Saint Isidore the Farmer

Today the Church celebrates the memory of Saint Isidore the Farmer. In a reflection on this saint published in American Catholic‘s Saint of the Day, “Many implications can be found in a simple laborer achieving sainthood: Physical labor has dignity; sainthood does not stem from status; contemplation does not depend on learning; the simple life is conducive to holiness and happiness. . . . Perhaps the truth which emerges is this: If you have your spiritual self in order, your earthly commitments will fall into order also.”

To access the complete reflection, please visit:

American Catholic: Saint of the Day: St. Isidore the Farmer (May 15, 2012)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of the early morning songs of birds.

Pope Benedict and Joy

“I have not made a careful check, but I am willing to bet that if one were to analyze word frequency in the texts of Benedict XVI, the word used most often would be ‘joy.’”

In an excerpt from her book, Benedetta umiltà. Le virtù semplici di Joseph Ratzinger, Andrea Monda reflects on Pope Benedict’s spirit of joy.

To access the complete excerpt, please visit:

Catholic Exchange: Our Joyful Pope (17 APR 12)

Reflection Starter from Ernest Kurtz

“At the heart of all spirituality is a sense of wonder and surprise, the awe that accepts that it can only marvel and delight – whether at the magnificence of a landscape, the sublimity of a symphony, or the incomprehensible beauty of self-sacrificing love.” – Ernest Kurtz

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of parks and for those persons who work (paid or volunteer) to maintain them.

How a Sister of Mercy Overcame Anti-Catholic Prejudice

“By all accounts, Sarah Anne O'Brien (1834-1920) was a formidable character. Raised in comfort, she grew into a strong-willed young woman with a love for books and intense compassion for the poor. Born in Cork, Ireland, and baptized by her priest uncle, she was raised by Protestant relatives after her mother's death. The Carrolls doted on her, but even as a child, her brother recalled, she had something of the autocrat about her.”

In a recent commentary, Dr. Pat McNamara (Archival Manager for the Archdiocese of New York and Professor of Church History at Saint Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, NY) reflected on how Sister (later Mother) Gonzaga O’Brien, a Sister of Mercy who served in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine, overcame anti-Catholic prejudice and mistrust through a lifetime of service.

To access Dr. McNamara’s complete post, please visit:

In Ages Past: The Quality of Mercy: Mother Gonzaga O'Brien (7 MAY 12)

Reflection Starter from Saint Josemaría Escrivá

“When we were little, we kept close to our mother in a dark alley or if dogs barked at us. Now, when we feel temptations of the flesh, we should run to the side of Our Mother in Heaven, by realizing how close she is to us, and by means of aspirations. She will defend us and lead us to the light.” – Saint Josemaría Escrivá

A Homeless Program Offering Options for Homeless Families

A recent NECN report took a look at a Metrowest Boston, MA, homeless program (Family Promise Metrowest) that is striving to offer new options for homeless families. The program is a cooperative, interfaith partnership that serves homeless families with children, and it offers transitional housing, meals, and supportive case management for the families as they seek permanent housing.

To access the NECN report, please visit:

NECN: Making sacrifices for a better future (8 MAY 12)

Background information:

Family Promise Metrowest

Mother’s Day Greetings

As we celebrate Mother’s Day (Happy Mother's Day to all mothers, grandmothers, and godmothers!), I offer this presentation of Charlotte Church  singing “Ave Maria” to offer Mother’s Day greetings to our Blessed Mother, Mary:

Mother’s Day Reflections

These reflections were recently offered for Mother’s Day:

A Concord Pastor Comments: A prayer for Mothers Day (11 MAY 12)

Catholic Culture: Blessing of Mothers on Mother's Day

Monica, Model of Catholic Christian Motherhood - from the Confessions of St. Augustine

Background information:

CatholicMom: The History Behind Mother's Day

Wikipedia: Mother’s Day

“Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”

As our Sunday (and Easter) celebration continues, I offer this version of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”:

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Today the Church celebrates the Sixth Sunday of Easter. The assigned readings are Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48; 1 John 4:7-10; and John 15:9-17. The Responsorial Psalm is Psalm 98 (Psalm 98:1-4).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 98 "The Saving Power of God Revealed to All"

Today’s Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy might be complete. This is my commandment: love one another as I love you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I no longer call you slaves, because a slave does not know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another.”

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Sixth Sunday of Easter (May 13, 2012)

Msgr. Charles Pope: On the Paradox of Love and Law – A Reflection on the Gospel for the 6th Sunday of Easter (12 MAY 12)

The Deacon's Bench: Homily for May 13, 2012: 6th Sunday of Easter (12 MAY 12)

Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.: Love Unlimited - 6th Sunday of Easter

The Quiet Corner: Many people have no regard for the church’s integrity (10 MAY 12)

The Lectionary: God’s love brings many special gifts (Sixth Sunday of Easter B) (10 MAY 12)

Dr. Scott Hahn: Begotten By Love (May 13th 2012 - Sixth Sunday of Easter)

The Sacred Page: Jesus, the Servant, and His Sacrificial Love in John (Podcast on the Sunday Readings: 6th Sunday of Easter)

The Word Encountered: Hankering after the “Old Faith” (Sixth Sunday of Easter B)