Posted by Carol Johnson on 12/11/23
My mother spent the last four years of her life mostly with me. She would come to visit for six months and return home for a couple of months and come back to visit. She was already very sick during the last Christmas she spent with me in 2003. ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 12/11/23
My nationality by birth is Colombian. I also received the American nationality in 2008 after the process of naturalization. Birth and naturalization grants rights to people. I recalled the process of my American naturalization during these past days as I reflected on the readings for today’s solemnity.
Adam and ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 12/04/23
Seeing leafless trees is not common for people from countries with no seasons like my native Colombia. Someone from Colombia who had moved to the United States once was telling me about a relative of his who came to visit him during a winter season. When he asked the ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 11/27/23
When I go to my hometown in Colombia, I jog at the public soccer field. During my most recent trip, I found an elderly man there, Gorgonio, tending three baby sheep. I have known Gorgonio since my childhood. He became blind late in life. Gorgonio always recognized my voice ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 11/14/23
Several months ago, I mentioned the time in my last year of High School when I, along with around 200 hundred other youth from different parts of my country, Colombia, sacrificed watching the World Cup on television to participate in a three-week retreat. That event changed me. I began ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 11/06/23
I recently introduced to you my vocation promoter, Father Jose Vicente, the town priest when I was a teenager. A few months ago, I introduced you to Bernabe, my home parish sacristan from the same time in my life. The following story includes both, plus a seminarian, Rafael (who ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 11/02/23
I was there, knelt in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. I was there next to the chaperones and some of the youth of our parish, who were among thousands of other Catholics gathered that day. We had beautifully sung psalms and hymns together as part of morning prayer, which ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 10/29/23
Fr. Arturo did not preach this weekend-Deacon Steve was the homilist.
Posted by Carol Johnson on 10/23/23
Father Jose Vicente became my home parish pastor when I was in my High School junior year. He helped me discern the call to be a priest. I recalled some of my conversations with him this week as I reflected on today’s gospel reading. Father Jose Vicente would occasionally ... Read More »
Posted by Carol Johnson on 10/16/23
In her late twenties, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton went through extremely difficult times. Several relatives, including her father, died from disease. Her husband William’s business was ruined and he himself became sick. Hoping for a recovery in both William’s health and finances, the couple adventurously left the United States ... Read More »