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 [...]
Jun
28
“The Eucharist Is Not a Meal Among Friends”
June 28, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I haven’t seen too much written about the Holy Father’s homily at the closing Mass for the International Eucharistic Congress in Quebec. So here it is. Good stuff.
“While you are gathered for the 49th International Eucharistic Congress, I am happy to join you through the medium of satellite and thus unite myself to your prayer. [...]
Jun
5
The Holy Father, Matthew & Maurice
June 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Knights of Columbus ran a poll to gauge the views of Catholics in America in the wake of the Holy Father’s April visits. The following is a summary of the findings -
Poll: Big Shift Among Practicing and Non-Practicing Catholics After Papal Visit - More likely to vote, better understand Church teaching, and say trip met [...]
May
6
The “New Springtime” of the Rosary
May 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I’ve heard stories of how families used to gather around a statue of Mary every night during the month of May and pray the Rosary. While I don’t think my little ones are ready for us to kick off this family practice, I am amazed that the May family rosary seems to have been ditched [...]
Apr
24
The Holy See’s First Decision
April 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Anyone who thinks the Church is rife with dissension in modern times should really contemplate today’s first reading (Acts 15).
During the early days of the Church, there was a great debate whether the Gentile converts would have to become circumsized like the Jewish converts. There were folks on both sides of the debate. There were [...]
Apr
23
A Day in the Life of the Pope
April 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I’m still caught up in the immense spiritual wave left by the Papal Visit, so I spent last night surfing different Papal Visit websites trying to make sure I’m catching everything there is to catch from this past week. In my web travels, I came across this photo essay on National Catholic Register detailing a typical day in the life [...]
Apr
22
Ritual v. Relationship
April 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sunday night, I went to one of Cincinnati’s large non-denominationals to hear someone speak. While I was waiting, I overheard a conversation between three members of the congregation who were sitting next to me.
One of the members is married to a Catholic who “insists” on going to Mass on Sunday and doesn’t want to go [...]
Apr
21
A Perfect Summation
April 21, 2008 | 1 Comment
To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln - no words of mine could add or subtract from the following call to action issued by the Holy Father in his homily at the Mass at Yankee Stadium. I bet even the Babe was stirred to action. Let us read it - internalize it - take strength from it - and [...]
Apr
20
“Let Us Go Forth”
April 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Think about this passage as you go off to or return from Sunday Mass today.
“The spires of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral are dwarfed by the skyscrapers of the Manhattan skyline, yet in the heart of this busy metropolis, they are a vivid reminder of the constant yearning of the human spirit to rise to God. As we celebrate [...]
Apr
19
How Far Can We Go?
April 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This morning, I am pondering two great questions.
The first great question is - how could I have totally missed any sensation from the “Great Midwest Earthquake of 2008?” I was awake and felt nothing. Others in Cincinnati at least felt something.
The second great question I have this morning is - how far can a nation go to defend [...]
