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One Way to Be An Answer to the Current Crisis

Published September 7, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

  We’ve had a lot of difficult news to absorb these last few weeks. It would be easy to look at the Church’s current situation and wonder if we’re not splitting apart at the seams. Some have called this the US Church’s worst crisis in history (see interview below). So before sharing my thoughts on… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published September 7, 2018

I Already Love You (The False Self Part II)

Published October 16, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Young Adult

Since the last post seemed have struck a chord with y’all (I received quite a response!) I wanted to pick up where we left off, and give you my two best “signposts” for how to move forward in this whole allow-your-false-self-to-be-chiseled-away thing. Signpost #1: Keep your eyes fixed on our merciful, loving Father There is… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published October 16, 2017

Holy Things Are Veiled

Published August 16, 2017 • Written by Norine Shaivitz Filed Under: ACNM, Blog

Saint Paul speaks of shame when it comes to women covering their heads before the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:5-6), but I was brought to do so for a reason that came about earlier than the entrance of shame in the Garden. A priest on Relevant Radio said God had a very specific order when He… [Read More]

Written by Norine Shaivitz • Published August 16, 2017

Sunday Says Podcast – October 23, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published October 22, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: ACNM, Blog

Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday October 23, 2016 Lectionary: 150 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 This week’s first reading is on from the book of the Book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), part of the great wisdom literature in the Old Testament.  This book was written approximately 180 years before Christ… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published October 22, 2016

Sunday Says Podcast – August 14, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published August 14, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: ACNM, Podcast, Sunday Says

  Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday August 14, 2016 Lectionary: 120 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10 This week’s first reading from the book of prophet Jeremiah recounts for us the challenges we may be faced with when conveying God’s truth when the message is unpopular. In this passage Jeremiah is accused of demoralizing… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published August 14, 2016

Back to Busy – Inspiration for Fall 2015

Published August 24, 2015 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Youth

Fall is in the air! Well not actually in the air weather-wise – I wish! But despite Texas’ insistence outdoors that summer persists, this week kiddos are loading back into school buses, parents are cheering, teachers are groaning, and the boost of energy and activity seems to pervade many realms of economic and social life…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published August 24, 2015

The Beauty of The Dark Night

Published August 14, 2015 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

Saint John of the Cross has a reputation for being a guy who does not care much for your feelings. His name sometimes sounds like a penance. People hear “dark night” and think of an isolated exile with little or no hope. While I cannot correct that error in a short article, I would like to… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published August 14, 2015

“Everything is Connected” – The Ecological Spirituality of Laudato Si

Published August 10, 2015 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Marriage and Love, Social Justice

“Everything is connected.” This phrase of Pope Francis could be the link that ties the whole of “Laudato Si” together and also communicates the core of his message. “Everything is connected,” he says, in such a way that as humans and the earth are a part of the same ecological fabric, our actions in one part of… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published August 10, 2015

Keeping Each Other Accountable: Fifty Shades of Grey

Published February 5, 2015 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Marriage and Love, Young Adult

I enjoy movies. A lot. I appreciate great story lines. I get drawn by both great cinematography. I become invested in characters when an actor/actress does a good job. But this February, I won’t be watching the Valentine’s Day movie release Fifty Shades of Grey. Between the product description of the book on Amazon (which… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published February 5, 2015

A Bobly Day of Skin Religion

Published December 16, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

He was feeling more emotional than usual because of a new seizure medication we were trying, and a steroid he had to take for brain swelling. We decided a brisk night walk would do both of us good, so he put on his big poncho, I put on my coat, and we headed out. In… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 16, 2014

Shopping with Jesus

Published December 2, 2014 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith

“When Black Friday comes, I’m gonna dig myself a hole, I’m gonna lay down in it ‘till I satisfy my soul.” -Steely Dan The Advent Season is at the same time as the Shopping Season. I wish it wasn’t so. I wish, when December comes, that I could spend my Advent and Christmas as a… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published December 2, 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

First Comes Love, Then Comes…

Published September 18, 2014 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

This past Saturday Pope Francis presided over a Mass during which several couples celebrated the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (aka, Marriage). What made these couples “unique” according to social understanding of the Catholic faith is that all of these couples were either living together or who have had annulments. It seemed odd to the media… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published September 18, 2014

Late Have I Loved You

Published August 29, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Yesterday I found myself bringing St Augustine’s Feast Day to a close by reciting passages from his writings with a small gathering of friends; we raised a glass to the Doctor and Saint, and celebrated this man who was so dearly human. The passage I recited had been had been reverberating in my mind since that… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published August 29, 2014

