And this week, God taught me...

Today is the feast of Saint Joseph, Catholics honour him as the patron of workers, the patron of a holy death, patron of chastity, and the protector of the holy family of Nazareth.
A practice has grown up around Saint Joseph, of burying statues of him in the grounds of houses which are proving difficult to sell.
Sorry to say, but a hunk of plaster which looks like an old carpenter buried under the rockery has no truck with God. It might make the lime-loving aubretia thrive, and therefore make the property a bit prettier, but this practice is mere superstition.
It's not something Catholics would or anyone else should try because it has no power whatsoever.

Saint Joseph is not the patron of house conveyance or real estate, but because of his unique relationship with Jesus here on earth, he may be able to help if you ask him.
Two other qualities of Saint Joseph which are worth honoring are his silent contemplation of God, and his discretion. (He had some difficult choices to make early on in his early betrothal to Mary - and a few years later when Herod threatened their safety.)

(PHOTO: Problem house with a split personality)
















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Today my Friend called.
I hadn't seen her for a while - but she made up for that by telling me in great detail everything she had done in the last month. She condensed the whole thing into a two hour time slot, not allowing herself pause for breath Much of this chat time was spent on my front door step; and the darkening sky and chilly wind did not slow down her chin as it wagged, on - and - on and on.
(I was certainly feeling a draft from somewhere!)
Every now and then I would interject - "Come in and have a cup of tea...?" But she wouldn't as she was "Already late for Adoration."
Finally I gave her an umbrella as the clouds precipitated into drips of water.
"Just remember God loves you" she went on," and he will be glad with your work, and you must praise God for it...and...and..."
I returned a wave of greeting to my postman as he smiled on his way past my gate.
The small pause gave me a moment for inspiration - " Veronica!" I said, "My neighbours will think you are one of those aggressive doorstep evangelists with their foot jammed in my door!.. if I pay you will you please go away?"
Knowing there is often truth in a jest, she chuckled, gave me a hug and went on her merry way.
Jesus said to Saint Faustina that talkative souls tire him. Probably because a soul will not be able to hear Him speak to them, if they are not silent before Him.
I love my friend Veronica, but ear-ache can be an unwanted side affect of the relationship. Think I might try out the "silent prayer" thing for a while, asking Saint Joseph to help me be more discreet when a Friend stays a little too long!

Having realised that "mum" is able to make plaster figures, one of the boys asked me to make him one of Saint Joseph and Jesus - his reasoning was, because that would be just like him and his dad. (I wish!)
To which the other twin said " And I want the Sacred Heart mum, but he has to be this big..." (about four foot - over a meter high!)
"When we get a bigger house" I said.
Matthew, pondering recently on Jesus' agony in the garden asked "Was it the garden of Blackberries?" Well I suppose to an English child olives do look a bit like big black berries ...
Anyways, as he's the child of mine who loves Saint Joseph - here is his night-time tribute prayer to the dear foster father of our Saviour;

Dear Saint Joseph,
when I grow up,
help me to be a:
Big
Strong
Holy
man like you.
Amen.

Enough said!