William Hemsworth's Blog, page 25

Love’s Guest: Reflections of Inspiration and Wonder

RHINEBECK, NY, March 26— Monkfish Publishing / Red Elixir announced today that it will publish  LOVE’S GUEST:  REFLECTIONS OF INSPIRATION AND WONDER  by Saint Catherine of Genoa, Edited by award winning author Marc Aronoff.  With color illustrations by Jan Richardson, the book will be released on November 21st, 2023.  Available through Ingram at all major bookstores. 

In Love’s Guest, the astonishing mystic Saint Catherine of Genoa reveals a song of Love that expresses her passion and longing for the experience of the Divine in everyday life.  As bestselling author, Father James Martin writes of the book, “The recovery of the work of a great Catholic woman mystic who is writing about God, which is to say, about Love.  Beautiful, profound and mysterious, her 15th-century sensibility still speaks to us today.”

Saint Catherine of Genoa’s life story is fascinating. Born Caterina Fieschi Adornoi in 1447, into a distinguished God loving family in Genoa, Italy, Catherine was married at a young age to a Genoese nobleman. To her dismay he turned out to be a violent tempered, faithless, spendthrift.  Five years into this depressive marriage a miracle occurred and her heart was pierced by the presence of God.  Her life and expression was never the same and today her writings have touched the hearts of millions.  Perhaps the greatest miracle of all, was her husband’s complete change upon witnessing Catherine’s transformation and his joining her to serve at the local hospital during a time of plague. 

Described as “profound and simple…  Love’s Guest, Reflections of Inspiration and Wonder, uncovers a hidden spiritual gem, the meditations of St. Catherine of Genoa. Through his editorial art Marc Aronoff has condensed St. Catherine’s Spiritual Dialogues into a small mystical treasure accessible to all who wish to experience the soul piercing love of God.”   This modern interpretation offers solace and inspiration for anyone interested in experiencing a feeling of hope and wonder.  With a brief introduction, annotations, and sections of reflection and meditation on the text, Love’s Guest reveals a feeling of Divine Love in a world in need of healing.

Listen to my interview with the author here.

St. Gertrude

Gertrude was born in the year 1263, of a noble Saxon family, and placed at the age of five for education in the Benedictine abbey of Rodelsdorf. Her strong mind was carefully cultivated, and she wrote Latin with unusual elegance and force; above all, she was perfect in humility and mortification, in obedience, and in […]

St. Gertrude

American Medical Association retains opposition to assisted suicide

Catholic News Agency, Jonah McKeown: The House of Delegates of the American Medical Association (AMA) has rebuffed an effort to change the organization’s current stance in opposition to physician-assisted suicide, a development that drew praise from members of the Catholic … Continue reading → The post American Medical Association retains opposition to assisted suicide appeared…

American Medical Association retains opposition to assisted suicide

Drawing Closer to God Guides Kids Through Advent in New Video Series from the Augustine Institute

Denver, CO, November 13, 2023—The Augustine Institute will release Drawing Closer to God: A Catholic
Art Show for Kids to invite children to experience the Nativity story in a new way this Advent. This
six-episode series will debut on November 17 on FORMED, the Augustine Institute’s on-demand
streaming platform.
Drawing Closer to God features host Ms. Kim Kaminski, a professional artist and former Catholic
elementary school art teacher, as she teaches children to draw different scenes from the Nativity story.
With compelling storytelling, she points out key details from Scripture and Catholic tradition. As kids
follow along and learn new art skills, they also learn to see the connections between the big picture of
God’s story and their place within it.

“Drawing Closer to God is a unique Catholic art series that is interactive. Young artists can free draw with
me, or they can print the page and color along. Children will learn drawing skills and techniques while we
journey together through our Catholic faith,” noted Ms. Kim. “I love that this experience fosters a love for
art in a fun and creative way, and we give glory to God through our artistic gifts!”
Ms. Kim’s passion for evangelization and artistic expression inspired her to use drawing skills to
encourage students in their relationships with God. Designed for children ages 6-11, the series includes
one episode for each week in Advent and an episode each for Christmas and Epiphany. Younger children
can also join in with coloring sheets available to download here.
Kids who follow Drawing Closer to God through Advent will reach Epiphany with their own beautiful
Catholic artwork, new drawing skills, and a deeper understanding of Scripture. Each episode ends with a
practical challenge from Ms. Kim to help children learn how to express their love of God in different
ways.
“Life can get so very busy and full of distractions. During this special creative time at home, we joyfully
come together, slow down, pray, and meditate on the mysteries of our faith while creating beautiful art
and having fun too!” affirmed Ms. Kim.
Drawing Closer to God: A Catholic Art Show for Kids will be available on FORMED.org or the FORMED app
alongside the other high-quality Catholic content subscribers have come to trust since 2015. The series
will also stream on YouTube.

Regarding the Synod, remember this

Progressives and conservatives should keep in mind Jesus’ promise to be with His Church until the end By Deacon Bob Hunt I am writing this in the middle of October, so by the time you read this mid-November, the Synod on Synodality taking place in Rome this month of October will be over. We await […]

Regarding the Synod, remember this

Loving God in Prosperity and in Adversity

A sure proof that we love God alone, is that we love Him equally in all cases. For, as He is always equal to Himself, the inequality of our love for Him can arise only from the consideration of something which is not Himself. -St. Francis de Sales By this test we may perceive how […]

Loving God in Prosperity and in Adversity

BREAKING: Bishop Strickland out

From the USCCB:  Pope Francis has relieved the Most Reverend Joseph E. Strickland from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Tyler. At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed the Most Reverend Joe S. Vásquez of Austin, as the Apostolic Administrator sede vacante of the Diocese of Tyler. These provisions were publicized in Washington, D.C. […]

BREAKING: Bishop Strickland out

Country Music Artist Meghan Patrick Shares Her Story in New ‘I Am Second’ Film

PLANO, Texas, Nov. 9, 2023 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Canadian-born talent Meghan Patrick shares about her journey from hopelessness to fulfillment, including how unexpected friendships and a newfound faith directed her purpose.

