Church

Christmas was Holy, Not Perfect

Christmas wasn’t calm or quiet, and it certainly wasn’t picture-perfect. It was messy, chaotic, and real—Mary with a newborn in a crowded, cold barn, surrounded by animals and strangers. Maybe that’s the point: the most extraordinary moments often arrive in the midst of disorder, reminding us that hope and love don’t need perfection to shine.…

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Threading the Needle

There’s something about a narrow path that immediately makes you slow down. You can’t rush it. You can’t stroll carelessly. You place your steps with intention, aware of every shift in the ground, every bend that hides what’s next. It’s uncomfortable sometimes, even frustrating, but it also pulls a deeper focus out of you—one you…

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Safe in His Shadow

There’s something deeply comforting about shadows—not the kind that hide things, but the kind that protect. The kind you find on a blazing summer day when you step under a tree and instantly feel the coolness wrap around you. That’s the kind of shadow Psalm 91 talks about. Not darkness, not fear, but safety. A…

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When the Storm Doesn’t Stop

Sometimes the waves don’t quiet down. The winds don’t ease. The chaos doesn’t settle. You pray for peace, and instead of changing your surroundings, God changes you. We often want the storm to stop. We want clarity, calm, and control. But sometimes, God lets the storm rage while whispering peace into our hearts. Because the…

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When You Don’t Know What to Do, Listen to What God Says

We’ve all been there—staring at life, wondering what on earth we’re supposed to do next. The plans we made fall apart, the path we thought was clear suddenly turns foggy, and we’re left whispering, “God, I don’t know what to do.” And in that quiet moment, before panic takes over, He whispers back, “I’ll direct…

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The Things You Need to Let Go Of to Truly Live Free

There’s a strange kind of peace that comes when you finally stop gripping life so tightly. We spend so much time trying to hold it all together—trying to control what happens next, to fix what’s already happened, and to make sure everyone approves of how we’re doing it. But maybe freedom isn’t found in control.…

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The Quiet Strength Behind Every Sacrifice

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.” — Proverbs 1:8 There’s something almost sacred about the quiet sacrifices a mother makes. They’re not always loud or seen or even acknowledged, but they shape everything — who we are, what we value, how we love. A mother’s love has…

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Washed in the Word: A Cleansing We All Need

There’s something deeply refreshing about a shower at the end of a long day. The dirt, sweat, and weariness wash away, and you feel renewed. But just as our bodies need cleansing, so do our hearts and minds. That’s what Paul is pointing to in Ephesians 5:26 when he says Christ cleanses His people “by…

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Beautifully Woven

Have you ever paused to think about how intentionally you were made? Not by accident, not by chance—but by design. The words, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb,” (Psalm 139:13) hold a profound truth: you are a masterpiece, handcrafted with love. Knitting is an intimate process. Each…

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When Your Strength Runs Out, I Will Carry You

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” There’s a quiet kind of power in those four words: “I will carry you.” Not “I might,” not “if…

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No Mess Is Too Big for Him to Find You

In the shadows of life’s darkest alleys, where brokenness meets despair, there is One who runs—not walks—after us. That’s what this powerful illustration captures: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, sprinting down a grimy, cluttered alleyway, chasing a lone, frightened sheep. A mess surrounds them—garbage bins toppled, windows broken, the alley drenched in a heavy darkness. But…

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The First Step: When Faith Meets the Floodwaters

There’s something sacred about a first step. It’s the tremble in your chest before you speak up. The pause before you apply for the job. The shaky trust before you forgive. The moment you choose to believe—before anything around you changes. In Joshua 3, the Israelites stand at the edge of the Jordan River, bursting…

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A New Dawn: Pope Leo XIV

The world held its breath. Whispers echoed through St. Peter’s Square. Then, the white smoke billowed, and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica began their joyous peal. But the name on everyone’s lips was not one many had predicted: Cardinal Robert Provost. In a stunning turn of events, the College of Cardinals has elected the…

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When You’re at Rock Bottom, God Is Already There

There’s a quote I came across recently that stopped me in my tracks: “We are never so low that He is not beneath us.” It’s one of those lines that doesn’t shout, but instead whispers something so powerful you can feel it settle in your bones. And if you’ve ever felt broken, unseen, or hopeless…

