tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81369702009-11-28T13:07:37.121-06:00Peace starts with a smile .... Mother TeresaFayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.comBlogger424125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-14927161804771701802009-11-15T17:49:00.001-06:002009-11-15T17:56:41.979-06:00

Mark and I visited the Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters In America exhibit at the Dallas Women's Museum on September 26, 2009.As a Catholic, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helped me understand the role of the Catholic Sisters in education, medicine and social services in the United States through the years. I hope the photos can tell a better story than I could ever tell.Note: the

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-64075232314527660132009-11-01T15:34:00.003-06:002009-11-01T15:43:38.416-06:00

The new associate pastor, nervous about hearing confessions, asks an older priest to listen in. Several penitents later, his mentor offers a few suggestions."Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand," he says. "Try saying things like, "I see, yes, go on. I understand. How did you feel about that?"The new priest tries out the words and gestures. The old priest says, "Good,

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-81068833458394234142009-09-08T16:48:00.004-05:002009-11-01T15:44:28.726-06:00

I thought to share with you the following words I received from a friend via e-mail:Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-34227214306903497072009-09-07T20:22:00.006-05:002009-09-07T20:34:36.479-05:00

Come, Creator, Spirit, comefrom your bright heavenly throne,come take possession of our souls,and make them all your own.You who are called the Paraclete,best gift of God above,the living spring, the vital fire,sweet christening and true love.You who are sevenfold in your grace,finger of God's right hand,his promise, teaching little onesto speak and understand.O guide our minds with your blest

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-89307292967729765952009-08-30T20:59:00.000-05:002009-08-30T20:59:10.858-05:00

While driving through Illinois on our way back from Michigan last June, I saw a sign to The National Shrine of Our Lady of The Snows near Belleville, Ill. All I said to Mark is, "Turn here."That's how my magical night started at the most calming place I've visited in a very long time. I needed this unexpected turn during our trip back to Dallas more than I thought. This was definitely a gift from

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-39894057807202321932009-08-13T20:46:00.005-05:002009-08-13T21:09:48.981-05:00

U.S. Army photo by Spc. Darryl L. Montgomery Bishop Imad Al Banna raises the host in preparation for Holy Communion during a Catholic Mass for service members at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq on Aug. 8, 2009.I still remember the year when Fr. Imad was ordained a priest. That was in the late 1980s. Now, he's a bishop. Time flies fast, or I'm getting old.From looking at this picture, I can

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-91351450601290388282009-07-28T20:38:00.002-05:002009-07-28T20:44:59.790-05:00

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. You mean the world to someone. You are special

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-65447907747278371162009-07-19T13:36:00.020-05:002009-07-19T21:22:52.521-05:00

We visited Bronner's Christams Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan on June 2, 2009. This was Mark's first visit to the place and my second. You can say, we enjoyed Christmas shopping in June. The place is certainly a Christmas wonderland. Here's some pictures to share with you.© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.comA statue of the Holy Family.© Fayrouz Hancock / newseagles.comJim Shore's Heartwood

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-89998713638108381792009-07-07T20:39:00.001-05:002009-07-07T20:43:49.845-05:00

One day, the Pope is visiting America and driving around Washington in his limo when he gets an idea. "Driver? Can I drive for a while?" "Sure," says the driver. How can you say no to the Pope? So the Pope takes the wheel and starts driving like a maniac all around Washington -- dodging in and out of traffic, going eighty, cutting people off. Soon, a cop pulls him over. But when the Pope rolls

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-34696354124057197502009-06-23T08:31:00.003-05:002009-06-23T08:34:05.011-05:00

I Said a Prayer For You Today.I know God must have heard.I felt the answer in my heart.Although He spoke no word. I didn't ask for wealth or fame;I knew you wouldn't mind.I asked Him to send treasures Of a far more lasting kind. I asked that He'd be near youAt the start of each new day,To grant you health and blessingsAnd friends to share the way. I asked for happiness for youIn all things great

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-7768086118646942162009-06-21T18:05:00.010-05:002009-06-23T07:29:07.006-05:00

Source: The Star TributeFather Tim with some of the troops he ministered in Iraq. (Photo provided by his family)Many people think priests have an easy job. It's not true. I know how hard the priests at my church work all week long.We've all heard of Army chaplains. But, not many of us have heard about Rev. Tim Vakoc who was gravely injured in Iraq in 2004. The Star Tribune reports:Five years

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-51427181336214179722009-06-21T17:35:00.001-05:002009-06-21T17:36:40.903-05:00

God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree,The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea,The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night,The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight,The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed,The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need,Then God combined these qualities,When there was nothing more

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-19153580991246715392009-06-08T21:12:00.002-05:002009-06-08T21:19:49.465-05:00

St. Eugene,By your example, touch me to see Jesus in others, to help those in need, and to have the courage to do God's will.I ask you to intercede on my behalf for a special need.May God, through your intercession, guide me to accept the difficulties in my life and to work toward a happy and healthy solution.May I accept God's will in my life with strength and love.I ask this through His Son

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-91234298244679793472009-04-18T17:27:00.000-05:002009-04-18T17:27:20.875-05:00

