August 22, 2007
Help earthquake victims in Peru
Now is your chance to do a little good! Peru was hit with a terrible earthquake. And because of the poverty in that country, they really need help. Christian Life Movement is making it easy to offer Peruvians a little...Posted by jay at 10:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 15, 2007
The Dignity of Women
In our society, the dignity of women is being eroded at an alarming rate. I first read Mulieris Dignitatem several years ago. If you aren't familiar, it's an Apostolic Letter by Pope John Paul II on the dignity of women....Posted by jay at 09:51 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 26, 2007
Martyred for Supporting Marriage
I just read the fascinating story of the "Georgia Martyrs," which were some of the earliest martyrs in the New World. The martyrs were five priests living as missionaries in South Georgia, just north of St. Augustine, Florida and on...Posted by jay at 09:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 14, 2007
The Return of the Latin Mass
Pope Benedict XVI has done what many have expected for a while now: returned the Latin Mass to use throughout the world. He simply changed the rules that now allow any priest to celebrate the Latin Mass without having permission...Posted by jay at 09:13 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 08, 2007
He is Risen! A meditation by Pope John Paul the Great
Celebrate! Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. From Pope John Paul II: [I]t is clearly evident that Christ's resurrection is the greatest event in the history of salvation, and indeed, we can say in the history of humanity, since...Posted by jay at 08:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 04, 2007
The Perfect Gift for Holy Week
Just wanted to mention a great way to sacrifice this Holy Week: Give to Food for the Poor. Right now all gifts are doubled, so even a small donation helps. And the charity falls right in with Lent, which ends...Posted by jay at 08:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 26, 2007
The Primacy of Conscience: Sola Conscientia?
I think it’s an interesting time to live in America (although I might not choose it for my children). Catholics in the US seem to be going through a spiritual upheaval that has the majority of our fellow Catholics drifting...Posted by jay at 06:34 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
February 12, 2007
One Day to Change the World
There's a big effort this year to make February 21st (Ash Wednesday) a day of fasting and prayer to feed the poor, fight injustice, and foster peace throughout the world. Called "One Day to Change the World" they are asking...Posted by jay at 08:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve Night and the Star of Bethlehem
When you sing, you pray twice: The first Noel, the angel did say, Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay; In fields where they lay keeping their sheep, On a cold winter's night that was so deep....Posted by jay at 08:10 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
November 19, 2006
What do you want your child to be when they grow up?
This is a complex question for parents, but I think it’s enlightening for us to answer it. Frankly, a lot of parents – especially American parents – tend to answer this in some type of material terms: fame, fortune, success....Posted by jay at 10:14 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
November 04, 2006
A Reflection from St. Catherine of Siena
The following is a reflection from the Magnificat: Freed From Our Infirmity We must not complain or run away in time of darkness, because out of the darkness is born the light. Oh, God, tender love, what sweet teaching you...Posted by jay at 09:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 30, 2006
BOOK REVIEW: Quo Vadis by Henry Sienkiewicz
I’m always looking for great Catholic literature and I finally made it around to reading Quo Vadis by the Polish author Henry Sienkiewicz. Typically on lists of recommended Catholic literature this book is in the top 10 or 20 and...Posted by jay at 09:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 08, 2006
Peggy Noonan on 9/11
If you haven't yet read Peggy Noonan's piece today on the Sounds of 9/11, I recommend reading it now. it's a moving look at what was important on that day: Elizabeth Rivas saw it that way too. When her husband...Posted by jay at 09:28 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 15, 2006
To Know, Love, And Serve God: A Reflection On Why We Are Here
Why are we here? The simple, yet fundamental, answer to this question is to know, love, and serve God and one another. Most Catholics would agree with this, yet how many actually understand its full meaning? Certainly such a statement...Posted by jay at 11:09 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 12, 2006
BOOK REVIEW: Victory over Vice by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
If there were full consciousness of the evil, perfect deliberation, perfect understanding of the consequences of acts, there would be no room for forgiveness. That is why there is no redemption for the fallen angels. They knew what they...Posted by jay at 01:16 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
August 04, 2006
Our Sins Torment Our Lord: A Poem
And dars't thou venture still to live in sin, And crucify thy dying Lord again? Were not His pangs sufficient? Must He bleed Yet more? Oh, must our sinful pleasures feed Upon His torments, and augment the story Of the...Posted by jay at 09:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
August 03, 2006
Modesty and the Catholic Life
I was recently pointed to this excellent series of articles on modesty. Bishop John Yanta has the first, and key, article which I personally think does a great job of pointing out the importance of modesty to members of both...Posted by jay at 08:32 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 25, 2006
The Mystery of Vocation
This past weekend I had the joy of seeing my brother, Justin Ferguson, ordained a priest. It was a very beautiful and spiritual liturgy. Of course, during the middle of the ordination rite, my 2 year old son decided he...Posted by jay at 11:58 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
May 22, 2006
A Daily Reflection, Taken From The Writings of Elisabeth Leseur
In trying to grow in our relationship with God, my wife and I incorporated different devotions into both our family and personal lives. We try to pray the rosary daily as a family (she is better at remembering this than...Posted by jay at 10:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 19, 2006
Why Do Catholics Wear The Brown Scapular?
