Association Of Catholic Bloggers

First, let me clarify that redemptive suffering  exists as a genuine call from God. Yet what most of us experience is far from redemptive because our suffering is not in union with Christ’s. Redemptive suffering is not long-faced misery because it is life-giving and life-affirming as we live in, with and through Christ our Saviour. It  might involve physical pain but  it is lived in the Light, in peace and in joy. When we are no longer the centre of attention but Jesus is the centre; all heavy, psychological despair and mental anguish dissipates like insubstantial mist under the burning sunlight. It takes humility to realize our miserable, self-inflicted suffering does not save anyone, least of all ourselves. Accepting Jesus as our Saviour really goes against our grain as human beings because we want to earn our salvation, purify ourselves by suffering  out of a misplaced sense of guilt. Ironically it usually takes suffering to break down our ego and pride. continue

Pope Francis has just declared an Extraordinary Jubilee Year: a Year of Mercy, which will begin on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception this year. We have witnessed and been fascinated by this pope’s numerous acts of mercy as he reaches out to the neediest of God’s people. Of course, the greatest act of mercy is what we remember and celebrate during this Lenten season: how God reached out to us, his creatures sunk in misery because of sin, and gave us new hope. The death and rising of the Son of God saved us. We usually associate mercy with the corporal (bodily) acts of mercy, such as feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. But here are some other ways to be merciful. Click to continue

Touring New York City's beautiful churches was a wonderful experience.  Obviously there are more churches than the three my daughter and I visited, but it was still a kick to see the ones we did. You can read the rest of the article and view the photo gallery at Being Catholic ... Really .

Finally getting this up...whew...a very busy day and a super cranky toddler do not make for easy blogging.  Here is today's pray along.  Today, I am praying for our leaders both in the Church and our government, that they will be honest and just and turn to God in all matters. God bless you! FRIEND IN SUFFERING Saint Joseph, your share of suffering was very great because of your close union with the Divine Savior. All the mysteries of His life were more or less mysteries of suffering. Poverty pressed upon you, and the cross of labor followed you everywhere. Nor were you spared domestic crosses, owing to misunderstandings in regard to the holiest and most cherished of all beings, Jesus and Mary, who were all to you. Keen must have been the suffering caused by the uncertainty regarding Mary's virginity; by the bestowal of the name of Jesus, which pointed to future misfortune. Deeply painful must have been the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the disappear

St. Teresa in Ecstasy by Bernini (Wikipedia). Now we begin to look at contemplative prayer as Teresa of Avila sees it. The fourth mansions are the transition from prayer that is produced by the soul to prayer that God gives the soul. In this post, I want to look at what Teresa says about consolations versus delights. This is from the first chapter of the fourth mansions. Consolations are produced naturally by the soul. We can’t say that God has no part in them, for everything that brings us closer to him is in some way his gift. But they are completely different from delights, which he gives without our doing anything to receive. It’s so important not to mistake consolations for infused delights! Continue reading at Contemplative Homeschool.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared an excerpt from Pope Francis' Message for Lent 2015: During this Lent, then, brothers and sisters, let us all ask the Lord: "Fac cor nostrum secundum cor tuum": Make our hearts like yours (Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). In this way we will receive a heart which is firm and merciful, attentive and generous, a heart which is not closed, indifferent or prey to the globalization of indifference. "Make our hearts like yours." How's that going? We're more than halfway through Lent, so it's time for a cardiac check-up. In what ways have our hearts grown more like the Heart of Jesus these past weeks? To reflect on this, we pay attention both to our own hearts and to the Heart of our Lord. Please join me at Praying with Grace for a heartfelt reflection.

