Beads of Joy Blog II (2025)

Walking in Faith: The Radical Call and Commissioning of the Twelve A Reflection on Mark 6:7-13 Today's Gospel is fascinating because it reveals fundamental principles about ministry, trust, and the nature of spiritual work. Jesus sends the 12 disciples out in pairs, which speaks to the importance of community and mutual support in spiritual endeavors. There's both practical wisdom and symbolic meaning in this - they can encourage each other, validate each other's work, and demonstrate the power of Christian fellowship. What's particularly striking is how Jesus instructs them to travel: with basically nothing - no bread, no bag, no money, just a staff and sandals. At first, one might think, this seems impractical or even reckless. But there's a profound lesson here about trust and dependence on God. By stripping away all material security, Jesus is teaching the disciples to rely completely on divine provision and the hospitality of others. The instructions about stay...

Reflecting on Jesus' Rejection in Nazareth A Reflection on Mark 6:1-6 In Mark 6:1-6, we encounter a deeply human yet divinely powerful moment that reveals the complex nature of faith, familiarity, and spiritual blindness. Jesus returns to Nazareth, his hometown, where one might expect a warm welcome. Instead, he faces rejection, skepticism, and a stunning lack of faith from those who knew him best, or at least thought they knew him best. The passage is a poignant reminder of how deeply personal history and human perception can obstruct spiritual understanding. Those who had watched Jesus grow up – who knew him as the carpenter's son, who remembered his childhood – found themselves unable to see beyond their preconceived notions of who is was. They were offended by him, believing they knew everything about him, yet they knew nothing of his true identity as the Son of God. Jesus' response is both heartbreaking and revealing. He observes, "A prophet is not without honor e...

The Making of My 5 Kids Rosary Taken in Staten Island, NY in 2002 Creating a Rosary with my five children's names craftily placed on each decade was an incredible moment of joy and connection. As I assembled this Rosary, each name carefully put in place, it brought a surge of love and excitement. This simple method of Rosary Making became so much more than just making a standard Rosary - it was a deeply personal expression of my love for my children. The process was unexpectedly thrilling, transforming a traditional Rosary into a unique family keepsake that now carries the essence of my most precious gifts (my kids). There's something profoundly moving about adding my children's identities into this passion I have Making Rosaries, making each decade is a celebration of their individual presence in my life. I love sharing this, my kids mean everything to me!! Join us in the beautiful and spiritually enriching ministry of Rosary Making!  This simple yet profound ministry with...

Jesus's Healing Power for All A Reflection on Mark 5:21-43 The two miracles in Mark 5:21-43 beautifully demonstrate Jesus's compassion, power, and accessibility to all who seek him. In today's gospel, we see Jesus responding to both a respected synagogue leader, Jairus, and a suffering woman who was considered ritually unclean – showing that his healing grace extends to everyone, regardless of their social status. Jesus loves all of us and is here for all of us, He is always seeking us, we just need to seek Him. The woman with the bleeding condition showed remarkable faith, believing that just touching Jesus's garment would heal her. Despite being considered untouchable by society, she pressed through the crowd with hope and determination. Jesus not only healed her physically but also addressed her personally, calling her "daughter" and restoring her dignity along with her health. Meanwhile, Jairus's desperate plea for his dying daughter reveals how even t...

Let's Create a Beautiful Mission Rosary Together! Our Lady's Rosary Makers of The Fatima Shrine Pro Tips for Success: Keep your cord tension consistent for a professional look Make sure your knots are tight but not stressed If a knot isn't perfect, it's okay to redo it Take your time with the center connection - it's the keystone of your rosary Remember: Each bead you place on the cord is a step in a beautiful tradition that connects prayers around the world. Whether your knots are perfect or your beads slightly uneven, you're creating something meaningful and unique. The best part? Once you've mastered this craft, you can make rosaries for friends, family, or missions - spreading both your creativity and faith across the globe! Ready to start? Gather your materials, find a comfortable spot, and let's begin this colorful journey together! The videos will help bring each step to life, making this project even more accessible and enjoyable for you...

Jesus Heals the Tormented Man A Reflection on Mark 5:1-20 This account of Jesus healing the Gerasene Demoniac is one of the most dramatic demonstrations of Jesus's authority over spiritual forces and his deep compassion for those who are suffering. The man was in an absolutely desperate state - living among tombs, cutting himself, crying out day and night, and so violent that no chains could hold him. He was completely isolated from the towns and community and trapped in torment. What's particularly moving is how Jesus went out of his way to reach this man. He crossed the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory - an area where Jewish teachers typically wouldn't go. When others saw a dangerous madman to be avoided or restrained, Jesus saw someone worthy of restoration and healing. Jesus loves all of us, every single one of us. The transformation is astounding. The scripture tells us that after Jesus commanded the unclean spirits to leave, the townspeople found the man "si...

Fatima Shrine Newsletter February 2025 Edition Welcome to the Fatima Shrine Newsletter! We're delighted to bring you our bi-monthly Fatima Shrine Newsletter updating you on all the wonderful happenings at the shrine. Every two months, this newsletter serves as your window into our vibrant community, keeping you informed about upcoming events, looking back on a few, and sharing our special celebrations. So many surprises. In these pages, you'll find: Schedules for Masses, Special Events, and General Happenings. Photography captures the beauty of the shrine. Updates on shrine maintenance and improvements, changes. Stories, Devotions and Reflections, and soon, Book Reviews. Important Announcements and Dates to Remember! Whether you're a regular visitor or someone who keeps us in your prayers from afar, this newsletter helps maintain our connection to our faith community. We invite you to stay engaged with the life of the Fatima Shrine through these updates and welcome yo...

We Invite You to Join: Our Lady's Rosary Makers of The Fatima Shrine  My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, We warmly invite you to become part of something truly extraordinary ministry - Our Lady's Rosary Makers of The Fatima Shrine . As we embrace 2025, we're experiencing unprecedented growth and joy in our mission to spread devotion to Our Lady with these beautiful handmade rosaries made with love and prayer. The Gift of Making Rosaries When you join our ministry, you become part of a beautiful chain of grace that reaches around the world. Each Rosary we make becomes an instrument of peace, prayer, and spiritual comfort for someone, somewhere. Our dedicated group has already created thousands upon thousands of rosaries, touching countless lives through this labor of love. Rosaries Made here in Western New York, Rosaries Made at our Bukidnon- Philippines Annex . Why Join Our Ministry? Spiritual Growth : Experience a deeper connection with Our Lady while creating mission...

Feast of the Presentation: Prophecy, Redemption, and God's Nearness A Reflection on: The Feast of The Presentation of the Lord And how today's Reading all Connect 1st Reading - Malachi 3:1-4 2nd Reading - Hebrews 2:14-18 Gospel Reading - Luke 2:22-40 The three readings form a profound tapestry centered on the theme of the Lord's presence among His people and His role as Savior and Redeemer. In Malachi, we hear the prophecy: "And suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you seek." This prophetic voice speaks of a messenger who will prepare the way for the Lord's coming to His temple - a coming that will be both purifying and refining. This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the Gospel of Luke, where the infant Jesus, the Lord Himself, is brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph. The convergence is striking - the very Lord whom Malachi spoke of enters His temple, not in terrifying majesty, but as a vulnerable infant in His parents' arms. Yet Simeo...