An Amazing Gift

On Holy Thursday we heard the story of how Jesus instituted the Eucharist. And lately the Mass readings have to do with this sacrament. Jesus took some bread and said, “This is my body,” and then he held a cup of wine and claimed, “This is my blood.” Some faith traditions hold that these words were merely symbolic. For some two thousand years, Catholics have taken the words of Jesus at face value. Still, how easily we let our Communions become routine and stale, forgetting what an astounding miracle they are. We might even fail to take advantage of this gift. As St. Augustine wistfully noted, “Christ is the bread, awaiting hunger.”

Because of the Eucharist, Jesus remains with us on earth, we’re able to share in his redeeming sacrifice, and we are united as his mystical body. Beyond that, we are able to actually consume God in the form of bread and wine! At Mass we feast on God. Jesus becomes one with us, divinizing our humanity.

In the words attributed to Saint Teresa of the Andes:

“I eat Jesus. He is my nourishment. I am assimilated by him. What greater happiness is there than this: to hold tightly to our heart the God who is our God! Receive Communion as well and be deeply aware of the One who visits you, infinite love, divine madness; of One who not only became man like ourselves, but who became bread. After you receive Communion, ask Jesus, the God you hold prisoner in your soul, to stay with you throughout the day so that you may love him and give him thanks.”

Prayers to Participate

When the priest raises the paten with the host, we can mentally place ourselves on it too, offering our lives to God the Father.

At the Consecration, when the priest holds up the sacred host, I was taught to say, “My Lord and my God.” These were the words of the apostle Thomas when he acknowledged the true presence of the risen Jesus.

And when the priest holds up the chalice of wine, I was taught to say, “My Jesus, mercy!” For that was the blood that was shed for my sins.

Facts about the Eucharist

Here is a Eucharist IQ Quiz that I use in my workshops on the liturgy. You simply have to tell whether each statement is true or false. The answers are at the end. Don’t peek!

1. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life.
2. The Mass is our highest form of worship.
3. The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving.”
4. Jesus gave us the Eucharist at the Last Supper. He told us to do it in remembrance of him. At Mass we remember his death and resurrection.
5. At Mass the sacrifice Jesus offered at the Last Supper and on Calvary is re-presented.
6. At Mass salvation goes on. Sin is atoned for, and the graces won are poured out on us.
7. At the sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus is both the priest and the offering.
8. At Mass we offer Jesus to the Father with him.
9. At Mass we also offer ourselves to the Father.
10. The sacred bread and wine are truly Jesus. This is called the Real Presence.
11. Jesus is totally present in both the bread and the wine and in every part of each.
12. The change of the bread and wine into Jesus (called transubstantiation) is brought about by the Holy Spirit through the words and actions of the priest.
13. By consuming the food and drink that is Jesus, we become more like him.
14. Jesus is present as long as the substances remain bread and wine.
15. At Communion we are also united with the Mystical Body of Jesus: the Church.
16. At the Eucharist we participate in heaven’s liturgy; angels and saints are present.
17. The Eucharist is a sacrament of initiation. Only Church members can receive it.
18. Bread and wine signify all God’s gifts of creation for which we give thanks.
19. Bread and wine recall the Passover when God saved the chosen people from death by the blood of the lamb.
20. The altar signifies that the Eucharist is a sacrifice and a meal.
21. At Mass we feast at the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist. It anticipates the heavenly feast.
22. When we receive the Eucharist, our sins are forgiven.
23. We prepare for Mass by being free from grave sin and by fasting for an hour
24. We bow before receiving the Eucharist and respond Amen.
25. The Eucharist is a gift of love from the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Hopefully you persevered through all twenty-five statements and you eventually realized that all of them were true. Yes, this is a trick quiz. The Eucharist, though, is no trick. Jesus really meant it when he said, “This is my body,” and “I will be with you always.” Isn’t his love for us outrageous? And aren’t we fortunate that we live in this century when we can receive Communion every day if we wish and not just with special permission as in former times!

The first hymn here is quite lovely. If you have a half hour, you might listen to the entire video.

What do you recall about your First Communion?

Which is the most awesome Mass you have attended?

What do you say to Jesus after receiving him in Communion?

What is your favorite Eucharistic hymn?

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The moon captured the attention of most people lately because of the historic journey to it four astronauts made. Like me, as the Artemis 11 capsule surrounded by flames sped 24,000 mph at 5000 degrees for an ocean landing, you probably held your breath. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen are our newest heroes.

