In the current reality of the COVID-19 world, many of us are struggling with lots of questions. Like how do we live in a “shelter-in-place” world where we have to practice social distancing? Or how can I ensure that someone I love isn’t going to get sick if they have to go to work or go to the grocery store to obtain food? But probably the most frequent is, when will this all be over? For us as Catholics, this connects to questions that have been addressed in previous articles about how might it be possible for my family […]
Yearly Archives: 2020
126 posts
These are the words of Saint Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:55, but they were immortalized in an Easter homily by Saint John Chrysostom when he proclaimed: “O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory? Christ is risen, and you are overthrown. Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen. Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice. Christ is risen, and life reigns. Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in the grave. For Christ, being risen from the dead, is become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and […]
Confused? Disoriented? Questions? Was watching a video by Matthew Kelly in which he focused upon the reality of that first Holy Saturday—mainly, that there probably wasn’t anyone walking around going, “Hey, it’s going to be ok. Remember Jesus said that He would be back in three days and that all will be well, and darkness, sin and death would be no more.” He pointed out that it probably wasn’t like that. Rather, it was probably that everyone was sitting around confused, disoriented and full of questions. And it struck me that the reality of the first Holy Saturday is what […]
Happy Good Friday! Am sure many of you are probably asking, how can Good Friday be happy? Well, in the same way that we call it “good.” And that goodness is captured in the beautiful line from the Exsultet that will be sung (or proclaimed) at the Easter Vigil tomorrow evening, “O Happy Fault that merited such and so great a Redeemer!” But as we await that moment of the lighting of the Easter candle and when Christ’s light will begin to spread across the world again, the journey of the Passion awaits us. The Passion is the human journey […]
It is Holy Thursday, and for the first time since I became Catholic more than three decades ago, I will not be able to be physically present at the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper. This is a result of the COVID-19 pandemic mandates to “shelter in place” and our bishop, like all bishops across the United States, suspending public masses. So we will gather again virtually tonight as we commemorate and make present again the Last Supper, at which Jesus instituted the priesthood and the Most Holy Eucharist as He had His last meal with His followers before He […]
Just finished recording a special Holy Week podcast edition for your listening pleasure entitled, No Public Mass and COVID-19: How Can We Accompany Jesus During Holy Week? I invite you to check it out and share with your friends and family! If the link above doesn’t connect, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://anchor.fm/sayyestoholiness/episodes/No-Public-Mass–COVID-19-How-Can-We-Accompany-Jesus-During-Holy-Week- Christina Semmens is a Roman Catholic author, blogger, speaker and mentor. She currently lives in Fort Payne, Alabama where she strives to live out a life of authentic discipleship in the pursuit of holiness while empowering, teaching and accompanying others in striving to do […]
Fr. Ed Broom shares 10 great ways that can help you get ready for the biggest week of the year. Enjoy! https://spiritualdirection.com/2020/04/06/ten-ways-to-prepare-for-easter-and-mercy-sunday Christina Semmens is a Roman Catholic author, blogger, speaker and mentor. She currently lives in Fort Payne, Alabama where she strives to live out a life of authentic discipleship in the pursuit of holiness while empowering, teaching and accompanying others in striving to do the same. If you want to learn more about how to embrace the life God created you for, then plan to join me during the week of April 20th for the SAY YES TO […]
I saw this graphic posted on social media this morning, and it prompted a parallel thought—who do I want to be during Holy Week? Do I want to live this most blessed and grace-filled weeks of the year from a place of fear? Or from a place of learning? Or from a place of growth? You see, the decision as to how we desire to live out this Holy Week is key to whether this most intense week of the Christian liturgical year will actually bring about our eventual transformation in, through and with Christ. So what will you decide? […]
Hey, Everyone! Wanted to share a special podcast episode entitled, “Growing in Faith During Difficult Times” that aired on the Belle Curve podcast. I was privileged to be a guest on the show this last week, and I spent time together with the hosts, Rachel Blackmon Bryars and Mary Scott Hunter, talking about what we can do to help us process and embrace the “new normal” of COVID-19. Enjoy the episode, and if you find it to be helpful, make sure to share “Growing in Faith During Difficult Times” episode with your friends! Christina Semmens is a Roman Catholic author, […]
I read a really well done, informative and insightful article this morning from The Atlantic Monthly that walks through the various timelines in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is hard to read, not because it is written in a technical language, but because it spells out the reality that most people don’t want to hear right now. What the article points out is the fact that what most of us are currently experiencing IS the new “normal.” I was a guest on the Belle Curve podcast yesterday, and the discussion revolved around how can people deal with what is […]