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 “
Category Archives: Other
Nicaea and Unity
After the homily at every Sunday Mass, the congregation rises to recite the Niceno-Contantinopolitan Creed, better known as the Nicene Creed. The Nicene Creed is a concise distillation of the foundational beliefs of orthodox Christianity. It has its origins in the Council of Nicaea which took place in modern day Turkey in the year 325Continue reading “Nicaea and Unity “
The Grace of Angry Prayers
While his day job for the past 20 years has been chaplain to the students at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Fr. Mike Schmitz is best known for his work with Ascension Presents and his popular podcast “The Bible in a Year.” Full of enthusiasm, Fr. Mike is one of the great contemporary teachers ofContinue reading “The Grace of Angry Prayers “
The Gift of Dependence
Leah Libresco Sargeant is a writer who has been making the rounds promoting her new book, The Dignity of Dependence. In a recent interview with Church Life Journal, she said that her book is an attempt to debunk what she sees as a false idea of what we are as human beings, namely the idea that we are “autonomous individualsContinue reading “The Gift of Dependence”
Dilexi Te
A little over a week ago, Pope Leo XIV issued his first teaching document in the form of an apostolic exhortation called Dilexi Te. To be honest, I have not yet read it myself, only commentaries about it (always a dangerous thing to do). But among those who have shared their thoughts on the document,Continue reading “Dilexi Te “
Loving Our Little Plot
Last weekend at the cathedral, Bishop Frank Caggiano conferred the St. Augustine Medal on over 170 people in recognition of their exceptional service to parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities throughout the Diocese. Among the recipients of this year’s award was Eden Huang, who I’m sure is very upset with me as she reads this. IfContinue reading “Loving Our Little Plot “
The First Tablet
A few months ago, I was at a (non-parishioner’s) wedding reception and found myself in a conversation with a group of people I knew, but not very well. The conversation took place at that point in the evening when guests suddenly feel relaxed enough to freely share their opinions on politics and religion. In dueContinue reading “The First Tablet “
Summer Rest
This Tuesday (7/29) we celebrate the feast day of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, a family of siblings who were close friends of Jesus. Our Lord would often stay at their home in Bethany when He was visiting Jerusalem. In St. Luke’s gospel (Lk 10:38-42), we hear about one such visit. Martha is “burdened withContinue reading “Summer Rest “
Building Happy Marriages
What is the secret to a happy marriage? According to experts, going on dates (with one’s spouse) is very helpful. Unfortunately, most couples rarely enjoy a date night together. Based on a nationwide survey of over 2000 married couples, 52% of married couples report either never or seldom go on dates together, with 48% reportingContinue reading “Building Happy Marriages “
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 Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 