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Growing up, Patrick had a young, successful start in competitive snowboarding and an ever-developing interest in music. Following a sudden significant injury, her snowboarding vocation was halted. It was then that Patrick found a deepened comfort in music as she began to avidly play and sing, not knowing at the time that this would be the divinely inspired grassroots of her future career.

But before her move to “Music City,” Patrick found herself in the middle of a violently abusive relationship.

“It started as emotional abuse and then led to physical abuse,” Patrick shares. “I used to be the girl that said, ‘Oh I’ll never be that girl; I’ll never stay with a guy that abuses me.’ But when you’re in it, that person has taken a lot of time to make you feel like you’ve done something to deserve it. It was the loneliest time in my life.”

As the abuse got worse and worse, out of desperation and utter fear for her life, Patrick cried out to God in prayer, begging him to save her. And while she hadn’t grown up with faith — and didn’t know if God existed — she continued to pray.

“I felt so silly at first, [thinking], ‘What are you doing? Who are you talking to? There’s nobody there; nobody’s coming to save you.’ But I just kept doing it. I didn’t know what else to do,” says Patrick. “I [thought], ‘God, maybe it’s too late for me to talk to you; I know I never have before. Maybe I’m too far gone. Maybe I’m not worth your love, but God, I just want to feel like myself again. I just want to feel safe again. I want to get out of here, and just help me do that.’”

Patrick attributes her rescue to those answered prayers. Following a miserable night of violence, she called the police, and a divine conversation with a “God-sent” police officer ultimately helped her escape her situation.

Shortly thereafter, Patrick moved to Nashville, where God orchestrated several chance encounters, resulting in friendships with Nashville Artists Lainey Wilson and Kasey Tyndall. These friends showed her something different: authentic, Christ-inspired love. They encouraged Patrick in her talents, confidence and faith but also empowered her in ways she had never known before, ultimately compelling her to share her powerful story with others — specifically through her songs. In fact, the film highlights the context for Patrick’s testimony song, “Praying Right,”inspired by these faith-filled friends and her personal experience attending church with them for the very first time.

“I was really scared of judgment or that I wouldn’t be welcomed [in church].” Patrick explains. “And I’m happy to say that’s the complete opposite of what my experience has been. So, I wrote this song.”

Today, Patrick lives a life she could have never imagined. Beyond her vindication journey, the Christ-centered friendships formed and a divinely ordained career, the added elements in Patrick’s story (including her baptism and recent marriage to country music artist Mitchell Tenpenny) reveal just how full-circle her life has come, serving as an empowering message of hope for those in the darkest of circumstances.

To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit https://www.iamsecond.com/film/meghan-patrick. For anyone who might be a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio Issues Statement on the Occasion of Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC — His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), has issued the following statement on the occasion of Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023:

 “11 November marks the end of the First World War, the “useless slaughter” in the words of Pope Benedict XV.  War results from the failure of dialogue and announces the last resort.  Unfortunately, it is still the reality for millions of people in our world today.  We need only to think of Ukraine, the Holy Land, Syria, Africa, and so many other places.

 “In the United States the anniversary of the end of the First World War has been set aside as a day to honor the men and women who donned uniforms and put their Nation before themselves.  They risk their lives, sacrifice time with family and friends, set aside jobs, and often suffer the effects of their service into old age.  Today we pause to thank them, to say a prayer for them, and to recognize their commitment to our freedom.

 “In an age when the focus is always on the idol in the mirror, they raise their right hands to defend the Constitution, undergo training, keep watch, and risk everything for us.  Please stop today, remember, and say a prayer for our Veterans. Especially, we cannot forget those who continue to suffer the effects of their wounds either in mind or in body. They carry the reminders of their commitment and their past with them always. We ask the Lord to give them consolation and healing.

“The occasion is also propitious to remember the families who mourn the loss of a loved one or who support a disabled Veteran. We pray and offer them our support.”

Join Archbishop Broglio Online to Pray the Rosary on Veterans Day

WASHINGTON, DC — What better way to start Veterans Day than to kneel and pray the Rosary, invoking the intercession of Mary the Mother of God? This year His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, and President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will do just that with an online prayer group. In a live-stream broadcast on YouTube beginning at 7:45 a.m. EST on Veterans Day, Saturday, Nov. 11, His Excellency will join the group “Many Hail Marys at a Time” to pray all five decades of the Joyful Mysteries:

The Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to MaryThe Visitation of Mary to ElizabethThe Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem of JudeaThe Presentation of Jesus in the TempleThe Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Father Peter Pomposello, CH (CPT), USA, a U.S. Army priest recruiter based in Columbia, MD (follow on INSTAGRAM, https://www.instagram.com/fr.unclesam), will join Archbishop Broglio for the livestreamed prayer in the main chapel of the Edwin Cardinal O’Brien Pastoral Center in Washington, DC, home base of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). After the prayer Father Pomposello will do a brief interview with His Excellency on the topic of Veterans Day and its significance both for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and the public at large. The public is invited to participate in the prayer and watch the interview. To join, at 7:45 EST on Saturday, Nov. 11, visit https://www.youtube.com/@Manyhailmarysatatime.