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Blessed John Duns Scotus  saw so clearly that God had planned that his son, for whom the world was created, would be made flesh to live in and rule over that world as Christ the King. From this Duns Scotus argued that the very moment that God had made this decision, then that decision included a human mother, how else would he be made flesh? As Scotus put it – “If God wills an end, he must will the means.” This was obviously before creation had taken place in space and time, so his mother would have been conceived perfect in every way, as the mother of the Word to be made flesh , or if you like, Immaculate.   read on...

Today the Church celebrates our Blessed Mother under the title of the Immaculate Conception. Being a Mom has given me a much deeper understanding of the beautiful prayer given by our Blessed Mother to St. Catherine of Laboure and inscribed on the perimeter of the Miraculous Medal..."O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee." Read my reflections here...

I think the wise men are trying to tell me something! That's right, I openly admit it, it is the second week of Advent and we have not made our candles yet!  I feel like Advent is flying by and I still can't get it all together. It has been a rough start with sickness, unexpected delays, my husband working lots of overtime, and general chaos. I looked around today and thought, I am failing! This is not what Advent should look like. Where is the family Nativity that consumes the entire entertainment center with over 25 unique pieces?   We made a fresh, evergreen Advent wreath, but have yet to roll the candles, and have consequently only prayed the Advent prayer once. We are doing a Jesse Tree, but do not have an actual tree to use, so we are settling for an artificial pine garland that is precariously draped over the bookcase. We are only behind on two days of Holy Heroes videos, but there are only three of our handmade ornaments hung because we have been reshapin

Tradition has blessed us with a lovely symbol and reminder to pray during advent: the  Advent wreath ! The advent wreath provides the perfect centrepiece to praying together daily throughout advent. The advent wreath was traditionally a Lutheran practice but has become a tradition for many faiths to celebrate the passage of advent (the four weeks leading to Christmas). An advent wreath is usually a circle of evergreen with four candles: three purple and a pink. Sometimes there is also a fifth white candle. Each week another candle is lit, until by the 4th week of advent, all four candles are lit (and by Christmas the white one is also lit). When lighting the candles, usually there is a short prayer and reflection.  Read the rest here .

Christians in the first centuries of the Church believed in the Immaculate Conception of Mary, In fact all Christians,until 500 years ago, up until and including Martin Luther, believed in the Immaculate Conception. Luther was the founder of Protestant Reformation. I discovered this on  a post written in 2007 on  Bread from Heaven . It is interesting that Luther’s followers reject anything that is not written in the Bible. However, neither Luther nor Holy Scripture itself demands that all truth should be rejected unless it is contained in the Bible. Luther’s beautiful reflection’s on Mary follow: It is a sweet and pious belief that the  infusion of Mary’s soul was effected without original sin ; so that in the very infusion of her soul she was also purified from original sin and adorned with God’s gifts, receiving a pure soul infused by God; thus from the first moment she began to live she was free from all sin . read more>

For some, the Advent/Christmas season is a painful time of year. A time to be gotten through, tackled, weathered like a storm. How can the rest of the world be rejoicing if someone I love is in the throes of a serious illness? How can I turn on a radio if I'm taking a chance on hearing my recently deceased father's favorite carol? While everyone else is celebrating, I just might burst into tears. I suspect many of us have had such seasons, at one time or another, over the years. Times when we'd rather just skip the decorating and the ho-ho-hos and wait for a white blanket of January to settle the world back into its normal routine. If anyone reading this is grieving, in pain, depressed by the long dark nights of winter, or maybe just wishing the holidays would be over and gone - know that you are not alone. In fact, you are so "not alone" that I'm going to ask a favor of everyone reading this. Could we each take just a minute and offer a li

" ...'What else can I be,' returned the uncle, 'when I live in such a world of fools as this? ... If I could work my will,' said Scrooge indignantly, 'every idiot who goes about with "Merry Christmas" on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart. He should!'... " (" A Christmas Carol ," Charles Dickens (1843) via www.gutenberg.org) 'Tis the season to be frazzled. Advent is when some Americans max out their credit cards, buying presents and setting up holiday parties: while others kvetch over bright lights and holiday music played in stores.... More, or less, at A Catholic Citizen in America .

