Our Christ's Passion through the eyes of Mother Mary.
Christ's first temple and Mother of God, Mary of Nazareth never left her beloved Son. She was devoted to God and His plan and intimately knew the Son of God. Truly, here is why Catholics honor Mary and are devoted to her. She is the beginning of the Church--Christ's first tabernacle and first disciple--from the moment she conceived Our Lord.
This video will give you a good idea of Mary's witness of The Stations of the Cross. Pray to Mary this Holy Week, and keep these images in your heart and mind! "O, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!"
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Love Letters from Heaven
by Kathleen Blease
Don't let Holy Week go by without taking a moment to notice God's Creation, magnificent and just for you. His love is beyond human imagination. God is crazy for you! He gave you His Only Begotten Son, so you can have eternal life with Him, our grand Creator, and all the saints and angels in Heaven. Take a look at some of His artistry. If earth is this beautiful, just imagine Heaven!
all photos are copyrighted by Roger L. Blease
Don't let Holy Week go by without taking a moment to notice God's Creation, magnificent and just for you. His love is beyond human imagination. God is crazy for you! He gave you His Only Begotten Son, so you can have eternal life with Him, our grand Creator, and all the saints and angels in Heaven. Take a look at some of His artistry. If earth is this beautiful, just imagine Heaven!
all photos are copyrighted by Roger L. Blease
orange unblended
I am with you
assateague island
some beauties are complete surprises
one baptism
Eater egg
where the oriole lives
man inspired
God's handiwork, from a hot air balloon
God bless you during this most holy of weeks.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The Living Stations
by Kathleen Blease
You might have heard of the Passion Play. The Catholic Church calls it The Stations of the Cross, the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a beautiful devotion and observance that follows Jesus's steps through His final days, and it is more than 1,000 years old. At many parishes, youth groups throughout the country act out the Stations, called the Living Stations.
There are fourteen stations, as well as a closing one, making fifteeen in all. Below are photos from our local parish, depicting a few of them. May God be with these youths and help them contemplate what a remarkable story The Stations of the Cross is.
Jesus falls for the first time.
Simon of Cyrene is chosen from the crowd to help Jesus carry His cross.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
Jesus is nailed to the cross, as Mary watches.
(notice the painting above the altar, depicting the same.)
Jesus is taken down from the cross.
You might have heard of the Passion Play. The Catholic Church calls it The Stations of the Cross, the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a beautiful devotion and observance that follows Jesus's steps through His final days, and it is more than 1,000 years old. At many parishes, youth groups throughout the country act out the Stations, called the Living Stations.
There are fourteen stations, as well as a closing one, making fifteeen in all. Below are photos from our local parish, depicting a few of them. May God be with these youths and help them contemplate what a remarkable story The Stations of the Cross is.
The Living Stations
enacted by The Easton Area
Catholic Youth Group
Catholic Youth Group
at St. Bernard's Oratory
Simon of Cyrene is chosen from the crowd to help Jesus carry His cross.
Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.
(notice the painting above the altar, depicting the same.)
Jesus is taken down from the cross.Of course, the story does not end here. It is only the beginning--with His Resurrection, the conquering of death. The closing station takes place in front of the tabernacle, the dwelling of our Living Lord, who resides there by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Many thanks to the Easton Area Catholic Youth Group and to Mrs. Loretta Susen for providing these terrific photos!
God bless!
Catholic Books and Catechism on CDs
by Kathleen Blease
A friend of mine spends a lot of time commuting, so I thought I’d compile a list of Catholic CDs he can enjoy. Personally, I am at home all day, so I don’t use CDs very much. Thus, I cannot personally endorse these items listed below. However, after doing a little research and seeing all that's available, I just might give up my Hall & Oats CD that's in the car for one of these! Even a short drive to Boy Scouts can become a time for Christ.
By the way, check out number 6 for free Catholic CDs and novels. I just ordered a bunch for myself.
God bless.
Catholic Audio Books & CDs
1. Catholic CD Club
Similar to the Book of the Month format, Lighthouse Catholic Media distributes a featured CD each month to its members. A not-for-profit organization, its website says it's the “first-ever evangelization and apologetics Catholic CD Club. Join today and each month you will receive an exciting talk by one of the great Catholic speakers of our time. After listening, pass them on to others.” Features speakers such as Scott Hahn and Fr. Corapi.
For those of you who depend on CDs, this just might be a good idea, something new and fresh every month. Click here to learn more.
2. The Catholic Mass Revealed
I have heard a lot of good things about this program, but I haven't tried it myself. The Catholic Mass Revealed (CD, Book, and DVD)
3. St. Teresa
I love St. Teresa of Avila! "Let nothing disturb you."
