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Archbasilica of St John Latera   Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Readings   ( New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)   Gospel  J ohn 2:13-22   ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition , Canada) The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.   In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.   Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.   He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!”   continue Christ driving the money-changers from the Temple , Rembrandt, c.1626 Pushkin Museum, Moscow [ Web Gallery of Art] We are not isolated and we are not

If all goes well, a robot spaceship will harpoon a comet next week. Meanwhile, science and daily routine go on in the International Space Station, nobody was hurt when an Antares cargo carrier exploded, and someone's done a survey about faith and space aliens...." ...Some comets and asteroids are shaped like potatoes. Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko looks like two potatoes and a bit of corn stalk: or a rubber duck.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

The Christmas season—which ought to be one of peace and good cheer—is often everything other than tranquility and happiness. For many people (women especially), family events, shopping, and fractured relationships bring stress and steal the joy of Christmas. Before the stress sets in, consider these few tips to take into the Christmas season so that this year it will truly be a season of harmony, peace and pleasure. 1.       Remember that Christmas is about the celebration of the birth of Christ; see others through His eyes. If you are in the process of forgiving someone, don’t feel you’ve failed if this Christmas you aren’t jumping up and down with joy to see that person. Forgiveness is a process. Take it one step at a time—and be okay with that. read more here

"Pray for the forgotten," Pope Francis said in his Angelus Address delivered for the  Feast of All Souls. In November, Catholics pray for the forgotten.  We all want to be remembered.  Some of us more than others. You can continue reading at Being Catholic ... Really .

One of the most beautiful images of heaven in the scriptures is the royal banquet and  the  wedding celebration given by the Bridegroom.  We have been invited to the most important banquet of all . However, Jesus’ parable of this Great Banquet takes an unexpected twist  when “they all alike began to make excuses”. Nobody could come to the great banquet. Seems preposterous.  Why on earth would everyone who had been invited to a great banquet in advance,  not drop everything and attend?   They knew ahead of time. They had a warning it was coming.  Don’t you think that they would be planning their days, weeks even months around this extravagant feast? continue reading

There isn’t anyone among us who hasn’t enjoyed a Christmas movie wherein an angel earns his or her wings. We love to hear the bell jingle because at that moment we know that heaven’s angel population has increased by one. Wrong. As much as those movies endear themselves to us, the fact is, the angel population neither increases nor decreases over time. But it does make those of us interested in angels sit up and take notice—and want to learn more about these heavenly creatures. What are they? Who are they? Why are they? Angels are spirits created by God (Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:14). They are the invisible created things that have a hierarchy. These invisible created things are spirits meant to serve those who are to inherit salvation—fallen man who now freely chooses Christ. This establishes our relationship with angels in that they are to help us in ways that we may not fully know or understand; however, we shouldn’t be trying to discover how to boss them

“ See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.  Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.  And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure." 1 John 3: 1-3 What is the purpose of life? To Know God. To Love God. To Serve God in this world  and in the next. Do you know God? Do you love God? Do you seek to serve God? Read More at:: His Unending Love

My photo reminds me of my visits to Arabia. The November issue of Smithsonian carries an article about two scientists who added a false frightening memory to a rat’s brain. The rat then reacted with fear although it was in a safe box. Having located the source of our memories promises to yield discoveries that will help with Alzheimer’s and PTSD. Imagine if memories of horrible events could be obliterated! I don’t think I would risk tampering with my memories. They can be a blessing or a curse. Sure, some are painful, but they all contribute to making me who I am today. Click to continue

I know you're there, waiting for me.  So, how's heaven, really?  Are the angels always flying around or do they stop and talk with you?  Do they walk with you?  Do you have a home where you live, or do you travel all over heaven walking with the angels or Our Loving Lord?     I have a friend you've never met, and she's quickly nearing the day when she will fall into  the open arms of God.  She and I have decided that we will meet at the river that flows through heaven when we both cross over.  How big is that river?  Will I be able to see her across the river?  Do you ever walk the banks of that river?  Are the waters really living?     Is there food in heaven?  I know the Heavenly Food, the Eucharist, will always be enthroned there, but do you gather for meals or prayer times?  Are there parties and celebrations?  What do you say when you see each other in heaven?  Do you have a heavenly name?     Are you there waiting for me?  I miss you so much!  Do yo

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I haven’t done much blogging on homeschooling since publishing my book, but I hope to do more now. If you read my blog for spirituality, please stick around, as the bulk of my posts will still be on spirituality for adults. A few weeks ago, my kids and I finished studying the Old Testament. Now we split into two groups. D and M are studying the early Church, while C is going back to the beginning of the Bible to read stories he missed. That means I am revisiting units I created about five years ago. As we go through them, I plan to share many of them with you in detail here. Today I am sharing the unit I created on Creation. The purpose of a contemplative homeschool The focus of the units I have created is on helping your children grow in their relationship with Christ. Academics is part of that, but not the most important part.  I want to help children learn to see God in everything. I want to teach them to practice mental prayer. I want religion to be a part o

