As Catholics we have been taught about charity work through the gospels and various practices like outreaches. Thomas Aquinas esteems charity as “the most excellent of the virtues.” What does charity mean in the context of the Catholic Faith and why is charity work important to us as Catholics?
Growing up in the Catholic Faith you probably wondered about the water basins put up at the entrance of the church and why the water contained inside it is considered holy. Holy Water is an important part of the Catholic Religion and there are many uses for it. To better appreciate its significance in various Catholic traditions and practices, let’s first understand its history and the meaning of Holy Water.
Faith is at the center of our lives as Catholics but what does living by faith truly mean? To live by faith in today’s world can be quite a challenge especially because contemporary culture conditions us to value hard facts and accuracy and faith is quite the opposite of these things. Faith requires a certain degree of uncertainty and surrender. It can be quite intimidating when we think about it.
Do you light candles after you say your Catholic prayers? Whenever you go to mass, do you notice the religious statues and beautiful paintings that adorn the church? Have you ever wondered what these artifacts and traditions mean and what value they hold to our faith?
Going to church every Sunday is one of the most basic traditions that we associate with our Catholic faith. We have been taught to go to church and attend mass at an early age but is it really necessary for Catholics? Is going to church every Sunday still relevant in today’s times
We live in a world that values cold logic and reason so a term like “spiritual warfare” may seem irrational, even impossible for many “modern” and “intellectual” people. However, spiritual warfare is very real and it is not just limited to exorcisms and casting out demons. As children of God, we engage in an unseen battle every day and what’s at stake is our most prized possession; our soul.
Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation, is an important tradition in our Catholic Faith. After baptism, it is required that we claim forgiveness for wrongdoing by confessing our sins at church.
Through the powerful act of confessing our sins, we are reconciling ourselves with God and reconnecting with our church family. Confession heals our soul and lets us reclaim God’s grace.
As the popular adage says, “the times they are a changin.’” Good or bad, there’s no denying that the world is constantly changing—whether it’s politically, technologically, environmentally, socially, etc. One thing that remains unchanged is the relevance of the Ten Commandments even through modern times. Although some of the words and phrases are archaic—thou, false witness, shall not, etc.—the message of these centuries-old commandments are as relevant today as they were when they were first presented by God to Moses, well before Jesus’ time.
Can you recall the last time you ate and thought about how the food is helping to nourish your body and helping it to function properly? How about reflecting on the fact that for so many, food and clean drinking water is a luxury?
The practice of wearing religious medals dates back to the 16th century when Pope St. Pius V began blessing medals containing the images of Jesus and Blessed Mary. As Catholics, wearing a medal is an outward expression of our faith. It tells the world, I am a follower of Christ.
Lord, even in chaos and commotion, you are there. Gather us into your perfect stillness and give us peace. Amen
As the school year winds down, school uniforms and backpacks will soon get banished to the backs of closets as bathing suits, suitcases and beach bags see the light of day once again. Kids aren’t the only ones longing for vacation–adults usually wait all year to take a much-needed break from their hectic schedules during […]
Lord, when my soul thirsts and wilts, lead me to places where I can rest in your shadow and drink from your fountain.
How many times have you watched an old movie or read a historical novel and told yourself, “I don’t know how they did it back then.” You can’t imagine living during a time where you had to wash and dry your clothes without the help of your energy-efficient washer and dryer, or prepare dinner minus […]
My mom is 87 years old and she’s a “leprechaun!” The story starts many years ago… When she had six little kids at home, Mary Costello pulled out a “Wearin’ Green” box every year during this week preceding St. Patrick’s Day. Whether we liked it or not, each of her children wore wide green belts, […]
The month of November is a great time to focus on gratitude. I teach my Sunday School students to learn this phrasing from Psalm 136: “We give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever!” It’s good to remind kids every day about how much we have to be grateful for. […]
Here in New Mexico it is officially Back-to-School time at every store. New trinkets, “Design your Locker” sets, teacher bribery items and kid clothes that get sexier every year. Stores will take any turning of the calendar as occasions to ramp up the “gimmey, gimmies, plea-z-z-” in our kids! What’s a mother to do? Society […]
By Judith Costello When we think of “vacation” we often imagine heading for the beach or the mountains to relax and unwind, while the kids are pleasantly occupied with new outdoor distractions. But sometimes, what we really need is “soul liberation!” Our souls, perhaps more than our bodies, need the opportunity to SOAR by experiencing […]
The mortician in our small town has seen a lot of things. During Lent this year there have been a “larger than average” number of deaths in our Catholic community, he says. But to us, it’s not a number. It’s a lot of mourning. Yet, the great promise of our faith is that these deaths […]
