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As I'm writing this, 19 folks in France have died because — it's complicated. Assuming that the Kouachi brothers had religious motives for killing folks at the Charlie Hebdo offices is, I think, reasonable: but it's an assumption. Assuming that Charlie Hebdo's distinctly irreverent treatment of Islam led to this week's attack is — that's complicated, too.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

January 10   St. Gregory of Nyssa (330-395) For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.  2 Peter 1: 5-7 A greedy appetite for food is terminated by satiety and the pleasure of drinking ends when our thirst is quenched. And so it is with the other things... But the possession of virtue, once it is solidly achieved, cannot be measured by time nor limited by satiety. Rather, to those who are its disciples it always appears as something ever new and fresh.  St. Gregory of Nyssa St. Gregory of Nyssa shared brotherly affection and love with St. Basil the Great (Jan. 2 ),  his own big brother. Along with St. Gregory, these three bishops from what is modern-day Turkey, formed the great “Cappadocian Fathers” of the Church, all fighting the

God is always speaking to us, His people, but we are not always listening. Or we aren’t quite sure how to listen because we aren’t quite sure what that looks or sounds like in our daily lives. The fact is, we can’t obey Him or follow His lead unless we hear Him—and we can’t hear Him unless we understand how He speaks to us today. Many of us read Scripture and long to hear God speak to us as He spoke to Moses, Noah, or Abraham. We desire the clarity that apparently existed for the prophets and sages and patriarchs. Consequently, we miss out on God’s active participation in our lives because we miss out on all the ways He speaks into our very existence. read more here

Jesus, through this frantic world, could you just hold me still? I don't want to be happy. I do not want comfort, for these things pass. O How I long to be still, still, still with you. I've had enough, and nothing else will satisfy. and there is nothing I won't do to be still with you. Let the world keep spinning, Let it spin until I'm sick, but Jesus, hold me still. continue reading

Epiphany Sunday, 2014: Isaiah 60:1 - 6 Ephesians 3:2 - 3a , 5 - 6 Matthew 2:1 - 12  Epiphany of the Lord, 2014 By Deacon Lawrence N. Kaas January 4, 2015 Epiphany is still Christmas, especially for all of us who are Gentile. The gifts we have received really do not compare to the greatest gift of all--- the babe of Bethlehem, the word made flesh and dwelt,s amongst us, is the precious Son of the Father. Music is a part of this special gift, for music is a gift from God. How many of us are put in a mood of joy and hope through music, especially Christmas music. I listened to the sound of music a week 10 days ago and even after hearing it many times it still seemed like the first time. We can even here in our minds, Bing Crosby's White Christmas and if you are on a little more of the low brow side of music you may hear Elvis singing I'll have a blue blue blue Christmas without you... (Guest post) More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

The Baptism of Christ (detail) , Tintoretto, 1579-81 Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Venice [ 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)  http://www.universalis.com/20150111/mass.htm Gospel   Mark 1:7-11  ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition , Canada) John the Baptist proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.   I have baptized you with   water; but he will baptize you with   the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.   And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him.   And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” The Ce

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That zipper-faced critter isn't, I think, the weirdest thing that's lived. Not when things that look like lily pads or mushrooms, and may be animals ; and other critters with five eyes ; are in the running. That animal with the weird mouth is one of Sci-News.com's 'top paleontological discoveries' for 2014. The discovery of color vision in a 300,000,000-year-old fish came out in late December: which may be why it didn't make the 'top discoveries' list. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Jesus never argued or debated the faith, so why should we? You can read the rest at Being Catholic ... Really .

