When Mercy Me released “I Can Only Imagine" in 2001 it was one of the first Christian songs that I had ever heard on the radio. I remember thinking about the lyrics and truly imagining how my heart might feel when the time would come for me to meet Jesus. At that...
Faith & Life
How to Discern Between Consolation & Desolation | Lenten Spiritual Exercises
Fr. Ian VanHeusen presents a gospel reflection and spiritual exercise on the Gospel reading of John 12:20-33, Jesus' startling statement about hating life in this world in order to gain eternal life in heaven. Throughout the Lenten season, Father encourages us to...
The Seven Hearts Of A Priest
https://catholic-link.org/infographic-what-is-the-meaning-behind-the-priestly-vestments-a-practical-guide/ God calls those He wants to be priests. He chooses them from among His people in order to consecrate them, to make them His own. From that moment on, priests no...
15 Catholic Scientists Who Have Made Amazing Contributions To The Science
Think science and faith are incompatible? It's a common myth that science and faith contradict each other. These 15 people prove that Catholics can make great scientists. Not only have they upheld the teachings of the Church, but they have also made incredible...
Catholic Cliques: 4 Steps To Overcoming Them
I was scrolling through Facebook one day and I stopped on a photo of a group of friends I knew. They were laughing and posing happily for a selfie. Having grown up together in the same Catholic Group, these particular groups of friends enjoyed a level of intimacy,...
How To Free Yourself From Your Inner Demons
“The imagination is more active in the dark than in the light of day.” ~ Immanuel Kant When we were young, we were afraid of the dark because we couldn’t distinguish the things around us. In the silence of the night, every sound seems louder. In the dark, it’s not...
3 Questions To Examine Your Heart During Lent
Fr. Ian VanHeusen presents a gospel reflection and spiritual exercise on the Gospel of John 3:14-21, when Jesus proclaims Himself the Light of the World. Throughout the Lenten season, Father encourages us to invest in prayer of self-examination, and he provides...
A Catholic Woman Shares Her Victory Over Depression
"For so long, I kept things to myself and refused to open up because I didn't want to burden people with my problems and because I didn't think anyone would understand what I was going through. I was so wrong. No matter who you are, no matter what you're struggling...
Are You Speaking AND Listening To God?
“Words are choice and precious vessels that can be filled with anything, even the wine of error.” ~ Augustine, the Confessions Words express the way we relate with the world. If we pay attention to the way we speak, we will probably grasp something about the way we...
The Power of Persevering in a State of Grace | Lenten Spiritual Exercises Part 3 (Gospel Reflection)
Fr. Ian VanHeusen presents a gospel reflection and spiritual exercise on the Gospel reading for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, John 2:13-25, when Jesus cleanses the Temple of money changers, foretells of its destruction and - to the bewilderment of those who hear Him - that...
5 Gifts Of Living With A Clear Conscience | Lenten Spiritual Exercises
Fr. Ian VanHeusen presents a gospel reflection and spiritual exercise on the Gospel reading for the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Mark 9:2-10, the account of the Transfiguration on Mt. Tabor. Throughout the Lenten season, Father encourages us to invest in prayer of...
If More Adults Were Like Brenda Louis, Maybe There Would Be Less Violence In Our Schools
Brenda Louis, a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy who was assigned to monitor a hospital floor after the tragic February 14th school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, is an example to all those who consider themselves to be faithful...
God and the Gym (Part 4): No Pain, No Gain
Today we present the final installment of our God and the Gym series, a poetic reflection on rigorous fitness, physical suffering, Catholic spirituality, and the redemption of the Cross of Jesus Christ. God and the Gym: No Pain, No Gain Read parts 1 -3 of this series:...
We Can All Relate To This Hilarious Video Of Kids Reacting To Chicken Nuggets
This is an older video, but it's been popping up on the internet once again because it's such a classic. In this clip from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, the famous chef attempts to explain to school children how chicken nuggets are made. His hope is that once the...
How To Go Into The Desert: Entering The Wild, Scary, Interior Battle Of Lent
“Though in Your sight I despise myself and reckon myself dust and ashes, there is something I know about You, which I know not about myself.” - Augustine, The Confessions A few days ago I was with some close friends in Subiaco, (where St. Benedict first founded a...
7 Ways To Do Lent That Do Not Involve Food
If changing your diet or giving up some item of food is not possible for you this Lent, read on to find out seven creative and challenging ways that will allow you to still partake in Lent! 7 Ways To Do Lent That Don't Involve Food 1. Get Creative For God Paint a...
Check Out What USA Today Had To Say About This Nun And Former Olympic Star
The Winter Olympics are upon us and there is no shortage of amazing stories from the 2018 Games already. But USA Today takes us down memory lane with their article on an Olympic speed-skater from 1998. And it is well worth the read because it is a warm and positive...
Why You Should Want the Gift of Tongues
For whatever reason, the gift of tongues has become one of the most controversial gifts of the Holy Spirit. So, before you dismiss this post because of something you may have previously heard or experienced relating to the gift of tongues, I encourage you to read on....
5 Myths About the Priest Shortage | Video From Breaking In The Habit
In this video posted to the YouTube channel Breaking In The Habit, Br. Casey Cole debunks five commonly held myths most people believe about the shortage of priests. 5 Myths About The Priest Shortage...
How to Overcome the Fear of Not Fitting In
“Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds.” - Han...
Uncontainable Joy & Keeping Secrets: 3 Thought Experiments
Father Ian VanHeusen presents a Catholic Bible Study and spiritual exercise on the Gospel reading from Mark 1:40-45, when Jesus cleanses the leper and His reputation for miracles and wonders begins to spread near and far. We invite you to watch Father's video, then...
4 Key Components Of A Good Daily Routine For Holiness
Father Ian VanHeusen presents a Catholic Bible Study and spiritual exercise on the Gospel reading from the Mark 1:29-39, when Jesus visits and heals the mother-in-law of Simon Peter. We invite you to watch Father's video, then prayerfully read the Gospel and...
Even Patriots Fans Will Agree With The Goal Of The Eagles Zach Ertz
We're not taking sides for the big game, but we are in complete agreement with the faith goals of Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. Join us in praying that Ertz leads others to Christ through his witness to the faith. We thank God for athletes that realize the...
Five Feminine Virtues I Learned From the Joyful Mysteries
How many women ache in longing - in one way or another - for the men in their lives (fathers, husbands, boyfriends, sons) to man up? We see the problem, we get exasperated by it, we suffer for it... the struggles of so many men to be grown up, to behave chivalrously,...
How To Overcome Your Addiction To Sin
Be Courageous! How to Overcome Your Addiction to Sin https://youtu.be/S4giNDdC-hA Overcome your bad habits and sin by claiming authority as a child of God 1. Stop cowering in fear or acceptance of your weakness as if it's "just the way it is, I'm stuck." 2. Name and...