Author Archives: joyocala

An interesting book by Alice McDermott, “The Ninth Hour,” is set in the tenement housing of Irish Catholic Brooklyn at the turn of the twentieth century.  In an interview about her book, McDermott joked that the book is “about nuns, … Continue reading →

        My dad, at 79,  lived 49 of my years.  Mother, at 86, lived 64 of my years. My first husband at 41, lived for 18 years of marriage.  They are all gone.  The MISSING is so very real and emotional and even still difficult … Continue reading →

Several years ago, I golfed in a Thursday morning golf league with a bunch of older ladies (probably about the age I am now) and had a great time.  They were a good group with many years of life experience … Continue reading →

The epistles of James are very interesting and challenging.  I was especially struck by his commentary about the tongue and the trouble that it can get you into. In James 3: 1-12, he notes that a great forest can be … Continue reading →

Mother’s Day is approaching which makes me reflect on the impact mothers often have on their children’s faith. So I pose the question:  “How did your mother influence your religious development?” My mother was baptized as a Roman Catholic, but … Continue reading →

The pressing need or desire these days, for both old and young, is to be more spiritual. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that. But just try to get someone to define what that looks like. Filled with the Spirit. This … Continue reading →

I remember the fun my daughter had with May baskets when she was a little girl.  She and her friend would gather flowers from the garden (or lawn) and arrange them in a small basket left from Easter.  Then off … Continue reading →

        Psalm 46: 1-2 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”  These verses came to mind, as … Continue reading →

We all probably remember this song from our childhood. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I‘m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. There were … Continue reading →

I cannot resist writing another blog about the trip to Emmaus. It is such a wonderful story which contains a mystery and an important theological lesson for Christians. Let me qualify the following comments as   my own thoughts and opinions. … Continue reading →