Mary, Mother of God

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

"Without adding or detracting from the singular mediation of Christ Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary is acknowledged and invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. She is the model of maternal love who must inspire all those who cooperate – through the apostolic mission of the Church – in the regeneration of all humanity." - Adoration, Reparation, Spiritual Motherhood for Priests

Mater Eucharistiae - Dominican Sisters of Mary

"Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the Person of Christ manifested in His mysteries..."
- Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2675

LightingACandle.org










"The mother of Jesus, Mary, is revered in many branches of Christianity as the all-holy Mother of God. In this video Dr. Mary Cunningham looks at the origins of devotion to Mary, and her place in Orthodox and Catholic theology and belief." - Dr. Mary Cunningham, University of Nottingham

"One of the major figures of The Second Vatican Council, Cardinal Leo Joseph Suenens, reflects on Mary the Mother of God, in light of Council documents in an Interview with Servant of God, Father Patrick Peyton [The Rosary Priest], CSC, on Family Theater Production's TV show, Matter of Faith." - Family Theater Productions

Resources

• Apps
• Family Rosary's Mobile Rosary (Android / iTunes)
• Articles, Pamphlets and Periodical
• Maginificat
• Magnificat for Kids
• Mary: Mother of God and Our Mother - Father Peter John Cameron, AmericanCatholic.org
• Books
• Lifeof the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God: With the History of Devotion to Her (1872)
• Mariology:A Dogmatic Treatise on the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God (1914)
• Mary,The Mother of God (1959)
• Mary, Mother of God: Her Life in Icons and Scripture (Amazon.com)
• Fatima Family Apostolate International - "Many do not realize that Our Lady of Fatima had a message for the whole world and for the universal Church."
• Internet Archive: Mary, Mother of God
• Microfilm
• The history of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God [microform] (1864)
• Music
• Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles
• Daughters of Mary
• Podcast
• Mary, Mother of God: Father Kubicki takes a look at our Blessed Mother and what she means to the Church - Fr. James Kubicki, ApostleshipOfPrayer.org
• Mary, Mother of God: Called like Mary to be Believers, Conceivers, and Leaders  - Fr. Edward Estok, St. Albert the Great
• Mary, the Mother of God--Theotokos and Queen Mother - Michael Barber, The Sacred Page
• Prayer
• The Hail Mary - Eternal World Television Network
• PrayForMyPriest.org
• SpiritualMaternity.org
• Rosary
• The Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary
• FamilyRosary.org
• The Holy Rosary
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Mary, Mother of God 
• Videos
• The Blessed Virgin Mary- The Woman I Love - Venerable Fulton J Sheen
• Christ gave us a Mother, Fr. Peter John Cameron, OP
• Mary and the Catholic Church
• Mysteries of the Virgin Mary - Fr. Mitch Pacwa with Fr. Peter Cameron, OP
• Quiet Waters Productions
• Rosary Stars: Praying the Gospel Trailer (+playlist)

"There is a remarkable amount of truth about Mary in sacred scripture, as well as in history." - Tim Staples, Catholic Answers

 

"When we identify the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, the emphasis is only secondarily on her- it is primarily about Christ." - The Mystery of Mary, Mother of God, Word on Fire

Published: 05.09.2014
Updated: 10.09.2014; 01.01.2015

The Joy of Fatherhood

The joy of fatherhood is wrapped in the gift
and laughter of a man's children. - E.L.D.

         Dad books at Audible                 Five Star Book on

                                                                    Fatherhood at Amazon       

The Piano Guys: A Family Christmas - MP3

Published 12.19.2013

Republished 12.31.2013; 12.29.2014

Teaching the World to Hear and See

Fr. Cyril Axelrod Legacy Foundation: Celebrating Our Common Abilities



"My interaction with deaf, mute and blind students has reinforced the message that those of us with minor physical challenges have little excuse for not using our God given talents" (YMCA Africa Alliance.  Different ability is not inability: working with the deaf, mute and blind)

Resources

• Articles
• Blind singer-pianist says he relies on God to be his eyes
• Chisombezi Deafblind Centre, the only boarding school in the country [Malawi] specifically designed for deaf and blind youth.
• Deaf-blind priest honored
• Deaf-Blind Perspectives
• Services for the Deaf and Deaf-Blind in Acadiana
• Signs of Faith: Washington Hosts Gathering of Deaf Catholics
• Signing Time Host, Rachel Coleman, Invited to Consult With World Organizations About Improving Deaf Education in Ghana, Africa

• Books
• And The Journey Begins - Paperback Cyril Axelrod
• Deaf Diaspora: The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry
• Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust

