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Lately, I've been debating with myself (and my family) about whether or not to wear a mantilla at Mass.  Part of me wants to veil and the other part of me is too chicken and self-conscious. The style of my parish church is very modern and minimalist and doesn't lend itself to inspiring any woman to cover her head. "Why do you want to wear a mantilla?" My older daughter asked me this question yesterday when I brought the subject up again. Why indeed.  I've read this blog, Will You Mantilla With Me? .  It makes a strong case for covering up, reasons which I like:  reverence, respect, humility, purity, solemnity, imitation of Mary. A reminder that I am participating in something much bigger than myself.  An external representation of my belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. (And maybe I want a reason to wear a lovely piece of lace). So why am I still hesitating?  Pride and fear.   I'm worried about what other parishioners will t

If you are like me, you have at least one room in your house that visitors never see. For me, that would be the master bedroom. Every horizontal surface, excepting our bed but including much of the floor, is cluttered - with books, an ironing board, clean laundry, a busted vacuum cleaner, manila file folders, you name it. When visitors come,  I simply close the door.  My pastor, Fr. Jeff Calia, C.O., recently told me that if Christ were visiting, that's just the room He would want to see. In fact, He already knows all about it.  Keep Reading

Jesus ,  detail  from  The Calling of St Matthew , Caravaggio, 1599-1600 Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Mark 6:30-34  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) The apostles returned to Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves. Now many saw them going, and knew them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns, and got there ahead of them. As he went ashore he saw a great throng, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things. +++ 'Come away . . . to a lonely place' Lake Taal, Philippi

I will openly admit that I drove myself—and my husband—a bit crazy in the 2008 election cycle. I’m not sure why since I had never, ever been that impassioned about an election. Specifically, the pro-life issue mattered to me in a whole new, surprising way. I also turned 50 that year so I’d like to place some of the blame on that fact—but who knows for sure. This year I decided to do my best to keep my passions, emotions, and opinions more to myself. I wasn’t going to write dozens of articles and try to convince anyone of anything. Depending on where you sit in the political arena, that either sounds cowardly if you are a passionate pro-life citizen or that sounds perfectly fine if you aren’t much into politics and feel that it is always “the lesser of two evils” anyhow. As things heat up this 2012 election cycle, I admit that it isn’t easy for me to sit on the sidelines; but sit I have been. Let me clarify that: I sit on the sidelines while I do the Patriotic Rosary—one o

We have to face the fact that the future of our Church means a "Leaner, and Meaner" Church.  With the secular/modernist society, we are facing Catholics leaving the faith and going to other faiths that 'fit their particular needs'.  I heard a 'lesbian' Catholic say it was HER church... Her church??? Last time I checked it was and is Christ's Church.   The fact is this, we don't get to go to Jesus after we realise that we want birth control because it makes 'our' life more convenient so we can enjoy sex, or we don't think that abortion is such a bad thing 'in some situations'.  We don't get to go to Jesus and say, "Look Jesus, this is the deal, this is what is going on in MY life and this is what I need..."  Because those eyes will look back at you, those eyes full not only of His intense love for us, but of His Majesty and his JUDGEMENT...(He is God..remember?).. and He will say, " I AM the deal.."

Eucharistic Witness: Ven. Laszlo Strattman Every day I learn of a new Saint, always a lesson and nice to know how many ordinary people have live truly Christ centered lives in so many different walks of life.

Fr Michael Sinnott arriving in Dublin in December 2009 after his release The website of the Catholic Bishops's Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)   carried this story  yesterday .  MANILA, July 18, 2012— An Irish missionary kidnapped and freed by gunmen in 2009 in Mindanao is leaving the Philippines for good. Father Michael Sinnott of the Society of St. Columban is leaving for Ireland Friday and will retire there after many years of serving the Catholic Church and various communities in Mindanao. In a send-off party held at the Malate Church on Tuesday night, Sinnott admitted how difficult it was for him to decide whether to retire in the Philippines or in his native land. Greeted by President Gloria M. Arroyo the day of his release, 12 November 2009 Full post on Misyononline here and on Bangor to Bobbio here.

I was reading a book recently and one of the quotes in it really affected me. It was written centuries ago and yet seemed as if it had been written last week, it was quite prophetic. I guess that is what happens when there is real truth in something well-written: it transcends time. Anyhow, it got me to thinking how fun it would be to write an article with some of these enduring words of wisdom—either words written long ago or words written in our lifetime but that will undoubtedly reach far into the future. Just read these and see if you can figure out who said or wrote them. You may have to recall some of your history lessons or call to mind some of your Bible study sessions or some current news; but give it a go! Challenge yourself and don’t be shy about being incorrect. Mostly my hope is that while you read them and reflect upon them, you let them resonate with you. I believe you will find them valuable words to contemplate. 1.      And when you work with love you

An Apostle , Sir Anthony van Dyck, c.1618 Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)  Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Mark 6:7-13  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition)             Jesus called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, "Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them." So they went out and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed th

