Like a lot of people, I would like to lose weight, but I never found diet and exercise programs to be the easiest undertakings in
The doctrine of redemptive suffering is quite difficult to grasp. Most cradle Catholics recall a parent or teacher’s advice to “offer it up” when they
Off the Shelf 161 – James Papandrea This week I am joined by Jim Papandrea to discuss his book The Early Church (33–313): St. Peter, the Apostles,
I hid my addiction to marijuana for over twenty years. I smoked day and night – even as an Executive in Corporate America. I didn’t
We have all heard the warning about “living in the past.” It’s not a wise thing to do. I know that I often catch myself
Since returning to active ministry after my leg amputation last year, I made a commitment to go to the gym regularly. I need to strengthen
No, I do not choose the winding path. Instead, give me the straight path. I want the simplicity of a quick and easy answer –
I had a cousin called John who was a bit of a rake. If he was not genially propping up the bar at the rugby
When I turned 64 this year, it came as no surprise that I would receive several texts of the Beatles iconic numeric song from my
A few weeks ago I reviewed The Church and the Roman Empire (301–490): Constantine, Councils, and the Fall of Rome (Reclaiming Catholic History). You can
The recent Golden Globe awards provided an interesting insight into how the idea of a “right to choose” has been warped into a sense of
I don’t know when they started gathering. I only know that at some point, early in my marriage I looked around and realized that our
“Nothing hinders one act from having two effects, only one of which is intended, while the other is beside the intention.” —St. Thomas Aquinas, “Summa
The bishop of Rome is one of the primary factors that sets Roman and Eastern Catholics apart from all other Christian denominations. Most Christians who
As Christians our duty and our joy is lighting candles in a very dark world. In the 1950’s, Father James Keller of the Christophers used
Off the Shelf 160 – Sara Estabrooks If there is one key area we can focus on in our spiritual lives that will ultimately help
About cussing I’m ambivalent. By no means is my verbal communication always pure and elevated. Yes, it does include a lot of big words, but
Many a time in fulfilling my priestly duties at the lepers’ homes, I have been obliged, not only to close my nostrils but to remain
The Feast of the Holy Family is one of the important celebrations of the Christmas Season – in fact, it is my personal favorite. It
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.—Ecclesiastes 9:7 (KJV) THE
When one of Jesus’s disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, Jesus responded with the Lord’s Prayer (Lk 11:2-4; Mt 6:9-13). In Matthew’s
Many people these days seem no longer surprised to hear of reports or news about abuse of men, women and children by members of the
