Dear Friends ~
Nothing is greater than love, says St. Paul… and how right he is when we think on 
the fact that if God is love, and He created us in His image, then obviously love is the purpose for life… not material wealth, success, fame or power, but the highest purpose for our being is a loving existence. We may have faith to move mountains, hope in God to do the impossible, but without our own embodiment of love we are nothing… that means our love must care beyond self… that’s what gives life meaning. That sort of love takes many forms; love for a spouse, children, family, community and even in our vocations and avocations we find avenues laid out before us to direct our affections upon… you have heard it often said, “That individual is married to their job,” because they give wholeheartedly to whomever or whatever needs some caring.
Giving to the needs of another may cost us in time, treasure or talent, but that expense is nothing compared to the sincere appreciation registered on the face of someone dear to us. Many time there is no cost to us when something as simple as a compliment by us lights up the soul of another… we merely show appreciation in some form, and that’s all that individual
needed at that moment. An atmosphere of contentment is needed in every home or workplace if life is to be congenial, and when it is not, a loving gesture of some sort is the only way to rectify the situation. Difficulties and great sorrows enter every family, but only the strength and bonds of love can facilitates survival by enduring together for the common good of all involved. It is exactly during those times of painful endurance that exercising our capacity to love, escalates and deepens our bond with another for a future of greater love… love does grow, must grow, or it stagnates and dies.
When, for whatever reasons, a love affair dies, it is extremely important the rejected party not lose a sense of self-worth, so close friends and family must support and give to building up that self-esteem however they can. To be unloved and openly rejected is the worst possible of all existences and it takes a lot of pep talks to remind someone that they are still very lovable and happiness will come back in time… time and God can bring that dead spirit back to life. When your prayers to God for 
help in overcoming unrequited love end up being more tears than words, look at Jesus on the cross who suffered the cruelest and worst rejection possible… and what did The Father do for Him? He brought Him back to life just as He will do for any of us that suffer such a spiritual crucifixion by another. When you are a child of God’s, whatever you suffer registers with Him and because His Fatherly love must care for you, Divine Intervention will soon unfurl a path before you that will start your first steps to a new life. A new life with love and happiness regained… and that’s not a fairy-tale ending, but a miraculous ending because it is the work of God’s hands… The Creator of life is the only one that can restore life, and He will, because He is Love!
"Let us always meet each other with a smile, 
for the smile is the beginning of love."
Saint (Mother) Teresa
A smile begets a smile and brings one out of the doldrums… such little effort for such great results. Mother Teresa was the simplest in appearance that anyone could ever be, but yet, she was the most beautiful image of love one could ever see anywhere on this earth, especially to those who gazed into her eyes. Why can’t the world be more like her?
BREATHE ON ME
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love,
And do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Until my heart is pure,
Until with thee I will one will,
To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
Till I am wholly thine,
Till all this earthly part of me
Glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with thee the perfect life
Of thine eternity.
Edwin Hatch
THE LEGEND OF ST. VALENTINE
The story of Valentine’s Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian martyr. The emperor was Claudius II, the Christian was Valentinus, a priest.
Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and he had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. He also had an edict that prohibited the marriage of young people. This was based on the hypothesis that unmarried soldiers fought better than married soldiers, regardless, Valentinus secretly married these young couples. He was dedicated to the ideals
of Christ, and not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs and preaching the Word of God, consequently discovered, he was arrested and imprisoned.
During the last weeks of Valentinus’ life a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind from birth, and was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus told her all about God, taught her arithmetic and read stories of Rome’s history to her. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted in his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength. Through their exemplary faith, Valentinus restored Julia’s sight.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to always stay close to God, and he signed it, “From You Valentine.” His 
sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia herself planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, St. Valentine’s Day, messages of affection, love and devotion are exchanged around the world.
