21 Feb – Memorial for St. Peter Damian, bishop and doctor St. Peter Damian (1007-1072) was the youngest child in a large family. When he was orphaned, he was sent to live with a brother where he was mistreated and forced to work as a swine-herd. He cared for another brother, a priest in Ravenna,... Continue Reading →
9 January, Monday — Membership
9 Jan – Feast of the Baptism of the Lord The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, or Theophany, is the feast day commemorating the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. Originally the baptism of Christ was celebrated on Epiphany, which commemorates the coming of the Magi, the baptism of Christ, and the wedding at Cana. Over time in the West,... Continue Reading →
31 December, Saturday — Working Towards Something
Dec 31 – Memorial for St. Sylvester I, pope St. Sylvester (d. 335) was pope in the reign of Emperor Constantine I, who built the Lateran and other churches. He sent legates to the First Council of Nicaea, and was involved in the controversy over Arianism. The spurious Donation of Constantine was supposedly given to... Continue Reading →
19 November, Saturday — DEFCON
Saturday of Week 33 in Ordinary time Apo 11:4-12Lk 20:27-40 Blessed be the LORD, my rock. DEFCON, or Defence Condition, is the classification system for determining the preparedness of an armed force in response to a prevailing threat situation. It is featured regularly in movies, with the action mostly taking place when DEFCON 1, meaning... Continue Reading →
8 September, Thursday — A Third of Our Lives
Sep 8 – Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary The birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary announced joy and the approaching salvation of a lost world. Mary was brought into the world not like other children of Adam, infected with the contagion of sin, but pure, holy, beautiful, and glorious, adorned with... Continue Reading →
25 July, Monday — Confused yet bemused
Jul 25 – Feast of St. James, Apostle St. James (died 44) was the first Apostle to be martyred. He preached in Samaria, Judea, and Spain. His work in Spain, and the housing of his relics there, led to his patronage of the country and all things Spanish. Like all men of renown, many stories... Continue Reading →
24 July, Sunday — Warranty Guaranteed
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gen 18:20-32Col 2:12-14Lk 11:1-13 "What father among you would hand his son...a snake when he asks for a fish?" I love receiving gifts. It is a wonderful feeling when friends present us with thoughtful presents and experiences. While cash may well be the most versatile of things to receive, it... Continue Reading →
23 June, Thursday — Table of Precedence
June 23 – Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist John the Baptist (d.30) was the cousin of Jesus Christ. His father, Zachary, was a priest of the order of Abia whose job in the Temple was to burn incense; and of Elizabeth, a descendant of Aaron. As Zachary was ministering in the... Continue Reading →
22 June, Wednesday — Fool me Once, Shame on You. Fool me Twice, Shame on Me.
Jun 22 – Memorial for St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop; Memorial for St. John Fisher, Bishop & St. Thomas More, martyrs Paulinus (c.354–431) was a friend of St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Nicetas of Remesiana, and was mentioned for his holiness by at least six of his contemporary saints. He was a distinguished lawyer... Continue Reading →
14 May, Saturday — Our Earthly Home
May 14 – Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle St. Matthias (d. 80) was an Apostle. As he could bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus, he was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. He preached the Gospel for more than 30 years in Judaea, Cappadocia, Egypt, and Ethopia. He is remembered for preaching the need for mortification... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 