The Church teaches we can know with certainty by our human reason that God exists. But there are truths that we cannot discover until God reveals them to us. The doctrine of the Trinity is such a Divinely Revealed truth. Frank Sheed, one of the great Catholic apologists of the 20th Century, often spoke of the mysteries [...]
Does God have one right choice for me in each decision I make? When we pray for wisdom to discern God’s will when it comes to choosing a mate, a career, a job change, a move, a home, a school, a friend, a vacation, how to spend money, or any other choice, big or little, [...]
Surrender, giving control of our lives to Christ, is an enormous obstacle to living out our faith in the workplace, or anyplace for that matter. Surrendering to Christ and putting his will before my own for the first time more than seven years ago was the very moment I felt stronger than at any other [...]
Many are ready to give a polite nod of some sort to Jesus of Nazareth. Most honor him as a great moral teacher. Many even confess him as Savior. But the Incarnation of the Eternal God? Second person of the Holy Trinity? God can’t be one and three at the same time. Such a notion [...]
The Mister and I just had a romantic dinner in the basement, served by two little girls. The main course was Fisher Price peas and pizza, real water from a sturdy, plastic teapot and Cheez-Its. We were entertained by music playing on daddy’s cell phone and the evening ended with a rousing rendition of The [...]
We were sitting by the fireplace having supper when my husband brought up the age-old question, “What do women want in a guy?” It turns out he had been bandying about ideas with some male friends, who confessed to being quite perplexed. Something deep inside me prompted me to say “I know what many Catholic [...]
by Sister Benedicta Marie, O.C.D. Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles The principle of unity throughout scripture is the Holy Spirit. The Pentecost Sequence, Veni Sancte Spiritus, describes this sanctifying – and therefore unifying – role of the Spirit of Father and Son: Bend the stubborn heart and will; Melt the [...]
The Church teaches we can know with certainty by our human reason that God exists. But there are truths that we cannot discover until God reveals them to us. The doctrine of the Trinity is such a Divinely Revealed truth. Frank Sheed, one of the great Catholic apologists of the 20th Century, often spoke of the mysteries [...]
The Five First Saturdays Devotion Last week we got to know the Prayers of Fatima. Now let’s look at the devotion of the Five First Saturdays. In her July 13, 1917 apparition at Fatima, Mary said: “You have seen hell, where the souls of poor sinners go. It is to save them that God wants [...]
On May 13, 2013, we will celebrate the 96th anniversary of the first apparition of Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, to the three young seers at the Cova da Iria in Fatima, Portugal. The children were Lucia de Jesus dos Santos (age 10), Blessed Francisco Marto (age 9) and Blessed Jacinta Marto (age 7). Francisco and [...]
Surrender, giving control of our lives to Christ, is an enormous obstacle to living out our faith in the workplace, or anyplace for that matter. Surrendering to Christ and putting his will before my own for the first time more than seven years ago was the very moment I felt stronger than at any other [...]
A few weeks ago I awoke to begin what was likely to be a stressful day. My wife was in the hospital recovering from surgery she had the day before and I wanted to go and see her as soon as the kids were off to school. I was scrambling to get my older son [...]
I gave a talk one Sunday morning to the men’s club of a large Atlanta Methodist church at the request of an old friend. When he asked me to speak to this group months before the talk, I responded with a question which I would ask him repeatedly every time we got together: “They know [...]
Every now and then a special book comes along that grabs you and leaves a mark. BIG HEARTED: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families is such a book. Deacon Mike and I are blessed to know and work with co-authors Theresa Thomas and Patti Maguire Armstrong who are also popular contributing writers for Integrated Catholic Life. [...]
Does God have one right choice for me in each decision I make? When we pray for wisdom to discern God’s will when it comes to choosing a mate, a career, a job change, a move, a home, a school, a friend, a vacation, how to spend money, or any other choice, big or little, [...]
The Mister and I just had a romantic dinner in the basement, served by two little girls. The main course was Fisher Price peas and pizza, real water from a sturdy, plastic teapot and Cheez-Its. We were entertained by music playing on daddy’s cell phone and the evening ended with a rousing rendition of The [...]
Surrender, giving control of our lives to Christ, is an enormous obstacle to living out our faith in the workplace, or anyplace for that matter. Surrendering to Christ and putting his will before my own for the first time more than seven years ago was the very moment I felt stronger than at any other [...]
Years ago, our parish started a Eucharistic Adoration program, and, like the good signer-upper that I have always been, I promptly agreed to a crazy early morning hour. I had no idea what I would do for an entire hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar, but I was sold on [...]
We were sitting by the fireplace having supper when my husband brought up the age-old question, “What do women want in a guy?” It turns out he had been bandying about ideas with some male friends, who confessed to being quite perplexed. Something deep inside me prompted me to say “I know what many Catholic [...]
“O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust for power and idle talk. But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity (integrity), humility, patience and love. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brother. For [...]
“If we truly think of Christ as our source of holiness, we shall refrain from anything wicked or impure in thought or act and thus show ourselves to be worthy bearers of his name. For the quality of holiness is shown not by what we say but by what we do in life.” (St. Gregory [...]
“Novena prayer to St. Rita of Cascia” “O holy protectress of those who are in utmost need, shining as a star of hope in the midst of darkness, in patience and fortitude as the patriarch Job, scourge of devils, health of the sick, deliverer of those in extreme need, admiration of saints and model of [...]
Many are ready to give a polite nod of some sort to Jesus of Nazareth. Most honor him as a great moral teacher. Many even confess him as Savior. But the Incarnation of the Eternal God? Second person of the Holy Trinity? God can’t be one and three at the same time. Such a notion [...]
As a teen, I thought the clergy were supposed to do everything. We laity were just called to pray, pay, and obey. Oh yes, and keep the commandments, of course. The original 10 seemed overwhelming enough. Then I discovered the Sermon on the Mount and nearly passed out. Perhaps this is why many inactive Catholics [...]
The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat. It was clear what Good Friday did for me. And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable. But as for the Ascension, what’s in it for me? Christianity is about a kind of love we call agape or charity. It is love that looks away [...]
Deacon Mike Bickerstaff, Editor-in-Chief
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Mr. Randy Hain, Senior Editor
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