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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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.
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]
4 Irrational Fears of a Girl During Mass
Mass is a time of community, prayer, and a whole lotta holy. But sometimes my brain will not focus for the life of me. These are just a few of the things that can distract me during mass (this was pre-baby… kids add a whole new level of distraction to the list). Enjoy, and feel free… [Read More]
Divine Mercy Homily
The second Sunday of Easter is celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX in the Octave of Easter. [powerpress] Divine Mercy Image Prayers from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth… [Read More]
Keeping the Faith and Divine Mercy
A Mormon once approached while I was walking through my neighborhood and started talking to me about his beliefs. I always enjoy talking to people of other faiths, especially the ones convicted enough to try and teach others what they believe at random. They are no real threat to my faith, so I feel very… [Read More]
Here Comes the Judge
“We’ll take a short recess, and I’ll come back and give you my decision.” It only took Judge Wapner the convenient length of a commercial break to pass judgement back on the original version of The People’s Court. And yet we judge others even more quickly each and every day. The litigants for our first… [Read More]
Biography, Theology, and You (Review: “C.S. Lewis and the Crisis of a Christian”)
I like C.S. Lewis a lot. He wasn’t a Catholic, but he was a convert to Anglicanism, and more importantly, he was an incredible writer. I read The Chronicles of Narnia first, but when I entered adulthood, I discovered his apologetics works. I love them so much that I have reviewed most of them here… [Read More]
What My Husband Taught Me About Lent
This Lenten season is the first one Danger and I have experienced as husband and wife. We began the season as brand new parents, and didn’t spend much time discerning what our Lenten sacrifices would be, either individually and as a couple. At first, I declared I would give up Sonic for Lent. Those of you… [Read More]
How to Fix Infidelity
This article is a reflection on part of Mark 6 (verses 7-13 and 30-44). The first passage is the mission of the twelve given by Jesus. The second passage is the multiplication of the loaves. Not much of that is reflected on. Most of it is good to have in mind, though (context). This gospel passage… [Read More]
5 Reasons to do Marian Consecration
In the fall of 2006, a friend introduced me to a book called True Devotion to Mary by St Louis de Montfort, and I can confidently say that there has never been a book that had a greater impact in my spiritual life. I was blessed to be raised a cradle Catholic, but it wasn’t… [Read More]
Luke Interviews Mary: the Annunciation
After the breaking of the Bread and the Prayers in the house of John the Apostle, when all the others had left, Mary sat me down, bringing me water and a plate of olives. She walked quickly through the house, putting things away, straightening mats, stirring a stew she was making for John and me… [Read More]
The Fatherhood of Saint Joseph
This homily was given at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX for the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read the daily readings for this solemnity at USCCB’s daily readings page. [powerpress] Main Points of the Homily for the Feast of Saint Joseph Entrustment to the fatherhood of Saint Joseph Saint Joseph… [Read More]
Best Confession Ever: 5 Things You Should Do Before Confession (and 5 While You’re In There)
I go to Confession. I am not always “in great need of Confession,” as a priest once phrased it, but I have found it to be good for me. I go once a month whether I really think I need to or not, and there is always a particular routine I follow. I like routines…. [Read More]
An Open Letter to Angry Christians Against Gay Persons
Dear Reader, Before I begin, let me start off by explaining what this letter is NOT: It is not meant to be a theology lesson. (For info on the Catholic church’s teaching on gay “marriage”, look here and here.) It is not about the politics around being gay in the US. This letter is simply a reminder that we are… [Read More]
What Are You Ordering for Lent?
What are you ordering for Lent? The blue-plate Friday special with a big t-bone steak! Ha, just kidding! That’s not the kind of order I meant, but I couldn’t resist the silly pun. What are you ordering for Lent – in your life? In my last post I wrote about how changeful my Lenten season is… [Read More]
The World’s Greatest Love
As the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary approaches on March 19th let us contemplate the betrothal and love of Joseph and Mary, and how it can help couples and also single people in their search for a spouse. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us on July 5, 2010 that the “The… [Read More]
Coincidence? I don’t think so!
I am starting to think there is no such thing as a coincidence. (Were you thinking the same thing?) Whenever someone says, “Wow, what a coincidence,” I usually give a quick nod to the Lord knowing that whatever the person is describing must have been holy handiwork. For your reading pleasure I will share a… [Read More]
Clothes On, Heart Full (Review: The Thrill of the Chaste, Catholic Edition)
In my happy journey through every book on chastity known to Christian man, I made a stop at The Thrill of the Chaste back in 2012. The book had been out for years; I tend to be a later adopter. My favorite aspects of that edition were Eden’s utterly realistic experience and her comments about… [Read More]
The Power of Christian Unity
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited. -Romans 12:14-16 This verse is thematic of what we call Christian unity: peace, harmony, listening to… [Read More]
Bishop Rundown for the Diocese of Austin [Infographic]
We are living in exciting times in the Diocese of Austin. The Austin metro area is experiencing unprecedented growth and constantly ranking at the top of list to show just how great things really are going in the area. Our diocese is booming, and it’s only excepted to keep going for the foreseeable future. Episcopal Ordination… [Read More]
Where Culture and Scripture Meet (Review: The African American Catholic Youth Bible)
If I’m going to be honest as a reviewer, I have to say that I didn’t want to like this book. That’s a terrible thing. First of all, I generally prefer not to review books I don’t think I’ll like. I made an exception for Wild at Heart. It seemed like the natural follow-up to… [Read More]
Angels & Dragons
“Proclaim a War! Let the weak man say, ‘I am a warrior!’” (Joel 4:9-10) In these dark times we must contemplate and understand the spiritual battle we are facing. We must take a step back and ask ourselves, “What is happening to the world and to us?” The answer is that mankind is at the… [Read More]
Ways to Find Value in Your Work as a Young Adult
Most young adults aren’t working their dream jobs, and it commonly leads to a lingering restlessness. Few people grow up wanting to have a desk job or work in service, and most of us never considered the amount of monotonous tasks required in the daily routine in regular jobs. When we search our hearts, we all want… [Read More]
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