Justin's Blog

As we approach lent, we must think of three things: prayer, almsgiving, and fasting.  Prayer - According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC), prayer is "the raising of one's mind and heart to God" or "the petition of good things from God in accord with His will," With Ms. Anselma in an RCIA class we spoke of how prayer could feel like we are trying to go around God's will and make our own happen. This definition from the Catechism clarifies it "the petition of good things from God in accord with His will," This lent I will continue to pray the rosary daily, but I will pray one in the morning (6:00 a.m.) and one in the evening (3:00 p.m.). Almsgiving The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) defines almsgiving as giving to the poor or performing acts of charity. I always struggle with this. I had to google ideas for almsgiving. I feel like donating clothes but people my size aren't as common...or possibly needy. Spending time teaching...

I did not receive the Eucharist.  For some time I was struggling with sin. I still am, but I would try to punish myself by not receiving the Eucharist. I would not go to Mass many times because I felt it was pointless not to partake of the sacrament. One Sunday as I sat at the back of the church and saw the priest raise the Host I began crying because I could not receive Him because I knew our relationship was bad and I had not been to confession. I eventually went to confession and have been many times since.  I recently began trying to go to daily Mass and pray the Rosary daily. It has been strengthening and deepening my love for God. A few days ago, I went to evening Mass at Divine Mercy. I had begun going to Mass in Benque before I left for work, but that day I was so tired I decided to push it down to when I was already in Belize City. After communion I was praying and remembered that I had promised God many years back that I would give my life in service to Him. Tears fi...

I read it.  Fr. Antonio's book was great. It was an easy read, and it provided me with a lot of help when I was struggling to start praying again. I still need to work on the habit of daily prayer but through things in this book I have a deeper appreciation for my prayer life. Thank you, Fr. Tony, I only wish I read it sooner. If you want to watch a series on the book with the author himself, I put a link below.  10 Episode Series of Pray or Die  

I noticed this has become a tradition for the blog. So, this year's goals are based on some old ones.  Finish The Catechism in a Year Podcast I started the podcast with Fr. Mike a few days into December. (On day 13) I've missed a lot of days in between because I haven't been consistent, but the episodes themselves are short, around 15-20 minutes. Get confirmed  Thanks to Ms. Ashley, Fr. Antonio, and Ms. Anselma, I think that will happen this year. Find my vocation I am still praying about my vocation. I really want this year to be when I make a decision. I don't want to keep putting it off. I even mentioned to my mom that I am praying to find my vocation. Please pray for me to have the courage to accept the call. Walk across Belize and visit every parish This is something I have wrestled with for a long time. Funny is I was not going to add it here, but I was listening to Matt Fradd's  Chill AMA Stream Before New Year’s ☕️+ 🚬+ 🎇  and he brought up the fact it'...

I am trying to pray the Rosary daily.  When I downloaded the hallow app, I prayed the rosary with the app having the different voices lead and I would follow along. On the first night I chose the actor that plays Jesus in the Chosen to be the voice that led. Here is the link if you would like to download it and try for yourself:  Hallow - #1 Catholic Prayer and Meditation App I'm not sponsored; I'm not even using all the features since I'm using the free version which is limited to just a couple things but still super helpful.  A tragedy happened some time ago that a man killed a baby, I was around that time watching this video:  (220) The Holy Rosary: EVERYTHING You've Ever Wanted to Know w/ Gabi Castillo - YouTube I was praying the Rosary daily and knelt during the last sorrowful mystery and just cried and prayed for that baby.  I encourage you who are reading this, please pray the Rosary.

Another draft I never finished is this unfinished short story. If it is a good idea let me know and I'll keep working on stories based on Sunday's readings. ========================================================================== (Taken from the Gospel of the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time) ========================================================================== My Goal: Make weekly stories based on something from the week's Gospel for my spiritual growth and to use my talents for a form of evangelization. Characters: the people who make the story happen.           (Yessi (wears a red hat, and likes cooking, hates dishes, friends went to college, age 24),            Carl (likes dogs and camping, age 25)) Setting: the where and when of the story.           (Benque, Now) Plot: the events that happen in the story.  1. They are in zone of comfort - Carl is camping / Yessi is cooking...