Alright folks. One week down. How is everyone doing? Been perfect so far? I admit, I already had a Lenten slip-up. This year, for better or worse, I didn’t mention what I was offering up for Lent on my personal site. In retrospect, I usually fail at it, which not only means I’m unintentionally bragging… [Read More]
Sex, Love and the Pill
The last several weeks, my husband and I have hovered over our smart phones and iPads, reading every possible article about the HHS mandate and controversy. I’ve seen tweets, read controversial FB status updates, scrolled through interesting blog posts and had engaging conversations with Catholics and non-Catholics. While the controversy still elevates my blood pressure,… [Read More]
Singing With A Voice God Loves
During my middle school days I can remember showing up to our religious education nights, filing into the pews and opening up by singing some praise and worship. Now, it’s likely to conclude that a bunch of boys and girls in the beginning of their teen years may not think that singing is the… [Read More]
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 45 – Filet-O-Fish
Episode 45 [powerpress] Current Events: Regulations for the observance of Lent: http://www.archdiocese-chgo.org/catholic_values/catholic_teaching/lenten_regulations.shtm Church offers drive-thru for Ash Wednesday… Social media fasting for Lent? Is anyone listening? Church News: The great philospher and writer, Dr Peter Kreeft will be leading a Retreat titled ‘Whom do we meet in the Eucharist” at St John Neumann March 3rd… [Read More]
Repent, but don’t forget to Rejoice
The season of Lent is here! And with Lent comes prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Note that pouting, grumbling, and complaining are not part of our Lenten trio. In fact in yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, fast,and give alms in private so that only our Heavenly Father will see. During this time of… [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]
Not Quite for Beginners, but Worth It (Review: “Theology for Beginners”)
It is amazing how much I do not know. I came back to the Church seven years ago tomorrow (which was Ash Wednesday that year, too). I am a joiner by nature, so when I decided to become a practicing adult Catholic, I went in full-tilt. That led me to my current lifestyle, where I… [Read More]
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 44 – Linsanity
Episode 44 [powerpress] Current Events: Linsanity sweeps the nation Jeremy Lin rocks the Christian Rap and Worship Music http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/15/jeremy-lins-music-picks-c_n_1279615.html Is Lin the Tebow 2.0 for the NBA? Obviously he’s performing, but do you think that the NBA and NFL are loving these stories of Christian players because it helps clean up the public perception of… [Read More]
La Lucha Por La Libertad Religiosa, El Fruto Que Estamos Cosechando
Por más de diez días he estado pensando en escribir este blog. Los eventos que estamos viviendo con respecto al constante ataque a la vida y la libertad de religión, serán recordados por muchos años. No deberíamos de sorprendernos que estemos viendo el ataque directo contra estos dos puntos fundamentales. Este es simplemente el fruto… [Read More]
Anointing of the sick Mass at St. William
This past weekend I was pleased to photograph part of the vigil Mass that saw healing prayers and oils administered to more than 50 parishioners. I absolutely love my home parish, St. William, and always look forward to opportunities to show off how beautiful she is to others…and so, that is what I will do… [Read More]
Se Aproxima La Cuaresma
Tanto amo Dios al mundo que entrego su Hijo Único, para que todo el que crea en Él no se pierda sino que tenga vida eterna. (Juan 3,16) Este Febrero 22, es Miércoles de Ceniza. Es el día en que vamos a la iglesia para que nos impongan las cenizas en la frente e iniciamos… [Read More]
HHS Mandate Revisited
When the Department of Health and Human Services announced the rules concerning the scope of the religious exemption for mandatory coverage of contraceptives, sterilizations and abortifacent drugs, there was an uproar. In response, on Friday afternoon, the President announced a compromise meant to allow Catholic organizations to stay true to their values and maintain the Administration’s… [Read More]
“The Perfect Love” just in time for Valentine’s Day
So today is Valentine’s Day. I remember when I was in middle and high school, my group of friends would go bowling and bring fancy decorated bags/boxes for later exchanging those little pre-maid valentines you get at Wal-Mart. Of course, later on, I would sort through them looking for one from whichever guy I was… [Read More]
Nicki Minaj, A Grammy Performance & Sacrilege
This is not the first time a music entertainer has taken a low blow to the Catholic Church. There was Madonna, Sinead O’Connor’s ’92 SNL performance and just a year ago, Lady Gaga’s leaked release of her single “Judas” (about, you guessed it, Judas Iscariot) just seven days before the beginning of Holy Week. However,… [Read More]
In Praise of Ordinary Time
Every year between Christmas and Lent, the Church enters the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. Unfortunately the word “ordinary” doesn’t exactly inspire. And yet if we dig deeper into the Gospel Readings for Ordinary Time – we see what amazing value and practical application they have for our “ordinary” lives. The term “Ordinary” is a… [Read More]
On Human Life – Revisiting the Prophetic Words of Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae
(In light of the current assault on religious liberty) On July 25, 1968 Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical letter that changed the Catholic Church in a way that few papal documents before or since have ever done. Unfortunately, the changes were not at all positive from an institutional standpoint. After this encyclical was published,… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: February 12, 2012 Readings and Reflection
Fifth Week in Ordinary Time [powerpress] Reflection star at 3:00 Link to readings: http://catholic.org/bible/daily_reading/?select_date=2012-02-12 First Reading:Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 Second Reading: 1Corinthians 10:31 – 11:1 Gospel Reading: Mark 1: 40-45 Reflection done by Christopher Williston – @cwillistonvi Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 43 – Circle of Life!!
