Association Of Catholic Bloggers

 What a guy! I am currently reading with delight Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation, The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium). It is a very easy read. Our Holy Father is exhorting the members of the body of Christ, to evangelize. He is encouraging us to take to heart Jesus words, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” MT 28: 19-20.    Pope Francis stated that a Church which “goes forth,” is a Church whose doors are open......“I prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.”  continue reading    

Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ will be aired on Palm Sunday, April 13 on UP TV.  This is the first time this film (edited-for-television) will be shown on commercial television and coincides with the founding of UP TV (formerly the Gospel Music Channel) a decade ago. You can read more about the film at Being Catholic ... Really

The Cloistered Heart is basically an analogy in which our lives can be seen as 'monasteries.'    After all, what is a monastery if not a place where God is loved and lived for and served?  We can be in the world but not of the world.  This is not a new or different idea; rather, it is an emphasizing, a kind of 'underlining,' of every Christian's call.  The uniqueness of this emphasis is in its monastic imagery.  The word 'cloister' speaks of total consecration.  Those who enter a traditional physical cloister make a tangible break from the world.  Compromise does not fit well in a cloister, nor does lukewarmness, nor does complacency.  The cloistered life is absolute.  Christians living in the midst of the world are also called to live for God.  For us, however, the break is not so clean.  The world is persistent in its tugs on the heart trying to live as God wills.  This is where the idea of having a cloistered heart can b

Is there anything for us to learn in this story about the raising of Lazarus? Is it not just another miracle by Jesus? What is so different this time? Please continue reading HERE

When Christ came it was to announce something that no other religion had ever  taught, nor any other religion taught since. Namely that the ultimate power, the ultimate energy the  infinite source of all creation, is not some impersonal super-power, but infinite  love , no,  infinite  loving . Love cannot exist without a lover. Before time began, Christ was the recipient of his Father's love. He was inextricably caught up in a mystical maelstrom of loving that flowed to and fro between him and his Father  from all eternity ......   read on

Psalm: 40-“I have waited, waited for the Lord, and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.”       As I reflect on this scripture verse, it brings me back to a time when by the grace of God I made my way back to my Catholic faith after many years of “doing my on thing.”    I was raised Catholic and I am so grateful to my parents and the religious sisters who laid a good and solid Catholic foundation for me. As I sat in the pew listening to the song, Here I am Lord the sun was shining through the beautiful stained glass window and seemed to be shining directly on me.  Continue reading   

The Raising of Lazarus , Rembrandt, c.1630 [ 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   John 11:1-45 [or John 11:3-7, 20-27, 33B-45]  ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition , Canada)  [Shorter form of the Gospel: omit what is in square brackets] [Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair; her brother Lazarus was ill.]   So the sisters sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This illness does not lead to death; rather it is for God’s glory, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” Accordingly, though Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazar

  Soul Sister: Saint Therese of Lisieux     The above  video link  contains rarely seen Art  done by the sister of Saint Therese of Lisieux, Celine Martin. The Art depicts Saint Therese and other family members.This also contains some photographs taken by Celine. Also, in this video are scenes of the Carmel of Lisieux in France.This is where Saint Therese resided as a Carmelite nun.The crown of roses depicted in this video were worn by the saint on her death bed.    I wrote the song entitled," Soul Sister" for Saint Therese. She stated that after her death she would send a shower of roses to the earth. This song is employing the Communion of the Saints which is asking the saint for her intercession in heaven. Catholics do not worship saints. We do believe they can help us from heaven if God so wills it. And, this song is an intercessory prayer that is sung continure reading>

In this story, Father Ignatius is asked a question which should tackle our consciences even today ... Please continue reading HERE

It's easy to forget that life is a gift. I am reminded of this now while I'm carrying my fifth child. Many days I am nervous about my child, his health, his future life. Anxiety pairs up with a tense grip around what is  mine . Both responsibility and desires for everything to turn out just right become preoccupying... Yet, we only have life on loan--our own life as well as the lives of those given to us. It's not easy to accept but still necessary. We are not in control of our own life or others. Still, we are truly given the life of others as well as our own life. Particularly children are given to us as gifts. The same goes for our spouses; they also are gifts entrusted to us directly from God. The sacrament of marriage confirms both the gift of our spouse and the gifts of our children. So, how does one hand life back to God? It isn't, or shouldn't be, a throwing back of a gift in God's face. Once He entrusts them to us, He obviously expects something of us

