COLUMNS

Consider all the facts when it comes to vote

Remember that old detective TV show, “Dragnet”? There was a famous line by actor Jack Webb, “Just the facts, ma’am.” Naturally, the police search for the facts in order to solve a crime.

Dancing through life's ups and downs

Henri Nouwen used to publish some of his diaries under the title, On Mourning and Dancing. The title was wholly appropriate since those diaries chronicled much of his own struggle...

There's no fool like an old fool

Saturdays were my favorite day as a child. It meant time spent with my mom, or dad, or both, usually shopping for groceries, buying the latest Nancy Drew volume and, eventually, grabbing a bite to eat at the local diner.

What are you giving for Lent?

So Lent begins.  I have overheard the usual pre-Lenten discussions, “What are you giving up for Lent?”  The answers are usually familiar.  Most often we hear chocolate, cursing, desserts or some other extravagance or bad habit.

Parading through homes, tracking the Joneses

Spring is almost here and the sweet home-show season is upon us! Time to inspect the Joneses’ mansion and discover just how far behind we’ve fallen.

Working together to serve those in need

DIOCESAN JOURNAL | Sister Joanne Dress, D.C.Bishop O’Connell wanted someone to serve the diocese and its mission in areas relating to Catholic social services.

The inspiring Rite of Election

KEEPING THE FAITH | Father Douglas FreerAround the world the First Sunday in Lent brings about a most encouraging thing.  In every diocese those who are preparing for Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil gather with the bishop of the local Church for the Rite of Election. 

Penitence permeated by the joy of Easter

At the halfway point in our Lenten journey there is an underappreciated gem – Laetare Sunday.  As the Fourth Sunday in Lent, named with the Latin word for “rejoice,” this is a day with a rich past that largely goes unnoticed today.

Porous and buffered personalities

A friend of mine tells this story: As a young boy in the 1950s he was struck down with pneumonia. His family lived in a small town that had neither a hospital nor a doctor. His father had a job that had taken him away from the family for that …

Recovering our desire for creativity

Have you ever felt you’re dull, uninspired and need to change this? If so, find a museum or exhibit that lauds a person who possesses a great mind at work. If these don’t exist, purchase the biography of a person who has inspired the world with ideas, inventions and creativity …

Moments of grace, encouragement sustain our faith

Keeping the Faith | By Father Douglas FreerIt is always so encouraging to hear that the true faith is alive and well. 

Missing couple from shipwreck still inspire

This month we mark the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and the luxury liner buried two-and-a-half miles below the Atlantic bobs to the surface once again.

Going where God leads means Calvary, then Resurrection

One day my Lord said to me: “Believe me, my daughter, trials are the heaviest for those my father loves the best. It is difficult to accept whatever suffering comes our way … but this is the cost of going where God leads us … into the Garden of Gethsemane …

We must be bearers of the light at Easter and always

This is a great time of the year. The joy of Easter continues. We all had a great sight this past Sunday when our Masses were filled to capacity. As I looked among the faces in the pews, many were unfamiliar to me. I thought about all the reasons they …

Holy and unholy fear

Not all fear is created equal, at least not religiously. There’s a fear that’s healthy and good, a sign of maturity and love. There’s also a fear that’s bad, that blocks maturity and love. But this needs explanation.


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