Here’s a freshly picked study from the latest crop of research, as featured in the news, for our own nourishment. Bowel Cancer Risk Reduced by Adopting Multiple Healthy Behaviors : “Adoption of a combination of five key healthy behaviors is associated with a reduction in the risk of developing bowel cancer.” Excerpts of the report... regarding colorectal cancer [which was the type of cancer that led to the passing of my dear father-in-law, Walt, at the age of 71]— in consideration with these 5 influential lifestyle factors , are as follows: “ Researchers from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke quantified the impact of combined multiple healthy lifestyle behaviors on the risk of developing bowel cancer… [saying] ‘Each person can contribute a lot to avoid cancer; the more healthy lifestyle changes, the better.’… >> Click Here to Read More at: The Way to Nourish for Life >>

What a Burden! I mean being the only one to take care of yourself! I recently saw a post on Facebook from the universe.  It said something to the effect of: where you've been has made you what or who you are.   It concluded with the comment: "Clever you." There are many of these memes on Facebook, actually, almost anywhere you look on the web.  My reaction this morning was, "Oh. My. Goodness.  The very thought of being in total control of everyone and everything that has affected your life or will affect your life, would crush me under the weight of the burden to succeed and make myself whole with no one’s help."  Sheesh! Read More at:: His Unending Love

I've been meaning to write about a rather extraordinary thing that happened to my husband and me, on a rather ordinary day, while we were doing ordinary things.  I don't know why I didn't write about it immediately after it happened, so that I could tell it in sharper detail, remembering the exact words spoken by all the players.  But I'm afraid now that if I don't tell it, it'll grow too fuzzy in my mind to repeat.  (Although considering the circumstances that isn't likely.) So here it is: a true story about the Holy Eucharist--and its power over even those who don't comprehend its significance. (You won't want to miss this one; it'll give you goosebumps.  You can read the rest of the story  here at String of Pearls .)

Absolute conformity to the will of God Unwavering devotion to Jesus and Mary Continued @ mommynovenas.org

Recently I attended a Catholic women's conference where the main theme was God's grace, emphasized from Saint Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. If one stops and thinks about it, Paul wrote emphatically to the new Christians at the time, they were still pretty new at forming their spirituality and walk with the New Covenant Lord. At times, I have felt like the readers of Paul's writings and the people of his time, starving for knowledge of our Lord and being fed by the writings within His Word. Within Ephesians 1:4-6, ".. .just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love .  He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will , to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. " Our destiny in Christ was His love , our purpose is His will , and our praise should be His grace that was freely given as a gift for our

We left the classroom to receive the sacrament of confession.  The sun was shining as we walked across the parking lot to the church.  I don’t remember much about the walk except that we were all vert quiet.  We walked into church.  The lights at the top of the confessionals were not lit, so we all sat and waited, quietly.  There was no sound in the church.  Then, two priests came out and each one walked into the confessional.  The rest was a blur until Sister Mary Claudia touched my shoulder and said it was my turn.  My legs felt like jelly.  I folded my hands praying that I make a good confession.  I wanted to make my First Communion on Sunday. The door opened, and my best friend came out of the confessional.  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Sister Mary Claudia raise her finger to her mouth.  Sister seemed as surprised as I was, but this time, we looked at each other, and something was different.  We didn’t laugh.  She had been forgiven and was going to say her pena

Two recent tweets from the Holy Father really struck a chord with me.   And so for my First Fridays with Francis for this month I have chosen to create two new images that can be shared on your own social media.  The first is a facebook cover for you to use:  The second one is one that can be shared however you see fit..  Enjoy! For even more images to share you can visit www.embeddedfaith.org

"Granting that we are always  in the presence of God,  yet it seems to me  that those who pray  are in His presence  in a very  different sense...."  (continue)

I'm going to die. That's what happens to humans.... ..."Memento mori" — Latin for 'remember your death,' more or less — makes sense: if done with common sense. Recognition of impending doom can have a wonderfully focusing effect. ( May 20, 2011 ) I don't have a skull mounted on my desk, reminding me that my days are numbered. For one thing, I don't think that'd be consistent with respect for the dead. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2299 - 2300 )... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

The Old Testament tells the story of God’s plan for his people, and eventually through them for all mankind, and for the whole of creation. Many different metaphors are used to this end, but the commonest is to present the plan as creating a perfect kingdom to be inaugurated by the Messiah. When the Messiah did come however, in the person of Jesus, he never said that the Kingdom has come, but only that it is to come (Jn 7:39). It is to come, he promises, after a unique and unprecedented outpouring of God’s own infinite love, in such a way that human beings can receive what they have never been able to receive before. Receiving the infinite love of God would have instantly annihilated a person, according to the teaching of the Old Testament. It only became possible because of what happened to Christ immediately after the Ascension. When, on his return to the Father, he took with him the human nature that he shares with us, something quite literally, out of this world took place. God’s