4. Bishop Fulton Sheen
A great communicator and once adored like a rock star, Bishop Fulton Sheen's words of wisdom have filled a huge selection of CDs. Here are just a few.
Fulton Sheen talks about doctor of the church St. Therese, the Little Flower and her little ways.
5. The Catechism
Study the Catechism on the road or at home.
6. Free CDs
Catholic City provides free CDs through the Mary Foundation. Just a small donation of $1 per CD is required. They feature speakers such as Scott Hahn, Fr. Corapi, and Christopher West, who is well known for promoting Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
They also feature Fr. Larry Richard, who I've heard before. I can't wait to here his The Mass Explained. He's very direct! My teenage boys like Fr. Larry, too.
Catholic City also provides free Catholic novels.
A friend of mine spends a lot of time commuting, so I thought I’d compile a list of Catholic CDs he can enjoy. Personally, I am at home all day, so I don’t use CDs very much. Thus, I cannot personally endorse these items listed below. However, after doing a little research and seeing all that's available, I just might give up my Hall & Oats CD that's in the car for one of these! Even a short drive to Boy Scouts can become a time for Christ.
By the way, check out number 6 for free Catholic CDs and novels. I just ordered a bunch for myself.
God bless.
Catholic Audio Books & CDs
1. Catholic CD Club
Similar to the Book of the Month format, Lighthouse Catholic Media distributes a featured CD each month to its members. A not-for-profit organization, its website says it's the “first-ever evangelization and apologetics Catholic CD Club. Join today and each month you will receive an exciting talk by one of the great Catholic speakers of our time. After listening, pass them on to others.” Features speakers such as Scott Hahn and Fr. Corapi.
For those of you who depend on CDs, this just might be a good idea, something new and fresh every month. Click here to learn more.
2. The Catholic Mass Revealed
I have heard a lot of good things about this program, but I haven't tried it myself. The Catholic Mass Revealed (CD, Book, and DVD)
3. St. Teresa
I love St. Teresa of Avila! "Let nothing disturb you."
4. Bishop Fulton Sheen
A great communicator and once adored like a rock star, Bishop Fulton Sheen's words of wisdom have filled a huge selection of CDs. Here are just a few.
Fulton Sheen talks about doctor of the church St. Therese, the Little Flower and her little ways.
5. The Catechism
Study the Catechism on the road or at home.
6. Free CDs
Catholic City provides free CDs through the Mary Foundation. Just a small donation of $1 per CD is required. They feature speakers such as Scott Hahn, Fr. Corapi, and Christopher West, who is well known for promoting Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.
They also feature Fr. Larry Richard, who I've heard before. I can't wait to here his The Mass Explained. He's very direct! My teenage boys like Fr. Larry, too.
Catholic City also provides free Catholic novels.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Quick Takes for Friday
by Kathleen Blease
I thought I'd share with you some quick ideas and thoughts that were sitting in my "sketches" file. Maybe you'll find one just right for the end of your long week. So, here we go...
1.
Our EASTER GIVEAWAY ends tomorrow at midnight. Click here to register. Good luck!
2.
Over at The National Catholic Register, learn about genuine femininity—not to be confused with feminism—and the important role of women in the Catholic Church. Catholic writer Celeste Behe writes about the Women’s Formation and Leadership for a Better Society Conference to be held in upstate New York over the summer. Click here for your own copy to read or print. Maybe you'd like to attend!
3.
The Eucharist is a miracle that occurs every day at every second. It is the greatest of all mysteries. It is for us to receive, so we don’t need to go about life without Our Christ! There’s a miracle among us. Don’t miss it!
4.
Take a little time today to visit Catholics Come Home. Watch their commercials. The “movie” commercial will make you RUN to Reconciliation for God's joyful mercy. Fabulous! The website is all about truth and renewal.
5.
How does an atheist find her way to the Catholic Church? Visit Conversion Diary and find out how Jennifer blogged her way from a vocal anti-Christian atheist to a dedicated believer. Great story and wonderful blog.
6.
Here's one of my favorite books that answered so many questions I had when I was first renewing my Faith. It connected a whole bunch of dots.
7.
Speaking of connecting dots: Kelly over at From a Sinner has connected quite a few and found a true love for the Mass. She explains why the Mass is perfect, regardless of which priest is saying it. Do you give an inner sigh when a certain priest celebrates Mass? You can give that up...here's why.
8.
Okay, one more: You've probably heard of a Passion Play. The Catholic Church calls it The Stations of the Cross. It's an observance and devotion she has been following for more than one-thousand years. Today, it is common to find Catholic youth groups acting out the Stations, known as the Living Stations. If you can't attend at church, you can still observe the Stations at home. It is a deep and contemplative prayer that will reveal something new to you each time you walk with Christ through His Passion and Resurrection.
