Tuesday of Week 27 in Ordinary Time Jon 3:1-10Lk 10:38-42 “...you worry and fret about so many things…” Today’s Gospel resonates with me strongly, with me experiencing my own 'Martha' moment. Over the last few months, I had felt the world's weight rested solely on my shoulders. I had a significant project at work and... Continue Reading →
9 October, Monday — Outsmarting God
Oct 9 – Memorial for Sts. Denis, Bishop, and Companions, Martyrs; Memorial for St. John Leonardi, Priest St. Denis (d. 258) was a missionary to Paris, and its first bishop. His success roused the ire of local pagans, and he was imprisoned by the Roman governor. He was martyred in the persecutions of Valerius with... Continue Reading →
23 September, Saturday — Our Models of Faith
Sep 23 – Memorial for St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest St. Pio (1887-1968) was ordained when he was 22. He founded the House for the Relief of Suffering in 1956, a hospital that serves 60,000 a year. In the 1920s he started a series of prayer groups that continue today with over 400,000... Continue Reading →
12 September, Tuesday — A Logical Faith
Sep 12 – The Most Holy Name of Mary This feast is a counterpart to the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus (January 3); both have the possibility of uniting people easily divided on other matters. The feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary began in Spain in 1513 and, in 1671, was... Continue Reading →
26 August, Saturday — Being Authentic
Saturday of Week 20 in Ordinary Time Ruth 2:1-3,8-11,4:13-17Mt 23:1-12 “...do not be guided by what they do...” I was quite an authoritative parent. When my children were very young (they are young adults today), I remember barking instructions, “Do this!”, “Don’t do this!”, “Stop!”, “Go!”. I remember one day telling my kids not to... Continue Reading →
25 August, Friday — Focusing on God and our faith
Aug 25 – Memorial for St. Louis of France, married man; Memorial for St. Joseph Calasanz, priest, religious founder As king of France, Louis (1214-1270) made numerous judicial and legislative reforms. He promoted Christianity in France; established religious foundations, aided mendicant orders, propagated synodal decrees of the Church, built leper hospitals, and collected relics. “In prosperity, give thanks... Continue Reading →
16 August, Wednesday — Courageous Reconciliation
Aug 16 – Memorial for St. Stephen of Hungary When he succeeded his father as chief of a group of people, Stephen adopted a policy of Christianisation in Hungary for both political and religious reasons. He suppressed a series of revolts by pagan nobles and welded the Magyars into a strong national group. As king,... Continue Reading →
14 August, Monday — Our True North
Aug 14 – St. Maximillian Mary Kolbe, priest, martyr Maximillian Mary Kolbe (1894-1941) was known as a mischievous child, sometimes considered wild, and a trial to his parents. However, around the time of his first Communion, he received a vision of the Virgin Mary that changed his life. While still in seminary, he and six... Continue Reading →
11 July, Tuesday — Controlling God
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 →
1 June, Thursday — Humility Revisited
Jun 1 – Memorial for St. Justin, martyr Justin (c.100–165) was a pagan philosopher who converted at the age of 30 by reading the Scriptures and witnessing the heroism and faith of martyrs. He used his philosophical and oratorial skills to dispute with pagans and explain the faith, becoming one of the first great Christian... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 