Prayerful Morsels
 Tidbits of Inspiration & Information
 

August 2008

In this issue
Morsel from the Editor
Editor's Personal Thoughts
The Life of a Parish Secretary
What is Spiritual Direction?
My Gratitude Journal
Morsel from the Editor
Welcome to our premier issue of Prayerful Morsels. As the title suggests, this is a newsletter of short and to the point articles reflecting on prayer, God, Catholicism, the spiritual journey, books, everyday graces.
Sometimes we just need little bits and pieces of inspiration.
So you are welcome to chew on some morsels.
Or tidbits.
Or nibbles.
Whatever.
 
Blessings
Colleen Spiro
Editor's Personal Thoughts
Right now, as I write this, we are under a hurricane warning. Tropical Storm Fay is headed straight for us. We went though this with Charley a few years back. Not much fun. A little scary.  Did I mention terrifying?
However, I also remember the wonderful things that came out of Charley. Our faith certainly strengthens when we have no water and no food and no place to go.
Our trust in the Lord certainly grows when we see perfect strangers helping each other out. A $20 bill here. A meal there. A place to take a shower or even better, to sleep.
People showing up for Mass just to be together and check on each other, even though there was no electricity and no air conditioning (did I mention 100 degree weather?).
God was everywhere. God is always everywhere. But it does seem to be more obvious in times of trouble. For me, anyway.
Did I mention grace?
 
Blessings
Colleen Spiro  
The Life of a Parish Secretary
We get all kinds of phone calls at a parish office. Most people are kind, many have questions or need help. Some calls are even funny. Every once in a while we get calls
that are a bit strange and we feel uncomfortable. We had one of those calls today and I feel so guilty about it. I was judging (unkindly) a person I had never met. I don't like it when I judge others as I don't like being judged. The one good thing about it is that I am reminded that I can't do this stuff alone. In order to live the Christian life to which I am called, I need God to help me out. When I think I am in control and I can handle everything all alone, that is when I screw up so I thank the Lord for my lesson and I ask for forgiveness. Thank God he is so merciful. In my prayer time today, I read the Word Among Us meditation for today and this quote was there before I knew I needed it:
"Our faults are like a grain of sand beside the great mountain of the mercies of God." - St. John Mary Vianney.
 
Colleen Spiro  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My all-time favorite phone call to the parish office
"What time is Midnight Mass?"
What is Spiritual Direction?
God gives us spiritual direction in many ways. These may include:
1. A homily
2. A book
3. A Friend
4. An inspiration that comes to you through prayer
5. A Spiritual director
A spiritual director listens to the God within us and assists us in discerning the path along which God is leading us. The spiritual director is but an instrument of God, as the Holy Spirit is the real director. Spiritual direction is a ministry of presence. The director is willing to accompany you on your journey.
If you feel called to go to a spiritual director, ask your pastor if he does spiritual direction or ask him for a referral or check with your diocese if they have a list of spiritual directors, or ask a friend who may be going to a spiritual director. And of course, always pray about it!
 
Colleen Spiro  
My Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for this opportunity to publish this newsletter.
I am grateful for my husband and my family.
I am grateful that I have food on my table.
I am grateful that I live near the beach.
I am grateful for beaches and the sunsets that go with them!
 
What are you grateful for today???
 
Colleen Spiro   
Prayerful Morsels
Colleen Spiro, Publisher
mailto:editor@colleenspiro.com 
http://www.colleenspiro.com
Prayerful Morsels 
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