Saint Maria Faustina We had two weeks with our kitten. The night before she went missing, my husband and I marveled at just how beautiful she was. She had perfect white mittened feet and beautiful gray and white markings, with a white belly. He saw a picture on National Geographic newsfeed, and thought for a second it was a picture of Aranea, our kitty. We got her our kids for Christmas, and she could not have been more sweet natured.  The kids loved her. They bonded deeply with her in the two weeks she spent with us. We found her through a Craigslist animal adoption agency.  We paid some money for her. Our kids were thrilled when they heard the “MEOW” coming from a Christmas box! She warmed our home and filled it with life. When almost a whole day went without her, I admit I panicked. I searched the streets in the front and back of our house.  I called her name, I put food on the front and back porch, just hoping it would lure her back. Read the rest at Picture a S

Photo borrowed from Melanie Jean Juneau                            She laughs, her God is near, In spite of her broken soul, She laughs,  He embraces her, Pulling her to His Sacred Heart, Saturating her with His healing balm of love, Holding the fragments of her tears and pain in His Bleeding palms, Healing her broken heart. She laughs, her joy is complete. Her Savior holds her near. They dance across the midnight sky, Angels worshiping Him with joy,   He laughs.  She absorbs His joy. His joy pours into the heavenly skies,  Heaven rejoices that a lost one has come home.  She laughs.   Read more at:: His Unending Love  

If you asked a typical Catholic, “ Are you stealing God’s job?” , they would laugh out loud at such a ridiculous question and emphatically deny it.  I know I did.  Granted, the wording of this question is designed to shock. Yet the question is also meant to provoke self- examination.  After someone asked me this question, I examined my life and was surprised at what I discovered. I realized like almost everyone else, I was trying to fulfill the role of God in my day-to-day life. It is an easy trap for most modern people since we are pressured by obligations. In an attempt to cope, we resort to rushing around independently without God. We seize control as we  try to be ever more efficient with little time to relax, pray or socialize. The result is we end up living in isolated, man-made prisons that shut out other humans, never mind other living creatures and God.  Instead of seeking communion, each of us exists at the absolute centre of our little artificial universe.  The conse

"Two grown children? You are very blessed..." Yes, we are. Sitting across the table from a visiting Haitian priest, we were sharing the story of our family.  We  are  blessed, but after speaking with him some more, we began to realize just how much. We cannot share the story of our family without sharing the story of her fight with cancer as a young child. The road to adulthood has been a tenuous one for her and the fact that she has navigated the path so well is a testament to both her strength and her will. But as soon as we mentioned  cancer  to him, the conversation veered. "What is this  cancer ?" he asked... Read more:  http://www.restfulwaters.net/what-is-this-cancer/

"And wherever He went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed." Mark 6:56  Day before yesterday, I was convinced that I would be enduring another month of sharp pain coming from my thumb and any movements of my palm and hand. 3 doctors told me I had tendonitis of the thumb.  We had tried everything.  I had done everything.   No relief. The last doc wanted me to see the orthopedic docs in our town.  I was willing.  The next appointment with  the orthopedic doc  was on February 11.  I cried.  I was pretty sure I would not make it that far, so yesterday, after the clinic opened, I called to see if I could be put on a cancellation list. "Let me check," she said.  "How about January 23rd?  That would help, wouldn't it?"  I'll take it.  The night was difficult. Today, a  friend who works in another

There is no accomplishment of any worth that you can attain merely by desiring to have it. Learning to master the greatest human accomplishment of all then, – learning to love is no exception. There may well be such a thing as love at first sight, but if this is not followed up by a lifetime of trying to love more fully, and more deeply in sickness and in health, then disaster will follow. The love at first sight that begins in flames will soon end in ashes. From rapture to routine, from routine to rupture. Learning to love God may end in flames, but it never begins there, that’s why far fewer begin the journey. It begins with a faith-filled conviction that there is no more important journey, not just because it leads a person to experience the love of God, but because it enables his love to surcharge and suffuse our weak human love.  This enables us to love others as Christ loved others, especially that special other to whom we have dedicated our lives on earth, and the family that

...from dear Father Wade Menezes... now with his "6 General Principles" to consider when discerning our ideas, whether spiritual or temporal... [added today]: 1. Idea is in accord with Sacred Scripture as upheld by both Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church; 2... >> TheWayToNourishForLife >>

During my meditation time, I light a candle. One day the wick wouldn’t light. When the match burned my finger, I dropped it into the candle where it burned up, black and crisp. However, the tip flamed for the entire half hour. For about two weeks now, whenever I’ve lit that match, it burns, but the match isn’t consumed! Is this my personal burning bush or menorah that burned without oil in the Temple? Click to continue

