The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Lectionary: 168 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is the great Corpus Christi Sunday where we take a Sunday to focus on the gift of the Eucharist. Reading 1 Exodus 24:3-8 This week’s first reading from Exodus takes us back to Moses… [Read More]
Drink like a Catholic (at a Bar)
Catholics sometimes have a bad reputation about drinking. Austin is a fun-loving city that enjoys listening to live music and drinking delicious local beers and liquors. In the professional world, drinking cocktails is often a part of doing business and working as a team. In the church world, several ministries for Catholics in their 20s… [Read More]
Holy Naps
When I go to sleep, I take time, after I get comfortable, to let myself be loved and to feel that God surrounds and fills me with His loving, protective presence. Early in my young widowhood, I used to make it a habit to say, as I sank into my bed, “Into Your hands, I… [Read More]
Signs of the Times
As I was walking through Hobby Lobby last week to buy material to make a gift, I was struck by the number of cute little plaques with words on them – tons of displays for any occasion – teacher gifts, inspirational Bible verses, kitchen signs, man-cave signs – words for everyone.They also had the material to… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession: “Where the Body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Part 4)
“Where the Body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (Lk. 17:37 RSV) This scripture is also found in Matthew 24:28. This scripture is taken from the Revised Standard Version Bible which is the bible translation used for the Catechism of the Catholic Church since the New American Bible uses the word “vultures” instead… [Read More]
A Mexican Demon Named Charlie
The recent trending hashtag #charliecharliechallenge has been shown to a lot of teens and tweens recently through social media like Twitter and YouTube videos. In this game, you cross two pencils and put yes and no on a paper, then ask “Charlie” a question and wait to see if the pencil moves to yes or… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 31, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Lectionary: 165 (NAB Translation) The Sunday after Pentecost is celebrated in honor of our God as the Most Holy Trinity. This week and the next week help us to focus on the realities we experience in the Lord. Reading 1 Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 The first reading from… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “That Your Joy May Be Complete” (Part 3)
The Corpus Christ procession is one of those cosmic events in our lives that recalls the words of Jesus, “That your joy may be complete.” (Jn. 16:24) In the gospel Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus in procession (Lk. 19: 1-9) and this encounter fills him with an over abundance of joy. To keep… [Read More]
Welcome to the Liar’s Club
Thank you for your interest in joining the Liar’s Club. You have been approved for membership. I would introduce you to the other members, but it would take an awfully long time to meet seven billion people. Don’t worry. You don’t have to learn everyone else’s name. Just call each of us Pinocchio. I discovered… [Read More]
A Response to “Should Children Make Up Their Own Minds About Religion?”
I did not grow up in church. That surprises people who have only known me as an involved Catholic, but it’s true. My mom’s side is the Catholic side of the family, and they’re only occasional churchgoers. My dad’s side is mostly non-churchgoing, and they’re not Catholic. When I go home for Christmas, I go… [Read More]
Central Texas Storms: How to Get Help and How to Give Help
For many in central Texas, this Memorial Day did not go as planned. Many of us looking forward to spending time with friends and family, instead found ourselves texting and calling friends and family to see if they were unharmed. Severe weather – complete with deadly flash flooding and tornado activity – hit Travis and… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 24, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2015 Lectionary: 6 (NAB Translation) This is the great celebration of Pentecost, the joyful end to the season of Easter. Reading 1 ACTS 2:1-11 This week’s first reading is the central story of the Pentecost event in the book of Acts. We hear how the Holy Spirit was poured out… [Read More]
Learn Scripture By Threading
Why learn scripture? The disciples in a certain sense become “drawn into intimacy with God by being immersed in the word of God. God’s word is, so to speak, the purifying bath, the creative power which changes them and makes them belong to God”. And since Christ himself is God’s Word made flesh (Jn 1:14) –… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “One Heart and Soul” (Part 2)
The upcoming, June 7, 2015, Corpus Christi procession unites the Austin, English and Spanish communities, as when the early Church was a “Community of believers [that] was of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32) From the very beginning the early Christians were a convergence of a trilingual culture, so public statements were often, “Written in… [Read More]
Advice for Graduating High School Students
One of the missions God is currently calling me to serve is working with graduating high school youths, and it has been an incredible blessing for me to closely journey with inspiring teens. A couple of years ago, I wrote an open letter to my graduating students, and I still stand behind it. Now, I… [Read More]
El Hombre-Masa, el Nuevo-Media y la Reina de la Media
Recién he estado hablando con varia gente sobre nuestro uso los medíos sociales como Católicas. Ya todo estamos de acuerdo que la comunicación ha pasado por una revolución en los dos o tres decades pasados, ya no podemos volver para atrás. ¿Pero sabés que ya hacía tres decades, nuestra Madre Iglesia estaba contemplando como íbamos… [Read More]
Homily on the Ascension of Our Lord
[powerpress] This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord in the season of Easter. “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 17,2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord May 17, 2015 Lectionary: 58 (NAB Translation) Traditionally the Ascension is celebrated exactly 40 days into Easter on a Thursday, which is also 9 days before Pentecost. The United States bishops decided to most this solemnity to the 7th Sunday of Easter to ensure that more people… [Read More]
Novena to the Holy Spirit for Pentecost (or any time, really)
Special Novena to the Holy Spirit Day 1 Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts and kindle in us the Fire of Love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created and You Shall renew the face of the earth. O God who instructs us by the light of the Holy Spirit grant us… [Read More]
Open the Door of Mercy Homily
This homily was given at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin on May 7, 2015 in the 4th Week of Easter. [powerpress] Pope Francis Prayer for the Jubilee of Mercy Lord Jesus Christ, you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him. Show… [Read More]
The First Steps on the Road (Review: “Loved As I Am”)