Transparency, Not Hypocrisy

Published June 20, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Sometimes the Scripture is approached as if Jesus was an authoritarian parent, giving us demanding lists of do’s and don’ts.  As I was listening to the readings at daily Mass on Wednesday, and to the priest’s beautiful homily that followed, I could see how someone might only hear the do’s and don’ts. Don’t blow trumpets when you… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 20, 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

Being Open to the Bride

Published February 28, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Marriage and Love

Last weekend I was blessed to witness the marriage of two very dear friends. The wedding was absolutely joyful, full of celebration that flowed spontaneously from the deep love and commitment of my two friends. On the drive home, with a heart full of the echoes of the celebration and the presence of my friends… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 28, 2014

The Organic Saint!

Published January 31, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Here is something that I find heartening, and very telling, about the whole organic food movement. It seems to me that the organic food movement is a secular, concrete and very natural manifestation for our modern society’s hunger for harmony. We’re waking up to the damage we’ve done to our bodies and our social fabric… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published January 31, 2014

Lying, Confession, and St. Andrew

Published November 30, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Blog, Faith

Lying Have you ever lied to someone? Did you mean to? Did you feel bad afterwards? What about during prayer? A friend and I recently shared a conversation about lying. In our own way, we each had entered into a state of sin; we fell short of our call to holiness and virtue. We shared… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published November 30, 2013

Discernment As It Should Be

Published September 17, 2013 • Written by Joshua Villarreal Filed Under: Blog

I was born into a wonderful catholic family with two amazing parents and the blessing of four siblings. My parents did a wonderful job in instilling the faith in me, showing me the gift of wonder and awe from a very early age. Looking back on my childhood, there is never a moment where Jesus… [Read More]

Written by Joshua Villarreal • Published September 17, 2013

From Presumption to Discernment

Published September 7, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Blog, Faith

Think about this statement: “We do not know what He is doing.” Is that true or false? Consider this, the more we seek, the more we find (Mt. 7:7), and the more we come to know Him. That quoted statement, then, is false! How often, though, can you say that you know what Jesus is… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published September 7, 2013

Thanksgiving and Detachment

Published July 10, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Young Adult

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad! Did you read what happened in that verse? The author acknowledged God’s work of creation and God’s work in creation. What follows when God is acknowledged? His creation is glad and rejoices! We are glad and we rejoice. The heavens declare… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published July 10, 2013

Superman and Catholic Spirituality

Published May 2, 2013 • Written by Chris Williston Filed Under: ACNM, Blog

This Friday, millions of Americans will flock to theaters to see Iron Man 3, the latest expansion of the Marvel universe series of films.  Early reviews are good and I’ll likely go see it, even after the failure that was Iron Man 2.  But, honestly, you can have Tony Stark.  My focus is on the… [Read More]

Written by Chris Williston • Published May 2, 2013

What to say (and not say) to someone who is depressed

Published April 11, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Faith, Family

Part One of a series about reaching out to and understanding those who cope with depression. Recently my book club read “Never Give Up: My Life and God’s Mercy” by John Janaro. Among some amazing insights, we had some very fruitful discussion about depression and its elusive, sneaky nature. We heard from a number of people… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published April 11, 2013

Jesus has Risen: Giver and Sender

Published April 3, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

Alleluia! “Ridding oneself of what is repugnant to God’s will should be understood not only of one’s acts but of one’s habits as well. Not only must actual voluntary imperfections cease, but habitual imperfections must be annihilated too.” -St. John of the Cross, Ascent of Mount Carmel On Sunday we celebrated the solemnity of the… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published April 3, 2013

Fraternity: A Place of Charity and Indulgence

Published March 20, 2013 • Written by Josue Filed Under: Young Adult

What does it take to be a man of God? The place of fraternity cultivates what we as men aspire to, masculinity. It sounds easy enough, but we don’t always cultivate the word of God in our heart (Col 3:16). We don’t always act in charity toward our brothers, sometimes we indulge in sin. Sometimes… [Read More]

Written by Josue • Published March 20, 2013

Confirmation is NOT Graduation: Seeing Sacraments as More Than Goals

Published March 7, 2013 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

In our lives it’s hard to measure success, or even know if we’re moving forward and growing without goals, markers and signs. In school we learned material, took a test to make sure we had comprehended and studied that material and received a grade for our efforts. As adults, we earn raises or reprimands based… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published March 7, 2013

