We can always benefit from exchanging bad habits for good habits, no matter when we begin. And any time in Advent is a great time to do
Off the Shelf 155 – Bill Snyder The season of Advent is in full swing and this week I wanted to share a special novena
As we approach the octave before Christmas, there is a beautiful longstanding tradition in the Church of praying the “O Antiphons.” These short prayers help
The governor of Wisconsin excitedly announced the theme of this year’s holiday tree: “Celebrate Science.” In a letter to schools, he asked students to make
My wife always frets during this time of year. The fretting begins about three weeks before Thanksgiving and doesn’t end until some time after Christmas.
The recently-arisen “minimalist” lifestyle movement defies reduction to a pithy single-sentence definition. People who identify as minimalist can have any or several different motives for
Each year, as the Christmas season approaches, I find myself caught up in sweet surrender to the mystery of the incarnation. I am overwhelmed with
This Advent, I stumbled upon a nice little devotional that I just had to share. A Contemplative Las Posadas was written by Bill Snyder. Bill is
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as
AcknowledIng that Mary is our Queen is quintessentially Catholic. In Catholic-Protestant dialogues, our beliefs about Mary are often some of the biggest points of contention.
Off the Shelf 154 – Father Michael White Money is one of the toughest topics to deal with or discuss as a parish and for
Does it sound “off” to say that Christ waits for us, hidden in the tabernacle in church? He abides in every Catholic cathedral, basilica, parish,
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is
Last Lent, as a seasonal penance, I gave up listening to most music. Then, for personal reasons, I decided I wanted to try to extend
If you have seen the recent Pew study on the Eucharist, you were likely pretty shocked if you haven’t get ready. According to a recent
So many people are turned off to God and organized, traditional religion because they are angry with God. The excuses for not praying or attending
I have never been on a silent retreat before. I asked my husband if I could go to one for five days. He laughed and
Recently, I was on the NYC subway system, returning from Manhattan to the Bronx. It was early rush hour. The subway car wasn’t packed, but
Every year, I help to plan the annual Connecticut Catholic Men’s Conference. The 2019 event on October 19th was a great success, with inspiring speakers,
Off the Shelf 153 – Father Joe Laramie Every one of us should take the time to escape and find a way to push aside
Filipinos are known for their fierce devotion and loyalty to their families. It’s not uncommon to find three generations living under one roof. Rearing their
I have just returned from one of the greatest experiences, adventures, and blessings of my life. I went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
