Stirring Things Up!

               It the crazy month of May!  If you are a parent with children in school, you know what I mean.  Final concerts, end of the year parent meetings, sports playoff games, organizational meetings for Fall sports, final details for summer plans and maybe even planning the family vacation.  All of these joyful activities collide in this beautiful month of May.

               One of my May activities is leading a group of men and women through the 33 Days of Morning Glory retreat for Marian Consecration.  One of the participants said, “The idea of Marian Consecration is stirring things up, and my life is so busy that I don’t have time for them to be stirred up.”

               “Thank you Holy Spirit” was my silent response.  In this crazy busy world, sometimes I need to have my thoughts about my relationship with God “stirred up”. That is how I struggle and grow.  Today, I thought I would share with you some of the experiences that I have had that have “stirred things up” and brought me closer to the Lord.

Mary and Marian Consecration – As a convert, it took my many years to develop a relationship with Mary.  St. Louis de Montfort’s book True Devotion to Mary is a terrific read to understand Marian theology.  De Montfort’s Total Consecration for Mary is one method for Marian Consecration.  A second is the 33 Days to Morning Glory.  Both take 33 days and are begun on a day that allows consecration on a Marian feast. 

Catholicism series – Fr. Robert Barron is the creator and narrator of this 10 hours series on the Catholic Faith.  Rather than just words, this video series takes you on a world tour of sacred places, while teaching you about the faith.  It is visually breathtaking and spiritually challenging.  This is a series that every Catholic family should own!  It can be purchased on line for about $100 or so.

The Bible Timeline of Salvation History – Former protestant ministry, now Catholic leader has the premier video Bible Study.  This study takes you through fourteen books of the Bible and ties the Old Testament into the birth, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Well worth the 24 hours of viewing and the many hours of Bible reading.  More information, including studies happening in your area can be found by ascensionpress.com.

Walking Toward Eternity: Making Choices for Today.  – This is another video series by Jeff Cavins, but very different from Bible study.  It helps Catholics live out the faith they profess by cultivating Christina virtue in their daily lives. Walking Toward Eternity combines lectio divina, journaling, group discussion, video commentary and prayer to help individuals live lives of holiness and virtue.  The first series includes lessons on faithfulness, sacrifice, humility and thankfulness.