Monthly Archives: January 2010

St. Ignatius of Antioch

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Deacon Bob

We have today in the Office of Readings an section of St. Ignatius’ letter to the church of Smyrna. St. Ignatius is one of the very first Patristic writers, having most probably known the apostles personally, and thus is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on St. Ignatius of Antioch

Papa Luciani on the Woes of his time, and ours

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Even though he wrote this in 1973, I find it apropos to contemporary society. Papa Luciani is lamenting the cultural movements in western society. He wrote a fictional letter to Aldus Manutius, a printer and publisher from Venice in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I) | Comments Off on Papa Luciani on the Woes of his time, and ours

Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote the following in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son.  “I do not think I am alone in this struggle to claim God’s first love and my original goodness. Beneath much human assertiveness, competitiveness, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Claiming God’s Love and our Original Goodness

The Angelic Doctor

Posted on January 28, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Today, we celebrate the memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas, often called the “Angelic Doctor” because of his theology of angels. As I suspect you know, he is probably the foremost theologian of the Catholic Church of all time, living in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on The Angelic Doctor

St. Bernard Reflects on the Cross and the Sacred Heart

Posted on January 27, 2010 by Deacon Bob

In today’s Office of Readings, St. Bernard reflects on the meaning of the Cross and the Sacred Heart.  As always for him, his language in poetic. Here is a snippet of what he wrote, my translation into English. “He nutured … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on St. Bernard Reflects on the Cross and the Sacred Heart

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“His salvation is near to those who fear him and his glory will live in our land.” — Psalm 85

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Scripture | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 25, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“When a man trains himself to acts of virtue, it is with the help of grace from God from whom all good things come that he does this. The will is what a man has as his unique possession.” – … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

A Synod for the Americas

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

There are reports that there is a need for a special synod in America, i.e., North and South America. It is up to the bishops and the Holy Father to make the decision. From what I have read at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News | Comments Off on A Synod for the Americas

We Are the Amazement of God

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Papa Luciani, in his book Illustrissimi, writes to Charles Péguy, a French writer and a fervent Catholic who died in the first World War. He was also the author of many religious poems, and was noted for accenting Christian witness … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I), Spirituality | Comments Off on We Are the Amazement of God

Using the Web – Calling all Priests (and Deacons!)

Posted on January 24, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I would like to note that the Holy Father, in his message on the 44th annual World Day of Social Communications, entitled, The Priest and Pastoral Ministry in a Digital World: New Media at the Service of the Word, has … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, General Interest, Popes | Comments Off on Using the Web – Calling all Priests (and Deacons!)

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“There are those who think they have no talents. This isn’t true. Everyone can smile. Everyone can listen. Everyone can be kind. Everyone can show interest in his neighbor. We all have a talent to be used for the greater … Continue reading →

Posted in Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Novena Prayer for the People of Haiti

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

All powerful and all-loving God of mercy, look kindly on the people of Haiti in their suffering. Ease their burdens and make their faith strong so that they may always have confidence and trust in your care. Help them face … Continue reading →

Posted in Church News, Human Development and Life, Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Novena Prayer for the People of Haiti

“Bilingual” Christianity

Posted on January 19, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I heard on a talk show this morning a guest saying that we Christians need to be “bilingual” in today’s world.  He wasn’t referring to speaking a foreign language, even though I personally believe that is an increasingly important skill … Continue reading →

Posted in Fundamental Theology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on “Bilingual” Christianity

In Re: Saints

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Deacon Bob

Here is a quote from the book, St. Charles of Sezze: An Autobiograpy: “[There is] the opinion, quite common among religious people, that saints are born saints, that they are privileged right from their first appearance on this earth. This … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on In Re: Saints

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 18, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“Nothing is hidden from the Lord; even our secrets are before his gaze. Let us do everything then with the awareness that he lives in us, so that we may be his temple and he who lives in us may … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on Quote for the Day