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Originally published in The Catholic Free Press on April 3, 2015 ********************************************************************************** WORCESTER–March 27, 2015. It was not your typical Friday at St. John’s Food Pantry in Worcester. As some five hundred of the city’s poor streamed in for a hot meal, three new faces greeted them. These men radiated warmth and kindness as they dished up generous portions of scrambled eggs with ham, Belgian waffles, and various meats and vegetables to grateful patrons. Surprise guests Most could not have guessed that they were being served by world famous singing stars The Priests. That very night the critically acclaimed group would give a concert at the Hanover Theater to a near capacity crowd. Click here to continue reading. There are two videos of The Priests plus an audio version of the full interview.

On the news this week it was reported that 11% of Americans were on anti-depressants. That’s sad! We were made to be happy, and we wish it for others, saying “Happy Easter, Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas.”  Why aren’t so many of us happy? Of course, we can blame the theological reason: original sin that stole heaven’s bliss from us. Still, some modicum of happiness is within reach here on earth. We know the joy that comes from a job well done, a surprise party, a newborn baby, a gorgeous nature scene, and someone loving you. Experiences like those leave us bubbling over with happiness. There are stretches of time when we are content, at peace and enjoy getting up in the morning. Joy evaporates, however, when tragedy strikes, stress builds up, or failure darkens our life. Sometimes we might feel blue for no identifiable reason. At such times we might cry, wish we hadn’t been born, try to drown our sorrows in alcohol, or hate getting out of bed. Click to continue

Brat-  noun 1.  a   child,   especially   an   annoying,   spoiled,   or   impolite   child   (usually   used  in   contempt   or   irritation) I was able to do some reading on our recent trip to Texas, and I woke up with a headache early in the morning one day, and read this book, pictured, cover-to-cover. It’s short and very readable. In fact, over all, I really liked the book,  It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way , by Ginny Seuffert, published by Seton Press. This is the first book by Seton Press that I have read. In the end, I was very glad I read this book. It helped some friends of mine to get their kids on track about an eating schedule, so that they’re no longer eating out of boredom, or always begging for snacks.  It also gave me clarity about confident, consistent parenting, such as ideas for bedtimes, and wisdom for frugal parenting (especially in their later, teenage years). These and other things were very helpful to hear discussed from a Catholic perspective. Hearin

Do you remember Flight 800?  It was the jet that exploded over the Hudson river in 1996.  I had a ticket on that flight!  My dream from when I was very small, maybe 3 years old, had been to study in France.  I learned everything I could about the language, nation, and culture. I pleaded with my mother to send me to a boarding school in France, like my heroine  Madeline .  I collected every Madeline book and trinket and dreamed of one day strolling down the streets of Paris.  When I was a junior in college, my chance finally came.  I was required to study abroad for my major. My father booked me a non-stop flight to Paris and a three night hotel stay in Paris, so I could live my dream before heading to school in Reims. I could not have been happier!!  Then, the Sunday before my scheduled departure, I had a complete panic attack like no other panic attack in history. I was up the entire night wondering how I could explain to my parents that I couldn't board that plane.  Read mo

Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where He prayed. Mark 1: 36 Even Jesus prayed. The second person of our Triune God, prayed.  Jesus prayed. He prayed in a deserted place. Often, He would pray early in the morning or all night. "In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed." Mark 1:35   Read More at:  His Unending Love

The Grace of the Resurrection I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter and had a blessed Lent! One year I was feeling sad at Easter because I felt like I could have done a better job taking advantage of the grace available during  Lent. The Lord encouraged me however and told me, "There is even more grace available with the Resurrection!" So, if you are one of those persons who could have taken advantage of more  grace during Lent, you have another chance during this Easter season!  Continue Reading @ Beautiful Thorns>