   I was in a debate the other day on another blog about the meaning of 1 Timothy 2: 11-12.  Here is what it says " A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.…"  When I asserted that it didn't really mean what it seems to mean, that women were never to instruct men in matters of faith, the debate was on.   I tried many ways to show that early Church Doctors didn't understand it that way that men did learn from the writings of the women saints an understanding of the authority of men in that it's only given through the Sacraments of Holy Orders and Matrimony and did not endow authority on all men just because they are male through trying to make them understand how the Church views men and women together as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ and those being equal, they both could teach each other.  I made no headwa

A TRUE CHRISTMAS STORY CLICK HERE

So I thought this was a good time for some liturgical new year’s resolutions! I really wanted to be more in tune with the liturgical year last year but I got overwhelmed and used having no children as an excuse as to why we couldn’t celebrate. Cause obviously you can’t celebrate feast days without coloring and activity pages! It wasn’t until recently that I really began to understand how important the liturgical year is to our faith. And even if the rest of society doesn’t realize it: it’s important to them too (Easter? Christmas? Halloween?) So if we celebrate those major feast days then why shouldn’t we celebrate all the other lovely days in the Church year? Personally I’ll take any excuse to celebrate! So here’s a few ideas I have as to how to be more in tune to our faith and the occurrences in the liturgical calendar this year.  Read the rest here .

  St John the Baptist ,  El Greco, c.1600 Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, San Francisco [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings   (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings   (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa)  Gospel   Mark 1:1-8   ( New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition , Canada)   The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,     who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:     ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,     make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now J

I had a cousin called John who was a bit of a rake. If he wasn't genially propping up the bar at the rugby club, he was engaged in a similar exercise at the golf club. He drank too much, smoked incessantly and generally ended up late at night gambling. Even though he was quite well off, he soon got into debt. His mother didn't see him for days on end. She had no idea where he slept, or with whom he slept for that matter. The rest of the family was more concerned for my aunt than for my cousin. He seemed to thrive on his revelry, as if the physical effects of his life-style by-passed him and were inflicted by some ugly twist of fate on his mother instead. It was a sort of 'Dorian Gray' situation, where his mother took the place of his own decaying portrait. Everybody in the family had rows with him. There were frightful scenes, endless flare-ups, and he even came to blows with an uncle of mine on one occasion. I tried with the rest of them, but got nowhere. We had all

A company whose DNA test was banned by the FDA is back: in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, scientists are learning that complex organic compounds may be forming in Titan's atmosphere: another piece to the puzzle of how life began. Another team found that up to half of Earth's water came from interstellar space. Finally, a quick look at astrobiology and assumptions about intelligent life in the universe.... ...We've known that traits are inherited for a thousand generations, maybe more, and applied that knowledge. The deal Jacob made with Laban in Genesis 30:17 - 3:13 at least hints that Jacob knew how to make sure many dark sheep and spotted or speckled goats were born.... More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

Looking for ways to keep Christ in the gifts you purchase for your children and others this Christmas - here are 7 ideas for Catholic gift ideas that your kids will love! 1. For the babies.... This has to be the most adorable little gift for a Catholic baby that I have ever seen.  I so wish we had one of these when my children were small. This Baby Rosary, Plush Bright Colored Single Decade with EVA Teething Cross Purple  is just perfect for snuggling your little one and praying the rosary!  What a great gift for a baby shower as well! My little guy started pretending to celebrate Mass when he was under 2 years old.  Again, I sure wish this was around then.  This plush My Mass Kit  is a perfect way to teach the littlest ones in your family about the Mass - best of all - the children can bring them to Mass without disturbing anyone.   Head on over to Saints 365 and check out the remaining 6 faith-filled, fun-filled gift ideas for kids and give the children in your life a

Today we welcome Michael and Melanie Jean Juneau to the series  How to Stay Married 10 Years & Then Some . Michael and Melanie live on a small family farm in Canada, where they raised their nine kids. I know Melanie from her excellent work at the  Association of Catholic Women Bloggers  and through her prolific writing. Today Michael and Melanie explain how suffering doesn't have to crush a marriage, instead it can lead to great joy! 1. How many years have you been married and how many kids do you have? We have been married for 36 years, and we are still in love. Surprisingly, we really have become one, deeply in tune with each other’s spirits. Our tangible joy is inexplicable through secular eyes because from all outward appearances our life together has been a tough journey including poverty, nine kids, overwhelming chores on a small family farm and clinical depression. One priest gently consoled us by explaining we have lived through “trials by fire.” Another frie

Time:  1970's  Location: Midwest farm...the Kitchen. A young boy of the age of 12 with brown hair sat at a kitchen table, writing something on a paper, possibly a homework assignment.  Into the kitchen comes a woman with brown hair, tied in a bun in a blue dress with a baby on the hip.  There are two small children trailing behind her, and she is carrying a bag of groceries.  "Jesus..." She didn't even have to finish His name, the young boy at the table had turned when she came in the room and was already rising from his chair, taking the grocery bag from her and digging into the bag to put the food away.  TO READ MORE...CLICK HERE!

