Brain Crane

Hello!

If you know anyone who has a brain injury, please encourage them to make a brain crane and send it into the Brain Injury Association (BIA). Full instructions, video, and where to send it are here.

Blessings,
Patrick

Day of Repentance

A Catholic day of repentance to mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion on January 22, 1973. How are we blinded by the culture of death?

Prayers for all at New Life Church and Youth with a Mission

Our hearts and prayers go out to all at Youth with a Mission in Arvada, CO and New Life Church in Colorado Springs, especially to those murdered, injured, their families, and the shooter(s).

Lord Jesus, you are might God and Prince of peace:
Lord have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God and Son of Mary:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are Word made flesh and splendor of the Father:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We stand with you in sorrow, faith, hope, and love.
Amen.

Christ Amidst the Chaos

All Is Gift

Disability and strife
along with
Capability and delight.

Some wrapped gloriously,
easily opened.
Some wait in the shadows
until I am ready.

Some wrapped in armor,
laborious to shed.
Some down right ugly to behold,
painful to touch,
impossible to open
unless placed
on the altar,
opened as they are
transformed
at the foot of the cross.
Amen.

--Patrick A. Jones

Through 4 years of diaconal formation we experienced one common thread in all we did. All is gift. Family life is chalk full of gifts, from the awe inspiring wonder of new life to the everyday wonder of dirty dishes and hectic schedules, to the devastation of unwanted grace in face tragedy and death -- there seems no more appropriate common thread for weCatholic's explorations than All Is Gift.

I wrote this 10 months after becoming disabled with traumatic brain injury. This past March, our third daughter (5th pregnancy) died minutes after being born. I have no idea how there is gift in such devastating loss. I do not understand. I struggle with questions without answers. And yet how much more precious is the time I get to spend with our two daughters -- playing in the snow, or a game by the fire, or answering questions about baby Jesus as they add straw to the awaiting manger. The touch and love my wife and I share though is often seems as if we are two beloved ships passing in the day and night. All is gift. Somehow.

I pray for God's blessing on all who come to this site. Give us wisdom to be passionate Lovers, wise and loving parents and help us know and love our faith that we may become more fully who you've created us to be. Amen.

Love and Blessings,
Patrick