It is still the year of faith. We had a lot of talk and excitement with one year preparation, and now we’re almost a year into it. The excitement has tapered, and it’s easy to overlook. We still have time to make this a time of renewal of faith, and I have one simple suggestion… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 11, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C Sunday August 11, 2013 Reading 1 WIS 18:6-9 This week’s first reading comes from a very Catholic book. The book of wisdom comes from what is sometimes referred to as the Apocrypha, but we Catholics just say that it is part of the canon of… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 4, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C August 5, 2013 First Reading ECC 1:2; 2:21-23 This week’s first reading includes a very unique passage. It’s from one of the most difficult books to understand. In fact, this is the only time we’ll hear from the book of Ecclesiastes on a Sunday in… [Read More]
Catholic on Instagram
About 521 images are uploaded to Instagram every second from all over the world. That equals about 45 million photos a day. That’s a superabundance of images. Many of us not only have Instagram on our phones, we also have additional companion apps to help us take image customization to another level. I’ve been fascinated… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: July 28, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] Reflection starts at 5:30 minute mark. Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary July 28, 2013 First Reading GN 18:20-32 In the first reading we see further development of the identity and character of Father Abraham, as we have seen the pat few weeks. Here we see that he has a very personal relationship with God. The… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: July 21, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] Reflection starts at 3:50 minute mark. Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary First Reading GN 18:1-10A This is a fascinating story that hides some supernatural details. On the surface, this looks like a very simple lesson about the importance of good hospitality, especially in contrast to the difficult times Abraham and Sarah experienced in Egypt… [Read More]
5th Annual Men’s Mass with Bishop Joe
Last year, I went to my first Men’s Mass celebrated at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin. It was a really great experience to come together as Men of the same faith. We were are all of all ages and from different backgrounds, vocations, and cultures, but we all came as men seeking Jesus. We… [Read More]
People Behind the Avatars and Austin CNM Update
In a world that has grown increasingly connected, we continue to create an increasingly isolating world. Our technological advancements have not solved our problems, and the world is still in a great need for a savior. Austin CNM is more than just a collection of blogs and other content. We began as a unorganized group… [Read More]
How to Deal with Bad Preaching
I often write and talk about the role of the arts in the church today, but one of the most broadly complained about is preaching in the Catholic Church. Bad experiences with homilies has been a prominent complaint I’ve heard among former Catholics and non-practicing Catholics. Admittedly, the Church may not be converting 3,000 people… [Read More]
Open Letter to Graduating High School Seniors
I’ve spent the last 4 years as a catechist to high school seniors. Before that I spent 4 years with confirmation classes and middle school students, but focusing on sending students out to college and beyond high school has been some of my most fruitful experiences. I would like to share a personal letter to… [Read More]
Tech Disconnect and World Communications Day 2013
I’m becoming increasingly convinced that our world has left a generation feeling isolated through its attempts to connect everyone and everything through technology. Sure, we see each other’s tweets and see our loved one’s experiences on Instagram, but I’m not convinced that I’ve grown closer to those friends through that. I’ve noticed that I make… [Read More]
Immigration Reform is Important
Here in the Central Texas, we live off one of the busiest paths in the country that brings people and products to and from Mexico. Many of us have spent a considerable amount of effort planning how to be navigate through or around I-35 so that we can get to the places we need to… [Read More]
Why We Use Icons
Often when we are attempting to enter into a deeper state of prayer, we try to limit our physical senses. This is a very practical approach. We recognize that it is easier to focus on the spiritual by trying to ignore the physical that can deceive or even distract from our prayer. The easiest sense… [Read More]
Does Your Heart Break?
