Association Of Catholic Bloggers

This summer the best vacation you take might well be with Fr. Driscoll's time-traveling priest!   Fr. Mike Driscoll is best known for his non-fiction work Demons, Deliverance and Discernment (published by Catholic Answers) but whose passion for the supernatural is found in his fiction book The Father Capranica Mysteries: Stories of the Strange and Supernatural .   Called by Catholic Library World as "well-written and compelling," The Father Capranica Mysteries  is excellent summer reading with each short story an entry into the strange and supernatural!        

The World kept turning, even though the internet provider was down from 10:30 AM to 5:45 PM! This was a life changing day. I stewed and fussed. I called the company twice wondering how much longer it would be before we’d restored. No internet. What a day! There was no internet, but there was God. He was there, but I forgot about Him. Prayer? I didn’t pray. There was no internet! I stewed and fussed. I had no patience. Where was my internet, not where was my God? Read More at Prayerfully Yours

My brother-in-law passed away on June 27--at home, peacefully, with his wife and two other loved ones by his side and the local parish priest (who'd just administered Last Rites) singing softly in his ear.  He had recently converted to Catholicism and received First Holy Communion just before the cancer that had ravaged his body made it impossible for him to swallow solid food. Shortly before he left this world, I wrote about how he was teaching all of us how to face death with courage, grace, and true dignity.  If you'd like to read that full String of Pearls post, click here .

One million Christians will March on the Mall in Washington, D.C. on July 16, 2016. Please support Christians in this effort. The Christian persecution was it's deadliest in 2015 in the history of Christianity. I composed this and recorded this song twenty years ago for the March for Life. But, it's relevance for the March for Christ on Washington, D.C. is great! I dedicate this video and song to the cause of Together 2016 and the million Christians who will take Couraage and take a stand for Christ! In loving memory of the 7,000 Christians who died for the faith of Christ Information on the historic event in Washington D'C. : Together 2016 /Reset 2016

As the Morning Rising: God Loves Me : This is true for me. I hope it is true for you. I am not afraid to talk to God, day or night. I believe He is pre...

I noticed a profound difference in myself since venerating the relics of Saint Maria Goretti last October (2015). Her relics visited my parish in Charlotte, NC as part of a national tour. As part of the veneration process, I took the time to learn more about this saint, of whose Feast Day we celebrate today. She is the saint associated with the virtues of forgiveness and mercy . As a result of my visit with her relics, Saint Maria Goretti left a lasting impact on me. Since last October, I seem to more easily identify my sins of omission; for example, when I fail to put God first in my life; or when I fail to... Read more...  

I came across the Stations of the Cross at  Presence Resurrection Retirement Community  quite by accident one Sunday morning.  My husband is the choir director for the 9 AM Mass.  Though I had attended with him several times, I never knew about the beautiful garden and Stations. You can read the rest of the article and view the photo gallery at Being Catholic ... Really .

Light always Dispels Darkness Darkness is simply Absence of Light. I cling to the words of St. Francis of Assisi, ” Äll the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” continue reading 

As the Morning Rising: Biblical Characters : Famine Memorial Custom House Quay Dublin If you really feel a burning desire to encounter Jesus but are unsure as to how to go about ...

As the Morning Rising: Outsiders Looking In : Outsiders looking in Moving - not on, not away,   But deeper into that   Which totally embraces and sustains.

This year, I looked forward to July 2nd, the Saturday before the 4th of July, America's Independence Day. As a child growing up not far from West Point, I played hide and seek with the Army helicopters as they flew overhead close enough for us to see the boots on the men's feet as they occasionally dangled from the open side panel. Our windows rattled each time the cannons saluted, and we cheered along with the distant crowds when Army scored. We even did our best to hide our conflicted emotions when Army scored against my Grandfather's beloved Navy. Grandpa is a retired Lieutenant Commander, a WWII Navy pilot who flew over Japan and who absolutely loves West Point.  Celebrating July 4th at West Point: Please join me at Single Mom Smiling to find out more about celebrating Independence Day at West Point. As always, thank you for sharing, commenting, liking, and following. Happy Independence Day.  God Bless America  & God Bless Each of You too.

In the United States, when we pledge allegiance to our country, we declare, one nation, under God. In your mind, does that statement depict how we are behaving these days as citizens of the United States? My answer would be no. I see a divided nation, not a united nation. I see individualism as the root cause for our division. As Americans we all want the same things: peace, prosperity, with liberty and justice for all – don’t we? Hmm… maybe we need to have a collective definition of these terms, rather than individualistic definitions. It seems that my definition of “peace, prosperity, with liberty and justice for all” may be different than yours, and therein lies the problem. Peace is more than a lack of war time. Peace is... Read more...

