steadycatholic

[steadycatholic]

Christmas Novena

This novena will be dedicated to praying for an end to abortion, and for greater respect for the dignity of all human life! When contemplating the birth of our Savior and preparing for Christmas, it is a great time to pray for an end to abortion. After all, Christ came to us as a humble and vulnerable pre-born child. 

Begin: December 16, 2017 End: December 24, 2017

http://www.praymorenovenas.com/christmas-novena/

[steadycatholic]

Popular Catholic / Christian Podcasts

Abiding Together - Heather Khym, Michelle Benzinger, Sr. Miriam James Heidland

Catching Foxes - Michael Gormley

The Crunch - Ethan (@bropostle), Patrick (@CatholicPat)

The Catholic Feminist - Claire Swinarski

Fountains of Carrots - Christy Isinger, Haley Stewart

Among the Lilies - Cameron Maeder Fradd

Do Something Beautiful - Leah Darrow

How to Catholic - Kevin and Lisa Cotter

UMD Newman Catholic Campus Ministry - Fr. Mike Schmitz

The Visitation Project - Mater Dei Radio

Lanky Guys - Fr. Peter Mussett, Scott Powell

The Word on Fire Show - Bishop Robert Barron

The Catholic Guy Show - Lino Rulli

Catholic Stuff You Should Know - Fr. Nathan Goebel, Fr. John Nepil, Fr. Michael O'Loughlin, Fr. Mike Rapp

Fishing with Dynamite - Mark Guiney, Paul Buede

Catholic in a Small Town - Mac and Katherine Barron

Integrity Restored - Matt Fradd

Pints with Aquinas - Matt Fradd

The Kyle Heimann Show - Kyle Heimann

Ascension Roundtable - Ascension Presents

Go Forth - Heather and Becky

Fr. John Riccardo’s Podcasts - Fr. John Riccardo

Letters To Women: Exploring the Feminine Genius - Chloe Langr

Fishers Of Men - Lara Sumera and Mary Ashley Burton

Upside Down - Shannon Evans

Truth’s Table - Michelle Higgins, Christina Edmondson, and Ekemini Uwan

On Being - Krista Tippett

Firetower - Doug Tooke Renovo - Doug Tooke

Bishop and the Vicars - Bishop Thomas Daly and the Vicars of the Diocese of Spokane, Wash.

God Centered Mom - Heather MacFadyen

Mom Struggling Well - Emily Thomas

Messy Parenting - Michael and Alicia Hernon

[steadycatholic]

St. Anne Novena

Pray for St. Anne’s intercession in my relationship with my significant other. That his relationship to the Lord may strengthen and in turn, strengthen our own relationship as well. That we truly have a future together, if it is God's will. I offer unending gratitude for everything I've been given in this life. Thank you, St. Anne and thank you Lord.

Begin: July 17, 2017 End: July 26, 2017

http://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-anne-novena/

[steadycatholic]

Proverbs 6:12-19 // See God’s reaction to evil

You cannot fully understand the cross unless you understand why it was necessary.

See God’s hostile reaction to sin. The writer of Proverbs lists things that ‘the Lord hates’ and that are ‘detestable to him’ (v.16a) – arrogance, lies, murder, evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family’ (vv.16–19, MSG).

God is love. God is also just and holy. The kind of sin listed here causes enormous damage to our lives, the lives of others and to society. Take, for example, a person ‘who stirs up dissention’ (v.19). Think how much damage can be done by one person bringing division in a family or in the church, neighbourhood or nation.

God’s hatred is not like ours: it contains no element of spite, pettiness or hypocrisy – but it is the reaction of the altogether holy and loving God to sin. His anger is his loving and holy hostility to evil.

When we realise the extent of God’s hostility to sin that led to the cross, the only real response we can make is to turn to God in prayer to ask for forgiveness and help.

Merciful Lord, you know our struggle to serve you: when sin spoils our lives and overshadows our hearts, come to our aid and turn us back to you again; through Jesus Christ our Lord (prayer from the Anglican collect for Ash Wednesday).

Bible In One Year 2017 // Bible.com

[steadycatholic]

Here we have the ending of the Year of Mercy. 

Two or three Sundays ago our priest at Maternity of Mary, where I go to mass, spoke about the Year of Mercy winding down and there is opportunity for us to bury the hatchet or forgive and extend mercy to those whom have hurt us or wronged us. So I thought about it, a lot.

