Category: Faithful Living - ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY

ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY

Keeping our spaces clean & tidy

5/5/2023

The space around us often reflects the state of our being. If our spaces are cluttered, this may mean that we are not on top of things or may feel overwhelmed with the demands of life.

One secret to keeping our spaces clean and tidy is to maintain little habits that help us to organize our lives and to avoid procrastination. For example, the habit of immediately returning a tool in the toolbox after each use will prevent tools from sitting around for days or weeks where they should not be. With this habit, unnecessary disasters and time-consuming problems are averted.

>>> Watch this video for daily habits that help keep our home clean and tidy.The space around us often reflects the state of our being. If our spaces are cluttered, this may mean that we are not on top of things or may feel overwhelmed with the demands of life.

Consider this...
“But all things should be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthian 14:40

When we are able to maintain order in little things, we are present to the moment.

Something to think about on Family's Day

2/17/2023

Watch this excerpt of an interview of Dr. Jordan Peterson on parenting and the impact on children. >>> Watch video now

What are your thoughts as parents? How has your experience of parenting and raising children been?

Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” ~ Hebrews 12:11

Authentic love builds and requires a lot of effort.

Adoro te devote

2/16/2023

>> Watch this video and take in the beautiful arrangement of Adoro Te Devote by Domenico Bartolucci during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on June 10, 2010, on the eve of the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus at St. Peter’s Square.

Oh what treasure we have in the Church – the Son of God truly present! Let us adore Him.

In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering.”

“Without the Eucharist, the Church simply does not exist.”

“Friends, do not be afraid of silence or stillness. Listen to God. Adore Him in the Eucharist.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Madonna House: A Song of Love

2/13/2023

Take a half hour break and watch Salt & Light Media’s documentary on Madonna House, a community of about 200 lay men, women, and priests who have dedicated themselves to Christ by living out promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

Witness their joy and be inspired to find that same joy in Christ where you have been called to serve Christ in your ordinary life.

>> Watch video now

How does our daily life and routine reflect to others?
Will they find the joy of Christ?

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
Proverbs 27:19

Money habits that keep you poor

1/30/2023

Some Catholics believe that we should not think of money as we focus on God not recognizing that most common symptoms of spiritual problems involve finances. Greed, the lack of self-discipline, and corruption in the heart will manifest wherever they can, often dealing with one’s money or other people’s money. Some people are drowning in debt from excessive shopping, some have gambling problems to channel their loneliness, some steal money from others or from work to manage their finances problems…

Now on the flip side, we cannot be money-obsessed either. Our money cannot own us or control us. God should be our center. Money is a tool to serve God and others, while making sure that we have what we need for a good, balanced, and an upright life.

This accountant shares some basic financial approaches to overcome or prevent money issues. While not everything may apply to you, her tips should provide things to consider in the management of your personal finances.

>> Watch video now

As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19

Be good stewards. Live with God by having Him at the center of your life. Keep everything in order.

Spirituality & Mental Health

1/23/2023

As human beings with both body and soul, we take good care of ourselves through healthy relationships, especially our relationship with God, and with the help of science.

Watch this video and see how both science and the Faith connect.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul.” 3 John 1:2

We have been wonderfully made by God. We must always seek wholeness and holiness in everything so that in sickness or in health and through life’s joys and sorrows, we abide in God.

What it means to truly listen to someone

1/16/2023

Jordan Peterson shares the hard truths of authentic listening. Simple but challenging. Be inspired to listen and learn.
>> Watch video now

You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. Therefore rid yourselves of all sordidness and rank growth of wickedness, and welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.” ~ James 1:19-21

If someone were to make a caricature of us, it would be a compliment if they have our eyes and ears drawn disproportionately larger than the size of our head and our mouth.

How to set resolutions?

1/9/2023

When we experience anxiety, our fears and worries often hinder our ability to make decisions.

Lauren Lawson suffers from anxiety disorder, and she knows first hand how challenging it can be to move toward a goal without setting off her anxiety.

"My therapist once wrote a big “X” over the words what if on a piece of paper. Apparently, I had used the phrase what if so many times that she felt the need to physically show me how these two words were keeping me from moving toward any goals, let alone a single goal."

Read Lauren's article

Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Phililppians 4:6-7

In the battle against daily anxiety, seek out small acts of faith we can turn to: Surrender Novena; Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet; Offer up prayers for others; Remember God's love for you. (Source: Ascension Press)

Unpacking Christmas Day

12/26/2022

Why do we celebrate Christmas, the day of the Lord’s birth, on December 25th?