Maybe you’ve heard it was coming. Maybe in your heart of hearts you knew you were going to be part of it. Personally, I didn’t need much encouragement to join. Join what, you ask? The Digital Detox of 2015. In fact, I only happened to come across the naming of this phenomenon in passing so I’m already pretty much Internet detoxing. Have been for a while. read more here

Reading Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila, we might find ourselves surprised. The Church has proclaimed Teresa a Doctor of Prayer, but the first part of her master work on the subject barely mentions prayer! If prayer is so vital to the spiritual life, why hasn’t she said more about it? How can we grow into the later stages if she doesn’t tell us what to do in the early ones? The first thing we need to get clear is that for Teresa prayer and virtue grow together, no matter where we are in the seven mansions. Some people think that everyone can be contemplatives, regardless of their lifestyle. This is one of the basic problems with Centering Prayer , as we discussed a few months ago. Real growth in virtue takes commitment to prayer Others have the opposite problem. They think that if they are living a moral life, that’s all they need. Not committed to prayer, they think they are nonetheless spiritually advanced, so they see no reason to start praying more faithfully. Th

Did you make any New Year's resolutions?  Have you broken any of them yet?  Would you like to change that? Make a one-word New Year's resolution. You can read the rest at Being Catholic ... Really  and Happy New Year!

Just before Christmas, I was blessed with the opportunity to chat with Deacon Tom Fox, for a segent of his "Catholic Vitamins" show.  We discussed my second YA Catholic novel, Erin's Ring, published in late 2014 by Bezalel Books.  If you'd like to read my recent String of Pearls post about it (including a link to the podcast , if you're interested in listening), click here .

" BEGIN AGAIN FROM SCRATCH ." (–says Pope Francis!) Lord, make me whole... that I may become the best version of myself that You will for me. [Now that's a good resolution — good for body, mind, and soul!] So as we resolve to reform... and begin again—whether now (at time of this posting) in the very first month of this New Year.. or on any given day, and everyday, on... let us look to true words of inspiration from homily of Fr. Wade Menezes (1/5/2015)... " God desires you to be the best version of yourself that He wills for you .” –Fr. Wade... >> Click Here to Read More at: The Way to Nourish for Life >> [including quotes from:  Saint John Neumann, Sr. Magdeleine of Jesus, and Pope Francis]

Last night, I went to sleep and you could see the confused grass beginning to turn green, but not sure if it should.  You could see the roots on the trees, and you could see daisies starting to sprout.  For Minnesota, we've had a warm winter with very little snow, so far, and it's been in the 30's!  That's not normal, but no one was complaining.  There was no white Christmas. We made it through.  No snow meant that traveling was so much easier for families who traveled. Last night, out of the clear blue sky, not really, it had to be cloudy, snow fell.  When I woke up this morning everything was different.  Nothing was the same.  The grass was covered with the white stuff.  The tree branches were weighted down with snow.  The confused daisies were covered, and, hopefully, they went back to sleep as infants do. I sat at the table looking at the ravine behind our house.  I don't drink coffee, so I sipped my diet coke.  What a miracle had happened last

Last summer my husband and I visited different churches in my series "Touring Chicago's beautiful Churches."  When we returned to  St. Therese  in the fall, we didn't expect to get a chance to visit another parish for a while.  We were pleasantly surprised when we were invited to  St. Helen  in November. You can read the rest of the article at Being Catholic ... Really

'Never fear  that your past faults  and infidelities will prevent you reaching the degree of union that God intends for you;  in an instant He can repair all that.' -  Dom Marmion shared from The Cloistered Heart

I began reading essayist  Anne Lamott's  new book,  Small Victories ,  after  hearing her speak in November  at the  Free Library of Philadelphia.  My  friend Shannon,  an author and a  jail chaplain in Tacoma, suggested this would be a great book to read for Advent. Well, even though it's under 300 pages, I just completed it today. Lamott's  is an authentic voice, one that does not sugar coat reality but which helps me find God in the smallest moments. Finishing the book is a good way to celebrate the Epiphany, that time when Jesus revealed himself to the world beyond his circumstances. Lamott is a writer  we writers are supposed to love and one whose work I have not taken the time to read fully. While I have read bits and pieces of her illuminating work, this is the first full book of hers I have read from start to finish. She labels herself a "left wing" Christian and I suppose she is, but the label, as any political label does, reduces the value of her

