The View From Above

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.” John 15:9-11

Today's Gospel spells out what is expected to obtain complete joy. Well who doesn't want that? Let's get to it.

I've been reading this small book by Fr. Jacques Philippe, The Way of Trust and Love, and I must say that it truly packs a powerful punch. From lessons on Faith and Hope and Trust to quotes from St. Therese's letters and prayers and writings from the last moments before she died, this book is loaded with ways to live a life of love, even in the midst of great trial.

In the bookstore as many of you know, there are balconies that overlook the front of the store and we can often see and hear great things in that "view from above". That makes me think today, along with the reading and the excerpt below from "The Way of Trust and Love", what does God see and hear from us as we go about our day to day work? Are we "scattering flowers"?

"'Love brings about love in return,' St. Therese said, quoting St. John of the Cross.  The love was already there, obviously, permeating all the attitudes we have talked about up till now - trust, humility, and abandonment. To those should be added all the little acts of love we choose to make in response to an invitation of the Spirit. These powerfully attract God's grace. What matters, as I said, is not to do extraordinary things, but for love to do the little things that form the fabric of our lives, to please God, to make our neighbors, parents, and friends happy. Therese called that 'scattering flowers.' The surest way of loving God is loving the people around us-loving them in a considerate way, accepting them as they are. This is an essential point."

Consider adding this book to your list of "must reads". It is phenomenal! Oh, and today, try "scattering flowers" so we can share "complete joy" and the "view from above" can be "something to behold."

Graduation Gift Ideas

Graduation season is upon us and I don't know about the rest of you but I have one graduating from High School on a Friday night and one graduating from Grade School the next morning. Times are just busy for all of us!

Here at the store, days are just as busy but we can make these busy times much easier. We have a great selection of graduation gifts as well as cards! So while you're shopping for First Communion or Confirmation or just grabbing a good book for yourself, pick up some gifts for those special graduates in your life and we'd be glad to wrap them for you. Someone said just the other day, "I cannot think of many places you can go anymore and have your gift wrapped, well you know, the old fashioned way, other than St. Mary's." My mom started that service when she first bought the store from the Diocese. Not just a bag or a box and a bow unless that's the way you like it or you're in a big hurry. We want you to look good at the party. We want your gift to stand out! Great gift ideas and packaged beautifully! That's a wrap!

Gifts for Every Occasion

We are deep into the season of Confirmation and Communion and the store is filled with gifts that will help young people remember these special sacraments as well as help them to continue to learn more about their faith. We also cannot forget that it is an exciting time for those who are graduating too! (I have two graduations and I know our house is filled with excitement.)

This new line of music boxes and these brightly colored plaques and angels are just a few ideas that are great for every occasion. Whether those who visit SMB are in need of a First Communion Dress or veil or tie, whether they need a prayer book or rosaries, whether they are searching for a book or a medal of a special Saint chosen for Confirmation, or they want something totally different like these new lines of gift plaques and angels, we hope that we have something for everyone and for every occasion right here in our one stop shop. Hey...and don't forget the cards and gift bags! Makes everything come together for that special day.

Brick and Mortar and So Much More

Around the United States there are hundreds of empty buildings where there were once beautiful bookstores. But, there are also hundreds of bookstores that still remain. Yes, the "old" brick and mortar bookstores are still around and many are not just surviving but are thriving. There is no doubt in this time of the much more convenient online shopping that bookstores around the country have to work harder than ever to make ends meet, to serve the public, to pay employees, to be available and to have merchandise when customers come to shop outside their own homes. Those of us who are still standing "after all these years" have much more to offer than just a place to buy a book. When my mother extended the name of St. Mary's Bookstore with the "slogan" MORE THAN A BOOKSTORE, we wanted potential customers to know that inside our doors were not just books, but gifts and church goods and clothing and candles and cards as well. But even more than that and I believe I can speak for "brick and mortar" bookstores across the country, inside our doors there is a place to rest your weary soul, a place to dream of becoming someone more, a place to explore the past, a place to talk and to discuss and to be understood, a place to receive service and a place to be loved.

Just the other day, as customers shopped all around us, a young girl shared the story of her dying son whom she had to place in the hands of God because there was "nothing else the doctors could do". Although the boy was not completely "classroom" prepared, his mother asked if he could receive his First Communion before he died. He did and his mother was awaken early the next morning to what she thought would be the announcement of his death but to what turned out to be a complete turn around in his condition. Many doctors piled into the small room to "see" to believe. I felt completely blessed by this young mom sharing her miracle.

