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Stonewood, West Virginia

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Browsing News Entries

Litany of the Saints: Prayer of the Day for Friday, November 01, 2024

Lord, have mercy on us. CHRIST, have mercy on us. LORD, have mercy on us. CHRIST, hear us. CHRIST, graciously hear us. GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, have mercy on us. GOD THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, have mercy on us. GOD THE HOLY GHOST, have mercy on us. HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD, have mercy on us. HOLY MARY, pray for us. HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, pray for us. HOLY VIRGIN OF VIRGINS, pray for us. ST. MICHAEL, pray for us. ST. GABRIEL, pray for us. ST. RAPHAEL, pray for us. ...

St. Valentine Berrio-Ochoa: Saint of the Day for Friday, November 01, 2024

Bishop and martyr of Vietnam. A native of Ellorio, Spain, he entered the Dominican Order and was sent to the Philippines. From there he went to Vietnam in 1858, serving as a vicar apostolic and titular bishop until betrayed by an apostate. He was martyred by beheading with St. Jerome Hermosilla and Blessed Peter Amato, by enemies of the Church. He was canonized in 1988 by Pope John Paul II.

Time Well Spent

On March 14, 2019, NASA rockets ignited, catapulting astronaut Christina Koch toward the International Space Station. Koch wouldn’t return to earth for 328 days, giving her the record for the longest continuous space flight by a woman. Every day, living roughly 254 miles above the earth, a screen kept track of Koch’s time in five-minute increments. She had a myriad of daily tasks to complete (from meals to experiments), and—hour after hour—a red line inched along the display, constantly showing whether Koch was ahead or behind schedule. Not a moment to waste.

While certainly not recommending anything so intrusive as a red line ruling over our life, the apostle Paul did encourage us to carefully use our precious, limited resource of time. “Be very careful then, how you live,” Paul wrote, “not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15–16). God’s wisdom instructs us to fill our days with intention and care, employing them to practice obedience to Him, to love our neighbor, and to participate in Jesus’ ongoing redemption in the world. Sadly, it’s entirely possible to ignore wisdom’s instruction and instead use our time foolishly (v. 17), frittering away our years in selfish or destructive pursuits.

The point isn’t to obsessively fret about time but simply to follow God in obedience and trust. He will help us make the most of our days.

St. Wolfgang: Saint of the Day for Thursday, October 31, 2024

Wolfgang (d. 994) + Bishop and reformer. Born in Swabia, Germany, he studied at Reichenau under the Benedictines and at Wurzburg before serving as a teacher in the cathedral school of Trier. He soon entered the Benedictines at Einsiedeln (964) and was appointed head of the monastery school, receiving ordination in 971. He then set out with a group of monks to preach among the Magyars of Hungary, but the following year (972) was named bishop of Regensburg by Emperor Otto II (r. 973-983). As ...

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

For years, one of my favorite online magazines Has been Crisis. In 2013, they offered an insightful article on Halloween by Sean Fitzpatrick entitled All Hallows Eve or Halloween? Like many, I have been all over the place on this matter. I respect the various ways in which Catholics and other Christians choose to approach it. However, I think it is helpful to consider the context.

Since when did Halloween become a Christian holiday?

If there's one holiday Christians might like to skip, Halloween is probably the most common choice. It's dark, macabre, celebrates evil, and encourages vice. If not for the kids who look forward to buckets of free candy, most of us would be happy to let it pass unobserved. But does Halloween have a bad rap? Or is the condemnation deserved?

Since when did Halloween become a Christian holiday?

If there's one holiday Christians might like to skip, Halloween is probably the most common choice. It's dark, macabre, celebrates evil, and encourages vice. If not for the kids who look forward to buckets of free candy, most of us would be happy to let it pass unobserved. But does Halloween have a bad rap? Or is the condemnation deserved?

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

For years, one of my favorite online magazines Has been Crisis. In 2013, they offered an insightful article on Halloween by Sean Fitzpatrick entitled All Hallows Eve or Halloween? Like many, I have been all over the place on this matter. I respect the various ways in which Catholics and other Christians choose to approach it. However, I think it is helpful to consider the context.

Memorare: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, October 31, 2024

Remember, most loving Virgin Mary, never was it heard that anyone who turned to you for help was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, though burdened by my sins, I run to you for protection for you are my mother. OR Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help or sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of ...

The Great Divide

In a classic Peanuts comic strip, Linus’ friend berates him for his belief in the Great Pumpkin. Walking away dejectedly, Linus says, “There are three things I have learned never to discuss with people . . . religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin!”

The Great Pumpkin existed only in Linus’ head, but the other two topics are oh-so-real—dividing nations, families, and friends. The problem occurred in Jesus’ day as well. The Pharisees were deeply religious and tried to follow the Old Testament law to the letter. The Herodians were more political, yet both groups wanted to see the Jewish people freed from Roman oppression. Jesus didn’t seem to share their goals. So they approached Him with a politically charged question: should the people pay taxes to Caesar? (Mark 12:14–15). If Jesus said yes, the people would resent Him. If He said no, the Romans could arrest Him for insurrection.

Jesus asked for a coin. “Whose image is this?” He asked (v. 16). Everyone knew it was Caesar’s. Jesus’ words resonate today: “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” (v. 17). His priorities in order, Jesus avoided their trap.

Jesus came to do His Father’s will. Following His lead, we too can seek God and His kingdom above all else, directing the focus away from all the dissension and toward the One who is the Truth.