Originally delivered as a talk for the Diocese of Paterson Advent Day of Prayer for Priests, St. Paul Inside the Walls Evangelization Center, Madison, NJ on December 6, 2022. It is my privilege and pleasure to be with you today at the … [Read more...]
A New Approach for Pastoral Ministry
Incorporating Biblical Creation Imagery and Apocalyptic Metaphors into Pastoral Care and Ministry
January 27, 2022 by Fr. Moses Mary Apreku
Biblical theology of creation is applicable in pastoral ministry, because of its rich cornucopia of imagery and metaphors of myth and apocalypse, imagination and paradoxes employed in demonstrating God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and o … [Read more...]
Thinking About Ministry After Covid
Based On Ecclesiological Insights of Pope Francis
December 24, 2021 by Fr. Nihal Abeyasingha
The opening paragraph of Lumen Gentium states, “Since the Church is in Christ like a sacrament or as a sign and instrument both of a very closely knit union with God and of the unity of the whole human race, it desires now to unfold more f … [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...]
The Anvil of God
Drawing Inspiration from the Preaching of Bl. Clemens von Galen
June 3, 2021 by Fr. Boniface Hicks
In a time when his people were suffering and felt helpless to change the course of world affairs, the Lion of Münster[1. To read more about Blessed Clemens von Galen, see Fr Daniel Utrecht, The Lion of Münster: The Bishop Who Roared Against … [Read more...]
The Dangers of Safety
April 9, 2021 by Fr. Sean O'Brien
We had a pre-existing condition, but we didn’t know it. Before the days of COVID, I was aware that I was in a safety-based culture. We could think of the expansion of insurance (I bought a phone recently and was automatically involved in an … [Read more...]
Addictions: A Pastoral Approach for the Catholic Spiritual Director and Confessor
March 12, 2021 by Fr. Anthony J. Pinizzotto
Saint Paul refers to a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan that is his constant reminder of the need for God’s grace.[1. 2 Corinthians 12:6–7, New American Bible (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2002).] Al … [Read more...]
A Shepherd’s Experience Leading His Flock in a Consecration to Jesus through Mary
March 12, 2021 by Bishop John Keenan
A chance stop at the Children’s Rosary booth in the Conference Centre of the World Meeting of Families in Dublin 2018 brought me my first encounter with what would become my diocesan-led Child Consecration: To Jesus through Mary. After a c … [Read more...]
Philomena, St. John Vianney, and a Blueprint for Converting Parishes
February 12, 2021 by Tate Hilgefort
Last fall my wife was five months pregnant with our 11th child. We had already named her Philomena after the great wonder worker and favorite saint of St. John Vianney. This is when we found out that Philomena had a heart defect that would … [Read more...]
Making Pastoral Sense of Pope Francis’ “Civil Arrangement” Proposal
November 25, 2020 by Dr. Tiju Thomas
Pope Francis’ recent comments on “civil arrangement/union” for same-sex couples have caused concern among many across the world. Several Catholic bishops, archbishops and even a few cardinals have not minced words in their criticism. Even so … [Read more...]
Pastoral Formation as Improvisation
October 30, 2019 by Fr. Kenneth G. Davis, OFM Conv.
Introduction So what does slapping together a sandwich in a soup kitchen have to do with priestly formation? And how does packing medical equipment for a mission trip help anyone become a spiritual father? Or visiting random old dudes at a … [Read more...]
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