Recently I was able to make a trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to spend the day touring some beautiful churches. Not only were they rich in beauty but they were rich in history as well. My companion for the trip was a…
A Look at Our Beautiful Faith in Pittsburgh
The Most Beautiful Time: The Present!
Climbing the mountain was more difficult than I recalled. Although it was daybreak, sweat poured down my face and back because of the high temperatures. Even my heart was beating overtime. I thought that this assent was surely more strenuous…
God in the Gaps
The phrase “God of the Gaps” refers to poor argumentation for the existence of the Supreme Being. There is a gap in our ability to explain things so we use God to explain what we have not been able to…
Touching Suffering in the New Evangelization
Evangelization runs much deeper than just sharing the Gospel (though that’s an essential part, don’t get me wrong). Sometimes, it’s probing the depths of human experience that can be the most challenging to each of us personally as disciples of…
Smells & Bells
A common poor joke during my childhood was the “Catholic aerobics” we did at Mass: stand up-sit down-kneel-stand up-sit down-kneel. Now, I know that each posture has a meaning: we stand for the Gospel because it is Jesus speaking to…
Zumba and The New Evangelization: 3 Lessons Learned
On the day the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision was announced, I had a decision to make. I could stay at home and add my voice to the many other Catholic bloggers who would be weighing in on this major…
Big-Hearted Families
“I joined with (cancer survivor) and mother of nine Theresa Thomas to write Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories From Everyday Families,” Patti told me. “This collection of 22 stories is a recipe for happiness and love for families of any size….
Simplify Your Spiritual Life
I love a good holiday and all the attendant decorations, special foods, and parties. With the 4th of July past, and Labor Day still a month away, I’m ready for an event fix. Luckily there are plenty of unofficial celebrations,…
St. Paul’s Conversion and My Own Conversion Story
St. Paul’s Conversion Paul was the most ferocious enemy of the Church, who as a zealous Jew and Pharisee was persecuting Christians during the first century. He rooted out Christians in the synagogues, taking them into Jerusalem in chains to have…
Chosen, Schmozen
Sometimes I think we hear bible and religious terms to the tune of: “That again, what’s the big deal?” Terms like: holy, sanctified, sacred, ancient, established, marked, set apart, covenant, chosen. As we rush through life and religion, we sometimes make…