Last year, I wrote about the Vatican's plans to turn green. Since then, the Vatican has decided to go green completely. Bloomberg reports:Advised by German solar-panel maker Solarworld AG, the Holy See is running counter to many governments that say harnessing sunlight on a grand scale is too costly to help curb global warming, especially in the deepest recession since World War II. “Now is the

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-64816289277353207202009-04-04T20:10:00.000-05:002009-04-04T20:12:20.441-05:00

A robber breaks into a home and hears a voice say, "Jesus is watching you."Startled, he asks, "Who said that?"Again, the voice says, "Jesus is watching you."The robber turns around to see a parrot. He asks the parrot what his name is. The parrot replies, "Cornelius."The robber asks, "Who names a parrot 'Cornelius'?"The parrot replies, "The same person who named that rottweiler behind you Jesus."

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-22628872517254335162009-03-28T11:57:00.009-05:002009-03-28T12:11:36.184-05:00

I desire to love you, O my God, with a love that is patient, with a love that abandons itself wholly to you, with a love that acts, and most important of all, with a love that perseveres.Just as one who loves a creature thinks of it often, so let the lover of God have him often in his thoughts.The mirror into which we must look in order to attain divine love is Jesus Christ.If the actions of our

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-54006896199108243282009-03-24T15:56:00.007-05:002009-03-25T21:07:04.751-05:00

When I ordered the Pope's book from Amazon, I wasn't sure that I would like his writing style. The book is beautifully written. It was very hard for me to put it aside once I started reading. Now, I'm actually ready to read it again. Reading the book was my best introduction to the writings of Pope Benedict XVI. It's also one of the best ways to reflect on Jesus' suffering during the Lent

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-70370515132946565072009-02-28T17:17:00.005-06:002009-03-01T13:07:30.949-06:00

I like soft, cinnamon-sugar pretzels. But, I never knew pretzels' history is connected to Lent. Stan Dyer writes:Made from just flour and water, (salt is OK), they were the perfect Lenten food. Even the easily recognizable and tradition “twist” has its roots in religion. The folded twist is meant to resemble arms crossed in prayer. At one time, people crossed their arms across their chests in

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-10064177484871241252009-02-28T10:33:00.002-06:002009-03-01T13:01:34.163-06:00

A bus carrying only ugly people crashes into an oncoming truck, and everyone inside dies. Then, they get to meet their maker, and - because of the grief they have experienced - he decides to grant them one wish each before they enter Paradise.They're all lined up, and God asks the first woman for a wish. She said, "I want to be gorgeous." God snaps His fingers, and it is done. The second woman in

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-87132991903886476202009-01-19T12:16:00.001-06:002009-01-21T16:10:41.689-06:00

Israeli and Palestinians have been fighting each other for the last 61 years. I no longer understand the conflict. I only know that innocent women and children continue to die on both sides of the conflict. Would peace ever prevail in the Holy Land? I doubt it. You can't expect peace when children grow up in fear of the other side.You can't expect peace without having the will to accept the

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-72557012684660298172009-01-19T10:32:00.005-06:002009-01-23T11:47:48.155-06:00

I have been following the release of the Vatican YouTube Channel for a week now. It's a project in progress. CBS News has some details:It is certainly a case of the old being fused with the new, but will the Pope's partnership with Google be a match made in heaven?That's a question Catholics are asking as organized religion continues to expand its reach onto the Internet.The Vatican announced

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-87224170810582656502008-12-24T11:06:00.003-06:002008-12-24T11:06:00.344-06:00

God of love and mercy,in this season of Christmas we offer you our thanks and praise.We want to spread the word of peace you give us through Jesus Christ.May the birth of your Son overcome human suffering, calm our fears, and bring peace to our homes, our families and the world.Amen,Source: Sacred Heart League

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-80530099206467054682008-11-24T11:57:00.000-06:002008-11-24T11:58:43.789-06:00

A woman walks into the Post Office to buy stamps for her Christmas cards."What denomination?" asks the clerk."Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the woman. "Well, give me 50 Baptist and 50 Catholic and one Methodist." Source: Comedy Central

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-64705262055778040742008-11-09T20:59:00.002-06:002008-11-09T21:11:35.577-06:00

When Jesus finished his journey on Earth, he probably didn't envision what happened today in Jerusalem:Fighting erupted between Greek Orthodox and Armenian monks at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the traditional site of Christ's crucifixion.Two monks from each side were detained as dozens of worshippers traded kicks and punches at the shrine, said police.Trouble flared as Armenians prepared to

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8136970.post-71284820382338684172008-11-02T05:39:00.004-06:002008-11-02T05:39:00.121-06:00

Dearest Mary, Mother of Consolation,Be with me as I pray for the souls of those departed from this life.Please, join your prayers with mine that our beloved deceased may behold Our Loving Father in heaven.Please, guide them to the happiness you desire for all of your children.Most kind and gentle Mother, who knew the loss of your husband and only Son,Help me understand the passing of my loved

Fayrouzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08511007234992726370fayrouzblog@gmail.com0