This We Will Defend
Tom Collingwood
July 7, AD2020
9 Comments
Every branch of the American military has a motto. “This we’ll defend” is the U.S. Army’s motto going back to the Revolution. In many respects,
A Perspective on Civil Unrest and Riots
Tom Collingwood
June 6, AD2020
7 Comments
The protests and rioting surrounding the George Floyd death has brought back some tough memories. I had personal experience in the integration riots of the
Conversion is a Spiritual, Cognitive, and Physical Journey
Tom Collingwood
May 20, AD2020
1 Comment
I was never churched as a child but ended up attending a Lutheran high school because I was a borderline delinquent. The sheriff and my
Respect Life Whether Wanted or Not
Tom Collingwood
April 23, AD2020
No Comments
The semi-annual 40 Days for Life had to be suspended several weeks ago as a result of the COVID 19 quarantine. At my last shift
Drawing Abortion Lines
Tom Collingwood
March 15, AD2020
4 Comments
Saint Paul, Minnesota’s city council recently announced they will celebrate an “Abortion Providers Appreciation Day”. This decision clearly sets the tone; Christians must draw the
Gender Ideology: Truth and Consequences
Tom Collingwood
February 21, AD2020
2 Comments
When I reflect on current conditions and issues in our Church, our culture/country or the world at large, I always try to focus on what
The Massive Persecution of Christians
Tom Collingwood
January 15, AD2020
No Comments
Are you aware of the horrors surrounding the ongoing persecution of Christians worldwide? In a 2017 essay, I highlighted how that persecution has reached a
Should the Church be Saving Souls or Saving Society?
Tom Collingwood
December 21, AD2019
4 Comments
As I read and hear about all the issues facing the Church it is a quandary to focus on what appears to be most important.
A Historical Storyline: An Evangelization Tool with “Nones”
Tom Collingwood
November 16, AD2019
3 Comments
Surveys over the past several years have noted a gradual decline in individuals belonging to organized religion and conversely an increase in the numbers of
Church Leadership Should Serve and Protect
Tom Collingwood
October 11, AD2019
2 Comments
“To serve and protect” is the motto of most law enforcement agencies. In many respects it should serve as a byword for the hierarchy of
Personal Remembrances of St. John Paul II
Tom Collingwood
September 17, AD2019
4 Comments
October 22 is the feast day for St. John Paul II who is a very special saint for me. There is a personal connection to
Confronting Moral Relativism With a Map and Compass
Tom Collingwood
August 31, AD2019
3 Comments
St. John Paul II challenged us all to “evangelize” and in trying to meet his charge I have found many obstructions in attempting to introduce
Considering Invalid Research, Spin, and the Truth
Tom Collingwood
July 20, AD2019
No Comments
and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. (John 8:32) In reading or hearing the media discuss a particular issue a
Where Else Can I Go
Tom Collingwood
June 11, AD2019
8 Comments
The clergy abuse scandal seems to never go away. The local police recently conducted a raid on our diocesan pastoral center to recover what they
How Sports Metaphors Explain Catholic Faith
Tom Collingwood
May 17, AD2019
1 Comment
Over the years I have found sports can offer meaningful metaphors to help illustrate aspects or issues of our faith. A recent discussion with a
Legally Right Versus Morally Right
Tom Collingwood
April 17, AD2019
4 Comments
The annual March for Life and 40 days for Life campaigns always leads me to reflect on the state of affairs of or culture’s moral
Ash Wednesday Sets the Stage for Lent
Tom Collingwood
March 20, AD2019
No Comments
You are dust and to dust you shall return. (Genesis 3:19) As an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist at my Church, I always sign up
Infidelity: One Cause for Clergy Abuse
Tom Collingwood
February 16, AD2019
4 Comments
DEFENDING THE CHURCH FROM CLERGY ABUSE In a previous essay I addressed the challenges of defending the Church in light of the clergy abuse scandal
Christmas Reflections
on our Church Culture
and the Benedict Option
Tom Collingwood
January 10, AD2019
2 Comments
Christmas Eve Nostalgia At this year’s Christmas Eve children’s Mass eight traditional Christian carols were sung. I found myself singing even though I can’t carry
Advent and Christmas: a Reason for the Season
Tom Collingwood
December 17, AD2018
2 Comments
Advent and Christmas offer a needed break from the noise of the current clerical abuse crisis, Church divisions, and secular obsessions with politics. It’s a
Heroic Priests: Lest We Forget
Tom Collingwood
November 17, AD2018
2 Comments
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Military Chaplains as Heroes Military chaplains are
Defending the Church in a Time of Scandals
Tom Collingwood
October 18, AD2018
3 Comments
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. —1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV) We talk about the clergy abuse scandals It seems lately
Physical and Spiritual Therapy:
How to Train
Tom Collingwood
September 24, AD2018
No Comments
Because of a career in exercise science and physical fitness, I like to make analogies from the physical domain to faith, of which there can
Finding a Bearing During the Crisis
Tom Collingwood
August 31, AD2018
1 Comment
Our Church crisis Like many, I have been reacting to the blogosphere and news reports regarding Cardinal McCarrick, the Pennsylvania grand jury report and the
