Living Faith

Prayer is an ongoing dialogue of intimate communion with God.Through prayer darkness is dispelled and the path of progress is illuminated. Through prayer we begin to understand why this communion seems so elusive at times; as we struggle with our own disordered appetites, and live in a manner at odds with the beauty and order of the creation within which we dwell only to find a new beginning whenever we confess our sin and return to our first love. Prayer opens us up to Revelation, expands our capacity to comprehend truth and equips us to change.

Reflection: Becoming Prayer

By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 8/22/2009

Through prayer, daily life takes on new meaning. It becomes a classroom of communion. CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - �Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.� (1 Thess. ...

U.S. Vocations Choosing Traditional Orders

Zenit News Agency • 8/21/2009

The report on 'Recent Vocations to the Religious Life' was prepared for last week's National Religious Vocation Conference. NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (Zenit.org) - Vocations in the United States are attracted to religious congregations by the example of the members, particularly by their testimony of ...

Requiem of the Innocents

By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 8/19/2009

I�d like to tell you about a gentle soul named Louis Canter, and the music he wants to share in order to spread a message of life, loss, and hope. CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) - There is nothing in the world so much like prayer as music is. (William P. Merrill) Like many of you, I am a ...

Mary, Icon for Humanity

By Michael Terheyden • Catholic Online • 8/15/2009

Why the emphasis on Mary at these particular times in history? KNOXVILLE, TN (Catholic Online) - In 1854 the Catholic Church declared that Mary was immaculately conceived. In 1950 the Church declared that she was assumed into heaven, though the belief is rooted in the ancient Christian Tradition. ...

Mary is a mirror, a reflection, of 'Some- One', her Beloved Son,Jesus Christ, the Eternal Word from the Father who became the Incarnate Word within her. The Savior whom she was privileged to bear for the sake of the world filled her with His grace.

The Assumption/Dormition: Mystery of Mary, Meaning of Life

By Deacon Keith Fournier • Catholic Online • 8/15/2009

'What came about in bodily form in Mary, the fullness of the godhead shining through Christ in the Blessed Virgin, takes place in a similar way in every soul' (Gregory of Nyssa) CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Catholic Online) � On August 15 in the Western Church we celebrate the great Feast of the Assumption of ...

Mary: The Ark of the New Covenant

By Sonja Corbitt • Catholic Online • 8/14/2009

The same Spirit that rested on the mercy seat of the Ark, filling the tabernacle �overshadowed� the Virgin Mary, the Ark of the New Covenant BETHPAGE, TN (Catholic Online) - Located in the Holy of Holies of the Old Testament tabernacle, the innermost chamber of the Holy Place, was a special piece ...

Mother Cabrini: Mother of all Real Estate

By Kathryn M. Cunningham • Catholic Online • 8/11/2009

The little girl from rural Italy who had little chance of survival became a missionary in ways that she never imagined. CHICAGO, Il. (Catholic Online) - Not unlike St. Therese of the Child Jesus Maria Francesca Cabrini longed to be a missionary to the Orient. By the time she was twenty-two she had ...

Reflection: Prayer is a Dialogue

By Kathryn M. Cunningham • Catholic Online • 8/11/2009

Prayer is meant to be a two way communication with God, nothing more, nothing less.Gather your courage and pray like Jeremiah did! CHICAGO, Il. (Catholic Online) - Through the centuries, theologians and exegetes have written endless volumes on the topic of prayer; where to pray, when to pray, ...

There is mystery here deep and profound�yet, as simple as the lesson learned under the broom tree by Elijah. God is searching for men and women who will surrender their lives in love to Him.

Learning to Live under the Broom Tree

By Deacon Keith A. Fournier • Catholic Online • 8/9/2009

A lesson from Elijah: Faith is often found under the broom tree where we learn to surrender our will to God and begin to hear His still small voice. CHESAPEAKE, VA (Catholic Online) - The first reading of the Liturgy for the Western Church on the 19th Sunday of the Year, Year B, is drawn from the ...

This week I took a little detour off the normal road and found myself at Crocodile Dock. I arrived with a weary heart, a burdened mind, and a tired body. Now after a week in the Hokeybadjokey Swamp with the fireflies and crocs and 150 kids, I�m gonna let you in on a little secret: Everything I need to know about God I learned at Vacation Bible School.

Everything I need to know about God I learned at Vacation Bible School

By Jennifer Hartline • Catholic Online • 8/8/2009

This week I took a little detour off the normal road and found myself at 'Crocodile Dock'. CHESAPEAKE,Va. (Catholic Online) - Remember that wonderful poster that says �Everything I need to know about life I learned in Kindergarten�? It reads: �Most of what I really need to know about how to ...