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You are here: Home / Archives for Rita Suva

About Rita Suva

Wife, Photographer, Reader, Laptop Theologian, Texas Longhorn, Avid Travel, Sometimes Musician, Native Austinite, ACNM Executive Director and Dislikes Ketchup, Mustard & Mayo. Seeking a life of holiness to hopefully be a saint in Heaven with God.

Catch me on Instagram and Twitter @ritamgs.

"You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all." -St.Therese of Lisieux

October 2015 Lunch

Published October 21, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Events

Join us for our monthly Austin Catholic New Media meal! Whether you’re a contributor, reader or listener, ACNM meals are a time to get together for fellowship. Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Time: 12pm Location: Jason’s Deli at 1000 E. 41st Street   UPDATE October 28: This event has been canceled. Please look for information for… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published October 21, 2015

Austin CNM September Lunch

Published September 21, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Events

Don’t have plans tomorrow? Consider joining us for our September lunch! ACNM monthly lunches are an opportunity to get together for fellowship and discussion. No agenda, just time to share ideas, talk about life & faith and hang out. It doesn’t matter if you are a contributor or a reader or listener, you are invited… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published September 21, 2015

A Blue Bell Faith

Published September 3, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

The state of Texas’ favorite ice cream, Blue Bell, returned to shelves this week after four months of stopped production due to a Listeria problem and 3 deaths in April. Texans mourned the loss of this important dessert, especially during the summer. Memes were created, odes were written, t-shirts printed and people fasted from ice cream… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published September 3, 2015

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday: The Lord’s descent into the underworld

Published April 2, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Our Catholic faith is incredibly rich. So instead of writing a new reflection, I’m sharing one of my favorite things to read during the Triduum. This is a from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, date and homilist unknown. It is the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Hours…. [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 2, 2015

The Ordination of Bishop Danny Garcia in Pictures

Published March 5, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

It’s said a picture is worth a thousand words. And so since several of us at ACNM were blessed to attend the Ordination of Auxiliary Bishop Danny Garcia, we wanted to snap some pictures and share them with you all. It was a Holy Spirit filled and blessed day to spend together with our Catholic… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 5, 2015

Keeping Each Other Accountable: Fifty Shades of Grey

Published February 5, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Marriage and Love, Young Adult

I enjoy movies. A lot. I appreciate great story lines. I get drawn by both great cinematography. I become invested in characters when an actor/actress does a good job. But this February, I won’t be watching the Valentine’s Day movie release Fifty Shades of Grey. Between the product description of the book on Amazon (which… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published February 5, 2015

When Holidays Are Sad

Published December 11, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Even though Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year” and the world seems awash with cheerfulness, color and lights, the holidays can be sad for some. It’s sad for some because of the death of a loved one or because it can be a reminder of the broken family someone comes from or… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 11, 2014

The Challenge of Advent

Published November 27, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Be watchful! Be alert!…’ ” Advent is a challenging time for Catholics. With the exception of Mass, it’s easy to let Advent be consumed and overshadowed in our daily lives, as society pushes Halloween into Christmas with a small glint of Thanksgiving thrown in. “….You do not know when the… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 27, 2014

The Catholic Roots of Halloween

Published October 30, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Every year the questions about the acceptability of celebrating Halloween arise in Catholic and Christian circles: Can my family to celebrate Halloween? Is it okay for my child to dress up and trick-or-treat? Is Halloween a pagan, satanic or secular holiday? These, and a myriad of other questions about Halloween haunt the consciousness of Catholics… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published October 30, 2014

First Comes Love, Then Comes…

Published September 18, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

This past Saturday Pope Francis presided over a Mass during which several couples celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (aka, Marriage). What made these couples “unique” according to social understanding of the Catholic faith is that all of these couples were either living together or who have had annulments. It seemed odd to the media… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published September 18, 2014

Meet a Saint: St. Brother André

Published August 21, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

St. Brother André Bessette, C.S.C. was a pretty amazing man who is the first saint from the Congregation of Holy Cross. He lived a life of humility, prayer, devotion to St. Joseph and comforting the sick. Through his intercessory prayers to St. Joseph, many people have  received healing. Born in Quebec in 1845 as Alfred Bessette, he… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published August 21, 2014

New Priest for the Diocese of Austin in 2014

Published June 12, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Just last Saturday, June 7, 2014, a wonderful young man, Craig DeYoung, was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Austin. His love for God, his servants heart and his joy for life is evident from the moment you meet Craig and is splashed across his face when you see his big smile. Personally, I’ve… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published June 12, 2014

Mary, Undoer of Knots

Published May 15, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Today I began the novena for a wonderful and unique Marian devotion to our Mother Mary through the Marian titled of Mary, the Undoer (or Untier) of Knots for a specific Marian Devotion in May. I only learned of Mary, Undoer of Knots a couple of years ago, and I love the idea (and images)… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published May 15, 2014

3 Ways for 3 Days: How to Grow Spiritually During the Easter Triduum

Published April 17, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Easter Triduum 2014 is upon us. It begins this Thursday evening. 

