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CMO 115: Rain on the Windowpane!

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  ☕ Coffee Break Reflection — “Rain on the Windowpane” Today feels like one of those soft, steady rainy days from my childhood in southern California—the kind where I would stand at the window and watch the drops fall in a slow, rhythmic dance. The rain always seemed to wash the dust from the earth, refresh the air, and then move on—eastward, northward—eventually becoming snow before turning back into rain again. I can still hear the quiet questions that used to rise in my young mind: Why does the rain fall? Where does the storm go when it leaves here? How much life does it destroy… and how much does it renew? What do the animals do when the rain doesn’t stop? How do they protect themselves? Those were the days before girlfriends, marriage, children, divorce, friendships, work, loss, and all the complicated chapters that come with adulthood. Life was simpler then—but not necessarily easier. Just different. And now here I am, in my mid‑60s. Mid‑60s! It is both a joy and a surprise ...
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CMO 114: What Is A Charism?

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  A charism (pronounced KAR‑iz‑um ) is a special spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit to a person for the good of others , not for themselves. In simple terms: A charism is a God‑given ability that helps you serve, bless, or build up other people in a unique way. It’s not the same as a natural talent. It’s not a personality trait. It’s not something you earn. A charism is: Given by the Holy Spirit For the benefit of the Church and the world Meant to help others encounter God Often surprisingly effective beyond your natural abilities Examples of charisms include: Encouragement (lifting others up spiritually) Teaching (helping people understand the faith) Wisdom (offering God‑centered insight) Hospitality (making people feel welcomed and valued) Intercessory prayer (praying for others with noticeable fruit) Leadership (guiding others toward God’s purposes) Service (joyfully helping in practical ways) A good way to think of it: Talents make you good at something. Charisms...
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CMO 113: Morning Struggle

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  Journal Entry — Coffee Break Reflection Dear Coffee Breaker, This morning has been a difficult one. My son, who lives with schizophrenia, had a challenging night—beginning Thursday evening just after dinner and continuing straight through until Friday morning. When I woke, I found clothes left in the washer, items out of place, and the bathroom carpet soaked. I decided not to salvage it. His bedroom door is locked, and the key is nowhere to be found. I’m not worried; if necessary, I can remove the door. For now, I’m giving him space and time to come out for his morning medication. I ordered a non‑locking doorknob from Walmart—something I should have done months ago. Procrastination… it catches up with us. Alongside caring for my son, my mind feels crowded today. Thoughts swirl without settling, but I refuse to let this mental clutter steal the joy Christ gives. This is His story. He is the Author. I am simply one of many beloved characters privileged to share a small moment in Hi...
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CMO 112: Short Story: The Journal and the Esay: A short story about friendship, humility, and service.

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  God first. Neighbor second. Self third. Every now and then, a simple phrase carries the weight of the whole Gospel. “ God first. Neighbor second. Self third. ” It’s short enough to fit on a sticky note, but deep enough to reorder a life. Putting God first doesn’t mean adding more to our to‑do list. It means letting Him be the center of everything we already do. It’s the quiet decision to pray before reacting, to choose honesty over convenience, to ask, “Lord, what do You want from me in this moment” instead of letting our impulses lead the way. Putting the neighbor second means remembering that every person— the joyful ones, the difficult ones, the ones who drain us, and the ones who surprise us— is someone God loves. It’s choosing patience when we’re tired, kindness when we’re irritated, and compassion when we’d rather look away. It’s the small, hidden sacrifices that say, “You matter. You are seen. You are loved.” And putting self third doesn’t mean neglecting ourselves. It ...
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CMO 111: Daniel and the Roadside Moment

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  Illustration Summary: A quiet morning light filters through the stained‑glass windows of a small Catholic church, scattering soft blues, reds, and golds across the wooden pews. In the middle of the sanctuary sits Daniel Cruz , a middle‑aged man with gentle lines on his face and the look of someone who has lived enough life to know he doesn’t have all the answers. He leans forward in the pew, elbows resting on the back of the one in front of him. His hands are clasped against his forehead—not in defeat, but in a kind of honest surrender. His eyes are closed, and for the first time in a long time, he isn’t trying to hold himself together. He’s simply letting himself be seen . Behind him, the crucifix hangs above the altar, illuminated by the flicker of votive candles. The soft glow reflects off the gold of the tabernacle, casting a warm halo around the scene. The church is empty except for Daniel, but it doesn’t feel lonely. It feels like a moment suspended between heaven and e...
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CMO 110: Who I Am is Not As Important As Who I Am!

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  "Let's Coffee Break!" Hey there, Coffee Breakers! Now, before you get any grand ideas, I don’t expect you to be long-standing fans of this show or members of some exclusive coffee club—I just like the sound of it. Honestly, my last attempt at an episode sounded more like a robotic script-reader than an actual person, so I scrapped that version and decided to give it another shot—this time, talking to you live and unscripted. So, let’s dive into today’s Coffee Break together! -- Hey there and welcome back! I truly hope life is treating you well, and that you’re dedicated to loving God (yes, faith is a big part of my life), as well as striving to be an amazing neighbor—because aiming for “great” really is better than just settling for “good” (shout-out to Fr. Mike Schmitz for that inspiration). Let’s make sure we’re not just doing good for others but also for ourselves, and living out the dream God has set before us. No worries, I’m not about to start preaching here...
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CMO 109: Redirection

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  What I Do... Something struck me this morning, a reality that brings me peace in a strange sort of way: I am not important in the grand scheme of things. My sense of self doesn’t need to be propped up with empty compliments or affirmations. I can live with that. Years ago, I dreamed of becoming a well-known motivational speaker, believing that the greatest gift I had was my ability to speak and inspire others. I poured myself into that dream, only to find that every step forward was met with setbacks, disappointments, and closed doors. "Let's Coffee Break!" This morning, I realized something that brings me peace: in the grand scheme of things, I'm not that important. I wasn’t destined to be the next Zig Ziglar, Dr. Padilla, Rev. Carlos, or even Mr. Padilla the teacher. I wasn’t going to be “Honey Love” as a husband, an ‘80s underwear model, a mid-’70s high school tennis champion, a journalist, mystery novelist, actor, playwright, or a proud USC graduate. Not ach...
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