By Larry Peterson Rosario Livatino was born in Sicily on October 3, 1952. He was the only child born to Vincenzo Livatino and Rosalia Corbo. Growing up, Rosario was a quiet boy, stayed out of trouble, and was an excellent student. He had a kind heart and never refused to […]
To Her Husband, the Only Thing that Mattered was the Arrival of the Priest
By Larry Peterson Lee and Shirley Mae had moved from Pittsburgh, PA, to Pinellas Park, FL, back in 1984. Lee, a World War II veteran who served in the South Pacific during the war, had met Shirley Mae at the Greater Pittsburgh Airport years before. Lee, a widower, worked for […]
Could the apparitions of Our Lady of Cuapa be a replay of Fatima?
By Larry Peterson Bernardo Martinez was experiencing a sense of despair about his life. He lived in Cuapa, Nicaragua, and was quite poor. Bernardo was a sickly young man and could not find work. He lived in a small room in the back of the church, where he did his […]
Loneliness in America—A Growing and Deadly Epidemic spurred on by the Covid-19 Pandemic; where is God in all of this?
By Larry Peterson I have learned that loneliness has no boundaries. It stretches out its tentacles and wraps them around those who may have lost a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling, or even a dear friend. I have been widowed twice and know full well how loneliness can […]
He played football and learned the pain in his leg was not from football; it was bone cancer. He was eleven years old.
By Larry Peterson Angiolino Bonetta was born on September 18,1948, in Cigole, a town in northern Italy located in the Diocese of Brescia, a diocese established in the first century. His parents, Francesco Bonetta and Giulia Scarlatti were not poor and managed to make ends meet, but there were no […]
Did you know that St. Bernard dogs are named after a real saint? Meet St. Bernard of Menthon
By Larry Peterson Menthon Castle stands on the shore of Lake Annecy in a mountainous region that borders Italy, France, and Switzerland. Bernard was most likely born in the castle around the year 1020. He was born into a rich and noble family and, growing up, wanted for nothing. His […]
The Strange Paradox of COVID-19: Saving the lonely by making them lonelier
I have learned that loneliness has no boundaries. It reaches out for everyone and captures many of the unsuspecting, including the seemingly happy, satisfied, and successful. Yes, loneliness is capable of dragging the lonely into a world of hidden misery and often depression. It can attack anyone at any time, […]
Does God send us “signs,” to let us know He has heard our prayers? You Decide.
By Larry Peterson Looking into her eyes, he said, “There is victory over death.” I recently attended a funeral Mass, and during the few minutes before the Mass started, something extraordinary happened. I believe God sent a messenger to share with all those in attendance an affirmation of what we […]
Francis Delalieu: this Good Samaritan saved a future Servant of God and her family from death — then he was gone.
There were no strings attached. He simply loved his neighbor One of the most famous Gospel readings is the one we all know as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. What follows is about someone who may be among the greatest Good Samaritans of all time, a man we know almost […]
Loneliness and Thanksgiving: Thoughts from a Catholic man
God is the answer, because without Him there is no hope By Larry Peterson Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty. (St. Teresa of Calcutta) This will be the third Thanksgiving since my wife passed away, and when you become widowed, there is an inescapable loneliness […]