Saturday, November 1st, we celebrate all the saints who have gone before us and now share in the glory of heaven. May their example inspire us to live lives of holiness and joy!

Almighty God,

Thank You for the countless saints who followed You faithfully.

Help us to walk in their footsteps with courage and love,

so we may one day rejoice with them in heaven.

Amen.

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  Sunday, November 2nd, we pray for all the faithful departed; our loved ones and souls in need of God's mercy. May perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in His peace.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

And may the souls of all the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen.

Welcome to the Church

This week has reminded me of how much I love our soon to be new Catholics coming into the store and sharing their excitement of the long awaited entry into Full Communion.  It's an amazing time to be sharing faith stories, and, for all of us, to be receiving the Body of Christ again at Mass inside our churches. It's as if we are all in a kind of celebration stage!
As you can imagine, people often ask us, "What is a good gift for someone coming into the Church?"
One wonderful book that we highly recommend is "Amazing Graces: The Blessings of Sacramentals". Not only does it give the history of our beautiful Sacramentals but it also gives testimony of how people have used Sacramentals to draw closer to Christ. Each chapter concludes with a prayer that ties the use of the Sacramentals to our faith journey.
Rosaries are always a great gift along with gift boxes or pouches to put them in. We have crosses with the RCIA symbols on them or Crucifixes that make wonderful gifts as well. If someone has taken a patron for Confirmation, we have many items specific to the Saints and if unsure, we have the ever popular Four-Way medal which includes a Scapular medal, a miraculous medal, St. Joseph and St. Christopher medals and some (Five Way) include the Holy Spirit on the center. These medals usually have inscribed on the back, "I am a Catholic". We have prayerbooks with nice covers that have simple short prayers for every day and we recommend to inscribe the books with a short note and the date. No matter the gift you choose, let us as always take time to pray for one another. Let us as always take time to listen to one another. Let us always take time to encourage one another in Faith. Everyone has a story and through the work of the Holy Spirit, they are all amazing!
We are open 9-3 Monday - Saturday (please wear a face mask) but you can always browse our website at www.stmarysbookstore.com and we are happy to curbside deliver.

Choosing a First Communion Gift

Whether you choose a First Communion gift that is specific to the Sacrament of Communion or simply what you feel the child would like, every gift can be memorable and special. We want to choose a gift to help a child not only remember their special day but also to further their prayer life and draw them closer each day to Jesus. How can we help?

Every day we are asked by parents and grandparents and friends and neighbors, aunts and uncles and godparents, WHAT is a good present for First Communion?

We highly recommend that parents and grandparents give the more traditionally "personal" gifts, such as, a rosary, a prayer book, a bible or a crucifix. Godparents may want to go with a piece of jewelry such as a cross or a bracelet with a chalice (we offer great masculine bracelets). Aunts and uncles may like to give a rosary box or pouch or a communion frame. Friends and neighbors can choose from many, many books about First Communion or the Mass. We suggest if anyone chooses to give a book, whether specific or general, that they personalize the inside with the date and a message for the child's special day. Other choices, in general, include medals, figurines and books of saints, bookmarks, crosses with communion symbols or a special message, and music boxes.
First Communion Day is a very special time for our children and we are aware that you want to keep the momentum of that day going forever. Let us help you choose something special.

What to Get Dear Ole Dad for Father's Day

We are nearing that time when dads, young and old, are getting ready to jump for joy upon receiving gifts for Father's Day. So we've been thinking...why not find something to go with the traditional mug or tie or hand-made bookmark to show our appreciation for dad? Hmm. Maybe some Mystic Monk Coffee to go with that Mug or a cool Scapular Medal to wear with that tie or a new daily prayer book for his bookmark.

As patron Saint of fathers, St. Joseph is a great example of the role a man plays in his family and the importance of fatherhood in general. Here are a couple of gifts related to St. Joseph for Father's Day.

St. Joseph Statue

Scapular Medal

St. Joseph Daily Prayer Book

The truth is, St. Joseph's available all the time in prayer. Ha! Being an awesome father can be difficult and yet we know many who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. God bless our dads on their special day and throughout the year. May they stay close to their Patron St. Joseph. May they emulate his goodness and his care.

Do We Ask Her Enough?

On this Feast of Our Lady of Good Help, I am reminded to ask myself, "Do I ask Mary for help, for all I need, for all the needs of others, to intercede? Do I ask her enough? Almost 2,000 years ago her Son gave her to us through the offering to St. John at the base of the cross, "Behold your Mother."

And again, over 150 years ago, Our Lady appeared to Sr. Adele Brise in Wisconsin and told her, "I will help you." There is now a beautiful Marian Shrine built on the site of this approved apparition. (the only approved U.S. apparition, Visiting Mary: Her U.S. Shrines and their Graces)

And today, as we go about our day to day activities, as we worry about our jobs, our parents, our children and our nation, as we stress over how we can afford tuition and house payments and car payments, as we struggle with health issues, can we hear her voice? In the stillness? In the quiet? "I will help you." Do we visit her? Do we believe? Do we ask her enough? On this Feast of Our Lady of Good Help, we are reminded to accept the gift given at the base of the cross by Her Son. She is our help in this world. Pray for her intercession. Pray the rosary for peace. Allow her to help us.