  May the strength of God pilot us May the wisdom of God instruct us,   May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us;         Be always ours this day and for evermore.     St Patrick     Whatever I have beholden to beauty, taken into the curves of attention as offering, may it be like a child leaping from the lap of joy into the sheets of light strung through our hanging hours; may it be like the work-worn hands of women opening the pins of rest from the lines of darkness; may it be like our old hearts speaking a broken language of hope in the country of despair; may it be like hands joining down the long pews of peace; may it be a song flung into the incorrigible,  huddled wood of our loneliness; may it be love billowing through the folds of one another, into the gift of you, Lord.

This is a day that was long awaited, A time dreamt of and indeed anticipated, With months albeit years of preparation, And a myriad of readings and connotations. Today, I awoke knowing that there was nowhere I had to be.   There was truly no post to edit, Or theologian I needed to credit, An argument carelessly ignored, Nor deeper meaning to explore. I now wondered in this stillness what was to be of me. Read More..

"Be Still and Know that I AM God." Psalm 46:10 The equation I used to believe was:  to be still was to be quiet.  To be quiet was to be in silence.  The act of silence is very difficult for me.  I enjoy good conversation and lively debates, and  the sounds of music, radio, and television.  I have tried to allow silence to envelop me so that through this stillness or quiet, I could come closer to God.  I guess that I am God's squirmy child when it comes to sitting in the stillness.  I find myself sitting, waiting for the sounds of birds chirping outside the Church where we have gathered to pray, and, in desperate times, the sound of the radiator hissing as it heats up the adoration chapel. The willful act of silence is a virtue on which I am still working.  Distractions plague me, too.  However, in my distractions, I think.  If I am wise, I also the Holy Spirit to direct my thoughts when in the state of distraction. Read More At: His Unending Love

I decided this Lent that I would not travel alone. I asked St. Bernadette, the visionary of Our Lady of Lourdes, if she would accompany me. In the course of our walk together I am rediscovering someone I had long forgotten but who has not forgotten me. A classic movie It began on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes with a suggestion from a friend to watch “The Song of Bernadette,” a critically-acclaimed 1943 movie based on the book by Franz Werfel. It was available on YouTube so I could watch it at my leisure. The movie is long so I viewed it on my tablet over the course of three nights. Unexpected emotions That was a good decision. I did not expect to be so moved by the film and was glad I could cry in private. Each time "The Lady" appeared to Bernadette, the tears would flow. I did not know why. Was it the beautiful music? Was it the way Bernadette (played by Oscar winner Jennifer Jones) looked at "The Lady" with such love? Maybe it was b

My daughter and I went to New York City on vacation.  Before our trip, she asked me where I wanted to go and the first thing out of my mouth was  St. Patrick's Cathedral  in New York City!  This is the extension of my series  Touring Chicago's beautiful churches . You can read the rest at Being Catholic ... Really .

As a new member of this incredible group of bloggers, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself for those who I have yet to meet through the world of social media. “Go Forth and Set the World on Fire” St. Ignatius of Loyola This well beloved quote truly speaks to where I presently find myself as a graduate student of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University.       My introduction into the world of lay ministry began, as does for many, as a catechist of the faith for my children. Over the years, I have increasingly felt the call to give my “time and talents” to a number of other parish ministries like that of Children’s Liturgy and Eucharistic ministry to the nursing homes . I can honestly say that each of these ministries has been a blessing in my life! As I excitedly await commencement in May, I look also toward where God is calling me to use my degree. As the daughter and granddaughter of educators I come by the passion to inspire the love of learning naturally. Likewise, d

'If we let Christ into our lives, we lose nothing, absolutely nothing, of what makes life free, beautiful and great.  No! Only in this friendship are the doors of life opened wide. Only in this friendship is the great potential of human existence truly revealed.' Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Today's Gospel reading, John 3:14 - 21 , includes one of my favorite bits from the Bible.... ...My main job, just like everyone else, is loving and serving God. Whether or not I do that job is up to me, every moment. Humans are rational creatures, able to decide what we do: or don't do.... ...Some folks, understandably, don't particularly like being told "you will be wholly lost and thrown away of God" if you don't agree with some enthusiastic disciple of Edwards. I think, and hope, that Edwards meant well.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

