Take a pilgrimage with Steve and Janet Ray!
My New Article: “The Role of Catholic Grandparents”
Baptizing our first GREAT-grandchild this month reminded me again of the sacred duty and special privilege grandparents have. 
Vine, Branches & Fire: Where Will You End up?
One must care for their land. We own 1/2 an acre of land and a while ago I was cutting wild vines out of the trees and burning them. The overgrown branches from the bushes and trees were also trimmed and burned.
The flames brought to mind the words of Jesus in John 15:5–6,
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned.”
This is a good visual for Jesus’ warning—a dire warning!
FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
Join Janet and Steve Ray at sea this fall!
FOOTSTEPS OF ST. PAUL MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE
OCTOBER 21 – NOVEMBER 3, 2026
Don’t miss the original “seminar at sea” with Janet and Steve Ray! This incredible itinerary was developed by Steve to share the story of the Bible with you.
If the Church was born in Israel, it grew up in Turkey and Greece. Step back in time and walk in the footprints of St. Paul!
St. Paul and the New Testament will come alive on this journey. Steve
has chosen a specialized itinerary for his groups with terrific guides
and drivers. Steve will be giving talks along the way, and best of all,
Father James Conlon (our spiritual director) and Steve will conduct a
mini-seminar aboard the ship while at sea!
PILGRIMAGE HIGHLIGHTS
VISIT 10 BIBLICAL SITES
Walk the path of St. Paul in Athens, Crete, and Rhodes and see where he preached in Ephesus, Philippi, and Corinth. These sites and more bring the Bible to life during this incredible pilgrimage by land and sea!
CELEBRATE MASS AT THE HOUSE OF MARY
Visit this holy site where Mary spent her final days with St. John. After Mass, continue to St. Mary’s Church, home of the Third Ecumenical Council, for Steve’s talk on “Mary, Mother of God.”
PRESENTATIONS BY STEVE
Alongside Father James Conlon, Steve Ray will give a “Seminar at Sea.” Spend afternoons on the ship hearing about “The Life of St. Paul.” Talks will also be shared at each of the biblical sites along the way.
Older Posts
Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live – “A Day in the Life of the Holy Family”
Rollicking fun show discussing life in the 1st century and how the Holy Family lived. “What did daily life look like for the Holy Family?”
St. Polycarp’s name does not mean “many fish”
Today is the Feast Day of the Great Bishop and Saint Polycarp on February 23. When we converted to the Catholic Church my son Jesse chose
Feast Day of Onesimus – He Reflects on St. Paul’s Letter to His Owner Philemon: Slaves, Brothers & Redemption
Onesimus here! I’m reflecting on St. Paul’s Letter he just wrote about me to my Owner, Philemon, as recorded by Paul in his Letter to
Sobering to see Havanah Cuba on the horizon
We see Havana Cuba, on our right. Amazing! So close to the dehumanizing oppression of communism. We take our freedom and luxuries for granted. Seeing
The Holy Family Ate those Pesky House Sparrows
Sparrows and the Gospel Reading today at Mass The Holy Family was not wealthy. When you had a firstborn son in Israel you were required
“Solo Mio” Great new movie starring Jonathon Roumie of “The Chosen”
Today we watched the lovely new movie “Solo Mio” while on the Good News Cruise starring Jonathon Roumie (Jesus in “The Chosen”). He is ON
The Literacy and Spirituality of a Day Gone By; A Tattered Yellowed Page; A Poem I Found from my Great-Grandmother
I never knew my Great Grandmother Frances Picard. She was originally an O’Grady. They had a deep spirituality and she converted to the Catholic Church
Lourdes & Fátima Feast Day! We are going again in September, our last time to this destination
Last year we went to Lourdes and Fatima — traveling through Portugal, Spain, and France. Everyone had such a great time — many people asked
My New Article: Why Did God Speak 3 Times from Heaven in the Gospels?
My latest article published in Catholic Answers Magazine. In the Gospels, God the Father spoke from heaven three times regarding his Son. Do you know
Discovering the Place of Paul’s Shipwreck on Island of Malta on the Feast Day!
You would not have wanted to be with St. Paul today because February 10 is the Feast Day of the Shipwreck of St. Paul on
Todd Meade Story: From Southern Baptist Liberty University to Catholic
Every spiritual life is a journey. Mine began in Warner Robins, Georgia in 1971. I was born into a good Methodist family and had
Tears Singing Good Ole Baptist Hymns
The old Baptist hymns still stir me and bring tears to my eyes. They take me back to my childhood when the family would dress
Childhood Memories of Grapejuice Communion
Recently, my grandson Charlie was in a school concert for kids. We were in South Carolina visiting my daughter Charlotte. The concert was held in
Back to the Holy Land – First two trips sold out, next open trip is April 2026
Holy Land! Our first two trips sold out (Dec 28, 2025-Jan 6, 2026, and February with Ave Maria University). Jump on our April 2026 trip
