If you’ve ever leafed through a Catholic prayer book, you might have stumbled upon various prayers before Mass (see here or here for some examples). At first glance, these kind of prayers might confirm some of the negative stereotypes about…
Praying before Mass
Preaching Words from the Heart
Last month we considered the importance of being ready to preach with words as part of our witness as Christians in the world. As I try and live this out in my life, I find that speaking from the heart…
What Does Jesus Bring?
We all envision our future in some way, shape, or form. And as believers, we know that God is a part of this future. But what about when we do face desolation? Or when we’re proclaiming the name of Jesus…
Preaching with Words
Do you preach? You might reply, “I just live my life and people can see that I’m Catholic. That’s enough. Actions speak louder than words, you know…” Fair enough. But what about when someone’s misrepresenting the Catholic faith? Or, asking…
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…
No, Not a Wedding–A Eucharistic Procession
“What is this, some kind of wedding?” The question jolted me into the role of evangelist. I’d been standing near the edge of a large crowd of people praying and participating in a Eucharistic procession, pushing my infant son back…
Liturgy: What’s the Point?
“So, about that liturgy of yours…” Sometimes the transcendence of a Eucharistic liturgy can get a little blurry. A bad microphone that makes the lector’s proclamation of Scripture unintelligible. The thermostat in the sanctuary turned up so high you can…
Remembering the Signs
Think of the last time you gave someone directions to a particular location. Maybe you told them to “go to the third traffic light and make a left” or “watch for a restaurant with a big green roof.” You pointed…
The Spirituality of Invitation
The “New Evangelization” is all around us. Catholics Come Home continues its prime time television campaign to eventually reach viewers in every U.S. diocese. The acclaimed Catholicism documentary series produced by Fr. Robert Barron and Word on Fire ministries has aired on…
Tis the Season of Exorcisms
Contrary to popular Hollywood portrayals, the season of exorcisms isn’t centered on Halloween—it’s right now, happening at a parish near you, this Lent. Even though I grew up going to Mass every Sunday, by the time I was in high…