Association Of Catholic Bloggers

How many times do we find our minds being 'unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind'? (James 1:7) Do you have a mentor in your life who will calmly tell you to go away and 'pray about it'? Sometimes I find that response infuriating. I can't hear myself think, let alone sit still and listen for the voice of God. Yet God 'is always ready to give a bountiful supply of wisdom to all who ask him.' (James 1: 5) Read More:  http://susannetimpani.blogspot.com.au/

As the Morning Rising: Snapshot of Family Life : Family Geraniums on windowsills White nets and red blossoms Worked their way into memory So too strange coins, and stamps in little opa...

One Centering Prayer practitioner wrote to me in an online conversation, “In this information age of constant texting and tweets I think Centering Prayer is a very practical way to do ‘be still’ and surrender in God’s presence; it’s helped me to detach from negative thoughts and feelings…” This is a common assertion, one I’m sympathetic to. We certainly do have too much “noise” in our world–not just beeps and drum beats, but also texts and pop-ups and real-time videos. The over-abundance of sensory stimulation distracts us from focusing on God in prayer. How can we be free of such distracting thoughts? Continue reading at Is Centering Prayer Catholic?

The Disrobing of Christ (El Espolio), El Greco, 1577-79 Gospel Luke 9:51-62 ( NRSV, Catholic Ed ., Can) When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village. As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom

Joy is not just for Pentecostals; joy is also for Catholics. Joy is not just for a few simple-minded anti- intellectuals, it is also for intellectuals. As  C.S. Lewis explains ,“Joy is the serious business of heaven”. Pope Francis is explicit when he states: The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded.  Pope Francis N0 one is exempt from embracing the joy of the Gospel, not even serious Catholics who focus more on social issues than on their inner life, nor sophisticated theologians. Even those who love solemn, traditional ceremony are not exempt because they too are called to live in holy joy as they  celebrate  the Latin Mass. continue reading

As the Morning Rising: Future - Poem : Future Unafraid to be led by the hand And taken to a place I've not yet seen A place of mystery Of delicate unfolding I journ...

As the Morning Rising: Reserved : There should always be a place reserved for God round the table of happy moments.

What would you do if your priest has been arrested and is accused of murder? Would you join the tittle-tattle and gossip amongst parishioners? Would you not believe the accusation and defend the priest; perhaps offering support? Or would you do nothing and wait until events unfold? When Father Ignatius is accused of murder his whole world is turned upside down. The Church is shaken to its foundation and people jump to all sorts of conclusions. “ THE PRIEST AND PROSTITUTE ” is a fast-paced story with believable characters and situations. A realistic self-test as to one’s faith and beliefs, as well as the ability to stay focussed on God when it seems He has abandoned you. The author skilfully combines humour with suspense to deliver a Christian message relevant to today's society. For more information please CLICK HERE

This summer, surrender to the feelings of love and gratitude found in contemplating and coloring these beautiful Stations of the Cross renderings by Father Victor KyNam.   Accompanied by Scripture and prayers written by Kathryn Mulderink, OCDS, The Stations of the Cross: an adult coloring book is truly a transformative experience.

“Holiness consists simply in doing God’s will, and being just what God wants us to be.” St. Therese of Lisieux This little bug has been a pest this week! He and his kind have eaten my kale down and made the kale lacey instead of whole. The kale leaves are beautiful thanks to this guy, but they are not edible. This little critter also likes milkweed. He’s been eating the leaves and feasting on any eggs he finds there. I’m hoping that the peppermint tea I sprayed on the leaves this morning will help to deter him, but I don’t know. He’s only doing what he was made to do. He was made to eat leaves and reproduce. He’s doing God’s Will. Read more at Prayerfully Yours

