Colleen Spiro's Blog

I am just thinking about blogging here again. I have been away for awhile. I went to a different blogging platform but it is too expensive for me right now. I always loved Blogger and wonder if I can come home again?

I wish to announce that I am closing down this blog. I will keep it here for a few more weeks.

I have enjoyed meeting so many bloggers through this blog, You have all been a part of my spiritual journey and I will keep you in my prayers.

The good news is, I am not leaving the blogging world entirely. I have opened up a new website - Catholic Prayer Life. A blog is included on this site and also podcasts.

I appreciate all who have come to this blog and read my words and commented on these pages....

"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:36

Vigil means watchful or wakefulness. Some monasteries have an early morning prayer time called Vigils. It is the pre-dawn prayer of waiting in the dark and watching for the sun to come up. Waiting and watching.

Advent is about waiting for Jesus to come to each and every one of us in a new way. During advent we wait and watch for the birth...

"Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."- John 18:37

I wonder, with some of the issues in our country today - abortion, health care, freedom of religion - who is listening to Jesus' voice? Who knows that He is king? Who knows that Jesus is the Answer?
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens. But don't we all think we belong to the truth? Don't we all think we have the answers?
Maybe we are listening to our own voice, our own thoughts, our own ego. Other voices can drown out Jes...

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart
Deo Gratias is Latin for "Thanks be to God." Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big and small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude! I invite you to share your blessings here on Wednesdays. Be sure to leave your link! God bless!

1. Working on an advent retreat that I will be giving in a few weeks. Working on retreats always helps...

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. - Mark 13:31

At first glance, this Sunday's gospel reading seems a bit scary.
The end times.
But Jesus seems to say here that we need not be afraid. We need not fear. Instead, we need to pay attention. We need to watch the signs of the times. We need to live each moment like it is our last.
And hold onto Jesus. Always.
The world can seem to fall down around us, but we are not alone. Some things will change but one thing never chan...

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart
Deo Gratias is Latin for "Thanks be to God." Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big and small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude! I invite you to share your blessings here on Wednesdays. Be sure to leave your link! God bless!

1. Lately we have been seeing beautiful flocks of white birds flying by our patio It is quite a sight....

"For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”  - Mark 12:44

From her poverty, she contributed all she had. She was not rich. She needed that money. But, from her poverty, she gave her all. Very scary, the thought of giving all we have. Do we trust God enough? What will happen if I give all the money I have left at the end of the week? Will I go hungry? How about time or treasure? What will happen...

"If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough." - Meister Eckhart
Deo Gratias is Latin for "Thanks be to God." Remembering to give thanks for all of our blessings, big and small, helps us to find God in our everyday moments and gives us an attitude of gratitude! I invite you to share your blessings here on Wednesdays. Be sure to leave your link! God bless!

1. Saw a beautiful sunset this past week! Deo gratias!
2. My husband can always make me laugh, no matter...

"Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God." - Matthew 5:8
It is All Saints Day. I am thinking of St. Therese of Lisieux. I have a strong devotion to her for many reasons, not the least of which was her spirituality of the Little Way. In Story of a Soul, Therese writes about how badly she wanted to be a saint. She thought that was impossible. She was just, as she said, a little grain of sand. But then she realized that "God cannot inspire unrealizable desires. I can, then, in...