Have a Blessed Christmas

Best wishes for a blessed Christmas for you and your families.  Enjoy the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Saturday, December 19 - Living in the Present Moment

KEEPING THE FIRE ALIVE, Session 5 – Living in the Present Moment.

This week is the last session of 2015 and the topic is “Living in the Present Moment.” Father Albert asks us “why live in the present moment” and provides reasons for doing so as well as a four step technique to do it. The techniques include Recollection, Attention, Reflection, and Adoration-in-action. Join us this week and learn how to live in the moment this Christmas season.

Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matt 25:13

Pretty Presents - Video

Brothers,

Last week Mike Capone sent out a link to his Christmas tune "Pretty Presents".  The bigger present is that it is now associated with a video which includes many familiar faces.  Click the link to watch and please share.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqUM83DphpQ

Courage in Faith Retreat - February 19-21, 2016

Further to Deacon Glenn's comments today, the tentative itinerary for the Courage in Faith retreat hosted by some west Denver men's groups on February 19 - 21, 2016, can be found here: Retreat Flyer, or in the links to the right.  We are still working on details for our retreat.

Saturday, December 12 - Group Photo / Making Sense of Suffering

Brothers in Christ,

The topic of this week’s presentation is “Making Sense of Suffering.”  Suffering is a controversial subject for many people and Fr. Albert discusses the reality that suffering is a virtue which can help us develop a closer relationship with God.

Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you, as if something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  But let no one among you be made to suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as an intriguer.  But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name. 1 Peter 4:12-16

This Saturday we plan to take a group photo with a Christmas theme to put on the Band of Bros. website.  Join the group Saturday with a Christmas spirit and decorated as such.

The last session of the fall semester is December 19^th, and will resume in January on a date to be announced.

Group #1 has the privilege of serving breakfast this week.

Christ is the Reason for the Season!

Saturday, December 5 - The Four D's of the Spiritual Life

This week Fr. Albert Haase discusses the four D’s of the Spiritual Life, dryness, darkness, desolation, and depression.  Fr. Albert emphasizes the fact that we must be aware of the four D’s and how we are to navigate through the challenges they present in order to keep the fire alive. This is an excellent presentation about prayer and the challenges we face with it, you won’t want to miss it.

Group 5 has privilege of serving breakfast this week.

Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.”  After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.  And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him.  He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.  When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief.  He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.” Luke 22:39-46