BIG C CATHOLICS

Thought of the Day Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers. -- Mother Teresa

To those who have served/are serving this nation in uniform we are in your debt. To everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice or been wounded in preserving our freedom, we offer our heartfelt prayers and gratitude. This Memorial Day, thank a veteran.

Saint Longinus (pictured) is the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus in the side with a lance. He is the centurion present at the Crucifixion, who testified, "In truth this man was the son of God." Longinus converted to Christianity after the Crucifixion and became a martyr.

Robert Colquhoun A child is a blessing to parents. A new baby girl or boy is a new soul that did not exist before. Parents co-operate with the creative power of God in procreation. This comes with a profound responsibility in bringing up children. As secular society has lost the reverence for the wellsprings of human life, Christians are called to be salt for the earth in having respect for the transmission of life and love. What do parents want for their children? Most parents want their children to be happy, well educated, well informed and well brought up. The majority of Catholics want their children to have a strong mature faith, the courage and ability to make good life choices, faithfulness to Church teaching and to live in a state of grace. Most parents want their children to be living a Sacramental life, going to Mass, having a good prayer life and doing works of charity in support of the vulnerable. How do parents prepare their children for heaven? We need to be able to teach...

Thought of the Day Believe me, the writing of pious books, the composing of the sublimest poetry; all that does not equal the smallest act of self-denial -- St Therese of Lisieux

Fr. Rene Butler Imagine you are one of the disciples gathered in the upper room, Acts 1:14 – “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” You hear something like a mighty wind. You see something like tongues of fire. You feel something happening within you and in the whole group. You do something: you start to speak in ways you have never spoken before. This is a pivotal event in the life of the disciples. The death and resurrection of Jesus were pivotal for their faith. Pentecost is pivotal for their life. Nothing will ever be the same again. We have all had experiences we will never forget. Whether they are positive or negative, they are pivotal. They are more than memories to us. In the creed we say: “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life.” This is more than remembering. “The Lord formed man from the earth and blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and so man became a livi...