Association Of Catholic Bloggers

Our 30th anniversary  in 2009  August 10, 1979    1. Marriage does not mean total togetherness. We spent more time together courting than we really ever do in the day to day of making a living and running a household.  2. I think men are pretty easy to please. They want to be praised when they do something well, they want to be taken care of when they are sick, they want someone to listen when they have an idea or need to talk, they want a reasonably well kept home, decent meals and sex.  3. I used to worry that sex would get boring over time. But really having one partner who knows from experience what I like, and vice versa has made it anything but.   please read more at...

"These guys have big guns and they just point  them at a ghost and kaboom, the ghost disappears!" Michael's father, a police officer, had given our family free tickets to a large three-ring circus production that the police department were sponsoring. Of course after a few hours, the flashing lights, loud music, breath-taking suspense, excitement and cotton candy overstimulated all six kids. Rather than playing like they usually did, everyone was hyperactive, yelling and becoming increasingly agitated. It was obvious that I needed to intervene and help them unwind. I don't like sticking kids in front of the T.V. but this was an emergency. None of the kids could believe their good fortune and immediately fell silent as I tried to find a decent show. Soon, they were completely enthralled by a cartoon called "Ghost Busters". At that point, even though I had never let them watch this particular show, I was just happy that everyone was

The Marriage at Cana , Marten de Vos, painted 1596-97 [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA)                                   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Luke 12:49-53  (Revised Standard Version – Catholic Edition) Jesus said to his disciples: "I came to cast fire upon the earth; and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how I am constrained until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; for henceforth in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three; they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against her mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

I didn't feel ashamed when he said that  atheists can go to heaven . I didn't feel ashamed when he said  gays are okay . But I felt ashamed when Pope Francis said  this : "We cannot become starched Christians, too polite, who speak of theology calmly over tea." Because that's me. Substitute coffee for tea, and I would happily sit and sip a tasty beverage while chatting about theology all day long. Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict didn't make me feel ashamed of myself. I could understand most of what they wrote, so I figured that made me pretty smart. I don't remember them ever saying that being smart and knowing theology just wasn't good enough. I don't remember them saying, as Pope Francis did, that we must go out and  touch the poor , touch them with our own hands: Read more by clicking here...

I vividly recall the first really negative review I received on a book. It was for a particular title in the All Things Girl series and the young person who wrote it was fairly scathing in what she said. She identified herself as one of three sisters who ranged in age from 10 to 15. She went on to post her review on all the books. I will freely admit that her words brought tears to my eyes. Two months later, BAM! Another terrible review. I was reeling from it all. To make matters worse, scores of people were saying how helpful the two terrible reviews were. No one was coming to my defense. Words can’t explain how alone I felt—and utterly defeated in my attempt at serving God’s precious daughters. And confused…I had prayed each and every time that I had worked on the books. Throughout long days and nights my prayers stormed heaven; I prayed to the Father that every young girl who read the books would be blessed by them; that these books would be instruments of God’s love for

Little to small spark. Small spark to big spark! Little fire it is. Something visible to the eyes of others outside the vehicle am riding. I’m on my way to work earlier this morning, sitting behind the driver’s seat. Looking from nowhere. Contemplating on various things. Then suddenly destructed by a small fire coming from the vehicle I’m riding at. Looked at it for a couple of seconds then decided to move out. Adrenaline rush. Geez! What a cool Thursday morning. Calmed myself. Thoughts keep on playing in my mind while I am walking on the busy streets of Makati CBD. Seeing people pass by me. People of different ages, gender and preferences. Some wearing smiling faces, others frowning. Some enjoying their walk, others rushing their way. I was then reminded that this  BORROWED LIFE  has to be lived to the greatest that it could be. If someone comes to you this very minute telling you that it’s the end of your journey, how would you respond? Will you ever have regrets?

 In Revelations 12:1, right after his vision of the ark of the covenant in heaven (11:19), St. John sees a great Woman: the New Eve, the Virgin Mary, Image and Model of the Church. This verse strongly insinuates the Assumption of Mary. St. Juvenal, Bishop of Jerusalem, at the Council of Chalcedon (451), made known to the Emperor Marcian and Pulcheria, who wished to possess the body of the Mother of God, that Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty ; wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven. The early Christians were very careful to keep the relics of saints and martyrs, even if it involved great risk (like trying to retrieve the remains of those who were eaten by lions). They did this out of great reverence for the body as a member of Christ and temple of the Holy Spirit (see I Corinthians 6:15, 19). Early Christian Witness That early Christian believed in

  August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, a Holy Day of Obligation. We celebrate the fact that God took Mary bodily into Heaven. But why did the Church make this a feast? Why is it important for your life? Mary shows us our destiny   Unlike Christ, Mary was a mere human to whom God gave special graces. When Jesus took His mother into Heaven, body and soul, He showed us what is in store for those who die in a state of grace.  At the end of time, He will raise us bodily from the dead. The faithful will have glorified bodies in Heaven. We will not be ghosts for all eternity. We will be complete, perfect versions of ourselves. This is one reason prayers like the Salve Regina call Mary our “hope.” Mary shows us our purpose   God made us to be united with Him in love. In her death, bodily resurrection, and Assumption, Mary embraced Christ’s mission. Since she was free from original and actual sin, Mary did not have to

