Association Of Catholic Bloggers

An image which described my struggle to surrender control to God, was a wagon wheel suspended over a deep chasm. My large family of 10 stood on the rim of a wagon wheel,while I crouched on the hub,frantically turning this way and that,grabbing all the broken spokes,desperate to hold the crumbling structured together. I realized that I had to let go of this futile sense of responsibility and control but I was afraid to stop,afraid that one moment of inattention would cause my entire family to tumble down into the abyss. I was trapped. Yet, I realized that my tension prevented natural, organic growth and healing.My control acted like a wall, shutting out all divine intervention and grace.My sincere concern and earnest self-sacrifice actually magnified everyone’s brokenness by freezing everyone and everything. Suddenly an arrow of light pierced through my confusion.It was as if a sharp pin burst a huge, black balloon of deception.Suddenly the image was gone,like a mountain done...

Saint John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, speaks to the human condition and our fallen nature by being direct and honest; having no interest other than to explain to others the fundamentals of Christian living and what we must do to attain Heaven.   Your Heart Is But A Mass Of Pride                           You will tell me, perhaps, that you never judge people except by what you see or after you have actually heard or been the witness of some action: "I saw him doing this action, so I am sure. I heard what he said with my own ears. After that, I could not be mistaken." But I shall reply by telling you to begin by entering into your own heart, which is but a mass of pride wherein everything is dried up. You will find yourself infinitely more guilty than the person whom you are so boldly judging, and you have plenty of room for fear, lest one day you will see him going to Heaven while you are be...

Our Lady's Tears On the Crucifix, recite  Psalm 129 .  Out of the depths  I have cried unto Thee, O Lord!                        On the large beads, say the  "Lord's Prayer." On the small beads, recite the following invocation: "O good Jesus, have mercy on the soul in purgatory or  (mention name) and grant to them eternal rest . First decade, begin with the following prayer " I offer You  my Saviour, this first decade for the souls of all of my relatives, through the Precious Blood which You shed for them in Your Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. O good Jesus, have mercy on them!" Say the Our Father. Repeat the Invocation "O good Jesus..." 10 times. Second decade, begin with the following prayer: "I offer You, my Saviour, this second decade for the souls of all those who have shown me kindness, through the Precious Blood which You shed for them in Yo...

A gorgeous jacket caught my eye as I was flipping through an issue of a fashion magazine, trying to find the“perfect” haircut—you know, just cute enough to say I am still “fashionable”yet not too cute as to say “I’m 55 years-old trying to look 30.” The jacket was what I would call “car length.” It was covered in an animal print. I loved it! At that point, having lost my focus on trying to find a picture of a perfect haircut to take to my stylist, I intently surveyed the different animal print products—from handbags to pants to shoes—each seeming a bit wild and yet quite appealing. Of course at my age I couldn’t fathom donning a full-on animal print ensemble—or maybe I was never at the correct age to wear such an outfit—but there was still something attractive about an animal print accessory, and most especially that coat! It just seemed “fun.” Sometimes, as Christian women, we forget that we are called to have fun. In our day-to-day living in which we embrace o...

Immortal God, holy Lord, Father and Protector of all You have created, we raise our hearts to You today for those who have passed out of this mortal life. In Your loving mercy, Father of all, be pleased to receive them in Your heavenly company, and forgive the failings and faults they may have done from human frailty. Your only Son, Christ, our savior , suffered so cruelly that He might deliver them from the second death. By his merits may they share in the glory of His victory over sin and death. For all the faithful who have died we pray, but in particular for those dear to us, parents, relatives and friends. nor do we forget all who did good to us while on earth, who helped us by their prayers, sacrifice and example. We pray also for any who may have done us harm, and stand in special need of Your forgiveness. May the merits and prayers of our Virgin Mother, Mary, and those of all the Angels and Saints, speak for us and assist them now. This we ask in Christ's name....

UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST. There’s always a fine line, almost invisible, where a priest should get involved in politics or stand back and keep his nose out.   Father Ignatius was well aware of that, especially in this desolate town which had suffered more than most in the economic downturn, with unemployment higher than the national average and poverty affecting a large number of the population harsher than ever before. The situation was exacerbated by the news of the closure of a local factory employing many of his parishioners. The workers and their families were devastated. The effects of the dismissals of employees would be felt by the whole local economy as their spending power is reduced. The unions were up in arms and encouraged strikes; which of course would solve nothing in the long run. Parishioners turned to Father Ignatius, perhaps hoping for Divine intervention and some sort of miracle to save their jobs. Father Ignatius decide...

Ever wonder why vampires enjoy such eternal popularity? Let's see. They are immortal. They have supernatural powers. And if you drink their blood, you will live forever. Sound like anybody else you know? The legend of vampires seems like an incredibly twisted version of Jesus and the Eucharist. But it hooks into people's deep longing for immortality. No folk tale, fairy tale, or great work of literature can punch us in the collective gut and grab our attention for centuries unless it bears at least some resemblance to the greatest story ever told. The legend of vampires does this with a vengeance. The dark difference is that drinking a vampire's blood will only give its victim eternal physical life, whereas partaking of the Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist will give your soul eternal life in heaven. And drinking a vampire's blood puts you on the fast track to damnation.  A vampire is like an anti-Christ. Read more...

Please pray for a Catholic Pakistani mother and her 2 teenage daughters who are in hiding in Sri Lanka. One of the girls posted anti-government comments on the internet - they were arrested and accused of being Indian spies - they escaped detention - met their mother and fled to Sri Lanka. They are almost out of money and are desperate. I have contacted the Catholic Archdiocese of Colombo, Sri Lanka in the hope that they will have an idea on how to help them.  I have contacted news agencies in the hope that by bringing their plight to light the authorities will allow them to leave the country and start a safe and secure life elsewhere. You can read about their ordeal  here  and  here

     Every soul’s journey in life is unique.  Many paths lead a soul to God.  Many paths lead a soul away from God.  We make choices about the paths we follow.  God has given us this amazing gift of free will!  Our choices often distort our thought processes so that we drift away from God.  We feel that we no longer trust God, or, perhaps feel, that we never did trust God.  We feel that we have been abandoned by God. We are not close to God.  Then, one day, grace comes to you, and you begin to hunger for God.   You want to believe, in God.  Yet, when you have not developed trust in God or your trust has been destroyed.  The question is then: how do you learn to trust God?  Learning to trust God is a decision.   If you have ever heard the expression, “Fake it ‘till you make it,” make the decision that you will trust God.  When there is a desire to trust God, make the decision to trust...

It is almost November and the feast of All Souls and All Saints. Before I give you all the official Church teaching on the souls in purgatory. I must tell you why this subject is close to my heart. I KNOW  personally, the agony of a soul who is desperate for my prayers. I have learned through personal experience, that souls in purgatory, although they cannot pray for themselves,  press in on the most sensitive of their relatives for prayer. My Ukrainian grandmother, who had been in Canada for barely 15 years, died accidentally under extreme duress as a young mother of three boys when her husband was at war. Since this occurred in the 1940′s, she was denied a Christian burial in the Catholic church. When my grandfather returned from the war,  the young family left the Catholic Church and my grandfather remarried a Protestant Presbyterian. In turn, I was raised in this church with no knowledge of any Catholic roots until I converted. My father pleaded with me to reco...

. “O Jesus, I am locking myself in Your most merciful heart as in a fortress, impregnable against the missiles of my enemies.” (St. Faustina Kowalska, Diary, #1535) When I first read these words, my response surprised me; I smiled inside and out. Actually I am still grinning, almost laughing with joy. At first I was not sure why. Then I realized that   I am locked in the Heart of God and I did not realize it! !  Live in me, let me live in you, says the Lord   “Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts…” (Galatians 4:6). “…Do you not know that Jesus Christ is in you…?”  (2 Corinthians 13:5). I know beyond any doubt that I live, hidden in Christ’s Merciful heart, just as He lives in me  even when my mind  seems preoccupied or far from God because that is all illusion. The truth is I AM His. We are all His; sometimes our minds just have not caught up to reality.