Yes, THIS Thursday, April 17, 2014. Are you ready? Are you sure? Okay, Pop Quiz time! I promise, it’s not too hard. Pop Quiz 1. What does the word Triduum mean? Answer: Three days. 2. When does Lent officially end and the Easter Triduum… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 17, 2014

Pray for Fort Hood

Published April 3, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

As the details emerge in the coming weeks about the shooting that occurred at Fort Hood yesterday, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, for us Central Texans, our thoughts naturally turn to how we might be able to help the community. And as information is released to how the public may be able to help, let us… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 3, 2014

Almsgiving in Lent: Amplify Your 2014

Published March 20, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

During Lent, Catholics are asked to pray, fast and give alms. However, of the three, almsgiving is the most neglected. Prayer & Fasting 

We usually do pretty good on the prayer part. This is easy because our parishes help us with this one very well, providing increased opportunities for spiritual development at our parishes through… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 20, 2014

Answering Your Questions: Heaven, Hell, Purgatory & Limbo

Published March 6, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Youth

Last week we received a message from a group of students working on a class project at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin. They asked some great questions and while we can’t address all of their questions in one blog post, we wanted to be sure to respond to their main question and provide them… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 6, 2014

Rooting for Catholic Olympians

Published February 20, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Like most Americans, my husband and I really enjoy watching the Olympics. Like most men and women, I enjoy watching figure skating and he doesn’t care too much about it. But last night he sat and watched and rooted with me for the American women’s figure skaters and a staunchly Catholic Yuna Kim of South… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published February 20, 2014

DCYC 56: Ablaze

Published January 23, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: World and News, Youth

The annual Austin Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC) was last weekend, January 17-19, 2014 in Waco, Texas. Nearly 2400 teens from around the Diocese participated in DCYC, making it the largest DCYC ever. This year’s theme, Ablaze, was a fitting conclusion to the Year of Faith which ended this past November, reminding teens that, “If… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published January 23, 2014

Faith and Frozen [the movie]

Published January 9, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

I admit it, even as an adult I love animated children’s movies. There’s something about the humor, the joy and the fun that children’s movies have that many adult movies don’t. Kids movies don’t take themselves too seriously, yet often have a life lesson or two to share with us. And Disney’s most recent animated… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published January 9, 2014

#prayforpeace and #fast4syria

Published September 5, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

“Let the cry for peace ring out in all the world!#prayforpeace” –@Pontifex, Pope Francis, Twitter, September 4, 2013 This past Sunday, September 1, during his Angelus Address, Pope Francis called upon Catholics around the world to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace in Syria on Saturday, September 7. As Pope Francis made… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published September 5, 2013

Seeing God in Creation

Published August 1, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Whenever I am out truly experiencing nature (ie, I’m not just sitting inside my house staring out the front door at the lawn), such as amongst Texas wildflowers, in a national park, hiking in the mountains, etc, I always have a moment (or several) of “How can someone see all this and deny that God… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published August 1, 2013

SB5: A Moment in Texas Legislative History

Published June 27, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

The night of Tuesday, June 25 was one crazy and unsettling night for many Texans. A sea of pro-choice persons clad in orange shirts with speckles of pro-life blue shirts thrown in here and there had been present in the Texas Capitol building in downtown Austin for nearly 13 hours. And the chaotic nature of… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published June 27, 2013

Travel Like a Catholic

Published June 1, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Summer is almost here, which means more out-of-town weekend trips and week-long (or longer!) vacations that leave some of us Catholics away from our home parishes on Sunday. Travel, vacations and being away from our home parishes on Sunday can present a dilemma for us Catholics and we often scramble to find a Parish and… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published June 1, 2013

Pentecost is Coming! How to Have a Better Relationship with the Holy Spirit

Published May 2, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Pentecost is coming and though it’s a couple of weeks away, I’m already thinking about it, preparing for it and praying towards it. I began cultivating my relationship with the Holy Spirit in Middle School and I’ve been blessed because of it. But it hasn’t always been easy, because the Holy Spirit is intangible and… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published May 2, 2013

West, Tx: How to Help our Brothers and Sisters

Published April 18, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: World and News

By now, pretty much everyone around the nation, and especially those in Texas and Austin have heard about the Fertilizer Plant Explosion in West, Texas. What many people may not know is that West, Tx is part of the Diocese of Austin. Our brothers and sisters in West, Texas are in need of our help…. [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 18, 2013

