Posts by Joanne Huestis-Dalrymple
Halfway Through Advent
For many years we went all out during Advent. We did all the crafts with our children, celebrated every Feast Day in December with a big to do. A Jesse tree adorned with home-made ornaments sat atop the dining table, a manger in which the children had to fill with hay by doing kind deeds.…
Read MoreSt. Martin of Tours
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. Martin of Tours. St. Martin lived in the fourth century and followed his father’s footsteps in becoming a Roman soldier. Interestingly, his parents were pagans. There is a story that St. Martin came upon a beggar who was nearly naked in the freezing cold weather. Martin cut his…
Read MoreThe Grace of Apostleship
Last night I had an incredible opportunity to attend an event hosted by a conservative Christian non-partisan, lobbying organization group that is firm on defending the values of traditional family, life at conception, and religious freedom. My mind is still spinning from the energy and passion the guest speakers spoke with at the event. I…
Read MoreMercifully Treated
I have been reflecting on Mercy for the past several months. Here I am again, after reading the first reading for today, faced with the words “mercifully treated.” St. Paul was speaking about himself, explaining how Jesus was so merciful to him. Jesus came to save sinners and was so patient with Paul, he explains…
Read MoreMade for Community
I love today’s gospel reading. It reminds me of how special and powerful communal prayer is. We were made for community. We were made to love and to be loved. Who is in your community? A Private Matter Where I grew up in the northeast, prayer was a very private affair within the family unit.…
Read MoreExtraordinary in the Ordinary
God uses ordinary people for extraordinary things. We are given countless examples of this throughout history. From the Old Testament reading today, ordinary Amos becomes a prophet for Israel. In the New Testament, Jesus picks ordinary men to not only be disciples, but apostles. They preached repentance and drove out demons. The ordinary apostles anointed…
Read MoreSolemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a young mother, I learned the term Liturgical Living for families. In other words, living according to the church calendar—celebrating and observing feast days and church seasons. At times, this is done using tangible treats or goods with a lesson. Today, our…
Read MorePreparing for the Holy Spirit
Do you ever stop and really reflect on the gift the Lord gave us when He sent the Holy Spirit to be with us? Do you recognize the Spirit within you? Do you think about His love enduring forever? Forever. Always. No matter what. God holds you and offers unfailing love just because you are…
Read MoreMercy
On this second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday, it is important to reflect on the Risen Lord and how we can be instruments of God’s mercy. When the disciples gathered in the upper room after the resurrection it was more out of fear than of faith, for they did not yet understand how they…
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