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“ Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending .” –Carl Bard This quote came to mind in recent days, as I’ve been reflecting on some difficult issues within my own life—issues adversely affected by my ongoing weakness… So I turned to a few good friends for some much-needed words of encouragement—and Mother Angelica & Saints so kindly came through!  If you, then, are seeking encouragement for the journey that lies ahead as well, it is my hope that you will find some here… Beginning now with 10 inspiring gems f rom Mother Angelica: ♦ “ Don’t look back, because in order to look back you have to stop moving forward.” >> Click Here to Read More at: The Way To Nourish For Life >>

"Those who love to be feared, fear to be loved, and they themselves are more afraid than anyone, for whereas other men fear only them, they fear everyone."  St. Francis de Sales We've all come across those who seem to "love to be feared".   Most of the time, we just turn away and ignore their chest thumping.  Sometimes, we want to stand toe-to-toe and let them know what's what; especially when we see injustice. No matter how we decide to react to these persons who cross our path, we should try to remember that behind the bravado is really someone who is fighting a battle from within. Those who "love to be feared" choose to cling to the inclinations that we've all inherited as the result of the fall in the Garden of Eden.  They've developed a deep distrust of the world and have forgotten that it is God who is in charge. They take on the world with an "It's me or them." attitude.  They forget that God's ...

"How can we better manifest our faithfulness than by being faithful amid distractions. Alas! Solitude has its temptations, and the world has its trials; but through all we must have good courage, because help from Heaven is ever nearest to those who put their whole trust in God, and who earnestly seek His Fatherly help with humility and patience. Be not distressed, then, at the little vexations and troubles that a multiplicity of domestic affairs bring upon you. No! rather be thankful that..... To read more, visit The Sincere Gift

Recently, I’ve  found myself enjoying the writings of St. Francis de Sales.  Due to discovering much inspiration in his spiritual advise that is relevant to my vocation,  I’ve decided to dedicate Fridays at The Sincere Gift as a day to share some of the meaningful insights that I’ve found to be helpful.  His spirituality is a gentle one and very doable for the ordinary person.   “Go on kindling the spirit of joy and sweetness in your heart, and believe firmly that this is the true spirit of devotion; and if you are sometimes attacked by a contrary spirit of sadness and bitterness, make a real effort to lift up your heart to God, committing all to Him..... To read more, visit The Sincere Gift .  

There was a fashion for a while to scoff at the very idea of the Immaculate Conception of Mary--a fashion, I think, from those who thought they were too smart to believe such stuff of poetry. One such scoffer, a bestselling author who has a background similar to my own (we attended the same all girls Catholic Academy) told me she is annoyed with the teaching of the Immaculate Conception because it implies that Mary is better than us. Imagine that, the Mother of Our Lord, better than us!! Frankly, I was dumbfounded by that bit of reasoning from someone I thought had a big enough brain to overcome postmodern Catholic university intellectual fashion. Remember when Moses was harangued by his group of grumbling nomads (who, having escaped from Pharaoh, built a golden calf to worship while Moses was communing with YAHWEH and receiving ten very sensible commandments to help this disparate group become a people) demanded to see YAHWEH themselves? Who did Moses think he was anyway to...

+JMJ+ AMDG "Dear young people, you bring us the joy of Faith and you tell us that we must live the Faith with a young heart." ~ Pope Francis Bl Chiara "Luce" Badano Blessed Chiara died in 1990 at the age of eighteen from a form of bone cancer.  When she was diagnosed with the illness, she united her sufferings to Christ's Passion, declaring quietly, "It's for You, Jesus; if You want it, I want it, too."  She fought her illness for two years, always smiling and comforting others ~ truly radiating Christ. When asked how her eyes were so luminous, she responded simply, "I try to love Jesus as much as I can." Before her death, Chiara told her mother, "Y oung people…they are the future. You see, I can’t run anymore, but how I would like to pass on to them the torch, like in the Olympics! Young people have only one life and it’s worthwhile to spend it well." "Verso l'alto" - "ever higher" ...

A REFLECTION IN HONOR OF ST. ROSE OF LIMA The life of St. Rose is indeed, as beautiful as a flower made sweeter and stronger by the "thorns" in her life.  Link to Article: As Sweet As A Rose photo credits: Catholic Online   * Coffee Moments with Sam A Catholic Mom's Thoughts on Life, Love, Family, Relationships, Blessings and Learnings.

Everyone knows by now that  Steve Jobs, the "visionary" behind Apple, has passed away,  at the "young old" age of 56. His was  a life well-lived , and in many ways, he "changed" the world as we know it. After all, where would the modern world be without the Mac, I-pod, I-pad and I-phone? (although admittedly, we don't have ANY of these in our possession.. yet! haha!) Steve Jobs  thought different  and challenged others to do the same. He said many things that inspired many, such as the quote below: “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to  do what you believe is great work .  And the only way to do great work is to  love what you do . If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  Don’t settle . As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.  And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it....