It's hard to find a good supernatural thriller, especially one that stays true to its Judeo-Christian roots. Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark is one. Cheri Vause's novel  The Garden of Souls  is another. The Garden of Souls  has a goodly amount of swashbuckle in it, as well as a search to uncover the mystery of our creation and the one who created us. The vivid imagery and fast-paced action make the book flash across your imagination as if you were watching it on a movie screen. The male lead, Liam, is a priest-archeologist torn between obeying his superior's orders to catalog piles of moldering documents in the Vatican archives and his desire to join his best friend Avi in discovering the secret of humanity's origins hidden in the blistering Israeli desert. The female lead, Alana, is an archeologist seduced into a ring of criminals who steal priceless antiquities and sell them to the highest bidder. Indy and Marion Ravenwood have nothing on them.

UBI CARITAS ET AMOR. DEUS IBI EST. I'm losing my Faith. Father Ignatius was in the Sacristy tidying up after morning’s Mass when one of his parishioners came in and asked if he could have a quick chat. Being quite approachable, the priest glanced quickly at his watch and agreed to spend a few minutes with the young man, in his mid-twenties. “Father … I’m losing my Faith …” was the abrupt introduction. Father Ignatius said nothing, encouraging the young man to continue with a nod. “I’ve been a Christian all my life, but there are times when I’m totally confused. I ask myself whether God really exists … whether it’s all real … or just some invention. I wonder whether God … Jesus and the whole of Christianity have just been invented over the years by society … just to regulate itself … I sometimes find it a real struggle to believe that God exists … but the more I try to believe the more I doubt.” “I don’t blame you,” rep

A  month ago,  a Daily Prompt asked writers if we could only take five objects from a burning house, what would be the most difficult things for us to leave behind?  Well really, the only objects I consider to be important are photos of family, my computer, passport and ID, a bible and bank card, assuming that I am wearing my wedding ring and gold cross like always. That’s it. As for regrets, I really do not think that my heart is in things. Since I was a little girl, I have felt content with what I have materially. Even now, when my nine kids ask me what I want for Christmas, I pause for a moment with a blank mind. I have to search to come up with a list. Rather a strange state to be in because this is not the result of spiritual striving, fasting or prayer, it is just how I am. Living with little people has only strengthened an innate tendency to enjoy the little things, to be grateful to be alive and in communion with the Spirit. In addition, as a large family with ba

View from the Domestic Church: EWTN's Family Celebration

Two different people recently told me to "Go to the Devil" although they didn't realize that was what they did.  One of them suggested that I tell a lie which would benefit them, the other one suggested that I tell a lie that would benefit me.  Each one of them told me in their own way to "Go to the Devil."  The demon is the Father of lies, there is NO truth in him.  When we tell lies, or entice someone to lie for us then we are using the devils tactics and are on his territory.   So congratulations, you have just shaken hands with the Devil and chained yourself to him.   Not only that, but if you have enticed someone to lie and they do it, now you are somewhat responsible for that person being chained also.  Now the demon has TWO prisoners.   How deceptive the demon is!  He not only chains souls with something as flimsy as cobwebs, but convinces them that it is 100lb chain that they and that they can't get free.  He either tells them they can't

This summer, I've been determined to get fit. Given my excess weight, I see my battle as a life-or-death struggle to stay healthy for my husband and our sons. In addition to swimming 30 minutes a day, I've been strength training with the help of a personal trainer and spending an hour a day on the treadmill, trying my best to increase the pace and incline of  the treadmill. This morning, on a hike in New Paltz, New York, I was reminded, once again, that whatever endeavor we humans undertake, nothing but the Infinite will satisfy us.  Keep Reading...

Monica McConkey writes on her blog called    Arma Dei: Equipping  Catholic Families Meet Monica and Family I am a wife, Mom of 5+ kids, a designer, an architecture school survivor, an author and a crafter  and I think it’s cool to be Catholic . My husband and I founded a Catholic apostolate called Arma Dei: Equipping Catholic Families , creating solid Catholic,  fun teaching tools and gifts  to celebrate and teach the Catholic Faith. I like to find activities and crafts that kids like to do…and convert them to be Catholic!   I also like to pass along other family-building ideas and traditions…to help justify the time I have spent putting into them. Kim Cameron-Smith, CAPC Founder and Editor WELCOME TO CAPC! If you've found us, you're interested in gentle or attachment parenting grounded in your Catholic faith. You've found a home! Our mission is to provide information and encou

The Seven Virtues by Anton Francesco dello Scheggia (photo credit: Google Art Project). Through prayer and study, I’ve created a list of the elements of an education that I think best starts children on this road. Divine union comes through living a life of prayer and virtue. So, generally speaking, we want to teach about prayer and virtue, model them, and practice them with our children . But we also want a home and a school environment that is conducive to prayer and virtuous living. Prayer requires leisure   The Greek work schole, from which “school” comes, means “not-at-work time.” In classical society, school was a leisure activity, a pursuit of wisdom that had little to do with the workaday world. The truest education is free or liberal. It is not “useful” in a utilitarian sense. It is not servile. It is learning about things that are valuable in themselves , rather than means to obtain what we desire. I wrote about leisure’s importance several months