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Speaking ill of the dead and why we should

Published August 1, 2017 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer

As we walked out of my mom’s funeral, my brother said, “Let’s talk about how Mom used to cheat at scrabble.” We chuckled. “Really,” he said. There’s a tendency to make people perfect after they die. But if we talk about their faults it keeps them human and real to us.” “Well,” I said, “She… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published August 1, 2017

It Is Finished! (Jn. 19:30)

Published May 24, 2017 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column, Faith, Family

  The fight went the distance!  Fifteen rounds of pure guts, grit, and blood!  It was a courageous nail-biting fight of perseverance and determination that left the onlookers spellbound. Those on the sidelines witnessed a tenacious battle against our oldest and unseen enemy – death.  My mom, Gloria Rodriguez age 89, passed away on May… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published May 24, 2017

“Do you want to live?”

Published April 8, 2017 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Youth

I had had a big fight with my mom and brother. I was walking super fast across town. It was cold and I had forgotten a jacket. A car full of girls from school drove by, rolling their windows down to jeer and shout insults. I picked up a few rocks and bottles to throw… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published April 8, 2017

Spiritual Lessons from a Lake Travis Tragedy

Published May 25, 2016 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

[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]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published May 25, 2016

Opening My Mind to Cardinal Avery Dulles’s “Catholicism and Capital Punishment”

Published February 16, 2016 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Reviews, Social Justice

I like to read, and I don’t like the death penalty. Thus, I like to read things that are about abolishing the death penalty. (I’m so unpredictable.) As I mentioned in my review of the remarkable book Change of Heart, by Jeanne Bishop, I acknowledge that Catholics are allowed to support capital punishment without considering… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published February 16, 2016

A Commentary on Romans: Introduction

Published January 30, 2016 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith

This is the introduction to a five-part commentary on the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans. I hope that the reader is inspired to pray with the passages from this letter. My intention is not to explain everything. Rather, I hope to point to and give light to different verses that have affected my… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published January 30, 2016

Coping with Grief on All Souls Day

Published October 26, 2015 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Resources, Young Adult

One week from today, on November 2, 2015, we, the Church, will celebrate All Souls Day. All Souls Day is a time to remember those who have gone before us, a time to pray for them, and to ask them to pray for us. In doing so, we recognize that we are still connected, that… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published October 26, 2015

Miscarriage Loss, Revisted

Published June 8, 2015 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Marriage and Love, Young Adult

June is a beautiful month. Sure, it’s ridiculously hot, tornadoes and hurricanes abound, and you get so many mosquito bites it looks like you have chicken-pox, but it is still beautiful. People seem more carefree and plan vacations, the sunshine is lovely to behold (from inside an air-conditioned facility), and snow cones! Good stuff. Yet, June… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published June 8, 2015

No One is Rich with Time

Published May 7, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

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]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published May 7, 2015

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday: The Lord’s descent into the underworld

Published April 2, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Our Catholic faith is incredibly rich. So instead of writing a new reflection, I’m sharing one of my favorite things to read during the Triduum. This is a from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, date and homilist unknown. It is the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Hours…. [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published April 2, 2015

A Centenarian’s Lesson: Don’t Wait for Tomorrow

Published January 7, 2015 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

Raise your hand if you are a procrastinator. (If you raise your hand later, I’ll understand.) Of all the things we sometimes put off during the course of our lives, there is one thing far more important than anything else that we should never wait to do: follow Christ. Never was this point made more… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published January 7, 2015

When Holidays Are Sad

Published December 11, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Even though Christmas is “the most wonderful time of the year” and the world seems awash with cheerfulness, color and lights, the holidays can be sad for some. It’s sad for some because of the death of a loved one or because it can be a reminder of the broken family someone comes from or… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 11, 2014

Sunday Says – November 2, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection

Published November 2, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Lectionary: 668 (NAB Translation) This Sunday we celebrate the commemoration of All Souls insteadof All Souls Day.Today is one of those celebrations that is very distinctly Catholic, and you will see that from the theme of praying for those that have died and also in the… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published November 2, 2014

All Saints Day

Published November 1, 2014 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” “Follow me, as I follow Christ.” This call of St. Paul to the Corinthians is high. Notice he does not encourage the community (in this passage) to seek the straight and narrow pathway of the Christian life alone, nor does he give a list of vague… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published November 1, 2014

The Catholic Roots of Halloween

Published October 30, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

Every year the questions about the acceptability of celebrating Halloween arise in Catholic and Christian circles: Can my family to celebrate Halloween? Is it okay for my child to dress up and trick-or-treat? Is Halloween a pagan, satanic or secular holiday? These, and a myriad of other questions about Halloween haunt the consciousness of Catholics… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published October 30, 2014

