The one who sent me—the one I send

April 30, 2015 7:00 am

“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (JN 13: 20)

Our Lord is so connected with us: “ whoever receives the one I send receives me.” And much more than this: “whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” We are between God the Father and Our Lord Jesus Christ. He connects us with God the Father and Himself. When we are working for His mission, we are the most protected people in the world. Both Father and Son are with us. And we know that wherever they are,there is always the Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity is not celebrating their Unity far away from us but very close to us.

“Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, you have loved us and freed us from our sins by your Blood.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The light of the world

April 29, 2015 1:58 pm

“I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.” (JN 12: 46-47)

Jesus is the answer in our darkness and the answer for our weaknesses and in our doubts. He called Himself “the light of the world,” and came “to save this world, not to condemn it.” Whenever we need support or whenever we need to make important decisions, we can trust in Him. He is with us at every moment.

“I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

Our priests in Omaha

April 28, 2015 10:55 am

Without priests willing to cooperate with the Family Support Foundation there is no future for the Love and Life Programs. That is why we are very happy and honored to be able to publish the vidoes through which we can meet Fr. Michael Voithofer from St. James and Fr. Bill Safranek, the Pastor at St. Joanne d’Arc parish in Omaha, Nebraska. Fr. Michael and Fr. Bill have taken part in the preparation process to present the I+YOU=WE Program. We’re hoping that in autumn Fr. Michael will be able to present the Program on his own, together with the Coach Couples from our FamilyCare Center of Omaha.

We would like to wish Fr. Michael and Fr. Bill many blessings and graces of the Holy Spirit on this journey! Thank you so much for joining us!

Program 1 in Omaha – the Grande Finale

April 28, 2015 10:45 am

The testimonies are definitely the most beautiful part of the Program. We can all share the moments we remembered in a special way. I am happy to hear the Participants like the Program for being so practical and so insightful on everyday life of a married couple. We are grateful for all the belssings of that time.

For the first  time in history we could listen to Fr. Michael Voithofer from St. James parish in Omaha (where I stayed last year), who started learning the Program at that time and now presented it for the first time and on Sunday gave a lecture on Topic 5: Dialogue and Communication. His performance was brilliant, showing the real expertise in the field and making it an excellent part of the whole Program. In September we’re planning a Program which will be presented by Fr. Michael entirely on his own. That gives us a very optimistic perspective for the growth of our Love and Life mission in Omaha. I hope Fr. Bill Safranek will be willing to join in.

The Mass is always the grande finale of the Program. It makes it possible to thank Our Lord and to bring Him all the couples taking part in the Program, entrusting their future to Him.

I would like to thank again all who helped us prepare the Program, and all those of you, my Dear Ones, who have supported the Program with your prayers. May Our Lord reward you abundantly.

Remembering you warmly in my prayers

Fr. Jay

The Participants

IMG_4998

 

Martha and Todd – a Coach Couple

IMG_5067

Lisa i Kevin – a Coach Couple and the  Coordinators of FamilyCare Center Omaha

IMG_5018

Fr. Bill Safranek, the Pastor at St. Joanne d’Arc parish and the host of I+YOU=WE in Omaha

IMG_4992

Fr. Michael Voithofer, a priest at St. James parish in Omaha, Nebraska, trained to present Program 1

IMG_4967

Fr. Michael during the presentation of Lecture 5: Dialogue and Communication

IMG_4957

Father’s hand

April 28, 2015 7:00 am

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” (JN 10: 27-30)

Can you imagine? We are in the most secure place in the Universe—“in the Father’s hand.” And “no one can take us out of His hand.” It is so good and beneficial to remember this every day, and especially when we feel trapped in difficult situations or with troubling thoughts.

“My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

The gate for the sheep

April 27, 2015 7:00 am

“Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (JN 10: 7-10)

Every morning, when we first open our eyes, we can see Our Lord calling us to start this day with Him. He knows where to take us, how to protect us and how to teach us to enjoy life more abundantly. He is our Shepherd, and He is “the gate for us.” The more we listen to His words, the better we know Him and follow Him.

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation) 

I+YOU=WE Program in Omaha

April 26, 2015 9:00 am

This time our Program 1 in Omaha included 14 couples. The youngest couple has been married for almost 3 years, and the oldest has been married for 42 years, so they can inspire each other. 🙂 It is always a great joy to meet and work with married couples but especially when you can see how important their relationships are to them.

We have wonderful coach couples: Lisa and Kevin (again), Martha and Todd, and always helping as a support, Raye and Dan. I am so grateful because without their help the Program couldn’t be given. Our Polish couple, Dana and Waldek (with great support from Lucy), prepared wonderful meals and amazing cakes for our breaks.

Our local host, Fr. Bill Safranek, not only gave us St. Joan of Arc School but also was present for almost all our lectures to learn the Program and (possibly) to be ready to serve with our Programs for couples in the future.

The first day is behind us. The next is in front of us. We have no idea how many graces God has prepared for us.

Fr. Jay

IMG_4927

IMG_4928

IMG_4922

 

There is no salvation through anyone else

April 26, 2015 8:45 am

“There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (ACTS 4: 12)

Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday. Every day He brings us the same gift—salvation. And we celebrate not only on Sundays but also on every single day the mystery of the Eucharist, God’s gift of redemption, forgiveness and adoption. This is nothing that we can achieve, nothing that we deserve or nothing that is a consequence of our devotion. “There is no salvation through anyone else…”

“I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.” (Gospel Acclamation)

 

The God of all grace

April 25, 2015 7:00 am

“The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little. To him be dominion forever. Amen.” (1 PT 5: 10-11)

“The God of all grace” not only calls us “to his eternal glory” but also knows about all our needs. He knows when He should come to restore and when to confirm. He knows our weaknesses and when to come with strength, and He knows when we need to be consoled and to be settled. He is the most protective father. He gave us His Son as our brother to be closer to us.

“We proclaim Christ crucified; he is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (Gospel Acclamation)

To carry my name

April 24, 2015 7:00 am

“‘Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.’ But the Lord said to him, ‘Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and children of Israel, and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name.’” (ACTS 9: 13-16)

From persecutor to apostle—with these few words, we can shortly describe St. Paul’s life. He was a very dedicated persecutor and much more devoted apostle. How totally different our lives can be when we meet Jesus. When we invite Him into our lives and when we carry His name before our families, neighbors and coworkers, we can change life for so many. The closer we are to Our Lord, the more we can accomplish with Our Lord.

“Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood, remains in me and I in him, says the Lord.” (Gospel Acclamation)