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A  Taizé  chant by Jacques Barthier (1923 - 1994)   Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom  (Luke 23:42; Gospel) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) Readings   (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India)   Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 23:35-43   (English Standard Version, Anglicised)   Brothers and Sisters: Let us give thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him....

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        Reading through “The Imitation of Christ” again, this time through Ascension Press with Fr. Mike Schmitz, I came across this quote: “It is better now to purge away our sins and to cut off our vices than to reserve them to be purged hereafter.”  Wow!  Our station in death, for the sake of our purification before we reach heaven, is identified as purgatory. In order to move beyond purgatory, we rely on those who are still living to pray for us. Who will pray for me, after I die? If you don't believe in purgatory, check out this quote from the St. Paul Center : " Since the Bible assures us that nothing unclean shall enter heaven (see Rev 21:27; cf. Heb 12:14), this implies that souls who die in a state of imperfect friendship with God must undergo some kind of final purification prior to their entry into eternal life. This fits with what Sacred Scripture teaches more generally about how God acts as a “refiner’s fire” (Mal 3:2) who disciplines...

Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, Receiving the Gaudium et Spes Award, States Dinner, (August 5 2025) I'm not comfortable with the way today's America works, but I think this is a good time to be an American and a Catholic. That's because part of my job is easier now, than it would have been in my youth. Granted, experiencing "increasing opposition" from The Establishment 1 isn't comfortable. But honestly: why would I want their approval? Vatican II and Making Sense "...The End of Christendom ... Not a Gloomy Picture..." An Assumption and "The Apotheosis of Washington" "...Great and Wonderful Days in Which to be Alive...." Goals, and the Best News Humanity's Ever Had Justice, Charity, Respect: Sounds Good to Me ... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (I think Fulton Sheen was right. The end of Christendom is not a gloomy picture. These are great days to be alive, and we have a jo...

Heuston Railway Station, Dublin [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) Readings   (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India) Readings  (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Luke 21:5-19   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) At that time: While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said,   “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”   And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”   And he said,  “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.   And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be te...

   All people can change . . . The person is the image of God, and God does not scorn his own image--he redeems that image, he always finds the way to restore it when it is clouded." These words from Pope Francis in his book "Hope" made me think about how many people feel that their past behavior has made them unlovable by God, but how, in reality, since we are made in God's own image, he will not scorn us. Those are powerful words and good news if you are struggling with your past sins. God does not give up on us, and he rejoices when we return to him. Do not presume that God's love is limited to those who live holy lives. Jesus said so himself, when he said in  Luke (5:31) : “Those who are healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.  I have not come to call the righteous to repentance but sinners.” Return to God and be grateful for his merciful, unconditional love. After all, he died for you--for each of us--showing us we can trust in the Father's une...

I have now seen aurora two times. The first was when my folks and I were living at 818 in Moorhead, Minnesota.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Seeing the aurora display on November 11, 2025; remembering the other aurora I saw; and taking note of a Space Weather Prediction Center alert.)

                                                      Photo Credit:  FAVPNG.com   I came across this quote in a book I have been reading (“The Art of Power/Pelosi”). It said that it was a prayer on a wall in Sierra Leone: “When I die and happily meet my Creator, He will ask me to show Him my wounds. If I tell Him that I have no wounds, my Creator will ask: Was nothing worth fighting for?” What an interesting question. What in your circle of interest, in your ability, in your power to change, is worth fighting for? What wounds—or sacrifices—have you made that reveal what you care about? This is a personal question that I think we would all do well to consider. Any thoughts??  Janet Cassidy Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com janetcassidy.com https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/ https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassid...

Veterans Day and ideas about patriotism overlap, so I'll start with an admission. On the whole, I like being an American. That's partly because I think that "America" includes much more than this country's national government.... ...I also am profoundly glad that so many folks over the last two and a half centuries have decided that serving in this country's armed forces was a good idea. The rest of us owe you our thanks, if nothing else.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (A somewhat freewheeling look at how I see being patriotic, with quotes and excerpts; and why I think caring about everyone makes sense.)

  I'm always debating about whether we need to strengthen the faith of the people in the pews, or whether we should go out to those who have not heard of Jesus. I lean towards the mission of the latter, but I recognize that this is a "both/ and" situation. The challenge, of course, is that it is a big job for a parish to take on both. I came across this passage in Paul's Letter to the Romans, which clarifies how he approached this dilemma:  "I aspire to proclaim the Gospel not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on another’s foundation, but as it is written:     Those who have never been told of him shall see,     and those who have never heard of him shall understand."                               ...

My wife grew up in a very "Catholic" family. That doesn't mean what you might think it does: old-fashioned clothes, candles everywhere, too many children, and the girls brought up to be doormats. Okay, granted: my wife is the second of seven kids. But I can't think of one of the other six who's redundant. Then there's the matter of how my in-laws brought up their children. Take, for example, the time someone from the high school called my father-in-law with an grave concern regarding my wife's younger sister.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Growing up in a very Catholic family meant was counter-cultural, but not the way you might think.)

Archbasilica of St John Lateran  [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] The full name of the church is:  Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist at the Lateran . It is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. The Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, as a feast of the Lord, takes precedence over the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) Readings   (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 2:13-22  (English Standard Version, Anglicised) The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overt...

     Photo Credit: Vecteezy                              We were watching the morning news and there was a clip of two young boys who learned that their favorite football player was being traded to another team. The father recorded them as he told them about the trade, and the one little boy, devastated to hear the news, fell apart, letting out a big cry and stomping his feet. The story ended on a happy note as they received shirts from their favorite player, from his new team.  I didn't think much of it, but my husband reacted as I have heard him react before. I always appreciate his sensitive Dad perspective. He observed that not only did the Dad record his son, most likely knowing how devastated he would be, but that the recording made its way to the public. "What was the point of the Dad doing that?" my husband asked. I have to admit he was right.  Now, as my husband pointe...

  Are you interested in the idea of emptying yourself so that you are able to be filled with God? How can we be transformed and move away from our own self-interest? This fascinating interview by one of my favorite Catholic speakers, Matthew Leonard, and Father Wayne Sattler, will have you both inspired and motivated. It's short, only about 7 minutes long, but well worth your time. Enjoy! Janet Cassidy Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com janetcassidy.com https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/ https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy   Here is the direct link to the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPCmS_BGg-I