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We celebrate the Feast of John Bosco today. I've always had a great love for this Saint. With a particular concern and care for the young, first with evening classes where hundreds came to listen to his teachings about God and Heaven. he eventually set up a boarding house for apprentices and workshops for education and training, which is wonderful , thinking about them working and doing well and not just thinking about their spiritual lives. After all it's all one , our struggle with sanctity and our whole life is part of that.  Some of his sayings: "My children, jump, run, and play and make all the noise you want but avoid sin like the plague and you will surely gain Heaven" "learn to flee from bad companions and bad books" "Without confidence and love , there can be no true education. If you want to be loved ... you must love yourselves, and make your children feel that you love them." "Act today in such a way that you need not blush tomorro

    Sometimes I have this thought when someone close to me dies--"Now you're gone and you know everything. Can't you just somehow tell me what you know?" Naturally, they don't, but still I wonder about what they now know that we don't. Then two things occur to me: 1) Maybe we're not supposed to know, in this life. Maybe it would negatively impact our lives in some way to know prematurely. You know, too much information. But then, how would I live differently if I knew all there was to know, and wouldn't that be a good thing? 2) Secondly, what more is it that I want them to tell me, that Jesus didn't cover? Now you know how my brain works. Scary, isn't it? Both of those questions lead to layers of thought that I can't even begin to cover in this little post. The bottom line is, we have questions, right? For instance, "Will we recognize each other in heaven?"    That, we can actually sort out here. I am including a h

    I was listening to an interview by the CBS anchor Norah O'Donnell and Oprah Winfrey. I find Winfrey interesting, but I don't really go in so much for her philosophical ideology, which I often find shallow, if not altogether seriously lacking. But, in this interview I heard her define happiness as satisfaction, enjoyment and purpose. I thought this was interesting because I wonder how many of us, upon reflection, can say we have all three of these, or at least all three at one time. That might be worth thinking about. What do you think? How do you define happiness? As Winfrey continued, she recited the last two lines of the popular Invictus poem: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." (William Ernest Henley, 1875) As a Christian, something seemed off to me, since those words were missing a sense of dependence on God, an awareness that we are not alone in our life. Naturally, I had to look up Henley, and, not surprisingly, learne

    I just love some of the memes you find online (the nice ones, that is.)   Like this one: "Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes, that would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head, that'll freak you right out." (Wittitudes) I can see so many of you shaking your heads in agreement right now, as you can immediately relate. I like this popular question: "What are you allowing to live in your head rent free?" Supposedly, this idea came from the columnist Ann Landers, who reportedly said:   “Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head.” What are you hanging onto that is disturbing your peace of mind, that is not contributing to your mental or physical well-being? Free up some of that space and allow God to enter. He will bring you peace and lessen your anxiety. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Follow me on my Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/

It is with mixed emotion that I am writing about the passing of our friend Fr. Bill Lugger. Many of you knew Fr. Bill and I am appreciating the many, many pictures and comments that I have seen online. They are a great reminder of what a wonderful, generous, faith-filled Catholic priest he was. Here is a LINK to his obituary. He was ready to see God, and patiently waited in God's time. Please pray for Fr. Bill and his family and friends. May God receive his soul in heaven. If it is a comfort to you, I am also sharing the LINK to my interview with him from last August. My hope is that his acceptance, joy, and anticipation of heaven, which he witnessed to so beautifully in our conversation, will continue to bring hope to all of us. Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Bill, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Janet Cassidy janetcaassidy.com

First, the good news. Our number-two daughter's cancer is slow-growing. The not-so-good news is that it's aggressive. And, of course, that she's got cancer. I learned about the cancer in early January. 1 The family knows a little more now, and I've gotten the okay to talk about it. Which isn't easy. I've been — distracted — and that'll very likely continue. Putting Feelings in Perspective Previous Experience "...Feelings, Woah, Woah, Woah, Feelings...." Diagnoses, Definitions, Surgery, and (Probably) Good News Another Operation, Radiation, and Prayer More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (I learned that one of our grown children has cancer a few weeks ago. I know a little more now. This week I talk about feelings, health, and what comes next.)

Christ as Teacher (Cristo Docente) Fourth Century Roman Sculptor  [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Mark 1:21-28 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) [Jesus and his disciples] went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.   And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.   And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,   “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”   But Jesus rebuked him, saying,  “Be silent, and come out of him!”   And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.   And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “W

  The Conversion of St. Paul yesterday, made me think about those who are causing division in the Church today. So many people are speaking out against Pope Francis, because, in their opinion, he is leading the Church in the wrong direction. This is similar to Saul in his early days when he persecuted Jesus (the Church), until his eyes were opened and God showed him the error of his ways. When he realized his persecution of the Church was not of God, he had a change of heart and reversed his actions. There are people today--out of pride or ignorance or whatever--who are attempting to lead people away from the Church by claiming Vatican II was a farce that should be ignored, and that their way to worship is the only way, and that Pope Francis himself is the devil incarnate. They seriously need a conversion like St. Paul. They think, in their self-righteousness, that they are protecting people, when in fact, they are leading others to sin, and further away from God. If

