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  When we think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, we are glad to know that she is our mother as well. We often ponder the announcement of her pregnancy, her visitation to Elizabeth, the nativity of Jesus and what the wife of a 1st century carpenter would have been like. But, today, we focus on another aspect of Mary's life, as we hold the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Reflecting on her sorrows is a good reminder to us that as a holy, human mother, she understands the challenges each of us goes through as parents.   When my children have faced struggles and I could not be with them, I offered them up to Mary's loving embrace, knowing that as our mother, she will always be present, especially when we cannot be. Here is a list of her sorrows, which I offer you today to look over for your own reflection. Allow these sorrows to help you connect to Mary. I encourage you to pray as you do, perhaps repeating the Hail Mary prayer and asking Mary for the help you might need. Look up...

  Why on earth would we have a day to exalt a cross, an instrument of torture and death? Why would we hang this cross, with a body on it, around our neck?   This could seem very strange to people who are not Christians (followers of Christ.) And the thought of it would surely have seemed strange in the first century as well.   Today, as we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, we are not only reminded of how Jesus died, but that the resurrection that followed, which gave proof that death is not the final word, revealed the hope of eternal life to come, after our earthly death.   The suffering exhibited on the cross also reveals to us that our suffering can be redemptive (saving) as well. We are united to Christ on the cross in his, and our, suffering, and we are united to our brothers and sisters. As a display of love, Jesus showed us just how much he loves us, and how much we can--and should--love each other.   One has to wonder why we would tr...

Sometimes in life we have hard decisions to make. Often what makes them hard is because we have to choose between the things we want and the things we have to do. This typically involves a letting go, and that is never easy. For some, it means letting go of an unhealthy relationship, even though we were hoping it would get better. It may be choosing between jobs, a preferred one that pays less, and a less-favored one that will bring in more income. Some decisions are bigger than others, but no matter what the decision is, we need to keep in mind that God wants what is best for us and that he is fully aware of what we are going through. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and--this is key--look for obstacles and discern whether they are helps or hindrances. Some obstacles cause us to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" and "put our nose to the grindstone" and toughen up. Other obstacles are signs along the path telling us it is time to accept circumstan...

" Yesterday, September 12th of 2019, my mom passed away. Those of us who are in this undesired club understand how life-changing losing a parent can be. The grief pops up unexpectedly and can be quite gripping, and then it loosens its hold once again, just as quickly as it arrived . . ." Please continue reading at janetcassidy.com If you missed my conversation with Fr. Bill Lugger, I would encourage you to watch it on my YouTube channel at:  https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy  In his openness, Fr. Bill offers an inspirational look into living out the hope of the resurrection that he has preached on for years, as he faces a terminal illness with honesty and joy, trusting in what God has revealed about eternal life. Feel free to share it with those you think might appreciate his wisdom and insight. Janet Cassidy  

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As I was reading yesterday's first reading from Paul's Letter to the Colossians (1:28) I got stuck on the words, "It is he whom we proclaim, admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone perfect in Christ." Paul had been working hard so that everyone he proclaimed Christ to, he could "present" to God.   Wow.    You cannot read this whole passage (1:24-29) without seeing the importance Paul attached to offering his sufferings for others. It was his life.   In fact, as my footnotes indicate, he saw that his "ministry and suffering" reflected "those of Christ on behalf of the church."   His life reflected Christ.   Does yours?   Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/

I'm not sure if you feel this way, but for those of us who lived through the tragedy of 9/11, it is burned in my memory so deeply that I cannot fathom that there are young adults who may only have a passing awareness of it. I remember where I was and what I was doing, as well as the aftermath that held our country captive for so long. It is important to recognize such a time in our history when Americans really pulled together to support each other. We suffered together, even with people we did not know. Although the pain of the victims' families was unique, we could feel the violence made against them in their loss.   In today's reading from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 6, we witness a very relevant exchange between Jesus and a man with a withered hand.    Jesus told him . . . "Stretch out your hand."   He did so and his hand was restored.   As a country, on so many levels, we need to stretch out our wounds to God. Desperately in need of healing...