The astronauts spoke some poignant words when they were safe at home. In case you missed them…

Reid said, “It’s a special thing to be human—and a special thing to be on planet Earth.”

Victor said, “I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again.”

Christina described a crew and then said, “Planet Earth, you are a crew.”                       

Jeremy spoke of gratitude, the joy train, and love.

The crew had some firsts:  They traveled 250,000 miles from Earth. They saw the dark side of the moon as well as a solar eclipse as the moon passed between them and the sun.

The whole experience of the journey around our closest neighbor in the solar system and its stunning sights lifts our hearts to the Creator!

Our Natural Satellite and Us

The moon has always fascinated people. It represents beauty and calm. A site on YouTube lists 62 best moon songs. For decades a national dream has been to go to the moon. Then finally the Apollo 11 crew landed on it. I remember watching it.

Do you recall the excitement generated by the solar eclipse of April 8, 2024? Wearing special glasses, we had our eyes glued to the sky.

The moon influences us. Its gravity creates tides and influences migration and mating rituals. Some people think it affects our emotions too. There is moon gazing therapy, but no proof that it works. Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, the basis of words like lunar and lunatic. The Greek name was Selene, who pulled the moon across the sky in her chariot.

Our Partner in Space in Our Language

“Moonwalk dance”  “Moon pie”  “Love you to the moon and back.”  “I’m over the moon.”  “He’s mooning over her.” “Many moons ago”  “to moon someone” “Honeymoon.”

Facts about Our Moon

Our solar system has more than 200 moons. Ours is fifth in size.

The moon doesn’t make its own light but reflects sunlight. That is why it is a symbol for Mary, who reflects the light of God.

The lunar surface is pocked with craters made by asteroids and comets. Besides craters, there are about 18 mountain ranges on it.

The cycle of the moon’s phases takes more than 29 days. The 13^th full moon can be seen every 2 ½ years and called a blue moon.  The next one is in May.

Formerly it was thought that the moon was a chunk of Earth broken off by an asteroid, but the two bodies don’t have the same basic materials.

The dark spots on the moon, some of which we discern as the Man in the Moon and the Japanese see a rabbit, are caused by the impact of comets. The dark spots are called marias, Latin for seas. A thin layer of dust surrounds the moon, kicked up by comets.

The moon’s gravity is about 1/6 of Earth’s.  It also has a very thin atmosphere.

In 2018  water ice was discovered in craters on the unlit side. In 2020 water was found on the sunlit side.

The moon spins slowly and follows an elliptical path, so sometimes it appears closer.

For Thought

Just before the 40-minute communications blackout on the far side of the moon, Victor Glover said, “As we continue to unlock the mysteries of the cosmos, I would like to remind you of one of the most important mysteries there on Earth. And that’s love.”

• What is your favorite moon song?

• Where were you for the solar eclipse in 2024?

Here is a rendition of my favorite moon song. The video is overlaid with tidbits of information about how this song came to be. Enjoy!

The post Moon Memories and Musings appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Wise sayings flood the Internet. Every day I post a cartoon on Facebook. For this holy, happy Easter Week, I am sharing one I posted that is not a picture, but a list of sayings that might make you smile or scratch your head. Humor adds joy to life. Enjoy these:

Still trying to get my head around the fact that ‘Take Out’ can mean food, dating, or murder.

Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers:  If you do find one, what’s your plan?

The older I get, the more I understand why roosters scream to start their day.

Being popular on Facebook is like sitting at the ‘cool table’ in the cafeteria of a mental hospital.

You know you’re over 50 when you have ‘upstairs ibuprofen’ and ‘downstairs ibuprofen.’

How did doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life, when…the rabbit is always jumping but only lives for around two years, and…the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all lives over 200 years.  So, rest, chill, eat, drink, and enjoy life!

 I too was once a male trapped in a female body…but then my mother gave birth.

If only vegetables smelled as good as bacon.

When I lost the fingers on my right hand in a freak accident, I asked the doctor if I would still be able to write with it.  He said, “Possibly, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Anyone who says their wedding was the best day of their life has clearly never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.

We live in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended.

The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they aren’t a robot.

When a kid says “Daddy, I want mommy” that’s the kid version of “I’d like to speak to your supervisor.” 

It’s weird being the same age as old people.

Just once, I want a username and password prompt to respond “CLOSE ENOUGH.”

