Forgive me for geeking out a little bit here. I studied English and education in college, and I used to be an English teacher, so it’s safe to say that I like reading. In particular, I like stories. For my writing here at ATX Catholic and for much of my pleasure reading, I cover a… [Read More]
Vincent Van Gogh: A Self-Portrait – Nov 5
Vincent van Gogh is a definitive artist that is often only remembered for his brushstrokes and Starry Night. Like many other great artists, his story and personality is often over-simplified and forgotten. At one point in his life, van Gogh had tried a life as a preacher, but the Dutch Reformed Church didn’t find him suitable… [Read More]
Keeping Each Other Accountable: Fifty Shades of Grey
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]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday Says Podcast – January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday January 04, 2015 Lectionary: 20 Feast of the Epiphany (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for January 4, 2015, the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. Thank you for joining us as we familiarize ourselves with the Liturgy of the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 21, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday December 21, 2014 Lectionary: 11 Fourth Sunday of Advent (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for December 21, 2014, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass by previewing and reflecting on the readings. The selected readings this week place us… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 24, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday August 24, 2014 Lectionary: 121 Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for August 24, 2014, the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass by diving deeper into the Word of God. The… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 16, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday Says Podcast – February 16, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday February 16, 2014 Lectionary: 76 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, February 16, 2014. This Sunday’s readings focus on the Law as defined in the Old Testament and fulfillment… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 19, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday Says Podcast – January 19, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday January 19, 2014 Lectionary: 64 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 19, 2013. We’re happy you’ve joined us here once again as we move through this period of… [Read More]
Holy Innocents, Then and Now
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]
How to Read the Bible
When I was a kid – probably around sixth grade or so – I decided that I wanted to read the Bible. I’d heard a lot about this Jesus fellow at church and in Sunday school, but I’d never actually just sat down and read the book He wrote. So I did. Or at least… [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]
It’s a Difference of Feeling – Making Mass Meaningful
We’ve all thought it at some point in our lives: “Why does Mass have to be so boring?” I’ll admit to it. Growing up in a Catholic household, I used to dread going to Mass (although for a youngster I think that’s almost expected). And there have been times – yes, even as an adult… [Read More]
