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A Church On Our Knees

Published August 21, 2018 • Written by Norine Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

I was praying the decade of the rosary I try to say everyday for clergy and I had to stop. I was internally yelling and externally crying, and that emotion had to find another outlet. So, I’m writing. I’m glad to have the Eucharistic company of Jesus, consecrated by one of the priests at the… [Read More]

Written by Norine Shaivitz • Published August 21, 2018

We Went Away Sad

Published June 20, 2018 • Written by Norine Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, and sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me.’ At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions (Mark… [Read More]

Written by Norine Shaivitz • Published June 20, 2018

Following the Shepherd’s Voice

Published May 23, 2018 • Written by Norine Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

“My sheep know my voice and they follow me (John 10:27).” I read that line a long time ago, proclaimed in the week after we celebrated Good Shepherd Sunday. But it has stayed with me for weeks. I know His voice and I’m supposed to follow it. So, why do I so often follow my… [Read More]

Written by Norine Shaivitz • Published May 23, 2018

How does modern man best hear the call the conversion?

Published April 3, 2017 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult, Youth

In this liturgical season of conversion, we are faced with the question: Just exactly how does “conversion” happen? How is change possible in our daily lives, and in a lasting way? I’d like to go deeper into thoughts from my last post, as a kind of part II (see: Living Lent Like a Little One)…. [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published April 3, 2017

Living Lent like a Little One

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

Lent is a season of conversion, a call to repentance, a time of turning back to God. To me, these are Christ’s most striking words on conversion: Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  (Matthew 18:3) Unless you turn and become! We shall not enter… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published March 20, 2017

You Are “That Man”

Published March 1, 2017 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Blog

Once upon a time there was an important man who oversaw a big group. He was very wealthy and had many responsibilities. To his credit, the man loved the Lord and knew that everything he had was from God. But somewhere along the way his love of God began to slip. Feeling entitled and prideful,… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published March 1, 2017

Mercy: The force that overcomes everything (Or, thoughts on how to get unstuck)

Published June 27, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Have you ever been in one of those arguments where you get sucked into the back and forth, like a frenzied game of tug-a-war? Except no one is playing, and in fact the whole emotional environment feels weighty and overly serious, like we’re arguing about way more than the dishwasher all of a sudden. Sometimes… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published June 27, 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

The Mystery of Iniquity – Rejoicing in weakness

Published February 22, 2016 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Family, Young Adult

Each Lent it seems I come back to this theme – how do we think about sin and weakness? It’s been helpful for me to examine my own understanding – I can’t make much sense of redemption if I have a distorted view of the sin and weakness that necessitated such a Savior. And an unhealthy view… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published February 22, 2016

The Fine Line Between Sin and Virtue

Published January 7, 2016 • Written by Ablaze Ministries Filed Under: Faith

40 miles per hour is the speed limit on University Drive going towards Highway 6.  When I drive through that zone, I try to go exactly 45 miles per hour.  Why? Because I can get where I’m going faster than if I drive 40, and few police officers aren’t going to pull someone over for only going 5… [Read More]

Written by Ablaze Ministries • Published January 7, 2016

Bubble-wrapped Saints

Published November 2, 2015 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

Bubble-wrapped saints? Let’s take in that image…bubble-wrapped saints! How ridiculous, right? Saints are brave, tough, warriors and queens who sweat through struggle and shed blood fulfilling the will of God, steadfast and stouthearted no matter how difficult the task! But wrapped in insulating bubble wrap…? But, if you think about it, if we carried our… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published November 2, 2015

Shred Away Your Sins

Published October 14, 2015 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

You can learn a lot about sin from a paper shredder. At least I did. Stay with me. It’ll make sense eventually. With apologies to my local letter carrier, most of what arrives in my mailbox falls into the dreaded category of junk mail. It would be quick and easy to toss all that unwanted… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published October 14, 2015

Metanoia Explained by Cats

Published August 27, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith

Catholics have a whole vocabulary that is unfamiliar to most people. Most of it is words that have stuck from the original greek or latin and are usually needed because there really is no other way to say it (e.g. Transubstantiation). In many recent conversations with other millennials, I have found that seeking purpose and… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published August 27, 2015

Spiritual Implications of Wasting Food

Published July 29, 2015 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, Social Justice

Growing up in the rural plains of the Texas panhandle, I was familiar with many farm animals. There were several times when I knew or had at least seen the animal that became our meal. Some people don’t like that, but it gave me a great appreciation for food. Knowing that the animal gave its life… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published July 29, 2015

Welcome to the Liar’s Club

Published May 27, 2015 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

Thank you for your interest in joining the Liar’s Club. You have been approved for membership. I would introduce you to the other members, but it would take an awfully long time to meet seven billion people. Don’t worry. You don’t have to learn everyone else’s name. Just call each of us Pinocchio. I discovered… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published May 27, 2015

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

Confession, Interrupted

Published October 1, 2014 • Written by Adam Shaivitz Filed Under: Faith

The Catholic sacrament of reconciliation evokes a wild ride of emotions. Waiting in a long line outside the confessional feels like a roller coaster slowly creeping up a steep incline. You’re nervous and perhaps a little scared about what’s about to happen. But suddenly when you’re absolved of your sins you get that exhilarating rush… [Read More]

Written by Adam Shaivitz • Published October 1, 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

Pray on Sunday, Cuss on Monday?

