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Sister Lynn’s “Lectio on Life

Published June 26, 2019 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

  I had been talking to Sister Lynn D’Souza, OSB about the way people interpret dreams and often feel God is speaking to them in the stories and symbolic situations of their dreams. I had thought that one could also interpret life and its events as messages from God. In some situations, I tend to… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published June 26, 2019

Look Up, Child: An Invitation for Holy Week

Published April 16, 2019 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Lent has ended and Holy Week has begun. And you might say that we have all lived a really “good” Lent. The beginning of Lent was marked in a special way, coming as it did on the heels of Pope Francis’ meeting about the abuse crisis with all of the bishops in Rome. Now as… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published April 16, 2019

Angels & Dragons XVIII: St. Michael the Angel of Peace!

Published January 29, 2019 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column, Faith

For centuries St. Michael the Archangel has been known as the Angel of Peace!  In the pre-Vatican Roman Breviary (Liturgy of the Hours) published in 1482 and in use until Vatican II, it clearly states, “St. Michael is the Angel of Peace because he was the leader of the heavenly hosts that fought the rebel… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published January 29, 2019

Cardinal Sarah: Defender of the Faith

Published October 10, 2018 • Written by Matt Sullivan Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Social Justice, World and News

Within the ranks of the Church leadership, Robert Cardinal Sarah stands out as a rare example of outspoken zeal for the faith accompanying his conspicuous love of God. Born and raised in Guinea, he first became a priest and then archbishop of Conakry (covering all of Guinea). He was made Cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI… [Read More]

Written by Matt Sullivan • Published October 10, 2018

The Jesus We Never Knew

Published August 9, 2018 • Written by Matt Sullivan Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family

  The Gospels we hear week by week focus on the venerable accomplishments of Jesus as He went about His ministry here on earth. And generally the homilies that follow focus on the message to be gained by these stories in conjunction with the other readings. We are exhorted to imitate this message in our… [Read More]

Written by Matt Sullivan • Published August 9, 2018

Crowd Funding Hail Marys

Published July 8, 2018 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Social Justice, World and News

After a week of losing sleep over the suffering of little children taken from their parents at the border, many days of speaking out and also of sending what money I could to organizations trying to help these separated families, I texted to one of my sisters in Carmel, still feeling very sad. I asked… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published July 8, 2018

The American Personality and our Mission as Catholics

Published July 4, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

It is a day to celebrate, to be with loved ones, and to pray for our nation. Let it also be a day to reflect on who we are, and who are called to be! What is our mission as Catholics in the US? And what does it mean to talk about our mission as… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published July 4, 2018

Sin? Not a problem.

Published June 11, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

Sin? No problem. This Sunday we heard the Gospel reading on the Fall, of the moment sin entered creation and divided all that was meant to be united. Since then the human person has been faced with the conditions of inner division and brokenness as a personal reality and as a reality in creation. Yet,… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 11, 2018

Jesus, give us your Heart, make us strong to love!

Published June 8, 2018 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Social Justice

I have to think, in these dark times, during this epidemic of heartlessness, that we need to look to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we need the refuge and the example of His Heart more than ever. Every day I think we are all having to find ways to decompress from all the hatred,… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published June 8, 2018

The Unofficial Start to Summer: Now What?

Published May 28, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

They say Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. Alongside being a day where we remember those who’ve given their lives for our country, and a day where families and friends gather to celebrate at the lake, at the parks, etc, it’s also a day that signals the end of the school year and… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published May 28, 2018

Dear Austin, let us pray…

Published March 21, 2018 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Social Justice, World and News

It is a morning to pray. We woke up to the news today that the suspect behind the recent package bombs had been caught, and indeed had taken his own life in the process. Let us pray this morning together for peace in our city, for peace in our families, for peace in our own… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published March 21, 2018

Angels & Dragons VI: “Set the Oppressed Free!” (Luke 4:18)

Published January 4, 2018 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column

This article is about setting the demonically oppressed free and “ proclaiming liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18) using deliverance prayers. It is not about the demonically ‘possessed’ but about the everyday spiritual battle which Christians face against “the dragon and his angels” (Rev. 12:7) in these ominous times! Immediately after my diaconal ordination, 11 years ago,… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published January 4, 2018

Thanksgiving All Year Long

Published November 16, 2017 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Column

Thanksgiving is one of the biggest national holidays that our country celebrates. Everything comes to a standstill while families gather together around a meal to thank God for all the many blessings they have received throughout the year. Thanksgiving does not need to be a one-time, once a year event but it can also be… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published November 16, 2017

Note to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament

Published October 24, 2017 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

  I run to the place we always meet, all the way crying angry tears. In the candle light, I kneel. I cross myself.  I breathe. Breathe.  In this quiet room is my refuge, the nearness of the One I love. I know I have come close to Jesus.  I know the Eucharist is truly a beating… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published October 24, 2017