Last night the internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family.  They seem like good people.

If Adam and Eve were Cajuns they would have eaten the snake instead of the apple and saved us all a lot of trouble.

We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages …… Metamucil and Ensure.

You know you are getting old when friends with benefits means knowing someone who can drive at night.

Weight loss goal: To be able to clip my toenails and breathe at the same time.

After watching how some people wore their masks, I understand why contraception fails.

Some of my friends exercise every day.  Meanwhile I am watching a show I don’t like because the remote fell on the floor.

For those of you that don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version; it doesn’t listen to anything.

I just got a present labeled, ‘From Mom and Dad,’ and I know darn well that Dad has no idea what’s inside.

Now that Covid has everyone washing their hands correctly…next week…Turn Signals.

The pessimist complains about the wind.   The optimist expects it to change.  The realist adjusts his sails.

There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

I have many hidden talents. I just wish I could remember where I hid them.

My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.

Exercise helps you with decision-making. It’s true.  I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again.

Which of these sayings do you identify with?

Which one do you like best?

Comedians like late night hosts make a living by making clever, funny statements. Who is your favorite?

Here is a brief overview of the life of one of America’s wittiest authors:

The post Wit and Wisdom, a Wise Easter Gift appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

As we approach Easter Sunday, the celebration of new life, I thought it fitting to post a guest blog by Patricia Sarmiento. She offers practical, tried ways to renew our life on earth. I needed this. May you find it helpful too!

Self-Care Defined

Self-care refers to actions people take to support their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. When practiced consistently, self-care can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen resilience, and support overall mental health.

Modern Catholic life often pulls attention outward—work, family, parish activities, social justice projects, notifications, deadlines. Without deliberate recovery time, stress accumulates. Chronic stress is associated with anxiety, burnout, irritability, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. Self-care interrupts that cycle.

A Quick Overview

• Self-care lowers stress and helps regulate emotions.
• Consistent routines (sleep, movement, connection) improve mental stability.
• Small daily habits are more effective than occasional “big resets.”
• Preventive care supports long-term resilience, not just short-term relief.

Self-care is not indulgence. It is maintenance for your nervous system.

Why Self-Care Supports Mental Health

1. It Regulates Stress Physiology

When you’re stressed, your body activates the sympathetic nervous system—your fight-or-flight response. Gentle, restorative activities (like deep breathing, stretching, or time in nature) activate the parasympathetic system, which calms the body. Over time, this improves emotional balance and reduces reactivity.

2. It Builds Emotional Awareness

Practices such as journaling, therapy, or quiet reflection increase emotional literacy—the ability to recognize and name what you’re feeling. Research in psychology consistently shows that labeling emotions reduces their intensity and improves regulation.

3. It Strengthens Resilience

Resilience is not about avoiding hardship. It’s about recovering effectively. Regular sleep, supportive relationships, and restorative habits increase your capacity to handle stressors.

4. It Improves Mood Through Behavior

Behavioral activation—a therapy principle used in treating depression—shows that purposeful activity can improve mood. Movement, sunlight exposure, creative work, or social connection can gradually elevate emotional state.

What Self-Care Can Look Like

Self-care is personal. There is no universal checklist. However, common categories include:

• Physical care: Sleep, balanced nutrition, movement, hydration
• Emotional care: Therapy, journaling, setting boundaries
• Social care: Meaningful conversations, supportive communities
• Mental care: Reading, learning, limiting media overload
• Spiritual care: Meditation, prayer, time in nature

You do not need to do all of these. Start small.

A Practical Self-Care Reset Checklist

If you feel overwhelmed, try this short reset routine:

1. Drink a glass of water.
2. Step outside or sit near a window for five minutes.
3. Take 10 slow, controlled breaths.
4. Write down one worry and one actionable next step.
5. Reach out to one supportive person (texting counts).

This five-step reset can reduce acute stress and improve clarity in under 15 minutes.

Stress Reduction Modalities to Consider

There are many evidence-informed ways to lower stress safely. Four alternatives people explore include:

• Mindfulness meditation
• Gentle yoga or breathwork
• Rhodiola rosea
• THCa

Mindfulness and yoga help regulate stress hormones and improve emotional awareness. Rhodiola rosea, an herbal adaptogen, has been studied for fatigue and stress support. Some individuals also explore cannabinoids such as THCa; if researching this option, you may want to consider this resource to better understand available forms and sourcing. As with any supplement, consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Mental Health Gains Over Time

Self-care does not always create instant transformation. Instead, it works cumulatively.

