Association Of Catholic Bloggers

**This is a guest post from our Spiritual Father here at The Feminine Gift. Father Adam writes from Rome where the diocese has sent him to study Canon Law for three years (in Italian no less). He will grace our pages with his thoughts every once in a while.** A couple of weeks ago I decided to write an article for the Feminine Gift on contraception, and in particular, on the difference between artificial and natural means of regulating childbirths. However, having been intensely studying canon law for the last few years, and not dealing a lot with all the sound principles of moral theology that undergird the Church’s very wise teaching on family planning, I must admit that I had to make an effort to mentally rearticulate for myself the distinction between the different methods of regulating childbirths (I know, bad priest). Then, once I had all the arguments mapped out nicely in my brain—arguments that could have convinced Margaret Sanger herself—I sat down to write, but then didn’

Today the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury will visit with Pope Benedict in Rome. Let us pray for them and for a fruitful meeting that helps the cause of Christian unity. The following is part of a speech that Archbishop Rowan Williams gave when Pope Benedict visited him in London in 2010: Our task as bishops is to preach the Gospel and shepherd the flock of Christ; and this includes the responsibility not only to feed but also to protect it from harm. Today, this involves a readiness to respond to the various trends in our cultural environment that seek to present Christian faith as both an obstacle to human freedom and a scandal to human intellect. We need to be clear that the Gospel of the new creation in Jesus Christ is the door through which we enter into true liberty and true understanding: we are made free to be human as God intends us to be human; we are given the illumination that helps us see one another and all created things in the light of divine love and intellige

As another member shared her wedding with us I thought I should like to share these special moments from our daughters wedding last June  Having the Nuptial Mass was very important to them. 

If like me sometimes your tiered old brain just longs for a few simple words and a heartfelt image i recommend this site http://holycardheaven.blogspot.com/ its like cool water on a hot day. or a nice cup of tea when your worn out and weary.

Tonight I had the beautiful experience of visiting St. Rita's Parish on Staten Island with two girlfriends to attend a Lenten talk on St. Pio of Pietrelcina, ( Padre Pio).  The evening was a remarkable reminder of the reasonableness and the universality of our faith. read more here...

 Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) An Soiscéal Eoin 2:13-25 (Gaeilge, Irish) Nuair a bhí Cáisc na nGiúdach in achmaireacht agus chuaigh Íosa suas go Iarúsailéim dá bhrí sin. Fuair sé sa sanctóir lucht ba agus caoirigh agus colmáin a dhíol, agus lucht airgead a mhalartú ina suí ann. Agus rinne sé sciúirse de théada agus thiomáin sé iad go léir amach as an sanctóir, na caoirigh agus na ba chomh maith; scaip sé airgead an lucht mhalartaithe agus leag sé na boird, agus dúirt sé le lucht na gcolmán a dhíol: “Beirigí na nithe sin as seo agus ná déanaigí teach margaidh de theach m’Athar.” Chuimhnigh a dheisceabail go bhfuil sé scríofa: “Déanfaidh díograis do thí mé a ithe.” D’fhreagair na Giúdaigh ansin: “Cén comhartha,” ar siad leis, “atá á thaispeáint agat dúinn mar bhonn lena bhfuil á dhéanamh agat?” D’fhreagair Íosa: “Leagaigí an teampall seo,” ar sé leo, “agus i dtrí lá tógfaidh mé suas arís é.” Dúirt na Giúdaigh á fhreagairt: “Sé bliana agus daichead atá an Teampall

I've been on blogger & given up my giving up of the computer for Lent! If you fancy a mini-retreat go over to my blog here  " The Valley of Achor ". I removed to draft a double posting & the post re same sex marriage. Perhaps as a group ACWB could discuss "how" we want to discuss this important issue. My thoughts are to mention all that is good about Catholic Marriage.. Any thoughts?

There is so much I would tell the self that worried so much before Paul showed up, and 99% of it is in the video, the other 1% is a huge thank you, for all you've taught me and all of your family. P.S. I'm in the film, "He will Steal Your Heart."  It's true.

