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Columns

Flower crowns and Disney drama for the saints

By Christina Capecchi
St. Thérèse of Lisieux is getting the Disney treatment, thanks to a talented Catholic artist. Fabiola Garza, 37, a character artist for Disney Creative Group in Orlando, brought six female saints to life in her stunning new picture book, “Princesses of Heaven,” published by Word on Fire Spark. The book was a labor of love […]
7/11/24
Reading Time 3 min

Constant renewal

By Fr. Joseph M. Rampino
Mk 6:1-6 I once had a classmate in seminary who had converted to the Catholic faith from a devout Lutheran background. I will always remember a story he told about one of the difficulties he encountered in believing what the church taught about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He used to tell […]
7/6/24
Reading Time 3 min

Fourth of July

By Russell Shaw
Here to salute the Fourth of July are a few troubled thoughts on patriotism. Orestes Brownson, the most prominent American Catholic public intellectual of 19th century, discerned a divinely bestowed mission for the United States, exceeding even the historic roles of the ancient Greek and Roman republics. Here is how he put it in his […]
7/2/24
Reading Time 3 min

A good sandwich

By Fr. Richard Miserendino
(Mk 5:21-43) June 30 Who doesn’t love a good sandwich? Certainly, St. Mark does. Our Gospel this Sunday serves up a prime sample of a sandwich, specifically what scripture scholars call a “Markan Sandwich” or an “intercalation” for those feeling more formal. It’s when an author inserts a second story in between the beginning and […]
6/29/24
Reading Time 3 min

Genuine hospitality

By Elizabeth Foss
I set the folded piece of cardstock on the nightstand and stood back to survey the scene. Pale blue walls, a soft new blanket, a blue and white patchwork quilt, meaningful art on the walls, and framed pictures of my adult children when they were children — this was the room of my imagination. When […]
6/27/24
Reading Time 3 min

Let’s provide global hunger relief

By Stephen Knippler
Catholic Relief Services, the U.S. Catholic Church’s overseas relief and development agency, is chartered and overseen by the Catholic bishops in the U.S. to bring Christ’s love to our vulnerable brothers and sisters overseas. It offers them assistance and resources to help them raise themselves out of poverty and live with the dignity that God […]
6/27/24
Reading Time 2 min

Body and Blood of Jesus

By Mary Beth Bonacci
“Once you understand the Eucharist, you can never leave the church. Not because the church won’t let you but because your heart won’t let you.” (Unknown) So far, we have discussed the Mass overall, and then drilled down on the Liturgy of the Word. And this week, it’s time to get down to the heart […]
6/27/24
Reading Time 5 min

Asleep during the storm

By Fr. Steven Oetjen
June 23 — Mk 4:35–41 Even as a violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, Jesus slept peacefully in the stern of the boat. We can read this passage in connection with one of the parables Our Lord told just before getting into the boat. Last week, we heard Jesus tell […]
6/22/24
Reading Time 3 min

‘We walk by faith’

By Fr. Jack Peterson, YA
June 16 — Mark 4:26-34 As we jump into the heat of summer, the readings for the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time invite us to prayerfully ponder three fundamental Christian realities: humility, faith and how to please God. The Lord loves to engage the humble. His favorite disciples down through the centuries are the lowly […]
6/15/24
Reading Time 3 min

Note to the mother of a graduate

By Elizabeth Foss
I saw her weeping in the parking lot after a beautiful graduation ceremony and party. Her husband held her as she cried, and when she looked up at him, he kissed her soundly and then quietly rocked her as she burrowed into his shirt. I was glad for her — glad she had him, glad […]
6/13/24
Reading Time 3 min

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