Association Of Catholic Bloggers

oday we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (formerly considered a day to honor all twelve apostles). We honor Saint Peter, the first Pope, and Apostle to Jesus, as well as Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. (This post originally posted on June 29, 2016, but given that today is their solemnity, I thought it #worthrevisiting).  Saint Peter It was to Saint Peter that Jesus declared that whatever Peter and the Apostles determined to be bound on earth would be bound in Heaven, and whatever is loosed on earth would be loose in Heaven (Matt 16:19); and with that Jesus bestowed upon Peter, as the first Pope, the keys to Heaven. Peter came from humble beginnings and grew to become a fisherman, until that day when he met Jesus, and after that became a “fisher of men.” With a simple style of humble means, Peter grew in courage and perseverance, wisdom and understanding to become the first leader of the Church as Christ’s successor, and to this day, through apostolic su

Come Back to Me , by Carolyn Astfalk, is the second in a series of romance novels, centered around the Reynolds brothers. Where Chris and Rebecca Reynolds were the lead characters in the first book,  Stay with Me ,  Come Back to Me  focuses on Alan Reynolds’ marriage to his wife Jamie. Come Back to Me Thanksgiving’s on the horizon, yet that does not stop Jamie from kicking her husband, Alan, out of the house! Alan has no clue what he did to deserve such treatment. On top of that, he has no job, and nowhere else to go, but to his brother Chris’ house. Newlyweds, and soon to be parents, Chris and Rebecca Reynolds welcome Alan into their home, allowing him to temporarily stay in what will be their first baby’s nursery.  That “temporary” arrangement lasts beyond Valentine’s Day! Will Jamie ever take Alan back? Will Alan ever figure out what he needs to change in his life to make things right with his wife? Astfalk created another entertaining story, with drips of drama throughout

When faced with difficult moral choices, where there seems to be only sinful options, prayer and discernment will see you through. Take for example, a relative dying from cancer. Everything that could be done to save this relative’s life has been done. Death is immanent. A decision needs to be made as to whether to give a heavy dose of morphine to the relative. If you allow the doctor to give the morphine to your dying relative, death will surely hasten. If you do not allow the doctor to give the morphine to your relative, death will eventually come, but the patient will die in excruciating pain. What do you do? Making Difficult Moral Choices We can apply the Principle of Double Effect to the decision-making process. If you can answer yes to all four of the following questions, then the Principle of Double Effect applies, and the resulting decision does not create a sin. Let us use the example above to explore this concept: Question #1:... Read more...

With all that we see on the news these days, it is easy to slip into despair, a feeling of hopelessness. Yet, we cannot lose hope! No matter how bad things seem, the light is ahead of us; the darkness will ebb. As Winston Churchill so aptly exclaimed: “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” There are better days ahead. So, keep looking forward and move toward God. Despair or hope – It is your choice! I choose hope. Despair or Hope God wants nothing but good things for us. He tells us as much in Scripture: For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe!  Plans to give you a future full of hope . (Jer. 29:11). So, do not despair. Know that God has plans for you, and a purpose worthy of honor. Therefore, you will do great things for the glory of God. So, no matter how gloomy life may seem, hold onto hope, a hope in Christ. We Make A Series of Choices Daily Each day, we wake up and make a series of choices. We can aw

Where the Ten Commandments tell us, for the most part, what not to do, the Beatitudes tell us how to live in a Christ-like manner. They highlight all the good virtues that we should possess. The Beatitudes serve us well. Virtues Associated with the Beatitudes Humility : “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). Caring/Compassion : “Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matt 5:4). Meekness : “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land” (Matt 5:5). Justice : “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matt 5:6). Mercy : “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt 5:7). Piety :  “Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God (Matt 5:8). Peace : “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God” (Matt 5:9). Faith : “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom o

With so many states reopened for business, defying the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines, one must take caution when leaving the home. The Coronavirus has not retreated. It waits, in hiding, ready to ambush us. Until we have a reliable means for treatment, or a vaccine, we risk illness, or possibly death. The question is: How much risk are you willing to take? For my husband and me, we are in the high risk group, as we are both over 60 years of age. Therefore, for us, courage is needed, just to leave the house. Courage is Needed My husband and I are not alone. Like many others, the extent of our new routine is a weekly trip to the grocery store, the post office (after hours), and our Church Office to drop off our donations in the mail slot. We keep our interactions with others to a minimum. So, for us, our greatest and only exposure is when we venture on these three weekly trips. Yet, all essential workers are at risk every day. For them, courage is needed consistentl

Are you harsh with your words? Do you make others feel diminished at the expense of your temperament? What might that cost you? Some treasured relationships? Maybe, a promotion? There is a cost to being mean. On the other hand, gentleness costs nothing, but reaps much in the way of rewards. Gentleness Costs Nothing When we treat others with disdain, we tend to lose their respect. Most people do not appreciate “bullies.” In fact, most people would like to silence bullies. I can guarantee to you that bullies have few friends, if any. God did not make us to demean and ridicule others. Rather, God made us as social beings, meant to live in community with each other. He would like for all of us to get along. Remember, “Love your neighbor”? Well that includes loving the bullies, too! So, for all of you bullies out there, who would actually like to have some true friends, here’s how to make that happen: Read more...

