I often write and talk about the role of the arts in the church today, but one of the most broadly complained about is preaching in the Catholic Church. Bad experiences with homilies has been a prominent complaint I’ve heard among former Catholics and non-practicing Catholics. Admittedly, the Church may not be converting 3,000 people… [Read More]
Consider the lilies: The relationship between natural and supernatural life
Easter Season is such a rich season for symbols, for imagery. It is the season where I appreciate most the Church’s rich liturgical tradition – she really has a way of understanding the relationship between the natural and the supernatural world, which gives birth to such rich spiritual life. Last Sunday I was blessed with the… [Read More]
The Promise
photo credit: St. Thomas Aquinas parish, College Station, Tx I tuck my arm into my husband’s as we kneel during the consecration at Mass. I watch the communion line through eyes blurred by tears and listen to his steady voice blending with the rich harmonies of Ave Verum Corpus, while beside him I shake like… [Read More]
Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 17 – What is Advent?
[powerpress] Ep 1 – What is Advent? Questions Why do we use purple before Christmas? When should I decorate for Christmas? When will Jesus come again? Catechetical Moment CCC #524 Living the Truth How can we celebrate advent to the fullest? Hosted by Casey Truelove and Cristobal Almanza Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: July 22, 2012 Mass Readings and Reflection
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (New Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Skip to 3:50 minute mark to go to reflection. 1st reading – Jeremiah 12:1-6 This week’s readings start with a stern warning. Jeremiah, a true prophet of God, speaks with anger against those that are misleading the people they have been entrusted to lead…. [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: May 20, 2012 Readings and Reflection
Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord (New Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Skip to 4:50 minute mark to go to reflection. Acts 1:1-11 Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13 Mark 16:15-20 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Background music from JewelBeat Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
Sunday Says Podcast: March 25,2012 Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Lent – March 25, 2012 (New Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Skip to 4 minute mark to go to reflection. Reading 1, Jeremiah 31:31-34 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15 Reading 2, Hebrews 5:7-9 Gospel, John 12:20-33 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Background music from JewelBeat Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266)… [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]
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
Hope in Death [A Review of Give Us Rest]
Great music can be some of the most beautiful art, and Christianity is in great need of more of it today. It’s no secret that in contemporary music the Catholic Church is not at its high mark. Personally, I think that Gregorian chant from the Traditional Latin Mass is hard to beat, but I also… [Read More]
Henry VIII is Rolling in His Grave
In addition to ringing in the new year, on January 1st, the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter was created in the Catholic Church. It is basically a diocese for the entire United States for those people—lay and cleric, individually or corporately—who are formerly Anglican/Episcopal and have “swam the Tiber” to join the Catholic… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: January 1 Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God – January 1, 2012 Skip to 2:52 to go to reflection. Reading 1 – Numbers 6:22-27 Responsorial – Psalm 67:2-3,5,6,8 Reading 2 – 2 Galations 4:4-7 Gospel – Luke 2:16-21 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: December 4, 2011 Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] December 4, 2011 – Second Sunday of Advent Skip to 4:25 minute mark to go to reflection. First Reading Isiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 85:9-10-11-12, 13-14 Second Reading 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel Mark 1:1-8 Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
The 3rd Roman Missal: A MASSive Change & A MASSive Opportunity
“If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy.” –St. John Vianey By the time most people read this, most of us will have attended Mass on Sunday, November 27, the First Sunday in Advent. At that Mass, if you didn’t already know that it was going to be a special day in… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast: November 13, 2011 Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] November 13, 2011 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 1st Reading- Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-3 2nd Reading- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Gospel- Matthew 25:14-30 Reflection by Rita Suva– @ritamgs Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave http://soundwave.cc Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
Sunday Says Podcast: November 6, 2011 Readings and Reflection
[powerpress] November 6, 2011 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1, Wisdom 6:12-16 Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 Gospel, Matthew 25:1-13 Skip to 3:55 if you would like to go straight to the reflection. Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter Theme song – Ignite – Soundwave soundwave.cc Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
Sunday Says Podcast: Readings for October 30, 2011
[powerpress] October 30, 2011– 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1 – Malachi 1:14b-2:8; 8-10 Reading 2 – 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9; 13 Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12 Hosted by Rita Suva– @ritamgs Song “Ignite” by Soundwave. Visit them at http://www.soundwave.cc and find their music on iTunes. Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com
Mass and Children
Last month, I wrote about some ways to prepare for Mass, intellectually, in light of being distracted more because of the kiddos. But, how can we prepare to reduce those distractions? First, a disclaimer, we are no experts. I’m just a father of a two-year old and an eight-month old. These are some suggestions that… [Read More]
Mass Starts Before You Walk In
Altar serving is one of those gigs that is virtually always reserved for youth and, sometimes, older, retired parishioners for funerals or daily Masses. I started serving as soon as I was a practicing Catholic at age 13 and it remains the venue of service by which I felt most fulfilled. I haven’t served since Easter Vigil… [Read More]
The Issue of Kneeling
There are many different arguments among the faithful about the issue of kneeling. In fact, this argument has been around since the time of the Greeks and Romans, and it has been described as barbaric, demeaning, and enslaving. Most often it is said that we are past that and that it no longer suits the… [Read More]
The Great-Olivia! Be Gentle With Your Sister!-Silence
The Easter Triduum celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil of Holy Saturday are some of the most beautiful liturgies in the modern Roman Rite. After 40 long days of Lent preparing ourselves, the big dance is here. Not only Christ’s rising that we celebrate at Easter, but we relive the culmination… [Read More]
