This may be a little unusual for someone to admit, but, I’m not afraid to die. And I even look forward to death one day (not in a “I want to die today” type of way but in a “I look forward to being in God’s presence for eternity and in communion with the saints”… [Read More]
Flesh-eating Bacteria & Leprosy: The Stories of Two Saints
I first heard about a young woman named Kateri Tekakwitha in 2002, when I was in Toronto, Canada for what would be Pope John Paul II’s last World Youth Day (WYD). I didn’t pay much attention to her then, but did keep her name in the back of my mind for future reference. A few… [Read More]
75 Year of Faith: St.Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church
From simple beginnings, through tremendous growth, with a focus on educating the minds and hearts of Catholics and with a passion for serving, St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Parish has been through quite a bit in its 75 years as a Catholic faith community. A parish founded by the Congregation of Holy Cross parish in 1937,… [Read More]
Faith is Like Ice Cream
I’m one of those really odd people that don’t love to eat ice cream. Now, I don’t hate it and every once in a while I really do want some (thank you Texas heat!), but in general, my attitude towards it is kinda “eh.” My husband however (and most people I know) love it. I… [Read More]
Yeah, I Was SO Drunk. It Was Awesome!
“Yeah, I was so drunk…” I cringe whenever I hear that phrase. Drunkenness. It’s something I’ve never been comfortable hearing about, and definitely don’t like witnessing… Person 1: “So I was at this party, and everyone there was drinking like crazy and by the end of the night I was so drunk… it was awesome.”… [Read More]
Having Fun (and a Few Laughs) Within the Faith
As a Youth Ministry I have an eclectic set of things in my office at work. I have pens on the shelf next to softballs, I have Catholic Youth Bibles next to candles and a slew of board & card games next to paper. I have crosses on my walls, pictures of saints, posters on… [Read More]
The Olympics and the Catholic Faith
The Olympics are just around the corner. It’s a time that unites us across the country, and often the world. We cheer for those who are have shown they are some of the best athletes in the world, either from our own country, someone who is an underdog or someone with a remarkable story of… [Read More]
Even Jesus Took Vacation!
As summer starts, we all begin to make summer plans. Much of what we decide to do will likely be local, and simple enough to do on a weekend or during the day/evening, such as a swim at the local swimming pool (if you’re in Austin, Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool are top choices), grabbing… [Read More]
Are Baby Girls on the Endangered List? A Look at Gendercide
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you didn’t exist? (And when I use the word “life”, I mean, the world around you that you’re familiar with…) Who would be the best friend of your current best friend? Who would be the spouse to your spouse? Who would be working the job… [Read More]
Holiness: The “Problem” with Catholic Virgins
I have bad allergies. Really bad. So bad that when I finally started seeing an allergist a year ago he told me there are about 4 weeks in the year, two in the summer and two in the fall, when I’m not allergic to things in there air. But I didn’t realize my allergies were… [Read More]
The Last Seven Words of Christ
The Seven Last Words of Christ refer to the final seven phrases that Our Lord spoke as he hung on the Cross. These phrases were not recorded in a single Gospel but are taken from all four Gospels. Greatly revered, these last words of Jesus have been the subject of many books, sermons, and musical… [Read More]
Dear Representative Dawnna Dukes…
Dear Representative Dawnna Dukes: I am sorry that you believe that the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Austin is picking on you. I am sorry you believe that you have been given a scarlet letter by the Church. And I’m sorry that you think that it’s unfair that your request to speak at an… [Read More]
Leslie, Keep Heaven Weird
I don’t remember the first time I saw Leslie Cochran. I vaguely remember times when I was a kid in elementary school and people mentioning a slightly eccentric, out-spoken, cross-dressing homeless man named Leslie. Being a kid, and it being the late-1980s, I didn’t think much of it. Austin was, and always had been, a… [Read More]
I Kinda <3 Lent
“Remember, man you are dust and to dust you will return.” –Roman Missal, Imposition of Ashes So, I’m a little bit crazy. My favorite “Catholic holiday” is the Easter Triduum, but most especially within that, Good Friday. Yeah, the day Jesus Christ died. Most people think that it’s just a little bit crazy that my… [Read More]
Blame It on the Catholic School
On Catholic School education: “It’s like cement for a house. It’s the foundation for your life to make good choices and to succeed. And it’s a passport. It’s a passport to Heaven that helps you to live the right life here on earth to get there [to Heaven].” –A parent of three Catholic School students… [Read More]
“Creepy” Baby Jesus
“The more you honor me, the more I will bless you.” –The Infant Child Jesus of Prague When I first met my husband, he wore a religious medal I was unfamiliar with. The image on the medal was that of Jesus as an infant, but dressed in clothing from the 15th and 16th century. I… [Read More]
The 3rd Roman Missal: A MASSive Change & A MASSive Opportunity
