Reflection Starter from St. Francis de Sales

"Some virtues are so universally useful that we ought not only to practice them for their own sake but particularly for their usefulness in the practice of all the others. For instance, we seldom have the opportunity to practice fortitude, great generosity or greatness of soul. In the other hand, some virtues such as gentleness, temperance,
honesty and humility are the sort which should characterize all of our actions." - Saint Francis de Sales

Louise Farrenc: Symphony No. 3 in G minor

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Louise Farrenc's Symphony No. 3 in G minor, Op. 36, as presented by the Aurora Orchestra, conducted by Duncan Ward:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who help guide us in our spiritual lives.

Br. Bruno McHale, O.P., on Penance Ponderings

"Several years ago I took up running for exercise. I have never been much of an athlete myself and I was not familiar with physical training in any official capacity. 

"When I arrived at the novitiate, one of the brothers who arrived with me was an athlete. He taught me how to pace myself. Before, I would always start super fast, never finishing without having to walk or take a break. I would always fall behind and my brother would usually finish the route, then run back and join me until I finished. I had always thought running as fast as you could for as long as you could resulted in better running. After I started heeding the advice of my brother, I learned that I was plain wrong, and, in fact, my times improved the better I got at pacing."

In a recent commentary using the example of disc golf, Brother Bruno McHale, O.P., reflected on some of the similarities between athletic training and Lenten penances, including the need to pace oneself and the importance of perseverance.

To access Br. Bruno's complete post, please visit:

Dominicana: Ponderings Pertaining to Penances (16 FEB 24) 

Reflection Starter from St. Polycarp

"Pray for all the saints. Pray also for kings and magistrates and rulers, and for those who persecute and hate you, and for the enemies of the cross, so that your fruit may be evident among all people, so that you may be perfect in him" - Saint Polycarp, whose memory the Church celebrates today (23 February)

Partners in Rhyme Quartet: "Ride the Chariot"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Partners in Rhyme Quartet presenting "Ride the Chariot":

Belated Birthday Blessings, Matthew!!!

Belated birthday greetings to grandnephew Matthew Duggan, whose birthday was yesterday!!! May each day of the upcoming year be filled with the Lord's choicest blessings!!!

Thank You, Lord

Tank you, Lord, for Your presence with us each moment of each day.

Fr. Joe Newman, OSFS, on Sacred and Traumatic Moments

"I was wisely told by my preaching professor, 'Do not Easter my Lent!' In other words, do not rush to the Resurrection, empty tomb, or eternal life. Instead, stay at the foot of the cross for a while. I've always liked that advice especially when I juxtaposed it next to our Salesian emphasis on living the present moment."

In a recent commentary, Father Joe Newman, OSFS, reflected on the blessing of living in the present id good times and also in traumatic times.

To access Fr. Newman's complete post, please visit:

De Sales Weekly: Provincial Reflection: Sacred and Traumatic (22 FEB 24)

Reflection Starter from St. Rose of Lima

"When we serve the poor and the sick, we serve Jesus. We must not fail yo help our neighbors, because in them we serve Jesus." - Saint Rose of Lima

Wayne Shorter: "Speak No Evil"

It's time for some jazz, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Speak No Evil" by Wayne Shorter:

 

On a Pattern for Growing in Holines, Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Other Catholic-related Items

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Aleteia: Hey priests: Empty confessionals, never! Increase the hotspots of mercy, says Pope (28 MAR 23)

Catholic Culture: Our Lady of Guadalupe and preparing the Americas for Christ (16 FEB 24)

Aleteia: Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP: Here's a 7-step pattern for growing in holiness (1 APR 23)

New Advent: What do you get out of Mass? Here's what... (June 2023)

Catholic News Agency: Catholic doctors turn to direct primary care to practice medicine, faith (18 JUN 23)

Word on Fire: Knocking Yourself Out

Crisis Magazine: Reflections of a Catholic School Teacher: Putting First Things First (23 AUG 22)

The New York Times: Centuries of Stargazing Leave Jesuit Names Written in the Heavens (22 MAR 23)