Misconceptions About Death, Angels, and Dia de Los Muertos

Published October 22, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

I’ve been intrigued by how much interest there is about angels in the world today, especially from the secular world. In fact a 2011 poll found that 77% of Americans believe in Angels. Which is somewhat surprising considering that there is a growing number of people that don’t believe in God today. Sadly enough, angels are… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published October 22, 2014

When the Time Comes: Accepting Death Together

Published October 21, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith, Marriage and Love

The room smelled like essential oils– the ones Peter brought to help Bob breath and to help with pain and anxiety: Eucalyptus, frankincense, myrrh, Inspiration (a blend), myrtle, peppermint. Every nurse who walked in commented on how good it smelled. I had continued the routine of rubbing them on Bob’s chest every 20 minutes or… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published October 21, 2014

One Love: the Diamond Gift of Chastity

Published October 7, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

A good book I am reading* begins by saying that the legend of the origin of the Indian Koohinoor diamond is that Krishna gave it to one of his disciples in response to his meditations. I tried to imagine Jesus giving me a diamond. “Have you ever given me a diamond, Jesus?” “If so, what… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published October 7, 2014

The Church and Mental Illness

Published September 4, 2014 • Written by Trenton Henrichson Filed Under: Faith, World and News

A little over three weeks have passed since the tragic death of Robin Williams. Although most of us did not know Mr. Williams personally, many of us have felt moved by his work. As an actor and comedian, he made us laugh, made us feel; sometimes he made us think. In passing, his decision to… [Read More]

Written by Trenton Henrichson • Published September 4, 2014

Facing Death Together: A reflection on my husband’s death

Published August 12, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Marriage and Love

Over all these put on love, the perfect bond.  I checked his blood oxygen level. I brought him medicine, kissing him when I gave it to him, as I always had. He responded feebly with almost imperceptible nods. He had become too weak to even raise a trembling hand anymore. I held him, caressed him,… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published August 12, 2014

Sunday Says Podcast – April 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published April 5, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

Sunday April 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 34 This is Fifth Sunday of Lent, the last purple Sunday of this liturgical year. We are now only a week away from Holy Week, and the anticipation is growing. Reading 1 Ezekiel 37:12-14 This week’s first reading from the prophet Ezekiel… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published April 5, 2014

Answering Your Questions: Heaven, Hell, Purgatory & Limbo

Published March 6, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Youth

Last week we received a message from a group of students working on a class project at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin. They asked some great questions and while we can’t address all of their questions in one blog post, we wanted to be sure to respond to their main question and provide them… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 6, 2014

What C.S. Lewis Taught Me About Grief

Published December 27, 2013 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Family, Marriage and Love, Young Adult

“Grief is like a long valley, a winding valley where any bend may reveal a totally new landscape.” ― C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed Grief seems to me a confusing, unpredictable thing. You cry over someone’s death, then laugh about the memories you shared. You have moments of soaring hope, and longer moments of bone-weary depression. You… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published December 27, 2013

Grieving with God (Review: “A Grief Observed”)

Published November 26, 2013 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Reviews

As we near the end of November, the month in which we remember the dead, it seems appropriate to think about how death affects those left behind. As believers in particular, we carry the hope of the resurrection, but we were never promised we wouldn’t feel pain, loneliness, and loss. Theology can only console a… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published November 26, 2013

Much Better than Zombies (Review: “The Returned”)

Published October 1, 2013 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Reviews

Please accept my apologies for my unplanned hiatus. My life outside of Austin CNM got the best of me, but I’m back in action now, and I have recently finished one of the most inventive and lyrical novels I’ve read in a long time. Death scares us. It’s not quite as terrifying as public speaking,… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published October 1, 2013

When to Receive the Anointing of the Sick

Published August 1, 2013 • Written by Cristina Almanza Filed Under: Faith

One of the seven sacraments that is the least talked about is the Anointing of the sick. The Anointing of the sick is especially intended for those who are baptized Catholic and are ill physically and/or emotionally. “It is especially intended to strengthen those who are being tried by an illness.” (CCC 1511) The Priest… [Read More]

Written by Cristina Almanza • Published August 1, 2013

Our Good Friend, St. Philomena

Published July 23, 2013 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Family

  Once upon a time in Rome, during the reign of the Emperor Diocletian (in the third century), a young girl gave her life in witness to Christ under harrowing circumstances hard to imagine. She did this in spite of frightened parents, repeated and successively more cruel tortures, threats and even persuasive words and temptations… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published July 23, 2013

Growth in Sober Consideration

Published May 14, 2013 • Written by Matt Sullivan Filed Under: Faith

“As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts are above your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9) There often seems to be a subliminal attitude, which originates in Protestant circles but pervades many Catholic parishes.  Because Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have already brought us full assurance… [Read More]

Written by Matt Sullivan • Published May 14, 2013

Beauty of Truth Podcast Ep 24 – How Could God Die?

