A busy young husband and father of little ones in my parish carved out many hours to shine metal in our church sacristy.  Though a guy who can fix just about anything, he worked meticulously sprucing up candlesticks, sacred vessels, and an old, rusted tabernacle that gets used only once a year during Holy Week.  […]

Felix Adler once said: “A hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life so that others can see.  A saint is one who walks through those dark paths and is, himself, a light.”  At this time of his earthly passing, Americans […]

In this week’s Gospel passages, Jesus encounters Pharisees, very smart, learned men who put lots of emphasis on religious rituals, rules, and regulations.  Because of their intellect and devotedness, some were high priests, members of the Jewish magisterium and Sanhedrin, and those who wanted Jesus silenced and, ultimately, killed.  Though knowledgeable (a human trait), they […]

A hundred years ago, Hermann Rorschach created his famous inkblot test to assess the personality of subjects.  It offers therapists insights into how clients perceive their surroundings through abstract images.  It can reveal aspects of cognition and affectivity because of patterns which subjects report to see in the images and even make calculated predictions about […]

Like former-president Trump, Pope Francis is incredibly transparent.  Though their similarities might begin and end with this one thing, it is refreshing to witness such clear-sighted leadership.  At the same time, it is probably not enjoyable for them to be continuously criticized for it.  Pope Francis recently spoke about the criticism he receives—much, if not […]

Pope Francis recently commented that church leaders should be pastors not politicians (when facing hot topic issues).  On other occasions, he has reminded Catholics that we, like Jesus, are to engage in society, i.e., to be political.  It is a balance that is difficult for some of us to establish and maintain. To be pastoral […]

Modern Ignatian Spirituality offers programs to assist people facing the next chapters of their life.  Participants willingly grapple with what God is calling them to do in their next phase of earthly existence.  It is particularly relevant for retirees.  A hundred years ago, life expectancy was around fifty years and very few people—less than one […]

A decade ago, columnist David O’Brien wrote: “American individualism is real, and it is good.  When their lives were on the line, many endangered Americans thought not of themselves but of others.  Evil is real; sin is real; humanity is limited, but love is not.  On 9/11, the United States of America was tested, and, […]

I recently received a beautiful card and kind note with an enclosed check of $1,400 from a very thoughtful and generous friend.  Though sympathetic towards our federal government’s distribution of stimulus checks, she admitted that she didn’t need hers and would like to support a person or family that did, perhaps one seeking a good, […]

Nineteenth Century American spiritualist, Reverend Luther Beecher, wrote a beautiful reflection about death called “Gone From My Sight,” sometimes referred to as “The Parable of Immortality.” You are standing upon a seashore as a ship at your side spreads its white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the massive blue ocean.  She is […]