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T he Virgin of the Immaculate Conception El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, observed on 8 December, is a holyday of obligation in many countries, eg, Ireland, the Philippines.  Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 1:26-38 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’   But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with Go...

NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) December 25, 2021. By July of 2022, the JWST had settled into position at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point: about 1,500,000 kilometers, 930,000 miles from Earth. Then, after deploying its heat shields and mirrors, the JWST started sending back remarkable images. 1 And, even more remarkable, it was still called the James Webb Space Telescope. I've no idea why NASA didn't admit their mistake and submit an acceptable name. Particularly when 'everybody knows' that James Webb was one of THOSE people: More at A Catholic Citizen in America . The James Webb Space Telescope is still named after a NASA chief, despite protests. This week I talk about how America has changed since my youth. Except for how it hasn't.

  St John the Baptist Preaching Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,   “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”  (Matthew 3:1; today's Gospel). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 3:1-12 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,   “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;     make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey....

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Old Woman Dozing Nicolaes Maes [ Web Gallery of Art ] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming  (Matthew 24:42; Gospel). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 24:37-44 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Jesus said to his disciples: For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,   and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.   Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.   Therefor...

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It's Thanksgiving Day, here in America. This year I'll be talking about the Two Turkeys: and reviewing their last few years. Well, I hope these aren't their last few years. Let's say their most recent years. Yes, that's much better. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . My Two (fictional) Turkeys: from their appearance in 2010 to this Thanksgiving, including their pictures from 2015 to today.

Sometimes when I have time to myself and can really get into prayer, I start on one thing and then I am led down a road and end up someplace entirely different from where I started.  That happened to me the other night. I was praying for a grace.  In the spirit of St. Ignatius, I asked God what grace he thought I needed.  To my surprise, he responded that I need to pray for patience.  Now this is very interesting because, for the most part, I am quite a patient person.  I simply did not see how that was what I needed to pray for, but who am I to argue with God?  Anyway, this led me down a strange road to contemplate conception.  Don't ask me how I got there , I have no idea, but, it certainly led me to contemplate why I got here !   Isn't it amazing that in the blink of an eye, God created us through two other human beings whom he brought together?  You might think it happens coincidentally, by luck, but that is not the case. ...

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It's been a while since I talked about what I'm doing here and why I'm doing it. And even longer since I talked about Nancy H. C. Ward's "Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies." The book's a big deal for me, since it's the first time I wrote for the Red River Valley Historical Society’s Heritage Press that I've had an in-print byline. More to the point, as Lisa Hendey said, it's "an enjoyable template for the challenge of evangelization." So today I'll talk about social media, evangelization, science, history, art, "Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story" and why I post something here weekly. Not necessarily in that order. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . Being evangelical but not an Evangelical. Options and opportunities. Social media: good and bad news. Evangelism: a DIY book. Attitudes, ideas and me.

  A  Taizé  chant by Jacques Barthier (1923 - 1994)   Luke 23:42 (today's Gospel) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 23:35-43 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”   The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine   and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”   There was also an inscription over him, [ a ]  “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”   But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear...

                                                                                                         Sicily Pizzeria, Flint, Michigan                                          Most days I drive past a favorite pizza place of ours that went out of business during the pandemic.  It had those nice little "cupped" pepperonis on a thin crust, and it came wrapped in paper, the way we used to get pizzas when we...

  I was very uplifted by the love and condolences poured out by so many on the occasion of the passing of Father Bill Wegher . It occurred to me that he was one of those people that everyone claimed as a friend and spiritual guide.  Some people were inspired by his teaching, others by his humor, and still others by his love of nature.  Just when you thought you knew him, a new story would pop up that revealed how multi-faceted his life was. I've always thought that the people who attend your funeral are a reflection of the wideness of your reach, of your life, of your love.  I sat in the back of the crowded church and happened to look down the side aisle in front of me.  In that little space I saw two walkers leaning against the brick wall, a young man, and a few older ladies.  I saw a priest in tears over his casket, friends sharing nervous laughter, and a huge turnout of his brother priests and deacons. Clearly, he lived and served in a wide ...

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. In my country, it's a time to remember folks who have served in America's military. Today I'll talk about why countries have military forces, and why I think it's a good idea. Even though I don't like war. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . We live in a less-than-ideal world. But we can make it better. I look at conscience and conflict, songs and ideas: and a few things we got right.

  Heuston Railway Station, Dublin [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 21:5-19 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) 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 terrified, for these things m...

On this day in 1918, World War I finally ended. Officially. The Armistice of 11 November 1918 wasn't, apparently, a "surrender." But it did say that the killing would stop at 11:00 a.m. Paris time on November 11, 1918. It didn't, of course. Communications in 1918 weren't what they are today, and that's another topic. But November 11, 1918, was a day when "The War That Will End War" ended. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . November 11, 1918, is still a significant date. Remembering veterans still makes sense. So does remembering our history.

I was watching Diane Sawyer's interview with Matthew Perry recently.  He was promoting his book, which is a reflection on his struggle with addiction.  He wrote his book with the sincere belief that he will be able to help others through his own experiences. Perry recalls seeing the actor Martin Sheen go up to a podium and tell a story.  Sheen said, "There was a guy who died and went to St. Peter's office.  St. Peter asked him, 'Do you have any scars?'  The man answers, very proudly, 'No.' St. Peter asks, 'Why? Was there nothing worth fighting for?'" Whatever your scars might be, do not hide them.  They show that you were in the struggle and survived.  As Christians, we know that as long as we walk this earth, there will be struggles, but we do not face them alone.  God is always with us.  He is with YOU today. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com #matthewperry #addiction #proposal3 In every blog, recently, I closed with information abo...

  Moses with the Ten Commandments Philippe de Champaigne [ Web Gallery of Art ] Teacher, Moses wrote for us . . .  (Luke 20:28, today's Gospel) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 20:27-38 [or 20:27, 34-38] ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) There came to Jesus some Sadducees, those who deny that there is a resurrection,   [ and they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife but no children, the man must take the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.   Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and died without children.   And the second   and the third took her, and likewise all seven left no children and died.   Afterwards the woman also died.   In the resurrect...

I like to see patterns.  I think they are helpful for us to see the bigger picture in circumstances.  In listening to the proclamation of the Gospel of Luke (19:1-10) about the tax collector, a wealthy man, it is easy to discern a pattern that still applies to us today. Jesus was passing through a town and Zacchaeus, the tax collector, wanted to see him.  Zacchaeus climbed up a tree and when Jesus saw him, he told Zacchaeus that he was going to stay at his house.  Now everyone knew that this man was not an honest person and certainly not worthy of having Jesus come to his house! But there he was, in the midst of the crowd, called out by Jesus, the subject of much grumbling by those standing around watching the event unfold. In response to Jesus, Zacchaeus said he would give away half of his possessions to the poor and repay anything he had taken from others dishonestly. Next, Jesus pronounces salvation. Here's the pattern: We have an encounter with Jesus....

  Woman Holding a Balance Johannes Vermeer [ Web Gallery of Art ] Because the whole world before you is like a speck that tips the scales  (Wisdom 11:22; First Reading). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel  Luke 19:1-10 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.   And there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.   And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small of stature.   So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.   And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him,  “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”   So he hurried and ...