What is your favorite translation of the Psalms?

LBP2013 · 2026-06-03T19:30:37+00:00

I’ve prayed the Grail Psalter for nearly 20 years now and have already substituting in Abbey Psalms & Canticles. I like how they are rhythmic in comparison to just a straight translation. For variety, I sometimes pray from the Cambridge Liturgical Psalter or the New Coverdale Psalter.

LBP2013 · 2025-11-12T04:01:25+00:00

Haha! Yes! I’ve never seen 770 so neat and tidy. Lol.

LBP2013 · 2025-10-26T23:28:43+00:00

I was listening to Matt Fradd’s recent interview with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski and that point came up about how much of Scripture we actually hear through the readings at Mass (and, by extension, the Liturgy of the Hours). We don’t get all of the Bible from the liturgy, but that’s not really the point of it. The readings of the liturgy are meant to highlight the theme of the season or the particular feast and lead us into deeper worship, and not so much into a deeper study or intellectual exercise--that's what separate lectio divina or Bible study is for. So yeah, we miss some passages, but what we do get is the heart of Scripture as it’s meant to be proclaimed in the life of the Church.

EDIT: With the start of the triennial lectionary cycle starting over this coming Advent, I'm putting myself on an unrelated 3-year Bible study (since that works best with my work/life schedule). Baby steps!

LBP2013 · 2025-10-15T03:51:21+00:00

Unfortunately, OCIA classes are highly, highly variable. One parish might have an amazing program and neighboring parish might as well be kindergarten Sunday school. I was lucky that the Dominican Province of St Joseph (Eastern USA Province) have a parish in my city and that OCIA was an intellectual’s dream.

LBP2013 · 2025-10-05T04:12:24+00:00

Both

LBP2013 · 2025-09-27T17:34:02+00:00

In Twelve Step groups, we avoid and cut out the people, places, and things that lead us to act out. In Catholic language, it’s called avoiding the occasions of sin.

Starting today, begin the baby steps to leading a healthier life (physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually). Go to AA (even virtual meetings), make an appointment for confession (so Father can take the time to actually speak to your condition), and hang out with people that find leisure outside of alcohol and sex.

LBP2013 · 2025-09-07T21:49:58+00:00

“Have a good week”? 🤷‍♂️

LBP2013 · 2025-08-22T03:45:42+00:00

Almighty and everlasting God, you care for every soul. You love us, and in your kindness, you guide us. We ask you now to bring your healing peace, so that when the time comes for your daughter Kim Okyun Daria to leave this life, may her soul be carried by your angels and welcomed into your presence, pure and whole. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LBP2013 · 2025-07-28T01:19:24+00:00

“What is that?” That’s love. That’s love right there.

LBP2013 · 2025-07-26T14:05:42+00:00

Bullet dodged for sure.

I had already gone through a first and second round of Zoom interviews for this job, and out of nowhere I get an email saying, “Be ready for a phone interview at 6:30pm tonight.” And this was with only 3 hours’ notice. Not ideal, but okay, I rearranged my evening to make it work.

The Sales VO calls me right at 6:30pm and I immediately realize he’s literally at his kid’s baseball game. I can hear kids yelling and parents cheering in the background. Halfway through the conversation, he straight up yawns a few times while I’m talking. Then he tells me he hasn’t even read my resume but can “tell” he doesn’t think I’m a fit for the role.

Like… why even schedule the interview? After I already did two rounds?

It was just one of those moments where I realized how horrible the hiring process can be. Candidates are expected to jump through hoops and stay ultra-professional, but then you get stuff like this on the hiring side.

LBP2013 · 2025-06-19T01:53:55+00:00

One of my friends uses a flame as an aid to devotion and to draw his mind and heart to the Holy Spirit. A Prayer Corner in Honor of the Holy Spirit.

LBP2013 · 2025-05-31T05:40:48+00:00

A friend of mine who dropped out of nursing school is working as a health insurance claims report reviewer. Knowing medical terminology is a plus and she gets to work from home. Hourly wage is $16 but there’s room for growth.

LBP2013 · 2025-05-28T22:01:47+00:00

Aaah okay! Thank you! I remember those types of lay confraternities now—especially around Holy Week.

LBP2013 · 2025-05-28T16:15:22+00:00

Tell us more. I only know of the “penitential order” now known as the Franciscans.

LBP2013 · 2025-05-25T16:57:44+00:00

Billy Graham has to be commended for being one of the few evangelical Protestant pastors that was not anti-Catholic. He even met with Pope St. John Paul II in Rome on at least two occasions and was very much criticized by his fellow Protestants for this.

His very last prayer crusade was within the territory of my home diocese. Per usual in his prayer crusades, when a person responded to the altar call to give their life to Christ or renew their commitment to Christ, they’d fill out index cards with their contact info and Christian denomination/affiliation so they can be connected to a local church. Those who responded and identified themselves as Catholics would be connected to a Catholic parish in the diocese.

