charla_misse_new2021 Category

Gifts of the Holy Spirit

By Charla Misse The “Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts” is the oldest of all novenas and the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. During the novena, each of the Holy Spirit’s seven gifts is pondered alone on an individual day: fear, piety, fortitude, knowledge, understanding, counsel and wisdom.

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All Souls’ Day

By Charla Misse As we approach November, the month dedicated by the Catholic Church to the souls in purgatory, I noticed a reminder in my calendar on All Souls’ Day, Nov. 2: Pray the Our Father and the Apostles’ Creed at church for a plenary indulgence for souls.

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Returning a Smile

By Charla Misse I’m a smiler. I smile at people when I am running, driving, shopping …  Basically, if a person is within my vicinity, I am going to smile at them for no reason other than them just being there. No matter what is happening in my own world, I want to emanate “love.”

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Would You Say a Prayer?

By Charla Misse I think my favorite and most memorable NOLA Catholic Parenting blogs are those of parents writing about lessons learned from their precious children. My heart swells when a child’s value is recognized, and I am especially touched when God speaks to us through these little ones.  

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A spiritual athlete

By Charla Misse I have been thinking about the many parallels between physical training and spiritual training: By starting small and working up to greater goals, we get stronger, go faster and reach higher. Through persistence, we develop good habits and find ourselves conditioned for even unexpected challenges. At times when we are injured or […]

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When I See a Pelican

By Charla Misse When I see a pelican, my heart is warmed. I am reminded of my home, of being on the water with my father, of fishing with my husband. … I feel a connection as if the bird knows me.  Whether soaring or perching, it seems dignified and special to me. I wouldn’t […]

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The Light of the World

By Charla Misse When you enter a church, do you check whether the sanctuary lamp is lit?  Do you know what this is and what it signifies? I have found that quite a few children as well as adults are unaware of this holy and awe-inspiring symbol. As with many traditions, over time, it can […]

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How to Get to Heaven Faster

By Charla Misse God wants you to see his face. He wants to embrace you. He wants to spend eternity with you. Our sins, however, prevent this from happening immediately when we pass. Even though Christ is yearning for us and even though our sins are forgiven, we must suffer in purgatory until justice has […]

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Got Milkweed?

By Charla Misse When I see a butterfly, I am reminded of the miraculous transformations allowed by our supremely powerful and omniscient God in the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. I think of all the opportunities we have for change in our lives and the great mercy that our Lord extends to us.

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The Power of Holy Water

By Charla Misse In Louisiana, we know the power of water. From salt water to fresh water, muddy water to spring water, we know that it can bring life, change life and take life away.   As Catholics, we also know the power of water … baptismal waters wash away our original sin delivering us into […]

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Seek and Find

By Charla Misse As I make plans for fun and enrichment this summer, I am inspired to spend some time with the Holy Spirit.  I personally try to recognize “his presence” throughout my day. It’s a very comforting and centering habit that I would like to teach my child. It takes practice, but it can […]

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