On the Inside; On the Outside


 
Jun 26 2014
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Stress-Control Strategies for Coping in a Crisis

Posted by | Emotions/Feelings | One Comment

I was reading through my healthcare provider’s newsletter not too long ago when I came across an article from Arleen Fitzgerald, L.I.C.S.W., on how to cope in a crisis. There was some really good information in there that I wanted to share as well as add some additional input on the subject of finding some key strategies to help us cope when dealing with sorrow, anxiety, and anger in trying times. Read More

Jun 19 2014
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Thy Will Be Done

Posted by | Prayer | No Comments

In today’s Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15), Jesus teaches us how to pray. The Lord’s Prayer beautifully reflects God’s wishes when Jesus says, “When praying, do not babble.” In other words, quantity doesn’t necessarily mean quality in your prayer life. That’s why I love the Lord’s Prayer because it sums up what we need from God (and what He wants from us) so succinctly. But today, I want to focus on one short phrase of this prayer: “Thy will be done.” So what does this really mean? Read More

Jun 08 2014
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We Need a God with Some Skin

Posted by | Everyday Life | No Comments

Today we are celebrating a birth – the birth of the church. Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. For that reason, it is often called the “the birthday of the Church.”

During the past six months of the church year, we have been on a journey – a journey of the events in the life of Jesus. It’s the story of the central mystery of our faith – the story of the incarnation where God became human, though still remaining God. When we think of the incarnation, most of us think of it this way: God physically walked on this earth, he died, he rose, and then he returned to heaven. When he left, he sent the Holy Spirit to be present among us – but the actual physical body of Jesus was gone forever. And yet, we often find ourselves wishing that Jesus were still here – right now – in the flesh, so that we could touch him, hear his voice and see the compassion in his eyes.  Read More

May 29 2014
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I Am Clear of Responsibility – or Am I?

Posted by | Everyday Life | No Comments

Sometimes, things don’t always go according to plan. Sometimes, we become frustrated, disappointed, and upset. Sometimes, we think we’re doing a bang-up job when someone comes along and gives us a slap on the side of the head with a major dose of reality. This is what St. Paul encountered in Macedonia in today’s scripture reading (Acts 18:1-8). Read More

May 08 2014
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Are You Excited?

Posted by | Everyday Life | No Comments

The word “excitement” means: “to be stirred or thrilled, the state of being emotionally worked up, the feeling of active and cheerful joy.” Some would say they have excitement at times, but it all depends on what they are doing, what they are “into” at the moment.

For example, many get excited at sporting events. Some will be thrilled at getting a new outfit, or a good meal out. Everybody gets excited with their gifts at Christmas or a good holiday. However, do we have that same level of excitement when it comes to God our Father? Read More

May 06 2014
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Status “Quo”te

Posted by | Quotes | No Comments

“Do not depend on the hope of results. When you are doing the sort of work you have taken on…you may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself.”

~Thomas Merton

Apr 27 2014
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In God We Doubt?

Posted by | Everyday Life | No Comments

Have you ever accidentally missed a big moment? It feels terrible! You got distracted right before your child scored a goal. You missed the winning touchdown because your cellphone rang. You were driving to the hospital to witness the birth of a grandchild, and the baby arrived before you did. Maybe you missed the two Popes being canonized this morning because you overslept. It’s a terrible feeling, and this is exactly how Thomas feels in today’s Gospel (John 20:19-31). Read More

Apr 19 2014
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Patiently Waiting

Posted by | Virtues | No Comments

What are we waiting for?

Holy Saturday is a time of waiting, of living in the uncomfortable middle between the necessary death of Jesus and his Resurrection. It’s a day of grief and mourning, of patient waiting and hoping. It is a day of holy waiting, which requires a spirit of patience and prayerfulness. Yet, for most of us, we are so busy with Easter baking, last minute cleaning, preparing for guests, or prepping for Easter liturgies. So how can we hold onto the spirit of patience and prayerfulness in the midst of such busyness? Read More

Apr 02 2014
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Status “Quo”te

Posted by | Quotes | No Comments

“In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye. Yet such twinklings is what eternity is made of. Moments when we human beings can say, ‘I love you. I’m proud of you. I forgive you. I’m grateful for you.’ That’s what eternity is made of: invisible, imperishable good stuff!” ~Fred Rogers