General Intention - Contribution of Women That the whole world may recognize the contribution of women to the development of society. Weaving a Dream By Mercy B. Gawason The author is a young Subanen who works with Subanen Crafts . She and her companions at Subanen Crafts recently visited Negros Occidental and dropped by the Misyon editorial office in Bacolod City. The word 'Subanen' means 'people of the river'. The Subanens live in the mountains of western Mindanao. This article is in the March-April 2012 issue of Misyon , the online magazine I edit for the Columbans in the Philippines . . . Mission Intention - Persecuted Christians That the Holy Spirit may grant perseverance to those who suffer discrimination, persecution, or death for the name of Christ, particularly in Asia. 'I only want a place at the feet of Jesus' Clement Shahbaz Bhatti (9 September 1968 - 2 March 2011) The first anniversary of the assassination of Clement Shahbaz Bhatti in

The word ordinary, to a Catholic has a few different meanings.  Ordinary time, is a time during the liturgical year that is not Advent, Lent, Easter, Christmas, it is the between time.  It still contains some very special days, but in itself it is only ordinary.   Ordinary, as in holy orders, is a completely different meaning all together.  Those who are priests and sisters have taken vows of chastity and live a life in total commitment to God and the people they serve.  Then you have the word ordinary, not special, terrific or even outstanding ….just ordinary.  It is a state of being not above but possibly below a standard to the extent that it is common, usual, familiar and average.  If one is considered ordinary, they are basically not outstanding at all.  They don’t take risks, make rash decisions, or stand out as anything other than normal….yes?   In each of us, I firmly believe we are called to be more than ordinary.  Bl John Paul II told us "be not afraid,&qu

It seems that you can hardly navigate the internet these days without running across a hate filled diatribe against the “evil old men” who are trying to “take my contraception from me!!!!”  It’s usually accompanied by something about how women have fought long and hard for these “rights” and how the “Roman Catholic Church needs to stay out of my bedroom.”  The standard, unoriginal arguments show the complete lack of understanding for the actual issue that is being argued at the moment, but in the past few days I’ve seen it taken even further, with hatred being spewed at “friends” on facebook that is downright evil.  I’ve seen someone say to a friend that people who believe that contraception is wrong should be “wiped off the face of the earth” and I’ve seen incredibly disgusting rants filled with profanity and obscene references to bodily parts that would make a demon proud.  But the previous sentence telling in itself isn’t it?  My reference to demons?  Because I very much

An Ancient Doorway to a Lovely Lent. An excellent proposal

Hello Everyone! I have been asked to mention my new book which will be released this fall. It will be a book for ALL Catholic women of every walk of life - single, married, mothers, and consecrated religious. It speaks to every Catholic woman's heart about our calling as Catholic women. As soon as I get the cover image I will share it with you. I'll also keep you updated with additional information when I have it. Right now, my two newest books are Embracing Motherhood and Bringing Lent Home with Mother Teresa . Cardinal Timothy Dolan endorsed, Embracing Motherhood  which speaks of the joys and challenges of a holy vocation for mothers and grandmothers of all ages. It's also available in Audio format narrated by me. From the publisher:  Popular author Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle is back, this time with a book that addresses the vocation of motherhood, with all its joys and challenges. Using personal recollections, stories, Scripture, papal writings, and quotes

I hesitate to give any more oxygen to Rush Limbaugh and his mean-spirited "entertainment." His three-days-worth of on-air name calling a 30-year-old Georgetown University law student ("slut" "prostitute") is only the latest incarnation of his penchant for making money spouting vulgarities. His remarks are gross and I am delighted he has lost 33 and counting sponsors. Perhaps inadvertently, he has managed to undermine real concerns about the lack of conscience protections for religious institutions in President Obama's health-care mandate. Still, while politicians are taking to the airwaves to condemn Mr. Limbaugh's remarks,  in places as humble and as important as high school cafeterias, the name-calling of women continues. During lunch duty in a suburban high school cafeteria, I regularly hear words like "slut" "bitch" and "whore" flow from the mouths of seemingly sweet adolescent girls. And I wonder

Today was one of those days where nothing, from start to finish, went as I planned. Nothing went badly wrong, it's just that nothing went really well. At work, my laptop gave me all sorts of trouble, refusing to link me to the school's server. Then, an important, comprehensive evaluation of me, which I had been prepping for and anticipating for days, was postponed.  By the time I got to the after-school faculty meeting, I was a knot of anxiety.  My girlfriend K, my best friend at work, eight months pregnant with her first child, sat down beside me in the school auditorium. Turns out her laptop too is being disobedient. I told her how terribly, terribly stressed I was feeling. Read more here...

