Inspired Word

First of all, I have to admit that this isn't my photo, but my husband's - taken with an inexpensive Sony point and shoot at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But the result is awesome. The lamp used to illuminate the pages of the Lectionary seemingly glows with the inspiration of the Word of God. AWESOME!

Was this co-incidence? I think not. More like God-incidence!

Ever Faithful and True

This photo was taken of the stained glass window behind the alter where we had Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Peacocks were a theme that ran through our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Originating with an ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay, Christians adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent immortality and the incorruptability of the soul. Because it sheds its old feathers and grows new ones every year, the peacock is also associated with the resurrection of Christ. The peacock also symbolizes fidelity since they are faithful to one partner. Sometimes, the peacock is shown drinking from a vase. This symbolizes a christian drinking the waters of eternal life. In addition the " multitude of eyes" upon its stunningly beautiful fan tail, suggested the all seeing eye of God. Wherever I saw the symbol on the pilgrimage, it was associated with the Eucharist as it is in this photo of the stained glass window.

Mosaic floor in a church in Galilee where the multiplication of loaves and fish took place.

Top of one of the alter pieces in the Orthodox Church of Mary's Tomb in Jerusalem

where it is believed that she was assumed into heaven.

On our last day, we actually saw some real peacocks in Jericho.

And finally, we found prayer shawls with peacocks on them

 - a nice souvenir of our travels through the Holy Land.

Many Blessings!

My friend, Maria, at Castel Gandolfo to see Pope Benedict XVI. He will bless all our rosaries and other sacramentals!

Perspective Matters

I know that I've posted a number of photos of St. William Catholic Church. This one is taken at a different angle from the others and just proves that something looked at from different angles looks, well, different.

When you are struggling with seeing things from another person's point of view, remember that perception matters. We need to put ourselves in the other person's shoes and look at things from their perspective. Only then can we indeed perceive the situation differently.

When photographing an image, look at it with many different sets of eyes. Photograph the image from many different angles and at different times of day. Even photograph small parts of the larger image. You will be surprised at what you will find!  In taking an interesting photo, perspective matters.

Three Flags Unfurled

The flags are country, state and church. The Vatican flag flies closest to the Church. I caught these children playing at the base of the flagpoles and just had to snap some pictures. The quality would have been better if I hadn't been shooting into the sun. It was good to see the wind blowing the flags. The whole scene is full of energy!

The Third Cross

This photo was taken at dusk outside the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock. It made me ask myself the question, "Do I live in the shadow of the cross?" Our suffering here on earth is a mere shadow of what Jesus suffered for us on Calvary. We are called to unite our sufferings with His. That is pleasing to Him and it gives our suffering infinite value.

Faith Afire

Another photo of my church just as the sun was setting. Our faith in God should be all ablaze as symbolized by the lighting in the photo. Is my faith on fire? What do I do to build the kingdom? Am I a good disciple?

Come to him, to that living stone, rejected by men but in God's sight chosen and precious; and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame." To you therefore who believe, he is precious, but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner," and "A stone that will make men stumble, a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. ~ 1 Peter 2:4-10

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome - 2008

Jesus, Remember Me

The crucifix behind the main alter in St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock, TX. I could have centered myself a little better in front of the crucifix but the drama of this shot is obvious anyway.

The Corapi Letters

Fr. John Corapi book signing at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel

in San Antonio, TX on August 6, 2010

On the Cover

My photo is being used for the front of our parish directory!