Category Archives: Spirituality

Rosary Weekend 

This past August, Bishop Caggiano issued a special decree designating every first weekend of October, “Rosary Weekend.” October is traditionally the month of the rosary, with October 7 being the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. Per the Bishop’s special directive, we will join all the other parishes in the Diocese in celebrating what’sContinue reading “Rosary Weekend “

Why Christ is on the Cross 

This Monday (9/14) is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The cross is the symbol of Christianity because it is by Our Lord’s cross and resurrection that we have been saved and liberated from the power of sin and death. Recently, I was asked by a gentleman who attends an Evangelical congregationContinue reading “Why Christ is on the Cross “

A Marian Summer 

The great Marian feast of summer is the Assumption, August 15. Normally, the Assumption is a holy day of obligation. But because it falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation is lifted. Perhaps we can treat this as reason to use the next several weeks to give extra consideration to the Blessed Mother’s roleContinue reading “A Marian Summer “

We Worship a Working Man 

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 “

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 “

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 “

“He is Risen” 

On Easter Sunday, 20 years ago, Pope Benedict XVI gave his first Easter Urbi et Orbi speech to the city of Rome and to the world, following the tradition established by his predecessors. From the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square, he repeated to the crowds the words of the angel to the women who went to Our Lord’s tomb the morning of thatContinue reading ““He is Risen” “

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 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 “