COLUMNS
Rambling Spirit: A Catholic map for the wanderer
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf uses these words to describe Strider, the suspicious ranger in the corner at the Inn of the Prancing Pony. As a young “roaming Catholic,” I find reassurance in the wizard’s words, because they point to the reality that there is freedom …
Giving thanks for teachers
Now that school is out, or nearly out for some schools, and teachers are taking a moment to catch a collective breath, we should all take a moment and reflect on a recent message placed on Twitter by Pope Francis.
Remembering how our relationship with God began
With these words God calls Jeremiah and appoints him a prophet to the nations. Keeping in mind that we are all called to be prophets, our journey begins where Jeremiah’s does – with a calling to greatness.
A simple exercise in God's love that can help many
In my 54 years as a priest, I have been privileged to give hundreds of retreats. My favorite groups were recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.
Modern reflections on the path of Paul
A recent two-week trip I took to Greece took us to several sites involving St. Paul. First, there was Athens, where he spoke at the Roman Agora and from a rock promontory on the Acropolis below the Parthenon.
Cribbage and the kingdom of heaven
Recently, I was teaching my 9-year-old grandson how to play cribbage. I was dusting off a lot of mental cobwebs about the game. We were quite pleased with ourselves.
How do free will and God's plan work together?
If God has a plan for me, what’s the point in having free will? This is a question that comes up every now and then among friends when we’re talking about choosing a path in life, and trying to make sense of our deepest desires.
A guide on how to believe
A recently published document by the Vatican deserves everyone's attention, not just the attention of theologians.
Hobby Lobby justice
The June 30 Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case dealt a severe blow to the efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services, and by extension the Obama administration, to force some companies into providing contraceptive and other services deemed morally objectionable.
Diocese realigns responsibility for ethnic ministries
When Catholics pray the Creed we profess belief in a Church that is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. We have always understood “catholic” to mean that the Church is universal, a community of believers of every race and ethnicity in every nation on Earth.
Crisis in U.S. result of Central American crime
It is estimated that 90,000 children from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras as well as Mexico will have entered the country without an adult this fiscal year. Many families in Central America erroneously believe that various U.S. policies would allow their children to stay legally in this country. They pay …
The family still not obsolete
One can appreciate the irony that the family, now often portrayed as a relic or obstacle, was recently the key element in a small but important step for religious freedom in the United States.
A wealth of excuses is no match for God
Family vacations are inevitably a time of memorable moments.
On being perpetually distracted
There’s a story in the Hindu tradition that runs something like this: God and a man are walking down a road.
RAMBLING SPIRIT -- Our history: Built on lives of everyday Christians
I firmly believe that the most assuring thing about being Catholic is how normal we are. Yes, there have been many saints who have lived exceptionally holy lives, but most of us Catholics are masters of the mundane parts of life, fulfilling routine tasks with patience and humility.
Thursday, November 28, 2024
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