No matter what our circumstances are, when our eyes are fixed on our Lord, anything and everything is possible.
But How Do I Change?
I was an utter failure in my self-prescribed role as a personal saviour. The truth is, Christians can change their outer actions through spiritual discipline but they cannot transform their inner spirits so they can say with St. Paul, “No longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” Jesus had to die and rise…… Continue reading But How Do I Change?
Convert and Become Like Little Children
Even in simple cultures, an independent adult faces a long spiritual journey before they can live in the heart of God as a child. In our current milieu, Catholics are preoccupied with many pressing issues, so preoccupied we often overlook some of the most basic facts of how to live in the Spirit: “Let the little children alone,…… Continue reading Convert and Become Like Little Children
Are Women Basically Mothers at Heart?
Women today are confused about who they are called to be. If we feel called to be full-time mothers, society seems to dismiss us as vintage models, out of step with the modern feminist agenda. I know I often felt embarrassed because I did not have a real job as I mothered nine kids. Edith Stein (St.…… Continue reading Are Women Basically Mothers at Heart?
A Jesuit Theological Joke
I rarely remember even the simplest joke but I have never forgotten this intellectual, theological joke told 30 years ago by a Jesuit priest in front of a University New Testament class. Jesus was walking alongside the Sea of Galilee when he turned to Simon Peter and asked him “Who do you say that I…… Continue reading A Jesuit Theological Joke
A Feminine Style of Holiness
Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we forget the Good News, the Gospel of Christ. Oh yes, we keep trudging to Mass, trying to pray, maybe reading a few lines of a spiritual book before we nod off but we lose sight of the real goal of the Christian life. Holiness I…… Continue reading A Feminine Style of Holiness
In a Crisis, I Found Refuge in Infused Prayer
In the midst of a family crisis, I found refuge in the words of the prayer Jesus gave us. When we are open to the Holy Spirit, the Father shines His purifying light on us. The process is often painful, though, because when the light of the Father comes into our hearts and lives, the…… Continue reading In a Crisis, I Found Refuge in Infused Prayer
Reflections and Art on Epiphany
Every year the feast of the Epiphany is a day to celebrate man’s powerful need to connect to God. It is a need which drives us to question, search, and seek out the truth. After the wisemen have devoted years to study, they venture into the unknown, following a star of all things, into a…… Continue reading Reflections and Art on Epiphany
A Mother’s New Year’s Resolution to Change
Then he said, “In truth I tell you, unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 18:3 NJB) The perfect New Year’s resolution for mothers would be to try and obey this request from Christ. Surrounded by kids, mums especially love this verse becomes it validates the charming qualities we see in our children…… Continue reading A Mother’s New Year’s Resolution to Change
Artists Carve The Holy Family
As a Canadian, I was delighted to discover Devotion to The Holy Family can be traced back to 17th century Québec when the first bishop of New France, Blessed François de Laval expanded the role of the Confraternity of the Holy Family, an association with roots going back to the very founding of Montréal. Modern Holy Family Sculpture often…… Continue reading Artists Carve The Holy Family
The Invasion of Time by Eternity: The Birth of Christ
Christmas is not an event within history but is rather the invasion of time by eternity. (Hans Urs Von Balthasar) Eternity Is Not Linear From our point of view, the Infant Jesus was born in a moment in history more than 2,000 years ago. People see time as linear, measurable and so view the first Christmas…… Continue reading The Invasion of Time by Eternity: The Birth of Christ
The “Our Father” — An Early Christmas Gift
God is shining His purifying light on His Church in a very public way. Humbled and even humiliated by revelations of abuse by the clergy, Catholics have been shaken to their core. Although it is a temptation to accuse, Jesus warns us not to point fingers at anyone because none of us are perfect. In…… Continue reading The “Our Father” — An Early Christmas Gift
Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrated in Art
December 12 is the feast of La Virgen de Guadalupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe. In 1521 – Our Blessed Mother appeared to San Juan Diego on the Hill of Tepeyac, near Mexico City. It is a marvelous story to tell children. To prove that…… Continue reading Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebrated in Art
Advent Prayers and Marian Art From the Heart
I usually simply pray in my own words from my heart. However, the Catholic Church has a treasure trove of traditional written prayers which were never composed to rattle off by rote but written from the heart to inspire our hearts, especially when we are in a dry place when our own words have shrivelled. …… Continue reading Advent Prayers and Marian Art From the Heart
Musical Beds
Musical Beds. My husband often lamented that our house should be called the house of musical beds because it seemed everybody changed places so many times, he was never sure who would end up where by the morning. Bedtime in a family of eleven is not an easy mission not if you want to nurture each child…… Continue reading Musical Beds
All Things Worked for the Good
We all know the quote from St. Paul which assures us that everything works out for the good for those who trust in God. We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) Well, our family has seen this truth dramatized over and over…… Continue reading All Things Worked for the Good
Like a Grumpy Dwarf- Blind to Beauty
Sometimes a person must not only hear the truth but see it dramatized either in someone else’s’ life or even in the life of a fictional character in a book. Blind to Beauty As I was reading the series, The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis for the fourth time, the ridiculous behaviour of the dwarves literally slapped…… Continue reading Like a Grumpy Dwarf- Blind to Beauty
Welcome the Outsider
The attitude of each and every parishioner affects the atmosphere of each individual parish. It is not just the priest who sets the tone. Granted, it takes a concerted effort to reach out to strangers in our midst at Mass. It is so easy to retreat into our own private prayers and ignore outsiders. However,…… Continue reading Welcome the Outsider
The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
Discover that the Bible is not a collection of unrelated books, but one story.
Catholic Conference 4 Moms: Forgiveness
I really wish Celeste Behe’s talk on Forgiveness for the Catholic Conference 4 Moms existed a long time ago. Before listening to her presentation, if a young mother came to me wondering how to teach her children how to forgive and how to be forgiven, I would be left scrambling for an answer with my mind blank for a more…… Continue reading Catholic Conference 4 Moms: Forgiveness
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