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…
Wednesday Morning Wedding
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,…
Philanthropy vs. Sainthood
What does it mean to be a saint? In ancient times, this could mean anyone who is a part of the Christian community. Today when we speak of saints, we are talking about those people of heroic grace and virtue…
It’s Ordinary
Ordinary Time, the color green, this year we are listening to Mark tell us about Jesus’ ministry and maybe, just maybe it seems a bit – well, ordinary. And it is. And it should be. But let us not be…
Let Your Prayer Life Explode with Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
I know I should carve out more time for family and sleep. And prayer. Especially prayer. If only I prayed more, then everything else would go smoother. So I make the effort. And then my phone rings. Or the dogs…
Radiant With the Splendor
Christmas 2014 has been put away. I miss it already. The beautiful (and large) trees are disassembled and packed strategically in their original tiny boxes which defy and challenge the physical laws of mass and volume. The Santa Claus figurine…
How Different the Saints
On the last page of Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis writes: “Until you have given up your whole self to Him, you will not have a real self. Sameness is to be most among the most natural men and not…
The Feet Washing
I dread the trip from Dallas to Palm Springs to care for my sister, Betty Clare (BC to the family), who is recuperating from cancer surgery. Our dysfunctional relationship, although healing some since our mother’s death, still has echoes of…
Catholic Pop Culture 2014
As I did last year, I shall recall any good things from the popular culture that are harmonious or helpful to Catholic culture. And as I wrote last year, it is not necessary to indulge a fascination with pop culture…
Be a Saint
Catholic Answers Live radio show host Patrick Coffin always closes the show with the admonition, “Be a saint…what else is there?” For a long time it just sort of went in one ear and out the other, until one day…