2013 Catholic Advocacy Day

Published April 7, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Catholic Faith in Action On Tuesday, April 9, Catholic faithful from across the great state of Texas gather together at the Texas State Capitol to celebrate Catholic Faith in Action Advocacy Day. Legislative Advocacy Days are an opportunity for Catholics to participate in the political process by voicing the concerns of the Texas Bishops, which… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 7, 2013

Setbacks & Frustrations, Trust & Faith

Published April 4, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Every year, every month, sometimes every day, we encounter setbacks and frustrations. Some of these are temporary, such as waking up late and having to rush through traffic to get to work. Some of them last a little longer, like having to wait in a doctor’s office for two hours. And some of these can… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 4, 2013

Keep Holy Week Holy! 3 Tips to Focus on Holy Week

Published March 21, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Faith

Where did Lent go? It feels like we just got started, yet here we are, about to celebrate Holy Week! Yes, Easter will be here before you know it. So as Lent comes to a close with us celebrating Holy Week, the holiest week of all weeks for us in the Catholic Church, it’s time… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 21, 2013

Habemus Papam! Pope Francis

Published March 13, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

UPDATE: The following is Bishop Joe Vasquez’s press conference about our new Holy Father. Thanks to Relevant Radio and Pat Ryan! Original Post: At approximately 1:13pm CST on Wednesday March 13, 2013 white smoke began billowing out of the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel. Viewership online at EWTN, CatholicTV.com, Salt and Light and more jumped in… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 13, 2013

Confirmation is NOT Graduation: Seeing Sacraments as More Than Goals

Published March 7, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

In our lives it’s hard to measure success, or even know if we’re moving forward and growing without goals, markers and signs. In school we learned material, took a test to make sure we had comprehended and studied that material and received a grade for our efforts. As adults, we earn raises or reprimands based… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 7, 2013

#popewatch2013

Published February 21, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

We are living in a historic time in the Catholic Church. With only two other popes having resigned before Pope Benedict XVI, we’re in relatively uncharted waters concerning what will be happening in the Catholic Church in the coming weeks and months. At this point in history as Catholics, we have a unique opportunity to… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published February 21, 2013

Super Bowl Half-Time Show: Beyoncé vs. The Puppy Bowl

Published February 8, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

A few years ago we were talking about Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” during the Super Bowl halftime show. Half a second of an exposed breast, and the world went crazy. “Nipplegate” as it’s been called, was widely discussed and many saw it as an sign of the decreasing morality of the American culture. So where’s… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published February 8, 2013

NBC’s ‘Parenthood’ Addresses Teen Pregnancy and Abortion

Published January 24, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

In its four season history as a television show, NBC’s Parenthood has addressed issues that are honest, relatable and believable. From addiction to special needs children to infidelity to being a single mother to cancer to infertility issues to adoption to a soldier’s return from Afghanistan and more, Parenthood has not shied away from tough… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published January 24, 2013

The “Odd” Things of the Catholic Faith

Published January 10, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

I love our Catholic faith. There’s beauty in it, there’s wisdom in it, there’s love in it, there’s joy in it, there’s an acceptance and reason for pain and suffering, there’s forgiveness in it, there’s purpose in the rites and rituals in it and there’s so, so much more. There are also some very “odd”… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published January 10, 2013

Holy Innocents, Then and Now

Published December 27, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

The past few years a feast day in the Catholic Church I had paid little attention to began to stand out to me: The Feast of the Holy Innocents. I don’t know why this Feast Day began to stand out to me a few years ago. Perhaps it is the reminder of innocent lives lost,… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 27, 2012

UT-Austin Medical School to be Catholic

Published December 13, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

The UT-Austin Medical School situation has turned controversial once again. First, it was the issue of property tax increases. Now, it’s the fact that the hospital will be part of the Seton hospital system and will become a Catholic-owned teaching hospital. This situation has, of course, re-sparked debated over public health care services and Catholic… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 13, 2012

WOW! Women of the Well

Published December 5, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

In an effort to share their mission of “…serving anyone in need by strengthening families and promoting respect for human dignity and life” beyond those they provide direct service care, to increase awareness of their ministry and enrich the lives of woman of faith, Catholic Charities of Central Texas has begun a Faith and Fellowship… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 5, 2012

Porta Fidei: Austin DCYC 55

Published November 29, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Youth

The excitement is growing. Austin DCYC is 50 days away, January 18-22, 2013. Every year, the numbers grow. Last year the number was nearly 2200 teens. Last year, more than 80 parishes of the 130 parishes in the Diocese of Austin participated. Ask a teen from your parish that has been to a DCYC (Diocesan… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 29, 2012

Catholic Frenemies

Published November 15, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Faith

Towards both God and others, at times we’re like Peter, at other times like Paul, sometimes we’re like John and even other times we’re like (doubting) Thomas. But what worries me the most is when we’re like Judas. Because when we’re like Judas, we often act as a frenemy. Frenemies. We all have them. Sometimes,… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 15, 2012

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