For some reason I keep getting stuff in my inbox that I neither subscribed to nor care about. Sometimes I unsubscribe, but usually it's just faster to swipe them away. How many things come into your life that you just don't care about or need, that you keep allowing as an unhealthy interruption? Make a list. Think about the things that tempt you or cause distraction. What would you swipe away or unsubscribe to, if you could? If life were like your inbox, what should be in it? (Don't forget to watch my latest interview! You can find it at: https://youtu.be/3o68BdKvduw Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Subscribe to my Facebook page at:  https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/

  I heard this quote attributed to Mother Angelica, a popular religious sister who founded the network, EWTN. Although, admittedly, I'm not a big fan of hers (may she rest in peace), she was quite a force when it came to trusting God and her story is inspiring. Here's the quote: "Unless you're willing to do the ridiculous, God will not do the miraculous." I have no doubt she arrived at this conclusion through personal experiences. If you read her story, you will see how God did exactly this in her creation of the EWTN network. Now I can't say whether her conclusion is iron clad, (I'm not a big fan of putting God in a box, especially in regards to what he can and cannot do based on my cooperation), but it does make you think a bit. I can personally recall a time when I did something that was totally illogical, but, listening to God and moving forward in trust, I did as I was asked, and watched as he--almost miraculously--moved someone to return to him af

St Francis de Sales The feast of St Francis de Sales is celebrated on 24 January. He was an outstanding bishop, theologian, a Doctor of the Church, that is, someone recognised as having brought us to a deeper understanding of the teaching that Christ gave to St Peter and the Apostles to be passed on to each generation. This great saint is a patron saint of journalists and writers - and of the Deaf and hearing impaired. Below is something I posted originally on 24 January 2009 and again four years later. This time I've added  [some comments] . I  originally posted  the following on 24 January 2009. Today is the feast of St Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Bishop and Doctor of the Church, patron of journalists and of the Deaf. So he is my patron on both counts, since I edit  Misyon   [phased out in 2018]  and have been working with the Deaf on a part-time basis since 1992 and frequently celebrate Mass in Sign Language. Above all, he was a man who lived the fulness of the priesthood as a

It's here!  Watch my conversation with Deacon Art Miller by following this link: https://youtu.be/3o68BdKvduw Be sure to let me know if you have any trouble watching it! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith

Check out today's message on my YouTube Channel . . . just click this link: https://youtu.be/xyWt9RPpsJM

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  The Second Book of Maccabees (Chapter 7) tells the horrific story of seven sons and their mother who were brutally murdered. One after the other watched in horror as each was killed. Eventually, the mother was martyred for the faith as well, bearing the scene courageously, holding fast to hope in the Lord. As I continue to think about the horror of abortion, and plead on behalf of the unborn and their mother, I am sharing this mother's prophetic words, which are still relevant for us today: "“I do not know how you came to be in my womb; it was not I who gave you breath and life, nor was it I who arranged the elements you are made of. Therefore, since it is the Creator of the universe who shaped the beginning of humankind and brought about the origin of everything, he, in his mercy, will give you back both breath and life, because you now disregard yourselves for the sake of his law.” And further: "I beg you, child, to look at the heavens and the earth and see all tha

This week I'll be talking about what's changed over the last century, what hasn't, and why I think progress isn't inevitable. On the other hand, I don't think we're doomed. That last may take explaining. Yesterday's Future O Tempora, O Mores, O Wow! Progress is Inevitable Possible "...The Good or Evil Performed by Nations ... in a Cosmopolitical View..." Science, Religion, Progress, and — Maybe — Mything the Point Truth, Facts, Science: and Hope Works in Progress ... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Blind optimism does not make sense. Neither does blind pessimism. I look at what has changed in the last century, what has not: and works in progress.)

  Today is the 51st annual March for Life. There is a lot of work to be done in this post Roe v. Wade era. Over 900,000 (American) babies are still being killed by abortion each year. This year's theme highlights the need to focus on mother and baby: "With every woman, for every child." They are laser-focused on mothers during their pregnancy (and for years afterward), highlighting and celebrating the work of pregnancy centers and maternity homes. The march begins at 1:00 p.m. today on the National Mall and ends in front of the Supreme Court Building. Sadly, Michigan, enshrined abortion into our state constitution. This makes for an even greater need to help and support mothers and their unborn children. Naturally, fathers are not forgotten and their pain and suffering is also recognized. Women continue to be sold a false narrative that their self-empowerment and right to an abortion is more important than the life of their baby. They are told abortion is healthcare.

As someone said in this video's comments, “God does have a sense of humor!” 😉 It's been one of those weeks, I'm pretty sure I’ll have Saturday's post out in time, but I needed a break. (More — and more to the point, the embedded video - at A Catholic Citizen in America )

  I was watching our recording of the Emmy Awards while waiting for my dilated eyes to return to normal, when I was caught off guard. I think they do this every year, but when the screen brought on individual pictures of celebrities who died in the past year, I started to tear up. That might sound overly sentimental, but losing some of the greats who created or acted in some of the shows I grew up watching, was very moving. While we are quick to criticize "Hollywood," I think we forget sometimes how creative some of these people are and how much they raised our awareness of cultural issues that needed to be dealt with. Sometimes people want to relegate Jesus to a cultural icon, a mover and shaker who changed the world, but that's not really an accurate portrayal. Jesus didn't come to challenge the problems of the day (although he did do that); his work was much more than that. While his incarnation did impact the world, the work of Jesus was to lead us to the Father