This is late being posted because I spent my day at my beautiful Goddaughter's Confirmation. What a lovely day! Today I am praying for all the confirmandi and cathacumen. Come pray along with me!  God bless! PATRON OF THE CHURCH Saint Joseph, God has appointed you patron of the Catholic Church because you were the head of the Holy Family, the starting-point of the Church. You were the father, protector, guide and support of the Holy Family. For that reason you belong in a particular way to the Church, which was the purpose of the Holy Family's existence. Continued on Veils and Vocations .

My contribution to  TENDER TIDINGS Spring 2015   is  The Danger of Techno Pacifiers.  ALL the articles are excellent in this free parenting resource for gentle, intentional, and attachment-minded parents: For most modern families living in apartments, townhouses, or even the suburbs, it takes a conscious effort to ensure little ones connect with nature and animals and, as a result, connect with God. Nature is suffused with the Presence of the Creator because God sustains and controls nature.  It seems to me children need to go outside where they can delight in the smallest details because their hearts sense the Spirit of God and His joy when they are in nature. Even adults are growing increasingly discontent with the hectic pace of the 21st century because it is an existence more plugged into technology than to people. Many are more comfortable texting each other than speaking face to face or even talking on the phone. This disconnect has devastating repercussions, also affe

Helping Women. Period The Verse before today's Gospel was: " If today you hear his voice,  harden not your hearts." I heard this verse at Mass this morning and thought about all the ways we are being called this Lent to hear His voice and not harden our hearts. In Lansing, Michigan, a woman named:   Amy Mercier Stephenson, has heard God's voice and she has seen a need that no-one else saw. She is creating a women's specific pantry filled with those things a woman needs monthly and that we, who have the means, don't give a second thought. It is such a simple thing. It is such a huge thing for those who can't afford these necessities. It is such a blessed thing that Amy is doing. Here is her Facebook page about Helping Women. Period , please visit it if you feel God calling you to help. God bless Patty Perkowski , csd

The Gospel of John  (2003) dir.by Philip Saville Gospel   John 3:14-21  Jesus said to Nicodemus: “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,     that whoever believes in him may have eternal life . “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.    And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that

It's day four of our pray along. Thank you for journeying with me. Today, I am praying for the persecuted and refugees, LORD please grant them protection and deliverance. I am also praying that the hearts of out enemies may be converted. God bless! FAITHFUL SERVANT Saint Joseph, you lived for one purpose -- to be the personal servant of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh .  Your noble birth and ancestry, the graces and gifts, so generously poured out on you by God -- all this was yours to serve our Lord better. Every thought, word, and action of yours was a homage to the love and glory of the Incarnate Word. You fulfilled most faithfully the role of a good and faithful servant who cared for the House of God. Continued on Veils and Vocations .

Dawn became the first spacecraft to orbit two asteroids or planets other than Earth last week. More to the point, we're learning more about these survivors from the early Solar System. Meanwhile, from the world of infotainment , "chaos" and the early Solar System.... ...Either way, Vesta and Ceres are — most likely — the last remaining large protoplanets : which makes them valuable samples of the early Solar System. Apart from size and distance from our sun, they're very different: which also makes them intriguing places to study. Scientists have working ideas about how Vesta and Ceres ended up where they are, but those hypotheses may change when we learn more from the Dawn mission. There's quite a bit of data to work with already, from Dawn's stopover at Vesta.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

by Helena Pasztetnik “…where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20) Sometimes in life, you just feel desperate. You’ve tried everything but nothing has helped. Your situation keeps getting worse. Suffering, uncertainty, or hopelessness is drawing your life in a meaningless spiral towards nothingness. When every other avenue of recourse has been exhausted, and the only help available is prayer, this is the prayer that more and more people are turning to. It’s called The Irresistible Novena.  Read more...