Daily Meds

Why are we so insistent on taking our daily meds? What keeps us loading that weekly pill box with all our daily doses? Easy answers right? They make us feel better. They keep us going. Give us energy.  Maybe even keep us alive. Many of us organize them at the beginning of each week so they are at our fingertips every morning and so we do not miss taking one or the other. Wait...now this is what happens when I shorten words. I was not writing this about daily medication. I was writing about daily meditation. But actually, this is perfect. Let's check on some of those questions.

Why should we be so insistent on taking time for daily meditation? What keeps us opening that book filled with daily reflections? Easy questions right? It makes us feel better. Daily prayer and meditation keep us going. Give us energy. Maybe even keeps us alive in the Spirit by strengthening the love in our hearts. Many of us organize them at the beginning of the week so they are at our fingertips every morning, so we do not miss. Let's be real. Once you put yourself on daily meds and form a habit reading them, they are difficult to go without. So, here are some suggestions for 2017. Let's get started if you haven't already.

I Will Praise Your Name Forever - 2017 Journal With Scripture Meditations
This journal lists the readings for each day and allows space for us to write our personal thoughts and prayers.Updated every year, it is a wonderful way to read and meditate on the Word of God.

Saints Calendar and 16 Month Planner - 2017
If you want to spend a year with the saints, this calendar is loaded with lists of Saints and feast days. Each week highlights a special Saint and the patronage of many other Saints are listed within.




Blessed Among Us - Day by Day with Saintly Witnesses
"Two stories per day for a full calendar year, Ellsberg sketches figures from biblical times to the present age and from all corners of the world." Learn more about the spiritual lives of holy people who have not quite made it to Sainthood but who genuinely have touched the lives of millions. This rather large volume is worth it's weight and is one of my choices for daily reading this year thanks to a nice Christmas gift from my daughter.

A Year of Daily Offerings
Read daily from the National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer, Fr. James Kubicki. Based on Ignatian spirituality, we are offered the chance to get closer to God through prayer and shown a way to live our "Eucharistic offering".

Graceful Living: Meditations to Help you Grow Closer to God Day by Day
Johnnette Benkovic "brings a sample of the truth of the Catholic faith to each day as well as practical questions to stimulate prayer and reflection".

The Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections
"In this new book, authors Lisa Hendey and Sarah Reinhard bring together more than eighty moms, dads, and trusted spiritual companions to provide fresh, uplifting meditations for every day of the year. Created for moms by moms."

Pope Francis Family Devotional: 365 Reflections to Share with Your Kids
"Now with the Pope Francis Family Devotional, you can take a few short minutes every day to grow in faith together as a family. You’ll be inspired by a quote from the Holy Father, and a simple reflection to spark discussion. Use at dinner time to guide prayer and conversation. Or at breakfast or bedtime as the perfect start or close to each day’s activities."


  Through the Year with Pope Francis

"Now you can start - or finish - every day encouraged by the same engaging spirit alive in these 365 short meditations written by Pope Francis.
Let his words inspire and challenge you, push you deeper into Scripture, raise your prayer to new heights, or simply fill you with gratitude for God's personal love for you.
Join Pope Francis and let the flame of faith catch fire within you, as it slowly catches fire across the world."





Jesus at My Side: 365 Reflections on His Words
Ever think about just reading His words? This year take time with me and reflect every day on the words of Jesus in Scripture. What do His words say to you today, in your daily life, at work, with family, in your community? His words are current. His words are pertinent. His words are for us today. Read His words. Listen to Him in your heart and reflect on what He is telling you in your personal daily encounter with Him.




Please share your favorite Daily Meds. We love new ideas!

Jujube Wood Rosary

What in the world is Jujube Wood? Several of our rosaries and rosary bracelets are made from a beautiful wood that comes from the Jujube tree. "In Christian tradition, the Jujube tree was identified as the thorn bush used to weave Christ's Crown of Thorns. Based on this tradition, Christian pilgrims to the Holy Land would take the branches of this tree home as souvenirs. The wood is heavy and durable and serves for artistic woodwork." How beautiful it is to contemplate the life of Christ and to pray to Jesus and Mary on these special beads!

St. Alphonsus Liguori

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, writer, artist, lawyer and theologian, dedicated to promoting devotion to Our Lady and the Blessed Sacrament.

"Here, then, is our heaven on earth--the Most Blessed Sacrament."

—    St. Alphonsus Ligouri

This book, written by the great St. Alphonsus Liguori, helps us grow in the knowledge and love of God and in appreciation for what He has done for us. Designed to be prayed in front the Blessed Sacrament each day over the course of a month, users of this powerful book cannot help but grow closer to Christ.

Includes: 31 days of meditations and fervent prayers of love toward Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament,  a daily "Visit to Our Lady," and an act of Spiritual Communion for each day, when we cannot receive His Body and Blood in the Eucharist

Premium UltraSoft with a ribbon marker and gilded edges.   $18.95

St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Father's

In preparation for Father's Day, we ask St. Joseph to bless us all.

Prayer to St. Joseph:
Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my Thanksgiving and Homage to the most Loving of Fathers. 
Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms; I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me, and ask Him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls, Pray for us. Amen.