From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
    -- John 10:10-11 --   
      
       "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come   
   that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good   
   shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."   
   ===================   
   Jesus gives us a rich abundant life. In a hot oppressive desert, sheep   
   are vulnerable to the elements and predators. They need a shepherd who   
   can lead them to water and food each day and keep them safe each   
   night. Jesus tells us that He is that shepherd. Unlike the thief who,   
   "comes only to steal and kill and destroy," Jesus has come that we   
   might "have life, and have it to the full." He knows us by name and is   
   committed to our care. Life as one of Jesus' sheep is indeed   
   full--full of his abundant love, faithful attention, and amazing   
   grace.   
      
      
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   February 14th - Blessed Nicholas Palea, Visionary   
   (also known as Nicholas the Prior)   
      
   Born in Giovinazzo near Bari, Naples; died in Perugia, Italy, in 1255;   
   cultus confirmed in 1828.   
      
   Born of a noble Neapolitan family, Nicholas was named for the great   
   wonder-worker who had once lived in the kingdom. At 8 he was already   
   practicing austerities. He would not eat meat, even on feast days,   
   because he had been favored by a vision of a young man of great   
   majesty who told him to prepare for a lifetime of mortifications in an   
   order that kept perpetual abstinence.   
      
   Sent to Bologna for his studies, he met Saint Dominic and was won by   
   him to the new order. He was the companion of Saint Dominic on several   
   of the founder's journeys to Italy, and warmed his heart at the very   
   source of the new fire which was to mean resurrection to so many   
   souls.   
      
   Saint Nicholas of Bari had been noted for his astounding miracles, and   
   his young namesake began following in his footsteps while yet a   
   novice. When on a journey with several companions, he met a woman with   
   a withered arm. Making the Sign of the Cross over her, he cured her of   
   the affliction.   
      
   At one time, as he entered his native Bari, he found a woman weeping   
   beside the body of her child, who had been drowned in a well. He asked   
   the woman the name of the child, and being told it was Andrew, he   
   replied, "After this, it's Nicholas. Nicholas, in the name of our Lord   
   Jesus Christ, arise!" The little one revived, alive and well. The   
   child of his sister Colette, mute from birth, brought her famous uncle   
   a basket of bread. "Who sent the bread, child?" Nicholas asked her.   
   "My mother," she replied, and from then on she was cured.   
      
   As provincial of the Roman province, Nicholas was wise, prudent, and   
   kind. He established priories in Perugia in 1233 and Trani in 1254. He   
   received many novices and did much of his work among the young   
   religious. Once he was called to the assistance of a novice who had   
   been deceived by the devil and would not go to confession. He showed   
   the young man the true state of his soul and undid the work of the   
   evil one.   
      
   Nicholas earned great fame as a preacher. On one occasion, when he was   
   preaching in the cathedral of Brescia, two irreverent young men began   
   disturbing the congregation and soon made such a commotion that   
   Nicholas could not make himself heard. Nicholas left the cathedral to   
   go to a neighboring hill and there called to the birds to come to   
   listen to him. Like the birds in the similar story of Saint Francis,   
   flocks of feathered creatures fluttered down at his feet and listened   
   attentively while he preached. At the end of the sermon they flew away   
   singing.   
      
   After a lifetime of preaching and miracles, Nicholas, forewarned of   
   his death by a visit from a brother who had been dead many years, went   
   happily to receive the reward of the faithful. Miracles continued to   
   occur at his tomb and through his intercession. Among these was the   
   miracle by which life was given to a baby born dead. His parents had   
   promised to name the baby Nicholas if the favor were granted, and to   
   their great joy their child lived (Benedictines, Dorcy).   
      
   In art, Saint Nicholas is presented as a Dominican with a birch and a   
   book (Roeder). He is venerated in Giovinazzo and Perugia, Italy   
   (Roeder).   
      
      
   Saint Quote:   
   Heresy is from the Greek word meaning ‘choice’…. But we are not   
   permitted to believe whatever we choose, nor to choose whatever   
   someone else has believed. We have the Apostles of God as authorities,   
   who did not…choose what they would believe but faithfully transmitted   
   the teachings of Christ. So, even if an angel from heaven should   
   preach otherwise, he shall be called anathema.   
   -- Saint Isidore of Seville*   
      
   Saint Isidore of Seville is the patron of computer technicians,   
   computer users, computers, and the Internet.   
      
   Bible Quote:   
   He that speaketh of himself, seeketh his own glory: but he that   
   seeketh the glory of him that sent him, he is true, and there is no   
   injustice in him.  (John 7:18)   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   PRAYER FOR FAITHFULNESS   
      
   O Lord Omnipotent, Who permittest evil that   
    Thou mayest draw good therefrom,   
   give ear to our humble petitions,   
   whereby we beg of Thee the grace of being faithful unto death,   
   evermore conforming ourselves to Thy most holy will.   
      
   Amen.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)