I know that I am posting this late today, but please pray along with me.  Today I am praying for the fatherless, step-fathers and foster fathers, and fathers who have lost their children.  God bless! Third Day MAN CHOSEN BY THE BLESSED TRINITY Saint Joseph, you were the man chosen by God the Father .  He selected you to be His representative on earth, hence He granted you all the graces and blessings you needed to be His worthy representative. Continued on Veils and Vocations.

Praise God! Praise God! Praise God! Why? I'm making a list. Feel free to add to this list. 1) God is always working in my life, even when I don't feel it. 2) God loves me, even when I don't love me. 3) God likes me, even if no one else does. 4) God accepts me as I am. (He doesn't make junk.) 5) God loves me as I am.   Read More At: His Unending Love

FATHER JONATHAN HILL A sermon from Fr Jonathan Hill. It was long ago that God gave the Commandments and the Law to Moses and the Children of Israel.    Yet we read elsewhere in Scripture that the Law was incapable of making us righteous.    What then was the purpose of this gift?    The Law was intended to prevent people from doing evil, to turn their hearts towards ways of righteousness so that when Jesus came, in the fullness of time, to bring His teaching which went far beyond the Law, there would be a foundation for Him to build on.    The Commandments might be seen as our Basic Training for living a life acceptable to God.    God gave us Commandments.    Jesus willed that we should not simply be obeying laws but that we should be obeying because we wanted to grow close to God, to grow in righteousness, in faith, in compassion, in devotion.

We are free to laugh and even enjoy religious humour because people who are secure in their faith understand their Father in heaven chuckles along with them. God actually has a sense of humour. ( Melanie's Theology 101) read more

Are you tired of Lent? Debbie, over at  Saints 365  is definitely tired of Lent and so is Regis Martin, who appears in the video below. You can read the rest at Being Catholic ... Really .

DON'T WAIT UNTIL WHEN I'M DEAD AND GONE CLICK HERE NOW !

Day two is here. Today, I am praying for hard-working fathers and fathers who are struggling to provide for their families. Please pray with me and remember to leave any intentions you have in the comments. God bless! Second Day VIRGINAL HUSBAND OF MARY Saint Joseph, I honor you as the true husband of Mary .  Scripture says: "Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, and of her was born Jesus who is called Christ" (Matt. 1:16). Your marriage to Mary was a sacred contract by which you and Mary gave yourselves to each other. Mary really belonged to you with all she was and had. You had a right to her love and obedience; and no other person so won her esteem, obedience, and love. Continued on Veils and Vocations.

The other day, I baked chocolate chip cookies for my kids, and didn’t eat a one. I then decided to Who eats their kids' leftover milkshakes, anyway?  I wondered to myself. forgo my usual afternoon cup of tea. Insert personal pity party right here. Earlier in the week, I had bought them a couple of chocolate milkshakes, and completely forgetting that I gave up chocolate for Lent, I took a sip, upon noticing Anders wasn't going to come close to finishing his, then remembered and had to watch them drink their shakes while I drank water.  I threw a tiny pity party in my head again as I threw the leftovers away, but I sat down with a good book, and I felt a flooding of relief and peace coming from nowhere. I’m finally doing some spiritual reading, and the book  Catherine of Siena , by Sigrid Undset, mingled with the deep conviction that observing Lent is so important to me, and I love it for my family, is giving me deep joy. Even though the momentary sacrifice feels painful, the

Last week on the Internet I saw James Martin, S.J., interviewing Stephen Colbert, who is Catholic. Fr. Martin asked the following four questions. Colbert’s answers follow. For fun I answered the questions too. I wonder if Colbert was prepared in advance. It took me awhile to think of my responses. My answers are in parentheses. I’ve also added a few more questions. You might enjoy reflecting on how you would answer all of these if you were being videotaped for the world to see: Who is your favorite saint? St. Peter. My Confirmation name is Simon. (St. Catherine of Siena) Click to continue