by Barbara | May 10, 2014
Tomorrow dawns on the continental U.S. as mother's everywhere are remembered and cherished by cards, calls and candy. Not necessarily in that order or limited to those means of gratitude. I too am a mother and now a grandmother, but it wasn't always so. The road to...
by Barbara | May 5, 2014
At least one hundred times or more I've said, "We are created by Love for love." While I would love to take credit for such a simple yet profound statement I would be lying and taking credit for someone else's inspiration. Caryll Houselander, a deceased British...
by Barbara | Apr 23, 2014
"What are you discussing as you walk along?" Jesus asks the disciples heading to the village of Emmaus. "Looking downcast," they related the events of the last few days involving Jesus. Their eyes were prevented from seeing it was Jesus Himself to whom they were...
by Barbara | Apr 14, 2014
"Behold this heart that loves so much yet is so little loved." From Jesus to St. Mary Margaret. Imagine the pain of rejection on an infinite level after so great a sacrifice. Jesus further speaks, "When you give me your sins, you give me the joy of being your Savior."...
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 | Apr 8, 2014
Exciting news permeates the air as two of our sons posed the question of life-long commitment, and never ending love to their girlfriends. Both said yes and so the fun and planning begins. I love how our family is growing. The amazing gift of observing them as they...
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 | 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...