Consistency is the mechanism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is self-care the same as therapy?

No. Therapy is a structured mental health intervention led by a licensed professional. Self-care complements therapy but does not replace it.

What if I don’t have time?

Self-care does not require hours. Five to fifteen minutes daily can meaningfully affect stress levels.

Can self-care help with anxiety or depression?

It can support symptom management, especially when combined with professional care. However, moderate to severe symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

How do I know what works for me?

Track how you feel before and after activities for two weeks. Patterns will emerge.

A Helpful Mental Health Resource

If you’re looking for structured, credible mental health information, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) provides free, research-based guides on stress, anxiety, depression, and coping strategies. This resource offers educational materials without replacing personalized medical care.

The Problem → Solution → Result Pattern

Problem: Chronic stress and emotional overload weaken mental clarity and resilience.
Solution: Consistent, structured self-care practices tailored to your lifestyle.
Result: Improved emotional regulation, stronger coping capacity, and more stable mental health.

Conclusion

Self-care supports mental health by regulating stress, strengthening resilience, and improving emotional awareness. Small, consistent actions matter more than dramatic changes. Whether you begin with better sleep, short daily resets, or mindful movement, progress builds gradually. Your mental health benefits from steady maintenance, not perfection.

• What have you found helpful in dealing with stress?

Here is one of the many videos that help you relax and soothe you into sleep.

The post Self-Care and Mental Health: Why It Matters and How to Start appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

For three weeks in a row we are celebrating the funeral of a Sister, and some Sisters are under Hospice care, the vestibule to the next world. This is making me more conscious that my life too has an expiration date. It has also heightened my awareness of how precious my life is.

Each morning I wake up to find that my heart is still beating and my lungs are still breathing. I’m alive! I can say with St. Charles de Foucauld, “Lord, one more day to love you!” 

Living on Earth

You’ve probably seen photos from the Hubble telescope that show the galaxy Andromeda, the one closest to us. It makes you dizzy. There are billions of stars in it. Beyond that there are zillions of other galaxies. And here we are on tiny planet Earth, just a blue and green speck in the enormous universe, but Earth contains life. It’s a miracle.

Because you are alive, the world is your playground. You are free to explore earth and gaze at wonders like the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and star-studded night skies. You can be astonished by exquisite flowers and enjoy animals like your cat or the giraffe at the zoo.

Your Precious Life

From all eternity God planned to create you. Then at a certain time and place, almighty God loved you into being. A certain woman and a certain man met and came together and gave you a set of genes unlike any other person’s. You are unique. And you are marvelous. Your eyes keep blinking to keep them lubricated. Right now your stomach is digesting your last meal. Put your hand over your heart. It beats more than 100,000 times a day, sending oxygen to cells to keep you alive. And all these things go on without your even thinking about them.

Because you have life, you can thrill to Chopin’s Preludes, run (or walk) with wind blowing through your hair, play pickleball, dance, swim, eat pizza, play the guitar, and read others’ thoughts in books or on Kindles. Because you have life, you can know the satisfaction of mastering algebra and French (well maybe) and learning how to cook and to build a house. You can create things: a new recipe, a song, a computer program, or art. You can imagine, remember, solve problems, and make decisions.

You also have spiritual life and the divine life we call grace. This makes you godlike. You are God’s child with a destiny of living forever completely happy.

Be Loved and Love

What is life’s greatest blessing? Love—the whole spectrum of it. You can know the incredible love of almighty God who not only made you but saved you. You also might experience the love of parents, children, family, and friends. You can also experience the intoxicating joy of being loved by a certain someone. In addition, you are able to love others in return.

How to Use Life

Incredibly God gave us tremendous power over these wonderful lives of ours. We can live them fully. St. Irenaeus pointed out that the glory of God is a human being fully alive. This means using all of our talents and all of our days to the utmost. We can re-gift our lives by turning them into a present to God. As Saint Mother Teresa urged, “Make your lives something beautiful for God.”

On the other hand, we also have power to waste our lives, ruin them, and even destroy them. Doing this is like laughing in our Creator’s face.