Schools in Sierra Leone reopened today, having been closed since the Ebola outbreak in July. According to an  NPR report , "more than one-third of the 10,000+ deaths have been in Sierra Leone." When this year's harsh winter closed schools for several days in a row, some parents joked about how grueling it was to be trapped at home with stir-crazy children. Very few of us reading this blog can imagine what it's like to experience nine months of closed schools, especially amid a health crisis claiming thousands of lives. Not that long ago, in 1991, Sierra Leone faced another horrifying crisis: civil war. A month ago, I had the opportunity to listen to a survivor of that war. Ishmael Beah, author of  A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier , was forced to become a soldier in Sierra Leone at the age of thirteen. Photo courtesy of Brookfield Academy Ishmael visited my children's school, where his book is required reading for the ninth graders. Students, t

For thus said the Lord  God , the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” A message from the Lord, right on time, as usual for Him. I don’t remember now what prompted the memory of the phrase “in quietness and in trust”, but it was there, and I was compelled to find the reference.  I ended up reading all of Isaiah chapter 30. Not five minutes later, I received a text with information that accelerated my pulse, and threatened my peace of mind.  And doesn’t the devil know just where to hit?  I had to take a deep breath, and talk myself down by reminding myself that my strength is found in quietness and trust, and my salvation is found in returning to the Lord, and resting in Him. Read the rest of this post at New Things

Blessed are the weird, for they shall see life as no one else can. Blessed are they who don't fit in, for they have a special place to fill. Blessed are they who are rejected because they are different, they reflect the true beauty of God. Blessed are they who are alone because they are different, for through them shines the light of God. Blessed are they who are not included, for they are close to the Heart of God. Read More at:: His Unending Love

I am proud to proclaim  I am a Catholic. A saved, born again, Spirit filled lover of Jesus  who expects to be accepted  by Protestant lovers of Jesus  because I am a sister in Christ. BUT, my culture and way of expressions seems odd to Protestant ears. So I am misunderstood. Perhaps in the Body, the Protestants are the feet and mouth carrying the Good News  and as a Catholic I am an ear. I might not look like I belong but trust me,  although I look foreign I AM part of the same Body. May my small acts of unity reverberate throughout  the entire Mystical Body of Christ. continue

There has been tons of debate and anger over the last couple weeks about Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act . In defense of this law, some people are trying once again to defend the Church’s teachings regarding homosexuality outside of the context of the overall Catholic view of sex. In 1971, a Catholic laywoman coined the term “seamless garment” to describe the Catholic defense of life from womb to tomb. I would like to adopt this phrase in regards to our teachings on sex and sexuality. No part of our teachings on sex make any sense outside of the context of the whole. The Catholic defense of sex needs also to be seen in terms of a “seamless garment.”... See more at the True Dignity of Women:  https://truedignityofwomen.wordpress.com/2015/04/09/theology-of-the-body-thursday-18-rfra-out-of-context/

” He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord , for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord , but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;  and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19: 11-13 Elijah found the Lord in silence. Read More At: Prayerfully Yours

The Priest says,  "...This is my body." And it is.   "...This is my blood."  And it is. It is His body and His blood,  He  is truly present. How can I describe what this feels like to be present when the Priest sets down the Eucharist on the altar after this moment. . If one could be in the center of a...... TO READ MORE - CLICK HERE!

Live Divine Mercy with boldness, not with indifference! Ever feel like you're a good enough spouse, a good enough parent, or have good enough faith? Ever stop trying to do better because you're good enough as you are? There's an obvious wake up call as we read Jesus' the words to Saint Faustina for the 9th, and most difficult, day of the Divine Mercy Novena:  "Today bring to Me The Souls Who Have Become Lukewarm and immerse them in the abyss of My mercy. These souls wound My Heart most painfully. My soul suffered the most dreadful loathing in the Garden of Olives because of lukewarm souls. They were the reason I cried out: 'Father, take this cup away from Me, if it be Your will.' For them the last hope of salvation is to run to My mercy." The powerful words beg reflection on times we've been indifferent or lukewarm in our relationships and in our faith, all the ways we've cheated loved ones and the Trinity when we should have

