Association Of Catholic Bloggers

One of my original compositions, digitally enhanced photo - "Fall Leaves" Gossip . It's everywhere, on the news, television, everywhere. I rarely give it a second thought. Until this weekend, when it hit me how gossip about a friend could have seriously hurt his family, his faith life, and his career if I had given in to the temptation to gossip. A friend was accused of the vague term "abuse" and removed from his position at a Catholic school as well as from parish duties. The pastor's letter read from the altar after Mass, was so unexpected I gasped at the news. I thirsted for the truth - but was I really yearning to know the truth, or simply find reassurance that no, this good person couldn't be tempted? Because if I did find out that this good person had been tempted, then it meant that I too, could be tempted...maybe not in the same way, but no one is immune... I squirmed. I did not want that reminder. Gossip. It's never really ab

The leftover turkey and fixings are still in the fridge. Yet, I have to ask. Have you got your Christmas shopping done yet? You know, you only have 29 days until Christmas! And the race is on… This year we have the longest possible timeline to prepare for Christmas with Thanksgiving falling on November 22 nd . What will we do with all that extra time? Rather than four weekends to shop for presents, we have five weekends this year. Bonus! Are You a Tortoise or a Hare? Do you see yourself as the tortoise or the hare in this year’s race to get everything done before Christmas day? If you are the tortoise, you patiently pace yourself, making a point not to lose the essence for the real reason for the season. You want to savor each moment; even finding some time to embrace the spiritual side of the holiday season. Perhaps you might attend an Advent mission at your Church or read a good book about the season of Advent. Then, maybe you are more like the hare, rushing to scratch off

Are you good at forgiving? On a scale of 1 to 10 how do you score? You may think you're good at forgiving; but is this so? Really? Are you sure? CHECK HERE

What will you say to St Peter when you meet him? What will he say to you? FIND OUT - CLICK HERE

From  The Gospel ofJohn  (2003)  Directed by Philip Saville.  [John 18:33-37, today's Gospel] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  John 18:33b-18 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition)      Pilate asked Jesus, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’  Jesus answered, ‘Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?’  Pilate replied, ‘I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?’  Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’  Pilate asked him, ‘So you are a king?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the worl

A THANKSGIVING MESSAGE CLICK HERE

Por Lourdes de Domenzain

On this day before Thanksgiving, I would like to wish you, and yours, a very Happy Thanksgiving. At this time of year, we take some time to count our blessings and show our appreciation for loved ones, near and far. Giving thanks to God for all His bountiful blessings is the right thing to do. Yet, we should not reserve giving thanks to one day out of the year. Giving Thanks in Your Morning Offering God is gracious to us every day. Every morning, as we wake, the first thing we should do is give thanks for this day. You can make it part of your morning offering to God. What is a morning offering you might ask? I use the acronym ACTS to describe a morning offering. A stands for  Adoration . A simple prayer will do:  I adore you, Oh Lord . C stands for  Contrition . An  Act of Contrition  will do nicely. T stands for  Thanksgiving . This is where you count your blessings, giving thanks to God for His goodness. S stands for... Read more...

Our Blessed Mother is an ideal companion as we live through the days of Advent, which this year begins Sunday, December 2. For four weeks we wait for her Son, but Mary waited for nine months! Imagine what that time must have been like for her. She had never been a mother before, and hers was an unplanned pregnancy. More startling was the fact that her child would be the Son of God. The day of her birth announcement, Mary must have been stunned and maybe wondered if she hadn't imagined or dreamed the conversation with the angel. She waited. But then her body told her without a doubt that she was pregnant. Perhaps she worried about the impact this news would have on her parents, the food for gossip it would provide for neighbors, and, most heartbreaking, how her beloved Joseph would react. In addition, she also knew full well that the punishment for pregnancy outside of marriage was death by stoning. She waited for Joseph's decision: would he divorce her or not? When an angel e

In today’s Gospel, we hear from the blind beggar, who begs Jesus to hear his plea. Jesus asks in response: What do you want me to do for you?  (Luke 18:41) The beggar asks Jesus to cure him of his blindness. Jesus responds, “ have sight; your faith has saved you ” (Luke 18:42). So, the blind man now sees, and he sees through the eyes of faith. It is because of the man’s faith that he not only sees physically, but he also comes to understand spiritually that Jesus is Our Savior and Redeemer. Jesus Asks You This Question, Too! This is a hefty question to consider. If Jesus sat across from you today, and asked you the same question, how would you respond? Would you ask for money, power and/or fame? Would you want Him to solve your transient problems of the day? Perhaps you would ask for a physical cure of your own illness. Or maybe you would seek understanding, wisdom and knowledge of God. Whatever your need, God is ready to listen. However, I think... read more...