View from the Domestic Church: I didn't plan to go back into the Post Office

Here is the 3rd part to the "Disciples Called to Witness, the New Evangelization" document written by the USCCB.  This post is my thoughts on part 3, and I am attaching Justin Stroh's mini-podcasts which are great in that they are short and explains the bishop's intent in easy terms. Part III:  The Focus of the New Evangelization “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest”  Mt 11:28 Pope Benedict XVI describes some of the contemporary situation confronting modern man, including secularism, globalization, and social communications, the economy, scientific and technological research, and civic and political life.   Many of these societal realities are positive, but when taken to the extreme, they can lead to disillusionment and weariness. This is where the New Evangelization comes in.  As fellow Christians, as kindred spirits in the Church, it is our mission to continue to be evangelized, refreshed, and to seek out the h

In Gethsemane the restorers and the mosaic workers of tomorrow are preparing themselves : Associazione di Terra Santa a supporto della Custodia di Terra Santa

Wing Commander Brendan 'Paddy' Finucane (16 October 1920 - 15 July 1942) I'm not sure when or how I first came to know of Brendan Finucane, one of the greatest 'aces' in the Royal Air Force during World War II and whose 70th death anniversary occurs on Sunday. Maybe it was in reading English 'comics' when I was in primary school. Weeklies such as The Rover , Adventure , The Hotspur , The Wizard ,  featured adventure stories for boys and sometimes had real-life stories. My Uncle Joe Kiernan drove a delivery van for Easons newsagents in Dublin and kept me well supplied. At some stage I discovered that this airman, known in England as 'Paddy', had become the youngest ever Wing Commander - equivalent to Lieutenant colonel - in the RAF and that he had studied in the same school as myself, O'Connell Christian Brothers' School, Dublin. By the time I began in secondary school there (I was in primary from 1951 to 1956 and in

The Path Less Taken: Meet 10 of the World's Most Amazing Priests

Dom Donald's Blog: Our Lady of Aberdeen 9 July 'in the infirmity of old age' St Aelred

"Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Embracing Motherhood: Happy Sunday!

. Keiko on her First Communion Day Read the story of 14-year-old Keiko Uemura, a spring flower in the desert , here .

Are you TOO Catholic if you want to lead a group of mothers (not all are Catholic) at a Catholic parish function in the Hail Mary? Are you TOO Catholic if you want to attend Mass during the week? Are you TOO Catholic if you want to pray morning, noon, and night each day? Are you TOO Catholic if you have a crucifix in every room of your house and one in your office? Are you TOO Catholic if you believe the teachings of the Catholic Church are to be upheld and not optional? Are you TOO Catholic if you believe that life at all stages is precious and should be respected and protected? Are you TOO Catholic if you wear a scapular? Are you TOO Catholic if you sing liturgical hymns outside of Church? Are you TOO Catholic if you make decisions on a daily basis based on being a Catholic? Are you TOO Catholic if you think about God and Jesus every day and being a Catholic? Are you TOO Catholic if you consider yourself a FAN of the Pope and follow him in the news. Are you TOO

Humblepiety: 20 Years of Being Ordained a Priest Celebration! : I celebrated 20 years of being a priest with the parish last night. It was a wonderful evening which made me feel truly humbled by the ... Fr Patrick Brennan is one of our priest bloggers. Do go over to Humblepiety & congratulate him!

Ever since I heard the news that our Holy Father, Pope Benedict, proclaimed a Year of Faith, I have been pondering what faith means.  It is certainly something , but what?  Is it the Creed?  Is it the source of how one lives?  Is it singular only, or can it be plural? Anyway, in preparation for the Year of Faith, which starts in October, I want to explore Faith.  I want to develop a more solid understanding of Faith.  I hope to deepen my Faith and to help others do likewise, if possible. My first post on the subject can be found here .  If you have any thoughts about where I can go with my exploration of this topic, I will appreciate hearing from you.

On Saturday 6 July 1942 John Coyle, a carpenter, married Mary Collins, a seamstress, in St Paul's Church, Arran Quay, Dublin,  ( photo below )  the first Catholic church to be built in Dublin after the Act of Catholic Emancipation in 1829 that abolished most of the anti-Catholic Penal Laws in the United Kingdom, of which the whole of Ireland was then apart. The occasion was to have some impact on my life as I was the first-born of their union, arriving in the world nine months and two weeks later.  The wedding photo above was taken in a studio in Dublin after their honeymoon. So it is likely that I was present on the occasion! Full post here .

My girlfriend K., like me, was raised Catholic and like me, did not receive a full grounding in the faith.  She asked me yesterday how best to show her gratitude to God for answered prayers. "Prayer works!" she told me yesterday. "It really really works!" I'd like to ask you, dear readers, what your suggestions might be. Read more here...

Why the chattering classes are keeping life-ending pills close to hand | CatholicHerald.co.uk

Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for July 2012 From the  website  of the Apostleship of  Prayer General Intention - Work Security   That everyone may have work in safe and secure conditions. Mission Intention - Christian Volunteers That Christian volunteers in mission territories may witness to the love of Christ.

Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus , Friedrich Overbeck, painted 1815. Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Mark 5:21-43  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him; and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he fell at his feet, and besought him, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live." And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.  And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew w

NeverSeconds: Porridge Party! : This morning we were told that the menu had changed so the kitchens could use up what they had left. I am not sure what the menu should have...