Since starting my new website Is Centering Prayer Catholic?, I’ve been pondering why certain errors about prayer are so common. I think I’ve hit on a root misunderstanding that’s at the bottom of many of these errors: ignoring the distinction between the natural and the supernatural in prayer. The Catechism quotes St. John Damascene in saying: “ Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.” (No. 2559) This indicates prayer is a human activity. One raises one’s own mind and heart to God. Note that this is not true of contemplative prayer. Contemplative prayer is a divine activity. As St. Paul says, “We do not know how to pray as we ought” (Rom 8:26), so God steps in to help us. Continue reading at Contemplative Homeschool

Return to Paradise , by Tim Speer, makes for an interesting read. David Martin, a Catholic investment banker from Dallas, Texas, is in the process of driving to his hometown in Missouri.  OOPS! His car suffers a little mishap near Spring River Missouri, requiring that he stay in town for a few days. While in Spring River, David learns of some unsavory financial happenings in town.  Such dealings promise to make life miserable for many of the local citizens. David suspects that the action is illegal. His moral values of truth and righteousness urge his conscience to investigate the unsavory business dealings. Might there be anything he could do about it? Read more...

Lately I’ve been receiving lessons on perseverance. The most dramatic one was the incredible victory of the Cleveland Cavaliers with odds against them. After a 52-year drought, they clinched the NBA championship to the delight of their many diehard fans. Closer to home, I could not get the DVD player to work with the new television equipment that was installed recently. Last night I tried one more time and bingo. . . it worked! The other day I was telling someone how difficult it was to market my books. I prefer spending my time writing. He said, “Don’t give up. Keep trying.” I came across this quotation: “If you do nothing to market your book, do you know what you’ll get? Nothing.” These experiences lead me to reflect on other situations that call for perseverance . . . Click to continue

As the Morning Rising: Straight From Him : There's a little story behind this photo. I had wakened early, had breakfast, checked e-mails etc but I was not motivated enough to ...

When I was a kid, we went to Church every Sunday. No matter what, we were not allowed to miss Mass. We went together as a family. If there were other activities, which was rare, they waited until after Mass. We also ate lunch of supper together, whichever time was more conducive to a gathering. Sometimes, people came and went throughout the day. The cousins played together. We, sometimes, fought with each other, but we had better have a good reason for that. We’d run to the park and swing untili we heard the food bells ringing away. We’d wash our hands and find a spot at the dinner table where we’d make the sign of the cross, say grace, then, even though we were STARVED, we would finally eat.  Read more at Prayerfully Yours

Most people make New Year’s Eve resolutions, but I’ve started making summer resolutions. Mary Schmich, of the Chicago Tribune, wrote an article entitled,  “Making the Most of Summer Requires Resolution.”  I have found the older I get, the more I look forward  to summer . You can read the article here .

Today marks the first day of Summer. It’s a time of year when families come together to refresh mind, body and spirit. Perhaps it’s a trip to the mountains, or a week at the beach; whatever your pleasure, I hope that you experience much peace, joy and fond memories this summer. Summer is a time when we can sit back and take stock of all of our blessings. Perhaps it is a stable job and health insurance. Perhaps it is news of improved health of a loved one. Whatever your blessings, I pray that the Holy Spirit fills you with... Read more...  

As the Morning Rising: Belfast City Sunset : Belfast City Sunset The sun is slipping down behind Black Mountain St. Peter’s spires are lost to me till dawn But in my head the p...

From The Cloistered Heart

Canadian artist, Michael O'Brien Modern sculptures and paintings of St. Joseph, emphasize his strength and protective attitude for his young wife and vulnerable infant son. A model for modern dads. continue reading

from The Breadbox Letters

I'm working on a  new novel and I've struggled to understand the fundamental motivation of one of my own characters. I know what  he wants, but not why. I've had to 'interview' him virtually non-stop for over a week. While I walked, drove, cooked, stared into the computer…I've felt like shaking him, 'why? Why do you desire this goal? It's a crazy goal, but you desperately want it. Why?' You and I desire  many things; a healthy body, a successful novel, recognition in the workplace, a stable income, loving relationships. None of these are bad. Many of these God desires for us. Wisdom is knowing  that if our fundamental desire is for God, He knows best which of these desires He will satisfy. 'Seek first the kingdom of heaven, and all these will be given you.' Matthew 6:33

