What's worse than a hard drive crash with no backup files?

Perhaps you’ve seen the ad? A couple is readying for their wedding day. Independently, each of them is warned ominously that the end is near; they will lose everything. They begin to feel a little creepy, but move ahead toward the altar. Just before the ceremony begins, someone bursts into the church to let them know that all their computer files are about to be wiped clean. The “everything” they will lose is the everything in their computer. The point is that rarely we are warned before a computer crash, and we should invest in a backup system.

I’ll admit it. The ad got me thinking. My computer had been maddeningly slow for days. Every time I tried to click anywhere, that colored wheel just spun and spun. So, I bought an external hard drive and copied everything onto it. Please read the rest here.

Lent ~ March 21 ~ World Down Syndrome Day

Fast

Give up an extra creature comfort this week: a Threebucks and change cup of coffee (or two or three), a pre- sandal season pedicure, a carryout dinner on a hectic baseball night. Note the money saved.

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Pray

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1: 27

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Give

Meet Albina. She's four and a half and lives in an institution in Eastern Europe. She is the orphan about whom our Lord speaks. She's never known the love of a mommy or a daddy. She's never had someone to read her bedtime stories, tuck her in at night, tell her she's beautiful, tell her she matters, tell her she's loved. There is a remarkable family waiting--wanting-- to take her home. Albina needs you. She needs you to remember it's Lent and we are called to give. She needs the spare change you saved above. She needs your prayers. Won't you take a moment to get to know Albina? There's a pretty amazing giveaway at the end of the post I just linked. Even more amazing, there is a little girl, God's own precious child, who is our chance to give To God today. 

(Psst: Patti tells me that whenever I link to one of the Reece's Rainbows fundraising efforts, my readers amaze her with their generosity. You've got a reputation for being very kind, indeed. Go you! And thanks so much:-)

Lent ~ March 20

Fast

"Don't get upset with your imperfections...It leads nowhere--to get angry because you are angry, upset at being upset, depressed at being depressed, disappointed because you are disappointed...Simply surrender to the power of God's love, which is always greater than our weakness" (St. Francis de Sales).

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Pray

Before you do anything else today, pray this prayer: "Lord help me to imitate Mary's deep humility, lively faith, blind obedience, unceasing prayer, constant self-denial, surpassing purity, ardent love, heroic patience, angelic kindness, and heavenly wisdom. Amen" (St. Louis de Montfort).

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Give

As you do laundry today, bless the person for whom you are folding. With every crease, offer a prayer.

Lent ~ March 19

It's the Solemnity of St. Joseph!

Celebrate a little.

Sing and pray with the Church (Click on Morning Prayer):

The Lord is the giver of holiness. Let us turn to him and pray:
– Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.

Lord our God, you called our fathers in faith to walk before you in holiness of heart,
may we follow in their footsteps, and obey your command to be perfect.
– Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.

You chose Joseph the righteous to care for your Son in childhood and youth,
teach us to care for Christ’s body by caring for our brothers and sisters.
– Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.

You entrusted the earth to mankind, to people it and make it prosper,
inspire us to work wholeheartedly in this world, seeking always to give you glory.
– Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.

Father of all mankind, do not forget what your hands have made,
grant that all who work may have secure employment and a fitting standard of living.
– Holy God, raise us up to new life in holiness.

Hear the wisdom of the ages:

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand... (to read the rest, click on "Office of Readings")

Lent ~ Sunday ~ March 18

Fast

"He who cares for his salvation, cuts down on words, while he who gains repentance shuns talkativeness like fire." (St. John Climacus)

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Pray

O LORD, Master of my life, grant that I may not be infected with the spirit of slothfulness and inquisitiveness, with the spirit of ambition and vain talking. Grant instead to me, your servant, the spirit of purity and of humility, the spirit of patience and neighborly love. O Lord and King, grant me the grace of being aware of my sins and of not thinking evil of those of my brethren. For you are blessed, now and ever, and forever. (St. Ephrem)

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Give

Listen well today. Make sure that you talk far less than you listen. Be attentive. Make eye contact. Ask interested questions. Really hear what people are saying and let them know they are understood.