Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts

Since listening more to Catholic radio and following more Catholic media and social media, I’ve learned quite a lot that I had no idea about growing up as a “Cradle Catholic” in the 80s and 90s. This morning was no different. It has been one of those days where I heard something new, and then to make sure that the point was really hammered home, it has been coming up all morning. What I heard about today was the Pentecost Novena, or the Novena to the Holy Spirit for the Seven Gifts.

TOB003 – 1979.09.19 – The Second Account of Creation: The Subjective Definition of Man

Saint John Paul II continues his Catechises on Jesus’ words on the indissolubility of marriage by taking a closer look at the second part of Jesus’ response to the Pharisees which takes us to the second account of creation (which the Pope reminds us is actually the more ancient account). It is the most ancient description of man’s self-knowledge and gives us the first testimony of our conscience. This account is much more subjective than the first account of creation (which, as discussed last week was the more objective narrative), but corresponds to the objective truth that man was made in the image and likeness of God.

TOB002 – 1979.09.12 – Analysis of the Biblical Account of Creation

Saint Pope John Paul II begins his second audience on the Theology of the Body and more specifically the Original Unity of Man and Woman by reviewing how in his previous audience he had begun discussion on “the beginning” in accord with Jesus’ words when asked about the indissolubility of marriage by the Pharisees. They appealed to divorce being allowed in the Mosaic Law, but Christ went back to “the beginning” quoting Genesis.

Top 5 Christmas Songs

I know that it’s hard to believe when looking around, but the Christmas Season hasn’t even started yet.

Despite the fact that we’ve been looking at Christmas decorations in stores since before Halloween, and Valentine’s Day chocolates are already popping up in stores, Christmas Season actually starts with the Christmas Vigil on Christmas Eve and goes on into January. It doesn’t even end with the Feast of the Epiphany, but goes until the following Sunday when we typically celebrate the Baptism of Christ.

Is the bump a baby?

I find it amazing, shocking, and even nauseous how some people can be so hypocritical toward something as important as the life of another human being.

Today my Facebook wall has been bombarded with pictures of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as the royal couple continue their stay in the USA. While some of the stories are of Lebron’s Royal Foul, or the meeting between Jay-Z & Beyoncé and Will & Kate, a lot of the stories are surrounding Kate’s pregnancy and the excitement of the world!

With A Little Help From my Friends

When I look back at the way my life has changed over the last ten, five, even two years, there is one major change that really stands out to me: my friends.

Graduating high school, I couldn’t wait to get away from some of the people that I had befriended. I was typically the brunt of a lot of jokes as I was the one that still went to Mass weekly with my family and was still a virgin. I was a pretty easy target in my “Catholic” high school and I was looking forward to a change of scenery.

Prayer

Last week I wrote a blog called Falling Out of Love in which I discussed why I think a lot of relationships fail and the need for a desire to make relationships work. There is no relationship in which this is more true in than our relationship with God.

A lot of people these days will often complain on Sunday when it’s time to go to Mass. They’ll say things like “Mass is boring” or “Mass is too long” or “I don’t get anything out of Mass”. When I hear these comments I tend to reply with questions.