Gospel reflection Today’s Gospel:  John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 This section of scripture leaves me feeling irritated, almost as irritated as Jesus seems to be. Of course part of that frustration is because this was written by John who loves to talk in circles, leaving his readers hanging. At first glance this passage simply talks about Jesus moving around Galilee, not wishing to travel to Judea because the Jews are trying to kill Him. In the end He does slip secretly into Jerusalem but everyone is gossiping about whether He is the Christ or not. Finally Jesus seems angry as He actually shouts out  in the temple. Remember, this is John’s gospel, so Jesus speaks in riddles telling the crowd that yes people know where He comes from physically. However they do not fully grasp where He actually comes from because they do not really know the one who sent Him. Naturally the authorities know that  Jesus is referring to God, the Almighty. They try unsuccessfully to arrest Him but it is not ye

Some years ago, I heard a talk by an amateur kindergarten theologian. I found that talk the most interesting way to explain how it is that Divine Mercy works on us.    Let’s call him John, and he was intent on having a large family. But I met him and his family on baby #3. He has 8 now. And he described how happy they all were most of the time with 3 kids in 4 yrs., meaning mom had one more in the oven. to continue reading    http://theoutlawedgod.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/the-tantrumy-tot-and-divine-mercy/

I was born to daydream.  Born to gaze out windows in the classroom, and in curtained parlors, and oh.. most especially on the bus. Being a student in a "downtown" Catholic grade school, I rode the city bus back and forth every schoolday.  I rode it a lot on weekends too, in those days before two-car families were the norm.  Daddy took the car to work, Mother stayed home and ironed while soup simmered on the stove, and girls rode buses to friends' homes on the weekends.   My favorite time of all, however, was the bus ride to or from school, packed in with businessmen heading to work with briefcases in tow. Sitting by bus windows, I learned to love writing.  Not that I ever wrote a word.  But now, looking back, I know that my love of writing was born there.  On some unmarked, unremembered day, as I sat by a rolling window most likely streaked with rain....... (continue)

Pope Francis tweeted the following earlier this week: "Dear parents, teach your children to pray. Pray with them." My husband and I are parents to an 11 year old son and a 9 year old daughter and over the years we have learned many lessons in trying to teach our children to pray. We are by no means experts at this and we certainly do not have it all together, but the lessons that we have learned, we gladly share.  Read 7 lessons that we have learned along the way here... Please use the comments box to share what has worked for you in teaching your children to pray. As my children are approaching the Tween and Teen years, I would especially love to hear how your family's prayer has evolved during those years...

If you can spare just 5 minutes, come and share my thoughts about our relationship with God. Please click HERE

  "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 Read More at:  His Unending Love

Hi! My name is Debbie Gaudino and I am new to the Association of Catholic Women Bloggers and blessed to be here.  Melanie asked me to introduce myself and my blog, Saints 365 to you. Why Saints 365? Saints 365 is my personal blog. Through it I provide reflections designed to encourage others (and myself) to "strive for the heights of holiness in the trenches of everyday life." My writings draw from the living word of scriptures, the wisdom of the saints and the teachings of the church and are presented through the lens of my own personal experience. My hope is that the blog becomes a place where readers can encourage each other on the journey by sharing their thoughts, experiences, struggles and questions related to each post in the comments. A Little About Me I am a child of God!  Through the gift of Baptism, I have been adopted into the family of the Holy Trinity.  This is my primary identity, and each day I discover more and more what that really means. I am also

Reading 1 IS 49:8-15 , Responsorial Psalm  PS 145:8-9, 13CD-14, 17-18 , Gospel  JN 5:17-30 In the first reading from Isiah, God promises a covenant  to the people that will restore the land. In issuing this covenant, The Lord does not simply wave a magic wand and transform evil into good. If someone wants to be saved, God gives instructions that must be obeyed. For example, God commands ” the prisoners: Come out!/ To those in darkness: Show yourselves!” First people must listen and obey God’s call to step out of the darkness into the light of truth, step away from their old ways and start on the spiritual journey. Once they have chosen the path, the Lord will have pity on them. As the Lord leads them on the road of salvation, He will supply their need for food and water, cut paths through the mountains and make level the highway.The fact that the God of the entire universe takes time to comfort His people and show mercy to the afflicted should entice heaven and earth to break

