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 →
1 May, Monday — Willing Sacrifice
May 1 – Feast of St. Joseph the Worker St. Joseph (d. 1st century) was a descendant of the House of David. He was a layman, a builder by trade; traditionally a carpenter, but may have been a stone worker. He was the earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the foster and adoptive... Continue Reading →
27 March, Monday — We judge too easily
Monday of the 5th Week of Lent Dan 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62Jn 8:1-11 “If there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Did she sin? – Yes Did she get caught sinning? – Yes Was she repentant? – Yes It does seem like a perfect ending... Continue Reading →
23 January, Monday – Caught Up In The Moment
Monday of Week 3 in Ordinary Time Heb 9:15,24-28Mk 3:22-30 ...but let anyone blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and he will never have forgiveness Football is the purest expression of gladiatorial sport in our age. Brute force is pit against battle wits to move a football down to the opponent’s end zone. It is violent.... Continue Reading →
3 September, Saturday — Strengthening our relationship with Jesus
Sep 3 – Memorial for St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor St. Gregory (540-590) collected the melodies and plain chants so associated with him, that they are now known as Gregorian Chants. He was elected by unanimous acclamation for pope. Incidentally, he was also the first monk to be pope. Before his papacy, he... Continue Reading →
22 July, Friday — Healing Ourselves for Humanity
Jul 22 – Memorial for St. Mary Magdalene There is actually very little solid information about her, and both scholars and traditions differ on the interpretation of what we do know. She was a friend and follower of Jesus. Filled with sorrow over her sin, she anointed Christ, washed his feet with her hair. He... Continue Reading →
20 June, Monday — Do not judge
Monday of Week 12 in Ordinary Time 2 Kgs 17:5-8,13-15,18Mt 7:1-5 “Take the log out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.” This is a passage that many of us usually struggle with. Even as I was praying with the scriptures,... Continue Reading →
4 November, Thursday – 1 Beloved Sinner vs 99 Righteous People
Nov 4 – Memorial for St. Charles Borromeo, bishop St. Charles (1538-1584) was born to a wealthy, noble family, the third of six children, and the son of Count Giberto II Borromeo and Marghertita de’ Medici. He was the nephew of Pope Pius IV. He suffered from a speech impediment, but studied in Milan, and at... Continue Reading →
15 August, Sunday — Providing a Safe Place
Aug 15 – Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of Heaven, and with God and in God she is Queen of Heaven and earth. And is she really so remote from us? The contrary is true. Precisely because she is with God... Continue Reading →
30 July, Friday — Familiarity Breeds Contempt
Jul 30 – Memorial for St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop & Doctor An adult convert, St. Peter (406-450) fought paganism and heresy, enforced reforms, and built several churches and ornate altars in his see. A preacher with outstanding language skills, he was given the name ‘Chrysologus’, referring to his ‘golden word’. 176 of his sermons have... Continue Reading →
OXYGEN 