The Importance of Priestly Stability
Toward the end of St. John Vianney’s life, as pilgrims flocked to Ars from all over France, they would leave marveling not only about having witnessed “God in a man,” as one contemporary described...
View ArticleAdmitting and Addressing Catholics’ Ignorance of the Faith
The September 28 publication of the U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life lent itself to various surprising titles, many of which focused on how atheists and...
View ArticleFive Little Words at Mass
I remember quite clearly the first time I heard bells being rung during the consecration. I got chills. I thought it was beautiful: It sounds dramatic, but it was as if I woke up and realized that God...
View ArticleThe Mystery of Holy Day Mass Times
Dear Parishes of My Area (and, from what I gather, around the country), I hear you complaining about Holy Days of Obligation and how low attendance is. In fact, as a parish employee myself, I’ve taken...
View ArticleA Special and Courageous Young Man
This past Sunday I had an opportunity to witness a very special moment at my parish. A 17-year-old young man with high-functioning autism was taking his first turn as a lector at the 7:30 am Mass. The...
View ArticleExtraordinary Faith from Ordinary Catholics
“In the doctrine of Christ there is no invitation to mediocrity, but a clear call to Heaven, to love and to cheerful sacrifice.” (Francis Fernandez, In Conversation with God) Feeling let down by...
View ArticleA Courageous Example and a Loving Parish
This past Sunday, I had an opportunity to witness a very special moment at my parish. An eighteen-year-old man with high-functioning autism was taking his first turn as a lector at Mass. The lector...
View ArticleWhat We Can Learn from Clergy Assignments
Last Sunday, the choir at my parish took me by surprise by singing “Totus Tuus” by Marco Frisina for the meditation after communion. Though I’ve only heard the song a few times, it never fails to take...
View ArticleWant To Save The World? Start With The People You See Everyday
In June, I started a mother’s ministry at my 10,000 person parish and the response has been overwhelming. Though we began meeting over five weeks ago, every week I receive more requests from women who...
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