>> Watch this video and find out that this date was not inspired by the pagan feast of the sun god as commonly held by those who are cynical of the Church’s celebration of Christmas. In fact, it’s the other way around as Christmas pre-existed the pagan feast of the sun. As well, Christmas Day was not chosen randomly by the Church as this date is connected to the birth of John the Baptist.

So, don’t hold back, celebrate Christmas, the birthday of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. And one more thing… Christmas is not just a day-long celebration, it’s a season.

The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." Matthew 4:16

Live and bask in the Light of God. Overcome darkness and death with the Light of Christ.

A Happy Christmas to you and your family!

Beyond a picture-perfect family Christmas dinner

12/19/2022

Watch this video and go beyond merely having a picture-perfect family Christmas dinner. Let Christ be at the center of all things.

Those who say, ‘I love God’, and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen.”
1 John 4:20

Strive to be transformed by Christ and yearn for what is real.

Turning to our Mother

12/12/2022

The feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, is Mission Mexico Day in the Diocese of Calgary. But do you know the story of our Lady and Juan Diego? Watch this 20-minute video and learn about our Mother’s love as deigned by God.

Our Lady appeared in Mexico to show her love for all peoples especially the most simple of heart. May we embrace her love and share it with others, especially those in need.

“Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” – words of Our Lady of Guadalupe to Juan Diego on Mount Tepeyac in 1531.

Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” Isaiah 49:15

Mary is the embodiment of perfect love. May we imitate her way of love.

Knowing the right things to say

10/3/2022

Perhaps you have gone through difficult times and received unhelpful but well-meaning comments. Maybe you just heard yourself say something that didn’t come across as well as you thought it would as you tried to console someone.

Watch this video and learn some tips on knowing the right things to say as a personal mini sensitivity training.

Consider this…

Then Job answered:
“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all…” Job 16:2

Job’s comforters were not very present to him in his misery, instead they were trying to find a way to provide a rationale for what he was going through. When we are suffering, we do not need commentators around us. We just want someone to accompany us with what we’re going through. Be a friend who focuses on the feelings and needs of the other.

School lunch ideas from different countries

9/26/2022

Looking for new ideas for your kids’ school lunches? Apparently this is what school lunch looks like around the world. We have no way of proving it, but we like what we see. Watch video

Consider this…

“Better is a dinner of vegetables where love is than a fatted ox and hatred with it.” Proverbs 15:17

Obviously, the author wasn’t a vegetarian! But I think we get the point. Love is the key ingredient to all that we do in preparing meals and packing them up for our children’s lunch. Keep up the good work!

Feeling anxious in social settings?

9/3/2022

Feeling socially anxious? This video may help.

Learn about the spotlight effect and see if this applies to you and your thoughts. If it does, calm down, walk into the room, and be yourself.

Consider this…

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”
Psalm 139:14

Each one of us is wonderfully by God. We have different personalities and styles. So don’t be afraid to showcase your gifts and your talents while you discover the gifts and talents of others. And if you happen to stand out, use it for the glory of God!

Understanding circular economy

8/9/2022

Our lifestyle and choices affect other people and the environment. We do not live in isolation even when we think that we are making private, personal, and individual acts or decisions that do not involve others. Our action and inaction have consequences on others and the world around us.

As consumers in today’s world, it can be overwhelming to make purchasing decisions that have less of a negative impact on others and the environment, as it is not as simple as it seems. For example, not all recyclables are the same. Not everything labeled as “made from recyclable materials” is actually 100% made from recyclable materials as these materials degrade in quality over time. And just because it’s recyclable doesn’t mean it’s actually being recycled especially when these products do not make their way to the recycling facilities. Recycling materials also require so much energy to process that reusing might be a better alternative to recycling. Our heads spin… we can easily burn out and give up.

In order to make good and responsible choices that support our lifestyle, it is beneficial to understand the concept of circular economy. Watch this six-minute video and learn to see beyond the products as you understand their life cycle and their impact on people and the environment.

Consider this…

To have dominion over creation is to have the responsibility of caring for a reality that is interconnected. We belong to an entire ecosystem. What affects one part ends up affecting the other parts. As Christians, we need to have the ability to see the whole picture because everything is interconnected.

Then God said, ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."

Genesis 1:26

Can I get a Yahoo?

7/15/2022

Sean Lynn at Stampede 2022

St. Paul's Church in Brocket

I just finished working the first three days of The Calgary Stampede as a police officer and it was packed! It amazed me to see the number of serving members who take annual leave to volunteer to help out at the stampede. This event attracts 2500 volunteers to work long days to pull off the World’s Greatest Outdoor Show!