Published August 18, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult, Youth

Shut the front door because we need to get real about our speech. This isn’t a flippant or unnecessary discussion about language. We are living in a time of dangerous persecution and wars, so it seems like this topic may not be as important, but our words are always needed and used, so it remains… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published August 18, 2014

What Do We Do With Weakness?

Published March 28, 2014 • Written by Rachel Filed Under: Blog

I heard an answer long ago to this question that really stuck with me. It has helped me deal with my own weaknesses and short comings on my spiritual journey (I’ll tell it as best as I remember, I seem to have lent out the book* it came from). What do we do with weakness?… [Read More]

Written by Rachel • Published March 28, 2014

Slipping Up in Lent – Questions about Lenten Sacrifices

Published March 12, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Blog

When we start Lent with a day like Ash Wednesday, it sets a somewhat somber tone for the season. This is a season of sacrifice, penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Definitely sounds like a no-fun zone. Thinking about doing something that makes you happy? Save it for Easter! This is at least how many Catholics look… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published March 12, 2014

Sunday Says Podcast – March 9, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections

Published March 8, 2014 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Sunday Says

March 9, 2014 Readings and Reflection First Sunday of Lent (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Lectionary: 22 We’re now in the season of Lent, our spiritual time in the desert as we prepare for the great season of Easter. It’s a time of penitential season, a time for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Reading 1 GN… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published March 8, 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

Why do we fast during Lent?

Published March 4, 2014 • Written by Maria Salazar Filed Under: Blog, Faith

Lent is now upon us and it will soon be time for fasting and abstaining from meat.  Why do we do these things and why is it necessary to fast in our spiritual life? A few days ago I was in line for confession and ended up staring at and thinking about the cross on… [Read More]

Written by Maria Salazar • Published March 4, 2014

The Rope is Hope (Review: “Delivered”)

Published January 7, 2014 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Faith, Marriage and Love, Reviews, Young Adult, Youth

As you know, I read a lot. I believe that we read because it teaches us what it means to be human. Most of the nonfiction I read is for Austin CNM these days, so it doesn’t all apply to me. My job here is not just to share what I think and feel about… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published January 7, 2014

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

Beauty of Truth Podcast Ep 23 – What is the Purpose of Penance?

Published March 21, 2013 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 23 – What is the Purpose of Penance?   Questions 1. How can prayer remedy sin? Penance: Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving Disordered relationships (attachment to creatures) 2. Didn’t Jesus pay for all of our sins on the cross? 3. How can giving up something we need be good for us? Catechetical Moment CCC #1459  … [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published March 21, 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

Falling Away With You

Published March 18, 2013 • Written by Britt Echtenkamp Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Young Adult

“[I] promise to hold you close and pray, watching the fantasies decay, nothing will ever stay the same. All of the love we threw away… making the same mistakes again making the same mistakes again I can feel my world crumbling I can feel my life crumbling… and falling away, falling away with you.” –… [Read More]

Written by Britt Echtenkamp • Published March 18, 2013

Prescription Strength Grace

Published December 2, 2012 • Written by Trenton Henrichson Filed Under: Faith

Over thanksgiving I came down with a pretty nasty cold. My family treated me in their characteristically sympathetic manner. They griped at me for not doing more cardio. Bedside manner aside,  I know my family is correct. In the three years I’ve been Catholic I’ve lost about 100 pounds (cardio). This process has proven to… [Read More]

Written by Trenton Henrichson • Published December 2, 2012

Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 12 What is sin?

Published October 23, 2012 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 12  What is sin?    Questions 1. What is sin? 2. If sin is wrong, why is it fun? 3. If God knew we were going to sin, why would He create us with the ability to do so?   Catechetical Moment CCC #1865   Living the Truth How can we make a habit… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published October 23, 2012

Beauty of Truth Podcast – Ep 5 Why go to confession?

Published August 22, 2012 • Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast Filed Under: Beauty of Truth Podcast

Ep 5 Why go to confession?    Questions What good is it to tell a man your darkest secrets in private? Why go if we have to go again later? What if I always confess the same sins?   Catechetical Moment CCC #1446 Living the Truth How can I go to confession more and grow holier? Hosted by Casey Truelove and Cristobal Almanza Feedback Line Number: (512) 200-ACNM (2266) feedback@austincnm.com http://www.austincnm.com Donations button is back!    Music Credits… [Read More]

Written by Beauty Of Truth Podcast • Published August 22, 2012

Soulless Zombies and the Pending Apocalypse

Published June 8, 2012 • Written by Cristóbal Almanza Filed Under: Faith, Young Adult

How often do you think about death? It’s 2012, and no year has brought on as much conversation about the end of the world since the new millennium. It seems like there is an ever-increasing collection of movies, shows, and even guidebooks warning us of our possible doom. Death is scary. It’s a violent act… [Read More]

Written by Cristóbal Almanza • Published June 8, 2012

God Has a Problem: It’s You (Review: “Sinner”)

Published April 3, 2012 • Written by Lindsay Wilcox Filed Under: Blog, Faith, Reviews

I struggle a lot with my faith life. Many people think that I am somehow better or holier because I work for the Church. Correction: I am not. If anything, being so closely connected to the inner workings of my sort-of parish makes me more aware of how much of a mess I am (and… [Read More]

Written by Lindsay Wilcox • Published April 3, 2012

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