       Lecciones que la pandemia del COVID 19 trajo y que nos puede ayudar en diferentes situaciones difíciles. Blanca nos enseña el método de las 3 As....     Por: Blanca Platica en Youtube

First, the good news. Two days of this month's quest for a prescribed medication have passed without incident.... ...Sometimes the authorization gets processed in a timely fashion: and includes a 'do not provide before' date which matches the day on which my current supply runs out. Sometimes that doesn't happen. Last month was one of those times. What follows is my account of last month's epic prescription quest; a saga fraught with suspense, drama, defeat, and ultimate triumph — — Along with what I see as at least a partial explanation for why a seemingly-straightforward process is anything but. Controlled Substances Act: It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time "Reefer Madness", "Captain Planet", and Perceptions Scheduling Scary Substances August, 2023: Another Chapter in Brian's Saga Red Tape and Me A Glitchy AI and the Value of Typing Exercises Living in a Less-Than-Ideal World A Frustratingly Inappropriate "25...

  Fr Rufus Halley 1944-2001 Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 18:15:20  ( English Standard Version Anglicised, India) Jesus said to his disciples: “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.   But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.   If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.   Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.   Again I say to you, if two of you agree...

    Bear with me. Today the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is a fancy way of saying Happy Birthday Mary! Since Mary was a real person, who lived in a certain period of time and walked this earth--and, oh yeah, gave birth to Jesus, the Savior of the World--she is worthy of being celebrated. Of course, as is often misunderstood, Catholics do not worship Mary. She is not God, or a semi-god. She accepted the role of carrying Jesus and was, without question, chosen by God for this role, so that makes her holy and special to all Christians, not just Catholics. But for some reason, a divide has taken place, giving the impression that Mary can only (or mostly) be held in high esteem by Catholics. Perhaps it comes from the myth that we worship her, I don't really know. In our gospel reading today, which comes from Matthew, Chapter 1, we hear the angel telling Joseph to not be afraid to take Mary into his home, "For it is thro...

Today I offer a very short video on the passage in the Gospel of Luke where Simon was washing his nets after a long night of not catching any fish.    Listen to see what happened when he did what Jesus asked him to do, which didn't seem very logical at the time.   If you know of someone who is not on Facebook, but who might like to watch some of my videos (including my interview with Fr. Bill Lugger), please direct them to my YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy   Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com

I am excited to bring you my interview with Fr. Bill Lugger, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Lansing. In today's interview, we talk about his decision to become a priest, walking the El Camino Trail and his decision to discontinue his medical treatment after living with Good Pasture Disease. Father Bill's joyful spirit, honesty and reflection on his priesthood will bring inspiration to anyone dealing with a chronic or terminal illness, and his hope in the resurrection will be uplifting for all of us. Listen in as he talks about facing what he has preached about for a lifetime.  Thank you, Fr. Bill, for spending time with us . . . you pray for us; we'll pray for you. Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com Click HERE to watch our conversation. 

These days, the first Monday in September is Labor Day. Officially, it's when we "honor the energy and innovation of working Americans": and, maybe, unions.... ...Unofficially, it's the last day of summer: when many Americans take vacations and/or pull out of their lake places. I expect to see a familiar boat or two parked in back yards next week.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Why I am staying home Labor Day weekend. Plus a quick look at official and unofficial reasons for celebrating, and a very little history.)

I know I always say this, but this is another great homily by Bishop Robert Barron of Word on Fire fame.  I can't encourage you enough to take a few minutes to listen to it. I would be interested in your reaction to it.  You can find it HERE Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com

Apostle Peter in Prison Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me  (Matthew 16:24; Gospel). Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 16:21-27  ( English Standard Version Anglicised, India) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.   And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”   But he turned and said to Peter,  “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples,  “If a...

I started writing about Yellowstone, hazards, and science a few weeks ago. Then life happened — there's a link near the end of this post — something more timely came up, and now I'm back with a look at the area's past, present and future. Travelers' Tales Yellowstone: Hydrothermal and Other Hazards Explosions and Boardwalks Earthquake Lake and a 1959 Landslide Looking Ahead Supereruptions: and a Film Clip More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Yellowstone history, tall tales, science, hazards and disasters: one recent, another possible. How geysers work, what's ahead: and a short disaster film clip.)

