patience - with love I accept to endure a trouble - e.g. "Lord, have mercy on me, on them…."

47. I ask Jesus to bless others as I interact with them - e.g. "Lord, bless…."

48. We pray the Rosary together as a couple/family - e.g. "Mother, be with us as we pray…."

49. I ask Jesus to bless our children - homework - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

50. I ask Jesus to bless our children - wash & PJ's - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

51. I ask Jesus to bless our children - story time - e.g. "Lord Jesus, bless…."

52. Mercy - with God's love I forgive the other

53. Love connects as I look at a crucifix / holy image - e.g. Allowing God to enter my mind, heart, soul

54. I thank God as I look upon my spouse with love - e.g. "Thank You, Lord…."

55. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Evening - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

56. I ask God's mercy as I tie up the day's loose ends - e.g. "Lord, have mercy…."

57. Intercessory prayer for our prayer list - e.g. "Lord, have mercy…."

58. I / we thank God and enjoy some recreation

59. Spouses - we have a sit down heart to heart chat

60. I / we pray the Liturgy of the Hours - Night - e.g. "God come to my assistance…."

61. M: "Lord help me pleasure my wife first, not me."

62. Welcome God and his love to our nuptial bed

Created April 19th, 2018 - Updated 181025 - 201117

Father Gilles Surprenant, Poustinik  fathergilles@gmail.com   514-864-5600 ext. 618

If you want to chat, please do:

Diocesan Center for Marriage, Life, and Family

Katerine Perrault 514-931-7311 ext. 233

Ellen Roderick 514-931-7311 ext. 287

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

God likes to be found in silence - simple instructions to help you "pray" in "silence"....

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

 In both Jewish and Christian faith traditions the common experience of seekers of God is that He likes to be found in silence; not necessarily external silence, but interior silence in our own spirit.

A spiritual exercise in PRAYER – whether or not you pray regularly            (10 to 15 minutes)

Set a timer for 7 minutes. Read these instructions first. 

1)      Sit comfortably, hands resting on your knees…   Back & head straight…  & relax…

2)      Be still… adjusting your body in any way you need to in order to let go & relax…

3)      Pay attention to your interior landscape as if you were driving in the country…

4)      If all is quiet and peaceful, lovely… now focus on a kind image of God or Jesus

5)      If all is not quiet, notice the noise, words, echoes, whatever comes along…

Acknowledge each one briefly and let it go; focus again on a kind image of God or Jesus

6)      If you are on familiar terms with God or Jesus; then have a good visit with Him.
If you are not on familiar terms with God or Jesus, consider this an introduction.
He is very interested in having a personal relationship with you: it’s always up to you.

7)      You always get to decide how open you want to be with the Creator & Saviour….

8)      Start your timer for 7 minutes of silence….  With time, you may want to slowly increase this time….

9)      When your timer rings, stop or if you want, continue in silence to max 15 min. for now; then stop.

Review of your experience of silence

Your connection with God will become more real and personal as you make silence and prayer a regular part of your day as a spiritual exercise, an exercise of your spirit. It is within our spirit that God connects with us because God is SPIRIT and not flesh. Yes, Jesus took on flesh, a human nature, when He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. As Son of God, though, Jesus is SPIRIT like the Father and the Holy Spirit. God created us human beings with an “empty space” in the center of our self, our identity, our soul or spirit and this space is designed to receive the mysterious divine presence of God the Holy Trinity. When we welcome God, we become most fully and perfectly human. Many scientists deny the existence of the soul or spirit because they cannot observe or measure it with instruments. That is because "spirit" exists in another dimension and we already have the "interface" we need to enter into this realm of spirit, the realm which is God's "natural state or habitat". All we need is to trust in God. 

The whole adventure of life begins our free response, yours and mine… that is how God designed life on Earth for us humans. Jesus didn’t come to reform the Roman Empire or even the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. He came to help people, one person at a time, even in speaking to crowds; so that all those who want to encounter God can decide to accept to enter into a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus and with the help of the Holy Spirit. From this point of departure, we can experience how God wants to enrich all our relationships with others, beginning with our own family of origin, and then through marriage, in developing our own family as a couple for the flowering of family life. For celibates – whether they choose to be celibate or not – the journey is similar but in a different mode. God offers mutual personal knowledge and intimate, loving relations to every human being.

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

Developing Christian Disciplines / Life Skills as Roman Catholics

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

 Developing Christian Disciplines / Life Skills as Roman Catholics

Jesus calls us to consider our life as a relationship of faith through Him with the Father as we receive our life from the Father as a gift moment by moment. We provide our willingness to be open to God to know and do his will, and the Holy Spirit draws us into the communion of the Holy Trinity. Our activity and concerns are not distractions from God’s love but opportunities to live by his grace and empowerment. Within our deepest desires we can ask the Holy Spirit to show us how the Word of God sheds light on our life at every moment. We take time to allow the Holy Spirit to train us in this spiritual skill, avoiding drudgery and remaining vital and empowered by God’s grace to become holy and bear the fruits of love and mercy, justice and peace.  