"My sister's in an abusive relationship, can you help me find something to help her?" "I meet with a group of guys and we are looking for something to strengthen our prayer lives." "I have a friend interested in the Catholic faith. Well she is a Catholic but has been away from the church and I don't want to scare her off." "I need you to pick out something to send to my friend who just lost her sister. I trust your judgment." We are so fortunate to have these customers who share their faith and we are grateful to the many great Catholic authors who take the time to spread the faith through their writing...gifts of the Spirit.

I hope that we continue to serve this area as well as the many people who call from out of town to place an order and to talk and to share their lives. I hope that we continue to spend time listening, praying, sharing, serving and loving those whom God puts in our lives. And I hope that this brick and mortar store will remain always "More Than A Bookstore". Brick and Mortar and So Much More.

From a Death Row Inmate

I never met Bill personally. We corresponded through letters and through Deacon Jim. Bill was much better about writing to me than I to him. For a year or so, Bill made rosaries and sent them to the bookstore for us to sell. We gave him all the proceeds from the sales, knowing that his rosary ministry gave him purpose and gave our customers a connection. At Christmas this past year, I received a letter that explained that he was able to buy himself and his co-worker a "Christmas basket". I had sent payments back to back because we had sold so many of the rosaries for Christmas gifts. I received another letter a week later from Bill that said, "We were trying to find a way to tithe and the second payment for the sale of the rosaries allowed us to buy a Christmas basket for an inmate who did not get anything. Thank you." Really? Worried about tithing? Tears rolled down my cheeks at the thought of it all. In my small mind filled with judgment, I could not understand why a man on death row was worried about tithing. The fact that he made rosaries to spread the message of Our Lady was difficult enough to fathom, wasn't it? Jim shared that Bill was "tremendously moved by our willingness to share the rosaries he made with the Catholic community of Nashville. He often told me how pleased he was that through your generosity there was now a prayer link between the prisoners and free-world Catholics."  Jim told me not too long ago that Bill was diagnosed with Cancer and this past weekend, Divine Mercy Sunday weekend, Bill died. We will miss not having that little bit of prison ministry on our counter. I will miss the letters and the boxes of new, brightly colored beads that arrived on occasion. I never knew him, nothing about his past, only about the rosaries, and yet...

Remember A B C - Divine Mercy Sunday

A - Ask for Mercy

B - Be Merciful

C - Completely Trust

From Fr. Chris Alar, MIC

Divine Mercy Novena Day 9

Ninth Day:

Today bring to Me SOULS WHO HAVE BECOME LUKEWARM,* and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them, the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy.

Most compassionate Jesus, You are Compassion Itself. I bring lukewarm souls into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart. In this fire of Your pure love, let these tepid souls, who, like corpses, filled You with such deep loathing, be once again set aflame. O Most Compassionate Jesus, exercise the omnipotence of Your mercy and draw them into the very ardor of Your love, and bestow upon them the gift of holy love, for nothing is beyond Your power.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon lukewarm souls who are nonetheless enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. Father of Mercy, I beg You by the bitter Passion of Your Son and by His three-hour agony on the Cross: Let them, too, glorify the abyss of Your mercy. Amen.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayer

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

Divine Mercy Novena Day 8

Eighth Day:

Today bring to Me THE SOULS WHO ARE DETAINED IN PURGATORY, and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. Let the torrents of My Blood cool down their scorching flames. All these souls are greatly loved by Me. They are making retribution to My justice. It is in your power to bring them relief. Draw all the indulgences from the treasury of My Church and offer them on their behalf. Oh, if you only knew the torments they suffer, you would continually offer for them the alms of the spirit and pay off their debt to My justice.

Most Merciful Jesus, You Yourself have said that You desire mercy; so I bring into the abode of Your Most Compassionate Heart the souls in Purgatory, souls who are very dear to You, and yet, who must make retribution to Your justice. May the streams of Blood and Water which gushed forth from Your Heart put out the flames of Purgatory, that there, too, the power of Your mercy may be celebrated.

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the souls suffering in Purgatory, who are enfolded in the Most Compassionate Heart of Jesus. I beg You, by the sorrowful Passion of Jesus Your Son, and by all the bitterness with which His most sacred Soul was flooded: Manifest Your mercy to the souls who are under Your just scrutiny. Look upon them in no other way but only through the Wounds of Jesus, Your dearly beloved Son; for we firmly believe that there is no limit to Your goodness and compassion. Amen.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostle's Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the Ten Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayer

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.