Promoting Life

Our Lord Jesus Christ said he came that we might have life and have it abundantly. He passed his baton to his followers, us. If you are baptized, you are called to carry on the mission of Jesus, to bring others life, abundant life. You are called to see that people’s lives are not snuffed out before they leave the womb, that refugees have a safe place to live, that the homeless find food and shelter, that the imprisoned are humanely treated, that the elderly are respected and cared for, and that all people, no matter what their race, religion, or sex, are treated equally.

“Live” spelled backwards spells “evil.”  When we do not promote life, our own and others’ lives, we promote evil. If we are not life bringers, then we are death dealers. We spoil God’s creation that he made very good. Promoting life is a form of loving. Isn’t that Jesus’s commandment? “Love one another as I have loved you.” Protecting and nurturing life, loving, is being holy, being like God, because God is love.

Nurturing Life

• First, in order to live fully learn something new. Tap a hidden talent: take up crocheting, learn how to play the tuba, teach yourself Chinese.
• Second, foster life in others in some way. Help in a soup kitchen, participate in a protest march, or just smile at someone.
• Third, plug into the source of all life, God, through prayer. Increase your prayer time by at least five minutes a day. Let God speak to you through his word in Scripture, pray a set prayer like a decade of the Rosary, or just rest in God’s presence.

Your life is in your hands. So what will you do with your one wild and precious life? The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, the counselor dwelling within you, will help you make the right decisions.

What three things do you cherish about your life?

Here is the song “Circle of Life” from the movie “The Lion King.” Put the captions on so you can better reflect on the words:

The post Precious Gift of Life appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Listen to Scripture

The Bible is God’s Word. Sometimes it can strike us like lightning. Our novice directress told us that the readings of the Mass on our birthday might hold a gift from God for us. My heart sank. My birthday was July 29, feast of St. Martha. Jesus chided her for being too busy about many things. So I assumed every year I would be scolded for being a workaholic. But one year I paid attention to the alternate first reading. It was from Jeremiah: “When I found your words, I devoured them. They became my happiness and the joy of my heart.” (Jeremiah 15:16) My adult life has centered on proclaiming and teaching God’s Word.

Even more pointed:  During my first year in the convent, I wondered if I should leave as many Sisters were doing back then. In our college chapel, I asked the Lord for advice. Since I was alone, I walked up to the open Bible in front of the chapel and my eyes fell on the passage where Peter asks what they will get for following him. Jesus says to him (and me), “Everyone who has left houses or brother or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29)  I stayed.

St. Augustine turned his life around and became a bishop after reading, “Let us lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day , not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness…” (Romans 13:12-13)

Listen to Nature

God gave Noah the rainbow as a reminder of his promise. Jesus showed how birds and flowers teach about God’s providence. The buds bursting forth now and the light green haze coloring the forest trees tell us that life follows death. Features in nature speak of their Creator’s qualities:  mountains, his majesty and power; daisies, his gentleness; ants, his ingenuity; and platypuses, his sense of humor.

Listen to Other People

God sometimes speaks through others: authority figures, priests, and friends. The other day I was trying to decide if I should give a retreat in Africa. Listening to a Sister’s video about being our next provincial, I heard, “Remember, St. Julie Billiart said, ‘Our hearts must be as wide as the world.” Bingo! I knew what I had to do.

Our Blessed Mother at Fatima told us to pray a rosary daily for peace. What if we all did that?

Listen to Your Heart

God told the prophet Elijah he would reveal himself on a mountain. There was a great wind, an earthquake and a fire. God wasn’t in any of these but in a gentle whisper.

Sometimes a thought flashes through your mind, for example a good deed you could do. Don’t dismiss it. The thought could be a grace, a divine nudge. God might say things like, “Go visit that sick person. Bake cookies for a neighbor. Exercise for ten minutes.” He might even say, “I love you.”

Each evening you might scan the day to pinpoint God’s interior words to you. Consider how you reacted to them.

Messages in Prayer and Hymns

Probably God will not send Angel Gabriel to you as he did for Mary. Chances are he won’t attract you by a supernatural phenomenon like Moses’s burning bush. But in quiet times of prayer, you might hear God convey something to you. Maybe as you sing or listen to a hymn, a certain line will grab your attention.

Lessons in Experiences

Ponder your experiences. Is God telling you something by them? Does a failure mean you are too ambitious? Will the joy you experience after helping a person let you know you should do similar acts of charity more often? Does a friend’s betrayal teach you to be more cautious in choosing those who share your life?

One day I dialed a phone number and a man answered. I identified myself as Sister Kathleen. The man said I had the wrong number. Then he explained he was just sitting there wondering if God really existed. He wished he had a sign. Then I called.