In the United States, we celebrate Memorial Day today; a day to remember those who died in service to the U.S., in defense of the U.S.   Unfortunately, the U.S. has seen several wars over its 240+ year history. Yet, remembering those who died, for our safety and security, is worthy of showing our appreciation. Remember Those Who Died This day never passes by me without remembering my next door neighbor, Tommy Myers, who died while serving my country, in Vietnam, back in the 1960’s. I was a pre-teen, when I saw the U.S. Army car pull up in front of Mrs. Myer’s house to give her the bad news. Tommy is the only person, who I personally knew, who died while serving his country in the armed services. Yet, there are countless others. Perhaps you know of someone, who deserves to be remembered this day. Please share your memories in the comments section, so that we can all honor his/her service. War is ugly and filled with fraught. Each day might be your last. It takes great fortitud

Compassion is different from pity. Pity merely means that we feel sorry for someone and/or their situation. Compassion, on the other hand, goes deeper. It is with compassion that we enter into the suffering with others. For example, I feel compassion for those who died alone in the hospital, due to the coronavirus. I also feel compassion for their loved ones who could not be with them as they each took their last breaths. Now, when I say enter into the suffering with the ones who suffer, it means that I, too, feel their pain. So, rather than pity, we need to show compassion to those who suffer. Show Compassion My heart breaks at the thought of dying alone in a hospital bed. No one can visit with the sick and dying. Anecdotally, I hear that priests cannot visit with the dying due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). This equipment must be reserved for the hospital workers. So, the patients die without receiving Last Rights. Compound that pain, with the loved o

God created this world, and all that it offers, for the benefit of everyone, and not for a select few. This concept actually has a name: The Universal Destination of Goods. Its underlying meaning is that “created goods goes hand-in-hand with the moral obligation to help those in need.”  1  Therefore, it is important to share with others what you have in the spirit of generosity. Spirit of Generosity We’ve heard it all before, “the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.” What does that result in? It results in income inequality, and a greater divide amongst the members of society. Do you think that God placed you on this earth to see how much money you could accumulate? Or, did He place you here, to see how much toilet paper you could hoard?  I think not! If we were to calculate riches based upon the number of virtues you could master, then we’re talking about what is important to God. Developing a spirit of generosity would be a good place to start. If we all mastered virtues

I like the example set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo regarding the paying forward of gratitude. When Oregon supplied New York with 140 ventilators, so that New York could get through its peak of the coronavirus, Gov. Cuomo stated that he would pay it forward.  Since then, New York has shipped ventilators to multiple states. Finding ways to pay forward your gratitude is a virtue worth emulating. Pay Forward Your Gratitude When you feel grateful, how do you express your gratitude? There are many ways to do it, from sending a thank you note, to paying it forward. Think of the cancer survivor, filled with gratitude for having been cured of cancer. What does that person want to do? That cancer survivor wants to help those who come after them get to where they are at – free of cancer.  How do they do that? They mentor those going through the process now. Why? Well, they appreciated those who were there for them, when they needed assistance most. They pay it forward. What about the students,

You may think that “sheltering in place” inhibits you from performing acts of kindness. How can you be kind when you are trying to stay away from people? Well, the very act of staying away from others is an act of kindness. You place the welfare of others ahead of your own needs and wants. That shows a little kindness to others. However, there are additional ways to show a little kindness to others while maintaining the social distance requirements. Ways to Show a Little Kindness Here are just a few ideas for you to consider. I’m sure that you will creatively come up with a few of your own. I invite you to share your ideas in the comments section. When taking a walk, in your neighborhood, give your neighbors a wave to say hello. Call that friend, or relative, that you haven’t spoken to in a while and catch up each other. E-mail friends, neighbors and family, remembering... Read more... 

So, how is your patience level these days? Feeling a little stressed? Maybe you’re snapping at your spouse, and wondering why? If you answer yes to these questions, then join my club! Yes, my patience level needs some work. Impatience, in a time of crisis, is normal, especially when dealing with the unknown increases your stress. Yet, maintaining patience, in a time of crisis, can serve you well. Maintaining Patience The first thing that you need to do is to determine what increases your stress level, thus, decreasing your patience. Lately, for me, my stress level increases every time I hear... Read more...

