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  Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day: 12 December Patroness of the Americas ,  of Mexico,  of Unborn Children  and Secondary Patroness of the Philippines The Story of Our Lady of Guadalupe Please continue at Bangor to Bobbio .

  St John the Baptist in Prison Juan Fernández de Navarrete [ Web Gallery of Art ] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”  (Matthew 11:2-3; Gospel). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 11:2-11 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” As they wen

T he Virgin of the Immaculate Conception El Greco [ Web Gallery of Art ] The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, observed on 8 December, is a holyday of obligation in many countries, eg, Ireland, the Philippines.  Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel   Luke 1:26-38 ( New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised Catholic Edition, Canada)     In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,  to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’   But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.  The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God.  And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a

NASA launched the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) December 25, 2021. By July of 2022, the JWST had settled into position at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point: about 1,500,000 kilometers, 930,000 miles from Earth. Then, after deploying its heat shields and mirrors, the JWST started sending back remarkable images. 1 And, even more remarkable, it was still called the James Webb Space Telescope. I've no idea why NASA didn't admit their mistake and submit an acceptable name. Particularly when 'everybody knows' that James Webb was one of THOSE people: More at A Catholic Citizen in America . The James Webb Space Telescope is still named after a NASA chief, despite protests. This week I talk about how America has changed since my youth. Except for how it hasn't.

  St John the Baptist Preaching Rembrandt [ Web Gallery of Art ] In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,   “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”  (Matthew 3:1; today's Gospel). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 3:1-12 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,   “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”   For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord;     make his paths straight.’” Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they wer

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Old Woman Dozing Nicolaes Maes [ Web Gallery of Art ] Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming  (Matthew 24:42; Gospel). Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Matthew 24:37-44 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) Jesus said to his disciples: For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,   and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.   Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.   Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.   Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.   But know

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It's Thanksgiving Day, here in America. This year I'll be talking about the Two Turkeys: and reviewing their last few years. Well, I hope these aren't their last few years. Let's say their most recent years. Yes, that's much better. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . My Two (fictional) Turkeys: from their appearance in 2010 to this Thanksgiving, including their pictures from 2015 to today.

Sometimes when I have time to myself and can really get into prayer, I start on one thing and then I am led down a road and end up someplace entirely different from where I started.  That happened to me the other night. I was praying for a grace.  In the spirit of St. Ignatius, I asked God what grace he thought I needed.  To my surprise, he responded that I need to pray for patience.  Now this is very interesting because, for the most part, I am quite a patient person.  I simply did not see how that was what I needed to pray for, but who am I to argue with God?  Anyway, this led me down a strange road to contemplate conception.  Don't ask me how I got there , I have no idea, but, it certainly led me to contemplate why I got here !   Isn't it amazing that in the blink of an eye, God created us through two other human beings whom he brought together?  You might think it happens coincidentally, by luck, but that is not the case. You and I are here because God created u

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It's been a while since I talked about what I'm doing here and why I'm doing it. And even longer since I talked about Nancy H. C. Ward's "Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story: Tools, Tips, and Testimonies." The book's a big deal for me, since it's the first time I wrote for the Red River Valley Historical Society’s Heritage Press that I've had an in-print byline. More to the point, as Lisa Hendey said, it's "an enjoyable template for the challenge of evangelization." So today I'll talk about social media, evangelization, science, history, art, "Sharing Your Catholic Faith Story" and why I post something here weekly. Not necessarily in that order. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . Being evangelical but not an Evangelical. Options and opportunities. Social media: good and bad news. Evangelism: a DIY book. Attitudes, ideas and me.

  A  Taizé  chant by Jacques Barthier (1923 - 1994)   Luke 23:42 (today's Gospel) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 23:35-43 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) The people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”   The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine   and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”   There was also an inscription over him, [ a ]  “This is the King of the Jews.” One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!”   But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?   And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our de

                                                                                                         Sicily Pizzeria, Flint, Michigan                                          Most days I drive past a favorite pizza place of ours that went out of business during the pandemic.  It had those nice little "cupped" pepperonis on a thin crust, and it came wrapped in paper, the way we used to get pizzas when we were kids.  There's something about ripping open that paper and watching the steam rise, carrying a wonderful smell with it.  It was an experience.   Opening a box like we do today doesn't even come close.   I keep hoping against hope that it will come back.   I always wondered how this little hole-in-the-wall pizzeria could pass a health inspection, but apparently it did for almost 60 years!  You see, to pick up your order, you had to walk in the backdoor and down a tiny little hallway past the kitchen.  You could actually see the guy working in the k

  I was very uplifted by the love and condolences poured out by so many on the occasion of the passing of Father Bill Wegher . It occurred to me that he was one of those people that everyone claimed as a friend and spiritual guide.  Some people were inspired by his teaching, others by his humor, and still others by his love of nature.  Just when you thought you knew him, a new story would pop up that revealed how multi-faceted his life was. I've always thought that the people who attend your funeral are a reflection of the wideness of your reach, of your life, of your love.  I sat in the back of the crowded church and happened to look down the side aisle in front of me.  In that little space I saw two walkers leaning against the brick wall, a young man, and a few older ladies.  I saw a priest in tears over his casket, friends sharing nervous laughter, and a huge turnout of his brother priests and deacons. Clearly, he lived and served in a wide circle, one that did not

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. In my country, it's a time to remember folks who have served in America's military. Today I'll talk about why countries have military forces, and why I think it's a good idea. Even though I don't like war. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . We live in a less-than-ideal world. But we can make it better. I look at conscience and conflict, songs and ideas: and a few things we got right.

  Heuston Railway Station, Dublin [ Wikipedia ;  photo ] Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Gospel   Luke 21:5-19 ( English Standard Version Anglicised: India) While some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said,   “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”   And they asked him, “Teacher, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”   And he said,  “See that you are not led astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is at hand!’ Do not go after them.   And when you hear of wars and tumults, do not be terrified, for these things must first take place, but the end will not be at once.” Then he said to them,  “Nati

On this day in 1918, World War I finally ended. Officially. The Armistice of 11 November 1918 wasn't, apparently, a "surrender." But it did say that the killing would stop at 11:00 a.m. Paris time on November 11, 1918. It didn't, of course. Communications in 1918 weren't what they are today, and that's another topic. But November 11, 1918, was a day when "The War That Will End War" ended. More at A Catholic Citizen in America . November 11, 1918, is still a significant date. Remembering veterans still makes sense. So does remembering our history.