When speaking with non-Catholic friends and family about different Catholic devotions a question that is often asked is Why do Catholics wear the Brown Scapular? My simple answer is that they want to show their devotion to the Blessed Virgin...Posted by jay at 12:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
April 16, 2006
God has Saved Us (Or, Happy Easter)
From the hand of St. Thomas Aquinas: In triumph over death, which resulted from our first parent's sin, Christ was the first of all men to rise to immortal life. Thus, as life first became mortal through Adam's sin, immortal...Posted by jay at 12:02 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 14, 2006
Good Friday Reflection
So now we have come to the cross... The following is a reflection from The Imitation of Christ: On The Fewness Of Those Who Love The Cross Of Jesus Jesus today has many who love his heavenly kingdom, but few...Posted by jay at 01:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
March 05, 2006
Back to the Desert
Well it's that time of the year again. Ashes on the forehead, fish on Friday, and penance services... Ah Lent! Most of us pause, for about 10 minutes, and ask "What will I give up this year? Sweets? Coffee? Beer?..."...Posted by jay at 08:43 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 06, 2005
Love and Humility: The Virtues of Advent
Advent is here...that wonderful time of year in the Church's calendar of preparation and waiting. During these "four weeks," the world is reminded of its need for repentence, for renewal, and for vigilance. The Church calls us to focus on...Posted by jay at 12:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
October 17, 2005
Spiritual Warfare: A Practical Guide to Ephesians 6:10-20
From time to time I assist with our local parish's youth group. Most recently, I have been involved in the Research & Development phase of planning the different meetings. The following are my notes on Spiritual Warfare. This really helped...Posted by jay at 12:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
September 01, 2005
The Hopefulness of St. Augustine
When you read the lives of Saints, it is often striking how holy they were – even from a young age. These men radiated holiness and likely never committed a mortal sin. So the question is: can I, considering my...Posted by jay at 08:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 04, 2005
BOOK REVIEW: Witness to Hope by George Weigel
Witness to Hope is the biography of Pope John Paul II by George Weigel. It's much more than a biography - full of theology, history, and Catholic tradition. And it's a great read . . .Posted by jay at 08:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
April 05, 2005
Reflections on the death of Pope John Paul the Great
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, I began reading Witness to Hope the biography of John Paul II by George Weigel. It was always a book I intended to read, but never got around to. At this point...Posted by jay at 11:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 10, 2005
The Suffering of Pope John Paul II
Peggy Noonan, as most Catholics would observe, is an excellent writer. She outdoes herself today in the Wall Street Journal with an article on Pope John Paul II and his suffering. Click here to read the full article (it's worth...Posted by jay at 10:29 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
February 06, 2005
Dealing With Trials: The Practice Of Taking Up Our Crosses Daily
If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. - Matthew 16:24 How many times have we heard these words, this mandate for genuine Christian discipleship? Many of us,...Posted by HolyFamily at 06:35 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 03, 2005
Preparing for Lent
Lent is a preparation that we must prepare for (if that makes sense!). Obviously, everyone takes time to think about what they plan on giving up during Lent in order to prepare for the coming of God. I’m also a...Posted by jay at 11:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 26, 2005
Heartfelt thoughts from a Convert
Take a minute to read this excellent piece on being Catholic from an ex-protestant point of view. This paragraph really got me: I love the fact that Catholics are so willing to embrace the sorrow of life. I believe it...Posted by jay at 09:11 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
January 21, 2005
Extraordinary in the Ordinary: A Meditation on Ordinary Time
It's that time of year again...Ordinary Time...that time of the year when everything seems...well, for lack of a better word...ordinary. The Advent and Christmas seasons have passed. Lent is still a few weeks away. And who has even begun to...Posted by HolyFamily at 06:58 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
January 16, 2005
Plenary Indulgences during the Year of the Eucharist
This is the Year of the Eucharist when we should be working to specially note the Eucharist in our lives. And the Pope is working to encourage special devotions this year by granting some plenary indulgences. Now, if you either...Posted by HolyFamily at 09:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 21, 2004
Love of Neighbor: The Spiritual Works of Mercy
Building up your spiritual life and developing good habits is a necessity for us all. The Church enables us on this mission by providing a list of charitable works of mercy that help us increase our love of neighbor and...Posted by HolyFamily at 09:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
