Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Our Lady of Joy, of the Smile, and of Surprises

 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Our Blessed Mother has much to be concerned about with all of God’s children, but she also makes time for joy. Mary can enter into any situation in our lives and make things better. What better time to go to her than during the Advent season as we prepare for the joy of Christmas?

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Does Committing the Unforgivable Sin Doom Someone?


An atheist once told me that he had blasphemed against the Holy Spirit. He said it was the unforgivable sin so conversion would never be an option for him.  "'And whoever says a word against the Son of man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come" (Matthew 12:22-32).

Friday, November 17, 2017

Exorcist and Padre Pio on Angels

While many of us have felt our angel’s presence at times or at least trust that he’s there, what do all the guardian angels do when people turn from God? Are they still on guard? During an interview with Father Patrick, (not his real name) an exorcist for seven years who is also a parish priest, he explained that people often ask him where is God or why aren’t the angels protecting us and stopping all this insanity?

Monday, November 13, 2017

Beach Blanket Apologetics


Several years ago, at a beach outing, I was riddled with questions about Catholics by several non-Catholic moms. 
It was a get-together with homeschoolers and I was the lone Catholic that day.  I no longer homeschool, but I had learned early on that there were some who did not mind Catholics and some who believed we were going to hell— I was told as much—nicely, of course. One time I was asked if Catholics considered themselves Christian. Funny.  But it was no joke. 

Friday, November 3, 2017

Black Elk Cause for Canonization Opened


Nicholas Black Elk, a former Lakota medicine man from South Dakota, is on the path of sainthood.  The Mass, which opened his cause for canonization, was celebrated by Bishop Robert Gruss on October 21 at Holy Rosary Church near Pine Ridge, S.D.  During his homily, Bishop Gruss said that Black Elk was open to the Spirit of God in his life from a very young age. “God used a personal invitation from a Jesuit priest to lead this child of God, Black Elk, down a new path to becoming this great disciple in the Catholic faith for the Lakota people,” he said.