January 2020

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Loreto Sister Patricia Murray has a perfect view of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica from her office and, she said, almost every morning she thinks about how she got there. The answer for the executive secretary of the women’s International Union of Superiors General is that God put her there, her religious community put her there and a huge network of women religious around the… Read More »Women religious finding new ways to minister, collaborate

I am working my way through Cardinal Gerhard Muller’s recent book You Shall Be a Blessing: Twelve Letters on the Priesthood. The book is an honest discussion on the priesthood in our current age and throughout salvation history. The target audience is both priests and members of the laity and religious who want to come to a deeper understanding of the priesthood and what priests face within their ministry. As… Read More »The Priesthood & Laity Are Both Called to Selfless Love

This week’s poem in the Catholic Poetry Room is by Geoffrey Smagacz.                                                                                                              Swift Days These last… Read More »Swift Days by Geoffrey Smagacz — Catholic Poetry Room

Just at the right time, if we are wholeheartedly seeking God every day, we will find that we receive a moment of consolation.  It may be an unexpected peace or joy, we may feel enlightened and encouraged, or we may just sense the presence of God in our lives.  Whatever the case may be, remember the moments of consolation you receive.  They will not accompany us every day, but they… Read More »Reflection 29: Moments of Consolation

CALABASAS, Calif. (CNS) — As the world mourned the loss of basketball great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a tragic helicopter crash Jan. 26, many recalled how Bryant gave much credit to his Catholic faith for seeing him through the bad times and strengthening his marriage and family. A shooting guard, Bryant was drafted into the NBA at age 17 and played his entire… Read More »Kobe Bryant relied on Catholic faith to see him through tough personal times

January 26, 2020 Born at Lystra, Lycaenia, Timothy was the son of a Greek father and Eunice, a converted Jewish woman. He joined St. Paul when Paul preached at Lystra replacing Barnabas, and became Paul’s close friend and confidant. Paul allowed him to be circumcised to placate the Jews, since he was the son of a Jewess, and he then accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey. When Paul was… Read More »St. Timothy

Mount of Beatitudes on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Tiberias) where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Photography by Larry Barrett, Photographer, Videographer | Shutterstock Dr. Scott Hahn reflects on the Mass readings for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A). Readings: Isaiah 8:23–9:3 Psalm 27:1, 4, 13–14 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, 17 Matthew 4:12–23 Today’s Liturgy gives us a lesson in ancient Israelite geography and history. Isaiah’s prophecy in today’s First… Read More »History Redeemed — Integrated Catholic Life™

As you grow deeper in your relationship with God you will have many moments of struggle as well as many moments of consolation.  Do not be afraid of moments of dryness and interior suffering.  They are necessary and part of God’s method of holiness for you.  In those moments, raise your eyes to Jesus.  See Him in His glory and beg for His Mercy (See Diary #22-23). Honestly look at… Read More »Reflection 25: Interior Suffering – A Path to Mercy

WASHINGTON (CNS) — During oral arguments Jan. 22 about the constitutionality of excluding religious schools from a scholarship aid program, a divided Supreme Court seemed like it might lean toward finding a way to allow religious schools to participate. The hourlong argument focused on potential religious discrimination when the state of Montana excluded religious schools from its tax credit program, but it also questioned if the exclusion of religious schools… Read More »Supreme Court divided about religious schools in scholarship program

In 1933, the Blessed Virgin visited two different cities in Belgium.  She concluded her series of 33 apparitions in Beauraing, Belgium on January 3rd, an apparition received by 5 children.  Two weeks later, on January 15, a little girl, as she peered out the kitchen window, saw a beautiful lady standing atop a cloud. Mariette Beco told her mother what she saw, who met the story with disbelief and joked… Read More »How Mary’s Belgian Apparition Speaks to Us Today