Association Of Catholic Bloggers

Have you ever found yourself absorbing the negativity of the world around you so much that you started wondering, "Isn't there any good left, anywhere?" In today's episode of Cassidy Comments , I explore how we can keep balance in our lives so that we can enjoy an equal measure of joy and hope against such a backdrop. There are some concrete things we can do to stay focused on the light of the Resurrection on our path to eternal life.  Join me for a discussion on how to live this life with an eye toward our life beyond. This world is amazing, but something even greater is coming! Be sure to hop on over to janetcassidy.com to read my reflections and don't forget to subscribe & share with a friend! God bless, Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

I love Springtime, because it is a time for new beginnings. Blossoms pop up out of the ground, and leaves pop out on the trees, evidencing new life. This should give us all hope for better days ahead. Springtime is a season that comes around every year, but it is also a season of our lives. Hope in My Students My fondness for Springtime centers around my students; those graduating with undergraduate degrees. As an Adjunct Professor of Theology, it always gives me joy to see students graduate, filled with boundless energy to change the world with their newly earned degrees. As each student begins one of my classes, I meet with each of them, one-on-one. I want to know what it is that they want to do with their undergraduate Theology degree. If you could hear what I hear from them, you. too, would be filled with hope. Some students want to be priests or enter religious life. Others want to teach the faith in their parish. And still others want to take the route I took; to be an au

The following was first published in the Catholic Times, May 15, 2011 (without the prayer.) “In my name, have you named what you do?” This question from a song by David Kauffman (“I am a God Nearby”)   has been stuck in my head since I first heard it.   We do lots of things, but do we do what we do in the name of Jesus?   Must everything we do be in His name?   How would it change my behavior if I consciously acted in the name of Jesus all the time? Such an awareness would surely bring about a change in word and action.   You’re not going to swear if your conversation is in the name of Jesus.   You’re not going to gossip, lie, or covet in the name of Jesus.   Come to think of it, there simply isn’t any deceitful or sinful word or action that you can utter or participate in that you can do in the name of Jesus! Doing something in the name of Jesus forces us to consider the choices we make.   We naturally become a little more selective about what we choose to do.   Our

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, marking the first of six visitations to three children in Fatima, Portugal. On May 13,1917, Lucia dos Santos, and Francisco and Jacinta Marto were tending their sheep when Mary first appeared to them, asking them to come to that same place on the 13 th  of every month for the next few months. Our Lady of Fatima Calls Us to Pray the Rosary In her visitations, Our Lady asked them to pray the Rosary daily to obtain peace. This request was made at the time of the first World War. On her third visitation, Our Blessed Mother gave the children a prayer to recite. We now say this prayer at the end of each of the five decades of the Rosary: Oh, my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Heaven, especially those most in need of thy merc y. In her apparitions, Our Blessed Mother continuously requested prayers for the reparation of sinners. Many times, when we recite the Rosary, we do just that; we pray f

We took a short day trip back in time to The Walton's Museum in Schuyler, Virginia. It reminded me why I love the show so much. It's a reminder of simpler times, and of a television show that, for one brief shining moment, reminded America of what's important in life: faith and family. Take a walk with me through time... A Pilgrimage to Walton's Mountain on Writer Jeanne Grunert's blog.

If an angel came to you in the middle of the night and spoke these words:   “Go and take your place in the temple area, and tell the people everything about this life,” could you do it? (Acts 5:20)   Are you living “this life?” What would you “tell the people?” This happened to Peter and the other apostles of Jesus.   They were in jail and an angel opened the prison doors and, leading them out, gave them a job to do. After they were taken back to face the court officers because they were found teaching in the temple area just like they had been instructed to do by the angel, they were eventually flogged and released.   The Acts of the Apostles (Chapter 5, Verse 42) tells us that then, “all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.” You see, they just couldn’t stop themselves.   They had such an amazing person to tell the people about, a message that they had been living and suffering for

The Good Shepherd Early Italian Christian Sculptor  [ Web Gallery of Art ] WGA note on this sculpture :  The allegorical figure of the Good Shepherd was originally based on the pagan representation of a man bringing his offering to the altar but, by the 3rd century, had also come to represent the 'ram bearer' with its connotations of philanthropy and loving care. The latter image accorded well with the Christians’ understanding of a divine Shepherd who would lay down his life for his flock.  In a period of persecution, such images had the advantage of directly addressing the adherents of the Christian faith while not drawing attention to them, since the images were already popular with non-Christians [ emphasis  added]. Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  John   10:27-30 ( New Revised Standard Version,

Well, even in Kenosha, Wisconsin, they must be wearing summer clothes, by now. At least I hope everyone has tucked away the sweaters and brought out lighter clothing. With the warmer weather, here in North Carolina, I see lots of tank tops and short shorts. In my humble opinion, that’s okay if you’re running errands around town or attending a picnic. But, when I see such attire at Sunday Mass, well, I give a double-take. I try not to judge the person, but I must admit that I question the prudence of the choice of attire. Modesty seems to be lacking. When I see such skimpy attire at Mass, I wonder what the person thinks of God. Does she realize who she is coming to see? Does God’s opinion of her matter to her? Then, I wonder what the person thinks of herself. Does she feel the need to make a statement? “ Notice me, at all costs !” My mind then drifts to ponder if she dresses like that all the time. How much self-esteem does she lack? As you can see, how we present ourselves, in

Can you use a few words of comfort today, in this moment, for whatever situation is causing you frustration? In this edition of Cassidy Comments I share with you my personal, fast-acting prescription for those times when I find I just cannot fix whatever I am dealing with at the moment.  I hope you will find it useful for you as well. If you like these free podcasts, I invite you to subscribe and share them with a friend.  Also, for more of my reflections, join me at janetcassidy.com. Have a blessed day in God’s Word! Words of Comfort Podcast Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net

  por Lourdes de Domenzain

We have a long-honored tradition of dedicating May as a month to honor both Mary, our spiritual mother, and our earthly mothers. We set aside this time to specifically demonstrate our appreciation for motherly love. Whether our earthly mothers are alive or have passed on, we express our eternal gratitude for their unconditional, self-giving love. My mom passed away 19 years ago. Yet, to this day, I express gratitude for all the sacrifices that my mom undertook for me.  Together, with my dad, my parents sacrificed a lot to ensure that I received the best chance at life. The same can be said for Mary, our spiritual mother. She sacrificed her own Son, watching Him die on the Cross, so that we might have eternal life. Ways to Express Gratitude for Motherly Love As we move through this month of May, how might you express your gratitude for the motherly love of both Mary and your earthly mother? Here are a few suggestions: Read more...

The Gospel of John   (2003) Directed by Philip Saville Narrator: Christopher Plummer [Today's Gospel ends at 5:00] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   John   21:1-19 [or 21:1-14]( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way.  Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples.  Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, ‘