I finally found a book about women’s spirituality that is (a) not about single life and (b) one I like! That is a rare find. I read (and write) a lot about being a single Catholic woman. There’s a market for it. There’s also a need for materials that explore women’s spirituality, but that usually… [Read More]
Our Call And Election
We are called to make our call and election firm, to take the gift of faith we have been given strengthen it against the attacks of the devil. As we have moved back into ordinary time, I have been amazed at how beautiful the daily readings are. They seem to reach out and touch my… [Read More]
Sunday Says – June 26, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 99 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 1 Kings 19:16B, 19-21 This week’s first reading from the first book of Kings in a story from the end of Elijah’s retirement when the Lord has asked him to appoint his successor. This is a perspective that reminds us what it means to… [Read More]
Sunday Says – June 5, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday June 5, 2016 Lectionary: 90 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 1 Kings 17:17-24 In this week’s first reading from the first book of Kings in the Old Testament, we see the Prophet Elijah demonstrate the power of God by raising someone from the dead. A poor widow in the pagan… [Read More]
Diversity in Ministry Part 1 – Gifts and Talents
We all have a tendency to surround ourselves with people that are similar to ourselves. There are plenty of reasons this facilitates relationships and can be beneficial. In fact, searching for things in common is often how many friendships begin. This is a normal part of the process of getting to know new people, but… [Read More]
La Meta es Hacerme Santa
Esta mañana escuché una plática sobre la formación de la consciencia que me hizo re-pensar muchas cosas. La oradora, además de ser una mujer extraordinaria, es mi amiga (próximamente escribiré su historia y su milagro de vida). Pues bien, yo como Católica practicante, creo profundamente en mi corazón y en todo mi ser, que mi… [Read More]
The Hail Mary, the Visitation: a reflection
Mary… the name of that beautiful flower which I always invoke morning and evening.” ~ Dante I remember learning the Hail Mary when I was 20. I was dating the Catholic boy who I would one day marry. I was curious about the Hail Mary, never having heard more than the first line of… [Read More]
The Dignity of Women in Fashion: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
“Who has to tell me how to dress up? … I am more the type of girl who likes to dress in a comfortable and practical way, with high heels and skirts I feel strange, but… nobody can tell me how to dress!… not men. It is driving me crazy, leave us alone now. Man… [Read More]
Presentation: Mary and the New Evangelization
This presentation was given at the ATX Catholic Day of Reflection at Our Lady of Schoenstatt Shrine on April 30, 2016. [powerpress] The slideshow below was part of the presentation.
Spiritual Lessons from a Lake Travis Tragedy
[This is a guest post from Norine Shaivitz.] Ten years ago today, I opened the newspaper and saw the story I had very briefly covered the day before took a turn I wasn’t expecting. Back then, I was a news anchor at a radio station and the day before had been busy. The few reporters… [Read More]
Mercy, Justice, and the Truth (Review: “To Render the Deeds of Mercy”)
I don’t understand the Jubilee Year of Mercy, but I’m trying to. I love learning, so, as I said on my panel during the ATX Catholic Retreat, I’m taking this year as an opportunity to learn what mercy means. I encounter tons of media already, so my learning mostly consists of keeping my eyes and… [Read More]
What Are Your Intentions?