Only one path lets you keep your soul. Francis Xavier had it pretty good. In fact, to some, he may have seemed to have the whole world. After all, he was an aristocrat; he was highly educated, wealthy, young, respected,...you name it, Francis really did seem to have it all. Including a pesky little illiterate friend named Ignatius, later known as Saint Ignatius of Loyola - founder of the Jesuits. Francis Xavier was at the university of Paris when Ignatius began hounding him to join religious life. Saint Francis wanted no part of it. He planned to pursue worldly things, to be counted among the intellectuals, the respected, the admired of the world. How could this happen if he gave up his own goals to follow Christ? But Ignatius knew better. “What profits a man,” Ignatius repeatedly asked Francis, “if he gains the whole world and loses his soul?” ( See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com ) The question took a while to sink in but eventually, Saint Francis b

1) Father, I love You… 2) Jesus, Thank You… 3) Sweet Lord, Teach me… 4) Holy Spirit, Inspire me… 5) God, Hear me… 6) Lord, I know You know this… 7) When will things change, Lord? 8) We Praise You… 9) I am nothing.  You are my all! 10) Inspire me, Lord, 11) I am yours, Jesus! 12) This has been a rough day, Lord… 13) Without You, I am nothing… Read More At:: His Unending Love

St. Francis Xavier was one of the greatest evangelists and missionaries the Church has ever known. No doubt this quote had something to do with his effectiveness. Humble sharing of your personal witness to God's love and mercy is one of the most effective evangelization tools and one few can argue against.     Click hear to read more powerful quotes from St. Francis Xavier and to find out which 4 powerhouse saints he was canonized alongside in 1622. 

We’re in Advent, the season of waiting, waiting for God. We Americans don’t like to wait. We are frustrated by red lights, long lines at the checkout counter, and lengthy downloads. But as poet R.J. Thomas observed, “The meaning is in the waiting.” The Israelites waited centuries for salvation from Egypt and centuries for salvation by the Messiah. Now we await the Messiah’s second coming in glory. Bombarded with bad news from around the globe, we feel like praying with the psalmist, “How long, O God” (Ps. 13) before we enjoy your kingdom of peace and justice. click to continue

This is certainly not your traditional Christmas wreath, but it is the one that will be hanging on the front door to greet all visitors and our Newborn King.  Can you imagine the surprise of Mary and Joseph as they sought a place where Mother Mary could give birth to the King of Kings, and they saw a wreath like this hanging on the door to welcome The Holy Family? Would they feel welcome? "In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered.  This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.  All went to their own towns to be registered.  Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David.  He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child.  And she gave birth to her fi

There are mere days between today and our family's favorite feast day of the year--St Nicholas Day! To say the children are excited is an extreme understatement.  I have been planning and picking up little bits and pieces here and there. So, I thought I would share my plans, and the handful of photos I took last year, and encourage you to embrace this beautiful tradition. First, I need to put forth a disclaimer that this feast has grown and evolved in our family over a decade of time. We did not jump in with both feet the first year. Our celebration traditions began with simple gifts left in shoes. We still cling to the idea of truly simple gifts. One of the sweetest parts of this holiday is how excited the children are for tiny treats and how it helps us to turn our sights to Jesus, not to wants and desire for more. Read much more at Veils and Vocations.

Something very different is going on at Grace's prayer blog. . . . Prepare yourself at Praying with Grace .

Theology Degrees  contacted me, wondering if I would share their latest infographic entitled “Pope Francis:  The Greatest Modern Pope?”   Using images and text in a long "graph", this is a concise history of Pope Francis, including where he came from, what he believes and how he fits into both the history of the Church and modern Catholicism. it is an invaluable aide to help people get to know a little bit more about this unique pope.   to see the entire infograph  continue

Advent is here!!! This truly is my favorite time of year, and this is my 100th post. Thank you to all my readers. This started on a whim as a creative outlet, it's incredible how far it has reached--I am especially thankful for those of you who read over seas.  I know this is still a small enterprise but it is growing by God's grace.  If you are on Facebook, please  visit and like my page . There are many little tidbits that I only get to share on there. Thanks. Last night, as we unpacked the nativities--we have eight--the kids were so excited. I always enjoy how much they enjoy the nativities. If you do not have a child safe nativity, I strongly encourage you to buy or make one.  It truly helps build the anticipation and keep their focus on Christ. Read more on Veils and Vocations!