We need that volunteer spirit to bring our diocese and parishes into the vibrant church community that God wants us to have. God Squad has chosen the mission of inviting men into God’s work in Canada. To make it clear, we are not asking you to join under the God Squad banner but rather to work collaboratively with us to encourage men to be part of the fabric of the Church’s mission. We would love to hear what is happening in your parish regarding ministry to men and how we can help. Please contact admin@godsquad.ca

To this end I would like to invite the men of the Diocese of Calgary to join us in painting St Paul’s Church in Brocket on Saturday August 27, 2022, weather permitting. Note that family and friends are welcome to volunteer as well. This is an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with our First Nations brothers and sisters and to beautify the Lord's dwelling place.

Please consider joining us and partake of our Barbecue Outreach for some great food, fellowship and community service.

Submitted by Sean Lynn, God Squad Canada

Faithfully: How to be a better neighbour

6/14/2022

How’s your neighbourhood? Do you know your neighbours? A good relationship with our neighbours helps us to feel at home especially in the summer when we spend more time in our yards.

Watch: How to be a better neighbour

If you realize that you do not know your neighbours at all and have not had the courage to get to know them, this video offers some helpful tips on how to break the ice and begin the art of good “neighbouring”.

Make a friend out of a stranger
Name the elephant in the room
State your intentions
Prepare your talking points

Having a great neighbour is a blessing. Don’t plan to only introduce yourself when there are problems to be solved or complaints to be addressed. Be proactive and get to know them while all is well.

Consider this...
“…better a neighbour nearby than a relative far away.”
Proverbs 27:10

A good neighbour can be like family.
Contribute to growing a great neighbourhood.

Dad talk

6/12/2022

Dads, as we gear up for Father’s Day, let’s take a moment to watch this video and see if we can find a fresh perspective on fatherhood or a new inspiration to step up our game!

Thank you for always trying to be the best dad that you can be! Have a wonderful time with your family on Father’s Day.

Consider this...
“And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Teaching the ways of God and of love can never be through the path of anger! Lead by example. We must be the first to admit our need to grow, and in the process, show others the way through our small and sincere efforts in becoming a better version of ourselves through Christ.

Here’s a support resource for men: https://godsquad.ca/

Faithful Living: The Miraculous Medal

5/29/2022

48,000 miraculous medals will be blessed by the Bishop on Monday, May 30, 2022 during the Mass at the Shrine Church of Our Lady of the Rockies. These medals have been donated by a very generous couple for distribution to the parishes of the Diocese.

You may be curious about the meaning behind the miraculous medals and the practise of having such blessed objects of devotion.

The miraculous medal belongs to a category of religious or devotional objects blessed and dedicated for the purpose of inciting faith and devotion. A blessed medal can make a person realize the closeness of God through His Saints especially our Blessed Mother.

Our Lady appeared to St. Catherine Labouré in 1830 and showed her images with the instruction to “Have a medal struck upon this model. Those who wear it will receive great graces, especially if they wear it around the neck.” This medal was to express her closeness to her children especially those who call on her for help.

The following explain the meaning and significance of the design of the medal:

Front side
Mary is standing upon a globe, crushing the head of a serpent beneath her foot. She stands upon the globe, as the Queen of Heaven and Earth. Her feet crush the serpent to proclaim Satan and all his followers are helpless before her (Genesis 3:15). The year of 1830 on the Miraculous Medal is the year the Blessed Mother gave the design of the Miraculous Medal to Saint Catherine Labouré. The reference to Mary conceived without sin supports the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary—not to be confused with the virgin birth of Jesus, and referring to Mary's sinlessness, “full of grace” and “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28)—that was proclaimed 24 years later in 1854.

Back side
The 12 stars can refer to the Apostles, who represent the entire Church as it surrounds Mary. They also recall the vision of St. John, writer of the Book of Revelation (12:1), in which “a great sign appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of 12 stars.” The cross can symbolize Christ and our redemption, with the bar under the cross a sign of the earth. The “M” stands for Mary, and the interleaving of her initial and the cross shows Mary’s close involvement with Jesus and our world. In this, we see Mary’s part in our salvation and her role as mother of the Church. The two hearts represent the love of Jesus and Mary for us. (See Lk 2:35).

The 48,000 blessed medals will be packaged and distributed to the parishes shortly after May 30, 2022. Please remember to look for these medals in your parish and take however many you would like to bring home and use.