Listen to Dreams

God spoke to Old Testament Joseph and to St. Joseph in dreams. Maybe God revealed something to you in a dream—at least once!

When has God spoken to you through Scripture?

What creature in nature communicates something about God to you?

What good advice are you happy you took?

When have you been glad you listened to the Voice within you?

A Special Video for Lent

I recommended the daily emails from Christian Art that present artwork related to the day’s Gospel along with a reflection by Fr. Patrick van der Vorst.  This week he sent a link to the Stations of the Cross he and company produced that is a series of living tableaux.  You might find it moving and inspiring:

The post Listening to God appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

Stay tuned!

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God sometimes plants a chance encounter along the path of our life that amazes us and makes a big difference.

Encounter in Hawaii

Every day I post a cartoon on Facebook (except now during Lent). This has become a ministry for me. Many people tell me they enjoy reading the cartoons and ask where I find them. Here is the story.

In 2004 (that’s 22 years ago!) my sister and I were in Hawaii. On the first day of our vacation, in the parking lot of a bread and breakfast we met a couple from California, Alan and Linda. They befriended us and escorted us to the nearby town where we had a picnic. Ever since then, Alan has emailed me seven cartoons every day!  I choose the best to post on Facebook.

Encounter in Washington D.C.

Several other times I’ve had surprising encounters. One of my favorites was meeting a grade school classmate on the top of the Washington Monument. After graduating from the sixth grade, we lost touch when I entered the convent. Then, years later while in my black habit, I was touring Washington with my family. A woman approached me and asked, “Are you Kathy Glavich from Cleveland?” Since then my friend and I get together each summer for lunch.

Funny Statements from Alan

Today Alan sent a list of funny sayings instead of a cartoon. I’m sharing them with you, hoping they will make you smile.

Set 1

Still trying to get my head around the fact that ‘Take Out’ can mean food, dating, or murder.

Dear paranoid people who check behind their shower curtains for murderers:  If you do find one, what’s your plan?

The older I get, the more I understand why roosters scream to start their day.

Being popular on Facebook is like sitting at the ‘cool table’ in the cafeteria of a mental hospital. You know you’re over 50 when you have ‘upstairs ibuprofen’ and ‘downstairs ibuprofen.”

How did doctors come to the conclusion that exercise prolongs life, when…the rabbit is always jumping but only lives for around two years, and…the turtle that doesn’t exercise at all lives over 200 years.  So, rest, chill, eat, drink, and enjoy life!

 I too was once a male trapped in a female body…but then my mother gave birth.

If only vegetables smelled as good as bacon.

When I lost the fingers on my right hand in a freak accident, I asked the doctor if I would still be able to write with it.  He said, “Possibly, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

Set 2

I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was four hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

Anyone who says their wedding was the best day of their life has clearly never had two candy bars fall down at once from a vending machine.

We live in a time where intelligent people are silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended.

The biggest joke on mankind is that computers have begun asking humans to prove they aren’t a robot.

When a kid says “Daddy, I want mommy” that’s the kid version of “I’d like to speak to your supervisor.” 

It’s weird being the same age as old people.

Just once, I want a username and password prompt to respond “CLOSE ENOUGH.”

Last night the internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family.  They seem like good people.

If Adam and Eve were Cajuns they would have eaten the snake instead of the apple and saved us all a lot of trouble.

Set 3

We celebrated last night with a couple of adult beverages …… Metamucil and Ensure.

You know you are getting old when friends with benefits means knowing someone who can drive at night.

Weight loss goal: To be able to clip my toenails and breathe at the same time.

After watching how some people wore their masks, I understand why contraception fails.

Some of my friends exercise every day.  Meanwhile I am watching a show I don’t like because the remote fell on the floor.

For those of you that don’t want Alexa or Siri listening in on your conversation, they are making a male version; it doesn’t listen to anything.

I just got a present labeled, ‘From Mom and Dad,’ and I know darn well that Dad has no idea what’s inside.

Now that Covid has everyone washing their hands correctly…next week…Turn Signals.

The pessimist complains about the wind.   The optimist expects it to change.  The realist adjusts his sails.

There’s a fine line between a numerator and a denominator. Only a fraction of people will find this funny.

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

I have many hidden talents. I just wish I could remember where I hid them.

My idea of a Super Bowl is a toilet that cleans itself.