Being intentional doesn’t just happen! I remember some old movies where the father would ask the young man, “What are your intentions with my daughter?” I have had a lot of thought and discussion about this whole idea of being intentional. In my last post, I talked about goals and how it is important to… [Read More]
How is self-esteem linked to the image and likeness of God? – Part II
“We humans have not self-esteem, we have dignity, we are the children of God”. Sheila Morataya The root of our dignity and value It seems that one of King Louis XV of France, Luisa, was once the object of some reproach by one of her nannies. The princess did not like the correction and angrily… [Read More]
Catholic Life Online Today Panel
This audio is from the second panel at the ATX Catholic Day of Reflection 2016 at Our Lady of Schoenstatt Shrine in Austin, TX on April 30, 2016. [powerpress] Moderator: Brandon Kraft Panelist: Laura Gonzales, Cristina Almanza, and Steve Scott Panel 2 – Catholic Life Online Today St. John Paul II called us to propose anew the… [Read More]
Mary teaches Lumen Gentium Chapter VIII
What I want to do is fall to my knees at her feet, to take hold of, and touch to my face, the hem of her long blue skirt. But I can tell she doesn’t want me to do this. What she really wants is some help in the kitchen. She motions to me to… [Read More]
Parents & Teens, Freedom & Boundaries
Here at ATXCatholic I don’t often write about my job as a therapist, but today I’d like to delve a little bit into it, through the lens of good theology and a Christian understanding of the human person. I’d like to delve into the concept of boundaries in relationships, specifically between parents and teens. Tricky for… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 15, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
May 15, 2016 – Pentecost Sunday – Mass During The Day Pentecost Sunday (Mass during the Day) Lectionary: 63 (NAB Translation) This is a Sunday that provides choices for the readings that are not just shorter or longer versions from the same section. It is likely that your mass differs in at least… [Read More]
Popular Misconceptions About the Catholic Mass, Part III: Communion Reception
“The concept that communion in the hand is the only or preferred form of reception for Catholics since Vatican II is mistaken.” Also in this series: Popular Misconceptions about the Catholic Mass Part I: Music Popular Misconceptions about the Catholic Mass Part II: Ad Orientem With this third and final piece in our series on… [Read More]
Mercy and Technology Panel
This audio is from the first panel at the ATX Catholic Day of Reflection 2016 at Our Lady of Schoenstatt Shrine in Austin, TX on April 30, 2016. [powerpress] Moderator: Rachel Gardner Panelist: Trenton Hendrichson, Lindsay Wilcox, and Brandon Kraft Panel 1 – Mercy and Technology What does the Jubilee of Mercy mean to… [Read More]
How is Self-esteem Linked to the Image and Likeness of God?
You and I are children of God: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). God wanted to imprint deeply in our being the exclusive union to be a human being, and that is why, and only this… [Read More]
Freedom – Part 1 – Of garden tillers
Freedom is the God-given state of man’s natural existence, which makes it possible for man to achieve his natural end of flourishing in relationships with other people and his supernatural end of a communion of love with the Blessed Trinity. To be loved by the Father and to love Him in return by receiving this great… [Read More]
Pentecost, Inspiration, and Hope
It’s almost Pentecost! I developed a great relationship with the Holy Spirit when I was in undergrad, so Pentecost is one of my favorite feasts. For some reason, it pulls other people who like to dress liturgically out of the woodwork: we all wear red. Join me on all the other Sundays! It’s awesome! In… [Read More]
Goals, Plans and Motivation – Oh My!
What is your goal? During this time of Easter we read story after story about the life of the early church and more precisely about the lives of the apostles. What made them so effective? What motivated them? Thousands of people converted in a single day, people were cured and they faced persecution bravely. I… [Read More]
Saints Who Gave Satan Big Trouble
I had written an article on Saints with Sass, particularly against Satan, awhile back and decided to write a “spiritual successor” to it. In the events I mentioned in “Saintly Sass” post, I talked about how the Devil was utterly humiliated by snarky comments, from Saints, directed at him. In this article, I want to… [Read More]
For Catholic Bloggers (ATX Catholic Reflection Day Quick Takes)
For bloggers, as people who are often plugged in, absorbing information, writing and interacting online, etc – how blessed a day of reflection can be! I think this was a common sentiment for all of us that attended the ATX Catholic Day of Reflection last weekend. Speaking for myself, it was a great gift to… [Read More]
Forming Teens Into Evangelical Catholics
Youth ministry is a unique challenge for the Church, and by challenge, I mean opportunity. A decade ago, I started to dabble in youth ministry, but I have spent the last 7 years working with great people in the Church to develop a program that can form young Evangelical Catholics. An understandably lofty goal, but one… [Read More]
A Mother’s letter to her daughter for her Confirmation