'Before I come as a just Judge, I first open wide the door of My mercy.' Jesus to St. Faustina from The Cloistered Heart

About 150 people stopped living on April 2, 2015, in Kenya: Thursday of last week. They were killed at Garissa University College . Quite a few folks are upset about this.That's reasonable. (From AP, via Al Jazeera, used w/o permission) (" Several ceremonies to mourn the victims have been held in Nairobi " Al Jazeera)... ...The body count would have been higher, but the killers were very careful about choosing their victims. After collecting about 700 students, they only killed those who said they are Christians. Don't expect a rant about those [hated group] who always commit [atrocity of the day]. I think that's as foolish as making excuses for members of [approved group] who behave badly.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Souls of lukewarm faith caused Jesus more suffering than any other and can leave one looking back from darkness. Thank God for His Divine Mercy The Novena Before the Feast of Divine Mercy began on Good Friday, and as I picked up the pamphlet following  Tenebrae Service  and began to read, I was struck by Jesus' words to Saint Faustina concerning those lukewarm and indifferent in faith, "These souls cause Me more suffering than any others; it was from such souls that My soul felt the most revulsion in the Garden of Olives. It was on their account that I said: 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass Me by.' The last hope of salvation for them is to flee to My Mercy. What a powerful statement! Just look at what Jesus says. Those soul cause Jesus, " MORE SUFFERING THAN ANY OTHERS."   On Day 1, Good Friday, we pray for "All mankind, especially sinners." On Day 3 we pray for, " Those who do not believe in Jesus and t

The souls in Purgatory have always been dear to me. Since they can no longer help themselves, they rely totally on others to help them in their intense purgatorial sufferings. It is only through Acts of Mercy, such as prayer, Mass offerings, charitable works offered up, sufferings offered up, that their sufferings are relieved and, frequently, they are released from the bonds of Purgatory. On Divine Mercy Sunday, the infinite Love of God is released to His children on earth. His Mercy flows to all of us and, can flow through all of us to those on earth who need our help or to those who have died and are waiting their release from Purgatory. Read More at:  Prayerfully Yours

We are accustom to beautiful images of Mary picturing her as a white, European. However, she was from the Middle East and most likely looked Middle Eastern. Artist’s models and concepts of beauty are influenced by their culture.  Now artists are emerging who are painting Mary as if she was born in their country because they can relate and connect better to the living Mary when their prayer is triggered by an image they are familiar with.  The results are stunning, opening our hearts and souls to different qualities and graces of Mary. continue reading

My day started with a rude awakening at 3 AM. My tooth had been hurting, and I had been to the dentist earlier in the day. This was 3 AM, and my tooth was throbbing. I don't remember pain like this. Nothing seemed to help, but, at long last, the Tylenol kicked in and took the edge off. I slept fitfully until 5 AM. The pain was raging again. This time, I showered and waited for my dentist's office to open. I had to miss Mass, but this pain was more than I could handle. I was told to come right in. The dentist would deaden the pain, and then we would see what he suggested. The xray the day before had shown nothing was wrong with my tooth.     Read More At:: His Unending Love

The world's largest and most powerful particle collider , CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC), is back in operation. Scientists will be studying conditions like those just after this universe began: at about twice the energies they used back in 2013. I'm excited at the prospect of learning more about the workings of matter and energy: and news about the LHC is already starting to get goofy. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

A Reflection on John 20:19-31 A Reflection on John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week  the disciples had returned to the Upper Room. The doors to the outside world were locked, and the disciples were together, but they were still very much alone. They were alone in their thoughts and in their fears. They were separated from the very person that had brought them together originally.  Their teacher, who just days ago, had taught them both humility and service by washing their feet  and  then breaking bread and sharing the Passover meal with them in this very room was now dead. The man they called “Master”... Read more:  http://www.restfulwaters.net/peace-be-with-you/

The Gospel of John   (2003) dir. by Philip Saville-  John 20:19-31   Today is now known also as 'Sunday of Divine Mercy' and in some English-speaking countries as 'Low Sunday'. Gospel   John 20:19-31   When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”   After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.     Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”   When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.     If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.   So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.”

