Category: Articles

Test Driving Marriage Articles

Test Driving Marriage

Picture yourself on the show room floor getting ready to make your next big purchase. It's an important decision to make not only because the cost is high, but also because once you've signed on the dotted line your stuck with the car until you've paid it off. The salesman will probably offer you a test drive to get you into the car and then you'll be sucked into his ninja car salesman techniques. What if this same routine applied to marriage? What if you could test drive your marriage to make sure it's a "good fit" before you "buy?"
Surprised by Truth Articles

Surprised by Truth

To many people religion is not a choice, but something you are born into, especially when it comes to Catholicism. Most Catholics are baptized as infants and never choose to be a part of the Church. And though some of these "cradle Catholics" decide later in life that the Church is not for them, there are many who look on from the outside and feel a calling to come home.
Christ and Community Articles

Christ and Community

As summer nears it's end, the parishes under the charge of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in East San Fernando Valley come together to hold the Tri-Parish Beach Picnic at Buenaventura State Beach Park where Mass is celebrated at 11am in the park, leaving the rest of the day free to enjoy the with our friends and family. This was my second year attending with the Young Adult group of St. Ferdinand, but in the past years my connection to other two parishes, Santa Rosa and Mary Immaculate has grown through the Tri-Parish ACTS ministry. ACTS stands for Adoration Community Theology and Service and seeks to provide a deeper conversion experience through the retreats it holds. Through my participation with ACTS, I have grown closer to our sister parishes and have made many new friends.
Actions Speak Louder Articles

Actions Speak Louder

As I stood outside the local branch of my bank waiting for them to open on Thursday morning I was approached by a homeless man. I happened to be wearing a t-shirt with words "Trust Jesus" printed in large letters on the front and back. This man was well-dressed for being homeless which startled me. He wore a long-sleeve plaid shirt which was tucked in and his shopping cart was modestly carrying only a single blanket. He grasped a Starbucks cup in his right hand and blurted out "I believe Jesus is a false prophet!"
Worthy of the Call Articles

Worthy of the Call

When you pick up the phone and dial a number you expect the person on the other end to answer. When you call out there name you expect a truthful response. And as the one making the call you try to call at the right time so that they are ready and available to answer.
Bella Articles

Bella

Finally a love story "that goes beyond romance!" As a guy it's hard to find romantic movies to watch with my wife that aren't all about sex. With all the bad movies that teach bad values and go against all that we believe it's great to see a film about love that goes against the standards of our society and truly touches the heart.
In the Eye of the Beheld Articles

In the Eye of the Beheld

Padre Pio, a saint from the early 21st century who experienced the stigmas of Christ in his earthly life and through the eyes of Christ, foresaw the downfall of women’s decency. He was a faithful believer of people practicing modesty. Thus during his confessions, he literally dismissed women to their homes who were not properly dressed.
Three P’s of Christian Worship Articles

Three P’s of Christian Worship

It's the greatest party the world has ever seen. Anyone who's anyone is going to be there. It's the biggest event and it's happening all over the globe. All are invited and people of all languages, of all cultures, and of all ages are preparing for the grand celebration. You know you should be there, but you are... asleep!
There Be Dragons Articles

There Be Dragons

I had the opportunity to watch There Be Dragons with my wife last weekend and I must say that we both enjoyed it. From the maker of one of my favorite films The Mission, this one although based on St. Josemaria Escrivá, is not entirely a story of his life. The movie begins relating Josemaria's childhood with a ficticious friend named Manolo. They are soon driven apart when Josemaria's father goes bankrupt giving Manolo's father a reason to forbid their friendship.
Catholics on Facebook Articles

Catholics on Facebook

In this digital age it’s not surprising to find your friends from middle school, high school, or college on Facebook. To think of it even your mom is on Facebook. But what you might find even more difficult to believe is that there are even Catholics on Facebook! These are Catholics of all types: practicing and non-practicing, lapsed Catholics, cradle Catholics, Catholic converts (like me), and more. Some of them hide their faith, while others make it their priority to let everyone know they’re Catholic. Some use Facebook for business and others for keeping in touch with friends and family.
Dress to Impress Articles

Dress to Impress

How many times before Mass have you stared in the mirror and wondered, “what should I wear today?” You've even told yourself, “I don’t have anything to wear.” Yet your closet is packed-full with so many clothes that if you put another garment in, your wall will crack. Then you get to that nice piece you bought just because it was on sale. Of course, it is not “what’s in,” thus, every time you have nothing to wear, you skip it. Days, months and even years have gone by and you have yet a day to wear that nice piece. Then you tell yourself, “it's my day off and God loves me the way I am!!” So you opt for your best-fit jeans and that sexy top that emphasizes your best assets.
Christ is Passing By Articles

Christ is Passing By

If you've read some of my previous posts, you'll know that I try my best to attend daily Mass. Recently, due to workload and many other worthless excuses, I have gone about three weeks without attending a daily Mass and my relationship with God has suffered. My prayer life has been diminished and the peace I once had in Christ has dwindled away. My spiritual life—or lack thereof—was even effecting my marriage. So I finally decided that I was going to start going to daily Mass again.