FOLLOWING JESUS – We resist all other voices that would distract us from obeying and loving God

The first meaning of “disciplines” is not rigorous tasks or punishment but developing and using our faith life skills as disciples of Jesus. What is Christian discipleship anyway? It is simply coming to Jesus and following Him who is sent out of love by the Father to us personally and to all of us together to lead us into the life and love of God the Father in the Holy Spirit. To put it the most simply, to follow Jesus is to allow Him to lead us into the intimate life and love of the Holy Trinity. This is a taste of Heaven on Earth. God instils in us divine grace or energy of love to empower us to put sinful ways behind us and walk in God’s ways as Jesus did. Disciples follow Jesus and learn from watching Him. We too are called to learn from Jesus first but also from others who follow Him. Jesus guides us to live with our whole being awake to the truth that all is gift from our Creator and to turn the focus of our will away from selfish concerns in order to love and serve others. It is in living oriented to others out of love that we experience abundant life as our Creator desires for us all. This is our Christian rule of life with trust in the Father, obedience to Jesus as Lord, and docility to the Holy Spirit. Thus we live through our days, and sleep at night, in God’s company rather than try to do it all on our own.

BACK TO GOD, DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ 

ABOUT DESIRE – Here is some of what St. Augustine wrote to Proba:

“Why he should ask us to pray, when he knows what we need before we ask him, may perplex us if we do not realize that our Lord and God does not want to know what we want (for he cannot fail to know it) but wants us rather to exercise our desire through our prayers, so that we may be able to receive what he is preparing to give us. His gift is very great indeed, but our capacity is too small and limited to receive it. That is why we are told: Enlarge your desires, do not bear the yoke with unbelievers.

The deeper our faith, the stronger our hope, the greater our desire, the larger will be our capacity to receive that gift, which is very great indeed. No eye has seen it; it has no color. No ear has heard it; it has no sound. It has not entered man’s heart; man’s heart must enter into it.

In this faith, hope and love we pray always with unwearied desire. However, at set times and seasons we also pray to God in words, so that by these signs we may instruct ourselves and mark the progress we have made in our desire, and spur ourselves on to deepen it. The more fervent the desire, the more worthy will be its fruit. When the Apostle tells us: Pray without ceasing, he means this: Desire unceasingly that life of happiness which is nothing if not eternal, and ask it of him who alone is able to give it.”

SPIRITUALITY – Christian disciplines – a more deliberate effort to follow the Lord Jesus

To achieve life goals we need to select appropriate means. For our life of faith we do well to learn from the disciplines our Teacher Jesus practiced and invites us to practice; so that in following Him we may allow Him to guide us into the abundant life the Father desires for us, our spouse, and our family. In the "Karate Kid" movie the master has the boy do manual labour for certain moves to strengthen specific muscles to discipline karate stances and moves. It is like this in the discipline of the Catholic Christian faith. The Mass, the Bible, the Rosary, and other forms of prayer draw us more personally into the life and mystery of the Holy Trinity.

BACK TO GOD, DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ 

 DISCIPLINE – with our eyes on the goal we choose appropriate means to get there and practice them….

In – Disciplines for Christian Living – Fr. Thomas Ryan, CSP, a Paulist priest, reflects on the value for each Christian of developing discipline for a more abundant and satisfying life of faith in the life areas of:

1.      friendship & family life (the value of cultivating real connections with a few friends and with the members of our family wherever this is possible),

2.      living with a Sabbath rhythm (trying to rest – to pray and play including Sunday worship – for one whole day in connection with the Lord’s Day),

3.      exercise & play (our bodies were made to be active and an effective way to manage our moods is to engage in gratuitous exercise, unlike intense training, on a regular basis with the whole body in motion),

4.      prayerful presence (prayer is really visiting with God, with the three divine Persons, and we can do that formally at prayer time but also informally during each activity of our day, like thinking of loved ones),

5.      fasting (allowing the body to get in sync with the hunger and thirst in our soul to be more aware of God),

6.      service (one of the best ways to avoid excessive preoccupation with ourselves is to serve others with all of our attention focused in love for those we are serving, attending tenderly to them), and

7.      vision of Christian faith (accepting to let Jesus open up within us his own wide view of life and love – St. Pope John Paul II spoke and wrote about living our life like Jesus according to the “law of the gift”, that is, filled with God’s love and life we have the power to live our life as a gift for others like Jesus).

The "duty of the moment" – the great commandment of charity – love of God, of neighbour, and of self is a call not to remain indifferent but to allow ourselves to be moved, troubled, lifted up or cast down by others and what they are going through; just as Jesus did. As we rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep and show mercy; God fills us with his peace. As we walk in the Lord’s ways we avoid selfishness, jealousy, or feeling sorry for ourselves and trust rather in God to show us the way and provide for our needs. 

BACK TO GOD, DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ 

FOOD FOR THE CHRISTIAN – as an infant on mother’s breast we feed on God hour by hour, day by day

PRACTISING THE PRESENCE OF GOD & RECONCILIATION – ANTIDOTE TO BOREDOM

God is mysterious; so we need to allow Him to “tame” our wild and disordered spirit. As we “learn to keep God’s company” in a free exchange of mind and heart with the Holy Trinity, we enter into a sleep that remains contemplative all night and wake up refreshed and joyful. We needn’t worry about how this works but simply trust in the Holy Trinity to sustain us in a life of communion with them and with all living beings.

