Bob, you are many things... but you are not a fool. You are Raw and honest. Thirsty for "real" and

This is where you will find me exposed, angry, embarrassing, plaintive, childish, inane, blemished, bemused and broken. Why do I invite you in? To drink your wine. To share your bed. To paint your walls. To touch your skin. To crack your shell. To steal your eyes. And return them open. To invade your prayers. To increase your song. To expose you to my madness and promise. To pour oil and wine on your wounds. To fail in all the above endeavors. Now it’s your turn.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Retablos by Catherine Robles Shaw

These are the retablos I own that were created by Santera Catherine Robles Shaw. I love her work. They would make great Christmas presents. You can find out more information, or purchase retablos at her web site: http://www.catherineroblesshaw.com. The retablo of Saint Damien of Molokai is a commissioned work, and very much a one of a kind.

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It's hard every day

I wish I could end the day as the person who starts the day
In the morning I pray my rosary – I pray for those I’ve wronged
I ask forgiveness for the sins of the day before
I ask God’s help in not committing the same sins in
The day ahead – the new day ahead
I never seem to make it very far into this new day
Before I push myself out of the way
That old me with all the resentments, pride, vanity, lust,
Jealousy, anger, hurts, and self obsession begins to bark
It’s so hard sometimes to keep that dog down
Prayer helps – prayer throughout the day
It’s so hard to become a new man in Christ
I work and pray at it. But it’s hard

We won’t be alone

Francis, dirty and emaciated, danced a fool’s dance of love.

Paul, proud and pious, was blinded by the truth of love.

Damien, with calloused hands, washed the putrid sores with love.

Dorothy, with cigarette in hand, fed those we could not love.

Peter, lonesome wanderer, spoke, spoke, and spoke of love.

Mary, silent and watchful, was pierced by the sword of love.

That same sword that pierced her Son, redeeming love.

I want to dance a fool’s dance of love.

I want my blind eyes opened to God’s total love.

I want to wash away the putrid smell of sin, my sin, your sin.

I want to feed on the broken bread. I want to drink the blood poured out.

I want to hear truth of love spoken from the mouth of saints.

Dirty, rejected, earthly saints, who gave all they could for love.

I want you with me - I need you with me.

I can’t jump into the deep deep sea of love by myself.

Jump with me – dance with me – sing with me – serve with me.

We won’t be alone.

There will be a great number of Holy Fools that have jumped before.

To keep us afloat.

Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy

Corporal Works of Mercy are those that tend to bodily needs. The Judgment of Nations (Matthew 25:31-46) enumerates such acts—though not this precise list—as the reason for the salvation of the saved, and the omission of them as the reason for damnation. The last work of mercy, burying the dead, comes from the Book of Tobit.

1. Feed the hungry

2. Give drink to the thirsty

3. Clothe the naked

4. Shelter the homeless

5. Visit the sick

6. Visit the imprisoned

7. Bury the dead

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Not everyone is considered capable or obigated to perform the first three spiritual works of mercy if they do not have proper tact, knowledge or training to do so. The last four are considered to be the obligation of all people without condition.^[1]

1. Instruct the ignorant

2. Counsel the doubtful

3. Admonish sinners

4. Bear wrongs patiently

5. Forgive offences willingly

6. Comfort the afflicted

7. Pray for the living and the dead

Ten things we can do for our Lord and the least among us.

1. Serve: Our Lord's time on this earth was all about service. Service to you and me.
How can we in return serve him? By serving the least among us, we serve Our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Volunteer: Help ROL at our monthly IHS breakfast or monthly Lighthouse evening meal.
Volunteer to help the Hawaii Foodbank, Catholic Charities Hawaii or many other worthwhile local organizations.

3. Love: To love another person is to see the face of God. Any service we are involved in must be done as an act of love.
Unconditional love for our Lord Jesus Christ and our Brothers and Sisters in need. Our church is not about personal
avoidance of hell, but salvation for all souls by our faith, acts, love and prayers; bringing souls to Christ is our goal.

4. Care: If we are truly members of one holy, catholic and apostolic church in the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
then we need to care for and about the least among us. We need to act on that caring. Even if it is just in
small acts, unseen to all but God, we need to care and to act.

5. Feed: Bring non-perishable food to mass for gifts to be distributed to the hungry. Even one can or box is appreciated.
Buy an extra fast food meal or sandwich and give it to the brother or sister digging through a trash can. We all see them.

6. Clothe: Give the clothes you no longer wear, but is in good condition, to organizations that distribute it to the poor.
Bring them to the Church and we'll distribute them to the poor.

7. Visit: Do you know any older persons that live alone? Any one in a hospital or home that no one visits? Visit them.
Take them something to eat. Read to them. Listen to their stories. Drive them to the store, doctors, and our church.
Pray with them. Wash them. Care for them. Love them.

8. Inspire: Invite your family and friends to join you in service. Create your own social service projects and get others
involved. Share your ideas and projects with us.

9. Vote: Vote for candidates that support Catholic values and beliefs, like Pro Life. Check out
http://www.procon.org for information on candidate's positions.

10. Pray: Pray for our brothers and sisters in need; the homeless, the hungry, the vulnerable, the sick, the lonely,
the addicted and the incarcerated. Pray in your room. Pray with your family. Pray with your friends.
Pray with those in need. Prayer is a powerful tool.

With Love, Francesco

Friday, December 3, 2010

Retablos by Catherine Robles Shaw

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