by Barbara | Mar 3, 2014
Yes, it surprises me too-it is March already. Seriously, it was just Halloween last week. After hitting the double nickel in December I swear that time has just been accelerated by 55%. Even the people half my age are commenting on how fast this year has gone. What...
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 31, 2014
We were driving to a family event the other day with several of the kids in tow. Kids in this context refer to a seventeen, twenty and twenty-three year old. My dessert was carefully stowed in the back of our suburban. The back-seat inhabitants were safely plugged in...
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 | Dec 1, 2013
This is my 54th Advent and it never gets old. It is a time for me to anticipate, renew, and realize the reality of Christ making "all things new." No matter how awful life can get from time to time, no matter how frustrated and seemingly hopeless we let ourselves...
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 24, 2013
"Faith and hope are given to us in prayer. So without prayer, we are unable to love." (S.O.G. Madeline Delbrel) I never thought of it in this way and yet I know it to be true. When we pray we tap into the single greatest source of hope- the Lord. Our faith might be a...
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...