For many years in the church I grew up in, we would build/perform a simulation/reenactment of the first advent. The plot should have be no surprise to anyone here. A group of humble shepherds gets startled by a chorus of angles who prompt them to seek a new born in the land of… [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]
The Little Things Can Become the Big Things
We can all probably recall a time when we first noticed an ant trail marching back to its colony. And perhaps how we fought the temptation to stomp on a few, just to see what would happen. It is human nature to ponder… [Read More]
Making Room
Yesterday at mass we heard one of the infancy narratives, the one from Matthew (at Tuesday daily mass – right now it’s Wednesday night!). We’re getting closer and closer to end of the Advent season and the start of Christmas, so we’re starting to hear more about Christ’s birth. On Christmas (well, at the Midnight Mass),… [Read More]
A Little Advent Scripture Study
Advent is a time of preparation for receiving Jesus into the world and into our hearts. My first Advent challenge to you is to sit down, ponder and meditate on the scriptural account of Jesus’ arrival in the world as your time allows. There are many wonderful resources for Scripture study, but for anyone seeking… [Read More]
Parenting the Popular Kid
Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, we all want to be popular. Well, popular in the sense that all of us want to be loved, recognized, accepted and appreciated. Our oldest son began middle school this year and it has been a {ahem} transition. Yes, there are glimpses of a little boy left… [Read More]
And The Winners Are!!
Thanks to everyone who has been participating in ACNM’s first Advent Challenge via the site, Twitter and Facebook. We lots of great feedback this week and we’ve selected two winners via random drawing to receive a copy of “The Greatest Miracle” provided to use by the Maximus Group. And the winners are: Rod R and Ricky… [Read More]
A Morning Opposing the Abortion Giant – Reflections From the Sidewalk
It was only 9:37 a.m. on a muggy summer morning in June 2011 and I’d already had one of those mornings that forces you to stop and think about who you are and the world around you. It started off as a photojournalism project. Just a simple photostory. Snap a couple of pictures, record an… [Read More]
Why I Believe in Gay Equality
First things first: I apologize for my extended hiatus from posting blogs. Let’s just say a lot of very significant and life-changing things happened to me one after another. Second things second: I’d like to return to my regularly scheduled programming by speaking about a rather snaggly issue in our state/country/world at the moment: gay… [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]
Is Robert Griffin III Catholic? Why This Question Matters.
Everytime the Washington Redskins play a nationally televised game our organic search results go through the roof because of this very question. Are all the people who are searching for “Is RGIII Catholic”, necessarly all that interested in his faith life? Probably not, but seeing someone cross themselves(as RGIII is known to do) is a… [Read More]
UT-Austin Medical School to be Catholic
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]
Jennifer Fulwiler: Minor Revisions Interview
Chris, Cristina and I got to sit down with Jennifer Fulwiler to talk about her new show ‘Minor Revisions’ that premires tonight at 7 PM (CST) on the NET network. We had lots of fun recording this interview and can’t wait for the show, everyone needs to make sure they check it out. [powerpress] Minor… [Read More]
A Real Baby
“No, he was a REAL baby!” my six year old daughter insists, eye brows lifted as she explains to her four year old sister. “It’s not a just story!” My four year old’s blue eyes are wide as she looks off out the window, pondering. Jesus was a real baby. Even as an adult, I… [Read More]
Irreverent Mary (Review: “Looking for Mary, Or, The Blessed Mother and Me”)
People come to the Catholic faith through many avenues. As Dr. Robert Koons put it during his recent apologetics series at the University Catholic Center, where I work, there are “many roads to Rome.” Some roads are bumpy and long, and some are clear forks. Some roads, however, are more like the roundabout in National… [Read More]
On a Mission from Grace
My conversion to Catholicism occurred about eight years after the events I described in Grace Made Man. Only 3 short months after I was confirmed, God’s providence allowed me to serve with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the Missionaries de Christe in Honduras. This would become my greatest lesson in community to date…. [Read More]
Advent Challenge and The Greatest Miracle DVD Giveaway
I hope everyone is enjoying ACNM’s first Advent Challenge and all the cool ideas that are coming from it. I’m here today to sweeten the pot a bit as it comes to our Challenge and post comments in general. Our friends over at the Maximus Group provided us with two copies of “The Greatest Miracle” to… [Read More]
Don’t Ignore Advent
I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining. I believe in Love even when I don’t feel it. I believe in God even when he is silent. We’re 15 days away from Christmas. We are in a time of preparation, both of the celebration of the birth of Jesus of many years ago… [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]
He humbled Himself
As soon as Thanksgiving ends and the consumer world starts promoting and selling Christmas in earnest, I feel like I immediately start to hear from the Catholic media sphere the repeated mantra warning us against the spirit of materialism: Focus on the reason for the season, don’t get stressed out over Christmas shopping and buying stuff, don’t… [Read More]
How to think outside of the “gift box” at Christmas.