I see her every day at Mass, frumpish, about 60, shaved head with a little longer bit at the top, like a man’s. She wears thick glasses and a long handle purse across her chest. I don’t know her name. I also don’t remember when she began to notice me and smile. I can’t imagine why, among all parishioners why she would more and more glance at me. She says all the responses of the Mass, a bit loud, with a pronounced baby talk speech. That was my clue that she is mentally handicapped. to keep reading......     http://theoutlawedgod.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/the-mirror/

Occasionally,  I post "unsolicited advice". I was told, after I turned 50 that I was old enough to give unsolicited advice, so I though - why not?! One of my favorite posts from last year that I re-blogged today is about praying the Rosary. When going through security, Sister Helena Burns was asked if she had any firearms or weapons, her response, "I'm wondering if I should declare my Rosary". HA... My unsolicited advice today – PRAY THE ROSARY! I have a special relationship with Mary. She has always been with me, since we met long ago. I needed a mother and she stepped in. Praise God!  And – Because I have an affinity with Mary, I love to pray the Rosary.  It helps that my birthday month celebrates praying the Holy Rosary. How lucky am I? For more, read  Unsolicited Advice - Vol. 5 - Pray The Rosary ! Blessings All, Emily

The other day as I prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, at the line “God himself will set me free from the hunter’s snare” suddenly I imagined myself in the woods with my foot caught in the sharp jaws of a trap. I felt the pain and the desperation. “Hmm,” I thought. “This is how I teach people to pray the Gospel stories, by putting themselves into the scene and letting all their senses come into play.” For some reason it never occurred to me to apply this method St. Ignatius promoted to other prayers too.  Let’s experiment with a psalm. Psalm 127:1 is “Unless the LORD builds the house those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.” For the first sentence see and hear someone hammering the last plank of wood onto a house. But then the house collapses. Hear the deafening sounds. Breathe in the dust. For the second sentence visualize a city with a soldier stationed in the tower but hordes of enemies forces breaking through th

Today I have a guest post at Julian O'Dea's blog on the controversial topic of prostitution laws.  It includes a Catholic historical perspective and should provide plenty food for thought.

  On March 19, 2014, Ellen Gable, a Catholic Fiction author, released another beautifully written Historical Romance called A Subtle Grace which is Book 2 of the O’Donovan Family Series. This Kindle book is published by Full Quiver which will publish the print version on March 25, 2014.  1896, Philadelphia. In this sequel to “In Name Only” (2009 FQP), “A Subtle Grace” continues the story of the wealthy and unconventional O’Donovan Family as they approach the dawn of a new century. At 19, Kathleen (oldest daughter) is unmarried with no prospects. Fearing the lonely fate of an old maid, her impatience leads to an infatuation with the first man who shows interest. The suave, handsome son of the local police chief seems a perfect match. But will her impulsive manner prevent her from recognizing her true beloved? A disturbing turn of events brings a dark shadow that threatens   continue>

God always seeks out His children.  Like the Shepherd who searches for the lost sheep, God seeks to bring us closer to Him.  God might be silent so that we may hear.  God might give us signs of His Love so that we may believe.  God might bind us close in His Love, so that we do not stray.  God might remind us of our sinfulness so that we may be saved.  God might make us uncomfortable as He shapes us in the Flames of His Unending Love.  God might pull back so that we may learn to trust.  God, the Lord of Creation, does what He needs to do so that when time has ended, we will share heaven with Him. Lent is a time in which we can, through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, grow closer to God.  As we have walked this Camino del Rey, we have improved our prayer lives, we have fasted, and we have given alms.  Some of us have been strict in our adherence to these practices.  Some  of us have fallen.  (Yes, I have!)  Some have not practiced any of the pillars of Lent.  As Pope Fr

