stceceliastgabriel

Apologetics

The term apologetics refers to a reasoned and systematic defense of a particular set of beliefs, and it has always had a place in the history of the Church. Many of the Church’s great saints engaged both fellow believers and non-believers in fierce debates over important questions of doctrine. St. Peter himself encouraged Christians toContinue reading “Apologetics “

The Catholic Founder

This weekend, people across this proud land will gather together to enjoy hots dogs, watermelon, and fireworks as a way of celebrating Independance Day, the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence 249 years ago. There are many household names among its signatories, such as Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and JohnContinue reading “The Catholic Founder “

The Martyrs of Auriesville

I recently spent a couple of days in Saratoga, visiting my cousin and his family who have a home there. Not far from their place I noticed a church dedicated to the French Jesuit missionary St. Isaac Jogues. This gave me the idea to look up how far I was from Auriesville, NY, the placeContinue reading “The Martyrs of Auriesville “

Jesus Among the Inmates

One night this spring, at the James A. Lynaugh Prison Unit in Fort Stockton, TX, a prisoner knelt in his cell and said a prayer. While it is not uncommon for inmates to pray, this prayer was very specific. The man asked God to grant him some kind of opportunity to deepen his faith, thatContinue reading “Jesus Among the Inmates “

Bartolo Longo

Blessed Bartolo Longo had a very unusual path to sainthood. Born in 1841 into a devoutly Catholic family, as a young man he went to study law at the University of Naples. The 1860s was a time of great social-political turmoil on the Italian peninsula, with a rising nationalist movement led by General Giuseppe Garibaldi,Continue reading “Bartolo Longo “

Confirmation

Confirmation season has arrived. This weekend, I will confirm four adults at the 11:15 Mass of Pentecost. Next Saturday, Bishop Caggiano will come himself and confirm 53 young members of our parish. Among the sacraments, Confirmation seems the most obscure; the other six seem much easier to understand. Baptism has to do with new birthContinue reading “Confirmation “

The Promise & Peril of A.I.

Artificial Intelligence is a hot topic these days. While techno-utopians from Silicon Valley speak of it with great optimism, many others, including Pope Leo XIV, are much more circumspect about what its impact will be on civilization. A few years ago, Fr. Stephen Grunow of Word on Fire gave an interesting lecture on the issueContinue reading “The Promise & Peril of A.I. “

A Few Announcements

This weekend our parish is happy to welcome Mr. Colin Firda who is a seminarian studying to be a priest of our diocese. Colin will be with us for a couple of months, during which time he will be helping out by serving Mass, writing a short weekly reflection for the bulletin, and moving heavyContinue reading “A Few Announcements “

What’s in a Name?

As the Church gets to know its new pope, one of the things that is helpful to consider is the name that Cardinal Robert Prevost took upon his election to the See of Peter. It has been the tradition since the sixth century for popes to adopt what are called “regnal names,” and the nameContinue reading “What’s in a Name? “

The Popes and Our Mother

The papal conclave of 1914 resulted in the election of Pope Benedict XV, who would reign during the intensely difficult period from 1914-1922. When the First World War broke out less than two months before Benedict’s election, many believed it would be a short, decisive conflict. But by the end of 1914 the sides had settledContinue reading “The Popes and Our Mother “