“If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.” –St. John Vianey By the time most people read this, most of us will have attended Mass on Sunday, November 27, the First Sunday in Advent. At that Mass, if you didn’t already know that it was going to be a special day in… [Read More]
Priorities and Me
“Hold your eyes on God and leave the doing to him. That is all the doing you have to worry about.” -St. Jeanne de Chantal Ever have those times in your life when you are overwhelmingly busy with work, home life, friends and just don’t seem to have enough time or energy? Yup, that’s been… [Read More]
How Stuff Works: Cat-e-what? (Catechesis)
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. –Matthew 28:19-20a Ever see one of these and felt thoroughly confused? CCC, CCD, CEP, CYM, DRE, DYM, EM, FF, RE,… [Read More]
Football and Faith
“Saints look at everything with God’s eyes; they measure their existence in God’s light; they do not give in to confusion because they live in reality and truth.”- Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan Last week high school football began. This week, college football kicks-off. And next week, we’ll see the 2011 NFL season we… [Read More]
It’s Hot in Austin & We Haven’t Had Rain in Months, But…
Our actions have a tongue of their own; they have an eloquence of their own, even when the tongue is silent. For deeds prove the lover more than words. -St. Cyril of Jerusalem If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, there are pictures and news coverage of East Africa. Extreme hunger and drought… [Read More]
Everyone has a Right to… : Homosexuality & the Catholic Church
“Unfortunately, in our efforts to teach the wrongness of homosexual acts, at times all that has been ‘heard’ is the sound of condemnation and rejection. What is missed, then, what is not heard, is the Church’s teaching that people with a homosexual orientation, like everyone else, are created in God’s image and possess a human… [Read More]
Catholic Rock Stars
“You cannot be half a saint. You must be a whole saint or no saint at all.” -St.Therese of Lisieux Ever since I was a child, I’ve had a fascination with saints, thanks to the detailed pictures in the book of saints my parents had. And, even as an adult I continue to have a… [Read More]
Who Do You Seek?
“Men and women seek God. Young people realize in the depths of their being that this quest is the inner law of their lives.” -Blessed Pope John Paul II As I write this blog, I am sitting on one of four buses from the Diocese of Austin with youth, youth ministers, chaperones and priests from… [Read More]
You Beter Run Run Run…
“Let each confess his sin while he is still in this world, while his confession can be received, while satisfaction and the forgiveness granted by the priests is acceptable to God.” – St. Cyprian I have seen youth excited to go to confession. I have had a few youth come and ask me to skip… [Read More]
Workout for Christ
“Every Christian is called to become a strong athlete of Christ, that is a faithful and courageous witness to His Gospel.” –Blessed Pope John Paul II When I was younger, working out and staying in shape was pretty easy. I danced and played organized sports throughout my childhood and in middle school. In high school… [Read More]
I’ve Earned a Busy Badge!
Busy. We live in a world consumed with busyness. The question “Hey, how are you doing?” is frequently responded to with a “Busy, but _____ (good, bad, tired, etc).” Busy has become the new norm. Busy is beyond being socially acceptable. Busy is now socially expected. Busy is chic. Being busy can lead to debates… [Read More]
Fatherhood in the Holy Spirit
“…fatherhood comes in an instance, but it takes a lifetime to grow into.”-Fr. Andrew Gawrych, C.S.C This past weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to experience and witness the priestly ordination of a great, holy and humble man of God, Paul M. Ybarra, C.S.C., a friend and a co-worker, and the deacon at my… [Read More]
Divine Mercy for Osama
In light of the killing of Osama bin Laden, it is difficult for many of us Catholic Christians to truly express and articulate how we feel. Yes, there is a definite sense or relief, and almost joy, in the fact that this man who killed & hated many, including Americans and Christians, can no longer… [Read More]
Bishop Joe Vásquez Did It Again
Bishop Joe Vásquez of the Diocese of Austin has done it again. People are protesting. Among the protesters are former Austin Mayor Gus Garcia and local activists. And people are upset. According to the local paper, “More than a dozen Catholic parishioners” are upset. Yup, Bishop Joe has done it again. He’s stood up for… [Read More]
Lent 2011: The Week of Spiritual Warfare
The fact that God permits physical and even moral evil is a mystery that God illuminates by his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose to vanquish evil. Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit an evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil, by ways… [Read More]
Called to… Blog?
I’m a story-teller. I love to write and I am a photographer. Short stories, poetry, blogs, faith reflections, a single photo or a series of photos… pretty much anything that can evoke a sense of peace, a sense of worry, a sense of anger, a sense of joy, a sense of faith, or evoke memories… [Read More]
A Catholic New Media Group in Austin, Tx?! Yes Please!
Austin Catholic New Media… I’m excited for this endeavor! As the Director of Youth Ministry at St.Ignatius, Martyr Parish here in Austin, I use media quite a bit. From music to YouTube, Facebook to text messages, blog reading to blog writing and more, media is an integral part of my ministry because it’s an integral… [Read More]
