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Dom Donald's Blog: Our Lady of Aberdeen 9 July 'in the infirmity of old age' St Aelred

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Embracing Motherhood: Happy Sunday!

. Keiko on her First Communion Day Read the story of 14-year-old Keiko Uemura, a spring flower in the desert , here .

Are you TOO Catholic if you want to lead a group of mothers (not all are Catholic) at a Catholic parish function in the Hail Mary? Are you TOO Catholic if you want to attend Mass during the week? Are you TOO Catholic if you want to pray morning, noon, and night each day? Are you TOO Catholic if you have a crucifix in every room of your house and one in your office? Are you TOO Catholic if you believe the teachings of the Catholic Church are to be upheld and not optional? Are you TOO Catholic if you believe that life at all stages is precious and should be respected and protected? Are you TOO Catholic if you wear a scapular? Are you TOO Catholic if you sing liturgical hymns outside of Church? Are you TOO Catholic if you make decisions on a daily basis based on being a Catholic? Are you TOO Catholic if you think about God and Jesus every day and being a Catholic? Are you TOO Catholic if you consider yourself a FAN of the Pope and follow him in the news. Are you TOO

Humblepiety: 20 Years of Being Ordained a Priest Celebration! : I celebrated 20 years of being a priest with the parish last night. It was a wonderful evening which made me feel truly humbled by the ... Fr Patrick Brennan is one of our priest bloggers. Do go over to Humblepiety & congratulate him!

Ever since I heard the news that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, proclaimed a Year of Faith, I have been pondering what faith means.  It is certainly something , but what?  Is it the Creed?  Is it the source of how one lives?  Is it singular only, or can it be plural? Anyway, in preparation for the Year of Faith, which starts in October, I want to explore Faith.  I want to develop a more solid understanding of Faith.  I hope to deepen my Faith and to help others do likewise, if possible. My first post on the subject can be found here .  If you have any thoughts about where I can go with my exploration of this topic, I will appreciate hearing from you.

On Saturday 6 July 1942 John Coyle, a carpenter, married Mary Collins, a seamstress, in St Paul's Church, Arran Quay, Dublin,  ( photo below )  the first Catholic church to be built in Dublin after the Act of Catholic Emancipation in 1829 that abolished most of the anti-Catholic Penal Laws in the United Kingdom, of which the whole of Ireland was then apart. The occasion was to have some impact on my life as I was the first-born of their union, arriving in the world nine months and two weeks later.  The wedding photo above was taken in a studio in Dublin after their honeymoon. So it is likely that I was present on the occasion! Full post here .

My girlfriend K., like me, was raised Catholic and like me, did not receive a full grounding in the faith.  She asked me yesterday how best to show her gratitude to God for answered prayers. "Prayer works!" she told me yesterday. "It really really works!" I'd like to ask you, dear readers, what your suggestions might be. Read more here...

Why the chattering classes are keeping life-ending pills close to hand | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for July 2012 From the  website  of the Apostleship of  Prayer General Intention - Work Security   That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions. Mission Intention - Christian Volunteers That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.

Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus , Friedrich Overbeck, painted 1815. Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Mark 5:21-43  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.  And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew w

NeverSeconds: Porridge Party! : This morning we were told that the menu had changed so the kitchens could use up what they had left. I am not sure what the menu should have...

Having children is not for dummies | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Does anyone know what has happened to Ros and "Fire of their love" blog? I just found out that it has been removed.

 Jules Breton (French Realist painter) 1827 - 1906 The Communicants, 1884 oil on canvas

Today our 12-year-old son tidied up garbage in Abuelita's garage, where their spaniel went snacking.  Today he stayed with Grandpapi so I could take Abuelita grocery shopping.   Read more here...

Birth of the Baptist , Andrea Pisano 1330 Gilt Bronze (panel of southern door), Baptistry,  Florence, Italy Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Vigil Mass   During the Day    Readings  (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Vigil Mass and Mass During the Day   [The readings for the Vigil Mass are on the upper part of the page, those for the Mass During the Day on the lower part of the page.] Liturgical Note. The Solemnity of the Birth of St John the Baptist, like Easter and some other solemnities, has a Vigil, properly so-called. This is not an ‘anticipated Mass’ but a Vigil Mass in its own right, with its own set of prayers and readings. It fulfils our Sunday obligation. The prayers and readings of the Mass During the Day should not be used for the Vigil Mass, nor those of the Vigil Mass for the Mass During the Day. As a solemnity, this celebration take

The New Evangelization: why do we need it? Justin Stroh , is an amazing Catholic speaker and podcaster that I listen to on one of my favorite podcasts, Catholic Vitamins.  His ministry is focusing on "The New Evangelization" of the Catholic Church.  Right now he is discussing the recently released document from the USCCB called, "Disciples Called to Witness: The New Evangelization"  In this document, which is only 26 pages, the bishops cover the condition of the Catholic Church today and what we need to do to get her back up to where she should be with her believers. For starters, in our current situation only 23% of Catholics attend Mass each week, below are the many reasons why the other 77% didn't.  Surprisingly, it's not due to current controversial issues. One of the most important thing we need to be doing as Catholic parents is spending time with our families, especially and most importantly on Sundays!  You can listen to Justin

Redemptoristines: Corpus Christi: Mass and Procession

I often get asked questions about my family's food consumption:  how much we spend in a week, how much food do I cook for dinner, how do I get dinner on the table when I get home from work, what do we eat?  All are very legitimate questions. I function better when I write things down, whether it's stuff I have to do for work,  or running a household.  Since I was a newlywed working shifts at the hospital, I've made a weekly menu so I'm not  constantly trying to figure out what to make for dinner.  Over the years, I have come to rely more heavily on menu planning. Along with the menu, I've kept a weekly list of groceries to buy.  Since I work for myself, I can schedule in my weekly Costco grocery spree during the day.  Costco has the best overall prices,  selection and convenience for our needs.  The total monthly damage to our wallet is roughly $1200 - $1500, including food, household supplies, toiletries. I've collected recipes that are easy

Why, even though I argue with him regularly, I respect him, Linen on the hedgerow Richard. (I'll still continue to argue, by the way)

Reality has a way of intervening into my own little bubble of bliss. In our small family of four, our Father's Day was fine. And yet, over the past few days I have encountered no fewer than 10 children of our acquaintance who are essentially fatherless. Read more here...

Though We Are Many - Official Hymn of the 32nd International Eucharistic Congress Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)  Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  The black mustard plant Gospel Mark 4:26-14 (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed upon the ground, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he knows not how. The earth produces of itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."  And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on ea

Christians in the Holy Land and the Church I recomend you watch Carrying Jesus, through the streets of Bethlehem,

Prayers please. Ros

Pomp and ceremony: Royal family reunite in magnificent style for Trooping the Colour on Queen's official birthday | Mail Online

Happy Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus ! My God, my Savior, I adore your Sacred Heart, for that heart is the seat and source of all your tenderest human affections for us sinners. It is the instrument and organ of your love. ~ Blessed John Henry Newman