Thoughts on Lent, suffering, sacrifice and Confession
Lent begins next week, and penance is its foundation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (see paragraph Nos. 1430-1439) notes that penance is part of the call to conversion – first of our interior selves, then outwardly through visible signs. I urge you to read these few paragraphs soon. Th...Read full story »
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Human trafficking brings a call to prayer
This weekend – especially Saturday – pray to St. Josephine Bakhita. Ask her to intercede for the survivors and victims of human trafficking. Saturday is the National Day of Prayer for Survivors and Victims of Human Trafficking, which was designated and approved by the U.S....Read full story »
Monday, February 03, 2014
A(nother) step into the future . . .
The unknown that lies before is always an act of faith. It is more than the belief that the risk of a new adventure will bring variables, changes and unforeseen realities. It is faith because of a firm conviction that man does not walk alone. He walks with his sometimes unseen and unfelt fel...Read full story »
Monday, January 20, 2014
Renewal through 'the most expressive icon of Christian hope'
For as long as I can remember, hope has consumed my thoughts at the start of a new year. We go to Mass that day to observe the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Just a few short months ago, Pope Francis offered a beautiful insight that helped me understand why my hope soars on the first day of the...Read full story »
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
'It's beginning to look a lot like ….'
I suspect it’s impossible to read the headline above without hearing the melody that accompanies it in their minds. Certainly, it’s from a traditional and very popular Christmas song. I didn’t write that headline because it’s from my favorite Christmas song. Ac...Read full story »
Sunday, December 15, 2013
The time for New Year's resolutions is now
Now that we’re almost a week into the new year, how are you doing with your resolutions? Wait … what?! It’s not time for resolutions? The new year is still weeks off, you say? Not in our Church. The first Sunday of Advent – Dec. 1 this year – marks...Read full story »
Monday, December 02, 2013
Thanksgiving thoughts and wishes, a little early
Yes, I know; Thanksgiving is almost two weeks off. But I hope you’ll humor me this week. Thank you – all of you. Thank you for helping us make The Message the very best community newspaper for the Diocese of Evansville. You’ve done that, in the almost-four months I’ve...Read full story »
Monday, November 11, 2013
Recognizing and fighting the devil's attacks
Anxiety, I’ve learned, represents the devil’s attacks on us. “Wait,” you say, “what?!” You heard me – anxiety represents the devil’s attacks. Let’s dig a little deeper into that concept. First – what is anxiety? Webster says it is “a...Read full story »
Monday, November 04, 2013
God's presence in our lives? Pay attention now
Several weeks ago, God blessed me with the opportunity to hear Deacon John McMullen deliver his first-ever homily. In it, he said something that inspired me to write what follows. As way of setting up one of his final points, Deacon McMullen said, “We all know someone who says they jus...Read full story »
Monday, October 21, 2013
Trust in God's mercy - just don't take it for granted
Do you know how fortunate you are? Do you have any idea how fortunate all of us are – that God chooses to have mercy on us? I believe we often take mercy for granted – more often than we should. Like you, I suspect, this whole concept doesn’t stay at the front of my mind; o...Read full story »
Monday, October 07, 2013