                                            'I am God's temple, my heart is a living Tabernacle, and there at each moment I can live and act continually under His eyes and under the vivifying impulse of His love.' Fervorinos From Galilee's Hills, compiled by a Religious, Pelligrini, Australia, 1936, p. 72 posted from The Cloistered Heart

When I began my research to confirm what I remembered the meaning of the word "Amen" to be, I found that I knew nothing about the origins of this word. All I wanted to know was: Did the word "Amen" mean "so be it?" As I researched, I discovered that the word "Amen" has origins in pagan history, in Jewish history, in Roman history, and in Greek history. It's use and meaning came from these cultures. For example, in ancient Egypt, the word "amen" was derived from the name of the god Aman. In the Old Testament, the word "amen" was used infrequently, but when used, meant truth. When, Our Lord and Savior, Jesus, used the word "amen," He used it to strongly affirm what scripture taught or what He had taught to his disciples and friends. Through more research I learned that the word "amen" is very powerful when used in the liturgy of the Mass. Depending on where it is used in the celebra...

I'm not sure where I got the idea that if my husband and I did all the "right" things parenting, our boys would glide through childhood and adolescence and smoothly into adulthood. I'm not sure where that idea came from, or how it is I came to believe that watching them glide is preferably to the reality of watching them experiences the ups and downs of growing up and learning, often the hard way, how to make mistakes. Keep Reading...

Jesus tells us in John 15: 9-11 “As the Father loves me, so I also love you.” Wow! Who could ask to be loved more than that? The Father loves Jesus more than we can ever imagine or put into words. Jesus tells us that he loves us that much. That love is unfathomable. It’s a gift that we can never earn. Then he tells us his desire for us. “Remain in my love.” Is there anything we wouldn’t do to keep that love flowing into our heart? Our response can only be, “Yes, Lord, we want to live in your love always. Tell us how.” “ If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love .”   This is the Lord’s clear direction on how to keep our love relationship with him alive and vibrant. Do what he wants. Trust him. Do what we know will bring us everlasting happiness. Believe his word. Live in him. Not only do we have the commandments, the guidebook, but also we have the Guidance C...

Any good parent occasionally has to put their “foot down”. Take an honest look at the world; peoples and their governments divided and distrusting one another; and the weather around the world becoming increasingly severe. In the past several years “superbugs” have appeared; and are resistant to all known antibiotics. The world is full of people who don’t care as long as it doesn’t affect them; the vast majority of us think nothing of it. How the world has changed for the worse in the past 50 years.                                                                           How long do you think it will be until God punishes us for our 3 great sins – abortion, immorality, and materialism? The Blessed Mother of Jesus Christ spoke to 4 children at Garabandal, Spain [unapproved apparitio...

The Pharisee and the Publican ,  James Tissot  [ Wikipedia ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)                                   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 18:9-14  ( Revised StandardVersion – Catholic Edition )  Jesus also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.' But th...

Our Lady of Fatima   Pray for our dear country. Our Lady of Fatima, Sanctify our clergy Our Lady of Fatima, Make our Catholics more fervent. Our Lady of Fatima, Guide and inspire those who govern us. Our Lady of Fatima, Cure the sick who confide in thee. Our Lady of Fatima, Console the sorrowful who trust in thee Our Lady of Fatima Help those who invoke thine aid.] Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Fatima, Deliver us from all dangers. Our Lady of Fatima, Help us to resist temptation. Our Lady of Fatima, Obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of thee. Our Lady of Fatima, Help those who are dear to us. Our Lady of Fatima, Bring back to the right road our erring brothers. Our Lady of Fatima, Give us back our ancient fervor. Our Lady of Fatima, Obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses. Our Lady of Fatima, Bring all men to the feet of thy Divine Child. Our Lady of Fatima Obtain peace for the world. O Mary conceived without sin Pray f...