Association Of Catholic Bloggers

  Are you intrigued by the title of this book? You shouldn’t be. It’s true and it guarantees that if you follow its instructions you will get to Heaven; or else we will refund you the price of the book. Be sure to keep a receipt as proof of purchase! (Although you won’t need it.) This book doesn’t cost much, so you’re not risking a fortune by buying it. But you are certainly risking a lot by ignoring it. Can you afford to? It could well save your eternity.  NOTES: Dear loyal readers. This book may not be for you if you are a practising Christian. But it may well be for someone that you know. Someone who has probably heard of God but never gave Him serious thought. Never bothered to find out more. Here's what prompted this book. I attended a funeral recently. It was at the crematorium and lasted about half-an-hour. The people there really did not believe in anything. To them, nothing happens after we die. Someone said a few words about the deceased. About her life ...

  Was Jesus totally human? 100% human? Consider His humanity compared to His Divinity. CLICK HERE

  I had the opportunity recently to watch the Detroit Tigers play baseball at Comerica Park in Detroit. Years ago we started making an annual pilgrimage for our son's birthday. This year, not much was happening until about the 8th or 9th inning, and then the game got super exciting with the Tigers pulling off a win over Kansas City in the 11th inning. Every year we check the weather beforehand because one year we had to wait out a downpour in a hot and very muggy bathroom.  We vowed never to do that again! One year we waited out a downpour on the covered mezzanine (because of our vow to never wait out a storm in the bathroom again). We were well-prepared with our ponchos, but we were all surprised when the wind took down the pop machine we were standing next to with a loud bang!  Lucky for us, we were protected from it by a little chain fence. This year it was dry and sunny, but my family mentioned that they saw quite a few people leave the game early beca...

  Do you ever get low at times and feel discouraged? Or do you get overcome by anxiety, doubts and fears? You are not alone. In fact, you are in good company. Find out who HERE .

Headlines about an "eyeball planet" got my attention last month. Then I got distracted by what I thought were more time-sensitive topics — and remembered what two scientists learned when they simulated ocean currents and winds on a tidally-locked exoplanet. That last item was from 2013. It's still the best discussion I've seen of what an "eyeball planet" might actually look like. Turns out that a patch of open ocean on a tidally locked exoplanet's ocean wouldn't necessarily be circular. But I'll admit that "eyeball planet" is a cool description. And may be easier to remember than terms like "lobster-like spatial pattern". So this week I'll be talking about LHS 1140 b, which may not be an "eyeball planet" after all, ocean planet simulations; and — briefly, for me — how I see extraterrestrial life. LHS 1140 b: Water, With Nitrogen in the Atmosphere — Maybe Tidally Locked Ocean Planets: Simple, and Not-So-Si...

  Santo Niño Church, Lianga, Surigao del Sur, Philippines Photo by  Benjie Otagan Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    John 6:41-51   (English Standard Version, Anglicised)    So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said,  “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”   They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say,  ‘I have come down from heaven’ ?”   Jesus answered them,  “Do not grumble among yourselves.   No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.   It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—   not that anyone has seen the Father e...

    I just finished reading Dr. Fauci's book, "On Call." It was pretty dense, and at 355 pages, I'm proud of my accomplishment. Some of it was overly technical for me, but I continued to trudge my way through it, and I am so glad I did. It really enlightened me to all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into researching how to develop viable vaccines, as well as all of the people and organizations (including pharmaceuticals) around the world that have a hand in keeping us safe. With Dr. Fauci at the helm, we've had a very humble and diligent workhorse. It is so interesting to learn about his passion as he was working towards solutions to help address the HIV/Aids crisis. He was a key architect in creating a response to so many of our viruses--some which you have likely already forgotten. If you take the time to read it, you will never accept any conspiracy theories about a hidden agenda to infect us with dangerous vaccines. All of the trials, t...