Episode 43 [powerpress] Current Events: HHS story picking up steam in the MMS http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/ns/msnbc_tv-morning_joe/#46294134 Tweet from Joe Scarborough @joenbc I’m not Catholic but I must say I am stunned by the open bigotry shown toward people of the Catholic faith. EWTN sues the U.S. government over the contraception mandate. http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/ewtn-sues-us-government-over-contraception-mandate/ Priest for Life has also… [Read More]
Hearing God’s call even while you’re sleeping, and maybe even if you’re stuck in a whale, figuratively
When is the last time you heard a direct message from God? To have a personal relationship with God means you are in conversation with Him – after all, communication is a key component of relationship. Is your conversation two ways, or does it seem like you’re doing all the talking? We’re only a few… [Read More]
Giving Something Up? Or Giving Something Freely?
Ash Wednesday is only two weeks away! Unlike last year, I’m trying to figure out what to “give up” ahead of time. The only requirements for Lent is fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstinence on Fridays throughout Lent. The practice of giving something up is what I grew up with though, so… [Read More]
Social Media and the Full Impact of the Gospel
Technology. The definition from the Dictionary (as cited from http://www.dictionary.com) tech·nol·o·gy [tek-nol-uh-jee] noun: 1. the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science. Everywhere we look at any time throughout the… [Read More]
Flying High and Falling Fast (Review: “Mockingjay”)
Dear readers, the end has arrived. That is, the end of this series of reviews has arrived. I dove back into the Hunger Games trilogy at the beginning of this calendar year, and I shared that journey with you all in my reviews of The Hunger Games and of Catching Fire. Moving at a speed… [Read More]
Open Combox: Your Take from Super Bowl XLVI
We’re trying something new for today at Austin Catholic New Media. The article will be on the shorter side, but with the open invite to continue the thread on the comment box below. Last night, the New England Patriots and the New York Giants played a rematch of Super Bowl XLII with the Giants winning… [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]
The Start -Soundwave [CD Release Review]
In the land of barbecue, you’ll find more than just your choice of meats. The band Soundwave, mainly known as the house band for DCYC for the past 3 years, has just released a new album. This small town band from Lockhart, TX shows the extent of their God-given musical talents and offer it as… [Read More]
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 42 – Toilet Texting and Pink Slime Hamburgers
Episode 42 [powerpress] Feedback: Feedback from Phil Current Events: Texas Rally for Life coverage and reports from Catholic Bishops and the HHS Mandate http://www.kvue.com/news/Obama-administration-draws-Catholic-ire-over-health-care-rule-change-138364554.html Letter from Bishop Vasquez: http://www.austindiocese.org/resources/general/4793.pdf For more information and to contact your U.S. Reps: http://www.usccb.org/conscience Here’s a link to a white house petition page to rescind the HHS Mandate: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/rescind-hhs-dept-mandate-requiring-catholic-employers-provide-contraceptivesabortifacients-their/lBxr7SdP?utm_source=wh.gov&utm_medium=shorturl&utm_campaign=shorturl http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=25865… [Read More]
Komen breaks ties with Planned Parenthood
VS This story broke early Tuesday afternoon as I checked my FB feed and saw – no, not from a fellow pro-life Catholic – the story was linked up by one of my most pro-choice {and not to mention, agnostic} friends. I kind of chuckled to myself at the irony of finding out the victory… [Read More]
¿Por Que Nos Importa Este Nuevo Reglamento?