Published May 2, 2013 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 24 – How Could God Die?     Questions How can our God allow himself to be killed? 1 Cor 1:23: but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published May 2, 2013

Does Your Heart Break?

Published March 29, 2013 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

There is a strange irony that every day of the year, including Christmas, we celebrate mass in front of an image of Christ crucified on the cross except  for the very day it happened. On Good Friday there is no consecration as we continue the Triduum and consume pre-consecrated Eucharist that we adored after the… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published March 29, 2013

Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 21 How Can God Allow People To Go To Hell?

Published February 15, 2013 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 21 – How Can God Allow People To Go To Hell?   Questions 1. What is hell like? Absence of Good (except existence) CCC 1035 The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God 2. How can a loving God allow people to go to Hell? CCC 1030 This state of definitive self-exclusion from communion… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published February 15, 2013

Zombie Survival Guide: Phase 2 Fighting Back!

Published February 5, 2013 • Written by Trenton Henrichson Filed Under: Young Adult

If you haven’t heard the news today, our world is on the verge of becoming a desolate wasteland. We have been steadily losing faith in our ideals, our institutions, and even our loving creator. Our hope for the future has been shaken by too many missteps and false positives. Division and misunderstanding has eroded the… [Read More]

Written by Trenton Henrichson • Published February 5, 2013

Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 20 Is Purgatory Real?

Published January 31, 2013 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 20 – Is Purgatory Real? Questions 1. Is Purgatory Real? (What is Purgatory?) 2 Macc 12:40-45 2. Who goes to purgatory? 1 Cor 3:11-15 Mt 12: 32 3. Is purgatory painful? 1 Pet 1:6-7 Catechetical Moment CCC 1030 All who die in God’s grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published January 31, 2013

Holy Innocents, Then and Now

Published December 27, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

The past few years a feast day in the Catholic Church I had paid little attention to began to stand out to me: The Feast of the Holy Innocents. I don’t know why this Feast Day began to stand out to me a few years ago. Perhaps it is the reminder of innocent lives lost,… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published December 27, 2012

Death & Your Marriage

Published November 1, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

This may be a little unusual for someone to admit, but, I’m not afraid to die. And I even look forward to death one day (not in a “I want to die today” type of way but in a “I look forward to being in God’s presence for eternity and in communion with the saints”… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 1, 2012

The Great Party in the Sky

Published September 14, 2012 • Written by Matt Sullivan Filed Under: Family

Bear with me – there is a point to all this. In one of my favorite cartoons, Yosemite Sam finally catches Bugs Bunny after the usual chase and associated gags. After tossing some logs and a match into his oven, Sam orders Bugs in at gunpoint. Soon Bugs comes back out of the oven and… [Read More]

Written by Matt Sullivan • Published September 14, 2012

Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 3 Is Heaven real and how to I get there?

Published August 7, 2012 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 3 Is Heaven real and how do I get there?    Questions Is heaven a real place? Who is there? Does everyone go to heaven?   Catechetical Moment CCC #1821 Living the Truth How can I know for sure that heaven is real? Hosted by Casey Truelove and Cristobal Almanza Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published August 7, 2012

Bring Joy to Others

Published July 23, 2012 • Written by Brandon Kraft Filed Under: Blog, Faith

Last week, Fr. Bob Scott, CSP passed away at the age of 90. A Paulist Father, Fr. Bob served in priestly ministry over 60 years. Most recently, he was active at both St. Austin’s and the University Catholic Center at The University of Texas until about a year ago. He recently served a little over… [Read More]

Written by Brandon Kraft • Published July 23, 2012

Thoughts are not enough in Tragedy – Pray

Published July 20, 2012 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, World and News

Life is full of many what ifs. Tragedy is something that we never want to experience and never wish it upon anyone. On the evening of July 19, 2012, many people across the country set out to watch the midnight premier of The Dark Knight Rises. Many of us have been excited for this release… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published July 20, 2012

My Armor Is Made of Brown Wool

Published June 22, 2012 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

The time when we could comfortably practice our faith may have passed for our generation in this country. We will continue to stand in defense of our religious freedom, but even if it is protected, the world won’t stop attacking us. We as the Church militant have a fight before us that may not require swords or… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published June 22, 2012

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