Some folks, like the magi and shepherds, were happy about our Lord's birth. King Herod, not so much. Today's Gospel reading, Matthew 2:1 - 12 , talks about this mixed reaction. Two millennia later, I'm on the same page as the shepherds and wise men. I think our Lord's birth is cause for rejoicing. ( Matthew 2:10 ;  Luke 2:20 ) "Only the Beginning of a Great Procession" " For the Church which believes and prays, the Wise Men from the East who, guided by the star, made their way to the manger of Bethlehem, are only the beginning of a great procession which winds throughout history.... " (" Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Homily of Benedict XVI ," (January 6, 2013)) Today is Epiphany Sunday, when the wise men arrive at the nativity scene in our living room, and we remember Matthew's account of the magi. As usual, there's quite a bit going on.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

The strongest impression for me of these three men is their courage as well as their humble spirituality. They venture into the unknown, following a star of all things, into a foreign land with enough sensitivity to listen to the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit even though they are not Jewish. They have enough humility to prostrate themselves and actually worship an impoverished human newborn in the confines of a stable full of animals and surely the smell of manure The Adoration of the Kings, Flemish artist Pieter Bruegel the Elder, 1564 It is not within their spiritual tradition to worship a human, never mind an infant, yet their minds are open enough to acknowledge that this rogue star, which has settled over a stable, signifies an event of cosmic significance.Their hearts and souls are open enough to sense the presence of the Divine in a mortal baby. In comparison to these ancient ‘heathens,’ we do not fare that well. continue

The Adoration of the Magi ,  Velázquez, 1619 Museo del Prado, Madrid [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings for the Solemnity of the Epiphany Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  The readings above are used both at the Vigil Mass and at the Mass during the Day. Each Mass has its own set of prayers and antiphons. In countries where the Epiphany is observed as a Holyday of Obligation on 6 January, eg, Ireland, the Mass of the  Second Sunday after the Nativity  is celebrated. The same readings are used in Years A, B, C: Readings   (Jerusalem Bible) Alleluia and Gospel for the Epiphany Alleluia, alleluia! Vidimus stellam eius in Oriente, We have seen his star in the East, et venimus cum muneribus adorare Dominum. and have come with gifts to adore the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia! The same text

A man that takes the role of a Deacon is by faith shows himself by his submission, sacrifice and love to be extolling a purification of manhood.    Donning vestments, whether Priest or Deacon is the ultimate witness of manliness.  It is no coincidence that the first Christian Martyr was a Deacon.  By God’s grace, through a Deacon, God let open the heavens to let St. Stephen see the rewards of all those who die for the faith.  The grace of martyrdom is a joy of the will of God being fulfilled, for if we love God, we love Him and  those He loves to our last breath and our last drop of blood.   Those that are chosen for this gift are very few, and it is only by the love in their heart for others that they are chosen.  The martyr is prepared for death by the knowledge that their blood feeds the Church, and by the shedding of their blood, within God's will, they are given the greatest gift while still in the flesh; .... TO READ MORE...CLICK HERE!

I am beginning to understand that the “Little Way” is simplicity in life, prayer from the heart to Jesus, complete trust in God as our Loving Father, seeking God’s will in our everyday activities (even the little things), doing everything for the love of Jesus, being kind to all people, and a sincere desire to be with Jesus forever rather than to be in this world. Whew – that’s quite a list. Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking about the Little Way and trying to chose just one thing to add. I think St. Therese would approve of adding just one small thing at a time. I will smile – not just at the lady at the grocery store or at my friend I’m meeting for coffee. Read more here...