HOW TO GIVE TO CHARITY WITHOUT SPENDING A PENNY? SOLVE THE MYSTERY HERE

Each month, Pope Francis entrusts his particular prayer intentions to the Apostleship of Prayer, which has offices around the world. The Pope has these two prayers on his heart in December: Universal Prayer: Christmas, Hope for Humanity Evangelization Prayer: Parents Please visit the Apostleship of Prayer website for videos and reflections on Pope Francis' prayer intentions.  Children can pray with the Pope too! Age-appropriate reflections and activities are here . Thank you for praying with us!

Throughout history the word “light” has been used to portray goodness, charity, kindness, and salvation. Light, after all, removes darkness—whether literally or metaphorically. People say, “She lit up the room when she entered,” or “He is the light of my life.” We understand the significance of those phrases. During the Christmas season—when the amount of actual daylight is at its most limited—we are most fully aware that Christ is the light of the world. It seems rather fitting that in the long hours without light that we contemplate how He dispels the darkness in our lives. We are able to become keenly aware that He conquers the shadows that sometimes seem to overtake us. During the Christmas season we most fully realize that through the light of Christ we find our way to the Father. read more here

   Advent begins today! I love this time more and more each year as I turn my focus to teaching my children the importance of the season. December and the entire holiday season can be so very stressful. I used to survive the whole season, and feel like I could breathe again when it was over. That is a terrible way to move into the time of preparation for our Saviors birth. These past few years, as I have made more of an effort to teach my girls more about the season I have learned more myself, and have a renewed love for the season. Funny how that works! Here is the plan for this Advent... Blessings, Jen

The season of Advent is upon us, beginning this Sunday November 30. Advent is a time to prepare ourselves for Jesus to come again anew in our hearts. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in section 525 states: “When the Church celebrates the liturgy of Advent each year, she makes present this ancient expectancy of the Messiah, for by sharing for the long preparation for the Savior's first coming, the faithful renew their ardent desire for his second coming...” Advent is a time to reflect on the words of the psalmist- Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him... This is a challenge indeed to take time to 'be still' before the Lord. This can be a very busy and hectic time for many of us—Christmas shopping, decorating our homes, baking goodies, celebrating the season with Christmas parties, family, and Church gatherings. All of these activities can bring us closer to family and friends. But sometimes we get so caught up in all the activities, we ease God

Love His Mother. Start your day with God. End you day with God. Pray. Offer your day to Him. Give Him your night. Tell God you love Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in all His ways. Follow His Commandments. Be kind to all you meet. Pray for the souls in Purgatory. Pray for non-believers. Pray for your children. Pray for your families. Pray for the lonely. Pray for the sick. Pray for the depressed. Pray for our military personnel. Pray for the homeless and hungry. Pray for those who are alone. Read More at:: His Unending Love

Happy New Year! No - I haven't mis-scheduled a blog post. On the first Sunday of Advent, the Church marks the first day of a new Liturgical year. As with the celebration of the new calendar year each January, the new Church year is a time of new beginnings, of fresh starts, and of renewed purpose. Click here to read 7 ideas for New (Liturgical) Year's Resolutions!    

I never greet an Advent without remembering a much earlier one, a pivotal one, in which God began to reach me. He did so not in spite of the Christmas glitz and commercialism all around, but through it. That Advent, I was twenty years old.... (read the rest here)

Today's Gospel reading starts on the second verse of this excerpt: " 'But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. " Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. " It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. " Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. " May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. " What I say to you, I say to all: "Watch!" ' " ( Mark 13:32 - 37 ) More at A Catholic Citizen in America .

 Every now and then I am given the opportunity to see life through a different lens. I have experienced some difficult and even scary circumstances that have compelled me to view life differently. These times challenge my faith, present me with a different perspective and allow me to draw closer to God. There have been tragedies among family members and dear friends, my own miscarriage, and health scares with my children, just to name a few. I think the scariest time of waiting as a mom, was four years ago. We were told that our newborn had a hole in her heart. (This actually was rivaled by some scares with our first daughter years ago, when we had a lymph node removed to see what it was. Thankfully it was nothing, but that waiting was hard.) Back to four years ago when we needed to wait to follow up with a cardiologist when the baby was two weeks old. The hospital could tell us nothing else. We left with complete uncertainty and had no choice but to wait and pray. To view what i

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YoungJew as Christ , Rembrandt, c.1656 Staatliche Museen, Berlin [ Web Gallery of Art ] Readings  (New American Bible: Philippines, USA) Readings  (Jerusalem Bible: Australia, England & Wales, India [optional], Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa) Gospel  Mark 13:33-37    (New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, Canada) Jesus said to his disciples: Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn,    or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.” Liam Whelan   (1 April 1935 - 5 February 1958) If this is the end, then I'm ready for it .  These were t