Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for calling us to be “fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

Matt Archbold on Setting Good Catholic Examples

“The battles over gay marriage are intense. And bitter. One must only look at the comboxes of Catholic blogs and websites to understand that. I have taken part in bitter debates as well. I probably shouldn't even call them debates so much as exchanged accusations. Sometimes I‘ll admit I sometimes opt for the witty verbal coup de grace rather than exhibiting grace.”

In a recent commentary, writer Matt Archbold reflected on the importance of living our lives as Catholics openly, as examples of love and strong marriages, and letting God do the rest.

To access Mr. Archbold’s complete post, please visit:

NC Register: We're Not Called To Win Arguments, We're Called to Love (29 JUN 13)

Reflection Starter from Leo Tolstoy

“It is within my power either to serve God or not to serve Him. Serving Him, I add to my own good and the good of the whole world. Not serving Him, I forfeit my own good and deprive the world of that good, which was in my power to create.” – Leo Tolstoy

Harvest Glory Music Ministry: “Revival in the Land”

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of “Revival in the Land,” as sung by the Harvest Glory Music Ministry Whiteriver, AZ):

Thank You, Lord

Thank You, Lord, for the many ways in which You send Your healing graces in our lives.

Msgr. Pope on the Gift of Wonder in Our Lives

“One of the great modern problems is boredom. It might seem that we would be one the of least bored ages of all, with our many diversions. Almost every form of entertainment is available quite literally at our fingertips, television, radio, Internet, Netflix, video games, and on and on.

“But boredom easily overtakes us moderns.  The problem seems quite simply that we are overstimulated.”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the role of God’s gift of wonder in our lives.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: There is No Loss of Wonders, But only a Loss of Wonder. A Brief Summons to Awe (25 JUN 13)

Reflection Starter from Fulton Sheen

“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action; rather it is ‘timing;’ it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

July is Park and Recreation Month

Since 1985, July has been observed as Park and Recreation Month.  This July communities are being encourage to share what they love about parks and recreation, including the many benefits parks bring to their neighborhoods (including health and wellness, nature, community spirit, and social equity).

Background information:

National Recreation and Park Association

Facebook: National Recreation and Park Association

NRPA: America’s Backyard Initiative

Facebook: America’s Backyard

New England Park Association

Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association

Maine Recreation & Park Association

Massachusetts Recreation and Park Association

New Hampshire Recreation and Park Association

Rhode Island Recreation and Parks Association

Vermont Recreation and Parks Association

Holy Father’s Prayer Intentions for July

The Holy Father’s prayer intentions for June are:

General intention: “That World Youth Day in Brazil may encourage all young Christians to become disciples and missionaries of the Gospel.”

Mission intention: “That throughout Asia doors may be open to messengers of the Gospel.”

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for Your kindness and Your compassion.

Bishop Tobin on Evangelization in a Secular Age

“Although many critics have suggested that the Catholic Church would attract more adherents if it changed its teaching on difficult topics such as abortion, contraception, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, the ordination of women and clerical celibacy, those whose mission it is to lead the 1.2 billion Catholics around the world ask themselves if sacrificing their principles would be worth a resulting increase in their flocks.

“‘Is an easy church, devoid of any moral imperatives or challenge, being faithful to its mission? Is it contributing anything of value to the moral well-being of the world?’ asks Bishop Thomas J. Tobin.”

In a recent address at “Catholicism and the American Experience,” a Portsmouth Institute conference (held at Portsmouth Abbey School, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, of the Diocese of Providence (RI), reflected on evangelization in a secular age, including need to be confident and bold in proclaiming the Christian message.

To access a Rhode Island Catholic report on Bishop Tobin’s presentation, please visit:

RI Catholic: Catholics must not sacrifice their principles (20 JUN 13)

Reflection Starter from Tarek Saab

“Living out one’s faith is either no way to live or the only way to live; it's either imprisonment, or the only path to freedom. It offers happiness, or it frustrates the pursuit. There is no half-love, half-religion, half-worship, half-belief, half-truth. There is no kinda-sorta.” – Tarek Saab (in Gut Check)