I want to encourage all to pray this prayer, the Litany of Humility. It has been one that, as I pray it more, it continues to change my life. Yesterday I was running with a group and fell a little behind, so I began to have pity on myself because I felt rejected; however, I was reminded of praying this, and took it as an opportunity to embrace it, and be humbled by it.  O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me. From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus. From the desire of being loved... From the desire of being extolled ... From the desire of being honored ... From the desire of being praised ... From the desire of being preferred to others... From the desire of being consulted ... From the desire of being approved ... From the fear of being humiliated ... From the fear of being despised... From the fear of suffering rebukes ... From the fear of being calumniated ... From the fear of being forgotten ... From the fear of being ridiculed ... From the fear o

Prayer Card from Catholic Icing Today, more than ever before, children need comfort and security in their lives, nothing -- no thing -- is more important than to have our youngsters engage in prayer. All children, even the youngest child, can learn God is always there for them–at any time–from the moment they wake up in the morning, throughout the day as they play, as they share meals, right up until they are tucked in bed to fall asleep at night. Lent is a special time to offer praise and thanks. Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, and to pray more deeply. Lent is also a good time to join with others in prayer. On Sunday, we come together in our parish. We praise and thank God together. We especially give thanks to Jesus.  Activities: Pretzel for God: Lent and the Pretzel The

Fiftysomething: A very remarkable and largely unknownevent happene... : A very remarkable and largely unknown event happened on the feast of Sts Peter and Paul, 1893, the bishops of England and Wales, in

My mom was born 81 years ago today, in her parents' home outside Baltimore, Maryland. Her father was an investment banker and her mother was an immigrant from Argentina. My mother met my father, a surgeon and the son of Italian immigrants, on the beach in St. Croix, where she was vacationing with her parents. She was 25 when she converted to the Catholic faith and married my dad. When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction. She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her. Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises: Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!' Proverbs 31 Read more »

Fiftysomething: Five First Saturdays Devotion: What To DoSign Up f... : Five First Saturdays Devotion: What To Do Sign Up for First Saturday Reminders.. Upcoming First Saturdays History of the Five First Saturday...

Transfiguration of Christ , Paolo Veronese, painted 1555-56 Readings (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel Mark 9:2-10 (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Jesus took with him Peter and James and John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone by themselves. There in their presence he was transfigured: his clothes became dazzlingly white, whiter than any earthly bleacher could make them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. 'Rabbi', he said it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.' He did not know what to say; they were so frightened. And a cloud came, covering them in shadow; and there came a voice from the cloud, 'This is my Son, the Beloved. Listen to him.' Then suddenly, when they looked round, they saw no one with them an

Clement Shahbaz Bhatti (9 September 1968 - 2 March 2011) Today is the first anniversary of the assassination of Clement Shahbaz Bhatti in Pakistan, the only Christian member of the cabinet. He was a devout Catholic deeply committed to justice for those on the margins, especially the Christian minority,  who said not long before he died, I only want a place at the feet of Jesus. I want my life, my character, my actions to speak for me and say that I am a follower of Jesus Christ . I will have more about Shahbaz Bhatti on Sunday Reflections for the Second Sunday of Lent. But you may read about him here . Columbans wre first assigned to Pakistan in 1978 and have been there since.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi hapus i bawb! Happy St David's Day.

Here in Ontario we have just observed a rather ironic statutory holiday: Family Day. Ironic because this long weekend is very nearly the only acknowledgement of family we have in public life. No longer is a stable home life with a Father as the head of his household, and Mother at the heart of her family the norm. Instead we have a society of broken homes and blended families of every configuration with little stability or permanence. We have the idea that marriage is desired only by women, and that men are either coerced into it, or trapped within it. Marriage is ‘an institution’ and who wants to be committed to an institution? Wives are ‘the old ball and chain’ holding a man back, weighing him down. At the same time we have the very serious problem of young men refusing to grow up, remaining in an adolescent state while mom continues to cook and clean for her 25 year old boy. When combined with modern women being quite free and easy with their favours, where is the inducement for