Tomorrow's post is about death, judgment, Heaven, Hell, and all that. Coming back from a desperately-needed coffee break, I realized that the following paragraphs made sense, in context — probably. But since I didn't have the rest of the post written yet, I figured it'd be easier to slap them into an 'unscheduled' post, and cudgel my brain back on-track. Death and Special Cases Elijah's departure, described in 2 Kings 2:8 - 11 was a special case. Then there's Mary, mother of my Lord. She's a very special case: shielded from original sin, the ethical rot we inherit from our first parents; and currently what I've called a 12-star general .... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

St Columban’s Cemetery , Dalgan Park, Ireland  [Photo: Fr Rolly Aniscal] There are no fixed readings for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day). Below are links to selections of readings. Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  In England and Wales this year the Solemnity of All Saints will be celebrated on Sunday 2 November and All Souls’ Day will be observed on Monday 3 November. Readings   for All Saints’ Day (England and Wales, Jerusalem Bible) Fr Edward McNamara LC of Zenit  responds here  to a reader's query about the celebration this year of The Solemnity of All Saints and the Commemoration of the Faithful Departed. One can truthfully say that there are reasons for confusion! Synaxis of All Saints , Unknown Icon Painter, early 17th century Musei Vaticani, Vatican [ Web

As a cradle Catholic, by the age of 6 I was well schooled in learning how to please God.  Every morning I would pray, “I offer you all of my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day.”  I trusted that God would be with me, and He would bless me and protect me.   I attended Catholic School, and Sister Mary Claudia was my teacher.  I know it was she who blessed me with Fear of the Lord.  I looked at Sister as she taught.  She had to be more than 14 feet tall! Sister drilled us well in the Baltimore Catechism, and we had to review the day’s lesson with our parents at home.  “What is the purpose of your life?”  she would intone. In our sing song voices we would reply, “Our purpose in life is to know God, to serve God in this world and in the next.”  We would say this with sincere hearts and souls, even as poked the kid in front of us, not that I  ever poked or pushed anyone!  Read More at:: His Unending Love

The subject of praying for those on the other side of the veil is close to my heart. I KNOW  personally, the agony of a soul who is desperate for my prayers. I have learned through personal experience, that souls in purgatory, although they cannot pray for themselves,  press in on the most sensitive of their relatives for prayer. It took years before I understood the emotional weight I carried like a rock in my chest was not mine, but I what I felt was actually my paternal grandmother’s guilt, shame and sense of unforgiven sin.I heard her negative words interiorly and again the words I heard seemed to condemn ME.These spiritual, emotional and even physical burdens were simply the only way my grandmother could get my attention.   After two years of interceding for her, a priest ( who in fact is the official exorcist of my diocese) was finally led by God to give this poor soul absolution in the name of the Church.Instantly,I mean  immediately,  I was free ... read more>

1 Corinthians 12:3 -" ...no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit". This is what the bible says and yet some evangelicals I've met do not agree with infant baptism. Not making the connection? How about this? These same evangelicals do not consider their children "saved" until, on their own, they can say Jesus is Lord and ask him into their heart.  Also, they are not seen as ready for baptism until they ask Jesus in their heart. However, it is by the Holy Spirit that we can truly recognize Jesus as Lord. Catholics, Orthodox, and some Protestant denominations believe in infant baptism. As Catholics, we believe at the moment of baptism, when the water is poured over the baby's head, they also receive the Holy Spirit. I believe this gives them an advantage that unbaptized children do not have. I would dare to even say that since Jesus lives in their heart through baptism, they will probably be more predisposed toward the things of God.

The following copyrighted excerpt is reprinted with permission from  All Things Guy: A Guide to Becoming a Man that Matters  written for Catholic boys aged 9-14.  "Along with patriotism, there is citizenship. You are a citizen of a country. This is what makes you American, Mexican, or French for example. There are a lot of rights and responsibilities that come with citizenship in a country. In many instances, people have died to help obtain the rights and freedoms everyone enjoys. "This is why gratitude to those who are in your history—and obviously knowing about them—is important. Just like there are Catholics who have gone before you in your faith history, so there are county-men who have gone before you in your nation’s history. read more here

Paleontologists uncovered a huge pair of arms, plus assorted ribs and vertebrae, in the Gobi Desert 49 years back. Discoveries since 2006 supplied the missing pieces of Deinocheirus, the largest known theropod dinosaur. Other scientists are filling in more of humanity's family history, with 45,000-year-old DNA. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

                         Official Maryann D'Amico - People of Peace                                                                   Speak Peace! Please click the link above to enter the People of Peace Page on my website!  Please share the link and speak Peace into existence. Think Peace into existence. Act Peace into existence. I would love to see your name on my Peoples Petition for Peace Worldwide!

October begins with the feast day of St. Therese of Lisieux, patron saint of the missions. The same month ends with Halloween, or the Vigil of All Saints’ Day, soon followed by All Souls’ Day (Nov 2). On the surface, these three feast days may seem to have nothing in common, since mission may seem unrelated to death, but a closer look shows that both mission and death have a common denominator:  Heaven . Mission, or “gospel”, is bringing good news to kind ears, good news of  Heaven . Saints, too, are only saints because there is a  Heaven.  And since Halloween is the vigil of All Saints’ Day (and not to Christians a feast of the occult) Halloween celebrates Heaven.   Continue reading...