Finding God in our surroundings is getting harder and harder these days. As I was growing up, God was always somewhere within eyeshot. As a Catholic child, going to an all girl school run by nuns gave me a real good understanding of what my teachers were saying to me, God is everywhere, God is always watching, and my lack of trauma and cataclysms ( I thought) gave me a sense of protection. That is how His omnipresence affected me. I did not like nor dislike Him been there, all the time, watching me always. I just knew He was there and it was ok with me. Such apathetic attitude about God did not serve me well.  As I grew up, that He was there or He was not there only helped me to forget to know that He was not there. Eventually if He was there or He was not there was the same to me. to continue reading follow link .... http://theoutlawedgod.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/finding-the-hand-of-god/

The Roman Catholic artist, from the onset of the religious expression, acts on what possesses his/her mind and heart. Just like the prehistoric man, he paints what preoccupies him. His prowess in conquering the mammoth, capturing the wild deer.               Just like them, at the revelation of God to us, thus it preoccupies the mind, but the prowess now to express the newness of something truly awesome with a vague identity but the cause of powerful feelings.             It is said that St Luke painted The Black Madonna of Czestochowa. to continue reading .......   http://theoutlawedgod.wordpress.com/2013/12/28/aaaaah-the-artist/

Sunset at Kakaako Beach Park, Oahu First of all, I want to apologize for not sharing any posts in such a long time.  Thank you for keeping me on as a contributor! The following was written by St. John Chrysostom.  It is from my spiritual journal entry of September 13, 2012 after reading the Magnficat meditation of the day.  I feel it will apply to us during this time of penance and contrition. "Being a disciple of Christ means being meek and gentle.  And from what source may we draw this meekness?  If we are continually mindful of our sins; if we grieve for them; if we weep for them.  A soul which habitually feels such contrition does not permit itself to become vexed and angry.  In truth, where there is sorrow, anger cannot be;  where there is compunction, anger is altogether out of place; where there is contrition of soul, there is no irritation.  The soul that suffers the lash of contrition has no time to be aroused to anger, but it groans bitterly and weeps more bitter

Happy Tuesday All, I hope your day is blessed. I wanted to invite you all to participate in a Veiling Series on my blog. There is a new lady telling her veiling story every Tuesday. We hope to have a husband or two and a Priest or two also participate. Additionally, there are many kinds of head coverings that are being spoken about. If you are discerning wearing a head covering or you already wear one, you will love this series. The Introduction to Our Lady's Image is here: Our Lady's Image, An Introduction So far, I have told my story: Our Lady's Image, My Veiling Story Karen Zenti has told her story: Our Lady's Image, Karen's Veiling Story Mae Lacy has told her story: Our Lady's Image, Mae Lacy's Veiling Story AND - today, Lily Wilson Beck has told her story: Our Lady's Image, Lily's Veiling Story Next Tuesday there will be a new story told. Each story is original to the series (meaning we've all told our stories before but these

Ready to celebrate the rest of Lent as a family? Here are several activities you can do together, whether or not you homeschool. p=suitable for grades 1-3 m=suitable for grades 4-6 j=suitable for grades 7-9 s=suitable for grades 10-12  Books Besides reading the Gospel accounts of Holy Week, try reading and discussing the following books that deal with sacrifice, martyrdom, or resurrection: The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams (p). The Tale of Three Trees by Angela Elwell Hunt (p+). The Queen and the Cross: The Story of St. Helen by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky (p, m) The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis (p+ for reading aloud; m+ for independent reading). Continue reading at Contemplative Homeschool.

Last week, Pope Francis did something that shocked the Catholic world - he went to confession....Watch the video of it here. (Video credit: Catholic News Service) Why are Catholics around the world talking about this?  Why are we all so shocked? We have all heard reports that Pope Francis (like Benedict and John Paul before him) celebrates the sacrament of Reconciliation with great frequency. He has encouraged Catholics on multiple occasions to go to Confession. We have seen pictures of him hearing confessions at World Youth Day. But this, this was different. There is nothing shocking about the fact that he went to confession. The Pope is, after all,  Catholic . What has the world's attention is that he did it publicly. We can watch him on video kneeling before the priest, quietly sharing the sins he has committed, and humbly bowing his head to receive absolution. Just like we do.  So what's the big deal about the Pope going to Confession then.... Read more here.