There is a strange irony that every day of the year, including Christmas, we celebrate mass in front of an image of Christ crucified on the cross except for the very day it happened. On Good Friday there is no consecration as we continue the Triduum and consume pre-consecrated Eucharist that we adored after the… [Read More]
Listen to the (Unofficial) SXSWi Catholic Panels and Keynotes
Through the heavy traffic and nightmare parking situation in the midst of South by Southwest, our first event of this kind was a great success. We would like to say thank you to everyone that attended or supported us in some way. I was pleasantly surprised to see such a great turnout at this first event because… [Read More]
Meat Always Looks Tasty on Friday
If you’re like me, you find meat tasty. Here in Texas, we love our steaks, burgers, and BBQ. If you haven’t seen the popular HEB commercial, it shows that most Texans would have a cookout every meal if we could. It isn’t far from the truth. Let’s talk a little more about this thing we… [Read More]
Do You Count Sundays in Lent?
I’ve been very amazed to see the amount of Catholics that haven’t been to mass in years yet still feel the need to give something up for Lent. I haven’t seen any official polls, but it seems that this group is even larger than the ones that go to mass on Ash Wednesday. It seems… [Read More]
First Ever Diocesan Men’s Conference February 16
We are living in turbulent times. The world needs a generation of men that recognizes its unique role of leadership, and sometimes we need to gather to remember the importance and focus of our mission. I was blessed to join a large group of men for the Diocesan Men’s mass with Bishop Joe last summer, and I… [Read More]
5 Common Misconceptions About Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday not only marks the beginning of the season of Lent, it is also a time when Catholic new media takes center stage, albeit not in the most obvious ways. This is because Ash Wednesday masses are some of the most attended all year, and most of those mass goers rely upon church websites… [Read More]
What is AustinCNM about? [Coming Expansion]
The past few weeks have been really exciting for us. We’re fired up to announce some new projects we’re working on at Austin Catholic New Media. If you were at DCYC in Waco or at the Texas Rally for Life at the Capitol , you might have noticed us with a mic and cameras. At… [Read More]
The Cooking Priest Brings His Fajitas to Austin
In early 2010, I unexpectedly met Fr Leo Patalinghug at an event where one of his friends was speaking at my parish. Oddly enough, no one else seemed to recognize him, but if you’re at all into Catholic media, this priest is hard to miss. It’s hard to name a place he hasn’t been. These days Fr Leo… [Read More]
St Anthony and Catholic Animals
In the United States, we often celebrate St Francis of Assisi as the great friend of animals in october. There are ever many parishes that even have pet blessings, but many other cultures do this in January. January 17th was the feast of St Anthony the Abbot, and many places, even the Vatican, held their… [Read More]
AustinCNM – The Best of 2012
With all the feasting of the season of Christmas, there is a lot going on to keep us celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Since we are also at the beginning of another great year, it is a good time to look back at some of the best of 2012. Last week, Jason… [Read More]
St Vincent de Paul Gets a New Church Building
We are blessed to live in a thriving diocese. Earlier this year, St John Neumann dedicated their new church building in the West Austin area. Now, our diocese gets to celebrate its second dedication in one year. On Saturday December 29, 2012, Bishop Joe Vásquez will celebrate the dedication mass of the new church building for St Vincent… [Read More]
Merry Christmas 2012 From AustinCNM
It has been a wonderful year here at Austin Catholic New Media, and we are grateful that you have joined us for this journey. Remember, December 25th is the only the first day of Christmas. Take time to celebrate this season. Rejoice and be glad for our Lord has come, and we await His return… [Read More]
Was Jesus Right? Is the End Near?
