NEWSLETTER February 2019 VOL. XXXII NO. 44 Spiritual Insights Reports Formation Program Updates February Every Thursday Memorial Mass for the enrollees in CLJ! Memorial Burse February 3 Fourth Sunday of February 10 Fifth Sunday of February 17 Sixth Sunday of February 24 Seventh Sunday of God is love (1 Jn 4:6). He wants you to know that he loves you now (Jn 15:9) and has loved you from all eternity. It is his eternal love for you that caused you to be conceived and brought you into existence (Jer 1:5; 31:3). God forgives you (Is 43:25; Lk 23:34). Your past sins are erased and forgotten; they do not hinder your being transformed into the radiant image of God (1 Tim 1:15-16). God desires your love (Jn 15:9). He became human in Jesus to win and receive your love. He wants to be with you and become your closest friend (Jn 1:14; 15:13, 15; Mt 28:20; Sg 7:11). God, the Blessed Trinity lives in the very center of your person. Faith gives you free access to him (Jn 14:15-16; Rom 5:2; Eph 3:18). God reveals himself to the pure of heart (Jn 14:17, 19,21,23; Mt 5:8; 11:25-27). He wants to reveal himself to you. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He must become the very center of your life (Jn 14:6). Jesus practices purity of heart. He always does what pleases his Father. (Jn 8:29). He wants you to be like him. Jesus lives in close communion with his Father (Jn 10:30) and wants you to join him (Mt 11:25-27). Jesus maintains intimacy with his Father through prayer (Mk 1:35; 6:45-46; Lk 6:12). He explained that constant prayer is a necessity (Lk 18:1). He is now calling you to acquire this habit. Love is the most important reality of all. Love of God and neighbor fulfills the whole law (Rom 13:10). The following recommended spiritual exercises (page 2) are meant to immerse you more completely in God, who is love ( 1 Jn 4:16). This divine love will overflow to loving others as you love yourself, even unto self-sacrifice. In this way you will return God s love for you. Jesus considers as done to himself the love and service you give to the least person (Mt 25:40). Father Bertrand PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR COME,LORD JESUS! ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND 50 YEAR CELEBRATION! REGISTRATION FORM ON Pg. 3
Transformation into Love A PLAN FOR PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION INTO THE BRILLIANT IMAGE OF GOD ( 2 Cor 3:18; Mt 17:2) Following this plan will open you to God s divinizing work. It is the highest and most precious work you can do on this earth. Give it your all; give it priority; fit it into your day. When there s a will, there s a way! (Mk 1:35; 6:31-32, 46; Lk 5:16; 6:12) Prayer 30 to 60 minutes daily of Lectio Divina, using the daily Scripture readings of the Mass. Read our commentary, Understanding the Daily Gospels for further understanding of the Readings. Spiritual Reading 15 to 30 minutes daily: The Three Ages of the Interior Life, Lagrange; The Spiritual Life, Tanquerey; Spiritual Theology, Aumann; My Daily Bread, Paone; Spiritual Fitness, The Way of Spiritual Childhood, (CLJ! Office). Caution: Use radio, television, and computer sparingly and with discretion (Mt 10:16); avoid worldly entertainment (Jas 4:4). These forms of entertainment can stir the senses and crowd the imagination with distracting or harmful images and words that keep you from focusing and communing with your indwelling Lord. Cluttering your mind is detrimental to contemplation. They could prevent you from living in his presence and constantly gazing upon him. Holy Mass and Communion frequently, even daily (Jn 6:51-57; Mt 26:26-28; 1Cor 10:16; 1Kgs 19:5-8). The Sacrament of Penance monthly or more often to be cleansed from sin and overcome vices (Jn 20:22-23; Mt 9:1-8). Examination of Conscience Examine your thoughts and actions every evening to recognize and overcome your sins and to become aware of the obstacles within that block a closer union with Jesus. Be aware of your thoughts, words, urges, and actions throughout the day as you stand in God s presence that you may always do what is pleasing in his sight; repent immediately upon realizing a failure. Beware of a Selfish Lifestyle - It caters to the flesh and the mere natural life. You may not be able to accuse yourself of deliberate sin, but your self-centered way of living closes you off from God and from seeing and caring for those in need. The sin of self-indulgence and omission sent the rich man to hell (Lk 16:19-31; 1 Tim 6:9-10; Mt 7:13-14). Visitation of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Spend at least one hour weekly in his Eucharistic presence, and more frequently, even daily, if possible (Mt 26:40-41). The Rosary Pray daily as you meditate on Jesus and his mysteries. You, like Jesus, are a child of Mary (Jn 19:26-27). Entrust yourself to her motherly care so that she can form you into another Christ. The Divine Office Pray the morning and evening prayer of the Church or more of the Hours if you have the time. The Breviary will fill your mind with divine praise and thanks and renew a sense of God in the universe (Ps 117; 134; 148; 150). Recollection Spend a few extra hours with God in silent reflection each month or even more frequently (Ps 1:1-3). Retreat Go apart to be alone with God at