Saint Peter, One of Us

I sometimes imagine a dialogue between God and Humanity where we complain to Him. HUMANITY: God, you are too far above us!  How can we ever hope to be perfect as You are perfect? GOD:  I understand.  So I shall…

Why I’m Catholic: Acts of the Apostles

Why I’m Catholic: Acts of the Apostles When I get asked why I go to a Catholic church or what made me “decide to be Catholic” (which is the usual way people ask), my answer is simple—the Acts of the…

Prayer and Evangelization

I don’t know what you spend your days doing, but my job is to draw (though sometimes I feel like I am trying to lure) people to the Church.  I have passion and am very dedicated to what I do…

An Evangelizing Mom’s Revival Guide

May should be a time for joy. With the Easter season underway, the school year winding down, beautiful weather shyly creeping in and summer vacation on the horizon, there are an abundance of opportunities for evangelizing moms to sing the…

He Leadeth Me: A Book Review

I have a group of friends who pick a book to read and discuss together every few months and He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S. J. was our most recent selection.  I had heard about this book and…

Finding the Excitement in the Ascension

Readings for May 12, 2013: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord The celebration of the Ascension used to leave me a bit flat.  It was clear what Good Friday did for me.  And Easter Sunday’s benefits were indisputable. But…

Meet John of Avila

Last year, on October 7, 2012, Benedict XVI declared St. John of Avila the 34th Doctor of the Church. This was based not only on the saint’s illustrious life of heroic virtue but also upon his writings and his letters,…

Tough Guys Don’t Pitch Tents

About 30 years ago I read the Norman Mailer novel Tough Guys Don’t Dance. It’s about a son, Tim Madden, who simply will never be as tough a guy as his father Dougy. Tim must be about 40, but still feels…

Taking Custody of Your Tongue

What if you had to choose one of the symbols of the Four Evangelists and adopt it as your own?  Which of those four icons—a majestic lion, a formidable ox, a fearsome winged creature, a splendid eagle—would best represent your…

Here Comes the Bride

Eleven years ago, I married my wonderful wife, Michelle.  I have it on good authority that her dress shopping some months before our wedding was an overall positive experience.  Emotional, yes, but positive. It seems, though, that plenty of similar…