I do not usually associate Advent and suffering. I typically think of Advent as a time of joy, a celebration of Jesus coming to us
Looking for a good history book on an obscure topic in Church History? I can’t think of a better book to suit that bill than
Off the Shelf 102 – Father William P. Saunders We are in full Advent prep mode and I have a great book to share with
Excitement is in the air as the “holiday season” begins. Around the same time as the reunions and feasts of Thanksgiving, Christmas lights begin to
Every January 1st, many of us decide to come clean with our personal struggles and make resolutions to better ourselves in the days ahead. In
Every year around this time, I notice a widespread, often implicit idea that Christmas is a particularly special time for children. Of course, this attitude
A month or two ago I started wondering about the Christmas season. Specifically, I wondered why it seemed so much more magical to me as
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” (The Summer Day, Mary Oliver) We are in the midst
I saw my grandfather forty years after he died. I loved I him with all my heart, not because he gave me toys, bought me
My strawberry-blond, freckled-faced, non-stop mother, Jeannine, was the youngest of four and as such was hopelessly spoiled. Nicknamed “Peaches,” she was a very welcome addition
Few people have likely ever been so dismayed by the passing of Christmas as the Magi and the prophet Simeon, as least as the poet
In the first weeks of Advent, my intellect and faith have been assaulted by many things going on outside and inside the Church. Its been
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness
I recently realized how I naturally put on the classical, jazz or fado (traditional Portuguese music) radio stations in my car, without any sacrifice at
On a plane ride a few weeks ago, I found myself seated next to the founder of a Protestant church. He laughed because he was
Eat Drink And Be Merry Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die. There are several places in holy Scripture where this sentiment is
Here we are in late June. We have crossed the approximate halfway mark between last Christmas and the coming Christmas. I love Advent and Christmas
Celebrate Ordinary Time? Why celebrate anything that seems to just fill in the space between Christmas and Easter? The Sacrament of the Moment With all
Jesus, the Reason for our Joy Another year has passed, and the Christmas Season is here. This is a time of reflection, a time of joy
One of the great joys of being Catholic is that Christmas last eight days, followed by a whole season for Christmas.While others grudgingly pack away
In the Christmas classic, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, the residents of Whoville wake up on Christmas morning to find none of their Christmas
The streets are beautiful this time of year. Homes and shops are decorated with colorful lights and festive decorations. Cities and town are filled
Almost 25 years ago, I spent Christmas with a family who had one son who was adored by everyone. However, that Christmas there was another
One of the Gospel stories that we shall hear in the coming days will be about the visitation of Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. The
