A Catholic eager to discuss the truth about Catholic Christianity.
Tonight my beloved and I returned from our monthly prayer group, blessed in the knowledge that our dear friends hold us close when they pray. We felt comforted not only by the Word of God but cosseted and enfolded in His love through the reaching out of this small group of workers in The Vineyard: our wonderful prayer group. This group has opened wide a new door of discovery and understanding for us, about the light of love that Our Lord holds over us.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on May 14, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/05/14/a-moment-that-mattered-2/
This is the festal icon of Holy Pentecost. This particular version is Russian, likely painted in the 16th Century for the Cathedral of St. Sophia in the city of Novgorod. It might not be what you expected to see for an image of this feastday.
Here is shown the birthday of the Church, but not those dramatic moments of rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the proclaimingof the Word in every language to amazed crowds, that are part of the Scriptural story of this wonderful day.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on May 14, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/05/14/the-icon-of-pentecost/
After a tough week, feeling downtrodden and hopeless, as I walked into Mass this morning, my heart slowly grew lighter. The Mass is the same always and everywhere no matter how you feel. It remains a constant. Unchanged and unchanging. 
It felt comforting to be in that familiar rhythm, waiting expectantly to receive the Lord, and nothing else really matters.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on April 27, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/04/27/a-moment-that-mattered/
I came across this video here. The CCC is such an important document, that all Catholics should own one. This comprehensive video gives you the reasons why it’s a good idea and is explicit in its content with regard to why and how it was put together.
The Catholic Faith is explained in detail in the CCC, and warrants further discussion within a parish group context.
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on April 23, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/04/23/an-introduction-to-the-catechism-of-the-catholic-churchdo-you-know-why-there-is-a-catechism/
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 31, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/31/easter-is-the-feast-of-the-new-creation-benedict-xvi/
Image@YouCatfacebook
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 30, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/30/it-is-finished-it-has-begun/
Image@catholicgagfacebook
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 23, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/23/three-in-a-row/
I found this quote here that spoke so clearly to me immediately:
I believe the Catholic Church provides many opportunities to focus on the Gospels. Actually being in the pew is the first step. An active Catholic participates, seeks out information, and is engaged in the many activities, including charitable causes.
If a person joins an organization by signing their name, seldom attends the meetings, never volunteers, and is not in sync with the group’s basic principles, would they be considered an active member?
The real question is what CHOICE do each of us make in meeting our spiritual challenges?
Are you one of the ‘Cafe Catholics’ who has not darkened the door of the church for some time or who has little knowledge about Christ at the centre of His Church? Has your knowledge of Faith stagnated and become fuzzy, so you just add little bits into your ‘faith’ because it feels more comfortable to do so, and fits into your understanding of a relationship of Jesus? Are you unsure about the truth of the Faith? Do you cringe and turn away from those who criticise the Church and end up agreeing with others’ statements about Jesus and what He teaches just to end a conversation? Do you have serious grievances against the Church which have never been heard? Do you generally go to church at Christmas and Easter but couldn’t be bothered to go to Confession or to receive Holy Communion? Do you feel uncomfortable about secular issues but can’t put you finger on why you feel this way? Do you openly criticise the tenets of ‘church and faith’ as a catholic?
There are so many inactive Catholics who have signed up and call themselves catholic! So many who are missing out on an exciting Spiritual Journey of Discovery:- the discovery of our Loving God and who He is, and how He can change our hearts and minds and make us notice things we’ve never recognised about Him before. Get active in your parish!… search for our Lord. He is to be found there…in our midst. Search for the answers to your Spiritual Challenges. Be prepared for changes that will most certainly come your way.
What better way is there to do this than by getting involved with a group or setting up a new group in your parish? I have had the pleasure of meeting many interesting people with many interesting talents with so much LOVE for our Lord. So much love to give. His Love oozes from them and in turn we are moved by His actions in them. We meet Him in them. It is in this way that we broaden our continuously growing knowledge of Love and how we understand this Love more in our giving to others . This well of Knowledge is deep and unending. The breadth and scope of what always seems to remain undiscovered spreads out in vast plains before us the more we search and thirst for our loving Father.
