“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (Jn 14:26) The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, “By his coming, which never ceases, the Holy Spirit causes the world to enterContinue reading “Awaiting Pentecost”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Fraternity
A group of persons associated by … ties of brotherhood. An organization of laymen for religious or charitable purpose; sodality. In 2016 Bishop Olmsted, of the Phoenix Diocese, wrote an Apostolic exhortation to the Catholic men of his diocese. He talks of the war on the Church by the forces of Satan, reminiscent of PopeContinue reading “Fraternity”
Jesus and His Cross
The beginning of Holy Week and anticipation of Easter is a time to reflect on our Lord’s passion, suffering and death on the cross. I think about those non-Catholic Christians and wondered what they did in preparation and how they reflected on the events leading up to Our Lord’s glorious resurrection on Easter morning. OneContinue reading “Jesus and His Cross”
A Time for Reflection
Christians around the world are embarking on the solemn season of Lent. This is a period for reflection, prayer, fasting, and repentance. For Catholics it is part of the liturgical year, the cycle of feasts and celebrations, much like the cycle of feasts God instructed the Israelites to observe after He brought them out ofContinue reading “A Time for Reflection”
A New Beginning
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” (Is 9:2) Christmas is right on top of us. Twenty to thirty years ago the television networks would have multiple showings of “A Christmas Carol” (several versions), “Miracle on 34th Street,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “White Christmas,” “The Bishop’s Wife,” and several others. A quickContinue reading “A New Beginning”
Somewhere There’s a Bottom – We Hope
“People who are happy or breathing easier because of the outcome of this election now own its consequences. Inflation, high gas and food prices, and an open border are likely to continue. … Maybe another two years of suffering will do it, assuming the country survives.” —Cal Thomas How low can we go? We haveContinue reading “Somewhere There’s a Bottom – We Hope”
Love (Charity) is at the Heart of Catholic Social Doctrine
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35) “A virtue is an habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself.” (Catechism 1803) Simply put, Catholic social doctrine supportsContinue reading “Love (Charity) is at the Heart of Catholic Social Doctrine”
Catholic Vote
Dear Editor: I have a response to Maria Mastromarino (Letters to the Editor, Oct. 29: Catholics should not be single-issue voters). Our issues are the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Church. Here are some guidelines for how I think Catholics should vote. Ask yourself the following questions: New York has an opportunity this yearContinue reading “Catholic Vote”
Transparency: What are They Trying to Hide?
“For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (Jn 3:19) Who is really running things? Why do all of the Democrats refuse to debate? What are they hiding? Why did the government send all of those immigrants around the country at night, withoutContinue reading “Transparency: What are They Trying to Hide?”
The Left Quotes Scripture
“He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetuate it.” Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Quoting Sacred Scripture to try to support abortion, the latest tactic by the left, is almost as laughable as VP Harris declaring “the border is secure” while watching hundreds of illegalContinue reading “The Left Quotes Scripture”
2022 Midterm Elections: Is Your Conscience Ready?
“In the depths of his conscience, man detects a law … always summoning him to love good and avoid evil, the voice of conscience [which] speaks to his heart…” Vatican II, Gaudium et Spes The midterm elections are less than 100 days away. Now is time to review our duties and responsibilities as Catholics in theContinue reading “2022 Midterm Elections: Is Your Conscience Ready?”
