I would like to wish all members a happy and blessed Pentecost weekend!

Here are some ideas how to celebrate Pentecost for those who are interested

Note: You may join this thread discussion if you want to  

This Mass in a Month podcast by Dr. Eward Sri is interesting - sadly it is only exclusive to the Ascension App (or website?).

One example mentioned that the Liturgy is God writing a letter to you. Another episode mentioned the homily is when God comes down to speak to use.

I have a concept that I believe will be good for everyone. I call it “What if I was there”. We take a piece of a Bible story, and everyone tells what they believe they experience if they were part of the story. Add a reference to the bible verse so if someone wants to read the part and visualize from there, they can (feel free to just go off your memory of the story if you want).
 
After the initial post sets the story and the originator’s “experience”, then everyone else can post their “experiences”. You may reference another post (i.e. “My experience is similar to ****** with the exception that the envisioned Jesus was wearing a light gray tunic.”).
 
As for a vague set of guidelines (you can write it as a story, list experiences, etc.[no right or wrong way to express your own “experience”]), first tell where you are in the story and then give what you sense (hear, see, smell, taste, & touch), and then the emotions felt going through the event.
 
So, to start this off:
Story/Event: Shepherds watching flock at night when angels show up to proclaim the birth of the Savior.
Reference: Luke 1:8-14
I am a shepherd watching a flock of sheep.
1.      Sight
   a.      Starlit night with a scattering of sheep in a rolling field of grass.
   b.      I come over to the fire after finishing my patrolling round and hand my torch to another shepherd so he can do a round.
   c.      Several other shepherds are around the fire talking with occasional glances keeping check on the flocks situation and the          patrolling shepherd’s progress.
   d.      As the patrolling shepherd is returning, I notice that one
star seems to be getting bigger and brighter.
   e.      The white light is almost blinding.
   f.        Then I clearly see humanoid in the light and is speaking to me and the other shepherds with me.
   g.      As my vision clears, I notice a blond lady wearing white robes tied with a golden cord around the waist and has giant wings that beat in slow motion keeping them pretty much in the same place (only a slight waver in position).
   h.      After the angel speaks, a couple hundred other angels (dressed the same but different genders and ethnicities) sitting on a towering cloud singing.
2.      Sound
   a.      Voices of me and my fellow shepherds talking (conversation topic forgotten) with some sheep bleating.
   b.      Shocked voices of me and my fellow shepherds followed by the melodic sounding voice of a soft-spoken lady.
   c.      A massive choir with all ranges of voices (harmoniously blended).
3.      Smell
   a.      Fresh air mixed with a smoky smell of nearby fire.
   b.      I assume that the smell remains the same, but do not remember anything in particular when the angels showed up.
4.      Taste
   a.      I don’t have any specific taste beyond normal saliva.
5.      Feel
   a.      Cool light breeze with a little bit of warmth from the fire.
   b.      Feels comfortable (not cold or hot) while the angels are seen.
6.      Emotions
   a.      Content, but a little bit tired since I just finished my patrol.
   b.      Confusion and a little bit of fear at the sudden appearance of the angel.
   c.      Calm as the angel speaks.
   d.      Uplifted/joyous as the angel choir sings.
 
(This may seem long, but I think it “paints a picture” with how I envisioned the event.)

have been reading quite a bit about a sister in northern Japan lately 
and I know the Fatima date is october not may.

However there was recently a lot of publicity on 13 may.

this Sister Agnes had an eventful life including paralysis......
..which was cured by drinking water from Lourdes......and various
experiences of stigmata and vrious visions and miracles...

your thoughts?

We are approaching two years since Catholic Match forums ended. I believe the date is May 18. How is everybody doing? Are you still on CM? I reluctantly renewed my membership for another year but sometimes wonder why. Apparently, they have dropped speed dating for no apparent reason and now have their own version of the Dating Game, which seems rather silly. I am grateful to still have this forum to keep in touch with old friends. But it seems that many have fallen by the wayside since the beginning. A lot of work went into this forum. Consequently, it is sad to see it so underused. Any ideas about how to give this forum a shot in the arm?

Happy Easter 2026 CatholicHangout!

I found a Catholic group called The Vigil project that makes some classical liturgical music. Here is one called No Words - a reflection on Holy Saturday 2026 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JJPQ-uMKc_o

Just returned from the Vigil!!

I look forward to Holy Week every year. I plan on going to the Holy Thursday service tonight at my parish. I was asked to be one of the "disciples" during the foot washing, which is a first for me. On Good Friday, I plan on going to the service at our local Byzantine Catholic church. It is a long but very beautiful service. In the Byzantine rite, the Good Friday service has no Eucharist and one venerates the shroud rather than the cross. On Holy Saturday, I will go to Easter Vigil at my parish. I would be interested in hearing about what you do for Holy Week.

... should consider booking one of these rail holidays.  I was just on the Great Southern, and it was as good as a European River Cruise: https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/