Aug
27
St. Monica & St. Augustine
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today and tomorrow, we remember the lives of St. Monica and her son, St. Augustine.
There are two amazing things about their story. The first is that St. Monica spent her whole married and maternal life praying for the conversion of her pagan husband and her delinquent, wayward son. She kept the faith and hope needed [...]
Jul
22
The Holy Father at WYD2008 Sydney
July 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The following are excerpts from the Holy Father’s homily at the closing Mass for WYD 2008. These thoughts are meant for all of us - not just the youth present Down Under.
“God’s love can only unleash its power when it is allowed to change us from within. We have to let it break through the [...]
Jul
21
WYD Sydney 2008 - WOW!
July 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
1,000 . . . 200,000 . . . 400,000!
That’s 1,000 priests hearing confession at World Youth Day!
That’s 200,000 youth joining the Holy Father in silent, holy (and around the clock) Adoration of the Eucharist!
That’s 400,000 young pilgrims participating in Mass with the Holy Father (the largest crowd in Austrailian history)!
It’s a great day to be [...]
Jun
27
The Angelus
June 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
One of these days, I’m going to write a book about forgotten traditions in the Church. It seems that I am writing a great deal about traditions and devotions that I didn’t know about until I really started paying attention a couple years ago.
I came across another example today.
My kids have been in vacation bible school all [...]
May
31
The Visitation
May 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today is the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The story is told in Luke 1 and gives us two great prayers.
The first great prayer is the second part of the Hail Mary. The first part of Ave Maria is taken from the Annunciation when St. Gabriel cries out -
Hail Mary, full of [...]
May
18
The Holy Trinity
May 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In saying the Rosary, praying Morning and Evening Prayer, and reading through the Psalms, the Doxology is a constant presence through these prayers. Yet, I would guess that most are like me and tend to rush through the Glory Be’s without really thinking about our prayer.
Today is the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, so if there is any day to really contemplate and meditate on the Doxology, it is [...]
May
11
In the Room
May 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment
What was it like in the room? When the Holy Spirit descended?
Pentacost Sunday is such a great feast because this day reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always with us in all of his glorious power and with all of his marvelous gifts. It’s just up to us to recognize and embrace his presence in our lives [...]
May
9
The Catholic Telegraph
May 9, 2008 | Leave a Comment
How many of the faithful actually read their diocesan newspaper?
In Cincinnati, we have The Catholic Telegraph and it can be a good, quick, high-quality read (except for the periodic, politically-leaning newsbrief from the Catholic News Service). It’s a great way to learn something about our faith and keep up with what’s going on with folks in other [...]
May
8
“Take Courage”
May 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sometimes, I find myself really focused on one group of saints - those who saw Mary, saints, angels and Christ himself. Is there a greater afffirmation of faith - to get to believe and to see?
I was thinking about these apparitions in reading today’s first reading (Acts 22). St. Paul is in prison, yet again, and we [...]
May
5
Come Holy Spirit
May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Ascension is behind us - last Thursday or yesterday, we recalled Christ’s rising into heaven to take his seat at the right hand of his Father.
Now, we wait - but how? Are we treating this week as any other week? Or are we realizing that this is a special time for us - that this Sunday [...]