Ya próxima la proclamación de Juan Pablo II como santo de la Iglesia Católica, ha llevado a muchos a recordar lo que este Papa dejo a millones de personas a lo largo y ancho del planeta. Con una personalidad de comunicador nato y una energía que lo impulso a recorrer el mundo para llevar el mensaje de Cristo, tuvo la gracia de hacer sentir a cada individuo el Amor personal de Dios. Fiel a las enseñanzas de Jesús y de su Iglesia,   Juan Pablo II dedico muchos de sus escritos, sermones, esfuerzos y preocupaciones a temas clave del siglo XX. Contrario a lo que muchos pueden pensar sobre la postura misógina de la Iglesia Católica, uno de los temas recurrentes en su Pontificado fue la mujer. Y esto lo podemos ver concentrado en uno de sus documentos que sigue siendo actual: Mulliréis Dignitatem Esta Carta Apostólica principia recogiendo los esfuerzos de la Iglesia desde tiempos Conciliares, y aun anteriores, por abordar el tema de la dignidad de la mujer , siempre subrayando la import

In 1986 the Sea of Galilee receded during a drought exposing an ancient fishing boat, 27 feet long by 7.5 feet wide. It was taken to a nearby kibbutz where it was carbon dated. As it was proved to be approximately two thousand years old and designed to carry between 12 and 15 fishermen, the locals called it the ' Jesus boat '. When a group of tourists were being shown the boat, a young man asked if he could touch it. The archaeologists on duty explained that it was not permitted. However, when he admitted that he had touched the boat himself in the course of his work, the young man immediately touched him, and his fellow pilgrims followed suit. It all happened so naturally, so spontaneously that it demonstrated a deep belief that something precious can be communicated by touch. It is a conviction that is at the heart of the gospel story, which begins with a very special touch. It is the touch of God. When the  'finger of God's right hand'  touched the Virgin

Most people don't realize who they're quoting when they speak of catching more flies with honey than with vinegar.  I was well into adulthood when I learned that this bit of wisdom had come from one of my favorite saints.  "You can catch more flies with a spoonful of honey than with ten barrels of vinegar." (St. Francis de Sales) I often think of this in connection with another quote from this Doctor of the Church. "It is an act of of charity to cry out against the wolf when he is among the sheep"  (St. Francis de Sales)  These two thoughts may not appear to have much to do with one another.  But in my mind, they work together.  In fact, I often strive to "navigate between them," as one might drive between two lines painted on a highway to keep vehicles moving safely.... (continue...)

As the Morning Rising: Beautiful Gate : Mass rock at Craigagh Wood Cushendun Beautiful Gate How is it, I ask myself That with all our sophistication We can still b...

PLEASE CLICK HERE

Madonna and Child , Pompeo Batoni, c.1742 Galleria Borghese, Rome   For thus says the   Lord : I will extend prosperity to her like a river,      and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing stream; and you shall nurse and be carried on her arm,      and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child,      so I will comfort you;      you shall be comforted in Jerusalem ( Isaiah 66:12-13 ). From today’s First Reading. Gospel   Luke 10:1-12, 17-20  ( NRSV, Cath olic Ed,) After this the Lord appointed seventy   others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go.   He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.     Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.   Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals; and greet no one on the road.   Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peac

From The Breadbox Letters

Perhaps there was a bit of heaven on earth on our hobby farm because natural enemies became friends. I like to think that the Holy Spirit flowed from our hearts into the land and swirled around, soaking into and transforming our animals’ personalities. The signs the kingdom of God has arrived:   The wolf also  shall  dwell with the  lamb , and the leopard  shall lie down  with the kid; and the calf and the young  lion  and the fatling together; and a little child shall  lead them.- Isaiah 11:6 On our little farm: The cat shall nurse the bunnies. The goat shall weed the garden. The horse shall dine in the kitchen.               continue reading 

With excitement, I share some great news with all of you! Please celebrate with me! Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity – Finding Patience , received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval. The Guild awards this honor to literature that embodies and reinforces teachings of the Catholic Church. The Guild’s Seal of Approval provides retailers, and the public, with assurance that what they purchase contains quality. Seal of Approval books are known for their Catholicity and editorial quality. Each submission goes through much scrutiny. The Guild prides itself in only recommending those books that positively add to the spiritual life of the reader, in accordance with Catholic teaching. Therefore, I am humbled and honored that Adventures of Faith, Hope, and Charity: Finding Patience now counts among what the Guild considers quality, Catholic literature. FREE Giveaway – Kindle Version   Read more...

