There have been many days when I was on the verge of losing my mind due to obsessive tattling, the never-ending muddy footprints on my hardwood floors and the bloodcurdling shriek of a toddler being tortured by her big brothers. During those moments, I could only...
Man is by his nature both a creator and a redeemer (simply consider the nature of the majority of the jobs out there), for he is made in the image and likeness of God. And while I am not a fan of the cynical (and simplistic) adage that states; "if you can't do…...
Throughout the Olympics, I have grown attached to some of the athletes competing for Gold. Many of them quickly went from names I had never heard of to people I desperately wanted to see win. I'll admit that after the Olympics conclude I probably won't continue to...
What to do when this question, "So, what are you doing after you graduate?”, makes you a little nervous. When someone finds out that you are a senior in college, there seems to be a typical conversation that goes something like this… “Oh wow! You’re a senior! So… what...
Money can buy happiness? As Fr. Mike Schmitz points out, yes, money actually can buy happiness if you spend it on other people. Spending money on other people can “buy happiness” because it doesn’t have to do with the money—it has to do with gratitude, sharing,...
Worried about going to a university and forgetting your Catholic roots? Choosing a school can be a nightmare, especially when you have no idea about the college lifestyle. Many Universities claim to be Catholic, yet the types of programs, speakers, and groups they...
Being involved in sports can help us to obtain virtues - self-control, perseverance, integrity and many more. We learn what it means to be a part of a team and how to work together to use our gifts and the gifts of others to obtain the prize. We set goals for...
St. Paul writes Hebrews that ‘the word of God is alive and active’ (Hebrews 4:12) and this is still true even in our darkest moments of pain and confusion. The Bible can provide us the answers and the comfort that we are seeking. Whatever you are going through, if you...
The Church has always been persecuted; we know this. It is constantly persecuted all around the world. Yet in recent months, the waves of this persecution have been lapping ever closer to our western world for the first time in hundreds of years. In the West, we are...
Though St. Benedict was born in 480 A.D., he is certainly a Saint for our times. He was a man of strength, conviction, and courage. Although he desired to live a life of solitude by choosing the life of a hermit and living in a cave, when word of his holiness and...
The Lord’s Prayer, is a prayer many of us have prayed countless times to the point that the words have just become a rhythm. There is that one tiny, seemingly innocuous line that calls us to “forgive those who trespass against us”. It is often too uncomfortable to...
God has gifted us with many ways to express the emotion that wells within our hearts. Our culture will often tell us to suppress those feelings especially when it comes to crying. The world wants us to believe that to cry is to show weakness and defeat. However,...
“Would you be able to donate blood this week?” a lady asked over the phone. “We’re trying to prepare for any potential accidents over Fourth of July weekend.” I was impressed with the blood center’s pragmatic preparations, but I also found it amusing that while...
It’s summertime in the Northern hemisphere and therefore, for the great majority of people, vacation time. You have probably looked forward to this moment and have great expectations about what you will do, the money you will spend, the places you know, and the...
Have you ever had a friend who has tried to convert you to their religion? They start slowly at first with slight hints and ambiguous invitations to events: “Oh, other denominations will be there” but it escalates to something that could be uncomfortable for both...
I can’t forgive. Not always and never easily. It is hard to forgive and sometimes I don’t want to forgive. What do you do when there is something in your life that is too huge for forgiveness? These points may not be a step by step process of ‘how to forgive’ but they...
We all like to look good. We get up in the morning and think, “Today, I’m going to go out, look handsome or beautiful and make everyone who passes me by fall in love.” But there are times that regardless of what we do some characteristics seem to sabotage...
Are you considering becoming a Catholic? Are you thinking about taking your Catholic life seriously, if you had neglected it? I do not know if converting to Catholicism is a good idea. If I was you, I would think it carefully before taking the next step. Catholicism...
In the United States, the number of single dads continues to increase. In the 1960's there were just 300,000 households led by single fathers, but in the most recent survey by Pew Research that number rose to 2.6 million. As a Catholic faith community, we must show...
It's the time of year when many families decide to take a vacation and get away from the daily grind and busyness of life. It's important to remember that we should include God in our plans even while we are away. Today we present a list of vacation ideas for...
Over the next five articles, we will embark on a brief exploration of the complex and often overlooked topic of being male. The articles will be reflective and open to discussion, so please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. Be mindful...
Dear Young Catholic, Just because you should be doing something doesn’t make it easy, nor does it mean you should have to do it alone and unsupported. There are times when being Catholic can be tough when you feel like you are the only person in the entire world who...
School is out, the weather is getting warmer, and ice cream trucks are once again making the rounds. Summer is here! For many summertime means a relaxed schedule with no classes (and no homework!), shorter workdays, and vacations. It is a joy-filled season and a...
We’re already halfway through the Year of Mercy, a time when the Church (that’s us!) is invited to discover God’s mercy for ourselves, as well as for those around us. Pope Francis has been very clear on the importance of this and has encouraged us to “assist others...
As Catholics, we must reconquer the battleground known as "beauty." I currently live in Italy, and I am continually impressed by the fascination for beauty that seeps forth from the walls of almost of every Church and in many Museums. Each time has its imperfections...
