Urgent Prayer Request -- Please Read -- UPDATED

UPDATE 12/15/2014

Just got very good news from my "daughter" Jackie. Everything is fine and she says that the "baby is perfect and moving around like crazy ". Thanks to all for your prayers! God is good!

END UPDATE

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Jackie R., a young lady I work with, has essentially "adopted" me as her dad, and really thinks of me in that way.

Jackie is about 3 months pregnant. Well, this evening, she called me at work from the hospital. She was bleeding and was taken to the emergency room.

The good news is, that the baby seems to be OK at this point. They were able to detect it's heartbeat. However, Jackie has to really take it easy until she can see her doctor on Monday, so that they can try to determine what is taking place.

I was the first person she called to tell what was going on, and she asked me to pray for her and the baby, and she asked me to ask my friends and family to also pray for them. Please also pray for her husband, as I know he is also worried. Jackie tries to play "cool and tough" but I could hear the fear in her voice.

So, I am asking all of you. Family...friends...acquaintances... both near and far... to please pray for Jackie, her husband and their little one.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (From Goffine's Devout Instructions)

December 8

On this and the following eight days the Church celebrates, with particular solemnity, the immaculate conception of the ever-blessed Virgin Mary, who, from all eternity, was chosen to be the daughter of the heavenly Father, the spouse of the Holy Ghost, the Mother of the divine Redeemer, and, by consequence, the queen of angels and of men. The consideration of these prerogatives convinced the most enlightened fathers and teachers of the Catholic Church that she was conceived immaculate, that is, without original sin. It is very remarkable that among the shining hosts of saints who have, in every century, adorned the Church no one wrote against this belief, while we find it confirmed by the decisions of the holy fathers from the earliest times. Pope Pius IX, forced, as it were, by the faith and devotion of the faithful throughout the world, finally, on 8 December 1854, sanctioned, as a dogma of faith falling within the infallible rule of Catholic traditions, this admirable prerogative of the Blessed Virgin. It is, therefore, now no longer, as fomerly, a pious belief, but an article of the faith, that Mary, like the purest morning light which precedes the rising of the most brilliant sun, was, from the first instant of her conception, free from original sin.

Read more by clicking here.

Need Stocking Stuffer Gifts?

So, the Christmas season is upon us, and I have a few ideas to help you out with your gift giving from Mystic Monk Coffee. Gifts especially for the coffee lovers among your family, friends, and co-workers.

Have stockings to stuff at work of for family? Then consider Mystic Monk Coffee’s Sampler Packs. They have their “9 Monks Sampler Pack” available in four different combinations of 2 oz. Samples of their fine coffee.

First is the Extra Dark sampler pack which has 3 each of Mystic Monk Blend, Midnight Vigils Blend, and Hermits Bold Blend.

Then there is the Flavored sampler pack which has 3 each of Carmel, Royal Rum Pecan, and Hazelnut.

Next we have the Medium Roast sampler which has 3 each of Cowboy Blend, Colombian Medium Roast, and Decaf. Arabica.

Finally, there is the Variety sampler, which gives you one each of the coffees listed in the sampler packs above.

Of course, if you have a large office, or a large number of family and friends to whom you want to give a small gift, you can always go for the 30 Pack Sampler, which gives you the following 2 oz. Samplers: 4 x Mystic Monk Blend, 4 x Midnight Vigils Blend, 4 x Hermits' Bold Blend, 3 x Cowboy Blend, 3 x Medium Colombian, 3 x Decaffeinated Arabica, 3 x Hazelnut, 3 x Royal Rum Pecan, and 3 x Carmel.

Now, if you are like me, and can't decide what someone else would like, you can always take the easy route, and give your recipients a Mystic Monk Coffee Gift Card. Then they can choose what they like from the selection of Mystic Monk Coffee, tea, drinkware, religious gifts, and more.

Gift cards are available in $15, $25, $50, $75, and $100 amounts for your convenience.

Your purchase from Mystic Monk Coffee helps to support the monastery of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming and this blogger.

Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions for December 2014

Vatican City, 1 December 2014 (VIS) – The Holy Father's universal prayer intention for December is: “That the birth of the Redeemer may bring peace and hope to all people of good will”.

His intention for evangelisation is: “That parents may be true evangelisers, passing on to their children the precious gift of faith”.

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City

The Holidays Are Sneaking Up On Us

Just a reminder to continue your support of the Carmelite Monks of Wyoming by making your purchases of Mystic Monk Coffee.

Many of their holiday favorites are now available, including Jingle Bell Java, Christmas Blend, Thanksgiving Blend, Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans, and more. Many varieties are also available in the single serve Monk Shots for those of you who have single serve machines from companies like Keurig ^® K-Cup^®, Breville ^®, Mr. Coffee ^®  and Cuisinart ^®.

If you aren't sure what someone would like, you can always purchase a Mystic Monk Gift Card available in amounts from $15.00 - $100.00 (select the gift card value you want from the drop down menu there). Then you'll know your family, friends, and colleagues will get exactly what they like.

They also have a good assortment of drinkware that includes ceramic mugs, glass cups, travel mugs, and holiday drinkware.

Also, please visit my blog's store "Faith of the Fathers Catholic Gifts" and check out the Holidays section for cards and posters, with many featuring the art work of James Tissot.

If you'd like to just see the Holidays Section, just click the link below.

http://www.zazzle.com/stvsmith2009*/gifts?cg=196021714118466698

Thank you all for following and reading Faith of the Fathers blogs!

Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc, Bishop and Martyr

Saint Josaphat Kuncevyc (also known as John Kunsevich; Josaphat of Polotsk; Jozofat Kuncewicz) was born in 1580 at Volodymyr, Lithuania as John Kuncevyc. His father was a municipal counselor and his mother was known for her piety. John was raised in the Orthodox Ruthenian Church. On November 23, 1595, in the Union of Brest, the Ruthenian Orthodox Church united with the Church of Rome. John trained as a merchant's apprentice at Vilna, was offered partnership in the business, and marriage to his partner's daughter. He felt a call to the religious life, and declined both.

Read more by clickinghere..

Pope Francis' Prayer Intentions for November 2014

Vatican City, 31 October 2014 (VIS) – Pope Francis' universal prayer intention for November is: “That all who suffer loneliness may experience the closeness of God and the support of others”.

His intention for evangelisation is: “That young seminarians and religious may have wise and well-formed mentors”.

You can find more information at: www.visnews.org

The news items contained in the Vatican Information Service may be used, in part or in their entirety, by quoting the source:

V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service.

Copyright © Vatican Information Service 00120 Vatican City