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Looking for something uplifting to do this Lent that increases your own spiritual awareness? Look no further than the Spiritual Works of Mercy. Spiritual Works of Mercy Counseling the Doubtful : Encourage someone who is struggling with their faith to speak with your parish priest, where they can receive the answers needed to grow in faith. Instructing the Ignorant : Volunteer and participate in faith formation groups in your parish. Becoming a Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) sponsor is a great place to start. At this time of crisis, look for ways to communicate virtually (by phone, Skype, or Google Hangout, to name just a few ways). Admonishing the Sinner : Without judging, help others find their way to correct their mistakes. Start by learning what the Church teaches on the topic in question. You can learn more at... Read more...

Rutledge Falls, Manchester, TN Finding Peace and Hope This weekend, Stephen and I took a hike to Rutledge Falls. With the torrential downpour we had the days and nights leading up to it, it was in peak form. In a hectic time, I felt the whispers of peace and the rush of sanity while out in nature. Here are some thoughts which began to form in my mind over the quietness of the weekend. During this time of trial and pandemonium, are you keeping your children safe? Are you keeping loved ones and the elderly safe in the wake of the pandemic? Are you doing your part, by not being too dismissive about the current Coronavirus scare and lockdown? On a spiritual level, do you have peace? Do you feel paralyzed by fear and anxiety during this time because of what you are hearing on the news or from those close to you? Is God truly with you and with us during this time? Remember that not only is God with you, but he has many promises for you.  “The least of these

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(My desk: clutter/knickknacks/curios and all.) The COVID-19 pandemic didn't affect my weekly routine until last Tuesday. That's when Bishop Kettler announced that public Masses in the diocese are suspended until April 13. The St. Faustina Adoration chapel here in Sauk Centre closed the next day. The good news there is that our Perpetual Adoration schedule hasn't changed. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

No hay duda que Dios inspira las ideas mas originales en sus apóstoles. Entre más desafiante la dificultad, más original la solución. Así sucede cuando estamos a Su escucha en la oración y por el Espiritu Santo y pendientes de las necesidades de los que nos rodean. Hoy, esta imágen nos motiva a interiorizar:  ¿Señor, qué puedo hacer HOY yo por Tí y por mis hermanos ? y puede ser desde quedarnos reguardando nuestros hogares y nuestros hijos, aumentar la fe de nuestra familia al ver su mano protectora y sabia en estos eventos, hasta salir a la ayuda de los que lo necesitan, tomando las precauciones debidas. Lean la historia completa del sacerdote que ofrece, en esta época de Cuaresma, confesion DRIVE THRU, en servico de paso con automóvil.... leer historia completa... video https://www.wctv.tv/content/news/Maryland-priest-opens-drive-thru-confessional-during-pandemic-568928341.html

I tend to be a bit of a news junky, but in times like these I really have to protect myself from being overly saturated with information and limit my intake. I really don’t have any interest when interviews move from providing me new information to an attempt to pry guests for opinions that slander other people.   It really doesn’t fool any of us. What I get thrilled about, though, is when guests keep their decency and professionalism and ignore the bait. I saw this recently, and the probing questions were so transparent, it was really sad. Of course, we all over-inquire, to some extent.   Even in our daily lives, if we are honest. Over the years I discovered that the agenda behind my own probing questions was not hidden at all.   Whether it was wanting to know what the kids were up to, or whether it was just curiosity, I found that my questions usually didn’t produce the desired result, regardless. Unless a parent has a highly intuitive radar picking up s

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRAY ANY MORE! HELP HERE

In the craziness that is happening around us, I have a heightened awareness of the poor.   We may feel anxious because we do not have particular items that we are used to having, but what if this were your feeling every day? What if you normally could not afford toilet paper? There are many people—and the number will surely grow now that places are starting to close down—who will be out of work.   They still have to make their rent payment, though, and diaper their children and buy food. What if you started this crisis already food insecure and unemployed? And the separation of families, especially those in nursing homes and group homes, is unbelievably painful. With our library shutting down, numerous people who are in school will no longer be able to use their free services, like computers, internet service and so forth. Small businesses will especially take the brunt of this.   If they are unable to sustain their losses, they may be unable to regroup an

Catholic churches in the St. Cloud diocese aren't shutting down. Pastoral care will continue. But today our bishop announced that public Masses won't happen in the diocese until after April 13.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Note: The suggestions in this post, on the Corporal Works of Mercy, may need to be modified, given the conditions that we now live under because of the coronavirus. Stay safe, one and all. ******** If giving up chocolate, or wine/beer, was not your thing for Lent, and you want to do something meaningful, then try one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the Hungry/Give Drink to the Thirsty : Consider donating your time to work at a homeless shelter, feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty. Or, donate money to your local food bank. Clothe the Naked : Consider giving away unwanted clothing to Goodwill or some other charity. Shelter the Homeless : Volunteer your services at Catholic Charities to assist the homeless in getting back on their feet. Or, donate money, food, and/or clothing to your nearest homeless shelter. Visit the Sick : Know someone who is ill? Take a home-cooked meal to them and spend a few minutes with them. Perhaps they c

Healing of the Blind Man (scene 7) Duccio di Buoninsegna [ 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) For the shorter form of the Gospel omit the passages [in square brackets]. Gospel   John 9:1-41  [9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38]   ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada) As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.  [His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’]  When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and sp