Category: Seeing with Jesus’ Eyes

On
Fr. Donald Lange

Jesus is main teacher at Catholic schools

In 1974, Catholic Schools Week was established as the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States.

This year it occurs from January 26 to February 1. Catholic schools celebrate with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members.

Educate whole person

Jesus is the main teacher in Catholic schools, where students learn about Jesus and his teachings. His message is not just a set of intellectual propositions or truths, but a way of life.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Technology can help the pro-life movement

On January 22, 1973, the United Supreme Court gave our nation Roe v. Wade and its companion decision, Doe v. Bolton. In so doing, it effectively removed every legal protection from human beings prior to birth.

Since then, millions of lives have been destroyed before birth and even during the process of being born. Countless women have been traumatized so deeply by abortion that for years they struggle to find peace, healing, and reconciliation. Men grieve too because they could not “choose” to protect a child they helped bring into existence.

Society has increasingly been coarsened by toleration and acceptance of acts that purposely destroy human life.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Working for peace in the new year

We begin each new year with the feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God. The World Day of Peace also occurs on January 1.

Mary, the mother of God, gave birth to the prince of peace, who helped the human race to begin anew to work for peace.

Be persons of peace

Since New Year’s is a time to make resolutions, one resolution might be to continue to try to be persons of peace during the new year.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

A Christmas crib brought peace to a prison

The original Christmas crib was built at Bethlehem.

Centuries later, St. Francis of Assisi built another Christmas crib and made it popular.

According to The Life of St. Francis of Assisi by St. Bonaventure, in 1223, St. Francis received permission from Pope Honorius III to set up a manger with hay and two live animals — an ox and a donkey — in a cave in the Italian village of Grecio.

He then invited the villagers to visit the scene while he preached about “the babe of Bethlehem.” (Francis was supposedly so overcome by emotion that he couldn’t say “Jesus.”)

A gift of peace

The Christmas crib inspired a group of German POWs in Algona, Iowa, to build a Christmas crib.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

Let us sing as we prepare for Jesus’ birth

Years ago, Sister Victricia chose seventh and eighth graders for the Kieler Immaculate Conception grade school choir. Miraculously, I was chosen. At rehearsals, however, whenever I sang, Sister stopped playing the piano and stared at me. My voice was changing. To survive her stares, I began to lip-sync long before I ever heard of it.

A positive thinking friend told me, “Maybe Sister was admiring your singing.” If so, why did she quit staring after I stopped singing? Dad often said that the Louisburg Langes can’t sing. Fr. Ron Lange, my missionary first cousin, agrees.

Perhaps this is a senile illusion, but now I think I can sing a little better at Mass. Because of old age, however, when celebrating Mass I often refrain from singing hymns that I don’t know to conserve my limited energy for parts that I proclaim and for the Gospel reading and homily.

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On
Fr. Donald Lange

The month that reminds us we are called to holiness

During November, we celebrate the feasts of All Saints, All Souls, and Christ the King.

At the end of November, we also begin Advent, when we prayerfully, patiently await Christ’s birth.

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a holy day which we celebrate on November 1. We honor those who have been canonized and whom the Church declares are in Heaven.

To be recognized as a canonized saint, the Church first makes a lengthy examination of the candidate to determine if he or she is a person of heroic virtue.

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