This Lent, I will offer some mini retreats for people to reflect upon the most significant issues of life and address topics of death. Utilizing guidance from spiritual directors, life coaches, death doulas, and Catholic traditions, we will spend time discussing how to make the most of what remains of our earthly life, how to […]
“There’s a legend that’s known both here and afar, ‘bout a belief that we have in a magical star; Wise Men were overwhelmed but what would they bring, as the star came to rest over the newborn king!” Local citizens are sometimes surprised to learn that there are places within Kansas City that are not […]
The Rite of Baptism for Christians begins with parents stating the name of their child. This ancient tradition gives identity to the beloved baby human. Proverbs, 22:1, states: “A good name is more desirable than great riches; a family’s high esteem has greater value than gold.” Some have suggested that this identity is only meant […]
Advent is a mystical journey. Mary and Joseph set the tone for us with their journey to Bethlehem. It is a journey of trusting in visions and locutions, a journey of being ostracized and ridiculed, a journey of believing in impossible things, an adventurous journey that changed the course of human history. Their journey weaves […]
I love the Catholic Church and am blessed to have been shaped by it. It has anchored my life and kept me oriented toward the good. It has educated me, inspired me, employed me, ordained me, and helped me through difficult times. Like many other things that I love—my family, my country, my home—I always […]
October begins with the Feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus (aka The Little Flower or Therese of Lisieux). The middle day of the month is dedicated to Saint Teresa of Jesus (aka Teresa of Avila). I have the privilege of serving as priest for Saint Therese Little Flower (STLF) Parish in urban KC […]
“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it, or I can use it for good. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes this day will be gone […]
When nineteenth century French scholar Pierre-Simon Laplace was asked by Napolean how God fit into academic equations, he famously responded, “I have no need of that hypothesis.” Though he was quick to admit that what humans know about our existence is extremely limited and what we don’t know about it is immense, many have used […]
Structures exist in most societies because people usually benefit from parameters that contain us and systems to guide us. That is the general rule; but exceptions accompany most rules. Whether our nation’s political structure or our church’s ecclesial institution or our society’s justice system, there are corruptible flaws that harm citizens and communities; and there […]
Freedom of Speech, as spelled out in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, protects the right of individuals or communities to openly articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation, or punishment from the government. We see that freedom expressed on college campuses and across the American landscape, especially as spring turns to summer. […]
