by Barbara | Apr 13, 2014
Happy Palm Sunday to all! This begins Holy Week in preparation for the most amazing event in all of human history-The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Really deliberately think about this event all week. Enter into it. This is love, real love. Laying down...
by Barbara | Mar 31, 2014
Who is Jesus? If God, then why bother with humanity, let alone descend into our fallen nature and become one of us? I see the value in what the insect world does, but I would never want to become one and show them a better way. Yet, God who loved us into being, in...
by Barbara | Mar 17, 2014
Driving down the road yesterday I couldn't help but notice the brilliance of the colors as they exploded in the morning sunlight. The San Diego Reds were on fire, the Palo Verde burst forth green and yellow buds, even the normally dull grey mountains seemed to stretch...
by Barbara | Mar 8, 2014
Today held great promise. I breezed through security, (unheard of). Got right on my flight to Los Angeles and was looking forward to some time with my other daughter and new grandbaby, who could of known or flight would have to be turned back half way there limping...
by Barbara | Feb 26, 2014
This great quote from St Ambrose bears deeper reflection; "Stronger than the person who conquers the strongest fortresses, is the one who conquers himself; nor is there any greater height of virtue." "Conquering self", what is that all about? There is a great term...
by Barbara | Feb 3, 2014
I am not a sports fan. I have what might be labeled a nostalgic affection for the Broncos because I grew up in the Mile High City. We attended a Superbowl party and mingled with the few people we see once a year at this party. For all the hype this event gets, it's no...
by Barbara | Jan 28, 2014
I got a chance tonight to grab a few friends and go see "Gimme Shelter" staring Vanessa Hudgens. I was looking forward to supporting a movie that would tell the story of a young woman's struggle through a harrowing life and teen pregnancy. It would be a movie that...
by Barbara | Jan 10, 2014
Saint Catherine of Siena writes, "...what the devil can't do by himself, he does by using other people..." At times, we humans are attempting to navigate the world in all its storms and confusion on our own. While we are surrounded by the complexity and exquisite...
by Barbara | Jan 7, 2014
A group of us were invited to go see "Mama Mia" live on stage the other night. I remember viewing the movie a couple of years ago and not liking it at some point, but I couldn't remember why. As the musical danced its way into my memory bank, it became increasingly...
by Barbara | Jan 4, 2014
As I worked on some things at home today, I flipped on Catholic Radio and was amazed at how many outstanding websites, quotes, book titles and free useful tips I got. I was inspired, touched in my heart and gifted in more ways than I thought possible. I had to stop...
by Barbara | Jan 2, 2014
What is it we do most in the New Year? Make resolutions, right? Like everyone else, I think the new year is a great time to start again, do over, and reboot. Why I think the new year is a better time than say tomorrow morning or this afternoon is a mystery. Maybe I...
by Barbara | Dec 27, 2013
Well it is the 27th of December and the Christmas trees are piling up over in the empty lot for pick up. Seriously? Here in America it is quickly off to the next major way to make a buck. Many of us observed with disdain as space committed to Valentine's Day and St....
by Barbara | Dec 13, 2013
"Jesus, takes the initiative to meet man through his Mother." (Msgr. Sanchez) As I continue to read, ponder and reflect on the role of the Virgin Mary, I come to love her and honor her all the more. Her fiat was a blank check paid for in tears and with immense love....
by Barbara | Dec 11, 2013
Oh December...why must ye fly so quickly by? I've much to do, no time to sigh. Cards to mail, gifts to buy and chocolate to bake, I'm not gonna lie. Perhaps we might consider, elongating this month, a simple fort nigh'? Why imagine the time it would buy! We could...
by Barbara | Dec 8, 2013
Everywhere we look there are signs. They point us to destinations, tell us when to use caution, where to go to find something, seek help and so on. What are the signs we find at this time of the year? The weather has changed, the leaves have fallen, brilliant light...
by Barbara | Dec 4, 2013
Arrival of what perhaps you ask . What is so important, am I up for the task? There are presents to buy, wrap and give, I have a life and I've got it to live. It's Christmas after all, what's else matters, Lights and trees, and gifts that flatter. What does it matter...
by Barbara | Dec 4, 2013
Tis the season for sweets to be sure. Amateur and professional bakers and candy makers let visions of possibilities dance in their heads. I am no different and have a particular affection for all things sweet. My training, albeit incomplete was in pastry and it has...
by Barbara | Nov 23, 2013
Trying to come up with an intentional and authentic name for a blog is challenging. It needs to encompass a bit of who we are, and inviting enough for further readership outside of ones own loving mother. I ended up choosing; Poured Myself Out In Gift. It is not...
by Barbara | Aug 31, 2013
I really can’t remember the last time that a homily made me squirm in my seat and cast a downward glance at being convicted of my sinfulness. I can’t call to mind ever leaving mass with a zeal and fiery passion to go make a difference that was so hot I wanted to jump...
by Barbara | Aug 19, 2013
I would like to think that it all started with the “Y” cord, but I know that is not so. Maybe it would be more accurate to state that perhaps it started with the words, why not. We were presenting a marriage preparation class to thirty-five couples the other day, and...
by Barbara | Aug 17, 2013
"Just about the worst thing we can do with Jesus is to domesticate him, to turn him into a nice, harmless figure, simply a teller of tales and wise spiritual teacher. He announces himself as an arsonist: "I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were...