In recent months there have been many reports about what seems to be a growing interest in Catholicism among young people. Catholic campus ministries across the country received a record number of students into the Catholic Church this Easter. Several parishes in New York City have “standing room only” at Masses attended by young professionals searching for God (and perhaps a spouse). This is certainly a welcome development. But in a recent article featured in The NationalContinue reading “We Worship a Working Man “
Category Archives: Other
Sharing Hidden Grief
Years ago, I asked my confessor if I should include in my confession my habit of watching boxing and mixed martial arts matches. “It’s definitely immoral,” he said, while adding, with a smile, “unless it’s a really good fight.” Not exactly the most helpful counsel I’ve ever received. But if you have a Netflix subscription, you will have noticed over the past several months aContinue reading “Sharing Hidden Grief “
Help a Mother Out
“It’s Mother’s Day in the U.K. today. So, I would like to dedicate this [award] to the beautiful chaos of a mother’s heart. We all come from a lineage of women who continue to create against all odds. Thank you for honoring me with this award.” So said the Irish actress Jessie Buckley upon receiving the Academy Award for best actress this March. The joy and admiration with which sheContinue reading “Help a Mother Out “
Beiberchella
Coachella is a 6-day music festival that takes place in California each year, drawing crowds of 250,000 people over the course of two weekends. Over the years, it has featured top performers and has become a magnet for lifestyle influencers and celebrities. Full disclosure: I have never attended Coachella. In fact, I probably would not have known it was happening if I hadn’t come across a video by Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR in which he offered aContinue reading “Beiberchella “
“Do No Harm”
Back in the early 1990s, the “Weekend Update” segment of Saturday Night Live was hosted by comedian Norm MacDonald. Among other things, MacDonald was famous for telling jokes in the segment about O.J. Simpson, which, despite being hilarious, ultimately got him fired from the show. Another one of MacDonald’s infamous targets was Dr. Jack Kevorkian, an outspoken proponent and practitioner of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, nicknamed “Dr. Death.” On the show, the fakeContinue reading ““Do No Harm” “
A Generous Heart
Ian Bravado wants to be a priest. A senior at Plainville High School, where he is the captain of the varsity soccer team, Bravado was the subject of an article featured in The Stamford Advocate last Sunday (4/5/26) that’s well worth reading. From a young age, Bravado showed deep interest in many things, particularly his Catholic faith. To his own surprise, during his freshman year of highContinue reading “A Generous Heart “
Smashing the Idols
“When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” This adage from the 18th century literary figure Samuel Johnson was referenced by former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse in a recent interview about his experience of living while dying from metastatic pancreatic cancer. Sasse received his diagnosis this past December and was given only a few months toContinue reading “Smashing the Idols “
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 “
“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? “
The Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 