I must admit I lament the way many of my Catholic brothers and sisters lack knowledge of the scriptures. I sometimes hear crazy stuff that defames the Old Testament, the discipline of memorizing scripture or even the idea of having a bible in the house. That just makes me sad. […]
Pentecost People
Before Pentecost, the disciples were fearful orphans subject to their whims of the moment. Sad and grieving without Jesus, they lacked self-direction and self-motivating guidance. He was their protector who promised to stay with them always. Then the mighty rushing wind of the Holy Spirit breathed into them a divine […]
The Veil
Have you ever stood in a sanctuary at night after the lights are out? Have you ever been in a cemetery close to dusk? Have you ever spent time in an adoration chapel by yourself? Were you ever in a Catholic Church in the earliest of mornings when everyone else […]
Earth to Catholics: It’s Time to Change
For the past week, I have noted with interest and sadness the strong negative reaction of many Catholics to Pope Francis’ new encyclical, Laudato Si. Apparently, the Pope’s call to radical conversion, not only in how we treat the Earth but also in how we deal with the economy and […]
The Importance of Syncing!
Do you have the Galaxy Note 7? Are you Synced? Do these questions confuse you? Syncing has nothing to do with the dinner dishes. Rather, it is a word that the “young people” understand as a regular in their vocabulary. You know, those people who do not know what a turn table is, who […]
Why am I a Catholic writer?
I’ve begun writing and speaking about my faith story. I’m reliving some key moments such as when I gave my life to Jesus at a Protestant youth retreat. In my staunch faith I never dreamed that five years later I would marry in the Catholic Church. The only way God […]
A Hero for the People, by Arthur Powers
Arthur Powers’ experiences while living in Brazil seep into his short stories such the descriptions of brightly painted shacks, savvy street vendors and shady samba schools in the big city slums or the night-time, pick-up truck ride through the swishing tall grass of the backlands, to the accompaniment […]
A private or community meditation for use during Lent.
Stations of the Cross Leader: Let Us Pray Response: Lord, you accepted this journey for our benefit and in our place. Help us to recognize the depth of your love for us so that we may set that love as the framework for our entire lives. Many see your journey […]
I’m Dreaming of a Blue Advent
Many lose sight of Advent amid the Thanksgiving-Black Friday-anticipated Christmas-commercial season. How can Advent hold its ground against this materialistic intrusion? Some regard Advent as “Little Lent.” After all, at least where I live it wears the hand-me-down purples of the penitential weeks between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. […]
Grace in the Wilderness: Reflections on God’s Sustaining Word along Life’s Journey, by Brother Francis de Sales Wagner, O.S.B.
Brother Francis de Sales offers his readers a source of joy, leading them into the desert where they feast on the reality of God. The Liturgical New Year will soon dawn, a time for new beginnings, not only with reflections on the saints of the day, but the profound messages […]