-
The Closeness of Jesus
At the Holy Thursday liturgy we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist. Jesus loved us enough to create a sacrament in which he physically comes into our body and soul – what an amazing gift! Yet, I admit, I often take it for granted. Don’t get me wrong – I look forward to going to […]
-
Book Review: In Constant Prayer
In Constant Prayer (The Ancient Practices) by Robert Benson Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2008 In Constant Prayer (The Ancient Practices) by Robert Benson is the second in the “Ancient Practices” series being edited by Phyllis Tickle for Thomas Nelson Publishers. Benson focuses on the practice of saying the “Daily Office,” a formal series of prayers […]
-
Finding Where One Belongs
I went to go visit my best friend and her three month old baby yesterday. The baby is beautiful, an absolute gift from God. Like all new parents, my friend and her husband are studying her every move and characteristic, trying to determine where she fits in their family. Whose eyes and nose does she […]
-
Loving the Neighbor Within Our Own Home
A wise priest once said to me, “It is often easier to love the orphans in Africa than it is to love our own siblings.” I thought of that quote today as we were doing a lesson on “loving one’s neighbor” in third grade CCD. The first page of the lesson talked about how we […]
-
The Prodigal Son Revisited
The parable of “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32) is one that most of us are very familiar with, so much so that when that particular Gospel comes, we might be likely to tune it out. Yes, yes, we nod. We know all the angles of this story. First, there is the prodigal son himself. He […]
-
What about Purgatory?
Purgatory is one of those things we don’t hear about very much anymore. In fact, a recent survey conducted by US Catholic indicted only 73% of Catholics believe purgatory even exists (interestingly enough, 77% believe that their prayers can help those in purgatory get to heaven). I can understand how the idea of purgatory makes […]
-
Beautiful at Any Age
Claudia Herriman of Longmeadow, Massachusetts wrote a very insightful article for the Springfield Republican on her plans to get some plastic surgery done. She had been told repeatedly that the lines on her upper lip were making her look old and resolved to do something about it. After consulting with her doctor, she was informed […]
-
Book Review: What the Church Teaches About Sex
What the Church Teaches about Sex: God’s Plan for Human Happiness By Robert L. Fastiggi Huntington, IN: Our Sunday Visitor, 2009 If asked to name the one issue that Catholics have the most difficulty with, most would answer the Church’s teaching on sexuality. Whether it be pre-marital sex, cohabitation, or contraception, the majority of Catholics […]
-
Sharing Other’s Suffering
Christ suffers in solidarity with every soul, and we can suffer in solidarity with Him. We are never alone, though we may feel forsaken. Christ shows us that He is one with us in our sorrow and pain, no matter how alone we feel. We are all wounded, broken, suffering in some way, and even […]