A merry and blessed Christmas to you all! I have often wished I could step into a favorite story and experience it first-hand, at least for a time. How humbling and thrilling, at once, to know that the Author of our story stepped into the world among His creations! We […]
Launching the new CatholicWritersGuild.com
We’re just a few days away from launching a brand new CatholicWritersGuild.com website. This is one outward sign, one first step, in what I hope is ongoing growth for our Guild. Our membership is increasing. Our visibility is increasing. And from my own limited perspective – and perhaps with some […]
From Bethlehem to Calvary
My parish has many lovely traditions and displays, but one in particular struck me and continues to strike me every year. There is a wooden cross on display outside our church during Lent, and another inside. Both are handmade at our parish each year — from our Christmas trees. At […]
Merry Christmas!
A happy and blessed Christmas to all of you! We receive many gifts during the Christmas season: gifts of material, gifts of family, gifts of grace. We receive the greatest gift in Christ, of course, and if you’re like me, you find it difficult at times, especially in the midst […]
Shout it Forward
CatholicMom.com’s “Lawn Chair Catechism” gets into The Great Story of Jesus this week. How well do we know the story of Jesus? How well do we share it? And how well do we emulate the story of Jesus when we do share it? In her book Forming Intentional Disciples, Sherry […]
The Hope that is in You
“I heard you’re writing a book?” “Well, I’m not writing it, exactly…” Its easy to get discouraged, isn’t it? The right words don’t seem to come, or a deadline looms (or passes!), or someone doesn’t “get” what you’re writing. Family emergencies arrive, bills have to be paid, crises come and go. […]
On Nature and… Nature
(“Or, a consideration of the meaning of ‘nature’ in which Joe uses many quotation marks and funny words”) Toward the end of his autobiographical Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis writes about meeting lifelong friend A. K. Hamilton Jenkin: “…Jenkin seemed to be able to enjoy everything; even ugliness. I […]
The Beauty of All Things
“God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.” (Gen 1:31)Beauty is a prophet. It points us toward God. A flower, a field, or a sunset inspires us. These in-spire, or “breathe in”, to us something of God’s truth. The dangerous or dark inspires us as well. […]
A cuppa Joe…
So who is this new guy posting to the CWG blog? I’m a teacher, instructional designer, and proud homeschooling dad. I’m a Catholic blogger and am working on my first contracted book. I’m a Jersey boy (no, not the Shore – much further west!), and even in my short life, […]
Before You, Life and Death
I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, obeying his voice, and holding fast to him… (Dt 30:19; cf […]