Thursday, December 21, 20170348Don't be late for Mass believing the introductory rites do not matter, Pope Francis told visitors and pilgrims. The words and gestures that open the celebration help the faithful come together as one and prepare them to listen to the Word of God and celebrate the Eucharist worthily, he said Dec. 20 during his weekly general audience.
Tuesday, November 28, 20170257The plight of the ethnic Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine state was front and center in speeches by Pope Francis and Aung San Suu Kyi, but neither publicly used the word Rohingya.
Saturday, November 18, 20170341When catechist Luz Santiago introduced “Chosen: This is your Catholic Faith” for teens at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in September, she said that she sensed some skepticism in the second-year Confirmation class for RCIA participants.
Monday, April 3, 20170242During this Lenten season, the refrain after the reading from the prophets has warned us, “If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts!” This warning has a two-fold difficulty. In the first place, it is hard to discern just what God’s voice sounds like and in what circumstances God wants to capture our attention.
Sunday, November 27, 20160164Advent is a season of expectation. The prayers and readings of the liturgy teach us to look forward to the coming of Christ, the bringer of every blessing. This involves conversion, or an effort to unite our affections into an undivided love for “God-with-us” (Emmanuel), Jesus of Nazareth, who brings with himself wisdom, justice and...
Tuesday, October 25, 20160197Do I have a choice in this election? Many Catholics are asking themselves this question. It is important to let it challenge us. We are in a difficult situation, and it is healthy to admit it. Otherwise, we risk becoming close-minded, divided and politically ineffective.
Friday, October 21, 20160198Sometime in my early scholastic years, I developed a sense that education was a competitive game. One was asked to know the correct answers to questions. It was not of primary importance that one knew all the ins and outs of what was being asked. What got you points was the precise, correct answer.
Thursday, May 12, 20160145With the Solemnity of Pentecost, the long journey through Lent, Holy Week and Easter is over – a liturgical marathon stretching from February 10th to May 15th this year. You might think we can now relax our festive spirits and settle into the “ordinary” time of the liturgical year. Not so fast! For the first Sunday after Pentecost...
Friday, January 30, 20150190Remembering that first encounter and that initial feeling of loving and being loved is as important in one's faith life as it is marriage, Pope Francis said during his early morning Mass.
Monday, August 19, 20130169Faith isn't something decorative one adds to life, but is a commitment that involves making choices that may require sacrifice, Pope Francis said.