As we’ve all heard from a variety of sources, there was a surge of speculation that December 21, 2012 would be the end of the world. Even though this idea has been around for some years, it’s nothing new. I wrote about the last infamous day of May 21, 2011 last year, but we all… [Read More]
2012 4th Quarter AustinCNM Meet Up Dec 18
Join us for the fourth quarter meet-up. When: December 18, 2012 Time: 7:00-9:00PM Where: St Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church – Family Center, 126 W. Oltorf St., Austin, TX 78704 Whether you’re a Catholic new media creator or supporter, come and join us for a night of community. Events like these are great opportunities for us to take action… [Read More]
Music of the Season – Advent Volume I and II [EP Review]
The majority of world is confused thinking it’s Christmas already, but we’re still in the season of Advent. In fact, we just started. While it’s not the same penitential season as lent, Advent provides a great opportunity for prayer, fasting, and preparation. In today’s world, it take a lot of effort and intention to prepare… [Read More]
Peter Kreeft and Jeff Cavins in Austin Nov 30-Dec 1
The year of faith is an opportunity for all of us to grow deeper. That means we have to take some initiative and go to presentations, attend studies, and go outside ourselves to learn about our beautiful faith. This weekend, the Diocese of Austin is blessed with two wonderful opportunities to attend presentations, retreats, and… [Read More]
Humilty and Embracing Persecution
Most of us would agree that rejection is never pleasant. As I look back on my life so far, I realized just how much effort I’ve put into looking for acceptance from the world. Sometimes it was as simple as which clothes I wore, the music I listened to, or what I drove. Other times… [Read More]
A Creation Liturgy [CD Review]
This month, the Denver-based Christian-collective, Gungor released a new album entitled A Creation Liturgy. This past Spring, I wrote a review on an EP released by the band The Brilliance, also based in Denver, after a concert I attended here in Austin featuring both bands. I’ve wanted to write a review of their music for… [Read More]
Why I Visit Churches
Beauty is the most universal form of communication for Truth. Not only is beauty totally giving, never asking for anything in return, beauty never needs translation. Like many people, I find God to be very visible in His creation of nature. I’ve had many powerful encounters of prayer in beautiful outdoor settings, and always find… [Read More]
Tech and Catechetics
Our youth live in a world of extreme media consumption. Many of us today are never phased by the amount of time we spend staring at a screen or the amount of screens we have in front of us any given time of the day. It is unmistakable that our American culture is over-saturated with… [Read More]
Overcoming Failure in Evangelization
There is nothing sadder than seeing someone turn away from Christianity, especially from the Catholic Church. It breaks my heart every time. Even more so when they are friends or family. It’s a God given right to choose not to follow Jesus, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. “If there were no God, there would… [Read More]
Catholics Aren’t Scared
Catholics don’t run for the hills. We don’t run away and hide to give in to the spirit of fear or despair. Catholics aren’t scared. In times of war, famine, disaster, and tragedy, we Christians are not called to look away. It is our call to act in charity to protect the weak, care for… [Read More]
Thoughts are not enough in Tragedy – Pray
Life is full of many what ifs. Tragedy is something that we never want to experience and never wish it upon anyone. On the evening of July 19, 2012, many people across the country set out to watch the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Many of us have been excited for this release… [Read More]
Crickets, Crickets Everywhere!
Did you see something move out of the corner of your eye? Well, chances are that it wasn’t just your imagination. Unless you’ve been hiding somewhere, you’ve probably noticed that our part of Texas has been overrun by crickets for the past few weeks. It’s almost to Biblical plague proportions, or at least it feels… [Read More]
My Armor Is Made of Brown Wool
The time when we could comfortably practice our faith may have passed for our generation in this country. We will continue to stand in defense of our religious freedom, but even if it is protected, the world won’t stop attacking us. We as the Church militant have a fight before us that may not require swords or… [Read More]
Soulless Zombies and the Pending Apocalypse
How often do you think about death? It’s 2012, and no year has brought on as much conversation about the end of the world since the new millennium. It seems like there is an ever-increasing collection of movies, shows, and even guidebooks warning us of our possible doom. Death is scary. It’s a violent act… [Read More]
Mary, Our Star of the New Evangelization
Real beauty is seductive. It catches your attention, and then it draws you in. True beauty is so appealing that our souls recognize something very good communicated through it – something True. Just look at a starry night sky, a beautiful sunset, or a baby’s face. They all communicate a profound Truth – God is… [Read More]
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