Jul 11 – Memorial for St. Benedict, abbot, religious founder Born to Roman nobility, Benedict (c. 480–547) was the twin brother of St. Scholastica. He studied in Rome, Italy, but was dismayed at the lack of discipline and lackadasical attitude of his fellow students. He fled to the mountains near Subiaco, living as a hermit... Continue Reading →
10 July, Wednesday — We Are Called
Wednesday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 10:1-3,7-8,12Mt 10:1-7 …proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand… Would you agree that calling us by our name is very pleasant to our ears? When a person calls me bymy name, I feel something special. How much more if it were Jesus Christ who... Continue Reading →
9 July, Tuesday — On Disunity
Jul 9 – Memorial for St. Augustine Zhao Rong, priest, & companions Christianity arrived in China by way of Syria in the 600s. Depending on China’s relations with the outside world, Christianity over the centuries was free to grow or was forced to operate secretly. The 120 martyrs in this group died between 1648 and... Continue Reading →
8 July, Monday — In Faith through Courage
Monday of Week 14 in Ordinary Time Hos 2:16,17-18,21-22Mt 9:18-26 “Courage…your faith has restored you to health.” Today’s gospel speaks of the healing of two women – one who was cured of haemorrhage and the other who was brought back to life from the dead. To the woman whom Jesus cured of haemorrhage, the words... Continue Reading →
7 July, Sunday — Not Weak But Strong
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Eze 2:2-52 Cor 12:7-10Mk 6:1-6 For it is when I am weak that I am strong. This sounds like an oxymoron – a figure of speech with opposing meaning. So how can one be weak yet strong at the same time? It is only possible through God, of course. In... Continue Reading →
6 July, Saturday — Seek with a humble heart
Jul 6 – Memorial for St. Maria Goretti, Virgin & Martyr Maria Goretti (1890-1902) was a beautiful and pious farm girl, one of six children of Luigi Goretti and Assunta Carlini. In 1896 the family moved to Ferriere di Conca. Soon after, Maria’s father died of malaria, and the family was forced to move onto... Continue Reading →
5 July, Friday — When He calls.
Jul 5 – Memorial for St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Priest St. Anthony (1502-1539) studied medicine at Padua, receiving his doctorate at age 22. Working among the poor in Cremona, he felt called to the religious life. He was ordained at age 26; legend says that angels were seen around the altar at his first Mass.... Continue Reading →
4 July, Thursday — Jesus Sees Our Faith
Jul 4 – Memorial for St. Elizabeth of Portugal Elizabeth (1271-1336) was a princess with a pious upbringing who became Queen of Portugal before she was a teenager. Elizabeth suffered through years of her husband’s abuse and adultery, praying all the while for his conversion, and working with the poor and sick. She rode onto... Continue Reading →
3 July, Wednesday — A Skeptical Mindset Can Be Valuable
Jul 3 – Feast of St. Thomas, Apostle Thomas (d. 72) was ready to die with Jesus when Christ went to Jerusalem, but he is best remembered for doubting the Resurrection until allowed to touch Christ’s wounds. He preached in Parthia, Persia and India, though he was so reluctant to start the mission that he... Continue Reading →
2 July, Tuesday – Even the sea obeys God
Tuesday of Week 13 in Ordinary Time Amo 3:1-8;4:11-12Mt 8:23-27 Without warning a storm broke over the lake... Today’s gospel is a popular one, and probably seems recently familiar – it should be, as this same story is recorded in all four gospels and Mark’s telling was our gospel eight days ago on 22 June. Because... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 