• Ministries
• Catholic Ministry to the Deaf and Blind - Florida
• Deaf Apostolate for the Archdiocese of Boston
• Diocese of Saint Augustine
• Organizations
• The Disabilities Treaty: Opening the World to Americans with Disabilities
• Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
• Helen Keller International
• National Association for the Deaf
• National Federation of the Blind
• Resources for the Blind International
• Signing Time
• World Federation of the Deaf
• Tools
• Inclusive Education for Children with Visual Impairments
• Video
• Carlos "Chucky" Ibay
• Blind prodigy sees God through song
• Performs Schubert's Ave Maria
• Deaf Apostolate Boston's channel
• Fr Cyril Axelrod Ability (Deaf / Blind priest shares thoughts on disability access) - Laura Jean Bradley
• Historic Treaty for the Visually Impaired Adopted in Marrakesh
• One Deaf Child: Presentation by Rachel Coleman
• St. Lucy Day School's "If Blind Kids Ruled the World"

 

Original Post: 10.16.2013

Updated: 11.23.2014

Psalm 144: 1-2

"When I am tired and so afraid,
your love is like a fire that will light my way..."
- Third Day - Your Love is Like a River

Free Military Download of the Month Club

"Personally I have been thrilled with these CDs before while in Iraq in 2007–2008." - U.S. Navy Command Chaplain CDR Miles J. Barrett CHC

"As an ex-serviceman, I can relate to Fr. Goldmann's story. 'The Shadow of His Wings' is truly awe inspiring." - Jim - Wichita, KS

Psalm 144:1-2

• Combat Rosary

Fulton Sheen's Wartime Prayer Book - The Catholic Company

• Rugged Rosaries

Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

Vocations

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
National Vocation Awareness Week
November 2-8, 2014

VocationNetwork.org

Six compelling excuses for not becoming a nun - debunked!

Resources

• Articles
• Pope Benedict: may we be renewed in our Baptism

• Websites
• Catholic Online - Videos, resources, articles and prayers
• Discerning A Vocation (The Franciscan Archive)
• Faith Database
• Vocation.com
• VocationBoom
• VocationNetwork.org
• Vocations & Priestly Formation (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)

Vocations Playlist: A Call to Everyone

The Fathers of Mercy

Published 01.12.2013
Republished 11.01.2014

Faithful Citizenship

Christianity did not come by force of arms, nor could it. Christianity will never come by Act of Parliament. The wisest of earth’s scholars, and the most astute of her politicians, can lift no finger to help the Kingdom of God save by coming in to the school of Jesus, and learning of Him by the inshining of the Holy Spirit.

- Morgan, G. C. (1897). Discipleship (pp. 30–31). New York; Chicago; Toronto: Fleming H. Revell Company (Retrieved from Logos Bible Software - http://bit.ly/1z9PWVp).

Resources

• Apps
• EWTN Global Catholic Network

• Daily Updates
• The Gospel of Life Today
• John Paul II Messenger Press

• Education
• Faith
• Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs
• The CATHOLICISM Study Program - Fr. Robert Barron created this groundbreaking program as a thematic presentation of what Catholics believe and why.
• Logos Bible Software and Study Programs - It's our privilege to equip pastors, students, missionaries, teachers, and the church at large with tools that make Bible study easier and more accessible.
• Logos Bible Study - Logos Bible Study’s global classroom contains hundreds of hours of audio and video bible lessons with Dr. Bill Creasy.
• Pillars - Catechism of the Catholic Church:
 Not Just How to be Catholic…but Why to be Catholic.
• St. Paul Center for Biblical Studies
• United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (Audio Book)
• Family
• Family Research Council
• Politics
• Constitution 101 (Hillsdale College)
• Constitutional Literacy
• EWTN Library (Search keyword: politics)
• Google Scholar (Search keyword: faithful citizenship)
• Liberty Classroom - The history and economics they didn't teach you (Tom Woods).
• Political Party Quiz | Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
• Religious Freedom (U.S. Department of State)

• Law
• Alliance Defending Freedom
• The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty
• Hudson Institute: Religious Freedom
• Pacific Justice Institute -  Legal defense organization specializing in defense of religious freedom, parental rights...
• Leadership
• Greenleaf: Center for Servant Leadership - The measure of a servant-leader's progress is in the answers found to the following questions, "Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"
• Light of the World
• Catholics Come Home
• EWTN - Global Catholic Network
• Life Teen
• Salt and Light TV
• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Xt3 - More than a Social Network
• Word on Fire
• Media
• Press
• Faithful Citizenship
• Radio
• American Catholic Radio
• Ave Maria Radio
• Vatican Radio
• Television
• Church Militant TV
• EWTN: Global Catholic Network
• Telcare TV
• Videos / Movies
• Faithful Citizenship
• The First Amendment in Five Minutes
• God in America: How Religious Liberty Shaped America (Available at NetFlix)
• Revew by U.S. Catholic
• How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization (Tom Woods)
• What are American virtues? (In Depth: Bill Bennett)

