One significant step in my journey back to the faith happened during Lent. Like most lukewarm Catholics I used to give up beer or chocolate or something like that for Lent. That year I decided to pray the rosary every…
Quality Time with Loved Ones
Five Legacies of Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI has officially stepped down from the Chair of Peter. He is the first pope to do so in many centuries. His time as pope was very brief compared to his predecessor, John Paul II. But even in…
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…
Truly Catholic Mercy
Most religions in the ancient world were local, national cults. The Egyptians worshiped Isis and Osiris. Athens was named after the goddess Athena. Ephesus was the center of the cult of Artemis. But when the Church was born on Pentecost…
“I think I want to be a Buddhist”
I had an interesting experience the other day with a young man in the eighth grade. His mom had been trying on and off all school year to get him to come to class for Confirmation with no success. I…
The Fig Tree
Readings for March 3, 2013: Third Sunday of Lent Some think Lent is a time for fasting. I see it as a time of feasting. I come to this conclusion based on the story of the fig tree in Luke…
Trusting God
If anyone asked you if you would trust God implicitly in all things, all the time, could you say yes? If you’re anything like me, the first words out of your mouth, without hesitation would be: Yes, yes I will!…
The Faith of Our Fathers
On the first Sunday of Lent, my priest surprised me when he brought up the New Evangelization during his weekend homily. Part of what caught me by surprise was his reference to it in the first place. I know he’s…
Millstones and Mitres: Recovering the Lamb by Forgiving the Wolf
As I write this a week before it goes live, Cardinal Mahoney is slated to attend the upcoming papal conclave. There are numerous calls for him to respectfully decline to attend. I don’t usually go in for armchair episcopacy, and…
Bishop Sheen on Politics
By now, the disappointing results from the last election have settled in. There were many disappointments on issues that Catholics consider non-negotiable. At the core of voter differences are those who follow their religious convictions pitted against those who say…