Exercise helps you with decision-making. It’s true.  I went for a run this morning and decided I’m never going again.

Certainly you have experienced chance encounters that surprised you. Maybe meeting your future spouse? Tell us about it.

Do you remember this movie?

The post Happy Chance Encounters appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

The Process of Canonization

Usually five years after a person’s death, someone petitions a bishop to open a cause for canonization. After approval,the proposed person is called Servant of God.

An appointed person gathers evidence that the person lived a life of heroic virtue. If Rome approves the report, it declares the person Venerable.

 Once a miracle due to the person’s intercession is approved, the pope declares them Blessed.

After a second miracle, the person is officially canonized, declared Saint.

Black Saints

Saint Charles Lwanga and Saint Kizito:  They are among 22 Ugandan martyrs. Saint Charles catechized other young men and defended them against the homosexual demands of the king.

St. Josephine Bakhita:  At the age of seven, she was kidnapped and sold as a slave in Sudan. Her owner brought her to Italy where she joined the Catholic Church. When her owners decided to take her back to Sudan, she refused. Because slavery was illegal in Italy, a court freed her. Eventually she joined a religious community.

Saint Martin de Porres: He is my favorite Black saint. I was going to write a brief bio here, but then discovered I had already written one. See https://kathleenglavich.org/saint-for-black-history-month-st-martin-de-porres/

Six on the Way to Sainthood

I encourage you to click on the links that take you to more comprehensive biographies.

Arguably the most well-known Black person on the path to canonization, at least in the United States, is Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman (1937–1990). She was the first African American woman to address the US Bishop’s conference. You might have seen her leading the bishop in holding hands and singing “We Shall Overcome.” Her lively programs were aimed to break down racist and cultural barriers.

Servant of God Julia Greeley (1833-1918) was born into slavery in Missouri. After gaining freedom in 1863, she moved to Denver. There she celebrated baptism and promoted devotion to the Sacred Heart. She ministered to the poor, often giving away the little she had. This won her the title “angel of charity.” Finally, she became a member of the Secular Franciscan Order.

Venerable Father Augustus Tolton (1854-1897) Augustus was born a slave in 1854 in Missouri. His family escaped in 1863 and moved to Illinois where he garnered honors in college. Because seminaries in the United States would not accept him, he was ordained in Rome and offered his first Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Back in the United States, he was known as the first African-American priest. He served in Chicago, ministering to Black Catholics.

Venerable Mother Mary Lange (1789-1882)  Mother Mary Lange was born in Haiti. During the revolution there, the family moved to Cuba. Mother Mary relocated to Baltimore and in 1829 founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence for African-American women. They ministered to Black youth.

Venerable Pierre Toussaint (1766-1853) Enslaved in Haiti, Pierre was brought to New York City where he was a famous hairdresser. After his enslaver died, he was free. He cared for orphans, immigrants, and the sick during cholera. A philanthropist, he raised funds to build St. Patrick’s Cathedral and St. Vincent de Paul Church.

A Special Treat

For a deeply moving and inspiring talk, watch Sister Thea Bowman’s address to the bishops:

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Thea+Bowman+bishops+&&mid=19E254EFE39DD012EA2519E254EFE39DD012EA25&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCsbJUUINiKh3aQxDaTq0RVA&FORM=VRDGAR

If you have attended Mass at a Black Catholic Church, what was your impression?

Which Black saint or saint-in-waiting would you like to know more about?

The post Black Saints, Present and Upcoming appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.

I invite you on a tour via this blog post.

Guatemala

This mountainous Central American country lies below Mexico and between the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. It has become so populous that “flyover” highways have been built to accommodate the traffic.

Guatemala’s blue skies and temperatures in the 70s were a pleasant respite from Chardon’s mounds of snow and freezing days.

Spain brought Catholicism to the county in the early 16^th century, so it became the predominant religion. But now Evangelical and Pentecostal religions have overtaken it as a result of their vigorous missionary activity. Still there are many Catholic churches, some in ruins.

My seat partner on the flight home was a woman eye doctor, one of the several from the USA who spent eight days treating the Mayan people.

Natural Disasters

Volcanoes

Volcan del Fuego emits plumes of smoke every fifteen minutes. In 2018, it erupted without warning, resulting in many deaths.  My nephew lives four miles from this Volcano of Fire. Next to it is Volcan de Agua, named for the water at the top of the cone.