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (formerly considered a day to honor all twelve apostles). We honor Saint Peter, the first Pope, and Apostle to Jesus, as well as Saint Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Saint Peter It was to Saint Peter that Jesus declared that whatever Peter and the Apostles determined to be bound on earth would be bound in Heaven, and whatever is loosed on earth would be loose in Heaven (Matt 16:19); and with that Jesus bestowed upon Peter, as the first Pope, the keys to Heaven. Peter came from humble beginnings and grew to become a fisherman, until that day when he met Jesus, and after that became a “fisher of men.” With a simple style of humble means, Peter grew in courage and perseverance, wisdom and understanding to become the first leader of the Church as Christ’s successor, and to this day, through apostolic succession, the line of leadership as Peter’s successor remains unbroken. Saint Paul It was to Saint Paul that Jesus pai

At first glance St. Paul’s exhortation to pray always (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18) seems to be a mistranslation. Maybe what he really said was, “Pray a lot.” Praying ALWAYS is a mental impossibility. When I’m writing a book, for instance, my mind is 100% focused on the ideas I’m typing, not on God. The only way I can think of to pray always is to make all our daily activities a kind of prayer-in-action by consecrating our day to God by praying the Morning Offering. We can, however, weave thoughts and words to God throughout the day in various ways. Click to continue

As the Morning Rising: The Way : If someone should spit in your face, hold back, walk away, and go to the Cross. If someone by their words places you on a ped...

The Ukrainian Madonna  by Vladimir Lemzyakov, 1966 Catholic Church of St Edmund in Bury  I am highlighting a handful of Marian icons, statues, and painting from over 7,992 images of the Madonna on my Mary Pinterest Board which either appeal to me or are of historical significance. I have barely scraped the surface of the vast collection of paintings of our Mother. To see more images you can visit  my   blog or   Mary Pinterest Board

Hey everyone I am hosting an event on August 12, 13, and 14 at the River Walk in Penns Grove, NJ! We are raising money for the National MS Society. Since I have changed my way of living and have begun my walk with Christ, charity has become a huge part of my life!!!   If you are interested in participating in any of the following please feel free to contact me! And stayed tuned because I will be posting some awesome coupons for the event!!! VENDORS WANTED  ! We are looking for vendors for the River Walk Junction Event located in Penns Grove NJ at the river walk, August 12th (7pm-11pm), 13th(11am-11pm), and 14th(11am-7pm). A one day fee for vendors is $35 for a small table, and $65 for a large or $95 for three days of vending for a small table and $180 for 3 days with a large. Tables are not provided small table would be a small card table and a large would be a long folding table. You may contact Bella if you have any questions. Fees are not collected until Friday afternoon on si

Disappointments come our way from time to time. It’s how we handle those disappointments that matter. For example, I recently learned that a big-time Catholic catalogue would not carry my book, Adventures of Faith, Hope and Charity: Finding Patience , simply because I self-published the book. It didn’t matter to them that the book was named a 2016 National Indie Excellence Award Finalist. In fact, they commented that they thought it was a really good book. They just don’t like dealing with my printing company. For that reason alone, they were declining to carry the book in their catalogue. My immediate reaction: Major disappointment! Handling Disappointments Appropriately With every disappointment there are lessons to learn; lessons that can shape your future for the better. Let’s face it: no one ever learns anything from success. They learn from failure. So, what am I going to do about this disappointment? Read more...

As the Morning Rising: Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help : NOVENA PRAYER Mother of Perpetual Help, with the greatest confidence we come before your holy picture to be inspired by the example of...

  Hace tiempo, el Pleno de las Naciones Unidas en la apertura de su “Cumbre Mundial para la Agenda 2030 Para el Desarrollo Sostenible”, recibió la visita de un visitante muy esperado: el Papa Francisco, que en su pequeño carro llegó a las instalaciones de esta importante sede de encuentro de los países del mundo. En medio del entusiasmo de los presentes, el Papa reconoció, antes de tratar otros temas, las grandes acciones que este organismo ha realizado a lo largo de sus 70 años de labor. El corazón de su mensaje fue una invitación a que todos, representantes de las naciones y hombres y mujeres de a pie, a abrir sus corazones y mentes para reconocer al prójimo en el otro. Ya sea en el diario vivir de cada persona o en la toma de las grandes políticas de esta noble institución, subrayó la necesaria conciencia de que los que se verán beneficiados o afectados son seres humanos con alegrías y tristezas y no solo números y estadísticas.

  from The Cloistered Heart