I wanted to make a point to clear the air or knowing forgive and let go of anger against someone who has hurt me. I prayed about it and I kept thinking about a girl friend of my boyfriend who has seriously emotional hurt me, and how over the last two years, I was actually hurt despite playing it off like it wasn’t a big deal. I prayed off and on for the last two weeks, asking the Lord to open my heart up and help me forgive and help me open my stubborn heart.

Then suddenly Saturday happened - my boyfriend and I met up with her at a bar in the evening - she was popping up in my life and my first reaction was anger and even the mention of her name hurt me. I wanted nothing to do with her and I was afraid. So said a few silent prayers that night and it went okay, I made it through. She reached out to me the next morning via that text and I was upset again but I sucked it up and replied nicely.

This morning I was driving to work and out of the blue I remembered what the priest’s homily was and what I had prayed for - asking God to open my heart and forgive this person who wronged me. I asked him to give me an opportunity to do that. And here I had been, upset and angered by her coming into my life on Sat when really, it was Him answering my prayer. Putting her in front of me and whispering to my heart, “Here she is. You want to forgive her. You asked me to help you. Here she is.” I couldn’t do it that night.

But the Lord was determined and she texted me the next day, and He whispered to my heart again, “Here she is. You want to forgive her and you asked me to help. Look at her reaching out to you. Be merciful, forgive her and move on.���

So this morning in the car ride I decided to forgive her completely and move on. And I’ve never felt so at peace.

[steadycatholic]

Growing up and living in this world feels like a race or competition, doesn’t it? I feel that way, most of the time - and what’s worse is it seems as though most people are beating me to the finish line, by a lot.

Acquaintances are getting engaged, married, starting families (oftentimes at a much younger age than myself). They’re traveling the world or landing killer jobs that rake in ridiculous amounts of money. All of this is sprayed across Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat - the list goes on - you know who I’m talking about. They have their perfect engagement rings on their perfect vacations. Pretty soon they have their perfect weddings, buy the perfect house and have the perfect little family. All the while, they’re posting photos on social media documenting it.

Back in 2012, if you would have asked me when I would be married and starting my own family, I would tell you just about... now. I would tell you that by four years after college and having been with my at the time current boyfriend for eight years, that he better have married me by then so we can start out lives together.

Instead, here I am - 26 and in the longest long distance relationship I’ve ever been in with no end in sight. With a guy whom I love more than life itself (non-Catholic, Jesus help me), but whose lifestyle I’m not sure I could make my own. A future with him means that I leave a great job I have in the big city, move to a tiny no-name town where there is no job to be found in my skill set.

Throughout my journey the same revelation rings true - to live a life free of expectations, I need to surrender and let the Lord take over.

My faith is bigger than my fear.

Christ wants to be a part of our lives and we, as humans, were given the gift to allow it. Well heck, that’s simple - but is it? When we let him in, we also have to let him plan our life. We have to let go of the cookie cutter lives we want and surrender to his dream for us. If you’re anything like me, you like the control of it. You like knowing who, what, where and when these plans are going to happen.

But goodness, He has never let me down. He has always been my true and guiding light - bringing people into my life when I needed it most, opening doors that had previously been closed. What’s to keep me from trusting Him still? The hesitation. The fear. What happens if I marry my boyfriend and he never finds the true faith that I’ve found? What if I don’t find a job in the small little town where I move my entire life to?

I’ve found the overwhelming need and desire to trust in Him, no matter what. I can plan and post on social but until I realize that what He has in store for me is bigger and better than I could ever dream, I will never be satisfied. It’s time to live and love instead of plan and post. Surrender to Him and your results will be better than you could hope for.

[steadycatholic]

A year and a half ago I was looking for something more - but I wasn’t sure what. So when Lent rolled around I decided to tackle some type of faith-based book during my weekly visits to the adoration chapel.

I chose “Rediscover Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic and it changed my life. His insight, writing style and his ability to relate to normal run of the mill Catholics like myself astounded me. There was one major note in his book that stood out to me amongst the others - the concept of a mass journal.

On the first page of your mass journal you write, “God, show me one way in this Mass that I can become a-better-version-of-myself this week!” And then, let him speak to you during the mass.

I was hesitant, worried and uneasy about documenting such precious thoughts but it’s been an unbelievable resource when I need a pick-me-up or reminders for what the best-version-of-myself looks like. 

Thank you, Matthew Kelly. Your inspiration knows no boundaries. I cannot wait to dive into “Rhythm of Life” soon.