I never realized just how hospitable Catholic, rural living was until I moved to the woods. All of a sudden I was living the dream.
Off the Shelf 129 – Father William L. Burton Father William Burton has written an approachable book on Scripture Study entitled Abba Isn’t Daddy and Other
Do you suffer from disturbing or obsessive thoughts? If so, relief is available. It will be in an uphill battle, but with perseverance and the
About a year ago, I elicited some raised eyebrows in a group after sharing that my first babysitter was a Capuchin friar—the priest who baptized
Surrendering to the power of the Holy Spirit can seem like an esoteric activity, something to talk about, write about, and perhaps pray about. It
Sin can cheat us of the power that was infused within us. Thus deluded, we exchange the reality of tranquility, peace, happiness and joy, for
I recently stumbled upon an author who has created a series of books for young readers that I think are extraordinary tools for teaching the
Off the Shelf 128 – Ray Haywood There are about a million stumbling blocks that society throws in front of young men today. These include
Converts in any faith are passionate and energetic. They’re enthusiastic about jumping in and exploring their faith. Of the Catholic converts I’ve known, most are
We are the Catholic Church. We are men and women who base our lives on faith in Christ as the designer and builder of His
We find priests in the Old Testament and in the Catholic Church. Do we find priests in the New Testament? One of the main differences
Let’s consider for a moment who the early Christians, Apostles, and Disciples were. In the early days of the Church, all of those who were
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush
What if you could take some time away to do some traveling? Where would you go? Would it be a trip to see historic sites?
If there was no Cross, and there was no divine substitute in the work of Jesus on our behalf; if really Christ has not borne
It has been said that perhaps the three most important words that can be uttered in prayer are “Come, Holy Spirit.” Just before Jesus ascended
“Wait, I’m Not Ready”. We have all said this at some point in our lives, right? I’m not talking about being ready for an evening
“Pride — it gets ’em every time,” chortles Satan (Al Pacino) at the end of the 1997 film The Devil’s Advocate. Indeed, it does; of
Off the Shelf 127 – Sister Kathryn J. Hermes Struggling with regret? Are you caught in it’s clutches and thinking of yourself as a failure?
In my alternative-universe idea of who I might be in another life, I have always said I should have been an accountant. Predictable, stable, no
As I ponder current events, I find myself wanting to move and join the exodus from the state of Illinois. However, my husband and I
Parish ministry meetings should not be boring, ineffective, inefficient time-wasters! All too often, though, that’s how they end up. Each of us is called to