The saint who chose me for 2015 is:: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta! I used Jenifer Fulwiler's Saint's Name Generator I am not under the care, protection, and direction of this amazing woman for the year 2015! Thank you, Jennifer , for this amazing tool! If you've ever received and email from, you will notice that my signature has a quotation from Mother Teresa:: "Peace begins with a smile." Read More at His Unending Love

I recently realized I hadn't blogged the whole month of December. It wasn't because I was too busy or because I didn't have anything to write about but because I have been pondering some things and have been letting them take root before sharing. One truth I have been reflecting on is how Jesus took on our shame. He literally took on our shame when he died such a shameful death on the cross. Since he took on our shame, we do not need to walk in shame. Often however we do walk in shame because of past hurts we have experienced. The enemy would like to use these hurts to keep us down and from doing the works God has called us in advance to do (Ephesians 2:10). The Lord however would like to help us overcome these hurts and then would like to use these healed hurts to help others and bring glory to his name. Continue Reading @ Beautifulthorns >

Someone's made a 'top 10' list of "top exoplanet discoveries of 2014," including the first potentially habitable Earth-size world. Mars had an ocean: billions of years ago. Scientists are piecing together the story of how Mars became the world it is now: and trying to figure out where Martian methane comes from. Other scientists have discovered another reason to look for life on planets orbiting red dwarf stars: and there's the ongoing discussion of how to define "life." We're learning more about this universe, and discovering that there's much more to learn. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

THIS AWARD HAS NO STRINGS ATTACHED A SIMPLE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF  GREAT CATHOLIC WRITING WHICH BRINGS  JOY, TRUTH, FREEDOM OR ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS IT CAN BE SOMEONE WHO WRITES ABOUT  PRAYER THEIR STRUGGLES AND PAIN, BRINGING HOPE TO OTHERS LIFE IN GOD Or FAITH STORIES THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH PASS THIS AWARD ON TO A FELLOW CATHOLIC WRITER OR TWO POST THE RECIPIENT’S NAME AND BLOG IF APPLICABLE, AWARD TITLE, LOGO WITH A SIMPLE LINK BACK TO  http://melaniejeanjuneau.wordpress.com/  continue

Today's the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. It's one of those holy days of obligation, when Catholics go to church, and it's not Sunday. (" Directory on popular piety and the liturgy. Principles and guidelines ," The Liturgical Year and Popular Piety , 115-117) "Mother of God?" I'm a Christian, so I think my Lord is God: God the Son, second member of the Trinity, and that's another topic. Topics. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 232 - 260 , 456 - 478 , 2673 - 2679 ) Mary is my Lord's mother, so it's like St. John Paul said: " ...In her the eternal Son of the Father took our very flesh and through Her became "son of David and son of Abraham" (Mt 1,1). Thus Mary is his true Mother: the Theotokos, Mother of God! " If Jesus is Life, Mary is the Mother of Life. " If Jesus is Hope, Mary is the Mother of Hope. " If Jesus is Peace, Mary is the Mother of Peace, Mother of the Prince

  The New Year is upon us - and with its coming brings New Year's resolutions - we are all familiar with them; we have all made them; we have all broken them by January 7...The media is replete with lists of the most popular resolutions which can usually be broken down into three categories: losing, quitting, and saving - as in weight, smoking/drinking, and money.  It is a rare exception that a New Year's Resolution involves our ultimate and final goal of this life - eternal happiness with the Lord in the next.  Don't get me wrong - I am not suggesting that you cease making the "losing, quitting, saving" resolutions - just that you consider adding a resolution or two that will impact your life for all eternity.  Click here for 7 New Year's Resolutions; Catholic Style

Reflecting the Trinity Perfect balance is seen the Holy Family Husband-Wife-Child the Family as God intended it. From the beginning, when God first made man, He knew man was not meant to survive alone. Man was meant to have a partner, someone to walk through life with, someone to share laughter and love with, someone to reflect a fraction of the Love God felt for man. Even in the Garden of Eden where nothing ever hurt man, the Lord knew loneliness might be an issue. God, in His infinite Wisdom, knew man would need a partner to physically be by his side daily and so God gave Adam Eve. Thousands of years later, the Lord produced His Son, Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. The God, the one God, omnipotent, omniscient, God, Father of All could have given Mary the strength to bear that child alone. He could have given her an awesome job and set her up in a sweet little palace on the outskirts of town. He could have given her servants for her beck and call. He could