A visit to St.Mary Magdalene

Published July 18, 2017 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

I have come to the top of the mountain to a place we now call, St. Baume (Holy Balm) * to visit my patroness, St.Mary Magdalene. I am not in as good a shape as I used to be. Getting myself up this mountain was not that much fun for me, plus I’m very banged… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published July 18, 2017

The Importance of Consecration to Mary’s Immaculate Heart

Published February 21, 2017 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Faith, Prayer

Here is a homily from Sunday, February 19, 2017 at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX, promoting Marian consecration to the Immaculate Heart. You can find resources for doing the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary at MyConsecration.org.   Here is a homily from Fr. Kevin Rai on the Total Consecration to the Immaculate… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published February 21, 2017

Meditation and Emotions (Part II)

Published February 20, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

This is a follow up to my last post, Meditation and Decisive Times, where I attempted to sketch the basics of what it means to meditate on life, as a way to grow in love and closeness to God, and a way to help foster a deep and integrated inner life.  Out of this deep inner… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 20, 2017

Meditation and Decisive Times

Published February 6, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Events, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

   We live in decisive times. And while perhaps that’s always true in some way, I think we can say that in a particle way about our times today. I don’t have to describe it for you too much, because you live it as well. Tensions are high. The pace of available information is frenetic. And… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 6, 2017

Most Holy Name of Jesus

Published January 3, 2017 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

It is said that one night, St. Teresa of Avila met the Child Jesus on the stairs of her convent. The little One asked her name. She said, “I am Teresa of Jesus.” He said, “Then I am Jesus of Teresa.” What would Jesus say to you? Is your name attached to His? Of course… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published January 3, 2017

Of Mary, Never Enough

Published December 22, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Prayer

“De Maria, nunquam satis!,” St Bernard of Clairvaux once said. Of Mary, never enough!  In these last few days before the great feast of Christmas, perhaps you’re feeling harried or haven’t had time to prayerfully prepare, or just aren’t quite into the Christmas. Or perhaps you’re drowning in carols all day, but not feeling very contemplative or… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published December 22, 2016

Keeping the (inner) peace on election day

Published November 8, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

I messaged a friend the other day, “How ARE we going to keep calm on election day?” She wrote back: “I’m going to be drinking! You don’t drink, so you shall have to pray, I suppose. :P” I do plan to pray a lot, in whatever way I can, but most of all, I plan to pray in ways… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published November 8, 2016

Sunday Says Podcast – November 6, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published November 5, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: Blog, Sunday Says

Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday November 6, 2016 Lectionary: 156 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14 This week’s first reading is from the book of 2 Maccabees.  This book covers the period of time between the 180 -161 BC, which was during the “intertestamental” period, and provides a link between the Old and… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published November 5, 2016

Five Minute Guided Meditation with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Published October 26, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Prayer

  Join me and my daughter, Roise, in this five minute, guided prayer break with the newly canonized St. Elizabeth of the Trinity, feast day November 8. (see below)   “May nothing distract me from You, neither noise nor diversions. O my Master, I would so love to live with You in silence. But what… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published October 26, 2016

Seven Minute Break With the Holy Spirit

Published July 28, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Prayer

  Take a 7 minute break to join me in prayer with the Holy Spirit in this guided meditation. Finding a still, quiet place for your prayer time is recommended. It seems that with all the tumult in the world, and all the urgent prayer requests I have been receiving lately, we could all use… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published July 28, 2016

You are gods (Jn 10:34)

Published July 23, 2016 • Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez Filed Under: Faith

Jesus says, “You are gods.” (Jn. 10:34) How is this possible? At baptism, we become “partakers of the divine nature,” (CCC 1265 or 2Pt.1:4) or as St. Athanasius states that we are, “becoming by grace what God is by nature.” The Catechism quotes St. Athanasius to explain this teaching, “For the Son of God became… [Read More]

Written by Deacon Guadalupe Rodriguez • Published July 23, 2016

8th Annual Diocesan Men’s Fellowship Mass – July 23

Published July 19, 2016 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Events

Post Update July 25, 2016: The event was a great success, and you can see photos from the Mass below. Full photo gallery by Raphael Riojas.   For the 8th year in a row, there will be a Holy Mass celebrated as an encouragement to men. It’s easy to feel discouraged in a world that is… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published July 19, 2016

God, Where Have You Gone?

