My uncle-in-law just died of Cancer. I am going to his funeral on the day this particular essay is being published. My father-in-law John Nealon just suffered the death of his first sibling, in whom there are 5 in the family. At the wake of one of his friends who died recently, he remarked ‘It’s his generation’s time to die”. My friend Marshall lost his first sibling over a year ago. There are also 5 in his family. He has... Read more
My online friend Avellina Balestri has allowed me to reprint something she wrote on Facebook. Avellina Balestri is a Catholic author, editor, speaker, musician, and historian based in the scenic Pennsylvania-Maryland (Penn-Mar) borderlands, nearby the Gettysburg Battlefield and the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton. Her Italian-American heritage is in synergy with her passion for spirituality and the arts. Avellina is the Editor-in-Chief of Fellowship & Fairydust, a literary magazine inspiring faith and creativity & exploring the arts through a... Read more
Life in 1889 1889 is the crossroads where the descendants, living persons and ancestors of previous, current and future influencers meet on the chronological timeline of Earth’s history. This is a extensive short list of some of the highlights of important events and people who lived and shaped that year. Including A new tourist site in France. The company that eventually gave us Super Mario Bros The forerunner of the modern pizza. A company that gave us the world’s favorite... Read more
I’ve always liked writing. When I was young my mother would write down stories for me as I dictated to her the words that flowed out of my young mind. June 30th, 1977: Mark will not let me alone. He wants me to write about him so he can know what he did when he was small. He wants to be sure I put in that Laurie stepped on his toe. He wants also to have me put in about... Read more
As I was saying goodbye to my Uncle in-law at the hospital after finishing up a visit, I casually said to him, “Perhaps we will have a new pope by the end of the day.” Kristin and I then proceeded to the hospital cafeteria where we would partake of the scrumptious savory delight that is hospital food. We both got the chicken cordon bleu which is something we don’t eat too often. As we were sitting in the lunchroom, my... Read more
I thought it important as a Catholic blogger to say something on the start of the Conclave. I had 90 minutes to complete this before I needed to go to work. So here is what I came up with. This is what happen in the last 12 popes leading up to 2025. NOTE: All descriptions taken from Wikipedia Vatican 1 Popes Papal Conclave of 1846 Ballots: 4 Days: 2 The papal conclave held from 14 to 16 June 1846 saw the election... Read more
Do you sometimes struggle as a writer? I sure do. When I can’t seem to motivate myself to plunge into the pool of creative creation, I ponder the obstacles obstructing my way. I take those ponderings and mold them into writing tips I tell myself so that I can actually use them to construct something someone can actually read. Otherwise, they float around in my head and eventually grow tired and die. Hope reflection on writing helps some fellow writers... Read more
In a guest article for the Catholic Bard Fr Matthew Mary Bartow has allowed us to share his testimony of how he went from a harsh critic of Pope Francis to a staunch defender of Pope Francis. This is the Catholic Bard’s 750th post on the feast of St. Athanasius. Fr. Matthew is priest at Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word and Assistant Chaplain at EWTN and has a very bright Facebook presence, which is where I found this article.... Read more
Pope Francis has officially given the office of Peter his letter of resignation. It was signed with his death. The memories of what he did are stored away for the current and future generations to look at and ponder. One fine way to reflect on the papacy of Pope Francis is to read what he wrote or spoke. The Vatican website is chock full of his writings. I’ve combed through the archives of his papal documents and gathered a sampling... Read more
Daughter of Stanisław Kowalski (May 06, 1868 – July 10, 1946) and Marianna Kowalska (March 08, 1875 – February 17, 1965) were the parents of St. Faustina Kowalska (August 25, 1905 – 5 October 5, 1938) She had apparitions of Jesus Christ which inspired the Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy, therefore she is sometimes called the “secretary” of Divine Mercy. On 10 October 1937, in her diary (Notebook IV, item 1320) Kowalska attributed the following statement to Jesus: At three o’clock, implore My mercy, especially for sinners;... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In