I was so thrilled to receive this photo recently, via text message, from my niece.  She's a 5th grade teacher at a Catholic school out in the Midwest, and she's having her students read Erin's Ring -- my second YA novel, published by Bezalel Books in November of 2014. I'd love to see Erin's Ring , a story about "the legacy of love and the power of faith," get into the hands of more kids like the ones pictured here (and their parents, too--it's a book for all ages).  Therefore, I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog.  In honor of National Library Week, which is April 12-18, I'm giving away one copy of Erin's Ring , along with one copy of my first Bezalel novel, Finding Grace .  Head on over to String of Pearls to find out how you can enter to win.

"To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. " G.K. Chesterton This is the Divine Mercy of God.   For though we are unlovable,  we are loved.   For though we are unpardonable, we are pardoned.   Therefore, we are entrusted to love  all and  forgive all.   This is  Divine Mercy.   Read more at:  His Unending Love

After three months of work, Trusting God with St. Therese is now available as an audiobook on Audible.com. My narrator, Betty Arnold, is a Catholic homeschool mom in California. Her family runs Pro Multis Media. Betty was great to work with and I think she did an excellent job with my book. Pronouncing all those French names was not easy! If you sign up to be a member of Audible and make my book your first purchase, Betty and I both receive a small bonus that will help us continue to stay home with our kids. The audiobook is over seven hours long. If you have a long commute or like to listen to something during your workout, you can now grow closer to God at the same time! Listen to a five-minute sample on my blog.

I wanted to live in the Hope of the Resurrection, not in the reality of the trials that follow. I sat in the big comfy chair in my living room ready to enjoy the predawn quiet, a cup of freshly brewed coffee with plenty of extra cream on the small table by my side and my Bible, journal, and sharpened pencil in my lap. I was ready to begin my "Coffee with Jesus," time as the boys and I call it. This morning I was to begin 1 Timothy, but I just couldn't bring myself to open The Book. I'd never had this problem before. Oh sure, there have been more days than I care to admit to that I just skipped my Bible reading because I had other things I just had to do or because I had woken up later than I'd intended. Reality is, as much as I don't want to admit it, I know there will be more of those days where I'm just, "too busy," ahead. But for me to have the time and just not want to start, to have woken up early enough, to have all the boys

A woman attending my Bible study commented that she never knew the meaning of the veil of the sanctuary being torn at the crucifixion. The next Sunday, our pastor began his homily speaking of this veil. In the Jewish temple there was a veil separating the rest of the space from the Holy of Holies, the room where God dwelt. No one could enter the Holy of Holies except the high priest once a year on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The rest of God’s people were restricted to different spaces: the Court of the Women, the Court of Priests, and the Court of Gentiles. They had no direct access to God. The veil being torn in two has profound symbolism. By his death, Jesus made it possible for all of us, not only the high priest, to stand in the presence of God. Click to continue

Imagine a place you’ve never seen before, a place you might not have believed was real.  A place covered in a mist so thick that you cannot see your hands or your feet, yet, it’s solid and real.  Imagine a place of great suffering, filled with the cries of longing, moaning, and groaning, but a place of incredible joy!  Imagine a place where, before you entered,  you had seen the Face of God, and now, your longing for God causes such great pain, you fear your heart will break.  Imagine a place where the pain is so great, you know that if the skin was burned off your body, leaving only raw nerves exposed to the air, you would feel less pain.  Imagine a place where a fire burns so coldly that the pain caused to your body by a hot flame would be a welcome respite. The time for merit is over when we die.  We know that God is a God of great Mercy.  What we often forget is that God is a God of Justice, too.  Justice must be met by each of us in our judgment.  One of the gifts o