January 2013 Newsletter & Inspirations!

THE ANGEL CONNECTION SHREWSBURY, MA 01545 508-320-3498 JANUARY 2013 NEWSLETTER   Happy New Year Everyone! Are you ready for 2013? You know what they say...Ready or not, here I come! Well, we can thank the good Lord for the opportunity to once again start anew. It's time to take out that list out from last year, cross off what's been accomplished, highlight what has yet to be done and move it over to the 2013 list of goals. Even if you have accomplished just one thing on that list it proves that you are moving forward in the right direction. Don't be too hard on yourself, each new day provides hope for a fresh start.   The world has become a scary place with a clear indication of the evil that exists among us which is swallowing up the weak and making them act out through their show of hatred, violence and death that we not only watch on the news but also witness in the streets and unfortunately even experience in our own families. It is hopeful to see various groups coming together in an effort to promote peace by performing acts of random kindness. Some people are getting it. Peace is possible, but it takes the effort of not just some, but all. The song, Let there be peace on earth leads us to understand and act..."and let it begin with me".     I'd like to share a paragraph from inspirational writer, Rick Warren's book, The Purpose of Christmas. Amongst many other things, he talks about Jesus coming at Christmas to bring us three kinds of peace; Peace with God, The Peace of God, and peace with others. He writes, " The reality is that there will never be peace in the world until there's peace within nations. And there will never be peace in our nation until there is peace in our communities. There won't be peace in our communities until there is peace in our families. And there won't be peace in our families until there is peace in our individual lives. That won't happen until the Prince of Peace reigns in our hearts."' Amen to that. When God reigns in our hearts we are filled with love, kindness and compassion. So, as we prepare for a bright new year let's be mindful of all that we experienced in 2012 and perhaps what we can do to contribute to making our 2013 world a more peaceful place. To end on a positive note, here's one more thing... It's such a gift to have my mother back in good health, clear mind, uplifted spirit - the way she was through my growing years. She had a habit of coming out with little songs and rhymes that would make us laugh and I've tucked so many away in memory. She recently sang this song to me as we were discussing the way of the world. The part I love the most goes like this:   You've got to accentuate the positive Eliminate the negative And latch on to the affirmative Don't mess with Mister In-Between You've got to spread joy up to the maximum Bring gloom down to the minimum Have faith or pandemonium's liable to walk upon the scene     Wishing you all a Happy, Positive & Blessed New Year! May God's holy angels keep you and yours surrounded in love, joy, peace and protection. Please enjoy the newsletter and I hope you will join us for one of our upcoming events. Our Valentine Breakfast is coming up!   WOMEN'S ROSARY BREAKFAST   JANUARY 19, 2013 ~ SATURDAY 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. Being held at : Saint Anne's Parish The Fr. Smith Center Rte. 9 (opposite side Bldg. 19) JOIN US FOR A MORNING FULL OF HOPE & INSPIRATION *Opening Prayer *Victorian Breakfast *Prayerful Rosary *Inspirational Talk Registration is necessary in order to reserve your seat. A registration donation of $20.00 will reserve your seat. Please send your registration in before the deadline date of January 12, 2013 to: Marge Oliveri 14 Pinedale Road Shrewsbury, MA 01545 CO- ED VALENTINE ROSARY BREAKFAST SATURDAY ~ FEBRUARY 9, 2013 9:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. ST. ANNE'S PARISH ~ THE FR. SMITH CENTER   PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATION OF VALENTINE'S DAY! BRING YOUR HUSBAND, FRIEND, BROTHER, RELATIVE, OR JUST JOIN US YOURSELF TO SHARE IN THIS SPECIAL DAY OF LOVE! * PRAYERFUL ROSARY *VICTORIAN BREAKFAST *FUN GAMES & PRIZES WITH LOTS OF JOY AND LAUGHTER HOPE YOU CAN JOIN US! REGISTRATION IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO RESERVE YOUR SEATS. A DONATION OF $20.00 PER PERSON IS REQUESTED. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE DATE OF FEBRUARY 2, 2013 ROME ~ ASSISI ~ SIENA ~ FLORENCE ~ PADUA ~ VENICE PILGRIMAGE TO CLASSIC ITALY TIME TO REGISTER IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US! For those of you who are not aware of our January 15, 2013 review date for our Pilgrimage to Italy....here it is! If you have been considering joining us, now is the time to act and call me so I can help you with the registration process. I will have to drop the many seats that Unitours is holding for me after that date which will limit the number of spots available. Our Pilgrimage will include an abundance of time devoted to prayer and reflection. Mass will be celebrated daily in the breathtaking Basilica's and will include inspiring teachings from our Spiritual Leader, Fr. Paco. Our journey will be filled with the right blend of religious and cultural richness and blessings for years to come. Plenty of time for prayer, exploring and shopping! We hope you can join us! You may contact me by email or phone anytime at 508-320-3498.   THE SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER GROUP INVITE YOU TO THE NEXT MASS AND HEALING SERVICE ON FEBRUARY 11, 2013 ST. STEPHEN'S PARISH - FR. PACO, PASTOR 221 CONCORD STREET - FRAMINGHAM, MA COME EXPERIENCE THE LOVE, POWER AND HEALING GRACE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! I would like to extend warm thanks to all of you for another year full of your love, support, kindness, friendship and powerful prayers! I am so thankful to have connected with all of you. Angels all around you and yours! God bless all of you and your families too! Happy New Year! Love, Marge

Here is a great parable that should surely lift you up in more ways than one!  Enjoy!

Parable of the Donkey

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, with a heavy heart, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey.
 

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
 

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping-stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember four simple rules to be happy:

1) Free your heart from hatred - Forgive.

2) Free your mind from worries - Most never happen.

3) Live simply and appreciate what you have.

4) Give more.