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St. Joseph, protector of the persecuted

December 21, 2020

On March 19 nearly eight years ago, the church celebrated Pope Francis’ papal inauguration. It was the solemnity of St. Joseph, and in a homily reflecting on Joseph as “protector,” the pope foreshadowed many of the works and teachings that now mark his ministry. At the heart of it, Pope Francis highlighted what it means to follow Joseph. The pope encouraged, “In him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly, but we also see the core of the Christian vocation, which is Christ! Let us protect Christ in our lives, so that we can protect others, so that we can protect creation!”

‘Silent Night’ captures the meaning of Christmas in song

December 21, 2020

It’s no surprise that there are hundreds of good Christmas songs that reflect the glory of Christ’s birth in sonorous splendor. But of all the Christmas hymns and chants and songs, which one is my favorite?

Right and just

December 10, 2020

One of the names we use for Mass or the Blessed Sacrament is “holy Eucharist.” The word “Eucharist” comes from Greek and means “thanksgiving.” Going to weekly Mass is literally sharing as God’s family in a thanksgiving banquet of love (The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1328). We give God our worship and thanks with contrite hearts, and he gives us Jesus to be our food for eternal life and to help us meet the daily challenges we face.

Advent during a pandemic

November 23, 2020

For most of 2020, many of us have echoed the words of the Psalmist: “How long, O Lord? (Ps 13:2) How long must we endure this pandemic and wear face masks? When can we be freed from the impersonal social distancing norms and greet others again with a hug, a handshake or a kiss? From March until May, Catholics in our diocese weren’t able to attend Mass and many longed to receive the Lord again in the Eucharist. Those who had been daily communicants cried: “How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day?” (Ps 13:3). Our persistent questioning “when?” and “how long?” during the COVID-19 crisis echoes the same expectant waiting and longing of the season of Advent.

‘I am the Immaculate Conception’

November 23, 2020

In 1858, a small town in southern France was graced by extraordinary events. In February that year, a young girl named Bernadette Soubirous, along with her sister and friend, went to collect bones and wood. Bernadette removed her socks to cross a stream and when she heard the sound of the wind, she looked up toward a grotto. There, she saw a lady dressed in white. She wore a white veil, blue belt and a yellow rose on each foot. Bernadette made the sign of the cross and prayed the rosary with the lady before she disappeared.

He must reign

November 16, 2020

The church’s liturgical year ends with the solemnity of Christ the King, Nov. 22 this year. Now, we might think this feast is a remnant from the ancient or medieval church, from a time when kings ruled the world. In fact, it was established by Pius XI in 1925, just as kings were disappearing from the world. But it was not their disappearance that prompted the pope to institute the feast. Rather, it was that the pope wanted to proclaim Christ as King in the face of society’s increasing secularization and hostility to the faith.

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St. Joseph, protector of the persecuted

‘Silent Night’ captures the meaning of Christmas in song

Right and just

Advent during a pandemic

‘I am the Immaculate Conception’

He must reign

‘Lord, it is good that we are here’

When to receive anointing of the sick

The four basic principles of Catholic social teaching

Blessed Bartolo Longo and devotion to the rosary

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