I remember waiting for an elevator at a store. When it opened, there was a woman waiting to get off. I was lost in some random thought, so I rudely went in before letting her out. I realized my error…
Love Being Hated
Wednesday Morning Wedding
Black velvet “Reserved” signs draped over their back of the first two pews, with their gold fringe hanging down. Not that unusual for weekday mass, especially in the summer. We often celebrated silver or golden wedding anniversaries among our aging…
Can Evangelization Happen at a Parent Meeting?
Before you get too far into reading this post, I want to tell you there is no answer to that question here. At least not yet. However, there will be an answer in my next post two weeks from now….
Authority over Demons
Readings for February 1, 2015: Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time I’ve read many term papers in my day. Most of them are no more than a patchwork of quotes. That’s because college students are smart enough to know that they…
A Most Basic Skill
For quite some time, now my heart has been stolen by one of the iconic images of the faith. I am completely smitten by this picture every time I see it almost to the point of not being able to…
Does the New Evangelization Trump Ecumenism?
The New Evangelization seems new and exciting here in the United States. People talk about it a lot. We plan lots of events and programs to support the New Evangelization. And sometimes, we even overuse the phrase. But, ecumenism? Now…
Detachment from the World
Readings for January 25, 2015: Third Sunday of Ordinary Time Peter and Andrew were businessmen. So were their neighbors, James and John. They tried to wring a living out of the Sea of Galilee, and it probably took nearly all…
The Chapel Veil and Humble Submission to God
This Sunday when you are at Mass, take a moment to look around you. Observe how many women are wearing a chapel veil. Chances are that with great difficulty you may find several, if any. There was a time once,…
A New Catholic Radio PRACTICE
“No believer in Christ can be separate from the supreme beauty; of proclaiming Christ to all the people’.” — Pope John Paul II, Vatican City, Sept. 19, 2003 What is the role of Catholic radio in evangelization? For many years,…
The Can’t-Be-Bothered Method of Anti-Evangelization
So you’re standing around before Mass and the priest says to you, “Listen, I’m busy. So I’ve decided to draw a line. I know you’re properly prepared to receive Holy Communion, and there’s absolutely nothing in Church teaching or discipline…