Association Of Catholic Bloggers

    Today is the First Sunday of Advent. I invite you to dig deep into the beauty of this season, being careful not to be distracted from it by other things. This is a peaceful, reflective season that has the ability to turn our hearts to the birth of Jesus and his Second Coming. Gather around this wreath, sing songs, say some prayers, read some scripture. I guarantee it will change how you approach Christmas. Janet Cassidy Email me at:  jmctm2@gmail.com janetcassidy.com https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsinfaith/ https://www.youtube.com/@janetcassidy   

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Today is the first day of Advent. Among many other things, this season is a good time for remembering that hope is always an option: no matter what's going wrong at the moment.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (A (very) quick look at Advent, Jesus, and what we celebrate this season.) Plus links to: Advent resources My thoughts about Jesus Hope The most recent two millennia (summarized in 138 words)

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I've said it before. This isn't the world I grew up in. Today's focus on safety, for example, feels over-enthusiastic. But then, I'm one of those people who launched rockets in the basement. With the permission and cooperation of my father.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Two paperclips, two matches, a scrap of aluminum foil, and a pin. A happy memory involving a basement and time with Dad.)

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, Ireland, New Zealand) Readings   (English Standard Version, Catholic Edition: (England & Wales, Scotland, India) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 24: 37-44   (English Standard Version, Anglicised) At that time: 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. Therefore, stay awake, fo...

                                                     Photo Credit: BBC    I hope you are all enjoying a restful and joy-filled Thanksgiving holiday. I'm trying to work on my self-discipline overall, so I didn't do too much damage on Thanksgiving Day, but I must say, I think it is the days following I need to be extra careful about because of all the leftovers! Everywhere I look, though, there are ads screaming at me that they have the best price or the thing I cannot live without. Everyone gets into it. From Catholic book sales online to retail stores, everyone has a deal. Since I'm not a big shopper, it doesn't take all that much self-discipline to resist the ads. In fact, it all seems a bit over-the-top to me. If I'm going to enjoy a Black Friday sale, it is going to be for something I need. The spending glut has gotten way out of c...

"...[NOT] the perfect time to start hauling a fishing boat...." From my news feed this morning: " Hundreds of crashes, spinouts as heavy snow impacts Minnesota travel " Adam Uren, Bring Me The News (November 26, 2025) "...Among those off the road is this driver in west-central Minnesota, who decided a blizzard is the perfect time to start hauling a fishing boat ...." [emphasis mine] I don't know who made that decision, or why. But I'm glad it wasn't me.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Someone learned why a blizzard is not the perfect time to start hauling a boat. Good news, though: so far, nobody died in this storm.)

Noted in my news feed this morning: " One spouse is enough, Vatican tells world's Catholics " Joshua McElwee, Reuters (November 25, 2025) "Happily ever after doesn't require any complicated maths, the Vatican said on Tuesday -- for Catholics, one spouse is enough. "In a new decree approved by Pope Leo, the Vatican's top doctrinal office told the world's 1.4 billion Catholics they should seek to marry one spouse for life and should not have multiple sexual relationships. ... "The document does not discuss divorce, which the Church does not recognise as it views marriage as a lifelong commitment. " The Church however has an annulment process, which evaluates whether marriages were properly contracted , and stresses that partners are not expected to stay in abusive relationships. " [emphasis mine] This is not what I'll be talking about this week. But it's got the potential for becoming 'breaking news!', so I'll ...

        Photo Credit: Creative Outlet Years ago we ferried our car, pop-up trailer and kids to Beaver Island in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was really the first time I experienced what it meant to work without electricity and specifically for your daily sustenance. I'm being a bit dramatic, but seriously, we had to do what was needed during the daylight hours because it was very black at night in the woods, and we had to figure out how to manage things without electricity. Even lanterns do not quite do it. But we did manage to get in some wonderful day trips and I fell in love with the island and the super friendly people that would give a warm wave as we passed by. I recently read a headline in our local paper that someone had figured out a way to make single-dwelling, rental housing units for the island. My first thought was, "Why? Why would they do that and ruin the pristine nature of that beautiful island?" Then, after reading the article, I ...

Psalms 98:4; and sunrise over the Pacific Ocean, seen from the ISS. (2003) This week I'll talk about 818, a house I lived in as a child and youth; and why gratitude is a good idea. House Numbers, Names, and Memories One House, Three Kitchens The Basement and a Clothes Chute Noisy Switches and Quiet Light Bulbs The Back Yard, a Landing, and an Experience Gratitude: a Work in Progress ... More at A Catholic Citizen in America . (Memories of a place I lived as a child and youth. Why my parents unscrewed light bulbs and wanted a fenced in back yard. Why I see gratitude as a good idea.)

    We had about a week of on-and-off service by our Internet provider who was apparently improving our service. During that week I came to realize how much we depend on the Internet, and not just for scrolling and watching the news. Think about it. Without the Internet, we were hard-pressed to find a telephone number. We don't have telephone books anymore, or the ability to dial "Information" (which was handy long ago.) Our favorite television shows or the ability to stream something while exercising--gone. I resorted to the music on my phone (which actually wasn't so bad.) It was all I had. The truth is, without online service, even doing basic things is limited. I don't think we realize how much we use it. Often today, we are sort of forced into it by offices and organizations that we need. With our Internet back, I enjoyed watching the National Catholic Youth Conference today because Pope Leo joined the youth online, answering questions and connect...