 FOR WHAT IS TRUST? TO FIND OUT CLICK HERE

Since the age of eight my closest friend was, what  later  came to be called 'gay', although the word did not exist in those days. All I knew was that he was, and always has been my best friend, not least because we were complimentary to each other, but most of all because he would never let me down. Vincent was a brilliant pianist and had most of the classical repertoire in his head when I couldn't read or  write with any proficiency. By the time I could he had a degree in English from Cambridge and became a lecturer for the rest of his life. He hated sports of all kinds and I was good at almost all of them. When I was in dire straits and in danger of being left homeless it was Vincent who offered me a home. At his funeral I cried for the first time in living memory.           read on.......

FAITH IS NOT ENOUGH. SO, WHAT IS MISSING? GOOD WORKS? LOVE? SACRIFICE? SOMETHING ELSE? TO FIND THE ANSWER CLICK HERE

We all know the quote from St. Paul which assures us that everything works out for the good for those who trust in God. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  (Romans 8:28) Well, our family has seen this truth dramatized over and over again. My sixth child discovered she had gestational diabetes. (This disappears immediately after you give birth.) After living on a strict cleansing diet for six months to try to cure her migraines before pregnancy, she was devastated but resigned to another two months of eliminating anything that tastes good from her diet, constantly eating small measured meals, and jabbing herself with a needle twice a day to test her blood sugar. Gestational Diabetes Worked Out for the Good continue reading

The Adoration of the Name of Jesus , El Greco  [ 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   Mark 13:24-32 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition)      Jesus said to his disciples:   ‘But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened,      and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven,      and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory.   Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. ‘From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see these things taking place,

In today’s Gospel, we hear the parable of the ten lepers. Of the ten, only one Samaritan leper came back to thank Jesus for curing him. Jesus’ response was rather frank, and in the form of a series of questions: Ten were cleansed, were they not?   Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God? (Luke 17:17-18) So, I’ll get right to the point, on this post. Are you more like the nine who failed to return to give thanks? Or, are you more like the one Samaritan leper because you thank Jesus routinely for His blessings? Maybe, you are somewhere along the spectrum between these two extremes. Thank Jesus Today Everything good that we have comes from God; from the... Read more...

At dinner the other night an elderly friend I'll call Lucy told us a touching story. A few years ago on her anniversary, she was sorely missing her deceased husband. She lived alone, and there was no one to share her sadness and console her. She figured that her children would not remember this date that was so special to her. Lucy thought, If only I could get a hug. She sent a mental note to her angel: "Please send someone to give me a hug." Then she remembered that when she went shopping, she usually met someone she knew. Surely that day she would find a friend and be able to share the news that it was her anniversary. Click to continue

Fr  Seán F. Doherty 22 March 1935 - 21 October 2018 Fr Seán F. Doherty was born on 22 March 1935 in Knockagulla, Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland. He was educated at Rathbane National School, Lisdoonvarna, and St Mary’s College, Galway. He entered St Columban’s, Dalgan Park, Navan, in September 1953 and  was ordained priest on 21 December 1959. Lisdoonvarna Main Street   [ Wikipedia ] Father Seán was assigned to Korea and after initial language studies he served as assistant on Heuksando (Heuksan Island), then in Jang Seung and later in Muan - all in the southern Diocese of Kwangju. On returning to Korea after his first home visit to Ireland in 1967, he served as pastor in Shin Chang, on Cheju Island, and later in Tjang Heung in Chollanamdo Province. Heuksando, Korea   [ Wikipedia ] In May 1971 he returned to Ireland. Over the next four years he did supply work in a variety of locations: in Glengormley Parish, Belfast in the Diocese of Down and Conn

It’s that time of year, when the leaves fall from the trees, signaling winter is on the way. The smell of pumpkin pies waft through the air. The flag football game ends with a round of beers and good cheer. It’s also the time of year that we tend to open our hearts and our pocketbooks and look to ease the strain of those less fortunate. We enter the season of compassion. The holidays can be a difficult time for some people; especially if someone we love has recently passed away. Or, perhaps someone we love has lost a job. Loss and holiday cheer are at opposite ends of the celebration spectrum. Enter the Season of Compassion Those of us with much are called to give to those with little. Might you have an extra seat around your dinner table, at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas? If so, invite a family member, or friend, who is going through a tough time. Let them know you love them. Show compassion. Might you have a few extra dollars in your wallet to purchase some food for your

SPEAKING IN TONGUES. WHAT IS IT? IS IT GENUINE? OR FAKE? PLEASE SHARE YOUR VIEWS. YOUR OPINION IS IMPORTANT  SO THAT WE MAY LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. CLICK HERE