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A Shepherd of Simplicity: My Journey with Pope Francis

The day the white smoke billowed from the Sistine Chapel, the world held its breath. I remember the shock, the sheer disbelief, when “Jorge Mario Bergoglio” was announced as our new Pope. A Jesuit? It was a moment that defied all expectations, a gentle earthquake that rattled the foundations of what I thought I knew…

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Finding Peace in the Midst of Life’s Storms

There’s something arresting about the image of a stormy sea—waves crashing, winds howling, and uncertainty swirling. In such moments, fear can feel all-consuming, and the world around us seems too vast, too powerful to conquer. Yet, in the midst of that chaos, one truth remains: No wave is bigger than the One who walks on…

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25 Things to Give Up This Lent

Lent is a season of reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. It’s a time to pause, look inward, and let go of the things that weigh us down or distance us from our faith. While many people focus on giving up chocolate or social media, Lent is also an opportunity to release habits and mindsets that…

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Carols with a Twist

Christmas carols have long been a beloved part of the holiday season, evoking memories of joy, togetherness, and the timeless message of hope. But what if these cherished melodies could be reimagined with a fresh perspective? “Carols with a Twist” explores how traditional carols with a message for today’s world. These have been put together…

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Thanksgiving Quotes!

Gratitude is the heart’s response to God’s blessings. As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the wisdom of the saints who lived lives of profound thankfulness. Their words inspire us to see the hand of God in every joy, trial, and blessing. I came across this post on churchpop’s instagram…

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Just Like A Child

You’ve probably sung the hymn “Just Like a Child” many many times. It is a popular Catholic hymn that reflects a desire for childlike faith, trust, and humility in approaching God. Its origins trace back to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement, which emerged in the late 20th century as part of a broader movement emphasizing…

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Story behind the song: ‘Precious Lord,Take my Hand’

On July 1, 1899, little notice was taken of a baby boy of color, born in Villa Rica, Ga., a small town some 40 miles west of Atlanta. He, one of seven brothers and sisters, was around the church most of his early life. His dad was a devout Baptist preacher, and his mother was…

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If Bible Figures Were Your Teachers….

Absolutely love the Archdiocese of Bombay’s social media team. Today’s post on teachers day is fantastic. Our teachers’ have left us with lessons that last a lifetime. Here are a few incredible lessons from the greatest classroom of all – the Bible!

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The Joy of Being a Catechist: A Calling Beyond the Classroom

Teaching has always been a noble profession, but there’s something uniquely fulfilling about being a catechist. On this Teacher’s Day, I thought of sharing the profound joy and sense of purpose that comes with guiding young hearts and minds in faith. A Role of Eternal Impact Sunday school teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge—it’s about…

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7 Things You Can Do For Your Priests

Vianney Sunday, observed in honor of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of parish priests, offers a unique opportunity for parish communities to show their appreciation for the dedication and hard work of their priests. Priests play a vital role in the spiritual guidance and well-being of their congregations, often going above and beyond their…

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Love your Priests

According to recent studies… many priests quit each year. They don’t quit because they have a lack of faith in God. They don’t quit because they don’t believe in the calling God has placed on their life. Most don’t even quit because of financial reasons. Priests quit because they are overwhelmed with mental exhaustion. Until…

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St. Anne’s Parish, Dallas

I had the MOST AMAZING mass ever! Probably the best mass I’ve ever attended. I can’t recall feeling like this ever. Firstly I was reluctant to get out as it was raining. But then I said cmon, let’s go. And when I entered the church ⛪️ there was a full band practicing and they sounded…

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St. Clare of Assisi

Clare of Assisi was born in 1193 as Chiara di Favarone di Offreduccio belonging to one of the most important noble families in Assisi. During her youth, she got extremely fascinated by St Francis. When Chiara was 18 years old, she renounced marriage and a life of wealth and social prestige, fled to the monastery…

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Liturgical Colors

Liturgical colors within Christian liturgy signify different seasons and times of the year. Each season has its own mood, meaning, and type of prayer. Each color has its own meaning and feeling, and can be seen worn or hung throughout the church during specific times of year. They help to visually express the different liturgical…

