Association Of Catholic Bloggers

    I was reading a reflection by Father Patrick Butler, L.C. on the Laudate App. about Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Have you ever been at a family reunion where the elders attending were given a "pride of place"?  You know what I'm talking about.  Everyone moves in their direction to talk to them, recognizing there is something special in their presence.  They are cherished not only because they are the last surviving members of the original cast, but we know instinctively that much of our history lies within them.  They have cared for the family and looked after all of us for years.  They are the glue that has held us together during difficult, painful times and they have lovingly nurtured each of us into adulthood. At our family reunions, that has always been the case, but this year it will be different because the last of our "elders" has passed away.  We hope that we can hold together because of what they gave us and the memories we share. I was think

This week hasn't been a good time for India. Statistics say Tuesday was their worst day yet for COVID-19 pandemic deaths. It's also when the worst cyclone of recorded so far hit India's west coast. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

I went to the local hospital this morning, got a sheaf of paper and a 3x5 card, had a short chat and followed green arrows to the elevator. I've walked down that corridor a fair number of times, and have even been in the elevator. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

    Pentecost El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] All [the apostles]  with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers . . .  When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.   (Acts 1:14; 2:1). Pentecost Sunday,  at the Vigil Mass  (Saturday evening), Years ABC NB: The Vigil Mass has its own prayers and readings. Those for the Mass During the Day on Sunday should not be used – though some priests seem to be unaware of this. It is incorrect to refer to this Vigil Mass as an ‘anticipated Mass’. It is a celebration proper to the evening before Pentecost Sunday and may be celebrated in an extended form. It also fulfils the Sunday obligation.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA Gospel   John 7:37-39  (English Standard Version, Anglicised)  On the last

  CLICK HERE

Good news, my son and I had a long chat last Saturday. Not-so-good news, we had it in the local emergency room. Still, it could have been worse. After a few hours of fluids and pain meds, he wasn't feeling quite so awful, and I drove him home again. Blood work told us that his major systems were working. And a scan showed that his brain wasn't missing any pieces. So, basically, good news. Even so, I could have done without the stress. So, I'm sure, could my son. And I'm very glad that (almost) a week has gone by without a similar incident.... ...Imaging Tech: X-Rays and the Fabulous Foot-O-Scope (An image from my brain scans in 2018.) Medical diagnostic tech has come a long way since my youth, but we still can't tap into another person's sensory inputs. Which, from a 'privacy' perspective may be a good thing, and I'm wandering off-topic. Even so, we had impressive tech in my 'good old days.'... More at A Catholic Citizen in Am

    Ascension Andrea della Robia [ Web Gallery of Art ] The Ascension, Year B   The Ascension is celebrated on Ascension Thursday, 13 May, in England & Wales and in Scotland. In the USA it is celebrated on Ascension Thursday in the Ecclesiastical Provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, Philadelphia, elsewhere on Sunday 2 June. In all of these areas Ascension Thursday is a Holyday of Obligation. The Ascension is observed on Sunday, 16 May, in Aotearoa-New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Philippines.   Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    Mark 16:15-20     (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to his disciples: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in m

A few groceries have been offering delicacies like elk steaks for decades, at least. But the odds are that hunters aren't supplying your grocery's meat department with wild game. That's not surprising, or shouldn't be. I'll be talking about an indoor Florida fish farm, wild rasberries, chickens, and why genetically modified foods don't fill me with fear and foreboding. More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

  I was reflecting on the vine and branches as set out in scripture.   We always read about the importance of being connected to Jesus, the vine, and how we cannot produce any fruit if we are separated from him. This is very true.   I do not dispute that at all, but another thought came to me. I remember that when we were camping, if we wanted a roaring fire, we would need to use dead wood.   The spindly branches would make great kindling and the bigger, dead logs would keep our fire going. This might be a useful image to apply to those who have been away from God.   If you are racked by sin, you need to know that God is not done with you. If you are as dried out as those sticks, there is still potential for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and set ablaze with the power of God.   Who better than you—who knows what it is to live without God, who recognizes your need for God and who appreciates what he has done in your life—to carry the message forward? You may be just t

    The Little Fruit Seller Murillo [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel    John 15:9-17     (English Standard Version, Anglicised) Jesus said to his disciples: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.   If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.     These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.   Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.   You are my friends if you do what I command you.   No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.