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I gratefully recall the evening when Dad and I sat on our front lawn and studied the farmer’s green field across the road.
The sun like a beautiful orange-red host sank slowly into the chalice of God’s good earth. It was a heavenly moment of harmony between God, nature, Dad, and me.
Dad broke the sacred silence by saying, “You know, we don’t really own anything!”
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A boy returned from Catechism class where he learned about Jesus’ resurrection.
During his walk home, he stopped by a religious goods store to study a window display of a huge cross with an image of the crucified Jesus nailed to it. An elderly man who walked with crutches joined him. The man seemed confused as he stared at the crucifix.
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Pope Francis encourages us Catholics to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent, the season of conversion.
Beginning with St. Peter, popes and bishops have taught that in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Christ forgives our sins and helps us to grow spiritually as Peter did.
On Good Friday, Peter, who bragged that he would never deny Christ, denied him three times.
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On Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14 this year, we begin the season of Lent. The word Lent comes from an old English word meaning Spring time which is a season of new growth.
Lent is a season of the Church when we open ourselves to new spiritual growth so that at Easter, we can renew our baptismal promises with renewed committed faith and Christ-like joy and love.
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In his visit to the United States, Pope Francis especially praised two Catholics. They were Thomas Merton and Dorothy Day.
In 1925, Dorothy Day became pregnant. Because of a previous abortion, her pregnancy seemed a miracle. Now she had to make the toughest decision she ever made. If she gave birth, Forster Batterham, the child’s father, would leave her. He would stay with her if she aborted their baby.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an American federal holiday that marks his birthday, observed this year on January 15.
In his speech to Congress in September of 2015, Pope Francis lifted up four Americans who worked for social justice. Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton were Catholics. Abraham Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were not Catholics.
Dr. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is an American federal holiday that marks his birthday, observed this year on January 15.
In his speech to Congress in September of 2015, Pope Francis lifted up four Americans who worked for social justice. Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton were Catholics. Abraham Lincoln and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were not Catholics.
Dr. King was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
The World Day of Peace takes place during the Christmas season on January 1 on the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
Inspired by St. John XXIII’s encyclical Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), it was introduced in 1967 by Pope Blessed Paul VI and first observed on January 1, 1968.
At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus redeemed us from sin, which causes war and other violence, and taught us how to live peacefully. After his Ascension, he sent the Holy Spirit to help us live a peaceful, Christ-like life.
Unfortunately since Jesus, many wars have occurred. In the 20th century, World War I was followed by World War II, which was much worse. According to the New Orleans National World War II Museum, worldwide there were 60 million civilian and military casualties in World War II.
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When their baby is born, the hearts of many parents beat with the joyful hope that he or she will help to make their home, school, neighborhood, and the world a better place. Like St. John Paul II, they believe that the young are the hope of the future.
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The word Advent comes from the Latin Adventus which means coming.
From the first Sunday of Advent to December 17, we focus upon the second coming of Jesus so that when he comes in glory, he will find us ready to meet him.
From December 17 to Christmas Eve, we prepare to celebrate Christ’s coming at Christmas. We also prepare for the comings of Christ in daily life.