“Mary treasured all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19) Dear Roise, Treasuring the life of her child is what a mother does. At this culminating moment in our lives, as you prepare for your Confirmation, this letter is a reflection, a letter of love, encouragement and appreciation, and it is a… [Read More]
My Testimony of Reversion
The world today has forgotten so much about the mercy and passion and power of our true Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland in a small town called Damascus. I was 6 years old when I was first in Damascus, and our governor at the time, Governor Martin O’Malley,… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 22, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Lectionary: 166 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Proverbs 8:22-31 This week we celebrate the the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, and this first reading is a unique perspective from a personified wisdom. The book of proverbs is part of a greater collection of the wisdom of the Jewish people…. [Read More]
Don’t Forget About Tomorrow
Something really important is happening tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. A sneaky question in a priest’s homily a couple of weeks ago ties in perfectly with today’s Gospel reading. It was a first communion Mass for an enthusiastic group of second graders on a Saturday morning. During a wonderfully interactive… [Read More]
Redemption Through Reflection (Review: “Remembering God’s Mercy”)
We all have memories of things we’d rather forget. Some things are embarrassing. Some are painful. Some are traumatic. Dawn Eden is no stranger to the latter, as she revealed in her previous books about chaste love (The Thrill of the Chaste and its recent Catholic edition) and about healing sexual wounds with the help… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – April 24, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fifth Sunday of Easter Sunday April 24, 2016 Lectionary: 54 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Acts 14:21-27 In this week’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey where they experience both opposition and acceptance in their efforts to evangelize. Through preaching, prayer, and fasting they are… [Read More]
ATX Catholic Meetup and Day of Reflection April 30
Join us for a day of reflection at Our Lady of Schoenstatt Shrine on Saturday, April 30, 2016. We are hosting a meetup at the beautiful grounds of the Schoenstatt to take a day to come together in community. There will be presentations, time for reflection, prayer, optional Holy Mass, think tanks, snacks, and networking opportunities with… [Read More]
St. Joseph: The 2nd Greatest Saint
St. Joseph is a well-known Saint in the Catholic Church mainly because he is the Foster Father of the Jesus, Redeemer of the world, and spouse of the co-redeemer, Mary. He never has any spoken words in Sacred Scripture, but he does have noble actions. Let us explore through Sacred Scripture, Church Tradition, and credible… [Read More]
Selah: pause, lift up, praise
I was a young widow running through the house kicking toys out of my way, spilling my coffee, responding to a loud crash at the other end of the house. I had been cooking, having invited somebody over for dinner, (what was I thinking,) my toddler was running from the scene of the crime, my… [Read More]
The Healing Path of Catholic Psychotherapy – Quick takes
These are my take-a-ways from the annual Catholic Psychotherapy Association Conference, The Face of Mercy: The Healing Path of Catholic Psychotherapy, which happened in Austin this past weekend. I’d like to distill a bit of the core message I experienced, and at the end, I’ll also share a few of the great resources we were given (Disclaimer – these… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 17, 2016 Mass Readings and Refletion
Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 51 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 ACTS 13:14, 43-52 This week’s first reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles picks up in an exciting time for the Church. Paul and Barnabas bring almost an entire population of Gentiles to hear the Gospel, but it strikes anger and jealousy into… [Read More]
El propósito de su vida
¿Cuál es el propósito de su vida? Esta es una pregunta que todos debemos hacernos si queremos ser felices. Como humanos buscamos una razón para nuestra vida, algo que dará significado a nuestros días aquí. No estamos satisfechos con la realidad que encontramos cada día, manchada con sufrimiento, violencia, dolor, y lágrimas. Sí, hay gozos… [Read More]
How Bad Catechesis Happened and How to Fix It (Review of Msgr. Charles Pope)
You can take the teacher of out of the classroom, but you can’t take the teacher out of the heart. It has been many years since I taught full-time. I still have the heart of a teacher. My work with RCIA while I was in campus ministry was one of the best ways I’ve discovered… [Read More]
Revive Youth Rally 2016
Revive Youth Rally will be here before you know it! Are you ready? Youth in grades 6-12 are invited to join Jackie Francois, Bobby Angel, comedian/musician act POPPLE, and Dave Moore for a day of outdoor concerts, faith-based talks, and the Sacraments! This year’s theme at Revive is PROVE IT! and our speakers will be… [Read More]
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