Pentecost Sunday at Chartres Cathedral in France – Our 25th Anniversary as Catholics

June 9, 2019

We are leaving Brittany France and heading east back towards Paris. Halfway we will stop at Chartres where we will have free time in the city, a tour of the magnificent cathedral church and Mass in the grotto (Fr. Dan’s excellent homily here). Today is Janet and my 25th anniversary as Catholics. We are received […]

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My Hero John Henry Cardinal Newman on “The Assumpion of Mary”

June 9, 2019

Cardinal John Henry Newman converted to the Catholic faith. He played a big part in my own converseion. He has a unique and beautiful understanding of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  You can read it below or at Aletia here. Why the Assumption made perfect sense to Newman, and what it meant for him […]

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France 5: Saint Malo, Apparition of Mary in Pontmain

June 8, 2019

We never like to push our people too much so we gave them an easy morning and left today at 10 AM. We went to Saint Malo which is a medieval fortified city on the ocean. We toured the exquisite cathedral where the organ was playing the whole time we were there. We spent time […]

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When Is the Word “Love” First Used in the Bible?

June 8, 2019

When is the first time the word love is used in the Bible? It is great fun to ask a million questions when you open the Bible. Good questions serve to unlock the treasure chest revealing untold riches. Since the Bible is a book and books are made of words, it is great fun to […]

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France Day 4: Le Mont-Saint-Michel

June 7, 2019

After the busy activities and a long day yesterday for D-Day, today was a nice rest and catch up day for the group. We started out with breakfast — sad to leave this beautiful Château in Normandy but we now drive to Le Mont-Saint-Michel, a city and a magnificent church and monastery. This is the […]

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Laughter in the Bible: A Quiz

June 7, 2019

1. Which couple laughed at the incredibility of God’s promise to them? 2. Which son brought laughter to his mother? 3. Which king was laughed at when he invited people from all over Israel to celebrate the Passover? 4. Who advised that laughter should change to mourning? 5. Who referred to himself as laughingstock? 6 […]

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75th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy with President Trump

June 6, 2019

Today was a marvelous day with our group and Normandy France celebrating his 75th anniversary of D-Day. We were among still living heroes who jumped that day and joined by president of France and President Trump. It was a grand celebration! Even though it was to commemorate men who had died it was a celebration […]

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Long-term Goal of Islam in the USA, watch Sharifa Alkhateeb

June 6, 2019

Some doubt the long-term goals of Islam so it is always interesting when one makes it obvious without the usual obfuscation. My Christian Arab friends in Israel are not shocked at all by this. But they say America and the West should wake up because this is scary. That is Sharifa Alkhateeb (1946-2004) American writer, researcher and […]

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D-Day All Day: Pegasus Bridge & Omaha Beach

June 5, 2019

This was the most remarkable day.  On our ride to the battlefront our pilgrim Glenn Juday gave us an excellent overview of the whole operation of the assault on the beaches of Normandy. He is quite the historian! We started out at Pegasus Bridge where the British landed in gliders to set the whole stage […]

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Does one have to experience strong emotion to be a real Christian?

June 5, 2019

I received a few e-mails from a gentleman and his wife, obviously both good and excited Catholics who had recently had a real encounter with Jesus that had revived their faith and filled them with joy and emotion. Brian and his wife were disturbed that I talked so much about the Catholic Church when the […]

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France Day 1: St. Terese of Lisieux

June 4, 2019

Arrival in Paris France. Drive to Lisieux to study and venerate St. Teresa of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church. Mass in Lisieux (Fr. Dan Good’s homily here). Arrival at our chateau which you have to see to believe. PART ONE: PART TWO: STEVE’S 6-MINUTE TALK ON SAINTS AND HOLINESS

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Why Go on Pilgrimages? “It is therapeutic” says Journal of Consumer Research

June 4, 2019

If they had asked Janet and I, we could have helped them understand pilgrimages and why people love them and find them life-changing. The article below is a little skewed but it is interesting. People who travel with us have all the rejuvenating effects mentioned below, but what the author doesn’t understand is the spiritual […]

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Marvelous Scriptural Rosary! In English and Spanish – free to print, share and use

June 3, 2019

One of our pilgrimages to Israel, Tom Rizzo, shared this remarkable Scriptural Rosary. I’ve not seen one quite like it. He has freely shared it with me to share with you. Feel free to print it, share it and use it. This will not only make the Rosary more meaningful, but it will also deepen […]

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Our Weekend Walk through Paris, Preparing for Our Soon-to-Arrive Group

June 2, 2019

Janet and I always arrive early to make sure everything is prepared and ready for our group. Since it’s been a while since we have visited this area of France we came early to scout out all the places our group will visit in Paris and to meet with our agent and guide. I hope […]

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In response to a “Bible Christian’s“ Critique & Criticism of Catholics Reading the Bible

June 2, 2019

A man named and Alan posted a comment on my blog. He claims that he was once a Catholic and therefore he is eminently qualified to comment on Catholics reading Bibles. He said they don’t read Bibles and they “don’t even own Bibles”. His ignorant exaggerations discredit everything else he says but I still thought […]

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Why Do I Love Logos (Verbum) So Much? Watch this…

June 2, 2019

I use Verbum every day – on my iPhone, my laptop, my computer and on the web. After watching this short video demonstration you can visit the site to learn more at www.Verbum.com/SteveRay, Use Promo Code STEVERAY10 for a 10% discount. You will LOVE this program for computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones or even just on […]

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