Day 80 – 90 Days to Peace
MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES, PRAY FOR US
DIVINE CONNECTION
The Gospel story Pope John Paul II sets as the foundation for his new millennium appeal is the “Call of the First Disciples” (Lk 5:1-11). This is the classic scene in which Jesus tells Peter to “Put out into deep water (duc in altum), and let down the nets for a catch.” Peter’s response is: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” They proceed to catch the maximum amount of fish their nets can hold. Peter, filled with awe and wonder once he realizes he is in the presence of divinity, does not feel worthy to be called. But Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will be fishers of men.”
Why does the Holy Father choose this particular Gospel reading as the basis for his new millennium master plan? Because Peter’s words — “We’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” — could not speak any more directly to the modern tsunami-like wave of secularism rolling across our planet, as well as our endless parade of parish programs that are mostly done as though God were not there (etsi Deus non daretur).
In other words, the story of the great catch is meant to show that when we try to move only under our own natural power without God (we’ve worked hard), we will flounder in the chaos of darkness (all night) and come up empty (caught nothing) every time. Jesus asks us to get in sync with him (to obey him) and not be afraid to set aside our superficial (man-powered) tendencies, as we enter the depths of a supernatural (God-powered) life.
Everything in the religious order — sacraments, devotions, teaching, scripture, moral discipline, preaching, etc. — is meant to bring us to this deeper state of being, to this Divine Connection. Jesus calls it “abiding” (Jn 15:4). The Latin for this is maneo which means “to remain” or “to stay” or “to endure” (or like the Marine Corps’ semper fi). This Divine Connection, this conformity to love, this participation in the Divine Life of God is the very power of the Holy Spirit and is referred to as being in a state of grace. (Excerpt from Church Militant Field Manual).
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You can enlist in the United States Grace Force HERE (please recruit family and friends!)
Information on the United States Grace Force can be found HERE
We highly recommend ordering the book “Let Freedom Ring” authored by Fr. Bill Peckman, Fr. James Altman and Fr. Rick Heilman. This amazing book was used for our first 40 days of reflections during this 90 Days to Peace journey with tens of thousands of other special forces prayer warriors!
For the remaining 50 days of this 90 Days to Peace journey, we are drawing reflections from the 54 Day Basic Training in Holiness. This leather-bound pocket manual is inspired by the original World War II pocket prayer book, My Military Missal. The daily reflections in this handbook are this basic training. Drawing from the truths found in the Holy Scriptures, the saints, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the first 27 days focus upon the qualities of excellence toward which we are all called to strive. The second 27 days contain excerpts from Fr. Heilman’s book, Church Militant Field Manual: Special Forces Training for the Life in Christ. You can order these books at RomanCatholicGear.com.
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Peace Through Strength
Leather-Bound Prayer Journal
Back in Stock!!”
“Do you crave the ‘peace that surpasses all understanding,’ mentioned by St. Paul in Holy Scripture? This journal will assist you in unlocking the secret to peace. It’s about guiding you to that higher life in God’s loving presence; it’s about cultivating that ‘heart speaking to heart’ intimacy with God.” ~Fr Rick Heilman
Get your Peace Through Strength Prayer Journal at RomanCatholicGear.com
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The Shepherd Project
A Call to Prayer for Our Bishops – May 1 to the end of October
May 20 – Pray for Bishop Andrew Harmon Cozzens
(From the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, Champion, WI) Our Lady’s message to Adele was clear – to gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they need to know for their salvation, especially in how to make the sign of the cross, how to know the catechism, and how to approach the sacraments. Our church leaders, especially our Bishops, are entrusted with this mission in their own communities and we, as the Church, have a great responsibility in praying for them as they continue the good work.
As our world faces a shortage of peace and an increase in division and attacks within our families and the Church, our Bishops are facing extreme challenges. This is why they need our prayers, now more than ever, for the grace necessary to heroically lead people of faith in these uncertain times.
This is what inspired the Shrine’s Shepherd Project – a season of prayer for each Bishop across the United States, starting from the Shrine’s location in Wisconsin and emitting outward as the year goes on. Join us as we offer up our prayers for a Bishop a day to the Blessed Mother from May 1 to the end of October.
Click HERE for the Shrine’s prayer that will be offered for each Bishop on their day.
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Combat Rosaries for Heroes
ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Madison, Wisconsin (Feb. 23, 2021) — A new nonprofit charity founded by a Catholic priest will provide free military-grade steel rosaries to U.S. military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders. Combat Rosaries for Heroes is being launched on February 23, 2021, which is the 76th anniversary of the iconic photo showing the flag being raised by the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima during the latter part of World War II. (You can read more about this HERE)
Since that February 23, 2021 announcemen, thanks to the generosity of so many, Combat Rosaries for Heroes has distributed nearly 10,000 Combat Rosaries to U.S. military personnel, law enforcement officers and first responders. While this is amazing, the demand remains very high.
Every effort is being made to put all donations toward only the raw cost of materials and assembly in order to get the most Combat Rosaries™ to the most heroes. Fundraising for the project will be done online. PLEASE donate at CombatRosariesForHeroes.com. Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 44036, Madison, WI 53744.