My interest in the Olympics is mild at best. This year, I’m glad that I lack a deep emotional connection to what’s happening in Paris. Mainly because of the remarkable “Festivité” show. I don't think this year's performance art at the big sporting event's opening ceremony will affect its popularity. Too many folks get too excited about other folks showing what they can do for that. And a drag show — that we're told was not made to look like Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" — apparently doesn't clash with the Olympic Charter's high ideals. 1 Even so, I think this communiqué/bulletin from the Vatican makes sense.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (The Festivite part of the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony is still in the news. I look at why French bishops, the Vatican, and I, do not approve.)

    I know that many of us get a little consumed with particular news reports that are in front of us for a few days, and then we either tire of the topic, or the news simply moves on to the next big thing, taking us with them. As happened recently with the outrage over the opening scenes of the Last Supper at the Olympics, that may indeed be the case. But, because I think it is important that we educate ourselves, rather than just jump on the latest thing, and then drop it, I think it is worthwhile to take the time to really learn the facts, rather than just repeat what we think are the facts. For instance, I am not into Greek mythology.  Never have been. I can unashamedly acknowledge that, like you, perhaps, my familiarity with the described symbolic representation presented to the world as art at the Olympics' opening, is lacking.   So, when I came across an explanation of the symbolism--in detail--by someone whose depth of understanding is quite obvi...

I remember when many folks were getting used to the idea that space travel wasn't just science fiction. Some apparently still haven't gotten the memo, but others have been developing new technologies. Like inflatable space stations. I'll be talking about that, and how I see getting back on the road to the stars. Building Better Habitats: Basket-Weave, and Now: Isotensoids? "...strong, simple, and safe...." Expandable Habitats and Max Space New Technology Built on Old Ideas Perceived Impossibilities and Being Human New Ideas, Old Reactions What a Bishop Didn't Say, and the Wright Brothers' Mother "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." What's Next? More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (New Max Space inflatable space habitat technology may be strong, simple, safe: and less expensive. I look at that, and where we can be going.)

        Recently my brothers and I were sharing personal recollections of the day our Dad died. The anniversary of his death is July 31st.  He died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1967. Since I was quite young, I always appreciate any stories my (older) brothers can share about my Dad. I was thinking about our conversation, and my thoughts turned to the oral history we share in our family and that, as Catholics, we hold in the Catholic Church in the Sacred Deposit of Faith, which includes both Scripture and Tradition. Sometimes our embrace of Tradition is not understood by those who only hold the Bible as revelation, but to dismiss Tradition is to ignore the fullness of what God has revealed. Check out a very short, simple explanation at:  https://www.orlandodiocese.org/e-scroll/archive/catholic-culture-whats-the-difference-between-tradition-and-tradition/ At this link, you will learn that "T radition with capital T refers to the Apostles’ teac...

Man with Two Loaves of Bread Jean-François Raffaëlli    [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   John 6:24-35   (English Standard Version, Anglicised: India) When the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing...

    Acting Director of Secret Service, Ronald L. Rowe, Jr.   My husband and I were watching the Senate hearing about security failures in regards to the former president's assassination attempt. I have watched this type of hearing in the past because I find it interesting to see first-hand how our elected officials carry themselves in their official capacity. No matter the topic, I am almost always disappointed. The senators very rarely allow the person they are questioning to actually give a full answer.  They are almost always indignant to the point of self-righteousness. And--this is key--when the person being questioned manages to answer, at least partially, the questioner never accepts the answer if it isn't what they want to hear. And, the exchange, is typically either politically charged, or attempts to lead to a political conclusion (like the notion that those protecting the former president, along with other law enforcement officers who have de...

    Hundreds of you showed an interest in the video I posted from Bishop Robert Barron about the mockery of the Last Supper at the Olympics, so I am sharing one more thing with you--contact information where you can express your complaint. I have already done so. On this website: https://olympics.com/ioc/contact-us   just click on the "Contact us" at the bottom of the site and it will open a simple form where you can offer your thoughts about it. That page also offers an address for those of you who would like to write a letter, as well as an international phone number:  +41 21 621 61 11 (naturally, there may be charges for the call, depending on your plan.) I didn't research this information myself.  I took it off a very good homily from this link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scgE60WfypU Can I just say that whenever Catholics (and other Christians) are persecuted in this way, I always find myself proud of their reactions.  Their firs...