Next Tuesday, September 5, 2023, I will be posting my interview with Fr. Bill Lugger, a Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Lansing. We talk about his years of ministry, his experience of walking the El Camino Trail in Spain, and his decision to stop his medical treatment for Good Pasture disease.  Fr. Bill has been very open in sharing his "farewell" and you will find his generosity of spirit, honesty and hope in the resurrection, inspiring.  Janet Cassidy Fr. Bill can be found on Facebook (Bill Lugger)  Watch my promotional video with a clip of our conversation now, on my YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy Here are the places you will be able to find our recorded conversation next Tuesday:  Blog: janetcassidy.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy  Instagram: janetcassidy2  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/janet-cassidy-johnseven38

I was reading a Q & A in the paper answered by the financial guru Dave Ramsey. The questioner was complaining about millennials and Gen Zers. Ramsey responded by saying there are two types--"the ones who are unbelievably awesome and the ones who aren't."   He went on to talk about the necessity of them having meaning in their work, that they want to see that "their work connects to something that matters." They have inquiring minds, he tells us, and "most of them want to know why you do things the way you do them."   Ramsey goes on to talk about leadership and bosses--some push and others pull. The "do it this way because I said so" doesn't work so much with Gen Zers and millennials. Heck, I don't think it works with most people.   I thought the push/pull idea of leadership makes an important distinction. And it doesn't just apply in the work world. When it comes to attempts to spread the gospel and help ot...

Today recalls the beheading of St. John the Baptist. I'd like to share this video reflection with you that begins with a description of what happened to John but continues with a challenge for us to be personally aware of our own stubborn responses to situations we might find ourselves in. It's a good one!  You can find it HERE . Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com  

Billy Sunday giving another rip-roaring performance. (1915) Pope Francis criticized (some) Catholics in my country. If I had any sense, and was trying to make A Catholic Citizen in America famous, influential, profitable or some combination of those qualities, I’d have long since picked an earnestly wacky political fringe position. And, having picked my target demographic, I would now churn out a rant denouncing the pope for not being sufficiently American; for not supporting the civil rights of wombats — or whatever the Great Cause of the Month was. I don’t, happily, have that sort of “sense”. But I do think this deserves a brief response.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Pope Francis has criticized some American Catholics. I think he has a point. I talk, briefly, about that, and show an excerpt from a Reuters article.)

In today's video, I talk about two key things we need to remember when sharing the gospel with others. Please feel free to comment or send me your questions for future videos. Look for me on Facebook at: (https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith) and on my blog at janetcassidy.com For friends who are not on Facebook, please share this link to the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i1L76ah3wIs Thank you! Have a blessed day! Janet Cassidy

India became the fourth nation to land on Earth's Moon this week. And the first to land near the Lunar south pole. This is a very big deal. So, in a different way, was the "abnormal situation" that turned Russia's Luna-25 lander into an impactor. Humanity is returning to the Moon. I think this is a good thing. I woke up in time to watch ISRO's coverage of Wednesday's historic touchdown near Manzinus crater. Folks in mission control showed more enthusiasm than I did, here in central Minnesota. But they're all younger than I am: so that's no surprise. I was and am delighted at ISRO's successful Lunar landing. And even more pleased about the Indian Prime Minister's upbeat words. Roscosmos, Luna-25, and Russia; Briefly "...The Sky is Not the Limit" "...This Success Belongs to All of Humanity" "... 'The Moon is Only a Tour Away'" Robert Goddard, Opel-RAK, and Missed Opportunities: Another Digress...

St Peter El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] 'You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it'  (Matthew 16:18; Gospel).   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 16:13-20 ( English Standard Version Anglicised) Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   He said to them,  “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”   And Jesus answered him,  “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, bu...

              En esta Jornada Mundial de la Juventud ,JMJ, que se llevó a cabo en Lisboa el mes de agosto de 2023, hubo diferentes eventos para los jóvenes durante los días que permanecieron ahí. En uno de ellos, Monseñor José Ignacio Munilla, Obispo de Orihuela-Alicante, compartió con los jóvenes una reflexión sumamente interesante sobre un tema en boga y de gran interés para ellos: la Ecología y el desarrollo sustentable. Pero a diferencia de las trilladas conferencias que puede uno escuchar de expertos sobre el tema y de organizaciones internacionales que tienden a ignorar y desechar al hombre mismo en aras de la salvación del planeta, Monseñor Munilla tocó aspectos de la Ecología que estos actores sociales no han incluido en sus agendas: al hombre mismo y su humanidad como parte de las creación Escuchemos esta gran explicación, que nos puede abrir un horizonte y significado nuevos sobre el cuidado de la creación y la labor del hombre. Una vis...