by Barbara | Nov 7, 2020
Pray for us oh holy Mother of God! He approached the table where I was seated and took the seat next to mine posing a question about how I knew that Mary really interceded in my life, and could the blessings I encountered really be possible? Perhaps, I could give him...
by Barbara | Oct 31, 2020
It is Halloween 2020. Frankly, I feel like we have been living this crazy holiday nightmare for months. We have been wearing masks, dining out of bags we pick up outside of doors from other masked humans, and hope that the contents are safe to eat. I have observed...
by Barbara | Oct 24, 2020
I had a lot of time as I recuperated to consider this question. I believe it is imperative for every Catholic to ponder personally as well. For me, foremost is the fact that Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity, was Incarnated, gathered to Himself and formed...
by Barbara | Oct 17, 2020
What if at your next doctor’s appointment the conversation went something like this. Doctor: “How’s your diet? Getting enough exercise? Is that mole new? Where are you on the road to heaven?” Patient: “Excuse me, what? Did you ask about my son Devon?” Doctor: “I...
by Barbara | Sep 30, 2020
“There never was a time, O God of Love, when your mind and your heart were not concerned about me.” (St. J. Eudes) That is one powerful sentence! It bears deeper reflection. I cannot fathom this kind of pure, selfless love. How could this God of ours truly be...
by Barbara | Sep 3, 2020
“Lord, Lord open the door for us!” But he said in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matt 25:13) I have had my share of bad news as many of you have. Getting a diagnosis which leaves us...
by Barbara | Aug 13, 2020
For a few months now in the daily readings, I have noticed an overarching theme proclaimed through the prophets. Here are a few examples. “Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt.” (Hosea 14:2) “Unless your faith is firm you...
by Barbara | Aug 6, 2020
Like the disciples in the Gospel of Matthew, it can feel like we too are in a boat being tossed by wind and waves like a mere toy. We know not how long this tempest will blow or where it will leave us physically, emotionally, economically, or spiritually. We all keep...
by Barbara | Jul 23, 2020
On Sunday we will hear about God appearing to young Solomon in a dream and say, “Ask something of me and I will give it to you.” Who needs the lottery! Solomon was granted what most of us can only wish for with the words “Ask anything…” The God who created the...
by Barbara | Jul 22, 2020
August 2016 If you have never visited the southwest you might not think anything grows here that doesn’t have a thorn. Our yard, like most in the desert, is a mixture of stone, grass, succulents and tropical plants. Now it goes without saying that water is a rare and...
by Barbara | Jul 22, 2020
May 2010 After the generous spring rains here in Phoenix, we have been blessed with an array of beautiful wildflowers and a rare green hue covering the mountainsides. We also have been overwrought with an abundance of weeds. One must take the good with the bad as they...
by Barbara | Jul 2, 2020
We are but a few days away from another Independence Day holiday. I dare say this one will be different than the previous sixty I have been alive to celebrate. This year has been something of a disaster and an opportunity for all of us worldwide. We have had...
by Barbara | Jun 18, 2020
These infamous words uttered by God in the Garden of Eden are as relevant today as then. It was not as if God did not know where the newlyweds were hiding after their encounter with the serpent. Nor, that the temptation to eat from the forbidden fruit was too...
by Barbara | May 21, 2020
Mark and I had the chance to go out to dinner now that the restaurants are starting to open inside. My sweet husband asked our waiter if it “felt good to be back?” To which he responded, “I just needed to get away from the kids.” In one sense, we got it. This has been...
by Barbara | May 15, 2020
There are the plans we make; and then there are God’s plans. Sometimes, they line up. Take for instance last week. I thought I had it all figured out. Easy trip to the airport with one small caveat, the necessary requirement of bringing the old family dog into the...
by Barbara | May 13, 2020
I sometimes feel like shag carpeting with lots of life left and great stories to tell- but not as vibrant and exciting as the new Berbers. Yet, I believe with all my heart, that God called me to ministry at St. Andrew the Apostle. God’s timing is perfect. Never in my...
by Barbara | Apr 29, 2020
We all eagerly await the time when we can return to Mass and receive the Eucharist. It has been a long Springtime away from the “Bread of Life.” The closer we get to something that we want, the harder it is to contain our excitement. So, it is with the Co-Vid 19...
by Barbara | Apr 25, 2020
Sitting here in the glory of this spring morning, a quiet breeze touches my cheek and tickles the leaves as it passes by. It’s intoxicating fragrance dances in my nostrils. Amazingly I am at peace, sucking in every possible ounce of this moment. I am usually running...
by Barbara | Apr 23, 2020
I would like to think that it all started with a “Y- cord.” Years ago, at one of my very first marriage prep classes, I got sucked into using more technology at St. Andrew’s when teaching. It has been a love/hate relationship ever since. Sometimes no matter how...
by Barbara | Apr 14, 2020
In the uncharted waters of this pandemic in our lives, the media seems to hyper-focus on all the pain, sadness, doom and gloom, they can possibly suck out of this current situation. Lots of armchair quarterbacks and back seat drivers point fingers on what should have,...
by Barbara | Apr 12, 2020
There is nothing you can ever do to make God love you less. Nothing. This is very hard for us human creatures to wrap our heads around. A love so generous we can’t do anything to lessen it. Jesus came to make this point perfectly and tangibly obvious through His life...