Most Americans, when we think of Canada, imagine a great wintry wasteland, populated by polite people with hard-to-place accents, who spend their days eating jelly doughnuts, curling, and trading quotes from the film Strange Brew. But, in truth, not all of Canada is like that. This week, I will travel to the city of Montreal,Continue reading “Pilgrimage “
Category Archives: Saints
Our Beloved Home
As we celebrate the great occasion of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding this weekend, it is good to think about why we should love and care for the country we call home. In 1938, a time in which various totalitarian ideologies were vying for political supremacy throughout the world, Msgr. Fulton Sheen gaveContinue reading “Our Beloved Home “
Apostles of Rome
This Monday, June 29, is the Solemnity of St. Peter and St. Paul. It might seem odd, given the importance of these two saints, that they share a feast day. But we also remember that each does have a feast day on which the Church honors them individually – The Feast of the Chair ofContinue reading “Apostles of Rome “
God’s Architect
During his recent trip to Spain, Pope Leo visited Barcelona to bless the newly completed “Tower of Jesus,” of the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia. The basilica was designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, who began working on it in 1883, and today it is the city’s most iconic building. Its exterior currently features facades that depict the birth of Christ and His crucifixion, with the final judgment facade still unfinished. Inside,Continue reading “God’s Architect “
What Gives Hope
About a week ago, I attended a fundraising gala for my elementary school alma mater, St. Theresa’s in Trumbull. The guest of honor was Fr. Mike Schmitz, who is the chaplain of the Catholic Center at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and a popular speaker whose talks and homilies have many millions of online views. At the gala, he spoke about how his workContinue reading “What Gives Hope “
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 “
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 “
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 “
The Parish of St. Cecilia-St. Gabriel 