Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of those who respond to requests for assistance.

Regina Andrews on the Spirit of Giving

"That was it, I met my deadline! With a sigh of satisfaction, I padded across the living room in my bare feet. Slipping on my flip-flops, I grabbed the house keys and decided to take a walk around the block. It was a good idea. The day was gorgeous! Blue sky, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine . . . even the birds were singing!

"As I finished up with my walk, I stopped at the mailbox at our condo complex and picked up the mail before I went back in the house to start dinner. I put the mail in a little stack in our usual spot and flipped through it before I hit the kitchen. Bills, bills, bills . . . and then an oversize flier caught my eye. . . ."

In a recent commentary, writer Regina Andrews reflected on the message of the spirit of giving that Jesus brought us.

To access Ms. Andrews's complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: Regina Andrews: Letting go … and the spirit of giving (21 AUG 23)

Reflection Starter from St. Catherine of Siena

"God is closer to us than water is to a fish." - Saint Catherine of Siena

Annie Moses Band: "We Have This Moment, Today"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of the Annie Moses Band presenting "We Have This Moment, Today":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Your grace, no matter how hectic or unsettled life becomes.

Jaymie Stuart Wolfe on God with Us in the Storms of Life

"When was the last time you caught yourself thinking about what you'd like to do 'when things settle down?' I suspect most of us tell ourselves the same myth: that things will, in fact, settle down when we know they probably never will. I know I've failed to write at least two books, clean out the garage, catch up with bookkeeping, and do any substantial yard work because things haven't 'settled down.' There are all kinds of service projects, time with friends, devotional practices, and reading that never seem to move to the front burner because -- you guessed it -- things just haven't settled down."

In a recent commentary, writer Jaymie Stuart Wolfe reflected on how, no matter how hectic or unsettled life is, God's grace is always available and on the importance of remembering that God is with us in all that we are facing.

To access Ms. Wolfe's complete post, please visit:

The Boston Pilot: Echoes: Jaymie Stuart Wolfe: When things settle down (18 AUG 23)

Reflection Starter from Viola Davis

"When you pray, God puts people in your life to lead you when you cannot lead yourself." - Viola Davis

Trocadero: "Sixteen Tons"

It's time for some barbershop harmony, a genre of music I enjoy. Here is a presentation of "Sixteen Tons" by Trocadero:

 

National Safe at Home Week

This week, the week of 21-25 August, is being observed as National Safe at Home Week, an observe designed to to raise awareness about the many potential dangers hiding in one's home.

Background information:

Federal Trade Commission: Tips to Remember from National Safe at Home Week

Altus Emergency Centers: National Safe at Home Week

ThankYou, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good examples of Catholic married life.

David Deavel on The Kingdom of God in Dark Times

"It is easy to be down about the state of the Church and our culture today. Saying things are secularized doesn't seem quite right. Today all sorts of ideas about what human life and happiness mean are presented to us as dogmas. Or perhaps counter-dogmas, since they are negations of Divine Revelation and, quite often, of reason itself.

"A lot of people seem to be listening to those ideas and, if not affirming them wholeheartedly, accepting them with a shrug. . . ."

In a recent commentary, David Deavel, Ph.D., reflected on hoe, even in the darkest of times, "the Kingdom of God is in our midst," with people faithful to it.

To access Dr. Deavel's complete essay, please visit:

The Imaginative Conservative: Eyes to See & Ears to Hear in Dark Times (14 AUG 23)

Reflection Starter from St. Pius X

"We put great confidence in the Holy Rosary for the healing of evils which afflict our times." - Pope Saint Pius X, whose memory the Church celebrates today (21 August)