3 words prevail during high school commencements
Recently, God blessed me with opportunities to attend all four of our Catholic high schools’ commencement ceremonies. At every event, three words prevailed; more about them soon. Hundreds of outstanding young men and women crossed stages and received their diplomas from Bishop C...Read full story »
Monday, May 26, 2014
'Playing the proud Papa' becomes me!
One of the neatest things I get to do these days is something I’ve come to call “playing the proud Papa.” And you – the diocesan family – are, collectively, the reason I get to do it. This kind of pride isn’t the sinful variety; at least, I don’t beli...Read full story »
Monday, May 12, 2014
He is a Saint, I say!
He is a Saint, I say! That headline actually is the lead to this column. “Who,” you ask … “who is a Saint?” Pope Francis. I believe we are living in a very special time in the history of the Church – a time when we have a bona fide Saint l...Read full story »
Monday, April 28, 2014
Praying to change a sad truth over the Easter Triduum
Nothing surprises me any more, but some things still make me sad. Kirstin Ethridge discussed one of them in last week’s 1 Timothy column. As you sit in an overflowing church this weekend for the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday Mass, think about this … pray about it. Accordin...Read full story »
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Pope Francis presents Mary as our collective Christian hope
Last fall, Pope Francis visited the Benedictine Camaldolese Monastery of Sant’Antonio Abate on the Roman Aventine Hill, on the occasion of the World Day of Contemplative Life and the Year of Faith. He made remarks about our Blessed Mother, and I find them most appropriate to share duri...Read full story »
Monday, March 31, 2014
On social media as a tool to open hearts and minds
News outlets across the world recently heralded the 25th birthday of the Internet. That birthday came on the heels of a fleeting cyberspace moment that, in my opinion, sent a significant message. Comedian Ellen DeGeneres “broke” Twitter by urging people to retweet a photo she too...Read full story »
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Prepare for a reminder of the 'true big picture'
Every year about this time, we Catholics hear 12 words that ought to take our breath away. In the time it takes to say those words … while making the sign of the cross on our foreheads with the ashes of palm leaves … our priests remind us of the TRUE big picture: “Remember...Read full story »
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Thoughts on Lent, suffering, sacrifice and Confession
Lent begins next week, and penance is its foundation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (see paragraph Nos. 1430-1439) notes that penance is part of the call to conversion – first of our interior selves, then outwardly through visible signs. I urge you to read these few paragraphs soon. Th...Read full story »
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Human trafficking brings a call to prayer
This weekend – especially Saturday – pray to St. Josephine Bakhita. Ask her to intercede for the survivors and victims of human trafficking. Saturday is the National Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Human Trafficking, which was designated and approved by the U.S....Read full story »
Monday, February 03, 2014
A(nother) step into the future . . .
The unknown that lies before is always an act of faith. It is more than the belief that the risk of a new adventure will bring variables, changes and unforeseen realities. It is faith because of a firm conviction that man does not walk alone. He walks with his sometimes unseen and unfelt fel...Read full story »
Monday, January 20, 2014