Other Threats

Guatemala is also subject to earthquakes and hurricanes.

Andy laughed at me because it wasn’t the volcano or earthquakes that frightened me, but the cobblestone roads and sidewalks. It was so difficult for me to walk on these that Andy usually held my hand for support. I felt like a little child.

Traffic

The streets were narrow and filled with vehicles. Driving was like playing Dodgem at the Euclid Beach amusement park. Motorcycles wove in between car lanes. People were polite, waving or honking when allowed to go first at an intersection. Riding over the bumpy cobblestone roads, I was surprised the cars didn’t fall apart!

A common vehicle was a tuk tuk, a square taxi that seemed to have no springs. I had to hold on for dear life. Usually we took an Uber.

Houses and stores were side by side and flush with the sidewalks. There were no lawns between them and the street.

Central Park

My first stop was Central Park in Antigua (Old Guatemala). There dozens of vendors lined the paths or sold their wares under a row of tents.

Churches

Across from Central Park is the Church of San Jose where I attended a Spanish Mass. People didn’t use hymnals but sang the hymns from their hearts.

Later we visited the Church of San Francisco, which was like a Roman basilica. There a crew of people were arranging manikins of saints that would be carried in Lenten processions. Saint Hermano Pedro’s tomb is there, which will be open to the public for the first time next month, March.

The yellow La Merced Church is 802 years old and has an earthquake-resistant design. I saw it frequently but didn’t go in it. Next to it are ruins.

Food

Fruit was abundant, some unfamiliar. At a café, I had carrot cake, my favorite. At Andy’s house I dined on coconut milk, pineapple, guacamole, tortillas, and pepian, which is a thick beef and rice stew. We dined at various restaurants.

We visited a store that was like Target as well as an enormous market, where Andy was charged double for pineapples because he is a foreigner. For one that usually cost 32 cents, he paid 65 cents.

Santo Domingo was a humongous old convent with thick stone walls that was repurposed as a restaurant.

Twice I had Rosa de Jamaica, a purplish, nonalcoholic drink made from dried hibiscus flowers.

We passed coffee fields and macadamia nuts spread out to dry. Chocolate is another Guatemalan specialty.

El Tenedor del Cerro (the Fork) was a restaurant and art museum at the top of a mountain. A very long cobblestone road led up to it. I managed to climb about fourth way before Andy hailed a hotel van to save me from having a heart attack. Going down the steep path was another challenge until an Uber rescued me.

On my last day, we ate breakfast at a luxury hotel’s buffet. Food such as omelets was prepared along the wall, but stations were positioned throughout the long room: juices, cereals, bakery, oatmeal, waffles, Mediterranean food.

Entertainment

On the day I arrived, we went to a soccer game between Antigua and Mixco. Fans from opposing teams do not attend in order to prevent brawls. On the bleachers we sat on small, green bucket seats. Three times six men with a stretcher had to carry a player off the field.

Posada de Don Rodrigo restaurant offered live Marimba music with dancers in costumes performing the Baile de los Moros, a folk dance. As I ate, one of the dancers wearing a bull mask offered me a maraca, an invitation to dance with him. After I did, other guests got up and danced.

At Las Palmas restaurant, Andy and I took a salsa lesson from a wiry, energetic teacher. I could not master the crossover step.

Friends

We visited a beautiful bread and breakfast where Andy had stayed while learning Spanish. It is owned and run by Cony, a woman in her nineties. She served us breakfast. The cost is $40 a night and includes breakfast.

We also visited a lively Franciscan Sister that Andy had met. She and her sisters run a home for the elderly. They need funds to hire a man for one year. Any donors?

Cerro de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)

At the top of another hill, a large cross overlooks the city of Antigua. Fortunately, we took an Uber most of the way up and down the cobblestone path. A statue of a quetzal, a colorful bird with long tail feathers, is a prop for photos. This bird is prominent in mythology and associate with the Aztec deity Quetzalcoati. It is Guatemala’s national bird and the name of its currency. As we left the site, soldiers lined the stairs, presumably to discourage robbers.

Safety

Although people warned me that Guatemala was a dangerous country, I was never afraid. The scariest part of my vacation was finding my way around Chicago O’Hare airport! By the way, if you travel soon, make sure you learn the latest TSA regulations.

What in Guatemala would you be interested in seeing?

Did anything about my trip surprise you?

The post Visit to Guatemala appeared first on Catholic Faith Corner.