Godparenthood

Published January 17, 2013 • Written by Julia Motekaitis Filed Under: Blog

I have been contemplating the unique role of godparents this month, since my husband and I began the new year by celebrating the baptismal date of our sweet goddaughter with a family dinner. We lit her baptismal candle for a song and prayer with her family, and she opened a gift from us with dessert. The… [Read More]

Written by Julia Motekaitis • Published January 17, 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

Catholic Frenemies

Published November 15, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Faith

Towards both God and others, at times we’re like Peter, at other times like Paul, sometimes we’re like John and even other times we’re like (doubting) Thomas. But what worries me the most is when we’re like Judas. Because when we’re like Judas, we often act as a frenemy. Frenemies. We all have them. Sometimes,… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published November 15, 2012

Flesh-eating Bacteria & Leprosy: The Stories of Two Saints

Published October 18, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

I first heard about a young woman named Kateri Tekakwitha in 2002, when I was in Toronto, Canada for what would be Pope John Paul II’s last World Youth Day (WYD). I didn’t pay much attention to her then, but did keep her name in the back of my mind for future reference. A few… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published October 18, 2012

Yeah, I Was SO Drunk. It Was Awesome!

Published August 23, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Young Adult

“Yeah, I was so drunk…” I cringe whenever I hear that phrase. Drunkenness. It’s something I’ve never been comfortable hearing about, and definitely don’t like witnessing… Person 1: “So I was at this party, and everyone there was drinking like crazy and by the end of the night I was so drunk… it was awesome.”… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published August 23, 2012

Good Where We’ve Been Good Where We’re Going To

Published August 9, 2012 • Written by Maria Huemmer Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult

When you say yes to something you say no to something else. I learn this adage at a “Protecting Your Goals” class I had the honor of participating in last year. Whether you are addicted to volunteering or superbly balanced in your calendar-planning, this phrase is worth reflecting on. How do your time commitments reflect… [Read More]

Written by Maria Huemmer • Published August 9, 2012

Lessons from the Giving Tree and Thorns in our Side

Published July 12, 2012 • Written by Maria Huemmer Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult

Growing up did you ever read the Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein ? In this sad-for-a-kid-but-wonderful book, a tree and a boy become friends and the tree gives all it can to help the boy be happy. Here’s a video version if you haven’t read it,  narrated by Shel). I’ve liked sappy stories my whole… [Read More]

Written by Maria Huemmer • Published July 12, 2012

Even Jesus Took Vacation!

Published June 28, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Faith, Family

As summer starts, we all begin to make summer plans. Much of what we decide to do will likely be local, and simple enough to do on a weekend or during the day/evening, such as a swim at the local swimming pool (if you’re in Austin, Barton Springs and Hamilton Pool are top choices), grabbing… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published June 28, 2012

With This Cross, I Thee Wed

Published June 28, 2012 • Written by Maria Huemmer Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Marriage and Love, Young Adult

Today my husband and I celebrate our 4 year anniversary! It seems like our wedding was just yesterday! With marriage comes a lot of unknowns. Saying “I do” in some ways is like walking the plank without knowing whether the plank gets you to land or to a long drop into the ocean! None of… [Read More]

Written by Maria Huemmer • Published June 28, 2012

Holiness: The “Problem” with Catholic Virgins

Published May 17, 2012 • Written by Rita Suva Filed Under: Blog

I have bad allergies. Really bad. So bad that when I finally started seeing an allergist a year ago he told me there are about 4 weeks in the year, two in the summer and two in the fall, when I’m not allergic to things in there air. But I didn’t realize my allergies were… [Read More]

Written by Rita Suva • Published May 17, 2012

Furrgivness is Divine

Published May 17, 2012 • Written by Maria Huemmer Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

So the kittens have taught me another lesson. (I can only reasonably promise that this blog won’t turn into a Cat-holic blog :)) This past weekend they had a fight. I’m not sure what started it, but I noticed that Boomer did not want to share her cool new toy with her sister. After trying… [Read More]

Written by Maria Huemmer • Published May 17, 2012

Hearing God’s call even while you’re sleeping, and maybe even if you’re stuck in a whale, figuratively

Published February 9, 2012 • Written by Maria Huemmer Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult

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]

Written by Maria Huemmer • Published February 9, 2012

Giving Something Up? Or Giving Something Freely?

Published February 8, 2012 • Written by Laura Gonzalez Filed Under: Blog, Faith

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]

Written by Laura Gonzalez • Published February 8, 2012

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