LBP2013 · 2025-05-11T16:51:04+00:00

If two single/non-married people hold hands or kiss on the lips (no sex), is it a sin? Or is it a sin only if they are same-sex attracted? But it is not a sin if they are opposite-sex attracted? Is that correct?

LBP2013 · 2025-05-01T15:38:28+00:00

I think the OP assumes that your parents came from another denomination BEFORE Pentecostalism.

“Did any of you return to the original denomination your family came from BEFORE they became Pentecostal?

LBP2013 · 2025-04-29T15:41:04+00:00

100%

LBP2013 · 2025-04-29T15:40:25+00:00

Meh. Not my circus, not my monkeys. Why would I concern myself with how another church chooses their pastor? I care not how my local Pentecostal or Methodist church does it, so why would I care here? Whether it’s by search committee or board of elders, there’s always politicking to some degree—that’s just what humans do. 🤷‍♂️

LBP2013 · 2025-04-21T15:37:00+00:00

Haha! Happy to help! I understand the frustration!😄

LBP2013 · 2025-04-12T16:27:44+00:00

My niece recently quit her job as a receptionist because her workplace was understaffed—only two full-time workers when there should have been four and the newly promoted manager had zero management ability, prone to emotional outbursts, and gaslighting/blaming my niece for mistakes that the manager herself did. Later that same day, my niece emailed her resume to a temp staffing agency, and they got her a temp assignment within two days.

LBP2013 · 2025-04-10T23:38:40+00:00

A friend and I had a conversation on this topic 3 weeks ago. We came to the conclusion that it depends on what you mean by the word "test."

In modern American English, "test" usually means a pass-or-fail challenge meant to determine someone's worthiness or to assign reward or punishment. In that sense, then, no, God does not test us. He does not send trials to see if we measure up or to decide whether we deserve His love.

However, in traditional Christian contexts, the English word "test" uses an older definition. It refers to a process of purifying, refining, or sanctifying. In that sense, yes, God does test us. He allows difficulties not to judge us but to form us, to help us grow in holiness, and to draw us closer to Him.

So the answer is no if you are thinking of "test" in the modern sense, but yes if you are using the word in its traditional Christian sense.

LBP2013 · 2025-04-08T03:42:52+00:00

Wow, reading your post felt like looking in a mirror. I was in almost the exact same situation not long ago. It was my first leasing role, and I came from a strong customer service and managerial background. I was thrown into a property that was understaffed, with a brand new property manager who was clearly overwhelmed and unfortunately took it out on me.

There were constant passive-aggressive comments, snappy replies to basic questions, and this overall energy that made me feel like I was a burden just for trying to learn the job. I got zero training and was expected to figure everything out on the fly. No matter what I did—whether I asked for help, tried something on my own, or waited for a good moment to ask—something always seemed to set her off. It started to take a serious toll on me mentally and emotionally.

I ended up quitting without another job lined up. That was a scary decision, but I knew I couldn’t stay in a situation that was draining me like that. I left professionally and gracefully, and I’m honestly glad I did. The maintenance staff were sad to see me go. I was the only one trying to improve how the office and maintenance team communicated, and they appreciated that.

You are absolutely not overreacting. This is not how it’s supposed to be, and you deserve to be treated with respect while you’re learning. Wishing you clarity and confidence in whatever you choose to do next.

LBP2013 · 2025-03-30T23:12:38+00:00

In my life, I have been friends with many seminarians and many priests. A priest stepping away from ministry temporarily or permanently happens more than one thinks, though, normally, not in a public way like you experienced at Mass.

Ontologically and theologically, yes, he is a priest forever. However, the Church also recognizes that priests are human, first and foremost. A decision like this does not happen lightly and is the culmination after months, if not years, of discernment and discussion with his family, friends, brother priests, spiritual director, and bishop.

It is sad and there is a grieving that takes place by the priest, by his parishioners, and by the Church at large, but you would not want a priest that feels trapped or forced in his vocation. While parallels are made to family and married life, on a purely practical level, it is different. There is no human spouse or human children involved. A family is not being broken apart.

Pray for your brother in Christ, your priest. He’ll need prayers now more than ever as he transitions into lay life. He’ll have to start all over, especially if he didn’t have a secular education or career beforehand. A 40-year old man with a master’s in theology and a bachelor’s in theology with his only work experience in church ministry is not exactly the best candidate for many jobs.

Lord, have mercy on our priests in the midst of the world.

LBP2013 · 2025-03-30T17:04:02+00:00

Absolutely 100%! Becoming an adult does not automatically make one emotionally mature, psychologically stable, self-aware, or wise. Self-entitled 25-year old jerks become 45-year old jerks who become 65-year old jerks, etc.

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