Nathan Soderblom once stated, “Saints are people who make it a little bit easier for the rest of us to be good.” They are light bearers, they are trail angels, they are people with rough edges like everyone else but who have somehow remained focused on God and our destiny toward a better existence. Or […]
Catholic bishops throughout the world make “ad limina” visits to Rome every five to ten years. These periodic trips bring them to the threshold or entryway, as the Latin word implies. “Ad limina” refers more specifically to the tomb, meaning the crypt of Saint Peter at the base of the Vatican’s high altar and that […]
I was first assigned to Saint Therese Little Flower (STLF) Parish, on Kansas City’s east side, in 1992. At that time, it had a parish school that served neighborhood children. One day I ran into the diocesan school superintendent there; she was walking the halls and visiting classrooms on her own (often when superintendents visit […]
Live, learn, work, retire, die. So goes the rhythm of earthly existence for many of us. Included in there, of course, is engagement with the world, participation in needful endeavors, faithfulness to our beliefs, love for those we cherish, and leaving behind a legacy. I never thought that I would one day retire as a […]
A sanctuary is a protected place where birds, animals, or people can gather to find refuge and safety from dangerous conditions. It’s original meaning has biblical roots and refers to an enshrined haven or holy place set apart because God’s presence is made manifest there. The portable tent used by Jewish ancestors while wandering in […]
In 1920’s Mexico, under President Plutarco Calles, clergy were restricted from public religious practices, religious education was outlawed, and many Catholics were persecuted, imprisoned, or executed for their faith. These anti-Catholic measures or “Calles Laws” continued for many decades. I hope that if I lived in Mexico at that time, I would have participated in […]
I begin here by admitting that I never heard of Charlie Kirk until the day he was killed earlier this week. Like you, I know that we will hear and learn much more about him in the weeks, months, and years ahead, especially his movement, Turning Point USA, that engages young people in community affairs […]
There are a few annual events this month that you may want to join and one big project to which I will dedicate the remainder of my active priesthood. The events include a parish picnic at Saint Francis Xavier on September 13, an “angel fund” watch party on September 21, and a Mass in Swope […]
The Jesuit priest, Henri de Lubac, once said, “The person who takes himself too seriously will not dominate his pain. His pain will dominate him, even if he seems to have got the better of it. It puts a strain on him, hardens him, withers him.” Not taking yourself too seriously is one of life’s […]
Some people think that priests who get assigned to inner-city ministries are being punished. Their comments give them away: “You must have done something awfully bad to get sent to the ghetto” or “The bishop must really have something against you to send you back there.” Though I have done some bad things in life […]
UPON THIS ROCK 