December 11, 2022

Dear St. Martin of Tours Family and Friends,

Thanks to all who participated in our Parish Mission! Patti Schneier came to our parish sowing seeds of faith. The first evening, she gave us some very practical ways to get excited about prayer again. I want to share some of these here.

1. CAN I GET A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM GOD EVERY DAY? Yes! He gives each one of us a personalized message through the Daily Readings at Mass. Although the readings are universally the same, the Holy Spirit uses those very words as a means to communicate to you. Try it. You’ll be amazed. (The name of this kind of prayer is “lectio divina.”)

2. GOD GIVES YOU TIME! You say you don’t have time? God will give you time! Are you stuck waiting in line, gridlocked in traffic, or layovered at the airport? Use those moments of inconvenience as little gift-times for prayer. ALWAYS carry your ROSARY (or use your fingers) or download the “LAUDATE” App on your smartphone. It’s a free App that has the Bible and all things Catholic on it. It’s amazing.

3. PERSONALIZE your prayers. Sure, the Rosary has four sets of five mysteries each to meditate on, but you can also offer each decade or even each bead for a different intention: e.g. one decade for mom, another for dad, one for my sister Wendy, one for my sister Cathy, and the last for my Dad and all other deceased family members.

4. ADORATION WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Simply sitting or resting in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is transformative and healing of body, soul, and spirit. You will feel God’s Presence most powerfully whenever and wherever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed for worship.

5. START JOURNALING. Just do it. You’ll love it!