least annually for a few days to deepen your union with God and further your spiritual growth (Mk 6:30 32). Consider making a Cursillo or a renewal weekend. Holy Friendships need to be developed for support in living close to Jesus. Your Come, Lord Jesus! group will lead you to holiness and help you maintain your fervor. Spiritual Direction should be sought on a monthly basis at the beginning, and then as needed. Silence is to be cherished; it subdues your ego and protects the divine activity in your soul. Guard and limit your speech. Reserve your energies for love of God so that you can be attentive to his presence and remain in loving communion with him ( Is 53:7; Mt 27:14; 22:37). Self-denial is an essential quality to be a close disciple of Jesus. He said, If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23). Prepare yourself for battle - Human nature and its selfish tendencies will challenge you...but be determined. Resist these sinful inclinations which take you away and separate you from God. With St. Paul, you will be able to say, I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Eventually, you and your growing union with God will prevail, and your disordered tendencies will be put to rest, freeing you to love God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself. Father Bertrand 2
Celebrating 50 Years of Come, Lord Jesus! And 60 Years of Father Bertrand s Priesthood When: Saturday March 30, 2019 Where: Annual Conference 8:30-12:00 at St. Pius X Church in Lafayette, LA Mass will be at 10:30 AM Noon banquet at River Oaks Event Center, 520 E. Kaliste Saloom Rd. Registration Form Name Address City Zip Phone ( ) Conference and Banquet. $45.00 (Deadline for Banquet Reservation is Wed Mar 13) Conference only $15.00 (At the door $20.00) Banquet only $30.00 (Deadline for Banquet Reservation is Wed Mar 13) These events are not limited to members only. Invite family and friends to come to celebrate! Make your check payable to Come, Lord Jesus! Mail to: Come, Lord Jesus! 1804 West University Lafayette LA 70506 If you need more information, call 337-233-6277 M-W 8-3 or email us comelordjesusprogram@gmail.com
Recent Events dur- Leadership team in Metairie ing during Day of Reflection Steve Morgan presents To Know Jesus in the Archdiocese of New Orleans Blast from the Past For seventeen years I have searched and labored to find a remedy for the unhealthy condition of Catholics who settle for a mediocre faith; their interest more on this earthly life rather than in spreading the Gospel. Now I am happy to say that I have the answer to the problem - the Come, Lord Jesus! program. The program is described by the author as a powerful and proven instrument to stir up the apathetic, strengthen the weak and inspire the good to become valiant apostles - to prepare for the coming of Jesus. (news article from the 70 s) 4
December 2018 With Sincere Gratitude! Gift Bags Received Adding to our Numbers NEW MEMBERS: Coteau, LA: Sherry Romero, Cheryl Doucet John Terrell, Keenan Terrell Houma, LA: Elaine Guidry Plaisance,LA : Ruth Montgomery Ragley LA: Martha Guillory Thibodaux,LA : Cathy Schaff NEW GROUPS: Grand Lake, LA: Olga Mudd...Leader Mary L. LaBove, Bonnie Granger, Stacy Miller Abbeville Baker Basile Baton Rouge Bayou Vista Bell City Berwick Breaux Bridge Broussard Buda TX Cankton Carencro Cecilia Chackbay Coteau Cow Island Delcambre DeRidder Diboll TX Dry Creek Duson Erath Estherwood Eunice Forked Island Franklin Grand Prairie Harvey Henderson Houma Jefferson Judice Kaplan Kinder Krotz Springs Lacombe Lafayette Lake Charles Leonville Lufkin TX Marrero Maurice Melville Metairie Milton Mire Morgan City Morse New Iberia New Orleans Oberlin Opelousas Parks Pierre Part Pine Prairie Prairie Ronde Ragley Rayne Schriever Scott Slidell Sugartown Sulphur Ville Platte Washington Youngsville February Calendar of Events February 2 - Day of Renewal Houma - Thibodaux Diocese 8:00-1:00 Lumen Christi Retreat Center, Schriever, LA February 6 - Introduction to CLJ! St. Martin de Tours St. Martinville 6:00 p.m. February 9 - Outreach Campaign St. Theresa of the Child Jesus - Sulphur February 9 - Leader s Luncheon (Eunice Area) Rocky s Restaurant 11:00 February 16 - New Leader Workshop Come, Lord Jesus! Office 9:00 February 28 - Anniversary Mass: Jinver Soileau s group of 25 Years! Sacred Heart Church 11:00 A.M. - Ville Platte 5
DECEMBER 18 - JANUARY 18,2019 Memorial Burse Donations Jessie Angelle Dr. Ifeanyi C. Okpalobi Lula Dugas Lucy Lipari Russo Elizabeth Guillory Melvin Soileau Phyllis Lachaussee Edgar Earl Butch Spielman Condolences February 2019 o the members of Rooted in Him group in T Lafayette, LA on the death of member, Lula Dugas. o leader Verna S. Guillory of Ville Platte, LA on the T death of her brother, Melvin Soileau. o the members of I Am With You Always group in T Bell City, LA on the death of member, Sue Derouen. o member Gayle Fontenot of Ville Platte, LA on the T death of her niece, Elizabeth Guillory. o member Doris Samanie of Schriever, LA on the death T of her son, Lyn Samanie. T o Area Coordinator and Leader Phyllis LeBlanc of Erath, LA on the death of her husband, Lloyd Tiger LeBlanc. Come, Lord Jesus! 1804 West University Lafayette, LA 70506-2544 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Lafayette, LA Permit No. 729