May the medal remind us that the mother of our Saviour is always concerned for our well-being. She wants us to be close to Christ and to pattern our lives after Him. May the medal make us experience her closeness… only a prayer away.

Consider this...

“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that when the handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were brought to the sick, their diseases left them, and the evil spirits came out of them.”
Acts 19:11-12

The handkerchiefs or aprons held no special power! It was the Will of God and the power of God that brought about healing. He chose tangible ways to convey his closeness and to channel the gift of healing.

Source: AMM - Miraculous Medal Story

Faithful Living: Reducing Food Waste

5/12/2022

"Consumerism has led us to become used to an excess and daily waste of food, to which, at times we are no longer able to give a just value. Throwing away food is like stealing from the table of the poor and the hungry." Pope Francis, 2013.

About 17 percent of global food production may go wasted, according to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Food Waste Index Report 2021, with 61% of this waste coming from households, 26% from food service and 13% from retail.

As a good steward of our resources, we are called to do our part to reduce food waste by being more conscious of our choices and actions.

Seven quick reminders:

Plan meals and stick with your grocery list. Avoid getting carried away at Costco or big box stores.
Buy foods that are in season because they taste better, so you're more likely to finish them.
Leaf to root eating. Try to consume all edible parts of a plant (cauliflower leaves, carrot greens, potato skins). Get ideas and recipes.
Bring older foods to the front of your fridge, and make leftovers visible. Or store food in the "Eat this first" storage area in your fridge, or label it so. Consider using online help like SuperCook to find recipes using items you already have in stock.
Rescue foods that are about to go bad. Roast it, stew it, pickle it, mix it in fried rice or soup, bake it into bread, make it into a smoothie or the base for soup.... there are many creative ways out there to give your leftovers a new life. Think of leftovers as culinary adventure. Watch: 4 meals we make with leftovers
Use the freezer to store leftovers, and remember to consume it. You can also start a "Catch-all bowl" in the freezer to store clean fruit and vegetable scraps, ready to use for a future soup base.
Feed others. Share with your friends and family!

Consider this...
Even the smallest actions: reflecting on food waste, avoiding overbuying, mindful of leftovers - are movements in the right direction, sowing the seeds of change.

“It is a return to that simplicity which allows us to stop and appreciate the small things, to be grateful for the opportunities which life affords us, to be spiritually detached from what we possess, and not to succumb to sadness for what we lack.” Laudato Si' #222

5 little things to start in spring

5/8/2022

"The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it." Genesis 2:1-14.

We are called to take meaningful actions to care for God's creation. If you are unsure of where to start, here are 5 ideas to consider this spring:

Set aside a garden space for prayer and contemplation. Starting a Mary's garden is delightful way to honour our Blessed Mother this month. A prayer garden doesn't have to be elaborate, or even outside. Surround yourself with plants or flowers you enjoy, and pray.
Make 'seed bombs' - Sowing wildflowers in your garden provides vital resources to support or increase biodiversity. Throwing, breaking up or digging ‘seed bombs’ (or balls) into areas in your garden is a perfect way of spending an afternoon with your family, or friends! Learn how to make seed bombs here or here
Get involved with a clean-up in your area. Plan your own, or find/register one at The Great Global Cleanup or local one like these ones, and help clean trash from our neighbourhoods, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks.
Start composting to use the leftovers you can’t consume. While diverting food from landfills, composting helps enrich soil, promotes plant growth, filters and uses rainwater, and decreases greenhouse gasses. You can compost anywhere! How to make easy compost at home
Supporting a local farmers market is a delicious way to support and preserve God’s creation, especially farmers and artisans in your community. It also reduces transportation pollution and cuts back on trash and plastic bag usage, since produce is minimally packaged.

There are many simple and creative ways “to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations” (Laudato Si’ 67). Find more action items in Laudato Si' Week 2022 Celebration Guide (May 22-29, 2022).

Faithful Living: Saving gas and the earth

4/30/2022

Here are 5 small individual actions that help save you gas, build community, and can have a huge impact for our earth:

Arrange ride sharing to Mass and other parish events. Perhaps you can take this a step further by organizing occasional walk-to-church weekends?
Increase your use of public transportation. It's not too cold outside. With buses and trains operating all seasons, making use of them instead of your car — even just 2 or 3 times a month — is a step in reducing emissions and traffic congestion. Gain the rare opportunities of saying hello to a stranger, listening to forgotten podcasts, reading a book, or praying your examen or rosary in between stations.
Take more time for a leisurely walk in a park or along the river, whether alone or with family or friends. Appreciate the great beauty God has given us in all aspects of creation.
Set aside one day a month or a week to leave the car parked and instead walk, ride a bike or use transit to get where you are going. It's a small step that can benefit the health of God's creation, and yours as well.
Good driving habits lessen fuel consumption. Some examples: proper usage of vehicle’s cruise control; avoid aggressive practices such as speeding, heavy braking, heavy accelerating; avoid extended idling; use the right gears; replace air filters regularly; have tires properly inflated, and so much more. Find 'green' driving tips here

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that our environment is God's gift to all people, and the use we make of it entail a shared responsibility for all humanity, especially the poor and future generations.

