Hey there, Have you heard the story of the three fish who lived in a pond? One was named “Plan Ahead,” another was named “Think Fast,” and the third was called “Wait and See.” One day they heard a fisherman say he was going to cast his net in their pond the next day. Plan Ahead said, “I am swimming down the river tonight.” Think Fast said, “I am sure I will come up with a …
Entering the Franciscan Jubilee Year
Hey there, There are moments in life when time seems to pause, when ordinary routines give way to something extraordinary … a chance to step into a season that calls for reflection, renewal, and joy. Living in North Texas, I don’t get to see snow very often, but I absolutely love snow. Everything is covered in quiet white and familiar streets feel new. Everything is the same, yet everything is …
Praying For The Protection of The Unborn
Hey there, Imagine a gardener discovering a tiny seed just beginning to sprout in the soil. Though small and seemingly fragile, the gardener tends it carefully, knowing that with time, care, and sunlight, it could grow into a strong, fruitful tree. In much the same way, every unborn child is a life full of potential, deserving protection, care, and prayer. January 22 is the day the Catholic …
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Receiving The Graces of The Miraculous Medal
Hey there, If you’re like me, you’ll take all the help you can get to get to heaven. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources at our fingertips. We have Scripture, and we have the lives of the Saints to emulate. The Blessed Virgin Mary told us through Blessed Alan de la Roche that we’ll “obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the rosary.” And we've talked about the value of …
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The Catholic View of Ghosts
Hey there, October 31st is quickly approaching and that means pumpkins, candy, and ghosts. Oh my! What is it about being scared that attracts us to scary movies and haunted houses? According to Christopher Dwyer, PhD it has partly to do with our body’s physiological response. Fear generates a rush of adrenaline that releases endorphins and dopamine … it can create a state of …
Unwrapping The Shroud of Turin
Hey there, A couple of months ago over dinner with family, the Shroud of Turin came up in conversation. One relative quickly dismissed it, insisting carbon dating had already “debunked” it as a medieval forgery. At the time, I wasn’t sure what to think … I’d heard conflicting claims about its authenticity. Then, just weeks ago, I listened to an interview between Tucker Carlson and Jeremiah …
Understanding Our Catholic Symbols
Hey there, I’m pretty sure you know what that means. And this: We use emojis like this all the time in our text messages, social media posts, and our emails. These symbols express a thought quickly and easily. There are lots of other places where we see and use symbols. Like on road signs … outside doors to tell us what a room is for … and in advertising. Symbols are a …
Making The Most of Holy Week
Hey there, Did you know that the largest sporting event in the world based on viewership is the FIFA World Cup? Followed by the Tour de France. Other big events include the Superbowl, the Wimbledon Championships, The Olympic Games, and The Masters, which was played last week. This week is another big event. It’s like the FIFA World Cup, Tour de France, Superbowl, and all the other big …
Reflecting on Palm Sunday of The Passion of The Lord
Hey there, Palm Sunday is always a popular Mass. Who doesn’t want to get some palms to wave around at Mass and take home? Or to weave into a cross? We celebrate the triumphant arrival of Jesus to Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. We usually focus on Jesus’ experience. Or maybe the crowd of people welcoming him with palms in the air. But there’s another unexpected character in the …
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Exploring the Catholic Vision of Heaven
Hey there, Someone recently asked me what heaven is like. After a little contemplation I came up with an answer, though it was mostly what heaven is not. But it did get me thinking. As Catholics we want to go to heaven one day. And here we’re always talking about how to get to heaven. But what is heaven? Or at least, what does the Catholic Church say that heaven is? This issue of …
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Preparing For a Robust Lenten Season
Hey there, Preparation is important for any task or undertaking. Jock, the painter, often would thin his paint so it would go further. So when the Church decided to do some deferred maintenance, Jock was able to put in the low bid, and got the job. As always, he thinned his paint way down with turpentine. One day while he was up on the scaffolding -- the job almost finished -- he heard a …
Holiness For The Rest of us
Hey there, The first thing that comes to mind when I think about holiness is Jesus Christ. Then Mary and Joseph. The Apostles and disciples. The Saints. Even Priests, Deacons, and others in religious life. I don’t think about “ordinary people” like me. But that’s not right. We are all called to holiness. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “All Christians in any …
