The vowed religious at the wedding In between the awkwardly drunken apology—”Father, nothing bad happening over here!”—and the even more awkwardly inappropriate woman’s misplaced flirting, I can understand why most priests I know prefer to stay away from wedding receptions….
Making the Case for Sacred Tradition
I often have an overzealous detachment from tangible objects. Whether they are books, children’s toys, décor, or clothes, I find myself almost instinctively letting go of any item that seems to have run its useful course. It should be no…
What’s Your Spiritual Potential?
What has God called you to do in life? Have you reached your spiritual potential yet? How do we know who we’re supposed to become and who God wants us to be? These are some of the most common (and…
What Does Mercy Have to Do with Easter?
Readings for April 7, 2013: Divine Mercy Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter) Several years ago, the Catholic Church designated the Sunday after Easter as “Divine Mercy Sunday.” That raises two very important questions — what exactly is “mercy” anyway, and…
Jesus, I Trust in You
Last month when we were together we talked a bit about how important it is to trust in God, and where trusting Him can take us, if we but dare to go. Yes, we must trust with our daily lives,…
Putting Art in Its Place
This Lent instead of giving something up, I decided to add something huge to my spiritual life. I decided to try to tackle reading as much of the Vatican II documents as possible. So far I have read 7 out…
Bless Your Children…and the World
If you watched the televised coverage of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina named as our new pope, Pope Francis, you likely were deeply moved by his demeanor and word. Before giving his papal blessing he humbly asked for the…
Pope Francis: What’s in a Name?
On April 16, 1210, Pope Innocent III had an audience with a beggar. This beggar travelled long and far by foot to see the Holy Father. But the pope was troubled by a strange dream from the night before. In…
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…
E-S-P for Strays
When a child or sibling, spouse or parent strays from the faith that once was the mainstay of his or her life, what can you do? You worry yourself into tears. You scold and then ignore them, manipulate and then…