• Political Participation
• "Participation in political life is not optional" (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).  Faithful Citizenship: A Matter of Conscience
• Forming Conscience for Faithful Citizenship (USCCB)
• Freedomworks.org
• Religious Liberties (EWTN)
• Stand Up for Religious Freedom
• Tips for Writing to Your Legislators (Colorado Catholic Conference)
• Track the United States Congress
• Quotes on Conscience and Religious Freedom
• "Conscience is the most sacred of all property" (James Madison, para. 13)

• Tools to Promote Faithful Citizenship
• Bit.ly
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Voting
• CatholicVote.org
• Register to Vote and Voting Information (USA.gov)
• VoteCatholicTruth.org

"Catholicism...It's your story." (Fr. Barron)

Word on Fire: The Catholicism Project

Sin and Forgiveness

Love Forgiveness Reconciliation, by Judy Dodds

Pope in General Audience: Every two weeks I go to Confession
- RomeReports.com - Published on Nov 20, 2013

The spiritual effects of the sacrament of Penance are:

- reconciliation with God by which the penitent recovers grace
- reconciliation with the Church
 - remission of the eternal punishment incurred by mortal sins
- remission, at least in part, of temporal punishments resulting from sin
- peace and serenity of conscience, and spiritual consolation
- an increase of spiritual strength for the Christian battle
Catechism of the Catholic Church, para. 1496

Resources

• Brain Mind and Behavior: Emotions and Health (Video)
• Evangelize with honey, not vinegar, Cardinal Dolan says
• Forgiveness: Letting Go of Grudges and Bitterness (Mayo Clinic)
• Mirroring God's Compassion, Forgiveness & Grace - Msgr. Don L. Fischer
• Pope Francis: God never tires of forgiving us
• Definition of Sin (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
• Forgiveness of Sins (Catholic Answers)
• Penance and Reconciliation (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
• Power of Forgiveness: Forgive Others (Harvard Health Publications)
• Reconciliation Activities (CatholicMom.com)
• Sacraments: Reconciliation (AmericanCatholic.org)
• Ten Steps to Start Forgiving (Pauline)
• Reconciliation Activities (CatholicMom.com)

"When we seek forgiveness in a human relationship, the resolution of guilt can strengthen the love in that relationship,” Lynch said. “Likewise, when we ask for forgiveness of sins in confession, we have an opportunity to restore our relationship with the Father as a child of God.” - Archdioces of Denver

Organizations

• The Fetzer Institute - Engaging with people around the world to foster awareness of power love and forgiveness in our global community.
• Oregon Catholic Press - For more than 80 years, OCP has responded to the diverse and changing needs of churches and worshipers around the world.

Story Behind the Song: Forgiveness

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you." - Lewis B. Smedes

Confession: Roman Catholic App - Received an imprimatur from Bishop K. Rhodes

Being with the Energy of Love and Forgiveness




"Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in mercy." - Psalm 103:8

Published: 07.31.2013

Updated: 11.20.2013; 02.28.2014; 10.27.2014

Student Rights

     

AllianceDefendingFreedom.org

YOUCAT - Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church

As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental. As far as possible parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators. Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise. - Catechism of the Catholic Church, Paragraph 2229

Maryland Student Says Faith Drives Morals,
Denied Admission Twice -

"During his [Dustin Buxton] admission interview, Buxton told the interviewer that his faith drives his morals, in response to a specific question about what he views as his guiding life principles. His answer was deemed unacceptable..." - ACLJ, 09.28.2104





Liberty Counsel

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Catholic Education Newsletter

No Greater Love

Pursuing the Language of Conversion and Truth: The Good News of Christ - Synod fathers on updating church language

Fr. Rob Galea's latest single - Angel

The Urging of Christ's Love: The Saints and the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church

"[T]he author of a delightful book that introduces us to the principles of Catholic social teaching through the lives of the saints... His emphasis is not so much on the exposition of doctrines or texts, but on telling the stories of saints who have exemplified the principles contained in the Church’s teaching." - CatholicVote.org

Light of the World

When Jesus spoke to the people again, he said: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will not be walking in the dark, but will have the light of life. - John 8:12

+

Co-Workers of the Truth: Meditations for
Every Day of the Year
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

It is about dying to ego and rising
as a sacrament of Christ.
GodSpy: Faith at the Edge



Word on Fire

Re-experience the Catechism
Logos Bible Software

The Logos Catholic collection is indispensable
and invaluable for every priest, deacon, religious or lay faithful.
- Rev. Fr. John Trigilio Jr., PhD, ThD
Verbum: Study the Faith (Powered by Logos)

"...Through the harmonious and complementary efforts of all the ranks of the People of God, may this Catechism be known and shared by everyone, so that the unity in faith whose supreme model and origin is found in the Unity of the Trinity may be strengthened and extended to the ends of the earth" (John Paul, Catechism of the Catholic Church).

Published 12.31.2012
Updated: 09.06.2014