God bless!
I thought I'd share with you some quick ideas and thoughts that were sitting in my "sketches" file. Maybe you'll find one just right for the end of your long week. So, here we go...
1.
Our EASTER GIVEAWAY ends tomorrow at midnight. Click here to register. Good luck!
2.
Over at The National Catholic Register, learn about genuine femininity—not to be confused with feminism—and the important role of women in the Catholic Church. Catholic writer Celeste Behe writes about the Women’s Formation and Leadership for a Better Society Conference to be held in upstate New York over the summer. Click here for your own copy to read or print. Maybe you'd like to attend!
3.
The Eucharist is a miracle that occurs every day at every second. It is the greatest of all mysteries. It is for us to receive, so we don’t need to go about life without Our Christ! There’s a miracle among us. Don’t miss it!
4.
Take a little time today to visit Catholics Come Home. Watch their commercials. The “movie” commercial will make you RUN to Reconciliation for God's joyful mercy. Fabulous! The website is all about truth and renewal.
5.
How does an atheist find her way to the Catholic Church? Visit Conversion Diary and find out how Jennifer blogged her way from a vocal anti-Christian atheist to a dedicated believer. Great story and wonderful blog.
6.
Here's one of my favorite books that answered so many questions I had when I was first renewing my Faith. It connected a whole bunch of dots.
7.
Speaking of connecting dots: Kelly over at From a Sinner has connected quite a few and found a true love for the Mass. She explains why the Mass is perfect, regardless of which priest is saying it. Do you give an inner sigh when a certain priest celebrates Mass? You can give that up...here's why.
8.
Okay, one more: You've probably heard of a Passion Play. The Catholic Church calls it The Stations of the Cross. It's an observance and devotion she has been following for more than one-thousand years. Today, it is common to find Catholic youth groups acting out the Stations, known as the Living Stations. If you can't attend at church, you can still observe the Stations at home. It is a deep and contemplative prayer that will reveal something new to you each time you walk with Christ through His Passion and Resurrection.
God bless!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Letter from the Easter Bunny
I have been saving this for years--an adorable letter written in script and signed by the author in ink. When our boys were small, they asked lots of questions about the Easter Bunny. As they anticipated receiving a basket filled with sweets, books, and toys, they couldn't help but wonder and ask about this generous being.
So, I gave them a little advice: Why don't you leave a letter for him and ask him to tell you about himself? And so they did.
On Easter morning, they found two beautiful baskets and this letter, sealed with his pawprint. Our cat, Honey Bun, and I thought it looked an awful lot like a cat's pawprint.
Easter Sunday
Dearest Ben,
Wow! What a question. Thank you for asking about me.
You see, I am very old. Long before Jesus was born, Pagans held festivals to celebrate the beginning of the Spring season. The cold sleep of winter was over, and the plans of planting a crop and enjoying fresh food made everyone happy. They noticed that new life was everywhere around them: birds were hatching chicks, lambs were being born, flowers were blooming, and fruit trees were budding. And rabbits--bunnies, like me--were having lots and lots of brand new babies! So, the Pagans made me the symbol of new life.
That was my beginning. Once the Pagans learned about Jesus and His Resurrection, of course, they didn't celebrate their Spring festivals for pagan gods. They turned all their traditions into a celebration for Jesus! Even the Easter egg is for Jesus. It is also a symbol of new life, like me!
I hope this answers your question. I have been all over the world and have seen many, many children celebrate the Resurrection. It is a wonderful time of year. Enjoy yourself today. I hope you like what I picked out for you. I am very happy to know you and Max.
Love,
The Easter Bunny
May your Holy Week be blessed as you await the Resurrection of Our Loving Savior. God bless!
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Prayer for Our Nation Today
If your heart is heavy today when you think of the state of our beautiful nation, take your worries to
our Loving Savior.
Lord, protect us from all anxieties.
Romans 12:21
Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.
Prayer for
National Morality
Father, I know that the spirit of the world creeps into the body of Christ almost unawares sometimes, and before we know it, we can easily be led astray and caught up in worldly actions (at times so subtly we don’t even recognize what has happened to us).
So in the name of Jesus, I pray that You would raise up a voice in our nation that would rally the body of Christ and cause us to become the standard bearers to such a degree that we would profoundly affect the morality of our nation.
Scripture readings:
Proverbs 26:2
Luke 3:4-6
Romans 12:21
Isaiah 49:22
prayer and suggested scripture from
Prayer for Our Nation: Scriptural Prayers to Revive Our Country (Harrison House)
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