By Mary Beth Bonacci
Have you ever known someone who was facing a truly huge loss, and struggled with what to say to them? It hit close to home lately. A friend lost someone close to him to suicide. It has completely rocked his world. At the funeral, I spoke to several people who really just didn’t know what […]
3/23/23
Reading Time
4
min
By Lucia A. Silecchia
Anyone who has ever had the misfortune to drive me to an airport, meet me at a train station, or share the trunk of a car with me on a road trip can tell you one thing: I do not travel lightly. Whether a journey is two days, two weeks or two months, my bulging […]
3/23/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Fr. Joseph M. Rampino
Gospel Commentary March 19, Jn 9:1-41 Every word of the Gospels speaks to us of Christ’s identity and mission. Whether they present the Lord’s own speech, recount his actions, or even paint for us a portrait of how different hearts respond to his message and deeds, we always gain insight into who Christ really is, […]
3/18/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Elizabeth Foss
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 It took three decades of the same argument over and over again (with different details each time) before I recognized the pattern. I’m not proud of this slow understanding, but I am encouraged by an intimate knowledge gained over time. It was so […]
3/16/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Christina Capecchi
Paige Rien was in hustle mode. Her first book had finally been released, and the Catholic mom of four was determined to market it well. “Love the House You’re In” was a labor of love, flowing from Paige’s experience as an HGTV on-air designer and bursting with the hard-won, heart-felt wisdom she wished she could […]
3/15/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Sr. Constance Veit, LSP
Jesus’ Transfiguration is one of the most dramatic scenes in the Gospels. It is a central image of Lent, reminding us that during this season we are invited to ascend a high mountain with Jesus to live a unique spiritual experience. Pope Francis has chosen the Transfiguration as the theme for his Lenten message this […]
3/14/23
Reading Time
3
min
How are you? “I’m so busy!” We all say it — and we all say it all the time. It’s a status symbol. The busier we are, the more important we are. Busy is an adjective meaning “engaged in action,” “occupied,” “being in use,” or “full of activity.” America rewards, incentivizes and celebrates activity. Don’t […]
3/13/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Fr. Richard Miserendino
GOSPEL COMMENTARY March 12, Jn 4:5-42 In many senses, one could say that Catholic Christianity is a well-founded faith. In particular, our Gospel reading this Sunday invites us to consider how much of the faith seems to be founded around actual wells of water. We heard that Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at “Jacob’s Well,” […]
3/11/23
Reading Time
3
min
By Fr. Steven Oetjen
Gospel Commentary March 5, Mt 17:1-9 One of the things that can intimidate new Catholics or others who are unfamiliar with attending Mass is that we instinctively know when to sit, stand and kneel. If you’ve grown up with it or if you’ve been attending Mass for a long time, you recognize certain “cues” without […]
3/4/23
Reading Time
3
min
Lord of life