Association Of Catholic Bloggers

    PLEASE CLICK HERE

    Christ and the Wise Virgins German Mediaeval Sculptor [ 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 25:1-13 ( English Standard Version Anglicised) Jesus told his disciples this parable: “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.   Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.   For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,   but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.   As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.   But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’   Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.   And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’   But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not b

I read about "loss of identity" and "information overload" the other day.... ..."Information overload" is well on its way to becoming a cliche. Or cliché, for folks who like their English with a dash of diacritics, and that's another topic. I keep seeing warnings against "information overload," the Internet's "hive mind," and suchlike threats. But I don't feel overloaded, informationally or otherwise, even after being online for hours. That gives me the task of deciding whether I react to "information overload" — and how I react, if I choose to do so. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  Some people are rule followers.   They have a mindset that works better in black and white spaces.   Gray is a challenge for them. In my younger days, I was educated and had experience in the legal field as a legal secretary.   Legal language is very precise and detailed.   I always felt those foundational skilled served me well in advocating for our son over the years. But, I have also found that if a legalistic mindset is adhered to too closely in ministry, it might not always be so good. I was reminded of all of this in today’s reading.   Paul is writing to the people of Philippi, giving his “autobiography.”   In his description of his past, he acknowledged that he was a Pharisee, observing the law.   He had a lot of zeal and persecuted the church “in righteousness based on the law I was blameless” he admitted. He goes on to say, however, that whatever gains he made from this were actually losses when it comes to being with Christ.   In fact, it was all “rubbish” he says

    PLEASE CLICK HERE

    PLEASE CLICK HERE

  For so many significant reasons, I will be glad when this election is over, but one reason that might seem trivial is quickly rising to the top of my list. I am so tired of the texts reminding me to vote.   I am especially frustrated that they keep calling me Linda.   “One more day, Linda!”   “Don’t forget to vote, Linda!” Who the heck is Linda? In addition to my “Linda” texts, our home phone, as is typical before a major election, keeps bringing in unwanted calls as well.   They are basically telephone commercials telling us who to vote for. I don’t typically like to tell people what to do (just kidding), but today (and yesterday) is too important to let slip by. We celebrated All Saints day yesterday, and today is All Souls Day.   Cutting straight through any confusion, let’s just say our work as part of the living communion of saints here on earth is to pray. Pray for those saints in your family, or maybe your friends, who have lived (and are living) holy lives.   Pr

This isn't the first time I've voted during a pandemic, but it's the first time I've had reason for extra caution. That's why I voted by mail this year. The election results will please or disappoint me. Or, more likely, do a bit of both. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

      Blanca nos invita hoy a estar pendientes de nuestros jóvenes que se están criando, con el encierrro de la pandemia COVID19, en las redes sociales. Además de socializar a través de estos grandes medios, pero que los exponen a peligros nuevos que pueden vulnerar su dignidad de personas.  Por: Blanca Ahumada Otero

("It's the best I could do on short notice." ("Cinderella's Halloween") ;) ) Halloween will be different this year. Mostly because we're still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. I don't know what it'll look like here in Sauk Centre. Safer Trick-or-Treating More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    PLEASE CLICK HERE

  Blessed Carlo Acutis 3 May 1991 - 12 October 2006 Beatified 10 October 2020 [ Wikipedia ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Matthew 5:1-12a ( English Standard Version Anglicised) Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness