Do parents want what’s best for their children? Almost always. That’s why they work hard, sacrifice time and resources, and try to instill in them values and habits that will help them succeed and flourish. But what if, more than any other activity, regular religious practice is the most likely to help your kid succeedContinue reading “Benefits of Belief “
Category Archives: Other
Altar of Repose
Our parish is blessed with two beautiful churches. St. Gabriel’s was built in 1964, originally as a multi-purpose space, serving as both church and school gym. When plans to build a free-standing church were abandoned, the space was designated permanently as a church, and a gym was included in the later expansion of the schoolContinue reading “Altar of Repose “
Filial Piety
“Lee Corso is a mixture of Don Corleone and Yoda.” For those unfamiliar, Lee Corso is a sports broadcaster who co-hosts the show “College Game Day” on ESPN along with Kirk Herbstreit, who likes to describe his colleague this way. Back in college, my roommates and I would gather around the television every Saturday morningContinue reading “Filial Piety “
Reasonable Faith
Is it reasonable to believe in God? The Church at the First Vatican Council (1869-70), in its document Dei Filius, declared infallibly that “God, the principle and end of all things, can be known with certainty by the natural light of human reason from created things.” This means that human beings on our own canContinue reading “Reasonable Faith “
The Joy of Creating
Every Thursday afternoon in high school I would spend an hour with Mr. Guzzi, my piano teacher. Mr. Guzzi was a well-respected local jazz pianist, and I was interested in learning that style of music. During those lessons, he taught me things like music theory and chord progressions. He gave me drills to develop basicContinue reading “The Joy of Creating “
Surviving the Political Season
November 5 is election day, and the weeks leading up to it can be a very stressful time for people. Political rhetoric will surely intensify as Americans prepare to choose to whom we want to entrust the enormous power that comes with political office in our country. Aware of how this can affect us, Fr.Continue reading “Surviving the Political Season “
All About Angels
This is the time of year when the Church wants us to think about angels. September 29 is the Feast of the Archangels and October 2 is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Angels are our fellow creatures, whom God created before the dawn of time. But they are a very different kind of creatureContinue reading “All About Angels “
John 1:5
On March 30, 1981, a 25-year-old named John Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan. Hinckley was a troubled young man who hoped that his crime would gain him notoriety and the attention of actress Jodi Foster, with whom he had become obsessed. Using a revolver, Hinckley shot the president in the chest from closeContinue reading “John 1:5 “
(Mal)Formed by Technology
“Technology makes us different people – people who are less inclined to be Catholic,” writes Colin Miller in Church Life Journal. Miller insists he is no luddite. He is merely reminding us that, for better or worse, we human beings are shaped by our actions. Consider how repetition and practice allow us to become proficientContinue reading “(Mal)Formed by Technology “
An Exceptionally Normal Man
I have never been to Los Angeles. I have no desire to visit. I think that has something to do with having grown up rooting for the Boston Celtics. I was 10 years old in 1986, when Boston had its greatest team, whose best player was, of course, Larry Bird. Bird was always my favoriteContinue reading “An Exceptionally Normal Man “
The Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 