Published July 18, 2016 • Written by Robert Lindberg Filed Under: Faith

God, where have you gone? It’s morning, the sun is just starting to cut through the darkness of the night and I find myself restless in bed. I will have to get up and start my day soon. The rooster crows letting me know that it is time, time to get my morning routine going…. [Read More]

Written by Robert Lindberg • Published July 18, 2016

Sunday Says Podcast – July 17, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published July 16, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: Sunday Says

Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 17, 2016 Lectionary: 108 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Genesis 18:1-10 In this week’s first reading from the Old Testament, we see Abraham, the ancient patriarch and father of our faith, respond to God by the hospitality he shows to three of God’s messengers. In this mysterious passage, three… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published July 16, 2016

Are You At Peace?

Published July 4, 2016 • Written by Robert Lindberg Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

Are you at peace in the sight of Christ? Am I at peace in the sight of Christ? I remember one time; we had adoration as part of our parish mission. At one point the deacon walked all around the church with the Blessed Sacrament. As Jesus approached me I was filled with an incredible… [Read More]

Written by Robert Lindberg • Published July 4, 2016

Five minute mystic part II: deeper prayer as a couple

Published June 28, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Marriage and Love, Prayer

First try  I set the timer for an non-intimidating five minutes. We decided to begin with the Our Father, and at the end of the five minutes of silence, to pray the Glory Be. He said he was a little nervous. I agreed that it felt funny. Inner prayer, or “mental prayer,” as St. Teresa… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published June 28, 2016

Selah: pause, lift up, praise

Published April 19, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

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]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published April 19, 2016

Feel Like You Failed Lent? I do!

Published March 21, 2016 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog

I had the best of intentions. I really did. Despite the stress from recent major life changes (getting married, moving three times, having a baby, leaving a job, starting a business and buying a house, all within 18 months), I set myself up for a Lent of awesome fasting, prayer, and spiritual reconnection with my… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published March 21, 2016

A Message in the Desert

Published March 8, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith

When your heart says to God, “you have cut off my life like a weaver severs the last thread, “ when you’re alone in the desert on a cold night with no fire, and you’ve never known such emptiness or alienation and you say in your alarm, “no man can can be trusted!” When your life is… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published March 8, 2016

A Fast Food Lesson in Prayer

Published March 2, 2016 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

“If there’s time to lean, there’s time to clean.” This old adage from the restaurant industry is frequently attributed to managers at McDonald’s. The idea is that if you are a fast food employee and are not particularly busy at the moment, then instead of just sitting around – or leaning – grab a broom,… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published March 2, 2016

Sunday Says Podcast – February 28, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published February 27, 2016 • Written by Steve Scott Filed Under: Sunday Says

Third Sunday in Lent Sunday February 28, 2016 Lectionary: 30 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 This week’s first reading is from the book of Exodus in the Old Testament.  This passage recounts Moses’ dramatic first encounter with God in the form of a burning bush in the desert.  Moses, a descendant of Abraham, has… [Read More]

Written by Steve Scott • Published February 27, 2016

Let yourself be loved: a challenge for Lent

Published February 23, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Prayer

  The sunlight obscures him in its intense brightness on the horizon, but I can still see his figure walking ahead as I follow at a distance. I have to run a little just to keep him in sight. I am wondering if he wanted some desert alone time and whether I should let him… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published February 23, 2016

How to Stay Motivated During Lent

Published February 15, 2016 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: ACNM, Blog, Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

If you’re anything like me, you get to Day 6 of Lent and you start amending your sacrifices, making them easier and less painful. You may even have a conversation with yourself that looks like this: Scene: I’m quietly engaged in a task. My brain is wandering in thought. Suddenly, Brain taps me on the… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published February 15, 2016

Tending the Souls of Aggie Catholics: an interview with Sister Celestina Menin of the Apostles of the Interior Life

Published February 9, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Faith, Prayer, Resources, Young Adult

Recently, St. Mary’s held a “School of Prayer.” This was a series of talks on various forms of prayer as a response to popular request from the students. The Busy Student’s Retreat is largely based on daily spiritual direction over a week’s time, and is very successful here. I asked Sister Celestina if  that enthusiasm… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published February 9, 2016

Garden of mercy: a meditation on Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy by Pope Francis)

Published January 12, 2016 • Written by Shawn Rain Chapman Filed Under: Blog

In  Misericordiae Vultus, (“The Face of Mercy,”) the Bull of Indiction of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy from Pope Francis, he has given us new seeds, a bright and verdant diagram, a vision of joy, a plan of hope for the renewal of the “oasis of mercy” that is the Church, and of the the living… [Read More]

Written by Shawn Rain Chapman • Published January 12, 2016

The Prayers – 4th Sunday of Advent

Published December 20, 2015 • Written by William Rooney Filed Under: Blog

Since we can learn much from what we pray day in and day out in our Liturgy it would be profitable for us to reflect more profoundly upon the prayers of each day. We should especially do this over the season of Advent which marks the end of one liturgical year, and the beginning of… [Read More]

Written by William Rooney • Published December 20, 2015

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