stceceliastgabriel

The Green Desert

The next week and a half is kind of a “sweet spot” during the season of Lent. In the next ten days we get not just one but two solemnities – St. Joseph’s Day (3/19) and the Annunciation (3/25), both of which provide a welcome respite from the disciplines of Lent. It’s also a great time for the Irish, for those of Irish descent, and for the countless multitudes who wish they were. St.Continue reading “The Green Desert “

The Passion of Jimmy Lai

When he was 8 years old, Jimmy Lai got a job carrying luggage to earn money after his mother was arrested by Chinese Communist Party officials and sent to a labor camp. One day, a customer tipped him with a half-eaten chocolate bar. After tasting it, Lai was desperate to know where the man was from. “Hong Kong,” the man said. Three years later, in 1960, Lai escapedContinue reading “The Passion of Jimmy Lai “

Renewed in Hope

As a parish, we have much to be grateful for. It was only a few years ago that everything was shut down for the COVID-19 pandemic and people were wondering what the future would hold for Catholic parishes in our diocese and beyond. Since then, what we have seen here is remarkable growth and a sense of renewed hope. Since 2020, parish membershipContinue reading “Renewed in Hope “

Blessed Fulton

A few weeks ago, the Vatican announced that Archbishop Fulton Sheen (1895-1979) would be beatified later this year. Beatification is the final step one goes through before being declared a canonized saint. It is an infallible declaration by the Church that someone from its ranks has been received into Heaven. Fulton Sheen was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, ILContinue reading “Blessed Fulton “

A New Season

Despite the exceptionally cold winter we’re experiencing this year, I’m still happy to live in a place where there are four distinct seasons. The natural seasons alert us to the passage of time as we change the way we live in response to change in weather. But there are other kinds of seasons too. About a month ago, I remember reading articles about the growing popularity of somethingContinue reading “A New Season “

“Follow My Voice”

This weekend, a historic event took place not far from where we live. Archbishop Ronald Hicks was installed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as the 11th Archbishop of New York, taking over from his immediate predecessor, Timothy Cardinal Dolan. Cardinal Dolan served in that role for almost 17 years, one year longer than another great man of the Church, John Cardinal O’Connor, who served as Archbishop ofContinue reading ““Follow My Voice” “

To Whom Do We Belong?

As anyone who follows current events knows, the city of Minneapolis has been at the center of conflict between the federal government and local officials over the enforcement of federal immigration laws. In the past few weeks, two protesters have been shot and killed by federal law enforcement officers, incidents which have brought tensions there to a boiling point. The conflict is inflamed byContinue reading “To Whom Do We Belong? “

Celebration of Baptism

In 1981, Pope John Paul II began an annual tradition of baptizing children of Vatican employees at St. Peter’s Basilica on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Infant baptism has been a consistent practice of the Church since its earliest days, as evidenced in Sacred Scripture and early Church documents. Baptism is not simply a ceremony in which someone publicly acknowledges they have faith. Baptism actually changes the person who receives it. This change is needed because all of us enter the world withContinue reading “Celebration of Baptism “

Heis-Mendoza

This Monday night (1/19), the Hoosiers of Indiana University will be playing the University of Miami Hurricanes in the college football national championship game. The player to watch is Indiana’s starting quarterback, a young man named Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza has had an outstanding season, leading Indiana to an undefeated regular season and to the cusp of the school’s first national championship in football. He also received the 2025 Heisman Award,Continue reading “Heis-Mendoza “

Saints for Venezuela

With all that’s taken place in Venezuela over the past week I decided to do some research to find out what saints might be good intercessors on behalf of the Venezuelan people, to help them with the very serious social and political challenges they face. A quick internet search told me that the main patroness of Venezuela is the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our LadyContinue reading “Saints for Venezuela “