"We are all responsible for the protection and care of the environment. This responsibility knows no boundaries. In accordance with the principle of subsidiarity it is important for everyone to be committed at his or her proper level, working to overcome the prevalence of particular interests." (2010)

Consider this...
Everything starts with a small step.

"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
Galatians 5:9

Faithful Living: The joy of Easter

4/14/2022

In preparing for this great feasting season of Easter, we abstained, prayed and gave alms. What would happen if we lived the Easter season with as much fervour as we live Lent?

What can we do to colour our spiritual lives with Easter joy during this liturgical season?

Stay connected to the liturgy. The readings for daily Mass during Easter take us on an exciting journey through the Last Supper discourse and through the amazing and frightening experience of the early Church. Spend time reading the commentaries on these passages, meditating on them, and allowing God to speak to our hearts through them.
Find ways to rejoice! Enjoy God’s goodness such that joy overflows from our spirits, into our emotions, and even into our bodies. Some inspiration: make Sunday lunch or dinner a truly festive occasion for your family and friends every Sunday of Easter; carve out some extra time during Easter for your whole family; reflect Easter joy in your wardrobe, baking, outings, movie selections etc.
Reach out. Jesus taught us that “there is more joy in giving than receiving.” Renewing our efforts to bring others closer to Christ, to help others who are in need – those close to us, or those far away – can colour our lives with Easter joy, if we season those efforts with prayer and faith.

Why should Lent be the only time we make resolutions? God has graces in store for us this season, just as he did during Lent. We only need to keep our eyes peeled so that we don’t miss them.

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
~ Hebrews 12:2

Excerpts taken from Fr. John Bartunek's article in SpiritualDirection.com:
"How can we celebrate the Easter Season more fully?"

Praying away anxiety?

3/28/2022

Any of our daily concerns can become a source of great anxiety if we do not manage them. In general, the antidote to anxiety is trust in the Lord. Sometimes, however, it feels like we can't just pray away our anxiety, which makes us feel that we must not have enough faith and trust in God for not being able to shake it off.

This short video explains how anxiety feels and provides simple tools which can be used in daily our conversation with God. The anxiety journal, for example, can unpack and slowly dispel a looming concern as we write down what we are anxious about, what their root causes are, and how are we going to confront or tackle the real issues. All done prayerfully before God.

Consider this... Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the causes of your worries or anxieties and work out a plan to resolve the root causes "for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Remember that we have been created for freedom in Christ. Take responsibility and take care of the gift of freedom which we have received in Christ.

Faithful Living: Peace in the world

3/15/2022

Little things we can offer for peace in the world...

1. Pray

Offer constant prayers throughout the day for peace not only in the world but also for our own surroundings. Take a moment and pray for peace using this video.
Go to Mass daily.
Offer the Holy Rosary daily for peace and conversion.

2. Offer penances

Love is expressed by gestures and not just words. Offering penance for others is offering concrete prayers to God for others. It begins with our conscious acceptance of ordinary incoveniences and discomforts,,, accepting the daily crosses. When we are aware of these daily challenges, pause, recognize the sacrifice, and offer them to God for peace in our world. Instead of kicking and screaming and perhaps whining and complaining, endure the incoveniences and turn these moments of sacrifice into prayer.
Another way of offering penance is by actively doing something good for others that we do not normally do for them and secretly offer this loving gesture as a sacrifice to God for peace in our world.

3. Watch or read the news and pray for the people you see & hear about

Doing this reminds us that they are all human beings like you and me, and in need of prayer.
While it may be tempting to not pray for those who do evil and only pray for the victims, they need our prayers too. We must pray for the grace of conversion that their hearts may be softened. After all, we are all human beings in need of God's grace.

Consider this...
St. Paul says, "I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church." ~ Colossians 1:24

We all share in the sufferings of Christ and have a part in His crucifixion. As we consciously unite ourselves to His suffering and the suffering of others, we also unite ourselves to the gift of the resurrection and new life.