The other day, I was kindly asked what my children would like for Christmas. So, I surveyed their bedrooms, looked through their toy bins and took stock of their clothes and shoes. But I came up totally empty. My husband is an unabashed geek and being technologically savvy is the bread and butter of our… [Read More]
WOW! Women of the Well
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]
Pope Benedict XVI adopts another name: @Pontifex
Worldwide yesterday, news outlets announced the welcoming of Pope Benedict XVI to Twitter. Yes, the 85 year-old Holy Father has a personal twitter account: @Pontifex. Well, actually he has eight. One in English and seven in other languages (to start). Combined, the Pope gained over 500,000 followers in a single day and that’s before he’s even sent out… [Read More]
Life is Not an Emergency: Preparing for Advent
Several months ago, a friend gave me the book, “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. Admittedly, it’s not the kind of book you can just breeze through in one sitting. It’s a hardcover meant to be enjoyed, over the course of many a couch sitting, preferably with a hot cup of tea. Precisely the kind… [Read More]
What Should We Call It? Catholic GIFS and Advent Challenges
I believe that sometimes you just have to be a little bit silly. There are a ton of these things on the Internet called gifs, so here I present to you a fun little set of Catholic themed gifs. My friends and I when it comes time to exchange the sign of peace… [Read More]
Prescription Strength Grace
Over thanksgiving I came down with a pretty nasty cold. My family treated me in their characteristically sympathetic manner. They griped at me for not doing more cardio. Bedside manner aside, I know my family is correct. In the three years I’ve been Catholic I’ve lost about 100 pounds (cardio). This process has proven to… [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]
Porta Fidei: Austin DCYC 55
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]
John Paul II Life Center: 2nd Annual Benefit Dinner
I had the pleasure to sit down with Mr. Tim Von Dohlen from the John Paul II Life Center to talk about their 2nd Annual Benefit Dinner coming up on Dec, 5th. [powerpress] There’s only one week left to see USCCB Pro-Life Chair Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Bishop Joe Vásquez, Gov. Rick Perry and Dr. & Mrs. Thomas… [Read More]
Keeping Advent Holy
Ahhhh, it’s almost December! What a wonderful time of year! We have SO many plans to make it an amazing time for our family! And we have so much to do! We get down décor from the attic. We put together a tree. We start making Christmas lists. The office Christmas party is marked the… [Read More]
Modern Science: A Sin Against Intelligence?
Science as a quest for understanding of the workings of the universe had its formal beginnings in ancient Greece. It was augmented by the scholastics of the Middle Ages, who added the philosophical foundation on the notion that the universe is intelligible. However, as Henri de Lubac notes, there was more recently a shift in… [Read More]
The Answer to a Really Good Question (Review: “The Problem of Pain”)
Christianity is a faith of paradoxes. We are alive now, and then we will die (unless Christ returns before we die), but there is life after death. On Sunday, we officially begin to look upon the Virgin who will give birth to a son. By dying, Christ conquered death. Either this all makes perfect sense,… [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]
Perfectly Imperfect
Pinterest is a dream come true for the aspiring perfectionist. If you have not encountered pinterest yet, it is a virtual and endless pin board where people can post and save photos of projects and ideas. (Be prepared to stay up until 4 am creating your pin boards, by the way). I was browsing the… [Read More]
In All Circumstances Give Thanks
That’s all for today, friends. Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Promoting Life in the Movies: Movie Review of October Baby
It is clearly November, which is National Adoption Month, and the movie October Baby came out on DVD recently. My husband and I finally had some time over the weekend to watch a movie. We have been so busy we hadn’t had time to squeeze in a movie in over two months. We decided to… [Read More]
What’s Wrong with the Year of Faith?
Sometimes I think in memes. I catch myself thinking “McKayla is not impressed” (disapproval) or of the fist pump baby (approval) in various situations throughout the day. (See Rita’s previous post for some ideas on where to find some funny Catholic ones.) I’m so not sure what that says about me, but that’s okay. The… [Read More]
Prada for God? 5 Things Every Woman Should Wear at Mass
You’ve glanced at the Sunday readings. You shuttled all your children and a husband to the minivan. You even remembered to brush your teeth. You made it to Mass before the first reading, so does it *really* matter what you wore? Yes, yes it does. Below, I share why it matters, how it can make… [Read More]
Pro-Hope: The John Paul II Life Center’s Call
In order to graduate, I was required to take a class where an internship was required. I remember getting the list a week before the semester started and instantly looking for the “Catholic friendly” internships. On the list I found the Catholic Charities of Central Texas (they already had an intern for the semester) and… [Read More]
Johnny Football, Wormwood and Screwtape
What does Johnny Football and College Football have to do with the spiritual life? Take a listen and find out. [powerpress]
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