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 […]
christina.semmens
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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 […]
It is with joy that I share this update from Dan Burke’s wife, Stephanie, which indicates Dan is improving! Keep praying, and remember the power of prayer during this pandemic! Divino Nino, pray for us! From Stephanie: Dear Friends, I have hopeful news today. Dan’s tubes were removed this morning and he has been breathing on his own. His oxygen levels are good and his fever is receding, only coming at night now. The nurse feels that if he continues like this, they will be moving him out of ICU later today or tomorrow. He has a long way to […]
Just posted my latest podcast, “Tips for Pursuing Holiness During the Coronavirus Pandemic and Beyond.” In this podcast episode, I share good for the head, heart, hands and feet to inspire and encourage you, as well as practical tips of what and how to continue to pursue holiness during this challenging and difficult time. Blessed Chiara Portillo, when asked how she handled life’s challenges as she struggled with cancer, shared, “We live in the moment or we’d go crazy.” I think her advice is spot on for all of us, so as part of my effort to accompany you and […]
Let me echo Stephanie Burke’s heartfelt THANK YOU for your prayers for Dan. According to her update that I pasted below, Dan has not declined , but is stable. Let us continue to be united in prayer for Dan, Stephanie and the many others around the world who are fighting COVID-19. From Stephanie… Dear Friends, Thank you — a thousand thank you’s — for your prayers for Dan. As promised, I want to keep you updated and ask you to continue to pray for his healing. Dan’s condition remains serious but stable. He is still on a ventilator, but his health has […]