For November 1 (Solemnity of All Saints), November 7, November 14, November 21 (Christ the King Sunday), and November 28 All Saints’ Day – November 1, 2021 Readings: Rv 7:2–4, 9–14 • Ps 24:1bc–2, 3–4ab, 5–6 • 1 Jn 3:1–3 • Mt 5:1–12a bib … [Read more...]
Archives for 2021
On Prayer: Mine and Yours
A Reflection and a Poem
October 28, 2021 by David B. Wester
St. Luke doesn’t tell us who asked the question.[1. St. Luke 11:1.] I take that to mean that it could have been any one of Jesus’ followers that day in Judea. “Teach us to pray” — that was the question. Just as a follower follows, this disci … [Read more...]
Drama and the Divine Mercy: The Life of Fr. Sopocko
October 28, 2021 by Dr. Wanda Skowronska, PhD
While many have heard of the Divine Mercy devotion and Saint Faustina, few have heard of Fr. Michał Sopoćko (So-poch-ko, now Blessed), the Polish priest who first transmitted the Divine Mercy message to the world. He commissioned the Divine … [Read more...]
“Amoris Laetitia”: A Clarion Call for a Healthier Clergy
October 28, 2021 by Msgr. Frank Chiodo
One of the often missed points in Amoris Laetitia (chapter 6, §203) is the Holy Father’s reference to the importance of improving the psycho-affective development of future priests. I am convinced that this is long overdue. Having been a … [Read more...]
Post-Exorcism Care: A Suggested Program of Pastoral Care for Liberated Persons
October 28, 2021 by Pedro Vega
The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).[1. Every biblical citation is from the New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition of the Bible found at Biblegateway.com unless noted … [Read more...]
Christ’s Corona Is Our Corona
October 28, 2021 by Robert V. Thomann, DMin, PhD
The COVID story pales in comparison to the infectious disease of faith which the Church is experiencing. While this disease of the faith seems to be widely known, it is not widely acknowledged; while it is widely recognized, it is not … [Read more...]
Book Reviews – October 2021
October 28, 2021 by Book Reviews
The Burden of Betrayal: Non-Offending Priests and the Clergy Child Sexual Abuse Scandals. By Barry O’Sullivan. Reviewed by Christopher Siuzdak. (skip to review) Our Lady of Hope: The Soul of the Cathedral of Notre Dame. By Patrick C … [Read more...]
Homilies for October 2021
September 24, 2021 by Fr. Stephen Rocker
For October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, and October 31 Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 3, 2021 Readings: Gn 2:18–24 • Ps 128:1–2, 3, 4–5, 6 • Heb 2:9–11 • Mk 10:2–16 or 10:2–12 bible.usccb.org/bibl … [Read more...]
A Bold Message of Love
Bishop Michael Burbidge’s Catechesis on the Human Person
September 24, 2021 by Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony
In the month of the mighty messengers of God, the archangels, it is refreshing to hear a hope-filled message through Bishop Burbidge’s Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology.[1. Bishop Michael Burbidge, “A Catechesis on the Hum … [Read more...]
Co-Responsibility, Personal Vocation, and Charism Discernment
September 24, 2021 by Fr. Brent Bowen
In a 2009 address to the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the mission of the laity in our times by introducing a new term into the Church’s parlance: co-responsibility. The term has both ecclesiological and p … [Read more...]
Becoming Members of the Suffering Servant
“For This Shall Every Good Man Pray”
September 24, 2021 by Mark Drogin
The final Gospel ends with Jesus teaching us to fish for human souls. The three synoptic Gospels report Jesus saying, “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10); the conclusion of the final Gospel describes Jesus i … [Read more...]
How Metaphysical Certitudes Anchor Proofs for God
September 24, 2021 by Dennis Bonnette, PhD
This brief essay is not intended to be a complete presentation of the classical proofs for God’s existence as proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas and his disciples. Even partially full treatment of these arguments would require book-length a … [Read more...]
Reconsidering Religious Liberty
How to Read Dignitatis Humanae
September 24, 2021 by Dr. Joshua Madden
Two years ago Pope Francis made a visit to the United Arab Emirates where he spoke at an interreligious meeting, offering several comments on fraternity, peacemaking, and religious liberty. At the outset of his message, he spoke of the need … [Read more...]
Questions Answered – September 2021
September 24, 2021 by Fr. Brian Mullady, OP
Intinction With Unconsecrated Hosts? Question: Is it an egregious (sin) matter, if a priest does intinction of unconsecrated hosts with consecrated Precious Blood while distributing Holy Communion? Answer: Presumably this reflects a … [Read more...]
Clericalism: Problems Past, Present, and Future
September 9, 2021 by Jerome Buhman
I am a permanent deacon, married and with children; at the same time, I am ministering in my parish. When I was first ordained, I used to joke that I “had a foot in both camps,” as I seemed to be both laity and ordained. But in reality, we a … [Read more...]
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