The youth of the parish exude a love for life asking urgent, challenging questions. The elderly preserve precious Traditions of the Church and in so doing, help us to understand those Traditions and grow more in love with our Lord. Our contemporaries support us in our Journey with a shoulder to lean on, prayers and understanding.
Parishes are built up and made stronger by those who volunteer their talents for the sake of others. It is there that we learn to understand the meaning of humility and tolerance for others that little bit more each and every time we’re involved. It is there that we have the opportunity to share our experiences of the Lord and our love of Him with others in a way that only He can do, and in so doing you can move someone into a deeper relationship with Him. It is there that we are accepted and loved for who we are without any prerequisites or judgement. It is there that we build up the Church on earth. We are the Body of Christ on earth.
Catholic parishes are full to the brim with a cross-section of cultures and life experiences with the Lord Jesus. Surely these experiences only work to build links and open invitations to getting to know God in yet again in another way through them? It is only there that you are exposed to the love given and received by your parish priest in ways sometimes most unexpected. You become witness to the many roles that you priest takes on a daily basis. The most important being: bringing Christ to those he is in contact with. Yes, you see Him at Mass and listen to him share the Gospels on a Sunday and hopefully, teaching about the Truth of our Faith: Jesus himself. Have you really listened to the Gospels for a message pointed straight at you? Have you chosen to listen to the Word of God?
I have been privileged to meet some of the most inspirational priests, religious and lay people who are experts in their fields who can go a long way in answering those burning questions about Jesus that may have simmered for so long. The Journey is slow, gentle and welcoming. Just make the CHOICE to be active in your Faith. Active in your parish and in so doing in the wider the community. Make the CHOICE to get to know Jesus.
What better way to make up your mind about coming back into The Fold: Finding out about what’s new in the Church, how God is working in Her midst, finding Peace and restitution in God’s provision of the Sacrament of Reconciliation and then of course, Christ himself in the Eucharist. Have you thought about making an appointment with your parish priest to ask questions, ask for guidance or ask your challenging Spiritual questions? I think you may be pleasantly surprised.
Fancy the idea of making a change for the better? Come back to Church!
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 23, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/23/the-real-question-is-what-choice-do-each-of-us-make-in-meeting-our-spiritual-challenges/
Entry to Jerusalem
Image@http://godspace.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/palm-sunday-prayer-2013/
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 22, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/22/palm-sunday-the-day-after-tomorrow-and-holy-week-begins/
This sums up pretty much how I’ve been feeling over the past 10 days or so….I could’n't have put it better myself! (My additions: capitals and bold type)
Requesting that the people pray for him as he begins to journey on Peter’s Way.
Pope Francis has filled many of us with Hope. An ancient hope that leadership is both about inspiration and Servanthood. That our Greatest Leader set an example by laying down His Life, and all true leaders are invited to follow the same path perhaps not by shedding their blood yet shedding their own preferences for those they lead and of course serve.
Francesco resonates just as it did in the thirteenth century when both the simplicity of the ascetic’s way of life attracted multitudes to a Church that had often appeared distant from their experiences and aspirations, whilst also creating a New Evangelisation that embraced both poor and rich, yet knit both polarities together in a single goal; to love both God and neighbour.
The years ahead I sense will be years of refreshment and deep renewal in the lived out message of the church and in a simple and comprehensible articulation of the Gospel of Salvation for all. Pax et bonum!
(A comment I read as a comment made by the on made by the contemplativeactivist)
I want one of these!
Posted by 1catholicsalmon on March 20, 2013
http://1catholicsalmon.com/2013/03/20/pope-francis-st-francis-of-assisi-would-be-proud/
