This is Father John Catoir with some words of wisdom from the late Mother Theresa: If you are kind, people may take advantage of you … be kind anyway. If you are trusting, people may try to cheat you… be trusting anyway. If you are happy, people may become jealous… be happy anyway. Good advice.   (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with the words of Jesus on the subject of fear: “Be not afraid, fear is useless,” He said, “what you need is trust.” Pray for the grace to trust the Lord. Try to live in the present moment, with God at your side. Repeat Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Did you know that when Bess Truman was 18, her father committed suicide? Her friend Mary Paxton came over right away and they talked for hours. Years later Bess said, “Mary’s loving presence was exactly what I needed at that terrible time.” People never forget those who reach out to them in their hour of need.   (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Are you kind to those in need? Do you avoid putting yourself down? If you have answered yes to those questions, you are obeying the Supreme Law: Love God, and love your neighbor as you love yourself. In other words, Cling to God, think of others, and don’t put yourself down.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Did you know that in Japan the symbol for courage is the plum? Why? Because the plum tree puts forth its blossoms even when it’s snowing. It takes courage to keep growing when there seems to be good reason to quit. But always remember, when the sun comes out the snow will melt. So hang in there.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Did you know that babies teach us a lot about perseverance? For instance, babies can’t read books about how to walk. They just keep standing up, and falling down, over and over, until finally they take their first steps, and everyone rejoices with them. Perseverance pays. Hang in there.   (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a reminder that we all have a debt of gratitude to those who helped us when we were children, and later in our adult lives. Be grateful to each and every one of them. And while you’re at it, do your best to help those people who need you now. And one day they will look back with gratitude to you for the help you gave them.    (top of page)

This is Father Catoir with the agnostic’s prayer: “Dear God, if there is a God. Help me to save my soul, if I have one.” Albert Einstein prayed more confidently. He always bowed before the supreme intelligence behind creation. Pray to know God better…… Whether you realize it or not, He is closer to you than your own heartbeat.    (top of page)

This is Father Catoir with a story about Houdini, the magician. Houdini came from a poor family. His father taught him that God provides, but Houdini didn’t want to depend entirely on God, so as a boy he performed magic tricks on the streets and soon people were filling his hat with coins. It taught him that while God provides, God also helps those who help themselves.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir some thoughts on raising children. Did you know that children do better in school when their parents encourage them to have a hopeful, positive attitude? Parents have the power to give their children a gift more valuable than anything money can buy, namely the gift of hope and encouragement. A pat on the back goes a long way.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a question: Why do you cry when you’re alone? Probably there are many reasons, but one reason might be that God is reminding you that you need His help more than you realize. There were times when Jesus prayed to the Father with tears, so don’t be discouraged if you cry now and then. You’re in good company.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a word on the importance of being responsible. Things go better when you take responsibility for your behavior and your spending habits. Don’t blame your mistakes on others, don’t say, “it’s not my fault” when you know it is. Be honest, make amends, and learn to be responsible, believe me, you’ll enjoy your precious life even more.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Did you know that the words DO NOT BE AFRAID are repeated 365 times throughout the Bible? Isaiah said, “Take courage, do not be afraid.” The Angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, I bring you tidings of great joy.” Jesus said, “Be not afraid, fear is useless, what you need is trust.”    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir… Did you ever stop to think that happiness is a choice? We can choose to live joyfully. Blessed Juliana of Norwich once said, “The greatest honor you can give to Almighty God, greater than all your mortifications, is to live joyfully because of the knowledge of His love. God wants you to enjoy your precious life. So cheer up.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. A bird needs its nest, a bee need its hive, and every human soul needs to finds its rest in God. St. Augustine said, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee, O Lord.” Resting in God’ love is the purest form of prayer. Wordless prayer is called contemplation.   (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Russian author Dostoyevski once wrote: “Love is a harsh and dreadful thing.” In other words, when the honeymoon is over, the drudgery of true love begins. But think of it this way. Some of your finest hours have occurred when you sacrificed yourself for others, and you did it in the name of love.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir, did you know that the central message of Christianity is joy? At the Last Supper Jesus said, “I have told you all these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be full.” Jesus came to bring joy. He wants you to enjoy your precious life, with Him and through Him.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a question. Did you know that God created you for a definite purpose? You have a job to do in this world that nobody else can do. By serving God’s children in some way, you can make this a better world, so why not let the Lord use your gifts and talents as instruments of His love.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. When a speck of sand gets into an oyster, it irritates the flesh around it. To protect itself, the oyster coats it with an iridescent material, so that gradually the grain of sand turns into a beautiful pearl. You are like that grain of sand. Be patient, while God transforms you into a pearl of great price.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a prayer taken from a confederate soldier’s knapsack: I asked for strength that I might achieve great things, but I was made weak that I might be humble enough to ask for God’s help. I didn’t get exactly what I asked for, but did get everything I hoped for, and today, I feel richly blessed.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with words of good cheer: St. Paul said, “Rejoice always.” William Shakespeare said, “A light heart lives long… Cheerfulness is a sure sign of wisdom.” Jesus said, “In this world you will have many problems, but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world.” Cheerfulness is like sunshine to the soul.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. Scripture tells us that love is patient, and it’s true. The service of love often takes the form of waiting, which can feel like a slow death at times. The earth waits for rain, the rose bud waits for warmth, and the soul waits for a union with God. Pray for the grace to be patient.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir. What is happiness? Believe it or not, real happiness is found in one’s fidelity to the duty of the present moment. Take care of the little things and the big things take care of themselves. To have your self-respect, and know that you carried your cross with courage means everything. Be faithful to the duty of the present moment.    (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid. Fear is useless, what you need is trust.” A spirit of trust fills the soul with joy. God invites you to share in his joy. Trust Him. Life is too precious to waste on needless anxiety. Count your blessings, and trust the Lord.   (top of page)

This is Father John Catoir with a caution: Beware of false prophets. Jesus said, “By their fruits you will know them.” For instance, Nietzsche once said, “God is dead,” and Adolph Hitler believed the same thing. Hitler made himself into a god and went all over Europe destroying millions of lives. Beware of those who do not obey God’s holy will.    (top of page)