With only being able to attend Church services online, does this weakens one’s faith? Or, does this cause us to look deeper to keep the faith? Perhaps you might like to chime in, by using the comments section to share the impact of online services on you and your loved ones. I know for myself, that I crave the Eucharist, and will no longer take it for granted. I truly miss receiving Jesus weekly. Since I cannot receive the Real Presence in the Eucharist, I now look for other ways to keep the faith, in addition to attending Mass via online services. Keep the Faith: Read Scripture Although I cannot currently receive the Eucharist, God can nourish me with His Word. Reading scripture, more often, engages me in deep discussions with God.  And that is a good thing! Pray More Often I find myself praying more often, since there are so many people and causes that need prayers. Again, this engages me in... Read more...

With all the heartbreak experienced, as a result of the coronavirus, it’s easy to find it in your heart to care. So many people need our prayers. Whether it be the first responders, hospital workers, or the essential employees at your local grocery store and pharmacy, they need for us to care about them. They need our prayers. And let’s not forget those inflicted with the virus, those who have died, and those who mourn. They, too, need for us to care about them. They, too, need our prayers. Then there are those who suffer financially from job loss, or furloughs, and possibly a loss in health insurance coverage. These folks need for us to care about them. They, also, need our prayers. Find it in Your Heart to Care How can we help these people? Through prayer, for one thing! Pray for the safety and good health of those trying to take care of us. Pray for those in need of assistance. But most importantly, pray for an end to this pandemic. Help where you can. For the most part,..

This social distancing thing is taking its toll on many of us. As human beings, God made us to be social beings, meant to live in community with each other. Even one of the two greatest Commandments is to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt 22:39). So, how can we love our neighbor, if we are staying inside our homes? Our “New Normal”? We like to gather together to work, play and worship as community. So, this coronavirus has really put a kink into our lifestyle. At work, difficult discussions always have the best outcomes when meeting face to face. When at home, we live for the hugs and kisses, the interactions from sports, and the chats with neighbors across the picket fence. At church services, we come together, united in spirit, to worship God as one family, sharing the sign of Peace, and drinking from the cup. Life seems to have been turned upside down. We now work alone, using technology to interact in meetings. Or, we are unemployed. We live low-key lives in our home

With all the illness and death, due to the coronavirus, possibly affecting our relatives and friends, we may find it difficult to see virtue. Yet, the virtues of caring, kindness, patience, generosity, gentleness, love, compassion, courage and hope abound. Especially in times of crisis, we need to find virtue, or we might just go insane! Find Virtue Caring : We don’t need to look far to see caring eyes behind those masks of the nurses and doctors. Kindness : When we see the 7 p.m. round of applause for all of the hospital workers; that is a pure act of kindness, showing gratitude. Patience : We show patience while waiting for our turn to get that coveted toilet paper. Generosity : Oregon and California’s generosity were on full display in the lending of ventilators and sharing supplies with those states in more dire need. Read more...

Today is April Fool’s Day, but the Coronavirus is no joke! I’ve seen the footage of young people partying in Florida on Spring Break. I’ve also seen the footage of people congregating in large groups to see the cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. Hello people!!! We have a crisis here that calls for individuals to think more of others and less of themselves – a call for humility. Those partying in Florida, went back home after Spring Break and now run the risk of giving this virus to their parents and/or grandparents. People congregating in large groups place themselves at higher risk of contracting this pandemic of a disease. Coronavirus – Call to Action Everyone needs to follow the latest advice put out by the... Read more...

Looking for something uplifting to do this Lent that increases your own spiritual awareness? Look no further than the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Spiritual Works of Mercy Counseling the Doubtful : Encourage someone who is struggling with their faith to speak with your parish priest, where they can receive the answers needed to grow in faith. Instructing the Ignorant : Volunteer and participate in faith formation groups in your parish. Becoming a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) sponsor is a great place to start. At this time of crisis, look for ways to communicate virtually (by phone, Skype, or Google Hangout, to name just a few ways). Admonishing the Sinner : Without judging, help others find their way to correct their mistakes. Start by learning what the Church teaches on the topic in question. You can learn more at... Read more...

Note: The suggestions in this post, on the Corporal Works of Mercy, may need to be modified, given the conditions that we now live under because of the coronavirus. Stay safe, one and all. ******** If giving up chocolate, or wine/beer, was not your thing for Lent, and you want to do something meaningful, then try one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the Hungry/Give Drink to the Thirsty : Consider donating your time to work at a homeless shelter, feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty. Or, donate money to your local food bank. Clothe the Naked : Consider giving away unwanted clothing to Goodwill or some other charity. Shelter the Homeless : Volunteer your services at Catholic Charities to assist the homeless in getting back on their feet. Or, donate money, food, and/or clothing to your nearest homeless shelter. Visit the Sick : Know someone who is ill? Take a home-cooked meal to them and spend a few minutes with them. Perhaps they c