Se le ha negado un derecho religioso a la Iglesia Católica. En Agosto del 2011 se aprobó una regla que va obligar a la Iglesia actuar contra su conciencia y esto no cabe dentro lo que representa este país y su Constitución. El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos obligara a todo negocio, incluyendo a organizaciones sin… [Read More]
Conflict and Compromise
My wife and I are fundamentally different. My idea of “on-time” is arriving 10 minutes before needing to be somewhere and being able to take my time to get into position, ready to go when I’m supposed to be there. In college, I was the guy that would rather skip class than walk in after… [Read More]
Creating Large Graphics From Little Images
This year, at the Austin Diocese’ 54th Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference (DCYC), the stage environment consisted of large letters forming the theme, “UNAFRAID,” and a large, back-lit cross of the wood cut crucifix logo image. Below is a wide image of the stage containing both stage elements. The letters are each about 2 feet tall…. [Read More]
A Catholic College Experience
It was the summer in between my junior and senior year in college. I was back at home volunteering at my parish’s vacation bible school. I was the designated photographer hoping to get some good shots for my portfolio due at the end of my summer photography course. It was during a break when I… [Read More]
Is Catholic School for You?
This week, January 30-February 3, marks Catholic Schools week around the country. Don’t worry, I’m not here to tell you that there are special indulgences for choosing Catholic school over public or home school. The truth is, no one option makes you more Catholic than the other. It’s always the spirit in how you live… [Read More]
Catholic Bishops Respond to the Health and Human Services Mandate
This weekend the following message from Bishop Joe Vasquez was read at all Masses in the Austin Diocese. So if you missed it or went to Mass out of town give it a read… Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: January 29 Readings and Reflection
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 29, 2012 (New Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Skip to 3:45 to go to reflection. Reading 1 – Dt 18:15-20 Responsorial – Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9 Reading 2 – 1 Cor 7:32-35 Gospel – Mk 1:21-28 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Background music from JewelBeat Feedback Line Number:… [Read More]
Two Guys a Girl and a Catholic Podcast Episode 41 – News from DCYC and Soundwave
Episode 41 [powerpress] Feedback: March for Life in Washington DC http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/23/abortion-protesters-march-on-roe-v-wade-anniversary/ http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/01/23/celebrate-life-embrace-graceend-abortion/ (Get ready for Texas Rally for Life if you are listening before January 28th?) http://www.texasrallyforlife.org/ Pro-Life Commercial http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/2012/01/pro-life-commercial-that-says-it-all.html Church News: The next Catholic Business Network meeting is February 1st at 7:30 AM at Saint William’s Parish Center in Round Rock. All Catholic business… [Read More]
¿Quién es el Papa de tu Iglesia?
La semana pasada platicamos durante la clase que estoy impartiendo en Saint William sobre la Tradición y el Magisterio. Este es un tema fundamental el cual se debe de conocer para poder comenzar cualquier plática apologética sobre todo con hermanos protestantes. Se puede hacer la analogía del banquito de tres patas, en donde la… [Read More]
Why We’re Here
Volunteering for education-related ministries is one of the ways that I’ve learned the most about our faith. This school year is my first year volunteering with high school teens. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but I kept the slate blank to let God fill in the details with the wonderful people involved in… [Read More]
Figuring God into Weight Loss
Obesity is a pandemic in the US. I know from firsthand experience. But, not until recently had I thought God could help me with this problem. After all, my lack of exercise and love for chocolate are all my doing. God is strictly for prayer. Right? Wrong. Too long have I compartmentalized societal expectations from… [Read More]
Wishful Thinking
I saw a recent article in Forbes online magazine with the provocative headline, “Why Your New Year’s Resolution Will Fail by February 1.” The article goes on to say that if Gym Membership is an indicator, a third of resolutions are dropped by February 1. And while the Forbes headline seems cynical and maybe even… [Read More]
The Heat Is On (Review: “Catching Fire”)
While I was home for Christmas, I saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows with my mom and sister. I loved it. It was one of the best sequels I’ve ever seen, because it didn’t strictly require knowledge of the first movie, but it built beautifully on what had been established. Reading Catching Fire, the… [Read More]
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