I've just started doing something new to help me work well here at work. I sit down at the start of the day and write out a to-do list of all the tasks I want to complete in the day and then I assign a Saint to each task and say a short prayer asking that each Saint will assist me to work hard and do the task well and get it done on time. I then break my day down into two-hour blocks and write down a prayer intention for each two-hour block and offer up my work during that block for that intention.

It's a real help to make sure you get your work done, and don't get distracted by other things, .... like forums on your web site which you really shouldn't be writing to when you have work to do! :-)

What types of interesting "things" do you all do?

God bless, Paul McLachlan Webmaster, The Catholic Pages

-- Anonymous, May 07, 1998

Answers

Knowledge of Saints

Esther,

I don't know what gave you the impression that I know a lot about the Saints! I don't know ask the Patron of something or other to pray for me during a particular hour, I just write down whatever Saint comes into my head for that task. Sometimes, really obscure Saints like "St Edward the Confessor" come to mind, but most times, I stick to my steadies: Our Lady, St Joseph, St Therese, St Bernadette, St Dominic...

God bless,
Paul

-- Anonymous, June 18, 1998

This is a good one...I keep a holy water font by my front door and bless myself and my children before we leave the house. That's pretty Catholic, I'd say. Also, I wear about 6 religious medals around my neck at once (on one chain, of course) and lemme tell ya, it's getting heavy! I also make the sign of the cross everytime something bad happens or someone swears. I always get looks from people.

-- Anonymous, May 23, 1998

Oh good. I'm not the only one! (That's something I find myself saying often as I read questions here.)

Not that I do all that much. I've just picked up the Rosary again on a regular basis (Yes, I know, shame, shame for leaving it for so long.)

But one thing I have always done is send a short prayer to God and ask my Guardian Angel to share some of her protection to those involved in accidents every time I hear an emergency vehicle go by. (I mean, during those times, they need her help more than I do.) I've always been concerned for those who are hurt (which is strange because no one in my family has been in accidents). While I can't always help directly, I'm sure my prayers do help. (and I've always kept up my knowledge in First Aid and CPR just in case, and think everyone else should. Hint. Hint. Divine intervention is one thing but it's probably lots easier on Him when he can work through us!)

Don't know my Saints well enough to do what you do though, Paul. Though I think that's a really neat idea.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 1998

What Catholic things do you do?

Paul, what a good idea! I am such a lazy bones, and so easily distracted, I'm going to take your suggestion - I have all these saints I like but am not using! No, but seriously - great idea, and one I am going to prayerfully, and respectfully try this day! Blessings to you!

-- Anonymous, June 18, 1998

What Catholic Things do you do? Diary of a mad floor-kisser!

Oh, but to answer your question...I am rather red-faced to admit that I am a floor kisser from way back! It harkens back to my Catholic School days...with certain nuns, I'd just start kissing the floor as soon as I saw them coming, to save time! I still do it in moments of profound reverence. I'm also very big on the holy water - have a font in my house, regularly run around the house with a branch and some water blessing it...and...while I'm admitting things...I like statues...I am currently looking for a statue of St. Dymphna, since finding out that she was an incest victim. Incest victims need all the safe love and devotion they can get! :) Any other floor kissers out there?

-- Anonymous, June 18, 1998

I don't suppose it's really a "Catholic" thing - but my way to stay focused at work, which is often very stressful, is to keep the following posted where I see it often throughout the day:

"The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you the strength to bear it. Be at peace then and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations." -- St. Francis De Salles

-- Anonymous, June 26, 1998

I meditate upon the stations of the cross, carry a scapular, and listen to Mother Angelica. And when I listen I keep my hands in a safe place she just might have a ruler.

From your "Cradel Mormon" missionary, Catholic School boy friend.

May God bless richly W.P.B.

-- Anonymous, June 28, 1998