The wound of individualism is the spotlight for part four of my blog series using the Holy Family’s example to fight the Five Wounds of Secularization (Busyness, Consumerism/Materialism, Violence/Revenge, Individualism, and Entitlement). Previous posts in this series on the Five…
The Wound of Individualism
Mary, Our Mother of the Bible
As a born-again Catholic—or as some like to call it, a “revert”—something new upon “coming home,” that had not been a part of my life previously, was a devotion to Mary. Actually, I believe it was Mary who brought me…
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…