Author Archives: joyocala

        In front of my computer, is my keyboard.  In front of the keyboard at the base of my PC are three small rocks.  The first one, given to me by a teacher friend, has been poly coated and printed with the words BE … Continue reading →

        In front of my computer, is my keyboard.  In front of the keyboard at the base of my PC are three small rocks.  The first one, given to me by a teacher friend, has been poly coated and printed with the words BE … Continue reading →

Now that Hurricane Idalia is behind us, we can breathe a sigh of relief and give thanks to God that at least we in Ocala weathered the storm with few significant losses. I am certain that before, during and after, … Continue reading →

It has been a strange summer, no question about it. I do not remember such a rain-filled time in all the years that I have lived in Vermont. Yes, the lake is high; the swimming is good, but the sun … Continue reading →

Father Paul told the story of a man who wanted to be a monk. He was admitted to the monastery for a trial as a postulant. On his first day he was assigned a job of sweeping the floors in … Continue reading →

As we get older, we experience more and more the loss of those we love – among our families, our friends, and our church family. We feel increased loneliness. Sometimes, the gathering of our loved ones in heaven seems bigger … Continue reading →

People here at JOY! know that I discourage the “w” word, which is worry. My close cousins who do not share my last name call us “worry Wuertz’s,”  ‘cause that’s what we typically do. Even now my dad confesses that … Continue reading →

On our liturgical calendar, we are in the season after Pentecost.  In fact, we’re right smack in the middle.  Half of the Sundays after Pentecost are behind us, half lay ahead.  What does this mean?  Probably nothing, but it did … Continue reading →

        According to Wikipedia, it has been suggested that the hymn was inspired by the story of Constantine the Great’s conversion to Christianity after seeing a cross with “In hoc signo vinces” on it, a Latin phrase meaning, “In this sign thou shalt … Continue reading →

Jesus learned of His cousin, John the Babtist’s death from the disciples.  This affected Him deeply. He left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself to grieve as many people do in their time of sadness. … Continue reading →