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St. Alphonsus Liguori

Saint Alphonsus Liguori was a very special saint who lived in Italy during the 18th century. He was a bishop, a writer, and a founder of a religious order called the Redemptorists. Key facts: Saint Alphonsus Liguori was born in 1696 and became a priest at a young age. He dedicated his life to serving…

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St. Thomas, The Apostle

On July 3, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. Best known for his initial unwillingness to believe the other apostles in their claim that Jesus had risen from the dead, St. Thomas can teach the faithful about believing without seeing. Little is recorded of St. Thomas the Apostle. Thomas was…

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Our Lady of Perpetual Help

Our Lady of Perpetual Help (also known as Our Lady of Perpetual Succour) is a Roman Catholic title of the Blessed Virgin Mary as represented in a celebrated 15th-century Byzantine icon also associated with the same Marian apparition. The icon has been in Rome since 1499, and is permanently enshrined in the church of Sant’…

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St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, was a renowned Franciscan friar, preacher, and theologian. His life was marked by deep spirituality, intellectual brilliance, and a profound commitment to serving others. St. Anthony is widely celebrated for his eloquent preaching, his dedication to the poor and oppressed, and…

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St. Joseph

Everything we know about St. Joseph comes from scripture. We know he was a carpenter, a working man, for the skeptical Nazarenes ask about Jesus, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” (Matthew 13:55). He wasn’t rich for when he took Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised and Mary to be purified he offered the…

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Pope Francis 10 years on

Early in Pope Francis’s pontificate, the sense of expectation was enormous. He spoke simply and powerfully. He stayed away from the typical trappings of papal luxury. He was seen as an outsider and a natural reformer. He stirred some trepidation among conservatives, but not enough to override the global adulation. “The People’s Pope,” Time magazine called him,…

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Lenten Poem

Christmas is over and it’s Lent all over again,Should I eat a meat sandwich or should it be plain?Should I fast for 5 hours or skip breakfast and lunch,Or just have tea and a little something to munch? Should I stop smoking or should I shun drink,Should I stop thinking those wrong thoughts I always…

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Holy Family- The Model of All Families

Of all the families in human history, the family of Jesus stands above all others. This family is outstanding for its holiness, genuineness, understanding and acceptance of one another. Not health, wealth, education, location or social status accounts for their place of prominence in human history. To the contrary, Mary and Joseph were poor. They…

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Our Lady of Guadalupe

Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared in Mexico as the pregnant Mother of God to Blessed Juan Diego, an Aztec Indian, in 1531 on December 9, 10 and 12. She left a Miraculous Image of her appearance on his cactus fiber cloak, or tilma, which still exists today for all to see in the Basilica of…

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St. Nicholas – Santa Claus?

St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century, in a place called Myra in Asia Minor (now called Turkey). He was a very rich man because his parents died when he was young and left him a lot of money. He was also a very kind man and had a reputation for helping…

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St. Andrew

St. Andrew, also called Saint Andrew the Apostle, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and the brother of St. Peter. He is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia. In the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), Peter and Andrew—whose Greek name means “manly”—were called from their fishing by Jesus to follow him, promising that he would make them “fishers of men.” With Saints Peter, James,…

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Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

The Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is one of the oldest and highest ranking Papal Basilicas in Rome. Holding the unique title of ‘arch basilica’, it is defined as the “mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world” Most Catholics think of St. Peter’s as the pope’s main church, but…

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Feast of St. John Paul II

Pope Francis canonized Saint John Paul II with Saint John XXIII in the Vatican City on April 27, 2014, a Divine Mercy Sunday, an observance that he established on April 30, 2000. October 22 was chosen as his feast day to remember the anniversary of the liturgical inauguration of his Papacy in 1978. Saint John…

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Amazing Facts about St. Luke

On October 18, the Church will celebrate the Feast of Saint Luke, one of the four evangelists, or Gospel writers. We will look at five unique facts about Saint Luke, the author of the third Gospel. Luke was a physician Prior to and during his time as a leader in the early Church, Saint Luke…

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Feast of the Archangels

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that, “The existence of the spiritual, non-corporeal beings that Sacred Scripture usually calls “angels” is a truth of faith. The witness of Scripture is as clear as the unanimity of Tradition” (#328). Angels are pure, created spirits. The name angel means servant or messenger of God. Angels are celestial…

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