Jesus of Nazareth called the Christ, the Lord, revealed for all time to humanity that 3 divine Persons together are the one and only divine being we call God and are ever present. The only place in the universe, in all of creation, where they can be absent is in the human soul when an individual turns away from God and delves into sin, any refusal of the divine will, denial of love and its demands, or any thought, word, act, or behaviour that is evil, an offence against God, others, the goodness of creation, or life itself.

Serious sins are various forms of selfishness that use other people as objects and deny or denigrate the other's goodness and dignity created by God, simultaneously debasing and estranging the sinner from peace and the communion of God's love. We are constantly in need of seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and conversion from God through confession in order to avoid the great danger of hardness / coldness of heart.

Avoid being bored by taking interest in others rather than waiting for someone else to make things happen. Dispel the impulse to escape the present and run after any number of things. Draw on your inner freedom and deliberately spend time and invest energy and interest in others, in God, in what you are doing. Participate as fully and as often as you can in the words and rituals of the Holy Eucharist and every other Liturgy and prayer as gifts from the Holy Spirit to draw us to the Father through Jesus. Much grace comes to us through God's inspired Psalms / prayers in the Bible: e.g. Psalm 112 – “The happiness of the just man.”

BACK TO GOD, DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +  

GOD DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

 GOD DOUBTS, TROUBLES, STRUGGLES, PRAYER & FAQ

https://abbagilles.blogspot.com/p/catholic-christian-tools.html  

1.      Why bother with God at all? What if God isn’t real? Cf. Catholic Answers.com / Bishop Barron YouTube

2.      About praying – Cf. Prayer… what is that ?

3.      How can we possibly get to know God? How can we be known by God? Cf. Developing Christian Disciplines as RC’s

4.      If prayer is a divine fire, just putting the kindling and logs together isn’t enough. We need a spark or match or lighter to produce the first flame. What’s a spiritual match, lighter, or spark?

(1)   The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament of the Bible

(2)   The Gospels and Acts of the Apostles in the New Testament of the Bible

(3)   The Wisdom books in the Old Testament

(4)   The Letters of Paul, Peter, John, James & Jude in the New Testament

(5)   These are a good start, and then there’s a lot more.

5.      Is it possible to get coaching or mentoring in prayer and in the spiritual life?

(1)   The most personal opportunity to experience the healing power of God’s love and to be interiorly touched personally by God is in the Sacrament of Penance / Reconciliation, which is also called Confession and is available from all priests in the R.C. Church. Just find a priest you can trust or with whom you may feel comfortable and ask him.

(2)   The Ignatian Center of Montreal in NDG provides Prayer Companions

(3)   The Ignatian Center of Montreal in NDG also provides Spiritual Directors

(4)   You can obtain spiritual direction on various retreat experiences in retreat centers

(5)   You can ask your parish priest

(6)   Your parish may provide spiritual exercises that might help you

(7)   Our Church provides many opportunities for formation, learning, and accompaniment

6.      What are the essentials of prayer? The acronym ACTS can help you remember easily.

(1)   Adoration: expressing reverence for God by attitude, posture, words, interior disposition

(2)   Contrition: expressing to God sincere regret for wrongs / sins / omissions / neglect

(3)   Thanksgiving: giving thanks to God for his benefits we notice and those we haven’t

(4)   Supplication: putting our needs and requests and those of others to God – He already knows, but we need to exercise our desire in order to get ready for his answer

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

7.      What different kinds or methods or styles of prayer are there? Answer: an almost infinite variety

(1)   Prayerfully reading and pondering the inspired Word of God in Sacred Scripture: the Bible

(2)   Prayerfully participating in the various Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist / Mass

(3)   Praying and meditating on the Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary

(4)   Praying the Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office or The Breviary

(5)   Occupational Prayer: shooting short prayer phrases to God in the midst of daily occupations

(6)   The Prayer of Silence or Contemplation: silently welcoming the Holy Trinity as interior Guests

(7)   Various forms of meditation: relating personally to work of religious art as a window to God

(8)   Calling on a saint to keep you company and help you to pray to God: e.g. Mary in the Rosary

(9)   Many, many more…. e.g. Ignatian Prayer, Carmelite Prayer, Franciscan Prayer….

RETURN TO CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN TOOLS PAGE 

----------------------------------------------------------------

In the "New Covenant" made by our Creator God with humanity (Jeremiah 31:31-34) every person can know God from within - because the Holy Spirit is revealing our Creator to all who are willing to know the Lord and trust in Him. We can still help each other along the way; so may you be pleased to find here a variety of helps to the life of faith in God through Jesus Christ. G.S.

----------------------------------------------------------------

© 2006-2021 All rights reserved Fr. Gilles Surprenant, Associate Priest of Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montreal  QC
© 2006-2021 Tous droits réservés Abbé Gilles Surprenant, Prêtre Associé de Madonna House Apostolate & Poustinik, Montréal QC 

+ + + + + + + + + + + +