Feeling Lost? Try God
I think it was The Muppet Movie where some character told Kermit he felt lost and Kermit asked, “Have you tried Hare Krishna?” Lots of people feel lost today and many more are lost but don’t realize it. Our world has rejected God causing anxiety and discomfort across all levels of society. In a recentContinue reading “Feeling Lost? Try God”
Be Not Afraid
Published on the Patriot Post July 1, 2022. Below is the unedited version. “We need to tell our story of salvation in a new way. With charity and confidence, without fear.” Archbishop Gomez of LA, Address, Madrid Spain, November 4, 2021 “The liberty of love, therefore, is not license. Freedom implies not just a mereContinue reading “Be Not Afraid”
Victory for Life and America: SCOTUS Overturns Roe v Wade
The decision has been announced. The Supreme Court has overturned Roe and Casey in a 6-3 Decision. This is an overwhelming victory for life and for freedom for all, born and unborn, in the United States. Now we need to work doggedly within our states to make sure that life is preserved and the dignityContinue reading “Victory for Life and America: SCOTUS Overturns Roe v Wade”
Transformation
Darkness, evil. Evil darkness. Shame. Emptiness, revelation, truth. Hope. Repentance, atonement, changing heart. Mercy. Bright light, circle of light. Eternal glory.
I Don’t Need Church to Worship God
Do you know someone who has said this, or someone close who has left the Church? I do, including some close friends and relatives. Here are some of my thoughts on what I might say to them. God is Calling. And He’s calling YOU! “And the Lord God said: It is not good for manContinue reading “I Don’t Need Church to Worship God”
Jesus and the Cross
At the beginning of Holy Week and in anticipation of Easter I was reflecting on our Lord’s passion, suffering and death on the cross. I began to think about those non-Catholic Christians and wondered what they did in preparation and how they reflected on the events leading up to Our Lord’s glorious resurrection on EasterContinue reading “Jesus and the Cross”
70 Bishops worldwide criticize Germany’s Synodal Way
Several months ago George Weigel commented that bishops needed to band together and tell the German Bishops to wake up and that their synodal way was heretical, to which I commented in agreement. Well, it has taken quite awhile, but now 70 bishops around the world have written an open letter to the German BishopsContinue reading “70 Bishops worldwide criticize Germany’s Synodal Way”
All Hail the State Church
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging freedom of speech, ….” Constitution of the United States, Amendment 1 While not explicitly establishing a state religion by law, the progressives in power have, nonetheless established, by a combination of executive orders, mandates, school board andContinue reading “All Hail the State Church”
On Weigel’s “Liquid Catholicism and the German Synodal Way”
George Weigel is right in describing the German Synodal Way as “liquid Catholicism” and a form of liberal Protestantism. In an earlier article in The Tablet, he noted that the rest of the bishops around the world needed to take the matter in hand and correct their brothers in Germany. (March 10, 2021) They didn’tContinue reading “On Weigel’s “Liquid Catholicism and the German Synodal Way””
Personal Prayer to the Holy Trinity
By your grace and mercy, O Lord, you called me back to you. I don’t know how long I resisted your call or did not acknowledge it, but you finally called loudly enough that I answered. Then you gently, but firmly, guided me to discern you more and to get to know you better. YouContinue reading “Personal Prayer to the Holy Trinity”
Abortion: A Product of the Father of Lies
Abortion Kills Babies Watching the 2022 March for Life I heard the witness of a woman who had been pressured to have an abortion in her youth. She listed the lies that she was told throughout the process of getting an abortion. Despite being told that she would recover and heal, she is still suffering.Continue reading “Abortion: A Product of the Father of Lies”
Some Thoughts on the USCCB Document “Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” November 2021
In November, the US Conference of Catholic Bishops published their “teaching document” on the Eucharist after years of Catholic faithful pleading for more clarity on the Eucharist and worthiness to receive it and for how to teach and deal with wayward politicians. Here are some of my thoughts. Well, it’s out. The US Conference ofContinue reading “Some Thoughts on the USCCB Document “Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” November 2021”
In Hoc Anno Domini, by Vermont Royster
Originally posted on Justplainbill's Weblog:
In Hoc Anno Domini by: Vermont Royster When Saul of Tarsus set out on his journey to Damascus the whole of the known world lay in bondage. There was one state, and it was Rome. There was one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar. Everywhere there…
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Mary, the Mother of Jesus “Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does it happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?’” (Lk 1:41-43, emphasis added) During this timeContinue reading “Mary, the Mother of Jesus”