    Muy presente en el discurso del feminismo moderno que pretende lograr la equidad de género se encuentran el patriarcado y el machismo como fuentes   centrales de discriminación y violencia hacia la mujer .Muchas mujeres (y también hombres) sufren los efectos de estas actitudes deformadas que están muy enraizadas en varias culturas, sobre todo latinas. Pero ambas realidades han sido erróneamente contextualizadas por muchos años. El patriarcado no es una herencia religiosa, como se le cataloga, y el machismo no se centra solo en el dominio sobre la mujer y no solo lo ejercen los hombres.

Apostle Peter in Prison , Rembrandt, 1631 Gospel Luke 7:9:18-24 ( NRSV, Catholic Ed ,Can) Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. Sir Thomas More , Hans Holbein the Younger, 1527 On 12 June 2013 the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland

DO YOU HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH FORGIVENESS? HAS SOMEONE HURT YOU REALLY BADLY? AND THE MEMORY LINGERS ON? HAVE YOU TRULY FORGIVEN THEM? REALLY? CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

As the Morning Rising: In Memory of My Father : This year marks my father's tenth anniversary. Although he died in hospital it's not the picture of life ebbing away that rema...

A Christian is one who is invited… to join in the feast, to the joy of being saved, to the joy of being redeemed, to the joy of sharing life with Christ. This is a joy! You are called to a party!   Pope Francis  The Saints Were Not Miserable Even though some old Catholic icons and holy cards often depict saints and the Holy Family looking miserable, with tears streaming down their pale faces, the truth is the saints lived in God’s Presence and in His joy. Even when saints suffered, their suffering was lived out in, with and through Divine Love. St. Francis of Assisi, a famous joyful saint, wrote  “The Canticle of the Sun”  while almost completely blind, with a body ravaged by poverty and hard labour, bearing the stigmata. Look at our pope, whose namesake is Francis; his very countenance radiates kindness and joy even as he bears the burden of shepherding the world’s Catholics and a grueling schedule as the pontiff. Some traditional Catholics disapprove of our joyful pope

Jesus warned to not be like the scribes and Pharisees, “For they preach but they do not practice,” another way of looking at that, “ practice what you preach .”    Sadly, I can think of at least one (okay, who am I fooling really MANY more than one) example in our lives, either now or in the past, when this could be said about me. However, as I read these words, I thought of something I am far more often guilty of, “I practice but I do not preach,”  Instead of the ole'  do as I say, not as I do,  I have created my own version with  do as I do, not as I fail to say .  Which is fine, because as St. Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, "Pray the Gospel always, when necessary use words," but sometimes WORDS are necessary.  As this lifelong Catholic, who has just in the last 10 years begun truly practicing her faith, has learned; Catholicism is a very rich and beautiful faith about which most people know very little.  Those who have discovered it ought to be sharing i

I simply worshipped the heroes of ancient Greece when I was at school. I loved to hear stories about Troy and the heroes who fought there. I loved to read about the Persian wars and about the warriors who fought for freedom at Marathon, Salamis and Thermopylae. Most of all I worshipped Alexander the Great and marvelled at the mighty empire that he set up before he was even thirty. I couldn't help it if the hero I was introduced to in the religious class seemed to be rather weak compared with them. He didn't actually triumph over his enemies as my Greek heroes did, and there wasn't much in it for his followers either, unless you happen to like being thrown to the lions!  However, I had something of a conversion experience shortly before leaving school     that led me to join a prayer group run by the school’s spiritual director.        read on....

As the Morning Rising: Clonard Novena Mother of Perpetual Help 2016 : http://www.clonard.com/ The annual nine day novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help has started at Clonard Monastery. The first se...