Archives for July 2012

“Never let me be parted from you”

Some Thoughts on the Integrity of the Priestly State of Life

The Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, is the same Spirit that fills the heart and mind of a good priest, vivifying his mortal body. Priests acting in that Spirit are seeking the advancement of the Kingdom, and will accomplish it. … [Read more...]

Discerning Marriage as Natural Vocation

Marriage, as a vocation, is written into our human nature, into our very being. According to the Church, everyone is called to marriage because they are humans who have been created as either male or female. It is necessary to clear … [Read more...]

Liturgy: The Foundation and Strength of Marriages

The Eucharistic celebration is a testament to the need for man’s self-gift as response to God’s gift to us through his Son .... to find himself through his own, sincere gift of himself ... reflected in his total consecration to God through a … [Read more...]

Homilies for August 2012

For Sunday Liturgies and Feasts August 2012  "I am the Bread of Life; whoever comes to me will never hunger." Less grumbling, more trust Purpose: To invite our congregations to an examination of conscience in which they ask themselves … [Read more...]

Spiritual Direction in the Life of a Priest

Good and regular spiritual direction can help us work through some of the natural and dangerous currents in the spiritual life. By trusting God to redirect us and keep us afloat, he will help us navigate back to the solid ground of God’s p … [Read more...]

Betrayal or Integrity

When it comes to protecting the right to life of the most vulnerable human being in our midst, the infant in the womb, there is no “middle ground” or “common ground” to be found.  Human dignity must be protected and upheld.   Imagine for a … [Read more...]

Enter the Digital Continent of Preaching

Our preachers must lead people to align themselves with the Church, filling the chasm of the past two or more generations of those not in touch with this treasury of truth. The goal is eternal salvation, the growth of the Church is in the … [Read more...]

St. Benedict: A Sixth Century Saint for the Twenty-First Century

St. Benedict's rule was written for everyone. His goal was to “establish a school for the Lord’s service.” He hoped in creating these rules “to set down nothing harsh, nothing burdensome.”   Chesterton wrote that “it is the paradox of hist … [Read more...]

A Plea for Really Committing to Adult Faith Formation

We need to awaken.  We need to be stirred to action to do what Jesus sent the Church to do: “Make disciples,” and it needs to begin in the parishes. "For although they knew God, they did not accord him glory as God, or give him than … [Read more...]

A Decisive Hour for American Catholics

We want the right to follow our consciences, to worship our God, and to live out our faith by making a contribution within the public square, which is our patrimony and our heritage: our blessed liberties. We have concluded the … [Read more...]