I hope this isn’t like every other blog about stress management. Rather than practical techniques to reduce stress (which are important nonetheless), I’d like to draw attention to the longer term project that you might say awaits each of us: How do I manage myself when things get difficult? And how can I work on… [Read More]
Masculine Spirituality Thrives in Brotherhood
Adult men often have a difficult time making friends. It’s easy to have passive relationships with coworkers, guys at the gym, or even at church, but intentional friendship takes work. This is true for both men and women, but my focus here will be particular to men. Deep Connections Aren’t Accidental It’s easy to feel… [Read More]
Holy Things Are Veiled
Saint Paul speaks of shame when it comes to women covering their heads before the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:5-6), but I was brought to do so for a reason that came about earlier than the entrance of shame in the Garden. A priest on Relevant Radio said God had a very specific order when He… [Read More]
The Immaculate Heart of Mary – The New Ark
“Go into the ark, you and your whole family.” (Gen.7:1) This year, 2017, is the centenary year of the messages of Fatima. On May 13, 2010 when visiting Fatima, Pope Benedict XVI said, “[May] the centenary of the apparitions HASTEN the fulfillment of the prophecy of the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” and… [Read More]
“I am Crowned” the Assumption and Coronation of Mary
To me a cup was given Myrrh and mara, burning my hands Deeply I drank, losing myself in love I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lilly of the Valley From my Sun-filled body came a river of grace Tying my feet I have grown wings Radiant and chanting, I will go to… [Read More]
Pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Ps. 84:5)
“Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover.” (Lk.2:41) Jesus went on pilgrimage to the “Holy City” (Mt. 4:5) from infancy until His death. We don’t often think of Jesus on pilgrimage to the “City of David,” (1Chron.15:1) but Jesus’ parents would make pilgrimages three times a year as God decreed,… [Read More]
Speaking ill of the dead and why we should
As we walked out of my mom’s funeral, my brother said, “Let’s talk about how Mom used to cheat at scrabble.” We chuckled. “Really,” he said. There’s a tendency to make people perfect after they die. But if we talk about their faults it keeps them human and real to us.” “Well,” I said, “She… [Read More]
Calling all young adults! – An invitation to sit down with our Bishops
What are you doing next Monday evening? Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to attend a Diocese of Austin listening session with Bishop Joe Vásquez and Bishop Danny Garcia on August 7 from 6-8 pm at St. Louis, Austin. This listening session will assist the diocese in preparation for the… [Read More]
¿Tienes planes ESTE VIERNES? ¡El Obispo de Austin quiere hablar contigo!
Si tienes 18-35 años de edad y hablas español, esta invitación para ti! Aparta el 4 de agosto de 6-8 p.m. y acompaña al Obispo Joe Vásquez, y al Obispo Danny García, en la parroquia de St. Helen en Georgetown. Sera una sesión de escucha que ayudara a la diócesis en preparación al Sínodo… [Read More]
I Am, not I Do
My kids had been watching the Veggie Tales DVD “Mo and the Big Exit,” and my four-year old asked a question. I turned to the book of Exodus and began to read aloud: “Doesn’t that sound familiar?” I asked, linking the bible verses to the show. But very quickly, she lost interest and I found… [Read More]
A visit to St.Mary Magdalene
I have come to the top of the mountain to a place we now call, St. Baume (Holy Balm) * to visit my patroness, St.Mary Magdalene. I am not in as good a shape as I used to be. Getting myself up this mountain was not that much fun for me, plus I’m very banged… [Read More]
Diocese of Austin Men’s Mass on July 22, 2017
For the 9th year in a row, there will be a Holy Mass celebrated as an encouragement to men. It’s easy to feel discouraged in a world that is confused and seeking to erode the virtues of masculinity in Christ. By gathering as a community of men of the local Church, we can pray for each… [Read More]
#CatholicConvo Through the Eyes of an Texan
“Uplifting, motivating, challenging, community, transformative.” That’s how Theresa Prudhomme, a mid 20s young professional from Katy, describes her experience of #CatholicConvo in 5 words or less. The weekend before last, while we were all firing up the grill and making July 4th plans, Theresa joined thousands of lay leaders, religious, priests and bishops from across… [Read More]
The Brown Scapular and “The First Born” (Col. 1:15)
July 16th is the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel where the faithful have their Brown Scapulars blessed, and they are enrolled into the Order of Mount Carmel. The feast originated when Our Lady appeared to St. Simon Stock on July 16, 1251 and said, “Receive my beloved son, the scapular of thy Order…. [Read More]
July 4th is Love
I know that today we’re supposed to think about the history of winning our independence. I do. I think that is OK. We think about freedom and the Constitution too. We are glad we don’t live somewhere there isn’t freedom. We are grateful to be Americans. We are proud of ourselves. That is cool. But… [Read More]
Peter and Paul — Let the Feasting Begin!
Jessica over at Catholic Cuisine has some delightfully delicious ideas. Check out her avacodo soup recipe for the feast day of Saints Peter & Paul! I’ve reformatted the recipe below to make it easier for you to print. Saints Peter and Paul Avocado Soup Adapted from The Monastery Garden Cookbook. Ingredients: 3 leeks, white parts… [Read More]
Summer for your Soul
In the Sunday homily yesterday, the priest preached about the relationship between the body and the soul, taking this line of scripture from the Gospel reading as a starting place: “And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy… [Read More]
Who Would Choose This?
I lay in bed, but the room continued to spin. I shut my eyes and stayed as still as I could. I was a prisoner of my illness, unable to leave the bed, the room or the house unless someone else came to help me. I thought of Jesus, laying in a ciborium, locked in… [Read More]
Pray with me: the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
Opening Prayers for the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. Come, Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Thy well beloved spouse, and Queen of the Holy Rosary. Help us to… [Read More]
Diversity in Ministry Part III – Financial
In the first two posts of this series, I explored how diversity in Gifts and Age can provide a richer experience of the faith and allow parishes to better minister to the community. Christians of all denominations today tend to look for communities where they feel like they can belong to the larger group. Sometimes the neighborhoods have similarities… [Read More]
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