Ordinary Old Catholic Me

Giving George Mackay Brown His Due

I love it when I find something and someone new who intrigues me. Today, is the first part of two on the poet and short story writer from the Orkney Islands (Northeast of Scotland) named George Mackay Brown. Naturally, there is a Catholic connection. And while some might say that Brown lived an ordinary life in a small place, in fact even that place was extraordinary and its impact on him also. And that impact gave us his creative legacy.
 

Faith, Understanding and Just Hanging On

So, I read a really small article related to the scientific method. It reminded me of the phrase, "Faith Precedes Understanding" which brought me to the related phrase "Faith Seeks Understanding" and which led to the various considerations of the next half hour. 

Hell is Well Paved, Alas

In part, the decision of the USCCB to create a "teaching document" related to Eucharistic coherence and the teachings of the Church got me thinking about the phrase, "Hell is paved with Good Intentions".  Here's my take on things. 

How My Cat Reminded Me of the Goodness and Love of God

Real life meets faith life. My Tortoise Shell Cat does a really vindictive thing and reminds me of how we behave in relation to the God of the Universe and how He somehow still loves us. 

If I Could Go Back in Time

Need Inspiration? Think of a time during the life of Christ, pre and post Resurrection to lighten the load of the world, He who took our sins upon Himself. I have my favorites. Go back in time to your own. 

Let Him Speak

Father James Altman of La Crosse, Wisconsin's St. James the Less Parish has become a vocal advocate for the teachings of the Catholic Faith by calling out Catholics in politics who visibly vary from it. However you view him, religious, non-religious, left, right or in no category, why should he be silenced while other clerics so clearly veer in their views from 2000 years of teaching of the Church. Let him Speak!

Beware the Atheistic Moment

Sometimes it feels like things are so difficult, you can't pray. You are not sure you even believe anymore. This is the Atheistic Moment. The Devil is like the Jabberwock, of whom a child might be afraid. Beware the Devil and his temptation of you to despair. 

Sin Becomes Sanctity?

A few bishops wanted to take Joe Biden's defiance of Catholic Teaching on, but the Vatican wants more "dialogue". This is crazymaking. An Ordinary Catholic gnashes her teeth. 

Fido in Heaven?

I love cats. I love all animals. I want to see every pet I have ever had, in heaven. Is that a reasonable expectation? Does it accord with Catholic teaching? Is it a matter of clarity? 
Let's explore. 

Our Hidden Heroes

I have been thinking about people in my life who made it better. It didn't have to be perfect, and no one is, nor can anyone make our lives so, but they moved us along. And those interactions were heroic because in some way they saved us. They might not have even known it. 
I tell you some of mine. I would love to read about some of yours!