Hey there, There’s a lifestyle movement that's been growing in popularity for several years called Minimalism. It’s the idea that less is more. Clean out those closets. Get rid of all the excess clutter. Own fewer possessions. You’ve probably seen the hype about the tiny house movement as well. People are moving into 100 to 400 square foot homes. Then there’s the occasional Smart Car you see …
Being More Generous Every Day (And Why)
Hey there, As we make our way through this life, doing our best to earn a place in heaven, we know to steer away from the 7 deadly sins: lust, greed, gluttony, envy, anger, pride, and sloth. To aid us in our efforts, the Holy Spirit has given us the 7 Capital Virtues: chastity, generosity, temperance, brotherly love, meekness, humility, and diligence. We’ve covered some of these virtues …
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The Three Nativities we Celebrate And Why
Hey there, Have you noticed how elaborate birthday parties have become? There’s the theme on the invitations, the cake, the food, the games, the decor. It’s often held at some type of event venue. Even some adults get in on the birthday hubbub. I see people posting on Facebook about their “birthday week.” We’ve not always put so much emphasis on birthday celebrations. But there are …
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Discovering Why Corpus Christi Is More Than Just Another Feast Day
Hey there, In August of 2019 the Pew Research Center published shocking results from a survey of Catholics stating that only one third believe that “during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine actually become the body and blood of Jesus.” This is a bleak outlook on what the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (CCC 1324) Fortunately, a survey …
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Appreciating Jesus’s Ascension
Hey there, We’re fascinated by rising up. Maybe it’s because it’s so easy to get knocked down. Coach Vince Lombardi famously said, “It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” We love a good Cinderella story and root for the underdog. We all know the ancient story of the phoenix rising from the ashes. It reminds us that it’s possible to come back even stronger …
Your Happily Ever Afterlife Depends on The Works of Mercy
Hey there, In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, cynical weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) reluctantly travels to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to cover the annual festivities. After being forced to stay overnight, he wakes up to discover he’s reliving the same day, February 2nd, again and again. At first, Connors uses the endless loop for selfish gain. But over time, as the repetition wears on …
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Defeating The Devil
Hey there, “The devil made me do it.” “The devil is in the details.” “Playing devil’s advocate.” These familiar phrases roll easily off our tongues. They appear in our conversations, our entertainment, and our culture so often that the devil himself can seem more like a figure of speech than a real presence. Yet Catholic teaching has always been clear: the devil is not a symbol. He …
Bringing The Good News to Others
Hey there, Years ago, I found myself in a pro sports stadium (which shall remain nameless) with a coworker and a photographer, hoping to get permission to use the space for a client's photoshoot. Just as we were making our request, the decision-maker cut us off and announced very seriously that he believed one of us had been brought there to be saved. What followed was 45 painfully long …
Witnessing the Baptism of the Lord
Hi there, Have you ever watched a child step hesitantly into a swimming pool for the first time? The water seems both inviting and intimidating, full of unknown possibilities. That moment, when the child finally plunges in and emerges splashing and transformed, is a glimpse of what Baptism does in our spiritual lives. On Sunday we will celebrate the Baptism of the Lord, when Jesus Himself …
Getting to Know (And Celebrate) Our Lady of Loreto
Hey there, One way we record history is by marking the places where memorable events happened. Drive the highways of the United States and you’ll see those roadside markers ... birthplaces, homesteads, battlegrounds, sites where something extraordinary once took place. The National Register of Historic Places lists more than 90,000 properties recognized for their importance to American …
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Making The Most of Catholic Advent And Christmas Seasons
Hey there, When I was growing up, our Christmas decorations never appeared before December 13th. I remember the date so vividly because it’s my birthday. Only after that day would we pick out our live tree, string lights on the house, and hang our stockings. As a kid, the first half of December was all about my birthday, and the second half shifted to Christmas. And honestly … most families …
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Recognizing Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of The Universe
Hey there, The signs of the season are already everywhere ... full grocery carts, early Christmas displays, and the steady buzz of people getting ready for next week’s Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. Before long, the pace will quicken even more with Christmas planning and the arrival of Advent on Sunday, November 30th, when we begin a new Liturgical year and return to Cycle A. But before …
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