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In today’s gospel from Luke, Chapter 1, we hear four life-giving words from the Angel Gabriel.   Words that we can cling to. Gabriel is very busy in the readings this week.   In today’s reading he tells Zechariah that he and his wife Elizabeth are going to have a baby in their old age. As you might expect, this is quite surprising to Zechariah, but even more surprising is what happens to Zechariah after he gets the news! In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word you can find some encouragement from the angel that will help you in your own life. Take his four words to heart. I encourage you not to be distracted this week by all of the shopping and the never-ending list of things you have to do.   Take today’s episode as a way to re-focus on the big event coming our way! Please share this with a friend who might be feeling burned out trying to prepare for Christmas.   These readings are a great little retreat for us. I hope you have a blessed day in God’s Wo

Ella’s Promise , by Ellen Gable, is the third in a series of romance novels set during World War I, in France. In this third book, Ella Neumann volunteers as a surgical nurse in war-torn France, only to quickly learn that her surgical nursing skills are unwanted. It seems that because she comes from German heritage, discrimination prevents her from making the most of her skills. Albeit, that Ella is American, her supervisor does not trust her, as Ella is fluent in both German and English. Instead, Ella’s supervisor assigns her to work in the Prisoner of War ward. It is here that Ella meets undercover agent Garrett Smith, a Canadian spy for the allies. Will Ella ever get to use her surgical skills in the operating theater? Will Garrett’s cover be protected? Or will he suffer the tragedies of war? Will the ignited spark of love, lit in the Prisoner of War ward, lead to something lasting? Or will the flame die out like everything else in this blasted war? To get the answers to these

Joseph had to listen carefully to the angel in his dream as Mary was betrothed to him and it was discovered that she was pregnant! What was Joseph to do? I’ll go over this passage today in the latest episode of Opening God’s Word and talk about Joseph’s response to Mary’s pregnancy. As we move through this 3 rd week of Advent, I hope you are paying very close attention and anticipating the miraculous event coming next week – the birth of Christ! Don’t let yourself be distracted!   Don’t let these days of Advent distract you from what is most important – the coming of the Savior of the World! I hope you will share this podcast with a friend or family member who needs a bit of encouragement.   Many people get very disheartened during these last few days before Christmas as it is so easy to take our eyes off Christ.   I hope you enjoy these remaining days of Advent! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blogspot.com janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email:   johnseven38@y

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The last straw was when I pulled out my Advent candles and found the rose candle chewed around the edges. Despite living with not one but seven cats, a fat mouse had taken up residence in the hall closet and apparently had dined on my Gaudete candle. I was left with a tarnished, warped Advent wreath, a broken purple candle, another candle burned to a nub, and a chewed "rejoice" rose candle. Isn't that just like my spiritual life? Read on.... An Advent Just Like Me

In today’s episode of Opening God’s Word we’re talking about lists! Opening to that first chapter of Matthew we find “The Genealogy of Jesus.” For many of us this might simply look like a list of names of unknown people, but that is not how it would have been initially received. Let’s talk about the significance of this list and make a relatable list of our own family history. I hope you are having a wonderful Advent and that you have been opening your mind and heart to the wonders of this season. It’s not too late to increase your prayer life and improve your practices as we move through these final days before the coming of Jesus. Have a blessed day in God’s Word. Janet Cassidy Blog: janetcassidy.blogspot.com Podcasts: janetcassidy.blubrry.net Email: johnseven38@yahoo.com

To my friends who say, "I've never listened to a podcast before, how do I do it?" I want to offer a quick, easy response: My podcasts can be found at janetcassidy.blubrry.net .  Just click on the purple highlight and it will take you right to the site where you can listen. You can listen on your phone or any device. There are lots of other ways to get there as well--you can get there through my blog (look in the upper, right-hand corner), or through any of the popular streaming avenues like Spotify, Apple podcasts, Stitcher, Android and others. They are all listed at the blubrry.net site.  And don't forget to subscribe! Finally, occasionally I record a podcast called CassidyComments.  These are just longer, topical podcasts, but both my daily scripture reflections (Opening God's Word-OGW) and my CassidyComments (CC) can be found on the same blubrry site.  My podcasts are short (3-5 minutes) so they will only take up a little bit of

You know the saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Perhaps what you did not know was that this adage comes from Scripture. Saint Paul made this comment while giving a farewell speech to the people of Miletus. He instructed them on the importance of helping the weak. For, it is through the goodness of charity, that we make life more bearable for others. In return, we experience inner peace and joy because of the goodness of our actions. How to Embrace the Goodness of Charity Christmas is a wonderful time to step outside of our comfort zones and pay heed to the less fortunate; to make their lives more bearable; to strengthen the weak. Here are some ways in which you can bring the goodness of charity to others: Read more...

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(St. Paul’s Church and its new addition. The St. Faustina Adoration Chapel is to your left.) I thought this was going to be a short and simple look at my parish's polka Mass and the Adoration Chapel in St. Paul's parish. Then I wondered when and where the first polka Mass was. That reminded me of my salad days, ancient philosophers, a Chinese emperor and liturgical dance. Which brought me back to the Eucharist and adoration.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

On December 9th I posted My Yes to God! episode of Opening God's Word and asked if you would post a comment about a time when you said Yes! to God. Thank you to Dehaana for sharing your Yes! in committing to the Walking with Purpose bible study! It is so uplifting to hear how other people have said--or are struggling to say--Yes to God! Please drop a comment here on this blog so we can all be inspired by your Yes! Janet Cassidy janetcassidy.blubrry.net janetcassidy.blogspot.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To my friends who have lost a parent in adulthood, I apologize.   I am sorry for not being there for you, for not realizing the hole that was left in your life.   I apologize for not being cognizant of how everything shifted and the sadness losing your loved one surely brought. I could not have known, not really, until it happened to me.   Losing a parent in adulthood, especially leaves one feeling incomplete.   It is not that it is overwhelming on a daily basis, but the fact is, we are forever altered.   Death changes us. I wish I could say I have found the secret to moving forward, but I have not.   The only thing I can say for sure from everything I have read and experienced is that it is best not to suppress whatever feelings or emotions rise up.    Are you feeling angry? Anxious? Do you need to cry?   Rather than denying those feelings or trying to put them in a box, acknowledge them for what they are, part of the process of grief.   It helps me to do a self-check to se

Durante las últimas décadas se ha tildado a la Iglesia Católica de homófoba por desencarar el riesgo en que se encuentra esta población, medica y emocionalmente. Nada más lejano de la realidad, al ser de las pocas instituciones que ha tendido la mano a los homosexuales enfermos, cuando nadie quería ni siquiera tocarlos y lanzarse hasta los lugares más remotos de la tierra para servirlos. (1) Del mismo modo, la Iglesia Católica en Mexico es cercana a los enfermos de SIDA a los cuales atiende aun antes que el sistema de salud lo hiciera e inclusive antes de que se reconociera la existencia de la enfermedad en nuestro país en 1985.  leer más...  

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St John the Baptist in the Prison Juan Fernández de Navarrete   [ 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   Matthew 11:2-11 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples  and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.  And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?  What then did you go out