    Have you seen the viral video from the Olympics? The opening ceremony included a disgusting mockery of the Last Supper, complete with drag queens depicting Jesus and the Apostles at the Last Supper. I am including in this post the response that Bishop Robert Barron posted about it. If you want to see the video he is referring to, it's out there online. Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com janetcassidy.com https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/ https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy

I could ignore the current presidential fracas: claiming that I'm too 'spiritual' for worldly matters, or can't abide the pervasive political posturing and pandering. But that's not an option. Neither, for me, is getting "political" in the sense of declaring that, if elected, candidate A will doom us all; while candidate B is America's only hope. Those attitudes aren't new, and that's another topic. 1 This week I'll be talking about why I don't fit into current political pigeonholes: or, rather, why I fit into several. Acting As If What I Believe Matters Political Pigeonholes and the Big Picture Sex, Death, and Immigrants Hawk? Dove? Long-Term Goals Fear and Politics Love, Hope, and Making Sense More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Catholic teachings do not conform to American political labels. Not when I consider the big picture. I look at beliefs, fears, and long-term goals.)

The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes Lambert Lombard [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    John 6:1-15   (English Standard Version, Anglicised)    After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.   And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.   Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.   Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.   Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip,  “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”   He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.   Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii...

    What happened to the faith you were given in childhood? If you look at the Parable of the Sower , you may discover the answer to this question, but it does take a little thought. In the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 13, Jesus offers this parable which describes some different scenarios in regards to faith.  The Sower is God, but if we consider the sower to be our parents, we can ask ourselves, "What happened to the faith they tried to instill in me?" I know for some of you, perhaps your parents did not do this, but if you read this post to the end, you will see it is fitting for you as well.   I'd like you to think about the four scenarios we have in this parable: 1) The seed (the Word of God) fell on a path that was vulnerable to the     birds.  They came along and ate it up. 2) The seed fell on rocky ground.  Without good soil for it to take root,     when it grew, it was scorched by the sun and withered. 3) The seed fel...

      The other day when I wrote about pain (" Are you in pain? "), I talked about how we can connect to Jesus on the cross by offering up our pain. You will recall me talking about how he suffered on our behalf and that is something we, too, can do for others. There are other ways that we can connect in this spiritual way to Jesus, as well. When adult children disconnect from their parents, no matter the reason, parents might want to consider this as another avenue to connect to the Father. Every day, God our Father, whose unlimited love for us is constant, must also experience (to put it in human terms) the pain of losing his children, whenever we ignore, reject, or deny his very existence. Consider how he responds to us when we do that. He doesn't walk away, he waits.  With unconditional love, he waits for us to open our eyes, and our heart, and return to him.  When we do return (however long it might take), he is there, ready to pour out his love...

  El hogar es considerado un lugar natural y necesario para el desarrollo armónico de los niños y jóvenes y la fe católica siempre ha insistido en su protección. En las últimas décadas se ha notado una erosión en los hogares y la principal explicación de la cultura moderna es que ambos padres han tenido que abandonarlo para trabajar y sostener el hogar. ¿Qué tan acertado es ese diagnóstico? Es cierto que muchas familias en regiones pobres tienen que hacerlo para sobrevivir, pero en el primer mundo ¿aplica el mismo diagnóstico? Ahí el 60% de las familias lo hacen. ¿Les ha traído el beneficio esperado?    Podemos ver en el pasado, que en la década de los 60s, en Estados Unidos no era raro un hogar con las necesidades básicas cubiertas con el sueldo de uno solo de los padres. En cambio, hoy, a pesar de todo el progreso alcanzado, parece que, ni siquiera dos sueldos alcanzan para sostener a la familia promedio. ¿Acaso se encogieron los sueldos de los padres? ¿O la vida es más...