To love is to do what is best for the beloved. Some people are easy to love, especially when we have great affection for them besides. Some people are rather more difficult to love. Consider God’s love for us. We rejected him from the very start of humanity, and we reject him individually now, in… [Read More]
You’re Not a Bad Mom If You Spend Time with People Who Are Not Your Baby
This segment of “Bad Mom” brings us to Part Two of this three part series. (See Part One here.) Mother’s Day was yesterday, and if your guilt about not being Super Mom 24/7 kept you from enjoying your well-earned day, then please, read this post. Preferably with a coffee or piece of chocolate. You’ve earned a… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – May 10, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday May 10, 2015 Lectionary: 56 6th Sunday of Easter (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for May 10, 2015, the sixth Sunday in Easter. Thank you for joining us as we open the Word of God to prepare our hearts and minds for this Sunday’s Mass. As we prepare for the… [Read More]
Corpus Christi Procession – “That They May All Be One” (Part 1)
The Corpus Christi Procession in Austin, Texas, is a very special one. This year, two communities are coming together to praise and adore the Lamb of God on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. For the first time in Central Texas history, the English and Spanish Corpus Christi Processions will… [Read More]
No One is Rich with Time
There are some mornings that I find it incredibly difficult to get out a bed. In the fogginess of one early morning, lyrics from Bono singing Beautiful Day on the alarm clock unexpectedly struck my heart. “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away.” – U2 I instantly thought of the countless moments I… [Read More]
No Room at the Inn: an ongoing true story
My youngest daughter begged me to help a friend of hers whose family had no place to live. It was an emergency situation. They had tried everything. Her friend had come to her in tears- a friend who I had only ever seen smile and laugh- a kid I remembered by his radiant smile. This… [Read More]
Homily on the Works of Mercy
This homliy was given at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on April 30, 2015 in the fourth week of Easter [powerpress] Jesus in the priest and in the deacon as servant. Homily based on the Gospel of John 13:16-20 The Corporal Works of Mercy Feed the hungry Give drink to the thirsty Clothe… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 3, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 53 (NAB Translation) Sunday, May 3, 2015 Reading 1 Acts 9:26-31 This week’s first reading continues in the Acts of the Apostles during this season of Easter. Last week we heard about how Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus. Saul had been known for His persecution of… [Read More]
You’re Not a “Bad Mom” If You Don’t Breastfeed
I’ve only been a mom for about 4 months now, and I recognize that I’m definitely still in the newb phase of parenting. But these 4 months have felt like a crash course, full of guilty, stressed and confused feelings over what I should or shouldn’t be doing. In an effort to normalize these guilty… [Read More]
Global Justice – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
The education and sophistication that I think I have goes away when I meet the human dignity of the other who brings the wisdom of life … -Barbara Budde [powerpress] Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions… [Read More]
The Water (and Blood) of Baptism
Ten years ago I took the plunge, literally. This Easter season marks ten years since I received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion. What a ride it has been. When people ask me what I remember most about my baptism from ten years ago, four things come to mind: I was wet. I… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 26, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday Lectionary: 50 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Reading 1 ACTS 4:8-12 This week’s first reading continues in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. In this section of the story, Peter is speaking before the Sanhedrin to address his healing of the cripple beggar. St Peter’s… [Read More]
Why Jesus Said, “I Thirst”
“I thirst” (Jn 19:28). Jesus said this on the Cross and before he gave up his spirit. This phrase reminds us of the pain and anguish he endured for our sake. It reminds us of the death of the just for the sake of the unjust. The language and wording associated with the redemption of… [Read More]
Do Catholics Need to Believe in Saint Miracles?
There are some topics in the faith that are a little confusing and even hard to believe. Saints are certainly of particular interests. We are blessed to live in the communion of saints that surrounds us to encourage and intercede for our intentions. To be a saint, a person must have completed their life on… [Read More]
“God is it!” Facing the fear of loss
Something was wrong that day. I kept thinking maybe it was the pain med I was giving him for his broken ribs making him loopy. But something was wrong and I knew it. With an anguished heart I kept walking out into the back yard and breaking down sobbing, begging God to help us. I… [Read More]
The Radio-Man, New Media & The New Man (Vatican II & Social Communication, Part II)
Social media & technology have been coming up recently in several conversations with friends of mine. The other night at a group of us were talking about youth and smart phones. I mentioned I’d been doing some substitute teaching lately, and experienced a little culture shock in seeing how nearly every high school student and… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 19, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Third Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 47 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Reading 1 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 In the season of easter, we place a large scriptural focus on the book of the Acts of the Apostles to show the important consequences of the resurrection of Jesus. We continue this week in a section where St… [Read More]
Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Mercy Message
Pope Francis released the Papal Bull of Indiction of the Year of Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy titled Misericordiae Vultus on Saturday April 11, 2015. [powerpress] This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX.
Racial Justice – St Ignatius Martyr Parish Social Ministry Council Panel Series
[powerpress] Austin Catholic New Media in partnership with Saint Ignatius Parish Social Ministry Council is proud to present this new monthly series of panel discussions on the social ministries of the church. This panel was recorded and February and discusses how Catholics can work to combat racism and build a more just world. On… [Read More]
Learning to Follow (A Reflection on “The Three Parts of Dance & the Trinity”)
I’m learning to dance. I’ve always loved to dance, even since I was the little girl in shiny gold shoes tearing it up at my uncle’s wedding. True story. I did tap and ballet for about a year when I was four. Since then, it’s been all about freestyle. I have rhythm, which helps a… [Read More]
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